05 March, 2015

SECOND EDITION

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

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Falgun 21, 1421, Jamadiul Awal 13, 1436

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 2, No 329

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

AL: NO DIALOGUE OPERATORS CAN’T TAKE PART BRTC SEEKS TK10CR FOR BEFORE 2019 PAGE 2 IN SPECTRUM AUCTION PAGE 3 DAMAGED BUSES PAGE 5 commends Khaleda arrest warrant upheld Farabi Avijit murder n Mohammad Jamil Khan

A policeman hastens to inform others as smoke fills up the area after a crude bomb was blasted near the heavily secured Bakshibazar court during the hearing on the arrest warrant withdrawal plea of Khaleda Zia yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Gulshan police yet to execute office search warrant n Ashif Islam Shaon and Munir Momtaj A Dhaka court said yesterday BNP chief Khaleda Zia’s arrest warrants would remain in force and refused to even entertain her petitions for withdrawing the orders.

Special Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar had issued the warrant for Khaleda’s arrest on February 25 as she had skipped several court dates. He said yesterday she had become a fugitive for not having turned up at court to surrender.

A former prime minister, Khaleda Zia is on trial for corruption in Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust at Special Judge’s Court 3 in Dhaka.

The court fixed April 5 for the next date of hearing.

The arrest warrants, however, had not reached Gulshan police station as of yesterday.

PAGE 4 Kamaruzzaman to file review petition today

As for the three-time premier, she did not step out of her office. Khaleda’s lawyers had said she might indeed surrender to the court only if she were given adequate security and allowed to return to her office where she has been living for two months now.

High Court to hear petitions for withdrawal of arrest warrants and a motion of no-confidence in the trial court’s judge today Khaleda’s elder son Tarique Rahman is also on trial at the same court and the judge had also ordered his lawyers to produce Tarique at the court. Tarique has been living in London since 2008 after being released on parole.

PAGE 6 Govt to create online platform for commodity info

The court convened proceedings at a makeshift court at Bakshibazar Alia Madrasa playground in Dhaka around 11:30am, an hour after the scheduled time. The proceedings ended two hours later.

Prosecutors told journalists that they had information about a possibility of Khaleda’s surrender by the end of the day. The judge waited at the court until 5pm.

The proceedings continued even as three crude bombs went off about a few hundred feet from the court premises around 12:20pm, said the police.

Speculations have been widespread since last week that the BNP chief might be arrested anytime. A senior lawyer and also an adviser to Khaleda, Khandaker Mahbub Hossain told the press that she would surrender before the court only if she were allowed to return to her office.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

PAGE 7 Chhatra League a terror for RU students

On the first day of a 10-day remand Shafiur Rahman Farabi yesterday denied his involvement in the killing of writer-blogger Avijit Roy but welcomed the murder.

“I fully support this killing [of Avijit],” Farabi, the prime suspect in the Avijit murder case, told detectives during an interrogation.

A high official of the Detective Branch of Police involved in the interrogation said Farabi told them that Avijit was previously known to him.

Both of them used to write posts in different blogs. There was no personal enmity between them, says the official, quoting Farabi.

“I just gave death threats to Avijit, as he used to write anti-religious statements in a blog, in a bid to stop the publication of his books. I have no connection with the killing at all,” he quoted Farabi as telling the interrogators.

Farabi was arrested in the Avijit Roy murder case and taken on remand on Tuesday.

On February 26, some assailants chopped Avijit to death and injured his wife Rafida Ahmed Bonna near the TSC on Dhaka University campus when they came out of Amar Ekushey Book Fair after attending a book launching ceremony.

The DB official further said: “As Farabi put up photographs of Avijit and Bonna in Facebook along with instigating posts, we are treating him as a prime suspect.”

Hasan Arafat, assistant commissioner of  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

PM’s reply to Ban Ki-moon unlikely to mention dialogue n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman Dialogue with the BNP-led alliance very likely will not be mentioned in the government’s forthcoming response to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The response will say the government will not seek assistance from the UN to resolve the crisis, a senior official of the government said.

“We appreciated that the secretary general sent a letter to the prime minister and we will send our response very soon,” the official said.

“We would say the next election will be held in due course of time as Bangladesh is a democratic country and the government  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

PAGE 9 Beekeeping a game changer for jobless youths

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Mamata writes to Modi on AL: No Teesta, LBA issues dialogue before 2019 n Tribune Report

n Abu Hayat Mahmud Awami League leaders yesterday reiterated their vow that no election would be held before 2019.

The ruling party presidium member Mohammed Nasim said dialogue would be held only with the Election Commission and that too on how to conduct a fair election, but it can not be held with the BNP. Nasim said this while addressing a 14-party alliance’s rally protesting BNP-Jamaat’s nationwide violence. The Awami leader also addressed a rally at Hazaribagh in the capital yesterday evening.

Addressing Khaleda, 14-party spokesperson Nasim further said: “You depend on your foreign masters but they also told you to stop violence.”

In another programme Nasim termed BNP an underground party like that of militant outfits in Middle Eastern countries. The fate of BNP would be the same as other underground parties in this sub-continent, he warned.

Nasim said this while addressing a press conference at AL President Sheikh Hasina’s political office at Dhanmondi after a joint meeting. The meeting was held to discuss the preparation for the March 7 rally at Suhrawardi Udyan.

Leaders of Awami League central committee, Dhaka city unit and the districts adjacent to the capital were present at the meeting.

Responding to a question about BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s arrest, ruling party senior leader Nasim said it is the matter of the court and law enforcement agencies.

“They will take the decision as per the law of the country. However, she (Khaleda Zia) has no respect for the court,” he said. l

Eight to receive Swadhinata Padak 2015

n UNB Eight distinguished personalities of the country have been selected for the Swadhinata Padak 2015 in recognition of their outstanding contributions in their respective fields.

The awardees include late Commandant Manik Chowdhury, who made significant contributions towards organising the Liberation War in 1971 in Sylhet; late Mamun Mahmud, who was a police officer in 1971 and killed by Pakistani occupation forces for helping the freedom fighters; late Shah AMS Kibria, who played an important role in the campaign for Bangladesh’s war of independence in Washington; and late Prof Mozaffar Ahmed, who was an adviser to the war-time government of Bangladesh.

Besides, educationist and Prof Emeritus of Dhaka University Anisuzzaman; renowned film actor Abdur Razzak; agricultural scientist and former director general of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute Mohammad Hossain Mondol; and journalist late Santosh Gupta have also been nominated as recipients of the award, said a Cabinet Division release.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will hand over the awards to the recipients at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium on March 25. l

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi informing him that she wants to cooperate with the central government for settling Teesta and LBA issues with Bangladesh, according to Indian media.

Kolkata’s Ananda Bazar Potrika reported that Mamata wrote to Modi to let him know she was not against the Teesta deal with Bangladesh.

In a letter written after her recent Dhaka visit, Mamata described the outcome of her

trip as “positive,” UNB reports.

Indian media also reported that Mamata is likely to meet Modi on March 10 – her first meeting with the prime minister – and is expected to discuss on economic issues concerning her state and Bangladesh-India relations.

During her recent visit to Bangladesh, Mamata promised to cooperate on the Teesta water accord and the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) between the two countries.

The Ananda Bazar report said the Indian prime minister wants to visit Dhaka in April. l

40 truckloads of fake cosmetics seized n Tribune Report A factory of fake cosmetics in Dhaka’s Demra was busted yesterday in a joint drive by Customs Intelligence (CI) and RAB officials.

The law enforcers seized 40 truckloads of adulterated cosmetics; however, no one was arrested in this regard.

Umme Nahida, assistant director of CI, said the Customs team with the help of RAB 10 and VAT East officials conducted the raid at a factory owned by Moonstar Limited and seized the cosmetics worth around Tk40 crore. Nahida said workers at the factory were found filling containers of renowned brands of body spray and perfume with local, low grade chemicals. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Farabi commends Avijit murder DB police, said Farabi is yet to admit his involvement in the killing. He also said he even did not know who murdered Avijit.

“However, we are interrogating him presenting various information to him,” he added.

Once an activist of Islami Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, Farabi later joined Hizb ut-Tahrir.

Krishna Pada Roy, deputy commissioner of DB police, said they were analysing Farabi’s

statements.

Meantime, six days have elapsed but the detectives are yet to arrest any other suspects in the murder case.

Investigators said they were taking technological support to hunt down the killers but as the criminals were frequently changing their hideouts the police have not been able to trace them. A source in the police said the killer group opened a Facebook account under the

name of Ansar Bangla 7 from abroad and put up a post taking the responsibility of the murder.

The page was opened just two days before the killing and it was closed a day after the murder, the source said.

Fazlur Rahman, inspector of DB police and the investigation officer of the case, said they were keeping an eye on the fanatic religious group along with interrogating Farabi to trace the killers of Avijit. l

PM’s reply to Ban Ki-moon unlikely to mention dialogue would continue to uphold the spirit of democracy,” he added.

The communication will say the BNP made a mistake by not taking part in the last general election and that the whole country should not be penalised for its error, he added.

The response, which is being prepared by the Prime Minister’s Office, will be finalised within days, he added.

The UN secretary general sent a letter to the Prime Minister in the last week of January but it was received by her two weeks after it was sent.

The government’s response will highlight that the government is trying to contain the ongoing BNP-Jamaat-led violence, which is finally declining, the official said.

Ban Ki-moon also sent a letter to BNP chief Khaleda Zia and her party has already replied.

Earlier, State Minister for Foreign Affiars Md Shahriar Alam said Ban Ki-moon’s letter condemned the ongoing violence and expressed hope the government would ensure that violence does not occur during the next general elections.

Khaleda’s meeting with diplomats

The top diplomats who met Khaleda Zia on Tuesday evening urged her to put an end to violent programmes, diplomatic sources said.

The country has been racked by political violence for over two months leaving over one hundred people dead in arson attacks, murders and extra-judicial killings.

The members of the diplomatic corps expressed grave concern over the economy at the meeting, one diplomat said.

In response, Khaleda told them she wanted general elections as soon as possible, he added.

The top diplomats of Australia, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States were at the meeting with Khaleda Zia. After the meeting, they issued a statement calling for an end to violence and encouraged confidence-building measures – including the de-escalation of Bangladesh’s political conflict – in the interest of fostering safety, stability, growth, human rights and democracy. l

Khaleda arrest warrant upheld Khaleda had skipped court hearings, citing lack of security when activists of her own political alliance, effectively the main political opposition, enforced countrywide shutdowns or blockades.

After about a two-hour hearing of Khaleda’s pleas to withdraw the warrant, to uphold her bail and defer the hearings, the judge said his previous orders remained effective.

Judge Jamadar said no one could file such a petition on behalf of a fugitive according to law. But he allowed Sanaullah Mia to represent Tarique Rahman in the two charges.

However, the judge had the petitions included in the case documents. The court did not proceed with the deposition of the cases although seven witnesses were present.

Explaining the court order, Anti-Corruption Commission’s prosecutor Mosharraf Hossain Kajal told reporters on the court premises that Khaleda had become a fugitive as she did not surrender despite the arrest warrant.

“There is no way a court can hear a fugitive’s

petitions, but the court heard the matter as senior lawyers represented her.” He said the court had merely included the pleas in the case dockets. “They were not accepted.”

Citing the BNP chairperson’s petition, which was filed with the High Court, over withdrawal of the arrest warrants and a no-confidence motion on the trial court’s judge that is due to be heard today, defence counsel AJ Mohammad Ali said: “This is a media trial which is evident from the judge’s orders. We have filed a no-confidence motion and the matter is yet to be resolved.”

As for the no-confidence motion, the judge said he had not done anything to hinder the trial.

“There is nothing else to do but continue with the trial since the defence is yet to secure an order from the higher courts,” the judge said.

The defence lawyers engaged in a heated exchange with the ACC prosecutor when he argued that a fugitive could not file the petitions.

The prosecutors also opposed the petition

to allow lawyers to represent Khaleda at the court as there were no such provisions in the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Kajal argued that Tarique’s physical presence might be dispensed with since his lawyer had informed the court that he was still sick and living in London.

Although the week-old arrest warrant has yet to reach the Gulshan police, they received a court order to search Khaleda’s office for communication devices hours after it was issued on Sunday. But they had not executed the search warrant as of yesterday evening.

Khaleda and five others were charged with misappropriation of Tk2.1 crore in the orphanage trust case between November 13, 1993 and March 28, 2007. Investigators said they could not find existence of any such trust.

In the Zia Charitable Trust case, Khaleda and three others are accused of collecting Tk3.15 crore illegally from various sources, using the influence of the Prime Minister’s Office and later misappropriating the funds. l

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Operators express inability to take part in spectrum auction n Muhammad Zahidul Islam

The parent companies of the four leading mobile operators of Bangladesh have expressed their inability to participate in the upcoming spectrum auction as some of the outstanding issues are still to be resolved.

They sent a joint letter to Finance Minister AMA Muhith on March 1 saying they are interested to acquire more spectrum for better services, but investors are not.

The letter was signed by the top bosses and chief executive officers of the parent companies. Copies were sent to the Prime Minister’s Office, the state minister for ICT division, chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), the telecommunication secretary and some other high officials.

Axiata Group Berhad’s President and Group

CEO Dato Sir Jamaluddin Ibrahim, Telenor’s President and Group CEO Jon Fedrik Baksaas, VimpelCom Limited’s CEO Jo Launder and Bharti Airtel Limited’s Chairman Sunil Mittal signed the letter.

Robi, Grameenphone, Banglalink and Airtel are the four sister concerns in Bangladesh of these four global companies respectively.

The outstanding issues include SIM replacement tax, VAT on spectrum fee, introduction of technology neutrality in all bands, spectrum roadmap, and updated national telecom policy.

A number of senior executives from the Bangladeshi operators have confirmed the sending of the letter. The Dhaka Tribune has also obtain a copy of the letter.

The letter says that the government was supposed to resolve the disputes after the 2013 3G auction. The CEOs said they are still

to see these outstanding issues resolved.

In January, the Bangladeshi mobile operators sent a similar letter to the government through the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (Amtob).

The government plans to hold the auction on April 30 for the 1,800 MHz and 2,100 MHz bands and has already finalised guidelines.

The floor prices have been proposed at $30m and $22m per MHz respectively. March 29 has been fixed as the last date for filling applications.

According to the guideline, operators who provide voice services and have less than 20 MHz spectrum in the GSM bands – 900 MHz and 1,800 MHz – will be eligible to participate in the auction.

Market leader Grameenphone is the only operator that has more than 20 MHz spectrum in those bands. l

Withstanding the sudden spring drizzle, TV journalists gear up to telecast live from the office of BNP chief Khaleda Zia yesterday morning, when hearing on an appeal to withdraw the arrest warrant against her was expected to be held at a Dhaka court RAJIB DHAR

Wealth statement of 4 Titas officials sought n Adil Sakhawat The Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday asked four employees of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited including its managing director to submit their wealth statements.

The ACC is now carrying out an enquiry into the allegation of amassing illegal wealth by four Titas employees, said an ACC official.

The accused are Titas Managing Director Engineer Md Nowshad Islam, Deputy General Manager of Gazipur Circle Rafiqul Islam, Deputy Assistant Engineer Mofazzal Hossain and Titas staff Nurul Haque Mollah. The anti-graft body sent the notice to them on February 25.

Meanwhile, the ACC will also probe claims of amassing illegal wealth by Executive Engineer of Water Development Board (WDB) Abdur Razzak and two WDB engineers.

An ACC official said the accused men would be summoned after collecting necessary documents regarding the issue.l

Sedition case filed against Manna and Khoka n Tribune Report The police yesterday filed a sedition case against Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna and BNP Vice-Chairman Sadeque Hossain Khoka with the Gulshan police station.

The case was filed after getting an approval from the Home Ministry on Tuesday. Rafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Gulshan police station, confirmed the filing of the case.

A general diary was also filed with the police station, accusing the two politicians of conspiring against the state.

Earlier, Manna was shown arrested in a case filed with Gulshan police for his alleged involvement in inciting the army to take over power. Manna is currently placed in a 10-day remand under the custody of the Detective Branch. l

Militants prefer buffers to save their leaders n Mohammad Jamil Khan

Detectives suspect that Islamist militant organisations, especially the notorious Ansarullah Bangla Team, have been using “sleeper cells” or “cut outs” for killing missions, to keep their leaders from incriminating themselves.

In this style, believed to be applied first during the murder of blogger-architect Ahmed Rajeeb Haider in 2013, the top leaders delegate responsibility of an operation to a field-level commander who picks up members to form the execution team through co-workers.

During a mission, the foot soldiers communicate with the commander through special coded messages.

Even if the killers get arrested, the law enforcers cannot glean information from them about the mastermind since the arrestees have no idea about the top leaders, a high official of the police intelligence told the Dhaka Tribune requesting anonymity.

“This way, the killers never know the names

of the leaders,” the official added.

Ansarullah Bangla Team was the first militant outfit to use buffers to insulate their top leadership from field operations, according to intelligence officials.

Although ABT chief Jasim Uddin Rahmani is now in jail, other leaders of the fanatic group have been carrying out killings and attacks in full swing with support of some technologically-savvy members of the group, officials say.

Ansarullah claimed responsibilities for the killing of blogger Rajeeb, Rajshahi University teacher Prof AKM Shariful Islam, Daffodil University student Ashraful Islam and latest victim blogger-science writer Avijit Roy. They made their claims through Twitter and Facebook accounts under Ansar Al Islam, Ansar Al Islam Bangladesh 2 and Ansar Bangla 7.

Law enforcers suspect that US citizen Avijit and his wife Rafida Ahmed Bonna were attacked by several sleeper cells, each having three to seven members, in TSC area of Dhaka University on February 26.

“No matter who executed the plan, the mastermind of the attack belongs to ABT,” a senior officer of DB police said.

Ansarullah’s name also came up following attack on bloggers Asif Mohiuddin and Rakib Mamun.

Sources in the DB police explain that militant outfits generally collect members from madrasas. But the ABT and banned group Hizb ut-Tahrir target private university students who belong to well-off families and are more technologically adept.

Law enforcers have gathered this information from seven ABT members, students of North South University who were arrested in 2013 after Rajeeb’s murder. One of the masterminds, Redwanul Azad Rana, still remains beyond the police radar.

Rana is a suspected mastermind in Avijit killing too. He got a coded SMS around 8pm on February 26 when Avijit and Bonna were about to leave the book fair. Rana passed on that message to two members of the cell ordering them

to launch the attack.

The former NSU student got a confirmation once the mission was complete. Investigators are now trying to arrest him.

Intelligence sources say Ansarullah currently has around 300 university students, especially from private universities.

Ansarullah ban likely

Asked about taking action against the ABT, DB chief Monirul Islam told the Dhaka Tribune that they were thinking about having the outfit banned. “We are now working to trace the root of the outfit,” said the DB joint commissioner, who has been dealing with the militant issues for long.

A total of eight cases were filed against Ansarullah since 2013, of which five were under the Information and Communication Technology Act. A total of 23 members were arrested, but seven are out on bail.

So far five Islamist groups have been banned namely Shahadat-e-al Hikma, JMB, JMJB, Huji, and Hizb ut-Tahrir. l

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3% migrants understand healthcare materials n Abid Azad International Organization for Migration (IOM) said only 3% of migrant workers comprehend healthcare materials. The rest do not, since the materials are not produced in their native language.

IOM revealed their baseline survey and preliminary findings in the inauguration session of the “Regional Consultation of Migration Health: Strengthening government’s capacity of selected South Asian countries to address the health of migrants through a multi-sector approach” conference yesterday in Dhaka.

19% of respondents knew nothing about healthcare abroad while 28% knew of its availability, and 49% found it unaffordable.

In order to assist with implementing the World Health Assembly (WHA) resolution in South Asia, IOM recently completed the regional research study “Baseline assessment of the health vulnerabilities of inbound and outbound migrants in Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan.”

The study included an assessment of migrants’ access to healthcare and other social services, a mapping of governments’ responses to address these vulnerabilities, and recommendations for action.

