28 Sep, 2016 by DhakaTribune

SECOND EDITION

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Ashwin 13, 1423, Zil-Hajj 25, 1437

Regd No DA 6238, Vol 4, No 151

www.dhakatribune.com

What did we learn from the first Trump-Clinton debate? Sayeed Asiful Islam n Abu from Denver, US

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

Republican US presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks as Democratic US presidential nominee Hillary Clinton listens during their first presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, US, yesterday REUTERS

Bangladesh, India to skip Saarc Summit n Tribune Report The 19th Saarc Summit, scheduled to be held in Islamabad in November, looks to be postponed as Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi reportedly decided to not to attend it. Bhutan and Afghanistan will also skip the summit, diplomatic sources in Dhaka and New Delhi said adding that the current Saarc chair Nepal may officially announce the postponement of the Summit anytime, reports UNB. State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam said that the Foreign Ministry has written to Saarc Secretariat and current Saarc chair conveying that Bangladesh cannot attend the Saarc Summit due to domestic engagements. The decision was conveyed yes-

terday, he added. However, a senior official here said the prime minister has decided to skip the summit following Pakistan's "repeated and shameless" interference in Bangladesh's internal affairs over the trial of war criminals. The host country – Pakistan – is yet to react over the decision taken by Bangladesh, India and other members. Quoting a statement of the Ministry of External Affairs, India's NDTV yesterday night reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not travel to Islamabad to participate in the Saarc summit in November as the atmosphere is "not conducive to a successful summit.” India has conveyed to current Saarc chair Nepal that increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in the

n Tribune Desk Prolific writer and poet Syed Shamsul Haq died at a hospital in Dhaka yesterday evening after suffering from lung cancer. He was 81. He breathed his last around 5:26pm at United Hospital in

Gulshan, confirmed Sazzadur Rahman Shuvo, public relations officer of the hospital. He is survived by his wife Anwara Syed Haq, son Ditio Syed Haq and daughter Bidita Sadi, along with relatives and thousands of well-wishers. After being diagnosed with lung cancer, Shamsul went to London, UK on April 15 for treatment at Royal Marsden Hospital, but returned on September 2 as doctors in London said there was no hope of cure for him, the UNB reported. Since his return, he has been undergoing treatment at United Hospital. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited the ailing poet at the hospital on September 10 where she promised to take up that all expenses of his treatment. On Monday, as his condition

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INSIDE Secularist Oyasiqur murder trial faces delay

A Dhaka court could not start recording of witness depositions in secular activist Oyasiqur Rahman murder case though five members of ABT were indicted two months ago.  PAGE 3

Dilapidated Rajshahi roads make journey risky

People of Rajshahi suffer everyday, as most of the roads in the district have been in a rundown state for long. According to local sources, fresh potholes have recently formed in different places.  PAGE 7

32 pages |

Price: Tk10

Will undecideds be won over by clashes in TV Land? Sayeed Asiful Islam n Abu from Denver, US

The answer is probably not. Not least because millennials who – at a third of the eligible voting population and make up a plurality of voters – don’t watch much television. The day after the first US presidential debate, millennials and undecided voters in the United States are nursing a post-debate hangover. In Colorado, a swing state whose Republican majority has been slowly decimated over the last three decades by immigration from staunchly Democratic areas of California and elsewhere, there is a large body of undecided and uncommitted young people. For the segment of American voters who will have not committed to either candidate, last night’s  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

Syed Shamsul Haq passes away

PHOTO: RAJIB DHAR

The end of a US presidential debate is a time to express dissatisfaction - at the system, the candidates, the moderators and the press. Lester Holt did an admirable job of managing a difficult candidate in Donald Trump. Some have criticised him for not being sterner and more proactive about the candidates to the allotted times, but if he had been harder he and CNN would in all likelihood have been lambasted for being partisan. The New York Times has

BNP leader Hannan Shah dies at 74

BNP Standing Committee Member ASM Hannan Shah passed away yesterday at the age of 74 from cardiovascular disease in Singapore. Hannan is survived by his wife, daughter and two sons.  PAGE 32

deteriorated, he was transferred to the ICU and was put on life support. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President Abdul Hamid have expressed profound shock at the death of the famed poet. In his message of condolence, the president said his death was an irreparable loss for Bangla literature. “The strong writing of Syed Shamsul Haq, a soldier of pro-liberation forces, will show path to the nation forever,” he said. In her message, the prime minister termed the poet conscience of the nation. She said the country had lost a writer who devoted to the truth. “He viewed Bangali, Bangladesh and Bangabandhu as inseparable entities and through his powerful writings he showed the nation  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

News

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Syria army retakes Aleppo district

Hizb-ut Tahrir leader Mohiuddin, 5 others indicted

n AFP, Damascus

n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

Syria’s army took control of a rebel-held district in central Aleppo yesterday, after days of heavy air strikes that have killed dozens and sparked allegations of war crimes. In the first advance since announcing plans last week to retake all of the divided city, pro-government troops seized the Farafina district northwest of Aleppo’s historic citadel, a military source said. “After neutralising many terrorists... units are now demining the area,” the source said. The push follows several days of Syrian and Russian air strikes on rebel-held Aleppo neighbourhoods - some of the fiercest bombard-

ment of the five-year conflict so far - after a ceasefire deal brokered by Moscow and Washington collapsed last week. In the latest broadside, Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also condemned the air campaign. On the ground in eastern Aleppo, an AFP correspondent said air strikes struck several neighbourhoods simultaneously, including in Al-Shaar, where a five-storey building was levelled with a family stuck inside. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitor, said that more than 155 people have been killed by Russian and regime bombardment on Aleppo city since the government announced its offensive last week. l

A Dhaka court yesterday framed charges against six leaders and activists of outlawed militant group Hizb-ut Tahrir men including its former spokesperson Mohiuddin Ahmed in a case filed for conspiring against the government. Judge Kamrul Hossain Mollah of the Dhaka’s Metropolitan Session Judge’s Court passed the indictment order and fixed October 24 to begin witness deposition in the case. The accused are Mohiuddin alias Royal, joint coordinator Touhidul Alam alias Chanchal, Kazi Morshedul Haque alias Plabon, Md Abu Yusuf Ali, Saidur Rahman alias Rajib and Tanvir Ahmed.

The court also issued arrest warrants against Chanchal and Tanvir as they did not appear before it yesterday. The four others pleaded not guilty when the charges were read out to them. Police arrested Hizb-ut Tahrir joint convener Chanchal, and members Tanvir and Rajib when several members of the outfit – declared banned on October 22, 2009 – were distributing anti-government posters and leaflets among pedestrians on Road 2 in Sector 2 of Uttara on April 18, 2010. Several crude bombs were also found in their possessions. During interrogation, the arrestees named Mohiuddin, a senior lecturer of the Institute of Business

Administration of Dhaka University, as the instigator of their action. A case was filed against them under the Anti-Terrorism Act with Uttara model police station. DB Inspector Md Nurul Amin, also investigation officer of the case, submitted the charge sheet against six accused on February 9, 2013. The Home Ministry approved the charge sheet on June 6 and the court took the charges into cognisance on September 6. Mohiuddin, now an associate professor, was the spokesperson and chief coordinator of the outfit in 2009. He was sent on compulsory leave on October 25, three days after the group was declared banned. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Syed Shamsul Haq passes away the dream of a secular country,” she said. They prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the grieving family members. Shamsul’s body will be taken to Bangla Academy at 10am today, and later at Central Shaheed Minar at 11am for people from all walks of life to pay their last respects. The poet wished to be buried in the compound of Kurigram Government

College, his family members said.

A decorative life

Born in Kurigram on December 27, 1935, Shamsul Haq rose to fame with his incredible creation of poetry, plays and short stories. Considered to be a pioneer of modern Bangla literature, Shamsul has written stirring poems such as Ekoda Ek Rajjey (1961), Boishakhey Rochito Ponktimala (1969), Birotihin Utsab (1969, Protidhwonigon

BD, India (1976) and Opor Purush (1978). He put diverse expressions of different Bangla dialects suitably together in the context of modern expression which took his creations to an extraordinary height. Besides poems, he also wrote more than 50 novels including Stobdhotar Onubad ( 1987), Nishiddho Loban (1990), Khelaram Kheley Ja (1991) and Ayna Bibir Pala. His plays Payer Awaj Paqa Jay and Nuruldiner Sara Jibon set a

milestone for modern Bangla theatre. He also wrote many songs, some of which gained much popularity, and translated world classics like Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Tempest, Troilus and Cresida, and Ibsen’s Pyr Gynt. Shamsul won the Bangla Academy Award in 1966, Ekushey Padak in 1984 and Independence Award in 2000 for his contribution to Bangla literature. l

What did we learn from the first Trump-Clinton debate? compiled some debate data that is worth pondering. This data is quantitative and not qualitative and gives readers a chance to assess who had the more effective however one wants to define that - performance. During the first president debate last night, Trump spoke for three minutes longer than Clinton at 44 minutes 23 seconds, but the perception is that he managed to get considerably more airtime than

she. This perception may be the result of the fact that audiences remember emotional and emotive language more than dispassionate analysis. Sadly, it pays to be accusatory over being reasoned and calm. Clinton was asked 17 questions; she dodged none. Trump was asked 15 but dodged four, or nearly a third of the substantive questions put to him. Trump interrupted Clinton three times more than she did him,

with 29 interruptions by Trump and just 9 by Clinton. Moderator Lester Holt factchecked Trump 5 times during the debate. Clinton was not fact checked even once. Finally, while Clinton asserted that her opponent was untruthful on 10 occasions, Trump asserted that Clinton was dishonest no less than 26 times. The political handlers, the public and the press will probably read

this data differently and act accordingly. At the next debate and in the intervening time, adjustments will be made by the campaigns and media coverage will chase down the stories as they unfold. That is what makes the US presidential elections the greatest horse race on earth, and the stakes in this unique presidential election in 2016 are making a betting man or woman of every voter here. l

Will undecideds be won over by clashes in TV Land? cut and parry, frequent incoherence and increasingly pointed jabs are the very reason that they seek a third option, or seek to remove themselves from the political process. With a third of the US electorate belonging to the millennial generation, those born between 1979 and 1997, the disappointment of this important demographic segment is a very serious issue. But turn on any of the major television networks and you wouldn’t know that the king makers in this election are so deeply put off by the spectacle of two elder statesmen

behaving like schoolroom rivals for a teacher’s attention. Indeed, CNN, who hosted the first debate at Hofstra University, practically billed the debate as a cage fight. The network are now busy declaring victors and parsing the language of the presidential hopefuls in a frenzy to interpret the event for the public. But all of that spin is unlikely to make a dent in the decision of millennials and undecideds, except by pushing them to stay home on November 8 or voting for third party can-

didates and thereby diverting votes away from either Clinton or Trump. But the unimaginative way in which the media is responding reveals the most telling thing about the ailing political situation in the US: it is the media that is least in touch with the pulse of the great American public. The unspoken but well known partisanship of the major outlets, the habit of rustling up realtime reactions from political surrogates and the endless punditry designed to set the next day’s news cycle are tricks from an antiquated playbook.

Fact checking is an important service. And for those who are criticising Lester Holt for his unwillingness to be more heavy handed in his moderation of the debate, it must be said that his approach was both well balanced and well researched; he cannot be held responsible for the behaviour of either candidate. Indeed, coverage of the kind Holt tried to offer by asking candidates equally about the skeletons in their closet would probably be of greater service than current partisan practice. l

region and growing interference in the internal affairs of member states by one country have created an environment that is not conducive to the successful holding of the 19th Saarc Summit in Islamabad in November 2016. “In the prevailing circumstances, the government of India is unable to participate in the proposed Summit in Islamabad,” the report quoted the statement as saying. Quoting Indian government sources, NDTV said three other countries have also pulled out – Afghanistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Afghanistan Ambassador to India had told Indian media last week that it was willing to consider a joint boycott of the summit along with India and other Saarc members. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to have a bilateral meeting with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Goa on October 16, where they are likely to discuss the future steps on regional cooperation. Bangladesh Finance Minister AMA Muhith and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan skipped the two Saarc ministerial-level meetings in Islamabad citing domestic compulsion. On September 19, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wrote to her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi expressing deep shock at the terrorist attack on the army base at Uri, Kashmir. She said: “In line with its ‘zero tolerance’ policy against terrorism and violent extremism, Bangladesh firmly stands beside India at this difficult hour.” Bangladesh officials said Bangladesh and India will continue to work together in their “common endeavour” to eradicate the menace of cross-border terrorism from this region and beyond and both the leaders will further discuss it the Goa event. l

News

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Secularist Oyasiqur murder trial faces delay n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu A Dhaka court could not start recording of witness depositions in secular activist Oyasiqur Rahman Babu murder case though five members of banned militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team were indicted two months ago. Judge SM Ziaur Rahman of the Dhaka’s Third Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court framed the charges on July 20 and set August 4 for witness testimony. Since then, the court fixed five dates to start depositions due to delay in submission of a report by Dhaka Medical College Hospital authorities. Moreover, the police have failed to arrest two of the accused. On March 30, 2015, travel agency executive Oyasiqur, 27, was hacked to death with machetes by three assailants on Dipika Mosque Lane of Begunbari, close to Tejgaon Textile Engineering University, when he was going to office at Motijheel. While fleeing, two of the killers – Zikrullah and Ariful – were held by two transgender persons as locals remained reluctant to chase the killers. The other member of the team, Abu Taher, escaped. The duo later told the police

that a “hujur” (religious scholar) had professed to kill atheists while a “Boro Bhai” gave them Oyasiqur’s photographs and the murder weapons. Before being killed, Oyasiqur demanded quick trial in the murder of secular blogger Avijit Roy, who was killed in a similar fashion by the same outfit on February 27 last year. Additional public prosecutor Md Salauddin Hawladar claimed that they were sincere about the trial, but the proceedings had been delayed because of late submission of a report regarding age of an accused. “We got the report from Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Saturday, and hope that the court will start recording deposition on the next date [October 29],” he told the Dhaka Tribune. The Detective Branch of police submitted the charge sheet against the five accused on September 2. Three others – Masum alias Masud, Sharif and Abrar – were mentioned in the charge sheet but not made accused as their details had not been found. The court indicted the five – two of whom are absconding – on July 20 and set the date for commencement of the trial.

But on August 4, defence counsel Faruk Ahamed filed a petition under section 17 of Child Rights Act, 2013 before the court seeking trial of self-confessed killer Md Ariful Islam alias Arif alias Erfan alias Mushfique at a Juvenile Court. Claiming that Ariful was a 17year old, the counsel submitted a birth certificate issued by the Dhaka North City Corporation mentioning that Ariful was born on June 10, 1998. Following the petition, the court ordered the DMCH director to submit a report after testing his age. The trial process got stuck since the order though the prosecution witnesses appeared before the court on every scheduled date. The four other charge-sheeted accused are Zikrullah alias Hasan, Saiful Islam alias Mansur, Abdullah alias Akram Hossain Hasib alias Boro Bhai and Zoned Ahmed alias Zonayed alias Taher. Akram and Zonayed are absconding while rest of the three accused are now in jail. Saiful was arrested with firearms and machetes in his possession in Jatrabari area on March 23 last year. Police claimed that Saiful along with Zikrullah and Arif were going to kill Oyasiqur on that day. According to the charge sheet, Akram, known as “Boro Bhai”

among the Ansarullah members, masterminded the murder. He trained the killers for three months and provided them with the machetes. In early May, terrorist group al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) claimed responsibility for the murders of Oyasiqur and other secular activists since 2013. Ansarullah (now Ansar Al Islam) is representing AQIS in Bangladesh. After his arrest, Zikrullah told the police that he was a student of Hefazat-e-Islam’s Hathazari Madrasa in Chittagong. Arif was a student of the same madrasa and later became a student of Mirpur Darul Uloom Madrasa. Arif was previously arrested in September 2012 from Raipura of Narsingdi during training at a JMB camp. Securing bail, he started following Ansarullah’s spiritual leader Jashim Uddin Rahmani. Zikrullah joined the group through Arif. Oyasiqur Babu used to write on Facebook opposing irrational religious beliefs, superstitions and radical Islamists including Jamaat-e-Islami and Hefazat-e-Islam. He was also vocal against violations of human rights of the religious minorities and indigenous peoples of the country. l

Hasina’s 70th birthday today n UNB The 70th birthday of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is also the president of Bangladesh Awami League, will be celebrated today. On September 28, 1947, Sheikh Hasina was born at Tungipara in Gopalganj district. She is the eldest of the five children of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Begum Fazilatunnesa. The AL, its associated bodies and other socio-cultural organisations chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day across the country, said a press release yesterday. Sheikh Hasina is now in the USA where she attended the 71st UN General Assembly. Awami League will hold a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh at 3 pm. Milad and special prayers will be held after Zohr prayers in different mosques across the country. Special prayers will be arranged in temples, pagodas and churches across the country. Awami League will distribute food in different orphanages. l

News

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

HC order on schoolboy’s sentence October 18 n Tribune Report The High Court will pass its order next month on the sentencing of a schoolboy by a mobile court reportedly for threatening Tangail 8 lawmaker Anupam Shajahan Joy on Facebook. The bench of justices M Enayetur Rahim and Ashish Ranjan Das fixed October 18 after hearing explanations from Sakhipur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Rafiqul Islam and OC of Sakhipur police Mohammad Maksudul Alam on the matter. The ninth grader, Sabbir Shikder, who is a student of Protima Bonki Public High School in Sakhipur and now in bail, also described the incident before the court. He was given two-year imprisonment for threat-

ening the MP under the controversial section 57 of the ICT Act. Sabbir said that plainclothes police picked him up from home on the night of September 16 and took him to the police station blindfolded. The OC tortured him there. He was then taken to the lawmaker’s residence where he was beaten with sticks. He was then taken to the UNO, who also kicked the boy before sentencing him. However, UNO’s lawyer SM Rezaul Karim told court that the schoolboy was sentenced for narcotics related offence. He was produced before the court with marijuana. On the other hand, OC’s lawyer Nurul Islam Sujon claimed that media falsely reported the incident to ruin the image of the lawmaker.

