Thursday, 21 May 2026
The Dhaka News

Highway Blockade and Human Chain in Chandina Demanding Gas Connection

Local residents held a human chain and a protest march on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway, demanding gas connections in the residential areas of Chandina Upazila in Cumilla. On Wednesday morning, residents from four villages gathered in the Kutumbapur area of the upazila to observe this program.The movement began with a protest rally organized by the local residents. Later, a procession of the protesters marched through the Kutumbapur market area and culminated on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway, where they formed a human chain.People from various walks of life, including local men and women, spontaneously joined the hour-long human chain. Due to the presence of a large number of people along the highway, vehicle movement on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway slowed down for some time.At the end of the human chain, a rally was held where speeches were delivered by Maulana Abul Khair, Ayet Ali Molla, and Maulana Matiur Rahman Farazi, the joint conveners of the Gas Movement Implementation Committee. Expressing solidarity with the movement, other local leaders also spoke, including Md. Khair, Shahjahan Molla, Maulana Mizanur Rahman, member secretary K M Jamal, Shafiullah Farazi, and Shahjalal Farazi. The speakers called upon the relevant authorities to accept their long-standing demand and swiftly ensure gas supply to the residential areas.
9 hrs ago

The Glow of Fire and the Clang of Hammers: Chandina’s Blacksmiths Usher in Eid-ul-Adha

With the holy Eid-ul-Adha just around the corner, a festive yet relentlessly busy atmosphere has taken over the blacksmith quarters of Chandina Upazila in Cumilla. The core essence of this Eid revolves around animal sacrifice and processing meat. Consequently, the local blacksmith community is working day and night to craft essential tools like choppers (da), meat-cleavers (boti), knives, machetes (chapati), and small skinning knives. From dawn until midnight, every blacksmith shop in the upazila resonates with the rhythmic clanging and clattering of hammers striking iron. The glowing red ember of the furnaces and the sweat on the artisans' brows declare that they are passing the busiest and most profitable time of the year.However, a slightly different trend is visible in this year's Eid market. Due to the overall economic situation, the prices of raw materials like iron, coal, and other accessories have increased significantly compared to previous years. This rise in production costs has directly impacted the prices of the finished tools. Artisans note that because of the higher costs, orders for brand-new tools are somewhat lower than in previous years. Considering the extra expense, many ordinary buyers are choosing not to buy new items. Instead, they are bringing out their rusted, old knives and choppers from last year. Blacksmiths are reheating, hammering, and sharpening these old tools, making them as good as new. As a result, alongside crafting new items, a massive rush has formed at the shops for sharpening old tools.Conversations with Swapan Karmakar, a veteran blacksmith at the bustling Badarpur Bazar, reveal the inner realities and evolution of this craft. He shares that with the passage of time, modern technology has touched this ancient and traditional profession. In the past, crafting a single chopper required molding the iron piece to the final sharpening entirely by hand—a process that was extremely laborious and time-consuming. However, in this modern mechanical era, their physical labor has been reduced. Now, they shape the basic form of the iron in their own shops and do the finishing and cutting work using modern machines at local workshops. This has accelerated production and eased physical strain. Swapan Karmakar adds, however, that due to the increased cost of raw materials, they are forced to charge a bit more, which poses a slight challenge for middle-class buyers.With only seven to eight days left before Eid, the workload in Chandina's blacksmith shops has reached its peak. Because the time is short and the demand is high, many artisans do not even have a moment to spare for lunch or a night's rest. To manage the stream of customers, shop owners and workers cannot afford a single moment to sit down. While this constant hustle is visible in every market and village across Chandina, the most traditional and notable area for this craft is Darora village and its surrounding market. The blacksmiths of this village are not just busy during the festive season; they engage in crafting iron tools throughout the year. They manufacture agricultural tools like sickles and spades, as well as various household items, twelve months a year. They travel to various folk fairs and religious gatherings across the country with their high-quality handmade products, which keeps them economically self-reliant.Although the blacksmith industry has lost some of its former glory due to the evolution of time and the dominance of modern steel and plastic products, the indispensability of this profession is proven anew whenever Eid-ul-Adha arrives. Despite numerous hardships, the blacksmith community of Chandina keeps this ancestral profession alive out of pure love for the craft. The service they provide, enduring the intense heat of the furnace and backbreaking labor, remains a unique part of our society and culture. In these few days leading up to Eid, their continuous hustle and the ringing sound of hammers stand as a symbol of vitality for the rural economy.
12 hrs ago

