Everest now under our foot

A Bangladeshi mountaineer and a journalist by profession, Musa Ibrahim, has conquered Everest on May 23rd, 2010. He is the first Bangladeshi to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Arranger of the expedition Iswari Paudel and Musa Ibrahim's wife, Umme Soraban Tahura (Asst. District Judge of Mymensing), confirmed the news at first hand.

Just steal some times to get refreshed you

It was just one-hour ride on a CNG-run taxi from my home village Kalikatcha of Sarail Upazila of Brahmanbaria. I was lucky that I could think about such a plan to get out of my daily life.

I and my two friends--Shahman Moishan and Sumel Mia went to see the wonders of natures in Satchhari National Park under Habiganj district on June 16, 2010.

It was amazing, it was wonderful, our minds were filled up with joys and happiness after we discovered ourselves amidst the trees, birds, monkeys, elephants and sweet sounds of Jhhi-Jhhi insects.

We were there for not more than one hour.But it will continue to fueling my urban life for next long time.

Jute genome decoded Golden fibre to become healthy, high yielding, weather-tolerant;

Reaz Ahmed, senior writer of The Daily Star (June 17, 2010)

Bangladeshi researchers have successfully decoded the jute plant genome opening up a new vista in the development of variety of the world's most adorned biodegradable natural fibre.

Experts said this gene sequencing would help improve the fibre length and quality, including colours and strength; and develop high yielding, saline soil- and pest-tolerant jute varieties through genetic engineering.

With the successful sequencing of jute genome, Bangladesh becomes only the second country after Malaysia, among the developing nations, to achieve such a feat.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made the announcement of Bangladesh's scientific achievement in the parliament yesterday amid cheers and desk thumping by lawmakers.

Researchers from Dhaka University, Bangladesh Jute Research Institute and Software Company DataSoft in collaboration with Centre for Chemical Biology, University of Science, Malaysia and University of Hawaii, USA have decoded the genome.

Bangladeshi scientist Maqsudul Alam, a professor of the University of Hawaii, who earlier decoded the genome of papaya in the US and rubber plant in Malaysia, led from the forefront in sequencing the jute genome.

Maqsudul told The Daily Star over telephone yesterday evening, "This is a great accomplishment not only for Bangladesh but for the whole world." He refused to comment any further saying there would be a formal address to the press today (Thursday).

Dubbing it a historic scientific advancement, Sheikh Hasina told the parliament this would redeem the lost glory of the "golden fibre" as gene mapping of jute would now help breeders develop jute varieties resistant to pests and climatic adversities.

She said genome sequencing would help redeem the lost glory of our jute and jute products, immensely contribute to our economy and help transform jute fibre into the golden fibre and bring smiles to millions of jute farmers.

Jute genome sequencing initiative began in February, 2008 when Maqsudul started exploring the possibilities with several Bangladeshi scientists and academics. The whole process was kicked off with many long conference calls between Maqsudul and plant molecular biologists, Prof Haseena Khan and Prof Zeba Seraj of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Dhaka University. Then the lead researcher had several meetings with Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury.

Genome sequence represents a valuable shortcut, helping scientists find genes much more easily and quickly. A genome sequence allows scientists identify and understand how genes work together for the plant's different features like growth, development and maintenance as an entire organism. This allows them to manipulate the genes and enhance, reduce or add certain features of the plant.

Contacted, Zeba Seraj of DU told The Daily Star, "As against three billion genetic letters in human genome, jute has one billion. And sequencing of jute genome will open up a new vista of possibilities."

Jute is the second largest fibre crop in terms of cultivation next to cotton. Bangladesh is the world's second-largest producer of jute, after India, and the world's largest exporter of the fibre.

Sheikh Hasina when mother of ill-fated girls (June 09, 2010

Ratna, Runa and Asma, the three tragic characters of the cruel Nimtoli blaze, tied their nuptial knots Wednesday evening giving credence again to American poet Robert Frost’s famous quote about life, “It goes on.”

Famous musician Bismillah Khan’s music combined with the tunes of both melancholy and happiness was played on “Sanai” suiting the traditional wedding ceremony at the Banquet Hall of Ganobhaban.

A wedding podium was decorated with fresh roses, jasmine and `rajanigandha’ exuding sweet fragrance. The podium was wrapped up on the outside with colourful “silk’ cloths.

The background of the stage carried the three signs of love inscribing the names of three couples —Ratna and Suman, Runa and Jamil, and Asma and Alamgir.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who took upon her all responsibilities of their marriages as a ‘mother’ bought eight tolas of gold for each girl.

