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DA 6238 Vol 2, No 27
www.dhakatribune.com
SECOND EDITION
The recently taken picture shows industrial waste from different factories in Savar being dumped into nearby canals that eventually flow into Turag River
INSIDE
News
5 The tender to procure equipment for the New Mooring Container Terminal of the Chittagong port will be floated by next month.
Nation
2013
Active SIMs
9.73 9.86 9.99 10.12 10.29 10.50 10.69 10.93 11.07 11.18 11.27 11.38
A H MAMUN/DT INFOGRAPHIC
6 Ukhira upazila of Coxs Bazar has virtually turned into a haven for human traffickers because a section of interested groups can smuggle people off to Malaysia using the Badamtoli area.
International
7 Russiawarned Kiev yesterday that it would face justice for a bloody crime in easternUkraine, where Ukrainian forces killed up to five pro-Russian rebels a day earlier.
Op-Ed
11 I am one of those many who consider the so-called election of January 5 to be an utter farce, and the government legitimated by it to be little more than an autocracy whose absolutist tendencies get stronger by the passing day.
DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
became paralysed and many of them did not get any treatment. We came to know from different media reports that Tk128 crore was deposited in the government fund and the prime minister has distributed only Tk22 crore among the victims as compensation. Where has the rest of the money gone? Rafiqul said they were not bringing any allegation of misappropriation, but if the compensation had been disbursed properly, the victims would not have to cry over compensation. Criticising the government, the lawyer said there was no democracy in the country and there was no existence of an opposition party in parliament. Even General Ershad who was directly involved in the killing of General Monjur has been made a special envoy to the prime minister. If such a person gets the governments patronisation, then where is the rule of law? he said. l
Children and local residents play in the capitals Dhanmondi playground yesterday after DSCC authorities declared the ground open for all on Thursday
Whenever we discuss the Liberation War, we jump to January 1972 from March 25, 1971. The history of the nine months of the Liberation War remains untouched. The actual history is unknown to many people because of this escapism, she said. Shrmeen said there were many countries that had their founding fathers, such as the USA, instead of one father of the nation. She said there were many controversies regarding the history of the countrys war of independence as there was an effort to implement political agenda in the name of history. There has been an effort to raise controversy centring my book. I will request all to read the whole book instead of reading it partially and cause the controversy, she said. Barrister Amirul Islam, an aide of Tajuddin Ahmed during the Liberation War, said authors of history would be able to use the book as a reference as the writer had tried to manifest different issues with sincerity. Former Chittagong mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury and economist Professor Mainul Islam also addressed the function. Tajuddin Ahmed had served as the first prime minister of Bangladesh and led the wartime provisional government in the absence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. A close confidante of Bangabandhu, Tajuddin was the general secretary of the Awami League during late 1960s and early 70s. He coordinated the partys election campaign for the 1970 general election of Pakistan, in which the Awami League gained a historic majority in parliament to form the government. After the liberation of Bangladesh, Tajuddin became the finance minister in the Mujib government in 1972. After Bangabandhus assassination in August 1975, he was arrested and, along with three other top Awami League leaders, was executed by the members of the military in Dhaka Central Jail on November 4, 1975. l
to receive or send no calls or SMS in 90 days, it will be counted as inactive. This time we were strict on the guideline and that is why the number of our subscribers showed a decline, Mahmudur Rahman said. He added that there was no reason to be worried as Robi had already informed the regulator about the issue. However, the huge fall in Robis active subscribers also meant that the overall number of active subscribers declined to 11.52 crore from 11.58 crore at the end of February. Sources at the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh, however, said although the country had around 11.5 crore active subscribers, the actual number of active users was around 7.5 crore, as some of the subscribers used multiple SIMs. Saying the declining number might be considered as a disaster for the industry, BTRC Vice-Chairman Md Giashuddin Ahmed told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that the regulator wanted to know what caused Robi to suffer such a decline. As a regulator, we also need to know the inside story, although we have received a clarification from Robi, he added. Sources inside Robi said this was not the biggest disaster of the operator in terms of subscribers. BTRC statistics show that in November 2009, Robi (then known as AKTel)
lost 21.2 lakh subscribers in a single month, which also caused the total market size to come down to 5.06 crore from the previous months 5.14 crore. Meanwhile, the latest figures from the BTRC shows that at the end of the first quarter of 2014, market leader Grameenphone had 4.87 crore active subscribers, including 4.70 lakh new ones in March. Banglalink, the second largest operator in the country in terms of subscribers, managed to add 3.15 lakh new subscribers to take its total number of active subscribers to 2.94 crore. Airtel added 46,000 new subscribers to secure the fourth position with 84.08 lakh active subscribers at the end of March. Teletalk, the only state-owned mobile operator, added 2.22 lakh new active subscribers in March to take its total number of subscribers to 34.34 lakh. Citycell, the oldest operator in the subcontinent, also added 16,000 subscribers to have a total of 14.14 lakh active subscribers. Although the total number of mobile subscribers declined in March, the number of mobile internet users increased. At the end of February, the country had a total of 3.61 crore internet users, including 3.46 crore people accessing internet through their mobile phones; while at the end of March, the total number grew to 3.69 crore, including 3.53 crore mobile internet users. l
It told the education ministry secretary to submit the monthly report of the monitoring committee focusing if the national anthem is sung in the assembly and anti-militancy speech delivered at Qawmi and Alia madrasas as instructed. The Education Ministry was suggested modernising the madrasa education with real history of the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh. The Religious Affairs Ministry was also instructed to train Imams encouraging them to deliver anti-militancy speech and arrange sermons about the evils of militancy before Juma prayers at mosques. The Islamic Foundation DG was advised to hold anti-militancy rally in districts in coordination with teachers and students of schools, colleges and madrasas, and Imams of mosques. The district administration and upazila nirbahi officers will time to time monitor if anti-militancy sermon is delivered at mosques across the country. They will send a monthly report to the Home Ministry. The Information Ministry was too asked to make documentaries, short films, advertisements and video clippings on the issue and send them to different electronic media for screening. l
programme in Bangladesh and has coordinated safety inspections as well as compensation for the victims of Rana Plaza. International retailers have taken important initial steps to address the safety of buildings and workers in Bangladesh, he added.
Canadas largest retailer Loblaw Companies Limited has said it is pleased with the unprecedented coordination between it and a small number of other retailers to account for the very real human and financial costs of the Rana Plaza collapse. The company, which had some of its Joe Fresh clothing line manufactured at Rana Plaza, has also said it is proud to have been a contributing voice in the Rana Plaza response and its unfolding legacy related to factory safety. This came in a statement issued by the Canadian company on the first anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse in Savar. We continue to believe that the economy and manufacturing communities of Bangladesh benefit from our presence, attention and long-term commitment. Over the past twelve months, Loblaw has worked with individuals, the industry, the government, NGOs and the International Labour Organisation to respond to the human tragedy of Rana Plaza and to improve the standards that will define and protect the safety of workers from
here forward, reads the statement. We have become a lead contributor in the financial response to this tragedy, having committed $5 million for local relief and compensation, it adds. Loblaw says in its view, the collective industry response to the Rana Plaza collapse has taken too long and various necessary steps have yet to be taken. Further, based on the initial compensation model calculated on a shared basis between government, industry and brands Loblaw, as one of the top contributing organisations, is contributing more than its share.
