02 march 2014

Falgun 18, 1420 Rabius Saani 29, 1435 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 1 No 338

SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

Arts & Letters | JUGGLING JAIPUR

7 | FORM, STORM, NORM, PERFORM

Khaleda vows a successful movement

20 pages plus 8-page monthly Arts & Letters supplement | Price: Tk10

9 | STABILITY, CHINA’S WATCHWORD

14 | WEST INDIES BEAT ENGLAND

WHEN CAREGIVERS BECOME INSTIGATORS OF VIOLENCE

The BNP chief says there is no place for militancy in Bangladesh Al-Masum Molla, n Mohammad from Rajbari BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday said the movement that her party was going to lodge after the upazila parishad polls would not be “unsuccessful.”

In her first public address outside Dhaka since the January 5 parliamentary election, Khaleda Zia told a rally in Rajbari that the BNP-led 19-party alliance was first going to consolidate organisationally and lodge a movement for toppling the government after the upazila polls.

“This time the movement will not be unsuccessful,” the former opposition leader said.

Khaleda branded the parliament ‘inactive,’ saying people’s money was being wasted because there was no effective opposition in the House The BNP and its allies vowed to resist the January 5 national election which they boycotted. However, BNP’s arch rival Awami League eventually managed to stage the election and formed the government for the second time in a row.

This the first time since 2008 that Khaleda Zia has come to Rajbari. She came to the district last time for electioneering for the 2008 national poll.

Local ranks of the BNP generally make extravagant decorative arrangements on the highways that Khaleda Zia travel along before going to address such rallies at the district level. However, yesterday’s arrangement was no-

where near extravagant. Very few usual archways were visible on the roads.

During her address at the Railway ground in Rajbari town, she also alleged that a total of 304 people were killed and at least 65 abducted in three months from October to January.

On January 15, she alleged that more than 300 people were killed in one month centring the national election.

The BNP chief also claimed that a total of 32,000 cases had been filed against the leaders and activists of the 19-party alliance and law enforcers had been involved in “arrest and repression business.”

Regarding the joint force’s drive, Khaleda said: “They [the joint forces] cannot be termed patriotic people of the country.”

During yesterday’s addressed, Khaleda vowed that none would be allowed to use Bangladesh’s soil to carry out terrorist activities.

“There is no place for militancy in the country. There is no place al-Qaeda in Bangladesh,” she affirmed.

Khaleda also said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would have to take the blame for the snatching of three detained JMB operatives from a prison van because she was in charge of the home ministry then.

“You [the government] can tap our phone calls. Why did not you do it when the militants talked over phones in the jail?” she questioned.

In a cinematic operation on February 23, suspected JMB men killed a policeman and snatched three of their top detained operatives from a prison van in Trishal of Mymensingh. Two of those snatched JMB leaders were death row convicts. One of them was arrested a few hours after the incident but was killed in an alleged gunfight in Tangail the next day.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

A patient being hastily taken out of the National Medical College and Hospital compound on a wheelchair after a clash erupted between the hospital’s interns and fourth-class employees in the capital yesterday. More on Page 5 MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

War crimes trial against Jamaat still to see daylight n Udisa Islam Having missed several committed submission dates for reasons stated as “mysterious,” the investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal is finally ready to submit the report associated with the probe into war crimes allegations against Jamaat-e-Islami.

On August 18 last year, the agency, comprising mainly personnel from police, began formal investigation into war crimes allegations against Jamaat.

There has been a longstanding demand from various campaigners including the Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee and the Gonojagoron Moncho for trying Jamaat for alleged war crimes.

The tribunal too in some of the verdicts that it had delivered, made observations terming Jamaat a “criminal organisation.”

The prosecution of the tribunal will press formal war crime charges against Jamaat after the agency submits its final probe report.

However, the agency has so far, reportedly missed at least four committed submission dates including two in January and February this year.

Sources said there were chances that the report might be placed with the prosecution by the middle of March.

Investigation officer Motiur Rahman said: “We are almost ready to submit the report, and this time we will not

INSIDE B1 Bangladesh is going to sign the first-ever Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Sri Lanka soon to further enhance the existing bilateral trade relations between the two South Asian countries.

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

n Tribune Desk

News

3 The Election Commission is yet to take any substantial actions regarding the large number of allegations of electoral code violation that have reportedly been submitted to the EC during the two phases of upazila parishad election.

Nation

6 Hundreds of bamboo clusters of the reserved forest under Mahamuhiri range in Bandarban Hilly district were being trafficked as the clusters had not been auctioned yet.

11 RMGs serve as the flagship products of our country, increasing people’s interest in Bangladesh both as tourist and investment destinations. The sector does occupy a wide area of the Bangladesh economy, and a distinct position in the global market as well.

Families of the three Bangladeshi workers who were killed in a fire at Manama of Bahrain on Thursday are at a loss after losing their only bread earners.

As the deceased workers were not financially viable to send money back home regularly, the families had been facing tribulation, and now they are preparing for more sufferings to come.

They demand immediate support of the government.

The deceased were Dulal Mia, 30, son of Siddiqur Rahman from Ziapur village in Moynamati Union of Burchang upazila in Comilla; Jalal Uddin, 30, son of Abdul Gafur from Rampur  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

Russian parliament approves troops in Ukraine

Business

Op-Ed

miss the deadline.” However, he refused to give any specific date.

Sources also said something “fishy” had been delaying the submission of the report, although they did not clarify what those reasons could be.

Other sources, however, claimed that it would be hard for the agency to come up with the report by even the end of March. They said the agency would have to interview some of the war criminals, including convicts, for being able to bring specific charges against the party.

A few months ago, tribunal prosecutor Tureen Afroz said formal charges against Jamaat would be filed by the

Deaths that stunned them into silence n Our Correspondent, Comilla

Ziaur Rahman’s 22-ball 41 at the fag-end of the match cheered the home crowed but finally Bangladesh could not avoid embarrassment who was taking the charge to the Afghan bowlers, was eventually bowled through the gate MUMIT M

Afghans tame toothless Tigers n Mazhar Uddin Afghanistan promised to come hard on the hosts and they passed their commitment with distinction when the associate cricketing nation, in only their fourth one-day international against a major team, defeated Bangladesh by 32 runs in Asia Cup yesterday.

Moreover, it was the approach and planning from the Afghans that nearly brought them the bonus point at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.

Bangladesh, who took 28 matches to register their first-win against a major country, had earlier tasted three similar defeats against associate members

Netherland, Ireland and Canada.

It was the pair of Asghar Stanikzai and Samiullah Shenwari who coasted Afghanistan to the challenging total of 254 for six, before they carried the momentum when they came on to bowl to stun the Tigers by striking twice in the first two overs.

Shamsur Rahman, after surviving a close lbw call, saw his off-stump flying back off Shapoor Zadran while his new ball partner, the 6’5” tall Hamid Hassan, trapped Anamul Haque leg-before in the next over to leave Bangladesh flabbergasted on 1 for2.

Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque however added 68 for the third

wicket to pull them out of danger, but that hardly demoralised the Afghans as they came back rather strongly. Mohammad Nabi removed his counterpart Mushfiq (23), lbw, which saw Nasir Hossain promoted up the batting order.

Nasir lived dangerously in the middle as the right-handed was dropped four times on his way to 41 and looked very mediocre. Mominul, just after reaching his fifty, jumped down the wicket to Shenwari only to be cleaned up by the leg-spinner before a 73-run partnership between Nasir and Naeem Islam. Nasir looked less-than-ordinary during his knock as he was trying  PAGE 2 COLUMN 6

The upper house of Russain parliament yesterday approved President Putin’s request for using forces in Ukraine.

Russia’s Black Sea Fleet is based in Crimea of Ukraine where many ethnic Russians live. Kiev has reacted angrily to military movements in Crimea, accusing Moscow of trying to provoke the new government into an armed conflict.

Ukraine’s Interim President Olexander Turchynov has called an emergency session of his security chiefs, reported BBC. Putin submitted the request for troops “in connection with the extraordinary situation in Ukraine and the threat to the lives of Russian citizen,” the Kremlin said.

The upper house went into a special session almost immediately after the president made the request, in what seems to have been a carefully coordinated series of events during the day.

Earlier, the lower house urged the president to take whatever measures were necessary to “stabilise” the situation in Crimea.

During a debate at the upper house, one legislator accused US President Barack Obama of crossing limits with his comments that military intervention in Ukraine would be costly for Russia.

The upper house recommended that the Russian ambassador the US should be recalled, although the decision lied with Putin.

Putin’s request follow days of military activity in Crimea during which unidentified armed men moved in to take over the regional parliament, state television and telecommunications hubs.

Soldiers from Russia’s Black Sea Fleet are reported to be guarding some administrative buildings and military bases.

Amid the closure of airspace over Crimea’s regional capital Simferopol on Friday evening, there were unconfirmed reports that Russian planes had been carrying in thousands of troops.

P8

OBAMA WARNS PUTIN

Ukrainian Defence Minister Ihor Tenyukh said on Saturday there were 6,000 additional Russian troops in Crimea, alongside 30 armoured vehicles.

Under the agreement governing the presence of the fleet in Crimea, the Russians must coordinate all troop movements outside the fleet’s base with the Ukrainian authorities beforehand.

Sergiy Aksyonov, the newly-elected pro-Moscow leader of Crimea, earlier said he had appealed to Putin for help to ensure peace on the peninsula - a request which the Kremlin said it would “not leave unnoticed.”

Events in Crimea have angered the new interim government in Kiev - which does not recognise the  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

PM: Navy to get two submarines by 2015 n BSS Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said two submarines would be inducted in Bangladesh Navy by 2015 to build it as a “three dimensional” force.

“A process for induction of two submarines in the naval force has been finalised as part of the present government’s firm determination and commitment to turn Bangladesh Navy into a three-dimensional force,” she said, adding that the two submarines would be inducted to the naval fleet by 2015.

The premier also said work on setting up the country’s biggest naval base in Rabnabad area in Patuakali has already started.

Hasina made the comments while addressing the commissioning of two new frigates in Bangladesh Navy at BNS Naval Base Isa Khan yesterday.

The two new frigates – Abu Bakar and Ali Haider – procured from China have replaced two old British frigates.

Earlier on her arrival at the BNS Naval Base Isa Khan, the prime minister was received by Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral M Farid Habib and Commander of the Chittagong Naval Zone Rear Admiral M Akhter Habib.

Cabinet members, PM’s security adviser, parliament members, the chiefs of Bangladesh Army and Air Force, diplomats and senior civil and military officials were present.

The prime minister said the government with utmost importance has started the work on increasing necessary infrastructure for the navy including air base along with raising its war fleet.

“The issue of construction of a submarine base is under process,” she said, adding that the Khulna Shipyard is building two container ships with the funding of the navy, which would play an active role in the country’s economy.

The prime minister put emphasis on an efficient, modern and balanced “three dimensional navy” to ensure security of the maritime area for the national economic development.

Hasina said most of the people of the country are not aware of the importance of sea and its resources.

“Our naval force and coast guards

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina commissions two newly procured 053H2 Frigate ships at the Naval Berth Chittagong yesterday FOCUS BANGLA are ensuring security of the maritime boundary by encountering various natural adversities. So despite economic constraints, the necessity of an efficient, modern and balanced three-dimensional naval force is undeniable,” she said.

Earlier, the prime minister handed over the commissioning orders of the

two warships to the commanding officers and formally unveiled the plaques of the ships.

She also boarded the largest BN ship Samudra Joy, which was procured from the United States recently, and BNS Abu Bakar and witnessed different war equipment. l

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Dhaka trashes US rights report n UNB Dhaka: The US government report on Bangladesh’s human rights situation in 2013 is baseless and inaccurate, says State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan.

“The USA is a friendly country for us…it’s our development partner.

Its report on Bangladesh’s human rights situation is not based on facts.

The US secretary of state was not provided with accurate information,” he told UNB yesterday.

On Thursday, US Secretary of State John Kerry formally released the ‘2013 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices’ in a press briefing at the US Department of State in Washington.

The report in its Bangladesh section - Bangladesh 2013 Human rights Report - mentioned that weak regard for the rule of law not only enabled individuals, including government officials, to commit human rights violations with impunity but also prevented citizens from claiming their rights.

“The government neither released statistics on total killings by security

personnel nor took comprehensive measures to investigate cases despite previous statements by high-ranking officials that the government would show ‘zero tolerance’ and fully investigate all extrajudicial killings by security forces,” the report said.

The state minister said, “This government doesn’t believe in the politics of killing and forced disappearance. We can say steps have been taken against those carrying out terrorist activities.”

Mentioning that the number which was provided in the report is inaccurate, Asaduzzaman Khan said 2-4 people might have been killed when police fired shots in self-defence while arresting terrorists.

About the report’s claim that the government has failed to control the country’s law enforcement agencies, the sate minister said, “This not right.

The government has the full control over its law enforcement agencies.”

The report said the authorities failed at times to maintain effective control over security forces and security forces reportedly committed human rights abuses. l

Apparently referring to the ruling Awami League’s poor show in the upazila elections, Communications Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday said they always want fair elections, no matter who wins.

“We wanted fair polls (Upazila elections)…and that have been done fairly.

And in elections, there is a loss and win,” he said.

Obaidul Quader said this while unveiling a musical CD at a function organised by Amra Suryamukhi at Public Library in the city on the occasion of the birthday of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Quader’s comments came as chair-

man candidates loyal to the ruling Awami League fell behind BNP-blessed candidates in the first two phases of upazila polls held on February 19 and 27.

In the first phase upazila polls, BNPbacked chairman candidates won in 42 upazilas while AL loyalists won in 34 upazilas, in the second phase BNPbacked chairman candidates won in 51 upazilas and the AL-backed ones in 44.

Obaidur Quader, also the presidium member of the ruling Awami League, said, “Two phases (of the staggered upazila elections) out of five have been completed. The upazila elections will be held in three more phases. It’ll be wise to comment on the polls only on completion of all the phases.” l

Khaleda vows  PAGE 1 COLUMN 2

In her 45-minute address in Rajbari yesterday, Khaleda branded the parliament “inactive,” saying people’s money was being wasted because there was no effective opposition in the House.

The BNP chief holds the record for remaining the highest number of days absent in parliament as the opposition leader.

She also alleged that the government, after having failed to drum up foreign support in favour of the January 5 election, started attacking the religious minority communities.

“Neither Muslims, nor Buddhists nor Christians nor the Hindus are safe

in the hands of the Awami League government,” she said.

Khaleda also slammed the government for the price hike of electricity and agricultural inputs.

“A few days ago, we saw reports of potato cultivators demonstrating by smashing potatoes in the street because they did not get fair price. But the government did not pay any heed.

Instead, it remained busy with its projects,” she said.

Lambasting the government for politicising the administration, the former premier said: “The quota system will be reduced… Merit and competence will get priority for making the administration active.” l

Russian parliament  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

province’s new leadership - and has alarmed Western leaders.

President Turchynov accused Russia of trying to provoke Kiev into “armed conflict,” but said they would not react.

US President Barack Obama said on Friday that “any violation of Ukraine sovereignty... would be deeply destabilising.”

Meanwhile, big pro-Russian rallies are being held in several Ukrainian cities outside Crimea.

In Donetsk, Yanukovych’s tradition-

al stronghold, demonstrators from a crowd of some 7,000 tried unsuccessfully to occupy the regional administration building, raising a Russian tricolour on a nearby flag-post.

In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-biggest city, scuffles broke out when protesters with Russian flags tried to occupy the regional administration building.

In Mariupol, in the south-east, hundreds of protesters carrying Russian flags gathered outside the city council in eastern and southern Ukraine. l

n

BSS

Experts on information technology of different banks and financial institutions yesterday stressed the need for building awareness among the stakeholders, particularly customers, to make online banking system protected.

The customers should be more careful to open their accounts while the authorities of banks and financial institutions have to take adequate security measures for safe online transaction, they told a workshop on “Online Banking Security Aspects and Awareness of Stakeholders” at the CTO Forum Bangladesh office.

One of the most significant informa-

Bangladeshi student to join ESU meet in London

Newly-elected female vice-chairman of Harirampur Upazila Kamrunnahar Munni sustained severe injuries in a motorcycle accident yesterday and her brother was killed on the spot while they were on the way to greet BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in Manikganj.

The deceased was Md Nasim, 35, who was riding a motorcycle to reach the house of late BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain at Pachuria from Harirampur.

On her way to address a Rajbari rally, Khaleda yesterday stopped over at Delwar’s residence and offered prayers at his grave.

The accident took place in Crussbridge area of Dhaka-Aricha highway around 1pm. It was learnt that the motorcycle collided with a bus of NNB Paribahan.

Munni was admitted to Munnu Medical College and Hospital. l

Bangladeshi university student Tousif Ahmed Ishtiaque is set to join the London-based English Speaking Union’s (ESU) annual public speaking competition to be held at the British capital from May 12-16.

ESU selected Ishtiaque, a student of Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), for its prestigious annual from among students of 30 colleges and universities after several rounds of competitions.

He confirmed his ticket to London by winning Bangladesh round of the competition held at General Mostafiz Multi Purpose Hall of MIST at Mirpur cantonment yesterday.

At the final of local round, one student from the Dhaka University, two from MIST and four from different cadet colleges competed.

MIST Commandant Major General

n BSS

tion security challenges highlighted by banks was lack of customer awareness on information security, the experts said.

The CTO Forum Bangladesh, an organisation for IT professionals in finance, banking, corporate and different business organisations, organised the event.

Chief Information Officer of Airtel Bangladesh Ltd Lutfor Rahman and CTO Forum leaders Nawed Iqbal, Syed Masodul Bari, Dr Ijazul Haque and Debdulal Roy addressed the workshop among others. President of CTO Forum Bangladesh Tapan Kanti Sarkar chaired the workshop.

Despite different security challenges, Tapan said banks around the world

were offering e-Banking products and services to attain competitive advantage. With combined efforts of bank and financial authorities, the security and privacy aspects have to be improved for flourishing e-banking in Bangladesh.

Describing security threat to banking industry as a global phenomenon, Lutfor said top online banking fraud took place in the USA while many countries were suffering hugely over online banking security issue.

In Bangladesh, online banking security needed to create awareness among the customers and to intensify monitoring of bank and financial institutions, he added. l

Deaths that stunned them into silence  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

village of Bharel Union under the same upazila; and Mosharraf Hossain, 32, son of Nazim Mia of the same village.

All of them were painters.

They were killed when a gas cylinder exploded and caused fire to a two-storey building in Makharqa area that housed around 60 Bangladeshis.

The victims died of suffocation.

After hearing the news, the families are unable to hold back their tears.

During a visit to the victims’ houses yesterday, Mosharraf’s family said he had gone to Bahrain 12 years ago for a better living. But, he failed to achieve the goal. He could not return home in the last six years for not getting visa.

He could not even send money to the family in the last three months.

Wife Mozina have been preparing to accept her fate and survive with three sons – Imon, 12, Rimon, 10, and eightyear-old Ripon.

Mosharraf took a loan from a local bank while going abroad. But, he could not pay the money back.

A similar situation was seen at the house of Jalal who went abroad one and a half years ago. Like Mosharraf, he also took a loan of Tk5,00,000 from his friends and relatives. Till date, he could send only Tk60,000 back to his family.

The family members said Jalal had not received wages in the last three months. He spoke to the family mem-

bers a couple of days ago.

During the phone conservation, he told his family: “I do not have money.

Please do not give me missed calls. I cannot call you back.”

His family has nothing except the house.

Another deceased Dulal Mia used to reside with his brother-in-law in Bahrain. He also failed to support his family after going to Bahrain a year before.

His wife Aklima Akhter was unable to accept the truth that she would not see her husband again.

Families of the deceased have demanded financial assistance and that the government bring back the bodies as soon as possible. l

War crimes trial against Jamaat  PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

end of February. She then said the prosecution would also seek a ruling from the tribunal asking Jamaat to apologise to the nation for its 1971 roles.

However, recently, the prosecutor said: “We are organising all the available information and we will try to submit the charges this month [March].”

Shahriar Kabir, a leading figure from the Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, told the Dhaka Tribune: “If the government tries anything funny, then the campaigners will not stay silent. We are

The government has revised the fees for acquiring licence of privately-owned televisions.

According to regulations, having a licence is mandatory to own a television. The government has introduced a one-time facility for easing out the hassle regarding renewal of these licences.

An information ministry handout said on Thursday that licence fee for black-and-white televisions would be Tk600, Tk1,500 for up to 21 inch colour televisions, and Tk1,800 for those over 21 inches.

For LCD or LED televisions up to 21 inch, an individual will have to pay Tk1,800 and for those up to 36 inch it will be Tk2,400.

Licence fee for those exceeding this limit will cost Tk3,000.

Users yet to obtain licence are being allowed a “special facility” under which they need to submit licence fee (and 15% VAT) and receipt of the purchase to any branch of state-owned Janata Bank Limited. l

1 die, another injured in road accident n Our Correspondent, Manikganj

Quader: Fair polls more More awareness needed to make important to AL online banking secure n UNB

Television licence fees revised n Tribune Report

not ready to accept any delay in starting the trial against Jamaat.”

Imran H Sarkar, spokesman of Gonojagoron Moncho, said: “We have been urging the tribunal to speed up the trials. If there is any impediment in the way of starting a trial of the war crimes committed by Jamaat, the Moncho will be forced to take back to the streets against. We do not want that and the consequences will not be good either.”

In August 2013, the High Court declared Jamaat’s registration as a polit-

ical party illegal, following which the Election Commission stripped the party off its right to contest any election as a party.

The HC also suggested the government to bar anti-liberation people from holding key positions in any government, non-government and socio-political organisation.

US-based defence think tank IHS Jane’s has recently termed Islami Chhatra Shibir – Jamaat’s student fornt – as one of the most active non-state armed groups in 2013. l

M Siddiqur Rahman was present as the chief guest in the competition when representative of HSBC Bangladesh Robert S Hamelin joined it as the special guest.

Leading business figure Asif A Chowdhury and Major General (retd) Jibon Kanai Das will lead the Bangladesh chapter of the ESSU as its chairman and secretary general.

ESU) opened its 67th branch in Bangladesh three years ago with an objective to “create global understanding through English” while it organizes the Bangladesh round of the competition here every year when students from reputed local institutes take part.

The English-Speaking Union is an international voluntary organization founded in 1918 Royal Charter by Sir Evelyn Wrench and one of its first Chairmen was former British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill. l

Afghans tame toothless Tigers  PAGE 1 COLUMN 4

to muscle out every delivery, but only ended up hitting straight to the fielders who dropped them with even more surprise.

Despite the partnership the pressure was creeping on the home side when Nasir was finally caught at point which was followed by the departure of Naeem (35) with the Tigers on 165/6.

Bangladesh captain Abdur Razzak, who came in next, was jogging for a single when 20-year-old Afghan prodigy Najibullah Zadran’s direct hit sent him back while Arafat Sunny was caught behind off Shapoor with the scorecard unmoved.

Bangladesh would have gifted Afghanistan the bonus point hadn’t Ziaur Rahman stepped up and clobbered some lusty blows. Zia’s 22-ball 42 however was not enough as Bangladesh were eventually bundled for 222.

Earlier everything went right for the home side when they sent in their opposition to bat as Rubel Hossain’s slower delivery undone Mohammad Shahzad to trap him plumb in front with only six runs on the board.

Coming on to bowl in the 11th over, Sohag Gazi injured his finger on the third ball, trying to field of his own bowling, and had to leave the field in pain. He later needed stitches and was ruled out of the Asia Cup, adding more misery to the existing team.

However, left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny struck twice in his first two overs to hold the grip of the match.

He took a return catch of Karim Sadik before cleaning up Najibullah Zadran (21).

Afghanistan slumped to 90 for five after a direct hit from Naeem, at point, sent Nawroz Mangal back on 24 followed by the Afghan skipper Nabi who tried to smash Mominul out of the park only managed an edge to the slip.

Stanikzai, who was dropped twice

by Imrul Kayes, and Shenwari took the responsibility and picked up their fifties as the pair added 164 off just 138 balls.

Shenwari was run out in the last over but by then the damage was already done. He made 81 off 69 balls as Afghanistan scored 107 in the last ten overs. It was also their highest sixth wicket partnership and fifth in the ODI’s by Shenwari and Stanikzai who remained unbeaten on 90 off 103. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

3

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Election Commission yet to address allegations of electoral code violation n Mohammad Zakaria

The Election Commission is yet to take any substantial actions regarding the large number of allegations of electoral code violation that have reportedly been submitted to the EC during the two phases of upazila parishad election.

Many of the candidates backed by the 19-party alliance have submitted allegations against ruling party-backed candidates of influencing the polls, but the returning and presiding officers have allegedly failed to take necessary measures based on the claims.

Asked about allegations of vote rigging and influencing the polls by

ruling party-backed candidates, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad said the commission could only take action based on the written reports from the returning and presiding officers.

However, the CEC said the issue was not a matter of any political party, as the poll was non-partisan. Only the candidate, but not anyone on their behalf, can submit allegations or complaints to the returning officer about the violation of electoral code of conduct, he added.

Assistant Secretary of the commission Ashfakur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune that some allegations have

reached the EC, but added that returning officers, presiding officers and local administration had the authority to take action based on the allegations.

The commission has formed an electoral inquiry committee to look into the claims of violation of electoral code of conduct, he added.

In Feni Sadar and Parshuram upazilas, the candidates backed by the 19-party alliance, Syed Mizanur Rahman and Abu Taleb, submitted allegations on Thursday against the ruling party-supported candidates for snatching ballot papers, casting fake votes and committing irregularities.

However, local Returning Officer

Mohammad Enamul Haque denied receiving any written allegation from the candidates, but claimed that the election officials had taken immediate action wherever any irregularity had occurred.

During the two phases of upazila parishad poll, the commission had postponed voting at over 150 polling stations, as well as in Noakhali sadar upazila, following violence, snatching of ballot papers and vote rigging.

Prior to the staging of the election, many candidates backed by the 19-party alliance had submitted allegations against ruling party-backed candidates of influencing the election.

Although many candidates claimed of being victims of electoral violence, the commission failed to recognise the claims as it could only take action based on the specific allegations sent by the returning officers about any kind of violation of electoral laws.

EC sources said candidates backed by the 19-party alliance and Awami League rebel candidates of Lalmohan upazila in Bhola, Shailkupa in Jhenaidah, Sujanagar in Pabna, Gouronodi and Bakerganj in Barisal, Goshaierhat in Shariatpur and Kazipur in Sirajganj boycotted the polls, claiming that Awami League-backed candidates had rigged votes and influenced the polls. l

Another ‘Islamist’ party launched n Manik Miazee A new political party titled ‘Bangladesh United Islami Party’ (BUIP) was officially launched yesterday at the National Press Club auditorium.

Former Awami Olama League central leader Mohammad Ismail Hossain is the convener of the party.

Hasan Mahmud, publicity secretary of the ruling Awami League (AL) and former environment minister for the ninth parliament, was present at the launching ceremony as chief guest.

Addressing the occasion, Hossain, who left the Awami Olama League in 2011, said: “BUIP is a pro-liberation party and aim of the party is to create the spirit of Islam in people’s minds.”

“The country has no pro-liberation Islamic party,” he said.

Hinting at Jamaat-e-Islami, the AL leader said: “The party influences terrorist and militant groups using the name of Islam. That’s why some countries are criticising Bangladesh.”

Jatiya Party leader Fakhrul Imam and Delwar Hossain were present at the programme, among others. l

AL grassroots form human chain n Our Correspondent, Lalmonirhat Root level leaders and activists of Lalmonirhat district Awami League yesterday demanded exemplary punishment for a section of the district’s party leaders and activists for vandalising and burning the portraits of Bangabandhu, party president and the local parliamentarian.

Through a human chain held in front of the Awami League district office, the protesters claimed that a group of activists, led by some district and upazila unit level Awami League leaders, vandalised and torched the portraits of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Prime Minister Shaikh Hasina and local MP Abu Sayeed Dulal at Teesta village of Gokunda union on Friday night They also claimed that the culprits were also involved in a conspiracy against Awami League-backed candidates during the upazila polls in Lalmonirhat, which helped BNPbacked candidates to secure an easy win. l

26 Bangladeshis killed in Bahrain fires over 2 years n Tribune Report Separate fire incidents in the last two years have claimed the lives of 26 Bangladeshis working in Bahrain.

Friday’s blaze in Manama that killed three was the third tragedy to hit one of Bahrain’s biggest expatriate communities since 2012, according to Gulf Daily News.

According to latest figures, there are 3,000 registered labour camps in Bahrain, housing 138,000 workers. There are around 80,000 Bangladeshis living in the small island country situated near the western shores of the Persian Gulf.

Ten Bangladeshis were killed in a blaze on May 27, 2012 in a makeshift labour camp located in East Riffa’s residential area.

Another 13 Bangladeshis died on January 12 last year in a fire at a building located in Mukharqa in Manama – the second deadliest fire in Bahrain’s history. More than 160 people lived in the three-storey building, which had 27 illegally constructed rooms.

Bangladesh Embassy Labour Counsellor Mohammed Islam said the deceased had continued to put their lives at risk despite awareness campaigns on safety measures.

“Our people are putting their own lives at risk by living in dilapidated or makeshift houses to save some money,” he said. The official said they were waiting for the Bahrain authorities to complete investigations.

114 Juba Dal men sent to jail n Our Correspondent. Jhenaidah

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia addresses a mass rally at the railway ground in Rajbari yesterday

DHAKA TRIBUNE

JaPa supported pro-BNP-Jamaat candidates in party strongholds n Manik Miazee With apparent support from grassroots activists of the Jatiya Party, candidates backed by BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami did well in the two phases of the upazila elections in areas where the main opposition party has strongholds, sources claimed.

JaPa sources said there was no formal instruction from the central committee for supporting the party’s nominees or others which was reflected in the victory of rival candidates from the BNP-Jamaat alliance in the first two phases of the upazila parishad polls on February 17 and 27.

On February 9, the last day for submission of nomination papers for the first phase, Jatiya Party announced a list of 12 candidates for the posts of

chairman, vice chairman and female vice chairman. Out of them, only three were elected from the party, including two as chairmen.

