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Bangladesh polio-free
n Moniruzzaman Uzzal
Bangladesh could have got the polio-free status five years ago had it not been for its neighbours India and Nepal, who took three and four more years respectively than what Bangladesh took to eliminate the fatal disease from its soil. Yesterday, the South-East Asia Regional Certification Commission for Polio Eradication (SEA RCCPE), an independent panel of 11 experts in public health, epidemiology, virology, clinical medicine and related specialties, declared the region polio-free. Before that, the commission met for two days in New Delhi to review evidence from 11 countries, prior to deciding that the countries had met the certification requirements, which included ensuring at least three years of zero confirmed cases due to indigenous wild poliovirus; excellent laboratory-based surveillance for poliovirus; demonstrated capacity to detect, report, and respond to imported cases of poliomyelitis; and assurance of safe containment of polioviruses in laboratories. According to the World Health Organisations (WHO) South East Asia Regional Office (SEARO), the polio-free
Not a single case of polio has been reported in the country since 2006
countries are Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Indonesia, Myanmar, Bhutan, North Korea, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and East Timor. Professor Dr Mahmudur Rahman, a member of the SEA RCCPE, confirmed the news. The announcement ceremony was also attended by State Minister for Health Zahid Maleque, Director of primary healthcare Dr Abu Zafor Md Musa, and Dr Shafiqur Rahman, programme manager of the Expanded Programme of Immunisation (EPI). The WHO South-East Asia Region, home to a quarter of the worlds population, became the fourth of six WHO Regions to be certified polio-free. With this step, 80% of the worlds population now lives in certified polio-free regions. Dr Tajul Islam Bari, former programme manager of the EPI, told the Dhaka Tribune that six SEARO countries Bhutan, North Korea, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and East Timor have been polio-free for more than 15 years, while the rest have remained polio free for different time periods (Bangladesh and Indonesia since 2006, Myanmar since 2007, Nepal since 2010, and India since 2011). Certification of the region came as
PAGE 2 COLUMN 2
Bangladeshi players do stretching exercises during a training session yesterday in Dhaka ahead of their ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup match against India
AP
The cricket-crazy fans of the nation would be hoping for a better display today as the Tigers look to put the disappointments of losing against Hong
INSIDE
World
9 Kim Jong Uns distinctive hairstyle is the do of the day on the Internet, thanks to a viral report that every male university student in the capital is now under orders to get a buzz just like it.
News
5 The Science and Industrial Technology Fair 2014 began in the capital yesterday.
DHAKA TRIBUNE
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Members of Rapid Action Battalion present before the media two drug peddlers with 2,825 bottles of phensidyl seized at Kaliganj upazila of Jhenaidah yesterday
BANGLAR CHOKH
BCL demanded punishment for Imran for demeaning the national flag
tute, had demanded toll from Moncho activists on March 25 midnight when they were working on the stage. As the activists declined to pay the money, Asman arranged the demonstration [yesterday] to take revenge. About Chhatra Leagues protest
against the used of red and green on the stage, Imran said the agitators did not know the use of the national flag and so were spreading such propaganda. Gonojagoron Moncho made the stage at the Shahbagh intersection for a rally and cultural programme to observe the Independence Day. Imran that day bitterly criticised the government for not implementing the Monchos six-point demand, including banning Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir, and taking action against Jamaats financial institutions. He also slammed the government and the Awami Leagues associate bodies for frequently taking donations from pro-Jamaat organisations, including the Islami Bank. l
CURBING CRIMES
Bangladesh polio-free
PAGE 1 COLUMN 2
Benazir Ahmed, commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), yesterday said curbing crime was not possible as law enforcers remained occupied with tackling political programmes. The ongoing political culture is responsible for this. Police are always busy chasing people accused in politically motivated cases and which is why they cannot squeeze out time to curb crime and arrest criminals, Benazir added. DMP commissioner made such statement while addressing a view-exchange meeting at the DMP headquarters organised by the Coalition against Tobacco Bangladesh. Mili Bishwash, additional commissioner (traffic), Abdul Jalil, additional commissioner (admin), Ibrahmi Fatemi, joint commissioner and Ali Niamat, president of the Coalition against Tobacco also spoke on the occasion. We have given all-out effort to maintain security of people during political unrest but if we had given the same effort to arrest criminals, people could have lived a more peaceful life. We could also have busted drug nets. We have arrested over 400 drug dealers in the capital over the last three month and the mobile courts punished those drug dealers, he said. He claimed that there has no phensydil factory in the capital. He urged people to help police in controlling crime and stop the use of drug. l
countries prepare for the introduction of inactivated polio vaccine in routine immunization as part of the eventual phasing out of oral polio vaccines, while also committing to the global polio endgame plan which aims to ensure a polio-free world by 2018. A press release by the WHO quoted Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director for the WHO South-East Asia Region, as saying: This is a momentous victory for the millions of health workers who have worked with governments, nongovernmental organizations, civil society and international partners to eradicate polio from the region. It is a sign of what we can be-
queath our children when we work together. At present, only three countries are polio-endemic: Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria. According to a WHO report, cases of polio have decreased by over 99% since 1988. Bangladeshi EPI officials termed routine immunisation as the root of the success in eradicating polio in the country, as it popularised oral polio vaccines among parents. Although only 2% of Bangladeshi children under five years of age were immunised before 1985, the number jumped to 60% within 10 years after the introduction of routine immunisations in 1985. l
presidents statement that there would be drastic changes in the team after the tournament has had a negative effect. None of the cricketers except Shakib al Hasan has played to their potentials so far with star opener Tamim Iqbal scoring a duck and five against Hong Kong and West Indies respectively. Anamul Haque also seems to have lost his supreme touch which was prominent during the Asia Cup. Therefore, this lack of solidity at the top of the order has disabled the middle order to actually have a foundation to unleash attack onthe opponent later on. Perhaps its now also the right time to give Shamsur Rahman a chance as youngster Sabbir Rahman has failed to justify his selectionby scoringonly three runs in the last two matches. The middle order has also failed to ire when required where Nasir Hossain,the most consistent cricketer of the Bangladesh side in the recent
past, had to pay the price by losing his place in the starting XI in the last match for the irst time in his career since he made his debut three years back.However, the all-rounder may get the opportunity today in place of Mahmudullah who averages just four in T20s and 11 overall in 2014 while Sohag Gazi who played against West Indies and conceded 38 runs from four overs is likely to be replaced by the experienced campaigner Abdur Razzak who was dropped against West Indies. Veteran pacer Mashrafe bin Mortaza is expected to lead the pace attack alongsidethe ever-learning youngster Al Amin who was the pick of the bowlers against West Indies with figures of 3-21. The home side can take some positives from the past when they face India asthey have beaten the Indians three times in limited overs cricket. On the other hand, India have been playing some outstanding cricket
throughout the tournament so far and have rightly won both their matches against Pakistan and West Indies comprehensively. They know a win todayagainst the Tigers will all but ensure a berth in the semi-final for them. They are again likely to bank on their spin triowhich include Amit Mishra, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja who so far been have been instrumental behind Indias success so far in the tournamentand surely pose the biggest threat for the Bangladeshi batsmen. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli at the top of the Indias batting order are also in terrific form.With Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni following these two down the order, the Tigers better be at the top of their game to avoid any embarrassment. Rohit Sharma said at the press conference that this was the best Indian team so far to win the competition after they clinched the inaugural tournament in 2007.l
Jatiyatabadi Mukktijodha Dal organised a discussion to mark the Independence Day where the former premier questioned the freedom fighters: Did you free the country from the shackle of Pakistan to get shackled to another country? Khaleda on behalf of her husband Ziaur Rahman received the crest for his glorious role in the independence war. Khaleda Zia was also honoured with a crest for her role in the war. Criticising the government for honouring the foreigners for their role in the Liberation War, Khaleda said: The way foreigners were honoured it seemed that people of Bangladesh did not fight in the Liberation War. Reminiscing her ordeal in 1971 she said: During the Liberation War, I along with my two sons and wife of
Colonel Mahfuz came to Dhaka from Chittagong by a steamer. I was then arrested and detained in different cantonments. She however recognised the contribution of the Awami league and Bangabandhu to the liberation war, They inspired people in the Liberation War. We will not deny it. The BNP chief also said she was not proud of being the wife of a president or prime minister rather she feels proud of being the wife of the proclaimer of independence. She said fair election was not possible under a partisan government and it was proved once again in the upazila parishad elections. Khaleda asked the government to take the initiative to hold talks to restore caretaker government system to oversee the polls. l
At the programme organised to mark the inauguration, Hasina stressed on the needs for profitability for the survival of the national flag carrier. You all know very well what will happen if it [Biman] is shut down. Everyone will lose their jobs. We want you to work properly so that Biman can become a profitable organisation, the premier told the Biman employees. October 2013 happened to be the only recent month when Biman achieved its target. It earned Tk347.58 crore against a target of Tk331.91 crore. The performance was mostly propelled by the Hajj flights. However, in October 2012, Biman earned Tk369.10 crore. January 2014 turned out to be the worst month for Biman in terms of passenger and revenue. Around 118,000 passengers traveled with Biman in the month, resulting in a revenue of Tk175.54 crore, against a target of
Tk365.20. Movement from Bangladesh and inbound traffic declined massively because of the political unrests, badly affecting our business, Mohammad Sha Newaz, director (marketing and sales) of Biman, told the Dhaka Tribune. He said: In 2011-12, our total traffic was more than 17 lakh. It came down 15 lakh during the last fiscal. It may go down further during the current fiscal. We have very few leisure passengers. Most of our passengers are [Middle East-bound] labourers and ethnic. As labour export to the Middle East has been facing problems, it is affecting our business, he also said. According to Sha Newaz, 90% of Bimans traffic comprise labourers and ethnic people. A Biman official said at one point earlier this year, a Biman aircraft flew to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia with only nine passengers.
However, despite all the miseries in passenger services, state owned airliners cargo services earned some good revenues in recent times. From July last year to this February, Bimans cargo services earned Tk178.32 crore, a touch higher than what it earned a year ago. During yesterdays programme, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina advised the carrier to induct more cargo aircrafts to its fleet so that it could earn more revenue. Currently, aircrafts are leased for cargo services. Biman Managing Director Kevin Steele, who resigned last week citing personal reasons, took a number of initiatives such as opening new routes since he joined last March. Sources said most of those initiatives did not work out. The Dhaka Tribune tried to contact him via e-mail on Wednesday placing two questions for him. He, however, has not responded till last night. l
DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
The premier blamed BNP Senior ViceChairman Tarique Rahman for distorting the history
The Awami League organised the programme to mark the countrys 44th Independence Day. The premier declared her plan to put into operation the electronic voting system in election next time. None will be able to stuff the ballot papers if we introduce the electronic voting system. Election will be held in future by using EVMs (Electronic Voting Machine), she said. The Awami League president expressed her opinion to hold the local body elections under party banner. As the upazila polls are non-partisan, we have no control over anything, she said.
