SANGSAD BHABAN – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today reaffirmed that his government is committed to expanding women’s education, ensuring women empowerment and equal opportunities in education.

“The current government is committed to expand women’s education and ensure empowerment and equal access to education for women…The government is positively considering the nationalization of one women’s college in every upazila sadar to achieve this goal,” he said.

The premier said this while responding to a tabled question from treasury bench lawmaker from Naogaon-4 constituency Ekramul Bari Tipu in the House with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, in the chair.

Addressing the lawmaker from Naogaon-4, Tarique Rahman said that the government would take initiatives to gradually nationalize eligible educational institutions, including Manda Thana Adarsha Girls’ School and College in Naogan, in line with existing policies and subject to necessary financial provisions.

SANGSAD BHABAN – Reiterating that four crore families across the country will be brought under the Family Card programme gradually, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today told the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) that the BNP government considers family, not the individual, as the fundamental unit of development.

“The philosophy of the current government is ‘family, not the individual, as the fundamental unit of development’,” he said. The Leader of the House said this while replying to a tabled question from treasury bench member from Noakhali-1 Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, in the chair.

Tarique Rahman, also ruling BNP chairman, said that the current government has taken the Family Card programme based on the vision of ensuring social security for citizens through a family-centric development approach.

In the initial phase, he said Family Cards were distributed to 37,814 families across 10 districts and three city corporations on March 10, 2026. The premier stated that the government has a plan to gradually bring about four crore marginalized and low-income families under this program in the future.

Referring to the Noakhali-1 (Chatkhil and Sonaimuri) constituency, Tarique Rahman expressed the hope that female members of poor families in the area would soon be brought under the Family Card programme to promote empowerment and self-reliance.

In a devastating road accident in Claverack, Columbia County, New York, four people, including members of the same family, lost their lives. The tragedy has cast a deep shadow of grief over the local Bangladeshi community. The accident occurred on Monday, April 6, around 7:00 p.m., on State Route 9H near Van Wyck Lane. According to local law enforcement, 29-year-old Nazmul M. Rubel from Loudonville was driving a personal vehicle northbound with family members and close friends. They were traveling from New York City to Albany.

For reasons not yet determined, Rubel’s car crossed the center line and collided head-on with another vehicle coming from the opposite direction. The impact was so severe that Rubel died instantly at the scene. His 60-year-old father, Mohammad Hiramon, and 25-year-old friend, Fahim Halim, also died at the site. A 62-year-old female passenger in the other car, Julia Richio, was pronounced dead at the scene as well.

The family’s relative, Mohammad Azmul Rabbi, described the loss as “unimaginable.” In one night, he lost his elder brother, his father, and a close family friend. “One phone call ended everything,” he said.

Two others were seriously injured in the accident. 33-year-old Ratna Akter was rushed to a medical center in Albany in critical condition but is now reported to be stable. Additionally, a one-year-old girl, Ikra Ayat, was airlifted to the hospital and remains in intensive care in critical condition.

The 24-year-old driver of the other vehicle, Luke Palvenian, sustained injuries but was released from the hospital after initial treatment. The entire community remains in shock. Those who were traveling together just moments ago, laughing and planning their journey, are now gone or fighting for their lives. The tragedy underscores the fragile and unpredictable nature of life.

Local authorities have stated that the exact cause of the accident has not yet been determined. Investigators are examining how the vehicle crossed the center line. The funeral prayers for the deceased are scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, after noon prayers at the Baitul Aman Islamic Center in the Bronx.

Former speaker of the National Parliament, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, has been arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). She was taken into custody from her residence on Road 8/A in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, at around 4:30am on Tuesday.

Additional Commissioner of DB, Shafiqul Islam, confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the DMP’s media division, M N Nasir Uddin, told journalists on Tuesday morning that Chaudhury is currently being interrogated.

“As far as we know, cases have been filed against her over incidents during the July movement at Banani and Uttara police stations in the capital. There is also a case against her in Rangpur,” he said.

The DC added that she is now being questioned and further steps will be announced later. According to sources, a case was filed against Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in connection with the fatal shooting of gold worker Muslim Uddin in Rangpur during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

The murder case, lodged on August 27, 2024, names Chaudhury and 16 others, including former commerce minister Tipu Munshi. Munshi is currently in jail following his arrest in the same case.

