March 7, 2016

SECOND EDITION

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

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Falgun 24, 1422, Jamadiul Awal 26, 1437

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 3, No 321

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

Tigers hapless as India reign supreme n Rashad Banna Much like the fading flame of a burning candle, the Tigers fans’ hopes, dreams and expectations that had slowly built up were painfully dashed yesterday as India romped to their sixth Asia Cup title at the home of cricket in Mirpur.

Each and every single run that were garnered by Indian batsmen Shikhar Dhawan (60 off 44 balls) and Virat Kohli (41* off 28) slowly but surely reduced Bangladesh’s chances of an historic win while captain MS Dhoni (20* off six) hammered the final nail in the coffin with eight wickets and seven deliveries to spare.

The early departure of opening batsman and danger-man Rohit Sharma (one) was a distant memory as the second wicket partnership of Dhawan and Kohli stitched together a 94-run association. Indian singles and twos were greeted with groans by the weekday Shere-Bangla National stadium crowd while pin-drop silence could be heard following each boundary and six.

The Bangladesh bowlers were desperate to initiate regular breakthroughs, and in the process, put behind the heartbreaking memories of their two-run loss in the 2012 Asia Cup final at home. But with the exception of young teara-

India opener Shikhar Dhawan plays a shot against Bangladesh during their Asia Cup T20 final match at the Sher-e-Bangla national stadium yesterday way Taskin Ahmed (1/14), none of the Tigers bowlers were successful in the wake of some brutal hitting by the Indian second wicket pair.

The visitors will no doubt be absolutely delighted following a brilliant campaign in which they won all five matches. As far as the home

side is concerned, they will barely get the time to lick their wounds as they are set to depart for India today morning ahead of the impending World T20.

That the grand finale eventually got underway yesterday was largely down to the brilliant work

of the Mirpur ground staff, led by Sri Lankan Gamini Silva. Slight drizzle engulfed the SBNS hours before the start of the game and it was followed by heavy rainfall. The sight of lightning over the Mirpur stadium made for grim viewing but thankfully, the match did begin, a

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

few hours later than schedule. The umpires reduced five overs, making it a 15-overs per side affair.

A brisk cameo by Mahmudullah and a workmanlike knock by Sabbir Rahman guided Bangladesh to a challenging total of 120/5.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

MP’s drunk son indicted for killing two people

Dae'sh suicide attack kills 60 near Baghdad

n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

n Agencies

A Dhaka court yesterday indicted Awami League MP Pinu Khan’s son Bakhtiar Alam Rony, who in a drunken stupor opened fire from his SUV that killed two persons on New Eskaton Road of the capital last year.

Judge Shamsunnahar Begum of the Dhaka’s Second Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court framed the charges against Rony under section 302 of the Pe-

nal Code. It also set April 11 to start trial in the case, filed by the mother of one of the two victims.

The prosecution read out the charges and asked Rony whether he was guilty or not. Rony, brought to the court on a wheelchair due to spinal cord complications, claimed himself innocent and prayed for justice.

During hearing on the discharge petition, Rony’s counsel Kazi Nozibullah Hiru told the court that the accused had been implicated in the

case as part of a conspiracy. He also claimed that Rony had not been present on the car and that the bullets found in the victims’ bodies were not shot from Rony’s pistol.

Demanding that the accused be discharged from the case, the counsel said that since Rony was drunk at the time, he should not be charged under section 302 of the Penal Code. Punishment for murder under the section is death penalty.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

Militant group Dae'sh claimed responsibility for a suicide attack with an explosive-laden fuel tanker on an Iraqi police checkpoint south of Baghdad, killing at least 60 people and wounding more than 70, reports Reuters quoting medical and security officials.

Responsibility was claimed in a posting on the website of the Amaq news agency, which supports the ultra-hardline Salafist group.

The explosion took place at Hilla, the capital of Babylon province, a predominantly Shia region with some Sunni presence.

A provincial hospital official confirmed the number of casualties. Many had suffered burn injuries.

The blast went off at around 1:00pm (local time), a time of day when vehicles are usually bumper-to-bumper, waiting to be checked by security personnel.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

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Mahbubey: Wait till Quasem’s verdict and see n Tribune Report

Nancy Reagan

WIKIMEDIA

Former US First Lady Nancy Reagan dies aged 94 n BBC Former US First Lady Nancy Reagan died at home in California yesterday at the age of 94.

Nancy Reagan, who had been living in Bel Air, Los Angeles, died of congestive heart failure, the Reagan library said.

Her 52-year marriage to Ronald Reagan was once described as the US presidency’s greatest love affair.

From 1981-89 she was one of the most influential first ladies in US history; initially criticised for an expensive renovation of the White House, but later becoming a muchloved figure.

She will be buried next to her husband, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, the library said in a statement.

Like Ronald, Nancy was a former Hollywood performer who made it all the way to the White House.

As Nancy Davis, she was an actress during the 1940s and 1950s and married Reagan, a prominent film actor, in 1952.

She served as first lady of California during her husband’s stint as California governor from 1967 to 1975 before moving into the White House after his decisive victory over Democratic President Jimmy Carter in 1980.

As first lady, she sought to emulate the style of one of her predecessors, Jackie Kennedy.

To this end, she extensively redecorated the White House, and accepted designer dresses worth $1m and a 4,732-piece set of china worth $209,000.

This spending spree provoked a huge outcry from people outraged by what they saw as profligacy and waste while millions of Americans were losing their jobs.

Public opinion was also swayed by accusations that Nancy had a frosty personality, often consulted astrologers, and ordered the dismissal of White House chief of staff Donald Regan in 1987.

“I see the first lady as another means to keep a president from becoming isolated,” she once said. l

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam yesterday urged all not to make any comment on the chief justice and the judiciary that could hamper the trial of the war criminals.

In response to questions from reporters, Mahbubey at his office said that such comments were unconstitutional and might affect the judiciary. He also requested all to wait for tomorrow’s verdict on condemned war criminal Mir Quasem Ali’s appeal.

Meanwhile, BNP-Jamaat-dominated Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) yesterday urged the apex court to take legal action against two ministers for their comments about Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha.

Food Minister Qamrul Islam on Saturday said that Jamaat leader Mir Quasem’s appeal case should be reheard by a new Appellate Division bench excluding the chief justice.

During hearing in the case, Justice Sinha criticised the prosecution

team and the investigators of the International Crimes Tribunal for their inefficiency and negligence in dealing with the case as they had failed to prove four charges against Quasem. He also criticised the government for not filing a case against Quasem for appointing lobbyists against the war crimes trial process.

tions. He demanded that the chief justice resign. Other speakers who attended the discussion organised

by Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee also criticised the chief justice.

Earlier at a programme in January, Chief Justice SK Sinha alleged that the executive part of the state was out to snatch the power of the

Please wait and have faith on the judiciary.

Because, the judiciary is the principal organ of the sate. It is better not to make it controversial Qamrul thinks the chief justice’s remarks raised questions about his intention. He was the state minister for law when the tribunal was formed in 2010.

At the same event, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque made similar observa-

judiciary. On February 29, he urged the politicians to refrain from making derogatory comments about the judiciary saying that it was a part of the state, not the government.

Mahbubey yesterday said that the two ministers’ comments were unexpected and unconstitutional.

Many untrue stories were spread about the chief justice before the Appellate Division’s verdict in the case of war criminal Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, that he might favour the war criminal. “But Salahuddin was sentenced to death,” the attorney general said.

“So, please wait and have faith on the judiciary. Because, the judiciary is the principal organ of the sate. It is better not to make it controversial,” he said.

Meanwhile, SCBA President Khandker Mahbub Hossain at a press conference yesterday said that the ministers’ comments about the chief justice and on a sub-judice matter was a threat to the judiciary.

“The Supreme Court should take legal action against them in order to uphold the image of the judiciary. The Appellate Division can initiate contempt of court proceedings against the two ministers if it wants,” said Mahbub, who is the chief counsel of the condemned war criminals. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Tigers hapless as India reign supreme The Tigers were stuttering a bit following the dismissal of captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza (nought) with the scoreboard reading 75/5.

But an unbroken 45-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Mahmudullah (33 off 13 balls) and Sabbir (32 off 29 balls) steered the home side to a fighting tally.

Mahmudullah provided a much-needed flourish through his two sixes and as many fours while Sabbir blasted only two boundaries as he was mostly busy taking singles and twos and ticking along the scoreboard.

Earlier, Bangladesh made a solid if unspectacular start with opening batsmen Tamim Iqbal (13 off 17 balls) and Soumya Sarkar

(14 off nine balls) posting 27 runs.

Soumya was particularly impressive as one of his three fours nearly took out his opening partner at the non-striker’s end.

The Tigers though were pegged back slightly through the quick departures of their openers. Soumya was dismissed while trying to clear mid off while Tamim was trapped plumb in front.

Shakib al Hasan appeared to be in fine touch, striking three crisp boundaries during his 16-ball 21 but was outfoxed by Ravichandran Ashwin while trying to sweep.

Mushfiqur Rahim ended the tournament on a sad note as he departed for a five-ball four but Mahmudullah and Sabbir ensured

that the Tigers would have a fighting tally to defend.

Bangladesh headed into the clash making two alterations to the playing XI that had played against Pakistan; Mohammad Mithun making way for Nasir Hossain and Abu Haider Rony replacing Arafat Sunny.

India made three changes to the starting XI that had played against the United Arab Emirates with Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Ashish Nehra replacing Pawan Negi, Harbhajan Singh and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

The Tigers will now turn their attention to the World T20 where they face the Netherlands in their first round opener this Wednesday in the picturesque city of Dharamsala. l

MP’s drunk son indicted for killing two people The ballistic report, however, shows that the bullets were from Rony’s pistol, the licence of which was later revoked by the authorities. Police’s Detective Branch investigated the incident that took place on the eve of Pohela Boishakh last year. The charge sheet names Rony as the lone accused.

On the other hand, additional public prosecutor SM Zahid Sarder prayed to the court to frame charges against the accused since the allegations brought against him were preliminarily found to be true.

After the hearing, the court rejected the discharge petition.

Rony, who was in a drunken stupor, opened fire from his car indiscriminately near Dilu Road leaving two people — rickshaw-puller Abdul Hakim and an auto-rickshaw

driver Yakub — injured around 1:45am on April 14. Hakim succumbed to his injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on April 15 while Yakub died on April 23.

Hakim’s mother Monowara Begum filed the murder case with Ramna police on April 15.

On July 21, DB Sub-Inspector Dipak Kumar Das, also investigation officer of the case, submitted the charge sheet to the court. The charges were accepted on August 13.

Yakub’s wife Salma Begum, 45, was present at the court during yesterday’s hearing.

After the indictment order, she cried out loud demanding justice for her husband. She told reporters that if she did not get justice, she would commit suicide on the court

premises.

Plaintiff Monowara was not present at the court.

Rony was arrested on May 30 based on information given by his driver Imran Fakir and placed on police remand for 10 days in three phases.

Rony’s three friends – Kamal Mahmood, Md Jahangir and Tiger Kamal who were inside the SUV at the time of the incident – and driver Imran gave judicial statements before the court.

The trio told the court Rony he had been under the influence of alcohol when they were going to Dhanmondi from Moghbazar around 1:45am. They said that Rony was annoyed with traffic jam on the road and fired five shots from the car. l

Dae’sh suicide A doctor at Hilla hospital said at least 11 of the wounded were in a very serious condition.

A March 2014 suicide bombing at the same checkpoint outside Hilla killed 50 people and wounded more than 150.

Dae’sh group has not had fixed positions south of Baghdad since security forces and allied militias began their fightback against the jihadists in late 2014.

When Iraqi forces began their counter-offensive against Dae’sh, securing the Shia shrine cities of Najaf and Karbala, south of Baghdad, was a priority.

The jihadist group has since been losing territory in Iraq. In the most recent operation, Iraqi forces have been retaking areas west of the city of Samarra and are continuing to advance.

In the cities Dae’sh retains control over, internal tension appears to be on the rise and the lack of supplies is taking its toll.

Observers have warned that, as its self-proclaimed “caliphate” shrinks towards extinction, Dae’sh will likely revert to its old guerrilla tactics and ramp up suicide car bomb attacks on civilian targets.

“The Rafidha (a derogatory term for Shias) must understand that the battle has just begun and that the worst is yet to come,” The militant group said as it claimed Sunday’s bombing.

The attack on Hilla checkpoint was one of the deadliest bombings since a suicide explosion killed nearly 100 people in Diyala province, north of Baghdad, in July 2015. l

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MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

Police: ATM scammers withdrew Tk5-6cr or more n Mohammad Jamil Khan

ATM scammers used cloned cards to withdraw around Tk5-6 crore from different banks, investigators are now saying, adding that the figure could grow even higher.

“The forgery gang used to withdraw money by manipulating services from point of sale terminals, especially using cards of clients who were travelling abroad. For this, it is taking more time to calculate [the damages],” said Monirul Islam, chief of police’s counter-terrorism and transnational crime (CT) unit.

He made the comments after the CT unit and Detective Branch recovered Tk51 lakh from a fashion store in the capital on Saturday, using information gleaned from prime suspect Piotr Szczepan Mazurek.

Monirul Islam, also the additional commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said the recovered money had been withdrawn using a clone card from a newly launched private bank.

However, he did not disclose the names of the private bank or the fashion store.

Meanwhile, the CT unit also used information from Piotr to conduct a drive in Gulshan area early yesterday and arrest two more suspects in the ATM forgery case.

“The arrestees are Humayun Kabir and Saifuzzaman,” said Maruf Hossain Sarder, a DMP deputy commissioner (media and publication).

In primary interrogation, Humayun reportedly admitted of helping Piotr exchange taka for dollar and send it abroad. Saif, on the oth-

er hand, used to work in a private bank but was fired in 2012 for an ATM card scam.

CT unit chief Monirul said they are now analysing 50 more suspects – all bankers, businessmen and hotel owners – to see if they had links to the scam.

“We suspect that more people were involved as many more banks are filling complaints with us,” he said.

Suspects remanded

The court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Saad Bir Yeasir Ahsan Chowdhury yesterday placed Piotr and three detained City Bank officials – Moksed Alam Maksud, Rezaul Karim Shahin and Refaz Ahmed Roni – under a fresh fourday remand. This will be the third round of remand for the men.

The same court also granted a three-day remand against Humayun and Saif, after the police sought a five-day remand.

Meanwhile, members of the CT unit are also working on sending a list of four suspects to the Interpol.

“Profiles of Piotr, his friend Farid Nabir, Romeo and Andy have been readied and will soon be sent to Interpol for their assistance in tracing the criminals and bringing them to justice,” said a senior DB official requesting anonymity.

Piotr’s profile would be sent to Interpol because he had been involved in similar ATM scams in other countries, the official said, adding that if Piotr’s name was found in other criminal databases, that might help in tracking his other associates in the international forgery gang. l

Maritime VSATs on floating hospital ships launched

‘More time needed for Banasree murder investigation’ n Abid Azad n Arifur Rahman Rabbi NYSE Euronext Paris and LuxemNow that Mahfuza Malek Jesmin, mother of the sibling duo who were allegedly suffocated to death in the capital’s Banasree area last week, has confessed to killing her children, more time is necessary to properly investigate the case, said Monirul Islam, additional commissioner at Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

Addressing a press briefing at the DMP’s media centre yesterday, Monirul said: “It is very difficult for a mother to say that she killed her children. Her psychological state is a big factor here. We are looking into it.”

But he said Jesmin is not insane.

“If necessary, police will seek professional help to determine the state of her mental health.”

During interrogation, Jesmin said a bout of depression brought on by anxiety about her children’s future drove her to kill them, he said.

“Jesmin is highly educated. She used to teach at a college once, but quit the job ... The financial condition of her family is not sound.

So there may have been cause for some frustration,” he added.

“We are also trying to find if someone else is involved ... if she is trying to save someone else.”

Inspector Mustafizur Rahman of Rampura police station said no evidence of Jesmin having an extramarital affair was found.

“We examined the call list on Jesmin’s mobile phone. There is nothing that indicates that she could had an extramarital affair,” he said yesterday. l

bourg Stock Exchange: SESG, a world-leading satellite operator, and FRIENDSHIP, a non-governmental organisation, with technical assistance of Square Informatix (Bangladesh) Ltd, launched the first state-of-the-art Maritime VSATs on three of FRIENDSHIP’s floating hospital ships yesterday at Char Dakatia under Dewanganj thana in Jamalpur.

The ships are Emirates Friendship Hospital, Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital and Rongdhonu Friendship Hospital.

Emirates is now in Jamalpur while Lifebuoy in Bogra’s Sariakandi and Rongdhonu in Kutubdia.

Each ship will provide health service in two to three upazilas.

“Our three ships and 437 satellite clinics including 555 Friendship Community Members will reach around 250,000 people in our project areas,” said Enamul Haque, team leader of health and communication of FRIENDSHIP. “We provide reproductive health services, maternity health care, child health, eye care, dental care including operation services, X-ray, ECG and other pathological services.

“Under the operation service, we will provide burn surgery, orthopedic surgery, harnia operation, hydrocil operation, tumour operation, cataract surgery and family planning,” he added.

“This is a great initiative in the country that our char people are

now able to get a better quality treatment through the satellite e-health programme,” said chief guest at the inauguration Nasrul Hamid Bipu, state minister for power, energy and mineral resources.

“Despite huge resources in the health sector, we have management problems.

However, such a project will play an important role in promoting our health sector, and will add more efficiency and support.”

Runa Khan, founder and executive director of FRIENDSHIP, described the project as a great illustration of a true partnership between governments, the private sec-

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tor and NGOs. “Mutual trust and collaboration can lead to greater benefits that directly impact the beneficiaries.

“The project gives us a tool with which we are able to bring in specialised services of e-learning, specialised back office resources and training,” she said.