Members of various cultural groups bring out a colourful procession in the capital yesterday, marking the World Theatre Day
In 1972, Subhan was accused by a special tribunal of collaborating with the Pakistan Army during the war and summoned
After hearing both sides, tribunal Chairman Justice M Enayetur Rahim rejected the review plea. Accused Subhan, 84, was indicted on December 31. The charges are based
Government forms Hefazat nayeb-e-ameer faces arrest taskforce to list fugitive warrant in blast case Bangladeshis living abroad
n Mohosinul Karim
The government has taken an initiative to bring back fugitive Bangladeshi nationals, including the killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, from abroad for trial or executing the sentences that were already given against them. Already, the cabinet division had formed a high-power ten member taskforce, led by Law Minister Anisul Haque, to prepare a list of fugitive Bangladeshi criminals or accused living abroad and their whereabouts after consulting with stakeholders. Other members of the taskforce are State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam and State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, the attorney general, senior secretary of the home ministry, the foreign secretary and law and justice secretary, the inspector general of police and the director generals of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence and the National Security Intelligence. According to a recently issued cabinet division order, the taskforce will prepare a list of the fugitive convicts and accused, which would include their names and whereabouts, so that the government can take necessary steps to bring them back into the country for trial or execution of the convictions. The taskforce would also carry out the groundwork needed to bring them back and monitor the returning process. The order also said the taskforce will also suggest the government on what steps that may be taken against those who had already gained citizenship of the country where they now reside. The taskforce has been given the authority to co-opt new members if necessary and will find ministerial support from the home ministry. It will remain effective until further notice. According to cabinet division officials, the taskforce was formed to bring back a huge number of criminals who had been living in abroad. Six out of 12 convicted killers of Bangbandhu killing case and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zias two sons Tareque Rahman and Arafat Rahman Coko, who had been convicted in various cases, have been living in out of the country for a long time. l
A Chittagong court yesterday issued arrest warrant against Nayeb-e-Ameer of Hefazat-e-Islam Mufti Izharul Islam Chowdhury in a case filed over grenade blasts at his Lalkhan Bazar Madrasa where three students were killed in October last year. Second Metropolitan Sessions Judge SM Abdur Rashid issued the arrest warrant against Mufti Izhar, also chairman of a faction of Islami Oikya Jote, and fixed April 6 for hearing on charge framing in the case. The accused is currently on bail from the High Court. Public prosecutor Kamal Uddin Ahmed said the warrant was issued as Mufti Izhar had not appeared at the court after submission of the charge sheet in line with the High Court directives. Charge sheet in the blast case was submitted before the court on February 10 accusing nine persons, including Izhars son Mufti Harun.
The court accepted the charge sheet on March 2. Mufti Harun, a leader of radical Islamist group Hefazat, and seven other accused were produced at the court yesterday. Several locally-made grenades were blasted at Jamiatul Ulum Al Islamia Madrasa, a Qawmi madrasa headed by Mufti Izhar, around 11am on October 7 last year leaving five students injured critically. Later three of them suc-
cumbed to injuries. Four live grenades were recovered from the spot after the incident. Law enforcers also seized 18 bottles of picric acid, used to amplify the magnitude of explosion, from the residence of the Hefazat leader on the madrasa premises. The madrasa is known as a den of outlawed Islamist group Huji. Police on October 10 filed three cases in connection with the blast, killing and recovery of picric acid. l
4
n Abu Hayat Mahmud
The citys road network across most of Lalbagh in old Dhaka has been left unrepaired for months, putting the residents in perennial sufferings. The roads in the vicinity are worn out and narrow, with shops on both sides grabbing up space. Re-carpeting, re-construction or major repairs to the roads are long overdue. The Dhaka South City Corporation entrusted with the task of road development in the areas attributes fund crunch to the derelict condition of the roads. Besides potholes and broken slabs on drains, the old Dhaka residents suffer congestion while indiscriminate parking of vehicles on both sides of the roads has added to the woes of commuters. Sultan Mohammad, a resident of Nur Fatah Lane in Lalbagh, said: The conditions of most internal roads across the area remain pathetic all the year round. The poorly-shaped lanes make it difficult for us to drive along and so every vehicles driver turn to the main road stretching from Azimpur to Lalbagh area to avoid bumpy journeys, resulting in unbearable traffic jam. Sultan also blamed the city corpora-
DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
Two pedestrians watch their steps before they walk past a broken covering of a sewerage line in the capital's Lalbagh area yesterday
DHAKA TRIBUNE
The BIWTA officials were accused of helping the contractors in misappropriating public funds and the contractors for substandard work
On the other hand, Abdus Salam misappropriated Tk2.77 lakh by not using 6.9 tonnes of rods in constructing railing of the veranda of the port.
Bangladeshi farmer INDEPENDENCE DAY EXPLOSION shot by BSF n Our Correspondent, Rajshahi dent in Kurigram. On Sunday, a group n Tribune Report of unidentified people carried out an Indian Border Security Force (BSF) shot
a Bangladeshi farmer at Char Asharia Dah frontier under Godagari upazila in Rajshahi yesterday. The injured is Mohammod Tota of Char Asharia Dah village of Godagari. Family members of Tota said some BSF jawans who were patrolling the border had opened fire on Tota around 7am while he was working on his paddy field. The bullet had hit his back. Later, locals rescued him and admitted to the Godagari upazila health complex where doctors suggested taking him to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Tota was admitted to the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital around 3:30pm where he is currently undergoing treatment on bed number 23 of ward 6. Confirming the news, Rajshahi 37 BGB Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Nazim Khan told reporters that they had sent a protest letter to BSF and had called for a flag meeting; however, the BFS men were yet to response. l Students, teachers and guardians in Kurigram yesterday protested against the attack on school students during their Independence Day celebration. They also demanded arrest of the culprits for carrying out explosion in which five students were injured. The demand came yesterday at a human chain held at Zero point in Phulbari Bazar area of the district as police failed to arrest any yet. The protesters demanded immediate arrest and punishment of the offenders, according to our correspon-
Date: 23.03.2014
CORRIGENDUM
This is to notify that due to unavoidable circumstances some corrections have been necessary & made for the following Tender Notice No 06/2013-14 vide memo number stated as bellow
Tender Notice Number, Instead of to be read memo number &. Date Tender Notice No. 06/2013- Last date of selling: 24/03/2014 Last date of selling: 30/03/2014 Tender closing date: 25/03/2014 Tender closing date: 31/03/2014 2014, Memo No. LGED/ UE/Raj/ Sadar/2013-I4/142, Tender opening date: 25/03/2014 Tender opening date: 31/03/2014 Date: 02.03.2014
All other terms & conditions in this Tender Notice will remain unchanged. (Md. Jalal Uddin Sheikh) Upazila Engineer Rajbari Sadar, Rajbari, Tel No. 0641-65570
Memo No. LGED/UE/Raj/Sadar/2013-14/191/1(50)
GC-36/14 (5"x3)
Date: 23.03.2014
DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
5
Chinese Yunan province governor due tomorrow
n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman
Governor of Yunan province of China Li Jiheng will come to Dhaka on a goodwill visit tomorrow. It is a goodwill visit to strengthen cooperation between the two countries and boost up regional connectivity, Foreign Ministry Director General Ashud Ahmed told the Dhaka Tribune. The visit of the governor is important as Kunming is the capital of Yunan province and four countries, Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar are engaged in negotiations to have an economic corridor to connect Kunming to Kolkata through Myanmar and Bangladesh to boost up regional connectivity. Li Jiheng is scheduled to meet Communications Minister Obaidul Quader and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, he said. He is also likely to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during his trip and Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries will also have a view exchange meeting with him, Ashud said. Bangladesh has started working on thematic areas for the BCMI corridor linking Bangladesh with China, Myanmar and India. The report on the study will be presented in the joint study group meeting of the BCIM corridor project scheduled to be held in Chittagong in June this year. Under the BCMI project, the four countries in last December in its first meeting in China decided to establish physical connectivity between them. l
n Mushque Wadud
The Science and Industrial Technology Fair 2014, organised by the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), began in the capital yesterday. A total of 210 projects were showcased by 850 students across the country in the fair which is scheduled to end tomorrow. Speaking at the inaugural programme, famous writer and Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Professor Muhammad Zafar Iqbal said Bangladesh had three crore school going students and a country having such high number of young students did not need any other resources. If it is possible to make these students knowledgeable, the country would become more successful, he observed. Sharing an experience of one of his students who made an experimental drone, Zafar said youth only need encouragement which could lead to outstanding successes. He urged government to take initiatives so that the science students got jobs in their own field of work and could conduct researches and other development activities, adding that budget for science and technology sector needed to be increased. State Minister for Ministry of Science and Technology Yafes Osman said without practice of science, the country cannot reach its potential.
Tawhidur Rahman, a higher secondary student of Rajshahi College, dreams to be an aeronautical engineer and wants to work to strengthen the defence system of his motherland. He and his friend Rashedul Hasan have made an experimental drone named RCSRO2 that can fly for 30 feet. Tawhidur said they had been working on this project for the last six months and expressed hopes saying: One day I want to make an original drone. Binoy Pramanik, a class ten student from Natore, brought an innovative idea of producing electricity without any source. His project can generate 1,000 volt power by charging two capacitors at once. Binoy said he has been working on this project when he was in class six. Load shedding inspired him to conduct such a project, he said, adding that some electronic devices in his house were run by electricity produced by his invented device. Four students of University of Asia Pacific showcased a multipurpose robot named Rover BD which can be made commercially viable by using local materials. Meanwhile, some young scientists with little or no formal education also attended the fair with their innovative projects. Jasim Uddin Khan from Gaibandhas Gabindaganj came up with an idea of making flour from potatoes. He said farmers often cannot sell their pota-
A student describes his project to Professor Muhammad Zafar Iqbal at the Science and Industrial Technology Fair at the BCSIR in the capital yesterday RAJIB DHAR toes or had to sell at low price, and this project would save the country thousand crores of taka. Yahiya Molla invented a fertiliser saving machine that is able to save 30% use of fertiliser and increase 25% of production. Belal Mia, an electrician by profession, invented a security system in which by spending only Tk8,00010,000, security of lockers or cars can be ensured with a mobile device. If used, the owner will get a mobile call to warn him of potential burglary attempt. l
More Russian scholarships Smuggled gold seized again at Chittagong airport for Bangladeshi students n
Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong
Mohosinul Karim
The Russian Federation has expressed intentions to extend academic scholarship for Bangladeshi students. Deputy Head of Russian Federal Agency for Cooperation with Foreign Countries Alexander Chesnokov said: Russia will offer more scholarships to Bangladeshi students if response is received by the government. The foreign delegate came up with the offer at a press conference in the capital on Thursday after a meeting with Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor. Earlier, a four-member delegation led by Chesnokov met the minister at his office. About 650 international students are enrolled in Russia for higher education under government scholarship
programme, Chesnokov said. It would be increased to 1,000 by this year, he said. The quota of scholarship for Bangladeshi students has already been raised to 61 this year. It will increase if we get response. he added. Regarding employment for Bangladeshis, Chesnokov said Russia would consider job opportunities for qualified and efficient persons with professional expertise in the federation. Noor said, Russia gave tremendous support during the Liberation War. The Russian Federation was also interested to heighten the collaboration with Bangladesh in cultural and educational sector. Russia is interested to exchange delegation between the two countries for cultural exchange between the younger generations. l
Only two days after the biggest ever seizure of smuggled gold in Chittagong, a fresh cache of gold bars worth Tk2.7 crore was seized again at the Shah Amanat International Airport yesterday, prompting the port city police to strengthen its initiative to seek out the culprits behind the gold smuggling trade. Acting on a tip-off, customs officials of the airport nabbed Mohammad Rezauddin Rana, Osman Gani and Mohammad Ayub, who arrived on a Bangladesh Biman flight from Dubai carrying 54 gold bars that weighed around 6.29kg, said Moshiur Rahman Mondol, assistant commissioner (AC) of Chittagong Customs House in the airport. The detained men hid the gold in their shoes, Moshiur said, adding that the bars were handed over to the Bangladesh Bank. The three men were
later handed over to Patenga police station, where a case has been lodged. We [CMP] sat in a meeting today, where both the police and the Detective Branch were instructed to look into the matter seriously, as the gold smuggling has increased recently, said Anwar Hossain, assistant commissioner (port zone) of the DB.