On September 20, the High Court in a suo moto rule sought explanations from the UNO and the OC on sentencing the boy after a media report to the court’s notice. The report said that a mobile court led by UNO Rafiqul Islam sentenced the boy under the ICT Act for threatening the lawmaker. Earlier, the lawmaker filed a general diary with Sakhipur police alleging that Sabbir had threatened him on Facebook. The police later detained the boy and produced him before the mobile court. After the sentence, the schoolboy was sent to Tangail jail. When bringing the matter to the court’s notice, Khurshid Alam said someone under the age of 18 should be tried under the Children Act, not by a mobile court. l

2 Bangladeshi-Germans held for carrying ‘firearms’ n Kamrul Hasan Two Bangladeshi-Germans citizens were detained by Airport customs and taken into custody yesterday afternoon for allegedly carrying nine blank firearms. Monir Ben Ali was detained with 4 of each Walther gas waffen (gas weapon) 9mm ppk and Zoraki gas waffen (gas weapon) 9mm PPK. Monir and Anisul Islam Talukder landed in Dhaka on an Emirates Airlines flight around 8:40am yesterday. Customs officials found the gas weapons in a carton when Monir was frisked, said airport customs. Monir was detained from the Green channel when the gas weapons were found in his suitcase when it was being scanned. They later, detained his friend

Anisul. The detainees said that objects found are props to be used in movies which the customs officials called in the expertise of RAB that confirmed that they were guns. The two detainees said they were friends for a long time as they both come from the same district and live in Munich. Monir, a restaurateur in Munich said he brought the gas weapons after meeting a man named Eram there last November. Eram offered to pay him Tk50,000 each for bringing the gas weapons saying that he did not need customs clearance. The four Walther gas waffen 9mm ppk and Zoraki gas waffen 9mm PPK cost him around 120 Euros. Customs sources said they will have to determine if the seized gas weapons are firearms. l

News

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Colonial legacy barrier to free flow of information Today is Rights to Information Day and on this occasion the Chief Information Commissioner Professor Md Golam Rahman spoke to the DhakaTribune’s Ibrahim Hossain Ovi about how information empowers people and their participation in the development process Do you think that The Right to Information Act, 2009 has empowered people?

How RTI helps in improving people lives?

Under the jurisdiction of RTI, people can get information of public services on demand, which helps to not be deceived. On the other hand, government organisation and other offices are designating information through boards, citizen charters and in some cases through mass media, which help to get the service as they are informed.

RTI is an act for the people to empower them. This is the law, which can be imposed on government. Now, the rights to know and provide information to people as per the demands is been established constitutionally. So, people are empowered in knowing information.

Has the RTI been able to reduce corruption and to bring accountability and transparency among the government organisations and NGOs?

Since the government officials as well as the non-government organisations are bound to provide information, the act has created accountability among them. While,

What are the success of Rights to Information Act?

In 2009, Right to Information Act was enacted to increase information flow in face of public demands. After the enactment, people’s right to know has been recognized. Its a great achievement. This is because, it has created opportunity to seek information from the government and NGOs.

the corruption would came down and transparency will increase as the people are now empowered to get information about the projects and its spending as thy are bound to provide information.

What are the key barriers in ensuring free flow of information to people?

Bangladesh has colonial legacy from the British people that administrators work for themselves. But the government is for the people and they have rights to know about its activities. It is not clear to government officials and NGOs. There is a culture that people usually do not want to learn about law, on the other hand they do not want to share information. It has been become a real barrier in the free flow of information.

Why RTI is yet to get momentum?

In true sense, the act did not become familiar to the countrymen, though seven years have already gone. Inefficiency of officials, lack

of technological knowledge, less use of digital media and traditional attitude are responsible for less popularity of the act.

What step taken by Information Commission to popularize it?

In a country of over 16.5 corer people, demands for information is too limited. For increasing the demands of information, the commission are providing training to young people especially university students, who will work as an activist to encourage people to seek information. Out of 24,500 in-charge duty officials to provide information, the commission has trained 22,000 officials. We are also organising workshops and making publicity through leaflet, poster and other forms of communication. l

Inu: Section 57 shouldn’t be a headache for journos n Shohel Mamun Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu said Section 57 of the ICT Act should not be a cause of concern for the journalists as “no reporter had been arrested for serving news based on accurate information.” He said: “Those, who were arrested or sent to the jail, must have been involved with political malpractice. None of them (journalists) were sent to jail for revelation of facts.”

Section 57 of the ICT Act is just like the other laws of the country. We have 34 such acts that do not permit a judge to grant bail to the accused The minister made the remarks while addressing a press meet at the Secretariat yesterday on the eve of Right to Information Day. The day is being observed across the country today with a view to facilitating the common people in terms of access to information. Regarding Section 57 of the Information and Communication

Technology (ICT) Act-2006, Inu further said: “Section 57 of the ICT Act is just like the other laws of the country. We have 34 such acts that do not permit a judge to grant bail to the accused.” “Journalists, who were arrested under Section 57 of the ICT Act, failed to prove their innocence. They were picked up in connection with specific charges, not for their reports.” “No journalists were harassed for criticising the activities of the government or publishing reports against the system,” he added. Citing that no journalist had been arrested for breaching their professional ethics, Inu further said: “Journalists, who performed as a political leader while making reports and committed crimes under the Section 57 of ICT Act, had been arrested.” Referring to the closure of a number of online news portals, he said: “We have shut down the offices of some 35 online news portals and halted their activities following specific allegation. “The government has also sought explanation from the authorities of those news outlets, but unfortunately none of them came up with satisfactory replies. However, if anyone comes to us with satisfactory explanation, we will consider their plea for reopening their websites.” l

TEMPERATURE FORECAST FOR TODAY

THUNDERSHOWER WITH RAIN

Dhaka

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

Chittagong

Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation brings out a procession on Dhaka University premises on occasion of World Tourism Day yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

World Tourism Day observed n Tribune Desk

With the theme Tourism for All, the World Tourism Day was observed across the country through different programmes on Tuesday. Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB), Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), different tour operators and other organisations arranged different programmes, including colourful procession, discussion, debate, art competition, photo competition promoting tourism and tourism award presentations, to mark the day. 27

Rajshahi

DHAKA TODAY SUN SETS 5:50PM

Rangpur

The day started with a colourful procession, arranged by BTB, from in front of the Matsya Bhaban in the morning, which ended at Dhaka University’s Teacher Student Centre (TSC), after parading important city streets. Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary SM Ghulam Farooque inaugurated the programme, also attended by DU Vice Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, BPC Chairman Dr Aparup Chowdhury, and Bangladesh Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Akhtaruz Zaman Khan Kabir, according to a BTB press release. Khulna

Barisal

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

TOMORROW SUN RISES 5:49AM

35.2ºC Chandpur

23ºC Dimla

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES

President Abdul Hamid, Premier Sheikh Hasina and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon issued separate messages. The premier, in her message, urged private entrepreneurs to come forward along with public sector to provide all tourism facilities in an affordable way for all types of tourists from home and abroad. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a message said: “Everyone has the right to access leisure and tourism services on an equal basis.” l Sylhet

Cox’s Bazar

Fajr: 5:10am | Zohr: 1:15pm Asr: 4:30pm | Magrib: 6:05pm Esha: 8:00pm Source: Islamic Foundation

News

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

4 die in road accidents n Tribune Desk Four people were killed and five others injured in separate road accidents in Jessore, Bogra and Chapainawabganj yesterday. In Jessore, two people – Ripon and Razzak – were killed in a headon collision between a motorcycle and a bus at Gazir Gorga on the Jessore-Benapole Highway around 11am. In Bogra, human hauler helper was killed and five others injured when the driver of a Bogra-bound truck lost control over its steering and hit the human hauler in Ghoga Hatkhola area of Sherpur upazila on Dhaka-Bogra highway around 1pm. The deceased helper was identified as Sajib, 12. In Chanpainawabganj, a motorbiker identified as Manik Ali, 30, died at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital on Tuesday noon. He was injured in an accident on Monday evening. l

Ruling party man continues hill cutting ignoring laws n Md Noor Uddin, Habiganj A local influential who has good connections with the ruling party Awami League (AL) in collaboration with local administration is cutting hills from Boikunthopur Tea Garden of Madhabpur upazila in order to lift silica sand. Local people wishing anonymity alleged that Masud Khan, ex-president of Jogodishpur union BCL unit and son of Jahed Khan, agricultural secretary of Madhabpur upazila Awami League unit, has been cutting hill with several dredgers to lift silica sand from Boikunthopur Tea garden, ignoring environmental laws for years. Nipel Paul, joint secretary of the Bangladesh Tea Labourers Union, said: “Masud Khan and his gang are lifting sand by cutting hills of the tea garden which will harm environment.”

“Many roads of the tea estate have damaged due to the rampant lifting of sand, we requested them to stop cutting hills, but they did not pay heed to our appeal,” said Paul. He said: “We have already informed local administration about hill cutting and sand lifting. I am hoping that the local administration will take stern action against the people who are working against ecological balance.” Diti Sawntal, a tea labourer of the garden, said: “We are suffering a lot as the hill cutter had damaged roads of the garden but we cannot raise our voice against them as they are so powerful.” Robi Dash, another tea farmer, said: “Everyday, they cut huge area of hill and lifted sand by hundreds of trucks. They used to torture us after we protested them.” “They are destroying our garden, roads and hills but we cannot

say anything. We have nothing to do,” he added. Ignoring the allegation of cutting hills, Masud Khan said: “We are not cutting hills. We have paid Tk2 crore to manager of the tea garden and now we are just lifting sands from the garden.” Diresh Bhattacharjee, manager of Masud, said: “We have taken lease of the hills and now we are lifting silica sand from the garden without violating any rules.” Besides, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Habiganj Rokon Uddin said: “In response of a writ petition of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela) the High Court has directed to stop hill cutting in the district.” “We have already fined Tk10 lakh to the sand lifter of Boikunthopur Tea Garden and if any one try to lift sand from the garden, we will take strict action against him,” said the ADC. l

Ex-MP son held for insulting PM in Natore n M Kamal Mridha, Natore

Police have arrested former MP Yeakub Ali’s son for allegedly insulting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Facebook at Chandpur moholla of Singra municipal area in Singra upazila of Natore. The arrestee are Shafiqul Islam alias Romin,40, son of former MP Yeakub Ali and leader of Jatiya Party. Nasir Uddin Mondol, officer-in charge of Singra police station said: “Romin posted a distorted picture of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with insulting comments on Monday on his Facebook page.” Dedar Hossein, son of Mozahar Ali of the upazila, filed a complain with Singra police station against Romin in this connection. Later, after filing the complain, police arrested Romin yesterday afternoon from the area. A case was lodged under Information and Communication Technology Act (ICT), 2013 in this connection. l

News

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Dilapidated Rajshahi roads make journey risky n Abdullah Al Dulal, Rajshahi People of Rajshai suffer everyday, as most of the roads in the district have been in a rundown state for long. According to local sources, fresh potholes have recently formed in Godagari- Chapainawbganj, Godagari-Amnura- Nachol, Meherchandi-Rajshahi University roads. The roads in Shuritala, Palashbari, Banglakandar, Bordoma, Juice Factory, Chabbishnagar, Daragapara and Kakonpara areas in the city have remained in venerable situation. Potholes in these roads become unidentifiable during the rainy season, when rain waters deposit on the potholed road making it invisible for road users, including drivers. Fatal accident is regular incident in the district due to dilapaitated situation of the roads. Specillay the passengers of local huamn haulers are the worst victim. Moinul Islam, supervisor of Nipun Bus Services, said the drivers of buses and small vehicles had to face critical situation as most of roads in the district remained in dilapidated state. According to Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital sources, at least 223 people were killed due to road accident in last nine months. The number might be more as many victims were not brought to the hospital, said Najimuddin, in-charge of information centre of the hospital. Elderly people and pregnant women are the worst sufferers because they have a bumpy ride while commuting along the road. Potholes developed on the highways because of heavy downpours during the rainy season and such potholes have developed at quite a

Vehicles on the Dhaka-Rajshahi Highway are seen plying facing critical situation as potholes have developed at several points on the road. The picture was taken yesterday from Talaimari area of Rajshahi city AZAHAR UDDIN number of places, including Binodpur and Katakhali in Rajshahi city. A couple were killed and eight others were injured after a speedy bus crashed into a house in Bahrampur rail crossing area under Rajapara police station area of Rajshahi town recently. The deceased were Bashir Hossain, 40 and his wife Reshma Begum, 35, resident of the rail crossing area. Of the eight injured, six were passengers and two others injured were another couple from a neigh-

bouring house. The accident occurred when a Dhaka-bound bus crashed into the house, killing the sleeping couple dead on the spot. Sources of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) said the driver of the vehicle lost control over the steering. Accidents like these have increased recently due to sorry state of roads and negligence of drivers. Shohel Rana, student of Rajshahi University, said they had to go to

the unversity on foot as the nearby road had lied in dilapidated situation for long. If the road is repaired, they could save time for study, he added. Najmul Hasan, executive engineer of roads and highways, said most of the accidents occurred due to careless driving of the drivers. Repairing of roads and highways in the district had already been started with a budget of Tk21 crore. Precautionary signs have been set up in the venerable spots of

roads so that accidents could be avoided, he added. Rajshahi City Corparation’s ward councilor Nur Mohammad Molla said repair of the roads in his area remained stop due to unknown reasons. Engineer Ashraful Haque of the city corporation said 85 percent work of the roads in the area had been completed. The remain works cannot be finished due to unplanned gas-line through the roads, he alleged. l

JMB member held in Gaibandha

Traders face obstacles while importing goods through Sona Masjid port

n Md Tazul Islam, Gaibandha

Hossain Chowdhury, n Anwar Chapainawabganj

Police arrested an alleged member of banned militant organisation Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, Bangladesh (JMB) from Shaghata area of Gaibandha on Tuesday. The arrested was Abdul Hadi, 26, son of Atwar Mandal of Jumarbari Bangarpara village. Mostafizur Rahman, officerin-charge of Shaghata police station, said the police arrested Hadi from the area early in the morning. He was the member of JMB and accused of several cases, said the OC. l

Traders who import goods from the neighbouring country India through Sona Masjid land port are suffering, as customs authorities in the port allegedly are not complying with the South Asia Free Trader Area Deal (Safta). Traders alleged that sometimes goods which they imported from India got rotten due to non-cooperation of customs officials. Traders said exchange of hot words between traders and custom officials had become a regular phenomenon in the port.

