October 11, 2013

Weekend Tribune

Business

Myanmar: The next great economic challenger?

Ashwin 26, 1420 Zilhajj 5, 1434 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 1 No 200

PM: Wage hike to benefit RMG industry

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

Op-Ed

11

Ekram Kabir: Save Jahangirnagar University

16 pages with 8-page business tabloid plus 32-page weekend supplement | Price: Tk10

AL, BNP to hold rallies on Oct 25

Shibir activists clash with police, one killed n Tribune Report

The opposition to press home demand for interim administration; the ruling party rally aims to counter opposition threat

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla The ruling Awami League and the main opposition BNP are moving ahead with their plans to hold rallies in the capital on October 25.

The Dhaka city units of the two parties have announced to hold the rallies – the BNP at any of Suhrawardy Udyan, Paltan ground or in front of the Nayapaltan party headquarters, and the Awami League in front of its central office on Bangabandhu Avenue.

The BNP is following the path of the then opposition Awami League, which mobilised thousands of its leaders and activists in Dhaka on October 28, 2006, the last day of BNP-Jamaat alliance government before handing over power to non-party caretaker administration.

The incident resulted in bloodshed, ultimately bringing an army-led caretaker administration that tried to purge some political leaders from both the parties.

“We will hold a grand rally [in the capital] on October 25 if the government does not put in place a non-party interim government by October 24,” Abdus Salam, member secretary of Dhaka City unit BNP, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

BNP Vice-Chairman Sadeque Hossain Khoka said they had already sought permission from the authorities to hold the rally at any of the three venues.

Asked about the party’s strategy in case the authorities denied to give the permission, Khoka said: “Time will tell everything.”

Awami League’s Dhaka city unit General Secretary Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya said: “We will hold a rally on October 25 in front of the party’s central office to counter them [the BNP’s programme].”

After an extended meeting of the party unit, Awami League Presidium member Mohammad Nasim said there was no possibility of any disaster after October 24. “Polls will be held even if the opposition does not take part. If the election is not held, the country will run as per the constitution.”

The Awami League and the BNP have both stuck to their guns – the ruling party saying the election will be held as per the constitution and the main opposition demanding the next election under a non-partisan interim administration.

Diplomats, citizen groups and businesses have repeatedly urged the two major political parties to sit for talks to reach a consensus on holding an inclusive and credible election, but the parties are yet to hold any meeting publicly.

According to the constitution, the next general elections must take place between October 27 this year and January 24 next year, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury told parliament on September 12.

The charter says the Election Commission is bound to hold the polls within 90 days before the expiry of the fiveyear mandate of the Awami League-led ninth parliament.

At a rally in Sylhet on October 5, Khaleda warned the government that her party would wage a strong movement after October 25 if it did not accept the opposition’s demand for a non-partisan interim government by then.

“If the Awami League wants to hold a one-sided election, we will form all-party resistance committees at all centres together with people,” she told the rally.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

Nazmul Islam, a knitting worker who survived the blaze at Gazipur’s Aswad Composite Mills on Tuesday, said tears rolled from his eyes when he received his Eid bonus and salaries yesterday.

“I just felt that the family members of the seven people who died in the fire, are alone and had no one left for them to take the bonus money to their home,” he added.

Ruhul Amin, a knitting supervisor at the factory, said it was pleasant for the garment workers to receive Eid bonus and salary in due time, but added with remorse that he felt something was

INSIDE News

3 After failing to meet more than half a dozen deadlines and causing immense sufferings to the city dwellers, a part of the Jatrabari-Gulistan flyover will be opened to traffic today.

n Kamran Reza Chowdhury The ruling Awami League has shifted from its stance of wrapping up the ongoing parliament session on October 24 and decided to continue sittings to “ensure people’s security” in the face of the opposition leader’s threat of street movement.

The treasury bench has already communicated its latest decision to Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury.

On September 12, the Business Advisory Committee of the Jatiya Sangsad had decided that the current 19th session would continue until October 24. The government of Sheikh Hasina would then turn into an interim administration for 90 days.

“I think the current session will con-

8 Human rights lawyers filed a classaction lawsuit against the United Nations on Wednesday to seek compensation for Haitian victims of a cholera epidemic they blame on UN peacekeepers.

Sport

13 Former captains of Bangladesh Khaled Mahmud Sujan and Naimur Rahman Durjoy, as well as Monjur Kader and Saiful Alam Shopon have been elected directors of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in the election that took place yesterday at the National Sports Council (NSC).

ing the loss of their colleagues, silently waited in queue yesterday for receiving their payment.

Abdul Halim, administrative director of the factory, told the Dhaka Tribune that salary and bonuses were given to around 4,500 workers in the factory from 4:30pm yesterday. It was unprecedented for a company to pay salary and bonuses to its employees, just a day after such a devastating accident, he added.

Meanwhile, the probe body formed to investigate the incident of the factory fire had begun its activities, informed Akteruzzaman Liton, deputy  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

Sachin to call it a day after 200th Test

International

n Tribune Report Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar yesterday announced that he would retire after playing his 200th Test match next month, calling time on a career stretching nearly a quarter of a century.

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 5

AL to extend JS session beyond October 24 to foil BNP threat

Workers still in mourning as they receive Eid bonuses missing and the timely salaries meant nothing without the people who died to save the workers’ lives.

Taslima Begum, a sewing operator of the factory, said the workers came to the factory yesterday after the authorities had declared that bonus and salaries would be paid. The workers were unsure whether the authorities would keep their words following the devastating fire at the factory which killed seven people, Taslima added.

Our Gazipur correspondent reported that such timely payments ahead of festivals had always been reason for workers to celebrate. But workers at Aswad Composite Mills, still mourn-

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

Activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir explode a crude bomb at Mohakhali yesterday as they brought out a sudden procession. The student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami held nationwide demonstrations, demanding release of detained Jamaat-Shibir leaders DHAKA TRIBUNE

GAZIPUR FACTORY FIRE

n Mohammad Jamil Khan

“The constitution fixes a five-year term for parliament. The charter also does not stand in the way of keeping the cabinet. So, keeping parliament and the cabinet will certainly give people a sense of security,” Suranjit Sengupta, a minister without portfolio, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

On Wednesday, senior leader Tofail Ahmed had said: “As the leader of the opposition has been issuing threats, we should continue the parliament session.”

Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sengupta and Matia Chowdhury had told parliament on Wednesday that the current 19th session could continue.

The main opposition BNP, however, has no say about the Awmai League’s

An Islami Chhatra Shibir activist was killed in clashes with police in Damurhuda upazila of Chuadanga yesterday during an alleged attempt to vandalise idols of the Hindu goddess Durga.

Our Correspondent reported that Shibir activist Rafiqul Islam, 23, son of Delwar Hossain from Boalia in Chuadanga sadar, died on the spot after receiving a bullet wound to the head during the unrest.

The incident took place during Shibir’s nationwide demonstrations demanding the release of the convicted or on trial leaders of Shibir and Jamaat-e-Islami.

Witnesses said a procession of around 500 Jamaat and Shibir men, equipped with sticks and brick chips, attempted to vandalise a Durga statue in Darshana Gate bazar area around 3:30pm.

Damurhuda police station Officerin-Charge Ahsan Habib said the Jamaat activists began pelting stones when police intercepted them.

“Police were compelled to fire 15 rounds from their shot guns, submachine guns and Chinese rifles to dispel the gathering crowd,” the OC said.

Rafiqul Islam was taken from the scene to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital, where the doctors declared him dead, the OC said.

The locality has been tense since the death of Rafiqul, who was a student of Bakibillah Kamil Madrasa at Badarganj in the same upazila.

Around 30 people, including 10 policemen, were injured in different places of the capital and several other districts yesterday. Shibir men vandalised vehicles and threw crude bombs at law enforcers, who retaliated with rubber bullets, tear gas canisters and baton charges.

A mobile court sentenced five Shibir men to jail for one year on charges of attacking policemen in the capital’s Motijheel.

Tendulkar, who retired from oneday internationals in December 2012, will end his career with two matches against the West Indies in India.

He said he had been “living a dream” since making his debut back in 1989, but recognised it was now time to call it quits.

“It’s been a huge honour to have represented my country and played all over the world,” the batsman said in a statement.

“I look forward to playing my 200th Test Match on home soil, as I call it a day.”

Tendulkar, 40, said he found it hard to imagine life without cricket “because it’s all I have ever done since I was 11 years old.”

“All my life, I have had a dream of playing cricket for India. I have been  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

tinue beyond October 24. The constitution does not bar holding parliament sittings after October 24 as the legislature has a mandate for five years,” Speaker Shirin Sharmin told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

“It is for the leader of the house and the treasury bench to decide how long the current session will run or whether to call another session,” she said.

Awami League leaders said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s warning of mobilising street movement after October 24 had created a sense of anxiety among people and also among the party leaders and activists. The warning might harm the morale of the Awami League leaders, ultimately affecting the party in the upcoming national polls.

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Friday, October 11, 2013

BNF courts controversy over symbol n Mohammad Zakaria Chief Convener of Bangladesh Nationalist Front (BNF) Abul Kalam Azad yesterday said they are seeking to register the “Paddy Plant” as their symbol if they are approved as a political party.

The Election Commission, however, has said the symbol is too similar to the main opposition BNP’s “Paddy Sheaf” to be considered.

Azad met with Commissioner Abdul Mobarak and officials of the registration section yesterday and later told reporters that a “special party” was creating controversy about the BNF’s symbol.

“We want this controversy to continue. None is above controversy. We want the symbol...People of Bangladesh know about ‘Paddy Plant’ and ‘Paddy Sheaf’,” said Azad.

“There was no complexity about getting the registration,” he said, “The commission has finalised the investiga-

Kidnapped, then murdered n Mohammad Jamil Khan Rab members yesterday recovered the body of Mohammad Rifat, a private university student, from the capital’s Panthapath area, two days after he was kidnapped.

Raihanul Haque Khan, operation officer of Rab 2 and senior assistant superintendent of police, said Rifat’s body was found at a house near Samorita Hospital.

The victim, hailing from Cox’s Bazar, was a ninth semester student of law at Northern University. He was kidnapped around 9pm on September 8 from the Panthapath area while on his way to his rented house in Dhanmondi, Rab said.

From the next day, the kidnappers started calling Rifat’s family to pay TK5m as ransom.

Finding his phone switched off, his maternal uncle Sadequl Islam lodged a case with Kalabagan police station and submitted an application to Rab 2.

Rab personnel yesterday arrested one Lincoln Sarkar, 24, a masters’ student at City College, when the money was being handed over. They also nabbed the alleged mastermind behind the incident, Masud Rana Sumon, 25.

On information gleaned from the two, the body was recovered from the one-room flat in Panthapath. The room was rented by the kidnappers a month back for this purpose, Rab said.

The detainees were shown arrested in the case. They would be handed over to Kalabagan police, Rab said. l

AL nervous as BNP willing to go to polls: CPB n Mohammad Atiqur Rahman Awami League is becoming nervous as the BNP is now willing to participate in the election, said Mujahidul Islam Selim, president of Communist Party of Bangladesh, yesterday.

The caretaker government is not the main issue, instead focus should be on dealing with the problems related to obscene amounts spent, the reliance on muscle power and the use of religion in politics, he said at a press conference.

Former election commissioner M Sakhawat Hossain said religion should be kept out of campaigning. He said: “It is high time we think about ‘First Past The Post’ voting and Proportional Representation. We must start an intellectual struggle from now onwards to that end." l

tion report [on the BNF].”

EC officials confirmed that the BNF has fulfilled all the requirements for acquiring the registration after three deadline extensions. The commission will publish a mass circular within seven working days after Eid regarding the BNF’s registration, seeking opinion and objection.

The BNF applied for the registration in October last year.

“We will field candidates in 300 parliamentary constituencies,” pledged Azad.

The BNP has repeatedly been asking the EC not to give BNF registration, a demand seconded by BNF’s expelled convener Nazmul Huda. The BNP leader also declared that the BNF should be dissolved.

“There will be objections and the party is prepared to invalidate those,” said Azad. He also dismissed as “propaganda” a claim that there was pressure from an intelligence agency to register the BNF before the upcoming general elections. l

One more arrested in madrasa blast n Tushar Hayat, Chittagong

Activists of National Committee to Protect Oil Gas Mineral Resources Power and Ports barred as they try to besiege the energy ministry yesterday demanding withdrawal of proposed Rampal coal-fired power plant MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

‘Sex worker ordered ATM booth guard killing’ n Kailash Sarkar

Police claimed yesterday to have solved the mystery behind the murder of a security guard in the capital’s Mohammadpur area on Sunday.

Enamul Huq, 21, was stabbed to death while on duty outside the Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited ATM booth on Nur Jahan Road, in what initially appeared to be a motiveless attack. No cash was stolen from the machine but police now believe Enamul was killed on orders following a feud.

Four people are now in custody including a 40-year-old “sex worker” named Meghla, the suspected mastermind behind the murder. The other three arrestees are Sunny, Parvej and Jewel – all identified by only their first names.

“Meghla was a sex worker and had an illicit relationship with Enamul. She assigned the three youths to kill him following a feud with the latter,” said Azizul Huq, the officer in charge of Mohammadpur police station.

“They stabbed him to death on her

instructions near the very ATM booth he worked in,” Azizul said, adding they had arrested the four during an overnight drive in Mohammadpur.

According to police, Enamul was an employee of private security provider Elite Security and son of Abdul Rashid of Bhauail village of Tarail upazila under Kishoreganj district. He had been residing in a slum in the neighbourhood.

Police said the three youths were professional muggers and had been arrested several times before and had various criminal charges against them.

Inspector Abdul Matin of the Mohammadpur police station said they first arrested Meghla after identifying her from CCTV video footage taken from the booth.

They arrested the others following information given by her.

“On that night, Meghla first called out Enamul from the booth and later Sunny, Parvej and Jewel strangulated and stabbed him to death at a nearby place,” he said. l

Independent editor retires n Tribune Report

Mahbubul Alam, a senior journalist of the country, has left The Independent newspaper after a long career with the English-language daily as its editor and publisher since August 1995.

In a press release yesterday, Beximco Group, the paper’s owner, announced that M Shamsur Rahman, who heads Independent Television, will take over as the editor of the paper.

The change will come into effect from October 20.

“I have decided to resign,” Mah-

bubul Alam told the Dhaka Tribune over phone. “I have retired,” he added.

The release also announced that Alam will continue as an adviser to the business group. Alam started his journalism career with Associated Press of Pakistan in 1957, and successfully steered The Independent for more than 18 years, said the press release.

He also served as an ambassador and was a former caretaker government adviser.

Shamsur Rahman, the paper’s new editor, will continue in his present role as the head of Independent TV. l

AL to extend JS session  PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

decision to continue parliament session beyond October 24.

“We have no position on the issue.

They are in the power – they can do whatever they like. We are least bothered about the continuation of parliament session,” Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

“We are now focused on making our October 25 programme a success,” he said.

According to article 123 of the constitution, the next general elections

must take place within 90 days before the completion of parliament’s fiveyear term from the first day of its first session.

The Awami League-led ninth parliament had its first session on January 25, 2009. So, it is supposed to exist up to January 24 next year.

The constitution obligates the Election Commission to announce election schedules on any convenient day and hold election within the stipulated 90 days.

Many countries following the Westminster form of government dissolve parliament before the interim period. l

HC fines Mosharraf AL, BNP to hold rallies on Oct 25 in graft case chief would also hold meetings in Chittagong and Dhaka after Eid-ul-Azha.

The next day Prime Minister Sheikh Han Nazmus Sakib Earlier on September 8, the former sina said the next parliament elections  PAGE 1 COLUMN 2

The High Court yesterday upheld a lower court verdict that fined former BNP state minister for energy AKM Mosharraf Hossain Tk600,000 in a graft case.

The bench of Justice Abu Bakar Siddiqui, however, reduced the punishment of three-year jail term to one year which he had already served.

ACC counsel Khurshid Alam Khan and Mosharraf’s lawyer Mohammad Shah Alam said Mosharraf would have to serve six more months if he did not pay the fines.

The case was filed in 1991 for embezzling Tk564,449 when he served as a BCIC chairman and industries secretary from 1988 to 1990. He was sentenced the follwoing year, but he challenged the verdict. l

would be held as per the parliamentary system of democracy practised in other countries of the world.

“We have to hold the next election following the constitutional process – we have to begin the process from a certain stage so that no one could play with the fate of the country’s people,” she said, addressing a rally of professionals at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.

On August 19, the BNP-led 18-party alliance announced that the BNP chairperson would hold meetings in five divisional headquarters and one district demanding election under a non-party interim government.

BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the party

premier warned that non-stop movement programmes, including hartal and blockades, would be launched to mount pressure on the government.

Khaleda urged the government on October 8 to be “responsible” and take initiatives to resolve the existing political crisis. She said the government would have to negotiate over a pollstime government to save the country from “violence and uncertainty.”

“Time is running out fast. I hope they [the government] will come to a compromise to save the country from violence. Do not push the country towards uncertainty. I urge them to be responsible and try to understand the people’s pulse,” she said told business people at a programme. l

Police yesterday arrested a person, who was allegedly injured in Monday’s explosion at Jamiatul Uloom Al-Islamia Lalkhan Bazar Madrasa in Chittagong.

Shakhawat Hossain alias Shahabuddin, 25, had gone into hiding at Hathazari upazila after the incident. He was arrested in City Gate area around 6am when he was trying to travel to Dhaka on a bus.

Liakat Ali, officer-in-charge of Akbar Shah police station, said police followed Shahabuddin from Hathazari, before capturing him by setting up a check post at City Gate. The arrestee had marks of injuries on different parts of his body, he said.

On Monday, a massive explosion rocked the madrasa run by the senior nayeb-e-ameer of Hefazat, Mufti Izharul Islam Chowdhury, leaving at least five people critically injured. Of the injured, two people died later.

Police recovered four hand grenades and a large number of explosive-making materials from the madrasa dormitory.

Three cases were filed, accusing 12 persons, including Mufti Izhar and his son Harun, in connection with the blast. l

JUTA protests ‘attack’ on teachers n JU Correspondent

Jahangirnagar University Teachers’ Association (JUTA) yesterday brought out a silent procession on the campus to protest against the alleged assault on agitating teachers by the vicechancellor and activists of Chhatra League on Wednesday.

Over 200 members of the association, wearing black cloths over their mouths, launched the march from Shaheed Minar around 11am.

On reaching the administrative office, they demanded immediate removal of VC Prof Anwar Hossain for provoking Chhatra League activists to assault three teachers.

Meanwhile, students under the banner of General Students’ Forum at a press conference demanded action against the agitating teachers for allegedly assaulting them in front of the administrative building and the VC’s residence on Wednesday afternoon.

In a statement issued yesterday, the VC denied the attack took place.

After the procession, JUTA held a general meeting at which they called on the chancellor of the university and President of the country Abdul Hamid to remove the VC by October 20, or

Workers still in mourning as they receive Eid bonuses  PAGE 1 COLUMN 3

assistant director of fire service and civil defense of Gazipur.

He said officials had collected pictures from the site of the fire and talked with factory workers, but added that it was still not possible to determine how the fire originated or to estimate the losses.

Earlier on Tuesday, seven factory employees were killed while trying to douse the flame at Gazipur’s Aswad Composite Mills.

District administration provided Tk20,000 in compensation to the victims’ families, while the company authorities also provided Tk50,000 to each family for burial purposes. The factory owners have also announced Tk500,000 in compensation for families of each victim. l

else they would declare a complete shutdown on the campus from October 22.

JUTA President Prof Ajit Kumar Majumder said: “The government has to fulfil our rational demand and remove the VC. At the same time, the attacker students must be punished immediately.”

General Secretary Prof Md Sharif Uddin also spoke at the rally when Prof Syed Md Kamrul Ahsan, Prof Amir Hossain, Prof Md Hanif Ali and Prof Kamrul Ahsan also attended.

On Wednesday, the VC, two proVCs and others were intercepted by the General Teachers’ Forum while they were entering the administrative building for holding a Syndicate meeting scheduled for 4pm. Then the VC pushed away two teachers and moved towards the building.

The forum teachers reacted instantly and engaged in a scuffle with the other teachers accompanying the VC. They also locked the entrance of the building demanding action against the VC for “assaulting” the two teachers.

At that time, leaders and activists of Chhatra League appeared at the scene and vandalised some chairs. They also hurled some chairs at the agitating teachers.

Around 5:30pm, the Chhatra League leaders and activists took position in front of the VC’s residence where the forum teachers had been demonstrating for over a week. As soon as the teachers reached there, the Chhatra League activists hurled abuse and reportedly assaulted them.

Later around 7:30pm, the Syndicate meeting began at the residence of ProVC (administration) Prof Afsar Ahmed and continued until midnight. The meeting decided to ask for deployment of additional police on the campus, and formed a five-member probe committee, upon allegations against the agitating teachers by students and staff, to investigate the alleged assaults in front of the administrative building and the VC’s residence.

The forum, backed by ousted VC Prof Shariff Enamul Kabir and proBNP teachers, boycotted the decisions.

They also suspended the agitation until October 22.

Meanwhile, VC Prof Anwar finally re-entered his residence on Wednesday night, nine days after launching a sit-in with his wife to counter a similar action taken by the forum teachers. The VC had been staying at the residence of Prof Afsar on the campus. l

Shibir activists clash with police  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

Elsewhere in the capital, Jamaat-Shibir men brought out processions, engaged in vandalism, blasted handmade bombs and clashed with law enforcers in Gulshan, Mohakhali and Kamalapur. They also brought out processions at Moghbazar, Mirpur, Jatrabari and other areas.

A procession was brought out near Brac University in Mohakhali, where three handmade bombs were exploded and vehicles vandalised at around 9:30am. Police detained two Shibir men – Anisur Rahman and Shah Paran.

Another clash occurred near the Mohakhali flyover when police fired blank shots to disperse the Shibir supporters.

In another flashpoint, Shibir supporters brought out a procession at Kamalapur and hurled several handmade bombs towards law enforcers, who arrested five of them — Abdullah Md Shefat, 27, Md Soyeb Ahmed, 18, Md Borhan Uddin, 20, Md Mushfiqur Rahman, 22, and Md Ilias, 21.

Later a mobile court led by executive magistrate Md Abul Kalam sentenced them to jail for one year each.

In Rajshahi, at least 12 people, including three policemen, were injured in clashes between police and Shibir.

During the clashes, police fired rubber bullets and tear gas canisters while the Shibir men threw crude bombs and brickbats at Alokar Mor in the city around 12:30pm.

In Comilla, Shibir men exploded at least six crude bombs and pelted brick chips at police during a clash around 11:30am at Kapuria Potti. A policeman and a pedestrian were injured.

In Jhenidah, two policemen and two others were injured in a clash in front of the Jhenidah Press Club around 10am. Two Shibir men were injured when police fired six shots and three tear gas canisters.

Jamaat-Shibir also brought out processions in Chittagong, Noakhali, Naogaon and some other districts. l

Sachin to call it a day after 200th Test  PAGE 1 COLUMN 3

living this dream every day for the last 24 years,” he said.

The highest scorer in both Tests and ODIs, Tendulkar has scored 15,837 runs in 198 Tests and 18,426 runs in 463 ODIs, since his debut against Pakistan in Karachi in November 1989, at the age of 16. Last year he became the only batsman in the history of the game to reach 100 international centuries.

His last century in a Test came in January 2011 when India played South Africa. He also played his last Twenty20 match earlier this month in an appearance for the Mumbai Indians.

Tendulkar captained India for several years but the high point of his career came in 2011 when he was part of the Indian team to win the World Cup after a sixth attempt.

Dubbed as the little master, Tendulkar was tipped for greatness from an early age, and whilst still at school in 1988 he made an unbeaten 326 in a stand of 664 with Vinod Kambli in the semi-finals of the Harris Shield.

His first Test century came in his 14th innings and was against England at Old Trafford in 1990.

He scored six double centuries, the first of which came against New Zealand in 1999 and the most recent, a 214 against Australia in Bangalore in October 2010, with his highest score an unbeaten 248 against Bangladesh in 2004.

Tendulkar racked up 16 Test hundreds before he turned 25 and in 2000 became the first man to score 50 international tons, while in 2010 he became the first double centurion in a one-day international.

The right-handed batting genius has been widely hailed by his contemporaries as second only to the Australian legend Sir Donald Bradman.

Australia’s Shane Warne, who was considered one of his generation’s finest spinners along with Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan, said that no one else came close to Tendulkar in his prime.

“Sachin Tendulkar is, in my time, the best player without a doubt -- daylight second, Brian Lara third,” said Warne.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted: “One of the greatest ever Sachin Tendulkar is retiring. One of my heroes and an absolute joy to play against.”

Tendulkar, who is an honorary member of Indian parliament, has sometimes struggled to cope with his iconic status, but he made a point of praising his fans in his retirement statement.

“Most of all, I thank my fans and well-wishers who through their prayers and wishes have given me the strength to go out and perform at my best,” he said.

Legendary Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar once said he was convinced Tendulkar would achieve greatness when he first saw him bat in the nets more than two decades ago.

“It is hard to imagine any player in the history of the game who combines classical technique with raw aggression like the little champion does. There is not a single shot he cannot play,” said Gavaskar. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

3

Friday, October 11, 2013

PM to inaugurate part of Jatrabari-Gulistan flyover today n Abu Hayat Mahmud After failing to meet more than half a dozen deadlines and causing immense sufferings to the city dwellers, a part of the Jatrabari-Gulistan flyover will be opened to traffic today.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate part of the 10km-long flyover, confirmed Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Chief Executive Officer Md Ansar Ali Khan yesterday.

The flyover has been named after former Dhaka city mayor Mohammad Hanif.

Ansar Ali Khan said, as part of the inauguration programme, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will make a trip from the Gulistan point of the flyover and to the Kutubkhali point in Jatrabari.

After reaching Kutubkhali, the PM will unveil the plaque of the Mayor Hanif Flyover, and pay toll and then will make a return trip to Gulistan point and pay toll again.

After ending of the field-level inauguration, the PM will attend a meeting on the occasion at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium, DSCC CEO said.

Meanwhile, residents from the adjoining areas of the flyover were hopeful it would save time for commuters by easing the flow of traffic in the south and south-eastern part of the capital.

The 5.5km-long main section of the flyover stretches from Dhaka-Chittagong highway to Nimtoli through Jatrabari, Sayedabad, Kaptanbazar and Gulistan.

The flyover is expected to contribute largely to the national economy by improving faster road connectivity, linking as many as 30 districts up to greater Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar.

The last segments of the flyover were mounted on September 13 with the construction of a total 315 pillars.

It will have seven toll booths and a control room, all of which have already

Azhar’s indictment order on Oct 28 n Udisa Islam The International Crimes Tribunal 1 yesterday set October 28 to decide on the framing of charges in the case against alleged al-Badr leader of Rangpur, ATM Azharul Islam.

The three-member tribunal, headed

by Justice ATM Fazle Kabir, set the date after hearing a discharge petition filed by the counsel of the accused, who is a Jamaat assistant secretary general.

The prosecution on July 18 submitted six charges of crimes against humanity allegedly committed by Azhar in Rangpur during the 1971 Liberation War. A week later, the tribunal took into cognisance the formal charges.

The prosecution ended the hearing on the charges on August 29. Defence counsels Shishir Monir and Imran Siddique argued on September 24 while senior defence lawyer and Jamaat lead-

er Abdur Razzaq placed his submission yesterday.

According to the charges, Azhar had been involved with Islami Chhatra Sangha, then student wing of Jamaat, and alBadr, a paramilitary force that sided with the Pakistani occupation army. He had allegedly been involved in the mass killings, torture and abduction in the district between March and December 1971.

Azhar faces charges of abduction, torture and the killing of 11 people including Liberation War organiser AY Mahfuz Ali. He also stands accused of genocide for the mass killing of around 1,225 people in Rangpur, and he was allegedly involved in killing four other people, abducting 17, raping one, confining 12, torturing 13, and looting and torching numerous houses in the district. The charges say he was also involved in the killing of six lecturers of Carmichael College. l

been built.

According to DSCC, for a single trip, Tk150 will be collected as toll from for a six-wheeler truck and Tk200 for a trailer, Tk100 for a four-wheeler truck, Tk150 for a bus, Tk100 for a minibus, Tk75 for a pickup van, Tk50 for a microbus, Tk40 for a jeep, Tk35 for a car, Tk10 for an auto-rickshaw and Tk5 will be charged for a motorbike.

Built at a cost of Tk23bn, the flyover is the first Public Private Partnership (PPP) project in the country that is being constructed on a “build, own, operate and transfer” basis.

According to the contract, the investor will transfer the facility to the government after a concession period of 24 years.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had inaugurated the start of construction of the flyover in June, 2010. Earlier, Orion Group was given the contract to build the flyover in 2005. l

Nayan ‘confesses’ to SQC verdict leak n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu International Crimes Tribunal staff member Nayan Ali has admitted his involvement in the leaking of the draft verdict in the case against BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury.

Metropolitan Magistrate Tareq Mainul Islam Bhuiyan recorded his statement yesterday and ordered him jail, General Recording Officer of the court Sub-Inspector Mahmudur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune.

Nayan, a cleaner, and Md Faruque, stenographer of the tribunal registrar, have been on remand after their arrest on on October 5. Another accused Mehedi Hasan, a junior to the convict’s lawyer Fakhrul Islam Chowdhury, is on the run.

Nayan said he accessed the tribunal 1 chairman’s computer and gave Mehedi data on a pen drive several times, said a source. He also claimed that Fakhrul and a manager of Salauddin Quader had been involved in the matter. l

Vehicles of authorities concerned inspect a completed section of the Jatrabari-Gulistan flyover which is set to be inaugurated today. The photo was taken from Tikatuli yesterday SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Prosecution deposition concludes in 10-truck arms haul case n

Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong

A Chittagong court yesterday finished recording the depositions of prosecution witnesses in two cases filed in connection with the recovery of 10-truck arms in 2004.

The court also fixed October 23 and 24 for the next hearing and examination of the accused.

Chittagong Metropolitan Special Tribunal 1 Judge SM Mujibur Rahman passed the orders at around 2:05pm after completing the cross-examination of Investigating Officer Md Moniruzzaman, an additional superintendent of police of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Chittagong, said Omar Fuad, the tribunal bench assistant.

As the defence lawyers did not cross-examine the IO even after repeated requests of the court, the judge declared the end of the deposition consid-

ering the prosecution’s prayer, he said.

Kamal Uddin Ahmad, public prosecutor (PP) of the tribunal, submitted a prayer for concluding the prosecution deposition on October 3.

ASP Moniruzzaman was the 53th PW of the smuggling case and 56th PW in the arms case lodged with Karnaphuli police station in connection with the sensational 10-truck arms haul at Chittagong Urea Fertiliser Limited (CUFL) jetty in Chittagong.

In the early hours of April 2, 2004, around 1,500 wooden boxes containing submachine guns, AK-47 assault rifles, submachine carbines, Chinese pistols, rocket shells and launchers, hand grenades and bullets were seized from two vessels at the jetty of CUFL. Two cases were filed the next day with Karnaphuli police station under the Special Powers Act and arms act for smuggling and seizure of arms, and the

trial began on November 29 in 2011.

Supreme Court Lawyer Khandakar Mahbub Hossain, counsel for former home minister Lutfuzzaman Babar, submitted two petitions before the court at 12:55pm yesterday seeking to complete the cross-examinations of former officer-in-charge of Karnaphuli police station Ahadur Rahman, the plaintiff of the cases and also the first IO, and Constable AKM Mohiuddin, and to recall the two.

The defence would sustain an irreparable loss if the cross-examinations remained incomplete, he said.

The PP in reply said Ahadur Rahman was investigated the case for only 17 days and had already been cross-examined for many days. Ahadur was physically weak and the court had been informed about it, he added.

Defence Counsel Khandakar Mahbub said Ahadur was the plaintiff of the cases and the completion of his cross-exam-

ination was crucial. Khandakar Mahbub also suggested that they could cross-examine Ahadur at his residence if he was so sick. The defence and the prosecution locked into an argument over the issue while witness Moniruzzaman stood in the box.

In the end, the court adjourned its proceedings till October 23 and declared the end of the prosecution depositions.

The defence yesterday submitted a total of 14 petitions on various issues including transferring the cases from this court and a prayer to High Court for suspension of the last order, the tribunal bench assistant said.

The court took the 14 petitions into judicial notice.

During the hearing, the 11 people accused in the cases, including former home minister Lutfuzzaman Babar and former industries minister Matiur Rahman Nizami were produced before the court. l

Tribunal gives respondents more time The war crimes tribunal yesterday adjourned the contempt hearing on Channel 24 officials and participants of a talk show for transmitting “false comments” on the trial of convict Salauddin Quader Chowdhury last month.

As counsels for the respondents of the contempt rule sought three weeks’ adjournment to place written explanation, the tribunal 1 set November 6 for the hearing.

Zafrullah Chowdhury, trustee of Gonoshasthaya Kendra and Mahfuz Ullah, secretary general of Centre for Sustainable Development – participants of the talk show “Muktobaak” which was aired on September 18 – suggested that Salauddin Quader had not been given the opportunity to place his witnesses and that his rights had been curtailed.

