08 March, 2015

SECOND EDITION

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

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Falgun 24, 1421, Jamadiul Awal 16, 1436

‘RISE UP AGAINST THE QUEEN OF MILITANTS’

PAGE 3

marks about the other, they said the ball was in the politicians’ court.

Former caretaker government adviser Akbar Ali Khan said the time had come to think of addressing the weaknesses of the constitution to get out of the political crisis in the long run.

He suggested the introduction of a bicameral parliament where the upper house would be elected on the basis of proportional representation meaning that the seats would be distributed to parties according to the proportion of votes.

The advantage of a bicameral system with proportional representation would make it difficult to rig elections said Khan. “Because manipulating the result would mean playing with hundreds of thousands of votes. Under the present system one need only rig votes at a few centres to win.”  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

The difference in five years n Mazhar Uddin from Adelaide

Five years ago at Lord’s, the Bangladesh cricketers copped heavy criticism from outspoken English legend Geoffrey Boycott during the first Test match. England, asked to bat first, posted a massive 505 all-out in their first innings with Jon-

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19 INJURED IN VIOLENCE PAGE 7

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Making democracy more functional Political commentators, former bureaucrats and thinkers have called for a lasting solution to the recurring problem that Bangladesh faces before and after every national election.

The observations came evidently with the current political context in mind. A bitter twomonth political standoff between BNP-led anti-government campaigners and the Awami League-led government has hemorrhaged commerce and manufacturing.

While some recommended reforming the constitution and modifying the electoral system, others stressed strengthening constitutional bodies that are instrumental to a well-functioning democratic polity.

Although speakers at the workshop on “Rethinking Democratisation” agreed that a dialogue would not possible since both parties were at loggerheads and made derogatory re-

Regd No DA 6238, Vol 2, No 332

MANNA REMANDED IN SEDITION CASE PAGE 5

WOMEN GATHER AT CENTRAL SHAHEED MINAR WITH A PROMISE TO BRING LIGHT INTO THE DARKNESS

n Tribune Report

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athan Trott leading the way with a fine knock of 226. A loyal patriot, Boycott, who is staunchly proud of his Yorkshire roots, was having a field day in the commentary box, praising his country and at the same time criticising the Tigers for their apparent lack of ability.

Although Bangladesh eventually lost the Test by eight wickets at the Mecca of Cricket, Tamim Iqbal fired back at Boycott with the perfect riposte – a sensational century.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

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2 NEWS

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

Nagaland mob victim identified as Indian n Agencies

The nationality of Syed Farid Khan, the man lynched by a mob of thousands in Nagaland, is now beyond doubt.

Farid Khan, also known as Sarif Uddin, was from Bosla village in Karimganj district in southern Assam.

“The Khans have been there for generations, like many Bengali-speaking Muslims in the Barak Valley [of south Assam],” Sanjib Gohain Baruah, the deputy commissioner of Karimganj, told the Hindustan Times.

Apart from being arrested on a charge of rape, Khan was accused of being an “IBI,” an abbreviation commonly used in Nagaland for “illegal Bangladeshi immigrant.”

A number of questions have been raised over the events leading to the lynching.

These include questions over the unavailability of a medical report to confirm the rape of the Naga woman, for which Syed Sarif Uddin Khan had been charged, according to an NDTV report.

Questions remain as to why Nagaland policemen claimed Farid Khan was an illegal Bangladeshi immigrant.

Farid’s deceased father, Sirajuddin Khan, served in the Indian Army’s Military Engineering Service for more than 20 years.

His two elder brothers – Kamaluddin and Jamaluddin – too are soldiers in the army.

Another brother, Imanuddin, died of wounds sustained while fighting in the Kargil War of 1999, the Hindustan Times reported.

Farid’s younger brother Suberuddin, who runs a business in Dimapur, said his sibling was framed for not paying two hundred thousand Indian Rupees that had been demanded by a local woman and her friends. Demands for “donations” – a euphemism for extortion – from traders, particularly non-locals, are commonplace in Dimapur, according to a Hindustan Times report.

“There are multiple members of our family serving in the army. How could they have killed him claiming he was Bangladeshi? My brother was made a scapegoat,” the victim’s brother Jamaluddin Khan told NDTV. Sarif Uddin had been arrested on suspicion of raping a woman in Dimapur on February 24 and remanded to judicial custody in the Dimapur Central Jail the next day.

On March 5, a mob broke into the jail, dragged him out, stripped him naked, beat him up, pelted him with stones and dragged him towards the centre of Dimapur town, seven kilometres away.

He died from his injuries along the way after which the mob dragged his body to a clock tower and displayed it.

Three officials have been suspended by the Nagaland government. l

Dr Akbar Ali Khan (left) speaks in a discussion on ‘Rethinking Democratisation: Consensus Building for Results’ organised at Policy Research Institute auditorium in the capital yesterday RAJIB DHAR

SSC exams postponed Activists observe Int’l Women’s Day n Tribune Report The government postponed the SSC and n Tribune Report equivalent examinations scheduled for today and Tuesday due to fresh hartal called by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.

BNP-led 20 party alliance called a fresh 72hour nationwide hartal beginning today.

The hartal will remain in force from 6am today to 6am on Wednesday, BNP Joint Secretary General Salahuddin Ahmed said in a press release issued yesterday afternoon.

The new dates of the exams will be announced later. l

Hundreds of women, including Dhaka University students, gathered at Central Shaheed Minar on Saturday midnight to observe the International Women’s Day 2015.

The “Amrai Pari” campaign was jointly organised by Amrai Pari Paribarik Nirjaton Protirodh Jot and Dhaka University.

The women held up candles to advocate violence-free humanitarian politics and equal partnership of men and women at all levels. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Making democracy more functional  PAGE 1 COLUMN 2

He said no election would be fair because the Election Commission has to conduct the polls with assistance from public officials. “And they are deeply politicised.”

Referendums could be introduced for important public issues, which might reduce the culture of hartal but that also has its problems. “That can be curbed by formulating laws on when referendums are needed and when not.”

Former Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda said the country had been experiencing a recurring crisis since 1991 obviously referring to political campaigns rejecting the upcoming elections before and alleging that the elections were rigged once they are over.

“This is not a permanent solution. The common people of the country want a lasting solution so that there is no political violence before every election.”

Everybody talks about fair elections, he said, adding that nobody spoke about institutional strengthening to make them effective.

He said democratisation is the first priority for an election. “But this is absent.”

The constitutional bodies engaged in protecting democracy, such as the Public Service Commission, Anti Corruption Commission and Comptroller and Auditor General have to be strengthened, he said.

Centre for Policy Dialogue Chairman Rehman Sobhan said: “We have learnt that every incumbent government basically wants to perpetuate itself and looks to create a system to ensure that,” he said.

He said society has to continue to spell out what it thinks — the notions of how a government should function and how democracy should function.

Former Bangladesh Bank Governor Muhammad Farashuddin said sudden changes in everything might be difficult to implement.

“That’s why we have to look for a solution within the existing system.”

He suggested making the constitutional bodies stronger so that they could function effectively and impartially.

Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik Secretary Badiul Alam Majumder said: “Political parties want to get to power at any cost. This culture should be broken for the welfare of the people.”

PSI Chairman Zillur Rahman Khan said, “The ball is now in the court of the political leaders.”

He said a viable socio-economic alternative to the current situation could emerge internally when the political community as well as civil society empower themselves with moral leadership at every level, making a commitment to contain corruption and alleviate poverty. l

The difference in five years  PAGE 1 COLUMN 2

A year later, however, the scenario changed completely. It was England’s turn to be criticised as they crashed to a two-wicket defeat against co-hosts Bangladesh in the 2011 ICC World Cup. All the English greats, Boycott included, condemned their team’s abject performance.

The two sides meet again tomorrow at Adelaide Oval but this time, the stakes are much higher. The winner in the EnglandBangladesh match, in all likelihood, will make it through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup. Hence, it is no surprise that the former English cricketers, media and pundits, rather than censuring, are instead praising Bangladesh, knowing full well that the Tigers will pose a dangerous threat to their chances of progressing to the final eight.