Ismail Hossain, general secretary of C&F Agent Association, told the Dhaka Tribune that the distant of Pakur and Nasik from the land port was less than other ports of the country. Consequently, traders of Bangladesh are interested to import goods from India through the port. He also added that although other ports of the country had been complying with Safta deal since January 1, this year, custom authorities of the port were not following the rules. According to the article 3(1) of the deal, import tariff would be reduced in those countries which singed deal. “As the port is not following the

rule, port officials take much time to release goods. Consequently, perishable goods, including green chili, tomato, apple, grape and orange get rotten,” he added. Harun or Rashid, president of C&F Agent Association, told the Dhaka Tribune that everyday goods which were imported from India entered Panama yard at noon. Customs officials kept trading in waiting despite payment of tax. At last they released the goods around 9pm. He said: “Due to reluctance of customs officials five trucks of green chili worth Tk50 lakh and 22 trucks of tomatoes worth around Tk33

crore were rotten on September 17.” The customs officials also seized 10 trucks of dried fish without any reason, he added. Moazzem Hossain, commissioner of Rajshahi Customs, told the Dhaka Tribune that they realised tax from traders following existence rules. Sometimes, officials took time due to delayed submission of Bill of Entry by traders. On Monday, Abhijit Chattopadhyay, assistant high commissioner in the Assistant High Commission of India, urged all concerned people to resolve problems regarding between the two neighbouring countries. l

8 World

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

SOUTH ASIA

Pakistan passes Hindu marriage bill Pakistan’s lower house of parliament has passed a landmark bill giving its small Hindu minority the right to register marriages, the last major hurdle on the way to enacting a law aimed at protecting women’s rights. Hindus have not had any legal mechanisms to register their marriages since independence from Britain in 1947. REUTERS

INDIA

India summons Pakistan envoy over Uri attack India on Tuesday summoned Pakistan high commissioner Abdul Basit and gave him evidence of cross-border origins of Uri terror attack . Foreign secretary S Jaishankar summoned Abdul Basit and told him that the two guides who helped infiltration were apprehended by local villagers and are now in police custody. HT

CHINA

Chinese coal mine accident kills 12, entraps 8 A gas explosion at a coal mine in northwest China on Tuesday killed 12 people and left 8 others trapped underground, China’s state broadcaster reported. The explosion happened Tuesday morning at a mine in the Shizuishan city area of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Rescuers were trying to reach the trapped and the cause of the explosion was under investigation. REUTERS

ASIA PACIFIC

Taiwan’s 3rd typhoon of the month kills 4 The third typhoon to hit Taiwan this month killed at least four people and injured hundreds on Tuesday, knocking down trees and cutting power to millions. At least 167 people were injured and more than 11,500 evacuated. Authorities also estimated more than 2m households had lost power, while over 45,000 were without water. REUTERS

MIDDLE EAST

IS bombings in Baghdad kill at least 17 Separate suicide bombings ripped through busy commercial areas in Shia-dominated neighborhoods of the Iraqi capital on Tuesday, killing at least 17 civilians. The deadliest attack took place in the eastern New Baghdad neighborhood, where a bomber approached a gathering of construction workers and set off his explosives-laden vest, killing 11 civilian. In online statements, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying it targeted Shia militia members. AP

FACTCHECK

Trump, Clinton deny their own words in debate n Tribune International Desk D o n a l d Trump’s habit of peddling hype and fabrication emerged unabated in the first presidential debate while Hillary Clinton played it cautiously in her statements, though not without error. They both denied making statements that they are on the record as saying, reports The Associated Press. A look at some of the claims in the debate and how they compare with fact: Trump: Denying Clinton’s accusation that he supported the Iraq war, “Wrong. Wrong.” Later: “That is a mainstream media nonsense put out by her. I was against the war in Iraq.” Fact: There is no evidence Trump expressed public opposition to the war before the US invaded, despite his repeated insistence that he did. Rather, he offered lukewarm support. He only began to voice doubts about the conflict well after it began in March 2003. His first known public comment on the topic came on September 11, 2002, when he was asked whether he supported a potential Iraq invasion in an interview with radio host Howard Stern. “Yeah, I guess so,” Trump responded. On March 21, 2003, just days after the invasion began, Trump said it “looks like a tremendous success from a military standpoint.” Later that year he began voicing doubts. Clinton: Denying Trump’s accusation that she called the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal the “gold standard” of trade agreements: “I did say I hoped it would be a good deal.” Fact: Trump is correct. On a 2012 trip to Australia as secretary of state, Clinton called the deal that was taking shape the “gold standard” of trade agreements. She championed it in other venues around the world. She did not merely express the hope it would turn out well. Clinton flip-flopped into opposing the trade deal in the Democratic primary when facing Bernie Sanders, who was strongly opposed to it. Trump: “Our jobs are fleeing the country. They’re going to Mexico. They’re going to many other coun-

FIRST CLINTON-TRUMP DEBATE: KEY QUOTES "I said she doesn't have the stamina. To be president of this country, you need tremendous stamina"

On stamina to lead

"...As soon as he travels to 112 countries and negotiates a peace deal, a ceasefire, a release of dissidents... or even spends 11 hours testifying in front of a congressional committee, he can talk to me about stamina"

On Hillary’s experience "Let me tell you, Hillary has experience. But it's bad, bad experience"

"Typical politician. All talk, no action. Sounds good, doesn't work. Never going to happen”

tries. ... Ford is leaving, thousands of jobs leaving Michigan, leaving Ohio.” He added, “They’re leaving, and they’re leaving in bigger numbers than ever.” Fact: There are no official data on job flows between countries. However, the US economy has added nearly 14.9m jobs since 2010, when the economy bottomed out after the recession. Clinton: “Independent experts have looked at what I’ve proposed and looked at what Donald’s proposed, and basically they’ve said this, that if his tax plan...were to go into effect, we would lose 3.5m jobs and maybe have another recession. They’ve looked at my plans and they’ve said...we will have 10m more new jobs.” The truth: Those numbers come from one expert, Moody’s Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi, a widely respected analyst but one who has also donated to Clinton’s campaign. His estimate that Trump’s plan would cost 3.5m jobs was issued in June 2016, and Trump has altered his tax cut proposals and other policies since then. Trump: “A trade deficit of almost ... $800bn a year.” Fact: The trade deficit was actually $500bn in 2015, certainly large but a lot lower than Trump’s figure. The deficit peaked at $761.7bn in 2006, according to the Commerce Department. Trump: “Had we taken the oil (in Iraq) -- and we should have taken the oil -- IS would not have been able to form.” Fact: Donald Trump’s assertion that the US should have seized

On racism "He has really started his political activity based on this racist lie that our first black president was not an American citizen"

On each other’s economic plans

"The kind of plan that Donald has put forth would be trickle-down economics all over again...I call it trumped up trickle-down"

Iraq’s natural resources would have required that it also seize control of the country and at no point was the US in a position to do so. To achieve Trump’s stated goal of destroying Islamic State militants’ revenue stream, the US has bombed oil facilities in Iraq. The bombing was designed to render the oil facilities inoperable, but not destroy them, so Iraq could rebuild its economy with its oil when the conflict ended. Clinton on nuclear deal: “It’s been very successful in giving us access to facilities we’ve never been to before.” Trump: “We gave them $150bn back.” Fact: Both are playing loose with Fact. The UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency had been present in Iran’s declared nuclear facilities like Natanz and Fordo long before the July 2015 agreement that eased economic sanctions on the country in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program. The agency’s inspectors had also visited previously the Parchin military base, where nuclear weapons testing was suspected to have taken place. When the agency sought answers on Parchin in September 2015, the Iranians were permitted to take their own soil samples. As to Trump’s claim about the $150bn, the deal allowed Iran to get access to its own money that was frozen in foreign bank accounts, estimated at about $100bn. The US didn’t give Iran $150bn. Trump: “Russia’s been expanding. They have much newer capabili-

ties than we do.” Fact: Russia has indeed been expanding its military and increasing spending on weapons and equipment. But the US still has far more advanced military aircraft, weapons and capabilities than Russia. In addition, the Pentagon plans to spend $108bn over the next 5 years to sustain and improve its nuclear force, and is developing the next generation bomber. Clinton: “Donald publicly invited Putin to hack into Americans.” Trump: On hacking of the Democratic National Committee, “I don’t think anybody knows it was Russia that broke into the DNC... I mean it could be Russia. But it could also be China. It could be lots of other people. It could be somebody sitting on their bed who weighs £400.” Fact: Trump didn’t encourage Russia to hack broadly “into Americans,” as Clinton said, although he did express the hope that Russian hackers would “find the 30,000 emails that are missing” from Clinton’s private server. Trump’s refusal to point the finger at Moscow is at odds with the prevailing position of the US intelligence community. Last week, National Intelligence Director James Clapper said, “There’s a tradition in Russia of interfering with elections, their own and others.” Top Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees say they’ve concluded Russian intelligence agencies were trying to influence the US presidential election. Russia has denied the accusation. l

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Asian viewers give nod to Clinton n Reuters, Beijing/Tokyo Hillary Clinton put Donald Trump on the defensive and showed a better grasp of foreign policy issues, according to a sampling of people across Asia who watched the fiery first US presidential debate. In China, the debate was streamed live on China’s Twitter-like Weibo service and attracted thousands of comments despite the lack of a translation into Chinese. Some called Trump “a loose cannon”, while others thought that as a businessman he was best qualified to lead the world’s largest economy. Opinion polls have shown the two candidates in a tight race leading up to the debate. A CNN poll of debate watchers released after the event found 62% felt Clinton won compared to 27% for Trump. In a sign investors also saw Clinton as the winner, US S&P500 stock futures rose as did Asian shares. “Markets started to call the debate for Hillary within the first 15 minutes or so, with the Mexican peso surging in what is probably its busiest Asian session in years,” said Sean Callow, a senior currency analyst at Westpac in Sydney.

China bashing

Trump raised eyebrows among a packed crowd watching the debate at The American Club in Singapore when he lashed out against China. “Look at what China is doing to our country,” Trump said not long after the debate began. “They are devaluing their currency and we have nobody in our government to fight them ... They are using our country as a piggy bank to rebuild China, and many other countries are doing the same thing.” Landy Eng, a former employee of the California state government who’s been living in Singapore the past 20 years, said he was an undecided voter. “But Trump’s China-bashing is something I’m not particularly in favour of,” he said. Still, Eng said he does like the “disruptive” factor of Trump’s campaign and thinks it is making Clinton a better candidate. Aloysius Lee, a 65-year-old retiree from Hong Kong, who watched the debate at The Foreign Correspondents’ Club in the territory, said that Trump was too unpredictable. “Hillary is the kind of person you can do business with, at least from my point of view,” Lee said. With Trump, “you don’t know what’s going to happen next, you don’t know what he’s going to say next”.

US ELECTION DEBATE Policy

CNN/ORC poll*

Who best understood the issues?

Who won the debate? 62%

68%

27%

Who would best handle the economy?

27%

51% 47%

Would the candidate be able to handle the job of president?

Hillary Clinton

67% 32%

Donald Trump

Yes No

terrorism? 54% 43%

foreign policy?

43% 55%

35%

62%

Character

Who best addressed concerns as to their handling of the presidency? 57%

35%

Who appeared to be the stronger leader? 39%

56%

the more sincere? 53% 40%

Debating style

Who attacked their opponent most? 33%

56%

*Snap poll of 521 voters who watched the Sept 26 debate

North Asia alliances

South Koreans, watching the debate on TV screens in the lobby of Seoul’s central train station, said they were with Clinton on the issues. “Trump has ideas of withdrawing US forces from our country, and in terms of national security, Trump is a threatening figure,” said Lee Hyo-jin, 26. “So I support Hillary,” she said. Trump during the debate again said if US allies like Japan and South Korea “don’t pay their fair share, they may have to defend themselves or help us out.” Asked about Trump’s comment, Japan’s Defence Minister Tomomi Inada told a regularly scheduled news conference on Tuesday the US-Japan military alliance does not just benefit Japan “but is also in the interests of the United States.” Clinton seemed to have the

better temperament during the debate, according to some Asian viewers. Li Jiaoli, 21, an editing intern from China’s southwestern province of Sichuan, said Clinton seemed more presidential while Trump’s expressions made her laugh.

Debate optics

The debate prompted a storm of tweets around the region, many of them commenting on the optics of the debate. Mel Fryer, 30, a waitress at the Mercantile Hotel in Sydney’s historic Rocks district said she was “terrified” at the prospect of a Trump presidency, while the debate screened to an empty pub. “But he’s going ok,” she said of his debate performance. “He uses simple words and simple phrases and gets his point across.” l

Timbuktu destruction: Militant gets 9-year-jail n Tribune International Desk An international court on Tuesday found a Muslim radical guilty of committing a war crime by overseeing the destruction of historic mausoleums in the Malian desert city of Timbuktu, and sentenced him to 9 years in prison. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi, a former teacher, had pleaded guilty and expressed remorse for his role in overseeing the destruction of nine mausoleums and a mosque door by pickax-wielding rebels in June and July of 2012. His trial, which opened August 22, was a landmark for the International Criminal Court, which has struggled to bring suspects to justice since its establishment in 2002. It was the tribunal’s first conviction for destruction of religious buildings or historic monuments, and the first guilty verdict delivered against a Muslim extremist. Al-Qaeda-linked rebels occupied the fabled Saharan city of Timbuktu in 2012 and enforced a strict interpretation of Islamic law that included destruction of the historic mud-brick tombs they considered idolatrous. Al Mahdi

was leader of one of the “morality brigades” set up by Timbuktu’s new rulers. ICC prosecutors said Al Mahdi was a member of Ansar Eddine, an Islamic extremist group with links to al-Qaeda that held power in northern Mali in 2012. The militants were driven out after nearly a year by French forces, which arrested Al Mahdi in 2014 in neighbouring Niger. Clad in a gray suit and striped purple tie, the defendant said nothing after the verdict and sentencing. Earlier in the trial, Al Mahdi urged Muslims around the world not to commit acts similar to those he had admitted to. Al Mahdi had faced a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison for destruction of the World Heritage-listed sites. But presiding judge Raul Pangalangan said numerous factors argued for a lesser prison term, including Al Mahdi’s initial reluctance to raze the historic shrines and what the judge called his apparently sincere admission of guilt. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation hailed the verdict as a crucial step toward ending impunity

THE MAUSOLEUMS OF TIMBUKTU Historic mosques Main shrines Destruction ordered by jihadist leader Ahmad Al-Faqi Al-Mahdi Cemeteries

Main market

Shrine of Sheikh Sidi Mahmoud Ben Omar Mohamed Aquit 1st saint (1498-1548)

TIMBUKTU

Djingareyber (1325) Sidi Yahia (1400) Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi

Military fort

USA

Trump’s debate sniffs take off on social media Republican White House candidate Donald Trump stole the social media spotlight during Monday night’s US presidential debate on at least one count - what Twitter users branded his #Trumpsniffle. The wealthy businessman sniffed repeatedly as he faced off against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in their first debate, giving rise to the hashtag and a surge of interest on social media. REUTERS

THE AMERICAS

Venezuela opposition calls October demo over political crisis Venezuela’s opposition called on Monday for mass rallies nationwide on October 12 to push for a referendum to recall President Nicolas Maduro this year as they seek to oust his Socialist Party in an early presidential election. Maduro’s term in office runs until 2019. But if Maduro lost a recall this year presidential elections would be called under the Constitution. REUTERS

Scotland asks London to clarify on Brexit Scotland wants to have more detail about how the UK government plans to leave the EU to prevent a hard Brexit that would severely damage the economy, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Tuesday. She said the Brexit vote showed deep voter disillusionment over free trade, immigration and unfair distribution of the spoils of globalisation. REUTERS

EUROPE

Sankore (1325)

200m

World

500km

Independance Square

Sources: Unesco, ICC, Maps4news.com

for the destruction of world cultural landmarks. Soon after the destruction in 2012, Unesco alerted the international community including the International Criminal Court “to ensure such crimes do not go unpunished,” Unesco Director-General Irina Bokova said in a statement. “In the context of repeated violence against people and their heritage, this sentence of the International Criminal Court is a key element in the broader response to

Timbuktu BAMAKO

Timbuktu Founded Vth-XIIth century by Tuareg tribes Revered as centre of Islamic learning in XVth and XVIth Tombs of the saints visited by Muslims from across the world

violent extremism,” Bokova said. Al Mahdi’s conviction “is a first important step toward the fight against impunity in Mali,” said Drissa Traore, vice president of the International Federation for Human Rights. “But this victory has an almost unfinished look ... We hope ICC will continue to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the most serious crimes committed in Mali, especially crimes of sexual violence.” l

Italy to hold referendum on constitutional reform Italians will vote on December 4 in a referendum on constitutional reform being pushed by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. The fate of his administration is expected to hinge on the outcome. Renzi says the reform will increase government stability and accelerate lawmaking. Critics say it will remove checks and balances, over-centralise power and make Italy less democratic. REUTERS

AFRICA

Death toll in Congo clash increases to 49 The death toll from militia clashes with security forces in Congo last week was at least 49, more than three times the number earlier reported. Fighters from militia group Kamwina Nsapu, seeking to avenge the death of their leader of the same name, battled security forces in the town of Kananga, in the centre of the country. REUTERS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

World

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project on the Chenab River at Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, India ICIMOD