Since JaPa is no longer a part of the ruling Awami League-led grand alliance, party activists reportedly supported pro-BNP/Jamaat candidates in several places, including Pirganj upazila in Rangpur, a constituency where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina contested and won in the 10th parliamentary polls.

However, in the upazila polls, BNP candidate Nur Mohammad Mandal elected chairman, while Jamaat candidate Golam Rabbani was elected from Mithapukur of the district.

Nur Alam Jadu, secretary of Pirganj upazila JaPa, said: “In the Pirganj upazila polls, BNP candidates won due

A driver of a human hauler uses street children to push his vehicle after it broke down at the capital’s Lalbagh area yesterday

to for our (JaPa) votes. We did not support the Awami League-backed candidate, we supported BNP’s candidate.”

A JaPa leader in Mithapukur upazila said the Jamaat candidate won there due to support and votes from both BNP and Jatiya Party.

“Party activists were free to support any candidate since we are not with the grand alliance and had no instruction from the central committee on who to support,” said the local leader, who is also a member of the Rangpur district committee.

JaPa Secretary General ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader said, “Upazila poll is not a party based election, so we did not support any of the candidates. It does not have any importance in the national polls.” l

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

At least 114 activists of Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal including its district unit president Rawshan Bin Kadar were sent to jail yesterday as the court rejected their bail petition.

According to sources, they appeared before the court of Shahriar Parvez, senior judicial magistrate, in four separate cases filed by police.

The court granted bail to three SSC candidates Mojam, Rahman and Ashraful, while rejected the bail petition of remaining 114. BNP central committee organizing secretary and district unit president Mashiur Rahman demanded release of the Juba Dal men. l

PM set to fly to Myanmar to attend Bimstec Summit n BSS Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to leaves for Nay Pyi Taw today on a twoday visit to Myanmar for attending the third Bimstec Summit.

The summit will be held at the Myanmar International Conference Centre-II in Nay Pyi Taw, the Myanmar capital, on March 4, foreign ministry sources said.

A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the prime minister and her entourage will take off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8am.

The prime minister will lead a 32-member Bangladesh delegation at the summit. On the sidelines of the summit, Sheikh Hasina will hold bilateral meetings with her counterparts of the BIMSTEC member countries, including India, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan, the sources said.

She will also meet Myanmar parliament Speaker Shwe Mann and National League for Democracy Chairman Aung San Suu Kyi. The premier will also join a press conference for all heads of state and government of the BIMSTEC nations, as well as attending a dinner hosted by Myanmar President Thein Sien.

Sheikh Hasina is expected to return home on Tuesday.

Prior to the summit, the Bimstec ministerial meeting will be held on March 3, in which the Bangladesh del-

egation will be led by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam.

The foreign secretary will lead a Bangladesh delegation to the senior officials’ meeting on March 2.

The Bimstec (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) is a regional grouping of seven members from South Asia and South East Asia. They are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Founded in 1997, Bimstec held its first and second summits in 2004 and 2008 in Bangkok and New Delhi respectively.

The summit will adopt a declaration, while three instruments - Memorandum of Association (MoA) on the establishment of Bimstec permanent secretariat in Dhaka, an MoA on the establishment of Bimstec Centre for Weather and Climate in India and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Bimstec Culture Industries Commission and Bimstec Cultural Industries Observatory to be set up in Bhutan - are expected to be signed during the summit, the sources said.

Following the summit, the Bimstec permanent secretariat is expected to be functional in Dhaka. The government of Bangladesh has already allotted a premise in Dhaka for the secretariat.

It has been decided that the first secretary general of the BIMSTEC will be from Sri Lanka. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Overseas employment policy stuck in red tape Two ministries yet to give opinion n Rabiul Islam The government move to formulate a policy on better management of overseas employment and the protection of migrant workers’ rights has been held up by red tape.

As the migrant workers contribute to the country’s economy by sending a large amount of foreign currencies home, the Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry, which oversees migrant labourers, initiated the move to shape the policy to protect the workers’ rights and rehabilitate the returnee migrants.

Although the draft policy was prepared in mid 2013, it is yet to be approved by the cabinet.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has provided technical support in preparing the draft.

Seeking anonymity, officials at the Expat Ministry said the draft of the Overseas Employment Ministry-2013 has been finalised, but has not yet been sent to the cabinet for approval as the opinions of all the ministries are yet to be received.

“We planned to send the draft to the cabinet by February 2014, but of 12 ministries, the Social Welfare Ministry and the Health and Family Welfare Ministry have yet to give their opinions,” a senior official at the Expatriates’ Welfare Ministry told the Dhaka Tribune on Thursday, preferring not to be named.

The official also said: “We have been reminding the ministries about their write-up since October 2013, and now we are tired.”

“If I don’t get their opinions soon, I will take the draft to the cabinet and get it approved,” Expatriates’ Welfare

Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune over the phone yesterday.

The minister also said a form of discipline would prevail in the migration sector if the policy was approved and implemented properly.

About 80,000 Bangladeshis are working in various countries and sending back over US$10bn in remittances annually.

Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) statistics say US$14.17 billion in remittances were received in 2013 and US$13.83 in 2014.

The draft policy would facilitate the reduction of migration costs alongside ensuring the rights of female migrants.

Under the proposed policy, migrants in the destination countries and their families at home will be protected.

In order to bring dynamism and transparency to the migration sector,

a national steering committee will be formed, and headed by the prime minister and co-chaired by the expat minister.

The ministers and secretaries from different government departments will be included in the committee, which will sit at least once a year.

Secretarial assistance will be provided by the Expatriates’ Welfare Ministry.

The committee will provide guidelines so that all stakeholders- including ministries, recruitment agencies, and civil society organizations- have a unified approach to ensuring effective and transparent labour migration.

The committee will advise and instruct stakeholders on policy making and reformation, and work to integrate and rehabilitate returnee migrants.

A national migration forum will also be formed involving 60 representatives from ministries, labour migration bod-

ies, federations of employers, trade unions, research organisations and recruitment agents, each to be appointed on a three-year basis.

It will set priorities for the implementation of the policy and review the plans related to it.

The policy also proposes forming a market research unit to conduct a study on the demand and supply of workers.

It will also study the existing labour markets and explore potential new destination countries.

For the sending of skilled manpower abroad, training will be given in the trades which are of high demand in the world markets, according to the policy.

It is also proposed that a vast database of workers be created so that aspiring migrant labourers could be sent abroad in a systematic manner and with low migration costs. l

BGB hauls arms, ammo at Benapole n Our Correspondent, Jessore

RMG workers vandalise factories demanding dues n Our Correspondent, Gazipur

WEATHER

Light rain likely n UNB Light rain or thundershowers is likely to occur at one or two places over Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dhaka and Sylhet divisions and the regions of Jessore and Kushtia untill 6pm today.

Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country, Met Office said.

Day and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country. The sun sets in the capital at 6:02pm today and rises at 6:19am tomorrow.

Country’s highest temperature 33.3 degree Celsius was recorded yesterday in Rangamati and lowest 13.2 degrees in Srimangal.

Highest and lowest temperature and humidity recorded in some major cities and towns yesterday were: City

High

Low

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

28.6 30.4 24.5 22.8 29.5 29.5 29.3 31.0

17.7 19.1 17.4 17.0 17.0 16.6 5.0 18.8

PRAYER TIMES Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

5:04am 6:19am 12:11am 4:24pm 6:02pm 7:17pm

Source: IslamicFinder.org

A Bangladesh youth was shot by the members of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along Shimulbari border in Khalisa Kotal area in Phulbari upazila here yesterday The victim was identified as Mukul Miah, 25, son of Ismail Hossain of Paschim Balatari village of the upazila.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) company commander Subedar Raimuhan Rai said BSF troops of Boskutal camp in Kuchbihar district fired shots at Mukul in the area before dawn, leaving him injured. Later, the BSF members took him to the Indian territory.

BGB sources said they sent a letter to the BSF protesting the incident. l

Khaleda’s adviser Mahbubuddin dies n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla Khandakar Mahbubuddin Ahmed, adviser to the BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, died from old age complications on Saturday evening. He was 88.

He breathed his last at the United Hospital where he was admitted with cardiac problems on February 25.

Shyrul Kabir Khan, official of Khaleda Zia’s press wing, confirmed the Dhaka Tribune about the death.

The first namaz-e-janaza of the BNP leader will be held on the High Court premises at 10:30am on Sunday while the second namaz-e-janaza will be held in front of the party’s Nayapaltan office at 11:30am. Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia expressed condolence over the death of Ahmed who was also a member of parliament.

She visited Mahbubuddin’s Uttara residence in the city about 12 at night.

Khaleda stayed there for some times. l

Members of the Border Guard Bangladesh yesterday recovered four pistols, six rounds of bullets, four magazines and one kilogram of explosives in separate drives at Putkhali border area of Jessore.

Lt Col Mostafizur Rahman, commanding officer of the 23 Border Guard Battalion, confirmed the recovery to newsmen and added: “The recovered arms and explosives have been handed over to the Bebapole port police station after filing cases.”

“The arms and ammunitions were being smuggled in from India,” he added. l

RMG workers in Gazipur vandalised factories, blocked highways and observed sit-in programme yesterday demanding dues.

According to sources, the workers of Fine Stitch Apparels Ltd blocked the Dhaka-Mymensing highway and vandalised several garments factories in Gazipur Metropolitan city’s Board Bazar area.

The workers said that they had not got salary for last two months.

When contacted, ASP of Industrial Police Gazipur zone Mosharaff Hossain said, on information, police went to the spot and brought the situation under control.

The factory owner H M Khairul Alam could not be reached over cell phone. l

Bangladeshi youth shot by BSF on Kurigram border n UNB

72 Malaysia-bound passengers held n Our Correspondent, Cox’s Bazar

Japan-Bangladesh Friendship Hospital takes out a colourful rally for the upcoming T20 World Cup, with five hundred school and college students in the capital yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Coast Guard personnel yesterday caught 72 Bangladeshis in the Bay of Bengal while travelling illegally to Malaysia on a passenger trawler.

Officials said the group which included four women were rescued in a drive around 12:30pm from the southeast part of the sea.

Station Manager of Teknaf Coast Guard Lt Qazi Harun-Ur-Rashid confirmed about the drive. l

‘Indoor smoke-induced diseases may kill 30m people by 2030’

Two probe bodies formed over Jamuna Oil depot fire

n Tazlina Zamila Khan

n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong

More than 30million people would die from diseases caused by indoor smoke by 2030 in Bangladesh, said Veena Khaleque, country director of Practical Action, Bangladesh.

Cooking on open fires and kerosene lighting causes indoor air pollution, which is considered as one of the largest global public health issues, she added.

She said this in a knowledge sharing workshop on ‘‘Total Energy Access (TEA) for the poor’’ organised by Practical Action, Bangladesh in the capital’s BIAM foundation yesterday. Also, a book named ‘‘Poor People’s Energy Outlook 2013’’ was launched at the programme.

Speakers said a paradigm shift is urgently needed to overcome the current energy crisis and ensure the delivery

of energy that poor people have a right to. Energy access doesn’t mean only to connect households to the grids rather than utilize it in cooking, street lighting, water and space heating.

According to the book, Bangladesh, with a population of 161 million is ranked 146 out of 185 countries according to the UN Human Development Index. More than half of the population don’t have access to the energy while only 9 percent cook with gases.

The book also informs that more than 50 percent of the children worldwide go to primary schools, which don’t have any access to electricity. By 2020, 2.3million people worldwide would die from road accidents each year due to lack of electricity in street lights.

Professor Saiful Haque of Institute of Energy of the University of Dhaka said: “Quality of life and development is directly linked with energy access.”

In many countries energy access is yet to be given sufficient priority and they have failed to acknowledge it as a key enabler in improving health, education and other community services.

Tapos Kumar Roy, additional secretary to the Ministry of Power, Energy & Mineral Resources said: “Around 15 to 20 percent areas are still deprived of electricity. To reduce the energy crisis, government has initiated 500 MW Solar Power Development Program to provide electricity to those areas.”

Some suggestions were put forward to overcome the situation. Such as use of bio-gas as an alternative cooking system and raising awareness and training for different stakeholders. Also, establisment of Photovoltaic (PV) based hybrid power plants to provide power to street-lights, TVs, fans, health centres, schools and other institutions and for battery charging. l

Two separate probe bodies were formed yesterday over the fire incident at the depot of state-run Jamuna Oil Company Limited in the port city’s Patenga Friday evening.

Nasrul Hamid Bipu, state minister of the Ministry for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, visited the affected area of the depot and the injured workers in Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit of Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) yesterday morning.

The state minister also asked the medical authorities to ensure the best treatment for the injured.Jamuna would bear all medical expenses for the injured, he said.

Expressing deep concern, the state minister said strict action would be taken against those who would be found responsible for such a big accident after enquiry.

Nine employees of the depot received severe burn injuries in the fire at the depot.

Dr Mishma Islam of Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit of CMCH said five of the injured were in critical condition.

Md Eunusur Rahman, chairman of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), told the Dhaka Tribune BPC formed a five-member probe committee led by its director (marketing) SM Rejoan Hossain to investigate the matter while the probe body was asked to submit the report within Monday.

Besides, Fire Service and Civil Defence authorities formed another three-member probe committee led by its Assistant Director Mohammad Yiahia of Chittagong Headquarters to look into the matter and it would hopefully submit the report within seven days, said Md Jasim Uddin, deputy assistant director of Fire Service and Civil Defence in Chittagong. l

12 hurt in post-polls violence n UNB A daylong hartal enforced by the local unit of BNP protesting vote rigging during the second phase upazila election, progressed amid violence in Sadar uapzila yesterday, left 12 people, including three with bullets, injured.

Mohammad Shahidul Islam, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station, said activists of the upazila unit of Jubo Dal, led by its president Mohammad Hossain Pusti, brought out a procession in support of the shutdown from Hatimara area of the upazila in the morning.

When the procession reached Sipahipara area, police obstructed it, triggering a chase and counter-chase.

The Jubo Dal activists hurled brickbats towards police forcing the law enforces to retaliate promptly.

Police dispersed the pickets by firing

three rounds of bullet.

At least 12 people, including three with bullets, were wounded during the incident.

The three bullet-injured, Mohamamd Hossain Pusti, 40, president of the Sadar upazila unit of Jubo Dal, his sibling Nur Hossain Pusti, 33, president of 2- ward unit of the organisation, and Faruk Hossain, 38, activist, were rushed to Munshiganj General Hospital, from where they were later referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Shops in the southern part of the upazila remained open during the shutdown. Besides, plying of vehicles was as usual.

Earlier, BNP candidates boycotted polls in Sadar upazila on allegation of vote rigging on Thursday and called a daylong hartal in the upazila for Saturday in protest. l

Winners of the Brac Bank SME Photography Competition pose for a photograph, at the award-giving ceremony at Drik Gallery in the capital yesterday QUAMRUL ABADIN

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

5

Sunday, March 2, 2014

12 hurt in clash at National Medical College and Hospital n Mohammad Jamil Khan

At least 12 people were hurt, three of them critically, in a clash between interns and fourth-class employees of the National Medical College and Hospital in old Dhaka yesterday.

Eyewitnesses and hospital sources said the clash ensued between the hospital staff and interns around 11am following an altercation over harassing a female intern.

According to sources, last Thursday around 5am, a Class IV staff Babul entered the interns’ restroom and misbehaved with an intern. At that time the female intern shouted and some of her fellows beat up Babul.

Later, Babul with other staff members slapped interns Yasmin, Shorna, Murad and Nabid around 9am on Saturday.

As the news spread among other interns, they made an attack on the fourth class staff and thus the clash ensued.

During a two and a half hour-long chase and counter chase, the agitated interns and staff vandalised several office rooms of the hospital and set fire to different instruments halting the patients’ treatment in the hospital for the day. Several patients went back to nearby hospitals and suffered for the ongoing situation.

Sahid Hossain, a businessperson in the area, said he came to the hospital with his younger daughter Nawshin.

He said the doctors forced them to leave the hospital and he was taking her to Sumona Medical.

JnU students plan to free three occupied halls n Mohammad Jamil Khan Jagannath University (JnU) students demanding the vacating of dormitories occupied by outsiders yesterday declared that they would free the halls by themselves.

A demonstration and the process to recover the three occupied halls of residence - named Tibet, Shahabuddin and Abdur Rahman, would start at 9am today under the banner of “JnU hall recovery parishad (committee)”.

“We will start our journey to recover the three halls with students on Sunday morning, and we are expecting the administration’s help in this regard,” Shariful Islam, convener of the parishad and president of Chhatra League’s JnU unit, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

Of the halls, Tibet is now “Gulshan Ara City” market, while some family members of police officials are living in the other two.

Like Sahid, many other patients faced trouble and went to nearby private hospitals to take treatment.

On information, Kazi Firoz Rashid, lawmaker of the area, rushed to the spot with lawmen and took the situation under control. Among the injured, five staff members Jahirul Islam, 35, Mohammad Sumon, 32, Ershad, 29, Mostofa, 32, and Babul Khan, 35, were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital as the National Medical would not provide them with treatment.

Khalilur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Sutrapur police station, told the Dhaka Tribune a clash ensued between the staff members and interns at the National Medical but the situation was then under control. Additional police forces had been deployed in the area to avert any unwanted situation, he said.

Contacted, Cap. Dr MA Salam, director of NMCH, told the Dhaka Tribune, “We have held an emergency meeting with local lawmaker Kazi Firoz Rashid after the incident and a four-member probe body has been formed to submit a report after an investigation.”

“We would take decision after getting report from the probe body and the hospital service will resume from Sunday,” he said.

The members of the probe body are Kazi Firoz Rashid, MP, Chairman of NMCH Dr Abul Kalam, Principal Prof Arif Rahman and Director Salam.

The committee would submit a report within two working days. l

‘We will start our journey to recover the three halls with students on Sunday morning, and we are expecting the administration’s help in this regard’

Rajuk ‘razes’ Zinda Park n Abu Bakar Siddique

A group of activists alleged that Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakhha has begun an eviction drive to demolish the Zinda Park, natural wonder , located at Rupganj upazila in Narayanganj.

Different groups brought the allegation yesterday at a human chain in front of National Press Club to protest the Rajuk’s move.

Bangladesh Environment Lawyers’ Association (Bela) and Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa) joined the programme led by Poribesh Bachao Andolon (Poba).

They alleged that the Rajuk had taken the initiative to establish a housing project by destroying the park.

“Such type of move is a clear violation of High Court order as a writ is on going on the issue,” said Abu Naser Khan, chairman of Poba. Earlier in 2008, the Rajuk canceled a housing project in the area after protest by environment activists and local people.

One of the initiators of Zinda Park, Ograpothik Palli Samity, filed a writ petition in the High Court as the Rajuk attempted again to evacuate the locals from the park. l

Evidence of rampant vandalism at National Medical College and Hospital after a clash between the hospital’s interns and fourth-class employees in old Dhaka yesterday (top) l A family with a new-born hastily leaves the hospital compound after the clash erupted MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Question paper leak at JU admission test, 5 held n JU Correspondent

The question papers of Jahangirnagar University admission test for honours first year students under 2013-14 academic session were leaked yesterday and four admission seekers led by a Daffodil University student were arrested for their involvement in this forgery.

Jahangirnagar University authority said they found an Archaeology Department student involved in the leak of Accounting and Information System Department’s question paper yesterday.

JU Proctor Professor Md Muzibur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune: “Md Shaheb Ali, a first year student of Archaeology Department and also a volunteer of JU Bangladesh Nation-

al Cadet Core, is connected with the question leak.”

He added that a big gang was behind the incident and JU authorities were trying to find out them.

Source said History Department Associate Prof Md Golam Rabbani caught one Md Noman from 217 No exam hall at new arts faculty building while the latter was receiving answers of set 1 of Accounting Department admission test question into his mobile phone from another cell number.

Later, JU proctorial team and security members detained others with the help of Noman, source added.

Other detainees were Md Shahnewaz and Irab Rakat from Chuadanga district, Md Hridoy from Barisal district and Md Raihan Ali, a Pharmacy Department student at Daffodil University.

The detained Daffodil University student, Raihan Ali, told the Dhaka Tribune, “I made a deal of Tk2,50,000 for per set answer with the detained admission seekers while Shaheb Ali of Archaeology Department under 42nd batch sent the answers through his mobile SMS 15 minutes after the exam started.”

JU sources said Shaheb was working for the admission test as a BNCC volunteer and they suspected that the university teachers and officials might be involved in the question leak.

The admission seekers and their guardians along with many university teachers and students expressed concerns over the question paper leak.

They demanded suspension of the Accounting Department’s admission test.

History Department teacher Golam

Rabbani said: “I have heard the answers were completely similar to the question papers and JU authorities should suspend the exam and its result immediately and arrange a fresh admission test for this department.”

However, proctor Prof Md Muzibur Rahman said the university authorities would decide whether the admission test would be suspended or not but he played his role as a proctor properly.

“All arrestees would be handed over to Ashulia police station after preliminary interrogation and we are hopeful that we would find out the whole gang,” he said.

Contacted over cell phone, Mohammad Ali, deputy registrar (education) and the secretary member of central admission direction committee disconnected the call, saying he was busy. l

Probe to look into death of new-born n Our Correspondent, Narayanganj Authorities of a 300-bed hospital in Narayanganj have formed a three-member committee to investigate the death of a new-born baby who died during the delivery conducted without doctors. The committee was asked to submit report in three days.

The authorities have suspended two fourth grade employees - Rahima and Mamtaz – temporarily for their involvement in the incident. A letter was also sent to the higher authorities to take decision on two nurses – Beauty Biswas and Ambia Khatun.

Earlier on Friday, a pregnant woman was admitted to the hospital for delivery. The new-born baby died as the nurses Beauty and Ambia tried to perform the delivery operation without the presence of gynaecologists. The woman’s husband lodged a general diary with Sadar Police Station on Saturday.

Supervisor-in-charge of the hospital Dr Shafiul Azam said senior consultant of surgery department Dr Shafiul Alam Ferdous had been tasked with conducting the probe while anaesthetist Dr Aminur Rahman and senior consultant of gynaecology department Jahangir Alam would assist him. l

Last Sunday, the students, along with teachers and university staff, tried to take over Tibet hall, resulting in a clash with police that left at least 200 protesters injured.

Meanwhile, teachers, who are also demanding the recovery of the halls as well as the removal of deputy commissioner of Lalbagh police and the officer in charge of Kotwali police station, boycotted classes for a second day yesterday.

JnU Proctor Asoke Kumar Saha said classes and exams were suspended in all departments of the university as teachers observed a work stoppage for five hours, from 11am-4pm. Classes were held in some departments before 11am, he added.

The students have been agitating for long to recover 13 halls from illegal occupiers since the university started its journey on October 20, 2005. The latest protests began on February 18, with teachers and staff joining in. l

‘Government’s indifference encourages Turag grabbers’ n Tribune Report Environmental activists yesterday claimed that the government’s indifference towards saving the rivers was making illegal encroachment and pollution possible, resulting in the destruction of the rivers surrounding the city.

Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club auditorium, they also alleged that the government’s “wrong” way of demarcating the boundary of Turag River had encouraged grabbers to turn the river area as their own property.

“Despite having the presence of different government initiatives to save the rivers, the illegal grabbing of the river area is going on, which shows the indifference towards saving the capital’s surrounding rivers,” said Abdul Matin, general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa).

During recent visits to the area, a Bapa team found that most of the river pillars, set up on both sides of river Turag in 2011 as per a High Court directive, had been uprooted, Matin said while presenting a report

by Bapa on the current situation of Turag River.

Sharif Jamil, convener of River keepers Bangladesh, said encroachers were encouraged to grab land around the river, as the district administration did

not follow the proper way of demarcating river Turag, considering only the water flow of the dry season as the area of the river.

According to a directive by the High Court, the reach of water in the rainy season plus an additional 50 meter area is considered as the river area, while riverbed means the reach of water during winter.

Matin mentioned 109 grabbed sites and pollution sources in and around the Turag River that were identified during recent surveys

by Bapa.

Different government agencies including Water and Sewage Authority (Wasa) and Bangladesh Water Development Board were also polluting the river, he added.

The Bapa general secretary urged the government to take immediate action to save the rivers by evicting the grabbers and setting up river demarcation pillars in accordance with the High Court directive.

The government also has to be stern against polluters from both the public and private sectors to stop pollution and land grabbing, as these practices have been destroying the rivers and its ecology, he added.

Sharif Jamil demanded punishment for those who violated the High Court directive and “wrongly” set up the demarcation pillars. l

Elevated railway chord line connecting Comilla n BSS

Children take part in a colourful rally marking the 7th Int Children’s Film Festival at the capital’s Shahbagh area yesterday

RAJIB DHAR

The Bangladesh Railway has announced plans to construct an elevated chord line from Dhaka to Comilla under the public-private partnership (PPP) to speed up rail communications between the two cities.

“Our proposal suggests completion of an 100-kilometre elevated chord line, costing Tk12,300 crore under the PPP, to link Comilla”, BR Additional

Director general M Amjad Hossain told the news agency. He also said the railway had recently forwarded the project to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs for approval.

“After approval from the cabinet committee, it will be sent to the PPP office under the Prime Minister’s Office for further initiative,” he added.

Hossain also said the Prime Minister had already given consent for the chord line project. l

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Bamboos logged, trafficked from Matamuhuri range n Our Correspondent, Bandarban Hundreds of bamboo clusters of the reserved forest under Mahamuhiri range in Bandarban Hilly district were being trafficked as the clusters had not been auctioned yet.

It had been alleged that Md Selim, a bamboo dealer along with some other businessmen of Chakaria upazila under Cox’s Bazar district had been felling bamboo clusters illegally with the help of forest department officials.

As a result, the treasury was being deprived of huge amount of revenue.

The Matamuhuri forest range is surrounded by 102,854 acres of land. The forest is supervised by Lama Forest department.

In 2012-13 fiscal years, government has earned Tk6,138,150 from the auction of bamboo clusters of the Mahamuhuri forest range. It is required to get permission from the concerned ministry to hold an auction in every four years. But, the authorities failed to get the permission from the ministry to hold an auction although four years have passed in June, 2013.

When contacted, Md Akbar Hossain, forest conservator of Chittagong, said he was not aware of the reason behind not holding an auction yet.

Eventually, the government had been deprived of huge amount of revenue. Also, locals were facing problems in collecting and selling bamboo clusters legally due to the illegal business of a group of people.

Abul Hashem, president of Bamboo

Cane Corporative Committee, said: “Hill people have been earning money for livelihood through collecting and selling forest resources. Unscrupulous people have been felling bamboos although the resources were not put up for auction.”

Thoaimra Marma and Bachinu Marma, Local leaders of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) alleged that many of the locals were sentenced to jail for different cases filed by forest department centring silly matters. But, the culprits behind felling and illegal selling of bamboo clusters had not been caught or punished yet.

Forest department sources said bamboos were seized from Matamuhuri Bridge, Noiapara, Babupara, Tulatuli, Janali Para and other points.

Around 18 cases were filed in this regard, but no one was specifically made as an accused.

Sources said forest officials conducted drives during last two months and seized 2,38,0000 bamboos worth around Tk4.75 crores from Matamuhuri River.

Monirul Karim, Matamuhuri Forest Range officer, said: “There is no scope of trafficking bamboo clusters. The department have seized 55,000 bamboos in January and 193,000 bamboos in February.”

Local businessmen said if the bamboo clusters were not auctioned immediately, they would have to face problems in earning money as well as government would be deprived of huge amount of revenue. l

UP chairman, members get death threats n Our correspondent, Gazipur A Union Parishad (UP) chairman and three women members of reserved seats of Rayed Union under Kapasia upazila of Gazipur have received murder threats from a gangster leader.

According to Rayed UP chairman Abdul Hai and Police, a meeting was going on in the UP office regarding roads and other development works under Local Government Support Programme on February 26.

Then, Rois Uddin Rosu, leader of notorious Rosu group along with his group members came to the place and demanded Tk25,000. They scolded the chairman and members of the body. Women members were also as-

saulted. They tried to kill the chairman while other attendants saved him.

Rosu threatened to kill the chairman and three other women members of the UP. UP member Sufia Khatun, on behalf of the members of the UP, submitted a written complaint to the Kapasia police station on February 28, and a copy of the complaint was sent to the Kapasia Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).

Officer-in-Charge of Kapasia police station, Ahsan Ullah confirmed getting the written complaint in this regard.

Rois Uddin Rosu, 40, son of late Alimuddin Prodhan of Aamraid village was unavailable when contacted over phone for comment. l

NEWS IN BRIEF Housewife killed ‘by husband’ in Faridpur A housewife was killed allegedly by her husband over a family feud at Mahishala village in Boalmari upazila on Friday. The deceased was identified as Sufia Begum, 24, wife of Sujat Sheikh of the village. Witnesses said both Sufia, mother of one child, and Sujat picked up a quarrel over a family feud at about 6:00pm. At one stage, Sujat kicked Sufia, leaving here dead on the spot. – UNB

Boy drowns in boat capsize in Sunamganj A minor boy drowned as a boat capsized in the Patlai river at Mandiata village in Tahirpur upazila on Friday. The deceased was identified as Atabur Mia, 10, son of late Musabbir Miah of Nayaband village in the upazila. Local people said the boat sank while it along with some passengers was crossing the river at about 10:00 am. Later locals recovered Atabur’s floating body. – UNB

Man’s body recovered from Satkhira ditch Police recovered the body of a man from a ditch at Agardari in Sadar upazila on Saturday morning after three days of his going missing. The deceased was identified as Abdus Samad, 40, son of Sabed Ali, a resident of Godaghata village in the upazila. Police said locals spotted the body afloat in a ditch of one Shimul of the area at about 9:00 am and informed police.