She also bought all necessary furniture and household items needed for a newly married couple starting from sofa set to refrigerator and television, dinner table and dinner sets to cooking utensils.

The Prime Minister also managed jobs for the three bridegrooms.

Since Runa’s husband Jamil belongs to the Shia community, marriage ceremony was conducted according to their culture.

Three brides wearing traditional red Benarasi katan saree entered Ganobhaban at 8:30pm while the three bridegrooms and their relatives came to Ganobhaban in 80 cars at 9:30pm.

The bridegrooms paid Tk 25,000 each as gate money.

The Prime Minister decorated the brides with gold ornament with motherly affection at 9:20pm. Raja Hossain Hosseni and Hujjatul Islam Maulan Naki Imam moderated the wedding of Runa and Ratna while Quazi Mohammad Yunus moderated the marriage ceremony of Asma.

Awami League leaders MA Aziz was the ‘Ukil bap” for Ratna, Haji Selim for Runa and Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin MP for Asma.

‘Den Mohar’ was fixed at Tk 1.13 lakh for each bridegroom. Ganobhaban officials said food was cooked for 2,500 to 3,000 guests, mostly relatives and friends of the bride and bridegrooms as well as local elite of Nimtoli.

All the three brides – two sisters Sakina Akhter Ratna and Umme Faria Akhter Runa, and Asma Akhtar - lost their mothers and other family members in the blaze on June 3.

Asma’s father is struggling for his life at Dhaka CMH. Close relatives of the brides’ and grooms’ families, elite from Nimtoli area, local MP, local political leaders and senor Awami League leaders attended the marriage ceremony.

A RARE GESTURE (June 03,2010-UNB)

"I have no more expectations in life." That was the only sentence uttered by Ramiza Khatun, an octogenarian beggar, after she met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday.
Ramiza Khatun, who scrapes a living by begging on the city streets, came to meet the prime minister at the prime minister's office (PMO) following a news story carried by Bangla daily Kaler Kantho.
The new Bangla daily on June 2 published a front-page story that Ramiza Khatun's late husband, Hasmat Ali, who used to be a van driver, bought a piece of land in 2003 and registered the land in the name of Sheikh Hasina.
Prime minister's press secretary Abul Kalam Azad disclosed the ownership of the land will now be transferred to Ramiza Khatun.
On Ramiza's arrival at the prime minister's room in the PMO, the Hasina hugged Ramiza with rare emotion.
"From now onwards, I myself will take care of you," Hasina told Ramiza. As per the prime minister's directive, the government will soon set up a home for Ramiza on the land her husband bought.
"A farm full of pet animals like cows, ducks and hens will also be set up for Ramiza Khatun," said Abul Kalam Azad.
Besides, the prime minister further said that from now on, the government will bear all the expenses for medical treatment of Ramiza Khatun.
The prime minister also donated an amount of cash to Ramiza on the occasion.
According to the Kaler Kantho report, Hasmat Ali through his hard-earned money bought 6.45 decimals land on February 22, 2003 at Kharua Barail village of Rawna Union under Gafurgaon Upazila in Mymensingh district.
Hasmat, who died at the age of 80 in 2004, bought the land for Sheikh Hasina as he used to think of Hasina as an "orphan" after the tragic killings of her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and mother Fazilatunnesa Mujib, along with most of her other family members, on August 15, 1975.
After Bangabandhu's death, Hasmat Ali and Ramiza Khatun came to the capital and started to live in Agargaon slum.
According to the report, Hasmat Ali used to say the Razakars had killed Bangabandhu, leaving Sheikh Hasina as an "orphan". "He (Hasmat Ali) would always say he must do something for Sheikh Hasina," Ramiza was quoted as saying by the daily.
After Hasmat Ali died in 2004, Ramiza was compelled to live through begging, as her only son did not take his struggling mother with his family.
Unfortunately, the person from whom Hasmat Ali bought the land for Sheikh Hasina later grabbed the land. Prime minister Hasina, during the meet with Ramiza, ordered the authorities concerned to rescue the land and register it in the name of Ramiza.
The news story of the Bangla daily also had written that Ramiza is now suffering from various complicated diseases and old age complications.

Soon after reading the news report, the prime minister directed her officials to ensure modern
treatment for Ramiza. From then onwards, Ramiza has been undergoing treatment at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital.

Writer of the news story Haider Ali and BSMMU vice-chancellor Prof Dr Pran Gopal Datta were also present.