India to speed up hydro-power building on rivers flowing into Pakistan n Reuters, New Delhi India will accelerate its building of new hydro-power plants along three rivers that flow into Pakistan, a source familiar with the plan said on Monday, in a move likely to aggravate already tense relations with its neighbour a week after an attack on an Indian army base. Disagreements over how to share the waters of the Indus and other rivers have dogged relations between the nuclear-armed arch-rivals since independence in 1947. The dispute looks set to be reignited after Prime Minister Narendra Modi told officials on Monday that India should use more of the rivers’ resources, speaking a week after the September 18 attack on an army base in the disputed region of Kashmir that New Delhi blames on Pakistan, a source with knowledge of the meeting attended by Modi said. India has vowed to respond to the raid, in which at least 18 of its soldiers were killed, but any military option risks escalation. Some officials have called for a renewed diplomatic offensive instead. Modi said on Saturday that India would mount a global campaign to isolate Pakistan, including through the United Nations, where Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke on Monday. India has long accused Pakistan of backing militant groups operating in the Himalayan state of Jammu and Kashmir, through which several of the countries’ shared rivers flow. Pakistan denies the allegations and says India has not provided adequate proof to support its claims. A spokesman for Pakistan’s foreign office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Modi’s hydro-power plans. At Monday’s meeting, Modi and officials discussed ways to increase exploitation of the Chenab, Jhelum and Indus rivers but said they would not violate a long-standing water treaty between the countries in the process. The Indus Water Treaty was signed in 1960 in a bid to resolve disputes, but India’s ambitious irrigation plans and construction of thousands of upstream dams has continued to annoy Pakistan, which depends on snow-fed Himalayan rivers for everything from drinking water to agriculture. India says its use of upstream water is strictly in line with the 1960 agreement. The potential for a military conflict between India and Pakistan over water has long worried observers. The neighbours have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir. India currently generates about 3,000 megawatts of energy from hydro-power plants along rivers in its portion of Kashmir, but believes the region has the potential to produce 18,000 megawatts, the source said. New Delhi will also review whether to restart construction of the Tulbul navigation project, which was suspended several years ago. The project proposes diverting water from one of the shared rivers to a city in Indian-administered Kashmir that could impact flows downstream, the source said. A spokesman for Modi’s office declined to comment. l

12 Business

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Tax on workers’ profit fund to be lifted n Asif Showkat Kallol The government has decided to withdraw the tax imposed on the Workers’ Profit Participation Fund (WPPF) in response to an urge from the Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). FICCI feared labour unrest due to imposition of the tax on the WPPF. A Finance Division official said finance secretary has signed the summary paper of the tax withdrawal from the WPPF. On his return from abroad, Finance Minister AMA Muhith will sign the summary. FICCI President Rupali Chowdhury in last February urged the government to withdraw the tax imposed on the WPPF. Then Finance Division made the decision to cancel the tax after discussing the issue with officials of the National Board of Revenue, the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Ministry of Law and Parliamentary Affairs. According to the summary, in the amendment of the labour law the word “worker” will be replaced with “any person” as beneficiary. The summary said after replacement of several words in the amendment of the labour, the problem related to tax imposition on the WPPF will be solved. After the Tazreen Fashions fire and Rana Plaza building collapse, the government amended the labour law 2006 in July 2013, allowing full freedom of association in the factories. After amendment, the trade union registration in the garment sector gained momentum. Training programmes started for the office bearers of the newly formed unions, with technical assistance from the International Labour Organisation. l

Capital market snapshot: Tuesday DSE Broad Index

4,677.7

-0.1% ▼

Index

1,122.4

-0.0% ▼

30 Index

1,775.1

0.2% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk

5,342.1

-3.4% ▼

Turnover in Mn Vol

171.6 -13.9% ▼

CSE All Share Index 14,381.1 30 Index Selected Index

-0.1% ▼

13,040.0

0.2% ▲

8,756.1

-0.1% ▼

Turnover in Mn Tk

331.4

-6.5% ▼

Turnover in Mn Vol

13.0

-2.4% ▼

State banks sink in capital shortfall n Jebun Nesa Alo The capital shortfall of four stateowned banks widened in June this year from December last year due to faster growth in default loans. Of the four state-owned banks, Sonali and Janata were in surplus capital while Agrani and Rupali plunged in shortfall in December last year. In the latest capital statement prepared by Bangladesh Bank in June this year, all the four banks fell in capital shortage. The shortfall of the four banks increased by around Tk3,993 crore to Tk4,256 as of June from Tk263 crore in December last year, according to the central bank data. The capital base of the state banks deteriorated in June this year due to rise in default loans. The ratio of capital to risk-weighted assets came down to far below the requirement of 10% set by Bangladesh Bank in accordance with the Basel-2 rules. The largest state-owned Sonali Bank fell in capital shortfall of Tk2,605 crore in June this year from its earlier surplus amount of Tk31.30 crore in December last year.

FOUR STATE BANKS CAPITAL SHORTFALL/ SURPLUS (TK IN CR) Bank Jun 16 December 15 Sonali -2,605 31.30 Janata -664 56.58 Agrani -199 -123 Rupali -1,052 -288 Source: Bangladesh Bank

The capital base of the bank deteriorated to 4% in June which was 10.08% in December. Janata bank was in capital surplus of Tk56.58 crore in December with its standard capital adequacy ratio of 10.15%, but it turned into capital shortfall of Tk664 crore in June this

BSEC seeks public opinion on financial literacy programme n Tribune Business Desk The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday has sought public opinion on its proposals for launching nationwide financial literacy programme. The market regulator has published on its website a request for public comment on financial literacy by October 2. The securities regulator has undertaken the initiative for launching financial literacy programme as part of its master plan to make people literate on financial instruments. In the light of recommendations of a steering committee and technical committee formed earlier, the BSEC proposed guidelines on financial literacy programme. Under the proposed guidelines, a national advisory committee will be formed and a a separate department will be established for expansion of financial literacy across the country. To increase knowledge of investors, stakeholders of capital market and people of every strata, the commission will take short-term,

mid-term and long-term measures. The short-term plan might be implemented within a year. Investors and stakeholders will be trained so that they could make appropriate investment decisions under the plan. The mid-term plan might be implemented within three years. Investors other than existing stakeholders will be trained on financial issues to make them understand capital market investment well under the mid-term plan. Under the long-term plan, the regulator proposed to implement in more than three years. Officials in all government and non-governmental organisations will be trained under the long-term plan. A fund will be formed to operate the progarmme. The contributors of such fund will be BSEC, stock exchanges, banks, merchant banks, brokerage houses, credit rating agencies, asset management companies, trustees, and Central Depository Bangladesh Limited. To disseminate financial literacy across the country, debates in educational institutions, mobile games, will be carried out. l

year with its capital base ratio coming down to 8.28%, far below the regulatory requirement of 10%. The capital shortfall of Agrani bank widened to Tk199.54 crore in June this year from Tk123 crore in December last year. The capital base ratio dropped slightly to 9.28% from 9.54% during the same period. Rupali Bank experienced a huge shortfall of Tk1,052 crore in June this year which was only Tk228 crore in December last year. The bank remained in more vulnerable position with the lowest

capital base ratio of 3.53% in June from 8.48% in December last year. The capital adequacy ratio of banking sector stood at 10.74% in June this year. The state banks could not improve their capital base despite repeated warning from the global lending organisations, IMF and World Bank, said a senior executive of Bangladesh Bank, asking not to be named. The main reason the BB official addressed behind this is a set of irregularities in loan disbursement, he said. Bangladesh Bank is also concerned about these weak capital base of the state-owned banks, he added. The scam-hit BASIC Bank improved its capital base slightly as its shortfall amount was declining gradually. The capital shortfall of BASIC Bank slightly improved to Tk2,286 crore as of June this year compared to Tk2,991 crore in September last year. The bank experienced the highest capital shortfall of Tk3,609 crore in December 2014, according to the Bangladesh Bank data. l

Stocks end flat on profit booking n Tribune Business Desk Stocks closed flat yesterday as late sell-off cut early gains. The market set out on positive note but modest profit booking in the wee hours pulled the market down. The benchmark index of Dhaka Stock Exchange DSEX lost 6 points or 0.2% to 4,677. The DS30 index, comprising blue chips, was up 3 points to 1,775. The DSE Shariah Index DSES witnessed a fractional drop of 0.3 points to 1,775. The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index CSCX, however, moved down 10 points to 8,756.

Trading activities continued to shrink as the DSE turnover stood at over Tk534 crore, down 3.4% over the previous session. Almost all the sectors remained flat. Food & allied sector was the highest gainer with a rise of 0.7%. Power sector closed flat in green. Non-banking financial institutions posted the highest loss of 0.8%, followed by telecommunication 0.7%, banks 0.6%, engineering 0.5%. Pharmaceuticals closed flat in red. Debutant Yeakin Polymer fell over 9% to Tk40.6 a share, breaking its fourth consecutive session rally. On its debut day on Thursday, it jumped 218% on its offer value of Tk10 a share. l

Business

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

ADB: Growth in developing Asia steady despite global headwinds n Tribune Business Desk Developing Asia is expected to grow steadily despite external pressures and should meet earlier forecasts for 2016 and 2017, aided by resilience in the region’s two largest economies—China and India, says a new Asian Development Bank (ADB) study. In an update of its flagship annual economic publication, Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2016, the ADB kept its 2016 and 2017 gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecasts unchanged from its March estimates of 5.7% for each year. The region’s developing economies grew 5.9% in 2015, said the ADB report released yesterday. Strong growth in China and India is helping the region maintain its growth momentum, said Juzhong Zhuang, ADB’s deputy chief economist. Still, the policymakers need to watch for downside risks including potential capital reversals that could be triggered by monetary policy changes in advanced economies, especially the US. China’s economy — the second

India’s lenders deserve to be rich global outliers n Una Galani India’s private sector lenders account for five of the ten most highly valued financial institutions in the world – and deserve their status as rich global outliers. Breakingviews looked at members of the Thomson Reuters Global Banks Index with a market value of more than $1bn. Among these, Kotak Mahindra Bank, HDFC Bank, Yes Bank, and Indusind Bank all trade at or more than four times book value. That stands in sharp contrast to global giants like Citigroup or BNP Paribas, say, which both fetch about 0.6 times book. The $50bn HDFC Bank stands out. Set up in 1994 by Citi’s former Malaysia head Aditya Puri, it is now larger than its parent mortgage lender Housing Development Finance Corp, which also features in the top ten. By market value, HDFC Bank also dwarfs European lenders like Barclays and Deutsche Bank. Private sector lenders, like HDFC, account for barely one-quarter of total banking assets in India. But they are well-capitalised, growing fast, and rapidly taking market share from state-controlled rivals. l

largest in the world — is forecast to grow 6.6% in 2016 and 6.4% in 2017, or 0.1 percentage point more than was forecast in March, due to strong fiscal and monetary stimulus to boost domestic demand while external demand remains tepid. Private consumption and services generated most of the 6.7% growth in China in the first half of the year in line with the government’s objective of favouring sustainable growth supported by higher wages and more urban jobs, the report added. Steady progress on reforms is helping India realise its growth targets, it said, with earlier forecasts of 7.4% growth in 2016 and 7.8% in 2017 unchanged. The India forecasts take into account a boost in private consumption after recent wage and pension increases and expectations of a healthy monsoon lifting rural incomes. A recovery in private investment will help drive growth to 7.8% in 2017, the report by the Manila-based lender said. Growth in the five largest economies in Southeast Asia was fore-

cast at 4.8% in 2016, the same as projected in March, with strong first-half performances in the Philippines and Thailand offset by a cut in forecasts for Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. Government investment in infrastructure, particularly in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, has countered sluggish export demand and droughts that caused a drop in agriculture output in the first half of the year in the Philippines and Thailand, the ADB study report said. Growth in the five Southeast Asian economies is expected to accelerate to 5% in 2017 on account of firmer demand from major industrial economies, higher prices for exports, and rising infrastructure investment, it said. The ADO Update notes that risks to the region’s outlook remain tilted to the downside, with the external environment still fragile and the possibility of a US Federal Reserve Rate hike leaving open the potential for disruptive capital flows that could complicate macroeconomic policy management in the region. l

India cuts import taxes on wheat, palm oil, refined oils n Reuters India has cut import taxes on wheat, crude palm oil and refined vegetable oils, a finance ministry order showed on Friday, as part of efforts to curb food inflation. New Delhi lowered the wheat import tax to 10% from 25% and cut the import duty on both crude palm oil and refined edible oils by five percentage points to 7.5 and 15% respectively, the order on a government website, showed. Wheat output in India, the world’s second-biggest producer, has fallen well below the peak of 2014/15, reducing stocks to the lowest level in nearly a decade and pushing domestic prices close to record highs. Private trade in India has already imported about 600,000 tonnes of wheat in 2016, the most in nine years. Traders had expected the government to reduce or even abolish the 25% import tariff to make imports cheaper and ease a domestic supply squeeze. “It’s a good sign. Lower import tax will step up the availability of wheat in the local market,” said Veena Sharma, secretary of the Roller Flour Millers Federation of India, the country’s main wheat industry body. Vegetable oil industry officials

in India, the world’s biggest edible oil importer, were disappointed about the cut in taxes on the import of crude palm oil and refined edible oils. “This is not the right time to cut the import duty. We’re a bit disappointed as we’re on the verge of harvesting a new oilseed crop. The reduction in the duty will put pressure on local oilseed prices,” Atul Chaturvedi, president of industry body Solvent Extractors Association of India, told Reuters. Local vegetable oil prices have surged a fifth in the past three months. “The government should have rather raised the differential between the duties of crude and refined oils to support the domestic refining industry,” Chaturvedi said. l

Workers rest outside a construction site in Beijing’s central business district REUTERS

WTO drastically cuts global trade forecast n AFP, Geneva The World Trade Organisation yesterday downshifted its global trade forecast, warning that anti-globalisation rhetoric and Brexit were pushing trade growth to its slowest pace since the financial crisis. The warning comes as talks on a landmark free trade deal between the European Union and United States battle stiff opposition and as Britain’s EU exit causes jitters. The WTO said that global trade was now estimated to expand by just 1.7% this year, compared to its April projection of 2.8%. The new figure is also a far cry from a projection a year ago that trade would swell by 3.9% this year. Describing it as “wake-up call”, the Geneva-based global trade body said growth had fallen to its slowest pace in around seven years

when the global financial crisis hit. “With expected global GDP (gross domestic product) growth of 2.2% in 2016, this year would mark the slowest pace of trade and output growth since the financial crisis of 2009,” the trade body said in a statement. Looking ahead, the WTO said several issues, including Brexit’s possible impact, had now cast a shadow and it had revised down its 2017 forecast. Trade is now expected to grow between 1.8-3.1%, down from the previously anticipated 3.6%, said the WTO, which sets the rules of global commerce. Also clouding the outlook, the WTO said, is “the possibility that growing anti-trade rhetoric will increasingly be reflected in trade policy” as well as financial volatility due to monetary policy changes in developed countries. l

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Business

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Saudis, Iran dash hopes for OPEC oil deal in Algeria n Reuters Saudi Arabia and Iran yesterday dashed hopes that OPEC oil producers could clinch an output-limiting deal in Algeria this week as sources within the exporter group said the differences between the kingdom and Tehran remained too wide. “This is a consultative meeting ... We will consult with everyone else, we will hear the views, we will hear the secretariat of OPEC and also hear from consumers,” Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told reporters. Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said: “It is not the time for decision-making.” Referring to the next formal OPEC meeting in Vienna on Nov 30, he added: “We will try to reach agreement for November.” The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries will hold informal talks at 1400 GMT on Wednesday. Its members are also meeting non-OPEC producers such as Russia on the sidelines of the International Energy Forum, which groups producers and consumers. Oil prices LCOc1 have more than halved from 2014 levels

due to oversupply, prompting OPEC producers and rival Russia to seek a market rebalancing that would boost revenues from oil exports and help their crippled budgets. The predominant idea since early 2016 among producers has been to agree to freeze output levels, although market watchers have said such a move would fail to reduce unwanted barrels. Sources told Reuters last week that Saudi Arabia had offered to reduce its output if Iran agreed to freeze production, a shift in Riyadh’s position as the kingdom had previously refused to discuss output cuts. On Monday, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said expectations should be modest and several OPEC delegates said the positions of Saudi Arabia and Iran remained too far apart. Oil prices were down more than 1 percent in Tuesday trade. Three OPEC sources said Iran, whose production has stagnated at 3.6 million barrels per day, insisted on having the right to ramp that up to around 4.1-4.2 million bpd, while OPEC Gulf members wanted its output to be frozen below 4 million. l

Feature

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

ABCs of growing up 6 habits to maintain when you live alone (Part 2 of 2)

Photos: Bigstock

n Sabrina Fatma Ahmad There’s nothing that feels more like “adulting” than living on your own. Whether you’re new to the city and trying to make it as a student, or moved out to your own place to be closer to work, suddenly being the sole master of your domain might seem overwhelming, once the euphoria burns off. The good news is, you can totally do it. In the first instalment of this series, we talked about ways to stay safe when you live alone. This week, we focus on habits to form so that Amma can’t say, “I told you so.”

Clean up

When there’s no one to nag you about the growing floor-drobe in your bedroom, or the rising pile of dishes in the sink, it’s easy to let things go to seed. Even if you’re not bothered about impressing anyone, keeping the house clean is a good idea from a health and hygiene standpoint. Creating a cleaning ritual will not only make your home more organised and healthy, it will elevate your mood everytime you come back home to a fresh, clean space.

Go out

The traffic, pollution, scheduling conflicts with friends, availability of a tonne of good stuff on Netflix, and the fact that you’ve created a cosy me-space...these are all perfectly valid reasons for cancelling plans and kicking back at home. However, if the hermitting goes on for too long, it can tamper with your mental balance. So, even if it seems like an effort, make a plan to go out at least once a week. Sign up for some fun classes. Do some window shopping. Getting out once in a while will keep

your mind refreshed, and the endorphins flowing.

your hair will ground you and keep your self esteem up.