“After implementing SATMED platform tools and services, the ship hospitals will be able to support and facilitate work in the areas of e-care, e-surveillance, e-health management and digital imaging,” said Gerhard Bethscheider, managing director of SES TechCom Services. l

Sumaiya, too, passes away n Kamrul Hasan Sumaiya Akhter, one of the six members of a family injured in a gas explosion at her Uttara flat, passed away yesterday at a hospital ICU. Sumaiya, 40, succumbed to her burn injuries yesterday around 3:25pm, Dr Rashed Mahmud of the City Hospital said. She had 95% burn injuries. Sumaiya was kept in the ICU and had been unresponsive since the morning, he said.

Sumaiya was shifted to the hospital from Dhaka Medical College Hospital on March 1. Her family members said her situation was deteriorating they shifted her so that she could died keeping her children in front of her.

She died hours after her only surviving son Zarif bin Newaz was taken home yesterday morning.

An audio statement by Sumaiya was released on social media by her cousin on February 29 and subsequently in the news media. In it she described how her neighbours stood by as she and her family members ran down the stairs while burning.

Sumaiya’s husband Shah Newaz, 50, a maintenance engineer at the US embassy in Dhaka, died on February 27 and their other two children, 14-month-old Zayan and 15-year-old Sharleen, died within 12 hours of the explosion on February 26.

Abu Sufian, a relative, said Sumaiya would be buried beside her husband and children at her home village in Barisal.

Family members have alleged that although Shah Newaz informed his landlord as soon as he smelled the gas leakage, the landlord took no measures to fix the problem. l

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MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

Khaleda, Tarique elected uncontested Al-Masum n Mohammad Molla

A round table discussion on women’s political empowerment in Bangladesh underway at Cirdap auditorium in the city ahead of International Women’s Day, organised by USAID, UKAID and Democracy International RAJIB DHAR

Speakers: No body to monitor women’s inclusion in party committees n Kamrul Hasan Although the Election Commission’s registration rules for political parties stipulate that they will have 33% female members in their committees by 2020, the authorities concerned did not form a body to monitor the matter, said speakers at a roundtable yesterday.

They expressed doubt over whether the goal could be achieved, saying that the major political parties do not have a significant number of women but have female party chiefs.

Forty parties registered with the EC brought changes to their constitutions in line with the EC rules in 2008.

Speakers said it was impossible to achieve success in this regard without any monitoring cell in a country where laws have to be enacted to implement gender equalities inside parties.

EC Joint Secretary Jesmin Tuli said a monitoring body was yet to be formed to keep the political parties under observation.

Addressing the discussion held at Cirdap auditorium in the capital, Shushashoner Janney Nagarik General Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar said: “Due to the existing election system, the reserved-seat women members

of parliament have no specific constituency where they can initiate development work.”

“Moreover, till now, it is seen that these lawmakers are selected only from the ruling party. As they do not engage in any work in constituencies, they have no accountability either,” he added.

Speakers suggested that women members of the parliament be elected through direct polls.

Badiul said: “To achieve the goal of including 33% female members in the committees of political parties, the government can introduce rotational election system so that women candidates can fight directly for one-third of the seats. If the system rotates, the opportunity for female candidates to fight against males will be strengthened.”

Awami League’s Publicity and Publications Secretary Hasan Mahmud urged all political parties to stay united for the greater interest of the country.

The speakers also talked about issues such as quality female education, and reasons why female students are reluctant to build carrier in politics.

At the roundtable, leaders of three leading political parties agreed to work together to ensure women empowerment in politics. l

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and the party’s Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman have been re-elected for their posts in the party as no one challenged them.

As the withdrawal deadline for nomination paper expired yesterday, both mother and son were elected for their respective posts for the next three years.

If anyone filed nomination papers for the posts, then an election would have been held in the party’s sixth na-

tional council scheduled to be held on March 19.

Nazrul Islam Khan, returning officer for the council election, said Khaleda and her son Tarique were elected to the posts as their nomination papers were valid and no one else challenged them for the top two seats of the party.

Khaleda Zia has been the party’s chairperson since 1984, while the BNP created the senior vice-chairman position in its 2009 council and Tarique Rahman was appointed in that post. l

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Project helps youth explore place in democracy n Abu Sayeed Asiful Islam It is a duty to speak truth to power, the great and the good were reminded yesterday by a young man from Satkhira who introduced himself simply as Rashed.

A participant in the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) and Saferworld-Bangladesh project on youth and democratic participation, Rashed said learning how to participate in the democratic process had given him confidence and a political voice.

“I have learned how to speak up and always to speak the truth,” the Satkhira native told the audience at a workshop that included the prime minister’s adviser on foreign affairs, EU Ambassador Pierre

which are meant to support “a space for fair play” in society.

BEI Vice President Ambassador Humayun Kabir said Satkhira had been chosen as the site for the project because of recent violence in the district and because of the district’s history of extreme politics whether of the right or the left.

The district has had a long history of volatility linked to a narrative of dispossession that goes back to partition in 1947, the audience heard.

Today’s angst, in common with youth unrest elsewhere in the world, is largely the result of a lack of employment opportunities and a lack of bureaucratic accountability, participants and panellists said.

Ambassador Humayun said

participants and the panellists.

The project, an 11-month effort to impart an understanding of democracy, justice and human rights to young people, took place in two

Mayaudon and several top Bangladeshi diplomats.

The national workshop titled “The Role of Youth in Promoting Democracy, Justice and Human Rights” sponsored by the BEI and Safeworld-Bangladesh was held at a restaurant in the capital’s Gulshan neighbourhood.

The chief guest at the programme, the Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Gowher Rizvi, said: “Today much of the emphasis with democracy is on the process, but this is not sufficient ... without instilling ethics, democracy is a concept without a spirit.”

BEI President Ambassador Farooq Sobhan presided over the workshop that included several spirited exchanges between the

When the youth stands up it sends a strong and visible message to a larger segment of society upazilas in Satkhira district between April 2015 and March 2016.

One of the results of the project has been the creation of Democracy and Justice Forum Centres

youth participants in the project were excited about exercising their democratic rights and had used what they had learned to successfully confront local bribe-takers.

“When the youth stands up it sends a strong and visible message to a larger segment of society,” he said.

The Satkhira participants who attended the workshop spoke passionately in favour of extending the project’s duration and of keeping the Democracy and Justice Forum Centres in operation.

They also advocated mobile telephone-based citizen journalism. Indeed, one major finding of the project was that the media acts as a “source multiplier on behalf of youth.” l

Housemaid’s body recovered in capital n Tribune Report A young maid was found dead beside NAM Garden in the capital’s Kafrul yesterday.

Jonia, 15, worked at the house of Ahsan Habib, chairman and director of the National Freedom Fighters’ Council, said Kafrul police station Sub-Inspector Kamruzzaman.

He said Jonia’s sandals were found on the roof of the house.

“Her death is mysterious. She either fell off the roof accidentally or someone pushed her. We detained the security guard and the lift operator of the house for questioning,” said SI Kamruzzaman.

In the inquest report, police mentioned that there was blood in Jonia’s right hand and nose, and black spots on the knees and under the breasts.

Police sent the body for autopsy at Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue.

Jonia’s employer Habib said police would investigate how she died.

Jonia hailed from Kishoreganj and her father, Osman Gani, is a rickshaw-puller. Among five sisters and one brother, Jonia was the second.

Her uncle Sohel said he went to the hospital after he was informed of her death.

“I have no idea how she died,” he added. l

Visitors at the Jute Goods Fair 2016 examine everyday products made from jute from a stall yesterday. The three-day fair kicked off yesterday at the Bangabandhu International Convention Center RAJIB DHAR

BRT Act reaches cabinet today Showkat Kallol and n Asif Shohel Mamum The draft of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Act 2016 is expected be placed in front of the cabinet today.

The law will regulate the BRT system designed to reduce traffic jam in Dhaka and adjacent areas through an dedicated bus route with the capacity to transport 40,000 passengers per hour on the Gazipur - Airport - Jhilmil route.

Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary MAN Siddique told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday: “We have already sent the draft BRT Act 2016 to the cabinet division but we do not know when it will be ratified.”

“This is the first ever Bus Rapid

Transit route in the country. So it requires a proper law for its construction and operation,” he said.

The draft act stipulates special provisions for land acquisition, construction of the metro rail and compulsory licences for metro rail operation.

It also stipulates the formation of an authority to fix bus fares on the route, inspection and monitoring of the BRT system, insurance coverage of metro rail and passengers, quality control and punishment for violations.

Initially, the law will be effective in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Manikganj, Gazipur and Narsingdi districts. The government will include other districts in the list by issuing gazette notifications.

The draft proposes a fine and im-

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prisonment for operating the BRT without a license or for illegally handing over a licence, creating obstructions on the route. Commuters without valid tickets may also be fined or imprisoned.

According to the law, a public limited company named Dhaka Bus Rapid Transit Company Limited (DBRTCL) will be formed to operate the BRT system. DBRTCL will be supervised by the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA).

The project began in late 2012. The February 2015 deadline for completing detailed design of the bus lanes from Airport to Gazipur has not been met. However, the project authority has floated a tender for the BRT Gazipur depot recently. l 23

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n Our Correspondent, Habiganj A probe committee looking into the allegations of police negligence in the investigation of four children’s murder in Bahubal upazila, Habiganj has recommended suspension of a sub-inspector and action against the officer-in-charge of investigation in Bahubal police station.

The three-member committee submitted the report to Habiganj Superintendent of Police (SP) Joydeb Kumar Bhadra yesterday afternoon, said Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shahidul Islam who headed the probe committee.

Following the submission, the sub-inspector, Ziaur Rahman Zia, 19

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was suspended from duty by the SP. The report also recommended the police authorities to take action against Bahubal investigation OC Abdur Rahman.

Talking to reporters, the ASP said the probe committee was formed on February 24 after family members of the four slain children accused police of neglecting their duties in investigating the case.

The submission of the report was postponed twice before it was finally submitted yesterday.

The Dhaka Tribune contacted Bahubal police station OC Mosharraf Hossain, who said he had heard about the report but refused to make further comment. l Sylhet

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Cox’s Bazar

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Fajr: 4:57am | Zohr: 12:09am Asr: 3:32pm | Magrib: 6:07pm Esha: 7:33pm Source: IslamicFinder.org

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News

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

Action soon against those spreading propaganda against biometric SIM registration n Tribune Report The government will take punitive action against those who are spreading negative propaganda against biometric SIM registration, State Minister for Posts and Telecommunications Tarana Halim has said.

The junior minister made the statement after a meeting on biometric SIM registration at the secre-

tariat yesterday.

A Supreme Court lawyer recently served a legal notice urging the government to halt biometric registration for SIM cards, claiming that it violates the privacy of users.

Foyzur Rahman Chowdhury, secretary of posts and telecommunications division, said the people who are involved in negative propaganda against biometric SIM registration would be identified soon.

Mobile operators are not preserving finger print in any level as they have no technology to do so.

CIP Police Super Rezaul Haider said finger print is a binary digital code that cannot be used in any criminal activities; it’s only possible in movies.

The junior minister said if this biometric SIM registration goes in vain the mobile operators would be happy as their SIM sale has come

Students of criminology at Dhaka University hold a protest at the campus demanding punishment for the killing of fellow student Shariful Islam in a traffic accident MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

9 tenders submitted for Sirajganj solar power plant n Aminur Rahman Rasel Nine companies submitted tender documents to set up a 7.6MW solar power plant in Sirajganj by next year.

On December 17, 2015, the state-owned North-West Power Generation Company Ltd (NWPGCL) invited tenders for the project.

“We have received tenders from nine companies including two locals,” NWPGCL Managing Director AM Khurshedul Alam told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

The companies include Beijing Dynamic Power Company Ltd, Power Construction Corporation of China Ltd, Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd and Energypac Power Generation Ltd. The Sirajganj plant will be set up on 23.75 acres of land that would cost around $15 million.

“We are going to install the plant as part of our renewable

energy programme,” he said.

With increased awareness of the adverse effects of global warming due to greenhouse gas emission, efforts have been made all over the world to curb emission by increasing energy generation from renewable energy resources, he added.

The government earlier awarded contracts to set up two solar-based plants in Dhorola and Sharishabari.

Contractors of the projects – ETERN-HAREON Consortium and IFE-CPC-JEL Consortium – will implement the projects having the capacity of 30MW and 3MW. On October 1 last year, the Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase approved a proposal for setting up a 200MW solar park, the largest in the country, in Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar on a build-own-operate basis.

It will be implemented by SunEdision Energy Holding (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

The government has set a target of 3,490MW that will be implemented by NWPGCL under the master plan. Out of 3,490 MW, 100MW will be based on renewable energy source.

Considering that opportunity, NWPGCL has planned to install the 7.6MW solar plant.

The country’s current renewable power generation capacity is 411MW while the government has planned to generate 1,740MW from solar plants by 2021.

The government is currently working to install solar panel-based power projects having 152MW production capacity and connect those to the national grid.

The projects are Dhorola 30MW Solar Park in Kurigram, Rangunia 60MW in Chittagong, Sarishabari 3MW in Jamalpur, Ishwardi 2MW in Pabna, Aricha 1.5MW in Manikganj, Sirajganj 1MW and Gangachhara 55MW in Rangpur. l

down drastically.

A vested quarter is campaigning against it to foil this initiative. If our project is successful extortion, criminal activities and illegal VoIP would be totally stopped.

TIM Nurul Kabir said mobile operators have invested crores of taka to complete this task in greater interest of the country. They cannot be involved in such propaganda.

The government launched the

mandatory biometric SIM/RIUM registration on December 16, 2015.

All biometric SIM registration processes must be completed by March, or else, mobile operators have to face a US$50 penalty against each unverified SIM, an official of BTRC told the Dhaka Tribune.

According to the latest BTRC statistics, there are 13.19 crore active mobile phone subscribers in Bangladesh. l

7

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

THREE YEARS INTO KILLING OF TWOKI

Sluggish progress of case frustrates family, killers yet to be indicted Hossain, n Tanveer Narayanganj Family members as well as people of Narayanganj have become frustrated over getting justice into the killing of Twoki as police yet to press charge sheet in connection with the killing in three years.

Yesterday was the third death anniversary of Twoki who has been killed allegedly by local hoodlums.

On the occasion, family members and members of different socio-cultural organisation placed wreath to the graveyard of Twoki.

Doa and Milad mahfil were arranged seeking salvation of the departed soul.

Rafiur Rabbi, father of the A-Level student Twoki, alleged that as the ruling party Awami League did not want justice for Twoki, law enforcement agencies

were not showing any interest to proceed the case.

“Three years have already passed, but they [investigators] are not filing the charge sheet although the main accused is moving about freely. What can we do now?” said Twoki’s father Rafiur Rabbi, the convener of Santras Nirmul Twoki Mancha – an anti-crime platform founded to honour the memory of Twoki.

He also alleged that the charge sheet had become uncertain as the accused were members of the Osman family.

He said: “It was revealed during investigation that my son was killed in the torture cell of Ajmeri Osman, son of Nasim Osman. Two members of Osman family are now Members of Parliament. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already said that she is with Osman family.

So, How can we get justice?”

On March 6, 2013, Twoki went missing in Narayanganj, and his body was found two days after on the banks of the Shitalakkhya River. On March 8, Rafiur Rabbi filed a murder case against unidentified criminals.

On March 18, Rabbi in a letter to the then police super requested him to include the name of Shamim Osman, his son Oyan Osman, Jubo League leader Johirul Islam Bhuiyan Parvez, district unit Chhatra League president Rajib Das, General Secretary Mijanur Rahman and Saleh Rahman Simanta and Rifat Bin Osman as accused of the case.

After filing of the case, police started investigation of the case.

Later, the case was handed over to the Rapid Action Battalion on June 20, 2013 upon a rule of the High Court.

Then, police arrested Yusuf

DT

News

Hossain Liton, Sultan Shawkat Bhromor, Yayeb Uddin Jaki and Saleh Rahman Simanta in connection with the killing. Of them, Yusuf and Liton confessed to killing Twoki.

Since the beginning of the case, local Awami Leaders including, Kabori Sarowar and Helina Hayat Ivy – have been blaming Osman family for the killing, but now many of them are reluctant to say anything about the issue.

Colonnel Anwar Khan Latif, captain of RAB 11, told the Dhaka Tribune that Twoki killing case was a sensitive issue. That’s why RAB was dealing the case considering all aspects.

“We are trying to submit an acceptable charge sheet. So, it is quite impossible for us to set any time frame for pressing charge sheet.” he said. l

3 JMB men held with bombs in Rajshahi n Our Correspondent, Rajshahi Rapid Action Battalion detained three members of Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) with bombs from Shopuna para area, Bagmara upazila, Rajshahi.

The detainees are Aminur Rahman, 35, Abu Sayed Manik, 28, and PM Shahen Shah, 30.

RAB members claimed that the detainees were planning a terror attack ahead of March 7. The country will mark the 45th anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic Race Course address on the day.

RAB 5 ASP Alok Biswas said: “The were detained in a drive conducted around 4:45am Sunday with 16 bombs, seven petrol bombs and jihadi books.

“They were preparing terror attacks on the programmes planned on March 7.” l

3 die in launch collision n UNB Three members of a family were killed in a collision between two launches in the Meghna River in Mehendiganj upazila of Barisal yesterday morning.

The victims were Taslima Begum, 45, wife of Nizam Uddin, her son Hir, 20, and daughter Zannati,7, of Bain Someroto village of Sadar upazila in the district.

Dhaka-bound launch ‘MV Samrat’ collided with Patuakhali-bound launch ‘MV Zahid’ near Miar Char in the river around 1 am, leaving the three passengers of ‘MV Samrat’ dead on the spot, police said.

The relatives of the victims received the bodies after the launch reached Sadarghat terminal in Dhaka on Sunday morning. l

Female members of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police join hundreds of others in a human chain formed yesterday in the city’s Shaheb Bazar area to mark International Women’s Day tomorrow. The human chain was jointly organised by the Office of Women’s Affairs under Rajshahi district administration and Human Resource Development Training Centre AZAHAR UDDIN

‘Religious harmony a must for non-communal society’ n Tribune Report

The speakers at an inter-religious meeting said we were human beings and that should be our greatest identity.

