02 march, 2015

SECOND EDITION

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

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Falgun 18, 1421, Jamadiul Awal 10, 1436

ANSARULLAH SLEEPER CELL KILLED AVIJIT PAGE 3

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 2, No 326

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www.dhakatribune.com | 32 pages | Price: Tk10

CTG MILITANTS HANDED GOVT POSITIVE ABOUT OVER TO POLICE PAGE 4 FBI OFFER PAGE 5

Political violence looking like organised crime

Court orders Khaleda’s office search

The file photo shows a firefighter trying to douse flames billowing out of a burning bus which was attacked recently by arsonists. Firebomb attacks on passenger vehicles have been commonplace during the recent series of hartals and the transport blockade called by the 20-party alliance File photo/MEHEDI HASAN

A Dhaka court yesterday permitted police to search BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan office for explosives and a device which police claimed Khaleda uses to coordinate countrywide sabotages.

In their petition for a search warrant, the police also claimed that 14 accused, including Khaleda, of a case filed in connection with crude bomb blast on Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan’s procession had been in that office.

Metropolitan Magistrate SM Masud Zaman heard the petition placed by Sub-Inspector Md Sohel Rana of Gulshan police and issued the warrant.

A pro-Awami League transport leader had filed the case. The crude bomb attack on Shajahan’s procession at Gulshan had left five people injured. Khaleda Zia is named as the prime accused in the case.

Khaleda’s counsel Md Sanaullah Mia, who confirmed the issuing of the warrant to the Dhaka Tribune, alleged that the warrant had been issued secretly at the government’s instigation, which is a violation of law.

“The government is trying to implement its evil design,” he said, adding that only executive magistrates could issue such warrants.

The other accused in the case include BNP vice-chairmen Selima Rahman and Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, BNP women’s front Secretary Shirin Sultana, BNP Deputy Press Secretary Maruf Kamal Khan Sohel, Joint Secretary General Salahuddin Ahmed, Khaleda’s Adviser Khandaker Mahbub Hossain and Personal Secretary Shimul Biswas, central committee member Humayun Kabir Khan, former ward councillor Abdul Kaiyum and former MP of Savar Dewan Mohammad Salahuddin.

Meanwhile, the security detail at Khaleda’s residence on Gulshan Road 79 was withdrawn last night.

A police official told the Dhaka Tribune that an instruction from the high-ups for withdrawing the security team of six constables and a havilder had arrived at 8pm and they had left by a truck at 9pm.

He said the security men would report at the Police Lines.

Khaleda Zia has been staying at her Gulshan office since January 3. The party had planned a programme to observe January 5 as “democracy killing day” in protest against the 10th parliamentary election that had taken place on that day last year. l

Criminal gangs, militants, and freelancing ruling party men are getting involved with arson and bomb blasts n Mohammad Jamil Khan As the BNP-led alliance’s non-stop action programme approaches its third month, with little let up in cases of arson and bus burning, the atrocities are gradually taking the shape of organised crime.

In countrywide joint drives, law enforcement agencies have so far arrested more than 7,000 people in connection with deadly violence since the blockade which has claimed more than 70 lives began on January 6.

But nearly all those arrested are field-level operatives and the main planners who pull the strings from behind the curtains remain out of the law’s reach.

Law enforcement agency sources said roughly 60% of those arrested are supporters of the BNP, 30% of Jamaat, and the rest are hired criminals and members of militant organisations.

PAGE 3 DB querying Manna about ex-army officers

In the pre-election violence in 2013, lawmen made around 15,000 arrests in connection with 1,500 violence cases. None of them ever went to trial because law enforcers did not want to waste resource for the minnows.

‘When militants hurl petrol bombs, whole vehicles get charred. But when untrained political activists and criminals do it, only parts of a vehicle get damaged’ Consequently, they were all freed on bail.

Sources said some of them have been arrested again this year.

There are several reasons why the main perpetrators could not be brought to book.

PAGE 7 Bridge on Shukh River yet to be completed

Hired hands

First, the ambushes are mostly being carried out by hired criminals, although the ongoing action programmes are part of a political movement of a political alliance.

These criminals, who have their ways of evading the law’s radar, have got involved for hefty payments because more and more political activists are either falling into the law enforcers’ dragnet or are going into hiding to avoid arrest.

As a result, the cost of carrying out petrol bomb attacks and exploding crude bombs is climbing. When unrest began in January, supporters of BNP-Jamaat or petty criminals hurled bombs for Tk500 or Tk1,000. But the Dhaka Tribune has learned that organised criminal gangs are now charging Tk10,000Tk25,000 for the same job.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

PAGE 8 Six held over petrol bomb attack on train

n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

PAGE 20 Dhaka-Beijing trade crosses $10bn

DT

2 NEWS

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Beautiful Nelson, a treat for the eyes n Mazhar Uddin from Nelson, New Zealand It has been a different experience altogether for the Bangladeshi journalists who arrived in the beautiful city of Nelson in New Zealand to cover the Tigers’ upcoming World Cup game against Scotland this Thursday at Saxton Oval.

Not only the journalists, the Bangladesh cricketers are also enjoying the lush-green surroundings of Nelson for the very first time. The cricketers can be forgiven if they forget about the ramifications of their mustwin game against the Scots and instead, just stop and admire the wonderful view of the city surrounded by the Tasmanian Sea and eye-catching mountains.

Left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny is one of the many admirers.

“I have never seen such a beautiful and glorious city. The sea and mountains, combined together, make for magnificent viewing. Since landing in Nelson, we have all been amazed to see the beautiful city. Our view from the hotel room is just astonishing,” a gobsmacked Sunny told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

Youngster Sabbir Rahman was also extremely pleased after landing in Nelson; he said they would like to make the trip to the picturesque city a memorable one.

“The environment here is so calm and peaceful, which is amazing to watch. We would like to make our trip to Nelson a memorable one by winning our important match against Scotland,” said Sabbir.

It was certainly a treat for our eyes when we went to visit the Saxton Oval, where the Tigers will face the Scots in their fourth Pool A game in three days’ time. Established in 2009, the Saxton Oval is encircled by high hills and the Tasmanian Sea is just a stone’s throw away from the venue, which has a capacity of not more than 6,000.

The city itself boasts no more than 50,000 people and it would not be wrong to assert that most of them love their cricket. Almost every single taxi driver recognised us and shared their thoughts on the upcoming Bangladesh-Scotland match.

Patrick Moore is one of them. He drove us from the Saxton Oval to our hotel, the Tahuna Beach Holiday Park, and predicted that the Tigers would win by five wickets.

“You guys are from Bangladesh. You know what, I am predicting that your team is going to win by five wickets against Scotland,” he said boldly.

The Bangladesh fans would only hope Moore is proven correct. l

Indian foreign secy due today n UNB Indian Foreign Secretary Dr S Jaishankar will arrive in Dhaka today to discuss a wide range of bilateral issues between Bangladesh and India.

Though his stay will be close to 24 hours, Jaishankar is apparently coming with a lot of tasks as India is keen to extend support to Bangladesh in many areas not confining to two major pending issues – LBA and Teesta deal – between the two countries, said a diplomatic source.

An official at the Foreign Ministry said Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque will receive his Indian counterpart at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on his arrival.

Then the Indian Foreign Secretary will have talks with his Bangladesh counterpart at the Foreign Ministry around 11:15am before meeting Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali around 3pm.

Jaishankar, already in the Bhutanese capital of Thimphu on the first leg of his visit to four Saarc countries, will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at 6:30pm at Parliament Bhaban.

Though the foreign ministry official did not say anything about what to be discussed, diplomatic sources said issues like power generation and distribution, infrastructure development like road, housing and port develop-

ment and investment in prospective areas are likely to come up for discussions during his interaction with the government.

How Bangladesh and India can work together as India has a plan to launch Satellite for Saarc region in 2016 can also be discussed.

Proposing satellite diplomacy with a view to playing a key role in the development of the region, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier asked Indian space agency ISRO to develop a Saarc satellite, which can be dedicated as a ‘gift’ to the neighbours.

Discussion on Sub-Regional Cooperation on Water Resources Management and Power/ Hydropower and on Connectivity and Transit may also be held.

Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said the Foreign Secretary will, in accordance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s directives, be undertaking the first phase of the Saarc “Yatra” from March 1.

Jaishankar will visit Pakistan tomorrow and Afghanistan on the day after tomorrow.

The schedule for the other destinations is being worked out through diplomatic channels and will be indicated separately.

This will be Jaishankar’s first visit to Bangladesh since he took over the charge of the Indian Foreign Secretary on January 29. l

Political violence looking like organised crime On January 24, around 30 people received burn injuries in a bus burning at Jatrabari in Dhaka. Sources said the attack was planned

by Jamaat-Shibir men but was carried out in the field by members from the gang of Amir Hossain, a notorious Narayanganj-based drug dealer. The petrol bombs were allegedly supplied by Amir’s associates Hasan and Saju.

“Among those arrested in recent times, not too many are from the Jamaat-Shibir camp because most of them are hiding. They are basically training others on making bombs and how to set them off,” said a police official, seeking anonymity.

On January 21, police arrested five Shibir men in Mohakhali of Dhaka and recovered a huge quantity of bomb-making materials from their possession.

Sources said law enforcers have made a list of nearly 3,500 BNP-Jamaat men who are involved in carrying out violence across the country. Some of these leaders have already been arrested.

Militants making hay

Second, several militant organisations are trying to take advantage of the prevailing unrest by carrying out some of these attacks. Police said they have already identified a pattern that hints at militant involvement with some ambushes that appear as regular political atrocity.

“There is a clear difference in the ways professional criminals and militants operate. Militants have training; so when they firebomb a vehicle, it gets fully charred,” said an official from the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), seeking anonymity.

“But political activists and professional criminals do not have the kind of training that militants have. So, when they firebomb, in most cases only parts of a vehicle get damaged,” the DB official explained.

Earlier this month, police arrested 27 people in Dhaka for their suspected involvement in violence. Of them, two are members of the banned Islamist outfit Hizb-ut Tahrir.

In another recent drive, police arrested three Tahrir members in Dhaka. In a text message, Masudur Rahman, deputy commissioner of DMP, informed reporters that they had been arrested for their suspected involvement in violence.

Some Tahrir men arrested in recent times have disclosed during interrogation that they had joined the protests to raise voice against irregularities and establish an Islamic state in Bangladesh.

AL freelancers

Third, a section of ruling Awami League supporters have been rounded up in recent weeks in connection with violence. Some of them were picked up with bombs and bomb-making materials; others were injured in explosions when they were making bombs.

There are allegations that some men from the ruling party and its associate bodies have taken up the political unrest as a means for making some money. Since police tend to be soft towards them, some have been making and selling bombs.

On February 22, a RAB team detained a Chhatra League leader named Nur and his elder brother, who is a BNP leader, with bombs from a CNG-run autorickshaw garage in the

capital’s south Keraniganj, but described both as drivers while suing them.

Chhatra League’s Dhaka district unit General Secretary Monir Hossain confirmed that Nur is the joint convener of one of their local units, but claimed that he was not involved with making bombs.

On February 5, police arrested Manik and Babul, two leaders of Jubo League in Comilla, for having crude bombs in their possession.

However, police later allegedly released them without taking any action.

A state intelligence agency has recently reported that some unruly leaders of the Awami League are tarnishing the government’s image by creating unrest in exchange of money, but law enforcers have not yet taken any action against them.

The intelligence report says more than 320 people are involved in making crude bombs in the country; of them, 26 belong to the ruling party.

‘But to us, the arsonists are just criminals, their political affiliations do not matter.

Action will be taken against all miscreants no matter which party they belong to’ Moreover, around 40 ruling party men are involved with supplying crude bombs around the country, the report is said to have suggested.

However, the number of these arrested ruling party leaders is very small and they do not hold any posts in the party or any of its associate bodies, the report said.

But the Dhaka Tribune has managed to collect the names of several ruling party leaders from outside the capital who hold party posts and are also staging violence. They include Abdullah Al Mamun, secretary of Kustia district unit Chhatra League; and Bappi Biswas Raju, secretary of Khoksa upazila unit Chhatra League, also in Kushtia.

Golam Murtoza Khasru, president of Kushtia district unit of the ruling party’s student front, however claimed nobody from his organisation was involved in carrying out atrocities.

In Feni, local Jubo League Joint Convener Jiaul Alam Mister, who is now in jail as a prime suspect in the Ekram murder case, is allegedly controlling violence using his men in the area.

AKM Shahidul Haque, inspector general of police (IGP), told the Dhaka Tribune: “The arsonists caught red handed are either from the Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, Chhatra Shibir, or people they have hired. They have disclosed their identities and confessed their crimes during interrogation.”

When asked about the alleged involvement of ruling party men, the police chief said the people they had arrested so far either belong to BNP-Jamaat or are hired criminals.

“But to us, the arsonists are just criminals, their political affiliations do not matter. Action will be taken against all the miscreants no matter which party they belong to,” the IGP affirmed. l

DT

NEWS 3

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

Ansarullah sleeper cell killed Avijit n Mohammad Jamil Khan A seven-member “sleeper cell” of militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team had been keeping an eye on slain blogger-writer Avijit and his wife Bonna right from when they stepped into the book fair premises, investigators have said.

In fact, the attackers have been keeping an eye on the progressive writer since the day he had come to Bangladesh from the USA. The sleeper cell was controlled by Ansarullah Bangla’s leader Redwanul Azad Rana, a student of North South University, also a prime accused in blogger Rajib Haider killing.

Rana got a coded SMS around 8pm on Thursday when Avijit Roy and his wife Rafida Ahmed Bonna were about to leave the fair after his book launch.

Rana passed on that message to two members of the cell ordering them to attack in the TSC area on Dhaka University campus. He also got a confirmation in return once the mission was complete.

Investigators got the information analysing telephonic data. All the exchanges between Rana and killers were coded.

Investigators are now analysing those symbolic words and footage from closed cir-

cuit TV cameras installed on the road stretching from Shahabgh intersection to book fair premises.

They have also collected records of all cell phones used around TSC that evening. Along with police detectives, Rapid Action Battalion is conducting a shadow investigation.

Contacted, Monirul Islam, joint commissioner of the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said they are mainly focusing on the footage and voice call details of Avijit’s phone.

“They [the killers] can be anybody, they may be from the ABT or some other militant outfits, but our target is to trace the killers,” Monirul said.

On Thursday evening, unidentified assailants hacked Bangladesh-born US nationals Avijit and Bonna in the TSC area. Avijit died after being taken to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) while Bonna’s condition was said to be critical.

Investigators said there are many similarities among how Avijit, Prof Humayun Azad and Rajib Haider were killed.

A DB official said apart from the visible CCTV cameras, there were several hidden security cameras installed in the area. “We are now analysing the footage from those camer-

as,” he said.

Investigators said they have so far interrogated 18 people but nobody has yet been arrested or detained. “Basically, we are trying to trace the location of four suspected ABT leaders – Rana, Farabi, Abdullah and Abu Nayna.”

Meanwhile, DMP has formed a three-member probe body led by Joint Commissioner Meer Rezaul Alam. In addition, another three-member committee with DB Joint Commissioner Monirul Islam as the chief was formed to assist the first committee.

The Rezaul-led committee will look into the role of police personnel who are on duty near the crime scene.

DB chief Monirul Islam confirmed the formation of the probe bodies.

Frustrated with the pace of investigation, Avijit’s sister-in-law Keya Barman said yesterday: “Not just we but the whole country is witnessing how reluctant police were.”

Avijit’s family alleged that police had not been performing their duties since the attack was lodged.

Police could not prevent the incident, did not take gravely injured Avijit to hospital and are now not even investigating properly, they alleged. l

DB querying Manna about ex-army officers n Mohammad Jamil Khan On the fourth day of his 10-day remand, Nagorik Oikya Jote Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna was interrogated yesterday about the retired army officials he had been in contact with.

Officials of the Detective Branch of police placed before him the names and photos of some high-ranked ex-army personnel, government officials, noted civil society members and political leaders of the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir.

Manna is on remand in a case filed with Gulshan police for his alleged involvement in inciting the army to take over power.

A DB high official told the Dhaka Tribune: “When Manna nods at some point that he knows someone, we ask him about details of the relationship.”

The detectives are querying him about their whereabouts as well.

“However, Manna has been evading most of the questions,” a DB official said.

Mahfuzul Islam, DB additional deputy commissioner said: “We are now trying to glean information from him through conversations, not interrogation.” l

Rich tribute paid to writer and blogger Avijit Roy n Arif Ahmed

People from all walks of life yesterday paid their last respect to slain writer-blogger Avijit Roy at the altar of Aparejeyo Bangla at the Dhaka University.

The body of Avijit was kept there from 10:40am to 11:45am for people to pay last tribute to the writer. One minute silent was observed before his body was taken to the place where he was murdered by Islamist fanatics.

People there placed floral wreaths on the place of the murder. The dead body of Avijit was then handed over to Dhaka Medical College Hospital Anatomy Department.

Chairperson of Anatomy Department professor Shamim Ara received the dead body around 12:45pm.

In the morning Avijit’s body was taken to BUET where he studied before it was taken to Dhaka University Aparejeyo Bangla.

The attack on Avijit and Bonya is an attack on our consciousness, said Ramendu Mazumder while paying tribute to the slain writer-blogger Avijit.

Syed Hasan Imam said people who stand against communalism and fight for establishing the value of liberation war are being killed one after another.

This is barbarism, said the veteran theater personality.

Shahriar Kabir, president of Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, said previously the fundamentalists attacked Humayun Azad and continued with the attacks.

If the fundamentalists are not stopped, they would ultimately target the prime minister.

Professor Ajay Roy father of Avijit called upon the prime minister to bring the killers of his son to book and ban all militant outfits.

“Try the killers of Avijit and all those who were killed in militant attacks. And ban all militant outfits including Jamaat-e-Islami,” he said.

Father of Avijit Roy, second from right, stands in front of his son’s body kept on the footstep of Oporajeyo Bangla at Dhaka University. The body of the slain writer-blogger was placed there for the public to pay last respects yesterday RAJIB DHAR He also called upon everyone to unite and create pressure on the government for the trial of Avijit’s killers.

Ajay Roy also termed his son’s murder a sign of government’s failure.

Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain said: “Had the killers of similar incidents been tried, this [killing of Avijit] would not have happened.”

Dr Kamal also welcomed US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for its willingness to get involved in the investigation into the murder.

Human rights activist Mahfuza Khanam said: “Free thinkers are being killed one after another. But we will not bow down to funda-

mentalists.”

Sammilito Sangskiritik Jote, an alliance of cultural groups, organised the programme to pay tribute to the slain writer Avijit Roy. In the line of hundreds of mournful people who thronged to pay respect to the Bangladesh-born US blogger were Khalequzzaman of Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (Socialist party of Bangladesh), Director General of Bangla Academy Shamsuzzaman Khan, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique, National University Vice-Chancellor Dr Harun-or-Rashid, Professor Rafique Ullah Khan, M M Akash, Shafiquzzaman, Rahnuma Ahmed, Dr Mizanur Rahman, vice-chancellor of Jagannath University, Gen-

eral Secretary of Sammilito Sangskritik Jote Hasan Arif, Barrister Sara Hossain, former student leader Baki Billah.

His body was donated to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for medical research.

Avijit, 45, was hacked to death and his wife Rafida Ahmed Bonna, 35, was seriously injured in an attack by unidentified assailants near the TSC roundabout on Thursday night.

Avijit – a naturalised US citizen who lived in the American state of Georgia – came to Bangladesh with his wife on February 15 after two new books he authored were published at the Ekushey Book Fair. l

DT

4 NEWS

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

CHITTAGONG EXPLOSIVES HAUL

Militants handed over to police n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong The RAB yesterday handed over to the Halishahar police – the four suspected militants who were arrested on Saturday in connection with the recovery of a large cache of explosives from Chittagong city’s Halishahar area.

Golam Rabbani, a deputy assistant director of RAB 7, also lodged a case under the anti-terrorism act with the Halishahar police station.

The officer-in-charge of the station, Syed Abu Mohammad Shahjahan, told the Dhaka Tribune that those sued in the cases included the arrestees – Rahima Akhter, 21, a leader of Islami Chhatri Songstha’s Chittagong city (south) unit; her brother Fayjul Haq, 30; Mohammad Jahed, 30; Abdul Hai, 36; and two absconding suspects – Parvez and Aziz.

The arrestees would be produced before court today, while the police would plea for a 10-day remand for the four suspects, the OC added.

On Saturday, RAB 7 discovered a stockpile of explosives at the densely populated Bashundhara Residential Area in Chittagong city’s Halishahar and arrested the four.

The elite force seized 76 handmade grenades, 150kg of explosives, 30 types of bomb-making equipment and 24 rounds of shotgun ammunition. Other items that were seized included documents and books on jihad by Jamaat’s student front Islami Chhatra Shibir and other banned Islamist outfits.

Soon after the drive, RAB chief Benazir Ahmed visited the site and told a press conference that an entire army battalion could have been equipped with the explosives that had been recovered.

He also said the Rapid Action Battalion had discovered the explosives stockpile based on the confessions of 12 alleged militants arrested from Alipur area of Hathazari on February 19 and five more alleged militants arrested from Sadhanpur area of Banshkhali on February 21. l

SUNDARBANS OIL SPILL

Joint assessment report made public n Abu Bakar Siddique The joint assessment report of the UN and the Bangladesh on the Sundarban oil spill has made 10 specific recommendations to reduce risk and improve disaster management.

