Abdur Rahman Ishan, Netrokona Correspondent

With the slogan "In an effort to make the dull childhood of a distressed child colorful", a school called Shwapon Vidyanid started its journey in 2020 in the Rail Colony area of Netrakona with some underprivileged and street children who are like unblooming flower buds. With the help of a group of young people, this school for underprivileged children started its journey with 20 students.
Its student population now exceeds 40.
On December 21, cultural programs and sports competitions were held to mark the second anniversary of the foundation. Hanif Ullah Akash, Information and Technology Affairs Secretary of the District Press Club, was present as the chief guest.
Also present were Abdur Rahman Ishan, president of the Stage for Youth Foundation Netrokona municipal branch, Kazi Abdul Gaffar, the organization's director, Mostaim Billah, Nahid, Salehin Netrokona Government College student leader Abul Kalam Azad, Shihab Ahmed, school teachers and others.

Narsingdi Correspondent:

The 12th election of the Narsingdi Chamber of Commerce and Industries (NCCI) has been held. Continuous voting was held from 9 am to 4 pm on Wednesday (December 21).

The voting was held in 10 booths in 10 rooms of Narsingdi Chamber Building and Narsingdi Biam Zila School. Later, at 7:30 pm, the results were announced by the Chairman of the Election Management Board, Makhon Das.

He said that 38 candidates contested against a total of 18 posts in two categories in the election. Out of these, 24 candidates contested against 12 general category director posts and 14 candidates contested against 6 associate category director posts.  

In the general category, Abdul Momen Mollah (1076), Kazim Uddin (1047), Nazmul Haque Bhuiyan (1044), Al-Amin Rahman (1043), Motalib Hossain (1040), Enamul Haque Monir (1010), Delwar Hossain Dulal (997), Rafiqul Islam (993), Mahmudul Hasan Shamim Newaz (971), Russell Bin Hasanat (690), Faisal Ahmed (907) and Paresh Sutradhar (905) were elected as directors with the highest number of votes.

In the associate category, Hasib Ahmed Molla (684), Anisur Rahman Bhuiyan (628), Sarwar Hossain Bhuiyan Jhantu (626), Shahidul Islam Palash (618), Saiful Islam Zahid (582) and Asaduzzaman (565) won the post of director with the votes.  

The total number of voters in the election was 2,553. Of these, 1,566 were for the general category director post and 987 were for the associate category director post. Of these, 74 percent of voters cast their votes. Md. Kamrul Islam served as the presiding officer in the election.

Badiuzzaman (Tuhin), Noakhali Correspondent:

The candidates are running a campaign campaign ahead of the 3rd Union Parishad election of Noakhali Sadar to be held on December 29. The candidates have taken to the field with their waists tied up. The election atmosphere is gathering. Maulana Yasin Arafat, the heavyweight chairman candidate in Noakhali Union No. 6, is roaming from village to village. Envious of the popularity of the pineapple marker, malicious circles are running false and baseless propaganda against the pineapple symbol through social media, said Pineapple marker candidate Maulana Yasin Arafat.

A crocodile measuring about six feet long has been caught in the Chitra River in Kalia Upazila of Narail.

On Monday (December 19) afternoon, villagers caught the crocodile with a net from the Chitra River adjacent to Jobayer Biswas's brick kiln in Kharia village of Kalia upazila.

It is learnt that the crocodile was caught in a net and taken to the shore and kept at the Perli Union Parishad (UP) premises. At that time, hundreds of people eagerly gathered there to see the crocodile. Later, the forest department was informed and the workers came in the evening and took the crocodile away.

Eyewitnesses said that on Monday afternoon, workers saw the large crocodile in the riverbank adjacent to Jobayer Biswas's brick kiln in Kharia village. When the news spread, the villagers surrounded the crocodile with nets and caught it.

In this regard, Perli UP Chairman Md. Jarjid Molya told Banglanews, on Monday afternoon, brick kiln workers saw the crocodile and informed others. Later, 10/12 people including Azimul Molya of Kharia village surrounded the crocodile with a large net and caught it. Later, it was kept under guard in the Union Parishad premises. In the evening, the crocodile was handed over to the concerned officials.

Amjad Hossain, a forester at the Kalia Upazila Social Forestry Department, told BanglaNews that Mahinur Rahman, the range officer of the Wildlife Extension and Nature Conservation Department, Khulna, brought the crocodile. They believe it is a rare freshwater gharial. It is believed that it came to the shore to bask in the sun as the water in the river was receding and it was winter.
Kalia Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sheikh Tasmeem Alam said, "Upon receiving the information, we went to the spot and ensured the safety of the crocodile. Later, it was handed over to officials in Khulna region through the Kalia Upazila Social Forestry Department."

