Dec 30, 2009 – The bounty of winter ‘Poush Mela’ in Panchagarh – Daily Star

A month-long ‘Poush Mela’ (winter fair) was inaugurated on December 24 at Balabhir Goalpara village in Panchagarh.
Lawmaker of Pan-chagarh-2 constituency Advocate Nurul Islam Shujan inaugurated the mela. Adibashi Kalyan Samity organised the event in association with local Adibashi Poush Mela Committee to highlight the varied lifestyle and cultural heritage of the indigenous communities living in the northern districts. A total of twenty stalls have been set up, where household items, hunting tools including bows and arrows, spears and harpoons and swords are on display. Following the inauguration of the mela, a discussion was held. President of Adibashi Poush Mela Committee and also Chairman of Boda Union Parishad Mofizar Rahman Dinu chaired the event. Deputy Commissioner of Panchagarh, Banamali Bhowmik; Boda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sarwar Alam; Assistant Superintendent of Police Shahabuddin Ahmed attended the programme as special guests. Among others, leader of Adibashi Kalyan Samity Rajoni Mardi; former chairman of Boda union Abdul Mannan; General Secretary of Upazila Awami League Advocate Wahiduzzaman Shuja and General Secretary of Mela Committee Raziul Alam Prodhan, spoke at the inaugural programme. Later a vibrant cultural programme was held with the participation of indigenous artistes. The artistes performed songs and dances in their traditional costumes. This is the third time that the mela is being held at the same venue, organisers said. Enthusiastic students and people from all walks of life are gathering everyday at the mela.

Dec 24, 2009 – Shortage of doctor’s hinders treatment in Panchagarh – News Today

Patients are being deprived of proper treatment at Sadar Adhunik Hospital due to mismanagement and shortage of doctors, reports UNB. Sources said only three doctors out of 34 are now working in the hospital. Of the three, one is Residential Medical Officer (RMO) and two others are junior consultants. Though the 100-bed hospital has modern equipment for conducting operation, the patients do not get service in absence of physicians in the surgical ward, said a source in the hospital. The sources said, of the total 34 posts, four are medical officers, three emergency medical officers, seven assistant surgeons, seven senior consultants, 10 junior consultants, one pathologist and one dental surgeon. There is no doctor in emergency department. Patients allege that most of the outdoor patients are to go back without treatment almost every day.
When contacted, Civil Surgeon Dr. M Abdul Karim said they informed the matter to the Health Ministry to take necessary steps in this regard.

Dec 22, 2009 –  Agro-based industry needed in Panchagarh – Financial Express

The farmers of Panchagarh need an agro-based industry for getting due price of crops, which grow in plenty in the fertile land of the area. An agro-based industry could not be established for the welfare of the farmers for want of storage facilities, incentives, bank loans, patronage and vocational training of the farmers. Jute, wheat, sugarcane, paddy, mustard, tissi and different vegetables like bringles and potatoes grow in plenty and rot in the absence of cold-storages. The farmers have to stock their produce in the cold storages in neighboring Thakurgaon district.

People of Panchagarh demanded establishment of cold storages for the preservation of their crops. They also demanded establishment of auto rice mills, oil mills and other small industries based on the locally grown agricultural crops to help remove the unemployment problem of the district. Kamrul Islam, a farmer of Maydandighi said, “We are not getting due price of our crops as we don’t have cold storage facility. We have already drawn the attentions of the president of Jute Growers Association and the incumbent MP of Panchagarh-1 to our plight.”