According to the petition filed by

the prosecution on September 24, Zafrullah said the war crimes accused had wanted to place a sitting High Court judge to testify for him but the chief justice did not give him permission.

The prosecution claimed that it was a sub-judicial matter and such remarks could malign the tribunal.

Earlier on September 26, the International Crimes Tribunal 1 issued the rule to the private television channel, represented by its managing director, and seven others to respond why contempt proceedings should not be brought against them. Yesterday was set for the reply.

In the order, the tribunal asked the two participants of the programme – to appear before it in person. The six others were asked to submit any explanations they may have.

Yesterday, the counsel for Mahfuz Ullah was present at the tribunal and

n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong A Chittagong court yesterday issued arrest 11 officials of Chittagong Customs House and two others for demanding bribes from a car importer.

Chittagong Metropolitan Sessions Judge SM Mujibur Rahman issued the warrants after the Anti-Corruption Comission filed charge sheet in the case.

Mahmudul Haq, public prosecutor of the ACC in Chittagong, told the Dhaka Tribune that the man bidding on the vehicle, Hasan Ali, lodged a case against the accused on July 2, 2009 alleging that the accused had demanded bribes from him though he already won the bidding.

The accused are AKM Shahabuddin Nagri, former commissioner of Chit-

sought an adjournment as his client was abroad.

Zafrullah appeared before the tribunal and submitted his written reply. He said he did not need a lawyer. The tribunal then asked him to submit a written application mentioning this.

The tribunal also asked him to come again together with Mahfuz Ullah and reply to the rule. Zafrullah then sought permission to submit his reply individually but the tribunal did not allow it.

During the hearing, the court room was packed with friends, relatives and lawyers of Zafrullah including ASM Abdur Rab, Shirin Huq and Farida Akhter.

In response to the tribunal’s query why he was at the court, Abdur Rab said he went there only to visit the tribunal.

In his written reply, Zafrullah said by discussing in an open mind in Muktobaak, he committed no crime under the tribunal laws. He also claimed that

he did not give any false statement but pointed out some matters over which the people of Bangladesh were already bothered.

At the end of his document, he appealed to the tribunal to exempt him from the charge to ensure the right to freedom of speech.

Another counsel of Channel 24 told the tribunal that it issued rule against some officials mentioning only some positions. He pleaded to issue the rules again mentioning the names.

Prosecutor Zead-Al-Malum said in his submission that the parties they mentioned were related with the talk show and so they had mentioned the posts only.

Hearing both the sides, the tribunal led by Chairman Justice ATM Fazle Kabir told the prosecutor to resubmit the contempt petition mentioning the names. l

tagong Customs House; Mohammad Sajedul Haq, former assistant commissioner; Baharul Alam, former preventive officer; Abul Hashim Prodhan, appraiser of the customs (law); Abu Haider, former principal appraiser of bidding section; AKM Fazlul Haq, senior principal superintendent; Pravash Chandra Tarafder, former senior principal superintendent of bidding section; Kajol Nondi, former office assistant of customs (law); NK Barua, former appraiser of bidding section; Aminul Islam, former principal appraiser of the customs (law); Mashuk Al Hossain, former additional commissioner of the customs house; Md Ruhul Amin, owner of the car importing company; and Md Imran, owner of Ten Star Corporation. l

RMG workers stage demo n Mohammad Jamil Khan

CHANNEL 24 CONTEMPT

n Udisa Islam

Arrest warrants issued against 11 customs officials

Garment workers went on rampage and demonstrated in Ashulia industrial area yesterday, demanding their Eid bonus and salary.

They vandalised vehicles and different factories of the area and locked into clashes with the law enforcers that left at least 30 people injured.

In Ashulia, workers of Liberty Fashion Wears Limited started demonstration by blocking Dhaka-Tangail Highway demanding Eid bonus and salary. Police

charged batons on them, fired rubber bullets and tear gas shells that left at least 30 people injured.

Abdus Sattar, inspector of Industrial Police 1, told the Dhaka Tribune that the workers staged demonstration as the factory was shut without paying the dues.

Later, the factory authorities assured to pay the dues on Sunday.

Meanwhile, workers of Anzir Apparels, Jaman Garment of Gouripur area, Harvard Sweater, Asha Creation and Ocean and Design of Jamgora area also demonstrated with the same demand. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Friday, October 11, 2013

JOINT RIVERS COMMISSION MEETING

India yet to confirm dates n Mohosinul Karim Chances are low that the due meeting of the Joint Rivers Commission of Bangladesh and India will be held during this tenure of the government.

The JRC meeting was scheduled to be held on June 18-19 this year; but it never took place in the end because India postpone it just three days before the date saying its water resources minister was busy with other state engagements.

The 38th meeting was expected to solve problems of water sharing of the common rivers between Bangladesh and India.

Despite giving assurances, the Indian authority did not give any fresh date for the meeting in the last four months, making it highly unlikely that another JRC meeting could be held during the current government’s tenure.

Even if it keeps holding office after October 24, the government has said it will not make any major policy decision after that date and will concentrate on the preparations for the general elections.

Sheikh Altaf Ali, secretary of the water resources ministry, admitted that there were uncertainties surrounding

ACC reforms its organisational team for BEED n Tribune Report The Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday reformed its organisational team for the Bangladesh Education Engineering Department (BEED) under the Ministry of Education, to strengthen its corruption finding activities according to an ACC official.

A regular meeting of the commission approved the changes and reformed the committee with the commission’s Deputy Director SM Mofidul Islam as the head of the team and deputy assistant directors Nur Hossain Khan, M Najmus Sadat and Sarder Manjur Hossain as members.

To uncover corruption at the BEED, the commission in November 2011 first formed a four member committee led by its Deputy Director Benzir Ahamed.

The commission made the changes as the former team leader was transferred to another office, the official added.

Earlier on Wednesday, the commission also reformed its organisational team for the Roads and Highways Department.

The commission formed 11 separate committees to scrutinise corruptions in government, semi-government and autonomous organisations in November 2011. l

A crowd of home-bound people at the capital’s Kamalapur Railway Station yesterday, trying to board a train to leave the city ahead of Eid-ul-Azha and Durga Puja to spend the vacation with their loved ones NASHIRUL ISLAM

Call to stop the use of children in politics n Tazlina Zamila Khan Using children for political interests should be banned immediately through the implementation of a law, speakers said at meeting held in the capital yesterday.

They mentioned the suffering of juveniles during Hefazat-e-Islam’s Dhaka blockade programme on May 5 of this year.

Political parties competing for the forthcoming general elections should incorporate issues regarding child rights in their election manifestos for the development of the deprived children in the country, said Sultana Kamal, Executive Director of ASK. The meeting, held at the BIAM Auditorium, was jointly organised by Save the Children International, Ain O Salish Kendra and the Child Rights Governance Assembly (CRGA).

“Political parties should include our demands for ensuring child rights and the demands should be met,” said human rights activist Sultana Kamal.

The other demands placed at the

meeting included incorporating issues of deprived children in the local and national budget, implementing policies regarding the portrayal of children in the media, and implementing the Child Law 2013.

AKM Masud Ali, executive director of INCIDIN Bangladesh, said: “At least 45% of our total population is children and among them, around 400,000 children are involved in labour.

“A separate department is needed for addressing child rights. If political parties mention this in their election manifestos then it might be implemented later,” he added.

Lawmaker Fazle Hossain Badsha said: “A special committee should be formed under every Upazila Parishad and Union Parishad for providing services to children. The government should allocate funds for that committee for the development of the children.

“Children are the worst victims of road accidents. A law should be enacted to ensure security for children on the streets, particularly the street chil-

dren,” said Badsha.

The speakers stressed the importance of preventing children from begging and underscored the need for recruitment of doctors to every school to ensure healthcare for the children.

Enam Ahmed Chowdhury, member of the advisory council to the chairperson of BNP, said: “Election manifestos incorporate a lot of issues, but few of them were implemented. So, implementation is a must.”

Children participating in meeting also pointed out issues which are endangering the security of children in the society.

Shoma, a student of class eight, said: “Student politics should be banned for the sake of our security.”

“The Chhatra League [student wing of the ruling party] members often tease school-going girls but people remain silent because of their political influence. Laws should be enacted to stop their violent activities,” she said.

Local MP Shagufta Yasmin Emily, also a whip in parliament, was present at the programme. l

Biman crewmember held with gold bars worth Tk1m n Kailash Sarkar A crewmember of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the national flag bearer, was arrested in possession of gold bars worth Tk1m at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the early hours of Thursday.

Customs Intelligence & Investigation Directorate (CIID) personnel arrested the Biman employee, identified as Kamal Hosain, while he was roaming in the Green Channel area of the airport around 1:30am.

“Acting on a tipoff, the CIID officials performed a body-search and found gold worth Tk1m”, said Mustafizur Rahman, a deputy director with the CIID. The CIID official said the gold bars were smuggled into the airport from Mascot by a member of an international gold smuggling ring.

“The Biman crewmember was arrested as he was trying to take the gold out of the airport so he could hand it

Temperature unlikely to change n UNB Light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at many places over Chittagong, Barisal, Khulna and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rangpur, Dhaka and Rajshahi divisions until 6pm today.

Moderately heavy falls were also likely at places, Met Office said.

Day and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.

The sun sets in the capital at 5:36pm today and rises at 5:55am tomorrow.

Country’s highest temperature 35.0 degree Celsius was recorded at Bogra and lowest 21.8 degrees at Srimangal yesterday.

Highest and lowest temperatures recorded in some major cities yesterday were: City

High

Low

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

34.0 32.8 33.0 32.7 34.0 33.5 33.8 34.0

25.6 25.4 25.0 24.0 24.0 24.0 22.5 25.4

PRAYER TIMES 4:39am 5:53am 11:45pm 3:58pm 5:36pm 6:51pm

Source: IslamicFinder.org

A doctors’ forum yesterday called upon the government to relocate the proposed Rampal power plant at a safe distance from the Sundarbans.

The forum titled “Doctors for Health and Environment” made the call from a meeting held at its Green Road office in the capital with the organisation president, Dr Najmun Nahar, in the chair.

The meeting discussed about the government initiative to construct the coalfired power plant adjacent to the Sundarbans and expressed deep concern over the decision, a press release said. l

Bangladesh Sangskritik Muktijote registers as 40th political party

n Mohammad Zakaria Bangladesh Sangskritik Muktijote, a new political party, yesterday received its registration certificate from the Election Commission (EC) ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections.

The party became the 40th political party to be registered with the EC. Abu Layes Munna, the party’s director, received the registration certificate from Mejbah Uddin Ahmed, EC senior assistant secretary, around 2pm at the commission’s office in the capital.

After receiving the certificate, party spokesperson Aminur Rahman said the party was yet to decide regarding its participation in the upcoming elections. The party will fix its next agenda after the 12th founding anniversary council, scheduled to be held in November Regarding the party’s symbol, he said they were given the “stick” symbol from the commission. l

over to the other members of the ring,” he said.

The detainee was being interrogated

by CIID officials.

His arrest came just hours after airport authorities recovered Saudi Arabian Riyal worth Tk105m on Wednesday evening.

No one was arrested in connection with the find and the owner of the luggage containing the cash is yet to be found, said the CIID officials.

The Saudi currency was found stashed in two bags after the they were scanned at the boarding bridges of the airport at around 5:50pm, just 15 minutes before the flight was scheduled to depart for Dubai.

Umme Nahida Akhter, assistant director of the CIID, said: “The currency was seized following a tip-off. When the currency was detected, none of the passengers claimed ownership.”

“As there were no tags on the bags, it was not possible to identify its owner.”

She said. l

679 workers bound for Malaysia n Rabiul Islam

Doctors’ forum demand relocation of Rampal power plant

n Tribune Report

WEATHER

Fajar Sunrise Jumma Asr Magrib Esha

the JRC meeting. He said the ministry had been waiting for months for a response from the Indian side for getting fresh dates for the meeting.

“If they [Indian authorities] give a date anytime soon, we will take our preparations for holding the meeting to settle some issues which are most important for Bangladesh,” he said.

The 37th meeting of the JRC was held more than three years ago. This June’s meeting was supposed to be the 38th that was expected to solve some problems and issues regarding sharing of waters of the common rivers between Bangladesh and India.

According to the water resources ministry, Bangladesh is ready to discuss the water sharing problems of the Teesta River and the construction of Tipaimukh Dam in India.

Among other issues, that of water sharing of seven other rivers was also in the chart of discussion in the much waited minister level meeting of the JRC. The issues of India’s water lifting from Feni River; water sharing of Monu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gomoti, Dhorola and Dudhkumar river’s; implementation of the 1996 treaty for sharing the water of the Ganges; and increasing the water flow in Ganges during dry season were also listed for discussion in the meeting. l

Members of Bangladesh Garment Workers Trade Union stage a rally in front of the National Press Club yesterday, demanding punishment of the owners of Aswad Composite Mills MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Gang of car thieves held, DB recovers 13 motorised vehicles n Mohammad Jamil Khan Detective Branch of police seized a gang of car thieves and recovered 13 motorised vehicles in a drive carried out inside the capital and its surrounding areas in the early hours of Thursday.

The arrestees are Monju Mia, Ahmed Ali Kalu, Mohammad Dulal, Abdus Sattar and Sohel Anwar.

Police recovered nine private cars, one microbus and three motorcycles from their possession, said Monirul Islam, joint-commissioner of DB. Addressing a press briefing, he said

on information they arrested Monju and Kalu from Narsingdi district and recovered a private car from their possession.

After the arrestees revealed the whereabouts of the other members of the gang, police carried out drives in Savar and arrested Dulal and Abdus Sattar.

They recovered four private cars form their possession there.

In the continuous drive, members of the intelligence department recovered three other vehicles and three motorcycles from Shewrapara and Kakrail area of the capital, he said.

In a separate raid, they had arrested Sohel from Amin Bazar area and recov-

ered two other private cars, he added.

Quoting the detainees, he said the group was involved in stealing vehicles in the capital and later they used to sell the stolen vehicles to customers after replacing the engine, chassis, and registration documents.

“During primary interrogation, the thieves confessed that they had stolen around 20 to 25 vehicles from the capital till date and have five more members in the gang,” said Monirul.

Members of the intelligence wing were carrying out drives in different areas to arrest the other members, said the joint commissioner. l

A total of 679 visas for Malaysia-bound workers arrived yesterday ahead of a tentative first departure date of October 25.

“We will submit the VWRs to the Malaysian embassy in Bangladesh and they will issue visas,” Additional Director General of the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) Jabed Ahmed told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

BMET officials said they were asking 228 of the plantation sector workers to provide their passport and Tk29,000 at their office on October 20.

“We are expecting to send 100 workers on October 25 and the remaining flights will take place gradually,” said Jabed Ahmed said.

A total of 455 workers have gone to Malaysia to work in the plantation sector since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries on November 26, 2012.

The awaiting Malaysia-bound workers have been constantly in touch with BMET, its officials said. l

Eid-ul-Azha and Durga Puja vacation begins at DU n DU Correspondent Dhaka University will begin a 21-day vacation today ahead of Eid-ul-Azha and Durga Puja, the two biggest festivals observed among the Muslim and Hindu communities of the country.

All the academic activities will remain closed till October 30, while the administrative offices will remain closed till October 19.

Though the campus would remain closed, the residential halls will remain open during the vacation. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Long Form

Friday, October 11, 2013

5

The people who put Alexander the Great into retreat

The Macedonian conquerer Alexander the Great was one of the first to eye the Ganges delta

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

T

n Tim Steel he immense wealth of the lands of the Ganges delta that form the heart of Bangladesh, has attracted both traders and invaders over the centuries.

The last of whom might well have been, effectively, Pakistan, and as we all know they were preceded by the great invaders, the Khilji, the Mughals and the British.

But the first foreign power to eye the region’s wealth and the flourishing trading centre that grew from the later years of the 2nd millennium BCE drawing merchants from across the known world, was probably the Macedonia of Alexander the Great.

There can be little doubt that he would have been aware of the wealth and trade that two thousand years later drew the praise of the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb, in his immortal description of these lands as, “The paradise of nations, for its wealth and trade.’’

Of course, Aurangzeb’s father, Shah Jahan, famously moved the capital of Bengal to Dhaka, and sent his favourite son there as Viceroy.

Hecataeus of Miletus, a Greek historian produced a map around 500 BCE, which would certainly have been available to Alexander. In it, Herataeus was able to clearly mark a river, originating in the Himalayan range, flowing southeast, suggesting he was well informed about the cartography of the region.

Knowledge that only traders could possibly have given him. And when we consider the coinage of 600 BCE or so, from sites in Bangladesh, it is no real stretch to suppose that Alexander was not only aware of the peoples of the delta, but equally aware of the wealth to be looted there to support his military conquests.

It is his near contemporary, Megasthenes, the Greek traveller who is believed to have lived for a time in Patna, then the capital of the Magadha Kings, who first patronised Prince Gautama, the Buddha.

Subsequently the Mauryan Emperors, neighbours and possible allies to the peoples of the delta, recorded the Gangaridae peoples as mustering on the banks of the Ganges to resist invasion.

It is certainly not without significance that in the 3rd century BCE, the Greek writer Apollonius of Rhodes, in rewriting the Homeric legend of the Golden Fleece, “Argonautica” about Jason and the Argonauts, included

Over the succeeding centuries, historians seem to have enjoyed increasing their estimate of the size of those forces, but there is little doubt their numbers and military equipment suggest a fairly powerful and wealthy people, capable enough to deter even battle hardened warriors, and to have achieved a reputation reflected in some of those early writings, created thousands of miles away.

There continues to be fairly considerable confusion about exactly who the people of Gangaridai were and exactly which lands they inhabited, confusion which it is reasonable to deduce derives from two main difficulties.

The first is the lack of early archaeological evidence in the deltaic lands that are now Bangladesh, although, with limited resources, experts at Jahangirnagar University are slowly revealing the importance of the Narshingdi site at Wari Bateshar on the banks of the ancient course of the Brahmaputra, which it may be reasonable to suppose is one possible site of the capital city of Gangaridai.

Carbon dating is now helping to piece together some early history of the Ganges to help complete this picture.

Secondly exactly who they were, may yet take a while to assess. Writing in the 3rd century CE/AD, the Roman writer, Dionysius Peregetes, writes of the people of north east subcontinent. “Next come the wild tribes of the Peukalensians (who we may interpret as the Prasii), beyond whom lie the seats of the Gangaridae, worshippers of Bacchus.’’

Whilst it may be tempting to regard this as a literal observation, indicating substantial Roman influence, since Bacchus, the God of Wine and debauchery was widely wor-

ry of the Gangaridai.”

In fact, we have every reason to believe, not least from Megathenes’ own description of the width and depth of the Ganges as a barrier to advance, the river was, in all probability, the western boundary, forming the barrier between the Prasii and the Gangaridites.

Writing in the 3rd century BCE, Megasthenes noted the force lining the banks of the river to oppose the Macedonian army as a thousand cavalry, 700 elephants, and 60,000 infantry.

Writing 250 years later, in about 50 or 60 BCE, Diodorus Siculus, the Roman historian, notes 20,000 cavalry, 200,000 infantry, 2,000 chariots, and 4,000 war elephants’.

In about 100 CE/AD, the great Roman historian, Plutarch, had swollen the numbers to 80,000 cavalry, 200,000 infantry, 8,000 chariots, and 6,000 war elephants.

One can only suppose that descendants of those who like Alexander’s army crept, tails between their legs, back to more western lands, were eager to exaggerate the opposition that scared them into retreat.

Whatever gloss contemporary and subsequent writers put on that humiliation of a previously all conquering army, which even in retreat, continued to chalk up other victories, one fact is beyond reasonable doubt. From at least the middle of the 1st millennium BCE, there existed, in the lands that are now the heartland of Bangladesh, the lands around the five great tributaries of the waters of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers, a powerful, wealthy and internationally renowned kingdom, known to the world as Gangaridai.

Knowledge that only traders could possibly have given him. And when we consider the coinage of 600 BCE or so, from sites in Bangladesh, it is no real stretch to suppose that Alexander was not only aware of the peoples of the delta, but equally aware of the wealth to be looted there to support his military conquests

in his dramatis personae, Datis, a chief of the Gangaridae, operating in the Black Sea. And, of course, by the 1st Century BCE, Virgil, the great Roman poet, celebrates, in his famous Georgics, “On the doors I will represent in gold and ivory the battle of the Gangaridai and the arms of our victorious Quirinius.”

It may reasonably be supposed that his materials for celebration were not randomly selected, but rather represented a part of what the trading centre in the delta lands had to offer.

In fact, there seems little doubt that, in the Greece of Alexander’s time, as later in Roman times, a voyage to Gangaridai, and the lands of the Ganges delta, would have been easily recognised as a voyage to adventure and wealth; yet today travel to those same lands, now called Bangladesh, would produce puzzled looks from many across the world.

What becomes apparent, reading the successive Greek and Roman commentators, is that Alexander wished to conquer these wealthy lands, but was turned back to retreat and early death, not only by the rivers ... for Alexander had successfully crossed a well defended Indus... but by the awe inspired by the waters of the Ganges, and the forces gathered to oppose the crossing of the river. The forces of Gangaridai!

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

shipped in Rome, it seems more likely to be a reference to what can still be found in major centres of trade a shipping across the world ... a somewhat wild life to meet the expectations of sailors at the end of lengthy sea voyages.

We know from archaeological evidence that both Palaeolithic and Neolithic peoples inhabited these lands from at least 10,000 BCE, and as we know from better recorded history, wealthy lands throughout the ages have attracted an inevitable flow of migrants and could be expected here to have created the kind of rich diversity of peoples that fuels nations like Australia, Britain, Canada and the US today.

A further cause of confusion derives from India. Whilst most of the ancient writers are clear that the people of Gangaridai inhabited lands to the east of the Ganges river and the peoples known as the Prasii, whose capital was Patna, there have been considerable efforts by India to claim the Gangaridai lived west of the river. And, indeed, they have submitted as a World Heritage Site, the claim of a site close to Calcutta as that of the city of Ganges.

Such theorists may find grist in to their mill, in the Wikipedia translation of Megasthenes’ description of Gangaridai: “Now this river (Ganges) ... forming the eastern bounda-

This is the kingdom that, through succeeding millennia, kept the peace that permitted the Silk Road trade, from the interior of Asia, with the nations of South East Asia, and from Arabia and the Mediterranean, to survive and flourish.

Gangaridai illustrates the great 18th century French philosopher, Baron de Montesquie’s famous dictum: “Peace is the natural consequence of trade.”

Although he may have forgotten that such trade, and the wealth it engenders, is always a temptation to conquerors!

Wealth comes in many forms. Bangladesh, today, has found, like the Gangaridites before them in the time of Rome, that the army can also be a great income earner, building reputation abroad for the nation as a peacekeeper.

To the outside observer, the reluctance of modern Bangladeshis to revel in their past seems somewhat surprising.

Today, much of the self confidence of Britons derives from a great empire once held; and the same is surely true of the Chinese too, who, today, in their rising affluence and power, offer to any nations once great, that a second time around can come! l Tim Steel is a communications, marketing and tourism consultant.

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Friday, October 11, 2013

City cattle markets yet to gain momentum The traders are expecting to pull in the crowds from tomorrow as the government set the duration of the Eid cattle market between October 12 and 16

n Abu Bakar Siddique Traders have converged on the city’s different cattle markets with wouldbe sacrificial animals over the last few days ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

Customers are yet to response enthusiastically. The traders, however, are expecting to pull in the crowds from tomorrow as the government set the duration of the Eid cattle market between October 12 and 16.

While visiting different cattle markets, including Gabtoli, Agargaon and Taltola market, in the city this correspondent found a very few number of customers yesterday.

Very few of them bought cattle of their choice while most potential buyers returned home expecting the price to come down with the Eid nearing.

Kazi Mujibur Rahman went to visit the market located at Gabtoli yesterday and returned home without buying any cattle as he thought the prices of the cattle will be less this year because of huge supply.

He said he would wait till the day before the Eid. Like Mujibur Rahman most people are waiting for the price to plummet down because of abundant supply of cattle.

Yasin Mia, a trader, who comes from Sirajganj said he had already brought 35 bulls and another 35 were on the way to reach the market.

The traders, on the other hand, are expecting a rise in the prices of cattle as the customers of Dhaka city usually starts buying sacrificial animals two or three days before the Eid. The sacrificial animals including cow and goat will be selling till October 16, the Eid day.

As per instruction of Dhaka City Corporation sale of cattle for the Eid will start from tomorrow and end on October 16, on the day of the festival.

Abdullah-Al-Mamun, one of the members of the Taltola cattle market leasing authority, was upbeat about the supply of animals but he said it could not be possible to predict the prices earlier.

As many as 20 makeshift cattle markets have been set up in the city. l

DU to mark University Mourning Day n DU Correspondent

Government re-launches Mugging on the rise in Dhaka Chittagong-SwandipUniversity area n Hatia shipping route

Dhaka University will observe University Mourning Day on October 15 to commemorate the 26 students and 13 staff who died in the 1985 building collapse at Jagannath Hall.

Fifty others were injured when the roof of the hall’s assembly building came down while people were watching TV in the common room. Every year since on this day, Dhaka University Mourning Day has been observed.

Various programmes will mark the day including a mourning procession from Aparajeyo Bangla, a wreath-laying at the monument, special prayer at prayer halls of different religions and a blood donation program at Jagannath Hall, said a university press release yesterday. l

Four held after Chhatra League activists attacked in Rajshahi n RU Correspondent Rajshahi University’s Chhatra League activists yesterday filed a case accusing 34 Islami Chhtra Shibir supporters of attacking two of their number on Tuesday.

The university CL’s Organizing Secretary Shariful Islam Saddam was chopped indiscriminately by a group of people and is still undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital in the capital.

Chhatra League activist Golam Rabbani Tufan was shot in his left leg during the violence and has been undergoing treatment at RMCH. Nasim Ahmed Setu, joint-secretary of the university Chhatra League, filed a case with Motihar police station around 2pm yesterday.

The university unit’s Shibir President Ashraful Alom Emon and the party’s General Secretary Saifuddin Yahia were included.

Saifuddin Yahia had already been sent to jail after he was arrested by Rab officers on different charges on September 26. Three other Shibir activists were arrested from different parts of the town on Tuesday night and were also detained after appearing in court.

Ashraful Alam Emon, president of university Shibir unit, claimed that the case was filed on the basis of false and fabricated information.

Robbery at 3 houses in Chittagong

n Tribune Report A gang of robbers looted cash and valuables from three houses at Mirsarai upazila in Chittagong early yesterday.

Quoting locals police said a group of armed robbers stormed into the three houses located at Oyahedpur union of the upazila.

The robbers took the family men hostages at gun point and looted the around 20 tolas of gold ornaments and cash. l

Two men unloading a truck of sacrificial animals at the capital’s Gabtoli cattle market yesterday

Arif Ahmed

n

Mohosinul Karim

The government has reconnected the Chittagong, Sandwip and Hatia coastal shipping route by rehabilitating the MV Baro Aulia, which had been out of service for two years.

During a media conference at the Press Information Department yesterday, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan said the vessel had been repaired in the High Speed Group’s ship building yard at a cost of Tk56.8m.

“The MV Baro Aulia has already begun test operations in the Chittagong, Sandwip and Hatia route with the aim of resolving the transport problems in those areas,” the minister said.

Fares have been fixed at Tk855, Tk455 and Tk165 for Bilas, Shovon

and Sulov class respectively on the Chittagong-Sandwip route, while for the Chittagong-Hatia route they are Tk1,580, Tk790 and Tk250. On the Sandwip-Hatia route, fares are fixed at Tk750, Tk390 and Tk125.

“The vessel is capable of carrying at least 850 passengers at a time,” the minister said, “It was bought under the China Suppliers Credit system in 2002 for around Tk350m.”

The minister also said the operation of the Pangaon Container Terminal under Keraniganj would begin in the first week of next month. Shipping Secretary Syed Monjurul Islam, BIWTA Chairman Majibor Rahman, High Speed Group Chairman KM Mahmudur Rahman and Additional PIO Dr Jahangir Hossain also attended the press conference. l

Students and teachers are in a state of panic after a recent spike in the number of muggings and robberies on the Dhaka University (DU) campus and in adjacent areas.

Muggers have stolen at least 25 motorcycles, 10 bicycles and hundreds of mobile phones and laptops from the university area in last few years.

Students and teachers, including foreign teachers, were among those mugged on the campus.

At least three foreign guests and teachers have been victims of robberies in DU area in the past one and half years.

Police suspect that a number of gangs are involved in the recent mugging incidents and that a few students may be involved with the gangs.

Students alleged that in some cases

police released the suspects as they had political connections.

On September 4, the police arrested two students who were residing at the university’s Shahidullaha Hall for their alleged involvement in a robbery on the campus.

Earlier this year, on the eve of Pohela Boishakh, Shahbagh police also arrested six DU students suspected of carrying out robberies in the university area.

Shahabag police station sources however said they were forced to release the arrestees after two days after the university authorities and Bangladesh Chhatra League activists put pressure on them.

Zakir Hossain, an employee of Banglalink Telecom, was robbed at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) on the campus in April 2012.

The following month, Mazharul

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Hannan, former treasurer of Khulna University, had his car stolen whilst he was praying at Dhaka University Central Mosque.

Professor Mashahiko Tohaga, a professor from Hiroshima University of Japan, was robbed of his valuablesincluding $2,000, a laptop, a digital camera and important documents- in 2011 while taking lunch at the DU TSC cafeteria.

No has been arrested in connection with the incidents.

Shirajul Islam, officer-in-charge of Shahbag police station, said: “we are very lenient on DU students. We take steps against them according to the direction of DU authorities.”

The university’s acting proctor Amzad Ali Khan claimed that students are sometimes being influenced by miscreants, and are involved these heinous acts ‘unconsciously.’ l

DISAPPEARANCE OF TRANSPORT LEADER

Family appeals to find him n Our Correspondent, Barisal

A procession was brought out in the Dhaka University area yesterday, marking the World Mental Health Day 2013

Teacher suspended for sexually harassing female students n Our Correspondent, Gaibandha The head teacher of a government primary school in Gaibandha district was suspended on Wednesday for sexually harassed five female students.

Locals said AM Ziaur Rahman had developed immoral relationships with five female students of class five of the school in Kanchibari union of Sundarganj upazila, promising them high marks in the examinations.

On Tuesday, students saw him trying to harass a female student in a room of the school and disclosed the matter to their guardians.

A number of guardians and locals

staged a demonstration and filed a complaint with the Upazila Primary Education, demanding exemplary punishment of Ziaur. The accused fled the school with the help of his subordinate teachers, said the demonstrators.

A three-member investigation team, led by Upazila Primary Education Officer Akhtarul Islam, found Ziaur guilty on Wednesday, and the head teacher was suspended by District Primary Education Officer AKM Amirul Islam as per government service rule of 1985.

When contacted, Amirul confirmed the suspension of Ziaur and said the filing of a departmental case against him was underway. l

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Family members of transport leader Kamal Sardar, who has been missing since October 1, held a press conference in Barisal city yesterday and urged authorities to take effective measures to find him out.

Rekha Khanam, wife of Kamal, read out a written statement at the press conference.

Rekha said her husband had gone to Dhaka on September 25 to see off his younger brother who was scheduled to leave the country for Saudi Arabia on September 30 to perform Hajj.

As Hajj-flight schedule had been changed and rescheduled to October 5, Kamal went to Trishal in Mymensingh for business purpose on September 30, Rekha said. She added that after reaching there, he maintained contact with family members over mobile phone till early hours of October 1 and since then he remained missing.

Family members then lodged a general diary on the same day with Pallabi police station in Dhaka and also informed Rapid Action Battalion about the matter.

On October 8, family members of Kamal went to Barisal Kotwali police station for lodging an abduction case, but the police station denied registering the case, she alleged.

Family members apprehended that he might have been abducted over previous enmity.

Anwar of Rajapur, Sarwar of Ujirpur, Mozammel of Banaripara and some associates of Kamal may know about his whereabouts, she assumed.

“So we earnestly request all, including members of law enforcing agencies, to trace out Kamal immediately at any cost as Eid festival becomes nearer,” Rekha said. Sakhawat Hossain, Officer-incharge of Barisal Kotwali police station and Pallabi police are still investigating the GD lodged in this connection. l

Infected cattle being sold for Eid n Our Correspondent, Rajbari

Cattle smuggled from India that are infected with various diseases are being sold in cattle markets for Eid-ul-Azha in Rajbari.

Several cattle farmers and traders said that brokers and traders are buying diseased cattle from border areas at low cost, which they are selling for a profit in local markets.

They said despite concerns the cattle might have anthrax or foot-and-mouth disease, the animals are still being sold in local markets and have also been sent to the capital. They alleged that law enforcers have kept quiet about it.

Md Zillur Rahman, assistant general manager of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) in Daulatdia, said trucks carrying up to 9,000 cattle cross the river and pass through Daulatdia every day, which are sold in Dhaka or across the country. He

said nearly half the trucks that come across the border carry cattle.

Dr Haripada Biswas, the District Livestock Officer (DLO) in Rajbari said the diseased cattle cost less and are attractive because they are very large and do not look diseased.