ILO Deputy Director General for Field Operations and Partnerships Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo has said the delay in compensating the families of the Rana Plaza victims and survivors is a shame for all the stakeholders. It is very hard, very difficult to speak here today and say that the victims still cannot be adequately compensated. That will be a shame for all of us, he said while addressing a programme at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in the capital on Thursday. Stating that much has been done following the tragedy, the ILO official said: Now the factory inspections must be completed, compensation claims processed and the labour law implemented in full. l
to cut the countrys ratings yesterday. That in turn forced Russias central bank to raise its key interest rate to reverse a drop in the rouble. Lavrov said Moscow was committed to implementing the Geneva agreement but accused Washington of distorting it with one-sided demands. However, Russias Defence Ministry said it was ready for unbiased and constructive talks with the United States to stabilise the situation. Obama, who accuses Moscow of sending agents to coordinate the unrest in the east as it did before seizing Ukraines Crimea region in February, planned to call allies in Europe later in the day. The window to change course is closing, US Secretary of State John Kerry warned Russia late on Thursday,
citing Obamas earlier comments that Washington was ready to impose new sanctions, on top of those imposed after Crimea was annexed. Kerry said Russia was using propaganda to hide what it was trying to do in eastern Ukraine - destabilise the region and undermine next months Ukrainian presidential elections - and decried its threatening movement of troops up to Ukraines border. If Russia continues in this direction, it will not just be a grave mistake, it will be an expensive mistake, Kerry said. Russian President Vladimir Putin has scoffed at the sanctions so far imposed, which have been limited to travel bans and overseas assets freezes on individuals. Meanwhile, Ukraines Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk said Russia
wanted to start World War Three by occupying the country militarily and politically and creating a conflict that would spread to the rest of Europe. Ukraine said Russian troops conducting exercises had approached to within 1 kilometre (1,100 yards) of its border and would treat any incursion as an invasion. Ukrainian Special Forces launched a second phase of their operation in the east of the country on Friday by mounting a full blockade of the rebel-held city of Slaviansk, an official on the presidential staff said. One of its military helicopters was hit by rocket fire and exploded while on the ground at an airport near the city, the Defence Ministry said. Interior minister Arsen Avakov insisted every care was being taken to
avoid non-combatant casualties, after Moscow warned it may act if Kiev used the army against civilians. In the meantime, Latvia yesterday welcomed American troops on its soil, part of a US force of 600 sent to the region to reassure the Baltic States amid concern over Russias actions in Ukraine. Today is a special day because this morning I met the heads of the armed forces at the Adazi military base and greeted the US military unit that arrived this morning for military training, Latvian Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma told reporters. Some 150 troops from the 173rd Airborne Brigade will be based at the Adazi base near capital Riga until at least the end of the year, according to the Latvian defence ministry. Another company of soldiers arrived
in Poland on Wednesday, while around 150 others are each expected in Lithuania on Saturday and Estonia early next week. Washington on Tuesday said it was sending the 600 troops to the region to increase its presence in the region and reassure its NATO allies and partners. In Ukraine, seven people were injured overnight at a pro-Ukrainian checkpoint near the Black Sea port of Odessa when an explosive device blew up, police said yesterday. Residents have built several such checkpoints near the town aimed at stopping pro-Russian separatists entering from Moldovas breakaway territory of Transdniestria. NATO warned last month of a possible Russian military grab for Transdniestria following its annexation of Crimea. l
DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
n Moniruzzaman Uzzal
Inspired by the countrys first-ever Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) on a 52-year-old cancer patient on March 10, the doctors at the BMT unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital-2 are going to perform the second operation today. A team of BMT experts, comprised of trained Bangladeshi doctors, nurses and technologists, and led by Professor Dr MA Khan, head of hematology department and programme director of the BMT unit, will implant stem cells into the body of Alamgir Hossain, 51, a retired army sergeant. He is suffering from a form of blood cancer known as multiple myeloma. It is understood that the first BMT operation saw participation of a pool of national and international experts but this time, the local experts (only two nurses from Massachusetts General Hospital of US) will perform the operation. MA Khan told the Dhaka Tribune on Thursday morning that if the patients physical condition remained well, they would go for the second operation. BMT experts told the Dhaka Tribune the transplant was a five-step process, namely physical examination (to assess the patients general health condition), harvesting (the process of obtaining stem cells), conditioning (preparing the patients body for the operation), transplanting the stem cells and recovery (during which the patient is monitored for any complication or side effect). MA Khan said Alamgir was given chemotherapy on Wednesday and Thursday to prepare him for the operation, adding that stem cell was collect-
ed from him a few days back. Dr Khan said they actually collected Alamgirs stem cells in October last year to perform the first BMT operation on him. The plan, however, was cancelled because he was not physically fit at the time. Alamgir, who hails from Kahalpur village in Bagerhat, was diagnosed with blood cancer in December 2009 and had been receiving treatment at Combined Military Hospital in the capital. Meanwhile, Omar Ali, the first patient to successfully undergo BMT operation in the country, has recently left the hospital. The 52-year-old, a senior officer at Agrani Bank, has returned to his village home in Rangpur. His physical condition is now fine. The number of white blood cells and platelets are coming to the normal figure and he is regaining his weight. Hopefully, he would join work within 2-3 months, Professor Khan said. Omars wife Amena Begum also echoed the same view and told the Dhaka Tribune her husbands condition was good. Doctors advised him to follow a few instructions for the next three months and he is abiding by those. He was released on April 5 and I will take him there again on April 27, she said. Dr Khan said they were planning for press coverage of Omar soon. It might be on April 29 but the date has not been fixed yet. On October 20 last year, former health minister Dr AFM Ruhal Haque inaugurated the five-bed BMT unit and a high-tech BMT laboratory at DMCH at a cost of Tk200 crore. l
A young girl crosses a barren bed of a canal to collect water from a distant source at Keraniganj on the capitals outskirts yesterday
RAJIB DHAR
Dutch minister seeks joint fundraising efforts for Rana Plaza victims
n UNB
The European Union (EU) and Bangladesh should work together to impress the international companies, including the European ones, to adequately contribute to the compensation fund for the Rana Plaza victims, said Dutch foreign trade minister yesterday. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Netherlands Lilianne Ploumen also appreciated Bangladesh for the steps taken so far to improve the working conditions in the massive RMG sector. We are encouraged to see the huge steps taken in the last one year to improve the working conditions in Bangladeshs RMG sector, but there is still some way to go, she said during her meeting with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali at the Dutch Foreign Ministry in the morning. She expressed her interest in further discussing the exact modalities for cooperation in this regard during her scheduled visit to Bangladesh in the end of May this year, said a Foreign Ministry media release. Ploumen, who had visited Bangladesh following the Rana Plaza tragedy in June last year, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas government did the right thing to press ahead with necessary reforms in the RMG sector to improve labour rights and safety.
n Tribune Report
Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad yesterday claimed that countrys politicians, including himself, were being sold for money. Nowadays there is no value of qualification and money has taken the place of everything and we, the politicians, are selling ourselves, he said. The former military ruler made the observations while speaking at the 20th national council of diploma engineers and the concluding ceremony of the 38th council at Diploma Engineers Institute in the capital. I was a soldier, not a politician. I have entered politics to serve countrys people. I have changed the countrys scenario with construction of many roads and highways and bridges, he said, adding that but politicians now do not think about the country. Referring to corruption in various sectors and irregularities in recruitments, he said: If such practices continue, the citizens will not get efficient government servants. We should give up our bad habits for the sake of countrys interests, he said. Bangladesh has potentials, but we are doing politics with this potentiality. We should avoid doing such politics for the countrys development, he added. l
We are encouraged to see the huge steps taken to improve the working conditions in Bangladeshs RMG sector
The Dutch minister particularly acknowledged the raise in minimum wage in the RMG sector which she considered to be a positive step forward. The two ministers discussed the need for creating necessary comfort level for the RMG industry about the factory inspections being carried out to ensure safety standards. They agreed that the RMG sector needs to be made sustainable and resilient in the larger interest of Bangladeshs poverty alleviation efforts and economic development. l
Members of Bangladesh Garment Sramik Sanghati perform in a play staged at Shahbagh in the capital yesterday, demanding compensation for the Rana Plaza collapse victims and a safe working environment RAJIB DHAR
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Spotlight
DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
Former and recovering drug addicts take part in a human chain on Kuakata beach yesterday
DHAKA TRIBUNE
WEATHER
42.0C Chuadanga
Source: Accuweather/UNB
22.0C Rangpur
PRAYER TIMES
Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha 4:14am 5:32am 11:58am 4:25pm 6:23pm 7:42pm
Source: IslamicFinder.org
Students of Scholastica bring out a procession on the campus yesterday, marking Pahela Boishakh DHAKA TRIBUNE
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Nation
Farmers collect watermelons from a field in Borua village of Gopalganj yesterday. Farmers of the district have witnessed bumper yield of watermelon this year DHAKA TRIBUNE
Headmaster suspended over sexual Abducted trader rescued n abuse allegations in Patuakhali
Our Correspondent, Sirajganj
ed the immediate removal of the headmaster, Gazi Zahirul Islam, Salam said. They also threatened to boycott the term examination if their demand was not met, the committee president added. As many as 11 girls from Class V in the school alleged that Zahirul often used offensive language and called female students to his room after class in the name of tuition, where he sexually assaulted them. Mazharul Islam, vice-president of the school management committee,