Former English cricketer and commentator David “Bumble” Lloyd was obviously feeling the heat when Bangladesh were going great guns during their highest successful runchase against Scotland last Thursday at Saxton Oval in Nelson. After each Bangladesh boundary and six, the expression on his face was visible for all to see. Knowing that Bangladesh stood in the way of England qualifying for the quarter-finals, Lloyd was quite alarmed that day.

In the 2015 ICC World Cup, the Tigers’

ability is never questioned by the English greats or their media. Rather than finding flaws with Bangladesh, they are pointing out their own weaknesses.

England will no doubt feel the pressure against the Tigers after an ordinary start to their World Cup campaign.

One win, that too against associates Scotland, in four matches, has forced the England squad to experience sleepless nights. In their three other matches, Eoin Morgan’s side were beaten convincingly by co-hosts Australia and New Zealand and 1996 champions Sri Lanka. England’s bowling department, especially fast bowling, is their major cause for concern.

England’s new-ball bowlers, James Anderson and Stuart Broad, have hardly found swing with the Kookaburra ball Down Under. Not only that, Anderson and Broad have conceded 91 and 92 runs per wicket respectively.

Despite posting 309 against the Lankans, courtesy of a century from Joe Root, England still suffered a comprehensive nine-wicket loss.

If the Bangladesh batsmen can keep their calm and are able to exploit the opposition’s weakness on their way to a famous victory, one can only guess at the amount of criticism that will fly in the direction of the English cricketers. l

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SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

‘Rise up against the queen of militants’ n Abu Hayat Mahmud On the 44th anniversary of her father’s rousing 19-minute speech, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina spoke for 35 minutes yesterday mostly harping on political rhetoric at the Suhrawardy Udyan.

The premier had little to say about how the ongoing political crisis might end. But she made a call to the people urging them to resist violence.

Referring to the petrol bombs, the tools of choice for the anti-government campaigners calling for new elections, Hasina urged the people to stand up to them. She also issued a stiff warning for BNP chief Khaleda Zia saying that the latter would be taken to task for orchestrating violence all over the country.

“She will be tried and she will also be punished,” said Hasina, also president of the ruling Awami League, as she called her opposite number in BNP the queen of militancy.

The BNP-led 20-party alliance, effectively the main political opposition, has been enforcing non-stop blockades and general strikes since January 6 as Khaleda was barred from getting out of her office to attend a protest rally marking one year of the general election that the opposition alliance had boycotted.

The two-month campaign to topple the government has so far killed 86 people. Of them, 70 had no political affiliation. Over 50 people including women and children were burnt to death in petrol bomb attacks. Another 35 were killed in what the law enforcers claim to be crossfires or gunfights.

Referring to BNP’s key ally Jamaat-e-Islami, which violently opposed Bangladesh’s liberation, Hasina said: “Friends of those opposed to liberation are carrying out violence across the country. They are killing people in the name of a democratic movement.”

“It was BNP chief Khaleda Zia’s mistake to have boycotted the January 5 poll [in 2014].

But now she is killing people when they have

Another spell of hartal as demands not met

n Tribune Report

The BNP-led 20-party alliance yesterday asked its leaders and activists to “peacefully” observe countrywide 72-hour general strike from this morning since the government had not accepted the demand of holding fresh election under a non-partisan interim government.

The alliance has also announced to bring out mass processions tomorrow in every municipality, upazila, district headquarters and every wards of the city demanding an end to repression on the opposition leaders and activists.

Salahuddin Ahmed, joint secretary general of the party, made the announcement through a press release on behalf of alliance leader Khaleda Zia. The new phase of shutdown will continue amid the countrywide transport blockade that has been in force since January 6.

Accused in violence-related cases, Salahuddin, now fugitive, alleged that the country had been losing its image as a political state and that people were afraid of the state. l

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina waves at the crowd at Suhrawardy Udyan in capital yesterday before delivering her speech marking the historic March 7 rejected her blockades and hartals. For whose sake is she killing people?” asked the prime minister.

Currently on her second consecutive term, Hasina said the BNP chief had become desperate for power and was using every means possible to get into office.

“I tell you categorically, you will not be

able to ride to power through militancy and violence. The people have rejected you. The foreigners have also asked you to stop violence,” the premier added.

Hasina recalled her father’s speech of March 7, 1971. The founding president of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had called upon the people of the

BSS

erstwhile East Pakistan to rise up against the Pakistani junta with whatever they had.

Mujib had famously proclaimed: “This time the battle is for liberation. This time the battle is for independence.” A nine-month war broke out on March 26. Bangladesh gained independence on December 16 that same year. l

IEDCR: Three infected with Swine Flu virus but no need for alarm n Tribune Report Three people in Bangladesh have been infected with the H1N1 flu virus, which causes the potentially fatal Swine Flu, the head of one of the country’s top epidemiological research institutes said yesterday.

Mahmudur Rahman, the director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), added: “We have sufficient vaccines and the necessary support to fight Swine Flu.” The infections were detected in February, he said, adding that there was no need to fear a Swine Flu epidemic.

The head of the IEDCR was speaking at a workshop titled “Influenza A H1N1 (Swine Flu): Global and Bangladesh Situation” held yesterday at the IEDCR auditorium in the capital.

“We have already formed a technical

committee and drugs have been stockpiled with the government and the World Health Organization (WHO),” he said.

Bangladesh has put its health offices on high alert over H1N1 following an outbreak of the disease in neighbouring India “Twenty-five infra-red thermometers have been supplied and are being used. In addition, seven thermal scanners have been set up at selected points of entry,” he added.

He said pregnant women, older people, children, and those with comorbid conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and asthma were at higher risk of

infection with seasonal influenza as well as Swine Flu. He urged the public to be cautious about influenza, suggesting the use of handkerchiefs and tissues when coughing or sneezing, washing hands regularly and getting proper rest if suffering from a fever or seasonal influenza.

He suggested that patients suffering from both asthma attacks and a fever seek medical attention.

Bangladesh has put its health offices on high alert over H1N1 following an outbreak of the disease in neighbouring India.

Swine Flu has killed eight people in Bangladesh since it was detected in 2009.

For information on the symptoms of the disease and precautions that can be taken, have a look at the table attached to this story on www.dhakatribune.com. l

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4 NEWS

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

Physics professor Ajay Roy, father of slain blogger-writer Avijit Roy, goes to DB office to help the FBI team in the investigation of his son’s brutal murder yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Prof Ajay Roy: Let FBI work influence free n Ashif Islam Shaon

Prof Ajay Roy, father of slain writer-blogger Avijit Roy, has urged the authorities concerned to let the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) team, now in Dhaka to assist the Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies in the probe, to work without any influence.

He went to the Detective Branch (DB) of police headquarters yesterday and talked with officials. “I requested them to find the killers as soon as possible,” the retired physics teacher of Dhaka University told reporters after the visit.

The DB asked him some questions to verify what they had got so far during the investigation. Prof Ajay said two foreigners were present at that time. But he did not have idea if they were from the FBI. “No FBI men contacted me since they arrived here,” he said.

Avijit Roy, a Bangladesh-born US citizen, was killed and his wife Rafida Ahmed Bonna seriously injured when unidentified criminals hacked them near the TSC roundabout on Dhaka University campus on February 26. Bonna was flown back to the US for better treatment on Monday.

The four-member FBI team arrived in Dhaka on Thursday.

They visited the DB office and also the murder spot.

Prof Ajay yesterday once again blamed the fundamentalists and militants for the murder of his son. “Avijit came to the country [on February 16] after three or four years. I never found him tensed or frightened. But we asked him to have some friends while going to the book fair and to return home before the night.”

The law enforcement agencies have so far arrested Shafiur Rahman Farabi, who had repeatedly issued death threats to Avijit. Farabi, who is now on a 10-day remand, confessed to threatening Avijit but denied his involvement in the murder. RAB said he was involved with banned Islamist outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir.

