September 22, 2013

Prescription

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Ashwin 7, 1420 Zilkad 15, 1434 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 1 No 181

Appendicitis: What, why, and what to do

International

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Gunmen storm Nairobi mall, 15 killed: Red Cross

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2013 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

A JS body says the refugees may outnumber Bangalis in Cox’s Bazar FACT BOX

A parliamentary inquiry team, which also includes the foreign minister as a member, has concluded that the Rohingya refugees are more privileged than the Bangalis in Cox’s Bazar, encouraging the Myanmar Muslims to deliver more babies for additional economic returns.

The team in its two-day visit to Ukhiya and Teknaf upazilas of the tourist town bordering Myanmar predicted that the Rohingyas would outnumber the local Bangalees owing to their higher rate of population growth.

It identified a refugee family having

An 18-member family detected Rohingyas to outnumber Bangalis in Cox’s Bazar Even a newborn enjoy full ration Rohingyas unwilling to take birth control methods Birth control move suggested 300,000 Rohingyas live illegally 18 members, each of whom get 12kg of rice every month as ration.

As a reversal strategy, the three-member watchdog team, formed

by the parliamentary standing committee on foreign ministry, recommended that the authorities introduce birth control measures in the two registered refugee camps – in Kutupalong in Ukhiya and Noapara in Teknaf – housing 30,057 Rohingyas.

It also suggests that the authorities must revisit its ration policy so that the Rohingya’s trend of taking more children diminishes.

Headed by Nilufer Zafar Ullah, the standing committee chairman, the inquiry body estimated that there were more than 300,000 Rohingya Muslims excluding the registered refugees.

Awami League MP Nazma Akter is the

other member of the inquiry team visiting Cox’s Bazar on August 17 and 18. The report was placed at the last meeting of the parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs on September 18.

“Around 58% of the 30,057 refugees living in the two camps were born in Bangladesh. Beside them, 300,000 more Rohingyas have been living illegally. More and more Rohingyas have been intruding into Cox’s Bazar. They are superseding the locals in number,” says the report obtained by the Dhaka Tribune.

“The problems are deepening day by day.”  PAGE 2 COLUMN 6

Fire fighters and locals try to douse a fire that broke out in the capital’s Kamrangirchar slum burning some 50 houses to ashes yesterday. Story on page 3

Myanmar army on border: BGB alert but not worried n Tribune Report The Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) forces are remaining alert but are not concerned over reports that Myanmar has deployed three regular army battalions along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.

“We are yet to get any indication [of army deployment by Myanmar] from our troops deployed along the border.

We are watchful, but not worried about it,” BGB Director General Major General Aziz said yesterday.

The BGB chief said he had heard about the deployment of Myanmar army personnel along the border from various sources but could not confirm it. “It will take time to be sure about it,” he said.

Aziz also said, as per the information they gathered from the BGB members  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

6 Imagine a kid on the street with no one around, tears rolling down his cheeks.

What is your first reaction? You feel pity for him and would like to help in any way possible. If he is lost and knows an address or has a slip of paper mentioning it, with enough time on your hands, you would probably take him home.

Nation

7 Jute growers irked by non-payment of their dues and sluggish retail sales incinerated unsold raw jute in front of a government procurement centre recently in the Gobindaganj upazila in Gaibandha.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

RMG units ‘forced’ to shut for a workers’ rally Hossain Ovi n Ibrahim and Syed Shoeb The readymade garment factories in and around Dhaka were allegedly forced to shut down yesterday afternoon so that the workers could attend a rally in the capital, RMG workers and owners said.

Labour leaders arranged transportation so that the workers could travel from their workplaces to the rally venue at Suhrawardy Udyan.

The Garment Workers Coordination Council (Garments Sramik Samannay Parishad) organised the grand rally with Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan in the chair.

Several thousand garment workers including those from 52 organisations attended the rally that began around 3pm. Many of them were wearing headbands with “Garment Sramik Samannay Parishad” inscriptions.

The rally follows the ruling Awami League’s initiatives to woo women workers by countering the campaign against them of Hefazat-e-Islam’s spiritual leader Shah Ahmad Shafi, who preached that women should not go out of home for work or shopping.

The campaign was greeted with protests with women rights bodies. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina while inaugurating a multi-storey dormitory for women workers in Ashulia industrial zone on September 1 alerted the garment workers about the propaganda of “BNP, Jamaat and Hefazat” against the present government. She alleged that the parties were misguiding people in the name of religion.

Calling upon the RMG workers to vote for the Awami League in the next general election, she said the female garment workers might lose their job if “the unholy alliance” led by the BNP come to power.

The similar sentiment was echoed at yesterday’s rally, where a number of speakers came down hard on the Hefazat chief.

They labelled Shafi “shameless” as he had no contribution to the country’s economy and also called upon the Hefazat chief to apologise for his offensive remarks about the female garment workers.

The workers said confining the women, who constitute a major portion of the workforce in the country’s apparel making industry, was not possible.

Minister Shahjahan Khan, who is also a labour leader, urged the garment workers to bring the pro-independence force to power again.

Conducted by labour leader Nazma Akhter and Rahima Akhter Sathi, the rally was also addressed by Shaikhul Hadis Maulana Moniruzzaman Rabbani, Shirin Akhter, Mahbubur Rahman Ismail, JM Kamrul Anam and Touhidur Rahman Touhid.

Seeking anonymity, the owner of a factory in the capital’s Tejgaon area, told the Dhaka Tribune that policemen had come to his factory around noon and asked the manager to let go the workers off so that they could join the rally.

He also said when the manager had wanted to know the reason, the police told him that it was an order from the higher authorities.

However, Apurbo Hasan, officer-incharge of the police station, told the Dhaka Tribune that the allegations were totally baseless and that they had not asked anyone to close factories.

Some workers from a number of factories in Gazipur said they had been instructed to not join work after lunch and attend the meeting.

Meanwhile, the workers of several factories in Kaliakoir of Gazipur demonstrated by blocking road and vandalising vehicles, demanding oneday leave for the rally. At one stage, more than 300 garment factories in the area shut production down.

“We announced one-day leave on security grounds because a group of unruly workers gave rise to violence in the area,” said Abdur Rahim, admin manager of Pandora Group.

A worker of the Mirpur’s Pioneer Garments expressed his dissent at the “double standard” that the factory owners were maintaining.

“The owner of my factory was not willing to raise our wages by even Tk600. But today [Saturday], they closed the factories so that we could attend a rally that raised the demand for Tk8,000 monthly wage. It is more than surprising,” he said.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 6

New BGB unit ready to BTRC plays tricks with data on dues check political violence n Muhammad Zahidul Islam

n Kailash Sarkar With political front showing signs of volatility in the run-up to national election, the government is readying a specialised unit of the paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh to aid other regular forces in tackling street violence.

In addition to the main duty of border management, the specialised unit – called the “Region Reserve Battalion” – has been tasked with checking political violence and fundamentalism, and addressing some other issues, said sources in the BGB and the home ministry.

The RRB, divided into four separate battalions and comprising around 3,000 personnel picked up from various units of the BGB, will assist the civil administration in maintaining law and order as the police force has been

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Rohingyas get the upper hand n Kamran Reza Chowdhury

Sport

14

International

8 Syria handed over the remaining details of its chemical arsenal on Saturday, meeting a deadline under a deal that headed off military strikes, the world’s chemical weapons watchdog said.

Op-Ed

11 Faiz Sobhan: Since the late 1990s, Bangladesh has witnessed an increase in militancy and violent extremism that has exposed women to greater threats than before. Such kinds of extremism prevent women from being emancipated economically and socially.

busy dealing with political violence in recent times.

Not just the police, the combined law enforcement agency Rab, consisting of members from all the agencies including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Ansar and BGB, has also been kept busy.

Until June this year, a staggering number of 1,978 platoons of BGB has been deployed around the country at different times to assist police in maintaining law and order. In 2012, the number was only 78.

The spike in BGB deployment could be attributed to the recent rise in political violence around the country.

BGB Director General Maj Gen Aziz Ahmed told the Dhaka Tribune: “Controlling and checking political violence,  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

The telecom watchdog concealed information on billions of taka lying outstanding from different operators when the Dhaka Tribune applied for the data under the Right to Information Act. In response to the request, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) said that there was around Tk18.8bn outstanding with three operators – Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL), Teletalk and Citycell.

The application was sent on July 24 of this year, seeking data on the outstanding amount of dues up until June of this year. The BTRC provided the information on August 21.

The Dhaka Tribune found that a further Tk9.91bn was due from other operators, mainly the International Gateways (IGWs).

On August 29, the regulator, in a report submitted to the parliamentary

standing committee on the post and telecommunication ministry, mentioned the Tk9.91bn, but did not disclose the information about the three operators.

No high-ranking officials at the BTRC, including the commissioners, agreed to talk about the issue as its

On August 29, the regulator, in a report submitted to a parliamentary standing committee, mentioned the Tk9.91bn, but did not disclose the information about the three operators Chairman Sunil Kanti Bose has been out of the country for the last two and a half weeks.

According to the response received by the Dhaka Tribune, a big chunk of the Tk18.8bn is due from the government-owned land phone operator BTCL. From October 2008 until June

of this year, the dues amounted to Tk15.84bn.

The BTCL has not shared any revenue, as stipulated in the guidelines, sources at the BTRC claimed.

Lone state-owned mobile operator Teletalk’s dues amounted to Tk568m from October 2011 up until June 2013.

Citycell, the country’s oldest mobile operator, has dues of Tk2.39bn for 2G license renewal fees, spectrum charges and revenue sharing, the BTRC report says.

Sources at the BTRC said there were dozens of influential ruling party leaders attached to gateway businesses with dues, on which the regulator was uncomfortable to divulge the details.

According to the report placed in the House committee meeting, the BTRC realised Tk6.82bn of the Tk9.21bn of dues were owed by 29 IGWs in the 201213 fiscal year.

The dues from Interconnection  PAGE 2 COLUMN 6

BB to use EC database to stop money laundering n Asif Showkat Kallol

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) of the central bank will use the external databases of the Election Commission (EC), police, customs and other government organisations to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing in the country ahead of the general elections.

In the one-year action plan prepared by the BFIU, it will share databases of the regulatory authorities to establish connectivity as necessary to ensure smooth and effective investigation and prosecution.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), which monitors the BFIU’s activities, had sought the action plan ahead of the visit of a four–member IMF team.

The delegation is set to meet Finance Secretary Fazle Kabir at his secretariat office today.

During their stay, the IMF team will also hold talks with the energy and power, agriculture and industries ministries, the central bank and the National Board of Revenue. They will be visiting until October 4.

The BFIU will also issue guidance notes to improve the quality and quantity of Suspicious Transaction Reports.

To ensure the competency and integrity of its staff, the unit will provide them with training at home and aboard, as well as providing attachment programmes with similar foreign institutions.

The unit will also expand financial services in rural areas to improve financial literacy at the grassroots level by encouraging the use of financial instruments.

It will establish a secure network connection with the international anti-money laundering group, Egmont.

The BFIU achieved its membership of Egmont in July this year. Subse-

quently, the Anti-Corruption Committee returned money from a Singapore bank, money which was laundered by Arafat Rahman Coco, the son the BNP chief.

Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank Abu Hena Mohammad Razee Hassan told the Dhaka Tribune that the IMF wanted to know the government’s inter-agency activities, performance and future plans.

He also said the IMF mission sought information on the state-owned commercial banks’ capital shortage and on how the government would handle the issue. l

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Probe report against Kaiser ready

A Convention Muslim League leader in 1971, Kaiser later joined the BNP and then Jatiya Party Kaiser was arrested on May 16, a day The probe body will today unveil its n Udisa Islam report at a formal press briefing. Later, after the tribunal ordered his arrest. He The investigation agency of the war crimes tribunal will submit its report against Syed Mohammed Kaiser, a former junior minister, to the prosecution by tomorrow.

Officials told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that Kaiser had been involved in crimes against humanity in Habiganj during the 1971 Liberation War. Those crimes include murder, confinement, abduction and looting.

The tribunal asked the prosecution to submit formal charges against the 73-year-old was crimes suspect tomorrow. Kaiser is now on bail.

Qubee given LTE n Muhammad Zahidul Islam The leading WiMAX operator Qubee has got permission for the long-term evolution (LTE), equivalent to fourth generation service.

“For the first time, we have given LTE permission to an operator and it is Qubee,” Sunil Kanti Bose, chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Body told the Dhaka Tribune.

He said the regulator has issued LTE permission to mobile phone operators with 3G licenses, but “they may not able to launch it soon.”

Earlier, both Augere Wireless Broadband Bangladesh Ltd (Qubee) and Banglalion had applied for LTE. Faisal Hyder, Qubee’s chief executive officer said: “Yes, we applied for it, but we have no idea about (receiving) the permission.”

Ollo, an operator who did not have license for WiMAX, was reported to have imported and installed LTE equipments. l

the prosecution will prepare the formal charges and submit them to the International Crimes Tribunal 2.

On May 29, 2010, the War Crime Fact Finding Committee handed over a list of the 19 top-rated war criminals to the tribunal. Kaiser’s name was on the list.

A Convention Muslim League leader in 1971, Kaiser was also involved with the local Peace Committee. He then formed “Kaiser Bahini,” which collaborated with the Pakistani occupation army in committing crimes against humanity at Shayestaganj, Chunarughat and Madhabpur in Habiganj district.

n Kailash Sarkar Shamsul Huq Nannnu, a witness in the war crimes case against Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami, has protested a report carried by The Telegraph, a British daily, and a statement

by Toby Cadman, a British lawyer cum lobbyist for the Jamaat.

He also denounced a video footage in the YouTube, allegedly showing him giving a statement on how he was forced by the government with threats and financial inducements to give evidence in the case.

Speaking at a press briefing held at the prosecutor’s office of the International Crimes Tribunal, Nannu, said: “The interview on YouTube was done with imposter pretending to be me. It is totally forged and false. A different person in my disguise gave the false statement in the interview, saying, I had given deposition under the government’s pressure and after taking various advantages.

1952 Language Movement veteran Abdul Matin takes part in a human chain formed by Chouhali Upazila Welfare Association in front of the National Press Club yesterday, seeking government step to stop riverbank erosion in Sirajganj, his home town. Various social fronts take Bhasha Matin, in fragile health at the age of 86, to public places to promote their causes MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Hasina urges people to keep distance from BNP n Partha Pratim Bhattacharjee Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the countrymen once again to vote for the ruling Awami League as opposition “BNP means repetition of terrorism, militancy and corruption.”

At a party meeting, the Awami League chief said: “Only Awami League has the right to urge people to cast their votes in favour of the party as the incumbent government did a lot for the welfare of the people.”

She also urged all to keep distance from the main opposition BNP and its partners, and also to remain alert about their propaganda.

Hasina was addressing at a views-exchange meeting at Ganabhaban with the leaders of district, upazila, city and first-class municipalities of Dhaka,

Nizami witness ditches media report, YouTube clip

Shamsul Huq Nannnu speaks at a briefing

was admitted to a private hospital in the capital after his arrest. He later got bail from the tribunal.

Investigation Officer Monwara Begum said Kaiser had formed a force in his name to collaborate with the Pakistani forces in Habiganj. “We have got much evidence against him for his crimes against humanity.”

According to the investigation, Kaiser joined the BNP during the regime of General Ziaur Rahman. He switched parties again, and became the state minister for agriculture during the military regime of HM Ershad. l

“I gave the testimony to the court willingly about Nizami’s brutality. None has forced me in this regard. However, after the testimony, my family and I are at risk of attack by the Jamaat-Shibir activists. They have been issuing threats in different ways,” Nannu said.

At the briefing, Nannu condemned the Telegraph for using Toby Cadman’s “false” statement as well as for not verifying it thoroughly before publishing the article. He condemned Cadman as well for siding with lies.

Nannu said he had analysed both Telegraph’s report and video footage in the YouTube in depth. “The man, who has been filmed in the interview is not me. I have a moustache and long curly hairs, which he does not have. There are much dissimilarity between me and that person. That person is not even known to me.”

Hailing from village Chhoto Pathail Hat in Nagdamra union under Sathiya upazila in Pabna, Nannu is a lawyer at the Supreme Court by profession.

He was a vice-president of Rajshahi University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League, students’ wing of ruling Awami League, and later he became an acting president of the unit.

Cadman in his interview with the Telegraph mentioned that the trials of his client Abdul Quader Mollah and others accused of war crimes had been politically-motivated.

Citing the video footage, Cadman claimed that the person was forced to give deposition and take financial facilities. l

Panchagarh, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Bandarban and Barguna districts.

It was part of her series of meetings with the grassroots leaders to gather opinion about the party’s probable candidates for the upcoming national elections.

The premier also requested people not to vote for the BNP. “If the BNP returns to power, it will stop the ongoing trial of the war criminals, and will resort to a reign of terror across the country, looting, grabbing. So everybody should maintain distance from this party.”

She asked the party activists to persuade the people in favour of the Awami League. “Whenever Awami League is in power, it works for the people. But BNP had always been busy with themselves,” she said adding that patronising killers, and making money through corruption

were the BNP’s basic character.

“The party which fought for the country’s independence is always in favour of the people, and the party whose stand was against the country’s independence, does not do anything for the country’s interest,” Hasina alleged.

Party leaders Kazi Zafarullah, Nuhul-Alam Lenin, Mahabub-ul-Alam Hanif, Abul Hasnat Abdullah, and Mrinal Kanti Dash were present.

Grassroots leaders from Khagrachhari raised allegation against ruling party lawmaker Jatindra Lal Tripura saying that he had no connection with the constituency for the last three years.

They demanded that the party changes its nomination, otherwise, it would loss the seat, they cautioned.

Following this, Hasina assured them of visiting the district in mid-October.

Sources said some leaders of Khagrachhari raised allegation against district Awami League General Secretary Jahidul Islam and his brother Rafiqul Alam, the Khagrachhari municipal mayor.

Javed Ali, general secretary of the district unit, alleged that the duo was turning the district into a “den of terrorists.”

The party chief said she would take appropriate measures in this regard.

Leaders of Panchagarh alleged that the district unit was divided because of two MPs – Mazaharul Hoque Prodhan and Nurul Islam Sujan. There are two committees in the district, but the one led by Sujan was allowed at the meeting with the party chief.

Meeting sources said leaders from Rangamati and Bandarban took stand in favour of the current MPs – Dipankar Talukder and Bir Bahadur U Shei Ching. l

Hefazat announces fresh programmes n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong Radical Islamist group Hefazat-e Islam at a rally in Fatikchharhi of Chittagong yesterday threatened to besiege the secretariat if the government did not stop passing a bill on Qawmi madrasa education.

The speakers did not mention any deadline; however, Organising Secretary Azizul Haq Islamabadi told the Dhaka Tribune that they would observe the programme after January 31 next year.

Muhammad Salimullah, joint secretary of Hefazat-e Islam, announced the fresh programmes at the National Olama Mashayekh Conference held at Al-Jamiatul Islamia Azizul Ulum Babunagar Madrasa in Fatikchharhi.

Their eight-point charter for demands includes the release of its leaders and activists detained for “false cases” across the country.

Hefazat will also submit memorandums to the prime minister, through deputy commissioner and upazila nirbahi officers across the country, on September 25.

The group also urged the government to resume operation of Diganta and Islamic TV, and release daily Amar Desh acting editor Mahmudur Rahman and rights group Odhikar’s Secretary Adilur Rahman Khan.

The rally was supposed to be chaired by Hefazat Ameer Allama Shah

Ahmad Shafi. But as he was absent due to illness, a written speech was read out by his Press Secretary Manirul Islam.

Shafi said the government was trying to stop Qawmi education by introducing Qawmi Education Authority Act 2013.

“If the Act is introduced, the uniqueness of the education system will be ruined, and the people who do not know Islam will become decision-makers of this education system,” he said.

Hefazat is claimed to be a non-political organisation based in Hathazari. Formed in 2010 comprising teachers and students of Qawmi madrasas, it has been demanding cancellation of the education and women development policies terming those anti-Islamic.

They resurfaced in February against the organisers of Shahbagh movement, who have been demanding death penalty for all war criminals.

Hefazat, joined by top leaders of several pro-opposition parties and supported by many others, came up with 13-point demands that include execution of “atheist bloggers” and to stop free mixing of men and women.

They held two programmes in Dhaka on April 6 and May 5 over the demands.

Secretary General Junaid Babunagari said: “When the government will stop Qawmi education, from that time, millions of people will die. The country

will be flooded with blood.”

The British wanted to eliminate Qawmi education, but they had to leave the sub-continent. “So, the present government should take lesson from them,” he added.

Senior leaders of the group including its Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Mohibullah Babunagari and Nayeb-e-Ameer Mufti Izharul Islam attended the rally where leaders from other areas of the country also took part.

At the programme, the Hefazat high-command also announced its organisational plan till January 31 next year and asked its grassroots leaders to form committees at different levels and send the lists within October 30.

After the rally, a 201-member Majlish-e-Shura (the highest policymaking body) committee was formed, said Organising Secretary Azizul.

A 25-member sub-committee of the main committee was also formed to take decision quickly, said Azizul Haq Islamabadi. Joint Secretary General Mainuddin Ruhi was not selected in the new committee, he added.

The group has reportedly been divided over its course of action and joining the BNP-Jamaat-led 18-party opposition alliance ahead of the next general elections.

After the Dhaka blockade programme on May 5, Hefazat decided to drop the leaders of the opposition alliance from its central and other committees. l

New BGB unit ready to check political violence Myanmar army on border: BGB alert but not worried  PAGE 1 COLUMN 3

militancy, insurgency, smuggling, trafficking, and illegal hoarding of essentials by unscrupulous businessmen, are among tasks of the specialised unit.”

Maj Gen Aziz said the process of forming the new battalions had started after the prime minister inaugurated the four regional headquarters of BGB in Chittagong, Jessore, Rangpur and Sarail in January this year.

“One of the battalions has already started working under the Chittagong Regional Headquarters.

It worked during the recent troubles in the Bangladesh-Myanmar border areas. The formation of the three re-

maining units is about to be completed soon,” the BGB boss said.

“The new force will work to control political violence and other crimes whenever and wherever necessary,” said Maj Gen Aziz; but he declined to say anything more in detail due to strategic reasons.

Each of the RRB battalions will be led by a lieutenant colonel level officer of the army and will have separate 35-member intelligence cells.

Sources said the idea of a specialised force came to the forefront because the 152,000-strong police force which had had to be really busy controlling the recent spike in political violence, could hardly find time to check other crimes.

At least 12 policemen were killed and more than 400 injured in the last nine months in clashes with activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student front Islami Chhatra Shibir, and other Islamist outfits.

BGB sources said the new units would be equipped with sophisticated and modern logistics and would be empowered to conduct operations independently whenever needed.

The force could also be deployed as per demand from the civil administration.

Unlike police, who must be ordered by a magistrate to use firearms, the new BGB battalions will be able to use firearms, if needed, without the permission of any other authority. l

 PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

engaged along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, there was nothing abnormal in sight there.

He said the Myanmar authorities could position their army forces near the border to ensure the security of the police force deployed along its border after the country’s Nasaka border force disbanded.

Asked what steps would be taken if Myanmar deployed their army along the border, the BGB chief said they would take every necessary measure depending on the evolution of the situation.

Meanwhile, the media in Myanmar,

citing security sources, reported that the authorities had deployed three army battalions along the Bangladesh border in order to tighten security.

They also said the army was already camped within five miles of the Myanmar-Bangladesh border.

Two police battalions would be sent later, the ELEVEN Myanmar channel quoted the Rakhine State chief minister as saying.

The northern and southern regions of Maungtaw, 7km away from the Bangladesh border, are currently under the guard of the Myanmar police after the former Nasaka border guard force was disbanded. l

BTRC plays tricks  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

Exchange operators (ICXs) amounted to Tk4.67bn, of which the regulator acknowledged Tk1.9bn.

Moreover, the outstanding amount of the PSTN operators is Tk314m, International Internet Gateway operators (IIGs) Tk15.7m, and the International Terrestrial Cable (ITC) operators Tk5m.

“Though the figures are based on information until the last fiscal, the amount has risen by billions in the last two months,” a high-ranking official at the BTRC, requesting anonymity, told the Dhaka Tribune. l

Rohingyas get  PAGE 1 COLUMN 4

According to the tripartite agreement involving Bangladesh, Myanmar and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the 30,057 are recognised as “refugees.” A registered refugee must live in the camps. Irrespective of their ages, they get 12kg rice every month as ration through the UNHCR. The parents get 12kg rice even for a new born. Most of the refugees go out of the camps bribing the gate-keepers for work and sell the rice in the local market.

“In addition to the ration, the refugees get free health service and take tailoring, computer and other technical trainings. Due to full ration for a child, they are reluctant to opt for population control options,” says the report suggesting review of the ration policy.

“Twenty-three schools are there for the Rohingya people. They are getting more facilities than the local people.”

The other 300,000 Rohingyas do not enjoy refugee status. Bangladesh treats them as intruders, providing no facilities.

They have set up thatched houses and shops in the tourist town, harming the opportunities for the local people. Some of them even own Bangladeshi passports.

The report states that the intrusion of the Rohingyas has been on and it must stop.“Fencing along the borders, increasing the number of border outposts and deploying more law enforcers are some options to stop the infiltration,” says the report. It also recommends that the government restrict the movement of the illegal Rohingyas in four kilometres from the border. l

RMG units ‘forced’  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

Another worker from the Karnaphuli Garments in the capital’s Green Road expressed same fears.

“I do not know what they [the owners] are up to, but I can easily guess that we are being played out by politicians once again,” he said. BGMEA Vice-President Shahidullah Azim told the Dhaka Tribune: “The workers participated in the rally on their own. The BGMEA neither asked them to nor prohibited them from joining the programme.”

However, seeking anonymity, a BGMEA high official said: “The sector will suffer a loss of around Tk15m due to the forced closures. We are already having trouble in meeting the shipment targets because of hartal and labour unrest. Such untoward closure will make it even tougher.”

On the other hand, Siraul Islam Rony, president of Bangladesh Garments Workers Employee League, claimed: “We did not force anybody to join the meeting. The workers joined the rally willingly.”

However, not all the workers heeded their leaders’ order. Many preferred not to take the trouble of join the rally.

Moreover, a good number of vehicles carrying workers from many garment factories got stuck in a long traffic tailback. Many such vehicles were seen stuck on the road even hours after the rally had ended. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Sunday, September 22, 2013

3

EX-COP’S MURDER

Police still clueless n Mohammad Jamil Khan

Three weeks into the incident investigators are still clueless about the murder of their former colleague from CID, ex additional superintendent of police Fazlul Karim, who was shot by unidentified men in the capital’s Rampura on August 31.

Detective Branch (DB) of police investigating the murder have interrogated over twenty people including family members and local drug dealers till date, without yielding any significant information.

However, they suspect Fazlul Karim, 65, who retired six years ago, was killed because of his strong anti-drug stance in the area.

Karim was shot inside his own home by a group of unidentified men after they barged in. The following night, his son-in-law filed a case with Rampura police station against three unidentified young men.

Sub-inspector Jamal Hossain, who is the case investigation officer (IO), told the Dhaka Tribune: “In our investigations we came to know that Fazlul Karim protested against drugs in the locality and local people supported him.”

“His anti-drug campaign brought him into conflict with local thugs, and during one altercation he slapped some of them. That might have led to his death,” said the IO. Police learned this when they picked

up a local miscreant, known as “Kola Selim” and questioned him about the shooting. A massive drive was launched to arrest criminals and drug dealers operating in the area.

Three dealers from Rampura, Rajon, Sumon and one called “Kosai Farid”, have also been interrogated and given police information that is being analysed.

It is suspected that Liton,the driver might have been involved because Fazlul Karim’s widow Shapna Karim said he was at the building’s entrance when the men who shot her husband came in and left the premises.

She said: “He saw them and he knows about it. After they went out, he came to my room and told me we have to take him (her husband) to hospital.”

According to sources, when DB police questioned Liton about the incident, he gave investigators inconsistent information.

Two nephews of Karim, Rubel and Shanto, were also questioned because of an alleged property dispute with their uncle.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Jahangir Hossain Matubbor of DB (West) said: “We are investigating the incident and giving priority to some leads, especially the issues related to drugs.”

He said police found several clues, but declined to disclose what they were as they are part of the on-going investigations. l

A brief spell of rain causes water logging in the capital’s Panthapath yesterday. The sufferings are worsened for pedestrians as illegal footpath-shops leave a little space to walk near the Bashundhara City shopping mall SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Police search for crime links of overstaying foreigners n Kailash Sarkar The Special Branch of police has recently initiated work on the preparation of a list of foreigners, including those who are overstaying and are linked to international crime rings.

Almost a thousand foreigners were arrested over the last few years for their involvement in various crimes, even militant activities.

Intelligence agencies have clues that the arrested foreigners from a number of countries- many of whom are overstaying their visas- are allegedly involved in smuggling, drug peddling, forgery and other crimes in Bangladesh.

Monirul Islam, joint-commissioner of the DB, said: “A large number of foreigners carrying out criminal activities are staying at large under the shelter and support of a section of Bangladeshis.”

Ashiqur Rahman, special superintendent of the SB (SS-Passport Department), said they were yet to have any concrete information on the

foreigners staying in Bangladesh.

Barkat Ullah, chief of the SB’s Security Control Organisation (SCO of SB), said: “We are a bit worried over the matter and facing difficulties to deal with this type of criminals.

“Many of them are members of different international smuggling and human trafficking rings, and they are supported by a section of Bangladeshis,” he said.

Barkat said: “Many of them have already been arrested, but they keep coming out of the jails somehow and continue committing crimes. Some of them even manage new passports from their countries with different identities.”

When asked, he said under the directives of the home ministry they were working to prepare a list of how many foreigners are staying in Bangladesh both legally and illegally.

Meanwhile, according to Bangladesh Prisons officials, around 800 people from India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Korea, Morocco, Turkey, Nigeria, Guinea, Ghana, Hungary, Mali, Peru, Libya,

Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Congo, Cameroon and some other African countries are detained at different Bangladeshi jails for their involvement in various crimes.

Sources in the SB, Detective Branch and immigration authorities, said around 125,000 foreigners are overstaying their visas and almost 12,000 of them came with tourist visas and were possibly engaged in criminal activities.

“A few hundred others, who came either on business visas or under the banners of volunteer organisations, are also involved in militant and other criminal acts. They stay both in hotels and residential apartments,” said an SB official.

He added that “the rest are working in different factories, beauty parlours, restaurants and hotels despite having no work permits.”

Many of the arrests of have taken place at the airport this year, with an Indian and a Peruvian national arrested on April 17 this year at the airport while trying to flee after misappropriating Tk100m from a

Bangladesh leading performer in MDG index: Debapriya

garment factory in Savar. Then, in June, a Peruvian national was arrested at Dhaka’s airport with cocaine worth Tk30m and a Nigerian national was caught with 2kgs of heroin and US$1,100 in counterfeit US notes. An Indian national was arrested also at the airport in July with Tk35m worth of diamonds.

Also in July, a South African and a Cameroon national were arrested at Gulshan with US$45,800 and €12,000 in fake Euro notes, along with a large haul of equipment used to make fake currencies. Then, on September 4, two nationals of Guinea and a South African were arrested while in possession of a huge quantity of alcoholic beverages in Uttara.

These arrests represent just a few of the many foreigners arrested in recent months for a wide array of offences.

On March 5 of this year eighteen nationals of various African countries were arrested with a haul of fake currencies whilst in the same month four Pakistani nationals were arrested at Bangshal in possession of Rs6.3m. l

Fire breaks out in three areas of the capital n Mohammad Jamil Khan

Fire broke out at three different areas of the capital yesterday, causing damage to valuables.

A fire broke out in the Kathpatti slum in the Kamrangirchar area. At least 40 houses and 10 shops were engulfed by the flames.

Sirajur Islam, inspector (investigation) of Kamrangirchar police station, confirmed the incident to the Dhaka Tribune.

Quoting Locals, he said the fire originated from the stove of one Fazlul Hossain’s house around 1:30pm. Soon after the flames spread throughout the slum.

Enayet Hossain, in charge of Palashi fire service station, said four firefighting units rushed to the scene and managed to douse the flames after 45 minutes.

The official cause of the fire could not be known immediately.

“We will able to know about the source of fire after investigation.

“However, we suspect it might have originated from a stove,” said Enayet.

Fire also broke out at a factory in city’s Bangshal area around 11.45am.

After being alerted, three fire-fighting units rushed to the fire and controlled it within an hour.

Mohammad Ali, duty officer of the central fire service and civil defense, told the Dhaka Tribune that the fire originated from an electric short circuit, The fire damaged valuables inside the factory worth an estimated Tk1m.

“However, we were able to recover valuables worth Tk5m,” he added.

In a third incident, fire broke out in the Rokeya Bhaban apartment complex in the Mogbazar area around 5.00pm.

Five fire-fighting units from Ramna police station doused the fire after half an hour.

When asked, Mohammad Ali, duty officer at the Central Fire Control Room, said the fire broke out as the result of an electric short circuit which occurred on the 17th floor of the building.

He said: “We cannot estimate the amount of loss incurred. However, we can say that the fire could not make too much damage as it was put out quickly.”

No casualties were reported in any of the incidents. l

Two policemen among 3 injured in clash with Shibir

n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

Mozena shocked at attack on law enforcers n Arif Ahmed

Of the 49 least developed countries (LDC), Bangladesh and Cambodia were the best performers in the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) index, Distinguished Fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Debapriya Bhattacharya, told a discussion yesterday.

The dialogue on “Delivery of the MDGs in LDCs and Reflections on Post2015 Issues” was organised by the CPD and Germany-based think-tank FES, at the Brac Centre in the capital. Debapriya said the Asian LDCs were likely to achieve two out of eight MDGs, and could come very close to achieving six other indicators.

“Asian LDCs as a group performed better than African or island LDCs,” Debapriya said, adding that the targets of poverty eradication and survival of children under five-year of age were likely to be achieved by the Asian LDCs. According to the economist, the indicators that the Asian LDCs are most likely to come close to achieving are maternal survival ratio, HIV prevalence, survival of infants, improved drinking water, improved sanitation and net enrolment ratio in primary education, the economist said.

Implementation, resources, and reforms in global rules were the major challenges for the post-MDG international development framework, which will be drawn up after the 2015 deadline, he said.

The employment situation in LDCs, including Bangladesh, was now worse than what it was before the MDG pro-

The US ambassador to Bangladesh Dan W Mozena yesterday said he was shocked to see attacks on law enforcers deployed on the streets to keep the peace during hartal days.

“The opposition political groups are attacking police members in the street when they [police] want to control the disorder – for keeping peace during hartal,” Mozena said, adding that like all peace-loving people of the world, the incident was disheartening to him.

Mozena made the comments while addressing the 10th Gan-Sohagi International Day of Peace Lecture-2013 at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban on the Dhaka University campus.

The peace and conflict studies department of DU and the Gan-Sohagi Memorial Trust Fund jointly organised the lecture, titled “The Power of One: Individual Action, Shared Peace,” marking World Peace Day. The US ambassador said the political party should have respected democracy and held a tolerant outlook for the establishment of peace in the country.

The DU Vice-Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique said Bangladesh would try to keep world peace in cooperation with other countries, as the country’s foreign policy believes in “friendship to all, malice to none.”

DU Pro VC (Academic) Prof Nasreen Ahmed chaired the programme, while other speakers included DU social science faculty Dean Prof Farid Uddin Ahmed and DU peace and conflict studies department Chairman Md Rafiqul Islam, among others. l

A clash between police and cadres of Islami Chhatra Shibir, student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, left two policemen and one activist injured in the capital’s Hazaribagh last evening.