said the committee had an emergency meeting with other teachers of the school and investigated the allegations. After finding some truth to the accusations, we verbally asked the headmaster to not come to work from Thursday until the education department resolved the matter, he said. Ruhul Amin, primary education officer in Kalapara, said his office would take action after receiving a written complaint. But Zahirul denied all allegations. l
Police have found a consumer electronics trader in Sirajganj, still alive eight days after he was abducted. Zillur Rahman, 31, was found unconscious yesterday morning and was admitted to the Sirajganj Sadar Hospital. He is the son of Abul Hossain of the Chongacha union in the sadar upazila. Police said Abu Sadat said Zillur was kidnapped from his shop on April 17. Police then began drives to try to rescue the trader and arrested suspected criminal Zillur, 40, of Banbaria village under thr Salanga thana on April
22. He was put on a 1-day remand. Just a day later, locals informed police when they saw the abducted Zillur lying unconscious on the ground beside the Chongacha graveyard. SP Sadat said the trader and the accused Zillur have the same name and are friends. The 31-year-old took Tk2.5 lakh from the 40-year-old, saying he would send him abroad. He, however, did not send his friend, the accused, abroad and did not return the money either. This is why the accused Zillur abducted and held the trader Zillur, in an attempt to get his money back, he claimed. l
15 16 17
18 19 20
Identication of Package
Tender Security shall be in favor of Registrar, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science & Technology University, Gopalganj. 21 22 23 24 Name of ofcial inviting Tender Designation of ofcial inviting Tender & Address Contact details of Ofcial Inviting Tender Special instruction Engineer S.M. Eskendar Ali Director (In-Charge), Planning, Development & Works. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science & Technology University, Gopalganj. Tel. No. 02-6682258, Fax-02-6682173, email- director.pdw@bsmrstu.edu.bd Website- www.bsmrstu.edu.bd (tender notice available in website) 1. Lowest rate will be evaluated package wise under packages. 2. if it is not possible to receive & open the tender on the Scheduled date for any unavoidable circumstances, the same will be received and opened on the following working date and same time and same place. 3. if the tenderer submits any false/incorrect/fake/fabricated/manipulated certicate with tender document, tender security shall be forfeited without assigning any reason. 4. The Procuring entity reserves the right to accept to reject any or all tenders without assigning any reason whatsoever and also reserve the right to omit, increase and/or decrease the quantity of any item from the tender. The bidders must abide by the decision of authority. Tender form schedule of items of supply, tender notice and terms and condition etc. are integral part of the tender. The bidders should write the name of the package and the name of their rm on the envelope clearly, VAT, income Taxes, if any imposed by the govt. will be deducted from their bills as per govt rules. Engineer S.M. Eskender Ali Director (In-Charge) Planning Development & Works
21-05-2014 Time: 16.00 22-05-2014 Time: 13.00 28-05-2014 Time: 16.00 29-05-2014 Time: 13.00
These are an online Tender, where only e-Tender will be accept in the National e-GP Portal and no ofine/hard copies will be accepted. To submit e-Tender, registration in the National e-GP System Portal (http:// www.eprocure.gov.bd) is required. Further informaiton and guidelines are available in the National e-GP System Portal and from help desk (helpdesk@eprocure.gov.bd) (Md. Akhter Hossain) Executive Engineer LGED, Rajshahi Ph: 0721-775553.
GC-55/14 (73)
GC-54/14(114)
DHAKA TRIBUNE
World
Russia says Kiev will face justice for bloody crime in Ukraine
n Reuters, Moscow/Kiev
Russia warned Kiev on Friday that it would face justice for a bloody crime in eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces killed up to five pro-Russian rebels a day earlier, while Washington said Moscow was running out of time to defuse the crisis before facing further sanctions. They (Kiev) are waging a war on their own people. This is a bloody crime, and those who pushed the army to do that will pay, I am sure, and will face justice, Russias foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, told a meeting of diplomats. Credit rating agency Standard & Poors also provided a reminder of the costs of the dispute to Moscow, as it cut the countrys ratings, forcing Russias central bank to raise its key interest rate to reverse a drop in the ruble. Lavrov said Moscow was committed to implementing an agreement struck in Geneva on April 17 between Ukraine, Russia, the United States and the European Union to ease tensions in Ukraine and disarm illegal groups but accused Washington of distorting it with one-sided demands. The Defence Ministry said it was ready for unbiased and constructive talks with the United States to stabilize the situation. US President Barack Obama, who accuses Moscow of sending agents to coordinate the unrest in the east, as it did before seizing Ukraines Crimea region in February, is planning to call allies in Europe later in the day to nudge them towards tougher sanctions. The window to change course is closing, US Secretary of State John Kerry said late on Thursday, citing Obamas earlier comments that Washington was ready to impose new sanctions, on top of those imposed after Crimea was annexed. Kerry said Russia was using propaganda to hide what it was trying to do in eastern Ukraine - destabilize the region and undermine next months Ukrainian presidential elections - and denounced its threatening movement of troops up to Ukraines border. If Russia continues in this direction, it will not just be a grave mistake, it will be an expensive mistake, Kerry said. Russian President Vladimir Putin has scoffed at the sanctions so far imposed, which have been limited to travel bans and overseas assets freezes on individuals. l
Ukrainian special forces officers stand guard near a defence barrier made of spikes at a check-point on the road between Donetsk and Slavyansk, not far from the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, on April 25 AFP
Deadly mosque bombing Unable to vote, mumbaikars vent anger n in Pakistan city
Reuters, New Delhi
Agencies
A bomb attack in Pakistans biggest city, Karachi, has killed at least four people and wounded 30 others, five of them seriously, according to provincial officials. Senior police officer, Abdul Khaliq Sheikh, said Fridays attack took place outside a mosque in the upscale Clifton neighbourhood in Karachi, the capital of Sindh province, according to the AP news agency.
Sindhs police chief, Iqbal Mehmood said the explosion had been caused by 10kg of explosives planted on a rickshaw. Speaking from the blast site, he said the attack targeted provincial government officials, Al Jazeeras Asad Hashim reported. Nobody has claimed responsibility for Fridays attack but provincial Information Minister Sharjeel Memon pointed his finger at the Pakistani Taliban (TTP). l
Angry voters in Indias financial capital of Mumbai turned to lawyers and social media on Friday to vent anger at election authorities, a day after thousands were reportedly unable to cast ballots due to irregularities in the voting lists. Mumbai voters were among the 180 million people who were registered to vote in the sixth phase of Indias mammoth general election on Thursday, but many were unable to cast ballots when their names were not found on the electoral lists.
I went to the booth and they could not find my name ... it was disappointing, weve all been building up to this, said Mumbai resident Govindraj Ethiraj, adding that up to 20 people at his polling station had the same problem. Ethiraj said he had voted at the booth in the last three elections without any problem. The problem also affected some well-known Mumbai residents including Deepak Parekh, chairman of HDFC, one of Indias biggest mortgage lenders, he told media. India is halfway through the worlds largest-ever election in which its 815
million registered voters will complete the polls over 10 stages on May 12. Results are due on May 16. HS Brahma, one of Indias election commissioners, acknowledged that lack of coordination between authorities had led to some lapses and he promised to fix the problem before local elections due later this year. Well rectify them, whatever mistake we have seen. We really regret (it), Brahma told Reuters. A Mumbai-based law firm planning to file a public interest litigation in court next week said it had received
about 5,000 queries and 250 people had signed up to the litigation. A citizen has been deprived of his right to vote and consequently has the right for redressal, said Mohan Jayakar, a senior partner at the law firm, Jayakar and Partners. Having an identification card issued by the poll panel is not enough to vote in India and it is mandatory for voters to have their names on the electoral list of their constituency. Similar problems surfaced in Pune, a city in the western state of Maharashtra that went to polls on April 17. l
Brides sit together during a mass wedding ceremony in Peshawar, April 25. A total of 25 couples from the Pakistans northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa participated in the ceremony, organised by Al-Khidmat Foundation, a welfare organisation of Pakistans political and religious party Jammat-e-Islami REUTERS
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Heritage
Silk roads
The term Silk Road was coined in the late 19th century by the aristocratic German traveller, Baron von Richthofen, and has become one of the most valuable and income generating icons in todays travel and tourism lexicon
n Tim Steel
tirring, as it surely does, in the imaginations of those for whom the search for luxuries is often as much an adventure as an indulgence, justifiable visions of the silk and fine cotton fabrics, the spices and herbs, the gemstones and precious metals, the pearls beyond comparison, and valuable woods, it offers the greatest of sensual rewards for travel in expectation and anticipation. Today, hundreds of thousands of the more adventurous, curious and better heeled of international tourists swarm along the route across Central Asia, first described by Marco Polo, the 13th/14th century traveller and merchant from Venice. China, of course, was the aim of his travels, not least because he almost certainly knew that, for perhaps two thousand years, it had been the source of many of the luxuries demanded by an ever-increasingly wealthy and demanding European population. The mansions and palaces, forts and temples, ancient churches and mosques, the visible, the touchable, stir and stimulate imaginations of that great and ancient heritage. This Central Asian route is, today, often referred to simply, as though definitively, as The Silk Road, but as Zhang Xianyi, the former Ambassador to Bangladesh of The Peoples
Republic of China put it so succinctly in his memoir celebrating 35 years of diplomatic relations between China and Bangladesh, In the long river of history, there were three Silk Roads. The Northern Silk Road, as he calls it, started, as, being Chinese, he would say, in the central region of ancient China, and extended into Europe. The second he describes, is certainly the one with which Europe is more familiar today, the Maritime Route.
he calls the Southern Silk Road. As he says, this route is, in fact, widely believed to be the earliest route between China and the lands of India, dating from at least the 4th century BCE; it was also, as we shall see, the route to the Ganges delta, for which there is plenty of evidence as an international trading centre, open to trade from south east Asia, all the way west to the growing empires of Europe. In his own work, Between Winds
The trade in the Ganges delta was also, fifty years earlier than the Periplus. The great scholar Strabo, in his work Geographia, writes of the merchants who sail from Egypt, even to the Ganges...
