15 February 2014

Falgun 3, 1420 Rabius Saani 14, 1435 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 1 No 323

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2014 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

6 | NO ONE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS

7 | MINUS YOUR SINUS PROBLEM

16 pages | Price: Tk10

9 | INDIA’S CHAOTIC PARLIAMENT

12 | A ‘CATCHING’ SERIES

Govt approves export of half of internet bandwidth

Malaysia, Italy, Singapore and India’s Seven Sisters top destinations n Muhammad Zahidul Islam The government has approved a proposal for exporting half of the country’s internet bandwidth to the northeastern Indian states and any other country in that region as Bangladesh can hardly use 16% of its total bandwidth.

The approval came at an inter-ministerial meeting where the Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Ltd (BSCCL), which had placed the proposal, demonstrated that the country could earn at least Tk60 crore from the exports.

The country is going to add 1,400Gbps more bandwidth after 2015 when the BSCCL will connect with the SEA-ME-WE-5 cable High officials of the ministries of posts and telecommunications, finance, and foreign affairs were present at the meeting held last week.

“The government has given us approval for renting or leasing 40 lakh MIU-kilometres of internet bandwidth as we have a total of 82MIU-km of unused bandwidth,” Monwar Hossain, managing director of the BSCCL, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

India has already formally expressed interest to rent bandwidth from Bangladesh, but the BSCCL has other options, too.

“Malaysia, Italy and Singapore are also on our list,” Monwar said, adding that they had “fruitful discussions” with these three countries.

The process of exporting bandwidth to these countries might start any time, he told the Dhaka Tribune.

The BSCCL has 200Gbps (88MIUkm) bandwidth and currently Bangladesh can use only 32Gbps or 16% of it.

The BSCCL MD said the SEA-MEWE-4 cable had already spent eight years of its 12-year lifetime and the cable would expire in 2025.

“If we do not export or use the bandwidth now, it will be a waste,” Monwar said.

He said the Indian states of Arunachal, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim had a great demand for bandwidth. Bhutan and Nepal had also shown interest in importing bandwidth from Bangladesh.

According to the meeting’s working paper, the BSCCL also said it was planning to export bandwidth after keeping sufficient amount for meeting the country’s future demands.

The country is going to add 1,400Gbps more bandwidth after 2015 when the BSCCL will connect with the SEA-ME-WE-5 cable.

Monwar said they would sign a contract with the SEA-ME-WE-5 authority on March 7 in Malaysia.

“We will connect with the second submarine cable by the first quarter of 2016 and the cable will have a total capacity of 1,400Gbps,” he said.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 5

Workers cut logs at a saw mill to make firewood for the brick kiln in the background yesterday. Illegal brick kilns in Barisal district burn over 48,000 tonnes of wood every month, bringing down the number of trees. Story on Page 5 DHAKA TRIBUNE

40 likely to face charges in Rana Plaza disaster Islam Shaon and n Ashif Mohammad Jamil Khan The Criminal Investigation Department is likely to press charges against 40 persons including the owners of the Rana Plaza building, and the five garment factories within it, in two cases this month.

The traumatising incident of April 24 last year – one of the worst ever industrial disasters – claimed the lives of more than 1,135 people and injured over 2,500 workers as they were reportedly forced to continue work even though cracks had developed in the

building. The nine-storey building also housed a branch of Brac Bank and a shopping complex.

The CID has so far taken statements from 600 witnesses. After scrutiny by the prosecution and the officials involved, the charge sheet will be submitted to a Dhaka court, confirmed Assistant Superintendent of Police (CID) Bijoy Krishna Kar. He said all the detained 21 persons were involved with the construction of the building while the others would be charged for helping the building’s owner, Sohel Rana, flee or giving him shelter. Among those, eight persons,

News

3 The energy ministry has deferred its planned drive to remove all illegal gas connections and distribution lines for two days; it had announced the drive by advertisements in the media.

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

5 The first digital safe zone by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), established just three months back, has fallen flat due to lack of operations.

International

8 Red roses lurk hidden in flower shop back rooms and heart-shaped chocolates are sold under the counter, but Saudis still manage to buy Valentine’s gifts and defy the religious police.

Entertainment

Sport

14 Barcelona recovered top spot in La Liga just one week after being knocked off their perch for the first time in 59 league games last weekend as they took advantage of Atletico Madrid’s shock defeat to Almeria.

“We are trying to find out whether he escaped following the incident or beforehand,” the CID official said.

A total of five cases were filed after the incident, of which three were regarding the collapse. Police have also submitted charge sheets in two cases accusing Rana of possessing arms and ammunition under the Explosives Act. The CID has so far investigated two out of the three cases which were filed with Savar police station for homicide and violation of building codes. Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) filed one case against the building  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

BNP, Khaleda embarrassed by poor handling of info

INSIDE

12 Some might find it hard to grasp the concept of the “thing” going on inside the aesthetically and architecturally serene Bengal Art Lounge in Gulshan. At first glance, with an abundance of pink, the ambience offers the impression of a breast cancer campaign.

including Rana’s father, Abdul Khaleque, have been granted bail.

“We will recommend the highest punishment for all the accused,” said Bijoy, also the investigating officer for the three cases filed in connection with the country’s deadliest incident.

The CID sources said the probability of prosecuting former Awami League lawmaker from Savar, Talukder Towhid Jung Murad, is low as he was not found to be “directly” involved in the incident. Moreover, one of the owners of Phantom Tek, David Meyer Reko, will not be charged as he has fled to his home country, Spain.

Kumar Sangakara watches the ball go as he cuts a delivery during the 2nd T20 match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka yesterday in Chittagong’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium MUMIT M

Sri Lanka claim 2-0 win in T20 n Raihan Mahmood, Chittagong Experience and temperament made all the difference as Sri Lanka managed to get rid of the Tigers claws with a three-wicket victory to clinch the T20 series 2-0 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium yesterday.

It was another cliffhanger as the visitors scored 123/7 with a ball to spare to go past Bangladesh’s 120 all out. The reflection of being the top ranked T20 team was evident in the composed approach of the visitors who, despite losing their big names remained focused and romped home to victory.

Bangladesh had the worst possible start, losing the two openers with only three runs on the board. Tamim Iqbal and Shamsur Rahman can only explain why they played two over-ambitious

shots without properly getting set.

Shamsur dropped on naught by Lasith Malinga at fine leg, holed out to Chandimal of the fifth ball of the match and the Sri Lankan T20 skipper was a happy man to see his unusual tactics of opening the innings with the spinners of Tilakartrane hit the pay off.

P13 SCORECARD & MORE STORIES Tamim was next to follow. Dancing down the wicket, he flashed an outswinger of Nuwan Kulasekera and the ball went to deep point where Ajanta Mendis took the catch.

The next 11 balls were the brightest spot of the Bangladesh innings as Shakib al Hasan and Anamu lHaque spit fire. Shakib slammed three glorious boundaries within four balls of

Kualsekera through covers, long on and through the midwicket and Anamul for time being made Tilakratne Dilshan’s face a gloomy one by banging two sixes and two fours in his second over.

However, both the batsmen became prey of two astonishing catches of Kulasekera and Kushal Perera. Shakib scooped over long on and Kulasekera ran backwards, keeping his eyes on the ball and stretched to his limit before taking the catch. Shakib’s contribution was 12 off six balls.

Anamul’s departure was more dramatic. The lofted drive off Senanayke was breezing to the midwicket boundary when Kusal Perera leaped like goalkeeper to grip the ball and still kept the ball in his grip despite felling awkwardly.

Anamul returned adding 24 off 17 balls.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 5

Many recent actions and statements of the BNP made the party and Chairperson Khaleda Zia embarrassed as either there was a lack of cross-checking or the situations were poorly handled.

A press statement of Khaleda demanding the release of Islami Oikya Jote Chairman Abdul Latif Nezami on February 10 was issued after some 10 hours of his release from a police station. She read out another statement at a press conference on February 5, claiming that 300 party men had either been killed or abducted “in one month – between December 26 and January 27.”

On both occasions, the statements were prepared basing on poorly han-

dled information collected by the BNP office.

The party had to issue another press release – signed by Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi who had issued the previous one, too – apologising for the statement without knowing the fact that Nezami had already been released.

Rafiqul Islam Miah, a member of the party’s Standing Committee, yesterday said: “I cannot account for the whole scenario, but the death figure given in the chairperson’s statement for Lakshmipur was absolutely correct. However, the timeframe it mentioned was different – it will be three months instead of one month.”

Vice-Chairman Abdullah Al Noman  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal announces resignation

n AFP, New Delhi Delhi’s firebrand Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced his resignation yesterday to protest the blocking of an anti-corruption bill, fewer than 50 days after taking power in the Indian capital.

“My cabinet has decided that we are

quitting. Here is my resignation letter,” Kejriwal told supporters of his fledgling Aam Aadmi (Common Man) Party in the capital, brandishing a white sheet of paper.

“Straight after this, I am going to the lieutenant governor’s office to hand in my resignation,” he added, as his followers cheered.

The upstart Aam Aadmi Party sent shockwaves through India’s political establishment late last year when it scored a series of stunning electoral successes during local elections in Delhi.

But Kejriwal’s decision to resign little more than seven weeks after taking power in the city of 17 million throws his party’s fortunes into uncertainty.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Saturday, February 15, 2014

AL, BNP busy to ensure victory in upazila polls Al-Masum Molla and n Mohammad Emran Hossain Shaikh Though the upazila elections are non-partisan, both the ruling Awami League and the BNP top brass are touring the country to ensure victory of their candidates with a view to project their popularity at the grassroots level.

The AL finds two challenges in the upazila polls – winning the maximum seats and ensuring free and fair elections – to send the BNP a message that if it had participated in the January 5 election, the upazila election result would have been the same.

On the contrary, the BNP also faces two challenges – smooth campaigning and a fair election. The party believes that if free and fair polls are held, they will get the maximum seats.

It will, they say, intensify the ongoing movement for holding general election under a non-partisan government immediately by dissolving the incumbent parliament. They also got the chance of saying the ruling party had amended the constitution fearing huge debacle in the national poll.

However, both the parties have been facing problems of rebel candidates which made the path of election race harder and the subsequent expulsions of rebel candidates from parties. These are creating division within the parties, said leaders.

Apart from these, there are allegations that in some places the BNPbacked 19-party alliance contenders are facing obstacles during the election campaigns as many of the leaders and supporters are on the run.

However, the ruling party MPs and ministers have been working in different ways in favour of the party-backed aspirants.

Talking to the AL leaders it is learnt that the party is eyeing 300-350 chair-

New gender options on Facebook n AFP Facebook freed members from the bonds of being either male or female, letting people opt for custom genders such as transsexual or “intersex” at the social network.

Along with adding scores of “custom gender” options on profile pages, Facebook is letting members select which pronouns they wish to be used when being referred to in posts or messages.

Facebook users could opt to be referred to as “he/him” or “she/her,” or by a neutral “they/their” choice.

Custom genders are only available to those who use Facebook in US English but the company plans to expand the range in the future.

“While to many this change may not mean much, for those it affects it means a great deal,” Facebook said in a post Thursday at its Diversity page that included a picture of a giant rainbow flag on display on the company’s campus in the Silicon Valley city of Menlo Park.

Facebook said it worked with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender activist groups to create a thorough list of gender options, which can be found in an “other” category on profile About pages.

The social network’s latest initiative was given more than 4,000 “likes” on the page, and mostly favorable comments. l

manships out of 487 Upazila Parishads where elections would be held in phases.

An organising secretary of the AL said they were moving seriously to achieve the goal.

“There is no doubt that the elections will be held in a free, fair and neutral mood,” party Presidium member Kazi Zafrullah told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

Although it is a local-body election, the party has taken it seriously. “According to the party chief’s instruction, we are trying our best, including choosing a single candidate, to make our candidate win.”

In the last upazila elections held on January 22, 2009, the AL-backed candidates secured chairman posts in more than 400 out of 479 upazilas when the then BNP-led four party alliance boycotted the polls.

AL Organising Secretary Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said in the prevailing political scenario, the BNP would be defeated at every stage where they contest as a party.

“Holding the elections in a free and fair mood is the challenge of the government. Our government will not interfere...even if our candidates win or not. The BNP is participating in the elections with a belief that free and fair election is possible under this government,” he said.

Senior leaders of the BNP’s central committee are campaigning across the country seeking votes for their candidates.

BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Osman Farruk is campaigning in Karimganj upazila of Kishoreganj, Vice-Chairman Abdullah Al Noman in Hathazari of Chittagong while Joint Secretary General Mohammad Shahjahan in Noakhali for their candidates.

On February 10, BNP Chairperson

Fakhrul calls for inclusive parliamentary poll at once n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla Issuing a note of warning, the BNP yesterday said if the government did not hold parliamentary election immediately with the participation of all parties, it would not be able to stay in power for a long time.

“The whole world including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and European Union said the January 5 election was not acceptable,” Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, acting secretary general of the party, came up with the statement, adding that they talked about inclusive elections immediately, but the ministers were saying they would stay in power for five years.

“We want to say to the government...please hold an inclusive election immediately.” The BNP leader was addressing a discussion at the National Press Club in the capital yesterday.

“The history says none can stay in power for a long time using force. This government cannot do it either.”

Terming the prevailing situation of the country “dreadful”, Fakhrul said: “I find the situation similar to that in 1972-75. At that time bodies of young people were found in the street and the same situation is prevailing now.”

What type of democracy is this when the BNP leaders and activists are being abducted and killed by crossfire? he

BNP, Khaleda embarrassed  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

admits that any wrong information embarrasses the party “as the opportunists always look for any loopholes to cash in.”

“But mistakes can take place anywhere. It could have been in the printing process or any other steps. If the persons concerned had been careful, such mistakes would not have taken place and I hope these persons will be careful in future while preparing any draft,” he told the Dhaka Tribune over phone yesterday.

When contacted, Abdul Latif Jony, assistant office secretary of the party, said they had been busy with so many stuffs, including upazila elections and killings and abductions of the party men.

“We issued that press release in the evening without knowing that Nezami had been released. The moment we received the information [on his release], we issued another press release, apologising for the previous statement.

We are not like the Superman and the mistake was unintentional,” he told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

“According to media statistics,

Khaleda Zia held a meeting with the party’s joint secretary generals at her Gulshan office and asked them to ensure single candidate in every upazila after talking to the rebel candidates.

“The district-level leaders are looking after the things. We have just solved the problems whenever they sought any support from the central committee. But in most of the upazilas, there are single candidates,” Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, joint secretary general of the party, told the Dhaka Tribune.

The BNP has repeatedly alleged that their aspirants were barred from campaigning smoothly, while their leaders and activists harassed by the law enforcers.

On Friday, some leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League, students’ wing of the ruling AL, attacked a microbus of Gouranadi upazila chairman candidate Abul Hossain Mia, a BNP-backed aspirant.

Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, a Standing Committee member of the party, said: “There is apprehension that those who could not vote in the January 5 election will vote in the upazila elections as the BNP has decided to participate in the elections. The government has become crazy.

“The ministers are campaigning for their candidates riding on car and saying that if their candidates do not win the polls, there will not be any development. On the other hand, the BNPled alliance candidates are harassed as false cases were filed against them,” he alleged.

However, both the parties have been expelling the grassroots leaders and activists for violating the party order. For instance, Bogra AL yesterday expelled 17 of its leaders and activists including two rebel candidates. On the other hand, the BNP yesterday expelled three leaders for violating the party order. l

276 opposition leaders and activists have been killed, 34 have fallen victim to extrajudicial killings after being detained, and 29,262 have been arrested since the start of the opposition’s movement against the farcical election,” Khaleda said in her statement.

A number of BNP leaders said after the arrest of Rizvi, the situation had not been favourable for working in the party’s central office. As the office had been closed for a long time and the hard discs had been taken away from the office computers by the law enforcers, it was tough to keep all the information in one place.

They also said there was no question about the death figure, but there was an error in the information on the timeframe.

“We have the full list of the deaths, including the names and the death references. If anyone challenges us, we can provide the list,” a senior BNP leader said.

A few leaders said they did not want to make the full list public fearing that the victims’ families might fall in trouble because of that. l

posed a question. Criticising the ministers’ statements, the party spokesperson said without being elected the ministers and lawmakers were taking gold crests and crowns and many were talking about cash instead of crest.

“People want to get rid of such mockery and circus.”

The BNP leader asked all from the cross-sections of life to unite to restore democracy to the country.

“Take initiative to hold inclusive polls before the expiration of time and do not take away people’s fundamental rights to hold meetings and processions,” he urged the government.

BNP standing committee member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy alleged that the ruling party ministers and lawmakers were violating the upazila election’s code of conduct.

He alleged that the lawmakers and ministers of the ruling party were campaigning in favor of the Awami Leaguebacked candidates to ensure their victory.

It was a violation of electoral code of conduct, the BNP leader said.

He said the ministers were campaigning for their candidates riding cars and saying that if their candidates did not win the election, development would not take place.

The BNP-led alliance-backed candidates were being harassed as false cases were filed against them, he alleged. l

Workers of a dyeing factory clothes from the pile of burnt garment products after fire gutted the factory in the tannery area of Hazaribagh in the capital yesterday MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

SELF-INJURY AT GAZIPUR JUVENILE CENTRE

Acting supervisor suspended, families worry over mismanagement n Our Correspondent, Gazipur The Department of Social Services has suspended the acting supervisor of Gazipur’s National Juvenile Development Centre, Anwarul Kabir, on charges of negligence of duty and mismanagement.

Gazipur Additional Deputy Commissioner (general) Shahnawaz Dilruba Khan confirmed the matter to journalists.

The suspension order came on Thursday night, the same day the High Court formed a committee to probe the allegations of abuse and mismanagement at the correctional facility, where

Kejriwal  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

Kejriwal’s announcement came shortly after local legislators effectively shot down his efforts to bring in anti-corruption legislation – the key plank of his manifesto in December’s state elections.

The Congress party decided not to back Kejriwal in Friday’s vote, claiming the measure was unconstitutional.

In his speech to supporters on Friday, the 45-year-old blamed Congress for his decision to resign, accusing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s party of reneging on an earlier promise to back the bill.

“Congress had promised us, in writing, that they would support the bill but when we tried to present it before the assembly today both they and the BJP came together to block it,” Kejriwal said.

“This is the first time in India’s history that both the BJP and Congress have come together...They have exposed themselves and shown their true face.”

Kejriwal, who had been the head of a minority administration since taking power on December 28, said he would ask Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to immediately dissolve the Delhi assembly and organise fresh elections.

His party won 28 seats in Delhi’s 70 member assembly and came to power with the help of the Congress party, which governs at national level.

However, fresh elections in the capital are unlikely and the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which won 32 seats in the Delhi election, could try and form an alternative administration. l

20 teenage boys engaged in self-injury.

Ismail Hossain, officer-in-charge of Tongi police station, said: “Gazipur Deputy Commissioner Nurul Islam and Police Super Abdul Baten stayed at the center, observed the environment and talked to the teenagers from 11:45am to 1pm yesterday to probe the mismanagement.”

Around 20 juveniles, aged between 14 and 18, cut their foreheads, arms and wrists on Tuesday night, reportedly to protest the torture by the acting supervisor and call for his removal.

A five-member committee, headed by Gazipur ADC Dilruba, was also

formed on Thursday, to investigate the matter and submit a report within the next seven working days.

The father of a 16-year old inmate of the centre, who was visiting his son from Kishoreganj yesterday, claimed that the teenagers had tried to kill themselves because they did not get regular meals and were being physically and mentally tortured by the supervisor-in-charge.

The mother of another 16-year old inmate, who was visiting her son from Narayanganj, said she only found out about the incident of self-injury after reaching the centre yesterday. l

Govt approves export of half of internet bandwidth  PAGE 1 COLUMN 2

Installation of the second submarine cable was scheduled to complete by December 2014, but it could not because of a few complexities.

Telecom Secretary M Abubakar Siddique, however, said: “The installation work is progressing fast and it will connect Bangladesh through a landing station in Patuakhali.” The construction work of the landing station had so far progressed up to the expected level, he added.

Sources at the BSCCL said Bangladesh required to invest $70m (Tk540 crore) to be connected with the second submarine cable.

The Islamic Development Bank will provide $40m while the rest will come from the BSCCL’s own fund.

The BSCCL has already arranged Tk130 crore and still requires Tk100 crore more. The amount will be mobilised by selling the surplus bandwidth of the SEA- ME-WE-4 cable. l

Sri Lanka claim 2-0 win  PAGE 1 COLUMN 4

The rest of the innings saw the Bangladesh batsmen fail as Nasir Hossain, Mahmudullah and Farhad Reza fell for 8, 9 and 9 respectively. Debutant Sabbir Rahman kept his cool to notch 26 off 36 balls in an innings that was uncharacteristic to the shortest version of the game but useful to the situation and brave heart Mashrafe bin Morataza’s 17 off 10 balls with four boundaries provided the Tigers a fighting total.

Lasith Malinga, with his slinging action, was the pick of the bowlers with three for 20 while Nuwan Kulasekera and Sachitra Senanayeke took two wickets each for 32 and 11 runs respectively.

Defending 120 was not an easy task against Dilshan Tilakrtane, Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews and Kushal

Perera but a tremendous fighting spirit saw Bangladesh put the brakes on Sri Lankan aspirations. It was Shakib again who struck in his very first over like the earlier one when Kushal Perera missed the line trying a reverse sweep and was leg before for 21. Arafat Sunny removed Dilshan for 3 and Mahmudullah sent Chandimal soon after to put Bangladesh in a strong position.

Angelo Mathews (2), Ajantha Mendis (2) and Ajnatha Perera (4) succumbed to the pressure but the vastly experienced Kumar Sangakkara held the innings together. Though he departed on 97 after scoring 37 off 38, he set the stage for the lower order.

Thisara Perera and Senanaykeput on 23 runs, to remain 35 not out and 12 not out respectively, as the visitors romped home to victory. l

40 likely to face charges in Rana Plaza disaster  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

owner for structural fault, and for constructing the building using substandard materials and violating the Building Code.

Wali Ashraf, a sub-inspector of Savar police station, filed the other case against Rana, his father Abdul Khalek, and the owners of the five garments factories housed in the building, for the loss of lives and damages.

The other case was filed by Sheuli Akter, wife of a deceased worker, Jahangir Alam – whose body was recovered on April 24 – against Sohel Rana; and Bazlus Samad Adnan, owner of New Wave Style garments; and Rafiqul Islam, Executive Engineer of Savar municipality.

The CID is yet to finish investigation in this case.