The policemen were injured when the Chhatra Shibir activists charged bombs at them while the other suffered a bullet injury on his leg as the police fired gunshots during the clash, said M Iqbal Hossain, officer-in-charge of Hazaribagh police station.

Injured Sub-Inspector Abdur Rahim, and an unidentified constable were admitted to Rajarbagh Police Lines Hospital while the injured Chhatra Shibir activist was being treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital under police custody.

The injured Shibir activist, Abdul Malek, 25, is a resident of Chharakghata on Tali Office Road.

“Law enforcers came under attack when they took an attempt to enter a

Debapriya Bhattacharya addresses a dialogue on ‘Delivery of the MDGs in LDCs and Reflections on Post-2015 Issues’ at the capital’s Brac Centre yesterday RAJIB DHAR grammes began, Debapriya said, adding: “For employment to population ratio, the situation has deteriorated since 1990.”

Also regarding the employment sector, CPD Chairman Rehman Sobhan said there should be qualitative change in terms of income and social rights.

Commenting on education in the country, Gonosastho Kendro founder Zafrullah Chowdhury said the past trend of meritorious students from rural areas receiving higher education in public universities was almost impossible in today’s Bangladesh.

UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP

Resident Representative in Bangladesh Neil Walker, whilst acknowledging Bangladesh’s remarkable progress, said there were many challenges ahead.

Also present at the programme was former adviser to the caretaker government Rasheda K Chowdhury who said the global system had changed after the 2001 twin tower attacks. The increasing military expenditure had eaten up funds for development expenditure, she said.

However, speaking at the discussion, Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque said no country could develop without peace and stability. l

n Tribune Report

four-storey building at Chharakghata in Hazaribagh on information that a group of Chhatra Shibir cadres were making bombs at the house to carry out subversive acts,” said OC Iqbal Hossain.

The Shibir cadres charged bombs repeatedly at the law enforcers, who retaliated with gunshots leading to the clash. “There were several cadres of Chhatra Shibir, but they fled the scene leaving one of them,” the OC Iqbal said.

Police recovered several crude bombs and materials used for making bombs at the house.

Earlier on Friday, police arrested five leaders and activists of Jamaat while they were allegedly holding a meeting at a house in the same area. Of them, two were the rokans of Jamaat and the others were its members.

Meanwhile, in another drive in the afternoon, police yesterday arrested 12 alleged cadres of Chhatra Shibir with 10 crude bombs at a house in the capital’s Malibagh area. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Sunday, September 22, 2013

5 people killed in separate incidents in the capital n Mohammad Jamil Khan A rickshaw puller was hacked to death by unidentified assailants in Mirpur, while four other people were found dead from suspected foul play in different parts of the capital yesterday.

All five bodies were sent to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital for autopsy, and police filed separate cases for unnatural deaths.

Police found the body of Shafiqul Islam, 32, a rickshaw puller from Jamalpur in Thakurgaon, on a road in Section-7 of Mirpur around 3am, said Ibrahim Das Ray, sub-inspector (SI) of Khilkhet police station. His rickshaw was not found at the scene.

The body was covered in stab wounds inflicted by different types of sharp weapons, leading police to believe that more than one person may have been involved in the killing.

SI Ibrahim said previous enmity or a conflict might have led to the killing, as Shafiqul also owned a rickshaw garage in Mirpur-7.

“We are investigating the incident and we hope to unearth the mystery shortly,” he said.

In a separate incident, police recovered the body of Sayed Hassan Pollob, 39, an official of a private company, from a flat at South Goran in Khilkhet around 1pm, said Mohammad Monirul Islam, SI of Khilkhet police station.

There were spots of blood on Pollob’s mouth and nose, he added.

Pollob’s wife, Tahmina Hasan, found his body lying on the floor when she returned home after visiting her parents, Monirul said.

Meanwhile, police discovered the body of a housewife hanging after breaking down the door of the home in West Nakhalpara in the Tejgaon Industrial Area around 1.30pm. The victim was identified as Yeasmin, 20, from Muktagacha, Mymensingh.

Ranjit Sarker, SI of Tejgaon police station, told the Dhaka Tribune that after being informed by neighbours, police rushed to the house and found Yeasmin’s body hanging. Police were searching for the victim’s husband, Tutun, alias Sumon, who allegedly went into hiding after the incident, he added.

In another incident, the body of an unidentified man in his twenties was found beside a railway crossing in Banani, said Mohammad Jahidul Islam, assistant SI of Government Railway police station. The body may have been dumped in the area after the victim was killed elsewhere, Jahidul said.

“We have informed the relevant police stations so they can investigate,” he said.

Police also found the body of an unidentified woman, aged around 25, near the Kawla Bridge in the airport area around 2.30am. She may have been hit by a speeding bus while crossing the busy road, said Mamunur Rashid, SI of the airport police station. l

n Tribune Report

RMG workers attend a grand rally at the capital’s Suhrawardy Uddyan yesterday, demanding Tk8,000 minimum wage, reinstatement of GSP facilities, and protesting conspiracies to confine women labourers at home . Story on Page 1 RAJIB DHAR

Fertiliser dealers irked by middleman’s role They give government 15 days to remove gap between factory gate and warehouse prices The BFA has long been demandUrea users are mostly those in the n Kayes Sohel northern region but in that region, ing that there be a fixed price for urea, Fertiliser dealers have threatened to call a strike unless the government meets their demands, which include the removal of the disparity between factory and intermediary urea prices within the next 15 days.

The Bangladesh Fertiliser Association (BFA), which comprises over 5,000 dealers, made the demand at a press conference at its office in the capital yesterday.

“We appeal to the government to bring an end the price disparity within next 15 days. Otherwise, we will be forced to stop purchasing and distribution of fertiliser,” said BFA Chairman Kamrul Ashraf Khan.

Dealers from 27 districts buy urea, the key agricultural fertiliser, at Tk14 per kg from the factory gate while dealers in 37 districts buy it at Tk14.7 from buffer warehouses, he said.

Temperature unlikely to change n UNB Light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at a few places over Rajshahi, Rangpur, Khulna, Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka and Sylhet divisions until 6pm today.

Moderately heavy falls were also likely at places, Met Office said.

Day and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.

The sun sets in the capital at 5:55pm today and rises at 5:48am tomorrow.

Country’s highest temperature 36.0 degree Celsius was recorded at Rajshahi and lowest 25.0 degrees at Rangamati yesterday.

Highest and lowest temperatures recorded in some major cities yesterday were: City

High

Low

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

35.0 32.0 36.0 34.0 35.5 33.6 35.0 32.5

26.8 27.0 26.2 27.0 26.3 26.0 26.3 25.5

PRAYER TIMES 4:32am 5:46am 11:52pm 4:14pm 5:56pm 7:11pm

Source: IslamicFinder.org

there are no factories. Because of this, dealers are forced to purchase urea from the middlemen and pay the extra cost, he said.

“This is grossly unfair as majority of the dealers have to incur loss,” Kamrul said, urging the government to solve the issue immediately to avoid disruption in the distribution of fertiliser amongst farmers.

The BFA also claims that the government is providing fertiliser to seed dealers through the BADC (Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation), taking Tk30,000 as security money, which is “contradictory” to the law.

“Only authorised dealers, who deposited Tk200,000 each to the government for licences, are authorised to distribute fertiliser as per the Fertiliser (Management) Act 2006,” he said.

which is used by almost 87% of farmers in the country.

Urea is a key agricultural input which farmers apply to rice fields – in the rainy-season for aman and in the dry-season for boro rice – with demand rising to around 565,000 tonnes.

The country’s six urea factoriesoperated by the state-run Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation- remain inoperative half of the year due to low gas pressure, leading the government to meet the annual domestic demand through importation of around 1.7m tonnes of the total demand of 2.4m tonnes.

The government provides Tk60bn90bn worth of subsidies for urea prices each year as the country is heavily dependent on the import of the chemical fertiliser. l

The National Committee to Protect Oil-Gas-Mineral Resources, Power and Ports yesterday again demanded the relocation of the Rampal coal-fired power plant project arguing it would gradually destroy the Sundarbans, a Unesco World Heritage site.

The committee Member Secretary Prof Anu Muhammad said, if the plant is built so close to the forest, it would destroy the ecological balance of the

country’s lone mangrove forest and the adjacent areas as it would produce a huge amount of toxic gases, airborne ash and waste materials, which are extremely harmful to the environment.

He was briefing reporters at the city’s Mukti Bhaban auditorium, informing the media about its scheduled long-march programme from Dhaka to the Sundarbans- due to take place from September 24-28- in protest over government plans to install the plant in Rampal.

Prof Anu Muhammad briefs on September 24-28 ‘long march’

The platform claims that the government has been conducting the project just 14km from the Sundarbans to “please India.” The project will use a technology, which in India is prohibited from being employed within 25km of any forest.

The 1,320 megawatt power plant project will be constructed in a 50-50 partnership between Bangladesh and the NTPC, the Indian state-owned power generation company. Three agreements were signed in April regarding the project which could begin operations in 2017.

“The NTPC failed to set up similar thermal power plants in the Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Tamilnadu states of India,“ Prof Anu said.

To install the plant, the government has already acquired 1,834 acres of land from private owners in Rampal, Bagerhat, on the banks of the river Pashur.

The government claims that the plant will not harm the forest as it will use modern technology and a lot of money will be spent on environmental management. At present, land-filling work is underway at the site and the prime

COMMWARD 2013 was held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka Hotel yesterday. The programme featured a seminar, followed

by Cannes Showcasing, Bangladesh Creative Showcasing, award giving ceremony, and COMMWARD publication.

Communication experts from around the world talked about the importance of having the right brand image, setting a brand strategy, principles guiding advertising strategy, and fostering creativity and innovativeness within a company, says a press release.

Speakers at the event were Sandeep Pandey, partner – business planning of Mindshare, Rajita Chaudhuri, author and dean, Centre of Undergraduate Studies at IIPM India, Prasun Basu, managing director – South Asia Region, MillwardBrown, and Fredrik Härén, author and founder of interesting.org.

The seminar was followed by showcasing of best creative works from Cannes and Bangladesh, award giving ceremony for creative advertisements of Bangladesh, and a COMMWARD publication.

The event was organised by Bangladesh Brand Forum of BRANDzeal Consultancy Ltd. l

minister is expected to inaugurate the construction work early next month.

The committee also described the deal with the NTPC “extremely unequal” since it would incur the country’s financial losses. According to the contracts, both countries will invest 15% of the project cost while the rest will come from India in the form of a loan.

Sheikh Mohammad Shahidullah, convener of the national committee, said because of the loan for 70% of the cost, “Bangladesh will have to buy the materials for the power plant as per the directives of India.” Bangladesh would also bear the interest of the loan while India would enjoy equal profit sharing.

Kallol Mustafa, an engineer and activist of the platform, said: “We have been told by the government that the joint venture company will be equally owned. So, they are supposed to take the responsibility for any environmental and financial losses.

“But we are not sure what is actually written in the agreements the government signed so far,” he told the Dhaka Tribune. l

Migrants often face exploitation, discrimination, xenophobia n Rabiul Islam In absence of regular migration opportunities, migrants resort to irregular migration channels, and often face exploitation, discrimination and xenophobia, said Neal Walker, resident coordinator of the UN. He was speaking at the inauguration programme of National Consultation for the UN High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development at a city hotel yesterday.

Bangladesh foreign ministry and International Organisation for Migration

jointly organised the consultation and report release ceremony.

Among others, Expatriates Welfare Secretary Zafar Ahmed Khan and Shahidul Haque spoke at the function.

Neal Walker said many migrants are able to move, live and work in safety and dignity while others are compelled to do the opposite as a result of poverty, lack of decent work, human rights violations, and environmental degradation.

He said the number of international migrants stand about 232m.

“We know that migration can bring substantial benefits, but the field also has many challenges. The challenges have to be addressed in a comprehensive manner,” he said.

After the inauguration, four groups were formed for preparing recommendations to be raised from Bangladesh part at UN High-level dialogue on international migration and development scheduled to be held on October 3-4, 2013.

Talking about the outcome of the recommendation, expat secretary said protection of migrants including wom-

University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) came out to be the winner at the Star-UIU Documentary Festival 2013, themed “Urban Transport System of Dhaka City.”

Jointly organised by Star Cineplex and United International University (UIU), the finale of the contest was held at Bashundhara City in the capital yesterday.

The documentary titled “18 Hours in 180 seconds” by Zahid Hasan Gogon of ULAB won the first prize of Tk50,000.

Imon Faisal from American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), became the first runner up with his documentary ‘Nogor Jibon (City Life)’ and Syed Raihan-UL-Islam of Daffodil International University (DIU), became the second runner up for his documentary ‘Take Me Home with prize money of Tk30,000 and Tk20,000 respectively.

A jury, comprised of celebrated actor Moushumi, and directors-Redowan Rony and MM Kamal Raj, elected the winners.

20% marks was added through public voting on Facebook. It was decided by the number of like’s that the participants obtained on their documentaries uploaded on a prescribed page within two days of time.

BRAC University, AIUB, ULAB, UIU, ASA University Bangladesh and DIU took part in the contest. l

COMMWARD 2013 Onion at Tk55 in held in city OMS from today n Tribune Report n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi

Scrap power plant near the Sundarbans: Public platform n Abu Bakar Siddique

WEATHER

Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

ULAB wins first prize at Star-UIU Documentary Festival

en and children is very important.

The foreign secretary said partnership at national, international and global level is a must for better management of migration.

Later, World Migration Report – 2013: Migrant Well-Being and Development was launched by International Organisation for Migration (IOM), for the first time in Bangladesh, presenting a global picture of the well-being of migrants.

Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain was present as chief guest on the occasion. l

To check the errant price of onion, state-owned Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will start selling the item today through open market sale (OMS) at Tk55 per kg in the capital and elsewhere in the country.

This correspondent, who visited a number of kitchen markets in the capital on Thursday, found that imported onions were sold at Tk95-100 per kg, while the local one at Tk75-80.

“The TCB will start selling onion on trucks at Tk55 per kilogram,” said its Public Relations Officer Humayun Kabir. A consumer can buy 5kg onion from the trucks at the 25 OMS points in the city while every division will have five points, he added.

Humayun also said the government floated international tender to import 1,000 tonnes of onion to meet the demand. It will continue the direct tender procedure, which allows local traders to import 100-300 tonnes, as a part of its attempt to control the price.

The government has also taken measures at Teknaf boarder to facilitate small traders who import onion in small volume from Myanmar, he added.

The move came from a fruitful discussion between Bangladesh and Myanmar administration and businessmen.

On September 19, TCB Chairman Brig Gen Sarwar Jahan Talukdar and Additional Commerce Secretary (WTO DG) Amitav Chakrabarty went to Myanmar.

Retailers at Hatirpool and Karwan Bazaar kitchen markets claimed that they were selling onion at higher prices as they had to buy at higher prices from the wholesalers, who blame supply shortage for the price hike. l

SCB, British Council launch iBanking portal for examinees

n Tribune Report Standard Chartered Bank, in collaboration with the British Council Bangladesh has recently launched a unique examination fee collection solution based on Standard Chartered’s award winning consumer banking internet channel – iBanking.

All Standard Chartered account holders could now pay the British Council exam fees through the iBanking portal, according to a press release.

This would enable the account holders to pay for the different exams, without having to come to the bank’s branches.

The initiative was in line with the digitalisation strategy of both the organisations and offered convenience of online banking to British Council examinees who were also SCB account holders.

Rosemary Arnott OBE, country director, British Council Bangladesh and Jim McCabe, chief executive officer, Standard Chartered Bank, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations. Abrar A Anwar, managing director and head of OCC, Standard Chartered Bank, Deep Adhikari, country exams manager, British Council Bangladesh, and other senior officials from both organisations during the signing. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Prescription

5

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Appendicitis: What, why, and what to do The award-winning singer Sir Elton John said he is ‘lucky to be alive’ after spending a couple of weeks in pain with the ‘ticking time bomb’ of appendicitis. This August, Sir Elton informed that he would be missing some live performances due to an operation. Appendicitis is such a condition which can suddenly get you stuck in a hospital bed for some time

What happens in appendicitis?

Appendicitis causes pain that typically begins around the navel and then gradually shifts to the lower right abdomen. The pain of appendicitis mostly increases over a period of 12 to 18 hours and eventually becomes very severe.

Tenderness can be felt when pressure is applied to lower right abdomen. Pain gets worsened with coughing, walking or other movements. Moreover, nau-

ND PE AP

It is a usual scene seeing kids playing video games but a new study show that it can boost the memory of elderly people.

HEALTH Video games that can NEWS improve the memory and attention span of elderly people for up to six months are being developed by scientists.

To fend off colds, washing your hands well and often is the best step you can take. Use plain soap and water and scrub for as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday to you” twice.

Gas and children

Pregnancy and appendicitis

sea, vomiting, fever etc are usually associated.

dispose individuals to block the lumen of the appendix.

Then what is the cause?

How is appendicitis diagnosed?

Usually appendicitis occurs when the lumen of the appendix becomes blocked, often by stool, a foreign body, or cancer. Appendicitis can occur by an infection such as a gastrointestinal viral infection, or it may result from other types of inflammation.

The incidence of appendicitis is lower in cultures with a higher intake of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is thought to decrease the viscosity of feces, decrease bowel transit time, and discourage formation of hard stool, which pre-

Doctors can diagnose appendicitis mostly by taking history and examining the patient. Diagnosing appendicitis can be tricky; it is a very common illness and many people don’t have classic symptoms. We actually have to put our hands on a belly to see for sure. Symptoms of appendicitis are frequently vague or extremely similar to other ailments, including gallbladder problems, bladder or urinary tract infection, Crohn’s disease, gastritis, intestinal infection, and ovary prob-

Video games can boost your memory n Dr Sajol Ashfaq

is called an appendectomy. If appendicitis is even suspected, doctors tend to err on the side of safety and quickly remove the appendix to avoid its rupture. Antibiotics are given before an appendectomy to control infection. General anesthesia is usually given, and the appendix is removed through a 4-inch incision or by laparoscopy (by making a small hole). If the patient has a burst appendix or abscess, the abdomen is also irrigated and drained of pus.

Within 12 hours of surgery a patient may get up and move around and can usually return to normal activities in two to three weeks. Surgery can be done with a laparoscope (a thin telescope-like instrument for viewing inside the abdomen), then the incision is smaller and recovery is faster.

Wash up

Study of 60-85-year-old people show that car racing video games improved their memory and attention.

The benefits can be noticed after six months of brain training games, said researcher Dr Adam Gazzaley of the University of California San Francisco, who led the study. He said the result “is a powerful example of how plastic the older brain is.”

“The game is particularly effective because it becomes more difficult as players improve, continuing to exercise

their brain as much as possible,” he said.

In this research, as the memory of the older group improved, their brain waves became more similar to those of younger people. Thus, researchers thought the training by video game was improving their ability to stay engaged in a active state for a longer period. The patent of the game known as “NeuroRacer” is still in pending state. Further studies are needed to find out exactly how the game causes people’s mental performance to change and then patent of the game can be achieved, said Dr Adam Gazzaley.

As the memory of the older group improved, their brain waves became more similar to those of younger people

Memory loss is a symptom in some illness like ADHD, depression and dementia. In these illnesses, this video game will help, say researchers.

But some scientist disagreed with this procedure. They said this method is not yet sufficiently proven for older people. But, everyone agreed on one point: a moderately gaming experience is always good fun, whatever the age, and it cannot do damage. l

FOOD THERAPY

Drink green tea daily Green tea has a great health benefit. It prevents cancer and protects our heart and maintains body weight by different internal mechanism in the body. But did you know that green tea can rapidly boost you up! Hot or iced, green tea can help rev up your workout. Its catechins, antioxidants, and caffeine help increase the metabolic generation of heat. Drink a cup about 10 minutes before exercising. l

Okra helps for gut health The mucilage and fiber found in okra helps adjust blood sugar by regulating its absorption in the small intestine. The fiber of okra has many superior qualities in maintaining the health of the gastro-intestinal tract. It helps reabsorb water and traps excess cholesterol, metabolic toxins and surplus bile in its mucilage and slips it out through the stool. Due to greater percentage of water in the bulk it thereby prevents constipation, gas and bloating in the abdomen. l | Compiled by: Shirsho Sikder

lems. Primarily we don’t need to go for any investigations to diagnose appendicitis, but a few tests can help. We usually go for urine test to rule out a urinary tract infection, blood test to assess any infection, CT scan and ultrasound to confirm any other infection.

But the treatment is surgery

Anyone suspected to have a case of appendicitis has to move for emergency department of a hospital or surgeon.

Meanwhile, the patient has to avoid eating or drinking because it can cause an inflamed appendix to rupture. The standard treatment for appendicitis is surgery to remove the appendix, which

Appendicitis in pregnancy should be suspected when a pregnant woman complains of new abdominal pain. No laboratory finding was found to be diagnostic for acute appendicitis during pregnancy.

The combination of symptoms and clinical judgment is still vital in deciding which patient needs surgical treatment.

In case of suspected appendicitis, most of the surgeons recommend prophylactic antibiotic treatment rather than surgery.

Can appendicitis be prevented?

There is no way to prevent appendicitis. However, appendicitis is less common in people who eat foods high in fiber, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.

The writer is professor of Surgery in Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College, Dhaka

BIGSTOCK

The term appendicitis is very familiar to us. It is the problem that starts with pain in the right side of the lower abdomen. The incidence of appendicitis is so common that any pain in the lower abdomen has come to a suspicion of appendicitis. Appendicitis is a medical emergency that requires prompt surgery to remove the appendix.

Left untreated, an inflamed appendix will eventually burst or perforate, spreading infectious materials into the abdominal cavity. Living in the age of antibiotics, appendicitis has a great importance as a medical emergency. But immediate use of proper antibiotic can delay the surgery for a while.

Appendicitis is a condition in which the appendix gets inflamed. Appendix is a worm-shaped 3.5 inch long pouch attached to the large intestine situated on the right side of the lower abdomen.

The function of the appendix is not yet clearly understood. But one thing we do know is that we can live without it. Appendicitis can affect anyone, but it most often occurs in people between the ages of 10 and 30.

IX

n Professor Anwarul Azim

QUICK TIPS

Although gas is normal, it can trigger stomach pain and bloating. Children don’t get gas as often as adults. Everyone has gas – even kids. It happens naturally after they eat foods and drinks like beans, vegetables, and sodas.

When kids eat or drink too fast or chew gum, they might swallow extra air – that also can cause gas. If your child often has gas pains, talk to her pediatrician.

For tight tummy

Migraines can damage your brain n Prescription Desk

A migraine is a severe headache, often preceded or accompanied by sense of flashing light in vision, tingling in the arms and legs, DID YOU nausea, vomiting, and KNOW? intolerance to light and sound. The excruciating pain that migraines bring can last for hours or even days. Migraines affect 10-15% of the population of the world.

A recent study found that migraine with aura increased the risk of white matter brain lesions by 68% and mi-

graine with no aura increased the risk by 34%. Moreover migraine had an increased risk of brain lesions, silent abnormalities or brain volume changes on MRI brain scans compared with those without the condition.

Traditionally, migraine has been considered a benign disorder without long-term consequences for the brain.

But a new study suggests, migraines can cause permanent brain damage, especially in those who experience flashing lights before the onset.

The study will provide capacity of understanding hidden truth into the lasting effects of regular migraines on the brain. l

Use breathing exercises to help tighten those stomach muscles. Breathe in air as strong as you can and tuck your stomach at the same time as much as you can. Hold it for a few seconds and then slowly let it out. Don’t let it out so fast that your belly flops out. This is not good. Try to breathe like this whenever you think about it, about 50-60 times a day is ideal.

| Compiled by: Gazi Kashif Yusuf

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Battery-run rickshaws ply in city flouting ban n Abu Hayat Mahmud A section of unscrupulous rickshaw owners are running their battery-runcum-pedal powered rickshaws in the capital flouting ban.

Hundreds of unlicenced threewheelers of this kind ply across the capital with little or no resistance from traffic staff.

The government imposed a ban on manufacture and import on the battery-run three-wheelers as they consume a lot of electricity for rechargeable batteries.

These auto-rickshaws like the pedal-powered ones also add to the traffic congestion.

In most areas of the capital, particularly of Mirpur and Uttara, the autorickshaw drivers run their vehicles in their own sweet way.

Having no valid licence and road permit, these vehicles are running under the very nose of the authorities concerned.

Sources said some leaders of Rickshaw Owners’ Association had link to the ruling party.

Md Harun – a motorised rickshaw driver in Mirpur, said he hired the battery-run rickshaw from the garage in the same area.

“I pay Tk300 per day for hire of the rickshaw, but the rent was Tk320 when it first hit the road. Traffic staff do not

say anything if we drive it,” he said.

Meanwhile, residents of Mirpur and Uttara residential areas alleged that the battery-run rickshaw drivers drive their vehicles recklessly, often causing accidents.

Abidul Islam, a resident of sector 13 in Uttara Model Town, said: “Some leaders of the ruling party’s associate organisation Shromik League are involved with the motorised rickshaw trade. For this reason, traffic police do not prevent them from plying in the road.”

Contacted, Dhaka North City Corporation high officials admitted that the plying of motorised rickshaws across the city streets were illegal, but he failed to say about the exact number of the rickshaws moving across the capital.

Deputy Chief Revenue Officer of the city corporation, Md Mohsin Ali claimed that Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) conducted drives against the illegal battery-run rickshaws in the city and traffic staff seized them almost every day.

He said a joint effort of DMP would carry out such drive to seize all such unlicenced rickshaws from the city’s Mirpur and Uttara areas ahead of the upcoming Eid ul-Azha.

The campaign against the illegal vehicular operation would continue till the malpractice came to an end, he vowed. l

Battery-powered rickshaws plying in the capital flouting government ban under the very nose of law enforcers

Beware of a crying child on the street, it can be a trap! n Mohammad Jamil Khan Imagine a kid on the street with no one around, tears rolling down his cheeks.

What is your first reaction? You feel pity for him and would like to help in any way possible. If he is lost and knows an address or has a slip of paper mentioning it, with enough time on your hands, you would probably take him home.

Well, don’t anymore! Because children apparently lost and unable to find their way back, with tears in their eyes or not, could be members of a criminal gang with dubious motives.

18 years old Sanjida Akter (not her real name) was a victim of such an incident when she was on her way back home the other day. She was a newcomer in Dhaka and got admitted into a university admission coaching centre.

It was a Friday and around 12pm,

so the street in the capital’s Rajarbagh area through which she was going, riding a rickshaw, was quieter than usual.

Sanjida saw a little kid wearing a T-shirt by the roadside, alone and crying. She stopped her rickshaw to talk to him.

Upon her enquiry, the boy said his name was Niloy and resided at the AGB colony in Motijheel. He also said he had come out of home to buy chocolate and then lost his way after going far afield in search of it.

Sanjida, who was a resident of Wari, felt pity for the kid and offered to give him a lift. She instructed the rickshaw operator to take them to the colony first and then her to Wari.

They reached a house of the colony identified as B/56, which was where the boy said he lived with his parents. The rickshaw was pulled off the road and she took the boy inside.

After 15 minutes, when she was not still back from the house, the driver approached it and shouted by calling her “sister.” He did that several times and then suddenly a door opened and Sanjida dashed out of it, crying and gasping.

The Dhaka Tribune came to learn of several such incidents that took place in the capital, involving little kids who appeared to be lost to entrap potential do-gooders.

Organised criminal gangs sometimes hire street children to lure people into their dens, to rob them or rape (in case of girls). The group that lured Sanjida robbed her of her belongings and tried to rape her, but her dignity was saved thanks to the rickshaw operator.

According to sources, these children usually take position in streets less crowded and emptier, with a ready story for generating sympathy and an

address to take them to.

Police said about 20 such cases were recorded in the last six months in the capital. However, these incidents mostly go unreported, especially if the victims are women.

Interestingly, most of the victims of the reported cases were newcomers to the capital and women, who were alone and going to their office or back home after the sunset.

In this regard, Monirul Islam, a jointcommissioner of the Detective Branch of Police, said police were aware of criminal gangs coming up with different methods of cheating to entrap people.

“We often launch raids to arrest these criminals. However, I would suggest anyone meeting such children on the street, abandoned or lost, to never take them to their intended place. They should take them to the nearest police station.” l

n UNB The authorities suspended production in all the readymade garment (RMG) factories in Kaliakoir upazila, Gazipur yesterday following labour unrest over salary hikes.

Police said workers from several garment factories staged a demonstration on the Dhaka-Tangail Highway to press their demand for a minimum wage of Tk8,000.

The workers staged the protest on the highway after they were not able to join a scheduled rally in the capital because most garment factories in the area remained open.

The workers from Purbani Garments Factory took to the Dhaka-Tangail Highway around 9am and began demonstrating, erecting a barricade on the highway.

At one stage, several hundred work-

ers from other factories also joined their protest.

The protestors vandalised several vehicles which were passing through the area.

After being alerted to the situation, police rushed to the scene and dispersed the protestors by charging at them with truncheons, leaving 10 of the demonstrators injured.

The workers threw stones at police, triggering a clash, which later spilled into areas between Bhogra-Bypass and Board Bazar, and between Chandana intersection and Konabari-Mouchak.

Traffic on the Dhaka-Tangail Highway from Mouchak to Shafipur was brought to a standstill during the incident.

The authorities suspended production in factories beside Bhogra Bypass and the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway in Kaliakoir. l

Boat race held in Meghna river n Our Correspondent, Narsingdi

n UNB, Sylhet

A traditional boat race was held in Meghna river in Dattapara area in Narsingdi town yesterday afternoon.

A total of 45 teams from Kishoreganj, Brahmanbaria, Habiganj and others districts took part in the competition.

Sher-e-Bangla Club of Narsingdi organised the event like the previous years. Labour and Employment Minister Raziuddin Ahmed Raju attended the programme as the chief guest while additional Secretary Kaikobad Hossain, also president of Sher-e-Bangla Club was in the chair.

Narsingdi Zila Parishad administrator advocate Asaduzzaman, lawmaker Nazrul Islam Baby and Industrialist Tarek Ahmed were present as special guests.

In the boat race, Siddiqullah Nou dal from Brahmanbaria district won the competition while Zahed Ali Majhi’s of the same district became the runner-up. l

The activists also snatched a bullet-proof vest and a helmet from police

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Labour unrest shuts Gazipur RMG units

55 Shibir men accused of attacking police in Sylhet Fifty-five activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir have had charges of attacking police levelled against them.

A firefighter trying to tame a blaze in a shoe factory in the capital’s Bangshal yesterday

NASHIRUL ISLAM

The charges relate to two separate incidents in the city on Thursday, the second day of the 48-hour hartal enforced

by Jamaat.

The police filed a case with Kotwali police station accusing 15 identified and 10 unidentified activists of Jamaate-Islami’s student body on Friday while another case was filed by police on the same day against five named and 25 unnamed activists of the organi-

sation.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ayub of Sylhet Metropolitan Police said police had filed the two cases against 55 Shibir men in connection with attacks on police in the city’s West Subidbazar and Baluchar areas on Thursday.

The Jamaat supporters were protesting against the death sentence handed down to the organisation’s Assistant Secretary General Abdul Quader Molla.

On Thursday, two policemen were injured in attacks by the Shibir activists at West Subidbazar.

The activists also snatched a bulletproof vest and a helmet from police during the incident.

In another incident, Shibir activists launched an attack on police at Baluchar in the city during the shutdown. l

Double railway track demanded

Freedom fighters demand fair Muktijoddha Sangsad polls

Leaders of Narayanganj Nagorik Committee and left-leaning political parties yesterday demanded the government reduce transports fare and set up double railway tracks to ease public sufferings.

They made the demands from a human chain formed in front of the press club building on BB Road in the town.

The speakers said two transport services have already cut down their fare by Tk3 as soon as they got rid of extortion.

They urged other transport owners to reduce bus fare on the Dhaka-Narayanganj road as it was a burden for people from low income group and middle class.

Almost forty thousand passengers commute from Narayanganj to Dhaka every day and the government should introduce a double railway track to mitigate people’s sufferings. l

Freedom fighters, who are willing to take part in the upcoming Muktijoddha Sangsad elections on October 21, are doubtful about a free, fare and acceptable election.

They urged the election commission of the council to ensure execution of the code of conduct properly, and to stop using muscle and public vehicles for the public servant candidates.

The aspirants yesterday expressed their fear at a views-exchange meeting with the election commission held at the liberation war affairs ministry. Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, also the chief election commissioner of the Sangsad, chaired the meeting when 26 possible candidates were also present.

Mosharraf assured the candidates of

n Our Correspondent, Narayanganj n Mohosinul Karim

holding a free and fare election. He also urged them to cooperate with the commission for holding the election properly.

Abdul Ahad Chowdhury, former chairman of the council, urged the commission to keep the provision of recounting the ballot papers after the result. He also called for printing all the ballot papers centrally for the central, district, metropolitan and upazila command councils.

Ahad and some of the candidates also expressed their fear over political interference during the election. They suggested that the commission prevent the ministers, MPs and upazila chairmen from holding campaigns.

SM Jahangir Alam, former vicechairman of the council, said some of the high-level public servants, who used government transports for campaigns in the previous election, might

take contest this time. They could try using their subordinates in this election also.

Urging the commission to be strict on the issue, he said: “It may raise

questions about the fairness of the election and the election commission.”

Mentioning about some fake freedom fighters in the voters’ list, Bichchhu Jalal urged the commission to

Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan speaks at a programme on Muktijoddha Sangsad election DHAKA TRIBUNE

exclude the names.

Some of the candidates including former joint secretary general Kali Narayan Nidhi, Monoranjan Ghoshal, Abdur Razzaque and Abdur Rashid suggested that the commission reschedule the date of election since the campaigns might be disrupted because of the Puja and Eid-ul-Azha festivals.

But, the commission and some of the candidates opposed the proposal.

Some of the candidates suggested that the commission count the votes of central council first and the other councils later to prevent result manipulation.

Election Commissioner Jalal Uddin Siddiqui, Shahjahan Siddiqui Bir Bikram, Fani Bhushan Chowdhury and M Abdus Salam, and liberation war affairs Secretary KH Masood Siddiqui and chief election coordinator Akram Hossain also attended the meeting. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

7

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Irked growers burn jute in symbolic protest n Our Correspondent, Gaibandha Jute growers irked by non-payment of their dues and sluggish retail sales incinerated unsold raw jute in front of a government procurement centre recently in the Mahimagani area of Gobindaganj upazila in Gaibandha.

The symbolic protest, which was preceded by a demonstration, came at a time when plummeting jute prices became a matter of concern both for the growers and traders as well as the procurement centres.

The centre in front of which Tuesday’s protest took place was launched on August 6 this year by Bangladesh Jute Mills Cooperation, with the aim to purchase jute from farmers.

Initially, the arrangement worked as the procurement managers purchased Tk13m worth of jute from the growers and midlevel traders. Each maund (40kg) of jute was purchased at TK1400-1500 depending on quality.

The farmers were happy to be able to reap desired profits after a good harvest, but soon cracks began to appear in the arrangement mainly because of a sharp decline in sale because of poor consumer response. At present, each maund of jute is selling at TK 900-800 at the Mahimaganj Bazaar as the wholesalers say “there are not enough customers.”

Tree plantation programme in Patuakhali to fend off natural disasters n Our Correspondent, Barisal With a view to preventing natural disasters, the Caritas Amrao Pari project on Thursday began a tree plantation programme in Chompapur union, Kolapara upazila, Potuakhali.

A total of 9.5km of roadside areas will be filled with over 10,000 trees under the project, Toujidul Islam, a field officer of the project, said.

A total of 1,093 Chambul and Mehogoni trees have already been planted, he added.

Local Union Parishad Chairman Md Rintu Talukdar inaugurated the programme by planting a sapling on Thursday. Local UP members, Ward Disaster Management Committee members, journalists and project staff were present at the inauguration programme.