But this maritime Route also has a fairly ancient history. Zhang describes it as being pioneered shortly after the Northern Silk Road was opened, with its connections to the Indian subcontinent from Bactria, through Afghanistan, down to the lands of the Indus. In his fascinating memoir, however, Zhang dwells considerably on what
and Clouds: The Making of Yunnan, published by Colombia University, New York in 2008, Professor Bin Yang, now of The National of Singapore, shares Zhangs view. He cites archaeological evidence, such as the presence of money cowries from the Indian Ocean in 3rd century BCE tombs in Yunnan. But he also
The Southern Silk Road is believed to be the earliest between China and the lands of India and led to the Ganges delta
CREDIT
shares the same documentary evidence as Zhang Xianyi of reports of the 2nd century BCE emissary of the Han Dynasty, Zhang Qian. Bin Yang amplifies that evidence, by reporting that Qian travelled, first, to Yunnan to examine the trading routes there into ancient India. Reluctant to disclose the truth, and being subjected to further Imperial taxation and interference, Yunnanese traders claimed to use the more conspicuous route across the Tibetan plateau to Bactria. A difficult, and arduous, route over mountains, across great ice fields, and through barbaric territories. It was, however, the route that Qian then took after leaving Yunnan, arriving in Bactria, in the north of todays Afghanistan, north of the Hindu Kush mountains. In 122 BCE, Qian returned to the city that today we know as Xian, then known as Changan, capital of the western Han Emperor, Liu Che. His report is quoted in the work, Shiji, by the Western Han Dynasty historian, Sima Qian, When I was in Bactria, I saw bamboo sticks from the Qionglai Mountain (in todays Sichuan Province) and cloth made in the Shu area (also in Sichuan Province). When I asked the locals where they got such articles, they replied, Our merchants go to buy them in the markets of India. India lies many hundred miles southeast of Bactria. The people there live much like us. The region is hot and damp. The inhabitants ride elephants when they go into battle. The kingdom is situated by a great river. Qian commented that if Bactrians could get Shu articles from India, then India could not be so far away from Shu. He went on to comment that since the route from Shu ( Sichuan) to Bactria is across the high plateau of Tibet, which he described, as well he might from personal experience, a risky route, the Sichuan via India to Bactria route was probably the better one. In all this, we need to remind ourselves that Qians journey took place some two hundred years later than the curious diversion of Alexander the Great into India, and his march across North India, that only stopped, and turned into a retreat, at the borders of Gangaridai, the contemporary kingdom of the Ganges delta. We already know, from archaeological evidence emerging from, amongst other places, the ancient Brahmaputra bank side city at Wari Bateshwar, amongst, in all probability, others, that there was a rich and flourishing trade with Arab, Egyptian and Greek and Roman merchants in the Ganges delta. There seems, in fact, little doubt that Chinese silk was not the least of the trades through the delta, a supposition confirmed in the mid first century CE Roman publication, the trading handbook for merchants, The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, that notes that amongst the cargoes available in the Ganges delta was raw silk, from an inland city called Thina, listing, also, a number of other cargoes available. The trade in the Ganges delta was also, fifty years earlier than the
Periplus, confirmed by the great Greco Roman scholar, Strabo, an associate of Augustus Caesar, the first Roman Emperor, when, in his great work, Geographia, he writes of the merchants who sail from Egypt, even to the Ganges... This, then, explains and substantiates the existence of trade with China, through the lands that are now Bangladesh, for thousands of years. A trade that brought, first traders, then philosophers; a trade that certainly financed great cultural advances, not least Sanskrit, and the great new religions of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. And, with it all, to visit, experience, touch and feel, the mansions and palaces, the forts and temples, ancient public buildings and ancient mosques, and the emerging, sunken cities, also to bring to life for tourists, the rich and ancient heritage of these extraordinary lands that are Bangladesh. The great mystery remains, why, if the history of Bangladesh encompasses the origins of one of the worlds great tourism icons, and quite probably the earliest, is Bangladesh apparently unwilling, or incapable of capitalising on it to attract the most sophisticated, best educated and wealthiest of international tourists?
In all this, we need to remind ourselves that Alexander the Great stopped, and turned into a retreat, at the borders of, the contemporary kingdom of the Ganges delta
The remote regions of Central Asia have benefitted enormously in job creation and foreign currency with no noticeable socially negative effect, and there is no great secret involved in securing the same for Bangladesh. The historic wealth generated by the historic trade brought such great invaders as the Pathan, the Mughals and the British and other Europeans to the lands of Bangladesh. Together, the diverse peoples of Bangladesh, and the traders, visitors and conquerors have woven the rich tapestry that is modern Bangladesh. Beautiful, much of Bangladesh may be, though, in truth, scarcely comparable to the breathtaking beauty of other nations. But the history and the cultural heritage of Bangladesh is, simply like no other, and rests on one of the earliest, and most significant, centres of international trade in the history of the world. l Tim Steel is a communications, marketing and tourism consultant.
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Prescription
n Prescription Desk
What health tests and checkups do you really need this year? We know its confusing, so thats why we tried to figure out what mediHEALTH cal exams women reFLASH ally need. These tests can help find problems early, when your chances for treatment are better. As a woman, you need some special exams andscreenings.There are some simple health tests for women which could save your health.
In your 60s+
Recommended screening
As you finish your education, you establish a career and embark on relationships and families, often with children. Your health is at its peak. Get plenty of exercise and sleep, eat a balanced diet and take frequent breaks. Just remember to keep an eye on your health.
Recommended tests:
Pap test: Screen forcervical cancerevery two years, for women over 18, or one to two years after becoming sexually active. STIs: Annual screening for Chlamydia trachomatis infection in all sexually active women under the age of 25. Screening for other STIs (sexually transmitted infections), such as gonorrhoea, HIV, and syphilis, if indicated by risk assessment. BMI and waist circumference assessment: Every two years, in people who are overweight; annually for those at increased risk of diabetes, stroke, gout, liver, cardiovascular or gallbladder disease. Type 2 diabetestest:Every three years from age 18. Blood pressure:All adults from the age of 18 should check their blood pressure at least every two years. Breast cancer self-check: All women should be familiar with the look and feel of their breasts and report changes to their physician. Colorectal cancer screening: Every one to two years, from age 25, for those have a family history of colorectal cancer, also known ascolon cancer,rectal cancer, bowel cancer. Depression: Opportunistic screening
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with effective treatment and follow-up. Dental check-ups:Every 12 months. Eye check: The most reported health condition in the 20s is short-sightedness. Fertility check:If youre trying to get pregnant or have hormone problems, a fertility test can rule out infertility, endometriosis, or polycystic ovarian syndrome. HPV vaccine: The cervical cancer vaccine which protects women against certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), is free to all women aged 12 to 26.
time to focus on health. Have regular check-ups and continue good exercise and eating programmes.
Recommended tests:
Work-life balance continues to be a struggle and, while youre still relatively healthy, youll have to work harder to keep it up. In your 50s your children begin to leave home, youll have more
Pap test:Every two years. Mammogram and/or ultrasound: If youre considered high risk, you should have one every two years. Otherwise, perform regular self-checks. BMI and waist circumference: Every two years for those who are overweight; annually for those at increased risk. Type 2 diabetes test:Every three years. Blood pressure:Every two years; more regularly if youre considered high risk. Depression: Opportunistic screening with effective treatment and follow-up. Dental check-ups:Every 12 months. Hyperlipidaemia screening: Checking
cholesterol and blood lipids in women without other cardiovascular risk factors is recommended every five years from the age of 45. Stroke risk:All those over the age of 45 should be screened for risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Osteoporosis: All women over 40 should be assessed. Colorectal cancer screening:Every one to two years for those considered high risk (a family history of bowel cancer). Skin cancer self-check: Self-checks every three months; high-risk people over 40 should be examined.
