Homage to Russian sailor: Chittagong City mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury paid homage to the Russain sailor UV Redkin placing wreaths at his grave at Potenga sea beach area here in the city on December 18. The Russian sailor was killed while he was removing mines from sunken ship planted by the Pakistani occupied forces at the Karnaphuli estuary after the War of Liberation.

Russian Consul General in Chittagong Necholai Ichhakin also joined the city mayor in paying homage to the Russian sailor. They observed silent and prayed for the salvation of the departed soul.

Mayor Mohiuddin said sacrifice of the sailor for the cause of Bangladesh people would be ever remembered and it set up an instance of a strong brotherly ties between the peoples of Russia and Bangladesh. On behalf of Bangladesh Naval Academy, chief Executive officer Lt. Commander Hasan Tarik Mondal, architect Ashiq Imran and other high officials of Russian Federation Office in Chittagong were also present at the function.

Meat and cattle traders resent: The meat and cattle traders of Chittagong in a memorandum here on December 23 expressed resentment over sealing of Bangladesh border that stopped import of Indian cattle through corridors. They demanded immediate opening of the border to facilitate import of Indian cattle before Eid Ul Azha.

In the memorandum submitted to Chittagong City Mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury at his office the meat and cattle traders said before sealing of border immediately after Eid Ul Fitr a huge number of Indian cattle were imported in the country through 22 corridors along the border. It earned huge revenue with a government fixed tax of Tk. 500 on each ox or buffalo.

But after the sealing some dishonest traders are bringing Indian cattle illegally paying tolls at different points. This illegal practice is not only depriving the country of revenue but also resulting in an exorbitant price hike of beef and cattle.

The signatories include Md. Jahangir Alam, Md. Nasir Sawdagor, Bodiul Alam, Abdul Mannan, Zakir Hossain, Md. Solaiman, Yusuf Babul and Mofizur Rahman.

The City mayor assured them of informing the concerned ministry of their demands through DO letter.

Grant for temple development: The Minister for Food Abdullah Al Noman handed over cheques for Tk. 3 lakh to the temple authorities for development of 24 temples of the Hindu community in the port city on December 27.

Noman who is also the MP from the city, gave away the cheques to the authorities as a government grant.

After handing over the cheques, the minister in his address at the conference hall of local circuit house said Chittagong enjoys a traditional communal harmony for hundreds of years. He wished uninterrupted flow of this harmony and called upon all to remain alert against any conspiracy that might hamper the brotherly ties among different communities living here.

Passing-out Parade : The passing out parade of the 59th recruit batch of Bangladesh Riffles (BDR) was held at BDR Training Centre and School at Baitul Izzat of Satkania under the district on December 19.

The Director General of BDR , Major General Rezakul Haider NDC, PSc took the salute at the ceremony as the chief guest. While addressing the soldiers of the newly passed out batch, he called upon them to discharge duty they are entrusted with remaining above all greed and nepotism. The commander of the training centre and school Col. Faruq and other high officials of BDR, Chittagong region was also present at the ceremony. Md. Kamrul Hasan was awarded the All-rounder title for his best performance among 627 newly passed solders of the batch.

Poem writing competition ends: Poem writing competition organised by the British Council, Chittagong centre for the school students ended here recently. Eleven schools of the city including Chittagong Collegiate School, Ispahani Public School, Chittagong Grammar School, Sunshine Grammar School, William Carry International School, Sider International School, Mastermind School, Bangladesh Navy School, Bay View International School, Green Dale School and Play School took part in the competition.

In the 7years 9 years age group Jumana Yusuf of Green Dale School secured the first place while Zafai Hillary of William Carry and Nazifa Chowdhury of Sider International were second and third respectively.

In the age group of 10 years-12years Asjabeen Wadood of Green Dale got the first prize , Fardin Ahmed of the same school stood second while Nafisa Tabassum of Green Dale and Josi of William Carry jointly gsecured the third place.

In the age group of 12 years-13 years Saif Alam of William Carry secured the first place while Rafayet Chowdhury and Savera Nizam both from Sider International were second and third respectively.

Chiranjib gets ADB Award: Chrinjib Barua - the project director of the Primary Education Promotion Project (second phase) got ADB award for the year 2002 for his outstanding performance.

The project is being implemented in Chittagong, Sylhet and Barisal divisions under the supervision of Primary and Mass Education department with ADB assistance.

The Asian Development Bank resident representative Taru Shibuci handed over the best performance crest and certificate to Chranjib at a ceremony organised by ADB at BRAC centre on December 17.

Joint-secretary Chiranjib Barua who hails from Madhyam Joara of Chandanaish in Chittagong was appointed the director of the project in 1997.

ADB introduced the system for awarding the project director after assessing the progress in implementation of ADB financed projects since 2001.

Cox's Bazar JCD convention: The biennial convention of Cox's Bazar unit of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) the student wing of BNP, was held at Cox's Bazar on December 18. While addressing the convention the first Joint Secretary General of BNP Tareq Rahman underscored the need for study side by side with implementing political programmes.

He called upon the JCD men to study for building human resources for developing suitable education, health and foreign policy in the country.

State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Aman Ullah Aman and State Minister for Communications Salah Uddin Ahmed were present at the convention as special guests.

JCD convener Shahabuddin Laltu inaugurated the convention with District JCD president M Mokter Ahmed in the chair.

BSJA, Ctg unit: The new committee of Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association (BSJA), Chittagong unit was elected with Debashish Barua Debu (Purbokone) and Jamsed Rehman Chowdhury (Jugantor) as its president and general secretary respectively here on Thursday.

The committee was elected at the biennial general meeting of the organisation at its office on Chittagong Stadium premises.

Other office-bearers are; Vice-president Saifullah Chowdhury (Karnaphuli), Treasurer Nazrul Islam (Azadi), Executive members Tamal Chowdhury (Daily Life), Sultan Mahmud Salim (Karnaphuli) and Majumder Nazimuddin (Manob Jamin). #

Bus Owners' AGM held: The 24th Annual

General Meeting of Inter-district Bus Owners Limited was held at its office here recently.

Addressing the meeting the Limited chairman and former deputy city mayor Alhaj Dostogir Chowdhury called for making relentless efforts to ensure standard service for the passengers and keeping the communication system above controversy.

The Managing Director of the Limited Alhaj Sekander Ahmad, Interdistrict Bus Owners Association president Alhaj Kafil Uddin Ahmad, General Secretary Zahurul Haq, Alhaj Rafiqul Islam, Engineer Falullah, Nurul Alam Chwodhury, Shah Alam Chowdhury and Abdul Malek also addressed the meeting.