Later the police recovered the body and sent it to Sadar hospital morgue for an autopsy. Enamul Haque, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station, said Samad had been addicted to drugs for long and he had remained missing since Tuesday after going out of his house. – UNB

17 hurt in Sirajganj clash over land At least 17 people were injured in a clash between two groups of villagers over possession of a piece of land at Grampangashi village in Raiganj upazila on Friday. Anisur Rahman, officer-incharge of Raiganj Police Station, said Rahij Uddin of Grampangashi village and Akter Hossain of Rameshwargati village had long been at loggerheads over the ownership of a piece of land at Grampangashi. As a sequel to the dispute, supporters of both the groups equipped with lethal weapons attacked each other at Grampangashi village at about 5:00pm, leaving 17 people injured. – UNB

Carmichael College teacher hurt in attack A teacher of Rangpur Carmichael College suffered stab injuries in an attack by miscreants at Chartala Intersection in the city Friday midnight. The injured was identified as Dr Mohammad Shaheduzzaman, an associate professor of Bangla Department of the college. Carmichael College Teachers Association’s Joint Secretary Dilip Roy said Shaheduzzaman came under attack while he was returning home at Dhap from Modern crossing at midnight. Hearing his screams, local people rescued Shaheduzzaman and took him to Rangpur Medical College Hospital.

Police suspected that the teacher might have been attacked by a gang of snatchers. – UNB

Smugglers chop down bamboo clusters from the Matamuhuri forest range and use the nearby river to traffic them, at Bandarban

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Jamaat man held over AL leader murder n Tribune Report

Criminals set fire to forest in Ramu

Degree pass exams begin today n UNB

n Our Correspondent, Cox’s Bazar

Police arrested an activist of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in Sakhipur intersection in Debhata upazila on Friday night in connection with the case for the killing of Awami League ,(AL) leader Abu Raihan.

The arrested was identified as Yeasin, son of Fatik Gazi, a resident of Panchpota Ratneshwarpur village of the upazila.

Tareque Biswas, officer-in-charge of Debhata police station, said on a tipoff, a team of police launched a drive in the area and arrested Yeasin at 10pm.

Abu Raihan,38, organising secretary of the upazila unit of the ruling AL, was stabbed to death by miscreants at Parulia Bazar in Debhata on November 21. l

Around 100 trees were destroyed as unknown miscreants set fire to the forest at Garjania under Ramu upazila of Cox’s Bazar district yesterday.

Sources said, General Secretary of District Forest and Environment Reserve Parishad and journalist Ibrahim Khalil Mamun planted different kinds of tress including Gamari, Minjiam on a five acres of land at Thoayir Kata area in Garjania union in 2011.

A group of miscreants completely burned down the forest on the day.

After noticing the fire, locals rushed to the spot and doused the blaze.

Locals said group of 5-6 miscreants were seen roaming around in the area

The degree pass and certificate course examinations under the National University begin across the country today.

Some 475,972 examinees from 1,627 colleges are expected to take part in the examination being held at 666 centers, said the Press Information Department in a statement yesterday.

Of the examinees, 183,569 students will sit for their first year examinations, while 137,546 students wil appear of the second year, 153,622 of final year, 1,162 for certificate courses, 72 for BMusic and 34 for sports science.

Authorities of the National University had sought cooperation of all concerned for holding the examinations in a fair and peaceful manner. The examinations will end on May 5. l

World Bank mulls funding Shitalakkha Bridge Correspondent, n Our Narayanganj World Bank (WB) has been considering financing the Shitalakkha Bridge in Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) area, said Johannes Zutt WB country director for Bangladesh and Nepal.

WB would assist different development projects of 26 municipalities and city corporations, he added.

Zutt said: “Transparency and accountability is important for the development of Bangladesh. The money of WB has to be used for the development of infrastructures and cities. In this regard, WB will

withdraw the fund if the authorities concerned notice misuse of money and lack of accountability.”

He said this at a discussion programme held at the seminar room of NCC with the counsellors and city corporation officials yesterday morning.

After visiting different development projects in the NCC, Zutt said: “I am fully satisfied.

Accountability and transparency can lead any country towards development. The way that the NCC has taken up the development initiatives for a period of 5 to 20 years and this is not easily seen in many countries of the world.”

The country director came to

the NCC at around 10am. Later, he visited some of the ongoing development projects.

In the mean time mayor of NCC Selina Hayat Ivy requested WB representative to arrange fund for building a bridge over Shitalakkha and establishing a park for the children for recreation and amusement of the city dwellers.

NCC Panel Mayor Haji Obaidullah, counsellor Asit Boron Biswas were also present on the occasion among others. Zutt said: “Municipalities and city corporations should adopt development plans for as long as 20 years. Otherwise, it is not possible to build a planned and developed city.” l

on the day and those youths might torch the trees.

Khalil said: “Once the area was surrounded with natural forest. A group of unscrupulous people felled trees illegally a couple of years ago which damaged the environment.”

“During the time of crisis, I took the initiative to plant hundreds of trees on five acres of land in 2011. Following me, others also planted trees,” he added, Khalil said legal actions would be taken in this regard.

Divisional Officer of Cox’s Bazar (north) Forest Department- Shah-eAlam said: “The number of natural forests has been reducing not only in Garjania but also in other areas of Cox’s Bazar.” l

Folk festival held n Our Correspondent. Jhenaidah With the slogan “Feray cholo matir tanye” (Let us return for the allure of soil), a folk festival was held at the remote village Berashola under Jhenaidah sadar upazila on Saturday.

Like previous years, the daylong programme was arranged with the assistance of the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh’s (COAB) Jhenaidah district.

The programme opened with local rural women delivering folk songs while the rural men delivered traditional Benagli songs like Bhatially and Bhawaiya.

A number of festivities, including go as you like, breaking of earth pots, Hadudu game, lathi khela, pillow magic, drama and other programmes were chalked out to mark the rural festival.

The artistes of Jhenaidah Natya Academy had performed drama and songs.

Assistant professor of Government Nurun Nahar Women’s college Ehteshamul Haque Notun, chairperson and chief executive of non-governmental organization AIUD Tarikul Islam Palash, COAB central member Hasanuzzamaan Khoko and organizer of the programme Ishawue Ali among others spoke on the occasion.

The speakers urged the new generation to bring back the old and traditional days by practicing the heritage of Bangladesh.

Electronic and print media activists in Jhenaidah were present at the festival.

Jhenaidah press club president M Saiful Mabud and secretary Nizam Joarder bablu distributed prizes among the participants. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Career

7

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Form, storm, norm and perform Understanding Tuckman’s stages of group development to create winning teams n Ahsan Sajid A team just coming together is a collection of strangers, one that may or may not perform well together.

Given the importance of a well-performing and water-tight team that can work holistically in any organisation today, our education system prepares us to be effective group members from the very first semester of university – with group research, assignments, presentations, etc, much to many students’ chagrin.

It takes time for a collection of strangers to become a group working towards a common goal. In university, group work is always taxing because of the uneven burden between members.

This happens because group members are mostly selected at random and then left to their own devices, without further guidance. At work when a team is formed from different departments, there is often added friction arising at first from not just professional differences but also personality clashes.

The stages that a group goes through to become a united one was observed

by Bruce Tuckman in 1965 and understanding it can help one become a team player, and eventually team leader more effectively and quickly. Take note of the list of suggested leadership responsibilities at each individual stage to take control of your team.

Forming

During this stage of team building, the team is formed. Team members are keen to avoid conflict at this stage, and everyone is generally polite. The team members are not yet sure of their individual roles or responsibilities, but they are aware of the common goal that

suring tolerance and patience for each members’ ideas and opinions. Without acceptance of differences and patience, this stage might turn the team self-destructive. While tension, struggle and arguments are natural, an effective leader can steer the team out of troubled waters and arrive at agreeable decisions. Some frustration and stress are to be expected.

Norming

During the norming stage, the team finally arrives at one goal to work towards, and comes to a mutual plan for the team. To arrive at this stage, many undoubtedly has had to relinquish their own ideas and agree with others to make the team function. Team members begin to resolve differences and respect one another’s strengths.

By now, all team members know their roles and responsibilities and have the ambition to work for the success of the team’s goals. However, occasionally the team may lapse back to the storming stage as new issues arise, but they are better informed on how to resolve such issues. The pitfall during

BIZ VOCAB

(Whole) bag of tricks - If you use your (whole) bag of tricks to do something, you try (all) the clever methods you know in order to succeed.

On the ball - If you are on the ball, you are aware of what is happening and are able to deal with things quickly and intelligently.

Do nothing by halves - When a person does everything they are engaged in completely and thoroughly, they are said to do nothing by halves.

Chase your (own) tail - Someone who is chasing their (own) tail is spending a lot of time and energy doing many things but achieving very little.

To the best of one’s ability - When someone does something to the best of their ability, they do it as well as they possibly can.

Do the trick - If something does the trick,

WORDS OF WISDOM

‘Often people attempt to live their lives backwards, they try to have more things or more money in order to do more of what they want so that they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are then do what you need to do in order to have what you want.’

– Margaret Young, singer and comedienne

STAGE

RESPONSIBILITIES

Forming

n n

BIGSTOCK

they have to collectively work towards.

This is also the time during which team members are gathering information; they are busy finding out about one another and each other’s strengths and weaknesses, ability to handle pressure, etc. At this stage, most team members are still self-motivated and behaving independently. It is a good time for the team’s would-be leader to take charge, as most members are unaware of what they are supposed to be doing.

it does exactly what is needed, or achieves the desired effect.

Dab hand at something - If you are a dab hand at something, you are very good at doing it.

Performing

This is the final stage where groups become high-performing teams. Unfortunately, not all teams reach this stage.

High-performing teams function as a unit and always manage to find ways to get the job done without unnecessary conflict and delay. The team functions autonomously as a whole and are able to handle the decision making process with little supervision from the team leader.

Disagreements still occur at this stage, but are handled through acceptable means. Sometimes the team may revert to one of the former stages such as storming or norming, but once they have reached the performing stage they are aware of how to return to it.

These disruptions are usually caused by changing circumstances, such as change in roles or addition of members.

It is the job of an effective leader at this stage to delegate much of his work and focus on developing team members. l

Leadership responsibilities at individual group formation stages

Workday idioms n Career Desk

this stage is that some team members may become reluctant to share new ideas to avoid further conflict.

Kill two birds with one stone - If you kill two birds with one stone, you succeed in doing two things at the same time.

Take the bull by the horns - To take the bull by the horns means that a person decides to act decisively in order to deal with a difficult situation or problem.

Cannot hold a candle to - If one person cannot hold a candle to another, they are much less competent or do not perform as well as the other.

Like clockwork - To say that someone or something goes, runs or behaves like clockwork means that everything happens exactly as expected.

Acid test - To refer to something as “the acid test” means that it will prove how effective or useful something is.

Cut the ground from under feet - When someone cuts the ground from under another’s feet, they do something that weakens their position or spoils their plans.

Deliver the goods - If a person delivers the goods, they do what is expected of them or what they have promised to.

Storming

The storming stage follows, which is a stage many teams fail at while others never fully leave it. After the initial diplomacy of the first stage, during this stage different ideas storm and compete for consideration. The team together address issues of role, leadership model, individual responsibilities, goals, etc. Since individual roles are not yet established, every member vies for their position.

The length of this stage depends largely on the maturity of team members – as previously mentioned, conflicts might arise from both professional differences and personality clashes. The team must choose to move on instead of focusing on the smallest differences. This is another opportunity for the natural leader to take charge and comb through the knots.

The most important aspects to focus on during the storming stage is en-

Storming

n n n n

Establish clear objectives for the team as a whole and for individual team members.

Determine individual roles.

Establish individual roles.

Resolve conflicts as efficiently as possible. Provide support to team members.

Address imminent challenges to your leadership positively.

Explain Tuckman’s “forming, storming, norming, and performing” model, so team members understand why problems are occurring, and realise that things will eventually get better.

Norming

n

On top of your own responsibility, help team members take responsibility for progress towards the goal.

Performing

n

Once the team is performing well, aim to develop individual members to the best of your ability and keep a keen eye out to avoid reversion to earlier stages.

Peeking behind perceptions: Career prospects for Arts and Humanities majors Zeba Bakhtiar and n Anita Naiian Yazdani Getting admitted to a degree of choice quite often seems to be as difficult as looking for a needle in a proverbial haystack in today’s world of competition. In the current domestic socio-economic scenario, a major in the arts or humanities is generally perceived to be unsafe in terms of both career and compensation packages, and only “rich kids” are presumed to follow such career paths.

After studying in courses like History and English Language, many graduates find themselves despairing over the looming unavailability of jobs in their preferred sectors. In this particular scenario, one could choose to study and sit for the BCS (Bangladesh Civil Service) exams, passing which would enable them to get a government job that is respected worldwide, along with many additional fringe benefits on offer.

Furthermore, there are also jobs in the education sector for those who want to help teach and nurture the future generations of Bangladesh. In order to do so, graduates may choose to take a well-trodden route by becoming a lecturer at a university after completing their Masters in the chosen discipline and later moving on to higher posts. However, if they know that they want to be professors in their subject, a PhD should be undertaken as soon as possible in order to maximise their chances of being selected by a reputed university.

Another option for these graduates is a career in the banking sector, which recruits from any discipline. Graduates are required to sit for a generalised bank examination to qualify for the particular post for which they are applying. Once they get into a particular job at a bank, they can always choose to progress in their careers by sitting for higher banking diplomas, and if they perform well, the time span from one promotion to the next can be shortened significantly.

However, many still believe that educating young minds is an extremely fulfilling and satisfying experience.

For those studying Philosophy, English or History, you could go for masters in child psychology and educational development. You could then join organi-

sations like the UNICEF, where you will be able to teach underprivileged children, thus helping to spread the light of knowledge to those who still live in the dark. The added satisfaction of making a social contribution makes this career particularly attractive.

A career in the performing arts such as playwriting and drama does not necessarily imply a life engrossed in the theatre. On the contrary, if a graduate of drama decides to get an MBA from a leading public or private university, he or she will have a diverse skill set combining the communication skills and business nous. This may be of particular interest for public relations, media, advertising and marketing roles.

The limitations of an arts and humanities career are just as much about perception as it is about reality

BIGSTOCK

A key example would be Ramendu Mazumder, who is a noted theatre personality of Bangladesh. It is perhaps little known that this famous personality majored in English from Dhaka University, and his first job was as a lecturer at the Chaumuhani College in Noakhali for three years. While he kept himself associated with the literary canon and the theatre scene, he later gained prominence for working in client services for advertising firms in Karachi, Kolkata, and later on in Dhaka.

Akbar Ali Khan is also another personality worth mentioning when talking about subjects within the Humanities stream. Although he had studied history from the University of Dhaka, achieving first class in both his Bachelors and Masters degrees, he is more well-known for working in the civil service, and later going on to serve as one of the advisors of the care-

taker government near the end of the year 2006.

He has written various books on Economics and is a part-time faculty member of the BRAC Business School (BBS), a department of BRAC University. These examples demonstrate that the limitations of an arts and humanities career are just as much about perception as it is about reality.

For those who choose to take the conventional path, there is still a variety of options available. A graduate of linguistics for example need not necessarily be a teacher or a lecturer; he or she might choose to work as a translator for a foreign embassy in Bangladesh.

This may be especially attractive as it might involve lucrative travelling opportunities on a regular basis along with excellent compensation packages.

In addition, one might choose to work

as an executive at any of the leading NGOs, such as UNICEF or the World Bank.

Just because one has majored in a course that is rarely opted for does not endorse the conclusion that you have limited options for a prosperous career.

On the contrary, if a graduate does have the characteristics of what it takes that is attitude, aptitude and creativity - the land of opportunity is quite fertile.

One only needs to open up his or her mind to see the exciting careers that await. l Anita Zeba Bakhtiar recently completed her research internship at GradConnect, an international career information and advisory firm. Naiian Yazdani is the Director of Strategy at GradConnect. You can email him at naiian@grad-connect.com and find more career information at www.grad-insights. com and www.grad-connect.com.

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

European center-left launches election drive, attacks austerity n Reuters European center-left parties called on Saturday for a change to austerity policies enacted to counter the euro zone crisis as they named Martin Schulz to be their candidate for next head of the European Commission.

The Party of European Socialists (PES), which groups Europe’s main center-left parties, said the focus on tight budgetary policy during the crisis had resulted in mass unemployment, hardship and the rise of populist movements.

The euro zone is gradually recovering from its worst economic crisis since the launch of the single currency but its southern members continue to struggle and youth unemployment remains above 40 percent in Greece, Spain and Italy.

“Europe can’t continue like this,” French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault told reporters at a special PES congress in Rome held to launch the joint platform for the European parliamentary elections on May 22-25.

“You can see populist parties on the rise everywhere and if they succeed in the European elections, they will be able to block a reorientation of Europe.”

The PES called for measures to relaunch the continent’s sickly economy, create jobs and help the unemployed and others who had suffered in the crisis. Several speakers called for tighter regulation of financial markets blamed for the crisis.

Schulz, a German Social Democrat and current president of the European Parliament, said Europe should do more to help small businesses and reconnect with its citizens and could not allow policy to be exclusively dictated by financial markets.

“For too long, we have been told that the invisible hand regulates markets, that we cannot control financial markets. We can and we must,” he said in a speech accepting the nomination which the center-left hopes will see him take over from the current center-right president Jose-Manuel Barroso.

He promised a crack-down on rules that let big companies shift tax payments across national borders to cut their tax bills and said he would make a bill of digital rights a priority in the wake of the scandal over intelligence agencies scooping up vast quantities of online data.

Opinion polls suggest that the center-left will do well in the elections,

Basque group ETA pledges to give up all its arms n Reuters Armed Basque separatist group ETA on Saturday pledged to give up all its weapons but warned the government that any attack or obstacle could impact negatively on the disarmament process.

The announcement comes only days after the work of an international commission which is monitoring the disarmament and ceasefire was thrown into doubt after it acknowledged ETA had kept some weapons and explosives that were said to have been sealed and put beyond operational use.

ETA announced a unilateral ceasefire in 2011, suspending four decades of attacks in which more than 800 people died.

The group wants talks on moving hundreds of prisoners who are in jail across Spain to the Basque region in return for dismantling its military structure and turning in its weapons, but the government has rejected the offer.

“The process of sealing the arsenals has started and the commitment of ETA is to carry it out until it is com-

plete, until the last arsenal,” the group said in a statement dated February 24 and published on Saturday by Basque newspaper Naiz.

ETA said it had also agreed on a new method for disarmament which includes handing over to the monitors the arms and explosives that are being put beyond use.

It however warned that it was a difficult process that not only depended on the group’s and the monitors’ goodwill but also on the Spanish authorities.

“The attacks and obstacles can seriously affect the viability of the disarmament process,” it said in the statement.

Senior members of the government and the ruling People’s Party last week said that the monitors were serving ETA’s interests and their work was “a lie”.

The centre-right government of Mariano Rajoy has repeatedly demanded ETA, which has been significantly weakened in recent years by hundreds of arrests and flagging support in the region, dissolve without pre-conditions. l

A married priest has been ordained by the Maronite Catholic Church in the United States for the first time in nearly a century.

His wife and daughter were on hand to support him.

Wissam Akiki was welcomed by hundreds of supporters during a ceremony Thursday night at St. Raymond’s Maronite Cathedral in St. Louis. He called it a “historic day” and said he had been given two great blessings: marriage to his wife of 10 years, Manal, and “the dream to serve the Lord thanks and church as a priest.”

Maronites are among more than a dozen Eastern Catholic church groups in the US

that accept the authority of the pope but have many of their own rituals and liturgy.

Eastern Catholic churches in the Middle East and Europe ordain married men. But the Vatican banned the practice in America in the 1920s, after Latin-rite bishops complained it was confusing for parishioners.

Pope John Paul II called for greater acceptance of Eastern Catholic traditions, and over the years popes have made exceptions on a case-by-case basis for married men to become Eastern Catholic priests in America. Pope Francis gave permission for Akiki to be ordained.

“Almost half of our priests in Lebanon are married, so it’s not an unusual event in the life of the Maronite church, though in

INVESTMENT

The conference heard calls for ideas ranging from a financial transaction tax to pay for measures to cut youth unemployment to more investment in science and research and a more appealing message to voters.

German Social Democratic leader Sigmar Gabriel, economy minister in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cross-party coalition, said it was unreasonable to expect small business and skilled tradesmen to accept heavy tax burdens while financial markets – which he said had caused the crisis – “have not paid a cent.”

“We have to get a contribution from the financial markets. We have to get to them, to finance a cut in debt and an investment in growth,” he said. l

Obama warns Putin against military intervention

n Reuters, Washington/Simferool US President Barack Obama has warned Russia against any military intervention in Ukraine after the country’s new leaders accused Moscow of deploying forces in the Crimea region.

A week after Russian-backed President Viktor Yanukovich was ousted in Kiev, armed men took control of two airports in Crimea on Friday in what Kiev described as an invasion and occupation by Moscow’s forces in a region with an ethnic Russian majority.

Acting President Oleksander Turchinov said Russia, which has a naval base in Crimea, was following a scenario like the one before it went to war with fellow former Soviet republic Georgia in 2008 over two breakaway regions.

The crisis is stoking tensions in a geopolitical battle between East and West that has echoes of the Cold War. “We are now deeply concerned by reports of military movements taken by the Russian Federation inside of Ukraine,” Obama told reporters in Washington, adding that any violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity would be “deeply destabilizing.”

Obama and European leaders would consider skipping a G8 summit this summer in the Russian city of Sochi if Moscow intervened militarily, a senior US official said. l

the United States it is,” said Deacon Louis Peters, chancellor at St. Raymond’s.

Members of the church said they were ready to welcome the new priest.

Stephanie Baker, a 57-year-old lifelong member of the church, said, “I really think it sets a precedent.” That remains to be seen.

Peters said the pope’s action does not lift the ban on married priests in the US, but that it’s simply an exception Experts, too, cautioned against reading too much into it.

“This is certainly not an automatic indication that the mandate of celibacy within Roman rite will be overturned,” said Randy Rosenberg, a theological studies professor at Saint Louis University. l

Cigar aficionados vie to create Cuba’s ‘longest ash’ n AFP, Havana A thick cloud of smoke hung in the air at Havana’s annual cigar festival, where some 200 smokers took part in a novel contest to produce the longest unbroken ash.

Many of the participants, foreigners as well as Cubans, finished with throbbing headaches but smiling faces, laughing and clapping as their smoked-down stogies were transformed into prodigious pillars of ash.

Each smoker started out with a 17.8-centimeter (seven-inch) H. Upmann label cigar, an esteemed Cuban brand.

The challenge was to produce one intact ash that came as close as possible to the length of the cigar at the start of the competition.

Contestants sat with heads tilted backwards to prevent the ash from crumbling onto the table – or onto their faces.

In between puffs, they held their stogies as close as possible to vertical, in a sometimes futile effort to keep them in one piece.

“It was exhausting,” said April Angeloni from the United States, whose impressive showing, measuring 13.9 centimeters, was nevertheless some three centimeters too short to win.

The prize went Friday to Olivia Terry, a Cuban journalist who managed to puff through 16.9 centimeters before the ash broke.

“I did not expect such a result,” Terry said, adding she just joined for fun.

“It’s much harder than it looked,” said another participant, Tamara Teixo,

Former slave trade town seeks to become African art hub

gaining ground from the center-right which has dominated European policy making for the past decade.

However even if they gain the most seats in the 751-seat European parliament, the Commission president is not directly elected and the center-left candidate will not necessarily win office, with backroom negotiations with national governments certain to play a big part in the appointment.

Married man becomes priest in US n AP, St. Louis

Sunday, March 2, 2014

a Spaniard who markets Cuban cigars in Russia. Chilean sommelier Sebastian Pardo said he had unlocked the secret to keeping the gray column of consumed stogie from cascading to the floor.

“You have to have a good pulse and smoke very slowly,” he said, adding that it was a challenge because, with all the smoke in the room, “one begins to choke a little.”

It was the first time that the contest was held at this annual gathering of cigar aficionados and merchants from around the world, which is meeting this year for the 16th time.

The competition was held Thursday at Havana’s convention center, a venue usually reserved for august events involving politicians or foreign statesmen. l

An exhibition presenting a series of auto-portrait photos by Cameroonian and Nigerian artist Samuel Fosso (C), at Villa Ajavon AFP

n AFP, Ouidah Until last year, the few tourists who visited the small west African town of Ouidah were likely headed to the Gateway of No Return, a massive monument to the area's bleak history as a slave trading hub.

But the town may soon become known for an attraction of an entirely different sort: the first sub-Saharan Africa museum dedicated exclusively to contemporary African art.

The Zinsou Museum, installed in an ornate 100-year-old villa, has attracted 13,000 visitors since its launch in November – an impressive tally for an out-of-the-way town in the sparsely visited nation of Benin.

The reputation – and monetary value – of contemporary African art has steadily risen in recent years.

Curators and collectors from North America and Europe frequently fly in to artistic hubs like Lagos, Nigeria seeking new talent and new work by established names.

But for Marie-Celine Zinsou, who

spearheaded the creation of the museum, better notoriety for African artists abroad was not enough.

While on a trip to Benin with a French based children's charity in 2005 she wanted to take a group of youths to an art museum.

"I found that there wasn't any structure to show (the children) work from their own continent," she told AFP. Zinsou, the grandniece of one of Benin's first presidents, secured an investment from her father Lionel, a businessmen with duel French and Benin nationality who previously worked for France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius.

The Zinsou foundation opened in 2005 at a building in Benin's largest city of Cotonou, where access was free to view both African and foreign art.

The foundation attracted four million visitors in eight years, mostly students under the age of 15.

The slave trade monument in Ouidah is a massive archway with two long lines

of naked, chained men in bas-relief along the top, to suggest the group is being marched into the Atlantic Ocean.

Hundreds of thousands of Africans were believed to have been condemned to slavery from the beach below the archway.

The Villa Ajavon in a sense defies that history, having been built by the descendants of slaves who returned from the Brazilian city of Bahia in a style influenced by both Brazilian and African architecture, said Zinsou.

While the villa needed to be renovated to host a museum, Zinsou said the priority was to preserve its original structure. Air conditioning in main hall was therefore forbidden so as to not disfigure the exterior, so those who wants to see the museum's collection must be prepared to sweat.

Air circulates through sunlight corridors where the works of leading African artists are on display, including: Ethiopia's Mickael Bethe-Selassie, Frederic Bruly-Bouabre of Ivory Coast and Cheri Samba of the Democratic Republic of Congo. l

‘Beliefs stop Iran from pursuing nukes’ n AP, Tehran

nuclear weapons. He has said holding such arms is a sin as well as “useless, harmful and dangerous.”

“We are not after weapons of mass destruction. That’s our red line,” he said. “If Iran was after weapons of mass destruction, it would build chemical weapons. Those are easier to make. It would build biological arms, which are even easier than making chemical weapons.”

He said Iran’s “beliefs” and commitment to “ethical principles,” not merely the U.N’s nuclear non-proliferation treaty, prevent it from making a bomb.

“We signed these treaties to show the world we are not after such weapons,” he told military commanders.

“Even if there were no NPT or other treaties, our belief, our faith, our religion and principles tell us not to seek weapons of mass destruction.”

The US and its allies fear that Iran seeks to develop the ability to make a nuclear weapon, should it want one. Iran denies the charge, saying its nuclear program is peaceful and geared toward generating electricity and producing radioisotopes to treat cancer patients. l

Google loses bid to keep anti-Islamic video online during appeal

Turkey passes law to shut schools run by Erdogan arch-rival

Iran’s president said the Islamic Republic has decided not to develop nuclear weapons out of principle, not only because it is prevented so by treaties.

Hassan Rouhani told Defense Ministry officials Saturday that, if Iran wanted weapons of mass destruction, it would be easier for it to make chemical or biological weapons.

Rouhani was reiterating a police set

by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who issued a religious decree banning the production and use of

n Reuters, San Francisco Google Inc on Friday lost its bid to keep an anti-Islamic film on its YouTube video sharing website while it appealed a federal appeals court order that the company said would have “devastating effects” if allowed to stand.

Earlier this week, a panel of the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2-1 to reject Google’s assertion that the removal of the film “Innocence of Muslims,” which sparked protests across the Muslim world, amounted to a prior restraint of speech that violated the US Constitution.

In a court filing on Thursday, Google argued that the video should remain accessible to the public while it asks that a larger, 11-judge 9th Circuit panel review the issue. Google called this week’s opinion “unprecedented” and “sweeping.”

However, the 9th Circuit on Friday rejected Google’s request in a brief order. Google representatives could not immediately be reached for comment.

The plaintiff, Cindy Lee Garcia, had objected to the film after learning that it incorporated a clip she had made for a different movie, which had been partially dubbed and in which she appeared to be asking: “Is your Mohammed a child molester?”

Garcia’s attorney, Cris Armenta, opposed Google’s request to repost the video while the appeal proceeds. The

actress received death threats as a result of her appearance in the film.

The controversial film, billed as a film trailer, depicted the Prophet Mohammed as a fool and a sexual deviant.

It sparked a torrent of anti-American unrest among Muslims in Egypt, Libya and other countries in 2012.

That outbreak coincided with an attack on US diplomatic facilities in Benghazi that killed four Americans, including the US ambassador to Libya.

US and other foreign embassies were also stormed in the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

For many Muslims, any depiction of the prophet is considered blasphemous.

Google had refused to remove the film from YouTube despite pressure from the White House and others, though it blocked the trailer in Egypt, Libya and certain other countries.

In court filings, Google argued that Garcia appeared in the film for five seconds, and that while she might have legal claims against the director, she should not win a copyright lawsuit against Google. The film has now become an important part of public debate, Google argued, and should not be taken down.

But Garcia argued that her performance within the film was independently copyrightable and that she retained an interest in that copyright. The 9th Circuit panel agreed on Wednesday. l

n AFP, Ankara Turkey’s parliament has passed a bill to close down thousands of private schools, many of which are run by an influential Muslim cleric embroiled in a bitter feud with the government.

The move is the latest blow struck in a rivalry between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his former ally Fethullah Gulen which has seen the Turkish government entangled in a graft scandal and shaken to its core.

In a late-night session on Friday, lawmakers in the 550-seat house voted 226 for and 22 against the bill which sets September 1, 2015 as the deadline to shut down the network of schools.

Around 4,000 private schools in Turkey are run by Gulen, and provide a major source of income for his Hizmet (Service) movement, which describes itself as a global, social and cultural movement inspired by Islamic ideals.

Tensions have long simmered between Erdogan and Gulen, who once worked hand-in-hand as the conservative pro-business middle class rose at the expense of the military and former secular elite.

But they reached breaking point in November when government first floated the idea of shutting down the schools, which aim to help students prepare for high school and university.