Eye check
recom-
Pap test: Every two years until age 69, if you have had two normal smears in the previous five years. Mammogram: Every two years until age 69. BMI and waist circumference: Every two years if overweight; annually if increased risk. Type 2 diabetes test:Every three years. Blood pressure: Every two years or more often if considered higher risk or over 75. Depression: Opportunistic screening where there is effective treatment and follow-up. Dental check-ups:Every 12 months. Hyperlipidaemia screening: Every five years for people without other cardivascular risk factors. Stroke: Testing for hypertension, dyslipidaemia and nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Osteoporosis: All women should be tested. Bone mineral densitometry only in over-65s. Colorectal cancer: FOBT screening every two years until age 75. Colonoscopy every five years if moderate risk; genetic tests annually for high risk. Kidney disease: Every year. Those at high risk should have their GFR estimated. Full health check:Including blood tests. Eye check:Every 12 months from age 65. Hearing:Every 12 months from age 65. Vaccines: Influenza recommended for over-65s. Pneumococcal if high risk. Dementia screening:If there is a family history, head trauma or early signs. Remember, everybody is different, so see your doctor to discuss the health screenings that are most relevant to you and your family. l
Common causes of constipation include a diet low in fibre and fluids. So, improving your diet can help to relieve and prevent constipation. A diet low in fibre increases the time taken for food to pass through the colon, causing the colon to absorb too much water and produce hard stools. Fibre, with adequate amounts of fluid, helps to form a soft bulky stool, which stimulates bowel movement. Tips for increasing your fibre intake: Regularly eat wholegrain or wholemeal breads and cereals such as brown rice, wholemeal pasta, wholegrain crispbreads and wheatmeal biscuits in preference to white varieties. Add legumes such as baked beans, kidney beans, lima beans, soybeans, chickpeas, dried peas, and lentils to soups, casseroles, salads and sauces. Eat unpeeled fruits (eg: apples and pears) and vegetables (such as potatoes) wherever possible the skins are a valuable source of fibre. Where possible, choose to eat the whole fruit instead of drinking the juice the juice contains no fibre. It is also important to note that fibre absorbs water, so to further assist the effects of fibre on bowel regularity, be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. In addition to diet, exercise is also important in the treatment and prevention of constipation. Regular exercise stimulates abdominal and intestinal muscles, which help to move our bowels, and provide faster transit times for stools.
HEALTH NEWS
Bacteria that can cause serious eye infections are able to survive longer in contact lens cleaning solution than was previously known, a new study finds. Researchers looked at different strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause microbial keratitis. This is an inflammation and ulceration of the cornea that can causevisionloss. Microbial
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venting it from stopping the function of norepinephrine - a hormone that has been shown to have positive effects on memory. But further research should be conducted to better understand the mechanisms by which caffeine affects long-term memory. According to the latest figures from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the average American consumes 300 mg of caffeine a day. The main sources of the compound are coffee, tea, and soft drinks.
Many studies have suggested that caffeine offers health benefits. Last year, Medical News Today reported on a study suggesting that caffeinated drinks mayreduce the risk of liver disease, while another study says drinking 2-4 cups of coffee a day mayreduce suicide risk. But it is not all good news. One study suggests that the stimulant is able todisrupt sleep patternshours after consuming it, while another proposes that caffeine fromenergy drinks may alter heart function. l
Food label is very important, but most of us ignore it. Food label includes a list of ingredients of that food product. Through it a food can be charachterised, which is important for a health conscious people. Food label is the list of ingredients of a packed or canned food according to weight. Even water must also be listed in order according to its weight, except where it makes up less than 5% of the finished food. If this is the case, it does not need to be declared. Food label means that you will be able to see the proportion (by percentage) of the ingredient which is used in the name or is used to describe the product. These ingredients, may not be the main ingredient in terms of weight, but will be the ingredient which gives the food its character. For example, the following ingredients list is for wholegrain breakfast biscuits, which you can see in the ingredients list is characterised by wholegrain wheat: whole wheat (97%), raw sugar, salt, malt extract, vitamins (niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, folate), mineral (iron).
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used to prepare poultry were contaminated with multidrug-resistant E coli bacteria. So it is very important to maintain hand hygiene and cleaning of cutting boards to prevent the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Question: My husband (40) has recently been diagnosed with diabetes and he tells me he is still allowed to eat foods Q&A with sugar in them. Is this correct? I always thought people with diabetes could not eat sugar. Barsha, Dhanmondi, Dhaka. Answer: When a person has diabetes, their body has difficulty controlling blood sugar levels, which, if left unmanaged, can lead to serious health consequences. It is because of this that treatment for diabetes focuses on maintaining blood sugar
Osteoarthritis is the leading form of arthritis and affects millions of women in the world. Milk may be a useful
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mended annually from age 50. Those at high risk should also have their glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimated. Full health check: Annual blood tests from age 45 for cholesterol, blood sugar and other conditions as indicated by the doctor. Vaccines: For Influenza and pneumococcal if high risk.
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DHAKA TRIBUNE
Editorial
LETTER OF THE DAY
Letters to
the Editor
ess than a year since the government disbursed Tk4,100 crore to state-owned banks so that they could address capital inadequacies, the Finance Ministry is seeking Tk6,000 crore to recapitalise the four state-owned commercial banks. It is long overdue for the government to review its policy of using taxpayers money to prop up poor management in state owned banks. These capital injections are only having to be sought because of the huge losses incurred by the state banks on bad and non-performing loans. At the end of 2013, the ratio of non-performing loans by state banks stood at just under 20% compared to 11.3% in 2011. The imprudent and profligate manner in which the state owned banks have been operated, was highlighted by the Hallmark and Bismillah in which they actively extended loans to willful defaulters. It is clear that private banks have a better track record at making loans because they are better managed and less prone to politically influenced appointments. Their management, being held directly accountable to shareholders, is also proven to be better at managing and reducing risks. Under these circumstances, the government should not spend valuable public funds to keep the state banks artificially large. State owned banks should not be given fresh capital. To prevent further losses, they should be barred from disbursing loans to private industrial or trading companies. They should only be allowed to lend money to private banks, which have proven that they are much better at the business of disbursing and collecting loans.
April 22 After finishing her JSC examination, my younger sister lost interest in studying further. Whats the need to study so much? Theres no point when the question papers are leaked. I couldnt convince her to keep studying, despite my best efforts. My younger brother will sit for the HSC exam, but the question paper for this has also been leaked! I live in Nilphamari, far from Dhaka. Question papers regularly become available in my district the day before the exam itself. In fact, this holds true for not only question papers of public exams, but also public university admission tests, including medical college tests and BCS question papers. It is already difficult for graduates to land a satisfactory job in the present circumstances. So how can I accuse my sister when I myself am losing interest in studying for the BCS exam? A few more steps remain before I take the exam. If paper leaks continue, this will jeopardise our education system, and the prospects of our future generation. It is high time the government took effective steps to put an end to these leaks. Md Imamul Islam Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University
April 20
nds I wish all Islamic leaders in this country will read this article. If they had inculcated this version of Islam, this country could have been the best place to live in. Sam Good article, but largely the same old story of reliving the past. I think one of DTs own columnists
pointed out how all this rehashing of a glorious past does very little to solve the problem of the present: Muslim countries simply are stuck in the 7th century while the rest of the world moves forward. Anon A very level-headed take on a topic that causes a lot of one-sided rants
Write to us at: Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath Sukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Email us at: letters.dt@dhakatribune.com Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com Visit our website: www.dhakatribune.com Come join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune
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ACROSS 1 Spurious (5) 4 Faucet (3) 6 Sport (4) 8 Nimble (5) 9 Celtic tongue (4) 11 Dwarf buffalo (4) 12 Go furtively (5) 15 Projecting corner (5) 18 Be wanting in (4) 20 Gem (4) 21 Balance (5) 22 Stagger (4) 23 Cleaning aid (3) 24 Make effort (5) DOWN 1 Alloy (5) 2 Cunning (5) 3 Small spot (5) 4 Lacerated (4) 5 Excuse (4) 7 Acquire knowledge (5) 10 Innermost being (4) 13 Tide attaining least height (4) 14 Joint (5) 15 Fruit (5) 16 Ingrained dirt (5) 17 Build (5) 18 Machine for weaving (4) 19 Fish (4)
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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.