Ansarullah Bangla Team leader Redwanul Azad Rana – the prime suspect in the case – is yet to be arrested. Home State Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Thursday said the law enforcers had detained two other persons in the case, but would not disclose their names.

Meanwhile, DMP Commissioner Mohammad Asaduzzaman Miah claimed that they had made good progress in the investigation.

“Farabi can be a good source of information about the murder.

We will interrogate him more,” he said.

About the FBI team, he said they had come to Dhaka since Avijit was a US citizen. “The case is being investigated by the DB. They have the ability to conduct the investigation...we have total faith on them. The FBI team will only assist them tactically,” he told reporters at his office.

“We have some limitations in analysing some evidences found in the social media. The FBI will help us in this regard,” he said.

Earlier, a probe committee formed to investigate the inaction of police personnel found that some officers had not performed their duties properly at the time of the attack. l

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SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

Manna now remanded in sedition case n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

A Dhaka court has placed Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna on a 10-day fresh remand in a sedition case filed against him and BNP leader Sadeque Hossain Khoka.

Metropolitan Magistrate Ataul Haque passed the order yesterday responding to a plea of the investigation officer of the case.

Manna was produced before the court on completion of his 10-day remand in another case filed for his alleged involvement in inciting the army to grab power.

Opposing the remand prayer, one of the defence counsels, Md Tuhin Hawlader, told the court: “The police brought the charge against him but there is no reaction from the army on whether any such allegation is valid.

He said there was nothing to be gleaned from him.

The sedition case was filed with Gulshan police station on March 5. A general diary was also filed with the police station, accusing the two politicians of conspiring against the state.

Manna, who was in the dock, sought permission to the court to speak for only two minutes. His family members were present at the court.

He claimed that he had been tortured during interrogation at the DB headquarters.

“I was picked up on February 23 and later was produced before a police station on February 24 midnight. Where was I kept during that period?”

“I am being interrogated from 9am to 1:30am every day in police custody in the name of remand...On March 4, I needed

Speakers: 60% kidney failure cases preventable n Tribune Report Up to 60% of kidney failure cases can be prevented by raising public awareness, speakers said at a roundtable yesterday.

The discussion was organised by Kidney Awareness Monitoring and Prevention Society (KAMPS) at National Press Club.

Speakers noted that the number of kidney patients was higher in South Asia compared to other parts of the world.

KAMPS Chairman Dr MA Samad said: “If the patient does not receive early treatment, death becomes inevitable for him.

“In Bangladesh, about two crore people are suffering from some sort of kidney complications.

“Around 40,000 people have developed end-stage renal failure while some 20,00030,000 have been diagnosed with Acute Renal Failure,” he said.

The doctor said the treatment for kidney diseases was very costly and also a long-term process.

“What is sad is that even 10% of the patients cannot afford to continue the treatment. This means the remaining 90% are dying without any treatment,” he added.

The roundtable was organised ahead of World Kidney Day 2015, which will be observed on March 12. l

Police produce Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna before the CMM court yesterday four-hour bed rest due to the torture. There is no physician inside the DB office on call...

You [the metropolitan magistrate] may ask my physician Maksumul Haq of Birdem who can give you details of my physical

condition.”

After his statement, the court rejected the petitions seeking his bail in both cases and oredered his remand in police custody.

Manna then said: “I am afraid of my life...I

Power sector security boost lacks spark n Aminur Rahman Rasel A Power Division directive to beef up security at key power sector installations is suffering from a lack of energy, as companies slowly work out how to make improvements.

The parliamentary standing committee on the Power‚ Energy And Mineral Resources Ministry recently asked the government to improve security at power sector offices and installations.

But outside the entrance to the stateowned Power Development Board (PDB) headquarters, Bidyut Bhaban, security guards do not even bother to conduct body-searches.

They just sit idle.

“We were not given security archways or metal detectors. Every minute, ten or more people use this entrance. It is not possible to search everybody,” said a security officer who did not wish to be identified.

“We are very concerned. We do not have the facilities to deal with this crisis without the help of law enforcement agencies,” Power Grid Company of Bangladesh Managing Director Masum-Al-Beruni said.

“We posted some personnel in front of the office but they do not have firearms to deal with attackers. These men have been seconded from their regular duties,” a Dhaka Power

Distribution Company Limited security officer told the Dhaka Tribune.

A Power Grid Company of Bangladesh official in the capital’s Mogbazar said his facility also suffered a “shortage in manpower.”

The Power Division instructed its generation, transmission and distribution companies to regard power plants and sub-stations as key point installations, and to improve security for them.

The order for enhanced security came after at least two PDB installations, in Sirajganj and Chittagong, and three Rural Electrification Board sub-stations, were attacked by crude bombs.

The country has 92 power plants and 1,055 sub-stations, of which 129 are grid sub-stations.

Attacking power stations as part of political protests is nothing new in the country.

“All 72 Palli Bidyut Samity sub-stations are being put under closed-circuit camera surveillance to ensure night-time security,” Rural Electrification Board Chairman Brigadier General Moin Uddin told the Dhaka Tribune.

“After receiving instructions from the Power Division, we have taken special measures like installing closed-circuit television cameras at many sites and increasing the number of night guards on duty,” he said. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

might experience a cardiac arrest as I cannot tolerate the pressure. If necessary, please interrogate me at jail gate.”

At that time, his wife Meher Nigar started saying that the order had been premeditated. l

Road accidents kill 5 in Bogra, 2 in Mymensingh n Tribune Report Five people, including a mother and her son, were killed and eight others injured as a truck driver lost control over steering in Baghopara Bazar area in Bogra sadar upazila yesterday morning.

The dead are Afroza Akhter, 30, and her son Nurul Islam, 8, Loya Mia, Shanto, 40, and Ahmad Ali. Bogra Sadar police station Officer-inCharge Abul Basher said the driver of an iron rod-laden truck rammed a rickshaw and ploughed into a roadside fruit shop on the Bogra-Rangpur Highway around 10:30am.

The injured were admitted to Bogra Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital.

Another road accident left two persons dead and 13 others injured in Satrasia area on the Mymensingh-Tangail Highway in Muktagacha upazila of Mymensingh district yesterday.

The dead are Abdul Halim, 60, and Chand Mia 50, both hailing from Kandualia village of the upazila.

Police said the accident occurred when a human haulier skidded off the road around 11pm.

The wounded were sent to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital where two succumbed to their injuries. l

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SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

Journalist beaten up

Youth crushes under train wheels

n Our Correspondent, Comilla

n FM Mizanur Rahaman, Chittagong

A local journalist of daily Kaler Kantho, who reported a graft allegation against the ruling party men in the district received severe injuries after the miscreants beat up him yesterday.

According to sources, local Awami Leg-

ue leader Mostofa Kamal, also Moisatua UP chairman and his supporters beat up Abdur Rahman brutally ,the correspondent of the daily for a news on corruption of Monohorganj upazila published on the day.

When contacted, Monohorganj police station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Hi confirmed the incident. l

A youth was killed when he came under the wheels of a train at a level-crossing in Jorarganj of Mirsarai, Chittagong yesterday morning.

The dead Md Mostafa, 25, was son of Abul Kalam of Chinkirhat area of Jorarganj.

When inquired, Hinguli union’s Chairman

Iftekhar Uddin Bhuiyan Pintu told Dhaka Tribune that the youth was crushed under train wheels at College Gate level-crossing around 8am.

“He could not hear the train’s whistle as he was wearing earphones. The train ran him over, leaving him spot dead,” said the union chairman. l

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SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

19 injured in political violence Railway authorities suspend CU shuttle train after arson attack handing them over,” he added. dergoing treatment here,” he added. n Tribune Report A rickshaw puller, Papan, was also injured Witnesses said three crude bombs suddenAt least 17 people along with a doctor of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) and a police constable were injured in separate crude bombings in the capital yesterday.

Mazharul Islam, officer-in-charge of Tejgaon police station, said minutes after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s motorcade crossed Karwan Bazar underpass area a number of crude bombs were blasted. Assistant Sub-Inspector Mahbub was hit by splinters in the blast and was taken to a hospital.