Those who are likely to be charged include the owners of the factories (Bazlus Samad, Mahmudur Rahman, Aminul Islam, Anisuzzaman. Zannatul Ferdous); and the suspended mayor of Savar, Refatullah; and the recommender of the building’s design Mohammad Ali Khan; and Savar municipality exec-

utive engineer’s two deputies Rakibul Hasan and Mahbubur Rahman; and UNO Kabir Hossain; and Rajuk officials Helal Uddin, Awlad Hossain, Sarwar Kamal, and Bidyut Miah; and also seven of Rana’s relatives and associates.

On November 24 last year, a Dhaka court issued a show cause notice, asking the CID to explain why they had failed to submit a probe report reagrding the two cases. Earlier, the same trial court gave the CID one month to submit the report by November 24.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, several lawyers said the cases were not strong enough to ensure the highest punishment. The cases filed by the Rajuk and the police were bail-able while the provisions for punishment are weak.

Sultana Kamal, executive director of Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), has recently said the sections which have been followed to lodge the cases, leave options for giving the accused only light punishments. It would be better if the accused could be charged directly with murder on the grounds of negligence.

When contacted, Anwarul Kabir

Babul, additional public prosecutor of Dhaka, said the court could award Rana a maximum of seven years imprisonment in the Rajuk case. In the other case filed by the police for negligence, the accused could not be convicted for directing or planning the killings.

Rana and his associates might be awarded life-sentences if the prosecution can prove the allegations.

The investigators found that Rana got approval for a six-storey building, and later, violating the law, illegally obtained approval for four more floors.

The building was first a commercial one, and then it was approved as an industrial structure.

Rana rented out the floors to the factories to install big and heavy machines. The building thus became more vulnerable. The Savar municipality helped his illegal activities by providing trade licenses to the five garment factories in the commercial building.

“We have clearly found liabilities with the building owner and the factory owners with respect to the loss of lives. The factory owners did not stop production after a crack developed a

day before the collapse. Additionally, a faulty building design was approved by the municipality. Without any survey report of the structural design, four more floors were approved,” the IO said.

“As per the law, the building owner cannot apply to add floors separately.

The authorities first approved six floors of Rana Plaza in 2006 and opened a new file in 2008 to approve the additional floors,” he said.

The investigation team also thinks that apart from the building owner and the garments factory owners, the Directorate of Industries and Savar municipality failed to discharge their duties properly.

Ethertex did not get any license from the directorate. The former upazila Nirbahi Officer also neglected his duties, the investigators said.

There was a branch of a private bank on the first floor of the building, and they left the place after the crack had been noticed, fearing a collapse.

Talking with the investors, they opined that the garment factory owners should have done the same. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

3

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Government defers drive against illegal gas connections n Aminur Rahman Rasel The energy ministry has deferred its planned drive to remove all illegal gas connections and distribution lines for two days; it had announced the drive by advertisements in the media.

The drive was supposed to start on February 16 in franchise areas under the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited, with the Titas authorities directing illegal subscribers to withdraw their gas connections before February 15.

“We will operate the drives strictly.

On previous occasions, we had to postpone some drives because of obstacles from the public and illegal syndicates. This time we have taken two days for the preparation,” Energy and Mineral Resources Division Secretary Md Mozammel Haque Khan told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

He said the number of law enforcers involved would be increased to assist authorities during the drive, while district magistrates would also accompany the Titas teams.

According to Bangladesh Gas Act 2010, an illegal gas user can be given three months to one year’s jail time, and fines ranging from Tk10,000 to Tk5 lakh.

Titas is responsible for supplying gas in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Narsingdi, Manikganj, Gazipur, Tangail, Mymensingh, Netrokona, Sherpur, Jamalpur and Kishoreganj districts.

According to Titas officials, around 250km of illegal gas pipeline and two lakh illegal connections have been detected in its franchise area, with

most of the illegal gas distribution pipelines in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Narsingdi and Gazipur.

These illegal connections consume 200 million cubic feet of gas per day, causing losses of several hundred crore taka for the government every day.

Some unscrupulous officials at Titas have allegedly been taking bribes to allow illegal gas connections to a large number of households under their franchise area.

Titas gas sources said an influential quarter of politicians from different parties, along with syndicates of Titas officials and contractors were involved in the business of setting up illegal distribution networks in Dhaka.

Titas Gas Managing Director Md Nowshad Islam said Titas officials had previously faced hurdles when they went to remove illegal gas distribution networks in the past.

“Sometimes my officials were assaulted,” he said, adding that the company had filed cases and general diaries with relevant police stations regarding these incidents.

Although thousands of illegal connections are yet to be disconnected, Titas authorities recently saw some success in removing over 11,000 feet of illegal gas pipeline in Dhaka and its adjacent districts.

After a three-year break, the government decided to resume allowing new gas connections on May 7 last year. However, the government later said the gas distribution companies would not provide new connections to households where the companies did not have distribution networks. l

UAE KILLING

Convicts’ families want to negotiate apology n Rabiul Islam Family members of three Bangladeshi nationals, accused of murder of an Indian national in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), yesterday said they wanted to negotiate with the victim’s family to seek pardon for the convicts.

The UAE government temporarily postponed the execution of death sentence of Mohammad Nayeb Ali from Pubna, Kamrul Islam from Mymensingh and Atique Ashraf Hossain from Meherpur. They killed an Indian national named Taru, over personal dispute in 2009.

Ashraf Ali, father of Atique Ashraf Hossain, is already in India to negotiate with the family of Taru.

“We want to save our son at any cost. My husband went to India eight days back to convince the victim family,” Hawa Khatun, mother of Atique, told the Dhaka

Tribune over phone yesterday.

She also said the family members of other two victims could not go to India as they did not have passports.

Sohel Rana, brother of Kamrul, said: “We have no passport and thus, cannot go to India for the negotiation. We requested Atique’s father to represent all of the accused.”

“We requested the UAE government to give time to seek pardon and the government accepted our appeal,” AKM Mizanur Rahman, first secretary of Bangladesh consulate in Dubai, told the Dhaka Tribune over phone yesterday.

He also said the postponement has been given to negotiate with the blood heirs of the victim in order to complete the legal formalities.

“If the victim’s family grant pardon to the convicts, they will need to pay Tk22 lakh as blood money,” Mizanur Rahman said. l

Activists of One Billion Rising for Justice stage a flash mob and mime presentation in front of the Supreme Court demanding an end to violence against women

Hands raised to end violence against women n Tribune Report

Women of different professions, clad in red attire yesterday, raised hands to end violence against women and ensure justice as part of the One Billion Rising for Justice programme.

The organisers of the programme highlighted that at least 46 women fall victims to different forms of violence every day.

According to the report of the United Nations (UN), one out of every three women in the world has been raped or beaten at least once in her lifetime which indicates that one billion women across the globe have been victims of violence.

“One Billion Rising movement was initiated to aware those one billion women to raise their voices over the is-

sue. We started the movement in 2012, but we realised that only making people aware is not the solution,” Khushi Kabir, convener of the Bangladesh chapter of OBR said.

One Billion Rising For Justice is a global call to women survivors of violence to break the silence and release their stories, politically, spiritually, through art, dance, marches, rituals, songs, word of mouth, testimonies and whatever feels right.

Aiming to put violence against women to an end, the campaign began on February 14 last year.

“Law enforcers do not want to take up cases of violence against women and even if the case is filed, the lengthy court proceedings do not ensure justice,” she said while addressing a programme

organised by the Bangladesh chapter of One Billion Rising for Justice at the Supreme Court premises in the capital yesterday.

Quoting a statistic of the police, organisers said at least 200,862 incidents took place in between 2002 and 2013 where women became victims of acid violence, rape, abduction, trafficking, dowry etc, but the number would be higher in reality as many do not file cases or cases are not taken by the law enforcement agencies.

The organisers recalled the attack on journalist Nadia Sharmin by Hefazate-Islam activists on April 6, 2013, rape of two Hindu women-Rupali Das and Monimala Das-in Jessore’s Monirampur in the aftermath of national election 2014 and the state of Kalpana Chakma

n Mohosinul Karim The allowances for the country’s freedom fighters, who did not receive any gallantry awards, will be increased to Tk5,000 from this month; it was previously Tk3,000 per month.

According to a gazette of the Liberation War Affairs Ministry, there are around 200,170 listed freedom fighters who will receive the benefit.

The Ministry of Finance has already sent a proposal to the Prime Minister’s Office in this regard, after the premier her consent to the allowance increase.

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM

Mozammel Haque told the Dhaka Tribune that the freedom fighters would receive Tk5,000 as monthly allowance from January, since their allowances were yet to be disbursed.

The minister said the Prime Minister gave consent to increase the allowances of the freedom fighters in consideration of the rising prices of essential commodities and the salary hikes of the service holders. The premier has asked the finance ministry to prepare a proposal in this regard, added the minister.

“I have also talked with Finance Minister AMA Muhith about the allowance hike and he said he had approved

it,” he added. The government last increased the allowances for 217 gallantry award-receiving freedom fighters on July 22, 2013 with the approval of the cabinet in the same day.

Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, had said there were 676 gallantry award-receiving freedom fighters (Bir Shreshtha, Bir Uttam, Bir Bikram and Bir Protik) in the country, of them 217 were civilians and the rest were from different security forces.

There are seven Bir Shreshtha, 18 Bir Uttam, 175 Bir Bikrom and 426 Bir Protik.

Mosharraf said: “After the Liberation War, the then government fixed the al-

Halting construction in the Sundarbans demanded

n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi

Environmental activists yesterday urged the government to impose restrictions on building new infrastructure adjacent to the Sundarbans, and to evict all structures in and around it, in an effort to save the world’s largest mangrove forest.

They also expressed concern over the setting up of the 1,320MW coal-based Rampal power plant near the forest, as it would destroy the Unesco World Heritage Site’s ecology and biodiversity.

The call came at a rally held in front of the National Press Club to mark Sundarbans Day, jointly organised by different conservationist groups and led by Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa).

The Sundarbans is a living and effective natural fence protecting the coastal areas. “But it is has been facing destruction because of the presence of different unplanned small and medium industries,” said Dr Abdul Matin, general secretary of Bapa.

He said the government also had taken on several schemes, in the name of development, in an unplanned way.

To install the huge new power plant, the government has already acquired 1,834 acres of land on the bank of the Pashur River – a dolphin sanctuary – from private owners. India’s NTPC is building the plant and will operate it. The construction work began in October last year amid huge criticism and resistance.

The proposed power plant would “produce huge amounts of waste ma-

textile and garment machineries, introducing latest technologies in spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing-printing and textiles finishing etc. Most of the exhibitors also held live demonstrations to attract potential customers.

“A fair has always been an ideal place to make a right choice as we can find various products of different designs and quality under one roof,” said Mijanur Rahman Chowdhury, manager of SM Knitwear Limited.

“Here, we are also able to see live demonstration of the production sys-

abduction investigation after 17 years.

Depicting the sorry state of justice, organisers said investigation in the case of Kalpana Chakma had been going on for over 17 years now, while no case or action was taken regarding the case of Nadia Sharmin and the perpetrators were yet to be held in the rape cases.

OBR member Fawzia Khandaker Eva read out a declaration demanding correction of policies discriminating women, full implementation of Convention for Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Cedaw), providing self defence training to girls in educational institutions and cancellation of two finger test for rape victims.

The programme ended with a flash mob and mime presentation. l

Govt to increase allowance of non-decorated freedom fighters to Tk5,000

Apparel machinery exposition gets warm response The Dhaka International Textile and Garment Machinery Exhibition yesterday witnessed a warm response as many readymade garment entrepreneurs flocked to the exposition to learn about the latest technologies available in the sector.

“I have come to the fair to know about the latest technologies in the sector as I intended to expand my factory. Since the exhibition is showcasing the latest machineries for textile and garment production, it would help us to choose the best one,” said Wahid Sadik of Chowkosh Communication.

The four-day fair, organised by Bangladesh Textile Mills Association in association with Chan Chao International Company Ltd and Yorkers Trade and Marketing Services, began on Wednesday and will end today.

“We have witnessed a good number of visitors and received many orders.

We have showcased both woven and knitting machinery from Turkey and Taiwan, which received huge response from the well-known entrepreneurs in the sector,” said Zakaria Islam, service in charge of Tex Corporation (BD) Limited.

With around 850 exhibitors from 31 countries participating at the fair, exhibitors displayed their state-of-the-art

NASHIRUL ISLAM

tem and quality of products produced by these new machines,” he added.

“We have found a good response from the apparel manufacturers, but the outcome of the fair would depend on the political situation,” Md Ashraful Kabir, an executive for service and engineering at Texlink Engineering Limited, told the Dhaka Tribune.

“If the government can ensure a business friendly environment, entrepreneurs would be encouraged to make new investments in machineries,” he added. l

n Abu Bakar Siddique

terials which are extremely harmful for the environment,” Matin said adding that the release of hot water into the river would jeopardise the Dolphin population of the river. The Sundarbans is also listed as a “Ramsar” site because of its flora and fauna.

Prof M Sahidul Islam of the geography and environment department at Dhaka University said the government should save the mangrove forest at any cost, “as it has saved the country’s people from different natural disasters like Cyclone Sidr in 2007 and Cyclone Aila in 2009.”

In addition, the Sundarbans offers various sources of livelihood to more than 5 lakh local inhabitants, he added.

The speakers also mentioned that the Indian government does not allow construction of such kinds of infrastructure near the part of the Sundarbans that lies in its territory. l

lowances for the freedom fighters, considering the financial situation and market prices, which were Tk200, Tk150, Tk125 and Tk100 for Bir Shreshthas, Bir Uttams, Bir Bikroms and Bir Protiks respectively.” According to the minister, the allowances for gallantry award-receiving military and uniformed freedom fighters was increased in 2011, but the allowances of civilian freedom fighters were not enhanced.

The government later decided to enhance the allowances for the four categories of civilian gallantry award-receiving freedom fighters to Tk12,000, Tk10,000, Tk8,000 and Tk6,000 respectively. l

Muhith urges US, UK to refrain from advocating midterm poll

n Our Correspondent, Sylhet

Finance Minister AMA Muhith has urged the US and the UK to refrain from advocating a midterm election.

He said: “There was no room for holding such an election. The US and the UK have to understand that this government is a valid government. Hence, there will be no midterm election.”

Muhith made the statement while inaugurating a power plant.

He said: “We will stay in power until 2019 since the people have cast their votes for us.”

He also held the BNP responsible for the mistreatment of the US and the UK government. The party has boycotted the election driven by their ill wit.”

In replying to a query, he said: “The size of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year will be Tk250,000 crore.” l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Over 1,000 teachers without salaries for months n Our Correspondent, Gopalganj A total of 1297 teachers at 296 government primary schools in the district have not received their salaries for the last four months.

Most of these teachers are now struggling to support their families, as they have to borrow money from others to make ends meet.

Sishu Kollan Primary Government School acting head teacher Mollah Abdullah Al Mamun, said: “We are passing through a very tough time.

We cannot bear our family expenses by borrowing money from others anymore. We last received our salaries and allowances in September last year.”

Gopalganj Primary Education Officer Muhammad Shah Alam, acknowledged the situation and said: “The work of finalising the salary for the teachers is at the final stage. The ministry ordered to pay them salary by February 20.”

According to Gopalganj Primary Education office, the government announced the nationalisation of 1297 teachers at 296 registered primary schools under 5 upazilas of the district in 2013. The schools include 309 teachers at 77 schools under Sadar upazila, 291 teachers at 73 schools under Kotalipara upazila, 199 teachers at 51 schools under Kashiani upazila, 139 teachers at 34 schools under Tungipara and 280 teachers at 103 schools under Muksudpur upazila. l

News

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Traffic congestion eats Ctg people’s heart out Authorities exchange blames; stakeholders hold CMP, CDA and CCC responsible

n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong The city people are yet to get rid of perennial traffic congestion in the port city due to lack of proper traffic management by the authorities concerned.

Stakeholders hold the lack of coordination among Traffic Division of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP), Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) and Chittagong City Corporation responsible for the tailbacks while the authorities blame each other for the problem.

An intense traffic jam, especially during morning and evening peak hours, kills time and put a negative impact on the commuters’ work, the city people allege.

The gridlock intensifies at almost every intersection of the city especially at the CDA Avenue, Agrabad, Bahaddarhat, Mehedibagh, Saltgola, Jubilee Road, Jamal Khan, Muradpur and Oxygen.

Sources in the Traffic Division think the roads cannot accommodate the increased number of vehicles plying across the streets, and that is the main reason for the tailbacks.

Moreover, the number of roads had not increased in proportion to the rapid increase in vehicles, added the sources.

According to the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), Chittagong office, around 2.5 lakh vehicles plied in the city every day.

The construction works of CDA projects to widen roads take up a major portion of the roads and the slow implementation pace seemingly magnifies people’s sufferings.

These development works can be seen on most of the city streets across the city.

The unlawful parking, illegal shops set up on the streets and undesignated stops of public transport for passengers add to the problem, hampering smooth movement of vehicles.

Many commercial buildings, including restaurants, private clinics, educational institutions and shopping malls on the OR Nizam Road, CDA Avenue, Muradpur, Chawkbazar, Sheikh Mujib Road, Jamal Khan, Dampara, Zakir Hossain Road, Panchlaish and Mehedibagh have no parking facilities.

Those who come to those places park their vehicles on the roads, blocking off a lane.

Abdullah Al Noman, a private employee, said, “As I travel through the road from New Market to Karnaphuli

Bridge, I have to face severe gridlock on the way. Commuting is now hazardous as I have to wait for a long time.”

“A bridge is under construction on the Syed Ashraf Ali road and so commuters have to travel through an alternative route across the Fishery Ghat area to evade traffic jam in the morning,” he said.

Towkir Mahmud, a Chittagong University student, who resides in Halishahar, said, “I often miss the university train due to traffic jam in the morning which is caused by haphazard parking of goods-laden trucks on Dhaka Trunk Road and Halishahar Road.”

The Traffic Division and Chittagong City Corporation sources said around 1.7 lakh rickshaws plied across the city streets without the CCC licences adding to the traffic congestion.

“Most rickshaws have no licence and they are causing gridlock on the city roads,” said Md Shahidur Rahman, additional commissioner (traffic, administration and finance) of CMP. He adds that the CCC hardly takes any action to remove the illegal rickshaws.

“The plying and parking of vehicles belonging to different educational in-

stitutions are also causes of traffic jam,” he said.

Md Shahidur Rahman added that they were regularly discharging their legislative duties to keep the city roads free from traffic jam, but manpower shortage was the main obstacle to carry out the task.

Many building owners did not keep parking space even for themselves, let alone for guests, said traffic division sources.

Sarwar Uddin Ahmad, town planner of the CDA, said many citizens did not follow the building plan accurately after getting approval. Some kept a nominal parking space and some did not keep that either.

He also blamed the plying of a huge number of illegal rickshaws on the roads for traffic congestion.

CCC Mayor M Manjur Alam stressed public awareness to remove the problem.

“The CCC has a communication standing committee to monitor the sector and our magistrate is regularly conducting drives to evict illegal occupiers from the city roads,” he said, adding that the problem would be reduced within a short time. l

35-year-old Bangladeshi girl to create world record n Our correspondent, Jessore Thirty-five year old Jannatul Mawa Ruma is on her way to create a world record by travelling 450 kilometres on foot in nine days.

Holding the national flag, Ruma started from Kolkata Press Club in India on February 11 around 4pm and reached Bangladesh’s largest land port, Benapole, on Thursday evening. After resting there the whole night, she started for Dhaka yesterday.

Resident of Purbo Rajabazar in the capital, Ruma is an NGO activist.

She told reporters at Benapole yesterday that she had stayed at a rest house in Benapole five kilometres off the starting point and started walking again the next morning. She said she needed to take rest on the way.

“It will take six more days to reach Dhaka,” said Ruma. “I will be the first woman from Asia to break the record if I can reach successfully,” Ruma said.

Ruma said she wanted to create the record to raise awareness on having healthy lifestyles by walking on a regular basis, which would, in turn, reduce the traffic jams in Bangladesh.

“People welcomed me cordially on my way,” she added. l

WEATHER

Possible rain or thundershowers n UNB Rain or thundershowers is likely to occur at one or two places over Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions and the regions of Kushtia, Tangail and Mymensingh until 6pm today.

Weather may remain dry with partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country, Met Office said. Night temperature may rise by 1-3 degree Celsius and day temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.

The sun sets in the capital at 5:54pm today and rises at 6:31am tomorrow.

Country’s highest temperature 31.0 degrees Celsius was recorded yesterday in Cox’s Bazar and lowest 9.0 degrees in Srimangal. Highest and lowest temperature recorded in some major cities yesterday were: City

High

Low

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

28.0 29.4 23.7 20.2 29.0 28.4 28.2 31.0

14.7 15.2 11.0 9.8 15.2 13.0 13.1 17.2

5:15am 6:31am 12:13am 4:17pm 5:54pm 7:10pm

Source: IslamicFinder.org

n JU Correspondent

The first year honours admission test at Jahangirnagar University for the 201314 academic session will begin tomorrow and continue until March 2.

This year the test will be controlled by individual departments and institutes.

The tests will be held in six faculties and at two institutes of the university simultaneously, on each scheduled day.

The examinations will be held in six shifts each day from 9am to 5:20pm.

Other important information including admission test routines and seat plans are available on the university’s website www.junive.edu/admission.

The JU acting Vice-Chancellor Professor MA Matin said: “All preparations for the test have been completed, and I hope the admission tests will finished unimpeded.”

Sources said a total of 444,820 applicants will compete for 1,838 seats at the university this year.

Meanwhile, the authorities of all students’ dormitories have taken special initiatives to provide accommodation for the students coming for the admission test from different parts of the country.

JU Proctor Professor Muzibur Rahman, told the Dhaka Tribune: “The security system of the university is currently well enough. We have taken initiatives to ensure security for the examinees and their guardians, so that they can complete the admission test peacefully.”

Although the admission test was scheduled to be held last year, the university’s then authorities failed to hold the test because of the nine-monthlong agitation of the General Teachers’ Forum against the previous Vice-Chancellor Prof Anwar Hossain.

Pro-VC Professor MA Matin replaced Anwar Hossain as acting VC, and declared that the admission test would be held as soon as possible. l

BASIS outsourcing award deadline extended to Feb 25 n Tribune Report

Save the Sundarbans organise a human chain in front of the National Press Club yesterday, demanding a stop to the coal-based power plant initiatives of the government in the Sundarban DHAKA TRIBUNE

40 Coast Guard members awarded medals n Mohammad Jamil Khan Forty members of the Bangladesh Coast Guard were awarded medals yesterday in recognition of their professional excellence and courageous role in anti-crime operations last year.

State Minister for Home Assaduzzaman Khan distributed the medals at a function, marking Coast Guard Day 2014 at the BCG headquarters at Agargaon in the city.

The minister in his speech said: “The government has already taken all measures to modernise the BCG by 2021.”

He said the BCG would have to strengthen vigilance along Bangladesh’s maritime boundaries which are rich in minerals.