The report launched yesterday said the government should control vessel movement through the Sela River inside the world’s single largest mangrove forest.

It also suggested that a ban should be imposed on vessel movement during nighttime.

The report titled “Sundarbans Oil Spill Assessment” was launched at the Cirdap Auditorium in Dhaka. Environment and Forests Minister Anwar Hossain Manju and UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Robert Watkins were present.

The report also said no significant visible impact could be seen in the forest floor during inspection and long-term monitoring was required to know the actual damage.

However, it said oil contamination in the aquatic ecosystem may hamper physiological activities including breeding of aquatic organisms and disrupt food chain and the food web.

Among other recommendations, the report suggested that the government should adopt special training, equipment and experience to improve response to environmental emergencies and minimise impacts on local communities and ecosystems. l

EC ready to hold DCC polls n Tribune Report Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad yesterday said the Election Commission is ready to hold Dhaka North and South city corporations polls on time.

“We will hold the elections as per schedule; we will not wait for anyone like January 5 election,” he added.

The CEC was speaking at a press briefing at the EC media centre in the capital yesterday afternoon.

The city corporation election is

a non-partisan election and “we hope that the next election will be held with the participation of all people,” he added.

However, the CEC could not confirm the exact time of the DCC elections, saying: “We cannot say exactly when the DCC elections will be held.”

About the preparations he said: “We have solved the demarcation problems. Now we have to select vote centres before declaring the election schedules and check voter list.” l

BNP for UN-led probe n Tribune Report The BNP-led 20-party alliance demanded UNled probe into all kinds of incidents of extra-judicial killings, abductions, sabotage like petrol bomb attacks and human rights violation.

Issuing a press release signed by party’s Joint Secretary General Salahuddin Ahmed alleged that the government-sponsored criminals are sabotaging and shifting the blame onto the opposition leaders and activists.

Salauddin said the government has not any other way but to bow down to people’s power.

He attributed the root of the prevailing political crisis to Awami League’s intention to stay in power forever. l

DT

NEWS 5

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

Govt positive about FBI offer

Longer off-shore survey contracts denied

in Dhaka said the envoys had called for an end to the current violence at the meeting.

They encouraged confidence-building measures – including the de-escalation of the political conflict – in the interest of fostering safety, stability, growth, human rights and democracy in the country, the press release said.

The release was issued by Australia, Canada, Denmark, EU, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Advisers to the Prime Minister HT Imam and Gowher Rizvi, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam were present at the briefing and participated in the exchange with the envoys.

The foreign secretary and other senior officials of the Foreign Ministry were also present. l

International geophysical companies urged the Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation, widely known as Petrobangla, to extend the tenure of a 10-year offshore seismic survey project which is currently in its pre-bid stage.

The objective of the project is to carry out a marine 2D seismic survey of the sovereign offshore areas of Bangladesh on a non-exclusive multi-client basis in water depths ranging from 20 metres to 2,500 metres.

Interested firms also urged the expansion of the exploration range to less than 20 meters, at a pre-bid meeting with Petrobangla at its office yesterday.

“We have agreed to one of their demands.

We will let them survey from less that 20 metres. But it is not possible to extend the tenure of the deal,” Md Qumruzzaman, director of production sharing contracts of Petrobangla, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday. l

n Tribune Report

The government has decided to respond positively to a US offer to engage the FBI to investigate the motive for the murder of writer and blogger Avijit Roy. Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali disclosed the matter while briefing members of the diplomatic corps on the current political situation yesterday, according to a Foreign Ministry press release.

He categorically stated that there was no room for engagement with entities that resorted to terror tactics in the name of political activities.

He said the BNP-Jamaat alliance was inciting extremist ideologies in order to challenge the democratic, non-communal and non-confrontational ethos of the country.

Stressing that violence does not have any place in a democracy, he said throwing petrol bombs at passenger vehicles was akin to

terror tactics used by IS and other militant groups.

Mahmood said the government was committed to containing the violence and ensuring the protection of the public from indiscriminate attacks.

The foreign minister noted concerns raised by the UN, US and EU in the aftermath of the killing of Avijit Roy by as yet unidentified assailants.

He briefed the heads of missions about the latest trends in the violence perpetrated by the BNP-Jamaat combine and urged the international community to unequivocally condemn atrocities perpetrated in the name of enforcing the blockade.

The diplomatic envoys attending the briefing urged the return of calm and stability in order to sustain the momentum of Bangladesh’s impressive socio-economic development gains.

A joint press release of different embassies

n Aminur Rahman Rasel

One to die for raping, killing sister-in-law n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu A Dhaka court yesterday condemned a man to death for raping and murdering his sister-inlaw nine years ago.

Md Alamgir Hossain, 27, brother-in-law of victim Munni Akhter, was also awarded a 14-year jail sentence and a fine of Tk1 lakh in another Section.

Tanzina Ismail, judge of Dhaka Women and Children Repression (Prevention) Tribunal 5, said the convict would have to serve two more years in prison for failure to pay the fine.

The court also sentenced two of Alamgir’s friends – Md Ripon, 22, and Rahid Hasan alias Milon, 25 – to 14 years in jail in the case. Both are from Nawabganj upazila of Dhaka.

The two were fined Tk20,000 each and would be behind bars for one more year in the event of defaulting on the money.

All three had obtained bail in the case.

The tribunal sent Alamgir and Ripon, who were present in the courtroom, to jail after the pronouncement of the verdict.

But Rahid went into hiding after being bailed.

On July 14, 2006, the three convicts intercepted Munni, wife of Alamgir’s expatriate brother Shah Alam, in Joypara of Dohar when she was on her way to meet a doctor.

Alamgir and the two men kidnapped her, took her on a diesel-powered boat and raped her there, according to the case statement.

They then suffocated her using her scarf and also gashed her belly before dumping the body in the Ichhamati River.

Police recovered the decomposed body after four days.

On August 1 the same year, Kohinur Begum, the victim’s mother, lodged the case with Dohar police station under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. Sub-Inspector of Dohar police station Shawkat Hossain, also the investigating officer of the case, submitted the charge sheet against the accused on October 3, 2006.

On July 13, 2008, the tribunal indicted the accused.

After examining testimonies of 21 prosecution witnesses out of 22, the judge handed down the verdict. l

Workers of Chunji Garments Ltd stage a demonstration in front of the National Press Club yesterday demanding reopening of the factory and payment of due wages MEHEDI HASAN

Court extends deadline for probe report against Khaleda, 3 others n Tribune Report A Dhaka court yesterday extended the deadline to April 16 for submitting a probe report in the case filed against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and three others on charges of killing 42 people in violence during hartal-blockade of the 20-party alliance.

The other accused are BNP Standing Committee member Barrister Rafiqul Islam Miah and Khaleda’s two Advisers Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury and Prof Emajuddin Ahamed.

On February 2, AB Siddique, president of Bangladesh Jananetri Parishad, a pro-Awami league organisation, filed the case with Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court.

After recording statement of the complainant, the court had directed the officer-incharge of Gulshan police station to investigate

the case and submit a probe report before the court by March 1.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Asaduzzman Nur yesterday, however, extended the deadline to April 16 for submitting the probe report after the Gulshan OC failed to submit it yesterday.

The complainant said the BNP-led coalition activists blasted petrol bombs during frequent hartals and blockade, killing 42 people and injuring hundreds more between January 5 and February 1.

Khaleda’s case transfer petition

An application filed by Khaleda Zia before the High Court – seeking the transfer of the Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trust graft cases – will come up for hearing, maintaining the serial of the cause list.

The High Court Division bench comprising Justice M Rezaul Haque and Justice M Khasruzzaman came up with the view when Khaleda’s principal counsel Khandaker Mahbub Hossain mentioned the petition for fixing the date of hearing, three days after trial judge M Abu Jamader issued a warrant for Khaleda’s arrest.

“Let the matter come up on the cause list and then it will be heard maintaining the serial,” said the court order.

The application, showing no-confidence in the trial judge of special court 3, was submitted with the High Court on January 28 and it had apparently remained latent.

In her petition, Khaleda sought the transfer the two cases to another court as she expressed her no-confidence in the incumbent trial court judge apprehending that she would not get evenhanded justice. l

DT

6 NEWS

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

Police, BGB get Tk29.49cr for blockade duty n Asif Showkat Kallol The Finance Ministry yesterday paid out Tk29.49cr for another month of blockade and hartal policing, pushing security expenditures for the political showdown, now in its 55th day, up to Tk138.29cr.

Bangladesh Police received Tk19.49cr to cover patrolling costs and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) got Tk10cr to boost its rural presence.

Finance Division officials said Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday approved a Home Ministry proposal to meet policing costs during the political showdown, especially targeting lawlessness outside the capital.

The Finance Division disbursed the funds from the Tk1,500cr Unexpected Expenditure Management title of the current budget.

In a recent statement, the finance minister said political programmes should spare economic activities at the district level for the sake of the country’s economic health.

“There has been no disruption to lives and businesses in Dhaka during the blockade,” Muhith said, but described the situation in the districts as “very serious.”

“So, our job is to bring the situation outside Dhaka back to normal,” he said.

As requests for policing funds from different government agencies piled up at the Finance Division, officials said only around half of the requests had been granted so far.

A Finance Division official, asking not to be named, said: “With no end in sight to the ongoing political stalemate, the unremitting cost of maintaining law and order across the country is taking its toll on the government.”

“We are facing enormous pressure regarding funding demands of Tk214.7cr from the Home Ministry, Railway Ministry and Roads and Highways Division for added security.

The [Finance] division has so far disbursed Tk138.29cr from the Unexpected Expenditure Management title of this fiscal year’s budget,” the official said.

He said the funds paid for blockade security operations carried out by the police, BGB and Bangladesh Ansar.

PM Sheikh Hasina told parliament on Wednesday that the country had suffered losses of over Tk120,000cr in the first 52 days of the BNP-led 20-party alliance blockade. l

Nasim: BNP’s farcical movement will stop n Abu Hayat Mahmud The string of general strike and blockades enforced by the BNP-led alliance will soon come to a stop, said Health Minister Mohammad Nasim yesterday without explaining how that would happen.

Terming the political opposition’s movement a complete joke, Nasim claimed that the people had rejected their call to topple the government.

The High Court last week asked the government and the BNP leaders to explain why political activities, blockades and general strikes detrimental to education and people’s lives should not be declared illegal and unconstitutional.

The court on that day had also ordered the government to immediately take measures to prevent violence and oth-

er subversive activities in the name of political movement.

Nasim said the Awami League would be in trouble when it goes into opposition and calls for similar movements. Addressing BNP chief Khaleda Zia, he said: “Stop this farcical movement immediately.”

He was speaking at a rally at Motijheel held to protest the violence and arson carried out by the BNP-Jamaat alliance to enforce their strikes.

New Platform

Meanwhile, 92 pro-AL professional organisations formed a new alliance yesterday named “Muktijoddha-Peshajibi-Janata Oikyo Mancho” to protest the BNP-led alliance’s violence.

The platform’s convener Major General (retd) Helal Morshed made the announcement at the National Press Club. l

One held with petrol and crude bombs n FM Mizanur Rahaman, Chittagong Police arrested a BNP man in possession of six petrol bombs and four crude bombs in a drive at Kacha Bazar of Akbar Shah in Chittagong city early yesterday.

The arrestee was Md Tipu Sultan alias Liton, 32, from Barguna district, said Sub-Inspector (SI) Raju Ahmed Gazi of Akbar Shah police station. Liton is also a local gangster of Akbar Shah, and an accused in several cases lodged with

Khulshi and Panchlaish police stations, said the SI. Following a tip off, police conducted a raid at his residence in Bishwa Colony of Akbar Shah and arrested Liton.

Later, police recovered the bombs from inside a carton that Liton kept under his bed, said the SI. During the primary interrogation, Liton said he amassed the explosives to carry out subversive activities in support of the ongoing political turmoil. A case was lodged with Akbar Shah police station in this regard. l

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NEWS 7

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

Sylhet police come under attack during hartal, blockade n Our Correspondent, Sylhet Members of police in Shylhet have recently been come under attacks on several occasions by pickets during the hartals and blockade enforced by BNP-led 20-party alliance.

Some police have also been injured in the attacks while patrolling in different parts of the Sylhet city.

“We are doing our duties both in days and nights relentlessly. We always remain in fear of falling victim to attacks,” a SMP official said seeking anonymity.

On February 15, a police constable was injured as some activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir attacked two vehicles of police in Seikhghat area of the city, according to sources at Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP).

Earlier on January 15, Sylhet Kotwali Model police station officer-in-charge Asaduzzaman came under attack by pickets in Nayasarak area.

The sources at SMP said they face problems to tackle the attackers due to lack of sufficient number of police forces.

The SMP, however, have written to the Police Headquarters in Dhaka requesting increase of the number of the forces in SMP. Rahmath Ullah, additional deputy commissioner (Media) of SMP, said: “More police forces will appointed soon.

We have sent a letter to the headquarter requesting that the number of forces be increased.” “Several cases have been filed against the attackers. We trying to arrest the criminals,” he said. l

BCL leaders beat up three students at RU n Our Correspondent, Rajshahi A group of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leaders allagedly beat up three students of Rajshahi University (RU) on the campus yesterday.

The victims Shaon Uddin, Sajib Hossain and Tonmoy are masters’ students of finance and banking department of the university.

Jatiyotabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) RU unit president Imtiaz Ahmed claimed in a press release that the students were JCD activists.

Witnesses said, around 1:30pm BCL RU unit organising secretary Faisal Ahmed Runu and joint secretary Golam Kibria were hanging out with some other people at Tukitaki Chattar on the campus. The BCL leaders called over the JCD activists who were having tea nearby at the chattar.

At one stage, the BCL leaders started beating up the JCD men as they were unresponsive to the BCL leaders, witnesses said.

Later, the BCL leaders handed Shaon and Sajib over to Motihar thana police while Tonmoy managed to escape.

When contacted, Abdu Rauf, officer in charge of Motihar thana police station said Shaon was in their custody and Sajib was released to the university proctor till filing of this report.

Contacted BCL leader Faisal Ahmed Runu said, while we called some JCD men who gathered at Tukitaki chattar to talk with them, they misbehaved with us. l

A section of traders run their tile business illegally in Paribag area under the capital occupying the footpath for public

Bridge on Shukh River yet to be completed n Our Correspondent, Khulna The construction work of the bridge on Shukh River in Khulna’s Dumuria upazila has not been completed even in two years.

As such hundreds of people of Magurkhali and Kopilmuni continue to suffer as the bridge is deemed very important for regional connectivity.

Ataul Gani, assistant engineer of Dumuria upazila said the contractor had finished 60 percent of the work so far and withdrew Tk32 lakh 62 thousand.

The time to finish the work has been extended till April 30.

The initiative to make a convenient road connectivity from Dumuria’s Kathaltola to neighbouring Paikgachha’s Kopilmuni area was first taken in 2012.

As part of the project a 60-feet long bridge was proposed to be built on the Shukh River near Koipukuria Secondary School in Magurkhali union. Funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and implemented

by Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), the Tk94 lakh 92 thousand project was given to Mahfuz Khan Traders on December 10, 2012.

The two year term to build the bridge ended on December 10 of last year. However, the contractors has only finished the ground work and the abutment wall. The work has been stalled for the last five months.

Meanwhile, residents of the adjacent areas continue to suffer by commuting on the risky make-shift bamboo bridge.

Headmaster of Koipukuria Union Secondary School Bidhan Chandra Mondol said because the school building was on one side of the river and the administrative building on the other, students and teachers face a lot of trouble crossing the river frequently.

The contractors only finished the ground work and the abutment wall. The work has been stalled for the last five months Magurkhali Union Parishad Chairman Bimol Krishna Sana said people had to cross the river to go to school, bazar, health complex, union parishad and police camp. “The delay in the work is not only lengthening our trouble but also causing the bridge structure to rot.

The rods of the side-wall is already deteriorating,” he said.

When contacted upazila engineer Abdul Khalek said they could not do much work due to the monsoon. He, however, assured that the bridge would be inaugurated soon.

Underscoring the importance of the bridge Dumuria upazila Chairman Khan Ali Monsur said efforts were being made to open up the bridge to people.

Executive Engineer of Khulna LGED Delwar Hossain Mazumdar said they asked the contractors to finish the construction work within April this year. l

MEHEDI HASAN

WEATHER

PARTLY CLOUDY MONDAY, MARCH 2 TODAY SUN SETS 6:02PM

DHAKA

TOMORROW SUN RISES 6:19AM

FORECAST FOR TODAY Dhaka

33

21

Chittagong

32

20

Rajshahi

30

18

Rangpur

29

18

Khulna

33

19

Barisal

34

19

Sylhet

33

19

Cox’s Bazar

31

20

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

34.0ºC Patuakhali

17.8ºC Sitakunda

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajr Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

5:04am 6:19am 12:11am 4:23pm 6:01pm 7:17pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

DT

8 NEWS

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

Two-month fishing ban begins

n Our Correspondent, Chandpur

A syndicate of opportunists build rows of structures, made of poor quality bricks, bamboo and tin, on the arable lands in Potka village of Sripur upazila in Gazipur to demand compensation DHAKA TRIBUNE

Illegal houses built on gas line project to reap compensation n Our Correspondent, Gazipur A vested quarter has been construction semi-permanent structures, mostly residential, on arable lands in Gosinga union of Sripur upazila of Gazipur.

The houses, made of tin, wood and bamboo, have been built in the same area through which gas pipelines to Sripur and other areas are supposed to be constructed.

Locals alleged that some powerful people leased the land from farmers and built the houses so that they can materialise a hefty compensation when the government would acquire those land for constructing the pipelines.

The lands in Potka, Hera Potka, Rajabari, Gajaria and Sonakar areas lie submerged in water for half of the year. There is also no industry within eight kilometre. So the initiative to build houses on these fertile lands have been met with skepticism from the locals.

Jalal Uddin Master, on behalf of the group constructing the houses, said they would set up factories there. And the shanties were being built as storage and workers’ accommodation.

However, Saiful Islam, a farmer of Potka village, said Jalal Uddin Master leased the land from him for two years only few days

ago. He was told that Jalal Uddin would build houses for accommodation.

Mobarak Hossain of the same village said the same person also took the lease from him for two years for Tk25,000 each year.

Gosinga union’s farmer Sohrab Hossain said he could produce two crops in a year from his land. With a good harvest, he could make about Tk20,000 profit each year.

He added: “I heard gas pipelines will go through my land. But now I have leased it out and houses are being constructed. I don’t understand why.”

A recent visit to the area found a frenzy of activities to build temporary houses. Bamboos, tins, low quality bricks and materials are being used to construct these 10 feet wide and 10 feet high structures.

According to upazila union parishad information, a project titled “Construction of 20”DN x 1000 psig x 30 Km Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline from Sreepur (Gararan) To Joydebpur CGS” was approved by the ECNEC recently.

Since then a number of people have started taking lease of the lands that exactly fall under the project map.

Project Director Abdus Sattar said: “The project was initiated to meet the demand of

gas in Gazipur. ECNEC has already approved it. We are aware of the houses being built along the pipeline route.”

He further added that there was no compensation package in the project for affected land owners since the land had no structures on it when the project was approved.

Additional Deputy Commiossioner (revenue) of Gazipur Sebastine Rema said: “After we were informed, we went to document the on going illegal construction on January 6. But our people were injured when Barami union parishad chairman and his people swooped on us.”

The cameras and other devices were also snatched, he added.

Abdur Razzak Bepari, Barami union parishad chairman, however denied the allegation.

Locals said a syndicate, along with the support of government officials, were building the houses so that they can get compensation from the government.

It is a profitable venture since the compensation, depending on the type of structure, is usually higher than the lease amount. When contacted, Nurul Islam, the deputy commissioner of Gazipur said they would investigate the allegations. If the houses were found to be illegal, they would be evicted right away. l

Three killed in road accidents in 3 districts n Tribune Report At least three people were killed in road accidents in Natore, Bogra and Gazipur districts yesterday.

Our Natore Correspondent reports: A boy was killed in an accident as a passenger bus hit him in Ekdala area of Sadar upazila.

Mizanur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Sadar police station said a Rajshahi bound passenger bus of ‘Himel Paribahan’ hit Monsur Rahman,30, son of late Moyez Uddin of Koromdorshi village under Bagatipara upazi-

la from behind ,leaving him critically injured while he was crossing the road. Later, he was sent to Natore Sadar Hospital where the attending doctor declared him dead.

In Bogra, a man and his son were crushed under the wheels of a truck at Anantabala village in Shibganj upazila.

The dead were identified as Abu Taher, 35, and his son Riyad, 8, of the village.

Taher’s another son Hridoy, 9, also received injuries in the accident.

Police said a truck, carrying earth for a brick kiln, skidded off the road and ploughed

through Taher’s land as the driver lost his control over steering, leaving two dead on the spot and injured one.

Hridoy was admitted to Shibganj Upazila Health Complex. Our Gazipur correspondent said a truck driver was killed in Kaliakoir upazila in the district.

Daud Khan, officer-in-charge of Konabari police station said a passenger bus coming from opposition direction ran over the driver when the driver got down from the truck on the Dhaka-Tangail Highway. On information, police recovered the body. l

A two-month ban on catching, selling and transportation of all types of Ilish from the Padma and Meghna rivers from yesterday to ensure safe spawning and protecting of fish resources.

The ban will be in force in five fish sanctuaries of the rivers including Chandpur district.