Government Releases New Design 5 Taka Note

government is releasing a newly designed Tk 5 currency note under the theme "Historical and Archaeological Architecture of Bangladesh" from today (Tuesday May 19, 2026 ).According to a press release issued by the Finance Division of the Ministry of Finance, the new note has been printed with updated design and security features bearing the signature of Finance Secretary Dr. Md. Khairuzzaman Mozumder.The note will initially be issued from the Motijheel office of Bangladesh Bank and later from its other offices across the country.The newly designed Tk 5 note measures 117 mm by 60 mm. The front side of the note features an image of the historic Star (Tara) Mosque on the left side, while the background contains an image of Bangladesh’s national flower, the water lily, with leaves and buds.The reverse side of the note carries an image titled "Graffiti-2024".The note contains several modern security features, including a watermark of the face of the Royal Bengal Tiger with a bright electrotype watermark "5" underneath, alongside the monogram of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.A 2 mm wide embedded security thread has been incorporated on the left side of the note, which becomes visible from both sides when held against light. In addition, the upper portion of the guilloche pattern at the lower front side contains numerous horizontally printed "BANGLADESH" microprints.The note predominantly carries a light pink colour tone.The press release said all existing paper notes and metallic coins currently in circulation will remain valid alongside the newly issued Tk 5 note.Considering the demand of currency collectors, a non-exchangeable Tk 5 specimen note has also been printed. The specimen note will be available at a fixed price from the Bangladesh Bank Currency Museum.
19 May 2026
BNP govt will begin work on Teesta Barrage: PM

BNP govt will begin work on Teesta Barrage: PM

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman today said the BNP government will start work on the Padma Barrage and Teesta Barrage projects.“I want to clearly state that this BNP government will begin work on the Padma Barrage and, InShaAllah, also on the Teesta Barrage. Under the leadership of today’s Disaster Management and Relief Minister, BNP carried out various programmes regarding the Teesta issue. Therefore, if anyone has worked, delivered, and prepared the ground, it is the BNP,” he said.The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing a civic gathering after laying the foundation stone of the National Disaster Management Research and Training Institute building here this afternoon.Stating that the government has already decided to construct the Padma Barrage in the country’s northern and southern regions, especially on the Padma River in Rajshahi, he said, “Over the border, barrages are being built and water is being diverted in different ways, while we receive less water during the dry season.”“We want to construct this barrage so that people and farmers in our country can get water on time during both monsoon and dry seasons,” he added.Prime Minister Tarique Rahman warned about another issue caused by the Farakka Barrage, saying: “Another serious issue is that sea water is entering the southern region because of the Farakka Barrage. As a result, salinity is increasing in areas, including the Sundarbans. Many plants are being damaged, while various animals are becoming extinct”. “Therefore, we must construct the barrage and preserve excess monsoon water for use during the dry season,” the premier added.Referring to climate change, Tarique Rahman said, “Winter is now less intense even in January. I clearly remember that when we were students, we wore sweaters during rehearsals for cultural events on the occasion of the Independence Day programmes on March 26.” Speaking about environmental degradation and urbanization, he said, “Very likely, 20 to 25 years ago, the place where we are standing today was underwater. Certainly, there must have many trees around this area. Now there are not many trees today. There are a lot of buildings.” Referring to a video documentary screened at the event, the premier said, “In this video, we saw a small scene. The video might have shown the place where the Rohingyas live in Cox's Bazar. There are about 13 lakh Rohingyas”. “I visited Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar around 2005-06. At that time, the area was full of trees. Now shelters for Rohingyas have been built there, meaning thousands of trees have been cut down,” he added.Prime Minister also referred to a proposed road project in Cox’s Bazar, saying, “I recently saw a newspaper report stating that around 3,000 trees would need to be cut down because of the road design from Cox’s Bazar, along the beach, to Ukhiya. After seeing the report, I called the concerned minister over the phone and instructed him to discuss the matter with engineers and carry out the work without cutting trees.” Highlighting groundwater depletion, he said, “In Gulshan and Cantonment areas in Dhaka, water used to be available just 20 to 25 feet underground. Now people reportedly need to go down 600 to 700 feet to get water. This issue is not directly, but indirectly related to agricultural work.” “Our farmers are drawing water through deep tube wells to produce crops for 20 crore people. As a result, it is slowly becoming empty from below. Naturally, when the bottom becomes empty, it will collapse from above,” the premier added.Highlighting the BNP’s electoral pledge of excavating canals, he said, “Alhamdulillah, after forming the government, we have already started the canal excavation programme. Canal excavation is deeply connected with people’s lives, agriculture, and even earthquake-related risks.”Noting that even a small disaster causes severe damage in Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said, “Our crops are destroyed and livestock suffer losses due to even the slightest disaster. Therefore, there are two main objectives of today’s programme- to conduct research on changing weather patterns and train people on disaster preparedness and response after establishing the institute.”“We cannot stop natural disasters. We do not have the power to control them. However, we can inform the people and make them aware about the disasters. Today’s programme should become a pledge that we will not only raise awareness among people but also become aware ourselves,” he added.“Our country has limited resources. If we can protect and properly utilise them for the country and its people, we can gradually grow into a developed country. But if resources are destroyed, public suffering will increase,” Prime minister said.Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, State Minister M. Iqbal Hossain and Director General of the Department of Disaster Management Razwanur Rahman spoke at the event.A documentary produced by the Department of Disaster Management was screened at the beginning of the event, and a commemorative crest was presented to the Prime Minister.Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, lawmakers and senior government officials were present at the event.
6 hrs ago
National