However, college teacher Mahmudur Rahman said on Tuesday when he went to a cattle market in sadar upazila, he failed to find one that was not infected; He added that the animals smuggled from India are not examined by officials to ensure they are healthy.

Sources at the Department of Livestock said every year unscrupulous traders hope to earn extra cash by selling diseased cattle for Eid-ul-Azha.

On the other hand, cattle traders reportedly inject animals with steroids to fatten them up. Rajbari’s Civil Surgeon Dr Nurul Amin confirmed that the meat of these animals is harmful and unfit

for human consumption.

Dr Biswas explained how to identify if the animal is sick. He said infected cattle could be recognised by symptoms such as trouble breathing, excessive drooling, loss of appetite and if the animal’s tail is not moving, it indicates that the animal is sick, and added that it was a good idea to always remember that a healthy animal has a healthy appetite, it urinates and defecates frequently and, the top of the animal’s nose is always moist.

The DLO also warned that the use of steroids to fatten cattle is a punishable offence as per the Fish and Animal Food Act. All upazila livestock officers have been instructed to establish service centres at the cattle markets and along the highways, so that all the animals could be checked and cattle traders could provide treatment for the diseased animals. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Advertisement

Friday, October 11, 2013

7

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

Friday, October 11, 2013

UN sued in US court over Haiti’s cholera epidemic n Reuters, United Nations Human rights lawyers filed a class-action lawsuit against the United Nations on Wednesday to seek compensation for Haitian victims of a cholera epidemic they blame on UN peacekeepers.

The decision to file the suit in New York comes after the United Nations said earlier this year that it would not pay hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation claimed by cholera victims in impoverished Haiti.

The cholera epidemic there has killed more than 8,300 people and sickened more than 650,000 since October 2010.

“Haiti today has the worst cholera epidemic in the world,” said Miami attorney Ira Kurzban, who announced the lawsuit at a joint news conference with the human rights groups Bureau des Avocats Internationaux (BAI) and the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti (IJDH).

“Before these events, Haiti did not know of cholera for 100 years. Cholera was brought to Haiti by UN troops,” Kurzban said.

The IJDH said the plaintiffs are asking the court to certify the case as a class action, which would allow the

Sinai suicide bomber kills 5 in Egypt: security n AFP, Cairo A suicide bomber rammed his car into an army checkpoint in Egypt’s restive Sinai Peninsula on Thursday, killing four soldiers and a policeman, security officials told AFP. Another three soldiers were wounded in the attack on the Al-Reesa checkpoint just south of North Sinai’s main town of El-Arish, the officials said.

Attacks on the army and police have increased since the army’s July 3 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi and a subsequent crackdown on his supporters and members of his Muslim Brotherhood.

Militants have launched a series of brazen attacks this week, after at least 57 people were killed in clashes between security forces and Morsi supporters on Sunday, most of them in Cairo.

On Monday, three people were killed and around 50 wounded when a car bomb exploded outside a security building in Al-Tur, the capital of South Sinai.

In the Suez Canal city of Ismailiya, gunmen killed six soldiers in an attack on an army patrol.

And in Cairo, unknown assailants fired rocket-propelled grenades at communication satellite dishes, damaging one. l

Qatar unveils Hirst’s ‘Miraculous Journey’ n AFP, Doha Qatar unveiled 14 massive bronze sculptures by British artist Damien Hirst charting the gestation of a human being from conception to birth.

The “Miraculous Journey” statues were uncovered for a day this week outside the Sidra Medical and Research Centre, still under construction on the outskirts of Doha.

They were put back under wraps until January 14 to “protect them while work is ongoing” in the area, the Qatar Museums Authority explained.

The project is an initiative by Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad AlThani, the emir’s sister who heads the museums authority and wants to give a boost to art in the gas-rich Gulf state.

The installation consists of 14 figures which took three years to create, ranging between 4.8 metres (15.75 feet) and 10.7 metres (35 feet) in height and weighing between nine and 28 tonnes each.

They begin with the fertilisation of an egg and end with a fully-formed baby. It portrays the gestation of a foetus.

The unveiling coincided with the Doha opening on Thursday of a first solo exhibition in the Middle East by controversial artist Hirst. Entitled Relics, it runs until January 22.

The exhibition showcases Hirst’s diamond-encrusted skull, “For the Love of God,” as well as a shark preserved in formaldehyde. l

victims to represent and obtain relief for the hundreds of thousands Haitians and Haitian-Americans affected by the epidemic.

The lawyers filed the suit in the US District Court in New York’s Southern District, seeking $2.2bn for the Haitian government to eradicate cholera along with unspecified damages for as many as 679,000 victims for personal injury, wrongful death, emotional distress, and loss of use of property and natural resources.

The lawsuit filed on behalf of Haitians and Haitian-Americans maintains that the cholera was introduced by UN troops brought to Haiti from Nepal, “a country in which cholera is endemic and where a surge in infections had just been reported.”

The troops were stationed near a tributary of the Artibonite River and discharged raw sewage that carried a strain of cholera into Haiti, sparking the epidemic, the lawsuit said.

“The UN knew or should have known that its reckless sanitation and waste disposal practices posed a high risk of harm to the population, and that it consciously disregarded that risk, triggering an explosive epidemic,” the civil rights groups said in a joint press

release.

Asked to comment on the suit, UN spokesman Farhan Haq said: “We don’t discuss claims brought against the UN.” The United Nations was working on the ground in Haiti to provide assistance to those affected, he added. It was committed to do all it can do “to help the people of Haiti overcome the cholera epidemic,” Haq said.

Diplomatic immunity UN human rights chief Navi Pillay said in Geneva on Tuesday that Haiti’s cholera victims should be compensated, though she did not say who should compensate them.

“I still stand by the call...of those who suffered as a result of that cholera be provided with compensation,” she said.

An independent panel, appointed

by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to study the epidemic, issued a 2011 report that did not determine conclusively how the cholera was introduced to Haiti.

However, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said evidence strongly suggested UN peacekeepers from Nepal were the source.

Cholera is an infection that causes severe diarrhea and can lead to dehydration and death. It occurs in places with poor sanitation.

In November 2011, the Boston-based IJDH filed a petition at UN headquarters in New York seeking a minimum of $100,000 for the families or next-of-kin of each person killed by cholera and at least $50,000 for each victim who suffered illness or injury from cholera.

Ban launched a $2.2bn initiative in December 2012 to stamp out cholera over the next decade in Haiti.

Ban’s spokesman Martin Nesirky said in February that the world body advised representatives of the cholera victims that “the claims are not receivable pursuant to Section 29 of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities.”

The IJDH said at the time it was disappointed by the UN decision and would pursue the case in court.

Under Section 29 the United Nations is required to make provisions for “appropriate modes of settlement” of private law disputes to which the world body is a party, or disputes involving a UN official who enjoys diplomatic immunity.

It was not immediately clear how the issue of diplomatic immunity for the United Nations would impact the lawsuit.l

Egypt criticises US decision to halt arms delivery

Freed Libyan PM arrives at government HQ

n AFP, Cairo

n AFP, Tripoli

Egypt criticised Thursday as “flawed” a US decision to suspend deliveries of major military hardware and cash assistance, saying it would not bow to American pressure.

On Wednesday, Washington stopped shipments of some large-scale military systems as well as halting $260m in cash aid to Egyptian military leaders, who ousted Islamist president Mohammed Morsi in July.

Washington’s move signals deep concern over the mounting bloodshed and lack of democratic transition in Egypt.

“It is a flawed decision in terms of content and timing and raises serious questions over the United States’ readiness to provide strategic support to Egypt’s security programmes,” the foreign ministry said.

The decision comes at a time “of dangerous terrorism-related challenges” faced by Egypt, regardless of whether the measures are temporary or not.

Egypt, the Arab world’s most populous nation and traditionally a key US regional ally, said it would not bow to US pressure.

Egypt “will continue to take decisions regarding its domestic affairs with full independence and without foreign pressure,” the ministry statement said.

Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan arrived at government headquarters in Tripoli on Thursday shortly after he was freed from the captivity of militiamen who had held him for several hours.

Several government ministers and members of the General National Congress (GNC) – Libya’s highest political authority – welcomed Zeidan at the gates of the compound as he got out of an armoured personnel carrier amid exceptional security measures.

The premier appeared in good

Snowden’s father visits Moscow Egyptian protesters light candles during a protest marking the second anniversary of a military crackdown AP The decision to freeze major arms contracts was outlined in a 40-minute telephone call between US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel and Egyptian military chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Egypt has come under international fire for its crackdown on supporters of Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood.

Hundreds have been killed and at least 2,000 supporters of Morsi and his Islamist movement have been detained since his overthrow on July 3.

Russia test-fires nuclear-capable missile n AFP, Moscow Russia said Thursday it had successfully test-fired an upgraded version of a nuclear-capable missile that entered into service in the Soviet era and had been due to be scrapped.

A defence ministry spokesman said the RS-12M Topol had hit its target at a test range that Russia leases from Kazakhstan after it was fired from the Kapustin Yar military site near the Caspian Sea. “The exercise head of the rocket hit the hypothetical target on the Sary-Shagan test site in Kazakhstan,” spokesman Igor Yegorov told the Interfax news agency.

Russia is the only country in the world to still test-launch intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Most of the launches are performed to either ensure the safety of Russia’s ageing arsenal or to test new rockets that could penetrate a missile defence system now gradually being deployed by Nato in Europe.

Yegorov said the launch was designed to test improvements meant to keep the RS-12M Topol – a threestage ballistic missile that has provided the backbone of Russian defences since Soviet times -- in service for years to come.

“The purpose of this launch was to confirm the stability of the main flight parameters of this class of rocket during extended service,” Yegorov said.

Yegorov said the first RS-12M Topol entered into service 25 years ago. l

France ‘racist’ police not prosecuted n AFP, Tours French prosecutors said Thursday they would not pursue a case against a police officer who sparked outrage when he was caught on video beating a black woman with a baton. The incident, which also saw the officer spray tear gas in the woman’s face, was filmed in mid-August.

The eight-minute video, called “Shame on the French police”, was viewed more than two million times after being posted on YouTube.

health after his ordeal and waved to a waiting crowd of well-wishers.

He was to chair an extraordinary cabinet meeting in the presence of several GNC members. Ministers had already met in his absence earlier in the day for an emergency session convened after his abduction from the Tripoli hotel where he lives by former rebel militiamen.

The pre-dawn seizure of Zeidan came five days after US commandos embarrassed and angered Libya’s government by capturing senior al-Qaeda suspect Abu Anas al-Libi off the streets of Tripoli and whisking him away to a warship. l

It shows two police officers trying to subdue a woman who was among the passengers of a car that was stopped while being driven erratically. During the altercation, one of the officers strikes the woman several times with a truncheon and later sprays tear gas directly into her face. The IGPN police internal affairs branch investigated after the video was posted, but Tours prosecutors said Thursday that the probe found that the two officers “did not commit any infraction” during the incident. l

Morsi, who is being held at an unknown location, is due to go on trial on November 4, accused of inciting the death of protesters while he was president.

Washington has repeatedly called for his release.

Morsi’s trial is likely to inflame further protests by his Islamist backers, who clashed with security forces on Sunday in unrest that left 57 people dead. l

MEPs approve new surveillance after Lampedusa n AFP, Strasbourg The European Parliament approved Thursday a new EU border surveillance system to combat a growing influx of illegal immigrants and refugees, just days after the Lampedusa tragedy highlighted the problem.

The Eurosur system means European Union member states will be “better equipped to prevent, detect and combat irregular migration but also to save migrants’ lives,” a Parliament statement said.

More than 300 people, mostly from Eritrea and Somalia, died last week when their boat sank off the southern Italian island of Lampedusa, the first EU landfall for many escaping conflict or seeking a better life.

“Only by having a pan-European border surveillance system can we prevent the Mediterranean from becoming a graveyard for refugees,” said Jan Mulder, a Dutch Liberal Democrat MEP who guided Eurosur through Parliament.

“To prevent a tragedy like that off Lampedusa from happening again, rapid intervention is necessary,” Mulder added.

The key element in the new system is improved information exchange among member states and with the EU border management agency Frontex, the statement said.

“This includes sharing real-time data and intelligence from various authorities and surveillance tools, such as satellites or ship reporting systems,” it added. l

n AFP, Moscow The father of Edward Snowden arrived in Moscow Thursday, hoping to meet his son for the first time since the former US intelligence contractor became a fugitive after leaking sensational details of US covert surveillance.

Lon Snowden arrived in Moscow on an early flight from New York, speaking to reporters at Sheremetyevo airport where his son had spent more than a month in transit limbo before Russia agreed to grant him temporary asylum

in August.

In an apparently carefully-organised itinerary, he swiftly appeared on the state television channel Rossiya 24, looking tired and still wearing his airplane outfit of sweat pants and fleece jacket.

In comments heavily dubbed into Russian from English, he admitted he still didn’t know where his 30-year-old son was staying.

Edward Snowden’s whereabouts have been a mystery ever since he was given asylum.l

WORLD WATCH Fury in Kenya as men walk free after brutal schoolgirl rape Kenyans are demanding justice after three men accused of brutally gang raping a school girl and dumping her body in a pit latrine were ordered to cut grass as punishment. The ferocious attack and lack of action towards those who carried it out has sparked outrage and deep anger. The 16-year old girl was reportedly attacked, beaten and then raped by six men as she returned from her grandfather’s funeral in western Kenya in June, before the gang dumped her, bleeding and unconscious, in a deep sewage ditch. The victim knew some of the attackers, and three of them were taken by villagers to the local police station, The Nation newspaper said.She is now wheelchair-bound with a broken back, caused either by the beating or by being hurled down into the pit. She has also suffered a fistula – a hole between her vagina and rectum – meaning she leaks stools and urine, the paper said.

“My wish is to see justice done,” the girl told the Nation. “I want my attackers arrested and punished.”

Oslo probes if Norwegian involved in Kenya mall attack

Norway’s intelligence agency said Thursday it had launched a probe to determine whether a Norwegian of Somali origin was involved in last month’s bloody attack on Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. “Based on information that a Norwegian citizen may have been involved in the attack on a shopping mall in Kenya three weeks ago, PST has decided to open an enquiry,” the intelligence agency PST said in a statement.

The agency said it had obtained infor-

mation about the possible involvement of a Norwegian of Somali origin in both planning and carrying out the attack.

It will also try to determine the man’s alleged ties to Somalia’s al-Qaedalinked Shebab insurgents, who claimed responsibility for the attack. Norwegian investigators have been sent to Nairobi to work with their Kenyan counterparts, the PST said. The Westgate attack began on September 21 and lasted for several days, leaving at least 67 people dead.

Suspected major British drug smuggler caught in Amsterdam

Armed police have arrested an alleged major drug smuggler in Amsterdam who is wanted in Britain, the British Embassy said on Thursday. “Craig Allen, 50, was captured by a team of armed officers as he left a furniture store on Tuesday,” a statement said.

Police subsequently found four kilos of what is believed to be cocaine and 500,000 euros in cash during an apartment search. Originally from the northern British city of Sheffield, Allen is being sought in connection with seizures of heroin and cocaine dating back to 2010. “It is believed he orchestrated the importation of drugs while living in Thailand,” the embassy said.The suspected smuggler’s arrest marked the NCA’s “first fugitive to be captured abroad,” Dave Allen said. NCA spokesman Rob Williams told AFP that steps were now being taken to have Allen extradited to Britain to face trial.

Last month British and Dutch police in a combined operation arrested four suspected human traffickers and rescued four teenaged girls headed for Britain.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

9

Friday, October 11, 2013

Nepal candidate dies after Malala has done ‘nothing’ to earn rights prize: Taliban drive-by shooting n AFP, Miranshah

n AFP, Kathmandu A candidate in next month’s Nepalese general elections died Thursday from gunshot wounds sustained in a driveby shooting last week, his doctor said.

Mohammad Alam, of the Unified Marxist-Leninist (UML) party, died in hospital after being shot in the head in Kathmandu last Friday in an attack that has fuelled fears about security.

Subash Acharya, the head of Teaching Hospital’s intensive care unit in Kathmandu, told reporters that Alam had been in a critical condition for four days and had had difficulty breathing.

“It grew worse this afternoon and he died at 1:30 pm local time,” he told reporters. The body was taken from the hospital to the UML party’s headquarters in the capital where dozens of members paid tributes to Alam.

His party issued a statement, expressing fury over the killing and calling for an urgent investigation.

“We are outraged by the murder. In recent years, there has been a series of political murders. Our party has concluded that these must be investigated

Mohammad Alam arrives on a medical gurney at the Teaching hospital in Kathmandu by the authorities,” the statement said.

Nepal police have made no arrests in connection with the shooting in which a gunman riding pillion on a motorbike opened fire.

Alam’s body will be flown to his native Bara district for his last rites later on Thursday, a statement by the UML said. He had been running for a seat in the southern district.

AFP

The killing was the first since candidates began campaigning earlier this month in preparation for only the second national polls to be held in the impoverished Himalayan nation since a decade-long civil war ended in 2006.

Although more than 100 parties have fielded candidates, they will be fought mostly between the UML party, the Nepali Congress and the Maoists. l

Pakistan re-arrests Musharraf n AFP, Islamabad

Pakistani police said Thursday they have arrested former military ruler Pervez Musharraf over the 2007 raid of the Red Mosque in Islamabad, a day after a court granted him bail in a separate case.

“We have put General Musharraf under house arrest in a case involving a mil-

Bomb kills at least 6 in southwest Pakistan n AP, Quetta, Pakistan A bomb exploded outside a police station in a crowded market in southwesternPakistan on Thursday, killing at least six people, police said.

The blast in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province, also wounded at least 30, said police official Mohammed Mohsin.

In a telephone call to an Associated Press reporter, a spokesman for a small separatist group called the United Baluch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the bombing. Mureed Baluch said the attack targeted the police station in retaliation for what he said was authorities’ restricting aid to areas of Baluchistan hit on Sept. 24 by a massive, 7.7-magnitude earthquake.

The earthquake killed at least 376 people. Aid efforts have been hampered by repeated attacks by militants against the Pakistan military as it carries out relief operations.

Baluchistan is home to separatists who have waged a decades-long insurgency against the government.

Also Thursday, a bomb exploded in a busy market in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore, killing one person, said police official Raj Tahir. The bomb, which was planted in a restaurant in the market, also wounded 11 people, he said. l

itary operation on an Islamabad mosque” Muhammad Rizwan, a senior official of the Islamabad police told reporters.

“We will present him before a court on Friday,” Rizwan added, after visiting Musharraf’s plush villa at the edge of Islamabad, which has been declared a sub jail.

Pakistan’s Supreme Court on

Wednesday granted bail to Musharraf over the death of a rebel leader, a move that observers believed would bringing closer his possible release after nearly six months of house arrest.

He had already got bail in two other major cases against him, including one relating to the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. l

The Pakistani Taliban Thursday said teenage activist Malala Yousafzai had done “nothing” to deserve a prestigious EU rights award and vowed to try again to kill her.

The European Parliament awarded the Sakharov human rights prize to the 16-year-old, who has become a global ambassador for the right of all children to go to school since surviving a Taliban murder attempt.

Malala survived being shot in the head by a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) gunman on October 9 last year and is seen as a leading contender for the Nobel Peace prize, to be announced today.

“She has done nothing. The enemies of Islam are awarding her because she has left Islam and has became secular,” TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid told AFP by telephone from an undisclosed location.

“She is getting awards because she is working against Islam. Her struggle against Islam is the main reason for getting these awards.”

He repeated the TTP’s threat – made numerous times in recent months – to try again to kill Malala, “even in America or the UK.” Malala moved to Britain in the wake of the shooting for treatment and to continue her education in safety, and now goes to school in the central city of Birmingham.

Announcing the Sakharov award, the European Parliament’s president Martin Schulz said: “Malala bravely stands for the right of all children to be granted a fair education. This right for girls is far too commonly neglected.”l

Iranian dissidents say Analysis: Awarding the popularity?

Tehran moving nuclear n research site Syeda Samira Sadeque

n Reuters, Paris An exiled Iranian opposition group said on Thursday it had information about what it said was a center for nuclear weaponisation research in Tehran that the government was moving to avoid detection ahead of negotiations with world powers.

The dissident National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) exposed Iran’s uranium enrichment facility at Natanz and a heavy water facility at Arak in 2002. But analysts say it has a chequered track record and a clear political agenda.

An accusation it made in July about a secret underground nuclear site under construction in Iran draw a cautious international response, with France merely saying it would look into it.

The Islamic Republic says its nuclear energy program is entirely peaceful and rejects US and Israeli accusations that it is seeking the capability to make nuclear weapons.

The NCRI’s latest allegation comes just a few days before Iran and six major powers are to meet in Geneva to try

to end years of deadlock in a dispute over the Islamic state’s nuclear program.

The election of Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate, as new Iranian president has raised hopes of progress towards a negotiated settlement of the decade-old nuclear row.

The Paris-based NCRI, citing information from sources inside Iran, said a nuclear weaponisation research and planning center it called SPND was being moved to a large, secure site in a defense ministry complex in Tehran about 1.5km away from its former location.

It said the center employed about 100 researchers, engineers and experts and handled small-scale experiments with radioactive material and was in charge of research into the weaponisation of nuclear weapons.

“There is a link between this transfer and the date of Geneva (talks) because the regime needed to avoid the risk of visits by (UN nuclear) inspectors,” Mehdi Abrichamtchi, who compiled the report for the NCRI, told a news conference. l

Last year, when the Taliban shot Malala Yousafzai, the-then 14-year-old education activist from Pakistan, the news took over the world. She was suddenly on every other Twitter, Facebook and news stories, a spark that soon culminated in Tarek Fatah’s petition asking to nominate her for the Nobel Peace Prize. Not only was this controversial, coming at a time when Norwegian Nobel Committee was under heavy criticism for having awarded the European Union the same year and Obama in 2009, but it also bred a question which many appeared to ignore: Malala had started her project in 2009. Why is the Norwegian Nobel Committee giving the peace prize to her now? If Malala deserves it today, then more than anything she deserved it back in 2009.

Presenting the Nobel Peace Prize to her today would not be giving it to the 14-yr-old education activist, it would be giving it to the 14-yr-old education activist who got shot. And it is this difference that would give one substantial reasons to raise eyebrows at the Norwegian Nobel Committee’s purpose behind giving her the award.

It appears from the Norwegian Nobel Committee’s timing to present her the award that it is as though they are trying to capitalise on Malala’s popularity. Today, if they decide to award her the peace prize, they would be awarding the popularity that is Malala, not the person.

What is commendable, however, is Malala’s modesty, given that she herself has said she has not done enough to get a peace prize. For a (now) 15-yrold to not be blinded by the hype that

Nobel Peace Prize is and to be able to acknowledge that she does not yet “deserve” the prize is a rather generous gesture and she must be given due credit and respect for it.

Last year, when the petition to nominate Malala for the Nobel Peace Prize went viral, it appeared that her few years of experience and contribution, albeit brave, would sit uncomfortably with other Nobel Peace Prize winners. However, today it appears that it is the Norwegian Nobel Committee ‘s desperate attempts to associate itself with Malala that would sit uncomfortably with her humility in acknowledging that she is yet to do more that to secure such an award. As a journalist recently put it rather accurately on Facebook, though in support of her getting the prize: “Malala doesn’t need the Nobel Peace Prize, the Nobel Peace Prize needs her.”l

More Saudi women defy driving ban n AFP, Riyadh

Saudi women are increasingly getting behind the wheel in defiance of a driving ban ahead of a nationwide campaign planned by female activists for later this month, witnesses said.

A video posted on social networks this week shows a fully veiled woman driving in Riyadh as male motorists and families

gave her the “thumbs up” in support.

“Several women are now driving but not being filmed,” said activist Khulud al-Fahd.“I saw a woman in (the eastern city of) Khobar driving. This is becoming more acceptable and is no longer rejected as it once was,” she told AFP. Residents of the Red Sea port of Jeddah say that seeing women drive is becoming increasingly common in the

country’s commercial capital known for being more socially open than other regions of the ultra-conservative kingdom.

Female Saudi activists are planning an October 26 initiative to defy the long-standing ban on women driving.

On Tuesday, three female members of advisory body the Shura Consultative Council filed a recommendation that the ban be lifted. l

Myanmar and the ASEAN Chair n Reuters, Bandar Seri Begawan

Young Chinese tourists eat lollipops during their visit to Tiananmen Square in Beijing on October 3. Chinese tourists should not pick their noses in public, pee in pools or steal airplane life jackets, China’s image-conscious authorities have warned in a handbook in their latest effort to counter unruly behaviour. The National Tourism Administration publicised its 64-page Guidebook for Civilised Tourism – with illustrations to accompany its list of dos and don’ts – on its website ahead of a “Golden Week” public holiday that started on October 1 AFP

In a room festooned with purple and yellow flowers, Myanmar took a long-coveted role on Thursday as chairman of ASEAN, the regional grouping of Southeast Asia.

But in a country where three-quarters of the population lack access to electricity and basic telephone services are patchy, the job holds as many problems as promise for a semi-civilian government that emerged from 49 years of oppressive military rule two years ago to surprise the world with sweeping reforms.

Myanmar may struggle to cope with the onslaught of meetings - a total of 1,100 - it will host next year when the role of chairing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations formally begins.

Many government institutions face shortages of skilled civil servants. And many government buildings lack basic infrastructure, such as computers.

"It won't be perfect, but it won't be a disaster," said Tin Maung Maung Than, a Burmese scholar and senior fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore.

President Thein Sein's democratic reforms have won praise but he has also been criticised for failing to stem

religious violence that has killed at least 240 people and displaced 140,000, most of them Muslims, since June 2012 in the Buddhist-majority country also known as Burma.

"Burma can't even get its own human rights house in order, how can it be expected to lead regionally on human rights?" said Phil Robertson, Asia deputy director of Human Rights Watch.

Apartheid-like policies in Myanmar's western Rakhine State have segregated Buddhists from stateless Rohingya Muslims, leaving many of them in primitive camps with little hope of resettlement.

Tens of thousands of Rohingya have fled Myanmar by boat, washing ashore in Thailand and Malaysia.

Serial human rights abuses, however, haven't stopped other Southeast Asian countries from chairing ASEAN. Last year's host, Cambodia, has tolerated little dissent since its authoritarian prime minister, Hun Sen, consolidated power in a 1997 coup.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the chairmanship was a "good opportunity" for Myanmar to build on its socio-economic progress and democratic transition.

"We all agree and we're also concerned that there are still many more challenges, particularly communal violence, which

they have been experiencing, in Rakhine state involving Rohingya minority groups," he said.

"We have been working very hard...to encourage Myanmar authorities to have inclusive dialogue and conciliatory policies."

Myanmar officials insist they are ready to take the role of chairman. Hotels are sprouting in the once-secretive capital Naypyitaw, a sprawling city built from scratch just seven years ago.

Naypyitaw hosts the Southeast Asia (SEA) Games in December - a rehearsal for next year's ASEAN meetings that include an annual East Asia summit bringing together leaders from 18 nations including China, Japan and the United States, along with an army of inquisitive journalists.

"We've been preparing for this chairmanship for quite a while," Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin told Reuters on the sidelines of this year's East Asia Summit in Brunei. "It will not be a struggle for us."

Presidential Advisor Nay Zin Lat added, "We know we'll have to host about 1,100 meetings during the term, and preparations are being made accordingly."

Myanmar was first due to take ASEAN's rotating chairmanship in 2006, but was passed over amid fears Western countries would boycott meetings held there. l

10 DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Friday, October 11, 2013

Letters to

www.dhakatribune.com

the Editor

LETTER OF THE DAY

Invest in a better police force

A

teenage girl has brought forth allegations of being gang-raped by police officers in Gaibandha.

This is merely the latest in a number of charges brought against law enforcement bodies in Bangladesh – the Limon case also comes to mind – and is a clear indication that we have a serious problem on our hands.

In fact, it almost seems as if law enforcement workers are being allowed to act without restraint, flouting the very laws they are expected to In order to solve uphold. this problem, and to What we need are law have a better, more enforcement bodies that trained force, the are cognisant of the laws government needs to they must follow, and do invest more heavily their duty to the public. in hiring the best The problem is threepeople, training them fold. First, law enforceproperly, and pay ment workers are poorly them accordingly trained; second, they are often uninformed of the laws – for instance, the Oishee case brings to mind their ignorance of the Children’s Act and how children ought to be treated – and, third, they are simply not paid enough.

In order to solve this problem, and to have a better, more trained force, the government needs to invest more heavily in hiring the best people, training them properly, and pay them accordingly.

As public servants, law enforcement officers are supposed to work solely in the interest of the public.

They are expected to protect the public from criminals and bring them to justice, not engage in criminal acts themselves.

Israeli prime minister should shun hostility October 7

We dislike the reaction of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the efforts of Iran’s new president, Hasan Rehani, to mend fences with the international community that culminated in a historic 15-minute telephone conversation with US President Barack Obama on September 27 this year. People all over the world are feeling happy and welcome the move of the Iranian president who said last week that he wanted a deal within months to end international doubts about Iran’s nuclear intentions.

The Israeli prime minister said that Tehran is fooling the world and if Israel is forced to stand alone it will stand alone and tackle Iran. We condemn this attitude and hope that US President Barack Obama will accept the hand of friendship which the people of Iran have extended towards America and recognise Iran’s declaration that its nuclear programme is strictly for peaceful purposes.

Nur Jahan Chittagong

‘Expired’ antibiotic kills 4 newborns, gov forms probe body October 5

Infuriating! It’s so important to educate people so as the innocent don’t suffer! Poor little angels. :( NT Rahman Are you joking right now? A hospital, of all places, doesn’t check if the medicines administered there are expired or not? Is this real?

And how does the administration explain the death of four babies in the span of two hours?

What do they take us for, fools?

SS

Frozen by shutdown, US warns of ‘catastrophic’ default October 5

Working hand in hand

B

ecause of the unclear roles of the bureaucracy and the judiciary, the progress on many administrative tasks is being hindered unnecessarily.

Ministers and secretaries have complained that development work is being held back due to the judiciary standing in the way of civil administration. Urgent government duties cannot be carried out in a smooth and timely fashion for this reason.

A recommendation has been made that the attorney general’s office The respective get more involved in powers of the resolving this problem. A judiciary and face-off between parliaadministration should ment and judiciary has be made clear so also been suggested. that each branch can A proper system of focus on doing its job checks and balances instead of bickering is necessary to ensure that both sides are held accountable.

The judiciary is necessary to stop the government from turning authoritarian, while the parliament must stay vigilant about the verdicts of the courts.

However, these checks and balances must not overwhelm our system to the point of paralysis.

Bureaucracy, all over the world, has a bad name for being slow-moving and inefficient. However, the problems in our government are not limited to mere inefficiency; they have been creating serious legal complications for high ranking officials.

The respective powers of the judiciary and administration should be made clear so that each branch can focus on doing its job instead of bickering.

Brandt Hardin Is the sole purpose of the Republican Party to bamboozle Obama now? In the process, they’re making every last American dance for their dinner (and healthcare).

Watching Brandt Hardin: So the American fall begins?

Now who is to take over?

October 6 Adieu, Gen. Giap! His death reminds me that he existed! Yes, he was one of the most successful military stratagems of modern time. As a teenager, I followed both the Cambodian and Vietnamese wars, and later, personally felt bad to see this great man also faced the same fate as Che Guevara. This is what is known as the ironies of fate, laced with the lieutenants of great revolutionary leaders who cashed on them but were later un-forgetfully “forgotten.” sirajul_islam_1

Be Heard

October 5 Amanul Hoque Aaman This is garbage. That rapist should have been hung.

Noor Abu Zihad I am afraid even when I am at home.

Tausif Rashid At least they caught the culprit!

Farhana Sumi Save our young girls.

Abdur Rashid Never will happen. Lack of security in buildings and houses.

Abeg Hin Tushar We need to clean our boys’ minds so they never act as rapists.

Shamol Iceboy What a shame. This culprit has to hang.

Msu Robin Respect women and girls.

Shamuna Mizan I think it is high time that schools make selfdefence a mandatory class for girls in Bangladesh.

Also, we need to hang a few gang rapists and child rapists (such as this one) in order to show an example of what the consequences might be. Apart from this, our society needs to adopt a zero-tolerance attitude to rape and male children should be taught this from a very young age.

Sk Pragya J Rahman Can’t believe people can actually stoop down to such a level!

Write to us at: Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath Sukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Email us at: letters@dhakatribune.com Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion@dhakatribune.com Visit our website: www.dhakatribune.com Come join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune

Eera Anjum That bastard should be burned!

Amit Zaman Bastards will always be like this. They need to be killed and hanged. Punishment for few years is way too normal for them. They don’t deserve to live.