The premier was on her way to Suhrawardy Udyan to address a rally marking the historic day of March 7.

Witnesses said, the whole section of the road was under tight security for the prime minister’s motorcade when four crude bombs exploded in front of the Kawran Bazar underpass.

Meanwhile, Mehnaz Tabassum Prova, 30, assistant registrar of the DMCH, was injured by crude bomb blast near the Central Shaheed Minar yesterday afternoon. She received injuries in her left hand and leg as she fell down from the rickshaw she was on, said Dr KM Riaz Morshed, resident surgeon of the hospital’s emergency ward. “Prova also received splinter injuries under her left eye. She is un-

ly went off near the Shaheed Minar premises around 2:45pm when Prova was crossing the area. The locals took her to the DMCH.

Four crude bombs exploded in Kawran Bazar as prime minister’s motorcade passes In a separate incident, at least 13 AL activists were injured as several crude bombs were hurled at a procession in front of Shikkha Bhaban in the capital yesterday.

Police said miscreants hurled the crude bombs when they were marching towards Suhrawardy Udyan to join the AL rally. All the 13 injured were taken to DMCH. Shibli Noman, Assistant Commissioner of police, said locals nabbed three alleged miscreants following the explosions and handed them over to police. “A mob beat them before

in another crude bomb blast in the Azimpur graveyard area. He was also admitted to the DMCH. At Mohammadpur in front of the Krishi Market, a crude bomb went off injuring a vegetable trader Abed Ali, 50, and Habib, 30 around 6:45pm.

Abed’s condition was critical with injuries in his abdomen; Habib received injuries to his leg. They were taken to DMCH, confirmed Mozammel Haque, In-charge of DMCH police outpost.

In Chittagong, one Sumon, 18, received splinter injuries as miscreants set fire to a compartment of Chittagong University (CU) shuttle train and exploded crude bombs at Sholoshahar Railway Station in Chittagong city last night at around 8pm. He was admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

Government Railway Police Assistant Sub-Inspector Arob Ali said the station staff and locals extinguished the flame within a short time. A live crude bomb was found from the compartment but no one was caught.

The railway authorities suspended the scheduled train to the campus after the incident. l

WEATHER

DRY WEATHER LIKELY SUNDAY, MARCH 8 TODAY SUN SETS 6:04PM

DHAKA

TOMORROW SUN RISES 6:14AM

FORECAST FOR TODAY Dhaka

32

Chittagong

32

19 21

Rajshahi

32

16

Rangpur

32

17

Khulna

32

17

Barisal

32

19

Sylhet

32

16

Cox’s Bazar

32

22

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

31.0ºC Cox’s Bazar

10.6ºC Srimangal

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajr Sunrise Jumma Asr Magrib Esha

4:59am 6:14am 12:09am 4:25pm 6:04pm 7:20pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

A mob beats up a man suspected of blasting crude bombs at a procession heading for joining a rally of the Awami League at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital yesterday. He was later handed over to police. The photo was taken in front of Matsya Bhaban, not too far from the rally venue DHAKA TRIBUNE

Wheat cultivation exceeds target n Our Correspondent, Thakurgaon With an expectation of getting bumper productions like previous years, farmers in Thakurgaon have cultivated wheat in their lands this season, exceeding target in the district.

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) took up a plan to farm wheat on 58,427 hectares of lands in the district with production target of 1,63,596 tonnes.

Around 65,500 hectares of land have been brought under cultivation of the wheat, one of the high value crops, this year, according to sources at the DAE. Talking to farmers, the Dhaka Tribune learned that the farmers are becoming more interested in wheat farming due to high produc-

tion cost in rice cultivation and not getting desired prices of their crop in the previous year.

The farmers said they had to incur losses by cultivating rices because of high prices of farming materials, including diesel, seeds and fertilizer in the last session.

Whereas the production cost for wheat cultivation much leas then the rice cultivation as it need less irrigation and fertilizer, they said.

“Farmers in the district are becoming interested in wheat cultivation as they are achieving high yield due to favorable weather, soil and training from the department,” said Arshed Ali, acting deputy director at DAE in Thakurgaon.

Some 98,155 farmers have cultivated wheat in their land. Of them 8,990 were given training on cultivation of the crop, he said. l

SUST students face serious session jam n Our Correspondent, Sylhet The ongoing blockade and general strikes of the BNP have largely hampered studies at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in Sylhet.

No classes and examinations have been held at the university for quite a long time, which have subjected the students to a long session jam.

The length of the session jam at some departments has reached as many as four months, with the six-month semesters remaining incomplete even after 10 months.

“My fifth semester began in April last year and I am yet to complete it,” said Suheb Al Ragib, a student of mathematics.

The situation in the remaining 24 departments is practically the same. Students of 2011-12 academic year, who are supposed to be in their seventh semester now, are still doing their fifth semester.

The political programmes have jeopardised the future of around 8,000 students of the university, and both the teachers and students remain very concerned.

Last year, it came as a big blow to the students when the authorities closed the university sine die in the wake of the death of a private university student during a gun battle between two Chhatra League factions on the campus.

Establishment of dominion on the campus led to the November 20 shootout, which also injured nine people.

The university reopened on January 18 this year, but students, much to their disappointment, then had to face political unrest characterised by violence perpetrated during the indefinite blockade and the general strikes.

Exams in many departments could not be held because of the blockade and strikes even though the university opened after a long break, said students.

Professor Dr Md Aminul Haque Bhuyan, vice-chancellor of the university, said a meeting was held last week where it was decided that classes and exams would be held on Fridays and Saturdays.

He said the decision would serve the students positively.

“The university’s administrative activities will continue even during the blockade while students will be fully participating in classroom studies on days without strike,” added the vice-chancellor. l

Tractor driver found dead in Habiganj n Our Correspondent, Habiganj A tractor driver was found dead in Ratanpur upazila in Habiganj yesterday.

Jewel Miya, 26, was the son of Abdul Gani, who hailed from Batashar village.

Locals said one year ago Jewel Miya got married to Rupa Begum, 19. Recently they had a divorce following an extra-marital affair of Rupa with Ubaidur Mia, resident of the same village.

Jewel divorced Rupa through a village court (salish) and gave her Tk60,000 as alimony.

On Friday, locals spotted Jewel’s body inside the premises of Rupa’s house in Ratanpur. His body bore marks of injuries.

Habiganj Sadar Model police station Officer-in-Charge Md Najim Uddin said Jewel might have been strangled to death. l

DT

8 NEWS

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

Government land occupied in Narsingdi n Our Correspondent, Narsingdi

An influential group in Narsingdi has been accused of setting up shops by grabbing 10 pieces of government land at a market.

Locals in Shibpur alleged that the lands at Dulalpur Bazar were illegally occupied on February 21 but the local authorities had turned a blind eye to the act.

The shops were being set up in an unplanned way. According to locals, the management committee of the market recently took several development steps, enabling the government to earn several times more in revenues on the lease. This is why the occupiers had targetted the market, they alleged. The land grabbing has angered locals but they said they were fearful of staging a protest considering the power and

influence of the unlawful occupiers.

Several men accused of grabbing the lands told the Dhaka Tribune they had set up the shops to do business in order to make a living.

They also said they would run the shops after obtaining permission from the local land office. Kanan Fakir, president of the market management committee, said he learned about the land grabbing when a local land official, Fazlul

Haque, came to the market on February 22 and ordered to stop setting up the shops.

The assistant commissioner (land) of Shibpur, Aparna Baidya, said yesterday that the illegal occupiers had been served notice to explain their action. “They were asked to respond within seven days but they did not. We will now initiate legal proceedings against them,� added Aparna. l

DT

NEWS 9

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

Stipend for madrasa students embezzled n Our Correspondent, Bhola Despite an affirmative probe report on embezzlement of stipend allocated for madrasa students of various upazila of Bhola, authorities are yet to take any action against the perpetrators.

The ebtedayee madrasa authority of Charfashion upazila has allegedly swindled a large amount of money by showing hundreds of fake students in 18 madrasas.