National

BNP govt will begin work on Teesta Barrage: PM

BNP govt will begin work on Teesta Barrage: PM

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman today said the BNP government will start work on the Padma Barrage and Teesta Barrage projects.“I want to clearly state that this BNP government will begin work on the Padma Barrage and, InShaAllah, also on the Teesta Barrage. Under the leadership of today’s Disaster Management and Relief Minister, BNP carried out various programmes regarding the Teesta issue. Therefore, if anyone has worked, delivered, and prepared the ground, it is the BNP,” he said.The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing a civic gathering after laying the foundation stone of the National Disaster Management Research and Training Institute building here this afternoon.Stating that the government has already decided to construct the Padma Barrage in the country’s northern and southern regions, especially on the Padma River in Rajshahi, he said, “Over the border, barrages are being built and water is being diverted in different ways, while we receive less water during the dry season.”“We want to construct this barrage so that people and farmers in our country can get water on time during both monsoon and dry seasons,” he added.Prime Minister Tarique Rahman warned about another issue caused by the Farakka Barrage, saying: “Another serious issue is that sea water is entering the southern region because of the Farakka Barrage. As a result, salinity is increasing in areas, including the Sundarbans. Many plants are being damaged, while various animals are becoming extinct”. “Therefore, we must construct the barrage and preserve excess monsoon water for use during the dry season,” the premier added.Referring to climate change, Tarique Rahman said, “Winter is now less intense even in January. I clearly remember that when we were students, we wore sweaters during rehearsals for cultural events on the occasion of the Independence Day programmes on March 26.” Speaking about environmental degradation and urbanization, he said, “Very likely, 20 to 25 years ago, the place where we are standing today was underwater. Certainly, there must have many trees around this area. Now there are not many trees today. There are a lot of buildings.” Referring to a video documentary screened at the event, the premier said, “In this video, we saw a small scene. The video might have shown the place where the Rohingyas live in Cox's Bazar. There are about 13 lakh Rohingyas”. “I visited Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar around 2005-06. At that time, the area was full of trees. Now shelters for Rohingyas have been built there, meaning thousands of trees have been cut down,” he added.Prime Minister also referred to a proposed road project in Cox’s Bazar, saying, “I recently saw a newspaper report stating that around 3,000 trees would need to be cut down because of the road design from Cox’s Bazar, along the beach, to Ukhiya. After seeing the report, I called the concerned minister over the phone and instructed him to discuss the matter with engineers and carry out the work without cutting trees.” Highlighting groundwater depletion, he said, “In Gulshan and Cantonment areas in Dhaka, water used to be available just 20 to 25 feet underground. Now people reportedly need to go down 600 to 700 feet to get water. This issue is not directly, but indirectly related to agricultural work.” “Our farmers are drawing water through deep tube wells to produce crops for 20 crore people. As a result, it is slowly becoming empty from below. Naturally, when the bottom becomes empty, it will collapse from above,” the premier added.Highlighting the BNP’s electoral pledge of excavating canals, he said, “Alhamdulillah, after forming the government, we have already started the canal excavation programme. Canal excavation is deeply connected with people’s lives, agriculture, and even earthquake-related risks.”Noting that even a small disaster causes severe damage in Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said, “Our crops are destroyed and livestock suffer losses due to even the slightest disaster. Therefore, there are two main objectives of today’s programme- to conduct research on changing weather patterns and train people on disaster preparedness and response after establishing the institute.”“We cannot stop natural disasters. We do not have the power to control them. However, we can inform the people and make them aware about the disasters. Today’s programme should become a pledge that we will not only raise awareness among people but also become aware ourselves,” he added.“Our country has limited resources. If we can protect and properly utilise them for the country and its people, we can gradually grow into a developed country. But if resources are destroyed, public suffering will increase,” Prime minister said.Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, State Minister M. Iqbal Hossain and Director General of the Department of Disaster Management Razwanur Rahman spoke at the event.A documentary produced by the Department of Disaster Management was screened at the beginning of the event, and a commemorative crest was presented to the Prime Minister.Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, lawmakers and senior government officials were present at the event.
6 hrs ago
International