gold recovery in the port city. Airport sources said a syndicate of the airports daily-based contractual workers and unscrupulous employees of different airlines and civil aviation were involved with the smuggling. Most of the smuggled gold was seized from flights coming in from Middle East countries, especially flights of Oman Airlines, Flydubai and Bangladesh Biman, the sources added. Nahid Nawshad Mukul, assistant director (AD) of the Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation in Chittagong, said smugglers were using Dhaka and Chittagong as their transit points after the duty on gold was increased in neighbouring countries. Banaz Kumar Majumder, additional commissioner (crime and operation) of the CMP, told the Dhaka Tribune that the smuggling masterminds could not be identified as the gold changed many hands before reaching the carriers abroad, while the receivers in
the country also stayed anonymous by only using mobile phones to communicate with the carriers. Customs AC Moshiur said the airport had no network of closed-circuit television to follow the movements of the passengers, staffs and employees; which was one of the reasons behind rampantgoldsmuggling. Masud Saik, commissioner of Chittagong Customs House, however, said surveillance has been increased over the airports daily-based employees, while Shah Amanat Airport Manager Wing Commander Nur-EAlam said more CCTV cameras would be introduced to improve monitoring at the airport. Customs sources said along with yesterdays recovery, more than 1,600 gold bars worth Tk80 crore have been seized from the airport in 46 drives this year so far, which is a massive increase from the seizure of 686 gold bars worth Tk35.3 crore in 16 drives in 2013.l
WEATHER
n UNB
Rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Dhaka, Khulna and Sylhet divisions and the region of Comilla until 6pm today. Mild heat wave that is sweeping Khulna division and the regions of Rajshahi, Pabna and Dhaka.
37.2C Rajshahi
TEMPERATURE (Nationwide)
18.5C Hatia
Highest and lowest temperatures recorded in some major cities yesterday were City Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Coxs Bazar High 36.0 30.8 37.2 33.8 36.8 35.2 32.8 33.0 Low 25.2 23.5 22.8 21.6 24.5 24.4 21.5 23.0
Dancers perform at a cultural programme marking the Independence Day at the Liberation War Museum in the capital yesterday RAJIB DHAR
PRAYER TIMES
Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha 4:39am 5:54am 12:04am 4:29pm 6:13pm 7:29pm
Source: IslamicFinder.org
DHAKA TRIBUNE
World
Sisi may revive strongman era to quell Egypt unrest, analysts say
It called for the prosecution of anyone who ordered or carried out killings, abductions and torture under a CIA program at the time of George W. Bush
US officials did not immediately comment on the findings of the UN Human Rights Committee, which is made up of 18 independent experts. The Obama administration increased the number of drone strikes after taking office in 2009 but attacks have dropped off in the last year. It has been under pressure from affected governments, the United Nations and activists to rein in the strikes and do more to protect civilians. The United States should give more information on how it decided someone was enough of an imminent threat to be targeted in covert operations in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen and Somalia and other countries, the report said.
Egyptian students who support the Muslim Brotherhood and ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi run from tear gas fired by riot police during clashes following a demonstration outside Cairo University AFP
n AFP, Cairo
Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is assured of winning Egypts forthcoming presidential vote but at the cost of reviving the era of strongman rule as he faces a dilapidated economy and rising militancy. Analysts say Field Marshal Sisi, who on Wednesday announced he was quitting the army to run for president, was certain to continue the crackdown on Islamists that started when he overthrew elected president Mohamed Morsi in July. And, the experts say, with security issues likely to hamper Sisi from delivering on his promise of economic recovery, he could resort to repression more and more. Sisis widely-anticipated candidacy is being hailed by the millions of Egyptians who are weary of more than three years of turmoil since the Arab Spring overthrow
The committee also called for more investigations into intelligence operations
The UN experts also voiced concern at the US use of the death penalty and in particular racial disparities in its imposition that affects disproportionately African Americans. They regretted mandatory detention of immigrants for prolonged periods of time, deportations of immigrants and the exclusion of millions of undocumented immigrants and their children from coverage under the Affordable Care Act. The 18 experts examined US compliance with a landmark treaty on civil and political rights at a two-day session earlier this month. l
of veteran strongman Hosni Mubarak. But it is likely to further inflame Islamist protests and worry those secular activists who fear a return to rule by military men and the strong-arm tactics of the Mubarak era. Aside from Morsi, whose year in office deeply polarised the country, every Egyptian president has been drawn from, or installed by, the army. Dressed in army fatigues for the last time in public, Sisi promised in a televised address to bolster the precarious economy and crush the terrorism that has surged since Morsis overthrow. Michele Dunne, a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for Peace, said Sisis address suggested he would continue the crackdown on the Islamists that has made little headway in restoring stability.
I didnt hear Field Marshal Sisi say anything in the initial speech to suggest there will be a shift in the security strategy, she said. Since Morsis overthrow, his supporters have staged weekly and at times violent protests, leading to the deaths of at least 1,400 people, mostly Islamists, in clashes with police. Militants in the same period have killed more than 200 security personnel in bombing and shooting attacks. Encouraged by many Egyptians who view the Islamists as destructive, the authorities have arrested some 15,000 people and placed thousands on trial. If the crackdown goes on and people continue to be killed every week, it will be difficult, perhaps impossible, to restore stability and get the economy on its feet, Dunne said. l
Syrian refugee Majd Ammari, 13, performs the role of King Lear as he and others like him rehearse one of Shakespeares great tragedies at the sprawling Zaatari refugee camp in Jordanian desert near the border with Syria. Syrian actor-turned-director Nawwar Bulbul has been working with these children for more than two months in the hope of drawing the worlds attention to their plight AFP
DHAKA TRIBUNE
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New images
The Malaysian airliner, on a routine flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, is thought to have crashed with the loss of all 239 people aboard after flying thousands of miles off course. The objects spotted by the Thai satellite were between 2 metres (6.5 ft) and 16 metres (52 ft) in size and were in an area around 2,700 km (1,680 miles) southwest of Perth, Snidvongs said. The pictures were taken on Monday, a day after a satellite operated by
and his father, the late Kim Jong Il, who had a one-of-a-kind bouffant. Though the forced grooming story may be one of many reported oddities about North Korea life that turn out to be false, it is true that the government has its own fashion police. Choe Cheong-ha, a defector who left North Korea in 2004, said members of a government-run youth organization routinely check for people who are not dressed appropriately. He said they look for whether people are wearing the mandatory lapel pins with the images of former leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, or for violations such as blue jeans, clothes with English words or above-the-knee dresses. l
n Reuters, Beijing
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels celebrate the signing of the peace agreement during a rally at Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat town, in southern island of Mindanao on March 27 AFP
China will beef up its internet security in response to recent reports that the US government spied on a major telecommunications firm, the Defence Ministry said yesterday. Reports that the US National Security Agency infiltrated servers at the headquarters of Huawei Technologies Co.lay bare theUnited Statess hypocrisy and despotic rule, ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng told a briefing. For a while now, some Americans have jabbered on and on, condemning Chinese hacking attacks, he said. But the truth is that this is without any basis in fact, its simply a thief crying Stop, thief! The ministry did not say what steps would be taken to strengthen Internet security. The White House has said that the US does not spy to gain commercial advantage. Cyber-espionage has cast a shadow over China-US ties, with each side accusing the other of spying. On Saturday, The New York Times and German magazine Der Spiegel published articles on information about Huawei contained in classified documents given to journalists by former NSA contractorEdward Snowden. In the same briefing, Geng warned the United States not to sell arms toTaiwan, whichChinasees as a rogue province. US sales of weapons to the democratic and self-ruled island have long incensedBeijing. Asked about a mass stabbing at a train station in a southwestern city in March that left 29 dead and about 140 wounded, Geng said that the military was well prepared to strike back at all kinds of violent terrorist activities. l
Japan frees worlds Chinese farmers make longest-held death Transformers from used cars row inmate Shandong province. AFP, Beijing n Weve installed lights in their eyes, n AP, Tokyo A group of farmers have brought to life and some of their arms and legs can
The worlds longest-serving death row inmate was freed yesterday by a Japanese court that found investigators had likely fabricated evidence in the murder case that put the former pro boxer behind bars for nearly half a century. The Shizuoka District Court suspended the death sentence and ordered a retrial for 78-year-old Iwao Hakamada, who had been convicted in the 1966 murder of a family and was sentenced to death in 1968. More than 45 of his 48 years in prison have been on death row, making Hakamada the longest-serving such inmate, according to Guinness World Records. Hours later, Hakamada walked out of the Tokyo Detention Center, escorted by his sister as dozens of media and supporters waited outside. Hakamada briefly looked at the crowd and got inside a car without speaking. Hakamada was not executed because of a lengthy appeals process. l the Transformers films, toys and TV series and built giant robots out of old car parts, in rural China. The original toys, which were a huge hit with children in the 1980s, could be turned from cars into robots and back again. Their popularity spawned a hit television show, and more recently, the movie franchise. In Shandong province, they have inspired a range of towering creations, including some in the red and blue colours of Optimus Prime, the leader of the benevolent Autobots. Others are in bright yellow - like the famous Bumblebee character adored by young fans. Some of the robots are crafted from the grey metal of the evil Decepticons. Its a personal hobby; I watched the movie and learnt the models online, so I wanted to make it on my own, Wang Shizun, one of the farmers, told AFP by phone yesterday from Zhangqiu in
move, he said. He and his partner oversee a staff of 11 farmers, reports said, and OFweek, a website covering Chinas high-tech industry, said the models fetch from 10,000 to 100,000 yuan ($1,600 to $16,000) apiece. The tallest of creations are 12 metres high, but flight and the ability to convert themselves back into cars remain elusive. Were thinking about making them transform, Wang said, but its hard to make them transform into cars at this stage. The group have also made other models which seem to take inspiration from various movies and characters, including Alien, Predator, and Star Wars C-3PO. With some the makers have exercised more creative licence, adding their own designs or traditional Chinese elements such as a mask. l
A visitor looking at a life-sized Transformer model on display in a yard in Jinan, Shandong. A group of farmers in China has undertaken an unusual hobby: building life-sized Transformer models out of second-hand car parts, some as tall as 12 metres high AFP
DHAKA TRIBUNE
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Group list of work Group No 1 Name of the work In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2294 & Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-02-0018 of different division, RHD, Dhaka through workshop division, Dhaka In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3361. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3303. Micro bus Dhaka-Metro-Cha-51-2175. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2811. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-1936. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2768. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3277. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-9342. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-0349. Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-51-1563. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3272. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-112-2292. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2741 & Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-0084 of different division, RHD, Dhaka through workshop division, Dhaka. In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-51-1563. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-5754. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3361. Prado jeep Dhaka MetroGha-11-1621. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2811. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-0658. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-gha-11-2890. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-3001. Pajero jeep Dhaka MetroGha-02-0639. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-13-2827. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-9068 & Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Va-7284 of different division, RHD, Dhaka through workshop division, Dhaka In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Ga-02-0658. Nissan Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-4021. Mitsubishi Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-51-1542. Nissan Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-3890 & Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Ka-02-0703 of different division, RHD, Dhaka through workshop division, Dhaka In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-8261. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-0514. Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-7912. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2768. Nissan jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2728. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-0653. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro--Ja-4670. Pickpu Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-3246 & Pajero jeep Dhaka MetroGha-11-3271 of different division, RHD, Dhaka through workshop Division, Dhaka In the year 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-9342. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-4213. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3684. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-13-0812. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3277. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-15-1378. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2834. Pajero jeep Barisal-Gha-05-0021. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-8569. Land Crossure jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-0039. Prado jeep Dhaka MetroGha-11-3303. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2293. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2811. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-1950. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha--11-2890. Pajero jeep Dhaka MetroTha-11-4039. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2827. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2890. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2830 & Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Va-9542 of different division, RHD, Dhaka through workshop division, Dhaka In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-0680. Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-3548. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Va-9619 & Pajero jeep Dhaka MetroCha--9780 of different division, RHD, Dhaka through workshop division, Dhaka In the year 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Mitsubishi Pickup Dhaka Metro-Ta-11-0374 through RHD, works division, Dhaka In the Year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-4218. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-13-0682. Mitsubishi Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-3548. Toyota Hilux Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-7858. Nissan Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-3246. Pajero jeep Dhaka MetroGha-02-3001. Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-51-0269. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-0631. Toyota RAV-4 jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3284. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2293 & Toyota Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-51-1120 of Different Division, RHD, Dhaka through Workshop Division, Dhaka In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-0111. Nissan jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2728. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3726. Land Crossure jeep Barisal-Gha-05-0021. Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-7763. Nissan jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-5219. Pajero jeep Kishorgaong-Ka-25. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-0343. Pajero jeep Charto MetroGha--02-0414. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha--11-2226. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-2534. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2355 & Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-0632 of Different Division, RHD, Dhaka through Workshop Division, Dhaka In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3362. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-13-0812. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-4215. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-1762. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-13-0750. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-1370. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Ja-4670. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-1768. Pickup Dhaka MetroTha-11-3523. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-1652. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3652. Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-7984 & Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-8261 of Different Division, RHD, Dhaka through Workshop Division, Dhaka In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Trailor No-14. Staff bus Dhaka MetroSha-11-0045 & Mobile crane R-5 of Different Division, RHD, Dhaka through Workshop Division, Dhaka In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-8216. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3395. Nissan jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-5219. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-1213 & Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-0584 of Different Division, RHD, Dhaka through Workshop Division, Dhaka In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work Keya jkeep Dhaka Metro-Ka-11-1369. Pickup Dhaka Metro-Iba-11-7763. Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tjha-11-3518. Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-11-1726. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2294. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Ja-4670. Lesus Car Dhaka Metro-Kha-12-2554 & Pickup Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-8261 of Differenet Division, RHD, Dhaka through Workshop Division, Dhaka In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-0687. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Va-9616. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-1950. Micro bus Dhaka MetroCha-51-2513 & Nissan Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tja-11-0195 of Different Division, RHD, Dhaka through Workshop Division, Dhaka