IOM Bangladesh chief of mission Sarat Dash

BNP: Arrest warrant shows govt’s bankruptcy n Tribune Report The arrest warrant against Khaleda Zia would be unable to restrain an uprising while the move only proved the illegal government’s bankruptcy, the BNP said yesterday.

Hinting at a Dhaka court’s decision to uphold the arrest warrant against the BNP chairperson in two graft cases, the party’s Joint Secretary General Salahuddin Ahmed said: “It is

nothing but a bankruptcy of the ruling party to stop people’s spontaneous movement by issuing arrest warrant.”

In a press release, Salahuddin called upon the PM to step down from her office accepting people’s demand and also to assist in restoring real democratic ruling system in the country.

“Otherwise a brutal fate has to be accepted like the history’s hated autocrats,” he warned. l

PM: Population control is not prime issue n BSS Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday told the Jatiya Sangsad that her government has undertaken various programmes to transform the country’s population into human resources and control population growth.

Awami League government believes that the people are the driving force of develop-

ment and has adopted pragmatic plans to materialise the Vision-2021 and make Bangladesh a middle- income country.

The government has set a target of achieving 72% contraceptive prevalence rate by 2016 under Health Population Nutrition Sector Development Programme and ensure an adequate stock of contraceptives at all healthcare service centres. l

NGO worker found dead Correspondent, n Our Gaibandha An employee of a local non-government organisation was found dead by the Brahmaputra River in Kochkhali area of Fulchhari upazila under Gaibandha district yesterday.

Golam Mostafa, 39, a fourthgrade employee of Friendship NGO, went missing seven days ago.

Coordinator of Friendship NGO Gaibandha office said Mostafa collected his salary on Thursday and left the office to

go home in Mollar Char by the Brahmaputra River.

After he reached a spot called Charshidhai near the river, miscreants abducted him, said the coordinator, quoting the deceased’s family members.

Mostafa’s elder brother Nurul Islam had lodged a GD on February 27 after his brother went missing.

Fulchhari police station OC Moshiur Rahman said yesterday morning, police recovered Mostafa’s body from Kochakhli area which bore marks of injury on head and face. l

said: “Not only on labour migrants, but also inclusive of other migrating populations, such as cross-border mobility, irregular migrants and environmental migrants, to move forward and identify core elements of a national strategic plan to address migration health.”

Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment secretary Khandker Md Iftekhar Haider, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare secretary Syed Monjurul Islam, World Health Organization representative to Bangladesh Dr N Paranietharan, national programme officer of IOM Nepal Bishwa Rai and Migration Health Physician IOM Pakistan Dr Waqar Ahmad were also in attendance. l

Kamaruzzaman to file review petition today n BSS Advocate Tajul Islam, counsel for death row convict Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, yesterday said his client will file a review petition against the Supreme Court verdict that upheld the death sentence given to him by the International Crimes Tribunal 2, today.

Tajul told reporters in front of Dhaka Central Jail, after he along with his four colleagues met the senior assistant secretary general of Jamaat this morning. After meeting Kamaruzzaman, Tajul said: “We have discussed matters regarding the review petition with him,” Tajul said. l

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BRTC seeks Tk10 crore Bangladeshis stuck in Nepal n compensation for damaged buses Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

n Shohel Mamun The BRTC has sought Tk10 crore compensation from the prime minister, in order to repair the buses that had been vandalised or set ablaze during political violence since January 2013.

Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) recently sent a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) seeking financial assistance, claiming 205 of its buses were damaged in attacks that caused losses of more than Tk10 crore.

Their request came after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on February 25, handed over cheques totalling Tk4.20 crore as financial assistance to 146 private vehicle owners who had been affected during the ongoing blockade. The maximum of Tk10 lakh compensation was given to individual owners by the premier.

“Private bus owners received compensation. So why should not we get financial support from the PMO fund?” BRTC Chairman Mizanur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune.

“We have estimated the compensation according to our existing law,” he added.

According to the BRTC letter, 121 buses were vandalised and 46 buses were torched between January 2013 and January 2014, causing losses worth Tk9.88 crore; since January 5 this year, 28 BRTC buses had been vandalised and 10 buses set on fire, causing Tk80 lakh in losses. The total loss stands at more than Tk10.68 crore.

“BRTC is a state-owned organisation that operates buses during any type of political unrest. So we should get priority for receiving financial assistance,” Mizanur said.

“If the government does not fulfil the demand, we will face troubles in providing the proper services,” the BRTC chairman added. l

Jubo League man shot dead n Our Correspondent, Lakshmipur

The family of a Lakshmipur Jubo League leader, whose body was recovered yesterday morning, suspected that he might have been killed because of intra-party feud.

Arifur Rahman Farhad, son of Nurul Amin of Mirikpur village under Bhangakhan union, was shot dead early in the morning, and his body was found in front of a sawmill in Mirikpur Bazar hours later.

The 35-year-old was the joint convener of Jubo League’s Bhangakhan union unit, said Mizanur Rahman Patwary, joint convener of Lakshmipur Sadar upazila Jubo League.

Farhad’s father said his son was hacked by some party men because of political infighting in August last year and a case was lodged in this connection.

“Police on Tuesday arrested Md Rashed, one of the accused in the case. My son might have been killed because of that arrest,” said Nurul.

On Tuesday night, Farhad returned home after attending the Lakshmipur district Awami League council, but again went out around 3am with some people who came and asked for him.

“I got the news of my son’s death from locals who spotted his body,” Nurul said.

But police did not comment on whether Farhad had to die because of contention within the party.

Nasim Mia, assistant superintendent of police (circle) of Lakshmipur, said Farhad’s body was recovered around 8am.

He said the body was sent to Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy, and an operation had been launched to nab the killers. l

14 vehicles, upazila office torched in arson attacks n Tribune Report Pickets set fire to 14 vehicles in different places of the country yesterday as the BNP-led 20-party alliance’s shutdown continued.

At least six people were injured in these incidents; an upazila land office was also attacked.

Nine vehicles were torched in Chapainawabganj, when pickets set ablaze stationed trucks at a terminal in Sonamasjid area around midnight. None were injured in the incident.

Four people were injured in Panchagarh when a BRTC bus and a truck were vandalised before being set ablaze. Officials at Boda police station said injured Al Amin, Lalon, Suman, Shakhawat were sleeping inside the vehicles when the attack took place around 4am.

In Chittagong’s Hathazari upazila, an au-

torickshaw driver and his passenger suffered burn injuries when pickets hurled a petrol bomb at the vehicle at around 10:30pm.

In the capital’s Jurain, a bus was torched an hour after dusk.

The RAB recovered 15 crude bombs from Rajshahi’s Kharkhari Bypass road, when a group of four to five youths abandoned the explosives after being approached by a patrol team.

In Moulvibazar, miscreants set fire to a bus in Bhobanigaon bus stand area of Juri upazila around midnight.

The Upazila Land Office in Lakhsmipur was set on fire around 4am. Documents were burned in the incident.

Meanwhile, the BGB recovered five petrol bombs left unattended in a Dhaka-bound mail train waiting at the Chittagong Rail Station. l

Hundreds of Bangladeshis were stuck in Kathmandu as a Turkish Airbus skidded off the runway at Tribhuvan International Airport early yesterday.

“All the international flights were cancelled and all the passengers who wished to leave Kathmandu, including Bangladeshis, are stuck here,”

Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Mashfee Binte Shams told the Dhaka Tribune. The runway, where the plane is still lying, is expected to be cleared by this evening, she said. Until last night, nobody contacted the embassy in Nepal.

Asked about the Bangladeshi passengers, she said they must be taken care of by the airlines. She did not specify the exact number of Bangladeshis stranded there. l

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Govt to create online platform for commodity info Primarily, the village market associations will be engaged with the initiative Of them, the Korean grant of $360,000 will contain various information about the valuable possession. n Abu Bakar Siddique local produces, including the price lists and (around Tk2.8 crore) will be used to develop Addressing the project’s launching The government plans to set up an internetbased platform for sharing commodity information and promotion of products by micro-entrepreneurs in the country.

The initiative has been taken under the Promoting Agricultural Commercialisation and Enterprise (PACE) project of Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), a government organisation that provides funds to organisations for their microcredit schemes to help the poor who have no land or other

ceremony yesterday at PKSF auditorium in the capital, PACE Coordinator Akhand Md Rafiqul Islam said the platform would be a virtual marketplace like Bikroy.com and other similar platforms, where the entrepreneurs and growers would be able to sell and buy products.

“The aim of this initiative to promote the local entrepreneurs so that they can easily get access to market,” he said.

As per the concept, the virtual marketplace

Koko’s chehlum observed n Tribune Report Chehlum of Arafat Rahman Koko, the younger son of BNP chief Khaleda Zia, was held at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office where Khaleda has been holed up since January 3.

The chehlum, a religious ritual for a deceased, coincides with the hearing in two graft cases against the former prime minister.

Khaleda along with her close relatives prayed for Koko at the programme, said Maruf Kamal Khan, press secretary to the BNP chairperson. Sixteen students and teachers from the capital’s

two madrasas recited from the Holy Qur’an at the programme since morning.

BNP leaders including Selima Rahman, Shirin Sultana, MA Qayyum, Nazrul Islam Khan and members of Khaleda’s security personnel attend the prayer.

Eminent jurist Rafique-Ul Haque and former BNP leader Maj (retd) Akhtaruzzaman also participated in the event. The senior lawyer left the programme soon after end of the prayer. He, however, did not talk to journalists waiting outside the office.

Koko died of cardiac arrest in Malaysia on January 24. l

Rizvi now on 2-day remand n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed was placed on a fresh two-day remand yesterday in connection with an arson case filed with Mirpur police.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Mizanur Rahman passed the order after Sub-Inspector Rafiqul Islam produced

him before the court seeking a seven-day remand. He was produced before the court on completion of his four-day remand in another arson case filed with the Mohammadpur police.

Until now, Rizvi has been placed in a total of 25 days of remand in seven cases on charges of vandalism, arson attacks and blasting cocktails during the ongoing blockade and hartals. l

Ex-ETV journo Konok on five-day remand n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu A Dhaka court yesterday placed Konok Sawrar, former senior reporter of ETV, on a fiveday remand in a sedition case lodged with Tejgaon police.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Alamgir Kabir Raj passed the order when police produced Konok before the court with a 10-day remand petition.

On Tuesday, detectives arrested Konok in the capital’s Shahbagh in the case. But police said his arrest was based on a confessional statement of the detained ETV chairman, Abdus

Salam, in the sedition case.

On January 8, the case was filed against Salam and BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman in connection with a “false, fabricated and provocative” speech of the BNP leader aired on ETV on January 5.

Salam was detained on January 6 from outside his office in Karwan Bazar area, and shown arrested in another case filed under the Pornography Control Act. On February 10, the High Court granted Salam interim bail in the pornography case.

He was later shown arrested in the sedition case. l

availability.

Primarily, the existing village market associations will be engaged to facilitate the virtual marketplace from where the local growers could access the information without any cost.

The six-year project, estimated to cost $92.85m (more than Tk722 crore), is supported

by International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), Korean grant, the PKSF and its local partner organisations.

the virtual marketplace.

Beside the platform, the project will also promote around 70,000 microentrepreneurs – those who run businesses financed by microcredit schemes – through financial assistance and also develop market value chain system for the agriculture and other rural products to enhance the livelihood options and living quality of rural people, including the non-poor, poor and ultra-poor. l

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BCL men a terror for RU students n Our Correspondent, Rajshahi Leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of the ruling Awami League, have become a cause of fear for the general students of Rajshahi University.

In the last two months BCL activists have beaten up at least eight students, two staffs and a canteen manager on the campus.

The impunity enjoyed by Chhatra League men has made them all the more high and mighty, alleged the students.

Yesterday, BCL RU unit Organising Secretary Shariful Islam alias Saddam allegedly beat up Shahadat Hossain, a third year student of Finance Department as he refused to give in to an extortion demand of Tk50,000.

Shahadat told the Dhaka Tribune that due to a long standing enmity, his classmate Irfan Habib alias Ridoy made a pact with Saddam and threatened him of dire consequence if he did not give the money.

“As I refused to meet their demand, Saddam and Ridoy came to my hall around 3:30pm yesterday and beat me up,” he said.

Earlier on March 2, a group of BCL activists led by RU BCL committee member Sakibul Islam alias Bakee allegedly beat up two students on the campus over a silly issue.

WEATHER

DRY WEATHER LIKELY THURSDAY, MARCH 5 TODAY SUN SETS 6:03PM

DHAKA

TOMORROW SUN RISES 6:17AM

FORECAST FOR TODAY Dhaka

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Chittagong

30

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Rajshahi

29

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Rangpur

28

13

Khulna

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Barisal

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Sylhet

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Cox’s Bazar

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YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

31.4ºC Chittagong

16.6ºC Srimangal

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajr Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

5:04am 6:18am 12:11am 4:24pm 6:02pm 7:17pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

The victims, Shovon Kausar and Ramijul Islam, are first year students of Economics and History Department respectively.

Shovon said he and his friend Ramijul were studying at the university library when some students, reportedly BCL men, were loudly talking causing disturbance to others.

“When I requested them to be quiet, they got furious and threatened to beat us up,” he continued.

“When we came out of library around noon, Bakee called over us at Tukitaki Chattar on the campus and beat us indiscriminately.”

On March 1, a group men led by BCL RU unit organising secretary Faisal Ahmed Runu and Koushik Ahmed and joint secretary Golam Kibria allegedly beat up three students for not responding to their call to join the organisation.

The students were identified as Shaon Uddin, Sajib Hossain and Tonmoy of Finance and Banking Department.

Rasel Ahmed, a fresher of the same department faced harsh beating when he did not greet Tawshik Taj, a BCL activist and a second year student of the Bangla Department on February 17.

On January 27, BCL activists Ershadur Rahman Rifat, Arafat Hossain, Raihan and Rafi allegedly beat up Nuruzzaman, a third year student of Management Studies Department for delayed presence at a rally on the campus.

Several students wishing anonymity told the Dhaka Tribune that BCL activists beat up students for no major reasons but to show off their power. Socialist Student Front RU unit President Sohrab Hossain said: “As BCL men are always spared by the university authorities, they are encouraged to do whatever they wished.”

Contacted, RU Proctor Professor Tariqul Hasan said: “We can only take action after specific complaint from a victim.”

BCL RU unit President Mizanur Rahman Rana brushed aside his responsibilities just by saying that he would look into the matter. l

Poba: 67% brick kilns illegal n Tribune Report Sixty-seven percent of a total of 8,500 brick kilns in the country are operating illegally, Poribesh Bachao Andolon said.

It also said these brick kilns were posing serious threats to public health and were responsible for environmental disasters.

“It is crucial to take immediate steps to shut such brick kilns down,” said engineer Md Abdus Sobhan, executive secretary of Poribesh Bachao Andolon, while addressing a press briefing at the social organisation’s office in the capital yesterday.

He said the number of brick kilns operating without the permission of the Department of Environment or the local authorities was on the rise across the country.

“According to information collected from the Department of Environment and field surveys of Poribesh Bachao Andolon, a total of 1,900 brick kilns still use drum chimneys.

Manjur Hasan Dilu, secretary of Poribesh Bachao Andolon, and Abul Hasnat, its assistance secretary, were present at the briefing among others. l

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8 NEWS

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Students attend classes outside decrepit school building n Our Correspondent, Kurigram Teachers at Umananda Modhyopara Government Primary School in Ulipur upazila, Kurigram are taking classes under the open sky because the rickety school building has become too risky to hold the classes inside.

Visiting the school on Monday, this correspondent found 155 students being taught by four teachers on the front yard of the school.

“It has been like this for the past six months,” said the school headmaster, Ruhul Amin.

Four classrooms were found in a decrepit condition, with chunks of the ceiling and beams missing.

“Plaster and concrete pieces from the ceiling have been falling off for the past two years, but it became severely dangerous six

months ago. The authorities paid no heed to our repeated requests to take care of this issue, and we don’t have a spare building either,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.

School sources said the school building was built on 1994, financed by the Local Government Engineering Department. However, cracks started to appear in the roof and on the beams after only a few years of construction.

In 2013, bits and pieces of the ceiling and the beams started to collapse.

“After several reports on the school’s dilapidated condition were published in May 2013, we went to several government departments and filed requests for repair work, but no one responded. In fact, no one from the authorities even came to visit the school.”

Moreover, a list of primary schools at risk

was compiled by the upazila education committee in January, which did not contain the name of this primary school, sources said.

“Many guardians are now pulling their children out of the school because of this situation,” the headmaster said.

Fazlar Rahman, president of the school management committee, said: “Our school is 9km from the upazila headquarters, which is perhaps why the authorities have not responded to our pleas for so long. But their negligence may cause a severe accident any moment now.”

The Dhaka Tribune contacted Ulipur upazila acting education officer Abu Saleh Sarkar in this regard, who said: “Steps will be taken after an inspection of the school building.” l

NEWS IN BRIEF 13 shops gutted At least 13 shops were gutted as a fire broke out at Charfashion Bazar in Charfashion upazila yesterday.

Charfashion fire station officer Siraj Mridha said the fire originated from a stove at ‘Nirala Hotel’ in the area and soon engulfed 12 other adjoining shops. On information, two fire fighting units from Charfashion and Lalmohon fire stations rushed in and doused the fire after one hour of frantic efforts with the help of locals. Affected shop owners claimed that the loss caused by the fire could go up to Tk2 crore. – Our Correspondent, Bhola

Heroin worth Tk4 crore recovered

Border Guard Bangladesh in a drive recovered heroin worth about Tk4 crore from Noapara area in the district yesterday. Major Mohammad Ataulla Jami said in press briefing that a team of law enforcers raided the area around 8.30 pm and recovered the contraband worth about Tk4 crore. – Our Correspondent, Comilla

Ruling party men grab minority school teacher’s land

n Our Correspondent, Magura

Three men of ruling Awami League have allegedly grabbed 57 decimal land worth about Tk10 lakh belonging to a retired minority school teacher at Angordoha village in the district.

Akhil Chandra Biswas, former teacher of Vabonhat Govt Primary school, said that his father had bought the land 54 years ago.

“After the death of my father I along with my five brothers have been living in the land,” said Akhil.

Hapizer, Moshlem and Akkash the AL men in the village took a portion of the land as lease for their business for two years. But, now they claimed that it was their own land. They said that they had bought the land from one Prem Chand. Akhil said that the trio contentiously forced them to go to India.

“They also threaten us saying this if we do not go to India, they will kill us,” said he.

When contacted, Hapizer, one of the alleged grabber, denied the allegation and told that they had bought the land from Prem Chand of the village. He also failed to show any documents in favour of his speech.

Prem Chand said: “I never owned the 57 decimal land. So, I cannot sell it.”

“A complain has been lodged into additional district magistrate Rahat Anwar in this regard,” said Akhil. Rahat said: “We have got an allegation in this regard.” “After investigation, we will take necessary steps,” he said. l

Three robbers held n Our correspondent, Magura Police arrested at least three robbers in the town while they were committing robbery.

Magura police station Officer-in-Charge Jahangir Hossen said locals confined Uzzal 20 , Al Amin 21 and Shabbir, 22, while they tried to rob in the market of the town .Locals also beat up the criminals leaving them critically injured. On information, police went to the spot and arrested them. Later, they were sent to hospital under police custody. l

Farmers stockpile groundnuts after harvest in Halkakara village of Chokoria upazila, Cox’s Bazar recenlty. Cultivation of the nutrious item has gained ground in the locality as it requires small investment DHAKA TRIBUNE

Peanut farming brings smiles on farmers’ face n Our Correspondent, Cox’s Bazar Farmers of Chokoria in Cox’s Bazar have pocketed a good profit after cultivating peanuts on their land instead of tobacco which was the main crop a few years back.

Farmers of charlands in the district used to cultivate tobacco on their land earlier, but being encouraged by the Deaprtment of Agriculture Extension and an NGO they started farming of groundnut on their land with a hope to earn more money and obviously they have become successful in their efforts.

Taking the advantage of a lack of effective tobacco farming control policy, tobacco cultivation is grabbing an increasing acreage of croplands across the country.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension Department, Cox’s Bazar about 42 acres of land had been brought under peanut cultivation in Halkakara village this year which is 20 acres more than the last year.