Speakers at the programme said the trees were the fundamental element of survival, adding that the planting would help people cope with disasters and the adverse effects of climatic change. l

Farmers who sold their produces to the procurement centres are failing to recover their outstanding payments because the latter are failing to sell them at expected prices.

Irked farmers are seen crowding the centres with the hope of repayment almost every day, and going back frustrated.

M Jahed Hossain, a farmer who was present at the protest, said he had sold 20 maunds of jute to the procurement centre in mid-August but did not yet get any money for that.

“Lack of customers at the local markets and unpaid dues have intensified the sufferings of all jute growers like me,” he added.

Several other farmers also expressed similar discontents and warned they would go for “tougher movements” if the authorities concerned do not take urgent steps to make payments.

M Khairul Islam, who is in charge of the jute procurement centre in Mahimagani, said he had sent a letter to the higher authorities seeking TK13m to clear the debts. “All dues of the growers and traders would be paid as soon as we have the money.”

However, growers and traders also urged the government to take necessary steps to increase the prices of jute without delay. l

The farmers in Jamalpur district let out a sigh of disappointment over the market price of their produce. The picture was taken from the district port

3 killed in road accidents Plummeting jute prices n dismay growers Tribune Report

Three people were killed and several others injured in road accidents in Netrokona, Rajshahi and Satkhira districts in the last two days.

Our Netrokona correspondent reports: A person was killed and five others injured in a road accident on the Netrokona-Kalmakanda Road at Ashabari under Kalmakanada upazila in the district yesterday morning.

The dead Abdul Hakim, 45, was from Chowgacha village under Kalmakanda upazila.

According to police and local sources, the accident occurred around 10am when the driver of a Kalmakanda-bound passenger human hauler from Netrakona lost control over the steering. The human hauler fell into a roadside ditch.

Police said Abdul Hakim, a passenger, died on the spot and five others received injuries. Of the injured, two women were sent to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital in critical condition.

Police detained the human hauler but the driver had managed to flee the scene.

A case was filed with Kalmakanda Police Station in this connection.

Meanwhile, a person was killed and four others injured in two separate

road accidents in Rajshahi on Friday.

Witnesses said Manowara Begum, 35, wife of Abdul Hamid of Muraripur area in Paba, died on the spot when a motorcycle hit her while she was crossing a road in the area around 1:30pm, reports UNB. In another incident, four people were injured after a speeding truck hit a human hauler. The human hauler fell into a roadside ditch in Kharkhari Bypass area around 2:30pm.

The injured were rushed to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

Uttam Kumar, officer-in-charge of Rajsahi Medical College Hospital police camp, said of those injured the condition of Maksed Ali was critical.

In another accident in Satkhira, a young man was killed after a truck hit his bicycle at Tuzulpur Bazar on the Satkhira-Jessore Highway in the sadar upazila on Friday.

The dead Sohagh Hossain, 22, was son of Abul Kashem of Chupria village in the upazila.

Shahjahan Khan, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station, said Sohagh had met the tragic death after a Dhaka-bound goods-laden truck hit the bicycle he was riding around 9:30pm.

He said the police, on information, had recovered the body and sent it to Sadar Hospital morgue. l

Four hurts over a land dispute n Our Correspondent, Lalmonirhat

Four members of a family, a mother and her three daughters, were injured in an attack at Panchagram union in Lalmonirhat on Friday afternoon.

Injured mother Rekha Begum, 42, her three daughters Sathi Akhter, 22, Simu Akhter, 18, and Setu Akhter, 9 are from Upapati Harnarayan village of Lalmonirhat sadar.

Three sisters alleged that in absences of their father Shamsul Haque, their uncle Mamtaz Ali along with his two sons Anowarul Islam, 30, and Ershadul

Islam, 27, suddenly entered their house and started beating their mother with bamboo and wooden sticks indiscriminately.

The three daughters were also beaten severely as they were trying to save their mother.

Sathi Akhter said local people rescued her mother in senseless condition and took her to the hospital.

The injured woman’s husband Shamsul Islam said there was a long-standing dispute between him and his elder brother over a piece of land but it was resolved recently.

Delowar Hossain, chairman of Panchagram Union Parishad, said the land dispute was mutually resolved at the UP office three months ago. And it was proved that younger brother Shamsul Islam had the genuine ownership of the land.

Mamtaz Ali denied the allegation against him by saying that they “just had an argument” with the lady.

But locals are suspecting that the man and his sons might have attacked the woman along with her daughters to take a revenge for losing the land. l

n UNB, Bogra Jute growers in Bogra, to their utter disappointment and shocks, are being denied actual prices of their produce in the local markets.

For the denial of fair prices jute, once the country’s golden fibre, has now turned into a bane for farmers who produce it in exchange for hard labour and involving higher cost.

Production of the crop beyond target even could not make the farmers happy in the district this season for the prices they are getting are less than its production cost.

Sources at the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Bogra said at first a target was set to bring 17,000 hectares of land under jute farming in the district this year.

But due to favourable weather, the farmers, expecting higher profit, cultivated jute on additional 260 hectares, with a production target of total 250,000 bales of jute.

Frustration has mostly seized the framers in Sariakandi upazila, who are experiencing plummeting prices of jute, instead of its supply glut in the local markets.

The DAE sources said a total of 7,990 hectares of land were brought under jute cultivation in the upazila, which is 1,001 hectares more than the previous year.

The sources expect that about 91,687 bales of jute would be produced in the upazila this year.

Jute price was good in the middle of June and July this year as jute of best quality sold for Tk1500 to Tk 1600 per maund while that of the low quality sold for Tk1300 to Tk1400 per maund.

But now the farmers are getting price of Tk800 to Tk1000 per maund.

The growers had to spend Tk1200 to produce one maund of jute; so they have now to count heavy losses due to the unfair prices.

Abul Hossain, a jute grower of Sariakandi upazila, said he had cultivated jute on 10 bighas of land, spending additional money for irrigation, for there being drought.

Now he has to incur a big loss for the low price of the crop.

Samsul Islam, another farmer, said he produced 40 maunds of jute from five bighas of land which is equal to approximately 0.10 hectare of land.

He spent Tk8-10 thousand for cultivating jute on each bigha of land.l

OMS rice eases the burden of price hike n Our Correspondent, Magura Lower income people of Magura are feeling relieved as the government has started open market sale (OMS) programme in the district to reduce the burden of price hike of rice.

Abu Taleb, a van puller of the town, said the price of rice had gone beyond his reach. But now he is getting rice at Tk24 a kg from the OMS market against the market price of Tk36.

Kalu Shekh, an easy bike driver of the town, said he needed at least five kilogrammes of rice for his family every day. And he was struggling to buy the amount of rice needed for his family as the price went up.

“But now OMS programme is help-

ing me to save at least Tk60 every day as I can now but rice at lower price,” he said.

The programme started on Sept 15.

Now, people can by per kilogramme rice at Tk24 from OMS. A total of 9 dealers have been recruited, and each of them has been receiving a tonnes of rice per day to sell in the market.

Price of rice has registered a sharp rise throughout the country.

One kilogramme of rice of coarse variety is selling in the market at Tk36, medium quality rice between Tk40 and 45.

Two months back coarse rice was selling at Tk28 and medium quality rice between Tk34-Tk38. l

10 injured in JCD intra-party clash in Mymensingh n BAU Correspondent

Vehicles are stuck in a serious tailback after Nandail upazila unit Chhatra League puts up a barricade yesterday on MymensinghKishorgonj highway demanding release of Mymensingh district unit Chhatra League leader FOCUSBANGLA

At least 10 people were injured as two rival groups of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) clashed on the Bangladesh Agriculture University campus in Mymensingh on Friday.

Golam Sarwar, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station, said an altercation over “a trifling matter” occurred between loyalists of MA Salam Russel and Shohrab Hossain Sujon, respec-

tively joint secretary and organising secretary of the university unit of JCD, around 7pm.

At one stage, both groups attacked each other leaving 10 from both sides injured. Of them, three were said to be in a critical condition and were taken to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.

However, both parties denied culpability for initiating the fight and blamed each other. Additional police were deployed on the campus following the violence. l

FOCUSBANGLA

Woman commits suicide over loan burden n Our Correspondent, Lalmonirhat A woman committed suicide by hanging from the ceiling of her room as she could not bear the burden of her husband’s loan at Falimari village of Velabari union under Aditmari upazila in Lalmonirhat on Friday noon.

The deceased was identified as Mohini Bala, 42, wife of Binod Chandra Roy. Quoting local people the police said the victim’s husband Binod borrowed money on interest.

Though Binod sold his three decimal land that was not enough to repay all the lenders. Being not able to repay all the debts Binod left home eight months ago leaving his wife at home.

At least twelve money lenders had put pressure on Binod’s wife to repay the debt over the last four months but Mohini had nothing to do.

Locals said she committed suicide to save her from the burden of her husband’s loan.

Aditmari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Aslam Iqbal said police handed over the body to her relatives yesterday after autopsy. An unnatural death case was lodged in this connection, he added. l

NEWS IN BRIEF Two Bangladeshis picked up by BSF troops Members of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) picked up two Bangladeshi citizens on the border at Challishpara in Daulatpur upazila on Friday. UNB reports that the two were Hira, 32, hailing from the Bhagjot area, and Altu, 42, from the Mahishkundi Ghunapara area of the upazila. According to locals, BSF troops from the Sarkarpara camp at Jalangi in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal picked up Hira and Altu with five others near pillar no 157-1 (S) in the border area while they were returning to Bangladesh around 7:30pm. Commander of Border guard Bangladesh-32 Lieutenant Colonel Kazi Arman Hossain said a letter protesting the incident would be sent to India. – Tribune Report

Electrical worker dies as he slips off an electric pole

A young man died after he slipped off a electric pole in Dakkhin Surma area of Sylhet on Friday. The deceased was identified as Maruf Ahmed, 20. He was an employee of a Sylhet power office. He was son of Selim Ahmed. The deceased comes from Juari village of Chandian upazila in Comilla. Witnesses said Maruf was critically injured when he slipped and fell from the electric pole he was working on around 11am. He was rushed to the Osmani Medical College Hospital. As his body was taken to the hospital on-duty doctors declared him dead. – UNB

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Syria hands over chemical arms inventory n AFP, Damascus Syria handed over the remaining details of its chemical arsenal on Saturday, meeting a deadline under a deal that headed off military strikes, the world’s chemical weapons watchdog said.

Damascus had already turned over details of part of its inventory to the Hague-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, but the group said on Saturday that the process was now complete.

The “OPCW has confirmed that it has received the expected disclosure from the Syrian government regarding its chemical weapons programme,” the watchdog said.

“The Technical Secretariat is currently reviewing the information received,” it added.

The disclosure comes as UN envoys struggle to agree on the wording of a resolution to enshrine the deal under which Syria is handing over its chemical weapons for destruction.

The US-Russian agreement, worked out as Washington threatened military action in response to an August 21 chemical weapons attack outside Damascus, requires Syria to hand over the whole of its arsenal.

It has received widespread international support, including from China, whose Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing would “support the early launch of the process to destroy Syria’s chemical weapons.”

Wang also called for the convening of a mooted peace conference in Geneva “as soon as possible.”

But the international consensus on the plan has not carried over into negotiations on the wording of a UN Security Council resolution to back it up.

The Council’s five permanent members – Britain, China, France, Russia

Afghan in security forces uniform turns gun on, kills three foreign soldiers

n Reuters, Kabul A man wearing an Afghan security forces uniform gunned down three international soldiers in the country’s east, the NATO-led coalition said on Saturday, in the first such attack in months.

“Three International Security Assistance Force service members died when an individual wearing an Afghan National Security Forces uniform shot them in eastern Afghanistan today,” the NATO-led coalition said in a statement.

A surge in insider attacks last year seriously eroded trust between the international coalition and their Afghan allies, and raised troubling questions about the unpopular war’s direction. l

Saudi ‘optimistic’ on MERS-free hajj n AFP, Riyadh Saudi authorities are optimistic that October’s hajj pilgrimage to the kingdom, one of the world’s annual largest gatherings, will pass without outbreaks of the deadly MERS coronavirus.

The virus, which appeared first in the kingdom last year, has killed 58 people worldwide, 49 of them in Saudi Arabia, according to official Saudi figures and the World Health Organization.

But “we are optimistic we can achieve yet another success as the hajj pilgrimage season nears” after the minor pilgrimage season during the fasting month of Ramadan “succeeded despite health challenges such as the coronavirus,” said Saudi Health Minister Abdullah al-Rabia.

No MERS outbreaks were recorded at last year’s hajj, nor during the Umrah season in July and August of this year.

Saudi Arabia has “longstanding experience” dealing with health challenges brought by the large numbers of people who come to the kingdom – home to Islam’s holiest sites.

Around two million people are expected at this year’s hajj, which begins on October 13 and lasts five days.

Authorities have urged the elderly and chronically ill to avoid the event and have reduced the number of people they will allow to perform.

The WHO said on Thursday it had been informed of 132 lab-confirmed cases of MERS, including the deaths.

With the exception of a cluster of cases in the eastern town of Al-Ihsa, the focal point of the outbreak has been the capital, scientists said Friday in an online report published on The Lancet. l

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons samples, brought back by the UN chemical weapons inspection team, are checked in upon their arrival at The Hague, Netherlands AP and the United States – have been wrangling over the text of the resolution since Monday in a bid to find common ground.

The United States, France and Britain want a strongly worded resolution, possibly under the UN Charter’s Chapter VII, which could allow the use of force or sanctions to ensure compliance.

However, Russia, a key ally of Damascus, opposes all references to use of force.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said he and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov spoke on the telephone

US Secretary of State John Kerry said he and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov spoke on the telephone Friday about a ‘strong’ UN Security Council resolution on the deal

Friday about a “strong” UN Security Council resolution on the deal.

“We talked about the cooperation which we both agreed to continue to provide, moving not only towards the

n

The Taliban kidnappers moved her to at least 13 homes, made her sleep on the ground, and kept asking where she’d been, what she’d done and whom she knew. Every few days, she would be given a chance to call her family.

Still, the militants would push her only so far - they knew they needed to keep their bargaining chip in good shape.

‘I wasn’t tortured. I wasn’t under constant stress. But I wasn’t free’ Fariba Ahmadi Kakar’s four-week ordeal ended this month after the Afghan government gave in to her captors’ demands to free some prisoners. In an interview with The Associated Press, the 39-year-old Afghan lawmaker gave a rare account of what it’s like for a woman to be held captive by the Islamist insurgents. ‘’I wasn’t tortured. I wasn’t under constant stress. But I wasn’t free,’’ Kakar said. She’s also

n AFP

lucky to be alive. Since July, several prominent women have been attacked in Afghanistan.

Among them: two police officers who were killed in the south, an Indian author living in eastern Afghanistan who was killed years after her memoir about 1990s life under Taliban rule became a Bollywood film; and a senator who was wounded in an ambush.

These and other attacks on female leaders in recent years have generally been blamed on the Taliban, though the Afghan militant group, mindful of cultural sensitivities, usually does not admit to targeting women. The assaults have added to growing fears that what few gains Afghan women have made since the US toppled the Taliban government in 2001 could be erased once American-led foreign troops finish withdrawing next year.

Being a woman in the public eye is a special challenge in Afghanistan, where tribal and conservative Islamic mores have long subjected women across the social spectrum to violence and discrimination.l

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak faced down a threat to his leadership after nominations closed Saturday without anybody contesting his presidency of the ruling party, officials said.

His government suffered its worst performance ever in May elections, prompting speculation that former leader Mahathir Mohamad, who continues to be highly influential in Najib’s party, would back a challenger for the presidency of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).

Ahmad Maslan, UMNO information chief, said on Twitter: “Congratulations to UMNO president Najib and deputy president Muhyiddin (Yassin) who won without contest at 5pm this evening.”

Najib, who will get at least another three years in the top job, said in a televised interview with CNBC Friday: “All indications are that the party is solidly behind me. They believe that the policies are indeed going to be good for the country.”

The UMNO dominates the ruling coalition which has governed since the

Gujarati film ‘The Good Road’ is India’s Oscar entry n Reuters, India “The Good Road,” a Gujarati-language film, has been chosen as India’s entry to the 2014 Oscars, stealing attention from a critically acclaimed love story that was screened at the Cannes film festival this year.

Gyan Correa’s debut film about two children lost in the Kutch desert won a national award for best Gujarati-language film this year, but was a dark horse among the 22 movies in the run-

ning to be India’s official entry to the Oscars in the best foreign film category.

Expectations had been high for Ritesh Batra’s “The Lunchbox,” an Indian-French-German co-production that won the Grand Rail d’Or at Critics’ Week at Cannes in May. Filmmaker Goutam Ghose, chairman of the 16-member jury appointed by the Film Federation of India, said the selectors felt “The Good Road” was the best choice.

“It was a fresh experience and a road film that showed a different kind of India,”

The film stars Keval Katrodia as 7-year-old Aditya who loses his way in the desert

Russia’s Interfax news agency is quoting a top Kremlin official as saying the government could drop its support for Bashar Assad if the Syrian president reneges on his commitments to give up chemical weapons.

Interfax on Saturday quoted Sergei Ivanov, President Vladimir Putin’s chief of staff, as saying Russia’s position “could change” if it was “certain that Assad is cheating” on giving up chemical weapons.

Ivanov emphasised that he was speaking “theoretically and hypothetically.” While speaking at a conference on Thursday, Putin said he was confident that Assad’s government would be quick to comply.

Earlier, Russia denounced UN investigators’ findings on a poison gas attack in Syria as preconceived and tainted by politics, stepping up its criticism of a report Western nations said proved President Bashar al-Assad’s forces were responsible.

But Russia has made clear it believes authorisation of the use of force would require a second resolution to be introduced if the Syrian government or its opponents are found to have violated the country’s commitments on chemical weapons.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently wrote an opinion column in The New York Times last week, calling upon Americans to stop the potential strike against Syria at any cost.

In the article titled “A plea for caution from Russia,” published on September 11, Putin said he was compelled to speak directly to the American people.

Russia has been the biggest international backer of the Assad regime and a long-time ally of Syria, continuing a history of cooperation and exchange from Soviet times. l

Malaysian PM gets party nod to stay in power

Taliban abduction left woman lawmaker ‘even braver’ AP, Afghanistan

adoption of the OPCW rules and regulations, but also a resolution that is firm and strong within the United Nations,” Kerry said.

“We will continue to work on that,” he added.

The chemical weapons disarmament deal has done little to slow fighting on the ground, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reporting that regime troops killed 15 people in a Sunni village in the central province of Hama late on Friday.

The Observatory said regime troops backed by Alawite pro-regime militias killed 12 men, two women and a child

in the village of Sheikh Hadid.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is from the Alawite religious minority and faces an uprising that is dominated

by Sunnis.

Elsewhere in the country, the Observatory said rival rebel groups carried out prisoner exchanges under the terms of a deal to end fighting over the town of Azaz, near the border with Turkey.

The truce deal between the mainstream Free Syrian Army and the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant was brokered by a third brigade, which is overseeing the ceasefire.

Tensions have spiralled between some mainstream rebel groups and ISIS in recent months, especially in northern Syria, where the opposition controls vast swathes of territory.

The Syrian opposition National Coalition meanwhile rejected an offer from Iranian President Hassan Rowhani for Tehran to mediate talks between rebels and the regime.

“The Iranian initiative is not serious and lacks political credibility,” the key opposition grouping said in a statement, pointing to Tehran’s close ties to Assad’s government.

French President Francois Hollande is to meet Rowhani on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly next week for talks on Syria and Iran’s nuclear programme.

“What we want to see is an Iran fully engaged, like other players, in the search for a real political transition in Syria,” an aide to Hollande said.

Rowhani, a moderate on Iran’s political scene, has made several diplomatic overtures since his election in June, and there has been speculation that he could also meet US President Barack Obama at the United Nations next week. l

‘Russia could drop support for Assad’ n AP, Moscow

PTI

said Ghose, adding that “The Lunchbox” had been a strong contender on his shortlist. The director of “The Good Road” said he was as shocked as everyone else when the Film Federation of India announced its choice on Saturday.

“I have no clue how we are going to go ahead with it. I have no experience with this,” Correa told Reuters.

“I guess me and my producers will sit down and talk about it. If we win, great.

If not, we live another day,” he said.

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, one of the producers of “The Lunchbox,” took to Twitter to express his disappointment. “… it goes to show, why we completely lack the understanding to make films that can travel across borders,” Kashyap said.

An Indian film has never won the best foreign film Oscar, but “Lagaan,” “Salaam Bombay” and “Mother India” were shortlisted for the award. “Lagaan” was the last to make the cut in 2001. Ghose said he had requested the Film Federation of India to write to the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, asking them to consider at least five official Oscar entries from India next year.

“We have so many cultures and so many kinds of films being made. We have several mini-countries within one,” he said. l

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak Malay Muslim-majority country gained independence in 1957.

Najib came to power in 2009 after his predecessor, under heavy pressure from Mahathir, was forced to step down following UMNO’s unprecedented loss of five state governments and its customary two-thirds parliamentary majority the previous year.

REUTERS

Although Najib reclaimed two states this year, the government’s majority in parliament was slashed further and for the first time in history the opposition gained the popular majority of the multi-ethnic electorate.

Najib announced last week fresh measures to benefit the country’s Muslim Malay and indigenous groups. l

WORLD WATCH Mitt Romney gets 22nd grandchild

Former Republican presidential candidate Willard Mitt Romney posted a heartwarming tweet on Friday, welcoming his 22nd grandchild to his clan, reports Politico. According to the tweet, Kieran James Romney, the new member of the Romney clan, was officially adopted on that Friday. But back in July, Romney had welcomed another grandchild, which he also said was number 22. With a little detective work, the count became clearer. The Romneys welcomed grandchild numbers 19 and 20 in February of this year when Romney’s son Craig and wife Mary welcomed twins. During the election last year, son Tagg and wife Jennifer also welcomed twins, Romney grandchild number 17 and 18.

Buying home beats renting in America

Despite rising home prices and mortgage rates, it’s still cheaper to buy a home than to rent one in America’s largest cities, reports Fobers. A new report from San Francisco, California-based real estate site Trulia finds that, nationally, it’s 35% less expensive to own a home. Even in notoriously pricey, renter-heavy cities like San Francisco and New York, it remains 9% and 21% cheaper, respectively.

Still, the gap between owning and renting is indeed narrowing. Nationally, it was 45% cheaper to buy than to rent a year ago.

Injured Haye postpones Fury fight

David Haye has been forced to postpone his heavyweight clash with Tyson Fury due to a deep cut sustained in training, his promoter Hayemaker Boxing announced on Saturday, reports AFP. Former WBA heavyweight champion Haye sustained the injury during a training camp sparring session ahead of the sell-out bout, which was due to take place at Manchester’s MEN Arena on September 28. The 32-year-old’s cut above his left eyebrow needed six stitches, which will have to stay in place for five to seven days; he is awaiting further medical tests before setting a new date for the bout.

Pine cones were called ‘pine apples’!

The word “pineapple” was first coined in 1398 and was used to describe pine cones, not the sweet tropical fruit that we know today. European explorers started referring to the tasty yellow fruit as “pineapple” because they believed it resembled what they knew as “pineapples” but were really pine cones. The first recorded use of the term being used this way was in 1664, reports OMG Facts. However, the English language couldn’t have the same word referring to two different things (that never happens) so the tree “pineapple” was renamed the “pine cone” around 1695.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

Gunmen storm Nairobi mall, 15 killed: Red Cross

A body, left, lies outside the Westgate Mall, where shooting erupted when armed men attempted to rob a shop escalators and hid around the mall’s cinema complex. Police found another terrified group hiding in a toilet on the first floor.

At least two dozen wounded were wheeled out on stretchers and shopping trolleys. Many of the victims had multiple light wounds, apparently from flying debris. Other walked out, some with bloodied clothing wrapped around wounds.

The Kenyan Red Cross told Reuters at least 15 had been killed and more casualties were still inside the complex.

“The casualties are many, and that’s only what we have on the outside,” Kenya Red Cross Society Secretary General Abbas Guled said. “Inside

there are even more casualties and shooting is still going on.”

Kenya blames al Shabaab and its sympathisers for a string of shootings, bombings and grenade attacks against churches and the security forces since Kenyan forces moved into Somalia to help battle the al Qaeda-linked militants two years ago.

Al Shabaab have previously threatened to launch strikes on Nairobi’s tower blocks and soft targets including nightclubs and hotels known to be popular with Westerners in the capital.

But they have so far failed to carry out such an attack.

“I personally touched the eyes of four people and they were dead. One

Hundreds join Myanmar peace rally

n AP, Berlin

Hundreds of people gathered in Yangon on Friday calling for an end to the festering conflict between Kachin ethnic minority rebels and Myanmar’s army.

In a colourful rally to mark the International Day of Peace, at least 200 people – including Kachins, artists and civil society groups – met in downtown Yangon, many wearing blue T-shirts bearing the slogan “Stop Civil War,” or carrying banners and plastic doves.

They began a march through several neighbourhoods in the city to draw attention to the Kachin conflict that has gripped Myanmar since June last year when a 17-year ceasefire between the government and rebels collapsed.

The country’s reformist government has agreed ceasefires with several other ethnic rebel groups as part of reforms since coming to power last year, but fighting rages unabated in Kachin State, in the nation’s far north.

“We need the rule of law to get peace.

When we get peace, we can get development... so we ask for rule of law first, then to build peace,” said Nay Myo Zin, leader of civil society group the Myanmar Social Development Network.

A planned trip by bus-loads of Kachin activists from Yangon to the capital Naypyidaw was blocked earlier by police, forcing the protesters to join

AP

of them was a child,” said one former British soldier at the scene.

“It’s carnage up there.”

Asked if the attack was a robbery, one paramilitary officer said: “No, terrorist.” There has, though, been no official statement from the police regarding the attackers’ motive.

Police cordoned off the roads surrounding the mall in central Nairobi’s Westlands neighbourhood.

Satpal Singh, who was in another cafe on the mall’s top floor, said he ran downstairs when he heard the gunfire and was shot at near the mall’s main exit.

“A Somali guy shot at me. The guy who shot me was carrying a rifle, an AK-47,” 36-year-old Singh said. l

n THE HINDU

Hundreds of people bring out a rally to mark the International Day of Peace the Yangon rally instead.

Several rounds of talks over the Kachin conflict have been overshadowed by ongoing battles, while tens of thousands of people have been displaced.

The Kachin Independence Organisation recently urged the government to end its offensives in the state, alluding to the worsening refugee crisis and civilian death toll.

Aung Min, President Thein Sein’s pointman on the peace negotiations has been praised for acknowledging

She enjoys overwhelming popularity and leads an economy that’s the envy of Europe. But Angela Merkel is in a fight to clinch a new term for her ruling coalition in Sunday’s national election, with polls showing her centre-right alliance on a knife-edge as her junior partner’s support slumps.

Merkel and her conservative Christian Democratic Union appear likely to fend off a challenge from centre-left rival Peer Steinbrueck and emerge as the biggest party in parliament’s lower house, whose members choose the chancellor — making her the strong favourite to win a third term.

But no single party has won an absolute majority in Germany in more than 50 years. And surveys show Merkel’s coalition partner, the pro-business Free Democratic Party, has fallen from the nearly 15% support it won in 2009 to about the 5% needed to keep any seats in Parliament.

If Merkel’s alliance falls short of a parliamentary majority, the likeliest outcome is a switch to a Merkel-led “grand coalition” of her conservatives with Steinbrueck’s Social Democratic Party, the same combination of traditional rivals that ran Germany from 2005-2009 in Merkel’s first term.

That’s unlikely to produce a radical change in policies. However, it could signal a subtle shift in emphasising economic growth over the austerity that Germany has insisted on in exchange for bailing out economically weak European countries such as Greece.

Final results are due within hours of polls closing. But with margins so close, the country could still face weeks of horse-trading before a clear picture emerges about the makeup and policies of Germany’s next government.

Merkel’s centre-right coalition might win re-election but “it will be very tight,” said Oskar Niedermayer, a political science professor at Berlin’s Free University.

Mumbai attack case: Pak judicial panel leaves for India

n AFP, Yangon

AP

the need for compromise from the government side.

But in a recent interview he said Naypyidaw’s influence over army units stationed in the area was limited.

“I cannot personally make the government troops withdraw. I can only assume responsibility for political and economic issues,” he was reported as saying in The Irrawaddy Magazine, a Thai-based exile journal, this week.

“The withdrawal is something that the commanders from both armies must agree upon.” l

A Pakistani judicial commission on Saturday left for India to cross-examine key witnesses in the Mumbai attack cases with a view to take forward the prosecution of seven suspects.

LeT Commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi is among the suspects, reports the Hindu.

Special Public Prosecutor of the commission, Chaudhury Mohammed Azhar, told reporters: “We will cross-examine the witnesses and will file our report before the court here after coming back.”

The commission had sought visas for four to five days, and the Indian High Commission here issued them seven-day visas valid for Mumbai, Delhi, Agra and Amristar.

The panel’s second visit to India has been delayed thrice this month. It was earlier scheduled to leave for India on September 11 but the trip was postponed because of the 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

India initially asked the commission to visit in early September but it could not leave due to the cancellation of a Pakistan International Airlines flight.

The next date fixed was September

7, 2013 but the visit was again cancelled due to the non-availability of a flight.

The new date fixed after this was September 11 but India informed the Pakistani side that courts in Mumbai would be closed for Ganesh Chaturthi.

The visit to India to cross-examine witnesses is being undertaken to take forward the prosecution of seven suspects, including Lakhvi, who have been charged with planning, financing and executing the attacks that killed 166 people in November 2008.

The witnesses are the magistrate who recorded Lashkar-e-Taiba member Ajmal Kasab’s confession, the chief investigating officer and two doctors who conducted the autopsy of the terrorists who carried out the Mumbai attacks.

A report submitted by the panel after its first visit in March 2012 was rejected by a Pakistani anti-terrorism court as the commission’s members were not allowed to cross-examine witnesses.

The Mumbai case trial in Pakistan was a subject of discussion during recent talks between External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and Sartaj Aziz, the top foreign policy aide of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. l

Israel: soldier abducted, Super typhoon lashes Philippines, Taiwan n killed by Palestinian AFP, Hengtsun, Taiwan

n AP, Jerusalem A Palestinian lured an Israeli soldier to a village in the West Bank with the intention of killing him and trading the body for his jailed brother, Israel’s intelligence agency said Saturday.

The Palestinian man was arrested and confessed to the killing, the Shin Bet intelligence agency said.

The killing could deal a new blow to US-led Mideast peace efforts, which resumed in July after a nearly five-year break in Israel-Palestinian talks. The deaths of several Palestinians in Israeli arrest raids in the West Bank intended to detain militants involved in attacks have further soured the atmosphere between the two sides.

The soldier was reported missing late Friday and Israeli forces began looking for him.

The search led the troops to Nidal Amar, a 42-year-old Palestinian from Beit Amin a village near the city of Qa-

lqiliya in the northern West Bank.

Amar told the Shin Bet that he had killed the soldier, whom he knew because he worked together with him at a restaurant in the coastal city of Bat Yam in central Israel, the agency said.

According to Shin Bet, the Palestinian recounted how he had picked up the soldier in a taxi on Friday after convincing him to accept a ride.

After talking the soldier into joining him, Amar took the Israeli to an open field, killed him and hid his body in a well, the agency said.

Israeli forces raided Amar’s home early on Saturday based on intelligence information, and interrogated Amar and his brother.

Shin Bet said Amar had confessed to intending to trade the soldier’s body for another brother, in an Israeli jail since 2003 for his role in several terror attacks.

Amar showed the Israeli forces where the body was hidden Saturday afternoon after his arrest. l

Super Typhoon Usagi, the most powerful storm of the year, brought torrential rain and ferocious winds to Taiwan Saturday, leaving tens of thousands without power and throwing travel plans into disarray as it barrelled towards Hong Kong.

Usagi was packing maximum sustained winds of up to 195 kilometres per hour, the Hong Kong Observatory said, as people in the city reinforced windows in anticipation of the approaching storm’s impact.

In Taiwan’s southern Pintung County, storms flooded remote villages, forcing troops to evacuate dozens of people, the state Central News Agency said. “I thought a tsunami was hitting... I’ve never encountered this before in my life,” it quoted a 60-year-old woman who was scrambling to safety with her pet.

Six people were injured in Kinmen, a Taiwan-controlled island off China’s southeastern Fujian province, after they were hit by fallen trees, according to the Central Emer-

9

Merkel favoured for 3rd term, faces tight outcome

n Reuters, Nairobi Gunmen stormed a shopping mall in the Kenyan capital on Saturday killing at least 15 people, according to the Kenyan Red Cross, and sending scores fleeing into shops, a cinema and onto the streets seeking safety.

The Somali militant group al Shabaab had threatened to strike the Westgate mall, popular with the city’s expatriate community, but there was no immediate claim of responsibility from any group. Al Shabaab said it had no comment on the attack.

Police helicopters circled overhead as armed police shouted “get out, get out,” and scores of shoppers fled the building. Smoke poured out of one entrance and witnesses said they heard grenade blasts.

Others said they saw about five armed assailants storm the Westgate shopping mall and that the incident appeared to be an attack rather than an armed robbery.

Sporadic gun shots could be heard two hours after the shooting started as police combed the building, hunting down the attackers shop by shop.

Some local television stations reported hostages had been taken, but there was no official confirmation.

“They don’t seem like thugs, this is not a robbery incident,” said Yukeh Mannasseh who was on the mall’s top floor when the shooting started. “It seems like an attack. The guards who saw them said they were shooting indiscriminately.”

One eyewitness who identified himself as Taha said he heard the screech of brakes followed moments later by an explosion and then sustained gun fire from the ground floor.

Another survivor said he was shot by a man who looked Somali.

Some shoppers ran up stairs and

Sunday, September 22, 2013

A car driver past waterfalls created by the run-off of rain Typhoon Usagi near Hengtsun gency Operation Centre.

The typhoon also left 45,000 homes powerless and more than 5,000 households without water, it said.

A total of 77 domestic and five international flights were cancelled and ferry services suspended, with schools and offices in many parts of Taiwan closed, especially in the south and

AFP

east, authorities said.

The defence ministry deployed more than 3,000 soldiers to “highrisk” areas and placed 24,000 others on standby. Nearly 3,000 people had already been evacuated, officials said, as the Central Weather Bureau warned people to expect up to 1.2 metres (47 inches) of rain.l

Much may depend on the turnout among the nearly 62 million voters — about 70% four years ago. Political leaders fought Saturday to mobilise their supporters and win over the undecided.

“I’m personally asking people in Germany to give me a strong mandate so that I can serve Germany for another four years, make policies for ... a strong Germany, for a country that is respected in Europe, that works for Europe; a country that stands up for its interests in the world but is a friend of many nations,” Merkel said at a rally in Berlin.

Given Merkel’s popularity — polls give her approval ratings of up to 70% — and the economic success enjoyed during what she calls “the most successful government since reunification” 23 years ago, it might seem surprising that the outcome appears so cloudy.

Merkel has won over Germans with her reassuring style, often appearing to be above the political fray. The eurozone’s debt crisis has helped preserve her popularity, said Manfred Guellner, the head of the Forsa polling agency.

“She has repeatedly given people the feeling she’s taking care that this abstract crisis doesn’t rain down on their everyday lives,” he said.

Still, it is Merkel rather than her coalition that enjoys sky-high popularity.

Voters haven’t forgotten public coalition infighting that frequently marred the past four years. Much of the blame went to the Free Democrats.

A new party, Alternative for Germany, which calls for an “orderly breakup” of the euro common currency zone and appeals to socially conservative voters, may sap votes from the governing parties.

