Falgun 11, 1420 Rabius Saani 22, 1435 Regd. No.

DA 6238 Vol 1 No 331

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2014

www.dhakatribune.com

SECOND EDITION

20 pages | Price: Tk10

6 | A BANGLADESHIS GIFT TO BERKELEY

7 | CORPORATE LAWYERS IN BANGLADESH

9 | MODI CRITICISES CHINA

14 | CORNET SHOCKS SERENA

80% fail to get passing mark

n Ahmed Zayeef
On an average, more than 80% students who sought admission in the Dhaka University over the past three years, had failed to get the required passing marks in the admission tests. Although students face intense competition every year to secure admission in Dhaka University, the failure rate is alarmingly high, especially because it includes students who had scored the top grades in secondary and higher secondary levels. The DU admission test results for the 2013-14 academic session show that out of 217,247 candidates in five units, 175,346 (81%) students failed to obtain the minimum passing marks. The failure rate was 83% in the 2012-13 academic session, and 81% in the 201112 academic session.

DHAKA UNIVERSITY ADMISSION

STREETLIGHTS DARE TO OVERSHADOW THE SUNLIGHT!

DU ADMISSION SEEKERS Session 2013-14 2012-13 2011-12 Failed

81% 83% 81%

A H M/DT INFOGRAPHIC

The DU holds admission tests in five units: A unit only for the students of science discipline, B unit only for humanities students and C only for students of commerce disciplines. Students from every discipline can appear in admission tests for D (for some selected departments) and Cha (fine arts faculty) units. The 120-mark admission tests have 40% passing marks for the different units, while B, C and D units have minimum passing scores for different sections of the question, such as Bangla, English and general knowledge. The failure rate for the 2013-14 session shows that 95% candidates failed in Cha unit, 91% in C unit, 86% in B unit and around 91% in D unit. The number of failed students was comparatively

less in A unit, where the figure was 58%. Academics have said the failure of such a large number of students in the admission tests of the countrys top educational institution reflected the poor quality of education handed down to students in school and college levels. The universitys social science faculty Dean Professor Farid Uddin Ahmed told the Dhaka Tribune that the admission test was a process of filtering which allowed the university authority to get the best students. But it is alarming that students who achieve good grades, even the highest in SSC and HSC, fail to attain the passing mark in the admission test, said Farid, who is also a coordinator of the admission test held under the social science faculty. Statistics from the last three years DU admission tests show that majority of the students who had earlier obtained the highest score of GPA (grade point average) 5 in their SSC and HSC exams, failed in the admission tests. For the 2013-14 academic session, 67,058 students who achieved GPA 5 in both SSC and HSC exams sat for admission tests in DU, but 56.12% of them failed to attain the passing marks. For the 2012-13 academic session, the failure rate among GPA 5 achievers was 55%, while it was 53% for the 201112 academic session. The universitys Professor Emeritus Serajul Islam Choudhury said: The number of GPA 5 achievers in SSC and HSC levels is increasing dramatically every year. But the performance of these students proved that quality of education is not improving, rather the quantity of GPA 5 achievers is increasing only. Monju Ara Begum, principal of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College that has a longstanding reputation for good results in SSC and HSC exams, told the Dhaka Tribune that the quality was obviously not increasing with the quantity. It has become very easy to get a good GPA in SSC and HSC. Most of the students are doing very selective study in these levels. Without having clear and vast knowledge, when they are seating for a competitive exam like university admission test, they cannot pass, she added. l

Street lights are on in broad daylight at Dhaka University at a time when the country is struggling to meet the demand for electricity, thanks to the DCC

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

If those votes were not cancelled...

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla
Compared to the last upazila elections, the first phase of the elections this year saw a significant hike in the number of cancelled votes, which many said was alarming because these votes could have changed the results in some of the upazilas. In the first phase this year, a total of 97 upazilas went into polls. In the last polls held in 2009, the number of cancelled votes in these 97 upazilas was 3.65%. This year, the number was 4.56%, marking a nearly 1% increase. Election officials and observers said there were many reasons for cancelling votes: misplaced stamping on ballot papers; confusion between symbols; quality of ink used in the seal; lack of knowledge of first-time voters; and so on.
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CANCELLED VOTES IN CLOSELY CONTESTED UPAZILAS

Upazilas Khagrachari Sadar Golapganj Palash Ashashuni Kendua Nachole Durgapur Meherpur Sadar Jamalpur Sadar Karimganj Kaliganj

FEBRUARY 19, 2014 ELECTION

Winners Vote Runners up vote Cancelled votes Difference of votes 13,424 13,262 1,637 162 24,369 23,602 5,565 767 32,435 31,226 4,705 1,209 50,778 49,613 3,928 1,165 61,533 59,663 5,753 1,870 24,924 23,716 3,671 1,208 25,716 23,991 4,748 1,725 67,990 65,285 6,871 2,705 84,719 75,324 15,931 9,395 35,207 30,560 7,360 4,647 38,503 32,528 8,466 5,975

Juba League man killed, 55 injured in postpoll violence

n Tribune Report
At least one Juba League man was killed and 55 others were injured in the post-poll violence in different places across the country, our district correspondents said yesterday. The deceased was Jahabat Ali Molla, 30. At least 10 persons were injured in an attack by the BNP Jamaat activists at Joygirmohol village in Koira upazila under Khulna district yesterday. Witnesses said local BNP Jamaat men equipped with lethal weapons swooped on Jahabat at a shrimp enclosure in Mollar Kona area around 10am. The Jubo League activist ran for life and took shelter in a house. As the attackers tried to take him away from the house, the family members and locals barred them from doing so, and ultimately both groups were locked into a clash which left 10 people injured. Police arrested five persons on suspicion, confirmed Officer-in-Charge of Koira police station Md Fazlur Rahman. Meanwhile in Sherpur, two groups of Awami League were locked in a clash over the local body polls to elect chairman candidate for Nalitabari upazila of Sherpur yesterday. At least eight people were wounded in the incident. The wounded are upazila AL
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SOURCE: ELECTION COMMISSION AND DT RESEARCH

INSIDE
Business
B1 Bandwidth importers are selling internet service at less than half price, apparently offering challenges to the state-monopoly Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL) that already lost 26% of its market share in only four months period.

Hackers loot $250,000 from Sonali Bank

n Tribune Report
Around $250,000 has been looted from Sonali Bank in the middle of last year through hacking the state-run banks password, a senior government official said yesterday. The banks online server was hacked to transfer the amount of money to other accounts, Banking and Financial Institutions Division Secretary Dr Aslam Alam told the annual conference of the bank at a hotel in Dhaka. The online security of the bank is now under threat. Aslam revealed the information at a meeting in presence of Finance Minister AMA Muhith and other senior officials, stressing the need for strengthening of the banks risk management system to avoid recurrence of such incident. Dr AHM Habibur Rahman, chairman of the banks board of directors, presided over the meeting. Aslam mentioned the incident of Kishoreganj Sonali Bank heist on January 24. The incidents could have been averted if there were appropriate security measures, he said. The chairman also suggested bringing changes to business strategy of Sonali Bank and said the bank should give attention to providing loans to small and medium entrepreneurs, rather than attaching priority to giving large loans. The bank should pay utmost attention to coordinated core banking, he said. In his address, the finance minister said the Hallmark scam took place in 2012 because of weakness in internal control system. He emphasised the need for internal supervision and control in the stateowned banks to ensure good governance. The banks must give due attention to their internal supervision and control to stop recurrence of such incidents, he said. Muhith said a risk-free environment must be ensured to provide clients with uninterrupted services. The banks must be careful so that their online services could not be hampered in the wake of any technical glitches, he added.
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News

5 Chandrima Udyan, also known as Zia Udyan, has become a den of antisocial and criminal activities keeping at bay the city dwellers from visiting one of the very few eyesoothing green spots in the capital.

Op-Ed

11 The minister of industries recently said that no state-owned mills or factories would be privatised by the present government. This is indeed disturbing and shocking news as far as governance is concerned.

Two Bangladeshis killed in Libya gunfight

n Rabiul Islam
Two Bangladeshi workers were killed on Friday in Libya when their taxi got caught in a gunfight near the port city of Bengazi. The victims were identified as Abdul Kalam of Barguna and Shafiqur Rahman of Pirojpur, Ahsan Kibria Siddiqui, first secretary at the Bangladesh embassy in Tripoli, told the Dhaka Tribune over phone yesterday. Our local representatives have seen the dead bodies, Ahsan said. The men worked as cleaners at a company named Sharikat Kazi in Bengazi, about 650 kilometres east of Tripoli. Ahsan said the duo were going to Bengazi city in a taxi cab during the weekly holiday on Friday. The taxi was caught in a gunfight between two local groups, and the men, along with the cab driver, were shot dead at the scene. I am trying to take permission to visit the deceased and hope to go by Monday, the embassy official said, adding, We are trying to send the dead bodies home.

Entertainment

12 Marking the Martyrs Day and the International Mother Language Day, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy initiated a colourful cultural programme on February 21 at their open air premises.

The victims worked as cleaners at a company

In reply to a question, Ahsan said: We have to try to realise compensation from the company. He also said the law and order situation in Libya has deteriorated, and such incidents take place at times. Around 40,000 Bangladeshis are now working in Libya. l

SLH/DT INFOGRAPHIC

Total vote cast in 97 upazilas 10,113,967 Total legal vote 9,652,584

Total cancelled vote 461,383 Total 35 upazila with more than 5000 vote cancelled

Total vote cast in 97 upazilas 10,270,853 Total legal vote 9,895,320 Total cancelled vote 375,533

Election 2014

Election 2009

2
LGSP II FUND MISAPPROPRIATION

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Government to take action against 68 Union Parishads

n Mohosinul Karim
The local government division is set to take punitive measures against some 68 union parishads for misusing funds allocated for the local governance support project (LGSP II) of the LGRD ministry. Punitive actions will be taken against the union parishads after considering the anomalies in the use of the allocation which surfaced after the annual audit of the ministry. The funds were distributed in 2013. Audit teams of the ministry found anomalies on the use of the funds allocated under the project, National Project Director of LGSP II project KM Mozammel Haque told the Dhaka Tribune Saying the ministry has already decided to take action against the chairpersons and members concerned for misuse and embezzlement of the funds, he also added that letters from the project will be sent to the respective union parishads and their government allocation would be suspended until the anomalies are checked. Haque also said the persons involved with the anomalies and embezzlement of funds would have to face legal actions and the authority will file cases against them after giving them a scope to place their explanations. The explanations would be heard, he added. Noting that there is no scope for misusing the allocation for the project, he also said concerned officials will be held accountable by the government for using the fund. Haque also informed that around 123 union parishad chairmen and other concerned officials faced various types of punishment, like suspension and imprisonment, last year for such offences. When contacted, Mahbubur Rahman Tulu, president of Bangladesh Union Parishad Forum, a forum for union parishad chairmen, told the Dhaka Tribune: We are aware of such misuse of the project fund. But, some chairmen used their funds mainly for other projects in line with the public demand. The funds that were given under the project should be used according to its terms and references. Those who will not use it properly are expected to face problems, he added. The Local Governance Support Project, with a total fund of Tk39.12 billion, was jointly financed by the Bangladesh Government and the World Bank. The World Bank has contributed Tk20.93 billion for the project. Starting in 2000 as a pilot project at Sirajganj, the project was later expanded across the country in 2012 considering its success. The project will conclude in 2016. Under the project, union parishads across the country receive an allocation, from Tk1 million to Tk20 million, from the project fund as per the population of its areas. According to the project note, the allocations are to be used for small scheme works as per the need of the ward. Ward members of the Union Parishad will make small schemes after directly consulting with local voters. The schemes would be scrutinised through a meeting of Block Grant Coordination Committee to ensure that the scheme does not replicate other schemes adopted by any other project. The project allows its funds to be used for schemes to repair or construct new bridges, roads, installation of tube wells or sanitary latrines. The allocation is not applicable for constructing or repairing mosques, temples or other places for worshiping. On Thursday, the project director asked 4,571 union parishad chairpersons to be alert of unscrupulous middleman, who are now offering higher allocations from the project in exchange of bribes. l

As farmers hardly find any respite from their daily hard work the tolling masses of Daitala village at Sadar upazila of Jessore take out a unique cow-cart procession to rejoice over their harvesting yesterday BANGLAR CHOKH

BNP: Government cannot resist justified movement n UNB

BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday said the government would not be able to resist the opposition leaders and activists from carrying on their justified movement by resorting to repressive acts. In a statement, he said: The government neither will be able to scare the opposition leaders and activists nor resist them from carrying on their movement for realising peoples justified demand by resorting to repression and oppression. The BNP spokesperson issued the statement, protesting the arrest of Dhaka City unit ward 79 General Secretary Mujibur Rahman Anu and Sutrapur upazila unit Sramik Dal president Delwar Hossain Mollah. Sutrapur police arrested the duo on Thursday from Sadar Ghat area in the capital. Fakhrul alleged that the current regime after assuming office through the January 5 farcical elections had increased the degree of its repression and oppression. The opposition leaders and activists are being killed, abducted, made disappeared, arrested, tortured and implicated in cases by this illegal regime. The arrest of Mujibur Rahman Anu and Delwar Hossain Mollah is part of the governments continued repressive acts, he added. He demanded the government immediately release the two city opposition leaders. l

Inadequate human sludge management 3 cut under train in capital n to undermine success: Experts
Tribune Report

n UNB
Experts at a dissemination workshop yesterday presumed that inadequate human sludge management system in Bangladesh would undermine the success of open defecation reduction, which was possible due to significant investment for improving sanitation during past two decades. They said maximum human sludge is being plunged into water without safe emptying, transportation, dumping, treatment and disposal mechanism in the country that might pose threat to national health security, said a press release. WaterAid Bangladesh, Practical Action Bangladesh and ITN BUET jointly organised the workshop and dialogue titled Faecal Sludge Management at the ITN BUET Seminar Room. Researchers, professionals, city corporation and WASA officials and activists took part at the dialogue on three action research projects the topic. Bangladesh had reduced the open

defecation significantly to 4.4 percent in 2010 from 43 percent in 2003 that is a remarkable achievement, notably much better than other South Asian countries. The research project was jointly conducted by WaterAid Bangladesh with Practical Action Bangladesh and Faridpur Municipality at Faridpur to

One of the Millennium Development Goals of Bangladesh was to provide sanitation for 100 percent population by 2015
find sludge management solutions for rural and small town areas of Bangladesh. Interestingly, the research findings show that Faecal Sludge Management is doable, effective and affordable for high to low-income people without

affecting the existing toilet technology. The experts opined that human waste materials can easily be co-composted to form a safe and stable soil conditioner for use in agriculture, which has also potentiality to generate revenue from sale of compost and provision of a sludge removal service. Dr Md Khairul Islam, Country Representative of WaterAid Bangladesh, said one of the Millennium Development Goals of Bangladesh was to provide sanitation for 100 percent population by 2015. Although significant improvement has been occurred, it will be a challenge for the government to keep the achievement in track without ensuring safe management of human sludge, he added. Islam expected the outcome of the research makes an innovative contribution to knowledge around sludge management and tackles the situation of urban or peri-urban areas with high development density and little physical space for technologies. l

A woman was ran over by two trains one after another in capitals Khilkhet yesterday. Quoting witnesses, Sub-Inspector of Kamalapur General Railway Police Nazrul Islam said the woman fell victim while crossing the railway tracks around 8am. She first lost one leg under a Sylhet bound train, Parabat Express, and remained trapped on the railway track for around 15 minutes when another train, Rajshahi-bound Dhumketu Express, ran over her killing her on the spot, he said. Although a number of people witnessed the accident none went forward to rescue her despite her screaming in pain, he added. Upon information, members from the GRP went to the spot and sent the body to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue. The deceased was wearing a salwar-kameez and a burka, however, her identity could not be known immediately. Police assume that she might be around 40-year-old, said the SI. In another incident, a student of

University of South Asia, Aminul Islam, came under a train in Abdullahpur in the afternoon. Son of Abdul Kader Sheikh of Sirajganj, Aminul Islam was a resident of capitals Fayedabad in Dakkhinkhan and a fourthyear student of Computer Science. Nazrul Islam said 26-year-old Aminul fell under the wheels of a train around 1:30pm while crossing the railway at Kotbari in Abdullahpur. A businessman Md Moinuddin, 45, of Dhalpur was killed being hit by a CNG-run auto-rickshaw in capitals Jatrabari in the morning. Police and witnesses said a speeding auto-rickshaw hit the businessman from behind while he was crossing the road around 11am. Dayen Uddin, younger brother of Moinuddin said his elder brother was a window grills trader based in Dhalpur and was on his way for a personal work. Body of an unidentified youth was recovered from Kamlapur Railway Terminal. GRP said the youth fell under the wheels of an unknown train sometime during night and his body was recovered around 8am. l

Shaheed Minar Defamed in Barisal, Madrasa teacher sent to jail

Correspondent, Barisal & n Our Barguna
A madrasa teacher was sent to jail yesterday for alleged defaming of Shaheed Minar in Gournadi of Barisal. Police and local sources said Hafez Asadul Huq alias Parvez, 30, a teacher of Kamalapur Hafezia Nurani Madrasa under Gaurnadi upazila of Barisal, told some local people that placing floral wreaths on the altar of Shaheed Minar is unapproved (Bidayat) in Islam. On the same night some unknown miscreants clung mud on the Shaheed Minar of local primary school and Hafez Parvez was suspected to be involved with the incident. Police arrested Hafez Parvez on Friday night and produced him before a court of law yesterday under section 54. The court ordered to send him to jail rejecting his bail prayer yesterday evening. Meanwhile an acting upazila chairman, was barred from paying tribute at Shaheed Minar in Patharghata of Barguna. Local sources said Mariam Begum Jebu, vice chairman of Patharghata Upazila Parishad (UZP) went to give flower wreath on behalf of the upazila parishad at the early hour of Friday. At that time upazila AL secretary Alamgir Hossain barred her from giving floral wreath on the Shaheed Minar. He claimed Mariam Bugum Jebu was a Jamaat activist, so he barred her from going to the altar of the Shaeed Minar from the pro-liberation viewpoint. Jebu said she was not a Jamaat activist rather an advisor of upazila BNP and former president of upazila Mahila Dal and she was solely harassed due to political rivalry with ruling party and for following Islamic dress and religious codes . Later Dipak, a peon of the upazila parishad, put the floral wreath on the Shaheed Minar on behalf of the UZP, Mariam added. Shakhawat Hossain, Patharghata upazila nirbahi officer, said he heard about the incident, but none has filed allegation in this connection. l

If those votes were not cancelled...

PAGE 1 COLUMN 3

Juba League man killed, 55 injured

PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

According to former election commissioner M Sakhawat Hossain, if not cancelled, such a huge number of votes might have had an impact on the results. In the last elections, the number legal votes cast in these 97 upazilas was 98,95,320 while that of cancelled votes was 3,75,533. This year, the number of legal votes was 96,52,584, while that of annulled votes was 4,61,383 marking a rise of nearly 86,000. There is something definitely wrong. Our voters are neither that illiterate nor are all of them voting for the first time, Sakhawat said. Explaining why there were so many cancelled votes in the 2009 election, Sakhawat, who was then a commissioner, said the quality of the ink used was not very good; it took too much time to dry up. Analysing the results of the recently concluded upazila polls, the Dhaka Tribune has found that in at least 12 closely contested upazilas, the number of annulled votes was much higher than the difference in votes got by the winners and the runners up. In at least eight other seats, the number of cancelled votes was more or

less equal to the difference in votes got by the top two contenders. In 35 upazilas that went into polls last week, at least 5,000 votes were cancelled in each of them. In Golapganj upazila in Sylhet, the number of cancelled votes was 5,565 while the difference between the winner and the next one was just 767. In Khagrachhari sadar, the upazila that saw the hardest fight this year, the difference in vote was just 162 while the number cancelled votes was 1,637. Rokhsana Khondker, steering committee member of the Election Working Group, said: Definitely, the huge number of cancelled votes could have had an impact on the results, especially in those upazilas where the difference was less than the cancelled votes. A number of officials, who were directly involved in conducting the elections, told the Dhaka Tribune that there were many reasons why votes could get cancelled. Nasima Khanam, assistant returning officer of Palash upazila in Narsingdhi, said votes could get cancelled if the seal fell on multiple symbols. Voters carelessness also contribute such huge number of cancelled votes. Mohammad Rokab Ali Dewan, upazila election officer of Nachole in

Chapainawabganj, said: If those votes were not cancelled, the scenario could have been different. Then again, it does not mean that all the cancelled votes went to one particular candidate. Kamrul Hasan Bhuyan, presiding officer of the Kawra Government Primary School polling centre in Kendua of Netrakona, said 75 votes were cancelled in his centre. At my centre, voters got confused between the steamer and the aeroplane symbols because these two looked similar to many. Some of the votes were cancelled because the ballot papers were not properly folded and some got torn. Instances of the common problem of wrong or multiple stamping was also there, Kamrul said. According to Rokhsana Khondker, some of the first-time voters might not know how to vote. It might also be the case that some people went to cast fake votes and made mistakes in a hurry. Former election commissioner Sakhawat Hossain said there should be proper investigation into why such a huge number of votes got cancelled. There should be investigation into technical issues such as whether the voters were properly educated; the quality of the ink used in the stamp and the seal; spacing between symbols in ballot papers; and so on. l

president Abdul Halim Ukil and general secretary Moksedur Rahman Lebu. Two policemen also sustained injuries as they tried to bring the situation under control, reports our correspondent. At Sonagaji of Feni, Jubo Dal and Awami League men fought each other. Some 15 persons including passers-by sustained injuries in the incident at Sonagazi Bazar around 11am. In Chittagong, police in an overnight drive nabbed six activists of Jamaat-Shibir from Satkania upazila yesterday for their alleged involvement with subversive activities in the area at different times. Md Khaled Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Satkania police station, said they detained the six from Sadaha union under the upazila as they were accused in several cases lodged with the police station for attacking law enforcers, arson, vandalism and conducting sabotage. At least 10 persons including five policemen were injured during vandalism of shops by the BNP men at Char Rouha Bazar under Satpua union of Sarishabari upazila of the district Friday evening. Locals said Altaf Hossain, a UP member and BNP activist, was locked in an altercation with former member

of the same union Maznu Miah, an Awami League activist, after he (Maznu) had protested the harassment of some AL activists by the BNP men after the ruling party-backed chairman candidate was defeated in the upazila election held on February 19. In Natore, Awami League men harassed Altab Alis daughter. Altab hails from village Matsayapara of Bildahar area of Singra upazila. His house was also vandalised. The 17-year-old girl claimed that their house was attacked as her father was a BNP activist while local AL men said they protested against anti-social activities run by the family. Meanwhile in Pabna two separate cases were filed against 34 BNP Jamaat men including the newly elected upazila chairman over Fridays violence in Atghoria upazila. Earlier at least 10 people were injured while five houses and two motorbikes vandalised in a post-poll clash between Awami League and BNP Jamaat in Jumaikhiri village of Atghoria upazila under the district. Md Rafikul Islam, resident of the village, filed a case accusing eight BNP Jamaat men for attacking his house and setting fire to it. Officer-in-Charge Md Monirul Islam of the Atghoria police station said the

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Hackers loot

accused were on the run. In Char Fassion upazila under Bhola district, local Jubo League and Chhatra League activists on Saturday night swooped on the electioneering by the BNP-backed candidate and his supporters. The attack left at least 20 persons including four newsmen injured. Officer-in-Charge Abul Bashar of Char Fasson police station confirmed the incident.

Bangladeshs banking sector is now standing on a strong base and it has witnessed a massive expansion what we need now is to ensure quality services for people, he added. Deposit collection was not the only duty of banks, Muhith said, adding that the prime responsibility of the banks was to use the idle money properly. In this regard, he suggested bankers use their own innovative business ideas. According to the Sonali Bank officials, the recovery of banks default loans significantly improved in 2013 as it realised default loans worth Tk5,176 crore. Sonali Bank has also declared 2014 as the year of business development and recovery of default loans. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Sunday, February 23, 2014

3
Shun violence, PM suggests Khaleda n Emran Hossain Shaikh
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday called on BNP leader Khaleda Zia to shun agitation as her party had joined the upazila poll under the government and got better result than the Awami League, claiming Khaledas movement as destructive activities. The first phase of upazila election has held free and fair and the BNP got more chairman posts than Awami League. We have proved that Awami League could hold free and fair polls. So, you [Khaleda] should no longer press for agitation, the premier said while addressing a party meeting on the occasion of International Mother Language Day. It does not matter who has won, the matter is that fair election was held. You [Khaleda] have said our government is illegal and you will not accept our government and will not join polls under the government but you have joined the upazila election, Hasina said. She also said once Khaleda termed upazila system illegal, but she accepted the system and joined the poll. Hasina also blamed Khaleda for besmirching the countrys image globally through writing fake article in international media. Sheikh Hasina also blamed former president Ziaur Rahman as the killer of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Awami League leaders Tofail Ahmed, Matia Chowdhury, Yousuf Hossain Humayun and Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique were present at the meeting. l

Citizen group slams US militancy policy

n Abu Bakar Siddique
A group of citizens slammed the United States of Americas dual policy yesterday, holding it responsible for the rise of militancy in Bangladesh. The USA had been patronising Islamist militant groups across the globe to achieve their interests, they alleged. Terming the policy dual and notorious, Shahriar Kabir, acting president of Ekatturer Ghatak-Dalal Nirmul Committee, said: The US has to change its policy against terrorism which conviniently patronises militancy in different countries. He made the remark while speaking at a discussion titled Militancy Threats: Bangladeshs Concern at the capitals Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel. He claimed that the USA patronised Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh, which is the mother of all militant groups in the country and operates through capitalising on the religious senitiments of the masses. Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque said people should be made aware of the hazards of militancy as they have a tendency to believe anything that is presented to them when justified by the religion. The militants take advantage of these beliefs to bolster their side. Besides the government, the educational institutes and families also should take the responsibility to raise their childrens awareness about the negative effects of militancy, said IshInternational Crimes Tribunal, on February 28 of last year, awarded a life sentence to its Nayeb-e-Ameer Delwar Hossain Sayeedi for crimes against humanity during the liberation war of Bangladesh, he said. Former Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank Khondoker Ibrahim Khaled said militancy was absent in the country when BNP and Jamaat were not in an alliance together. Professor Mizanur Rahman, chairperson of Bangladesh National Human Rights Commission, urged the government to take immediate action to eradicate militancy from the country to protect the human rights of the people. He said government had already lost the trust of people which is reflected in the ongoing Upazila Parishad polls where Jamaat backed candidates have won a significant number of seats. The financial institutions of Jamaat should be nationalised and handled by the government to make them weak, he added. Golam Sarwar, editor of the daily Samakal said Jamaat did not have the right to do politics in Bangladesh as they did not believe in the countrys independence and constitution. He suggested a special tribunal be formed to prosecute acts of militancy. More than 50 academics, security analysts, civil and military bureaucrats, and journalists from home and abroad joined the four-hour discussion, organised by the Bangladesh Centre for Peace and Development. l

Former chief justice ABM Khairul Haque speaks at a roundtable discussion on the threat of militancy in Bangladesh, at Radisson Hotel in the capital yesterday RAJIB DHAR faq Ilahi Choudhury, registrar of East West University. Mentioning the murder case of blogger Rajib, he said some derailed students of a private university who were involved in the murder did not even hold the guilt as they were so blinded by these militant groups. The USA had tried heart and soul to keep Jamaat-e-Islami in the 10th National Parliamentary Election held on January 5, which indicates the level of their patronisation towards Jamaat, said Shahriar Kabir . Sultana Kamal, chairperson of Transparency International Bangladesh, said the presence of militancy in this sub-continent was the result of international politics. However, in the case of Bangladesh, the patronisation and lenient attitude of the two major political parties had made it easier for militancy to grow in the country. Sarwar Ali, a trustee of the Bangladesh Liberation War museum, said: In the case of their [USA] own people they do not tolerate terrorism, whereas for other countries they patronise militants. Such a policy is highly self-contradictory and harmful for humanity. In 1999, Bangladesh experienced militancy for the first time, said Major General (Retd) Abdur Rashid. However, Jamaat showed its true colours as a militant outfit after the

Mixed opinions among AL Dhaka city leaders after decision to split city unit
n Emran Hossain Shaikh
A large number of leaders of the Dhaka city unit of the ruling Awami League have expressed discontent over the partys decision to split the city unit into two, although the mid-level leaders who are interested in securing key posts in the bifurcated units have argued for the setting up of fresh committees as soon as possible. Since the last council of the Awami Leagues city unit on December 27, 2012, no committee for city unit had been formed, while the partys central leadership remained undecided on whether to divide the city unit. However, the Awami League Central Working Committee meeting on February 12 approved the splitting of the city unit. The city unit leaders who are against the split said the division might cause the party to lose its control in the capital. Sources inside the city unit said around one-third of the committee members, as well as some leaders of the thana and ward units, were against the bifurcation. Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, general secretary of the city unit, also wanted a united unit for Dhaka city, said a number of mid-level leader, seeking anonymity. A joint secretary of the city unit, who is also a contender for the new committee, told the Dhaka Tribune: Maya Bhai considers that he will be the president of Dhaka City Awami League whether it is divided or not, and he wants to be the president of the whole city. Meanwhile, refusing to comment on the issue, Maya, who is also the disaster management minister, said: Officially the decision has not come out, so now I am not interested in expressing my opinion. When the party will disclose it, I will comment about the issue. He said the council had given power of attorney to party President Sheikh Hasina to make any decision in favour of the city unit. On the other hand, several city unit leaders said they wanted the unit to be split for the strengthening of the committee and easing of its mobilisation, as it was tough to maintain the megacity with singular leadership. Many people would get the chance to criticise the government if they failed to divide the party unit like the bifurcation of the Dhaka City Corporation, they added. Blaming the city unit leaders who are against the split for delaying the formation of the new committee, the pro-split leaders said consent among some key leaders would have resulted in the formation of a fresh committee immediately after the last council in December 2012. Awalad Hossain, joint secretary of the city unit, said the leaders wanted a new committee as early as possible, irrespective of whether it was split or not, to tackle future movements by BNP Jamaat. We respect our [party] President Sheikh Hasinas decision. We will welcome any kind of decision by her, whether it is for one or four portions, said Awlad. Echoing Awalad, the city units Organizing Secretary Shahe Alam Murad also said the leaders would welcome any decision made by the party chief. Sources said many aspirants are trying to boost their chances of securing a place in the new citu committee by communicating with party central leaders including Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Syed Ashraful Islam and Obaidul Quader Sources also said the city units acting President MA Aziz and General Secretary Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya were hoping to become president of the new committee. Furthermore, according to the sources, incumbent vice-presidents Kamal Ahmed Majumdar and AKM Rahmat Ullah, joint secretaries Advocate Quamrul Islam and Awlad Hossain, Organising secretaries Shahe Alam Murad and Syed Khokon, and Executive Committee member Aslamul Haque Aslam were trying to obtain vital posts on the next committee. The new committee may be formed after the end of the ongoing council of ward, union and thana units of the city, the sources added. l

Ershad faces stiff challenge to hold JaPa unity

n Manik Miazee
The Ershad-led Jatiya Party is facing a stiff challenge of uniting the apparently faction-ridden JaPa, party insiders have said. The Jatiya Party seems to have been divided into two factions, one led by the former president, and the other by the leader of the opposition in the parliament, Rawshan Ershad. Some 30 of 34 lawmakers of the party were reportedly carrying out Rawshans order and the remaining MPs, plus the leaders at grass roots level were acting on Ershads instruction. Ershad is trying his hardest to negotiate an end to the looming conflict with the party leaderships. The party sources said the district unit leaders were lobbying the Rawshan-led lawmakers and ministers for their own benefits. A group of leaders were also coming to the secretariat to get the government contract. The party is divided into two factions. To retain the party unity, a timely decision is needed right now, said JaPa Noakhali district unit secretary Mobarak Hossain Azad. Party Chairman HM Ershad was planning to re-organise the party to regain his power after a meeting with the leaders at grass roots level, he said According to the JaPa sources, Ershad has lost control over the party high-ups. His wife Rawshan, the opposition leader of parliament, reined in the party politics before and after the 10th parliamentary election. Centring the election, Ershad frequently changed his mind about whether to participate in poll while the party high-ups communicated with Rawshan and followed her instruction. A total of 65 leaders from the party contested the 10th parliamentary poll led by Rawshan. Responding to a question as to why Rawshan was chosen as the opposition leader instead of Ershad, JaPa presidium member Anisul Islam Mahmud told the Dhaka Tribune, She played an important role during election. Therefore, we selected her as the leader of our party parliamentary committee and also as the opposition leader. Following his release from the Combined Military Hospital after a monthlong stay, the party lawmakers and leaders did not meet Ershad. The party leaders and activists also turned down Ershads call for a meeting with him. After his oath as the opposition leader, Rawshan met with the JaPa lawmakers four times, but Ershad was not there. Responding to a question in this regard, the party Secretary General ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader said: Our party has some internal problems, but we are still united. We are trying to re-organise the party. Replying to another question, he said he did not have any idea as to why Ershad did not attend the meetings. On February 12 at a party programme with the leaders at grass roots level, Ershad invited all JaPa lawmakers, but only four of them attended it. At the programme, Ershad said: I am calling upon all of you, who earlier wanted to break bonds with the party, to come back to right path. I will embrace you with open arms.