“I am aware of your problems and limitations, especially boat and manpower shortages,” he said, adding that they had already imported some boats, and that others technical support would be provided to BCG soon.

Senior Secretary of Home Ministry CQK Mustak Ahmed was present as special guest, while BCG Director General M Makbul Hossain gave the welcome speech.

Addressing the ceremony, Home

Secretary Mustak Ahmed said the BCG, a paramilitary force assigned to enforce law and order at sea, was playing a significant role in checking the smuggling of drugs and arms.

At the beginning of the ceremony, a contingent of BCG provided aguard of honour for the state minister after his arrival at the BCG Headquarters.

The medals have been put into four categories: 10 officers and sailors got the Bangladesh Coast Guard Padak, 10 got the President Coast Guard Padak, 10 got the Bangladesh Coast Guard (service) Padak and 10 got the President Coast Guard (Service) Padak. l

PRAYER TIMES Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

JU admission test begins tomorrow

Two workers collect Boroi (Jujube) from a garden in Poba upazila in Rajshahi yesterday. This year, the district had a bumper production of the fruit and it is being packed and distributed to other districts, including the capital DHAKA TRIBUNE

The deadline for participating in the BASIS Outsourcing Award 2014 has been extended to February 25, said a press release of the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS).

The release said the deadline was extended to cater for the convenience and participation of more participants.

This is the fourth time BASIS is going to organise the event. The awards would be given in four categories.

Sixty-four awards would be given to individuals/groups from 64 districts (one for each district), 18 freelancers in individual category, 15 outsourcing organisations in organisation category and three female freelancers in female category.

Interested persons can take part in the award through registering on www. outsourcingaward.basis.org.bd by February 25. l

Cancerbd looks to raise awareness n Rajib Bhowmick The first ever web-based initiative to raise awareness about the causes, diagnosis and treatment of cancer in Bangladesh - cancerbd.com - was launched through a humble programme at the auditorium of Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh in the capital’s Shegun Bagicha yesterday.

Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu inaugurated the website and spoke at the programme as chief guest.

Apart from spreading knowledge about the deadly disease, the website also looks to financially help cancer patients in their treatments by hosting advertisements.

The Cancer Awareness Activist Forum (CAAF) is one of the organising partners of cancerbd.com.

At the unveiling programme, the minister said: “I heartily congratulate this wonderful initiative. I believe that the expensive treatment for this deadly disease can become much less so if the well-to-do citizens of the country come forward. I urge all with the means to extend their supporting hand considering the humanitarian grounds.”

Rafe Sadnan Adel, crime reporter of private satellite television station Channel 24, is the initiator of this unique website.

“My mother has been fighting ovarian cancer for nearly three years. Over this time, I have felt the need for a one-stop cancer information centre. I

do not have the means to start a brick and mortar centre, but in this age of information and communication technology the World Wide Web is always open. Hence cancerbd.com,” said Adel.

“Although this initiative was mainly aimed at raising monetary aid for my mother’s cancer treatment, the long term goal is to eventually help all cancer patients in the country,” he said.

The web portal contains valuable detailed information on the various types, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, hospitals, specialists and drugs related to cancer - all free of any costs.

Cancer patients and their families can also directly consult specialist doctors and take advice from them - also fully free of cost.

The organiser said the website would be continuously updated with information on the latest research and innovations in the treatment of cancer that had been going on around the world.

The CAAF also wished to organise various awareness building programmes such as road march, human chains and free treatment camps.

The organisers believe that the media can play a vital in role in building cancer awareness among the masses and also ensure finance for the expensive treatment of the deadly disease.

Financial help for the treatment of Adel’s mother can be deposited to savings account No 108-101-39271, Dutch Bangla Bank Limited, Shantinagar Branch, Dhaka. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

First ever digital safe zone of Dhaka Metropolitan Police falls flat The DMP set up five more safe zones, each consisting 4 CCTV cameras, in January He further said he does not believe n Tazlina Zamila Khan that the safe zone has been able to reThe first digital safe zone by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), established just three months back, has fallen flat due to lack of operations.

The “digital safe zone,” which was built to monitor an area covering a 400 meter radius in Uttara, was established to ensure better security for locals.

However, most the residents in the area remain unaware about the facilities or the activities of the zone.

“Where is the camera? What is a safe zone? Is this for us or only for the educated people?” said Saiful Islam, a rickshaw puller, when asked about his view of the safe zone.

On November 5 last year, DMP established the digital safe zone at Uttara’s house building intersection in the capital.

The safe zone was built using four high-tech CCTV cameras, which can be used to monitor an area of 400 meters from all four sides. Each of the cameras cost around Tk1 lakh.

“I have never heard anything about a safe zone. I have seen the cameras at the house building intersection, but have no idea about the purpose,” says Sejuti Sarker, a housewife and a resident of the Uttara’s Sector 9 area.

“Every day many people violate traffic rules and other laws, but very few of them get punished. We are not getting any benefits from this safe zone,” says Naimur Rahman, another resident of the area.

duce crimes in the areas as people have no knowledge about its activities.

In January, DMP established five more safe zones, each consisting four cameras, in Rajlaxmi, Jasimuddin, Abdullahpur, Airport and Sonargaon Janapath intersections. The cameras are monitored at control rooms in Uttara West & East police stations and the Police headquarter.

However, in a recent visit to the control room, this correspondent noticed that most of the cameras were not functioning properly or recording any video feed.

Ali Mahmood, sub-inspector (investigation) of Uttara West, admitted that the police is yet to arrest anyone using these cameras.

When asked why no one was arrested when two cocktail bomb were exploded, injuring at least two people, at the area on November 11 last year, SI Mahmood said: “The cameras could not capture anything due to the darkness of the night.”

On the presence of streetlights, he noted: “The streetlights were down before the incident occurred.”

The initiative to establish a safe zone in the capital was first taken by Assistant Police Commissioner of Uttara (petrol) Mashruf Hossain and Deputy Commissioner of Uttara Nisharul Arif.

DMP sources said, they have plans to set around 100 cameras in various points of the capital. l

n

More than 48,137 tonnes of wood are illegally used as fuel per month in 157 brick kilns in 10 upazilas across the district.

The use of logs pollute the environment and severely damage plantation.

The Directorate of Environment Barisal divisional office sources said only 27 of 157 brick kilns in the district were using Jig Jag Kiln system.

On the other hand 63 of the rest 130 brick kilns operate without any clearance from the DoE. Sukumar Biswas, deputy director, DoE Barisal office, acknowledged the fact.

He said at least 48,137 tonnes of woods were used per day as fuel in the brick kilns of the district.

According to the Brick Kiln Amendment Rule 2001 and Environment Conservation Act 1995 (amended in 2010) brick kilns should not be constructed within around three kilometres of any house or crop field.

The brick ovens should not use logs as fuel, drum or old chimneys.

They must have at least 120-feet high vertical ventilation shaft, highbred Hoffman kiln, jig jag kiln and block system.

A notice on these issues was served on October 2, 2012 which asked the owners to stop operating brick kilns without the DoE clearance and

convert them into modern technology-based kilns.

After visiting Sadar, Bakerganj, Ujirpur and Mehendiganj upazilas in the district it was found that many brick kilns were operating not only near human habitation and crop fields, but also near roadsides polluting environment as well as decreasing soil fertility.

Some brick kiln owners have some coal stacks near their brick ovens only to show that the hard black mineral is being used there as fuel, thus giving a legal coverage.

Many like them have set up sawmills near their brick kilns to saw log to be used as fuel.

Khan Bricks, Haji Bricks of Parmananda village, Five Star bricks at Chowdhury Hut and Mostafa Bricks at Sakrail under Ujirpur upazila were found using illegal drum-chimney and having sawmills turning wood into log for fuel.

Mohsin Brick fields in the upazila have 120-hight chimney, but use wood as fuel instead of coal.

Md Shamsuddin, a worker in Khan Bricks, claimed that every brick kiln with two-chimney needed at least 12 tonnes of woods per day and they used wood as fuel because of low cost and scarcity of costly coal.

Kaium Khan, owner of the Khan Bricks, acknowledged the fact that he was operating brick field without clearance from the DoE.

Miscreants vandalise idols of Hindu temple n Our Correspondent, Gopalganj A group of unidentified miscreants vandalised Hindu idols in a temple near Ramdia Girls High School in Kashiani upazila of Gopalganj late on Thursday night.

Sub-Inspector of Ramdia Police Outpost Sayed Imarat Ali, said miscreants had vandalised the idol of the Hindu deity Rokkhachondi.

The idol of Shitola was also damaged as it was set beside Rokkhachondi.

The temple committee President Shyamol Kumar Bhowmick said: “The idols were vandalised late at night. The temple priest informed us of the incident in the morning after noticing the damaged idols.”

Central leader of the Communist Kendra, Ashit Boron Ray, said: “The government wants to build a secular state, but groups have vandalised the idols to destroy the unity of the communities. This is not a isolated incident. The mystery behind the incident should be unveiled through proper investigation.”

Kashiani police station Officer-in-Charge Monirul Islam confirmed the incident and said: “I visited the scene. Police have been probing the matter and legal action will be taken after the investigation.”

Police said no arrests had been made yet, and a case was being prepared.

Upazila Chairman Subrata Thakur Hintu, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Andul Latif visited the scene after the incident. l

Jubo Dal leader held for torturing Hindus n Our Correspondent, Gopalganj

Four CCTV cameras set up a few months ago at the house building intersection in Uttara of the city are yet to come into operation DHAKA TRIBUNE

Over 48,137 tonnes wood used in Barisal brick kilns per month Anisur Rahman Swapan, Barisal

5

Saturday, February 15, 2014

He claimed that he applied for a one-year extension to modernise the brick kiln.

The same scenarios were seen at Lengutia, Gazir Char, Char Gopalpur, Patarhut of Mehendiganj, Kobai and Nilganj of Bakerganj upazila in the district.

Prof Rafikul Islam of Barisal BM College Botany Department said burning of wood as fuel and use of less than 120-feet high chimney producing more carbon dioxide in the air had been polluting the environment and damaging plantations tremendously.

Sirajul Alam, additional director, Agriculture Extension Department, said the brick kilns turned fertile land barren, and were damaging crops in surrounding areas.

The DoE divisional director explained that they faced different types of limitations like administrative and judicial jurisdictions, lack of coordination between different government and non-government offices, manpower, transport, laboratory and equipment shortages to operate drives against the illegal brick kilns.

Asaduzaman Khasru, president of Barisal Brick Kilns Owners’ Association, said: “We should not ignore the rising demand for bricks in development works.”

He described the brick kilns as bona fide sectors for the government to earn huge revenues. l

Negligence destroys Kurigram Shishu Park Correspondent, n Our Kurigram

The municipal Shishu Park of Kurigram, the only recreational centre for children in the district, has been damaged because of neglect on the part of municipal authorities.

A human chain was formed by the locals yesterday on the Rangpur-Bhurungamari highway, in protest at the declining condition of the park.

Speakers at the human chain chalked out the reasons behind the current condition of the park, and alleged that there had been several attempts in the recent past to encroach on the park.

Locals, educationalists and cultural activists present at the gathering, urged the authorities concerned to repair the recreational centre and make it suitable for children. l

Police arrested a local Jubo Dal leader from Dokkhin Ghoshgati village of Borashi union under Gopalganj sadar upazila for allegedly beating up a Hindu on Thursday.

The detainee is Vice-President of Gopalganj Jubo Dal MM Shahriar Ahmed Tushar, 38, brother of Borashi union chairman and Awami League leader MM Monir Ahmed Noni.

Gouro Biswas, a family member of the victim, said Tushar had forcefully grabbed around six decimals of land from his brother Asit Biswas without paying him any money. He also forced him to give six more decimals of land.

“We did not give our land. On Thursday, Tushar entered my house and beat up my nephew Ashok,” he said.

Tushar also had beaten Asit and his brother Akhil Biswas a few days back, over the issue of the land, he added.

Locals said Tushar wanted to construct roads on the land of one Debu Biswas in the same village one and a half months ago. When Debu protested, he vandalised his house. They also alleged that Tushar had been oppressing the minorities in the locality since his brother became the union chairman.

Officer-in-Charge (investigation) of Gopalganj sadar thana Selim Reza said: “Tushar was arrested. He is accused for torturing minorities.” l

Sirajganj municipal services in a shambles n Our Correspondent, Sirajganj Sirajganj dwellers are being deprived of basic municipal services because the mayor of the municipality has been absconding for the last eight months or so.

M Mokaddes Ali, mayor of Sirajganj municipality, also general secretary of the BNP’s district unit, has been absconding since being charged in cases for inciting anarchy during recent spates of hartal and blockade programmes called in by the BNP-Jamaat alliance.

The locals have alleged that, despite paying their taxes, they have yet to receive even the most basic of services.

MP of Sirajganj 2 constituency Professor Dr Habib Millat Munna raised the question over the quality of the services being provided by municipality officials in a meeting held on Wednesday.

He said a portion of the SS Road, in front of his house, had become completely clogged by garbage.

“Anyone can easily guess the quality of municipal services if they see the

scene in front of my house,” he said.

District Awami League General Secretary KM Hossain Ali Hassan said: “The locals are not getting due services because of the absence of the mayor.”

On Thursday, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nazrul Islam told the Dhaka Tribune: “Despite facing problems, we are trying to ensure quality services for the locals.”

When contacted over phone, M Mokaddes Ali said: “I have been absent because of a false case lodged against me.” l

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Long Form

Saturday, February 15, 2014

None are more equal than others A rationale of the need for the Prevention of Communal Violence Bill in Bangladesh

The post-election spate of violence towards the minority communities have left many such homes in ruins, lives in tatters

V

n Farzana Begum iolence on religious minorities happens in Bangladesh whenever there is a change in politics, after any major political incident, or is influenced by international or regional communal events.

In the last three years a lot of minority women were raped, hundreds of minorities were injured and thousands of houses, pagodas and monasteries were vandalised and destroyed. Many of them have migrated to neighbouring countries to have a safe life.

Incidents of such violence over the last three years 2012 The Ramu violence was a series of attacks on Buddhist monasteries, shrines, and houses of Buddhist inhabitants in Ramu upazila in Cox’s Bazar district by local Muslim mobs in September 2012.

The policy of amnesia about communal and targeted violence and the victims even leads to greater violence with higher number of deaths, injuries, rapes, and vandalism for a longer duration

businesses, vandalised their temples and set them on fire. According to community leaders, more than 50 Hindu temples and 1,500 Hindu homes were destroyed in 20 districts.

2014 Before and after the election of 2014, at least eight unions in different upazilas of Dinajpur district were the worst sufferers of such targeted violence. In Jessore, the miscreants vandalised at least 46 Hindu houses and establishments and torched six others, alleging that the minority people had voted for the Awami League.

In Thakurgaon, the Jamaat-led terrorists unleashed violence on the religious minorities; they went on a rampage, damaging and looting 65 houses and 30 shops and setting afire paddies stored on courtyards in several homes.

In western Satkhira, a traditional Jamaat stronghold, Jamaat-BNP men resorted to attacks with sharp weapons, sticks and iron rods.

About 700 elderly and young women, men and children of Malopara took shelter at Deyapara village across the Bhairab river. About 100 houses of Hindus were vandalised and torched.

Activists of the Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, carried out the massive destruction for two hours in the Hindu village for “violating” their order of not going to the polling booth.

About 1,200 people from Hindu families of Gopalpur village took shelter at a temple. In Dinajpur, at least 350 houses and 50 shops in five villages were damaged, set ablaze and looted.

According to the locals, around 2,000 Jamaat-Shibir men, armed with sharp weapons and sticks, launched the attack on Kornai village. Several hundred men, women and children fled their homes.

In Chittagong, Hindus were under threat following attacks on poll night in Satkania, Lohagara and Banshkhali upazilas, considered a stronghold of the Jamaat-Shibir.

In Lohagara, Jamaat-Shibir men vandalised and looted several shops owned by Hindus at Hindur Haat. On January 21 in Rupganj, Narayanganj, four Hindu temples and houses were attacked and vandalised.

The mobs destroyed 22 Buddhist temples and monasteries and 50 houses in reaction to a tagging of an image depicting the desecration of the Quran on the timeline of a fake Facebook account under a male Buddhist name.

The violence later spread to Ukhia upazila in Cox’s Bazar district and Patiya upazila in Chittagong district where Buddhist monasteries and Hindu temples were targeted for attacks.

What’s in the Constitution?

2013 After the verdict of Quader Molla, the Jamaat-e-Islami took to the streets in protest against the judgement.

They specially attacked the Hindu minorities, destroyed their houses and

Whenever such things occur, it is the Constitutional right of every citizen, no matter how numerically weak or disadvantaged, to expect equal protection from an impartial and just State.

Article 2 (A) of the Constitution of

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Bangladesh states: “The state religion of the Republic is Islam, but the State shall ensure equal status and equal right in the practice of the Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and other religions.”

Article 27 ensures that all citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law. Whereas Article 19 (1) ensures equality of opportunity: “The State shall endeavour to ensure equality of opportunity to all citizens.” Under Article 28 (1): “The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.”

Fundamental principles of state’s policy are given in Article 8 (1). It says that the principles of nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism, together with the principles derived from those as set out in this Part, shall constitute the fundamental principles of state policy.

Article 8 (2) says: “The principles set out in this part shall be fundamental to the governance of Bangladesh, shall be applied by the State in the making of laws, shall be a guide to the interpretation of the Constitution and of the other laws of Bangladesh, and shall form the basis of the work of the State and of its citizens, but shall not be judicially enforceable.”

Article 12 guarantees secularism and freedom of religion. The principle of secularism shall be realised by the elimination of: a. communalism in all its forms; b. the granting by the State of political status in favour of any religion; c. the abuse of religion for political purposes; d. any discrimination against, or persecution of, persons practicing a particular religion.

Most importantly Article 41 (1) says that, subject to law, public order and morality: a. every citizen has the right to profess, practice or propagate any religion; b. every religious community or denomination has the right to establish, maintain and manage its religious institutions.

Article 41 (2) says: “No person attending any educational institution shall be required to receive religious instruction, or to take part in or to attend any religious ceremony or worship, if that instruction, ceremony or worship relates to a religion other than his own.”

Who are the religious minorities The non-dominant religious minorities in any area of Bangladesh who have, in recent years, come under attack because of their identity in different

locality and where the State machinery has acted prejudicially, would include Hindus, Christians, Buddists and Ahmedians.

Who are the perpetrators?

The perpetrators of violence could be any person, belonging to any region, language, caste or religion. The participants of communal violence varies from silent supporters to those actively involved in orchestrating violence, ie killing, maiming, sexually assaulting, vandalising, torching, threatening, rumour-mongering and taking part in looting the properties and shops owned by the members of the victimised community.

It is well accepted that most of the communal violence are pre-planned rather than spontaneous. Mostly they are the leaders of communal outfits who produce, refine and propagate the ideology, political thoughts, and use violence as a tool in their roadmap to achieve their social, political, economic and hegemonic ideals.

The rationale The attacks are frequently connected to political agendas, and fuelled by few biased and religiously motivated media. Almost every minority religious community is a victim of violence somewhere in Bangladesh, and the scale of the problem can seem insurmountable.

Communal and targeted violence spreads mainly because the public officials charged with protecting and preventing either fail to act or act in a biased manner. Media covers the violence, generating temporary interest, and then it is business as usual, except the victims, minorities and a very small section who affirm secular governance and stand up for human rights.

The policy of amnesia about communal and targeted violence and the victims even leads to greater violence with higher numbers of deaths, injuries, rapes and vandalism for a longer duration.

Such acts of violence are considered a tragedy for a modern democracy. I feel that we need effective laws to tackle communal violence that ensure accountability of the government and law enforcement agencies who are mandated with maintenance of law and order, ensure effective prosecution of the perpetrators of communal violence and reparations for victims of violence as a matter of their right.

Hence there is a need to introduce the Prevention of Communal Violence

Bill to restore equality in the working of the law for non-dominant groups in every corner of Bangladesh.

This bill will provide correction of institutional bias against groups, particularly towards the vulnerable ones, in any area or locality, thus giving all citizens, no matter how small their numbers or where they choose to be domiciled, an equal playing field in enjoying their full measure of rights as citizens. This will be a special provision bill, for the non-dominant groups, being the religious minorities in the unit of the land.

The Prevention of Communal Violence Bill should be intended to enhance state accountability and correct discriminatory exercise of state powers in the context of identity-based violence, and thus restore equal access to the law for religious minorities.

We have to keep in mind that the bill would not seek to give additional powers to the state. This is because the administration and justice delivery system already has adequate powers to prevent and control communal and targeted violence when it chooses to do so.

The bill is neither intended to discriminate nor to offend the majority.

There should be a balance of power between the dominant group and the minority group, and the bill should not be seen as discriminatory to anyone.

I strongly recommend that the bill must address the following issues amongst others: 1.

Defining communal and targeted violence 2. Hate propaganda 3. Offences of communal violence 4. Responsibilities of public servants 5. Constituting authority for communal harmony 6. Rights of the victims 7. Compensation and remedy for the victims Much attention and work is needed to prevent and combat violence and bring about justice, peace, and reconciliation. We cannot just stay silent in the face of such horrific acts.

Together, if we understand the complexity, scale and gravity of violence against religious minorities, we could make a step forward to overcome it.

By introducing the Prevention of Communal Violence Bill we can go ahead together to make this country a safe place for all, regardless of religious identity. l Farzana Begum is the executive director of Bangladesh Manobadhikar O Poribesh Andolon, and an advocate at the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Prescription

7

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Minus your sinus problem

Face feeling full, heaviness of skull, nose stuffy and congested? Pain in the forehead or between the eyes?

You may have a common case of sinus trouble

n Dr Sajol Ashfaq

in cleaning the nasal cavity and sinus passages.

The sinuses are airfilled spaces in the skull. They are located behind the forehead, nasal bones and cheeks.

Sinusitis is a common HEALTH condition in which FLASH the lining of air-filled cavities get inflamed. Healthy sinuses contain no bacteria. All the sinuses are covered internally by mucous membrane which spontaneously secretes mucous. Most of the time, mucus is able to drain out through nose and air is able to flow through the sinuses. When the sinus openings become blocked, then too much mucus accumulates inside the sinuses, which in turn creates a situation in favour of bacteria growing easily.

There are two types of sinusitis

Acute sinusitis is when symptoms are present for 4 weeks or less. It is caused by bacteria growing in the sinuses.

Chronic sinusitis is when swelling and inflammation of the sinuses are present for longer than 3 months. It may be caused by bacteria or a fungus. Only x-ray imaging can determine whether it is chronic or acute sinusitis.

Stuffy, Puffy, and Sore Sinusitis

causes

many

symptoms.