State elections in Bavaria last Sunday set off alarms for the Free Democrats, who lost all their seats in the legislature. Since then, they’ve been angling for votes from Merkel’s party since German voters cast two ballots — one for a specific parliamentary candidate and another for a party. l

Report: US came close to nuclear disaster in 1961 n AP, London A US hydrogen bomb nearly detonated on the nation’s east coast, with a single switch averting a blast which would have been 260 times more powerful than the device that flattened Hiroshima, a newly published book says.

In a recently declassified document, reported in a new book by Eric Schlosser, the supervisor of the nuclear weapons safety department at Sandia national laboratories said that one simple, vulnerable switch prevented nuclear catastrophe.

Two hydrogen bombs were accidentally dropped over Goldsboro, North Carolina on January 24, 1961 after a B-52 bomber broke up in flight The Guardian newspaper published the document on Saturday.

Two hydrogen bombs were accidentally dropped over Goldsboro, North Carolina on January 24, 1961 after a B-52 bomber broke up in flight. One of the bombs apparently acted as if it was being armed and fired — its parachute opened and trigger mechanisms engaged.

Parker F Jones at the Sandia National Laboratories analysed the accident in a document headed “How I learned to mistrust the H-Bomb.”

“The MK39 Mod 2 bomb did not possess adequate safety for the airborne-alert role in the B-52,” he wrote.

When the B-52 disintegrates in the air it is likely to release the bombs in “a near normal fashion,” he wrote, calling the safety mechanisms to prevent accidental arming “not complex enough.”

The document said the bomb had four safety mechanisms, one of which is not effective in the air. When the aircraft broke up, two others were rendered ineffective.

“One simple, dynamo-technology, low voltage switch stood between the United States and a major catastrophe!” Jones wrote, adding that it could have been “bad news — in spades” if the switch had shorted.

Schlosser discovered the document, written in 1969, through the Freedom of Information Act. It is featured in his new book on nuclear arms, “Command and Control,” which reports that through FOI he discovered that at least 700 “significant” accidents and incidents involving 1,250 nuclear weapons were recorded between 1950 and 1968. l

10 DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Letters to

www.dhakatribune.com

the Editor

LETTER OF THE DAY

Indian and Bangladeshi visas September 20

BGMEA must take minimum wages seriously

T

he BGMEA is taking a hard line on minimum wages for RMG workers.

At a time when various programmes of safety inspections are seeking to take the garment export sector forward, it is short sighted for the industry body to adopt a stance that raises worker discontent.

There has been no national pay increase since the wage board last set the minimum wage at Tk3,000 in 2010. As BGMEA’s proposed 20% wage increase falls clearly short of inflation during the last three It is straightforward years, it inevitably adds to the for employers to workforce’s concerns. at least build in Around 10,000 workers a commitment blocked the Dhaka-Tangail to raise salaries, Highway on Saturday in support of demands for higher wages by including the unions and associations such minimum wage, by as Garments Sramik Samannoy the cost of living Parishad. This type of unrest can increase each year only increase if the BGMEA does not negotiate in a co-operative and rational manner.

Inflation hurts everyone but people on minimum wages feel it the most. It is straightforward for employers to at least build in a commitment to raise salaries, including the minimum wage, by the cost of living increase each year. BGMEA has no justification for not being pro-active in addressing this issue earlier.

Experts have noted before that a low wage model is not sufficient to enable the industry to sustainably compete globally in the long run. Moreover evidence from higher paying factories shows a clear correlation between higher minimum wages and higher rates of productivity and employee retention.

BGMEA members therefore have more to gain by supporting a realistic minimum wage increase for workers than taking a hard line stance.

Misguided cyber law

I

n its efforts to fight cybercrime, the government has proposed an amendment to the ICT Act 2006 that includes a provision allowing law enforcers to arrest anyone without a warrant and sentencing them for up to 14 years imprisonment for following “objectionable” posts on social media.

This goes beyond absurdity, and not only encroaches on a person’s right to freedom of expression, but it violates due process of law.

What’s more, it sets a dangerous precedent where While we anyone who expresses understand that themselves in a way that the government the government finds wants to fight “objectionable” can be arrested and silenced. cybercrimes, While we understand that arresting people the government wants to fight for following cybercrimes, and we support objectionable posts that initiative, arresting people is hardly the way to for following objectionable posts go about it is hardly the way to go about it.

Rather, it opens up opportunities for misuse to take place.

There are already many fake posts on the Internet that have been put up merely to instigate violence, and many people have been duped by them. The Ramu incident was a prime example of this.

As the amendment is now under consideration by the parliamentary standing committee on the ICT ministry, we hope the government will reconsider its decision to pass this provision.

In fact, we hope that the government will not use this amendment as an excuse to cut back on our freedoms of expression. Let this amendment not be the next step towards a slippery slope of censorship where we seem to be headed.

CROSSWORD

Thousands of Bangladeshi citizens particularly students, teachers, tourists, businessmen, patients, scholars and scientists visit India ever year. Several thousand Bangladeshi students are enrolled in different educational institutions in India. Thousands of patients and their relatives visit India every year.

According a source of the High Commission of India, some half million visas are issued to Bangladeshis. In the recent past, staff of the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh have worked hard to improve the visa processing as thousands of Bangladeshis suffered a loss to get Indian visas. Patients had to stay in long queue to get Indian visas.

The situation has improved a lot in recent times. The visa process has been digitalised.

However, the number of Bangladeshi visa seekers has increased. The visa offices of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, Chittagong and Rajshahi issue over 2,000 visas per day to Bangladeshis. However, hundreds of visa seekers particularly girls and women, have to stay in long queue to deposit visa forms with the State Bank of India and High Commission of India.

It is also true that staff of the State Bank of India and High Commission of India work hard.

The manpower in State Bank of India and High Commission should be increased to cope with the rise in visa seekers, especially during pujas, Eid and Diwali. The High Commission of India struggles to cope with thousands of visa seekers who visit India during these holidays.

The relations between Bangladesh and India have improved a lot during the tenure of the present government. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni did their best to improve the relations between the two neighbouring countries.

The diplomats, government bureaucrats, judges, journalists and media personalities should get visas easily and within short span of time. But the process of visa processing is slow during the above-mentioned holidays. The High Commission takes usually takes 60-70 days to issue tourist visas.

However, medical visas that require a lot of relevant papers are issued promptly. Nowadays, the High Commission of India issues tourist visas with duration of six months. The Bangladesh High Commission offices in Kolkata and New Delhi also delay in issuing visas to Indian citizens.

According to a source of the Board of Investment of Bangladesh, some 30,000 Indians are working in the corporate sector of Bangladesh. The High Commission of Bangladesh in Kolkata and New Delhi should quickly issues visas to Indian citizens working in Bangladesh.

The bilateral trade between two countries has reached over $6 billion. Bangladeshi businessmen need to visit India frequently.

The HCI should mull over issuing multiple-visa to business leaders according to recommendations of established FBCCI, MCCI, DCCI and FICCI. The USA embassy gives 5-year multiple visas to businessmen. The HCI should also mull over issuing 5-year multiple visas to Bangladeshi businessmen.

Giasuddin Ahmed

What Bangladesh can teach the world September 17 GDP per capita (expressed as Purchasing Power Parity) in Bangladesh is now (2012): $2100 . But the writer mentioned old 2010’s much behind stat. mojababa

DOWN 1 Biblical character (5) 2 Girl’s name (3) 3 Vital organ (5) 4 United (3) 5 Depression left by blow (4) 6 Ribbon (4) 7 Exact satisfaction (6) 8 Camping item (4) 14 Scoop up with tongue (3) 16 Surface film (6) 17 Japanese monetary unit (3) 19 Company of eight (5) 20 Code inventor (5) 21 Waistband (4) 22 Dry (4) 23 Tranquil rest (4) 26 Permit (3) 27 Monkey (3)

Be Heard Write to us at: Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath Sukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Email us at: letters@dhakatribune.com Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion@dhakatribune.com Visit our website: www.dhakatribune.com Come join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune

September 15

Great news. I don’t like Hindi movies and I definitely don’t want to watch this actress in a movie that I’ve enjoyed watching since childhood.

Zayin Zawad Khan Sad. Waiting for the addition of an Asian woman.

Love Vin Diesel.

Kumar Devasish Dey

MTV’s programmes to air on Maasranga September 15

Okay, why don’t we have a complete MTV Bangla music channel? All Asian nations have their own MTV. Why does the fifth largest language group/population and the seventh most populous nation have no MTV? Is our culture and language that neglected?

Bangladesh should have a dedicated music TV station with international broadcast standards. It’s important to share our culture with the surrounding regions and for that we need our own satellite orbiting the earth.

Banglar Bagh

Speedy tribunal to try district level razakars September 16

I find two information given here side by side. The final list of the freedom fighters has not finished yet and may increase by 2%, though I know personally that this figure is incorrect. The other one is the statement of the State Minister Kamal Majumdar, who claims that many government lands have been awarded to war criminals. The main reason is the definition of a freedom fighter has not been determined yet. Surprisingly, freedom fighters have been selected by examining applications. The process is wrong. Finding them is the duty and responsibility of the government.

Enayet Mowla

CALVIN AND HOBBES

PEANUTS

CODE-CRACKER ACROSS 1 Music (6) 6 Make lace (3) 9 Sheeplike (5) 10 Rescue (4) 11 Numeral (5) 12 Female swan (3) 13 Natural gift (6) 15 Nimble (4) 18 Verse-form (4) 21 Mode of standing (6) 24 Melody (3) 25 Sacrificial table (5) 28 Cut with scissors (4) 29 Oozes (5) 30 Possessed (3) 31 Furniture item (6)

Deepika steps back from Fast and Furious 7

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS Crossword

Sudoku

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

Our secret weapon against extremism

Women have a vital role to play

RAJIB DHAR

S

n Faiz Sobhan

ince the late 1990s, Bangladesh has witnessed an increase in militancy and violent extremism that has exposed women to greater threats than before. Such kinds of extremism prevent women from being emancipated economically and socially.

In Bangladesh, a number of Islamist extremist groups believe women should not have a prominent role in society. Earlier this year, Hefazat brought out two massive rallies of tens of thousands of supporters in Dhaka. It released a 13-point demand including calls for a ban on “free mixing” of men and women in public, the ending of what they term “shameless behaviour and dresses” and declaring Ahmadiyyas as “non-Muslims”.

Moreover, for the past several years, Islamic extremists in Bangladesh have issued fatwas as a major tool with which to tread on women’s rights in Bangladesh, as part of their attempt to spread their ideology.

Women’s organisations need to be much more pro-active in advocacy programmes and implement a series of measures so as to safeguard women’s rights to protect them from all forms of extremism

Despite the High Court making clear that fatwas have no legal status in Bangladesh and directing authorities concerned to take punitive action against people involved in enforcing fatwas against women, Islamic clerics are still presiding over self proclaimed courts that use Sharia Law to issue fatwas to deal with crimes such as rape and domestic matters such as extra-marital relationships. This practice continues to prevail in remote villages where government agencies, including the police, do not have immediate access.

Between 2000 and 2011, at least 500 fatwas have reportedly been issued accusing women of adultery.

Most of these women were from rural areas, where their crimes were determined by influential local leaders and mullahs who assumed the role of both judge and jury-based on their own

interpretation of Islam. Often such unofficial tribunals have been found handing out extra-judicial punishments.

In Bangladesh, women’s groups and civil society are actively working at increasing economic empowerment for women as a bulwark against the negative messaging of extremist and violent extremist groups.

After the rally by the Hefazat in Dhaka on April 6, there was an imme-

but regional or international efforts as well, to counter extremism.

The UN Security Council resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security was a important step towards international recognition of the importance of gender in effective conflict management and in post-conflict stabilisation. Last year, the Security Council supported the UN Secretary-General’s pledge “to promote the active engagement of women’s organisations in peacemaking and peacebuilding.”

In Bangladesh there has been a long history of struggle for women’s emancipation including the active role of women in the war of independence in 1971. Over the years, Bangladesh has introduced various laws and regulations to safeguard women’s rights but much more needs to be done in this regard.

Bangladesh was one of the earlier signatories of the Convention of Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Laws enacted to increase protection include the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act introduced in 2000 and the Acid Crimes Prevention Act 2002. In 2011, Bangladesh’s Cabinet agreed on a National Policy for Women’s Development.

However, women not only in Bangladesh, but around South Asia, continue to face discrimination, exclusion and injustice and are victims of violence. This is why women’s organisations need to be much more proactive in advocacy programmes and implement a series of measures so as

The following are some recommendations in helping women to counter the threat of extremism:

Encourage more education as an effective tool to counter the messaging of violent extremist groups;

Identify and recognise the role women have played in contributing to peace nationally, regionally and internationally;

Urge women to continue to educate young people in their homes as mothers, in schools as teachers and in the public sphere as community leaders;

Push for gender equality and women’s rights in all segments of society and state; Launch country-wide awareness campaigns against violent extremism; Continue to focus on those activities that increase women’s empowerment and emancipation.

Emphasise the matriarchal aspect of women in society including as mothers, community leaders and homemakers; Recognise the importance of women as contributors to development, peacemakers and peace builders in their community; Highlight the role religion plays as a driver for women in leadership and in inspiring social change; diate and strong response by a group of 68 NGOs working on women’s empowerment, human rights and development. They agreed to form a Social Resistance Committee (SAC) to counter what they believed was an attempt by extremists to turn Bangladesh into a “Taliban-style pariah state with the policy of subjugating women.”

In July, a video posted on Youtube and Facebook showed the Hefazat leader, Sheikh Allama Shafi, calling for women to be deprived of their freedom, as well as education and employment. Among other things he said of girls, and I quote, “You spend thousands of takas to send her to school, high school, college. Allow her to study until the fourth grade. This is all she needs, to keep the household accounts after she gets married.”

Women therefore have a vital role at the forefront of not only national

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Sunday, September 22, 2013

Wider use of media platforms to disseminate information, especially amongst the rural populace, about the ills of violent extremism; Encourage women’s groups to challenge the narrative of violent extremism and highlight the issues of tolerance and pluralism Design training programmes to facilitate women’s role in countering extremism; and finally, Provide psychological and social support and legal assistance to women who have been victims of violent extremism and are former members of violent extremism. to safeguard women’s rights to protect them from all forms of extremism.

Ultimately, there are a number of factors that serve as drivers of violent extremism in Bangladesh and elsewhere in South Asia. Although social injustice or being marginalised can to some extent explain the process of violent extremism, such factors alone cannot explain the phenomena.

In every case it is essential that strong measures be taken by women and civil society organisations to successfully counter the menace of extremism, whether violent or non-violent. This can be achieved by underscoring the vital role women have to play in society, as well as, by creating better opportunities for women to more participate fully in their country. l Faiz Sobhan is research director, Bangladesh Enterprise Institute.

Protecting our water bodies n Ziaul Haque Howlader

S

ince time immemorial water bodies have been the life-line of human civilisation in thousands of ways. The possession of water, waterways and water bodies has lain at the centre of many wars. For the global tourism industry, water is a main focus for its future development.

This year’s World Tourism Day theme stresses the impact and role of tourism in worldwide water conservation efforts. The theme which is in line with 2013 being the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation, provides an opportunity to highlight the shared responsibility of the tourism sector to wider sustainability objectives. As well as featuring water as an attraction, tourism has a major environmental impact with hotels and golf courses using up water resources, so conservation and preservation or maintenance activities are very important for the tourism industry.

Many countries are famous for water based tourism activities like river and sea cruising, scuba diving, snorkelling, surfing, kayaking, para gliding, nature watching, etc. Dal Lake in Kashmir, rivers and canals in Kerala, Bali in Indonesia, Maldives, Fiji, Hawaii, Gambia, and the Caribbean Islands, are among the best known worldwide water-based tourist destinations.

Bangladesh is a country of rivers and many big water bodies like Tangua Haor and Hakaluki Haor (both are Ramsar Sites), Baikkaar Beel, etc. The country’s major tourist attractions are often water based mainly at our sea-coasts and mangrove forests but also along rivers, haors, baors and wetlands.

These haors are very attractive places for cruising with serene water and green vegetations along the banks.

Tourists visiting sites such as Tangua Haor can be mesmerised watching thousands of migratory birds and are able to relish the fresh fishes of the haors.

With its hundreds of serpentine rivers and canals and its mighty rivers – Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna, and destinations like Kaptai, Bangladesh has great potential to develop tourism based on water and water bodies.

This is not only in the countryside but within the capital city as well.

Dhaka’s lakes like Dhanmondi, Gulshan and Banani Lakes naturally draw many local people in their spare time.

But pollution in these lakes is also increasing alarmingly.

Some unscrupulous people throw waste packets and bottles etc. into lakes and water. We should protect all the canals, lakes and water bodies located in and around the capital city Dhaka.

We have already caused irreparable harm to the Burignaga River, which works as the life line for ferrying goods and passengers to and from Dhaka and is the gateway for river cruising down the Meghna. Recently, the government initiated a circular waterway programme which may also be attractive to day-trippers if implemented properly We all know places like Venice and Amsterdam as cities where waterways have provided the essence and source of their wealth.

Dhaka despite having water tourism potential like that of the Netherlands, does not make proper use of its natural advantages. Instead we are encroaching upon our water bodies

and unscrupulously polluting those that remain. We know from the history that there were lots of canals, creeks and rivers in and around the Dhaka but many have been filled. We are destroying our ecological balance and making Dhaka less livable and enjoyable as a city.

We only need look at Amsterdam to see the benefits of maintaining beautiful canals and harbours. Its diverse fleet of around 250 cruise boats carries more than 3 million tourists a year.

The municipality strictly maintains its regulations that do not allow many canal side terraces in Amsterdam. At present, the water in the canals of Amsterdam is cleaner than earlier years, whereas we are going down. Three times a week, 14 of the 16 existing water locks around the city close up, so clean water can be pumped in from the big lake Ijsselmeer. Since 2005, all the houseboats in Amsterdam city are connected to the sewer system. The cleaner water has attracted life over there. About twenty different species of fish and crab live a healthy life below the surface. That bounty attracts water birds like herons, ducks, coots, gulls and recently even cormorants.

But, here in Dhaka, we are indifferent to saving even the landmark lakes that city-dwellers enjoy.

We only need look at Amsterdam to see the benefits of maintaining beautiful canals and harbours.

Its diverse fleet of around 250 cruise boats carries more than 3 million tourists a year

For the diversification of tourism and its sustainable development, we must protect our water and water bodies.

We must be careful that bottles and trash are not thrown into rivers and water bodies.

There should be a clear understanding of Do’s and Don’ts. Litter-bins and proper signage should be installed in all visible places of tourist sites and natural attractions. We should encourage volunteer organisations to come forward for regular waste collections and encourage recycling projects..

River cruisers should be forbidden from throwing away any waste. All hotels and other tourist facilities that are being established must be developed with Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) facilities. It is especially essential to ensure proper waste management systems for unique features such as St Martins Island We must work for awareness raising among locals and visiting tourists. All the government departments concerned need to work in a coordinated manner.

We must remember, If all the rivers and water bodies vanish away, then how will the tourism industry survive?

We have no other alternative but to protect our water and water bodies. l The writer is deputy manager of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation.

India shining? Not as much as one thought n Murad Qureshi

A

side from the recent run on the rupee, the recent release of a number of reports and books on the Indian economy suggest economically, socially and environmentally things are not what they should be in India. As one of the big emerging economies within the fraternity of the BRICs this criticism is clearly not

Since the book launch the World Bank has reported that environmental damage costs India Rs3.75tn annually, or 5.7% of India’s GDP

welcomed by Indian officials. But, it is the necessary reality check that India needs for it to progress on behalf of all of its citizens and not just its elites.

The debate on the state of the In-

dian economy was first and foremost instigated by Prof Amartya Sen in his latest book on India’s social failures and how to fix them. Clearly he wants the Indian state to do more to tackle poverty in the country, highlighting that – as an indicator – over half of Indians still do not have access to a toilet despite the country’s extraordinary growth levels in recent years.

That’s more than 600 million people who have to defecate in the open.

This is not surprising given the pitiful investment in health and education services. Indeed some of the poorest Indian states like Bihar and Orissa account for the biggest concentration of deprivation in the world.

Of course, states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu are good examples of how social investment during the 1960s and 80’s have reaped dividends in economic growth. But, at the federal level, India still lacks long-term policies and the political will to implement them.

Since the book launch the World Bank has reported that environmental damage costs India Rs3.75tn annually, or 5.7% of India’s GDP. The study has taken into account environmental damage in India from urban air pollution; inadequate water supply; poor sanitation and hygiene; and indoor air pollution.

Such an impact imposes costs to society in the form of ill health, lost income, and increased poverty and vulnerability. The report suggests that growing economically now and cleaning up the damage later will not be environmentally sustainable for the country in the long run and that it would be much better and cost-effective to have a low-emission, resource efficient greening of the economy from the outset.

And finally we must return to the status of women in India. Gender based equality plays a major role in a country’s overall development and according to Prof Amartya Sen India

lags behind in the Human Development Index (HDI). The Delhi gang rape at the beginning of the year certainly brought this to the attention of the world but let us not forget that this is not just a city problem but also in the villages, as one will find out if you talk to Dalit women. He usefully states that neighbouring countries, like Bangladesh, have left India behind on all social indicators predominately because of its large number of women health workers and school teachers helping to overtake India in every aspect of HDI which interestingly has been largely undertaken by its NGO sector.

So despite considerable economic growth and an increasing sense of self-confidence on the global stage, where now for India? Well it can certainly start by valuing its women a lot more then present. It could also ensure the middle classes pay their fair share – for example, a tax on middle class luxuries such as gold

and diamond imports could easily bring US$10 billion for such critical investment in health and education that the country desperately needs and the malaise in public services can be helped by keeping the allocation of contracts and jobs firmly away from politicians.

As for the Professor it sounds to be his last crusade and one he has returned to on many occasions, as he responds to his critics by saying that economic growth is very important as a means of bettering people’s lives, but “to go much further, faster” it has to be combined with devoting resources to remove illiteracy, ill health, malnutrition and other deprivations.

Clearly economic growth is greatly helped by early public support for education and health services, a fact highlighted by the experiences of East Asia and many other countries. l Murad Qureshi is an elected member of the Greater London Assembly.

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Shahnaz Rahmatullah honoured n Entertainment Desk Renowned singer Shahnaz Rahmatullah was honoured by Citibank, NA, Bangladesh at its annual “Gaane Gaane Gunijon Songbordhona” programme at Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel, Dhaka on September 20.

recognition facilitates to enrich and inspire the artistic community.”

Eminent lyricist, film director and producer Gazi Mazharul Anwar spoke about the legendry artist’s illustrious musical career at the programme.

Mahbub Jamil, chairman of Singer Bangladesh and Rashed Maqsood, Citi

Shahnaz Rahmatullah receives honourary crest from Citibank, NA Expressing her reaction, Shahnaz Rahmatullah said: “After a long time I am a receiving such an honor in the country and it feels wonderful. I hope in the future more institutions will come forward to promote the art and culture of our nation, as this kind of

country officer for Bangladesh, presented Ms Rahmatullah an honorary crest and a self portrait for her outstanding contributions to enriching the cultural heritage of Bangladesh.

Rashed Maqsood said: “We are proud to have the privilege to honour

the legendary artiste whose music has been a significant part of Bangladesh’s vibrant cultural heritage. Her unfathomable energy continues to be a source of joy and inspiration for many including the future generation of our country.”

To pay homage to Shahnaz Rahmatullah, popular singer Samina Chowdhury enthralled the audience with an outstanding performance of some timeless songs of Rahmatullah. She rendered Sagorer Teer Theke, Sagorer Soikote, Amay Jodi Proshno Kore, Phuler Kane Bhromor Ese, Parina Bhule Jete, Aro Kichhu Dao Na Dukhho and a few more.

Finally, Shahnaz Rahmatullah came on stage at the request of the organiser and audience, she sang three of her all time hits, “Ekbar Jete De Na Amar Chotto Sonar Gaye”, “Je Chilo Drishtir Shimanay,” and “Ek Tara Tui Desher Kotha.” She mesmerised the audience with her breathtaking voice and at the end they expressed admiration to the veteran singer by giving her a standing ovation.

In her kaleidoscopic journey of over 50 years in music, Shahnaz Rahmatullah has recorded around 500 songs in radio and TV. As recognition to her career Shahnaz Rahmatullah received many awards including the Ekushey Padak in 1992. Pakistan Television gave her lifetime achievement award during the 45 years celebration of the TV channel in 2007. l

n Afrose Jahan Chaity Bangladesh has nominated “Television” to compete at the Oscars in the “Best Foreign Language Film” category. Directed by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, the movie has been selected by the Oscar Bangladesh Committee to compete at the 86th Annual Academy Awards.

Oscar Bangladesh Committee Chairman Habibur Rahman Khan announced the nomination at a press conference held on September 21 at La-Vinchi in Dhaka. Other members of the committee—Rokeya Prachy, Shahidul Islam Khokon, Saiful Islam Chowdhury, Abu Musa Debu, Reza Latif and Abdus Selim were present at the press conference.

Mostafa Sarwar Farooki’s film “Television,” which brought the curtain down on the Busan Film Festival in South Korea in October 2012, has taken part in many international film festivals and is yet to participate to attend more prestigious international festivals this year.

While talking about representing Bangladesh at the Oscars, Farooki shared at the press conference: “I still don’t know whether ‘Television’ will be nominated in the Oscars or not. But, from my observation, this year Asian movies have more chances to be nominated in the best foreign film category rather than the European films. Oscars is a compe-

tition which bring together the best of the bests so it will be a tough competition for each film to be win the nomination.

Let’s hope for the best.”

Farooki, who previously directed “Third Person Singular Number,” which collected awards on international festival circuit, describes the film as “Tradition meets Facebook.” The story, which he co-scripted with Anisul Hoque, is that of an Imam who loathes all modernity, especially cell-phones, television and new media. The story has a happy, new media ending for the Imam who is unable to make his planned trip to Mecca.

“Television” is based on the theme of tradition versus contemporary in the rural arena. The film features Nusrat Imrose Tisha, Mosharraf Karim and Chanchal Chowdhury in lead roles.

This year another movie, “Chorabali”, directed by Redoan Rony, was also submitted for the selection round in the country but “Television” got the ticket.

Earlier in 2002, “Matir Moina,” directed by eminent filmmaker late Tareque Masud, was nominated in the “Best Foreign Language Film” at the Oscars. It is, by far, the only Bangladeshi movie which got such a honour. Produced by Impress Tele-film Limited, seven films – “Shyamol Chhaya,” “Nirontor,” “Swapnodanaye,” “Aha!,” “Britter Bairey,” “Third Person Singular Number,” and “Ghetuputra Kamola,” – have so far vied for the Oscars but couldn’t make it to the final list. l

n Shadma Malik

The Lunchbox is a story of despair and hope

ON TV DRAMA 7:30pm Star World Greys Anatomy

8:30pm Star Plus Arjun

COMEDY 11:30am Star World

Two And A Half Men

9:30pm Comedy Central The Mindy Project

“The Lunchbox” is the story of meeting via eating. It is a love-story – and a love-letter to Mumbai, to trains, to dabbawalas and rain, to love and life, sugar and spice, the despair and hope that mark every heart.

Saajan Fernandes (Irrfan) is an accountant. His wife having died, the childless Saajan is a cold, prickly grouch avoided by all. One day, a lunchbox prepared by Ila (Nimrat) for her husband somehow reaches Saajan instead.

He devours her delicacies, the empty box returned evidence of his enjoyment. Annoyed by the stranger’s lack of thanks, Ila sends him another lunchbox with a sarcastic note - he responds.

Suddenly, the two are writing daily, sharing jokes, fears, passions for” keema” and “kadhi” - then, a desire to meet.

This movie is held together by delicate performances. Irrfan leads the way, underplayed, yet lasting, like a cardamom between your lips. With moments like Fernandes catching himself in a

Farooki’s Television to compete for Oscars

Artist Anisuzzaman on his recent works

Kolkata-based theatre troupe Ifta will stage Rabindranath Tagore’s play Horikhela today at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy as part of an ongoing festival organised by Mohakal Natya Sampraday.

n Entertainment Desk

A scene from film Television

street painter’s sketch, Irrfan shows an ordinary life with extraordinary deftness, resurrecting that childhood uncle, who, begged to return your ball, would snarl, “Do I look like your servant”?

Irrfan is matched by Nimrat’s Ila, soft as a sandesh, but with a mysterious, molten heart. Quiet moments, like Nimrat’s expression when she smells the world on her husband’s shirts, catch you. Ila’s story, housewives living for husbands who switch off, is beautifully conveyed. The two are ably supported by chirpy, pesky Shaikh (Nawazuddin), Saajan’s trainee, chopping vegetables on office files, melting the final barriers to Fernandes’ frozen heart.

Warming this feast is a wonderful screenplay - Bharti Achrekar, visible in voice as “Aunty” - and sound recording that must be heard to be believed. As Fernandes eats Ila’s lunches, every lick, every slurp, every little swallow comes through. Its finesse qualifies this charmer as India’s potential entry to the Oscars, “The Lunchbox” an unusual banquet, raising a bitter-sweet toast to life. l

Talented artist Anisuzzaman has proved his dextertity in water colour in his latest exhibition “Verses Written through Water” which was held recently at Institute of Asian Creatives. Anisuzzaman is well known in the art circuit of Bangladesh as a specialised in print making. But, the versatile artist has been practicing water colour since 2012 and his works in the exhibition simply moved the art lovers.

Anisuzzaman, in most of his previous works, depicted urban life. But, in this exhibition, he presented the beauty of the rivers of Bangladesh and different compositions of boats made the riverscapes simply fascinating.

Bangladesh being a riverine country and boat is the most common water transport. There are over one hundred traditional types of boat in this country. In Anisuzzaman’s paintings popular boats “Kosha” and “Dingi” have captured in a detailed manner in the canvas. He shared with Dhaka Tribune: “These boats are well composed, eye appealing and have a warm relationship with the rivers.”

Born in Pabna, his paintings show his intimacy with the mighty river Pad-

ma. Perhaps, he expressed his nostalgia in presenting the scenic beauty of the rural areas of Bangladesh.

Being inspired by many poems of legendary poets Tagore and Nazrul who have narrated the beauty of the rivers of Bengal with finest details, Anisuzzaman has spelled out the striking beauty of the rivers very lyrically in his artworks. In his art pieces, most his boats are anchored or waiting for the

passengers to board on. The reflection of the translucent sky on the river adds more charms to the compositions.

At present, Anis is the Assistant Professor of department of printmaking at faculty of fine art, University of Dhaka.

He obtained his MFA in printmaking from Tama Art University, Tokyo Japan. He has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions both at home and abroad. l

Sandra Bullock to receive Hollywood Career Award n Entertainment Desk Sandra Bullock is all set to receive the Hollywood Career Award at the 17th annual Hollywood Film Awards at the Beverly Hilton in California.

The 49-year-old will be honoured on October 21, Contactmusic reported.

According to Hollywood Film Awards founder and Executive Director Carlos de Abreu, the actress will be receiving the award for her outstanding work in new film “Gravity.” Abreu, says, “We are honoured to present the Hollywood Actress Award to Sandra for her outstanding work in [new film] Gravity.

“Holding the screen alone for a large part of the film, she delivers a stunning and emotionally layered performance that shows once again why she is one of Hollywood’s most respected and popular actresses.”

Previous recipients include Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Aniston, Charlize Theron and Penelope Cruz. l

TODAY IN DHAKA Exhibition

Bangla Terracotta 3pm to 8pm Drik Gallery House 58, Road 15A(New) Dhanmondi R/A

Agony with Ecstasy

by Anisuzzaman Sohel 3pm to 8pm Dhaka Art Centre House 60 Road 7A, Dhanmondi

Unseen Splendour by legendary artist SM Sultan artworks 6pm (inauguration) Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts House 275/f, Road 27 (old) Dhanmondi

Festival

North & South Indian Food Festival Seasonal Tastes restaurant The Westin Dhaka Main Gulshan Avenue, Plot 1, CWN (B) Road 45, Plot 1, Gulshan 2, Dhaka

Theater

Macbeth Padatik Natya Sangsad 7pm National Theatre Hall Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy

Film

Despicable Me 2 3D Oz The Great and Powerful Nishwartha Bhalobasa Jurassic Park in 3D Star Cineplex, Basundhara City

Did you know?

England introduced football player’s names on the back of their shirts during the 1992 European Football Championships

Sport

Sunday, September 22, 2013

14 Nerves on edge ahead of Manchester Derby

14 Mourinho wants Mata to adapt

DHAKA TRIBUNE

13

15 Saints stun Reds, Baines spares Everton

NEW FACES DEFEND OLD GLORY

(Left) Mohammedan skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza (R) and Afghan recruit Mohammed Nabi share a light moment while (Right) Abahani’s rising star Mosaddek Hossain prepares to throw during their training session at the National Academy ground yesterday

Glamour match lacks lustre n Minhaz Uddin Khan All eyes will be on the match between Mohammedan Sporting Club and Abahani Limited as the age old rivals will face-off against each other today. The two giants will lock horns at the Shere-Bangla National Stadium and tensions will be high despite the fact that the two legendary clubs failed to come up with attractive squads for this year’s premier league. While the tournament’s glamour match may have lost a bit of its sheen with two underwhelming teams squaring off, the weight of history behind the fixture still makes it a match to look out for.

Speedster Mashrafe bin Mortaza led Mohammedan SC to two victories on the trot and the former Bangladesh captain will be looking to make three wins out of three. “It is always a pressure match and pride is also concerned, we are determined to win the match and a win against Abahani is also a special one. It will motivate us to performing consistently towards our target - the title,” said Mashrafe who featured for Abahani in the previous season.

Meanwhile, Abahani is being led

by Shahriar Nafees and the skipper is also not thinking anything apart from a win. “We are thinking nothing apart

from a win. We have to win the match at any cost, however, we are not taking any added pressure. We are focused to leave the field as the victors,”said Nafees. The Sky-Blues have won one of the two games they have played so far.

Day's Fixture Abahani

v Mohammedan at SBNS

Kalabagan CA v Khelaghar at BKSP 3 Prime DSC

v Sheikh Jamal at Fatullah

DPL Points Table

Team Prime Bank Brothers Union Mohammedan Gazi Tank Sk Jamal Victoria Prime Doleshwar Abahani Kalabagan KC Kalabagan CA Khelaghar CCS

P 3 3 2 3 2 3 2 2 3 2 2 3

W 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 0

L NR Pts 1 0 4 1 0 4 0 0 4 1 0 4 0 0 4 1 1 3 1 0 2 1 0 2 2 0 2 1 1 1 2 0 0 3 0 0

Apart from the locals, the foreign recruits of both the teams are poised to play a crucial role in the enticing encounter. Afghan all-rounder Mohammed Nabi smashed 146 to win the opening game for the Black and Whites while Sri Lankan star Tillekaratne

Dilshan starred with both bat and ball in the second game. On the other hand, Abahani will need their Sri Lankan trio – Tharanga Paranavitana, Indika de Saram and Janaka Gunaratne – to fire on all cylinders.

In the days other games title contenders Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club will lock horns with Prime Doleshwar Sporting at Fatullah and Kalabagan Cricket Academy will take on minnows Khelaghor in the third round of the DPL. Jamal have secured two wins out of two while Doleshwar, the team that avoided relegation last season, lost their opener, but are in super rhythm after beating giants Abahani in their last match.

The two new promoted sides this season, Kalabagan CA and Khelaghar will battle it out at BKSP ground 3.

Khelaghar is yet to register a win in the tournament as Kalabagan CA have a single point from two games. Khelaghar did not field any foreign players in their opening games where as Kalabagan flew in Zimbabwean trio – Hamilton Masakadza, Vusi Sibanda and Sikandar Raza – to fill their foreign quota. Kalabagan’s first match against Victoria SC was washed out while they lost their second league match to Mohammedan. l

MSC eye Afghans for new season n Shishir Hoque Mohammedan Sporting Club are looking forward to bolster their squad for the upcoming season by recruiting foreign stars from the recently concluded Saff Championship held in Nepal. The Motijheel based club, who finished fifth in the Bangladesh Premier League last season, started their pre-season training yesterday.