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In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Nissan Truck Dhaka Metro-Mo-07-0010 through RHD Workshop Division, Dhaka In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-0660. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Va-9619 & Mitsubishi Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-3890 of Different Division, RHD, Dhaka through Workshop Division, Dhaka In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Nissan Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-3515 through RHD Workshop Division, Dhaka In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-0154. Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-51-2521. Toyota Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-3619. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-0111. Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-51-2522. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-0680. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2890. Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-51-2886. Land Crossure jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-0084 & Toyota Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-7858 of Different Division, RHD, Dhaka through Workshop Division, Dhaka In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Staff bus Dhaka Metro-Sha-11-0046. Staff bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-5634. Staff bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-7016 of Different Division, RHD, Dhaka through Workshop Division, Dhaka In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3270 & Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3383 of Different Division, RHD, Dhaka through Workshop Division, Dhaka In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3363. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3230. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3191. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3249. Nissan jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-2526. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3383. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2249. Nissan jeep Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-3518 & Nissan jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-2525 of Different Division, RHD, Dhaka through Workshop Division, Dhaka In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3295 & Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-51-0269 of Different Division, RHD, Dhaka through Workshop Division, Dhaka In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-9619. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-0639 & Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-0687 of Different Division, RHD, Dhaka through Workshop Division, Dhaka In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-1950. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3429. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3724 & Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-0349 of Different Division, RHD, Dhaka through Workshop Division, Dhaka In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-0632 & Mitsubishi Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-7763 of Different Division, RHD, Dhaka through Workshop Division, Dhaka In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-1845. Nissan pickup Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2728. Nissan Sunny Car Dhaka Metro-Gha-15-1378. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-5721. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-0682. Pajero jeep Dhaka MetroGha-13-0750. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-4218. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-5754. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3112. Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-3424 & Pajero jeep Dhaka MetroGha-11-2812 of Different Division, RHD, Dhaka through Workshop Division, Dhaka In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-51-2539 & Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-3619 of Different Division, RHD, Dhaka through Workshop Division, Dhaka. In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-3246. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Ja-1670. Pickup Comilla-Mo-02-0038. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-2293. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-1621. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-1936. Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-7910. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-1651. Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-51-1563. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3361. Nissan jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-5219. Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-51-1542. Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-3619. Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-51-1726. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-1950 & Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-0680 of of Different Division, RHD, Dhaka through Workshop Division, Dhaka. In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-51-2522. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-13-0788. Toyota Land Crossure jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-7775. Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-51-2530. Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-51-8192. Pajero jeep Dhaka MetroGha-11-3444 & Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-0061 of of Different Division, RHD, Dhaka through Workshop Division, Dhaka. In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-51-2521. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-1651. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-0631. Pajero jeep Dhaka MetroGha--11-3361. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2739. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-9342. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-13-0750 & Pickup Al. TH-196 of Different Division, RHD, Dhaka through Workshop Division, Dhaka. In the Year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero Jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-0037. Pajero jeep Dhaka metro-Gha-11-3273, Pajero jeep Dhaka metro-Gha-11-3277, Pajero jeep Dhaka metro-Gha-11-3684, Pajero jeep Companigonj Ka-25, Toyota Micro bus Dhaka Metro Cha-51-1921 & Nissan Pickup Al. TH-195 of Different Division (RHD) Dhaka through Workshop Division Dhaka. In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Keya jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-11-2796, Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-11-5745 & Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-11-3304 of different Division (RHD) Dhaka through Workshop Division Dhaka. In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-11-3272, Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-11-2251, Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-11-5745, Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-11-2768, Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-13-0812 & Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-112226 of different Division (RHD) Dhaka through Workshop Division Dhaka. In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajerojeep Dhaka Metro Gha-02-3272, Pickup Dhaka Metro Tha-11-3518, Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-11-4215, Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha11-2739, Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-11-0349, Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-11-3061, Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-11-4845, Pickup Dhaka Metro Tha-11-4037, Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-112768, Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Va-9542, Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-11-3381 & Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-51-0051 of different Division (RHD) Dhaka through Workshop Division Dhaka. In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-11-3272, Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Cha-9780, Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-02-2850, Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-02-0631, Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-11-0154, Micro bus Thakurgaong-Cha-13-0006, Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-11-1936, Nissan Pickup Dhaka Metro Gha-11-4021, Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-02-3034, Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-51-1921, Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-11-2226, Prado jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-11-2294, Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-11-3271 & Land Crossure jeep Barishal-Gha-05-0010 of different Division (RHD) Dhaka through Workshop Division Dhaka. In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-13-2827, Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-11-3303, Mitsubishi Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-7763, MitsubishiLancer Car Dhaka Metro-Kha-12-2553 & Nissan Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-4039 of different Division (RHD) Dhaka through Workshop Division Dhaka. In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-11-0154 through (RHD) Workshop Division Dhaka. In the year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair Pickup Dhaka Metro Tha-11-3468 & Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro Gha-02-0041 of different Division (RHD) Dhaka through Workshop Division Dhaka. In the Year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2711. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-0632. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2800. Nissan jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-2192. Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-51-1179. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-13-0812. Nissan Piekup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-4037. Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-0375. Puckup Dhaka MetroTha-11-7767. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-1936. Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-02-2539. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-05-0264. Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-3246. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-3001. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3446. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-Gha-11-3444 & Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-0680 of Different Division (RHD) Dhaka through Workshop Division Dhaka. In the Year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-4215. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2293. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3303. Micro bus ThukurgaongCha-13-0006. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-1936. Nissan Sunny Car Dhaka Metro-Gha-15-1378. Nissan Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-4037. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-4213. Nissan Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11+3518. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2175. Pajero jeep Dhaka MetroGha-02-1708. Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-4228. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2355. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3681. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2829. Pajero jeep Dhaka MetroVa-9542. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3295. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-2830 & Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-2534 of Different Division (RHD) Dhaka through Workshop Division Dhaka. In the Year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-4037. Pickup Dhaka Metro Tha-11-2767. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-27-39. Pajero jeep Dhaka MetroGha-02-0285. Car No-15-1378. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-13-0812. Prado jeep Dhaka MetroGha-11-1762. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-1936. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-9342. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-13-0788. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-11-2293. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3362. Pickup Dhaka Metro-Tha-11-0375. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3681. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-5721. Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-51-0269. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-8390. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3726. Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-1950. Prado jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-3273. Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-51-0051 & Micro bus Dhaka Metro-Cha-51-3070 of Different Division (RHD) Dhaka through Workshop Division Dhaka. In the Year of 2013-2014 the supply and repair work of Pajero jeep Dhaka Metro-Gha-02-0680 through (RHD) Workshop Division Dhaka.
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Deputy Executive Engineer, RHD Workshop Division, Dhaka Remainder No. 263/3 DG 60/14 (20x4)
Md. Hadayetul Bari Executive Engineer, RHD Workshop Division Dhaka Date: 27/03/2014
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Long Form
In the aftermath of SIDR that that hit all the 32 coastal districts, damaging lives and livelihood immensely. The photo shows a remnants of a village called Southkhali in Bagerhat
HAZARD RANKINGS OF BANGLADESH Hazard Flood Cyclone Earthquake Based on Human Exposure 1st out of 162 6th out of 89 17th out of 153 Based on Economic Exposure 3rd out of 162 12th out of 89 42nd out of 153
Source: EM DAT, 2013
As a result, Bangladesh frequently suffers from devastating floods, cyclones, storm surges, tornados, cold wave, riverbank erosion and drought. The countrys precarious perch in between two tectonic plates exposes it to devastating earthquakes in near future. Bangladesh rated as the nation most at risk from extreme weather and geophysical events - study ranking 229 countries on their vulnerability to natural disasters (NDRI 2010-2011). The history of striking disaster in Bangladesh gives a devastating scenario with the country ranked first out of 162 countries based on human exposure due to flood related hazards and third based on economic exposure. It is ranked sixth out of 89 countries based on human exposure in terms of cyclone related hazards and twelfth from economic exposure. For earthquake, the country ranked seventeenth out of 153 countries based on human exposure and forty-second out of 153 countries based on economic exposure. In different disasters over the past 30 years, a total of 323 million people have been affected, out of which 191,836 were life casualties. The total amount of resulting damage in terms of economy was $17.1mn (EM DAT). Besides, a severe cyclone took a toll of 0.3 million human lives in Bangladesh; the figure was 0.14 million in April 29, 1991. Other major disasters include devastating Sidr that hit all the 32 coastal districts, damaging lives and livelihood immensely.
and persons with disabilities. Followed by various international and national level commitments in disaster risk reduction, numerous measures are proactively taken by the Government of Bangladesh to address disaster risks comprehensively. It is done so with the vision to reduce the vulnerability of the poor to the effects of natural, environmental and human induced hazards to a manageable and acceptable humanitarian level by bringing a paradigm shift in disaster management from conventional response and relief practice to a more
and allocating useful resources. For managing cyclonic disasters, Bangladesh has significantly improved its preparedness. After Mahasen it has been commended by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): While tropical storm Mahasen reached the coastline of Bangladesh on Thursday weaker than anticipated, the preparedness work undertaken by the government and humanitarian partners saved countless lives. But, the country still has a long way to go, particularly for the areas
gap in constructing flood shelters in the flood prone areas where mainstreaming disaster risk reduction plans into Annual Development Planning should be considered with high attention. Measures should be taken for raising houses at the low land areas, developing cluster villages for the low-income community and ensuring clean water for all.
