The week that was

Principal Swami Shaktinathanandaji Maharaj of Chittagong Ramakrishna Sebashram inaugurates the Durga Puja festival of Chattal Mahashakti Sammilani at Dewanji Pukur Par on October 4. Anti-British movement veteran Binod Bihari Chowdhury, Acting Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation M Manjur Alam and writer Mushtari Shafi were present on the occasion. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the festival organised by Chattal Sammilani (top). Channel i Viewers' Forum takes out a colourful procession in the city on Sept 30 to mark the 10th anniversary of the private satellite TV channel (below).Photo: STAR

Call to set up second medical college

The leaders of Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) has sought intervention of the chief adviser and the health adviser to set up the second medical college at Chittagong General Hospital in the port city.
They in a joint press statement here on Sunday said despite being situated at the city centre of Andarkilla the century-old Chittagong General Hospital had been neglected and lying almost in an abandoned state since long.
They, however, said it can be turned into a 250-bed hospital responding to the demand of the Chittagong people.
It is a long cherished demand of the Chittagong people to set up the second medical college at the hospital, which is possible if the sincerity and goodwill are there, they said.
They called upon the caretaker government for immediate steps to materialise the demand of Chittagong people.
The signatories included PDP National Standing Committee Member and Greater Chittagong Convener Prof Shayesta Khan, Chittagong City Unit Joint Convener Emdadul Haq Chowdhury, South District Unit Convener Sirajul Islam Chowdhury and North District Unit Convener SM Abdus Salam.

Reception to successful students

Mirersarai Students Association, Chittagong University unit accorded reception to successful students, who passed this year's HSC and Alim exams and noted teachers of the university at an Eid reunion on Friday.
The function was held at the TDC Hall in Mirersarai upazila with Association Adviser Dr Nesarul Karim in the chair. Prof Kamaluddin Chowdhury was present as the chief guest and deputy director of Bangladesh Standard Testing Institution (BSTI) Magistrate Rokon-Ud-Dowla was the special guest.
The teachers who were accorded reception are Prof Dr Abdul Mannan Chowdhury of Economics Department of Chittagong University (CU), Founder Chairman of International Islamic University of Chittagong (IIUC) Maulana Shamsuddin, former principal of Chittagong Govt Mohsin College Prof Kazi Nurul Hoque, and former principal of Faujderhat Cadet College (FCC) Lt Col (Retd) Dr Mahmud Ul Alam.
Prof Dev Prasad Paul, Prof AJM Faruque, UNB News Editor Mahfuzur Rahman and Personal Services Manager of Unilever Md Shahab Uddin also spoke at the function.
Later, the chief and special guests handed crests and prizes to the teachers and students.

Medhas Ashram to be developed

Medhas Ashram, a shelter and venue for holding Durga Puja, will be developed as a national place of pilgrimage and tourist spot.
Commerce and Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman said this when the leaders of Chittagong Zila Puja Udjapan Parishad called on him at his city residence on October 1.
The adviser gave directive to Chittagong district administration in this regard and assured all out cooperation for upgrading Medhas Asram that sits amid the panoramic beauty of Karaldenga Hill under Boalkhali upazila in the district.
The adviser for housing and public works has also been informed of the matter and he will visit the spot soon, said the commerce adviser.
Earlier, the Parishad leaders as well as Chittagong Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ashraf Shamim underscored the need for developing the traditional venue for holding Durga Puja and its potential as a tourist spot.
Medhas Ashram is believed to be the first venue of Durga Puja in this sub-continent, they said.
Development of the site would help attract a huge number to Hindu pilgrims from neighbouring countries and tourists from different countries as well, they said.

Channel i observes founding anniversary

The 10th founding anniversary of Channel i was observed in the port city amidst different colourful programmes including rally, procession and cultural night.
Amar Channel i Darshak Forum and Channel i Chittagong office jointly organised the daylong programme on Thursday. In the morning, a brief rally was held at Chittagong Press Club (CPC) with Chowdhury Farid, Chittagong correspondent of Channel-i in the chair.
Acting City Mayor M Manzur Alam, Chittagong city BNP Convener Syed Wahidul Alam, Bangladesh Shippers' Council Chairman Mahbub Ali, Chittagong Union of Journalists (CUJ) President Mostak Ahmad, CPC General Secretary Ejaj Yusoofi, City Jatiya Party President Solaiman Seth and Chittagong Shop Owners' Association President Salamat Ali spoke as guests.
The rally was followed by a colourful procession with banner and festoons that paraded the city roads. At night, a cultural function was held at a community centre where local artists rendered some popular numbers.

Ctg BHRC executives

The annual meeting of Bangladesh Human Rights Commission (BHRC), Chittagong district was held at a local restaurant on Friday.
Prof Md Zakir Hossain, dean of the law faculty of Chittagong University (CU), was present as the chief guest at the meeting with BHRC Chittagong President Setara Guffer in the chair. BHRC Secretary General Dr Saiful Islam Dilder was the main speaker while former general secretary of Chittagong District Bar Association Shiekh Iftekhar Saimul Chowdhury, Lion Governor SM Ishaque and Bepza Director Ataul Hoque were the special guests.
BHRC, Chittagong General Secretary Advocate Md Faizur Rahman Chowdhury, City President Ahmed Rahim Chowdhury, journalists Saifuddin Khaled and Sirajul Karim Manik also spoke.
Setara Guffer and Advocate Md Faizur Rahman Chowdhury were re-elected president and general secretary of Chittagong BHRC for three years.
Other office-bearers are vice president: Advocate DK Benarjee, Advocate Kazi Nazrul Islam and Prof Abul Kashem, Joint Secretary: Advocate Akterun Nessa and Md Iftekhar, Treasurer: Meher Ali Chowdhury, Organising Secretary: Abdullah Al Kader and Publicity and Publication Secretary: Md Nurul Alam.
Executive committee members are Dr Nurul Karim Khan, Ghulam Shamsul Kibria, Md Surut Jamal, Md Fakhruddin, Md Ahsan, Ekramul Hoque, Saima Hoque, Badiul Alam Basu and Shah Alam.