BRC opined all pasteurized milk having detergents



Shahriyar Hassan, Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Photo: Collected

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Dhaka,(Barta24.com): The Biomedical Research Center(BRC) of University of Dhaka has opined that the all the pasteurized milk available in the market including those of Pran, Milk Vita and Arong are beyond standard quality. The researchers told that the samples of both the pasteurized and unpasteurized milk were examined whether it contains detergents. After chemical examination it was found that the samples of pasteurized and three samples of unpasteurized milk contained detergents or soap including that of Pran group.

BRC Director Professor ABM Faruque told Barta24.com that, ‘I think that these milks are fake. Our Intelligence department should work on this matter.’

This researcher told that, ’In my 45 years study in Pharmacy I never heard that soap is mixed in milk which was found in the milk of Pran group. Milk does not need cleaning. It does not need to be foaming. Then why soap is in milk?’ 

He further told that, ‘At first I could not believe that milk will contain soap. So to be sure I have examined it repeatedly.’  

Professor Faruque when asked that how soap is mixed with milk he said that generally machine oil is the most cheap. It has no smell. This oil is mixed with water though oil and water does not mix. Anyway it was done forcibly. One emulsion of water and oil was produced. To make the emulsion two things were required –one detergent and the other is emulsifying agent. That company had learnt the science to produce fake products. 

This researcher told that in this process it is easy to make fake milk. To make this fake milk the production cost is minimum as well as it does not require original milk.   

He said that firstly the detergent is mixed with machine oil through a homogeny machine. In open eye the components cannot be separated. Again its color also becomes white and thick like milk. It becomes prefect milk after mixing a flavor. 

When asked that if the Pran milk is taken then what may happen to human body. He replied that the machine oil does not cause human death. But there will be loose motion, vomiting and mal digestion.   

He continued that if that fake milk contains maximum quantity of detergent then it will create harm to human body. We use soap in medicine but those are of high quality. But definitely in fake milk this will not be done. So if this milk is taken it is harmful for stomach and liver.  

Speaking on the alleged fake milk of  Pran, Communication Manager of Pran group Towhiduzzaman told Barta24 that this research paper is not acceptable to us rather the report of BSTI is acceptable to us.

On the other hand Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institution(BSTI) did not any get any harmful ingredient in the 18 pasteurized milk samples of 14 brands available in the market. It was learnt from their statement submitted in the court. 

To the contrary, a group of Dhaka University researchers told that if this government agency(BSTI) is given facilities in different ways then approval of any product can be obtained about the standard and quality.  

On the other hand the Consumers Rights Directorate informed that they are aware of the research of BRC. Deputy Director of the directorate Manjur Mohammad Shahriyar told Barta24.com that the quality of any product is being looked after by BSTI. If BSTI declares any product quality inferior then we will carry raids.  

   

Chuadanga is burning, the temperature is touching 43 degrees



District Correspondent, Barta24.com,Chuadanga
photo: Barta24

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For the second day in a row, extremely intense heat is blowing over Chuadanga, a district in the southwestern part of the country. Temperatures are now touching around 43 degrees Celsius with the mercury rising.

The temperature of this district was recorded at 42.7 degrees Celsius on Friday (April 26) at 3 pm. The humidity in the air is 11 percent which is the highest temperature in the country in this season. According to the local meteorological office, the temperature in this district is likely to increase from April 26-30. Meanwhile, going out of the house has become a challenge due to the scorching sun. Flames of fire seem to be falling from the sky.

According to Chuadanga First Class Meteorological Observatory, the highest temperature of 42.5 degrees Celsius was recorded in the district last Saturday (April 20). Then Sunday (21 April) 42.2 degrees, Monday (22 April) 40.6 degrees, Tuesday (23 April) 39.6 degrees, Wednesday (24 April) 41.2 degrees and Thursday (25 April) 42.2 degrees Celsius was the temperature.

The maximum temperature recorded in this district was 40 degrees Celsius at 12 noon on Friday. Air humidity is 16 percent. At 3 pm the temperature rose to 42.7 degrees Celsius. Air humidity was 14 percent.