Erdogan said at the time he wanted to abolish an “illegal” and unfair education system which he charged turned children into “competition horses.” l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Pakistan militant ambush kills 12 of polio workers escort n Reuters, Peshawar Militants killed 12 members of the security escort for a polio vaccination team in northwest Pakistan on Saturday, detonating a roadside bomb before opening fire on their convoy, according to officials.

The attack lasted an hour and when rescuers approached the scene the gunmen also attacked them, according to Khan Faraz, an official in the Jamrud area of Khyber, a rugged tribal region bordering Afghanistan.

Around a dozen wounded were taken to hospital, but others died on the road waiting for help to arrive, he said.

Another official, Assistant Political Agent Jehangir Azam, said all the casualties were members of the levies or Khasadar, both locally recruited government-backed militias. They were providing security for the health workers.

Polio vaccination teams are frequently attacked, as are government security forces. A spokeswoman for UNICEF said it was unclear who was the target on this occasion.

Some religious leaders have denounced the multi-billion dollar vacci-

nation campaign as a cover for spying or a plot to secretly sterilize Muslim children.

Pakistan is one of the last three countries in the world where polio remains endemic and the only one of those three where reported cases are increasing. The disease can kill or paralyze within hours.

Pakistan is one of the last three countries in the world where polio remains endemic In a separate incident in western Baluchistan province, a roadside bomb killed three members of a government paramilitary force in Sorab, about 230km southwest of the provincial capital of Quetta.

Shortly afterwards, the paramilitary Frontier Corps announced it had killed ten men in Sui, 300km southeast of Quetta. The Frontier Corps said they were carrying out an operation to

search for militants who had bombed gas pipelines.

Baluchistan, a mineral-rich and dirt-poor province, is home to a bloody separatist insurgency, other militant groups, drug lords and government-backed death squads.

In recent weeks the Pakistani government tried to initiate peace talks with the Taliban insurgency, an umbrella group of militant factions and the largest and deadliest of dozens of militant groups operating in Pakistan.

But peace talks failed after the Taliban bombed a bus of policemen and a faction of the Taliban claimed to have executed 23 kidnapped men from a government-run paramilitary force.

Their bodies were never found.

The Pakistani military responded by bombing areas they identified as militant hideouts. A military spokesman says the attacks destroyed key hideouts and killed dozens of militants.

The air operations have sparked speculation that a much-anticipated offensive may finally be launched in North Waziristan, a tribal area along the border with Afghanistan that is considered the Taliban’s main stronghold. l

Pakistan rescues 11 foreign hostages near Iranian border

Sri Lankan family finds mass grave in garden

Pakistani officials on Saturday said they had rescued 11 kidnapped foreigners - eight Iranians, two Tunisians and one Yemeni national - in the southwest town of Turbat near the Iranian border.

The security officials told AFP that those freed did not include a group of Iranian border guards believed to have been kidnapped by jihadists and taken to Pakistan in early February, sparking diplomatic tensions. “11 foreigners were rescued in a raid in a neighbourhood of Turbat town, some 1,050 kilometres (656 miles) west of Quetta,” a security official told AFP. The raid had been conducted in an attempt to rescue five Iranian border guards who were kidnapped on February 6 from Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province, officials said. But the freed hostages were not thought to be the guards but believed to be connected to drug cartels operating in the province and to have been held hostage by them, officials said.

Diplomatic ties between Iran and Pakistan touched a fresh low last week over fate of the kidnapped border guards, when the Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani-Fazli reportedly threatened Pakistan that Tehran may send forces into Pakistan to free them. l

n News Agencies

n AFP, Quetta

A Sri Lankan family has stumbled upon the remains of at least nine bodies buried in the garden of their home, police reported, the latest mass grave to be discovered in the country’s former war zone.

The family made the grisly find on Friday while clearing out their garden in the town of Puthukkudiyiruppu in the northern district of Mullaittivu, police spokesman Ajith Rohana told Al-jazeera on Saturday.

“Remains of nine people had been found so far and the skeletal remains were taken for analysis by the judicial medical officer in the area,” Rohana told reporters.

The discovery comes just days after officials raised the number of bodies found in December in an unmarked mass grave in the adjoining district of Mannar to 80.

It was the first grave uncovered in the ex-war zone since troops defeated Tamil rebels nearly five years ago following a decades-long conflict for a separate homeland for ethnic minority Tamils.

The final battles between government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels

China media hurls racist slur at departing US envoy

Stability the watchword for China

n AFP, Beijing

Just four months after unveiling the boldest set of economic and social reforms in nearly three decades, China’s top leaders meet next week to discuss implementing the changes - but chances are they will play it safe.

The ambitious reform agenda and Chiand export-fuelled growth towards a slower, more balanced and sustained expansion will be the focus of discussions at the annual session of parliament - the National People’s Congress - due to open on March 5.

But signs of fragility in the world’s second-biggest economy, volatility in emerging markets and fears of social instability could mean any implementation of any reforms will be cautious and gradual.

“The leadership has strong determination, but that does not necessarily mean reforms can be easily implemented,” said Xiao Lian, senior economist at theChinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), a top government think-tank in Beijing.

Economists involved in drafting the reforms say that plans that can be implemented without affecting growth or jobs are high on the agenda, such as fiscal system reform to help rein in local government debt, as well as efforts to gradually free up interest rates and the currency regime.

Policymakers are aware that an abrupt slowdown, its resulting job losses and bankruptcies, could derail reforms, they said.

“The tradeoff between reform and growth implies that those reforms with neutral or positive near-term impact could progress faster, including administrative reform, fiscal reform, financial reform, resource pricing reform and easing the one-child policy,” Haibin Zhu, China economist at JPMorgan in Hong Kong, said in a research note.

A key signal will be the annual growth target that will be unveiled by Premier Li

A Chinese state media outlet used a racist slur to criticise departing US ambassador Gary Locke in an insulting commentary which even blamed him for Beijing’s notorious pollution.

The 64-year-old became the first ethnic Chinese in the post when he was appointed in 2011, going on to gain quasi-celebrity status for his modest style and for drawing attention to China’s unhealthy skies.

But Locke, who left his role on Saturday, received a highly undiplomatic sendoff from the China News Service in a sneering editorial which referred to him as a “banana,” and a “guide dog” for helping a blind activist.

“He is a banana with yellow skin and a white heart,” Friday’s article opened by saying, calling Locke’s ethnicity a ploy by the US to win Chinese hearts and minds while seeking to kick up trouble in the region.

“But the ‘yellow skin’ of bananas will eventually rot, not only revealing the ‘white core’ inside but also turning into a putrid ‘black core’,” the commentary went on.

It also scorned Locke’s image as an unpretentious official known for carrying his own luggage and using a regular car in contrast to his Chinese counterparts.

The verbal attacks didn’t stop there with the editorial deriding him as a “guide dog” for assisting the blind activist Chen Guangcheng in 2012. l

S Korea proposes regular family reunions with North n Reuters, Seoul South Korean President Park Geun-hye made a formal proposal to North Korea on Saturday to hold family reunions regularly, uniting families separated since the 1950-53 Korean war, a sign Seoul is seeking to improve relations with the North.

The reunions used to be held roughly annually, but until this February had not taken place since 2010 when tensions between the two Koreas spiraled after the South said the North sank one of its naval vessels. The latest family reunion was held on February 20-25 at the Mount Kumgang resort just north of the border and a total of 813 family members met in tears and joy.

“I propose to North Korea to make family reunions regular in order to ease

the deep sorrow of the separated families as soon as possible. North Korea too has separated families and I believe it also has to relieve their pain and agony,” said Park in a speech marking the March First Independence Movement Day. “There is not much time left for these elderly Koreans. The event in which separated families reunite should not be a special occasion any more, said Park. This year commemorates the 95th year of the declaration of the nation’s independence from Japanese colonization on March 1, 1919.

There have been 19 family reunions since the first in 1985, during a previous thaw in relations between Seoul and Pyongyang, but the events have never been regular and have ebbed and flowed with the state of Korean relations. l

Why Big Business likes Modi prices, especially of food, rose; and the value of the rupee plummeted, touching a low of Rs. 68.85 to the US dollar.

With a performance as poor as that, isn’t Mr Modi and the NDA a better alternative to back? No, because blaming the UPA for the economy’s travails wouldn’t be altogether fair. India’s current economic slowdown has a lot to do with

Hindustan Times Editorial how the world economy has performed.

For most of the past five years, Europe and US have been in a recession and this has affected the rest, India included.

As for the rupee, its higher value (when it ruled at Rs. 45 to the dollar in 2004) was largely because of big inflows of dollars into India when its economy was booming. The current fall of the rupee has more to do with fears of the US tapering down that stimulus, which has seen funds from emerging markets

were fought in the Mullaittivu district, which was a stronghold of the separatist fighters for over two decades.

The United Nations estimates the war between 1972 and 2009 in Sri Lanka claimed at least 100,000 lives.

Friday’s discovery comes in the run-up to a UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session starting on Monday in Geneva where Sri Lanka faces a USled censure resolution criticising the government for its alleged failure to probe war crimes. It would be the third such motion.

Last month, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre in Australia accused Sri Lankan authorities of exhuming mass graves and destroying evidence of civilian killings, a charge the government has denied.

Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapakse has said he is committed to ensuring investigations into any allegations of wrongdoing by his security forces and challenged his accusers to provide evidence.

Last year, construction workers stumbled on another mass grave in central Sri Lanka, hundreds of kilometres from the conflict zone. l

n Reuters, Beijing

INDIAN ELECTIONS 2014

No matter what anybody says, there is no difference between the economic policies of the two political rivals— the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Both share the same objectives of achieving economic growth and prosperity for Indians by adopting almost identical policies…yet, as we close in on this year’s Lok Sabha elections, it is no secret that Big Business is almost unequivocally punting for the NDA’s prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi. Everyone—from the biggest and the most powerful to the more modest ones—has made no secret of their preference for Mr Modi and the alliance he leads.

Why? Has Mr Modi promised lip-smacking giveaways that are making businessmen dizzy with anticipation? Or has he given them a sneak peek at a miracle strategy that he has up his sleeve that will lead the economy to a new high? No, he has done nothing of the sort.

The easy answer could be that under the UPA government, India’s economy has suffered: its growth rate plunged from more than 9% to less than 5%;

9

Sunday, March 2, 2014

flow back to a recovering US economy, rather than any policy lapse on the part of the UPA government.

It’s not for his economic policy that Big Business likes Mr Modi. It is not for what he will do as much as it is for what he will not do that business likes Mr Modi. Here’s the thing. In the past few years, Big Business has been put on the spot like never before. India’s mightiest business groups have been at the receiving end of investigations or enquiries either by the government, a proactive judiciary or investigative agencies. A list of the companies that have been subjected to probes or court summons or government censure could read like the power-list of India’s business groups, including formidable names such as the Tata, Reliance, Birla, Mittal, Jindal and so on.

Some of those charges and investigations have come to naught; some are still underway; but the fact is Indian business has rarely experienced anything nearly as unpleasant as this. It is this that has made Big Business pin its hopes on Mr Modi. Not policies or concessions; but the hope that the nightmarish experience of being on the spot would not be repeated. l

Commercial and residential buildings in Beijing Keqiang at the parliament session.

Economists with top think-tanks have told Reuters that Li could stick with the 7.5% target of last year, implying that the cautious approach to reform in 2013 would continue this year.

Reforms are widely expected to gain steam this year, but the sequencing of reforms means less painful ones will come first.

Some analysts believe there is an off chance that Li could stop issuing an explicit growth target for this year, to underscore the importance of economic reforms. Most pundits, however, expect authorities to reaffirm the target to reassure markets.

Still, most local governments have already cut economic growth targets this year to focus on quality and efficiency.

Among the 31 provinces, regions and municipalities across the country, 22 local governments have lowered their GDP targets this year while seven local governments have kept the target the same as last year, according to official media.

Low-hanging fruit

Among the less controversial reforms, the central bank could unveil a long-awaited deposit insurance system in coming months, a step toward its declared goal of freeing up bank deposit rates, and it may also widen the yuan’s trading band to encourage international usage of the currency. It could also announce opening up the highly controlled capital account at a free-trade zone in Shanghai, an experimental

Lalu Prasad offers 11 seats to Congress, 1 to NCP in Bihar n Agencies, Patna Putting pressure on India’s Congress, RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Saturday offered 11 seats to the party and asked it to give its acceptance by Sunday when his party’s parliamentary board will meet here, the Times of India reports.

RJD has also offered one out of the 40 seats in the state to another Congress ally NCP. The development comes after an old ally LJP walked over to the BJP camp.

Prasad, who returned here from Delhi last night, said he had told Congress general secretary and in charge of Bihar CP Joshi of the offer. “I have asked him to communicate acceptance before RJD parliamentary board meeting in Patna tomorrow at 3pm,” Prasad told reporters.

Asked to comment why the alliance between RJD and Congress was stuck, he said the offer did not mean that “everything is over” between the two parties on the issue. “I have also told Joshi that if his party stakes claim for any other seat than he should tell me and

also convince me of the winning potential of his expected candidate,” he said.

To questions on whether RJD could decide to go it alone, he said, “Why are you presuming things ? ... The party’s parliamentary board will take some decisions tomorrow (today).”

Prasad said that for him and RJD the biggest challenge was to stop communal forces. “For this we want to take all secular parties, including Congress with us.”

He also clarified that he had not meant a fight with Congress, which he said, was a media interpretation.

Prasad, however, did not identify the 11 seats he had offered to Congress or the one to NCP of Sharad Pawar.

He also refused to comment on reports that RJD-Congress alliance was stuck due to conflicting claims between the two parties on Madhubani and a few other seats.

“In general the claim shall be staked on seats only on the basis of performance of the respective parties in the last general elections as per Election Commissions results,” Lalu said. l

REUTERS

move it has already flagged.

But some changes, such as government downsizing or closures of debt-laden factories in sectors gripped by overcapacity, could take a back seat to avoid fuelling job losses and undermining social stability, analysts say.

“Reforms require careful planning and proper timing. The bottom line is the economy be kept stable,” said Wang Jun, senior economist with China Centre for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), a well-connected think-tank in Beijing.

Still, there are signs that the leadership is keen to rein in the country’s powerful planning body to reduce state interventions and clip the wing of state giants to create more breathing space for private firms - the vital economic driving force. l

Former Indian army chief joins BJP

n Agencies, New Delhi Former Army chief Gen V K Singh, who was engaged in a long-drawn battle with the government over his age issue, on Saturday joined BJP, saying it is the only “nationalist” party which he wants to see in power.

Gen Singh, who joined the BJP along with a number of other ex-servicemen in presence of party president Rajnath Singh, said the troops should support it so that a “stable, strong and nationalist” government is formed. “I saw only BJP as nationalist party,” he said while explaining the reason for joining the party. “We, who have served on borders, should work with nationalist forces. So, we have decided to move with BJP to bring a government which is stable, strong and takes decisions in national interest, said the 63-year-old who retired in May 2012.

He expressed confidence that the enthusiasm of the servicemen will make BJP stronger. Welcoming him into BJP, Rajnath Singh said if BJP comes to power, it will take good care of the armed forces. He used the occasion to attack the UPA government, saying it has not looked after the armed forces well. In this context, he cited the recent mishaps involving the Navy. l

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Letters to

www.dhakatribune.com

Stop giving sweet deals to loss-makers

the Editor

LETTER OF THE DAY

An appeal to our senses February 25

S

This article strikes an instant, instinctive chord. The author eloquently speaks to my own longstanding emotions regarding great architecture, and its preservation. His passionate plea to restore and preserve the splendours and original architectural integrity of our Jatiya Sangshad is both timely and compelling. I hugely laud Mr. Ghani for this “appeal to our senses.”

Alas, in a country where the Jatiya Sangshad seems to get scant respect from both the governments of the day (treating it as a private back office and winter retreat) and the Opposition (customarily and inexcusably boycotting its sessions by not attending), I imagine it’s almost fantasy to expect due recognition of the urgency of retaining the aesthetics and integrity of the JS, as a classic architectural landmark in our country’s history. I’m sure the author has noticed (as I have) the sad blight on the JS’s appearance for several years now, as seen by the dark, dirty discolouration of the exterior of the entire building. I wholeheartedly agree with all the author’s points here---especially his current plea for the government to take heed and not proceed with an unwarranted assault on the architecture of the JS, by erecting a horrendous wall around the building with the shallow pretext of enhanced “security.”

Ronnie

tate-owned sugar mills are once again operating at a loss, poised to lose another Tk2 billion this year. This is yet another drain on the Bangladeshi taxpayer which needs to close.

For many years, these inefficient state-run sugar mills have been incurring losses of hundreds of crores. Productions costs are soaring, and the slump of the price of sugar in the world market has enabled private sugar producers to sell their sugar for cheaper.

The state should not subsidise these loss-making businesses. There is no excuse to continue funding these businesses at a massive cost to the nation, especially if there are cheaper alternatives such as imported sugar. Furthermore, the opportunity cost of bankrolling these industries is that farmers could be growing something better.

All of this supports the basic argument that the government should no longer be supporting the 15 or state-owned loss-making sugar mills, which have been fighting a failing battle against the competitive prices of the free market.

Furthermore, these state-owned mills, due to insufficient storage capacity, are tremendously wasteful. A large volume of unsold molasses gets wasted every year because the surplus cannot be sold locally or internationally.

Expensive and wasteful state-owned industries like the sugar mills are costing the country and the taxpayer dearly.

It is time to stop this waste.

The government should no longer be supporting loss-making sugar mills

How to treat bad movies February 26

Rajiv Ashrafi That was fantastic. I agree wholeheartedly. People need to grow up.

Naomi Mirza Excellent article! Thank you for finally speaking sensibly about such rubbish.

Sumaiya Shams Absolutely spot on. Thanks Abak, this has been a pleasant read.

Raihan Hadi Excellent read!! Thank you!

Ronnie The author’s sentiments on the issue are totally in sync with mine. I couldn’t agree more with his well-argued, convincing analysis here. I dislike and oppose censorship of art, without exceptions. I will never call for a ban of any purportedly “offending” piece of literature, art, film etc. And I find the outrage in Bangladesh over the grave sins of “Gunday” (I have not, and have zero desire to watch the film) to be rather infantile and unnecessary. What’s worse, there’s even a herd mentality at work here, which compels many people to mindlessly jump on the bandwagon of protest and condemnation.

As the author correctly argues, adults in this country can choose to completely ignore the tawdry film. Instead, by haughtily clamouring for the film’s outright ban, our baying public and “artiste” community are granting the film

Boost for rural electricity welcome

T

he World Bank’s approval of $600 million in concessional financing for the Rural Electricity Transmission and Distribution Project is a timely boost for the economy.

Although Bangladesh’s rural electrification program has a strong track record and has been highly successful in raising living standards, it is still not complete or comprehensive.

The new funding provides a much needed boost for plans to expand the national electrification program. By providing a long term 40 year credit, this new finance will vastly improve the quality of electricity supply in the eastern part of the country, and will benefit around 25 million people.

The project incorporates improvements to the efficiency of the distribution system so that far less energy will be wasted and more electricity can be reliably provided to rural areas.

It will help bring significant benefits for everyday life.

Past increases in access to electricity have shown a strong correlation with improvements to educational opportunities, economic growth and prosperity. The World Bank’s studies have also found other social benefits such as increasing mobility, particularly for women.

Ensuring funding for and proper implementation of this type of project is vital for the future of the country. The government should be concentrating more efforts on improving the reliability and scope of electricity supplies, rather than spending money on subsides for existing users.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

fabulous, undeserved publicity. I abhor this kind of splenetic (over)-reaction to perceived slights.

Let’s get over ourselves. And learn to make and watch quality films here at home. awesome Agreed with all points except the harsh criticism of Bollywood. These “woods” are not a registered name or something for which you can imply that an industry with such a name will be inauthentic for sure. There are still some films coming out of it which are, we can say, better than Hollywood flicks and it’s very hard to believe that Bangladeshis can be so intolerant. sadrul If I agree with you we have nothing to say to Imran Khan when he showed sympathy to the War criminals, because on your terms we should be strong enough to withstand his comment and ought to avoid it. But sorry, can’t do this, because it is the truth that matters.

One Sadrul: I don’t know about Abak Hussain, but I’ll tell you that I, for one, have never given a toss whether Pakistan officially and unreservedly apologises (or not) to Bangladesh for its diabolical crimes in ‘71. I consider it a redundant issue by now. Nor did I think we had to raise such a childish hissy-fit over what Imran Khan thinks about Qader Mollah’s execution. We have to quit acting like a thin-skinned, aggrieved victim all the time.

Quader: Remove battery-run rickshaws from streets February 24

Romzanul Islam Not acceptable because these rickshaws are quick, efficient, and save time.

Md Kudrat Ullah I don’t think so. I think these vehicles should continue to run under a proper registration process.

Nazmul Khair Yes, from main road they can be removed but on inner road they’re very effective.

Brian Shoesmith I think they are rather fun!

Probir Ghosh I agree!

Adnan Qader Our politicians too. Remove thyself from power first.

RCC mayor, former mayor sent to jail February 24

He should be dismissed and RCC must be placed under an Administrator,pending fresh elections..

Ahmed Jamil Farouque

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CALVIN AND HOBBES

The new funding will bring significant benefits to 25 million people

PEANUTS

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU ACROSS 1 Hidden obstacle (4) 6 Sporting item (3) 7 Country (4) 9 Bound (4) 10 Heavenly body (5) 11 Tree (5) 12 Flightless bird (3) 14 Lukewarm (5) 17 Corroded (5) 20 United (3) 21 Entangle (5) 23 Durable cloth (5) 25 Passport endorsement (4) 26 Dutch cheese (4) 27 Success (3) 28 Fasting period (4)

DOWN 1 Precious metal (6) 2 Counting frame (6) 3 Stare openmouthed (4) 4 Precious stone (3) 5 Groove (3) 7 Skin opening (4) 8 Plant secretion (5) 10 Domestic animal (3) 13 Meditated (5) 15 Well-mannered (6) 16 Leave (6) 18 Make neat (4) 19 Sweet potato (3) 22 Wicked (4) 23 Early freshness (3) 24 Short sleep (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

Sunday, March 2, 2014

11

Crimes mirror society n MAB Siddique

A

society is represented by its morals, values, and ethics. The legal system of that particular society is formed keeping those in mind, and its implementation depends largely on the overall capability of the society.

Crime is a big problem in Bangladesh with incidents of murder, rape, abduction, etc becoming particularly rampant. And of course, corruption exists at a significant degree. Our poverty and pitiable economic conditions can be accounted for by this situation, as well as the lack of awareness on this issue.

More crimes are being reported than before.

But it hasn’t really helped to reduce crime

Technological and infrastructural changes are needed

BIGSTOCK

Making the right changes

R

n Tanbir Uddin Arman

MGs serve as the flagship products of our country, increasing people’s interest in Bangladesh both as tourist and investment destinations. The sector does occupy a wide area of the Bangladesh economy, and a distinct position in the global market as well.

Bangladesh is known in the global market as a small country with a strong presence due to its thriving RMG sector. As per the report of BGMEA, the country has around 5,600 active garment factories employing nearly 4 million people directly.

Also, it continues to show a robust performance and competitive strength in the global market. In FY2012-13, the RMG sector earnings stood at $21.52bn out of US$27.09bn total export earnings as per the report of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). RMG’s contribution to total exports in 2013 was 79.63%, with an increase of 1.03% from total exports in 2012.

However, the sector is still undergoing some troubles at home and abroad despite its tremendous successes over the last few years. In recent times, the sector has fallen into an image crisis in the global platform after the events of the Tazreen Fashions fire and Rana Plaza building collapse.

Disputes between factory owners and workers over wage standards also impede the success of the sector. Both sides have yet to reach a consensus on

minimum wage standards of workers, even though some initiatives have been taken vis-à-vis settling disputes.

Inadequate infrastructure, deficiencies in upgraded technology, and a lack of training measures for workers are also stymieing the sector. Most factories still lack clean working environments and sound sanitation systems, making workers sick.

sector. It cost this sector around Tk250 crore each day of the shutdown in the pre and post phases of the 10th National Parliament Election.

As per the report of Centre for Policy Dialogue, more than Tk10,000 crore was drained away from this sector in last year’s political turmoil.

The sector has recently come under some hassle out of the cancellation

Bangladesh is known in the global market as a small country with a strong presence due to its thriving RMG sector

A platform of 26 North American clothing retailers has expressed concerns over the structural flaws of many garment factories during their recent inspection of some 200 factories. As per the report of the inspection, about 74% of the garment factories were built before the establishment of the Bangladesh National Building Code 2006. Most factories are still deficient in having adequate fire extinguishers, emergency exits, and other safety measures that are all-important in times of accidents.

Aforementioned problems aside, political topsy-turvydom is another impediment to the progress of the

of GSP facility by the US government on the questions of poor safety and working conditions of workers inside the factories.

Due to the removal of the GSP facilities, Bangladeshi exporters are now to pay 15.3% duty to enter US markets, which again would be a reason for keeping the factory-owners away from reaching a consensus on minimal wage of Tk8,000 for each worker.

So, in the final analysis, it is recommended that, not just for the restoration of the facility, but also to make our RMG sector of international standards and thus further entice foreign retailers into buying our prod-

ucts, all necessary initiatives have to be made vis-à-vis workers’ safety and their rights.

Due consideration should be given to their issues, as they are an inseparable part of the operation of factories. Workers should be provided with essential training so that they can produce larger amounts of quality products in shorter amounts of time, and factory owners ought to be willing enough to spend an amount of their earned profits in this connection.

Furthermore, structural transformation along with technological upgrading is a must for the amelioration of factory environments to stave off disasters. Factory buildings built before the BNBC need to be retrofitted, or constructed anew where the possibility prevails.

The government, accompanied by owner associations – BGMEA and BKMEA – can jointly play a substantial role in establishing more “plannedindustrial zones” to accommodate and consolidate factories away from residential areas and cities.

Last but not least, political stability is a pressing need in order to keep the RMG sector operating smoothly at home and abroad. Political parties should forfeit violence and inter-party conflicts, at least for the sake of the country’s economic growth. l Tanbir Uddin Arman is Research Assistant, Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS).

Our behaviour reflects what is happening around us. Now, with the rising media coverage, more crimes are being reported than before. But it hasn’t really helped to reduce crime. In fact, certain kinds of crimes have been on the rise in the recent decades, from killings to disappearances, harassment to rape, torture to mutilation, extortion to bribery, and drugs to arms deals. These types of crimes are greatly shaped by the various elements in society.

Every occurrence of crime initiates certain consequences and leaves impacts. And when they are not dealt with or addressed properly, it encourages further occurrences of such crimes. Crimes that victimise the already marginalised people are quite prevalent in our society. We know that certain crimes enjoyed impunity at a time when society was also deprived of democratic governance, and it will take a long time to uproot the legacies of those crimes through democratic intervention.

But this delay is posing a new form of disorder and dysfunction in society.

Our society is still compensating for the crimes spared in those regimes.

And the state still hasn’t been very successful in controlling organised crimes. Many people still remain far from getting proper service from or access to the judicial system that we endowed. Despite a few developments in recent years, police and other law enforcers haven’t been successful due to a lack of skills, ethical standards, and training. Additionally, there remains a lack of morality, an ethical decay. As a result, the rate of crime only gets higher.

These crimes have become almost tolerable to us. Political irresponsibility played a key role in creating this situation. There are political parties which have adopted terrorism and crimes as their political ideology, while there are parties which are compromising on certain crimes despite having proclaimed a commitment to being democratic.

Crime has become a tool for maintaining dominance in our political and societal power-play. Abuse of power is very common in every sphere of society, and corruption is not only normal, but patronised by our community. If we look at the entire scenario, we can see how the culture of impunity and indemnity has contributed to the rise of crimes over the years, particularly in the decades forgone under the despotic regimes.

Crimes manipulate our psychology.

To a great extent, they are a result of social process, and the forms of crimes refer to the socialisation that a society has come through. Killing gives rise to more killings, while rape hinders a society from moving forward. Once an abduction is perpetrated, it becomes a longstanding story of horror – it hunts people down and damages the psyche.

Sadly, this has become far too common in our society. When the incidents of rape in Delhi shook the whole world, similar crimes were happening in this country. The worst part of the horrific story was rewritten here, but the consequent public outrage and resistance were not.

In the recent years, we have been hearing of big scams, corruption, and saw how bigshots stayed out of the reach of law. We never scrutinised whether this had had any influence on the idea of the bank burglary.

We must have noticed that certain kinds of crimes become widespread faster. These are particularly the crimes that victimise women, children, and other marginalised people within the society. This is a society that harbours a terrifying form of patriarchy.

Crimes against women are used as tools to intimidate and confine women in order to maintain the existing order.

So, not only can the crimes go unpunished, in many ways they are inspired.

Economic deprivation is probably another major reason for crime.

Whether a society could be made completely free of crime is debatable, but it cannot be denied that the number of such incidents can curbed. It is a known fact that crime rates are high in most developing countries. Bangladesh is no exception.

Crimes have become almost tolerable to us.

Political irresponsibility played a key role in creating this situation

Our country needs to deal with this problem. And not with repeated assurances of handling criminals with an iron hand, but by ensuring a rule of law associated with economic progress.

Strict implementation of law is just a start, but a permanent solution can only be ensured with the transformation of the age-old ideas that holds us back.

We need to bring an end to the culture of impunity and find a way to achieve economic and social justice. l MAB Siddique is a Staff Writer at the Dhaka Tribune.

Look at the perpetrators n Marie Sophie Pettersson

L

et me tell you all about Laksmi Muru. She fell into poverty after her first marriage with a man who was forced to leave the village after he was accused of theft, leaving Laksmi alone with her baby girl. Her second marriage with a dominating and abusive man further aggravated her situation.

Laksmi’s second husband forced her to conceive against her will, as he wanted a son, thus confining her to their home. Laksmi told us that she believes that her husband did not allow her to pursue labour work due to his belief that she might start adulterous relationships with new colleagues or other men if he allowed her to move outside.

Laksmi shared that one incident of violence occurred over her being late in preparing food. Another time she suffered a beating for not handing the mobile phone to him while she was talking with her elder brother living in Dhaka, as her husband thought she was talking to someone she was having an adulterous relationship with.