The DAE sources said farming of ground-

nut had marked a substantial boost in recent years in the sandy-barren charlands in the district bringing fortune to many landless farmers.

Coordinator of the Unnayan Bikalper Nitinirdharoni Gobeshona, the Policy Research for Development Alternatives (Ubinig) Rafiqul Haque Tito told the Dhaka Tribune that it was good that farmers of the coastal district had been involved in the peanut cultivation and it would help gaining food security of the country.

Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer (information and public relation) farmers of charlands mainly cultivate two varieties of groundnut on their land. One was Chinese and another was ingenious.

He said: “A farmer needs Tk10,000 to 12,000 for farming groundnut in one acre char land to earn profit of Tk35,000 to 40,000 by producing 22 maunds of the crop per acre on an average.”

Now, one kilogram peanut being sold at Tk60 to Tk80 at local markets while produc-

tion cost of the quantity is Tk20 to Tk30, he added.

Farmers of Hazianer, Batakhali, Halkakara, Amainnar, Kazirpara, Ghaittar and Kakara chars have cultivated peanut on their land year.

Nurul Kabir, a resident of Halkakara char, told the Dhaka Tribune that they could pocket more profit farming peanut rather farming another crops.

“For a last few years, I have been cultivating peanut on my land,” he said.

“I have already purchased 2 acres land, built a building and solving educational expenses of his three sons to lead a meaningful life through cultivating groundnut in sandy land successfully over the years,” said Saidul Islam with pride.

Md Atikullah, Chakoria upazila agriculture officer, said cultivation of peanut was gainign grounds in the area day by day. He claimed positive campign by the DAE had help farmers to chage their mind-sets.

He said: “In future no farmer will cultivate tobbacco on their land.” l

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Beekeeping a game changer for jobless youths n Our Correspondent, Madaripur Mobile honeybee farming on the rabi or winter crop fields has turned the jobless youths into self-sufficient entrepreneurs in Madaripur.

Hectares of land producing various nectar-rich rabi crops like mustard, coriander and Nigella are perfect honey collecting grounds for honeybees.

Previously bee keeping was only popular in Satkhira, Bagerhat, the Sundarbans and its adjacent areas. But recently youths in Madaripur, Shriatpur and Gopalganj have also picked up this profitable business.

A recent visit to Madaripur’s Shibchar area saw a huge stretch of lands growing coriander plants. The fields were abuzz with honeybees flying from one coriander flower to another to collect nectar.

Though farmers in this area had misconceptions about bee keeping, they have now also extended support to the young entrepreneurs.

Resident of Uttor Baheratola area of Shibchar, Laal Mia, said some youths had set up temporary bee hives near the fields and had been collecting honey for some years now. This has led to better yield because of natural pollination, he explained.

Farmer Amjad Hossain said: “We cultivate a huge amount of coriander. Bee farmers have been collecting honey from here in a natural process. We used to think negatively about it but now we have realised how beneficial it is for our crops.”

Mobile bee farmers, mostly youths who roam from one place to another to collect honey, prefer Sirajganj for mustard fields while they come to Madaripur, Shariatpur and

Gopalganj for coriander.

A bee farmer can collect about 40-50 kilogramme of honey from 100 boxes of bee hives in a week. The current wholesale market value of this amount of honey is Tk15,000.

Javed Ali, hailing from Shibchar, said he could not finish his BA because of financial constraint. And failing to find any jobs, he picked up bee farming as a livelihood.

He said he could earn about Tk3 lakh in six months, the main honey collecting season, just from selling honey.

Meanwhile, another honeybee farmer Aktar Hossain said he had been involved in this profession since an early age. Despite a few hurdles, he had been able to live a good life with the money earned from selling honey.

The major problem, he said, was the extortion he faced while transporting the hon-

ey. “Not only political goons but also police would stop me frequently on the roads and demand extortion. They harass us in the name of searching the vehicle,” he said urging the authorities to take action in this regard.

Abbas Ali, a veteran honey collector of Satkhira, said many bee farmers were facing problem because of a poor transporting and marketing structure. “We demand the government to buy honey from us directly and help expand our market.”

Deputy Director of Madaripur Department of Agricultural Extension, Abdur Razzak assured of government assistance to the growing bee farming.

“We have trained about 30 youths in Madaripur and have also helped them secure primary investment. Our support will continue,” he added. l

Husband sentenced to death for killing wife n Our Correspondent, Kishoreganj A court in the district sentenced a man to death yesterday for killing his wife.

According to the prosecution, Uzzal Kumar Sutradhar, of Nayapara village under Karimganj upazila strangled her wife Moni Rani Sutradhar to death on 10 July, 2002. Later, he hanged the body from the branch of a tree and said she had committed suicide by hanging herself.

On 17 July, Uttam Kumar Modak, brother of Moni filed a case accusing Uzzal and his mother Gita Rani in this connection.

Police submitted charge sheet after investigation the incident.

After examining the witnesses and records, the court led by Judge Golam Sarowar handed down the verdict. l

Suspected robber lynched in Chittagong n Tribune Report A mob beat an alleged robber to death when a robbers’ gang entered into a house for committing robbery in Somitirhat area of Fatikchhari upazila in Chittagong early yesterday.

Police recovered the body from the area in the morning and sent it to Chittagong Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy, but the law enforcers could not ascertain the identity of the deceased.

Officer-in-Charge of Fatikchhari police station Md Mofiz Uddin said a robbers’ gang had gone to Kamal’s residence located in Somitirhat area in the early hours of the day.

Then, the house residents informed their neighbour about the robbery over phone.

Being informed, the neighbours through loud speakers of a mosque called the locals to help the victims.

Sensing the presence of local people, seven to eight members of the gang except the deceased managed to flee from the scene, he said.

The mob beat the alleged robber indiscriminately that left him dead on the spot.

The OC said they would take lawful measures in this connection. l

Though the scorching summer is yet to set in completely, groundwater level in many parts of the country have already dipped making it difficult for irrigationintensive Boro cultivation. Farmers now solely rely on the water supplied by shallow tube wells, which, in the photo, is protected by a thatched house. The photo is taken from Gopinathpur village of Patnitola upazila in Natore yesterday AZAHAR UDDIN

4 students hospitalised being victim of corporal punishment n Our Correspondent, Barguna Four students of a high school in Sadar upazila have been hospitalised being allegedly beaten up by a nearby primary school’s headmaster and a teacher there together over trivial matter, local education officer confirmed.

The incident of corporal punishment took place at Hajarbigha Chutalabangula Primary School around 2:30pm on Tuesday.

All of the victims – Rakib, Isha Ahmed, Md Kibria and Limon – are class-VI students of Hajarbigha Chutalabangula High School. Both schools are situated on a premise.

The injured were undergoing treatment in Barguna General Hospital where they remained admitted as of filing this report yesterday.

Witness sources said the primary school’s headmaster Dilip Kumar Nath dragged out the students of their classroom after tiffin period on charge of breaking his motorcycle’s lights parked on the premise and confined them to a room where he along with another teacher named Noren beat up them mercilessly with cane.

When their condition appeared to be bad, the teachers got admitted them to the hospital.

When contacted, the high school’s headmaster Mir Mizanur Rahman said: “Since the students are guilty of breaking the lights, it is my responsibility resolve the matter because they are my students. Headmaster Dilip Kumar caused the incident without any logical reason.”

On the other hand, Dilip Kumar said the

students broke his motorbike’s lights and that was why he just slapped them.

In a query on confining the pupils to a room and hurting them there, Dilip denied the allegation.

When asked, Barguna Primary Education Officer Md Toiubur Rahman acknowledged the allegation, telling that the incident was really remorseful.

“I will take legal action against the teachers on filing complaint in this regard,” the officer added.

On January 13, 2011, the High Court banned all sorts of corporal punishment such as caning, beating, chaining, forced-haircut and confinement in all primary and secondary schools and madrasahs stating that the penalty is a violation of children’s rights. l

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10 WORLD

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

Iran and Obama dismiss Netanyahu speech to US Congress n Agencies Tehran has called the speech of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the US Congress on Iran’s nuclear talks deceitful and a desperate attempt to impose an irrational agenda.

In his speech to Congress, Netanyahu said that the world must stand together to stop Iran from gaining access to a nuclear weapon.

Iran denies accusations it wishes to produce such a weapon and is currently in talks with the US and other powers over its nuclear programme.

Massoumeh Ebtekar, Iran’s vice president, said on Tuesday that Netanyahu was trying to derail the negotiations.

“I don’t think it carries much weight.

Well, they’re [Israeli government] making their efforts to somehow derail the deal...,” Ebtekar said.

“But I think the more logical lobbies in both sides are looking forward to a solution.”

US President Barack Obama dismissed Netanyahu’s speech, saying the Israeli leader did not offer any alternatives.

In a similar speech in 2012, Netanyahu warned the UN General Assembly that Iran was 70% of the way to completing its “plans to build a nuclear weapon.”

However, a secret cable obtained by Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit revealed last month that at the time of the UN speech Mossad - Israel’s intelligence service - believed that Iran was “not performing the activity necessary to produce weapons.”

Obama says ‘nothing new’

In the speech on Cogress, which escalated the Israeli leader’s campaign against Obama’s diplomacy with Iran, Netanyahu said on that there was a need to “stand together to stop Iran’s march of conquest, subjugation and terror.”

In response, Obama said: “I am not focused in the politics of this. I am not focused on the theatre.

“As far as I can tell, there was nothing new.

Egypt upholds police sentence over death that stirred Mubarak revolt

n

Reuters

An Egyptian court upheld a 10-year prison sentence yesterday imposed on two policemen for torturing an activist to death in 2010, judicial sources said, an incident that helped trigger the uprising that toppled veteran autocrat Hosni Mubarak.

Witnesses and rights groups said 28-yearold Khaled Said died after police beat him outside an Internet cafe Alexandria.

Activists launched an online campaign against police brutality that, alongside other strikes, meetings and rallies, morphed into nationwide marches calling for the dissolution of parliament and the disbanding of the state security agency.

The policemen were sentenced to seven years in prison in 2011, but a court canceled the ruling after an appeal and ordered a retrial. l

“On the core issue, which is how to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon which would make it far more dangerous, the prime minister did not offer any viable alternatives.”

Iran and international powers have set a deadline of late March to reach a framework agreement and June for a comprehensive final settlement.

The powers want to curb Iran’s nuclear programme to ensure it cannot develop an atomic bomb, and Iran wants crippling economic sanctions to be lifted.

Obama said there was no deal with Iran yet, but if the negotiations turned out to be successful, the agreement would be “the best deal possible.”

However, Netanyahu said that the proposed Iran nuclear deal would leave Iran with a “vast” nuclear programme and that the world should demand that Tehran stops its aggression towards its neighbours before lifting restrictions.

“If the deal now being negotiated is accepted by Iran, that deal will not prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons - it will all but guarantee that Iran will get those nuclear weapons - lots of them.”

Netanyahu was greeted at the Congress by a long standing ovation.

However, at least 50 Democratic members refused to attend the speech to protest against what they see as a politicisation of Israeli security, an issue on which Congress usually unites.

Following Netanyahu’s speech, Mitch McConnell, the US Senate majority leader, said on Tuesday the Senate would begin debating next week a bill that would require Obama to submit any final nuclear deal with Iran for approval by Congress.

“We think it will help prevent the administration from entering into a bad deal,” McConnell said.

“But if they do, it will provide an opportunity for Congress to weigh in.”

However, the White House has said Obama would veto the bill. l

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks about Iran during a joint meeting of the United States Congress in the House chamber at the US Capitol on Tuesday in Washington, DC. At the risk of further straining the relationship between Israel and the Obama Administration, Netanyahu warned members of Congress against what he considers an ill-advised nuclear deal with Iran AFP

Russia’s Putin calls Nemtsov’s murder political n Reuters Russian President Vladimir Putin said yesterday that the murder of Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov was a shameful tragedy that carried a political subtext.

Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister, was shot dead as he walked with his girlfriend on Friday night near Red Square. He was the most prominent opposition figure to be killed in Russia during Putin’s 15-year rule.

The Kremlin has denied any involvement, saying that the killing was a “provocation” designed to discredit Putin and strengthen his opponents, but Nemtsov’s friends say the Kremlin is to blame for fomenting an atmosphere of hatred towards its opponents.

“The most serious attention should be paid to high-profile crimes, including the ones with a political subtext. Russia should be devoid at last of the kind of shame and

tragedies that we have recently endured and seen,” he said in a speech during a meeting with officials from the interior ministry.

“I mean the murder, the audacious murder of Boris Nemtsov right in the centre of the capital,” he said.

Law enforcement officials have said one lead they were exploring was that the killing was linked to Nemtsov’s personal life or business dealings. Putin’s comments indicated that version is now being discarded.

Authorities have not made any arrests.

Earlier yesterday, the director of Russia’s Federal Security Service said that an investigation had identified several suspects, without giving details.

Russian news agencies reported that investigators were seeking a car in connection to the killing that may be connected to the finance ministry.

The ministry said in a statement sent to

Reuters that the car, a Ford, does not belong to the ministry itself but was owned by a state enterprise which provides security to government institutions, including the finance ministry.

The vehicle drove past the spot where Nemtsov was shot after the killing and when police patrol cars had already arrived at the scene, the statement said.

Russian security service chief says several suspects in Nemtsov case

The director of Russia’s Federal Security Service said yesterday that an investigation into the murder of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov had identified several suspects, Russian news agencies reported.

FSB boss Alexander Bortnikov said, however, that the suspects were only one version that investigators were considering, Interfax news agency said. l

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

China increases military budget n Agencies

China’s military budget will grow by about 10% in the coming year, a legislative spokeswoman said yesterday to AP. Despite slowing economic growth that fell to 7.4% last year, and which is expected to further decline in 2015, the fifth year in a row double digit increase will bring the total military budget to about $145 billion.

Beijing says the bigger budgets are merely aimed at modernising and improving conditions for the 2.3 million members of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the world’s largest standing military.

However, the Pentagon and global arms bodies estimate actual spending may be anywhere from 40 to 50% more because the budget doesn’t include the costs of high-tech weapons imports, research and development, and other key programs.

The higher spending is seen as a reflection of China’s growing economic might and its desire to assert itself in the region and internationally. The planned increase of about 10%

- to be confirmed Thursday at the opening of the National People’s Congress (NPC) - is in line with the overall increase in government spending planned for 2015, NPC spokeswoman Fu Ying told a news conference China’s spending draws instant comparisons to trends among other countries in the region, many of which have been unnerved

by China’s rise.

Japan increased its defense budget by 2.8% this year to a record $42 billion, the third consecutive year of increases following 11 years of declines prior to hawkish Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s rise to power in 2012. Planes and naval vessels to counter China’s growing capabilities top the Japanese military’s shopping list.

Similarly, India, the world’s biggest arms importer in recent years, increased its spending this year by 17% to $40bn, with big increases for the navy and air force.

China and India have a disputed land border and New Delhi has expressed concern about the PLA navy’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean. l

India bans broadcasting of film showing gang-rapist n AFP India has banned the broadcasting of a controversial documentary in which one of the men who gang-raped and murdered a student is shown blaming the victim – a move the film’s maker called “arbitrary censorship.”

Home Minister Rajnath Singh told parliament yesterday the comments of Mukesh Singh, one of five men convicted over the 2012 attack in New Delhi, were “highly derogatory and an affront to the dignity of women.”

“The government condemns it,” he said of the documentary made by award-winning British film-maker Leslee Udwin, who won rare access to New Delhi’s Tihar jail to interview the prisoner on death row.

“It will not allow any organisation to leverage such an incident and use it for commercial purpose,” he said.

Singh’s comments in the Rajya Sabha, India’s upper house, came after a New Delhi court late Tuesday issued an order ban-

ning media from showing the film, “India’s Daughter.”

Spokesman Rajan Bhagat said the New Delhi police had petitioned the court for a ban on the grounds that the film’s “objectionable content” could cause public disorder.

The December 2012 gang-rape of a young physiotherapy student as she travelled home from a visit to the cinema triggered violent protests in India.

The woman died from her injuries 13 days after the savage attack, which highlighted the frightening level of violence against women in the world’s second most populous country.

It led to a major reform of India’s rape laws, speeding up trials and increasing penalties, although many campaigners say little has changed for most ordinary victims.

India’s NDTV network was due to have shown the documentary to mark International Women’s Day on Sunday, when it will also be broadcast in six other countries including Britain. l

DT

12 EDITORIAL

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

HC rule no substitute for dialog

T

he government and BNP alliance must engage in dialog to bring a long term resolution to the deadlock underlying the political violence of the last two months.

On its own, the litigation brought by the FBCCI, BGMEA,BKMEA, and BTMA to make the ongoing blockade and hartals illegal, is not enough to provide the long-term political solution the country needs.

Scores of people have been killed and over a thousand injured as a result of political violence. The economic damage inflicted is huge even without taking into account the opportunity costs caused by continuing political uncertainty.

Realistically, we can only expect political dialog and solutions to remove the political roots of this crisis.

Nonetheless, the petition brought by the business bodies raises important questions, and it is important that the government and political parties answer the questions being asked of them by the High Court’s ruling on this case.

It is clear that there can be no tolerance of vandalism and violence. The culture of coercion and intimidation that accompanies calls for strikes and blockades and frequently leads to violence, has to end. Participation in political protests must be purely voluntary. Businesses and citizens need to be freed from fear of violence if they choose to ignore calls for strikes.

Finding ways to hold parties liable for losses caused by political disputes may help address this in the long term.

But what is needed most urgently is dialog to end the violence and ensure a settlement that brings long term stability.

Long-term stability requires urgent dialog to effect a political solution

Show support for the tourism sector

T

he countrywide transport blockades called by the BNP-led alliance are estimated to have cost the country’s tourism sector Tk20,000cr in losses this year.

Along with direct financial losses, the damage done to tourism is taking a toll on the country’s image by spreading fear and uncertainty among business visitors and foreign tourists.

Many visitors have canceled plans and bookings in Bangladesh, hugely harming hotels and transportation services, and also the many small businesses which rely on tourist spending. It is disappointing that at a time when we should be taking advantage of the sector to stimulate the nation’s economy, the spell of blockades is taking us backwards.

Occupancy rates in hotels catering to tourists have more than halved. These losses must stop.

Helping revive confidence in tourism is important to help the economy overall. Foreign destinations such as Singapore and Thailand are becoming more popular among the affluent, and there are reports of more business meetings being scheduled outside the country at the expense of local tourism.

Businesses should take a lead in reviving confidence by holding more meetings and seminars at prominent Bangladeshi tourist sites around the whole country instead of just in central Dhaka or at foreign destinations.

We must do whatever we can to minimise these fears, not just by taking sensible precautions, but by also seeking normality. Showing support for our tourism sector is one way to send a message that it is still okay to travel within Bangladesh and to put tourists at ease.

Reviving confidence in tourism is vital to the economy

Be heard

Writeto toDhaka DhakaTribune Tribune Write Tower,8/C 8/CPanthapath, Panthapath, Sukrabad, Shukrabad,Dhaka-1207 Dhaka-1207 FRFRTower, 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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Writer Avijit Roy hacked to death

February 27 By the way, some of the greatest mass murderers in history were atheists.

Mujtahidul Haque In Bangladesh, the “religion of peace” murders another innocent man for daring to question the status quo. I am never going back to that country. And this is why.

Srimanthan Pramodan What a tragedy. This is what religion does.

Followers of murderous death cults, stop brainwashing kids with religion now. It has destroyed India, and has totally destroyed Bangladesh. Pakistan is already a failed state.

Free Srimanthan Pramodan: Whose religion? You mean how Hinduism is destroying India?

Look at VHP, RSS. Just the other day I saw a video of those people mercilessly beating up a young Hindu girl just for talking to a boy.

Koko Loko Free: Stop being a part of the problem.

Michael Free: All religions revel in violence, always have. They are the scourge of the planet.

The faster people grow up and stop believing in such obvious rubbish the better it will be for everyone ...

Aditya Michael: I don’t know whether religions “revel in violence,” but yes, dogmatic ways are best abandoned.