It was learnt that the Black and Whites are planning to bring in few attacking players from Saff champions Afghanistan and Nepal who caught everyone’s attention with their smooth performance.

European based Afghan players like Belal Arezou, Mostafa Azadjoy and Sanzar Ahmedi are on the Mohammedan wish list while Nepalese players like Jumanu Rai, Anil Gurung and Bhola Silwal are also in consideration, informed the source.

Afghan cricketer Mohammed Nabi, who is playing for Mohammedan cricket team in the ongoing Dhaka Premier League, is negotiating the deal with the club on behalf of his country’s footballers.

Manjurul Alam, chairman of Mohammedan football committee confirmed their interest, but he denied revealing any name. “We have not yet finalised anything about foreign recruits. The Africans are in consideration, though we have an eye on South Asians who performed well in Saff Championship.

“They are proven players and we have seen them in the Saff Championship while the African players will have to go

through trial to impress us,” he added.

However, Manjurul is hopeful of taking four national players Zahid, Mamun Mia, Nahid and Shakil in the team who allegedly took advanced money to play for Mohammedan. “We are waiting for a decision from the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) for the four players who have been alleged. We are hopeful that those players will play for us,” he said.

Meanwhile, Abahani, who started their pre-season training on September 15, are bringing in six African players for trial at the end of the month. Abahani already confirmed the signing of Osei Morison, the Ghanaian striker who was the top scorer in the last season of the BPL, from their arch-rival Mohammedan’s camp.

“Six more foreigners from Morocco and Nigeria are expected to arrive by the end of this month. Two of them have demanded for monthly salary of more than seven thousand dollars a month. We are still considering these proposals as we are keen on foreign recruits,” said Abahani manager Satyajit Das Rupu yesterday.

“We are looking for some quality foreigners, but we have not said no to the previous ones. After observing the new comers, we will decide whether we will keep them (old recruits) or not,” added Rupu.

“We are also trying to appoint a foreign coach for the next season as two British coaches and a Dutch and an Australian coach are on the pipeline. Hopefully we will recruit one of them within the first week of October,” he informed. l

Akram Khan nominated from CDSA n Minhaz Uddin Khan Former national cricketer and chief of the national selection panel Akram Khan’s name has been submitted as the councilor from Chittagong District Sports Association for the upcoming Bangladesh Cricket Board election, informed a reliable source. Former

I didn’t receive any official call yet and I am still up with the decision – I will step down as chief selector once I get the confirmation that my name has been nominated BCB director Sirajuddin Alamgir and sports organiser from Chittagong district Ali Abbas were also in the run for the councillorship, but it was Akram who was eventually named, informed the source. A BCB source has also confirmed that Akram’s name has already been submitted.

While on the other hand, BCB adhoc committee member AZM Nasiruddin didn’t face any contest and was named the councillor from the Chittagong Divisional Sports Association.

Akram had previously informed the media to step down from the chief selector post once his name gets nominated for the BCB poll.

“I have also heard that my name has been nominated, but I didn’t receive any official call yet and I am still up with the decision – I will step down as chief selector once I get the confirmation that my name has been nominated,” said Akram to the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

The clubs, district and divisional sports associations will have to submit the names of the councilors by September 24. In that case Akram might leave the post of the chief selector on September 25. It was learnt that Akram will chalk down the squads for the home series against New Zealand before his resignation. l

COURTESY

Viqarunnisa Noon School and College emerged as the champions of the 3rd Inter-School Tennis Carnival which concluded at the National Tennis Complex, Ramna yesterday. Viqarunnisa bagged seven championship medals along with six runners-up medals while Scholastica finished second winning six championship medals and one runners-up medal. Meanwhile, BSRIS School, BAF Shaheen School and Manarat International School bagged runners-up medals in two events each COURTESY

Coach Koster defends trainer Yamali n Raihan Mahmood Rene Koster, the Dutch assistant national coach of the Bangladesh football team defended his fellow countrymen and trainer Muhammet Yamali’s fitness regimen before the Saff championship.

Reacting to the statements in the different media regarding Yamali’s role Koster said, “Yamali is a fitness specialist, he trained the players using scientific methods. No trainer in the world wants his players injured and injury never comes in a predetermined way.

For example Mamunul sustained an injury in a practice match, some players joined the camp with injuries so what could Yamali do”.

Rene Koster said he thought the players lacked the fitness. “I don’t agree with the idea, we played well against India and we drew due to a controversial decision as a goal was conceded in the 94th minute. One minute more than the stipulated injury time, it does not mean Bangladesh lacked fitness,” said the Dutch coach.

Rene Koster said they have been involved with the team for just two months and it is not possible to change the team within such a short time. “We have worked in the Ajax Academy and it is one of the best in producing quality footballers, we need time and I’m sure that we will produce quality footballers within two years, two months time can’t be a yardstick to determine a coach’s performance,” said Koster.

The Dutch coach termed the Dhaka league as a slow one and asked for improvement. “The tempo is very slow and does not match the standards of a competitive league, the federation must think over the issue, the league requires a more competitive edge,” said Koster.

The Dutch coach said BFF president Kazi Salahuddin is positive about the developments and there are no short cuts to the path of development.

Koster who has taken the charge of the U-19 national team believes the team will perform well in the AFC U-19 qualifiers next month in Iraq. l

14

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Nerves on edge ahead of Manchester Derby n AFP, London Manchester United and Manchester City approach Sunday’s 166th city derby knowing defeat for either side would leave them in danger of being cut adrift in the Premier League title race.

The new season is only four games old, but both sides have already squandered points – United drawing at home to Chelsea and losing at Liverpool, City drawing at Stoke City and going down at Cardiff City.

The pair already trail leaders Liverpool by three points and should Brendan Rodgers’s men prevail at home to Southampton on Saturday, if either side loses the derby, they will find themselves six points off the pace.

Both United manager David Moyes and his City counterpart Manuel Pellegrini will be experiencing the Manchester derby for the first time, but Moyes can at least draw on an impressive recent record against City.

In his last six seasons as Everton manager, the Scot led his side to victory over City in nine out of 12 games, including four consecutive successes between 2009 and 2011.

Moyes can also draw solace from the fact that the trip to the Etihad Stadium marks the end of a fiendish opening run of fixtures that he complained about at the beginning of the campaign.

“We’ve had the hardest start of all the top clubs in the Premier League so we had to make sure after these games we had a decent points total,” said Moyes.

“After the City game we’ll have played two or three of our biggest rivals and they’ll probably have each other to play at different times.”

United produced perhaps their most impressive display of Moyes’s short

tenure in mid-week, beating Bayer Leverkusen 4-2 at Old Trafford to take control of Champions League Group A. Moyes has challenged Wayne Rooney to “keep getting better”, after he became only the fourth player to score 200 goals for United with a brace against Leverkusen.

He also admitted he was thrilled to be working again with a player who he

remain sidelined.

City saw captain Vincent Kompany emerge unscathed from Tuesday’s 3-0 win away to Viktoria Pilsen in the Champions League, in the Belgian centre-back’s first game since overcoming a groin injury.

Pellegrini also hopes to be able to call upon defender Micah Richards and Spanish playmaker David Silva, after

Napoli look to tighten Serie A grip n AFP, Milan

tipped the balance of the title race in United’s favour last season.

The teams go into Sunday’s game level on points, but Pellegrini says he has not paid too much attention to United’s early-season form.

“It’s not my duty to analyse how they start. It is a very good team and David Moyes is a very good manager,” said the Chilean.

“I think they have a lot of great players. Rooney of course is one of them, but we must not only attend to Rooney but all the big players they have.”

Another manager buoyed by midweek European success was Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger, whose side won 2-1 at

Fixtures Arsenal Cardiff City Crystal Palace Man City

David Moyes and Manuel Pellegrini face-off with their new clubs today first blooded as a teenager during the early days of his Everton reign.

“Have I missed him?” Moyes asked.

“At the time when he left (2004) I wasn’t too sure, but now I am with him I certainly have, because he is some player.

“If I had had him at Everton, on several occasions at different times, undoubtedly we would have finished in a much higher position.”

With Danny Welbeck struggling with a knee injury, Shinji Kagawa will hope to hold onto his place on United’s left flank, while defenders Phil Jones (ankle) and Rafael da Silva (hamstring)

both players returned to full training following spells on the sidelines.

“Richards is working normally with the whole squad, same thing for David Silva, and (Gael) Clichy starts now,” said the City manager.

“Maybe he will not be ready for next Sunday, but all the other players, except (Martin) Demichelis, are fit, no problems.”

The Etihad Stadium fixture has proved pivotal in the last two seasons, with a goal from Kompany setting City en route to the title in 2012 before Robin van Persie’s injury-time free-kick

v v v v

Stoke City Tottenham Swansea City Man United

Marseille in the Champions League to record a 10th consecutive away success in all competitions.

Wenger is expected to hand a home debut to record signing Mesut Ozil against Stoke City on Saturday, when Arsenal will be chasing a sixth straight victory.

Tottenham Hotspur, who opened their Europa League campaign against Norwegian side Tromso on Thursday, visit promoted Cardiff City on Sunday.

Beaten 1-0 by Arsenal prior to the international break, Spurs won 2-0 at home to Norwich City last weekend and Gylfi Sigurdsson, who scored both goals in that game, says the club’s seven new signings are starting to bed in.

“The first game when everyone was in was a bit quiet, but we’re back to normal now,” said the Icelandic midfielder.

“Everyone knows each other and it’s a good and positive dressing room.

There are quite a few jokers.” l

Fired-up Napoli are looking to build on their impressive start to the season under Rafael Benitez with a win at ailing AC Milan on Sunday that would tighten their grip on Serie A. Benitez’s side returned to the Champions League group stages for the first time since their only other appearance, in 2012, on Wednesday and ran out 2-1 winners over 10-man Borussia Dortmund, last year’s beaten finalists.

Napoli share the lead of Italy’s top flight with AS Roma, who will go top if they secure at least a draw in the derby against Lazio in Sunday’s evening game.

But after their runner-up place behind Juventus last season, many feel Napoli can claim a first title since their second scudetto in 1990 when Diego Maradona still played at the club.

The Neapolitans undoubtedly benefited on Wednesday after Dortmund had goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller red-carded on the stroke of half-time at the San Paolo.

But with three wins in as many league games and after their lightning start in Europe, the signs so far suggest forwards Gonzalo Higuain, Lorenzo Insigne, Jose Callejon, Goran Pandev and the league’s top scorer, Marek Hamsik, are blossoming under Benitez.

Higuain, who opened the scoring just before the half hour, seems reborn since he joined Napoli following an unhappy spell at Real Madrid and suggested Benitez should be credited.

“We have a great team, a great coach and I hope we can go on like this,” the Argentine told Sky Sport Italia.

“A striker likes to feel he is important and know he has the faith of the coach.”

Although AC Milan ran out 2-0 winners over Celtic, the Rossoneri failed to convince against the Scottish champions, who dominated for long spells in the second half.

Milan only broke the deadlock in

the 82nd minute when Celtic defender Emilio Izaguirre deflected a Cristian Zapata shot past his own goalkeeper, with Sulley Muntari providing the winner from a rebound minutes later.

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri was quick to turn his attention to Sunday when he will still be without a host of first team regulars.

Having claimed just one win in their last three league games, Allegri can only look at Napoli in admiration: “Compliments to Benitez. In two months he’s created a strong team which is tactically versatile.

“For us it will be a difficult game. But we still have some fresh legs, and plenty of enthusiasm.”

With only mid-table games being

Fixtures Sassuolo Atalanta Bologna Catania Juventus Roma Milan

v v v v v v v

Inter Fiorentina Torino Parma Verona Lazio Napoli

played on Saturday, all eyes will be on Inter, Fiorentina and Juventus who sit two points adrift of Napoli and Roma and could go top in the event of victory.

Inter, a disappointing ninth last year, have enjoyed a positive start under former Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri and will expect three points when they visit promoted Sassuolo, who prop up the table after three defeats and just one goal.

Juventus will be expecting the same return when they host Verona in Turin, where midfielder Claudio Marchisio could return from a knee injury suffered in the Italian Super Cup final triumph over Lazio last month.

Fiorentina, held 1-1 at home to Cagliari last week, face a potential banana skin when they travel to Atalanta without injured striker Mario Gomez and midfielder Juan Cuadrado.l

Bale set for Bernabeu bow n AFP, Madrid

Gareth Bale will get his first taste of action at the Santiago Bernabeu as a Real Madrid player on Sunday when Los Blancos host struggling Getafe.

The Welshman started and scored in his debut away to Villarreal last weekend, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Madrid dropping their first points of the season in a 2-2 draw.

Bale then started from the bench as Carlo Ancelotti’s men destroyed Galatasaray 6-1 in their Champions League opener in midweek, thanks in large part to a 23rd career hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo. And whilst he is still someway off being fully match fit after missing the majority of pre-season, Bale believes his fitness is improving all the time.

“It was great to play a little bit on

Tuesday to improve my physical condition,” he said.

“I haven’t had a pre-season so that hasn’t helped me as I couldn’t play at all during the summer. Now I am trying to be in the best shape as soon as possible. I need to keep working hard

Fixtures Real Betis Celta Vigo Real Madrid Valencia

v v v v

Granada Villarreal Getafe Sevilla

in training and in the matches.”

There has been much conjecture as to how compatible Bale and Ronaldo will be in the same side, but Getafe defender Sergio Escudero has admitted that should they play to their potential, there is almost no way to stop the dynamic duo.

Mourinho wants Mata to adapt n AFP, London

Juan Mata’s status at Chelsea appears increasingly fragile after manager Jose Mourinho declared that Brazilian Oscar was now his number one playmaker.

Spanish midfielder Mata was voted Chelsea’s player of the season in his first two campaigns at Stamford Bridge but he has lost his place in the side since Mourinho returned from Real Madrid during the close season.

The 25-year-old has made only three appearances so far this season, for a total playing time of 145 minutes, and Mourinho says he must adapt if he wants to force his way back into the team.

“It’s part of a process with him,” Mourinho said.

“One thing is to play with Ramires and Oscar in the side, them closing

(down) each side, and Mata as a number 10 behind a striker, to have clever assists and to have clever passes; fantastic actions because he has great talent.

“Another thing is to adapt to the way we want to play. In this moment, Oscar is my number 10 and, if somebody tells me that Oscar is not Chelsea’s best player since the beginning of the season, I’d have to disagree.

“I want to build with Oscar as my number 10. I want the other two players, from the sides, to adapt to that reality and to learn how to do things that they were not ready to do before.”

Mourinho refused to elaborate on his reasons for omitting Mata but suggested he was dissatisfied with his displays in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Everton and the shock 2-1 loss at home to Basel in the Champions League on Wednesday. l

“We know that they are two of the best players in the world,” he told Madrid sports daily AS. “Therefore, we have to be very concentrated and aware of their movements. If they have a good day, as they usually do, there is no plan that will stop them.

“The most important thing for us is to start well. At any moment they can hurt you so we have to be alert, run a lot and stop them in whatever we can.”

No more than a bruise Ancelotti may be able to name Fabio Coentrao at left-back for the first time this season as the Portuguese international has recovered from a slight muscle injury so Alvaro Arbeloa is expected to move across to right-back.

Goalkeeper Iker Casillas could also take his place on the bench after scans showed the rib injury he suffered against Galatasaray was no more than a bruise. l

Rooney had ‘gone soft’, says Moyes n AFP, London

Manchester United manager David Moyes has revealed that he thought star striker Wayne Rooney had “gone soft” when he first arrived at the club.

Rooney was linked with a move to Chelsea throughout the close season and although he reportedly returned for pre-season training in excellent condition, Moyes was worried he had lost his competitive edge.

“When I came, I thought he had gone a bit soft,” Moyes told United’s in-house television station, MUTV. “I thought he had to get back to being a bit more aggressive. We are challenging him to be that at the moment because when he is, he is a handful to play against.”

Injuries also disrupted Rooney’s preparations for the new campaign but since returning from a facial injury sustained before the international break, he has scored three goals in two games.

Although Moyes says there was never a chance of Rooney leaving Old Trafford, he felt a need to encourage the 27-yearold England striker to raise his game.

“I didn’t think there was ever a line to draw under between me and Wayne but now he realises the situation,” said the former Everton manager.

“This is a big year for him with the World Cup and he would say, by his standards, last season wasn’t (his) best season. He has set out his own stall to say he is going to improve on that.” l

Paris Saint-Germain's Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (L) and teammate Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani take part in a training session at the Camp des Loges, the PSG football club training centre in Saint-Germain-en-Laye on Friday AFP

France await battle of billionaires n AFP, Paris

The first clash of two of Europe’s newest financial heavyweights is set to indicate who has the early edge in France when champions Paris Saint-Germain host Monaco at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.

Both teams spent heavily in the offseason with Qatari-backed PSG going cheque-book to cheque-book against the Russian-backed Principality outfit in a billionaires’ battle for the game’s most coveted players.

PSG coach Laurent Blanc welcomed Uruguayan Edinson Cavani from Napoli

where he was Italy’s top scorer last season, in the sixth highest transfer deal of all time at some 64 million euros.

While Monaco stunned the European football world when they captured the

Fixtures Lorient v Bordeaux Lyon v Nantes PSG v Monaco highly-rated Colombian Radamel Falcao for 60 million euros from Atletico Madrid.

Falcao was not the only recruit brought in by Italian coach Claudio Ranieri who also splashed out on big money deals to bring in James Rodriguez, Joao

Moutinho and Geoffrey Kondogbia, while captain Eric Abidal was picked up on a free from Barcelona.

Both teams are off to unbeaten starts although Monaco come into the match one point clear of Saint-Etienne while PSG are two points back but starting to change gears after an eye-catching 4-1 win over Olympiakos in midweek gave their Champions League quest a dream start.

“Obviously we are getting stronger and physically we have taken it to a higher level now,” said Blanc, the former Bordeaux and France coach.

“We are going to prepare meticulously for this match against a very good team in very good form,” added the 47-year-old.l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

15

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Quick Bytes

School handball rolls into semis

Narinda High School, Play Pen, Sunnydale and St Gregory’s school reached the semifinals of the boys’ event of the Polar Ice Cream 21st School Handball Tournament yesterday. Narinda will take on Play Pen in the day’s first semifinal while Sunnydale and St Gregory’s will lock horns in the second semi today.

Meanwhile in the girls’ event, Scholastica, Dhanmondi Tutorial, Sunnydale and Viqarunnisa Noon School confirmed their berth in the last four after posting victories yesterday. Scholastica will face Dhanmondi Tutorial while Sunnydale will play Viqarunnisa in the semifinals.

The final will also be held today at the national handball stadium.

-SH

Niaz held to draw on opening day Defending champion Grandmaster Niaz Murshed started the Berger Paints 39th National ‘A’ Chess Championship with a draw against Fide Master Kh Aminul Islam in the opening day of the meet yesterday. Niaz of Dhaka Mohammedan played with white pieces against Ansar’s Aminul Islam who managed to earn the draw at the 17th moves at the Media Centre of Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA). Shafiq Ahmed of Golden Chess Club beat Fide Master Mohammad Javed of Access Group. Shafiq played with black pieces with Sicilian defense and won after 34 moves.

Earlier, president of Bangladesh Chess Federation and Commerce Minister Ghulam Mohammed Quader presided the opening occasion while Syed Shahed Reza, secretary general of Bangladesh Olympic Association, inaugurated the meet as chief guest. The event is being held in round-robin league system. A total of 14 players including four GMs, two International Masters, five Fide Masters and three rated players are participating.

-SH

BCB chalk out home series itinerary The Bangladesh Cricket Board cricket operation department has chalked down the itinerary for the home series against Sri Lanka in January. In a meeting yesterday the schedule for the two Tests, two Twenty20s and three ODI games were locked down. It was learnt that the itinerary has been mailed to the Sri Lanka Cricket for their confirmation.

Team Sri Lanka is expected to reach Dhaka on January 26. The bilateral series will begin with the two- match Test series followed by the three-match T20 series. Usually the Test series is followed by the ODI, but the BCB has put the three-match ODI series at the end as it will aid both the teams in the Asia Cup scheduled to begin on February 24.

“We have sketched the draft dates of the tour. We will forward it to Sri Lanka Cricket and wait for their confirmation,” informed BCB ad-hoc committee member Jalal Younus. It was also decided in the meeting that the first two ODI’s against New Zealand in October will be played under the lights at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on October 29 and 31.

-MUK

Marshall killed in Sepang crash A race marshall died Saturday after being hit by a motorbike at the Sepang circuit, weeks before the Malaysian MotoGP and two years after Italian Marco Simoncelli was killed. Round three of the Malaysian Super Series Bikes was cancelled, according to a statement from the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), after marshall Satish Suppiah was killed during a practice session. “Upon impact from the incident, the marshall was immediately treated on track by our medical team and later rushed to Putrajaya Hospital. Unfortunately, he succumbed to the serious injuries,” it said. SIC chief executive Razlan Razali told AFP the marshall was hit by a motorbike.

– AFP

Day’s Watch ESPN Barclays Premier League LIVE 6:20pm Arsenal v Stoke City 8:50pm Manchester City v Man United 12:00am NASCAR Series 2013 LIVE Star Sports 8:20pm 2013 CLT 20 LIVE Chennai Super Kings v Titans 12:40am AC Milan v Napoli Ten Action 8:55pm French Ligue 1 2013/14 LIVE Lyon v Nantes

Southampton's Dejan Lovren (2R) celebrates after scoring during their English Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield in Liverpool, northern England yesterday

REUTERS

Saints stun Reds, Baines spares Everton n AFP, London Premier League leaders Liverpool crashed to their first defeat of the season at home to Southampton on Saturday, while Everton enjoyed a stirring 3-2 win at West Ham United.

Liverpool were without injured playmaker Philippe Coutinho, sidelined by a shoulder problem, but they came close to taking the lead in the first half at Anfield when visiting goalkeeper Artur Boruc produced a full-stretch save to keep out a Steven Gerrard freekick.

Daniel Sturridge then had a penalty appeal turned down after tangling with Dejan Lovren, and it was Lovren who broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute with a back-post header from a leftwing corner.

Only a fine triple save from Simon Mignolet prevented Southampton

from adding to their lead, but Lovren’s goal proved enough to inflict a first league defeat on Liverpool since a 3-1 loss to the same side last March.

Liverpool will lose their grip on first place if Chelsea win at home to Fulham later on Saturday, while Everton now trail their city rivals by only a point after Romelu Lukaku scored on his debut to settle a thrilling game at Upton Park and help preserve the last unbeaten record in the division.

West Ham twice took the lead, via a deflected shot from Ravel Morrison and a Mark Noble penalty, only for Leighton Baines to level on each occasion with a pair of sensational freekicks from 25 yards.

Noble was then sent off for a rash foul on Ross Barkley before Lukaku bravely headed home an 85th-minute winner in his first game since signing on loan from Chelsea.

Another on-loan striker, Loic Remy,

scored twice on his first home start for Newcastle United, but the Frenchman still finished on the losing side in a 3-2 defeat by Hull City.

His 10th-minute header was cancelled out by Robbie Brady, who teed up Ahmed Elmohamady for a second equaliser early in the second period after Remy had curled home a second goal on the cusp of half-time.

Sone Aluko settled the match in memorable fashion with 14 minutes remaining, meeting George Boyd’s leftwing cross with a sumptuous volley that crashed into the net off the righthand upright.

Stephane Sessegnon came back to haunt his former club Sunderland by scoring the opening goal in a 3-0 win on his debut for new side West Bromwich Albion.

A deadline-day signing from Sunderland, the Benin midfielder pounced in the 20th minute, before late goals from Liam Ridgewell and Morgan

Amalfitano completed victory.

Sunderland remain rooted to the foot of the table and manager Paolo Di Canio’s misery was compounded when striker Steven Fletcher appeared to dislocate his shoulder.

Earlier, Aston Villa lost key striker Christian Benteke to injury but still managed to snap a three-game losing streak with a 1-0 win at Norwich City.

Last season’s top scorer with 19 goals, Benteke limped off with an injury during the first half but his replacement, Libor Kozak, tapped in the game’s only goal within two minutes of coming on.

Villa manager Lambert played down Benteke’s injury, saying: “The medical staff reckon it’s his hip flexor. Hopefully it’s not too bad. But Libor Kozak came on and scored within 90 seconds, which shows he’ll endear himself to the crowd.”

Manchester United visit Manchester

Results Norwich

0-1

Liverpool

0-1

Newcastle Remy 10, 44

2-3

West Brom

3-0

West Ham Morrison 31, Noble 76-pen

2-3

Aston Villa Kozak 30 Southampton Lovren 53 Hull Brady 26, Elmohamady 48, Aluko 76 Sunderland Sessegnon 20, Ridgewell 76, Amalfitano 90 Everton Baines 62, 83, Lukaku 85

City on Sunday in the season’s first Manchester derby, when both City manager Manuel Pellegrini and his United counterpart David Moyes will be sampling the fixture for the first time. l

Umpire Rauf charged in IPL betting scandal n Reuters, Mumbai Pakistan umpire Asad Rauf and the son-in-law of the Indian cricket board’s (BCCI) president were charged by Mumbai Police on Saturday in a betting scandal surrounding the Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament.

Gurunath Meiyappan, son-in-law of BCCI president N. Srinivasan, was arrested in May after being quizzed by police probing illegal betting on the Twenty20 league.

A total of 22 people have been charged for gambling, cheating and fraud, the police said.

“The chargesheet runs into 11,609 pages and was submitted in the honourable court this afternoon,” Himanshu Roy, joint commissioner of Mumbai Police, told reporters in Mumbai.

The 57-year-old Rauf, who has officiated 48 tests and 98 one-day internationals, was removed from the Champions Trophy panel in May by the International Cricket Council following reports of his involvement in the scandal.

The BCCI last week banned former India fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth and another player for life on spot-fixing charges.

BCCI chief Srinivasan has distanced himself from Meiyappan, who was a top official with the IPL’s Chennai franchise.

“This is a matter for Mr Gurunath Meiyappan to deal with. If he is chargesheeted, the law will take it own course,” Srinivasan told reporters in Chennai. “It is up to him to defend his position, it has got nothing to do with me.” l

Scorching Vettel stays fastest in Singapore n AFP, Singapore Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel again left his competitors for dust as he set a blistering time in the Singapore Grand Prix’s final free practice session on Saturday.

The three-time defending world champion, who is threatening to turn the rest of this season into a parade, timed 1min 44.173sec as the sun set over the Marina Bay street circuit.

Vettel, also quickest in the second practice session on Friday, was 0.191 sec ahead of Lotus’s Romain Grosjean, with Mercedes’s Nico Rosberg third and Red Bull’s Mark Webber fourth.

Lewis Hamilton was fifth for Mercedes with Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, second in the standings but struggling to keep up with Vettel, sixth.

Paul Di Resta span into reverse early in the session and Esteban Gutierrez fought to hold on to a big lock-up

heading into the sharp right-hander at turn 14.

Daniel Ricciardo, headed from Toro Rosso to table-topping Red Bull in the close season, struggled with brake problems and also locked up in the first half-hour.

Hamilton went streaking to the top of the time charts as the fast laps started around the half-hour mark, but the 2008 world champion was soon overhauled by the retirement-bound Webber.

Grosjean leapt to the front of the pack as teams switched to the faster, super-soft tyres in the final minutes, timing 144:364 in his Lotus.

But the session-leading time was quickly erased by the thunderous lap from Vettel, who has won the last two Singapore races and was also victorious in the previous two grands prix this season. l

Nottinghamshire’s Samit Patel celebrates after picking up a wicket against Glamorgan during the YB40 final at Lord’s yesterday

Patel spins Notts to final win after Hussey heroics n AFP, London Samit Patel took three wickets after Australia’s David Hussey starred with the bat in Nottinghamshire’s 87-run win over Glamorgan in English county cricket’s 40-over final at Lord’s on Saturday.

Left-arm spinner Patel, bidding for an England recall ahead of Monday’s squad announcement for the tour of Australia, took three wickets for 21 runs to spark a collapse from which Glamorgan, chasing 245 for victory, never recovered.

England fast bowler Stuart Broad, on a ground where he’s enjoyed so much international success, then took three wickets in six balls to end the match with seven overs remaining as Welsh county Glamorgan were dismissed for 157.

Earlier Hussey, dropped on three, made 42 and shared a fifth-wicket stand of 99 with Nottinghamshire captain Chris Read after the Midlands side – whose team featured nine internationals including Broad’s fellow Asheswinner Graeme Swann – had slumped to 90 for four.

Brief Score Nottinghamshire 244-8, 40 overs (C Read 53) Glamorgan 157 all out, 33 overs (S Patel 3-21, S Broad 3-29, A Shahzad 3-33) Result: Nottinghamshire won by 87 runs Former England wicketkeeper Read top-scored with a run-a-ball 53 in Nottinghamshire’s total of 244 for eight before he holed out off uncapped Australian medium-pacer Michael Hogan.

Simon Jones took two wickets for 36 runs in his maximum eight overs in what was set to be the injury-hit 2005 Ashes winner’s final appearance before the ex-England paceman becomes a Twenty20 specialist.

Glamorgan, who’ve now lost all three of their Lord’s finals, were making steady progress when man-of-thematch Patel’s purple patch of three wickets for four runs in nine balls reduced them to 118 for five.

Patel bowled Chris Cooke for 46 with an excellent delivery that spun sharply to hit the top of off-stump before a similar ball accounted for Australia-born but England qualified all-rounder Jim Allenby (34). Former Zimbabwe batsman Murray Goodwin was then lbw to Patel on the sweep and there was no way back for Glamorgan. l

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Sunday, September 22, 2013

Nepotism widespread in Probashi Kallyan Bank n Rabiul Islam Corruption is endemic in the Probashi Kallyan Bank while nepotism is an old story in the specialised government bank set up to deliver services to the migrants, officials said, seeking anonymity.

Since its establishment on April 20, 2011 with Tk950m from the Wage Earners’ Welfare Fund and only Tk50m from the government exchequer, the bank failed to run commercially.

A section of the Probashi Kallyan Bank (PKB) officials expressed concern that the bank became unsuccessful not only to lend money to the overseas job seekers but also to bring remittance home from migrants.

From April 2011 to August 2013, the bank provided loans for only 2,500 people to go abroad while less than 100 returnees received rehabilitation loans.

During the same period, around 1.3 million people migrated to different countries, according to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training.

The officials said the bank provides a loan of only Tk84,000 to a job seeker while a job seeker has to spend Tk2,00,000 to Tk3,00,000 to go abroad.

Lack of skilled manpower with banking experience has been attributed to the failure of the bank which came into being for relieving overseas job seekers of sale of their property or borrowing to repay the moneylenders debt.

Instead of enhancing its capacity, the PKB authorities without any advertisement have recruited less qualified persons allegedly in exchange of bribe.

Relatives close to high officials and board members have also been given appointments.

Sources at the bank said a total of 121 people have been recruited while more than 100, mostly students, are now working at the bank as interns.

Of the 121 employees, many possess 3rd classes in their academic career.

As per the rule, a job seeker with 3rd class cannot apply for the post of an officer in the bank, but the authorities hired many with 3rd class degrees in their academic standing violating the rules and regulations.

If a new organisation has no service rule, it is to follow the service rules of a similar organisation.

Despite having one 3rd class, A PKB

employee Syed Mehedi Hasan has been recruited, and he is now working in Barisal branch of the bank.

Another employee – Rangalal Bala – with a similar result is now working in the bank’s principal branch.

Atiqur Rahman also falls in the same category and works at the Barisal branch.

Seeking anonymity, a PKB employee said he got the job in exchange of a bribe.

The employee said he was supposed to pay Tk2,00,000 for getting the job in the post of a junior officer, but he paid only Tk35,000 as he was not given the post he wanted.

The employee alleged that he was still being pressurized to pay the rest of the amount.

Another employee working in the bank’s Khulna branch said he got the job paying a bribe of Tk200,000.

He said he had not given the money, but his brother “managed” it.

About 100 people are working in the bank as interns. Of them, 45 are students who are working as junior executives.

Nusrat Jahan has passed merely HSC and is now working as junior executive while Mahfuzur Rahman, an HSC, is a junior executive officer.

Sources said PKB branches in Bogra, Sirajganj, Hathazari, Cox’s Bazar are being run mostly by interns having no minimum required experience.

Probashi Kallyan Bank opened its principal branch and Rangamati branch without the permission of Bangladesh Bank.

PKB Chairman and Expat Welfare Secretary Zafar Ahmed Khan said: “I don’t know everything of what had happened.”

“I will take steps if rules are violated in the bank,” Zafar told the Dhaka Tribune on Friday.

But PKB Managing Director CM Koyes Sami defended the recruitment process of the bank.

“As a new bank we have to do many things at the outset, but next time the jobs seekers have to sit for recruitment tests,” he told the Dhaka Tribune Thursday.

“We cannot run the bank commercially as it requires Bangladesh Bank permission which we are trying for,” said Koyes Sami who was the chief executive of Oriental Bank that collapsed due to mounting bad debt. l

Thousands gathered on the banks of the Meghna River while others rented boats to enjoy a traditional boat race in which 45 teams from Kishoreganj, Brahmanbaria, Habiganj and other districts took part in Narsingdi, yesterday. Story on Page 6 DHAKA TRIBUNE

DBBL helps support 4,057 students to fulfill their dreams n Syed Samiul Basher Anik The audience was left stunned when Rokeya Sultana, a physically challenged girl hailing from Joypurhat, disclosed the tale of her hardship and determination to continue her studies despite chokes of poverty and social impediments.

“I come from a family with six members. My father is a farmer and my mother is a housewife,” said Rokeya, a current student of Begum Badrunnesa Govt Girls’ College in Dhaka.

“When I was a child, once my parents took me to a local school because I kept asking them for getting me admitted. However, after reaching there, they found the admission fees to be out of their capacity,” continued Rokeya.

“People in my neighborhood used to humiliate me by saying, ‘You are a blind girl, how would you study? Education is not for you, rather you get a plate and start begging on the streets’,” Rokeya was reminiscing her past at a scholarship awards ceremony of Dutch Bangla Bank Limited at the Shaheed

Rokeya Sultana receives scholarship from Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday

Suhrawardi Indoor Stadium in the capital yesterday.

“But, I did not lose hope. I started learning the basics from my maternal aunt, who later admitted me to a special school for physically challenged people,” she said.

She said her parents had been a great support to her and she dreams of pursuing higher studies at the University of Dhaka.

“I wish to obtain a foreign degree. If I become that privileged, then I would return to my country and do something for the ultra-poor community here”, she continued.

Rokeya is one of the 4057 students whom DBBL awarded yesterday with annual scholarships of Tk27,500 each.

These students have passed SSC and equivalent exams this year and are studying HSC and equivalent in different colleges around the country.

The bank plans to disburse Tk1.02bn to 30,000 students by 2016 through the scholarship programme.

Under this scholarship, each of the students will get the stipend yearly and will be subjected to renewal for next academic year depending on their first year’s academic results.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith, the chief guest of the ceremony, handed over the scholarship awarding letters

Dhaka flags reservations about sexual orientation and LGBT rights n Shahariar Zaman Bangladesh accepted the Asian and Pacific Declaration on Population and Development, with certain reservations about issues such as gay rights that are too contentious to be endorsed.

“We could not accept some of the clauses in the declaration and we flagged our reservations. But otherwise, we accepted the declaration,” Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

The declaration was made at the Sixth Asian and Pacific Population Conference (APPC), which concluded in Bangkok on Friday.