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DHAKA TRIBUNE
Op-Ed
11
Russia has been a trusted friend of Bangladesh, and now wants to enter our nuclear market
n Esam Sohail
am one of those many who consider the so-called election of January 5 to be an utter farce, and the government legitimated by it to be little more than an autocracy whose absolutist tendencies get stronger by the passing day. Thus believing, however, does not make the said government non-existent. What makes the government even less likely to feel the pressure that it should have is the lack of an alternative. With all due respect to the main opposition BNP, it simply has failed to make a case as to what it brings to the table. Sure, all those nice words and beautiful slogans in manifestoes differentiate in the rhetorical; in the practical, there is little to suggest that the BNP is a credible alternative to the ruling regime today. This was not always the case and certainly need not be today, for the BNP does enjoy a level of support similar to the ruling party, or even exceeding it if independent polls are to be trusted, and has its own base of constituents. In perhaps the only pithy and concise description of the different types of the Bangladeshi voter, the editor of this newspaper pointed out a couple of years ago that the BNP was the natural home of at least two types of people: The economic growth oriented entrepreneur types, and the cosmopolitan modernists. As an observer, and former teacher and practitioner of politics, I could not agree more. The problem is that todays BNP has little to offer either of these two core constituencies that the
ruling party does not. Is that one of the many reasons that its continued and well-warranted anti-regime agitation since last winter has, to put it charitably, made a very limited impact? That was not always the case. In fact, in BNPs first term after the fall of the Ershad regime, several major policy initiatives catered directly to its base: The opening to the world via cable channels, reintroduction of English-medium instruction for national school leaving examinations,
but hardly more than a we will be less corrupt and less tyrannical plea which falls on the unreceptive ears of a people who are hankering for some political calm after a volatile winter. Put it bluntly, the case of We are not them is not persuasive to people in Bangladesh or to friends abroad, and the failure of the former prime minister to make development partners lean more heavily on behalf of free elections perhaps illustrates the latter point quite well. Free elections
The BNP is yet to offer that crucial alternative agenda for Bangladesh that can make it something more than we are not them party
permission for nonpublic universities, normalisation of agriculture subsidies, and modernising the trade payments system come to mind immediately. Governments after that have adopted and built on these pioneering measures to a large extent. But that was then. What about now? As countries slowly move up the economic reform ladder, it is only inevitable that their more educated populations turn their attention to social and political reform. Unfortunately, the main opposition party has simply been absent in this area and, thus, provided no alternative to the things that are. Criticising the corruption and absolutism of the ruling regime is fine,
are a sine qua non in a democracy; but the case for those elections could have been much more persuasive in real life had the public-local and foreign-been convinced that it was not simply an argument for the Chhatra Dal to be given the exclusive contract on tyranny in the university dormitories as opposed to the BCL. It is a tragedy of monumental proportions for Bangladeshs stunted democratic progress that months after the travesty of the January 5 elections, the main opposition has yet to articulate a case for itself to its own core constituency. Frankly, the historical rehash of the who said what in 1971 impresses nobody except
the ideological purists and personality cultists. Instead of whether Shaheed Ziaur Rahman was the first president or not, it would have made more sense to hear if his party would be the first one to openly pledge a detailed proposal, under public oath, to institute independent, non-partisan, constitutionally protected supervisory bodies for overseeing the police and electoral systems. Far more credible would have been a benchmarked undertaking to get rid of party based affiliations in student bodies, professional associations, and labour unions. The BNP economic team could have been seen as the other option had it come up with an iron-clad proposal to privatise Biman, legalise PayPal, and remove tariffs in the tourism sector. These and many other policy alternatives would have established the BNP as the legitimate centre-right option in Bangladeshi politics. More importantly, they would have given its core supporters something to risk their freedom and lives for in a country where, increasingly, dissent is being met with the brute force of the police, judicial, and extra-judicial machinery of a one-party state. As of this date, the BNP is yet to offer that crucial alternative agenda for Bangladesh that can make it something more than we are not them party. We know that the BNP is fighting against an absolutist regime that just pulled off several rounds of utterly rigged jokes of elections. The question is, what is it fighting for? l Esam Sohail is an educational research analyst and college lecturer of social sciences. He writes from Kansas, USA.
n Ekram Kabir
or a Bangladeshi, being rated as a most corrupt nation by an international organisation was very depressing. We had to defend ourselves wherever we went. We always felt that the world was looking down on us. Inside the country, apart from our politicians and government officials, every Bangladeshi would agree that on an average, we are far from being honest as individuals. Weve already searched our souls and found that we commit all sorts of inappropriate acts that dont uphold the values of honesty. There, perhaps, isnt a single thing that were doing right. Weve been leaking exam question papers on a regular basis, making our own food spurious, keeping the works for which weve been paid for unfinished, and extorting money from parents in the name of coaching school children. The list would be very, very long. The old adage honesty is the best policy has been deleted from our psyche. Despite this wasteland scenario, theres also good news. A few international news headlines recently have portrayed a different picture about us. Several Bangladeshi expatriates in Los Angeles, New York, and Rome have displayed remarkable examples of honesty by returning huge amounts of lost money to their owners. There were also a few news stories on how
Bangladeshi workers overseas are showing their worth by building cities and towns. The question that naturally popped up in my mind: Do we, the corrupt lot, only become honest in an honest environment? I posed this question to many in the recent past. They all said: No; there are still many honest people in the country, and thats why were still continuing as a nation.
seem to do anything that we do inside our own country. This matter haunts me all the time. Sometimes, I feel that weve reached a point of no return as far as our individual integrity is concerned. And more worrying is that were instilling all these characteristics into our children. Our children know from babyhood that it is possible to get admitted to a school without qualifying in the
Every Bangladeshi would agree that on an average, we are far from being honest as individuals
I also think in the same way. But when I get out on the street, I dont see any law enforcer properly carrying out their duty. I dont see any taxi driver taking the fare according to the meter, I dont see anyone following traffic rules. Go in front of your childs school to bring him home, the security personnel would ask for money. Go to the passport office to collect your passport, the person issuing them would ask for money. Go to a restaurant to have a family dinner, youd see the restaurateur making 300% profit. But when we go to a country where honesty is still in practice, we dont
admission test if their parents pay a big donation. We often blame our politicians for this situation to have become the norm. Yes, of course, its their responsibility to keep us honest by upholding honesty in their own lives. But having said that, the question would always loom: How much have we done? Dont we bring home many stationery items such as pens, markers, printouts, etc, from our workplaces? Many of us always do that. And this is a glaring example of common peoples participation in daily-life corruption.
Isnt a chicken vendor agreeing to sell his dead chickens at a low price when a restaurateur is asking for them? Arent the procurement officers overbilling their offices for personal gain? Isnt a police sergeant riding his motorbike on the wrong lane, and at the same time filing cases against those who are committing the same crime? Arent the deceitful businessmen getting away with the help of people in power? Everything about Bangladeshis becoming dishonest actually revolves around our sense of extreme greed. Theres a difference between aspiration and greed. When you aspire for more money, you work better, or you provide good quality products. But when greed is in play, you tend to commit crime, work less, and deliver inferior quality products. It seems were opting for the later. Were too easily being lured by our greed. If this wasnt true, then wed still have our rivers with their original shapes, incidents such as Rana Plaza wouldnt happen, and flyovers wouldnt collapse. But as a nation, how far would we allow these to continue? If unfair means become the norm, the remaining honest bunch also would have to join the bandwagon. We mustnt forget that greed only caters for the present, not for our future. l Ekram Kabir is Executive Editor of Natunbarta.com.
It will be interesting to note whether NIAEP ASE, a consultant to Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC), works in the interest of its client or in the interest of its sister organisation Atomstroyexport, in estimating the cost of the plant as a conflict of interest is obvious in this case.
It was announced in 2012 that the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, consisting of four VVER-1200 reactors, in Turkey would cost $18.7 billion, and that Russia would fully finance the project to more than $20 billion. In October 2010, an intergovernmental agreement was signed for Atomstroyexport to build the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant in Vietnam, using two VVER-1000 or 1200 reactors. Rosatom has confirmed that Russia is prepared to finance at least 85% of this first plant, ie $9 billion, and the total cost will amount to about $10 billion. This comes to $4,166/kWe, if VVER-1200 reactors are built. The nearest location close to Rooppur and the most recent price quoted for nuclear power reactors are those of Kudankulam Units 3 and 4 in India. The price comes to $3,500/kWe. The second and the third units at the same site usually cost about 10% less than the first two units. We are unlikely to sign the contract for Rooppur before 2015. If we adjust price increase for the first two units at Rooppur and add escalation for one year, the cost per kWe will come to $4,000, ie $4 billion for a 1000 MWe reactor. The actual price to be negotiated between the governments of Bangladesh and Russia may be completely different for various reasons. Russia has been a trusted friend of Bangladesh since its inception and now wants to enter our nuclear market in view of its long term prospects. Russia is also active in exploration of natural gas in our off-shore fields. Under such circumstances, nobody should be surprised if Russia makes a promotional offer with a price tag that may be much lower than the estimated price of $4,000/kWe. There are two more issues to be considered. Since the capital charges of a nuclear plant constitute 75% or more of the cost of generation of electricity, we must negotiate for a very soft term of credit and long repayment period, preferably spread over the economic life of the plant, to lower the cost. These measures will help reduce the cost of generation of electricity from the nuclear power plant to make it competitive with other conventional forms of electricity. l Abdul Matin is a former chief engineer of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and author of Rooppur and the Power Crisis.