International

West Bengal Imposes Strict Restrictions on Cow and Buffalo Slaughter

West Bengal Imposes Strict Restrictions on Cow and Buffalo Slaughter

The newly elected BJP government in India’s West Bengal has introduced strict restrictions on the slaughter of cattle and other specified livestock, while also banning animal slaughter in public places across the state.The directive was issued on May 13 by the Home & Hill Affairs Department of the Government of West Bengal under the “West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950.”According to the public notice, no bull, bullock, cow, calf, buffalo, or castrated buffalo can be slaughtered without obtaining a fitness certificate jointly approved by local authorities and a government veterinary surgeon.Under the new rules, an animal can only be considered fit for slaughter if it is over 14 years old and no longer suitable for breeding or work. Animals suffering from permanent disability, severe injury, deformity, or incurable disease may also qualify for approval.The government has further directed that approved animals may only be slaughtered in municipal slaughterhouses or locations designated by local authorities. Slaughtering animals in open or public places has been declared strictly prohibited.Authorities including municipal chairpersons, panchayat officials, and government veterinary officers have been empowered to inspect premises to ensure compliance with the law. Obstructing such inspections will also be treated as a violation.Violators may face up to six months in prison, a fine of up to Rs 1,000, or both, according to the notification. The move comes shortly after the BJP assumed power in West Bengal, marking a significant policy shift that is expected to trigger political and social debate across the state.
14 May 2026
Campus

Campus

Dr Mohammad Musharof Hossain Appointed Vice-Chancellor of JKKNIU

Dr Mohammad Musharof Hossain Appointed Vice-Chancellor of JKKNIU

Professor Dr. Mohammad Musharof Hossain of Chittagong University’s Botany Department has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University (JKKNIU) in Mymensingh.The Ministry of Education issued a notification in this regard on Thursday (May 14), stating that President Mohammed Shahabuddin, also the Chancellor of the university, made the appointment. Prior to this new assignment, Prof Musharof served as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Jamalpur Science and Technology University.According to the notification, the appointment was made under Section 10(1) of the Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University Act, 2006. His tenure will be for four years from the date of joining, or until the date of his retirement.The order further specifies that Prof Musharof will receive a salary and allowances equivalent to his current position, along with other benefits as per the rules. As the chief executive officer of the university, he is required to reside on the campus full-time.The notification also mentioned that the President and Chancellor reserve the right to revoke the appointment at any time if deemed necessary.
14 May 2026
Web Story