The foreign secretary said: “We raised our reservations on all issues

related to sexual orientation. We followed the stand we took during the UPR [Universal Periodic Review].”

Bangladesh was however not very well prepared and not a single inter-ministerial meeting was held before the APPC. On the day the conference started, Secretary of Health MM Niazuddin, who was to lead the team for the Senior Officials’ Meeting, left Bangkok.

AK Abdul Momen, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN, recently told the Dhaka Tribune that the issues could not be accepted by Bangladesh as “they are against our social norms.”

He said the UNFPA had “tried to sell the idea” of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) rights, but Bangladesh opposed it. It also does not

support matters related to extramarital sex, said Ambassador Momen, and therefore the idea of adopting comprehensive sex education “would not be possible in Bangladesh.”

The foreign secretary said these issues would not be discussed at the 68th UN General Assembly that started on September 17, but would come up next year at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) meeting.

He said: “The issue will be discussed throughout next year.”

The secretary declined to comment when asked about the UNFPA briefing note for the Bangladesh delegation.

The UNFPA’s note on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) sug-

gested that the Bangladeshi delegation should “refrain from voting against any motions in favour of services for LGBT.” A government official said the lack of preparation and coordination put the team from Bangladesh in an awkward situation at the negotiation table, because UNFPA had covered the team’s expenses.

There was also pressure from the civil society group (CSO), whose representative was part of the delegation, said the official.

In a joint statement CSO said: “We would like to applaud that a majority of the member states reached a strong consensus on a number of key issues that include sexual rights, sexual orientation and gender identities...”

One official with sufficient experience on the subject said though SOGI deals with LGBT rights, but the words “gays or lesbians” are never included in the main text instead “sugar-coated” terms are used.

He cited an example when in 2011 Bangladesh voted against a Human Rights Council resolution that said: “...expressing grave concern at acts of violence and discrimination in all regions of the world [that are] committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.”

He added: “The battle is over but not the war. We have to fight to protect our position throughout the process of negotiation until 2014 and in the years ahead.” l

Sri Lankan Tamils vote amid charges of intimidation n Reuters, Jaffna, Sri Lanka Voters in Sri Lanka thronged polling stations on Saturday in an election that threatens to rekindle animosity between the government and ethnic minority Tamils, four years after the military crushed separatists and ended a 26-year war.

The provincial council election is the first in 25 years in the north, once the heartland of Tamil Tiger separatists.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government held the poll after facing international pressure to restore democracy.

Defeat for the government would be largely symbolic. But victory for the main Tamil party, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), could reignite calls for autonomy.

Long queues of patient voters formed at polling stations, most with

a holy ash mark on their foreheads, a sign they had attended prayers at Hindu temples.

Many voters called for restitution of land, the departure of the national army, accused of human rights abuses in the final stages of the war, and some even for a separate state.

Many were clearly keen to elect their own local leaders - 38 provincial councilors - for the first time in three decades. But some candidates complained of intimidation and irregularities.

“Tamils need independence. We need our lands back. We need the right to move freely,” said Gopalasuthanthiran Pushpavathi, a 51-year mother of four, after voting at a polling station behind the imposing Nallur Temple.

“I am happy that we have six votes in my family and we cast the votes with

the hope of getting a separate province that is ruled by ourselves,” said Kandiah Thiyagarajah, 63.

Polling closed at 1030 GMT and local election monitors said a vehicle of a TNA candidate was reported to have been shot at in Kodikamam, 25 km from Jaffna town. Election officials said they received “plenty of complaints”, including intimidation of voters.

N. Achchuthan, the deputy election high commissioner for the Northern Province, told Reuters voter turnout was estimated at above 60 percent, or more than double the 23.3% of the last parliamentary election, held in April 2010.

Turnout in the other four districts including the Tamil Tiger rebels’ de facto capital, Kilinochchi, has been more than 60 percent.

The Centre for Monitoring Election

Violations (CMEV) said the house of a TNA polling agent was burnt and some voters were intimidated in Mullaitivu district, where thousands of Tamil people were said to have killed in May 2009.

“Specific incidents where voters have been intimidated, allegedly by ruling party politicians and the military, have resulted in fear among voters in these locations,” the Centre said.

The military rejects any suggestion of involvement by the security forces in violence of any sort.

A foreign observer said polling went off well in polling centres in Jaffna.

“But there have been many cases of intimidation reported outside the polling centres,” the observer told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Many expect an overwhelming victory for the TNA, the former polit-

ical proxy of the defeated rebels, who launched the war for a separate state to end what Tamil activists saw as systematic discrimination by Sri Lanka’s Sinhalese majority.

Rajapaksa has a majority of more than two-thirds in parliament and controls the eight other provinces. He appears determined to win in the north, where campaign posters for the ruling coalition plastered the walls.

The president has faced international pressure to bring to book those accused of war crimes committed at the end of the war, and to boost reconciliation efforts.

His government has rejected accusations of rights abuses and Rajapaksa in July ordered an inquiry into mass disappearances, mostly of Tamils, at the end of the war. l

to the recipients.

The minister thanked the Chairman of Dutch Bangla Bank Foundation M Shahabuddin Ahmed for taking up the unprecedented initiative.

He said: “Aiming to do something for the society, Mr Shahabuddin has initiated the project for the poor and meritorious students of the country. I thank to him and his board of directors for not taking any dividends from the bank. Therefore, the money could be used in the scholarship programme.”

He appreciated DBBL’s continuous efforts for the welfare of society and termed the scholarship programme “a unique example of helping the needy but meritorious students.”

“Including today’s event, which is the seventh phase of the scholarship programme, the bank has awarded a total of 18,894 students so far and it deserves a huge round of applause for that,” Muhith said.

Sayem Ahmed, chairman of the executive committee of the bank, said: “90% of the scholarship is disbursed among students coming from rural areas while at least 50% of it is allotted to the female students.”

The Dutch ambassador to Bangladesh Gerben De Jong and Managing Director of DBBL KS Tabrez spoke on the occasion. l

‘Minister has secured a place in heaven’

n Mushfique Wadud A group of Aliya madrasa teachers, overwhelmed by the government’s move to pass the Islamic Arabic University Bill in parliament, said yesterday that Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid had already secured a place in heaven because he had taken the initiative to table the bill.

“You have managed a place in heaven by your contribution in passing the law on Islamic Arabic University,” said Sabbir Ahmed Momtazi, general secretary of Bangladesh Jamiatul Mudarresin (BJM), one of the two Aliya madrasa teachers’ platforms in the country.

He was speaking at a prayer meeting held on the occasion of the law being enacted, where the education minister was also present.

Momtazi said by passing the bill this government had fulfilled a demand the madrasa teachers had wanted for over the last 92 years.

BJM President AMM Bahauddin said: “The Alem [religious leaders] community will always be with Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, whether he is in government or the opposition because he contributed to pass the law, in spite of anti-Islamic forces conspiring.”

He added that he had spoken to the Saudi Arabian ambassador who had assured him of financial support for the proposed university.

The education minister said the government passed the law because they “want to modernise education in madrasas,” and assured everyone that the university’s activities would start soon.

Parliament on September 18 passed the Islamic Arabic University Bill, 2013 to promote higher education in Islamic knowledge. l

Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed at Romask Limited, 184, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1215. Editorial, News & Commercial Office: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207.

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Continue to the Business section...

Business

B2 Japan to invest in health tech

B3 Huge crowd outperform NBR services

sunday, september 22, 2013

Business www.dhakatribune.com/business

Banglalink looks beyond 3G services CEO expects people to experience comfort of data use n Muhammad Zahidul Islam Mobile phone operator Banglalink is planning to offer two-step beyond the 3G services, aimed at giving its customers the comfort of using data.

The second largest in the country, the operator is expecting to bring a revolution in data market as it was waiting for launching HSPA+ (High-Speed Packet Access) service, a high level of 3G network, within a very short period of time.

“HSPA+ is a two-step beyond of 3G service, which can give the customers comfort to use data experience,” Ziad Satara, managing director and chief executive officer of Banglalink told the Dhaka Tribune in an exclusive interview yesterday.

He said users’ satisfaction is the last word to them and that is why they are taking highest level of preparation for marketing their products.

Banglalink also planning to educate their customers about HSPA+ and related data services through different channels like web and Facebook campaign. They also want to organise road shows to teach people about the technology.

“It is important to educate the interested customers about these services to yield success of 3G,” Satara said.

Terming Bangladesh a highly competitive market, he said: “We’ve study about what customers of this market want and what their needs. We also have different package planning for the smart handsets, tablets and laptops.”

They would offer some smart handsets,

Ziad Satara, CEO of Banglalink among others.

The CEO of the orange color operator just disclosed that their customers would be surprised at the offers while launching the services.

“We’re preparing and started the network rollout and at this position. I only can say surprise will come soon. Regarding handsets, we also have some surprise, which I am not loved to share at this position.”

He added: “No doubt the market is not ready yet. We also aware of the other market and here we need more application.”

Through different applications, they also

have big plans to contribute more to the society, especially on health, agriculture and education sectors, and also youth development. Online banking, e-commerce and e-business also have a huge chance to boost up with the 3G services.

It has also a huge scope to change the personal communication pattern with the help of the 3G technology, Satara said.

About service quality, he said they are confident about the quality and it would be better for them to see Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) tough for the quality of service.

The regulator has allowed the mobile operators to launch 4G or long-term evolution (LTE) another technology of high speed data transmission services through the 3G spectrum of 2,100 megahertz band.

“We are not planning about LTE as of now.

As the regulator is planning to hold another auction for 700 band spectrum within a year or two, we can buy spectrum on that auction.

The market is not ready for taking the LTE.” Satara said another spectrum auction is coming as the operators bought less spectrum during the 3G auction.

Banglalink received only 5 megahertz of spectrum to roll out high-speed data services through 3G technology, drawing criticism from the regulator and different sections of the industry.

It is taking 3G equipments from Huawei, a global brand Chinese vendor and investing $300m only for 3G. The operator currently have 28 million subscribers and planning to get numbers of new subscribers from the 3G. l

Income tax fair concludes today n Syed Samiul Basher Anik

The Income Tax Fair 2013 concludes today as the authorities rejected any possibility of extending the weeklong event.

This year’s event bagged a substantial amount of revenue while providing related services to the taxpayers, officials said yesterday.

The National Board of Revenue organised the fair from September 16 in Dhaka, and it has already been observed in 50 district headquarters and one day mobile fair in the three hilly districts.

The fair at seven divisional headquarters – Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Barishal and Khulna – and at the district headquarter of Jessore also concludes today.

“The fair concludes today as there is no chance for extension,” NBR second secretary Ashraful Islam told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

“There is nothing to be worried about.

Taxpayers can submit their returns within September 30 and receive regular services from the local revenue offices.”

NBR member M Bashir Uddin pointed two core reasons for not extending the annual event – firstly, the venue has already been booked by others and secondly, it has become tough to run the event simultaneously with the headquarters with same staff.

He, however, said the services, which were available at the fair will also be offered from the service centres at the zonal offices.

“We have service centres at all the divisional headquarters where this sort of services will be offered and will be provided within shortest possible time. So, there is no need to extend the fair.” l

Indian life insurer again skips licence application rules n Jebun Nesa Alo Life Insurance Corporation of India (LICI) has again applied for joint-venture licence in Bangladesh without full-filling the criteria under the insurance law.

Recently, the LICI, India’s largest insurance and investment group, was denied licence due to the same reason.

Under the Insurance Act 2010, a foreign company is allowed to hold 60% of sponsors’ portion of shares of the total paid-up capital.

But LICI, whose local partner is Pioneer Insurance Company Ltd (PICL), has submitted application with 90% of sponsors’ shares.

“LICI has failed to follow the law. We won’t give licence anyone violating rules. But we are yet to decide on the Indian company,”

Fazlul Karim, member of Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA).

If necessary, the IDRA will appoint counsel to resolve the legal issues that have arisen with the LICI’s application for licence, he added.

ments with the application.

The documents include, among others, the written agreement between the sponsors during the formation of the company, declaration of chairman, audit report on paid-up capital and the joint-venture deal.

‘LICI has failed to follow the law. We won’t give licence anyone violating rules. But we are yet to decide on the Indian company’ Fazlul Karim said there is no chance to change any information mentioned in the submitted application.

According to sources, the LICI, whose 100% stake is owned by the Indian government, has also not attached required docu-

Sources however said despite the non-fulfillment of requirements, two IDRA members are allegedly active to provide licence to LICI. A finance ministry source said the ministry is also against giving licence to LICI as the company has not followed law.

Presently, Bangladesh has 62 insurance companies- all but the MetLife Alico of the US are of local investment. Recently, the IDRA issued licences to nine new life insurance and two non-life insurance companies.

The life insurers having received licence are Mercantile Islami Life Insurance Ltd, Taiyo Summit Life Insurance Co Ltd, Sonali Life Insurance Co Ltd, NRB Global Life Insurance Co Ltd, Protective Life Insurance Co Ltd, Guardian Life Insurance Ltd, Chartered Life Insurance Co Ltd, Best Life Insurance and Zenith Islami Life Insurance Ltd. The two non-life insurers are Sikder Insurance and Sena Kalyan General Insurance.

The government is likely to issue more lincences to insurers by the end of its tenure in early next next year. l

Business Japan to invest in health tech

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

sunday, september 22, 2013

Health Minister stresses on training of doctors and technologists

n Tribune Business Desk

n Tribune Business Desk Japan has taken initiative to invest in the health sector of Bangladesh through bilateral medical technology cooperation, ultimately leading to technology transfer.

Medical Excellence JAPAN, an international investment project on health and medical technology, of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan organised a seminar in Dhaka on Friday, expressing in interest.

More than 500 radiogist, oncologist and radiology and imaging technologists from across the country participated at the seminar, said a statement yesterday.

As the first step, the establishment of an institute on radiology and imaging was announced by Noriyoshi Fukuoka, head of the team coming from Japan for this seminar and Prof. Dr. Sheikh Aleemuzzaman, the Bangladesh key person of this Japanese project.

Following the initiation of advanced training and technology transfer, further steps to establish Japanese image diagnosis centers, hospitals as well as a health city will be accomplished.

Japanese experts considered that the trained and skilled doctors and personnel are essential for introduction of cutting edge medical technology in Bangladesh.

The present day medical treatment is heavily dependent on hi-tech machines and technology. Presently, hi-tech machines such as CT scans and MRI are being brought to many hospitals in Bangladesh in spite of

Second Medical Excellence Japan Seminar in Bangladesh was held in Dhaka yesterday the fact that there is acute shortage of radiologists and technologists in this field.

Consequently, the common patients of the country are being deprived of accurate diagnosis and treatment. That is one of the reasons, why many patients prefer to go abroad for health purpose.

Addressing the seminar, Health Minister Dr Ruhal Haque stressed the need for training of doctors and technologists in medical technology sector. He said skilled manpower is the first requirement for installation of sophisticated medical devices.

“This Japanese initiative of personnel training along with investment in this sector is exemplary. Without proper training of personnel only cutting edge medical devices

cannot be operated.”

Health advisor to the Prime Minister Prof Dr Modassar Ali said mechanisation is the first step of a digital Bangladesh and the present initiative of Japan is compatible with digitalisation program of the Prime Minister and the present government.

Ambassador of Japan Shiro Sadoshima said bilateral cooperation in the medical technology field will open a new era in Japan-Bangladesh friendship. This initiative by Japan will help Bangladesh to raise its level of efficiency and skill of our people.

He stressed the need to train technologists, nurses and paramedics to attain team therapy, which is the basic norm for modern day health care. l

BBS, DAE team up to provide unified agri output data n Tribune Report Two state agencies have teamed up to estimate the country’s rice production using a unified method – a measure that is expected to help remove confusion about statistics.

Officials said the new estimate would provide data that would be more credible than the data earlier calculated separately.

Earlier, the BBS and DAE used separate methods to measure the production of rice, which often presented inconsistent statistics that raised question of credibility.

To harmonise the rice production estimates of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the government in July last year undertaken a project, assisted by the Food and Agriculture Organisations (FAO).

The project titled “Harmonisation and Dissemination of Unified Agriculture Production Statistics” was launched at a workshop at the BBS on Thursday.

“The new methodology will jointly be used in estimating rice yield and production,” said Bidhan Baral, BBS deputy director and the pro-

Kubota Corporation plans to set up plant in South Asia

ject director. “In the last season, we have already adopted the new rice crop cutting methodology for measuring boro rice production.”

FAO Representative in Bangladesh Mike Robson said estimation discrepancy raises question of creditable crop data.

Under the project, 1,600 officials of both BBS and DAE were trained on the new methodology. The two agencies also jointly conducted experimental crop cutting in Barisal and Rajshahi districts, said BBS Director of Agriculture Wing Salima Sultana.

DAE Director General Mukul Chandra Roy expected that standard crop cutting meth-

odology will facilitate getting reliable statistics on rice production and help policy planning.

“Agriculture statistics is very important to determine demand, supply, import, export and overall production planning,” he said.

Planning Minister AK Khandker said credible statistics is required for taking right action in right time to boost food production.

“Credible data is also compulsory for ensuring food security of a country.”

Statistics and Informatics Division Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman and BBS Director General Golam Mostafa Kamal also spoke on the occasion. l

Kubota Corporation, the world’s top agricultural machinery-manufacturing company, wants to make a stronger presence in Asian region through establishing a manufacturing plant in South Asia offering suitable models and prices, says a senior official.

“If such a plant is set up in the future, we’ll be able to provide suitable models at suitable prices for countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Cambodia and other countries,” Hayashi Shigeo, General Manager, Farm and Industrial Machinery Administration Department of the Corporation, told a UNB correspondent at his office in Tokyo, Japan recently.

He said they have been planning to set up a plant in any suitable country in South Asia, and they actually want to have a plant in India.

“There’ll be growing demand for agricultural machineries including modern tractors in the Asian region,” Hayashi Shigeo said.

Responding to a question, Hayashi Shigeo said it will not be possible to export machineries, especially tractors, from Japan to South Asian countries as the price will be higher.

“So, if there’s a plant, it’ll be easier to meet the demand.”

He hoped that they will be more active in the Asian region in the coming days as the agricultural sector has been going through a technological transformation.

Kenichiro Kaminishi, General Manager, Tsukuba Technical Training Center of Kubota farm and Industrial Machinery Services Ltd, said they are now exporting their products to over 50 countries in the world. “We have plants in Thailand, China and America.”

Kubota Corporation of Japan, the first agricultural machinery manufacturing company in Japan to receive the prestigious ‘Deming Award,’ for manufacturing excellence, was established in 1890 and has become an international brand leader with a focus on contributing to society by offering environmentally compatible equipment designed to improve quality of life.

The Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), as part of its programme – ‘Multi-country Observational Study Mission on Best Practices in Promoting Innovation and Productivity in Agriculture for Mass Media Practitioners’ -arranged the interaction with Kubota officials.

APO Agriculture Department Director Joselito Cruz Bernardo, APO senior officials, including Martini Abdul Aziz, Mutsumi Nojima and Mitsuo Nakamura were also present during the interaction. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

sunday, september 22, 2013

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Huge crowd strains NBR services Income tax fair concludes today n Syed Samiul Basher Anik The Income Tax Fair 2013 concludes today as the authorities rejected any possibility of extending the weeklong event.

“The fair concludes today as there is no chance for extension,” NBR second secretary Ashraful Islam told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday. “There is nothing to be worried about. Taxpayers can submit their returns within September 30 and receive regular services from the local revenue offices.”

The National Board of Revenue organised the fair from September 16 in Dhaka, and it has already been observed in 50 district headquarters and one day mobile fair in the three hilly districts.

The fair at seven divisional headquarters – Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Barishal and Khulna – and at the district headquarter of Jessore also concludes today.

NBR member M Bashir Uddin pointed two core reasons for not extending the annual event – firstly, the venue has already been booked by others and secondly, it has become tough to run the event simultaneously with the headquarters with same staff.

He, however, said the services, which were available at the fair will also be offered from the service centres at the zonal offices.

“We have service centres at all the divisional headquarters where this sort of servic-

es will be offered and will be provided within shortest possible time. So, there is no need to extend the fair.”

Meanwhile, the NBR bagged over Tk7.99bn in the last six days of the fair and expected to reach the target Tk11bn by today, an NBR official said.

Dollar mixed as Fed taper talk persists

Stocks continue to go flat

The dollar was mixed against other major currencies Friday as markets continued to digest the Federal Reserve’s surprise decision to delay tapering stimulus.

The euro, meanwhile, was under pressure ahead of Sunday’s general election in Germany, the eurozone’s economic powerhouse.

The euro bought $1.3524 around 2200 GMT, down from $1.3531 late Thursday.

The euro also weakened against the Japanese currency, trading at 134.36 yen compared with 134.57 yen the prior day.

The dollar dropped to 99.35 yen from 99.45 yen. The dollar found some support in comments by a senior Federal Reserve official opening the possibility of a stimulus cut in October, said Kathy Lien of BK Asset Management.

Speaking two days after the Federal Open Market Committee shocked markets by not reducing its $85bn a month bond buying, FOMC member James Bullard said the beginning of the “taper” could still come this year.

“It’s possible you get some data that changes the complexion of the outlook and makes the committee comfortable with a small taper in October,” he told Bloomberg television. Bullard added the FOMC decision to keep stimulus unchanged had been a “borderline” call.

“Thanks to Bullard we don’t have to wait for the Fed minutes to get a better sense of how tough the decision to maintain asset purchases this week really was,” Lien said. l

Stocks passed last week almost flat amid volatile trading, as investors preferred to book quick returns and scrip-wise swings kept investment scenario mostly volatile.

During the week that ended Thursday, the benchmark DSEX rose 20 points or 0.5% to 4,097. The DS30 Index comprising blue chips saw marginal gain on 3 or 0.2% to close at 1,513.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended marginally higher with its Selective Category Index soared 50 points or 0.7% to 7,983.

The daily average turnover value stood at Tk5.8bn, registering over 20% rise compared to Tk4.8bn in the previous week.

“Neither demand nor the supply force could strongly dominate over the week, putting the bourse flat in positive region,” said IDLC Investments its weekly market analysis.

It said investors’ preference to quick return and scrip-wise swings kept investment scenario mostly volatile.

“Fear of potential political turmoil kept confidence shaky, prompting participants to focus on short-term profit booking,” said the investments bank. Factually, it said, investors were seemed indecisive for long term positioning.

The gainers took a marginal lead over the losers as out of 298 issues traded during the week on DSE, 162 advanced, 116 declined and 16 remained unchanged.

All the major sectors ended in green except pharmaceuticals which fell 1%.

Financial institutions saw the highest

n AFP, New York

Taxpayers receiving services at a booth at the income tax fair in Dhaka

n Tribune Report

“We have received immense supports from the visitors, but we still lag behind the target. Since Sunday is the last day of the fair, we are expecting to reach our target on the last day,” he said.

During the last six days, NBR has provided services to 407,150 people, including 10,058

gain of 3%. Banks, telecommunications and, fuel and power advanced 0.76%, 0.8% and 0.7% respectively.

The top gaining sectors of the week were IT 10%, ceramics 3.7%, cement 3% and textile 2.7%.

A new issue - Fareast Finance & Investments - made its debut on DSE on Tuesday. The debut trading of the newcomer gave a mild boost to the total market turnover that crossed Tk6bn on that day and hit 14-session high value.

“Consolidation on large-cap stocks against positioning in the small-cap stocks helped close the market higher than the previous week,” said Lanka Bangla Securities in its weekly analysis.

Investors are waiting the official direction of the DSEX chart. “It’s hard to say that the chart has turned bullish, since market has been consolidating above the support level,” it said.

“Market participation expedited this week as turnover increased, though uncertainty over the political frontier kept the index volatile throughout the week,” it said.

Like the previous week, investors participated most in textile, pharmaceutical and fuel and power sectors, accounted for more than 17%, 11% and 10% respectively of the total turnover.

Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company became the week’s top turnover leader with shares worth Tk1.2bn changing hands followed by United Airways, CMC Kamal, Heidelberg Cement, GP, RN Spinning, Meghna Petroleum, Jamuna Oil, Active Fine Chemicals and Padma Oil. l

people registering for E-TINs and 57,390 people re-registering their TINs. The fair attracted huge crowd yesterday as many of them seen waiting in front of the booths in queue to file returns while many others collecting TIN forms to have a new TIN number. Many also visited the fair to manage a newly introduced hassle free E-TIN number.

However, taxpayers have complained that they could not avail of the services in a short time due to the lack of booths as compared to the number of visitors.

“I have to wait at the queue for almost an hour to submit my E-TIN re-registration form. Considering the last year’s successes, the organisers should have set more booths to facilitate the taxpayers,” Shafiqul Islam Tuhin, a taxpayer from Uttara area told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

“If I have to wait here for hours like the zone offices, why do I need to come here to file my return,” said an annoyed taxpayer.

However, the revenue officials said they are working hard and soul to serve the taxpayers, but since the numbers of visitors are very high, it takes time for them to serve.

“We have already increased 20 booths for E-TIN and have formed four booths as correction booth. We have dedicated many of our staffs here, we cannot do much better,” said an NBR official. l

Accounts closure by HSBC its strategic decision: FM

n Tribune Business Report

The decision to close the accounts of Bangladesh Mission in London, Birmingham and Manchester by the HSBC (Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) was part of a strategic decision following an assessment of their business with embassies and high commissions, said the Foreign Ministry on Friday according to UNB report. “….They had explained that this was part of a strategic decision following an assessment of their business with embassies and high commissions, concluding that missions accounts should not be a focused area for the bank,” says a clarification note from the Ministry.

Earlier, the branch manager had informally informed that they recently had an issue with one Embassy in London, which had prompted them not to continue the existing accounts for Embassies/High Commissions of over 40 countries, it said. The Bangladesh High Commission in London was informed by the HSBC on June 11 about its decision to close the accounts of Bangladesh missions in London, Birmingham and Manchester giving a 60-day time to move funds.

The High Commission maintains its imprest account with NatWest Bank and the accounts maintained with the HSBC only related to direct debit paid by card for consular services, and the Wage Earners welfare Fund, the clarification said. l

Career Bring out the awesomeness in your CV

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sunday, september 22, 2013

n Career Desk Submitting a Curriculum Vitae (CV) is the most basic requirement for applying to any job. It is the first document exchanged between the job poster and the candidate which makes preparing it the most important step in a job application process. It helps the employer make a first impression of you. A CV that is well formatted, professional and reflects who you truly are is sure to help you stay ahead in the job hunting game.

When preparing a CV, jobseekers waste most of their time looking for the correct format. For those preparing it for the first time, the job gets even more complicated because they often are not sure what information to include and what not to.

Founded by three young professionals Shakur Anwar, Fahad Ifaz and Shadab Alam, AmarCV is a web-based startup launched on August 29 that seeks to simplify the CV making process by providing a straightforward tool for building resumes, converting them to PDF formats and sharing them with recruiters. Creating a resume through AmarCV is incredibly simple. Furthermore, it is totally free of cost.

The website has a user-friendly and easily navigable interface. After entering basic login details like your full name, email address etc. click on the Create Your CV button and you will be transported to a page where you will have to provide information about yourself. Information which needs to be provided in your CV is grouped into sections including Personal Details, Work Experience, Qualifications, Ed-

AmarCV team at office ucation, Interests and References. There is an option to create a personalised section if you want to add other information about yourself.

You can rearrange the sections in the way you want them to appear in your CV. In addition to this, the site provides 3 predefined styles to format your resume each with different fonts, layouts and bullet styles to give your CV a professional look.

As an added bonus, AmarCV provides special tips about creating resumes from corporate icons like G. Sumdany Don. These tips appear on the right hand side of the webpage. The tips are dynamic in the sense that they change as you move or fill up information from one section of your CV to another.

You can also create an account on AmarCV by providing some basic information about yourself. This gives you additional features of saving your resumes online, ready to edit or download. You can download the PDF format

of your CV anytime and send it to anyone.

Updating information in your resume with the course of time on the site is also very easy.

In the future, AmarCV has plans to develop the largest effective professional network in Bangladesh to bring jobseekers and employers together. The team looks forward to adding more exciting features like social media collaboration to help share user profiles with wider audience base, cover letter generator, CV rating and specialised analytics to enhance the interactions among employers and jobseekers.

The site definitely eliminates some of the initial woes of creating resumes. The question is, whether this will help reduce the number of poorly formatted and unprofessional resumes every recruiter has to go through. Only time will tell.

In the meantime, to bring out the awesomeness in your CV, visit www.AmarCV.com l

Cell phone etiquette for work n Ahsan Sajid

hear your conversation while doing it. Anyone would agree it is annoying to have people having conversations on their phone while you’re trying work.

Office etiquette is the lubricant that keeps the organisation functioning smoothly; if proper work etiquette is followed the day to day tasks are carried out effectively. Given that cell phones have become an extension of our body, it pays to heed basic cell phone etiquette at the work place. Following is a list of five “rules” for using cell phones at work.

Never at meetings: Meetings are a time to generate ideas or to recap on tasks.

Distraction is detrimental to both these objectives, and even if you put your cell phone to vibrate, you don’t want your mind wandering off to the latest facebook notification or text from the significant other. Simply do not bring your phone to a meeting.

Only for important calls: This one goes without saying, only take calls at work if they are important. Remind yourself that you are on someone else’s time, and you are being compensated for this time for doing a specific task. Importance is subjective from person to person; family or medical emergencies are universally agreed to be important, while a friend you haven’t talked to in a few weeks, news about a distant relative getting married or your mother asking what you want for dinner is not.

Ringer off: Set your phone to vibration, and you’ll be glad you did. The obvious pitfall is everybody getting annoyed at different ringers going off every few minutes. A less obvious reason for doing this is so your boss does not find out how often you get calls.

Find a corner: Even if what you’re discussing may not be person, find a private place to take phone calls at work. It may be an emergency for you but it’s not for your colleagues who have a job to do and don’t want to over-

Text instead: If you must get in touch with someone while you’re at work, it is often better to send a text instead of calling. Make sure your phone does not beep every time you hit a letter, because that is significantly more annoying than an actual phone call. l

Five faux pas you don’t want to make at work

The reason school days were the best part of our lives is that we were not held responsible for our behaviour. We had and parents CORPORATE teachers HANDBOOK persistently educating us about the right and the wrong ways to act. Despite the feeling of being victimised by constant chaperoning, given a chance wouldn’t we all like to go back to that time of our lives when we were told what to do and what not to do?

The hardest part of work life is that we are on our own; there is nobody to teach us the unwritten rules of conduct.

Minor behavioral traits which you didn’t even think would matter are doing much damage to your professional image.

The universal rules of proper etiquette which apply to any work culture around the world are to observe and imitate.

Colleagues cultured in the communication department can help you crack the code of professional demeanour. Following is a list of five NOT to-dos to polish your etiquettes at work.

Don’t be late: Punctuality is your one-way ticket to entering the good books of your superiors. No matter how brilliant you are at what you do, not showing up timely will definitely put you in the back seat. Of course traffic jams and faulty alarm clocks make legitimate excuses for being late, but how long will that work? Instead of wasting time and energy making creative excuses for being late, use it to start early for work.

Don’t be lethargic: Doing something you find challenging and interesting will keep you motivated. Being proactive is the most attractive quality in an employee. On the other hand being lazy about work is a turn off. One of my colleagues is so passionate about her work that she readily accepts any assignment given to her. This characteristic distinguishes her from others who seize every opportunity to slacken.

Don’t be unresponsive: There is one person at work we all know who never or seldom responds to any of the office emails. Don’t be that person. Although it is wise not to spam everyone, not replying at all is a sign of being inactive or uninterested. At the very least, a basic reply confirming the receipt of an email is considered polite.

Don’t get drunk at office parties: Be careful not to confuse social drinking with getting drunk. While the former is a gesture of politeness, getting drunk in office gatherings implies something totally different. It is a sign of weak selfcontrol and can be a source of public embarrassment. Allow yourself no more than three drinks.

Don’t be a cold fish: Confidence should echo through your body language. Stand tall, look people in the eyes when you talk, walk with attitude and shake hands firmly.

Make people aware of your presence and appreciate it. A weak handshake appears to be disengaging and impassive. Overall, it shows poor communication skills. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Career

Sunday, september 22, 2013

Will you be one of the 2,000 innovative entrepreneurs? n Career Desk Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in association with Bangladesh Bank have taken the initiative to create 2,000 new entrepreneurs by 2013.

STARTUP Along with it a parallel event 101 titled Entrepreneurship and Innovation Expo 2013 will be held from 1st2nd November. The 2,000 chosen entrepreneurs will be exposed in the expo to showcase their innovative projects in the national and global arena.

A significant portion of the 2 million people added to Bangladesh’s labour force each year has the potential to be selfemployed. This initiative aims to achieve employment targets, economic and industrial growth, improved socio-economic structure and targets of government announced policies by facilitating entrepreneurial opportunities.

Objectives of the programme l

To create and foster 2,000 new entrepreneurs from all over the country l Initiate a platform for the first generation new and innovative entrepreneurs for network building which will deal with business risk factors l Disseminate information to establish an Idea- Shop l Help enhancing capacities of others

Target groups l

Bangladeshi citizens and Non Resident Bangladeshis (NRB) who have innovative and profitable business ideas

Irritated: My colleague’s fiancee keeps calling him at work every half an hour. Although it is not my job to supervise his performance, his private conASK MENTOR versations have become a public source of entertainment. Not to mention, this is also a major cause of distraction at work. How do I break it to him without hurting our work relationship?

Mentor: Seems like we both have similar problems! Good thing is I am his boss so it’s easy for me. You should actually do it the easier way. Look up online for some articles about distractions at work place and send it to a few colleagues who know about this and make sure you ask them to reply to all saying great article. If he can talk to her every now and then, he will have enough time to check out the article. I hope he is smart enough to understand it.

Part-timer: Since I work part time in an office, I don’t get to interact with most people who work there. As a result despite working for the same organisation, I don’t know most of them. Should

Project Areas

Ideas/Projects can be formed from any sector. For example: Agribusiness (Green Harvest, Dairy, Poultry, Fisheries), RMG (High value added sectors), ICT (Software, Hardware, Security, Games/Apps, Animation, Information Database, National Digital Network, Antivirus), Leather and leather goods, Pharmaceutical/Medical/Vaccine, Frozen Goods, Light Engineering, Handicrafts, Mobile Engineering, Folk/Heritage/Music, Tourism, Environment/Waste Management, Furniture, Fashion and Accessories, Electronics and Technology, Renewable/Alternative Energy, Machinery, Chemical, Cosmetics/Beauty/Herbal, Automobile, Textile, Architecture, Education and Social business etc.

Any profitable business concept which can be run commercially is encouraged. There is no submission fee for primary projects or ideas.

Project selection criteria l

Maximum employment opportunities Commercially run and financially profitable l Maximum business life cycle l Minimum investment l Shortest possible implementation time l

Support Services for the Preferred Entrepreneurs l

Funding on bankable projects l Training on: Motivation, Leadership, Understanding Business, Business Operation, HR Policy, Marketing/Branding Strategy, Uses of technology, Banking & Investment, Revenue etc. l Orientation for the development of their project/ideas to make it more business

I even be worried about it?

Mentor: Getting to know others is surely good.

I am glad you realise it. It is not something to be worried about but consider this as an investment.

At least the people you know. If you work in shifts, change your shift next time your roster is revised.

This will help. Make the effort. Interaction is a great learning experience.

Slacker: I have been slacking at work for a while without my seniors realising. Suddenly after a new superior got appointed last month, I can no longer shirk. In fact he is so strict that I can’t extend my lunch break even by 5 minutes.

I feel so demotivated that I want to leave my job. How can I refocus on my concentration in my job?

Mentor: How long have you been slacking for?

Well, you need to be proactive. That is what impresses people. You need to take lead, be responsible and do more than you are asked for.