Rakibul Hasan, Senior Meteorological Observer of Chuadanga Meteorological Observatory said that since the beginning of April, mild, moderate, severe and very severe heat wave has been flowing over Chuadanga district. The ongoing heat wave will continue until rain. There is no chance of normal rainfall in April. During this time, the discomfort may increase due to the excess of water vapor.

He also said that there is a possibility that the temperature of Chuadanga will increase from April 26 to April 30. He requested everyone to be careful.

Meanwhile, people are under house arrest due to scorching sun and intense heat outside. Most of the people stay at home and rest under the fan without going out. However, a different picture is seen in the case of low income day laborers and working class people. They ignore the intense sun and heat and stay outside in search of livelihood.

Food delivery boy Faisal Iqbal of Chuadanga town said, 'What else can I say, I am delivering people's food to different destinations by cycling in this hot sun. It is very difficult in summer. But it won't happen even if you sit down. At the end of the day, you have to buy food for your family and return home.'

Billal Hossain, the driver of a Chuadanga inter-district bus, said that people are not going out much in this intense sun and heat. So they don't have many passengers. Having to go on a trip with fewer passengers than on other days. They are also suffering financially. 

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A warm welcome to the Prime Minister at the Thai PMO



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com, Dhaka
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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived at the Thai Prime Minister's Office on Friday (April 26) morning to attend a bilateral meeting with Thai Prime Minister Sretha Thavisin.

There, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh was welcomed by the Thai Prime Minister with a grand ceremony.

In the bilateral meeting, the two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest. After that, several bilateral documents will be signed in the presence of the two Prime Ministers to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

The two leaders will also meet privately.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was received by Thai Prime Minister Sretha Thavisin on her arrival at Government House and was given a warm red carpet welcome at the open space in front of Thai Kuh Fah Bhawan.

The Prime Minister of Bangladesh was given a guard of honor by a smart contingent of the Thai Armed Forces. Prime Minister inspects the guard.

Sheikh Hasina signed the guest book at Government House before Thai Prime Minister Sretha Thavisin introduced Sheikh Hasina to her cabinet members.

Before leaving Government House, Sheikh Hasina will attend a formal lunch there.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left for Thailand on a six-day official visit last Wednesday (April 24) at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Sretha Thavisin.

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Sheikh Hasina termed the visit to Thailand as a milestone in bilateral relations



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh and Thailand have the potential to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, food security, tourism, public health, energy and ICT sectors.

She said, "I strongly feel that there are opportunities to strengthen our cooperation in trade and investment, food security, tourism, public health, energy, ICT, people-to-people communication and connectivity under BIMSTEC."

She said this at the lunch organized by Thai Prime Minister Sretha Thavisin at Government House on Friday (April 26) in honor of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Earlier, the two leaders held a private meeting for 15 minutes before attending a bilateral meeting there.

After the meeting, 5 bilateral documents - 1 Agreement, 3 Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) and 1 Letter of Intent (LOI) - were signed in the presence of the two Prime Ministers.

At the luncheon, Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh attaches great importance to the relationship with Thailand as its closest neighbor.

She further said that our friendship is deeply rooted in our historical, linguistic and common cultural heritage. The warm and cordial relationship between our two friendly countries continues to grow in multi-faceted areas of cooperation including trade and investment, sustainable development, people-to-people communication and connectivity.

The Prime Minister of Bangladesh said that she and Prime Minister Thavisin had a long discussion on bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.

She said, we have agreed to make all efforts to increase our bilateral trade and encourage more interaction between the public and private organizations of the two countries. Likewise, we must continue to make every effort to promote and facilitate bilateral investment.

She said, the agreement and memorandum of understanding signed by Dhaka and Bangkok on Friday will provide a solid framework for increasing our bilateral cooperation.

Sheikh Hasina said the visit is part of the larger focus of the 'neighborhood' policy, which provides an excellent opportunity for the two countries to further renew the momentum of bilateral relations.