According to Department of Fisheries sources the department has already carried out a massive campaign, including pasting posters and hanging banners, and is holding discussions with fishermen and the authorities concerned to make the ban fruitful.

Mobile courts will also be conducted in the rivers and at marketplaces to ensure that none can defy the restriction.

The mobile courts will award the offenders two years’ imprisonment in case of any violation of the ban.

The government will provide 40 kg rice to each fisherman in four months from this month as an alternative source of living. l

Six held over petrol bomb attack on train

n Our Correspondent, Habiganj Police yesterday arrested six people in connection with Saturday’s petrol bomb attack on a train in Madhabpur upazila that left three people, including a woman and her daughter, burn injured.

The arrested are Noman Hossain, Islami Chhatra Shibir Satiajuri union unit president, Sajal Ray of Brahmanbaria district, Md Shahbuddin of Madhabpur thana of Habiganj, Abdus Sobhan, Helal of Shankarpasha village of sadar upazila and Sujan of Shayestaganj.

Maya Begum, 40, wife of Kesli Miah of Eralia village in Sadar upazila, their daughter Amena Begum, 25, and Madhab Rudra Paul, 28, of Harashpur village in Madhabpur upazila suffered burn injuries as miscreants hurled three petrol bombs at Sylhet-bound Paharika train from Chittagong in Madhabpur upazila on Saturday night. l

100 RMG workers fall sick drinking water

n Our Correspondent, Gazipur

Over 100 workers of a garment factory in Kaliakoir fell sick yesterday after drinking water supplied by the factory.

Meanwhile, the authority of Mouchak Knitwear closed the factory following the incident. Police and factory workers said workers started vomiting around 8:30am after drinking the water supplied by the factory.

They have experienced vomiting and stomach pain The sick workers were rushed to different clinics at Mouchak and Konabari. Some sick workers said they had fallen sick after taking smelly water. l

DT

NEWS 9

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

A teacher’s endeavours to enlighten n Our Correspondent, Munshiganj

Being a teacher, Tamanna Sarker Moni was well aware of the importance of education, which gave her reasons to consider establishing a school in the char area of Munshiganj’s Dighirpar union in the wake of a major erosion of the Padma River.

The 1988 erosion caused three villages in the union - Sharishabana, Dhanakomra and Kandharabari – to disappear from the map, but people later returned to live in the char rising from the river.

There was only one problem: no public or private school had been founded to educate the local children all these years.

“I came to visit the place one day which is when the thought of imparting education came to my mind,” Moni, assistant teacher of Mahakali Dhalibari Government Primary School, told the Dhaka Tribune.

She said her mother was also a source of inspiration for her in establishing Sharishabana Shamsul Haque Sarker Memorial Elementary School, which was named after her father, Shamsul Haque.

Moni, who is also a well-known cultural activist in Munshiganj, worked hard to establish her school alongside her job.

Her efforts included going door to door to persuade people into educating their children, and trying her level best to obtain the Education Ministry’s permission for running the school.

The permission has not yet been granted.

She also approached the rich in the area, and asked for assistance to develop the school.

“My goal for establishing the school was to provide education for the underprivileged children,” Moni observed.

The school started formally with pre-primary students and also first-graders at the yard of Seku Sikder’s house at Sharishabana

One held with 25 petrol bombs n Our Correspondent, Faridpur Rapid Action Battalion arrested one person and recovered 25 petrol bombs after raiding a house in Faridpur Sadar yesterday.

RAB camp’s ASP Aminur Rahman said the accused, Habibur Rahman alias Sumon was held from his home, 25 petrol bombs were found hidden under his bed during a raid, said the police officer. A mobile phone and three SIM cards were also recovered.

Sumon had brought the explosives from Jessore and stored them for later use to spread violence during the BNP-led alliance’s nationwide blockade and shutdowns, said ASP Aminur. l

Tk6 lakh snatched away n Our Correspondent, Jessore Miscreants snatched away Tk6 lakh after shooting a cattle trader in Setai area under Sharsha upazila yesterday. Quoting witnesses, police said a gang of miscreants riding two motorbikes swooped on Khairul Islam, 30, son of Abu Siddique, a resident of Barpota village of the upazila at night while he was returning home from Satmile cattle market. l

Students of Sharishabana Shamsul Haque Sarker Memorial Elementary School in Munshiganj gather assembly before attending classes. Established by a local teacher, the school’s students are taught under the open sky for the lack of a school building DHAKA TRIBUNE village on September 20 last year.

Since then, the school is operating without any building and more than 250 students now attend classes under the open sky.

But Moni did not give up on her dream to enlighten children just because she did not have a building to run the school. And her endeavours

eventually paid off as Dighirpar union parishad Chairman Arif Halder donated 0.28 acres of land this year to erect a school building.

Besides, Moni herself also donated a 0.07acre land for the school’s development.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, Seku Sikder said he did not want to see his own children

Homestead vegetable cultivation brings revolution in charland n Tribune Report Expanded cultivation of vegetables on homesteads has brought about a revolution in the char economy with fortune to thousands of the extremely poor and landless families living on the Brahmaputra basin in recent years.

More than 120,000 extremely poor char households of ten northwestern districts have become self-reliant so far through vegetable cultivation on their raised plinths and selling the extra produce after meeting their own nutrition demand since 2004.

The char people have achieved the success through cultivating vegetables on their tiny homesteads along with other income generating activities driving away ‘monga’ or the seasonal food shortage to lead better life under assistance of the Char Livelihoods Programme (CLP), reports BSS. Under the comprehensive CLP activities, the poor char families are being assisted to escape floods through raising plinths and make them self-reliant through various income generation activities, including homesteads gardening, under adverse situation.

Horticulture Specialist of the Department of Agriculture Extension Khondker Mesbahul Islam said char people are cultivating

pumpkin, sweet gourd, bitter gourd, bottle gourd, pointed gourd, chilli, brinjal, cucumber, snake gourd, long beans, teasel gourd, sponge gourd, cauliflower, spinach and red amaranth, garlic and other vegetables.

According to CLP sources, 55,000 poorest households were benefited under CLP phase-I during 2004-2010 and 72,000 out of 78,000 households so far under phase-II (2010-2016) to improve livelihoods of 1.9 million extremely poor char people by 2016.

The UKaid through the Department for International Development and Australian Government through Australian Agency for International Development have been supporting for implementation of the comprehensive CLP activities.

The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives of Bangladesh Government have been sponsoring implementation of the comprehensive programme with the management of Maxwell Stamp Plc. Agriculture and Environment Coordinator of RDRS Bangladesh Mamunur Rashid and Chilmari Upazila Agriculture Officer Nazrul Islam said the CLP has been working successfully with the extremely poor char households to improve their livelihoods. l

remain illiterate. “That is why I agreed to let Moni run the school in my yard.”

At present, three part-time teachers work at the school and they are paid a paltry sum every month. The government has distributed 150 sets of books among the school’s students this year. l

Woman’s body found afloat in Munshiganj n Our Correspondent, Munshiganj Police recovered the body of a woman from Kandirpar area adjacent to Mawa ferry ghat in Munshiganj district yesterday.

The deceased could not be identified immediately.

Police primarily suspected that the deceased might be a passenger of the ill-fated launch which had capsized in the Padma River on February 23.

Locals found the body lying on the shore of the Padma in the area and informed police, said Rezaul Karim, officer-in-charge of Lauhajang police station.

Police recovered the body around 6.00pm.

Later police informed Shibalaya upazila administration about the recovery as the scene falls within the upazila.

Galib Khan, upazila nirbahi officer of Shibalaya upazila, said they tried to contact families of the missing passengers of the capsized launch.

Earlier on February 23, a launch carrying over 150 passengers, sank in the mid-river around 11:45 am after it was hit by a fertiliser-laden cargo vessel, ‘Nargis-1’, while it was heading towards Daulatdia ferry ghat from Paturia. l

DT

10 WORLD

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

‘I am not afraid’ Russians march in memory of murdered Putin critic n Reuters, Moscow Holding placards declaring “I am not afraid,” thousands of Russians marched in Moscow yesterday in memory of Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov, whose murder has widened a split in society that some say could threaten Russia’s future.

Families, the old and young walked slowly, with many carrying portraits of Nemtsov, an opposition politician and former deputy prime minister who was shot dead while walking home from a restaurant in central Moscow on Friday night.

“If we can stop the campaign of hate that’s being directed at the opposition, then we have a chance to change Russia. If not then we face the prospect of mass civil conflict,” Gennady Gudkov, an opposition leader, told Reuters before the march.

“The authorities are corrupt and don’t allow any threats to them to emerge. Boris was uncomfortable for them.”

His murder has prompted deep soul searching in a country where for years after the Soviet Union collapsed many yearned for the stability later brought by President Vladimir Putin. Some now fear his rule has become an autocracy.

Putin has vowed to pursue those who killed Nemtsov, calling the murder a “provocation.”

National investigators who answer to the Russian leader say they are pursuing several lines of inquiry, including the possibility that Nemtsov, a Jew, was killed by radical Islamists or that the opposition killed him to blacken Putin’s name.

Putin’s opponents say such suggestions show the cynicism of Russia’s leaders as they whip up nationalism, hatred and anti-Western hysteria to rally support for his policies on Ukraine and

People march behind a banner to commemorate Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov, who was shot dead on Friday night, with St Basil’s Cathedral seen in the background, in central Moscow yesterday. Holding placards declaring ‘I am not afraid’, thousands of Russians marched in Moscow yesterday in memory of Nemtsov, whose murder has widened a split in society that some say could threaten Russia’s future. The banner reads, ‘Heroes don’t die.’

REUTERS deflect blame for an economic crisis.

“It is a blow to Russia. If political views are punished this way, then this country simply has no future,” Sergei Mitrokhin, an opposition leader, said of Nemtsov’s murder.

Some Muscovites, accepting a line repeated by state media, appear to agree that the opposition, struggling to make an impact after a clampdown on dissent in Putin’s third spell as president, might have killed one of their own.

“The authorities definitely do not benefit from this. Everybody had long forgotten about this man, Nemtsov ... It is definitely a ‘provocation’,” said one Moscow resident, who gave his name only as Denis.

Some young people walking in central Moscow asked: “Who is Nemtsov anyway?”

Putin remains dominant Nemtsov, who was 55, was one of the

leading lights of an opposition struggling to revive its fortunes, three years after mass rallies against Putin that failed to prevent him returning to the presidency after four years as prime minister.

The opposition has little support outside big cities and Putin has now been Russia’s dominant leader since 2000, when ailing President Boris Yeltsin chose the former KGB spy as his successor, a role Nemtsov had once been destined to play.

Even many of Putin’s opponents have little doubt that he will win another six years in power at the next election, due in 2018, despite a financial crisis aggravated by Western economic sanctions over the Ukraine crisis and a fall in oil prices.

Many opposition leaders have been jailed on what they say are trumped-up charges, or have fled the country. Their

US-Israel ties fraying over Netanyahu speech, Iran talks n Reuters, Washington/Jerusalem As relations between President Barack Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu hit a new low over the Israeli prime minister’s planned speech to Congress and a looming deadline for a nuclear deal with Iran, there are growing signs it could damage the broader US-Israeli alliance.

Already there has been some fraying of the usually strong relationship amid the frosty personal ties between the two leaders and a deepening divide over the Iran talks, which Israel fears will allow its arch foe to develop an atom bomb.

US officials are fuming over what they see as an affront by Netanyahu over Obama’s Iran diplomacy ahead of an end-of-March deadline for a framework nuclear agreement.

Israeli officials and hard-line US support-

ers are just as adamant in defending Netanyahu’s right to take center-stage in Washington on Tuesday to sound the alarm over the possible deal.

US and Israeli officials insist that key areas of cooperation from counter-terrorism to intelligence to cyber security have been unaffected and will remain so.

But the rift - shaping up as the worst in decades between the allies due to its partisan nature – could have a real impact in some areas, making it harder for Israel to press concerns directly with senior US officials, for example.

As one former US official put it: “Sure, when Netanyahu calls the White House, Obama will answer. But how fast will he be about responding (to a crisis)?”

US officials last month even went as far as accusing the Israeli government of leaking

information to the Israeli media to undermine Iran negotiations and took the unusual step of limiting further sharing of sensitive details about the talks.

The rift is considered potentially far-reaching because it marks a dramatic departure from Israel’s long tradition of carefully navigating between Republicans and Democrats.

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the “politicised” nature of Netanyahu’s visit threatens “what undergirds the strength of the relationship,” though he said there was shared interest in keeping the alliance strong.

People on both sides, including current and former officials, US lawmakers, independent experts and Washington lobbyists, expressed concern about a broader fallout on ties. l

most prominent leader, Alexei Navalny, is serving a 15-day jail sentence for breaking a law that restricts demonstrations.

Nemtsov, a fighter against corruption who said he feared Putin may want him dead, had hoped to start the opposition’s revival with a march in Marino on the outskirts of Moscow to protest against Putin’s economic policies and what they see as Russia’s involvement in the separatist war in east Ukraine.

The Kremlin denies any role in the fighting.

In a change of plan, the opposition said Moscow city authorities had allowed a march of up to 50,000 people alongside the River Moskva to commemorate Nemtsov’s death.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Nemtsov had told him about two weeks ago that he planned to publish evidence of Russian involvement in Ukraine’s separatist conflict. l

Obama to veto Congress bill on Iran deal

n Reuters, Washington

President Barack Obama would veto a bill recently introduced in the US Senate allowing Congress to weigh in on any deal the United States and other negotiating countries reach with Iran on its nuclear capabilities, the White House said on Saturday.

“The president has been clear that now is not the time for Congress to pass additional legislation on Iran. If this bill is sent to the president, he will veto it,” said Bernadette Meehan, a spokeswoman for the White House’s National Security Council. The United States and five other major powers are seeking to negotiate an agreement with Iran to curb its nuclear program in exchange for relief from economic sanctions.

The Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act would require to submit to Congress the text of any agreement within five days of concluding a final deal with Iran. The bill would also prohibit Obama from suspending or waiving sanctions on Iran passed by Congress for 60 days after a deal. l

DT

WORLD 11

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

BJP shares Kashmir power n AFP, Jammu

India’s ruling Hindu nationalist party was yesterday sworn into government in the country’s only Muslim-majority state for the first time after an historic power-sharing deal with a bitter regional rival.

Narendra Modi hailed the partnership between his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as a chance to fulfil the aspirations of a region which has endured a sporadic revolt against Indian rule since 1989.

“PDP-BJP govt is a historic opportunity to fulfil the aspirations of the people of J&K and take the state to new heights of progress,” the prime minister said in a tweet, referring to Jammu and Kashmir state.

After weeks of intensive negotiations, the parties forged a coalition following inconclusive elections two months ago for the restive Himalayan region’s state assembly.

Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, the Muslim head of the PDP, was sworn in as the region’s chief minister, along with his cabinet whose members are split roughly equally between the two parties.

In a symbolic gesture, the 79-year-old Sayeed enthusiastically embraced Hindu nationalist Modi, who was on stage to witness the ceremony, held amid tight security in the region’s winter capital of Jammu.

“We want to make the alliance a turning point in history to win the hearts and minds of all people of the state,” Sayeed later told a press conference.

Modi and Sayeed, whose parties are staunchly opposed on a range of critical issues in the region, last week finally agreed on a common agenda to jointly rule the state.

Unveiled yesterday, the 16-page agenda says the government will maintain a constitutional provision which allows Kashmir to make its own laws and guarantees autonomy from New Delhi.

The BJP has long been committed to its ab-

Egypt court ruling opens way for possible election delay

n Reuters, Cairo Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court ruled yesterday that an article in a law defining voting districts was unconstitutional, opening the way for a possible delay in a long-awaited March-April parliamentary poll.

Egypt has been without a parliament since June 2012 when a court dissolved the democratically elected main chamber, reversing a major accomplishment of the 2011 uprising that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak.

“The court ruled that Article 3 in Presidential Decree Law 202 for 2014 on dividing constituencies in the parliamentary election ... was unconstitutional,” said judge Anwar al-Asy. The Administrative Court is due to meet later this month to rule on whether the election will be delayed, judicial sources said.

The parliamentary election is the final step in a political roadmap the army announced in July 2013 after ousting Islamist Mohamed Mursi, Egypt’s first democratically elected president, following mass protests against his troubled year in office. l

Maduro says Venezuela detains US citizens

n Reuters, Caracas

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Saturday his government had detained US citizens, including a pilot, on suspicion of espionage, in a move likely to strain already tense relations between Washington and Caracas.

Maduro also said his government would order a reduction in the number of US embassy staff in Caracas and prohibit some US officials from entering Venezuela in retaliation for a similar US measure last year. Venezuela would also require US citizens to obtain visas before visiting, he told a rally.

The Venezuelan president, long at odds with Washington, has renewed accusations in recent weeks that the United States is seeking to topple him.

Maduro’s political opponents at home call this a smokescreen aimed at distracting from an increasingly severe economic crisis in the oil-exporting nation. Venezuela has been hard hit by the collapse of oil prices over the last nine months. l Narendra Modi, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufty Mohammed Sayeed and deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, left to right, stand during the playing of the national anthem after a swearing in ceremony of the state assembly in Jammu yesterday AFP olition, while the PDP is steadfastly in favour of keeping it.

The new government will also keep in place a draconian law that gives Indian forces sweeping search and shoot-on-sight powers in Kashmir, which is seen by critics as a cover for rights abuses.

But Sayeed stressed that he would not hesitate to act against the military if abuses were committed, saying “I am the chief chairman of (a) unified command.”

“It is in my direction they have to follow. I will make them accountable.”

He said his government would also attempt to hold talks with Pakistani separatist leaders over the future of the region, which is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed by both.

Rebel groups have been fighting Indian forces since 1989 for independence or a merger of the territory with Pakistan. The fighting has left tens of thousands dead, mostly civilians.

The swearing-in ceremony comes after December elections that saw the BJP capture 25 seats mainly in the Hindu-dominated Jammu region, while the PDP took 28, mostly in the Kashmir valley where Muslim separatist sentiment has traditionally been strongest.

But both failed to secure a majority to the 87-seat assembly, forcing the negotiations.

Both parties benefited at the polls from widespread discontent at the state’s then-ruling National Conference party, over its handling of floods that killed more than 200 people in Kashmir in September. l

Pakistan third in human slavery ranking n Tribune Desk Pakistan ranks third in a list of 167 countries where human slavery is most severe.

This was stated by Justice and Peace Commission Executive Secretary Hyacinth Peter here on Saturday during a consultation session on ‘Existing Laws to Stop Bonded Labour: Gaps and Recommendations.’

He said Pakistan stood third position in the Global Slavery Index (GSI).

“Any kind of slavery is illegal and inhuman. High ratio of slavery in the country is a huge matter of concern and failure of state institutions to protect the rights of labourers. Proper implementation of minimum wages, provision of social security and access to other facilities could stop bonded labour,” he said.

Peter said according to the GSI over two million people were enslaved in Pakistan.

Punjab and Sindh especially were “hot-

spots of bonded labour” in sectors like brick making.

“The sale and purchase of brick kiln labour has become a profitable job. Pakistan got freedom in 1947 but brick kiln labourers could not get freedom from bonded labour till today,” he added.

He further said bonded labour was common in the brick kiln sector and majority of kilns were in Punjab. Labour laws especially Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1992 were not being implemented in the kiln industry and kiln owners were more powerful as compared to the state.

District Officer (Labour) Nusrat Kamal, Nadeem Parwaz, former MPA Amir Naveed Jewa, Altaf Mehmood Qurashi, former MPA Babu Nafees Ansari, Farhan Bhatti, Naeem Haroon and Sohail Javaid were among the participants who urged the government to enforce the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1992 as well as take all necessary steps to end the practice. l

Spain’s PM denies Greek counterpart’s ‘overthrow’ claim

n AP, Madrid Spain’s prime minister has responded angrily to his Greek counterpart’s claim that Spain and Portugal have formed “an axis of forces” trying to overthrow Greece’s government.

Speaking yesterday in Andalusia, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said neither Spain nor Portugal were “responsible for the frustration” that Greece’s new government led by the Syriza party had generated.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras had singled out the Iberian countries as “aggressive European conservative forces” whose plan was “the wear and tear of our government” and its overthrow.

Rajoy countered by saying that Syriza had “promised the Greeks something they knew that they would not be able to deliver.”

Rajoy also said that Spain, despite its own financial crisis, had aided Greece to the tune of “more than 26 billion euros ($29bn).” l

‘Jihadi John’ relatives under watch in Kuwait

n AFP, Kuwait City

Kuwaiti authorities are closely monitoring several relatives of “Jihadi John” who live and work in the Gulf emirate where the Islamic State executioner was born, press reports said yesterday.

A number of relatives of Mohammed Emwazi, named as the militant who has beheaded at least five Western hostages, are working in Kuwait and like him hold British citizenship, Al-Qabas newspaper reported.

“Security agencies have taken the necessary measures to monitor them round the clock,” the paper said, citing an “informed source.”

The daily did not say how many of Emwazi’s relatives are in Kuwait. Authorities have remained silent on the issue. Al-Rai newspaper cited security sources as saying that Emwazi’s father, Jassem Abdulkareem, also a British national, is currently in Kuwait and is expected to be summoned by authorities. l

DT

12 EDITORIAL

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

Take incitement to violence seriously

L

ike Avijit Roy’s family and friends, we hope his killers will soon be found and held to account before the law for his brutal murder.

This will not be enough, however, to ensure justice and safety for other writers who have been subjected to similar threats and violence to that endured by Avijit.