Have information at your finger tips and consider no work as impossible. All the best! Or else start looking for another job which you think will be a new challenge.

Email us at career@dhakatribune.com for your opinions, feedback and career-related queries.

oriented and profitable services for Copyright, Joint Stock registration and insurance l Developing business website, software and other technological solution l HR recruitment and Necessary marketing and branding materials/policies l Business incubator l Special help desk for instant support from DCCI l Job tracking software to monitoring their activities l Access to business.org.bd website for all records l Support

How to submit your project

Submit your project/ideas online by logging in at http://business.org.bd/login.html.

You can also download the PDF version of the application form and send it through courier or contact them directly with your project plans and related papers in the address provided on their website.

The Grand Exhibition: November 1-2

Finally selected 2000 project owners will get opportunities to demonstrate their Ideas at the 2-day Entrepreneurship and Innovation Expo-2013 to be organised at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, Dhaka. The exhibition will showcase and share innovative projects, practices, research, success, creativity, initiatives and solutions which will create opportunities for the local and global society, community and industry.

The grand exhibition will provide opportunities for project demonstration. Award giving ceremony, motivation and training session, business networking session, seminar/workshop etc. are some other features of the programme. l

Follow this career expert on Twitter to stay on the edge of your career Steve Boese @SteveBoese Steve Boese has been focused on the implementation of technology solutions to solve business problems for over 15 years, working with organisations ranging from telecommunications to consulting to higher education. Steve is currently the Co-Chair of the HR Technology Conference, the world’s largest gathering of the global HR Technology community, and a writer/editor for Human Resource Executive magazine.

Formerly, Steve was on the Product Strategy team at Oracle. In the past four years Steve has developed and served as the instructor for a Graduate course in HR Technology for Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York. He also created and hosts the HR Happy Hour show on Blog Talk Radio

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My First Job A great learning experience Tell us about your education background?

I completed my SSC from BAF Shaheen School and my HSC from Notre Dame College, both from SciAyemaan Sattar, ence DisciAssociate, International pline. Later Corporates, Origination & Client I switched Coverage at Standard Chartered Bank talks to Dhaka Tribune about to Business Studies and his first job completed my BBA from IBA, University of Dhaka.

What was your first job after graduation?

On March 14, 2011, I joined Viyellatex Group as a Management Trainee in the Sales & Distribution team.

How did you get the job?

When we were in our final semester, we had an event organised at our university titled “Corporate Week.” I was quite impressed with the presentation of Viyellatex and dropped my resume afterwards. Their recruitment started in February and after a written exam and an interview, I was selected for the position.

What was your biggest accomplishment in that position?

As a Management Trainee (MT), we had the opportunity to work at all the functional departments of the organisation. It was a wonderful experience to understand the ins and outs of the RMG business.

After nine months and completion of my MT period, I was promoted to the position of assistant manager and subsequently after 3 months, in May 2012, assumed the role of account head for the client Phillip Van Heussen.

Looking back, what is the most valuable lesson you picked up from your first job?

People management was my most valuable learning from my experience there. I would say in any job, it’s essential to manage all your stakeholders with utmost care and caution as all of them are extremely important.

Did your first job change your mind about what you want to do with the rest of your career?

Not really, I always sought a position that offers me a measure of responsibility and authority. Being a finance major, I decided to move towards a role that was a blend of selling and also financial analysis.

Who inspired you the most in your first job?

My first Line Manager, Ms Farhana Rahman, has been an inspirational figure for me ever since I have met her. In an industry dominated by men at all managerial levels, she earned her position as the most accomplished Account Head in the organisation. Her determination, calm under pressure, ability to analyse a situation to find solutions and efficient management of both internal and external stakeholders has always been a guiding example for me. l

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

sunday, september 22, 2013

DSE Broad Index: 4097.71 ⇑ 0.48%Turnover: 28810.75 M.Tk ⇑ 20.20%, PE: 12.93 Turnover: 31,248.15 MTk. ⇑ 21.04% September 19, 2013 MarketCap. 2,002.68 BTk. ⇑ 0.17% CSE All Share Index: 12638 ⇑ 0.55%, Turnover: 2445.18 M Tk. ⇑ 32.00%, PE: 12.70 Combined Turnover Leader BD Submarine Cable-A UNITED AIR-A R. N. Spinning-A

CompanyCode | EPS | BV | Volume Traded (Share) DSE/CSE: ClosePrice ⇓/⇑ Chn % | Avg.Price | Hi / Lo

BANK ABBANK | 2.95 | 32.60 | Vol. 1373723 D: 23.30 ⇑ 3.56% | 23.25 | 24.30 / 20.00 C: 23.00 ⇑ 2.22% | 23.11 | 24.40 / 20.30 CITYBANK | 1.15 | 25.97 | Vol. 3099107 D: 15.60 ⇓ 2.50% | 15.69 | 16.50 / 13.50 C: 15.60 ⇑ 3.31% | 15.69 | 16.50 / 14.80 IFIC | 1.10 | 18.34 | Vol. 1399875 D: 19.80 ⇑ 1.54% | 19.98 | 21.00 / 18.00 C: 19.90 ⇑ 2.05% | 19.92 | 21.00 / 19.00 ISLAMIBANK | 3.78 | 27.16 | Vol. 1535888 D: 36.20 ⇑ 0.56% | 36.28 | 38.00 / 33.00 C: 36.00 ⇑ 0.56% | 35.97 | 39.00 / 34.00 NBL | 1.05 | 15.76 | Vol. 10341778 D: 10.90 ⇑ 0.93% | 10.96 | 11.50 / 10.00 C: 10.90 ⇑ 0.93% | 11.00 | 11.50 / 10.70 PUBALIBANK | 1.92 | 21.18 | Vol. 1454649 D: 31.40 ⇑ 1.95% | 31.24 | 33.00 / 27.50 C: 30.60 ⇑ 0.66% | 30.42 | 31.00 / 29.00 RUPALIBANK | 6.70 | 64.27 | Vol. 62851 D: 58.70 ⇑ 1.38% | 59.07 | 62.50 / 54.00 C: 61.90 ⇑ 10.54% | 61.90 | 62.00 / 56.00 UCBL | 1.90 | 21.72 | Vol. 6054084 D: 17.50 ⇑ 3.55% | 17.57 | 19.30 / 15.50 C: 17.30 ⇑ 2.98% | 17.38 | 18.20 / 16.00 UTTARABANK | 3.42 | 26.97 | Vol. 1220305 D: 25.30 ⇑ 1.20% | 25.43 | 26.10 / 23.00 C: 25.40 ⇑ 1.60% | 25.39 | 26.00 / 24.00 ICBIBANK | -1.60 | -13.03 | Vol. 1195900 D: 5.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.91 | 6.10 / 5.70 EBL | 3.91 | 28.22 | Vol. 555718 D: 26.00 ⇑ 1.17% | 26.17 | 26.50 / 24.00 C: 25.70 ⇑ 1.18% | 24.71 | 27.20 / 23.00 ALARABANK | 2.03 | 14.91 | Vol. 1543411 D: 13.90 ⇓ 0.71% | 14.01 | 14.80 / 12.50 C: 14.10 ⇑ 1.44% | 13.97 | 14.40 / 13.20 PRIMEBANK | 2.89 | 22.40 | Vol. 1953568 D: 17.50 ⇓ 12.50% | 17.51 | 20.40 / 16.20 C: 17.40 ⇓ 14.29% | 17.44 | 20.00 / 17.40 SOUTHEASTB | 1.89 | 22.66 | Vol. 2577875 D: 15.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 15.15 | 16.40 / 13.90 C: 15.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 15.17 | 16.60 / 13.50 DHAKABANK | 1.46 | 18.08 | Vol. 430350 D: 17.60 ⇑ 2.33% | 17.58 | 19.00 / 15.80 C: 17.60 ⇑ 3.53% | 17.66 | 18.10 / 16.40 NCCBANK | 1.90 | 15.88 | Vol. 2352206 D: 11.40 ⇑ 0.88% | 11.49 | 12.00 / 10.10 C: 11.50 ⇑ 0.88% | 11.52 | 11.90 / 10.30 SIBL | 2.05 | 14.47 | Vol. 2028401 D: 11.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 11.22 | 12.00 / 10.10 C: 11.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 11.27 | 12.00 / 10.10 DUTCHBANGL | 11.57 | 54.27 | Vol. 90484 D: 92.70 ⇓ 1.17% | 92.73 | 97.00 / 89.50 C: 87.00 ⇓ 3.12% | 86.60 | 93.00 / 86.20 MTBL | 1.17 | 17.27 | Vol. 296233 D: 14.70 ⇑ 5.00% | 14.69 | 15.00 / 13.00 C: 15.00 ⇑ 7.14% | 15.00 | 15.00 / 14.00 STANDBANKL | 2.33 | 14.41 | Vol. 2061305 D: 12.70 ⇑ 3.25% | 12.72 | 13.90 / 11.20 C: 12.70 ⇑ 3.25% | 12.67 | 13.20 / 12.00 ONEBANKLTD | 2.35 | 15.34 | Vol. 3976781 D: 14.20 ⇑ 3.65% | 14.30 | 15.00 / 12.50 C: 14.20 ⇑ 3.65% | 14.24 | 15.00 / 13.40 BANKASIA | 1.35 | 20.80 | Vol. 618249 D: 19.30 ⇓ 1.53% | 19.32 | 20.30 / 17.20 C: 19.00 ⇓ 0.52% | 19.00 | 19.30 / 18.60 MERCANBANK | 2.07 | 16.59 | Vol. 2617582 D: 11.60 ⇑ 3.57% | 11.74 | 12.50 / 10.10 C: 11.60 ⇑ 2.65% | 11.56 | 11.80 / 11.00 EXIMBANK | 1.80 | 14.31 | Vol. 4150181 D: 10.90 ⇑ 0.93% | 10.97 | 12.00 / 9.70 C: 11.00 ⇑ 0.92% | 11.02 | 12.00 / 10.10 JAMUNABANK | 2.47 | 18.56 | Vol. 519000 D: 13.40 ⇑ 1.52% | 13.18 | 14.00 / 12.00 C: 13.10 ⇓ 1.50% | 13.06 | 13.80 / 12.80 BRACBANK | 1.51 | 24.87 | Vol. 926985 D: 27.80 ⇑ 6.11% | 27.86 | 28.90 / 25.00 C: 27.40 ⇑ 3.79% | 27.74 | 28.60 / 26.00 SHAHJABANK | 2.61 | 14.47 | Vol. 996794 D: 13.70 ⇑ 3.01% | 13.66 | 14.20 / 12.00 C: 13.60 ⇑ 1.49% | 13.57 | 14.00 / 13.00

Vol. 4907820 46950781 22922073

Grameenphone-A

3691814

CMC Kamal Tex. -A

23209182

TO M. Tk.

% of TTL

Avg. P

1,249.92

4.00

254.68

935.98

3.00

19.94

731.11 729.71 703.12

2.34 2.34 2.25

PREMIERBAN | 1.18 | 13.95 | Vol. 2560313 D: 9.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 9.51 | 10.50 / 8.40 C: 9.50 ⇓ 1.04% | 9.49 | 10.00 / 8.70 TRUSTBANK | 0.50 | 18.00 | Vol. 542959 D: 16.60 ⇑ 1.84% | 16.53 | 17.30 / 14.70 C: 17.10 ⇑ 6.21% | 15.42 | 17.10 / 15.90 FIRSTSBANK | 1.85 | 13.89 | Vol. 1523937 D: 11.30 ⇑ 0.89% | 11.32 | 12.00 / 10.00 C: 11.20 ⇑ 0.90% | 11.23 | 11.80 / 10.30 NON BANKING F I IDLC | 4.43 | 29.18 | Vol. 887445 D: 60.80 ⇑ 0.50% | 61.46 | 63.40 / 57.00 C: 61.10 ⇑ 1.33% | 60.80 | 63.40 / 59.00 ULC | 1.80 | 14.90 | Vol. 600517 D: 27.30 ⇑ 2.63% | 27.48 | 28.90 / 25.00 UTTARAFIN | 7.16 | 41.54 | Vol. 3412820 D: 76.70 ⇑ 0.92% | 77.00 | 79.60 / 69.10 C: 77.00 ⇑ 1.99% | 77.06 | 78.80 / 70.00 MIDASFIN | 0.16 | 10.21 | Vol. 104700 D: 30.00 ⇓ 1.32% | 30.08 | 33.40 / 26.90 C: 31.60 ⇓ 1.25% | 31.60 | 31.60 / 28.80 FLEASEINT | 2.34 | 13.93 | Vol. 3425978 D: 25.50 ⇓ 1.92% | 25.69 | 30.00 / 24.00 C: 25.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 25.59 | 28.00 / 25.00 PLFSL | 1.37 | 17.48 | Vol. 4779239 D: 23.70 ⇑ 8.22% | 23.69 | 25.60 / 20.00 C: 23.70 ⇑ 7.73% | 23.62 | 25.40 / 22.00 PRIMEFIN | 0.87 | 17.88 | Vol. 1767404 D: 24.50 ⇑ 3.38% | 24.57 | 27.00 / 22.00 C: 24.80 ⇑ 5.08% | 24.84 | 26.50 / 23.90 PREMIERLEA | 0.10 | 11.37 | Vol. 1928954 D: 11.00 ⇓ 6.78% | 10.99 | 12.30 / 9.90 C: 11.10 ⇑ 9.90% | 11.06 | 12.30 / 10.00 ISLAMICFIN | 1.03 | 15.48 | Vol. 5753690 D: 16.10 ⇑ 5.23% | 16.22 | 17.80 / 14.50 C: 16.30 ⇑ 7.95% | 16.27 | 17.70 / 15.20 LANKABAFIN | 1.61 | 31.07 | Vol. 4089024 D: 61.30 ⇓ 2.70% | 61.62 | 65.60 / 56.20 C: 62.00 ⇓ 2.36% | 61.83 | 65.50 / 60.40 BIFC | 0.15 | 18.58 | Vol. 1943611 D: 16.80 ⇑ 20.00% | 16.62 | 20.00 / 14.00 C: 17.20 ⇑ 21.99% | 16.83 | 20.10 / 14.30 IPDC | 1.23 | 19.43 | Vol. 2411310 D: 18.80 ⇑ 11.90% | 18.90 | 21.60 / 16.00 C: 18.60 ⇑ 10.06% | 18.63 | 21.70 / 16.50 UNIONCAP | 0.54 | 17.85 | Vol. 217403 D: 28.50 ⇑ 2.52% | 28.56 | 30.40 / 26.00 C: 27.80 ⇓ 0.71% | 27.77 | 28.90 / 27.00 BDFINANCE | 0.57 | 14.77 | Vol. 1951141 D: 19.90 ⇓ 2.93% | 19.88 | 22.00 / 17.00 C: 19.70 ⇑ 8.84% | 19.73 | 21.90 / 18.20 ILFSL | 0.35 | 12.19 | Vol. 7397406 D: 14.90 ⇑ 24.17% | 14.68 | 17.30 / 12.30 C: 15.00 ⇑ 22.95% | 14.91 | 17.50 / 12.40 PHOENIXFIN | 2.46 | 19.39 | Vol. 1427205 D: 30.10 ⇑ 3.08% | 30.16 | 32.20 / 27.30 C: 30.10 ⇑ 2.38% | 33.70 | 33.80 / 29.00 FASFIN | 0.19 | 13.56 | Vol. 7842132 D: 15.10 ⇑ 11.85% | 15.21 | 16.90 / 13.40 C: 15.00 ⇑ 10.29% | 15.11 | 17.60 / 13.50 DBH | 4.47 | 21.27 | Vol. 678284 D: 61.10 ⇓ 1.45% | 61.39 | 66.40 / 57.00 C: 62.70 ⇓ 0.16% | 61.90 | 66.00 / 61.00 NHFIL | 0.57 | 12.70 | Vol. 3208546 D: 30.20 ⇑ 5.59% | 30.53 | 33.00 / 27.00 C: 30.60 ⇑ 5.88% | 30.63 | 32.30 / 29.00 BAYLEASING | 0.72 | 25.55 | Vol. 941032 D: 28.00 ⇓ 2.44% | 28.13 | 30.50 / 24.50 C: 28.10 ⇑ 4.07% | 28.05 | 30.40 / 27.10 ICB | 109.65 | 769.98 | Vol. 49752 D: 2074 ⇑ 3.39% | 2115 | 2142 / 1900 C: 2092 ⇑ 1.01% | 2092 | 2155 / 1905 GSPFINANCE | 1.63 | 22.23 | Vol. 907984 D: 25.70 ⇓ 2.28% | 25.77 | 28.40 / 23.90 C: 26.20 ⇑ 1.55% | 25.96 | 28.50 / 25.60 FAREASTFIN | 0.68 | 13.64 | Vol. 16326500 D: 18.80 ⇓ 1.05% | 18.16 | 28.00 / 15.10 C: 19.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 18.22 | 27.00 / 17.30 INVESTMENT 1STICB | 75.63 | 942.30 | Vol. 1450 D: 821.0 ⇓ 8.88% | 821.00 | 850.0 / 821.0

31.9 197.66 30.29

DSE Loser

DSE Gainer

C%

A%

CP

ISN Ltd.-A

56.03

52.22

22.00

3rd ICB M F-A

Desh Garments-B

52.73

Standard Ceramic -A National Tubes-A Fareast Islami Life-A GPH Ispat Ltd-A

Legacy Footwear -A

36.04

BD. Autocars -B

30.70

Sonargaon Tex-A

30.36

41.17

84.00

29.98

38.50

36.44

46.40

26.52

21.90

2NDICB | 44.10 | 253.11 | Vol. 700 D: 266.0 ⇑ 1.14% | 268.00 | 274.9 / 254.0 3RDICB | 26.16 | 235.16 | Vol. 7950 D: 175.9 ⇓ 19.27% | 176.07 | 210.0 / 175.1 4THICB | 29.24 | 229.24 | Vol. 6000 D: 169.8 ⇓ 4.50% | 170.00 | 180.0 / 166.1 5THICB | 23.45 | 188.92 | Vol. 900 D: 168.7 ⇓ 3.76% | 168.00 | 175.0 / 160.0 6THICB | 10.99 | 60.14 | Vol. 79300 D: 46.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 46.13 | 47.00 / 45.50 C: 45.00 ⇓ 0.22% | 45.00 | 45.00 / 44.80 7THICB | 13.53 | 98.60 | Vol. 5180 D: 79.00 ⇓ 4.70% | 80.71 | 85.00 / 75.00 8THICB | 12.47 | 70.07 | Vol. 68550 D: 50.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 50.18 | 51.30 / 45.00 1STBSRS | 14.43 | 161.88 | Vol. 102000 D: 92.00 ⇑ 2.56% | 92.67 | 94.00 / 81.20 C: 94.90 ⇓ 5.10% | 94.90 | 95.00 / 94.90 IFIC1STMF | 0.83 | 11.88 | Vol. 2673864 D: 6.40 ⇓ 3.03% | 6.45 | 6.70 / 6.00 C: 6.40 ⇓ 4.48% | 6.40 | 6.70 / 6.30 PF1STMF | 0.51 | 11.11 | Vol. 1256000 D: 5.20 ⇑ 1.96% | 5.24 | 5.30 / 5.10 C: 5.20 ⇓ 1.89% | 5.23 | 5.40 / 5.10 ICB3RDNRB | 0.00 | 10.60 | Vol. 1722500 D: 5.10 ⇑ 2.00% | 5.10 | 5.20 / 4.90 C: 5.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.06 | 5.10 / 4.90 1JANATAMF | 0.78 | 10.68 | Vol. 1022000 D: 5.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.71 | 5.80 / 5.60 C: 5.70 ⇑ 1.79% | 5.73 | 5.80 / 5.50 GREENDELMF | -0.82 | 9.72 | Vol. 1271500 D: 5.20 ⇑ 1.96% | 5.20 | 5.30 / 5.00 C: 5.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.18 | 5.30 / 5.00 POPULAR1MF | 0.77 | 11.38 | Vol. 2021418 D: 5.80 ⇓ 1.69% | 5.96 | 6.30 / 5.40 C: 5.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.93 | 6.10 / 5.70 IFILISLMF1 | 0.00 | 10.45 | Vol. 2139000 D: 5.10 ⇓ 1.92% | 5.17 | 5.30 / 5.10 C: 5.20 ⇑ 1.96% | 5.14 | 5.20 / 5.00 PHPMF1 | 0.63 | 10.92 | Vol. 2931500 D: 5.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.42 | 5.50 / 5.30 C: 5.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.46 | 5.50 / 5.20 AIBL1STIMF | -0.07 | 9.25 | Vol. 330500 D: 6.30 ⇑ 3.28% | 6.31 | 6.50 / 6.20 C: 6.40 ⇑ 1.59% | 6.48 | 6.70 / 6.10 MBL1STMF | -0.16 | 9.08 | Vol. 1143500 D: 6.10 ⇑ 3.39% | 6.08 | 6.30 / 5.90 C: 5.90 ⇓ 3.28% | 5.98 | 6.30 / 5.90 SEBL1STMF | 0.94 | 11.85 | Vol. 5006850 D: 7.80 ⇑ 1.30% | 7.85 | 8.00 / 7.00 C: 7.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.81 | 8.20 / 7.40 EBLNRBMF | 1.07 | 10.88 | Vol. 198542 D: 7.20 ⇑ 5.88% | 7.10 | 7.20 / 6.20 RELIANCE1 | 0.95 | 10.33 | Vol. 3702750 D: 7.90 ⇓ 2.47% | 8.13 | 8.50 / 7.10 C: 7.90 ⇓ 3.66% | 7.91 | 8.40 / 7.50 LRGLOBMF1 | 0.50 | 10.82 | Vol. 76500 D: 6.80 ⇓ 1.45% | 6.80 | 7.00 / 6.60 ABB1STMF | 0.92 | 10.63 | Vol. 246000 D: 6.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.92 | 7.00 / 6.80 NLI1STMF | 1.17 | 12.22 | Vol. 3631200 D: 8.10 ⇓ 1.22% | 8.18 | 8.30 / 7.50 C: 8.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 8.02 | 8.50 / 7.60 FBFIF | 1.30 | 10.27 | Vol. 37500 D: 8.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 8.54 | 8.70 / 7.40 C: 8.00 ⇑ 5.26% | 8.00 | 8.20 / 7.90 NCCBLMF1 | 1.16 | 10.48 | Vol. 65745 D: 8.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 8.04 | 8.10 / 7.50 C: 9.50 ⇑ 7.95% | 9.50 | 9.50 / 9.50 ICBSONALI1 | 0.00 | 10.39 | Vol. 2270000 D: 6.30 ⇓ 4.55% | 6.47 | 6.70 / 6.10 C: 6.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.39 | 6.50 / 6.00 EXIM1STMF | 0.00 | 10.91 | Vol. 61000 D: 6.90 ⇓ 2.82% | 6.91 | 7.20 / 6.50 C: 6.50 ⇓ 7.14% | 6.50 | 6.50 / 6.50 ENGINEERING AFTABAUTO | 4.29 | 52.65 | Vol. 2840097 D: 115.7 ⇓ 0.26% | 116.00 | 130.0 / 104.3 C: 115.9 ⇑ 0.00% | 116.13 | 122.0 / 115.1 AZIZPIPES | 0.39 | -42.04 | Vol. 182150 D: 18.10 ⇓ 3.21% | 17.97 | 21.30 / 17.00 C: 19.00 ⇑ 8.57% | 19.03 | 21.10 / 19.00

C%

A%

CP

-19.27

-19.30

175.90 37.90

-17.43

-17.03

-16.74

-11.63

81.10

-16.06

-15.38

96.70

-15.73

-15.40

43.40

OLYMPIC | 5.94 | 14.91 | Vol. 2013120 D: 229.4 ⇓ 1.88% | 229.52 | 237.8 / 210.0 C: 229.4 ⇓ 0.48% | 228.79 | 235.0 / 222.0 BDLAMPS | -5.31 | 37.07 | Vol. 331263 D: 167.7 ⇓ 2.73% | 168.45 | 193.0 / 165.1 C: 166.5 ⇓ 3.37% | 166.82 | 189.5 / 162.0 ECABLES | 2.04 | 18.87 | Vol. 130310 D: 81.70 ⇓ 4.11% | 81.98 | 90.80 / 79.30 C: 81.00 ⇑ 1.12% | 80.78 | 88.00 / 75.00 MONNOSTAF | 5.31 | 44.78 | Vol. 58650 D: 417.2 ⇑ 24.20% | 426.60 | 482.0 / 356.1 SINGERBD | 9.99 | 45.74 | Vol. 1472552 D: 222.1 ⇓ 3.56% | 221.63 | 237.0 / 200.0 C: 220.3 ⇓ 4.05% | 219.88 | 238.0 / 218.0 ATLASBANG | 11.98 | 207.70 | Vol. 153683 D: 189.9 ⇓ 3.51% | 189.25 | 197.0 / 171.0 BDAUTOCA | 0.25 | 6.23 | Vol. 688853 D: 46.40 ⇑ 30.70% | 46.62 | 51.80 / 35.00 QSMDRYCELL | 1.65 | 58.49 | Vol. 3059490 D: 38.20 ⇓ 6.60% | 38.26 | 44.20 / 36.00 C: 38.10 ⇓ 6.16% | 38.21 | 44.40 / 38.00 RENWICKJA | 5.62 | -90.00 | Vol. 238000 D: 180.1 ⇑ 5.38% | 180.68 | 212.1 / 176.0 NTLTUBES | -2.52 | 312.10 | Vol. 878842 D: 81.10 ⇓ 16.74% | 82.40 | 101.9 / 78.00 BDTHAI | 0.43 | 39.35 | Vol. 6670536 D: 30.40 ⇑ 24.08% | 30.21 | 34.20 / 24.00 C: 30.60 ⇑ 23.39% | 30.24 | 34.20 / 26.00 ANWARGALV | 0.51 | 8.08 | Vol. 2188700 D: 28.00 ⇑ 6.06% | 27.92 | 36.00 / 26.90 C: 29.50 ⇑ 8.06% | 28.98 | 36.10 / 28.70 KAY&QUE | -3.89 | 6.03 | Vol. 216500 D: 19.40 ⇓ 2.02% | 19.50 | 22.30 / 18.30 C: 19.00 ⇓ 2.56% | 19.00 | 23.40 / 19.00 RANFOUNDRY | 2.84 | 18.62 | Vol. 1061000 D: 111.7 ⇓ 4.20% | 113.27 | 131.9 / 110.1 C: 114.6 ⇓ 2.80% | 115.13 | 130.0 / 110.5 SALAMCRST | 3.31 | 20.00 | Vol. 1931580 D: 42.40 ⇑ 0.71% | 42.65 | 45.00 / 38.00 C: 42.50 ⇑ 2.16% | 42.54 | 44.00 / 42.00 GOLDENSON | 3.70 | 28.70 | Vol. 3172014 D: 43.70 ⇑ 0.69% | 43.78 | 45.90 / 40.00 C: 43.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 43.58 | 46.00 / 41.10 BSRMSTEEL | 3.06 | 19.53 | Vol. 1388854 D: 71.80 ⇓ 0.83% | 72.01 | 75.00 / 68.00 C: 71.60 ⇑ 0.14% | 71.62 | 73.60 / 66.00 NAVANACNG | 4.09 | 27.04 | Vol. 1157187 D: 70.50 ⇓ 3.69% | 70.45 | 75.00 / 64.00 C: 70.70 ⇓ 4.07% | 70.29 | 74.50 / 64.00 DESHBANDHU | 1.16 | 12.02 | Vol. 8315977 D: 24.50 ⇓ 10.26% | 24.53 | 28.00 / 22.50 C: 24.60 ⇓ 0.40% | 24.74 | 28.00 / 24.00 GPHISPAT | 2.11 | 15.27 | Vol. 1282300 D: 43.40 ⇓ 15.73% | 43.63 | 47.80 / 41.00 C: 43.90 ⇓ 15.25% | 43.89 | 47.00 / 42.30 BENGALWTL | 2.42 | 20.72 | Vol. 2286600 D: 45.70 ⇓ 0.22% | 45.74 | 46.90 / 43.80 C: 45.30 ⇑ 4.86% | 45.35 | 47.80 / 43.50 NPOLYMAR | 2.01 | 324.37 | Vol. 1317159 D: 66.40 ⇓ 11.35% | 67.22 | 81.00 / 64.00 C: 66.30 ⇓ 13.11% | 67.09 | 81.00 / 65.00 FOOD & ALLIED APEXFOODS | 2.54 | 90.81 | Vol. 749050 D: 107.1 ⇓ 10.60% | 108.88 | 125.0 / 105.0 C: 107.7 ⇓ 7.95% | 107.01 | 128.0 / 103.0 BANGAS | 7.20 | 50.27 | Vol. 467995 D: 474.6 ⇑ 7.38% | 471.46 | 500.0 / 409.0 C: 468.6 ⇑ 0.88% | 467.40 | 475.0 / 424.0 BATBC | 65.69 | 117.22 | Vol. 27125 D: 1459 ⇓ 6.75% | 1471 | 1560 / 1456 C: 1500 ⇓ 6.19% | 1530 | 1560 / 1500 GEMINISEA | 10.88 | 9.69 | Vol. 36450 D: 245.3 ⇑ 3.28% | 249.25 | 280.7 / 237.1 NTC | 29.88 | 110.05 | Vol. 15650 D: 827.3 ⇓ 9.19% | 828.70 | 973.4 / 817.6 C: 960.7 ⇑ 6.52% | 960.73 | 964.0 / 950.0 ZEALBANGLA | -23.01 | -193.09 | Vol. 8000 D: 8.40 ⇓ 1.18% | 8.40 | 9.40 / 8.40 CVOPRL | 2.66 | 13.28 | Vol. 485066 D: 800.4 ⇑ 2.63% | 805.08 | 888.0 / 722.0 C: 802.5 ⇑ 1.65% | 804.83 | 880.0 / 790.0

AMCL(PRAN) | 6.53 | 53.37 | Vol. 1360310 D: 295.3 ⇓ 4.74% | 293.53 | 337.1 / 260.1 C: 298.0 ⇑ 17.05% | 295.37 | 335.3 / 260.0 SHYAMPSUG | -36.87 | -355.85 | Vol. 10800 D: 8.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.67 | 8.60 / 7.70 RAHIMAFOOD | 0.62 | 4.46 | Vol. 4155000 D: 31.10 ⇑ 25.40% | 30.54 | 35.90 / 25.80 C: 30.80 ⇑ 24.19% | 30.08 | 36.00 / 26.00 FUWANGFOOD | 1.26 | 12.37 | Vol. 6093769 D: 27.00 ⇑ 4.25% | 26.74 | 29.00 / 23.40 C: 27.10 ⇑ 4.23% | 26.79 | 28.60 / 26.00 MEGHNAPET | -0.58 | -1.02 | Vol. 114000 D: 6.70 ⇓ 1.47% | 6.67 | 7.40 / 6.30 MEGCONMILK | -6.68 | -16.22 | Vol. 333500 D: 8.80 ⇓ 7.37% | 8.87 | 10.30 / 8.40 BEACHHATCH | 1.01 | 12.48 | Vol. 8841284 D: 24.30 ⇓ 9.67% | 24.09 | 27.90 / 20.50 C: 24.20 ⇑ 8.52% | 24.14 | 28.00 / 22.80 FINEFOODS | -0.11 | 10.58 | Vol. 3241547 D: 24.50 ⇑ 11.87% | 23.92 | 29.40 / 21.90 C: 24.40 ⇑ 10.91% | 24.14 | 29.20 / 23.00 RDFOOD | 0.91 | 16.84 | Vol. 12916494 D: 24.10 ⇑ 8.56% | 23.99 | 26.80 / 21.00 C: 24.10 ⇑ 7.59% | 24.22 | 27.60 / 22.90 GHAIL | 1.01 | 22.08 | Vol. 2551820 D: 45.10 ⇑ 0.22% | 45.19 | 47.90 / 41.00 C: 45.20 ⇑ 0.89% | 44.86 | 47.20 / 44.70 FUEL & POWER LINDEBD | 31.71 | 144.00 | Vol. 190400 D: 727.7 ⇓ 6.60% | 728.65 | 790.0 / 712.1 PADMAOIL | 16.38 | 43.67 | Vol. 1456030 D: 355.1 ⇑ 0.45% | 357.36 | 363.5 / 330.0 C: 353.7 ⇑ 0.31% | 356.62 | 365.0 / 339.1 EASTRNLUB | 6.32 | 68.68 | Vol. 28300 D: 404.1 ⇓ 13.21% | 409.84 | 496.0 / 391.1 BDWELDING | 0.33 | 16.82 | Vol. 9671692 D: 25.30 ⇓ 11.54% | 24.91 | 30.00 / 19.50 C: 25.00 ⇑ 16.28% | 24.80 | 30.50 / 22.40 SUMITPOWER | 3.17 | 19.26 | Vol. 2568334 D: 33.80 ⇑ 2.42% | 34.02 | 36.00 / 30.00 C: 34.10 ⇑ 2.10% | 34.29 | 35.80 / 31.00 DESCO | 2.80 | 35.25 | Vol. 3507509 D: 78.00 ⇓ 2.13% | 79.53 | 83.50 / 70.00 C: 77.50 ⇑ 3.20% | 77.46 | 80.00 / 75.50 POWERGRID | 2.56 | 48.08 | Vol. 281644 D: 56.20 ⇑ 1.08% | 56.21 | 59.00 / 52.00 C: 55.60 ⇑ 0.91% | 55.56 | 57.80 / 55.50 JAMUNAOIL | 22.78 | 50.24 | Vol. 2480564 D: 238.5 ⇑ 5.76% | 239.56 | 243.3 / 208.0 C: 236.4 ⇑ 4.97% | 239.01 | 243.0 / 225.0 MPETROLEUM | 16.98 | 40.41 | Vol. 2142997 D: 276.2 ⇑ 2.03% | 276.43 | 280.0 / 250.0 C: 274.4 ⇑ 2.27% | 275.22 | 280.0 / 269.0 TITASGAS | 9.01 | 36.56 | Vol. 3946503 D: 83.70 ⇓ 0.71% | 83.89 | 90.00 / 75.70 C: 83.50 ⇓ 0.24% | 83.60 | 85.20 / 83.10 KPCL | 4.73 | 15.86 | Vol. 685823 D: 49.50 ⇑ 0.41% | 49.68 | 53.00 / 44.40 C: 49.40 ⇑ 0.61% | 49.27 | 51.00 / 44.50 BEDL | 1.57 | 17.89 | Vol. 4993071 D: 33.80 ⇓ 4.52% | 33.97 | 38.10 / 31.20 C: 33.90 ⇓ 4.51% | 34.10 | 37.00 / 33.60 MJLBD | 2.73 | 30.24 | Vol. 466092 D: 72.10 ⇓ 0.41% | 71.88 | 75.00 / 65.80 C: 71.80 ⇓ 0.97% | 71.56 | 73.50 / 66.00 GBBPOWER | 1.86 | 22.63 | Vol. 5581202 D: 27.80 ⇑ 10.76% | 27.98 | 28.80 / 23.00 C: 27.60 ⇑ 9.96% | 27.86 | 28.90 / 24.80 SPPCL | 3.81 | 23.34 | Vol. 3003261 D: 57.50 ⇑ 1.41% | 57.71 | 60.00 / 51.10 C: 57.20 ⇑ 0.88% | 57.43 | 59.70 / 52.20 JUTE JUTESPINN | 2.06 | 17.42 | Vol. 221200 D: 142.1 ⇑ 4.72% | 140.35 | 167.0 / 130.1 NORTHERN | -13.80 | -6.19 | Vol. 400 D: 19.50 ⇑ 20.37% | 19.50 | 19.50 / 17.80 SONALIANSH | 5.54 | 218.80 | Vol. 246550 D: 162.0 ⇓ 11.57% | 162.73 | 198.9 / 160.0