Chittagong region chapter of Caritas, a charitable organisation organised the meeting titled “We Do Works of Mercy, We Become Merciful’ at Caritas regional training centre in the city yesterday.

Theologians from four leading religions, including Islam, Hinduism,

Buddhism and Christianity, delivered their speeches at the meeting.

While addressing as the chief guest at the meeting, Abdul Jalil, Chittagong additional deputy commissioner (general), said Bangladesh was a model of communal harmony.

“All citizens can practise their respective religions freely and peacefully, a right guaranteed by the Constitution of Bangladesh. This type of inter-religious dialogue should be held in a large scale,” said Jalil.

“Every religion of the world

tried to answer three fundamental questions- Who am I? From where did I come? Where I shall go when I die,” said Jalil.

The meeting was addressed by Moses Costa, Bishop of Chittagong Diocese, Parish Priest Leonard C Reberio, Alim Ullah, Khatib of Khaja Abu Bakar Siddique Jame Masjid, Chittagong, Prof Dr Dipangkar Srigyan Barua of Chittagong University and Swami Shakti Nathanandaji Maharaja, principal, Chittagong Ramkrishna Sevashrama and

James Gomes, regional director of Chittagong Caritas, among others.

“Every religion put emphasis on the love and mercy and Islam is not an exception to this. We will have to answer to Allah for our deeds on the Day of Judgment. We should keep in mind that Allah will not forgive if we deprive anybody of his or her rights,” said Alim Ullah.

“Before becoming merciful towards others we should practise righteousness. Gautama Buddha advised us to practise mercy,” said

Prof Dr Dipangkar Srigyan Barua.

Referring to the quote of Swami Vivekananda, Swami Shakti Nathanandaji Maharaja said expansion meant life while contraction meant death.

“We should donate with humility and donate the best things,” said Maharaja. “Religious diversity enriches Bangladesh. The religion is not to blame if any individual belonging to any religion does anything which is conflict with religion,” said Moses Costa. l

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News

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

Deed writers on work abstention

Bakery fined in Chittagong

n Bipul Sarker Sunny, Dinajpur

n Tribune Report

People at Bochaganj in the district have to suffer a lot as the deed writers have been observing work abstention since February 1, demanding removal of the upazila land officer for his alleged involvement with corruption.

Sources said Sub Registered Golam Murtoza joined the upazila land office on August 3, 2015.

Locals alleged that Murtoza had not attended the office regular after he joined it.

Though he was supposed to attend the office six days in a week, he attended it only three days.

The clients are bound to offer bribe to him before signing the

documents as he does not sign it without taking money.

On February 1, the deed writers protested the heinous activities of the officer and started work abstention.

They also brought more allegation against him. The allegations are-not to hang necessary papers on the notice board, misbehavior with the deed writers, giving threat to them and dishonor the profession.

On Wednesday, they brought out a procession in front of the office demanding withdrawn of the officer.

Locals alleged the activities of the land office had been postponed due to the strike and they had to face difficulties as they could not

do many important works related to the land.

Abdul Hai of Mursidhat area, said: “I have decided to arrange the marriage of my daughter last month by selling a portion of my land.”

But I could not do it as the deed writers have been observing work abstention for a long time, he added.

Amzad Hossain, a farmer in the area, said he had already finished the processing of selling his land. But Murtoza demanded Tk5,000 from him as bribe before signing the papers.

Amzad cancelled the proposal and his papers had not been signed.

The officer demanded Tk10,000 to Bhupen Singh for selling 40 decimal land.

Deed writer Bidhan Chandra said he had to face starving as he had no work.

Hori Chandar Roy, general secretary of the Deed Writers’ Association, said: “A total 52 deed writers have been working in the office.

Now they are passing subhuman life with their family members as they have no work.”

The association president Mizanur Rahman said they would continue their programme until the authority met up their demand.

When contacted, Murtoza said: “Maximum deed writers are involved with unethical activities including taking extra fees.”

“I cannot surrender to their illegal demands,” he said. l

A mobile court yesterday fined an errant bakery with Tk1,00,000 in Chittagong city’s Panchlaish area on charge of producing foods in unhygienic environment.

Chittagong District Administration’s Assistant Commissioner also Executive Magistrate Ruhul Amin led the drive at Probashi Bakery located in city’s Panchlaish area around 12:30pm.

Ruhul Amin said during the drive the mobile court found that the staffs manufactured the food items in dirt environment using substandard oil and butter. l

Two die after inhaling toxic gas n Tribune Report Two workers died and another fell sick after inhaling toxic gas in a septic tank at BSCIC Industrial area in Sadar upazila on Sunday.

Local sources said three workers were working in the under-construction building.

At one stage, Shahin slipped into a broken septic tank around 12:30 pm and went missing. Later, Ashiq and Mithun entered the septic tank to rescue Shahin and went missing.

Fire-fighters rescued the trio and rushed them to Kushtia General Hospital where doctors declared Ashiq and Shahin dead. l

A frustrated mother is seen sitting with her burn injured child at Khulna Medical College Hospital yesterday.

The child remains without treatment as a strike is going on at the hospital DHAKA TRIBUNE

Run-down Naogaon-Atrai road causing sufferings Correspondent, n Our Naogaon

Residents of at least 12 villages in Naogaon’s Raninagar upazila have been suffering for long as the only paved road to reach Atrai upazila lies in a very poor condition.

Around 10 kilometres of the road connecting the two upazilas via Sahagola and Mirzapur are full of small and large potholes, causing mishaps and fatal accidents. The potholes are 1-2ft deep.

People living in Chawkbalaram, Akna, Jhina and several other villages have termed the road a death trap as it has not been repaired for

long. They say they are forced to make risky journeys on the road every day.

The condition of the road worsens during the rainy season when the potholes are filled with rainwater. At the time, a 20-minute journey on the road takes around two hours.

Also, mediumand heavy-duty vehicles transporting goods often overturn because of the potholes.

Majibar, who lives in Sahagola village, said there is no other road to travel to Atrai, which has aggravated the problem.

“We had floods last year and the road was badly dam-

aged, but the local authorities did not repair it. The monsoon is ahead and we are going to be in big troubles if the road is not repaired before that,” he said.

Other villagers also called on the local authorities to take immediate steps for fixing the road.

AKM Badshah Miah, executive engineer of the Local Government Engineering Department office in Naogaon, said a letter requesting funds for repairing the road had been sent to the authorities concerned.

“We will initiate repair work once funds are allocated,” he added. l

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Education

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

Memory on steroids n Maisha Aniqa When you are sitting for your big exam, pick up your pen, the rest will be assured if you maintain these simple mantras.

Eyes closed, take a deep breath It’s really important to focus on the task at hand instead of concentrating on how aggressively people are writing around you. Whenever you start feeling intimidated, just close your eyes and breathe deeply for 60 seconds. Remember, it is the quality of your answers that matter, not the quantity or how quickly you finish.

Move on It’s very likely that a question will appear which will have you pull all your hair out. Don’t be stuck in one question, it’s evident at this point that you are experiencing a mental block. Just skip ahead to the ones you know you can answer well and score higher.

You can come back to the skipped ones later.

Confidence is key The fact is, no matter what it is that you’re doing, confidence is necessary to succeed in it.

Especially when it comes to exams that concentrate on your English language and communication skills, you must tell yourself, “I can do this.” This will also prevent any possible nervous breakdowns or panic attacks.

PHOTO: BIGSTOCK

Organise Do not worry or start stressing out when it comes to answering lengthy questions like essays.

Make your work seem smaller by breaking it down into small parts. Firstly, underline the key words in the question and read

it again and again till you’ve completely understood the question. Secondly, brainstorm and jot down the points you want to include in your argument.

Then decide which points go into the introduction part, body paragraphs and finally and the

conclusion. Now, you’re good to go! You might think this is a waste of time, but in reality, this is actually very efficient as it is saving you a lot of time that you would normally spent procrastinating.

Remember your previous lessons If you’ve attended the revision classes before your exam, which you most likely have, try and think about what your teacher or your other classmates might have said regarding the question you’re having a hard time answering. l

WRITING TASK 1 You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The graphs below give information about computer ownership as a percentage of the population between 2002 and 2010, and by level of education for the years 2002 and 2010.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Courtesy: British Council

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10

Health

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

10 foods that unclog arteries naturally potassium that helps hinder hypertension. It frees the arteries by preventing the formation of cholesterol and heart attacks at the same time. Lutein, another component of spinach, acts as a good protector against muscular degeneration associated with ageing.

the high content of antioxidants, and their power to reduce bad cholesterol.

Garlic

Garlic is generally used to treat various diseases like high blood pressure and heart disease. It has

also been found and established that garlic is incredibly effective in preventing coronary artery calcification.

Olive oil

Research has shown that olive oil is great for preventing cholesterol.

Grapes

Oats

The main ingredient in oats is soluble oat fibre that does not allow the creation of cholesterol.

These fibres are linked to cholesterol and assist in its ejection from the body.

Research has shown that if you want to reduce your cholesterol level by almost 20%, you only need to eat 1.5 to 2.5 cups of cooked oats per day.

Cranberry Juice

Drink three cups of juice each week, and you will successfully

unclog arteries. This juice increases the ability of cells to absorb fats and produce energy, and does not allow the fat to accumulate in the blood vessels.

Pomegranate

Pomegranate is a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent hardening of the arteries, because it reduces damage to the blood vessels and prevents the progression of the disease.

Spinach

Spinach is rich in folic acid and

Flavonoids, resveratrol and quercetin are the most useful ingredients of grapes. They are good in preventing the oxidation of cholesterol that leads to the formation of plaque on artery walls. Grapes help reduce the risk of developing blood clots that lead to heart disease.

Fish

University of Southampton conducted a study related to fish and its role in preventing clogged arteries. Their results showed that fish, especially tuna and salmon, rich in omega-3 oils, prevent accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries. The fatty acids found in fish prevent oxidation of cholesterol and formation of a clot.

Kiwi and melon

One cup of cantaloupe and kiwi a day unclogs arteries. This is due to It oxidises and sticks to the artery.

The most essential ingredient in olive oil is monounsaturated fats that eliminate bad cholesterol.

Tomatoes

Korean researchers found a compound in tomatoes that helps prevent hardening of the arteries. It’s called lycopene, that is responsile for its colour. Moreover, they found that women with high levels of lycopene in the blood have fewer problems with the arteries. l

Source: www.healthycareway. com/health/10-foods-thatunclogs-arteries-in-a-totallynatural-way

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Editorial 11

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

INSIDE

We are all Bangladesh A revolution has taken place in the sport -- the fiery spirit of the tiger has spread all over and this sense of purpose makes us want to take on the world, not only in cricket but in all areas PAGE 12

Bangladesh on four wheels Since there is no official automotive industry in the country, we have to import cars from abroad by paying hefty amounts in taxes. The situation could have been radically different if we could claim to possess an automobile industry of any strength PAGE 13

Teesta treaty heralds new era of co-operation

Yes to patriotism, no to jingoism It is moments like this when we celebrate our Tigers – and, in fact, Bangladesh -that we realise we have more in common bringing us together than what appears to tear us apart PAGE 14

Be heard Write to Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/ DhakaTribune.

The views expressed in Opinion articles are those of the authors alone. They do not purport to be the official view of Dhaka Tribune or its publisher.

T

he seventh Bangladesh-India Friendship Dialogue has concluded with positive reports from both sides.

Speaking about the draft treaty on sharing waters from the Teesta river, the prime minister’s international affairs adviser said no more negotiations are necessary as both countries have already agreed the terms and that it is now just a matter of arranging a time for signing.

The session chair, MJ Akbar, a spokesperson of India’s ruling BJP, said that since last year’s historic Land Boundary Agreement, what was once unachievable and unthinkable in Bangladesh-India relations has now become achievable.

This is reflected by the healthy progress being made on building connectivity and energy links and increasing co-operation in improving security and combating terrorism.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary is right to highight the importance of building better bilateral relations as a pre-requiste for ensuring regional stability and growth.

The BBIN motor vehicle agreement is a good example of the foundations being laid to improve connectivity that can grow mutual trade and build people-to-people links for all countries in our region.

A timely signing of the Teesta treaty is important to help cement the good progress that is being achieved in improving bilateral relations.

The water sharing treaty is essential to help reduce some of the detrimental impacts on Bangladesh caused by the Gajoldoba barrage and India’s diversion of water flows.

As with the LBA, overcoming the obstacles which have delayed the implementaion of treaties on water-sharing, can only benefit both our nations.

It will not only encourage more goodwill but help open the way for further improvements in bilateral relations.

A timely signing of the Teesta treaty is important can only benefit both Bangladesh and India

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DT

Opinion

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

We are all Bangladesh The Tigers can now aspire to beat the best

The whole nation stood united behind our team

n Towheed Feroze

I

was never a major cricket fan. That is, until 1997, when Bangladesh won the ICC trophy, beating Kenya. 19 years later, cricket has become the “lifeblood” here in Bangladesh, but more than that, the sport and our ever-improving performance on the field have intertwined with the success of the country in textiles, meeting MDGs, and maintaining a stable economic growth.

An image of Bangladesh abroad includes a Nobel winner fighting poverty, a cricket team that has made a tiger’s stamp in the sport, a textile industry which is everexpanding, and women who now break social shackles to conquer ice-capped mountains, win gold in weight-lifting, football, swimming, and earn accolades within the expat community for extreme sports like kick-boxing.

There is plenty more -achievements are everywhere, some local, others international, but all of them coalesce with the united expression coming out in one big roar on the cricket field.

Whether Bangladesh won or lost yesterday will hardly dampen the spirit. If we had won, it would’ve been history, if we had lost, there would always have been another day because the age of regular head bowed despair at a post-match conference is behind us.

What is significant is that the whole nation was, and is, behind the team, with belief and conviction.

Political divides are left aside, the eternal AL-BNP schism is relegated; today, at the tea stalls, the topic will not be about whose leader is better and who deserves what in politics.

From the working-man on the streets to the successful

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

insidious impact remained way into the 90s.

“Bangladesh ki korbe?” (what will Bangladesh achieve?) was uttered disparagingly not only by others but also by our own people, because, subconsciously, they felt there was a limit to what we could achieve.

This idea gave birth to the commonly held understanding of the 70s and 80s -- “made in foreign” is always the best, local items are second class.

If the cricket team can prove that we are no less competent, then that indomitable spirit has, slowly, almost imperceptibly, seeped into the general psyche of the people.

Well, if they can do it on the field, we can in our respective areas!

But one cannot forget the tempestuous past of cricket in Bangladesh because, as someone from the 1971 generation, there can be striking similarities between the initial days of Bangladesh cricket and the turbulent first 20 years of the country after liberation.

Just like the baby steps in the game filled with long sighs and never-ending disappointments, the country, in the early 70s, was roiled by political upheavals, assassinations, Machiavellian power struggles which bred deepseated concerns about the future.

The 70s is possibly the bloodiest decade in the history of the nation, with politically-motivated killings happening at regular intervals. For the common people, the post-independence period meant

endorsing the vices, but if one makes neutral observation, we still have venality as one of the major hindrances.

Yet, the country has moved forward, it has made sparkling contributions to world peace by being the largest supplier of peacekeepers for the UN; maternal and child health have seen laudable advancements, with mobile banking now bringing remote communities within a fast all-encompassing transaction system.

Problems remain, but problems are present everywhere -- in the US, gun-toting fanatics attack schools to kill; in India, class division persists with religious bigotry getting political patronisation; in the UK, many expat communities feel they are not given the chance for better employment as a glass ceiling exists. One can go on and on.

Just a week ago, I had the chance to visit a remote village in North Bengal, which is still outside the coverage of the national grid and, therefore, uses solar-based lights after dark.

It was amazing to find that, even in that part, in a rural school, the games section had the latest cricket equipment, including helmets, guards, and gloves.

A revolution has taken place in the sport -- the fiery spirit of the tiger has spread all over and this sense of purpose makes us want to take on the world, not only in cricket but in all areas.

Win or lose, our cricketers have taught us that the rise to the top

A revolution has taken place in the sport -- the fiery spirit of the tiger has spread all over and this sense of purpose makes us want to take on the world, not only in cricket but in all areas. Win or lose, our cricketers have taught us that the rise to the top does not happen in a day

entrepreneur, the talk of the country will be cricket.

However, in this united effort, already manifested in social media with pictures merged with the logo of the cricket board, one sees a country shaking off the burden of post-colonial subservience and an identity crisis.

Sorry to say, that feeling of not being able to compete with the best was implanted in us during the colonial times and the

survival among the turmoil.

And if I remember correctly, the usage of the terms “bottomless basket,” “a poverty stricken nation,” “unstable and unreliable” hardly helped to raise our collective self-esteem.

But Bangladesh has proved detractors wrong. In fact, we can be a solid example as to how progress can still be made despite corruption and nepotism.

Don’t get me wrong, not

does not happen in a day!

Once, beating another ICC nation sparked wild jubilation on the streets. Today, we aspire to beat the best -- beyond the game, the message is clear: Don’t make fun of us, we will stumble, fall, get up, fall again and again and then, one day, we will get up and run like the wind. l Towheed Feroze is a journalist currently working in the development sector.

13

DT

Opinion

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

Bangladesh on four wheels Our nation has a need -- a need for an automotive industry

n Mehrab Masayeed Habib

B

angladesh is a small country in South Asia. “A country of huge possibilities” is a sentiment shared by many regarding Bangladesh. Many foreign investors have deemed Bangladesh a country of safe investment. Which is why it’s somewhat surprising that the biggest void we currently have is the lack of an automobile industry.

The automobile industry is currently one of the most important in the world. Though the industry was birthed in the US and Germany, Japan and China are now the countries which are home to the world’s largest automotive industries, with many other nations pitching in with their own unique contributions.