Following the last beating, she shared her experiences with her brother. Afterwards, her brother severely rebuked her husband for

his misconduct. However, still today, Laksmi stays careful in dealing with him when he appears to be in a bad temper. She still cannot call her daughter from her first marriage in fear of deterioration of her relationship with her husband, and her husband gets angry if she enjoys her leisure time with neighbours.

Stories like these tell us that in the context of Bangladesh, there is sadly not much to celebrate

International Women’s Day is coming up on March 8, yet stories like these tell us that in the context of Bangladesh, there is sadly not much to celebrate. The findings of a recently published nationwide survey were a shocking reminder of the conditions of women and girls in Bangladesh today.

The survey revealed a series of horrifying statistics.

Violence against women is not

directly visible on the streets of Bangladesh as women and girls mostly stay behind the walls of their homes where they are perceived as protected.

Yet, surveys like these and many daily newspaper stories reveal the reality that violence exists in almost every home in Bangladesh, across every level of wealth, every day.

They paint an infuriating picture about the disregard towards domestic violence in Bangladesh by police, lawmakers, judges, neighbours, and even family members of the victims.

Women with the courage to report the crime of domestic abuse, and demand a divorce, are more likely to get ostracised, stigmatised, or imprisoned themselves.

If a woman gets abused at home, it is mostly considered to be her own fault. Domestic abuse is not considered a punishable crime in Bangladesh. Many women and girls learn to live with this, trapped in a vicious circle of fearing more violence if they object or resist.

In Shiree’s monthly smartphone survey, 100,000 extreme poor beneficiaries are asked about bad events happening in their household over the past month with a voice-recording option. After an analysis of all the voice recordings from January-October 2013,

we found several beneficiaries reporting violence: “My son-in-law beat my daughter and sent her back to my house,” “someone in the village beat my wife severely,” “my son tortured me,” “my husband tortured me and he took away my money.”

These only give a taste of the stories behind the violence and they only reflect the small percentage of extreme poor beneficiaries who dared to speak up to the enumerator surveying them.

Reading such accounts of violence, I cannot help ask myself why. Indeed, the key to stopping violence is to go beyond protecting of the victims to engaging with the perpetrators.

We need to focus on uncovering the causes and psychologies behind rape and domestic violence as often the mismatch between a harsh reality of extreme poverty and socially constructed gender norms is prevalent in Bangladesh.

Specific expected attributes of masculinity tend to be physical strength, intelligence, power, violence, aggression, and being breadwinners, which men are socialised into behaving according to. However, masculinity is idealised and thus largely unattainable causing masculinity crises. Harsh living conditions, poverty, suffering, neglect, frustration, stress, anxiety and

psychological trauma make it difficult for men to fulfill their supposed role as the head and provider of the family.

This triggers a “spiral of violence,” those who feel humiliated, mistreated, and victimised by the context of poverty, regarding themselves as failures, become more prone to enact violence.

Violence against women is not directly visible on the streets of Bangladesh as women and girls mostly stay behind the walls of their homes

A necessary first step is to recognise the negative impacts of men’s gender roles of masculinity, especially in the context of severe deprivation, and to incorporate this into programs working to fight gender-based violence for more long-term preemptive interventions. Just like we need to break the silence around violence against women, we also need to break the silence around masculinity issues. l Marie Sophie Pettersson is Gender Adviser and Program Analyst at Shiree.

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment Habib releases new tracks on the web

South Asian Music Festival demonstates cultural diversity n Afrose Jahan Chaity

n Entertainment desk Renowned singer Habib Wahid released his new song Anmona Mon on the web.

The lyrics of the song is written by Mamun Mujib and the music is composed and directed by Habib Wahid.

After releasing the track titled Egiye Jabei Jabe Amar Shonar Bangladesh on the web, Habib Wahid gathered huge appreciation online. The singer dedicated the song to all the cricket lovers and to the Bangladesh cricket team as a gesture of wishing them good luck for the upcoming games, since the Asia Cup and then the world cup is knocking on the doors. l

8th National Human Rights Theatre Festival ended yesterday with the staging of six plays portraying the various pressing issues faced by people in their everyday life, including issues like communal riots, misuse of power or position, atmosphere, corruption and many more. The picture above shows Naogaon Manap troupe staging their production Dshobhash on February 28 at the Rabindra Sarobar stage in Dhanmondi. The play addresses the harsh social norms that binds a person in the redundant and vicious cycle of violence and misuse of power that has become an inherent part of the society

Filmmaking workshop Film for Freedom comes to an end n Hasan Mansoor Chatak The closing ceremony of the US Alumni Small Grant Award 2013 winning project was held on February 27 at the EMK Centre, Dhanmondi in the capital.

Batayan Productions arranged a filmmaking workshop for the first time in collaboration with the American Center and The Near East and South

Asia Undergraduate Student Exchange Programme. The workshop was conducted by young filmmaker Abu Shahed Emon.

The one and half month long filmmaking workshop was designed to explore the theme “freedom” as well as the new media, as a more liberal movie making tool. During this workshop, the participants got the opportunity

to go through an intensive experience of pre-production, idea and script development, hands on shooting and knowledge on post production phase.

All these various steps covers the whole process of filmmaking.

Twenty two young Bangladeshi filmmakers were selected to attend the comprehensive filmmaking workshop.

They made short and independent films of length 1 to 5 minutes during the period and the 22 short films were displayed at the closing ceremony.

Emon told Dhaka Tribune: “We found numerous new ideas from these aspiring filmmakers. Their dream is to make quality films but they do not have the logistic support. The project facilitated them with camera, crew, editing panel and more.”

Soon, the films will be distributed through online medium and other alternative avenues of distribution and the organisers are looking forward to conducting this kind of filmmaking workshop every year. l

TODAY IN DHAKA Film

Avatar 3D 47 Ronin (3D), Aakash Koto Dure, Thor: The Dark World 3D, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug in 3D, Frozen in 3D, Shunte Ki Pao, Agnee Time: 10am - 10pm Star Cineplex, Bashundhara City

Robocop, Gravity, Captain Phillips, Elysium Time: 12:30pm – 9:30pm Blockbuster Cinemas, Jamuna Future Park, Ka- 244, Pragati Avenue, Kuril

Theatre

Exhibition

Film Festival

War and Colonies 1914-1918 Time: 3pm – 9pm, Alliance Francaise de Dhaka

8th Manobadhikar Natya Utsab Time: 4:30pm – 8:30pm, Robindro Shorobor Rd 7/A, Dhanmondi

7th International Children’s Film Festival Time: 4:00pm – 6:30pm Shawkat Osman Hall, Central Public Library

ON TV DRAMA 6:30pm Sony Max Krrish

8:00pm Sony Adaalat

COMEDY 12:30pm Star World Two Broke Girls

10:30pm Comedy Central Anger Management

Popular duo of small screen Tahsan and Tisha have paired up for a TV commercial directed by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki. This is the first time the celebrities are working for a TVC and the shooting is going on at the Coke Studio, DOHS, Mirpur

On the occasion of the inauguration of South Asian Music Institute, a festival titled South Asian Music Festival 2014 was organised by the institute on February 28 at the central auditorium of the National Museum. The institute is a response to repeatetive requests put forward by the artists and participants who attended the 1st South Asian Mass Musician Conference 2013 in Dhaka.

The institute is a platform for singers and musicians to nurture the rich cultural heritage of the country.

The theme of this year’s event was the cultural diversity of Nepal. The organisers hope to make this festival official by arranging it every year. Initiative to enrich South Asian musical heritage was very appreciated but their jumbled manner was unable to met audience expectations.

The festival started with the rendition of the national anthem, followed by a special inaugural song titled Hridoy Nishan Urchhe Oi and Rokto Lal which is a patriotic song by the singers of People’s Song Federation.

A welcome dance with the song Prot-

A new version of Katy Perry’s Dark Horse video has been released amid controversy over a religious symbol in the original.

The singer’s Egyptian-themed video features men — one of whom wore a necklace with the Arabic symbol for “Allah” — presenting gifts to Queen Katy. The man, and the necklace, were burned and crumbled to dust, which UK resident Shazad Iqbal and others found to be offensive.

Iqbal started a Change.org petition, which reached 50,000 signatures on February 26 and at press time had more than 65,000.

idin Tomay Dekhi Surjer Age was presented by Swapnil Shilpagosthi which was applauded by the audience. The recitation highlighted Bangladesh as well as other South Asian countries. Another folk dance number was showcased by the organisation, where they created awareness about child marriage through their act on Maleka Banur Deshere.

Prominent folk singer Fakir Alamgir was specially honoured at the festival for his contribution to Bangladeshi music. Then the inauguration programme moved forward to their discussion round. Hrishiz Silpagosthi performed two songs of Fakir Alamgir, Bhoy Ki Morone and Manusher Mone Boshobas Kore. Mushtari Parveen Tina performed four evergreen songs including one popular kawali titled Dama Dam Mast Kalandar, the celebrated patriotic song O amar Desher Mati, love songs Chanchal Hawa Re and Priyo Jai Jai Bolo Na. Students from Nepal sang their national anthem and a Nepali song.

Joyonti Chakma performed a Chakma love song while Chotothi Marma performed their popular song of Baisabi

festival (a four-day New Year greeting festival of the ethnic communities).

Monoj Bahadur performed a Gurkha song while Hasina performed a patriotic song in Garo language and also performed a folk song titled O Mor Bania Bondhure. Then, Suchitra Bhoumik started her performance with a poetry recitation of Rabindranath Tagore. She presented a song in Tripura language and two Bangla songs, Jago Shathi Jago and Bin Bazare. Last performance was by Taposhi Roy Chowdhury who rendered folk songs of West-Bengal.

Dr Gowher Rizvi, International Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister was the chief guest of the occasion. The Ambassador of the Embassy of Nepal in Bangladeshs H E Mr Hary Kumar Shrestha attended the programme as special guest. Litterature-lyricist poet Azizur Rahman Aziz, Vice-president of Sommiliti Sangskritik Jot Golam Kuddus and Ex-member of the parliament advocate Fazilatunnesa Bappi was the guest of honour. The festival was conducted by Saidus Saklaen and convener of the festival was Sharif Ashrafuzzaman. l

A performance representing Bangladesh at the event

Russell Crowe’s Noah includes disclaimer to avoid controversy n Entertainment Desk The upcoming, highly anticipated Biblically-based Hollywood movie Noah, starring Russell Crowe, Emma Watson and other top actors, has come under close scrutiny by those in some religious circles. It has been questioned just how Biblically based a big-budget Hollywood film could be in the 21st century. However, many others in the Christian community welcome the retelling of the Genesis story for a modern audience.

At the recent National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) in Nashville, Dr Jerry A Johnson, President & CEO of NRB led a panel discussion about the movie, and they encouraged Paramount to add an explanatory message to future marketing materials for the upcoming film.

Paramount welcomed the idea The film’s marketing materials will now carry this disclaimer: The film is inspired by the story of Noah. While artistic license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values, and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for millions of people worldwide. The biblical story of Noah can be found in the book of Genesis.

Dr Johnson is positive about the new movie. He said that because of the quality of the production and acting, viewers will enjoy watching main themes from the Noah story depicted in a powerful way on the big screen. However, it was his intent to reach out to Paramount with this request to make sure everyone who sees this impactful film knows this is an imaginative interpretation of Scripture, and not literal. l

Katy Perry forced to remove religious symbol from Dark Horse video n Entertainment Desk

Sunday, March 2, 2014

“Such goes to show, that blasphemy is clearly conveyed in the video, since Katy Perry (who appears to be representing an opposition of God) engulfs the believer and the word God in flames,” Iqbal writes in the petition. “This is the reason for lodging the petition so that people from different walks of life, different religions and from different parts of the world, agree that the video promotes blasphemy, using the name of God in an irrelevant and distasteful manner would be considered inappropriate by any religion.”

In the new, edited version the necklace with the symbol is edited out. The video has more than 43 million views on YouTube. l

Is Queen another Tanu Weds Manu for Kangna? n Entertainment Desk Bollywood stylista Kangana Ranaut is making headlines for her upcoming film Queen.

The starlet is seen in the role of a small town girl, trying to find her life’s meaning.

But the new track – Hungama – released by the makers of the film, shows the film as

yet another Tanu Weds Manu, which shows Rangana’s best performance till date.

However, the slight twist in Kangana’s Queen saga is the fact that she goes on her honeymoon alone after being dumped at the altar to find a new self. This one too seems to be borrowed from Sex and The City film.

In the new song Hungama Ho Gaya remix, Kangana is flirtatious, funny and drunk. She closely resembles the Tanu of her previous film.

However, all said and done Kangana Ranaut’s Queen indeed looks promising as Kangana puts up a great show in the song and the promos. The film’s music is given

by Amit Trivedi of Lootera. It also stars Lisa Haydon and Rajkumar Rao in lead roles and is slated to release on March 7. l

Did you know?

Michael Lumb is the ninth player to hit a century on ODI debut - the second for England after Dennis Amiss

Sport

Sunday, March 2, 2014

0 1 4

14 Federer floors

DAYS TO GO

Djokovic in Dubai Semi

DHAKA TRIBUNE

13

15 Bangladesh

booters fly to India today

The win is huge for us, says Stanikzai Mushfiq slams team spirit n Minhaz Uddin Khan

POINTS TABLE Teams Sri Lanka Pakistan India Afghanistan Bangladesh

Mat Won Lost Pts NRR 2 2 0 8 +0.168 2 1 1 5 +0.600 2 1 1 4 +0.018 2 1 1 4 -0.400 2 0 2 0 -0.384

Afghanistan’s Asghar Stanikzai (L) and Samiullah Shenwari run during their Asia Cup match against Bangladesh at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium yesterday MUMIT M

Make-or-Break for archrivals n Reazur Rahman Rohan The Asia Cup shifts to the Home of Cricket Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium today with the make-or-break encounter between the archrivals India and Pakistan.

With back-to-back victories over Pakistan and India, Sri Lanka have virtually assured themselves of a berth in the final of the five-nation tournament, and a win today will be a big step for either sides who last met in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013.

Despite one win and one loss in their bag, Pakistan sit second in the table courtesy of a bonus point from their win against Afghanistan. India, who are also behind on net run-rate, won against hosts Bangladesh before going down to Sri Lanka in their previous match.

India’s untested middle-order is yet to flourish as skipper ViratKohli remains the main man in the batting unit. Though Shikhar Dhawan and

MOMENTS Oh injury, let go!

Sohag Gazi was the latest inclusion in the Tigers injury line-up after the off-spinner had to leave the field contributing just three deliveries in the game. He came on to bowl in the 11th over and was struck by a powerful shot from Afghanistan opener Karim Sadiq. He was rushed to a local hospital where the doctors put stitches on his finger. He was replaced by substitute Imrul Kayes who dropped two vital catches which just added salt to the wound.

The ‘S’ force

164 from 138 balls for the sixth wicket between Asghar Stanikzai and Samiullah Shenwari completely changed the scenario of the game. Afghanistan were down by 5 wickets with 90 runs in the 27th over with Bangladesh in total control. But Stanikzai-Shenwari slaughtered the hosts in the latter stage of the game, helping their side to 254. The duo fetched 107 runs in the last 10 overs with Stanikzai unbeaten on a 103-ball 90 while Shenwari scored 81 off 69. The partnership is the biggest for Afghanistan and fifth for the sixth wicket in world cricket.

Billy’s red card

On-field umpire Billy Bowden was unhappy with something the Afghanistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad did. The chubby fellow might have said something to the batsman, Mushfiqur Rahim, and had an exchange of word with him after the over. Billy, who has been in a jolly mood so far in the tournament, pointed a red square card to the wicket-keeper asking him to stop whatever that was going on.

–Minhaz Uddin Khan

Ajinkya Rahane showed glimpse of brilliance in different matches, it was Kohli who looked rock solid on both occasions. Kohli hammered a match winning 136 against Bangladesh before scoring 48 against Sri Lanka. Under such a pressure situation, Kohli’s captaincy temperament will also be tested against his experienced counterpart Misbah-ul-Haq. Largely considered as a Test player, Cheteshwar Pujara is yet to make an appearance in the tournament despite the absence of India’s three senior batsmen MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina. With time running out fast, it will be a mystery if Pujara continues to warm the bench.

Batting is also a concern for Pakistan, who if not for Umar Akmal’s commendable century were under threat of getting bowled out below 200 against the Afghans. Sharjeel Khan and Ahmed Shehzad added a fifty plus score for the first time in 11 outings in last match, but what the youngsters should concentrate on not throwing away their wicket.

Shoaib Maqsood has also failed to continue his promising start in ODIs while Shahid Afridi, the most capped player in the current squad with 375 ODIs, still remains the unpredictable force but he must show some respon-

PROBABLE XI India Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, Pujara/ Stuart Binny, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami

Pakistan Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Sharjeel Khan, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal (wk), Shahid Afridi, Anwar Ali, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Junaid Khan sibility with the bat to make justice in his selection.

The right and left-arm spearhead combination of Umar Gul and Junaed Khan will be crucial on these natural batting tracks as Pakistan have a lethal spin department - Saeed Ajmal, Afridi

and Mohammad Hafeez - to back them.

Pakistan skipper Misbah, after the first two matches, urged his teammates to show more urgency in the middle and after an inspiring win against Afghanistan it is the perfect time for them to turn around.

Wherever they play, whenever they play – India and Pakistan matches have always generated a lot of excitement and today’s clash will be nothing less according to Pakistan legend Zaheer Abbas.

“The rivalry is always there and it should be there all the time,” said Abbas who is also the team consultant and batting coach. “The main key is to play 50 overs and score as many as you want,” he said yesterday.

Record is on India’s side as they won six out their nine matches against Pakistan in Bangladesh while dew will also be a factor for both sides and the team winning the toss should consider bowling first. Pakistan should go with an unchanged side from their last match while India must bring in Pujara to strengthen their batting unit. l

The hosts losing the game to Afghanistan by 32 runs in the Asia Cup yesterday meant a nightmare coming true for Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim. The wicketkeeper-batsman during the Sri Lanka series last month told the media that they would lose against the Afghans if the atmpshere both off-field and on-field don’t change.

Mushfiqur after being reminded of his statement in the post match press conference at Fatullah’s Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium yesterday said, “I think those who are not performing amongst us should be replaced and make way for those who are performing. We have a very good selection panel to look after the matter in case of necessary.

“I said this before and I am saying this again, I think we should start feeling for the team more. We didn’t have a good time in last one month and if you see I also couldn’t perform well expect for the last game [against India],” said the 25-year-old.

Mushfiqur blamed the fall of four wickets in a span of five overs for the failure in the chase.

“We never panicked but were uneasy with 254 runs on the board to be honest. We could have stopped them within 200 if not those two drop catches. The wicket was never extreme for batting and the target was chase able. Only thing we needed was to stay in the middle for long but we failed,” said Mushfiqur.

Mushfiqur informed that the defeat is unique and he doesn’t remember of any other embarrassing defeat in his eight years with the national team.

“After the series of defeats against Sri Lanka we targeted this game as our platform to bounce back. But we lost control of the game and it was unfortunate. Afghanistan deserves credit for the way they batted in the last 10 overs and also for the way they bowled but at the same time we also made mistakes – lost catches, leaked around 20 more runs. We should have been more careful,” he said.

Meanwhile for Afghanistan they have already accomplished their target in the tournament by bagging the ‘historical win’ as no other associate member side has ever defeated a Test playing nation – a very good reason for the side to celebrate in the dressing with traditional dance.

“Bangladesh were the most weak

Afghan delight: Small, but heartening n Raihan Mahmood A band of 24 Afghan girls, for the sheer love of their cricket team, travelled from Chittagong to create an ‘Afghan Zone’ that cheered their team against Bangladesh in their Asia Cup match at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium yesterday.

Asian University for Women in Chittagong currently has 47 Afghan women studying there and all of them were present in the stadium. While these women are empowering themselves with leadership skills in the educational sector in the port city it was their first experience of supporting the Afghan cricket team with the green, black and red flag.

“It’s the first time we are watching Afghanistan cricket team on the field and it’s a great moment for us,” said Shekofa, a student of political science at AUW. “We don’t have much sporting activities in Afghanistan and we feel proud to wave the national colour in the stadium,” she added.

They were waving their flags, cheering when Ashghar Stanikzai and Samiullah Shenwari hit a boundary and shouted “Afghanistan Zindabad.” Rabia, another student said the cricket team has provided them the opportunity to cheer and follow the sports circuit.

“Afghanistan cricket team had been performing superbly in the international circuit now, we follow the team’s perfor-

mance and firmly believe that Afghanistan will reach higher level of the game in the near future,” said Rabia.

Rabia said they will follow the team in the upcoming T20 World Cup with more enthusiasm. “It would be big occasion when Afghanistan plays in the T20

World Cup, the cricket team is working hard for the success and definitely the image of the country to the world, we hope Afghanistan continue the success.

We love our cricket team and hope they beat Bangladesh today,” said Rabia.

Cricket is making its mark in the war

ridden country as Afghan coach Kabir Khan said they need a win or two in the top level and it will shape the next ten years of Afghan cricket. By putting 254/6 on the board Afghanistan definitely showed their prowess against hosts Bangladesh. l

A number of Afghan girls were seen cheering their team against Bangladesh in their Asia Cup match at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium yesterday MUMIT M

opponent for us so we targeted them and thank to the Almighty that we have achieved our target,” said man of the match for Asghar Stanikzai to the media.

“We came into the Asia Cup to prove to the world of our existence in cricket by beating at least one side. This was our first win in the four matches that we have played against Test playing nation. The win is huge for us as it will have a big impact and bring happiness back home,” said Stanikzai. His 164-run stand with Samiullah Shenwari was the turning point in the game as the duo added 107 runs off the last ten over to allow them a breathing space.

“My main job was to play as long as possible and make batsmen around me play. I had to focus a lot today as we were not in a good position when I went to bat,” said the 26-year-old from Kabul. l

SCORECARD, BD v AFG Afghanistan

Mohammad Shahzad lbw b Hossain 2 Karim Sadiq c and b Sunny 12 Najibullah Zadran b Sunny 21 Asghar Stanikzai not out 90 Nawroz Mangal run out 24 Mohammad Nabi c Nasir b Haque 7 Samiullah Shinwari run out 81 Mirwais Ashraf not out 0 Extras: (b1, lb6, w10) 17 Total: (for six wkts; 50 overs)

254

Fall of wickets

1-6, 2-40, 3-43, 4-74, 5-90, 6-254 Bowling

Rubel 10-0-61-1, Razzak 10-1-57-0, Sunny 10-0-44-2, Ghazi 0.3-0-0-0, Nasir 2.3-08-0, Haque 10-0-38-1, Zia 7-0-39-0 Bangladesh

Anam-ul Haque lbw b Hassan Shamsur Rahman b Shapoor Mominul Haque b Shinwari Mushfiqur Rahim lbw b Nabi Nasir Hossain c Shinwari b Ashraf Naeemul Islam c Mangal b Hassan Ziaur Rahman b Nabi Abdur Razzak run out Arafat Sunny c Shahzad b Shapoor Rubel Hossain c Mangal b Nabi Sohag Gazi not out Extras: (b4, lb2, w6) Total: (all out; 47.5 overs)

1 0 50 23 41 35 41 0 0 17 2 12 222

Fall of wickets

1-1, 2-1, 3-69, 4-88, 5-161, 6-165, 7-165, 8-165, 9-206 Bowling

Shapoor 8-0-39-2, Hassan 6.1-1-26-2, Sadiq 2-0-9-0, Ashraf 9-0-51-1, Nabi 9.4-044-3, Hotak 7-0-24-0, Shinwari 6-0-23-1 Result

Afghanistan won by 32 runs

Siddikur falls just short, finishes 2nd n Tribune Desk Bangladeshi golfer Siddikur Rahman finished second in the season opening SAIL-SBI Open after conceding play-off defeat to India’s Rashid Khan at the Delhi Golf Club yesterday. Siddikur finished third at the same tournament a year ago.

With a total 18-under-par 270, Siddikur earned $33,000. Despite a brilliant start in the ultimate round, where the 29-year-old carded an eagle in the opening hole to tie Rashid, Siddikur could only make par in the 18th hole against Rashid’s birdie.

Siddikur, who will feature for Team Asia in the EurAsia Cup in Malaysia later this month, led Rashid by one with two holes remaining, but the Indian youngster produced a birdie on 17th to draw level. Both players birdied the 18th hole under immense pressure to take the tournament into a play-off.

“Rashid deserves the win. He’s a talented player. I saw his game and he’s a really good player,” said Siddikur, who finished fourth on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit last season.

“It was a good play-off. I played my game but maybe, I should have played driver. I used my three wood which wasn’t sufficient although I have used three wood in the first four rounds and made birdie every day. But it wasn’t the case in the play-off,” he said. l

14

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Sunday, March 2, 2014

'I’ll be Netherlands coach after WC'

Curry’s triple-double lifts Warriors

Dimitrov edges Murray

Guus Hiddink says he is line to take over from Louis van Gaal as coach of the Netherlands after the World Cup in Brazil. The former Chelsea and Real Madrid supremo told Dutch broadcaster NOS that he was in talks with the FA over the makeup of his backroom staff. “I am working with the KNVB [Dutch FA] to create a coaching team around me. We will need a few days or maybe a couple of weeks,” he said. “It will be a great team. I will not be a free-wheeling coach. When I do something I want to do it as well as I can - otherwise I would not do it.” –Reuters

This time, Stephen Curry’s outstanding effort at Madison Square Garden didn’t go unrewarded. The Golden State guard delivered a triple-double of 27 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists on Friday to lead the Warriors to a 126-103 victory over the reeling New York Knicks. His performance came almost a year to the day after he exploded for a career-high 54 points and went 11-of-13 from three-point range at the Garden, only for the Warriors to fall 109105 to the Knicks.

–AFP

West Indies defeat wasteful England West Indies defeated England by 15 runs in the first one-day international on Friday after the visitors squandered an excellent platform that had put them in position to take the lead in the three-match series.

Replying to the home side’s competitive total of 269 for six, England were restricted to 254 for six after cruising along merrily at 180 for two in the 37th over.

Michael Lumb’s fluent 106 on ODI debut, only the second England play-

er after Dennis Amiss to achieve the feat, and an opening partnership of 96 with fellow first-timer Moeen Ali (44), seemed to ensure that most of the hard work was done in pursuit of a moraleboosting victory following the harrowing tour of Australia.

But just as in the West Indies innings, when the home side plundered 116 runs off the last ten overs, England lost their way in the home stretch, losing four wickets for 31 runs.

“If you look at both innings, we were brilliant for 40 overs and then

English batsman Michael Lumb celebrates after scoring a century during the first ODI against West Indies at the Sir Vivian Richard Stadium in St John's on Friday AFP

struggled,” said England captain Stuart Broad. I wouldn’t look too much at the batting. It was the last ten overs with the ball that really hurt us.”

Much of that English discomfort in the field in the final stages of the West Indies innings was caused by Darren Sammy.

Coming to the crease after the fall of Lendl Simmons for 65 and a 108run partnership with skipper Dwayne Bravo, the hosts were still labouring to get any momentum at 153 for five in the 40th over.

But the former captain changed all that, bludgeoning his way to 61 off just 36 balls with five fours and four sixes as he and the man who replaced him at the helm cashed in on Broad’s decision to return to the fast-medium bowlers at the end of the innings.

Bravo’s unbeaten 87 off 91 balls (4 fours, 1 six) was also entertaining, the pair carting the England bowling to all parts of the huge Sir Vivian Richards ground in taking 116 runs off the hapless bowlers before Sammy fell to Tim Bresnan off the final ball.

- Exploited helpful conditions Despite taking three wickets, Bresman and fellow fast-medium bowler, Barbadian-born Chris Jordan, conceded 135 runs off a combined 19 overs.

That was in stark contrast to the economy and effectiveness of the slow bowling trio of James Tredwell, Ali and Joe Root.

They exploited the helpful conditions in the early going – Root opened the bowling with Broad – so successfully that the West Indies were almost in ruins at 45 for four. l

SCORECARD, WI v ENG West Indies D Smith c Buttler b Tredwell K Powell c Jordan b Root K Edwards b Bresnan Darren Bravo lbw b Ali L Simmons c Ali b Bresnan Dwayne Bravo not out D Sammy c Broad b Bresnan Extras (lb4, w10 nb1) Total (6 wickets, 50 overs)

24 5 10 2 65 87 61 15 269

Fall of wickets 1-19, 2-38, 3-40, 4-45, 5-153, 6-269 Bowling Root 9-2-47-1, Broad 6-1-35-0, Bresnan 10-1-68-3, Tredwell 10-1-23-1, Ali 6-125-1, Jordan 9-2-67-0

England M Lumb c Dwayne Bravo b Rampaul 106 Moeen Ali c Narine b Smith 44 L Wright c Dwayne Bravo b Sammy 1 J Root c Ramdin b Narine 37 B Stokes b Narine 5 J Buttler c Holder b Dwayne Bravo 12 R Bopara not out 23 T Bresnan not out 14 Extras (b1, lb2, w9) 12 Total (6 wickets, 50 overs) 254 Fall of wickets 1-96, 2-106, 3-180, 4-192, 5-205, 6-211 Bowling Holder 4-0-27-0, Rampaul 10-0-531, Narine 10-1-36-2, Dwayne Bravo 10-0-59-1, Sammy 10-0-46-1, Smith 6-0-30-1.

Result West Indies won by 15 runs West Indies lead 3-match series 1-0.

Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov edged second seed Andy Murray in a semi-final clash at the Acapulco International that finished in the early hours of Saturday morning to set up a title showdown against South Africa’s Kevin Anderson. Wimbledon champion Murray won the opening set but the 22-year-old Dimitrov fought back to take the next two sets on tie-breaks to win 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-3) with the clock ticking past. The number four seed had never won a set in their three previous meetings and needed close to three hours to beat the 26-year-old Briton.

–Reuters

Ronaldo returns as Real visit Atletico Real Madrid head into the fourth Madrid derby of the season at Atletico on Sunday following their 6-1 thrashing of Schalke in the Champions League and buoyed by the return of Cristiano Ronaldo.

After losing 1-0 at home to Atletico in La Liga back in September, Real gained revenge over their local rivals with a comprehensive 5-0 aggregate win in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey earlier this month.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men have also usurped Atletico in the league in recent weeks.