The government needs to take all threats of incitement to violence more seriously.

Impunity for inciting violence against others only emboldens and encourages those individuals who are minded to carry out vicious acts.

During the last decade, we have seen at least 15 cases where Islamist militants have been found responsible for the killing of teachers and writers who have been explicitly attacked following threats against them for their dissenting views on religion. Justice demands the government speed up progress on these cases.

However, the government must also take Thursday’s attack as a wake up call to take action when groups and individuals incite violence against others. It is shameful that the country has endured recurring instances of individuals being targeted for violence and murder for no reason other than their personal opinions.

Section 504 of the Penal Code prohibits intentional insults which are intended to provoke a breach of the peace and Section 505 clearly outlaws statements which may induce someone to commit an offence.

The harm done to society by repeated threats and encouragement imploring others to commit violence against people for their opinions, is obvious. This kind of intimidation and incitement to commit violence must not be allowed to stand.

Government must end impunity for those who incite violence

Tigers deserve support not abuse

Be heard

Writeto toDhaka DhakaTribune Tribune Write Tower, 8/C Panthapath,Sukrabad, Sukrabad,Dhaka-1207 Dhaka-1207 FR FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Email letters.dt@dhakatribune.com Email letters.dt@dhakatribune.com Sendususyour yourOp-Ed Op-Edarticles: articles: Send opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com Join our Facebook community: Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune

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Divided civil society no silver bullet

February 11 Alam Hafeejul Alam AL has to sit because the present situation It’s not understood why AL should sit with is one created by them. such parties which have tried to kill AL chief Sheikh Hasina and which are presentAhmed ly engaged in open terrorist activities.

It in not fully identified who are engaging in Terrorists have no right for political the terrorist activities. dialogue and they are supposed to be Still, it’s the general people who are treated the same way as they are treated suffering the arson attacks. It should be elsewhere in the world. stopped immediately.

On the other hand, it is more of an Sagor emergency now to start fruitful dialogue.

It is obviously a good initiative. But compelThere is no other alternative in this regard. ling the government to talk by throwing Please, we want to believe that our politipeople into a reign of fire cannot be good cians truly are patriots. for the future.

DT PM: No dialogue with murderers February 11

W

e are strongly critical of the appalling behaviour of some purported fans of the Bangladesh cricket team at a Melbourne mosque on Friday.

It is outrageous that as a number of the team’s players assembled for Jumma prayers, the whole mosque was disrupted by a group of Bangladeshi expatriates harassing and mocking our national team’s cricketers.

There is no excuse for such disgraceful behaviour. It was insulting not just to the players being abused but to everyone attending the Friday prayers.

Genuine supporters do not misbehave or indulge in such hooliganism, even when they are disappointed in their team’s performance. It is one thing for fans of sport to engage in friendly banter or to express criticism of their team’s performance, quite another to contravene basic rules of courtesy and common sense.

Heightened emotions are no justification for attacks on players or actions which taint the image of our national team.

The Tigers do not deserve this type of abuse.

We commend the players present for acting with dignity and staying silent as cricket board officials spoke up to try and calm the situation. We are confident that most genuine supporters of the Bangladesh cricket team agree and will disassociate themselves from the behaviour of rogue fans.

In the midst of such a major tournament as the World Cup, we hope this incident will remain an isolated one. Our cricketers deserve to be getting every encouragement and support from all Bangladeshi fans to progress further in the tournament.

It is one thing for fans of sport to express criticism of their team’s performance, quite another to contravene basic rules of courtesy

Death of 10 children: Probe body at Osmani hospital February 11 Andy damn Hasina and Khaleda, wake up and smell the labour room. The Bangladeshi government is in shambles, never mind hospitals.

Will the Tigers roar? Testing times for Bangladesh

Nirob Sikder Sorry, but we do not agree with you.

Abu Syeed Hehehehe! Making such a claim that they are killers means she has significant information to prove it. So why don’t you save us by bringing them to book? Or maybe you can try and reveal the secrets to us that you have at your disposal?

Babul Sarwar We are with you -- do not talk to anyone, do not save anyone, that is not your pledged duty, let the number of deaths increase and it will all turn out okay automatically. We understand you are sincere in your efforts to establish your version of rule of law -- we all love you, even our children, who cannot go to school for you know all those militants.

Matiur Rahman The US also have held dialogs with the Taliban. What is the justification that you yourself are not militants?

February 11 Sammy It is such a pleasure tinged with nostalgia to read from Yousuf Rahman Babu … the first Bangladesh captain I remember. What a classy guy, and a thorough “cricketergentleman” from the last vestiges of an era when it was indeed the game of gentlemen.

Local CEOs, global corporations February 12 Evil People Politics Yes! I can speak from first-hand experience that we do indeed have a lot of promising individuals who can do a lot of good in high position in Bangladesh. Companies need to have a little more faith in our youth (and even some experienced seniors) when it comes to management.

Natalie Portman wasn’t given a script for Knight of Cups February 12 Cartolo Bolon Holy God she’s beautiful!

DT

OPINION 13

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

It's no time to discourse n Mohammad Zaman

D

iscourse is the zeitgeist. From talk show pundits to the aam admi all are rooting for a discourse.

Another diplomatic foray by Oscar Fernandez Taranco seems to be on the offing, apparently “because the natives of the land are not big enough or smart enough to tame the churlish braggadocio of the reigning actors” (I mean the honorable PM and the honorable ex-PM).

I am not sure if a meaningful discourse is possible at this juncture, for discourse is a natural extension of two logical minds of differing philosophies as they interact and strive to interject some cohesion.

Successful discourse is constructed upon a good dose of healthy respect for the “opposing partner.” Although it sounds like an oxymoron, I am choosing the term deliberately to emphasise the fact that discourse is not for the hot-headed philistine who cannot bear the smell of opposition.

“It’s no time to discourse, so Chrish (Christ) save me; the day is hot, and the weather, and the wars, and the king and the dukes; it’s no time to discourse” (Shakespeare: King Henry V).

Well, without a sense of healthy respect and optimal ambience, not even Christ is going to save a discourse.

I do watch deshi television and read a lot more deshi newspapers on the net. I notice a tremendous amount of knowledge and talent in flux. Some are lovable while some are odious; and that’s all right.

But a discourse without a sense of common sense is nonsense. A discourse has to undulate our minds like a gentle stroke of a finger on a harp.

It’s okay to bite and scratch and scratch (borrowed from Montaigne) as long as there is a modicum of sensibility.

Not long ago, I received an email from a person who frequents NFB (a Bangladeshi news portal and discussion forum) rather frequently.

A firm believer of religion, I gather, he was irrationally furious at a certain scribe who made a name for himself by incessantly trashing religion of all sorts, especially Islam.

I also gather that this gentleman, a representative of the silent majority, wrote only because he was infuriated.

One who writes or speaks or proposes, by definition, is vocal, and intends to modulate the hearts and minds of those who are not

BIGSTOCK

yet in sync. Hence a discourse that brings forth such outright aversion is no discourse at all.

Going back to our honorable PM and ex-PM: I am an eternal optimist and still, my mind is shrouded in gloom. I don’t see them looking eye-to-eye, sitting side by side and picking and poking each other’s brains in a way that shall glean a ray of hope for the 17 crore souls who call themselves the real

owners of Bangladesh.

A proposition, a concept, or a statement that materialises no sensible consequences in the minds of the involved, whatever vainglorious it may be, is of no meaning. A noun is nothing but a noun unless a verb is there to undulate it. l Mohammad Zaman is a physician and an occasional writer.

If Malcolm X came back today n Niaz Alam

L

ast month saw the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Malcolm X, the visionary African-American Muslim leader and human rights activist.

A chance glimpse of a TV news item on the commemoration ceremony, held at the site in Harlem where he was murdered on February 21, 1965, reminded me that I spoke at a similar event at New York’s City College 10 years ago in May 2005 to celebrate what would have been his 80th birthday.

Given that this conference was an interesting but somewhat gloomy affair, with most attendees deeply depressed by the administration of George W Bush, it is heartening to see a decade later a more positive atmosphere and hugely more global media interest in his legacy.

At the time, the poem’s note of despair chimed well with its tiny audience. While the life of Malcolm X, or El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz as he chose to be known at the time of his death, may have been commemorated during intervening decades in US postage stamps and a Hollywood film, he was and still remains the outsider in most histories of the 1960s civil rights struggle.

The caricature of the pre-9/11 world of the 1990s as peaceful and prosperous that largely overlooks the millions of victims of civil wars in the Congo during the same period, was uppermost when I wrote the doggerel that got me invited to the conference and is reprinted today. The other equally pressing reason is that in 2004 I holidayed at an Istanbul guesthouse called the Poem Hotel, whose manager

had an open challenge for guests to write poems in the visitors’ book.

As someone who saw value in the way Malcolm X had linked struggles to liberate Black America to the wider worldview of Bandung-inspired visions for self determination, and the quest for a more just, non-aligned, post-colonial world, it rankled that human lives in Africa seemed to count for less than others in global media discourse.

This, combined with the sense of powerlessness I felt after marching with millions against the invasion of Iraq in 2003, not to mention a subliminal steal from the Black Eyed Peas, gave rise to the poem’s overarching question “where is the hope?”

Although he may have disappointed many with his failure to bring peace to the Middle East, or to rein in racism and police violence in America, it seems, looking back, that the election victories of Barrack Hussein Obama heralded the hope that millions were seeking at the time ...

Over the years, it has proved easy for diverse groups, from Trotskyists to Black separatists, including those who had threatened to kill him, to cherry-pick the life and speeches of Malcolm X to push their own causes.

Were it not for the posthumous publication of the Autobiography of Malcolm X, which was written during the last months of his life in collaboration with Alex Haley and became one of the most influential American books of the 20th century, it is possible that people today might miss the real strengths of Malcolm X’s legacy.

Whereas Martin Luther King’s life includes the tangible gains of civil rights legislation,

Malcolm’s impact was more internal and psychological. His autobiography’s power lies in his repeated willingness to be self-critical and to seek change and empowerment.

Contrary to the perception created by Louis Farrakhan and other niche groups like the five percenters, the bulk of African-Americans in the Nation of Islam were to follow Malcolm X’s path in the 1970s, away from a racist black mythology towards conventional Islam. It is, however, Malcolm’s advocacy of pan-Africanism and a more universal internationalist socialism rather than his religious preaching, for which he is most remembered today.

Like those dreams, the poem’s references to the Oscars and Wimbledon remain a forlorn hope in a globalised world, whose agenda, cultural as well as financial, can still be said to be dominated by imperialist legacies.

But people can still draw inspiration from the many hopes which Malcolm engendered.

In a local context, Muhammad Ali’s trip to Bangladesh, as captured in Raymond Massey’s 1978 film Bangladesh I love you, could be said to be a direct reflection of Malcolm’s ideals.

For all the black pride generated by The Rumble in the Jungle and Thriller in Manila, and the heroic status Ali achieved by refusing to fight in Vietnam, Malcolm would have undoubtedly disapproved of his former friend taking millions from Mobutu and Marcos. But like Jimmy Carter, he would have welcomed Ali going unpaid at the invitation of a British-based documentarymaker simply to show solidarity with the people of a new nation, whose birth had been resisted by the earlier Nixon presidency.

If Malcolm Came Back Today (Istanbul 2004) If Malcolm came back today Wouldn’t he be disgusted Wouldn’t he be appalled.

What would he like about being co-opted?

Whom would he thank And whom would he scold From Victoria to Mandela From Memphis to DC From Haiti to Havana to Harlem Via Bandung, Saigon and Bengal Who cares now for the Congo?

While we pine for Palestine Will Wimbledon fortnight move to Beirut?

And the Oscars come live from Senegal And can Shanghai really show us the way From Rio to Timbuktu Where is the hope ?

From Zanzibar to Al Andalus.

It is but one of the myriad reasons why Malcolm X’s life and ideals continue to inspire and demand historical attention. l Niaz Alam has worked on ethical business issues since 1992 and is a former vice-chair of War on Want.

He is Chief Editorial Writer at the Dhaka Tribune.

DT

14 OPINION

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

Are we ready for freethinkers?

BIGSTOCK

n Towheed Feroze

T

he killing of Avijit Roy by unknown men carrying meat cleavers within the Dhaka University campus at the end of the Ekushey Book Fair is certainly an episode that completes the month of February on a sinister note.

But as more facts from the past surface, we find that threats against the selfproclaimed free thinker were made several times before.

Obviously, these were not taken seriously; otherwise, Roy and his wife would at least be surrounded by friends.

One issue that keeps on bugging me is that if the blogger and his outspoken views were so popular, then why didn’t anyone present during the incident make an effort to stop the crime?

For those who come to the DU campus, it’s a well-known fact that police are always present at two specific spots: The TSC intersection and by the residence of the Vice Chancellor.

In addition, a Dhaka University microbus, commonly referred to as the Proctor patrol car, moves around the campus to ensure outsiders do not crowd the university roadsides.

Reportedly, men in blue were too slow to react. Also, no one chased the killers as they ran away! So many people on motorcycles …

The picture-capturing moments after the attack, with the blogger lying unconscious on the pavement in a pool of blood and his shellshocked wife asking for help, came out in several papers and, if the mood of the whole scenario can be gauged, it becomes clear that people around her seem too paralysed to do

anything.

A man in uniform, carrying a gun, is seen at a distance, whereas common sense states that by that time there should be police everywhere.

At some other time, this killing would be treated as a singular incident, but with the country facing political turbulence mixed with intransigence from all sides, there is an attempt to link it to the ongoing crisis.

safety can actually be offered to those who decide to be outspoken.

From another angle of the debate, we must also ask if the Bangladeshi society as a whole is ready to provide a secure ground for those who adhere to Western style “no holds barred” secularism.

Please don’t get me wrong here -- in my opinion, most people in Bangladesh are secular to a certain limit anyway. Leaving out

Given the busy background against which the assault was carried out, one wonders how much safety can actually be offered to those who decide to be outspoken

Talking to a few students within the campus the following day, what came up was the alleged observation by a noted politician that a body has been produced in accordance to a line supposedly exhorting the necessity for a killing, made a few days earlier in a bugged phone conversation.

Don’t think it will be an exaggeration if one is to contend that this killing may be used by several quarters to serve their political agenda. Already we have free speech supporters uniting to denounce the act plus demanding the rooting-out of fundamentalism.

However, realistically speaking, given the busy background against which the assault was carried out, one wonders how much

sporadic secular tensions, which have never blown out of proportion, this is a country where people of all faiths have lived and still live on with relative calm.

And in that co-existence is the core definition of secularism as Bangladesh understands it.

Here, the notion that to preach one’s liberal values someone else’s faith (or one’s own) needs to be slated, has never had many takers.

Similarly, faith is woven into the lives of so many people that renouncing religion in public is also not something which exacts plaudits.

Then again, no one is forcing somebody to go to the mosque or the temple -- the

liberalism is not overt, it’s woven within the society’s ethos.

Call it hypocrisy or double standards, the inherent philosophy that governs lives is “do what you want,” but if your affinities or associations are things that are contrary to the standard portrayal of tradition, then simply don’t beat the drums.

In most international media outlets, Avijit was identified as an atheist. Truth is, in Bangladesh, atheism has not blended with life as yet with ease. Just like the issue of premarital physical intimacy.

Modern-day teenagers and the young may very well know about the morning after pill from adverts, though it’s highly unlikely that the issue of sex before marriage will come up in casual conversation with parents. That means, before marriage, no girl or boy will ever go about saying in public that she or he had five to six relations in the past with physical closeness being an integral part of at least three.

In the UK, a survey, done several years ago, showed that on average, every man and woman had at least eight relations by the time they reached 45. Such surveys won’t bring out any such staggering statistics in Bangladesh, though the real picture may not be too different.

It’s gravely disconcerting that Avijit, an expatriate, had to meet such a gruesome end, but perhaps independent-minded writers/ thinkers should also take into account the complex social equations in Bangladesh before making declarations of atheism and agnosticism. l Towheed Feroze is a journalist currently working in the development sector.

16

China manufacturing shrinks again in February

RMG makers to meet with Muhith today for placing demands n Tribune Report The county’s apparel makers will meet Finance Minister AMA Muhith at his secretariat office today to place a series of demands for recovering the losses they have so far incurred in the wake of the ongoing countrywide political violence.

The demands include deferred payment of loans, rescheduling of terms loans and other incentives.

“We will meet the Finance Minister today to appraise him about the current situation in the RMG sector and to place a set of demands to cope up with the losses incurred due to political unrest since January 5,” Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Md Atiqul Islam told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

He said, “Our demands will include deferred payment of loans to keep our CIB (Credit Information Bureau) record good, rescheduling of terms loans for five years, incentives against euro zone export.’’

The Coordination Committee for Clothing Sector, which was formed to devise ways to face the ongoing political crisis, prepared the charter of demands in line with the recommendations made by the sector people.

The business team, which will be led by BGMEA President, includes representatives from Bangladesh Textile Mills Association, BGMEA, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, and other related sectors.

“We will urge the minister to offer us the incentives as soon as possible as it will help us to recover from the losses incurred due to political unrest,’’ BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim said.

He also opined that if the incentives were released immediately, it would help the exporters especially the small and medium ones to turnaround from the losses.

“We will seek incentives against the export to the EU markets to continue business with the EU countries as prices of Euros came down sharply in recent times,” said Azim. l

19

Stocks slip in red as political unrest prolongs

20

KEY PERFORMANCE OF STATE OWNED BANKS SONALI BANK

JANATA BANK

AGRANI BANK

Dec 13

Dec 14

Dec 13

Dec 14

Dec 13

Dec 14

Dec 13

Dec 14

Target achieved in loan recovery from top 20 defaulters

37

25.33

117.20

25

42

72

217

52.61

Target achieved in loan recovery from others

50

37

69

126

40.31

39.55

46

94

Adjusted loan growth

-7.07

-6.70

1.15

10

-0.63

9

14

RUPALI BANK

11.40

All the figures in %

n Jebun Nesa Alo The performance of four-state owned banks in default loan recovery has deteriorated further in last year despite efforts by Bangladesh Bank.

All the four banks – Sonali Bank, Janata Bank, Agrani Bank and Rupali Bank – failed to achieve their respective recovery target set in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the year 2014.

Rather, their performance worsened than the previous year (2013), according to the MoU review report of the central bank.

“Despite having poor performance in loan recovery, the state-owned four banks successfully pulled down their non-performing loan rates in line with the central bank’s expectation through huge loan rescheduling,” said a senior executive of the central bank.

According to the report, Sonali Bank recovered cash of around Tk80 crore in the last year from top 20 defaulters, which was only 25.33% against its set target worth Tk315 crore, while the rate of recovery was 36.87% or Tk111 crore against the target of Tk301 crore in the previous year.

The cash recovery from other top defaulters of the Sonali Bank stood at Tk658 crore, 37% of the target of Tk1,785 crore in the last year. The recovery rate was 50% or Tk1,355 crore against the target of Tk2,712 crore in the year 2013.

The Janata Bank achieved only 25% or Tk30 crore of the loan recovery target of Tk120 crore from the top defaulters in the last year. The rate of recovery was 117% or Tk112 crore against the target of Tk96 crore in the year 2013, according to the review report.

The loan recovery from the other defaulters of Janata Bank, however, improved to 126% of the target in the last year compared to the rate of 69% in the previous year.

Agrani Bank was ahead in the race of default loan recovery with achieving 72.63% of

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

Portfolio investment sees sharp fall

Default loan recovery by state banks deteriorates Financial indicators

DT

Business

15

the target or Tk109 crore from top defaulters in the last year compared to the rate of 42% or Tk48 crore in the previous year.

The bank also achieved 40.31% of the loan recovery target from the other defaulters in the last year which was close to the target achieved in the previous year.

The performance of Rupali Bank was the poorest, among the four banks, in case of loan recovery from the top defaulters. The bank achieved 52.61% or Tk20 crore of the target in the last year compared to the rate of 217% or Tk104 crore achieved against the target in the previous year.

The bank, however, improved in loan recovery from other defaulters with achieving 94% of the target in the last year compared to the rate of 46% that achieved in the previous year.

The four banks rescheduled around loans of Tk2,000 crore in the first nine months of the last year, taking advantages of relaxed reschedule policy, according to the central bank data.

Though the performance of the four banks in loan recovery was weak, the banks were, however, able to slightly improve their loan growths, operating expenses and capital management, according to the MoU review report.

The adjusted loan growth of Janata, Agrani and Rupali improved to 10%, 9% and 11.40% respectively in the last year compared to the growth of 1.15%, negative 0.63% and 14% in the previous year.

The loan growth of only Sonali Bank was worse to negative 6.70% against the target of 6% in the last year compared to the growth of negative 7% in the previous year.

Sonali and Janata banks maintained their operating expenses within the limit set in the MoU while other two banks were slightly beyond the limit. The capital shortfall of Sonali Bank stood at Tk394 crore in December last year despite recapitalisation of Tk710 crore last year.

The Rupali Bank also fell in capital shortfall of Tk200 crore in December last year. The other two banks Janata and Agrani, however, maintained surplus capital of Tk108 crore and Tk143 crore respectively in last year. l

World Mobile Congress begins in Barcelona today n Muhammad Zahidul Islam, from Barcelona, Spain

The four-day-long Mobile World Congress, the largest exhibition for the mobile industry, kicks off today in Barcelona with an emphasis on new innovation to telecom services with mobile entertainment.