Parveen Choudhury Disgusting devilish and needs to be given exemplary punishment.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

PEANUTS

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU ACROSS 1 Teacher (6) 5 Droop (3) 7 Bucolic (5) 8 Helix (6) 10 Thickness (3) 12 Get up (4) 13 Frozen treat (3) 14 Whirl (4) 16 Old stringed Instrument (4) 17 Beverage (3) 18 Break suddenly (4) 20 Strange (3) 23 Papule (6) 24 Country bumpkin (5) 25 Permit (3) 26 Temperature unit (6)

General Giap: Military genius, humbler of the West

Mentally challenged schoolgirl raped in Lalmonirhat

DOWN 1 Untidy state (4) 2 Ghost (6) 3 Efface (5) 4 Govern (4) 5 Plant juice (3) 6 Everybody (3) 9 Starchy food (4) 11 Japanese monetary unit (3) 14 Shut heavily and noisily (4) 15 Condiment (6) 16 Zodiac sign (3) 17 Like a weak old woman (5) 18 Hurried (4) 19 Yield (4) 21 Stain (3) 22 Morse element (3)

YESTERDAY’S 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 number repeating.

Code-Cracker

Op-Ed

DHAKA TRIBUNE

11

Friday, October 11, 2013

Is Iran really ready to make a nuclear deal? n Louis Charbonneau

W

The glory days of Jahangirnagar may be long gone, as the university suffers from various problems

L

A

R

G

E

R

T

H

DHAKA TRIBUNE

A

N

L

I

F

Save Jahangirnagar University

W n Ekram Kabir

hen we were toiling with our “troubled education life” during Dhaka University’s most rowdy days, we used to envy our friends who went to Jahangirnagar University.

Our JU mates didn’t have to suffer as we did, they didn’t have “session jams,” they didn’t have any undue interference for getting seats at their halls of residence, they even completed their masters much ahead of us and went into the job market at least two years before us.

They were so fortunate to have such a fantastic environment at their university. During our time, JU was the emblem of a perfect seat of higher studies in Bangladesh, as the erstwhile dictator couldn’t pollute it with his Machiavellian tactics.

Those were the sunny days for JU and all the people involved with it.

Those glorious days are long gone and now the university is groaning with pain due to politics by the vice-chancellor, teachers, politics by so-called students and politics by other employees.

Given the state of the affairs now at JU, it seems that the university is doomed and is no longer an institution for any education. It’s unacceptably painful to see that the university has come to this.

A section of the teachers has been demonstrating against the VC,

demanding his resignation. They have been sitting in front of VC’s residence for a long time. Earlier, a few weeks ago, they kept the VC captive inside his office room.

Then a few weeks later, the VC, along with his spouse, had also come out of his residence and staging a sit-in, protesting the teachers’ sit-in.

tion of appointing the dean.

The employees had been staging work abstention in protest of this.

This continued for quite some time and the pro-BNP teachers have now announced that they would again start their agitation on 22 October. Such isn’t a normal picture of a university, for heaven’s sake!

To the minds of the commoners like us, the Jahangirnagar campus cannot be termed as a place for education any more; the progovernment and pro-opposition party educators seem to have lost all credibility as educators

He had announced that he wouldn’t budge from there until the teachers didn’t move away from there.

It was also reported that a section of government party students’ wing had met the VC asked the VC not to move away from that place.

Then on October 9, the VC with the help of Chhatra League workers reportedly tried to clear his way by pushing two demonstrating teachers.

The teachers, in their counter-move, pushed the VC. There was an incident of chasing and counter-chasing between the teachers and Chhatra League workers.

Meanwhile, on the other hand, the registrar and his deputy had been kept inside their offices on the ques-

To the minds of the commoners like us, the Jahangirnagar campus cannot be termed as a place for education any more; the pro-government and pro-opposition party educators seem to have lost all credibility as educators.

The goings-on at the JU campus clearly indicate that appointed educators, including the VC, of this university have gotten involved in national politics and serving their own party interests.

On the other hand, the government, the education ministry for example, is seen enjoying the comedy that has been being staged there. Although the education minister has warned the pro-BNP teachers with legal action, he didn’t say anything to the VC and the Chhatra League workers there.

E

It’s not understandable how a political party can gain by nurturing national-level political activities inside a university. The question can also be raised as to how far the educators, who are involved in national politics, are capable of educating their students, as their minds are not into educating the pupils.

We, who have seen our Dhaka University teachers get politically divided during 1982-90, know the educators themselves can destroy the educational backbone of a university. Our fouryear course to eight years to complete; and you can imagine the education that we received from our educators.

In such circumstances, the students suffer the most; they lose interest in education; their entry into the job market gets delayed; their parents feel the brunt of this delayed passing-outs of their wards.

JU also has some really passionate educators who, we presume very few in number, remain as a silent minority and want to remain busy with education only. We urge them to raise their voice for saving the JU from this dire situation.

If they remain silent as usual, the consequence of the present situation would really get out of hand.

At the same time, we urge the government for freeing this university from clutches of national-level political activities. l Ekram Kabir is the executive editor of Natunbarta.com.

estern nations are struggling to answer one key question as they assess conflicting signals from Tehran ahead of next week’s big-power meeting with Iran in Geneva – is the Islamic Republic ready to make a deal on its controversial nuclear programme?

While it is clear that Iran wants an end to the crippling international sanctions world powers have imposed on it for refusing to halt uranium enrichment and other sensitive atomic work, Western diplomats say it is not clear whether Tehran is prepared to significantly curtail its nuclear activities.

On the one hand, Iranian officials recently suggested in New York that they plan to present a new offer to six world powers on October 15-16 in Geneva, Western diplomats say.

On the other hand, the Iranians have indicated the opposite – that they want a new offer from the six powers before proposing anything.

“Obviously they are very much worried about the sanctions,” a senior Western diplomat said on condition of anonymity. “Obviously they want a lifting of the sanctions. But how much are they ready to pay? I don’t know.”

The main unknown, the diplomat said, is the position of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei: “Nobody knows the answer to the central question, which is whether Khamenei has decided to strike a deal.”

Iran, which rejects allegations that its atomic programme is aimed at giving it the capacity to produce bombs, has been negotiating unsuccessfully for years with the so-called P5+1 - the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany.

Iran’s new centrist President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met with dozens of delegations, many of them European, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York last month.

Tehran’s nuclear programme was one of the main topics of discussion.

Iran rejects allegations that its atomic programme is aimed at giving it the capacity to produce bombs

“There were a lot of smiles,” said another Western diplomat who attended a meeting with Zarif. “But what does it all mean? Are we ready to make a nuclear deal? We just don’t know.”

According to the senior diplomat, the Iranian charm offensive during the General Assembly sparked a flurry of internal analyses in Western capitals among “all the Iranian specialists, like at the time of the (Soviet Union’s) Kremlin.”

He compared the blizzard of studies of Iranian behaviour and comments to the days when former Soviet Communist Party Chairman Yuri Andropov was con-

sidered by Western Kremlinologists as “a liberal because he was drinking whiskey.”

Concrete steps?

Sometimes symbols matter. The most significant piece of symbolism during the UN General Assembly, Western officials say, was Rouhani’s telephone call with US President Barack Obama, the first conversation between the heads of governments of the two estranged nations in over three decades.

Iran might be willing to take some concrete steps in the interest of securing sanctions relief

They said it showed the taboo against Iranian-US contact had been broken and both voiced a willingness for dialogue.

So what are the Iran “Kremlinologists” predicting Tehran will bring to the table next week? There is no consensus.

“They (Iran) have said they are going to bring new proposals to the table,” the senior Western diplomat said. That is consistent with public comments of Rouhani, who said Iran would bring its plan for resolving the nuclear standoff to Geneva.

According to an intelligence assessment of Rouhani prepared by a Western country, Iran might be willing to take some concrete steps in the interest of securing sanctions relief, including halting medium-level 20-percent uranium enrichment and freezing the expansion of its nuclear centrifuge program.

But the diplomat who described the intelligence assessment said there were limits to how far Rouhani would allow Zarif to go in negotiating with the six powers.

“Rouhani will likely be willing to make more compromise offers than before,” the diplomat said. “But he believes Iran won’t have to make significant concessions on its nuclear project in practice.”

Rouhani led unsuccessful negotiations between Iran and Britain, France and Germany in 2003-2005 when he was secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

Another person who attended a meeting with Zarif in New York said the Iranians indicated they would not be presenting any new proposals at the Geneva meeting but were expecting a new offer from the six powers.

That is consistent with public comments Zarif made a few days ago - that the six powers, not Iran, must come up with new proposals.

“If that’s what happens, the most we might get from Geneva is an agreement to meet again,” the participant in the meeting with Zarif told Reuters on condition of anonymity. l This article has been syndicated from Reuters.

The curious case of Dargah Madrasa n Nikhil R Puri

H

azrat Shahjalal’s shrine in Sylhet requires no introduction.

Residing uncomfortably within the dargah compound, however, is a lesser-known madrasa. Uncomfortably, because Jamia Qasimul Uloom – popularly referred to as Dargah Madrasa – is run by men ideologically opposed to the practice of building and visiting shrines.

The madrasa’s principal Mufti Abul Kalam Zakaria explains his madrasa’s stance: “We venerate pirs and we even maintain contact with them. To maintain contact with a pir simply means to follow his precedent, to try and live one’s life with similar devotion to God.”

Mufti Zakaria represents the mainstream Deobandi view regarding the practice of pir veneration. According to Deobandis, one should study and emulate the lives of saints without celebrating them posthumously

Then comes the more perplexing part: “But we don’t believe that one should build a dargah.” Asked how he reconciles his madrasa’s location (and nickname) with his stated beliefs, Mufti Zakaria opines that “even Hazrat Shahjalal wouldn’t have approved of his own dargah.”

Mufti Zakaria represents the main-

stream Deobandi view regarding the practice of pir veneration. According to Deobandis, one should study and emulate the lives of saints without celebrating them posthumously.

As an institution, the dargah challenges the Deobandi belief that no grave (not even a pir’s) should be embellished.

Those building shrines, Deobandis argue, seek only to make money by practicing and promoting “idolatry.”

That Deobandis and Sufis disagree about the specific manner in which a pir should be venerated is well documented. That this debate should reside and flourish within the dargah’s compound, however, is puzzling to say the very least.

So how did a Deobandi madrasa with views antithetical to the very existence of the dargah become the Dargah Madrasa?

The late Hafiz Maulana Mohammad Akbar Ali founded the Dargah Madrasa in 1961. Going by the accounts of individuals associated with other madrasas in Sylhet, Ali had been a student at Sylhet Alia Madrasa (a government-run madrasa then as it is now) in the 1950s before proceeding to Deoband’s parent institution – Darul Uloom Deoband – in India to pursue the Daura-e-Hadith course.

Ali had close ties to members of the mazar’s managing committee from his time growing up in Sylhet’s Dargah Mohalla, on whom he could rely to secure a role in the dargah complex

transpired since 1961, chances are it won’t happen at all. The second route to reconciliation requires Dargah Madrasa to revise its attitude towards the dargah’s everyday practices – not an easy task for an institution that prides itself on ideological consistency.

Early indications suggest that the madrasa has already begun making piecemeal concessions towards ideological compromise

DHAKA TRIBUNE

upon his return from Deoband.

Oblivious to Ali’s ideological reorientation, the unambiguously Sufi men on the mazar committee appointed him as the imam of the Hazrat Shahjalal Mazar Mosque, and subsequently permitted him to establish the Dargah Madrasa.

It was only after the madrasa began running along manifestly Deobandi lines that the men in charge of the mazar distanced themselves from Ali’s affairs.

Today, the Sufi-oriented mazar committee and the Deobandi madrasa

committee operate independently of one another despite their shared quarters.

One thing is clear. No matter how one chooses to view this puzzle, Dargah Madrasa’s ideology and location cannot go together. And there are only two ways to resolve this incompatibility.

Either Dargah Madrasa relinquishes its location and nickname by moving to a more fitting site, or it tweaks its ideology in accordance with the customs and practices of its current context.

Since the first possibility hasn’t

While nobody should expect it to wholeheartedly embrace Sufi culture, the madrasa can begin by condoning and adopting those practices it considers least objectionable.

Early indications suggest that the madrasa has already begun making piecemeal concessions towards ideological compromise.

“By subduing its Deobandi ideals,” notes one observer, “the madrasa can gain considerably from the goodwill of the shrine’s many visitors.”

Indeed the madrasa agrees, as there are two donation boxes in the dargah compound: one for the mazar and the other for its “reluctant” neighbour. l Nikhil R Puri is a DPhil candidate at the University of Oxford.

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Ferdous Ara’s Amar Shera out in the market n

Afrose Jahan Chaity

On the occasion of upcoming Eidul-Azha, Nazrul exponent Ferdous Ara launched an album featuring her “best” songs titled “Amar Shera” yesterday. The album launching ceremony was held at the Ramna Restaurant in the capital.

The eminent Nazrul singer shares with Dhaka Tribune: “I have selected all these songs on the basis of popularity and my personal taste. Songs of different moods, like romance, melancholy,

festive, season-based and many more have been included in the album. I am expecting a good response from my audience and fans.”

The album has been produced by Impress Audio Vision and contains three CD’s that present 49 timeless Nazrul songs.

She adds: “I have been singing from early ‘70s and hope to continue my career for many more years. Hope I will be able to release my ‘best of the bests’ album in the future too.”

Ferdous Ara has been a regular artiste of Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television since 1973 and 1974 respectively and has earned desirable reputation in the field of music on account of her imaginative excellence.

Many cassettes and CDs of her music have been released during her long musical career. Last she released a solo album named “Bhalobashi Nazrul” marking the birth anniversary of the celebrated rebel poet.

In 1985, Sargam released her first cassette comprising of 12 Nazrul songs while in 1986 Nazrul Institute brought out her long play and cassette. Besides, 10 more cassettes on Modern Bangla songs were subsequently released that gained instant popularity among the music lovers across the world. l

Friday, October 11, 2013

Busy Eid schedule prompts Mim to take a holiday n Entertainment Desk

Popular actor and model Bidya Sinha Mim will be taking a holiday soon after the busy season of Eid and Puja.

Mim along with her family will be going to Qatar, where after her performance in a show she will be spending time sightseeing and relaxing with her beloved family members.

She will be appearing on the small screen with many tele-films and drama this Eid. She will be reappearing in Mizanur Rahman Aryan’s “Trump Card2,” she is paired up with Shironamhin band’s Tuhin in this play.

She will also be seen on dramas directed by Animesh Aich, Anup Aich, Shakal Ahmed, Ripon Miya, Mosharraf Hossain Liton, Redwan Rony and many more.

Along with acting, she will also be seen on a new jewellery advertisement of Apan Diamond Jewellers.

According to Mim, this is the first time she is working on an advertisement for any jewellery brand and the experience is quite enjoyable.

“I love my work in this advertisement and the script of the ad is very nice. I am working in an advertisement after quite some time now, therefore it feels really good. I hope the audience will like this ad which is presented with a new concept.”

Other popular advertisement in which Mim has appeared in are Tibet Cream, Tibet Lipgel, Keya Beauty Soap and Pran-up. Her first advertisement was of “Big Boss” drinks with Amitabh Reza. l

ON TV MOVIE 6:30pm Zee Studio The Devil’s Double

9:30pmWB Quarantine

DRAMA 7:30pm Zee Cinema Ajooba

8:30pm Colors Balika Vadhu

COMEDY 4:30pm Colors

Comedy Nights With Kapil

8:00pm FX

The Simpsons

TODAY IN DHAKA Exhibition Shahabuddin 2013 Solo painting exhibition by Shahabuddin Ahmed Time: 10am-7pm Gallery Chitrak Road 7, Dhanmondi Miniature Art Exhibition Time: 12pm – 9pm Monobhumi Art Space 218, Elephant Road, Bata Signal, 1205 Dhaka

Solo Drawing Exhibition Unseen Splendour

By SM Sultan Time: 12pm – 8pm Bengal Shilpalaya, H-275/F, Rd-27 (old), Dhanmondi

Jatra Festival

Theatre

Pop Up Shop

Amlar mamla Natok Dhaka Theatre Moncho Time: 7pm Experimental Theatre Hall Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy

Time: 7pm Studio Theatre Hall Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Segunbagicha, Dhaka

By The Flourist (Pastry) Time: 12pm-10pm Urban Truth New/32, Banani 11

NEWS 4:00pm Desh Tv

Shongbad shomoi

7:00pm Channel i

Shondhar Shongbad

MISC 1:00pm National Geographic Wild Russia

1:30pm Fox Traveller Sound Trek

Sohrab Rahman Khan’s ‘Castles in the Sky’ Grand finale of Khude Gaanraj airs tonight

Khan and n Zeeshan Shahana Khan “Castles in the Sky,” Sohrab Rahman Khan’s first solo exhibition, begins today and will run for three days. Sadly, the exhibition, which he was preparing for, occurs after his demise, as he passed away very suddenly on the June 20 this year, at only 38 years of age.

The exhibition will be held at the Bengal Art Lounge in Gulshan, from noon. There is also a small memorial service for Sohrab at 6pm. The name for the exhibition is taken from one of his favourite songs.

Sohrab’s paintings are characterised by bold, swift strokes and brilliant colours, which represent the energetic manner in which he poured himself into his work. Many are unfinished as he would paint canvas after canvas enthusiastically, intending to apply finishing touches at a later date that, unfortunately, never came.

His works include large vivid canvases as well as small delicate watercolour drawings. He painted, among other things, the natural world, street scenes, people, architecture, animals and cosmic phenomena. Elephants are a particular favourite of his, and they occur in settings, as motifs or by themselves.

But his distinctness as an artist is most apparent in his surreal series, which include charcoal sketches, pen drawings, watercolours and oil paintings of images that capture fantasy, imagination, illusion and also social commentary.

In a series that includes both the macabre and the comical, Sohrab tries to express social, spiritual and emotional dimensions of the human condition,

n Entertainment Desk “Meridian Khude Gaanraj” is a reality show that works as a platform for young talented singers of Bangladesh.

In this season of the competition, thousands of children from all over the country primarily participated where only hundreds got the pass to Dhaka.

However, only five participants were selected for the grand finale.

The talent hunt show directed by Ezaz Khan Swapan will telecast today at 7:35pm, seasoned singer Shahnaz Rahmatullah will grace the show with her presence and the judges of the programme are Ferdous Ara and SI Tutul.

The host of the show is the beautiful Tanisha.

Several surprises await the audience in the grand finale with the top five contestants. Another attraction is a dance performance by Ferdous and new comer Sabi. A special episode of the talent hunt show is dedicated to the

Art works of late Sohrab Rahman Khan

Sohrab Rahman Khan painted mostly for pleasure, and often as a meditation. Yet his output was constant and he painted throughout his life, wherever he lived and succeeds in translating his eccentricity into images that remain faithful to the magical, fantastical quality of his art.

Sohrab Rahman Khan painted mostly for pleasure, and often as a meditation. Yet his output was constant and he painted throughout his life, wherever he lived.

It is to his credit that he was entrusted to use his creativity and his talents for The Strand Theatre in Delaware, Ohio while at university in Ohio Wesleyan. The Strand Theatre is one of the oldest running cinema halls in the States, built in 1916.

Sohrab painted an exciting and imaginative creation on the ceiling in the ticketing area of the theatre, with elephant motifs and a vivid orange sky.

His work was appreciated by the theatre management, OWU and the local population, and covered in the news media in 1998.

Sohrab Rahman Khan had many sides to him and wanted to stretch him-

self to explore all his talents. He found great pleasure in teaching after becoming a University teacher, and proved to be a very good mentor. He had a passion for cars and for driving and he took every opportunity to enjoy both.

He enjoyed designing inventions that would improve society and wanted to create a Bangla superhero and graphic novel series that would instill ideals.

He was concerned about fellow human beings, could not tolerate injustice and social inequality, and he felt he had a responsibility towards them. To these ends he committed himself, and art became a private endeavour. l

Popular band Monosoroni performed at Kozmo Lounge in Banani on October 9 as part of the cafe’s regular weekly venture Open Mic. The music session, very casual in nature, is becoming a popular platform for the music lovers in the city. It provides the rising musicians to demonstrate their talents and entertain the city dwellers who have very little options to chill out in the evening SADIA MARIUM

Harrison Ford is in talks for a “Blade Runner” sequel.

The 71-year-old actor hasn’t ruled out speculation he could be returning as bounty hunter Rick Deckard in Sir Ridley Scott’s long-awaited follow-up film to his 1982 sci-fi thriller.

He told IGN: ‘’Yeah, we’ve been chatting about it. I truly admire Ridley as a man and as a director, and I would be very happy to engage again with him in the further telling of this story.’’

Should Ford return, it seems likely he would have a smaller role since Scott, 75, previously said the Hollywood veteran was ‘’too old’’ to star in the sequel and had ruled out the possibility of him reprising the part.

He commented late last year: ‘’It’s not a rumour, the sequel is happening. With Harrison

children’s drama “Choto Kaku.”

The winners of the last season of “Shera Nachiye” and “Khude Gaanraj” will also present various performances for a full on entertaining episode.

The winner of this season will get taka 0.5m, first runner up will receive taka 0.3m and the second runner up will be gifted with an amount of taka 0.2m.

The participants will get many more attractive gifts from sponsors of the show and others. l

Festivals for all at Dhaka Regency n Entertainment Desk For food lovers across the city, Dhaka Regency Hotel & Resort is offering 20% discount in all the restaurants of the facility.

The hotel is a magnificent newgeneration business class hotel ideally located on Airport Road in the commercial area of Nikunja 2.

The hotel has taken huge preparations

71 year old Harrison Ford up for Blade Runner 2 n Entertainment Desk

Finalists of talent hunt show Khude Gaanraj 2013

Ford? I don’t know yet. Is he too old? Well, he was a Nexus-6 so we don’t know how long he can live.

And that’s all I’m going to say at this stage.’’

The news is a marked change from the project’s initial pitch in August 2011, when Ford’s chances of returning were deemed ‘’quite unlikely’’ by Andrew Kosove from Alcon Entertainment.

Ford and Scott famously had a fraught on-set relationship while shooting the first movie, with the “Stars Wars” actor branding his role as a futuristic cop “a nightmare.”

He appeared to suggest time had softened the blow, however, and would be willing to team up with Scott again, adding to IGN: ‘’I remember it with complication, but I’m not there to generate nostalgic moments, I’m there to do a job of work. I quite understand that everybody has an ambition when they come and do a film, and everyone’s ambition may not be focused on the same thing.’’ l

on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha and Durga Puja.

The spa and fitness club of the hotel is state of the art and offers a get away from the crush of busy city life. On the occasion of two biggest religious festivals, Dhaka Regency is offering a tremendous 20 percent flat discount on the different hotel rooms, restaurants, spa, and fitness club. The offer will start from 10 October and continue till 25 October 2013. l

Did you know?

Between August 2001 & May 2006, Danny Murphy assisted 34 Premier League goals; only Henry 53, Giggs 49, Bergkamp 41 & Lampard 37 had more

Sport

Friday, October 11, 2013

14 Europe giants chasing Brazil spots

14 Benzema brushes off goal drought

DHAKA TRIBUNE

13

15 Tendulkar, a hero to a billion Indians

See-saw second day in Chittagong Uddin Khan n Minhaz from Chittagong After the New Zealand innings was wrapped up at 469, Mominul Haque’s first half-century and a sensible innings for debutant Marshal Ayub kept Bangladesh in the game as they finished the day on 103/2 in the first Test at Chittagong’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium (ZACS) yesterday.

It was a see-saw day at the ZACS as New Zealand resumed their innings at 280/5. Two wickets fell in the first two overs of the day to raise the hope of the home crowd as night watchman Bruce Martin gloved an attempted pull shot off Rubel Hossain to the keeper. In the next over, left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak removed debutant Corey Anderson for 1 to leave the Kiwis at 282/7.

Two stubborn partnerships however frustrated any hopes the home side might have developed of finishing of the tail early. Doug Bracewell - who was caught off a no-ball when he had yet to score - and BJ Watling put on 57 for the eight wicket. After Bracewell gave his wicket away to off-spinner Sohag Gazi, Shakib Al Hasan accounted for debutant Ish Sodhi soon afterwards, but the last

wicket partnership defied anything the home side could throw at them.

Watling and last man Boult ended up adding 127 as Watling completed his second Test hundred. It was the senior player who was eventually dismissed to end the innings at 469, with Watling having scored 103 as Boult remained 52 not out – the 15th instance of a number 11 making a fifty in Test cricket.

Bangladesh started badly with both openers falling within three overs. Tamim was out to the first ball off the innings as he edged an attempted drive off Boult’s to Kane Williamson in the gulley.

Soon afterwards, a ball from Doug Bracewell nipped in to trap Anamul Bijoy LBW for 3 to leave the Tigers reeling at 8-2.

It was left to debutant Marshal Ayub and Mominul to repair the damage with an unbroken 95 run partnership. Marshal was cautious in leaving anything outside the line of the stumps and defended with care as Mominul not only took the responsibility of keeping the scoreboard ticking over, but ravaged into the bowling on a pitch that was still playing true.

The 22-year old reached his half-century in just 36 balls – the second fastest by a Bangladeshi player – as he sent the ball to all corners of the ground. At close of play, Mominul remained unbeaten on 77 off 71 balls, while Marshal was on 21 not out. l

Youngsters Mominul Haque (L) and Marshal Ayub, on his debut, led Bangladesh’s fight back with an unbroken 95-run second wicket partnership in their first innings of the first Test against New Zealand at ZACS yesterday Mumit M

Sujan, Durjoy and Monjur Kader elected BCB directors n Mazhar Uddin Former captains of Bangladesh Khaled Mahmud Sujan and Naimur Rahman Durjoy, as well as Monjur Kader and Saiful Alam Shopon have been elected directors of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in the election that took place yesterday at the National Sports Council (NSC).

All eyes were on category “C” where two former national captains Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu and Khaled Mahmud were expected to have a close contest. It was eventually Mahmud who won the director’s seat with 25 votes to Lipu’s 18 A jubilant Khaled Mahmud said that he would try his best to help Bangladesh cricket. “I would like to work for the development of Bangladesh cricket. As you know, we have demanded many things to help cricket and I think I would like to work on those things and there is lots of work to be done,” said Mahmud.

Monzur Kader (L), Naimur Rahman Durjoy (C) and Khaled Mahmud Sujan rejoice after being elected as BCB directors at the National Sports Council yesterday His new position could raise questions about other commitments Mahmud has made. The former captain is currently coaching Premier League

BHF serves show-cause to four seniors n Shishir Hoque

Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) decided to serve show-cause notices to four senior players - Russell Mahmud Jimmy, Zahid Hossain, Qumruzzaman Rana, Imran Hasan Pintu along with coach Mahbub Harun and umpire Selim Lucky.

The decision was made in an executive committee meeting at the Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium yesterday following the reports submitted by coach Naveed Alam, manager Abdur Rashid Sikdar and the three-member fact-finding committee as the reason behind the national team’s failure in the AHF Asia Cup Hockey.

However, Bangladesh’s Pakistani head coach Naveed, skipper Mamunur Rahman Chayan, Krishna Kumar, Pushkar Khisha Mimo and Mainul Islam Kaushik have also been warned by the hockey federation for their roles during the tournament.

The show-caused individuals will have to submit their answer by October 23. BHF president Air Marshal Enamul Bari briefed to the media after the meeting and spoke about the reason behind show-causing Jimmy and Mahbub Harun.

“He (Jimmy) was not regular during the training camp and didn’t stay at the camp. He didn’t follow the dress code and got involved with the club’s internal politics rather than concentrating on the national team. We also have reports that said he quarreled with the captain and vice captain,” said Enamul.

Meanwhile in Harun’s case the BHF chief said, “The report said that he (Harun) was involved with illegal activities starting from the Dhaka airport.

He has been with the Bangladesh team for one and half year so we appointed him with Naveed Alam to help him as he knows many things about the team.

But Harun didn’t co-operate with the head coach. We want him to explain his points to us.”

The fact-finding committee recommended applying code of conducts for the players and Enamul expects to run it before December 31. The president said, “BHF is trying to bring back the discipline among the players on and off the pitch.” The BHF boss, however, didn’t mention any reason specifically, but pointed out several reasons behind Asia Cup debacle that includes continuous interruption during the camp, non unity in the team, dishonesty and indiscipline among the players. l

side Bank Cricket Club as well as Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) team the Chittagong Kings. The new director outlined his plans, “There were some

Jamal wins bti golf n Raihan Mahmood Bangladesh golfer Jamal Hossain Mollah produced a superb performance in the last round of the bti International Golf to win the title with a 12 under-par score at the Kurmitola Golf Club yesterday.

Jamal’s superb form saw him go past Indian golfer Shamim Khan, who played 11 under-par to finish second. Ranjit Singh and Harendar Gupta of India, Md. Saiyum of Bangladesh all played under 9 under-par to shared third place. Jamal took the first prize of Tk653,600, Shamim received Tk490,200 and the third placed players won Tk231,483 apiece. l

10-man Bangladesh beat Kuwait

n Raihan Mahmood

A ten men Bangladesh beat Kuwait 1-0 in the AFC U-19 Football Group C qualifiers at the Francouse Al-Hareeri Stadium in Iraq yesterday. Faisal scored the all important goal in the 75th minute of the match after Bangladesh were reduced to ten men when skipper Vincent Hemanta was sent off in the first half. Bangladesh who lost to hosts Iraq 0-6 in their first match, will take on Pakistan in their last group match tomorrow. l

complications about my coaching, but I am not going to coach in BPL, but I will work with my premier league club prime Bank,” he stated.

Meanwhile, another former national captain Naimur Rahman was elected a category 1 director from Manikganj and Monjur Kader was elected from the same category from Munshiganj.

Naimur repeated his stance of bringing the “culture” of Test play to the country’s cricket. “As I said earlier, wherever I get the chance I will try to help cricket.

I will try to bring the culture of a Test playing nation both on and off the field - and that will be my primary objective,” he said, adding that being a former cricketer himself, he would heed the voice of the players in his new role.

Monjur Kader meanwhile expressed the desire to build a stadium in Munshiganj with an eye to helping local players and furthering the development of cricket in Bangaldesh. l

Nazmul set to win lone battle

Vice-president posts in shadow of Nazmul facing an opponent for the n Raihan Mahmood BCB president’s post is almost nil.

Bangladesh Cricket Board would see its first elected president tomorrow when Nazmul Hasan goes through the voting process of the elected directors at the National Sports Council at 11:30am.

It would be the first time that the elected directors would elect the president of the board as all the other past presidents were nominated by the government. In the amended constitution of 2012 the clause of electing the president was inserted and it becomes valid for the first time today.

However, the process of electing the president remains unknown as the constitution just says to elect the president and it would be the directors who would be doing that. It was learnt that the president post aspirant would present himself to the directors and if he is the lone one then no voting process would be required, while if there is more than one candidate then the 26 elected directors would vote and elect the president. The chance

With all the attention grabbed by the president election, the directors of BCB had no clue about the election of two vice-presidents. The constitution categorically says that the two vicepresidents would be elected by the elected directors. However, it was not clear whether the two vice-presidents would also be elected today or not.

Confusion surrounded the cricket arena yesterday regarding the matter whether Nazmul will remain as a director or not. Nazmul was nominated as one of three National Sports Council nominated directors and if he is elected as the president, whether the quota of three NSC nominated directors becomes vacant is not clear.

The constitution doesn’t have any guideline over it.

However, the chief election commissioner of BCB election Abdur Rahman said they would have to nominate another director from the councilors of the respective category of which the president was elected. l

They played well to be honest: Razzak Uddin Khan n Minhaz from Chittagong Hosts Bangladesh could have accomplished their aim to restrict New Zealand under 400 runs in the first innings after they resumed the second day of the first Test with two early wickets. However, a couple of brilliant partnerships from the tail-enders of the visiting side turned the course of the game, putting the Tigers under pressure and frustrate them of not getting the needed breakthroughs.

The blame was put on the Bangladesh bowling attack, but the side’s veteran spinner Abdur Razzak thinks it is the character of the game that saw Bangladesh under such circumstances.

“These things happen in Test cricket.

The bowling leads for few sessions and in some sessions you will find the batting side doing well.

We had a good start, but they (New Zealand) were helped by the last part-

nership. They played well to be honest,” said Razzak to the media at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium yesterday.

“The batsman that came in last (Trent Boult) didn’t try anything out there. As far I remember he played his first drive when he had 27 runs.

He defended most of the balls he faced which nicked here and there and to be honest the wicket didn’t have help

for us,” he added.

The 31-year-old spinner also said the pitch offered no advantage for the home side, something they were expecting, and the Bangladesh batsmen should also score to keep them in the game.

“It (pitch) is not the like what we thought, but still runs are being scored here. We have to set batsmen in the middle who are scoring so if we can recover I think there should not be any complain with anything,” said Razzak.

Losing both the openers, Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque Bijoy, inside the first three overs of the innings was the result of being in the field for too long. But the left-arm spinner hopes Mominul Hoque and Marshal Ayub to carry on and continue their good work.

“It is tough for them (openers) to bat in the second innings after fielding more than 100 overs.

We have 100 plus runs on the (score) board and hopefully the unbeaten batsmen can carry on from where they left today (yesterday),” said Razzak who bowled 55 overs, the most in the Bangladesh attack, taking three for 147 runs. l

14

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Friday, October 11, 2013

Colombia close to ending 16-year World Cup wait n Reuters, Buenos Aires Colombia will end a 16year wait for a place in the World Cup finals if they get a point when they host Chile at the Metropolitano in Barranquilla on Friday.