Most of the time, antibiotics are needed for acute sinusitis. Antibiotics do help to control infection. In case of chronic sinusitis, the role of antibiotic is little bit less. Analgesics can be used to relief pain.

When surgery is the final answer

Operation is an option for patients who cannot get cured with conservative treatment methods. Now-a-days, endoscopic sinus surgery is a popular effective procedure for treating chronic sinusitis.

Sinusitis can be dangerous

Most people have a stuffy nose and pain or pressure in several locations around the face or teeth. There’s usually a nasal discharge that may be yellow, green, or clear. Other symptoms may include fatigue, a decreased sense of smell and/or taste, coughing, sore throat, bad breath, headache, pain when bending forward, and fever.

The signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis are similar to acute sinusitis, except they last longer and presents with a less severe symptoms. If a patient suspects having sinusitis he/she would be advised to have

FOOD THERAPY

Peanuts prevent heart attack and stroke Peanuts are composed of sufficient levels of mono-unsaturated fatty acids,

Drink before exercise

Smoking is never recommended

Causes of sinus infection

Conditions that can cause sinus blockage include the common cold, allergic rhinitis (inflammatory swelling of the lining of the nose), nasal polyps (small growths in the lining of the nose), or a deviated septum (a shift of the wall between the nostrils).

QUICK TIPS

especially oleic acid. It helps to lower LDL, or “bad cholesterol,” and increases HDL, or “good cholesterol,” level in the blood. Thus it helps to prevent Ischemic heart disease and brain stroke by maintaining a healthy blood lipid profile. Furthermore, studies suggest that antioxidants in peanuts reduce risk of stroke by restoring elasticity of artery. The nuts are packed with many important B-complex groups of vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6, and folates.

Two cups of milk per day is enough for kids!

Milk is a good source of vitamin D and calcium for growing bones, but too much milk can lower how much iron is stored in the body, which can bolster the risk of anaemia. A new Canadian study revealed that drinking more than two cups of milk per day lowered iron levels in the body, creating a greater risk for the study found that children who drank three or more cups of milk a day had higher vitamin D stores but lower iron stores. Researchers now suggest that two cups of cow’s milk per day was enough to maintain an adequate vitamin D level for most children, while also maintaining iron stores. American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends that preschool children drink no more than two cups of milk a day.

The researchers add that vitamin D supplements may be important for children with darker skin or who live in climates with less sunlight, since the body makes vitamin D when exposed to sunlight.

Sinusitis causes many symptoms. Most people have a stuffy nose and pain or pressure in several locations around the face or teeth an X-Ray or CT scan of the sinuses to confirm the diagnosis. These investigations also help a lot to guide the treatment plan.

| Dr Mohammad Sayem

Drink plenty of fluids to thin the mucus.

Inhale steam 2 - 4 times per day (for example, while sitting in the bathroom with the shower running). Drape a towel over your head as you breathe in the vapor from a bowl of medium-hot water. Keep the vapor directed toward your face. This will help ease pain and help mucus drain.

Decongestant nasal drops are used to widen the nasal cavity with reestablishment of drainage pathway of sinuses.

Nasal irrigation with normal saline has been known to play a great role

If a sinus infection passes through the bone, it can infect the lining of the brain or even the brain itself. Both problems are life threatening. A sinus infection can also spread into the orbit of the eye, causing an infection around the eye. Less severe complications include loss of smell, bad breath.

Get good smile

Prevention

If you are concerned about stains on your teeth, seek good professional advice on options that could help you to attain a brighter, whiter smile. Start with asking about the following stain treatments in regard to your needs polishing, bleaching, bonding, crowning, and laminating.

The best way to prevent sinusitis is to avoid colds and flu or treat problems quickly.

Avoid smoke, dust and pollutants.

Treat allergies quickly and appropriately.

Go through a proper operative procedure if it is caused by a deviated nasal septum, or nasal polyp or tonsillitis and enlarged adenoids in case of children. l

n Prescription Desk

The World Health Organisation urges caution where large numbers of people congregate.

“Especially when they are DID YOU eating food… there is KNOW? a greater risk of the spread of diseases such as cholera, hepatitis A, typhoid and other diarrhoea-causing diseases.”

Have you used the lift, taken a drink from the water filter of a public place or used the ATM recently? Then you have the chance to pick up potentially hazardous germs.

Our exposure to germs increases dramatically beyond the house. One study shows that people touch up to 300 surfaces in a 30-minute period when out in public. We often don’t realise what’s dirty and what isn’t. Meanwhile, the US International Journal of Environmental Health Research reports twice as much contamination in playgrounds as in public restrooms.

Other studies show water filter in public places and ATM buttons to be unhygienic, yet few worry about touching them. Such contaminants are transferred to the hands and onto personal belongings almost 90% of the time. Lack of hand washing is the major culprit in creating unhygienic public spaces. Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water or by us-

Brush up on hygiene

Dr Sajol Ashfaq is Associate professor in the ENT Department of Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital, Dhaka.

Hot spots for germs in public places

Many people don’t know how to brush their teeth properly. Improper brushing can cause as much damage to the teeth and gums as not brushing at all.

Lots of people don’t brush for long enough, don’t floss and don’t see a dentist regularly. Hold your toothbrush in the same way that would hold a pencil, and brush for at least two minutes.

This includes brushing the teeth, the junction of the teeth and gums, the tongue and the roof of the mouth. And you don’t need a fancy, angled toothbrush – just a sturdy, soft-bristled one that you can replace each month.

Don’t worry about acne

ing hand-sanitisers – especially after using public facilities and before you eat – reduces the risk substantially.

You should also limit the surfaces you touch: do you really need support of the escalator railing? Be conscious of where your hands are, and avoid touching your mouth or nose, when out in public.

Hot spots for germs

 Studies in Australia, the UK and

USA show that the following are

        

the most unhygienic public spaces: Playgrounds and daycare centres Public toilets Light switches and door handles Lift, ATM and vending machine buttons Public phones Railings and supermarket trolley handles Remote controls in hotels Shared pens in banks and post offices Drinking fountains

If you are an adolescent who is having trouble with acne, don’t feel like you’re alone. More than 40% of adolescents experience a severe enough acne problem by their mid-teens which require more than and over-the-counter solution. Also, if you’re and adult experiencing acne, you are far from being alone.

Many individuals experience acne for the first time in their adulthood. The good news is that most of such cases can be treated successfully in the hands of a qualified dermatologist. l

| Compiled by: Shirsho Saaeadat

How many hours of sleep needed for good health? n Prescription Desk

Coffee prevents Alzheimer’s Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) occurs in older people in which they display early signs of dementia, such as memory loss, which often progresses into Alzheimer’s within a few years. Researchers suggested that older adults with mild memory impairment, who drink moderate levels of coffee - about 3 cups a day – will experience a delayed onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Previous studies have tied drinking coffee to protective benefits against Parkinson’s disease, stroke, diabetes, heart disease and some forms of cancer. Moderate coffee consumption will not completely protect people from Alzheimer’s disease. However, it is believed that moderate coffee consumtion can appreciably reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s or delay its onset.

Treatment procedure

When you’re exercising, you shouldn’t wait to feel thirsty before you take a drink. By the time you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. To avoid this you should drink at least 16 ounces of water, sports drink, or juice two hours before you exercise. Then drink 8 ounces an hour before and another 4 to 8 ounces every 15 to 20 minutes during your workout. Finish with at least 16 ounces after you’re done exercising.

SELF CARE

Sleep makes you feel better. Adequate sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle, and can benefit your heart, weight, mind, and more. Sleep deprivation takes a toll on your mind, body, and overall health in ways that may

surprise you.

The amount of sleep you need depends on various factors — especially your age. Consider these general guidelines for different age groups: Age group

Recommended amount of sleep

Infants

14 to 15 hours

Toddlers

12 to 14 hours

School-age children

10 to 11 hours

Adults

7 to 9 hours

In addition to age, other factors may affect how many hours of sleep you need. For example, changes in a woman’s body during pregnancy can increase the need for sleep. Older adults need about the same amount of sleep as younger adults. As you get older, however, your sleeping patterns may change. Older adults tend to sleep

more lightly and awaken more frequently during the night than do younger adults.

This may create a need for or tendency toward daytime napping. If you’re sleep-deprived, the amount of sleep you need increases. If your sleep is frequently interrupted or cut short, you’re not getting quality sleep — and

the quality of your sleep is just as important as the quantity.

Research shows that chronic lack of sleep is linked to colds and flu, diabetes, heart disease, mental health, and even obesity. So it’s natural to ask: Does getting adequate sleep protect you from illness? The answer: It helps. l

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Belgian lawmakers pass child-euthanasia bill n Agencies

Children play table football in the courtyard of the Don Bosco center in Bangui on December 14, 2013, where thousands of internally displaced people (IDPs), including hundreds of unaccompanied children, live, according to calculations undertaken by UNICEF AFP

UNICEF: C Africa children killed, mutilated n AFP, Bangui

The UN children’s agency on Friday said it was horrified at how children are being maimed and killed, including by beheadings, in the sectarian violence engulfing the Central African Republic.

“There is no future for a country where adults can viciously target innocent children with impunity,” said Manuel Fontaine, UNICEF regional director for west and central Africa.

UNICEF officials in the region “are

Libyan general wants parliament suspended n Reuters A Libyan military commander has called for the interim parliament to be suspended and a presidential committee to be formed to govern until new elections.

Major General Khalifa Haftar, who was a leading figure in the 2011 revolution against Muammar Gaddafi, made the comments on Friday in what he described as a road map to “rescue” the country.

“The national command of the Libyan army is declaring a movement for the new road map,” Haftar said in a statement, adding that the armed forces were calling for Libya to be “rescued” from its upheaval.

“We will hold meetings with different parties and groups regarding implementing this road map.”

But it was not clear how much influence he has even within the small, nascent army in a country where other militia groups are more powerful.

Since the fall of Gaddafi, Libya has had a fragile government and armed forces unable to impose their authority on competing political factions and the brigades of former rebels who refuse to disarm. l

Arrests in Bahrain on uprising milestone eve n Agencies Bahrain has announced the arrest of 29 people as anti-government protesters tried to converge in the capital to mark the third anniversary of an uprising in the Gulf island nation.

Hundreds of demonstrators attempted to reach Pearl Square in Manama on Friday, the eve of the anniversary in the Sunni minority-ruled country. Pearl Square was a protest hub for the uprising that started on February 14, 2011.

Some marchers were seen carrying Bahraini flags, while others held unlit Molotov cocktails or metal rods, the Reuters news agency reported.

The 29 were arrested over “rioting and vandalism’’ in villages outside the capital, the interior ministry said.

Thursday was the first of three days of protests called by the Shia-led opposition to mark the date.

At least 89 people have been killed in the three years since the launch of the uprising, according to the International Federation for Human Rights. l

horrified by the cruelty and impunity with which children are being killed and mutilated” and are “increasingly targeted because of their religion, or because of their community,” the organisation said in a statement.

At least 133 children have been killed and maimed, some of them in horrific ways, in the past two months and UNICEF has verified cases of children intentionally beheaded and mutilated.

“Impunity must end,” Fontaine said.

Many wounded children have often

not been able to get to the hospital for treatment because of the violence.

The CAR has been steadily descending into chaos ever since a coup by the Seleka rebel coalition a year ago installed the first Muslim president in the majority Christian nation. He has since stepped down.

Killings and pillaging by former Seleka rebels led to the formation of mostly Christian “anti-balaka” militias whose attacks have fuelled an exodus of Muslims from the country

Italy’s Letta resigns as PM, paving way for Renzi

over the past several weeks.

International troops deployed in the country, including from former colonial power France, have failed to halt the violence that according to Amnesty International has grown into an “ethnic cleansing” campaign over the past weeks.

The UN refugee agency has described the situation in the resource-rich but poor country as “a humanitarian catastrophe of unspeakable proportions.” l

n AFP, Rome Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta resigned Friday in a fast-paced political drama in Rome that paves the way for 39-year-old centre-left leader Matteo Renzi to take his place.

Financial markets cheered as Letta submitted his resignation to President Giorgio Napolitano after just 10 tumultuous months at the head of a fragile coalition with the centre-right in which he struggled with a rampant economic crisis.

Napolitano on Friday will now begin consultations with political leaders to pick a nominee to replace Letta, which the presidency said

would conclude on Saturday.

Letta was forced to announce his resignation on Thursday after his own Democratic Party overwhelmingly backed a motion by its new leader Renzi calling for a new government.

On Friday he “submitted the irrevocable resignation of the executive that he presides,” the presidency said.

It added that Napolitano would move swiftly to find an “efficient solution” to the political crisis and move on with economic and “urgent” election law reforms.

The outgoing premier smiled as he arrived at the presidential palace and thanked his supporters in a tweet after losing in the showdown with Renzi. l

US doctor guilty of waterboarding daughter n Agencies

A jury in the US state of Delaware has found a prominent paediatrician and best-selling author guilty of endangering his stepdaughter in a trial featuring testimony that he subjected the girl to a form of waterboarding to punish her.

Dr Melvin Morse, an author on neardeath experiences who has appeared

on “Oprah” and “Good Morning America,” could face up to 10 years in prison.

Morse went on trial in late January on charges of child endangerment dating back to July 2012, when his stepdaughter was 11 years old. Prosecutors accused him of preventing the girl from bathing, suffocating her and keeping her in her room without access to a bathroom, the Reuters news agency reported. l

Scores of men and women executed in DR Congo n AFP

Democratic Party (PD) leader Matteo Renzi gives a press conference after a meeting with Italy’s former Prime minister Silvio Berlusconi in Rome AFP

Belgian lawmakers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of extending the country’s euthanasia law to children under 18.

The 86-44 vote on Thursday in the House of Representatives, with 12 abstentions, followed approval by the Senate last December.

The law empowers children with terminal ailments who are in great pain to request to be put to death if their parents agree and a psychiatrist or psychologist find they are conscious of what their choice signifies.

Legislators have clashed sharply over the bill. Proponents view it as a question of mercy, while critics say the bill has been rushed and lacks a medical rationale.

“Our responsibility is to allow everybody to live, but also to die, in dignity,” said Karine Lalieux, a Socialist member of the House of Representatives.

Sonja Becq, a Christian Democrat, denounced the bill, saying modern-day science is capable of relieving pain in very sick children until their illness runs its natural course.

“We cannot accept that euthana-

sia be presented as a ‘happy ending’,” she said.

Protests over the child-euthanasia legislation have gripped Belgium for days.

The Catholic church staged “a day of fasting and prayer” in protest earlier this month, and about 160 paediatricians on Wednesday petitioned lawmakers to postpone the vote on the grounds that it was ill-prepared and unnecessary.

“Pain can be eased nowadays; there’s been huge progress in palliative care,” Nadine Francotte, a cancer specialist in the city of Liege, told the AFP news agency.

But Dominique Lossignol, a palliative specialist at the Bordet cancer clinic in Brussels, said that doctors “do not have control over all types of pain, either physical or moral.”

“Children are capable of taking such a decision,” he said.

A public survey found 75% of Belgians supported extending the euthanasia law to children.

The law will go into effect when signed by Belgium’s monarch, King Philippe. The king was not expected to oppose the measure. l

More than 70 men and women have been executed in the restive eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the UN mission in the country (MONUSCO) has said.

“The reports received by MONUSCO suggest that the summary executions were allegedly committed mainly by armed groups to spread terror among the population. The majority of the victims were killed with machete,” MONUSCO said in a statement on Thursday.

The killings happened in late January and early February, a MONUSCO spokesman told the Agence-

France Press news agency.

They took place in the Nyamaboko villages I and II in the resource-rich northeastern North Kivu province where armed groups regularly attack civilians over ethnic or commercial disputes.

In December, MONUSCO’s intervention force, whose mission is to neutralise all the armed groups active in the troubled country, boosted its presence in the area.

Government troops struck a rare and striking military success when, backed by the UN brigade, they defeated the powerful M23 rebel group in November.

Since then, MONUSCO has been focusing on going after other armed militias operating in the same region.

MONUSCO said it was in the process of verifying the information about the mass executions on the ground.

“MONUSCO shall spare no efforts to neutralize all the armed groups responsible for such acts,” it said in the statement.

Meanwhile, Martin Kobler, the head of the mission, expressed “serious concern over the allegations of the gross human rights violations deemed unacceptable.”

He said any person involved in such acts should face justice. l

Saudi Valentines defy the love police n AFP, Riyadh Red roses lurk hidden in flower shop back rooms and heart-shaped chocolates are sold under the counter, but Saudis still manage to buy Valentine’s gifts and defy the religious police. Florist Hussein came up with a simple solution to a ban on red tokens of love: he filled his window with white roses, orange irises and violet hydrangeas. “I’ve hidden everything red in the shop, so when a religious police patrol comes along, they find nothing to complain about,” he said.

Anti-Valentine’s Day patrols by the Muttawa religious police – formally known as the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice – started on Wednesday. They began entering premises stocking chocolates, flowers and souvenirs to warn proprietors against selling anything red or heart-shaped and linked to the annual “infidel celebration” of matters romantic.

Saudi Arabia applies a rigorous interpretation of Islam under which the sexes are strictly segregated and any public display of affection is completely taboo.

It is also the only country in the world where women are not allowed to drive.

Hussein’s shop window may be blooming with white, orange and violet, but he still has the real thing – red roses – out the back. “I’ve sold at least 350 red roses at 20 riyals ($5, 3.90 euros) a pop,” he said.

“Many women call us on the phone to order roses, because they fear the religious police.” Kumar, another florist, was persuaded by a Muttawa visit not even to consider flouting the Valentine’s Day ban, however. l

Russia lambasts EU for wanting ‘sphere UKIP embarrasses Conservatives in vote of influence’ in Ukraine n AFP, Moscow Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday rebuked the European Union for trying to extend its “sphere of influence” amid deteriorating relations over the political crisis in Kiev.

“Pressuring Ukraine in one direction, while warning that it faces an ‘either-or’ choice – either the EU or Russia – is essentially trying to create a sphere of influence,” Lavrov said at a press conference with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who is on a two-day visit to Moscow.

“That is obvious and no beautiful words can change that,” Russia’s top diplomat said. Ukraine, an ex-Soviet nation of 46 million people, has been in chaos since November when President

Viktor Yanukovych ditched a planned EU trade and political pact in favour of closer ties with Moscow, stunning proEU parts of the population and sparking violent protests.

Since then unrest has snowballed into a titanic tussle for Ukraine’s future between Russia and the West, with both sides accusing the other of putting the squeeze on Kiev as demonstrations have continued and spread to other parts of the country.

“It seems wrong to me and impolite to daily send various emissaries while talking about a free choice. They arrive in Kiev without invitations and pressure the Ukrainian authorities to make the choice that favours the EU and US,” Lavrov said.

Germany’s foreign policy chief

Steinmeier rejected claims that the EU was meddling in Ukraine and called on all sides to find a way out of the crisis as quickly as possible.

“This is not a geopolitical chess game taking place in Ukraine. We have to allow the Ukrainians to find their own path,” Steinmeier said.

In a lengthy newspaper article published Thursday Lavrov warned that Russia’s relations with Europe were facing a “moment of truth” over the situation in Ukraine.

The warning came as EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele called on Ukraine to take “urgent steps” to form a new government and reform the constitution, key opposition demands in the crisis-hit country during a visit to Kiev. l

n Reuters, London UK Independence Party (UKIP) pushed Prime Minister David Cameron’s ruling Conservative party into third place in a bellwether vote for a parliamentary seat, coming second behind the opposition Labour party. The results, published on Friday, will worry Cameron since some polls show UKIP, which wants Britain to leave the EU, could split his party’s vote in an election for the European Parliament in May and at a national vote in 2015. Cameron, who has promised to try to reshape Britain’s EU ties and give Britons an in/out EU membership referendum if re-elected next year, played down the result.

“By-elections are a time when people know they can send a message and

make a protest without changing the government,” Cameron told Sky News.

“But those messages, those protests, I always listen to them very closely and I will do on this occasion too.”

UKIP increased its vote by more than five times in the Wythenshawe and Sale East constituency seat in the north of England compared to 2010 when the seat was last contested and it got only 3.4%. The seat was a test of UKIP’s appeal beyond its heartlands in the south of England where it has traditionally polled better among disenchanted Conservative voters.

Labour took 55.2% of the vote, UKIP 17.9%, the Conservatives 14.5%, and the Liberal Democrats, the junior partner in a coalition with Cameron’s Conservatives, just 4.9%. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

India’s pepper-spraying parliament a ‘disgrace’

Indian poll says BJP support growing n Agencies

n AFP, New Delhi India’s normally disruptive parliament was widely derided on Friday as having hit a new low after lawmakers fought, broke equipment and pepper-sprayed the chamber over a bill to create a new state.

India’s media condemned the lawmakers’ behaviour as “revolting” and a “disgrace to democracy” after mayhem erupted on Thursday over the bill to carve a new state out of existing Andhra Pradesh.

“Pepper spray in House leaves Indian democracy in tears” screamed the Times of India front page headline on Friday, while the Hindustan Times called the chaos “a complete breakdown of parliamentary conduct.”

“Even for a country with a long and unedifying history of parliamentary pandemonium, nothing can be as shameful and disgraceful as the use of pepper spray by a member on his peers to disrupt proceedings,” the Hindu newspaper said in an editorial.

The unrest broke out after the Congress-led government introduced the contentious bill to create Telangana state into the lower house of parliament.

Small fights and scuffles ensued between lawmakers opposed to the bill and those trying to stop the chaos and restore calm.

In the confusion, a glass table was reportedly smashed and one MP was accused of brandishing a knife, a claim he later denied.

MPs tried to tear out the speaker’s microphone, while others ripped up official papers, before one lawmaker unleashed a can of pepper spray, later claiming that he had come under at-

India’s opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has picked up more popular support and remains best placed to lead a coalition government after a national election due by May, an opinion poll says.

The ruling Congress will slump to its weakest showing in parliament since independence in 1947, the Times Now-CVoter poll forecast indicated on Thursday, presenting a challenge to Rahul Gandhi, who is leading the party in its toughest election battle yet.

More than 700 million people are eligible to vote in the world’s largest democratic exercise to choose a new government.

India, Asia’s third largest economy, is growing at its slowest pace in a de-

An unidentified member of India’s Parliament, holding a handkerchief to his face after being affected by pepper spray, leaves Parliament after protests inside the building in New Delhi AFP tack from colleagues.

TV footage showed MPs coughing and covering their mouths and heading for the exit, as others clambered into ambulances waiting outside.

Some 17 MPs were suspended as parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath called for the strongest possible action against those responsible.

The disruptions come as the government attempts to pass major bills in the last session of a parliament, which was set even before Thursday’s chaos to go down as the least productive in history.

The current parliament, which was elected in 2009, has passed a record low of 165 bills in its five-year-term, with bad-tempered outbursts and protests forcing frequent adjournments.