GSM Association (GSMA) is organising the annual gala event, bringing together a host of industry-leading CEOs and ecosystem players from the music, entertainment and mobile industries.

Executives of mobile operators, device manufacturers, technology providers, vendors and content owners from across the globe will meet in the conference, which will continue until Thursday.

Hundreds of global experts and analysts, ministers and high officials from different countries have already gathered at the Spanish city to attend the event.

Visionary keynotes and panel discussions will be featured at the event, where some 1,700 exhibitors will participate with cutting-edge products and technologies.

A Bangladeshi delegation led by ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak is attending the conference, along with Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Chairman Sunil Kanti Bose and other senior officials of the ministry and the regulator.

“As we are undergoing a process of building a digital Bangladesh, it is an opportunity for adopting more digital services through this congress,” the state minister told the Dhaka Tribune ahead of the event.

A large number of senior executives from different mobile operators from Bangladesh will also attend the congress.

Grameenphone’s parent company Telenor’s CEO and President Jon Fedrik Baksaas, also the president of GSMA, will attend a session as a panelist.

Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook, and the bosses of Google, IBM, Twitter and WhatsApp will be among the high-profile attendees.

Organisers said this year’s event will feature more than 85,000 attendees, including more than 4,500 CEOs, with around four thousand journalists representing 1,700 media outlets from 84 countries. l

DT

16 BUSINESS

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

China manufacturing shrinks again in February n AFP, Beijing China’s manufacturing activity contracted for the second straight month in February, the government said Sunday, a day after the central bank announced an interest rate cut to help stem a slump in the world’s second-largest economy.

The official Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) came in at 49.9 last month, up a fraction from 49.8 in January, but remaining in contraction.

The index, which tracks activity in factories and workshops, is considered a key indicator of the health of China’s economy, a major driver of global growth. A figure above 50 signals expansion, while anything below indicates shrinkage.

January’s figure had been the first contraction for 27 months and highlighted weakness in the key sector as China’s economic growth slows.

“The manufacturing PMI figure released today reinforces that headwinds remain in the economy,” ANZ economists Liu Li-Gang and Zhou Hao wrote in a reaction to the survey.

China’s overall economy expanded 7.4% in 2014, a 24-year low, with the slowdown prompting authorities to loosen monetary policy in a bid to put a floor under growth.

Underscoring concern, the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) announced on Saturday that it was lowering benchmark interest rates for the second time in three months.

The central bank lowered its one-year rate for deposits by 25 basis points, or 0.25 percentage point, to 2.5% and its one-year lending rate by a similar margin to 5.35%.

The move takes effect on Sunday.

‘Historically low inflation’

In a statement posted on its website, the bank pointed to “historically low inflation” as among the factors behind the move.

Chinese inflation as measured by the consumer price index (CPI) plunged to a more than five-year low of 0.8 percent in January, fuelling fears the economy could be on the brink of deflation.

Workers load cargo at a port in Lianyungang City The producer price index, a measure of costs for goods at the factory gate and a leading indicator of the trend for CPI, declined for the 35th straight month in January, recording its biggest decline since October 2009.

The PBoC surprised markets on November 21 by cutting interest rates for the first time in more than 2 1/2 years.

“We believe that China has started a new round of policy easing, and more easing policies can be expected,” Liu and Zhou of ANZ wrote.

They expect the PBoC to carry out another 25-basis point cut in deposit rates this year as

REUTERS

well as further slash the reserve requirement ratio (RRR), the percentage of funds banks must hold in reserve.

The central bank in early February announced its first across-the-board cut in the RRR in more than 2 1/2 years in a bid to spur lending and boost the economy.

Sunday’s data from the NBS come after British bank HSBC said last week that its PMI survey returned to expansion territory.

The preliminary reading for February came in at a four-month high of 50.1, up from 49.7 in January, said HSBC, which is scheduled to

release its final figure on Monday.

China’s leaders are trying to pull off a managed slowdown in the Asian giant in which consumer spending becomes the main driver of growth - as in other major economies such as the United States and Japan.

Saturday’s rate cut announcement came as China prepares to open the annual meeting of its rubber-stamp legislature during which Premier Li Keqiang is expected to give an annual speech on the state of the economy, including the closely watched official growth objective for this year. l

Top US economists urge later Fed rate hike

Buffett looks to succession, signals future growth problem

n Reuters, New York

n Reuters, New York

Raising interest rates too late is safer than acting too early, an influential Federal Reserve official said on Friday, endorsing a high-profile research paper that argues that the US economy, given time, can rebound to normal growth.

The paper by four top US economists, presented on Friday to a roomful of powerful central bankers in New York, argues the Fed would be wise to keep rates at rock bottom for longer than planned and then tighten monetary policy more aggressively.

New York Fed President William Dudley, who offered a critique of the paper, cited currently low inflation and warned against being too anxious to tighten monetary policy.

The risks of hiking rates “a bit early are higher than the risks of lifting off a bit late,” he told a forum hosted by the University of

Chicago’s Booth School of Business. “This argues for a more inertial approach to policy.”

The U.S. central bank is in the global spotlight as it weighs when to lift rates after more than six years near zero, and how quickly to tighten policy thereafter, given the economy appears to have finally recovered from recession.

Some policymakers, like Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester, caution against waiting too long, given concerns about potential financial stability and an erosion of public confidence in the economy.

But the paper’s authors, like Dudley, offer a somewhat dovish solution to the dilemma.

They conclude that the Fed cannot be certain to what level it should aim to ultimately raise its key rate. But this equilibrium level, they say, has not fallen as low as claimed by those who warn of a “secular stagnation” in the United States. l

In his 50 years at the helm of Berkshire Hathaway Inc, Warren Buffett has transformed a failing textile company into a sprawling conglomerate that has vastly outperformed most of the rest of corporate America.

But he now says: Do not expect a repeat of that outperformance in the next 50. In the 84-year-old’s annual shareholder letter released on Saturday, Buffett said Berkshire has grown so large - 751,000 times its original net worth per share - that the future pace of gains “will not come close” to those of the past.

“The numbers have become too big,” Buffett wrote. “I think Berkshire will outperform the average American company, but our advantage, if any, won’t be great.”

Within 10 to 20 years, Buffett said, Berkshire’s girth could require whoever then runs

the Omaha, Nebraska-based company to consider steps he has resisted, such as paying dividends or conducting “massive” share repurchases.

Buffett, also addressing one of the more pressing topics at Berkshire, said he and his board of directors “believe we now have the right person to succeed me as CEO,” likely for a decade or more, and who in some respects “will do a better job than I am doing.”

While Buffett did not name that person, Berkshire Vice Chairman Charlie Munger, 91, said Greg Abel and Ajit Jain, two top Buffett lieutenants, would be prime candidates.

Abel, 52, runs Berkshire Hathaway Energy.

Jain, 63, has been Buffett’s top insurance executive for three decades.

A successor could also be female: Buffett said “gender should never decide who becomes CEO.” l

DT

BUSINESS 17

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

NEWS IN BRIEF India’s budget sees $7bn revenue from telecoms sector in 2016 The government expects revenue of 428.66bn rupees ($6.95bn) from the telecoms sector, including from auctions of its airwaves, during the next fiscal year to March 2016, the annual budget showed on Saturday.

The government has yet to give details on the spectrum auctions to be held during the next fiscal year. The estimates include revenue from the annual fees telecoms carriers pay to the government. Bidding is set to begin next Wednesday for India’s latest round of spectrum auctions, from which government expects to raise more than $13bn. The government expects to raise $3.5bn of that during the current fiscal year that ends in March. Revenue from the sale of its telecoms airwaves is crucial for the government to meet its ambitious fiscal deficit targets. India’s Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has targeted lowering the fiscal deficit to 3% of gross domestic product within 3 years, from 4.1% set for this fiscal year. – Reuters, Mumbai

Russian supermarkets freeze prices for inflationweary shoppers A man watches television inside his currency exchange shop in New Delhi

India vows tough punishments to bring home ‘black money’ n Reuters, New Delhi India said it plans tougher punishments including jail terms of up to 10 years for those who hide undeclared cash outside the country and for the banks and advisers who help them, as it tries to bring back illicit billions stashed abroad.

In his budget address on Saturday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the government would introduce the changes in a new law during the current session of parliament, which will also allow enforcement agencies to seize assets held abroad.

The hidden cash “eats into the vitals of our economy and society,” Jaitley said. “The problems of poverty and inequity cannot be eliminated unless generation of black money and its concealment is dealt with effectively and forcefully.”

Illegal deposits abroad cost India billions of dollars in lost revenue and Prime Minister

Narendra Modi’s government has promised to change laws and enact new measures to bring back such funds, known in India as ‘black money’.

The amount of money flown out of Bangladesh through illicit means is (10-year average, 2012) $1.3bn annually while the figure was $44bn for India.

– Global Financial Integrity Evading tax on foreign assets will carry a jail sentence of up to 10 years, under the government’s proposed changes, while failing to disclose assets adequately will be punishable by

REUTERS

up to 7 years.

When assets abroad cannot be forfeited, the new rules could allow the government to confiscate equivalent assets in India.

India has also struck a deal with Swiss authorities, which will provide information for cases being investigated at home. The two sides have begun talks on an automatic exchange of information, Jaitley said.

Earlier this month, Indian tax officials searched the Mumbai headquarters of HSBC Holdings as part of a broader probe related to allegations the bank’s Swiss business helped clients dodge taxes.

India has been the only Asian country to aggressively investigate HSBC over the matter.

The black money changes come in a full-year budget that seeks to encourage investment in India with lower corporate tax eventually and simpler process, but also to increase fiscal revenue. l

India Inc cheers corporate tax cut, simpler rules n Reuters, Mumbai Indian businesses, recovering from years of sluggish growth, welcomed budget plans on Saturday that will cut the corporate tax rate and introduce a single national goods and services tax (GST) to replace a complex array of local duties.

Executives said measures announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the budget

for the coming fiscal year should help rekindle growth, though questions remained over the ultimate impact of a raft of tax changes.

In his first full-year budget since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s election victory last May, Jaitley stopped short of a radical overhaul, but announced a raft of steps to encourage India’s $2tn economy to take off.

“Big bang budget announcements are good for newspaper and TV headlines, but corpo-

rates really want ease of doing business, policy consistency and a clear vision,” Areef Patel, executive vice-chairman of Patel Integrated Logistics Ltd, said.

“The direction is very clear.”

As part of the budget proposals, Jaitley said he would cut corporate tax to 25% over four years from a 30% rate that he said made India’s industry “uncompetitive”. Effective collection is just 23%. l

Lots of things freeze in Russia’s bitterly cold winters, but not usually food prices, yet that is exactly what top supermarket chains are doing to protect the poor from galloping inflation. The plunging ruble and a Russian embargo on European Union and US food products in retribution over Ukraine sanctions has resulted in prices for many goods skyrocketing.

The ACORT trade association, which includes major supermarket chains such as Magnit, X5, Auchan, Lenta and Metro, announced last week that it was freezing prices “on more than 20 socially important items of basic necessity for two months”. The supermarkets said they hope to “contribute to a stabilisation of the situation on the food markets in the interest of consumers” and called on suppliers to help in the effort. Freezing prices may also be in the interests of the supermarkets although it will eat into their profits, analysts say, as it may help them escape worse measures from the government. – AFP, Moscow

IBM targets $40bn in cloud, other growth areas by 2018 International Business Machines Corp, which ruled computing in the age of the mainframe, is targeting $40bn in annual revenue from the cloud, big data, security and other growth areas by 2018. The aggressive target, set

by IBM executives at the company’s annual investor meeting in New York on Thursday, is the latest step for the technology giant towards emerging, high-margin businesses, and away from its previous strongholds in hardware and servers. The $40bn will come from areas which IBM calls its “strategic imperatives,” namely cloud, analytics, mobile, social and security software. That would represent about 44% of $90bn in total revenue that analysts expect from IBM in 2018. Those businesses generated $25bn in revenue for IBM last year, or 27 percent of its total $93bn in sales. The company said it would shift $4bn in spending to its “strategic imperatives” this year. – Reuters

DT

18 BUSINESS

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

News, analysis and recent disclosures PRIMEBANK: The Board of Directors has recommended 15% cash dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014. Date of AGM: 30.03.2015, Time: 11:00 AM. Venue: KIB Complex, Krishi Khamar Sarak, Farmgate, Dhaka-1215. Record Date: 10.03.2015. The Company has also reported consolidated weighted EPS of Tk. 2.18, consolidated NAV per share of Tk. 23.88 and consolidated NOCFPS of Tk. 2.25 for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

PUBALIBANK: The Board of Directors has recommended 10% cash dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014. Date of AGM: 31.03.2015, Time: 9:00 AM, Venue: PSC Convention Hall, Police Staff College, Mirpur-14, Dhaka. Record Date: 10.03.2015.

The Company has also reported consolidated EPS of Tk. 3.54, consolidated NAV per share of Tk. 25.14 and consolidated NOCFPS of Tk. 3.28 for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

SIBL: The Board of Directors has recommended 18% cash dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014. Date of AGM: 30.03.2015, Time and Venue of the AGM will be notified later on. Record Date: 10.03.2015. The Company has also reported consolidated EPS of Tk. 2.74, consolidated NAV per share of Tk. 17.31 and consolidated NOCFPS of Tk. 4.36 for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

BANKASIA: The Board of Directors has recommended 5% cash dividend and 10% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014. Date of AGM: 31.03.2015, Time: 11:00 AM. Venue: Dhaka Ladies Club, 36 Eskaton Garden Road, Dhaka-1000. Record Date: 10.03.2015. The Company has also reported consolidated EPS of Tk. 2.64, consolidated NAV per share of Tk. 21.76 and consolidated NOCFPS of Tk. 8.19 for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

SINGERBD: Singer Bangladesh Ltd. has recommended 35% Cash & 25% Stock Dividend (Total 220% including Interim 160% paid) for the year ended on 31 December 2014. AGM will be held on 28 April 2015 at 10:30 am at Spectra Convention Centre Ltd., House # 19, Road # 07, Gulshan-01, Dhaka-1212. Record Date is on 15 March 2015. Earnings per share (EPS) of Tk. 5.91, Net Asset Value (NAV) per share of Tk. 24.89 & Net Operating Cash Flow per share (NOCFPS) of Tk. 16.06 for the year ended on 31 Dec ‘14.

HEIDELBCEM: The Board of Directors has recommended 380% cash dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014. Date of AGM: 15.04.2015, Time: 11:00 AM, Venue: Factory Premises, Tarabow, Rupgonj, Narayangonj. Record Date: 12.03.2015. The Company has also reported net profit after tax of Tk. 1,179.56 m., EPS of Tk. 20.88, NAV per share of Tk. 115.46 and NOCFPS of Tk. 29.99 for the year ended on 31.12.2014 as against Tk. 1,474.08 m., Tk. 26.09, Tk. 132.58 and Tk. 40.16 respectively for the year ended on 31.12.2013. SINOBANGLA: The Board of Directors has recommended 10% cash dividend for the year ended on October 31, 2014. Date of AGM: 21.05.2015, Time: 11:00 AM, Venue: Factory premises, Boro Baluakandi, Gazaria, Munshiganj (subject to approval of BSEC).

Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

Company Social Islami. B-A Al-Haj Textile -A Shahjibazar Power-N Mithun Knitting -A Desh Garments -A Pubali Bank - A Reckitt Benckiser -A Hwa Well Textiles-A GeminiSeaFood-B Apex Tannery -A

Closing (% Change) 12.77 9.93 9.06 8.34 7.80 6.33 6.25 5.83 5.58 5.58

CSE GAINER Company Shahjibazar Power-N Social Islami. B-A CVO PetroChem RL-A Mithun Knitting -A Apex Tannery -A Pubali Bank - A Wata Chemicals -A Apex Foods -A Hwa Well Textiles-A Asia Pasific Insu. -A

Closing (% Change) 17.34 12.23 9.27 8.44 8.04 7.17 7.01 6.71 6.57 6.32

DSE LOSER Company Modern Dyeing -Z Maksons Spinning-A MutualTrust Bank-A Saiham Cotton-A Golden Harvest Agro-N Global Insurance -A LafargeS Cement-Z Hakkani P& Paper -B BD. Thai Alum -B BDCOM Online-A

Closing (% Change) -9.33 -6.78 -6.53 -5.97 -5.60 -5.33 -5.15 -4.40 -4.38 -4.26

CSE LOSER Company Saiham Cotton-A Maksons Spinning-A Hakkani P& Paper -B LafargeS Cement-Z BDCOM Online-A BGIC -A Golden Harvest Agro-N Eastern Cables-A Rupali InsurA AIBL 1st Is. M. F.-A

Closing (% Change) -6.40 -5.98 -5.47 -5.25 -5.04 -4.90 -4.82 -4.47 -4.35 -4.26

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY

DSE key features March-1, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka)

DSE GAINER

Sector

3,366.52 72,937,351 93,444

Traded Issues

311

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

107

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

200

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

4

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,567.47

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

31.12

Bank NBFI Investment Engineering Food & Allied Fuel & Power Jute Textile Pharma & Chemical Paper & Packaging Service Leather Ceramic Cement Information Technology General Insurance Life Insurance Telecom Travel & Leisure Miscellaneous Debenture

DSE Million Taka 427.52 178.49 34.29 419.36 139.65 410.51 10.03 347.31 369.71 6.23 151.50 16.82 33.37 405.99 78.05 19.78 27.37 157.45 23.86 108.17 1.06

% change 12.70 5.30 1.02 12.46 4.15 12.19 0.30 10.32 10.98 0.19 4.50 0.50 0.99 12.06 2.32 0.59 0.81 4.68 0.71 3.21 0.03

Million Taka 97.84 10.11 1.00 54.05 7.81 44.09 27.86 47.26 0.86 12.58 1.37 1.26 36.09 7.31 0.45 1.14 24.39 4.36 17.27 0.00

Average (% Change) 10.96 6.53 10.29 6.82 5.61 2.85 6.16 3.57 4.88 4.66

Average (% Change) 13.46 11.25 1.57 5.99 6.43 3.29 7.23 6.76 6.48 6.21

Average (% Change) -12.40 -6.27 -2.20 -4.13 -3.17 -4.93 -3.31 -1.92 -2.75 -2.39

Average (% Change) -3.95 -6.18 -4.65 -3.64 -6.76 -3.43 -3.51 -4.19 -4.39 -2.98

CSE

ClosingAvg. 15.69 101.11 202.16 82.56 84.16 24.50 1,332.49 35.65 204.21 130.78

ClosingAvg. 201.11 15.53 472.36 82.76 130.97 24.46 228.47 104.88 35.67 18.48

ClosingAvg. 87.60 11.07 19.14 19.26 23.84 16.00 112.78 24.06 39.94 25.29

ClosingAvg.