Chile need a win in the hot and humid Caribbean port city to secure a ticket to their second finals in succession with one qualifier to spare.

Colombia could also qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil even if they lose to Chile if the match between Ecuador and Uruguay, taking place at the same time (2100 GMT), ends in anything but a draw.

Up in the Andes at the Atahualpa in Quito, 2010 semi-finalists Uruguay visit Ecuador in a clash of teams separated only by goal difference.

Argentina, at home to Peru in Buenos Aires (2300), have already qualified, while Venezuela host Paraguay at Puerto La Cruz (2030) hoping a win will keep alive their slim hopes of reaching the finals for the first time.

The top four in the South American group go through to the next year’s World Cup with the fifth-placed team after the final round on Tuesday qualifying for a playoff against Jordan.

With two rounds to go, secondplaced Colombia have 26 points, two ahead of Chile and four in front of Ecuador and Uruguay, with sixthplaced Venezuela three points further

Fernando banned for life by FIFA n AFP, Zurich Former Sri Lankan football chief Manilal Fernando was banned from football for life by world governing body FIFA on Wednesday after an appeal by him against an original judgement failed disastrously.

Fernando, a former member of the FIFA Executive Board, had appealed against an original eight year ban imposed on him at the end of April, while the chief investigator in the original case Michael J Garcia also appealed against the leniency of the punishment. The FIFA Appeal Committee reached a decision in favour of Garcia.

Fernando is an ally of former Asian soccer boss Mohamed bin Hammam, who is fighting claims of bribery and financial misdeeds. Fernando also had a seat on the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) executive committee. l

Fixtures Venezuela Colombia Ecuador Argentina

v v v v

Paraguay Chile Uruguay Peru

back and having played one match more.

The climate in Barranquilla could be a handicap for the Chileans used to cooler temperatures but coach Jorge Sampaoli said his main worry was opponents on a run of five successive home wins.

Pekerman, who steered Argentina to the 2006 quarter-finals in Germany, took charge after Colombia lost 2-1 to Argentina in Barranquilla two years ago.

Uruguay, on a run of three wins after beating Colombia 2-0 in Montevideo last month, want to avoid having to try qualifying via the playoff for the third World Cup in row.

Uruguay have featured in playoffs for the last three World Cups, beating Australia to reach the 2002 finals, losing to the same opponents for the 2006 tournament and overcoming Costa Rica to get to South Africa in 2010.

Ecuador, who rely mainly on Felipe Caicedo for their goals after fellow striker Cristian Benitez died suddenly of heart failure in July, are looking to return to the finals after missing out onSouth Africa. l

England's Frank Lampard (R) controls the ball as James Milner looks on during a training session, ahead of their 2014 World Cup qualifying match against Montenegro, at London Colney training complex near London yesterday REUTERS

Europe giants chasing Brazil spots n Agencies Germany, Belgium and Switzerland are among European teams who can seal their places at the World Cup in Brazil on a crucial night of qualifiers tomorrow.

The evening’s 24 matches could settle the top spots in several groups before the continent’s final qualifying games on Tuesday.

Italy and the Netherlands last month became the first European teams to clinch their places at the World Cup finals next year, and three-time world champions Germany will join them if they beat Ireland in Cologne.

Belgium meanwhile need a point in Croatia, Switzerland could wrap things up in Albania, while world champions

Spain will move close to automatic qualifying with a victory over Belarus.

Russia are now close to winning their group - two wins against the bottom two sides in their group will do it while consigning Portugal to the playoffs - while England face Montenegro in a four-team battle to qualify.

Germany want to crown an unbeaten qualifying campaign by getting the victory they need over Ireland, although a point should be enough in view of their superior goal difference.

Coach Joachim Loew, who has lost eight players through injury, is confident Germany can settle Group C before Tuesday’s visit to Sweden.

“It’s great that we can now achieve qualifying at home. We want to clear it all up in Cologne with a victory. I think we hold all the cards,” he said.

Sweden clash with Austria in a battle

French striker Karim Benzema attends a training session in Clairefontaine, near Paris, on Wednesday. France team gathers at their training camp in preparation for their friendly match against Australia today REUTERS

Benzema brushes KP takes Wilshere to task off goal drought n AFP, London AFP, Paris n

France forward Karim Benzema insisted he is unconcerned about his international goal drought ahead of a friendly against Australia and Les Bleus’ final World Cup qualifier at home to Finland.

The Real Madrid frontman has not found the back of the net for his country since June 5, 2012 and was dropped by coach Didier Deschamps for the 4-2 win in Belarus last month that ensured France of at least second spot in Group I. Deschamps has refused to reveal which of his two centre-forwards will get the nod at the Parc des Princes on Friday in the friendly with Australia, or four days later at the Stade de France for the more important qualifier with Finland, but Benzema says he is treating this situation calmly. l

Kevin Pietersen took to Twitter to question England footballer Jack Wilshere’s belief that only English players should represent the national side.

Pietersen, born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa to an English mother and South African father, has become a mainstay of the England cricket team and is just one match away from appearing in 100 Tests.

He is one of a number of players across several sports, including Jamaica-born footballer John Barnes, who’ve represented England without being born in the country, a legacy of the country’s imperial past, ‘mixed’ marriages and, more recently, greater global migration.

But Wilshere said Tuesday: “The only people who should play for England are English people. If you live in England for

five years it doesn’t make you English.”

However, Pietersen pointing to his own case and that of several other South Africa-born England cricketers as well as Somali-born double Olympic champion Mo Farah, said: “Jack Wilshere -- interested to know how you define foreigner...? “Would that include me, (Andrew) Strauss (the ex-England cricket captain), (Jonathan) Trott (England batsman), (Matt) Prior (England wicketkeeper), Justin Rose (South Africa-born golfer), (Chris) Froome (Kenya-born Tour de France champion), Mo Farah?”

Following a back and forth Twitter exchange Wilshere, who sparked a nationwide debate ahead of the England football team’s key World Cup qualifier against Montengero at Wembley on Friday, clarified his remarks late Wednesday by saying: “To be clear, never said ‘born in England’ – I said English people should play for England. l

for second place, with both sides running into form at the right time. Victory for Sweden will guarantee a spot in the playoffs. Sweden’s only defeat in the group was to Austria, but coach Erik Hamren is confident following successive away wins to Ireland and Kazakhstan.

“I feel happy because, at the moment, everything is in our hands. We don’t need any favours from other teams or results to go our way in the other matches,” Hamren told FIFA.com Belgium seek a point against main rivals Croatia in Zagreb to ensure top spot in Group A. Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini is expected to play with a cast on his wrist.

A victory in Albania will ensure top spot in Group E for Switzerland under Ottmar Hitzfeld, while Slovenia play Norway and second-placed Iceland greet Cyprus in battles for second place.

England still have it all to do in Group H, with Montenegro at Wembley before Poland are the visitors Tuesday.

Ukraine meanwhile face Poland before a trip to San Marino.

England manager Roy Hodgson said his side was in charge of its own destiny - two wins will achieve qualification.

“The most important thing is that we’ve been preparing for this qualification for a long time believing that we’d be good enough to reach the final stage of it and that we’d be good enough to get ourselves over the line,” he said.

Group F leaders Russia are well placed ahead of visits to Luxembourg and Azerbaijan, the two teams at the bottom, while Portugal greet Israel hoping for an unlikely slip from Fabio Capello’s side. Israel need a win to keep their outside hopes alive of finishing second. l

Fixtures Croatia

v

Belgium

Wales

v

Macedonia

Armenia

v

Bulgaria

Malta

v

Czech Republic

Denmark

v

Italy

Faroe Islands

v

Kazakhstan

Germany

v

Rep Ireland

Sweden

v

Austria

Netherlands

v

Hungary

Andorra

v

Romania

Estonia

v

Turkey

Iceland

v

Cyprus

Albania

v

Switzerland

Slovenia

v

Norway

Luxembourg

v

Russia

Portugal

v

Israel

Azerbaijan

v

Northern Ireland

Lithuania

v

Latvia

Bosnia

v

Liechtenstein

Greece

v

Slovakia

Moldova

v

San Marino

England

v

Montenegro

Ukraine

v

Poland

Spain

v

Belarus

Honduras eye World Cup berth, Mexico ‘must win’

US star Wambach marries teammate

n AFP, Los Angeles

US women’s football star Abby Wambach married her longtime partner and fellow footballer Sarah Huffman, taking to Twitter Wednesday to thank fans for their support.

“Sarah and I wanted to thank everyone for all the love and support,” Wambach tweeted. “We couldn’t be happier.

What an amazing week it’s been. #honeymoon.” Celebrity news website TMZ first reported Wambach’s marriage, which took place on Saturday in Hawaii.

In June, Wambach, 33, became the all-time leading goal scorer in international men’s or women’s football with four goals in a 5-0 US victory over South Korea.

She broke the previous mark of 158 goals, set by former US team-mate Mia Hamm, and has 160 international goals in her career. l

Honduras host Costa Rica on Friday with a chance to secure a 2014 World Cup berth as mighty Mexico bid to breathe life into their CONCACAF qualifying campaign.

The United States and Costa Rica have already qualified for next year’s finals in Brazil, leaving Honduras, Mexico and Panama battling for the third and final direct entry from North and Central America and the Caribbean with two matches remaining.

The fourth-placed team will face Oceania’s New Zealand for a World Cup spot, with even lowly Jamaica still technically in with a chance of making the playoff.

Fixtures Honduras United States Mexico

v v v

Costa Rica Jamaica Panama

Honduras lie third in the standings with 11 points, three more than both Mexico and Panama who face off at Azteca Stadium on Friday.

Mexico will be under the microscope, their so-far disastrous qualifying campaign seeing them in danger of missing the World Cup finals for the first time since 1990 - when they were banned

by FIFA for using overage players in the 1989 World Youth Championship. The United States, who top the group with 16 points to Costa Rica’s 15, host Jamaica on Friday in Kansas City and promised no let-up in their final two matches. l

n AFP, Los Angeles

'Germany better than 1990 World champions' n AFP, Berlin

Familiar feel as Africa begins World Cup playoffs

Lothar Matthaeus, who captained Germany to their last World Cup triumph, has said the current squad is better than the German team which won the Italy 1990 title.

Joachim Loew-coached Germany, who are currently ranked third in the world behind World Cup holders Spain and Argentina, will book their 2014 World Cup berth in Brazil next June if they take a point against the Republic of Ireland in Cologne on Friday.

But the 52-year-old Matthaeus, who made a record 150 appearances for Germany, is backing the current squad to lift the Brazil 2014 title. “They are stronger, because there is more depth in the squad,” Matthaeus told Cologne newspaper Express. l

The five African countries that qualified for the last World Cup are all still in contention for a return at the 2014 finals as the continent’s final round playoffs begin at the weekend.

Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Nigeria all participated at the 2010 finals and have advanced as group winners to the five playoff matches that will determine Africa’s representatives for next year’s tournament in Brazil.

Hosts South Africa were a sixth representative from the continent in 2010 but have been eliminated from the 2014 race.

Reigning African champions Nige-

n Reuters

ria and the top-ranked Ivory Coast start as overwhelming favourites but the others need to get through testing contests if they are to repeat their qualification of four years ago.

Nigeria play away against Ethiopia on Sunday in the first leg of their tie, with home advantage to follow in November.

The Ivorians meet fellow west Africans Senegal in a repeat of last year’s African Nations Cup qualification playoff, which was never concluded after the second leg in Dakar was abandoned following a stadium riot when Senegal fell behind.

The series of playoff matches begins in Ouagadougou on Saturday when Burkina Faso seek to crown a year beyond their wildest expectations with a good home result against Algeria. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

A hero to a billion Indians

Fact-file Full name: Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar Right-hand batsman, right-arm spinner Major teams: India, Mumbai.

Height: 5 feet, 5 inches (165.1 centimetres)

Career Tests: Matches 198, Runs 15,837, Highest 248 not out, Average 53.86, Centuries 51, Halfcenturies 67 One-dayers: Matches 463, Runs 18,426, Highest 200 not out, Average 44.83, Centuries 49, Halfcenturies 96 Twenty20: Match 1, Runs 10, Average 10.00 World records: - Most Test runs and centuries - Most one-day runs and centuries - Only batsman to score 100 int'l centuries - Most World Cup runs (2,278) - Most appearances in Tests and one-day internationals - 1,000 or more Test runs in a calendar year six times: 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2010 - 1,000 or more one-day runs in a calendar year seven times: 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2007

n AFP, New Delhi

Key dates April 24, 1973 : Born in Mumbai December 11, 1988 : First class debut aged 15 with a century November 15, 1989 : Test debut v Pakistan, Karachi December 18, 1989 : One-day debut v Pakistan, Gujranwala August 14, 1990 : Maiden Test century v England, Old Trafford aged 17 December 10, 2005 : Overtakes Sunil Gavaskar’s world record of 34 Test tons October 17, 2008 : Overtakes Brian Lara as highest run-getter in Tests February 24, 2010 : First batsman to score 200 in one-day cricket.

April 2, 2011 : World Cup winner with India March 16, 2012 : Becomes only batsman to score 100 international tons.

Oct 10, 2013: Says he will retire from Test cricket after playing his 200th match.

He has already retired from one-day and Twenty20 cricket.

Quick Bytes

Jalal hits back at Badal’s claims The members of the ad-hoc committee of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) responded aggressively to objections raised against their president by the chairman of the cricket committee of Gazi Tank Cricket Club yesterday at the National Sports Council (NSC). Jalal Yunus said that all the allegations made

by Lutfor Rahman Badal against BCB president Nazmul Hasan were lies and based on personal issues. “The chairman of the Gazi Tank Lutfor Rahman Badal allegations against BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon are completely false. “In particular his claim about the umpires committee was very funny. If the umpires committee were influencing the umpires, then his (the president’s) own club would not suffer six defeats in seven encounters,” said Jalal. Jalal went onto refute another claim about wrongdoing regarding the sponsorship of the BPL. “The sponsorship was decided by the previous committee. The current president has no hand in it.”

– MU

Razib beats Indonesian GM GM Enamul Hossain Razib beat FM Mahmud Syarif of Indonesia with the black pieces in the first round of the Indonesia Open Chess Championship at Grand Shahid Jaya Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia yesterday. The tournament is currently the largest chess event in Asia.

A total of 108 players from 30 countries -including 38 grandmasters, 10 women grandmasters, 20 International Masters and 4 Women International Masters - are participating and the total prize money on offer is USD100,000, with first prize being worth USD20,000.

– RM

Bad weather halts day one of CJ Invitational Bangladesh golfer Siddikur Rahman carded a one-under-par before he was forced to finish the weather-disrupted first day playing only 12 holes at the CJ Invitational Hosted by KJ Choi at the Haesley Nine Bridges Golf Club yesterday. Siddikur, who posted two birdies along with a single bogey, is among the 60 players who will return today to resume the first round at 7am after play was called off for the day due to darkness. Play was suspended earlier in the morning for two hours and 30 minutes due to thick fog at the $750,000 showpiece event. Meanwhile, Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand recovered from an early bogey to seize the initiative after shooting seven-under-par through 13 holes in the Asian Tour event.

-FRM

15

Friday, October 11, 2013

Sachin Tendulkar, at 17 years and 112 days, after his match saving 119 not out in the final innings against England at Old Trafford on August 9, 1990. It was his first of the 51 centuries he hit for India over his 24-year Test career INTERNET

What’s next for Tendulkar? n AFP, New Delhi Retired sports stars often struggle to build a life away from the game, but for record-breaking cricketer Sachin Tendulkar the transition will be particularly painful.

The Indian batsman admitted he never imagined life beyond cricket as he pursued his passion for most of his 40 years -- more than half of them as an international player.

“All my life, I have had a dream of playing cricket for India. I have been living this dream every day for the last 24 years,” Tendulkar said Thursday as he announced his retirement.

“It’s hard for me to imagine a life without playing cricket because it’s all I have ever done since I was 11 years old.”

The Mumbai batsman, who said he will retire after playing his 200th Test next month, will at least not have to worry about where his next rupee is coming from.

The multi-millionaire is listed by Forbes among the world’s highest-paid sportspersons, with annual earnings of $18.6 million -- $16.5 million from endorsements and $2.1 million from cricket -- in the financial year that ended in June.

Tendulkar, who has millions of devot-

ed fans, already serves in India’s parliament, the first active sportsperson to do so. But the veteran will almost certainly be offered a job as a commentator, while former cricketers are hoping he takes up coaching.

Tendulkar accepted a government offer last year to take up a seat in parliament’s upper house. The special category is usually reserved for those contributing to the arts, sciences or social services.

Many were surprised that someone who has steered clear of controversy had decided to enter India’s muck-raking world of politics, but Tendulkar was determined to make his six-year tenure count.

“I am in a better position not only to help cricket but also other sports in the country,” he said soon after his swearingin last June. “I would be happy if I am remembered as someone who has contributed to all sports in India rather than just my cricket statistics.”

A lucrative career in television commentary is an option for Tendulkar, following in the footsteps of a host of international cricketers.

He would be in good company alongside former team-mates like Kapil Dev, Ravi Shastri, Sanjay Manjrekar, Navjot Sidhu, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Gan-

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting once said that he would probably be batting in a wheelchair if he survived in world cricket as long as Sachin Tendulkar.

The “Master Blaster” finally announced on Thursday that he was hanging up his boots after a 24-year international career which began with his debut in Pakistan in November 1989.

Feared and respected by opponents, Tendulkar changed the definition of Indian batting, shrewdly combining orthodox and unorthodox shots to dominate any attack on any surface at home or abroad.

As one of the game’s greatest players, he has the most runs (15,837) and centuries (51) in Test cricket and was also the highest run-maker (18,426) with a record 49 hundreds in the oneday game, which he stopped playing last year.

The married father-of-two, 40, has scored an unprecedented 100 international centuries, holds most coveted batting records except Don Bradman’s career average high of 99.94, and finally won the World Cup with India in 2011.

Legendary India opener Sunil Gavaskar, the first batsman to complete 10,000 Test runs, said he was convinced the 1.65-metre (5 foot, 5 inches) batsman would achieve greatness when he first saw him bat in the nets more than two decades ago.

“It is hard to imagine any player in the history of the game who combines classical technique with raw aggression like the little champion does. There is not a single shot he cannot play,” he said.

Tendulkar shattered batting records, earned millions of dollars and was re-

Federer crashes out of Shanghai Masters n AFP, Shanghai

guly. The soft-spoken introvert may not be an ideal candidate, but a senior TV executive said production houses will still queue up to sign the “Little Master”.

“Sachin is too big a player not to attract TV companies,” said the executive, who did not want to be named. “What he says is worth its weight in gold.”

Kapil, who played alongside Tendulkar in the Indian team from 1989 to 1994, hoped the master batsman would devote some time to coaching young players.

Tendulkar misses no opportunity these days to spend time with wife Anjali

and their two children, Sara and Arjun, which effectively rules out a travelling job with the Indian team in the immediate future.

Charity work will also take up Tendulkar’s time, especially his sponsorship of 200 underprivileged children every year through Apnalaya, a Mumbai-based NGO associated with his mother-in-law, Annabel Mehta.

He has also helped to raise funds for cancer research and the building of basic facilities in government schools across the country, especially toilets for girl students. l

Watling makes most of luck

New Zealand 1st innings: (overnight 280-5) P Fulton c Mominul b Nasir 73 H Rutherford c Razzak b Gazi 34 K Williamson lbw b Shakib 114 R Taylor c sub (Naeem) b Razzak 28 B McCullum lbw b Razzak 21 B Martin c Rahim b Rubel 1 C Anderson c Nasir b Razzak 1 B J Watling st Rahim b Mominul 103 D Bracewell b Gazi 29 I Sodhi lbw b Shakib 1 T Boult not out 52 Extras: (b4, lb6, nb2) 12

New Zealand batsman BJ Watling celebrates scoring a century against Bangladesh at ZACS yesterday much par on that wicket.” Watling was not without luck in compiling his century. He was caught off a no-ball before getting off the mark.

“Obviously, feeling rather lucky today, but I guess that happens, it happened to one of them today, so, and it is great to get that opportunity to keep going and make it count and try to make a decent contribution.

“I learnt from the mistake that I made, pretty rash shot, so it was good

to get a chance to redeem myself and try to score as many runs as possible. I tried to be patient and wait for them to bowl some bad balls. And I think if you bat a lot of time on that wicket, you can get used to the wicket and you can score runs when the bowler starts to tire. The plan was to get going, work with the tail and try to squeeze out as many runs as possible,” said the 28-year old.

Watling was looking ahead to the next day’s play (today), after assessing

Roger Federer crashed out of the Shanghai Masters on Thursday at the hands of flamboyant Frenchman Gael Monfils – another damaging defeat in a miserable season for the Swiss great.

Monfils went toe-to-toe with the 17-time Grand Slam champion during a feast of attacking tennis, eventually emerging on top 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3.

Federer, playing his first tournament since the US Open, started in the worst possible way, limply losing his first service game to immediately hand the initiative to Monfils, who went on to take the opener.

Despite vocal support from a partisan crowd, Federer was broken midway through the second set but he broke back, sealing the game with an overhead smash.

Monfils, clad in bright orange, drew first blood in the tie-break but crucially put a relatively straightforward forehand long when he had a chance to engineer match points, allowing Federer back into the set and the Swiss made no mistake. l

BD–NZ 1st Test, Day 2

Uddin Khan n Minhaz from Chittagong Wicket-keeper/ batsman BJ Watling secured his second Test hundred yesterday to frustrate a Bangladesh team who would have had their tails up after taking two wickets early in the day at Chittagong’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium yesterday. Putting on 127 for the last wicket in company with Trent Boult – who made his first fifty at the highest level – Watling’s performance turned the match and may prove to be the difference between two evenly matched sides.

“I think it was definitely planned but it was great fun batting with Trent out there. I thought he played extremely well. He waited for his ball, played some nice shots through the onside,” said Watling at the press conference after the day’s play yesterday.

“You always must try to get blocks of ten runs at a time, try to weight them down and then you just keep going. We played some good cricket and put them under pressure and I think we played with a lot of patience, and we managed to put a good partnership together, which was pretty much needed because I think 400 is pretty

vered as a demi-god in India and particularly at home in Mumbai. But in the eyes of many fans, humility remains his prime virtue.

If there was any arrogance, it was in his batting because he loved to dominate bowlers before injuries to his elbow, back and ankle forced him to adapt his game in the latter years of his career.

“The way he conducts himself and handles fame and everything that goes with being Sachin is a great example for all sportsmen,” Australian leg-spin great Shane Warne wrote in his book “Shane Warne’s century”.

“On the field, he has never put himself before the team.”

Technically sound, temperamentally unflappable, quick to adapt to different conditions, Tendulkar came very close to batting perfection in his pomp.

He also became an unrivalled source of pride in a country with few international sporting heroes, capitalising on his status with commercial deals to advertise cement, watches, sportswear and apartments among others.

While little is shared about his private life, he is known as a fast-car enthusiast once reported to take his beloved Ferrari out in the early hours of the morning to beat the traffic in his native Mumbai.

Australia’s Don Bradman, widely considered the greatest Test batsman of all time, once said Tendulkar’s style of batting reminded him of his own, which was based on dominating and demoralising the opposition.

Under the guidance of his elder brother and to the bemusement of his late father, a college professor, Tendulkar spent hours honing his skills as a boy along with hundreds of others on a busy park known as the Oval Maidan in central Mumbai. l

Mumit M

how Bangladesh had fared with the bat so far.

“We probably didn’t bowl as well in the day, after we got a couple of early wickets, which was a bonus. The left hander (Mominul Haque) batted really well and brought us under pressure. We sort of bowled into his hand, so we sort of need to create some dots put some pressure back on him and get those eight wickets out there tomorrow,” said the keeper. l

Total (all out, 157.1 overs) 469 Fall of wickets: 1-57 (Rutherford), 2-183 (Fulton), 3-244 (Taylor), 4-276 (Williamson), 5-280 (McCullum), 6-282 (Martin), 7-282 (Anderson), 8-339 (Bracewell), 9-342 (Sodhi), 10-469 (Watling).

Bowling: Robiul 13-3-23-0 (nb1), Rubel 20-277-1 (nb1), Razzak 55-10-147-3, Gazi 32-6-792, Shakib 24-5-89-2, Ayub 2-0-15-0, Nasir 5-1-19-1, Mominul 6.1-0-10-1 Bangladesh 1st innings Tamim Iqbal c Williamson b Boult 0 Anamul Haque lbw b Bracewell 3 Marshall Ayub not out 21 Mominul Haque not out 77 Extras: (w1, nb1) 2 Total (for two wickets, 26 overs) 103 Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Tamim), 2-8 (Anamul).

Bowling: Boult 3-2-5-1 (w1), Bracewell 4-025-1 (nb1), Martin 3-0-20-0, Sodhi 8-0-27-0, Anderson 3-2-8-0, Williamson 5-1-18-0 Bangladesh trail by 366 runs with eight wickets in hand

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE

MANAGEMENT CRISIS AT DGHS

One DG in charge of 175,000 people n Moniruzzaman Uzzal

Back Page

DURGA PUJA GETS OFF TO GLITTERING START

Work at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) is being severely impeded, with only a single director general being in charge of managing over 175,000 employees working under the DGHS. The plate is always full for Dr Khondokar Md Sifayetullah, the director general of the DGHS, as the agency oversees the massive workforce of 22 public and 54 private medical colleges, 14 dental colleges, 583 government hospitals and 2,966 private hospitals, making the Directorate General of Health Services the largest agency of the government in terms of manpower.

Despite having to carry out the huge responsibility of leading the agency, DG (current charge) Dr Sifayetullah, is still a Grade-II employee. A decision was made to upgrade the position to Grade-I, but the necessary orders are yet to be issued.

During the current government’s tenure, around 40,000 people were recruited in the health sector. However, manpower shortage still plagues the DGHS, as thousands of third and fourth-class posts are yet to be filled because of writ petitions against the recruitment process.

Over 1,400 writ petitions challenging recruitments, transfers, promotions, and financial irregularities by the DGHS – remain pending at the court.

The crisis is severe at senior-level management of DGHS, with two positions of additional director general remaining vacant at the agency. However, the agency’s Director (MIS) Prof Dr Abul Kalam Azad has taken on the extra responsibility of acting as an additional DG. For the past six months, the position of DGHS director (hospital and clinic) has also remained vacant.

DGHS Director (health education and development) Dr ABM Abdul Hannan, has taken on the additional responsibilities of the DGHS director (hospital and clinic), which includes monitoring and supervising government hospitals, 3,000 registered private hospitals and clinics, and 10,000 diagnostic centres and pathological laboratories.

However, there are many allegations against Dr Hannan of committing irregularities while making millions of taka worth of purchases of medical equipment for hospitals.

Dr Hannan, on the other hand, denied the allegations against him.

Sources said government high-ups and senior leaders from doctors’ organisations pressure the DGHS to accept a wide range of their recommendations, which starts with the recruitment or transfer of peons and sweepers, and extends to securing fund allocation for traveling abroad or medical equipment procurement.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, DGHS Director General Dr Sifayetullah said it has become impossible for a single DG to properly run such a mega-sector. The health sector may face a severe crisis in the future, unless more positions for DGs are created, Dr Sifayetullah cautioned.

Dr Rashid-e-Mahbub, former president of Bangladesh Medical Association and also the president of the national committee for health rights movement, claimed that not only the DGHS, but the whole healthcare sector requires massive reforms.

He also suggested that decentralising the decision-making roles of the DGHS may solve the existing crisis.

Proper coordination and monitoring will bring fresh momentum to the health sector, Dr Mahbub said.

DGHS Director (administration) Dr Md Shahnewaz said the agency had not created any new posts since 1984, while many of the positions created at that time were yet to be filled.

Former director general of DGHS Prof Dr Shah Monir Hossain echoed the incumbent DG and said a single DG cannot run the agency. He also recommended that three DGs fulfilling respective duties for primary healthcare services, medical education and clinical services – were required for the DGHS. He however cautioned against decentralising the DGHS, saying that decentralisation without ensuring proper monitoring and supervision – would hit back the DGHS like a boomerang. l

‘Phailin’ upgraded to severe cyclone n Abu Bakar Siddique

Female returnees migrants complain of abuses in Hong Kong

The met office upgraded the cyclonic storm “Phailin” to “severe” in the east-central bay and adjoining west-central bay yesterday, and warned it was likely to intensify further as it moves in a northwesterly direction towards India.

The Met Office special weather bulletin published at 3pm yesterday said “Phailin” was packing maximum wind speeds of 120-140kph and was centred about 800km south of Chittagong port, 715km south of Cox’s Bazar port and 795km south of Mongla port.

Officials suggested all three keep the distant warning signal number two hoisted, and advised fishing boats and trawlers over the north bay and in the deep sea to remain close to the coast.

“If the storm continues on its current course at its present speed, it will hit the Orissa coastline in India,” Shah Alam, director of Bangladesh Department of Meteorology, told the Dhaka Tribune. l

n Rabiul Islam

Two DU students stabbed at TSC n DU Correspondent

300 cheated pilgrims deprived of hajj

Two students of Dhaka University were stabbed in the Teacher-Student Centre area yesterday afternoon.

They are Niloy, a student of international relations department, and Sharif, of Sanskrit and Pali department – both second year students. They were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Witnesses said Niloy had an altercation over a trivial issue on the university bus with Asif, from the soil science department, while travelling to university.

Following the incident, Asif allegedly called some of his associates after getting down from the bus, and alleged to have stabbed Niloy in the TSC area around 1pm. Sharif was also stabbed when he tried to save Niloy.

Proctor Amzad Ali said Arif was permanently expelled from the university.

He suggested that the injured file formal allegations against the attackers with the police and the university authorities. l

A number of female returnee migrants have complained to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) that their employers in Hong Kong tortured them to force them to leave their jobs.

Officials at the bureau asked them to file complaints in writing and assured them of taking measures against those responsible.

Quoting one female migrant worker, a senior official of the BMET said she complained of not having enough food and having to stay outside when her employer went on holidays. The victim alleged she had to work more than eight hours a day.

“We have already taken steps to solve the problem. A delegation will go to Hong Kong soon to discuss the issue,” Jabed Ahmed, additional director general of the

Friday, October 11, 2013

The five-day-long Durga Puja, the largest Hindu festival, began yesterday with ‘Bodhon’ (incarnation) and invocation to the Goddess of strength, courage, peace and enlightenment across the country’s 28,000 pavilions and temples. The number of Puja mandaps (pavilions) in the capital has been increased to 214 this year – from 201 the previous year – with around 80 in Old Dhaka. The photo was taken at Banani playground SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Finger-test for rape victims questioned n Nazmus Sakib The High Court yesterday issued a rule asking the government to explain why the two-finger test carried out on rape victims should not be declared illegal as it violates the fundamental rights guaranteed in constitution.

Health and family welfare secretary, home secretary, director general of the health directorate and inspector general of police were made respondents to the ruling.

The two-finger test is conducted with the fingers of the examining doctors which is not scientific as the hymen indicating virginity of the rape victim may be torn or damaged by physical exercise, disease or due to menstruation, said the forensic experts.

The court directed the health and family secretary to form a committee

BMET, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

He admitted that the employers had sent the workers back home.

Of the seven to eight female migrants, three were named by the official as Srabonti, Shumi Biswas and Rita. They went to Hong Kong to work as housemaids at the end of June under an arrangement made by Sadia International, a private recruitment agency.

Shameem Ahmed Chowdhury Noman, proprietor of the firm, disputed the version of events, saying they returned home as they were homesick.

He told the Dhaka Tribune over phone yesterday that the female migrants returned home in September.

Private agency SA Trading so far sent 88 workers while Sadia International 58 to Hong Kong as housemaids. SA Trading Proprietor Abdul Alim claimed that only one female worker had returned home.

A BMET official, seeking anonym-

comprising forensic experts and other officials concerned, who provide support to rape victims, to develop a comprehensive guideline to this end by three months.

The guideline will be observed by police, physicians and judges of Nari o Shishu Nirjatan Tribunals, ordered the High Court.

The bench of Justice Mirza Hussain Haider and Justice Khurshid Alam Sarkar passed the order after hearing a writ petition lodged on October 8.

Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust, Ain O Salish Kendra, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Brac, Naripakkha, DR Ruchira Tabassum Naved and Dr Mobarak Hossain Khan jointly filed the writ petition.

Sara Hossain pleaded for the petitioners and was assisted by lawyers Jyotirmoy Barua and Akmal Hossain.

She referred a Dhaka Tribune re-

ity, admitted that the employers had behaved cruelly with the migrants. He mentioned that as per the labour law in Hong Kong, an employer must give one month’s salary and pay for the worker’s return airfare if they wanted to sack an employee. To avoid the labour law, employers mistreat the housemaids to force them to “choose” to leave the job.

The workers travelled to Hong Kong after taking a loan of $1,400 from Probashi Kalyan Bank with expectations of earning substantial sums. Each female migrant also had to pay Tk20,000 of service charges to the recruitment agency. They were supposed to pay back the loan from their wages through instalments.

“The government should have a female officer in Hong Kong to take care of the female migrant workers there,” Bangladesh Ovibashi Mohila Sramik Association Founding Director Sumaiya Begum told the Dhaka Tribune. l

n Mohosinul Karim

As many as 300 pilgrims this year will be deprived of performing hajj despite they made payments to the agencies concerned.