Dress up

Watch the TV-watching

Another thing you need to do for your own sanity, is to take care of your own appearance. This is where the lessons from bygone times hold true; come hell or high water, they’d make a ritual out of grooming. You don’t have to do it for anyone else, and it’s not about dressing to the nines all the time (although, if that’s your thing, go you!). Something as simple as throwing on a clean, freshly ironed shirt and running a comb through

Ever look at your parents zoned out in front of the television all day? Yeah, that can happen to you too. While no one’s saying a good binge-session is verboten, with no one else to keep you in check, you need to set yourself some limits, otherwise it’s all too easy to get addicted and let everything else slide. Make sure you restrict your viewing enough to leave room for chores, sleep, and a social life.

Don’t leave it till it’s too late

If there’s a big disadvantage to living alone – apart from safety concerns – it’s that you have only yourself to depend on for keeping tabs on maintenance. What this means is, if there’s a leak somewhere, or a short-circuit, no one’s going to fix it unless you get it done. And it’s better to get it done as soon as possible, because often a little problem, such as a leaky pipe, can snowball into a nightmare if left aside too long.

Eat right

Another habit to let slide when you’re flying solo, is to cook for yourself. Why bother setting a table and going through the motions of cooking for one? Because your health matters. While some days might just be so hectic that you barely have the energy to cut yourself a slice of that pizza you ordered, don’t make a lifestyle of it. Taking time to create a fresh home-cooked meal for yourself is not only the responsible thing to do, it can do wonders for your health and mental well-being. Treat it as an adventure; try out new recipes to make it exciting, but do be a grown-up and try to put in a proper sit-down meal at least a couple of days a week. l

Feature

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Dialogues on decency We need to stop policing girls’ bodies

n Shuprova Tasneem Recently, blogger Jesmin Chowdhury made waves on the Internet by writing on womenchapter.com about how her ex-husband had suddenly knocked her to express concerns about their daughter posting pictures on Facebook wearing ‘inappropriate clothing’. Using the typical excuse of ‘what will people say?’, the concerned father cited friends and family who had all commented on the indecency. While prolonged discussions on the clothing of women, young or old, is a norm in most places, the welcome change in this case was the mother’s impassioned defense of her daughter. Throughout the blog, she asks people to consider the traits that actually make a human being who they are – their compassion, kindness and strength, among other things – and asks a valid question that all young girls who have received such criticism in their lifetimes have been burning to ask: “what sort of adult uses their valuable time to stalk young girls and judge their character based on their clothes?”

Policing girls’ bodies

Policing what girls wear is an age-old tradition in our society. Many parents will do it out of very real worries of their children’s safety, because we know all too well the harassment that women continue to face in public places in our country. All you need is one slip of the orna and there will be countless roadside Romeos, young and old, willing to comment on your appearance, press up against your body using the crowds on the road as an excuse, and much, much worse. However, as has been proven time and again, a culture of impunity means women will continue to be assaulted regardless of what they wear. And while physical assault is a constant terror for girls in our country, the psychological assault of others constantly debating your morality using your body as their battle ground is one that we gloss over all too often. Starting from inquisitive neighbours to overly-concerned family members, everyone has an opinion on what is ‘decent’. In some places it will be that kameez that is a bit too low-cut or that pair of jeans that is a bit too tight. In others, even a traditional sari can be considered vulgar, or that bit of hair sticking out from under your scarf might mean you’re not the good girl you pretend to be. And in too many families, instead of worrying about raising strong, confident and compassionate daughters, too many parents will worry about what people think of how their daughters dress, who they talk to and how their actions reflect upon the families’ good names in society.

Taboos are not traditions

However, more and more guardians are now starting to question these social norms of ‘decency’, and calling out those who feel the need to map out the honour of a family on the articles of clothing of its female members. In a video that went viral recently, Bollywood acting legend Amitabh Bacchan read out a touching letter to his young granddaughters, asking them to live their lives the way they want to, and not the way others envisage it for them. As he succintly puts it, “don’t ever let anyone tell you that the length of your skirt is a measure of your character.” Given that it is usually the older generation who decide on the taboos and so-called traditions that police what women wear, this video going viral is

a welcome change that hopefully shows a shift in how the ‘elders’ think. In our culture, it can often be very difficult to disagree with the older generation, simply because we are meant to always show respect to our elders. And often it is even more difficult to disagree when ageold traditions that go back centuries are cited as the reason for opposing greater freedom in women’s choices and lifestyles. But while there are countless beautiful traditions that are a part of our culture and will always be, the varying levels of the tradition of purdah is something that feminists in Bengal have campaigned against for ages, and is one that we simply must let go of.

Bodies, not markers of morality But why make such a fuss over clothing, when there are so many battles to be fought on behalf of women? Because you might not realise it, but something as simple as waking up, wearing whatever you want and walking out the door is something that most girls have to think twice about, regardless of their social status. Because all too often, they let so many regular, everyday decisions be influenced and controlled by what others will say that it becomes a habit to not dress how they want to, behave how they want to and say what they want to. Every time you ask your daughters to dress according to others’ definitions of what is decent, you chip away at their free will, and you tell them what’s outside is more important than what is inside. Every time you ask them ‘what will people say?’, you tell them that their voices are not important, and you, instead of loving her, end up silencing her. And in doing so, you contribute to a culture of shame that teaches girls that if they are being insulted, stalked or even abused, it’s their fault for not conforming to society’s standards of morality, and they have no right to stand up against its judgment. l

Illustration: Bigstock

Feature

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Recognising best practices officials from various NGOs, the RMG sector, government sector, trade bodies, the Netherlands Embassy, and media representatives were present at the event. Meher Afroze Chumki, in her speech, said that the government is putting adequate emphasis on improving the health standards of women and children in the country. “This event will also play a major role in sensitising a large segment of our population towards the important role of sexual and reproductive health rights and how inclusive businesses can change so many lives while bring in profits for the organisations,” she added. Faruque Hassan, present as the special guest, pointed out that the RMG sector in Bangladesh contributes a significant portion of annual export revenues, nearly 80% of the country’s total. An estimated 4,000 factories currently employ some 4 million workers. In fact, Bangladesh’s

One year celebrations of inclusive business models in the RMG sector

n Features Desk

he RMG industry, a mainstay of the Bangladesh economy, employs about 3.5 million female workers who often suffer from health issues such as malnutrition, communicable diseases and pregnancy complications. Incorrect use of family planning materials, reproductive infections and diseases not only have dire consequences on women’s lives but also negatively impact the productivity of the RMG industry. These female garment workers suffer greatly due to the lack of available, affordable, and accessible products. SNV Netherlands Development Organisation is a not-for-profit capacity building international development organisation, founded in the Netherlands in 1965. With support from the Dutch Embassy, SNV Bangladesh is implementing a project on “Promoting sexual reproductive health rights (SRHR) through inclusive business practices within ready made garment (RMG) industry in Bangladesh”. To achieve this, SNV’s project is working with 19 factories and selected 10 SRHR service providers and private sector partners to pilot and test activities that deliver win-win solutions for businesses and workers. In the process, the project also ensures workers’ right to information and quality

services. The quality and success of SRHR programmes are dependent on having the right people deliver the right services in the most appropriate way. Within this project, SNV aims to build demand and supply mechanisms that support female workers’ access to convenient, genderfriendly, affordable and quality SRHR products and services within or near factories. This will be achieved and sustained by leveraging its expertise in inclusive business models. The approach shifts away from traditional awareness and capacity building programmes targeted only at workers and actively engages the private sector. The investments thus ensure better health conditions for the female workers – a crucial social responsibility as well as a path to business success. On Thursday, September 22, 2016, the Working with Women Project of SNV Netherlands Development Organization hosted an event at the Ikebana hall of Lakeshore Hotel to recognise the best practices of the RMG factories that are implementing Inclusive Business (IB) models. Awards were presented to implementing factories under three categories – SRHR enthusiastic practices, SRHR responsible investment, and SRHR progressive practices. The winners for each category were - Millennium Textiles (Southern)

This event will also play a major role in sensitising a large segment of our population towards the important role of sexual and reproductive health rights and how inclusive businesses can change so many lives while bring in profits for the organisations

Ltd for SRHR enthusiastic involvement, Comfit Composite Knit Limited for SRHR responsible investment and Northern Corporation Limited for SRHR progressive practices. State Minister for the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, Meher Afroze Chumki, was present as chief guest. Miah Abdullah Mamun, additional secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, and Faruque Hassan, senior vice president, BGMEA were present as special guests, while the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands’ ambassador, Her Excellency Leoni Margaretha Cuelenaere was present as the guest of honour. SNV’s communication advisor, Asif Kamal, conducted the entire programme. Among others,

RMG industry is the largest source of employment for disadvantaged and rural women aged 14 to 35. Leoni Margaretha Cuelenaere said, “ I believe SNV has the right opportune to build sustainable initiatives in SRHR practices, towards creating champions in ‘responsible business’ and thus leading to an environment of better image, growth, and markets.” She also said, “The project with SNV is intended mainly towards creating an enabling environment where garment businesses prosper to become responsible-businesses.” Farhtheeba Rahat Khan, Team Leader, Working with Women project, concluded the event with a vote of thanks. To learn more, visit www.snvworkingwithwomen.org. l

Biz Info

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

| training |

Code of Conduct from LGED

Chief engineer of LGED, Shyama Prosad Adhikari, additional chief engineer (planning and design) of LGED, Md Khalilur Rahman, project director of BAIDP Md Jasim Uddin, director and representative of UNOPS Francoise Jacob and director of Economic Growth Office, USAID, Matt Curtis, at the official launch.

USAID Bangladesh and the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) of the Government of Bangladesh are implementing the Bangladesh Agricultural Infrastructure Development Program (BAIDP) that aims to improve food security in the country through the construction of agricultural infrastructure. USAID Bangladesh has partnered with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to provide technical assistance to LGED in line with

its Capacity Development Plan (CDP), aimed at upgrading LGED’s operational capacities and performance to meet international standards. One of the goals of the CDP is to improve staff awareness on the organisation’s Code of Conduct in order to improve transparency and accountability, encourage prevention and detection of fraud, and promote segregation of duties, ethics and integrity paving the way to establish good governance within LGED. In

partnership with UNOPS, the CDP Implementation Committee, set up by the LGED Chief Engineer, has developed an E-Module on the Code of Conduct, demonstrating LGED’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct at all times. “It is my belief that this e-module will help to ensure good governance in every level of LGED,” said Shyama Prosad Adhikari, LGED Chief Engineer, and further states that “it is part of the commitment of LGED staff to the

people from all levels.” The launch of the E-Module is one step in a long process that will combat corruption or malpractice. LGED and its leadership remain committed to pursuing this drive to improve transparency and accountability. As key development partners in the country, both USAID and UNOPS are committed to supporting LGED and the Government of Bangladesh in moving forward with the agenda of transparency and accountability. The E-Module is an online self-

paced computer aided learning course for LGED staff to understand the values and principles of the Code of Conduct and of the National Integrity System, to know and recognise the rules that apply to Civil Servants, and be familiar with the key themes of the Code of Ethics for Public Procurement. To complement the E-Module, LGED will circulate a compendium of related materials on the Code of Conduct as legal references. The aim is to widen the understanding of the Government’s mandate to uphold the Code of Conduct and integrity among civil servants. The E-Module is targeted at all LGED staff in all units and projects, across various positions and levels including support staff. The 15,000 strong staff of the LGED will therefore be trained on the Code of Conduct via this novel E-Module system, inclusive of video and audio material. This is the first such online training programme launched in Bangladesh on the topic of transparency for a Government institution. It is also aligned with the 16th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), in particular SDG 16.6 which focuses on “building effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.” The initiative is also anchored with the country’s “Digital Bangladesh Vision 2021” that emphasises the use of information technology and innovation. The E-Module was presented during its official launch on Monday, September 26, 2016 at the LGED. Participants include high-level representatives of the Government of Bangladesh, LGED, USAID and UNOPS. l

| appointment |

Dalton Zahir new head of sales and marketing for BRAC Services Ltd Mohammad Zahirul Islam, also known as Dalton Zahir, has recently been appointed as the head of Sales and Marketing of BRAC Services Ltd (BSL), said the management in a statement. Prior to the appointment, Dalton had been serving Rose View Hotel, Sylhet until August 2016. He has 16 years of experience in hospitality,

tourism, public relations, media communications, branding, sales, marketing and operations. He has also worked for Grand Sultan Tea Resort and Golf, Ocean Paradise, Lakeshore Hotel, Motorola Mobile, Apple Computer, Philips Mobile and Fujifilm Digital Camera Distribution for Bangladesh. Dalton, curious about the tourism and hospitality sector, has

been working to explore tourism potentials focusing on beautiful Bangladesh and its different cultures and cuisines. A travel loving personality, Dalton has visited UK, Germany, South Korea, Singapore, Poland, Denmark, Austria, Czech Republic, Malaysia, India, Nepal, Myanmar, China and UAE. He has also participated in various events like India’s largest

travel tourism fair, ITB Berlin (the world’s largest travel tourism fair in Germany), WTM London (the best world travel market) and photo competitions in USA, Germany and France. He is also a member of the Photographic Society of America.l

20 Editorial

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

TODAY

Clinton clobbers Trump in first debate She had no idea which Donald Trump would show up at the debate -- the obnoxious, foul-mouthed Trump, or the misogynistic bully Trump, or the deferential, statesman-like Trump that showed up in Mexico City PAGE 21

Fizz and fun The English tour should change the mind of Australia, who postponed their Test tour of Bangladesh in October 2015 over security concerns. Cricket roars on. Kudos to our Tigers PAGE 22

BIGSTOCK

For a better RMG sector

A website you may not have heard about One reason why government officials harass businesses and treat them in a discretionary fashion is their monopoly on information. A government website that regularly updates information dilutes that discretionary power PAGE 23

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.

he Better Work Program launched by the International Labour Organisation and the International Finance Corporation has the right idea about improving competitiveness in the RMG industry. However, there are caveats that need to be addressed. The program has already succeeded in registering 98 garment factories under its fold. If all goes as planned, 95% of RMG owners are set to join the program. Ever since the Rana Plaza disaster in 2013, which claimed the lives of 1,129 people and injured thousands more, the Bangladeshi garments industry has been under scrutiny to improve conditions for its workers. Such a tragedy cannot be allowed to happen again. It is, of course, a step forward to ensure social compliance and greater worker rights. The standards outlined by the program can help with all these things, thereby improve the industry’s image to the world, and make sure that our labour force is safe and satisfied at their respective places of work. While the Better Work Program aims to uphold workers’ rights and improve standards everywhere, it does not benefit the RMG industry to be constantly pressured by international bodies regarding terms and conditions. While it is fine for the ILO and IFC to set out compliance standards which factories should aim for, it must be up to the Bangladeshi factory owners to meet the standards on their own, without policing and interference from outside the country. It is the pressure from buyers as well as from inside Bangladesh that will ensure that the RMG industry meets the required standards. Subjecting the industry to additional intrusive outside pressure from supra-national bodies would be neither appropriate nor productive. It is in the interest of Bangladesh to improve the image of our RMG sector, and we are well on our way to making all the necessary changes.