% change 24.64 2.55 0.25 13.61 1.97 11.10 0.00 7.01 11.90 0.22 3.17 0.34 0.32 9.09 1.84 0.11 0.29 6.14 1.10 4.35 0.00

19.45 11.08 24.19 112.31 24.97 19.40 23.92 117.50 21.99 4.56

Closing 15.90 104.10 205.80 84.40 85.70 25.20 1,346.50 36.30 208.00 132.40

Closing 203.00 15.60 202.70 84.80 133.00 25.40 229.00 104.90 35.70 18.50

Closing

DHIGH

DLOW

16.00 104.10 206.20 85.00 86.00 25.60 1,346.50 36.70 209.70 133.30

14.80 96.30 190.00 79.60 81.50 22.20 1,301.00 34.20 198.00 126.70

DHIGH

DLOW

203.00 15.90 203.00 85.50 133.90 25.50 231.00 105.00 36.00 18.50

DHIGH

87.50 11.00 18.60 18.90 23.60 16.00 110.40 23.90 39.30 24.70

Closing 19.00 11.00 24.20 110.10 24.50 19.40 23.70 117.50 22.00 4.50

Million Taka 525.36 188.61 35.30 473.41 147.46 454.60 10.03 375.17 416.97 7.09 164.07 18.19 34.63 442.08 85.37 20.23 28.52 181.85 28.22 125.44 1.06

192.20 14.40 192.20 80.00 127.00 23.50 223.90 104.50 34.30 18.40

DLOW

88.90 11.50 20.00 20.90 24.30 16.00 117.70 25.00 41.10 26.20

DHIGH

87.00 11.00 18.10 18.10 23.20 15.90 109.90 23.30 38.90 24.60

DLOW

19.70 11.30 24.30 119.90 25.30 19.40 24.10 120.00 22.00 4.60

Total

18.50 11.00 24.10 108.10 24.50 19.40 23.60 117.00 21.70 4.50

% change 13.96 5.01 0.94 12.58 3.92 12.08 0.27 9.97 11.08 0.19 4.36 0.48 0.92 11.75 2.27 0.54 0.76 4.83 0.75 3.33 0.03

Prepared exclusively for Dhaka Tribune by Business Information Automation Service Line (BIASL), on the basis of information collected from daily stock quotations and audited reports of the listed companies. High level of caution has been taken to collect and present the above information and data. The publisher will not take any responsibility if any body uses this information and data for his/her investment decision. For any query please email to biasl@bol-online.com or call 01552153562 or go to www.biasl.net

Turnover in Million

Latest EPS

131.869 52.514 143.438 61.733 9.094 22.741 3.671 3.935 2.074 5.548

Turnover in Million

2.74 0.98 8.68 3.42 1.82 3.54 42.33 2.66 -6.36 3.38

Latest EPS

19.015 6.597 5.201 2.679 0.927 1.000 0.481 0.076 0.091 0.037

Turnover in Million

5.7 103.2 23.3 24.1 46.2 6.9 31.5 13.4 -ve 38.7

Latest PE

8.68 2.74 8.56 3.42 3.38 3.54 5.37 3.20 2.66 2.32

Latest EPS

0.077 9.616 3.687 4.130 5.165 0.053 180.024 0.616 20.664 6.646

Turnover in Million

Latest PE

23.2 5.7 55.2 24.2 38.7 6.9 42.5 32.8 13.4 8.0

Latest PE

-0.50 0.40 3.12 1.43 1.18 1.12 2.43 0.42 1.09 1.68

Latest EPS

0.857 1.088 0.024 18.730 0.047 0.009 0.357 0.014 0.090 0.026

-ve 27.7 6.1 13.5 20.2 14.3 46.4 57.3 36.6 15.1

Latest PE

1.43 0.40 0.42 2.43 1.68 2.35 1.18 1.52 2.52 0.11

13.6 27.7 57.6 46.2 14.9 8.3 20.3 77.3 8.7 41.5

CSE key features March-1, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

397.13 11,928,381 13,542

Traded Issues

226

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

63

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

157

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

6

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,486.75

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

30.14

DT

BUSINESS 19

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

Stocks slip in red as political unrest prolongs n Tribune Report

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company HeidelbergCement -A LafargeS Cement-Z Shahjibazar Power-N Social Islami. B-A Singer BD -A SummitAlliancePort.-A BD Submarine Cable-A MJL BD Ltd.-A ACI Limited- A IDLC Finance -A

Mithun Knitting -A UCBL - A Bangas -A Mozaffar H.Spinning-A Grameenphone-A

VolumeShares 408,485 1,596,261 709,539 8,404,140 541,546 1,838,838 737,315 731,873 171,323 1,003,666

747,700 1,994,085 154,149 1,712,361 160,356

CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Southeast Bank-A FAR Chemical-N BD Submarine Cable-A Shahjibazar Power-N LafargeS Cement-Z GPH Ispat Ltd-A UCBL - A HeidelbergCement -A Singer BD -A MJL BD Ltd.-A

BEXIMCO Ltd. -A SummitAlliancePort.-A Social Islami. B-A WesternMarine -N Ifad Autos -N

VolumeShares

3,348,529 1,125,259 156,859 94,547 166,778 410,660 565,066 31,041 58,085 81,243

324,192 146,910 424,762 134,837 105,737

Value in Million 219.55 180.02 143.44 131.87 121.32 114.38 103.59 92.36 75.14 72.62

61.73 61.07 55.94 55.31 53.86

Value in Million

60.37 26.39 22.05 19.01 18.73 17.49 17.15 16.66 12.97 10.35

10.32 9.19 6.60 5.90 5.42

% of TotalTurnover 6.52 5.35 4.26 3.92 3.60 3.40 3.08 2.74 2.23 2.16

1.83 1.81 1.66 1.64 1.60

% of TotalTurnover

15.20 6.65 5.55 4.79 4.72 4.40 4.32 4.19 3.27 2.61

2.60 2.31 1.66 1.49 1.36

ClosingP 531.10 110.40 205.80 15.90 221.40 63.40 142.50 123.90 435.00 72.10

84.40 30.20 358.90 32.20 335.00

ClosingP

Change % 5.34 -5.15 9.06 12.77 -2.34 2.26 4.17 -2.59 -0.23 -3.87

8.34 -0.98 0.14 -1.53 -0.09

Change %

20.00 25.90 142.30 203.00 110.10 42.70 30.20 530.90 221.00 125.10

31.40 63.20 15.60 43.40 52.00

0.50 -0.38 4.02 17.34 -5.25 -0.47 -0.98 5.05 -2.64 -1.18

-2.79 0.80 12.23 -2.03 1.96

ClosingY 504.20 116.40 188.70 14.10 226.70 62.00 136.80 127.20 436.00 75.00

77.90 30.50 358.40 32.70 335.30

ClosingY

19.90 26.00 136.80 173.00 116.20 42.90 30.50 505.40 227.00 126.60

32.30 62.70 13.90 44.30 51.00

DHIGH 556.00 117.70 206.20 16.00 229.50 63.80 143.00 129.20 445.20 75.00

85.00 31.00 372.00 34.00 338.50

DHIGH

20.10 26.20 142.70 203.00 119.90 43.90 31.00 544.00 228.00 129.00

32.50 63.70 15.90 44.70 53.00

DLOW 520.00 109.90 190.00 14.80 220.30 59.20 137.70 123.10 430.00 71.50

79.60 30.00 352.10 32.00 334.20

DLOW

19.80 23.40 137.00 192.20 108.10 42.70 30.10 529.10 219.00 123.00

31.10 60.70 14.40 43.00 50.20

AvgPrice 537.48 112.78 202.16 15.69 224.03 62.20 140.50 126.20 438.56 72.35

82.56 30.62 362.92 32.30 335.88

4739.65132

(-) 0.49%

1758.78621

(-) 0.77%

14497.02060

(-) 0.38%

12016.50010

(-) 0.28%

8853.31920

(-) 0.07%

ANALYST

AvgPrice

18.03 23.46 140.58 201.11 112.31 42.58 30.35 536.67 223.24 127.41

31.82 62.56 15.53 43.79 51.25

Weekly capital market highlights DSE Broad Index : DSE - 30 Index : CSE All Share Index: CSE - 30 Index : CSE Selected Index :

Stocks were back to negative zone yesterday, after one day rise, as investors continued to stay away from the market amid prolonged political unrest.

The market opened higher but failed to sustain as investors started booking short-term profits.

After rising more than 20 minutes in the morning, the benchmark DSEX lost 23 points or 0.5% to end at 4,739.

The Shariah index DSES inched 8 points or 0.8% down to 1,122. The blue chip comprising DS30 index was down 13 points or 0.8% to 1,758.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, closed at 8,850, shedding 4 points.

Political unrest continued to put damper on investors as this is the season of dividend declarations, which failed to ignite buying mood, dealers say.

“The market witnessed one-step forward and twostep backward over the last two months, making the investors nervous,” said an analyst.

Among the major sectors, cement registered the highest loss of almost 3%,

followed by non-banking financial institutions 1.6%, pharmaceuticals 0.4%.

All the other major sectors witnessed marginal gain. Food & allied and power advanced by 0.2% each.

Banks and telecommunication edged lower.

Trading at the Dhaka Stock Exchange remained relatively strong, however.

Total turnover accumulated to Tk330 crore, which was 13.7% higher over previous session’s value.

IDLC Investments said market continued the downturn as long-term outlook became bleak for investors due to ongoing political unrest.

Losers outpaced losers as out of 309 issues traded, 83 advanced, 185 declined and 41 remained unchanged.

Following its corporate declaration Social Islami Bank (SIBL) posted the highest return of 12.8%. A number of banks declared their year-end earnings, consequently bank topped the sectoral turnover.

Heidelberg Cement declared 380% cash dividend for its shareholders for the last year, making it top turnover leader with shares worth nearly Tk22 crore changing hands. l

▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼

Market continued the downturn as long-term outlook became bleak for investors due to ongoing political unrest

DT

20 BUSINESS

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

Portfolio investment sees sharp fall at DSE

Net foreign investment at the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) dropped steeply in February, as foreign institutional investor confidence was spooked by the current political uncertainty.

According to the DSE, the net foreign investment stood at over Tk31.8 crore, sharply down by more than 85% over the month of January. In January the figure was over Tk228 crore.

Analysts said the foreign fund inflows into the stock market had slowed down in the backdrop of the current political situation.

Foreign investors, however, squared their positions on some selective stocks as longterm investment, they said.

Fund managers on behalf of foreign investors purchased shares worth Tk250 crore and

released shares worth almost Tk219 crore last month, the DSE data showed.

“Political uncertainty might hold back foreign investment,” said Md Moniruzzaman, managing director of IDLC Investments.

He said the long shutdown has affected the production of companies, raising question over the economic outlook, which might make investors cautious.

“But they are still in the market as it was indicated in their net investment.”

A broker said foreign fund managers from the developed markets would only switch their funds abroad to take advantage of higher returns and would hardly dash for the exit door out of fear of political or economic upheaval.

“When they enter ‘frontier’ markets such as ours, they know the risks,” said the broker.

Foreign investors are not the market drivers of the market as foreign investment in Bangladesh stock market makes up less than 2% of DSE’s total market value and is lowest among South Asian countries.

“So, the concern of local investors was not that foreigners would be stamped out of the market with a flurry of sale orders. This apparently did not happen,” said an analyst.

Fundamentally strong issues like multinational companies, banks, non-bank financial institutions, power and energy, pharmaceuticals, telecoms and IT are foreign investor preferred stocks.

According to the FSG Frontier Market Sentiment Index released in late last month, corporate sentiment towards all three South Asian frontier markets—Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan—were among 10 countries that experienced the steepest declines in corporate sentiment. l Frontier markets are less advanced capital markets from the developing world and countries with investable stock markets that are less established than those in the emerging markets.

The ongoing political standoff surrounding national election has caused extensive damage to the country’s economy. l

Sheikh Kabir elected as CDBL chairman n Tribune Report

Onion prices rise by Tk15 per kg in a week

NET PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT 2014

In crore Taka

January

278

February

121

March

97

April

572

May

128.7

June

362.7

July

79.7

August

12.5

September

426

October

196

November

182

December

215

2015

In crore Taka

January

228

February

31.7 Source: DSE

n Kayes Sohel

Sheikh Kabir Hossain elected as the Chairman of Central Depository Bangladesh Limited.

The Board of Directors of CDBL elected him as chairman in its 93rd Board Meeting held recently at the company’s head office, said a press release issued yesterday.

Sheikh Kabir Hossain is the president of the Bangladesh Insurance Association (BIA).

Central Depository Bangladesh Limited (CDBL) was incorporated on 20th August 2000.

CDBL is sponsored by the country’s Nationalised Commercial Banks, Investment Corporation of Bangladesh, Private Commercial Banks (PCBs), Foreign Banks, Merchant Banks, Publicly Listed Companies, Insurance Companies and Dhaka and Chittagong Stock Exchanges in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank. l

n

Asif Showkat Kallol

Onion price has marked a sharp rise by Tk15 per kg in a week in the kitchen market of the capital in the wake of serious supply chain disruption due to the ongoing countrywide blockades and hartal enforced by the BNP-led 20 party opposition alliance.

Prices of onion rose as high as 42% compared to the last week price of Tk35 per kg.

Official of the commerce ministry said, “We are little bit worried about the price hike of onion in the harvesting time.”

However, the prices of tomato, potato, and bitter gourd are surprisingly still remain stable during the ongoing hartal and blockade, said officials.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurates Radisson Blu hotel in Chittagong yesterday

DHAKA TRIBUNE

PM opens Radisson Blu in Ctg n UNB Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday inaugurated the first upper upscale international hotel ‘Radisson Blu Chittagong Bay View’ in the port city of Chittagong.

The 22-storey Radisson Blu Chittagong Bay View is located in a port city business hub near MA Aziz Stadium The hotel offering full suite of modern facilities is owned by Sena Hotel Developments Ltd (SHDL). It will be managed by the world’s one of the largest hotel groups Carlson Rezidor.

The hotel with 241 contemporary rooms and suites is expected to go in full operation

“With the new harvest of onion, the price of onion will definitely be stable within two weeks,” hoped the commerce ministry officials.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, Senior Commerce Secretary Hedayetullah Al Mamoon, ndc said, “We are totally aware about the matter.’’

Commerce ministry will sit with the onion traders in a day or two to discuss about the matter and to find out the reasons behind the sudden hike of onion price, he also said.

According to commerce ministry, the local businessmen imports a total of five lakh tonnes onion from India, Myanmar, China while rest of 14 lakh tonnes onion are produced domestically. l

by mid-April this year. The hotel will be the second Radisson Blu hotel operating in Bangladesh.

Around 1,000 guests, including Bangladesh government consulates, business leaders and foreign delegates attended the inauguration ceremony held at the ball room of the hotel.

The 22-storey Radisson Blu Chittagong Bay View is located near the business hub in Chittagong in the vicinity of M A Aziz Stadium. With 2100 sqm of ballroom and meeting space, the hotel will be an attractive venue for business meetings, social events, weddings, conventions and seminars.

PM’s Special Envoy HM Ershad, Opposition Leader Begum Raushon Ershad, Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury, Housing and Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud, Land Minister Shamsur Rahman Sharif, State Minister for Land Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed, the chiefs of the three services and high civil and military officials were present. l

Dhaka-Beijing trade crosses $10bn n BSS Bilateral trade between Dhaka and Beijing crossed $10 billion in the recent years, with Bangladesh becoming the third largest trade partner of China among Southeast Asian countries.

“At the same time China has become the number one import source for Bangladesh,” Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu told a reception for the newly appointed Chinese ambassador in Dhaka, Ma Mingqiang, organised by Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal (ML) at a hotel in the capital city.

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Health Minister Mohammed Naism, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon and Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi addressed the programme, chaired by Samyabadi Dal president and former industries minister Dilip Barua. l

DT

21

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

T-JUNCTION

All eyes on you Photo: Md Sazzad Hossain

INSIDE

Good morning gorgeous:

Burning those calories:

Your bedtime beauty regimen will never be the same again. Eyes, lips, lashes, we have it all covered.

Find out what needs to be done before you hop onto bed.

Haven’t been to the gym in a while? Fret not, find out what all the daily chores are doing to your body.

22

school survival

Making peace with hartals

23 beauty

Eye walk the line

24 bealth

When a cold hurts

DT

22 T-JUNCTION

Schoologistics

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

schoolsurvival

Making peace with hartals Enough with the riots and protests about hartals, they will probably never end. Period which case, boys and girls, and teachers, you need to make some sacrifices and take the amount of pressure required to pull this off if you are to finish the syllabus on time.

You can ask your teachers to prepare slides, lecture notes, and even video tutorials for you to study at home to make use of the upcoming hartals. That way, you won’t get bored sitting home anticipating if there’s a hartal next week, and be able to prepare for next weekend’s classes. It will make the weekend classes less time consuming and more productive.

n Raisa Rahman Dear boys and girls, we can imagine how tiring it may be for you to lose track of your studies, school, and suffer from the dilemma of never ending strikes! However, stressing yourself and getting in war with your school or critisising the government will not lead anywhere. Let’s all form a solution - today and now!

or not, and arguing about how our life is precious and must be considered when making decisions, are not productive at all.

After all, school is important too. And both school and students must meet halfway, if not all the way. Hence, the best way to deal with this is to cooperate and respect your school’s decision unless your parents think it’s totally unsafe for you. That brings us to the second point: How can the two parties cooperate?

Keep calm and cooperate Schools may be open during hartals or even on weekends, that too for long consecutive hours. But we need to understand that debating whether school should be open

Lay it out, but with peace Going to classes during hartal is definitely risky, however, arranging day long make-up classes during weekends (our only holidays) can be a good solution to the problem. In

When there’s Internet You have to take your homework and assignments seriously my friends. When teachers pour down a bucket filled with homework and assignments for you to finish when school is closed, complete them and contact your teacher if you need help understanding the topic at hand.

For these cases, it’s best you request your teacher to provide their contact details (e-mail or number), so you can knock them as and when required. You may also suggest submitting your homework and assignments through e-mail to save time and increase efficiency. That way, you can get their feedback mailed back to you and will be able to reflect on it and not have to go through the hassle of waiting to get your homework and assignments back when school re-opens (which, by the way, will probably be a week away, given the current political condition).

EDITOR’S NOTE Dear Readers, Starting this week, Mondays at T-Junction are all about well-being.

Helping you put your best face forward, we’ve got beauty tips and grooming advice, health and nutrition, study tips for our young readers, and more. No more manic Mondays!

Sabrina Fatma Ahmad Features Editor

Event Tweets Mashrafe Cricket League March 2, 8am Venue Lalmatia Housing Society Boys' High School & College, Block-B, Lalmatia Malaysian Education Info Week March 3, 9am Venue StudyNet Bangladesh, Flat 5A (5th Floor), House 80, Road 2, Banani 5th DCSC National Science Exposition March 4-7, 10am-5pm Venue Dhaka College Science Club (DCSC) Holi 2015 March 5 Venue Shakhari Bazar, Old Dhaka Career Vision Workshop March 5, 2pm Venue ULAB Career Services Center, Room 204, Campus B, ULAB, Dhanmondi Friendly Cricket Tournament (not official season) March 6, 8am Venue Shaymoli Club Field The Magic Behind Entrepreneurship & Leadership March 6, 2:30pm Venue Bisso Sahitto Kendra, 14 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, Banglamotor

T-JUNCTION’S EASEL

2-Day Computer Based Professional Workshop on Project Identification and Project Proposal Preparation March 6, 9am Venue Level 5, WINGS Learning Centre, House 55, Road 4/A, Dhanmondi R/A Go Green Energy Conference March 6, 11am Venue Mintu Road Rockology Presents "Symphonic Karnival" March 7, 2pm-8pm Venue National Library Auditorium (besides National Radio Office), Sher E Bangla Nagar

SOHAIL ANWAR A stare to break the veil

10th Year Celebration of UIU Theatre & Film Club March 7, 2pm-6pm Venue UIU Auditorium Dhaka Comic Fan Fest March 7-8, 3pm-8pm Venue Baridhara DOHS, Convention Centre, Baridhara

T-JUNCTION 23

DT

Tempt

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

pillowtalk

Sleeping beauty How to wake up beautiful

n Sabrina Fatma Ahmad City life is crazy busy, and finding time to get your recommended daily dosage of shuteye is hard enough without getting that muchtouted “beauty sleep.” With a few simple hacks, however, you can get your rest and your look-good refresh all at once. Let us count the ways.

sack. Exfoliate, cleanse, and moisturise your face, neck and hands, and you’ll be waking up with fewer pimples and wrinkles. Pro tip: Stick your moisturiser in the fridge for half an hour before you commence this routine, and the coldness will help tighten those pores.

Pillow talk Our faces spend a good deal of time rubbing up against pillows while we sleep, so it’s important to change the pillow covers regularly to keep them free not only of dirt and dust mites, but also of all the facial oils that the fabric soaks up from your skin.

Regularly sunning your pillows will also keep them firm and fluffy for longer, and kill dust mites.

Some experts advise on silk and satin as the fabric of choice for pillowcases, because these minimise the formation of wrinkles, but these are impractical, and not to mention expensive choices for our climate. However, should you want to splurge on some fancy pillow covers, go for cotton with a high thread count.

Pump up those preps We all know the importance of the whole three-step skincare routine of cleansing, toning and moisturising. But ain’t nobody got time for that whole business early in the morning, when you’re rushing about trying to get the kids, hubby, and yourself ready. Also, this ritual cannot be rushed, so do yourself a solid, and give yourself just an extra five minutes at night before you hit the

Lush lashes For long, sumptuous lashes that say “come hither,” use a clean mascara wand to apply castor oil to clean, make-up free lashes before you call it a night. This treatment will also work if you’re lusting for thicker brows.

Wash off the oil in the morning, and you’ll see a marked improvement in lash/brow growth, with continued use.

Pucker up You know those lip scrubs you bought with enthusiasm but never got beyond 2-3 uses?

Incorporate them into your night time routine. Scrub your lips, apply generous amounts of lip balm or good old petroleum jelly, and then go to sleep. You can kiss those flaky, chapped lips goodbye.

A few extra minutes at night could make the world of difference to the face you put forward, so give yourself some loving, and your skin will love you back.

beauty

Eye walk the line

Prep It’s imperative that you prepare the canvas that is your eyelid to avoid a smudgy mess.

Conceal and powder.

Shade You’re going to want to stick to a neutral eye shadow so the line is what’s most noticeable.

Brush on a nude or beige shade keeping your skin tone in mind.

A change will do you good

Beauty math Every 6 weeks = how often you should get a trim (especially if you use heating tools often) to avoid frayed ends sure you blend the colour in so the white no longer shows. Using eye shadow over a white base is often a better way to go as whatever shade you pick will look extra vibrant.

Seal the deal Finish off with two coats of black mascara on upper and lower lashes.

n Sabah Rahman

Don’t limit yourself If you want to try this look but can’t quite break up with the black liner, use a bright shade on your lower lash line for an equally alluring effect.

bold shades to really make those peepers pop? Don’t worry if you don’t own a stash of eye pencils in all the colours of the rainbow.

We have the perfect trick in store.

Colours we love Teal, lime green and hot pink

Black has always been the go-to colour when it comes to lining our eyes. However, recent beauty trends have us wanting to take a different, vibrant route. While black will always be a classic, why not try all the other

Line If you do have eye liners in colourful shades that’s great. If not, here’s what you can do: Line your upper lid with a white pencil. Pick a bright eye shadow and use a thin brush to apply colour over the white line. Make

The rest If you’re going to go for it, please keep the rest simple. Blue lids, pink blush and red lips are a deadly combo that most of us have difficulty pulling off. A bit of colour on those cheeks is fine, but keep your lips neutral. It’s the eyes you want to highlight.

DT

24 T-JUNCTION

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

health

Take Care

When a cold hurts Pain relief remedies for flu symptoms

joints and sore spots all along your back and sides. Keep a hot water bottle handy.

It works better than any painkiller towards relieving the pain.

n Sabrina Fatma Ahmad

Just chill Counter-intuitive as it may seem, the cold works just as well as the heat. Chill a damp towel in the fridge for a few minutes, and lay it over your eyes for relief from inflamed eyes and throbbing temples. An ice-pack does wonders when your head feels ready to burst.

