11 Oct, 2014

Ashwin 26, 1421 Zilhajjj 15, 1435 Regd No DA 6238 Vol 2, No 187

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2014 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

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5 | HERITAGE

6 | WORLD

9 | OP-ED

11 | SPORT

JUST A WORD

JAPAN BRACES AS SUPER TYPHOON POWERS NORTH

THE MEDIA CAN

PRESSURE MOUNTS ON CASILLAS

BARDHAMAN BOMB BLAST

RAB probing explosion links to Bangladesh n Tribune Report Law enforcement officials are investigating alleged links between Bangladeshi Islamist militants and the October 2 bomb blasts that shook the Indian town of Bardhaman and could send shock waves to the West Bengal political establishment.

The director of the RAB intelligence wing, Lt Col Abul Kalam Azad, yesterday told the Dhaka Tribune that his organisation had started an investigation into the bomb blasts and that investigators were trying to verify the names and identities that had emerged from the ongoing Indian investigation.

In a statement yesterday to journalists at Banglabandha Land Port in

A CID report on the Bardhaman bomb blasts will be handed to India’s National Intelligence Agency Panchagarh, State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan said India had not officially informed Bangladesh about the nationality of the two people killed in the blasts.

“We are always against terrorism.

We will not allow anyone to use our land to conduct militant or terrorist activities against our country or neighbouring India,” Asaduzzaman added.

Indian officials investigating the October 2 blasts in the town of Bardhaman have said the detonated explosives were being manufactured in order to commit acts of terrorism in Bangladesh, according to a Hindustan Times report.

On Thursday, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry asked the Indian High

Commission in Dhaka for details of the investigation.

On Friday, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said Bangladesh had sought India’s cooperation in this regard.

“We have asked our intelligence officials to gather the information and we will provide it to Bangladesh officials as soon as we have it,” Akbaruddin said.

The Indian police’s criminal investigation department (CID) findings are likely to cause the Mamata Banerjee government, already under fire for failing to crack down on anti-Bangladesh terrorist groups operating out of her state, embarrassment.

This is the first instance of hard evidence showing that Indian territory was being used as a base for terrorist operations against Bangladesh, the Hindustan Times said.

In the aftermath of the October 2 explosions Indian police arrested militants allegedly belonging to the banned terrorist outfit Jama’atul Mujahedin Bangladesh, amid allegations that the government was attempting to play down the Bangladeshi connection and criticism that the CID was not handling the investigation properly.

The Indian central government intervened on Thursday, handing the investigation over to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), after one of the four people arrested in connection with the explosions allegedly told investigators that the bombs were being assembled for terror strikes in Bangladesh.

The Dhaka Tribune correspondent in Kolkata reports that Indian Foreign Ministry sources said links between Jamaat-e-Islami and Trinamool Congress were being scrutinised in light of allegations of a conspiracy to topple the Awami League government.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

Dhaka North City Corporation is yet to remove animal waste and bamboo structures used to set up a temporary cattle market on the Azampur Government Primary School playground at Uttara, making it difficult for the authorities of at least 20 schools to resume their educational activities MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Uttara cattle market: A public nuisance n Abu Hayat Mahmud A controversial cattle market, set up by the Dhaka North City Corporation at Azampur in the capital’s Uttara area ahead of Eid-ul-Azha this year, has become a nuisance for hundreds of students and teachers of at least 20 educational institutions as well as guardians and local residents.

The makeshift cattle market, which is set up every year by the DNCC centring the Azampur Government Primary School compound and its adjoining areas in Uttara’s Sector 6, has not yet been cleaned up, although educational institutions in the area will reopen tomorrow after the Eid vacation.

“The cattle market on our play-

Fears grow in United States over Ebola’s spread outside West Africa n Reuters Fears are growing in the United States about Ebola with about 200 airline cabin cleaners walking off the job in New York and some lawmakers demanding the government ban travelers from the West African countries hit hardest by the virus.

“The nation is frightened, and people are frightened of this disease,” the US cabinet secretary for health, Sylvia Burwell, said on Thursday, a day after the death in Texas of the first person to be diagnosed with Ebola in the United States.

US Health and Human Services Secretary Burwell told a news conference that people were frightened because Ebola “has a very high mortality rate.

They are frightened because they need to learn and understand what the facts are about that disease.”

As the government prepares to start screening passengers from West Africa for fever at five major airports over the next week, cleaners at New York’s LaGuardia Airport staged a one-day

ground has ruined the atmosphere of the school. Classes will resume on Sunday, but waste has not been removed yet. I am not sure whether it is possible to clean the playground before the classes start,” Nargis Sultana, the headmistress of Azampur Government Primary School, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

She claimed that the city corporation used the playground for the cattle market without taking permission from the school authority.

During his visit, the Dhaka Tribune correspondent yesterday found that the DNCC took no step to clean the playground. Even all makeshift structures and bamboo fences were left unattended on the school compound.

work stoppage over what they say is insufficient protection for workers whose jobs include cleaning up vomit and bathrooms. The cleaners will return to work Thursday night.

US Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson said the goal was to expand airport screenings for Ebola internationally to “as many different  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

Police have reportedly arrested a ninth grader from Uttara, a key suspect in the death of 17-year-old Zubair Ahmed, who allegedly drowned in a shallow pond in the area on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Algerian national Abuubaida Kadir, a swimming instructor and friend of Zubair who claimed to have witnessed the teenager’s death, was also placed on a fresh remand yesterday.

Police also claimed that they were exploring new leads after finding text messages with questionable contents that Kadir used to send to teenage boys.

On condition of anonymity, a senior official of DMP’s Uttara Division, told the Dhaka Tribune that Ismail, a student of class nine who also lived in Uttara, was arrested yesterday while returning to Dhaka from Kishoreganj.

The suspect was now being interrogated, he added.

However, Uttara (east) police sta-

2 | News

State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan yesterday said the government would not allow militant activities in the country that can lead to attacks in the neighbouring country India.

Destitute people in Kurigram are again tangled in the vicious cycle of loans as the NGOs are regularly collecting installments from them violating an order by the Microcredit Regulatory Authority.

3 | Spotlight

The draw of the homestead is never greater than at festival time. The herculean ordeals that ordinary folk endure to make the journey home and back.

7 | Entertainment

Robert De Niro dedicated his Friars Club award to his friend Robin Williams. When De Niro received his award, he said he could not watch it without thinking “how much I miss Robin Williams.”

10 | Sport

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Teen arrested, prime suspect on fresh remand

INSIDE

4 | Nation

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Three Bangladeshi peacekeepers received injuries when a rebel group ambush their convoy in Central African Republic on Thursday, said an ISPR statement released yesterday.

Of them, Sainik Md Iqbal Hossain of 18 BIR was immediately rushed to a French hospital in critical condition.

The other two peacekeepers, Sainik Jasim Uddin of 29 BIR and Sainik Moazzem Hussain of 23 East Bengal, received treatment at Bangladesh Medical (BANMED) Hospital.

ZUBAIR’S DEATH IN UTTARA

n Mohammad Jamil Khan

James Knight of US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases trains US Army soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division before their deployment to West Africa, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky October 9 REUTERS

In fact, the playground has turned into a muddy field riddled with numerous potholes. The area is still filled with a strong stench of the decomposing remains of animal waste.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, Sultan Ahmed, former headmaster of the school, said the city corporation has been setting up the cattle market on the school premises for last 20 years.

“We have tried our best to stop them from setting up the cattle market on the school compound, but we failed,” he added.

When contacted, DNCC Chief Executive Officer BM Enamul Haque said: “We have directed the officials concerned to clean up the area just after

3 Bangladeshi peacekeepers injured in CAR n Tribune Report

Brazil coach Dunga Friday warned Beijing’s choking smog was likely to affect the highly anticipated friendly with Argentina by forcing him to make mass substitutions.

tion Officer-in-Charge Sahadat Hossain Khan did not confirm that the arrest had been made.

A Dhaka court, on the other hand, placed prime suspect Kadir on a fresh four-day remand. Metropolitan Magistrate Jahangir Hossain issued the order after Uttara police Sub-Inspector Sheikh Rasel Kabir – also the investigation officer of the case – sought a fresh ten-day remand after a previous round of remand ended on Thursday.

Asked about the progress of the case, Md Iqbal Hossain, deputy commissioner of police in Uttara Division, said the police were trying to verify Kadir’s full background history as he was providing excessive information and giving contradictory statements as well.

Iqbal added that efforts were also on to identify the income sources of Kadir, who has reportedly been living in Bangladesh without any passport for the last 10 years.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 5

Malala, Kailash win Nobel Peace Prize n Reuters Pakistani teenager Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head by Taliban Islamists in 2012 for advocating girls’ right to education, and Indian children’s right activist Kailash Satyarthi won the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize yesterday.

Yousafzai, aged 17, becomes the youngest Nobel Prize winner by far and 60-year-old Satyarthi the first Indian-born winner of the peace laureate.

They were picked for their struggle against the oppression of children and young people, and for the right of all children to education, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.

The sharing of the award between an Indian and a Pakistani came after a week of hostilities along the border of the disputed, mainly Muslim region of  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Asaduzzaman: No space for militant acts in the country n Our Correspondent, Panchagarh State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan yesterday said the government would not allow militant activities in the country that can lead to attacks in the neighbouring country India.

He made the statement to reporters at the zero point of Banglabandha Land Port under Tentulia upazila of Panchagarh after visiting Fulbari BSF (Border Security Force) Camp in India.

The State Minister said: “We are always against terrorism. We will not allow anyone to use our land for conducting militant or terrorist activities, neither against our country or our

neighbouring country India.”

When asked about the blast in West Bengal on October 2, he said India had not yet officially informed Bangladesh about nationality of the two persons killed in the blasts that occurred in Bardhaman district of West Bengal.

The State Minister said discussions were held on the common border issues with the high ranking Border Guard Bangladesh and BSF officials during his visit to the camp.

He said the BSF officials had assured him of not using deadly weapons on borders.

“Bangladesh and India have excellent friendly relations, BGB and BSF have been resolving border issues

through flag meetings whenever needed,” he said.

Asad told the reporters that talks were continuing at the government levels with India and Nepal for starting immigration facilities through the Banglabandha Land Port as soon as possible.

Shiliguri BSF Sector Deputy Inspector General Shree Akhil Dixit welcomed the Bangladeshi State Minister after he arrived to visit Fulbari BSF Camp through Banglabandha Land Port.

Panchagarh 2 constituency MP Nurul Islam Shujan and former Awami League lawmaker from Panchagarh 1 constituency Mozaharul Haque Pradhan accompanied him. l

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Lakshmipur ASI’s death a ‘murder, not accident’ n Our Correspondent, Lakshmipur Lakshmipur SP Shah Mijan Shafiur Rahman has claimed that Lakshmipur Police Lines ASI Abdul Jalil’s death was a murder and not an accident.

Police initially claimed Jalil was hit by a bullet from his own gun when the trigger got accidentally pressed at around 12:30am yesterday.

Addressing a press briefing yesterday afternoon, Shafiur said the autopsy on Jalil’s body revealed that there were shotgun pellets inside the body, even though Jalil had been carrying an SMG. No bullet was discharged from the SMG, he said. The SP said Jalil, along with several policemen, went to Raipur upazila on Thursday after locals staged demonstrations and blocked a road demanding supply of electricity. l

Minor’s body found in water drum, stepmother held n Tribune Report Police yesterday recovered the body of a minor girl from a water drum kept in the toilet of a flat at Dhalpur in the capital’s Jatrabari area.

She was identified as Maimuna, 6, daughter of Wasa storekeeper Abdur Razzak.

Police also arrested Maimuna’s stepmother Sumaiya Islam Sharmin for allegedly killing the girl.

Jatrabari police station Officer-inCharge Abani Shankar Kar said the body was recovered around 11am.

“The left wrist of the victim was found broken and her body also bore injury marks. We also detained her

7 more held in Tangail arson RAB probing explosion links to Bangladesh n

UNB

Seven more people have been arrested in connection with the arson attack that left a woman and her three daughters dead at Sohagpara village in Mirzapur upazila on Tuesday.

However, police could not arrest the mastermind, Jahangir Hossain, even after three days into the gruesome incident.

The arrestees were identified as Jahangir’s friend Sushanta Kumar Roy, uncle Nannu Miah, cousin Badsha Miah, manager of local Maasranga Fill-

ing Station Mir Azadul Islam, its cashier Abul Bashar, supervisor Wasim Miah and lineman Abdul Mannan.

They were arrested in a drive in the intervening night of Thursday and yesteday, said sub-inspector Shyamal Kumar Dutta of Mirzapur Police Station, also the investigation officer of the case.

He said they sought a seven-day remand for Sushanta before a court which sent six others to jail on Friday.

With this, a total of 10 people have so far been arrested in connection with the arson attack. l

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Indian officials have begun probing Jamaat connections to those involved in the October 2 explosions. The Indian media reported that the blasts left at least one Bangladeshi national dead.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, members of the Indian CID yesterday told the Hindustan Times that the explosives being manufactured in India were meant for use in Bangladesh.

“All these explosives were being sent to Bangladesh,” said a CID official, requesting anonymity.

“After taking over the reins of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina launched a crackdown on terror outfits and Jama’atul

Mujahedin Bangladesh operatives were forced to shift some of their operations out of the country. The easiest alternative was Bengal. We have come to know they started producing explosives since November last year,” the Hindustan Times quoted the CID official as saying.

A CID report of the findings of the Bardhaman bomb blasts will be handed over to India’s National Intelligence Agency, according to the newspaper.

The report says West Bengal madrasas were being used for terrorism-related activities.

“State police generally do not interfere in the affairs of any madrasa to avoid controversy. Jihadis took advan-

tage of this to use madrasas as nurseries of indoctrination,” the official said.

The officer said Jama’atul Mujahedin Bangladesh operatives were preaching that the Bangladesh government was unconcerned with the welfare of its people and were resisting the practice of “true Islamic culture.”

“They like to identify themselves as Taliban and idolise Osama Bin Laden.

They highlight the attack on the World Trade Centre as a pinnacle of jihadi achievement,” he added.

Indian investigators said the group had spread to other states including Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir and Assam. l

Fears grow in United States over Ebola’s spread outside West Africa  PAGE 1 COLUMN 3

checkpoints as possible.”

The Ebola virus causes hemorrhagic fever and is spread through direct contact with body fluids from an infected person, who would suffer severe bouts of vomiting and diarrhea.

“We are always with feces and near garbage,” Sharekul Islam, 20, whose job cleaning airplane cabins at New York’s John F Kennedy airport regularly exposes him to the type of waste and fluids that can transmit Ebola.

Twenty-three Republican and three Democratic members of the US House of Representatives signed a letter to President Barack Obama asking the State Department to impose a travel ban and restrict visas issued to citizens of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The October 8-dated letter also asked US health and border control officials to consider quarantine of 21 days for anyone who arrives from the affected nations after being exposed to Ebola, the period in which they would show signs of illness.