The demand for automobiles in Bangladesh is rising with each passing day. Since there is no official automotive industry in the country, we have to import cars from abroad by paying hefty amounts in taxes. The situation could have been radically different if we could claim to possess an automobile industry of any strength. The middle class Bangladeshi could buy cars at reasonable prices, it could generate significant levels of employment, not to mention the good it would do to our economy.

Despite the lack of any local car manufacturers, a state-run company named Pragoti Industries Limited has been manufacturing vehicles for Japanese company Mitsubishi at a low rate. Also worth noting is the budding motorbike manufacturing industry that’s taking shape in Bangladesh.

Since two-stroke engine vehicles were banned in the country, the demand for motorbikes has seen a sizeable spike.

More than 80% of all cars in Bangladesh are coming in from Japan. To keep the situation in check, the government has barred the import of cars which are older than four years from the manufacturing date and also surcharged the taxes on import of new cars to discourage the importing of reconditioned cars.

To date, the automotive market in our country has been dominated

by Japanese, Korean, Chinese, German, and Indian companies.

Now, if an automotive industry were to be made space for here in Bangladesh, the possibilities for development would be endless.

Despite the lack of a formal industry, there are a few

Building cars is not just for well-off nations individuals who have been working in the automobile making sector. There’s Leepu Nizamuddin Awlia, whom I came to know about all the way back in 1998. He’s always had a dream of making cars, and in 2002, he made a limousine all by himself using local material. Leepu is still making cars by himself today.

The Discovery Channel also broadcasted a TV show on him called Bangla Bangers, which showed how a man can turn a wrecked, abandoned car into a supercar.

Then there is Amir Hossain in Bogra, yet another man of automotive magic. The people of Bogra address him as “gari bananor biggyani” (the scientist of making cars). He made a car which runs on an electric turbine.

A fully electricity-run car made by a Bangladeshi. Yes, you read that right. According to Amir, such a car can be manufactured for as little as Tk1.5 lakh.

Amir has also made cars which run on an air turbine system,

BIGSTOCK

Since there is no official automotive industry in the country, we have to import cars from abroad by paying hefty amounts in taxes. The situation could have been radically different if we could claim to possess an automobile industry of any strength. The middle class Bangladeshi could buy cars at reasonable prices, it could generate significant levels of employment, not to mention the good it would do to our economy

another which runs on CNG, or even cow dung! Amir Hossain is a true national talent. Using Amir Hossain’s methods, many countries such as Sweden, Italy, and KSA have shown interest in manufacturing cars in similar fashion.

Apart from these names, there are many other hobbyists and enthusiasts with a penchant for building cars. But the sad thing

is, despite being home to such talented folk like Amir Hossain and Leepu, we lack any semblance of one day having a thriving automotive industry. But the obstacles standing in our way are rather apparent.

Due to the near perpetual political unrest of our country, investors are rightfully hesitant in placing any faith on the automotive field in Bangladesh.

Moreover, there are no proper facilities for those savvy folk who are interested in setting up an automotive industry in Bangladesh. If we can overcome these obstacles, and numerous others, Bangladesh can also be home to a thriving automotive industry. l Mehrab Masayeed Habib is Founder, Bangla Automibile School.

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Opinion

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

Yes to patriotism, no to jingoism Our cricketing successes are part of a much larger struggle and ambition

Both our nation and our cricket team have come a long way

n Ifti Rashid

M

y Facebook timeline has been taken over by the brilliant red-andgreen profile picture revolution for the last few days.

How wonderful to wake up and see our patriotic colours celebrating the Tigers and Bangladesh ahead of the Asia Cup Final.

This spontaneity of nationalism is one of the best things about Bengalis and Bangladesh. Our emotions, passion, and love for the country drive us towards national success.

There is something very ardent about it all: After all, Bangladesh is the outcome of a long-standing dream for a Bengali homeland that will be a Sonar Bangla or Golden Bengal.

We often speak about the emergence of Bangladesh only in terms of economic emancipation.

While economic aspirations were no doubt intertwined, we must not forget there was a deeper, perhaps even intrinsic, goal for a homeland we can call our own.

We were not the product of post-colonial reconstruction but that of a struggle for nationhood.

The same spirit that led to 1971 is behind our natural outpouring of love for the flag and everything it stands for.

I dare say this patriotism evident from social media is as much about cricket as it is for our dreams about Bangladesh.

It may seem to be all about our heroic batsmen, bowlers, and their runs and wickets, but there is also a more innate quest behind this cricket nationalism to see Bangladesh rise and stand tall in every field across the world.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

global innovations. All this has given a new level of confidence to us that includes, but goes beyond, cricket.

It is true that we may seem increasingly divided and polarised as a nation, but it is moments

and rejoice, standing together for Bangladesh irrespective of our differences.

We must not forget that our country was born out of a dream for nationhood that upholds equality, human dignity, and social

It is moments like this when we celebrate our Tigers -- and, in fact, Bangladesh -- that we realise we have more in common bringing us together than what appears to tear us apart. It is this love for our country, recognition of our long-standing struggle for selfdetermination, our founding values enshrined in the spirit of 1971, pride of our achievements so far, and hope for an even better future that can bring us together

Bangladesh’s extraordinary cricket success in recent years comes at a time when our country has shown phenomenal development in every single socio-economic indicator.

We are marching forward to become a higher middle-income country by 2021 and developed economy by 2031.

We are a “model” country for poverty reduction, women’s empowerment, and counter terrorism, amongst others.

Our diaspora is breaking new grounds every day while leading

like this when we celebrate our Tigers -- and, in fact, Bangladesh -- that we realise we have more in common bringing us together than what appears to tear us apart.

It is this love for our country, recognition of our long-standing struggle for self-determination, our founding values enshrined in the spirit of 1971, pride of our achievements so far, and hope for an even better future that can bring us together.

As we celebrate our Tigers and Bangladesh, let us come together

justice. This makes our cricket successes not an isolated source of pride but part of a much wider struggle and ambition.

On another note, let us celebrate red-and-green in full fervour but at the same time maintain the highest level of respect for the Indian team both in the stadium and online.

I hope we will not see any offensive comments, communal or otherwise, from both sides.

Some of the social media posts, including provocative memes, are

most disappointing, coming from the new generation.

This call for civility to our cricketing competitors is especially in the case for matches against India but applicable for other countries too.

Let us not forget that India and Bangladesh enjoy close bilateral relations as trusted friends, neighbours, and partners in the region.

Our people have strong political, cultural, social, economic, and historical ties that span centuries.

Cricket matches are meant to bring our two countries, as well as the whole region, together, not spread hostility towards the other.

We must avoid offensive slogans at all costs that undermine our friendly relations.

Most importantly, we must not mistake patriotism and nationalism with jingoism, undermining or belittling the competing team as we celebrate our Tigers.

It is not desirable to hear the “mauka” slogan, but let us practice what we preach and reject the unnecessary “bamboo” rhetoric too.

In doing so, can we make our successes more about ourselves than the other side so that Bangladesh stands even taller? l Ifti Rashid is a political and security analyst, currently a PhD Candidate in the National Centre for South Asian Studies, Monash University.

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Business 15

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

INSIDE DSE trading through mobile phone from Wednesday Dhaka Stock Exchange will start using mobile phone platform for buying and selling shares from Wednesday this week.. PAGE 16

ECB set to increase dose of monetary medicine The European Central Bank will almost certainly announce new stimulus measures at its policy meeting next week, analysts said, as eurozone inflation turned negative and the economic outlook continues to cloud over. PAGE 17

Capital market snapshot: Sunday DSE Broad Index

4,435.5

-0.8% ▼

Index

1,078.9

-0.7% ▼

30 Index

1,703.8

-0.9% ▼

Turnover in Mn Tk

3,002.0 -10.9% ▼

Turnover in Mn Vol

82.9 -10.6% ▼

CSE All Share Index 13,693.4

-0.6% ▼

30 Index

-0.7% ▼

Selected Index

12,407.7 8,320.6

-0.6% ▼

Turnover in Mn Tk

332.7

47.6% ▲

Turnover in Mn Vol

10.4

39.9% ▲

UN report: Economic gains from migration remain ignored n Kayes Sohel Migrants from countries like Bangladesh play a key role in driving up the economic growth in their countries of origin and destination, but the benefits of migration remain under-acknowledged, according to a new United Nations report.

The Asia-Pacific Migration Report 2015 released last week shows that many migrant workers not only benefit from their migration, but they also contribute to the development of their countries of origin and destination through their work and the remittances they send home.

In contrast, they (migrants) also face hardships and abuses, so action needs to be taken to maximise these benefits by ensuring that migration is orderly, safe, regular and responsible.

Drawing on evidence gathered from across the region, the report says worldwide, over 95 million migrants came from countries in the Asia Pacific region; a rise of almost 50% over the past two decades. The report indicated that the trend is set to continue.

In 2013, there were more than 213 million migrants worldwide with over 59 million living in the Asia Pacific region, marking a growing trend since 1990.

Hongjoo Hahm, deputy executive secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP),

NUMBER OF MIGRANTS OF TOP TEN ORIGIN COUNTRIES IN ASIA-PACIFIC, 2013 14,165,774

India 10,835,088

Russian Federation

9,334,914

China 7,757,662

Bangladesh 5,682,673

Pakistan

5,481,683

Philippines

5,108,886

Afghanistan

3,787,623

Kazakhstan Turkey

3,108,971

Indonesia

2,942,338 0

2

said the scale of migration is only likely to increase in Asia and the Pacific, but that the outcome of the trend is in the hands of the region’s countries.

“Business-as-usual risks heightening inequality, holding back advances in productivity and facilitating human rights abuses,” he said.

Each year, some two million Filipinos depart for work overseas. More than half a million workers leave Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Pakistan annually.

Key destination countries for many include Brunei Darussalam, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Maldives, the Russian Federation, Singapore and Thailand.

But restrictions imposed on migrant workers in some host

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8

countries impact migrant rights and limit their access to social protections. The UN report says such restrictions are often economically unjustified and are harmful to human rights.

Some restrictions lead to irregular migration and informal employment, where the rights of migrant workers can easily be violated.

When national workers find themselves in competition with these migrant workers who are often exploited by unscrupulous employers who pay less than legal minimum wages, and force them to work longer hours in unsafe conditions, a race to the bottom in terms of wages and labour standards ensues.

Under this scenario migrants contribute to overall economic

10

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16 Source: UN

development, but their benefit to the economy is reduced, and distributed unequally while the migrants themselves are put at unnecessary risk.

UNESCAP’s Hongjoo said issues such as migrants’ direct impact on local wages and inequality was also found to be quite small.

“What we do find on the other hand is the impact on wages, on inequality and employment is mostly predominantly determined and is a function of government policies – not on migrants,” stated Hongjoo.

“When you provide migrants with decent work, when you treat migrants as your own, assimilate them into your economy and treat them as national labor – it really benefits your national economy.” l

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16

Business

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

Stocks slip back n Tribune Report

Stocks were back in red yesterday after a marginal rise in previous session.

The benchmark index DSEX lost 37 points or 0.8% to close at 4,435.

The Shariah index DSES was marginally down 7 points or 0.6% to 1,078. The blue chip comprising index DS30 shed 15 points or 0.9% to 1,703. The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index CSCX ended at 8,320, dropping about 49 points.

The DSE total turnover stood at Tk300 crore, which is down 11% over the previous session’s value.

Most investors were confined to engineering sector, which made up 24.7% of the day’s total turnover.

Heavy sell-off in large caps like BSRM Limited, Orion Pharmaceuticals and Summit Power significantly contributed to the fall of the market.

Low cap engineering sector was the worst performer tumbling more than 2%, led by BSRM that moved down sharply 18% due to its dividend adjustment. l

DSE trading through mobile phone from Wednesday n Tribune Report Dhaka Stock Exchange will start using mobile phone platform for buying and selling shares from Wednesday this week.

The platform that is said user friendly envisages widening the equity trading activities from any place of the country particularly where brokers are not present.

DSE Managing Director Swapan Kumar Bala said the mobile application was developed by Nasdaq, Flextrade and other partners in line with all regulations related to share trading.

“From coming March 9, everyone would be able to trade using mobile phone initially,” Bala said while briefing the press on the mobile trading platform yesterday.

He said the buyers and sellers will not be charged initially, but the usual charge of stock transaction imposed by the DSE will be applied

sometime later.

To take part in trading, investors first need to register with the broker and then install the app named “DSE-Mobile” from any browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, IE etc.

Since existing regulation does not allow brokers to open new branch, investors in remote places where brokers are not present will be able to trade, said Bala who hoped that the mobile trading platform will attract more investors.

At present, there is a low participation in the market as recent DSE turnover in value is hovering between Tk300-Tk500 crore, which is considered poor compared to the market depth.

According to the DSE, under the initiative, investors can buy and sell shares or any future listed instruments without physically visiting stock brokers.

In addition, the app will provide some featured information, includ-

ing buy or sell alerts, notifications and portfolio status to the investors, which are not easily available on the website or via brokers’ services.

The mobile app is a mobile version directly linked with the DSE trading system which provides real-time awareness to investors with mobility.

The app has two versions—the first one called “DSE-Mobile VIP”, which is a non-trading version, and the second one called “DSE-Mobile Trader”, which is a trading version of the mobility product.

DSE-Mobile VIP is a web-based desktop app that will offer all features of “DSE-Mobile Trader”, which can be accessed from any browser.

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith is expected to formally launch the app at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the city. l

Two-day forum begins on better working condition in garment industry n Tribune Report Better Work Bangladesh, an initiative to improve working conditions and promote competitiveness in garment industry, began its first stakeholders and buyers forum in Dhaka yesterday.

The two-day meet on 6 and 7 March would discuss progress made so far and the next course of action towards the goal.

A dialogue was held between the programme officials and its partners on the inaugural day taking stock on achievements and challenges in the pursuit of improved working conditions and competitiveness in the local RMG sector.

As many as 200 members of government, development partners, industry, unions and buyers are participating in the event.

“RMG sector is the driving force of the Bangladesh economy. We welcome Better Work’s approach of seeking to boost industry’s competitiveness and to improve the lives of workers,” Mujibul Haque, state minister for labour and employment, told the opening session.

The Better Work programme is a partnership between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) that currently operates in eight countries.

The objective of Better Work is to improve working conditions and

Discussants at the Better Work Bangladesh stakeholders’ forum yesterday, organised by International Labor Organisation promote competitiveness in the global garment industry.

It does so by promoting compliance with international labour standards and national law in global supply chains as a basis for building socially responsible export strategies, and by enhancing enterprise-level economic and social performance, said an ILO press release.

Srinivas Reddy, ILO country director, praised government, workers and employers to lend “excellent support” to the programme in just a short time.

He added: “It is now working closely with almost 100 factories and we look forward to deepening and widening this engagement in years to come.”

Wendy Jo Werner, IFC country director said: “This (Better Work) will contribute to greater resilience to global economic trends as well as increasing demands from buyers and customers.”

Better Work commenced its operations in Bangladesh in 2014, becoming fully operational in 2015.

It currently works with 96 factories which employ over 183,000

workers with a plan to expand to 200 factories by the end of 2016.

Better Work activities in Bangladesh include assessments and advisory visits conducted to develop compliance improvement plans.

Training is taking place on supervisory skills, financial literacy, industrial relations and workplace cooperation, according to the press release.

Canada, the Netherlands and the UK fund the programme in Bangladesh while the US and Switzerland support it globally. l

Four services to PPP projects get VAT waiver n Tribune Report

National Board of Revenue has waived value added tax on four types of services being used by the projects taken under public private partnership initiative.

Signed by NBR Chairman Nojibur Rahman, the VAT wing recently published a special order, offering the facility to construction firms, consultancy and supervisory firms, suppliers of construction materials (except petroleum products) and legal consultants.

The decision was taken in line with proposals made by Public Private Partnership Authority (PPPA), officials said. The authority is run under the Prime Minister’s Office.

Officials said the VAT waiver on the services would facilitate development of the public sector infrastructure and services vital for the country.

The government has taken up PPP projects to reduce government expenditure and ensure cent percent public services to the people through PPP projects.

However, the NBR has tagged few conditions for suppliers to get the VAT exemption.

The investors will have to get certification from a nominated official of PPPA for receiving the tax benefit, according to the order.

The certificate should have clear mentioning of the investing firm’s name, address, VAT registration number, name of approved PPP project, work and duration of the project and if the services involved with the project are under the PPP or not.

A copy of the certification has to be sent to the NBR directly from PPPA to help suppliers get the benefit.

The government in 2009 first introduced the PPP initiatives as it would not alone be able to construct educational institutions, specialised hospitals, highways, railways and large bridges without private sector cooperation.

In September 2015, the PPP law was enacted to draw more foreign and private investment in the service-oriented sector.

This fiscal year, the government has allocated Tk2,000 crore for the PPP projects.

The PPPA has so far undertaken 44 projects from different sectors.

Of them, the projects including Dhaka Elevated Expressway, haemodialysis centres at Chittagong Medical College Hospital and at National Institute of Kidney Diseases and Urology in Dhaka are in progress, according to the PPPA website. l

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Business

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

Why is eurozone inflation so persistently low? n AFP, Frankfurt

Despite a raft of different measures by the European Central Bank to kickstart sluggish consumer prices in the eurozone, inflation in the single currency bloc turned negative in February for the first time in five months.

The ECB estimates that consumer prices need to rise at an annual rate of close to but just below 2% to foster healthy economic growth. But area-wide inflation stood at minus 0.2% in February, due to the combination of a number of different factors, experts say.

ECB set to increase dose of monetary medicine n AFP, Frankfurt

- and eurozone growth not expected to pick up any time soon, the case for further stimulus measures is clear, said Berenberg Bank economist Holger Schmieding.