As many as 126 bills are pending in parliament, which will wind up at the end of next week ahead of national elections in coming months.

Cabinet last week approved the creation of Telangana from southeastern Andhra Pradesh, after a decades-long and sometimes violent campaign.

Mainly tribal groups have demand-

ed Telangana be carved out of an impoverished and drought-prone part of Andhra Pradesh, which supporters say has long been neglected by successive state governments.

But wealthier regions of Andhra Pradesh, home to IT giants including Google and Microsoft, have strongly opposed the split because they say it would create economic upheaval.

Observers say Congress moved on Telangana in hopes of winning much-needed votes in the region at the elections. l

n AFP, New Delhi Publisher Penguin Friday blamed India’s “intolerant” laws for its decision to pull and pulp a book on Hinduism in the country that sparked a furious free speech row.

Days after agreeing to withdraw a 2009 book “The Hindus: An Alternative History” to settle a court battle, Penguin India insisted it was committed to free thought and expression.

But Penguin said it also “has the same obligation as any other organisation to respect the laws of the land in which it operates, however intolerant and restrictive those laws may be.”

“We also have a moral responsibil-

Kerry in China to urge pressure on N Korea

Mass exodus as volcano erupts in Indonesia n Agencies A major volcanic eruption in Indonesia has shrouded a large swathe of the country’s most heavily populated island in ash, triggering the evacuation of about 200,000 people and closing three international airports.

Indonesia’s disaster agency said two people died on Friday in the overnight eruption of Java’s Mount Kelud, considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes on the island.

“A rain of ash, sand and rocks” reached up to 15km from the volcano’s crater, national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told the Agence France-Presse news agency. “Sparks of light can be continuously seen at the peak.”

Nugroho said about 200,000 people from 36 villages in eastern Java were being asked to evacuate.

Television pictures showed ash and rocks raining down as terrified locals fled in cars and on motorbikes towards evacuation centres.

Booms could be heard at least 130km away in Surabaya, the country’s second-largest city, and even further afield in Jogyakarta. l

cade, choking off employment opportunities for tens of hundreds of youth who join the workforce each month.

The BJP and its allies led by Narendra Modi will win 227 seats of the 543 at stake in the lower house of parliament, the poll said.

To rule a party requires the support of 272 members of parliament, and the BJP will have to gather support from regional groups who are also expected to do well in the election.

A survey conducted in October by the same polling agency soon after the aggressive Modi was named the party’s prime ministerial candidate put his party’s support at 186 seats. The latest poll was conducted in a sample of just over 14,000 voters across 28 states between January 15 to February 8. l

Penguin defends pulping book on Hindus

North, South Korea talks end with rare n AP accord United States Secretary of State John Kerry has appealed for China’s help in n AFP, Seoul bringing a belligerent North Korea back Rare talks between the rival Koreas ended on an even rarer note of agreement Friday, allowing an under-threat reunion for divided families to go ahead and fuelling hopes of further constructive engagement.

The agreement pointed to a significant concession by North Korea which had strenuously objected to annual South Korean-US military drills that would overlap with the February 20-25 reunion for family members separated by the Korean War. The North had pushed the South to postpone the start of the exercises, but Seoul refused, insisting that the two issues – one humanitarian and one military – could not be linked.

“Agreement was reached after North Korea accepted our position that the family reunion event is important... as the first step to build trust” said South Korea’s chief delegate Kim Kyou-Hyun.

The talks on Wednesday and Friday were the highest-level official contact between the two Koreas for seven years, and the fact they ended as they did will be seen as a significant step forward. l

9

Saturday, February 15, 2014

to nuclear disarmament talks.

The US foreign minister faced an uncertain response as the request on Friday was accompanied by demands for Beijing to roll back a series of increasingly aggressive steps it has taken to assert itself in territorial disputes with its smaller neighbours, the Associated Press news agency reported.

Kerry began his 24-hour visit by meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping and was later due to see other senior officials as he sought to underscore the Obama administration’s commitment to refocusing US foreign policy on the Asia-Pacific amid a myriad of other global priorities, including climate change and Syria.

Yet, he faces a decidedly tough sell on both of his main agenda items: North Korea and regional tensions that have flared, particularly with Japan over conflicting maritime claims.

The extent of China’s influence, and willingness to use it, with North Korea is unclear following a purge in the isolated country’s leadership.

And China has angrily dismissed US

criticism over its moves in the East and South China seas that have alarmed US allies like Japan and the Philippines.

In a stridently anti-Japanese editorial appearing on Friday, China’s official Xinhua News Agency said the US must pressure Tokyo into ceasing its “provocative moves” or risk a regional conflict in the future.

‘The United States will not accept North Korea as a nucleararmed state. We will not accept talks for the sake of talks’ In Seoul, South Korea, on Thursday, Kerry said the Obama administration wants to put new emphasis on getting North Korea back to stalled six-nation talks aimed at getting Pyongyang to give up nuclear weapons.

“Let me be clear,” he told reporters. “The United States will not accept North Korea as a nuclear-armed state. We will not accept talks for the sake of talks.”

“No country has a greater potential to influence North Korea’s behaviour

Kerry said he wants to put new emphasis on getting N Korea back to stalled six-nation talks AP than China, given their extensive trading relationship with the North,” Kerry added.

But China’s leverage with the North is being tested.

Diplomats say Beijing received no prior warning ahead of the December arrest and execution of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s uncle, Jang Song Thaek, who had been considered

Pyongyang’s point man on China affairs and was a strong promoter of free trade zones being set up along their mutual border.

That came on the heels of Pyongyang’s snubbing of Beijing’s wishes when it conducted a missile test in late 2012, followed by the underground detonation of a nuclear device last spring. l

Sri Lanka probes ‘dog’ translation slur on public signs n AFP, Colombo Sri Lanka’s government said Friday it is probing incorrect and insulting translations of signs into the minority Tamil language, including one that says seats “reserved for pregnant dogs” instead of women.

The government said they have received 218 complaints of misleading, wrong or offensive public notices that were correctly written in the Sinhala language of Sri Lanka’s majority

but wrongly translated into Tamil.

“We have probed 91 out of the 218 complaints and ordered corrections,” a ministry of national languages and integration ministry spokesman told AFP. “Offenders have been given two weeks to correct or face legal action,” spokesman Mahendra Harishchandra said. Harishchandra said one of the signs, highlighted by local media, on public buses around the country was meant to say seats “reserved for pregnant women” but

instead used the Tamil word for “dogs.”

“We investigated this and found it was a genuine mistake by the artist who painted the sign. He did not know the language properly,” he added. He added that some of the Tamil notices in the Tamil-majority north of the island had been mis-translated into Sinhalese.

Sri Lanka ended a decades-long war in 2009 between ethnic Tamils fighting for a separate homeland and the military, backed by the Sinhalese-majority government, that claimed

at least 100,000 lives The government replaced English as the official language with Sinhalese in 1956.

Tamil was granted equal status in 1988 under reforms, but the policy has been poorly implemented and the issue of language remains a highly sensitive one. Tamils, who account for about a quarter of the 20-million strong population, complain of a lack of translators and that government officials do not understand them, adding to a sense of alienation. l

Indonesia slow on protection Afghan women rally of domestic workers against domestic abuse n AFP, Jakarta

Amnesty International condemned Indonesia’s parliament Friday for “dragging its feet” on the protection of domestic workers, despite the recent brutal abuse of an Indonesian maid in Hong Kong.

The rights organisation called on Indonesia’s parliament to pass a bill on the protection of domestic workers that was drafted in 2010 before the legislative’s term expires in September, saying it was “shameful” the bill

had been ignored.

The case of Erwiana Sulistyaningsih, who was allegedly scalded and beaten repeatedly over an eight-month period by her Hong Kong employer, caused ire in Indonesia, a source country for maids in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and the Middle East.

But Amnesty International said in a statement that abuse was also common in Indonesia, where millions of domestic workers live in “legal limbo” and are not granted the same protections as other workers. l

n AP Afghan women are marching in Kabul to protest violence against women and decry a new draft law that activists say will severely limit justice for victims of domestic abuse.

Afghanistan’s parliament recently passed a new criminal procedure code that would ban relatives from testifying against alleged abusers.

The legislation - currently awaiting signature from President Hamid Karzai

- has prompted statements of concern from human rights organisations, the US, European Union and others.

Legal experts say the law would seriously curb prosecutions involving violence against women, where relatives are often the only witnesses.

About 100 women marched through Kabul on Thursday, chanting “no more violence” and “justice, justice.”

Women’s rights leader Fatana Gailani says the law will put too many limitations on women’s lives. l

ity to protect our employees against threats and harassment where we can,” its statement added.

Penguin drew fire from writers and champions of free speech over its decision on Monday to pull the book rather than fight the case, brought by an activist group which took offence to the depiction of the Hindu religion.

The book’s author, American scholar Wendy Doniger, said she was “angry and disappointed” all copies would be pulped in India, but she defended Penguin, part of the publishing giant Penguin Random House.

Doniger also said she was “deeply troubled” about what the decision meant for free speech in India. l

Xinhua: Police shoot dead ‘several terrorists’ in China’s Xinjiang n AFP, Beijing Chinese authorities shot dead “several terrorists” during an “attack” in Xinjiang on Friday, state media said, the latest violent incident in the restive far-west region home to mostly Muslim ethnic minority Uighurs.

“Several terrorists were shot dead by police during a terrorist attack Friday afternoon,” the Xinhua news agency said, without immediately providing any further details.

Xinjiang police and information officers reached by phone declined to comment to AFP. The vast region has for years been hit by occasional unrest carried out

by Uighurs, which rights groups say is driven by cultural oppression, intrusive security measures and immigration by Han Chinese.

Authorities routinely attribute such incidents to “terrorists,” and argue that China faces a violent separatist movement in the area motivated by religious extremism and linked to foreign terrorist groups. l

Valentine’s Day’ a threat to Muslim values’ n AFP Malaysian authorities have said Valentine’s Day is a threat to Muslim values in their annual swipe at the February 14 occasion, which was marked with a mass wedding involving 138 couples.

In its official Friday sermon text distributed to mosques in the Muslim-majority country, the Malaysian Islamic Development Department blamed Valentine’s Day for everything from alcoholism to abortion.

“Social ceremonies such as this are a stepping-stone towards greater social ills such as fraud, mental disorder caused by alcohol, abortion and baby-dumping, and other negative ills that can invite disaster and moral decay among youths,” it said. Known by its Malay-language acronym JAKIM, the department is an official watchdog of Muslim values. It regularly denounces Valentine’s Day as encouraging vice and promiscuity.

More than 60% of Malaysia’s 28 million people are Muslim ethnic Malays.

However, members of the large Chinese minority celebrated the day with a mass wedding of 138 couples. The lovers tied the knot at the Thean Hou temple in the capital Kuala Lumpur. l

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Letters to

www.dhakatribune.com

Diversification is the key to economic growth

I

t is encouraging that the government is supporting initiatives to explore untapped export markets in regions such as North Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and East Asia.

Continued diversification of the range of Bangladesh’s export products and markets is vital for the economy. Diplomatic efforts to open up new markets can help attract new investment and support economic growth.

Entrepreneurial initiatives by garment manufacturers have already seen RMG exports to Turkey more than double to over $335m in the past year. Sales to markets such as China and South America have also grown over a third.

In the face of rising competition from new exporters such as Burma and Cambodia, all efforts to develop new markets are absolutely crucial.

However, in order to sustain overall growth it is also important to diversify our export basket. In products, such as car batteries and bicycles, our manufacturers have already shown that they are capable of being globally competitive. It is imperative that we support such efforts by investing in developing skilled human resources, research and development and create better access to capital for local entrepreneurs.

In order to survive in a changing global economy we need to quickly identify and take advantage of new opportunities. Our government and the private sector need to work together strategically on diversification in order to ensure that our export sector continues to thrive.

It is imperative to invest in developing skilled human resources, research and development, and create better access to capital for local entrepreneurs

the Editor

LETTER OF THE DAY

Please include mumps vaccine in EPI February 11

Measles, Mumps and Rubella – these three diseases are very contagious and common in our country.

Their ill effects as well as complications are so severe that people who suffer from these diseases will well remember them. For instance, mumps has severe complications including inflammation of the testes in males and ovaries in females, as a result of which many people in our country suffer from sterility in the long run. However, to our utter disappointment, our health department did not include the mumps vaccine in the Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI); rather they have included only the measles and rubella vaccines in their vaccination programme. If the government added the mumps vaccination to the programme, thousands of children, especially the underprivileged, would be able to take preventive measures against this contagious disease. So, our earnest request to the government is to include the mumps vaccine, ie MMR vaccines, instead of just the MR vaccines in the EPI. Dr Ahmad Munir Hussain, MBBS Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology

Rethinking democratic practice in Bangladesh February 6

nds What Mr Sobhan has said here is all too well known, though few can articulate it as beautifully as he can. But the question, how to get rid of this elected autocracy, remains almost unanswered. The exercise of thinking and rethinking has been ongoing for long, but the solution remains ever elusive.

WaliulHaqueKhondker This extraordinary piece represents the fundamental issues that need be resolved if we want democracy to move forward in Bangladesh. Some

Are multiple marriages really allowed?

Dhaka to lose market if Delhi gets duty-free access

Men are gross and that is why they marry multiple times. Only fanatically religious people have more than one wife. I think it is disgusting that anyone can do it. Many times, it has been seen in families that if a woman doesn’t become a mother within a year of marriage, that automatically makes her infertile according to those uncultured and uneducated men in those families, and they get an incentive to take another woman as a wife. It may very well be that there is a problem with the man and they refuse to get tested to see if there is something wrong with him. This whole concept of having multiple wives makes me literally ill. tukku

Interesting, to qualify for EBA duty-free access, you have to be in the poorest group of countries. But many Indians can’t stand the idea of India being called developing.

Osmania

February 7

Ensure clarity in environment policy

T

he government recently published its draft for revising the National Environment Policy.

While it is a welcome move, there are important issues that have been overlooked that should be incorporated into the policy to ensure its sustainability.

The revised policy does not address many common concerns like the use of coal and polythene, ship-breaking or waste management. The draft amendments also lack detail on safeguarding the buffer zone of forests.

It also includes provisions to stop shrimp farming on agricultural land. Although it is necessary in some places to prevent salination of valuable agricultural land, the policy does also contradict the government fisheries policy, which promotes the practice.

It is no easy task to seek a balance between economic progress and environmental protection. The government has made commitments to both conservation and development, and must draw up an effective policy that is clearer about ambiguities that create conflict.

Economic growth is an essential part of meeting the needs of growing populations, and the reality is that our country’s resources cannot meet the needs of its inhabitants.

Bangladesh has a limited stretch of land which we must shelter from harmful practices and seek to enhance. But finding a solution that satisfies all interests is a major challenge. Thus, it is imperative that we have a thought-out, workable policy that offers clarity rather than confusion.

saner elements from both sides of the divide must contemplate, discuss, or debate and work out some way out. Mere rhetoric and tribal loyalty can only take us to further ruination.

The likes of Rehman Sobhan aren’t many and may not be there for very long to wake us up again and again. It is time for us to do something now, so that we can seek guidance from such authentic battle-hardened scholars. Time is fast running out.

May you, Professor Sobhan, live long and act as the guiding beacon for the present disoriented Bangladesh, for which you worked so hard to create.

February 7

DSCC needs to set up and operate public toilets for women February 10

Bangladesh is a democratic country ruled by an elected government. The country achieved its independence around four decades ago.

The country has made significant progress in empowering women. The number of women entering the workforce is increasing day by day.

They are coming out of their homes to work at offices and factories. They also go out for medical treatment, and attend classes at educational institutions. They even work on farmlands.

In the public sphere, there is a need for clean and sanitary public toilet facilities. However, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has yet to set up a sufficient number of public toilets for women in this geographic area. It is unfortunate that all the toilets out there are mostly dirty and unusable. Dirty toilets spread germs. If they are not cleaned properly, users may catch diseases. The Dhaka South City Corporation should address this problem. The Division of Local Government should come forward to support DSCC in setting up these public toilets.

MD Ashraf Hossain

LETTER OF THE WEEK

Limits of acceptability

February 9 Most functioning governments - emphasis here on “functioning” - need an opposition to balance them out, whether it is the checksand-balance system in the US or the Shadow Cabinet in the UK. In Bangladesh’s case, the opposition barely amounts to anything more than a scapegoat and it would indeed be interesting to see how a government sans opposition manages itself.

Tashfia

Be Heard

Sagar-Runi murder

February 11 This murder has yet to be solved and the perpetrators yet to be brought to justice. Bangladesh’s future is hopeless till we bring changes to its political and social system.

Tonni Nila

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

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Bangladesh has a limited stretch of land which we must shelter from harmful practices and seek to enhance

PEANUTS

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU ACROSS 1 Keen-edged (5) 6 Incision (3) 7 Kingdom (5) 10 Dwelling (5) 12 Jump rope (4) 13 Cosy retreats (5) 15 Water pitcher (4) 16 Colour (3) 18 Unhappy (3) 20 Snout (4) 22 Plump (5) 23 Aid (4) 25 Tranquility (5) 27 Tantalise (5) 28 Decay (3) 29 Raised narrow strip (5)

DOWN 1 Frightens (6) 2 Central part of a wheel (3) 3 Made up for (6) 4 Gift (7) 5 Large deer (3) 8 Donkey (3) 9 Deep mud (4) 11 Early freshness (3) 14 Cavalry soldier (7) 16 Make slow (6) 17 Expunge (6) 19 Encourage in crime (4) 21 Prosecute (3) 22 Mineral spring (3) 24 Zodiac sign (3) 26 Tooth on a wheel (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.

Sudoku

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

Saturday, February 15, 2014

11

Of agitators and administrators

F

n Ziauddin Choudhury

rom street agitation to the seat of administration can be a long road, it may not happen in most cases, but when it happens there are only two consequences. One is a miraculous change, and the other is chaos.

The first can happen when the agitators are people who have had the experience of running a government or an institution in the past, or they are people with a vision and gifted with skills. The second can happen when street agitators with no previous experience of running an administration find power thrust upon them because people find them an attractive alternative to the authority in place.

When politicians agitate in the street, they do it with an ulterior motive, which is to topple the government in place. When common people agitate, they do it to vent their grievances against authority and bring about an end to their complaints.

in the next national elections, nor the likely induction of Narendra Modi as the next prime minister of India, but one Arvind Kejriwal who was kicking up quite a storm with his protests and hunger strikes over a series of social and economic issues close to the heart of Delhi common people.

He was carrying out these protests under the banner of his Aam Aadmi Party (Common Man’s Party) that he had formed with a band of followers in 2012, breaking away from a broader anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare, a social activist.

Among his captivating protests last year one was an indefinite fast to mobilise people against inflated power and electricity bills at a house in a low-income group resettlement colony in North-East Delhi. The other was supporting the agitation of Delhi autorickshaw drivers who were protesting the Delhi government’s ban on advertisements on autorickshaws.

Kejriwal claimed that autorickshaw drivers supported his party and they carried AAP’s advertisements on their

In Bangladesh, we have some examples of agitators turning into administrators, but most of these persons rode in the coattails of an established political party

Normally, in both cases, politicians take over when the agitations succeed in toppling a government; the agitators move away and allow a new set of rulers or administrators run the affairs for them.

An exception to this norm happened last year in India, more precisely within limits of national capital territory of Delhi. Created in 1991 as a self-governing federal territory, Delhi has its legislative assembly and a chief minister like all other Indian states and federal territories.

What made Delhi capture news headlines last year was not the likely change of government of the country

autorickshaws, and this is the reason for the Delhi government’s ban, and he challenged that volunteers of AAP will put 10,000 advertisements on autorickshaws as a protest.

The net result of his tenacious and somewhat dramatic protests against corruption, government apathy, and ineffectiveness, was that Kejriwal was able to grow his support base among common people to a level where he could field enough candidates in the legislative assembly elections in 2013.

His ultimate success was when his fledgling party fought the Delhi Legislative Assembly elections in November 2013 and won 28 of 70 seats. Kejriwal

was transformed from a street agitator to administrator when his party was asked to form the government with support from the Congress Party and he became the seventh chief minister of Delhi.

But Kejriwal had new forces to deal with besides dealing with his new role as an administrator. He would face institutions and people who had deeper roots and more experience in handling elected personnel than he had with them. In this battle, his experience of working as a mid-level government official in the country’s tax department early in his career was not enough. So he took resort to his agitator role once again when he failed to persuade the central Home Ministry to fire the officer in charge of a Delhi police station for its inaction in a case of rape of a foreigner in Delhi.

On January 20, 2014, Kejriwal and his ministers staged protests against the Home Ministry in Delhi streets after the police refused entry to his cavalcade to the North Block, near the home minister’s office. In the same dramatic way that Kejriwal held his other protests in the past, he took his protest to the streets against the home minister, but this time along with fellow ministers.

He not only held sit-down protests even more dramatically to the delight of his supporters and to the chagrin of some others, but he also carried out his office work from the street. It was quite a sight to see a state chief minister to stage a sit down strike against an arm of the national government, carrying out the age old tradition of agitation.

He later claimed that it was the first time in Indian political history that a chief minister had protested on the streets to raise his government’s demands for a fair inquiry. After two days, he ended his fast when the lieutenant governor intervened by sending two policemen on leave and setting up a judicial enquiry.

Was Kejriwal right in doing what he did? It would have been seemly if he were the activist that he had always been. But should the head of a government resort to his same role that he had in the past to vent his protests?

Street warrior, or chief minister?

When Gandhi took to his usual protest of hunger strike even in an independent India, he had not taken up the mantle of government head, not even in a state.

When Maulana Bhashani in Bangladesh resorted to his agitator role in independent Bangladesh, he was as removed from government as he was some 50 years before. The role of an agitator does not behoove an administrator.

In Bangladesh, we have some examples of agitators turning into administrators, but most of these persons rode in the coattails of an established political party. In the past, we have seen the rise and fall of many such people who

AFP

shot into limelight through agitation, but their ultimate anchor had been a well-established political party with deep organisational roots.

There had been some political aspirants who had been inspired by people’s frustrations with known faces. But these aspirations have been ephemeral since they lacked the systemic support from organised political parties.

We are not sure which way Kejriwal and his new party will be headed to.

His supporters and the people who always hope for an alternative to established political parties will no doubt hope for his success. But in a system that has been nurtured by a political network of money, power, and muscle,

it will be a difficult road for sovereign existence of a band of street warriors bereft of blessings from the wealthy, political power houses, and highly organised political groups.

It may be that Kejriwal will be able to ride over his difficulties for his current term, but to take it to the next level he will need to make compromises, compromises that probably his agitator self will not approve of. It is sad but it is true, politics in our part of the world has been made difficult by the same people who want to serve people. l Ziauddin Choudhury is a US-based political commentator and analyst.