It must be up to the Bangladeshi factory owners to meet the standards on their own, without policing and interference from outside the country

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

LETTER FROM AMERICA

Clinton clobbers Trump in first debate There was a clear winner

n Fakhruddin Ahmed

oing into her first debate with Donald Trump on September 26, Hillary Clinton needed all the help she could get. The latest polls showed her tied with Trump nationally, and more ominously for her, she also tied in state polls in the battleground states of Pennsylvania and Nevada, where she had enjoyed double-digit leads just six weeks ago. As she prepared for the debate, she had no idea which Donald Trump would show up at the debate -- the obnoxious, foul-mouthed Trump, or the misogynistic bully Trump, or the deferential, statesman-like Trump that showed up in Mexico City. She prepared for all three versions of Trump. Hillary need not have bothered. The real Trump showed up at the debate. An unprepared, boorish, and continuously interrupting Trump was more interested in defending himself than in articulating a clear vision for America. Looking like a sedated zombie, Trump interrupted Hillary 51 times during the 98-minute debate, constantly made clownish facial gestures, and was woefully unprepared to answer foreign policy and national security questions. He perfectly fit the bill of the caricature the Clinton campaign had made of him. Hillary ate him alive. A CNN poll of the likely voters taken after the debate found that 62% of the viewers thought that Hillary Clinton had won the debate; only 27% thought Donald Trump had won. For the first 20 to 30 minutes Trump performed well. He lambasted unfair trade deals, and promised to punish companies that relocated their factories to foreign countries, taking American jobs. As is his wont, he talked in generalities. When the moderator began asking specific questions, Trump began floundering. He did not answer many questions; and often retreated into his comfort zone, and repeated what he had said earlier. Every time Hillary tried to get under Trump’s skin, Trump took the bait. Trump criticised Hillary for taking time off from the campaign trail to prepare for the debate. Hillary’s response was that she did prepare for the

After the debate, only one person was left laughing

REUTERS

She had no idea which Donald Trump would show up at the debate -- the obnoxious, foul-mouthed Trump, or the misogynistic bully Trump, or the deferential, statesman-like Trump that showed up in Mexico City. She prepared for all three versions of Trump debate thoroughly, just as she is preparing thoroughly to assume the presidency of the US. One expected Trump to go after Hillary for her email scandal and the Benghazi fiasco. He did so only half-heartedly. Hillary, on the other hand, blasted Trump for not releasing his tax return, reminding Americans that perhaps he is hiding the fact that he has paid no taxes to finance the nation’s schools, infrastructure, and the military, among others. Trump’s bizarre answer was that if he had paid taxes, the government would have wasted the money. Hillary criticised Trump for peddling the Birther lie that President Obama was not born in the US, for five years. Once again, Trump falsely blamed the lie on Hillary Clinton’s 2007 campaign, and took credit for forcing President Obama to show his birth

certificate. Trump again claimed that he had opposed the Iraq war, although in an interview with Howard Stern of Sirius radio in 2002, he had said that he supported it. The moderator, Lester Holt, called him out on it. Finally, Clinton took Trump to task for saying that she lacked the “look and stamina” to be president. Hillary reminded America that it was because of her stamina that she could visit over 120 countries as the secretary of state, and withstand 11 hours of hostile Republican questioning at the House Benghazi hearings last October. Hillary Clinton also reminded the Americans of the derogatory comments Trump had made about women throughout his life. Inexplicably, Trump went on a tirade about actress Rosie O’Donnell at the end of the debate

to end on a low note. Nearly 100 million Americans watched the debate. Although it has been universally acclaimed that Hillary Clinton won the debate in a landslide, it is less clear if Hillary’s superb performance in the debate will move the needle in the polls. Experts have been confounded by the Trump phenomenon. Regardless of the outrageous things he does or says, his supporters never desert him. Hillary’s brilliant debate performance will certainly solidify her support. Whether she can attract new supporters is an open question. However, it defies logic to think that a stellar performance in the presidential debate, with the whole nation watching, will go unrewarded. l Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed is a Rhodes Scholar.

Opinion

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Fizz and fun Let’s welcome the English

There’s only one question on everyone’s mind: Will Fizz play?

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

n Nadeem Qadir

t is with great expectations that Bangladesh is waiting to give a warm welcome to the English cricket team in October, which will take place with the Fizz, fun, and fears after the terror attacks. At one point, the tour was uncertain, but thanks to our security agencies and our very active Nazmul Hasan Papon, the Bangladesh Cricket Board chief, England has finally agreed. I told the English media here: “Please do not bow down to terrorism by cancelling the tour. Stand up against such terror with Bangladesh which is fighting all out to weed-out these extremist elements.” As I sit in my office in London, I took the opportunity to invite journos going to Bangladesh to cover the tour. Two issues dominate the tour: Will Mustafizur Rahman play? And: Is there a threat of a terrorist attack? Fizz’s bowling is apparently a cause of fear for the visitors. Asked how the clash would go, David Charlesworth of the Press Association told me that it would be very competitive. “Mustafiz may join the onedayers, and that might not be easy

The English tour should change the mind of Australia, who postponed their Test tour of Bangladesh in October 2015 over security concerns. Cricket roars on. Kudos to our Tigers

for the English team, as they are not very good in facing bowling styles like that of Mustafiz,” he added. It was the same with the others. It is all about Fizz and the question remains if he will play in any of the matches with England, who were defeated by Bangladesh in the World Cup. Fizz is a source of pride. When veteran cricket reporters talk about Fizz and look at him with fear, one can’t help but feel elated. Who else do they think is a threat to their team? The answer has been Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe bin Mortaza. Cricket is now the greatest ambassador for Bangladesh and something that it carries with pride. “Your cricket is coming up very

good,” said Richard Hobson of The Times. The British media and team feel that it will be a lot fun and challenging for both the teams, and of course, the cricket fans who are waiting eagerly. Coming to the security issue, the English Cricket Board (ECB) carried out a security review in Bangladesh and left it open to the players if they wanted to go or not. ECB cricket director Andrew Strauss said: “The safety and security of players and management are always paramount.” He added: “We’ve received a thorough risk assessment, had excellent insight into the current situation, and have been fully briefed on security commitments. We discussed details with the

players and management in an open meeting. They asked lots of questions, have time to ask more, and will clearly want to take it all in -- we understand that.” England limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan said no players would be forced to tour Bangladesh. Strauss said the ECB will “continue to monitor the situation right up to and throughout the tour.” David of the Press Associtaion said the fear of terror attack remains, but it was important for Bangladesh and cricket as a whole to ensure the success of the tour. He agreed that none should bow down to terrorism. As I wrote earlier, visiting Paris, I had been fearful, but we must abandon that kind of thinking. We must also go on briefing about our security measures as

well as understand the concerns of the visitors. We must ensure that BCB is given all the security that it needs, so that no one fears for their live. Will Macpherson of the Guardian newspaper agreed as I explained how our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed a “zerotolerance” policy for terrorism, and mentioned the recent police action taken to uproot homegrown terrorists. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s advice is that “there is a heightened threat of further terrorist attacks” in Bangladesh, although a similar threat level applies to many European cities, including London. England will play two Tests and three ODIs between October 7 and November 1. The matches will take place in Dhaka and Chittagong. The English tour should change the mind of Australia, who postponed their Test tour of Bangladesh in October 2015 over security concerns. Cricket roars on. Kudos to our Tigers! l Nadeem Qadir, a senior journalist, is a UNCA Dag Hammarskjold Scholar in journalism. He is the Press Minister of Bangladesh High Commission in London.

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

A website you may not have heard about Digitisation of gazettes can make a world of difference

Information is just one click away

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

One reason why government officials harass businesses and treat them in a discretionary fashion is their monopoly on information. A government website that regularly updates information dilutes that discretionary power

n Akhtar Mahmood

here is a nondescript building on Tejgaon road that you may have hardly noticed. Perhaps, in a fleeting moment, you have noticed the signboard with the words “Bangladesh Government Press” and wondered what this is all about. Some of you may know about this little-known, but important, government office but have surely never bothered to visit its website. Yet, if you did, you will notice something remarkable. I’ll come to that in a moment. But, first, what does the BG Press do? Every week, the government issues gazette notifications. New laws, regulations and decrees, or amendments to these, need to be gazetted in order to become effective. Gazettes cover many

other things, such as budgets, appointments and transfers of government officials, changes in customs duties and formation of cabinets. It is in the Bangladesh Government Press that the gazettes are printed and then made available to the public for a small price. Several years ago, when I was working for an international development organisation in Dhaka, the government decided to put new gazettes online and instructed the Bangladesh Government Press to implement this through its website. The gazettes were already being prepared electronically using word processing software. Hence, it was a logical next step to put the documents on the internet. At this stage, we got involved in a discussion with the government on what to do with past gazette notices. We were working on how

to create a conducive investment climate in Bangladesh and, as part of this, we wanted to see if government documents that are relevant for businesses could be made easily available to them. Gazettes fall in this category because these contain information on laws, regulations, decrees, tax rates, etc that businesses needed easy access to. We came to know that about 10,000 gazettes have been issued since independence and most of these were in bound volumes in the archive of the Bangladesh Government Press. Later, several additional copies of gazettes were found in a government warehouse. There were also copies of some in the Ministry of Law. Altogether, almost 95% of all gazettes issued since independence was traced. A few small scanning machines were provided to the BG Press, along with a small team who

painstakingly unbound the bound journals, took each individual gazette document, and scanned them. The journals were diligently rebound so that BG Press’s archival collection was not tampered with in any way. Another team catalogued the gazette notices. The process took about a year, but was not that expensive. The end result is something that is not short of a national asset -- a digitised collection of most gazettes issued since independence. These gazettes have been preserved on the website of the Bangladesh Government Press at http://www. dpp.gov.bd/bgpress/index.php/ document/gazettes/140. Digitising the stock of gazettes issued since independence is a remarkable act. But that is not the end of the story. Ever since the practice started almost a decade ago, the BG Press has diligently published each week’s gazette notices on its website without fail. Not only the stock, but the flow is being archived. Given that government websites are notorious for lack of updating, this consistency on the part of a small office within the government is all the more praiseworthy. This rich treasure trove of information is useful for many reasons. Take the case of businesses that need to be aware of policy changes and be in

compliance with government rules and regulations. Easily available information makes life easier for businesses and more predictable. One reason why government officials harass businesses and treat them in a discretionary fashion is their monopoly on information. A government website that regularly updates information dilutes that discretionary power, although it does not completely eliminate it. Of course, not all policy and regulatory information is gazetted and covered by the BG Press. Thus, it is important to replicate BG Press’s good practices to other parts of the government. The BG Press website does not contain the famous district gazetteers. These invaluable documents, the production of which was a regular feature during the British era, contain precious information of interest to historians, anthropologists, sociologists, and students of government. These cover a wide range of topics related to a district -- geography, economy, and demography -- and bring out many aspects of the society and culture of those times, some of which remain valid even decades later. These documents can be a fascinating reading for ordinary citizens as well for those who seek to chart the future of the country in the light of history. Many of these gazetteers are still available. One just needs to take the trouble of scanning and cataloging these, and putting them on the internet. As the experience with the digitisation of gazettes showed, such exercises do not require huge resources. What is needed is an appreciation of the value of archives and the power of information. And the patience and diligence of a few people. Next time you pass through Tejgaon, take a moment to notice the offices of the BG Press. For, inside the walls of these unassuming buildings, lie important ingredients of our historical legacy. And, by being a vanguard in the digitisation and online dissemination of government documents, the Bangladesh Government Press has shown that it is as much an institution of the future as a guardian of the past. It’s most likely that you will not have time to stop and visit the BG Press office. But its unique website is just a click away. l Akhtar Mahmood works for an international development agency.

24 Sport

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

TOP STORIES

The Afghan who learned on his own The Afghanistan team have three leg-spinners in the squad for the Bangladesh ODIs. Probably the best among the lot is Rashid Khan, who has already impressed with his accurate bowling, especially his googly. PAGE 25

Bangladesh outclass Oman 10-0

Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha gives catching practice to Imrul Kayes in Mirpur’s SBNS yesterday

Ctg Abahani return to winning ways Chittagong Abahani returned to winning ways in the Bangladesh PPL when they edged Feni Soccer Club 1-0 at Sylhet District Stadium. The rising powerhouse missed a host of chances to extend their lead. PAGE 27

Big Sam in big trouble after sting Sam Allardyce is set for crisis talks with the Football Association yesterday as the England manager fights to save his job after being caught in a newspaper sting. Allardyce gave advice on how to circumnavigate transfer rules. PAGE 28

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Mashrafe targets series win, improved display n Mazhar Uddin Bangladesh are on the verge of their 100th ODI win when they face Afghanistan in the second ODI in Mirpur today and according to the Tigers limited-over skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza, his side will look to achieve the feat and ensure the series. Mashrafe, who has already become the most successful Bangladesh captain leaving behind Habibul Bashar with 31 wins, also credited his teammates for the personal achievement. “The second match is vital. In fact, all the games are important for us but if we can win the second game, we will ensure the series. So from that context, the next game is crucial for us. There would have been someone else if

I was not the captain. Obviously, it’s a great achievement for Bangladesh and we will try to ensure that in the second game. But for that to happen, we have to play good cricket,” Mashrafe told the media yesterday.

from the Bangladesh team, especially ground fielding, as the fielders missed quite a few catches. Mashrafe said they would be looking to rectify their mistakes in the rest of the three-match ODI series. Tigers opening batsman

The second match is vital. In fact, all the games are important for us but if we can win the second game, we will ensure the series. So from that context, the next game is crucial for us The 32-year old believes there will always be pressure playing against a lower-ranked side. However, he informed that after winning the first ODI, things would get better in the coming days. There were quite a few errors

Soumya Sarkar once again failed with the bat and has been going through a lean patch since last year. He failed in the first ODI as well, having been dismissed without troubling the scorers. Mashrafe though thinks it is

only a matter of time before the 23-year old comes good again. Taskin Ahmed, Rubel Hossain and Shakib al Hasan all shone brightly in the first ODI, registering impressive death over bowling. Mashrafe also bowled superbly when his side needed him the most, bagging 2/42 from his quota of 10 overs and marshalled his troop brilliantly. When queried to share his thoughts on his first ODI display, Mashrafe said, “Actually, I don’t think in a complicated way as I always try to do my job, which is bowling and taking decisions on the field. These two are my main focus in the game and I try to do one thing at a time as I developed it as my habit. Having led the team for the last two years or so, I’m now more relaxed than before.” l

Sport

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

The Afghan leggie who learned on his own The visiting Afghanistan team have three leg-spinners in the squad for the Bangladesh ODIs. Probably the best among the lot is the 18-year old Rashid Khan, who has already impressed everyone with his accurate bowling, especially his googly. He picked up the wickets of Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim and Sabbir Rahman, both with his googly, during the first ODI in Mirpur on Sunday. He bowled superbly, conceding only 37 runs from his quota of 10 overs. The cricketer, hailing from Nangarhar province in Afghanistan, made his ODI debut even before featuring for the Under-19s in the U-19 World Cup earlier this year in Bangladesh and lists Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi as his inspiration. Mazhar Uddin of Dhaka Tribune Sport spoke with the cricketer to find out about his journey in international cricket and also his future plans. Here are the excerpts:

How did you get into age-level cricket? What was the process?

When I started playing cricket in Afghanistan, first I played domestic in Grade 1 and 2. And after playing that, I got into the A team. After performing there, I got selected for the U-19 World Cup side. And after performing there, I directly went to the national side.

What were the facilities like when you were growing up?

Basically I am from Nangarhar. Before, we had no facilities as we have today as we play too many games nowadays. We had a few local academies where we used to play and learn cricket. But now, Masha Allah, there are lots of academies. We have four-five grounds where we play matches, even international games as well. But still, we have to improve our cricket. We

have a lot of work to do and build more grounds for cricket.

from Nangarhar and also from the whole country. People are so keen to watch cricket and they are so loveable with the players.

Who inspired you to bowl leg-spin?

I just saw Shahid Afridi on TV and learned from there as I like the way he bowls. Still, I am trying to develop a few other deliveries and working a lot. Hopefully when I meet him (Afridi), I will learn more from him.

Are you the only one who plays cricket in your family?

Yeah, I am the only one who plays cricket professionally. But my brothers also play with the tennis ball. All players in our country start with the tennis ball and then with the cricket ball. I am number six among our seven brothers.

Have you spoken to any legspinner?

So far I have only spoken with the Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla when we had a camp in India. I spoke to him and learned from him. He just told me, “Your everything is ok, just try to bowl a little bit slower”.

You like batting as well. Can we call you an all-rounder?

Actually when I started playing cricket, I was a batsman as I used to open, bat at one down or two down position. But later, when I started bowling leg-spin, still I could bat well. But my team needs my bowling, also my batting, so whenever they give the chance, hopefully I will try to give my best.

You were quite young when you made your international debut. How was the experience?

It was a huge surprise for me as they called me for the national side. I went to Zimbabwe and played against them. I talked with all the coaches, (including) our U-19 coach Dawlat Ahmazi, before leaving for Zimbabwe. And he just told me, “Keep yourself calm and play your cricket. Just go there and play positive”. I just did the same.

You have already played quite a few international matches. For a leg-spinner, obviously there is room for you to play T20 cricket. Are you interested in T20 cricket as there are a lot of T20 leagues all over the world?

Yes, you know my bowling is especially (made) for the T20s as I bowl a bit quicker. Hopefully, first I am trying to play for my country and then if I get an opportunity to play in any league, I am ready for that.

There are lots of talks regarding giving the Test status to

Afghanistan possess a lot of senior players in their ranks, for instance Mohammad Nabi who used to be the captain. Who is your favourite player in the team?

Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan warms up during training in Mirpur yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Afghanistan and Ireland. Do you dream of playing Test cricket?

Yeah, it’s the dream of every boy in our team to play Test cricket against Test nations. So we are working hard for it. The [Afghanistan Cricket] board is trying and we are getting a lot of facilities to play Test cricket. So hopefully we will

play Test cricket soon.

What does your family say when you go back home?

They are now feeling so proud for me for the way I performed in the U-19 World Cup and then the Zimbabwe series. So they are proud of me. And I am getting so much love

The senior players, especially [Mohammad] Shahzad, Asghar Stanikzai and Mohammad Nabi, they really supported me throughout my career. You know, when I came to the national side, they really supported me in every (aspect), whether it’s fielding, bowling or batting. My favourite player is Mohammad Nabi and I like his batting and watching him play.

What about Shahzad? Does he bother you in the dressing room as he is a funny character?