‘Needs to do more’

European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi attends the monthly ECB news conference in Frankfurt REUTERS The European Central Bank will almost certainly announce new stimulus measures at its policy meeting next week, analysts said, as eurozone inflation turned negative and the economic outlook continues to cloud over.

After disappointing financial markets with what were widely to perceived as half-hearted measures in December, ECB chief Mario Draghi will announce bolder policy moves this time round, central bank watchers predicted.

These were most likely to include a further cut in interest rates, an increase in the volume of bonds it buys each month under its so-called quantitative easing or QE programme and a further extension of that measure beyond its current timeframe of March 2017.

“The ECB has signalled a further loosening of monetary policy at its forthcoming meeting,” said Capital Economics economist Jonathan Loynes.

“And while December’s under-deliverance highlights the risk of another disappointment, the deteriorating economic outlook should persuade the governing council to be bolder this time,” the expert said.

With area-wide inflation back in negative territory - it fell to minus 0.2% in February for the first time in five months

“Amid heightened uncertainty about the world economy, rising political risks in Europe and renewed concerns about the health of the European banking system, financial volatility will likely impair the transmission of the ECB’s current monetary stimulus to the real economy for a while,” Schmieding said.

“To bring the economy back to trend growth nonetheless, the ECB needs to do more.”

Capital Economics’ Loynes predicted a cut in the key deposit rate from minus 0.3% to minus 0.5% and an increase in the monthly QE purchases from 60bn euros ($66bn) to 80bn euros.

The deposit rate is the interest the ECB usually pays banks for the excess liquidity they park with it overnight.

But it has been negative since June 2014, meaning the ECB effectively charges the banks for using the facility in the hope that they will instead lend it out to businesses and companies to get the economy moving.

However, banks complain the currently ultra-low interest rate environment is eroding profits and pushing the deposit further into negative territory could harm them further still.

Commerzbank economist Michael Schubert suggested the ECB might therefore introduce a tiered interest rate scheme to ease the burden on banks, whereby lenders would pay a lower or no penalty rate at all up to a specified amount of excess liquidity. l

Oil

“The low level of inflation and the drop in February are largely attributable to energy price developments,” Oxford Economics economist Ben May told AFP. Oil prices have been falling sharply for the past two years, weighed down by over-abundant

global supply.

For households and businesses, this may be positive, as it cuts energy bills, reduces heating costs and expenditure on petrol. But given the heavy weighting of energy prices in the overall basket of goods that are used to calculate consumer prices, they are keeping a lid on the

headline rate of inflation, May said.

The oil market, which hit its lowest level since 2003 at the beginning of this year before tentatively picking up at the start of February, has seen strong fluctuations in recent weeks amid speculation supplier countries may throttle production. l

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18

Business

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

New World Bank country director for Bangladesh

n Tribune Report

Low oil prices put strains on Gulf currency pegs n AFP, Kuwait City

Qimiao Fan Qimiao Fan will take office tomorrow as the World Bank’s new country director for Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, the bank said in a statement yesterday.

In his first visit to Bangladesh, Fan will accompany Annette Dixon, World Bank vice-president for South Asia, who will introduce the new country director to the government of Bangladesh.

Dixon and Fan will also meet the finance minister and other senior government officials.

Fan brings a wide range of development experience to the job.

A Chinese national, Fan joined the World Bank in 1991 and has held leadership positions in different countries and regions of the world.

Prior to taking his current assignment, Fan served the WB as the country director for Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine. From 1998 to 2002, he took leave from the World Bank to work for private sectors in various senior executive positions in China.

After returning to the World Bank, Fan worked as a program leader for Investment Climate Program in the World Bank Institute, and later as the country manager for Cambodia. l

Weak oil prices pose a threat to Gulf Arab states’ currency pegs against the dollar, but the energy-rich region is unlikely to abandon the policy yet, analysts say.

Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates all keep the values of their currencies fixed against the greenback, while Kuwait has a link to a basket of currencies including the dollar.

But doubts are growing about whether the policy still makes sense.

The slide in oil prices has battered the economies of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states at a time when an improving American economy and prospects of higher US interest rates are lifting the dollar.

To maintain the currency pegs, all GCC members except Qatar raised their interest rates in December, tracking the US Federal Reserve, even though their economies needed exactly the opposite.

The Gulf states now face a dilemma of whether to keep the pegs or opt for a flexible exchange rate regime, allowing their currencies to fall against the greenback.

“Maintaining a peg is a costly affair. The central bank has to be willing to buy or sell its currency in the open market to maintain the peg, which could deplete forex reserves,” said M.R. Raghu, head of research at Kuwait Financial Centre.

“Oil exports, which account for about 80% of (GCC) government revenues, have fallen by 70% since mid-2014, thus making the currency peg vulnerable as it reduces the foreign exchange reserves,” Raghu

‘China’s economy will absolutely not experience hard landing‘ n Reuters, Beijing China’s economy isn’t headed for a hard landing and isn’t dragging on the global economy, China’s top economic planner said yesterday, but uncertainty and instability in the global economy do pose a risk to the country’s growth.

China on Saturday acknowledged it faced tough challenges but said it would keep its economy expanding at least 6.5 percent on average over the next five years while pushing hard to create more jobs and restructure state-owned enterprises.

“China will absolutely not experience a hard landing,” Xu Shaoshi, head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC),

told reporters at a briefing. “These predictions of a hard landing are destined to come to nothing.”

China’s economy grew 6.9% in 2015. While that rate was the slowest in a quarter of a century, the pace was still relatively fast among major economies, Beijing says. China has set a growth target of 6.5% to 7% for this year.

The state of the world’s second-biggest economy and Beijing’s ability to manage it were key talking points at a Group of 20 finance ministers and central bankers in Shanghai last month.

Premier Li Keqiang says China has the confidence to handle the complexities both at home and abroad while pressing ahead with reforms. l

A trader changes US dollars with Nigerian naira at a currency exchange store in Lagos REUTERS told AFP. For now GCC states, with the exceptions of Bahrain and Oman, have huge reserves to defend their pegs.

But some speculators are betting that the Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia, will be unable to maintain the currency links indefinitely.

Jan Randolph, director of Sovereign Risk Analysis at IHS Global Insight, believes the contrasting performances of the US and Gulf economies will increase pressure on the pegs.

Monetary policies are also expected to diverge - “stimulating in the GCC and gradual tightening in the United States,” Randolph told AFP. GCC states need weak currencies and low interest rates to boost their waning economies, especially

to develop non-oil export sectors, Randolph said.

The longer the economic divergence continues, “the more sense it makes to move to a more flexible exchange rate regime,” he said.

Maintaining the dollar pegs brings financial stability and certainty to GCC economies amid regional geopolitical tensions.

It also helps contain inflation and boost confidence for foreign investment.

Falling living standards

Oil producers like Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Nigeria have already devalued their currencies, raising oil revenues in local currency terms which helped to curb their current account and budget deficits.

But there is a cost.

Devaluation “typically causes

higher inflation and often results in falling living standards, which can undermine social stability,” Standard and Poor’s said in a recent report.

Analysts say that if GCC states de-peg from the dollar, some currencies risk falling by 20% or more.

That would boost oil revenues and the value of GCC fiscal reserves in their sovereign wealth funds in terms of local currencies, said Sebastian Henin, head of asset management at Abu Dhabi-based The National Investor.

The hospitality sector of the Gulf emirate of Dubai would also benefit as it becomes a more affordable tourist destination and more attractive to non-oil businesses, Henin told AFP. That is why some analysts and speculators anticipate that the United Arab Emirates could be the first to end its dollar link.

Another risk of abandoning the dollar peg is a capital flight from the Gulf, Raghu said.

“Capital outflows would be exacerbated as investors would like to move their assets to other markets. This would increase volatility and financial uncertainty in the region,” he said.

Raghu thinks an end to the peg would happen “only as an extreme measure”.

Mohamed Zidan, chief market strategist at ThinkForex, a Dubai-based brokerage firm, said the peg regime “is costly and hurting the economy”.

“GCC states are defending it now for stability, but if the low oil price continues, they will opt for a managed floating regime within five years.” l

CORPORATE NEWS

Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh has recently signed an agreement on supply chain finance programme with Marico Bangladesh Ltd, under which dealers of Marico will get financing facility from the bank with easier terms to purchase goods from Marico. The bank’s CEO, Abrar A Anwar and Aditya Shome, managing director of Marico Bangladesh Ltd signed the agreement, said a press release

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MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

| award |

| event |

Three exceptional women received Radhuni Kirtimoti Shommanona 2015

Radisson Blu pays tribute to women

Three exceptional women have been awarded the Radhuni Kirtimoti Shommanona award for 2015 for their outstanding contributions in their individual fields of work. The award ceremony took place on March 4, just before International Women’s Day. The ceremony was held at the Grand Ballroom of Dhaka’s Le Meridien Hotel. Square Food and Beverage Limited have been awarding women in the fields

of journalism, social welfare and entrepreneurship through Radhuni Kirtimoti Shommanona for over a decade.

The United Nations announced that this year’s theme for the International Women’s Day is “Pledge for Parity.” Based on that message, honourable vice chairperson of Square Group, Ratna Patra delivered a welcome speech at the beginning of the ceremony. She expressed

Embracing the International Women’s Day on March 8, Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden salutes all women for their contribution by leaps and bounds to society as a whole.

The international five star hotel will shower gifts galore by pampering female guests with complimentary services and slashed off rates on numerous deals to make them feel as special as they are. The occasion will be themed in the royal shade of purple, representing stability and fierce energy, both associated with the essence of

womanhood.

“Gender perception has evolved greatly over the years and the long-standing misconception of men being superior to women has faded away. It fills me with immense delight to see women in Bangladesh going from strength to strength with men in almost every sector of the country today,” said Christoph Voegeli, general manager.

For more information, please visit facebook.com/ RadissonBluDhaka/ or call at +88 02 9834555. l

hope that the achievements of today’s three winners will inspire many other capable women in future. The special guests at the ceremony, editor of The Daily Samakal Golam Sarwar, executive director of NGO “Banchte Shekha” Angela Gomes and managing director of Mohammadi Group Rubana Huq also delivered thought-provoking speeches.l

| agreement |

| discussion |

Apollo Hospitals signs Issue Management Services Agreement

Designers at Ohtshirt.com

Apollo Hospitals Dhaka is the pioneering and flagship venture of STS Holdings Limited. STS Holdings Limited (Apollo Hospitals Dhaka) has signed an Issue Management Services Agreement with ICB Capital Management Limited and AFC Capital Limited for the prospective Initial Public

DT

Biz Info

Offering (IPO) under bookbuilding method for the expansion of business. LankaBangla Investments Limited has been appointed as the Registrar to the Issue. The Agreement Signing Ceremony was held on March 1 at the Board Room of Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB).l

Ohtshirt.com is a unique online T-shirt store, featuring creative designs from renowned designers from all over the country. It provides its customers with the freedom of either choosing from the available designs or to custom make their own. On March 5,

Ohtshirt organised an event called “Designers Meet” at their Banani office which marked the presence of designers from all over the country. Several key issues were discussed eg how designers can be benefited through their creativity and become self-sufficient by using

the platform. This was followed by designers visiting Ohtshirts’ design studio. Their managing director Sabina Yeasmin, director Bindu Jamal attended the event through a video conference, along with CEO ABM Mahbubur Rahman who was also present at the event. l

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MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Eternal city (4) 5 Presentation (5) 8 Hostility (6) 9 Female swans (4) 10 Fish eggs (3) 12 Hid (6) 13 Daunt (6) 15 Offer (6) 18 Thrown (6) 20 High mountain (3) 21 Caution (4) 23 Made up for (6) 24 Register (5) 25 Short sleeps (4)

DOWN 1 Swift (5) 2 United (3) 3 Diminished by (4) 4 Printer’s measures (3) 5 Examined by trial (7) 6 Land measure (4) 7 Song for two (4) 11 Single occasion (4) 12 Of the side (7) 14 Worshipped image (4) 16 Goddess of hunting (5) 17 Tears (5) 18 Docile (4) 19 Goading device (4) 21 Was victorious (3) 22 Corded fabric (3)

Downtime CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 18 represents G so fill G every time the figure 18 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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World 21

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

INSIDE

US primaries: Cruz, Trump split 4 states while Sanders gains 2, Hillary 1 n Reuters, Washington, DC Two Syrians get 4-year prison time over Aylan Kurdi’s death Two Syrian men were sentenced to more than four years in prison for the death of a young Syrian toddler whose body washed up on a Turkish beach in September, reports New York Times.

PAGE 22

China to improve intel mechanism with increased defence spending China said on Saturday it will raise military spending by 7.6 percent this year, its lowest increase in six years, but vowed to protect its maritime rights amid disputes in the East and South China Seas and improve intelligence gathering.

PAGE 23

Dae’sh in competition with Taliban, al-Qaeda for recruits in Pakistan Trying to lure him into the Dae’sh group, the would-be recruiter told Pakistani journalist Hasan Abdullah, “Brother, you could be such an asset to the Ummah”- the Islamic community. Abdullah replied that he was enjoying life and had no plans to join the jihadis.

PAGE 24

Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz split victories in four nominating contests with front-runner Donald Trump on Saturday, bolstering Cruz’s argument that he represents the party’s best chance to stop the brash New York billionaire.

The results were a repudiation of a Republican establishment that has bristled at the prospect of either Cruz or Trump winning the party’s nomination and has largely lined up behind US Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, who was shut out in all four contests.

In the Democratic race, front-runner Hillary Clinton won in Louisiana, and her rival Bernie Sanders, a US senator from Vermont, won in Kansas and Nebraska, in results that did not substantially change Clinton’s big delegate lead.

Cruz won Kansas and Maine on Saturday, while Trump won the bigger states of Louisiana and Kentucky, holding onto his lead in the race for the Republican nomination for the November 8 presidential election, even though Cruz captured more delegates on Saturday.

The next big contest, and a crucial one, will be Tuesday’s primary in the industrial state of Michigan.

Republicans in three other states, Mississippi, Idaho and Hawaii, also will vote on Tuesday. Puerto Rico Republicans will vote on Sunday.

Mainstream Republicans have blanched at Trump’s calls to build a wall on the border with Mexico, round up and deport 11 million undocumented immigrants and temporarily bar all Muslims from entering the United States.

But the party’s establishment has not been much happier with Cruz, who has alienated many party leaders in Washington.

A spokesman for Rubio, who spent the past week launching harsh personal attacks on Trump, said the senator would push on with an eye on the March 15 contest in Florida.

Cruz, a first-term US senator from Texas who has promoted himself as more of a true conservative than Trump, said the results showed he was gaining momentum in the race to catch the real estate mogul.

Cruz has run as an outsider bent on shaking up the Republican establishment in Washington. A favourite of evangelicals, he has called for the US to “carpet bomb” the Dae’sh militant group and has pledged to

STATES

DEMOCRATS

REPUBLICANS

Hillary Clinton

Bernie Sanders

Donald Trump

Ted Cruz

Marco Rubio

John Kasich

Ben Carson*

Iowa

23

21

7

8

7

1

3

New Hampshire

9

15

11

3

2

4

0

South Carolina

39

14

50

0

0

0

0

Nevada

19

15

14

6

7

1

2

Alabama

44

9

36

13

1

0

0

-

-

11

12

5

0

0

Arkansas

22

10

16

14

9

0

0

Colorado

28

38

-

-

-

-

0

Georgia

72

28

40

18

14

0

0

Massachusetts

46

45

22

4

8

8

0

Minnesota

29

46

8

13

17

0

0

Oklahoma

17

21

13

15

12

0

0

Tennessee

42

22

31

15

9

0

0

Texas

145

74

47

102

3

0

0

Vermont

0

16

6

0

0

6

0

Virginia

61

33

17

8

16

5

3

Louisiana

35

10

15

14

0

0

0

Nebraska

10

14

-

-

-

-

0

Kansas

10

23

9

24

6

1

0

Kentucky

-

-

16

14

7

6

0

Maine

-

-

9

12

0

2

0

651

454

378

295

123

34

8

Alaska

Total * Ben Carson quits race

eliminate the tax-collecting Internal Revenue Service and four cabinet agencies and to enact a balanced budget amendment.

Trump has a substantial lead in the delegates needed to secure the nomination at the Republican National Convention, but since winning seven of the 11 contests on Super Tuesday he has come under withering fire from a Republican establishment worried he will lead the party to defeat in November’s election.

But endorsements from establishment Republicans have failed to sway voters. Rubio won the backing of Kansas Governor Sam Brownback but still came in third there.

The four Republican contests on Saturday together accounted for just 155 delegates. Cruz won 64 delegates on Saturday, while Trump took 49.

Source: REAL POLITICS PLEDGED DELEGATE COUNT The anti-Trump forces have a short window to stop the caustic businessman, who ahead of Saturday had accumulated 319 of the 1,237 delegates needed to win the nomination at July’s Republican national convention, outpacing Cruz, who had 226 delegates.

On March 15, the delegate-rich states of Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Missouri and North Carolina will vote. Both Florida and Ohio use the winner-take-all method to allocate Republican delegates, making the stakes in those states particularly high. All of the Republican contests on Saturday, and through March 14, award delegates proportionate to the popular vote, although some states set minimum thresholds to qualify for any delegates.

If Trump takes both Florida and Ohio he would be nearly im-

possible to stop. There are a total of 358 delegates at stake in the five states voting March 15, including 99 in Florida and 66 in Ohio.

On the Democratic side, Clinton has opened up a big delegate lead and Sanders might have a tough time making up the difference. All states in the Democratic race award their delegates proportionally, meaning Clinton can keep piling up delegates even in states she loses.

The three states holding Democratic contests on Saturday had a total of 109 delegates at stake. The early estimates were that Clinton, who appeared headed to a smashing nearly 50-point win in Louisiana, had won at least 48 delegates on Tuesday and Sanders 37.

But Sanders made it clear he was not planning to end his White House quest anytime soon. l

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MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

Two Syrians get 4-year prison time over Aylan Kurdi’s death n Tribune Desk Two Syrian men were sentenced to more than four years in prison for the death of a young Syrian toddler whose body washed up on a Turkish beach in September, reports New York Times.