President of Ebtedayee Madrasa Teachers’ Association, Ruhul Amin, in collaboration with district education officers and Agrani Bank officials, has been accused of forging a demand order (DO) and getting the stipend on behalf of those non-existent madrasas.

After a wide coverage of the incident in the local media, allocations for 18 madrasas were suspended but no action was taken against any of the persons involved. Moreover, no initiative has been taken yet to get the embezzled money back.

According to sources, 15 new madrasas were added to the list of ebtedayee madrasas in Charfashion in 2014. The signature of local MP and Deputy Minister of Ministry of Environment and Forests, Abdullah Islam Jakob, was forged to issue DO for the newly created madrasas.

Since then the allocation from the primary education stipend fun has been slashed and given to the madrasas in two installments from the two branches – Charfashion and Shashibhusan – of Agrani Bank.

Following the media reports, a two-member team led by additional directors of the Directorate of Primary Education, Mahfuzur Rahman and Anwar Parvez, conducted a probe in February this year.

The investigation found evidence of fund misappropriation and fund allocation for 18 madrasas were terminated in a letter signed by ebdtedayee madrasa project director Irtija Ahmed Chowdhury. The probe report mentioned that most of the 18 madrasas had no student or even any physical existence. But they all were allocated stipend for the students.

Though the funding were cut for those accused madrasas, no one behind the money embezzlement has been arrested. This has led the locals to believe in close collaboration among the upazila education officer, the bank officials and the ebtedayee teachers.

The managers of the two branches of Agrani Bank denied all allegations and said they had handed over the money to the needy children by visiting the madrasas. The fund misappropriation allegation had nothing to do with them, they claimed.

When contacted, accused teacher leader Ruhul Amin did not deny the allegations but said there was no point in reporting this again since the madrasas had already been shut down.

Md Hayatuzzaman, primary education officer of Bhola, acknowledged the incident. He said fund allocation to 10 madrasas under the Charfashion upazila and 8 in Shashibhushan had been cut. l

Comilla district administration, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Fire Service Department conduct a safety drill at Comilla Ashrafpur Central Bus Terminal in a bid to enhance the fire fighting skills of the transport workers. The photo was taken yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Rights organisations demand eviction of Bangali settlers n Our Correspondent, Khagrachhari To stop rape and torture on the women in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangalee settlers and army personnel should be evicted immediately, opined different rights organisations yesterday.

Chittagong Hill Tracts Nari Sangha Chairman Sonali Chakma and Hill Women’s Federation Chairman Nirupa Chakma made the remark referring to the recent gang rape of a pregnant housewife in Rangamati’s Kaukkhali upazila.

On March 5, five Bangalee settlers forcefully entered Ongsimong Marma’s house in Headmanpara in Kaukkhali and beat him up.

Youth killed in attack over land

n Our Correspondent, Patuakhali A young man was stabbed to death in an attack by his rivals over a land dispute at Dakkhin Laxmipasha village in Baufal upazila of the district yesterday.

The deceased was identified as Firoz, 25, son of Hasan Hawladar of the village.

Naresh Karmakar, officer-in-charge of Baugal police station, said there had been longstanding enmity between Firoz and Ripon over the ownership of a piece of land.

As a sequel to the enmity, Firoz had an altercation with Ripon over the issue around 11 am.

At one stage, Khalil, a supporter of Ripon, stabbed Firoz indiscriminately, leaving him dead on the spot, reports UNB. Later, locals caught Khalil and Ripon after a hot chase at Naumala village while fleeing the scene and handed them over to police.

Police recovered the body and sent it to Patuakhali sadar hospital morgue. l

Later they raped his pregnant wife.

They also stole their mobile phone. The next day when the victims went to file a case with the Kaukhali police station, the on-duty officer refused to file the case in the absence of the officer-in-charge.

“Such incidents are on the rise because the rapists were enjoying impunity,” said Sonali Chakma.

Reading out a statement by Hill Women’s Federation Secretary Minaki Chakma, they demanded exemplary punishment to the accused.

Khagrachhari Golabari Mahila Samity Chairman Chameli Marma said the incident was shocking. She demanded a probe committee be formed to investigate the incident. l

3 held with formalin n Our Correspondent, Satkhira Police arrested three men with 240 litres of formalin from Sonargaon fish hatchery in Satkhira district yesterday.

The arrested are Iblu Mridha, Naim Sarder and Golam Faruq.

Satkhira police station Officer-in-Charge Emdadul Hoque Sheikh said the arrested are associated with a ring of formalin suppliers.

They bring formalin from Cox’s Bazar inside stocks of shrimps and supply those across the country.

Later on, the fish and vegetable sellers in Satkhira’s Boro Bazar, Mil Bazar and Bou Bazar mix those formalin in their products and sell to customers.

Satkhira police station Sub-Inspector Hedayet Hossain filed a case in this connection. l

DT

10 WORLD

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

Russia arrests two over Nemtsov killing n AFP

Russia said yesterday it had arrested two men suspected of organising and carrying out the murder of opposition activist Boris Nemtsov, who was gunned down near the Kremlin in a brazen assassination that shocked the country.

The arrests come a week after the longtime critic of President Vladimir Putin was shot four times in the back as he strolled with his girlfriend along a bridge in the heart of the capital, in view of the Kremlin and Red Square.

“As a result of work that has been done, two men suspected of committing this crime were arrested today. They are Anzor Gubashev and Zaur Dadayev, and the head of state has been informed,” the head of the FSB federal security service Alexander Bortnikov told state television.

He said the two men were from the Caucasus region.

A spokesman for the powerful Investigative Committee, Vladimir Markin, told Interfax news agency that the men were suspected of having “organised and carried out the assassination of Nemtsov,” dispelling theories they had only been paid hitmen.

The latest killing of a high-profile government critic under Putin’s rule prompted an outpouring of international condemnation and stunned members of an opposition who blamed the Kremlin for whipping up hatred against anyone who expresses dissent through state media who regularly refers to them as “traitors.”

The 55-year-old, a renowned anti-corruption crusader who served as Boris Yeltsin’s first deputy prime minister in the 1990s, was shot dead just two days before he was to lead a major anti-government rally.

However the protest march – called to denounce Russia’s alleged role in the Ukraine

Kerry seeks to boost European unity around Iran deal

n AFP Top US diplomat John Kerry arrived in Paris yesterday to boost European support for a deal with Iran as France voiced concerns over whether it would prove tough enough to stop Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Flying in from London on the last stop of a week-long trip, Kerry was to brief his French, German and British counterparts on the negotiations. The US secretary of state spent three days in Switzerland earlier this week huddled with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in the latest round of intense negotiations seeking to hammer out a deal as a March 31 deadline looms.

But French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, who will meet first with Kerry for bilateral talks yesterday, remains sceptical.

“There has been progress but as regards the numbers, controls and the length of the agreement, the situation is still not sufficient, so there is more work to be done,” Fabius said Friday.

Fabius gave no figures but key issues in the talks which began in late 2013 include the level of uranium enrichment that Iran should be allowed. l

Flowers, votive candles and portraits are seen at the place where Boris Nemtsov, a charismatic Russian opposition leader and sharp critic of President Vladimir Putin, was gunned down on Friday AP crisis – instead became a massive memorial for Nemtsov, with tens of thousands swarming the streets of Moscow in the largest opposition gathering since a wave of anti-Kremlin protests in 2011-12.

Putin, whose rule has seen the steady suppression of independent media and opposition parties, had promised an all-out effort to

catch those responsible for an act which he called a “provocation.”

Russian news agencies reported that the men were being held in the high-security Lefortovo prison in Moscow, and would appear in court by Monday at the latest to determine whether they should remain in custody.

Nemtsov’s Ukrainian girlfriend Ganna Duritska, the sole witness to the murder, returned to Kiev after the killing.

Her lawyer Vadim Prokhorov told Kommersant radio he was unsure whether she would be summoned back to Moscow after the arrests but was “ready to cooperate” with investigators. l

At least 33 dead in northeast Nigeria bomb attacks

Charities stop funding UK rights group linked to ‘Jihadi John’

n AFP

Two charities have stopped funding a rights group in contact with the man thought to be Islamic State group executioner “Jihadi John” before he left for Syria, Britain’s charities regulator has said.