It said the World Health Organisation “is an organisation of unelected bureaucrats and political appointees of foreign countries. It has no duty to protect the lives and well-being of Americans, as you do.”

WHO says nearly 4,000 people have died in the worst Ebola outbreak on record, with a death toll averaging about 50 percent of cases since March. An un-

WEATHER

PARTLY CLOUDY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11 DHAKA TODAY TOMORROW SUN SETS 5:36PM SUN RISES 5:54AM FORECAST FOR TODAY

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

33 32 32 33 31 30 33 29

25 26 25 24 25 25 24 26

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

35.6ºC Sylhet

24.0ºC Rangamati

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

4:40am 5:53am 11:46am 3:07pm 5:37pm 6:52pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

related outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has killed dozens.

Shares in Lakeland Industries, a maker of suits to wear while handling hazardous materials, rose more than 50 percent on Thursday on expectations of the disease spreading.

A Liberian man who flew on commercial flights from his home country on Sept. 19 and died in Dallas, Texas on Wednesday morning had had contact in Liberia with a woman who later died of the disease.

In other examples of the concern over Ebola, a sheriff ’s deputy was admitted to hospital Wednesday after saying he may have been exposed to the Liberian man. The deputy tested negative for Ebola, the state health department said.

And on Wednesday, jail officials in Kenosha County, Wisconsin moved a female Immigration Customs Enforcement detainee into medical isolation after learning she was from Liberia, and despite her showing no symptoms of the virus, the Kenosha County Sheriff ’s Department said in a statement.

Her temperature was taken twice and she was monitored by nurses, the department said.

Separately in Washington, a Republican in the US Senate is still holding up most of $750 million from the Defense Department’s request to shift $1 billion in war funds to fight Ebola. Senator James Inhofe’s approval as the top Re-

publican on the Senate Armed Forces Committee is needed, although other senior Republicans said they backed the funds.

US health officials, while answering questions about mistakes in the treatment of Liberian man Thomas Eric Duncan in Dallas and overall preparedness for Ebola patients, have emphasized the need to tackle the virus at its source in West Africa.

“This is a fluid and heterogeneous epidemic. It is changing quickly and it’s going to be a long fight,” Dr Thomas Frieden, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday at a high-level meeting of major donors at the World Bank.

Frieden compared Ebola to AIDS and said, “Speed is the most important variable here. This is controllable and this was preventable.”

Spain seeks answers as seven more enter Ebola isolation

Meanwhile, seven people turned themselves in late on Thursday to an Ebola isolation unit in Madrid where Teresa Romero, the nurse who became the first person to contract Ebola outside Africa, lay gravely ill.

Alarm about Ebola’s spread around Europe grew yesterday as Macedonia said it was checking for the virus in a British man who died within hours of being admitted to hospital in the capital Skopje on Thursday. A Prague hospi-

tal was testing a 56-year-old Czech man with symptoms of the virus.

In Spain, recriminations mounted over Romero, who was infected in hospital as she treated two Spanish missionaries who had caught the haemorrhagic fever in West Africa -- where Ebola has already killed around 4,000 people -- and remained undiagnosed for days despite reporting her symptoms.

The seven new admissions included two hairdressers who had given Romero a beauty treatment before she was diagnosed with Ebola, and hospital staff who had treated the 44-year-old nurse. The Carlos III hospital said they had all turned themselves in voluntarily to be monitored for signs of the disease.

A hospital spokeswoman said there were now 14 people in the isolation unit on its sealed-off sixth floor, including Romero, her husband, and health workers who had cared for Romero since she was admitted on Monday.

None had so far tested positive for the disease except Romero, whose condition was described by the hospital as serious but stable.

Pointing the finger

The Ebola virus causes fever, vomiting and diarrhoea and sometimes internal bleeding, and is spread through direct contact with body fluids. About half of those infected in West Africa have died.

Spanish labour unions accused the

government of seeking to deflect the blame onto Romero for the failings of its health system, after the European Union asked Spain to explain how the virus could have been spread on a high-security ward.

The top regional health official in Madrid, Javier Rodriguez, has said Romero took too long to admit she had made a mistake by touching her face with the glove of her protective suit while taking it off.

“She has taken days to recognise that she may have made a mistake when taking off the suit. If she had said it earlier, it would have saved a lot of work,” he said in a radio interview.

El Mundo newspaper on Friday published a cartoon showing Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and other officials of the ruling People’s Party pointing at the nurse under the caption: “Protocol for passing on blame.”

“They will find any way to blame her,” Romero’s brother, Jose Ramon, told the daily El Pais. “Basically, my sister did her job ... and she has become infected with Ebola.”

One union representative said on Friday that health workers from doctors to ambulance drivers were worried about their lack of training in how to deal with Ebola patients.

“Finding staff to work voluntarily (in the isolation unit) is very difficult,” said Jose Manuel Freire, spokesman for a health workers’ union. l

stepmother, who we suspect killed the girl out of vengeance,” he said.

According to family members, Maimuna’s grandmother Fulmoti, 60, noticed the body inside the drum around 9am when she went to toilet.

Hearing her cry, locals rushed in and called the police, said witnesses.

Maimuna lived with her father, stepmother and grandmother on the third floor of the building, locals said.

Quoting Fulmoti, locals added that the six-year-old would usually sleep with her grandmother but Sharmin asked her to sleep in her room on Thursday night as Razzak left for his village home on that day. l

3 peacekeepers injured in CAR  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

The statement said the ambush took place some 1.5 kilometer away from United Nations Multinational Integrated Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA) transit camp at 6:05pm.

The convoy was returning from MINUSCA Force Headquarters.

Apart from that, the ambush also killed a Pakistani peacekeeper and injured five others. l

Uttara cattle market  PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

Eid ends. I will look into it and take necessary step to clean the school compound immediately.”

In reply to a question, he claimed that city corporation workers clean the playground every year after Eid. The school authorities were paid for leasing the space, he said.

However, the school authorities denied receiving any payment from the city corporation.

Tofayel Ahmed, a local resident, claimed that the cattle market does not serve the local people much as the city corporation sets up other markets in Sectors 10 and 11.

Sources said a syndicate of influential Awami League leaders forced the city corporation authorities to lease the school compound for the cattle market.

The DNCC told the school authorities and the Dhaka Tribune last year that the cattle market would be set up elsewhere this year, considering the annoyance to students, pedestrians and locals. However, they failed to do so.

Not only Azampur school, the DNCC also leased another controversial cattle market in city’s Agargaon area, causing immense sufferings to patients of 10 hospitals.

Earlier, Health Minister Mohammad Nasim came down heavily on the high officials of the DNCC for giving lease of cattle markets around three hospitals at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital.

“The DNCC administrator made a criminal offence by approving a cattle market near the hospitals,” he said and urged the LGRD Ministry to take action against the DNCC administrator. l

Malala, Kailash win Nobel Peace Prize

Prime suspect on fresh remand

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Kashmir - the worst fighting between the nuclear-armed rivals in more than a decade.

“The Nobel Committee regards it as an important point for a Hindu and a Muslim, an Indian and a Pakistani, to join in a common struggle for education and against extremism,” said Thorbjoern Jagland, the head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

Satyarthi said he hoped that, beyond his fight against child slavery, he and Malala could work for peace in their region.

“I will invite her to join hands to establish peace for our subcontinent which is a must for children, which is a must for every Indian, for every Pakistani, for every citizen of the world,” he told reporters at the New Delhi office of his organisation, Bachpan Bachao Andolan, or Save the Childhood Movement.

Norway’s NRK TV said Yousafzai had been told she had won but decided not to make any immediate public comment – because she was at school.

Yousafzai was attacked in 2012 on a school bus in the Swat Valley of northwest Pakistan by masked gunmen as a punishment for a blog that she started writing for the BBC’s Urdu service as an 11-year-old to campaign against the Taliban’s efforts to deny women an education.

Unable to return to Pakistan after her recovery, Yousafzai moved to England, setting up the Malala Fund and supporting local education advocacy

groups with a focus on Pakistan, Nigeria, Jordan, Syria and Kenya.

“This is a breath of fresh air, a gift for Pakistan, at a time when we are embroiled in terrorism and violence and wars ... “ Ahmed Shah, Malala’s former teacher, told Reuters by telephone from the Swat Valley.

“Those who oppose her, extremist elements or whoever else, they have been rendered irrelevant. They are a weak minority.”

Yousafzai last year addressed the UN Youth Assembly at an event Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called “Malala Day”. This year she travelled to Nigeria to demand the release of 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by the Islamist group Boko Haram.

“To the girls of Nigeria and across Africa, and all over the world, I want to say: do not let anyone tell you that you are weaker than or less than anything,” she said in a speech.

“You are not less than a boy,” Yousafzai said. “You are not less than a child from a richer or more powerful country. You are the future of your country. You are going to build it strong.

It is you who can lead the charge.”

Fighting Child Slavery Satyarthi, who gave up a career as an electrical engineer in 1980 to campaign against child labour, has headed various forms of peaceful protests and demonstrations, focusing on the exploitation of children for financial gain.

“It is a disgrace for every human being if any child is working as a child slave in any part of the world,” Satyar-

thi said. “I feel very proud to be an Indian that in India I was able to keep this fight on for the last 30 years or so. This is a great recognition and honour for all my fellow Indians.”

In a recent editorial, Satyarthi said that data from non-government organisations indicated that child labourers could number 60 million in India, or 6 percent of the total population.

“Children are employed not just because of parental poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, failure of development and education programmes, but quite essentially due to the fact that employers benefit immensely from child labour as children come across as the cheapest option, sometimes working even for free,” he wrote.

Children are employed illegally and companies use the financial gain to bribe officials, creating a vicious cycle, he argued.

Last month, based on a complaint filed by his organisation in a Delhi court, the Indian government was forced to put in place regulations to protect domestic workers who are often physically and sexually abused and exploited.

The prize, worth about $1.1 million, will be presented in Oslo on December 10, the anniversary of the death of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel, who founded the award in his 1895 will.

The previous youngest winner was Australian-born British scientist Lawrence Bragg, who was 25 when he shared the Physics Prize with his father in 1915. l

Police also scanned the mobile phone of Kadir and found text messages sent to teenage boys in obnoxious language, the DC said adding that they suspected that Kadir enticed teenagers into water, especially swimming pools.

“We are waiting for the autopsy report as it may give us a clear picture of Zubair’s death and help us make a major breakthrough in the case,” Iqbal added.

Another senior police official who was involved in the investigation told the Dhaka Tribune that Kadir had entered Bangladesh illegally and often changed his living place. “We can understand that Kadir is hiding something, but are yet to solve the mystery,” the official added.

Shirajul Islam Khan, who played football with both the victim and the accused, claimed that although Zubair always played football in Kadir’s team, the two had played on opposing sides

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on the day of the incident.

Kadir’s attitude towards his team mates that day was not good and he frequently commented that everybody was being rude to him, Shiraj claimed.

Jamil Ahmed, elder brother of the victim, said his family was not accusing anyone of Zubair’s death but only wanted the truth to come out through a proper investigation, as it was not believable that his brother had drowned.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people including the friends of Zubair formed a human chain at Uttara’s La Bamba point yesterday demanding justice for the teenager’s death.

Dressed in black, the demonstrators gathered there following a call from a Facebook community page titled “Justice for Zubair Ahmed.”

They also observed a minute of silence for Zubair before offering prayers for his departed soul. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Spotlight

Saturday, October 11, 2014

3

BACK TO THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF CITY LIFE

The draw of the homestead is never greater than at festival time.

The herculean ordeals that ordinary folk endure to make the journey home and back; the sheer determination, tenacity and reckless abandon they exhibit says more about our times than any number of headlines could. Beyond the clichÊs about risking life and limb to clamber atop buses, trains, ferries and anything else with a sturdy enough roof to offer a lift home, there is a deeper process at play. Millions pour out of the capital armed with tote bags and cellular telephones, laden with gifts and hard-earned cash, only to pour right back into it at week’s end. They stay connected using a colonial-era railway service and space-age telecommunications technology. They observe millennia old rituals and trod the hard path towards the new and unknown.

The journey home bridges the rural and the urban, tradition and modernity, our origins and our goals ahead. The journey, to be sure, is perilous. There are nuisances and, sometimes, accidents.

There are awkward homages to tradition and ghastly symptoms of modernisation. Nevertheless, Bangladeshis are determined to enjoy everything on offer and are determined to share this enjoyment with their loved ones wherever they are. More than at any time during the year, the frenetic energy of the holiday season shows a country that is clearly on the move.

PHOTOS: RAJIB DHAR/AZAHAR UDDIN/DHAKA TRIBUNE

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

Saturday, October 11, 2014

NGOs pester flood victims for instalments Road accidents claim Rules of Microcredit Regulatory Authority ignored Similar complaints came from a for Social Advancement (ASA), n Our Correspondent, Kurigram ciation RDRS, Social Development Founda- number of families who earlier had While struggling to repair damages caused by the recent floods, destitute people in Kurigram are again tangled in the vicious cycle of loans as the NGO representatives are regularly collecting installments from them violating an order by the Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA).

The microcredit regulator issued a circular on September 8 directing heads of all NGOs to refrain from collecting instalments from credit holders in 17 flood-affected districts for the next two months. It also ordered them to facilitate the flood victims by allowing them to withdraw 100% of their savings.

Although Kurigram was one of the 17 districts listed by the MRA, the NGO officials have been found collecting instalments regularly in different villages under Ghogadaha, Paanchgachhi and Jatrapur unions in the district.

Locals claimed that a number of NGOs including Grameen Bank, Asso-

tion (SDF), Society for Social Service (SSS) and Uddipon, regularly collected instalments from the people who had been stuck in flood for the last three weeks.

The victims said now they had to take up more loans on interest to repay the instalments.

According to the members’ register books of the NGO offices in the unions, the flood victims had to pay around Tk300-Tk1,500 every week.

Sokhina, a credit holder of the RDRS in Boltipara village of Jatrapur union said: “When I was stuck in flood they collected instalments from me. On one hand I do not have money to rebuild my home, how do I pay instalments in this situation?”

Hossain Ali, another credit holder and a day labourer by profession, said: “Now that the flood waters have receded no one is providing work. If I am not able to earn, how do I repay instalments? The NGO people do not try to understand our situation.”

taken loans from Grameen Bank, the ASA, the SSS or the RDRS and have lost their homesteads in recent flood.

During a visit, the Dhaka Tribune found similar scenarios in floodaffected villages under Ghogadaha union.

The residents claimed that almost everyday the NGO representatives came between 8am and 11am to collect instalments.

Biljon, Batina and Hejabjaan Bibi of Sonalikuthi village alleged that the NGO representatives intimidate them if they talked about their inability to pay instalments.

Mukul, Saleha, and Khadija of Kadamtali village under Paanchgachhi union said their homes were badly damaged during the flood. They had built the houses by taking up loans.