Los Rojiblancos’ shock defeats to Almeria and Osasuna have allowed Real to open up a three-point lead over both Atletico and Barcelona at the top of the table.

Real will be further boosted by the return of Cristiano Ronaldo to league action after the Ballon d’Or winner missed his side’s last three domestic games for his red card and dissent shown in their 1-1 draw away to Athletic Bilbao on February 2.

The Portuguese captain returned in customary fashion, scoring twice as Real all but secured their place in the last eight of the Champions League with their demolition of Schalke, and he is looking to channel his frustration at the length of the ban to good effect this weekend.

“What’s done is done. I am frustrat-

ed about it because what I did wasn’t deserving of a three-game ban, but I am happy to return and score two goals,” he said.

“We are motivated for the derby, we are Real Madrid and we will give everything to win.”

Atletico, meanwhile, should be refreshed by a rare midweek off as they aim to put a run of four defeats in six games behind them.

Midfielder Koke recognised the task that faces his side at the Vicente Calderon, but insisted that even in Real’s current form no side is invincible.

“You always like to play against Madrid, above all if you can beat

FIXTURES Villarreal Atletico Madrid Sevilla Rayo Vallecano Barcelona

v v v v v

Real Betis Real Madrid Real Sociedad Valencia Almeria

them. It is a derby, which is always a special game,” he told the club’s website.

“No one is invincible in this world.

Defensively they are very good and in attack they have important players with excellent individual skills. We are facing a great team and we will try to do everything as best we can. It will be a great game.”

With one or both sides from the capital set to drop points, Barcelona can take advantage when they host Almeria at the Camp Nou on Sunday. l

Sunderland plot City ambush in Cup final

Aguero set to return for final Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has revealed Argentina striker Sergio Aguero could return from injury in the League Cup final against Sunderland on Sunday.

Aguero has missed City’s last five games with a hamstring problem, but he returned to training earlier this week with an eye on a comeback at Wembley.

His potential inclusion gives City a huge lift with the Argentine having scored 26 goals this season before limping out of the 5-1 win at Tottenham on January 29.

Pellegrini, speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, said: “Of course it is very important for the team to have Sergio again with us because he is a very important player.” l

Ten months on from their shock FA Cup final defeat by Wigan Athletic, Manchester City find themselves again cast as potential Goliaths ahead of Sunday’s League Cup decider against Sunderland.

As in May 2013, City will start as favourites against a team residing third from bottom in the Premier League relegation zone, but the experience of that rain-soaked Wembley day will steel them against complacency.

Then, a stoppage-time Ben Watson header gave Wigan victory, producing the biggest FA Cup final shock in 25 years and precipitating the departure of City coach Roberto Mancini, who

Fifa authorise wearing of veils, turbans during matches Football’s world governing body FIFA on Saturday officially authorised the wearing of head covers for religious purposes during matches.

“It was decided that female players can cover their heads to play,” said FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke at a meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the sport’s lawmakers, in Zurich.

That will allow female muslim players who wear a veil in everyday life to cover their heads during matches, and Valcke added that male players will also be authorised to do so following a request from the Sikh community

of Canada.

“It was decided that male players can play with head cover too,” he said, although they will not be the same as those worn day to day.

“It will be a basic head cover and the colour should be the same as the team jersey.”

The wearing of head covers had been banned until 2012, with FIFA saying that they posed too great a risk of injury to the head or neck.

However, the IFAB then allowed for them to be tested out over a two-year period following a request from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), a trial which proved to be successful. l

was sacked two days later.

By then, City had already conceded the league title to Manchester United, but although Mancini’s successor,

PATHS TO FINAL Manchester City v Sunderland DNP 2nd rd Milton (H) 4-2 Wigan (H) 5-0 3rd rd Peterborough (H) 2-0 Newcastle (A) 2-0 4th rd Saints (H) 2-1 Leicester (A) 3-1 QF Chelsea (H) 2-1 West Ham (H) 6-0 SF, 1st leg Man U (H) 2-1 West Ham (A) 3-0 SF, 2nd leg Man U (A) 1-2

Manuel Pellegrini, has enjoyed a fine debut campaign, his side’s momentum has slowed in recent weeks.

They are only three points off the top in the league with a game in hand,

conference.

“It is very beautiful to play for a title at Wembley and very awful to lose it.

“For all of them it is not revenge -- it is another team, another year, another situation -- but I am absolutely sure all will be 100 percent motivated to win.”

- Aguero back in contention City’s chances have been enhanced by the news that top scorer Sergio Aguero is in contention to play after missing the last five matches with a hamstring injury.

The Argentine’s absence coincided with the losses to Chelsea and Barcelona and a 0-0 draw at Norwich City, but Pellegrini was reluctant to confirm whether or not he will start against Sunderland.

Fellow striker Stevan Jovetic will miss the game with a hamstring injury, while centre-back Matija Nastasic continues to be sidelined by a knee problem.

Sunday’s game will be Sunderland’s first ever visit to the new Wembley Stadium, which opened in 2007, and their first appearance in a major final since a 2-0 loss to Liverpool in the 1992 FA Cup. The old Wembley held special memories for the club, however, as it was there in May 1973 that a second-tier side led by trilby-wearing former manager Bob Stokoe stunned the mighty Leeds United to win the FA Cup. It was the last piece of silverware that Sunderland won, but 31,000 fans will travel to London on Sunday in anticipation of another famous upset. l

Forlan flops on Cerezo debut

Soldado’s WC hopes fade away

Uruguay striker Diego Forlan fell flat on his J-League debut as Cerezo Osaka lost 1-0 to defending champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima in Saturday’s season opener.

Former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid forward Forlan sparked a fresh buzz of excitement in the increasingly dowdy J-League when he joined Cerezo from Brazilian side Internacional in January in an estimated $5.9 million deal.

But the 34-year-old was unable to make an immediate impact alongside Japan international Yoichiro Kakitani at a packed-out Nagai Stadium, leaving the field in the 81st minute after Tsukasa Shiotani had given Sanfrecce the lead 10 minutes earlier. l

Roberto Soldado was a regular in the Spain squad before joining Tottenham Hotspur in the close season but the striker’s poor form for his new club means he has little hope of going to this year’s World Cup in Brazil.

It is a measure of how far his star has fallen that when on Friday he was again omitted from Vicente Del Bosque’s squad - this time to play Italy in a friendly - nobody was surprised.

Soldado joined Spurs for what was then the London club’s record fee of 30 million euros ($41.43 million) and was tipped to fire their new-look side to Champions League qualification. l

Federer floors Djokovic Roger Federer rolled back the years to stun Novak Djokovic 3-6 6-3 6-2 in the semi-finals of the Dubai Championship on Friday, his first victory in four meetings with the world number two.

Seventeen-times grand slam winner Federer predicted before the tournament that his best tennis was still to come, a suggestion that sounded far-fetched for a player who has slipped to eighth in the world, his lowest ranking since 2002.

From midway through the second set,

but a recent home defeat by Chelsea exposed hitherto unseen vulnerability, while a 2-0 loss to Barcelona has left them on the verge of elimination in the Champions League.

City remain in contention in the FA Cup, having been handed a chance of revenge against Wigan in the last eight, but a loss to Sunderland could have damaging implications for the last two and a half months of the campaign.

While Pellegrini has played down similarities with last season’s FA Cup final, he concedes that it could prove a source of motivation for his players.

“I don’t like to talk with them about what happened last year, but I am sure for every player it is a lesson,” the Chilean said at Friday’s pre-game press

however, the 32-year-old Swiss dominated Djokovic who is still some way short of his 2011 peak when he won Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and Australian Open.

“There was a buzz out there tonight.

I was fully able to enjoy myself,” Federer said in a courtside interview after setting up a final clash with Czech Tomas Berdych who beat German Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-5 7-5. It’s never easy against Novak. Today I had a difficult start that put me on the back foot but the crowd kept pushing me on. It’s a quick court and I’m always going to play aggressively.” l

The official mascot of the Fifa 2014 World Cup, Fuleco the Armadillo, is seen on a float of Leandro de Itaquera samba school during the first night of the Special Group category of the annual Carnival parade in Sao Paulo's Sambadrome on Friday REUTERS

Resurgent Milan host Juventus AC Milan could be without striker Mario Balotelli for the San Siro clash against Juventus Sunday when the Rossoneri will look to capitalise on the champions’ midweek endeavours in the Europa League.

Juventus are unbeaten in their last 17 league games, a streak in which Antonio Conte’s men have won 15 times and settled for draws only twice on their way to building a nine-point lead on secondplaced Roma. Roma, who have a game in

hand, host Inter in Serie A’s only Saturday game. However Conte has regularly expressed fears that his side’s ambitions in Europe could affect their bid for a third consecutive scudetto.

Juve qualified for the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday with a 4-0 aggregate victory over Trabzonspor, when Arturo Vidal and Pablo Daniel Osvaldo scored first-half goals to secure a 2-0 second-leg win. Fernando Llorente (10) and Carlos Tevez (14), who have 24 league goals between them, were both rested meaning they should be relatively fresh for the visit to Milan.

Daniele Bonera, who returns to Mi-

lan’s squad along with fellow defender Mattia De Sciglio, has acknowledged the pair’s threat. l

FIXTURES Cagliari Atalanta Genoa Verona Sassuolo Torino Livorno Fiorentina Milan

v v v v v v v v v

Udinese Chievo Catania Bologna Parma Sampdoria Napoli Lazio Juventus

DHAKA TRIBUNE

QUICK BYTES

Condolence The Dhaka Tribune family expressed deep sadness at the passing away of Freedom Fighter Major Monsurul Amin, father of Ali Shahriyar Amin, sport sub-editor at Dhaka Tribune. Major Monsurul breathed his last in Dhaka on Friday. He was 64. He was an officer of First War Course of Bangladesh Army during the Liberation War. He was buried at Banani graveyard after National Funeral Honours yesterday. Dhaka Tribune extends heartfelt sympathies to the family of the departed.

–Tribune Desk

South Africa lift maiden U19 WC title South Africa beat Pakistan by six wickets to win the Under 19 Cricket World Cup in Dubai on Saturday. South Africa chased down a small target of 132 in 42.1 overs with six wickets to spare. Aiden Markram struck 66 and Greg Oldfield made 40 to guide South Africa to a comfortable victory. Earlier, Corbin Bosch (4/15), Yaseen Valli (2/19) and Justin Dill (2/39) took eight wickets between them to bundle out Pakistan for 131. Pakistan was relying heavily on openers Sami Aslam and Imam ul Haq to replicate their supreme batting form in the final. But the duo fell early today, triggering a familiar collapse. At one stage, Pakistan were 72/6, but Amad Butt (37) and Zafar Gohar (22), who had helped Pakistan reach the final, put up some fight in the middle overs to give some respectability to the total.

–Agencies

Sport

Booters fly to India today n Raihan Mahmood Midfielder Vincent Hemanta Biswas, winger Rubel Miah and defender Didarul Haque were the new faces in the Bangladesh national squad which was announced yesterday by the Bangladesh Football Federation. A total 27-member contingent, including six officials, was named for the Fifa international friendly against India at Goa on March 5.

The last time the sides met was in the Saff Championship where Bangladesh nearly pulled a win against their stronger opponents, but had to be content with a 1-1 draw after India equalised on the last minute of the threeminute stoppage time.

Winger Zahid and midfielder Mobarak are the players out with injury as Toklis, Mithun and Rubel will step in to fill their vacuum at the flanks. Meanwhile Shahedul Alam, Emon Babu, Jewel Rana and defender Tutul Hossain Badsha were left out of the preliminary squad.

Bangladesh coach Lodewijk de Kruif is looking forward to the match and said how important it is for the development of the team. “My expectation is of course a good result. But for us it’s important to play the match. It’s also very important that we bring fresh blood in the team. They have the po-

BANGLADESH SQUAD Goalkeepers Shahidul Alam Sohel, Mazharul Islam, Biplob Bhattacharjee

Defenders

Rayhan Hasan, Mohammad Linkon, Topu Barman, Nasiruddin Chowdhury, Yeasin Khan, Atiqur Rahman Meshu, Yeamin Ahmed Munna, Didarul Haque

Midfieldrs Mamunul Islam (C), Sohel Rana, Hemanta Vincent Biswas, Rubel Mia, Towhidul Alam, Jamal Bhuiyan

Strikers

Zahid Hasan Emily, Toklis Ahmed, Mithun Chowdhury, Aminur Rahman Sajib

n Minhaz Uddin Khan Sylhet picked their maiden victory of the season defeating Barisal on third day of round five in the ongoing Walton 15th National Cricket League yesterday. Rangpur and Dhaka Division were leading in their respective game with Rajshahi trailing against Khulna.

Ian Bell is to join England’s squad for the Twenty20 series in the West Indies as cover for injured batsmen Eoin Morgan and Alex Hales. Test stalwart Bell had originally been rested for the threematch series of one-day internationals in Antigua but will join up with the squad ahead of the first T20 game in Barbados on March 9. “He is a worldclass player, a world-class fielder and a world-class bloke so we look forward to meeting up with him,” coach Ashley Giles told the England and Wales Cricket Board’s website (www.ecb.co.uk) on Saturday. The 31-year-old Bell’s call-up comes after he was left out of England’s 30-strong squad for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh later this month. Morgan and Hales missed Friday’s 15-run defeat in the opening ODI with knee and thigh problems respectively.

–Reuters

Sylhet v Barisal

An all round effort aided Sylhet to their first win of the season defeating Barisal by nine wickets at Barisal Divisional Stadium.

Sylhet resumed their first innings with 221 for seven and ended scoring 299 allout taking a lead of 75 runs. Barisal went to bat in the second innings but failed to resist the Sylhet bowling attack getting all-out for 130 runs. Salman Hossain’s 45 were the highest in the innings as Enamul Haque Jr and Abu Jayed picked three wickets each for Sylhet. Sylhet cruised to their target off 55 runs with Sayem Alam hammering an unbeaten 48.

Chittagong v Rangpur Chelsea's German striker Andre Schurrle celebrates completing his hattrick during the English Premier League football match against Fulham at Craven Cottage yesterday AFP

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tential and if they can bring it in a big match like this. The target is development,” said the Dutch.

Kruif also termed India as a strong team in the South Asian region and though he had little time to prepare, he expects a good match.

“I had minimum time to prepare the team. It is our first match after Saff Championship and after five months.

India is a very strong team in the region, the benefit is the international exposure and I can see how they are performing at this moment,” he said.

Bangladesh captain Mamunul Islam, who also led Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club to IFA Shield, was ready for the challenge and said, “We played very well in IFA Shield. I think India looked down upon us, but I think this time they cannot take us lightly. India are the best team in the region and they will have the home advantage. But if we can give 100%, we will win.”

The national team will fly to India today and Jet Airways is the official partner. l

Bangladesh coach Lodewijk de Kruif attends a press conference at BFF house yesterday

Sylhet bag easy win

Bell joins England T20 squad as cover

DAY’S WATCH

15

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Unbeaten half-centuries from Saymon Ahmad and Tarik Ahmed enabled

Chelsea pull clear, Pardew sent off for headbutt n AFP, London An Andre Schurrle hat-trick saw Chelsea stretch their lead in the Premier League on Saturday, while Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew was sent off for headbutting an opposition player.

Germany international Schurrle scored three times in 17 second-half minutes as Fulham won 3-1 at Chelsea and a 1-0 loss for Arsenal at Stoke City left Jose Mourinho’s side with a fourpoint lead over their London rivals.

New Fulham manager Felix Magath was overseeing his first home game and he almost saw his side take an early lead when Clint Dempsey headed wide from close range.

However, after Fulham goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg had saved from

Fernando Torres just before half-time, Schurrle made the breakthrough in the 52nd minute when he ran through to score from a lofted Eden Hazard pass.

RESULTS Everton Lukaku 81

Fulham Heitinga 74

Hull Davies 46

Stoke Walters 76-P

1 0 1 3 1 4

West Ham Chelsea Schurrle 52, 65, 69

Newcastle Sissoko 10, 55, Remy 42, Anita 90

1 0

Arsenal

Victory extended Chelsea’s lead to six points over Manchester City, who have two games in hand, while Fulham, who replied through Jonny Heitinga, remain four points adrift of safety at the foot of the table.

Warner hits century n AFP, Cape Town

David Warner hit a century and captain Michael Clarke battled his way back into form as Australia dominated the first day of the series-deciding third and final Test against South Africa at Newlands on Saturday.

Warner put a week of controversy behind him and hit a sparkling 135 off 162 balls in an Australian total of 331 for three.

Clarke, who twice needed treatment after being hit, went past 24 for the first time in 12 Test innings to make 92 not out on a day when South Africa lost strike bowler Dale Steyn with a hamstring injury midway through the afternoon.

Steyn, who took the first wicket, left the field after bowling one ball of the fourth over of his third spell and did not return.

It was the second time in succes-

sive matches that South Africa, having picked only four specialist bowlers, lost one to injury after Wayne Parnell suffered a groin strain in the second Test in Port Elizabeth. l

SCORECARD, DAY 1 Australia, first innings C Rogers c Smith b Steyn D Warner c De Villiers b Duminy A Doolan c Steyn b Philander M Clarke not out S Smith not out Extras (nb4, w5)

25 135 20 92 50 9

Total (3 wkts, 88 overs)

331

Fall of wickets 1-65 (Rogers), 2-138 (Doolan), 3-217 (Warner)

Bowling Steyn 10.1-0-44-1, Philander 19-2-66-1, Morkel 17.5-2-69-0, Duminy 9-0-37-1, Abbott 17-5-52-0, Elgar 15-0-63-0

Unlike City, who tackle Sunderland in Sunday’s League Cup final, secondplace Arsenal do not have the consolation of any games in hand on Chelsea after their defeat at Stoke.

Manager Arsene Wenger had Mesut Ozil back in the squad after injury, but he saw his side beaten by a 76thminute Jonathan Walters penalty after Laurent Koscielny had been penalised for handball. Arsenal’s defeat, their fifth of the season, means that they could be overtaken by Liverpool, who visit Southampton later on Saturday.

Newcastle won 4-1 at Hull, but the match was overshadowed by Pardew’s dismissal for aiming a headbutt at home midfielder David Meyler.

Pardew was ordered from the dugout following a touchline tussle with Meyler in the 72nd minute and is likely to face further punishment from the Football Association. l

Rangpur take a 203-run lead against Chittagong at Cox’s Bazar Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium.

Chittagong resumed with an overnight score of 154 for 4 but failed to stretch the innings getting all out for 189 runs in their first innings. Rajshahi, with a lead of 60 runs, went to bat in the second innings and posted 143 for two at stumps. Saymon was unbeaten on 71 while Tarik was 50 not out.

Dhaka Div v Dhaka Metro

At Bogra’s Shaheed Chandu Stadium, the game between Dhaka Division and Dhaka Metro are heading for a draw. At stumps on day three, Dhaka division, 10 for no loss, took a seven-run lead in their second innings.

Earlier, Dhaka division resumed with 375 for nine and scored 398 before going all-out. Opening batsman Abdul Majid’s 142 was the highlight in the innings.

In reply, riding on Marshal Ayub’s 173 and 97 from opening batsman Saikat Ali, Metro scored 401 runs in their first innings. Nur Hossain and Shahadat Hossain bagged three wickets each for the division side.

Rajshahi v Khulna

Rajshahi trailed by 23 runs at stumps

BRIEF SCORES Sylhet v Barisal Barisal (1st innings): 224 all-out Sylhet (1st innings): 299 all-out Barisal (2nd innings): 130 all-out Sylhet (2nd innings): 58/1 in 11 overs Sylhet won by 9 wickets

Chittagong v Rangpur Rangpur (1st innings): 249 all-out Chittagong (1st innings): 189 all-out Rangpur (2nd innings): 143/2 in 63 overs Rangpur Division lead by 203 runs

Dhaka Div v Dhaka Metro Dhaka (1st innings): 398 all-out Metro (1st innings): 401 all-out Dhaka (2nd innings): 10/0 in 6 overs Dhaka Division lead by 7 runs

Rajshahi v Khulna Khulna (1st innings): 274 all-out Rajshahi (1st innings): 251/9 in 69 overs Rajshahi trail by 23 runs

on day three against Khulna at Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium. However a day wasted due to rain is likely to see the match end in a draw.

Rajshahi batted the whole day replying to Khulna’s 274 runs from the first innings. And with unbeaten fifties from Delwar Hossain (52) and Muktar Ali (51) Rajshahi posted 251 for nine.

Fast bowler Robiul Islam took three wickets for Khulna. l

Dortmund go second n AFP, Berlin

Borussia Dortmund built on their midweek Champions League victory over Zenit St Petersburg by going second in the Bundesliga on Saturday with a 3-0 win over Nuremberg.

Jurgen Klopp’s side backed up Tuesday’s 4-2 last 16, first-leg win in Russia to leapfrog Bayer Leverkusen, who crashed 1-0 at home to Mainz, their fifth straight defeat and eighth loss in 10 games. Dortmund’s Germany defender Mats Hummels celebrated his first game in four weeks after a foot injury by netting the opener at Borussia’s Westfalenstadion.

Turkey midfielder Nuri Sahin fired in a free-kick and after Robert Lewandowski’s header was saved, Hummels tapped home the rebound with 51 minutes gone.

Poland star Lewandowski then scored his 15th league goal of the season by converting a superb pass from

Henrikh Mkhitaryan on 64 minutes before the Armenia international netted his second goal in four days seven minutes from time.

RESULTS Dortmund

3 0

Nuremberg

Hummels 51, Lewandowski 64, Mkhitaryan 83

Leverkusen Werder Bremen Junuzovic 19

Augsburg Klavan 56

Braunschweig Stegen 51-og

0 1

Mainz 05 Choupo-Moting 37

1 0

Hamburg

1 1

Hanover

1 1

M'gladbach

Diouf 21 Davari 25-og

Leverkusen’s dreadful form continued with their fourth straight home defeat as Mainz moved up to sixth with their fifth win in eight games.

Ex-Liverpool star Sami Hyypia is facing a crisis as his Leverkusen side last won on February 1 and were also routed 4-0 at home to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. l

CISD annual sports festival n Tribune Desk The annual sports festival and prize giving ceremony of Cardiff International School Dhaka (CISD) were held at Mohammadpur Physical College yesterday.

Former national cricket team captains Habibul Bashar and Khaled Mashud, former national football captains Alfaz Ahmed and Aminul Haque, first Bangladeshi Everest conquer Musa Ibrahim, renowned actor Ilias Kanchan, Amin Khan, singer Asif Akber, former tennis star Jobeda Rahman Linu and former national batsman Javed Omar Belim were present on the occasion as special guests.

Principal of the school GM Nizam Uddin and sports ambassador of the school Aminul Haque informed that they will inaugurate full pledged Cardiff Sports Academy very soon. l

The annual sports festival and prize giving ceremony of Cardiff International School Dhaka (CISD) were held at Mohammadpur Physical College yesterday COURTESY

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE

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Sunday, March 2, 2014

Treatment guideline soon for Indian Navy validates rape, domestic violence victims military satellite’s The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is going to finalise the draft of a comprehensive guideline for the examination and treatment of victims of rape and domestic violence soon.

A draft of the guideline has already been prepared and placed before the ministry recently by a sub-committee led by Dr Habibuzzaman Chowdhury, the head of forensic medicine department of Dhaka Medical College.

A separate 10-member main committee, headed by Additional Secretary (public health) Rokhsana Quader, is reportedly scheduled to meet on March 11 to discuss and finalise the draft guideline.

Subhash Chandra Sarkar, joint secretary (public health) of the health ministry, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that the ministry expected to finalise a comprehensive guideline within a month or two for the examination and treatment of victims of rape and domestic violence.

Sub-committee chief Dr Habibuzzaman told the Dhaka Tribune that the committee members have thoroughly discussed and reviewed the responsibilities of the police, doctors and court, as well as the existing act and different government directives regarding the examination and treatment of the victims.

Without revealing details, he also said few reforms have been suggested in the draft to make the guideline as victim-friendly.

Several members from both the main and the sub-committee said the draft guideline proposes a rule for only female doctors to examine rape victims, as well as suggesting doctors to seriously consider whether the “two-finger test” was needed for the victims.

In the draft guideline, emphasis was also given on ensuring proper behaviour with the victims, as well as completing the examination procedure within a short time.

On October 10 last year, the High

Court issued a ruling, directing the ministry to develop the guideline to be observed by police, physicians and judges of the women and children repression prevention tribunals, and produce it before the court within three months.

Following the ruling, a 10-member senior-level committee, headed by an additional secretary of the health ministry, was formed on January 1 this year to develop the guideline. Other members of the committee include senior officials from the ministries of health, home, law, and women and children affairs, as well as health officials and human rights activists.

However, the ministry had failed to meet the 90-day deadline for preparing a comprehensive guideline.

Asked whether the health ministry would apply for a time extension from the court, Subhash Chandra said the petitioners of the writ have told ministry officials to notify the court of the delay, as the comprehensiveness of the guideline required more time. l

network at Bay n Tribune Desk India’s first-ever dedicated military satellite, Rukmini or GSAT-7, “seamlessly networked” around 60 warships and 75 aircraft during a massive month-long naval combat exercise in the Bay of Bengal that ended on Friday.

The location of the exercise “Tropex,” or the theatre-level readiness and operational exercise, was significant since India is steadily bolstering military force-levels on the eastern coast and Andaman and Nicobar archipelago to counter China’s strategic moves in the critical Indian Ocean region (IOR), the Times of India reported yesterday.

The exercise saw the western and eastern fleets – commanded by Rear Admirals Anil Chawla and Atul Jain, respectively – amassing across the Bay for the intensive combat manoeuvres in all the three dimensions of “surface, air and underwater.”

“Tropex provided the Navy with an

opportunity to validate its network-centric warfare capabilities with the effective utilization of GSAT-7, which was launched last year,” said an officer.

The geostationary naval communication and surveillance satellite, which has a 2,000-nautical mile (3,704km) footprint over the IOR, beams signals from its UHF, S, Ku and C-band transponders to network all warships and aircraft with operational centres ashore through high-speed encrypted data-links.

“The exercise also assessed the operational readiness of warships, validated the Navy’s war-fighting doctrine and integrated newly-acquired capabilities in its concept of operations,” said the officer.

Apart from GSAT-7, the exercise this year also saw the “maiden participation” of nuclear-powered submarine INS Chakra, on a 10-year lease from Russia for $1 billion, and the newly-acquired P-8I long range maritime patrol aircraft. l

Polling in Moheshkhali upazila ends n Our Correspondent, Cox’s Bazar The upazila election for chairman position in Moheshkhali upazila, Cox’s Bazar ended on Saturday.

The voting began at 8am and continued to 4pm, Assistant Returning Officer Anwarul Naser said.

He said 40 of the 68 polling stations in the area were vulnerable.

The upazila poll in this upazila was scheduled for February 27. But, a High Court bench deferred the date because of a Hindu religious festival.

One of the chairman aspirants Hossain Ibrahim said he was satisfied with the election. “I am confident of a victory if this continues.”

There are a total of 188,528 voters in the constituency – 96,873 males and 91,655 females.

About 2,000 Rapid Action Battalion, Bangladesh Navy, Coast Guard, Border Guard Bangladesh and nine magistrates were deployed for security.

There are 10 candidates for the chairman position, 10 for the position of vice chairman and four for the seat of women vice chairman.

Cox’s Bazar Police Additional Superintendent Tofail Ahmed said the election has been progressing peacefully. l

Rickshaw-pullers watching the live telecast of Bangladesh versus Afghanistan cricket match at the Raju Bhaskarja intersection of Dhaka University yesterday. They were completely oblivious to the fact that they blocked the entire road disrupting the vehicular movement RAJIB DHAR

Another minor injured by exploding ‘toy’ n Mohammad Jamil Khan Once again, a minor child has been severely injured when a “red ball-type object” exploded in his left hand, after picking it up from roadside in the capital’s Sutrapur area.

The victim, Mohammad Sourov, 11, a class three student of Rayshahebbazar Government Primary School, was shifted to the National Institute of Traumatology & Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (Nitor) after being rushed to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital after the accident yesterday.

“The boy found the ‘toy-like’ object beside the Nobaron Club of Nasiruddin Sardar Lane, when he was playing in the area. The object, which was a crude bomb abandoned by criminals, exploded when he touched it,” Khalilur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Sutrapur police station, told the Dhaka Tribune.

When asked, the victim’s father Mintu

Howlader, who owns a tea-stall in the area, said: “Sourov came back home from school at around 2:00pm. After having launch, he went out to play in the playground at around 4:00pm. Soon after that, we heard a big blast near our house and found that my son’s left hand was drenched in blood.”

“We immediately took him to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, but on-duty doctors advised us to take him to Nitor, as the blast has broken two of his fingers,” he added.

“The blast has caused a severe injury on Sourov’s palm and shattered two of his fingers, so we referred him to Nitor for specialized treatment after giving primary treatment,” Dr KM Riaz Morshed, residential surgeon of DMCH emergency unit, told the Dhaka Tribune.

This is not the first time that a minor had been injured by an exploding crude bomb abandoned in public places, which most children mistake as a toy. l

Sourov, 11, a class three student of Rayshahebbazar Government Primary School, receives treatment after an abandoned crude bomb exploded on his left hand at the capital’s Sutrapur area yesterday RAJIB DHAR

SAYEDEE ON MOON

Police yet to finish probe n Hasibur Rahman Bilu, Bogra A year has passed since the rumour that war criminal Delawar Hossain Sayedee’s face was seen on the moon spread across the country but police are yet to finish probe in the cases filed in connection with violence erupted following spread of the rumour.

Earlier on March 3, 2013, Jamaat-Shibir activists spread the rumour using loudspeakers.

Jamaat-Shibir activists, after the rumour spread, set fire to 17 government offices of Nondigram Upazila Parishad circle, 15 establishments and seven police stations in different areas of Bogra.

They also burned down different private organisations and households.

Police filed 59 cases, including 10 murder cases, accusing over one lakh people in connection with the violence.

When asked, superintendent of Police of Bogra Md Mozammel Haque said: “Police as complainant filed 25 cases. We have submitted charge sheets of the cases. The investigation in other cases filed by individuals, however, are not finished yet. The investigation will be completed soon.”

