The admission test for the academic year 2023-24 in the 24 universities under the cluster system is starting today.

Admission test for 'A' unit will be held on Saturday (April 27) from 12 noon to 1 pm. Architecture practical (drawing) exam will be conducted on the same day from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

Against a total of 21,000 seats under cluster system Universities, 3,5,346 applied seeking admission this year.

Centers have been designated in 22 of the cluster Universities this year. As per the schedule, the 'A' unit examination will be conducted on Saturday from 12 noon to 1 pm.

Apart from this, the examination of 'B' unit under the Humanities group and the examination of 'C' unit under the Business Management will be held on May 10. Meanwhile, the open examination of the 'D' unit of the University will be held on May 11.

This time, 1 lakh 70 thousand 599 applications have been submitted in 'A' unit of science group, 94 thousand 631 in 'B' unit of humanities group and 40 thousand 116 applications in 'C' unit of business management.

On the occasion of the admission test, the overall preparation has already been completed. Meanwhile, special attention is being paid to the safety of the students during the ongoing heat wave.

The Vice Chancellor of Jashore University of Science and Technology Prof. Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain said that all the Universities have been requested to take proper preventive measures during the heatwave. At the same time, I am calling upon the Vice-Chancellors of the concerned Universities under the cluster system to provide sufficient fresh water and first aid supplies in the examination centers for the protection of the admission seekers. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called upon the leaders and activists of Awami League to work for the development of Bangladesh and the people.

She made this call when a delegation of Thailand's Awami League paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at her residence on Thursday (April 26).

Addressing the leaders and activists, the Prime Minister said, 'You have to work for the development of the country and the people.'

Prime Minister's speech writer Nazrul Islam briefed the journalists.

Bangladesh Awami League President Sheikh Hasina urged the leaders and activists to spread the ideals of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The Prime Minister said, "Though the Father of the Nation was killed prematurely, his ideals remain with us. That is why I am working to implement his ideals. She also mentioned that Bangabandhu dreamed of bringing smiles to the faces of the poor and distressed people of the country.

Referring to the remarkable progress and development of Bangladesh in the last 15 years, the Prime Minister said that it was possible to achieve this progress because they (her party) were in power for a long time without interruption.

Leaders and activists told the Prime Minister that many Bangladeshis are interested in keeping dual citizenship even if they accept Thai citizenship. They have sought the Prime Minister's intervention to maintain dual citizenship.

In response, the Prime Minister assured that she will talk to the Thai government about this. 

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. 

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.