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SEP 15 - 19, 2013 Sectotal Index: BANK: 31,762.95 ⇑ 0.50% NBFI: 20,940.08 ⇓ 0.94% INVS: 4,683.00 ⇓ 0.13% ENGG: 6,388.44 ⇓ 1.35% FOOD: 10,159.67 ⇑ 0.82% F&P: 10,744.25 ⇓ 1.00% TEXT: 3,252.88 ⇑ 3.91% PHAR: 17,655.27 ⇓ 0.81% PAPR: 1,158.22 ⇓ 3.84% SERV: 3,138.97 ⇓ 1.87% LEAT: 5,573.05 ⇓ 4.19% CERA: 550.53 ⇑ 0.15% CMNT: 4,701.43 ⇓ 2.41% INFO: 8,162.60 ⇑ 4.05% GINS: 9,493.07 ⇓ 3.54% LINS: 111,220.26 ⇓ 3.86% TELC: 1,394.15 ⇓ 2.14% MISC: 6,500.72 ⇓ 2.16% TEXTILE AL-HAJTEX | 1.35 | 15.64 | Vol. 1184932 D: 110.5 ⇑ 21.43% | 111.73 | 114.8 / 83.00 STYLECRAFT | 20.00 | 287.30 | Vol. 7900 D: 1107 ⇓ 10.64% | 1108 | 1399 / 1086 RAHIMTEXT | 0.51 | 73.88 | Vol. 62623 D: 299.9 ⇓ 12.67% | 298.65 | 360.0 / 290.6 SAIHAMTEX | 2.75 | 29.50 | Vol. 5565800 D: 32.30 ⇑ 8.03% | 32.23 | 33.60 / 29.60 C: 32.40 ⇑ 8.00% | 31.99 | 33.70 / 29.50 MODERNDYE | 0.91 | 10.37 | Vol. 45500 D: 151.8 ⇑ 28.54% | 153.67 | 183.9 / 129.9 DSHGARME | 0.72 | 12.00 | Vol. 531100 D: 84.00 ⇑ 52.73% | 77.60 | 84.80 / 56.70 DULAMIACOT | -8.46 | -27.78 | Vol. 71000 D: 9.30 ⇓ 7.00% | 9.31 | 10.20 / 8.40 TALLUSPIN | 2.56 | 12.06 | Vol. 9557087 D: 43.30 ⇓ 2.48% | 42.68 | 45.50 / 39.00 C: 42.60 ⇓ 3.40% | 42.42 | 45.10 / 40.50 APEXSPINN | 2.01 | 49.32 | Vol. 165400 D: 89.00 ⇓ 8.81% | 87.29 | 101.0 / 84.00 C: 93.80 ⇓ 3.30% | 93.80 | 97.00 / 87.50 MITHUNKNIT | 4.54 | 30.39 | Vol. 1368031 D: 113.8 ⇓ 4.21% | 113.98 | 124.9 / 103.0 C: 113.1 ⇓ 4.48% | 113.11 | 124.9 / 110.0 DELTASPINN | 3.06 | 18.12 | Vol. 4238100 D: 36.40 ⇑ 1.11% | 36.68 | 39.50 / 32.40 C: 36.60 ⇑ 5.17% | 36.63 | 39.40 / 34.20 SONARGAON | 0.27 | 34.50 | Vol. 4089963 D: 21.90 ⇑ 30.36% | 21.47 | 24.40 / 16.00 C: 21.20 ⇑ 26.19% | 21.17 | 24.40 / 16.00 PRIMETEX | 1.01 | 63.54 | Vol. 2786000 D: 27.10 ⇑ 6.69% | 26.88 | 29.50 / 25.30 C: 27.30 ⇑ 4.60% | 26.96 | 29.40 / 25.20 SQUARETEXT | 4.32 | 31.82 | Vol. 1578612 D: 93.20 ⇓ 2.71% | 93.40 | 97.00 / 85.50 C: 92.90 ⇓ 3.83% | 92.65 | 96.80 / 86.00 METROSPIN | -1.00 | 19.59 | Vol. 7192229 D: 19.80 ⇑ 26.11% | 19.43 | 22.00 / 14.40 C: 19.70 ⇑ 24.68% | 19.21 | 22.30 / 16.20 MAKSONSPIN | 0.16 | 20.55 | Vol. 24293725 D: 18.00 ⇑ 24.14% | 17.37 | 18.30 / 13.30 C: 18.10 ⇑ 23.97% | 17.36 | 18.50 / 14.50 DACCADYE | 1.21 | 31.13 | Vol. 4062646 D: 29.10 ⇑ 3.19% | 29.37 | 31.30 / 26.00 C: 29.60 ⇑ 5.34% | 29.45 | 31.20 / 27.90 RNSPIN | 2.80 | 16.58 | Vol. 22922073 D: 31.40 ⇓ 1.88% | 31.35 | 33.10 / 28.50 C: 31.40 ⇓ 2.18% | 31.38 | 33.10 / 31.00 BXSYNTH | 0.93 | 25.42 | Vol. 6825547 D: 18.00 ⇑ 4.05% | 17.75 | 19.00 / 14.00 C: 18.20 ⇑ 21.33% | 17.62 | 19.10 / 14.70 MALEKSPIN | -1.44 | 46.87 | Vol. 7622207 D: 27.50 ⇑ 7.42% | 27.20 | 29.00 / 23.50 C: 27.30 ⇑ 6.23% | 27.13 | 28.80 / 25.70 ZAHINTEX | 1.91 | 35.25 | Vol. 1978150 D: 30.40 ⇑ 1.33% | 30.66 | 32.50 / 27.50 C: 31.00 ⇑ 3.33% | 30.15 | 31.90 / 29.10 SAIHAMCOT | 1.92 | 23.62 | Vol. 9786750 D: 29.40 ⇑ 2.44% | 29.62 | 30.10 / 27.20 C: 29.40 ⇑ 4.26% | 29.42 | 29.90 / 27.20 GENNEXT | 1.68 | 15.15 | Vol. 12903650 D: 22.50 ⇑ 6.13% | 22.41 | 23.90 / 19.20 C: 22.50 ⇑ 6.13% | 22.34 | 23.80 / 20.10 ENVOYTEX | 3.26 | 39.26 | Vol. 5288970 D: 53.20 ⇑ 9.47% | 53.06 | 55.00 / 43.80 C: 53.10 ⇑ 8.15% | 52.74 | 55.00 / 45.00 ARGONDENIM | 1.89 | 38.86 | Vol. 3123300 D: 37.30 ⇑ 0.81% | 37.14 | 38.70 / 33.00 C: 37.10 ⇑ 1.37% | 36.88 | 38.90 / 33.00 FAMILYTEX | 3.72 | 14.68 | Vol. 2525500 D: 36.50 ⇓ 2.41% | 36.74 | 38.40 / 36.30 C: 36.30 ⇓ 0.27% | 36.45 | 38.00 / 35.50 Pharmaceutical & Chemical AMBEEPHA | 3.94 | 26.15 | Vol. 133612 D: 294.1 ⇓ 12.37% | 295.36 | 363.7 / 290.0 C: 293.5 ⇓ 12.15% | 293.90 | 363.3 / 290.0 BXPHARMA | 3.77 | 52.55 | Vol. 1083072 D: 47.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 47.99 | 50.00 / 43.20 C: 47.90 ⇑ 0.21% | 47.87 | 49.90 / 47.00 GLAXOSMITH | 20.25 | 123.32 | Vol. 14554 D: 1046 ⇓ 7.45% | 1049 | 1178 / 1036 ACI | -5.82 | 126.42 | Vol. 224576 D: 177.0 ⇓ 5.90% | 177.57 | 195.0 / 164.0 C: 176.0 ⇓ 7.37% | 177.20 | 194.0 / 175.0

RENATA | 33.57 | 138.83 | Vol. 197570 D: 805.3 ⇓ 4.19% | 810.22 | 859.9 / 770.0 RECKITTBEN | 27.16 | 78.89 | Vol. 2950 D: 898.7 ⇓ 8.15% | 900.00 | 978.0 / 871.0 PHARMAID | 5.06 | 26.30 | Vol. 558350 D: 217.9 ⇓ 3.20% | 217.95 | 238.0 / 215.0 KOHINOOR | 9.52 | 10.49 | Vol. 16831 D: 514.8 ⇑ 8.91% | 515.16 | 570.0 / 465.0 IBNSINA | 3.44 | 34.02 | Vol. 1471148 D: 131.4 ⇑ 4.12% | 131.56 | 149.0 / 115.0 C: 133.0 ⇑ 3.66% | 132.61 | 153.9 / 123.5 LIBRAINFU | 4.64 | 1565.37 | Vol. 39000 D: 581.2 ⇓ 4.52% | 581.33 | 703.3 / 576.0 C: 650.0 ⇑ 56.25% | 650.00 | 654.0 / 650.0 ORIONINFU | 8.72 | 1.73 | Vol. 2931600 D: 49.10 ⇓ 9.07% | 49.62 | 56.00 / 48.80 C: 49.10 ⇓ 9.07% | 50.19 | 55.30 / 49.00 SQURPHARMA | 6.93 | 37.18 | Vol. 1944571 D: 174.2 ⇓ 0.34% | 174.18 | 176.6 / 157.0 C: 174.0 ⇓ 0.46% | 173.92 | 176.0 / 171.0 MARICO | 27.53 | 62.47 | Vol. 136650 D: 858.2 ⇓ 1.29% | 852.78 | 891.9 / 836.0 C: 859.0 ⇓ 3.85% | 859.00 | 950.0 / 822.0 BEACONPHAR | 0.33 | 11.97 | Vol. 2325120 D: 14.80 ⇓ 5.13% | 14.84 | 16.00 / 13.50 C: 14.90 ⇑ 2.05% | 14.89 | 16.20 / 14.00 ACTIVEFINE | 3.23 | 13.89 | Vol. 5539081 D: 94.80 ⇓ 1.46% | 94.61 | 102.0 / 85.00 C: 95.00 ⇓ 0.94% | 94.94 | 99.90 / 94.00 SALVOCHEM | 0.68 | 10.57 | Vol. 8818046 D: 24.00 ⇑ 2.13% | 23.91 | 26.70 / 21.40 C: 24.20 ⇑ 2.98% | 24.00 | 26.40 / 23.00 GHCL | 2.14 | 57.31 | Vol. 889000 D: 47.30 ⇓ 1.87% | 47.23 | 50.30 / 47.00 C: 47.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 46.99 | 49.70 / 46.20 ORIONPHARM | 5.02 | 68.68 | Vol. 5084595 D: 64.80 ⇑ 2.21% | 65.36 | 68.00 / 57.50 C: 64.90 ⇑ 2.37% | 65.03 | 67.00 / 63.60 JMISMDL | 1.12 | 12.83 | Vol. 1822000 D: 272.4 ⇑ 14.26% | 268.75 | 330.0 / 241.0 C: 267.3 ⇑ 12.12% | 268.41 | 320.0 / 226.0 CENTRALPHL | 0.61 | 10.99 | Vol. 4388500 D: 36.60 ⇑ 8.93% | 35.45 | 36.70 / 33.30 C: 36.70 ⇑ 7.31% | 35.65 | 36.80 / 33.20

SAMATALETH | -0.07 | 12.08 | Vol. 69000 D: 14.70 ⇑ 5.76% | 14.80 | 15.20 / 13.00 C: 14.50 ⇑ 5.07% | 14.50 | 15.10 / 14.00 LEGACYFOOT | 0.63 | 17.19 | Vol. 3590752 D: 38.50 ⇑ 36.04% | 36.42 | 41.30 / 27.00 C: 40.70 ⇑ 36.12% | 37.95 | 43.20 / 32.00

PAPER & PACKAGING HAKKANIPUL | 0.64 | 11.02 | Vol. 513500 D: 32.20 ⇓ 8.26% | 29.12 | 37.00 / 26.70 C: 32.50 ⇓ 7.41% | 30.18 | 38.30 / 27.00

IT IINDUSTRIES ISNLTD | 0.28 | 17.31 | Vol. 1863303 D: 22.00 ⇑ 56.03% | 21.63 | 22.30 / 14.00 C: 22.50 ⇑ 55.17% | 21.56 | 23.10 / 15.40 BDCOM | 1.00 | 14.91 | Vol. 6599292 D: 26.60 ⇑ 0.38% | 26.33 | 27.00 / 20.40 C: 26.70 ⇑ 16.09% | 26.44 | 27.00 / 23.80 AGNISYSL | 1.07 | 25.52 | Vol. 3661469 D: 25.40 ⇑ 8.09% | 25.36 | 27.40 / 22.00 C: 25.40 ⇑ 7.17% | 25.19 | 27.70 / 23.70 DAFODILCOM | 1.12 | 11.14 | Vol. 6510919 D: 19.90 ⇓ 2.93% | 19.63 | 22.00 / 16.50 C: 19.90 ⇑ 12.43% | 19.65 | 22.00 / 18.00 AAMRATECH | 1.17 | 20.44 | Vol. 5313050 D: 40.30 ⇓ 2.66% | 40.52 | 42.80 / 37.00 C: 40.40 ⇑ 1.76% | 40.45 | 42.80 / 38.00

SERVICE SAMORITA | 2.31 | 17.25 | Vol. 325055 D: 116.5 ⇓ 14.90% | 115.07 | 146.9 / 112.0 C: 120.0 ⇓ 14.29% | 120.00 | 140.5 / 115.1 SAPORTL | 1.23 | 38.39 | Vol. 3657609 D: 28.10 ⇑ 11.51% | 27.98 | 30.90 / 24.00 C: 28.30 ⇑ 11.42% | 28.05 | 31.40 / 25.30 EHL | 2.87 | 18.48 | Vol. 6558933 D: 63.20 ⇑ 7.85% | 63.79 | 66.30 / 56.00 C: 62.40 ⇑ 6.30% | 63.44 | 65.30 / 59.20 LEATHER APEXTANRY | 6.57 | 69.38 | Vol. 3402700 D: 144.0 ⇑ 4.88% | 144.43 | 154.9 / 133.0 C: 142.9 ⇑ 3.03% | 143.85 | 154.9 / 133.1 BATASHOE | 49.12 | 135.53 | Vol. 69144 D: 772.0 ⇓ 7.01% | 778.32 | 846.0 / 735.0 C: 752.1 ⇓ 9.03% | 752.10 | 835.0 / 752.1 APEXADELFT | 23.01 | 203.26 | Vol. 731800 D: 402.4 ⇓ 7.90% | 403.41 | 440.0 / 400.0 C: 401.0 ⇓ 8.47% | 401.00 | 440.0 / 400.0

CERAMIC MONNOCERA | 0.71 | 96.33 | Vol. 1229810 D: 38.70 ⇓ 7.64% | 38.63 | 46.10 / 37.00 C: 39.10 ⇓ 6.46% | 38.75 | 46.00 / 37.30 STANCERAM | 1.07 | 15.97 | Vol. 159500 D: 37.90 ⇓ 17.43% | 38.06 | 47.80 / 37.60 C: 43.30 ⇓ 4.84% | 44.65 | 50.00 / 43.30 FUWANGCER | 1.43 | 13.25 | Vol. 7530470 D: 22.50 ⇑ 8.70% | 22.40 | 24.80 / 19.80 C: 22.50 ⇑ 8.17% | 22.55 | 25.80 / 21.50 SPCERAMICS | 0.62 | 30.92 | Vol. 4647335 D: 18.70 ⇑ 15.43% | 18.54 | 20.70 / 15.00 C: 18.80 ⇑ 15.34% | 18.55 | 20.70 / 16.00 RAKCERAMIC | 1.98 | 16.76 | Vol. 1879393 D: 55.30 ⇑ 2.98% | 55.64 | 61.00 / 49.00 C: 55.10 ⇑ 2.04% | 55.33 | 58.20 / 54.50 CEMENT HEIDELBCEM | 22.85 | 111.50 | Vol. 1582360 D: 431.0 ⇓ 3.67% | 434.44 | 464.0 / 420.0 C: 428.6 ⇓ 4.63% | 430.74 | 464.0 / 426.4 CONFIDCEM | 6.23 | 90.76 | Vol. 1554031 D: 131.1 ⇓ 0.61% | 131.68 | 139.0 / 120.0 C: 131.1 ⇓ 3.03% | 131.12 | 139.0 / 130.3 MEGHNACEM | 6.28 | 33.81 | Vol. 1081200 D: 159.2 ⇓ 6.08% | 161.42 | 177.9 / 156.3 C: 157.6 ⇓ 8.32% | 158.77 | 173.7 / 157.0 ARAMITCEM | 3.03 | 14.65 | Vol. 1167200 D: 84.80 ⇓ 9.79% | 85.57 | 97.50 / 81.00 C: 84.40 ⇓ 10.69% | 84.84 | 94.10 / 84.00 MICEMENT | 4.14 | 40.00 | Vol. 1225593 D: 93.20 ⇓ 0.85% | 92.95 | 95.50 / 84.00 C: 92.30 ⇓ 0.86% | 91.98 | 94.90 / 91.50 PREMIERCEM | 3.59 | 22.92 | Vol. 953400 D: 114.3 ⇑ 0.79% | 114.98 | 125.8 / 112.8 C: 115.4 ⇓ 3.51% | 115.18 | 123.0 / 112.0

GENERAL INSURANCE BGIC | 1.65 | 20.33 | Vol. 695119 D: 29.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 29.35 | 31.50 / 27.00 C: 29.10 ⇓ 1.02% | 29.19 | 31.00 / 28.00 GREENDELT | 4.05 | 64.44 | Vol. 435834 D: 105.4 ⇓ 3.74% | 106.38 | 120.0 / 98.00 C: 105.0 ⇓ 5.41% | 104.47 | 117.0 / 102.5 UNITEDINS | 2.47 | 21.04 | Vol. 204640 D: 46.00 ⇓ 8.73% | 46.08 | 52.00 / 42.00

PEOPLESINS | 2.05 | 20.72 | Vol. 459310 D: 26.90 ⇑ 0.37% | 26.96 | 28.70 / 24.80 C: 26.10 ⇓ 1.88% | 26.09 | 28.60 / 26.00 EASTERNINS | 2.22 | 35.88 | Vol. 295855 D: 39.30 ⇓ 1.75% | 39.60 | 43.90 / 38.00 C: 41.70 ⇑ 2.96% | 37.60 | 43.00 / 41.00 JANATAINS | 7.84 | 170.69 | Vol. 104311 D: 259.0 ⇑ 1.97% | 259.30 | 279.0 / 235.0 C: 267.8 ⇑ 4.81% | 267.84 | 273.0 / 255.0 PHENIXINS | 2.70 | 20.96 | Vol. 474400 D: 40.50 ⇓ 0.49% | 40.56 | 44.90 / 38.00 C: 38.50 ⇓ 3.75% | 38.45 | 43.90 / 38.40 EASTLAND | 4.06 | 23.29 | Vol. 899652 D: 48.00 ⇓ 2.04% | 48.13 | 52.80 / 44.10 C: 47.60 ⇓ 1.86% | 48.20 | 52.50 / 47.20 CENTRALINS | 1.54 | 19.04 | Vol. 176939 D: 28.20 ⇓ 3.75% | 28.26 | 30.50 / 25.50 C: 28.50 ⇓ 5.00% | 28.50 | 29.50 / 28.00 KARNAPHULI | 1.56 | 19.42 | Vol. 668280 D: 23.30 ⇑ 0.87% | 23.34 | 26.00 / 22.90 RUPALIINS | 2.76 | 23.38 | Vol. 971567 D: 33.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 33.16 | 35.60 / 30.00 C: 33.80 ⇑ 1.81% | 33.47 | 35.10 / 33.20 FEDERALINS | 1.10 | 10.98 | Vol. 1324773 D: 22.90 ⇑ 1.33% | 22.86 | 24.60 / 21.00 C: 23.00 ⇑ 1.77% | 23.02 | 24.90 / 22.70 RELIANCINS | 3.93 | 61.52 | Vol. 30928 D: 74.00 ⇓ 2.50% | 73.76 | 81.80 / 72.00 PURABIGEN | 1.05 | 18.71 | Vol. 1751200 D: 21.50 ⇓ 4.02% | 21.70 | 24.40 / 21.50 PRAGATIINS | 2.01 | 50.30 | Vol. 255431 D: 59.50 ⇓ 1.65% | 59.60 | 67.00 / 54.00 C: 64.50 ⇑ 15.18% | 64.50 | 64.50 / 61.60 PRIMEINSUR | 2.14 | 14.14 | Vol. 544576 D: 32.30 ⇓ 5.28% | 31.97 | 35.00 / 30.00 C: 34.00 ⇓ 1.45% | 34.00 | 34.00 / 34.00 PIONEERINS | 3.11 | 23.84 | Vol. 624170 D: 72.00 ⇓ 1.77% | 72.08 | 78.00 / 70.00 C: 75.00 ⇑ 0.40% | 75.00 | 75.00 / 68.00 MERCINS | 1.53 | 14.50 | Vol. 901963 D: 26.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 26.75 | 29.30 / 25.00 C: 26.40 ⇓ 6.71% | 24.50 | 28.30 / 26.40 AGRANINS | 1.73 | 14.39 | Vol. 552682 D: 26.70 ⇑ 1.91% | 26.63 | 30.20 / 26.00 GLOBALINS | 1.09 | 11.78 | Vol. 627677 D: 29.30 ⇑ 0.34% | 29.39 | 32.30 / 26.80 NITOLINS | 2.59 | 15.41 | Vol. 98210 D: 34.70 ⇓ 5.71% | 34.83 | 38.70 / 32.00 ASIAPACINS | 1.84 | 13.76 | Vol. 603540 D: 28.90 ⇓ 0.34% | 28.99 | 31.90 / 28.00 C: 28.60 ⇑ 5.93% | 28.60 | 30.10 / 28.20 SONARBAINS | 1.68 | 13.38 | Vol. 1638903 D: 24.20 ⇑ 5.22% | 24.05 | 27.00 / 21.00 C: 24.00 ⇑ 3.45% | 24.03 | 26.50 / 23.60 PARAMOUNT | 1.26 | 13.19 | Vol. 1694333 D: 24.20 ⇑ 3.42% | 24.40 | 27.40 / 21.90 C: 24.10 ⇑ 7.59% | 23.70 | 27.00 / 23.00 CITYGENINS | 1.65 | 14.26 | Vol. 1097498 D: 26.40 ⇓ 4.35% | 26.37 | 29.00 / 25.00 C: 26.40 ⇓ 1.49% | 26.19 | 28.60 / 26.00 CONTININS | 1.41 | 15.68 | Vol. 1545236 D: 33.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 33.67 | 38.40 / 30.70 C: 33.00 ⇓ 0.90% | 32.93 | 36.20 / 31.50 TAKAFULINS | 2.19 | 15.17 | Vol. 2684599 D: 38.90 ⇑ 16.82% | 39.53 | 46.50 / 30.10 C: 38.60 ⇑ 20.63% | 38.59 | 42.30 / 35.00 STANDARINS | 2.58 | 13.99 | Vol. 259529 D: 39.80 ⇑ 3.92% | 39.65 | 42.90 / 35.00 C: 39.10 ⇑ 9.83% | 39.10 | 39.10 / 35.60 NORTHRNINS | 1.77 | 11.15 | Vol. 642613 D: 43.90 ⇓ 2.88% | 43.77 | 48.00 / 39.70 C: 44.10 ⇓ 2.00% | 44.10 | 47.50 / 41.00 REPUBLIC | 2.14 | 12.42 | Vol. 808671 D: 51.30 ⇓ 4.29% | 51.41 | 56.90 / 49.20 C: 51.40 ⇓ 4.46% | 49.00 | 54.30 / 50.00 ASIAINS | 1.56 | 17.34 | Vol. 967363 D: 27.40 ⇓ 2.84% | 27.61 | 30.80 / 25.40 C: 27.60 ⇑ 0.36% | 27.60 | 30.50 / 27.00 PROVATIINS | 1.90 | 14.30 | Vol. 396318 D: 27.70 ⇑ 0.73% | 28.03 | 31.40 / 25.50 C: 28.30 ⇓ 0.70% | 28.30 | 31.40 / 26.50 DHAKAINS | 2.84 | 18.02 | Vol. 811075 D: 40.20 ⇑ 0.50% | 39.86 | 42.80 / 36.00 C: 40.70 ⇑ 3.04% | 39.63 | 42.00 / 38.50

LIFE INSURANCE NATLIFEINS | 12.34 | 80.99 | Vol. 101745 D: 252.5 ⇓ 1.10% | 252.71 | 270.0 / 240.0 C: 233.1 ⇓ 6.01% | 233.08 | 269.5 / 230.1 DELTALIFE | 38.53 | 189.40 | Vol. 30050 D: 6036 ⇑ 1.52% | 6092 | 6233 / 5933 C: 6005 ⇑ 0.08% | 6005 | 6200 / 6000 SANDHANINS | 2.39 | 28.22 | Vol. 222898 D: 71.20 ⇓ 1.66% | 71.08 | 77.60 / 65.10 C: 70.30 ⇓ 1.40% | 70.84 | 76.00 / 70.10 POPULARLIF | 3.70 | 715.41 | Vol. 62365 D: 166.7 ⇓ 0.54% | 166.70 | 175.0 / 158.0 FAREASTLIF | 9.21 | 60.79 | Vol. 782519 D: 96.70 ⇓ 16.06% | 97.14 | 118.9 / 90.00 C: 99.00 ⇓ 13.23% | 98.50 | 118.5 / 96.10 MEGHNALIFE | 10.82 | 48.87 | Vol. 266190 D: 104.4 ⇓ 3.78% | 104.68 | 114.0 / 97.00 C: 103.5 ⇓ 2.45% | 103.51 | 112.0 / 103.0 PROGRESLIF | 2.30 | 31.45 | Vol. 83745 D: 97.10 ⇑ 2.64% | 97.14 | 105.0 / 90.00 PRAGATILIF | 0.60 | 30.15 | Vol. 291434 D: 123.0 ⇑ 3.27% | 122.08 | 131.7 / 115.0 PRIMELIFE | 5.51 | 27.10 | Vol. 157892 D: 94.20 ⇓ 0.32% | 93.71 | 103.3 / 91.50 C: 93.50 ⇓ 2.71% | 91.48 | 95.00 / 88.00 RUPALILIFE | 3.75 | 31.25 | Vol. 302195 D: 98.50 ⇑ 3.90% | 97.65 | 107.0 / 90.00 C: 99.00 ⇑ 9.63% | 99.00 | 99.00 / 99.00 PADMALIFE | 1.63 | 25.76 | Vol. 177500 D: 59.70 ⇑ 0.17% | 59.62 | 62.50 / 59.00 C: 59.80 ⇓ 0.33% | 59.98 | 60.90 / 58.70 SUNLIFEINS | 0.00 | 0.00 | Vol. 1040950 D: 54.70 ⇓ 4.70% | 54.94 | 62.20 / 50.20 C: 55.00 ⇓ 3.85% | 55.01 | 62.00 / 54.30 TELECOM GP | 12.96 | 26.26 | Vol. 3691814 D: 195.1 ⇓ 0.61% | 195.43 | 209.0 / 180.0 C: 194.7 ⇓ 1.17% | 194.98 | 207.0 / 190.0 BSCCL | 6.69 | 30.34 | Vol. 4907820 D: 260.2 ⇑ 12.79% | 262.52 | 270.0 / 220.0 C: 258.5 ⇑ 11.90% | 261.55 | 270.0 / 231.1 Travel & Leisure UNITEDAIR | 1.10 | 12.87 | Vol. 46950781 D: 19.40 ⇓ 2.02% | 19.43 | 21.00 / 17.90 C: 19.40 ⇓ 2.02% | 19.50 | 20.80 / 19.20 UNIQUEHRL | 4.02 | 86.29 | Vol. 3490020 D: 88.50 ⇑ 1.03% | 88.99 | 92.00 / 78.60 C: 88.20 ⇑ 0.92% | 88.49 | 91.50 / 85.00 MISCELLANEOUS ARAMIT | 16.07 | 99.93 | Vol. 256150 D: 321.5 ⇓ 2.40% | 326.81 | 379.0 / 312.0 C: 328.4 ⇑ 12.04% | 328.80 | 370.0 / 318.7 BSC | 1.77 | 565.82 | Vol. 926600 D: 605.0 ⇑ 6.61% | 611.52 | 627.0 / 552.0 C: 602.5 ⇑ 6.35% | 609.00 | 629.0 / 550.3 GQBALLPEN | 6.55 | 250.45 | Vol. 1076306 D: 164.3 ⇓ 6.86% | 164.38 | 185.0 / 160.0 C: 163.5 ⇓ 8.40% | 163.95 | 186.9 / 162.5 USMANIAGL | 0.50 | 26.03 | Vol. 1039594 D: 172.2 ⇑ 0.12% | 175.15 | 193.0 / 160.0 C: 173.1 ⇑ 0.70% | 176.93 | 192.0 / 168.0 SAVAREFR | 0.23 | 12.32 | Vol. 26350 D: 94.90 ⇓ 2.57% | 98.17 | 106.9 / 80.00 BEXIMCO | 3.24 | 86.74 | Vol. 6442858 D: 32.60 ⇑ 2.52% | 32.68 | 35.00 / 28.70 C: 32.60 ⇑ 1.56% | 32.69 | 34.10 / 32.00 SINOBANGLA | 1.75 | 21.01 | Vol. 3262000 D: 23.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 23.75 | 26.80 / 23.10 C: 23.80 ⇓ 1.24% | 23.75 | 27.00 / 22.70 MIRACLEIND | 0.14 | 14.90 | Vol. 3700720 D: 18.90 ⇑ 13.86% | 18.16 | 23.50 / 17.00 C: 18.90 ⇑ 13.17% | 18.33 | 23.90 / 17.40 BOND IBBLPBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 21065 D: 955.0 ⇑ 0.18% | 954.55 | 965.0 / 950.0 C: 954.0 ⇑ 0.00% | 953.95 | 955.0 / 947.5 ACIZCBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 28530 D: 870.0 ⇑ 0.00% | 869.80 | 875.0 / 860.0 C: 857.5 ⇑ 0.88% | 857.50 | 878.0 / 840.0 BRACSCBOND | 0.00 | 0.00 | Vol. 180 D: 1100 ⇑ 4.27% | 1100 | 1100 / 1060

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

sunday, september 22, 2013

India’s new central bank chief orders surprise rate hike n AFP, Mumbai India’s new central bank governor surprised markets Friday with a bold decision to hike interest rates on fears of rising inflation, triggering sharp falls on the stock market.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) chief Raghuram Rajan, who had earlier warned he was prepared to be unpopular, increased the benchmark interest lending rate to 7.5% from 7.25 at his first policy review meeting since taking the reins.

The Bombay Stock Exchange’s index of leading shares fell by as much as 2.88% to a day’s low of 20,051.43 points, with interest-rate sensitive stocks in banking, auto and property hardest hit.

“Bringing down inflation to more tolerable levels warrants raising the repo rate by 25 basis points immediately,” Rajan said after announcing the first rates hike since October 2011.

He had been widely forecast by economists to keep rates on hold despite annual inflation hitting an unexpected six-month high of 6.1% this week.

While businesses and the government would like a rate cut to help revive sluggish growth, this would risk pushing inflation higher and further weakening the rupee, which hit record lows in the weeks before Rajan took charge on September 4.

Rajan did, however, relax some liquidity tightening measures introduced by the RBI in July to try and help stem the rupee’s freefall.

The cash reserve ratio, the amount banks must set aside with the central bank as reserves, was reduced to 9.5% from 10.25% while the marginal standing facility - used to lend to commercial banks when there is a shortage of funds in the market - was cut by 75 basis points.

“Now things are back to normal, he is using the policy rate to target inflation and that will allow the rupee to do what it likes,” Daniel Martin, Asia Economist at Capital Economics, told AFP. Nicknamed “The Guv”, Rajan stepped up to the plate faced with the unenviable task of propping up a weak rupee, reviving slowing economic growth and curbing rising inflation.

“Absolutely we want to fight inflation and we will bring inflation down, but it is not a ‘take no prisoners’ kind of stance,” he told reporters in India’s financial hub Mumbai after Friday’s meeting.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan speaks during a news conference on Friday, after the mid-quarter monetary policy review at the RBI headquarters in Mumbai REUTERS “The priorities of the central bank have always been inflation and growth. The emphasis on each varies with conditions.”

The Sensex recovered marginally to close down 1.85% at 20,263.71 points after Rajan explained the rationale for the cut.

Huge expectations have been riding on the former International Monetary Fund chief economist, who famously predicted the 2008 global financial crisis and has been lionised by India’s media.

After taking over the job, he immediately announced a string of measures to liberalise financial markets and support the currency.

Rajan’s efforts to swell foreign exchange coffers have helped the rupee rebound to reach around 62 to the dollar, from 67 when

he took charge.

Easing global market concerns over an end to the US Federal Reserve’s stimulus plan, attacks on Syria and rising oil prices have also aided the rupee’s recovery.

While the Fed made a shock decision earlier this week to keep its aggressive stimulus programme intact, Rajan said India has to “put our house in order” before any future US tapering occurs.

“We must use this time to create a bullet-proof national balance-sheet and growth agenda which creates confidence in citizens and investors alike,” he said.

The rate increase was criticised by business groups such as the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), which said the move

“could have been avoided”.

“Industry is already reeling under pressures of high cost of capital and low availability in a tight liquidity situation,” a CII statement said.

The Indian economy grew by just five percent last year, its slowest pace in a decade, and some private economists forecast expansion this year at under four percent.

Meanwhile, the Congress-led government has become mired in graft scandals and policy paralysis that have sunk its popularity and sent foreign investors fleeing.

India’s public finances are also in trouble with the current account deficit - the broadest measure of trade - hitting a record high last year. l

Fed officials criticize, explain taper delay n Reuters, New York Policymakers hit the speech circuit as financial markets continued to puzzle over Wednesday’s shock decision by the Fed not to scale back its massive bond-buying program after allowing the impression over the summer that it would do so.

Kansas City Fed President Esther George, the lone dissenter on Wednesday, said she had been “disappointed” by the decision not to begin normalizing policy after an unprecedented period of ultra-easy US money that has already lasted five years.

“The actions at this meeting, and the expectations that have been set relative to how markets

were thinking about this, created confusion, created a disconnect,” said George. She has dissented at every Fed meeting this year out of concern its policies could foster future asset bubbles and inflation.

Saint Louis Fed chief James Bullard, defending the decision, said low inflation meant the central bank could be patient in deciding when to act, although the prospects for tapering would pick up if payroll and unemployment data brightened further.

Speaking with reporters afterwards, Bullard said the Fed’s decision to sit tight “enhanced our credibility in the sense that it showed we really are paying attention to data and not on some au-

tomated program to cut QE (quantitative easing) to zero.”

Fed policymakers could still decide to start reducing bond purchases when they meet again in late October, Bullard said, if inflation and unemployment data warrant it.

A Reuters poll of economists found that a majority of those surveyed felt the Fed failed to communicate clearly in the weeks before Wednesday’s decision to stand pat.

Previous polls anticipated a September move, and the surprise announcement sparked a sharp drop in bond yields, reversing some of the rise which had built up since the Fed said in June that it expected to start scaling back later this year.

Declining borrowing costs could help restore momentum to tepid US growth and hiring.

Bullard, a committee voter this year, said he supported the decision not to alter the current pace of bond purchases, and would not favor any action until inflation reverted from what he views as a worryingly low trend.

“While I expect inflation to rise during the coming quarters, I want to see evidence of such an increase before endorsing less accommodative policy action,” he said.

The policymaker, who is usually viewed as a centrist, said in an earlier interview on Bloomberg television that the Fed could still decide to act at its next meeting, at the end of October. l