Hurdles to cross
Despite recent efforts, Bangladesh still has a huge amount of work to do in preparing for an earthquake, particularly for the major cities of the country including Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet and Mymensingh. Along with the rapid urbanisation where around 35,000 people move to urban areas in every week Building Code need to be strengthened and enforced; preparedness measures should be taken by the community and household levels. Till date, only the bare minimum of efforts have been taken for raising the preparedness knowledge of the communities and increase the stock of the government. For earthquake awareness community volunteers can act as change agents. In this regard, the government decided to train 62,000 community volunteers to carry out rescue operations immediately after disasters, but it trained only 8,000-9,000 volunteers in the last four years. For massive awareness of earthquake, government and non-government organisations can work together for building partnership where media can play an effective role. A regular basis earthquake demonstration, mock drills at both community and school level should be organised so that people can learn how to respond during and after the tremor. There should be a concrete plan for slum dwellers and their hazards they may be exposed to. Finally, for making the country resilient to disasters and promote preparedness at all level, a gradual and self-supporting change is required where sustainable engagement should be ensured from all levels of stakeholders, particularly from the disaster management committee. Considering all the hazards, an effective response plan is required where local needs, contexts and aspirations are addressed. In the last few decades, Bangladesh became a leader in developing institutional frameworks and capacity building initiatives. Similar efforts should be deployed for the implementation of policy frameworks, promoting a culture of safety and dissemination of best practices which ultimately will make the country resilient to disasters. l Mohammed Norul Alam Raju is program officer at Urban DRR, Oxfam. He can be reached at nraju@oxfam.org.uk.
Considering all the hazards, an effective response plan is required where local needs, contexts and aspirations are addressed
Looming disasters
Although most of the earthquakes that hit the country was inconsequential, Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable country from earthquakes as it is surrounded by regions of high seismicity. According to CDMP study, some 78,323 buildings will be destroyed completely if a 6 magnitude earthquake shakes Dhaka. In case of a 7.5 magnitude earthquake, some 72,316 buildings in the capital will be damaged totally and 53,166 others partially. The numbers will go up to 238,164 across the country for an 8.5 magnitude tremor. Over the years, river erosion is considered one of the major disasters of Bangladesh both from natural and man-made causes due to the impact of climate change and human intervention. A research shows, (CEGIS, 2011) almost 0.1 million people become homeless every year due to river erosion.
Across the globe, the importance of preparedness has been recognised. In 1988, after implementing a flood mitigation and watershed management project in Kinshasa, the Congolese capital, the Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) calculated that each dollar invested in DRR in Kinshasa resulted in savings of at least $45.58 during the following rainy season in 1999 (nef, 2012). There are other studies that suggested investing on risk reduction before the risk happens i.e. the World Bank estimates that every dollar spent on risk reduction saves $7 in relief and repairs.
comprehensive risk reduction culture, and strengthening the capacity of the Bangladesh disaster management system in improving the response and recovery management at all levels. Bangladesh has successfully formulated and enacted disaster management act, policies, plans, standing orders and appropriate institutional framework for implementation. This provides basic operational mechanism for all the relevant ministries and agencies, but the effective functioning of all the pledges has yet to be tested. There continues to be lack of coordinated implementation, lack of sustainability, access to modern technologies, access to information and of course scarcity of resources. Lack of coordination among the department themselves hampers quickest response in emergency. There is a need to complement disaster management vision of Bangladesh by building organisational capacity, sustainability
of improving coordination among the efforts of government and the NGOs, unavailability of required number of shelters, lack of volunteers, awareness-raising materials and level of modernisation of the Cyclone Preparedness Programm (CPP). In case of a cyclonic storm, taking shelter at the safe home is the ultimate preparedness measure. In 13 coastal districts of the country, 3770 shelters have been constructed over the years (DDM:April, 2013) for around 10 million people, while a significant number of shelters are not in right locations due to misappropriation and lack of planning during the construction time. In the last four years, around 970 shelters have been built, although 5000 shelters were supposed to be constructed. Mixing modern technology and indigenous knowledge, developing an appropriate flood signalling system is yet to be achieved. There is a serious
NATURAL DISASTERS FROM 1980 2010 No of events No of people killed Average killed per year No of people affected Economic Damage (US$ X 1,000) Economic Damage per year (US$ X 1,000)
Mitigating risks
Over the years, Bangladesh has confronted many challenges of natural disasters and tried to mitigate the risks of natural disasters. Lack of proper preparedness always challenges the population living at extreme risk; specially women, children, aged citizens
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DHAKA TRIBUNE
Editorial
LETTER OF THE DAY
Letters to
the Editor
he cabinet committee on economic affairs is discussing proposals to establish hi-tech industrial parks and ICT villages under public private partnership (PPP) initiatives. Final approval will still be needed from the Cabinet Committee on Public Procurement, but plans are well advanced for two existing proposals where the government has already acquired land. These relate to 162 acres acquired in Sylhets Companiganjupazilafor a hi-tech park, and the acquisition of 34 acres in Rajshahi to establish a Silicon City. There are also plans for a Mohakhali ICT village within the capital, which is planned to be built on 47 acresof land currently occupied by slum dwellers. Sources at the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority (BHTPA) report that three offers have already been submitted for the Mohakhali ICT village and that one local company, which has applied to develop this project with a foreign partner, has also submitted a proposal for the Sylhet hi-tech park. It is clear that there is considerable demand to establish these types of development and that the economic benefits attained would also benefit those from whom the land required is acquired. By providing land and basic infrastructure connections there is huge scope for the government to attract technology companies to build operations in the country, and to develop the countrys technological capabilities in knowledge-based industries such as biotechnology, electronics, IT and telecommunications. Using PPP to develop more highly-skilled jobs is a logical move to help provide opportunities for new graduates and to grow the economy in new directions.
There is huge scope for the government to develop the countrys technological capabilities in knowledge-based industries
Be Heard
Write to us at: Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath Sukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Email us at: letters.dt@dhakatribune.com Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com Visit our website: www.dhakatribune.com Come join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune
he canals of Dhaka are in serious jeopardy due to rampant encroachment, indiscriminate waste dumping and lack of maintenance. Restoring the citys canals is essential not only for environmental reasons but also to improve the quality of life in our capital. Over the years, as the number of canals in the capital has decreased, so have most of those which remain been seriously depleted due to encroachment. Vanishing canals and wetlands reduce biodiversity and increase Dhakas vulnerability to floods by diminishing ground water levels and natural drainage.The authorities must not continue to turn a blind eye towards land-grabbers. Dhaka Wasa must invigorate its efforts to reclaim canals from illegal occupation by building walkways, channels and planting trees to demarcate embankments. Related measures to re-dig and improve the condition of canals would have widespread public support. It is time that the appropriate authorities come up with a comprehensive and long-term solution to restore and maintain the canals, which are vital to the health of our city. This includes coming up with better planned housing so that illegally appropriated canal land is not so attractive to developers. An even bigger priority has to be to ensure a proper citywide waste management system, so there is no dumping of garbage into the canals. These waterways are a crucial part of the citys heritage and environment and should be respected in their own right as amenities for the public, not the domain of land grabbers.
Vanishing canals and wetlands increase Dhakas vulnerability to floods by diminishing ground water levels and natural drainage
PEANUTS
CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1 Wound with a knife (4) 5 Assemblage (5) 8 Procession (6) 9 Metal (4) 10 Worthless dog (3) 12 Return to former habit (6) 13 Dodges (6) 15 Colour (6) 18 Unites (6) 20 Period of time (3) 21 Long, detailed story (4) 23 Seemingly mocked by fate (6) 24 Sample (5) 25 Require (4) DOWN 1 Venomous ill will (5) 2 Sailor (3) 3 Fragrance (5) 4 Prohibit (3) 5 Book of the Bible (7) 6 Single occasion (4) 7 Separate (4) 11 Advise strongly (4) 12 Daydream (7) 14 Turn away (4) 16 Climbing plant (5) 17 Region (5) 18 Dissolve (4) 19 Torn clothing (4) 21 Female pig (3) 22 Spirit (3)
SUDOKU
YESTERDAYS SOLUTIONS
Crossword
How to solve Sudoku: 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 numberrepeating.
Sudoku
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Op-Ed
11
99 not out
T
n FS Aijazuddin
o get a measure of Khushwant Singhs life (he died onMarch 20, 2014, at the age of 99), one needs to remember that when he was born in 1915, the First World War had just begun. And if one goes back another 99 years, to 1816, Maharaja Ranjit Singh was still on the throne of Lahore.Khushwant Singh managed to telescope through his writings that 200 year gap into one seamless narrative of Punjabiat. spent a lifetime writing books and inimitable articles, and kissed it. He brushed his cheek with mine. Both of us knew that it was a farewell. I left and stood on the gravel outside, recalling our first meeting onAugust 21, 1978. I had gone to show him my first book Pahari Paintings and Sikh Portraits in the Lahore Museum which had just been published, and to discuss my secondSikh Portraits by European Artists, still in the press. Khushwant Singh gave me his study onThe Fall of the Kingdom of the Punjabwhich covered the same period. He inscribed it with much affection. That affection remained undiluted and undiminished throughout the ensuing 35 years of our association. For me as a student of Sikh history, Khushwant Singhs academic achievements stand like some Uluru/Ayers Rock in the landscape of his life. His more popular works his articles, short stories, novels, compendia of jokes gained him more fame, hopefully fortune, certainly notoriety, but none yielded him the stature that I believe he deserved as a serious writer. The opening lines of arguably his most famous novel Train to Pakistan reveal Khushwants Singhs formidable powers of description and at another level the intensity of his feeling for rural roots. This bonding revealed itself in many ways, often unexpectedly. On one occasion, he stunned his Pakistani audience during a Manzur Qadir Memorial lecture at Lahore in 1989 by declaring that before Mohammed Ali Jinnah became the Father of Pakistan, he was the Son of India. No one but Khushwant Singh would have shown such provocative mischievousness, and no one else would have been able to calm and then conciliate his audience with the fire-extinguishing speech that followed. After my last meeting with Khushwant Singh, Mala called to say that he wanted to write on my book in his next column. That explains why many mourners noticed the copy I had given him lying by his bedside.