59.19% turnout in 97 upazilas n Tribune Report

The first phase of polls to 97 upazilas was relatively peacefully except for some sporadic incidents of violence, and the elections witnessed a 59.19% voter turnout, claimed Election Working Group (EWG) officials. The observation was made at a press conference organised by the EWG at Sagor-Runi auditorium at Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capitals Segun Bagicha yesterday. EWG Director Md Abdul Alim said: In 97.9% centres, empty ballot boxes were shown before polling agents and EWG observers, and the ballot boxes were sealed properly in 98.9% centres. He also said casting of votes was delayed in only 5.5% of centres, adding that violence was reported at 9.7% centres. The report also noted that law enforcers played an active role in controlling the situation at 92% of centres. In 25 upazilas, the EWG observers counted a total of 63 incidents of fake vote-casting and 38 incidents occurred where unidentified persons tried to snatch items from ballots boxes. Vote casting was temporarily halted at 16 centres, and supporters were seen campaigning for candidates within 400 yards of around 4.5% of centres in violation of election laws, the report added. Eleven incidents of violence were observed outside centres and 17 incidents were reported in which candidates provided transportation facilities to the voters. Presiding officers confirmed the presence of polling agents at 89.8% of centres, while the presence of unauthorised people inside booths during vote counting was observed, the report said. l

Our party has some internal problems, but we are still united. We are trying to reorganise the party
Do not break bonds with the party for simple reasons. Otherwise the Jatiya Party will move ahead without you. Asked about whether JaPa is divided into two factions, Ershad told the Dhaka Tribune the party had some internal problems, but it could not be said JaPa was split into two. The leader said only the 30 lawmakers did not constitute the Jatiya Party. It is a party of crores of people and I am all in all of JaPa. While the district unit leaders wanted that the 30 be expelled from the party, Ershad said he wanted to forgive them for now considering the importance of upazila election. Acknowledging the crisis in the party he said it was not a major crisis. The party would take to the street and seek votes in future, and thereby win, added the former president. Ruhul Amin Howlader said for the last three months, the central leaders were busy with the parliamentary poll-related issues. Since Rawshan is busy with parliamentary affairs, JaPa Chief HM Ershad and I will re-organise the party. l

Sweety Khatun, 17, shows her injury marks after being assaulted by local activists of Awami League for being a polling agent of a BNPbacked candidate, in Shingra of Natore yesterday. The attackers also tore down her house in the village DHAKA TRIBUNE

Women MP polls schedule to be announced today

n Mohammad Zakaria
The Election Commission is likely to announce the polls schedule for reserved women seats today. The commission will fix the polls date at Sundays [today] commission meeting and are likely to announce the polls schedule, Senior Assistant Secretary of the commission Farhad Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune. Farhad also said the commission would publish the voter list of 297 Members of Parliament today as per the law. A deputy secretary of the EC, seeking anonymity, said the commission secretariat had prepared a draft schedule of the polls and the EC might hold the polls on March 29. As per the draft, the last date of filing nomination papers is March 4 and the nomination papers would be scrutinised on March 6, while the last day for withdrawing nomination papers is March 12, the official said. EC officials said the reserved seats are being distributed among the parties or alliances in proportion to the total seats won in the polls. Independent lawmakers of the 10th general elections formed an alliance to participate in the polls for reserved seats. The deputy secretary said as per the 10th parliamentary poll results, Awami League would get 39 seats, Jatiya Party six, Workers Party one, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Inu) one, and the independent alliance would get three women reserved seats. Of the 297 seats in the 10th parliamentary polls, Awami League got 231 seats, Jatiya Party (Ershad) got 34, Workers Party got six, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Inu) got five, Tariqat Federation got two, Jatiya Party (Manju) got two, Bangladesh Nationalist Front (BNF) got a single seat, and independent candidates bagged 16 seats. Meanwhile, Tangail 8 constituency fell vacant after Awami League lawmaker Shawkat Momen Shahjahan died, and the by-poll for Tangail 8 will be held on March 23, EC officials said. The commission did not publish the gazette for Jessore 1 and 2 constituencies. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Sunday, February 23, 2014

School feeding programme extended by three years

n Mushque Wadud
The school feeding programme that provides some 2.7 million schoolchildren with nutritious biscuits on every school day will operate for three more years than the previously planned. The programme, operated in poverty-prone areas, was scheduled to end in December 2014, but the government extended it until December 2017. Project director Bablu Kumar Saha told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that they had received a letter about the extension of the project recently from the Primary and Mass Education Ministry. He said the letter mentioned that the project had helped to increase student enrolment rates and decrease dropout rates. The government has been running the project since July 2010 in 72 upazilas across the country. Under the project, fortified nutritious biscuits are being distributed among 2.7 million schoolchildren. The World Food Programme is providing management support to the programme. Bablu said the enrolment rate rose by 16% in the areas where the school programme was active, iron deficiency was reduced by 12%, and dropout rates by 6%. There are six programmes running across the country. Educationists have often questioned the lack of coordination between the six projects. Bablu said they were working towards bringing all the projects under a single umbrella. l

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan W Mozena addresses a workshop of the US Society and Culture at the Senate building of Dhaka University yesterday

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Bangladeshis in London clash over war crimes n Tribune Online Report

Two rival Bangladeshi groups reportedly locked in a clash over the war crimes issues while placing flowers at the Shaheed Minar in Altab Ali Park of East London early Friday. Metal barricades were used as makeshift weapons during the pitched battle in the park, with women and children caught in the middle, reported eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk. Later, police broke up the fighting and cleared everyone out of the park, but it is believed that no arrests were made. According to the report, hundreds had gathered in the park at midnight to place flowers at the Shaheed Minar. But flowers gave way to fists as the night turned violent after a war of words between rival groups over war crimes trials in Bangladesh. Ajanta Deb Roy, an activist and radio presenter for Radio Betar Bangla, said the fighting started when one group took issue with the slogans being chanted by the other group. She said: They were calling for the death penalty for war criminals, and the others didnt like it, so they started throwing threatening words. First it was verbal, and then they started attacking, and when they did the others fought back. Roy said the clashes lasted three or four minutes before police intervened. Tensions have been bubbling in the East End over the International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh, which is trying men accused of war crimes during the countrys 1971 liberation war. l

German Ambassador calls on politicians to curb climate change risks to reduce health costs
n
Tazlina Zamila Khan
Overall medical costs for the population of Bangladesh are likely to shoot upwards if climate change issues are not addressed immediately, said German Ambassador to Bangladesh Albrecht Conze. He made the remark at the launching ceremony of a book titled Climate Change and Bangladesh, launched at the Centre for Development Communication (CDC) at the capitals CIRDAP auditorium yesterday. People will be affected by different diseases that are born from environment pollution. The local politicians can play a key role in this regard. They can make a list of all the environmental diseases in order to find out the root causes and solve them, he said. For example, Diarrhoea is caused by consumption of unhygienic water. So, if local politicians take steps to ensure proper maintenance of the sewerage system, then the number of patients would also reduce, he said. The ambassador stressed the importance of ensuring proper health education to children and youth to reduce the risks posed by climate change. If your children are well aware of hygiene, waste disposal and behave responsibly from an early age, then the problem can be sorted, he said. Executive Director of the Institute for Environment and Development (IED) Noman Ahmed Khan said: The government should include the issues of climate change in the national curriculum to raise awareness among students. Speakers cited a statistic from the World Health Organisation that every year around 32,000 children and 14,000 women die because of the smoke generated from stoves in the kitchen. Bangladesh is at huge risk from climate change because of its huge population, its proximity to sea level and geographical location, speakers observed. Executive Director of the Centre for Development Communication Muhammad Jahangir edited the book. l

Bangladesh-India conduct survey to settle border dispute

n Tribune Report
Officials of Bangladesh and India have jointly conducted a survey to settle various disputes along the international border shared by the two neighbours, journalists were told yesterday. Officials from both sides told reporters that the long-pending border disputes would be settled soon, as authorities have jointly identified the missing pillars and were taking steps to repair them. Abdul Mannan led the Bangladesh survey team while Survey of India Director NR Biswal headed the Indian side. The demarcation of the unsettled boundaries would help the guards of the two countries in manning the border properly and expedite the various construction activities, including fencing and lighting besides river-based irrigation projects, they added. The survey, finalised during the three-day 82nd border conference held in Agartala in August 2013, was conducted from Monday to Thursday, reports BSS. The exercise is a follow-up of the agreement signed by Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Mahmohan Singh in Dhaka on September 6, 2011, concerning the land boundary demarcation between the two nations and related matters. There is a 4,095km-long border between India and Bangladesh with West Bengal sharing a maximum of 2,216km, Tripura 856km, Meghalaya 443km, Mizoram 318km and Assam 262km. A large portion of the border remains unfenced and porous as it is mountainous and riverine. l

Young people seek green power

n Saudia Afrin
An event titled Lets Talk , was held yesterday at Spectra Convention Centre in the capital on waste management, solar panel and renewable energies. Centre for Research and Information (CRI) organized the event to bring politics closer to the young people. The programme was designed in a unique manner to allow the young participants to ask questions and give opinions free on behalf of their respective generation. Nasrul Hamid Bipu ,state minister of power, energy and mineral resources and Zunaid Ahmed Palak ,state minister of ministry of posts, telecommunications and information technology were present on the ocassion. In reply to the question of threat regarding the Rampal electricity plant Bipu said; These would be the worlds high technology based power plant. Regarding the fulfilment of electricity, he said; We want to forget the word load shedding and desire to maintain the consistency. Zunaid said; Only technology can lend transparency to everything and reduce corruption. The young participants suggested the ministers for reducing dependency on quick rental systems, maintenance of facilities, reduction in CNG usage of vehicles, minimising power system losses, further storage for future generations, proper power management, enhancing government websites and internet availability for mass people. l

WEATHER

Dry weather likely n UNB

Rain or thundershower is likely to occur at one or two places over Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions and weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country until 6pm today. Night and day temperatures might remain nearly unchanged over the country, Met Office said. The sun sets in the capital at 5:58pm today and rises at 6:25am tomorrow. Countrys highest temperature 30.6 degree Celsius was recorded at Sitakunda and lowest 10.2 degrees at Srimangal yesterday. Highest and lowest temperatures recorded in some major cities yesterday were: City Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Coxs Bazar High 28.5 28.4 29.4 27.2 28.8 28.8 29.5 30.3 Low 14.6 15.9 12.8 12.3 15.0 13.6 13.1 17.0 German Ambassador to Bangladesh Albrecht Conze poses for a photograph at the launching ceremony of a research-based book 'Climate Change and Bangladesh' in the capital yesterday. The launching ceremony was organised by Centre for Development Communication
MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Mystery shrouds CU student death n CU Correspondent

A third-year student of the Arabic department at Chittagong University (CU) died mysteriously yesterday. The deceased was identified as Saiful Islam Jahid, 23, of Mahipal in Feni district. Quoting his roommates, Md Moin Uddin, officer-in-charge of CU police outpost, said the student fell sick while he was sleeping. His roommates took him him to CMCH (CMCH) where the on-duty doctors declared him dead. l

Communal violence a disease: Anisuzzaman

n Mohammad Atiqur Rahman
Terming communal violence a disease, Professor Emeritus of Dhaka University Anisuzzaman urged all to come forward and resist it. He made the comments while talking to the Dhaka Tribune during a reception ceremony held at the Liberation War Museum auditorium at Segun Bagicha in the capital yesterday, Bangladesh Rukhe Darao, a platform of progressive and eminent citizens, organised the reception ceremony to recognise Prof Anisuzzaman for his achievement of being awarded Indias Padma Bhushan award, the third highest civilian honour in India. He received the award for his lifelong contribution to Bangla literature. Prof Anisuzzaman said: It [communal violence] is like a disease. We all have to come forward to cure the disease. He also condemned Shaheed Minar vandalism at different locations in the country. Three Shaheed Minars monuments were reportedly vandalised across the country on Thursday and Friday. Journalist Abed Khan said: It is a matter of sorrow for us that we do not value a person while he/she is alive, but we mourn for him/her after their death. Professor of the English Department at Dhaka University Syed Manzoorul Islam, author Selina Hossain, Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, rights activist Sultana Kamal, Dr Shahdin Malik, Liberation War Museum Trustee Sarwar Ali, and Ziauddin Tariq Ali attended the reception ceremony, among others. l

World Thinking Day celebrated n Our Correspondent, Barisal

The Barisal regional unit of the Bangladesh Girl Guides Association (BGGA) yesterday celebrated World Thinking Day. The programme, held at the Barisal Regional Guide House, included recitations from religious books, discussion, a handicrafts fair, collecting of donations, and taking of oaths for continuing the movement until their goal is achieved. The theme of the day for this year is education opens doors for all girls and boys. Begum Faizun Nahar, BGGA regional commissioner, presided over the function while Wahida Ferdaus, president of Barisal Ladies Club, and Manowar Hossain, district education officer, were present on the ocassion. Sumaiya Tabassum, regional trainer of BGGA, conducted the programme. The speakers urged all to ensure womens equal participation in decision-making to ensure an equal share of policy-making positions in all fields and to eventually end all forms of gender discrimination. l

Bangladeshis in London clash over war crimes

n Tribune Online Report
Two rival Bangladeshi groups reportedly locked in a clash over the war crimes issues while placing flowers at the Shaheed Minar in Altab Ali Park of East London early Friday. Metal barricades were used as makeshift weapons during the pitched battle in the park, with women and children caught in the middle, reported eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk. Later, police broke up the fighting and cleared everyone out of the park, but it is believed that no arrests were made. According to the report, hundreds had gathered in the park at midnight to place flowers at the Shaheed Minar. But flowers gave way to fists as the night turned violent after a war of words between rival groups over war crimes trials in Bangladesh. Ajanta Deb Roy, an activist and radio presenter for Radio Betar Bangla, said the fighting started when one group took issue with the slogans being chanted by the other group. She said: They were calling for the death penalty for war criminals, and the others didnt like it, so they started throwing threatening words. First it was verbal, and then they started attacking, and when they did the others fought back. Roy said the clashes lasted three or four minutes before police intervened. l

PRAYER TIMES
Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha 5:10am 6:25am 12:12am 4:21pm 5:58pm 7:14pm

Source: IslamicFinder.org

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Chandrima Udyan turns into a den of wrongdoers

n Abu Hayat Mahmud
Chandrima Udyan, also known as Zia Udyan, has become a den of antisocial and criminal activities keeping at bay the city dwellers from visiting one of the very few eyesoothing green spots in the capital. Even during daytime people are involved in petty criminal activities. Drug addicts, pushers, sex workers and their pimps prowl around the park making it impossible for city dwellers to visit it. A number of visitors told this correspondent that they would not visit the park in future as they thought it was no more a decent place. Azharul Islam, a resident of Mohammadpur, who was with his wife and two children, said: I had heard a little about the atmosphere of the udyan, but never imagined this sort of social degradation. If I had known about this condition, I would not have come here with my family or even alone. he added. Chandrima Uddan is located to the north of the Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban and the east of the Ganabhaban, Prime Ministers residence. The park is notable for being the burial place of the former president and founder of the BNP Ziaur Rahman. Illegal establishments, drug addicts, hookers, muggers and petty criminals have robbed the park of most of its beauty. Shefali Begum, who has been living with her family in the park, claimed herself to be a staff of the Public Works Department (PWD), the authority that oversees the Chandrima Udyan. I am a staff of the PWD and work in the complex of the grave of Zia-ur-Rahman. I live here (park) in small sheds because there is nowhere else to reside, she said. Meanwhile, the Cricent Lake and the entire park including Zias grave and the pond have become stinky due to lack of proper maintenance. The park is littered with unwanted substances. After the sun sets, the Chandrima Udyan goes under the control of drug addicts and peddlers, floating sex workers, their associates and clients, said a staff of the PWD. There are allegations that security guards, including Ansar members, extort money from prostitutes and drug dealers. Md Saiful Islam, a senior Ansar member denied the allegation, and said: We are active round the clock to prevent unsocial activites. As many as 20 Ansar members were appointed to secure the movement of visitors in the park, he added. When contacted, Md Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan, chief engineer of the PWD, told the Dhaka Tribune that the illegal structures set up in the park was beyond his knowledge. If illegal establishments have been built in the park, it would have been evicted immediately. I will direct the officials concerned to evict the illegal establishments if there is any, he said. l

Chandrima Udyan in the capital has given way to anti-social activities. The picture of the park shows shanties set up illegally as a shelter for various crimes

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Green Tax or ETP essential to avert pollution n Tribune Report

Speakers at a demonstration programme yesterday demanded green tax or Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) in order to reduce industrial toxic pollution said a press release. Some organisations yesterday demonstrated in front of the National Press Club in the capital yesterday. They said the government could invest in improvement of environment with the green tax. Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa), Youth Coalition for Climate Justice (YCCJ), Nirapad Development Foundation, Green Mind Society, SERAC Bangladesh, SEL Charitable Foundation, RSDS, Orunodoyer Torun Dol and Campaign for Development Foundation attended the demonstration. Bapa General Secretary Dr Abdul Matin asserted that the crisis of environment happened because of pollution. Nirapad Development Foundation Chairman Ibnul Syed Rana said 30% of additional tax named as green tax should be imposed on pollutants. l

White Panel alleges that Yellow Panel coerces teachers

Correspondent, n Our Chittagong University
The BNP Jamaat-e-Islami backed teachers forum at Chittagong University (CU), known as the White Panel, yesterday alleged that the pro-Awami League teachers were trying to exert undue pressure on young teachers regarding the CU Teachers Association (CUTA) polls, in violation of the election rules. The White panel held a press conference at the CU Journalist Association (CUJA) office at CU Central Students Union building under the banner of Sadhinota, Gonotronto, Dormio Mullobodh, and Bangladeshi Jatiyatabadi Adorshe Ujjibito Sikkhak Somaj. At the conference, senior teachers said Yellow Panel nominees allegedly forced newly appointed teachers to take a snapshot of their ballot paper to ensure they cast votes in favor of the Yellow Panel. At the press conference, teachers also put forward a five-point charter which included proposals for changing the policy for the promotion of teachers, a bar on holding administrative

CUTA POLL TODAY

Fearing a possible disaster at the polls, the Yellow Panel leaders were trying to manipulate the polls
posts after the election, increasing examination allowances for teachers, and allocating houses as per the laws and regulations. The CUTA election is scheduled to be held today at the auditorium of the social science faculty from 9am to 1:30pm. Prof Golam Mohiuddin, convener of the White Panel, read out the written

speech while Prof Md Kamal Hossain presided over the press briefing. Citing the allegations, the convener said they had already submitted a written complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner seeking a ban on using cell phones in the polling booths. Fearing a possible disaster at the polls, the Yellow Panel leaders were trying to manipulate the polls through such kind of activities, he added. However, Prof Imran Hossen, convener of the Yellow Panel, brushed aside the allegations, saying that all these allegations were false, baseless, and fabricated. A total of 821 voters are expected to cast their votes, while some teachers had already exercised their voting power through advance voting held on February 18 and 20. Prof Mohiuddin is conducting the polls as the chief election commissioner. l

Bangladesh-India conduct survey to settle border dispute

n Tribune Report
Officials of Bangladesh and India have jointly conducted a survey to settle various disputes along the international border shared by the two neighbours, journalists were told yesterday. Officials from both sides told reporters that the long-pending border disputes would be settled soon, as authorities have jointly identified the missing pillars and were taking steps to repair them. Abdul Mannan led the Bangladesh survey team while Survey of India Director NR Biswal headed the Indian side. The demarcation of the unsettled boundaries would help the guards of the two countries in manning the border properly and expedite the various construction activities, including fencing and lighting besides river-based irrigation projects, they added. The survey, finalised during the three-day 82nd border conference held in Agartala in August 2013, was conducted from Monday to Thursday, reports BSS. The exercise is a follow-up of the agreement signed by Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Mahmohan Singh in Dhaka on September 6, 2011, concerning the land boundary demarcation between the two nations and related matters. There is a 4,095km-long border between India and Bangladesh with West Bengal sharing a maximum of 2,216km, Tripura 856km, Meghalaya 443km, Mizoram 318km and Assam 262km. A large portion of the border remains unfenced and porous as it is mountainous and riverine. l

HAAB demands third carrier for Hajj pilgrims n Tribune Report

The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) yesterday urged the government to fulfill their charter of demands including reopening a third carrier, apart from Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines, for the smooth flying of Hajj pilgrims. If the third carrier is introduced, the pilgrims will enjoy a safe and smooth journey, HAAB President Mohammad Ibrahim Bahar said while raising their charter of demands at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club. He said the pilgrims experienced uncertainties and sufferings in 2012 because of mismanagement by Bangladesh Biman and Saudi Airlines, despite having to pay extra money for air tickets. Meanwhile, Bangladeshi pilgrims witnessed a high-quality hajj management system in three years 2009 to 2011 as the third carrier option was open, the HAAB president added. The other demands of HAAB include getting back Tk10 crore of different hajj agencies deposited earlier to the religious affairs ministry, announcement of flight schedule before Ramadan of 1434 Hijri year, setting up 35-day hajj package, ensuring same plane fare for direct Hajj flight from Sylhet and Chittagong, and replacement of pilgrims in case of failure because of sudden death or accident or any other unavoidable circumstances. HAAB sources said the Hajj of 2014 (1435 Hijri) would be held on October 4 this year, based on moon sighting. A total of 1.01 lakh Hajj pilgrims 10,000 people under government management and 91,000 others under private ones are expected to perform Hajj this year, says BSS. l

NEWS IN BRIEF
565 bottles of liquor seized in Sylhet
Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in a drive seized 565 bottles of liquor from Majhertuk area of Companyganj upazila early Friday. BGB sources said being tipped off, a team of the border force conducted the drive in the area early in the morning and recovered 421 bottles of Indian liquor, 96 bottles of Tango brand liquor, 48 bottles of McDowell brand liquor and 59 bottles of Super String brand beer in an abandoned condition. The smugglers, however, managed to flee the scene sensing the presence of the BGB team. The market value of the seized goods was estimated Tk 8.62 lakh. The seized liquor and beer were handed over to the local Narcotics Control Department. UNB

5 houses gutted in Shariatpur

At least five shops were gutted by a fire at Abura village in Sadar upazila on Friday. Locals said the fire erupted from a stove of the house of one Mannan Hawladar at the village around 2:00pm and soon engulfed four other adjacent houses. Later, local people rushed to the spot and doused the blaze after half an hour of frantic efforts. Affected house owners said the fire burnt down huge valuables and cash Tk60,000. UNB

Old man crushed to death by train in Sirajganj

An unidentified old man was crushed to death by a train at Haluakandi in Kamarkhand upazila on Friday. Government Railway Police sources said the accident took place in the area when Sirajganj Express train from Ishwardi knocked down the old man while he was crossing the rail track in the morning. Police recovered the body and sent it to hospital morgue. A case was filed in this connection. UNB

Young girl strangulated to death in Joypurhat

A young girl has been strangulated to death by miscreants at Rajkanda in Akkelpur upazila. Police recovered the body of Rima, daughter of Dilbar Ali, from a bamboo cluster at the village on Friday morning. Police and locals said Rima went out of the house on Thursday morning to learn the holy Quran at a local madrasa and had not returned since then. Locals found the body of Rima with the neck tied with a scurf at the bamboo cluster near her house and informed police. Later, law enforces recovered the body and sent it to hospital morgue for an autopsy. Victims mother Achhia Akter said Rima was supposed to be marred with one Abu Bakar, son of Rafiqul Islam of Taluch Khapara village in Dupchachia upazila of Bogra district, on February 28. Officer-incharge of Akkelpur Police Station Rezaus Sadique Reza said the girl might have been strangled in a pre-planned manner. UNB

Environmentalists from the Youth Coalition for Climate Justice form a human chain, demanding the introduction of a green tax to fight environmental pollution, in front of the National Press Club in the capital yesterday MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Sonali Bank burglary mastermind held

n Our Correspondent, Kishoreganj
Rapid Action Battalion personnel yesterday arrested the alleged mastermind behind the burglary of over Tk16 crore from the main branch of Sonali Bank in Kishoreganj. The arrestee was identified as Sirajuddin Bhuiyan. According to sources, the elite force arrested Siraj at Bhairab Railway Station at 6am. He is the uncle in-law of Habibur Rashid, alias Sohel Rana, who plotted the daring haul and managed all the equipment for the heist. Rajib Kumar Dev, investigation officer of the case, said: Siraj is the mastermind of the burglary and he influenced Sohel for the heist. Detained Sohel Rana said Siraj had plotted the haul and taught him how to dig the tunnel between an adjacent residential building and the vault of the bank. Officials discovered the theft on January 26 and found over Tk16 crore missing from the vault. Two days later, Sohel and his affiliate Motahar were arrested from Dhaka with most of the stolen money. Later, the remaining Tk2.5 lakh was found when Sohels wife Maliha Akhtar was also detained in the capital. The two robbers named several employees of the bank who are said to have aided in the heist. On February 3, the High Court ordered the investigation of the burglary case to be transferred to RAB in response to a petition fearing police failure in the case. Nearly three weeks after the order, the elite force managed to arrest Siraj, the plotter of the heist. l

Five pistols, magazines recovered from Cnawabganj border

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) recovered two pistols, three magazines and 10 rounds of bullet from Kiranganj border in Shibganj upazila early Saturday. Major Sheikh Mizanur Rahman, deputy commander of BGB 9 battalion, said a gang of smugglers along with arms entered the countrys territory through Kiranganj border at about 2:30 am. Sensing the presence of the border guards, the smugglers managed to flee leaving behind the arms and ammunition. Later the BGB team recovered two pistols, three magazines and 10 rounds of bullet from the spot. UNB

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Feature

Sunday, February 23, 2013

A Bangladeshis million dollar gift to Berkeley

The newly established Chowdhury Center for Bangladesh Studies

n Sohara Mehroze Shachi

hanks to a generous $1m donation by the Subir and Malini Chowdhury Foundation, the University of California Berkeley recently established the Chowdhury Center for Bangladesh Studies. It is the first of its kind in the United States, aiming to combine research, scholarships, the promotion of art and culture, and the building of ties between institutions in Bangladesh and the US. Since funding sources are scarce, these new fellowships aim to ensure that there is a next generation of scholars who will study and do research on Bangladesh. It was a really good match between his vision and what we have done at Berkeley so far, said Ms Saxena, the executive director of the Center for South Asia Studies and Director of the Chowdhury Center for Bangladesh Studies. Back in 2004, the Center for South Asia Studies launched the Bangla Stud-

ies endowment fundraising drive. As a result of strong community support, Bangla language, along with content courses on the culture, history and the society of modern Bengal were being offered from 2005. But the programme struggled to stay afloat. Now with the new Chowdhury Center, the university is able to expand its scope of study. In addition to promoting and integrating interdisciplinary scholarship, the center will sponsor lectures and conferences, and provide three scholarships. Our mutual goal is to encourage study, research and programming around Bangladesh and bring the scholars working on Bangladesh under one umbrella, Ms Saxena said. Tonima Khan, a Bangladeshi-American alumnus of Berkeley who took almost all of the South Asian courses available when she was a student, said of the news: That is so exciting! We did not have anything focused specifically on Bangladesh when I was at Cal. Those courses focused predominantly on India and the subcontinent as a whole.