Rights group Cage describes its work as supporting people arrested or raided as a result of the “war on terror” following the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

It worked with Mohammed Emwazi for over two years and, when he was identified by the Washington Post as “Jihadi John” last month, its research director Asim Qureshi described him as a “beautiful young man” and blamed British intelligence for radicalising him.

That claim was described as “reprehensible” by Prime Minister David Cameron’s official spokesman.

The Charity Commission, a government body, said Friday that two charities, the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and the Roddick Foundation, have ceased giving money to Cage and will not do so in future. l

Three bombings rocked separate targets in northeast Nigeria’s largest city of Maiduguri yesterday, killing at least 33 people, witnesses and a local official told AFP, in violence blamed on Boko Haram The first attack was carried out by a female suicide bomber at the Baga fish market at roughly 11:20 am (1020 GMT), said Abubakar Gamandi, the head of the fisherman’s union in Borno State, of which Maiduguri is the capital.

“A female suicide bomber exploded as soon as she stepped out of a motorised rickshaw,” said Gamandi, who was at the scene.

“Eighteen people were killed.”

That account was supported by a nurse at the Maiduguri General Hospital, where many of the victims were taken.

About an hour later a bomb blast hit the popular Monday Market, killing another 15 people, according to Gamandi and the nurse, who requested anonymity.

It was not immediately clear whether the

second attack was carried out by a suicide bomber.

“For now, we have at least 33 dead bodies from the two incidents...the toll may change because we are expecting more casualties,” said Gamandi.

The first two attacks were confirmed by Borno’s Justice Commissioner Kaka Shehu, but he declined to provide casualties figures until rescue workers had completed their searches.

Shortly after 1:00 pm Shehu phoned AFP in Maiduguri to confirm a third bombing at the busy Borno Express bus terminal, but details, including on casualties, were not immediately available.

“We condemn these acts in their entirety and we extend our condolences to the victims,” Shehu said.

“The terrorists are angry with the way they were sacked from towns and villages and are now venting their anger,” he added.

Shehu was referring to an ongoing offensive against Boko Haram in Borno state being waged by Nigeria and Chad, with support from Cameroon and Niger. l

n AFP

DT

WORLD 11

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

Government: Islamic State militants raze Iraq’s ancient Hatra city n Reuters Islamic State militants have destroyed ancient remains of the 2,000-year-old city of Hatra in northern Iraq, the tourism and antiquities ministry said yesterday.

An official told Reuters that the ministry had received reports from its employees in the northern city of Mosul, which is under the control of the radical Islamist group, that the site at Hatra had been demolished yesterday.

The official said it was difficult to confirm the reports and the ministry had not received any pictures showing the extent of the damage at Hatra, which was named a world heritage site in 1987.

But a resident in the area told Reuters he heard a powerful explosion early yesterday and said that other people nearby had reported that Islamic State militants had destroyed some of the larger buildings in Hatra and were bulldozing other parts.

Hatra lies about 110 km (70 miles) south of Mosul, the largest city under Islamic State control. A week ago the militants released a video showing them smashing statues and carvings in the city’s museum, home to priceless Assyrian and Hellenistic artifacts dating back 3,000 years.

On Thursday they attacked the remains of the Assyrian city of Nimrud, south of Mosul, with bulldozers. The United Nations cultural agency UNESCO condemned the actions as “cultural cleansing” and said they amounted to war crimes.

Hatra dates back 2,000 years to the Seleucid empire which controlled a large part of the ancient world conquered by Alexander the Great. It is famous for its striking pillared temple at the center of a sprawling archaeological site.

Saeed Mamuzini, spokesman for the Mosul branch of the Kurdish Democratic Party, said the militants had used explosives to blow up buildings at Hatra and were also bulldozing it.

The antiquities ministry said the lack of tough international response to earlier Islamic State attacks on Iraq’s historic sites had encouraged the group to continue its campaign. l

Malaysia demonstrators demand opposition leader’s release

n AFP Several thousand people marched through Kuala Lumpur yesterday to demand the release of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who was jailed last month for five years on sodomy charges. Chanting “Free Anwar!” and “Reformasi” (Reform), the demonstrators, led by members of Anwar’s family, staged a short march from a busy shopping district toward the capital’s Petronas Towers skyscrapers.

An AFP journalist estimated the crowd at around 5,000. Some in the crowd chanted “Down with Najib,” a reference to Prime Minister Najib Razak, and carried an effigy of him.

But there were no incidents seen, and no large police presence, despite police in recent days declaring the rally illegal. l

Police: Pakistan arrests 45 Indian fishermen

n AFP

Pakistani marine forces have arrested 45 Indian fishermen for violating territorial waters in the Arabian Sea, police said yesterday.

Pakistan’s Maritime Security Agency (MSA) detained the fishermen on Friday after they strayed into Pakistani waters, and they were handed over to local police in the port city of Karachi, a senior police official told AFP. “The MSA has handed over 45 arrested Indian fishermen to police who will be presented before a magistrate and later sent to jail,” senior police official Fida Hussain told AFP. Such arrests are frequently carried out by both countries, as the maritime border in the Arabian Sea is poorly defined and many fishing boats lack the technology needed to be certain of their precise location.

The fishermen often languish in jail even after serving their term, as poor diplomatic ties between the two arch-rivals mean fulfilling official requirements can take a long time.

Relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours have taken a turn for the worse in recent months, with shelling on the disputed border in Kashmir.

Last month Pakistan released 172 Indian fishermen as “a goodwill gesture” and it had still 349 Indian inmates in custody by then.

In January, marine forces arrested 38 Indian fishermen after they strayed into Pakistani waters. l

Deaths reported in raid on restaurant in Mali’s capital

n Agencies

This file photo taken July 27, 2005, the statue of a robed woman, believed to be the spouse of a former king, stares down at visitors in the ruins of the ancient city of Hatra, 320 kilometers (200 miles) north of Baghdad, Iraq. Islamic State militants control the 2,300-year-old city of Hatra AP

Attack on Canada parliament revenge for Afghanistan n AFP A Muslim convert who stormed Canada’s parliament last October said he carried out the attack in retaliation for the West’s military deployment in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to a video released on Friday.

Michael Zehal-Bibeau, who killed a ceremonial guard at Ottawa’s war memorial before bursting into parliament where he was shot dead, made the video message on a phone found in his abandoned car.

“This is in retaliation for Afghanistan and because (Prime Minister Stephen) Harper wants to send his troops to Iraq,” Zehaf-Bibeau says in the grainy

video released by police.

“Canada’s officially become one of our enemies by fighting and bombing us and creating a lot of terror in our countries and killing us and killing our innocents,” added the 32-year-old.

“We’ll not cease until you guys decide to be a peaceful country and stay to your own and stop going to other countries and stop occupying and killing the righteous of us who are trying to bring back religious law in our countries.”

Zehaf-Bibeau, a petty criminal who later converted to Islam, was shot dead by parliamentary security and federal police in a hail of bullets. l

Attackers have killed five people in an attack on a restaurant in Mali’s capital, including a French citizen and a Belgian security officer with the EU delegation in the country, authorities say.

Mali’s desert north, where French forces wrested control of territory from separatist rebels and al Qaeda-linked fighters, is plagued by frequent political violence, but early yesterday’s attack was first in years in Bamako, in the south.

Three Malians were killed in the violence in and around La Terrasse restaurant, which is popular with expatriates, the government said.

The attack began at around 1am local time (0100 GMT) and left nine people wounded, said a senior security official, adding that two people had been arrested.

Dozens of police officers secured the area, a popular nightspot among expatriates, but the few witnesses to the attack were initially refusing to testify, fearing reprisals.

Falaye Kante, a senior police officer, said: “There were two individuals who were armed and hooded. One burst into the La Terrasse restaurant and opened fire on people. Then he got into a vehicle in which the other was waiting.