“My husband is sick so he cannot find any work. My savings are lost in flood water. I do not have money for food but still I have to repay instalments,” said Khadiha who took loan from Uddipon

lives of six

NGO in Kadamtoli village.

Grameen Bank’s Paanchgachhi Branch Manager Samiul Haque said: “As we are not an NGO and work under the Bangladesh Bank, the MRA directive is not applicable to us. So we did not stop collecting instalments.”

A similar claim was made by SDF District Manager Abul Hossain. “Government did not direct us to stop collecting loans. Our organisation collects small instalments through communities,” he said.

When asked about the MRA circular, RDRS Jatrapur Branch Manager Rashiduzzaman said he had heard of it.

“Maybe the instalments are being collected without my knowledge. I will look into the matter,” he said.

Regarding the MRA directive, Deputy Director of Kurigram Social Service Directorate Momtajul Islam said he did not receive any such letter.

Kurigram Deputy Commissioner ABM Azad told the Dhaka Tribune that no effective step could be taken until a formal directive came from the government or the NGO Affairs Bureau. l

n Tribune Report At least six people were killed in separate road accidents that took place in Khulna, Lakshmipur and Thakurgaon.

In Khulna, four persons have been killed in a collision between a BRTC bus and a human hauler on the KhulnaJessore highway yesterday afternoon.

Police said the Jessore-bound BRTC bus from Tungipara of Gopalganj had collided head-on with the batteryrun three-wheeler coming from the opposite direction in front of the BGB Camp at Goalkhali around 3pm, leaving easy-bike driver Elias Hossain Babu, 30, its passengers Shahidul Islam, 42, Siddiqur Rahman, 40, and Abdul Aziz Sheikh, 41 dead on the spot.

Police recovered the bodies and sent those to Khulna Medical College Hospital for autopsy.

They also seized the bus but its driver and his helper managed to flee the scene. The accident also disrupted traffic on the highway for half an hour.

Youth knifed to death in Chittagong

BNP calls hartal in Mirsarai tomorrow n Tribune Report The Mirsarai unit of BNP yesterday called a dawn to dusk hartal in the upazila for tomorrow, demanding immediate arrest of the killers of former convener Adil Mahmud Chowdhury of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal of the upazila in Chittagong.

BNP Mirsarai unit Convener Nurul Amin said the party will also organise protest rallies and processions in all wards of the upazila today to press home their demand.

Meanwhile, Abu Taher Chowdhury, father of Adil, 25, lodged a case with Mirsarai police station accusing 16 named and 12 unidentified persons, Officer-inCharge of the station Imtiaz Bhuiyan said.

The plaintiff complained that land ownership dispute between the victim and some neighbours was the reason behind the murder. However, police did not disclose any name of Adil’s rivals for the sake of the investigation.

On Thursday around 9pm, some miscreants stabbed Adil to death in the upazila’s Bhorer Bazar under Shaherkhil union. Later, doctors of a local clinic pronounced him dead.

The OC said no one was yet arrested in this connection till the filing of this report. Police were conducting drives to arrest the killers, he added. l

n Our Correspondent, Chittagong

Vehicular movement at Bornali intersection are hampered as construction materials occupy a major part of the road. The photo was taken yesterday

Fulchhari village on the verge of extinction, 200 houses devoured n Our Correspondent, Gaibandha The Brahmaputra River has eroded around 200 dwelling houses along with an eidgah (open-air prayer gathering place) at Fulchari village in Gaibandha in last two days.

Local sources said more than 500 people of the area as well as Fulchari Degree College, Fulchari Senior Madrasa and two temples are at risk of being devoured by the river.

Homeless families are living subhumane life after losing everything they owned. Local people are fearing that they might be marooned further as Paubor flood control dam might collapse at any time. They said the river consumed

200 metres area within a matter of seconds on Thursday midnight.

Before they could comprehend the incoming danger, families of Maya Rani Modok, Nondoram Das, Nogen Chandra Das, Noni Mohon, Shombhu Karmakar. Nipen Das, Sanatan Das and ten other families lost their land, house and everything else they owned.

Nipen Das said: “Everything I owned is now in the bed of the river. Where are we going to stay?”

Noni Mohon said unless immediate action was not taken to stop the erosion, Kamarpara and Goharia union will be wiped off the map forever.

Gozaria union chairman Monotosh Rai Mintu said suddenly on Tuesday

evening Brahmaputra eroded the eidgah within a few minutes.

The houses adjacent to the eidgah are in grave danger including Fulchari-Barmotair connecting road which will disrupt communication infrastructure of the area. Local schoolteacher Alam Master said if the erosion continues, soon there will be no more houses left – all will be devoured by the river.

He demanded immediate measures to check the river erosion.

Gaibandha Water Development Board Executive Engineer Abdul Auwal Miah said primary steps have been taken to stop the overall erosion and urgent measures have been taken to save Syria point dam from being destroyed. l

AZAHAR UDDIN

A youth was stabbed to death by miscreants at Khulshi in Chittagong city early yesterday over a trivial matter.

The deceased was identified as Jasim Uddin, 25, son of Farid Ahmed.

Police arrested Sajid Hossain, 18, son of Abu Bakar, a resident of Wireless Residential area of Khulshi, for his involvement with the murder.

Mainul Islam Bhuiyan, officer-incharge of Khulshi police station, said scuffle between Jasim and Sajid took place at a marriage ceremony in Bihari colony area following an altercation over a trifling matter.

At one stage of the altercation, a gang of 4-5 miscreants, led by Sajid, stabbed Jasim with knives around 3:30am, leaving him critically injured, he added.

Jasim was rushed to Chittagong Medical College Hospital where the on-duty doctors declared him dead.

The body has been sent to hospital morgue for a post-mortem examination.

A case was filed in this connection.

But no one was arrested. l

Widespread bribery, irregularity hit Lakshmipur gas office n Our Correspondent, Lakshmipur Local prospective gas consumers have alleged widespread bribery and irregularities at Bakhrabad Gas System Ltd’s Lakshmipur office.

They said nobody could get any gas line without bribery here.

“If you try through bribery, it will be easier to get a gas line. Otherwise, it will be tougher for you,” a customer, seeking anonymity, told the Dhaka Tribune.

“This is not the only bad thing that might happen to you. Even your files might be sent into disappearance to pave the way for those who have bribed

Two brothers hacked to death in Mymensingh

to get a gas line,” he said.

Another customer, seeking anonymity, said: “Those who want to get new gas lines have to pay between Tk 20,000 and 25000. Otherwise, they cannot get a gas line.”

Bakhrabad gas lines are laid in the region through contracting firms like Messrs Al Amin Traders and Messrs Alauddin Enterprise.

Messrs Al Amin Traders’ Md Mahfuzur blamed Messrs Alauddin Enterprise’s manipulation and monopoly in getting work orders from the gas office behind this bribery at the office.

Alauddin Enterprise lays gas lines even before getting its nod from the gas

office and later makes them approved through the office in exchange for a hefty amount of bribery from people, he said and called it an irregularity.

Technician Abul Kalam Azad of the gas office, who works closely with Alauddin Enterprise, denied the allegation of receiving any bribe money and said: “If anybody comes to me with a request to do their work, I keep their request.

“Certainly, it should not be a crime in any way.”

Lakshmipur Bakhrabad Gas System Ltd’s Manager Altaf Hossain: “I have received some complaints about bribery at the office and am looking through them. l

NEWS IN BRIEF Four jailed for using illegal method of fishing

A mobile court has sentenced one year jail to four fishermen in Kushtia for catching Hilsa fish using illegal current-net in the Padma river. Acting on a tip-off, a mobile court team led by upazila nirbahi officer Azad Jahan conducted a drive at Talbaria ghat at 8am and detained the four fishermen.

A 10-meter current-net and Jatka (juvenile Hilsa) fishes were also seized from their possessions. – Our Correspondent, Kushtia

n Our Correspondent, Mymensingh Neighbbours hacked two brothers to death yesterday morning in Nandail upazila of Mymensingh because of an old rivalry.

The deceased were Tofazzal Hossain, 60 and Swapan Mia, 30. They worked as rickshaw pullers in Dhaka.

The two brothers went to their village for Eid-ul-Azha.

Sources said yesterday morning, when they came out of their home for the Fazr prayer, their neighbour Abul Khayer and his sons attacked Tofazzal and Swapan with machete, and left them dead on the spot.

Sattar, the deceased’s brother, said they were locked in a conflict over irrigation of their lands.

Officer-in-Charge of Nandail model police station Saiful Islam Farazi said they were trying to capture the murderers. l

In Lakshmipur, a college student was killed and four others were injured in a head-on collision between an auto-rickshaw and a pickup van at Bhabaniganj under sadar upazila on Thursday night.

The deceased was identified as Abu Jahed Anik, a first year student of Lakshmipur Government College.

Sub-Inspector of Lakshmipur sadar police station Zillur Rahman said a CNG-run auto-rickshaw had collided head-on with a pickup van in front of Chowdhury Bari around 8:30pm, leaving Anik dead on the spot and four others injured. The injured were admitted to Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital.

In Thakurgaon, one person was killed and 20 others killed in separate road accidents yesterday.

Local sources said Arifa Akter, 9, a resident of Senihari village, was crushed under the wheels of a pick up van at Haripur.

Meanwhile, 20 people were injured in separate road accident in the area. l

Burglary at journalist house in Savar A theft occurred at a journalist’s home in Savar yesterday. Azizur Rahman Kiron, a staff reporter of Channel 24, went to his home village along with the whole family during the Eid holidays. Returning home on Thursday, Azizur found his home ransacked, the cupboard used as a safe broken and 12 grams of gold and other Mother of Tafazzal and Swapan, who were killed by neighbour, wails in front of their bodies

DHAKA TRIBUNE

valuables worth Tk 7 lakh stolen.

– Our Correspondent, Savar

50 injured in Habiganj clash A clash between the CNG run auto-rickshaw drivers and auto-rickshaw owners in Imambari Bazar village under Nabiganj upazila in Habiganj left more than 50 people injured yesterday. Police quoting the locals said auto-rickshaw owner Farhad Mia and driver Ahammad Mia had an altercation around midday over the daily amount the drivers had to pay to the owners. Following the altercation, supporters of Farhad and Ahammad got locked in a two-hour long clash. When informed, police went to the spot and fired 171 rounds of rubber bullets and tear shells to disperse the clashing villagers. According to sources at least 20 people sustained rubber bullet injuries. The injured were admitted to Habiganj Sadar Hospital. Assistant Superintendent of Police Nazmul Islam said police were deployed to the area to keep the situation under control. – Our Correspondent

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Heritage

Saturday, October 11, 2014

5

Just a word The trading of words between Sankrit and European languages

T

n Tim Steel rade between the ancient lands that are now those of Bangladesh, and the lands of the Mediterranean Sea and beyond, carried other cargoes than the usual. The silks, muslins, spices, fragrances, gemstones and pearls, that were amongst the cargoes that were borne from the great centre of trade, which certainly developed early in the history of international trade in the Ganges delta, were also accompanied by communicators in many languages.

The international interchange of philosophies before the Common Era is suspected, but uncertain. Some believe that Emperor Ashoka, who, in the third century BCE was overlord of much, if not all the lands of Bangladesh, sent emissaries to the west to promote Buddhism that he so enthusiastically embraced. All of these involved the use of communication by signs and words.

There is considerable debate, worldwide, about the origin of written language. There is, however, a strong belief that, since in most languages, usage for both teaching and entertainment was generally oral, written language probably developed to record commercial transactions, although an unquestionable side benefit was likely to be the sharing of beliefs.

In some ways, such linguistic trade appears to have been the most enduring of the cargoes.

The English language is, of course, rich in words of Indian origin, with such words as “bungalow” to describe a single storey residence, a distinctive import from the days of the Raj. There are, however, words in more common usage that students of linguistics believe arrived in the English language through both Latin and Greek, languages that are amongst the root sources of English. The origin of many, however, appear to have been in the Indian subcontinent, in the ancient Sanskrit language.

Indeed, the very word, Sanskrit, or “Samskrta,” means, “put together,” the “sam” part of which means “same.”

The origin of that common English word, at least, enjoys a linguistic root, it seems, that goes back three millen-

View of the Pillar at Vaishali Romans, as navigationem. It may also be that the traders of the Ganges delta used the word, barbar, to describe their

The English language is, of course, rich in words of Indian origin, with such words as ‘bungalow’ to describe a single storey residence, a distinctive import from the days of the Raj nia. And the language originated in the north east Indian subcontinent of which Bangladesh comprises, not only a significant part, but arguably, historically, the most significant part, as the great centre of commercial and cultural interchange of the ancient world of Asia.

Sanskrit itself, of course, is widely known as the formative language of the Hindu religion, although derivatives and developments certainly played their parts in the great philosophical writing and communication of both Jainism and Buddhism.

However, it is probably no coincidence, given its likely use in recording agreements and commercial transactions, that numbers in common usage today share that root from India. Even today, the “Dui” in the Bangla language, meaning two, matches with duo of Latin origin and French development of deux. Or thri, in Sanskrit, that becomes treis in Greek, and, of course, three in English. Five, seven and ten are other numbers with a Sanskrit root.

Traded commodities, too, like silver, which, in Sanskrit, Arjuna, describes the charm of silver, and in Latin, Argentinum. Even today, in English, silver is scientifically referred to as Argentium!

Maragadum, which means emerald in Sanskrit, became smaragdus in Latin, which is phonetically close to the emerald; and opal, which is upalah in Sanskrit, and opalus in Latin.

Little, perhaps, could better underline the ancient route of language evolution.

It is no surprise to find, since it seems reasonable to believe that trade was the route of these linguistic developments, that the word, navigation, has a source in Sanskrit, as navagatha, and reached into the Latin of the

trading partners. Now with the English word, barbarian, its usage may, more recently, have been to describe those who originally coined the word!

Even the words for people, their emotions, and their organisations, have found their way from the Ganges basin, of which the gateway to the world was the Ganges Delta, through traders from the ancient times of the Mediterranean, into the English vocabulary.

Matr, became, for Romans, mater, and in English, mother; pithr became pater, became father. Brathr, for the Sanskrit linguists became phrater for the Greeks, and brother to the English speaker.

There have, of course, been many sources for the great “mongrel” language that is English. But it is the influence of the ancient traders of the Ganges Delta on the vocabulary of the traders visiting there, Arabs, Greeks and Romans, in the great age of such trade, that probably accounts for many, if not most.

This trade, which brought so much Sanskrit into European vocabularies, was documented, from at least the first century of the Common Era, by such writers and geographers as Strabo, whose famous work, “Geographia,” was published around the year 1CE. 50 yars after Strabo, a work by the anonymous author, or compilers of the famous, “Periplus of the Erythraean Sea,” the merchants guide to trade in the Arabian and Indian seas, underlined the importance of that trade in the Ganges delta to merchants from the west.