The aggrieved pilgrims staged demonstrations in front of Shahjalal International Airport and hajj camp at Ashkona protesting the fraudulence by the hajj agencies.

The religious affairs ministry has taken no steps to solve the problem.

The civil aviation and tourism ministry is also silent over the issue, said a cheated pilgrim.

Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (Haab), however, said they were taking action against those hajj agencies involved in fraudulence.

Senior Vice-President of Haab Abdul Kabir Khan admitted that it would not be possible to send those pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to perform hajj this year as the process was closed last Wednesday.

He blamed the government for issu-

Around 150 hajj pilgrims form a human chain in front of the National Press Club yesterday as their trip through different agencies becomes uncertain MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU ing about 850 licenses to hajj agencies this year without taking into consideration their financial ability.

He also held some middlemen re-

sponsible for mismanagement. “We are trying to resolve the problem but yet to get any response from the government.

“The religious affairs ministry has an

port where Habibuzzaman Chowdhury, head of forensic medicine at the Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College,

The court directed the health and family secretary to form a committee comprising forensic experts and other officials concerned, who provide support to rape victims, to develop a comprehensive guideline to this end by three months said: “If the victim is a married, middle-aged or a woman who has conceived multiple times then how could this test help find any evidence?

“We are concerned about this matter as the test has no evidential value or scientific merit,” the expert said.

Sara told the court that India

scrapped the two-finger test from the evidence law. “It is humiliating and violates the fundamental rights to personhood and dignity and right to equality guaranteed in the constitution.”

She added that conducting two-finger test was a breach of the state’s international obligations to ensure the right to physical health of every person, including sexual and reproductive health, and mental health, as guaranteed by Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights 1966.

Last February 100 experts including rights activists, doctors and legal experts pressed for banning the “degrading physical examinations” of rape victims.

But the law has remained unchanged causing additional duress and humiliation to women who have already been the victims of a humiliating crime. l

Canada’s Alice Munro wins Nobel Literature Prize n AFP, Stockholm Canada’s Alice Munro won the Nobel Literature Prize on Thursday for her short stories that focus on the frailties of the human condition, becoming just the 13th woman to win in the history of the coveted award.

The Swedish Academy honoured Munro, 82, as a “master of the contemporary short story.”

It hailed her “finely tuned storytelling, which is characterised by clarity and psychological realism. Some critics consider her a Canadian Chekhov.”

“Her stories are often set in small town environments, where the struggle for a socially acceptable existence often results in strained relationships and moral conflicts – problems that stem from generational differences and colliding life ambitions,” it said.

Tipped as one of the favourites in the days before Thursday’s announce-

emergency fund of Tk400m set up with Haab’s finance and pilgrims’ fees for emergency use,” said the Haab leader.

The government could use it for sending those pilgrims to Saudi Arabia but they did not respond.

Contacted, Civil Aviation Ministry Additional Secretary Abu Hena Rahmatullah Munim said he had nothing to do with it as it’s a matter of religious affairs ministry.

This correspondent could not reach the state minister, secretary, additional secretary and joint secretaries of the ministry as, said the officials of the ministry, they are now in Saudi Arabia to perform hajj.

Assistant Hajj Officer Abdul Malek, however, said they had no exact figure of pilgrims cheated. He said a total of 87,213 pilgrims had received visas from the Saudi Arabian authorities to perform hajj.

Of them, 1,599 pilgrims have gone to Saudi Arabia under government management and the rest are under private management. l

ment, Munro is just the 13th woman to win the Nobel Literature Prize since it was first awarded in 1901.

She is also the first Canadian to win the prestigious honour.

Munro will receive the prize sum of eight million Swedish kronor ($1.24m).

She will be presented with her award at a formal ceremony in Stockholm on December 10, the anniversary of prize founder Alfred Nobel’s death in 1896.

Last year, the award went to Chinese novelist Mo Yan. l

HC halts Royal Tiger energy drink production n Nazmus Sakib The High Court yesterday directed authorities concerned to stop the production and marketing of Royal Tiger Energy Drink for three months.

The bench of Justice Mirza Hussain Haider and Justice Khurshid Alam Khan passed the order considering a writ petition filed by three lawyers, Deputy Attorney General Al-Amin Sarkar told the Dhaka Tribune.

The court also issued a rule asking why it should not direct for halting production and marketing of the drink. The secretaries of commerce, food and home, deputy commissioner of Dhaka, BSTI chairman and AST Beverage Limited have been asked to reply in three weeks.

Saiful Alam, one of the petitioners, said the petition was filed based on a report of a Bangla daily which states that the brand contains harmful chemicals. l

Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed at Romask Limited, 184, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1215. 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

B2 ICCB: Trading powers

Business

may abandon WTO if deal not made in Bali

B3 Bangladesh among top 5 least costly corridors of remittance

www.dhakatribune.com/business

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

PM: Wage hike to benefit RMG industry Three-day Batexpo 2013 begins yesterday n Tribune Report Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called on the readymade garment manufacturers to increase wages of the workers to benefit the whole industry.

“If owners buy one less suit or tie, nothing will happen to them. But when they give the money to the workers instead, the whole industry will benefit.”

She said the garment owners and workers have to have a good mutual relation to protect the industry from conspirators.

Prime Minister was speaking at the inauguration of the three-day 24th Bangladesh Apparel and Textile Exposition (Batexpo) 2013 at Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka yesterday.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association (BGMEA) has organised the exposition.

“Hopefully, the minimum wage board will give us their recommendations soon,” said Prime Minister.

She urged both the owners and workers in the RMG sector to try to understand problems of each other.

“Owners and workers should remain united so that no outsiders can intrude and instigate workers to create anarchy.”

Sheikh Hasina said the workers should not be surrendered to the instigation by “others” and create anarchy in the name of protest.

Readymade garment products are put on display at Batexpo 2013, which began in Dhaka yesterday Pointing at the recent deadly incidents in the RMG industry, she noted that her government has taken a number of initiatives to ensure factory safety.

“Factory accidents are now a big challenge for us. We must prevent it.”

Responding to demands from the country’s apparel manufacturers, Prime Minister assured that the government would consider cutting the freight on board (FOB), bank interest rates and providing duty waiver facility on the import of capital machinery

for the proposed industrial park at Bausia in Munshiganj.

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, Commerce Minister GM Quader, Textiles and Jute Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Faruk Khan, Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan, BGMEA President and Chairman of Batexpo organising committee Atiqul Islam and BGMEA Senior Vice President Abdul Wahab also addressed the function.

“Orders for RMG products usually go to

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

where prices are relatively lower. Conspiracy in home and abroad is on to shift orders from Bangladesh to other countries,” said Syed Ashraful Islam.

He urged all concerned to remain alert of such conspiracy against the country’s apparel industry which employs nearly 4m, mostly women.

GM Quader said the government is working to have the GSP facility reinstated in the US market. “We are passing a crucial time now, indeed.” l

BGMEA demands cut in lending rates n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association (BGMEA) received the prime minister’s assurance of cutting freight on board (FOB) duty on the RMG capital machinery import and banks’ lending rates.

While speaking at the inauguration of Batexpo in Dhaka yesterday, BGMEA president demanded the government reduce the FOB duty to 0.25% from 0.80% and the lending rates to a “rational level.”

The FOB cut was also sought for the capital machinery imports for the proposed Industrial Park at Bausia in Munshigangj. The park will be developed on a 531-acre of land.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her government would consider the demands and try to cut interest rates to some extent, if not possible to the extent of BGMEA’s desire.

The premier said: “We won’t be able to meet your demands but we will try to reduce FOB duty and lending rates.”

“It’s true that after the removal of the cap, the lending rates have become high. But Bangladesh Bank is working to ease the [lending] rates.”

While placing demands, BGMEA chief sought the premier’s intervention to bring down the rates to a tolerable and

rational level.

He said the rate is holding back the growth in the country’s manufacturing sectors and alleged the commercial banks are charging irrationally high rates.

“The sector is passing a crucial time now. Production costs in the RMG sector have gone up while the banks’ lending rates are so high,” said Atiqul Islam.

He detailed that the RMG production costs soared by 13% while the local currency taka has been depreciated by 8.6% against dollar, reducing the sector’s competitiveness on the global market.

Besides, BGMEA chief came up with another demand to establish a separate dollar exchange rate to retain apparel export growth.

In her speech, the premier suggested the apparel manufacturers can borrow money from the government fund to build dormitories for the workers.

Further, she assured of supplying gas and power to the new factories and cited that the present government has increased generation of power remarkably.

Sheikh Hasina continued that her government has approved BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology to enhance skills in the sector and maintain international standard.

She said the present government has also set up RMG training institutes at the upazila level to create skilled manpower to meet the demand and increase export.

Sheikh Hasina said the government has amended building code and is going to introduce guideline so that “no one can construct building here and there.”

To ensure factory compliance, more inspectors have been appointed. l

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

ICCB: Trading powers may abandon WTO if deal not made in Bali n

Tribune Report

Major trading powers, which are spending more energy on bilateral deals than on the push for a global agreement, may give up for good on WTO unless a dealto facilitate cross-border trade is reached at the upcoming ministerial conference in Bali.

Moreover, trade experts fear that a pullout by the major players could foster the growth of rival trading blocs and deepen divisions, contrary to what the WTO(World Trade Organisation) was meant to achieve.

International Chamber of Commerce-Bangladesh (ICCB)made the remarksin an editorial published in its news bulletin yesterday.

The three-day 9th WTO biannual ministerial conference is scheduled to take place in the Indonesian island of Bali from December 3-6.

The ICCB editorial says reaching a deal at the Bali conference would not onlybean opportunity to slash the cost of shipping goods around the world, it could also be the last chance to restore confidence in the WTO’s ability to reform global trade rules.

“For the past 60 years, trade has been a driver of growth and employment. This engine of the world economy is threatened by the stalemate in multilateral trade negotiations,” the editorial says.

Furthermore, increasing trade and investment restrictions,fuelled by aworldwide economic downturn, is damaging business climate and prospects for recovery at a time when global trade and investment liberalisation could provide a much-needed boost to world economic growth, it says.

An agreement on trade facilitation should significantly reduce costs, speed up and

Director of Information and External Relations of World Trade Organisation Keith Rockwell at Bali Nusa Dua Convention Centre streamline administrative and other official procedures, as well as create a more transparent, predictable and efficient environment for cross-border trade.

Trade facilitation is a series of measures whereby countries reduce red tape and simplify customs and other procedures for handling goods at borders.

A WTO trade facilitation agreement would, thus, add significant momentum to these initiatives, leading to even greater reductions in trade costs.

At the ICC World Trade Agenda Summit held in Doha in April this year,several hundred business leaders and trade experts considered a set of recommendations, finalised

by the ICC on behalf of global business for WTO member countries, to salvage parts of on-going Doha trade negotiations that could heighten global GDP by $960bn.

The meeting observed that by simplifying customs procedures alone – through trade facilitation measures – member countries would generate 21m global jobs, with developing countries gaining more than 18m jobs and developed countries increasing their workforce by 3m.

It is estimated that the payoff from liberalising trade in services could generate world trade gains of $1.1tn, which would translate into global employment gains of 9m jobs. l

Banglalink 3G launched commercially n Tribune Report Banglalink, the second largest mobile operator in the country in terms of subscribers, yesterday launched commercially the fastest mobile data service (3G) for their customers in five areas of Dhaka and one in the port city of Chittagong.

Subscribers in Gulshan, Baridhara, Banani, Banani DOHS and Motijheel areas of Dhaka and Agrabad residential area in Chittagong could now enjoy the services.

Banglalink will arrange an inaugural programme in Dhaka on October 21 and planned another celebration party in Chittagong.

“We have a plan to give customers a surprise … that is why we don’t disclose anything about the programmes,” a senior executive told the Dhaka Tribune.

Earlier on September 25, Banglalink demonstrated 3G services for the first time after Teletalk in Dhaka.

The operator’s 3G service would go to Khulna and Sylhet before the end of this year. Banglalink offered 1Mbps speed for

their every package and giving bonus from the first day.

They also tagged smart handsets with packages and offered 10% discount for their customers.

Robi launches 3.5G in Sylhet

Robi launched its 3.5G services in Sylhet on Monday, the company said in a statement.

NM Zeaul Alam, divisional commissioner of Sylhet, inaugurated the network with a video call from Sylhet to Robi’s Chief Technology Officer AKM Morshed in Dhaka.

A 3.5G network can accelerate socio-eco-

nomic growth by bringing education, e-health, e-commerce and other social services to peoples’ finger tips, he said.

An executive said said Robi would expand its network soon to test the efficacy of the 3.5G network.

The 3.5G network will be commercially available to Robi subscribers in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet by October.

Meanwhile, customers in Sylhet can visit the Robi walk-in centre at Zindabazar to experience firsthand the 3.5G network or experience 3.5G on their own 3G enabled devices at selected areas in Sylhet city. l

Western Fishers to build 12 trawlers worth Tk3bn

n Tribune Business Desk

Western Fishers Shipyard, a joint venture of Western Marine Shipyard and Fishers Shipyard Limited, has got orders to build 12 fishing trawlers worth around Tk3bn.

The fishing trawlers have been built for four private owners to operate in the Bay of Bengal, said a press release.

Among the 12, Western Fishers has already completed the construction work of three trawlers and completed their sea trials.

They will be launched soon for commercial operation.

The construction of the rest of the vessels is expected to be completed by November.

These ships are called Deep Sea Mid Water Fishing Trawler.

They will be capable to operate in the rough Bay of Bengal and shall be able to ply in much deeper sea.

Unlike other imported fishing trawlers in Bangladesh, theses ships are being custom made to operate in the Bangladeshi fishing zone considering all the challenges in fishing in this sea.

These trawlers are equipped with advanced machinery which makes the vessel fit for fishing in the Bay of Bengal even in monsoon period.

Each vessel will be able to carry and store 300 tons of fish having hi-tech European refrigeration system including processing deck, slurry ice machine, chill water maker, blast freezer and store freezer will be able to maintain the freshness of the fish and ensure quality. l

Unilever celebrates Global Handwashing Day n Tribune Business Desk Lifebuoy’s brand ambassador Sakib Al Hasan and managers of Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL) recently visited BAWA School and College in Chittagong on the occasion of Global Handwashing Day 2013.

They visited these schools to help spread the message of hand washing to the schoolchildren through interactive hand washing demonstrations, said a press release. l

NBTI holds training for credit officers n Tribune Business Desk A training course on “Industrial Credit and Appraisal of Project Loan” was held in the city recently organised by National Bank Training Institute (NBTI) for credit officers of the bank.

A total number of 35 credit officers of the bank working in the different branches throughout the country attended the fourday training programme, said a press realease.

National Bank Limited AMD AKM Shafiqur Rahman inaugurated the training course as chief guest. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

Bangladesh among top 5 least costly corridors of remittance 3.5

3.06

3

2.58

2.5

2.76

2.18

2 1.5

1.37

1 0.5 0

to re o p ga nd Sin aila Th

to re h o s p ga ade Sin ngl Ba

n ta kis a oP Et A U

ia

b ra iA n d u a Sa kist Pa

to

ia

b ra

iA ud n Sa me Ye

to

Source: World Bank

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman said Bangladesh is now one of the five least costly corridors of remittances across the world because of efficiency enhancing activities in Bangladesh.

He said Bangladesh is the 7th largest remittance receiving country in the world which has been growing at double digits since 1980s, and now it accounts for about 11% of GDP. He was delivering a speech at the Boston University Center for Finance, Law & Policy, USA on “Role of Remittance in Enhancing Inclusive Growth and Macroeconomic Stability” yesterday.

The governor said mobile banking/smart cards, drawing arrangements, exchange houses, MFIs, Post Offices and uses of ICT is playing important role in collecting and distributing the remittances at low cost.

“Remittances are being increasingly used in investment rather than consumption creating significant impact on inclusive growth and macroeconomic stability,” he said.

As policy steps to smooth remittance inflow, separate savings instruments have been created for non-resident Bangladeshis, such as a non-resident foreign currency deposit, USD premium bond, wage-earners’ development bond, according to Bangladesh Bank.

Off branch remittance delivery to beneficiaries through smart card/mobile phone banking have been introduced and thirty seven banks have set up 1,084 drawing arrangements with 288 exchange houses all over the world to bring down remittance cost.

Consumption is the initial use of remittance funds by recipients. Loan repayments and home building and home renovation are also important uses. In the second round, families may utilise remittances for investments in micro to medium enterprises, such as grocery stores, poultry farms, beauty saloons, fish processing, hotels, and restaurants.

According to Bangladesh Bank data, in 2008-09, the remittance inflow was $9.7bn against the 650,059 migrant labour and it rose to $14.5bn in 2012-13 despite the number of migrant workers dropped to 441,301.

Global Diaspora remittance flows projected to reach $550bn in 2013.

Remittance have contributed significant-

Singapore->Bangladesh ranked 2nd lowest (based on USD 200 transfer)

Singapore to Bangladesh ranked the top lowest cost (based on USD 500 transfer) 1.9

2 1.8

1.67

1.6

1.53

1.46

1.4 1.2 1

1.03

0.8 0.6

Source: World Bank

n Tribune Report

0.4 0.2 0 o et or sh p e ga ad Sin ngl Ba

bia

ra iA ud en a S m Ye

to

o es E t pin UA ilip Ph

ly to growing foreign exchange reserve of Bangladesh, which now stand at a historical high of more than USD$16bn.

Despite being a trade deficit country,

n ta kis a oP Et UA

pt

E UA

y Eg to

Bangladesh has been enjoying a positive balance in the current account during the last five years because of the favorable impact of remittances. l

Cut in RN Spinning rights offer n Tribune Report The High Court (HC) has issued a rule upon the securities regulator to show cause as to why the reduction of rights offer by RN Spinning should not be declared unlawful.

After hearing a writ petition on October 7, the HC bench comprised of Justice Quazi Reza-ul Hoque and Justice ABM Altaf Hossain asked the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) to explain why its order cutting the petitioner’s rights share issue should not be declared without lawful

authority, according to the Dhaka Stock Exchange.

The court also stayed the commission’s order issued on January 14 for a period of six months. The regulator directed RN Spinning to decrease rights offer issue to Tk1.2bn from Tk2.78bn.

The BSEC have been made respondents and asked to reply within four weeks. RN Spinning, the petitioner, filed the writ petition with the HC in this regard.

In June, an investigation by the BSEC found major breaches of procedure in the

rights offer subscription of RN Spinning Mills.

The investigative report said that directors of RN Spinning Mills did not subscribe their due 60,013,481 rights shares in time. It said the directors paid for their rights shares in unauthorised bank accounts after the subscription period ended. It said the company failed to credit subscribed rights shares to the investors in time.

Later, the BSEC also found that the RN Spinning Mills provided fake documents to the BSEC inquiry committee. l

3

Stocks end on happy note ahead of 9-day closure n Tribune Report Stocks closed on a happy note amid thin trade yesterday, as the market went for a 9-day holiday for celebrating Eid-ul-Azha and weekends.

The rally was led by banks, telecommunications, textiles, cement and pharmaceuticals sectors.

The benchmark DSEX index rose 21 points or 0.6% to 3,843, extending gaining streak for the second consecutive session. The blue chip index DS30 was slightly up 3 points or 0.3% to 1,388.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, closed at 7,494 with a rise of 29 points.

“Closing session ahead of Eid-Ul-Azha highlighted another demand push scenario as participants were focusing on post-Eid phenomenon,” said IDLC Investment in its daily market analysis.

Additionally, Q3 earnings expectation forced investors’ sentiment to be positive during the session, it said.

Trading activities remained poor as it stood at Tk2.2bn, which was 2.8% lower over the previous session. Gainers took a marginal lead over the losers as out of 286 issues traded, 146 advanced, 122 declined and 27 remained unchanged.

Lanka Bangla Securities said on the last day of trading before the vacation, market cheered with festive mood with rally on some major sectors like financial and textile sectors.

The combination of low bank deposit rates, steady political upheaval, fresh start after holidays and continues losing streak for the past few days leading to a reversal trend from the support zone have ignited the interest level of investors towards the stock market, thus steering the bourse in a positive direction, said Zenith Investment.

Banks gained the most 1.2%, after remaining under pressure for a long time. It is followed by telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, food and allied, and textile. Financial institutions and power went down.

The top traded stocks included Argondenim, Envoy Textile, MI Cement, Square Pharmaceuticals and Heidelberg Cement. l

Familytex included as DSEX companies n Tribune Report Familytex (BD) Limited has been added to the benchmark DSEX index of Dhaka Stock Exchange. It takes effect from October 20.

The DSE selects the companies after revising their performance in line with the index methodology designed by S&P Dow Jones Indices.

With the Familytex, the DSEX will have 204 listed companies, making up more than 90% of the total market capitalisation.

The DSEX was introduced on the premier bourse on January 28 this year, replacing the DGEN, which contain inflated points due to the previously faulty calculation method. l

Business India in talks with JP Morgan, others to join bond indexes

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

n Reuters, New Delhi India is talking with JP Morgan and others to gain entry to benchmark indexes for emerging market debt in hopes of attracting billions of dollars in investment and may ease some restrictions on foreign inflows in order to do so, sources said.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram and other officials plan to meet next week in the United States with big fund managers that track such indexes including Pimco, Capital International and Standard Life, one of the sources with direct knowledge of the matter said.

To qualify for entry into the widely-followed JP Morgan Government Bond Index Emerging Markets, India needs to ease rules on registration, documentation, due diligence rules for the entry of foreign institutional investors (FIIs) in the Indian debt market, besides allowing them to invest more in the government debt, two sources said.

The sources declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter.

A finance ministry spokesman declined to comment.

With a wide current account gap and a weakened rupee, India wants to attract some of the billions of dollars managed passively by tracking global indexes.

However, Indian restrictions limit foreign investment in onshore debt, which exclude it from indexes managed by JP Morgan and others.

India has been taking steps to ease investment rules but is also skittish about fully removing limits given worries about the volatility of global flows. Its credit rating also stands just one notch above junk status, although a downgrade would not disqualify it from an emerging market index.

Inclusion in popular government bond indexes could attract $20 billion-$40 billion in additional flows into India over a year, Standard Chartered Bank wrote in a report last month.

“This is kind of opening up the debt market completely, with all the good and bad

An investor looks at computer screens showing stock information at a brokerage house in Shanghai that comes with it,” said Dilip Parameswaran, head of Asia Credit Advisors, an independent fixed-income consultancy in Hong Kong.

“It won’t solve its balance of payments problems immediately as both the government and the index providers need to finalise details and following which investors will have to readjust their portfolios,” he said.

In seeking index inclusion, India may modify rules to allow foreign institutions to invest more in government debt, now capped at $30bn.

While India doesn’t want to do away with caps entirely, it is considering further loosening rules that allow higher limits once inves-

tors reach 80% of the cap, one of the sources said.

Another source with a bank said Indian officials approached banks seeking feedback on what New Delhi can do to include its government bonds in indexes. While talks have shown progress, a final decision on timing and India’s index weight is at least a couple of months away, the source said.

One obstacle to index inclusion is India’s withholding tax on foreign investment in government debt.

Earlier this year India reduced withholding tax of as much as 20% on coupon payments to 5%. India argues that the effective

REUTERS

rate is zero for the majority of investors covered under bilateral tax treaties with countries such as the United States and Singapore.

India last month eased rules to allow foreign institutions to invest in government bonds on an “on tap” basis, or without first requiring the purchase of debt limits. It is also in the process of easing registration and due diligence rules for foreign investors to buy government debt, one of the sources said.

India’s preference is to get into the JPMorgan index, one of the sources said, but authorities are also in touch with other index operators such as Barclays and Citi, sources said. l

‘Pitiful’ US infighting threatens world: Chinese media n AFP, Beijing Chinese state media hit out at US lawmakers yesterday, a week ahead of a potential US default, urging them to “stop manufacturing crises” that threaten the global economy.

The China Daily newspaper wrote in an editorial that five years after the global financial crisis “it is pitiful that the US is now putting the fragile world recovery under renewed threat with its mind-boggling political infighting”.

The paper, which is run by the Chinese government, added: “The astonishing failure of the US Congress to put national needs before their partisan interests has sparked fears among investors and governments around

the world that maybe it is time to think about the unthinkable.”

The newspaper’s sternly-worded missive comes as Washington remains deadlocked ahead of the October 17 deadline, by which time it must vote to raise its $16.7tn borrowing ceiling or risk defaulting on its debt.

The International Monetary Fund this week cut its forecast for world economic growth for 2013 and 2014, citing both US political infighting and China’s slowing growth as particularly worrisome factors.

“The prospect of dimmer global growth predicted by the International Monetary Fund should make it a matter of urgency for US politicians to stop manufacturing crises,” the paper stated.

China is the largest foreign owner of US debt, holding $1.277tn in Treasury bills in July, according to the latest available US government figures.

Beijing has in recent days stepped up its calls for Washington to come to an agreement on raising the debt ceiling, highlighting the “inseparable” relationship between the two countries’ economies.

“China pays high attention to the US debt ceiling,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters at a regular briefing Thursday, without elaborating.

But on Monday Vice Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao told reporters that “the clock is ticking” and warned that any US default would have global repercussions.

“We hope that before October 17, the US will take credible steps to address its disputes over the debt ceiling in a timely fashion, avoid a default and ensure the safety of Chinese investments in the US and ensure the process of global economic recovery will not be seriously affected by this,” Zhu said.

In Washington, the White House was scrambling to hold meetings with members of both parties in the hope of forging a deal to resolve both the debt-ceiling debacle and the partial shutdown of the US federal government.

But Republicans have been hesitant to agree to any deal without concessions from Democrats on reforming federal spending and entitlement programmes. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

5

What would a US default look like? n Reuters, Washington Nobody knows exactly when America would default on its bills if Congress fails to raise a cap on government borrowing. But the recent past gives a pretty good idea of how a default could unfold.

Even the Treasury Department can’t know how much tax revenue will come in each day after October 17, when it expects to hit its $16.7tn debt ceiling. Nor can officials anticipate exact costs, such as how many people will apply for jobless benefits that week.

Yet we can infer how quickly the government might run out of cash by looking at the equivalent of the Treasury’s daily bank statements from that same period a year ago.

What follows is a timeline that shows what a default might look like, based on daily Treasury statements from October and November of 2012.

October 17

The Treasury Department exhausts all available tools to stay under the cap on borrowing and can no longer add to the national debt.

Treasury expects it would still have about $30bn cash on hand to cover its bills. Among the many inflows and outflows that day, it takes in $6.75bn in taxes but pays out $10.9bn in Social Security retirement checks. By the end of the day, its cushion has eroded to $27.5bn.

October 18 - October 29

Treasury’s cash reserve quickly dwindles.

Washington only takes in about 70 cents for every dollar it spends and is now unable to issue new debt to cover the difference.

The tide turns briefly on October 22, when the

government takes in $3.5bn more than it spends.

But that temporary gain is soon erased.

October 24 is an especially rough day: Treasury pays $1.8bn to defense contractors, $2.2bn to doctors and hospitals that treat elderly patients through the Medicare program, and $11.1bn in Social Security, while taking in only $9.6bn in taxes and other income.

One possible wild card: Treasury could lose the trust of the bond market.

Even though the government cannot add to the national debt at this point, it can legally roll over expiring debt. Investors have the

pick and choose who gets paid. The last time the government faced this situation in 2011, they planned to wait until public coffers were full enough to pay a full day’s bills before cutting any checks, according to a Treasury Department watchdog report from 2012.

That would mean delays for everybody: the local schools that are owed $680m, welfare recipients owed $553m and defense contractors owed $972m.

Some companies that count the government as a major customer would take a big hit. “If you’re Lockheed Martin ... it’s a big deal,” said R Bruce Josten, the US Chamber

In theory, the government could keep bondholders whole indefinitely because tax revenues are more than enough to cover interest payments, and Treasury pays creditors through a separate system than other obligations opportunity to cash out about $100bn worth of US debt every week but choose to reinvest it. If fear of default causes investors to steer clear of new debt offerings, Treasury’s finances could unravel almost overnight.

“It’s very hard to predict,” said Brian Collins, an analyst at the Bipartisan Policy Center, which helped Reuters with this analysis. “It’s the same thing that causes (bank) runs or credit markets to freeze.”

October 30

Default happens. By the end of the day, the government is $7bn short of what it needs to pay all of its bills.

So who gets stiffed?

Everybody, according to the Obama administration.

Treasury says it doesn’t have the ability to

of Commerce’s top lobbyist.

Payment delays would grow longer as the default continues, sapping billions of dollars out of the economy within days.

October 31

Things get really spooky on Halloween when a $6bn interest payment to bondholders comes due. US Treasury bills are the foundation of the global financial system, a supposed risk-free investment that underpins everything from retirement portfolios to China’s export-driven economy.

A missed payment could shake that foundation. The United States currently pays some of the lowest interest rates in the world due to a strong history of repayment; those borrowing costs would almost certainly rise.

Stock markets could tumble and nervous

consumers could spend less of their money, further damaging the economy.

For the Treasury Department, this is where the truly tough decisions begin. Does the government pay bondholders in China or troops in Afghanistan? The Obama administration says it doesn’t have the ability to prioritize payments, but analysts are convinced it would at least try.

“Not making an interest payment on time is probably a worse way to default than not making other payments,” Collins said.

November 1

At this point, the United States goes into truly unchartered territory.

In theory, the government could keep bondholders whole indefinitely because tax revenues are more than enough to cover interest payments, and Treasury pays creditors through a separate system than other obligations.

That would mean longer delays for everybody else. US troops could fall behind on their rent payments, and seniors who rely on Social Security may have trouble buying groceries.

If, on the other hand, the Treasury missed the Halloween interest payment and Washington shows no sign of resolving the crisis, the creditworthiness of the country could suffer. That would throw the value of almost every financial instrument into question: the US dollar, bank loans in Asia, the cost of crop insurance in Illinois.

“A default would be unprecedented and has the potential to be catastrophic,” the Treasury said in a report yesterday. “The negative spillovers could reverberate around the world.” l

Cancelled EU-US talks complicate trade ambitions n Reuters, Brussels Even before the cancellation of the latest round of EU-US talks, negotiations to create the world’s largest free-trade deal were getting into difficulty territory.

France won a concession to leave European movies and entertainment out of the pact, to shield them from Hollywood and Silicon Valley, raising concerns Washington may pursue opt-outs for its shipping industry on security grounds.

Then the first round of talks in July were overshadowed by reports the United States had bugged European Union offices under its surveillance programme made public by fugitive former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.

Now, just before negotiators were due to get down to the nitty gritty in the search for a deal by the end of next year, the US government’s partial shutdown has forced next week’s talks in Brussels to be scrapped.

If that were not enough, a split is emerging between Europe and the United States on one of the most critical areas of the proposed pact: finance.

“This delay is not fatal, but if the US shutdown drags on and you are taking things off the table like culture and financial services, it is not a good way to start,” said Stuart Eizenstat, a former US ambassador to the European Union.

“This postponement may complicate the time-

table of completing the talks by the end of 2014,” Eizenstat said.

EU and US officials say the deal, known as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, could boost economic output by some $100bn a year on each side of the Atlantic, creating a market of 800 million people.

After five years of crisis, both see a deal as a way to reinvigorate their economies that account for a third of world trade when China’s might threatens their global standing.

So it was with some frustration that US Trade Representative Michael Froman rang his EU counterpart Karel De Gucht on Friday to cancel the second round of talks because of the effects of the Congressional budget dispute.

De Gucht, who handles trade for the EU’s 28 countries, said the postponement “in no way distracts us from our overall aim of achieving an ambitious trade and investment deal.”

Assistant US Trade Representative Dan Mullaney is expected in Brussels on Monday to find a date for a second round of talks. Much depends on the US shutdown, while Congress must act by October 17 in to avoid a US government debt default.

Agreeing a deal by the end of 2014 is the goal of both sides, because the European Commission’s term ends in November next year and the United States holds mid-term elections.

Since tariffs between the EU and United States

are already low, around 80% of the gains of any agreement will come from creating common rules for business.

The great, hoped-for benefit is that by agreeing shared regulatory standards, many costs and hurdles hindering transatlantic business will be removed, making the two economies even more dynamic and speeding the wheels of trade and industry.

However, an emerging dispute is over finance.

The EU wants financial regulation to be a central part of the deal, whereas Washington is resisting, worried about losing control over its financial industry.

Financial ties between Europe and the United States are already huge, accounting for 60% of world banking. EU investors own $2.7tn of US stocks and bonds, while US residents hold almost as much in Europe.

However, the United States and European countries regulate banks, insurers and traders in very different ways, particularly in the $630tn derivatives industry.

Never was the difference more evident than during the financial crisis, when Washington moved quickly in 2008 to tackle problems at its banks. Five years on, the European Union is still struggling to impose order on its financial system and has had to give emergency aid to five countries.

This is mirrored in regulation, where the two

sides have also clashed over the control of derivatives, with Washington demanding that global trading involving US firms be subject only to US rules, regardless of where it happens.