Arthur Michael: Your comment is woefully blackand-white, and the sort of thing that makes me cringe at the mentality of so many of my fellow atheists. We may not be dogmatic about a religion, but that does not exempt atheists from intellectually lazy team psychology.

I expect this will be lost on you, but some of the best people I’ve met are religious and some of the worst are not. Some of the worst people I’ve met are religious and some of the best are not. It’s not that hard to see if you open your eyes, get out into the world, and meet people.

Moin Mujtahidul Haque: Grow up kid. “Religion of peace” is not an individual who can be brought to justice. The criminal should be arrested and tried. The number of people being killed for political reasons in this country is astronomically high, compared to killings like this one. By your logic, you should not come back to Bangladesh until politics has been banned and banished from this country.

Sp Moin: Politics and Islamists are linked together in bangladesh -- so most political killings in Bangladesh have Islamist links.

Stop lying to yourself. fulham2014 Mujtahidul Haque: Yes, one more victim of the religion of peace.

Debapriyo Sarkar Mujtahidul Haque: It really feels good to see someone speaking sense. I wish such things didn’t happen in your country. Everyone has a right to question the status quo. To deprive someone of that right is to make yourself blind.

Abbie Why can’t people be a bit more relaxed about questioning certain religious practices?

Why does it always have to end like this?

Mick Abbie: Because religion attracts control freaks -- and once they gain control they push it to the limit. For them, the pinnacle is reached when they have the power to decide who lives and who dies.

Abbie Mick: I guess if you really believe you have the power of a wrathful, vengeful, and judgemental God flowing through your veins, then you can be capable of doing anything.

Any vengeful act you do has a divine sanction, and criticism of Islam, or the Prophet, is sanctioned in the Qur’an as punishable by death.

Doesn’t seem very forgiving.

DT

OPINION 13

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

Heal our healthcare

E BIGSTOCK

Too much of not enough n Mamun Rashid

B

angladesh has 56 commercial banks. I don’t know whether anyone has done any “optimum capacity modeling” for Bangladesh banking. Our economy is growing, the rural economy is becoming more vibrant, and policy planners are being quite loud about inclusive banking and finance.

If our per capita income is $1,190, the size of the formal economy becomes $187bn. With our much discussed large informal economy, the size would be much bigger. Three years ago, The Economist Intelligence showed our economy size as being $137bn. Therefore, many in the government showed the need for a few more banks in 2009. Even some economists close to the government started to champion for more banks, considering the size of the economy and Awami League’s commitment to creating synergy in the rural economy.

I even had a sweet debate with today’s planning commission member Dr Shamsul Alam. While he thought that, considering the size of the economy and the sizeable increases in economic activity, the market could accommodate some more commercial banks.

The World Bank, in 1999, thought Bangladesh had too many commercial banks, with many granted licenses on political consideration. In 2002, while the government of that time again came under pressure to grant more licenses to banks loyal to the businessmen, finance minister Saifur Rahman very loudly said enough is enough: “Let us create pressure on the existing ones to go to the villages, improve their system, process, and platform to serve their clients better.”

I like finance minister Muhith not only for his simplicity but also for his knowledge and for being so articulate. He made a testimony in parliament, in 2011, that the nine new commercial banks were being granted licenses based on political consideration.

He was cursed by his party men for being so candid, or maybe for not being very political.

Bangladesh Bank, at the very outset, was quite reluctant about licensing too many new banks. We were made aware that one or two of their very competent deputy governors, who didn’t feel good about too many new banks, were summoned to the highest office and cursed for being “anti-government.”

They of course cowed down; file notes changed and the central bank board came out with the same old logic -- the economy

has grown larger, clients need better service, entrepreneurs need more finance, and the country’s fast-growing SME sector needs banking services at their door steps.

Bank executives were happy they had many places to go and bargain, some of us were offering consultancy services to the new political leaders-cum-bank owners, most of whom were clueless about banking.

Large application books were prepared but the central bank scrutinsers were not given any time to look into the details. The country could witness a “supersonic approval process.”

Though the approval process was “highly intervened” by political seniors, the present condition of most of the nine new banks, tells us it is not so easy for a bank to move on.

Banking is a technical business, and sustainable growth is a tough game here. Most of them are suffering, even with large amounts of “insider lending.”

The other day, a journalist friend appraised me for the “quick arrival” of Samudra Bank, to be set up by the Bangladesh Navy.

The lady sitting next to him almost loudly said, “then what is the problem with ‘Akash Bank’ being established by Bangladesh Air Force?”

We are aware, our lady entrepreneurs have been talking of a “women’s bank” for the last few years, so are the freedom fighters. This time, in the Digital World 2015 conference, people highlighted the financing problems faced by IT entrepreneurs with some talking about the necessity of an “IT bank.”

I don’t know where this would take us. All businessmen close to governments, or these days, political leaders and other pressure groups, obviously want to get something from prime ministers. Our prime minister, being so kind and so helpful, easily granted licenses to new banks.

Nobody in the central bank or the finance ministry dared ask the question: “Do we improve the present banks’ conditions, cajole or influence them to extend to rural areas to compete with the MFIs, improve their product offering or governance model, or succumb to the pressure to grant new bank licenses?”

These days, I find myself subscribing to the idea of “the Almighty being the most prudent, has given you two ears and one mouth.” Listen more and talk less. l Mamun Rashid is a business professor and financial sector entrepreneur.

motion has strange ways of expressing itself; we cry when we are sad or hurt, laugh when happy, and so on. But, often, we express our emotions with contrasting outbursts: In fear, we act strong, we cry in victory, we laugh hysterically when all hopes crumble …

The death of 32 patients on February 10 at the Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College and Hospital left us numb with shock. It’s understandable that in any hospital, the life-death balance is 50-50. But the nation was left dumbstruck at the response of the hospital management and physicians during the crisis. The deliberate ignorance of the hospital authority which resulted in the deaths is actually a syndrome, affecting the whole healthcare system.

This is neither the first nor the last incident of such monumental callousness. The problem is, we experience the trauma and then we forget about it. So, nothing changes.

While Bangladesh has made phenomenal progress in health and development over most of our neighbouring countries in last 25 to 30 years, we are still plagued by glaring failures. Lack of adequately skilled medical attendants is one of the prime reasons for inconsistencies in our healthcare system.

Still today, in a country of 160 million people, only four hospital beds are available for every 10,000 with one doctor for every 2,800 persons.

There are around 39,000 doctors, 15,500 nurses, and 1,700 hospitals including 678 government facilities in the country. Not surprisingly, 85% of births in Bangladesh still continue to take place at home, 80% of childbirths are managed by unskilled attendants who can neither recognise related complications nor provide effective interventions.

An absence of a revamped policy and failure to ensure quality medication are the main challenges. Food adulteration, indiscriminate usage of chemical fertilisers and hormones in crops, fruits, and vegetables place us in a vulnerable position. As the state of healthcare in the entire country suffers, commercial Dhaka-centric healthcare facilities without consistent service quality have started mushrooming.

Let me share one of my recent experiences: A person close to me had to take dental treatment in one of the city hospitals, widely extolled for top-class service. After a few days of treatment, he started to feel weak.

Local doctors, following a protracted check, identified infections in his liver and asked him to be hospitalised immediately. Luckily, he was supposed to go to a mission in another country at that time, so he decided to get a second opinion in a foreign hospital.

It was Hepatitis C and further examinations discovered that he got the infection when he was being treated in the local hospital.

Every day, such in-hospital infections get to patients. This is just the tip of the iceberg!

One of the key pillars for any healthcare system is flawless diagnostics and there is no shame in accepting the fact that lack of proper diagnostic services is one of our major challenges, making effective treatment difficult.

There is a common joke regarding our diagnostic services. A man got a urine test done

as part of his regular health check-up; and his report confirmed his “positive” pregnancy.

The problem with Bangladesh is that we are inured to the loss of human lives, be it from some accident, natural disaster, or medical condition.

On an average, 20 people die and many more become victims of fatal road accidents every day. For the road accident victims outside the capital, most divisional hospitals don’t have the basic facilities. When injuries are serious, they need to be transferred to Dhaka.

Bangladesh has been growing at 6% GDP per year for the last 25 years, harbouring an ambition of joining the developed economy club soon. But higher economic development requires reliability of medical services. The blunt fact is we don’t have that yet.

But it’s never too late. Like any other system, we need a management team as administrators and appropriate tools/instruments including, hospital facilities, modern diagnostic technologies, trained nurses and physicians, plus appropriate motivation for the entire system to work well. To make this system work, we need an up-to-date policy.

It’s also difficult to ignore that all eminent politicians, bureaucrats, academics, celebrities, businessmen -- whoever has the money that is -- are going to foreign hospitals for their child birth, immunisation, even regular health check-ups, relying only on foreign medicines. They know what is needed, but promises have not translated into action.

As long as they are in good shape, the worry is for the common people. But this apathy can hardly take us on a road to economic ascendancy.

A comprehensive plan for this struggling health care system should be considered as one of the top priorities for the country.

Beyond any politics and business, a reliable healthcare system and private medical institutions that put service before profit are a must. l Muhammad Taif Ul Islam is a development practitioner and an Energy Specialist for the International Finance Corporation, Bangladesh.

BIGSTOCK

n Muhammad Taif Ul Islam

DT

14 OPINION

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Cremation of a nation n Raihan Hadi

I

see picketers on the streets, and petrolbombers too, burning alive the souls, of me and you, and I think to myself … what a wonderful world!

Parodies aside, where are we headed right now? Is the ultimate solution for sane people in this country to flee abroad to live as thirdgrade citizens with odd jobs for mere survival? I guess so; because, remember those Bengalis they used to make once, who were ready to stand up against evil power and give their lives away fighting, yet never giving up on justice and peace for all?

Yeah, they don’t make those anymore I guess. Because everyone seems fine waking up every morning with news about how the nice next-door neighbour got caught inside a bus into which a petrol bomb was thrown and got cremated alive within minutes. What do we do when we hear about that aged lady who came from Barisal for treatment and got treated for life with fire all over her body? We simply do that “tsk tsk” thing and then sip our tea and run off to work.

On the one hand, we have tremendous construction work going on, not just with the flyovers, but the whole nation, in all sectors.

On the other hand, arsonists (whose loyalties to their respective parties are very questionable) are burning it all down.

Some might be thinking that it’s actually helping us reduce the population, since it is so large. Well guess what? You might be next!

And then you won’t be around to see how much pain it causes your family members to lose you.

And not just the burning and destroying of things, but this whole ridiculous situation where strikes have become a daily thing is

actually hurting the whole education system of this country. Kids can’t go to school or sit for their exams, and given the fact that they have so much time to study and no idea when the next exam will be held and how, many of them have probably given up studying right now.

We surely wanted a country where kids will always experience laughter and fun, right? They will grow up knowing that a party and their minions mastering in blockades, strikes, and petrol bombs destroyed their future, and their predecessors had done nothing about it.

Tolerance nowadays is a rare gift to possess, and it seems like we Bangladeshis have too much of it

And speaking of going to work, the lives of daily labourers and garment workers and such, who have only two ways of travelling, either by using public transport or on foot, are most at risk.

Given the current situation where the policemen have been ordered to shoot arsonists on sight, imagine, for instance, a situation on the streets where a bunch of workers are caught up in a crossfire and many of them lose their lives. What happens to their little kids at home? Who will take care of their

ill elderlies, and who will ensure that more beggars will not be created out of them?

The government is already doing so well in tackling these arsonists with both hands full, that it would be unjust to ask them to take care of regular people (although they have provided for some, as we all know).

Instead of putting all the pressure on them, we should buckle up, get some guns and knives (and if needed, some cooking utensils too -- who cares?) to answer that call where we, the mango public, are asked to stand against corruption and help catch miscreants. That way, we can all be a bit like Batman, minus the billion dollars, the immense training in martial arts, the detective skills, the cool gadgets, the cool bat suit, and the super cool Batpod. Sounds cool, huh?

So, we know what is wrong, and we also know that it will keep being wrong for an uncertain period. Clearly, someone does not want the BNP to exist anymore, and that might as well be the party itself. Otherwise, why would they continue to burn the nation down when their fight is not really against the nation or the citizens? Why would they lack the brains to understand that working against the nation is exponentially decreasing their popularity?

Of course, some might argue that they are being framed and it is someone else doing the devil’s deed. But then, why isn’t anyone from the party trying to stop these acts of terror? By murdering countless numbers of people, are they not actually reducing their votes and, thereafter, any seats they might avail in the parliament in the future?

Tolerance nowadays is a rare gift to possess, and it seems like we Bangladeshis have too much of it as far as caring for the country

is concerned. Other cases, for instance watching mind-blowing (yes, literally) mega serials on Star Jalsha, are things to be hyper about, but 60 people being burnt to death in one day amounts to nothing. And why not? The Gonojagoron Moncho in Shahbagh is there to take care of the nation, right? Of course they are, it is because of them that blogger Avijit Roy is still alive, safe and sound with his family, right?

In my opinion, we need to form a proper sense of righteousness in our minds and think about our future here. Today, some people like me are ranting about this, many others are talking about it at their offices, teastalls, restaurants -- but talk is not enough right now. Talking is not going to save us from petrol bombs, neither will gathering at one spot to protest and show that we care.

That actually gives potential murderers a chance to identify which one of us is the next target.

We really have to devise sane ways to save our country along with the people and the economy, and we have to get rid of foreign political parties interfering in our politics in the name of religion. And we have to come forward and request the appropriate authorities to involve the general public in finding solutions to this matter to avoid further dire consequences for anyone at all.

Although this is the politicians’ job, things have become too personal for regular people.

So maybe the politicians can indulge in some educated discussions with ordinary citizens and end this war immediately, before the remnants are nothing but ashes. l Raihan Hadi is Founder, Ideas for Bangladesh, and Deputy Secretary, Korea-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

RMG buyers cancelling trips due to political unrest n Kayes Sohel Several global apparel retailers have recently canceled trips to Bangladesh as political standoff continues, which analysts say could result in shift of orders to other competitors.

Over the last two months, representatives from retailers such as GAP, American Eagle, Pinkie, Okidi and Promote suspended scheduled visits, industry insiders said.

The visit suspension has created fear among local manufacturers of taking away orders from Bangladesh and shifting to competitors like Vietnam, according to them.

“It is a chilling message for the industry and the economy as well,” said Anwarul Alam Chowdhury, former president of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

The $24bn industry, which accounts for more than 80% of the country’s total export earnings and globally the second largest exporters after China, is the mainstay of the Bangladesh economy.

Cheaper cutting and manufacturing cost in Bangladesh RMG sector is the main attraction for the reputed clothing brands across the world.

Former FICCI president Ershad Ahmad said a delegation from GAP was scheduled to come to Bangladesh on January 5.

They had to canceled the tour as the validity of VISA expired in the long wait for the political calmness in Bangladesh.

Like GAP, some other leading buyers have postponed their trips, according to Ershad.

“They are scared and cancellation of trips may create scope for choosing another country for sourcing,” he said.

Bangladesh is now facing a vicious political strife, as BNP-led 20-party alliance enforced countrywide non-stop transport blockade along with shutdowns to press home its demand of national election under a caretaker government system.

But the longest ever programme has almost paralysed the country.

The bout of fresh political strife was triggered as the government had not allowed the opposition alliance to hold rally on one year completion of January 5 controversial election.

The longest stretch of shutdown has ever been seen by the country.

Vietnam is Bangladesh’s strong rival in ready-made garment exports. It is likely to overtake Bangladesh in the global apparel export market share in next 10 years once the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) takes shape, according to a study of Standard Chartered Bank.

On this basis, Vietnam would beat Bangladesh to become the second-biggest apparel supplier after China when its apparel exports swells to US$115bn, it said. l

16

RBI surprises with early post-budget rate cut

17

Pay gap widens most in North America, Asia

20

DT

Business

15

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

NBR asks business leaders to get e-TINs, submit tax returns

Bangladesh to procure ten ocean-going ships n Tribune Report

A woman works at a Bangladesh garment factory. Despite weeks-long political unrest, the country’s biggest export sector continues to grow its earnings RAJIB DHAR

RMG exports brave supply chain chaos n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi Apparel export earnings showed 2.56% growth in the first eight months of the current fiscal year, EPB provisional data shows, despite supply chain disruptions in last two months in the wake of the countrywide political violence.

Police escort has helped the RMG exporters to a large extent to ship their products on time.

Export earnings marked over 2.5% growth, and if the supply chain was not disrupted, export growth could have been even higher Although the RMG manufacturers claimed that they had to face setback in sending products to Chittagong for shipment due to security problem. The figures, however, showed the positive growth in export earnings.

Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) sources said Bangladesh earned about US$16.55bn through exporting readymade garments in July-February of FY2014-15. This figure is 2.56% higher than $16.14bn of the same period in the last fiscal.

The knitwear exports during the period stood at US$8.13bn, while woven products earned $8.41bn growing at 1.22% as the previous year’s figure was $17.17bn, shows EPB data.

“Though the export earnings showed about 2.56% growth, it was expected to reach 7%, and if the supply chain was not disrupted, the export growth could be even more,” BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim told the Dhaka Tribune.

Commenting on the negative impact on the ongoing political unrest Azim said: “The impact of the political turmoil will be reflected in May-June period as we’ve failed to grab the work orders as per our expectation.”

“As we remained cautious about the possible negative impact due to the supply chain disruption, the RMG sector witnessed less impact than last year, thanks to the police escort for carrying our products safely to the port city for shipment,” he added.

Bangladesh has witnessed continues countrywide blockade and hartals since January 6, which was sponsored by BNP-led 20 party alliance. BNP and its allies called the blockade and hartals to mount pressure on government to hold a fresh election.

Meanwhile, the business community, especially the export-oriented sector, demanded incentives and policy support from the government to recover losses incurred due to the political disturbance. The $24.5bn RMG industry alone employed over 40 lakh workers, of which 80% are women mostly from the rural area. l

Cabinet committee on public purchase has approved proposals of home and shipping ministries to procure 10 ships from China and Italy.

The cabinet committee meeting, chaired

by Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday, gave the approvals to meet the demand of Shipping Corporation and Coast Guard.

Of the ships, procurement of six will be financed by the Exim Bank of China and these ships will be imported from China while home ministry will buy four ships from Italy with the government fund for Bangladesh Coast Guard, said Cabinet Division Secretary Mostafizur Rahman.

“The cost of six ships from China will be Tk1,811 crore as four ships from Italy will cost Tk963 crore,” he told reporters after the meeting.

Besides, the cabinet committee has asked the public works ministry to seek opinions from law and parliamentary affairs ministry on duty waiver proposal for the import of construction materials by Malaysian consortium.

The committee made the suggestion as public works ministry placed the duty waiver proposal. The consortium will construct 8,400 flats at a cost of Tk5,285.55 crore in the capital’s Uttara.

Malaysian private construction firms Gemilang Land Development SDN Berhad and ALM-Gemilang Construction Ltd form the consortium and will construct 100 16-storey buildings.

The total cost of the project is estimated to be Tk5,285.55 crore to construct 15.3 million square feet of new housing space. The proposed cost of per square foot in the apartments is Tk3,450.

The Malaysian consortium would be expected to build a total floor space of 15 million square feet at blocks B and C of the Utarra Apartment Project meant for the lower and middle-income groups.

In October 2011, the government approved the approximately Tk9,030 crore project for the construction of 20,160 units.

It will be built on a design-build-transfer basis under the technical and financial management of the Malaysian government by 2016. l

DT

16 BUSINESS

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

RBI surprises with early post-budget rate cut n Reuters, Mumbai The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lowered its policy repo rate by 25 basis points to 7.5% yesterday, its second inter-meeting cut this year on the back of easing inflation and what it said was the “weak state” of parts of the economy.

Although markets had broadly expected the RBI to cut rates again after its surprise January easing, few had expected a move as early as this week, just days after the government presented its annual budget for the coming fiscal year.

“Given low capacity utilisation and stillweak indicators of production and credit offtake, it is appropriate for the Reserve Bank to be pre-emptive in its policy action to utilise available space for monetary accommodation,” RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan said in a statement.