Students studying Bangla at Berkeley have varied backgrounds. There are heritage students from Bangladesh and West Bengal who probably heard Bangla being spoken at home grow-

New fellowships aim to ensure a next generation of scholars who will study and do research on Bangladesh
ing up, and who may or may not know how to speak or write it themselves. On the other end of the spectrum there are students who have no South Asian heritage and are being exposed to the Bangla language and culture for the first time. They have varying motivations, some want to conduct research, while others just want to be able to speak with their grandparents. l

Subir Chowdhury with Nicholas Dirks, chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley
CENTER FOR SOUTH ASIA STUDIES

To have an entire center dedicated just to the study of Bangladesh is incredible, because our language and

culture has so much depth and richness that a simple 1-2 lectures on Bangla lit doesnt do it justice.

ubir Chowdhury, the donor funding the Chowdhury Center for Bangladesh Studies, is a Chittagongian who ranks as one of the top management gurus in the world. Chairman and CEO of ASI Consulting Group, he is the author of 13 books including The Ice Cream Maker and The Power of LEO. Having a strong sense of philanthropy and patriotism, he has already established the Subir Chowdhury fellowship for quality and Economics at the London School of Economics where priority is given to Bangladeshi applicants. We caught up with Mr Chowdhury for a brief intervew.

erest, which is an amazing feat. She can be a fantastic leadership speaker in American universities. Very few Americans know that a Bangladeshi designed the Sears Tower, which became a structural engineering miracle.

Similarly, many people in Bangladesh dont know that an American researcher in UC Berkeley is making a contribution to eliminating the problem of arsenic pollution in Bangladesh. The purpose of this center is to feature

personalities and researchers from Bangladesh will be invited to come and talk.

You established three fellowships through your recent donation. What criteria would be used for selecting the recipients?
I made sure one graduate fellowship is provided for research on improving the quality of life in Bangladesh ... given on the basis of the merit of the proposal and how helpful the research would be for Bangladesh. I talked to scholars such as Amartya Sen who strongly supported my idea. The other fellowship will be given for work on womens issues because I feel that research and work on womens empowerment is essential to the development of Bangladesh. For the undergraduate scholarship, I made sure Berkeley committed to a dollar-to-dollar match.

struggling to raise money, and it immediately reminded me of my resolve. So I flew in right away and met with a lot of faculty members. I was completely blown away with their commitment.

What can be done to ensure stable sources of funding for more of such programs?
Governments can play a crucial role. The Indian government for instance established the Amartya Sen fellowship to honour the Nobel laureate, but in contrast, think what the government of Bangladesh did with Muhammad Yunus. In Bangladesh there are a lot of multi-millionaires and I hope they get interested to make donations and create fellowships under their names at different universities.

Why did you decide to establish the Center for Bangladesh Studies?
A lot of countries have their own centers here in the US, such as the Indian Center, but none exists for Bangladesh. The sad reality is Bangladesh is almost always portrayed in a negative light by the media. However, a lot of Bangladeshis are making many positive contributions in America, and in the same way Americans are doing a lot to help Bangladesh. So the question is: How can we reduce the gap between them, and I established this center with the hope of doing that.

The purpose of this center is to feature stories like these, and to promote crosscultural positivity

How did you get involved with Berkeley?

In 1993, when I had just completed my masters, a Bangali faculty member named Raka Roy who wanted to establish teaching Bangla in Berkeley contacted me. At that time I didnt even have ten thousand dollars in my bank account, but I promised myself that if I ever have money I would help her cause. Last year a friend posted on Facebook about the Bangla programme at Berkeley

What is your message to the people of Bangladesh?

I am very proud of Bangladesh in spite of its many flaws, and wherever I go, I remind people how my country made me stronger. So my message to the people of Bangladesh, especially the youth, would be that rather than going for violence, they should focus on the positives and take the negatives as challenges to overcome. I have a lot of faith in your generation, and I hope the youth dont lose faith and continue contributing to build a better nation. l

How do you plan to do so?

I read that a Bangladeshi girl climbed the Ev-

A lot of people here dont know that February 21 is International Mother Language Day because people in Bangladesh sacrificed their lives for the Bangla language.

stories like these, and to promote cross-cultural positivity. The center also plans to feature talks on the political situation in Bangladesh in a non-partisan manner. There will be annual conferences where eminent

Tracing the pluralist history of Bangla

n Rumana Habib
amier Mansur asserts that the Language Movement was about more than economic and political grievances that it was, in fact, a culmination of its 2,500 years of history of pluralism. Born and raised in Washington, DC, Samier, 29, retains very strong ties with his Bangladeshi heritage. He is the founder of the Bangladesh Pluralism Project, and initiative dedicated to a more open, inclusive, and globally engaged Bangladesh. He has also made a short film called Reawaken the Legacy: Celebrating Bangladeshs Unique Identity. The Dhaka Tribune sat down with him for a quick interview. to express themselves freely, and to contribute towards the social and economic progress of a nation. It is a foundational pillar of democracy. Historically, the region of Bengal has been an exemplar of the pluralist ethic. Bengals remarkable ability to harmonise its early diversity of ethnicities, religions and ideas contributed directly to its emergence as an early hub of international commerce, intellectual sophistication, and economic prosperity as early as two thousand years ago. Without the ability to harmonise diversity within Bangladesh and around the greater region, the future growth and stability of the nation will suffer. the masses as an attempt to negate the very foundations of Bengals syncretic identity. The Language Movement was thus formed as a way to reaffirm Bengals national identity and cultural expression, and protect this rich heritage from political and cultural annihilation. Rabindranath Tagore once remarked that the poisonous ideologies of religious extremism would find no welcome foothold in the tolerant grounds of Bengal. Half a century later, his prediction would be upheld in the legacy of the Language Movement.

NOT ALL FUN AND GAMES

What does Bangla signify in this pluralist society?

What lessons are there in that story, not just for Bangladesh but for the world?

More than just a language. Bangla emerged as the very symbol behind the unification of a people and nation. While the state of Bangladesh is new and emergent on the political stage, Bengal as a nation can trace its cultural roots back thousands of years. The Bangla language is a living, breathing genetic code a dynamic representation of its rich history, shaped by its colourful Hindu, Buddhist, Persian, Islamic, and European influences of near and ancient past.

Why does the Language Movement matter?

What is pluralism, and how does it relate to Bangladesh?

Pluralism embraces the diversity of ideas and identities. It allows people

It is remarkable, even unprecedented that a national movement would rally around the banner of language. In the case of Bangladesh, this was not wholly surprising. The very nature of Bengals long history has been one of cultural openness and acceptance of religious and ethnic plurality. When the Pakistan government challenged this script by imposing one language Urdu, and one script Arabic in the name of national unity and religion, it was strongly rejected by

Today, Bangla is the seventh most spoken language in the world. It connects more than 190 million people, and can serve as a bridge to link Bangladesh with the broader region. With influences from its Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, and European past, the Bangla language and culture is one that is truly global and international in scope. This holds tremendously positive implications for Bangladesh if it can harness its cultural goodwill and coordinate a geopolitical strategy to forge deeper and more meaningful economic relations with the broader region. Presently, the waters from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific serve as the worlds busiest hub of international trade.With all the benefits of language, religious and ethnic plurality, geography, and access to natural resources at its disposal, is there any excuse for Bangladesh not to thrive as a contributing member of the 21st century world community? A thousand years ago Bengal was the cultural and economic heart of South and Southeast Asia. Its time Bangladesh puts itself on track to enjoy the same levels of prosperity, prestige, and global inclusion it once enjoyed. l

Some children play with toys, some children make them. These child labourers make balloons (top, bottom right) and miniature aluminum pots and pans (bottom left) at Dhaka factories MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Career

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Slick and smart: Corporate lawyers in Bangladesh

n Nakibul Hoq and Naiian Yazdani
American courtroom dramas portray corporate lawyers as immaculately dressed folks with a superior intellect and a scything tongue. Is that what it is really like? Is it what happens in Bangladesh? Well, unlike many developed countries, suing for the smallest of things is not the standard norm in Bangladesh. However, in the past few years a career in law has had a major makeover in this part of the world. Many new private law firms dealing with all sorts of services have sprung up, making it easier for those seeking legal services. In Bangladesh, commercial lawyers practise privately under seven major scales: civil, family issues, criminal, corporate issues, writ petitions, arbitration proceeding and immigration. These are further categorised into several subclasses, and into even further subdivisions. Corporate lawyers serve all sorts of clients in various scenarios. They may be involved in upper class company litigations and land brawls between different parties, or they can also serve as advisors to boards of directors of the listed firms to oversee and advise on legal compliance both nationally and internationally. According to Sameera Mahmud, a barrister at Sadat Sarwar and Associates: The scope of a career in corporate law in Bangladesh has increased drastically in the past few years. The current scenario is such that you get more jobs in the corporate field. It is also much easier to get into because most of the companies are always looking for new lawyers. The industry is growing and opportunities are emerging. There are two pathways if you want to become a lawyer in Bangladesh. You can become either a barrister or an advocate. A barrister is one who fights cases in the higher courts for either the defence or prosecution. An advocate on the other hand is a lawyer who pleads cases in any court. If you want to become a barrister, you need to hold a law degree from one of the recognised law schools in the country or abroad. Then you need to pass the bar exam in order to become a licensed practitioner or rather, a barrister. quires corporate lawyers to have sufficient knowledge in finance and accounting, especially when dealing with banks and financial institutions. A single mistake can cost their clients millions, so once again the importance of detail will come to the fore. Corporate lawyers play various roles from agonising over the terms of a business or asset purchase, consulting with marketing teams prior to campaigns or commencing litigation for breaches of contract and claiming damages. Without doubt, lawyers have to be extremely proactive and energetic about what they do. Quite often, they have to sit with tonnes of research work to study and pour through past cases and laws in order to fight a case for their clients. This requires enthusiasm and energy, and a committed devotion to a career that requires only curious minds. Contrary to what we see in the media, lawyers are not necessarily braggarts or snobs. Rather, they are personalities with extremely high intelligence. They are sticklers of detail, substantial speakers with highly proactive attitudes and an enthusiasm unmatched by other professionals. These virtues are not spurred in a day. It requires commitment, discipline and a lot of diligence from the individuals part. However, once you get into the habit, you will never look back, because the world that will beckon you is exciting, enthralling, and as American media can confirm, full of some nice fitting suits! l Nakibul Hoq is a Research Analyst at GradConnect, an international career information and advisory firm. You can email him at nakib@grad-connect.com. Naiian Yazdani is the Director of Strategy at GradConnect. You can email him at naiian@ grad-connect.com and find more career information at www.grad-insights.com and www.grad-connect.com

Lawyers have to be extremely proactive and energetic. They have to sit with tonnes of research work to study and pour through past cases and laws
The bar exam has to be passed from abroad at present because it is not offered in Bangladesh. Since Bangladesh follows the British system most of the corporate lawyers and barristers appear for the bar exams in the UK. Sameera for instance passed her bar exam from Northumbria School of Law in Newcastle, UK. Another option is to become an advocate, which is more straightforward. You have to pass exams administered by the high courts in the country. Once completed, you will need to undertake an apprenticeship to become a successful advocate. As with most industries, it is a long way to the top and some serious hard work is required. Initially you have to practise as an associate at one of the private firms. From there you can rise up steadily with your effort and acumen. There is potential for growth and a lawyer can become the senior partner of that particular law firm or even move on to form one of his own. Either way, this will only be the beginning of a career of enormous fulfilment and satisfaction. There are certain skills that are a part of a lawyers armoury. A law student has to work a lot on self-development and be able to manipulate by talking. As Harvey Specter and Alan Shore from the TV shows Suits and Boston Legal respectively have emphasised, it is all about having a great chat a euphemism for the lawyers ability to talk. Not just talk, but talk fast and think seamlessly to make people say what you want to hear. All lawyers are debaters, and you must be able to convince your audience with in-depth analysis and articulated thoughts. Aside from interpersonal and communication skills, attention to detail is critical. They have to go through notes, documents and depositions tirelessly in order to find out incongruities and sore spots quickly and efficiently. The minutest detail may be of the utmost importance. Being able to see through words and meanings and written documents will be the foundation on which a lawyers career is built. In todays world, a high amount of importance is placed on a persons ethics and moral principles. While there is a joke that lawyers have none of the aforementioned principles, in actuality that is far from the truth. For example, attorney-client confidentiality is one of the most cited; no matter who your client is or whatever he or she has done, as the individuals or the companys lawyer, your job is to act in the best interest of your client. Your absolute loyalty to the party you represent until the court hearing is unquestionable, so you must have a trustworthy, faithful personality. Working in the private sector re-

How well do you understand your employment contract? n Career Desk

Assessment Evaluation of ones abilities Background EdBIZ VOCAB ucation, qualifications, experience Bonus - Additional

How to avoid having your schedule dictate your day

n Ahsan Sajid
Many common time management mistakes are easily avoidable, and yet we continue to make them because we fail to identify and pinYOUR CUP point the mistakes that OF TEA we are making. One of the most effective means we have to improve our productivity at work is to recognise and fix some of these more common mistakes. Once the mistakes have been overcome, we will not only have more time but also have higher job satisfaction and less stress, and not have our schedule dictate our day. When we manage our time well, our productivity levels go up and our stress levels drop. Following are a list of suggestions of common mistakes, which we have all been guilty of at some point or the other. your time well; having a goal gives us a destination to work towards and a path to follow. When we know where we would like to be at the end of the day, week, or year, we can manage our priorities accordingly and allocate our time and resources more efficiently. Additionally, having long-term goals helps us realise what is worth spending time on and what is a distraction.

payment to an employee as an incentive or reward Curriculum vitae - Summary of ones education and experience to date; resume Dismiss - Discharge from employment (to fire, to sack, to let go) Fringe benefits - Advantages offered in addition to salary (life insurance, retirement scheme, company car, etc.); also called perks, abbreviation for perquisites Make redundant - Dismiss for economic reasons Maternity leave - Period of absence for a female employee when having a baby Notice - Advanced warning of intention to leave ones job, to give or hand in ones resignation Personnel - People who work for a firm or company (employees) Personnel officer - Manager responsible for recruitment, training and welfare of personnel (employees) Prospects - Opportunities for success or promotion in a career Recruit - Look for and hire personnel Resign - Leave a job voluntarily Retire - Leave employment because of age Sick leave - Absence because of illness to be on sick leave Staff - People who work for a firm or department; employees Strength - Strong characteristic or particular ability Strike - To go on strike: to stop working in protest against something Take on - Employ or hire Trainee - Person being trained for a job Training course - A course of study to prepare for a job Unemployment benefits - Payments made by the state to an unemployed person Vacancy - A position to be filled Weakness - A lack of ability or a shortcoming in character

Avoid distractions

Grabbing the limelight: What my Model UN experience taught me about crowds

n Fahmida Faiza
One of the core lessons that the Model UN experience teaches is to be heard in a sea of delegates each with their own contribution to the conversation. To survive one soon learns how to tackle the issue, and be heard without being obnoxious. For those who have had an experience at the General Assembly committees, the situation is very familiar you barely get the floor in a pool of 150 delegates and one of the most persisting fears is of getting overshadowed by fellow delegates. Personally, I faced this problem countless times, and made several attempts to secure a place at the council while serving as a delegate. There were moments when in the midst of highly experienced international delegates, I hardly got the floor a single time despite raising my placard over 40 times! That is no reason to give up. The competition is not so breakneck at Bangladeshi General Assemblies, but at international platforms delegates often get frustrated at repeated failure to secure a place at the committee and thus losing the gavel. Instead of taking it as a sign to quit, try the following tactics and suggestions that I have gathered from my MUN experience to grabbing the limelight in a crowd. This sort of interpersonal development is not a one-step process but rather a lifestyle be aware not only of the given agenda but cultivate your general knowledge and current affairs, know as much about as many different issues as possible.

Add to the conversation

Communicate congenially

Once your research is up to par, communication is key. This does not only mean speaking well, but also speaking efficiently. In a crowd, you definitely have some allies and some adversaries. Figure out who is who, and speak in a way that you speak for all your allies too, to grab the most attention. The only way to getting as many people as possible to be on your side is to make them feel that your words are in fact their words, and that you stand in the same position facing the same difficulties. Communication is important not just during the discussion at hand but outside of it as well. Good communication expands your network and gets more supporters on your side for the next time you speak up. When speaking among a crowd it is important to tailor your speech in a way to make your words agreeable, and to wean out negativity altogether.

Try to add to the conversation instead of simply adding to the noise. Rather than regurgitating what has already been said, add something new and the crowd will listen. If the crowd realises that you are not adding anything of value, they will know not to pay attention the next time you have something to say. Think outside the box and choose your words carefully, make them valuable, courteous and important. Be precise and efficient and do not waste everybodys time.

Do not just store it in your head

We lose a few hours daily to distractions such as emails, Facebook, instant messaging, phone calls, helping out colleagues etc. This clearly prevents us from achieving the ideal workflow the work we do when we are 100% engaged in a task. So much as having a chat window open on another tab can distract our mind. To gain control of the day and do our best work, we need to minimise distractions and manage interruptions.

We have all experienced the sense of foreboding that we feel when the idea that we have forgotten something important keeps nagging us at the back of our heads; it is frustrating and gets in the way of critical thinking. It is surprising that more often than not, this feeling arises from not maintaining a to-do list and just storing all our plans in our head. Significant amounts of time may be saved with a simple to-do list, listed according to priority.

Know the load you can carry

Be clear

Most importantly, make what you say clear and transparent. If people have to struggle to understand what your point is, you will soon lose their attention. Do not try to play it safe and create a grey area where you do not take a clear stand or make a definite argument. Being vague derails the entire discussion and makes succeeding discussions difficult.

Plan point A to point B

Setting goals is essential to managing

Some of us often enthusiastically take on too much on our plate; this happens more often right after joining a new job. This may come from a desire to impress or an inability to say no to people. Either way, taking on too much can lead to poor performance, stress, and low morale. Another reason you might have this problem is if you are a micromanager and you insist on controlling every aspect of a project. Taking on too much work more often than not results in rushed, shoddy work. l

Do not try to be everyones friend

Research

Do not be obnoxious

Never underestimate the importance of conducting a very thorough research. When speaking in a crowd of equally talented and equally educated people, there is no way to survive against a fellow who has nailed his research work better than you have.

Do not go out of your way and try to do something outrageous to get attention. This may include butting in while someone else is talking, making outlandish claims against your policy simply to steal focus, heckling, or physically or verbally seeming ill-mannered and of a poor personality.

This is an extension of the previous point do not make the mistake of trying to take everyones side and agreeing with everyone. It is of utmost importance to be friendly and congenial, but if you agree with everyone all that does is create confusion. Take a clear stand so people know what you are talking about and do not be afraid to disagree with others. When speaking in a crowd, your words are your most powerful ally, and the most important tool to making you indispensable to the discussion at hand. Be yourself, be bold and be specific. l The writer is Bangladeshs first professional MUN trainer at Lighthouse Imperium

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Yanukovich abandons Kiev compound, Obama, Putin speak after Ukraine deal opposition demands vote by May
n Reuters, Kiev n AFP, Washington
Protesters seized the Kiev office of President Viktor Yanukovich on Saturday and the opposition demanded a new election be held by May, as the pro-Russian leaders grip on power rapidly eroded following bloodshed in the capital. Anti-government demonstrators entered Yanukovichs compound in the capital and were controlling the entrance, a Reuters reporter said at the scene. Security guards were present inside the building but were not trying to expel the protesters. The presidents residence outside the capital appeared to have been abandoned. Local media said protesters entered the sprawling grounds but it was unclear whether they were inside the building. Interfax said some security guards were present. A security source said the president was still in Ukraine but was unable to confirm whether he was in Kiev. Yanukovich, who enraged much of the population by turning away from the European Union to build closer ties with Russia three months ago, made sweeping concessions in a deal brokered by European diplomats on Friday after days of violence that killed 77 people, with central Kiev resembling a war zone. But the deal, which called for early President Barack Obama held constructive talks Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin as he pressed for swift implementation of a deal to end Ukraines deadly crackdown on protesters. The phone call came at a prickly time in US Russia relations with both sides at odds over Ukraine, Syria and other issues, but also after Obama took pains to reject the idea that a new Cold War-style confrontation was brewing. A senior US official described the call as constructive, but also warned that the agreement reached in Kiev between the government and top opposition leaders was very, very fragile. Putin and Obama agreed that the Ukraine agreement needed to be swiftly implemented and that all sides needed to refrain from violence, as they also pressed for the need to stabilize the economy. The call touched on other issues as well, including Syria, where Russia backs President Bashar al-Assad, and the Sochi Winter Olympics. Washington had offered staunch support for protesters in Kiev, demanding political concessions from the Moscow-backed government of President Viktor Yanukovych and had warned of consequences if violence, which has killed 100 people, did not stop. The White House gave an initial welcome to the deal and praised European Union diplomats who helped to broker it. White House spokesman Jay Carney said the deal was consistent with what we have advocated in calling for a de-escalation of the violence, constitutional change, a coalition government and early elections. We call for immediate implementation of the initial steps an end to the violence, amnesty and security normalization, and passage of the constitutional package in (parliament) to provide space for the negotiations to begin on formation of a technocratic coalition government, Carney said. Vice President Joe Biden had called Yanukovych on Thursday, warning that the United States was ready to impose sanctions if he did not halt attacks by his security forces on demonstrators which have killed nearly 100 people. Yanukovychs dramatic decision to hold early elections and form a new unity government was met with caution by tens of thousands gathered on central Kievs main square. The deal was signed in the presence of EU envoys, Yanukovych and three top opposition leaders who included boxer turned lawmaker Vitali Klitschko. l

Protesters stand beneath a giant poster of jailed former Ukrainian Prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko as they attend a rally on Independence square in Kiev on February 21 AFP elections by the end of the year, was not enough to satisfy demonstrators, who want him out immediately after bloodshed that saw his police snipers shooting from rooftops. Parliament has quickly acted to implement the deal, voting to restore a constitution that curbs the presidents powers and to change the legal code possibly allowing his arch-adversary, jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, to go free. l

Egypt court acquits police as Morsi goes back on trial n AFP, Cairo
An Egyptian court acquitted six police on Saturday of killing protesters during the 2011 uprising against Hosni Mubarak, as his now deposed Islamist successor Mohamed Morsi went back on trial. The acquittal of the six officers on charges of killing 83 protesters outside police stations in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, came as a Cairo court resumed the trial of Morsi on charges of plotting violence during the revolt. Morsi was toppled by the military in July last year following mass protests demanding his resignation. Since then he and his Muslim Brotherhood have been retroactively accused of committing much of the violence during the anti-Mubarak uprising. Morsi, and 130 other defendants including Palestinian and Lebanese militants, are now being tried for organising jailbreaks and attacking police stations during the revolt. Saturdays hearing was the second of the trial, after an opening hearing in January. It is one of three faced by Morsi. Nearly 850 people died during the 18-day uprising that toppled Mubarak, most of them on January 28, 2011, when protesters battled the then-despised police. l

Pope names new cardinals, predecessor makes an apperance

n AFP, Vatican City
Pope Francis appointed his first batch of cardinals on Saturday, as his predecessor Benedict made a surprise rare appearance at the ceremony naming the new princes of the Church. The new cardinals were presented with scarlet-red birettas and gold rings at a grandiose ceremony in St. Peters Basilica that Vatican observers say should help correct a perceived bias towards European cardinals. Nine of the 19 cardinals appointed on Saturday came from South America, Africa and Asia. Former pope Benedict XVI, who last year became the first pontiff to retire since the Middle Ages, joined the cardinals in the front row of the basilica. The 86-year-old seemed cheerful as he sat cloaked in his white papal garments in the midst of the red-robed cardinals. He and Francis hugged at the start of the ceremony and shook hands warmly at the end. Sixteen of the 19 cardinals are under the age of 80 and can therefore take part in the secretive conclave that elects new popes from among their ranks. In an indication of the importance of the developing world for the Argentine pope a fierce critic of economic inequality half are non-Europeans, including five cardinals from South America, two Africans and two Asians. Francis, in a cream mantle embroidered with gold, called on the new cardinals to be peacemakers, building peace by our hopes and our prayers. I will tell you what the Church needs: she needs you, your cooperation and even more your communion. The Church needs your courage, he said. The 77-year-old called on the new cardinals to show compassion, especially at this time of pain and suffering for so many countries throughout the world. Francis is keen to nourish faith in developing countries, to combat the decline of practicing believers in Europe, the Churchs traditional power base. The irst non-European pope in nearly 1,300 years bestowed the honour of the red cap on the archbishops of Buenos Aires in Argentina, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Santiago in Chile, Managua in Nicaragua and Les Cayes in Haiti. l

China summons United States official in Dalai Lama row

The meeting with the Dalai Lama will seriously sabotage China-US relations and surely impair the interests of the US itself, he said, adding that the US must take concrete actions to win the trust of the Chinese government and its people, he said. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang voiced the same accusations, the Agence-France Press news agency reported, saying in a statement issued after the meeting that the US seriously interfered in Chinas internal affairs by allowing the Dalais visit to the United States and arranging the meetings with US leaders. We urge the US to take Chinas concerns seriously, stop tolerance and support of anti-China separatist forces, cease interfering in Chinas internal affairs and immediately take measures to eliminate its baneful influence to avoid further impairment to China-US relations. China calls the Dalai Lama a wolf in sheeps clothing who seeks to use violent methods to establish an independent Tibet. The Dalai Lama says he only wants genuine autonomy for Tibet and denies advocating violence. In a statement issued by the White House, Obama said he did not support Tibetan independence from China and the Dalai Lama said he was not seeking it. l

n Agencies
Chinas foreign ministry has summoned a senior US embassy official in China after US President Barack Obama held low-key talks with the Dalai Lama at the White House despite warnings from Beijing the meeting would damage ties. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui summoned Daniel Kritenbrink, charge daffaires of the US embassy, on Friday night. China expressed strong indignation and firm opposition to the erroneous acts of the US in interfering in Chinas internal issues, Zhang

said in the statement, the Reuters news agency reported. The talks between the Dalai Lama and Obama went ahead on Friday, despite China warning against the visit and urging the US to cancel it. Beijing considers Tibet an integral part of its territory and regards the Dalai Lama as a separatist. The Tibetan spiritual leader has lived in exile in India since 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule. Tibetan issues fall purely into the domestic affairs of China, Zhang said in the statement. The US has no right to interfere.

