Jarul's magical touch in the land of mango-silk



District Correspondent, Barta24.com
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The sweetness of Rajshahi mangoes and the soft touch of silk blend with tradition. Jarul Phul has created a new magic there. The blue glow of Jarul has now created a charming scene in the heart of this city known as Muktadhara. Along the way, across the alleys, the colorful blue to dark blue play of Jarul flowers enveloped Rajshahi in a different kind of beauty.

This beauty is not only eye-catching but also leaves a soft touch of joy deep in the heart. Where Rajshahi, famous for its mangoes and silks, now covered in the turquoise of Jarul, has become a new center of attraction.

Jarul flowers fascinate nature lovers with their beauty and fragrance. The flower reaches its full maturity from early spring to late summer.

Jarul is now a common sight in various parks, University campuses, roadsides and house yards in Rajshahi. The people of the city say that this gentle presence of Jarul instills a sense of peace in their minds, which creates an atmosphere of liberation from the noise of the daily hustle and bustle.

Environmentalists and horticulturists believe that this wide spread of Jarul helps in controlling the city's climate and air pollution levels. Also, it contributes to increasing biodiversity.

Jharul's magnificent scenery in different parts of the city adds a new chapter to the natural beauty and cultural chapter. It is now a center of attraction for photographers and tourists. They said, this wonderful beauty of Jarul captures a different dimension in their camera lens.

This flower has added a sweet chapter in the life of the people of Rajshahi city. The charming touch of Jarul makes the beauty that grows on the way here more special, which makes the face of Rajshahi familiar in a new identity. This rich land is now wrapped in a new charm - the magical touch of Jarul flowers.

Impressed by the blue glow of Jarul, poet Ahsan Habib praised Jarul in his poem "Swades". He wrote, the light of happiness lit up in the corner of the mind, then drew a unique picture - a huge jarul tree on one side, two yellow birds on its branches.

Not only Ahsan Habib, 'poet of Rupsi Bengal' Jibanananda Das also brought alive the artistic form of Jarul in his poetry.

He wrote, 'The clouds come wet at the side of the river alone, sitting on the branch of the Jarul tree and looking at the other side.' by doing

From the railway gate of the city to the heritage square and the islands of the bypass road, the beauty of Jarul flowers is eye-catching. Travelers on this route are mesmerized by the beautiful scenery that unfolds before their eyes.

Alfaz Uddin is returning home through this route after office. He said, I feel a unique happiness by traveling this way every day. The work of the office should disappear in the magic of this path. The beauty of Jarul flowers is truly unparalleled. I think, let's take them home.

Meanwhile, an abundance of Jarul flowers can be seen everywhere in reputed Rajshahi College, which attracts the eyes of students and visitors.

Aishi Islam, a second year student of the Department of Psychology of Rajshahi College, said that the special collection of Jarul in the flower garden of Rajshahi College brings another sense of tranquility. Especially the flowers blooming on the newly planted saplings touch our hearts.

Rajshahi College former teacher of Botany department Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim said, this beauty of Jarul flower is not only eye-catching, but through it the environmental quality and diversity of Rajshahi city is increasing. Jarul flower is an eco-friendly plant and its natural beauty has a positive effect on the weather and environment of the city. In addition, jarul flowers attract different species of birds and butterflies, which helps increase ecological diversity.

He also said that the use of Jarul flowers in educational institutions, parks and roads of Rajshahi is playing a double role in the beauty and environmental protection of the city. It is helping to increase environmental awareness among the city dwellers while enjoying the natural beauty.

Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim also added that Jarul flower shows its purple bloom with the arrival of summer, its beauty prevails from summer to autumn. Students are introduced to the scientific name and identity of each of these medium height trees. Jarul seeds, bark and leaves are effective in diabetes, fever, insomnia, cough, and indigestion, making it not only a symbol of beauty, but an invaluable medicinal plant.

   

'Culture is one of the tools to inspire secularism and patriotism'



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
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Minister of State for Finance Wasika Ayesha Khan said, communal poison has spread in our world now. Culture has been firmly on the side of political figures when secular politics have fallen on hard times, and hopefully will continue to do so. Culture is one of the tools to inspire secularism and patriotism.

She said these things while addressing as the chief guest at the 33rd death anniversary ceremony of one of the founders of Sangeet Bhavan, Banabithi Sengupta, at the Allianz Française auditorium in the city's Chawkbazar on Friday (May 10).

The Minister of State for Finance said that the role of a teacher in people's life is undeniable. Many artists today have become great artists after taking music lessons from Banabithi Sengupta. Banabithi Sengupta's contribution to music from Sangeet Bhavan is immense. She will always be remembered and cherished by us.