The cut comes days after the government and the Reserve Bank of India agreed to formally adopt inflation targeting, although the central bank had been effectively using targets since early 2014.

Analysts said the RBI’s rate cut appeared to give backing to the government’s fiscal plans and its pledge to exercise responsibility despite a delay in meeting a fiscal deficit target of 3% of gross domestic product by a year to 2017/18.

“The Reserve Bank of India is expressing its confidence on inflation outlook,” said Radhika Rao, economist at DBS in Singapore.

“This also means that despite a higher fiscal deficit, the quality of fiscal consolidation has satisfied central bank’s expectations.”

Indeed, in an otherwise cautious policy statement, central bank governor Raghuram Rajan said fiscal and monetary policy would work “in a complementary way”: “The fiscal consolidation programme, while delayed, may compensate in quality, especially if state governments are cooperative,” Rajan said.

Indian bonds and rupee rose sharply after the cut. The benchmark 10-year bond yield dropped to as much as 7.61%, its lowest level since July 15, 2013. The partially convertible rupee gained to as much as 61.65 to the dollar, its strongest level since Feb 4.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan prepares to read the bi-monthly monetary policy statement at a news conference at the RBI headquarters in Mumbai REUTERS

More to come?

while Rajan signalled positive trends in inflation, analysts cautioned that the prospect of slashing rates was reduced, given the new inflation targets and a statement that contained words of warning as well as encouragement.

“I feel another 25 bps is possible, maybe in the April policy but after that there will be a pause,” said Rupa Rege Nitsure, group chief economist at L&T Financial Services.

Indian inflation has moderated sharply as oil prices slumped since last year. In January, consumer prices INCPIY=ECI rose an annual 5.11%, having fallen from double digity levels as recently as November 2013.

That was well within the inflation target of 4 percent, with a band of plus or minus 2 percentage points, agreed by the RBI and the government, which will be set starting from the financial year ending in March 2017.

Rajan said in the statement the RBI would seek to bring the inflation rate to 4%, the midpoint of that band by the end of the two-year period starting in 2016/17.

The statement also noted that the rupee’s relative strength added to disinflationary pressures, although Rajan said the RBI does not target exchange rates or have a target for currency reserves.

Rajan also cast doubt on the government’s revision to its data methodology last month that resulted in the economy showing growth of 7.5% year-on-year during the last quarter, higher than China, when previously India’s economy was regarded as struggling to get out of a rut.

“The picture it presents of a robust economy, with growth having picked up significantly over the last three years, is at odds with still-low direct measures of growth of production, credit, imports and capacity utilisation as well as with anecdotal evidence on the state of the economic cycle,” Rajan said.

“Nevertheless, the picture of a steadily recovering economy appears right.”

The RBI had first lowered interest rates this year on Jan 15, in a similarly unexpected move.

Both rate cuts took place outside of the central bank’s scheduled policy review meetings. l

NEWS IN BRIEF Oil prices mixed in Asian trade

Dollar eases ahead of key US data

Oil prices were mixed in Asia yesterday ahead of the release of a key US supply report and as dealers eyed escalating violence in crude producer Libya, analysts said. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for April delivery gained two cents to $50.54 while Brent crude for April fell 29 cents to $60.73 in afternoon trade.

Tetsu Emori, commodity fund manager with Astmax Investments in Tokyo, said the official US stockpiles report for the week to February 27 to be released later Wednesday will show an increase in crude reserves, indicating weak demand in the world’s biggest economy. “This will be negative for price recovery,” Emori told AFP. Crude oil stockpiles likely rose 3.95 million barrels last week, according to a Bloomberg News survey. Overall reserves meanwhile currently stand at 434.1 million, the most since the start of official stockpiles data compilation in 1982, Bloomberg said. Emori said dealers are also closely monitoring unrest in crude producer Libya. Islamist militants seized control of at least two oil fields in central Libya on Tuesday, a spokesman for the country’s oil industry security service told AFP. – AFP, Singapore

The dollar eased against the yen yesterday as investors await a key US jobs report later this week. In Tokyo, the greenback slipped to 119.68 yen from 119.74 yen in New York, coming off levels above 120 yen earlier Tuesday. The euro was at $1.1166 from $1.1178 in US trade. Traders see the dollar as “top heavy” around 120 yen, a bank dealer told Jiji Press news agency, while another currency dealer said it was “difficult to build large positions” ahead of the US employment figures. The data later this week will supply the next clue about the state of the world’s top economy, and the Fed’s timeline for an interest rate hike, widely expected by mid-year. In other trading, the euro slipped to 133.61 yen from 133.85 yen ahead of a European Central Bank meeting on Thursday. The ECB council will unveil the details of the bond purchase programme it is embarking on later this month. The Chinese yuan remained weak in the wake of the central bank’s interest rate cut on Saturday. The unit was quoted at 6.2719 against the dollar, stronger than 6.2766 in New York but still down from 6.2650 on Friday before the 0.25 percentage point cut was announced. – AFP, Tokyo

US study: Old-economy sectors are now tech too

n AFP, Washington Forget about old economy and new economy.

Everything is now part of the tech economy, a prominent US research panel said Monday.

New technologies ranging from cloud computing to data analytics are transforming virtually all industries, including old-economy sectors like manufacturing, said the report by the National Academy of Engineering.

Manufacturing can no longer be considered separate from the system of technological innovation used in new economy sectors, said the report by the NAE, part of the National Academy of Sciences, a research organization created by Congress.

“Technological developments, reengineered operations, and economic forces are changing the way products and services are conceived, designed, made, distributed, and supported,” it said.

“Developments in data collection and analytics, digital manufacturing, and crowd-sourcing have opened up a wealth of possibilities for companies and entrepreneurs to better understand customer needs and desires, optimize design and production processes, discover new market opportunities, and acquire new investment funds.”

The pharmaceutical sector, the report said, is being affected by apps and services to help people take their medicine on schedule.

The automotive industry, meanwhile, is changing with new software and services ranging from entertainment and apps to vehicle maintenance monitoring.

Adapting the workforce

For some US companies, this new paradigm has led to moving some manufacturing operations back onshore to better integrate research and new product development, the report said.

The nature of jobs is changing as well, the researchers said, with repetitive manual jobs consisting of repetitive tasks “largely disappearing,” according to the report.

“Factory work in the United States is shifting to favor specialty skills in areas such as robotics-controlled maintenance, advanced composites, and radio-frequency identification of parts.”

At Boeing’s factory in the state of Washington, for example, workers control high-tech machines that use indoor GPS and laser-positioning systems to assemble components of the 787 aircraft.

The report said some estimates indicate almost 50% of US jobs are at risk for “disruption” by technological change.

It noted that an automobile manufacturing plant can now be run by one-third as many people as in 1965, even with huge improvements in the quality and sophistication of products.

US manufacturing employment dropped from 19 million in 1980 to 11.5 million in 2010, according to government statistics.

But the study said there is a “mismatch” of the skills available by many worked and those needed: many high-paying jobs require engineering and computer programming, and not enough people are acquiring these skills.

The new environment requires companies to adapt with new emphasis on technology research, along with better training for employees. Government programs and higher education need to change as well, the report noted. l

DT

BUSINESS 17

TUHRSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

Pay gap widens most in North America, Asia

Apple edges Samsung, retakes smartphone throne n AFP, Washington

n Reuters, London The pay gap between senior managers and lower-level employees has widened much more sharply in North America and Asia than in Europe since the financial crisis, a study showed yesterday.

The report by Hay Group, a global management consultancy, showed that pay disparity between the likes of clerical or graduate-entry jobs and senior managers had increased in

The combined wealth of the richest 1% will overtake that of the other 99% of people next year unless the current trend of rising inequality is checked, according an international agency, Oxfam every region worldwide since the start of the global recession.

In North America the pay gap rose by 7.2% between 2008 and 2014, while the gap in Asia increased by 12.5%. Europe experienced the smallest widening at 2.2%.

“Despite an average global increase in the job-level pay gap, Europe and America have diverged, in part due to local employment practices,” Hay Group consultant Ben Frost said.

The International Monetary Fund warned last year that income inequality could lead to slower or less sustainable economic growth.

Many companies in Europe introduced

People make transactions at the ATM machines outside bank branches across-the-board pay cuts to avoid job losses while businesses in the United States cut jobs more often and raised senior management pay to reflect increased duties, the Hay report showed.

The pay gap in the United States widened by 10.6% between 2008 and 2014, with workers in senior management roles paid an average of four times the amount earned by workers in lower-level jobs last year.

Within Europe, the gap in Britain increased 5.3% to 3.3 times but by only 0.3% in Germany to 2.8 times.

In Asia, the gap in China grew by 7.8% to

REUTERS

12.7 times and in Japan it rose by 2.1% to 3.3 times.

Hay Group said the increase in the pay gap was driven by the increasing automation of low-level jobs or their transfer to lower-pay countries. Such cost-cutting resulted in increased competition for remaining jobs, keeping pay down.

In contrast, senior management pay has risen to reflect increased responsibilities and more complex work, it said.

Hay Group said the data used for the study was drawn from more than 16 million employees in 24,000 organisations. l

Apple overtook Samsung to regain the top position in global smartphone sales in the fourth quarter, a market tracker said Tuesday.

The survey by Gartner found Apple grabbed a 20.4% share of smartphone sales to end users, boosted by the introduction of its large-screen iPhones. The California giant sold some 74.8 million handsets, the survey found.

South Korea’s Samsung meanwhile saw its share tumble to 19.9%, as its smartphone sales dropped to 73 million units.

Other surveys showed Apple and Samsung in a virtual tie, but Gartner showed a clear lead for the US firm.

“Samsung continues to struggle to control its falling smartphone share, which was at its highest in the third quarter of 2013.

This downward trend shows that Samsung’s share of profitable premium smartphone users has come under significant pressure,” said Gartner analyst Anshul Gupta.

Gartner analyst Roberta Cozza said Apple is dominating the premium phone market and Chinese manufacturers gaining an increasing share of the market for low-cost handsets.

Cozza added that Samsung needs “a solid ecosystem of apps, content and services unique to Samsung devices” to gain loyalty and make inroads in the higher end.

Samsung this week unveiled its new Galaxy S6, its flagship device aimed at competing with the iPhone 6, as well as a new S6 Edge “phablet” which takes aim at the iPhone 6 Plus.

Gartner reported global smartphone sales rose 28.4% in 2014 to 1.2 billion units, and represented two-thirds of global mobile phone sales.

China’s Lenovo - which acquired US-based Motorola last year - was the third largest vendor both in the fourth quarter and the full year, with fellow Chinese maker Huawei in fourth place. l

Build-your-own Google handset reconstructs smartphone n AFP, Barcelona With a smartphone that slots together piece by piece like Lego, US Internet giant Google is trying to reinvent the mobile as most phone makers are honing sleeker handsets.

The company aims to challenge its rival Apple’s thin iPhones with the Google Ara project, giving smartphone aficionados the option to build their phone themselves.

Anlysts say tech boffins will love it but remain cautious about how popular it may be compared to polished conventional smartphones that sit snugly in the palm.

Google says the Ara phone is part of its bid to widen Internet access to users in developing countries and could create a new industry for assembly-ready handset parts.

Google’s associate, US firm Yezz, presented a prototype of the build-your-own device this week at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the world’s biggest wireless telecom trade fair.

The phone consists of a base structure on which various square, magnetic modular parts can be attached: screen, battery, camera, speakers and more. Google plans to release it in three sizes.

Ara would allow users to replace individual components rather than throwing the whole thing away and buying a new handset. It says the base unit will last at least five or six years.

“That is good for the environment,” said Annette Zimmermann, a telecom specialist at German consultancy Gartner.

‘It is basically looking to spread smartphones in countries with low purchasing power, and to unify the telecom world around its Android system’ Emerging markets Ara “could reshape the mobile landscape,” said Paul Eremenko, director of the Ara Project, in a presentation to experts in January.

He said it aimed to gain six billion potential clients - the current billion people who currently use smartphones “and five billion future users”, most of them in emerging markets.

Google says a mid-range Ara phone could cost between $50 and $100 to produce, but has not given details of the likely sales price, leaving questions marks over how sustainable such a product would be.

“Google is not looking to make money directly with Ara,” said Jerome Colin, a telecom expert at French consultancy group Roland Berger.

“It is basically looking to spread smartphones in countries with low purchasing power, and to unify the telecom world around its Android system.”

‘Paradox of choice’ Tech fans and bloggers queued up to see the prototype presented in Barcelona, but analysts were sceptical.

“The trend in mobile phones is to have small, thin, really integrated products. If you make a product modular it immediately means that you’re going to have to make compromises on that,” said Ben Wood, head researcher at consultancy CCS Insight.

“The other question mark I have is: beyond geeks, who really knows” about components? he added.

“If I said to you, which processor do you want in your smartphone, I think you could stop people in the street and they’d just look at you like you’d landed from Mars.”

Eremenko acknowledged that consumers risked being overwhelmed by too many technical options when it comes to choosing components.

“We need to resolve the paradox of choice,” he said in January.

Google plans a test launch of the device in Puerto Rico by the end of this year.

“We will have to see if the public takes to it,” said Zimmerman.

Google dominates the world of Internet searches and its Android operating system can be used on 80 percent of the world’s smartphones.

It also holds a large market share in wireless tablet devices.

Its senior vice-president Sundar Pichai said in Barcelona on Monday that it was in talks with telecom companies about possibly using their networks to operate its own mobile phone services in the United States. l

DT

18 BUSINESS

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

News, analysis and recent disclosures TRUSTBANK: The Board of Directors has recommended 5% cash dividend and 10% stock dividend for the year ended on 31.12.2014. Date of AGM: 30.03.2015, Time: 11:00 AM, Venue: Trust Milonayaton, 545, Old Airport Road, Bir Srestha Shaheed Jahangir Gate, Dhaka Cantonment, Dhaka. Record date: 15.03.2015. The Company has also reported consolidated net profit after tax of Tk. 1,298.07 m., consolidated EPS of Tk. 3.05, consolidated NAV per Share of Tk. 19.85 and consolidated NOCFPS of Tk. (3.92) for the year ended on 31.12.14.

DUTCHBANGL: The Board of Directors has recommended 40% cash dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

Date of AGM: 30.03.2015, Time: 10:00 AM, Venue: Ballroom of Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, Dhaka. Record date: 15.03.2015.

The Company has also reported EPS of Tk. 11.03, NAV per share of Tk. 72.59 and NOCFPS of Tk. 273.05 for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

SOUTHEASTB: The Board of Directors has recommended 15% cash dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

Date of AGM: 29.03.2015, Time: 10:00 AM, Venue: Bashundhara Convention Centre-2, Block-C, Umme Kulsum Road, Bashundhara R/A, Baridhara, Dhaka-1229. Record date: 15.03.2015. The Company has also reported Consolidated EPS of Tk. 4.18, Consolidated NAV per share of Tk. 26.77 and Consolidated NOCFPS of Tk. 6.09 for the year ended on

December 31, 2014.

BIFC: Alpha Credit Rating Limited (AlphaRating) has rated the Company as A in the long term and AR-3 in the short term along with a stable outlook based on audited financial information of the Company up to December 31, 2013, management report of 6 months up to June 30, 2014 and relevant qualitative information.

DESHBANDHU: BSEC NEWS: BSEC has expressed its inability to approve application for issuance of rights shares of the Company as the Company has failed to comply with the Condition No. 3(e) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (Rights Issue) Rules, 2006.

UNITEDFIN: As per Regulation 30 of DSE Listing Regulations, the Company has informed that a meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on March 05, 2015 at 3:00 PM to consider, among others, audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

IPO Subscription: Tosrifa Industries Limited Subscription March 24, 2015 to March 31, 2015; NRB UPTO April 09, 2015.

Offer Price per share Tk. 26.00, Market Lot (Shares) 200.

Dividend/AGM ALARABANK: 14% cash, AGM: 31.03.2015, Record Date: 15.03.2015.

PRIMEBANK: 15% cash, AGM: 30.03.2015, Record Date: 10.03.2015.

PUBALIBANK: 10% cash, AGM: 31.03.2015, Record Date: 10.03.2015.

Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

Company Libra Infusions-A Zeal Bangla Sugar -Z PragatiLife Insu. -Z Shahjibazar Power-N Saiham Cotton-A Sinobangla Indu.-A FAR Chemical-N 5th ICB M F-A Eastern Lubricants -A BD. Thai Alum -B

Closing (% Change) 8.61 8.22 6.71 5.00 4.95 4.84 4.63 4.44 4.24 4.10

CSE GAINER Company Peoples Insur -A Reckitt Benckiser -A Sinobangla Indu.-A Shahjibazar Power-N BD Building Systems -A Bank Asia -A Salvo Chemicals-B Janata Insur -A Bengal Windsor-A Saiham Cotton-A

Closing (% Change) 7.82 6.16 5.20 4.81 4.77 4.57 4.57 4.14 4.06 3.80

DSE LOSER Company Trust Bank-A 3rd ICB M F-A SonarBangla Insu. -A Imam Button -Z Union Capital -A Dutch Ban. Bnk- A Shampur Sugar -Z LafargeS Cement-Z National Tea -A Brac Bank -A

Closing (% Change) -5.43 -5.24 -5.23 -5.08 -4.81 -4.61 -3.75 -3.09 -3.08 -2.70

CSE LOSER Company Central Insur -A Rupali Bank - A Imam Button -Z Dutch Ban. Bnk- A Phoenix Insur -A ICB AMCL 1st NRB -A Quasem Drycells -A Trust Bank-A Apex Footwear-A Mercantile Insur -A

Closing (% Change) -9.69 -9.01 -6.67 -5.80 -5.67 -5.61 -5.03 -4.95 -4.65 -4.64

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY

DSE key features March-4, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka)

DSE GAINER

Sector

2,218.47 53,313,791 63,813

Traded Issues

310

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

163

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

144

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

3

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,530.14

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

30.67

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 316.12 97.91 20.81 271.98 117.97 349.27 3.27 182.52 240.22 4.20 107.77 20.63 23.14 128.53 46.46 12.33 37.63 149.48 12.61 75.53 0.11

% change 14.25 4.41 0.94 12.26 5.32 15.74 0.15 8.23 10.83 0.19 4.86 0.93 1.04 5.79 2.09 0.56 1.70 6.74 0.57 3.40 0.00

Million Taka 17.09 5.84 2.84 51.53 4.92 31.43 13.50 23.37 0.94 6.82 0.19 0.73 14.45 5.52 1.51 2.22 22.94 5.43 16.20 0.03

Average (% Change) 8.61 7.78 5.05 6.75 2.56 3.36 3.51 4.44 7.25 1.86

Average (% Change) 6.87 6.16 3.28 6.07 2.80 4.56 3.12 4.48 4.14 3.81

Average (% Change) -4.95 -5.24 -5.44 -5.42 -4.37 -4.14 -6.25 -0.62 -3.08 -2.09

Average (% Change) -7.45 -6.74 -6.09 -4.39 -8.02 -5.80 -6.26 -4.17 -4.65 -4.95

CSE

ClosingAvg. 385.90 7.90 107.27 217.24 18.84 25.53 26.85 188.00 400.00 37.72

ClosingAvg. 19.13 1327.00 25.53 217.10 43.33 18.34 18.17 15.15 59.05 19.09

ClosingAvg. 17.46 235.00 16.33 11.16 17.95 91.45 7.50 115.63 714.29 36.56

ClosingAvg.