Kerry rebukes Venezuela for unacceptable use of force

ment, Maduro has threatened to block the American broadcaster, accusing the network of inciting civil war. This is not how democracies behave, Kerry said. The US secretary of state urged the Venezuelan government to release jailed dissidents and initiate a process of genuine dialogue with the democratic opposition. The solution to Venezuelas problems can only be found through dialogue with all Venezuelans, engaging in a free exchange of opinions in a climate of mutual respect, said Kerry, who also called on the opposition to refrain from violence. Meanwhile, Venezuelas jailed protest leader urged supporters to keep demonstrating peacefully against President Nicolas Maduro despite violence that has killed at least six people and rocked the OPEC member nation. Im fine, I ask you not to give up, I wont, Leopoldo Lopez told his followers in a handwritten note passed to his wife at Caracas Ramo Verde prison and then posted on the Internet. The 42-year-old Lopez, a Harvard-educated economist and one of the few surviving relatives of Venezuelan independence hero Simon Bolivar, spearheaded protests against the socialist government that began at the start of February. He surrendered to the military this week after an arrest warrant was issued, accusing him of instigating the violence. l

United Nations concern at rise in executions in Iran

n Agencies
At least 80 people have been executed in Iran so far this year, marking a rise in its use of capital punishment, the UNs human rights office has said. The majority of executions in Iran are by hanging and are handed down for drug-related offences, which fail to meet the threshold in international law for most serious crimes, a category which covers acts such as murder, the AFP news agency reported. We are deeply concerned about the reported spike in executions in Iran since the beginning of this year, said Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the UN high commissioner for human rights. In just over seven weeks, at least 80 people have been executed. Some reliable sources indicate the figure could be as high as 95, she told reporters. The case of two activists from Irans Arab minority was of particular concern, Shamdasani said. Hadi Rashedi and Hashem Shabani Amouri were reportedly executed in secret in January following proceedings that did not meet international fair trial and due process standards, she said. After reportedly being denied access to lawyers and family members, and tortured into confessing, they were sentenced to death on what Shamdasani said were the ill-defined charges of enmity against God and corruption on earth, as well as acts

Militant-held area back in Iraq government hands n AFP, Tikrit

Iraqi security forces have retaken a northern area from militants after more than a week of heavy fighting during which parts of it repeatedly changed hands, an official said Saturday. Militants initially seized parts of Sulaiman Bek on February 13, setting off a cycle of clashes in the area which includes a town and several villages. Dozens of people militants, security personnel and civilians were killed in the fighting. Sulaiman Bek has now been completely liberated, and there are no longer any gunmen, just police and soldiers, local official Talib al-Bayati told AFP. The army was reinforcing the area with watchtowers and sand barriers, Bayati said, adding that security forces were also preventing residents who had fled the fighting from returning to their homes. Army Staff Lieutenant General Abdulamir al-Zaidi had said that security forces held Sulaiman Bek as of Thursday, but Bayati said it was the next day before they were fully in control. It was not immediately clear if the militants were forced out during clashes or chose to withdraw. The situation in Sulaiman Bek is a small-scale version of the crisis being playing out in the mostly Sunni province of Anbar west of Baghdad. Anti-government fighters have held the city of Fallujah and part of Ramadi in Anbar for weeks. l

In just over seven weeks, at least 80 people have been executed

against national security. An escalation in executions, including of political prisoners and individuals belonging to ethnic minority groups, was notable in the second half of 2013, Shamdasani noted. She said that at least 500 people are known to have been executed in 2013, including 57 in public, but that the number may be as high as 625. The toll in 2012 was 314, according to Amnesty International. The increased deployment of capital punishment dashed hopes after the encouraging signs last year when President Hassan Rouhanis release of a string of political prisoners. Rouhani, a moderate, defeated a pool of conservatives in last Junes presidential election. We regret that the new government has not changed its approach to the death penalty and continues to impose capital punishment for a wide range of offences, said Shamdasani. We urge the government to immediately halt executions and to institute a moratorium. l

A poster of Venezuelan late President Hugo Chavez remains near a burning barricade during an anti-government demo, in Caracas AFP

n AFP, Washington
US Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday condemned Venezuelas unacceptable use of force against anti-government protesters, and declined to respond to a call from Caracas for bilateral talks. The governments use of force and judicial intimidation against citizens and political figures, who are exercising a legitimate right to protest, is unacceptable and will only increase the likelihood of violence, Kerry said in a statement. Despite calls from Venezuelas democratic opposition and the international community, the government of Nico-

las Maduro has confronted peaceful protesters with force and in some cases with armed vigilantes claiming to support the government, the top US diplomat added. It has imprisoned students and a key opposition figure. It has limited the freedoms of expression and assembly necessary for legitimate political debate. He pointed to Maduros moves to tighten media restrictions, after CNN said several of its journalists working in Venezuela, on both Spanish-language and English-language programs, had seen their press credentials revoked or refused. In a move filled with anti-US senti-

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International
n Tribune Desk
Attacking Rahul Gandhi for his push to anti-corruption bills recently, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) yesterday said he was a late entrant in the anti-graft bandwagon and his effort was not genuine as he never spoke earlier on the issue even when several scams took place during the UPA rule. A day after the extended winter session of Parliament ended, BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley told a joint press conference that the pendency of some anti-corruption bills was due to Congresss failure and not because of the the 0pposition. Swaraj, leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, said normal functioning of Parliament was scuttled by Congress members but the ruling party had no control on them. On Rahul Gandhis push to the anti-corruption bills recently and his attack on the opposition, Jaitley, leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha, said, He is a late entrant in the anti-corruption bandwagon. He never spoke on corruption in the last 10 years. But now he says corruption is our (Congresss) issue. Swaraj added that Rahul was not even genuine in his efforts. She said there were several scams during the UPA government but the Congress vice-president never spoke

Sunday, February 23, 2014

9
Pakistan: Bomb kills three, airstrikes kill 9 n AFP, Peshawar
A roadside bomb targeting a local leader of a nationalist party in northwest Pakistan killed three people and wounded two others Saturday, police said. The incident took place in Buner district in the troubled northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, close to Swat Valley where Taliban insurgents shot schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai in the head. Police said the remote-controlled bomb hit the vehicle of Adalat Khan, a local leader of nationalist Qaumi Watan Party, killing him along with two associates. Adalat Khan and his two associates have been killed. Two others in the car were critically injured, Asif Iqbal, a senior police official told AFP. No militant group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but a local intelligence official told AFP that Khan had supported an Anti-Taliban village militia in 2009. The head of that militia was later killed in a suicide attack in November 2012. Separately, at least nine militants were killed on Saturday when Pakistani gunship helicopters pounded Taliban hideouts in Thall village in Hangu district, near the tribal areas where militants linked to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda have strongholds, a security official told AFP. Gunship helicopters engaged the hideouts after confirmed reports of the terrorists presence, the security official said. These were the second air attacks against Taliban militants this month in retaliation at strikes by insurgents, which have derailed peace talks. At least 30 militants were killed on Thursday after Pakistan jets carried out airstrikes on Taliban hideouts in the northwest. l

Modi criticisers Chinas expansionist mindset

n AFP, New Delhi
Indias opposition leader Narendra Modi, favourite to win this years polls, yesterday warned neighbour China to shed its expansionist mindset as he toured a disputed region in the remote northeast. Modi, the prime ministerial candidate of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said China should instead focus on forging peaceful bilateral ties with India.

BJP: Rahul not genuine in his anti-graft efforts

on it. Sau chuhe kha ke billi haj ko chali (after eating 100 rats, a cat goes to pilgrimage), she said while taking a dig at Rahul. Jaitley questioned why Rahul remained silent when scams related to 2G spectrum, coal block allocation, Commonwealth Games, Adarsh Housing Society and VVIP chopper deal took place.

P16 MODI ON BANGLADESH

Modi was speaking during an election rally in the state of Arunachal Pradesh nestled in the eastern stretch of the Himalayas that China claims as its own. The world has changed. An expansionist mindset will not be accepted. China will also have to do away with such a mindset, Modi said in comments posted on his official website. Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and will always remain so. No power can snatch it away from us. China and India share a de facto border, known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which has never been formally demarcated.

There were several scams during the UPA government but the Congress vice-president never spoke on it
Swaraj and Jaitley termed as hypothetical a question whether the party will extend support if the government chooses the ordinance route on enacting the anti-corruption laws. There is no question of supporting or opposing the ordinances ... now there will be no session (of Parliament). If we come to power (at the Centre), we will make changes in the measures, Swaraj said. Jaitley said the just-concluded winter session of Parliament needs to be prorogued before ordinance can be promulgated. l

Narendra Modi The unresolved border dispute has soured bilateral relations which are often prickly and marked by mutual distrust the legacy of a brief, bloody border war in 1962 over Arunachal Pradesh. The border dispute flared again last April, with India accusing Chinese troops of intruding deep into Indian-held territory, sparking a threeweek stand-off that was only resolved

WIIKI

when troops from both sides pulled back. The countries have since signed accords and held meetings to maintain peace on the border. Modis latest attack on China is likely to ruffle feathers in the neighbouring country, which has also been criticised for its aggressive claim to almost all of the South China Sea. l

N Korea rejects UN rights report as fabrication

n AFP, Seoul
North Korea on Friday categorically rejected a UN report on its human rights record, accusing it of being a sheer fabrication invented by the United States and its allies. A UN report released Monday said North Koreas leaders should be brought before an international court for a litany of crimes against humanity. The report by the Commission of Inquiry on North Korea found systemic, widespread and gross human rights violations have been and are being committed by North Korea, its institutions and officials. The so-called Commission of Inquiry was deceitfully put together last year by the United States and its cronies ... and weve never acknowledged even its existence, a North Korean foreign ministry spokesman said. The so-called report by the puppet commission is a ragtag of cooked-up materials fed by hostile forces, criminals who escaped punishment in the country and other tramps. We categorically reject it, he was quoted as saying by KCNA. The spokesman condemned as farfetched the assertion that North Koreas leaders should be brought before an international court for a litany of crimes against humanity that include exterminating, starving and enslaving its population. This is an extremely dangerous, politically-motivated provocation aimed to undermine our regime, the spokesman said. He also accused the United States of being the worst human rights abuser who killed innocent people through aggression and intervention, and systematically committed illegal wire-tapping and surveillance not only over its own citizens but those of other countries. The hard-hitting, 400-page report detailed extermination, murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, rape, forced abortions and other sexual violence in the nuclear-armed totalitarian state. It included shocking testimony from North Koreans who escaped, highlighting the inhumane act of knowingly causing prolonged starvation. The commission was created in March 2013 by the UN Human Rights Council. Its chair Michael Kirby said on Monday that ignorance was no longer an excuse for a failure to act. Denied access to North Korea, the commission held hearings in South Korea and Japan with 320 North Korean exiles. A frustrated Kirby wrote to North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un the third ruler of the communist dynasty founded by his grandfather in 1948 on January 20, asking him to put his side. Kirby told Kim that any North Korean official who commits, orders, solicits or aids and abets crimes against humanity is responsible and must be held accountable. Pressed by reporters, he did not accuse Kim directly, but said that everything comes together through the supreme leader, and that the total number of perpetrators could be in the hundreds. l

Reunited Korean families bid final farewell

n AFP
The joy of being reunited for the first time in decades turned to grief for North and South Korean families as a rare cross-border visit ended, with participants unlikely to see their relatives again. In perhaps the most traumatic moment of the emotionally-charged event on Saturday, 80 elderly South Koreans and their 174 Northern relatives were separated, many at first refusing to let go of their loved ones hands. The families, the first of two batches who are being allowed to meet with each other 60 years after they were torn apart by the chaos of the 1950-1953 Korean War, were given an hour to say goodbye in a hotel dining room at a North Korean mountain resort, the Agence-France press news agency reported. At the start of Saturdays meeting, many were already in tears, while others forced smiles to hide pent-up emotions. Some took pictures, exchanged old photos and jotted down addresses of their relatives, even though direct exchanges of letters or telephone calls are prohibited across the border. As the time for parting ways drew near, the atmosphere became more heated, punctuated by bursts of crying. After boarding their coaches, the departing South Koreans waved through closed windows at the loved ones they were leaving behind in the North, displaying written messages and forming their hands into the shapes of hearts. The families had spent a total of 11 hours on six occasions together since Thursday, including mass meetings over meals and a private reunion without media TV cameras. Two other South Koreans had to cut their reunions short due to health issues, returning home on Friday via ambulances, a media pool report said. l

Pakistani prisoner found hanging in Indian Kashmir jail n AFP, Srinagar

A Pakistani prisoner who was arrested by authorities in India for trespassing more than two years ago has been found hanging inside a jail in Indian Kashmir, an official said Saturday. Showkat Ali, 42, a resident of Sialkot in Pakistan, had been lodged in a jail in Amphala, about 300 kilometres (186 miles) from the regions main city of Srinagar, since December 2011. He was arrested on charges of illegally crossing the de facto border between the two rival countries. An inmate informed the jail authorities last (Friday) night that Showkat was hanging from the grill of a toilet in the barracks, jail superintendent Harish Kotwal told AFP. He was hanging by a scarf and after he was brought down, the jail doctor declared him dead, Kotwal said. The incident will be investigated by a magistrate and formalities for handing over his body to Pakistani authorities have begun, another police officer said. l

Park Yang-Kon (R) of the South bids farewell to his brother Park Yang-Soo (L) of N Korea as he prepares to depart Mount Kumgang on the third and final day of the first group of family reunions between the two Koreas yesterday AFP

Thai protesters turn in US general: China and Japan need SIM cards seen linked to dialogue to avoid miscalculations n Yinglucks family
AFP, Beijing

n Reuters, Bangkok
Some Thai anti-government protesters followed the advice of their leader on Saturday, shunning products of firms linked to the family of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and handing back cell phone SIM cards. The protesters have blocked main Bangkok intersections with tents, tires and sandbags, seeking to unseat Yingluck and halt the influence of her billionaire brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, an ousted former premier regarded by many as the real power behind the government. This week, they targeted businesses linked, or once linked, to the Shinawatra family, sending stock prices tumbling and on Saturday some answered protest leader Suthep Thaugsubans call to return their SIM cards belonging to mobile phone company Advanced Info Service Pcl (AIS). The company promptly sent a text message to clients saying it no longer had any connection with the Shinawatra family. AIS is not involved in politics and is not a pipeline for any side, it said. Dr Thaksin and family have already sold all shares in the company since 23

January, 2006, and from then are no longer connected with the company. Aunjit Wongsampan, 65, lined up in central Bangkok to hand in her SIM card. I think the signal is poor and I am changing it because the company is too wealthy, she told Reuters. When shown the companys text message, she said: I dont believe them any more. I have made my choice. Yinglucks supporters denounced the targeting of business when the protests have already taken a toll on the economy, on tourism in particular, with arrivals in Bangkok sharply down. What we dont like right now is their involvement in threatening companies on the stock exchange that is not involved with government, Tida Tawornseth, chairwoman of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), told Reuters. Its a move away from government into business. The UDD, a protest movement largely made up of red shirt Thaksin supporters based in the populous north and northeast, is holding a meeting of its leaders from across the country on Sunday in Nakhon Ratchasima, northeast of the capital. l

US Army Chief of Staff Ray Odierno on Saturday said Beijing and Tokyo must enhance communication to avoid miscalculations amid a simmering territorial dispute over islands in the East China Sea. Odierno, a four star general, spoke during a visit to China where he has held talks with military officials aimed at establishing a formal high-level dialogue between the US and Chinese armies in the coming months. We reinforced the importance of dialogue and discussion between the Japanese and the Chinese regarding this issue, Odierno told reporters. We have to be careful and ensure that there are no miscalculations along the way. Tokyo and Beijing are locked in a bitter territorial row over Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea which China also claims and calls the Diaoyu. Tensions between the two nations dramatically intensified after Japan nationalised some of the islands in September 2012, with ships and aircraft from both countries regularly patrolling waters around the contested territory. The dispute has also on occasion come perilously close to boiling over into armed clashes.

Last February, Japan accused a Chinese frigate of directing a weapon-targeting radar at a Japanese warship in the East China Sea. We do have a treaty with Japan, a defence treaty, but the most important piece is that we in fact emphasise the importance of this continued dialogue to solve this problem, Odierno said.

Last February, Japan accused a Chinese frigate of directing a weapon-targeting radar at a Japanese warship
Dialogue between China and Japan, however, has come to a virtual standstill as the island dispute has intensified. Chinas President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have never held a formal bilateral summit, only short encounters at global and regional meetings. The prospects for dialogue dimmed further in December when Abe visited Tokyos Yasukuni Shrine which honours Japans war dead including convicted war criminals who were executed at the end of World War II. Beijing views the shrine as a symbol of Japanese war-time militarism and

Tokyos lack of repentance for atrocities committed in the last century. On Wednesday, Japans Jiji Press quoted Captain James Fanell, intelligence chief for the US Pacific Fleet, as telling a forum that China has tasked its military to become capable of conducting a short sharp war to destroy Japanese forces in the East China Sea. Odierno, however, dismissed such reports when asked to comment. Ive seen no indications of that at all, he said. Odierno was scheduled for more talks on Saturday, travelling to Chinas Shenyang Military Region, which borders North Korea. For me, we had frank, honest, important discussions about security, stability in the Asia-Pacific region as well as beyond, he said of discussions in Beijing. But Odierno emphasised that the talks centred on establishing army-to-army dialogue and were spurred by meetings held between Xi and President Barack Obama last year. The United States and China agreed to set up a direct telephone link between the two countries defence ministries in 2008 but it has yet to be tested in an emergency. In December, a US-guided missile warship, the Cowpens, had to make a sharp turn to avoid colliding with a Chinese naval ship that cut in front of it, according to the Pentagon. l

Taiwan ex-officers jailed for recruiting spies for China n AFP, Taipei
A Taiwanese court on Friday sentenced two former officers to ten months in prison for helping to recruit spies for China. Ex-navy lieutenant Chien ChingKuo was convicted of violating the national security law along with Lu Chun-chun. Lu recruited Chien to join the Chinese Communist Party with a paid overseas trip and cash gifts in 2009, said the Kaohsiung district court in southern Taiwan. According to the court, the pair had arranged for several officers to go on overseas tours paid by Chinese officials in a bid to recruit them to spy for Beijing. This included a former commander in charge of political warfare at the navys meteorology and oceanography office, who agreed to collaborate. Chien was discharged by the navy in 2009, while Lu retired from the militarys missile command centre in 2005. Lus sentence was suspended for three years on the ground that he has no prior criminal record, the court said. In a separate trial, Chien was sentenced to three years in prison last year for leaking confidential military information to China, including some of Taiwans warship deployments and missions. l

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial
LETTER OF THE DAY

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Letters to

the Editor

Improved engagement with US welcome

t is encouraging to see increased engagement with the United States. We hope the ongoing four-day visit by the US deputy assistant secretary for South Asia will help to further move forward and build bilateral relations. The US diplomatic engagement is including discussions with a diverse range of political, civil society and private sector leaders. This is welcome to ensure a good hearing for issues of common interest relating to improving the climate for economic advancement, democracy, good governance and stability. It is helpful for the US to make clear its stance on the critical importance of both ensuring that citizens may freely express their political views and keeping violence out of the democratic process. Trade and security issues are high on the agenda because April will see a further security dialogue and the first Ticfa meeting in Dhaka on April 7-8. Clearly it is vital for our two countries to support the progress being made in improving workplace safety and workers in the RMG sector as this will help to strengthen trade and investment relations. It is welcome to note also that the US has assured the foreign secretary that the US will continue dialogue with Myanmar to resolve the refugee and displacement issues which impact on Bangladesh. Looking forward, we welcome the present positive turn in attitudes towards mutual engagement. Washingtons support for the Bangladesh China India Myanmar economic corridor, could be very helpful in improving long term economic opportunities.

Death of democracy
February 15 I believe I speak for many others when I say that we believe from now on, January 5 can be observed as D Day (death of democracy), because on that day, the people of Bangladesh lost their basic rights. They became just like floating debris, and do not count anymore. Everything is controlled by the people who have power, who, if they wish, can turn nights into days, and vice versa. They have formed the new government in a most unusual and objectionable way. We feel suffocated, as if the whole nation has become a prison. The sons of this soil made supreme sacrifices to give us a free land, yet we are shackled in fear and dismay, not knowing what the future holds for us. The January 5 election is not acceptable in any sense, so an inclusive election under a CTG must be arranged immediately. The people of Bangladesh deserve no less. Nur Jahan

Sri Lankan stilt-fishermen works on his pole in town of Galle

February 17 Its called stick fishing, and they are Vedda people. Genetically closer to us. Noor Majed Khan

Must Islam and feminism contradict?

February 15 Sam That something was an improvement over the practices of a barbaric desert culture 1400 years ago has no relevance for today. Any system that desires to control what people wear, who they talk to, and what professions they engage in is incompatible with humanity, let alone feminism. This is a rather lazy piece of writing. Muhammad Eusha Sam: You must shun your arrogance. As long as you are arrogant, you will not be able to see the truth because it is not for arrogant eyes. I have nothing else to say to you. Sam Muhammad Eusha: In other words, you cannot respond with intelligence, and hence the name calling. nahiyan_dhaka1 Sam: This is where people go all wrong. Its not the system desiring to control what people wear, it is Allah choosing what is best for His creations. The One who created you has all the right and power to do whatever He pleases to do. But He chose to give you a free will instead. The rulings are laid down in the divine scripture; its your call whether you want to follow them or not. As human beings we all are, in some way or the other, in a position of power. And what happens to people who are in power? They cannot tolerate their subjects to rebel or go against their boundaries. And Allah is the best of examples. He created us and He owns whatever is in the heavens and the earth yet He always lets things slide in this world out of His infinite mercy. Dont you think the One who created also has the power to take retribution? He obviously does. And when God decides to not punish His slaves, it tells you a lot. He does not want to burden you, He just wants the best for you. He created you and He knows what is best for you. KMAK Sam: So, collectivist ethics, as opposed to the kind of individualism that we see in Western countries, is incompatible with humanity? Muhammad Eusha The verse (chapter 16 versus 97) everyone quotes to justify equal rights for women is deliberately misinterpreted to convince poorly knowledgeable people. You did the same thing. I am not sure whether this is an honest mistake or just a designed effort to misconstrue Islam and its principles. Anyhow, the verse that you mentioned talks about the equality of rewards and NOT the equality of roles. Feminism, on the other hand, stresses on the equality of roles. Feminists believe men and women should enjoy equality in terms of responsibilities in the society. In other words, women must be allowed to forsake the responsibilities at home they are traditionally entrusted with. This is not something Islam approves and there is no reason to approve of it. Men and women have been assigned distinct duties according to their strengths and capabilities by the glorious doctrine of Allah because they are very different physically and mentally. Feminism is a secular movement. It has no commonality with Islam and there is no reason why we would condone feminism. Like many other writers of todays Bangladesh, you are trying to prove that Islam is consistent with Western values and ethics. You may vilify Islam and hate it but the worst attack on it is to claim that it is consistent with Occidental beliefs! nahiyan_dhaka1 Muhammad Eusha: Totally.

Positive turn in attitude towards mutual engagement will help both countries

Of yesterdays and tomorrows

February 16 So true. Feel hopeless sometimes. Why do we, on a mass scale, fail to understand that this fight over the past is just an attempt by the political parties to hide their lack of vision, their lack of an ideological stand and their present failures? Mohammad Tanvir Khalid

Jihadology hosted in US
February 16 If this is an As Sahab media production, then how come there is no TV station name mentioned under its logo? Elizabeth D Costa

Be Heard
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Enforce copyright to help artists

he music industry in Bangladesh is saturated by pirated CDs and downloads. Although people enthusiastically celebrate the national language and culture every Amar Ekushey, less attention is paid to improving the economic prospects for artists and authors. Law enforcing agencies have to become more active in protecting copyright. Even though there are some legal websites for download which share proceeds with musical artists, these are overwhelmed by readily available illegal products. Musicians are hence left with essentially only being able to earn a living from live performances, however popular their records. Rampant copyright infringement is cheating creators of their right to profit from their work. The existing Copyright Act must be effectively implemented. More active participation by law enforcement is crucial for reducing piracy, as is the need to raise awareness among the public. The government must do more to guarantee that creative minds can receive their dues. Action should be taken against major sites that encourage illegal downloads. We understand that enforcing such laws is made more difficult by technology and content theft will always exists to some degree, but throwing up our hands is not the answer. The law must give artists more ability to protect their content. Otherwise, we risk heading towards a situation where the music industry may die out since there is no way for artists to make a living. We have plenty of talented artists in Bangladesh and they deserve more protection of their creativity.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Do more to guarantee that creative minds receive their dues

PEANUTS

CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1 Roman garment (4) 4 Frolics actively (5) 9 Female sheep (3) 11 Disorderly flight (4) 12 Frozen shower (5) 13 Not any (4) 14 Poker stake (4) 15 Build (5) 19 Foreign (5) 21 Saucy (4) 25 Leave out (4) 26 Banishment (5) 28 Money drawer (4) 29 Weep convulsively (3) 30 Bullock (5) 31 Seeks charity (4) DOWN 1 Examine (4) 2 Night bird (3) 3 Farm birds (5) 5 Much ornamented (6) 6 Satellite (4) 7 Gamble (4) 8 Precipitous (5) 10 Metal (5) 16 Disconcert (6) 17 Quotes (5) 18 Blemishes (5) 20 Clamour (5) 22 Send out (4) 23 Annoy (4) 24 Fly traps (4) 27 Ships record (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

Sunday, February 23, 2014

11

FR Khan, my engineer
W
n Yasmin Sabina Khan
hen I was a young girl, around eight or nine, my father made up a math game for us to play in the car. He would think of a number (say, 6) and I would figure out how he had reached that number using a certain number of 4s, for example. That is, how to get to 6, using four 4s. (The answer is [4+4]/4 + 4 = 6.) These puzzles, as I remember them, were difficult enough to be challenging but suited to my abilities so that they could be solved fairly quickly. Most important, this car game was fun. My father had a talent for making learning fun, and he seems to have been able to infuse work at SOM with interest and enjoyment in a similar fashion. When I was writing my book about him, Engineering Architecture: The Vision of Fazlur R Khan, the stories I heard from his former colleagues consistently recalled this aspect of working with my father. When he explained the tubular system in the early 1960s, an architect involved in the design of ChestnutDeWitt Apartments in Chicago, the concrete building that initiated the framed tube, told me: It seemed really exciting ... he was full of creative ideas. Engineers felt the same way. My fathers enthusiasm for each new system, they recalled, was irresistible. Near the end of his life he had a chance to look back on his life and career for an oral history project. A recording was made over two days as he talked about his childhood, his university experience, and his years at SOM. He credited my grandfather, in particular, with encouraging him as a boy. He must have recognized that my father, though not an eager student as a young child, was quite bright; in any case, he assumed responsibility for guiding his education. My father fondly remembered the time they spent together over the years. It seems that the schoolwork they spent the most time with was math; my grandfather would make up additional problems for my father to solve, or suggest nuances to a particular problem. Approaching homework exercises in this way, rather than just solving given problems, imbued them with greater interest. I always had a feeling, my father recalled, that I was somehow enjoying it beyond the curriculum requirement. Learning was a pleasurable experience; it also prepared him for critical thinking later on. One of the personal strengths that influenced his career, I believe, was the confidence and self-assurance he acquired during the first 30 years of his life. By this I have in mind both his personal grounding and his educational training. As a youth he developed a perspective on life that would serve him well, and in his 20s he strengthened this personal footing by traveling and meeting people of different cultures and different backgrounds, listening to music, reading widely, from existentialism to writings about beauty, and learning about art (during a visit together to New York one summer, I was amazed by his familiarity with the paintings we saw at the Guggenheim). He built on his academic training in a similar manner. After earning his bachelors degree, he returned to the Engineering College in Dhaka to teach structures and applied mechanics. He found that he could communicate with the students in a way that sparked their interest he, in turn, was rewarded by the bright sparks in students eyes when they grasped a new concept. Clearly he understood his subject, and yet he decided to pursue graduate studies. Two scholarships brought him to the United States for three years study at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign. Making the most of his time there, he took enough classes to earn two masters degrees, along with a PhD. Then, when he joined SOM in Chicago, he dedicated himself to an intensive scrutiny, in the words of another engineer, into structural behavior.

Business is being held back by red tape and many other hindrances

BIGSTOCK

From promises to failure

n Syed Ishtiaque Reza

he minister of industries recently said that no stateowned mills or factories would be privatised by the present government. This is indeed disturbing and shocking news as far as governance is concerned. Bangladesh has suffered not only from confrontational politics, but also from mammoth losses incurred by stateowned enterprises (SoEs). Is there any logic in having the Privatisation Commission if the government doesnt want privatisation of any enterprise? It is fully contradictory with the governments privatisation policy, which was formulated in 2001, and the privatisation regulations, 2007. Privatisation is a process that goes with the governments promised policy to ensure private sector-led economic growth. To better implement the privatisation program for benefiting the stakeholders, the privatisation board was constituted on March 20, 1993, through an administrative ordinance. The board kept on discharging its obligations until July 2000, as per the prescribed guidelines and policies. Later, the Privatisation Act was formulated on July 11, 2000 to provide a massive thrust to the privatisation program. The privatisation board was replaced by the Privatisation Commission on July 30, 2000. Sheikh Hasina, during her first tenure, surprised all by bringing a private sector man, to head the privatisation board with the rank and status of a state minister. Before that, the board used to be headed by the joint secretary or additional secretary ranked officials. The board elevated as it turned into a commission, the rank and status changed, but the commission remained a non-functioning one. The Board of Investment, Privatisation Commission, and many other gov-

ernment websites say the role of the government is the role of a facilitator and not the controller. The withdrawal of the role of the government from the ownership, management, and control of commercial and industrial enterprises will leave more space for the government to focus on other important areas, such as the general management of the economy, the social and public sectors, basic health and education, law and order, defence, environment, and other areas of public non-entrepreneurial activities. If the government really means it, can the industries minister say this? Or is there a policy shift? Do we need the Privatisation Commission if that is the policy of the government?

quite clear that the national socio-economic objectives sought to be achieved by nationalisation miserably failed. Rather, the dominance of the public sector in banking and non-bank financial institutions resulted in large-scale corruption and a culture of inefficiency everywhere. Since early 80s, investment in Bangladesh has emphasised the need to move away from regulation, nationalisation, and control. The government has also recognised the importance of private sector-led growth in our economy. The privatisation process of state-owned enterprises started with their transfer to their former Bangladeshi owners, and the sale of shares to investors and buyers.

