11 Feb, 2016

SECOND EDITION

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016

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Magh 29, 1422, Jamadiul Awal 1, 1437

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 3, No 296

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www.dhakatribune.com | 32 pages | Price: Tk10

TEA-SELLER’S DEATH

Informant went out of hand under police protection n Kamrul Hasan Officers at Shah Ali police station in the capital extorted money from local criminals through their network of informants. In return, they cut slack for their men.

“In Babul Matabbor’s case, informant Delowar Hossain overstepped his boundaries,” Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Masud Ahmed admits.

Apparently acting under police protection, Delowar burned tea-seller Babul to death at Mirpur earlier this month. The informant regularly collected money from local drug peddler Parul, who had a tussle with Babul and is listed as the main accused in the murder case.

Police sources say informants are usually chosen from among criminals. ADC Masud told the Dhaka Tribune: “They [informants] do not have the authority to take actions …

Babul was set on fire before the police patrol team had arrived. The policemen neglected their duties.”

Babul’s family has been claiming that the officer for whom informants Delowar and Aiyub Ali worked for, is the man behind the incident. ADC Masud said the informants worked for Sub-Inspector Mominur Rahman.

Officer-in-Charge AKM Shahin Mondol, SI Shreedham Chandra Hawlader, SI Mominur, SI Niaz Uddin Mollah, ASI Jogendranath and Constable Jasim Uddin were withdrawn following the incident. Four of them, except OC Shahin and SI Shreedham, have been suspended.

Dead baby kept on life support Even after the death of a 16-month-old baby girl, the Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital had allegedly been keeping her lifeless body on life support at the ICU, without notifying the family about her passing. PAGE 3

Sluggish development of Gulshan Lake The Gulshan-Banani-Baridhara Lake development project is progressing at snail’s pace as Rajuk has been facing fierce opposition from land grabbers. PAGE 7

Informants are a necessary part of the police force’s efforts in upholding the law and protecting citizens.

But recent events such as the death of a tea-seller and the shooting of a rickshaw-puller have exposed how, in many cases, informants use their influence over law enforcers to serve their own vendettas by making the police accomplices in crime RAJIB DHAR A Dhaka Tribune investigation found that Delowar collected extortion money from Parul while Aiyub collected money from Moli and Juli, who sold drugs in Road 5 area near the police station. Another informant collected money from Tania, a drug peddler based near the national zoo.

Shah Ali residents alleged that police only arrested buyers and spared the drug peddlers, whom they considered as their golden geese.

Sometimes police intentionally arrested wrong persons to let the peddlers go scot-free.

Gudaraghat’s Kazifuri residents said

Court blocks Obama carbon emissions plan The US Supreme Court delivers a major blow to President Obama by putting on hold federal regulations to curb carbon emissions mainly from coal-fired power plants, the centerpiece of his strategy to combat climate change. PAGE 23

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

US spy chief sees rise in militancy in Bangladesh

Iran-India gas pipeline could benefit Bangladesh

n Tribune Desk

n Aminur Rahman Rasel

The US intelligence chief has claimed that efforts by the Bangladesh government to undermine the political opposition would probably provide openings for transnational terrorist groups to expand their presence, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday.

Several Bangladeshi security analysts, however, refuse to accept the view, saying the statement was issued only to give political edge for someone.

US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper questioned Bangladesh’s public insistence that the killings of foreigners – Tavella Caesar and Hoshi Kunio – were the work of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, and are intended to discredit the incumbent government.

The reopening of Iran, now that sanctions against the country have been eased following the signing of a nuclear deal with the world powers, could be a boon to Bangladesh’s energy sector.

The government is planning a high level meeting to determine what a proposed pipeline between Iran and India via the sea, and by-passing Pakistan, will mean for Bangladesh and to decide what to do next.

EMRD Acting Secretary Nazimuddin Chowdhury told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday: “We will sit to review the matter on February 16.”

The Prime Minister’s Power and Energy Adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury and State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid are scheduled to at-

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

INSIDE

tend the meeting.

The proposed pipeline could help satisfy Bangladesh’s hunger for energy, but the deal must be carefully negotiated if Bangladesh is to benefit, energy experts said.

“If we can access the pipeline, we will be benefitted,” an Energy and Mineral Resources Division official said, asking not to be named, but added: “We have to be cautious when negotiating transmission charges and tariffs.”

Energy negotiations with India have seen hiccups in recent times.

Previous plans to construct a 130km fuel oil pipeline between the Indian town of Siliguri and Parbatipur in Dinajpur fell through after Indian state-owned Numaligarh Refinery Limited sought an exorbitant premium for diesel exports to Bangladesh.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

History beckons Bangladesh U-19 For the very first time in the history of Bangladesh cricket, the nation will have a side playing in the semi-final of an ICC WC event when junior Tigers take on the West Indies today in the second semi-final of the U-19 World Cup. PAGE 25

Poetry makes a mark at book fair Poets continued to publish new titles enriching Bangla literature as new arrivals at Amar Ekushey Book Fair over the last few days included a good number of poetry books. PAGE 32

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Still nothing in Sagar-Runi murder probe Jamil Khan and n Mohammad Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

Four years after journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi were killed, investigations have returned very little.

Rapid Action Battalion has spent around Tk1 crore for investigation but has so far failed to arrest any culprits and uncover motives.

In September last year, RAB changed the investigating officer. Mohiuddin Ahmed, an assistant police super (ASP), replaced Wares Ali. When contacted, ASP Mohiuddin said they were hopeful about a breakthrough soon.

So far, eight people have been arrested, three of whom are out on bail, he said.

On February 11, 2012, Sagar, news editor

of Maasranga TV, and Runi, senior reporter of ATN Bangla, were killed in their rented flat at West Rajabazar of Dhaka. Runi’s brother Nowsher Alam Roman filed a case with the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police later.

The then home minister Shahara Khatun assured identifying and arresting the killers within 48 hours.

Three days later, DMP spokesperson Monirul Islam said suspects were under watch.

A month later, then police chief Hassan Mahmud Khandker claimed to have made significant progress in probe.

However, all these turned out to be futile as police finally admitted failure. Later, the High Court handed over the investigation to RAB. Since the murder, there have been at least

146 hearing sessions at the court of Dhaka’s chief metropolitan magistrate.

According to case documents, 158 people have been interrogated. Investigators also recorded statement of the couple’s only son Mahir Sawar Megh.

As part of the probe, RAB sent 50 pieces of evidence to a US lab, which identified two samples and said no matter who the killers were, their DNA must match with those two samples.

Frustrated with the slow progress in investigation, Roman said they did not even know that the investigating officer had been changed.

“We have already given up hopes. Our only concern now is the future of Megh,” Roman said. l

BNP fixes council venue n Tribune Report The BNP yesterday fixed Bashundhara Convention Centre as the venue for its upcoming national council on March 19.

In a meeting of the party’s Standing Committee, chaired by Chairperson Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan office, 11 sub-committees were also formed to organise the national council.

BNP sources said the party’s Adviser TH Khan would act as the election commissioner for the council; if he cannot take on the role, the responsibility would be carried out by former speaker Jamiruddin Sircar.

The party also decided that it would participate in the union parishad elections. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Iran-India gas pipeline could benefit Bangladesh But Iran is very keen to do business with Bangladesh.

A recent Iranian business delegation led

by Mohammad Reza Moudoody, adviser to Iran’s Industries, Mines and Commerce minister told Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed recently that Iran was interested in exporting Liquefied Petroleum Gas to Bangladesh.

The Hindu.com reports that the proposed $4.5 billion pipeline under the Arabian Sea

will transport 31.5 million standard cubic metres of gas under the per day and is expected to be built within two years of the signing of the gas sale and purchase agreement.

A senior Iranian official recently said negotiations were being held to build the pipeline from Iran to India’s western coast following India’s rejection of a proposal for an overland pipeline that would pass through Pakistan.

As per the proposal being discussed, South

Asia Gas Enterprise (Sage) will lay a 1,400 km pipeline bypassing the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Pakistan. Any company wanting to buy gas from Iran can rent the pipeline.

Tehran-based Mehr news agency reported that Iran agreed to award a $3 billion contract to develop the Farzad B gas field in the Persian Gulf to a consortium of Indian companies led by India’s state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).

Mehr quoted the director of the Falat Ghare oil company, Saeed Hafezi, as saying the easing of sanctions signified that the consortium could resume field development, the first phase of which aims to produce one billion cubic feet of natural gas per day.

The Farzad B field, discovered by the Indian explorer’s overseas arm ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL), is estimated to hold initial in-place gas reserves of 12.5 trillion cubic feet. l

Informant went out of hand under police protection Delowar was a familiar face there and that he tipped police only about drug buyers.

He kept locals in dark about his profession.

“Delowar always carried a pair of handcuffs and often posed as a policeman,” a local said, adding that Shah Ali police officers were privy to the information.

Delowar was also involved in last week’s arrest of three men, including one Mokter Hossain who is locally known as an arms dealer. A resident told the Dhaka Tribune that former OC Shahin had let him go after taking a Tk1 lakh bribe. SI Mominur led the drive.

Fear grips victim’s family, witnesses

Babul’s family and witnesses have softened tones, presumably fearing for their safety. No murder case has been filed yet and Babul’s son Raju said they were waiting for police investigation reports.

The family was expected to file a case against policemen who were at the spot but hinted at opting out if police’s internal probe found their men guilty.

Separate police investigations faulted OC Shahin, SI Mominur, SI Niaz, ASI Jogendranath and Constable Jasim. An investiga-

tion committee recommended disciplinary action against Mominur, Niaz, Jogendranath and Jasim. It found Niaz guilty of letting one of the attackers go, and the three of not taking any action. The OC was accused of failing to control his subordinates.

“I do not want anything to happen to my sister,” Raju said. His aunt Shamsunnahar said they did not file a case as witnesses retracted their statements. Some are now saying that they went to the spot after police had left while others claim they could not recognise anyone.

The locals, too, were cautious and many refused to speak. Witness Anwar Hussain said a plainclothesman had stopped him from helping Babul. “I am not sure if he was a policeman,” he said. Anwar had previously claimed that police prevented locals from helping Babul.

Witness Jahanara Begum said she had seen Babul on fire and the policemen flee but asserted that she could not recognise anyone.

“You know how it works. The situation forces us to keep mum,” said another witness, who declined to be identified. l

US spy chief sees rise in militancy in Bangladesh In a written testimony to a Senate hearing on worldwide threats, Clapper noted the claims of responsibility from the Dae’sh group (Islamic State) for 11 high-profile attacks on foreigners and religious minorities, and the claims from outlawed militant group Ansarullah Bangla Team and al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) for killing at least 11 progressive writers, bloggers and publishers in Bangladesh since 2013.

The claims by Dae’sh group were reported

by SITE Intelligence Group, a US-based website monitoring jihadi activities, whereas Ansarullah and AQIS made the claims through Twitter and Facebook accounts.

The current Bangladesh administration repeatedly denied the presence of the Dae’sh group in the country, and has accused domestic militant organisations and political opponents for the attacks, Clapper said.

US Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicat on several occasions has expressed her government’s plan to assist the Bangladesh government in combating militancy.

In a meeting with the home minister last week, Bernicat said that the US government was keen to share information on Dae’sh and its possible threats in Bangladesh. She added that a US envoy would visit Bangladesh to hand the home minister over the information.

In his testimony, Clapper said that Bangladesh has been in political ferment since the run-up to January 2014 elections that were boycotted by opposition parties, and over war crimes prosecutions brought against Jamaat-e-Islami leaders over their alleged involvement in atrocities during 1971 War of Independence.

Earlier, the US made a similar statement in early 2007 in its Congressional Research Service report, saying culture of political violence and deterioration of Bangladesh’s democracy centring elections might create additional space for the Islamist militants.

Maj Gen (retd) Abdur Rashid, a security analyst, refused to accept Clapper’s comments.

“The so-called Islamic parties have been found doing it since the beginning of the nineteenth century and we faced militant attacks a number of times since then,” Rashid told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

“If we say it is happening for the present political phenomena, then why did the terrorist activities happen earlier? I think that their [US] observation on the issue of militancy is nothing but giving a political edge to someone.”

He said that one needs to know about the financiers and sympathisers to understand the trend of terrorism in the country. “Analysing the issues, I can say clearly that the US intelligence chief’s statement cannot be acceptable.”

Air Commodore (retd) Ishfaq Ilahi Choudhury, who follows security issues, thinks that the political situation in the country is now stable. “I do

not think the political situation may give rise to militant activities.”

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has reiterated that the killing of foreigners was part of a conspiracy by a group of people to embarrass the incumbent government.

“Their international agents are providing them with necessary supports,” he said yesterday. l

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016

Dead baby kept on life support at city's Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital n Kamrul Hasan Even after the death of a 16-month-old baby girl, authorities at the capital’s Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital had allegedly been keeping her lifeless body on life support at the ICU, without notifying the family about her passing.

The incident was only revealed when a mobile court, accompanied by RAB 2 and led

by Executive Magistrate Helal Uddin, carried out a drive at the Jigatola hospital.

The child, Sumaiya Sabah, was admitted to the hospital on Monday with breathing problems. She was immediately taken to the ICU, where she remained away from her family until she died.

However, the exact time of her death could not be known.

The mobile court was first notified by the child’s mother about the secretive role being played by the hospital staff.

“She [the mother] came to us and alleged

that the hospital authorities are not giving any clear information regarding the health condition of her daughter. Based on her allegation, I forcefully entered the ICU as the behaviour of the ICU staff seemed suspicious, and found that the baby was already dead,” said Dr Mohammad Shahjahan, a member of the mobile court.

“For further confirmation, I took the stethoscope to check the baby’s heartbeats, but found none. Later, I asked the on-duty doctor to check again. The doctor confirmed that she was already dead,” he added.

But hospital authorities claimed they did not notice when Sumaiya had died.

The official cause of death was mentioned as brain inflammation, pneumonia, and virus infection.

Baby Sumaiya’s mother, Sourabh Binte Islam, told the Dhaka Tribune that she could feel something was wrong even before the mobile court had arrived.

“I approached the doctors several times

to know about the latest physical condition of my daughter, suspecting something was wrong.

“But they were not letting me know anything clear. Instead, they took my signature on four papers which did not contain any detail about my baby’s health condition,” the mother said.

Sourabh said she was allowed to go into the ICU earlier yesterday morning to see her daughter, but what she saw made her suspect that Sumaiya might have already been dead.

During that visit, the mother noticed that Sumaiya’s skin colour had faded and her body had become stiff.

But the on-duty doctor pointed to machine readings and claimed that the girl was still alive.

When Dr Shahjahan, who is an assistant director at DGHS, was asked whether negligence might have caused the death, he said the baby’s case history showed that it would

have been difficult to save her.

But negligence was definitely found in the hospital’s treatment, he added.

Doctors at Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital failed to form a medical board, which should have been done yesterday morning, Dr Shahjahan said.

Also, the room being used as an intensive care unit (ICU) could be best described as a septic ward, the DGHS official added.

When contacted, Hospital CEO Dr RM Samiul Hasan refused to comment.

“I cannot comment on the issue before consulting the doctor concerned as it is a specialised matter,” Dr Samiul said.

The baby’s uncle, Ahmed Aurangzeb, said the family would not be filing any case.

Meanwhile, the mobile court fined the private hospital a total Tk1.15 million for not fulfilling three major criteria including keeping unauthorised drugs and issuing diagnostic reports without any expert’s authorisation. l

Sexual assault claim against SI Ratan true n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

The allegation of sexual harassment of a private university student raised against Ratan Kumar Howlader, a sub-inspector of Adabor police station, is found true in a judicial inquiry.

Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sheikh Hafizur Rahman yesterday sent the inquiry report to Judge Saleh Uddin Ahmed of the Dhaka’s Women and Children Repression prevention Tribunal 4.

The tribunal fixed February 16 for taking the report into cognisance in the case, Bench Assistant Forkan Miah said.

Earlier, Metropolitan Magistrate Emdadul Haque submitted the report to the CMM court yesterday after conducting a judicial probe over the allegation.

During the probe, Magistrate Emdadul recorded depositions of five witnesses – the victim, her husband Sajib Ahamed, mother Sima Begum, human haulier driver Md Sukkur Ali and shop owner Khokon.

According to the victim’s statement, SI Ratan and two other members of Adabor police stopped her rickshaw around 3pm on January 31 while she was on her way to a bookstore in Noorjahan Road area.

The police confined her, a student of ASA University, to an electronics shop in front of Japan Garden City in Mohammadpur and harassed her for about 45 minutes, accusing her of being a yaba trader.

The SI also ordered the shop owner to leave following which he opened her jacket and handbag, and sexually harassed her in the name of searching for drugs.

Later, the victim filed a case with the Dhaka’s Women and Children Repression prevention Tribunal 4. Tribunal Judge Md Salehuddin Ahmed ordered a judicial probe into the allegations on February 1. l

Shyambazar kitchen market is located on the bank of Buriganga River in Old Dhaka. Traders of the market dump waste into the Buriganga River which is polluting environment as well as the river. The photo was taken yesterday MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

HC: Ensure emergency services at all hospitals n Asif Islam Shaon The High Court has directed the government to take necessary steps for providing emergency medical services to road accident victims at all government and private hospitals across the country.

The bench of justices Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Md Iqbal Kabir came up with the order yesterday, in response to a writ petition.

Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust and Syed Saifuddin Kamal, a social entrepreneur, filed the petition seeking a High Court order on the government to ensure emergen-

cy medical services to injured people at all hospitals and clinics.

The respondents are the Health Ministry, the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry, the Directorate of Health Services and the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council.

The court also sought explanations within four weeks on why the failure to ensure that hospitals and clinics provide emergency medical services to critically injured persons should not be declared to be violation of the fundamental right to access emergency healthcare.

The court also asked the health secretary and the health directorate DG to explain why

they should not be directed to require hospitals, clinics and doctors to ensure immediate emergency medical services when a critically injured person is brought to them, to forward such persons to the nearest emergency department, and to set up a complaints system.

The High Court also ordered the government to submit a report in three months on the progress of the process under the National Road Safety Strategic Action Plan 2014-16.

The court ordered measures to create public awareness on post-crash care and treatment of road accident victims through print and electronic media. l

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SM Niloy on militant hit-list leaves country n Tribune Report

Another secularist writer has left the country in the face of threats issued by banned militant group Ansarullah Bangla Team, which claimed the responsibility of murdering several activists since 2013.

SM Niloy, whose name has first appeared in Ansarullah’s hit-list on February 7, had stopped blogging in 2014. He left for an undisclosed location on Tuesday, according to his Facebook post.

“I did not want to leave the country like this. Goodbye Bangladesh. Hope to see you again. I have reached here safely...” he said in Facebook.

Two of his friends also confirmed the matter to the Dhaka Tribune, adding that the members of the Detective Branch of police had alerted him about a possible attack.

Niloy used to write on Mukto-Mona, a blogging platform for atheists founded by slain science writer Avijit Roy, Amar Blog and somewhereinblog.net.

The latest hit-list published by a Bangla daily on February 7 also contained the names of three other secular activists and writers – Parvez Alam, Nur Nabi Dulal and Ananya Azad. They have already left the country out of fear.

Earlier, Shuddhashar publisher Ahmedur Rashid Tutul and poet-blogger Tareq Rahim, who were injured in an attack carried out by suspected Ansarullah men on October 31 last year, left the country in November. l

‘Pakistan plotting against BD in collusion with BNP’ n Abu Hayat Mahmud The Awami League-led 14-party alliance yesterday alleged that Pakistan was plotting against Bangladesh with the connivance of the BNP and its ally Jamaat-e-Islami.

Spokesperson for the alliance Mohammed Nasim made the remark at a press conference at Awami League President Sheikh Hasina’s Dhanmondi office in the capital.

He said: “Pakistan, like 1971, is conspiring against Bangladesh in the with the help of the BNP and Jamaat. BNP chief Khaleda Zia is Pakistan’s agent and what she said about the Liberation War martyrs was just part of the conspiracy.”

He also warned that all diplomatic ties with Pakistan would be cut if the country did not refrain from plotting against Bangladesh.

Nasim talked about the Simla Agreement and other international agreements that restrict Pakistan from interfering in Bangladesh’s internal affairs.

Meanwhile, Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif yesterday said a human chain to be formed on February 15 in protest at Khaleda’s recent remarks would travel through 14 points in the capital. He said the human chain would march from Gabtoli to Jatrabari via Asad Gate, Russel Square and Shahbagh.

Earlier in the day, a meeting was held among leaders of the 14-party alliance and its front organisations, lawmakers and both the mayors of Dhaka to discuss how the human chain protest could be made successful. l

Government asked to submit report on waste management n Tribune Report

The High Court directed the authorities concerned to submit reports on the steps taken for waste management in Dhaka north and south city corporation areas yesterday.

The court also issued a rule upon the government and the authorities of city corporations to explain as to why they should not be directed to take necessary steps for waste management in the city corporation areas. The two mayors of the two city corporations, secretary of the Local Government Ministry, environment secretary, DG of the Director of Environment, chief waste management officer of two city corporations will have to come up with answers in four weeks. The report has to be submitted in three months.

The HC Bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir gave the order and rule following a primary hearing in a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Syed Mohidul Kabir. l

News

PM: Most of the provisions of CHT Treaty implemented n Tribune Report

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday told parliament that most of the provisions of Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Treaty were implemented.

“We have already implemented 48 clauses out of 72 clauses of the CHT Treaty and are working sincerely to implement the rest of the clauses,” she said replying to a query.

The premier also said 48 clauses have already been implemented fully and 15 clauses have been implemented partially and the nine are under implementation.

Hasina said that her government had taken different programmes, including in communication and education sectors, as part of implementation of the treaty signed on December 2, 1997.

She criticised the previous BNP-led alliance government for slowing down implementation process after the alliance came to power in 2001.

She said the government took all-out steps to implement the CHT Treaty after the surrender of arms by the Janasanghati Parishad and other groups on February 10, 1998.

“The Awami League government and the Janasanghati Samity signed the treaty through discussion and we did not involve any foreign force or others,” she said.

The prime minister said her government had treated the problem politically and observed that it was not possible to solve it militarily.

Hasina said 119 military camps out of the 232 have already been withdrawn and the rest to be pulled out in phases to implement Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Treaty.

“There is a plan to pull out army personnel in time through withdrawing the temporary camps after developing the infrastructure,” she said. l

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Bangladesh seeks security training for airport n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

da, United States and Australia were present at the meeting.

Bangladesh last month submitted a timebound sustainable planning for the improvement of airport security.

The British authorities have wanted to inspect Dhaka airport for quite a long time and in November they sent a team to see by themselves the security situation.

Regional Liasion Officer for Aviation Safety for Asia-Pacific Region Jon Lovsey came in November and submitted its first report where he mentioned security lapses for passenger movement.

Lovsey again visited Dhaka in mid-December and submitted its report where security lapses in cargo handling system were highlighted. l

their countries about the development,” the official said.

After a Russian plane was exploded in Egypt in October, securities at airports around the world were heightened.

Another official said the government sought assistance from the countries to provide proper security training and they said they would consider it.

“We also told them that it would take time to buy necessary equipment,” he said.

The government would buy equipment worth Tk800 million for security up-gradation at the airport but due to procurement policy it would take three to four months to complete the procedures.

Envoys from United Kingdom, Japan and Germany, and senior diplomats from Cana-

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon yesterday briefed diplomats of six embassies about the steps taken to improve security at the Shahjalal International Airport.

An official of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh made a presentation on the steps taken, said an official who was present at the meeting.

The steps are: deployment of airport security force, renovation of cargo warehouse, restriction on outsiders’ entry to cargo warehouse area, installation of scanners and initiatives to buy new equipment.

“We briefed them about our position and they told us that they would send report to

Mayor injured in leopard’s attack in Sherpur n Our Correspondent, Sherpur The mayor of Sreebardi municipality in Sherpur was admitted to hospital as he sustained critical injuries after a leopard attacked him yesterday.

Abu Sayeed, also a local Awami League leader, was attacked by the leopard that came down from a hill near the border with India in the morning and hid in a forest under the municipality’s Jaalkata area.

Locals later rescued the mayor from the leopard and beat it to death in the presence of hundreds of onlookers.

Sayeed was first taken to a hospital in Sreebardi but was later transferred to Sherpur District Hospital.

For better treatment, the mayor was admitted to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, said Sherpur Civil Surgeon Dr Anwar Hossain.

S Alam, officer-in-charge of Sreebardi police station, said the leopard measured around 4-4.5 feet in length.

Monirul H Khan, a zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University, said there are some leopards in the hills located in the border areas but there is no official figure.

“Leopards are endangered in Bangladesh but not abroad,” he added. l

Tk5381cr electricity bills in arrears n Tribune Report

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid yesterday told the parliament that the total amount of electricity bills in arrears is Tk5,381cr.

“As of October 2015, the amount of outstanding electricity bills is Tk5,381cr in the country,” he said replying to a question adding that a number of measures have already been taken to realise the bills.

The junior minister said the measures include enlisting defaulters, disconnecting electricity line, forming special teams to collect the outstanding bills and taking legal actions against the defaulters.

In reply to another query, Hamid said the total system loss in power supply and distribution came down to 13.55% in 2014- 2015 fiscal from 14.13% in 2013-2014.

The system loss was 15.73% in 2009-2010 fiscal, he said. l

TEMPERATURE FOREC AST FOR TODAY

Dhaka

DRY WEATHER THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11

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Locals in Sherpur’s Sreebardi municipality area beat a leopard to death after the animal attacks the municipality mayor, leaving him injured yesterday KAMRUZZAMAN ABU

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Chittagong

27

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Rajshahi

DHAKA TODAY SUN SETS 5:51PM

30

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Rangpur

28

14

Khulna

30

19

Barisal

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

TOMORROW SUN RISES 6:34AM

29.4º0 Patuakhali

13.8ºC Rajshahi

Source: Accuweather/UNB

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PRAYER TIMES

Sylhet

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Cox’s Bazar

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Fajr: 5:17am | Zohr: 12:13am Asr: 4:13pm | Magrib: 5:52pm Esha: 7:20pm Source: IslamicFinder.org

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Chief justice: All judges should follow code of conduct n Tribune Report

Chief Justice SK Sinha yesterday expressed hopes that the incumbent and retired judges who enjoy state facilities would abide by all norms and values.

He made the comment when retired High Court judge Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury appeared before the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division on behalf of convicted war criminal Mir Quasem Ali. A five-member bench of Appellate Division, headed by the chief justice, held hearing on the war criminal’s appeal against his death penalty for the second day yesterday.

During the hearing, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam informed the court that Justice Nozrul was still using the Judge’s Lounge, where he unethically discussed the case with other lawyers.

The chief justice then said he hopes that all retired judges would abide by the code of conducts.

He added that retired judges of the High Court division have the opportunity to be a counsel in a case at the Appellate Division, as

this has been a long-standing practice.

Justice Nozrul retired on December 10 last year.

Meanwhile, after hearing arguments from Quasem’s lawyer SM Shajahan, the Appellate Division fixed next Monday for further hearing in the appeal by the war criminal.

Quasem Ali, a commander of al-Badr in Chittagong during the war, filed the appeal challenging his death penalty for his crimes against humanity during the Liberation War, citing 181 reasons for his acquittal on all the charges.

He was sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal 2 on November 2, 2014, after it found him guilty on 10 charges of abducting, confining and torturing people during the war.

The tribunal handed down death penalty on two charges – for killing seven people, including one Jasim Uddin, after abduction. He was also awarded a total of 72-year imprisonment on the eight other proven charges of abduction, conspiracy and planning.

Quasem, a member of Jamaat-e-Islami Central Executive Council is known to be the key financier of Jamaat. l

Muktijuddhe EPR (Bortoman BGB) book unveiled n Tribune Report A book on the contribution of then East Pakistan Rifles, which is now Border Guard Bangladesh, in the 1971 Liberation War was unveiled yesterday.

Titled Muktijuddhe EPR (Bortoman BGB), the book was unveiled by BGB Director General Major General Aziz Ahmed at the force’s headquarters in the capital’s Pilkhana, said a press release.

Top BGB officials were present at the programme.

The force has a rich history of success and bravery in carrying out numerous military operations during the war and a segment of that has been narrated in the book.

The initiative to publish the book was taken after the success of another book named Muktijuddhe EPR (BGB) Er Obodan, which was unveiled marking the BGB Day 2015.

Distributed by National Book Centre, Muktijuddhe EPR (Bortoman BGB) is available at the stalls of Apan Prakash, and Pial Printing and Publications at Amar Ekushey Book Fair. l

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News

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016

Gulshan-Banani-Baridhara Lake development progresses at snail’s pace n Abu Hayat Mahmud A development project for the Gulshan-Banani-Baridhara Lake in Dhaka is progressing ponderously as the capital’s development authority Rajuk has been facing fierce opposition from land grabbers.

The three-year plan, which aims to improve and beautify the lake at a cost of Tk4.10 crore, was approved by the Executive Committee of National Economic Council on July 6, 2010.

Rajuk officials said the project was scheduled to begin in July 2010 and end by June 2013. However, the development authority has failed to make significant headway in the last five years due to repeated interventions by the land grabbers. Rajuk has resumed the field works recently.

When contacted, the project’s Director Monowarul Islam said they would go ahead with the development work. “It will be carried out alongside land reclamation. We will take legal action against anyone who will try to thwart the development work,” he told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

He hoped the development work would be completed by the end of 2018.

Workers were seen recovering parts of the encroached lake near the bridge at Kemal Atartuk Avenue in Banani yesterday. Earlier, Rajuk officials said they were yet to recover about 11 acres of land in the adjoining area of Gulshan-Baridha Lake because of protests and litigation by occupiers.

Moreover, the development authority is yet to acquire 69.14 acres of land – of which 23.58 acres are owned by the BTCL and 23.58 acres are publicly owned.

According to the project plan, a road will be built to connect the Gulshan Lake site with Hatirjheel. Starting at Baridhara Circle, the road will end at Hatirjheel Police Plaza Concord, passing Mariam Tower, Shahajad-

Factory manager mugged in front of police

n Our Correspondent, Narayanganj Assailants snatched Tk3.25 lakh from the manager of a factory in the presence of police in Narayanganj yesterday.

The victim, Jahirul Haque, 32, works as the manager of Fair Textile in Rupganj’s Tarabat.

The crime was committed on the slope of Kanchpur bridge around 2pm, with witnesses saying police took no action to capture the perpetrators who sped away on two motorbike.

Officer-in-Charge of Kanchpur highway police station Sheikh Shariful Islam said Jahirul withdrew the money from bank and was on his way to office when some four to five people held him at gunpoint and took the money away.

“They also fired some blank shots. There were police near the scene but muggers commit such crimes very fast. We are probing if police failed to take proper action,” he added. l

Work on Gulshan-Banani-Baridhara Lake in the capital has resumed recently after several years’ disruption. The photo taken from Gulshan area yesterday shows a buldozer removing earth from a portion of the lake SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN pur and Badda.