Creatives are needed

Must Islam and feminism contradict?

n William Westgate

n Mahdin Mahboob

A

s the principal of a college here in Dhaka, I often discuss further education and career options with students and their families.

One thing heard frequently is that a son or daughter should only take the “serious” A-level subjects such as the sciences or commerce.

While those are indeed wonderful subjects for those with the interest and aptitude, when the option of taking humanities or social sciences is discussed, I am often faced with responses such as: “Why should anyone study history – to become a historian?” With due respect, this is nonsense. Let me explain why.

Recently, a story appeared in the national news here with the headline: “Several causes behind ‘Doel’ laptop’s failure to click.” For those who did not see it, the Doel is a Bangaldeshi project supported by Bangladesh’s Telephone Shilpa Sangstha (TSS) and the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication to provide inexpensive computers to the Bangladeshi people.

The solution was to produce a PC here in Bangladesh which would reduce much of the cost, thus boosting sales and distribution. However, according to the report, the problem has not been the laptop’s technical design, nor was it the electronics or the processing power. No, the difficulty in getting the project off the ground was said to be marketing and strategy.

Indeed, this is not a problem unique to the Doel computer. Many conversations with top business owners and senior managers here have exposed a worrying lack of employees who can think creatively and strategically. This is not just an issue confined to corporate planning but includes a wide array of so-called “soft skills” ranging from customer service, to product design to marketing and sales to employee motivation.

While the “new Bangladesh” certainly requires the likes of engineers, healthcare specialists, and technicians – it is crying out for a whole new set of skills such as those that have prevented the Doel laptop’s success.

Part of this problem may very well stem from the lack of students educated in the social sciences –

subjects which rely on creativity and original thinking as well as learning to articulate one’s thoughts clearly and concisely.

A huge amount of students come through their O-levels with real ability in the social sciences. However, for some reason, they are led to believe that the only reliable career path lies in the direction of the sciences, math or commerce.

As a result, many of these talented students are forced into subjects that they are not naturally strong in – or worse, downright weak at. This is a terrible shame. Not only are thousands of students encouraged – or even forced – into subjects in which they have little natural ability, and are therefore miserable and low-achieving, but the nation is left with a damaging lack of the “creatives” who can manage the branding, sales, distribution, public relations, customer service, and employee motivation that is so necessary in a modern economy.

More importantly, a rapidly developing economy needs people who can manage other people

As an economy develops, the patterns in consumption and production shift.

Industries such as retail, travel and tourism, design, advertising, media and entertainment etc, develop rapidly and create a huge demand for workers. These industries require people who can think laterally and originally.

These industries require those who have studied geography, psychology, English, art, sociology, drama, history and so forth, and can write and express themselves confidently and creatively. In short, you do not study history to become an historian! It is studied so that students understand culture and human behaviour and

learn to express their thoughts intelligently in a rigorous and disciplined manner.

More importantly, a rapidly developing economy needs people who can manage other people. Effective “man-management” is one of the most demanding tasks in the world – and one of the most rewarding. Understanding how to motivate people does not come from memorising formulas or writing algorithms, but from understanding human nature.

Albert Einstein is often quoted as saying: “Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.” Far too many Bangladeshi students are currently being steered into the sciences and maths due to the erroneous belief that this is the only direction in which a stable career can be assured.

Many of these students are born with incredible ability in the humanities and arts which they are forced to suppress. Instead, they are driven into subjects in which they have little natural ability – and often become depressed and discouraged as a result.

Many employers are then left searching in vain for confident, creative workers because the education system is simply not producing enough of them. Bangladesh is then left struggling to develop the brands, service, communications, and design that a modern economy needs.

Worse still, businesses fail to develop and set effective strategies while key issues such as ethics and philosophy are not properly understood.

When that occurs, a nation will suffer from a lack of good governance while millions of employees go without effective and supportive management.

I believe a national debate needs to develop in Bangladesh. No doubt, parents’ intentions are good when they try to channel their children into the likes of medicine, accounting, and engineering – and those are, by all means, noble professions. However, parents and students should also recognise that tremendous career opportunities await students with A-levels and degrees in the social sciences. l William Westgate is Principal of Regent College, Dhaka.

T

he very question of whether Islam and feminism can co-exist will shock most people who know about the religion and the term “feminism.” It will raise eyebrows for many, thanks to the impression given by media. But do they necessarily have to contradict? Can you be a Muslim and a feminist at the same time?

Contrary to popular (and wrong) belief, Islam and feminism can very well work together

One definition of feminism states that it is a collection of movements and ideologies aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights for women. The word was derived from the French word féminisme in the late 19th century, through French and American revolutions.

From ancient times, human beings have lived in patriarchal societies, which meant women were often oppressed and denied of different rights. Thus, the idea of feminism came about, to ensure equal rights and justice for womankind.

Does Islam support feminism? Can a religion, founded some 1500 years back in the middle of a desert be congruent with a modern ideology only a couple of hundred years old? The Qur’an, considered by Muslims to be the verbatim word of God, and hence the complete guideline to life, clearly states, in Chapter 3, Verse 195: “Their Lord responded to them: I never fail to reward any worker among you for any work you do, be you male or female – you are equal to one another. Thus, those who immigrate, and get evicted from their homes, and are persecuted because of Me, and fight and get killed, I will surely remit their sins and admit them into gardens with flowing streams.”

And in Chapter 16, Verse 97: “Anyone who works righteousness, male or female, while believing, we will surely grant them a happy life in this world, and we will surely pay them their full recompense (on the Day of Judgment) for their righteous works.”

The above verses, and many others, from the Qur’an, as well as the Hadith, repeatedly mention the equality of women. The arrival of the Prophet, in the sixth century, improved the situation of women compared to pre-Islamic Arabia. The marriage of a man to several women was not an invention of Islam. It was a mainstream cultural practice of the day.

What Islam did was to limit the number of wives a man could have to four (provided he equally provides for all of them), not the other way round. Contrary to popular belief, several marriages was not primarily because of physical demands, but to protect women from hunger, poverty, and social evils, who were often widowed because of the war-mongering tribes of those days.

Another point raised by many is the inheritance law of Islam, which states that women should inherit half of what men get. Again, this is an improvement from pre-Islamic Arabia, where even that share was not guaranteed to women. Furthermore, the reason for this rule was that traditionally, men had to provide for themselves as well as their wives and children.

asked to cover themselves properly, something the media tries to portray as oppression of women. The reason, of course is to protect and safeguard women, to respect them. Wearing skimpy clothes does not prove that a woman is a strong, independent woman. It is no secret how terribly oppressed the lives of budding fashion models in Paris, and other such places, are.

It is important to note that texts of most major religions of the world contain elements that do not place men and women equally. Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, all Abrahamic monotheistic religions originating in the Middle East some 1450, 2000, and 3000 years back, have similar viewpoints when it comes to women: They are asked to be quiet and submissive.

Hinduism, often called the oldest religion, originating in the Indian subcontinent, advocates restricting women’s rights. Buddhism, the other major religion of the world, also asks wives to be obedient to their husbands. This is not to blame any of the religions, but to make a point that it would be wrong to point fingers at Islam. All religions reflect the time, place, and culture they originated in.

To sum up, we can see that Islam and feminism do not have to contradict. Conflict between feminists and Islamists do not bring about any solution, they just complicate things even more, especially in a Muslim country like Bangladesh, where the conflict

The inheritance law of Islam is an improvement from pre-Islamic Arabia, where even that share was not guaranteed to women

This is true in today’s world as well, at least in most cases. Furthermore, Islam asks men to give dowry to women before marriage, as her protection, unlike the ill-practices of the bride’s family giving dowry to men in South Asia and many other developing parts of the world.

Women (as well as men) have been

further slows down the process of achieving women’s equality. Contrary to popular (and wrong) belief, Islam and feminism can very well work together, in the Muslim societies of the world as well as in other places. l Mahdin Mahboob teaches engineering at ULAB.

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Code of Love on at Bengal

A display of a pyramid of cards at the exhibition

n Faisal Mahmud Some might find it hard to grasp the concept of the “thing” going on inside the aesthetically and architecturally serene Bengal Art Lounge in Gulshan. At first glance, with an abundance of pink, the ambience offers the impression of a breast cancer campaign.

“No, this has nothing to do with any campaign against breast cancer,” said Kazi Monirul Kabir, the country representative of Google in Bangladesh and the chief organizer of the event, “And this has nothing to do with my day job either.”

One wall of the central gallery is completely embellished with a collection of pink colored placards. A famous quote of Martin Luther King is repeatedly written on those placards stapled with some pictures of him.

On another wall, a typewriter is being hung from which a pink script has come out and rolled around a hook staged above.

On the same wall, at the left side, a long roll of pink colored paper tape is being dumped together and hung vertically.

QUAMRUL ABEDIN

In the middle of the room, pink colored cards are stacked in the shape of a pyramid.

Another room is filled up with pink balloons. Even cup cakes, placed in another room have pink icing!

Kabir said those installation arts are based on the theme of love. “If you look carefully, you will find that all those placards, paper tapes and scripts have some

written lines. Those lines are basically quotes of love from famous people. There are fourteen of those and they are converted to quick response (QR) code and framed.”

“We named the exhibition Code-Love.”

“It is a unique project taken by Carefountain, which I had formed after my visit in Norway in 2011. There I saw the peril of the older people, the lack of love they receive. I wanted to do something for them.”

Carefountain have put up 14 works of intrigue that will invite the audience to think, look and engage with the concept of love and how collectively love can be used for achieving something much greater.

They also merchandised the concept with lots of themed products including mug, candles, notebook and framed pictures.

“Through the exhibition, we are trying to raise fund by selling the products for a ‘Social-Good Project’ undertaken by Carefountain Foundation for the betterment of elderly people in need,” said Kabir.

Along with the exhibition, every afternoon from February 12 to 16, open mike programme will be arranged in the lounge, where individuals will get the opportunity to interact, exchange and express oneself on varied topics like poems of love, love songs, love letters, definition of love and the feeling of unrequited love. l

Fusion singer Waqeel enthralled the audience on the inaguration ceremony of the exhibition Code Love.

With the accompany of guitarist Anom Biswas, he rendered three soothing songs: Sachin Dev Burman’s Borne Gondhe, Lalon’s Shey Jane Ar Ami Jani and Subal Das’ Porga Ishkule QUAMRUL ABEDIN

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Arnob and Friends to perform at IGCC today n Entertainment Desk Country’s leading fusion musician Arnob and his band will perform this evening at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Gulshan-1, Dhaka.

The band, Arnob and Friends recently participated in a musical show titled Sufi Sutra in India and won the hearts of music lovers of Kolkata and Patna. So far they have released one album entitled Arnob and Friends Live. The band has performed extensively in Bangladesh and has also toured India, England and Germany.

Arnob and Friends, at present comprises Arnob as lead vocalist and guitarist; Pantha Kanai on drums and voice, Buno on bass, Shoeb on classical vocal, Nazrul Islam on dhol, Saadul Islam on guitar and Maruf

Kamrul Hasan as producer.

The band is currently working for a new album. In an earlier interview Arnob said to the Dhaka Tribune: “The album features a total of 10 songs and we are left with recording only two songs. Here you will find some of my old songs such as ‘Kono Din Dekho Jodi Borsha Ratey,’ ‘Tui Janish Na’ and ‘Rastay Khuje Phiri’ with completely different music arrangement. Moreover, there are three new songs. As an added attraction, Pantha Kanai has sung a song for the album.”

“The most exciting feature of the album is the songs are being recorded in one take.

The audience will get the feeling of live music. While the industry is engulfed with synthesised sound, I believe our album will give a refreshing experience to music enthusiasts.” l

First look of Rajotto out on the web n Entertainment Desk

Iftakar Chowdhury’s next action thriller Rajotto’s first look has hit the internet. The director of the film uploaded the first ever poster of the movie on Facebook.

Produced by Fatman Films, the movie has the king of Dhallywood Shakib Khan in the lead role and the beautiful Bobby as his counterpart. Music for the film is being composed by Adit Ozbert. One of the songs of the film, Tumi Chara, was released as a promotional single on November 12 last year.

Rajotto is about the perilous journey of a gangster.

While releasing the second trailer of the film, director Iftakar Chowdhury shared on his facebook account: “Guys uploading another version of Rajotto’s trailer – and just to make things clear, the film is not a Tamil remake. There is a huge twist at the intermission, so you have no idea what the exact story of this film is, from the trailer. It is just a hint only ... misleading.

The VFX looks are real, shot on location (practically).” At the end of his message, he invites fresh talents to join him for the post production stage. l

Poster for Rajotto

TODAY IN DHAKA

Shuborno Joyonti Utsab on at BSA

Film

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, Thor: The Dark World, Pacific Rim in 3D, The Conjuring, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Escape Plan Time: 10am – 10pm Star Cineplex, Level 8

Film Festival

Time: 3pm – 8pm Dhaka Art Center (DAC) House-60 Road-7A Dhanmondi R/A

Exhibition

A Life Like that of a Dragonfly

By Sanjib Datta Time: 12pm – 8pm Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts

Time: 3pm – 7pm National Art Gallery Auditorium Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy

Celebrated Violence

House 42, Road 16 (New) / 27 (old) Dhanmondi Duet Art Exhibition

By Hashem Khan and Mohammad Iqbal Time: 12pm – 8pm Gallery Twenty One, Taj Lily 751 Satmasjid Road (level 11), Dhanmondi

Star Cineplex has Frozen n Entertainment Desk

Dub Shatar will be showcased at the festival today

n Entertainment Desk A nine day long film festival Shuborno Joyonti Uthshob is going on at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The showcasing will continue until February 20.

Alamgir Kabir’s Shurjo Konna and Nurul Alam Atiq’s Doob Shatar will be showcased today. A speech will be given by Mahmudul Hossain on Bangladesher Onno Chholochitro: Prantiker Nondontottyo.

As many as twenty films are being screened in the festival. Everyday, three movies will be played at 3pm,

5pm and 6pm respectively. The festival features sixteen feature films, two short films and three documentary films, along with six foreign movies.

On February 16, Surjo Sangram, short film Hulia and Adhiyaar will be screened. The following day, Akaler Shôndhane, Shonkho Naad and Ghuddi will be played. The February 18 schedule includes Bicycle Thief, Emiler Goenda Bahini and Rani Kuthir Baki Itihash.

Meghe Dhaka Tara, Britter Baire and Ithihass Konya will be screened on February 19. On the concluding day, Roshomon, documentary Kali Ghor, Chaka and Matir Moina will be screened. l

Secrets to Kareena Kapoor’s beauty regimen

After taking the world by storm with its humourous and emotional story, Frozen comes to Star Cineplex to entertain the audience of Bangladesh.

The animated film has slid past $900 million at the global box office surpassing The Lion King. Today, the film will be showcased at 10:50am, 12:55pm, 3:00pm, 5:15pm and 7:30pm at the different theatres of the Star Cineplex.

The story is of Anna, a fearless optimist, who sets off on an epic journey - teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven - to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom. From the outside Anna’s sister, Elsa looks poised, regal and reserved, but in reality, she lives in fear as she wrestles

with a mighty s e c r e t - s h e was born with the power to create ice and snow.

Haunted by the moment her magic nearly killed her younger sister Anna, Elsa has isolated herself, spending every waking minute trying to suppress her growing powers.

Her mounting emotions trigger the magic, accidentally setting off an eternal winter that she can’t stop. She fears she’s becoming a monster and that no one, not even her sister, can help her. l

n Entertainment Desk Bollywood diva Kareena Kapoor talks about the secrets to her beauty regimen. Bebo says she does not follow any particular beauty regime, but she makes sure not to use any chemicals on her face. Moisturization is important as she has a dry skin. In terms of exercise, pilates is her favorite to keep fit. The 33-year-old actress keeps her lustrous locks healthy as she oils them regularly. Oil massage is also a kind of stress-buster, says Kareena, who is now brand ambassador for the Naturals salon chain.

Known for her flawless beauty and style, Kareena Kapoor says that off-screen she is like any other girl.

Brands are not critical, and she would happily travel in jeans and kurta and walk around in pyjamas. She loves staying in track-pants all day to be comfortable.

Style is more about attitude and not really about what one wears. What’s more important is how you carry what you wear, said Kareena. Bebo loves junk food but exercises regularly to maintain her body. She underlines being a Punjabi and loves the food everywhere in Delhi. l

Paul Walker’s Brick Mansions trailer hits the internet n Entertainment Desk

The trailer for Paul Walker’s last completed film Brick Mansions has made its way to the internet and to the joy of his fans, it’s awesome.

In Brick Mansions, Paul Walker plays Damien, an undercover cop who fights gangsters of Brick Mansions, in Detroit. So powerful are the baddies that the mayor and half the city has been held hostage.

The situation demands the best of the best. Tremaine (RZA), the leader of the gang, is ready to blow up the city and Damien needs to infiltrate, locate the device, and disarm it.

Damien has spent his entire career trying to take down Tremaine.

However, he has never been able to get his hands on him since Tremaine never leaves the Brick Mansions and there’s check points everywhere.

Damien is teamed up with an awesome ex-convict Lino, played by David Belle. He decides to cooperate because Tremaine has his girlfriend under his custody. l

Did you know?

Dinesh Chandimal took four catches against Bangladesh yesterday which is the highest as a fielder in a T20 innings matching WI’s Sammy, Nederland’s Borren and NZ’s Anderson

Sport

SCORECARD Bangladesh Tamim Iqbal c Mendis b Kulasekara Shamsur c Chandimal b Dilshan Anamul c K. Perera b Senanayake Shakib c Kulasekara b Senanayake Nasir c Chandimal b Mendis Sabbir c Kulasekara b Malinga Mohammad Mahmudullah run out Farhad c Chandimal b Kulasekara Mashrafe Mortaza b Malinga Arafat Sunny c Chandimal b Malinga Rubel Hossain not out Extras: (b1, lb3, w3) Total (all out, 19.5 overs)

2 1 24 12 8 26 9 9 17 5 0 7

120

Fall of wickets 1-3, 2-3, 3-35, 4-41, 5-47, 6-59, 7-80, 8-101, 9-120, 10-120 Bowling Dilshan 2-0-23-1, Kulasekara 4-0-32-2 (w1), Senanayake 4-0-11-2, Malinga 3.5-0-20-3 (w1), Mathews 2-0-9-0, Mendis 4-0-21-1 (w1).

Sri Lanka K. Perera lbw b Shakib T. Dilshan b Sunny D. Chandimal lbw b Mahmudullah K. Sangakkara c Tamim b Rubel A. Perera b Mortaza A. Mathews c Anamul b Mortaza N. Kulasekara run out T. Perera not out S. Senanayake not out Extras: (lb1, w2, nb1)

21 3 3 37 4 2 2 35 12 4

Total (for seven wickets, 20 overs) 123 Fall of wickets 1-23 , 2-25, 3-32 , 4-42, 5-46, 6-50, 7-96 Bowling Sunny 2-0-8-1, Mortaza 4-0-29-2, Rubel 4-0-34-1 (nb1), Shakib 2-0-8-1, Mahmudullah 4-0-16-1 (w1), Nasir 2-011-0 (w1), Reza 2-0-16-0 Sri Lanka won by three wickets, take series 2-0.

0 2 9 DAYS TO GO

DHAKA TRIBUNE

14 Sharma’s career

15 Warner, Doolan

best figures put India on top

pile on agony for South Africa

Slice of luck the difference It was yet another match where Bangladesh fought till the last ball against the number one ranked side Sri Lanka but the lack of nerve and luck turning its back from the home side saw another close defeat this time by three wickets, losing the two match T20 series 2-0.

Nonetheless, skipper Mashrafe Mortaza informed that Bangladesh will take some positives from the series for the upcoming World T20 said at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium yesterday.

“Obviously, if you see, firstly, we missed a number of players, no excuses, but after the young players came, the way they performed, yes we lost the games due to a few mistakes, but the way they performed, and played positively, there is a lot to learn from here. The seniors played well. We can take a number of positives from here to the world cup,” said Mashrafe.

Bangladesh managed to take the match to the last ball despite the small total of 120. Mashrafe accepted the fact that the home side made some small mistakes and that they were 10-15 runs short but pointed out Bangladesh fought hard.

“We have to accept it, we probably made small mistakes, here and there and this match we what we expected, we couldn’t play that amount. 120 is not a good total, at the same time, we proved that we were very confident.

To fight in this total, is a very powerful display. Because we almost defended such a small total. In both the matches the results could have gone for us, but now we have to accept it,” added the

captain.

Farhad Reza bowled the last over of the match where Sri Lanka needed nine runs to win despite Shakib al Hasan, who bowled two overs taking a wicket only giving away eight runs, being available. Explaining the situation, Mashrafe said, “Shakib, he knew it himself, he couldn’t bowl. We wanted the last over to be tight after me and Rubel. Shakib was out from before it-

self because there was a lot of dew on the ground. At one stage we had to bowl cross seam it came out of pacers’ hands as well,” said Mashrafe.

However the Bangladesh captain explained the reason of opting to bat first despite the dew factor. He said that dew had not been a factor in the first match when the home side decided to field first.

Farhad tried to bowl a bouncer in

the last ball requiring two runs but the strategy failed. “In the last ball we all planned, that rather than tie for one run, we wanted to win the match. We wanted it to be a bouncer but the ball was wet and soft, he gave his full effort but after it fell on the wicket it became slow. Farhad actually in practice he bowls the bouncers well. The batsman doesn’t play a bouncer very well.

We wanted him to mis-time the shot.

Sri Lanka players celebrate with the trophy after winning the two-match Twenty20I series 2-0 at the ZACS in Chittagong yesterday

Security holds for Bangladesh Jamal look for glory Whatever the rankings says about Bangladesh in international cricket, this country has a great reputation of being a great host before Bangladesh got the Test status even if it’s the hosting of the Independence cup back in 1998 with great success.

Bangladesh has carried their reputation as one of the best host countries in world cricket and the passion for cricket among the people of the country has been witnessed by the whole world.

However hosting international cricket in Bangladesh came in danger where all started back in early December last year when a bomb blast took place near the team hotel of the visiting West Indies under-19 team in Chittagong and later the visitors cancelled their six match ODI series against Bangladesh U-19 and flew back home raised the security concern for the upcoming mega events like T20 World Championship, Asia Cup and nearly coming Sri Lanka series in Bangladesh as the political unrest was ongoing at that time.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) were in all sort of problems when the security concerns were raised by some of the countries board as they were in a doubt if certain sides would participate in the Asia Cup and the World T20, in which the BCB had already spent a big amount

13

Saturday, February 15, 2014

of money on money.