Persistent losses of SoEs clearly suggest that they have severe management problems. This affects the overall national efficiency

The economic reform agenda of successive governments since the early 90s include ensuring a congenial atmosphere for private investment and sustainable development, persuading new investments, both local and foreign direct investments, improving competitiveness and enhancing productivity through macroeconomic management and governance, encouraging the diversification of economic activities, and eradicating administrative bottlenecks and red tape. The economic landscape of Bangladesh was significantly altered immediately after liberation with the nationalisation of domestic banks, insurance, service sector enterprises, and industries. By the end of 1980s, it became

The economic reform program was initiated by Saifur Rahman in the early 90s, who was the finance minister at that time. It gave the economy a real boost. When the Awami Leage came to power in 1996, it was further accelerated. Finance Minister Shah AMS Kibria also opted for the same policy and allowed more banks and non-bank financial institutions in the private sector. The establishment of the Privatisation Commission matched that direction. But the privatisation of loss-making state-owned enterprises over nearly the past 12 years is advancing at a snails pace due to non-cooperation by the ministries and divisions concerned. The immediate past industries minister was religiously against privatisa-

tion. The commission (before January 5 elections) headed by Mirza Abdul Jalil failed to privatise a single unit in the five years. The commission had a list of 21 ailing SoEs to be privatised. But complexities arose due to the lukewarm attitude of the ministry concerned in handing over the SOEs to the private sector. The complexities also frustrated the buyers of these units. Public enterprises have proved to be unsuccessful firms, as their financial performances demonstrate. They incur chronic losses and continue to rely on state-funded equity injections and credit from the state-owned banking system. Persistent losses of SoEs clearly suggest that they have severe management problems. This is a symptom of a malaise that affects the overall national efficiency. Good governance is simply impossible with huge loss-making public enterprises, as these are not only incurring losses, but also obstructing growth in other areas. There are many reasons behind the failure of privatisation in Bangladesh. But that does not mean that the country can afford to stall the process. The privatisation of SoEs must be expedited to end the fiscal burden of subsidies. To be more careful, the government can further define the goal of privatisation. The process must be transparent, as there are allegations of dubious deals in the previous cases. One of the major concerns is worker retrenchment, and the government must address the issue by providing reasonable termination payments. Investments in labour retraining and redeployment schemes are highly important. There may be other options to expedite and make the privatisation process more acceptable. But the government can in no way take a decision to halt the process. l Syed Ishtiaque Reza is Director of News, Ekattor Television.

One of the personal strengths that influenced his career was the confidence he acquired

My father felt strongly about people working together as a team, toward a common goal. This attitude, it seems to me, partly explains his comfortable way of working with others. Design is a process fostered by natural communication, he said. If you start controlling design by hierarchy, it will never be done right; never natural. I heard from his associates that he applied this approach to design meetings, preferring collegial dialogue to hierarchically structured exchange. The year after my father died, the American Institute of Architects selected him for a 1983 Institute Honor. Rarely has any engineer played as key a role in the shaping of architects ideas and the shaping of buildings themselves, the nomination stated. Fazlur Khans work and research had made him one of the most influential structural engineers of the century, the AIA Jury on Institute Honors wrote. Besides his innovations . . . he demonstrated a human awareness and commitment to structural and architectural design collaboration that has particular importance for architects today. My father was, undoubtedly, exceptionally gifted as an engineer and dedicated to the advancement of his field. But by complementing his technical insight with human awareness and collaboration, he not only made his work more enjoyable for himself and more meaningful for his profession, but also transformed the nature of his accomplishments. l Yasmin Sabina Khan, the daughter of FR Khan, is the author of Engineering Architecture: The Vision of Fazlur R Khan. This article was previously published on http://khan.princeton.edu/khan.html.

Jamaat should preempt sanctions

I
n Shaqur Rahman
t is now clear that the big winner in the first round of upzilla elections is Jamaat-e-Islami. The party contested in 23 seats and won in 12 in conjunction with or independently of its political ally BNP.This is a huge shot in the arm to Jamaat, which has been going through its most critical period since its revival in independent Bangladesh. The party has been beleaguered from all fronts in the last few months. The bulk of its apex leadership is either behind bars, waiting in death row, or lying six feet under. The Awami League government and its foreign friend have been quite successful in branding Jamaat as a violent and extremist party. Even Western governments, on whose support BNP depended so much, have been hinting that they would like BNP to dissociate itself from Jamaat. Moreover, Jamaat is barred from taking part in elections in the foreseeable future, and the court case of a complete political ban is hanging over its shoulder like a sword on a thread. I would argue that Jamaat must take this show of support and window of breathing space to preempt all sanctions by re-launching and re-branding itself as a new organisation. There is no doubt that Jamaat has considerable direct and indirect support throughout the country. Poll after poll conducted in the last few months have shown that although the people of Bangladesh disapproved of Jamaats rampant violence, a majority of them consistently supported its right to take part in politics and elections. However, Jamaat must not mistake the extent of public toleration as validation of its legitimacy. Even in a democracy, right and wrong are not determined by majority vote a convicted criminal does not get to be absolved of crimes even if he is elected in office by a thumping majority. There is an indelible mark of Cain on Jamaat. It fought with the losing side in the War of Liberation and actively collaborated with foreign invaders in committing atrocities against fellow countrymen. Bangladesh has eminent right backed by widespread precedence to refuse continuance of such an organisation, even if that organisation is tolerated by a large number of citizens. Jamaat must be aware of the peril awaiting them. The arc of history of the last couple of decades has shown that conservative-religious politics in a democratic framework has great prospects in developing nations. In this post-ideological age, religious values are often a source of conviction that other political ideals fail to muster. Bangladesh continue in their trajectory of dynastic reign and control by cronyism, the space for religious value-driven politics will only get wider. Jamaat must see that the mainstream religious political space in Bangladesh is its to take, if it could only shed its criminal past. There is no other visible claimant, either from below or laterally. The wax and wane of Hefazat in 2013 has once again showed deep bench of career politicians, academics, experts, and thinkers, can get a permanent place in the top rungs of the power structure. Prospects can turn very perilous for Jamaat. The seemingly ripple-less crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt has shown that international community has little sympathy for religious organisations that veer to radicalism to some extent, even if they command generous public support. In Bangladeshi politics, Jamaats fate is now largely dependent upon the jostling and maneuvering of the two contenders for power, AL and BNP. The business and professional class will demand a faster resolution to the maneuvers of balance of the two heavyweights, and it will increasingly see a decision on Jamaat as a quick way to downgrade the complexity and uncertainty of the political game. We have read that Jamaat leadership has, from time to time, discussed overhauling and rebranding the organisation under a new name. Allegedly, the main stumbling block was that the old guard regarded such a move as a complete betrayal to hundreds of Jamaat activists (martyrs in its jargon) who have died for the organisation in political violence over the last three decades. Jamaat members should know that the blood of martyrs is the most often used but also the most useless excuse. Every political side has martyrs dying every day of the year. It is only by giving lip service to martyrs memories, but going forward, that the world functions at all. If every organisation in the world stuck unrelenting with their martyrs causes, then the world would be a continuous freeform war. Pragmatism is mostly a dirty word for religious political parties, because they often equate pragmatism with a compromise of core beliefs. But it is pragmatism that has enabled thousand-year-old religions to survive and prosper in an ever-changing world. If Jamaat can recast itself into a new organisation and get rid of the fascistic components in its ideology, it will find that there is great prospect for them in Bangladesh political arena. If it fails to do so, few will mourn its disappearance, whichever way the end comes. l Shafiqur Rahman is a freelance contributor.

Jamaats fate is now largely dependent upon the jostling and maneuvering of the two contenders for power, AL and BNP

Throughout the Muslim world, wherever democratic politics are taking hold, Islamic parties that adopted practices of participatory democracy are gaining influence. In Bangladesh too, there is a huge space for religious politics. If the two main parties in

that subaltern politics in Bangladesh remains hopelessly inadequate to mount a serious challenge to affect leadership of a country that has 150 million people and an interconnected economy of $150bn. Only a religious party that has a

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Shilpakala Academy celebrates International Mother Language Day

n Hasan Mansoor Chatak
Marking the Martyrs Day and the International Mother Language Day, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy initiated a colourful cultural programme on February 21 at their open air premises. However, the event began with a discussoin session. Dr Hasan Mahmud, former minister and promotion secretary of Bangladesh Awami League, Professor Rafiqul Islam and poet Nirmalendu Goon, as well as many other cultural personalities attended the programme. Liaquat Ali Lucky, director general of BSA, presided over the session. Chief Guest Dr Hasan Mahmud said in his speech that Bangla should be introduced in every sphere of our lives. Being a traditionalist, he further stated that the aggressive invasion of different cultures and languages should be blocked immediately. He also hopes that the people of Bangladesh would make way for the future generation to carry the flag of the Bangalee culture. The cultural session of the programme started with a group rendition of Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano, a song which is considered as the most influential song representing the Bangla Language Movement in 1952. What held the audience captivated was the fact that while local cultural organisation Bohnishikha participated from Bangladesh, several international representatives from Japan, China, the Philippines, Russia and Sicily also took part in the melodious and emotional song. The cultural program marched ahead with a recitation of Poet Kamal Chaudhury. Then, popular local singers Shakila Zafar and Ferdous Ara mesmerised the audience with their heady voices and contextual songs about their language and country. The international representatives created an ambience with an international flavour. Artists from Japan performed an instrumental and a duet song. A performer from China played a traditional Chinese instrument named Guzheng. The artists from Russia performed a traditional Russian dance and a song, artists from Sicily presented a group song, whilst artists from the Philippines staged a dance and a duet song. Performers from Bangladeshi indigenous groups, including Chakma and Marma, took part in the programme. Koel Chakma and Dolypru Marma sang two popular Bangla songs in Chakma and Marma languages. Dance troupe Nrittanandan, Dhriti Norttonalay and Spondon presented some of their best dance pieces to songs relating to the country and its language. A truly praise worthy performer Kiran Chandra Roy took to the stage next and awed the audience with his rendition of folk and Baul songs. l

South Asian Music Festival on its way

n Afrose Jahan Chaity
To celebrate the inauguration of the South Asian Music Institute, a festival titled South Asian Music Festival 2014 is organised by the institute and will be held on February 28 at the main auditorium of the National Museum. The institute is formed to set a platform for singers and musicians to nurture the cultural heritage. The festival committee and details were declared at a press conference held on Saturday at 11am at the Dhaka Press Club. Sharif Ashrafuzzaman, general secretary of the festival committee, Dr Abul Azad, secretary, Fakir Siraj and Mazharul Islam Sweet were present at the press conference. The organisers hope to make this festival official by arranging it every year. Prominent folk singer Fakir Alamgir will be specially honoured at the festival for his fellowship and contribution to Bangladeshi music. Singers from India, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka will participate in the event along with seasoned Bangladeshi singers including Fakir Alamgir, Subir Nandi, Bulbul Moholanbish, Lili Islam and many more. The festival will start with a rendition of the national anthem, followed by the peoples song and a special inaugural song by the singers from the Peoples Song Federation. A welcome dance will be given by Swapnil Shilpagosthi, and group performances will be presented by Hrishiz, Udichi, Kranti, Bohishikha, Shobhumi, Anandam, Shotten Sen Silpagosthi and Uttarayan. The festival will be conducted by Saidus Saklaen and the convener of the festival is Sharif Ashrafuzzaman. Regarding the festival, Dr Abul Azad said: Its an initiative to enrich South Asian musical heritage. We aim to build a cultural bond and peace between the South Asian countries through music. We want to bring people, cultures and values together across the South Asian countries. We will try to organise this festival every year in different South Asian countries. The event is open for all, but anyone interested in attending needs to collect an invitation card from the festival committee. l

Book and Heritage show ends today

n Shadma Malik
A solo exhibition titled Book and Heritage by Proshanta Karmakar Buddha is on at Shilpangan Gallery in Dhanmondi and will end today. The exhibition is a treat for heritage lovers exploring the display at the gallery. Around 23 acrylic based artworks are showcased at the exhibit, which belongs to two different series of works of the artist. One is on the architectural heritage of the country and the other is based on the varied size books which are placed in the book shelves everywhere. This is the 16th exhibition of the artist, where he explores the concerns, untangles basic values and takes a critical look upon the heritage of Bangladesh. He visited ancient buildings of Dhaka city and painted them on his canvas. Through the artworks, it is conveyed that the rich heritage is losing its legacy and the concern for the dwindling heritage buildings has also been represented. He feels a strong connection with the structural heritage, hence, his works narrate stories of the past, continuing to the present and go on to show what the future holds for these cultural monuments. His series of works on bookshelves is displayed with the aim of encouraging viewrs to take on the habit of reading. Proshantas paintings on book shelves recount the expansion of knowledge and permit the reader to understand the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of the cultural heritage of the country. Muhammad Aziz Khan, chairman of Summit Group of Companies, Franck Rasmussen, first secretary, Embassy of Sweden and Tehmina Enayet, director of Gallery Cosmos and Ambassador Waliur Rahman, chairman of Bangladesh Heritage Foundation, National Security and Counter Terrorism were present at the inaugural ceremony on February 14. l

Different performances at the programme at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Friday

QUAMRUL ABEDIN

Bangladeshis demand changes in Gunday

n Entertainment Desk
In response to growing protest from Bangladeshis about Yash Raj Films latest film Gunday, the production company have apologised in a statement on their blog on Wednesday. However, the protesters are demanding changes to the first 11 minutes of the movie and an official apology from the production company through a press conference. Gunday, released in India on February 14, depicts the bloody creation of Bangladesh as a 13-day battle between India and Pakistan beginning on December 3, 1971. The first 11 minutes of narration in the film say that the birth of Bangladesh was a result of the Indo-Pak war, which is not the case. Through different blogs, Facebook groups and Twitter, Bangladeshis have called for a ban on the film. One of the most active Facebook groups, Khoma Chaibar Dabite Yash Raj Filmser Kache Protibadlipi Preron, with about 15,000 members, is consistently condemning the film in a constructive manner. Asaduzzaman Noor, cultural minister of Bangladesh, was quoted by local media as saying that his ministry would send an official statement in protest to its counterpart in India. Yash Raj Films apologised on its blog on Wednesday for any disrespect or hurt the film has caused Bangladeshis. The statement says: This was and is meant to be a fictional work and does not in any way project or disrespects any particular segment of society or persons or a nation. But, Bangladeshis all across the globe are not satisfied with the informal and incomplete apology as the film seriously misrepresents the historical facts that are considered as the pride of the nation. Ali Abbas Zafars Gunday is based on the friendship of two boys Bikram and Bala who become refugees during the Bangladesh War of Liberation. l

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Akash Koto Dure expands its distribution

n Entertainment Desk
Samia Zamans second film, Akash Koto Dure, has expanded its distribution arena, making it available to audiences in Mymensingh and Khulna from February 28. Produced by Impress Telefilm, the movie was released in the capital on February 14 at the Star Cineplex and Block Bluster in Jamuna Future Park, and later, on February 21, it began showing at Modhumita Cinema Hall. Regarding the upcoming promotion of the film, campaign director and executive producer Kazi Shahriar Parvez Rajon talks with the Dhaka Tribune:

the film and what is the box office collection?

Reboot of Fantastic Four gets cast

n Entertainment Desk
Josh Trank has elected his Fantastic Four,and Fox are in the process of finalising the actors deals. As reported by all of the Hollywood trade papers, the lineup will be: Miles Telleras Reed Richards, Kate Maraas Sue Storm, Jamie Bell as Ben Grimm and Michael B Jordanas Johnny Storm. Its said that Teller, Mara and Jordan have been amongst Tranks picks all the while and would have been locked-in last year had production not been pushed back for some rewrites. Bell is reportedly a newer consideration, having only come into the fold during the last couple of weeks of screen tests. Shooting on the film is set to get underway this spring ahead of a release on June 19 next year. It was pretty much known that Jordan was The Human Torch for months and months, as were Tranks intention to cast a white actress as his sister. The obvious narrative move is to make one or both of them adopted. Fox have even more riding on Fantastic Four this time than last time around and I think they know it. l

A government approved film, Akash Koto Dure, cost around Tk1.60 crore. After the release, theatre halls were full for days on end. On a separate note, Impress Telefilm does not produce movies on a commercial basis. It makes movies for movie lovers and the audience is purchasing tickets for the film. We are receiving good responses from the box office.

Kazi Shahriar Parvez Rajon have planned to broadcast the film at the Purobi Cinema Hall in Mymensingh and Mayuri Cinema in Khulna. We are increasing the number of prints and we will expand our distribution nationwide as soon as possible.

Tell us about the screening in Switzerland.

When will Akash Koto Dure go nationwide?

We will take it one step at a time, since there are a limited number of prints of the film. This is also the reason behind releasing it in the capital initially. However, we

How much did it cost to produce

The film has been selected for screening at the Festival International du Film Oriental de Geneve (FIFOG) at Les Cinemas du Grtli in Switzerland at 4:30pm on April 6. The cast and crew of the film will be present at the festival. We are hoping to participate in many others festivals in near future. l

Jamie Bell

Kate Mara

Michael B Jordan

Miles Teller

Did you know?

Roberto Martinez has now lost all five trips to Stamford Bridge as a Premier League manager

Sport

Sunday, February 23, 2014

DHAKA TRIBUNE

13

0 2 1
DAYS TO GO

14 Cornet shocks

Serena to reach Dubai final

15 Sheikh Jamal

drop points on return

Bangladesh announce Asia Cup squad sans Tamim

The Bangladesh Cricket Board yesterday declared a 15-member squad for the Asia Cup starting from February 25. Opening batsmen Tamim Iqbal has been left out due to a neck injury and will be replaced by top order batsman Imrul Kayes. Mahmudullah lost his place in the squad after a run of poor performances and was replaced by allrounder Ziaur Rahman. The number seven position is proving very important and therefore Ziaur Rahman gets the nod. He is in form and has been performing consistently at domestic level, said chief of the national selection panel Faruk Ahmed yesterday. Veteran spinner Abdur Razzak has also returned to the side after recovering from a hamstring injury, he replaces seamer Shafiul Islam. Allrounder Shakib Al Hasan, who is undergoing a three match suspension due to an inappropriate gesture in the dressing room has also been named in the squad, however, he will join the team only after Bangladeshs second game in the tournament. Among the changes in the squad, it was Tamims which had got the most attention. The hard-hitting batsman suffering from a neck injury and went under an MRI test on Friday which revealed that he has a Grade One Strain on the left of his neck and disc bulge a common cause for lower back pain. Tamim sustained the neck injury ahead of the second Twenty20 against Sri Lanka earlier this month in Chittagong. He appeared in the second T20 game but the increasing trouble due to the injury kept him out of the three match ODI series which Bangladesh lost 3-0. According to the medical report and theory, the strain on the fiber takes at least 7 to 14 days to recover while the disc bulge is the chief concern of the injury. Under such situations the call depended on the national team physiotherapist Vibhav Singh and then the

SQUAD
Mushfiqur Rahim (Captain), Anamul Hoque Bijoy, Imrul Kayes, Shamsur Rahman, Naeem Islam, Muminul Hoque, Nasir Hossain, Arafat Sunny, Ziaur Rahman, Abdur Razzak, Shohag Gazi, Masrafe Bin Mortaza, Rubel Hossain, Al Amin Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan team management and the national selection panel. To avoid the risk of Tamim facing further damage to the injury and putting his appearance in the ICC World Twenty20 2014 in doubt, the concerned decided to rest him for the Asia Cup. We will not be getting Tamim in the Asia Cup. He has not recovered from an injury and it may take another week or so for him to return. Under the circumstances our priority is to have him fully fit for the ICC World Twenty20 and he will continue his rehab, said Faruk. l

SCORECARD
Bangladesh Anamul c Chandimal b Prasad 2 Shamsur c A. Perera b Prasad 25 Mominul Haque run out 60 Mushfiqur c Senanayake b Prasad 30 Naeem Islam c Prasad b Senanayake 32 Nasir Hossain c Priyanjan b Lakmal 38 Mahmudullah c Thirimanne b Lakmal 5 Sohag Gazi b T. Perera 23 Shafiul Islam not out 15 Arafat Sunny not out 1 Extras: (lb2, w7) 9 Total (for 8 wickets, 50 overs) 240 Fall of wickets 1 17, 2 62, 3 108, 4 130, 5 184, 6 200, 7 201, 8 232 Bowling Lakmal 10 3 24 2, T. Perera 9 0 39 1, Prasad 10 0 49 3, Senanayake 9 046 1, Priyanjan 6 0 42 0, A. Perera 3 0 17 0, Mathews 3 0 21 0 Sri Lanka Perera b Rubel 106 Thirimanne c Shamsur b Mahmudullah 18 K Vithanage b Mahmudullah 9 D Chandimal c Anamul b Rubel 64 A Mathews not out 20 A Priyanjan not out 22 Extras: (lb4, w3) 7 Total (for 4 wickets, 47.3 overs) Fall of wickets 1 44, 2 60, 3 198, 4 205 Bowling Shafiul 4 0 27 0, Gazi 9 1 47 0, Rubel 10 0 69 2, Mahmudullah 10 0 382, Nasir 4 1 12 0, Sunny 10 0 42 0, Naeem 0.3 0 7 0 Sri Lanka won by six wickets; sweep series 3 0 246

Sri Lanka batsman Kusal Perera celebrates after scoring his maiden international century during their 3rd ODI against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National stadium yesterday MUMIT M

This is a wake-up call

After Bangladeshs humiliating whitewash by Sri Lanka, skipper Mushfiqur Rahim stated that if Bangladesh continued playing in this manner the home side may even have to struggle against Afghanistan and said that the series loss was a wake-up call for them at the Shere-Bangla National stadium yesterday. Of course it is a wake-up call. The state we are in, you can say that it cannot get any worse. In the last Asia Cup we were the runners-up, but with the state of affairs this time around we are heading into the tournament with nothing to lose, I feel. The way we are going now, if that continues it will be very difficult. We may even have to struggle against Afghanistan. If you make so many mistakes it is very difficult to come back in international cricket, said a decidedly forthright Mushfiq. The 25 year old went on to say that the way Bangladesh played throughout the Sri Lanka series was an an alarming sign for the side and clearly stated that they need to improve all the three departments of the game. Unfortunately we could not do that throughout this series. Most importantly if we lost playing good cricket it would not have been so bad, but we played bad cricket. Winning is important, but the way we lost is an alarming sign. We have to work on all three departments - especially fielding and catching, batting-wise the set batsmen have to take more responsibility so that they can play big innings, he said. Today the wicket was very good, the time that I spent out there I thought it was a 270, 280-plus wicket. There was not much turn and the ball was coming onto the bat. When I was batting with Mominul we felt good and if we could build a good partnership we could have gotten a 260 plus score. But this a big problem that our batsmen are getting out badly after being set, he added The home side was without Tamim Iqbal, Mashrafe Mortaza and Shakib al Hasan and the skipper said they were sorely missed. Players like them are always missed. There is nothing to do about Tamims injury. Hopefully we will try and wait till the last moment to see if he is ready for the Asia Cup. About Shakib, obviously that was an unwanted incident. He also realised it and we all feel very bad about it. We will obviously learn from this. Not only from him, but this is not expected from any of our players. As a captain I beg forgiveness for it and hopefully it will never happen again, said Mushfiq. On the other hand Lankan skipper admitted after winning the series 3-0 that they did not expect an easy win yesterday and informed that their bowlers did the job to restrict Bangladesh on 240. The 26 year old said that winning the series will certainly boost their confidence before going on to the Asia cup but added that it will be a much more difficult task for them in the Asia Cup. l

Sri Lanka ease to six wicket victory

Most of the Bangladesh batsmen chipped in after a shaky start after losing opening batsman Anamul Haque on two. But it was top order batsman Mominul Haque who had made the most telling contribution with a runa-ball 60 which included eight fours as he picked up his maiden ODI fifty. His smooth sailing came to a halt after Kithuruwan Vithanages direct hit from square leg had him a few feet short as he was scampering home for a second run. The dismissal also broke the 46 run partnership between Mominul and Mushfiqur Rahim for the third wicket. Soon after Mominuls dismissal Mushfiqur also returned to the dressing room scoring 30 runs hitting three boundaries after failing to keep Prasads rising delivery down as he cut it straight to point. Middle order batsman Naeem Islam replaced suspended cricketer Shakib Al Hasan in the game. The right handed batsman is in form however was denied a place in the eleven due to team combination. The opportunity for Naeem was big as he needed to make his mark ahead of the Asia Cup. He tried to take advantage of the batting Powerplay, but holed out to mid-off of the last ball of the five-over spell, which despite

Sri Lanka opener Kusal Pareras wellpaced maiden ODI century guided the visitors to a six wicket victory against Bangladesh yesterday, thus also confirming a 3-0 sweep for the Lions. The islanders who had earlier confirmed the series victory by winning the first two games, pushed for a clean sweep and eventually overcame a below par of 240 by Bangladesh at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. While the Lankans cherished their third series win of the tour, following wins in the Test and Twenty20 series, Bangladesh was left to swallow its first ODI series whitewash since 2011. Today was the first time Sri Lanka was without Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan since the 1999 World Cup. But their absence was hardly felt as the side went on to chase 241 easily after they sent Bangladesh in to bat first. They had seamer Dhammika Prasad return to the ODI side after around one year and to surprise all he led a Lasith Malinga less attack picking up three wickets that aided them to restrict Bangladesh to 240.

all the slogging yielded only 23 runs. Naeem scored 32 off 55 which included which included a solitary boundary. Suranga Lakmal picked up a couple of wickets in the 45th over of Mahmudullah who was caught at long-on and Nasir Hossain whose innings ended on 32 after he was caught in mid-wicket after lobbing a low full-toss. Near the end, Sohag Gazi hammered three sixes during his 13-ball 23 in order to give his side some thrust and was eventually caught at long-on by Thisara Perera. Later Sri Lanka riding on Pareras maiden ton cruised to the target in 47 overs. Parera moved slowly to his fifty off 80 balls. But soon he picked up the pace as he found Gazi and seamer Shafiul Islam, to attack whenever the required run-rate needed a lift and raced to his maiden century. He reached his hundred off 118 deliveries and then added another six runs to the tally before the wickets behind him were dismantled by Rubel Hossain. Parera partnered Dinesh Chandimal for the fourth wicket to post 138 runs which had decided the fate of the game for the Lankans. Chandimal scored 64 off 70 before he was caught behind to become the second wicket for Rubel in the game. l

From teammates with love

The Bangladesh Cricket Board on Friday suspended Shakib al Hasan for three ODIs and fined him Tk300000 for making an indecent gesture on live television. The result was effective from yesterday as the lefthanded all-rounder missed the third ODI against Sri Lanka while he will also miss the first two matches in the Asia Cup. However, according to a close source it was learnt that the members of the national team will pledge to the BCB president Nazmul Hasan to relieve Shakibs punishment to one match. It was also learnt that Tigers captain Mushfiqur Rahim will send a letter, signed by all the national team members, addressing the BCB president to cut down Shakibs three match suspension to one match as Bangladesh have an important match against India in the Asia Cup which Shakib will not able to play due to his three-match suspension. Earlier on Thursday, Shakib gestured towards his groin after drawing the attention of TV cameras during the second ODI against Sri Lanka at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. The BCB cricket operations committee later in the evening found Shakib guilty of making the inappropriate gesture and handed him the highest punishment to any cricketer for such gesture. The runners up of the Asia Cup Bangladesh loosed to Pakistan in the final on 2012 where Shakib was the man of the series for his all round performance and with the current form of the host Mushfiq badly needs the experience of Shakib in the all important Asia Cup. However when Dhaka Tribune tried to talk with the acting CEO of BCB Nizamuddin Chowdhury about the issue he did not answered the phone. l

Kruif terms the situation as tough

Dutch national football coach Lodewijk de Kruif yesterday termed the situation tough ahead of the Fifa International friendly against India on March 5. The Dutch coach sat with the president of Bangladesh Football Federation at the BFF House yesterday and a number of issues were discussed by the parties. BFF has promised to clear my and Rene Kosters due salaries at the end of the next month, we have also asked the president about the implementation of our development plans, but at the moment we are focused to the match against India, said de Kruif. We wanted to settle the salary issue. There were political problems and the last date of solving the problem was February 1 and now there is another extension, there are no hard feelings but I think we should talk about it, added de Kruif. However, Lodewijk de Kruif was also worried over the preparations and said, Both Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell will not release their players till February 28 and we will have only two full days of practice at home and away. Its a tough situation, however, we have to deal with the circumstances.