In the context of the reach of science and philosophy, there are other interesting connections; for example, the Sanskrit word, “danta” for teeth, a part of the body that, doubtless, in ancient times, gave even more trouble to travel-

WIKIMEDIA

lers than today! Danta, of course, finds a contemporary echo in many languages, in dentist and dental treatment.

One linguist has identified the possibility that up to one quarter of words in the English dictionary could be described as, akin to Sanskrit, sometimes only phonetically, but often more clearly as derivatives. About 70 purely Sanskrit words, it is said, can be found in any concise English dictionary.

For nearly a thousand years, following the fall of the Roman Empire, the Indian sub continent became “unknown territory” to most Europeans, not least because they were preoccupied by centuries of internecine warfare. It seems likely, therefore, that the spread of Indo European culture predates that period, arriving, perhaps, millennia earlier.

Some of the linguistic connections, of course, derives from more recent contact, following da Gama’s opening of sea route communication, and the arrival of the East India Company and the Raj, but the Latin and Greek connections seem to indicate the most likely, earlier, route of much

of the vocabulary.

That the language which originated in the Ganges basin should have become absorbed into the languages of many of the traders, and trading partners who traded with, and through, the Ganges Delta is unsurprising. And certainly, words seem to underline, once again, evidence for that historic trade.

Latin, and more exquisitely refined than either, yet bearing to both of them a stronger affinity, both in the roots of verbs and in the forms of grammar, than could possibly have been produced by accident; so strong, indeed, that no philologer could examine them all three, without believing them to have sprung from some

It is probably no coincidence, that the great, late 18th century Philologist, Sir William Jones, speaking at the Asiatic Society in Calcutta, in 1786, said of the Sanskrit language, as a root language that had permeated languages across the world, “The Sanskrit language, whatever its antiquity, is of a wonderful structure; more perfect than the Greek, more copious than the

common source, which, perhaps, no longer exists.” He, at least, seems to have acknowledged the rich history of ancient, transcontinental contact and communication.

There may well be, it seems, much more to be revealed about the many ways in which civilisation itself evolved in the lands, in and around contemporary Bangladesh, and influenced the world as we know it today.

But one thing is certain; the influence of the people of the lands of Bangladesh predates that of nations such as France, Britain and the United States, even, probably, Greece and Italy, by millennia. l

One thing is certain, the influence of the people of the lands of Bangladesh predates that of nations such as France, Britain and the United States

Tim Steel is a communications, marketing and tourism consultant.

Devimahatmya manuscript on palm-leaf, in an early Bhujimol script, Bihar or Nepal, 11th century

WIKIMEDIA

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Two Koreas trade border fire as Kim fails to appear n AFP, Seoul The two Koreas traded heavy machine-gun fire across their border Friday, as “missing” North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un’s failed to attend a key political event, fuelling further speculation about his physical health and political future.

No casualties were reported in the exchange of fire which South Korea said was triggered by the North Korean military trying to shoot down balloons carrying anti-Pyongyang leaflets that were launched by activists in the South around 2:00pm (0500 GMT).

Some rounds fell on the South side which then responded with high-calibre machine gun fire “towards the North’s guard posts,” a defence ministry spokesman said.

There was a further exchange of fire 10 minutes later, he added.

Local residents of Hwangsan-ri township in the border area of Yeoncheon were evacuated to shelters as a precaution.

While naval confrontations along the Koreas’ disputed maritime border occur from time to time, any military engagement across the heavily-militarised land frontier is extremely rare.

In 2010, the North shelled the South Korean border island of Yeonpyeong, killing four people and briefly sparking fears of a full scale conflict.

The balloon launch from Hapsuri was

one of several planned to coincide with North Korea’s celebration of the 69th anniversary of its ruling Workers’ Party.

Seoul allowed the exercises to go ahead, despite prior warnings from Pyongyang of “catastrophic” consequences.

Some of the balloons carried messages denouncing North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, who has not been seen in public for more than a month.

Competing theories for his disappearance range widely from an extended rest period to a leadership coup, via a long list of possible illnesses and ailments including broken ankles, gout and diabetes.

Another Kim no-show

On Friday, Kim was not listed by the state KCNA news agency among the officials who visited the mausoleum housing the remains of his father and grandfather – an annual show of respect to mark the party anniversary.

Kim was last seen on September 3 and his absence Friday was considered significant as he had attended the ceremony each year since coming to power following the death of his father in 2011.

A heavy smoker, Kim has shown striking weight gain over the past year and recent TV footage had shown him walking with a pronounced limp.

Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at the Sejong Institute think-tank in Seoul, said his disappearance was al-

most certainly down to a health problem that would have little impact on his leadership – at least in the short term.

“But if he’s forced to stay away for an extended period, it could cause murmurings within the political elite and weaken Kim’s control,” Cheong said.

South Korea, which has largely distanced itself from the disappearance rumours, said it saw no indication that Kim was no longer in charge.

Unification Ministry spokesman Lim Byeong-Chul noted numerous reports in the North Korean state media of Kim exercising his authority.

“Judging from these, it seems that Kim Jong-Un is ruling normally,” Lim said, adding that the government had no specific intelligence on Kim’s health.

A symbol of ‘invincibility’In a front-page editorial on Friday, the Rodong Sinmun described Kim as the symbol of the ruling party’s “dignity and invincibility,” and said his authority should be protected by all means necessary.

What little light North Korea has deemed necessary to shed on the rumours surrounding Kim’s absence has only added to the confusion.

State media alluded at one point to his “discomfort,” but one member of a top-level North delegation that visited South Korea last week insisted Kim had no health problem at all. l

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Hong Kong democracy protesters digging in n AFP Thousands of pro-democracy supporters took to Hong Kong’s streets Friday night after protest leaders implored them to dig in for the long haul following the collapse of talks with the government.

But crowds numbers were below the tens of thousands seen during a series of mass rallies last week as protest leaders struggle to maintain their momentum.

Crunch negotiations between protesters and Beijing-backed city officials were slated for Friday, but fell apart Thursday after the government pulled out blaming protesters for threatening to expand their campaign.

The decision deepened the political crisis convulsing the Asian financial hub, with the failure of talks expected to reinvigorate mass rallies that have paralysed parts of the city for nearly two weeks.

Demonstrators are calling for Beijing to grant the former British colony full democracy and for the city’s Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying to resign.

Under plans unveiled by China in August, Hong Kongers will be able to vote for Leung’s successor in 2017, but only two to three vetted candidates will be allowed to stand – something detractors have dismissed as a

“fake democracy.”

The movement’s leaders are banking on both mustering significant numbers over the weekend and potentially expanding their sit-ins to keep pressure on the government.

At a mass rally Friday evening some 7,000 people gathered at the main protest site, a stretch of highway opposite the city government’s headquarters, an AFP reporter on the scene said.

But while crowds were smaller than previous mass rallies, the protest sites have begun to take on an air of permanence, with tents, portable showers and even the occasional bed.

“I will continue to stay here until the government talks to us,” Yuki Law, a 21-year-old nursing student told AFP. Student leaders Friday blamed the government for pulling out of talks, and insisted they were still open to finding a middle ground.

But they vowed no let up in their occupation of parts of Hong Kong despite growing public anger over the disruption they have caused.

“Come to occupy the road outside the public headquarters, come bring your tents to show our persistence on long term occupy action,” student leader Joshua Wong told supporters ahead of the planned mass gathering. l

Pakistani allowed to end US appeal n Reuters, New York A Pakistani neuroscientist whom Islamist militants have tried to free in proposed prisoner swaps with the United States was allowed on Thursday to withdraw what could be the last appeal of her conviction on US charges of attempted murder.

US District Judge Richard Berman in Manhattan said that Aafia Siddiqui, who is serving an 86-year sentence in a prison medical center in Texas, had “clearly and unequivocally” stated her intent to end the appeal.

The judge ordered the case closed and said that, even if the appeal had continued, he likely would have ruled against Siddiqui. She was represented at trial by an able team of five lawyers, Berman wrote. He declined to hold a hearing to question Siddiqui further.

In May, a new lawyer filed the appeal on Siddiqui’s behalf, but in July Siddiqui wrote a letter to Berman saying she had no faith in the US legal system and refused to participate in it.

Islamic militants in Syria, Algeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan have made Siddiqui’s release a condition for freeing certain foreign hostages.

Islamic State proposed swapping American journalist James Foley for her, but they executed him after their demands, which included an end to US air strikes in Iraq, were not met. l

JA PA N B R AC E S A S S U P E R T Y P H O O N VO N G FO N G P OW E R S N O RT H

n Reuters, Tokyo Japan was bracing on Friday for its strongest storm this year, a super typhoon powering north towards the Okinawa island chain that threatens to rake a wide swathe of the nation with strong winds and torrential rain.

Typhoon Vongfong, which at one point rivalled last year's devastating Haiyan in strength, was weakening slightly as it moved across the open ocean, but still packed winds gusting as high as 259 kph (160 mph).

"There is no question that it is an extremely large, extremely powerful typhoon," said an official at Japan's Meteorological Agency (JMA).

"It's the strongest storm we've had this year, definitely, although it has lost some strength from its peak."

The storm, which will be Japan's second typhoon in a week, was south of Okinawa, and moving north at 15 kph (9 mph) with sustained winds of 185 kph (114 mph) as of Friday afternoon, the agency said.

The typhoon is moving extremely slowly, which raises the danger of landslides and flooding.

It was likely to be closest to Okinawa, an island chain 1,600 km (1,000 miles) southwest of Tokyo, and the home of the largest contingent of US troops in Japan, late on Saturday or early on Sunday. l

Palestinian unity Cabinet sets up Gaza operations

n AP, Gaza City, Gaza Strip

The new Palestinian unity government toured Gaza and held a Cabinet meeting there for the first time Thursday, aiming to assure donor countries that absolute Hamas control has ended and that it can lead the rebuilding of the war-battered territory.

The visit by the ministers came three days before an international pledging conference for Gaza, to be held in Cairo.

In establishing a foothold in Gaza, the new Cabinet, which reports to Western-backed President Mahmoud Abbas, was trying to signal that the Palestinians’ paralyzing political split has come to an end. Hamas had seized Gaza from Abbas in 2007, leaving him with only parts of the West Bank.

Still, the situation remains volatile.

Hamas refuses to disband its security forces, even though it promises to support the new government of independent experts. Those security forces were in full view Thursday as the ministers inspected neighborhoods that were badly damaged in this summer’s 50-day war between Israel and Hamas.

In the Gaza City neighborhood of Shijaiyeh, Hamas troops linked arms at one point to try to shield the Cabinet ministers — largely unsuccessfully — from a crush of curious onlookers. The chaotic scene illustrated how fragile security arrangements are under a reconciliation deal reached by Abbas and Hamas earlier this year. Forces loyal to Abbas are to take up positions near Gaza’s border with Israel, including crossing points, to facilitate the import of construction materials, but Hamas troops would likely remain in control elsewhere in the territory. l

High waves batter a breakwater at a port at Kihou town in Mie prefecture, central Japan on October 6, 2014.

Strong typhoon Phanfone slammed into Japan, packing gusts and huge waves that have already swept three US military officials out to sea, as it made a beeline for Tokyo

Typhoon Vongfong

AFP

This October 8, 2014 US Navla Research Laboratory satllite image shows Super Typhoon Vongfong in the western Pacific Ocean AFP

JAPAN

SOUTH KOREA

Kyushu

CHINA

Honshu

TOKYO

Shikoku

Okinawa Forecast Saturday Friday

Thursday morning Winds: up to 240 kph

PHILIPPINES

Kurds hold off IS in Syria town Source : HKO/JMA

n AFP, Mursitpinar, Turkey

Kurdish militia fought to hold off Islamic State group jihadists in the battleground Syrian border town of Kobane on Friday as pressure grew for action by neighbouring Turkey.

US-led warplanes have intensified air strikes against IS fighters who have been closing on the town for three weeks but the Pentagon has warned that, without a force on the ground to work with, there are limits to what can be done.

The coordinator of the US-led campaign, retired US general John Allen, was

to hold a second day of talks in Ankara after the Nato ally insisted it could not be expected to take ground action alone against the jihadists on its doorstep.

Fierce clashes raged early Friday close to the command headquarters of the main Kurdish fighting force, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

IS fighters already captured the nearby offices of the Kurds’ asayesh internal security force on Thursday, bringing the front line to just 1.3km (little more than three-quarters of a mile) from the Turkish border.

US-led warplanes also carried out

fresh strikes during the night on IS targets southwest of Kobane, said the Britain-based Observatory, which has a wide network of sources inside Syria.

The number of daily air strikes around the town has jumped from a handful previously to 28 on Wednesday and at least 14 on Thursday, according to US Central Command, which runs the air war against the jihadists.

“We get them when we see them,” said one military officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“Opportunities (for air strikes) are presenting themselves in Kobane right now,” the officer told AFP. l

IS issues set of 11 rules for journos n Tribune Desk

The Islamic State (IS) militant group have reportedly issued rules for any journalist reporting in the area of Deir Ezzor, Syria, the media group Syria Deeply reports.

The 11 concrete rules, all said to be non-negotiable, were established directly by the IS for journalists who wish to continue working in the governorate.

Here is the full list of rules: 1 – Correspondents must swear allegiance to the Caliph [Abu Bakr] al-Baghdadi... they are subjects of the Islamic State and, as subjects, they are obliged to swear loyalty to their imam.

2 – Their work will be under the exclusive supervision of the [IS] media offices.

3 – Journalists can work directly with international news agencies (such as Reuters, AFP and AP), but they are

to avoid all international and local satellite TV channels. They are forbidden to provide any exclusive material or have any contact (sound or image) with them in any capacity.

4 – Journalists are forbidden to work in any way with the TV channels placed on the blacklist of channels that fight against Islamic countries (such as Al-Arabiya, Al Jazeera and Orient). Violators will be held accountable.

5 – Journalists are allowed to cover events in the governorate with either written or still images without having to refer back to the [IS] media office. All published pieces and photos must carry the journalist’s and photographer’s names.

6 – Journalists are not allowed to publish any reportage (print or broadcast) without referring to the [IS] media office first.

7 – Journalists may have their own social media accounts and blogs to dis-

seminate news and pictures. However, the ISIS media office must have the addresses and name handles of these accounts and pages.

8 – Journalists must abide by the regulations when taking photos within [IS territory] and avoid filming locations or security events where taking pictures is prohibited.

9 – IS media offices will follow up on the work of local journalists within [IS territory] and in the state media. Any violation of the rules in place will lead to suspending the journalist from his work, and he will be held accountable.

10 – The rules are not final and are subject to change at any time depending on the circumstances and the degree of cooperation between journalists and their commitment to their brothers in the IS media offices.