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DHAKA TRIBUNE
Entertainment
n Entertainment Desk
In the memory of Savar Tragedy victims, theatre troupe Aranyak staged Swapnopothik on April 24 at the National Theater Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The play is written by Harun Rashid and directed by thespian Mamunur Rashid and features the Savar tragedy that snatched the normalcy from the lives of a staggering number of people. A painting exhibition by children, video presentation, a conference on safety and awareness was also held at the event. Candels were also lit in the memory of the victims SADIA MARIUM
Ash has been seen in some advertisements or brand endorsements but she hasnt signed any film as of now. When everybody was discussing Aishwarya Rai Bachchans post-pregnancy weight issues so that she can be offered with some movie. Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan tied the knot on April 20, 2007 and Aaradhya was born on November 16, 2011. l
In 1795, Dr Victor Frankenstein (Aden Young) creates a monster (Aaron Eckhart), a soulless creature patched together from corpses, and then rejects it. In a fit of rage, the creature kills Frankensteins wife Elizabeth and then he chases it to the Arctic to get revenge. But Frankenstein dies frozen to death and the creature buries him at the cemetery of his family. However the creature is attacked by demons but he kills one of them and Gargoyles save him and take him to a Cathedral where the Gargoyles Order gathers. The Queen of the Gargoyles, Leonore explains that they were created by the Archangel Michael to battle demons on Earth and protect humanity. They name the creature Adam and invite him to join them, but he declines and departs after being given special weapons. After series of events, Adam begins an immortal quest to protect the humans of the world and hunt demons for selfless reasons, the attitude that had earned him his soul in the first place. In so doing, he embraces his role and his true name of Frankenstein. l
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now wants her granddaughter to carry on her religious legacy and abstain
A blood-feud breaks out among the two groups and the object of affection
Sport
Phelps marks his return
Michael Phelps finished second on Thursday in his first final in 20 months, and the swimming superstar famous for his will to win said even a runner-up finish is fun now. Phelps, whose record 22 Olympic medals include an astonishing 18 golds, was beaten in the 100m butterfly final at the Mesa Grand Prix by his old foe Ryan Lochte. But Phelps said hed done what he set out to do in his first competition since the London Games. Lochte led at the 50m mark and held on to win in 51.93sec second-fastest in the world this year while Phelps was second in 52.13, matching the fourth-fastest time of 2014. I did what I wanted to do, said Phelps, adding hed targeted a time of 52 seconds. The race was fun, he added. The stroke was a little rushed tonight, it was way more relaxed this morning. But I swam a final again. Lochte, not known as a 100m fly swimmer, said Phelps, as always, made him better. I probably wouldnt have gone that time if Phelps wasnt in there, Lochte said. Im glad hes back. Phelps insists he isnt yet sure if his comeback will take him to a fifth Games at Rio in 2016. l after taking the personal class with Ali and informed that the players are also taking the notes seriously. Confidence is something which can help you both mentally and physically. We have learnt how to handle and improve the confidence level when needed. We have discussed among each other about the class and in future if we forget what he taught us, then its of no use, said Nasir. National discard Shahriar Nafees also underwent a session with Ali. He informed the class will help the cricketers trying to make a comeback and added that being positive is the most important thing which they have learnt from the class. Ali informed, Today our main goal was to advance to the next level. If we are in problems then we cant think much so now our aim is to achieve the next level and we shared what routine and tasks we need to follow to achieve that. However the result will not come now as we are still in the process. The Canadian also said most players, who lack the confidence, wanted to know how to overcome pressure situations. While Quite a few players wanted to know how to overcome from injuries and what should be the mental state at that moment. l
DHAKA TRIBUNE
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14 Benfica, Sevilla
14 Scolari reveals
15 Sharapova into
He has done a great job for the Bangladesh team. It is up to the BCB to accept his resignation, but I think we have to start looking for a new trainer immediately. We have a lot of international matches ahead
year, a week before the team left for Sri Lanka. Like the rest of the Bangladesh coaching staffs, Dwyers contract ran till the 2015 World Cup. He has done a great job for the Bangladesh team, Akram said. It is up to the BCB to accept his resignation, but I think we have to start looking for a new trainer immediately. We have a lot of international matches ahead. Bangladeshs next assignment is a three-match ODI series against India in mid-June. The tour schedule however hasnt been confirmed yet. l
Michael Phelps competes in the Mens 100m Butterfly final in the Arena Grand Prix at the Skyline Aquatic Center in Mesa, Arizona on Thursday AFP
Sunrisers first points, Mumbai face another defeat Blue turf to be installed at
An unbeaten 128-run partnership between Aaron Finch and David Warner led the Sunrisers Hyderabad to their first win in the Indian Premier League when they beat the Delhi Daredevils by four runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium here Friday. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians suffered their third consecutive defeat as Chennai Super Kings won the match by seven wickets with six balls in hand in Dubai. Mumbai posted 141 in their 20 overs thanks to Rohit Sharma who top scored with a fifty while Mohit Sharma (4/14) stared with the bowl for Chennai. Brendon McCullums 71 help Chennai to go past to an easy victory. In the first match, Electing to bat, the Sunrisers put up a challenging total of 184/1 and then restricted Daredevils to 180/4. With 20 runs required off Bhuvneshwar Kumars last over, the Delhi outfit could only manage 15 in an exciting finish and to end up with their third loss out of four matches this season. The Sunrisers got off to a good start with skipper Shikhar Dhawan (33) and Man of the Match Finch hitting a 56run opening wicket partnership before Dhawan was caught by his counterpart Kevin Pietersen at fine leg. Dhawan played well hitting five boundaries and a six in his 22-ball knock. Left-handed Warner joined Finch at the crease and the two Australians combined in a fabulous second-wicket partnership which lasted till the last ball of their innings. The top order duo scored at a run rate of 9.36 in the last 13.4 overs to propel their side to a challenging total. Finch played the anchors role, making an unbeaten 88 off 53 balls at a strike rate of 166.03. His knock included eight boundaries and four towering sixes. He was well supported by Warner, who scored 58 not out, hitting three fours and sixes each. None of the Daredevils bowlers had anything to boast about with
Sunrisers Hyderabad 184/1 (20ov), Finch 88*, Warner 58*, Dhawan 33; Nadeem 1/24 Delhi Daredevils 180/4 (20ov), Vijay 52, de Kock 48, Tiwary 23*; Steyn 2/33 Hyderabad won by 4 runs Mumbai Indians 141/7 (20ov), Rohit 50, Anderson 39, Mohit 4/14 Chennai Super Kings 142/3 (19ov), McCullum 71, Smith 29, Harbhajan 2/27 Chennai won by 7 wickets
all but one going for more than nine runs per over. Only spinner Shahbaz Nadeem had figures worth showing off with 4-0-24-1, picking up the only wicket of Dhawan in the seventh over. In reply, the Daredevils took off really well with Quinton de Kock (48) and Murali Vijay (52) giving the team the much needed start. Initially the South African was the aggressor, scoring six boundaries and a six, but Vijay too joined the party with seven boundaries and a lofty six. l
BRIEF SCORES
allocated $75000 for the new turf. The first round of the World Hockey League will be held in Dhaka at the beginning of September. The process of installing blue turf at the stadium will start right after the event and it was learnt that it would take approximately five weeks to complete the work.