MUMIT M
Khushwant Singhs academic achievements stand like some Uluru/ Ayers Rock in the landscape of his life
Throughout his life, he regarded his birth-village of Hadali (now part of Pakistans Punjab) with inordinate affection. He felt it qualified him to be a Pakistani. When we last met on March 4, a fortnight before he died, he told me: You know that I am a Pakistani by birth and at heart. I replied: You are a better Pakistani than most of us. He laughed: I have told them I want to be buried in Hadali. I had gone to see him, as I tried to do whenever I was in New Delhi, in his ground-floor flat in Sujan Singh Park, near Lodhi Gardens. This time, it was to present him with a copy of my latest bookThe Resourceful Fakirs: Three Muslim brothers at the Sikh Court of Lahore.Hisattendant Bahadur told me that Khushwant was resting but if I was to leave my telephone number, he would call me and let me know if Khushwant could receive me. The next day, rather than waiting for the call, I went to the flat of his daughter Mala Dayal (she lives in one opposite) and had coffee with her. Just after midday, Bahadur rang. Mala led me across the hallway into Khushwants flat, through the dining room into the rear verandah. Khushwantsatin a wicker chair, his legs outstretched in thesun, the rest of his body in the shade. He wore a grey track suit and had a black woollen cap on his head. I noticed some biscuit crumbs caught in his beard. Mala reminded him who I was. He recognised me within a second. I gave him my book. Inscribe it for me, he said, adding after I had done so: Now write it in Urdu.He demonstrated (as if I could ever forget) his mastery of Urdu and Persian by reciting a couplet of Iqbals. You know that I am 99 years old. I replied: May my years be added to yours. He looked up at me with the softest expression, and said: No, but may you live as long as I have. I held his hand, the hand that had
n Zafar Sobhan
ets be blunt. The reason behind the recently announced ban on Bangladeshi nationals waving foreign flags during the T20 World Cup cricket matches was to put an end to the distasteful thought of having to witness Bangladeshis wave the Pakistani flag in public during the month of March. The BCB had the wit to proscribe all flags, to provide a fig-leaf of respectability to the decision, but there can be little doubt as to what the motivation behind the rule was. No one really cares about someone waving a Sri Lankan flag. Damn straight, many will argue. I am quite sure I wouldnt have to look far to find friends and family who not only thoroughly approve of the law, but would add that anyone found transgressing be administered a sound chappal-beating, for their temerity. And it is hard not to be sympathetic to this point of view, especially in the month of March. Nevertheless, on balance, the ban highlights a tendency among Bangladeshis that I find even more disturbing than the waving of Pakistani flags, as irksome as the act is, and that is why, on balance, the ban does not sit right with me. I would rather live a country where everyday life was not choked by innumerable petty rules and regulations than one in which our Pakistani cricket-team loving (not Pakistani-loving per se, they will insist) friends would
be given a sharp lesson in history and decorum. It is significant that the justification given by the BCB was that Bangladeshis brandishing the national flags of other nations runs contrary to our own flag laws. Say what? What kind of nonsensical law would this be and why do we even have such a law on the books? But they are right. Bangladesh does indeed have a flag law on the books and the law does indeed seem to proscribe waving the flag of any other nation. That is the problem.
The default cultural understanding is that we are not permitted to do anything unless there is a law expressly permitting us to do us. It is not that we are free to do as we please unless there is an explicit law saying that we cannot. How many times have we all heard the unanswerable conversation stopper: We have no rule for this. It is for this reason that every little task in Bangladesh is so arduous, from paying ones taxes to getting a telephone line to starting a business to building a house. The rules make
This is about living in a country where every part of our lives is not dictated by petty rules and regulations
Here in Bangladesh we live within a dizzying web of rules and regulations, many of which are difficult if not impossible to comply with. Just sitting there, minding your own business, reading this newspaper, I assure you that you are breaking some law or the other. Everyone is, all the time. The problem is two-fold. The first is that we simply have too many rules and regulations on the books, almost all archaic and anachronistic. The second is that we have evolved into a bureaucratic and officious people, ever anxious to hold others to the letter of the law.
rule-breakers of us all and contribute to peoples lack of respect for the law. Now, of course I am not suggesting that we revert to some kind of Hobbesian existence, with no rules and regulations, so that we can all run amok without fear. But we need to consider rethinking our mind-set when it comes to the over-regulation of every aspect of existence and take note of the negative effect it has had on both our maturity and our development. This mind-set and the apparatus of rules that we have created around it is a large part of what is holding us back as a nation.
If there is one thing we need to change about ourselves, it is this. In the bigger scheme of things I am more concerned about our affinity for obscure and pettifogging rules and the alacrity with which we play the sub-section (e) clause (f) paragraph (g) card than I am about Pakistani flags (or Indian ones, for that matter) being waved in the stadium. In short, my opposition to the flag ban is not on the grounds that we need to separate sport from politics, and that it is all just fun and games. My opposition comes from the fact that we have too many petty limitations and constraints on what we can and cannot do as it is, and I am loath to hand another victory to the bureaucratic and officious mind-set that dominates our thinking here in Bangladesh. So let people fly their damned flags. Like Americans who see their stadiums dominated by Mexican flags when the US plays Mexico or the English who see their fellow-countrymen proudly failing the Tebbit test by waving flags in support of the country of their origin at Lords, we ought to just suck it up. This isnt about tolerance. After all, we are all tolerant until we come face to face with something we just cant stand. I get that. I get that Pakistani flags are intolerable to a lot of people, and with reason. But this is about living in a country where every part of our lives is not dictated by petty rules and regulations, and thats a trade-off worth taking.l Zafar Sobhan is the Editor, Dhaka Tribune.
He brushed his cheek with mine. Both of us knew that it was a farewell
He has been cremated in New Delhi. His family has agreed that some of his ashes may be brought to Pakistan for burial, as he wished, in his birth-village Hadali. The son of Punjab will be returned to its soil. l FS Aijazuddin, OBE, is the author of more than a dozen books. This article was first published in Dawn.
We fail to work on eliminating the aspects from our national life that tarnish our image
And from a branding point of view, as I understand as a common man, these two events are examples of country-branding. These are signs of promoting the positive side of Bangladesh. In fact, these are the times when we, the common people, get enthusiastic, thinking that our policymakers now would focus on branding our country in the global arena. But after a while, we see our euphoria subside on this vital matter. We get engrossed in violent politics, and violence becomes the emblem of Bangladesh to the international community. At the end
sired outcome that we all so passionately hoped for, but weve benefited a lot by becoming an international cricket tournament venue. The ongoing T20 television promo on all sports channels has brightened Bangladeshs face. All cricket-loving eyes are now on Bangladesh. Whats now needed is to improve our teams performance in order to be appreciated more in this field. Despite some serious setbacks, the made in Bangladesh apparel tags have given us the opportunity to become a leader in the global garment-exporting sector. We could suc-
12
n Punny Kabir
Golam Mustafa Shimuls debut feature film Onukrosh will be released today in Binaka cinema hall. Besides, the film will have its World TV Premiere on the same day on Channel i at 3:05pm. Shimul, who has directed about 100 TV plays before, finally emerges as a filmmaker this time with the film that revolves around many political questions which are now at burning state. According to Shimul, the canvas of the film encompasses the Liberation War in 1971 till the current time. It is about a retired army officer (played by Pijush Bandyopadhyay) of Pakistan who comes to Bangladesh in
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Entertainment
n Entertainment Desk
To celebrate the 100th birthday of Albert Camus, Alliance Franaise de Dhaka (AFD) and The Reading Circle are organising a discussion on the Nobel laureates The Outsider ( LEtranger), today at the auditorium of AFD at 5pm. The discussants from the Reading Circle will be Dr Niaz Zaman, Asfa Hussain, Shahruk Rahman, Jackie Kabir, Shirin Islam, Syed Badrul Ahsan and Raana Haider. Besides, Olivier Litvine, Director of Alliance Franaise de Dhaka will also participate in this discussion.
Ananta Jalil emerges as a choreographer! At the upcoming Cultural Journalists Forum of Bangladesh Performance Award ceremony on April 14, Jalil and Barsha, the Most Wanted duo of Dhallywood film industry, will be seen dancing on Jalils choreography. A source confirms that the performance will feature two selected parts of Jalil and Barshas next film Most Welcome 2.
TODAY IN DHAKA
Exhibition
Solo Sculpture Exhibition By Hamiduzzaman Khan Time: 10am 8pm Athena Gallery of Fine Arts, Progoti Shoroni, Uttar Badda
Festival
Documentary Festival By Documenting Bangladesh 5 Time: 6:30pm 8:30pm Main Auditorum, National Museum, Shahbagh Swadhinota Utshab By Liberation War Museum Time: 5pm 7pm Liberation War Museum & Mirpur Graveyard
Theatre
Payer Awaj Pawa Jae By Theatre Time: 7:00pm 9:30pm Experimental Theatre Hall, BSA Konthonalite Shurjo By Tirandaj Natyadal Time: 7pm 9pm Studio Theatre Hall, BSA
Spectators at the exhibition at Hatirjheel jheel project started. I felt helpless and as loss at it was a common and soothing sight for me. Afterwards, I noticed a group of children running towards the tree and I also joined them with my camera. I wanted to capture the moment, the childrens reaction to the destruction of something that was familiar to them. I felt a connection with the lot and a similar kind of stirring within myself, but at that time I could not identify it for what it was. They touched the branches, the leaves, and the bright flowers. Then they started collecting parts of the tree. I ran down to join them. I too wanted to bring back the last flower of this tree that I have known for years, I grew up seeing it from a distance. The exhibition opened on March 28 and will conclude today. After six years, Zaid found the group of children who are teenagers now and inaugurated the exhibition with them. l
Aamir Khan beats Shah Rukh and Ranveer to romance Deepika Padukone?
