Helal Hafiz, the leading contemporary poet known for his experiment in combining rebellion with love in his poems, breathed his last at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) at around 2:30 pm today.
He was 76.
A seriously ill Hafiz, a confirmed bachelor, was rushed to the hospital from his last abode at Super Home Hostel at Shahbagh area in an unconscious state but doctors at the facility said the poet died before reaching the facility.
“He was pronounced dead as he was rushed there,” said Jatiya Press Club (JPC) General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan.
Bangladesh Railway (BR) has decided to ply eight commuters train between Dhaka and Joydebpur section from Sunday for smooth travel of the daily commuters.
BR sources said, four pairs of trains will ply on the route with stoppage at Tejgaon, Banani, Airport Station, Tongi and Dhirasram stations.
Director (Public Relations) of BR Md Nahid Hasan said the eight trains to ply on the route are- Turag Commuter-1, Turag-2, Turag-3, Turag-4, Joydebpur Commuter-1, Joydebpur-2, Joydebpur-3 and Joydebpur-4.
He said Turag Commuter-1 will leave Kamalapur station at 5 am, which will reach at Joydebpur station at 6 am giving two stoppages at Airport and Tongi stations.
A report from Bangladesh Bank has revealed that the financial stability of 18 banks is at risk due to potential loan defaults by their top three borrowers. The inability of these borrowers to repay their loans could trigger a dangerous liquidity crisis for these banks, the report warns.
“If the top three borrowers default, 18 banks will fail to maintain the minimum cash reserve. These banks are already grappling with capital deficits against their risk-based assets,” the central bank said.
Analysts emphasize that a bank financial strength is primarily measured by its capital reserves. A capital deficit not only signals poor asset quality but also categorizes these banks as financially weak. The Bangladesh Bank report underscores that the banking sector is already burdened by defaulted loans, putting additional pressure on the system.
Local Government Rural Development and Cooperatives Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain has said the government would form a taskforce to check air pollution in Dhaka and its surrounding areas as an immediate solution on a temporary basis.
The taskforce will operate on a temporary basis as a pilot project until the next monsoon season arrives, he said at an inter-ministerial meeting at Bangladesh Secretariat.
The meeting was arranged to determine what to do to prevent air pollution in Dhaka and its surrounding areas during this dry season.