Yeah, he is always a funny person as he bothers all the players, not only me. But it feels great to be with him. He is a great person as we all enjoy his presence. l

BPL sides ready for players’ draft n Tribune Report With the players’ draft of the fourth edition of the Bangladesh Premier League set to be held this Friday, the seven franchises are almost done recruiting their foreign cricketers. Following hardcore negotiations and tug-of-war, the franchises have submitted their foreign collections for the season. The BPL governing council till yesterday had set no limit on the foreign signings but it is likely that there will have to be at least three foreign recruits in each team. The BPL GC has confirmed that 156 local cricketers have been divided into four groups - A, B, C and D – for the players’ draft. The draft will

feature 168 foreign cricketers. Dhaka Dynamites, who had finished fourth last season, are making the most noise as far as signing the popular names in world cricket is concerned. It is understood that Dhaka have penned down contracts with Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardane, Ravi Bopara and Andre Russell. It is also being said the side have roped in Kevin Pietersen for the season. Defending champions Comilla Victorians had a change in coach with former Bangladesh women’s head coach Mizanur Rahman Babul taking charge, replacing Mohammad Salauddin. The side have confirmed Marlon Samuels,

Ashar Zaidi and Nuwan Kulasekara. Having finished last in the previous season, Chittagong Vikings have shown courageous moves this time around. The side had a full management change from the last season with Salauddin moving in with his own set of management. The side are understood to have signed Chris Gayle for the last five matches of the upcoming season. Chittagong have also signed Shoaib Malik along with Dwayne Smith and Chaturanga de Silva. According to sources, the side recruited Chaturanga right after his fiery performance in the last season of the Dhaka Premier League for Victoria Sporting Club.

Meanwhile, Rangpur Riders, who had an ownership change due to financial crisis, have confirmed Shahid Afridi and Ryan McLaren alongside a few others. The two new franchises, Khulna Titans and Rajshahi, are also in the race despite coming in late, just two days before the end of the Eid-ul-Adha vacation. According to sources, Rajshahi, who are looking to stick to their old name Duronto Rajshahi, have signed Darren Sammy, who is likely to lead the team. Meanwhile, Khulna are said to have signed five cricketers already before even going into the draft with the likes of Kevon Cooper and Nicholas Pooran propping

up the squad. In the meantime, this year’s players’ draft will not have the Icon category. The seven icons for the season – Shakib al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mashrafe bin Mortaza, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman and Soumya Sarkar – will get the open floor to choose their side for the season. The BPL GC had set prices for the icons with Shakib leading the list with Tk55 lacs and going to Dhaka. Mashrafe and Tamim remained with their last season’s teams Comilla and Chittagong respectively. Mahmudullah went to Khulna, Mushfiqur to Barisal, Sabbir to Rajshahi and Soumya to Rangpur. l

Sport

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

BOYS UNDER-18 ASIA CUP HOCKEY

Bangladesh outclass Oman 10-0 n Shishir Hoque

A Bangladesh player celebrates following their 10-0 thrashing over Oman in the Under-18 Asia Cup Hockey in the capital yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Bangladesh handed Oman a massive 10-0 defeat to register their second successive victory in the fourth edition of the Boys’ U-18 Asia Cup Hockey at Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium yesterday. Bangladesh finished their Pool A campaign as group champions and will face Chinese Taipei in the last four tomorrow while India and Pakistan will lock horns with each other in the other classification match on the same day. Drag-and-flick specialist Ashraful Islam and Mohammad Mohsin scored three goals apiece to give Bangladesh a comfortable victory while Mahbub Hossain netted two and Arshad Hossain and Fazle Hossain Rabby added one apiece. The home side began the game brightly. Romman Sarkar missed a sitter with only a minute into the clock but it took Bangladesh just four minutes to open the scoring when Mahbub hit home from the edge of the circle following a Naim Uddin cut-back. Arshad doubled the lead three minutes later with a lovely flick fol-

Khulna, Ctg in driving seat n Tribune Report Khulna v Barisal (tier one)

Khulna division is in the driving seat at the end of day three against Barisal division, scoring 424 runs in their first innings in reply to Barisal’s 216 in Khulna’s Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium. At stumps, Barisal trailed by 41 runs with seven wickets remaining. Khulna resumed first innings on 221 runs for the loss of four wickets. The innings got a late push as the middle-order chipped in with some decent runs, led by Mehedi Hasan Miraz’s 73 but it was veteran skipper Abdur Razzak who starred with bat, adding 97 runs to the tally. Golam Kabir and Sohag Gazi bagged three wickets each for Barisal. Later, Barisal batted 46 overs in their second innings and posted 122 runs losing three wickets. Opening batsman Shahriar Nafees chipped in with 72.

Rajshahi v Sylhet (tier two)

After the second day was wasted due to rain, the game between Rajshahi division and Sylhet division had some action in Rajshahi’s Shaheed

Kamruzzaman Stadium. Sylhet pacer Abu Jayed shone brightly as he led the bowling attack, dismissing five Rajshahi batsmen. At the end of day three, Sylhet trailed by 142 runs with five wickets remaining, replying to Rajshahi’s 199 in the first innings. Rajshahi resumed their

18TH NCL, RD 1, DAY 3 BARISAL 261 & 122/3 (Shahriar 72, Nahidul 1/3) trail KHULNA 424 (Razzak 97, Mehedi 73) by 41 runs CHITTAGONG 368 (Noor 40*, Babu 3/73) lead RANGPUR 355 (Tanveer 97, Mishu 5/65) by 164 runs RAJSHAHI 199 (Jayed 5/59, Shahanur 3/19) lead SYLHET 57/5 (Muktar 2/21, Saqlain 2/6) by 142 runs first innings on 94 for 2 but could only take it to 199 before the Sylhet bowlers skittled them out. Jayed ended up with bowling figures of five for 59 in 17 overs. In reply, the Sylhet top-order failed as the side lost five wickets with only 57 runs

on the board. Pacer Muktar Ali and spinner Saqlain Sajib caused the most damage, picking two wickets each.

Rangpur v Chittagong (tier two)

Captain Mominul Haque and opener Mahmudul Karim’s half centuries enabled Chittagong division to a 164run lead with five wickets remaining at the end of day three against Rangpur division at Sylhet Divisional Stadium. Rangpur, replying to Chittagong’s first innings, resumed on 183 runs with five wickets in hand. Dhiman Ghosh made 86 while Tanveer Haider scored 97 to take the score to 355 before losing all of their wickets. Yasir Arafat Mishu led the Chittagong bowling attack with five wickets, followed by Tasamul Haque’s three scalps. Chittagong batted 34 overs in their second innings to post 151 runs losing five wickets. Mominul added an 85-ball 62 while opener Mahmudul posted a 45-ball 56. Rangpur spinner Sohrawardi Shuvo picked up three wickets. l

lowing a Romman pass. Romman was the architect of the next goal in the 16th minute as well as his short pass allowed Mohsin to poke home from a goal-mouth scramble. Two minutes later, Fazle found the back of the net from two yards after Romman raced inside the danger zone and set him up. Last match’s hero Ashraful opened his account in the 22nd minute, converting the game’s first penalty corner. Fazle’s push, Naim’s stop and Ashraful’s powerful shot gave no chance to the Oman goalkeeper. Mohsin netted his second of the day six minutes later with a flick on a Naim reverse. Ashraful scored again from the second penalty corner in the 32nd minute. Oman earned only one penalty corner in the first half and another one early in the second half but Bangladesh netminder Arafat Yeasin made brilliant saves on both the occasions. Mohsin netted his third goal to extend the lead in the 53rd minute, hitting home following a Mahbub shot. Ashraful also got his third nine minutes later. Fazle completed the rout in the 67th minute. l

RESULTS Bangladesh

10-0

Oman

Mahbub 4, Arshad 7, Mohsin 16, 28, 53, Fazle 18, 67, Ashraful 22, 32, 62

Chinese Taipei Pakistan

2-2 14-0

China Hong Kong

SEMI-FINAL LINE-UP Bangladesh v Chinese Taipei India v Pakistan Both matches will be played tomorrow at Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium with the final scheduled for this Friday

WHAT MOHSIN SAID We managed to beat India in the first game and now we have beaten Oman. So far we have done what we wanted to do. Our target is to win the title and we will do our best to achieve our goal. We have a good understanding between us. We played together, created space for each other and they couldn’t mark our players properly. That is why we scored more field goals. We have no fear and pressure. We’ll give our best and try to win.

Sport

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Ctg Abahani return to winning ways n Tribune Report Chittagong Abahani returned to winning ways in the Bangladesh Premier League when they edged past Feni Soccer Club 1-0 at Sylhet District Stadium yesterday. The rising powerhouse missed a number of chances in the opening half that ended goalless before Zahid Hossain netted the all-important goal in the middle of the second half to help the side register their fourth victory in the league. With the victory, Chittagong Abahani moved jointly at third place, along with Muktijoddha, while Soccer Club remained at sixth. Chittagong Abahani terminated their Slovakian head coach Jozef

Pavlik last week after the club managed to earn only one point from their previous two matches, including a defeat against Rahmatganj. Interim coach Zulfiqar Mahmud Mintu led the big budget club yesterday. Haitian striker Leonel Saint

RESULTS Ctg Abahani

1-0

Soccer Club

Zahid 66

Rahmatganj Sohel 21, Cisse 25 Alauddin 58

3-2

BJMC Illiasu 15, 27

Preux squandered three chances in one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper. The first one came in the 23rd minute while Preux squandered another opportunity at the beginning of the second half before firing wide from close range in the 84th minute. National winger Zahid finally gave Chittagong Abahani the deserved lead in the 66th minute following a blunder from the Feni defence. Preux collected a misplaced clearance of Feni but shot wide as it fell onto the feet of Zahid, who made no mistake placing home from inside the box. Meanwhile in the day’s other match at the same venue, Rahmatganj beat Team BJMC 3-2. Samson Illiasu put BJMC ahead

at the quarter-hour mark, slotting home after Sohel Rana’s initial effort deflected off a defender. Sohel Mia scored a spectacular goal to equalise the margin in the 21st minute as his left-footed curled effort from the edge of the box entered into the top right corner. Rahmatganj went ahead four minutes later when Dauda Cisse placed home following a back-heel of Sohel. The delight lasted for two minutes as Illiasu scored his second of the evening with a header on a cross of Rana. It was Illiasu’s seventh goal in the league this season. Alauddin grabbed the all-important goal in the 58th minute to give Rahmatganj three vital points. l

DAY’S WATCH FOOTBALL

TEN 1 12:45PM M’gladbach v Barcelona

TEN 2 12:45PM Atletico v Bayern

TEN 3 12:45PM Arsenal v Basel

Sport

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Atletico, Bayern clash again as City go to Celtic League opposition a decade ago when Shunsuke Nakamura’s superb free-kick saw off Manchester United, but the financial chasm between Scottish football and the Premier League has only widened since then. It is now extremely difficult for Celtic to compete with Europe’s giants, as exemplified by their 7-0 loss in Barcelona last time out, their record European defeat. Celtic may have beaten Kilmarnock 6-1 at the weekend to consolidate their place atop the Scottish Premiership, but City are a daunting prospect. Kevin De Bruyne has joined Vincent Kompany on the sidelines.

Ludogrets Razgrad (BUL) v Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)

It is all even in Group A with PSG squandering a host of chances before having to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Arsenal in their opener while Ludogorets claimed a 1-1 draw away at Basel. PSG are under pressure to get a result after a patchy start to the season including a 2-0 defeat at Toulouse on Friday that left them fourth in Ligue 1. Serge Aurier, who was sent off in that game, is available for selection despite being handed a two-month prison sentence on Monday for assaulting a police officer.

Arsenal (ENG) v Basel (SUI)

Things are looking up for Arsenal after they came from behind to hold PSG in their opener, seemingly putting them in control of the group. The Gunners marked Arsene Wenger’s 20th anniversary as manager by beating Chelsea 3-0 on Saturday, leaving them third in the Premier League and unbeaten in seven games in all competitions. Alexis Sanchez scored his fifth of the season in that game having also netted in Paris. However Arsenal, who lost to Olympiakos in their opening home group game last season, should be wary of Basel. Swiss champions in each of the last seven seasons, they needed a Renato Steffen equaliser to draw with Ludogorets but have a 100 percent domestic record.

Besiktas (TUR) v Dynamo Kiev (UKR)

After on-loan Talisca’s last-gasp equaliser secured a 1-1 draw against his parent club Benfica last time out, Turkish champions Besiktas entertain Dynamo Kiev at their impressive Vodafone Arena in Istanbul. Senol Gunes’ side are unbeat-

Atletico Madrid (ESP) v Bayern Munich (GER)

Manchester City’s Pablo Zabaleta and Sergio Aguero jog with teammates during training yesterday ahead of their Champions League match against Celtic today REUTERS en this season and warmed up for the game by coming from two goals down to draw 2-2 at home to Galatasaray. In what could be a wideopen group, Ukrainian champions Dynamo were beaten at home by Napoli in their opener and had Serhiy Sydorchuk sent off, meaning the midfielder will be suspended for this game.

from Ajax to help replace Gonzalo Higuain. Maurizio Sarri’s side are still unbeaten this season but so are Benfica, who top the Portuguese league after a 2-0 win at Chaves on Saturday. Indeed, the two-time former European Cup winners are unbeaten in 17 games overall since losing to Bayern Munich in the first leg of last season’s quarter-finals.

Napoli (ITA) v Benfica (POR)

Borussia Moenchengladbach (GER) v Barcelona (ESP)

Last season’s Serie A runners-up Napoli underlined their credentials in the group by winning 2-1 in Kiev in their opener thanks to a brace from Polish striker Arkadiusz Milik, who has settled well since signing

Barcelona’s trip to Germany to take on Gladbach will see goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen come up against his hometown team, whom he left in 2014 to move to

Spain. The Catalans are without the injured Lionel Messi and Gladbach will hope to take advantage of that to keep alive their hopes in the group after going down 4-0 at Manchester City last time out. Barcelona, in contrast, trounced Celtic 7-0 at the Camp Nou with Messi netting a hat-trick. In addition to the Argentine, Samuel Umtiti is sidelined for Barca, who were 5-0 winners at Sporting Gijon at the weekend.

Celtic (SCO) v Man City (ENG)

Celtic Park is the venue for the latest Scotland v England showdown. The Hoops last beat Premier

Big Sam in big trouble after newspaper sting n AFP, London Sam Allardyce is set for crisis talks with the Football Association yesterday as the England manager fights to save his job after being caught in a newspaper sting. Allardyce gave advice on how to circumnavigate transfer rules, criticised the FA’s decision to rebuild Wembley and mocked his England predecessor Roy Hodgson while being secretly filmed by Daily Telegraph reporters posing as Far East businessmen. Allardyce, appointed England manager in July on a £3 million-ayear contract, agreed to travel to Singapore and Hong Kong as an ambassador for their fictitious firm for a fee of £400,000 ($519,000, 461,000 euros). Senior FA figures were said to be

stunned by the revelations and the former Sunderland and West Ham manager was seen driving away from his home in Bolton, northwest England, early yesterday morning amid reports he will speak to his employers as they prepare

to launch an immediate probe into the scandal. The FA has asked the Telegraph to provide them with “the full facts in relation to this matter”, leaving Allardyce in danger of being sacked just one game into his reign.

“I got a call related to the issue and I want the facts in the morning and I will look into it - it is not appropriate to pre-judge the issue,” FA chairman Greg Clarke told the Times. “With things like this you have to take a deep breath and have all the facts and hear everything from everyone. “Then you can make a judgement about what to do and that’s what we will do. Natural justice requires us to get to the bottom of these issues before we make any decision.” FA chief executive Martin Glenn, who gave the green light to Allardyce’s appointment after Hodgson quit following England’s humiliating Euro 2016 last 16 defeat against minnows Iceland, is said to have spoken to Allardyce on Monday evening.l

It is a repeat of last season’s semifinal at the Vicente Calderon as Bayern visit Atletico looking for revenge for their defeat in that tie. The Bavarians now have Carlo Ancelotti at the helm, the Italian who coached Real Madrid to their dramatic Champions League final win over Atletico in Lisbon in 2014. The clubs also met in the 1974 final with Bayern prevailing in a replay, but Diego Simeone’s Atletico are formidable in front of their own fans and unbeaten this season so will be hopeful of ending Bayern’s perfect record so far in this campaign.