The death of the boy, Aylan Kur-

di, and the gripping photo of his body lying facedown in the sand and surf of the beach focused the world’s attention on the plight of migrants risking their lives to flee war and deprivation.

The Turkish news agency Dogan identified the two men as Muwafaka Alabash, 36, and Asem Alfrhad,

35. A court in the coastal resort town of Bodrum, in southwestern Turkey, convicted them of smuggling refugees, five of whom died, including Aylan, 2, his 5-year-old brother, Galip, and their mother, Rihan. They all drowned when the 15-foot rubber raft they were riding to Greece flipped in high waves.

The court acquitted the men on charges of causing the deaths through deliberate negligence, and reduced their initial sentence of five years in prison to four years and two months because of good behaviour.

The judgment on Friday prompted immediate reactions on social media, where observers

appeared to find the punishment — they had faced a maximum of 35 years — too lenient.

Trials in Turkey usually take months - even years - to conclude, but the verdict appeared to be an effort by the country to show that it is cracking down on human traffickers. l

23

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

INSIGHT

SOUTH ASIA

China to improve intel mechanism with increased defence spending n Reuters, Beijing China said on Saturday it will raise military spending by 7.6 percent this year, its lowest increase in six years, but vowed to protect its maritime rights amid disputes in the East and South China Seas and improve intelligence gathering.

The RMB954.35bn figure is only around a quarter of the US Defence Department budget for 2016 of $573bn, but comes at a time of rising concern over China’s intentions in territorial disputes.

The increase is the first single-digit rise since 2010, following a nearly unbroken two-decade run of double-digit jumps, and comes as China’s economy slows.

It was announced on Saturday at the start of the annual meeting of parliament, but had been flagged by an official who gave a rough figure the previous day.

President Xi Jinping is seeking to drag the People’s Liberation Army, the world’s largest armed forces, into the modern age, cutting 300,000 jobs and revamping its Cold War-era command structure.

However, the reforms have run into opposition from soldiers and officers worried about job security and few details have been released as to what will happen to those laid off.

Premier Li Keqiang told the opening of China’s largely rubber-stamp parliament that the country will “strengthen in a coordinated way military preparedness

on all fronts and for all scenarios”.

“We will work to make the military more revolutionary, modern and well-structured in every respect, and remain committed to safeguarding national security,” he said.

“We will make steady progress in reforming military leadership and command structures and launch reform of the military’s size and structure as well as its policies and institutions.”

en its capabilities in maritime law enforcement and “appropriately handle” infringements of its maritime rights, though it gave no details.

The Global Times, a widely read tabloid published by the ruling Communist Party’s People’s Daily, said that for many Chinese the smaller increase “was a bit of a disappointment”, but called for understanding.

“There is no need to spend hugely to catch up with the US, which seeks to keep its global military presence. China’s regional military deterrence aimed at national defence has been taking shape.”

The five-year plan also said China would improve its national security “technology and equipment construction” and raise the country’s intelligence gathering abilities.

China, the world’s second-larg-

est economy, is increasingly exposed to international crises like the Middle East but has little experience at dealing with them, unlike established powers like the US and Russia.

Underscoring the sensitivity of China’s defence spending, about a dozen senior officers approached

by Reuters on the sidelines of parliament declined to comment on the matter.

In a government-arranged interview the previous evening, Chen Zhou, a researcher at the Academy of Military Science, said a more modern army needed better training and this is where defence funds should be spent.

“Investment in troop training needs to increase, as only this way can we allow our military to walk down a path of military professionalism.” l

Turkey, Iran seek to manage differences over Syria Turkey and Iran, two countries on opposite sides of Syria’s civil war, agreed they must cooperate to end sectarian strife, including support for a fragile ceasefire, in the region after their leaders met in Tehran on Saturday.

Iran, along with Russia, has stood by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the five-year war, providing him with military and financial support, while Turkey is his most outspoken critic and has backed opposition forces.

“We may have different views but we cannot change our history or our geography,” Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said.

“It is extremely important for Turkey and Iran to develop some common perspectives in order

to end our region’s fight among brothers, to stop the ethnic and sectarian conflicts.”

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani echoed the sentiment.

“We believe regional issues should only be resolved by the regional countries and nations. Iran and Turkey’s cooperation would be constructive in bringing lasting peace to the region,” he was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA. Sunni-majority Turkey is close to Saudi Arabia, which has cut its diplomatic ties with Shia Iran and is concerned about Tehran’s growing clout in Lebanon, Syria and Yemen.

“We have our differences on some regional issues, but we are determined to manage the differences to reach stability in the region ... Iran and Turkey would

Sri Lanka rowed back on a decision to force all websites to register with the government on Thursday, a day after the announcement triggered claims of a return to media censorship. Sri Lankan media reacted angrily to the move, saying it appeared aimed at intimidating anti-government sites by forcing them to disclose details of news contributors.

-REUTERS

INDIA

‘Economic headwinds’

The official Xinhua news agency attributed the slowdown in the pace of defence spending to “rising economic headwinds and last year’s massive drawdown of service people”.

China’s Defence Ministry, in a commentary on its website, described the slower pace as “appropriate”.

“It certainly doesn’t mean the Chinese people’s dreams of a strong country and military will be impacted upon,” it added.

Beijing is feeling public pressure to show it can protect its claims to the South China Sea after the United States began conducting “freedom of navigation” operations near islands where China has been carrying out controversial reclamation work and stationing advanced weapons.

A draft of the five-year plan, a blueprint for the country’s aspirations from this year through to 2020, said China would strength-

Sri Lanka backtracks on website registration demands

Gujarat on alert amid reports of militants entering

INSIGHT

n Reuters, Istanbul/Dubai

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both benefit from regional security and stability,” said Iranian Vice-President Eshagh Jahangiri, standing alongside Davutoglu in comments carried live by Turkey’s NTV and Iran’s Press TV. The meeting, days before the planned resumption of Syrian peace talks in Geneva, also focused on a ceasefire that is largely holding in Turkey’s war-torn neighbour.

Trade potential

Reaping trade benefits from the easing of international sanctions against Iran in January was also discussed.

The removal of the sanctions means the two neighbours can easily exceed their previous trade target of $30bn annually, Davutoglu said.

“The main obstacle that prevented us from reaching our goal were the sanctions. Being free of those, means we can easily surpass our goal of $30bn,” Davutoglu said, adding he hoped to encourage mutual direct investment.

Trade between the two nations was $9.7bn in 2015, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute.

Turkey has trailed other European countries eager to tap into Iran’s $400bn economy after world powers, led by the United States, reached an agreement with Tehran last year that seeks to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Turkey mainly sells machinery, vehicles and iron and steel products to Iran. Oil and natural gas make up 90% of Iranian exports to Turkey, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said. l

The western Indian state of Gujarat was placed on high alert Sunday after officials said they received intelligence reports that around 10 suspected militants from Pakistan had entered the state. Some fishing boats have been found abandoned near the coast over the past few days, raising suspicions that militants from Pakistan had entered Gujarat by sea.

-AP

CHINA

China warns Hong Kong not to politicise issues China’s Communist Party leader Zhang Dejiang said Hong Kong shouldn’t politicise everything and should instead focus on integrating its economy with China’s. A day after Premier Li Keqiang pledged greater economic support for Hong Kong at the opening of annual parliamentary sessions in Beijing, Zhang said that while a recent riot in Hong Kong was a concern, it was one the city’s government could handle. -REUTERS

ASIA PACIFIC

North Korea steps up army recruitment ahead of US military exercise North Korea has stepped up army recruitment and called on former soldiers to re-enlist to bolster its ground forces ahead of the traditional joint military exercise between South Korea and the US, according to sources inside the country Washington and Seoul are scheduled to begin their biggest ever military manoeuvres across the border on 7 March, involving 15,000 US troops.

-THE GUARDIAN

MIDDLE EAST

Saudi executes 70th convict this year Saudi Arabia executed a citizen convicted of murder on Sunday, bringing to 70 the number of people it has put to death this year. Most people sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia are beheaded with a sword.

In 2015, Saudi Arabia executed 153 people. Amnesty says the number of executions in Saudi Arabia last year was the highest for two decades. -AFP

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MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

USA

German vice chancellor: Trump poses threat to peace and prosperity German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel has criticised Donald Trump as a right-wing populist whose political views pose a threat to peace and prosperity. The comments by Gabriel, economy minister and leader of the Social Democrats, are the clearest sign yet that ruling politicians in Europe are increasingly worried about the outcome of the US presidential elections. -REUTERS

THE AMERICAS

Brazil’s corruption scandal anger spills onto street Supporters of Brazil’s former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva rallied in their hundreds outside his Sao Paulo house Saturday a day after his dramatic detention in a corruption probe. The show of resolve was the latest sign a mounting political crisis in Brazil.

-AFP

UK

London mayor slams crushing of Brexit supporter The battle for Britain to leave or remain within the European Union stepped up a gear on Sunday as London mayor Boris Johnson accused the establishment of crushing a business leader for publicly supporting a Brexit. Johnson, the leading advocate of the campaign for Britain to leave the EU in a June referendum, said it was absolutely scandalous that John Longworth had been suspended as head of the British Chambers of Commerce. -AFP

EUROPE

Germany’s finance minister: Brexit would be economic poison A British vote to leave the EU would damage the British, European and global economies, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said in an interview with the BBC. Schaeuble said that while Britain would still be able to trade with the EU after leaving, it could not have the advantage of access to the bloc’s single market without accepting free movement of EU citizens. -REUTERS

AFRICA

Armed men kill 12 in Central African Republic Armed men killed 12 people in villages in Central African Republic, local officials said on Sunday, in the first violence since Faustin-Archange Touadera was confirmed as president last Tuesday after an election many hoped would help end attacks. The attacks took place near the central town of Bambari and were likely linked to an inter-ethnic dispute involving the Peuhl, or Fulani, ethnic group.

-REUTERS

Dae’sh in competition with Taliban, al-Qaeda for recruits in Pakistan n Tribune Desk Trying to lure him into the Dae’sh group, the would-be recruiter told Pakistani journalist Hasan Abdullah, “Brother, you could be such an asset to the Ummah”the Islamic community. Abdullah replied that he was enjoying life and had no plans to join the jihadis.

“The enjoyment of this life is short-lived. You should work for the Akhira” - the Afterlife, the recruiter pressed.

Dae’sh had its eye on Abdullah not because he adheres to any extremist ideology but because, as a journalist, the group believed he could be a boon to its propaganda machine, Abdullah in an interview with Associated Pres, recounting his meeting with the recruiter.

His encounter was a sign of how Dae’sh group is looking for sophisticated skills as it builds its foothold in new territory: Pakistan. It is courting university students, doctors, lawyers, journalists and businessmen, and using women’s groups for fund-raising. It is also wading into fierce competition with the country’s numerous other militant groups, particularly the Pakistani Taliban and al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, the new branch creat-

ed by the veteran terror network.

Dae’sh loyalists have set up their strongest foothold in Karachi, carrying out multiple attacks in the past year and setting up networks.

The port city of some 20m people on the Arabian Sea has always been a favourite for militants to operate. Wealthy districts running on the city’s profitable commerce hold potential for fund-raising, while the crowded, cramped poorer districts that have spread around the city provide recruits and places to hide.

It also gives recruiters links to other parts of the country, since its population is full of people who have migrated from tribal regions or Afghanistan, looking for work.

The Karachi police’s top counter-terrorism official, Raja Umer Khitab, warns that Dae’sh has great potential to grow in Pakistan, not only because of its large reservoir of Sunni extremists but also because of the virulent anti-Shia sentiment among their ranks. Hatred of Shias and attacks against them are a keystone of Dae’sh group’s ideology and one source of its appeal among some hard-line Sunnis as it set up its self-declared “caliphate” in Iraq and Syria.

Dae’sh first announced its

presence in Pakistan with a bloody attack in May in Karachi in which gunmen boarded a bus carrying Shias, ordered them to bow their heads, then opened fire, killing 45. The gunmen left behind a tattered piece of paper proclaiming, “Beware ... We have entered the battlefield for retribution and the implementation of Shariah.”

Since then, it has killed more than 35 policemen in targeted attacks, attacked two schools and killed rights activist Sabeen Mehmud, who was gunned down in her car with her mother at her side.

Dae’sh was able to expand into two tribal regions near the border with Afghanistan - Bajour and Orakzai - when Taliban leaders there switched allegiance to the Iraq-Syria-based group. The Dae’sh branch in neighbouring Afghanistan is also aggressively trying to expand its presence, putting it in direct competition with the Taliban.

The number of Dae’sh loyalists in Pakistan is not known.

Government officials only recently admitted that they have a presence and insist loyalists here have no known operational links to the Dae’sh leadership in Iraq and Syria. Still, in one of the first warnings by an official about

Dae’sh, intelligence chief Aftab Sultan told a Senate committee earlier this month that hundreds of Pakistanis have gone to fight in Syria, and some are now coming home to Pakistan to recruit.

Dae’sh recruiters have been stalking university campuses. For example, the suspected mastermind in the bus attack, Saad Aziz, was a graduate of the US-funded Institute of Business Administration in Karachi.

An intelligence official said security officials have interrogated several university professors suspected of supporting Dae’sh and trying to recruit students.

Professionals can hold leadership posts or be involved in the group’s prolific and powerful propaganda machine, which includes sophisticated videos produced with the latest technology and vigorous use of social media.

The past stereotype of a militant as a tribesman from the mountains in traditional garb with bandoliers of ammo slung over his shoulder has been replaced. But the new generation comes from well-educated, cosmopolitan, university educated Pakistanis from middle-class backgrounds who can navigate our globalised space whether virtually or physically with facility and confidence. l

ANALYSIS

Little to show for in Boko Haram-Dae’sh partnership n AFP, Lagos When Boko Haram pledged allegiance to the Dae’sh group in Iraq and Syria last year, there were fears the deadly insurgency in northeast Nigeria would take on an international dimension.

The world’s deadliest designated terrorist organisations -- notorious for the indiscriminate slaughter of tens of thousands of people -- were now officially linked.

Speculation and concern mounted about a potential influx of foreign fighters to the countries surrounding Lake Chad and an escalation of a previously localised conflict.

But 12 months on that hasn’t happened. If anything, Boko Haram appears a considerably weaker force and apparently in disarray after a year-long military counter-offensive.

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau has only been heard from twice since his audio message published in March last year pledging an oath to his Dae’sh counterpart

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Nigeria’s army has since then increasingly claimed crushing blows against the militants and their strongholds plus the liberation of thousands living under Boko Haram control.

This week, dozens of rebels reportedly surrendered because of hunger. Nigeria now wants many of the two million people internally displaced by the conflict to return home.

‘Marketing label’

Many analysts have long viewed the announced tie-up as propaganda for both sides. Boko Haram was at the time struggling against regional forces and Dae’sh suffering setbacks to its territorial ambitions.

A Nigerian security source said Dae’sh was “only a marketing label which Boko Haram wants to use to deceptively project itself as a formidable terrorist group”.

Shekau’s declaration and the subsequent re-branding of Boko Haram as “Islamic State West Af-

rica Province” or ISWAP caused a reported rift in the Boko Haram hierarchy.

Few, if any, wanted to go against his word but dissenters have reportedly explored closer ties with other jihadi groups in the wider Sahel region.

Active threat

Some security consultants predict Boko Haram in Nigeria could this year be reduced to a largely criminal, regional threat along the lines of the Lord’s Resistance Army in central Africa.

But with the US this week including Nigeria on its updated “Worldwide Caution” list, Western governments clearly still view

Boko Haram as a serious threat.

US military drones recently began operating from a base in northern Cameroon while the Pentagon is considering sending military trainers to northeast Nigeria.

The US Department of State Services said it had also arrested an Dae’sh recruiter, two “ISIS (a popular acronym of Dae’sh) agents operating in Nigeria and the West African sub-region” plus four others heading to join Dae’sh.

Six of those detained were said to be heading or preparing to go to Libya, where Nigerians are said to be in the Dae’sh ranks in territory it controls. l

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MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

INSIDE

Good experiences to start the tour Rome was not built in a day.

The same can be said about the Bangladesh cricket team’s recent successes. The Tigers in the last 15 months or so have been living in dreamland. They won several series and made a mark in the international cricket arena. PAGE 26

Record-breaking Aussies win thriller A record partnership between David Warner and Glenn Maxwell spurred Australia to a last-ball victory in the second one-day international against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday. Australia’s win by five wickets levelled the three-match series. PAGE 27

10-man Utd lose, Benteke saves Kops Juan Mata was sent off as Manchester United’s hopes of Champions League qualification were dealt a serious setback in a 1-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

The Spaniard received two quickfire bookings mid-way through the first half. PAGE 28

McFall brings 30 years reign to close Ronnie McFall, the longest-serving manager in European football, resigned as head coach of Northern Irish side Portadown after almost 30 years at the helm on Saturday.

Appointed in December 1986 McFall went on to out-last the legendary Scot. PAGE 29

Bangladesh batsman Mahmudullah goes big during their Asia Cup T20 final match against India at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

We were 20 runs short, says Mashrafe n Mazhar Uddin Bangladesh limited-over captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza said his side was clearly 20 runs short in the Asia Cup Twenty20 final against India at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.

Mashrafe also added that heavy rainfall prior to the start of the grand finale took the momentum away from the home side.

India displayed clinical cricket to register a comfortable eight wicket win with seven deliveries remaining and bag the continental title for a record sixth time.

“I think we cannot blame anyone as the wicket was pretty good

to bat on in the second half. Obviously losing the toss was one of the key factors as I felt the pitch was more of a 135-140 wicket in the latter part. I think we were clearly 20 runs short on this wicket and if we could have done that, things would have been different,” Mashrafe informed the media during the post-match press conference.