11 – Journalists are given a license to practice their work after submitting a license request at the [IS] media office. l

The Siberian Tiger Park is located on the north bank of the Songhua River and stretches over an area of 1,440,000 square meters (355.8 acres), making it the largest natural park for wild Siberian tigers in the world AFP

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Saturday, October 11, 2014

7

Eid specials on TV Plus Minus

A single episode drama titled “Plus Minus” will be aired on Channel i at 7:50pm. Written by Mizanur Rahman Babu, the drama is directed by Robin Khan.

Mamunur Rashid, Rokeya Prachi, Monira Mithu and Shatabdi Wadud play the major characters in the drama.

The story revolves around Shomser, a notorious bandit, who once led a large group of banditti.

Although he no longer has a gang of his own, Shomser cannot stay away from the rogue mindset and advises his best friend’s son to become a bandit. But Shomser does not know that there are people around him who want to take revenge on him for his previous activities.

Oder Bhalo Hok Robert De Niro and Robin Williams in Awakenings (1990)

ROBERT DE NIRO dedicates award to ROBIN WILLIAMS n Entertainment Desk Hollywood superstar Robert De Niro dedicated his Friars Club award to his friend Robin Williams.

The veteran actor was honoured with the Entertainment Icon Award at the Friars Foundation’s annual gala at the Waldorf-Astoria which also honoured Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim with Award for Philanthropy. At one point at the event, Penny Marshall showed a scene from “Awakenings,” which starred De Niro and Williams.

When De Niro received his award, he said he could not watch it without thinking “how much I miss Robin Williams.”

“If you know me, you know how much I like to laugh. And no one made me laugh like Robin. Of course, it was more than the jokes. He had so much humanity. Just look at his face in that scene. He was a wonderful actor, sure but those feelings were real. No one could fake that kind of love and compassion,” he said and added “Robin, my dear friend, I dedicate this award to you.”

The 71-year-old actor was joined by his wife Grace Hightower and children, Drena De Niro and Raphael De Niro at the event. Tony Bennett, Sharon Stone, Orlando Bloom, Edward Norton and Christopher Walken were among the attendees. l

A single episode drama titled “Oder Bhalo Hok” will be aired on Maasranga TV at 8:50pm. Written and directed by Chayanika Chowdhury, the cast includes Anisur Rahman Milon, Apurbo and Farah Ruma in the lead roles.

The story is centred around a couple played

by Milon and Farah Ruma. They seem quite happy with their only daughter Neela. Milon plays a blind man and Ruma’s character has to manage everything to run the family. In the meantime, Ruma suddenly meets with her erstwhile lover, played by Apurbo. Why their relationship ended remains a mystery to her. When they meet again, both are awestruck.

An all-in-one musician emerges

Shopnocharini

Shohorer Bhitor Shohor

A special single episode drama titled “Shohorer Bhitor Shohor” will be aired on NTV at 11:15pm.

Written by Latiful Islam Shiblee, the drama is directed by Sunny Chowdhury. Apurbo, Shumaiya Shimu, Azad Abul Kalam, Mrinmoy Chakraborty and Sayem Haque play the major roles of the drama.

When a mafia boss is about to be killed in a secluded place by his adversaries, Jenny screams out in terror as she witnesses the killing about to take place. She happens to be at the scene because she was visiting the secluded spot with her boyfriend.

The gang captures Jenny who does not know that the man who was about to be killed is a notorious mafia boss and murderer. Jenny’s screams for the mafia boss change the mind of the leader of the group. He plans something terrible.

n

“Iron Man” star Gwyneth Paltrow is adding fashion designer to her resume with her own clothing line. The 42-year-old actress will debut her first exclusive collection of clothes on her lifestyle website Goop in 2015, reported Contactmusic.

The actress has long been a Hollywood fixture in the fashion world, and has teamed up with high-profile designers including Diane Von Furstenberg, good friend Stella MCCartney and Michael Kors for collaborations, but the Goop line will be her first venture on her own. l

n Entertainment Desk Exhibition

Theatre

Dui Je Chhilo Ek Chakor

By Troupe: Natyakendra, Shilpakala National Theatre, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Shegun Bagich Ponchonari Akhyan

By Dhaka Theatre Time: 7pm – 9pm Experimental Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala

A dance performance “Shopnocharini” will air on Maasranga Tv at 7pm.

The concept of the show has been designed and directed by Pooja Sengupta. The dance drama portrays the story of a man who is traveling through various parts of the world in search of the woman of his dreams. In his course, he finds not his dream girl, but the core truth behind his search.

Entertainment Desk

Ayushmann Khurrana releases his new single

Solo Painting Exhibition

By Gopal Ghoshe Time: 12pm – 8pm Bengal Shilpalaya, Road 27 (old), Dhanmondi

A single episode drama titled “The Mysterious Game” will be aired on RTV at 11:05pm.

Written and directed by Mostafa Kamal Raz, the drama casts Apurbo, Momo and Lutfor Rahman George in the lead roles.

The story of the drama revolves around a couple played by Apurbo and Momo who are competitive with one another. The competition is necessary to get ahead in their careers and in life. The boss of Apurbo’s office, played by Lutfor Rahman George, joins in on their competition too.

Gwyneth Paltrow turns fashion designer

n Hasan Mansoor Chatak Promising singer-musician-songwriter Obaidur Rahman has made a strong entry onto the music scene with his self-produced debut double album titled “Prahelika-1” and “Prahelika-2,” both containing 15 of his original songs. All the songs are written, composed, performed and arranged by the singer himself.

The multi-talented Obaid is responsible for the artwork of the albums as well. All the illustrations of the albums including both album covers were painted by him.

About producing the album by himself, Obaid said: “I approached a few production houses, but I did not find them supportive towards new musicians like me.

So I decided to do it by myself.”

The album is dominated by acoustic guitar based works. The songs’ themes explore the singer’s inner-spiritual quests and experiences in the great expanse of the majestic universe.

The lyrics and melody reveal the musician’s search for optimism and serenity in this modern chaotic world.

Obaid is influenced by 80’s hard rock music as well as the mainstream pop music of that wonderful era.

“Besides that, music from the early 90’s including grunge and alternative and rock music from the late 60’s and 70’s have educated me on the elements that precisely influence the making of some good, decent music,” Obaid said. l

The Mysterious Game

After working on “Nautanki Saala” and giving a hit track in film “Sadi Galli,” Ayushmann and Bhushan together bring yet another chartbuster single “Mitti Di Khushboo.” Ayushmann Khurrana with his old friend Rochak Kohli released their new Punjabi single composed by Rochak and sung by Ayushmann which is written

by Rochak Kohli, Gurpreet Saini, Gautam Govind Sharma. A soft earthy romantic track will feature Ayushmann Khurrana along with leading Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi for the first time. A soft number symbolises love, heartbreak and togetherness that was launched in Mumbai.

Bhushan unveiled the video of “Mitti Di Khushboo” in the presence of Ayushmann Khurrana, Rochak Kohli, Huma Qureshi, Amit Roy. l

A scene from ‘Ochin Diper Upakkhyan’ – a play that was staged at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Thursday. The play was performed by the Protik theatre troupe under direction from Dr Mukid Choudhury. ‘Ochin Diper Upakkhyan’ is an adaptation of the Tempest by William Shakespeare KHAN HASAN MD RAFI

Demi Moore attends blessing ceremony of exhusband Ashton Kutcher’s baby n Entertainment Desk Actor Ashton Kutcher’s ex-wife Demi Moore reportedly attended the Kabbalah blessing of his and Mila Kunis’s newborn baby.

The 51-year-old Hollywood actress, who was married to Kutcher, 36, from 2005 to 2013, attended the Jewish-based ceremony in LA alongside her daughters Rumer and Tallulah, reported Daily Express.

“Demi and her daughters congratulated the couple while having a quick hold and coo over the baby.

It was great to see her doing so well and at ease with Ashton’s new life as a father and fiance,” a source said. Moore also handed out presents – including an engraved picture frame and a personalised cashmere baby blanket – to baby Wyatt Isabelle, who was born on September 30. l

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Saturday, October 11, 2014

CODE-CRACKER

End double standards on religious sentiment

T

he prompt action by police in arresting a Pahari youth in Kaptai, for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims by posting derogatory content on Facebook, stands in marked contrast to the relative lack of action taken against those responsible for vandalising at least four Durga Puja idols in Khulna this week.

At least seven people were physically injured as various establishments belonging to the locality’s Hindu community were attacked, but the local police have accomplished little to investigate the matter.

This blatant example of double standards on applying laws in relation to religious sentiment is not unusual.

Authorities are often quick to react when the sentiments of Muslims are allegedly hurt but do not respond as fast or as cogently when Hindus, Buddhists, or Christians are victimised.

Justice has to be impartial for rule of law to be upheld. Minority communities need more protection from criminals who incite hatred and attack religious establishments.

It is neither fair nor acceptable that authorities go out of their way to investigate online remarks which are allegedly offensive, but fail to follow up on actual, physical assaults and discrimination. This is not how justice is supposed to be carried out.

Law enforcers have a duty to serve all citizens equally, regardless of religion, caste, race, or gender.

Overzealous prosecution of individuals for online comments is a matter of concern in itself. For it to take place when action is not taken against worse offences perpetrated upon minority groups is plainly discriminatory and wrong.

Minority communities need more protection from criminals who incite hatred.

Justice has to be impartial

Live up to the ideals of the Commonwealth

Be heard Write to Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Sukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Email letters.dt@dhakatribune.com Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune

35 teachers in search of two students October 2

We hope the Speaker’s CPA role will give more impetus to ensuring a more democratic polity

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with DU’s English Department with surgical precision.

Tanzeel Abdullah I don’t believe that lowering the standards of the exam to fit the 125 students that you are searching for is a reasonable solution. Keeping the standard of the exam high may not have been fruitful this year, but this gives students an opportunity for in the future to hone their skills before sitting for the exam, and this hopefully will lead to a much better pool of students.

Abelard the Greek-Lover Excellent article. Points out exactly what is wrong

A goat and a boy in a game at Buriganga dockyard October 1

W

e congratulate the Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, on her election as the chairperson of the executive committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association at its conference in Cameroon this week.

She is the first Bangladeshi to be elected to this prestigious position in the body that promotes parliamentary democracy across the 53-member countries of the Commonwealth.

This is a worthy honour both for her personally and for Bangladesh.

Arguably it also marks good news for the present government, by indicating growing acceptance among the international community.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association plays an invaluable role in exchanging knowledge and best practice about parliamentary democracy among member nations and their parliamentarians.

It is important that our government pay heed to the ideals and aims of the CPA. We hope the taking on of this prominent role by the Speaker of Bangladesh’s parliament will give more impetus to ensuring the government facilitates and maintains conditions for a more democratic polity.

Key questions such as how and when the next elections will be held must be addressed in a way that guarantees that they will be free, fair, and fully participatory. The holding of credible elections is an absolute necessity for the future of our country.

The government should do more to live up to the democratic ideals of the Commonwealth if it is do justice to the Speaker’s new role. This includes ensuring that our Constitution’s guarantees on freedom of expression are not undermined by intrusive and draconian laws. Democracy is about more than just elections.

How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 8 represents T so fill T every time the figure 8 appears.

You have two letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters go in the missing squares.

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

As you get the letters, fill in the other squares with the same number in the main grid, and the control grid. Check off the list of alphabetical letters as you identify them.

Alipha Khan This is awesome in so many ways.

Nusaira Alam Beautiful!

Shajahan Chowdhury Really, a very interesting photograph.

PB One of the best #photos!

Nova Amin Holy mother of goat!!

Md Walidur Rahman Rana It is just awesome ... and the bonding between human being and animal makes me smile.

Saba Tamanna Ohhh wow!

6 teenagers from well-off families held for hijacking

October 1

Nazmul Khair These people are more dangerous than common criminals.

Toufiq Ul Alam Thank you sir, for such chastising words. “Elitism” is the word I loved. I believe that anyone with interest and/or passion, does not matter how bad he or she may be in anything at the outset, will eventually become excellent in that. Just because I am good at English does not mean I do have the right to make myself available to elites only. I have never been a good student of anything at all. But I never stopped loving literature in my life and am studying it, and I even wish to become a teacher of English literature!

Sir, I believe everyone with an interest should have their fair share of opportunities for the things they love to do. It is important to find people with interests, not just abilities. I also believe a written section as you have suggested should be included.

And a creative one at that. I believe the assets we have in the Department of English at University of Dhaka are enough to shape the raw talents.

SUDOKU How to solve: 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.

Is nothing sacred?

October 1 Maqsood Jamil Indeed a very good observation. The writer rightly remarks that the sacred institutions have now been raided by new types of viruses. This is dangerous.

What will happen to the ignorant and hapless students and their parents, who have little idea of what their wards are up to? More damage will be done if we do not minimise our gaps and sit to bring the villains to book.

Is anybody reading these write ups? May be those who do not have the power to do anything are reading and shedding tears. But we do need these observations! Well written.

Latif Siddique sued

October 1 Kas The “crime” was committed in the US, so how can he be tried in Bangladesh? What a country we live in.

Latif: Withdrawing speech is out of question

October 1 zia I guess going abroad (USA and Mexico) with taxpayer money is also unproductive and a waste of the government fund. As his comments directly hurt Muslim people, he should be forced to resign and be arrested immediately.

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Religious denomination (4) 3 Lessen (5) 8 Eastern ruler (4) 9 Cicatrix (4) 11 Nimble (5) 12 Rudimentary shoots (4) 14 Dry, of wine (3) 15 Endures (5) 18 Frighten from (5) 19 Do wrong (3) 21 Superior English college (4) 24 Machines for weaving (5) 26 Musical instrument (4) 27 Fish (4)

28 Harsh (5) 29 Scheme (4) DOWN 1 Tolerable (4) 2 Crustacean (4) 4 Seek charity (3) 5 Out of order (5) 6 Roofing item (4) 7 Build (5) 10 Govern (4) 11 Useful thing (5) 13 Fruit of the palm (5) 16 Easy pace (4) 17 Dissolves (5) 18 Male honey-bee (5) 20 Disorderly flight (4) 22 Of no effect (4) 23 Profit (4) 25 Spoil (3)

Bangladeshi develops best digital app in Asia October 2

Kazi Link to the app?

10 days of Durga Puja celebrations

CALVIN AND HOBBES

October 1

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD Sheikh Jinat Mahmid Durga! A symbol of inspiration, power, protest, women’s empowerment, and beauty!

PEANUTS

Tigers reach semi-finals beating Kuwait October 1

SUDOKU

Nahian Asadullah “Tigers scored 224 for nine wickets in 20 overs while Kuwait lost all their wickets scoring only 21 runs in 13 overs.”

When Kuwait becomes Bangladesh against Bangladesh. Irony of all ironies.

Op-Ed

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Saturday, October 11, 2014

9

Love thy neighbour n SNM Abdi

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Good media educates

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n Ekram Kabir

t was really heartening to see that people had discarded the chemical-induced, mammoth-sized fattened cattle for Eid-ul-Azha. Even people who could have afforded to buy cattle worth Tk400,000/500,000 were seen choosing cows that weren’t grotesquely fat. Rather, they went for the smaller, deshi ones that didn’t look so impressive.