Im satisfied with the environment of the stadium. Im happy that the blue turf will be set up here. Everything is alright here. Hopefully we can start our work in September
The federation planned to set up the blue turf before the Under-19 hockey tournament organized by Asian Hockey Federation in November. However, the blue turf will only be installed at the playing area as the practice area beside the field will still have the green turf. l
Sunrisers Hyderabad batsmen David Warner and Aaron Finch walk back after their first innings during IPL match against Delhi Daredevils in Dubai yesterday BCCI
people to express their condolences. The clubs president said on Twitter: Tito Vilanova was a wonderful person, and will never be forgotten at FC Barcelona. Thank you for everything you taught us. Rest in peace. Jos Mourinho had several run-ins with Vilanova during his time in charge of Real Madrid, infamously poking him in the eye in one clash. The Chelsea manager said on the clubs Twitter account: Tito Vilanovas passing is a sad day for football, for Barcelona and most importantly for his family and friends. On behalf of everybody at Chelsea Football Club I send my deepest condolences at this most difficult time. l
Shakib Al Hasan (2L) receives Mr Muscle Mania award in the Walton Muscle Mania Bodybuilding Championship at the National Sports Council auditorium yesterday COURTESY
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Chosen One banner removed
The last visible evidence of David Moyes miserable reign at Manchester United was removed on Thursday as the infamous The Chosen One banner was taken down from the Stretford End at Old Trafford. Moyes was sacked on Tuesday after just 10 months in charge of United and the much-maligned Scot is quickly being erased from the clubs history. After being hand-picked by his predecessor Alex Ferguson to take over at United, Moyes was hailed by supporters as the chosen one, a reference to Chelsea manager Jose Mourinhos self-styled nickname the Special One. AFP
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Sport
RESULTS
Sevilla (ESP)
Mbia 33, Bacca 36
2 0 2 1
Benfica (POR)
Garay 3, Lima 84
After Carlos Tevez tucked away a brilliant equaliser for Serie A leaders Juventus with 17 minutes remaining at the Estadio do Luz, Lima smashed home an unstoppable drive to give the Lisbon outfit a precious advantage. Juventus must now score at home next Thursday to keep their bid on track to reach the final at their home stadium on May 14. Benfica, crowned Portuguese cham-
Benfica forward Rodrigo Lima (L) celebrates after scoring against Juventus during their Uefa Europa League semifinal first leg match at the Luz stadium in Lisbon on Thursday
AFP
FIXTURES
Fulham Man United Stoke Southampton Swansea West Brom v v v v v v Hull Norwich Tottenham Everton Aston Villa West Ham
back to playing like Manchester United -- a call to show more freedom and verve after the dour displays of the ul-
tra-conservative Moyes. The 40-year-old has surrounded himself with other gilded graduates of Uniteds youth academy, with Nicky Butt, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes all helping their old colleague and if those familiar faces can inspire a win over struggling Norwich it would put smiles back on many faces at Old Trafford. Fourth placed Arsenal host Newcastle on Monday looking to maintain the advantage in the battle to qualify for the Champions League, while fifth placed Everton, currently a point behind the Gunners, travel to Southampton on Saturday. l
FIXTURES
Granada Getafe Real Madrid Real Betis v v v v Rayo Vallecano Malaga Osasuna Real Sociedad
co by six points with a game in hand. Ronaldo is fine and needs to play to be in top condition, Ancelotti told a news conference on Friday. l
Brazilian national football team coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari (L) speaks next to Brazilian national team psychologist, Regina Brandao, during the seminar Football, Psychology and Knowledge Production in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Thursday AFP
FIXTURES
Mainz Hoffenheim Bayern Munich Hertha Berlin Wolfsburg Leverkusen v v v v v v Nuremberg Frankfurt Werder Bremen Braunschweig Freiburg Dortmund
The Europa League, where Wolfsburg were beaten by Fulham in the 2010 quarter-finals, is another possibility with Moenchengladbach and Mainz favourites to join them. The bottom of the table is equally intriguing with Eintracht Braunsch-
weig, Nuremburg and third from bottom Hamburg facing anxious finales to their respective campaigns. Hamburg, who have never been relegated from the top flight, are on the road at eighth-placed Augsburg, trailing Stuttgart by four points. With Nuremburg just one point back, Hamburg will be more concerned with protecting their place in the table which will give them a two-legged relegation play-off against the third placed team in division two. Nurembergs destiny is out of their own hands and a trip to Mainz is hardly a three point banker that could lift them out of one of the two automatic relegation spots. Braunschweigs plight is equally perilous as they lie two points behind Hamburg and facing a trip to mid-table Hertha Berlin, who have little to play for. l
along the lines of the 6 + 5 rule is compatible with the law. It is therefore not too late to seriously revisit this idea. It would improve the balance between club and national team football, preserve the clubs national identity and increase the incentive for clubs to make more of their own youth products, he said. l
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Sport
15
Marquez on a three-timer as MotoGP returns to Argentina
Argentina stages its first motorcycling grand prix for 15 years on Sunday with Marc Marquez out to maintain his perfect start to the defence of his MotoGP world title. The 21-year-old Spaniard had barely graduated from riding tricycles the last time Argentina staged a leg of the world championship. That 1999 race was won by American star Kenny Roberts Jr. with a certain Valentino Rossi claiming third in the 250cc division. Rossi, who won the mid-division title that season, returns to Argentina having gone on to accumulate seven world crowns in the 500cc/MotoGP category. Marquez has one MotoGP championship wrapped up and is well on his way to adding a second, if early results are anything to go by. He took the season-opener in Qatar one month after breaking his leg, fighting off Rossi in a thrilling wheel-towheel finish. Next up came the Grand Prix of the Americas with Marquez describing his stroll to victory from pole in Austin as boring. Now the youngest ever MotoGP world champion arrives in Argentina hungry for his third straight win of 2014. We will be looking to continue with the same momentum from the first two races of the season, the Honda ace said.l
QUICK BYTES
Russias Maria Sharapova celebrates defeating Polands Agnieszka Radwanska in their quarterfinal at the WTA Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart yesterday AFP
DAYS WATCH
Sony Six Indian Premier League 4:30PM Rajasthan v Bangalore 8:30PM Punjab v Kolkata NBA Play-off 2013 14 6:00AM Chicago v Washington 8:30AM Houston v Portland Ten Golf 9:00AM Cimb Niaga Indonesian Masters Day 3 Star Sports 4 English Premier League 5:35PM Southampton v Everton 8:00PM Stoke City v Tottenham 10:30PM Man United v Norwich 12:45AM Italian Serie A Inter Milan v Napoli 3:00AM World Heavyweight Boxing Cship Wladimir Klitschko v Alex Leapai Star Sports 2 8:00PM La Liga Granada v Rayo Vallecano 10:00PM MotoGP: Argentina Qualifying Star Sports HD1 5:30PM Tennis Barcelona Open La Liga 12:00AM Real Madrid v Osasuna 2:00AM Real Betis v Real Sociedad Star Sports HD2 11:00AM Golf: China Open Day 3
Spanish Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory on Croatian Ivan Dodig during the ATP Barcelona Open Conde de Godo tournament in Barcelona on Thursday AFP
Players of Bangladesh Army celebrate after clinching the title of the Walton Premier Division Kabaddi Super League at the Kabaddi Stadium yesterday COURTESY
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DHAKA TRIBUNE
Back Page
Amid the scorching afternoon heat, a sudden gale came as relief. The picture shows people welcome the dusty gust in the capitals Suhrawardy Udyan yesterday
RAJIB DHAR
Licences for the trawlers given 20 25 years back would not be renewed further to ensure limited fish catch and protect the countrys fish resources
The minister has also asked the authorities concerned to replace all the bottom water trawlers with mid-water trawlers immediately, he quoted the minister as saying. An official order in this regard would be issued shortly. After the meeting, Sayedul Haque told the Dhaka Tribune that the government would not allow anyone to import or build any wooden trawlers
in future. Also, we will not allow the licence-holders to replace new trawlers with their old trawlers. Licences for the trawlers given 20-25 years back would not be renewed further to ensure limited fish catch and protect the countrys fish resources. The minister said the heads of law enforcement agencies and departments concerned were instructed to take legal action against the foreign trawlers trespassing into the Bangladeshs maritime area. Bangladesh will not allow any unauthorised trawlers into its territory for fishing illegally. If they enter illegally, we will catch them, the minister said. He informed that although 75 trawlers should be involved in fishing in Bangladesh waters, nearly 221 fishing boats are now catching fish. According to the fisheries department, the government approved 199 trawlers for deep-sea fishing between 1973 and 2011, but there are around 40,000 fishing boats and trawlers fishing in the sea at present. l
DHANMONDI PLAYGROUND
Green activists and leaders of 50 social bodies yesterday held a rally in front of the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University to press home their four-point demand, including withdrawal of false cases against protesters and demolishing all illegal establishments on the Dhanmondi playground. At the rally organised under the banner of Movement to save Dhanmondi playground, Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa) General Secretary Abdul Matin said: Protests from city residents forced the city corporation to install signboards declaring the playground open to all. Bapa Joint General Secretary Iqbal Habib said: The playground was not freed at the prime ministers recommendation, it was freed in the wake of the movements by the citizens. Alleging the city corporation had not taken any steps to remove the illegal establishments of the private sporting club from the playground, he warned that movements would continue until these structures were demolished. The Sheikh Jamal Club authority should immediately withdraw the false suit against environmental activists, said forum convener and former national cricketer Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, adding that a committee should be formed with the city corporation authority and Dhanmondi residents for the playground. The field had been kept occupied by Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club for almost two years. The Dhaka South City Corporation on Thursday placed two signboards, saying the ground was open to all. l
Hindus in the countrys northern districts now perform religious rituals on the bank of small canals as the once mighty Teesta River is drying up DHAKA TRIBUNE
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