Lying in bed, playing football with your blanket through the night, when one minute it’s too hot with the covering, and the next minute it’s freezing under the fan, you just know what’s coming next.

When you wake up the next morning, with a throat that feels like sandpaper and what appears to be a construction company with their jackhammers on your temples, you know you were right. You’ve got yourself a bad case of the flu. The worst part of the damn disease isn’t even the coughing or the fever; it’s the pain. Here are a few ways to minimise the symptoms.

What’s that smell?

A lot of flu pain is caused by congested sinuses. Vicks, or other balms rich in eucalyptus oil are the best remedy for both the pain and the congestion. If you’re forced to be up and about in this condition (we advise against it), keep a Poy Sian roll-on handy. It has an inhaler on one end, rubbing eucalyptus oil on the other, and is widely available at most pharmacies.

Salve for sore nostrils If you’ve got a runny or congested nose, you’re definitely going to be wiping it constantly. All that chafing can lead to reddened and sore nostrils. Rub a little petroleum jelly on the reddened areas to soothe the irritation and reduce the pain.

Drink up Whether or not you have swollen tonsils, or a hacking cough, a sore throat is a given when you get the flu. Cough drops and medicine are well and good, but hot fluids consumed throughout the day are even better. Drink honey lemon tea to soothe the throat, imbibe warm soup by the bowlful, and keep sipping lukewarm water throughout the day, and you’ll soon beat those nasty boo-boos to submission.

Warm and comfy Whether you’re coughing your way to six pack abs, or curled up from the fever, you’re bound to end up with inflamed

fitness

Science,

keep your heart pumping and those flabs toned (to some extent):

baby

What these everyday household chores sum up to

n Khan N Moushumi If you’ve been doing any of the following things consciously or sub-consciously, pat yourself on the back. Recent studies have revealed that certain activities that most people do on a daily basis aid in increasing or maintaining their fitness level and keep potential health hazards at bay.

Gym sessions are undoubtedly better for your vital stats, but it’s good to know that things as simple as tapping your fingers on the desk or strolling around the house while you’re on the phone with your bae are unknowingly burning away those extra calories, if done properly.

You want to get in shape but it’s too hard to schedule a workout session? Fret not, these chores will

• Typing on your computer will burn approximately 120 calories per hour • Playing a guitar will burn about 200 calories an hour. The piano, on the other hand, will require you to burn 180 calories. Now you have another reason to pick a new hobby.

• Playing with your kids will burn 300 calories per hour • Cleaning or dusting your room will burn 200 calories an hour • Taking the stairs will help you shed 270 calories if you keep at it for 30 minutes • Ironing clothes will take away 75 calories if done for 30 minutes at a stretch • Driving for half an hour will burn 75 calories • Taking a shower will burn away 145 calories in half an hour • Walking to your car/ride will burn 100 calories in half an hour, even if you’re super slow at it • Brushing your teeth will make you shed around 14 calories if you’re at it for around 15 minutes

Joe Root became the youngest England batsman to make a World Cup hundred with 121 against Sri Lanka in Wellington on Sunday.

The 24-year-old’s innings saw him beat the record of David Gower, who was 26 when he posted a hundred against Sri Lanka at Taunton during the 1983 edition.

28

25

DT

Sport

STUNNING ROOT

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

MCG was a dream come true for Sabbir

Wahab saves Pakistan skin, Sanga, Lahiru hammer England n AFP, Sydney England’s hopes of reaching the quarter-finals were left hanging by a thread as Sri Lanka inflicted their third crushing defeat of the World Cup on Sunday, while Pakistan began a salvage operation with a tense 20-run win over Zimbabwe.

Sri Lanka cruised to a seemingly stiff target of 310 for the loss of just one wicket with 16 balls to spare as Lahiru Thirimanne (139 not out), and Kumar Sangakkara (117 not out) shared an unbroken second-wicket partnership of 212 in Wellington.

The 37-year-old Sangakkara went to three figures off 70 balls, including ten fours and two sixes.

It was the quickest of all the veteran left-hander’s 23 one-day international hundreds and second in as many matches after he marked his 400th ODI with an unbeaten 105 against Bangladesh.

Yet Sangakkara insisted he still planned to retire from white-ball cricket after the World Cup as he was “getting old”.

England opened this World Cup with a 111-run loss to Australia before suffering an even more hu-

miliating eight-wicket defeat by New Zealand, the other tournament co-hosts, before defeating nonTest nation Scotland.

What made Sunday’s nine-wicket loss all the worse was that they posted a total of 309 for six, with the 24-year-old Joe Root becoming the youngest England batsman to score a World Cup century on his way to 121.

England were unable to gain much movement on a ground where New Zealand’s Tim Southee took seven for 33 when they were bowled out for just 123 last week, although Root, distracted by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler, dropped Thirimanne, on three, in the slips off Stuart Broad.

Broad and James Anderson, England’s senior bowlers, saw their combined 18 wicketless overs cost 115 runs. In Brisbane, Pakistan just got the better of Zimbabwe.

Before the match, skipper Misbah-ul-Haq sought inspiration from Imran Khan’s Pakistan side who, on the brink of elimination, “fought like cornered tigers” to win the 1992 World Cup -- the last time the tournament was staged in Australia and New Zealand.

Pakistan came into this match bottom of Pool B

and without a win after defeats by arch-rivals India (76 runs) and the West Indies (150 runs).

Zimbabwe, whose only win of the tournament to date has come against the amateurs of the UAE, restricted Pakistan to 235 for seven after Misbah won the toss.

Misbah again played the anchor role with 73 before tailender Wahab Riaz boosted the total with a timely 54 not out, his maiden one-day international fifty.

It was the first half of a fine all-round display by left-arm seamer Riaz, whose return of four for 45 saw him become the first Pakistani to score a fifty and take four wickets in a World Cup match. Mohammad Irfan, another left-arm paceman, rocked Zimbabwe early on his way to an ODI best four for 30.

Brendan Taylor (50) and Sean Williams (33) batted well but couldn’t finish the job.l

Mahmud spotted in casino after midnight n Reazur Rahman Rohan

British-based web portal – UKBDNEWS.COM – published this photo yesterday claiming that Bangladesh cricket team manager Khaled Mahmud visited the Crown Casino at Whiteman Street, Melbourne last Thursday UKBDNEWS

Bangladesh cricket team manager Khaled Mahmud Sujon was spotted at the Crown Casino at Whiteman Street, Melbourne last Thursday, hours after Bangladesh lost to Sri Lanka in their World Cup Pool A match against Sri Lanka.

A British-based web portal – UKBDNEWS. COM – published a photo yesterday claiming that Mahmud was seen gambling alongside three Australian youngsters well after 1am at night. A local TV channel later contacted the former Bangladesh cricketer over phone where Mahmud admitted of being at the casino, but denied his involvement in any sort of gambling activities.

“We had just lost to Sri Lanka and I was a bit upset. I have a few friends here (Australia) and I was hungry at that time. We went to the food court which was beside the casino. I just spent a few minutes watching the board games, but I did not take part,” claimed Mahmud to Maasranga TV yesterday.

Bangladesh team are believed to have a curfew after 10pm and fast bowler Al Amin

Hossain recently paid heavily for breaking the rule. Al Amin was sent back from the World Cup only a week ago after he was reported to stay outside the hotel for around 45 minutes.

“Al Amin is a player and I am the manager,” Mahmud made his stance clear, suggesting he is not part of the curfew adding, “I do not have to justify my actions, and I know what I should or should not do.”

Meanwhile, close sources of the Bangladesh team in Australia also suggested Mahmud of returning to the hotel very late almost every other day.

Bangladesh team are now in Nelson, New Zealand where they play Scotland this Thursday.

In the past week, Pakistan manager Moin Khan was discharged of his duties by the Pakistan Cricket Board after he was seen at a casino.

So far, Bangladesh Cricket Board has not been shy of handing bans or suspensions to the players when it came to breaking rules and regulations. Will the board be brave enough to take disciplinary action on this issue? l

DT

26 Sport

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho (2R) celebrates his scorcher of a goal against Manchester City during their English Premier League match at Anfield yesterday

Coutinho stunner clips City’s wings n AFP, Liverpool Philippe Coutinho scored a sensational winning goal as Liverpool beat Manchester City 2-1 on Sunday to close on the Premier League top four and dent their opponents’ title defence.

The Brazilian produced a tremendous finish from 25 yards at Anfield to settle a game of immense quality after City striker Edin Dzeko had cancelled out an equally spectacular opener from Jordan Henderson.

It was a victory that moved Liverpool up to fifth place in the table and cast serious doubt over whether reigning champions City can now offer Chelsea a realistic challenge for top spot.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side are now five points behind the leaders having played a game more than the Londoners, who did not feature in league action this weekend due to their League Cup final with Tottenham Hotspur.

It was an open contest and Liverpool responded to City’s chance through Coutinho, who fired over on the break, while Alberto Moreno’s energetic run resulted in a wayward shot.

City drew level on 26 minutes with a goal that owed a lot to Aguero’s trickery on the edge of the area as he found the unmarked Dzeko, who produced a composed finish beyond Simon Mignolet from 10 yards out.

Meanwhile on Saturday, A moment of red card confusion helped Wayne Rooney return

Manchester United to winning ways with a brace in a 2-0 Premier League victory over Sunderland.

Southampton lost further ground in the battle for Champions League qualification after sinking to a second successive defeat at West Bromwich Albion.

Saido Berahino scored the only goal in the first minute, slamming home left-footed when Chris Brunt’s free-kick was partially cleared by Maya Yoshida, but was later forced off by injury.

Out-of-form West Ham United have now gone five matches without victory after losing 3-1 at home to London rivals Crystal Palace, who made club history with a fifth successive away win in all competitions.l

Dortmund’s Batman-Robin happy to slay Schalke n AFP, Berlin Dynamic goal-scoring duo Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Marco Reus celebrated Borussia Dortmund’s 3-0 win over Schalke 04 in ‘Batman’ style to continue their side’s rise up the table.

Hosts Dortmund hammered the visitors defence as Reus and Aubameyang contributed half of their side’s 31 shots on goal, compared to Schalke’s meagre three chances. It was Dortmund’s biggest derby win since 1998.

Borussia got the breakthrough when Aubameyang -- who had compared winning the derby to ‘an orgasm’ -- pounced on a mistake in the visitors’ defence to roll the ball home on 78 minutes.l

3-0

Schalke 04

Aubameyang 78, Mkhitaryan 79, Reus 86

Bayer Leverkusen

1-0

Freiburg

2-0

Mainz 05

Rolfes 33

Hoffenheim

Volland 55, Polanski 76

Hannover 96

1-1

Stindl 70

Hertha Berlin

VfB Stuttgart Gentner 52

1-0

Augsburg

Kalou 88

Frankfurt Meier 12-P, 64

2-1

EPL RESULTS Liverpool

2-1

Henderson 11, Coutinho 75

Man City Dzeko 25

Played Saturday: Burnley

0-1

Swansea Trippier 64-og

Man United

2-0

Sunderland

1-0

Aston Villa

1-0

Hull

1-0

Southampton

Rooney 66-P, 84

Newcastle Cisse 37

Stoke Crouch 71

West Brom Berahino 2

West Ham Valencia 76

1-3

Crystal Palace Murray 41, 63, Dann 51

Van Gaal admits Di Maria struggling n AFP, Manchester

BUNDESLIGA Dortmund

REUTERS

Hamburg Stieber 45+2

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal confessed that Angel di Maria is struggling to adjust to English football after substituting him at half-time of United’s 2-0 win over Sunderland.

After a promising start to his United career, following a club-record £59.7 million ($92.2 million, 82.3 million euros) transfer from Real Madrid, the form of the Argentina international has dipped.

“When a player is not in a match, I have to do that,” said Van Gaal of the substitution.

“I’m the manager and I cannot deny what I see.

“We have to give Angel a little bit more time to adapt to the Premier League, the high English rhythm. It is not so easy.”l

DT

Sport 27

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

QUICK BYTES Charles replaces Bravo in West Indies squad West Indies have been given permission to replace the injured Darren Bravo with fellow batsman Johnson Charles in their World Cup squad, tournament organisers announced late on Saturday. Bravo missed the victory over Zimbabwe last Tuesday and the humbling loss to South Africa on Friday because of a hamstring injury he suffered running for a single against Pakistan in Christchurch. St Lucia’s Charles, who has scored 869 runs in 30 one-day internationals, had been expected to get the call-up to replace the left-handed top order batsman. Bravo’s half-brother Dwayne, a former West Indies captain, also missed out after being left out of the squad. Dwayne was the players’ spokesman during a mutiny over payment and contracts which curtailed West Indies’ tour of India last year. West Indies face India in Perth on Friday in their next Pool B match.

–Reuters

Dalmiya to return as India boss Veteran official Jagmohan Dalmiya is set to be elected head of Indian cricket’s governing body, replacing the sport’s world supremo Narayanaswami Srinivasan following a corruption scandal, reports said Sunday. Dalmiya, a former head of the International Cricket Council, emerged as the front-runner amid backroom negotiations for votes at elections on Monday for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Dalmiya, 74, was the “consensus candidate” among rival factions for BCCI president, a position he held a decade ago, according to the Press Trust of India news agency, citing unnamed sources. The Supreme Court barred Srinivasan from standing as a candidate for BCCI chief, although he can cast his vote, following its probe into a betting and fixing scandal surrounding the Indian Premier League (IPL). The court in January found Srinivasan guilty of a conflict of interest for having commercial dealings in the sport by owning an IPL franchise while he was also BCCI head. Srinivasan is the current International Cricket Council (ICC) chief.

–AFP

‘No remorse’ Lakmal fined for bowling beamers Sri Lanka fast bowler Suranga Lakmal was fined Sunday for firing two successive beamers at England’s Jos Buttler, an action for which he showed “no remorse”, the International Cricket Council said. The incident happened in the 50th and final over of England’s innings in their World Cup clash when Lakmal bowled a second consecutive high, full pitched ball to Buttler, after being given a first and final warning by on-field umpire Rod Tucker earlier during the same over Lakmal was stopped from bowling at Wellington’s Westpace Stadium and reported to the match referee David Boon for dangerous and unfair bowling.

He was also fined 30 percent of his match fee after pleading guilty to breaching rules that relate to “conduct contrary to the spirit of the game”. “While making my decision, I took into account that it is was dangerous and unfair bowling, there were no mitigating circumstances, and there was no remorse from the bowler,” said former Australia batsman Boon.

–AFP

PAK v ZIM PAKISTAN Nasir Jamshed c Raza b Chatara Ahmad Shehzad c Taylor b Chatara Haris Sohail c Williams b Raza Misbah-ul Haq c Williams b Chatara Umar Akmal b Williams Shahid Afridi b Williams Sohaib Maqsood c and b Mupawira Wahab Riaz not out Sohail Khan not out Extras: (lb3, w17)

R 1 0 27 73 33 0 21 54 6 20

Total (7 wkts, 50 overs)

235

B 9 11 44 121 42 2 17 46 8

Fall of wickets 1-1 (Nasir), 2-4 (Ahmad), 3-58 (Haris), 4-127 (Akmal), 5-127 (Afridi), 6-155 (Maqsood), 7-202 (Misbah) Bowling Panyangara 10-1-49-0 (2w); Chatara 10-2-35-3 (6w); Mupawira 8-1-36-1 (3w); Williams 10-1-48-2 (1w); Masakadza 3-0-14-0; Chigumbura 1-0-7-0 (4w); Raza 7-0-34-1; Mire 1-0-9-0 (1w)

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq (R) leads his team off the field following their 20-run win over Zimbabwe in the Cricket World Cup at the Gabba in Brisbane yesterday REUTERS

Relieved Misbah tells Pakistan batsmen to shape up n AFP, Brisbane Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq told his batsmen to shape-up or ship out of the World Cup after the 1992 champions scraped a 20-run win over Zimbabwe on Sunday.

It was Pakistan’s first victory of this World Cup after losing by 76 runs to India and suffering a 150-run hiding at the hands of the West Indies in their previous two Pool B fixtures. It was Pakistan’s highest total of the tournament but a long way off the fourteen 300 and over totals so far registered elsewhere in the event.

“We need to work hard to improve our batting. All the teams are getting to 280, 290, or

300, so we need to start well and capitalise,” said Misbah.

“It was really tough because it was a make or break game for us. You can’t believe how happy we are because we were out of the tournament if we’d lost this game,” he added .

“The pitch wasn’t easy. It was a bit twopaced and it was really difficult to rotate the strike. I felt 250-260 would be really challenging today. We were 15-20 runs short but we showed the kind of quality we have in the bowling line-up and credit should be given to the fast bowlers.”

They will face the UAE in Napier on Wednesday, South Africa in Auckland on Saturday.l

ZIMBABWE C. Chibhabha c Haris b Irfan S. Raza c Haris b Irfan H. Masakadza c Misbah b Irfan B. Taylor c Akmal b Riaz S. Williams c Shahzad b Rahat C. Ervine c Akmal b Riaz S. Mire c Akmal b Irfan E. Chigumbura c Akmal b Riaz T. Mupawira c Akmal b Riaz T. Panyangara run out T. Chatara not out Extras (b3, lb2 w13, nb1)

R 9 8 29 50 33 14 8 35 0 10 0 19

Total (49.4 overs)

215

B 18 15 54 72 32 29 14 35 2 8 0

Fall of wickets 1-14 (Chibhabha), 2-22 (Raza); 3-74 (Masakadza), 4-128 (Taylor), 5-150 (Williams), 6-166 (Mire), 7-168 (Ervine), 8-168 (Mupariwa), 9-215 (Panyangara), 10-215 (Chigumbura) Bowling Irfan 10-2-30-4 (7w); Sohail 10-0-45-0; Rahat 10-0-37-1 (4w 1nb); Riaz 9.4-1-45-4 (2w); Afridi 10-1-53-0 Pakistan won by 20 runs

England can still make last eight, says Morgan n AFP, Wellington England captain Eoin Morgan insisted he was still confident of reaching the World Cup quarter-finals, despite Sunday’s “hard to take” nine-wicket loss against Sri Lanka.

The defeat leaves England on the brink of an early exit after heavy losses to New Zealand and Australia in their opening matches.

England’s final Pool A matches against Bangladesh and Afghanistan now loom as must-win clashes but Morgan said he had not considered failing to make the last eight.

“It’s not even a thought at the moment two games to win to get us into the quarter-final,” he said.

Morgan said the fact that England set a competitive 310-run target made the Sri Lanka loss more difficult to accept than the routs against Australia and New Zealand, when they were never in the game.

“When you don’t turn up for a race like those first two games, it’s scratch. But today, when we turn up and we’re beaten in that fashion it’s harder to take.”

Morgan said England performed with the

bat, particularly Joe Root who made 121, but failed with the ball to allow Sri Lanka to finish on 312-1.

“When we bowl one bad ball, every couple of overs or every over you’re going to be punished,” he said.

Morgan said England remained a quality side that needed to work on “the simple things” to click at the tournament.

“It’s not out of our reach or a million miles away,” he said. “It’s just continuing to reproduce the simple things consistently.”l

Team

POOL A P

W

L N/R Pts NRR

New Zealand

4

4

0

0

8 +3.589

Sri Lanka

4

3

1

0

6 +0.128

Bangladesh

3

1

1

1

3 +0.130

Australia

3

1

1

1

3 -0.305

Afghanistan

3

1

2

0

2 -0.760

England

4

1

3

0

2

-1.201

Scotland

3

0

3

0

0

-1.735

DT

28 Sport

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

Yusuf vs Joshi n Raihan Mahmood

Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russel players get involved in an ugly brawl during their Federation Cup semifinal at BNS yesterday

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Jamal dodge Russel into Fed Cup final n Shishir Hoque Reigning champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club reached the final of the Federation Cup after the new Dhaka powerhouse came from behind to salvage a 2-1 victory over Sheikh Russel KC in the first semifinal at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

The match was not only intense for the late winner, but the pre-match verbal battle amongst the players and officials of both clubs involving the “dressing-room selection” saw its affect on the pitch. The players seemed to have carried the heat to the match as extreme pushing and shoving was quite evident during the stipulated time while ugly scenes involving some top players of our country was also a poor sight.

A very late header by Nigerian striker Emeka Darlington made all the difference as the Premier League champions jumped to their second final of the tournament.

Earlier, national striker Jahid Hasan Emily’s opener was cancelled out by veteran defender Nasir Uddin Chowdhury.

Sheikh Jamal made three changes from the previous match where they defeated Brothers Union with skipper Mamunul Islam returned to the starting eleven sending Monaem Khan Raju on the bench and Nigerian striker Emeka Darlington also made return replacing Gambian midfielder Landing Darboe while Yeamin Ahmed replaced Linkon on the back-four.

Sheikh Russel’s key change brought Zahid Hossain in the place of Yousuf Sifat.

The Dhanmondi based club began the

game brightly and created two chances inside half an hour but on both occasions Emeka Darlington and Haitian forward Wedson Anselme’s header went over the crosspiece.

In the 40th minute Yeamin’s obstruction on Kingsley Chigozie saw Russel get a penalty as Emily made no mistake to bring his side the lead against the run of play.

Nasir appeared as Jamal’s rescuer after the national defender took full toll of Meshu’s blunder to blast home from 16 yards in the 62nd minute.