“As they fled down a neighbouring street, they shot a Belgian man who was in front of his house. He’s dead. Not far away they came across a police vehicle and threw a grenade, killing the driver.”

In moments after the attack the body of the police staff member and a guard of a private home could be seen in the street outside the restaurant. A little further on, the body of the Belgian national was also visible. l

DT

12 EDITORIAL

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

Encourage equality all year round

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

W

e welcome the platform provided by International Women’s Day to celebrate the accomplishments of women all over the world and to reflect on the challenges every country faces in achieving equality and closing the gender gap.

However, it is vital that government and policy-makers keep in mind that supporting equality needs to be a year round practice, not an annual aspiration.

If Bangladesh is to ensure gender equality, much more needs to be accomplished in improving women’s particpation and authority in public and business life.

Even on basic issues where governments can point to successful achivements in improving equal access to education or delivering healthcare improvements in line with Millennium Development Goals, much remains to be done.

Scarcity in the provision of reproductive health services, especially in rural areas, still undermines national goals and causes preventable pregnancy-related deaths. And there is still a long road ahead to bring down and prevent violence against women in the country.

Even in the government and civil service, both nationally and locally, women are still far from being equally represented despite the growing number of examples of women holding senior positions.

Changing attitudes have to go hand in hand with raising aspirations if we are to effectively ensure equality and empower women in all aspects of society.

As a nation, we need to encourage and help more women achieve their potential in education and public life. The whole country will benefit if we can prevent women’s skills and talents from being held back.

https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune

Much remains to be done to empower women and help everyone reach their potential

Government must act to save our ilish

C

onsumers and fishermen have no reason not to be aware of the well established restrictions on the catching of jatka, the young ilish fish that spawns each October.

The law provides clear fines and the possibility of up to 2 years imprisonment for anyone found catching, storing, transporting or selling jatkas between November and June.

However, it is still the case that markets at this time of the year are full of people openly buying and selling jatka (ilish fry)which are less than 10 inches in length.

Alternative approaches to enforcing this ban have been tried by the government. The Ministries of Fisheries and Water Resources organise gatherings to raise awareness of the need to protect ilish during the growing season. The government also offers alternative employment and 40kg of rice to ilish fishermen to prevent them from catching jatka.

The continuing flouting of restrictions is down to the lack of adequate law enforcement. The law has to be enforced properly to deter the catching of jatka.

It should be straightforward to identify and fine traders found illegally selling this fish and to act to deter consumers from encouraging the trade.

There is no excuse for law enforcers failing to uphold the law.

Enforcing the law would benefit everyone. If young ilish were not caught before reaching the Padma River, an extra 50,000 tones of ilish resources can be gained, and increase revenues by an extra Tk10,000 crore every year. We world all be better off, none more so than the fisherman.

Enforce the law properly in fish markets.

Conservation will benefit consumers and fishermen alike

Let’s fix this, Madam Prime Minister February 16

sundar The very premises on the basis of which these viewpoints have been formulated is totally misplaced. Who told the author that the two ladies’ goals are to serve the people? Yes, in a democracy, politics is based on dialog, but who told him that they are at all interested in democracy?

As a matter of fact, nobody in this country truly believes in the practice of democracy. We have just learned the word “democracy” and the conception it stands for from the printed pages of western publications and are reciting it like parrots. None of us are really interested in internaliing the conception of democracy.

We are strongly feudal in our mental

Egypt bombs Islamic State targets in Libya

make-up and attitude. Nowhere in this world exists such a highly hierarchical society like ours. We always hanker after a hero, a guru, provabshali, ustad, murubbi, etc and love to lick their boots. Servility is in our genes. That is why charisma is a fundamental asset of our leaders.

Nowhere in this round world are university teachers, intellectuals, professional experts found ever-ready to serve the role of stooges and sycophants of semi-literate but charismatic leaders like ours. You can never reach the moon by riding a bicycle.

Similarly, you can never achieve democracy with servile people like us.

Karl Hungus Great article! The system is broken and the pieces are lying all over the place. We need sweeping reforms made down in the very core of our political machinery (read: the constitution) if we have any sympathy for the future of this nation and its people.

Abellard the Greek-lover Good to see the opinions of someone associated with our politicians.

DT

Join up action on climate change February 16

February 17

Ln M W Faruque What ISIS really wants: The Islamic State is no mere collection of psychopaths. It is a religious group with carefully considered beliefs, among them that it is a key agent of the coming apocalypse. Here’s what that means for its strategy -- and for how to stop it.

JU teachers, students, employees protest nationwide violence February 17

Abu Elias Sarker They should have held demonstrations to restore democratic order in the first place, since they are educated. They should know that in a repressive system, violence is inevitable.

Giant African land snails invade Cuba February 18

Golam Ahmed Khan Eat them with butter and garlic.

mememine For 34 years, denial has prevented climate actions towards saving the planet. Occupy wallstreet does not even mention CO2 in its list of demands now, because of the bankfunded and corporate-run carbon trading stock markets ruled by politicians.

Reader “support global carbon taxes to help the world move towards more sustainable energy policies”?

Yes we should.

Khaleda key accused in blast case February 18

Nirob Sikder Don’t let state power come down on the opposing political party.

DT

OPINION 13

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

Getting more women in on the next digital leap n Mai Oldgard

K BIGSTOCK

Making it on your own n Syeda Samara Mortada

W

hat accounts for the difference in earnings between men and women? According to Claudia Goldin, author of The Concise Encyclopedia of Economics, although over the years the gender gap has narrowed in employment while that of earning has only stagnated.

While some of it is to do with the kind of jobs most women do, and their roles and responsibilities at home, a lot of it is to do with differences within the occupation which basically means that on an average, women get paid less than men for the same job.

Of course, there is going to be a whole bunch of people who will argue that women get several benefits from their workplace that men don’t, one of them being maternity leave, but the fact that it is specifically women who keep the baby in their wombs, give birth and nurse, remains unchanged.

In a separate study conducted in 2012, an estimated one-third or more of working women in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia were engaged in unpaid family work, which typically places women in a subordinate and more vulnerable position – IZA (Institute for the Study of Labor), 2014.

According to the World Bank, 6.4% of the female force remains unemployed as opposed to 5.7% of men worldwide. So, what are we going to do about it? Empowerment of women is a social system that starts with education and ends with entrepreneurship and requires partnership of the private and public sector.

Amongst private organisations, BRAC, which is a development success story, born in Bangladesh and bringing poverty solutions to nine other developing countries in Asia and Africa, is working towards empowerment of women through its different programs such as education, microfinance and agriculture.

In Tanzania, BRAC launched a project in 2014, titled GEC (Girls’ Education Challenge) project, to bring education to out of school girls within their communities. These girls are unable to attend school, some of the reasons being sexual harassment on the way to school and their household chores and nurturing their babies.

As such, the only possible solution was to

bring the schools to them. 150 study clubs have been setup as safe spaces within the communities where girls can study as well as have discussions with their facilitator, who is also within their communities. In Pakistan, BRAC has reached 1,683 girls through its pre-primary schools and trained 200 teachers.

The Empowerment and Livelihood for Adolescents program (ELA) targets adolescent girls in Uganda, Tanzania, Sierra Leone and Liberia and provides them with safe spaces where girls can come and take some time off their responsibilities at home.

These spaces are also used to provide life skills training, combined with microfinance opportunities so that the members can become self confident and self-reliant individuals within their families and communities.

A research shows that 44% of girls in participant villages (which had ELA clubs), as compared to 14% of the girls in the control villages (without ELA clubs), reported increased engagement in income generating activities.

Through its agriculture program, in Africa alone (Sierra Leone, Liberia, Tanzania and Uganda), on average, BRAC is providing 6070% women with agricultural training, input supplies and agro-finance loans.

The results are tremendous. But it’s only a start. More and more organisations need to come together and work cohesively to design programs specifically suited for women in entrepreneurship so that they have control of their lives and their finances which helps them become independent.

Equality is a term that remains unaddressed if we are unable to work towards common goals and set our agenda. This year, the UN’s theme for international women’s day is “Empowering Women-Empowering Humanity: Picture it!”