We wanted to settle the salary issue. There were political problems and the last date of solving the problem was February 1 and now there is another extension
BFF vice-president Tabith Awal was also present at the meeting and he said, We have talked about the due salaries and we hope that it would be cleared by next month as we are trying for new sponsors and some of the responses are positive. l

Bangladesh batsmen Naeem Islam and Nasir Hossain run between the wicket during their 3rd ODI against Sri Lanka at the SBNS yesterday MUMIT M

14
Uefa charges Pellegrini
Uefa has charged Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini following his criticism of Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson after Tuesdays 2 0 last-16 first leg defeat by Barcelona in the Champions League. The Chilean has been charged with violating the general principles of conduct, European soccers ruling body said in a statement on Friday. The case will be handled next Friday. Pellegrini, who apologised for his remarks earlier on Friday, accused Eriksson of a lack of impartiality and said UEFA should not have chosen a Swedish referee for a game of such importance. Reuters

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Nadal to face Andujar in Rio semis

Spains world number one Rafael Nadal is through to the semi-finals of the $1.3 million ATP Rio Open after crushing Joao Sousa of Portugal 6 1, 6 0 in the last eight on Friday. I think I played my best match of the week today, said top seed Nadal after a crushing win in 75 minutes kept his run going in what is his first event since losing last months Australian Open final. As he looks to reach his third final in three tournaments this year, he will now face compatriot Pablo Andujar after the eighth seed won 6 1, 6 1 against another Spaniard, Tommy Robredo. AFP

Button confirms engagement

British Formula One driver Jenson Button and his long-term model girlfriend Jessica Michibata have become engaged. The Japanese-born Michibata could be seen sporting a diamond engagement ring as she kept tabs on her fiance during Thursdays pre-season testing at Bahrains Sakhir circuit. McLaren posted a message on their twitter page saying: Huge congrats to @JensonButton and @jessybondgirl on their engagement! #attaboy. And Buttons new teammate, Kevin Magnussen tweeted: Wow! Well done to @JensonButton & @jessybondgirl on your engagement! AFP

Arsenal unveil Bergkamp statue

Premier League giants Arsenal unveiled a statue of club legend Dennis Bergkamp outside their Emirates Stadium home in north London on Saturday. The 44-year-old Dutchman was in attendance to witness the unveiling of the statue, which was commissioned to commemorate his 11-year Arsenal career. I am just so honoured and today makes me very proud. It is great to come back and see everyone at Arsenal again, said Bergkamp, who scored 120 goals for Arsenal in 423 appearances. Everyone knows I love Arsenal and I had such a great time at the club. The fans, the staff and my team-mates were fantastic. The team was also amazing and we had a lot of success over the years. For me and my family it was such an important and enjoyable period in our lives. This is such a special moment to come back and be honoured in this way. The statue depicts Bergkamp leaping to control a high ball on the top of his right foot and is based on a photograph taken of him in action against Newcastle United during a Premier League game in February 2003. l

Monaco cut PSG lead after last-gasp win

Monacos Layvin Kurzawa pounced deep into added time to snatch a 3-2 win over Stade de Reims on Friday and cut Paris St Germains lead at the top of Ligue 1 to two points. The left back, unmarked after a late red card for the visitors Algerian Aissa Mandi for a dangerous tackle, scored from close range after a rebound off the post in 95th minute. It was a tough result for seventhplaced Reims, who had twice come from behind with well taken equalisers from Prince Oniangue that rattled Claudio Ranieris side. PSG visit 10th-placed Toulouse on Sunday (1300GMT) looking to restore a five-point lead over Monaco, who are 11 points clear of the chasing pack. Reims battled to keep Monaco out in the closing minutes but, with Mandi sent off in the 83rd, they lost their shape. Monacos new Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov, just back from injury, was introduced for the closing minutes, but it was defender Kurzawa who struck the winning blow. l

A picture shows a statue of former Arsenal and Netherlands footballer Dennis Bergkamp after it was unveiled outside The Emirates Stadium in north London yesterday.

AFP

Draw marks start of road to Euro 2016

With the continents leading nations currently focused on the build-up to this years World Cup in Brazil, they could be forgiven for paying little attention to Sundays Euro 2016 qualifying draw. The draw, which will be held in the southern French city of Nice, marks the start of a new period in the history of the European Championship. Before the 2020 tournament is held in 13 different host cities across Europe, the finals in France will be the first to comprise of 24 nations. It is a far cry from the eight-nation event when France last held the tournament back in 1984 and doubters are unconvinced about the move to step up from the 16-team format that made Euro 2012 such a success. The move will take much of the drama away from the qualifying campaign, with 23 of the 53 nations involved - almost half - advancing to the finals along with the hosts. With the top two teams in each of the nine qualifying groups progressing along with the best third-placed team - the remaining third-placed sides will play off for four more berths - the chances of seeing any major nations miss out on a bloated Euro 2016 seem virtually non-existent. That is undoubtedly what UEFA want, as the failure of a continental giant, like England in 2008, to qualify can only have a negative impact on the amount of revenue they can generate. But it means Roy Hodgsons side, two-time reigning champions Spain, Germany, Italy and others will scarcely be tested en route to the finals and may lead to indifference among fans. This is, though, an opportunity for some of the lesser lights on the continent to return to a major tournament, or even qualify for the first time. Scotland, whose last tournament appearance came at the 1998 World Cup in France, have been rejuvenated in recent times under Gordon Strachan and are hopeful of continuing their improvement. Im excited about it. I dont like to plan anything. I plan training sessions, thats about the only thing I plan, said Strachan when asked about his hopes for the draw, which could see Scotland, who are in the fourth pot of seeds, be paired with their old rivals England. Im really not fussed. I enjoy meeting up with the players and playing anybody who is put in front of us. Sunday will also be a special day for Gibraltar, with the tiny British Overseas Territory on the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula being involved in a qualifying campaign for the first time since their admission to UEFA. The territory of just six square kilometres in size and 30,000 people will be in the sixth and last pot of seeds along with the likes of San Marino and Liechtenstein, although their miniscule prospects of qualifying for the finals are perhaps helped ever so slightly by UEFAs decision to keep them and Spain - which has long asserted its claim to the territory - separate for political reasons. l

Rooney signs blockbuster deal with United

Wayne Rooney pledged his long-term future to Manchester United on Friday after signing a blockbuster contract extension with the Premier League champions. Rooney had just 18 months left on his previous deal and was a transfer target for Chelsea last year, sparking speculation he could leave at the end of this season, but the England striker has agreed to prolong his stay at Old Trafford until June 2019. The new contract will reportedly pay the 28-year-old 300,000 a week, with Rooney also set to stay at United as a club ambassador when he eventually retires. Wayne Rooney has committed his future to Manchester United by signing a four-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until June 2019. Wayne will also become a club ambassador when he retires from the game, a statement on Uniteds website announced. Rooney, who had confirmed the news on his Twitter feed just before Uniteds official announcement, admitted he was delighted to have finally signed the deal. The former Everton star also said he is relishing the opportunity to inspire the next generation of United players in his role as one of the teams senior figures. l

Juve title bid feeling fixture pinch

Juventus coach Antonio Conte leads his side into Sundays derby against Torino fearing the champions bid for a third consecutive scudetto could be hampered by their Europa League ambitions. Juve hold a nine-point lead over Roma in Italys Serie A, which could be cut to six if Rudi Garicas men win their game in hand over Parma, with Napoli a distant third a further four points off the pace. At just past the halfway point stage, it looks to be a two-horse race for the title but Conte has refused to rule out slip-ups along the way. After a disastrous Champions League campaign ended at the group stage, Juve, as well as league rivals Na-

FIXTURES
Bologna Livorno Chievo Verona Inter Sampdoria Udinese Juventus v v v v v v v Roma Hellas Verona Catania Cagliari AC Milan Atalanta Torino

poli and Fiorentina, are in contention for Europa League glory. But Juves next test on the domestic front comes against a Torino side

that has lost only twice in their last 12 games, their last win a surprise 3-1 rout of Verona on Monday. Along with Verona, Torino have been one of the surprise packages this season and club sporting director Gianluca Petrachi pointed to forward Ciro Immobile as one of the driving forces behind the clubs bid for a place in Europe. While Roma will be expected to help Garcia prolong the 50th birthday he celebrated on Friday by winning away to Bologna on Saturday, anything less than a win for Juve be a huge boost to the Giallorossi. City rivals AC Milan, meanwhile, have a tricky away encounter at Sampdoria. l

Zanetti denies Chelsea move rumours

Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti has denied he plans to join Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, despite newspaper reports he could move into coaching at the London club. I have a great rapport with Mourinho. We hear from each other frequently, but weve never discussed these things, the 40-year-old Argentine told the Inter Channel. I believe the Inter fans know how I feel about this shirt. Ive always stressed that this club is my life and my home. And its my desire to stay here. I dont need to add anything else. Zanettis contract with Inter runs out at the end of the season and media reports in England suggested that former Inter manager Mourinho wanted Zanetti in a player-coach role. Zanetti has been at Inter for nearly two decades, helping them win five Serie A titles. He played under Mourinho during the Portugueses two-year spell at the club, when they won the Champions League and two league titles. Inter are fifth in Serie A under coach Walter Mazzarri and host struggling Cagliari on Sunday. l

Rodgers wants Liverpool to show killer instinct

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has urged his players to continue to be ruthless at Anfield ahead of the visit of former club Swansea City on Sunday. The Reds, who occupy fourth spot, have been imperious at home this season, winning 11 of their 13 Premier

FIXTURES
Liverpool v Swansea City Newcastle v Aston Villa Norwich City v Tottenham
League games and scoring 38 goals in the process. Supporters at Anfield have been treated to thumping 5-1 and 4-0 victories over Arsenal and Everton in their last two home games, and Rodgers does not want there to be any let up as they try to keep pace with leaders Chelsea. Liverpool are expected to recall midfielder Jordan Henderson to their starting line-up after he was rested in the FA Cup fifth round defeat at Arsenal. Right-back Glen Johnson (knee) is back in the squad, but midfielder Lucas, left-back Jose Enrique (both knee) and centre-back Mamadou Sakho (hamstring) are all still injured. Rodgers also admitted his players are constantly striving for improvement - both individually and collectively - which has been borne out in results and performances this season. Swanseas former Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey should feature after returning from a hamstring injury as a substitute against Napoli. However, Spanish striker Michu is still nursing a long-standing ankle injury. l

Bundesliga harder than Champions League: Guardiola

Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola believes winning the German Bundesliga will prove a harder task than lifting the Champions League -- something he has achieved twice with Barcelona, he said on Friday. The most prestigious title is the Champions League but the most important and most difficult is the German championship, Guardiola told reporters. Bayern, unbeaten in domestic league action, are a stunning 16 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and have a foot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League after beating Arsenal 2-0 away on Wednesday. The Champions League is like a good meal in a good restaurant. The Bundesliga, its like eating pizza or hamburger every day, he said. l

Cornet shocks Serena to reach Dubai final

Alize Cornet, recovering brilliantly from a mighty collapse in career fortunes, scored her best-ever win by beating world number one Serena Williams 6-4, 6-4 and preventing an all-Williams sisters final at the Dubai Open. The 24-year-old Frenchwoman, who is about to return to the top 20 after a dismal five-year interval in which she fell from the top 100, made a mere handful of errors as she manoeuvred and harassed the legend to a stunning defeat. Cornet often rallied valiantly when the powerful American landed her biggest blows, but even more often she found changes of direction and angles to disrupt Serenas rhythm. That this happened more often than usual to the favourite was unsurprising considering that this was her first tournament since injuring her back in last months Australian Open. Serena later pronounced herself a wee bit embarrassed by the result, which denied her the chance of a final with older sister Venus Williams, an earlier winner against Caroline Wozniacki. She also had a fit of incongruous laughing as she claimed that she had not made that many errors in a match in, I think, at least three years, maybe four years, and had not felt good all week. In truth, Serena did enough to have beaten most other opponents. But this one was unusually smart and courageous as well as skilful and level-headed, and took her rare opportunity with tremendous panache. Its my best ever win - but I havent realised it yet, Cornet said. l

France's Alize Cornet reacts after defeating Serena Williams during their semi final game in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in Dubai on Friday AFP

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Sunday, February 23, 2014

15

QUICK BYTES

Ansar lift womens table tennis title

Bangladesh Ansar emerged as the champions in the womens section in the 34th National Table Tennis Championship beating Comilla 3 1 in the final held at the Rajshahi Womens Complex yesterday. Ansars Rumi and Saleha defeated Sharmin and Rahima in their respective game. Meanwhile in the mens section, Rajshahi moved into the final after beating Biman in their semi-final encounter at the same venue yesterday. Tribune Desk

Sheikh Jamal drop points on BPL return

Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Ltds return to the local arena after their IFA Shield heroics fell short of a winning touch in a 2-2 draw against Team BJMC in the Bangladesh Premier League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. Josef Afusi, the Nigerian coach of Jamal pointed out the tiredness, different pitch and the trauma of losing the shootout of the final as the possible causes behind the draw. Jamals attacking lynchpin, Haitian Sony Norde looked a little tired and the team did not get the full throttled service from their reliable attacker as they consequentially lost the edge. However they bounced back from an early shock and took the lead, but failed to carry defend it. Jamal who played five matches before flying to Kolkata will face Abahani and Sheikh Russell in their next two encounters. BJMC, on the other hand, put a consistent show and their defence stood solid against the constant efforts of Jamalsthree pronged attack comprising Sony Norde, his compatriot Wedson and Nigerian Emeka Darlington. Team BJMC took the lead in the second minute through their Nigerian midfielder SamsomIliayasus opportunistic strike. Seeing Jamal goalie Himel moving towards the far post, Samson placed the ball towards the near as it luckily slipped through the hands of a surprised Himel. However Jamal equalised in the 10th minute with Haitian forward Wedson heading on a Mamunul Islam free-kick which BJMC defender Saiful Islam, in an attempt of clearing it, headed on the back of his own net. Jamal took the lead in the 36thminute through their Nigerian forward Emeka Darlington. Emeka, on the sixyard box, placed a back-heel of Wedson from the near post. The first-half drama did not end there as BJMC restored the parity in the 43rd minute. Guinean striker Ismael Bangoura went past two Jamal defenders and cut a square pass to Nigerian midfielder Uche Felix who tapped home quite easily. Sony Norde was also in the center of action in the same minute, but his chipped effort missed the side post while in the 63rd minute his free-kick was punched to safety by BJMC goalie Arifuzzaman. Jamal escaped from conceding the third in the 67th minute when Ismael Bangoura placed the ball past Himel but he was only left frustrated to see the ball miss the side-post. Jamal have 14 points from six matches while BJMC have 12 points from nine matches. l

MU coaches in town to select rising stars

Four coaches from Manchester United arrived in Dhaka yesterday to select the 12 Airtel Rising Stars of the initiatives second season. The final selection will be made today at BKSP. The four coaches are Kevin OConnell, Adam Hilton, Dave Chapman, and Lami Sonola. They will join the top 120 players selected throughout the country in BKSP today where they will conduct a training programme and the final selection. Kevin O Connell, Dave Chapman and Lami Sonola are Uefa licensed coach while Adam Hilton is an English FA licensed coach and has been working as a MU Foundation coach for five years. He has been involved in talent identification processes for the club. Dave Chapman, also an FA licensed coach, has been a part of the MU Foundation as a coach for seven years. Lami Sonola has been working for Manchester United for the last five years and was appointed head coach for the MU Under-18 girls football team. Tribune Desk

Sheikh Jamals Haitian forward Wedson Anselme (L) controls the ball while Emeka Darlington (R) looks on during their Bangladesh Premier League match against Team BJMC at the BNS yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Button confirms engagement

British Formula One driver Jenson Button and his long-term model girlfriend Jessica Michibata have become engaged. The Japanese-born Michibata could be seen sporting a diamond engagement ring as she kept tabs on her fiance during Thursdays pre-season testing at Bahrains Sakhir circuit. McLaren posted a message on their twitter page saying: Huge congrats to @JensonButton and @jessybondgirl on their engagement! #attaboy. AFP

Arsenal, Man City stay on Chelseas tail

Arsenal and Manchester City replied in kind after John Terry scored an injury-time winner against Everton to preserve Chelseas position as Premier League leaders on Saturday. Chelseas victory momentarily gave them a four-point lead at the summit, but Arsenal closed the gap to a point by overwhelming Sunderland 4-1 and City are three points back with a game in hand after edging Stoke City 1-0. Arsenal had been dealt a dispiriting 2-0 defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday and they reacted in style by outclassing third-bottom Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium. Left on the bench against Bayern, Olivier Giroud was restored to the starting line-up to face Sunderland and the Frenchman responded with a brace of goals in the first 31 minutes. The former Montpellier man also played a role in the glorious move that led to Tomas Rosicky chipping in Arsenals third goal before half-time, with Laurent Koscielny heading home a fourth in the 57th minute. City also tasted Champions League disappointment in mid-week, losing 2-0 at home to Barcelona, and their return to winning ways was not quite as straightforward as Arsenals. Pellegrinis side toiled in front of goal against Stoke at the Etihad Stadium and there was a sense of relief when Yaya Toure broke the deadlock from Kolarovs cut-back in the 70th minute. Earlier, Terrys last-gasp winner allowed Chelsea to hold onto top spot as they snatched a 1-0 victory against Everton at Stamford Bridge. l

Bale beauty guides Madrid to win over Elche

A stunning long-range strike from Gareth Bale helped Real Madrid moved three points clear of title rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid as they beat Elche 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday. After an unconvincing start, Asier Illarramendis deflected effort had given the hosts a half-time lead. Bale then made the game safe 19 minutes from time when he collected possession midway inside the Elche half and blasted the ball in off the underside of the bar. And Isco rounded off a 15th win in 16 games in all competitions for Real when he slammed home the third from Karim Benzemas pass nine minutes later. Madrid were once again without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo as he completed a three-game ban after having a final appeal rejected on Saturday morning. With star performer in recent weeks, Luka Modric, also banned and Sergio Ramos rested as he was only one yellow card away from missing next weekends Madrid derby away at Atletico, it took the hosts some time to find their stride. Angel di Maria was the main threat early on as his in-swinging corner clipped the top of the bar before the Argentine fired over after drifting past three Elche challenges on the edge of the box. Elche were lucky to not be reduced to 10 men just after the hour mark when Alberto Botia chopped down Jese as he burst clear on goal and could easily have been interpreted as denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. l

RESULTS
Arsenal

Giroud 5, 31, Rosicky 42, Koscielny 57

4 1

Giaccherini 81

Sunderland

Cardiff

0 4

Huddlestone 18, Jelavic 38, 57, Livermore 67

Hull

DAYS WATCH
Sony Six NBA 2013 14 6:30AM Detroit v Dallas 12:00AM Oklahoma City v LA Clippers 9:00AM UFC 170 Rousey v Mcmann 5:00PM Euro 2016 Qualifying Draw Ten Cricket 02:30PM South Africa v Australia 2nd Test, Day 4 Ten Sports 7:00PM French Ligue 1 2013/14 Toulouse FC v Paris Saint Germain 01:30AM Rio Open, Finals Ten Action 10:00PM French Ligue 1 2013/14 Nantes v Stade Rennais Star Sports HD2 11:15AM ICC Under 19 World Cup QF: Australia v West Indies 12:00AM NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 Star Sports 4 1:00PM Sochi Winter Olympic Games Day 16 English Premier League 7:20PM Liverpool v Swensea City 10:00PM Norwich City v Tottenham La Liga 12:00AM Valencia v Granada 2:00AM Osasuna v Atletico Madrid Star Sports HD1 6:00PM Hockey India League 11:30PM Italian Serie A Juventus v Torino Star Sports 2 1:45AM Italian Serie A Lazio v Sassuolo

Chelsea

Terry 90+3

1 0 1 0 1 1 3 1

Everton Stoke Fulham

Man City
Toure 70

West Brom
Vydra 86

Dejagah 28

West Ham

Jarvis 20, Cole 23, Nolan 71

Southampton
Yoshida 8

Training camp for U 15 girl footballers

The Womens Wing of Bangladesh Football Federation will host a training camp for 210 players selected for the Plan Bangladesh U-15 Girls Football Championship that will start from Sunday. The five day camp will be held in seven zones-Rajshahi, Sylhet, Kushtia, Nilphamari, Faridpur, Rangamati and Barishal, with 30 players selected for each zone. The selected girls will also be trained on different issues such as gender discrimination, domestic violence and leadership etc. by Plan Bangladesh experts. On 8 March the girls will observe World Womens Day together after completing the 5-day long training. After the camp each zone will form two teams that will play in a knockout based tournament. The final round of the meet will be held in Dhaka with final match billed to be played at the Bangabandhu National Stadium Dhaka on 28 March said BFF Women wings deputy chairman Mahfuza Akter Kiron at a press conference at the BFF House yesterday. BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Sohag and other women wings officials were also present at the occasion. l

Chelsea's John Terry (R) reacts after scoring a goal during their English Premier League match against Everton at Stamford Bridge in London yesterday REUTERS

The decisions that matter Amla strokes South Africa into strong position
The Bangladesh cricket team ended a terrible ODI series yesterday having lost all three matches against Sri Lanka. Prior to the ODI series, Bangladesh had fought well but they were unlucky to lose both T20s in the last ball. However, when a team goes through a bad patch they wish for some luck, but it seemed even luck turned its back on them. The umpiring decisions in a couple of situation during the first T20 and the first ODI raised many fingers on them, especially because the umpires belonged to Bangladesh and their standard of officiating in an international match was questioned. Bangladesh needed three off the last ball in the first T20 and Anamul Haque, who had already taken 14 in the first five balls of the over, received a high full-toss from Thisara Perera. Unable to connect it properly the ball was skied back and comfortably caught by the bowler himself. The decision was taken upstairs for a review but third umpire Gazi Sohel made a hash out of it to declare it as a legitimate ball. In the first ODI, Bangladesh was cruising to their target of 181, but once again a poor decision from the third umpire, Anisur Rahman, triggered a collapse that resulted in another close defeat. Shamsur Rahman was on song, connecting the ball as he romped to his fifty. However, Shamsur while grounding the bat for a double run, it got stuck before the crease and even though it was not clear whether his foot was in air when Sangakkara dislodged the bells, Anisur Rahman gave the decision in favour of the visitors. Perhaps Anisur was unaware of the term benefit of doubt and that it always goes to the batsman. Meanwhile the chairman of the BCB umpires committee Nazmul Karim Tinku admitted the sloppy umpiring performance and said, Yes there was some decision especially the decision of Gazi Sohel in the first T20 match where he could have taken some more time and can use some more angles before giving the decision. We have discussed about it later and informed him what he should have done on that situation. We have an umpire exchange programme where we exchange umpires with West Indies and recently we are going to exchange with Zimbabwe and I am hopeful we will produce some more umpires who will be included into the ICCs elite panel of umpires, he said. l South Africa moved into a strong position on the third day of the second Test against Australia at St Georges Park on Saturday but lost one of their four specialist bowlers. Australia were bowled out for 246 in their first innings, giving South Africa a lead of 177, which they stretched to 369 by the close of play, reaching 192 for four. Hashim Amla returned to form with a sparkling innings of 93 not out. But South Africa will be without left-arm fast-medium bowler Wayne Parnell when they attempt to bowl out Australia a second time. Parnell, who on Friday took two wickets with his first three deliveries of the match, pulled up with a groin injury after bowling three balls in his ninth over. Team manager Mohammed Moosajee said Parnell had a strain, not a tear, but would nevertheless be unable to bowl in the second innings. It left South Africa with three specialist bowlers after bringing in a batsman for an all-rounder after losing the first Test in Centurion by 281 runs. Australia found themselves in unfamiliar territory in a dominant southern hemisphere summer, during which they have won six successive Tests, all by wide margins. South Africa, though, looked more like the team that has surged to the top of the international Test rankings as they followed up a solid first innings with aggressive bowling to put Australia under pressure. The tall Morne Morkel was particularly hostile, peppering the batsmen with numerous short deliveries as he took three wickets for 63 runs. Vernon Philander claimed three for 68. South Africa were on top from the fifth over of the day when Philander had top-scorer David Warner caught at slip for 70. Nightwatchman Nathan Lyon, after standing up to a bumper barrage from Morkel, chopped a ball from the tall fast bowler into his stumps in the next over. Steve Smith and Brad Haddin both survived chances as they added 40 for the seventh wicket before Haddin was bowled by Dale Steyn. l

SCORECARD, DAY 3
South Africa, first innings, 423 Australia, first innings (overnight 112 4) D Warner c Smith b Philander N Lyon b Morkel S Smith c De Villiers b Morkel B Haddin b Steyn M Johnson b Duminy R Harris c Du Plessis b Morkel P Siddle not out Extras (lb4, nb1, w2) Total (57 overs)

70 15 49 9 27 26 11 7 246

Bowling Steyn 13 3 55 1, Philander 13 0 68 3, Morkel 17 0 63 3, Parnell 8.3 2 31 2, Elgar 0.3 0 1 0, Duminy 5 0 24 1 South Africa, second innings G Smith b Johnson 14 D Elgar c Haddin b Siddle 16 H Amla not out 93 F du Plessis c Haddin b Siddle 24 A de Villiers c Haddin b Johnson 29 Q de Kock not out 9 Extras (b2, lb5) 7 Total (4 wkts, 47 overs) 192 Bowling Johnson 12 0 48 2, Harris 10 1 53 0, Lyon 12 2 31 0, Siddle 13 2 53 2 South Africa lead by 369 runs with 6 wickets remaining in the second innings

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Sunday, February 23, 2014

Prosecution mulling over national committee for witness protection

n Udisa Islam
With the government still not ready to formulate a witness protection act, the prosecution of the International Crimes Tribunal is looking to form a national committee in this regard which law professionals have said will not be able to solve the problem. According to sources in the prosecution, the proposed committee would comprise at least nine intellectuals, es have also received death threats. On December 10, Mostafa Hawlader, a prosecution witness against death row war criminal Delawar Hossain Saydee, was killed, sending a wave of concern about the states witness protection mechanism. Referring to the case against Jamaat leader AKM Yusuf, Prosecutor Jahid Imam said: We have been finding it really difficult to convince some of the witnesses about their security arrangements. Although there is still no formal witness protection act in place in the country, the home ministry has a specialised Witness Protection Committee, comprising the deputy commissioners of 12 districts. However, many witnesses said they did not know anything about these committees. They said they felt confused and helpless about who to contact whenever they received threats. According to sources from the prosecution office, a proposal for forming the committee has already been sent to a number of government offices including the home ministry. However, Sawkat Mostafa, additional secretary of the home ministry, said he did know anything about the matter as yet. The prosecutor office also said the idea of the national committee was to ensure comprehensive protection for the witnesses which would continue even after the verdicts were delivered and the guilty persons served sentences. Seeking anonymity, a senior prosecutor of the war crimes tribunal told the Dhaka Tribune that the government was not ready to formulate the act for some reason they had no idea about. We have no power in this regard. So, from the very beginning, we have been trying to give every possible security insurance to our witnesses, he said. But, when we saw that many witnesses had been living under threats, we decided to form a national committee. Eminent historian Muntassir Mamoon, also an activist who has been campaigning for war crimes trial for years, said nothing could replace a law. Noted writer Shahriar Kabir, another leading campaigner for war crimes trial, said: We have been pressing the authorities for enacting a law that will ensure protection for the witnesses. Criticising the authorities for the absence of a witness protection act, he also said: Two months ago, one of the judges house came under attack and now they cannot find any chairman for the first International Crimes Tribunal. Next they will not find any witness and then they will fail to get any prosecutor. This has gone beyond the level of tolerance. A couple of years ago, the law ministry prepared a draft of a law titled Witness Protection Act 2011 and sent it to the home ministry. Law Minister Shafique Ahmed last year said the draft law had since been lying idle in what he called was the home ministrys deep freezer. l

The visually-impaired schoolgirls sing at the launching ceremony of their audio album yesterday

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

The idea of national committee was to ensure comprehensive protection for the witnesses which would continue even after the verdicts were delivered
journalists, law professionals and activists. This committee would form sub-committees at all the districts in the country to ensure protection for the witnesses of the war crimes cases. The proposal also included an arrangement for a hotline, which the witnesses could access anytime for seeking and giving advices and information. The issue of witness protection came to the forefront after a prosecution witness and a relative of another witness in war crimes cases were killed recently. Reportedly, a number of other witness-

Braille books bring joy to visually impaired kids

new books published
Amar Ekushey book fair 2014

160

n Ahmed Zayeef
It was a day of joy for visually impaired children as four new books in Braille were launched at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair yesterday. Sporsho Braille Prokashona, a publication for visually impaired, unveiled the books at the Nazrul Mancha in presence of 14 visually impaired students of Baptist Mission Integrated School and Jan-e-Alam Government High School. A cultural programme was held that commenced with a chorus. Visually impaired students from Dhaka University and Eden College also joined the programme to inspire the juniors. Starting journey in 2011, Sporsho Braille Prokashona has so far published 24 books in Braille. The four books published