Md. Mobarak Hossain, Narsingdi Correspondent:

An unidentified elderly woman (50) died after being crushed under a train in Raipura, Narsingdi. The accident occurred near the western side of Methikanda Railway Station in Raipura upazila of Narsingdi district on Tuesday (December 20) afternoon.

Police and locals said that an unidentified elderly woman was walking along the railway tracks at around 11:30 am on Tuesday. At that time, the Dhaka-bound Kalni Express train leaving Sylhet ran over her and her body was cut into pieces. She died on the spot. Later, after receiving information, the railway police recovered her body from the spot at around 2:30 pm.

Narsingdi Railway Police Outpost In-charge Sub-Inspector Saiful Islam said, "Upon receiving information, the body of an unidentified woman was recovered from the scene. The body is being sent to Narsingdi Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. The PBI is working to identify the body."

Md. Badiuzzaman (Tuhin), Noakhali Correspondent:

A 5-year-old child has been accused of attempting to rape her in Kabirhat Upazila of Noakhali by promising her Civit tablets. The victim is currently undergoing treatment at the 250-bed Noakhali General Hospital.

The incident took place in Mirzanagar village of Narottampur union in Kabirhat upazila.

The accused in this incident, Saju (23), is the son of Bashar Amin of the same house and is an electrician by profession.

The victim's mother said that on Monday (December 19) at 11 am, the victim was playing in front of Sajud's house in the same house. At that time, Saju took her to his house with two CVs. There, he tried to rape her by stripping her naked. The child got scared and ran to her house and told her mother about the incident. At that time, when her mother informed the others in the house, Saju ran away. In the afternoon, the victim was admitted to the 250-bed Noakhali General Hospital for treatment.

Noakhali General Hospital Resident Medical Officer (RMO) Dr. Syed Mohiuddin Abdul Azim confirmed the matter and said, "The victim is currently undergoing treatment. He has undergone necessary tests. Necessary treatment will be provided based on the report."

Kabirhat Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Rafiqul Islam said that police were sent to the spot as soon as they were informed about the incident. The police are also in touch with the victim's family at the hospital. Legal action will be taken based on their complaint.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has commented that Bangladesh has deviated from the spirit of independence and the ideals of victory with the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family on August 15, 1975.

He made these comments while participating in the BGB Day program at Peelkhana in the capital on Tuesday (December 20).

Expressing regret over the 2009 Peelkhana massacre at the event, Sheikh Hasina urged BGB members to follow the chain of command.

The Prime Minister also said that border security, crime prevention, and the safety of people's lives and property have become easier than ever before.

At the event, the head of government said, "Not a single person will be homeless in the country of Bangabandhu. We have made arrangements for those who are homeless to stay. The country has achieved food self-sufficiency."

Stating that the world is in economic recession due to Corona and the Ukraine war, Sheikh Hasina said, "Everyone must be careful so that the recession does not come to our country. We must ensure that not even an inch of land remains empty anywhere in the country. We must hold our heads high in the court of the world by producing food."

Earlier, the Prime Minister arrived at the Bir Uttam Anwar Hossain Parade Ground of the BGB headquarters at around 10 am. After that, she toured the entire parade ground and received the greetings of the Home Minister, BGB DG, BGB officers and the guests present. With the permission of the Prime Minister, the BGB parade began later. In recognition of their heroic and meritorious contributions, the Head of Government presented medals to BGB members and later participated in a special courtroom for BGB members.

Aggrieved traders in Lakshmipur city have closed their shops and protested against alleged harassment by VAT officials.

On December 19 (Monday) at around 3:30 pm, district customs, excise and VAT officials conducted a raid in the Azim Shah Market area of the city. During this, the traders alleged that the cash of the businessmen was opened and the account books, cash memos and order copies were forcibly taken away. The traders closed their shops and protested on the streets. At one stage, the general secretary of the Traders' Association, Abul Kalam Azad, assured them of a solution to the issue, but the traders withdrew their protest.

It is learnt that in the afternoon, 4/5 members including Assistant Revenue Officer Muhammad Shahadat Hossain and 4/5 members led by JM Shoaib Rumi, Officer-in-Charge of Lakshmipur Divisional Customs Excise and VAT Office, launched a raid in Lakshmipur town. During this, they raided establishments named Riya Enterprise, New Lakshmipur Purda Gallery, Meghna Enterprise and Mac World and forcibly took away account books, cash memos and order copies.

Local businessmen said that VAT officials suddenly entered their shop without any reason in the name of a raid on their establishment. During this time, the officials took away the company's accounts and necessary documents. Businessman Mohammad Bablu said, I was not in the shop when VAT officials entered my establishment. At this time, the employees asked me to wait a little. But without waiting, they took away all the documents including the accounts of my shop and misbehaved with the employees.