The media had reported that some hugely-fattened cattle were seen dying on the way to the capital since, reportedly, they had been given an overdose of the hazardous fattening substances. Imagine what would happen to humans if they had consumed the meat.

People were seen becoming quite aware about the possible health hazards of such cattle, and the best part was that they refrained from buying them. All of this was possible due to the media’s active coverage on their impending dangers.

Both the print and the electronic media were quite sincere in reporting about how a section of unscrupulous traders started fattening cows immediately after Eid-ul-Fitr. Loads of thanks to the media men who diligently let the people know about the dangers of consuming chemicals.

This was a great example of how the media can be of great service to society. Apart from disseminating news and views, the media has always stood by the people.

Remember when cyclone Mahasen

was approaching the Bangladesh coast? The media started an awareness campaign at least a week before it struck our lands. Government officials were also seen acting alongside the media. This was the first time Bangladesh was able to properly manage a time of disaster.

It was the media that first reported on the dangerous proportions of formalin in fishes and fruits. We may not have been able to totally eliminate this substance from our food, but the people are now greatly aware about the illnesses that they can cause.

ed DDT, Aldrin, Chlordane, and Heptachlor, which are extremely harmful to humans.

Remember what the daily Prothom Alo did about acid violence in this country on its own volition? Since the newspaper started its anti-acid violence campaign and stood by the acid victims, the incidents of acid violence were reduced to 70%.

The paper had taken a very firm stand against acid violence. I’ve seen many other newspapers taking such stands against many forms of violence in the past. For example, I’d worked

The media can aid the government’s initiatives when it comes to creating social awareness

So, the media has been doing the task that basically the government department concerned should have done.

Recently, Dhaka Tribune and The Daily Star reported that banned pesticides that cause serious health hazards were found in fruits, vegetables, milk and milk-based products, and dry fish. 40% of the 82 samples contained pesticides that had been banned more than one-and-a-half decades ago due to their high toxicity levels. The banned pesticides includ-

in a paper that was quite pro-women and pro-human rights. However, I didn’t notice its willingness to turn its policies into active campaigns.

Many may argue that the responsibility of the media is not to root out societal ills; instead, its responsibility is to provide information to the masses. Well, I’ve seen media across the world taking up many grave social issues and working alongside the government in order to augment various causes. In India, singers, artists,

writers, and academics were inspired by a TV talk-show Prasangokrome on DY 365, to make a spontaneous visit to the strife-torn areas in the Bodoland Territorial Area District. Also, the media has been playing an important role for advocacy in building a powerful response to widespread instances of rape in that country.

Imagine what would happen if the media starts becoming more active in correcting traffic problems, the environmental degradation, land-grabbing, etc! We all remember how Mati O Manush on BTV had started as a mere television program and has now become a form of agricultural activism for Channel i.

This has inspired thousands of farmers across the country to strive for a better future for agriculture.

Their campaign has also helped government policymakers to understand many aspects of agriculture.

I strongly believe that there are issues in our country that are yet to be addressed. Our government doesn’t have the adequate resources to monitor or tackle these issues even if it wants to. The media can fill in that blank; it can aid the government’s initiatives when it comes to creating social awareness, or preventing the ills which the government has been working against for a long time.

The strength of the media is immense. In our country, I believe, if anyone can remove those ills, it’s the media. l Ekram Kabir is a journalist and a DT columnist.

arendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina have met at long last.

Unfortunately, the first meeting between the Indian and Bangladeshi premiers took place in New York instead of South Asia. Predictably, officials of both nations told the media that pleasantries were exchanged and key issues of mutual interest discussed, and the leaders look forward to meeting again at the first opportunity.

Now that the ice has been broken, I have a suggestion: Modi must make it a point to be in Dhaka on December 16 to remind Bangladeshis about what India has done for them. His visit on that particular date will help cement bilateral ties that have developed cracks. And the cracks are showing.

I am proposing December 16, which is celebrated in Bangladesh as Bijoy Dibosh or Victory Day, to commemorate the triumph of Indian and Bangladeshi allied forces over the Pakistani army in the 1971 Liberation War, culminating in the birth of Bangladesh. Modi’s presence in Dhaka on that red-letter day is bound to have an electrifying effect. He should exploit the golden opportunity to highlight New Delhi’s role in the creation of Bangladesh. A well-timed Modi visit will help bring India and Bangladesh, who are drifting apart, closer for mutual gain.

Bangladesh feels badly let down

by India. After coming to power in December 2008, the Bangladeshi prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, did everything and more to address India's concerns. She clamped down on separatist rebels from India's restive north-east who were provided safe haven by the previous BNP-led government. Outfits like United Liberation Front of Assam were flushed out. Unofficially, Dhaka even granted transit facilities over land and water to reduce India’s costs for sending goods to our remote north-eastern region.

However, former premier Singh and Modi have left Dhaka fuming and fretting. Singh promised to sign the Teesta water-sharing agreement during a state visit to Bangladesh in 2011. He also promised to ink a land boundary pact to remove anomalies in the border between the two nations.

However, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's opposition scuttled the deal to share the Teesta waters in a 50:50 ratio, while the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) opposition sabotaged the land agreement.

Water is a very emotive issue in agrarian Bangladesh. Since 2011, Hasina has been battling criticism for pandering to Indian desires without getting anything in return. She is still in a rather awkward position vis-a-vis India. Modi's blatantly communal, anti-Bangladeshi remarks to consolidate the Hindu vote in the run-up to the parliamentary elections added to the discomfort of pro-India Hasina.

In Assam, Modi declared that rhinos were being killed in the state’s sanctuaries to create living space for illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. In West Bengal, he announced that Bangladeshis who worshipped goddess Durga were welcome but others would be rounded up and deported no sooner he came to power. As the previous BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government had tried to bully Bangladesh, many in that country watched

Modi’s rise with great concern.

Significantly, Hasina did not attend Modi’s swearing-in ceremony. She was the only leader from South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) countries who did not turn up.

Although on a pre-scheduled state visit to Japan, a major donor, was cited as the reason, her absence was also attributed to her waning faith in India.

A well-timed Modi visit will help bring India and Bangladesh closer for mutual gain

Even before the regime change in India, her cronies repeatedly said it was not feasible for Hasina to visit India until the pending Teesta and boundary agreements – labelled as proof of India's intransigence by the Bangladeshi opposition – were signed.

Modi visited Bhutan and Nepal in quick succession after coming to power; he had not attacked either country while canvassing for votes! But he has steered clear of Bangladesh. Maybe he has a guilty conscience. But it is high time he gathers his wits and comes to Dhaka. Bangladeshis who matter know that electioneering is one thing, governance another. So Modi need not worry too much.

Modi should visit Bangladesh on December 16 and exploit the occasion to the hilt. But simply being there will not be enough. He must sign the long overdue Teesta and land boundary agreements. Modi must bluntly tell Mamata where to get off: Foreign policy is the federal government’s prerogative, which state governments cannot impinge upon. Modi must assert himself – something Singh should have done to put Mamata in her place.

And he must also issue a whip to BJP MPs not to oppose the bill in parliament for clearing legal hurdles in the path of the boundary agreement.

The Indian security establishment’s first priority is to ensure that Hasina, who is so well disposed towards India, completes her new term as PM, which began this year. A Modi visit on December 16 will help India achieve that strategic goal, which happens to be one of the prime objectives of our current foreign policy.

Modi should also nip in the bud efforts by a section of the BJP to build party-to-party relations with BNP to counter the Congress party’s well-known close links with Hasina's Awami League. BNP too is trying to woo the BJP. But our national interests are best served by the AL – a tried and tested friend of India which may be sulking just like the Bangladesh government because we have failed to honour our commitments. A Modi visit, accompanied by signing of long over-due agreements, will bring a smile on the face of an old ally. l SNM Abdi is an ex-Deputy Editor of Outlook and former Executive Editor of Daily Sun, Dhaka. This article was previously published in www.firstpost.com.

The ‘like’ generation n Pushpita Saha

“P

ing!” I have a new message on Facebook. I am taken aback. I am not one of those “hip” people who receive texts or instant messages at all times of the day.

I quickly check my phone, imagining all kinds of crisis scenario that may have prompted someone to IM me in the middle of a workday. “Pushpita, can you like my profile picture?” I blink and read the message twice just to be sure. There is no emergency. My house is not on fire. It’s just my young cousin asking me to “like” her profile picture on Facebook.

“Aren’t you supposed to be in school now?” I type back. “Yeah! Duh! It’s lunch break so I thought I would use the time to change my profile picture with one from last night’s party. I shouldn’t have done it at this time. No one’s online. Only five likes so far. Do I look fat in this picture?” – comes the rapid fire response.

So, over the next 10 minutes, and to the great amusement of my bullpen-colleagues, I assure my cousin that no, she doesn’t look fat or ugly in her profile picture, and yes, she is still

as popular as ever.

I wisely refrain from asking how she has managed to sneak in a mobile phone into school. To my teenage cousin, I am already someone who belongs to that amorphous generation of “uncool” mid-20s people who don’t believe life revolves around social networking. Telling her off for Facebooking in school would surely relegate me to the ranks of our grandparents in her eyes.

Nowadays, social media reign supreme in our lives. Unfortunately, for our society, my cousin is not alone in her unhealthy obsession with Facebook. Millions of teenagers around the world spend hours every day culturing their online persona, which, more often than not, vastly differs from their offline selves.

It is mortally important for teens to appear “sexy,” “cool,” “trendy” or “funny” across virtual platforms. As such, through a gazillion banal status updates, photo uploads, likes, and shares, they carefully and methodically nurture an online visage that portrays them as the “cool dude” or the “hot girl” on the block. Teenage behaviour trends on social media

borders on unhealthily obsessive and compulsive.

When out on a dinner with family or friends, most teens would spend the entire time checking-in on Facebook, Instagramming pictures of the meal, and taking selfies, all the while holding several conversations on Viber and WhatsApp. It appears as though Facebook is turning the young generation into desensitised zombies who would rather stay up late and like meaningless cat videos than read a book. Adolescents today seem obsessed with recording, documenting, and sharing almost every aspect of their everyday lives in a supreme effort to distinguish themselves and their lives from that of the million others.

This unhealthy preoccupation with social media is not limited to teens alone. Although the effect is more readily visible within the younger generation, adults too are victims of acute peer pressure on social networking sites. A new research published in the journal “Social Influence” concluded that a lack of social participation on Facebook leads to people feeling less important. Furthermore, the less

reaction people get on statuses and photographs, the more excluded and invisible they feel.

Social media shunning can even lead to lower self-esteem and a sense of loss of control. The findings ring true for both teens and adults.

Facebook is turning the young generation into desensitised zombies

As proven in the case of my cousin, less likes or comments on a photograph leads us to question our popularity and desirability. This phenomenon is particularly intense among young girls and women, who are taught from childhood to base their self-worth on the physical manifestation of their beauty. On the other hand, greater positive response on

social media leads us to exhibit narcissistic personality traits and develop a false sense of grandeur.

In fact, the influence of social media acceptance on our psyche is so profound that, despite the widespread demand for it, Facebook and co refuses to introduce the “dislike” button in fear that it may promote hatefulness, negativity, and anti-social behaviour among users.

I often wonder at the power the “like” and “share” buttons exert on Facebook users. Teens and adults alike rely heavily on these two buttons to fulfil their social obligations. Liking someone’s “I am feeling unwell” status somehow mentally exempts us from having to call him and ask after his health. Sharing pictures of brutalities in Gaza help us sleep peacefully at night. Liking a scripture or even the photograph of a god or goddess makes us feel pious and devoted.

Active Facebook users blindly like and share posts that appear on their newsfeed, most of the time without reading or understanding their purposed meaning. This indiscriminate like and share reflex to posts validates in our mind the inordinate amount

of time we spend on Facebook by engendering a sense of meaningful social intervention. There is rarely any constructive debate on Facebook as people are most often satisfied with “liking” a particular issue and are generally disinclined to think or act on it beyond the sphere of the social media.

It is undeniable that social media like Facebook is a powerful, empowering tool. It allows users to reach out and interact across borders. It has transcended private use and become an important instrument for business communication.

In Bangladesh, public officials are using Facebook to communicate with their constituents. Studies have revealed that social media has played a key role in shaping the Arab Spring uprisings. Nevertheless, we should cautiously view platforms like Facebook as an enabler of social communication and development, and prevent it from being the contrivance that inhibits social cognitive processes in young people and adults. l Pushpita Saha is a research assistant for Access to Information Programme, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE Saturday, October 11, 2014

11 Spain crash,

England cruise in Euro qualifiers

Sport

11 Pressure mounts

on Spain’s Casillas after latest blunder

Did you know?

Spain have lost a qualification game for the first time since October 7 2006 vs Sweden

Gazi to begin remedial work from today n Mazhar Uddin In a bid to script a comeback to international cricket, Bangladesh off-spinner Sohag Gazi is all set to work with former national fielding coach Mohammad Salahuddin and the Tigers’ spin and assistant coach Ruwan Kalpage from today after the International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended him last Wednesday owing to an illegal bowling action.

Gazi, who returned from his hometown Patuakhali yesterday following the Eid vacation, will now undergo remedial work on his bowling action under the watchful eyes of Salahuddin and Kalpage. The duo had earlier worked with left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak after he was suspended by the ICC for the same reason in 2008 following a home series against New Zealand.

However, when it appeared that Gazi’s comeback process had started to gather pace, the situation took an unexpected turn.

According to the right-arm spinner, the bowling test which he had given on September 19 at the Cardiff Metropolitan University (CMU) showed that he flexed his elbow around five-six degrees more than the permitted tolerance level of 15 degrees. As the margin was comparatively less than the other bowlers who were recently questioned, Gazi felt confident that he would pass the test. But later, cricket’s governing body cancelled the test result and took match footage into consideration in order to assess his bowling action.

“I have given the test in Cardiff where they asked me to bowl like I do in a match and I did what they asked.

And I came to know that my elbow only flexed five-six degrees. I asked them whether I should bowl again but

they said it was ok and they appeared satisfied,” Gazi told Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

The ICC later informed through an email that Gazi’s elbow exceeded 25 degrees while bowling and the contradiction in numbers was due to the fact that they observed match footage instead of the test result. No wonder Gazi cut a disconsolate figure saying it was of no use giving the bowling test in the first place if he knew that match footage will be taken to assess his action.

“Let me tell you one thing. When a bowler bowls the 48th over of a match his body movement and action may change slightly and the same happened with me. When they (CMU) asked me to bowl my body was fresh and my body movement was much better,” he added.

The highest wicket-taker in ODIs for Bangladesh with 207 scalps and someone who has encountered a similar conundrum, Razzak informed that he had provided words of encouragement to Gazi. “I called him (Gazi) immediately after hearing the news and I told him to remain confident. I know how it feels as a player. I told him how to overcome this situation and return to cricket by correcting his mistakes. I think if he works hard he can easily return to cricket very soon and for that he has to bowl a lot and work on his foot landing,” said Razzak.