Meanwhile, it was the Sri Lanka series which was knocking on the door but the concerns over security were still there before the Sri Lankan board sent their security team to observe the situation two weeks before the scheduled tour on January 27 for the Lankan side.

The situation was very gloomy for the BCB as the most influential sports organization of the country went on to ask the opposition political party BNP for their cooperation and received the green signal from the party.

However the security matter was still a concern where the BCB boss, along with the CEO, went to the Sri Lanka Cricket board where they assured them about security arrangements for the upcoming series in Bangladesh before the ACC meeting took place in Sri Lanka on January 4.

After returning from the meeting BCB acting CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury hinted that the fate of hosting the Asia Cup and the T20 World Championship will depend on the success of the Sri Lanka series and eventually the home series becomes the dress rehearsal for Bangladesh to ensure the participating teams about the security.

So far Sri Lanka has played two Tests and two T20 match, three of them at Chittagong where the security was at its peakk for the visiting side and so far the chief security coordinator of BCB Cap Mahbubul

Matin Retd informed that so far the security arrangements were up to the mark and the visiting Sri Lanka side has never expressed any concern about their security and was relax during their stay.

“It was our challenge to give our guests top most security after the security concerns took place when the political unrest was taking place earlier and the government along with the security agencies all cooperate the BCB for the security,” said Mahbubul.

The security coordinator also informed that the visiting Sri Lankan players and the team management were happy with the security given to them, “They are very relaxed so far as the Lankan cricketers never looked tensed during the tour even they were very relax which is certainly a great sign for us,” he said.

However the tight security has led to problems for the public who had to deal with the security. The BCB official however expressed sympathy to the Bangladeshi citizens for their patience and thanked them for their support, “Definitely the people of our country had to suffer some difficulty for access security and we felt sorry for them,” said Mahbubul.

He also informed that the BCB are communicating continuously with the other boards and giving them the latest security update to ensure them that Bangladesh is always a safe country to host any big events. l

Bangladesh Premier League giants Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi are just one step away from writing history when they take on Kolkata outfits Mohammedan Sporting in the crucial final of the 118th IFA Shield at the Salt Lake Stadium today at 6.30pm.

The Dhanmondi outfits will emerge as the first Bangladeshi club to win the Shield after Dhaka powerhouse Mohammedan SC reached the final in the 1995 edition of IFA Shield, a feat Jamal are determined to surpass. They will also become the first Bangladeshi club to beat three prominent Kolkata clubs - Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting in the same tournament. Mohammedan Sporting are also determined to clinch the Shield title after 43 long years.

All the attention of today’s final will be on Jamal’s attacking trio Wedson Anselme, Emeka Darlinton and Sony Norde, especially the latter one as the Haitian international forward is in terrific form and already showed enough of his brilliance to prove his worth. The combination and chemistry of the trio will be the main concern for Mohammedan defence who, however, managed to beat Jamal in the group stages.

While talking to Dhaka Tribune over phone, Sheikh Jamal president Manjur Kader was in jolly mood and said the team is fully prepared for the final.

“Everybody is fit. All the players are mentally very much charged up. If we replicate the same performance as last game, we will be the champions.

“Every match was final for us and tomorrow is the originally, the final

one. I hope by boys will give their best and put good performance and similar display in the final,” he said.

Kader hinted that the squad will be the same as the previous match – in which Nigerian coach Joseph Afusi fielded the 4-3-3 formation with Sony, Wedson, Emeka on the front and Sohel Rana, Mamunul at the centre midfield with Nasir holding midfield.

It will be a tough test for the Federation Cup champions as Mohammedan Sporting a more compact side than the

PROBABLE SQUADS

Sheikh Jamal (4-3-3) Zia, Linkon, Didar, Yasin, Yeamin, Nasir, Mamunul, Sohel Rana, Wedson, Sony Norde, Emeka Darlington.

Mohammedan (4-2-3-1) Luis Barreto, Nirmal, Wadoo, Dhanrajan, Manish Maithani, Ishfaq Ahmed, Antony Soren, Penn orji, Rahim Nabi, Ashim Biswas, Josimar.

others that Jamal beat. Mohammedan has a good news ahead of the clash as their forward Ashim Biswas, who missed the semi-final against United SC, is expected to return to today’s final.

“I said if before the tournament that Dhanmondi are a very good team.

They have the ability to beat any team in I-League. I think Saturday’s final will be psychological war between two sides,” said Mohammedan coach Sanjoy Sen. Five-time IFA Shield champions Mohammedan last time won it in 1971.

Sanjoy motivates his players by saying“If Manchester City can win the league title after 44 years why can’t we?” l

BFF rejects cricket function

BCB provide proper security to the visiting Sri Lanka team

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is adamant not to provide the Bangabandhu National Stadium to host the inauguration ceremony of the upcoming ICC World Twenty20 next month, saying that they are “strictly against the idea”.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board earlier asked the National Sports Council (NSC) for the stadium for five days starting on March 11. Chairman of the BCB grounds committee Lokman Hossain Bhuiyan informed that the BFF never said no to NSC regarding the matter.

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) general secretary fumed at Lok-

man’s comment, “I strongly opposed to what Lokman said about the venue. We never agreed to give away BNS to hold the World Cup opening ceremony. It will totally hamper our Independence Cup fixtures, if BCB takes the venue as it is our only venue to hold the tournament,” said Shohag to the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

“The opening ceremony is not an ICC event. We never said yes to provide the field to BCB. We talked to National Sports Council (NSC) about this. We told them that we can’t provide the venue during that time. We are serious about this and we will not give the venue at any cost,” he added. l

He could have bowled a yorker and it could have been the same thing, our aim was to get a wicket,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal said, “I am really happy the way we played, as I said we never underestimated the Bangladesh team they are good in the shorter format. As a unit everybody did their bit, I think we got some good experience for the world cup.” l

MUMIT M

A ‘catching’ series The two match Bangladesh-Sri Lanka series was eye-catching with its competitive level but at the same time it would be remembered also for some spectacular catches of the fielders for the both sides.

The icing on the cake maybe was the feat Dinesh Chandimal grabbing four catches of Shamsur Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Farhad Reza and Arafat Sunny yesterday. He equaled the T20 world record West Indies’s Darren Sammy, Peter Borren of Netherlands and Corey Anderson of New Zealand all of whom took four catches in a T20 affair and ironically, Borren’s feat was attained against Bangladesh in The Hague in 2012.

In the first T20 Bangladesh’s Farhad Reza, Nasir Hossain and Anamul Haque took three stunning catches to rock the visitors. Farhad Reza’s jumping effort at the long on rope to oust Chandimal, Nasir Hossain aerial dive to send Kumar Sangakkara back and Anamul Haque’s one foot balancing act to finish Kusal Perera will have a lasting memory in the spectators mind.

Sri Lanka also pulled out three stannic acts in the two matches. Angelo Mathews pulled out a stunning catch running back to send Tamim Iqbal back in the first one. Tamim’s leading edge was held by the Sri Lankan Test captain after he ran back and stretch at full lengths to hold on to the catch.

Yesterday Nuwan Kulasekera and Kusal Perera also entered in the classic catch editions. Kulasekera ran about ten meters backwards and dived forward to grip a Shakib al Hasan lofted drive while Kusal Perera send Anamul Haque packing in the deep midwicket with a goalkeeping act. l

Nuwan Kulasekara falls to the ground after taking a superb catch to dismiss Shakib Al Hasan yesterday MUMIT M

14

Sport

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Atletico fined after Ronaldo hit The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Friday fined Atletico Madrid 600 euros ($822) after Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo was struck on the head with a lighter during the clubs’ Copa del Rey clash on Tuesday. Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo was hit by a lighter thrown from the crowd as he made his way off the field at half-time in the semi-final second leg clash, which Madrid won 2-0 to advance 5-0 on aggregate to a final against Barcelona. Pro-Real media in the Spanish capital had called for serious action to be taken following the incident.

–AFP

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Schumi has beaten lung infection Formula One legend Michael Schumacher, lying in a coma in a French hospital since a December skiing accident, has overcome a lung infection, German daily Bild reported Friday. The newspaper had reported two days earlier that Schumacher had contracted pneumonia last week, but it said Friday that the infection in fact had happened earlier and “this week no longer spells an acute danger”. “Therefore Schumi has already won the fight against pneumonia,” said the top-selling daily, using the popular nickname for the 45-year-old German racing driver.

–AFP

New Zealand 1st innings P. Fulton lbw I. Sharma 13 H. Rutherford c Vijay b I. Sharma 12 K. Williamson c R. Sharma b M. Shami 47 T. Latham c Dhoni b I. Sharma 0 B. McCullum c Jadeja b M. Shami 8 C. Anderson c Kohli b I. Sharma 24 B. Watling c R. Sharma b I. Sharma 0 J. Neesham c Dhoni b M. Shami 33 T. Southee c Vijay b I. Sharma 32 N. Wagner not out 5 T. Boult c Pujara b M. Shami 2 Extras: (lb2, w8, nb6) 16 Total: (all out; 52.5 overs) 192 Fall of wickets 1-23 (Rutherford), 2-26 (Fulton), 3-26 (Latham), 4-45 (McCullum), 5-84 (Anderson), 6-86 (Watling), 7-133 (Williamson), 8-165 (Neesham), 9-184 (Southee), 10-192 (Boult) Bowling Khan 17-3-57-0 (1w, 2nb), M. Shami 16.5-4-70-4 (2w, 1nb), I. Sharma 17-351-6 (3nb), Jadeja 2-1-12-0

India 1st innings 71 2 19 3 5 100

Fall of wickets 1-2 (Vijay), 2-89 (Pujara) To bat: V. Kohli, R. Sharma, A. Rahane, M. Dhoni, R. Jadeja, Z. Khan, M. Shami Bowling Boult 9-4-18-1, Southee 7-0-20-1, Wagner 7-0-36-0, Anderson 3-0-14-0, Neesham 2-0-8-0 (1w)

India pacer Ishant Sharma (C) celebrates the dismissal of New Zealand batsman Tom Latham during day one of their second Test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington yesterday REUTERS

Bayern welcome back Schweinsteiger Bayern Munich hope Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger will start against Freiburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday as the holders warm-up for next week’s Champions League clash at Arsenal.

The 29-year-old made his comeback after three months out with an ankle injury, playing the last 25 minutes of Wednesday’s 5-0 romp at Hamburg in the German Cup quarter-finals.

Schweinsteiger is set to feature at Munich’s Allianz Arena as the Euro-

England are still assessing the possibility of calling up Manchester United’s Belgium-born winger Adnan Januzaj, manager Roy Hodgson has revealed. Hodgson first expressed an interest in Januzaj last October after he scored two goals in a 2-1 win at Sunderland and the 19-year-old has continued to impress despite United’s on-pitch struggles. Januzaj is of Kosovan descent and also qualifies to play for countries including Belgium, Albania and Turkey, but he is uncapped at youth level and has yet to pledge his allegiance to any particular nation.

–AFP

Sharma’s career best figures put India on top

SCORECARD, DAY 1

S. Dhawan not out M. Vijay c Watling b Southee C. Pujara lbw Boult I. Sharma not out Extras: (b4, w1) Total: (two wickets; 28 overs)

'England weighing up Januzaj case'

pean champions prepare to face the Gunners away in Wednesday’s last 16, first leg, of the Champions League.

Coach Pep Guardiola welcomed back his midfield general: “It’s super, super, super news, he has huge experience, but he still needs time.” l

FIXTURES Dortmund v Bayern Munich v Werder Bremen v Hoffenheim v Eintracht v Leverkusen v

Frankfurt Freiburg M'gladbach VfB Stuttgart Hamburg Schalke

Wenger is ‘failure specialist’: Mourinho Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho labelled Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger as a “specialist in failure” as the war of words in the race for the English Premier League title intensified Friday.

Mourinho, whose side lead London rivals Arsenal by a point at the top of the table, was responding to comments from Wenger earlier Friday that anyone who said their team was not in the race for the title was betraying a fear of failure.

Mourinho, who returned for a second spell as Chelsea boss at the start of this season, has called the Blues the “little horse” among the title contenders, with Man City and Arsenal the favourites to be crowned champions of England. l

A career-best six-wicket haul by Ishant Sharma put India firmly in charge at stumps on the opening day of the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington on Friday.

New Zealand were rolled for 192 in their first innings and at the close India were 100-2 with Shikhar Dhawan on 71 and Sharma, playing the nighwatchman role, on three.

Murali Vijay was the first wicket to fall, caught behind by BJ Watling off Tim Southee for two. He tried to pull out of the way of a rising delivery but it cut back sharply to skim his gloves on the way to the keeper.

Cheteshwar Pujara was out 10 minutes before stumps for 19 when rapped on the pads by Trent Boult.

India’s 100 came from 28 overs as the wicket lost its early feistiness in the late afternoon sun.

New Zealand struggled through 52.5 overs for their 192 with Sharma taking 6-51, following another six-wicket bag in the first Test, while Mohammed Shami finished with 4-70.

Sharma deflected praise of his

own performance and said India had learned from the way they dismissed New Zealand for 105 in the second innings of the first Test.

New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson said the state of the wicket helped as well.

New Zealand had expected a troubled ride from the moment Brendon McCullum lost the toss and they were predictably sent into bat first on the hard, green wicket.

Peter Fulton and Hamish Rutherford, who were both struggling for runs, cautiously negotiated the first half hour until the introduction of Sharma to the attack turned the game immediately.

In the space of 14 balls, mixing up deliveries of swing and bounce, he reduced New Zealand from 23 without loss to 26-3 and they never recovered with the innings coming to an end shortly after tea.

Only lusty hitting at the tail by debutant Jimmy Neesham and Southee lifted the total close to the 200 mark, after New Zealand at one stage were 133-7.

All-rounder Neesham had seven fours in his 33 while Southee included three sixes and a four in his 32. l

Barcelona out to maintain lead Barcelona recovered top spot in La Liga just one week after being knocked off their perch for the first time in 59 league games last weekend as they took advantage of Atletico Madrid’s shock defeat to Almeria.

Victories for Barca away to Sevilla and Real Madrid at home to Villarreal mean both sides are now level with Atletico in a three-way tie at the top on 57 points.

The Catalans lead thanks to a superior goal difference and will fancy themselves to rack up a few goals when relegation-threatened Rayo Vallecano visit the Camp Nou on Saturday.

Rayo’s visit comes in the midst of a big week for Barca as they sealed their place in the Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad on Wednesday and will travel to face Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Tuesday.

FIXTURES Atletico Madrid Levante Barcelona Villarreal

v v v v

Valladolid Almeria Vallecano Celta Vigo

Gerardo Martino’s men’s performances against Sevilla and Sociedad also suggested they are finding their form at just the right time of the season, and defender Gerard Pique said they can’t

afford any slip ups with so many important games on the horizon.

“I don’t know if we’re back in our stride, but we certainly put in a good performance against a good team,” he said after the Sociedad game.

“Now we’re coming into the most exciting part of the season, we have three months ahead of us in which we’re alive in all three competitions.

“We have to keep up this level in every game because every match that we have left is a Cup final and at this stage of the season there is no room for error.”

Brazilian forward Neymar is expected to get some playing time on Saturday to improve his match fitness ahead of the City game having been out for three weeks due to a sprained ankle. l

Revenge in the air in FA Cup blockbusters It may be Saint Valentine’s Day, but it is revenge, rather than romance, that is in the air ahead of the weekend’s FA Cup fifth-round matches.

A lack of major head-to-head clashes and true upsets means that this season’s FA Cup has yet to capture the imagination, but that could change in round five as four of the country’s biggest teams prepare to face off.

Manchester City host Premier League title rivals Chelsea on Saturday, with Arsenal tackling Liverpool a day later, and both ties carry extra intrigue due to recent encounters between their respective protagonists.

Lyon stunned in French Cup Lyon’s hopes of a domestic Cup double were ended on Thursday as Remi Garde’s side were eliminated from the French Cup at the last 16 stage, losing 2-1 after extra-time to second-tier Lens.

OL took the lead at the Stade de Gerland when Jimmy Briand headed home with just nine minutes played, and it looked like that goal would be enough to take them through to a quarter-final tie away to Monaco next month.

However, Lens were handed a lifeline when Mehdi Zeffane brought down Adamo Coulibaly inside the penalty area a minute into injury time, and Pierrick Valdivia - who started his career with Lyon - converted from the spot. l

Chelsea took control of the title race with a 1-0 victory at City on February 3, while Arsenal’s own championship ambitions were ruthlessly undermined in a chastening 5-1 defeat at Anfield last weekend.

FIXTURES Cardiff City Man City Sheffield W Sunderland

v v v v

Wigan Chelsea Charlton Southampton

City had an unwanted night off on Wednesday after their home match with future League Cup final opponents Sunderland was called off due to high winds.

They will be doubly eager to return to action on Saturday, having seen their 100 percent home record in the league this season ended by Chelsea.

Jose Mourinho’s side let slip an opportunity to extend their lead in the Premier League after drawing 1-1 at West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday and could be missing both John Terry and Gary Cahill due to injury.

There are two other all-Premier League ties in the last 16, with Sunderland hosting Southampton and Everton manager Roberto Martinez coming up against his former club, Swansea City.

Holders Wigan Athletic visit Cardiff City, while third-tier Sheffield United, welcome Championship team Nottingham Forest to Bramall Lane. l

Challengers Monaco face stiff test in Corsica Monaco’s challenge at the top of Ligue 1 faces a stiff examination on Saturday when they cross the Mediterranean to take on SC Bastia in Corsica.

The principality club came from behind to hold leaders Paris Saint-Germain to a 1-1 draw last weekend and stay within five points of top spot, with coach Claudio Ranieri later promising: “If PSG lose games and lose the title then we’ll be there.”

Bastia, meanwhile, have had a great week. After failed to register an away win all season, they ran out 3-1 victors

at Toulouse in a rearranged game on Tuesday that was notable for Djibril Cisse’s first goal since returning to French football last month.

Third-placed Lille travel to face Evian on Sunday before fourth and fifth face off at the Stade GeoffroyGuichard as Saint-Etienne meet Marseille. l

FIXTURES SC Bastia Lorient Nice Reims Rennes Sochaux

v v v v v v

Monaco Toulouse Nantes Bordeaux Montpellier Guingamp

Barcelona players joke as they look at teammate Alexis Sanchez (L) during a training session at Joan Gamper training camp, near Barcelona yesterday REUTERS

Emotional Adriano plays first match for nearly two years

'Sensitive refs can end triple punishment debate'

Former Brazil and Inter Milan forward Adriano played his first match for nearly two years when he made a late cameo appearance in Atletico Paranaense’s 1-0 win over The Strongest in the Libertadores Cup. Adriano barely had time to get a touch of the ball after coming on as an 85th minute substitute but was still emotional.

“I’ve been battling every day to reach my target,” he told reporters after Thursday’s match against the Bolivian side.

“I’ve gone through so many things in my life and taking part in an important competition such as the Libertadores makes me happy and emotional.” l

out finding an ideal solution.

However, Blatter said in his column in FIFA’s weekly magazine that referees were often too quick to show the red card to players who gave away penalties.

“These include serious foul play, violent conduct, spitting at an opponent, and denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball, or by another punishable offence,” he said..

“The laws apply equally to all. However, their interpretation does demand intuition and sensitivity. Not every foul in the penalty area necessitates a sending-off, yet referees do occasionally seem prone to this fallacy. l

The long-running debate over the socalled triple punishment could be ended if referees used more intuition and sensitivity, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Friday.

Coaches have long complained that the “triple punishment”, where a player gives away a penalty, is sent off and then has to serve a one-match suspension, is too harsh and completely changes the course of the game.

It is due to be discussed by soccer’s rule-making body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), at its next meeting on Feb 28. The IFAB has pondered changes in the past with-

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Double ton for Asif Ahmed

QUICK BYTES

Karlovic topples Lopez, Hewitt advances

Top order batsman Asif Ahmed’s maiden 200 runs aided Dhaka Metro to be in a very strong position against Barisal on the second day of round three in the Walton 15th National Cricket League yesterday. In the other three games, Rajshahi and Chittagong were leading in their respective games while Dhaka Division trailed.

Croatian Ivo Karlovic pounded 19 aces past second-seeded Feliciano Lopez in beating the Spaniard in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals of the US National Indoor Tennis Championships on Thursday. Karlovic, ranked 80th in the world, needed 69 minutes to defeat Lopez 7-6 (7/2), 6-4. While Lopez, runner-up to Japan’s Kei Nishikori in Memphis last year, was denied a return to the final, third-seeded Lleyton Hewitt of Australia and fourth-seeded Lu Yen-hsun of Taiwan both stormed back for three-set victories to reach the last eight.

–AFP

Dhaka Metro v Barisal

Dhaka Metro posted 400 runs in the first innings, riding on Asif Ahmed’s double hundred against Barisal at Fatullah’s Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.

Metro started the day with an overnight score of 295 for three with Asif on 171. The right handed batsman started from where he left of earlier and went onto reach the milestone facing 327 deliveries. Asif’s brilliant innings came to an end after he was run out the ball after. Later, Metro declared the innings with 400 runs on the board. Islamul Ahsan picked three wickets for Barisal.

Barisal batted four overs in the last session of the day, scoring 16/0 and trail by 384 runs.

Arthur rules out England Dumped Australia cricket coach Mickey Arthur Friday ruled out applying for the vacant England job after being appointed head of the Super 15 rugby team Western Force’s development programme. The South African, who was ousted just before the start of the Ashes series in England last year with two years left on his contract, said he was settled in Perth. “That won’t be me,” he said when asked by reporters if he was interested in the England job, which has been free since Andy Flower quit last month after losing the Ashes 5-0 on a disastrous tour to Australia.

“I’m very happy with the mix I’ve got in my life at the moment,” added Arthur.

–AFP

Khulna v Chittagong

Bangladesh supporters at the ZACS gallery during the second and final Twenty20I match Bangladesh and Sri Lanka yesterday

SHIELD CORNER HOW WAS 1995 FINAL Last time a Bangladeshi club reached the IFA Shield final was in 1995 when Mohammedan SC were beaten by East Bengal 3-1 in a tiebreaker after the 120-minute time ended 1-1. According to former national defender Jewel Rana, who also played for Mohammedan in the final, it was a 4 hour and 30 minutes thriller. Midfielder Nurul Haque Manik put the Black and Whites ahead in the first half before East Bengal equalized the margin in stoppage time. Two players from either side received red cards in the game, which fumed the crowd and the game was stopped several times.

“We played against 14 men, including referee and linesmen. We were way better side than them and they (match officials) did everything not to let us win. This time the whole world will be watching and I wish all the luck to Sheikh Jamal,” memorised Jewel Rana who is now assistant coach of Mohammedan.

SK JAMAL OFFER INCENTIVES Sheikh Jamal president Manjur Kader informed that team will receive $25,000 if they win today and clinch the first ever Shield title. Earlier, the team got $10,000 after beating Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.