Police recover 5 bombs from inside Jessore jail n Our Correspondent, Jessore n UNB
Jessore Kotwali police yesterday recovered five live bombs from the jail security guard barracks inside Jessore Central Jail. Rabiul Islam, Assistant Sub-Inspector at Jessore Kotwali police station, told journalists he recovered the bombs from near a toilet in the Shugandha security guard barracks at around 11am yesterday. Fazlul Haque, deputy inspector general of prisons for Khulna and Barisal divisions, said security was beefed up after the recovery of the bombs. l

US deputy assistant secretary in Dhaka

US Deputy Assistant Secretary for South Asia Atul Keshap had reached Dhaka yesterday on a four-day official visit to discuss bilateral issues and regional matters. During his visit, Keshap will meet with the national leadership, civil society leaders and private sector representatives to discuss a wide range issues, including bilateral relations, labour, development, governance and trade, said a US Embassy press release. Keshap is a United States Foreign Service officer from Virginia. As the deputy assistant secretary, Keshap works closely with Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Biswal to coordinate the US government policy towards this diverse and strategic region of almost 1.5 billion people and over $2 trillion in economic output. Prior to his current assignment, Keshap was the United States Senior Official for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation. From 2010 to 2012, Keshap worked with Assistant Secretary of State Robert O Blake as Director of the Office of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives and Bhutan Affairs. l

yesterday are Hanif Sankets Binito Nibedon, Najia Jabeens Ek Shagor Rokter Binimoye, Lutfor Rahman Ritons Akashe Onek Chhora and Foridur Reza Sagors Cox Bazarer Kakatua. Monsur Ahmed Choudhuri, chairman of National Forum of the Disabled and representative at the United Nations, who is a visually impaired person himself, attended the programme alongside Shahidul Alam Sachchu, Mofidul Hoque and actor Afzal Hossain. Amrin Nahar Rini, a class 10 student of Baptist Mission Integrated School told the Dhaka Tribune: There are a very few number of braille books for us out there. Apart from our text books, we do not get to read stories, novels, and poems as much as we want. These books would be very helpful for us. I am very happy today. I hope more books in Braille will be brought in the fair in future to help the visually impaired people get a taste of Bangla literature, she added. Nazia Jabeen, publisher of Sporsho Braille Prokashona, said: We are getting remarkable response for our effort, but we could not bring a large number of braille

books as we are a small organisation. However, our target is to raise awareness among other publishers so that they bring in more braille books, she said. Bangla Academy authority celebrated its last Shishu Prohor yesterday from 11am to 3pm, five hours exclusively dedicated for children. Hundreds of children along with their parents thronged the fair. Though it was a public holiday a good number of visitors also came to the fair. A total of 160 new books were published yesterday on the 22nd day of the fair including Syed Abul Maksuds Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani from Agami Prokashoni, Syed Shamsul Haques Kolomer Shonge Shongshar from Ananya Prokash, Reja Ghotoks Ponchobhuteshu from Chayabithi, and Selina Hossains Judhdho from Salma Book Depo. A total of 20 new books were unveiled at the Nazrul Mancha including Additional Secretary of Information Ministry, Harun-orRashids Putuler Ghor from Shuchipotro Prokashoni in presence of theatre activist Mamunur Rashid. A discussion on Krishno Mohon Bondopadhdhay was held at the central stage. l

Modi: India must shelter Bangladeshi Hindu migrants

n Tribune Report
Indias Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi yesterday said Hindu migrants from Bangladesh must be accommodated in the country and detention camps would be done away with once his party comes to power. As soon as we come to power at the Centre, detention camps housing Hindu migrants from Bangladesh will be done away with, Modi told a public rally at Ramnagar in Silchar in Assam, a northeast state of India, according to Press Trust of India. We have a responsibility toward Hindus who are harassed and suffer in other countries. Where will they go? India is the only place for them. Our government cannot continue to harass them. We will have to accommodate them here, he said. Stating that this did not mean that Assam has to bear the entire burden, he said: It will be unfair on them and they will be settled across the country with facilities to begin a new life. Earlier, Hindus from Pakistan had arrived in Gujarat and Rajasthan, but Atal Behari Vajpayee, during his rule as prime minister, created schemes to accommodate them in different states, Modi said. The BJP leader alleged that the Assam government, as part of its vote bank politics, had violated human rights of Hindu migrants in detention camps. Speaking on the issue of doubtful voters, Modi said this was also a part of the Congress vote bank politics of denying a section of the people their right to vote. He urged the Election Commission to remove the tag of doubtful voters and give these people the right to vote to ensure free and fair polls. Modi said there were two kinds of people who came from Bangladesh to Assam; those brought as a part of a political conspiracy for vote bank politics of a particular party, and others who were harassed in the neighbouring country. He claimed that those brought for vote bank politics and smugglers from Bangladesh should be pushed back, while the second category must find a place in the country. Bangladesh is next to Assam, while Pakistan is next to Gujarat. Assam is harassed by Bangladesh whereas Pakistan is bothered by me, the Gujarat chief minister said at his second meeting of the day in the northeast. You have to decide whether you will continue to tolerate Bangladeshi harassment or put an end to it. I have come to you for your answer. Trust me and as soon as we come to power we will take immediate steps to redress these problems and ensure that justice prevails, he added. l

Resolution moved in US congress on Intl Mother Language Day n Tribune Report

A resolution has been introduced in the US Congress to recognize February 21 as the International Mother Language Day in the country. Representative Grace Meng of New Yorks sixth Congressional district tabled the bill recently to encourage the House of Representatives to support the goals and ideals of the day with appropriate ceremonies, programmes and activities. This resolution is an outstanding way to bring attention to International Mother Language Day and to make Americans aware of its importance to the people of Bangladesh, said Meng, a democrat member of Congress. Thanks to Bangladesh, countries around the world celebrate this great occasion, and I look forward to more people in the US and across the globe learning about the importance of preserving our linguistic heritage. I encourage House leaders to hold a vote on my resolution soon, she added. For most people residing in the United States, English is the de facto language. According to the American Community Survey, there are 39 language groups in the US. International Mother Language Day is observed on February 21 in recognition of the sacrifice made by Bangalees who had died for the cause of their mother language in 1952. l

Workers restore the Sonargaon Folk Arts and Crafts Museum building in the suburbs of the capital yesterday. South Korean company Youngone Corporation has taken the initiative to conserve the age-old heritage of the country SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Power Cell recommends collecting solar panel installation costs from consumers
n Aminur Rahman Rasel
The Power Cell has recommended the ministry to collect the money that the consumers were supposed to spend on installing solar panels as a pre-condition of getting new electricity connection. According to the recommendation, the money has to be deposited to the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda), which would later use the funds to carry out renewable energy-based projects for the deprived people at off-grid areas. On January 21, the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) urged the State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid to scrap the solar panel installing requirement for new connections to households. Later, the ministry asked the Power Cell, which was formed under the power ministry to implement power sector reforms, for its recommendations over the proposal. The power ministry should hold meeting with its stakeholders including the REHAB to make the final decision over the issue. Power Cell Director General Mohammad Hossain told the Dhaka tribune. Commenting on the new recommendation by the Power Cell, REHAB General Secretary M Wahiduzzaman said: This is not reasonable. The solar system has to be fully withdrawn. This recommendation does not reduce expenses. In its recommendation, the power cell said the requirement to install solar panels did not work out and had created chances of corruption. The recommendation however added that to minimise dependency on fossil fuel for power generation and to increase use of renewable energy, the ministry should not fully scrap the previous decision made on November 7, 2010; instead they should collect money from the consumers that was supposed to be spent on installing solar panels as a pre-condition of getting new connection. According to the Power Division, installation of solar panels is not required for new domestic connections consuming up to 2kW of electricity, but connections exceeding that range requires installing solar panels producing 3% electricity of the demand. According to present market price, the solar panel cost would be fixed at Tk150 per watt and that money would be deposited to the Sreda fund, which would be managed by a technical committee. Earlier, State Minister Nasrul Hamid had said solar panels would not be encouraged in urban areas anymore; rather, its use would be encouraged in rural areas. Since its formation in December 2012, Sreda has reportedly made little progress, despite its ambitious plans of producing 800MW of electricity sustainably by 2015. Bangladesh currently produces about 100MW from renewable sources. Earlier in May 2011, the government resumed giving new connections to households after a halt of several months. l

Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed on behalf of 2A Media Limited at Dainik Shakaler Khabar Publications Limited, 153/7, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1208. Editorial, News & Commercial Office: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207. Phone: 9132093 94, Advertising: 9132155, Circulation: 9132282, Fax: News-9132192, e-mail: news@dhakatribune.com, info@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2014 www.dhakatribune.com/business

Imported bandwidth eats up BSCCL cake

n Muhammad Zahidul Islam
Bandwidth importers are selling internet service at less than half price, apparently offering challenges to the state-monopoly Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL) that already lost 26% of its market share in only four months period. The publicly listed company started feeling the pinch since the private companies commenced with the imported bandwidth, though often blamed for their poor quality, industry insiders said. Six International Terrestrial Cable (ITC) links imports more than 30GB bandwidth from India and offering per Mbps (Mega bites per second) below Tk2,000, said an executive of a ITC operator. BSCCL sells the same bandwidth at Tk4,800, which resulted in dropping the use of their capacity to only 32GB at present from 42GB just three months ago, industry sources said. The usage is falling every month. We are giving quality services at lower charges. So, customers are coming to us, Sumon Ahmed Sabir, chief strategic officer of Fibre@Home, told the Dhaka Tribune. About the criticism as to why the ITCs are importing despite the country having huge unused bandwidth from a total of 200GB, he said: It is true we

SEZ feasibility reports completed, to be tabled today

n Asif Showkat Kallol
The feasibility studies on the proposed special economic zones (SEZs) have been completed and the report is scheduled to be placed at a high level meeting today, official sources said. The government had decided to set up five economic zones under publicprivate partnership (PPP) initiative within a short period of time. Officials at the Economic Relations Division (ERD) said the feasibility survey of three of the four zones was completed recently and it was not done for the one was proposed to be set up in Sirajganj due vulnerability of river erosion. Additional Secretary Arastu Khan said the ERD would place the World Bank conducted feasibility study at the meeting on the three possible economic zones at Anowara and Mirersarai in Chittagong and Sherpur in Moluvibbazar. Mongla Port Economic Zone is the first venture after the BEZA was constituted through a parliamentary law in 2010. The formation of BEZA was the result of a decision in 2010 by the Prime Ministers Office to develop five economic zones at a total cost of Tk1,400 crore during 2012-13 and 2013-14 fiscal years. Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu last week said the government is working to set up two more economic zones. The process is underway to select possible sites to this end, he told a meeting with newly elected board of directors of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Industries Ministry. In 2010, former country director of World Bank in Bangladesh, Ellen Goldstein, had assured the global lender would help set up 15 to 20 new private economic zones in Bangladesh with a total capacity to accommodate 500 to 700 new companies or expanded units of existing ones by 2021. Earlier, the government gave Tk47 crore to Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) as interest-free loan to acquire land and develop site for the Mongla Port Economic Zone. The money was given from the current budget as non-development expenditure. Finance Minister AMA Muhith , however, discouraged the interest free loan to BEZA which, according to him, would earn through leasing out of its lands and infrastructure and soon be able to repay the loan with interest. l

Factory safety show begins today

n Tribune Report
The countrys first International Trade Expo on Building and Fire Safety opens in Dhaka today to provide an opportunity learning more about ways of working together to improve the building and fire safety of readymade garment industry in Bangladesh. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed is expected to inaugurate the two-day show at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel. C&A Foundation in association with Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), the Alliance and Accord for Bangladesh Workers Safety and International Finance Corporation is organising event.

are importing bandwidth, but we also made the country always connected with the globe. The BSCCL Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Md Monwar Hossain, however, criticised the quality of imported bandwidth and the business houses, which he blamed were destabilising the market in the name of competition. Some are destroying the bandwidth business in the name of competition. They are not importing quality bandwidth from the neighboring country. As they sell it at reduced price fixed by the government, customers are going to them, he said. He, however, recognised the operators made alternative connections

with India and added some value in the countrys software and outsourcing business. But when we will connect with our second submarine connection, these ITCs will have no functions, said the BSCCL MD. The second submarine connected is expected to go live in 2016. In 2012, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) awarded six ITC licences to Novocom Limited, Firber@Home Limited, 1Asia Alliance Communications Limited, Mango Teleservices Limited, BD link Communications Limited and Summit Communications Limited. They are connected with Indian submarine cable through fiber optic cable. l

The fair will display products that would help take remedial measures for the factories on fire and electrical safety

Tea prices, sales dip on GENDER BUDGETING supply glut, poor grade Economists for mindset
n Reuters
Tea prices in Bangladesh fell nearly 11% at an auction on Tuesday as the volumes offered were the highest for the season so far and included a higher percentage of low-grade leaf, brokers said. At the latest auction, Bangladeshi tea fetched an average of 160.26 taka ($2.06) per kg against 180.03 taka in the previous weeks auction, when prices fell 2%, an official from National Brokers Limited said. More than 3.33 million kg of tea was offered at the auction centre in Chittagong, with almost 63% remaining unsold. At the previous auction, nearly 2.92 million kg of tea had been offered, of which 51.80% went unsold. The latest offering was the largest of the season so far, while supplies of end-of-season poor-grade tea also were on the rise, the official said. Poor quality season-end supplies pulled down both prices and sales volume sharply.

change of society
n Tribune Report
The existing mindset needs to be changed for effective implementation of gender budgeting and ensuring gender equality in the country, economists said in Dhaka yesterday. They said the national budget does not contain sufficient statistics about the expenditure on women, resulting in failure of desired results. The economists were speaking at a book publication ceremony in Dhaka. Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Research Director Fahmida Khatun authored the book in Bangla titled Bangladesher Orthoniti: Vitor ebong Bahir (Bangladesh Economy: Ins and Outs) that consists of published articles on different dailies. Former adviser to a caretaker government Dr Akbar Ali Khan, CPD Chairman Prof Rehman Sobhan, Prime

The auction next Tuesday will offer even larger supplies than this week as unsold quantities will be added to fresh supplies, he added. Bangladeshi buyers also have imported bulk quantity of tea from neighbouring India, which contributed to a glut in the domestic market and reduced demand for tea at the auction, industry sources said. Bangladeshs tea production in 2013 rose 1.6% from a year earlier to a record 63.5 million kg, due to favourable weather. That was still less than the domestic consumption of about 65 million kg. Bangladesh has moved from becoming a net exporter to a net importer of tea as consumption has risen. l

Ministers International Affairs Adviser Gowher Rizvi, former finance adviser to a caretaker government Mirza Azizul Islam and eminent rights activist Khushi Kabir, among others, spoke at the function. Akbar Ali Khan said the book rightly points out about the gender budgeting, which requires much attention for securing gender equality in public resource allocations. The mindset of the society needs to change for better management of gender budgeting, he said, adding that, in many projects, equal expenditure of allocation for male and female is written but no specific policy has been taken for implementing them. If we look at the national income account, contribution of female is not recognised at all as most women are engaged with the non-market activities that are not included in the nation-

al output, he said. He said, in Bangladesh, woman is in top position at the administration but womens presence in every layer of the society is important to ensure equality. However, it has started from grass root level as seen in microcredit sector, where most borrower are women, he said. To get the desired result of gender budgeting, problems should be identified. The government had initiated gender budgeting in the fiscal 2005-06 for four ministries. As part of the process, the government added 15 more ministries in the current budget, raising the total number of ministries executing gender-related projects to 40. In the budget for FY2013-14, budgetary allocation in various projects for women has increased to 27.68% from 26.26% a year earlier.l

A total of 52 stalls will display products at the first such show in the country, aimed at making RMG factory owners knowledgeable and aware about latest fire, building and electrical safety equipment, BGMEA President Atiqul Islam told a press conference yesterday. A group of industry people has been introduced with the fire and building safety issues, but it did not reach up to the mark and that is why the expo is organised to help the sector, he added. Its time to assure right kinds of products, which would help the factories, said M Rabin, executive director of Alliance for Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh. The fair will display products that would help take remedial measures for the factories on fire and electrical safety, said M Rabin. Through the fair, the factory owners would be able to learn about factory safety equipment and their standard. After the tragic incident of Tazreen Fashion Fire and Rana Plaza building collapse, the issues of fire, building and electrical safety came under spot light. Following the incidents, the European Union and American buyers forced the RMG industry to take efforts to protect employees and improve fire, building and electrical safety standards. l

Book building method back on track after two years

n Kayes Sohel
The book building method an IPO price discovery method of stocks has been resumed in a new shape after more than two years. Amid wide criticism from every corner for its flaws, the securities regulator in January 2011 temporarily suspended the method that was largely blamed for the market debacle in late 2010 and later in September 2011 modified it taking views and opinions from stakeholders. Since then the method has been struggling earlier, many issuers feel discouraged to go public under this method, said a head of an issue management company. But as far as I know a very few issue management companies are handling with such IPO. Under the modified book building method, indicative price does not exceed 15 times of weighted average earnings per share (EPS) of the preceding three years, or three times of net asset value (NAV), or whichever is lower but not less than the NAV of a stock. In the bidding for price discovery, at least 20 institutions from six categories will would be allowed to become institutional investors and they can participate in the bidding. Some 10% shares of an IPO will be reserved for the institutional investors who will set the indicative price, and the ratio of eligible institutional investors would be 40%. An eligible institutional investor can bid for the highest 5% share. The lock-in period for the eligible institutional investors would be four months. The method is still cumbersome and time consuming, said MA Hafiz, a director of a leading issue management company AAA Consultant. When any issuer hears the procedure of the method, he said, they prefer to go for fixed price method instead of book building method. Price discovery method should be simplified, he said, adding that the market will determine the price of a companys share in line with the book building rules. Union Capital managing director Akter H Sannamat said the market lacks enough analysts for valuation of a company, which reflected earlier through inflating pricing. The pricing should be done professionally taking companys fundamentals and present market situation into account, he said. Earlier, former BSEC chairman Faruq Ahmad Siddiqi said there should not be any cap or ceiling in determining the indicative price. Instead of identifying the basic problems and solving those, inclusion of new clauses such as the valuation ones will hamper the spirit of the book building method. After the stock market debacle in December 2010, the government instructed the BSEC to suspend the book building method. But following recommendations by a probe committee on the share market crash, the government later instructed the regulator to bring changes to the book building norms, instead of suspending the system, as it is practiced in other countries. Before the suspension of the method, there had been complains that many companies were misusing the system taking advantage of some rules of the method and in connivance with the regulator, auditors and issue managers inflated indicative prices, which do not match with their fundamentals. In some cases, some auditors helped the company authorities in fixing high indicative prices through window-dressed balance sheets. As a result, a vast amount of money was allegedly siphoned off from the stock market causing liquidity crisis. l

'Instead of identifying the basic problems and solving those, inclusion of new clauses such as the valuation ones will hamper the spirit of the book building method'
to take off, but recently some companies were preparing to go public using the method, sources said. Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has allowed United Power Generation and Distribution this month to commence bidding by the eligible institutional investors for price discovery of issuance. Some issue management companies are working to file IPO using the method to the regulator, sources in the issue management said. Some other has taken wait and see policy in the wake of market volatility, they said. As the method earned some bad name have to participate. From each category, at least three institutions will have to take part in the bidding. Directors and sponsors of an issuer company would not be an issue manager for their own company under the system. An issuer company will have to run advertisements in five national dailies with a 10-day notice about holding a road-show, and within next three workdays of the road-show, the issuer company must set the indicative price of its shares and submit it to the SEC. The asset management companies

RAJIB DHAR

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DSE GAINERS Company AFC AgroBiotech-N Savar Refractories-Z CVO PetroChem RL Z BSC A GeminiSeaFood-Z Argon Denims Limited-A Desh Garments -B Al-Haj Textile -A Fine Foods A Hakkani P& Paper -B CSE GAINERS

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Stocks stay flat last week amid volatility

n
Tribune Report
Stocks stayed flat in the past week in volatile trade, after witnessing modest price correction in the previous week. The benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), DSEX, ended at 4,759, gaining 12 points or 1.8%. The blue chip comprising DS30 index dropped 8 points or 0.6% to close at 1,688. The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) witnessed fractional losses with a fall of 0.5 points to 995. The past week opened first session in a bearish mood and sellers were very dominant. Selling pressure continued till the third session. The DSE turnover was also falling rapidly. Buyers knocked out sellers on fourth session and market healed all its lost points in last two trading days of the week. Market participation at DSE remained sluggish with the daily turnover averaged Tk373 crore, a sharp decrease of more than 35% over the previous week. Market level correction as well as volatility prompted investors to be somewhat meticulous, initially. However, a sum of 174 points market correction in last eight sessions, offered investors a significant price advantage, said IDLC Investment in its market analysis. Abetted by this, later part of the past week showcased investors intension to be in a buying mood, it said. It said profit booking started slicing market sentiment like previous week. Meanwhile, volatility made a strong comeback as investors focused scrip-wise switching. Alongside, investors remained watchful over downbeat sentiment in recent sessions. Amid this declining scenario, positive news regarding banks non-performing loan assisted some sectoral gain. But, market recovered suddenly at the fourth session breaking its bearish spell as investors were in buying mood over lucrative price advantages. Meanwhile, mutual funds knocked investors attention and seven mutual funds emerged in the top ten gainers list. The recovering streak extended at the final session over investors preference to micro cap and small cap scrips. Fuel and power, and pharmaceuticals had leading positions in turnover for the third consecutive weeks, capturing 14.34% and 14.24% of the weeks total value. Among the major sectors, textile, food and allied, cement performed well, whereas life Insurance, pharmaceuticals and non-life insurance declined on profit booking. The top traded stocks were Square Pharmaceuticals, Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Ltd, Olympic Industries, Meghna Petroleum, Delta Life Insurance, Jamuna Oil and Southeast Bank. l

DSE key features February 16-20, 2014

Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract Traded Issues Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis) Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis) Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis) Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.) Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)
18,656.65 383,764,526 405,352 299 153 142 4 2,304.45 27.93

Closing (% change) 18.88 17.44 15.59 11.89 11.55 10.26 9.61 9.55 8.29 8.14

Average (% change) 15.58 18.63 16.62 11.10 11.98 8.59 7.90 8.83 9.77 6.66 Average (% change) 16.88 16.86 11.14 10.18 9.97 8.14 10.97 6.55 8.21 6.69

Closing average 71.22 66.67 901.11 543.49 178.38 70.56 80.34 91.62 21.13 31.54

Weekly closing 72.40 66.00 903.00 543.50 177.70 70.90 81.00 91.80 20.90 31.90

Weekly high 73.30 66.10 907.00 543.50 208.90 71.70 81.10 94.70 22.20 32.40

Weekly low 58.50 60.90 781.00 466.00 175.20 57.00 70.90 80.00 18.00 29.10

Turnover in million 480.726 0.145 121.464 234.428 3.290 139.109 16.050 33.011 11.349 2.407

Latest EPS 1.53 0.60 -4.06 24.00 6.44 3.33 1.18 2.06 -0.98 0.28

Latest PE 46.5 111.1 -ve 22.6 27.7 21.2 68.1 44.5 -ve 112.6

Company AFC AgroBiotech-N CVO PetroChem RL Z BSC A Hakkani P& Paper -B Fine Foods A Argon Denims Limited-A AMCL 2nd MF A Beach Hatchery -A AIBL 1st Is. M. F.-A Bengal Windsor-A

Closing (% change) 20.56 16.77 12.00 10.53 9.33 9.24 8.70 8.37 7.79 7.67

Closing average 71.40 911.47 544.25 31.49 21.29 70.53 7.69 27.96 8.30 60.64

Weekly closing 72.70 910.80 544.30 31.50 21.10 70.90 7.50 28.50 8.30 61.80

Weekly high 73.00 915.00 544.30 31.50 21.70 71.50 7.90 28.60 8.50 62.50

Weekly low 59.50 800.00 466.00 28.70 19.00 61.00 6.80 25.80 7.80 53.00

Turnover in million 101.566 2.201 63.288 0.527 3.895 6.458 1.201 22.053 0.548 25.945

Latest EPS 1.53 -4.06 24.00 0.28 -0.98 3.33 0.88 0.79 1.24 2.50

Latest PE 46.7 -ve 22.7 112.5 -ve 21.2 8.7 35.4 6.7 24.3

CSE key features February 16-20, 2014

Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract Traded Issues Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis) Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)
1,821.44 41,125,261 64,990 243 129 108 5 2,198.22 26.65

Weekly news from trade server

Dividend/AGM
PRIMEINSUR: The Board of Directors has recommended stock dividend @ 15% for the year ended on December 31, 2013. Date of AGM: 23.03.2014, Time: 10:00 AM, Venue: Trust Milonayaton, 545 Old Airport Road, Dhaka Cantonment, Dhaka-1206. Record Date: 26.02.2014. The Company has also reported EPS of Tk. 2.56, NAV per share of Tk. 16.69 and NOCFPS of Tk. 2.15 for the year ended on December 31, 2013. LANKABAFIN: The Board of Directors has recommended 15% cash dividend and 5% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2013. Date of AGM: 31.03.2014, Time: 11:00 AM, Venue: Spectra Convention Center, House # 19, Road # 07, Gulshan-1, Dhaka-1212. Record Date: 02.03.2014. The Company has also reported consolidated net profit after tax of Tk. 954.55 million, consolidated EPS of Tk. 4.58, consolidated NAV per share of Tk. 32.83 and consolidated NOCFPS of Tk. (7.94) for the year ended on December 31, 2013 as against Tk. 348.02 million, Tk. 1.67 (restated), Tk. 31.07 (restated) and Tk. (2.73) (restated) respectively for the year ended on December 31, 2012. Dec'13) ended on 31.12.2013 as against Tk. 65.45 million and Tk. 0.91 respectively for the same period of the previous year. DELTALIFE: (Q3): As per un-audited quarterly accounts for the 3rd quarter ended on 30th September 2013 (July'13 to Sep'13), the Company has reported an increase in life insurance fund of Tk. 367.32 million as against Tk. 789.38 million for the same period of the previous year. Whereas increase in life insurance fund was Tk. 2,172.52 million for the period of 9 months (Jan'13 to Sep'13) ended on 30.09.2013 as against Tk. 2,370.04 million for the same period of the previous year. Total life insurance fund stood at Tk. 28,504.09 million as on 30.09.2013 as against Tk. 25,652.08 million as on 30.09.2012. BSC: (H/Y): As per un-audited half yearly accounts as on 31.12.2013 (July' 13 to Dec' 13), the Company has reported profit/(loss) after tax of Tk. 165.95 million with EPS of Tk. 12.00 as against Tk. (208.75) million and Tk. (25.23) respectively for the same period of the previous year. Accumulated profit/(loss) of the Company was Tk. (2,046.31) million as on 31.12.2013.

Weekly capital market highlights

DSE Broad Index : DSE - 30 Index : CSE All Share Index: CSE - 30 Index : CSE Selected Index :
DSE LOSERS Company GreenDeltaInsu -A RAK Ceramics-A Shampur Sugar -Z Maksons Spinning-A Eastern InsurA Meghna Life Ins. -A Kohinoor Chem -A Midas Financing-Z R. N. Spinning-Z Prime Islami Life -A CSE LOSERS Company GreenDeltaInsu -A RAK Ceramics-A Samata LeatheR -Z Maksons Spinning-A 6th ICB M F A Apex Foods -A Prime Islami Life -A Dutch Ban. Bnk- A Continental Insur. -A Apex Tannery -A Closing (% change) -18.81 -15.61 -9.20 -7.26 -6.30 -5.78 -5.41 -5.25 -4.69 -4.29 Closing (% change) -18.30 -15.17 -9.52 -7.26 -6.29 -5.42 -5.23 -5.13 -4.73 -4.46

4761.18102 1688.02777 14762.4568 12441.5244 9341.6937

(+) 0.04% (-) 0.51% (+) 0.02% (-) 0.63% (-) 0.22%

Weekly high 98.40 58.00 8.50 17.60 45.00 146.90 370.00 31.00 32.00 123.00

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis) Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.) Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)
Weekly low 73.00 46.00 7.60 14.80 37.00 128.00 308.00 27.00 28.00 106.10 Turnover in million 16.988 225.264 0.055 57.621 5.329 67.488 1.556 0.623 67.005 7.179 Latest EPS 3.21 2.03 -50.84 0.64 2.60 6.45 7.88 -5.96 6.11 4.95

Average (% change) -18.41 -14.96 -9.52 -7.58 -6.65 -5.36 -5.40 -5.46 -4.10 -3.13 Average (% change) -18.87 -14.69 -9.26 -7.10 -6.96 -5.55 -5.03 -6.45 -4.63 -4.65

Closing average 79.83 52.42 7.60 16.59 41.67 136.61 333.00 29.45 30.44 116.86

Weekly closing 79.90 52.00 7.60 16.60 41.70 136.00 333.70 29.60 30.20 115.80

Latest PE 24.9 25.8 -ve 25.9 16.0 21.2 42.3 -ve 5.0 23.6

Electro Dynamics Limited (BEDL) named Baraka Patenga Power Limited has started its test run on February 11, 2014 at 5:57 P.M. Four engines out of total eight engines have fired so far and supplying electricity to the national grid on a test basis. The process of test run will be performed rotationally for all 08 engines until commencement of commercial operation. BDCOM: The Company has informed that "BDCOM Online Limited has decided to investigate with mutual interest the possibilities and conditions to establish a joint venture entity to create and operate a mobile financial services hub in Bangladesh with eServGlobal SAS, a Company duly organized and existing under the laws of France, having its registered office at 244, avenue Pierre Brossolette, 92245 Malakaoff Cedex, France in accordance with the approval of the Board of Directors of the Company. In this regard a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed today (19th Feb 2014) between BDCOM online Limited and eServGlobal SAS."

