Dr Shamaruh Mirza, daughter of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, has been honoured with Australia's most prestigious – "Australian of the Year" -- award.

The award was handed over at National Gallery of Australia around 11am local time today (November 9, 2022).

Last year's winner Luke Ferguson and ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr handed over the award to Shamaruh.

Dr Shamaruh told The Daily Star over phone that, "It's not like that I alone have gotten the award. Our organisation 'SiTara's Story' and everyone associated with it received the award. This honour is also for the people of Bangladesh."

"I think such a big achievement adds to our responsibility and reminds us that we have a lot more to do," she said.

Shamaruh Mirza is a medical scientist. Since 2006, she has been living in Canberra, the capital of Australia.

The "Australian of the Year Award" is a programme of the National Australia Day Council. The nation presents this award each year to recognise the services and achievements of well-known Australians who serve as role models for all citizens. They challenge themselves to help develop an inclusive, resilient Australia, and they serve as an inspiration for the country through their achievements.

The "Best Australians of the Year" are chosen from 32 states and territories by the National Australia Day Council Board. On the eve of Australia Day in Canberra, the names of national award recipients were announced to end this year's prestigious event.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today claimed that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) prepared BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s medical report last night, but they could not submit it before the court under pressure from the government.

“According to an unofficial source, the medical report of Khaleda was prepared by the BSMMU last night. But it (the process) was halted under the direct pressure from the government,” Mirza Fakhrul alleged at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan office today.

The entire nation was disappointed after the court rejected the lawyers’ plea for hearing Khaleda’s appeal today and later deferred the date of hearing, he also said.

“We were observing with utter surprise and concern that BNP chairperson was denied facilities at the prison cell from the very beginning of the case,” he alleged.

Terming the rejection of Khaleda’s bail as inhumane and against the existing law, Fakhrul said, “In such case, the bail is supposed to be granted within seven days. But it was not happened in the context of Khaleda rather her bail appeal has been obstructed in every steps.”

About Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s comment against Khaleda, Fakhrul said the premier is interfering in the judiciary.

The prime minister yesterday came down heavily on BNP chief Khaleda and termed her the “godmother of terrorism” in the country.

With that remark, the PM and her government showed fear to BSMMU authorities as they (government) do not want bail of Khaleda.

“Release of Khaleda is not a matter of kindness rather it is her legal right. Everything is planned to keep her away from politics which is completely illegal,” he further claimed.

The BNP leader said there is a death risk of Khaleda, if she was not treated properly and the government will be responsible for not treating her.

BNP has demanded that the government cancel its recent decision to hike price of gas by 22.78 percent.

When soaring price of daily commodities is causing immense public suffering, the increase in the price of gas will be a big blow to them, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said today at a press conference at the party chairperson's office in Gulshan, Dhaka.

At the press conference, the BNP general secretary also announced a three-day protest against the price hike of the essential commodities, and gas.

The programme includes demonstrations at all metropolitan areas, including Dhaka, on June 9, at district headquarters on June 11, and at the upazila level on June 13.

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Govt hikes gas tariff by 22.8pc

Mirza Fakhrul said that BNP's standing committee meeting took the decision on the three-day protest programme.

All the associate bodies of BNP will join the programme, Fakhrul said.

Bangladesh's energy regulator has decided to increase gas price by 22.78 percent for all users, on average. The gas price hike will be applicable from June.

Expressing concern over the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in India's Assam, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said NRC is a threat to Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty.

The NRC will an unstable situation not only in Bangladesh but also in the entire subcontinent, he said.

The BNP leader was talking to reporters after placing wreath at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Mirpur to pay homage to the martyred intellectuals on the occasion of Martyred Intellectuals Day today.

Country's people are concerned over the NRC but the government is nothing doing about it, Fakhrul alleged.

Over the cases filed against BNP leaders and activists, the BNP leader said the government is attempting to stun all democratic political parties from their activities by filling "false" cases.

"We will have to united the whole nation and fight together to restore the democracy across the country," he said.

He urged countrymen inclining party leaders to follow the paths of martyred intellectuals to protect the country's sovereignty and restore democracy.   

More than 19 lakh out of about 3.3 crore applicants have been left off the final National Register of Citizens (NRC), published on August 31.

The NRC authority headed by the apex court-appointed State Coordinator Prateek Hajela released the final NRC on its official website and through its social media handles.