% change 7.51 2.57 1.25 22.65 2.16 13.82 0.00 5.93 10.27 0.42 3.00 0.08 0.32 6.35 2.42 0.66 0.98 10.08 2.39 7.12 0.01

20.50 50.50 11.25 91.11 28.31 18.50 58.74 17.48 410.00 14.40

Closing 385.90 7.90 109.70 218.40 19.10 26.00 27.10 188.00 388.80 38.10

Closing 19.30 1327.00 26.30 220.00 43.90 18.30 18.30 15.10 59.00 19.10

Closing 17.40 235.00 16.30 11.20 17.80 91.00 7.70 112.90 714.60 36.00

Closing 20.50 50.50 11.20 90.90 28.30 18.50 58.50 17.30 410.00 14.40

Million Taka 333.21 103.75 23.65 323.51 122.89 380.70 3.27 196.02 263.59 5.15 114.59 20.82 23.87 142.98 51.97 13.84 39.86 172.42 18.04 91.73 0.14

DHIGH

DLOW

385.90 7.90 110.90 221.00 19.30 26.50 27.40 188.00 388.90 38.20

DHIGH

385.90 7.90 100.50 211.00 18.30 24.90 26.20 188.00 388.80 36.70

DLOW

19.60 1327.00 26.50 221.00 44.10 18.50 18.50 15.20 59.30 19.40

DHIGH

17.50 1327.00 25.00 213.00 42.10 18.00 17.60 15.10 59.00 18.20

DLOW

18.20 235.00 17.30 11.30 18.70 93.00 7.80 118.30 744.90 37.00

DHIGH

17.30 235.00 15.70 11.20 17.60 90.60 7.70 112.00 700.00 35.60

DLOW

20.50 50.50 11.70 93.00 28.40 18.50 64.00 18.20 410.00 14.40

Total

20.50 50.50 11.00 90.60 28.10 18.50 57.00 17.30 410.00 14.40

% change 13.62 4.24 0.97 13.23 5.02 15.56 0.13 8.01 10.78 0.21 4.68 0.85 0.98 5.85 2.12 0.57 1.63 7.05 0.74 3.75 0.01

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

Turnover in Million

Latest EPS

0.000 0.003 2.806 155.300 2.945 10.853 9.916 0.002 0.016 18.218

Turnover in Million

3.38 -46.80 2.38 8.68 1.43 1.27 2.76 16.18 3.12 1.09

Latest EPS

0.016 0.001 0.751 17.778 1.062 0.029 6.223 0.011 0.004 0.234

Turnover in Million

114.2 -ve 45.1 25.0 13.2 20.1 9.7 11.6 128.2 34.6

Latest PE

2.25 42.33 1.27 8.68 2.52 2.64 1.15 0.37 4.10 1.43

Latest EPS

7.731 0.047 0.098 0.072 1.144 6.582 0.012 98.843 0.180 43.128

Turnover in Million

Latest PE

8.5 31.3 20.1 25.0 17.2 6.9 15.8 40.9 14.4 13.3

Latest PE

3.05 24.64 1.77 -1.48 0.89 11.03 -52.72 2.43 -6.49 3.83

Latest EPS

0.000 0.006 0.190 0.093 0.013 0.009 0.201 1.356 0.029 0.011

5.7 9.5 9.2 -ve 20.2 8.3 -ve 47.6 -ve 9.5

Latest PE

2.96 2.04 -1.48 11.03 3.88 2.86 2.16 3.05 20.48 1.48

6.9 24.8 -ve 8.3 7.3 6.5 27.2 5.7 20.0 9.7

CSE key features March-4, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

227.50 6,123,967 10,201

Traded Issues

228

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

117

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

105

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

6

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,451.18

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

29.71

DT

BUSINESS 19

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

Stocks extend losses amid choppy trading n Tribune Report

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Shahjibazar Power-N LafargeS Cement-Z Grameenphone-A SummitAlliancePort.-A Social Islami. B-A BD Submarine Cable-A Olympic Ind. -A MJL BD Ltd.-A Square Pharma -A ACI Limited- A

Brac Bank -A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Southeast Bank-A WesternMarine -N Titas Gas TDCLA

VolumeShares 714,887 854,838 255,521 1,265,890 4,750,242 468,452 292,527 412,364 191,494 112,897

Value in Million 155.30 98.84 84.34 80.72 75.98 65.14 63.71 50.54 49.93 47.73

% of TotalTurnover 7.00 4.46 3.80 3.64 3.42 2.94 2.87 2.28 2.25 2.15

VolumeShares

Value in Million

% of TotalTurnover

1,179,684 1,242,476 2,020,844 867,609 484,182

CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company GPH Ispat Ltd-A BD Submarine Cable-A Shahjibazar Power-N BEXIMCO Ltd. -A LafargeS Cement-Z Singer BD -A WesternMarine -N Salvo Chemicals-B SummitAlliancePort.-A MJL BD Ltd.-A

Ifad Autos -N Square Pharma -A Agni Systems -A ACI Formulations-A UNITED AIR-A

500,205 143,298 81,890 375,386 92,083 47,432 154,108 342,430 78,865 35,931

79,751 15,413 127,110 26,408 423,303

43.13 39.68 39.00 36.77 36.24

21.01 19.88 17.78 12.03 10.60 10.35 6.52 6.22 5.03 4.40

4.19 4.02 3.87 3.58 3.49

1.94 1.79 1.76 1.66 1.63

9.23 8.74 7.81 5.29 4.66 4.55 2.87 2.74 2.21 1.93

1.84 1.77 1.70 1.57 1.53

ClosingP 218.40 112.90 329.40 63.90 15.90 136.60 216.40 121.80 259.40 422.20

36.00 31.80 19.70 42.40 74.50

ClosingP

Change % 5.00 -3.09 -0.99 1.75 0.00 -0.65 -1.68 0.33 -0.73 1.81

-2.70 0.32 -2.48 2.66 -0.40

Change %

42.00 136.70 220.00 31.80 113.00 218.50 42.30 18.30 64.20 122.00

52.70 260.40 30.40 135.80 8.20

-0.71 -0.58 4.81 0.00 -2.84 0.83 1.93 4.57 2.23 0.58

1.35 -0.08 1.33 3.27 -1.20

ClosingY 208.00 116.50 332.70 62.80 15.90 137.50 220.10 121.40 261.30 414.70

37.00 31.70 20.20 41.30 74.80

ClosingY

42.30 137.50 209.90 31.80 116.30 216.70 41.50 17.50 62.80 121.30

52.00 260.60 30.00 131.50 8.30

DHIGH 221.00 118.30 333.00 64.80 16.10 141.80 221.90 124.00 263.00 428.10

37.00 32.40 19.70 43.30 75.20

DHIGH

42.00 141.80 221.00 32.60 117.50 220.80 43.20 18.50 64.60 123.50

53.50 262.50 30.70 137.00 8.30

DLOW 211.00 112.00 328.00 62.60 15.80 136.00 215.00 120.80 258.10 414.00

35.60 31.60 19.00 41.30 74.30

DLOW

42.00 136.00 213.00 31.60 111.50 215.10 41.40 17.60 63.00 120.20

51.60 259.50 30.10 132.80 8.20

AvgPrice 217.24 115.63 330.06 63.76 15.99 139.06 217.79 122.56 260.71 422.75

36.56 31.94 19.30 42.38 74.84

AvgPrice

42.00 138.72 217.10 32.04 115.06 218.26 42.29 18.17 63.77 122.40

52.51 260.62 30.43 135.65 8.24

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

4681.53745

(-) 0.30%

1737.72198

(-) 0.64%

14316.67260

(-) 0.02%

11836.39300

(+) 0.24%

8722.66390

(+) 0.09%

▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼

Stock markets extended losses amid choppy trading yesterday, as concern over the current political unrest was rising.

The market moved between negative and positive throughout the entire session but bears beat bulls at the end of the day.

The benchmark index DSEX lost over 14 points or 0.4% to close at 4,681, extending its losing streak for the fourth straight session.

The Shariah Index DSES dropped marginally 4 points 0.4% to 1,111. The comprising blue chips DS30 was down 11 points or 0.7% to 1,737.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, settled at 8,722, rising only 1 point.

Investors seemed to ignore some good dividends declared by banks due to political risk, said a stock broker. “Most investors dared not to bet on stocks for long term as still there is no sign of political settlement.”

Like previous sessions, trading activity remained downbeat. Turnover at the Dhaka Stock Exchange was only Tk221 crore, which was Tk220 crore in the previous session.

Cement were the worst

sufferers falling more than 2%, breaking previous day’s rally. Telecommunication, food & allied, banks and non-banking financial institutions continued to decline.

A few of the sectors, including textile and engineering, closed marginally higher.

Lanka Bangla Securities said the market extended losses amid choppy trading. “As fear-casting political events have left the city dwellers breathless at this moment, we have seen its impact on capital market,” it said.

It said selling pressure continued to fade out the possible positive impact of corporate declarations of financial stocks.

SPCL topped the turnover list followed by LAFSURCEML, GP, SAPORTL and SIBL. IDLC Investments said slow bleeding continued causing painful erosion in investors’ capital.

It said resultantly, chronic depression eclipsed market sentiment turning participants reluctant to take further moves. “Many investors deviated from the fundamental path, leaving large cap that shed 0.8% to test their luck in micro cap that slipped 0.4%. l

ANALYST

As fear-casting political events have left the city dwellers breathless at this moment, we have seen its impact on capital market

DT

20 BUSINESS

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

NBR asks business leaders to get e-TINs, submit tax returns n Tribune Business Desk National Board of Revenue (NBR) asked the members of different chambers and trade associations to obtain e-TIN (electronic Tax Identification Number) and submit tax returns.

The revenue authorities in a press statement on Wednesday said many of the members of different chambers and trade bodies

did not obtain e-TIN despite the fact that the income tax ordinance made it mandatory for them to have one, reports BSS. In some cases, many of the members of various chambers and trade associations do not submit their income tax return, the NBR said.

The statement followed the letter of the NBR Chairman Nojibur Rahman to 351 members of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and other

trade associations.

In the letter the NBR chief urged cooperation from the chambers and trade associations so their members get e-TIN and submit income returns accordingly.

According to NBR, the number e-TIN holders is still below 16 lakh while the ratio of taxpayers is very low against the size of population and compared to the neighbouring countries. l

Workers unload vegetables from a boat on the River Buriganga near the capital’s Shyam Bazar. As the non-stop transport blockade has dragged on for the past two months with violence on the streets, some traders prefer carrying goods to the market by the waterways. The photo was taken yesterday MEHEDI HASAN

SME financing hits new record n Tribune Business Desk The commercial banks and financial institutions (FIs) set a new record in lending to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) disbursing Tk1,00, 910 crore in a single year.

The impressive figure for 2014 represents a phenomenal increase in lending from the full spectrum of finance providers including state-owned banks, private banks, foreign banks and non-banking financial institutions, reports BSS. Of the total amount disbursed up to December 30 last year, banking sector laid out Tk 98,032 crore when the FIs shared the rest Tk2, 877 crore. The annual growth in SME lending was over 13%.

“The central bank has expanded SME financing to create new entrepreneurs and

employment opportunities in addition to empower women,” Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor said earlier when he was talking about the objective of accelerating SME financing.

The banks and FIs increased their lending programme to the SME sector as advised and encouraged by the central bank Last year banks provided loans to over 5 lakh, of which 42, 730 were women, according to BB. A BB document also shows that the SME loan programme so far created around 1.5 million new employment opportunities across the country.

“The banks and FIs increased their lending programme for SME sector as advised and encouraged by the central bank,” said general manager of SME and Special Programmes Department Swapan Kumar Roy. Roy said the quality of SME financing also improved due to constant and effective monitoring of the central bank.

He said the loan recovery also increased phenomenally last year, which stood 64.95 percent higher at Tk69, 172 crore at the end of December.

BB latest data also showed that the major share of the total disbursed SME loan goes to business, with receiving Tk62, 767 crore or 62% of the total lending to SME. Industrial sector got the second highest amount of loan of Tk30, 246 crore, which was nearly 30% of the total disbursement. l

Kamal to IMF: Bangladesh economy performing well n Tribune Report Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal yesterday said the country’s economy was performing well despite the ongoing nation-wide political unrest.

“Pace of GDP growth in the first eight months of the current fiscal year is much better compared to the same period of a year before,” the minister told the visiting IMF team while responding to a query made by the delegation at his office in the capital.

He, however, declined to disclose the current GDP growth figure for, what he said, the sake of keeping stability in the country’s economy.

Visiting delegation of International Monetary Fund (IMF) inquired about the present economic condition of the country that has been suffering from countrywide non-stop blockades and series of strikes being enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.

However, Finance Minister AHMA Muhith has recently expressed his utter doubt over achieving 7.3% GDP growth target in the current fiscal year.

After holding the meeting with the visiting IMF delegation led-by its deputy division chief, Asia and the Pacific Department, Rodrigo Cubero, at the planning commission, the minister told the reporters that IMF team focused on six major issues to be addressed for increasing the GDP growth.

The issues are-timely implementation of fast-track infrastructure project, removal of land crisis, risk management in financial sector, boosting revenue collection, effective policy and its implementation on energy sector and tackling climate change.

Regarding the six issues, the planning minister said, “The four-lane Dhaka-Chittagong and Dhaka-Mymensing will be completed this year while the Padma bridge construction work is also going on in full swing.”

The government is making its utmost efforts to generate more electricity, as works for setting up power plants in Rampal, Payra and Matarbari are underway, said the minister.

He said the government was also working hard to remove land-related crisis by using the unused public land.

Other issues, including debt to GDP ratio and millennium development goals, were also discussed at the meeting. The minister also briefed the IMF delegation about the government’s 7th five-year plan for the economic development of the country.

The IMF delegation, which arrived on February 25 in Dhaka is expected to leave on March 10.

During the visit, the mission will also meet other ministers concerned and high officials to discuss implementation of new VAT Act, which is supposed to be effective from July this year, but the government might seek time extension for implementing the new act. l

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T-JUNCTION

Eloquently eclectic Photo : Sohail Anwar

EDITOR’S NOTE Dear Readers, Thank God it’s Thursday, right? With the weekend in sight, it’s time to make that last push. Join us as we talk about burning teen issues.

If you need some shopping inspiration, check out Ticket for all the latest buy lines.

Sabrina Fatma Ahmad Features Editor

INSIDE

Scratching out the surface:

There’s a fine line between stewardship and leadership. Find out which one you’re cut out to be.

Modern flair:

Aarong’s latest line of rattan furniture items to add to your shopping cart.

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22 T-JUNCTION

Hot Topic

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

Leaders are made, not born And they’re made

by YOU

No, they don’t just pop out with bulletproof bat-suits or rectangular mustaches. They are made through failure, effort, learning and experience

n Rad Sharar Bin Kamal Misconceptions First things first, who is a leader?

It’s easy to be misled when trying to understand who a leader is, specially when comparing against managers and supervisors. But it’s simple - a leader is a person who initiates actions, or makes the first move. They have their own style, their own flair, and pave the road before others walk them. Got it? Now...

How are they different from managers?

Managers are those who are the first to walk that road constructed by the leaders, and they walk it well. What they do is make an invention into perfection, accompanied by the leader. The manager maintains, imitates, and develops, whereas the leader originates, inspires and challenges. A fine line, but you get the gist.

How do I know if I’m a leader?

It becomes a bit difficult when you’re trying to identify thyself, hence we advise a bit of help from a friend. Now that you understand what makes a leader different, you could (from a

Why become a leader?

Seriously dude, what’s the point? Yes, you have every right to ask, and take heed that it’s a personal choice entirely.

Let’s put it out there why it may be cool to be a leader, okay? The choice is yours, and not choosing to be a leader has NO consequences whatsoever. Managers are cooler in more aspects, they earn much, much more in numerous instances, and it’s in fact less stressful.

So why? Because you’re doing what you love. Steve Jobs didn’t sit in his garage week after week thinking of ways to make the coolest phone in the world if he didn’t love what he does. He could have made sandwiches and organise his turtle-

third perspective) try to figure out how you made changes in your life, your workplace, your circles and your home. Remember, by default, you are your own leader, but to lead others means you have to show them a better path and be the marginal change maker.

A common criticism of leaders is the fact that they aren’t real leaders because they didn’t start anything new or fresh, but things already established elsewhere. Uh no. Not at all fellows! They still are real leaders, and the fact that matters is that they initiated change in the first place. So, take a screenshot of your memory and answer solemnly to the following self-question: Am I a leader?

If yes, there’s no need to state that there is still more room for development, even if you’re Mahatma Gandhi. If no, keep reading.

There is a hidden leader in everyone, but only a few can release the beast inside. If you wish to uncage your Mandela, we highly suggest a pen and paper.

necks. But he didn’t. He chose to make something different and impress everyone around him, because A, he could and B, he was driven. They are one in hundreds, these leaders, and they are in a class of their own. It is a pleasure of ultimate bounds to have made a real change with your own hands, to have made a difference (for better or worse, whatever floats your boat) and do something no one around you (there’s always a dude/dudette in China though) thought to be possible.

You become an icon of development, of creativity and will be remembered for your contribution. It’s usually not about the money for a leader, but the outcome which makes all the difference.

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Hot Topic

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

What sets leaders apart Confidence in abundance Leaders are magnets of positive thinking.

Leaders know well how hard it may become for them and what awaits, but it only brightens their flame. They exuberate in confidence and nothing can stop them from their “out-of-their-minds” goals,

Characteristics of good leaders

Me! Me! Meee!

Leaders love to stand up and take responsibility. This doesn’t necessarily mean those frontbenchers aka Hanna Montanas are leaders, mind you. It means they know their part and will willingly take accountability for it. When it comes to them, slacking off is never an option.

They have enough pillars to balance the sun Failure is the pillar of success, and leaders collect them like matchsticks. Not that they fail willingly, no. They have tried and weren’t able to hit the mark, and they learnt from it. Failure motivates them to get up even harder, till they succeed.

Loyalty is their novelty Leaders know what they want, and they don’t stop till they get it. They’re noble to the cause, and get the job done.

But...how?

Steps to leadership

Have a cause, that you love

Know you stuff, fully

Be respectful, genuinely

Be kind, in everything

Fake courage, hold the wee

Seriously, have fun

Now this part here you have to decipher according to your own world. You want to make a change? Start small. Plan it out according to what you can do now with your current capabilities. The cause has to be driven by passion, by love. Smooshy words, yes, but if you don’t love what you do, you won’t stick to it till the end. Comparing it to your love life?

Perfect! That’s exactly it, really. Pick one, pick well, and live with it till the end.

When trying to initiate change, people always assume you know all about the subject in question. It’s shattering to disappoint them on that regard. Be knowledgeable, studious and nerdy. Can’t fake it forever, can you?

Respect here means to regard others on equal ground. No one pops out as an empire ruling, sword wielding Batman. You have to learn first, and the experience is heightened by respecting what others do and learning from everybody. What can I learn from the troll that steals my lunch money? That size matters, and fear is one way of gaining power. See?

A big part of a leader comes from being on good terms with everybody. A simple step?

Be genuine with your compliments, cherish the little things, and be annoyingly, nerverackingly, pain-in-the-bum jolly!

When in danger, against opposition of intimidation or something genuinely scary, even a lion let out a pint. It’s natural to be afraid, scared and intimidated. Solution? Fake it. Practice your poker face and don’t ever let ‘em see you sweat!

Nothing is worth it if there isn’t fun involved, right? Learn to put a smile on your face and let it slide once in a while. No one takes a serious guy seriously anymore.

Looking back, they say Quotes from established young leaders around us

“In order to attain any success, you have to be loyal and honest to yourself and to everyone around you.”

- Riyad Shahir Ahmed Husain, Magnito Digital

“After a few decades when you are sitting on a hospital bed, you are not going to regret the things you did, but the things that you didn’t do.”

- Bijon Islam, LightCastle Partners (quote taken from Bollywood movie “3 idiots”)

“Read a lot of books. Seriously, read a lot of books! There’s no such thing as the power of knowledge.

Knowledge is the most amazing thing on earth and the best way to gain and retain knowledge is to read a lot of books. That, however, doesn’t mean that you have to be a book-monkey and a socially awkward person. Even a small amount of leadership quality will take you far in life.”

- Muhammad Saimum Hossain, Geeky Social

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

Rattan Furniture by Aarong Going light and vibrant this spring

n Sabiha Akond Rupa This spring, Aarong launched their new line of rattan furniture available at all their outlets. Keeping comfort and the aesthetics of your home in mind, Aarong introduced a wide range of rattan furniture items for your living, dining, bed and store rooms. Durable, lightweight and reasonably priced, they are available in a wide range of colours as well that will surely add that extra oomph to your household.