Jamaat-Shibir men used gun powder for torching the structures. As a result, the fire raged through the areas and gutted important documents and properties.

Public Prosecutor Md Helalur Rahman said: “Among a total of 44 cases, police submitted charge sheets of 21 cases. We submitted final reports of two cases.” Investigations in the rest 21 cases have been going on, he added.

According to the charge sheets submitted before the court, allegations were brought against 3,000 activists of Jamaat and BNP. l

RAJIB DHAR

n

Moniruzzaman Uzzal

Philippe Alfonsi

Passport with 1st ever Bangladesh visa donated to museum

n Mohammad Atiqur Rahman Philippe Alfonsi (Philippe Marc Edouard Alfonsi), a French journalist who came to Bangladesh during the liberation war and covered the news of 1971, has donated his passport to the Liberation War Museum.

He handed over the passport yesterday, which he used for entering Bangladesh and for covering the news.

The passport dated April 3, 1971, bearing the signature of then Chuadanga’s chief administrator Ashab-ul Haque, contains the first ever issued visa of the independent People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

Philippe was a senior reporter of French TV channel Premiere Information, which was run by Pierre Desgraupes and Pierre Dumayet.

He had stayed in Bangladesh for five weeks in two phases, first for two weeks and then three weeks.

Alfonsi expressed hope saying the passport would remain among the Bangladeshi as a witness of his memories with Bangladesh which he had seen during the Liberation War. He recollected the emotion and hope of the Bangladeshi people which resulted in the birth of the country after nine-month long war.

He remembered his colleagues who had worked with him during that time.

“There occurred a devastating air attack in Chuadanga. Then I came in Bangladesh. The then independent Bangladesh authority had given me a visa”, Alfonsi recollected his old memories with Bangladesh.

“The people of Bangladesh then understood that it was high time to play their responsibility and duties. They proved it by giving me the visa which they considered as a responsibility,” he added. l

India, Iran and Oman go under sea to build pipelines, change geopolitics n Tribune Desk India is contemplating energy pipelines from the Gulf again — this time running under the sea, rather than traversing Pakistan. With international sanctions on Iran fading as a result of a nuclear agreement, an energy pipeline may be the most positive regional consequence.

The new plan proposes to transport oil and natural gas through deep sea pipelines via Oman in a process where Iran, and even Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan energy can feed the pipeline for an ever-growing Indian market. Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Oman’s foreign minister, raised the possibility with Salman Khurshid during their meeting on Friday, the Times of India reported Saturday.

Oman had invested $90 million on this project over a decade ago, but it got no traction then. But now, the technology has come of age, with pipelines being built under the Mediterranean Sea from Algeria to Itali, and under the Black Sea from Russia to Germany. Abdullah suggested the pipeline could transport gas from Iran, even Qatar, as well as Central Asian states.

Khurshid floated the prospect with Javad Zarif, Iranian foreign minister, who he met later in the day. The Iranians have revived talk of deep-sea pipelines to India after the failure of the IPI pipeline. Iran cancelled a $500 million loan to Pakistan in December.

India had pulled out of the IPI several years ago citing price and security issues.

Those issues remain. In fact, as the US withdraws from Afghanistan, the TAPI pipeline from Turkmenistan

through Afghanistan and Pakistan is fast losing its attractiveness.

Iran has reportedly jumped at the idea. Oman is India’s most trusted partner in the Gulf, therefore comfort levels are high between New Delhi and Muscat, more than even with Iran. Zarif added to the Omani proposal __ Iran was negotiating separately with Turkmenistan for an overland pipeline to carry its gas to an Iranian terminal and thence to markets like India. If these negotiations succeed, Iran could be a beachhead for gas not only from its fields but from other Gulf suppliers, even Qatar, which is India’s largest supplier of LNG. “An undersea pipeline from Iran to India could be completed as quickly as 3-4 years. Our feasibility studies show they would cost in the region of $5 billion,” said Subodh Jain, whose company, Sage is the best known Indian entity to acquire technology for such pipelines. Jain has proposed building an under-sea energy infrastructure corridor, which could be used by major gas suppliers to connect to terminals in India’s west coast. Any such pipeline could transport about 31 million cubic meters of gas a day.

“India relies on LNG, but it’s the equivalent of relying on champagne.

If we stick to LNG, we will become addicted to expensive energy imports.

Therefore, a gas pipeline particularly for the power sector, makes eminent sense,” said a senior official. “Very soon, almost 20,000MW of gas-fueled power plants will go idle in India due to gas shortage. Pipelines are overdue here.”

If energy trade is to resume between Iran and India, the Chahbahar port acquires greater important. Zarif and

Khurshid agreed to get the final agreement on investment. India is putting in an affordable $100 million before the Nauroz holidays. The shipping ministry has already completed its studies and price estimates, so officials working on the project said this should not be a stretch.

The Iranian government has been flipping back and forth on this project, so officials reckon a deadline would focus attention in New Delhi and Tehran.

Once complete, Chahbahar would also be the entry point for Indian goods travelling to Central Asia and beyond through the international north-south transport corridor.

In their conversation, Zarif made a determined pitch for the INSTC, though it has been Iranian tardiness that has delayed a project like this. In 2012, Turkey officially offered to join the north-south corridor, though with their recent troubles with Iran, no one is quite sure whether that still holds true.

In a related decision, India will conduct a dry run study in March on the INSTC, through Nhava Sheva (Mumbai)Bandar Abbas (Iran)- Tehran-Bandar Anzali (Iran)-Astrakhan(Russia).

This was agreed between India and Azerbaijan during the recent visit of Huseyngulu Baghirov, natural resources minister. Iran and Azerbaijan have to build Gazvin-Rasht-Astara (Iran)-Astara (Azerbaijan) railway route for connecting the railway lines of the INSTC. What is clear is that Iran is returning to the geostrategic table in the region.

It needs to have a credible nuclear agreement with the west before that happens. l

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Continue to the Business section...

Business

US growth GDP by quarter

Annual rate

In %

In %

4.1

2.8

2.4%

2.5

2.8

2.5

1.9%

1.8 1.1 0.1 III

B3 Top EU official warns of misleading app developers

IV

I

II

III

IV

2010 2011 2012 2013

2013

2012

B4 GDP revised down, but

Source: Department of Commerce

hints of economic thaw emerge

SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 www.dhakatribune.com/business

Dhaka to sign PTA Delayed annual reports create scope for insider trading of stocks, say analysts with Colombo n n Asif Showkat Kallol

Bangladesh is going to sign the first-ever Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Sri Lanka soon to further enhance the existing bilateral trade relations between the two South Asian countries.

“As the Malaysian counterpart is not yet ready for signing the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with us, we are now going to sign the PTA with another South Asian country Sri Lanka,’’ said a commerce ministry official.

“We are going to sign the first-ever PTA with Sri Lanka to free Bangladesh from the longstanding stigma that we are a conservative nation, having no bilateral free trade area,” commerce secretary Mahbub Ahmed told the Dhaka Tribune recently.

Though Bangladesh enjoys some free trade area (FTA) facilities under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAPTA) of the Regional Cooperation SAARC, he added.

“However, we are yet to get any such trading facilities from any of the developing countries.”

According to commerce ministry sources, the ministry had formally sent a pamphlet to the Malaysian counterpart four months ago, but there has been no positive response as yet.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have agreed to conduct a study on both sides before signing the PTA between the two countries. Both the governments will sign the PTA as soon as the study is done, said the commerce ministry officials.

The visiting Sri Lankan Secretary for the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Anura Siriwardena said, “Many

areas in bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka still remain unexplored.”

“To explore the areas and boost bilateral trade and investment, we have agreed to sign a preferential trade agreement (PTA) very soon,” said Anura while exchanging views with the country’s leading businesses a week back.

A high-powered Sri Lankan delegation, headed by Anura Siriwardena, came to Bangladesh on a two-day visit for attending the joint economic commission meeting to explore ways to boost bilateral trade and investment.

During the meeting with commerce minister Tofail Ahmed, both the minister and the Sri Lankan secretary had expressed their interest to sign the PTA and increase cooperation to help flourish trade and economic relations.

Bangladesh can import rubber, tea, coconut products, spices, mineral sands, phosphate, shipbuilding materials, and IT-related products etc from Lanka.

On the other hand, local businessmen urged the Sri-Lankan delegation to export more from Bangladesh. Bilateral trade between the counties has been gradually increasing since the civil war in Sri-Lanka ended following defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

The bilateral trade was US$48m in 2010, which reached $83m in 2012, marking a 73 per cent rise. The total trade between the countries increased to $107m in 2013, which shows approximately 29 per cent growth. Some 45 Sri Lankan companies have invested $292m so far in Bangladesh under joint ventures. l

Tahmidur Rahman

The companies listed with the country’s two stock exchanges continue to fail publishing audited annual reports within the global standard of time frame, creating scope for rumour-based manipulation.

It has been reducing efficiency in the market and causing manipulation of insufficient information such as rumours on the drivers of profit figures, according to market experts.

Investors are not getting financial information before the companies’ annual general meeting, creating possibility of insider trading like in the past.

According to the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) news server, the stateowned oil company, Jamuna Oil, disclosed its first quarter (July-September) figures on November 24 last year.

On the very day, the company also disclosed its annual figures for the year ended on June 30, 2013.

“The listed companies should try to publish its annual financial statements sooner. It will reduce the chance of insider trading as general investors have access to information,” said Md Moniruzzaman, managing director of IDLC Investments Ltd, a leading financial institution.

Currently the listed companies get 45 days to post first quarter’s unaudited financial reports, three months for its audited annual reports and a month each for other two quarters.

Also in most cases, the listed companies in Bangladesh do not upload any financial statements before its annual general meeting.

It puts retail investors in an ambig-

uous state wondering what may have happened to the annual profits or losses posted at the bourses beforehand.

However, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission officials were apathetic to address the issue.

The companies listed with the bourses in the neighbouring countries report their annual figures quicker.

The Colombo and Bombay stock exchanges from the SAARC countries take on average two months to file the

annual statements.

“We can take the example of Sri Lanka where companies upload their audited financials on the stock exchange server making it very easy for investors to find the financial statements,” said Asif Khan, deputy head of research at BRAC-EPL Stock Brokerage Ltd. “The listed companies will need to publish its annual reports once it is audited and not before that,” said Saifur

Minister for developing poultry database First-ever floating FSRU to n Tribune Report Fisheries and Animal Resources Minister Mohammad Sayedul Haq yesterday called upon the stakeholders to develop a database of the country’s poultry sector to facilitate adopting a development strategy.

“The database will help get an idea about the price movement of poultry in the market,” he told an exchange of opinion meeting in Dhaka, assuring the stakeholders of providing necessary support to develop the database.

Breeders Association of Bangladesh (BAB) organised the meeting titled “Present Situation of Bangladesh’s Poultry Sector” at a hotel in the city.

Presided over by BAB President Mashiur Rahman, the meeting was also addressed by State Minister for Fisheries and Animal Resources Narayan Chandra Chanda and BAB Secretary General Saidur Rahman while senior government officials, agriculture university teachers and animal resource researchers were present.

The minister said there is no alternative to research for development of any sector.

The lot of the people would change, if sustainable technology could be developed and spread among the rural people.

He said poultry industry in Bangladesh is playing one of the important roles to ensure food and nutrition security and called upon the stakeholders to work jointly with the government for achieving the Millennium Development Goal and the Vision 2021.

“Our land is decreasing but the demand for protein food and nutrition is increasing, and the poultry industry has proved its worth to grow-up vertically which is a blessing,” he said.

Industry estimates say the standard

annual intake of animal protein per person per year is 43.8 kg according to FAO and WHO. However in Bangladesh, it is only 15.23 Kg. The international standard of egg intake is 104, but here it is only 35 on an average. The demand for egg is increasing by 5.2% and the annual consumption of poultry is 3.63 Kg at present.

The industry is trying to increase this rate to 5 Kg by 2015 and 12 Kg by 2021.

They said poultry production can be increased by 10 times through using the available modern technology, and if poultry zone can be made, Bangladesh can re-enter in the exporting market.

State Minister Narayan Chandra said the poultry industry’s contribution is significant in the development of mother and child health development and to build a meritorious future generation.

Referring to the recent disaster in poultry sector caused by the political turmoil ahead of the national election held on January 5, he said: “Boosting up production of eggs and chickens,

and supporting the marginalised farmers should be given priority. Otherwise, there might be a sudden crash in demand and supply chain.”

BAB President Moshiur Rahman said, after the success of avian influenza vaccination programme in Gazipur and Bajitpur, eight other districts – Dhaka, Chattagong, Narayangonj, Narshingdi, Tangail, Bogra, Jaypurhat and Manikgonj – were announced to be covered in the second phase. “But no significant development was made. The Drug administration is taking too long time to issue permission for importing bird flu vaccine.”

Moshiur apprised the minister that many countries have already experienced spread of new deadly diseases, therefore, MOFL should be alerted.

Saidur Rahman Babu, BAB Secretary, claimed that getting permission to import Grand Parent Stock (GP) and PS (Parent Stock) is sometimes taking around two months time, which might hamper poultry production. l

Fisheries and Animal Resources Minister Sayedul Haq attends a views exchanger on the present situation on Bangladesh's poultry sector at a city hotel yesterday

be set up within 18 months, hopes Petrobangla n Aminur Rahman Rasel Just after signing a deal with a selected contactor, the country’s first-ever floating storage and re-gasification unit (FSRU) will be set up within 18 months at Moheskhali Island in the Bay of Bengal in Cox’s Bazar to facilitate import of 500m cubic feet (mmcf) per day.

A contract will be signed with the US-based Astra Oil and Excelerate Energy Consortium (AE) shortly just for launching the construction work of a FSRU, widely-known as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), within a year and a half, hopes officials of Petrobangla.

High officials of the state-run Petrobangla along with the AE team will visit the project site on March 5, 2014.

“We are planning to sign the contact

by July this year, so we can set up the terminal within one and a half year,” Petrobangla Chairman Hossain Monsur told the Dhaka Tribune recently.

“We have had a meeting with the AE at my office to finalise the terms and conditions before signing the deal,” he said. The contractor company has been agreed to work under a build-own-operate-transfer basis with a period of 15 years, he also said.

The AE has also been agreed to transfer the proposed FSRU to Petrobangla without any cost after 15 years with re-gasification tariff at $0.39 per mmcfd.

The purpose of establishing the terminal is to import LNG, so the country

does not face any sudden energy crisis due to supply shortfall in the near future.

After assuming office in 2009, the then AL-led government had decided to import LNG to add to the national grid from the year 2013, but failed to implement it during its previous tenure.

Now, the new government has taken afresh initiative from the beginning of its tenure to set up the FSRU as early as possible.

The country has recently been facing an acute gas crisis, as the daily production of gas is around 2,300mmcfd against a demand of 3000mmcfd.

Earlier on February 9, 2014, the Energy and Mineral Resources Division (EMRD) had asked the Petrobangla to submit allthe financial and technical proposals by March, this year.

On February 19, The EMRD formed a five-member technical committee-led

by Petrobangla Director (Operation and mines) Md Quamruzzaman.

Later on, the EMRD asked the committee to evaluate proposals considering clarification on invitation of Request of Proposal a few years back.

Separately, state-owned Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL) has undertaken a move to lay a 91-km Moheshkhali-Anowara gas transmission pipeline to carry the imported re-gasified LNG from the proposed terminal to shore.

So far, a few countries including Qatar have been considered as the primary source for the LNG gas. l

Rahman, executive director of BSEC. The executive director ignored when asked about the possibility of directing the companies to post their unaudited fourth quarterly reports in a month of time, for increasing information flow.

The companies at the Colombo Stock Exchange post their fourth-quarter report (often audited) along with other non-SAARC emerging markets in the region. l

PDB seeks to raise capital base n Asif Showkat Kallol Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) has sought to raise its capital base by Tk5,000 crore as investment on the approved development projects in the current fiscal increased.

The current authorised capital of the PDB is Tk15,000 while the paid-up capital amounts to Tk14,283 crore as of June 2013.

According to the PDB proposal, the authorised capital should be Tk20,000 as the paid-up capital would exceed the authorised in size after 60% of total investment is added as equity. But as per The Companies Act, the authorised capital will have to be kept larger than the paid-up capital.

Sixty per cent of total investment is calculated as equity, which is added to the paid-up capital. PDB invested Tk1,891 crore on development projects in the current fiscal year so far and thus the amount of equity stands at Tk1,134.60 crore.

When the equity is added, the current paid-up capital will stand at Tk15,418.48 crore which is more than the authorised capital. PDB sent a proposal to the Finance Division to approve the plan of raising the paid-up and authorised capital in the FY2013-14.

A finance division official said the PDB proposal was under review.

PDB has sought to raise capital base immediately for smooth operation of the government fund.

The paid-up capital of PDB was raised to Tk9,296 crore in 2009-10 from Tk9,087 crore in 2008-09, Tk11,813 crore in 2011-12 from Tk9,646 crore in 2010-11 and 14,283 crore in 2012-13 from Tk13,596 crore in 2011-12. l

IPO seekers opt for bank borrowing due to approval delay n Kayes Sohel The marathon process of initial public offering (IPO) has forced many companies to opt for bank loan to finance their projects.

An IPO approval normally takes six months if everything is ok. But IPO backlog created by slow approval and insufficient documents provided by issuer delayed the process from one to two years in most of the recent cases.

“Unusual delay in IPO process has forced many companies to go for bank loan, a relatively faster way, to meet their project costs,” said an issue manager.

The tendency that the companies repay bank loans after raising fund from the market has increasedrecently because of the prolonged IPO procedure.

Most companies awaiting approval of the stock market regulator and preparing to go public have proposed to repay a substantial amount of bank loans with funds to be collected through IPOs. Around 40 companies have submitted their IPO proposals to the regulator to raise more than Tk2,000 crore from the stock market, said sources in the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) and issue managers.

“IPO approval takes time as regulator plans approve two applications every month on an average considering the market situation,” said a BSEC official.

Akter H Sannamat, vice president of Bangladesh Merchant Bankers’ Association, said majority of the companies, mostly small, first go to banks before launching IPO, as their project cost has increased many fold due to delay in IPO process.

“Presently, we are handling a number of companies that have proposedfor bank borrowing as they have expanded their business with the bank loans,” said Sannamat, also managing director of the Union Capital.

“The slow IPO approval system causes a huge backlog, further delaying the process.”

Sannamat added: “But sometimes papers required for IPOs are insufficient, also causing delay in the process.” According to him, the problem can be avoided if the issuers and the issue managers remain careful about the regulatoryrequirements.

Most of the companies which went public in 2011 and 2012 raised such funds to repay bank loans. Emerald Oil Industries was the latest to allow collection funds of Tk12 crore from public to repay bank loans.

Mozaffar Hossain, Appollo Ispat, Familytex (BD), Paramount, Bangladesh Building

System, GPH Ispat and Aamra Technologies are few of those firms having purpose of bank loan repayment through IPOs. “Even in some cases, companies’ bank loanshave been repaid while getting the regulator’s approval to raise fund from the stock market,” said Rubayet-E-Ferdous, chief operating officer of IDLC Investments Ltd. “The delay in IPO process has created fund management problem for the companies,” he said. An IPO was submitted in 2011, but is yet to get approval, he said.

On the rising trend of loan repayment through fund withdrawal from IPOs, Ferdous said:“The loans were taken from banks

for expansion of business. But to reduce cost of fund, the companies went public to repay loans.”

Mahmood Osman Imam, professor of finance at Dhaka University and a market analyst, thinks allowing a company to repay any loan with such funds is not a problem if the loan was taken for the purpose of business expansion.

The merchant banks, who handle the IPOs, however, has long been urging the BSEC to speed up the process for the companies with good fundamentals as the secondary trading market remains upbeat after a two-year bearish sentiment. l

B2

Stock

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Stock market remains range-bound

DSE key features February 23-27, 2014

DSE GAINERS

Turnover (Million Taka)

Traded Issues

297

n Tribune Report

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

99

Al-Haj Textile -A Eastern Lubricants -A Renwick Jajneswar-A Apex SpinningA Desh Garments -B BSC-A Mithun Knitting -A Singer BD -A Apex Tannery -A Kohinoor Chem -A

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

195

Stock market remained rangebound amid volatility in the past week ended Thursday, after staying flat in the previous week.

The market began with red in the opening session of the week, followed by two consecutive gaining sessions. In the final two sessions, it closed red with increased volume of trade.

The benchmark DSEX remained mostly over 4,750-level during the past week due to short term profit booking at the later part. This derailed market vibe and dragging back previous week’s bearish spell.

During the week, the benchmark DSEX edged 11 points or 0.3% down to 4,749. However, the blue chip comprising DS30 rose almost 6 points or 0.4% to 1,694. Shariah DSES gained marginally 7 points or 0.8% to 1,002.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Categories Index, CSCX, lost 54 points or 0.6% to 9,287.

Turnover demonstrated a normalised scenario of going up and down, making market activities to be amplified. Thus, average daily turnover increased by 36% to Tk507 crore from the previous week.

Lanka Bangla Securities in its weekly analysis said market seemed to have anchored to this 4,750 level. Throughout the past week, market hovered around this point and closed at 4,749.

“If we look at last three weeks,

DSE LOSERS Company G Next Fashions-A Prime Insur -A NCCBL Mutual Fund-1-A AFC AgroBiotech-N I P D C -A Islamic Finance-A Mercantile Bank -A Padma Islami Life*-N B I F C -A Kay & Que (BD) -Z

Closing (% change) -20.45 -18.26 -14.42 -9.81 -9.46 -9.00 -8.76 -8.09 -8.02 -8.00

CSE LOSERS Company G Next Fashions-A Phoenix Insur -A NCCBL Mutual Fund-1-A Prime Insur -A B I F C -A BDCOM Online-A AFC AgroBiotech-N Islamic Finance-A Mercantile Bank -A Asia Pasific Insu. -A

Closing (% change) -19.74 -16.67 -15.89 -13.69 -10.42 -9.80 -9.77 -9.45 -9.23 -9.09

ANALYST

4749.86891

(-) 0.24%

1693.91415

(+) 0.35%

14672.7027

(-) 0.61%

12361.2970

(-) 0.64%

9287.0376

(-) 0.59%

Average (% change) -21.12 -17.98 -17.11 -8.44 -7.54 -8.38 -8.89 -6.61 -8.08 -7.80 Average (% change) -19.86 -12.56 -16.82 -20.80 -8.66 -6.02 -8.45 -8.56 -9.19 -9.09

Closing average 24.69 29.20 8.82 65.21 20.22 18.36 17.93 84.91 17.40 18.44

Closing average 25.06 43.72 8.95 28.37 17.30 32.47 65.37 18.38 17.88 32.00

Weekly closing

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

▼ ▲ ▼ ▼ ▼ Weekly high

24.50 29.10 8.90 65.30 20.10 18.20 17.70 84.10 17.20 18.40

Weekly closing

31.10 37.90 10.80 73.80 22.60 21.00 20.00 90.80 19.10 20.00

Weekly high

24.80 44.00 9.00 30.90 17.20 31.30 65.60 18.20 17.70 32.00

30.70 55.00 10.80 36.00 19.20 35.30 73.60 20.50 19.30 32.00

546,088

3

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,323.94

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

28.17

CSE key features February 23-27, 2014 Turnover (Million Taka)

2,298.88

Turnover (Volume)

45,628,683

Number of Contract

86,202

Traded Issues

250

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

73

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

172

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

4

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,201.78

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

26.69

Turnover in million

20.00 27.30 8.60 63.80 18.80 17.70 16.50 80.00 16.50 18.20

Weekly low

379.109 14.931 30.576 302.095 16.003 33.484 130.577 51.574 12.072 0.292

Turnover in million

23.80 42.00 8.80 27.10 17.00 31.20 64.00 18.10 17.50 32.00

41.94 31.60 23.58 22.60 20.86 18.63 17.88 16.61 15.39 15.22

CSE GAINERS

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

Weekly low

Closing (% change)

Latest EPS 1.35 2.56 1.03 1.53 0.91 0.87 1.61 1.10 0.13 -0.89

Latest EPS

42.456 0.157 0.257 0.302 1.568 4.849 49.821 3.673 9.630 0.032

1.35 3.81 1.03 2.56 0.13 1.70 1.53 0.87 1.61 2.67

Latest PE 18.3 11.4 8.6 42.6 22.2 21.1 11.1 77.2 133.8 -ve

Latest PE 18.6 11.5 8.7 11.1 133.1 19.1 42.7 21.1 11.1 12.0

Company Mithun Knitting -A Eastern Cables-Z BSC-A Singer BD -A Apex Footwear-A Apex Tannery -A Samata LeatheR -Z Apex Foods -A Marico BD Ltd-A The Ibn SinaA

Closing (% change) 20.62 18.35 18.23 17.52 15.68 15.18 14.35 13.24 12.52 11.08

Average (% change) 41.41 29.18 21.45 24.35 22.57 20.12 20.50 11.90 10.39 14.49 Average (% change) 21.52 15.22 20.02 13.20 15.67 11.70 13.67 14.09 12.15 9.98

Closing average 129.56 427.60 205.39 90.94 98.47 652.82 99.29 249.54 187.25 381.26

Closing average 99.83 129.28 653.20 251.17 590.17 188.41 26.94 117.48 956.64 119.40

Weekly closing 130.30 435.60 208.60 89.50 97.90 644.75 96.90 258.30 192.70 384.50

Weekly closing 97.70 129.00 643.50 259.60 590.20 192.70 27.10 116.30 959.80 119.30

Weekly high 134.80 441.00 208.60 92.50 101.10 669.00 102.70 272.00 194.80 384.60

Weekly high 99.90 137.10 668.00 270.00 598.90 194.40 27.10 118.60 960.00 121.60

Weekly low 91.00 339.90 167.70 72.60 80.00 563.00 75.00 210.00 165.30 300.00

Weekly low 84.00 113.00 565.25 223.00 517.00 166.20 23.00 104.10 851.00 108.10

Turnover in million

Latest EPS

106.540 9.045 51.727 18.437 47.161 1204.454 260.568 888.468 308.312 13.252

Turnover in million

2.06 6.02 5.32 1.85 1.18 24.00 2.42 7.79 4.86 7.88

Latest EPS

13.454 1.679 260.949 82.992 4.772 29.168 0.262 1.985 1.399 3.426

2.42 1.40 24.00 7.79 28.27 4.86 -0.04 3.56 46.53 3.12

Latest PE 62.9 71.0 38.6 49.2 83.4 27.2 41.0 32.0 38.5 48.4

Latest PE 41.3 92.3 27.2 32.2 20.9 38.8 -ve 33.0 20.6 38.3

Weekly news from trade server IDLC: The Board of Directors has recommended 5% cash dividend and 25% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2013. The Board has also recommended to issue Rights shares @ 1R:2 (i.e. 1 Rights share for every 2 Ordinary shares held) at an issue price of Tk. 20.00 each (including a premium of Tk. 10.00 per share) subject to the approval by the shareholders and regulatory authorities.

Date of AGM: 30.03.2014, Time: 11:00 AM, Venue: "Utshab", Radisson BLU Water Garden Hotel, Airport Road, Dhaka Cantonment, Dhaka 1206. Record date: 06.03.2014. The Company has also reported consolidated net profit of Tk. 669.47 million, consolidated EPS of Tk. 4.16, consolidated NAV per share of Tk. 33.33 and consolidated NOCFPS of Tk. 12.12 for the year ended on December 31, 2013 as against Tk. 712.82 million, Tk. 4.43, Tk. 29.17 and Tk. 2.65 respectively for the year ended on December 31, 2012.

Another record date for entitlement of the proposed rights shares to be notified later after obtaining approval from BSEC. GLAXOSMITH: The Board of Directors has recommended 300% cash dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2013.

Date of AGM: 24.04.2014, Time: 11:00 AM, Venue: Hotel Agrabad, Chittagong. Record date: 12.03.2014. The Company has also reported EPS of Tk. 45.35, NAV per share of Tk. 153.67 and NOCFPS of Tk. 82.22 for the year ended on December 31, 2013.

RELIANCINS: The Board of Directors has recommended 15% cash dividend and 15% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2013. Date of AGM:

30.03.2014, Time: 11:00 AM, Venue: La-Vita Hall, Lake Shore Hotel, House # 46, Road # 41, Gulshan-2, Dhaka-1212. Record date: 05.03.2014. The Company has also reported net profit after tax of Tk. 277.06 million, EPS of Tk. 5.33, NAV per share of Tk. 64.89 and NOCFPS of Tk. 5.04 for the year ended on December 31, 2013.

BSRMSTEEL: The Board of Directors has recommended 15% cash dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2013. Date of AGM: 24.04.2014, Time: 11:00 AM, Venue: The Institution of Engineers Bangladesh, Chittagong Center, S.S. Khaled Road, Chittagong. Record date: 09.03.2014. The Company has also reported consolidated net profit of Tk. 1,394.55 million, consolidated EPS of Tk. 4.08, consolidated NAV per share of Tk. 21.75 and consolidated NOCFPS of Tk. 10.13 for the year ended on December 31, 2013.

TRUSTBANK: The Board of Directors has recommended 12% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2013. Date of AGM: 22.05.2014, Time: 11:00 AM, Venue: Army Golf Club, Airport Road, Dhaka. Record date: 08.04.2014. The Company has also reported consolidated net profit after tax of Tk. 321.97 million, consolidated EPS of Tk. 0.85, consolidated NAV per Share of Tk. 18.92 and consolidated NOCFPS of Tk. (7.91) for the year ended on December 31, 2013.

SINOBANGLA: The Board of Directors has recommended 10% cash dividend for the year ended on October 31, 2013. The Board has also decided to increase the Authorized Capital of the Company from Tk. 32.00 crore to Tk. 100.00 crore by necessary

amendment in the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company in the EGM. Date of EGM and AGM: 22.05.2014, Time of EGM and AGM: 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM respectively, Venue: Factory premises, Boro Baluakandi, Gazaria, Munshiganj.

Record Date for EGM and AGM: 18.03.2014.

The Company has also reported EPS of Tk. 1.24, NAV per share of Tk. 23.65 and NOCFPS of Tk. 0.51 for the year ended on October 31, 2013.