n Entertainment Desk
While its confirmed that Deepika Padukone has replaced Kareena Kapoor Khan as the heroine in Shuddhi, the guessing game is just going on and on as far as the male lead is concerned. Originally, it was Hrithik Roshan who was roped in as the hero of the film, but he walked out of the project and chose to work with Katrina Kaif in Bang Bang. Ever since then various names like Shah Rukh Khan and Deepikas alleged beau Ranveer Singh have been doing the rounds to play the male lead in Shuddhi. However, now it is rumoured that its neither SRK nor Ranveer who has replaced Roshan Jr in the film. In fact, its none other than Mr Perfectionist, Aamir Khan who will romance Padukone in Karan Johars much talked about project. There is a strong buzz that KJo wants Aamir to star in Shuddhi. And if at all he manages this, it will surely be a casting coup of sorts, which will ultimately give the film a big boost. And why not? After all the deadly combo of Aamir and Deepika in Shuddhi will surely get the cash registers ringing at the box office. l
Sport
DHAKA TRIBUNE
13
15 Tevez at the
15 Australia face
WI in do-or-die match
Australia womens captain Meg Lanning plays a shot during their World Twenty20 match against Ireland at Sylhet International Stadium yesterday
MUMIT M
Australias 191/4 is the highest ever in a womens WorldT20 match surpassing New Zealands 180/5. The 78-run margin of victory is the biggest in womens World T20 history. Lanning became the first Australian woman to score 1000 and more in her T20 career. 126 Lanning became the highest individual scorer in a T20 match
SCORECARD
South Africa Hashim Amla c Barresi b Malik 43 Q de Kock c Myburgh b Swart 0 F du Plessis c van Beek b T. Cooper 24 AB de Villiers B. Cooper b van Beek 21 A. Morkel c B. Cooper b Malik 5 JP Duminy c Barresi b Gugten 12 D Miller b Malik 17 D Steyn c Barresi b Malik 5 B Hendricks c c Borren b Malik 3 Imran Tahir not out 9 L Tsotsobe not out 1 Extras: (b1, w4) 5 Total: (for nine wkts; 20 overs) 145 Fall of wickets 1 3, 2 45, 3 84, 4 92, 5 102, 6 120, 7 127, 8 133, 9 135 Bowling Swart 2 0 26 1, Gugten 4 0 28 1, Malik 4 0 19 5, van Beek 2 0 14 1, Bukhari 4 0 26 0, Seelaar 1 0 9 0, T. Copper 3 0 22 1 Netherlands S Myburgh b Duminy 51 M Swart c du Plessis b Steyn 8 W Barresi lbw b Tahir 14 P Borren lbw b Tahir 13 T Cooper b Tahir 16 B Copper c de Kock b Steyn 5 M Bukhari c Miller b Tsotsobe 11 P Seelaar c Duminy b Tahir 2 L van Beek run out 1 T Gugten c de Kock b Hendricks 8 Ahsan Malik not out 1 Extras: (b4, lb2, w3) 9 Total: (all out; 18.4 overs) 139 Fall of wickets 1 58, 2 80, 2 80, 3 82, 4 97, 5 116, 6 116, 7 118, 8 124, 9 134 Bowling Morkel 2 0 19 0, Hendricks 3.4 0 16 1, Tssotsobe 4 0 46 1, Steyn 4 0 19 2, Tahir 4 0 21 4, Duminy 1 0 12 1 South Africa win by six runs
them, said Lucy the right-handed batsman cum medium pacer. Womens cricket is slowly developing around the world and it is expected that a one takes it up as a career from her childhood. Ireland seems to be a perfect breeding place for such as it isnt only Lucy, there is also Elena Tice who began her career at
14
Monaco storm into Cup semis
Monaco routed second division Lens 6 0 on Wednesday to reach the semi-finals of the French Cup and keep their outside hopes of a league-and-cup double on track. Monaco boss Claudio Ranieri, whose side are 10 points behind runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain in the Ligue 1 title race, made six changes from the teams last outing against Lille at the weekend. But the changes made little difference to the outcome against a Lens team who are second in Ligue 2 and seeking a return to the top flight. AFP
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Sport
RESULTS
Liverpool West Ham
Noble 26 P, Chester 54-og
2 1 2 1
Sunderland
Ki 76
Hull City
Jelavic 48
PREMIER LEAGUE
Team 1 Chelsea 2 Liverpool 3 Man City 4 Arsenal 5 Everton GP 31 31 29 31 30 W 21 21 21 19 16 D 6 5 3 6 9 L 4 5 5 6 5 GD PTS 39 69 45 68 52 66 19 63 16 57
Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard (C) celebrates scoring from a freekick with team mate Luis Suarez (L) against Sunderland during their English Premier League match at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England, on Wednesday AFP
RESULTS
Rayo Vallecano
Larrivey 90 P
1 0 3 0 2 1 1 0
Barcelona Sevilla
Bacca 18, 72
Neymar 5, 67 Messi 30
Atletico Madrid
Diego Costa 63
Granada
LA LIGA
Team 1 Atltico Madrid 2 Barcelona 3 Real Madrid 4 Athletic 5 Sevilla P 30 30 30 30 30 W 23 23 22 16 14 D 4 3 4 8 8 L 3 4 4 6 8 GD PTS 46 73 63 72 49 70 20 56 10 50
Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes, surrounded by teammates, gestures as he lies injured on the pitch against Celta Vigo at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on Wednesday REUTERS
RESULTS
Atalanta
De Luca 22, Denis 59
2 0 1 0 2 4
Cagliari
Nene 31
Catania
Monzon 52, Gyoember 75
3 0
0 2 2 1
Sassuolo
Longhi 16
1 2 2 0
Sampdoria
Sansone 1, Okaka 66
Genoa
Lazio
SERIE A
Team 1 Juventus 2 Roma 3 Napoli 4 Fiorentina 5 Inter Milan G W D 30 26 3 29 20 7 30 18 7 30 15 6 29 12 11 L 1 2 5 9 6 GD PTS 47 81 41 67 25 61 16 51 16 47
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Sport
15
SCORECARD
Sri Lanka T. Dilshan c Jordan b Dernbach 55 K. Perera c Buttler b Dernbach 3 M. Jayawerdene b Jordan 89 T. Perera not out 23 K. Sangakkara c Hales b Jordan 0 A. Mathews not out 11 Extras: (lb2, nb2, w4) 8 Total: (for four wkts; 20 overs) 189 Did not bat: D. Chandimal, S. Senanayake, N. Kulasekara, A. Mendis, L. Malinga. Fall of wickets: 1 4 (Perera), 2 149 (Jayawardene), 3 156 (Dilshan), 4 169 (Sangakkara) Bowling Ali 1 0 4 0, Dernbach 4 0 42 2 (1nb, 1w), Bresnan 4 0 48 0, Jordan 4 028 2 (1w), Tredwell 4 0 36 0, Broad 3 0 29 0 (1nb, 2w) England M. Lumb b Kulasekara 0 A. Hales not out 116 Moeen Ali c Senanayake b Kulasekara 0 E. Morgan c Mathews b Kulasekara 57 J. Buttler c Chandimal b Kulasekara 2 R. Bopara not out 11 Extras: (nb1, w3) 4 Total: (for four wkts; 19.2 overs) 190 Did not bat: T. Bresnan, C. Jordan, S. Broad, J. Tredwell, J. Dernbach Fall of wickets: 1 0 (Lumb), 2 0 (Ali), 3 152 (Morgan), 4 156 (Buttler) Bowling Kulasekara 4 1 32 4 (2w), Mathews 2.2 0 31 0, Malinga 4 0 31 0 (1nb, 1w), Senanayake 4 0 30 0, Mendis 4 0 520, Thisara 1 0 14 0 Result: England win by six wickets Toss: England
England batsman Alex Hales celebrates the victory over Sri Lanka during their ICC World Twenty20 match at The Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong yesterday AFP
DAYS WATCH
Sony Six 6:30AM NBA 2013 14 Dallas v LA Clippers BTV, Gazi TV, Maasranga TV Star Sports 1, HD1 ICC World T20 2014 3:30PM West Indies v Australia 7:30PM Bangladesh v India Star Sports 4 1:00AM Sony Open Tennis Ten Golf 7:30AM Eurasia Cup Day 2
Winners of the Walton Independence Day Table Tennis pose for a photograph at the Shahid Tajuddin Wooden Floor Gymnasium yesterday COURTESY
in the opening day four-ball matches of the Ryder Cup-styled event. European captain Miguel Angel Jimenez and fellow Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal gave them the perfect start by beating Team Asia leader Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat 2 and 1 in Malaysias capital Kuala Lumpur. Only Malaysias Nicholas Fung and his South Korean partner Kim HyungSung had a good opportunity to give Asia a point after going three-up through seven holes. But Europes pairing of Graeme McDowell and Jamie Donaldson went on the offensive and turned it around to register a 3 and 1 victory. Danish pairing Thomas Bjorn and Thorbjorn Olesen beat Japans Koumei Oda and Hideto Tanihara 2 up while
Frances Victor Dubuisson and Joost Luiten of the Netherlands defeated Thai Prayad Marksaeng and Bangladeshs Siddikur Rahman 3 and 2. l
Well, I think our hitting was good, except we couldnt hold a putt. They got a few good long putts, but we played a great game. We had a good chance for eagle on hole 11 but it ended up in the water. We were in a good position but my second shot was just short of the green. Its all part of the game. I would say its only the first day, nothing to worry, two days to go. The third day will be very good competition and tomorrow, as well, because tomorrow is foursome. Im really looking forward to the next two days.
- Siddikur Rahman
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n Mohammad Jamil Khan
Banni , who died under mysterious circumstances yesterday, lies at the Dhaka Medical College morgue
Locals use handmade traps to fish in a canal of Rajshahi Barendra Development Authority in Godagari yesterday
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed on behalf of 2A Media Limited at Dainik Shakaler Khabar Publications Limited, 153/7, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1208. Editorial, News & Commercial Office: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207. Phone: 9132093 94, Advertising: 9132155, Circulation: 9132282, Fax: News-9132192, e-mail: news@dhakatribune.com, info@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com
Next budget may see 5-year roadmap IDB to lend $44m for
divisions including Tangali but there would be no funds for utilisingin the next fiscal year. The fund will, however, be allocated under the district budget from 2015-16 fiscal year. The financial reporting act and PalliSanache Bank act will be passed this parliamentary secession although draft of the direct tax act will be finalized this fiscal year as soon as it will be finalised, said Muhith. Minister, however, expressed his concern on the sluggish foreign and local investment growth because of the existing weakness of our economy coupled with bad investment situation. The country has experienced investment growth of 1.2% over the last five years, which is not good for any economy as like as Bangladesh. The government will raise investment growth up to 32% from existing 27%, he also added. Regarding banking sector finance, Muhith said: Bangladesh Bank has now full control over the banking sector. The central bank is not only dismissing the board of directors of stateowned banks but also Bangladesh Bank can now sackthe managing directors of the state-owned banks. The pre-budget consultation meeting was attended, among others, by Dr. Zaidi Sattar and Dr. Ahsan H Mansur of Policy Research Institute, Dr. Mustafa Mujeri, BinayakSen, Zaid Bakht and Nazneen Ahmed of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, SajjadZohir of Economic Research Group. During the meeting with the finance minister, local think tanks came up with a series of proposals which include budget allocation for union councils, planning for land utilisation, diversification of the agriculture products and encourage the hybrid agriculture products. l
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n Tribune Report
The government will announce the next budget for the fiscal year 2014-15 in line with its five-year plan for the sake of maintaining sustainable economic growth in the country. Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday came up with the disclosure while briefing the journalists after a pre-budget consultation with a section of economists at the finance ministry auditorium. The vision of the government will be reflected in the first-year budget of the present government although it will be a little bid ambitious one as we still dont know exactly the tenure of the present government, categorically said AMA Muhith. Among others, the top officials of the local think tanks- Bangladesh Institution of Development Studies (BIDS) and Policy Research Institution and Development Research Group attend-
ed at meeting. Hinting at a mid-term polls in the mid-tenure of the government, the minister, however, said: Even though a mid-term election might be held in the middle of the tenure of the present government, there will be no negative impact in the long-run on the countrys investment scenario as we have very good investment policy in the country to attract foreign investment. Regarding policy focus on the upcoming budget for the next fiscal year, finance minister said the main focus would be on enhancing the efficiency of the administration along with building up business confident in the local private sector. The country receives foreign assistance which is only 3% of total GDP but we could use only 1.7% of that foreign assistance. Regarding revenue growth, the minister hinted that it will be increased up to 20% from the existing 14.1% as the
governments expenditure will also be increased further. Many have suggested to increase the amount of budget deficit in the next couple of years because of huge idle money although I am not agreed with a matter as budget deficit will not be exceeded 5% of the GDP, he further pointed out . Regarding the size of the budget finance for next fiscal, minister said the next fiscal year budget will be finalised after the revision of the current fiscal year budget. Revised budget can be reduced by in between Tk10,000crore and Tk11,000 crore, which is Tk 2,22,491 crore in the current fiscal. Although it is not yet finalized, we have initially estimated Tk2,50,000crore for the budget of the next fiscal year. In response to a question, the finance minister said the government would announce separate budget allocation for seven districts of the seven
rently, half of which get the governments approval for export. Sources said in next two months the company will need to pay $13.7m (Tk108 crore) to install the second submarine. On March 7, Bangladesh officially announced to join the second submarine, a consortium of 14 foreign companies, which was expected to help the country stay online without interruption. Monwar Hossain said the two more Chinese companies were likely to join the consortium, which might reduce the Bangladeshs overhead costs. It will be a high-class connectivity for both data and voice between Southeast Asia and western Europe, he said, adding that the cable will primarily provide a bandwidth of 8Tbps and then increase up to 24Tbps. The country will get an additional bandwidth of 1,400Gbps from the second submarine cable and always stay online even if one connection goes down. The SEA ME WE-4 cable has already spent eight of its 20-year life time. Bangladesh got connected to its first submarine cable in 2006. In the early 1990s, the then government had rejected a proposal for free connection with SEA ME WE-3. l
