Students recite poem at the convocation of Bhodhon, a recitation school, at Theatre Institute Chittagong (TIC) auditorium on Friday (top); (bottom left) artistes of Rakta Karabi perform at a function in memory of drama personality Selim Al Deen at the Theatre Institute Chittagong (TIC) auditorium on Thursday and (bottom right) the successful students of 1st batch of Bangladesh Maritime Training Institute pose for photograph with the guests at the certificate giving ceremony at the institute auditorium on Tuesday.Photo: STAR

Girl guides camp ends
The three-day long 'District Girl Guides Camp-2008' concluded in the port city on Saturday.
Bangladesh Girls Guides Association, Chittagong chapter organised the camp at Chittagong Government Girls' High School.
A total of 197 guides, guiders, members and commissioners from 22 institutions under seven district of Chittagong division took part in the camp.
The camp included hoisting flag, tents setting and session on health awareness.
Chittagong Education Board Chairman Prof Muhammad Yusuf was the chief guest at the concluding ceremony while Girl Guide Regional Commissioner Rahenara Begum, Monwara Begum, headmistress Halima Khatun, Chittagong Region Treasurer Mahbuba Khatun and local commissioner Gita Chakrabartya attended the camp.

Commissioner warns corrupt cops
Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner M Akbar Ali said police officials if found engaged in any unlawful activity will be brought under trial and given exemplary punishment.
He urged the police to provide better services to the people as the force is run with the tax money of the common people.
He was addressing a view exchange meeting on 'Community Policing' in the port city on Saturday.
East Nasirabad Al Falah Housing Society and Khulshi Police Station jointly organised the meeting with society President SM Ekramul Azim in the chair.
Deputy Commissioner (North) Mostafa Kamal, Assistant Commissioner Ashiqul Hoque Bhuiyan of Detective Branch (DB) of Police, former president of Chittagong Press Club (CPC) Abu Sufian and local ward commissioner Ahmadur Rahman Siddique also spoke at the meeting.
CMP commissioner emphasised the need for introducing community policing as the system can build a bridge between police and common people.

Japanese firms recruit 16 Bangladeshi marine cadets
A batch of 16 marine cadets, trained at private-owned Bangladesh Maritime Training Institute (BMTI), were picked up directly by two globally acclaimed marine companies of Japan for their ocean-going vessels, ushering in an opportunity of employment for the Bangladeshi mariners in the sector abroad.
This is the first time that marine cadets have been selected directly by overseas employers. The employments of the cadets are on long-term basis and covers scholarship for them.
The courses for the cadets were conducted by BMTI, a private sector institute while the training programme was jointly sponsored by Haque & Sons Ltd, Singapore-based Unix Line Ptv Ltd and First Marine Services.
The cadets received certificates and medals at a ceremony at BMTI Chittagong office on Monday in presence of top officials of the two Japanese employers' firms. Of the cadets, 12 will join Tokyo Marine Co Ltd and four First Marine Services Co Ltd.
Captain AKM Shafiqullah, director general of Department of Shipping, Kenji Arima, executive officer and general manager of Tokyo Marine, Captain M Nishizumi, general manager of First Marine Services, Enamul Haque Chowdhury, managing director of BMTI and Haque & Sons, Rumana Haque Chowdhury, director of Haque & Sons, Captain Zaki Ahad, principal of BMTI, spoke at the ceremony.

Nursing Course launched
Nursing course for the 2007-2008 session was introduced at Chittagong Maa O Shishu Hospital Nursing Institute on Saturday.
Health and Family Welfare Ministry Joint Secretary (Hospital and Nursing) Mohammad Golam Kuddus formally inaugurated the course as the chief guest at a ceremony at the institute.
Kuddus called upon all to work hard for developing the institute as one of the best institutes in Bangladesh.
He assured the authorities of all help for development of the institute, hospital and college.
The hospital Executive Committee President SM Fazlul Karim presided over the function while Shafi Motors Limited Chairman Mohammad Shafi, Human Right activists Abu Mohammad Nipar, Sadia Chowdhury, the hospital Executive Committee Vice President Syed Mohammad Abu Taher, General Secretary Dr Anjuman Ara Islam, Treasurer SM Morshed Hossain and Ma O Shishu hospital Medical College Principal Prof MA Taher Khan were present.
Later, Abu Mohammad Nipar and Sadia Chowdhury handed over a cheque for Tk 2 lakh for two beds at the hospital.

Blood donation camp opens
A month-long blood donation camp was inaugurated at Chittagong International Trade Fair (CITF) at Railway Polo Ground in the port city on Sunday.
Rotary Club of Agrabad, Chittagong Port City and Chittagong University jointly organised the camp in cooperation with the Fatema Begum Red Crescent Blood Centre.
Local daily Purbokone Publisher Jasim Uddin Chowdhury inaugurated the camp as the chief guest.
Jasim in his speech said blood of a man can help survive of life of a serious patient.
“Blood donation is not a audacious job but a best will of a man,” he said.
He emphasised the need for creating awareness among the mass people in this regard.
Rotary Club Assistant Governor Kamal Uddin, Agrabad Rotary Club President SK Azim Pintu, Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCCI) Secretary Osman Gani Chowdhury, Red Crescent Blood Centre Chief Dr MA Jalil Chowdhury, Programme Organiser Jasim Uddin and members of the clubs were present at the opening session.

CU Bengali Dept reunion held
The two-day reunion of Alumni Association of Chittagong University (CU) Bengali Department was held at the picturesque Foy's Lake Amusement Park in the port city with much enthusiasm and festivity.
Prof Anisuzzaman inaugurated the function on Friday by releasing colourful balloons in presence of huge alumni of the department.
Poet Ovik Osman presided over the inaugural function.
Executive President of the Alumni Association Journalist Bishwajit Chowdhury, Vice-President Advocate Shihabuddin Mahmud Ratan and General Secretary Zinnah Chowdhury, spoke at the function.
Recalling his long relationship as former teacher of the department, Prof Anisuzzaman said the CU Bengali Department has contributed a lot to the development and enrichment of the Bengali literature and culture.
Thanking the teachers and students of the department for arranging such a function, he said everlasting warm and respectful relations between the teachers and students of the department will increase further through such a congregation.
The function was followed by reminiscence of the participants and cultural programme.