BATBC: The Board of Directors has recommended 520% final cash dividend (i.e. a total 620% cash dividend for the year 2013 inclusive of 100% interim cash dividend which has already been paid) for the year ended on December 31, 2013. Date of AGM: 23.04.2014, Time: 10:30 AM, Venue: Ball Room of Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, Karwan Bazar, Dhaka. Record date: 12.03.2014.

The Company has also reported net profit after tax of Tk. 4,868.65 million, EPS of Tk. 81.14, NAV per share of Tk. 148.36 and NOCFPS of Tk. 100.54 for the year ended on December 31, 2013.

SINGERBD: The Board of Directors has recommended 100% cash dividend and 25% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2013. The Board has also decided to close the production facility of Motor Cycle and Electric Cable manufacturing unit of the Company. Date of AGM: 28.04.2014, Time: 10:30 AM, Venue: Spectra Convention Centre Ltd., House # 19, Road # 07, Gulshan-1, Dhaka-1212. Record date: 10.03.2014. The Company has also reported EPS of Tk. 7.79, NAV per share of Tk. 53.64 and NOCFPS of Tk. 30.07 for the year ended on December 31, 2013.

Market volatility emerged by scripwise swings as well as expectations on corporate declarations based stock focus kept investors in a cautious mood

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY Sector

440,930,248

Number of Contract

Weekly capital market highlights DSE Broad Index : DSE - 30 Index : CSE All Share Index: CSE - 30 Index : CSE Selected Index :

25,357.38

Turnover (Volume)

market is hovering around a zone of 4,700 to 4,850 points. This seemed to be a consolidating period. Which way market breaks out will say a lot about the market direction in future.”

In the next few weeks, most of the banks will declare their corporate results and dividends for 2013.

Their declarations might impact market sentiment.

IDLC Investment said market volatility emerged by scrip-wise swings as well as expectations on corporate declarations based stock focus kept investors in a cautious mood.

It said triggered by lucrative price hunts and switching across sectors and scrips prompted investors to re-balance their portfolio.

Since, participants were focusing on some micro cap scrips, volatility remained vigilant at the middle of the week. This sentiment forced alongside the surge in fresh funds fuelled turnover to uptick, crossing Tk500 crore level after six straight sessions.

At the later part, corporate declarations and earning hype played in at certain scrips showcased boosting up in their prices.

Among the major sectors, top gaining sectors of the past week were tannery that rallied 9.6%, food and allied 8.9%, pharmaceuticals 3% and telecommunications 2.9%.

Conversely, top losing sectors were IT Sector that shed 5%, textile 3.4%, ceramic 3.4%, banks 2.8% and power 1.6%. l

Company

Sunday, March 2, 2014

DSE Million Taka 2135.48 2061.40 557.56 2983.52 2269.62 2477.82 24.11 2196.85 2783.72 4.03 153.30 878.99 82.55 1504.72 223.22 359.11 1212.88 1664.11 263.56 1518.74 2.08

% change 8.42 8.13 2.20 11.77 8.95 9.77 0.10 8.66 10.98 0.02 0.60 3.47 0.33 5.93 0.88 1.42 4.78 6.56 1.04 5.99 0.01

Million Taka 218.76 202.54 28.13 269.13 161.53 141.07 0.00 170.55 218.64 1.65 9.74 45.59 13.91 97.94 39.43 13.89 56.70 262.04 40.03 310.53 0.20

CSE

% change 9.50 8.80 1.22 11.69 7.02 6.13 0.00 7.41 9.50 0.07 0.42 1.98 0.60 4.25 1.71 0.60 2.46 11.38 1.74 13.49 0.01

Million Taka 2354.24 2263.94 585.69 3252.65 2431.16 2618.89 24.11 2367.40 3002.36 5.69 163.04 924.58 96.47 1602.65 262.65 373.00 1269.58 1926.16 303.59 1829.27 2.28

Total

% change 8.51 8.19 2.12 11.76 8.79 9.47 0.09 8.56 10.85 0.02 0.59 3.34 0.35 5.79 0.95 1.35 4.59 6.96 1.10 6.61 0.01

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

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Olympic Ind. -A BSC-A Square Pharma -A Grameenphone-A Singer BD -A BD Submarine Cable-A Meghna Petroleum -A IDLC Finance -A ConfidenceCement A Delta Life Insu. -A CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company BSC-A BD Submarine Cable-A Grameenphone-A Singer BD -A Beach Hatchery -A Square Pharma -A UCBL - A LankaBangla Fin. -A AFC AgroBiotech-N IDLC Finance -A

Volume shares 5,918,424 1,957,315 3,819,699 4,398,429 3,696,356 3,400,218 2,542,549 7,481,688 3,618,738 2,010,275

Volume shares 425,515 797,362 420,907 342,285 2,079,100 232,495 1,944,102 722,597 738,000 614,413

Value in million 1269.34 1204.45 995.60 924.09 888.47 740.02 721.25 595.94 547.22 543.11

Value in million 260.95 173.97 88.07 82.99 62.65 60.67 55.07 52.30 49.82 49.31

% of total turnover 5.01 4.75 3.93 3.64 3.50 2.92 2.84 2.35 2.16 2.14

% of total turnover 11.35 7.57 3.83 3.61 2.73 2.64 2.40 2.28 2.17 2.15

Weekly closing 224.50 644.75 265.70 214.00 258.30 219.30 284.80 78.90 158.10 271.00

Weekly closing 643.50 218.10 213.60 259.60 31.20 265.00 28.10 72.00 65.60 79.00

Price change 8.24 18.63 2.63 2.74 16.61 0.73 0.74 10.20 8.88 0.22

Weekly opening 207.40 543.50 258.90 208.30 221.50 217.70 282.70 71.60 145.20 270.40

Weekly high 225.00 669.00 271.50 215.60 272.00 229.00 300.00 87.00 159.00 275.90

Weekly low 188.00 563.00 235.00 195.50 210.00 196.00 258.00 67.00 135.00 265.50

Weekly average 222.12 652.82 263.85 211.48 249.54 219.28 284.42 78.68 155.70 272.68

Price change 18.23 0.23 2.89 17.52 9.47 2.32 -1.75 -1.10 -9.77 10.18

Weekly opening 544.30 217.60 207.60 220.90 28.50 259.00 28.60 72.80 72.70 71.70

Weekly high 668.00 225.80 215.40 270.00 32.20 266.00 29.40 74.30 73.60 84.40

Weekly low 565.25 211.50 201.00 223.00 27.60 248.00 26.00 70.00 64.00 75.00

Weekly average 653.20 218.98 212.92 251.17 31.62 263.05 28.02 72.04 65.37 78.85

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

US Fed may need to let inflation run hot to meet goals n Reuters, New York

B3

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Gold on track for biggest monthly gain since July n Reuters, London

tral Bank to loosen monetary policy next week.

US data on Friday showed fourthquarter growth expanded at a 2.4% annual rate, down sharply from the 3.2% pace reported last month. Separately, the pace of business activity in the US Midwest rose slightly in February, beating expectations.

In her testimony to the US Senate Banking Committee on Thursday, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen acknowledged unusually harsh winter weather was behind recent signs of weakness in the US economy, suggesting the central bank was poised to press forward in ratcheting back its stimulus.

The Fed trimmed its monthly bond purchases by $10bn at each of its previous two meetings. Its next meeting is scheduled for March 19.

“The next Fed meeting is really the key because by then some of the economic data should have unambiguously not been weather affected and if that still shows a slowdown the Fed might have to change their policy again, which doesn’t necessarily mean an end of tapering but may mean some other loosening,” Macquarie analyst Matthew Turner said. l

of a healthy economy, he said. Bringing the economy back to health slowly poses risks because of the chance of intervening policy shocks, Evans said.

“The surest and quickest way to get to the objective is to be willing to overshoot in a manageable fashion,” Evans said. “With regard to our inflation objective, we need to repeatedly state clearly that our 2% objective is not a ceiling for inflation.”

Speaking after Evans on the same panel, Philadelphia Fed chief Plosser warned that if the Fed fails to treat its guidance as goals, its credibility will fall by the wayside and so will its policy effectiveness.

The Fed has promised to keep interest rates near zero until well past the time that the unemployment rate reaches 6.5%, as long as inflation does not threaten to rise above 2.5%.

With the US jobless rate now at 6.6%, the Fed’s unemployment threshold has become irrelevant, Plosser said.

That’s an assessment with which Evans has said he agrees.

But, Plosser added, the public could

also come to doubt the Fed’s seriousness about its inflation safeguard.

“In other words,” he said, “by allowing the unemployment threshold to pass without taking action, the public might conclude that the Committee could easily decide to let the inflation threshold pass without taking action as well.”

To Plosser, that would be problematic. The Fed must have “some degree of commitment to abide” by its promises, Plosser said on Friday: too much flexibility could undermine the Fed’s policies.

Meanwhile another top Fed official on Friday said concern that loose monetary policy was fueling financial instability was not a pressing issue and that there was enough slack in the economy to give the US central bank two to three years to mull the problem.

“We don’t need this theory to be able to make decisions in March of 2014,” Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank President Narayana Kocherlakota said in a reference to growing concerns among his colleagues that loose monetary policy could be fueling financial instability. l

Dollar falls below 102 yen on US stimulus speculation

UK, US spies stored millions of Yahoo webcam images

Top EU official warns of misleading app developers

n AFP, Tokyo

Britain’s communications spy agency GCHQ and the US National Security Agency (NSA) intercepted and stored images from webcams used by millions of Yahoo users, the Guardian newspaper reported on Thursday.

GCHQ files leaked by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden reportedly revealed how the Optic Nerve programme collected still images of webcam chats regardless of whether individual users were suspects or not.

In one six-month period in 2008, the British spy agency collected webcam imagery from more than 1.8 million Yahoo user accounts around the world, the Guardian said.

Yahoo, which was apparently chosen because its webcam system was known to be used by GCHQ targets, expressed outrage at the reported surveillance.

“We were not aware of nor would we condone this reported activity,” a spokeswoman for the US technology firm told AFP in an email statement.

“This report, if true, represents a whole new level of violation of our users’ privacy that is completely unacceptable.

“We are committed to preserving our users’ trust and security and continue our efforts to expand encryption across all of our services.”

Leaked GCHQ documents from 2008 to 2010 explicitly refer to the surveillance programme, although the Guardian said later information suggests it was still active in 2012.

The data was used for experiments in automated facial recognition, as well as to monitor existing GCHQ targets and discover new ones, the British paper said. l

The Federal Reserve should be willing to let inflation temporarily run above its target level so as to more quickly bring the economy back to health, a top Fed official said on Friday, even as a second policymaker signaled the very idea left him cold.

The debate, between Chicago Fed President Charles Evans and Philadelphia Fed President Charles Plosser, underscored a fundamental disagreement over the central bank’s optimal approach to policy under new Fed Chair Janet Yellen.

To Evans, one of the Fed’s most dovish policymakers, allowing inflation to run above the Fed’s 2% target would be a small price to pay for bringing the US economy back to full employment quickly, and could even signal the Fed’s commitment to making good on its goals.

To Plosser, an ardent policy hawk, letting inflation rise above the target would call into question the Fed’s commitment to its goals, undermining its policy effectiveness.

The dollar fell below 102 yen in Asia on Friday on speculation that the Federal Reserve could shift its tapering policy if recent weak data is a sign of a fundamental change in growth.

The dollar slipped to 101.60 yen in Tokyo afternoon trade from 102.15 yen in New York Thursday afternoon.

The euro bought 139.20 against 140.05 yen while sitting at $1.3697 compared with $1.3710.

The dollar was higher against most other Asia-Pacific currencies Fed chief Janet Yellen told the Senate Banking Committee that policymakers believe severe weather was behind some of the disappointing numbers of the past two months on job creation, industrial production and consumption.

However, she said they would be keeping a close eye on the economy to see if the weak figures continue, which could lead to a slower pace of cuts to the stimulus programme.

“What we need to do and will be doing in the weeks ahead is to try to get a firmer handle on exactly how much of that set of soft data can be explained by weather and what portion, if any, is due to softer outlook,” she said.

Analysts said Yellen’s hint that the taper could be flexible, and her stron-

How the debate plays out could have a huge impact on the course of Fed policy as Yellen prepares to chair her first policy-setting meeting next month, particularly as policymakers debate ways to retool a low-rate promise that both hawks and doves see as in need of a serious overhaul.

Under Yellen’s predecessor Ben Bernanke, the Fed used massive bondbuying programs and a promise to keep rates low to boost the economy despite having already slashed the main policy rate to near zero.

But with unemployment still too high and inflation undesirably low, Evans said on Friday the US central bank’s policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee is still falling short on both of its goals. “If anything, the FOMC has been less aggressive than the policy loss function might admit,” Evans told the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business conference on monetary policy in New York.

The Fed has made it clear that an unemployment rate of about 5.5% and an inflation rate of about 2% are indicative

ger statement that unemployment remains a big problem, suggests less of a determination to push ahead with policy tightening than was evident a few months ago.

“In truth, her remarks fall into the category of ‘The Fed will do its job’,” National Australia Bank wrote.

“But clearly some detected signs of less than 100% commitment to maintain the pace of tapering at the (March 20 policy meeting), even though the Fed chairwoman reiterated that a change in the tapering schedule requires a ‘significant’ outlook change,” the bank said.

The dollar-selling sentiment also came after Japanese exporters locked in their earnings overseas, dealers say.

“Some exporters which had taken a wait-and-see stance in the hope of the dollar’s rally above 102.50 are selling dollars amid an absence of such a chance,” said a dealer at a Japanese bank.

Still, the downside remains solid at 101.50 yen as importers are constantly buying on dips, the dealer told Dow Jones Newswires.

The dollar was higher against most other Asia-Pacific currencies.

It rose to Sg$1.2675 Friday afternoon from Sg$1.2664 Thursday, to 32.66 Thai baht from 32.58 baht, to 62.16 Indian rupees from 61.99 rupees, to 44.67 Philippine pesos from 44.66 pesos, and to 1,068.06 South Korean won from 1,066.21 won.

But it fell to 11,645 Indonesian rupiah from 11,662 rupiah.

The Australian dollar firmed to 89.50 US cents from 89.40 cents and the Chinese yuan bought 16.46 yen against 16.69 yen. l

n AFP, London

Gold steadied around $1,330 an ounce on Friday and was on track for its biggest monthly gain in seven as persistent concerns about a slowdown in the US economy hurt the dollar.

Gold has gained nearly 7% in February, its biggest monthly rise since July, mostly due to weak data in China and the United States and political and economic turmoil in Ukraine, which lifted demand for the metal as an insurance against risk.

“In general whether it’s Ukraine, the US economic data or worries about China, there seem to be a lot more reasons than there were six weeks ago for looking at gold,” Nomura analyst Tyler Broda said.

Spot gold was down 0.1% at $1,329.58 an ounce by 1453 GMT, below a fourmonth high of $1,345.35 struck on Wednesday. U.S. gold futures for April delivery fell $2.00 $1,329.80 an ounce.

The dollar dropped 0.5% versus a basket of main currencies, mostly due to euro strength after euro zone inflation data came in above expectations, easing pressure on the European Cen-

n AFP, Brussels Just two weeks after suggesting the European Union is on the cusp of a digitally led economic bonanza, officials warned Thursday that web developers may be misleading consumers.

EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding called a two-day meeting with European developers of mobile apps and is warning them that to advertise products as ‘free’ only to charge consumers later could undermine confidence in the industry.

In particular, Reding said consumers are being short-changed by ‘in-app’ purchases - in which users are able to download games but are later required to pay to continue playing.

“Misleading consumers is clearly the wrong business model and also goes against the spirit of EU rules on consumer protection,” Reding said, adding that she expected “very concrete answers” from the app industry.

While it has not made its research into the problem public, the Commission said it has received complaints from “all over Europe” and it is particularly concerned about children being charged to upgrade games.

The meeting, which ends on Friday, will bring together lawyers and representatives from app start-ups, government consumer watchdogs from EU member states and industry leaders Google and Apple.

However, while industry observers agree children should be protected, there is concern that European regulators have misunderstood the “freemium” business model, which involves free downloads then small charges for upgrades.

“Nothing is for free and concern with this business model is naive,” said Ann Mettler, executive director of The

Just two weeks after suggesting the European Union is on the cusp of a digitally led economic bonanza, officials warned Thursday that web developers may be misleading consumers AFP Lisbon Council, a Brussels-based technology think-tank.

“Start-ups need to generate money and there is nothing wrong with offering users free basic services then giving them the option to upgrade,” Mettler says.

However, the Commission said the freemium model targets children through default purchase settings, which can result in mobile app users being debited without explicit consent.

“It might not always be clear where the freemium model ends and where the payment begins,” said James Waterworth, from the Computer and Communications Industry Association.

“It is excellent that the Commission

is getting industry players together to agree on standards, rather than approaching it with heavy handed courtcases which would take years to resolve,” Waterworth said.

Other observers point out the regulatory concerns are in contrast with the upbeat assessment of tech startups released earlier this month by EU Commissioner for the Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, suggesting the EU’s digital economy could employ nearly five million people by 2018.

An EU official suggested that children running up bills on their parents’ tablet computers is “a real issue” but warned against the risk of over-reacting. l

Oil prices down in Asian trade n AFP, Singapore

City Bank recently signed an agreement with Dusai Resort & Spa, a luxurious 5-star quality boutique villa type resort and spa in Moulvibazar district of Sylhet. Under the agreement, customers of CityGem, the priority-banking arm of City Bank, will enjoy various special offers at Dusai which include discounts. Mashrur Arefin, the bank’s DMD and COO and Nasser Rahman, MD and chairperson of the resort signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations

Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Atiur Rahman is seen handing over a cheque - loan taken from AB Bank - to one of the creative publishers, Chandraboti Academy at Hotel Ruposhi Bangla in Dhaka recently. The bank’s president and MD, Shamim Ahmed Chaudhury and was also present on the occasion

BRAC Bank has opened a new branch in Baniachong, Habiganj to provide most modern banking services to the people of the area. Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, the bank’s chairperson inaugurated the branch recently. Syed Mahbubur Rahman, MD and CEO of the bank along with other senior officials were also present

KFC celebrated the launching ceremony of its new chicken sub in Gulshan outlet of KFC yesterday in presence of Akku Chowdhury, MD and CEO of Transcom Foods Ltd and renowned celebrities like Munmun, Bonna Mirza and Topu

Oil prices fell further in Asian trade Friday owing to concerns over soft US economic data and the unfolding crisis in Ukraine.

New York’s main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for April delivery, eased 42 cents to $101.98 in afternoon trade, while Brent North Sea crude for April slid 19 cents to $108.77.

WTI fell 19 cents while Brent slid 56 cents in closing deals Thursday.

US data Thursday showed first-time claims for unemployment insurance benefits, a sign of the pace of layoffs, rose last week, well above analysts’ average estimate.

New orders for manufactured durable goods also slipped 1% in January,

extending December’s 5.3% tumble, the US Commerce Department said.

US Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen told the Senate Banking Committee that policymakers thought severe weather across much of the country was to blame for a disappointing run of economic data over the past two months, including on jobs, industrial output and consumption.

However, she said they would be keeping a close eye on the economy to see if the weak figures continue, which could lead to a slower pace of cuts to the stimulus programme.

French bank Credit Agricole said in a note to investors that Yellen’s comments “gave hope that the poor run of US data will come to end soon, once the weather impact reverses”. l

IPO lottery of Matin Spinning Mills Limited was held on Feb 27 at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in Ramna, Dhaka. Matin Spinning Mills Limited has issued 34,100,000 ordinary shares through IPO at an issue price of Tk37 including a premium of Tk27 each. DBL group chairperson Abdul Wahed, DSE Member Rumana Ferdous Mou and BUET professor Mashroor Ali were present at the programme

B4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

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Mt Gox files for bankruptcy, hit with lawsuit n Reuters, Tokyo Mt Gox, once the world's biggest bitcoin exchange, filed for bankruptcy protection in Japan on Friday, saying it may have lost nearly half a billion dollars worth of the virtual coins due to hacking into its faulty computer system.

The collapse caps a tumultuous few weeks in which the company has remained virtually silent after halting trades of the crypto-currency, shaking the nascent but burgeoning bitcoin community.

Wearing a suit instead of his customary T-shirt, Mt Gox's French CEO Mark Karpeles bowed in contrition and apologized in Japanese at a news conference at the Tokyo District Court, blaming his firm's collapse on a "weakness in our system", but predicting that bitcoin would continue to grow.

"First of all, I'm very sorry," he said.

"The bitcoin industry is healthy and it is growing. It will continue, and reducing the impact is the most important point."

Angry investors have been seeking answers for what happened to their holdings of cash and bitcoins on the unregulated Tokyo-based exchange.

Gregory Greene, who estimated his bitcoin stake at $25,000, filed a lawsuit in the US District Court in Chicago late on Thursday, saying Mt Gox had failed "to provide its users with the level of security protection for which they paid.

Baker & McKenzie, a Chicago-based law firm that represents Mt Gox, declined to comment. It is not yet clear if the firm is representing the exchange in this lawsuit.

Mt Gox said the exchange, used overwhelmingly by foreigners, had

lost 750,000 of its users' bitcoins and 100,000 of its own. At the current bitcoin price of about $565, that would total some $480m - representing about 7% of the estimated global total of bitcoins.

"This may be telling for the level of traceability of the transactions. Bitcoin has been telling us that it is more traceable than cash. The question is, how much more and is there the potential for real recourse in the case of theft," said Moshe Cohen, assistant professor at Columbia Business School in New York.

'It's too bad that this happened, but we have to let it go. And then we'll buy more' Mt Gox said there was a discrepancy of 2.8bn yen ($27.4m) in its bank accounts when it checked on Monday. Junko Suetomi, a lawyer with Baker & MacKenzie, said she could not comment on the balances of foreign bank accounts held by the company.

Problem with exchange, not bitcoin

Many bitcoin market participants have said Mt Gox's problems were specific to the company and were caused by what they said was a lax attitude by Karpeles, while bitcoin itself - free of any central bank control - was still a noble venture.

"If we could agree on legal regulation, we should let (bitcoin and regulators) co-exist," said Keiichi Hida, a bitcoin investor and member of the Japan Digital Money Association. He lost

about 100,000 yen worth of bitcoins, but seemed unconcerned as he became interested in the virtual currency as a form of "study".

"We should make it a national project to have bitcoin used nationwide at the time of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics," he said.

Mt Gox shut its website on Tuesday after freezing withdrawals earlier this month in the wake of a series of technical difficulties.

The exchange had liabilities of 6.5bn yen ($63.67m), dwarfing its total assets of 3.84bn yen, the company said. It had 127,000 creditors in bankruptcy, just over 1,000 of whom are Japanese.

The company and Karpeles have said little in the days before Friday's court filing, which is similar to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States, except that they were working with others to resolve their problems.

Another lawyer, Akio Shinomiya at Yodoyabashi and Yamagami, said Mt. Gox wanted to file a criminal complaint against what he said was a hacking attack, but had no specific means of doing so.

"Bitcoin has always been volatile and speculative, said bitcoin user Ken Shishido, who had about a tenth of his bitcoin holdings at Mt Gox, but has seen the rest of his bitcoins soar tenfold since he began trading 18 months ago.

"It's too bad that this happened, but we have to let it go. And then we'll buy more."

Fortress Investment Group became one of the first big investors to say it had lost money investing in bitcoin. In a regulatory filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the company said it incurred $3.7m in unrealized losses in 2013. l

Sunday, March 2, 2014

CRYPTO-CURRENCY ON THE RISE

ANXBTC bitcoin exchange Chief Executive Ken Lo (left) poses with a shop keeper accepting bitcoins during the opening ceremony of the city's first bitcoin retail shop in Hong Kong ON Feb 28 AFP

Through the eyes of a GDP revised down, but hints of economic thaw emerge visionary strategist UNITED STATES

n Reuters The US government slashed its estimate for fourth-quarter economic growth on Friday in the latest sign of a loss of momentum, but some tentative signs emerged that suggested the worst of the slowdown may be over.

Gross domestic product expanded at

a 2.4% annual rate, the Commerce Department said, down sharply from the 3.2% pace it reported last month and the 4.1% logged in the third quarter.

The economy has faced a number of headwinds, including a 16-day shutdown of the government in October and an unusually cold winter that has weighed on activity since late De-

cember. Growth has also been dampened by the expiration of long-term unemployment benefits, cuts to food stamps and businesses placing fewer orders with manufacturers as they work through a pile of unsold goods in their warehouses.

"I don't think the fundamentals have changed appreciably," said Ryan

US growth GDP by quarter

Annual rate

In %

In %

4.1

2.8

2.4%

2.5

2.8

2.5

1.9%

1.8 1.1 0.1 III

IV

I

II

2012

III

IV

2010 2011 2012 2013

2013

Source: Department of Commerce

Sweet, a senior economist at Moody's Analytics in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

"Heading into this year we knew it wasn't going to be smooth sailing."

First-quarter growth is forecast at below a 2% pace.

But other data on Friday on consumer sentiment, regional factory activity and housing suggested some economic thawing, which should put growth on a stronger path later in the year.

Consumer sentiment rose modestly in February, while factory activity in the Midwest edged up after three months of slower growth. In addition, contracts to buy previously owned homes nudged up in January after being on a downward trend since July.

"That suggests some stabilization in economic activity," said Millan Mulraine, deputy chief economist at TD Securities in New York.

"It bolsters the current narrative that the slowing in activity has been the result of the unseasonably cold winter conditions, which we expect to reverse in coming weeks."

The mixed data buoyed US stocks, but they gave up some gains late in the session on rising tensions in Ukraine.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index closed at a record high for a second straight day.

US government debt prices fell, although they pushed off the day's lows in late trade. The dollar weakened against a basket of currencies. l

n Tribune Business Desk Priya Parker, a speaker in the Leadership Summit 2014 to be held on March 22, is a visionary, conflict mediator and strategist.

She works with organisations and leaders to zero in on their core purpose and build out smarter strategies.

Drawing on 10 years of work in government, social enterprise and Track II diplomacy in the United States, India and the Middle East, Priya designs visioning and innovation labs that help organisations grow from the root.

She engages groups at key inflection points to identify innovative, powerful and practical ways forward. Priya employs a wide variety of social technologies, including strategy, budgeting, visualisation, alignment strategies, ideation, movement and improvisation to achieve sustainable results. Her clients include leaders in the fields of technology, business, government, fashion, comedy, design and the arts. She has run her signature Labs for groups like Harvard University, the National Parks Conservancy, LVMH, the International Financial Corporation and the Energy Project.

Priya is a sitting member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on New Models of Leadership. She also serves as faculty for the MIT Sloan Innovation Period and Mobius Executive Leadership.

Priya is co-founder of the Sustained Dialogue Campus Network, an international network of universities engaged in transformative dialogue to develop future

leaders. She has served as a consultant on dialogue to the Dalai Lama’s Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace initiative in New Delhi and has worked with the Parliamentary Research Service to advise the Indian Parliament on legislation. She received the Harvard Roy Family Fellowship for Women in Public Policy to spend three months in the White House Office of Social Innovation and the Public Service Fellowship at the Harvard Kennedy School.

She is the author of various articles and chapters, including most recently in the Harvard Kennedy School Review, and in the books Facilitating Intergroup Dialogues: Bridging Differences, Catalyzing Change & Public Deliberation and Sustained Dialogue: Pracademic Perspectives. She received her BA in Political and Social Thought at the University of Virginia, Phi Beta Kappa, and her MBA from MIT Sloan and MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Led by Ms Parker, who is the founder of Thrive Labs, the session will be a lively, interactive, highly experiential laboratory for the full Summit to begin exploring purpose and vision for the people of our country and our companies.

It will address questions such as - How do we actually begin to identify and articulate our sense of purpose? Why are we doing what we are doing? How do we build cultures around this purpose? What is getting in the way of building this type of company? In this session, Ms Parker will share her own findings and best practices on how to build purpose-driven lives, teams and companies. l

Pakistan economy grows beyond targets

'World's longest aircraft' unveiled in Britain

n AFP, Karachi

An airship-type vehicle billed by its makers as the world's longest aircraft currently in operation was unveiled in Britain on Friday.

The Airlander, which was originally developed for the US military, is 300 feet (91 metres) long, according its British maker Hybrid Air Vehicles.

The environmentally friendly helium-filled behemoth is designed to stay airborne for up to three weeks and can carry up to 60 tonnes, the company said.

It was shown off on Friday in a giant hangar in Cardington, central England, where great British airships of the past were built, including the ill-fated R101.

The R101 crashed in 1930 on its maiden voyage, killing 48 passenger and crew.

The new craft is longer than the current record holder, the Russian Antonov An-225, which is 84 metres long, and the Boeing 747-8, at 76 metres long.

But it is dwarfed by airships of the past such as the German zeppelin the

Pakistan recorded five percent growth in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, the central bank said Friday, beating its target and almost doubling the figure for the same period last year.

The State Bank of Pakistan data for the early months of the financial year began in July, 2013 said GDP grew by 5%, compared with only 2.9% in the first quarter of the last fiscal year.

Nuclear-armed Pakistan, plagued by a bloody, destabilising Islamist insurgency and chronic power shortages,

DILBERT

has struggled to energise its economy in recent years. Growth has bumped along well below the level experts say is needed to absorb new entrants to the workforce from Pakistan's growing, youthful population.

"Since the macroeconomic indicators were favourable at the start of the year, the increase in real GDP growth in fiscal year 2014 was discernible," the bank said. Pakistan's economists had set a growth target for the current financial year of 4.4%, and the central bank in earlier reports had forecast growth of four percent. l

n AFP, London

Hindenburg, which was 244 metres long.

Filled with hydrogen, the Hindenburg famously crashed in the United States in 1937, killing 36 people.

The Airlander is essentially three streamlined airship-type bodies merged into one with wings and rotary engines.

It was built for the US military but the latter cancelled the contract after it was delivered.

Its makers, who have received a £2.5m ($4.1m, 3m euro) British government grant, now say they intend to build hundreds of the aircraft.

British Business Secretary Vince Cable said the "innovative" craft "has the potential to lead the world in its field". l

The environmentally friendly helium-filled behemoth is designed to stay airborne for up to three weeks and can carry up to 60 tonnes