DHAKA – The government has appointed Md. Ali Hossain Fakir as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP) replacing Baharul Alam, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs today. Prior to his promotion, Md. Ali Hossain Fakir was serving as Additional Inspector General of Police and Chief of the Armed Police Battalion (APBN).

A member of the 15th batch of the BCS (Police) cadre, Fakir hails from Bagerhat district. Over the course of his career, he has held several important positions within the police department, earning recognition for his professional competence and leadership.

The official notification issued by the Home Ministry confirmed that the promotion takes effect immediately. Earlier, the government has cancelled the remaining tenure of contractual appointment of Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Bangladesh Baharul Alam following his application.

A notification, issued by the Ministry of Public Administration today, said the remaining period of his contractual appointment, made under a gazette notification dated November 20, 2024, has been annulled.

DHAKA – The government today said that any financial transaction through brokers or other intermediaries to obtain the Family Card is illegal. The Family Card is a priority programme of the present government and it is firmly committed to implementing the initiative. The information was disclosed in a press release of the Ministry of Social Welfare, a PID handout said today.

According to the release, a Family Card will be issued in the name of the female head of every family, irrespective of religion, caste or ethnicity. The card will be distributed free of cost under government arrangements.

The government urged people not to make any payment to middlemen or through any other channel for receiving the card. It also requested all to inform law enforcement agencies if anyone is found involved in such illegal activities.

DHAKA – The Election Commission (EC) has transferred 112 officials from its secretariat and subordinate offices to various upazila and thana-level postings across the country. An official order in this regard was issued today, signed by Assistant Secretary Mohammad Shahidur Rahman.

According to the order, the officials from the EC Secretariat and its field-level offices have been transferred and posted to their designated stations as specified beside their names. The postings will remain effective until further notice. The order also states that the transferred officials must be released from their current workplaces by March 1. Failing that, they will be deemed released automatically from that date.

DHAKA – President Mohammad Shahabuddin today summoned first session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad on March 12. “The first session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad will be held at 11am on March 12 at the Parliament Complex at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Dhaka,” said an official release of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat.

The President, also the head of the state, convened the session exercising the power bestowed upon him as per the Article 72 (1) of the Constitution, the release said. Before commencing the House proceedings on the day, the Parliamentary Business Advisory Committee is likely to hold a meeting to fix the duration and agendas of the session.

The government has allocated portfolios to eight advisers appointed to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman with the status of minister and state minister. Officials said the responsibilities were assigned through a notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Friday.

According to the notification, among the five advisers holding the status of minister, Mirza Abbas Uddin Ahmed, Nazrul Islam Khan and Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed have been appointed as Political Advisers. Besides, Md Ismail Zabiyullah has been given charge of the Ministry of Public Administration, while Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir will oversee the Ministry of Finance.

Among the advisers holding the status of state minister, Brig Gen (retd) Shamsul Islam has been assigned the Ministry of Defence. Mahdi Amin has been entrusted with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Meanwhile, Rehan Asif Asad has been given charge of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Science and Technology. Earlier, 10 advisers were appointed on Tuesday.

The ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has paid rich tributes to the 1952 Language Movement martyrs by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city on the occasion of great Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day. Party Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman led his party’s delegation to lay the wreath in memory of the language heroes.

Besides, the premier along with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman also placed another wreath at the Shaheed Minar on behalf of their family. Earlier, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid homage to the martyrs as the head of the government.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin today paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement marking the Amar Ekushey and the International Mother Language Day. The Head of the State paid homage by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital at one minute past midnight tonight.

President Shahabuddin reached the Central Shaheed Minar four minutes before the zero hour. On his arrival at the Central Shaheed Minar, the President was received by Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan.

The President proceeded to the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar in slow pace while playing the historic immortal song on the Amar Ekushey “Amar Vaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February . . . Ami Ki Vulitey Pari ?” The President stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the Language Heroes.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement, marking the great Martyrs’ Day and the International Mother Language Day. He paid homage by placing a wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city at 12:08 am today. The premier arrived on the Shaheed Minar premises 12.04am.

He proceeded to the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar in slow pace while playing the historic immortal song on the Amar Ekushey “Amar Vaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February . . . Ami Ki Bhulite Pari?”