Just when the blues were eyeing another 30 extra minutes, Emeka, who returned after sitting out for two matches with injury, stunned Russel in the 89th minute as the unmarked Nigerian headed in from the far post on a cross of Wedson Anselme from the left flank. l

In a duel of experience and youth traditional powerhouse Dhaka Mohammedan faces Muktijoddha SKC in the second semifinal of the Federation Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium at 5:15pm today.

More than the clubs, it will also be a test of the two coaches, Abu Yusuf of Muktijoddha and Jashimuddin Ahmed Joshi of MSC, who are eying to revive their coaching career as both were not involved in coaching in the last few years. The team going to the final will depend on how they guide their charges.

Abu Yusuf poured respect on his opponents. “Though Mohammedan is a youth reliant team, they have the tradition and the support base, there are no room of complacency, we have to put our best to be into the final and we are confident that we will do that,” said the former national midfielder.

Meanwhile, former national winger Joshi said, “They are talented and they are raring to go, the three matches they have played has gelled them to a unit, the spirit is high and Mohammedan will take the field to win it.”

10 times champions Mohammedan put faith on youths this season as they look to build a new force for the future. On the other hand, Muktijoddha contains experienced local players along with three efficient foreigners making them a formidable force.l

Narayanganj College seal double n Raihan Mahmood Narayanganj College proved their superiority as they won the Dhaka Educational Board Inter-College Football after beating Abu Abbas Degree College, Netrokona at Mohammedpur Physical Educational College Ground yesterday.

The match went to penalty shootout after stipulated time failed to produce any goals. In the tiebreaker, Narayanganj College prevailed 5-4. It would be mentionable that Narayanganj College finished runners-up in the last three editions.

Last week, Narayanganj College won the title of Inter-College cricket. l

MCG was a dream come true for Sabbir n Mazhar Uddin from Nelson

The Bangladesh cricket team are going through a transition period and it must be said Sabbir Rahman has been the best find among the lot. The good looking youngster not only bats well, but also injects a new spirit in the Tigers fielding that has not always been the best.

The 23-year-old has been a livewire in the field in the seven ODIs he has played till date.

His agility and speed are something that were missing in the Bangladesh fielding unit for long while the right-hander also displayed maturity while batting, apart from being a handy leg-spinner.

In Bangladesh’s opening game against Afghanistan, Sabbir did not manage to get runs or wickets, but an important run-out of Samiullah Shenwari was equivalent to both.

However, he did score a 62-ball 53 against Sri

Lanka but that was on a 92-run losing note.

“It was a dream come true to play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG),” Sabbir said to Dhaka Tribune before heading for the

I was happy with the fifty against Sri Lanka but I couldn’t win the match at MCG. I hope to win it someday when I play at Lord’s media session just outside the Rutherford Hotel where the team are staying in Nelson yesterday. “Playing at the Lord’s (in England) is another dream of mine. I was happy with

the fifty against Sri Lanka but I couldn’t win the match at MCG. I hope to win it someday when I play at Lord’s,” he added.

Sabbir was realistic and admitted their chances against Sri Lanka slipped away with the catches that went down and believes they could have “easily” beaten the islanders if the score was below 300.

“We are the favorites against Scotland. We are much stronger than them and for that, the pressure will be on us,” he said before adding, “if we play our natural game we can easily win the match.”

Sabbir thinks although they have flew from Australia to New Zealand, the pitches will be quite the same – pacey and bouncy.

“Maybe there will be more wind and it will also swing a bit more but we are getting enough time like three-four days in here for practice and I think we will be able to cope with it,” said Sabbir.l

DT

Sport 29

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

Sangakkara is number one, says Thirimanne n AFP, Wellington

Sri Lanka batsmen Kumar Sangakkara (L) and Lahiru Thirimanne celebrate hitting the winning runs against England during their 2015 Cricket World Cup Group A match in Wellington yesterday AFP

5th DBBL Golf ends n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong The 5th Dutch Bangla Bank Limited Golf Tournament concluded at Shaheen Golf and Country Club, Bangladesh Air Force last Saturday.

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Muhammad Enamul Bari, participated in the two-day tournament which got underway last Friday.

The BAF chief was also the chief guest and distributed prizes among the winners in several categories. BAF’s Air Officer Commanding Humayun Kabir and other senior officials were also present in the closing ceremony. l

McCullum gets all-clear after arm ball n AFP, Auckland New Zealand are confident that captain Brendon McCullum will be fit for next Sunday’s World Cup clash against Afghanistan despite taking a nasty blow on his left arm from Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson. McCullum hit a quickfire 50 in Saturday’s tension-packed one-wicket win over the four-time champions at Eden Park, but needed lengthy treatment on his swollen forearm.l

DAY’S WATCH Star Sports 4 1:40 AM Italian Serei A AS Roma v Juventus

Ten Action 7:30 PM I-League Kingfisher East Bengal v Bengaluru FC

Sri Lanka’s Lahiru Thirimanne on Sunday declared teammate Kumar Sangakkara one of the best limited overs batsmen of all time after his second successive century at the World Cup. Sangakkara hit an unbeaten 117 as the 1996 champions thrashed England by nine wickets in Wellington, following up on his 105 not out against Bangladesh.

It was Sangakkara’s 24th century in 402 one-day internationals and Thirimanne said the vastly experienced 37-year-old was a steadying influence on the team.

Asked where Sangakkara, who is playing in his final World Cup, ranked in the pantheon of greats, Thirimanne said he was right at the top.

“At the current moment I think he’s number one,” he said. “I mean, he is batting really well.

“Not only is he rotating the strike, but hitting the boundaries as well. So it is very helpful for the team.”

Thirimanne said Sri Lanka could not rely on batting alone and had to improve other aspects of their game.

“Our fielding wasn’t good... in this tournament you can’t do it only batting and survive.

“You have to field, you have to bowl really well. So we have to improve on that side.” l

ENG v SL ENGLAND M. Ali c Lakmal b Mathews I. Bell b Lakmal G. Ballance c and b Dilshan J. Root lbw b Herath E. Morgan c Dilshan b Perera J. Taylor c Dilshan b Malinga J. Buttler not out C. Woakes not out Extras: (b4, lb3, w9, nb2) Total: (6 wkts, 50 overs)

R B 15 26 49 54 6 14 121 108 27 47 25 26 39 19 9 8 18 309

Fall of wickets 1-62 (Ali), 2-71 (Ballance), 3-101 (Bell); 4-161 (Morgan); 5-259 (Taylor); 6-265 (Root) Bowling Malinga 10-0-63-1 (2w); Lakmal 7.4-0-71-1 (2nb, 2w); Mathews 10-1-43-1 (1w); Dilshan 8.2-0-35-1; Herath 5.5-0-35-1; Perera 8.1-0-55-1;

SRI LANKA L. Thirimanne not out T. Dilshan c Morgan b Ali K. Sangakkara not out Extras: (b8, lb1, w3)

R B 139 143 44 55 117 86 12

Total: (1 wkt, 47.2 overs)

312

Fall of wicket 1-100 (Dilshan) Bowling Anderson 8-0-48-0; Broad 10-1-67-0 (1w); Woakes 9.2-0-72-0 (1w); Finn 8-0-54-0 (1w); Ali 10-0-50-1; Root 2-0-12-0 Man of the Match: Kumar Sangakkara Sri Lanka won by 9 wickets

Bashar satisfied with run-filled National Cricket League Habibul Bashar, one-third of the national selection panel, is thoroughly enjoying the ongoing 16th National Cricket League. Healthy competition amongst the eight divisional teams and the emergence of a number of consistent performers are two amongst many reasons for Bashar to feel excited about. Yesterday, the former national captain shared his views and thoughts with Dhaka Tribune’s Minhaz Uddin Khan, revealing his excitement with what he has seen thus far.

DT: As a selector, what is your observation on the performances so far?

Bashar: I think we are getting a lot of positive vibes from the NCL. Enough runs have been scored already but at the same time bowling has been good too. Yes, one or two wickets might have been flat and easy to bat on but in most of the games, I found the wicket to be competitive. The bowlers had to work hard to get wickets – they literally had to purchase a dismissal.

Are you enjoying the fact that the ongoing NCL is producing a lot of runs?

Yes, a lot runs are being scored. I am enjoying the matches because you are getting results from most of the games. Usually, we see NCL matches ending in draws but this time it is different. The games are producing results.

Runs are being scored but at the same time the bowlers are also getting wickets.

However, the amount of runs that are being scored are raising doubts over the competitiveness of the wickets and bowlers.

What is your take on this?

Before, the wickets used to contain low bounce and a batsman had to play the spinners on the front foot. But this time, the wickets are allowing the batsmen to play all around the park. So, the bounce from the wickets this

time is allowing the batsmen to play shots and score runs. In a way it is helping the spinners too. Bangladesh have lot of spinners so all of them this season have to work hard to make the ball spin and get wickets.

The ongoing political unrest did not allow the NCL to take place in its original format of the home-and-away basis. Do you think necessary steps were taken in order to get the grounds ready for competitive cricket?

Yes, as I have already mentioned earlier, there are two or three wickets that are batting-friendly and lots of runs are being scored on those pitches. It might be that the tournament committee did not get much time to prepare good wickets at those venues as the decision to hold the matches in and around Dhaka was taken within a very short notice due to the ongoing political unrest. But yes, to be honest, a few wickets could have been better.

Do you think the consistent performers of the NCL can stake a place for themselves in the national side in the future?

It is difficult to answer straightaway as opportunities are created through team combination. A player is only called up if the team combination allows him to fit into the squad.

But, what I am happy about as a selector at

the moment is that there is a very healthy competition.

The cricketers who are outside the team are competing with each other. At the same time, they are putting up positive competition for the players who are in the national team at the moment. I believe that this NCL has created many performers. It is true that the performers are working hard to meet their ultimate goal, which is, a spot in the national side. l

DT

30 DOWNTIME

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Smart and fashionable (4) 3 Approaches (5) 8 Firm hold (4) 9 Exhibit (4) 11 Composure (5) 12 Back of the neck (4) 14 Observe (3) 15 Stanza (5) 18 Worth (5) 19 Period of time (3) 21 Hooked nail (4) 24 Indian ruler (5) 26 Present (4) 27 Walked (4) 28 Bird (5) 29 Expensive (4)

DOWN 1 Bludgeon (4) 2 Golf club (4) 4 Self (3) 5 Get up (5) 6 Ascend (4) 7 Rate of progress (5) 10 Undulate (4) 11 Danger (5) 13 Fish (5) 16 Male deer (4) 17 Australian city (5) 18 Army rank (5) 20 Uncommon (4) 22 Sagacious (4) 23 Agitate (4) 25 Fuss (3)

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 21 represents O so fill O every time the figure 21 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.

A B C D E FG H I J K L M N O P Q RST UVWXYZ

SUDOKU

CALVIN AND HOBBES

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.

PEANUTS

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

DILBERT

SUDOKU

DT

SHOWTIME 31

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

CELEBS ON SOCIAL JIMMY FALLON @jimmyfallon Thank you, Lupita Nyong’o’s stolen $150,000 Oscar dress.

Otherwise known as - NOT the dress we care about right now. #ThankYouNoteFriday

SONAKSHI SINHA @sonakshisinha Can somebody please explain this weather?!?

In march!!!! I was hoping I wouldn’t have to deal with it for 4 more months!!! #gloomy

TAYLOR SWIFT @taylorswift13 The look on someone’s face when they’re doing what they love is contagious and inspiring. So beautiful, PS22 Chorus.

Jazz notes with Pilu Khan n

Hasan Mansoor Chatak

Pilu Khan is a musician, composer and a non-paralleled drummer. Along with Nakib Khan, they started the Renaissance, the ever popular jazz and soft rock band that took the music scene by storm in the mid-eighties. They introduced and nurtured the need for a different kind of music scene that was inspired by jazz musicians. Dhaka Tribune caught up with the musician to discuss his thoughts on the current music scenario in Dhaka.

Pilu Khan grew up with a passion for jazz influenced music.

“During the establishment of Renaissance, we all grew an appetite for jazz and over the years, we’ve created jazz influenced Bengali music for listeners,” he stated.

When asked about the future of jazz in Bangladesh, he said, “Although jazz music has gained popularity in a certain community in Bangladesh, in comparison, it’s no longer a meager scale genre but rather a rapidly growing one.”

Currently a passionate drummer, Khan’s fondness for drumming was inspired by his brothers. Both his elder brothers used to keep musical instruments in their house, which inspired curious Khan to try his hand on the instrument. The self-taught drummer has relied on his Yamaha drum kit from the early stages of his career. When asked about his favourite drummer, Steve Gaad, he professed, “Gaad is not only a pure jazz drummer but he’s also a passionate musician who possesses a distinct skill to work with others genres like rock, blues and R&B.” When it comes to performances, Khan loves to perform live on stage with his bandmates. He says: “In terms of hooking the audience during live concerts, we go with the pure and simple trick of creating good music and plugging into the audience’s heart.”

With the composition of popular hits like “Aj je shishu,” “Chirodin-e bhabte paro,” “Shomoi jeno kate na” and “Hey Bangladesh,” Khan is recognised as one of the finest composers in the country. An admirer of composer Lucky Akhand, he said, “Lucky is the one who introduced pop music to the country.”

Currently working on an album for Renaissance and a solo for himself, he stated they are at the early stages of production and will provide more details once they are all set. l

Thom Yorke and Massive Attack’s 3D share UK Gold film soundtrack n Entertainment Desk

If you’ve been searching for the right electronic music accompaniment to recent stories about the extent of HSBC’s tax dalliances in Switzerland, Thom Yorke

and Robert del Naja – known as 3D from Massive Attack – may have just met your needs. They have teamed up to score Mark Donne’s 2013 documentary The UK Gold, an investigation into the City of London’s role in the tax-evasion industry, both in the UK and abroad.

Enlisting the help of fellow bandmates Jonny Greenwood from Radiohead, and Euan Dickinson from Massive Attack, Yorke and Del Naja have pulled together a collection of minimal and ever-so-slightly chilling electronic tracks for the soundtrack.

The film was narrated by “The Wire” actor Dominic West and is set for its first UK television broadcast on Wednesday 25 February at 8pm GMT, on London Live.

It will also be streamed live online for UK viewers on London Live’s website – for more on that, head to protest group network UK Uncut’s site. l

SETH MACFARLANE @SethMacFarlane If you really want me to call you a “smart phone” then you’re gonna have to learn that I have never once meant “fracking bullshark.”

WHAT TO WATCH TELEVISION HBO Miss Congeniality 2 8pm Cast: Sandra Bullock, Regina King and William Shatner In the sequel, FBI agent turned pageant winner Gracie Hart partners with Sam Fuller to find out the mystery behind her missing beauty queen pal.

STAR MOVIES Angels and Demons 10:15pm Cast: Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor and Ayelet Zurer Robert Langdon finds himself amidst an intense murder mystery surrounding the Vatican.

SONY MAX Ram leela 2:30 pm Cast: Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh A modern day Bollywood take on Romeo and Juliet.

CINEMA ZERO DEGREE I JUPITER ASCENDING 3D I HORN I SEVENTH SON 3D I JESSABELLE @ Star Cineplex KINGSMEN I JUPITER ASCENDING 3D I TAKEN 3 I NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB I SEVENTH SON 3D I EXODUS 3D I THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES I ZERO DEGREE I INTERSTELLAR I ROMEO V/S JULIET @ Blockbuster Cinemas

Grey’s soundtrack n Mahmood Hossain It has broken box office records and garnered an army of housewives like teens drooling over Twilight. However, there is the incredible official soundtrack. It’s sexier than the book and film put together. It’s sexy, seductive, hypnotizing, and arranged ingeniously.

The album begins with a surprising and sassy number by veteran Annie Lennox. “I Put A Spell On You” is a smooth and sultry introduction to the entire soundtrack. It really sets the tone to the rest of the list, giving you a taste of what is to follow. The second standout has to be the popular sound of digital music fame, The Weeknd. Yes, that’s how you spell it. “Earned It” is vintage Weeknd; it’s soothing, alluring, and provocative all at the same time. Ellie Goulding’s “Love Me Like You Do” seems to be the movie’s anthem. Its memorable melody is haunting and easily grabs your attention. “Haunted (Michael Diamond

Remix)” by Beyonce, on the other hand, is what the title suggests. It has a dark tone, but the beat keeps you awake, only to induce you into a fantasy you might not want to wake up from. Beyonce’s second track “Crazy In Love (2014 Remix)” has been slowed down to meet the overall sound of the album. Another wonderful surprise is having the classic “Witchcraft” by Ol’ Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra. This is a short stop at a throwback to an era where almost everything the Rat Pack produced was in fashion. Finally, “I Know You”

by Skylar Grey sounds like an emotional roller coaster in climax, paving the final two closing tracks.

While the overall music of the album can send you into a trance, the titles mentioned above are the big winners. If you haven’t had a listen to a song or two, get on it. Unlike the movie or book, we can guarantee that you won’t be disappointed with this amazing soundtrack. l

DT

32 BACK PAGE

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015

STATE BANK LOAN RECOVERY POOR PAGE 15

JAMAL DODGE RUSSEL PAGE 28

JAZZ NOTES WITH PILU KHAN PAGE 31

Greater Hoopoe-lark

ASHIS KUMAR DATTA

New bird species spotted n Abu Bakar Siddique

This sleepy pond at the centre of Barenda village in Chapainawabganj has been the lifeline for one and a half thousand people

How a pond can make a world of difference n Abu Bakar Siddique

The area has never been known for fishing; rather this part of Bangladesh produces one of the most important crops of the country – the Boro paddy.

Yet a community of about 1,500 people at Barenda village in Nachole of Chapainawabganj has set a unique example of coexistence, cooperation and prosperity.

The secret to their success is a small pond of about 9.7 acres which fetches them Tk10 lakh in revenue every year from the sale of fish.

On the surface, the Barenda is just like any other village. The rough muddy road leading into the village, the vast paddy fields and the usual peasantry hardly tell that they are one of the most progressive peoples in Bangladesh.

Nobody knows when the pond came into being. Locals said it might have been dug many decades ago by a local landlord – a zamindar – for solving the drinking water crisis in the drought-prone region.

Until 1976, it was an abandoned ditch. That year, locals cleared the hyacinth and started using it on a small scale.

In 1993, the pond was re-excavated under the government’s Social Safety Net Programme. The villagers formed a 21-member committee, took the pond on lease and started using it for fishing.

The committee has since been overseeing the fishing business and ensuring fair share of

the profit for every villager.

In 2013, with help from non-governmental organisation Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge, it became a formal cooperatives society called the Barenda Sarbik Gram Unnayan Samity Limited.

With the income generated from the pond, they have built a mosque, a temple, a graveyard and a cremation ground. The society pays Tk100 per month as drinking water bills for each family.

Recently, they have started arranging a weekly market in the area that sits every Wednesday, ensuring market access for the villagers. From their shared profit, they have also kept aside funds for festivals, weddings and emergencies such as illness.

The mosque and the temple may give the idea that the villagers comprise only Muslims and Hindus. But in reality, the community is much more ethnically diverse. There are also people from indigenous Munda and Oraon communities.

“As a senior citizen of the village, I can say with conviction that everybody has been living happily here because we make every decision together,” said 55-year-old Ataur Rahman, head teacher of the local government primary school.

“The togetherness is particularly helpful for the poor who did not have the money and the power. Now they have become exercising thinkers,” said indigenous Iswar Oraon, also

DHAKA TRIBUNE

a member of the 21-member managing committee.

“We are minorities but we never feel insecure or frightened because we live together with everyone else,” Iswar said.

The government sees this as a sustainable solution to the crisis created by the drying Padma River and fast depleting underground water.

Because of the Farakka Barrage in India, Padma has been drying up. As a result, for cultivating the irrigation-intensive Boro, farmers have had to depend heavily on groundwater.

With looming risks that the entire area might turn barren in a few decades, the government has been trying to discourage Boro.

In fact, the local government offices have been trying to encourage the inception of similar organic communities centring the 500 existing small and medium-sized ponds in Nachole upazila.

“In addition to development, such initiatives can ensure effective management of surface water in the region,” said Mohammad Rashed Wasif, upazilla nirbahi officer (UNO)of Nachole.

Fazle Hossain Badshah, lawmaker and general secretary of the Workers Party of Bangladesh, said: “This part of the country has a rich history of fighting against injustice together.

The famous Tevaga movement is an example.”

He also said: “If the local communities could be brought together again like the old times, the oppression on the minority communities can be curbed significantly.” l

A bird species named Greater Hoopoe-lark has been spotted for the first time in the country, in a char (shoal) in the Jamuna River.

A joint research team of Jahangirnagar University and International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) found the bird while monitoring the bio-diversity of the Jamuna and its islands.

“The record of this species from our char lands justifies the significance of habitats of birds like Greater Hoopoe-lark. This sighting in Bangladesh clearly indicates that the natural distribution of this species has been extended. But we should conduct more studies to get better understanding of this bird,” said Dr Kamrul Hasan of Jahangirnagar University, who is heading the survey team.

Greater Hoopoe-lark is a breeding resident of arid, desert and semi-desert regions of North Africa, through the Arabian peninsula, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.

This species is distinct from other larks with its distinctive down-curved bill. It forages by probing and digging the ground.

However, bird specialist Enam Ul Haque said he had yet to confirm about the identity of the bird as he has not seen the photographs meticulously, but said it could be a possibility.

Currently there are around 300 species of migratory birds that are known to come to Bangladesh every year. l

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