Chaudhury was elected a member of parliament from Rangpur-6. After the 2008 Bangladesh election, the Awami League assumed power and Abdul Hamid was elected speaker. Following his elevation to the presidency, Chaudhury was elected speaker on April 30, 2013. She went on to serve four consecutive terms, most recently as speaker of the 12th National Parliament on January 30, 2024.

Desk Report: A new development has emerged in the widely discussed Bangladesh Bank reserve heist case. As part of a significant step forward in the proceedings, a court in New York has directed former governor Ahsan H. Mansur to provide a deposition. According to the court’s order, he is scheduled to testify on April 10.

This information was revealed in an internal document from the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU). The document states that on March 11, legal representatives involved in the case confirmed the court’s directive via email. They also informed the relevant parties about preparations for the deposition.

According to the document, Mansur has already submitted an affidavit at the court’s request. The next phase requires him to give an in-person deposition. To facilitate this, the legal firms appointed by Bangladesh Bank have arranged preparatory meetings for him on April 6 and April 10.

It has been reported that Mansur departed Dhaka for the United States on April 4. He is expected to travel via Washington, D.C., before arriving in New York. His return to the country is scheduled for April 12.

Sources indicate that a related official has been requested to accompany him on the trip. The BFIU document also notes that all expenses for the visit—including airfare, accommodation, and protocol—will be covered by Bangladesh Bank. He is expected to receive facilities equivalent to those of the current governor, with arrangements coordinated by the governor’s office.

DHAKA – Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pranay Verma today paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat here, said premier’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony.

DHAKA – The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) today approved five development projects with an estimated total cost of Tk 483.43 crore. Of the total project cost, Tk 390.84 crore will be financed from the government exchequer while Tk 92.59 crore will be sourced through project loans or grants. The approval came at the 9th ECNEC meeting of the 2025-26 fiscal year and the first meeting of the current government, held at the Cabinet Division conference room in the city.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presided over the meeting. The five projects approved today are as follows: The General Social Infrastructure Development Project-2 (GSIDP-2), managed by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), has had its budget increased to Tk 1,450 crore and is scheduled for completion in June 2027.

In contrast, the Char Development and Settlement Project-4 (CDSP-4) saw a reduction in its total cost, which now stands at Tk 30.7186 crore.The IT Training and Incubation Center project received a cost increase of Tk 228.4454 crore which now stands at Tk 533.5492 crore and will now continue through June 2026.

Funding for the Modernization of Diagnostic Imaging Facilities across eight divisional medical college hospitals has risen to Tk 1,213.7050 crore, with the project timeline extended to June 2028. Finally, the Establishment of Gopalganj Dental College and Hospital (2nd Revision) was granted a cost increase of Tk 26.49 crore, bringing its total budget to Tk 139.3093 crore with a target completion date of June 2026.

DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today called for united efforts to build a happy, prosperous “Better Bangladesh”. “Let’s all work from our respective positions and unite to build a better Bangladesh. Regardless of religion and caste, everyone must come forward to build the country,” he said. The premier made the remarks at a greetings exchange event with leaders of the Protestant Church at his Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat here on the occasion of Easter Sunday.

Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman said a 13-member delegation, led by President of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Bangladesh Bishop Philip P Adhikari, met the Prime Minister and exchanged views with him on the occasion of Easter Sunday.

During the meeting, he said, the Prime Minister wished success and prosperity for the Christian community. The leaders of the Christian community invited the Prime Minister in advance to Christmas. Later, they presented him with a commemorative crest.

Greeting the Christian community on Easter Sunday, Tarique Rahman said, “We see people of all religions equally and love them in the same way. Religion belongs to individuals, but the country belongs to all. It is the responsibility of people of all religions to take the country forward”.

The Prime Minister said, “There was a perception that people of other religions do not vote for BNP. In the last election, this has been proven wrong. People of all religions voted for BNP and ensured victory.”

Noting the condition of the country under the previous government, Tarique Rahman, also ruling BNP Chairman, said the country was in a fragile state when the BNP assumed office through the people’s verdict.

“The economic sector, the communication sector and several other sectors were in a fragile condition. It felt like we had taken responsibility for a war-ravaged country,” he said. The premier further said that due to the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, the Bangladesh has faced another crisis, particularly in the energy sector and highlighted the government’s efforts to tackle the fuel shortage situation triggered by the Middle East conflict.