Some of the link roads and eight bridges inside the project will be extended for better connectivity, and sidewalks will be built by the lakeside. Recreational facilities will be set up at different spots in adjoining areas of

the lake. Driveways, footpaths, walkways and viewing decks are also included in the plan.

Rajuk officials said the High Court in May 2006 directed authorities to stop grabbers from filling up the Gulshan Lake. Later, in an order in 2009, the High Court asked Ra-

juk to restore the original lake by evicting encroachers.

In April 2012, the High Court directed the government to demolish all buildings erected on illegally occupied sites on the Gulshan Lake in 15 days. l

BCL committee at CU suspended following clashes n CU Correspondent The central committee of ruling party’s student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) has asked to stop all activities of the committee of Chittagong University (CU) unit BCL until further notice following clashes.

Following the clashes, the central committee also asked the CU BCL unit president Alamgir Tipu and general secretary HM Fazle Rabbi Sujon to explain about their role in the clashes.

General Secretary of BCL central committee Jakir Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune that the central committee took the decision to avert any untoward incident at the educational institution.

Leaders and activists “Sixty Nine” group attacked the supporters of another faction “Bijoy” at Suhrawardi dormitory in the early hours of yesterday.

“Sixty Nine” faction is being led by CU BCL president Alamgir Tipu while Bijoy group is being led by general secretary Fazle Rabbi Sujon. Alamgir Tipu is loyal to Chittagong

Awami League General Secretary AJM Nasir Uddin while Sujon is blessed by Awami League city unit President ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury.

Police and residential students said at least five rooms of Suhrawardi dormitory—104, 105, 106, 107 and 110 controlled by Bijoy group were vandalished and ransacked during the Wednesday’s melee. However, the report of the injured persons could not be known.

“On information, police and proctorial body had rushed to the spot, but the clashing groups managed to flee the spot before police’s arrival”, said Officer-in-Charge of Hathazari police station Ismail Hossain.

On Tuesday, at least six persons were injured in a clash at Shah Amanat dormitory between groups of president and secretary.

Ali Azgar Chowhdhury, CU proctor, said: “Following the incident CU authority formed a probe committee consisting five-member headed by Professor Jasim Uddin of Forestry and Environmental Science Institute of CU while the committee asked to submit its re-

port by seven working days”.

Earlier, at least 30 people, including four police officials were injured in a factional clash on November 2, last while the first intake test for the 2015-2016 academic session was going on.

Following the clash, police arrested 40 BCL activists and recovered a large number of sharp weapons from BCL-dominated two dormitories – Shahjalal and Shah Amanat.

Police then filed three cases against 235 BCL leaders and activists.

Making Alamgir Tipu and Sujon as president and secretary of CU unit BCL respectively, the two-member committee had been formed on July 20, last.

It is mentionable that Alamgir Tipu is an accused of CRB double murder case that filed with Kotwali police station on 24 June, 2013 in Chittagong city. Fazly Rabbi Sujon is also an accused in another case filed with Hathazari police station in connection with trading gun shots between two groups of BCL on September 27, 2014 at Shah Jalal dormitory, said police sources. l

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016

News

Rape victim’s family threatened with dire consequences n FM Mizanur Rahaman, Chittagong

A local councilor of Chittagong district’s Patiya upazila has threatened the family of 17-year-old mentally challenged girl who was gang-raped in last year, to withdraw the case filed against the rapists.

Mother of the mentally-challenged girl brought the allegation against Rupak Sen, councilor of Patiya no 2 union, at a press conference held at Chittagong Press Club yesterday.

She said a group of six culprits had gangraped her daughter storming into the house in absence of her family members on June 21, last.

Currently, the girl is eight-month pregnant, added victim’s mother.

She stated that soon after the incident, a local influential quarter tried to negotiate the matter, but they did not agree. Then, they went to the Patiya police station for registering the case,

but police told them to file the case with court.

With help of “Nari Jogajog Kendra, an NGO, the family al last could file a case with Chittagong Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal on January 4 this year.

Accused of the case are – Pial Dey, 20, Emon Dey, 20 Jony Dey, 26, Sujon Dey, 22, Sajib Dey, 22, and Nayon Dey, 22.

She said although the case had been filed a few days back, the rapists were moving freely.

“They said we will not be able to harm them by filing the case as they have good connections with political high-ups,” she said, adding that the criminals were following her elder daughter while she was going to college.

She urged authorities concerned to arrest the culprits to save them. Officer-in-Charge of Patiya police station Refayet Ullah could not be reached over phone despite several attempts by the Dhaka Tribune correspondent. l

Madrasa principal held for rape in Bogra n Our Correspondent, Bogra

The principal of a madarsa in Sonatala of Bogra district was arrested yesterday on charge of raping a female student.

Locals said Fazlul Karim, the principal of Sonatala Fazil Degree Madrasa told the girl, a second-year Alim student, to take rest in the common room of the second floor while she went to him to take the stipend money in the afternoon.

After-while, he entered the room where there was nobody around the common room.

Hearing screaming of the girl, peon Shah Alam and office secretary Al Amin went to the spot and caught the principal red handed while he was molesting the girl.

They rescued the girl in critical condition and informed the police of the incident.

The police arrested the principal and sent

the girl to hospital for medical test.

Abdul Motalib, officer-in-charge of Sonatola police station, said on the basis of allegation of rape brought by the girl against the principal, they had arrested him.

The principal also denied the allegation and said it was a conspiracy against him.

Teachers, students and guardians of the madrasa brought out a procession demanding the exemplary punishment of the principal.

Vice-Principal Shah Jalal, teacher Monwarul Islam, Babul Akter, Shafiul Alam, Abdul Mannan, Rezaul Karim and guardian Mahbub Alam Bulu addressed the function.

When contacted, Ahshan Habib, education officer of the upazila, said they would take departmental action against the principal.

A case was filed in this connection. l

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Feature

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016

9 questions with this year’s Samdani Art Award winner PHOTOS: RAJIB DHAR

nKhan N Moushumi Out of 300 applicants and 13 finalists at this year’s Samdani Art Award, Rasel Chowdhury stole the show with his “Railway Longings” series.

Recently appointed as a contract photographer by the New York Times and Getty Images, the documentary photographer is also one of the seven founding members of the newly formed photographers’ foundation called Daagi Art Garage.

Out of his published projects, there’s “Desperate Urbanisation,” which depicts the story of the Ganges and “Before the End” that shows a series of photos of the abandoned Panam Nagar in Sonargaon. His other project titled “Railway Longings” was featured in the exhibition at this year’s Samdani Art Award that tells the story of the changing landscapes along the railways and stations intertwined from Jamalpur to Mymensingh to Dhaka. This nostalgic series of brilliant photographs secured him the title of Samdani Art Award winner this year.

But over the years, my mentors at Pathshala introduced me to different other types of images, urging us to be more experimental. Which made me change my mind about doing anything mainstream and pursue experimental themes.

Best advice you have ever gotten?

It was from my father. He always told me that it’s more important to be a good human being than being a good photographer or a student.

I think every artist is responsible to represent, showcase, write or talk about what’s happening in the world around us, depending on their line of work. The audience will decide what to make out of it.

Out of all the projects you’ve worked on, which is your most favourite one?

A series that I worked on called “Desperate Urbanisation.” I think I was really able to express myself through this project.

Why photography?

Because I am not good at anything else.

How did you stumble upon this journey of yours?

I have always done photography but it was in 2008 when I decided to take it up as a profession.

What roles, in your opinion, do artists play in the society?

I think most artists enjoy expressing themselves through their artwork - what they are, how they feel, etc. But how that will be deciphered among his/her audience is entirely up to them.

I think every artist is responsible to represent, showcase, write or talk about what’s happening in the world around us, depending on their line of work. The audience will decide what to make out of it.

How, do you think, your work has evolved over the years?

When I got admitted in Pathshala South Asian Media Institute in 2008, I dreamt of being popular and wanted to follow the footsteps of the most distinguished photographers of the country and take photos like them - black and white with a hard contrast.

How does it feel to have won the Samdani Art Award?

I still didn’t get a chance to catch my breath.

I was announced the winner five days ago, and it has been a roller-coaster ride since then. Being interviewed, being greeted by and meeting with big photographers, or even fans. I’m still shocked.

Did you see it coming?

No I didn’t. Two of my close friends entered the competition as well, and I was almost certain that one of them will win. I was taken by surprise when they announced my name.

What other projects are there in the pipeline?

I have done a series in Nepal, after the earthquake that I haven’t published yet. But hope to in the coming future. l

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016

Feature

A statement of her inheritance

I am listening to Khairul Anam Shakil’s Nazrul compilation “Benuka.” I’m hooked on the title song, Benuka o ke bajay. It’s playing on a loop! That is how I listen to music, if something touches me I’ll listen to it continuously for hours. It puts me in a trance. them on to the next generation, just like our predecessors have to us. It takes the apathy of a single generation to lose these musical treasures forever. Let us not be that generation.

Did you also get involved in the musical arrangements?

I have quite strong views about how I want my music to be presented! Sarod maestro Prattyush Banerjee, who arranged the music, has been somewhat of a mentor to me since I worked with him on my first album, A Bloom in Vain and other songs. He is a musician I have a great deal of respect for who also knows my taste and my style well, so I was quite content to leave the arrangement largely to his judgement. We’ve kept the soundscape quite traditional but have also used the guitar in some of the tracks. I’m delighted with the result. It was a joy to work with Goutam Basu (sound engineer at Studio Vibrations) again and the rest of the musicians were truly amazing.

British-Bangladeshi musician Dia Chakravarty talks about her latest album and this generation not allowing our musical treasures to slip away

nShuprova Tasneem What made you choose the songs on your CD, and why in that order?

Inheritance contains nine songs by Rabindranath Tagore, Atulprasad Sen and Kazi Nazrul Islam. It has been published

by Impress Audio Vision in Bangladesh and is available at their outlets, as well as on iTunes, GooglePlay and Cd Baby.

Even though my orientation has been in Rabindrasangeet, I have always wanted to broaden my horizons and take up new challenges. I think Atulprasad’s songs serve as a perfect bridge between Tagore and Nazrul and I have attempted to gradually build up my understanding and delivery of

those two genres. I thought having the songs in that order - first Tagore, then Atulprasad, then Nazrul - would make the transition from one composer to another smoother and more pleasant for listeners, while allowing them to savour the unique genius of the musicians. This also places the composers in a chronological order (though Tagore outlived Atulprasad Sen by a few years) and it’s quite interesting to see the evolution of Bengali music through their work, to trace how each has defined their own style and shaped the musical landscape.

I have consciously chosen songs which very typically represent each of the genres in order to celebrate their individuality – Heriya shyamaloghono (Tagore) to Padmar dheure

(Nazrul) is a very broad canvas, stylistically. I didn’t want listeners to feel disoriented.

What inspired you to make this album?

I am incredibly fortunate that my first album received an excellent response, particularly on social media, with tracks selling quite well on Amazon, iTunes and so on. Since working on that album, though, I had a long stretch at work without performing for a while, so I wanted to get back into music in a big way. I took a sabbatical from work to go to India and focus on my music. The opportunity to work on this album came up at that time and I grabbed it with both hands.

What does this album say about you – what are you trying to convey to the audience?

I see this album as a statement of my inheritance, one I’m incredibly proud of, hence the name of the album. These tunes, these words are so intricately beautiful, so individual. I want to capture them, pass

How does being a singer fit into your work as political director of the TaxPayers’ Alliance in UK? With difficulty! Looking after the media operation of a busy political pressure group means early mornings and late nights, which leaves me with very little time to practice and so I have to manage my time really carefully. Also, my work requires the constant use of my voice, be it at media discussions, interviews or simply speaking to the press, so the voice can get very tired.

But I sing because I know no other way to be.

It isn’t really a choice for me!

What are you listening to right now?

I am listening to Khairul Anam Shakil’s Nazrul compilation Benuka. I’m hooked on the title song, Benuka o ke bajay. It’s playing on a loop! That is how I listen to music, if something touches me I’ll listen to it continuously for hours. It puts me in a trance.

What would you say to encourage people who are interested in becoming musicians but also have another profession like yourself?

It’s not easy, but don’t lose heart. If you have music within you, nurture it. It’ll see you through the darkest of nights and the loneliest of times. l

DT

Editorial 11

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016

INSIDE

COP21: Wins and losses for LDCs For LDCs, then, the Paris Agreement wasn’t a perfect deal, but acceptable under the circumstances. The everpresent issue of financing remains tenuous, although pledges by the US, EU, and other developed countries to support LDCs with dedicated funds made the pill easier to swallow

PAGE 12

The call of duty Perhaps this is the generation that wants to move more than 18 miles away from mom, perhaps because childrearing can be accomplished in ways other than relying on grandparentsslash-nannies

PAGE 13 BIGSTOCK

Enforce traffic laws properly to improve road safety

The path to development The concept of inclusive social development is anchored around the idea that balanced, sustainable development can only take place when development includes all (men, women, children, physically and mentally challenged or disabled) groups of people who collectively contribute to identify and address challenges, make decisions, and create opportunities PAGE 14

Be heard Write to Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Email letters.dt@ dhakatribune.com

Send us your Op-Ed articles:

opinion.dt@dhakatribune. com www.dhakatribune.com Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook. com/DhakaTribune

P

oor road safety is a national crisis.

Road accidents kill an estimated 12,000 people in Bangladesh and injure many times more each year.

BUET studies indicate fatality rates are over 85 deaths per 10,000 vehicles, one of the highest in the world.

Safety experts are right to criticise the draft road transport act for omitting recommendations for tougher fines and punishment for dangerous driving.

However, the biggest factor which exacerbates the careless driving which bedevils our roads is the lack of effective enforcement of existing laws. It is bad driving habits more than poor traffic management and poor road conditions, which causes so many preventable accidents.

If existing rules were properly applied, accident rates would not be so high and the BRTA’s stance that road accident cases have always been tried under the penal code would not seem so complacent.

Full enforcement of traffic rules and punishment for reckless driving is imperative to make a difference. The BRTA has to end the impunity which allows drivers and vehicle owners to get away with careless and reckless driving. There needs to be zero tolerance for careless driving habits.

Many of the draft act’s provisions, such as a points system to penalise drivers for offences and more stringent licensing requirements are steps in the right direction. Fines and jail terms are certainly needed to deter offences such as speeding, not using a seat-belt, or driving while using cell phones or while intoxicated.

Authorities need to apply lessons learned from countries where better civic education and use of technology such as speed cameras have played a big part in cutting accident rates and making roads safer.

Effective enforcement of traffic laws is key to improve driving standards and to stop preventable accidents on our nation’s roads.

End the impunity which allows drivers to get away with careless and reckless driving

Opinion

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016

COP21: Wins and losses for LDCs The world’s poorest countries gained some ground in the Paris Agreement sea levels, floods, and droughts. Together with the small island states group, LDCs have been significant drivers in bringing the “loss and damage” topic to the table in the climate negotiations, seeking a mechanism whereby such losses could be directly compensated by high emitters.

In past COPs, the notion has been hotly contested by the US and other developed countries, who cringe at the implications of a direct compensation and liability scheme.

In the Paris agreement, the principle of loss and damage is not only included, but also fairly well-described, and consolidates a previously established body on the topic (the so-called Warsaw mechanism). Given the disputed nature of the topic, this is in itself a small victory for LDCs and other vulnerable countries.

However, the party stops there: The agreement also clearly states that loss and damage “does not involve or provide a basis for any liability or compensation.” This lets the developed countries off the hook, and shifts loss and damage towards a more traditional pledge-based system.