Chaired by Dr. Sekendar Chowdhury, President of Sangit Bhavan, it was attended by Engineer Commodore Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman of Chattogram Port Authority as the special guest. Many talented artists and musicians were also present. 

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Human rights in our country better than many countries: Foreign Minister



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
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Foreign Minister and Joint General Secretary of Awami League Dr. Hasan Mahmud said that human rights in our country are better than many countries. No country in the world has human rights in an ideal position.

He said that all countries should work together for the development of human rights. We also want to work with our development partners to promote human rights.

He said this while speaking as the chief guest at the 'Baisakhi Utsav 1431' program organized jointly by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Foreign Office Spouses Association at the Foreign Service Academy on Bailey Road in the capital on Friday (May 10) evening.

He said that in the United States, we are seeing the way the police are suppressing the movement of students in favor of the Palestinians on the TV screen. We also see how the police are suppressing civil movements on behalf of the Palestinians in various European countries.

Asked about US President Joe Biden's nomination of David Slayton Mill as the new US ambassador to Bangladesh, Minister Hasan welcomed the nomination. He expressed hope that the new ambassador will further advance the cooperation of the United States with Bangladesh.

The foreign minister said, 'Secularism is the main driving force of our nation and the Pohela Boishakh festival is a symbol of secularism. Bangladesh was born in 1971 after breaking the communal state system of Pakistan with the aim of building a non-communal state under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu. And under the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Pahela Baishakh festival, which became a universal festival regardless of caste and religion, is today the embodiment of our secularism.

Dr. Hasan said, 'Awami League, which led the war of independence, believes that our first identity is that we are Bengalis, and the second identity is who we are and what religion we belong to. And Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina's mantra-religion is for individuals, the festival is for everyone. That is why people of all religions unite in Bangladesh today on Eid, Puja, Prabarana Purnima festivals.

Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Dr. AK Abdul Momen and Foreign Secretary Masood Bin Momen addressed the event.

Members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shahriar Alam, ambassadors, High Commissioners and members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Office Spouses Association (FOSA) attended the event and enjoyed the interesting cultural performance of FOSA artists. 

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BSF returned the bodies of two Bangladeshis who were killed on the border



District Correspondent, Barta24.com, Panchagarh
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After two days the Indian Border Guard Force (BSF) returned the bodies of two Bangladeshis named Abdul Jalil (24) and Yasin Ali (23) who were killed by BSF firing at the border of Tentulia in Panchagarh.

On Friday (May 10) evening, two dead bodies were handed over by Phansidewa Police Station of India to Bangladesh's Tentulia Police Station through Banglabandha in Panchagarh and India's Phulbari Zero Line border. The family members of the two deceased were present along with police, BGB and BSF officials.

Tentulia Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sujoy Kumar Roy said that the dead bodies of the two dead youths have been received at the Banglabandha immigration check post. We have handed over the dead bodies to the relatives of both the families without a post-mortem as the bodies are autopsied in India.

Before this, the two Bangladeshi youths were shot dead by the members of Fakirpara camp of 176 battalion of BSF at Khokhrapar border of Tentulia upazila of Panchagarh in the early hours of May 8. Later they took the dead body. 

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Haider Akbar Khan Rono passes away



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
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Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) advisor Haider Akbar Khan Rono breathed his last.

The veteran leftist leader breathed his last at a private hospital in Panthapath of the capital on Friday (May 10) night.

Jolly Talukder, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Bangladesh, confirmed his death.

Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) advisor Haider Akbar Khan Rono was seriously ill in a private hospital in Panthapath of the capital since last Monday evening. As his condition worsened, he was admitted to the High Dependency Unit (HDU) of the hospital and was given oxygen in a special system. This information was given by public health expert Dr. Lenin Chowdhury.

In a post on social media Facebook, Lenin Chowdhury wrote, "Politician and writer Haider Akbar Khan Rono is admitted to Health and Hope Hospital in Panthapath with acute respiratory disease (type-2 respiratory failure). Oxygen levels in his body are decreasing and carbon dioxide levels are increasing. He is being kept in HDU and is being given oxygen by a special system. But his condition is still unstable. At this time, Dr. Lenin Chowdhury requested not to make any gathering at the hospital that might hamper his treatment.

Haider Akbar Khan Rono, one of the organizers and leaders of the great liberation war, wrote several books during his lifetime. This Marxist theorist was the general secretary of the East Pakistan Students Union. Rano was born on 31 August 1942 in Kolkata, undivided India. His ancestral home is Barashula village of Narail.

Haider Akbar Khan left the party and joined the CPB in 2010 due to disagreements with the Workers' Party of Bangladesh for a long time. In 2012, he was made a presidium member of the party. After that, he was elected as the advisor of CPB. 

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