She said, I believe that this visit will help deepen the relationship between our two countries.

The Prime Minister said that she strongly believes that this visit will give the much-needed momentum to the full potential of bilateral relations.

She said, this official visit will be a milestone in our bilateral relations which ushered in a new era of fruitful partnership between our two countries. In the coming days we must maintain the new momentum of our relationship for the mutual benefit of our people and country.

Bangabandhu's youngest daughter and Sheikh Hasina's sister Sheikh Rehana and Bangabandhu's grandson Radwan Mujib Siddique were present at the lunch.

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There is no water in the tube well!



Sohel Mia, Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com, Rajbari
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Dulali Sarkar's family consists of six members. Even though they have their own tube well, water is not coming up for several days. As a result, the family is suffering endless hardships. On one side, there is a strong heat wave and on the other, there is a cry for water. The life of Dulali Sarkar's family is getting upset all together. He is running here and there to solve the water problem. But not a single drop of water is found anywhere.

Not only Dulali Sarkar's family. Such a picture for water thousands of families in seven unions of Baliakandi in Rajbari is prevailing. The Department of Public Health and Engineering said that the water level went down during the severe heat wave and dry season.

Baliakandi Upazila Public Health Engineering Department sources said that Baliakandi Upazila is different from Greater Faridpur due to geographical reason. The ground level of this area is lower than that of the surrounding area. Due to which the water level is dropping by 8 to 10 inches every year. The total number of families in Baliakandi is 50 thousand. According to the government policy, it is mandatory to have at least one tube well for every 5 families.

Accordingly, about 10,000 tube wells are required in Baliakandi. But officially 160 submersible wells have been installed since 2022 and 520 star tube wells since 2019 which is very little compared to the demand.

The tube wells installed by private enterprises are no longer producing water. Public Health Engineering Department said that the water level in Baliakandi is 15 to 22 feet below during the monsoon season. And during the dry season, especially in April, May and June, it falls below 32 feet. No. 6 tube wells installed for private purpose have a pumping capacity of 20 to 24 feet. Due to which there is no water in the region during the dry season. Only government installed star and submersible tube wells have water.

On Thursday (April 25), On a spot visit went to Paikkandi village of Sadar Union and found that almost every house has a tube well, but most of the tube wells do not have water. In some tube wells some water is rising in the morning and evening. Many people are collecting water from where there are government submersibles and star pumps.

Meanwhile, as there is no rain in the month of Baisakh, the worshipers are organizing special prayers and prayers in different areas of Baliakandi for rain.

Gholam Mortaba Riju, a resident of Paikkandi village, told Barta24.com that it has been almost a week that water is not coming out of the tube well of the house. A glass of water rises after 50 presses. His family is suffering from various problems due to lack of water. Especially children and old women are suffering a lot, he said.

Kamruzzaman Kamrul, a resident of Ilishkol village in Baharpur Union, told Barta24.com that they are not suffering due to lack of water. Animals are suffering more than this. The chickens in his house are panting for water. The effect of lack of water in intense sun and extreme heat is not only on humans but also on animals and plants.

Rahim Miah, a farmer of Mechuaghata area of Nawabpur Union, told Barta24.com that he is unable to grow crops in the field due to lack of water. Now is the perfect time to grow whole jute. The land should be irrigated and planted with jute seedlings. He is unable to plant jute seeds due to lack of water.

Baliakandi Upazila Assistant Engineer said that the demand for 10,000 tube wells has been sent to the government to ensure safe water. Rezaul Karim told Barta24.com that 60 percent of families in Baliakandi now lack water. Climate change is affecting the groundwater level in the region.

Every year the water level is going down. The coming days will be more difficult. In order to get safe water and enough water in dry season, tube wells should be planned and installed. Henceforth whoever installs tube wells must be submersible or they install tube wells. All these tube wells are also capable of drawing water from a level below 160 feet.

He also said that if tube wells are installed from now, there will be no worry for water for the next 50 to 60 years.

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