While COP21 was mainly a battle of the big players, it wasn’t a failure for poor countries either

n

A

Mikkel Funder

fter a year in the shadow of terrorism, Paris shines bright again. The global climate deal provided a much-needed positive narrative for France and for the world.

“Nous sommes Paris” now offers a different meaning.

But some are more Paris than others.

Like all such deals, the COP21 Agreement was the result of a power struggle, and the US, China, India, EU, and other big players made their mark. For the world’s poorest countries, the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), the agreement could certainly have been better. But it wasn’t a failure. Here’s a run-down of the wins and losses on five issues that were key for the LDC negotiation group at COP21:

How binding is the agreement?

The LDCs are hit hard by climate change, and so wanted an agreement that was as legally binding as possible in limiting emissions from the major economic powers.

The final agreement is not binding when it comes to the individual national goals on which it is based. This is pretty much as expected, given the political situation in major powers such as the US. Instead, the agreement sets down a binding mechanism to regularly review and raise the ambition in national plans over time, and establishes transparency mechanisms so that climate laggards can be “named and shamed.” The strategy behind this approach, which gained ground after the failed COP15 in Copenhagen, is based on the idea that the only way to solve supercomplex negotiation situations is through gradual incremental change, where stakeholders are nudged in the right direction, step by step.

For LDCs, then, the Paris Agreement wasn’t a perfect deal, but acceptable under the circumstances.

The ever-present issue of financing remains tenuous, although pledges by the US, EU, and other developed countries to support LDCs with dedicated funds made the pill easier to swallow This is a risky approach, but perhaps the most realistic one. The LDCs seem to have accepted its inevitability. Giza Martin, chair of the LDC group, puts it like this: “It’s not the perfect deal, but it’s the best deal.”

The 1.5 degrees

Another main goal for LDCs during the negotiations was to set the maximum global temperature increase at 1.5C above preindustrial levels. Few observers gave it much chance beforehand, but during the Paris negotiations it gradually gained support.

The final agreement now aims to keep the temperature rise “well below” 2C, while “pursuing efforts” to keep them within 1.5C. The wording is vague and many climate scientists consider it unrealistic. It could also be seen as a fairly manageable trade-off for the big emitters, with convenient publicity effects. But symbolically, it was an important victory for the countries that have largely been marginalised in previous negotiations.

REUTERS

In the public narratives of the conference, the fact that the 1.5C aim made it to the final agreement is generally credited to a persistent push by the most climate vulnerable countries, including small island states, and African and Asian LDCs.

Financing for adaptation

“Finance is the bedrock of disagreement” said Gambia’s minister of environment, Pa Ousman Jarju, during a LDC press conference before the deal was made. For the LDCs, financing for adaptation to climate change is particularly important, but has long been the poor relation in the climate finance game. The LDCs gained modest ground here: Adaptation now features more strongly in the agreement than previously, and the main funds of importance to LDCs saw some replenishment (including the Least Developed Countries Fund, the Adaptation Fund, and the all-important Green Climate Fund).

However, the LDCs and the wider G77 group failed to pressure the developed countries significantly on the longer term aspects of global climate financing. Some of the $100 billion annually that developed countries pledged in Copenhagen in 2009 has already been committed, and are being disbursed.

Developing countries failed to get a clear statement in the agreement that these funds should be new and additional to existing ODA. A proposal to discuss scaling up the funds above the $100bn was adopted, but not until “prior to 2025” which is a good deal later than the LDCs had hoped for.

Loss and damage

This term covers losses that have already been incurred from climate change, such as displacement and loss of land and agricultural production as a result of rising

Recognition of LDC’s special needs

Finally, the LDCs argued for special consideration of their particularly difficult circumstances, ie being highly threatened by a climate situation they have not contributed to, and having limited resources to confront the problem. This demand is quite well reflected in the Paris agreement: It specifically provides a lower reporting burden for LDCs on climate strategies, plans and actions, and mentions that the proposed transparency framework must “recognise” their situation -- a caveat one hopes will not be unduly exploited.

The agreement also urges developed countries to pay particular attention to LDCs when funding capacity development and technology transfers. The latter is a sometimes overlooked interest of the LDCs. While not being naïve, LDCs increasingly see an opportunity to build their emerging energy systems with renewable energy.

For LDCs, then, the Paris Agreement wasn’t a perfect deal, but acceptable under the circumstances. The ever-present issue of financing remains tenuous, although pledges by the US, EU, and other developed countries to support LDCs with dedicated funds made the pill easier to swallow. From a cynical viewpoint, these contributions may have been fueled further by the concerns among Western powers over destabilisation and migration across the Sahel and Horn of Africa, where many LDCs are located.

Nevertheless, it would be wrong to view the gains for LDCs in the Paris agreement as purely orchestrated by the major powers.

The timing was right, and the insistence and strategic maneuvering of LDCs and other vulnerable countries clearly played a role in securing the gains that they did, after all, achieve. l Mikkel Funder is a senior researcher, Danish Institute for International Studies. This article was previously published on www.diis.dk.

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Opinion

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016

The call of duty As the generation that grew up on social media slouches into adulthood, the nature of family ties is changing

A desire for physical and emotional distance

n Shehtaz Huq

O

n December 23, 2015, The New York Times publishes the article, “The Typical American Lives Only 18 Miles from Mom.” Inwardly I thank myself that my mother peruses the web mostly to look for deals on bargain furniture and which cousin is currently in a relationship with which unsavoury individual on Facebook.

My parents also periodically threaten me with the prospect of them moving in with me, uprooting their second lives in Texas to start over here, in Rochester, with me. Two families, one roof.

The mythic joint family has ushered my generation into adulthood, hovering over our heads even as we grew up in singlefamily households with fathers who worked, and mothers who (mostly) held down the child-rearing fort and grandparents who occasionally visited but mostly tucked themselves away in musty homes of peeling paint and china cabinets.

Grandparents that we, the grandchildren, were forced to visit every few weeks, answering the call of duty that our parents

could not drown out. We bundled into cars and drove the hour, two hours, six hours, until we got to our final destination, where payesh and polao awaited our ungrateful stomachs.

Now, in the bubble of English-dailyreading Dhaka, the joint family of multiple patriarchs cowering under the thumb of a grand supreme patriarch is a thing of Hindi soap operas and family lore. Now siblings

Perhaps this is the generation that wants to move more than 18 miles away from mom, perhaps because childrearing can be accomplished in ways other than relying on grandparents-slash-nannies Sometimes our grandparents moved in, the pair diminished by one as our parents buried their parents. Grandparents shuffled around our homes with their prayer mats and prayer beads and starched white cotton attire.

They slipped us crisp bank notes for Eid and crowed down the telephone when we brought home good grades. “My grandson this, my granddaughter that.” “I have three doctors in this family now.” “My son is going to be the minister of agriculture someday.”

and aunts and cousins are denizens of many countries, scattered over many continents, spanning the expanse from Gulshan to Dhanmondi. Now, maintaining family ties requires not only the semblance of true caring but also the commitment to hop into a car (or plane) and drive (or fly) the distance.

Now, the generation that grew up speaking English in school (supposedly) and Bangla at home, grew up taking selfies on Facebook and courted other millennials,

boldly, parading relationships on social media, is slouching towards adulthood.

With it comes the inevitability of ageing parents, parents who pushed their kids into English medium schools perhaps without anticipating the hybrid breed they’d heralded, a breed that eats phuchka but also wants to be “free,” make one’s “own choices,” live one’s “own lives.”

These children sometimes say “no.”

These children sometimes lie about being pre-med when really they’re English majors.

Sometimes these children fumble over their duty, to care and nod and obey and avoid eye contact when their parents are chastising them, to be willing to relocate or make room without a second thought for a parent.

Perhaps this is the generation that wants to move more than 18 miles away from mom, perhaps because child-rearing can be accomplished in ways other than relying on grandparents-slash-nannies.

Perhaps the wanderlust is equal parts the desire for physical as well as emotional distance, equal parts the lure of freedom and the call of duty. l Shehtaz Huq is a teacher based in Rochester, NY.

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Long Form

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016

The path to development The poor and marginalised should have a chance to live and thrive, free from abuse and exploitation. This is the concluding part of yesterday’s long form. n Md Abu Syed

A

ligning and integration of all the major planned or potential infrastructure projects would facilitate distribution development benefits to the peoples of different regions.

For example, enhanced capacity and efficient ICT-based land, court, and case management systems could save man-hours which can be utilised for other productive purposes now being wasted in finding labyrinthine ways to get justice.

The second issue is the quality of the regulatory environment and of wider economic governance. Red tape, corruption, and the difficulties of doing business are key challenges facing Bangladesh. These weaknesses directly harm competitiveness, distort investment decisions, and deter FDI. The introduction of ICT and transparent digital ICT-based service delivery system at all levels of governance would surely reduce red-tape and corruption while enhance accountability as well.

Third, and directly pertinent to inclusiveness, is the extent to which production is labour-intensive and the economy is able to absorb unemployed and underemployed workers. As a next step, a regional policy is needed to address east-west differences and support the Chittagong Hill Tracts, riverine char land, and remote coastal islands along with targeted regeneration and poverty reduction schemes.

We must keep our eyes on the target enjoy effective coverage of key social services that define their rights to live, thrive, and be safe from abuse, exploitation, and violence.

Inclusive governance

Inclusive governance also is essential to ensure effective policy development in areas vital for underpinning sustainable development, such as addressing climate

The concept of inclusive social development is anchored around the idea that sustainable development can only take place when development includes all groups of people who collectively contribute to address challenges, and create opportunities Inclusive social development in Bangladesh for the post-2015 agenda

In addition, advances have occurred in measurement to focus on the joint distribution of deprivation, given that people often face multiple dimensions at the same time, and to understand the intra-household distribution of resources, which is particularly critical with regard to social development. Poor people and marginalised groups are experiencing the effects of climate change and environmental degradation on their circumstances and livelihoods, while these processes, in turn, deepen poverty and increase marginalisation and vulnerability.

The concept of inclusive social development is anchored around the idea that balanced, sustainable development can only take place when development includes all (men, women, children, physically and mentally challenged or disabled) groups of people who collectively contribute to identify and address challenges, make decisions, and create opportunities. Overall, the quality of growth must be gauged by how much marginalised populations are enabled to

change and environmental degradation, or managing population size. Inclusive governance likewise is critical for the development of innovative social policy responses, including sound health, nutrition, and educational provision, and effective social protection.

It also means that governance institutions and policies are accessible and accountable to marginalised groups, providing equal access to public services. In all, inclusive governance occurs when the rule of law is followed, access to justice is afforded, and discrimination is addressed. For Bangladesh as elsewhere, three central aspects of inclusive governance are: a) Accountable public institutions that deliver public services via digital ways to all, especially the marginalised and poor, b) participation and representation of all people in the democratic process, and c) rule of law and respect for human rights.

Corruption, undue influence, violence, and fear, each undermine the rule of law, national stability, and prosperity. Rule of law institutions and services, linking human rights and post-2015 goals, would

BIGSTOCK

seek to deliver sustainable and inclusive development that supports the realisation of human rights, particularly for the marginalised.

Integrating climate change issues into SDGs

Climate change has differential impacts on agriculture, fisheries, and water sector in different geographic regions of Bangladesh.

Any climate-induced change in physical processes in a given region of the country would certainly change the bio-physical conditions that decide/regulate livelihood practices in that particular region.

In the meantime, enough evidence has been generated to show that climate change is already happening, and poor/ marginalised people are the most affected by the climate-induced events. It adversely affects the livelihood, economic activities, and environment of that region, which make it relatively vulnerable compared to other regions of the country. If climate change issues are not taken into account or integrated into national and local development planning, in the future, all development achievement may be jeopardised, or even lost by a single climate-induced event.

Hence, it is imperative to prioritise sectors in each region, each section of population along with their development challenges, climate related pressures, risks and vulnerabilities, and probable adaptation and mitigation. While identifying and prioritising the sector-wise adaptation options and evaluating their appropriateness and effectiveness in terms of lessening climate change impacts from the grass-root level to national level opinion of local concerned population, stake-holders and civil society need to be accommodated as well.

Recommendations

l Attainment of SDGs will require a strong and effective institutional mechanism involving all stake-holders including

public representatives (central and local), government (executive and bureaucracy), private sector, civil society, knowledge community (academic and non-academic), and development partners l Bangladesh government needs to decide who should lead the process in SDGs. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister’s Office, an inter-ministerial body may be formed for regular national level review of achievement against planned targets l Alternatively, a separate institution for implementation of SDGs-related development programs needs to be in place with clear mandates of its activities and auditing systems l The System of Environmental Economic Accounts (SEEA) was developed to respond to this need at the UN level, and represents the integrated statistical framework to measure the environment and its relationship with the economy and society l The national budgetary process needs also to be informed by the SDGs and resources allocation needs to be made judiciously across different sectors and geographic regions l Adoption of a common conceptual framework in line with international standards and integration of environment statistics within the national statistical system requires a systems-wide approach to align the statistical production process for different sectoral statistics, and reconcile institutional arrangements for the production of an integrated information sets l Bangladesh may use the COP21 Paris agreement as an opportunity for negotiation at international fora. Climate agreement and resources (if made available) can be utilised in adaptation and mitigation, keeping climate change and sustainable development in focus. l Md Abu Syed is Fellow, Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS).

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Business

NBR misses revenue collection target by Tk12,000 cr in Jul-Jan n Tribune Report National Board of Revenue has missed to achieve its revenue collection target in the first seven months of this fiscal year. The shortfall stood at Tk12,003 crore during the period.

However, the collection saw an average growth of 13.35% in the seven months.

Although the board has been witnessing an upward average growth trend in revenue collection, it has mobilised only Tk79,165 crore in the July-January against the target of Tk91,168 crore, the official data shows.

All three wings - income tax, value added tax and customs - have failed to reach their respective targets. Income tax wing missed target by the largest amount of other two wings, which is Tk5,452 crore, followed by Vat wing Tk5,060 crore and customs wing Tk1,491 crore.

The NBR usually collects 35%-40% revenue in the first six months of any fiscal and the rest 60%-65% in the rest six months.

Income tax wing missed target by the largest amount of other two wings, which is Tk5,452 crore, followed by Vat wing Tk5,060 crore and customs wing Tk1,491 crore

According to NBR officials, the government earlier used to fix the higher revenue targets in the last six months of any fiscal year.

But from this fiscal the monthly average revenue targets were fixed for 12 months equally and this could have led to the missing of target.

Officials attributed the shortfall in target

to sluggish overall economic activities, poor performance by large businesses including banks, telecom, manufacturing and services, and fall in consumption by consumers.

The NBR is assigned to mobilise Tk176,371 crore in the current fiscal year with a 29% growth from last fiscal.

Though the economists termed the target “ambitious”, the NBR is still quite confident about achieving the target by the end of the year.

The NBR hopes that the revenue collection achievement will be easier if progress of Annual Development Programme (ADP) implementation becomes satisfactory, export income rises, import flow increases and the investment in the country sees a further growth.

NBR has taken up a number of initiatives including resolving pending cases through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), expansion of the tax base by identifying growth centres through partnership with stakeholders and through the ongoing tax survey. l

Stocks end flat after wide fluctuations n Tribune Report

Stocks continued to end flat for the second straight session after wide fluctuations yesterday.

Investors opted for short-term profit booking mostly on mini and micro caps stocks, but modest rally in heavy weight telecommunications offset losses.

After moving between red and green throughout the day, the benchmark index DSEX ended slightly 3 points up to 4,573.