Mashrafe however, refused to read too much into the defeat, especially with the upcoming World T20 knocking at the door. The Tigers face the Netherlands in their first round opener this Wednesday in Dharamsala.

“Obviously, we will take a lot

from this tournament. Playing the final is a big achievement for us and the boys have done really well. We can take the positives to the World [T20] as we have to play the qualifier first. We can’t think much of the loss as we are flying (today morning). So we have to prepare mentally. Hopefully this defeat will not bother us and playing against India is always tough, especially in T20s,” said Mashrafe.

The “Narail Express” concluded by thanking the fans for their relentless support throughout the competition and urged them to keep their faith as something good is coming in the future. l

BANvINDIA BANGLADESH Tamim lbw b Bumrah Soumya c Pandya b Nehra Sabbir not out Shakib c Bumrah b Ashwin Mushfiq run out Mashrafe c Kohli b Jadeja Mahmudullah not out Extras (w3)

R B 13 17 14 9 32 29 21 16 4 5 0 1 33 13 3

Total (five wickets; 15 overs) 120 Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-30, 3-64, 4-75, 5-75 Bowling: Ashwin 3-0-14-1 (w1), Nehra 3-0-33-1 (w1), Bumrah 3-0-13-1, Jadeja 3-0-25-0, Pandya 3-0-35-0 (w1) INDIA Sharma c Soumya b Al-Amin Dhawan c Soumya b Taskin Kohli not out Dhoni not out Extras

R B 1 5 60 44 41 28 20 6 0

Total (two wickets; 13.5 overs) 122 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-99 Bowling: Taskin 3-0-14-1, Al-Amin 2.5-030-1, Hider 1-0-14-0, Shakib 2-0-26-0, Mashrafe 2-0-16-0, Nasir 3-0-22-0 Result: India won by eight wickets Man of the Match: Shikhar Dhawan (India) Player of the Series: Sabbir Rahman (Ban)

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MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

India team celebrates with the trophy after winning the Asia Cup Twenty20 final against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla national stadium yesterday

Memorable experiences to start the tour Uddin Khan n Minhaz from Dharamsala Rome was not built in a day.

The same can be said about the Bangladesh cricket team’s recent successes. The Tigers in the last 15 months or so have been living in dreamland. They won several series against the established orders and made a mark in the international cricket arena.

On the way, the cricket-mad Bangladesh fans have earned a lot of respect from all around the globe for the level of support they put for their team. The possessiveness of these fans is unmatchable.

This correspondent has been rather unfortunate. Bangladesh for only the second time in history have gone through to the final of a major event and played against India in Mirpur in the Asia Cup Twenty20. The travel plan had backfired and has brought this writer along with a few others from Bangladesh around two days before the Tigers reached Dharamsala for the ICC World T20.

But this has also opened up a great opportunity to feel the vibe from the other side of the boundary. The Bangladesh-India cricket rivalry has been on the rise since 2007 when the Tigers had defeated their neighbours to throw them out of the World Cup. The animosity had hit the top gear following a couple of controversies

in the 2015 World Cup. Bangladesh fans believe because of some controversial decisions by the onfield umpire, the Tigers’ dreams of defeating India and moving to the semi-final of the tournament were shattered.

Since then, on every occasion the two teams met, the Bangladesh fans had great satisfaction considering India as their arch-rival.

Flying into India on the day when the two sides met in the Asia Cup final in Dhaka, there was a certain vibe of the game here too.

But what came in as a surprise was the respect the Indians had showed to the Tigers.

The immigration officer at the Kolkata airport literally jumped off his chair when he saw the passports and learned that the journalists belong to Bangladesh and are in his country to cover the World T20.

“What are you doing here [Saturday]? You have a big game in Dhaka?” the immigration officer queried.

Following a few conversations, the officer surprisingly said, “I want Bangladesh to win. They have played really well to put off Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the tournament. They are working hard and winning the Asia Cup will be a great reward.” A similar thing had happened in the Kolkata-based hotel where the journalists had to pass the night in order to catch the early morning flight to Dharamsala

via Delhi but the best was yet to come.

One getting into Dharamsala city coming from the Kangra airport will have to come across a police checkpost. A serious looking officer with his subordinates searched all the vehicles passing by. They were about to do the same but upon learning that the six people in the Toyota car are from Bangladesh and are related to cricket, the police duty had vanished.

“Your team doing really great.

They are fantastic. They are playing India and I want them to do well but India should end winning,” said the police officer.

“They (Bangladesh team) are coming [today]. Good, we will be able to see some matches. The venue in Dharamsala is fantastic.

We (India) were also a small team.

But we won the World Cup in [1983] and things started changing. I can see that change in Bangladesh too,” the gentleman in his 40s added.

There have been at least half a dozen more individuals met on the day with the same vibe towards Bangladesh. The experience might involve only a few individuals but it made one thing very clear; the supporters from the other side of the border are also excited with the Bangladesh-India rivalry.

Probably no other experience could have been more overwhelming to start around a month-long tour. l

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

WHAT THEY SAID VIRAT KOHLI It was a tricky situation, Rohit getting out early, credit to Shikhar for the way he batted, delivering when the team needed the most. The 94 stand was the game changer. I back myself to find boundaries and hit the gaps, I don't try to hit too many sixes ... I enjoy the crowd being against me, it pumps me up, the more they boo me the more it motivates me.

RAVI SHASTRI Just told them it's a final, enjoy it. Remember the celebrations Bangladesh did when they beat us, so just get the bloody job done. We have a good all-round side, packed with power hitters ... any of them can fire. If any area we have to tighten up, it is the bowling department. Tremendous self-belief, the tour of Australia was extremely important, bouncing back to win four matches after losing the first four. I was not surprised one bit when they chased this down.

MS DHONI Thanks to the top-order batsmen, they have done the bulk of the job, the lower order batsmen just go and do what is needed after that. It's looking very good now, we are on track for the World T20. Jasprit, the beauty is that he can bowl yorkers, if you don;t have the yorker you have to try a lot of other deliveries, his slightly different action also helps him a bit. Hardik can bowl a few overs for us, so if he can give us four in T20s ... with his batting and fielding he is a great package ... looking at this team it is tough to give Yuvi the no.4 slot, but he has adjusted ... 13-14 players they are all match-winners, that is the beauty of the side, everyone is taking responsibility to finishing the game.

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan (C) attends a program where North South University gives a reception to the National Under-19 cricket team for their superb effort in the recently concluded ICC U-19 World Cup during their 24 Years of Glory event at the university auditorium yesterday COURTESY

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SAvAUS, 2ND T20

QUICK BYTES

SOUTH AFRICA de Villiers b Hastings de Kock b Faulkner du Plessis c Maxwell b Hastings Duminy c Smith b Marsh Miller c Maxwell b Agar Behardien c Agar b Faulkner Morris c Warner b Faulkner Wiese not out Rabada not out Extras (lb1, nb1, w3)

Jhinaidah win women hockey title Jhinaidah emerged as the champions of the Walton 3rd Women’s Hockey Championship after beating reigning champions Narail 1-0 in the final at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium yesterday. Ananya Biswas netted the all-important goal for the champions in the 48th minute to beat the last two-time title holders and earn her side the maiden title. Narail’s Sadia Khatun was the top scorer of the tournament with 11 goals while best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward award went to Joyi Khatun, Tania, Kimi Karmakar and Borsha Khatun.

AUSTRALIA Finch b Rabada Watson c Duminy b Steyn Smith c Rabada b Steyn Warner b Rabada Maxwell c De Villiers b Morris Marsh not out Faulkner not out Extras (lb4, nb2, w8)

NAT'L WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

BJMC, Mymensingh enter last-four

–TRIBUNE REPORT

FIFA approve testing of video technology The International Football Association Board (IFAB), which governs the rules of the game, has approved testing of video technology to aid match officials, it was announced on Saturday.

Experiments will be carried out over a two-year period starting no later than the 2017/18 season before a final decision is taken on whether to adopt the technology permanently.

–AFP

McIlroy grabs WGC Doral lead Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy fired a four-under par 68 Saturday to seize a three-stroke lead after the third round of the World Golf Championships Cadillac Championship at Doral. The 26-year-old Northern Irishman stood on 12-under 204 after 54 holes at the Blue Monster.

–AFP

B 9 28 41 12 18 5 5 3 0

Total (7 wkts, 20 overs) 204 Fall of wickets: 1-15 (De Villiers), 2-77 (De Kock), 3-103 (Duminy), 4-142 (Miller), 5-151 (Behardien), 6-165 (Morris), 7-198 (Du Plessis) Bowling: Hazlewood 4-0-50-0 (2w), Hastings 4-0-42-2, Marsh 2-0-28-1 (1nb), Maxwell 4-030-0, Faulkner 4-0-28-3 (1w), Agar 2-0-25-1

–TRIBUNE REPORT

BJMC swept into the semifinals of the KFC National Women’s Football Championship as Group A champions beating Mymensingh 2-1 at the Kamalapur stadium yesterday.

Mymensingh also moved to the lastfour as group runners-up despite the loss riding on their victories in the first two matches. BJMC earned nine points winning all their games.

National star striker Sabina Khatun and Lipi scored one apiece for BJMC while Sheuli netted the consolation goal for Mymensingh. Meanwhile in the other match, Rangpur thrashed Rajbari 9-3 following four goals from Laboni.

R 13 44 79 14 33 3 3 10 0 5

Australia batsman Glenn Maxwell plays a shot against South Africa bowler David Wiese, during their second T20 match at the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg yesterday AP

R B 2 4 9 15 19 15 77 40 75 43 2 1 7 4 14

Total (5 wkts, 20 overs) 205 Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Finch), 2-28 (Smith), 3-32 (Watson), 4-193 (Maxwell), 5-194 (Warner) Bowling: Rabada 4-0-25-2 (3w), Morris 4-039-1 (1nb, 3w), Steyn 4-0-32-2 (1nb), Wiese 4-0-58-0 (1w), Imran Tahir 4-0-47-0 (1w) Result: Australia won by five wickets Series: The three-match series is tied at 1-1

Record-breaking Aussies win last ball thriller n AFP, Johannesburg

A record partnership between David Warner and Glenn Maxwell spurred Australia to a last-ball victory in the second one-day international against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday.

Australia’s win by five wickets levelled the three-match series to set up a decider in Cape Town on

Wednesday.

Set a daunting 205 to win, Australia were in deep trouble at 32 for three after 5.4 overs.

But Warner (77) and Maxwell (75) thrashed the bowlers in a world record fourth wicket stand of 161 off 87 balls.

“They batted with great composure and played some great cricket shots,” said Australian captain Ste-

ve Smith.

South African captain Faf du Plessis admitted: “That partnership blew us away.”

Du Plessis added: “There are small margins when two teams are playing good cricket. There were one or two things in the field that we could have done better. Two full tosses towards the end cost us.”

Both full tosses, by Chris Morris

Djokovic beaten as Murray brothers double up for victory n AFP, Paris Novak Djokovic suffered his first Davis Cup defeat in five years on Saturday as Serbia slipped 2-1 down to Kazakhstan while Andy and Jamie Murray gave defending champions Great Britain a 2-1 lead over Japan.

World number one Djokovic and 39-year-old Nenad Zimonjic lost their doubles rubber to Kazakhstan’s Andrey Golubev and Aleksandr Nedovyesov in Belgrade in the first round tie.

The 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 scoreline gave Kazakhstan a 2-1 lead ahead of the reverse singles on Sunday where the winner will go on to face either Britain or Japan in July’s quarter-finals.

In Birmingham, the Murray brothers edged Britain closer to the

RESULTS At Birmingham (indoor, hard)

Great Britain

2-1

At Guadeloupe (outdoor, clay)

Japan

Andy Murray/Jamie Murray (GBR) bt Yoshihito Nishioka/Yasutaka Uchiyama (JPN) 6-3, 6-2, 6-4

3-0

France

At Belgrade (indoor, hard)

Serbia

1-2

Kazakhstan

Aleksandr Nedovyesov/Andrey Golubev (KAZ) bt Nenad Zimonjic/Novak Djokovic (SRB) 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 At Pesaro (indoor, clay)

Italy

3-0

At Hanover (indoor, hard)

Germany

Switzerland

Australia

Czech Repulic

Argentina

Martin Matkowski/Lukasz Kubot (POL) bt Carlos Berlocq/Renzo Olivo (ARG) 6-3, 6-4, 6-4

1-2

United States

Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan (USA) bt Lleyton Hewitt/John Peers (AUS) 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3

At Gdansk (indoor, hard)

1-2

1-2

Tomas Berdcyh/Radek Stepanek (CZE) bt Philipp Kohlschreiber/Philipp Petzschner (GER) 7-6 (9/7), 7-5, 6-4 At Melbourne (outdoor, grass)

Simone Bolelli/Andreas Seppi (ITA) v Marco Chiudinelli/Henri Laaksonen (SUI) 6-3, 6-1, 6-3

Poland

Canada

Richard Gasquet/Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) bt Vasek Pospisil/Philip Bester (CAN) 7-6 (7/4), 6-1, 7-6 (7/4)

At Liege (indoor, clay)

Belgium

1-2

Croatia

Ivan Dodig/Kranko Skugor (CRO) bt Ruben Bemelmans/David Goffin (BEL) 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 6-1

and Dale Steyn, were called noballs, giving the batsmen free hits.

There was a twist in the tail, though, as Maxwell was caught off the fifth ball of the 19th over and Warner was yorked by Kagiso Rabada off the first ball of the final over. James Faulkner and Mitchell Marsh got their side home to set up a series decider in Cape Town on Wednesday. l

Juve hold lead as Buffon sets clean sheet record n AFP, Rome Juventus maintained their three point lead at the top of Serie A with a 2-0 win at Atalanta on Sunday as Gianluigi Buffon made a new clean sheet record in the league’s threepoints-for-a-win era.

Andrea Barzagli’s 24th minute tap-in and a wonderful individual goal from Mario Lemina four minutes from the end was enough for the reigning champions, who move up to 64 points and hold second-placed Napoli at bay after they briefly drew level with Saturday’s convincing 3-1 win over Chievo.

Juve equal their club record of nine matches without conceding a goal, and Buffon, who now hasn’t conceded in 836 minutes, is edging closer to the all-time Serie A record of 929 minutes established by AC Milan stopper Rossi in 1993/94. l

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Messi double keeps Barca record rolling n AFP, Madrid

EPL RESULTS Crystal Palace

ON SATURDAY

Chelsea

2-0

Granada

Eibar

0-4

Barcelona

El Haddadi 8, Messi 41, 75-pen, Suarez 84 ON SATURDAY

7-1

Villarreal

0-1

Celta Vigo Aspas 61

Las Palmas Garcia 29

Getafe

1-1

Velazquez 86

Deportivo

Borges 43, Cartabia 69, Perez 80

Sevilla Banega 79

3-3

Malaga

Charles 29, Camacho 63, Arribas 89-og

1-1

Traore 39

Everton

Newcastle

2-3

West Ham Antonio 78, Sakho 81, Payet 90

1-3

Perez 80

Man City

Stoke Diouf 85

Lukaku 13, Lennon 56

Bournemouth Taylor 28-og, King 70, Daniels 90

4-0

Aston Villa

Toure 48, Sterling 66 Aguero 50, 60,

Southampton

1-1

Van Dijk 90

Swansea

Sunderland Defoe 85

1-0

Norwich

Sigurdsson 61

LA LIGA RESULTS

Pepe 40, Ronaldo 49, 57, 64, 75, Jese 77, Bale 80

1-0 Manchester United

(Rondon 66)

Real Betis

Real Madrid

Liverpool Firmino 72, Benteke 90+6-pen

West Brom

A Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona tightened their grip on the La Liga title race with a comprehensive 4-0 win at Eibar on Sunday top open up an 11-point lead at the top.

Messi doubled his tally from the penalty spot before Suarez lashed home the fourth six minutes from time. Barca’s 11th consecutive league win also stretches their record unbeaten run to 36 games.

Real Madrid remain 12 points adrift of Barca in third despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s four-goal show in a 7-1 demolition of Celta Vigo on Saturday. l

N’Diaye 85, Ruben Castro 90+5

1-2

Ledley 48

Tottenham

2-2

Alderweireld 60, Kane 62

West Brom striker Salomon Rondon shoots to score the winning goal against Manchester United during their Barclays Premier League match at The Hawthorns yesterday REUTERS

Watford

Arsenal Ramsey 39, Sanchez 76

0-1

Leicester Mahrez 56

10-man Man United lose, Benteke saves Liverpool n AFP, London Juan Mata was sent off as Manchester United’s hopes of Champions League qualification were dealt a serious setback in a 1-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

The Spaniard received two quick-fire bookings mid-way through the first half, for blocking a free-kick and then taking a swipe

at Darren Fletcher, and West Brom made their numerical advantage count in the 66th minute when Salomon Rondon netted his fourth goal in six Premier League games.

It ended United’s recent revival of four straight wins and left Louis van Gaal’s side in sixth place, three points below the Champions League berths having played a game more than fourth-place Manchester City.

Earlier, substitute Christian Benteke won and scored a 96th-minute penalty as 10-man Liverpool came from behind to win 2-1 at Palace.

Joe Ledley’s 48th-minute strike and Liverpool midfielder James Milner’s second-half dismissal for two bookable offences looked to have set Palace on course for a first win in 12 league matches.

But a slip by Palace goalkeeper Alex McCarthy gifted Roberto Firmino a 72nd-minute equaliser, before Damien Delaney’s rash challenge on Benteke enabled the Belgium striker to net the winner from the spot.

Liverpool climbed two places to seventh after recording a third successive league win for the first time in a year. l

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Coquelin’s rush of blood cost us victory: Wenger n Reuters, London Francis Coquelin’s needless red card cost Arsenal victory against Premier League title rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, manager Arsene Wenger said after an absorbing North London derby ended 2-2.

The game changed when French midfielder Coquelin, who has already been yellow-carded for handball, rashly scythed down Harry Kane when the Spurs striker was posing no threat to goal.