Ticket

In the highest scorer section of the World Cup 2015, till now, there’s Gayle, Sangakkara and Amla in the top 5 but the name that tops the list is UAE’s Shaiman Anwar who scored 270 runs in 4 matches. “Anwar’s such a confident individual that we call him ‘Sir Viv’ in the dressing room - that’s his nickname,” UAE captain Tauqir said

Sport 27

RECORD-BREAKING AUSTRALIA ROUT AFGHANISTAN

28

25

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‘SIR VIV’ ANWAR!

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

MUKTIS EYE TO BREAK JAMAL DOMINANCE

Tigers to bank on spinners Mazhar Uddin from Nelson Bangladesh’s spin-bowling department, especially left-arm spin, has been their main strength over the past few years. Consequently, the Tigers’ spin prowess will very much be in focus today when they take on Scotland in their fourth Pool A game at Saxton Oval.

Alongside Shakib al Hasan, another leftarm spinner in Arafat Sunny is expected to be given the nod against the Scots, meaning Bangladesh will field two specialist spinners for the first time in this World Cup. The Bangladesh think-tank has apparently decided to play an extra spinner keeping Scotland’s weakness against the slow bowlers in mind. Over the years, the European side have been more comfortable facing the seamers as opposed to the slow bowlers.

Sunny is a seasoned campaigner, with the ability to bowl a nagging line and length.

Alongside the ever-dependable Shakib, Sunny can also play a vital role today on his World Cup debut.

On the other hand, the Scotland camp, very much aware of the Tigers’ spin strength, has been preparing themselves accordingly under the guidance of former England wicket-keeper Matthew Maynard.

And according to Scotland skipper Preston Mommsen, they are all set to face the Bangladesh spinners come what may.

“In the last twelve months, we’ve spent a lot of time training in sub-continental conditions against spin. We had a 10-day batting camp with Matthew Maynard in Dubai where the main focus was playing against spin,” said Mommsen yesterday.

“We’re fully prepared. We’ve ticked all the boxes we need to tick, and again, we’ll do one more final session today (yesterday) with a focus on playing spin, getting away left on spin, making sure our batters know where our ones are and know where our boundary options are.

“I think it’ll be important for us to stay composed through those middle overs. Obviously, there are some very good spinners in the Bangladesh line-up. So, it’s important that we get partnerships going, and as I said, we should go into those last 10, 15 overs with wickets in hand.”

Spin or pace, Bangladesh captain Mashrafe

bin Mortaza will not care which department comes up trumps as long as they turn out victorious on the day. Mashrafe, however, added that even if the Tigers lose today, they can still make it through to the quarterfinals provided they win their remaining two matches, against England and co-hosts New Zealand.

“If we win against Scotland and l o s e against England, we will still have that f i n a l group-stage m a t c h against New Zealand.

And, if we lose this match, we will have two more opportunities to win two matches,” said Mashrafe yesterday.

“Having said that, it is important for us to focus on this match. We should do whatever it takes for us to win (today). We will earn two points and at the same time, our confidence will be high. There is no other alternatives to winning as it gives you confidence.” l

Fans, media exposure inspire Mashrafe n Mazhar Uddin from Nelson

Bangladesh batsman Nasir Hossain (R) shares a light moment with a security official at Saxton Oval in Nelson last Monday BCB

In the context of Bangladesh, electronic and print media have always played a huge part in bringing cricket close to the fans and promoting its players. Although at times the players criticised the media for making news that created extra pressure on them, but Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza yesterday hailed sports journalism of our country and said it helps them focus more in the game.

The Bangladeshi media has been the bridge between the Tigers and their fan base which spread all over the world in the last decade.

“People in our country started to follow the game mostly when we started doing well back in 1997-1999 and achieved the Test status in 2000. So I think the journalists played a big role in that and if you guys (journalists) did not portray the real enthusiasm, we would have never gotten the attention,” said Mashrafe ahead of their crucial World Cup encounter against Scotland.

“People will get to know more if the media covers us more. I think this is an inspiration because we would have never enjoyed without these exposures and that is when emo-

tion gets in,” said Mashrafe.

So far Bangladesh played three matches in Australia and the support they received has been unconditional. Thousands of fans drove miles from Brisbane to Canberra which surprised even the players while a few hundreds turning up at the Gabba, despite knowing cyclone Marcia will have the last laugh, was a pleasant sight.

“I think our fans made this game very close to their heart and if they were not supporting us then we would never get the inspiration.

“The Australian side won the World Cup four times but still the other sports in their country get more support. In Bangladesh, we haven’t been able to do anything (in cricket) but still people come and support us and even after losing badly they continued their support.

“Playing in Bangladesh is different atmosphere where people come and support and yes there have some pressure but we enjoy that. In Nelson we won’t get that support but it happens. Hopefully we can play our best cricket and people will support from back home while there are few supporters who came here. I think they will support and the journalists brothers are here too, they will also cheer for us.”l

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Bangladesh beat Lebanon in Davis Cup n Raihan Mahmood Bangladesh beat Lebanon 3-0 in the Junior Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Pre-Qualifying Round at Kuching, Malaysia yesterday.

Kawser Ali gave Bangladesh the perfect start beating Snibee Karim 6-3, 6-4. Rubel Hossain continued the winning streak beating Baostani Mars 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 while Kawser and Mohammed Ishtiak outplayed Samaha and Karim 4-6, 6-4, 4-3 (retired) in the doubles.

Bangladesh have been grouped with Pakistan, Lebanon and Turkmenistan in Group D. Bangladesh will take on Pakistan today. l

POOL B

TEAMS (L-R) Bangladesh cricketers Anamul Haque, Nasir Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Tamim Iqbal and Mominul Haque take a look at the picturesque Saxton Oval in Nelson last Monday BCB

Tigers looking for 1999 repeat Mazhar Uddin from Nelson When Bangladesh face Scotland today at Saxton Oval in a Pool A fixture, the Tigers will surely recall the sweet memory of their first ever World Cup win against the same opposition back in 1999 in Edinburgh.

Following their memorable ICC Trophy triumph in 1997, the Tigers got the right to strut their stuff against the established orders for the very first time in the biggest cricket competition of the world.

Not much was expected of the Tigers in their first two matches in 1999, and it was no

surprise when Bangladesh went down to twin defeats against New Zealand and the West Indies.

However, in their third match against Scotland, the Tigers were no doubt harbouring expectations of their maiden World Cup win.

Bangladesh did just that, beating the Scots by 22 runs, sparking wild celebrations not only on the dugout but throughout the entire Grange Cricket Club Ground.

Asked to bat first, Bangladesh posted 185/9 on the board in their 50 overs. Minhajul Abedin’s 116-ball 68 was the cornerstone of the Tigers’ competitive total.

Khaled Mahmud, who is now the manager of Bangladesh, also played his part, scalping two wickets conceding 27 runs from his nine overs, including two maidens.

On the eve of their match against the Europeans today, Mahmud cherished the memory of that win, which paved the way for many more World Cup wins in the following years.

“Not only me, that match against Scotland is a memorable one for all the cricket lovers of our country as it was our first ever win in the World Cup. The amount of joy and happiness which I felt after winning that match was something I cannot explain in words. It was one of the most memorable wins of my career,” said Mahmud yesterday.

Mahmud added that he is quite confident of another World Cup victory against the Scots today.

“Our team are in very good shape and I believe that we are going to win this match against Scotland tomorrow (today).” l

Shehzad leads Pakistan to morale-boosting win n Reuters, Napier Ahmed Shehzad anchored Pakistan’s innings and his bowlers then ensured UAE never seriously challenged it as their World Cup hopes continued for another day after a 129-run victory at McLean Park on Wednesday.

Misbah ul-Haq’s side had been under immense pressure before the Pool B clash in Napier, having been hammered by India and West Indies in their first two games and then lurching to a 20-run victory over Zimbabwe.

While they were hardly explosive on a wicket that is considered the best batting surface in New Zealand, they did patiently build an innings of 339 for six.

Their bowlers then kept the shackles on UAE, though there was some doubt as to whether they had any real interest in pushing

for an unlikely victory as they batted out their 50 overs to finish on a pedestrian 210-8.

Pakistan’s towering opening bowler Mohammad Irfan was virtually unplayable for his first three overs in tandem with Sohail Khan, who took two wickets as UAE slumped to 25-3 in the 10th over.

Khurram Khan (43) and Shaiman Anwar (62) combined for an 83-run partnership but they were unable to score quickly enough as the overs ticked away and the game went through the motions. Anwar has now scored 270 runs during the World Cup with two half centuries and a century.

The victory should reduce some pressure on Pakistan, who had been facing intense criticism from former players and pundits for the manner in which they had played during the tournament. l

M W

L

NR

India

3

0

0

6 +2.630

South Africa

4

3

1

0

6 +1.950

West Indies

4

2

2

0

4 -0.313

Pakistan

4

2

2

0

4 -0.385

Ireland

3

2

1

0

4

Zimbabwe

4

1

3

0

2 -0.723

UAE

4

0

4

0

0

3

P

NRR

-1.137 -1.691

PAK v UAE PAKISTAN Jamshed c Khurram b Guruge Shehzad run out (Shaiman/Patil) Haris c Shaiman b Naveed Maqsood c Rohan b Guruge Misbah c Rohan b Guruge Akmal c Amjad b Guruge Afridi not out Riaz not out Extras: (lb 3, w 12, nb 1)

R 4 93 70 45 65 19 21 6 16

Total: (6 wickets; 50 overs)

339

B 12 105 83 31 49 13 7 1

Fall of wickets 1-10 (Jamshed), 2-170 (Haris), 3-176 (Shehzad), 4-251 (Maqsood), 5-312 (Akmal), 6-312 (Misbah) Bowling Naveed 10-0-50-1, Guruge 8-0-56-4, Javed 9-0-76-0, Tauqir 10-0-52-0, Khurram 3-0-21-0, Chandran 8-0-58-0, Rohan 2-0-23-0

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Amjad b Rahat Berenger c Akmal b Sohail Chandran c Akmal b Sohail Khurram c Riaz b Maqsood Shaiman c Jamshed b Afridi Patil b Riaz Rohan c Shehzad b Afridi Javed c Sohail b Riaz Naveed not out Tauqir not out Extras: (lb 1, w 12)

R 14 2 0 43 62 36 0 40 0 0 13

Total: (8 wickets; 50 overs)

210

B 30 13 11 54 88 68 2 33 0 1

Fall of wickets 1-19 (Amjad), 2-19 (Berenger), 3-25 (Chandran), 4-108 (Khurram), 5-140 (Shaiman), 6-140 (Rohan), 7-208 (Javed), 8-210 (Patil) Bowling Irfan 3-1-2-0, Sohail 9-2-54-2, Rahat 10-0-30-1, Riaz 10-1-54-2, Afridi 10-1-35-2, Maqsood 5-0-161, Haris 3-0-18-0 Man of the Match: Ahmed Shehzad Pakistan won by 129 runs

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No choice but to drop Watson, says Aussie selector Marsh n AFP, Perth Australia’s chairman of selectors Rod Marsh said Wednesday that Shane Watson’s poor form with the bat meant they had little choice but to drop the experienced all-rounder.

The 33-year-old, who averages 50.89 with the bat in career World Cup matches, was axed from the side to face Afghanistan at the WACA and replaced by fellow all-rounder James Faulkner, returning from a side strain. “(It) is a big decision but it’s one we thought we had to make because in Shane’s last 10 one-day games he’s got 220 runs at an average of 22 and unfortunately he’s been getting starts but he hasn’t been going on with it,” said Marsh.

“We had to fit James in and someone had to go. I’m not saying it was a choice between any players but just happened to be it was Shane’s time to go for this particular match.”

However, Marsh said it was far from the end of Watson’s ODI career.

“It doesn’t mean anything going forward except that he’s not in the XI at the moment,” he said. “If things change then there’s no reason he won’t be back in the XI. “He’s a fine, fine player, he’s averaging 40 in one-day cricket and it was a tough decision. He’s in the 15 still, that’s the thing, and hopefully he’ll find himself back in the team at some stage.

“If hard decisions have to be made we have to make them.” l

HIGHEST WC TOTALS TEAMS

TOTAL

OPP

VENUE

Australia

417/6

Afg

Perth (2015)

India

413/5

Bermuda

PoS (2007)

S Africa

411/4

S Africa

408/5

WI

Sydney (2015)

Sri Lanka

398/5

Kenya

Kandy (1996)

Ireland Canberra (2015)

HIGHEST WC INDIVIDUAL SCORES PLAYERS

SCORE

OPP

Chris Gayle (WI)

215 (147)

Zim

Gary Kirsten (SA)

188* (159)

UAE

Saurav Ganguly (IND)

183 (158)

SL

Viv Richards (WI)

181 (125)

SL

David Warner (AUS)

178 (133)

Afg

BIGGEST WINNING MARGIN (RUNS) Margin

Teams

Venue

Year

290

NZ v IRE

Aberdeen

2008

275

AUS v AFG (WC)

Perth

2015

272

SA v ZIM

Benoni

2010

258

SA v SL

Paarl

2012

257

IND v BER (WC)

PoS

2007

AUS v AFG AUSTRALIA D. Warner c Nabi b Shapoor A. Finch c Nawroz b Dawlat S. Smith c Najib b Shapoor G. Maxwell c Nabi b Dawlat J. Faulkner b Hassan M. Marsh c Najib b Nawroz B. Haddin not out Extras: (b2, lb5, w7, nb3)

R B 178 133 4 9 95 98 88 39 7 6 8 9 20 9 17

Total: (for 6 wickets, 50 overs)

417

Fall of wickets 1-14 (Finch), 2-274 (Warner), 3-339 (Smith), 4-382 (Faulkner), 5-390 (Maxwell), 6-417 (Marsh).

Bowling Dawlat 10-1-101-2 (2nb, 3w), Shapoor 10-0-89-2 (1nb, 2w), Hassan 10-0-70-1 (1w), Nabi 10-084-0 (1w), Samiullah 5-0-34-0, Javed 4-0-18-0, Nawroz 1-0-14-1

AFGHANISTAN Javed Ahmadi c Clarke b Hazlewood Usman Ghani c Faulkner b Johnson Nawroz Mangal c Finch b Johnson Asghar Stanikzai c Smith b Johnson Samiullah Shenwari c Johnson b Clarke Mohammad Nabi c Clarke b Maxwell Najib Zadran b Starc Afsar Zazai c Haddin b Hazlewood Dawlat Zadran b Starc Hamid Hassan c Warner b Johnson Shapoor Zadran not out Extras (b4, lb5, w10, nb1)

R 13 12 33 4 17 2 24 10 0 7 0 20

Total (all out, 37.3 overs)

142

B 24 19 35 10 31 10 31 40 4 18 4

Fall of wickets 1-30 (Usman), 2-32 (Javed), 3-46 (Asghar), 4-94 (Samiullah), 5-94 (Nawroz), 6-103 (Nabi), 7-131 (Najib), 8-131 (Dawlat), 9-140 (Afsar), 10-142 (Hamid)

Australia’s David Warner raises his bat after reaching his 100 during their 2015 Cricket World Cup Pool A match against Afghanistan in Perth yesterday AFP

Bowling Starc 6-0-18-2, Hazlewood 8-1-25-2 (3w), Johnson 7.3-0-22-4 (5w), Clarke 5-0-14-1, Marsh 3-0-25-0 (1w), Faulkner 4-0-8-0 (1nb, 1w), Maxwell 4-1-21-1 Australia won by 275 runs

Record-breaking Australia rout Afghanistan by 275 runs n AFP, Perth Australia hit the highest World Cup score in tournament history on Wednesday as they thrashed Afghanistan by a record 275 runs, a result which was also the greatest winning margin in tournament history.

The home team made 417-6 at the WACA led by opener David Warner’s 178-run blitz, his fourth one-day international century and his country’s highest individual World Cup score as the four-time champions went past the previous best of 413-5 made by India against Bermuda in 2007.

It was the third 400-plus total at this World Cup after South Africa twice went through the barrier -- 408-5 against the West Indies and 411-4 in the game with Ireland.

In reply, Afghanistan could manage just 142 from 37.3 overs, although Nawroz Mangal, who top-scored with 33, gave their smattering of fans at the ground something to cheer about when he hit Mitchell Marsh for successive sixes.

Johnson did much of the damage to claim 4-22 from 7.3 overs.

Fellow left-armer Mitchell Starc continued his amazing vein of World Cup form with 2-18

and has 10 wickets in the World Cup at just 9.3 runs apiece.

Australia were sent in to bat by Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi, a decision greeted by a chorus of cheers from the crowd,

TEAMS

POOL A M W

L

NR

New Zealand

4

4

0

0

P

8 +3.589

NRR

Sri Lanka

4

3

1

0

6 +0.128

Australia

4

2

1

1

5 +1.804

Bangladesh

3

1

1

1

3 +0.130

England

4

1

3

0

2

-1.201

Afghanistan

4

1

3

0

2

-1.953

Scotland

3

0

3

0

0

-1.735

and then tormented the minnows.

There was a surprise at the toss, with experienced all-rounder Shane Watson dropped to allow James Faulkner to return after a side strain, but the onslaught that followed was extremely predictable.

The dashing Warner led the way and accelerated markedly after reaching three figures

from 92 balls.

Dropped on 114, the left-hander seemed set to compound Watson’s misery by passing his Australian ODI record of 185 not out against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2011 only to sky a delivery to mid-on from the bowling of Shapoor Zadran (2-89).

He had faced 133 balls, hitting 19 fours and five sixes. Although Warner fell shy of the overall ODI individual record, he passed the previous mark for the highest innings by an Australian at the WACA, which previously belonged to Damien Martyn for his 144 against Zimbabwe in 2001.

Warner and Steve Smith, who made 95, also set a new benchmark for an Australian partnership in ODI cricket with their 260-run second-wicket stand from 209 balls.

The pair passed the previous record of 252 set by Watson and Ricky Ponting against England in South Africa in 2009.

All-rounder Glenn Maxwell then chimed in with a quickfire 88 off 39 balls, including seven sixes, before being well caught at midoff from the bowling of Dawlat Zadran (2-101) in the 48th over.

Australia face Sri Lanka at the SCG in their next match on Sunday.l

DT

28 Sport

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

Muktis eye to break Jamal dominance n Shishir Hoque The stage is all set for the Federation Cup grand finale. Bangabandhu National Stadium will once again host Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, the defending champions, who are confident of retaining their title, and Muktijoddha SKC, who are desperate to undo last year’s result and lift the trophy come today evening.

The match kicks off at 5:15pm and Jamal are clear favourites, but one shall also not rule out the Reds. The current Premier League champions, Jamal also won the King’s Cup in Bhutan earlier this year which clearly points to their strength. Meanwhile, 0-1, 0-2 and 3-4 defeats in the last three meetings between the sides will also not help the Muktis’ confidence.

However, Sheikh Jamal’s experienced coach Maruful Haque brushed away their “favourites” tag and said, “Stats never influenced me. This is a new year, new season, new environment so we are only concentrating on playing good football and becoming champions.”

“Muktijoddha came here beating Mohammedan and Abahani so they have the confidence and we also played against such clubs who played with high spirit and gave their best. But we are confident of retaining the title,” he added.

Captain Nasir Uddin, who scored the only goal in the last final and also played a key role in their road to the final this year, believes they “have a good understanding among the players in the team.” He said, “The confidence and power we have, we can lift the title.”

Sk Jamal captain Nasir Uddin (L) and Muktijoddha skipper Enamul Haque pose with the Federation Cup at BFF House yesterday Meanwhile, Muktijoddha coach Abu Yousuf is relying on the tactical side and said, “Muktijoddha are a tested team and they proved it by reaching the final. Although we couldn’t perform the way we wanted but there is many ways to create the difference

against Sheikh Jamal.”

“We will try to beat them tactically. If the players can perform on the field according to the plan and strategy then we will win the final,” said the former national coach and player.

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

His skipper Enamul Haque is oozing with confidence as he said, “We defeated big clubs like Abahani and Mohammedan on our way to the final. If we continue the way we played in the tournament we will become champions.” l

Razzak takes five on rainy day n Minhaz Uddin Khan Rain, bad light and wet outfields marred majority of the action on day three of the sixth round National Cricket League matches yesterday. Dhaka division, Khulna and Barisal held the upper hand in their resptective matches but overall situation hints they are all heading for draws.