Accord and Alliance agree not to inspect single RMG unit twice
n Tribune Report
Both the two global retailers platforms, the Accord and the Alliance have agreed not to inspect a factory twice once done by either one to avert double-inspection in the ongoing safety and security check. The decision was made at a joint meeting among the representatives from Accord, Alliance, ministries concerned, ILO, BGMEA and BKMEA, with commerce minister Tofail Ahmed in the chair. The meeting held yesterday at the ministry of commerce, was attended, among others, by labour secretary Mikail Shipar, Brad Loewen, chief safety inspector of Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, M Rabin, managing director of Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety and Rob Wayss, executive director of Accord, BGMEA vice president Shahidullah Azim and BKMEA first vice president Mohammad Hatem. We have decided that no factory will be inspected twice, which means if the Accord inspected a factory once, the Alliance wont inspect that particular factory again, Tofail Ahmed told the reports after the meeting. The decision has been made through extensive discussion not only to avert double-inspection to a single factory but also to expedite the entire safety and security check process. The Accord and Alliance along with the help of experts from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) have so far inspected ried building against its original plan for a five-storied building. It is quite expensive for the factories to install sprinkles for ensuring their fire-safety, but it is now mandatory to install such equipment from the sixth floor of a factory, the minister said. The retailers brand will provide funds for the installation of fire equipments for remediation, assured the minister. Regarding the recent comment made Menendez. How did he make the comment on GSP reinstatement based on an individual allegation? As asked Tofail categorically replied: The government will send its official reaction to the recently raised allegation of Menendez through the US ambassador in Dhaka. Commenting on the appointment of 200 factory inspectors, the minister said the process is now at the final stage and waiting for the presidential nod. As soon as we get the consent from the president, the PSC chairman will accomplish the rest process within a short-period as he promised. Regarding GSP restoration Tofail said, There is no visible reason for not getting the GSP facility back as the government has met most of the conditions outlined by the US government and the rest will be done within the stipulated time-frame. After the evaluation of National Tripartite Action Plan, Accord and Alliances inspection and initiatives, we have reached a conclusion that we are moving towards a positive direction. l
'The decision has been made through extensive discussion not only to avert double-inspection to a single factory but also to expedite the entire safety and security check process'
675 factories, out of which, only one factory building was found vulnerable, which has been remained closed till now, said Tofail. Regarding the only closed factory Tofail said: The reason behind the factory closure is genuine as the factory owners illegally had built an eight-stoby US senator Menendez, commerce minister expressed his frustration as saying, It is really unfortunate for us although there has been no labour unrest in the countrys RMG sector now. He, however, questioned about the person who provided the false information on harassing RMG workers to
New York's first 24-hour Cupcake ATM, which can hold 760 cupcakes at a time in 20 different varieties, is located next to the Sprinkles Cupcakes bakery on the Upper East Side. The photo shows a woman taking her order of cupcakes after using the Cupcake ATM AFP
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Business
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The logo of news website The Huffington Post is seen on a computer screen in Washington AFP the news business. They found 50% of social network users share or repost news stories, images or videos, and 46% discuss news issues or events on social networks. More than one out ten online news consumers have submitted their own content - videos, photos, articles or opinion pieces - to news websites or blogs, the report found. About a third of US adults watch digital news videos, and news outlets like the Huffington Post have been expanding into video, the report noted. Traditional television has seen mixed results, Pew said. Its analysis of Nielsen data showed fewer Americans watched cable news in 2013, while more tuned into network or local television news - the first increase for local TV news in five years. Pew found fewer local TV stations in 2013 producing original news compared with 2012, a phenomenon driven by ownership changes and contentsharing deals. The study found a quarter of the 952 US television stations that air newscasts do not produce the programs they air. For cable, the combined median prime-time viewership of the three major news channels - CNN, Fox News and MSNBC - dropped 11% to about three million, the smallest it has been since 2007. The biggest decline came at MSNBC, which lost 24% of its prime-time audience. CNN saw a 13% drop and Foxs audience dipped six percent, Pew said. l
New players are boosting reporting power, technological talent and financial resources going into news, creating a level of energy not felt for a long time, said Amy Mitchell, director of journalism research for Pew. While most newspapers have failed to generate significant revenues from their digital editions, some online news ventures are moving away from the ad-based model, getting support from philanthropists, venture capitalists and other methods such as conferences and events, Pew noted.
The researchers said social media and mobile platforms are also transforming
Facebook adds virtual reality firm Oculus to its shopping list, offering $2bn
n AFP, San Francisco
Facebook on Tuesday announced a $2bn deal to buy a startup behind virtual reality headgear that promises to let people truly dive into their friends lives. Facebook co-founder and chief Mark Zuckerberg said that the acquisition of Oculus was a long-term bet that making the social networks offerings more immersive would pay off. People will build a model of a place far away and you will just go see it; it is just like teleporting, Zuckerberg said. I do think gaming is a start, he said in a conference call, referring to the Oculus headsets original design focus. Zuckerberg billed the acquisition as part of a drive to build the next major computing platform that will come after mobile. For now, Facebook will use its resources to make Oculus headgear affordable and ubiquitous, according to Zuckerberg. The California-based social network does not intend to become a hardware company, but Zuckerberg said it is open to people using virtual reality devices for immersive shopping experiences at Facebook. Facebook plans to build on Oculus technology for areas such as communications, education, and entertainment. Oculus shareholders will receive $400m in cash and 23.1 million Facebook shares in the deal. Facebook called Oculus, launched in 2012, the leader in immersive virtual reality technology with a strong following among developers. The company has already garnered more than 75,000 orders for the $350 Oculus Rift headset development kits.
Beyond games
While the applications for virtual reality technology beyond gaming are in their nascent stages, several industries are already experimenting with the technology, Facebook said. Oculus has the chance to create the most social platform ever, and change the way we work, play and communicate. Oculuss headset earned raves from reviewers at the annual global technology fair CES in Las Vegas in January. Buying it puts Facebook, the social networking leader, in competition with Oculus rival Sony for development of advanced virtual reality headsets. Japanese consumer electronic titan Sony last week unveiled Project Morpheus, development of a virtual reality headgear system for its new-generation PlayStation 4 video game consoles. Facebook said Oculus will maintain its headquarters in Irvine, California, and continue developing the Rift platform. l
An attendee wears an Oculus Rift HD virtual reality head-mounted display at he plays EVE: Valkyrie, a multiplayer virtual reality dogfighting shooter game, at the Intel booth at the 2014 International CES in Las Vegas, Nevada AFP
The 7th meeting of Modhumoti Bank Limiteds executive committee held on Monday. The meeting was presided by EC chairperson, Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh Green Delta Securities Limited recently inked a deal with CAPM Advisory Limited intending to expand its capital market operation. Wafi Shafique Menhaz Khan, CEO of Green Delta Securities Ltd and Adel Ahmed, MD and CEO of CAPM Advisory Limited signed the deal on behalf of their organisations
Habibur Rahman
Pubali Bank Limited held its 31st annual general meeting at Basundhara Convention Centre in Dhaka on March 25, where the shareholders unanimously approved 5% stock dividend and 5% cash dividend for the year 2013. Hafiz Ahmed Mazumder has been elected as chairperson of the banks board of directors while Habibur Rahman and Fahim Ahmed Faruk Chowdhury have been elected as vice-chairpersons at the meeting
Bangladesh House Building Finance Corporation seen paying tribute to the valiant freedom fighters on the Independence and National Day by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar by the managing director of the corporation, Dr Md Nurul Alam Talukder along with other employees
The board of directors of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited recommended a total 18% (10% stock and 8% cash) dividend for the year 2013, which is subject to the approval at the banks 31st annual general meeting. The decision came in a meeting of the board held at Islami Bank Tower on Saturday at the presence of Prof Abu Nasser Muhammad Abduz Zaher, the banks chairperson
The photo shows opening ceremony of 6th Clemon Mega Beach Carnival 2014
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'What we see is that the majority of governments, the vast majority, very clearly recognise the ... benefits (of the model)'
Kuek Yu-Chuang, ICANNs vice president and managing director for the Asia Pacific, said there is widespread agreement on the multi-stakeholders model. However, there have been some suggestions on the table that maybe the governments can have an enhanced role, he told AFP. Revelations by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden of massive snooping of Internet traffic by US intelligence had given fresh impetus to calls for control of the web to be pried out of American hands. ICANN, a US-based non-profit group, controls domain names like .com and .org and Internet addresses under a contract with the US government that expires in September 2015. ICANN has been tasked to lead talks on the transition, expected to be in place by the time its contract ends. About 2,000 delegates from 150 countries attended the Singapore meeting, including those from governments, businesses, academe and Internet organisations.
A view of watches by Swiss watchmaker Rolex during the media day of the 42nd edition of the 'Baselworld' watch fair on March 26, in Basel. The world's biggest watch fair is set to open this week in Basel, offering an industry showcase for the world's most extravagant, rare and complex time pieces AFP
Other markets compensated what we lost in China, said industry veteran Biver, who recently took the reins of the brands owned by French luxury group LVMH. He expressed confidence that China
Going forward
What I found remarkable about Bangladesh is that when it comes to regulations, stakeholders are very open minded and there is always a dialogue possible quite unlike a number of other countries where you cant initiate free and fair dialogue. Provided one has the patience and perseverance to carry the dialogue through, I feel the opportunity is always here. This has been a different experience for me here than in other markets. I think the state of corporate leadership when it comes to multinationals, where I am experienced, is pretty much
I think we had some good sessions at the Leadership Summit on how this country should develop leadership, but as was pointed out, the starting point is really about education; students need to be taught from early childhood how to be leaders instead of followers. I think Bangladesh has spent too much time on educating in terms of content but not educating in terms of behaviour, in terms of developing traits, which can actually help them become leaders in the future. Leadership is also about how people are groomed to take over leadership positions. That is something which has to be the responsibility of preceding leaders. In the corporate world, people at the top have to take the responsibility to develop their replacements, and that only come when they have a long term stake and look at succession as a way forward. My belief is that prosperity and the will to prosper has to be a driving force for people to get educated and to me thats pivotal. The focus has to be giving people the reason to work hard so that they can be employed and for that to happen we first need to create opportunities. Thats what the country
What I practice is: if you have confidence in yourself, you should be bold enough to take new challenges; for a leader there is never any taking the backseat. A leader must also be a people person, which means dealing with the lowest rung of his organisation to the highest echelons effectively while keeping them satisfied. A leader should also be willing to take risks, and learn to live with the consequences of the risks.
This Summit is being trans-communicated across 16 colleges and universities but one has to take it forward from there; you cant just have a onetime event, it has to be a continuous process. The responsibility is with us leaders; we have to take the initiative and talk to the people and engage them more often. Such events often lose their significance after a while, unless we continue on the path. l
DILBERT