Former adviser to a caretaker government Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman gives away certificate to a successful student in the SSC examination from the Christian missionary school.

PHOTO: ANURUP KANTI DAS

'Agar' cultivation stressed
Speakers at workshop on Thursday said Agar (Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk) can exceed the readymade garments (RMG) in terms of export earning if it is properly cultivated.
They were speaking at the inaugural function of a workshop on “production and use of Agar” organised by Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI), Chittagong at its auditorium in the port city.
Dr Md Nasir Uddin, joint secretary at the Ministry of Environment and Forest, was present as the chief guest at the inaugural programme with BFRI Director Dr Mokhlesur Rahman in the chair.
Nasir said there is a huge demand of Agar in the world market as it is being used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics industries largely.
“If we can cultivate Agar scientifically and increase its quality as well as the quantity we can earn huge foreign currency exporting it,” he said, adding that even it may exceed the export income of RMG.
Dr Nasir said there is no alternative to research in increasing the quality and quantity of Agar. He said private sectors, especially corporate houses, should come forward to help research.
“It is not possible for only the government to patronise the researchers,” he said, adding that in the developed countries private sectors support the researchers.
Dr Mahiuddin, professor of the department of Forestry and Environment Science in Chittagong University (CU), said Bangladesh was the first country to export Agar in the world market.

'Acquire knowledge properly'
Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, former advisor of caretaker government, on Monday called upon the students to enrich themselves acquiring knowledge properly.
He was speaking at a reception as the chief guest for the successful students in the SSC examination-2011 of the Christian Missionary Schools.
The Chittagong Catholic Diocese organised the programme at the auditorium of St Scholastica's Girls' High School in the port city with Moses M Costa, CSC, the Bishop of Chittagong Diocese, in the chair.
Bishop M Costa in his speech said education is imparted in the missionary schools to all no matter what religion or culture the learners belong to.
Mentioning the missionary school's motherly care and affection to the students, he urged all to leave what is unjust and acquire the truth.
Writer Fahmida Amin, Bishop Lawrence Subrata Howladar, Pradip Placid Gomes, principal of St Placid's High School, Mary Palma, headmistress of St Scholastica's High School, Br Sylvester Mridha, Sr. Mary Shanta, Sr Gabriel were present on the occasion.
The programme ended with the certificates distribution to the students.

World Blood Donors' Day observed
Different organisations organised various programmes in the port city marking the World Blood Donors' Day-2011.
Sandhani, Chittagong Medical College (CMC) unit, organised a discussion to mark the day at Chittagong Press Club (CPC) on Thursday.
Ripan Kanti Das, secretary of Sandhani CMC unit, in a written statement at the press conference said the unit started its activities in 1982 and collected 1,32,397 bags of blood in 1,895 programmes since its journey.
He said demand for blood in the country is five lakh bags a year and Sandhani can supply only 50,000 bags.
Ripan said the demand for blood in Chittagong is 60,000 bags a year and CMC unit supplies 6,5000 bags.
Sandhani organises programmes to encourage the people to donate blood, he said, adding that a person over 18 years with 47 kg weight can donate blood every four months till 57 years.
CMC unit President Shuvojit Bhattacharjee, Habibullah Tomal, Tareq Imam, Taukir Ahmed, Nowsin Farzana and Umme Haney were present at the press conference.
On the other hand Swadhin, a voluntary organisation of diploma students, brought out a procession marking the day.
They also organised a rally in front of the CPC with Dr Shahadat Hossain as the chief guest.

Women entrepreneurs lauded
Speakers at a workshop on Saturday said the role of Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CWCCI) has created a milestone involving the women entrepreneurs in mainstream of business.
They said the women entrepreneurs here also proved that it is possible to go forward through developing own capability.
They were speaking at a workshop styled 'Practical solution to SME management' jointly organised by International Finance Corporation (IFC), SEBA Limited and CWCCI at Hotel Agrabad in the city.
Lawmaker Begum Chemon Ara Taiab was the chief guest at the programme with FBCCI Director Monwara Hakim Ali in the chair.
IFC Operation Adviser Lutful Kabir, principal of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industry Training Institute Md Abdul Oyadud, senior business consultant of Seba Ltd Fakhrun Nahar and Business Consultant Abil Bin Amin were the resource person at the workshop.
Fifty five women entrepreneurs took part at the workshop.

Call to formulate women commission
Speakers at a discussion on Thursday underscored the need for formulating a women commission so that all kinds of discrimination against the women are eliminated from the society.
Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association (BNWLA) organised the discussion titled “Necessity of forming women commission” at Chittagong Club.
BNWLA Deputy Director Advocate Salma Ali presided over the meeting while Chittagong District Bar Association President Saleh Uddin Siddiqui spoke as the chief guest.
Chittagong District Bar Association's General Secretary (GS) Advocate Mahbubul Alam, former general secretary Advocate Fayejullah, Deputy Commissioner Amena Begum of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) and BNWLA divisional chief Advocate Oyahida Idrich also spoke at the meeting.