Barisal v Rajshahi, BKSP2

Only 63 overs were played on the day where Barisal extended their second innings lead to 326. Resuming on 59 for 2 they propelled to 338 for seven riding on three half centuries from Mosaddek Hossain (88), Fazle Rabbi (75) and Al Amin (67).

Metro v Khulna, BKSP3

Mehrab Hossain Jr and Sharifullah’s effort to push Metro back in the game was unsuccessful as Khulna skipper Abdur Razzak bagged a five-for to bundle Metro out for 341. Mehrab and Sharif scored 81 and 57 runs respectively.

Later, Khulna faced four overs in their second innings to reach 26 without any casualty as they lead by 101 runs.

Chittagong v Sylhet, Fatullah

Dhaka paceman Mohammad Sharif bowls against Rangpur in the National Cricket League at SBNS in Mirpur yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Chittagong’s batting misery continued to make them suffer as they were placed at 157 for six, still trailing by 350 runs. Nazim Uddin’s 48 were the highest among the port city cricketers while Ahmed Sadiqur scalped three wickets for Sylhet.

Dhaka division v Rangpur, SBNS

Dhaka pacers Shahadat Hossain and Md Sharif rattled Rangpur to bowl them out for 306 in the first innings. Rangpur resumed on 231 with half the batters remaining, but quick dismissals cut short their promise of registering a big total. Wicketkeeper-batsman Dhiman Ghosh scored 81 followed by Ariful Haque’s 68 as Shahadat and Sharif bagged four wickets each.

Later, Dhaka posted 63 for two and extended their lead to 92. l

BRIEF SCORE, DAY 2 Barisal v Rajshahi Barisal 235 allout & 338/7 in 79 overs Mosaddek 88, Fazle 75, Al Amin 67*; Sanjamul 3/116, Muktar 2/28 Rajshahi 247 allout Barisal lead by 326 runs Dhaka Metro v Khulna Khulna 416 allout & 26/0 in 4 overs Dhaka Metro 341 allout in 119 overs Mehrab Jr 81, Sharifullah 57; Razzak 5/135 Khulna lead by 101 runs Dhaka v Rangpur Dhaka 335 allout & 63/2 in 16.4 overs Rangpur 306 allout in 97.3 overs Dhiman 81, Ariful 68; Shahadat 4/86, Sharif 4/64 Dhaka lead by 92 runs Chittagong v Sylhet Sylhet 507/8 dec Chittagong 157/6 in 64 overs Nazim 48; Sadiqur 3/48 Chittagong trail by 350 runs

DT

Sport 29

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

QUICK BYTES Last-gasp Benteke gives Sherwood first win Christian Benteke scored a nerveless stoppage-time penalty as Aston Villa edged West Bromwich Albion 2-1 on Tuesday to earn new manager Tim Sherwood a precious first Premier League victory. The Belgian striker’s goal gave Villa their first league win since December 7, shooting the club three points clear of the relegation zone and ending a run of seven consecutive defeats. Sherwood, who succeeded the sacked Paul Lambert last month, celebrated jubilantly at the final whistle after what could prove a turning point in his bid to prevent Villa succumbing to a first relegation in 28 years. “We have conceded late against Stoke (in a 2-1 loss on February 21) and it is a real body blow, but to score one late is an excellent feeling and I thought it was thoroughly deserved,” Sherwood said.

–AFP

EPL Aston Villa

2-1

West Brom

Agbonlahor 22, Benteke 90-P

Berahino 66

1-1

Hull

Sunderland

N’Doye 15

Southampton

Rodwell 77

1-0

Crystal Palace

Mane 83

Guardiola dimisses Man City rumours Pep Guardiola said Tuesday he will only decide his Bayern Munich future at the end of the season and dismissed rumours of a move to Manchester City. Guardiola has been tipped as a possible candidate to replace City coach Manuel Pellegrini, but the Spaniard poured cold water on any speculation. “I have had no offers and I am not waiting for any,” he said in Tuesday’s press conference. “I’m very happy here, this is an outstanding club. “I want to fulfil my contract and do my job well, that is all I am thinking about at the moment. “I still have a year and a half left on my contract. We will sit together in the summer and then we’ll see how things go,” added the 44-year-old.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummeigge has said he wants to extend with Guardiola as soon as possible. But the Spaniard is notorious for balking at long-term contracts with his current deal to expire in June 2016. Guardiola won four titles last season in his first year in charge and is on course to steer Bayern to a third straight Bundesliga title in May. Having won the Champions League title twice with previous club Barcelona, Guardiola is desperate to bring the title to Bavaria having lost in last season’s semi-finals to eventual winners Real Madrid.

–AFP

DAY’S WATCH BTV, Gazi TV, Maasranga TV Star Sports 1, 3

Leverkusen

2-0

Kaiserslautern

Calhanoglu 102, Kiessling 114

VfR Aalen

0-2

n AFP, Berlin

Hoffenheim Polanski 16, Volland 56

Freiburg

2-1

Cologne

Ujah 17, Darida 19

Dresden

Deyverson 89

0-2

Dortmund Immobile 50, 90

Dortmund striker Marco Reus (C) lies on the pitch after being wounded during the German football Cup DFB Pokal round of 16 game against Dynamo Dresden in Dresden, eastern Germany, on Tuesday AFP

Borussia Dortmund eased to a 2-0 victory at third-division Dynamo Dresden on Tuesday to book their place in the German Cup quarter-finals thank to Ciro Immobile’s second-half goals.

The Italy striker pounced on a mistake

by Dresden captain Michael Hefele to give Dortmund a 50th-minute lead and lit up a dull third-round tie to put the 2012 cup winners into the last eight. Immobile then added Dortmund’s second when he fired home a superb cross from Poland winger Jakub Blaszczykowski on 90 minutes.

“These are tough games, in which the opponents fight until they fall, in a great atmosphere,” said Immobile. “It was important for me to score and help the side try and get to the Berlin final.” Having failed to make his mark in the Bundesliga this season since joining from Turin, Immobile is turning into Dortmund’s European and Cup king having netted four goals in six Champions League games with three in two Cup matches. l

Kohli faces media backlash n Reuters, Mumbai Virat Kohli has delighted Indian fans with his exploits in the middle but reports of an ugly spat with a journalist at the World Cup will only enhance his reputation within the press corps of being volatile and tetchy.

As the team’s media manager moved quickly to limit the damage of an embarrassing encounter involving India’s test skipper, a contradictory view of events in Perth was emerging from the nation’s cricket journalists.

The incident took place at the Murdoch Oval, where India were training ahead of Friday’s Pool B match against the West Indies at the WACA.

After finishing his net session, the 26-yearold batsman started swearing at an Indian national daily reporter over a story about the cricketer’s private life, according to reports from journalists covering the World Cup. Kohli, currently India’s best batsman across all formats, later realised it was a case of mistaken identity and apologised to the target of his abuse through another journalist.

“There was a misunderstanding and no abusive language was used, Virat has spoken to the concerned gentlemen immediately and that ends the matter,” the team’s media manager R.N. Baba said in a statement on Wednesday.

In a column published in the Hindustan

Afridi joins 8,000 ODI run club n AFP, Napier Swashbuckling Pakistani allrounder Shahid Afridi joined the 8,000 one-day run club during his 21 not out against the United Arab Emirates in the World Cup at Napier on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old became the fourth Pakistani Player S. Tendulkar

after Inzamam-ul Haq, Mohammad Yousuf and Saeed Anwar to make 8,000 one-day runs and the 27th of all time. Afridi, who also took 2-35 in the 129-run win, needs five more wickets to complete 400 one-day wickets.

If he takes those five wickets, he will become the only allrounder to score more than 8,000 runs and take 400 wickets. l

Country

Runs

MD Azharuddin

India

18,426

A. de Silva

K. Sangakkara

Sri Lanka

13,961

C. Gayle

R. Ponting

Australia

13,704

Saeed Anwar

S. Jayasuriya

Sri Lanka

13,430

M. Jayawardene

Sri Lanka

Inzamam-ul Haq

Pakistan South Africa

J. Kallis

4:00AM ICC World Cup 2015 Bangladesh v Scotland

B. Lara

Ten Action

Mohammad Yousuf

1:45AM Coppa Italia 2014/15 SFs: Juventus v Fiorentina

Immobile double lifts Dortmund into quarters

DFB POKAL

India

9378

Sri Lanka

9284

West Indies

9139

Pakistan

8824

S. Chanderpaul

West Indies

8778

12,625

D. Haynes

West Indies

8648

11,739

M. Atapattu

Sri Lanka

8529

11,579

M. Waugh

Australia

8500

S. Ganguly

India

11,363

Y. Singh

India

8329

R. Dravid

India

10,889

M. Dhoni

India

8298

West Indies

10,405

V. Sehwag

India

8273

Pakistan

9720

H. Gibbs

South Africa

8094

T. Dilshan

Sri Lanka

9620

S. Fleming

New Zealand

8037

A. Gilchrist

Australia

9619

Shahid Afridi

Pakistan

8019

Times, the journalist subjected to Kohli’s tirade said he was still in “shock”.

“Go and tell him that he is an international player and he should learn how to behave,” Jasvinder Sidhu told the intermediary to inform Kohli after receiving the apology.

“How can he abuse and intimidate someone? I would like to add that Kohli did not apologise to me directly.”

Kohli has often polarised opinion over his regular run-ins with opposition players and was fined half of his match fee in 2012 for responding to barracking from the crowd by gesturing at them with his middle finger during a Sydney test.l

DT

30 DOWNTIME

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Stopper (4) 3 Destructive insect (4) 7 Anger (3) 8 Lift up (5) 11 Dash (4) 12 Sea nymph (5) 13 Uneven as if gnawed away (5) 15 Diplomacy (4) 18 Transmitted (4) 19 Niggard (5) 20 Cast out (5) 21 Main actor (4) 23 School periods (5) 24 Vast age (3) 25 Specialised skills (4) 26 Kill (4)

DOWN 1 Money bags (6) 2 Complete agreement (6) 4 Lubricant (3) 5 Catalepsy (6) 6 Female bird (3) 9 Sibling (6) 10 Before (poet) (3) 11 Tempt (6) 14 Clergyman (6) 16 Starry (6) 17 Reliable (6) 19 Encountered (3) 21 Briny (3) 22 Insect (3)

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 10 represents P so fill P every time the figure 10 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

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

Dui Banglar Natyamela-2015 commences at Shilpakala n Showtime Desk

Australian dancers challenge ‘body image’ issues in unapologetic theatre production

n Showtime Desk

An Australian dance production called Nothing to Lose premiered at the Sydney Festival in late January. This captivating show had Artistic Director Kate Champion collaborate with artist and fat activist Kelli Jean Drinkwater to celebrate the beauty and bounty of a fat dancing body.

Kate Champion stated, “I want to strip away all the judgment that people have around fat bodies.”

The dance production incorporated real life experiences that challenged norms surrounding people with larger bodies. This new work was a bold theatre production that completely abandoned stereotypes and changed the way people look at heavier bodies.

The Sydney Morning Herald gave it rave reviews saying, “A seamless production...Finally though, it is the performers' show. They own every move they make whether voluptuous and sensual or busting out with thrilling, demanding choreography.

Champion and her team have given them an opportunity to shine in this provocative, unpredictable and inspiring new work.”

The production was the ultimate tribute and celebration of the movement of larger bodies that are unabashedly comfortable in their skin.

The show is scheduled to continue through March at Merlyn Theatre, Malthouse Theare, Australia. l

A week-long theatre festival titled Dui Banglar Natyamela-2015: Robindranatya o Onyanya will commence at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy from March 6 in the capital. Arranged by theatre troupe Prangonemor in-cooperation with Cultural Affairs Ministry and Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, the festival is dedicated to famous TV and stage actor Khaled Khan.

The sixth edition of the festival features 12 stage productions in which four are from India. Prangonemor, the sole theatre troupe of the country which prefers to stage Rabindranath Tagore’s play since it’s emergence, introduces non-Tagore plays for the first time in their festival.

Debshankar Halder and Gautom Halder, renowned theatre actors and activist from Kolkata, are confirmed to join the fest with their respective productions. l

THEATRE THURSDAYS Starting this week, theatre takes centre stage on Showtime. We put you up front close to where the stars are, and then take you behind the scenes to see how the magic happens. So kick back with your copy of our compact and let us put on a show for you

WHAT TO WATCH TELEVISION STAR MOVIES 9:30pm The Mummy Cast:Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo An American explorer finds himself accidentally awakening a mummy when on an archaeological dig in the Sahara Desert.

WB 8:30pm The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Cast: Noel Appleby, Ali Astin, Sean Astin, David Aston, John Bach, Sean Bean J R R Tolkien classic comes to an epic close in the final movie that traces Frodo’s and Sam’s efforts to destroy the “one ring.”

Greenroom confessional:

Nuna Afroz

bility to slip away from their expectations.

This play creates challenges for the actors, as he or she has to play multiple characters who possess directly contrasted personalities.

What have you learned about yourself playing Labonyo?

If you’re not skilful as an actor, you can find yourself at a certain point, which makes it difficult to play the role. What I appreciate about Labonyo is you’re forced to measure the role’s temper. But I find it rather challenging to portray the other character, Ketoki, as she appears for a short period but leaves a lasting effect on the audience’s psyche.

n Hasan Mansoor Chatak Nuna Afroz, actor and theatre director is confirmed to come up with her two acting and a directorial venture in the upcoming Prangonemor theatre fest. She opens up to Dhaka Tribune about her upcoming staging, benchmark performance and a bit more.

What can you tell us about Tagore’s Shesher Kobita staging?

As a widely read novel, Tagore’s Shesher Kobita is a difficult context to give it theatrical adaptation but I tried to do so. It’s the readers’ perception and imagination, who demand to stage the story in their own imaginative way. It raises more possi-

Which of your performances has left a lasting mark on you?

The Nishi role from “Swapnabaz.” Getting to do that part, I was first largely appreciated as a stage actor at home and India.

It paid off because I got a peek into what was possible to experience as an actor.

CELEBS ON SOCIAL NEIL PATRICK HARRIS @ActuallyNPH I kinda like that this winter storm is called Thor. #avengers

SHRADDHA KAPOOR @ShraddhaKapoor What a birthday!!!

Family,friends,shoot & you guys!!! Night shoot done,time to crash.

Thank you all SOOO much for all your love & wishes

What’s been your most challenging role?

Nandini from Roktokobori.

When did you know you wanted to be an actor?

From the school days, I was so inclined to reciting and acting. Those days I got my first theatre role, Jamila in “Lalshalu.”

Who do you have an acting crush on?

I would say Debshankar Haldar from Kolkata, who is phenomenal to watch, and Bindiya Ghosh who mesmerises me when she plays. l

HUGH JACKMAN @RealHughJackman Bumped into this guy whilst in Moscow. @jtimberlake #ChappieMovie

DT

32 BACK PAGE

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

RMG EXPORTS BRAVE SUPPLY CHAIN CHAOS

PAGE 15

TIGERS TO BANK ON SPINNERS PAGE 25

GREENROOM CONFESSIONAL: NUNA AFROZ PAGE 31

Nasim: No need to worry about swine flu n Abid Azad Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim has urged the people of the country not to worry about swine flu.

“People should not be worried as we are sufficiently equipped for swine flu treatment in case anyone is detected with the virus in the country,” he said yesterday at the inauguration of a regional consultation programme organised by International Organisation for Migration in the capital.

“Several teams are working at every international port in the country to detect anyone carrying the virus,” he said. “We have already taken every possible and necessary steps.”

However, he asked people to remain cautious about the disease.

Eight people died and nearly 1,500 were infected with H1N1 in Bangladesh in 2009. This year, no one has been reported to be infected yet.

India’s swine flu outbreak has killed more than 875 people nationwide since it took hold in mid-December, BBC reports. l

What is swine flu? l A respiratory disease caused by a strain of

the influenza type A virus known as H1N1, which first appeared in Mexico in 2009

l Originated in pigs, but is now a human

disease spread by coughing and sneezing

l Symptoms similar to those produced by

standard, seasonal flu – fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and chills

l Vulnerable

groups include pregnant women, children under five, the over-65s and those with serious medical conditions

Symptoms l The symptoms of swine flu are similar to

most influenza infections like fever (100 F or greater), cough, nasal secretions, fatigue, and headache, with fatigue being reported in most infected individuals.

l Some patients may also get a sore throat,

rash, body aches, headaches, chills, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

Precautions l Stay home if having any flu-like symptoms l Wash hands frequently l Carry hand sanitiser l Avoid touching public handles and pens l Be cautious while travelling by air l Clean vegetables and fruits as best as possible l Avoid crowds l Avoid using utensils used by others without

sanitising them well

l Get to a doctor immediately if symptoms

develop

Bangladeshi mobile VoIP solutions provider, REVE Systems, upholds the potential of Bangladesh as a software exporting country to the clients at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain DHAKA TRIBUNE

REVE Systems looks to brand Bangladesh as a software-exporter n Muhammad Zahidul Islam Bangladeshi mobile VoIP solutions provider REVE Systems has established a flagship service for branding Bangladesh as a software-exporting country across the world.

REVE is the only VoIP solutions provider from the entire South Asia to be attending this year’s mobile world congress in Barcelona.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has come across as a negative telecom term in Bangladesh because of its widespread illegal use. But REVE brought it up for Bangladeshi users because of the service’s popularity around the globe.

Although founded in Bangladesh, the company has over the years sidelined some high-profile operators from the race.

“We serve global customers. Operators are very happy with our solutions because they can make the cheapest of offers to their customers,” said Rezaul Hassan, founder and group CEO of REVE Systerms.

In this year’s congress, REVE has a stall in hall 5. The Dhaka Tribune reporter got hold of Rezaul in front of that stall.

“Our company is based in Singapore, but most of our manpower are from Bangladesh,” said Rezaul.

In Bangladesh, REVE has a development centre with 350 staff. Another 150 people work in a similar development centre in India.

“I have always wanted to have all of our development centres in Bangladesh. But because VoIP and similar services are banned in Bangladesh, testing our software becomes a problem,” Rezaul said.

Headquartered in Singapore, the company has offices in Hong Kong, UK, USA and a few other important places. It has been attending the mobile world congress since 2009.

According to REVE Systems, the global VoIP industry is expected to get a significant share of the estimated $1bn voice market by 2015 and the Bangladeshi IT outsourcing industry is more than ready to grab this opportunity “I am not complaining but it would have been really good for us if we could have our headquarters in Dhaka. It would have really helped if people knew that this is a Bangladeshi company,” Rezaul said.

REVE’s free VoIP solutions app is available on Apple’s App Store for those who want to

make calls from iPhone, iPad or iPod. According to REVE Systems, the global VoIP industry is expected to get a significant share of the estimated $1bn voice market by 2015 and the Bangladeshi IT outsourcing industry is more than ready to grab this opportunity.

They believe that if the regulatory authorities in Bangladesh can ensure a business-friendly environment, the fact that VoIP is considered unethical will not hurt the billion-dollar business opportunities.

Imran Ahmed, chairman of the parliamentary watchdog on telecom ministry, said: “It could be that Bangladesh is the only country where VoIP is a negative word. This is unfortunate; the local market has not been able to flourish because of this.”

REVE has also developed smart services such as REVE Chat.

Other popular services include Softswitch and Billing, Carrier Grade Platform, Instant Messaging, Peer-to-Peer calls, mobile top-up and Bandwidth Optimisation and Tunnelling. A new security domain service will be launched in May. Rezaul expects that other Bangladeshi companies will soon start attending the mobile world congress.

Some 230 service providers from 78 countries have taken VoIP solutions from REVE Systems. l

Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed on behalf of 2A Media Limited at Dainik Shakaler Khabar Publications Limited, 153/7, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1208. Editorial, News & Commercial Office: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207. Phone: 9132093-94, Advertising: 9132155, Circulation: 9132282, Fax: News-9132192, e-mail: news@dhakatribune.com, info@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com