Rostov (RUS) v PSV Eindhoven (NED)

These two sides both lost on matchday one, with Rostov being thumped 5-0 at Bayern while PSV lost 1-0 at home to Atletico. This will be Rostov’s first ever home game in the group stage and they will be hoping to repeat their 4-1 win against PSV’s Dutch foes Ajax in the play-offs that took them through 5-2 on aggregate. l

Asian elections for FIFA council called off n Reuters, Panaji Asian elections for three seats on the new FIFA Council were called off yesterday after delegates to the Asian Football Confederation’s extraordinary congress in Goa voted down the agenda of the meeting. Forty two of the 44 members who had voting rights at the meeting raised a “No” card when AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa called for the agenda of the meeting to be passed. FIFA banned Saoud Al-Mohannadi, vice-president of the Qatar Football Association, from the election on Sunday because of an ongoing corruption investigation, leaving six candidates. l

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Deeply engrossed (4) 6 Lacking discipline (3) 7 Stop up (4) 9 Tide attaining least height (4) 10 Restrict (5) 11 Tree (5) 12 Kimono sash (3) 14 Looks narrowly (5) 17 Fashions (5) 20 Meshed fabrics (3) 21 Shining (5) 23 Commenced (5) 25 Silent (4) 26 Country (4) 27 Spoil (3) 28 Untidy state (4)

DOWN 1 Haphazard (6) 2 Calm (6) 3 Ribbon (4) 4 Sweet potato (3) 5 Liable (3) 7 Weary (4) 8 Bishop's headdress (5) 10 Scoop up with tongue (3) 13 Shady garden recess (5) 15 Suffer (6) 16 Emphasise (6) 18 Dash (4) 19 Heavenly body (3) 22 Muslim leader (4) 23 Large (3) 24 Joke (3)

Downtime

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 1 represents I so fill I every time the figure 1 appears. You have two letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters go in the missing squares. Some letters of the alphabet may not be used. As you get the letters, fill in the other squares with the same number in the main grid, and the control grid. Check off the list of alphabetical letters as you identify them. ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

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

MONDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

DILBERT

SUDOKU

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Showtime

The BFG: Roald Dahl at 100 nMosabber Rahman Filmmaker Steven Spielberg joined forces with Walt Disney Pictures, for the first time ever, to make The BFG also known as Big Friendly Giant, Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book about a giant that catches dreams for children. This September Dahl turned 100, and it’s a ‘gloriumptious’ (glorious) way to celebrate the beloved writer’s birthday. Big Friendly Giant is especially adorable because of gobblefunk, the gibberish English spoken by him and his nine brothers in Giant Country. Dahl had created 320 words just for The BFG and this year, Oxford University Press honoured him by publishing The Oxford Ronald Dahl Dictionary. While his 50 feet brothers swollop human beans (eat human beings), the 24 feet BFG refuses to be a man-gobbling cannybull (cannibal), and only eats snozzcumbers (a knobbly vegetable). To make up for the harm caused by the giants, he travels to Dream Country every night to catch phizzwizards (good dreams) in glass jars and then blows them through the windows of children’s rooms at the witching hour (the darkest hour of night when everyone is in deep sleep). It’s during this time that BFG hears with his enormous ears, used for listening to the stories of dreams, Sophie’s gentle heartbeats.

Every film originates as a dream, in someone’s mind, which is then somehow captured, mixed, refined, and ultimately projected on the screen. This is true for all art forms. This is true for Walt Disney, Roald Dahl, and Steven Spielberg. Every time we read a book or watch a movie, we witness the manifestation of dreams. Director Steven Spielberg uses many visual metaphors in The BFG to suggest that movies are really made of zozimus (dream molecules). Dahl’s book, The BFG was published in 1982, the same year that Spielberg’s movie E.T. was released. Melissa Mathison, who had written the screenplay of E.T., is back with the screenplay of The BFG. It’s the story of the unlikely friendship between two orphans, a little English girl, and an unlettered giant. The moral of the story is relevant. We must learn to embrace our differences with open arms and should never shame or condemn each other. A closer look will reveal that our similarities outweigh our differences. Nobody is perfect, even Dream Country has trogglehumpers (bad dreams). We are all gigantic and tiny, we are all powerful and powerless. The film stresses on this point. We first see Sophie looming over a dollhouse like a giant (and the four drunks scared off by her are the same actors who play the giants), then we see BFG looming over

Sophie like a giant, and then the Fleshlumpeater looming over BFG like yet another giant. We must never stop dreaming, we must never stop hoping, for a better tomorrow. The BFG is a live-action film with a lot of high-end animation work. It used the same performance-capture special effects as Spielberg’s animation Adventures of Tintin (2011), but this time it’s super photorealistic. A major collaborator here is Mark Rylance, winner of this year’s Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for Spielberg’s last film, Bridge of Spies (2015). Rylance is just perfect as the BFG, no one can articulate gobblefunk like him. Ruby Barnhill is adorable as Sophie. Amitabh Bachchan did a great job as the voice of BFG in the Hindi dubbed version. A children’s book by Roald Dahl is unimaginable without the illustrations of Quentin Blake, and a film by Spielberg is unimaginable without the music of John Williams. The music of The BFG is more like a comic opera, or a cartoon ballet. The best musical moments occur when: BFG flies off with Sophie, just like E.T. and Elliot, high above the palm trees (track: “To Giant Country”); BFG teaches Sophie about the secret of dreams (tracks: “Dream Country, Dream Jars, Blowing Dreams”). Both the giants and the dreams are given their own tunes. The

Sloshbungling (must-watch) films based on books by Roald Dahl Here’s my ranking of every film based on Dahl’s books for children: 10. The BFG (1989, Animation for TV); 9. Esio Trot (2015, TV Movie); 8. The Witches (1990); 7. Danny The Champion of the World (1989, TV Movie); 6. James and the Giant Peach (1996); 5. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005); 4. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971); 3. Matilda (1996); 2. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009); 1. The BFG (2016). giants are given a ‘funny’ bass voice, stupid and ignorant. The dreams are given a ‘childlike’ treble voice, playful and innocent, like the wonderful little creatures (susuwataris) in Hayao Miyazaki’s animation, Spirited Away (2001). As the film begins, the new Roald Dahl logo, “ROALD DAHL’s The BFG” appears on the screen above the film’s title. The logo was commissioned by the Dahl Estate to commemorate Dahl’s birth centenary, for rebranding

Swishboggling (must-read) books by Roald Dahl These are Dahl’s greatest books for children (by publication date): James and the Giant Peach (1961); Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964); Fantastic Mr. Fox (1970); Danny The Champion of the World (1975); The Twits (1980); The BFG (1982); The Witches (1983); Boy: Tales of Childhood (1984); Going Solo (1986); Matilda (1988).

his oeuvre to a new generation of readers. By putting the ‘ROALD DAHL’ stamp on his film, Spielberg is telling us that his goal is to honour the author’s work cherished by children all over the world. It feels more like a poem, an intimate chamber play, than a big Hollywood movie. The Queen of UK plays a key role in The BFG. In 2012, to salute the 30th Anniversary of the book’s publication, the Royal Mail of UK released a set of special stamps. l

Syed Shamsul Haque’s untimely demise His footsteps wont be felt any more

n Showtime Desk The writer of Payer Awaz Ar Pawa Jabena and many more eminent litterateur, Syed Shamsul Haq passed away at the age of 81, yesterday, September 27. He was admitted at United Hospitals from September 1, due to suffering from fever. Sazzadur Rahman Shuvo, marketing officer at United Hospital said, “He breathed his last at 5:26pm, September 27.”

He was undergoing treatment at Oncology department under supervision of Dr Ashim Kumar since his admission in the hospital on September 1. Syed Haq went to London in April to treat his ailing lungs, where tests detected cancer. The 81 year old writer won the Bangla Academy Award in 1966, Ekushey Padak in 1984, and Bangladesh’s highest civilian honour, Independence Award, in 2000

Showtime

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Chirkut’s new track for Aynabaji n Showtime Desk Popular Bangla fusion band Chirkut is known for touching the hearts of their listeners. Their new song, titled “Na bujhi duniya, na bujhi tomay,” has been released for Amitabh Reza Chowdhury’s debut feature, Aynabaji. The lyrics are penned by Chirkutt’s lead vocal Sharmin Sultana Sumi. The song is about the lives of people from two different worlds. People who live in prison refer to themselves as people of one world, and they refer to people outside prison, as people of “the other world.” The song talks about the complications people face in these two worlds. Members of Chirkut shared, “We consider ourselves lucky to get to work in such a challenging

song. Working with a film director such as Amitabh Reza is an achievement for us. The song was more fun for us than being a challenge because the theme was so outstanding. We found it quite easy to connect with the song.” “I am very grateful to Sharmin Sultana Sumi and Chirkut, because they made this song with a lots of love and support. Sumi and Chirkut have delivered the song just the way I wantede. I hope that people will love this song,” said Amitabh Reza, Aynabaji’s director. Aynabaji, which stars Chanchal Chowdhury, Masuma Rahman Nabila, Partha Barua, Lutfar Rahman George, Gousul Alam Shaon, and Iffat Trisha, will hit theatres on September 30. l

for his contribution to Bangla literature. He has always been vocal against the fundamentalist stream in Bangladesh, Samad said. Haq was born on Dec 27, 1935 at Kurhigram. His literary genius spreads across genres and he is known to wield equal mastery over essays, novel, poetry, and plays. Some of his best-known plays are considered milestones in the history of theatre in Bangladesh. l

Humayun Ahmed’s Aaj Robibar to air on Star Plus n Showtime Desk Aaj Robibar, a widely celebrated TV drama series from Bangladesh, is all set to be aired on a popular Indian TV channel, Star Plus at 11:30pm from October 1. Written and directed by the iconic Bangladeshi Humayun Ahmed, the drama series was first aired on BTV, the state owned TV, in 1996. Ten years later, the series was aired again on Channel i, a private TV channel. After airing on BTV and Channel i, the drama series is set for its third run on Star Plus, a popular Indian TV channel. Meher Afroz Shaon, Humayun Ahmed’s wife, actor and director, confirmed the news. The news is quite appeasing for fans of Humayun Ahmed and Bangladeshi people harbour a lot of hate towards some programs

on Star Plus. Due to this, for the first time, India’s leading TV network took the initiative to air a Bangladeshi program to cater to their large Bangladeshi audience. The channel has already begun promotion from last Sunday, with the title “Today Is Sunday” after the show was dubbed from Bengali to Hindi. Meher Afroz Shaon said, “Although I am anxious, I am also quite happy. As a Humayun fan this news is quite joyous. All credit goes to Channel i and Star Plus executives. The whole thing has only materialised because of the two parties’ initiative and perseverance.” “Every Indian channel is open here. But Bangledeshi channels are almost barred there. So, there is no room to learn about a legendary writer like Humayun Ahmed

there. Although this development comes quite late, I still believe that because of this initiative people from 150 countries will get the opportunity to know about Humayun Ahmed’s work. This is huge,” she added happily.

Shaon, who featured in numerous TV shows based on Humayun Ahmed stories, is not quite sure how Bengali people will receive the Star Plus venture, as many famous, iconic Bengali dialogues will now be dubbed into

Hindi. The comedy drama casts Abul Hayat, Aly Zaker, Suborna Mustafa, Asaduzzaman Noor, Jahid Hasan, Meher Afroz Shaon, Shila Ahmed, Abul Khayer, and Faruk Ahmed. l

Back Page

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

STATE BANKS SINK IN CAPITAL SHORTFA PAGE 12

MASHRAFE TARGETS SERIES WIN PAGE 24

THE BFG: ROALD DAHL AT 100 PAGE 30

Tavella murder weapon still untraced n Arifur Rahman Rabbi The law enforcers will now have to find the murder weapon that killed Italian aid worker Cesare Tavella at Gulshan on this day last year as a ballistic report on the two pistols recovered by the police did not match with the bullet found in his body. Police recovered the US-made pistols – an automatic 7.65mm pistol with five bullets and another automatic pistol with two bullets – from Madhya Badda on February 23 this year and submitted those to the court as evidence in the case. On the other hand, investigators recovered a bullet of 7.65mm pistol from Tavella’s body and recovered three cartridges from the murder spot. Four accused who made con-

fessional statements before magistrates said that they had used the pistol to kill the Italian national. However, the forensic report, prepared by the Criminal Investigation Department, has confirmed that they do not match. Supervising officer of the case Sheikh Nazmul Alam, a DMP deputy commissioner, told the Dhaka Tribune that they were looking for the weapon used in the murder. “We have recovered the motorcycle used in the operation,” he said. Tavella, working with a Netherlands-based NGO, was shot dead by a group of three assailants on Road 90 of Dhaka’s Gulshan diplomatic zone on September 28 last year. The murder took place just after several countries issued travel alerts for their citizens staying in

Bangladesh alerting them about a possible terrorist attack. It was the first murder claimed by international terrorist group Islamic State in Bangladesh as a revenge to Italy’s joining the anti-IS coalition. So far, the group has took credit for 26 attacks including the one on a Gulshan cafe on July 1. But the investigators have found that a BNP leader planned the murder of Tavella as part of a conspiracy to create anarchy, embarrass the government and send a message to the foreigners that they are not safe in Bangladesh. The Detective Branch of police submitted charges against former BNP ward councillor MA Qaiyum, his brother MA Matin and five others on June 28 this year. The charge sheet was accepted by the court on

July 17. Matin and four other accused – Tamjid Ahmed Rubel alias Shooter Rubel, Russell Chowdhury alias Chakki Russell, Minhajul Arefin alias Bhagne Russell and Shakhawat Hossain Sharif – are now in jail while another Sohel alias Bhangari Sohel and Qaiyum are absconding. Four detained accused have made confessional statements before magistrates. Although Matin admitted his involvement in the murder during the interrogation, he refused to give confessional statement before a court. Bhangari Sohel is accused of supplying the firearms. The court took the charges into cognisance on August 24 and issued arrest warrants against the two absconders. l

Bangladesh eye series, 100th ODI win n Ali Shahriyar Bappa

Bangladesh will be looking to clinch the three-match ODI series when they take on Afghanistan in the second game in Mirpur’s Shere-Bangla National Stadium today. The Tigers won the first ODI at the same venue on Sunday by a tight margin of seven runs against the visitors although at one stage it appeared that the match was slipping away from the hands of the home side. The Tigers therefore, will be targeting to correct their mistakes from the previous game and dominate their opposition. Meanwhile, Bangladesh are on the verge of their 100th ODI win. So far they have won 99 matches in 313 attempts and lost 210 of them while four matches were abandoned. On the other hand, limited-over skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza has already become the most successful Bangladesh captain after winning Sunday’s match. He improved his tally to 31 wins, leaving behind Habibul Bashar’s record of 30 wins. Bangladesh have won 21 ODIs, nine T20Is and a Test match under Mashrafe’s captaincy. Bashar achieved his 30 wins in 87 matches while Mashrafe leapfrogged that tally in just 53 matches. However, Mashrafe is not reading too much into the personal achievement and informed that all these wins were achieved due to team effort. Bangladesh enjoyed unprecedented success in the international arena last year. But after a

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal attempts a hook shot during a net session in Mirpur yesterday 10-month break in the ODI format, they were a bit shaky against the Afghans in the first match. The reason behind their rusty performance was no doubt the long hiatus from the 50-over format. The national cricketers practised a lot in the last few months and played some practise matches between themselves. With that said, the atmosphere and tension of an international game is so much different to those of a practice match and it was clearly evident in the first ODI. Now that the first match is out of the way, the Tigers will be looking to bounce back and gain momentum.

In contrast, Afghanistan proved themselves as a formidable competitor and almost pulled off a memorable win against the hosts. But courtesy some brilliant death over bowling from Taskin Ahmed, Rubel Hossain and Shakib al Hasan, the Afghans were denied a famous victory. Tigers head coach Chandika Hathurusingha has already chalked out a few mistakes from the first game in all the three departments. Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah had the platform to launch but failed to convert their 50s into the magical three-figure mark. What’s more, the home side lost their last seven wickets for just 63

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

runs in the last 10 overs of their innings. Opening batsman Soumya Sarkar will be desperate to regain his touch as the left hander has been going through a rough patch for quite some time now. The Tigers will also be eyeing to improve their ground fielding as some easy catches were grassed in the first match. On the eve of the second ODI, it was learnt from sources that any changes in the Tigers’ playing XI is highly unlikely. And once again, weather is likely to play an important role as the forecasts suggest slight drizzle for today. Keeping that in mind, the toss will be crucial. l

BNP leader Hannan Shah dies at 74 n Tribune Desk BNP Standing Committee Member Brig Gen (retd) ASM Hannan Shah passed away yesterday at the age of 74 from cardiovascular disease in Singapore. Hannan is survived by his wife, daughter and two sons. The former army officer was undergoing treatment at Raffles Heart Centre where he passed away around 5:05am yesterday, said Syrul Kabir Khan of the BNP’s media wing. Hannan was on his way to court on September 6 when he fell ill and was taken to Combined Military Hospital (CMH). His doctors advised that he be taken to Singapore and he was flown out of the country on September 11. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and leaders of other political parties expressed their condolences to Hannan’s family. His body will arrive in Dhaka this evening. His Namaz-e-Janaza will be held tomorrow at DOHS Mosque at 10am and another at the parliament’s south plaza at 11am. The last janaza will be held after Zohr prayers at the BNP’s central office. He will be buried on Friday at his ancestral village of Chala Bazar, Gazipur. Hannan was born on October 11, 1941 at Gaghotia village of Gazipur’s Kapasia. His father Fakir Abdul Mannan was a minister from 1965-68 of the then Pakistan government. He joined the Pakistan army in 1962 and returned to Bangladesh in 1973 and joined the Bangladesh army. After retiring from the armed forces, Hannan joined politics and became a lawmaker from Gazipur 4. In 1983, he joined BNP and became the minister of Jute and Textile Ministry in 1991. The BNP has announced four days of mourning in his memory. l

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