Recently, the ICC has been harsh on bowlers with susceptible actions. Zimbabwean spinner Prosper Utseya, Sri Lankan spinner Sachithra Senanayake, part-time New Zealand spinner Kane Williamson, Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal and Sunil Narine of the West Indies have all been under the microscope of the ICC in recent times due to illegal bowling actions. l

Bangladesh women’s football team forward Aung Mra Ching Marma makes her way between the Under-16 women’s team defence at Kamalapur Stadium yesterday

Bangabandhu Cup likely by year-end n Shishir Hoque A total of six countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Bahrain, Laos, Thailand and hosts Bangladesh are likely to take part in the much-anticipated Bangabandhu Gold Cup Football which is expected to kick off at the end of December this year.

It seems Bangladesh football is likely to experience a hectic international schedule by the end of this year as, according to Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president Kazi Salahuddin, Japan have also confirmed their interest to send their Olympic football team to play two friendly matches against Bangladesh in mid-December.

The BFF’s initial plan was to organise the international football tournament in the first week of October.

However, having failed to confirm the schedule of the participating teams,

uncertainty grew centering around the tournament and doubts started to surface if it would take place this year.

Salahuddin, however, is certain about holding the international event at the end of this year. While talking to the media at his office at the BFF House yesterday, the BFF chief also said two venues – Sylhet and Dhaka – are likely to host the tournament.

“Malaysia, Singapore, Bahrain, Laos, Thailand and Bangladesh will play in the tournament. We want to start the tournament at the end of December and conclude it by the first week of January.

The plan is to hold the matches of the two groups (three teams in each group) in two different venues in Sylhet and Dhaka,” said the BFF supremo.

Group matches involving Bangladesh are likely to be played in Sylhet while the other group matches will take place at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. The

two semifinals will be held in two different venues. The BFF is now chalking out the budget of the tournament which is expected to last for eight-nine days.

The last time the football federation hosted an international event all by itself was the same Bangabandhu Gold Cup back in 1999. Since then the football federation has hosted many international events, but they were all affiliated with Fifa, Afc or Saff.

Meanwhile, Salahuddin also confirmed that Japan are interested to send their Olympic football team to Bangladesh on December 10 to play two friendly matches following an invitation sent by the BFF boss early last month.

“I just talked to them a few minutes ago. They are interested to play friendly matches against us. They want to send their Olympic football team on December 10. They will stay for a week to play two friendlies,” said Salahuddin yesterday. l

Meshu resumes training as booters begin camp n Shishir Hoque

National team footballers share a light moment during their reporting at the BFF House yesterday

MUMIT M

A total of 17 national players out of 28 have joined the preparation camp of the Bangladesh football team which got underway at BKSP, Savar yesterday ahead of the forthcoming twomatch Fifa international friendly series against Sri Lanka.

All the players from 28-man preliminary squad reported to interim coach Saiful Bari Titu at the BFF House yesterday with the exception of skipper Mamunul Islam and expatriate footballer Jamal Bhuiyan. Defender Atiqur Rahman Meshu, who suffered an injury before the Asian Games men’s football had begun, also joined the camp and started light training.

Nine national players from Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Limited did

not travel to BKSP but have reported to the interim coach. Bangladesh Premier Football League champions Sheikh Jamal are preparing for the King’s Cup which will be held in Bhutan.

Bangladesh Football Federation general secretary Abu Naeem Shohag though said the rest of the squad members will join the national camp within three-four days. “(Sheikh Jamal president Manjur) Kader bhai is outside the country for two-three days and they just began their camp on Thursday for the Kings’s Cup. So I expect them to get back to national camp within three or four days,” said Shohag yesterday.

The two friendly matches against Sri Lanka are scheduled to be played in Jessore and Rajshahi on October 24 and 27 respectively. l

Spirited U16 women footballers concede defeat n Raihan Mahmood The Bangladesh Under-16 women’s football team showed glimpses of their true potential against the much stronger senior women’s side in an encouraging 4-1 defeat in a practice match held at Kamalapur Stadium yesterday.

The national team, comprising all the stars like forwards Sabina Khatun and Aung Mra Ching Marma, midfielders Mirona, Sui Nu Pru Marma and Mainu Marma dominated the scenario due to their experience and physcial toughness. However, the young girls displayed that they have the potential to carry the national flag in the future.

For the U16s, Bipasha Mali, Sanjida, Krishna exhibited good footwork and skills in front of the opposition goalpost while midfielder Razia produced a hard-working effort involving a lot of running. Coached by Golam Rabbani Choton, the youngsters were picked up from the Bangamata Fazilatunnessa Gold Cup and Plan U-15 football tournaments. The U16s did a good a job against their superior opponents who have been playing together for a long time at home and abroad. Inexperience made all the difference at the end.

Ace forward Sabina slammed a hattrick and the other goal was netted by Aung Mra. Bipasha, who rattled the seniors with some superb dribbling skills, scored the consolation goal for the juniors.

Following the conclusion of the practice match, Choton expressed satisfaction over the performance of the U16s. “They have been training for the last one-and-a-half-months and the upcoming AFC U-16 Qualifiers will be their first international exposure. They are still learning. Their group rivals Iran, Jordan and Iran - are far ahead in terms of standard. We hope to put up a fight against UAE. However, this team, I believe have the potential to progress forward,” said Choton. l

New faces in squad for Zimbabwe series

Beijing smog to hit Brazil, Argentina classic

n Mazhar Uddin

Brazil coach Dunga Friday warned Beijing’s choking smog was likely to affect the highly anticipated friendly with Argentina by forcing him to make mass substitutions.

With an “orange” pollution alert in the Chinese capital, and several complaints from his team, Dunga said he would limit players’ time on the pitch to reduce their exposure.

The announcement threatens to dampen the spectacle at Saturday’s “Super Clasico” featuring Neymar and Lionel Messi as the South American rivals collide.

“The pollution in Beijing is bad for both Brazil and Argentina so both teams have to do their best and deal with it, as we cannot change it ourselves,” Dunga told reporters.

The year 2014 has been a sorry one for Bangladesh cricket as the tigers have lost to minnows like Afghanistan and Hong Kong in the Asia Cup and the ICC World Twenty20 respectively. Added with the series defeats in Tests and ODIs against the West Indies recently, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is working hard to turn things around in the upcoming home series against Zimbabwe.

According to sources, the national selectors have already submitted the probable 30-member squad for the upcoming Test and ODI series against Zimbabwe.

It was learned that a couple of new faces will be included in the preliminary squad like paceman Mohammad

Shahid and left-handed batsman Shadman Islam Anik. Paceman Al Amin Hossain, recently reported by match officials for an illegal bowling action, has been named in the squad. l

PROBABLE SQUAD Arafat Sunny, Imrul Kayes, Marshal Ayub, Abdur Razzak, Mohammad Mithun, Shafiul Islam, Naeem Islam, Rubel Hossain, Shuvagata Hom, Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Shamsur Rahman, Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Taskin Ahmed, Anamul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Robiul Islam, Taijul Islam, Shahdat Hossain, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Kumar Das, Mukhtar Ali, Elias Sunny, Subashish Roy, Shadman Islam, Jubair Hossain, Nurul Hasan ,Mohammad Sohid

n AFP, Beijing

“Our plan is to make plenty of substitutions so that the players will not be affected by it.”

Visibility has dropped dramatically, shrouding buildings in haze, as pollution soars to 20 times the maximum daily exposure recommended by the World Health Organisation.

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino insisted the pollution was “not a factor” and he dismissed an incident where Messi was seen bent over and coughing on a smoggy training pitch this week.

“There was a small situation with Messi but he is totally fine,” Martino said, as his players went through a workout at Beijing’s Bird’s Nest stadium on Friday.

Brazilian players, who had an hourlong, slow-paced training session at the venue, appeared taken aback by the pollution.

“It’s difficult to breathe. My throat is dry, it’s like we’re standing next to a bonfire, like hot smoke,” striker Robinho told Brazilian media earlier.

Philippe Coutinho said it was sometimes hard to work out whether it was

night or day.

“The air is a bit strange, sometimes you think it’s the middle of the night.

It’s very dusty,” he was quoted as saying.

And defender David Luiz expressed sympathy for the Chinese people, for

MUMIT M

whom unhealthy air is a common hazard.

The issue has affected the build-up to the friendly, where World Cup hosts Brazil will take on finalists Argentina and bid to erase memories of their 7-1 humiliation by Germany in the semi-finals.

Argentino’s Martino said he may deploy Messi on the right wing, and warned he was expecting a much different Brazil under Dunga than the team that flopped at the World Cup. “After the World Cup, Brazil immediately changed their coach and I saw the (1-0 win) against Ecuador,” Martino said.

“They want to play counter-attack and have some very fast players, we are going to be more cautious about that.”

He added: “Our squad is almost the same as it was during the World Cup but technically we think Brazil will challenge us with a 4-3-2-1 formation.l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

11

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Spain crash, England cruise in Euro qualifiers n AFP, Paris Defending European champions Spain suffered their first qualifying defeat in eight years Thursday when they slumped to a 2-1 loss against Slovakia while England made it two wins in two.

Spain, who had opened their Euro 2016 campaign with a 5-1 mauling of Macedonia, exhibited all the faults which had led to their World Cup humiliation as Slovakia went top of Group C with a perfect six points.

Former Chelsea midfielder Miroslav Stoch, now plying his trade at Al Ain in the UAE, struck three minutes from time in Zilina to condemn Vicente Del Bosque’s team to a first qualifying defeat since 2006, a streak lasting 36 matches.

They trailed to a 17th-minute Juraj Kucka free-kick before Paco Alcacer’s strike eight minutes from time appeared to salvage a point.

At a subdued Wembley, England made it two wins from two with a routine 5-0 defeat of whipping boys San Marino.

Wayne Rooney took his internation-

RESULTS Belarus

0-2

Ukraine Martynovich 82-og, Sydorchuk 90+3

Macedonia

3-2

Luxembourg

Trajkovski 20, Jahovic 66-P, Abdurahim 90+2

Slovakia

Bensi 39, Turpel 44

2-1

Spain

Kucka 17, Stoch 87

England

Paco Alcacer 82

5-0

San Marino

Jagielka 25, Rooney 43-P, Welbeck 49, Townsend 72, Della Valle 78-og

Lithuania

1-0

Estonia

1-0

Switzerland

Mikoliunas 76

Slovenia Novakovic 79-P

Moldova

1-2

Dedov 27-P

Sweden

Austria Alaba 12-P, Janko 51

1-1

Toivonen 49

Russia Kokorin 10

al goal tally to 42 and forced Alessandro Della Valle into a late own goal, while Phil Jagielka, Danny Welbeck and substitute Andros Townsend also found the target.

Having won 2-0 away to Switzerland in their Group E opener, England have now prevailed in what are likely to be their hardest and easiest fixtures of the campaign. They play away to Estonia on Sunday.

Switzerland’s campaign went from bad to worse as the team which made the last-16 at the World Cup slumped to a 1-0 defeat in Slovenia.

Milivoje Novakovic grabbed the winner from the penalty spot in Maribor in the 79th minute after Johan Djourou had brought down Kevin Kampl.

The Swiss pressed for a point but were denied by a string of fine saves from Slovenia goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.

Lithuania also made it two wins in two in the group with a 1-0 win over Estonia in Vilnius.

Group G favourites Sweden and Russia fought out a 1-1 draw in Solna but Fabio Capello’s Russians stay top on goal difference from Montenegro and Austria.

Ola Toivonen scored a second-half equaliser for the Swedes who were missing injured striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Sweden should have claimed all three points but they missed a first half penalty awarded after Igor Smolnikov fouled Jimmy Durmaz in the area.

Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev parried Sunderland midfielder Sebastian Larsson’s spotkick.

Montenegro were held to an embarrassing 0-0 draw by Liechtenstein, playing their 100th international, in Vaduz.

Liechtenstein held on despite having to field two goalkeepers -- first-choice Peter Jehle picking up an injury and having to be replaced by Cengiz Bicer.

Austria edged Moldova 2-1 in Chisinau despite playing the last 10 minutes with 10 men.

Marc Janko scored Austria’s winner but was then sent off after David Alaba and Alexandru Dedov had swapped first-half penalties. l

England forward Wayne Rooney is denied by San Marino goalkeeper Davide Simoncini during their Euro 2016 qualifying match at Wembley Stadium on Thursday

Pressure mounts on Casillas n Reuters, Madrid Once lauded as a goalkeeper who could do no wrong, Spain captain Iker Casillas’s tarnished reputation suffered another blow when his error helped Slovakia claim a shock 2-1 win in Euro 2016 qualifying on Thursday.

Holders Spain had been looking to continue a rebuilding process after their failure at the World Cup finals in Brazil, where Casillas made a series of howlers.

However, they were undone in Zilina by a battling Slovakia side, who patiently waited their chance and struck on the counter attack three minutes from time.

Casillas, who led Spain to continental titles in 2008 and 2012 with a debut World Cup triumph in between, gifted the Eastern Europeans a 17th-minute lead when he flapped at Juraj Kucka’s swerving free kick.

Despite dominating possession in customary fashion, Spain did not manage to breach the massed Slovakian lines until the 82nd minute through

Paco Alcacer but were ultimately scuppered by Miroslav Stoch’s late header.

It was La Roja’s first defeat in a qualifier for the European Championship or World Cup since they were beaten by Sweden in October 2006.

It would be harsh to place the blame solely on the shoulders of Spain’s most capped player for the defeat, particularly since he pulled off a brilliant one-handed save early on.

However, the captain’s problems appear to be part of a wider malaise in a team that swept all before them under coach Vicente del Bosque over the past six years.

They looked toothless and predictable going forward, with Diego Costa, enjoying prolific form for Chelsea, again failing to score. The Brazil-born forward has yet to find the net for his adopted country in six appearances.

Del Bosque decided to stay on as coach after the humiliation in Brazil and has brought in several new faces but the impression remains that he needs to do more if Spain are to return to the kind of form that made them close to unbeatable.

The former Real Madrid coach predictably defended Casillas but calls will grow for young pretender David De Gea. “He (Casillas) saved us from a possible Slovakia goal,” Del Bosque told a news conference after the Group C defeat.

“I didn’t see the goal all that well but the ball definitely did something strange and deceived the keeper.” l

Poland chase historic win over Germany n AFP, Warsaw Poland are chasing an historic first win over world champions Germany in Warsaw on Saturday with top spot in their Euro 2016 qualifying group at stake.

Adam Nawalka’s Poland top Group D on goal difference by virtue of their 7-0 rout of minnows Gibraltar in their opening match. But Joachim Loew’s Germany are hard on their heels after seeing off Scotland 2-1 in their opener in Dortmund last month.