The Shariah index DSES rose nearly 2 points to 1,113. The blue chip comprising index DS30 was 1 point up to 1,749.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index CSCX closed at 8,569, rising 14 points.

Trading activities were sluggish despite improvement as the DSE turnover stood at Tk362 crore, up 7.6% over the previous session.

Food and allied sectors suffered most, tumbling 1.7%, driven by the tobacco manufacturing company BATBC that shed 2.4%.

Almost every other sector ended flat with bank, non-banking financial institutions, power and food and allied falling 0.3%, 0.05%, 0.3% and 1.5% respectively. l

CORPORATE NEWS

Rupali Bank has recently held an outreach programme on ‘Task of a Manager’ at its Khulna Divisional Office, said a press release. The bank’s general manager, Bishnu Pada Choudhury was present at the programme as a chief guest

Dhaka WASA has recently launched a pilot project to monitor and control deep tubewells with computerised SCADA system, said a press release. Danish Ambassador in Dhaka, Hanne Fugl Eskjaer attended the launching ceremony as chief guest while MD of Dhaka WASA, Engr Taqsem A Khan presided over the ceremony

Southeast Bank Limited has recently signed an agreement with Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) to form strategic partnership for Renewable Energy and Infrastructure projects. The bank’s managing director, Shahid Hossain and Mahmood Malik, executive director and CEO of IDCOL signed the agreement

Banglalink has recently signed an agreement with Air Galaxy Ltd, GSA-Bangkok Airways PCL in order to provide Banglalink Priyojon customers with 10% discounts on base fare of Bangkok Airways till 24th March 2016. Head of CBM-B2C, marketing at Banglalink, Md Mahbubul Alam Bhuiyan and chief commercial officer of Air Galaxy Ltd, GSA- Bangkok Airways, Reza Amin were present at the signing ceremony

National Bank Limited has recently commenced a foundation course for its junior officers. The bank’s deputy managing director, ASM Bulbul was present at the inaugural programme of the course

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016

| meals |

| couple’s packages |

| contests |

| brews |

Hotel Sarina

Platinum Hotels

Cats Eye

Coffee Republic Bangladesh

Hotel Sarina promises a special romantic day with a Valentine buffet lunch at Summerfields, dinner at The Elite and an exotic candle light set dinner at Risotto, which includes a live violin performance.

Hotel Sarina’s guests can buy one to get one complementary meal, the price being Tk2,350 (all inclusive) for lunch, and Tk2,850 (all inclusive) for dinner.

Along with this arrangements, guests can also participate in a selfie contest with lovely backgrounds at the Sarina Lobby Lounge from February 11 till 14. l

Celebrate Valentine’s Day this year at Platinum Hotels with it’s four special couple’s packages. Platinum Grand, at Banani 11, is offering a romantic getaway with a package of overnight stay and complimentary dinner on its rooftop pool, along with a breakfast for two as well, all for Tk25,000. l

Cats Eye has begun their “Cutest Couple” contest where three lucky doubles shall be able to win a gift voucher worth Tk5,000.

The contest duration shall proceed from February 10 till February 16.

Participate by clicking the “Cutest Couple” app, reading the terms and conditions and uploading your cutest couple picture. A submission form must be filled along with a caption about the picture. Once finalised, share it to win the grand prize.l

Coffee Republic Bangladesh served Artisan Coffee since it began it’s journey in December 2013 at the heart of 54/A Gulshan Avenue. Its wide range of culinary food items make every dish different as it is served on the table. For food lovers, the bass baba burger, pizza supremo, chicken mexicana and optimus prime are highly recommended. l

| dinner offer |

| dining experience |

| celebration |

| ceremony |

3 Dragons at Pearl

Six Seasons Hotel

Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden

Pearson Edexcel

3 Dragons at Pearl has introduced a valentines couple dinner offer starting at Tk4,500.

The full meal shall consist of hot and sour soup with shiitake mushrooms, tofu skin and bamboo shoot black fungus infused with pickled chilli vinegrette as a starter. The main shall include whole lobster with truffle oil, Beijing style shredded beef with hoison sauce, hui gou basa fish with fermented black beans and much more.

To conclude, a toffee banana with vanilla ice cream awaits as dessert. l

On February 14, the rooftop Sky Pool Restaurant will offer exclusive candle light couple’s prix fixe dinner for Tk5,999 inclusive. Not to be outdone, the 13th floor Bunka Restaurant will offer a special Valentine’s all-you-can-order dinner starting at Tk2,999 per person.

Call 01987009810 for details.l

Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden has celebrated their 10 years of operations, offering a flat 10% discount at all F&B outlets on February 11 to February 13. l

Pearson Edexcel, one of the largest awarding body in the UK and a part of Pearson, in collaboration with the British Council, conducted its forth “Academic Award Ceremony” for the students who achieved outstanding results in their International GCSE and A Level examinations in 2015. The ceremony was held in the Hall of Fame, Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC), Dhaka and more than 1,500 attendees, including students, teachers, parents and distinguished guests, attended the event.

There were 589 awardees who received the Edexcel award for high achievement this year, in four different categories. l

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CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Dry (4) 6 Spirit (3) 7 Window glass (4) 9 Halt (4) 10 Mannequin (5) 11 Stair handrail post (5) 12 Snow runner (3) 14 Drunkard (5) 17 Footwear (5) 20 Land measure (3) 21 Duck with soft down (5) 23 Place of refuge (5) 25 Labyrinth (4) 26 Soon (4) 27 Help (3) 28 Narrate (4)

DOWN 1 Fix a tax (6) 2 Seemingly mocked by fate (6) 3 Deceive (4) 4 Bundle of notes (3) 5 Snakelike fish (3) 7 Sport (4) 8 At no time (5) 10 Encountered (3) 13 Mohammedan scriptures (5) 15 Procession (6) 16 Revoke (6) 18 Eager (4) 19 Wrongdoing (3) 22 Send out (4) 23 Poor actor (3) 24 Solemn promise (3)

Downtime CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 1 represents D so fill D every time the figure 1 appears.

You have two letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters go in the missing squares.

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

As you get the letters, fill in the other squares with the same number in the main grid, and the control grid. Check off the list of alphabetical letters as you identify them.

A B C DE FG H I J K L MN O P Q RST UVWXYZ

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU How to solve: Fill in the blank spaces with the numbers 1 – 9. Every row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain all nine digits with no number repeating.

PEANUTS

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

DILBERT

SUDOKU

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016

INSIDE AFTERMATH

Top takeaways from the New Hampshire primary US Supreme Court blocks Obama carbon emissions plan The US Supreme Court on Tuesday delivered a major blow to President Barack Obama by putting on hold federal regulations to curb carbon dioxide emissions mainly from coalfired power plants, the centerpiece of his administration’s strategy to combat climate change.

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n AFP, Washington, DC In July, Hillary Clinton offered up some prophetic words.

“I always thought this would be a competitive race,” she told CNN. How right she was. Her rival Bernie Sanders ran away with the Democratic presidential primary in New Hampshire, besting Clinton by more than 20 percentage points.

On the Republican side, Donald Trump earned his first win of the campaign, and none of his rivals were even close.

What does it all mean? Here are the top takeaways from Tuesday’s primary in the Granite State, only the second stop on the long road to the White House.

Trump 1, Establishment 0

Fish, other mosquitoes now warriors in Zika battle With larva-chomping fish and genetically modified insects, Latin Americans are deploying legions of little helpers to destroy mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus in the world’s latest mass health scare.

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The first lesson is not to be hasty in drawing conclusions from the campaign trail. It’s clear that Trump was unable to fully muster supporters last week in Iowa, when he finished second to ultra-conservative Senator Ted Cruz. But he made good Tuesday on the resounding overall lead he has enjoyed in opinion polls since last summer, earning more than a third of Republican votes in New Hampshire. The anti-establishment, anti-elite message of the billionaire tycoon resonates with an eclectic mix of voters -- from the center to the far right -- whose unifying characteristic is the rejection of politics as usual. Unless evidence surfaces to the contrary, those voters have not abandoned their chosen candidate. Trump’s rivals are many -- four of them earned at least 10% of the vote on Tuesday: Ohio Governor John Kasich, former Florida governor Jeb Bush, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida and Cruz, the hero of the religious right.

Jeb Bush: Stayin’ Alive

Draft Indian antitrafficking bill raises penalty for offenders A new bill being drafted in India aims to curb the steep rise in human trafficking by unifying several existing laws, raising the penalties for offenders and providing for victims’ rehabilitation, government officials said on Wednesday.

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Bush, who is looking to follow in the footsteps of his president father and brother, spent last week insisting over and over again that New Hampshire was not a do-ordie moment for his campaign. With roughly 11% of the vote on Tuesday, Bush -- headed for a fourth-place finish -- is still alive. New Hampshire “revives his campaign to a certain degree -- it shows that he has at least as much support as Rubio and Cruz in a primary state,” said Steven Smith, a professor of political science at Washington University in St Louis. “He also probably has a larger bank account than Kasich and Rubio at this stage.

So he will be in a position to put on full-scale campaigns in South Carolina and Nevada” later this month, Smith said.

What next for Rubio?

Rubio -- the surprise third-place finisher in Iowa -- looked headed for fifth place in New Hampshire, largely due to a robotic debate performance on Saturday that didn’t im-

New Hampshire primary results With nearly 90% of votes counted

DEMOCRATS 60

REPUBLICANS

60

50

38.4

40

35.1

30

15.9

20 10

11.6

11.1

10.6

0

Bernie Sanders

Hillary Clinton

Donald Trump

John Kasich

Ted Cruz

Jeb Bush

Marco Rubio

Source: The Green Papers

US Democratic presidential aspirant Bernie Sanders, left, and his Republican front-runner counterpart Donald Trump reacts after winning at 2016 New Hampshire presidential primary REUTERS press voters in the northeastern US state.

“Maybe Rubio was a little overvalued after Iowa -- now he’s probably going to be undervalued after New Hampshire,” Kondik predicted. Rubio, in a campaign message to supporters hours after the New Hampshire polls closed, admitted: “On Saturday night at the debate, I dropped the ball. I want you to know that will never happen again.”

Clinton banking on black voters

After Tuesday’s loss, Clinton’s team quickly tried to downplay its significance by turning to the numbers. “The nomination will very likely be won in March, not February,” campaign manager Robby Mook said in a memo sent to reporters. Voters in 28 states will cast ballots in March, with more than half of the delegates to the Democratic National Convention at stake. Notably on the calendar are contests in South Carolina, Texas, Georgia and Alabama, where black and Hispanics make up a majority of the Democratic voters. Since the presidency of Clinton’s husband Bill in the 1990s, the links between the Clintons and blacks have been

nearly airtight, with the exception of Barack Obama’s historic 2008 run -- at Hillary’s expense. Clinton’s national profile may suffer after the loss in New Hampshire but Sanders’ lack of popularity in the South is borne out by several polls. According to an NBC survey, he trails Clinton in South Carolina by 37 percentage points. The question of course is: Will African-American voters stay loyal to Clinton? “It will be very difficult, if not impossible, for a Democrat to win the nomination without strong levels of support among African-American and Hispanic voters,” Mook said.

The math

So far, only 2% of the Democratic and Republican delegates on offer have been awarded in Iowa and New Hampshire. As long as the Republican race remains divided, Trump can continue to dominate, even without winning 50% of the vote. But, from March 15, many states will begin attributing all of their Republican delegates on a winner-takes-all basis, and not proportionally, as the Democrats do. l

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Advertisement

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016

US Supreme Court blocks Obama carbon emissions plan n Reuters, Washington, DC

The US Supreme Court on Tuesday delivered a major blow to President Barack Obama by putting on hold federal regulations to curb carbon dioxide emissions mainly from coal-fired power plants, the centerpiece of his administration’s strategy to combat climate change.

The court voted 5-4 along ideological lines to grant a request by 27 states and various companies and business groups to block the administration’s Clean Power Plan, which also mandates a shift to renewable energy away from fossil fuels.

The highly unusual move by the justices means the regulations will not be in effect while a court battle continues over their legality.

The White House on Tuesday night said it disagrees with the court decision but said it expects the rule will survive the legal challenge.

The plan was designed to lower carbon

emissions from US power plants by 2030 to 32% below 2005 levels. It is the main tool for the US to meet the emissions reduction target it pledged at UN climate talks in Paris in December.

A senior administration official told reporters on Tuesday night that despite the court’s “procedural decision,” the US can deliver those commitments and take “new and additional steps” to lead internationally on climate change.

The Supreme Court’s action casts doubt on the long-term future of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s rule because it increases the chances that the conservative-leaning Supreme Court would take the case after a lower court issues a decision on the legality of the regulations and ultimately would strike it down.

The states, led by coal producer West Virginia and oil producer Texas, and several major business groups in October launched the legal effort seeking to block the Obama administration’s plan. The states said the

emissions curbs would have a devastating impact on their economies.

For Obama, executing his domestic and international climate change strategy would be a key legacy accomplishment as he nears the end of his time in office in January 2017.

The court action also means that, with Obama leaving office in January 2017, the next president will have a say on whether to continue defending the regulation.

Before that, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which denied a similar stay request last month, will hear oral arguments in the case on June 2 and decide whether the regulations are lawful.

The brief order from the justices said that the regulations would be on hold until the legal challenge is completed.

The court’s five conservatives all voted to block the rule. The order noted that the four liberals would have denied the application. l

EYE OPENER

Fish, other mosquitoes now warriors in Zika battle n AFP, El Salvador With larva-chomping fish and genetically modified insects, Latin Americans are deploying legions of little helpers to destroy mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus in the world’s latest mass health scare.

Scientists are devising numerous ways to try and stamp out the mosquitoes whose bites spread the virus, which they suspect can cause brain damage in babies and paralysis in adults.

Some want to wipe out baby mosquito larvae in standing water where the insects breed. Others propose to zap the male mosquitoes’ privates with radiation to make them impotent.

Still others just want a plain old toad in their home to gobble any mosquitoes that buzz in.

In San Diego Beach on the Pacific coast of El Salvador, fishermen use fat sleeper fish to devour the mosquitoes while they are still wingless larvae.

“They are true warriors in the fight against Zika. They eat all the mosquito larvae in the barrels where we store our water,” said Marielos Sosa, the initiative’s organiser.

This prevents the need to fumigate homes and water storage sites, as many towns are doing.

Fumigation by workers in overalls spraying smoke “has a political impact because it is visually striking, but we are not sure whether it is really effective in fighting the Aedes Aegypti mosquito,” said Carissa Etienne, head of the Pan American Health Organisation.

Killing mosquitoes with asparagus

Before Zika hit the region, Latin American countries had developed various techniques for fighting these mosquitoes, which also carry fevers such as dengue

and chikungunya.

In Peru, biologist Palmira Ventosilla in 1992 devised an organic insecticide made from coco, yucca, asparagus and potatoes -- a recipe endorsed by the World Health Organisation.

The treatment devised by her team at Peru’s Cayetano Heredia University uses the vegetable mixture to nourish and multiply a bacteria that destroys the larvae.

In neighbouring Colombia, the second worst-hit country in the Zika outbreak after Brazil, scientists are fighting mosquitoes with mosquitoes.

Tropical disease specialists at Antioquia University are trying to spread among mosquitoes a bacteria known as Wolbachia,

which blocks their ability to pass on disease to humans.

Teams in Brazil and Panama meanwhile are experimenting with male mosquitoes that are genetically modified in such a way that when they mate, the resulting larvae die off.

In Mexico, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Yukiya Amano, said it was testing the use of radiation to stop the mosquitoes breeding.