Fixed Assets/Right/Investment:

Miscellaneous

Audited/unaudited Financial Reports:

Closing average 79.35 52.40 23.70 16.61 61.00 102.97 110.64 115.60 30.50 168.67

Weekly closing 79.40 51.90 23.70 16.60 61.00 102.70 110.20 115.60 30.50 167.30

Weekly high 98.80 58.00 23.70 17.20 65.00 110.00 126.00 120.00 30.50 180.00

Weekly low 79.00 49.30 23.70 14.90 61.00 93.00 110.00 113.50 30.40 163.00

Turnover in million 0.652 16.327 0.024 10.065 0.247 0.350 0.551 0.469 0.172 12.305

Latest EPS 3.21 2.03 -0.04 0.64 6.54 3.56 4.95 9.21 2.35 4.86

Latest PE 24.7 25.8 -ve 26.0 9.3 28.9 22.4 12.6 13.0 34.7

DACCADYE: (H/Y): As per un-audited half yearly accounts as on 31.12.2013 (July'13 to Dec'13), the Company has reported net profit after tax of Tk. 65.49 million with EPS of Tk. 0.91 as against Tk. 104.42 million and Tk. 1.45 respectively for the same period of the previous year. Whereas net profit after tax was Tk. 45.27 million with EPS of Tk. 0.63 for the period of 3 months (Oct'13 to

LANKABAFIN: The Company has informed that the Board of Directors of the Company has decided to issue Non-Convertible Zero Coupon Bond of Tk. 3,000.00 million to meet its ongoing financing requirements subject to the approval of Bangladesh Securities & Exchange Commission (BSEC) and other Regulatory Authorities BEDL: The Company has informed that the 50 MW HFO fired power plant owned by 51% subsidiary Company of Barakatullah

BRACBANK: The Company has further informed that the Bank was supposed to conduct a discussion session with Bangladesh Bank Inspection team prior to the finalization of the Audited Financial Accounts, which has been postponed due to unavoidable circumstance. The consideration of the accounts at the Board meeting is being deferred until such time that the Company receives confirmation from Bangladesh Bank. The Company has further informed that intimation on the scheduled date will be given in due course.

ANALYST

Market level correction as well as volatility prompted investors to be somewhat meticulous

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY

Sector Bank NBFI Investment Engineering Food & Allied Fuel & Power Jute Textile Pharma & Chemical Paper & Packaging Service Leather Ceramic Cement Information Technology General Insurance Life Insurance Telecom Travel & Leisure Miscellaneous Debenture

DSE Million Taka 2391.81 1101.42 609.63 1465.74 1282.82 2662.49 4.65 1538.15 2642.23 2.41 68.53 241.88 270.53 787.25 255.75 305.31 1116.97 1273.43 215.02 419.24 1.40

% change 12.82 5.90 3.27 7.86 6.88 14.27 0.02 8.24 14.16 0.01 0.37 1.30 1.45 4.22 1.37 1.64 5.99 6.83 1.15 2.25 0.01

Million Taka 241.41 120.10 25.57 206.17 90.14 145.06 0.00 162.38 254.44 1.01 9.18 20.22 21.78 62.96 37.63 12.64 63.56 210.62 41.80 96.12 0.12

CSE

% change 13.24 6.59 1.40 11.31 4.95 7.96 0.00 8.91 13.96 0.06 0.50 1.11 1.19 3.45 2.06 0.69 3.49 11.55 2.29 5.27 0.01

Million Taka 2633.22 1221.52 635.20 1671.92 1372.96 2807.55 4.65 1700.52 2896.67 3.42 77.72 262.10 292.31 850.20 293.37 317.94 1180.53 1484.05 256.83 515.36 1.51

Total

% change 12.86 5.96 3.10 8.16 6.70 13.71 0.02 8.30 14.14 0.02 0.38 1.28 1.43 4.15 1.43 1.55 5.76 7.25 1.25 2.52 0.01

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Square Pharma -A BD Submarine Cable-A Olympic Ind. -A Meghna Petroleum -A Delta Life Insu. -A Jamuna Oil -A Southeast Bank-A LankaBangla Fin. -A AFC AgroBiotech-N Grameenphone-A CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company BD Submarine Cable-A AFC AgroBiotech-N Square Pharma -A LankaBangla Fin. -A BSC A Appollo Ispat CL -N Grameenphone-A UCBL - A Southeast Bank-A Delta Life Insu. -A

Volume shares 3,796,338 4,007,754 3,796,755 2,534,431 2,326,865 2,372,588 22,178,648 7,023,649 7,074,500 1,991,617

Value in million 979.52 862.91 758.27 722.71 631.23 553.18 521.18 496.44 480.73 410.52

% of total turnover 5.25 4.63 4.06 3.87 3.38 2.97 2.79 2.66 2.58 2.20

Weekly closing 258.90 217.70 207.40 282.70 270.40 231.90 23.60 72.20 72.40 208.30

Price change -2.74 0.51 1.72 -3.22 -2.98 -2.19 2.16 3.00 18.88 0.53

Weekly opening 266.20 216.60 203.90 292.10 278.70 237.10 23.10 70.10 60.90 207.20

Weekly high 268.00 230.00 210.00 305.00 285.00 245.00 25.00 75.00 73.30 209.00

Weekly low 234.00 191.80 179.00 256.00 262.30 209.50 20.70 62.00 58.50 195.00

Weekly average 261.44 220.18 206.73 286.46 271.34 233.28 23.66 70.98 71.22 207.75

Prepared exclusively for Dhaka Tribune by Business Information Automation Service Line (BIASL), on the basis of information collected from daily stock quotations and audited reports of the listed companies. High level of caution has been taken to collect and present the above information and data. The publisher will not take any responsibility if any body uses this information and data for his/her investment decision. For any query please email to biasl@bol-online.com or call 01552153562 or go to www.biasl.net

Volume shares 736,827 1,496,000 277,796 906,400 126,200 1,641,400 250,200 1,799,373 1,963,641 155,300

Value in million 159.00 101.57 71.63 64.34 63.29 52.02 51.62 51.31 46.11 42.01

% of total turnover 8.73 5.58 3.93 3.53 3.48 2.86 2.83 2.82 2.53 2.31

Weekly closing 217.60 72.70 259.00 72.80 544.30 31.90 207.60 28.60 23.40 270.30

Price change -0.09 20.56 -2.81 3.26 12.00 0.31 0.34 3.25 0.86 -3.43

Weekly opening 217.80 60.30 266.50 70.50 486.00 31.80 206.90 27.70 23.20 279.90

Weekly high 225.50 73.00 266.30 74.00 544.30 32.80 208.00 29.50 24.00 284.00

Weekly low 200.00 59.50 237.60 68.50 466.00 30.80 203.40 26.00 20.90 262.50

Weekly average 220.47 71.40 261.09 71.16 544.25 31.94 207.35 28.74 23.52 271.07

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business
n Reuters
Wal-Mart Stores Inc, famed for its low prices, has stumbled in the one major market where consumers say price is less of a driver in their buying decisions: China. There, consumers say they want food that is safe and authentic, and, after 17 years, Wal-Mart is changing its approach, closing some big-box stores that never quite caught on with locals. Instead, its focusing on privatelabel products and imports, putting its stamp on quality and safety. Were closing some stores because we got enamored with growth, said Raymond Bracy, head of corporate affairs at Walmart China. Were not going to do that again. Were focusing on quality first. Getting China right is crucial for WalMarts international ambitions. The worlds largest retailer ranks third in China behind Sun Art Retail Group Ltd and state-backed China Resources Enterprise Ltd, according to Euromonitor. Brazil and India are proving challenging, too. If you went out and asked members or customers, Whats your single biggest worry? theyll tell you trust and authenticity, said Greg Foran, who took over as Walmart China CEO in 2012. Once youve got their trust, the next question they ask themselves is, How much is it? Walmart International, which contributes less than a third of net sales, has suffered from aggressive expansion and is a big concern for new CEO Doug McMillon, who previously led the international unit. The retailer on Thursday forecast lower full-year profit than analysts had expected for fiscal 2015. Walmart International net sales in the fourth quarter dipped 0.4% to $37.67bn, and November-January operating income fell 45.8%, hit by store closures in Brazil and China and a charge related to terminated agreements in India. We have initiated actions in Mexico, Brazil and China to improve our operating performance and this is a priority for fiscal 2015, David Cheesewright, president and CEO of Walmart Interna-

Sunday, February 23, 2014

B3

OECD: World risks era of slow growth, high unemployment

n Reuters, Sydney
Sweeping reforms are urgently needed to boost productivity and lower barriers to trade if the world is to avoid a new era of slow growth and stubbornly high unemployment, the OECD warned on Friday. In its 2014 study on Going for Growth, The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said momentum on reforms had slowed in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, with much of it now piecemeal and incremental. high unemployment and falling labour force participation in many countries. Padoan highlighted a range of problems from a slowdown in global trade to lacklustre business investment and persistently high levels of unemployment in many countries. Recommended remedies included reductions in regulatory barriers to competition, greater openness to foreign trade and investment and shifts in taxation from labour towards consumption, property and inheritance. Different countries faced different challenges. Those with an ageing population, such as Germany, Japan and South Korea, needed to expand participation, in part by attracting more women to the workforce. For the UK, Australia, Canada and the United States, problems included low productivity and high healthcare costs, Among the recommended reforms were improved access to education and lifting barriers to foreign investment. Many emerging market countries needed to improve access to quality education, ease physical and legal infrastructure bottlenecks, and bring more workers into formal employment and out of the black economy. The task was all the more urgent, said the OECD, as emerging markets were vulnerable to the eventual normalisation of monetary policies by the major central banks. Steps by the US Federal Reserve to scale back its asset-buying program had already caused bouts of extreme stress in some emerging markets as foreign funds went seeking better returns in the developed world. Fed Chair Janet Yellen is likely to hear plenty of those concerns as she attends the G20 meeting this weekend. l

Wal-Marts China syndrome a symptom of international woes

Just to make things tougher, though, Chinese will walk a block to save 1 renminbi on a kilo of rice, said Bracy. Wal-Marts share of Chinas hypermarket segment dropped to 10.4% last year from 11.3% in 2008. It was overtaken as market leader in 2009 by Sun Art Retail, which is now tied for first place at 14% with CRE, according to Euromonitor, whose data indicates that hypermarkets make up 15% of Chinas grocery retail market. Wal-Marts grocery retail value in China has grown 50% since 2008. Even as it plans to open 110 new stores by 2016, Wal-Mart has announced the closure of at least 29 stores in China. For the first year a lot of my attention, and my teams attention, has been focused on just getting the foundation fixed, sorting out what stores we need to exit, being much more clever about where were going to open stores, Foran said.

Employees stand in front of the gate to a Wal-Mart Supercenter in Chongqing municipality REUTERS tional, said in a statement. Foran told reporters during a December tour of Sams Club stores where members bulk buy - that WalMart aims to have private labels make up a fifth of its China sales within the next decade, up from less than 1% now. Private labels typically price at 10-40% below local brands, but profit margins are higher for the retailer. They make up close to half of sales in Britain. Bracy said the retailer is rationalizing its supply chain in China and building its own distribution centers to manage quality, while also lowering costs. Our costs have come down so much on pork that people ask us, Gee, is it too low? They wonder, Is it legitimate? Can we trust it? he said. On an annual basis, Walmart Internationals revenue growth last fiscal year was the slowest in four years. being cheap and not very safe. Wal-Mart has previously exited markets such as Germany and South Korea where its cheap prices and large stores model failed to work, but it has stuck it out in China, the worlds second-largest economy, for nearly two decades, struggling with its brand positioning. Its international business has been under the spotlight after it was accused in 2012 of bribery in Mexico, its biggest business outside the United States. It later launched graft probes in China and Brazil and in India, where the investigation hit its first-mover advantage in a $500bn market. The graft has less of an effect on the business in China, but food safety scandals - from fatal tainted milk to recycled gutter oil used for cooking - have hurt it. In January, Wal-Mart recalled its popular Five Spice donkey meat after tests showed traces of fox meat. Food, especially fresh produce and meat, is an acknowledged traffic driver for Chinese hypermarkets, making it a bigger part of the retail equation than elsewhere. Thats the most fundamental thing about getting food right, said Bracy. If you ... say, Im not satisfied with the quality, then you may go to another store. So we lose not just the food purchase, but also the jean purchase.

'The widespread deceleration in productivity since the crisis could presage the beginning of a new lowgrowth era'
The report echoed Australias attempt to push an agenda for growth as it hosts finance ministers and central bank chiefs from the Group of 20 major economies in Sydney this weekend. Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey has been pressing for the adoption of a formal global growth target which would be more ambitious than the International Monetary Funds current forecast for 2014 of 3.7%. The widespread deceleration in productivity since the crisis could presage the beginning of a new low-growth era, warned Pier Carlo Padoan, deputy secretary-general and chief economist at the Paris-based OECD. These concerns, already prevalent among advanced OECD countries for some time, now encompass emergingmarket economies and are fuelled also by

Big isnt always best

Mixed messages

Chinese consumers seek out large foreign brands for reliability and quality, said James Roy, an associate principal at Shanghai-based China Market Research. Yet theyre seeing mixed messages from Wal-Mart because they have tried to sell the every day low prices concept and Chinese consumers equate every day low prices with

Chinese customers prefer small neighborhood stores, where they dont have to travel far and can buy just a few items per visit. Its a similar picture in Brazil, where market leader Grupo Po de Acar (GPA) better serves local customers preference for smaller convenience stores. GPA also appealed to Brazilians desire for special deals with limited duration, heavily advertised promotions. The big box store model has been a costly mistake in terms of real estate losses for Wal-Mart, said Stephen Springham, senior retail analyst at Planet Retail in London. As more Chinese opt to shop online, the US firm acquired web retailer Yihaodian in 2012, which claimed 24 million online users last October. China, though, will be a slow turnaround for Wal-Mart, said Himanshu Pal, director of retail insights at London-based Kantar Retail. They are not able to invest as much as they should because shareholders are not as patient as they used to be, especially with US and European markets not doing very well. l

Facebook mega-deal for WhatsApp a brilliant move

n AFP, Washington
Facebooks $19bn deal for the red-hot mobile messaging service WhatsApp is a savvy strategic move by the worlds biggest social network, even if the price tag is staggeringly high, analysts say. The agreement unveiled Wednesday - seen as the largest for a venturebacked tech startup - gives Facebook entry into emerging markets and importantly keeps the free-messaging app out of the hands of rivals such as Google. Although the deal appears to be pricey... we think that it has compelling strategic logic, Shebly Seyrafi at FBN Securities said in a research note Thursday. While Facebook is paying a high price by any measure, Seyrafi said we see other benefits to the deal, pointing out WhatsApps big user base in countries such as Brazil, South Africa and China. We think that in addition to the revenue obtainable from WhatsApp itself, Facebook will benefit from better integration... that will make Facebook more engaging while driving further growth internationally and in mobile, the analyst said. Facebook shares shook off early declines and rose 2.3% to close at $69.63, despite the fact that the company is diluting its value with the massive cashand-stock acquisition. The purchase includes $12bn in Facebook shares and $4bn cash. It calls for an additional $3bn in restricted stock units to be granted to WhatsApp founders and employees that will vest over four years. Analyst Stephen Ju at Credit Suisse said the move appears to make sense from a long-term viewpoint. Looking past the sticker shock of $19bn... we view this as an offensive move to gain additional share of the consumers time spent - which should engender additional opportunities for monetization, he said. Key in emerging economies Trip Chowdhry at Global Equities Research called the move a very smart and an essential acquisition for Facebook, because WhatsApp works on less expensive feature phones still predominant in emerging economies such as India. Most of the developing world still is on the feature phone, as the majority cannot afford a smartphone, Chowdhry said. WhatsApp is the only application that runs equally well on feature phones and on smartphones. Deutsche Bank analyst Ross Sandler said Facebooks acquisition of WhatsApp solidifies its position as the top company in mobile globally excluding China, where Facebook is banned. Sandler said that even though Facebook is not planning to deliver ads on WhatsApp for now, this may change over time. We believe that as users become accustomed to native mobile advertising and as the quality of the various monetization strategies improve, we expect opportunities to emerge, he said in a note to clients. Victor Anthony at Topeka Capital Markets said the deal will help diversify Facebook with a broader set of mobile services. As was the case with PayPal, YouTube and Instagram, hindsight will be the best judge of how valuable this acquisition will be, Anthony said in a research note. The valuation appears reasonable on a per user basis. From what we see, the acquisition makes strategic sense and the combined company will likely accelerate user growth of both platforms, similar to what we see with Instagram. Staving off Google threat Jack Kent at IHS Technology said the move helps Facebook neutralize a competitive threat. To understand Facebooks rationale, the focus must be on the cost of Facebook not buying WhatsApp rather than the price Facebook paid for WhatsApp, Kent said. Facebook could not risk WhatsApps 450 million monthly and 315 million daily active users falling into the hands of a competitor such as Google. Fellow IHS analyst Eleni Marouli said the deal allows Facebook to get better data on users worldwide, which has value in itself. WhatsApps strong presence in key emerging markets such as Brazil and India will provide Facebook with insights in countries that are still largely under-monetized, Marouli said. Building good mobile data on consumers in these markets is essential as they are not only mobile-first in their use of the Internet, but often mobileonly. Youssef Squali at Cantor Fitzgerald pointed out that Facebook may be able to use WhatsApp to create a new kind of telecom service which has not existed so far. l

Oil markets cap solid week with retreat n AFP, New York
Oil prices fell on Friday amid as investors booked profits from the weeks solid gains that put prices at their highest point since the start of 2014. New Yorks main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for April delivery, lost 55 cents in its first day of trade, closing at $102.20 a barrel. In London trade, Brent North Sea crude for delivery in April slid 45 cents to settle at $109.85 a barrel. The petroleum markets are seeing some moderate profit-taking to finish the week, said Tim Evans of Citi Futures. l

IDLC Finance Limited on Wednesday held a seminar titled Loan Syndication - Past, Present and Beyond. The seminar was aimed at promoting better management of various loan syndication deals in the country

BRAC Bank has opened a new service outlet on Wednesday in Uttara to provide most modern banking services to growing customers in the township. Tamara Hasan Abed, senior director, Enterprises, BRAC formally inaugurated the outlet at Jashim Uddin Avenue

Mutual Trust Bank Limited has recently opened its eighth Smart Banking Kiosk at WW Tower, Motijheel C/A in Dhaka. Syed M Altaf Hussain, CEO of WW Grains Corporation inaugurated the Smart Banking Kiosk having three modern automated teller machines (ATMs) and cash deposit machine at a ceremony held at WW Tower

BD Finance Capital Holdings Limited, a full-fledged merchant bank signed a brokerage service agreement with PFI Securities Ltd on Wednesday. Mohd Ahsan Ullah, managing director and CEO of BD Capital and Kazi Fariduddin Ahmed, CEO and managing director of PFI Securities Ltd signed the agreement on behalf of their companies

Shamim Ahmed Chaudhury has been appointed as the president and managing director of AB Bank Limited. Prior to his present position Chaudhury was working as the president and managing director (Acting) at the bank. Shamim Ahmed Chaudhury, Masters of Business Administration with major in Finance started his banking career as a management trainee with American Express Bank Limited in 1980

Arafah Islami Bank Training and Research Academy held a day-long workshop on AML & CFT issues for BAMLCOs on Feb 18. The banks managing director Md Habibur Rahman inaugurated the course as chief guest

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Sunday, February 23, 2014

German minister: Emerging markets must do homework

n Reuters, Frankfurt
Emerging markets should get their own houses in order before demanding solidarity from other nations, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said. The troubles in emerging markets would be the main topic discussed by finance ministers and central bank chiefs at the G20 summit in Sydney this weekend, Schaeuble told CNBC in an interview broadcast on Friday. Stock, bond and currency markets in developing countries have convulsed in recent months, hit by concerns over weaker economic growth and the winding down of stimulus in the United States. Emerging nations want the US Federal Reserve to calibrate its winding down of stimulus so as to mitigate the impact on their economies, but industrialised nations have responded that the troubles in the emerging world are mostly home-grown. In my opinion we must always strive towards an approach of solidarity. Everyone must first of all do their own homework and then countries can demand solidarity from others, Schaeuble said. In late January, Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan said the United States should be mindful of the impact of its policies on the rest of the world. When questioned on those comments, Schaeuble said that there were sufficient internal problems in India that were not caused by the monetary policy of other countries. Schaeuble said emerging countries must ensure they carried out structural reforms and did not rely only on monetary policy. Weve had the problem recently in Europe and have always used the tool of monetary policy to gain some time, but this should not be misused to avoid solving the problems, he said. l

G20 OFFICIALS MEET IN SYDNEY TO BOOST GROWTH AND CREATE JOBS

Bloomberg: G20 draft communique pushes growth

n Reuters, Sydney
The Group of 20 will commit to concrete measures to significantly raise global growth while recognizing the need for monetary policy in advanced economies to normalize, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing a draft communique. We commit to developing new measures to significantly raise global growth, while maintaining fiscal sustainability, Bloomberg quoted the draft for the weekend meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bankers in Sydney as saying. We recognize accommodative monetary policy settings in advanced economies will need to normalize in due course, in line with stronger growth. The draft, ahead of the communiqus official release on February 23, cites ambitious policies that could raise collective gross domestic product by at least 2% above the trajectory implied by current settings over five years, according to the report. l

G20 mobilises support for ambitious global growth target

n Reuters, Sydney
The worlds top economies may agree to set an ambitious target for faster global growth at a weekend meeting in Sydney, where major central banks are also being urged to coordinate policies to avoid surprises that could further roil emerging markets. Opening the two-day meeting of the Group of 20 finance ministers and central bankers on Saturday, Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey said support was building for setting a firm goal for growth. I have a great sense of hope that this G20 meeting will be able to lay down a real and tangible framework for an increase in the growth of the global economy over the next five years, said Hockey, who is hosting the Sydney gathering. If adopted, the plan would be a departure for the G20, as previous attempts to set fiscal and current account targets have faltered. And while Canadas central bank chief Stephen Poloz called the goal aspirational and doubts remain about its implementation, it would give the group fresh focus and mark a sea change from recent meetings where the debate was all about growth versus budget austerity. Frances finance minister, Pierre Moscovici, welcomed a goal of lifting world growth by a total of 2.5 percentage points over five years, calling it ambitious but not unrealistic. A G20 source said Germany had dropped its opposition to setting an overall target, as long as there were no goals imposed for individual states. However, not all the German camp seemed to be happy, with Jens Weidmann, head of the countrys central bank, calling quantitative targets problematic. And Nhlanhla Nene, South Africas Deputy Finance Minister, said the target would be meaningless unless issues faced by emerging economies such as inequality, high unemployment, and volatile global financial conditions were addressed. The plan borrows wholesale from an International Monetary Fund paper prepared for the Sydney meeting which estimated that structural reforms would raise world growth by about 0.5 percentage point per year over the next five years, boosting global output by $2.25tn. The IMF has forecast global growth of 3.75% for this year and 4% in 2015. The laundry list of reforms run the usual gamut of liberalizing product and labor markets, lowering barriers to trade, attracting more women into the workforce and boosting investment in infrastructure. Still there were no details on how or whether the G20 would police each countrys progress on the reforms, many of which would likely be politically unpopular at home. Olli Rehn, European Unions Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner, said the bloc would back the growth target for the G20 group that accounts for 85% of global economic output provided it came with a firm commitment to bold reforms. He suggested that reform progress

could be monitored by the IMF and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and that EUs policy coordination and surveillance could serve as a model. The onus would be on the rich nations to pick up the baton on growth from the developing countries, who had carried the world economy in the wake of the global financial crisis. The emerging members have also been pressing for the US Federal Reserve to try to avoid sparking market volatility through better messaging as its throttles back on asset buying. There was never much expectation the Fed would consider actually slowing the pace of tapering, but its emerging peers were hoping for more cooperation on policy. I think if there was a no surprises policy in relation to monetary policy, and that central banks around the world have reasonable warnings of what may be events that do create market volatility, then I think that is not unreasonable, said Australias Hockey. l

US calls on China, Japan and Europe to boost domestic demand n Reuters

China, Japan and Europe need to concentrate on boosting domestic demand to help rebalance the world economy, the head of the US Treasury said on Friday. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew told a finance conference ahead of this weekends G20 meeting that Japans economic reforms, known as Abenomics after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, had made progress, although more still needed to be done. Asked about the risks from Chinas shadow banking sector, Lew said the sheer size of the Chinese economy meant Beijing had the scope to deal with any dangers. l

Russia: G20 should do more to stabilise emerging markets

n Reuters, Sydney
The Group of 20 meeting of finance ministers and central bank chiefs needs to discuss the impact on emerging markets of the U.S. Federal Reserves winding back of stimulus, a top Russian central banker said on Friday. Ksenia Yudaeva, first deputy governor of the Bank of Russia, told a conference in Sydney ahead of the weekend G20 meeting that more cooperation was needed between global central banks to help stabilise markets. One of the agendas that are clear to me that finance ministers and central bankers need to discuss even at todays meeting and tomorrows meeting and throughout this year, is the situation in emerging markets, the reaction of markets to the Feds tapering, said Yudaeva. Earlier this week, Russias central bank warned that investors were likely to steer clear of emerging markets as the U.S. Federal Reserve winds down its monetary stimulus. That will dry up a stream of money that had been flowing into the developing world. Clearly its a worry for Russia because particularly in the past two months Russia was one of the countries which experienced significant outflow and significant depreciation of its currency, Yudaeva told Reuters at the sidelines of the event. Were thinking about our strategy and how to react. The central bank lowered its midterm economic growth forecasts to below 2% until at last 2016, in an acknowledgement that Russias economy will be sickly for some time. Were worried about the general economic situation, mainly the fact that Russian growth rate has declined quite substantially, she said. Yet the central bank was also concerned that inflation was proving too sticky, in part because of the depreciation of the rouble. l

Delegates of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors pose for the group photo in front of Sydney's iconic landmarks, the Opera House (right) and Harbour Bridge AFP

EU to back G20 growth target if accompanied by reforms

n Reuters
Europe is in favour of setting an economic growth target for the worlds 20 biggest developing and advanced economies (G20), but only if they agree on bold reforms, the European Unions Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn said. G20 finance ministers and central bank governors are meeting in Australia on Saturday and Sunday to find ways to boost global economic growth by focusing on investment, competitiveness, trade and employment. Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey said support was building for setting a numerical goal for growth, but Rehn said it only made sense if reforms got equal support. I see that economic growth is a consequence of right policies and global coordination. So yes, we need a bold growth target, but only on the condition that we can also agree on bold economic reforms and sound economic policies, Rehn said. That is what this G20 is about, he told Reuters in an interview on the sidelines of the meeting. He said the growth target discussions were based on an IMF study which envisaged boosting growth by 0.5% of GDP annually over the current projections. But to get such faster global growth, Rehn said, G20 countries that have a current account surplus need to boost domestic demand and investment, while those that run a deficit have to make their public finances sustainable, create jobs and become more competitive. Once you agree on that, it is meaningful to have a bold growth target in the world economy, Rehn said. He said reforms were also the best defence against the financial market turmoil which shook many emerging market economies at the start of the year. Some of the affected countries blamed the market volatility, which forced interest rate rises in Turkey, South Africa, India and Brazil, on the policy of the Federal Reserve to start reducing its monetary stimulus to the U.S. economy. But Rehn said that past policy choices in the emerging markets themselves were mainly behind their troubles now. Some economies that have been better prepared are doing better, also in the context of the recent financial market turbulence, while those that have been worse prepared are facing deeper turbulence and more serious challenges, he said. For instance, the European emerging markets -- the central and eastern European economies, have by and large been shielded from the recent turbulence ... mainly because they have done the right policy choice in the past, learning the lessons of the 1990s, Rehn said. To make sure that G20 countries implement what they pledge, reform progress could be monitored by the International Monetary Fund and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Rehn said. I believe that we will see further evolution of international policy coordination, he said, noting that Europes economic governance model, which coordinates policies of 28 different countries, could serve as a benchmark. The G20 can benchmark its coordination and country surveillance on Europe, where countries have agreed to pool their sovereignties to strengthen economic policy coordination. We are ready to share our experiences, Rehn said. He said the G20 financial leaders should send a message to calm markets that they were ready to work together on global financial stability. It is of paramount importance that we reiterate our commitment to cooperate to ensure sustained and stronger growth in the global economy, which also requires some policy coordination in monetary policy, Rehn said. The preparatory discussions we have had so far were constructive and bode well for a cooperative spirit as regards economic policy coordination, he said. l

G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors begin their annual meeting in Sydney. G20 host Australia urged better advance notice of policy changes by central banks to avoid shockwaves for emerging economies at a meeting of finance ministers where rifts over US monetary policy loomed large AFP