Europe wants a pact that spells out which regulators are responsible for what activities. Some EU officials even talk about creating new EU-US institutions to oversee finance. The United States’ Froman, a former adviser to President Barack Obama, has expressed Washington’s reluctance.

“There has been an explosion of regulatory activity,” Froman said in Brussels on September 30, making clear Europe and the United States could not merge their financial regulation. “That work should continue in parallel,” he said. US officials fear a deal with Europe could water down their signature reform since the financial crisis, the 848-page Dodd-Frank Act, introduced in 2010 to discourage risk-taking.

In Europe there is a cacophony of approaches to regulation, despite Brussels’ efforts to impose a federal-style system.

“In the United States, there are strong federal regulators,” said Anthony Belchambers, head of the Futures and Options Association, which represents banks involved in derivatives in Europe.

“Here in Europe, supervision and enforcement remain a matter for each of the member state’s regulatory authorities. That is not going to change any time soon.” l

6

Share

DHAKA TRIBUNE

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

DSE Broad Index: 3843.56 ⇑ 0.58%, Turnover: 2194.93 M.Tk ⇓ 2.81%, PE: 12.05 Turnover: 2,379.69 MTk. ⇓ 5.10% October 10, 2013 MarketCap. 1,863.78 BTk. ⇑ 0.47% CSE All Share Index: 11868 ⇑ 0.38%, Turnover: 184.76 M Tk. ⇓ 25.95%, PE: 11.87 Combined Turnover Leader Argon Denims Limited-A Envoy Textiles Ltd-N M.I. Cement-A Square Pharma -A HeidelbergCement -A

CompanyCode | EPS | BV | Volume Traded (Share) DSE/CSE: ClosePrice ⇓/⇑ Chn % | Avg.Price | Hi / Lo

BANK ABBANK | 2.95 | 32.60 | Vol. 149628 D: 22.70 ⇑ 0.89% | 22.72 | 23.00 / 20.50 C: 22.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 22.70 | 22.90 / 22.30 CITYBANK | 1.15 | 25.97 | Vol. 841269 D: 15.90 ⇑ 1.92% | 15.85 | 17.10 / 14.10 C: 15.90 ⇑ 2.58% | 15.80 | 16.00 / 15.30 IFIC | 1.10 | 18.34 | Vol. 457895 D: 20.60 ⇑ 3.52% | 20.47 | 21.00 / 18.00 C: 20.60 ⇑ 3.00% | 20.36 | 20.70 / 19.90 ISLAMIBANK | 3.78 | 27.16 | Vol. 375224 D: 35.00 ⇓ 1.69% | 35.18 | 35.60 / 34.00 C: 35.30 ⇓ 0.84% | 35.31 | 35.60 / 35.00 NBL | 1.05 | 15.76 | Vol. 2150424 D: 10.40 ⇑ 4.00% | 10.25 | 10.50 / 9.00 C: 10.30 ⇑ 3.00% | 10.27 | 10.40 / 10.00 PUBALIBANK | 1.92 | 21.18 | Vol. 198439 D: 31.00 ⇑ 0.32% | 31.06 | 31.50 / 28.00 C: 31.00 ⇑ 2.65% | 30.79 | 31.00 / 30.00 RUPALIBANK | 6.70 | 64.27 | Vol. 41300 D: 58.60 ⇓ 0.34% | 58.81 | 59.50 / 58.60 UCBL | 1.90 | 21.72 | Vol. 2595226 D: 18.20 ⇑ 3.41% | 18.10 | 18.50 / 16.00 C: 18.20 ⇑ 2.82% | 18.06 | 18.40 / 17.50 UTTARABANK | 3.42 | 26.97 | Vol. 240196 D: 25.50 ⇑ 1.19% | 25.41 | 25.70 / 22.80 C: 25.50 ⇑ 1.19% | 25.35 | 25.50 / 25.00 ICBIBANK | -1.60 | -13.03 | Vol. 153000 D: 5.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.75 | 5.90 / 5.70 EBL | 3.91 | 28.22 | Vol. 198930 D: 26.30 ⇑ 0.77% | 26.22 | 26.50 / 24.00 C: 26.00 ⇓ 0.38% | 26.00 | 26.00 / 26.00 ALARABANK | 2.03 | 14.91 | Vol. 261406 D: 13.70 ⇑ 0.74% | 13.69 | 13.90 / 12.40 C: 13.60 ⇓ 0.73% | 13.70 | 13.80 / 13.60 PRIMEBANK | 2.89 | 22.40 | Vol. 161605 D: 17.60 ⇑ 3.53% | 17.64 | 17.90 / 15.30 C: 17.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 16.00 | 17.10 / 17.10 SOUTHEASTB | 1.89 | 22.66 | Vol. 971864 D: 13.90 ⇑ 1.46% | 13.90 | 14.10 / 12.50 C: 14.00 ⇑ 2.19% | 13.98 | 15.00 / 13.00 DHAKABANK | 1.46 | 18.08 | Vol. 457302 D: 17.50 ⇑ 0.57% | 17.53 | 17.70 / 16.00 C: 17.40 ⇑ 2.35% | 17.34 | 17.50 / 16.50 NCCBANK | 1.90 | 15.88 | Vol. 217790 D: 10.80 ⇑ 2.86% | 10.78 | 11.00 / 9.80 C: 10.80 ⇑ 1.89% | 10.80 | 10.90 / 10.60 SIBL | 2.05 | 14.47 | Vol. 261117 D: 11.00 ⇑ 1.85% | 10.99 | 11.30 / 10.00 C: 11.10 ⇑ 0.91% | 11.08 | 11.20 / 10.90 DUTCHBANGL | 11.57 | 54.27 | Vol. 14000 D: 90.00 ⇑ 0.78% | 90.07 | 90.90 / 89.30 MTBL | 1.17 | 17.27 | Vol. 37192 D: 14.30 ⇑ 2.14% | 14.22 | 14.60 / 12.70 STANDBANKL | 2.33 | 14.41 | Vol. 919689 D: 12.70 ⇑ 1.60% | 12.61 | 13.00 / 11.80 C: 12.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 12.55 | 12.80 / 12.30 ONEBANKLTD | 2.35 | 15.34 | Vol. 1129388 D: 14.20 ⇑ 1.43% | 14.25 | 14.50 / 13.00 C: 14.30 ⇑ 1.42% | 14.27 | 14.40 / 12.70 BANKASIA | 1.35 | 20.80 | Vol. 557244 D: 18.50 ⇑ 0.54% | 18.50 | 18.70 / 16.70 MERCANBANK | 2.07 | 16.59 | Vol. 4459386 D: 11.60 ⇑ 1.75% | 10.43 | 12.00 / 10.30 C: 11.50 ⇑ 0.88% | 11.52 | 12.00 / 10.50 EXIMBANK | 1.80 | 14.31 | Vol. 368791 D: 10.60 ⇑ 2.91% | 10.57 | 11.00 / 9.30 C: 10.70 ⇑ 3.88% | 10.61 | 11.00 / 9.40 JAMUNABANK | 2.47 | 18.56 | Vol. 49027 D: 12.90 ⇑ 2.38% | 12.84 | 13.00 / 11.90 C: 12.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 12.70 | 12.90 / 12.70 BRACBANK | 1.51 | 24.87 | Vol. 208416 D: 27.20 ⇑ 0.74% | 27.15 | 27.40 / 25.00 C: 26.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 26.86 | 27.10 / 26.70 SHAHJABANK | 2.61 | 14.47 | Vol. 161657 D: 13.70 ⇑ 0.74% | 13.69 | 14.00 / 12.50 C: 13.80 ⇑ 1.47% | 13.72 | 13.90 / 13.60 PREMIERBAN | 1.18 | 13.95 | Vol. 596931 D: 9.30 ⇑ 4.49% | 9.11 | 9.40 / 8.20 C: 9.20 ⇑ 3.37% | 9.12 | 9.60 / 8.50

Vol. 2297140 1392550 806466 391100 148650

TO M. Tk. 126.68 77.05 76.93 68.25 55.38

% of TTL

Avg. P

5.32

55.15

3.24

55.33

3.23

95.39

2.87

174.51

2.33

TRUSTBANK | 0.50 | 18.00 | Vol. 132224 D: 17.10 ⇑ 2.40% | 17.07 | 18.00 / 15.10 C: 16.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 16.02 | 16.20 / 16.20 FIRSTSBANK | 1.85 | 13.89 | Vol. 217392 D: 11.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 11.04 | 11.20 / 10.00 C: 11.00 ⇑ 0.92% | 11.00 | 11.20 / 10.50 NON BANKING F I IDLC | 4.43 | 29.18 | Vol. 79067 D: 56.20 ⇑ 0.90% | 56.23 | 57.50 / 52.00 C: 56.50 ⇑ 0.89% | 56.92 | 60.00 / 55.40 ULC | 1.80 | 14.90 | Vol. 198546 D: 25.50 ⇑ 1.59% | 25.59 | 26.10 / 24.00 UTTARAFIN | 7.16 | 41.54 | Vol. 37857 D: 72.10 ⇑ 0.70% | 72.23 | 73.00 / 68.00 C: 72.10 ⇓ 0.28% | 72.10 | 72.10 / 72.10 MIDASFIN | 0.16 | 10.21 | Vol. 227000 D: 32.00 ⇓ 1.84% | 32.00 | 32.00 / 32.00 FLEASEINT | 2.34 | 13.93 | Vol. 78166 D: 23.50 ⇑ 0.86% | 23.44 | 23.60 / 22.00 C: 23.30 ⇓ 0.85% | 23.33 | 23.50 / 23.10 PLFSL | 1.37 | 17.48 | Vol. 215798 D: 21.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 21.14 | 21.70 / 19.00 C: 21.20 ⇑ 0.47% | 21.08 | 21.50 / 20.90 PRIMEFIN | 0.87 | 17.88 | Vol. 367377 D: 21.50 ⇓ 1.83% | 21.41 | 21.80 / 20.00 C: 21.60 ⇓ 1.37% | 21.61 | 22.70 / 21.30 PREMIERLEA | 0.10 | 11.37 | Vol. 116290 D: 10.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 10.16 | 10.30 / 9.10 C: 10.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 10.31 | 10.40 / 10.20 ISLAMICFIN | 1.03 | 15.48 | Vol. 211800 D: 15.00 ⇓ 1.32% | 15.11 | 15.40 / 13.70 C: 15.20 ⇓ 1.94% | 15.27 | 15.50 / 15.20 LANKABAFIN | 1.61 | 31.07 | Vol. 144403 D: 52.90 ⇓ 0.19% | 53.00 | 53.90 / 48.00 C: 53.10 ⇓ 1.12% | 53.14 | 53.80 / 52.90 BIFC | 0.15 | 18.58 | Vol. 93205 D: 15.30 ⇓ 2.55% | 15.48 | 16.00 / 14.50 C: 15.40 ⇓ 3.14% | 15.38 | 15.50 / 15.10 IPDC | 1.23 | 19.43 | Vol. 60080 D: 17.70 ⇑ 0.57% | 17.75 | 19.00 / 17.70 C: 17.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 17.23 | 17.50 / 16.80 UNIONCAP | 0.54 | 17.85 | Vol. 98432 D: 28.10 ⇓ 2.43% | 28.53 | 29.30 / 26.10 C: 27.60 ⇓ 2.13% | 27.60 | 27.60 / 27.60 BDFINANCE | 0.57 | 14.77 | Vol. 111156 D: 19.90 ⇓ 0.50% | 19.90 | 20.20 / 19.60 C: 19.80 ⇓ 0.50% | 19.79 | 20.00 / 19.60 ILFSL | 0.35 | 12.19 | Vol. 220025 D: 13.60 ⇓ 0.73% | 13.68 | 13.90 / 13.50 C: 13.60 ⇓ 1.45% | 13.64 | 13.80 / 13.50 PHOENIXFIN | 2.46 | 19.39 | Vol. 164255 D: 27.10 ⇓ 0.37% | 27.21 | 29.00 / 25.00 C: 27.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 26.69 | 27.00 / 24.40 FASFIN | 0.19 | 13.56 | Vol. 258000 D: 13.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 13.86 | 14.00 / 13.70 C: 13.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 13.81 | 14.10 / 13.70 DBH | 4.47 | 21.27 | Vol. 20500 D: 51.20 ⇓ 1.35% | 51.27 | 52.00 / 51.00 NHFIL | 0.57 | 12.70 | Vol. 318760 D: 28.20 ⇓ 3.09% | 28.29 | 29.10 / 26.50 C: 27.60 ⇓ 4.83% | 28.17 | 28.60 / 27.60 BAYLEASING | 0.72 | 25.55 | Vol. 107108 D: 25.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 25.14 | 25.50 / 24.00 C: 25.50 ⇑ 2.00% | 25.55 | 25.70 / 25.30 ICB | 89.23 | 607.74 | Vol. 7550 D: 1439 ⇓ 1.01% | 1445 | 1456 / 1432 C: 1513 ⇓ 2.40% | 1513 | 1599 / 1454 GSPFINANCE | 1.63 | 22.23 | Vol. 39921 D: 24.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 24.10 | 24.40 / 22.00 C: 23.70 ⇑ 0.85% | 23.14 | 23.70 / 23.00 FAREASTFIN | 0.68 | 13.64 | Vol. 661000 D: 15.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 15.97 | 16.30 / 15.80 C: 15.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 15.89 | 16.10 / 15.70 INVESTMENT 3RDICB | 26.16 | 235.16 | Vol. 350 D: 173.0 ⇓ 1.14% | 174.29 | 175.0 / 170.0 4THICB | 29.24 | 229.24 | Vol. 300 D: 172.0 ⇓ 1.55% | 172.00 | 172.0 / 172.0 6THICB | 10.99 | 60.14 | Vol. 6700 D: 44.60 ⇓ 0.45% | 44.52 | 45.20 / 44.00 C: 44.00 ⇓ 0.23% | 44.00 | 44.00 / 44.00

372.56

DSE Gainer

C%

A%

CP

DSE Loser

C%

A%

CP

Central Pharm-N

8.97

9.45

34.00

-9.90

-8.07

61.00

Argon Denims Limited-A

Desh Garments-B

8.57

8.58

57.00

-10.08

22.30

6.94

6.80

7.70

-9.63

-7.06

33.80

BD Fixed Income MF-A

5.68

4.97

9.30

Fine Foods-A BD. Autocars -B Hakkani P& Paper-B

-9.72

EXIM Bank 1 MF-A

-8.70

-8.73

25.20

ISN Ltd.-A

-8.65

-4.40

16.90

EL-A

5.54

5.69

1STBSRS | 14.43 | 161.88 | Vol. 75000 D: 82.20 ⇓ 1.67% | 82.67 | 84.70 / 80.20 C: 80.00 ⇑ 1.14% | 80.00 | 80.00 / 80.00 AIMS1STMF | 3.02 | 15.70 | Vol. 117650 D: 36.00 ⇑ 1.12% | 35.90 | 36.60 / 35.50 C: 36.40 ⇑ 1.96% | 36.28 | 36.70 / 35.60 ICBISLAMIC | 2.21 | 26.81 | Vol. 10000 D: 16.80 ⇓ 1.75% | 16.90 | 17.10 / 16.70 GRAMEEN1 | 6.26 | 33.23 | Vol. 146000 D: 43.20 ⇑ 0.70% | 42.98 | 43.60 / 42.50 C: 43.10 ⇑ 1.41% | 43.02 | 43.50 / 42.60 ICB1STNRB | 4.06 | 35.31 | Vol. 9500 D: 21.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 21.68 | 21.70 / 21.60 ICB2NDNRB | 2.49 | 16.24 | Vol. 74000 D: 8.80 ⇓ 2.22% | 8.84 | 8.90 / 8.80 C: 9.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 9.10 | 9.10 / 9.10 GRAMEENS2 | 2.17 | 16.41 | Vol. 334750 D: 15.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 15.60 | 15.80 / 15.50 C: 15.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 15.73 | 15.90 / 15.60 1STPRIMFMF | 0.64 | 11.63 | Vol. 646000 D: 19.60 ⇓ 3.45% | 19.83 | 20.80 / 19.30 C: 19.50 ⇓ 4.88% | 19.84 | 20.20 / 19.50 EBL1STMF | 0.55 | 12.62 | Vol. 293448 D: 6.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.66 | 6.80 / 6.00 C: 6.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.70 | 6.80 / 6.60 ICBAMCL2ND | 0.60 | 12.12 | Vol. 53000 D: 5.50 ⇓ 1.79% | 5.56 | 5.60 / 5.50 C: 5.30 ⇓ 3.64% | 5.31 | 5.40 / 5.30 ICBEPMF1S1 | 0.52 | 11.32 | Vol. 168500 D: 5.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.87 | 5.90 / 5.80 C: 5.70 ⇓ 1.72% | 5.72 | 5.80 / 5.70 TRUSTB1MF | 0.75 | 11.65 | Vol. 286341 D: 7.30 ⇓ 1.35% | 7.40 | 8.00 / 7.00 C: 7.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.42 | 7.50 / 7.40 PRIME1ICBA | 0.42 | 11.18 | Vol. 65000 D: 5.10 ⇑ 2.00% | 5.13 | 5.50 / 5.10 C: 5.10 ⇑ 2.00% | 5.16 | 5.20 / 5.10 DBH1STMF | -1.12 | 10.15 | Vol. 370500 D: 5.30 ⇑ 1.92% | 5.28 | 5.40 / 5.20 C: 5.20 ⇓ 1.89% | 5.21 | 5.30 / 5.20 IFIC1STMF | 0.83 | 11.88 | Vol. 235358 D: 6.20 ⇓ 1.59% | 6.27 | 6.30 / 5.70 C: 6.30 ⇑ 1.61% | 6.27 | 6.30 / 6.20 PF1STMF | 0.51 | 11.11 | Vol. 95000 D: 5.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.30 | 5.40 / 5.30 C: 5.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.56 | 5.70 / 5.30 ICB3RDNRB | 0.00 | 10.60 | Vol. 189000 D: 4.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.00 | 5.00 / 4.90 C: 5.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.00 | 5.00 / 5.00 1JANATAMF | 0.78 | 10.68 | Vol. 180500 D: 5.60 ⇑ 1.82% | 5.64 | 5.70 / 5.60 C: 5.70 ⇓ 1.72% | 5.61 | 5.70 / 5.50 GREENDELMF | -0.82 | 9.72 | Vol. 228000 D: 5.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.03 | 5.10 / 5.00 C: 5.00 ⇓ 1.96% | 5.00 | 5.00 / 5.00 POPULAR1MF | 0.77 | 11.38 | Vol. 110072 D: 5.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.77 | 5.80 / 5.20 C: 5.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.71 | 5.80 / 5.20 IFILISLMF1 | 0.00 | 10.45 | Vol. 244000 D: 5.20 ⇑ 1.96% | 5.20 | 5.30 / 5.20 C: 5.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.13 | 5.30 / 5.10 PHPMF1 | 0.63 | 10.92 | Vol. 427500 D: 5.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.22 | 5.30 / 5.20 C: 5.30 ⇑ 1.92% | 5.26 | 5.30 / 5.20 AIBL1STIMF | -0.07 | 9.25 | Vol. 22500 D: 6.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.43 | 7.00 / 6.30 C: 6.10 ⇓ 3.17% | 6.25 | 6.70 / 6.10 MBL1STMF | -0.16 | 9.08 | Vol. 102500 D: 6.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.10 | 6.10 / 6.10 C: 6.10 ⇓ 4.69% | 6.12 | 6.30 / 6.10 SEBL1STMF | 0.94 | 11.85 | Vol. 185000 D: 7.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.77 | 7.90 / 7.70 C: 7.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.88 | 8.00 / 7.80 RELIANCE1 | 0.95 | 10.33 | Vol. 337500 D: 7.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.98 | 8.10 / 7.90 C: 7.80 ⇓ 2.50% | 8.03 | 8.10 / 7.80 LRGLOBMF1 | 0.50 | 10.82 | Vol. 93500 D: 7.80 ⇓ 1.27% | 7.85 | 8.10 / 7.70 C: 7.90 ⇓ 3.66% | 7.89 | 7.90 / 7.80 ABB1STMF | 0.92 | 10.63 | Vol. 47000 D: 6.70 ⇑ 1.52% | 6.72 | 6.90 / 6.60 NLI1STMF | 1.17 | 12.22 | Vol. 442000 D: 8.40 ⇓ 2.33% | 8.57 | 8.80 / 8.30 C: 8.60 ⇓ 1.15% | 8.65 | 8.70 / 8.50

327.50

FBFIF | 1.30 | 10.27 | Vol. 2000 D: 9.30 ⇑ 5.68% | 9.30 | 9.30 / 9.30 NCCBLMF1 | 1.16 | 10.48 | Vol. 24000 D: 8.40 ⇑ 1.20% | 8.42 | 8.80 / 8.20 ICBSONALI1 | 0.00 | 10.39 | Vol. 536000 D: 6.80 ⇑ 1.49% | 6.84 | 7.00 / 6.70 C: 6.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.64 | 6.80 / 6.60 EXIM1STMF | 0.00 | 10.91 | Vol. 2000 D: 7.70 ⇑ 6.94% | 7.70 | 7.70 / 7.70 ENGINEERING AFTABAUTO | 4.29 | 52.65 | Vol. 225674 D: 101.7 ⇓ 0.20% | 101.60 | 103.7 / 92.00 C: 102.5 ⇑ 0.59% | 102.27 | 103.8 / 101.0 AZIZPIPES | 0.39 | -42.04 | Vol. 5150 D: 19.30 ⇓ 5.39% | 19.41 | 19.90 / 19.00 C: 19.30 ⇓ 9.81% | 19.30 | 19.30 / 19.30 OLYMPIC | 5.94 | 14.91 | Vol. 61287 D: 197.1 ⇑ 0.25% | 195.63 | 198.4 / 180.0 C: 199.0 ⇑ 0.81% | 197.61 | 199.4 / 196.0 BDLAMPS | -5.31 | 37.07 | Vol. 8505 D: 140.7 ⇑ 0.29% | 140.12 | 141.8 / 138.0 C: 137.5 ⇓ 1.43% | 137.53 | 137.7 / 137.2 ECABLES | 2.04 | 18.87 | Vol. 1300 D: 74.40 ⇓ 4.86% | 74.44 | 75.00 / 72.70 C: 79.00 ⇑ 9.72% | 79.00 | 79.00 / 79.00 MONNOSTAF | 5.31 | 44.78 | Vol. 200 D: 319.7 ⇓ 3.33% | 320.00 | 328.9 / 310.5 SINGERBD | 9.99 | 45.74 | Vol. 58112 D: 190.7 ⇑ 1.65% | 189.76 | 191.9 / 186.3 C: 190.1 ⇑ 0.26% | 189.00 | 193.0 / 187.0 ATLASBANG | 11.98 | 207.70 | Vol. 7968 D: 165.4 ⇑ 2.22% | 163.75 | 166.9 / 155.0 BDAUTOCA | 0.25 | 6.23 | Vol. 47150 D: 33.80 ⇓ 9.63% | 34.49 | 38.40 / 33.70 QSMDRYCELL | 1.06 | 52.31 | Vol. 210050 D: 29.30 ⇓ 7.57% | 29.31 | 29.80 / 27.00 C: 29.10 ⇓ 7.62% | 29.07 | 29.50 / 28.90 RENWICKJA | 5.62 | -90.00 | Vol. 6300 D: 132.5 ⇓ 3.71% | 133.49 | 139.0 / 132.0 NTLTUBES | -2.52 | 312.10 | Vol. 16292 D: 69.90 ⇑ 1.16% | 69.97 | 71.00 / 65.00 BDTHAI | 0.43 | 39.35 | Vol. 136460 D: 26.60 ⇓ 1.85% | 26.85 | 27.60 / 25.10 C: 26.50 ⇓ 1.12% | 26.59 | 27.50 / 26.20 ANWARGALV | 0.51 | 8.08 | Vol. 122500 D: 24.40 ⇓ 7.22% | 24.66 | 25.30 / 23.80 C: 24.70 ⇓ 4.63% | 24.95 | 25.60 / 24.00 KAY&QUE | -3.89 | 6.03 | Vol. 12550 D: 15.90 ⇑ 1.92% | 15.92 | 16.00 / 15.50 RANFOUNDRY | 2.84 | 18.62 | Vol. 25000 D: 85.20 ⇓ 3.40% | 85.33 | 89.90 / 84.50 C: 84.50 ⇓ 0.59% | 84.50 | 84.50 / 84.50 SALAMCRST | 3.31 | 20.00 | Vol. 186150 D: 37.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 37.86 | 38.10 / 35.00 C: 38.00 ⇓ 1.04% | 38.01 | 38.10 / 38.00 GOLDENSON | 3.70 | 28.70 | Vol. 312572 D: 41.50 ⇑ 1.97% | 41.20 | 42.50 / 39.00 C: 41.30 ⇑ 5.90% | 41.16 | 42.00 / 40.70 BSRMSTEEL | 3.06 | 19.53 | Vol. 69485 D: 61.60 ⇑ 0.33% | 61.92 | 62.70 / 55.30 C: 62.00 ⇑ 0.81% | 61.86 | 62.10 / 61.20 NAVANACNG | 4.09 | 27.04 | Vol. 59596 D: 61.20 ⇑ 0.82% | 61.05 | 62.00 / 54.80 C: 61.20 ⇑ 0.33% | 61.25 | 61.80 / 61.00 DESHBANDHU | 0.26 | 10.67 | Vol. 321228 D: 16.70 ⇑ 0.60% | 16.73 | 17.10 / 15.00 C: 16.80 ⇓ 1.18% | 16.80 | 17.00 / 16.60 GPHISPAT | 2.11 | 15.27 | Vol. 42500 D: 40.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 41.22 | 42.10 / 40.60 C: 40.30 ⇑ 0.75% | 40.14 | 40.60 / 39.60 BENGALWTL | 2.42 | 20.72 | Vol. 654400 D: 47.20 ⇑ 4.19% | 46.44 | 47.60 / 44.60 C: 47.50 ⇑ 3.94% | 46.90 | 47.80 / 44.50 BDBUILDING | 1.02 | 12.40 | Vol. 822500 D: 46.10 ⇓ 3.76% | 46.12 | 48.00 / 44.50 C: 46.10 ⇓ 2.95% | 45.95 | 47.40 / 44.50 NPOLYMAR | 2.01 | 324.37 | Vol. 65960 D: 51.20 ⇓ 4.12% | 51.54 | 53.50 / 49.00 C: 50.50 ⇓ 1.17% | 50.90 | 52.00 / 50.30

FOOD & ALLIED APEXFOODS | 2.54 | 90.81 | Vol. 42100 D: 88.20 ⇓ 2.00% | 88.54 | 90.00 / 88.00 C: 86.70 ⇓ 1.92% | 86.72 | 86.80 / 86.70 BANGAS | 7.20 | 50.27 | Vol. 28065 D: 414.0 ⇓ 0.65% | 412.94 | 421.7 / 400.0 C: 409.1 ⇓ 2.48% | 411.13 | 421.0 / 403.0 BATBC | 65.69 | 117.22 | Vol. 15650 D: 1577 ⇑ 3.38% | 1560 | 1580 / 1530 GEMINISEA | 10.88 | 9.69 | Vol. 100 D: 170.5 ⇓ 8.23% | 170.00 | 171.0 / 170.0 NTC | 29.88 | 110.05 | Vol. 950 D: 800.0 ⇓ 0.32% | 800.00 | 800.0 / 800.0 C: 810.0 ⇑ 1.25% | 813.33 | 815.0 / 810.0 ZEALBANGLA | -23.01 | -193.09 | Vol. 1200 D: 9.10 ⇑ 1.11% | 9.10 | 9.10 / 9.10 AMCL(PRAN) | 6.53 | 53.37 | Vol. 43700 D: 218.2 ⇓ 4.47% | 221.70 | 230.0 / 216.0 C: 219.4 ⇓ 3.81% | 220.60 | 226.9 / 218.0 FUWANGFOOD | 1.26 | 12.37 | Vol. 538011 D: 23.30 ⇓ 2.10% | 23.61 | 24.20 / 22.00 C: 23.50 ⇓ 2.08% | 23.54 | 23.90 / 23.00 MEGHNAPET | -0.58 | -1.02 | Vol. 500 D: 7.80 ⇓ 1.27% | 7.80 | 7.80 / 7.80 MEGCONMILK | -6.68 | -16.22 | Vol. 30000 D: 7.20 ⇓ 2.70% | 7.33 | 7.80 / 7.00 BEACHHATCH | 1.01 | 12.48 | Vol. 480640 D: 22.20 ⇓ 2.63% | 22.32 | 23.30 / 21.00 C: 22.10 ⇓ 3.91% | 22.16 | 22.60 / 21.80 FINEFOODS | -0.11 | 10.58 | Vol. 515300 D: 22.30 ⇓ 9.72% | 22.49 | 24.40 / 22.30 C: 22.40 ⇓ 9.68% | 22.71 | 23.50 / 22.40 RDFOOD | 0.91 | 16.84 | Vol. 505168 D: 21.40 ⇓ 0.47% | 21.51 | 21.90 / 20.00 C: 21.40 ⇓ 1.38% | 21.50 | 22.30 / 21.10 GHAIL | 1.01 | 22.08 | Vol. 764940 D: 45.00 ⇑ 2.74% | 44.55 | 45.20 / 39.50 C: 45.10 ⇑ 3.20% | 44.73 | 45.40 / 43.00 FUEL & POWER LINDEBD | 31.71 | 144.00 | Vol. 4700 D: 612.2 ⇓ 0.60% | 613.83 | 625.0 / 610.0 PADMAOIL | 16.38 | 43.67 | Vol. 89044 D: 285.6 ⇓ 1.11% | 286.39 | 290.0 / 280.0 C: 284.8 ⇓ 1.11% | 285.47 | 290.0 / 281.0 EASTRNLUB | 6.32 | 68.68 | Vol. 500 D: 327.5 ⇑ 5.54% | 328.00 | 332.0 / 325.0 BDWELDING | 0.33 | 16.82 | Vol. 204151 D: 21.00 ⇓ 1.41% | 21.15 | 22.50 / 20.50 C: 21.00 ⇓ 0.47% | 21.10 | 21.50 / 20.90 SUMITPOWER | 3.17 | 19.26 | Vol. 150619 D: 30.50 ⇓ 1.29% | 30.70 | 32.00 / 28.00 C: 30.60 ⇓ 1.29% | 30.57 | 31.00 / 30.20 DESCO | 2.80 | 35.25 | Vol. 121758 D: 70.80 ⇑ 0.14% | 70.64 | 74.00 / 65.00 C: 70.00 ⇓ 0.71% | 69.65 | 70.00 / 69.30 POWERGRID | 2.56 | 48.08 | Vol. 48042 D: 53.50 ⇓ 0.19% | 53.47 | 53.70 / 51.00 JAMUNAOIL | 22.78 | 50.24 | Vol. 73700 D: 222.1 ⇑ 0.73% | 221.15 | 224.0 / 220.0 C: 221.6 ⇑ 0.96% | 220.78 | 223.9 / 219.0 MPETROLEUM | 16.98 | 40.41 | Vol. 111225 D: 252.7 ⇑ 1.28% | 251.34 | 254.4 / 240.0 C: 252.7 ⇑ 0.08% | 250.41 | 253.0 / 252.0 TITASGAS | 9.01 | 36.56 | Vol. 367775 D: 79.20 ⇓ 1.61% | 80.22 | 81.00 / 72.50 C: 79.70 ⇑ 0.38% | 79.52 | 80.00 / 79.00 KPCL | 4.73 | 15.86 | Vol. 55470 D: 44.30 ⇑ 0.23% | 44.30 | 45.70 / 41.00 C: 44.40 ⇓ 0.22% | 44.43 | 44.90 / 44.00 BEDL | 1.48 | 19.43 | Vol. 159210 D: 25.80 ⇑ 0.39% | 25.95 | 26.80 / 23.20 C: 26.00 ⇑ 0.39% | 26.02 | 27.10 / 25.80 MJLBD | 2.73 | 30.24 | Vol. 171329 D: 70.10 ⇑ 0.29% | 70.00 | 75.00 / 64.00 C: 69.40 ⇑ 0.43% | 68.68 | 70.00 / 62.20 GBBPOWER | 1.86 | 22.63 | Vol. 184170 D: 25.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 25.11 | 25.80 / 24.00 C: 25.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 25.02 | 25.20 / 24.80 SPPCL | 3.81 | 23.34 | Vol. 471910 D: 48.50 ⇑ 0.62% | 48.28 | 49.00 / 44.50 C: 48.60 ⇑ 0.41% | 48.45 | 48.90 / 48.10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Share