In Argentina, online vendors are hawking frogs and toads for $7 each. They are touting them as a protection against Zika, and especially against the more common dengue fever -- and as an alternative to mosquito repellents or insecticides. l

Growing arsenal against Zika virus

Fish, even genetically modified mosquitos, could help fight disease

El Salvador Zambo fish

Dormitator latifrons

Feeds on the larvae of the mosquito carrier, which lays them in water

Colombia, Brazil and Panama Modified mosquitos

Mosquitos carrying the Wolbachia bacteria, which stops the disease being passed on to humans Mosquitos genetically modified to ensure their larvae die off

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25 cm on average

Peru Natural insecticide WHO-approved organic insecticide made from asparagus, coco, potatoes and yucca destroys the larvae

SOUTH ASIA

Five dead in Myanmar military plane crash

All 5 crew died when a Myanmar air force plane crashed in the capital Naypyidaw on Wednesday, bursting into flames soon after take off and smashing into a nearby field, the military said. One man was pulled alive from the blazing wreckage and taken to hospital but later died of his injuries, according to a rare news statement on the official Myanmar army Facebook page. The cause of the crash was under investigation.

-AFP

INDIA

India police to use chilliloaded slingshots to tackle protests Haryana police will soon use slingshots loaded with chilli powder and marbles to tackle unruly protesters in the world’s largest democracy, an inspector said on Wednesday. Not content with water cannon, tear gas and traditional wooden sticks, the law enforcement agency will turn to the slingshots as a non-lethal way to control violent crowds. The locally-made slingshots are the latest in a series of unconventional measures adopted by security forces in India, which sees daily protests on a myriad of issues.

-AFP

CHINA

China confirms first imported Zika case

China confirmed its first imported case of Zika late Tuesday, Xinhua reported, as fears mount over the fast-spreading virus that has been linked to severe birth defects mostly in Latin America. Officials in China said a 34-year-old man was diagnosed with the virus after he returned from Venezuela on January 28 and reported a fever, headache and dizziness, according to Xinhua news agency citing health officials. The man, from Ganxian county in the southeast province of Jiangxi, is now recovering with a normal body temperature and fading rash, according to the National Health and Family Planning Commission.

-AFP

ASIA PACIFIC

Japan announces new sanctions on North Korea

Japan announced Wednesday that it will impose new sanctions on North Korea to protest a rocket launch seen as a test of missile technology. The sanctions will include expanded restrictions on travel between the two countries and a complete ban on visits by North Korean ships to Japanese ports, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a news conference. -AP

MIDDLE EAST

UAE names women ministers for happiness, tolerance

The United Arab Emirates on Wednesday named women to the newly created posts of state ministers for happiness and tolerance, and a 22-year-old female for youth affairs.

Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum named eight women as he revealed his latest cabinet line-up of 29 ministers in a series of tweets. Ohoud al-Roumi, who had served as director of the council of ministers’ office, was appointed minister of state for happiness.

-AFP

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USA

NJ Governor Chris Christie ends presidential bid

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is ending his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, Fox Business News reported on Wednesday in a post on Twitter.

The two-term governor placed sixth in Tuesday’s primary in New Hampshire. His departure would leave eight Republicans vying to represent the party in the November presidential election.

-REUTERS

THE AMERICAS

Crime-beat reporter found dead in Mexico

A reporter who was kidnapped by armed assailants in the Gulf Coast state of Veracruz this week has been found dead, Mexican authorities said Tuesday. Flores Salazar, a crime-beat reporter for a local newspaper in Orizaba, Veracruz, was dragged from her home near the city before dawn Monday. Later on his body was discovered on a highway in the neighboring state of Puebla and later identified by family members, Veracruz prosecutors said.

-AP

UK

Cameron slams UN ruling on Julian Assange

David Cameron has condemned as “ridiculous” a UN ruling that argued WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange should be allowed to go free. The Australian data activist has been in the Ecuadorian embassy in London since 2012 to avoid being extradited to Sweden to face sexual assault charges, which he denies.

The British prime minister on Wednesday urged Assange to face the arrest warrant and “bring an end to this sorry saga”. But five UN human rights experts last week concluded that his stay “should be brought to an end; that his physical integrity and freedom of movement be respected”. -POLITICSHOME.COM

EUROPE

Nato to agree new Russian deterrent but avoid Cold War footing Nato is ready to agree on Wednesday its boldest steps yet to deter Russia from any attack in the Baltics or eastern Europe, setting out ways to rapidly deploy air, naval and ground forces without resorting to Cold War-era military bases. In an effort to dissuade Moscow after its 2014 annexation of Crimea, Nato defence ministers are setting up a network of new alliance outposts, forces on rotation, warehoused equipment and regular war games, all backed by a rapid-reaction force.

-REUTERS

AFRICA

At least 6 dead in Cameroon double suicide attack

At least 6 civilians were killed and over 30 injured Wednesday in a double suicide attack in Cameroon’s northern border region with Nigeria, which is regularly attacked

by Boko Haram fighters, security sources said. The attackers, who were also killed, were both female. A police source in the region said several children, including a boy aged six and a 15-year-old, were among the victims. At least one member of a local committee set up in response to the upsurge in Islamic attacks was also killed.

-AFP

US, India consider joint patrols in South China Sea n Reuters, New Delhi

The United States and India have held talks about conducting joint naval patrols that a US defence official said could include the disputed South China Sea, a move that would likely anger Beijing, which claims most of the waterway.

Washington wants its regional allies and other Asian nations to take a more united stance against China over the South China Sea, where tensions have spiked in the wake of Beijing’s construction of seven manmade islands in the Spratly archipelago.

India and the US have ramped up military ties in recent years, holding naval exercises in the Indian Ocean that last year involved the Japanese navy.

But the Indian navy has never carried out joint patrols with another country and a naval spokesman said there was no change in the government’s policy of only joining an international military effort under the UN flag.

He pointed to India’s refusal to be part of anti-piracy missions involving dozens of countries in the Gulf of Aden and instead carrying out its own operations there since 2008.

The US defence official said the two sides had discussed joint patrols, adding that both were hopeful of launching them within the year. The patrols would likely be in the Indian Ocean where the Indian navy is a major player as well as the South China Sea, the official told Reuters in New Delhi on condition of anonymity.

The official gave no details on the scale of the proposed patrols.

There was no immediate comment from China.

China accused Washington this month of seeking maritime hegemony in the name of freedom of navigation after a US Navy destroyer sailed within 12 nautical miles of a disputed island in the Paracel chain of the South China Sea in late January. The US Navy conducted a similar exercise in October near one of China’s artificial islands in the Spratlys.

Maritime cooperation

Neither India nor the US has claims to the South China Sea, but both said they backed freedom of navigation and overflight in the waterway when US President Barack Obama visited New Delhi in January 2015.

Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also agreed at the time to “identify specific areas for expanding maritime cooperation”. In December, the issue of joint patrols came up when Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar visited the US Pacific Command in Hawaii, an Indian government source said.

India has a long-running land border dispute with China and has been careful not to antagonise its more powerful neighbour, instead focusing on building economic ties. But it has stepped up its naval presence far beyond the Indian Ocean, deploying a ship to the South China Sea almost constantly, an Indian navy commander said, noting this wasn’t the practice a few years ago.

The commander added that the largest number of Indian naval ship visits in the South China Sea region was to Vietnam, a country rapidly building military muscle for potential conflict with China over the waterway. l

Draft Indian antitrafficking bill raises penalty for offenders n Thomson Reuters Foundation, Chennai A new bill being drafted in India aims to curb the steep rise in human trafficking by unifying several existing laws, raising the penalties for offenders and providing for victims’ rehabilitation, government officials said on Wednesday.

The bill calls for the creation of an organised crime investigation agency, a special court to deal with trafficking cases and severe penalties for repeat offenders and the trafficking of minors, they said.

As well as creating an all-embracing law against trafficking, the bill will propose increasing the penalty for offenders to up to 15 years’ prison time from the present four to five years, and will provide protection for both victims and witnesses, the official said.

In addition, a separate court will be established to handle serious crimes committed across more than one Indian state, she said.

At present, human trafficking cases are dealt with largely under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, though some also come under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, or sections of the Indian Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure, labour laws and overseas affairs, the official said.

According to National Crime Record Bureau data, 5,466 cases of trafficking were reported in 2014, an increase of 60% since 2010.

“The new legislation hopes to fix these numbers,” Dr PM Nair, a member of the expert committee set up to draft the bill, said.

“At present investigators, judicial officers and public prosecutors lack training in handling these sensitive cases. Under the new legislation, there will be an emphasis on ensuring better justice for victims.”

An inter-ministerial committee will examine the draft bill when it is completed and send it to parliament, which is expected to pass it into law later this year, officials said. l

FACTBOX

Tourism: A tenth of the world economy Terrorism and epidemics now and again make a dent in tourism numbers, but the sector usually quickly rebounds and it now employs hundreds of millions and accounts for a tenth of global output.

Here are five key points about the sector, which grew 4.4% last year to nearly 1.2bn people taking a trip outside of their countryEurope (including Russia) remains the most visited region with 609m visiting last year, followed by the the Asia-Pacific region at 277m visitors, and the Americas at 190m. However the number of visitors to north Africa fell by 8% according to data from the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

In 2014, international tourism receipts from lodging, meals, transportation and purchases hit $1.5tn, up from 900bn in 2010. The Chinese were the biggest spenders, followed by Americans.

Tourism accounts for 10% of gross domestic product and accounts for one in 11 jobs, according to the UNWTO.

World tourism

Change in tourist numbers (millions)

Tourists by continent in 2015 (millions) and change compared to 2014 (%)

1,184

1,200

Europe North America

126.2 26.2 +4.4%

609.1 Middle East Africa

Latin America

64.4 4

54.1 54 54.

53.1

900

Asia

+5%

26 262.8

+4.6%

+3.1%

891

600

-3.3%

+7%

300

Oceania

14.2 2

+7.6%

0

2008 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 Source: WTO

China, the United States and Britain led outbound travel growth in 2015, while Russians and Brazilians travelled less due to the economic crises in their countries.

The share of emerging markets has passed

from 30% in 1980 to 45% in 2014 and should rise to 57% by 2030, which corresponds to an additional 1bn international tourist arrivals. l

Source: AFP

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INSIDE

Shakil breaks gold drought in 50m pistol Ahmed Shakil earned Bangladesh its first gold medal in any international pistol event in more than two decades when he clinched top spot in the men’s 50m pistol category in Guwahati, India yesterday. It was Bangladesh’s fourth gold in the 12th South Asian Games and the first from a male participant. PAGE 26

Ever improving Windies ready for hosts West Indies Under-19 have grown from strength to strength with the progression of the U-19 World Cup. Following a bumpy opening match loss against England, the Windies scripted a comeback, thrashing Fiji before getting the better of Zimbabwe in the last group-stage game to qualify for the quarter-finals. PAGE 27

The football fairytale that keeps on giving At a stunned Etihad Stadium, Leicester City fans crooned “and now you’re gonna believe us we’re gonna win the league”, while across England a delighted footballing community began to sense they may just be right, especially after Leicester’s comprehensive win at Edihad. PAGE 28

Pakistan drop Shehzad for Asia Cup, World T20 Pakistan have made four changes to their squad for this month’s Asia Cup followed by the World Twenty20 including the axing of struggling opener Ahmed Shehzad after a poor run of form. The 24-year-old Shehzad managed just 33 runs in Pakistan’s 2-1 Twenty20 series loss in New Zealand last month. PAGE 29

Bangladesh U19 captain Mehedi Hasan bats in the net while coach Mizanur Rahman looks on during training in Mirpur yesterday

History beckons for Bangladesh U-19 n Minhaz Uddin Khan For the very first time in the history of Bangladesh cricket, the nation will have a side playing in the semi-final of an International Cricket Council event when the junior Tigers take on the West Indies today in the second semi-final of the U-19 World Cup. The cricket-mad country has never experienced such an occasion before and one can only imagine what the support would be like this Sunday at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium if the youngsters in red and green progress to the grand finale where subcontinent rival India lie in wait.

Amid such a crunch time for the Bangladesh U-19 side, it is not only the team management and the families of the young cricketers who have their fingers crossed.

The tally also includes former and current national cricketers.

Elder statesmen like inaugural Test captain Naimur Rahman, limited-over skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza and Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim have lent their support to the youngsters. And on the eve of the lastfour tie, Bangladesh U-19 captain Mehedi Hasan has informed that the veteran cricketers’ advice has been simple – just play the way you have played so far.

“To be honest that is our plan. We do not

want to do anything extra or take unnecessary pressure upon ourselves. We have a plan to stick to what we have done so far, think less of the opponent and concentrate on what we need to do both as a team and as individuals,” Mehedi told the press conference previewing the semi-final in Mirpur yesterday. Mehedi said they do not want to get carried away by all the excitement and emotion, given that Bangladesh are hosting the 11th edition.

“We will not be able to win if we get too excited and emotional. Cricket is a game where you have to be in a process and you will not be successful if you get out of the process. Excitement will put one under pressure and not allow you to play your natural game,” explained the right-arm all-rounder.

“To be honest we are not at all thinking that we will be playing a World Cup semi-final. This is just another cricket match for us and we need to win that. We have worked hard. Now we wait to execute our plans on the field. Semi-final, spectators, pressure; we have none of that in mind. Our focus is to play good cricket only,” said Mehedi.

The Windies U-19 pace attack has been lauded in many quarters but Mehedi said, “We like to play fast bowlers. We played away in South Africa and against the West Indies at home (before the World Cup). Our batsmen enjoy playing pace bowlers.” l

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Six-day break will help us, says coach Mizanur n Minhaz Uddin Khan Hosts Bangladesh Under-19 have enjoyed a six-day break since their quarter-final win over Nepal in the ongoing U-19 World Cup. The junior Tigers will now face the West Indies in the second semi-final today and on the eve of the clash, Bangladesh U-19 coach Mizanur Rahman said the big gap has allowed the cricketers to settle down and work on rectifying their mistakes.

Chief among the concerns has been the failure of the top-order. The top-order has failed more often than not, subsequently putting pressure on the middle- and lower-order batsmen and it is opening batsman Saif Hasan, with 68 runs in four matches, who is bearing the brunt of the criticism. Mizanur however, defended his charges, saying it is only a matter of time before Saif produces the goods.

“We have played against them (West Indies) ahead of the World Cup and Saif Hasan had won the player of the series award, scoring a century. I hope he will come back strong if he plays the game [today],” Mizanur informed the media yesterday.

Mizanur believes the recent home series against the West Indies will stand them in good stead for today’s semi-final encounter. “We played three matches against them. The matches gave us ideas of their batsmen and bowlers,” he said before adding, “If our top-order performs, the job becomes easy for the rest. If we bat first and score around 230-250 runs, I am hopeful of a good result,” he added. l

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Grand finale in sight as Windies stand in Tiger cubs’ way Today’s Matches Semi-final, 9:00AM

Bangladesh v West Indies, Dhaka LIVE* 15th Place Playoff, 9:00AM

Canada v Fiji, Cox’s Bazar 7th Place Playoff, 9:00AM

Namibia v Nepal, Fatullah *On Star Sports 1, 3

BRIEF SCORES

5th Place Playoff, Fatullah

England U-19 286/9 (Burnham 109, Moores 85, Coetzee 3/72) beat Namibia U-19 83 (Crane 3/3, Lawrence 2/7, Garton 2/18) by 203 runs

13th Place Playoff, Cox’s Bazar

Ireland U-19 235/7 (W McClintock 69, Tucker 59, Ghaffar 3/49) beat Scotland U-19 140 (Tector 4/28, Tucker 3/29, Anders 2/24) by 95 runs

Bangladesh Under-19 cricket team have already achieved the nation’s best ever result in the history of the U-19 World Cup and they are on the verge of yet another piece of history when they face the West Indies in the semi-final at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium today.