BFF PRESIDENT TO WATCH FINAL Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president Kazi Salahuddin is scheduled to fly to Kolkata today morning to watch the final. The BFF chief will return the next day.

UNITED CLINCH THIRD SPOT The struggle continued for East Bengal as they were defeated by United SC 6-5 on penalties in the third place play-off of the IFA Shield. The teams were locked 1-1 after 120 minutes.

– Shishir Hoque

DAY’S WATCH

Titu optimistic for final With Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi reaching the final of 118th IFA Shield, all attention in Bangladesh football is firmly on the new Bangladesh Premier League powerhouse.

Former Bangladesh national team player and coach Saiful Bari Titu believes that the Dhanmondi outfits are the favorites in today’s final against Kolkata Mohammedan Sporting but also expects a very competitive final as well. The former Mohammedan coach spoke about today’s finalists- especially the technical sides- while talking to Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

What’s your thought about the final and who do you think are favorites?

I will put Sheikh Jamal ahead for today’s final. The way they came back after losing the first game it bolstered their team spirit and motivated the players as well. They are at their peak form and will be tough one to beat. I also watched Mohammedan’s match in semifinal. I think it will be a competitive final.

Comparing to other Kolkata clubs, how do you rate Kolkata Mohammedan?

Kolkata Mohammedan are impressive and has compactness in their team and are better than East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. Both the Mohammedan wingers- Nabi and Ishfaq- are very good and could cause problems for Jamal. They usually play 4-2-3-1 so our defenders has to be more cautious. They have some fine defenders including their captain Dhanrajan and Nirmal and overall they have a compact defence. It will not be a

one-sided match like semifinal.

What do you think Sheikh Jamal should do to continue their winning run and win the Shield?

We don’t have to worry about our forward line which is very strong with Sony Norde, Wedson and Darlington. What we should do is not to concede goal and if we don’t so our forwards are capable enough to score and win the game.

Besides, I think Sony, Darlington and Wedson have extra motivation when they play in the Kolkata field.

They are giving their 100 percent there keeping in mind that they could get better offer from Kolkata clubs.

Do Sheikh Jamal need any change in their squad and formation?

I don’t think they need to change the squad and formation. Joseph Afusi is an intelligent coach and he used Nasir as defensive midfielder perfectly in the place of Alli. Didar and Yasin are also doing great at the backline. If Jamal players make as fewer mistakes as they can, I think it will be their day. l

MUMIT M

A joint effort by the batsmen allowed Chittagong to take 44 runs lead against Khulna at Bogra’s Shaheed Chandu Stadium. The port-city team got down to bat in the first innings to start the day replying to Khulna’s 265.

The side lost first wicket, skipper Nafees Iqbal (26), with 57 on the board.

But 133 runs in the second wicket stand between Mahabubul Karim and Irfan

Sukur laid the foundation for a lead. At stumps, the side scored 309 for the loss of four wickets in 73.4 overs. Mahabubul scored 96 while Jasim Uddin and Irfan scored 84 and 51 runs respectively. Murad Khan took two wickets for Khulna.

Sylhet v Dhaka Division

Dhaka trailed by 145 runs against Sylhet at Khulna’s Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium. Sylhet resumed their first innings in the morning and stretched the lead, scoring 356 runs before being bowled out. Opening batsman Sayem Alam, unbeaten from day one with 111 runs, went onto score 133 before losing his wicket. Rajin Saleh scored 59 not out. Mohammad Sharif took six wickets to lead the Dhaka attack.

Later, Dhaka batted 37 overs in the second innings and scored 111, losing three wickets. Rakibul Hasan was unbeaten on 46 with Shuvagoto Hom on 24.

Rangpur v Rajshahi

At Rangpur Cricket Garden, Rajshahi was in a commanding position with a 270 runs lead against Rangpur.

Defending champions Rajshahi’s first innings ended on 273. Rangpur scored only 101 runs in reply. The side had only 10 batters as Alauddin Babu was absent due to injury. He fractured his left hand and will be out of action for three months.

Shafiul Islam led the Rajshahi attack and picked up sick wickets, while Delwar Hossain claimed three.

Later, Rajshahi batted 31 overs in the second innings and stretched their lead in reaching 98 for five. Skipper Forhad Hossain was unbeaten on 29. Ariful Haque took three wickets for Rangpur. l

Warner, Doolan pile on agony for South Africa David Warner hit a flamboyant century and shared a double century partnership with Alex Doolan as Australia tightened their stranglehold on the third day of the first Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park on Friday.

Warner hit 115 and debutant Doolan made 89 as Australia reached 288 for three in their second innings at close of play, an overall lead of 479.

The pair built on the destructive bowling of Mitchell Johnson, who continued his devastating form of the recent Ashes series against England -- and his superb opening spell on the second day -- and finished with seven for 68 as South Africa were bowled out for 206 in reply to Australia’s 397.

AB de Villiers made a sparkling 91 for South Africa before he was ninth man out.

The left-handed Warner was dropped three times and survived a close leg before wicket decision and a run out chance, but played some thrilling attacking strokes as he and Doolan added 205 for the second wicket after Chris Rogers was bowled by Dale Steyn in the second over of the Australian innings.

Warner’s first chance came on 26 when he hooked Vernon Philander to fine leg where substitute Dean Elgar dived but could not hold the ball.

He edged the next ball he faced, from Morne Morkel, high to second slip where a leaping Alviro Petersen could

Sony Six

only get his fingertips to the ball.

On 51 he was dropped in similar fashion by Graeme Smith at first slip when he slashed at Ryan McLaren.

The way Warner reached his century epitomised the way he batted.

After going to tea on 93 he hit the first ball he faced after the interval from Morkel for four, then was struck on his pads in front of his stumps by the next ball.

Morkel appealed passionately, umpire Aleem Dar gave him not out and South Africa sought a review, which showed the ball was pitching marginally outside leg stump.

Warner powered Morkel’s third delivery through the covers to notch his hundred off 118 balls with 13 fours and two sixes.

He was then kept relatively quiet and did not add to his boundary tally in the next 33 balls before edging left-arm spinner Robin Peterson to Smith at slip.

Doolan was more circumspect, particularly at the start of his innings, but hit 12 fours and a six in a 154-ball innings before flashing at a quicker delivery from part-time off-spinner JP Duminy to be caught behind.

Johnson struck with his fourth ball of the day when Robin Peterson fended a sharply lifting delivery to Michael Clarke moving to his left from second slip.

Vernon Philander played a dogged innings of 15 before he was leg before wicket to off-spinner Nathan Lyon. l

SCORECARD, DAY 3

Australia, first innings, 397 South Africa, first innings (overnight 140-6) A. de Villiers c Warner b Johnson R. Peterson c Clarke b Johnson V. Philander lbw b Lyon D. Steyn not out M. Morkel c Haddin b Johnson Extras (b14, lb2, nb1, w1) Total (61.1 overs)

91 10 15 7 0 18 206

Fall of wickets 1-11, 2-15, 3-23, 4-43, 5-110, 6-126, 7-140, 8-189, 9-202 Bowling Harris 17-3-51-0, Johnson 17.1-1-68-7 (1w), Siddle 13-1-33-1 (1nb), Lyon 14-0-38-2 Australia, second innings C. Rogers b Steyn 1 D. Warner c Smith b Peterson 115 A. Doolan c De Villiers b Duminy 89 S. Marsh not out 44 M. Clarke not out 17 Extras (b3, lb13, w6) 22 Total (3 wkts, 69 overs) 288 Fall of wickets 1-1, 2-206, 3-243 Bowling Philander 11-2-28-0, Steyn 13-2-60-1, McLaren 11-0-47-0, Morkel 11-2-38-0, Peterson 19-1-87-1, Duminy 4-0-12-1 Match situation Australia lead by 479 runs with seven wickets remaining in the second innings

Irfan to miss Asia Cup, World Twenty20

3:30AM (Sunday) New Zealand v India 2nd Test: Day 3 Ten Cricket 2:30PM South Africa v Australia 1st Test, Day 4 Star Sports 2 11.15AM ICC U-19 World Cup India v Pakistan 7:00PM Hockey India League Star Sports 4 12:50 PM Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games Day 8 11:10PM FA Cup Man City v Chelsea 1:45AM Italian Serie A Fiorentina v Inter Milan Star Sports HD La Liga 1:00AM Barcelona v Rayo Vallecano 3:00AM Villarreal v Celta de Vigo

15

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott (centre L) and Gabrielle Upton, sport and recreation minister, holds the Cricket World Cup 2015 trophy in Sydney yesterday. The ceremony was organised to mark one year until the start of the 2015 ICC World Cup that will be held in New Zealand and Australia AFP

Lanky Pakistan paceman Mohammad Irfan was left out of Pakistan’s 15-man squads for this month’s Asia Cup and next month’s World Twenty20 after a recurrence of a hip injury, selectors said Friday.

Irfan – the tallest ever man to play international cricket at 7 feet one inch – fractured his hip in Pakistan’s Twenty20 series against South Africa in United Arab Emirates in November last year.

However, his recovery proved short lived when the injury recurred in a domestic tournament this week, prompting chief selector Azhar Khan to say Irfan had to be left out of the squads.

“Irfan was left out as he fell injured again and he needs some time for recovery,” Khan told reporters while announcing the squads.

The Asia Cup will be held in Dhaka, from February 25 to March 8. Besides Pakistan - the defending champions - India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and hosts Bangladesh will also take part in the event.

The fifth edition of the World Twenty20 with 16 teams in competition will also be held in Bangladesh from March 16 to April 6.

Misbah-ul Haq will lead the one-day team while Mohammad Hafeez will be Twenty20 captain.

There were recalls for left-handed batsman Fawad Alam and paceman Mohammad Talha in the one-day squads while wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal got one more chance in the Twenty20 team.

Alam, 28, played last of his 27 oneday internationals in September 2010.

Shoaib Malik was also included in the Twenty20 squad after being withdrawn from the tour of South Africa in November last year due to injury.

“Kamran and Malik will give experience to the team for the important event,” said Khan.

Kamran played last of his 50 Twenty20 matches in South Africa in March last year. Batsmen Asad Shafiq and Haris Sohail lost their one-day places after being part of the squads for the series against Sri Lanka last year. l

Initiative made for legal protection of domestic workers n Mohosinul Karim The government has made an initiative to finalise the drafts of the Domestic Worker Protection Act and the Domestic Worker Protection and Welfare Policy 2010, three years after the drafts had been prepared.

The labour and employment ministry, that prepared the drafts in association with civil society members and after consulting labour and rights groups, is considering on placing the drafts before the cabinet within a month.

The drafts, however, are likely to be placed before Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina next Sunday, when the premier is expected to attend her office at labour ministry in secretariat.

Sheikh Hasina currently looks after the ministry, with Jatiya Party Presidium member Mojibul Haque Chunnu carrying out the responsibilities of state minister.

Officials of the ministry said the drafts of the act and the policy were prepared to protect the domestic workers from physical, mental and sexual harassment, limit their working hours and stop the employment of child workers below the age of 12.

Labour Secretary Mikail Shipar on Thursday told the Dhaka Tribune that some obstacles had long barred the placement of the drafts before the cabinet.

“The drafts would be placed before the premier along with other important issues during her visit to the ministry on February 16. Those would be sent to the cabinet for its approval, if the premier gives her nod,” the secretary added.

According to a study by Unicef and International Labour Organisation, there are around 20 lakh domestic workers in Bangladesh including more than 450,000 child workers. Among them, around 150,000 workers are employed in different households in Dhaka.

“There are different rules and regulations on protection and welfare of domestic workers. There is a regulation on not employing children below 12 years of age. There is also a High Court directive in this regard. We have to work for effective implementation of these regulations,” the secretary said.

Shipar added that the ministry has planned to enact a security policy for the protection of domestic workers, as well as trying to bring them under social protection network and reducing the number of domestic workers.

Domestic Workers Rights Network (DWRN) Coordinator Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed said: “It is the responsibility of the government to ensure the rights and facilities of the household workers.

“A large number of Bangladeshis are working as domestic workers abroad.

Our government will have nothing to say to the employer country if they face injustice, as we are yet to ratify the ILO convention,” he added.

According to ministry sources, the draft of the policy has remained stuck at the Cabinet Division since it was prepared in 2010, while the draft of the act was yet to be sent to the Cabinet Division.

According to the draft policy, the registration of domestic workers would be mandatory, while the registered workers would get the facilities of appointment, identity cards, fixed wages, fixed working hours, leave and resting period, education and training, medical and compensation for any kinds of accidents. l

Two pregnant women die from wrong treatment n Tribune Report Two pregnant women died allegedly after receiving wrong treatments in Naogaon and Tangail on Thursday.

In Naogaon, Tara Banu, 20, was admitted to Protyasha Clinic in the town on December 28 following labour pains.

Doctors conducted a surgery that evening and she gave birth to a baby boy.

After the operation, the victim’s her womb swelled up, but she was taken home when her condition deteriorated further. On February 8, Tara was admitted to Bogra Shahid Zia Medical College in critical condition. She died there on Thursday.

In Tangail, Munni Akhter, 20, of Jokarchar village in Kalihati upazila, was operated upon at Dhaka Clinic and Hospital on Thursday and she gave birth to a girl.

She was kept under observation as she did not regain consciousness from anesthesia.

The hospital authorities and doctors fled the hospital yesterday after noticing that Munni had died from the anesthesia. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

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Saturday, February 15, 2014

Dhaka getting ready to host ICC T20 World Cup Infrastructural development and beautification to be completed by March 8

n Abu Hayat Mahmud Work has begun on developing infrastructure and beautifying Dhaka city to get the capital ready to host the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in March.

The Local Government Division is implementing the Tk115 crore project, taking Tk92 crore from government funds and the rest from funds of the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC).

The project includes development of about 23km roads, the setting up of streetlights, traffic signs and road markers on 23.5km roads, and the beautification of 20.5km roads.

The DNCC has started widening the road from Mirpur 12 to Kalshi main road, and also constructing the central reservation and footpath for a Tk 18.26 crore cost; the development and repair of roads, footpaths, drains from Mirpur 10 to Mirpur 12 bus depot, and the T&T office at Mirpur 2 to Proshika Bhaban at cost Tk 20.86 crore.

Development and repair of roads, footpaths and central reservation is also taking from Mirpur 10 to Taltola bus stop, Senpara Parbata Falpatti area, link road in Barobagh, and the main road in Kachukhet that stretches from Mirpur 14 to Ibrahimpur at a cost of Tk23.61 crore.

Earlier, the DNCC finished repairing key Mirpur roads, including the road between Mirpur 10 to 14, ahead of its project deadline of June this year.

The city corporation has also started developing and repairing roads, foot-

path and drains from Banani rail crossing to to Bijoy Sarani for Tk21.64 crore, and developing footpath and drains from Bijoy Sarani to Shahbagh via Banglamotor for Tk9.53 crore.

The DNCC is also beautifying traffic sign, road markers, paint of central reservations and road islands, installing street lamps, and colorful lightings at a cost Tk20.73 crore.

On January 19, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved Tk115 crore to give the capital a facelift ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup. Under the project, the city corporation has also started improving and beautifying the roads surrounding the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium and Bangabandhu National Stadium. The two city corporations and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police are also recovering footpaths from grabbers to ensure smooth traffic movement.

Visiting different areas in Mirpur, Mohammadpur and the Airport road, the Dhaka Tribune found that footpaths in these areas have been freed from vendors, hawkers and makeshift shop owners.

Brig Gen Md Abul Khair, chief engineer of the DNCC, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We have already started the development project, and it will be completed by March 8.

“At present, repair and construction are going on, and step by step all the project work will be completed by the deadline,” he said. l

RAJIB DHAR

16

Books picked as token of love 10

new books published A M A R E K U S H E Y B O O K FA I R 2 0 1 4

n Ahmed Zayeef The celebration of Valentine’s Day gave the Ekushey Book Fair a new dimension as book lovers thronged the fair and passed a busy time in looking for the books of their choice to present their loved ones.

As it was a public holiday as well, both the grounds-Bangla Academy and Suhrawardi Udyan- turned into a human sea.

Young couples mostly dressed in colorful sari and panjabi, started pouring

MATHEMATICS OLYMPIAD

Contestants want to make it thru’ to next round, int’l Olympiad n Abu Bakar Siddique Rubayet-e-Zaman, an 11-year-old boy, was looking a bit upset while he was roaming around in the field of Saint Joseph School yesterday evening.

The contestant came from the port city to vie for the national level competition of Mathematics Olympiad under the primary school category to make it through to the next round.

Rubayet said he failed to deal with the problems in the exam as he desired.

“The exam was good, but not to that level as I desired,” he said while responding to a query from the correspondent about his unhappiness.

But in contrast to Rubayet, Abdul Gafur Patwary, another participant at higher secondary level, was looking happy while he was making preparation to enjoy the cultural programme held after the competition.

“I hope I would get the call for the next round as my exam was good,” he said, adding that my dream of joining the International Olympiad would be true if I succeeded in today’s exam.

Like Rubayet and Patwary 1,055

students from 22 districts gathered yesterday on the premises of Saint Joseph School located in the capital’s Mohammadpur to participate in the two-day-long National Mathematics Olympiad 2014.

Five best selection from the contestants in the camping will join the 55th International Mathematics Olympiad to be held in July in South Africa Most of them were in festive mood during the whole day though some were a bit upset and tired while some nervous about losing the battle.

“You should not be upset if you do not get call for the next round because everybody will not be the winner in a game,” said Prof Muhammed Zafar Iqbal of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology while he was talking to the competitors before staring the cul-

tural programme at the evening.

Every of you must take lesson from the errors that you had committed, he said, adding that this would lead you to succeed next time.

Around 40 participants will get call from today’s competition for the next round called “camping” for intensive nursing and developing mathematical skill which will continue for next months.

Five best selection from the contestants in the camping will join the 55th International Mathematics Olympiad to be held in July in South Africa.

The two-day-long National Mathematics Olympiad started yesterday with an aim to select the Bangladesh team for the International Olympiad.

Earlier on January, a regional competition has held in 22 different districts to select competitors for the national event from where yesterday’s competitors came.

In four categories, primary, junior, secondary and higher secondary, the participants appeared in the competition whose result will come out today. l

Students from different parts of the country queue up at the capital’s Saint Joseph School field yesterday to participate in the two-day -long National Mathematics Olympiad MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

into the fair in the afternoon spreading out a festive mood everywhere.

The Bangla Academy premises remained more crowded compared to Suhrawardi Udyan. An unusually long queue of visitors was visible in front of the premises. The entrances were shut in the evening to reduce the crowd.

Mahmudul Hasan, a student of Dhaka University, was strolling along with his friends. He said: “We have been hanging out around the campus since morning to celebrate the Valentine’s Day. Now, we are in the book fair to buy a few books.”

Some people could not enter the fair because of the excessive crowd.

Shamim Ahmed, a government employee, was drinking tea with his family in the TSC area. He was disappointed as he could not enter the fair and buy books for his children.

“I did not imagine that the fairground would be this much crowded. I have been waiting to enter the fair for a couple of hours,” said Shamim.

A total of 196 books hit the fair yesterday.

Among them, Dr Anwar Hossain’s “Jahangirnagar Bishshobiddaloy: Obanchito Ekjon” from Agami Prokashoni, Syed Iqbal’s “Mayalisa” from Royal Publishers, Anisul Haque’s “Bhalobasha Tomake Dilam” from Kakoli Prokashoni was worth mention.

A total of 10 new books were unveiled at the Nazrul Mancha on the Bangla Academy premises.

A discussion on Hazi Mohammad Mohsin was held at the central stage of the fair presided over by Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, vice-chancellor of Dhaka University. l

Increasing private med school seats draws flak n Moniruzzaman Uzzal The health ministry has given “conditional approval” for increasing 230 seats in 21 private medical and dental colleges across the country although many of them failed to fulfil their existing quota of seats despite repeated extension of admission deadlines.

A meeting of the ministry on January 27 made the decision, as well as giving primary approval for opening a 50-bed dental college and new dental units at two medical institutes.

Health Secretary MM Niazuddin said several conditions were set out for increasing a limited number of seats at several medical and dental colleges, that were doing comparatively good.

The conditions include taking mandatory permission of affiliation before admitting students to those seats, increasing teachers, keeping 10% beds for poor patients and recording their list, arranging lectures in galleries, keeping updated medical journals and books, arranging oxygen plant and reserving 5% seats for poor and meritorious students.

Professor Dr Mahbub-E-Rashid, president of Health Rights Movement Bangladesh, told the Dhaka Tribune that the move to increase seats was done only to “promote the business” of private medical colleges.

He questioned the reason behind the decision which, he said, came despite the recent suspension of approval for 14 new medical colleges and inspection for all private medical colleges. He also raised questions as to who would monitor and supervise the conditions.

Sources said the health directorate has made six admission deadline extensions since November for private medical colleges, with the latest extension continuing until February 15.

However, Shah Md Selim, secretary general of Bangladesh Private Medical College Association (BPMCA), told the Dhaka Tribune that the BPMCA sought to increase both the number of medical colleges and their seats.

Saying the organisation did not want to secure permission in an improper or illegal way, Selim said the health ministry should make necessary inspections before giving any

kind of permission.

The increased seat allotment includes five additional seats for Prime Medical College, five for Rangpur Community Medical College, 10 for Sylhet Women’s Medical College, 25 for Barinda Medical College, 10 for City Medical College, 15 for Shahid Mansur Ali Medical College, 10 for Dhaka Community Medical College, five for North East Medical College, 15 for Samarita Medical College, 10 for Uttara Adhunik Medical College, 10 for Central Medical College, 20 for Enam Medical College, five for Community-based Medical College, 20 for Anwar Khan Medical College, 15 for at Sirajul Islam Medical College, 10 for Green Life Medical College, 15 for Gazi Medical College and 15 for Southern Medical College.

Among the dental colleges, 15 seats each were increased at Universal Dental College and Samorita Hospital’s dental unit, while Saphena Women’s Dental College gained 20 seats.

The new 50-bed Al Amin Dental College received primary approval, while the Community-based Medical College and Dhaka National Medical College received permission to open dental units of 30 and 20 beds respectively.

According to the health directorate, the country currently has 54 private medical and 14 dental colleges, accommodating 4,800 and 1,050 students.

Meanwhile, another meeting of the ministry officially suspended the approval of 13 private medical colleges and a dental college, and formed four committees to inspect those colleges before making a final decision. The colleges are: Kasiruddin Memorial Medical College, Rangpur, US Dental College, Uttara, Abdul Hamid Medical College, Addin-Akij Medical College, Shah Makdum Medical College, US Bangla Medical College, Care Medical College, Universal Medical College, Brahmanbaria Medical College, IIMCH Medical College, Parkview Medical College. l

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