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

7

October 10, 2013 Sectotal Index: BANK: 31,359.22 ⇑ 1.15% NBFI: 18,860.60 ⇓ 0.39% INVS: 4,596.37 ⇓ 0.25% ENGG: 5,609.43 ⇑ 0.92% FOOD: 9,749.97 ⇓ 0.38% F&P: 9,743.73 ⇓ 0.36% TEXT: 3,039.98 ⇓ 0.01% PHAR: 16,755.94 ⇑ 0.16% PAPR: 973.52 ⇓ 3.99% SERV: 2,841.56 ⇑ 1.04% LEAT: 4,813.81 ⇓ 2.40% CERA: 486.82 ⇑ 0.28% CMNT: 4,365.82 ⇑ 2.05% INFO: 7,107.62 ⇑ 0.01% GINS: 9,153.68 ⇓ 0.11% LINS: 107,530.77 ⇓ 0.61% TELC: 1,268.55 ⇓ 0.49% MISC: 5,865.56 ⇓ 0.10% JUTE JUTESPINN | 2.06 | 17.42 | Vol. 5450 D: 110.3 ⇓ 0.90% | 109.91 | 112.0 / 108.0 NORTHERN | -13.80 | -6.19 | Vol. 1200 D: 35.60 ⇓ 5.07% | 35.83 | 38.00 / 34.30 SONALIANSH | 5.54 | 218.80 | Vol. 11850 D: 134.8 ⇓ 0.37% | 135.53 | 137.6 / 132.5 TEXTILE AL-HAJTEX | 1.35 | 15.64 | Vol. 37234 D: 80.60 ⇓ 3.47% | 81.35 | 85.40 / 76.00 STYLECRAFT | 20.00 | 287.30 | Vol. 400 D: 1258 ⇑ 4.90% | 1258 | 1269 / 1224 RAHIMTEXT | 0.51 | 73.88 | Vol. 600 D: 254.5 ⇓ 2.71% | 255.00 | 259.0 / 250.0 SAIHAMTEX | 2.75 | 29.50 | Vol. 671500 D: 29.90 ⇓ 1.97% | 29.96 | 30.90 / 29.70 C: 30.20 ⇓ 0.98% | 29.97 | 30.30 / 29.80 MODERNDYE | 0.91 | 10.37 | Vol. 1600 D: 86.00 ⇓ 7.53% | 86.25 | 89.00 / 83.90 DSHGARME | 0.72 | 12.00 | Vol. 54500 D: 61.00 ⇓ 9.90% | 62.66 | 67.00 / 61.00 DULAMIACOT | -8.46 | -27.78 | Vol. 3100 D: 8.70 ⇓ 1.14% | 8.71 | 9.00 / 8.50 TALLUSPIN | 2.56 | 12.06 | Vol. 559900 D: 40.20 ⇓ 1.23% | 40.52 | 41.80 / 40.00 C: 40.20 ⇓ 0.50% | 42.81 | 41.50 / 40.00 APEXSPINN | 2.01 | 49.32 | Vol. 4000 D: 68.20 ⇓ 3.13% | 68.25 | 70.00 / 67.50 MITHUNKNIT | 4.54 | 30.39 | Vol. 51600 D: 86.30 ⇓ 2.60% | 88.49 | 92.20 / 85.80 C: 85.10 ⇓ 2.18% | 86.03 | 91.00 / 85.00 DELTASPINN | 3.06 | 18.12 | Vol. 222400 D: 31.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 31.18 | 31.40 / 31.00 C: 31.30 ⇓ 0.32% | 31.26 | 31.60 / 31.10 SONARGAON | 0.27 | 34.50 | Vol. 101500 D: 17.40 ⇓ 2.25% | 17.46 | 18.00 / 17.20 C: 17.50 ⇓ 2.23% | 17.48 | 17.80 / 17.30 PRIMETEX | 1.01 | 63.54 | Vol. 231000 D: 25.50 ⇓ 4.14% | 26.20 | 27.80 / 25.30 C: 25.50 ⇓ 4.49% | 25.94 | 26.50 / 25.50 ALLTEX | -0.11 | 23.81 | Vol. 71500 D: 8.70 ⇑ 1.16% | 8.52 | 8.80 / 8.20 C: 8.90 ⇑ 4.71% | 8.84 | 9.00 / 8.50 ANLIMAYARN | 1.19 | 11.01 | Vol. 121500 D: 35.90 ⇑ 1.41% | 35.94 | 36.30 / 35.40 C: 36.40 ⇓ 2.93% | 36.40 | 36.40 / 36.40 HRTEX | 2.08 | 14.92 | Vol. 212330 D: 35.10 ⇓ 4.36% | 35.57 | 36.90 / 34.80 CMCKAMAL | 1.37 | 19.31 | Vol. 1546225 D: 31.80 ⇓ 2.45% | 32.11 | 34.10 / 29.70 SAFKOSPINN | 0.95 | 21.78 | Vol. 158500 D: 22.90 ⇓ 2.14% | 23.03 | 23.70 / 22.80 C: 22.90 ⇓ 2.97% | 23.16 | 24.90 / 22.80 SQUARETEXT | 4.32 | 31.82 | Vol. 92747 D: 90.30 ⇑ 0.33% | 90.23 | 91.20 / 83.00 C: 89.10 ⇓ 1.44% | 89.32 | 90.50 / 89.00 METROSPIN | -1.00 | 19.59 | Vol. 158300 D: 16.70 ⇓ 0.60% | 16.73 | 17.00 / 15.50 C: 16.60 ⇓ 0.60% | 16.59 | 17.10 / 16.40 MAKSONSPIN | 0.16 | 20.55 | Vol. 745442 D: 15.30 ⇓ 0.65% | 15.35 | 16.00 / 14.00 C: 15.30 ⇓ 1.29% | 15.37 | 15.80 / 15.20 DACCADYE | 1.21 | 31.13 | Vol. 202299 D: 26.70 ⇑ 1.91% | 26.53 | 27.00 / 24.00 C: 26.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 26.63 | 26.80 / 26.30 RNSPIN | 2.80 | 16.58 | Vol. 917611 D: 28.40 ⇑ 1.07% | 28.43 | 28.80 / 25.50 C: 28.30 ⇑ 0.71% | 28.33 | 28.80 / 28.10 BXSYNTH | 0.93 | 25.42 | Vol. 165700 D: 15.40 ⇓ 0.65% | 15.52 | 15.80 / 15.40 C: 15.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 15.47 | 16.00 / 15.30 MALEKSPIN | -1.44 | 46.87 | Vol. 405750 D: 23.80 ⇓ 0.42% | 23.87 | 24.20 / 22.00 C: 23.80 ⇓ 1.65% | 24.01 | 25.00 / 21.80 ZAHINTEX | 1.91 | 35.25 | Vol. 182200 D: 30.10 ⇑ 1.35% | 30.02 | 30.80 / 27.20 C: 30.20 ⇑ 1.34% | 29.78 | 30.30 / 29.50 SAIHAMCOT | 1.92 | 23.62 | Vol. 424000 D: 23.30 ⇓ 0.43% | 23.43 | 23.70 / 23.20 C: 23.30 ⇓ 0.85% | 23.33 | 23.80 / 23.10 GENNEXT | 1.68 | 15.15 | Vol. 1567380 D: 22.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 22.52 | 22.70 / 20.30 C: 22.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 22.40 | 22.70 / 22.20 ENVOYTEX | 3.26 | 39.26 | Vol. 1392550 D: 55.90 ⇑ 1.82% | 55.32 | 56.30 / 49.50 C: 56.10 ⇑ 2.00% | 55.76 | 56.50 / 54.10

AGNISYSL | 1.07 | 25.52 | Vol. 154319 D: 22.10 ⇓ 0.45% | 22.25 | 22.40 / 20.00 C: 22.20 ⇓ 1.77% | 22.28 | 22.60 / 22.10 DAFODILCOM | 1.12 | 11.14 | Vol. 192273 D: 17.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 17.29 | 17.60 / 16.00 C: 17.60 ⇑ 2.33% | 17.48 | 17.70 / 17.10 AAMRATECH | 1.46 | 21.90 | Vol. 231550 D: 32.40 ⇑ 0.93% | 32.34 | 34.90 / 30.00 C: 32.20 ⇑ 0.63% | 32.21 | 32.50 / 31.90

ARGONDENIM | 1.89 | 38.86 | Vol. 2297140 D: 57.00 ⇑ 8.57% | 55.19 | 57.70 / 47.30 C: 56.30 ⇑ 7.85% | 54.37 | 57.40 / 51.00 FAMILYTEX | 3.72 | 14.68 | Vol. 302000 D: 37.60 ⇑ 1.35% | 37.51 | 37.90 / 37.10 C: 37.50 ⇑ 1.35% | 37.41 | 37.70 / 36.50 PHARMACEUTICAL & CHEMICAL AMBEEPHA | 3.94 | 26.15 | Vol. 4000 D: 249.6 ⇓ 1.03% | 250.00 | 254.9 / 247.0 BXPHARMA | 3.77 | 52.55 | Vol. 104666 D: 41.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 41.46 | 42.20 / 37.20 C: 41.70 ⇑ 1.21% | 41.63 | 42.00 / 41.10 GLAXOSMITH | 20.25 | 123.32 | Vol. 850 D: 889.2 ⇓ 1.64% | 889.41 | 900.0 / 870.5 ACI | -5.82 | 126.42 | Vol. 9262 D: 157.8 ⇓ 0.50% | 157.93 | 165.9 / 143.0 C: 156.3 ⇑ 0.19% | 156.25 | 157.0 / 155.5 RENATA | 33.57 | 138.83 | Vol. 4446 D: 704.5 ⇓ 1.44% | 708.77 | 715.0 / 700.0 PHARMAID | 5.06 | 26.30 | Vol. 16350 D: 170.9 ⇑ 0.47% | 170.64 | 173.4 / 170.0 IBNSINA | 3.44 | 34.02 | Vol. 74630 D: 100.0 ⇓ 1.48% | 100.44 | 103.4 / 98.20 C: 99.40 ⇓ 1.68% | 99.12 | 99.90 / 100.0 LIBRAINFU | 4.64 | 1565.37 | Vol. 1800 D: 365.2 ⇓ 7.10% | 365.00 | 392.0 / 361.0 ORIONINFU | 8.72 | 1.73 | Vol. 128700 D: 42.50 ⇓ 0.23% | 42.64 | 43.50 / 42.10 C: 41.70 ⇓ 1.42% | 41.70 | 41.70 / 41.70 SQURPHARMA | 6.93 | 37.18 | Vol. 391100 D: 174.9 ⇑ 0.23% | 174.55 | 190.0 / 165.0 C: 174.6 ⇓ 0.06% | 174.15 | 175.0 / 173.4 IMAMBUTTON | -1.68 | 5.67 | Vol. 15500 D: 9.20 ⇑ 1.10% | 9.26 | 9.70 / 9.00 C: 9.80 ⇓ 16.24% | 9.80 | 9.80 / 9.80 KEYACOSMET | 1.55 | 21.54 | Vol. 509790 D: 23.60 ⇓ 0.42% | 23.65 | 24.00 / 21.40 C: 23.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 23.62 | 23.80 / 23.50 BERGERPBL | 32.46 | 100.20 | Vol. 250 D: 809.0 ⇓ 1.49% | 808.00 | 810.0 / 805.0 ACIFORMULA | 3.33 | 38.08 | Vol. 11325 D: 75.60 ⇑ 0.13% | 75.75 | 77.00 / 73.00 MARICO | 27.53 | 62.47 | Vol. 5750 D: 750.9 ⇑ 3.06% | 741.57 | 765.0 / 722.0 BEACONPHAR | 0.33 | 11.97 | Vol. 216500 D: 14.10 ⇓ 0.70% | 14.15 | 14.50 / 14.10 C: 14.00 ⇓ 0.71% | 14.09 | 14.30 / 14.00 ACTIVEFINE | 3.23 | 13.89 | Vol. 461471 D: 91.90 ⇓ 0.22% | 91.91 | 92.30 / 84.00 C: 91.70 ⇑ 0.33% | 92.23 | 95.80 / 90.80 SALVOCHEM | 0.68 | 10.57 | Vol. 475473 D: 20.10 ⇓ 2.90% | 20.32 | 21.00 / 18.80 C: 20.10 ⇓ 1.47% | 20.24 | 21.50 / 19.90 GHCL | 2.14 | 57.31 | Vol. 851250 D: 53.70 ⇑ 2.48% | 53.12 | 54.20 / 51.10 C: 54.00 ⇑ 3.85% | 53.31 | 54.80 / 51.20 ORIONPHARM | 5.02 | 68.68 | Vol. 480380 D: 61.40 ⇓ 0.16% | 61.63 | 62.30 / 56.00 C: 61.50 ⇑ 0.16% | 61.54 | 63.20 / 55.30 JMISMDL | 1.12 | 12.83 | Vol. 250500 D: 206.4 ⇓ 7.65% | 210.56 | 227.0 / 204.7 C: 207.5 ⇓ 8.39% | 210.48 | 225.0 / 207.0 CENTRALPHL | 1.62 | 12.24 | Vol. 1165000 D: 34.00 ⇑ 8.97% | 33.94 | 34.50 / 33.30 C: 33.90 ⇑ 10.42% | 33.76 | 34.40 / 32.90 PAPER & PACKAGING HAKKANIPUL | 0.64 | 11.02 | Vol. 48500 D: 25.20 ⇓ 8.70% | 25.29 | 25.90 / 25.00 C: 26.10 ⇓ 7.12% | 26.00 | 26.70 / 25.50 PADMAPRINT | 0.19 | -13.75 | Vol. 0 C: 5.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.90 | 0.00 / 0.00

SERVICE SAMORITA | 2.31 | 17.25 | Vol. 16500 D: 96.40 ⇓ 3.70% | 97.09 | 99.00 / 92.10 SAPORTL | 1.23 | 38.39 | Vol. 91791 D: 25.00 ⇓ 1.19% | 25.03 | 25.50 / 24.00 C: 25.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 25.01 | 25.30 / 24.90 EHL | 2.87 | 18.48 | Vol. 126532 D: 53.70 ⇑ 0.56% | 53.43 | 54.00 / 48.10 C: 53.80 ⇑ 0.56% | 53.85 | 53.90 / 53.80 LEATHER APEXTANRY | 6.57 | 69.38 | Vol. 78000 D: 113.4 ⇑ 0.18% | 113.55 | 116.3 / 113.0 C: 113.3 ⇑ 0.18% | 113.66 | 114.7 / 111.2 BATASHOE | 49.12 | 135.53 | Vol. 4900 D: 678.9 ⇓ 1.25% | 678.98 | 680.1 / 677.0 APEXADELFT | 23.01 | 203.26 | Vol. 35800 D: 364.5 ⇓ 0.27% | 365.20 | 370.0 / 363.0 C: 355.0 ⇓ 5.46% | 355.00 | 355.0 / 355.0 LEGACYFOOT | 0.63 | 17.19 | Vol. 400652 D: 31.20 ⇓ 8.50% | 31.70 | 35.50 / 30.70 C: 31.10 ⇓ 8.26% | 31.77 | 35.00 / 30.80 CERAMIC MONNOCERA | 0.71 | 96.33 | Vol. 73600 D: 33.80 ⇓ 3.43% | 34.23 | 35.10 / 33.70 C: 34.00 ⇓ 2.86% | 34.16 | 36.00 / 33.60 STANCERAM | 1.07 | 15.97 | Vol. 14000 D: 38.50 ⇑ 1.85% | 38.50 | 39.90 / 37.90 FUWANGCER | 1.43 | 13.25 | Vol. 269315 D: 18.70 ⇓ 0.53% | 18.80 | 19.40 / 17.50 C: 18.70 ⇓ 0.53% | 18.77 | 19.40 / 18.60 SPCERAMICS | 0.62 | 30.92 | Vol. 172460 D: 15.80 ⇑ 1.28% | 15.86 | 16.80 / 14.40 C: 15.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 15.87 | 16.00 / 15.80 RAKCERAMIC | 1.98 | 16.76 | Vol. 44725 D: 49.50 ⇑ 1.02% | 49.36 | 50.00 / 45.00 C: 50.20 ⇑ 0.80% | 50.01 | 51.00 / 48.00 CEMENT HEIDELBCEM | 22.85 | 111.50 | Vol. 148650 D: 374.5 ⇑ 4.52% | 372.55 | 378.5 / 364.0 C: 372.8 ⇑ 5.52% | 372.79 | 376.0 / 366.0 CONFIDCEM | 6.23 | 90.76 | Vol. 122477 D: 117.3 ⇑ 1.03% | 118.97 | 120.9 / 108.0 C: 117.5 ⇑ 0.26% | 118.59 | 120.0 / 116.5 MEGHNACEM | 6.28 | 33.81 | Vol. 169200 D: 136.7 ⇓ 0.15% | 140.04 | 148.0 / 135.4 C: 138.0 ⇑ 2.22% | 137.21 | 138.0 / 137.0 ARAMITCEM | 3.03 | 14.65 | Vol. 34550 D: 69.90 ⇓ 1.69% | 71.12 | 73.00 / 65.00 LAFSURCEML | 1.60 | 7.22 | Vol. 463500 D: 33.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 33.33 | 33.70 / 33.20 C: 33.40 ⇑ 0.60% | 33.39 | 33.60 / 33.20 MICEMENT | 4.14 | 40.00 | Vol. 806466 D: 95.80 ⇑ 2.46% | 95.40 | 97.70 / 86.00 C: 94.70 ⇑ 3.05% | 95.30 | 97.70 / 93.30 PREMIERCEM | 3.59 | 22.92 | Vol. 113200 D: 101.4 ⇓ 0.20% | 102.02 | 104.9 / 99.50 C: 101.6 ⇓ 0.20% | 102.29 | 105.0 / 100.0 IT IINDUSTRIES ISNLTD | 0.28 | 17.31 | Vol. 104521 D: 16.90 ⇓ 8.65% | 17.37 | 18.10 / 16.80 C: 17.10 ⇓ 6.56% | 17.29 | 18.70 / 17.00 BDCOM | 1.00 | 14.91 | Vol. 304100 D: 27.10 ⇑ 3.44% | 27.20 | 27.90 / 23.60 C: 26.70 ⇑ 1.91% | 27.63 | 28.10 / 26.70 INTECH | 0.94 | 10.08 | Vol. 263500 D: 15.60 ⇓ 1.89% | 15.55 | 16.00 / 15.40 C: 15.70 ⇓ 0.63% | 15.73 | 16.30 / 15.50

GENERAL INSURANCE BGIC | 1.65 | 20.33 | Vol. 57100 D: 29.00 ⇑ 1.40% | 28.78 | 29.60 / 28.60 C: 28.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 28.28 | 28.90 / 28.10 GREENDELT | 4.05 | 64.44 | Vol. 45615 D: 94.30 ⇑ 0.86% | 95.22 | 99.00 / 90.00 C: 94.00 ⇓ 1.05% | 94.00 | 94.00 / 94.00 UNITEDINS | 2.47 | 21.04 | Vol. 600 D: 45.70 ⇑ 2.47% | 45.00 | 45.90 / 45.50 PEOPLESINS | 2.05 | 20.72 | Vol. 248675 D: 31.40 ⇓ 0.95% | 31.44 | 32.30 / 28.90 C: 30.90 ⇓ 1.28% | 30.97 | 31.30 / 30.70 EASTERNINS | 2.22 | 35.88 | Vol. 2800 D: 38.30 ⇓ 0.52% | 38.21 | 39.50 / 37.80 JANATAINS | 7.84 | 170.69 | Vol. 5386 D: 254.0 ⇓ 1.74% | 254.66 | 275.0 / 252.0 C: 251.0 ⇓ 1.95% | 250.43 | 255.0 / 250.0 PHENIXINS | 2.70 | 20.96 | Vol. 28062 D: 40.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 40.14 | 40.60 / 39.00 EASTLAND | 4.06 | 23.29 | Vol. 39160 D: 46.70 ⇑ 0.21% | 46.71 | 47.90 / 42.00 CENTRALINS | 1.54 | 19.04 | Vol. 32871 D: 29.80 ⇑ 2.05% | 29.36 | 30.00 / 28.00 KARNAPHULI | 1.56 | 19.42 | Vol. 23780 D: 23.10 ⇑ 0.43% | 23.17 | 23.80 / 21.50 RUPALIINS | 2.76 | 23.38 | Vol. 31004 D: 31.50 ⇑ 0.64% | 31.42 | 31.70 / 30.00 FEDERALINS | 1.10 | 10.98 | Vol. 109183 D: 22.60 ⇓ 0.88% | 22.69 | 23.10 / 21.50 C: 22.50 ⇓ 0.44% | 22.54 | 23.00 / 22.50 RELIANCINS | 3.93 | 61.52 | Vol. 1347 D: 72.00 ⇑ 2.86% | 70.71 | 73.50 / 67.00 PURABIGEN | 1.05 | 18.71 | Vol. 98650 D: 21.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 21.80 | 22.40 / 21.60 PRAGATIINS | 2.01 | 50.30 | Vol. 14971 D: 54.60 ⇓ 0.73% | 54.74 | 55.10 / 50.50 PRIMEINSUR | 2.14 | 14.14 | Vol. 37250 D: 31.60 ⇑ 2.27% | 31.46 | 31.70 / 30.80 PIONEERINS | 3.11 | 23.84 | Vol. 60200 D: 66.40 ⇑ 0.91% | 65.98 | 69.00 / 65.00 MERCINS | 1.53 | 14.50 | Vol. 33251 D: 29.00 ⇓ 0.68% | 29.13 | 31.50 / 26.30 C: 28.80 ⇓ 4.00% | 28.80 | 28.80 / 28.80 AGRANINS | 1.73 | 14.39 | Vol. 67062 D: 28.90 ⇑ 1.76% | 28.85 | 29.80 / 26.00 GLOBALINS | 1.09 | 11.78 | Vol. 21249 D: 29.40 ⇑ 1.03% | 29.37 | 29.90 / 28.00 NITOLINS | 2.59 | 15.41 | Vol. 7429 D: 35.00 ⇑ 3.24% | 34.77 | 35.60 / 32.80 C: 35.50 ⇓ 5.08% | 35.45 | 36.00 / 35.30 ASIAPACINS | 1.84 | 13.76 | Vol. 26000 D: 30.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 30.27 | 30.50 / 29.40 SONARBAINS | 1.68 | 13.38 | Vol. 64000 D: 24.80 ⇓ 1.20% | 24.89 | 25.10 / 24.70 C: 25.00 ⇑ 3.31% | 25.00 | 25.00 / 25.00 PARAMOUNT | 1.26 | 13.19 | Vol. 15000 D: 23.50 ⇓ 1.26% | 23.52 | 23.70 / 23.30 C: 23.30 ⇓ 8.63% | 23.30 | 23.30 / 23.30 CITYGENINS | 1.65 | 14.26 | Vol. 84900 D: 28.50 ⇑ 1.42% | 28.34 | 28.80 / 28.20 C: 27.70 ⇓ 3.82% | 29.65 | 29.80 / 27.70 CONTININS | 1.41 | 15.68 | Vol. 117500 D: 31.30 ⇑ 0.32% | 31.34 | 31.70 / 31.00 C: 31.50 ⇑ 1.94% | 31.63 | 31.70 / 31.50 TAKAFULINS | 2.19 | 15.17 | Vol. 36044 D: 44.00 ⇓ 2.87% | 43.74 | 46.00 / 42.80 C: 44.00 ⇓ 1.79% | 43.83 | 44.00 / 43.50 STANDARINS | 2.58 | 13.99 | Vol. 3120 D: 39.40 ⇑ 1.81% | 39.42 | 39.80 / 37.20 NORTHRNINS | 1.77 | 11.15 | Vol. 43372 D: 43.70 ⇓ 1.58% | 43.87 | 45.60 / 40.00 C: 44.20 ⇑ 9.41% | 44.20 | 44.40 / 44.00 REPUBLIC | 2.14 | 12.42 | Vol. 36349 D: 42.10 ⇓ 1.41% | 42.43 | 44.00 / 40.50 C: 42.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 42.00 | 42.00 / 42.00 ASIAINS | 1.56 | 17.34 | Vol. 56246 D: 27.10 ⇓ 2.87% | 27.19 | 27.90 / 26.60 C: 28.00 ⇑ 2.94% | 28.81 | 29.00 / 25.00

ISLAMIINS | 1.29 | 11.96 | Vol. 4500 D: 31.30 ⇓ 1.26% | 31.33 | 32.00 / 31.00 PROVATIINS | 1.90 | 14.30 | Vol. 15189 D: 28.70 ⇓ 0.35% | 28.72 | 29.40 / 26.00 C: 28.00 ⇑ 0.36% | 28.00 | 28.00 / 28.00 DHAKAINS | 2.84 | 18.02 | Vol. 26250 D: 38.70 ⇓ 1.02% | 38.77 | 39.40 / 36.00 C: 39.50 ⇑ 3.67% | 39.50 | 39.50 / 39.50 LIFE INSURANCE NATLIFEINS | 12.34 | 80.99 | Vol. 648 D: 247.7 ⇑ 0.45% | 248.46 | 250.0 / 240.0 DELTALIFE | 38.53 | 189.40 | Vol. 7600 D: 5261 ⇓ 3.75% | 5298 | 5500 / 5261 C: 5200 ⇓ 2.37% | 5200 | 5200 / 5200 SANDHANINS | 2.39 | 28.22 | Vol. 32005 D: 67.70 ⇓ 1.31% | 67.87 | 70.00 / 67.50 C: 65.80 ⇓ 4.78% | 65.84 | 68.00 / 65.30 POPULARLIF | 3.70 | 715.41 | Vol. 8790 D: 170.7 ⇓ 0.81% | 170.53 | 172.1 / 158.0 FAREASTLIF | 9.21 | 60.79 | Vol. 58285 D: 93.80 ⇑ 1.63% | 93.60 | 94.10 / 88.00 C: 93.00 ⇑ 1.09% | 93.00 | 93.00 / 93.00 MEGHNALIFE | 10.82 | 48.87 | Vol. 15552 D: 99.80 ⇓ 0.10% | 99.36 | 105.0 / 98.80 PROGRESLIF | 2.30 | 31.45 | Vol. 12638 D: 100.9 ⇓ 3.72% | 100.74 | 104.0 / 95.00 PRAGATILIF | 0.60 | 30.15 | Vol. 39071 D: 110.6 ⇓ 1.43% | 111.22 | 114.0 / 105.0 PRIMELIFE | 5.51 | 27.10 | Vol. 26324 D: 92.60 ⇓ 1.49% | 93.00 | 94.50 / 92.60 C: 91.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 93.80 | 91.50 / 91.50 RUPALILIFE | 3.75 | 31.25 | Vol. 28000 D: 98.10 ⇓ 2.00% | 97.82 | 98.60 / 97.10 PADMALIFE | 1.63 | 25.76 | Vol. 122140 D: 61.30 ⇑ 2.00% | 63.26 | 66.00 / 57.00 C: 62.50 ⇑ 2.80% | 63.02 | 65.90 / 60.00 SUNLIFEINS | 0.00 | 0.00 | Vol. 218850 D: 54.80 ⇓ 0.72% | 55.43 | 56.70 / 52.00 C: 54.50 ⇓ 1.27% | 54.35 | 56.00 / 53.30 TELECOM GP | 12.96 | 26.26 | Vol. 224639 D: 181.4 ⇑ 1.23% | 180.36 | 182.9 / 175.0 C: 181.2 ⇑ 0.44% | 180.45 | 182.0 / 178.7 BSCCL | 5.82 | 26.38 | Vol. 270220 D: 192.7 ⇓ 3.07% | 194.84 | 201.6 / 191.6 C: 192.4 ⇓ 3.02% | 193.72 | 199.5 / 191.2 TRAVEL & LEISURE UNITEDAIR | 1.10 | 12.87 | Vol. 2869973 D: 15.70 ⇑ 2.61% | 15.61 | 15.80 / 14.60 C: 15.70 ⇑ 1.95% | 15.62 | 16.00 / 15.00 UNIQUEHRL | 4.02 | 86.29 | Vol. 307845 D: 82.30 ⇑ 0.12% | 82.37 | 83.20 / 74.00 C: 82.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 82.52 | 83.20 / 81.90 MISCELLANEOUS ARAMIT | 16.07 | 99.93 | Vol. 9000 D: 283.3 ⇓ 1.39% | 283.44 | 295.0 / 282.4 BSC | 1.77 | 565.82 | Vol. 58995 D: 477.5 ⇓ 1.75% | 481.25 | 489.0 / 475.0 C: 480.3 ⇓ 1.38% | 482.27 | 495.0 / 478.5 GQBALLPEN | 6.55 | 250.45 | Vol. 26450 D: 145.3 ⇑ 0.07% | 145.14 | 147.5 / 144.1 C: 145.0 ⇑ 1.75% | 145.00 | 145.0 / 145.0 USMANIAGL | 0.50 | 26.03 | Vol. 35886 D: 135.7 ⇓ 0.59% | 137.36 | 140.0 / 127.1 C: 134.8 ⇓ 0.30% | 136.11 | 138.0 / 134.0 SAVAREFR | 0.23 | 12.32 | Vol. 450 D: 62.00 ⇓ 3.13% | 62.22 | 64.50 / 60.00 BEXIMCO | 3.24 | 86.74 | Vol. 817583 D: 27.30 ⇑ 0.74% | 27.27 | 29.50 / 24.40 C: 27.50 ⇑ 0.73% | 27.44 | 27.60 / 27.20 SINOBANGLA | 1.75 | 21.01 | Vol. 192000 D: 21.30 ⇓ 2.74% | 21.74 | 24.00 / 21.10 C: 21.30 ⇓ 3.18% | 21.65 | 22.00 / 21.20 MIRACLEIND | 0.14 | 14.90 | Vol. 154030 D: 14.60 ⇓ 5.19% | 14.85 | 15.80 / 14.50 C: 14.80 ⇓ 2.63% | 14.85 | 15.20 / 14.50 BOND IBBLPBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 90 D: 959.8 ⇑ 0.21% | 957.14 | 960.3 / 958.3 C: 945.5 ⇓ 1.51% | 956.38 | 960.0 / 945.5 ACIZCBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 7932 D: 870.0 ⇑ 0.00% | 870.00 | 870.0 / 870.0 BRACSCBOND | 0.00 | 0.00 | Vol. 15 D: 1008 ⇓ 1.66% | 1000 | 1025 / 975.0

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

‘Communicate to convince’ Rajita Chaudhury, dean of Centre for Undergraduate Studies at Indian Institute of Planning and Management, vice-president and co-founder of NGO Great Indian Dream Foundation, a spokesperson and mentors students and marketing professionals, shares her ideologies with Mehrab Al Islam What can one expect from your book “Thorns to Competition”?

The book talks about how to handle competition. “THORNS” are six steps that one should keep in mind when developing a strategy to win over competitors.

Being good at something and staying in isolation may not prove worthy. Besides striving to be good, being aggressive and keeping tabs on your competitors will take things forward. Even a weaker product with aggressive marketing strategy takes over a superior product marketed less aggressively.

What is aggressive marketing to you?

Don’t fear competitive advertisement. The better the product, the stronger the strategy required. Being vocal and bold about being good is aggressive and expressive.

What is the importance of personal branding? How should an individual brand themselves?

Although we all communicate, very few of us do it to convince. As the law of communication relays actions, looks and words must come together in creating a noticeable brand of oneself. To understand the likings and lackings, to uphold positive attributes of oneself, is what makes personal branding important.

First of all, being aware of one’s strengths increases confidence and helps individualise them from others. In the corporate world, one has to fight to establish trust, followers and specially personal brand.

What is your advice to graduates joining the corporate world?

Rajita Chaudhury speaking at Commward 2013 Be sure of what you want to be in life. Do not choose a job because it will look good on your resume or it pays well. Eventually, these lead to burnouts. Try turning your job into your passion. What matters is that your profile is good and your mentor is good.

What is the vision of your NGO, the GIDF (Great Indian Dream Foundation)?

The NGO was started in memory of my brother-in-law.

The vision is to teach underprivileged rural play-school children, and work towards

reducing dropouts, teach women about self-employment methods, and provide the youth with vocational training and job placements. We work closely with the government to spread as much knowledge as possible. l

WB’s ‘wake-up call’ to Bangladesh and South Asia n Reuters, Washington

World Bank President Jim Yong Kim (right) speaks during an on-stage interview about the bank’s efforts to end poverty with CNN’s Richard Quest (left) prior the start of the annual IMF-World Bank fall meetings in Washington on Wednesday REUTERS

Growth in South Asia will dip in 2013-14 and countries must revitalise structural reforms to ensure their region returns to the ranks of the world’s fastest-growing economies and cuts poverty, the World Bank said on Wednesday.

The development lender subtitled its semi-annual South Asia Economic Focus report “A Wake-Up Call” to alert India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and their smaller neighbours to address vulnerabilities laid bare by volatile capital flows in 2013.

“South Asia’s performance has been trending downward,” Philippe Le Houérou, World Bank vice president for the South Asia Region, told a news conference.

“All of a sudden, this is not the second-fastest growing region” after East Asia, he told reporters. “Even Europe is now tak-

ing over and then Africa,” he said.

Martin Rama, the World Bank’s chief economist for South Asia, said the shift of capital out of emerging economies as investors anticipated the unwinding of the US easy monetary policy had highlighted structural weakness in the region.

“The countries that were most affected were those that were perceived by investors, by capital markets, as the most vulnerable,” he said.

“Those vulnerabilities are related to features that are quite unique in South Asia,” added Rama.

Of particular concern in the region were high ratios of fiscal deficits and public debt to GDP, and inflation running twice as high as that of other regions, he said.

Le Houérou said it was critical to get South Asia back on track to higher growth in order to fight poverty, a central World Bank goal. l