The hosts reached the last four of the 11th edition having displayed some clinical cricket but they will have to step up the gas against the Caribbean youngsters, who have gradually improved as the tournament wore on.

However, Mehedi Hasan Miraz’s Bangladesh might have the psychological advantage over the opposition, having swept aside the Caribbean youngsters 3-0 in a home series prior to the global event.

In their pursuit of a final berth, the junior Tigers will once again look to their spinners, led by left-arm spinner Shawon Gazi and captain Mehedi Hasan, who have scalped eight and seven wickets respectively.

On the other hand, the junior Tigers’

batting department will be spearheaded by Nazmul Hossain Shanto, who has been in impressive form right throughout the tournament. Coupled with his right-arm spin, Mehedi has also exhibited his qualities as a dependable middle-order batsman and in wicketkeeper-batsman Zakir Hasan and Joyraj Sheik, the junior Tigers have quite a few consistent performers in their ranks.

In contrast, the visitors will depend heavily on their seamers Alzarri Joseph and Chemar Holder in order to trouble the home side with sheer pace and bounce.

The Windies batting department has the ability to take the game away from the opposition, as was evident in their quarterfinal win over a formidable Pakistan side.

The pitch at the home of cricket has been known to offer some assistance to the faster bowlers but in the larger scheme of things, the spinners are likely to rule the roost as opposed to the pacemen.

Another factor that might tilt the game in favour of the junior Tigers is the home crowd, who are expected to throng Mirpur today in their thousands. l

Decent start for Siddikur as Japan’s Shunya takes lead n Tribune Report

MEDAL TALLY DAY 6 COUNTRY

TOTAL

INDIA

114

60

14

188

SRI LANKA

21

PAKISTAN

7

45

61

127

17

33

BANGLADESH

57

4

10

38

52

NEPAL

1

12

19

32

AFGHANISTAN

1

3

11

15

BHUTAN

0

1

4

5

MALDIVES

0

1

1

2

Bangladesh’s Sakil Ahmed (C), who won the gold in the men’s 50m free pistol shooting event, poses with team mates and officials in the South Asian Games in Guwahati yesterday AP

Shakil breaks drought in 50m pistol as Bangladesh clinch fourth gold n Tribune Report Ahmed Shakil earned Bangladesh its first gold medal in any international pistol event in more than two decades when he clinched top spot in the men’s 50m pistol category in Guwahati, India yesterday.

It was Bangladesh’s fourth gold in the 12th South Asian Games and the first from a male participant after Mahfuza Khatun Shila’s two in swimming and Mabia Akhter Simanta’s one in weightlifting.

The Games’ shooting discipline got underway yesterday and Shakil made it a day to re-

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

n Mazhar Uddin

member as he scored a total of 187.6 to finish top, ahead of India’s silver-winner Prakash Om (187.3) and Pakistan’s Khan Kalimullah (165.9), who ended at third place.

“I am very happy and cannot express it in words. I never thought of winning gold in reality but my effort was no less than to achieve the best result,” said an emotional Shakil after the victory.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh women’s archery team won silver in the recurve mixed team event. The women in red and green lost to India in the final while the men’s side claimed bronze.

In the meantime, Bangladesh wushu team attained bronze on the sixth day of the Games while three more bronze were bagged by the Bangladesh swimmers yesterday, including Mahfizur Rahman Shakil’s third-placed finish in the men’s 100m freestyle.

Bangladesh men face Nepal today

Bangladesh team will take on Nepal in their second group stage match today. After being to a 1-1 draw by Bhutan, a draw in today’s game would be more than enough for the men in red and green to move to the semi-finals. l

Siddikur Rahman teed off the Basundhara Bangladesh Open campaign with a decent three-under-par 68 to sit jointly at 14th after end of the opening round at Kurmitola Golf Club in the capital yesterday.

Three other local golfers – Zamal Hossain, Md Jibon Ali and Md Abdul Matin – made a surprising start to the game as they also score the same as Siddikur which was highest the round-one score for any Bangladeshi.

Shunya Takeyasu of Japan played out an opening seven-under-par 64 to take the early morning lead at the second edition of the US$300,000 event. The 23-year-old, who just won his maiden Asian Development Tour (ADT) title last week, showed a flawless performance by playing seven birdies to lead by one shot over Thitiphun Chuayprakong of Thailand.

If a double bogey didn’t happen in the 16th hole, Jibon would have had the finest day of his career as he played six birdies against Matin’s five. While Siddikur began his day with a bogey on the opening hole and another in the 8th hole but managed to bag three consecutive birdies to get back in the game. In-total Siddikur played six birdies against three bogeys.

Meanwhile, Thai trio Namchok Tantipokhakul, Sutijet Kooratanapisan and freshman Kevin Techakanokboon carded matching 64s to sit in current third place alongside India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar and Rahul Bajaj, as well as George Gandranata of Indonesia.

Leader Takeyasu credited his hot putter for a solid round which saw him sink a 32-footer putt for par on the first hole. l

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Ever improving Windies ready for hosts n Mazhar Uddin West Indies Under-19 have grown from strength to strength with the progression of the U-19 World Cup. Following a bumpy opening match loss against England, the Windies scripted a comeback, thrashing Fiji before getting the better of Zimbabwe in the last group-stage game to qualify for the quarter-finals.

The win over Zimbabwe though did not come without controversy as Windies seamer Keemo Paul mankaded last man Richard Ngarava to guide his side to a narrow tworun win.

And despite starting the quarter-final against Pakistan as slight underdogs, the Caribbean youngsters barely broke sweat in their chase of 228, reaching the destination with 10 overs to spare and five wickets in hand.

Windies skipper Shimron Hetmyer believes his side are close to fulfilling their full potential against Bangladesh in the semi-final today as India lie in wait in the grand finale.

“We have grown as a team and we’ve gotten better and better as the tournament went on. Right now I think most of the guys are looking forward to the game against Bangladesh to see how we’ve grown as a team and how better we can put our performances to-

QUICK BYTES Windies board rejects call for new deal West Indies players will be thrown off the squad for the World Twenty20 if they do not agree to financial terms by Sunday’s deadline, the head of the region’s cricket board said on Tuesday. The hard-line stance comes in the wake of reports that the 15-man squad, upset at a huge pay cut, has rejected the contract offered by West Indies Cricket Board (WICB). Cricinfo.com on Tuesday published a letter from Darren Sammy to the WICB in which the West Indies captain said the financial terms for the World Twenty20, which starts in India on March 8, were unacceptable.

–REUTERS

De Kock, Amla centuries sink England Centuries from openers Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla guided South Africa to a seven-wicket victory over England on Tuesday that kept alive their hopes of winning the five-match series of one-day internationals. Joe Root made a sparkling 125 as England, after winning the toss and electing to bat, piled up 318 for eight in 50 overs. De Kock (135) and Amla (127) then amassed 239 for the first wicket to lay the platform before South Africa reached the target with 22 balls to spare to cut their series deficit to 2-1.

–REUTERS

Jose tells friends Man Utd job is his Jose Mourinho has told friends and associates that he will replace Louis van Gaal as Manchester United manager at the end of the season, according to reports in several British newspapers on Wednesday. The Daily Mail, Daily Star, Daily Mirror and Daily Telegraph all quoted an unnamed source close to the 53-year-old Portuguese as saying his installation at Old Trafford was a “done deal”.

–REUTERS

Sri Lanka pacemen destroy India Inexperienced Sri Lanka fast bowlers Kasun Rajitha and Dasun Shanaka took three wickets apiece to bundle out India for 101 and set up a five-wicket victory in the first Twenty20 international on Tuesday. Rajitha, making his international debut, dismissed Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane in the first over to give Sri Lanka a perfect start after they chose to bowl first on a green-tinged surface at Pune. The paceman also sent back Shikhar Dhawan as India, topranked in the shortest format, continued losing wickets trying to play high-risk shots.

–REUTERS

Uncapped Dawson in WT20 squad England have named uncapped Hampshire all-rounder Liam Dawson in their 15-man squad for the World Twenty20 to be staged in India next month, but there was no dramatic recall for Kevin Pietersen. Dawson, who turns 26 next month, has performed well with the England Lions side that recently played Pakistan A in the UAE. –REUTERS

gether,” Hetmyer told the media.

The clash takes place at Mirpur’s Sher-eBangla National Stadium and with the junior Tigers in impressive form, thousands of fans are expected to drum up their support for the home side. But Hetmyer said rather than a hindrance, the home crowd’s support will motivate the visiting side.

“For us it’s just motivation. As coach (Graeme West) said, not a lot of us have played in front of very big crowds before. But the guys are up for the challenge. We’re not too comfortable, as the coach said, when the crowd is not cheering us but the good thing is it will be a good challenge for us,” he said. l

West Indies U-19 skipper Shimron Hetmyer speaks at a press conference yesterday

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The football fairytale that keeps on giving n Reuters, London At a stunned Etihad Stadium, Leicester City fans crooned “and now you’re gonna believe us we’re gonna win the league”, while across England a delighted footballing community began to sense they may just be right.

Because after Leicester’s comprehensive 3-1 win at Manchester City on Saturday, the delicious tale, one embraced by all neutrals, of the Midlands no-hopers, 5,000-1 outsiders at the start of the season, began to take on a different flavour.

No more talk of ‘when’ the Foxes’ fairytale would begin crumbling into an unhappy ending. No more patronising of Claudio Ranieri’s brilliant crew. No more talk of Premier League pipedreams.

Instead, as they pondered a five-point lead at the top of the table, it was time to heed the words of playmaker Riyad Mahrez who declared: “Now we’re going to fight for the title”.

Suddenly, with the assured excellence of Leicester’s victory over a Manchester City

side that cost more than 200 million pounds ($290 million) more to assemble than Ranieri’s, a team with the best home record in England, it dawned once and for all that this wonderful story was no fluke.

A five-point lead? It may have seemed surreal, especially as the Foxes’ fans pinched themselves about how, at the same stage of the season a year ago, they were leaving the Emirates Stadium after defeat by Arsenal,

pondering how they were four points adrift at the bottom of the table and with no hope of escape.

Mahrez told BT Sport with a shrug on Saturday: “Even us, we didn’t expect to win here 3-1 so we’re just going to keep dreaming and see what can happen”.

The Algerian’s wizardry, a shining symbol of Leicester’s cut-price challenge, tells you much about how this side, with its defensive doggedness, solid organisation and attacking pace and elan, are changing everyone’s perceptions of what is now possible against the elite.

Mahrez made the first of Robert Huth’s two goals, scored one himself quite brilliantly, and again reminded everyone, as he became the first Premier League player to reach double figures in goals (14) and assists (10), why he has been the bargain of the season.

He cost 400,000 pounds when he joined from Le Havre, less than Manchester City linchpin Yaya Toure earns in a fortnight, and must now be considered a Player of the Year candidate. l

KNOW THE FOXES

KASPER SCHMEICHEL Nat / Age Denmark / 29 Position Goalkeeper Apps / Mins 25 / 2250 Goals / Assists 0/0 Yellow / Red 1/0 SpG / PS% 0 / 31.6 Aerials Won / MOTM 0.2 / 0

WES MORGAN Jamaica / 32 Defender (C) 25 / 2250 0/0 1/0 0.3/ 75.2 2.3 / 0

ROBERT HUTH Germany / 31 Defender (C,R) 24 / 2160 3/0 7/0 0.7 / 72.6 2.7 / 1

CHIRISTIAN FUCHS DANNY SIMPSON Austria / 29 Ireland / 29 Def / Mid (L) Defender (R) 17(2) / 1551 18 / 1569 0/3 0/0 0/0 3/0 0.3 / 70.4 0.2 / 69.4 1.4 / 2 1.9 / 1

WASILEWSKI Poland / 35 Defender (C,R) 1 / 90 0/0 1/0 1 / 57.9 3/0

RITCHIE DE LAET Belgium / 27 Defender (C,R) 7(5) / 656 1/0 1/0 0.2 / 64.7 1.1 / 0

BENALOUANE France / 28 Defender (C,R) 0(4) / 66 0/0 1/0 0 / 28.6 0.8 / 0

ANDY KING Wales / 27 ATM (C) 6(11) / 739 0/0 2/0 0.4 / 76.9 0.8 / 0

NATHAN DYER England / 28 ATM (R) 0(11) / 212 1/1 1/0 0.5 / 73 0.1 / 0

Nat / Age Position Apps / Mins Goals / Assists Yellow / Red SpG / PS% Aerials Won / MOTM

N’GOLO KANTE France / 24 CDM 21(4) / 1960 1/3 2/0 0.6 / 81.7 1/3

DRINKWATER England / 25 CDM 23 / 1963 1/4 2/0 1.3/ 77.7 1/0

JEFFREY SCHLUPP Ghana / 23 Def / Mid (L) 12(2) / 1000 1/0 4/0 1.1 / 74.5 1.1 / 0

GOKHAN INLER Switzerland / 31 Midfielder (C) 3(2) / 195 0/0 0/0 0.4 / 79 1/0

ALBRIGHTON England / 26 ATM (L,R) 24(1) / 1995 1/6 4/0 1.3 / 62 0.4 / 0

SHINJI OKAZAKI Japan / 29 ATM, FWD 16(7) / 1262 4/0 1/0 1.3 / 76 1.6 / 1

Nat / Age Position Apps / Mins Goals / Assists Yellow / Red SpG / PS% Aerials Won / MOTM

JAMIE VARDY England / 29 ATM / FWD 25 / 2184 18 / 3 5/0 3.3 / 65 2.8 / 2

RIYAD MAHREZ Algeria / 24 ATM 23(1) / 1973 14 / 10 1/0 2.6 / 72.5 0.8/ 8

DEMARAI GRAY England / 19 ATM (L,R) 0(4) / 31 0/0 0/0 0 / 75 0/0

LEONARDO ULLOA Argentina / 29 Forward 5(14) / 620 2/2 0/0 0.9 / 65.3 1.6 / 0

KRAMARIC Croatia / 24 Forward 0(2) / 22 0/0 0/0 0.5 / 72.7 0/0

JOE DODOO England / 20 Forward 0(1) / 19 0/0 0/0 0 / 50 0/0

CLAUDIO RANIERI Italy / 64 Coach SpG: Shots per game, PS%: Pass success percentage, AerialsWon: Aerial duels won per game

29

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Win over Liverpool was one of West Ham’s greatest: Bilic n Reuters, London

DAY’S WATCH CRICKET STAR SPORTS 1, 3 9:00AM ICC U19 World Cup 2016 2nd SF: Bangladesh v West Indies

Fans with long memories may disagree but West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic believes their last-gasp, extra-time win over Liverpool on Tuesday will go down as one of the London club’s greatest triumphs.

Angelo Ogbonna’s header in the dying seconds of extra time secured a 2-1 victory that sent West Ham into the fifth round of the FA Cup where they will face second tier Blackburn Rovers.

They were playing a weakened Liverpool side and were often under severe pressure, however, with emotions in the stands running high as the club prepare to end their 112-year stay at Upton Park, the victory was particularly sweet for Bilic.

“It will go down in the history of West Ham’s greatest games,” the Croatian told BT Sport.

“Liverpool, our last season at Upton Park, a night kickoff, goal in the last minute, and we deserved it. I am very proud of the guys.

They left their hearts on the pitch.”