Poland are searching for a maiden win over their neighbours at the 19th attempt, while the Germans are rebuilding after several key retirements in the wake of their World Cup triumph and a host of injuries.

Both veteran defenders Philipp Lahm and Per Mertesacker have retired, while Loew has a mounting injury list to contend with including new

FIXTURES Ireland Scotland Poland Romania Finland N Ireland Armenia Albania

v v v v v v v v

Gibraltar Georgia Germany Hungary Greece Faroe Islands Serbia Denmark

their European Championship Group D qualifying match at Ibrox.

The Scots earned many plaudits for their performance in a narrow 2-1 defeat away to world champions Germany in the first qualifying match, a result which brought to an end a six-match unbeaten run for Gordon Strachan’s side. l

Podolski brushes off Arsenal frustrations n AFP, Berlin Lukas Podolski is looking to put his Arsenal frustrations behind him as he prepares for Germany’s Euro 2016 qualifier against his native Poland today.

The 29-year-old was born in Poland, but grew up near Cologne, and is looking to add to his 118 appearances and 47 goals for Germany at Warsaw’s National Stadium.

Podolski is enduring a frustrating time at Arsenal, where he is under contract until 2016, having made only a handful of appearances far this season and notching up just 36 minutes playing time in the Premier League.

“Joined up with the national team.

It always makes me happy and proud.

Preparing for double-action in Euro qualifiers,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

“I was smiling yesterday, I smile today and I will smile tomorrow,” he cheerfully told reporters on the way to training in Frankfurt this week.l

Djokovic joins Simon and Lopez in Shanghai semis

DAY’S WATCH Star Sports 1,3, HD 1 2:50 PM India v West Indies 2nd ODI

n AFP, Shanghai

Star Sports 2 02:30 AM Shanghai Rolex Masters Star Spots 4 9:30 AM Moto GP Championship 2014 Qualifying Sony Six 10:00 PM Uefa Euro 2016 qualifiers Romania vs. Hungary 12:30 AM Poland v Germany Sony Six HD 10:00 PM Uefa Euro 2016 qualifiers Scotland v Georgia 12:30 AM International Friendly France v Portugal Ten Action 6:00 PM Brazil Global Tour 2014 Brazil v Argentina

captain Bastian Schweinsteiger, plus Sami Khedira, Marco Reus, Mesut Ozil and Mario Gomez.

Scotland striker Steven Naismith says the emphasis will be on attack as his side prepare to take on Georgia in

REUTERS

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson (C) celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of Pakistan batsman Shahid Afridi in their 2nd ODI in Dubai yesterday. Pakistan scored 214 losing all of their wickets in the first innings CRICINFO

World number one Novak Djokovic marched into the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters Friday, overcoming David Ferrer 6-4, 6-2 as he vies for his third successive title.

The Serbian world number one joins Gilles Simon of France and Spaniard Feliciano Lopez in the last four, with Roger Federer playing his quarter final later Friday.

Djokovic broke his Spanish opponents serve in the first game, but was given a scare as he was serving to take the first set with the scores at 5-4 in his favour.

Ferrer, who dumped out Britain’s Andy Murray in the quarters, saved three set-points against the top seed in Shanghai before earning two break points.

But Djokovic snuffed out the challenge and finally closed the marathon 12 minute game at the net, pumping his fists with relief as the crowd roared.

Simon continued his great run in Shanghai by overwhelming Tomas Berdych in a scintillating final, his second top-10 scalp in three days.

The world number 29 won 7-6 (7/4),

4-6, 6-0 to enter his second successive semi-final, after also making the last four in Tokyo last week where he lost to Milos Raonic.

Berdych, meanwhile, reached last week’s China Open final and he arrived at the Shanghai quarter-finals without even facing a break point.

But the tournament’s sixth seed, ranked seventh in the world, was given a rude awakening when Simon broke his serve in the first game.

The Czech, however, appeared well in control of his serving game thereafter, firing 12 aces throughout the set.

Berdych broke back in the third game to draw level and an increasingly frustrated Simon shouted at himself after misfiring in a tense game which brought the scores to 6-6.

But his bout of self-criticism appeared to work, as the former world number six raced to a 5-2 lead in the tiebreak and sealed the set with a powerful cross-court groundstroke.

The pair were evenly matched in the second set but with the scores at 4-4, Berdych got his chance to break as he tussled with Simon on deuce. l

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Family members and friends of Zubair Ahmed, a teenager who allegedly drowned on Saturday, form a human chain at La Bamba point in Sector 7 yesterday demanding punishment for those responsible for his death. Zubayer reportedly drowned in a shallow pond inside a park in Uttara’s Sector 4. Story on Front Page MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Birth registration project badly in need of help n Moniruzzaman Uzzal The government has failed in achieving its target of ensuring registration within 45 days of every childbirth, with a staggering 98.24% remaining unregistered over the last three years.

As is the case with most other similar projects, lack of public awareness because of little publicity measures, insincerity of government officials and technological difficulties have held back the birth registration project.

Professionals say a healthy percentage of child registration can also be immensely helpful in determining the number of infant mortality. This is particularly important for a country like Bangladesh that has been globally lauded for achieving tremendous progress in reducing child mortality – a key component of the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals.

An official count shows that out of a total of over 10.9 million infants born

Hudhud turns into very severe cyclonic storm n UNB The severe cyclonic storm ‘Hudhud’ over the West Central Bay and adjoining East Central Bay moved slightly northwestwards and intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm (ecp 984 hpa) over the same area.

It was centered about 975 kms southwest of Chittagong port, 910 kms southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 880 kms south-southwest of Mongla port and 870 kms south-southwest of Payra port at 6pm yesterday.

It is likely to intensify further and move in a west-northwesterly direction, said a Met office special bulletin.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 74 kms of the storm centre is about 120 kph rising to 140 kph in gusts/ squalls. Sea will remain very high near the storm centre.

Under the influence of the very severe cyclonic storm, squally weather may affect the North Bay and the maritime ports. The maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to lower distant warning signal no 2 but instead hoist local cautionary signal no 3.

All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice.

Suggesting evacuation from coastal areas of north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha, Indian Met Office said sea condition would be rough to very rough from this morning and would reach dangerous level tomorrow morning, Times of India reported yesterday. l

Year 2011 2012 2013 2014 (September 21)

Estimated birth 28,63,096 28,95,735 29,35,407 22,62,098

from September 2011 to September 2014, only 83,020 have been registered within 45 days of birth.

The absence of a birth certificate – an important document of identity provided at the time of registration – may result in complications at times of issuance of passport and trade license, marriage, employment, school, college and university admission, and so on.

However, following poor figures in 2011, 2012 and 2013, a recent initiative by the government has boosted the number of childbirth registration over the last three months which can also be done over the internet.

According to AKM Saiful Islam Chowdhury, project director of the

Registered birth 8571 20736 43276 39744

Ratio 0.30% 0.72% 1.47% 1.76%

Birth and Death Registration Project, there is not enough fund for conducting the publicity campaigns needed for raising mass awareness. As a way out, in July this year, the Health Ministry decided to employ the workers of the Expanded Immunisation Programme (EPI).

The government’s EPI has been a success over the years and the workers get the chance to come in close contact with millions of parents from across the country who bring their infants for immunisation. Therefore, the ministry has asked the EPI workers to remind the parents to do the registration as soon as possible after childbirth.

The number 45 is important because in Bangladesh, most infant deaths

Bangladesh joins regional malaria eradication network n Moniruzzaman Uzzal Bangladesh has recently joined the Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network (APMEN) in order to intensify its malaria elimination initiatives.

The APMEN is a 16-country partnership that will help Bangladesh learn from experiences and best practices of other countries facing similar challenges.

Malaria is endemic in 13 eastern and north-eastern districts of the country with approximately 13.25 million people at risk. Around 80% of malaria cases are reported from three Chittagong Hill Tracts districts with a total population of approximately 1.6 million.

The mission of the network is to collaboratively address the unique challenges of malaria elimination in the region through policy measures, advocacy, capacity building, knowledge exchanges and building the evidence base.

The APMEN brings together countries in the Asia-Pacific region around the common goal of eliminating malaria and connects them with a broad range of regional and global partners to develop best practices for eliminating the disease.

It was learnt that the ICDDRB played a vital role in facilitating this partnership by initiating dialogue between the APMEN and the Bangladesh government.

The ICDDRB itself joined the APMEN as an institutional partner in August 2013 and Professor Maxine Whittaker, a member of ICDDRB’s Board of Trustees, is also a member of the APMEN joint secretariat.

Moreover, ICDDRB’s field site on malaria in Bandarban, which allows researchers access to a large study population, makes it a valuable partner in this

regional alliance as many APMEN members lack suitable field sites, according to an ICDDRB press release on October 8.

Professor Be-Nazir Ahmed, the director of disease control for Bangladesh, said the government was encouraged by the fact that the ICDDRB had already joined as a partner institution of APMEN. He expressed hope that concerted efforts by the government and NGOs would help Bangladesh progress towards complete elimination of the disease. “By joining the APMEN, Bangladesh now has a great opportunity to learn from other affected countries in our region as we face similar challenges,” he said.

It was learnt that there has been a consistent decrease over the years in both malaria cases and deaths in Bangladesh.

The National Malaria Control Programme set a target to reduce malaria mortality and morbidity by 60% by 2015 from a 2008 baseline of 154 deaths per 84,690 cases. In 2013 malaria associated deaths dropped to 15 (90% reduction) and cases came down to 26,891 (68% reduction).

Bangladesh is on track to achieve its targets. Out of 13 endemic districts, four have shown low transmission rates of malaria and less than 5% malaria positivity rates among patients admitted with fever. Rates of malaria incidence have also dropped in the other endemic districts.

The government has adopted a strategic plan for 2015-2020 to eliminate malaria. The strategic plan provides the framework and technical guidance for the malaria control programme to implement measures that will help Bangladesh achieve zero malaria-related deaths and stop malaria transmission by 2020. l

occur within 28 days of birth. Therefore, registration within 45 days of birth can help in determining the actual rate of child mortality or morbidity.

That initiative has instantly bred some results, with a total of 15,047 births registered in three months from July-September compared to a little over 24,000 in the first six months of this year, marking a 1.76% rise. A total of over 2.2 million babies were born from January 1 to September 21 this year.

The EPI workers administer several dosages of immunisation on an infant against various kinds of diseases in the successive weeks after birth.

Seeking anonymity, an official said apart from the lack of public awareness, there were several others reasons behind the low rate of birth registration in the country.

He also said many registrars are not comfortable with information and communication technology tools,

resulting in reluctance in giving inputs on the computer.

Moreover, slow internet speed, especially in the peripheral areas and absence of uninterrupted electricity has impeded the success of the online birth registration system.

Anyone can apply for birth registration either by physically collecting a relevant form from the local registrar offices or the website of the Birth and Death Registration Project under the LGRD Ministry.

Union parishad chairmen, municipality or city corporation mayor or councillor or any other officer authorised by the mayor, CEO of Cantonment Board and any officer authorised by the embassy can register birth and death dates of any person in the country, upon submission of a fully filled-up printed copy of the form.

A person under the age of 18 does not have to pay any fee for registering.

Those above 18 will have to pay a fee

Tk50.

Project Director Saiful Islam Chowdhury said: “Although we are behind the target of ensuring registration for every childbirth, I must say we have had tremendous achievement in this project.”

He informed that almost all the citizens of the country had completed their registration, the data about twothirds of the countries total population had already been entered in an online database. “On an average, data about 100,000 to 150,000 people is being stored online every day.”

He also said: “The relevant bill was amended last year. In that bill, there is a provision for a registrar general’s office. If we get that office, we will have our own budget and then we will also be able to bring pace in the project through publicity campaigns.”

He expressed hopes about being able to reach the 100% birth registration target within two years. l

Pause in India-Pakistan fighting brings respite for civilians n Reuters Fighting between India and Pakistan paused yesterday after days of heavy shelling and gun battles across their disputed Himalayan border, the worst skirmishes between the nuclear-armed rivals in more than a decade.

Despite escalating tensions, Pakistan said war with India was not an option and that both sides should work to try and defuse the conflict.

Since they split 67 years ago, the two nations have fought each other in three wars, two over Kashmir. There has not been a full-blown war since they both tested nuclear weapons in 1998.

Nine Pakistani and eight Indian civilians have been killed since both sides’ security forces started firing more than a week ago along a 200-km (125-mile) stretch of border in mostly Muslim Kashmir.

Relative calm returned to the region yesterday after a heated exchange of rhetoric, with New Delhi warning Pakistan it would pay an “unaffordable price” if shelling continued. Islamabad had said it was capable of responding “fittingly.”

“It was calm along the Jammu border during the night, there was no firing in any of the sectors,” said Uttam Chand, an Indian police officer, referring to the southern, predominantly Hindu part of the region.

Tough Rhetoric In Islamabad, the National Security Committee “stressed the fact that both countries are aware of each other’s ca-

pabilities. War is not an option,” Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s office said in a statement after he chaired a committee meeting.

“It is shared responsibility of the leadership of both countries to immediately defuse the situation,” it said.

Almost 20,000 Indian civilians have fled their homes in the lowlands around Jammu region to escape the fighting, taking refuge in schools and relief camps “The committee expressed the resolve that any attempt to challenge Pakistan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty will be responded with full force. The Armed Forces assured the National Security Committee that they are fully prepared to deal with any adversity at our borders.”

Pakistani Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan invited the United Nations to investigate latest round of violence.

“In the next few days Pakistan will take a UN observer group to the border areas so they can ascertain who started this and who is responsible,” he told a news conference. India will respond to Pakistan appropriately and it is in Pakistan’s hands to de-escalate the border conflict, Syed Akbaruddin, a spokesman for India’s Foreign Ministry, said on Friday.”Pakistan and its security

forces need to end the present adventurism,” Akbaruddin said. “It is for Pakistan to either escalate or de-escalate.”

Almost 20,000 Indian civilians have fled their homes in the lowlands around India’s Jammu region to escape the fighting, taking refuge in schools and relief camps.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi “has directed that people who have been displaced from the border villages of Jammu and Kashmir due to dastardly acts of shelling by Pakistan over the last few days, be suitably compensated”, the government said in a statement.

Civilians living in the area hit hardest by the shelling expressed relief at the halt in firing.”We hope calm prevails and the border shooting ends,” said Avtar Singh, 45, after taking refuge in a nearby school. “Our condition in this school is very bad. We want to go back to our homes.”

Officials have set up 26 camps to house the villagers, with about 14,500 people spending the night there.

“Most villagers are worried about their ripe crops of paddy and maize,” said government officer Thakur Sher Singh. “They cannot be allowed to harvest it now because we cannot endanger their lives and if the tension continues the standing crop could start rotting.”Exchanges of sporadic fire are common along the de facto border dividing the region, despite a ceasefire pact signed in 2003. But the extent and intensity of the latest violence and the number of civilian deaths is unusual. l

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