“I’m happy and proud of our attitude, we refused to lose the game,” Wenger said.

“But we have big regrets because I couldn’t see when it was 11 versus 11 how we would drop points today.

We made a big mistake at 1-0. (Coquelin) knows he made a mistake.

“We warned him at halftime as well. It was a mistake. He wanted to do well and mistimed his tackle and got sent off. We can’t complain about it. He has to learn quickly from that. You have to be 100 (percent) committed in a controlled way.”l

McFall brings 30year Portadown reign to close n AFP, Belfast Ronnie McFall, the longest-serving manager in European football, resigned as head coach of Northern Irish side Portadown after almost 30 years at the helm on Saturday.

Appointed in December 1986, a month after Alex Ferguson took over at Manchester United, McFall went on to out-last the legendary Scot.

Portadown are down in seventh in the Northern Irish league and shortly after a shock cup defeat to Lurgan Celtic, McFall stepped down, ending a reign which had brought 20 trophies, including four league titles. l

DAY’S WATCH FOOTBALL SONY ESPN 1:30AM Spanish La Liga Espanyol v Rayo Vallecano

RESULTS 2-1

Wolfsburg

M'gladbach

Draxler 15, Kruse 17

Raffael 23

5-1

VfB Stuttgart

Hoffenheim

Niedermeier 6, 51, Rupp 42, Kostic 78, Werner 83

Augsburg

Kramaric 73

3-3

Koo 5, 44, 57

Werder Bremen

Bellarabi 60, Verhaegh 80-og, Calhanoglu 90+3-P

4-1

Hanover 96

Bartels 18, Pizarro 26, Gebre Selassie 56, Junuzovic 67

Frankfurt

Karaman 45

1-1

Ingolstadt

Russ 69

Cologne Bittencourt 33

Dortmund

Leverkusen

Hartmann 8

1-3

Schalke Huntelaar 3-P, Meyer 24, Di Santo 76

0-0

Bayern Munich

Dortmund's Julian Weigl, left, and Bayern's Thomas Mueller challenge for the ball during their Bundesliga match in Dortmund on Saturday AP

Bayern stay well clear after holding Dortmund n Reuters, Dortmund Bayern Munich kept their fivepoint lead at the top of the table on Saturday, drawing 0-0 at second-placed Borussia Dortmund to stay on track for a record fourth consecutive Bundesliga title.

The game, broadcast to 208 countries, lived up to its big billing.

It was an entertaining encounter played at a frantic pace and a goal was the only thing missing as Bayern, especially, went close on several occasions.

“We had our chances to win this game,” said visiting coach Pep Guardiola. “The second half was good. Now every game is a final for

us. It was a good game for the fans and German football.”

Bayern wasted a golden chance early on when Thomas Mueller’s effort went narrowly wide and Arturo Vidal followed suit a little later. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang then missed a good opportunity for Dortmund as he was denied by keeper Manuel Neuer.

The best scoring chance fell to Bayern’s Douglas Costa who raced clear with only keeper Roman Buerki to beat but the Swiss stood his ground to deny the winger.

Bayern, chasing three trophies this season, kept up the pressure in the second half as Dortmund lost some of their early momentum.

SAVE OF GAME Buerki made the save of the game on the hour, tipping a thunderous Vidal shot on to the bar.

The result lifted the Bavarians, who lost 2-1 to Mainz 05 in midweek, to 63 points from 25 games with Dortmund on 58.

“We had an outstanding first 30 minutes and a good first half,” said Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel.

“It was important to remain solid in defence. You have to keep defending (against Bayern) at a very high level. I am sure we will keep going, no matter what the distance to Bayern. It’s about delivering in every match.”

Substitute Franco Di Santo

sealed Schalke 04’s 3-1 victory at Cologne to help the Gelsenkirchen side move into the top four, boosting their hopes of a return to the Champions League next season.

Bayer Leverkusen fought back from 3-0 down to snatch a 3-3 draw at Augsburg with three goals in the last half hour.

Hakan Calhanoglu’s stoppage-time penalty completed their revival after Koo Ja-Cheol had scored a hat-trick for the hosts.

Rejuvenated Claudio Pizarro was on target again, three days after his midweek hat-trick, as Werder Bremen crushed bottom club Hanover 96 4-1 to climb further away from the relegation zone. l

PSG keep powder dry before Chelsea tie n AFP, Paris With numerous stars rested, Paris Saint-Germain settled for an uninspiring goalless draw at home to Montpellier on Saturday ahead of their crucial Champions League return clash with Chelsea.

PSG’s enormous lead at the top of Ligue 1 and determination to progress in Europe meant this game was never the priority for coach Laurent Blanc, although things could have been very different had Edinson Cavani found the net rather than the bar early on.

The draw allowed the defending champions to restore their 23-point lead at the top over second-placed Monaco, who drew 2-2 at Caen on Friday, and means they could still.

Blanc rested a host of key players and Ibrahimovic was on the bench alongside David Luiz and Thiago Motta while captain Thiago Silva was not involved at all while Marco Verratti and Blaise Matuidi were not fit.l

RESULTS PSG

0-0

Montpellier

Angers

0-0

Saint-Etienne

Lille

2-0

Reims

Lopes 63, Eder 90+3

Bordeaux

1-1

Diabate 38-P

Nice

Larbi 89

2-1

Germain 12, Traore 72

Bastia

Gazelec Ajaccio

0-0

Troyes Jean 26

Lorient

Montpellier defender Ramy Bensebaini (R) vies with Paris Saint-Germain forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic during their French L1 match on Saturday AFP

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Showtime

Stars in splitsville n Showtime Desk When you take a look at the stock of Bollywood heroes who moved away from the women who were originally their “first choice” as wives, live-in partners or longstanding girlfriends, you will realise that many of these women got the short end of the stick. They were with them when they started off; they were by their side through thick and thin. But when it was time for them to sit back and enjoy being Mrs so-and-so, they were left standing alone. Here’s a quick look at some major Bollywood marriages that did not make it.

Farhan Akhter and Adhuna Farhan and Adhuna met on the sets of Dil Chahta Hai. It also marked Adhuna’s debut in Bollywood as a hairstylist. Adhuna is six years older than Farhan.

They dated for three years and later got hitched. The couple have two children named Shakya and Akira. The reason for their separation is not clear yet. Reports say that Farhan states it is just a matter of growing apart over the years. This is shocking news after B-town couple Hrithik Roshan and

Sussanne Khan’s divorce. Things became clearer when Adhuna was absent from Hrithik’s grand birthday bash. Gossip mills are abuzz with rumours of Farhan’s closeness to his Wazir co-star, Aditi Rao Hydari. Earlier it was said Farhan’s Rock On 2 co-star Shraddha Kapoor was the reason behind the divorce. Nowadays, the rumour tends to be around his Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara co-star, Kalki Koechlin.

Aamir Khan and Rina Dutt Bollywood’s “Mr Perfectionist,” Aamir Khan married Reena Dutt in 1986, but the couple separated in 2002. Aamir later married Kiran Rao. In the film Papa Kehte Hain, while Aamir was singing and dancing, playing the guitar, Reena was seen cheering him along with the other girls. Both of them were very young then.

They married against the wishes of their families. Reena became very close to Aamir’s family and they led a happy married life for about 16 years, bearing two children Junaid and Ira. According to Aamir, although their relationship has undergone a change and though they are legally divorced, the bond that he shares with Reena will never die. He still has a lot of love and respect for his ex-wife. Reena will always remain an important part of Aamir’s life. Aamir is still in touch with his ex-wife and involves her in almost all his family functions. One of Aamir Khan’s sisters is married to Reena Dutt’s brother. They live in New Jersey.

Saif Ali khan and Amrita Singh Saif Ali Khan was a fledgling when he settled down with the much older and far more successful Amrita Singh. Several years down the line, Saif grew apart from the woman who stood by him at the start of his career and is also the mother of his children, Sara and Ibrahim. For those who don’t know, Saif and Amrita had a quiet runaway marriage, much to the surprise and disapproval of his parents. Their marriage lasted 13 years, which were fraught with several challenges, to be expected for people who married so young

and impulsively. However, it seemed that Amrita bore the brunt of things. She reminisced in a Stardust interview, about tribulations of her relationship.

There were many trials, and Saif’s roving eye didn’t help. She noted on one occasion, they were giving a lift to an aspiring actress in their car, she stepped out to buy something, and she came back to find them discussing a lot more than just a movie. The final nail in the coffin was Saif’s affair with Rosa, an italian dancer who was on a tour.

Hritik Roshan and Sussanne Khan Just a week before his 13th wedding anniversary, Hrithik Roshan made an announcement that stunned his fans everywhere. The golden couple of Bollywood, Hrithik and Sussanne, decided to end their 17-year long relationship (which includes four years of their courtship). Within minutes of their statements, the media was rife with speculations. While some alleged that Hrithik’s rumoured affairs with his co-stars was the reason, others claimed that it was a cheap publicity stunt. Sussanne, who has been avoiding the media and stopped

making public appearances with Hrithik, also issued a statement.

She said; “We are two individuals who respect and care for each other and have made our own individual choices. We are parents to two wonderful kids and our responsibility remains to protect and take care of them. Nothing can change that. Would appreciate if we are given our privacy in such a time. Thank you for your warmth and concern for both of us and the family.’’ Reports say, a secret affair between Kangana and Hrithik was also a reason behind the divorce. l

Shironamhin at Joy Bangla Concert n Showtime Desk The Centre for Research and Information (CRI), the secretariat of Young Bangla, is going to bring the youth centred Joy Bangla Concert back today.

The concert will be held at Dhaka Army Stadium between 4:00pm and 11:00pm, with astonishing performances of seven leading bands: Warfaze, Shironamhin, Arbovirus, Lalon, Cryptic Fate, Nemesis and Shunno.

Recently, Showtime caught up with Shironamhin’s frontman, Ziaur Rahman Zia for a sneak peek into the nation’s biggest concert.

How important is it for you to be performing at Joy Bangla Concert?

The band members of Shironamhin are really proud to to be given the opportunity to perform at the concert that marks the speech delivered by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on March 7, 1971.

This concert is very special to us. I think, among all the other concerts that take place in the country, this one is the biggest in terms of presentation, staging, venue and intrinsic value. Young Bangla always does a fantastic job organising and presenting Joy Bangla concerts exquisitely. The way the concert gets broadcasted and its innovative promotional

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WHAT TO WATCH Mission: Impossible HBO 6:29pm Under false suspicion of disloyalty, an American agent must find and uncover the real spy without the help of his organisation.

Cast: Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Beart

Kung Fu Panda 2 Zee Studio 9:30pm Po must come to terms with his past, and with his friends fight a new peacock villain who has a deadly weapon and wants to conquer China.

Cast: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan

activities are the things that make it so special.

Is the band working on any new track for the concert?

We were asked to perform two songs that are not our own; one of which is the Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra and another is a patriotic Tagore song. We wil be performing our originals depending on time and slot.

Would you like to share any

special experience from last year’s concert?

Joy Bangla Concert is not only confined to live music and performances. Last year’s laser and LED graphics presentation in the background with Bangabandhu’s speech was incredibly done. It was thrilling to experience such a presentation that not only left the audience speechless but also infused

a sense of independence and patriotism within us.

Let’s cross our fingers and hope that this year’s performances along with the presentation will be even better.

The band’s current line-up is: Ziaur Rahman Zia on bass, Tanzir C Tuhin on vocal, Kazi Shafin Ahmad on drums, Diat Khan on guitar and Rashel Kabir on keyboards. l

Get Carter WB 7:27pm Jack Carter returns to his home town from Las Vegas, to attend the funeral of his brother Richard, who supposedly died in a car accident. But various circumstances lead him to suspect that perhaps his brother was murdered.

Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Rachael Leigh Cook, Miranda Richardson

Kendrick Lamar’s untitled unmastered n Showtime desk After his stellar performance at the Grammys, Kendrick Lamar is back with his new album untitled unmastered. The album reveals a more instinctive side of Lamar who still seems to ponder about the world’s ills in his tracks.

The rapper released the album last Friday which includes songs Lamar has performed in recent months along with the ones that are fresh from the recording studio.

In this album, the rapper reflects on the troubles of fame and advises a society that seems to be experiencing a “spiritual crisis.”

NBA star LeBron James was credited as the “force” behind the album, since he tweeted Anthony Tiffith, Top Dawg Entertainment CEO, urging him to release the tracks last week. The tweet read, “Yo @ dangerookipawaa after that @kendricklamar Grammy performance, you have to release those untitled tracks asap!!! What’s up? Talk to me.”

LeBron and Lamar’s fans were delighted when Lamar tweeted a link to the recordings after the album art was released on Spotify last Friday. l

Life of Pi Star Movies 11:00pm Pi is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure, after surviving a shipwreck. And his journey constitutes of only a wild fearsome Bengal Tiger as his companion.

Cast: Shuraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Adil Hussain Transformers Sony PIX 8:00pm Two races of alien robots, the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons, come to earth looking for the All Spark, an ultimate power source.

Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel

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MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

UN REPORT: MIGRATION’S ECONOMIC GAINS IGNORED

PAGE 15

FOUR-GOAL RONALDO SILENCES CRITICS PAGE 28

STARS IN SPLITSVILLE

One of the microphones used for Bangabandhu’s historic speech on March 7, 1971 at Suhrawardy Udyan, preserved at Call Ready Company’s office in Laxmibazar, Dhaka

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RAJIB DHAR/COURTESY

History amplified: The Call-Ready story n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla The small plastic plaque attached to the microphone barely registers as the defiant index finger jabs at the air with the rise and fall of Sheikh Mujib’s thundering baritone.

Millions of Bangladeshis have seen the historic March 7 speech played over and over and therefore have seen those two words thousands of times.

Picked up almost subliminally, the double-barrel trade name has been etched into our collective psyche, like the horn-rimmed glasses, brushed back hair, salt-and-pepper moustache and unbuttoned band collar peeking out from behind the lectern.

Call-Ready, the microphone company, has been carrying the voice of political leaders for more than seven decades now.

A fixture in the story of Bangladesh, the name’s ubiquity in old photographs of the major events of the 1950s and ‘60s is truly astonishing.

Quite literally, this institution has carried the stirring words and speeches that galvanised people into action and brought docile men out on to the streets for rowdy protests.

Dayal Ghosh and Haripada

Ghosh, sons of Debendra Chandra Ghosh of Bikrampur, started the business of mike service before the 1947 Partition at Hrishikesh Lane in Old Dhaka – and it still runs from there. The duo were in their mid30s then.

The company was first named Arzo Light House, but was rebranded to Call-Ready only a year later.

The concept of mike service was still new when this business took off. Yet, the Ghosh brothers took the risk to serve people, and in doing so became a part of this country’s history. As it was the only microphone company around at that time, Call-Ready provided service in all major events in the then East Pakistan from 1947 to 1971.

After the death of Haripada Ghosh, his four sons Bishwanath Ghosh, Shibnath Ghosh, Trinath Ghosh Sagar and Shambhunath Ghosh now run the family business.

When asked about the historic speech by Bangabandhu on March 7, 1971, Trinath Ghosh said his father and uncle, along with some 30 people, worked for two days to set up the mikes on the stage at the Race Course Maidan in Dhaka.

“Bangabandhu called my father to his Dhanmondi residence on March 4 and asked him to set up the mikes for the March 7 pro-

gramme,” he said. More than 150 mikes were set up.

Asked how much area the mike service covered, he said the landscape was different back then. “We covered the entire maidan as well as the Motijheel and New Market areas.”

Trinath further said eight mouthpieces were set up on the mike stand for Bangabandhu on March 7. “My father and uncle had preserved all those mikes, but when the war started, Pakistani forces burnt down our office and houses and looted everything.

Luckily, we were able to save three or four of the mouthpieces and amplifiers from that event.”

He said the mouthpieces – German-made, Indian-assembled mikes from Green Bullet and Sure Company – do not work today, but the government can preserve them as historic symbols.

What was the cost of hiring Call-Ready’s service back in the day? According to Trinath, nothing significant. “It was less about the business and more about patriotism then,” he said. “As far as I know, only the cost of setting up the mikes was charged.”

The business hit a bump when Bangabandhu was killed along with most of his family in 1975.

“It almost shut down, because my

father was closely associated with the Awami League,” Trinath said.

But things started looking up again when Sheikh Hasina returned to Bangladesh in 1981. Since then, Call-Ready has been covering all Awami League events.

“We are providing mike services on March 7 this year too,” Trinath said.

Evidence of the close connection between Call-Ready and the Awami League adorns the company’s office – a photograph of Sheikh Hasina visiting Haripada Ghosh in hospital.

Asked if his father wrote anything about the experience of March 7 or his close connection with Bangabandhu and the Awami League, Trinath said he had not.

“My father never left any writings on that.”

Despite being such a remarkable part of Bangladesh’s history, CallReady does not get the recognition it deserves, according to Trinath.

“Everyone got recognition for their parts in the Liberation War. In fact, many fake people got freedom fighter’s certificate. But my father and uncle were never recognised for their contribution,” he said.

“We want that recognition for CallReady, and the attention and help to preserve the equipment which has such historic significance.” l

MARCH 7 ANNIVERSARY

PM to address rally today n Tribune Report

Awami League chief and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will chair the rally to be held this afternoon at Suhrawardy Udyan to mark the 45th anniversary of the historic speech of her father and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman given in 1971.

Senior leaders of the party including its General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam would also speak at the event that starts at 3pm.

The central programmes of the ruling Awami League on the day include hoisting of the national and party flags at 6:30am and placing of wreaths at the portrait of Sheikh Mujib at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 at 7am, said a press release yesterday.

The party, its associate and affiliated bodies will hold different programmes across the country.

On this day in 1971, Bangabandhu delivered the speech at the Race Course Maidan where he fervently called people: “The struggle this time is for our emancipation, the struggle this time is for our independence.” l

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