It was West Ham’s first FA Cup win over Liverpool in eight attempts. l

GAZI TV Pakistan Super League 5:30PM Karachi Kings v Peshawar Zalmi 10:00PM Islamabad United v Quetta Gladiators

SONY SIX 9:30PM Masters Champions League 2016 Semi-final 1 Gemini Arabians v Sagittarius Strikers

FOOTBALL TEN ACTION 7:35PM I-League 2016 Sporting Clube de Goa v Salgaocar

SONY SIX 1:40AM Italian Serie A Lazio v Hellas Verona

TENNIS

FA CUP West Ham Antonio 45, Ogbonna 120

2-1

SONY ESPN Liverpool Coutinho 48

Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels (bottom) picks up tennis balls thrown by fans to protest against ticket prices next to VfB Stuttgart midfielder Christian Gentner (2L) during their German Cup quarter-final in Stuttgart last Tuesday. Dortmund won the match 3-1 AFP

Pakistan drop Shehzad for Asia Cup, World Twenty20 n AFP, Dubai Pakistan have made four changes to their squad for this month’s Asia Cup followed by the World Twenty20 including the axing of struggling opener Ahmed Shehzad after a poor run of form.

The 24-year-old Shehzad managed just 33 runs in Pakistan’s 2-1 Twenty20 series loss in New Zealand last month and is one of four changes selectors made from the last tour.

Also out are Sohaib Maqsood, paceman Umar Gul and wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan as chief selector Haroon Rasheed said the squad was selected after considering the conditions in Asia Cup hosts Bangladesh and India, where the World Twenty20 will be staged.

“While picking the squad, the team management and skipper were consulted by the selectors, and all concerned gave their consent in this regard,” Rasheed said.

“The T20 team has been selected keeping in mind the conditions and the recent performances of some players in domestic and A team tours. The team is a fine blend of experience and youth and the selectors believe that team will do well in both tournaments.”

Shehzad’s place goes to 29-year-old Khurram Manzoor who had played 16 Tests and seven one-day internationals for Pakistan but has never featured in a Twenty20 game.

He scored 309 runs in Pakistan’s Twen-

ty20 tournament with a strike rate of 133 which earned him the place.

Rasheed said it was not as if Shehzad hasn’t been given a chance to show his worth.

“We gave Shahezad consistent chances.

His confidence level is down after a run of poor form, which happens to players, so why not give a chance to someone else who is in good nick?” said Rasheed.

Left-arm paceman Rumman Raees and left-arm spinning allrounder Mohammad Nawaz were also rewarded for their showings at domestic level.

The 21-year old Nawaz has taken eight wickets in four Pakistan Super League matches in Dubai and showed good form with the bat as well.

Also returned to the squad is lanky paceman Mohammad Irfan, rested for the Twenty20 series in New Zealand, making a fourpronged pace attack with all left-handers, with the sole right arm bowler coming in the shape of medium pacer Anwar Ali. The Asia Cup will be played from February 24-March 6 followed by the World Twenty20 from March 8-April 3. l

SQUAD Shahid Afridi (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed, Babar Azam, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Khurram Manzoor, Rumman Raees

4:00PM Amro World Tennis Rotterdam Day 4, Session 1

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016

Aynabaji cast post selfies of ‘re-shoot’

n Al Mahmud Manjur Director Amitabh Reza, actors Chanchal Chowdhury and Partha Barua – all members of the cast and crew of Aynabaji, have once again triggered curiosity among people by posting on Facebook a few photos, including selfies, from the shooting spot of their upcoming movie.

Bhalobashboi To premieres on V-Day

Posted on Tuesday, the photos raised the question of why they would still be shooting the much-hyped film, when it is scheduled to be released as early as March.

The answer came from Partha, who plays the role of a journalist in the film, as well as the director himself.

The shooting was mainly over in August last year, while the editing of the film was completed in the last four months. However, Partha said that he was at the shooting spot of Aynabaji in Old Dhaka’s Gendaria area when contacted over phone on Tuesday afternoon.

The actual story was revealed in the evening when Partha said over phone, “Today [Tuesday] Chanchal Chowdhury and I have shot a few sequences called ‘patchwork.’ This happens in the case of almost all films. However, our re-shoot was a little bit delayed.”

Amitabh Reza added that the patchwork shoot was over, along with photo-shoots for the film. Editing, sound and colour correction are also almost done, which means that the film will soon be submitted to the censor board.

Aynabaji showcases a city where the milkman still knocks at the door in the morning, hawkers sell daily needs with loud chants, children walk to drama classes in a group and roadside romeos chat at tea-stalls.

Ayna (played by Chanchal Chowdhury) is a resident of this city, where he falls in love with a girl named Hridi (played by Nabila).

Mahesh Bhatt to adapt ‘Rajkahini’ in Hindi n Showtime Desk

n Showtime Desk Bhalobashboi To, a film directed by late Belal Ahmed, will premiere this Valentine’s Day. Moushumi and Niloy will play the lead roles in the film that depicts a love-story between two people from different age brackets.

Produced by Impress Telefilm Limited, the film will premiere in Blockbuster Cinemas on February 14.

The worldwide premiere is scheduled to be on the same day on Channel I, after the 2pm news.

Screenplay and dialogue were also done by director Belal Ahmed. After his unexpected demise during the last stages of shooting, cinematographer Z H Mintu completed the remaining part of the film. l

At one point, Ayna gets entangled with the complexities of the city. This is where Partha Barua, a journalist, arrives in the story.

Amitabh said, “The story portrays a city within this city, one that we seldom hear about. This is a film about that city, its love affairs and politics. I have tried to balance the story with songs, romance, breakups and the projection of good and evil.

Acclaimed director Mahesh Bhatt is going to adapt Srijit Mukherji’s Bengali film Rajkahini in Hindi with Vidya Balan cast as the protagonist.

The National Award-wining director has titled the Bollywood launch of Rajkahini as Begum Jaan, where Vidya Balan will be playing the feisty character of the madam of the brothel, a role played by Rituparna Sengupta in the original.

“The re-worked adaptation will see Vidya in the most challenging role of her career. Srijit is by far the most talented filmmaker I have known,” Bhatt told the Mirror.

Set to roll in June, the film follows the after effects of the 1947 partition of Bengal, delving into the lives of 11 women living in a brothel that finds itself divided by the newly-chalked LOC, with half of the house now in India and the other half in Pakistan.

“Like Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil in their classic films, and my daughter Alia Bhatt in Highway, Rajkahini has one of the greatest performances by a woman – Rituparna Sengupta. The premise is

thrilling and moved me to the core.

The Hindi film will feature eight actresses, but will be ruled by Vidya,” says Bhatt.

Vidya admitted to having watched the film and thoroughly enjoying the period drama.

“It’s a powerful and moving film. Rituparna is wonderful and so is the rest of the cast. It’s easily one of the most interesting scripts I have got so far,” she asserts. l

Source: The Times of India

However, in the end, commerce is important.

I have never wished to make something that does not carry any financial benefit.”

The script of Aynabji is written by Anom Biswas and Gausul Alam Shaon, under the production of Content Matters. Lutfor Rahman George, Hira Chowdhury, Showkot Osman, Gausul Alam and Iffat Trisha have acted in the film, among others. l

Habib’s surprise on Valentine’s Day

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016

WHAT TO WATCH isolated research facility become the bait as a trio of intelligent sharks fight back.

Cast: Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, Samuel L. Jackson

Never Back Down Sony PIX 3:35pm A frustrated and conflicted teenager arrives at a new highschool to discover an underground fightclub and meet a classmate who begins to coerce him into fighting.

Cast: Sean Faris, Djimon Hounsou, Amber Heard

n Showtime Desk Talented singer-slash-producer, Habib Wahid has released the music video of his Valentine’s day special track, yesterday. Titled Tomar akash, the song marks his first solo endeavour this year. The released video comes in after Hariye fela bhalobasha and Mon ghumay-re, two of his most popular music videos which came out last year.

Yesterday, Habib shared an image on his Facebook page saying, “The season of love is here and I’m feeling it ever so strongly and I

want to share that feeling with all you lovely people out there because love is the only thing that increases with every share!”

“I always love surprising my fans and here is 2016’s biggest surprise from me so far for you all, my brand new single ‘Tomar akash’ is releasing tonight in just a few hours!,” reads the rest of his post.

Faria Nuzhat, a Bangladeshi expat living in Canada, featured in the video alongside the singer himself. The lyrics have been penned

by Fouzia Sultana. l

Live electronic music at Goethe Institut n

Showtime Desk

Riot Electronic Arts and Music in association with Goethe-Institut Bangladesh is organising an electronica concert featuring a few hand-picked artists from the local electronica scene titled, “Electronic Propaganda” at Berlin Hall of the Goethe-Institut Bangladesh premises, today at 6:00pm.

The musical event will feature some of the best local electronic music producers like Fahad Zaman, Zaeed Zubair and KymaTrip. The concert will provide music enthusiasts with an opportunity to experience the sounds, visions and the eclectic styles fuelling the local electronic scene.

Electronica artists from Dhaka and Chittagong have come a long way from a handful of individuals sharing their sonic experiments into figures who are now consistently creating new material and garnering followers, both from the underground scene as well as the mainstream.

Fahad Zaman, one of the founding members of Riot Electronic Arts and Music shares, “Local electronic music producers have given fantastic material in the last few years but so far, there are no such platforms that would introduce their works to the audience.”

Riot Electronic Arts and Music works with local talent by discovering new talent and provides them with free resources, technical guidance and promotion; leading to growth, collaboration and a voice for emerging artists. l

DT

Showtime

The Transporter Star Movies 7:35pm Frank is hired to “transport” packages for unknown clients and has made a very good living doing so. But when asked to move a package that begins moving, complications arise.

Cast: Jason Statham, Qi Shu, Matt Schulze Deep Blue Sea WB 9:30pm Searching for a cure to Alzheimer’s disease a group of scientists on an

Enter the Dragon HBO 11:23pm A martial artist agrees to spy on a reclusive crime lord using his invitation to a tournament there as cover.

Cast: Bruce Lee, John Saxon, Jim Kelly

Iron Man 3 Zaa Studio 11:20pm When Tony Stark’s world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.

Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Guy Pearce, Gwyneth Paltrow l

Prangonemor’s new play on Tagore nShowtime Desk Well known for various stage productions of Rabindranath Tagore, theatre troupe Prangonemor brings a new play on him, Ami o Rabindranath, which premieres today at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy at 6:30pm. The premiere will be inaugurated by writer and playwright Syed Shamsul Haq. The troupe will hold another staging tomorrow, at the same hall.

Nuna Afroz has written and directed the play alongside playing the lead role.

The play revolves around a girl (played by Nuna Afroz) who visits one of Tagore’s old residence with her friend. While roaming around the place, the girl abruptly meets Tagore himself in a secluded area. As if she was living in a trance, she follows Tagore, accepting his offer of a tour of the whole place. As the play progresses, we see Tagore in four different phases of his life from a 21-year-old young firebrand to grey-haired intellectual. The girl engages in conversation with Tagore’s, talking about his works and

different aspects of his personal life.

Ananta Hira, Awal Reza, Ramiz Raju, Touhid Biplob and Sarowar Saikat are playing the other prominent roles. Nuna Afroz designed costumes and the stage while Ramiz Raju composed music and Toufique Rabin designed the lights.

Prangonemor’s continual efforts to bring Tagore’s plays on stage is one that deserves appreciation. The troupe’s previous stage productions include Shaymaprem, Swadeshi, Raktokarobi and Shesher Kobita, all of which have garnered plaudit from home and abroad. l

DT

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016

BPC WANTS TO TURN LOANS INTO EQUITY PAGE 15

SIX-DAY BREAK WILL HELP, SAYS COACH PAGE 25

HABIB’S SURPRISE ON VALENTINE’S DAY PAGE 31

BOOK FAIR 2016

AMAR EKUSHEY

Poetry makes a mark at book fair n Nure Alam Durjoy Poets continued to publish new titles enriching Bangla literature as new arrivals at Amar Ekushey Book Fair over the last few days included a good number of poetry books.

Seasoned poets, using their imagination and philosophy, have described life and struggles involving people, love, romance and patriotism in their works.

Poetry enthusiasts roamed the fair, browsing poetry books in stalls to look for titles of both renowned and new poets.

Celebrated poet Asad Chowdhury said an increasing number of young writers in the country are showing a keen interest in writing poems compared to other literature sections.

“This is really a matter of great happiness as new poets are joining the circle. Also, what is noticeable among them is that they intend to go beyond the existing forms of poem and are trying to come up with new forms. Cer-

Book Names Leaf Storm Shakespeare Theke Keats, Robert Frost Theke Elliot Atonker Deal: Bangladesh-Bharat Simanto Prerito Purush Panch Porir Golpo Babar Sathe Jawa o Onnano Golpo Ei Boita Tomar Somoyer Dorpone Somaj o Rajniti Krishno Kusum

Author Written by Gabriel García Márquez, Translated by Ashok Dasgupta Translated by Rahman M Mahbub

Genre Novel

Publishers Oitijjhya

Poetry

Adorn Publications

Gael Turine

Photography

Prothoma Prokashon

Mazhar Sircar Anisul Hoque Syed Shamsul Haque

Poetry Novel Juvenile

Platform Shuvra Prokash Ratri Prokashoni

Lutfar Rahman Riton Ahmed Rafique

Rhythm Essay

Chandraboti Academy Boteshawr Bornon

Kishan Kumar

Poetry

Shahitya Prokashani

tainly, they need time to adjust to their new forms of poetry writing,” he said yesterday.

“The style of writing of the young writers is excellent and their writing do have im-

ages and metaphors. I am quite optimistic about their writing,” Asad added.

Mazhar Sircar, a young poet who was at the fair, said: “It has been said that readers are less

enthusiastic about poetry but this is just a lie.

There are many who read and love poems.”

“It is difficult to write poetry. A good poem needs to reflect the philosophy of the poet, his inner feelings and imagination. Bangla poems have been of very good standards since long,” said prominent writer Serajul Islam Chowdhury.

“It has been observed that the practice of philosophy in poetry has become very limited nowadays. Some write without thinking deeply about the subject and that is not positive at all,” he remarked.

Yesterday was the tenth day of the fair and 28 new poetry titles were published, taking poetry books published so far to 230.

Also, 182 novels, 156 short stories and 59 essays have so far been published at the fair.

Abosar Prakashan has published five new poetry collections of five famed poets - Nirmalendu Goon, Al Mahmud, Ahsan Habib, Syed Shamsul Haque and Shamsur Rahman. l

Polls to 10 municipalities March 20 n Tribune Report The Election Commission has announced the schedule for polls to 10 municipalities in nine districts, fixing ballot on March 20.

The schedule, declared as a notification, says that the deadline for submission of nomination papers is February 22.

Scrutiny of nomination will be done on February 24 and 25.

The last date for withdrawing candidature will be March 4.

The 10 municipalities are Haragachh of Rangpur, Kaliganj of Jhenidah, Jhalakati, Bhanga of Faridpur, Brahmanbaria, Nangalkot of Comilla, Kabirhat of Noakhali, Sonagazi of Feni, and Chakaria and Maheshkhali of Cox’s Bazar.

On December 30 last year, elections were held to a total of 234 out of the country’s 323 municipalities in which as many as 20 political parties ran their mayoral candidates.

The ruling Awami League candidates swept nearly four fifths of the mayoral posts which saw partisan contests for the first time in the history of local government elections in Bangladesh. l Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed on behalf of 2A Media Limited at Dainik Shakaler Khabar Publications Limited, 153/7, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1208. Editorial, News & Commercial Office: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207. Phone: 9132093-94, Advertising: 9132155, Circulation: 9132282, Fax: News-9132192, e-mail: news@dhakatribune.com, info@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com