New Lakshmipur Curtain Gallery Proprietor Mohammad Hasan said, "VAT officials entered my establishment and misbehaved with the employees. During this time, they took important documents from the cash of my establishment. According to the rules, VAT officers do not have the right to touch the cash of a business establishment. I want justice for these officials."

Abul Kalam Azad, general secretary of Lakshmipur Traders' Association, said, "The traders were angry over the VAT raid and closed their shops and took to the streets in protest. At that time, we calmed the aggrieved traders and talked to the VAT officials. I hope the problem will be resolved."

JM Shoaib Rumi, officer-in-charge of Lakshmipur Divisional Customs Excise and VAT Office, said, "We brought account books, cash memos and order copies from some business establishments. However, no one was misbehaved."

Faridpur District Representative-

A housewife named Asia Islam Amy has given birth to triplets at the same time in Faridpur. The triplets were born through a cesarean section at Faridpur Children's Hospital on Monday (December 19) at around 2:45 pm.

Housewife Asia is the wife of Md. Nazmul Hasan, an assistant teacher at Faridpur Police Lines School and College.
Teacher Nazmul Hasan said, "After one and a half years of marriage, three children were born in our house. Of these, two are sons and one is a daughter. The mother and all three children are healthy."

In this regard, Faridpur Children's Hospital doctor Dr. Sultana Begum Lipi said, "Asia Islam underwent a cesarean section in the afternoon. She gave birth to three children at once. They are admitted to the Children's Hospital. The three newborns and the mother are healthy."

Md. Badiuzzaman (Tuhin), Noakhali Correspondent:

The meeting was held on the afternoon of December 19 at a hall in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. The meeting was chaired by the Vice-Chairman of the Trust, Ishtiaq Ahmed Chowdhury, and the former founding chairman of the Bangladesh Study Trust and Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen MP was present as the chief guest.

The General Secretary of the Trust, Professor Dr. Mamun Al Mahtab (Swapnil), presented the activities of the organization in the past days at the general meeting. In the general meeting held under the chairmanship of Organizing Secretary THM Jahangir, Professor Dr. Uttam Kumar Barua spoke about the agenda of the coming days. On the proposal of the former Chairman of the Trust, Dr. AK Abdul Momen MP and with the unanimous consent of all the members present at the general meeting, the recently former Vice-Chancellor of the National University, Professor Dr. Harun-or-Rashid, was appointed as the Chairman, renowned social organizer, executive editor and researcher of Dainik Bangladesh Samachar, THM Jahangir, was appointed as the General Secretary, and Assistant Proctor of the Institute of Education and Research, Dhaka University, Professor Dr. A new executive committee of 27 members was formed with Mahbubur Rahman Litu as the organizing secretary. The committee includes former UK Ambassador Abdul Hannan as vice-chairman, Sonali Bank director Ishtiaq Ahmed Chowdhury as vice-chairman, former executive director of the Law and Arbitration Center, eminent human rights activist Shipa Hafiza as vice-chairman, former director of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital Professor Dr. Uttam Kumar Barua as vice-chairman, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Liver Department Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Al Mahtab (Swapnil) as vice-chairman, Dainik Bhorer Kagoj editor Shyamal Dao as vice-chairman, freedom fighter Dr. Jahangir Habib Ullah as joint-general secretary, The Bangladesh Diary editor and publisher Dr. Khan Asaduzzaman as joint-general secretary, Jagannath University Bangla Department Chairman Professor Dr. Milton Biswas is the Education Affairs Secretary, Social Activist and Researcher Helal Uddin is the Human Resources Development Affairs Secretary, Accounting Technologist co-founder Fahadan Hossain Farabi is the Finance Secretary, Medical Researcher Dr. Samia Ahmed is the International Affairs Secretary, Journalist Anhar Shamshad is the Publicity and Publication Secretary, Assistant Professor of Tejgaon College Mostafizur Rahman Munna is the Literary and Cultural Secretary, Fashion Designer Badrun Nahar is the Roxy Office Secretary for Bangabandhu Affairs. The executive members are Powercell Director General Engineer Mohammad Hossain, Former District Judge Mahmud Jahangir Alam, Former Dean of the Chemistry Department of Dhaka University Professor Dr. Nilufar Nahar, Hero Freedom Fighter Abdul Majid Chowdhury, Publisher and Researcher Mostafa Jahangir Alam, Distinguished Social Worker Abdul Khaliq, Managing Director of Farazi Hospital Dr. Moktar Hossain, Organizer and Researcher Romana Afroza, CEO of Channel S Sujit Chakraborty.