Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK)
Anti-tobacco organizations including Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), National Heart Foundation Bangladesh, Dhaka Ahsania Mission, Pratyasha, Association for Community Development (ACD), Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) and Tamak Birodhi Nari Jote (TABINAJ), Aid Foundation, NATAB, BCCP, Tobacco Control & Research Cell (TCRC), and PROGGA formed a human chain in front of National Press Club yesterday demanding higher taxes on tobacco products in the upcoming budget for the FY 2018-19. Different anti-tobacco organizations of the country participated in the programme with banners, festoons, musical trucks and skeleton replicas to convey their anti-tobacco stance and demands. After this human chain, a group of representatives from these organizations handed over a memorandum to the chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to be submitted to the Honorable Minister of Finance. Speakers from the press conference underpinned the detrimental effect of tobacco on public health, environment and economy. The implementation of FCTC, an international tobacco control treaty, has been determined as a major strategy to realize both the 7th FY Plan and health-related SDGs. Daffodil International University (DIU)
As a private Higher Education Institute (HEI), Daffodil International University (DIU), in addition to its teaching practices is trying to develop its research agenda. As a Middle Income Country (MIC), Bangladesh has many areas where collection of research data would help the cause of development. Research would open the way to design research based solutions. DIU is taking initiatives to involve both its teachers and students in research on development issues – issues that would help the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) and institutes involved in development issues and projects. It would also give DIU students and teachers exposure to real-life research data, a research mind-set and an awareness of development issues. Traffic management and issues is one of the initial areas that DIU would like to bring to the research table. Everyone is painfully aware that traffic of Dhaka city today is one of the biggest challenges of living in Dhaka. All these were informed yesterday at press conference on “DIU Research Initiatives on Traffic Management in Bangladesh” at 71 Milonayoton of the university. Conducted by Syed Mizanur Rahmanb, Director (Student Affairs), the meet the press was addressed by Prof. Dr. Yousuf M Islam, VC, Prof Dr S M Mahabub Ul Haque Majumder, Pro- VC, Abu Taher Khan, Director, Career Development Center and Nafees Imtiaj Islam, Sr. Assistant Director (Research). It was also informed that DIU is going to organise a National Level Round Table Discussion (RTD) on ‘Effective Traffic Management in Bangladesh: A Catalyst for Inclusive Growth of the Country’ very soon, says a press release.