Earlier, Bangladesh Bible Society General Secretary Rev Ashim Baroi, and retired Wing Commander Christopher M Adhikari of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Bangladesh spoke at the event on behalf of the Christian community.

The Christian community leaders praised various welfare initiatives taken by the BNP government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, including family card, waiver of loans up to Taka 10,000 for farmers, and honorarium allowances for imams, muezzins, khadems, priests, sebaits, heads of Buddhist monasteries and Christian pastors.

The leaders also raised demands for representation of Christians in the reserved seats for women in Parliament and declaration of Easter Sunday as a public holiday. They expressed commitment to cooperate and work as partners with the government led by Tarique Rahman. Paying tribute to late Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, the Christian leaders said prayers were held for her in 7,000 churches and that prayers are now being offered daily for the current government. The Prime Minister assured that the demands of the Christian community would be considered.

DHAKA  – Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury today said the Pahela Baishakh procession will be brought out under the name ‘Baishakhi Shobhajatra’ instead of ‘Mangal’ or ‘Ananda’ Shobhajatra.

“The government has decided to adopt the name ‘Baishakhi Shobhajatra’ to end ongoing debates and move forward with renewed enthusiasm,” he told journalists after a meeting at the conference room of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs at the Secretariat, marking the upcoming Bangla New Year 1433.

The minister said there had long been discussions and criticisms surrounding the celebration of Pahela Baishakh, which he described as undesirable and potentially harmful to society. “To put an end to all controversies, the government has taken the decision,” he added.

He said preparations for the procession at Dhaka University’s Fine Arts faculty are progressing in full swing, adding that the procession will, as usual, begin from the faculty premises.

Highlighting the historical significance of Pahela Baishakh, the minister said the festival is deeply rooted in the agrarian traditions of Bengal, evolving around agriculture, seasonal cycles, and the beginning of a new year.

“It is a universal festival of all communities, including Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Garo and other ethnic groups,” he said, adding that the present government is committed to unity in diversity.

DU Vice-Chancellor (VC), directors general of Kazi Nazrul Institute, Bangla Academy, Bangladesh National Museum and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, along with the Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and senior officials of the concerned ministries.

The minister said Pahela Baishakh symbolizes joy and prosperity, and the festival’s essence lies in welcoming the New Year by leaving behind past grievances and aspiring for a better future. He noted that the recent controversy over the naming of the procession would now come to an end.

He also informed that daylong cultural programmes will be held at various venues in the capital, including Ramna Batamul, to mark the occasion, with necessary preparations already completed by the concerned organisations. Regarding UNESCO, the minister said the authorities concerned will be formally informed about the naming decision.

The Cultural Minister said that the highest level of security measures will be in place for Pahela Baishakh celebrations, with law enforcement agencies deployed to prevent any untoward incidents. Meanwhile, a press release issued by Dhaka University on Tuesday last said the procession will begin at 9:00am from the Faculty of Fine Arts, proceeding through Raju Sculpture, Doel Chattar and Bangla Academy, before returning to the starting point.

New York: The “Bangladesh Day Parade 2026” will take place in New York City on May 17, promising a vibrant celebration of culture and community. The announcement was made during a press conference held on Wednesday (April 1) at the Nabanno Restaurant Party Hall in Jackson Heights. This year’s parade will be led by Grand Marshals M. M. Shaheen, Chairman of the Weekly Thikana, and M. Aziz, CEO of NY Homecare and former Chairman of the Trustee Board of the Bangladesh Society.

Organizers have invited all members of the Bangladeshi community to participate in the event. The parade is scheduled to run from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM along 37th Avenue in Jackson Heights.

Key figures present at the press conference included Parade Committee Chair Attorney Moeen Chowdhury, Convener Gias Ahmed, Member Secretary Fahad Solaiman, Co-Chair Captain Prince Alam, Event Coordinator Famed Rocky, and Faisal Aziz, Director of NY Homecare and Grand Sponsor of the event. Speakers emphasized that the parade aims to strengthen unity and patriotism among the Bangladeshi diaspora, while also introducing the history and culture of Bangladesh to younger generations.

Organizations can register to participate in the parade free of charge this year. The event is jointly organized by the Jackson Heights Bangladeshi Business Association, Humanity Empowerment Rights, and Immigrants International. Organizers stated that extensive preparations are already underway, and a convening committee has been formed to ensure the success of the event. They expressed optimism that this year’s celebration will be even more colorful and engaging than previous editions.