After placing the wreath, Tarique Rahman, also chairman of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the Language Movement heroes. On the occasion, special prayer was offered seeking forgiveness for the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement, 1971 Liberation War, 1990 Anti-autocracy Movement and 2024 July Uprising.

Special prayer was also offered seeking divine blessings for Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The prayer also sought welfare for the country and success for the present government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman Later, flanked by cabinet members and BNP Standing Committee members, the premier placed two wreaths at the Shaheed Minar on behalf of his cabinet and the party.

The Prime Minister also placed another wreath at the Shaheed Minar along with his family members. Before the premier, President Mohammed Shahabuddin paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city at one minute past midnight tonight.

Later, Chief Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan paid homage to the Language Movement martyrs. Besides, opposition party leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman along with 11-party alliance leaders also paid tribute to the Language Movement martyrs by placing a wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar.

The ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners, Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, acting Attorney General, Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC), Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB), University Grants Commission (UGC), Fire Service and Civil Defence, Dhaka University (DU) authorities, Bangladesh Police, Bangla Academy, Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) were among others who paid tributes to the Language Movement martyrs.

Later, the Shaheed Minar was opened to the public when hundreds of people from all walks of life walked barefoot with flowers in hands and humming “Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February” to recall the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes on this day in 1952.

Dhaka: Renowned writer and journalist Shibbir Ahmed’s new storybook Bishorjon is set to be released at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair. This marks the author’s 41st book. The book is being published by one of the country’s leading publishing houses, Ananya. Bishorjon is a novel accompanied by four additional short stories, carefully compiled to create a compelling collection. While the characters in the book are fictional, they are inspired by real-life events, making it possible for readers to recognize shades of reality in the stories.

The longing of a mother for her child and the desire to become a mother is a natural and profound instinct for most women. However, when a woman learns that she cannot conceive, it can trigger immense emotional and psychological distress. Since motherhood is often seen as a symbol of feminine fulfillment, this news can deeply affect her sense of identity and future dreams.

The story becomes even more complex when the husband is the primary reason for childlessness. In such cases, a woman faces a strong inner conflict between her longing for motherhood and her loyalty to her marital relationship. Birsorjon is a sensitive, realistic, and emotionally rich story that explores the sacrifices a woman may make to fulfill her deepest desires.

Shibbir Ahmed hails from Panchpukuria village in Monohorgonj Upazila, Comilla District. He holds a Master of Commerce (M.Com) and a Master of Software Systems (MSS) degree. He has also completed Hajj. With 40 books already published, Shibbir Ahmed has received multiple awards for his contributions to literature and has also composed numerous songs.

Walking the path of love, some people easily forget their past, while others never do. Shibbir Ahmed belongs to the latter. He lives a quiet life in a small world of his own creation, dwelling in a personal circle of solitude. Some may mistake it for pride, but he is unfazed by such perceptions. Without anger, hatred, or resentment, he moves forward carrying only a heart full of love and silent feelings within his private world.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has directed police and other law enforcement agencies to quickly fulfill public expectations by gaining the trust of the people, emphasizing democratic reforms and institutional restructuring as top priorities. “The disciplined forces, including the police, must earn public trust by meeting the aspirations of the people,” he said. He made the remarks during a view-exchange meeting with the heads of various departments and organizations under the Ministry of Home Affairs at the conference room of the Bangladesh Secretariat today.

The Home Minister said that after nearly a decade and a half, a political government has been formed through a transparent election, raising high hopes among citizens. “People have high expectations from us. We want to quickly implement our election manifesto to fulfill those expectations. Democratic reforms in various law enforcement agencies, including the police, must be prioritized in line with public expectations,” he said.

Salahuddin Ahmed, also a Standing Committee Member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), further stated that rebuilding public confidence requires restructuring institutions under the Home Ministry and improving ethical standards within the forces.

“To achieve this goal, we need to recruit the necessary manpower. Budget approval from the Ministry of Finance is also an important issue. With new recruitment and coordinated efforts from everyone, we aim to accomplish our objectives,” he added. The minister stressed the need for a comprehensive and timely development plan for police and other law enforcement agencies.

He instructed department heads to prepare suggestions and recommendations to help formulate and implement the reform plan, which will determine priority areas for action. Secretary (Routine Responsibilities) of the Ministry of Home Affairs Md. Delwar Hossain, Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam along with heads of various departments, organizations, and relevant divisions of the ministry, were present at the meeting.