Web Story

Election

Election

New Leadership Elected at Haimchar Press Club Through Peaceful Voting

New Leadership Elected at Haimchar Press Club Through Peaceful Voting

The much-anticipated election of the Haimchar Press Club was held on Thursday (March 12, 2026) in a peaceful environment. A total of five candidates contested for the two key positions—President and General Secretary.There were 47 registered voters in the election, of whom 34 exercised their voting rights.Three candidates competed for the post of President. Among them, Md. Mohsin Mia (symbol: Pen) was elected President after securing 19 votes. His nearest rival, G.M. Fazlur Rahman (symbol: Glasses), received 12 votes, while Masud Alam Riad (symbol: Mobile Phone) obtained 3 votes.For the post of General Secretary, two candidates were in the race. Zahidul Islam (symbol: Camera) was elected General Secretary with 20 votes, while his opponent Hasan Al Mamun (symbol: Laptop) received 14 votes.After the completion of voting, the results were officially announced in a peaceful atmosphere. Members of the press club congratulated the newly elected leaders and expressed hope that the new leadership would play a significant role in strengthening and advancing the activities of the press club.
1 November 2025
13th National Parliamentary Election and Referendum to Be Held Tomorrow

13th National Parliamentary Election and Referendum to Be Held Tomorrow

1 November 2025
Cricket

Cricket

Pakistan Sets Three Conditions for Playing India, Including Compensation for Bangladesh

Pakistan Sets Three Conditions for Playing India, Including Compensation for Bangladesh

A new standoff has emerged in international cricket as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has presented three key demands to the International Cricket Council (ICC) in an effort to resolve the ongoing disagreement over Bangladesh’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup.Earlier, Bangladesh had requested the ICC to change match venues after India declined to play in the tournament. In response, the ICC removed Bangladesh from the competition, a decision that Pakistan strongly supported and publicly backed Bangladesh.After Bangladesh was excluded, the PCB announced its intention to boycott the match against India in protest, creating a deadlock with the global governing body of cricket. Recent developments, however, suggest there may be a way forward.According to NDTV sources, PCB officials met with ICC representatives in Lahore and submitted three major demands aimed at breaking the impasse. The demands are:1. Enhanced compensation for Bangladesh,2. Assurance of participation fees for Bangladesh despite being removed from the World Cup,3. Granting Bangladesh the right to host future ICC events.Despite warnings from the ICC about possible consequences, Pakistan remained firm in its decision to boycott the India match. Some PCB officials are reportedly in favor of playing, but PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has maintained his previous position.Before finalizing the decision, Naqvi is scheduled to meet with Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, today (Monday). How the situation will develop and whether the three demands lead to a resolution remains a key focus for the cricketing world.TDN/
9 February 2026
Nationwide

Nationwide

Independence Day celebrated with due dignity through various programs in Haimchar

Independence Day celebrated with due dignity through various programs in Haimchar

On the occasion of Independence Day, various day-long programs have been organized in Haimchar Upazila of Chandpur with due dignity and festive atmosphere.The day's program was inaugurated by hoisting the national flag on Thursday (March 26) morning at the initiative of the upazila administration. Upazila Executive Officer Amit Roy, Haimchar Police Station Officer (OC) Nazmul Hasan, Upazila Agriculture Officer, Secondary Education Officer, Primary Education Officer and officials of other departments were present at the time. Various political, social and teachers also participated in the program.On the occasion of the day, parades, physical exercises, painting competitions and cultural programs were organized with the participation of students from various educational institutions. The venue became festive with the lively participation of the students. Later, a reception was given to the brave freedom fighters at the Upazila Auditorium building. During this, the guests expressed deep respect and gratitude to the freedom fighters.During the event, some freedom fighters spoke, reminiscing about 1971, and the children of freedom fighters also spoke.The Upazila Executive Officer said at the event, The declaration of independence on March 26 led to a long 9-month war. We often forget the contribution of the brave freedom fighters and the brave women in this war. The story of the brave martyred freedom fighters and brave women in the liberation war,Speaking of the martyred ancestors who were tortured in torture cells, I am paying tribute to them through this meeting and he added, "The correct history of independence must be presented to the new generation and everyone must play a role in building the country, inspired by patriotism."At the end of the day-long program, cultural programs were held with the participation of various educational institutions and prizes were distributed among the winners of the competition. All in all, the day-long arrangements in Haimchar Upazila on the occasion of the great Independence Day were colorful and significant.
1 November 2025