Let’s start by picturing a perfect world in which women are empowered not because they are women alone, but because humanity cannot do otherwise. Approximately 3.6 billion people in the world today are women.

Let’s empower humanity by empowering women. l Syeda Samara Mortada is the Senior Lead, Communications at BRAC International.

ofi Annan once said: “There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women.”

In 1995, an unprecedented 17,000 participants and 30,000 activists gathered in Beijing for the Fourth World Conference on Women, that saw 189 governments agreeing to the commitments outlined in what is recognised as the most comprehensive global policy framework and blueprint for action to realise gender equality.

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action of 1995 covers 12 critical areas that need to be addressed for gender equality, and these are: poverty, education and training, health, violence, armed conflict, economy, power and decision-making, institutional mechanisms, human rights, media, environment, and the girl child.

Twenty years on, this March 8, communities around the world are celebrating International Women’s Day. While gender equality, admittedly, remains a struggle even in the most developed of countries, there have been significant developments for the empowerment of women -- ranging from educational opportunities and enhanced healthcare benefits, to women’s participation in the workforce. The inclusion of women in the workforce and education can lend profound impact on a country’s socioeconomic development and competitiveness. With this in mind, efforts to narrow gender gaps should leverage ICT as an enabler to provide women with resources, opportunities and access to information.

With mobile phone subscriptions reaching seven billion at the end of 2014, and 3.6 billion of these from Asia Pacific, it is astonishing that a woman is still 21 percent less likely to own a mobile phone than a man in low and middle-income countries. The unlikelihood of owning a mobile phone increases to 37 percent for a woman in South Asia.

If the global gender gap in mobile phone ownership and usage could be closed, the GSMA estimates that it would amount to a $170bn revenue opportunity in 2015-2020.

But business opportunities aside, women from low and middle-income countries echoed similar sentiments -- that mobile connectivity empowers them to lead a more secure, connected and productive life. While encouraging, it is far from the mainstream attitude in certain markets -- among men or women.

In its India operations through Uninor, Telenor Group launched its initiative SEWA -Support for Empowering Women in Adversity -- to promote the inclusive growth of women in society. With the launch of SEWA, women (single mothers, widowed or HIV positive) are trained in soft skills, spoken English, book keeping and product sales.

The women beneficiaries also have access to women’s health-related information through SIM cards and handsets that give them mobile connectivity. On the same note, Uninor partnered with the GSMA to increase women’s access to mobile phones, through the offer of a dual SIM pack that provides incentives to the male in the family each

time the woman’s SIM is recharged. What’s interesting here is how the initiative, known as Project Sampark, also encourages female entrepreneurship in India as the dual SIM packs are marketed and sold by a network of women retailers. It has been a sustainability and commercial success story.

Meanwhile in Pakistan, where only 3% of women have access to a formal bank account, Easypaisa, the first and largest branchless banking service in Pakistan owned by Telenor Pakistan and Tameer Bank, has provided financial inclusion for more than 1.2 million female beneficiaries through its partnership with the government’s Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), which aims to alleviate poverty by providing a monthly social welfare disbursement of about $2 per day to female recipients for their households.

Easypaisa also partners with NGO Care International to provide salaries to nearly 4,000 women via mobile wallets made accessible through free handsets and SIM connections.

In Bangladesh, in spite of very significant health achievements in recent years, neonatal mortality makes up 57 percent of deaths under five years of age and maternal mortality is among the highest in Asia. Much of this mortality could be prevented through better information on simple and effective health measures to be taken at birth and during the first week of life, and Telenor, through Grameenphone joined hands with D.net to launch “Mobiles for Health” (M4H) that aims to provide such life-saving health information via voice and SMS services to two million expectant and new mothers in Bangladesh by 2015. In the early days of Grameenphone, its Village Phone product helped lots of rural women to earn a livelihood and gave them a voice in the family and society.

Though diverse in what they deliver, what these initiatives actually all share is in their execution -- and that is twofold: They tackle actual social issues and they work to reverse misperceptions and build awareness.

Understanding the social issues at play on as local a level as possible (perceptions of security, education levels, occupations, family roles, community norms) is a critical step. Then it is important that men also be made aware of the positive roles mobile connectivity can play -- in increasing dialogue with their wives and sharing useful information or even job prospects. This is followed by creative ways to build further incentives to adopt and design solutions -in creative price packages, sales tactics and other services that encourage women to use mobile phones and internet.

These are just a few of the proactive ways the ICT industry can drive inclusion. The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is “Make It Happen” -- which echoes Telenor’s commitment to enable a digital future for all in Asia, not just select portions of the population. As innovation takes telecommunications to new heights, empowering women through mobile connectivity will drive growth, social progress and economic competitiveness. l Mai Oldgard is Senior Vice President, Head of Sustainability, Telenor Group.

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14 OPINION

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

RAGHU RAI

Not an easy question to answer This is the concluding part to yesterday’s opinion piece

n Salil Tripathi

T

aimur then asked me about the controversy over numbers -- were 3 million people killed? Or 26,000, as the Hamoodur Rahman Commission said?

And were indeed 250,000 to 500,000 women raped? I had explored this in my book. What did I mean? I explained my conclusion -- that the number is not crucial, what happened is crucial.

It wasn’t as low as 26,000, and may not be as high as 3 million -- but many, many innocent civilians were killed; there were dozens of camps where women were taken against their will; many were raped often every night; and this went on for months.

Doing the math gives you a very large number. Was it a quarter million? Half a million? How can we estimate, when the few records that were kept had been destroyed, many children were adopted, and many fetuses aborted?

Sadaf Saaz Siddiqi explained how the records were unfortunately destroyed: Bangladesh is a conservative society, and rape carries a stigma. For privacy reasons the records were not kept, she said. But one consequence of that is that it has become difficult to establish what had happened, and making a legal case against alleged perpetrators has become complicated. After 1975, when Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated, the rehabilitation work ended. It is now carried on by NGOs like Nijera Kori and Nari Pokkho, among others.

But the women are alive, and many still live with that experience. Sadaf has met them, and so have I. She spoke movingly about the lives that birangonas live today.

They are growing old; some of their families have disowned them, sometimes years after the war, sometimes by children who discover what was done to their mothers and they conclude it is their mothers’ fault somehow; some are told they won’t be buried with their families. Their lives have been ruined.

At this point, a man rose from the audience and shouted loudly: “This is rubbish.”

He began walking out of the hall, saying: “This is Indian propaganda; Pakistan army zindabad.” I told him to let Sadaf complete, but he ignored me.

Several Pakistanis shouted at him, saying he should be ashamed; that Pakistan owed Bangladesh an apology.

The mood had begun to turn. A man got up and emotionally apologised to Sadaf and all his Bengali sisters. Others too rose, asking why they were not being told what really happened in 1971. The conversation that was difficult to begin in Pakistan was finally getting started, on February 21.

The man who had heckled was escorted out.

But his intervention allowed others to challenge me. Ahsan Akbar, the BritishBangladeshi poet who attended the session, later told me: “Too often we romanticise the notion that the youth of today’s Pakistan are right-thinking and want to acknowledge and apologise for the atrocities of 1971. It is a romanticisation because I was there and the packed auditorium was tense. I saw the number of young people who challenged what Sadaf and you had to say. It is not only the elderly who are stuck to one view. The damage is deeper and too often we like to be optimistic, and say: ‘At least the next generation is acknowledging,’ even though I’m the first to say it is not their fault at all.

But that is not always the case, as I witnessed and learned from speaking to people in Pakistan.”

And those questions followed: What about the atrocities committed against Biharis?

What about the war crimes of the Mukti Bahini? Taimur said that my book does not spare the Mukti Bahini, and there is a part where I write about the Bihari plight. But one man said: “That’s not what you are saying. Your speech is not neutral.”

How does one stay neutral talking about rape? But instead of saying that, I spoke of the perils of whataboutery: Two wrongs don’t make something right; a wrong committed

by X does not permit Y to commit a similar wrong, nor does Y’s committing a wrong

absolve X of what he did. Hina Jilani rightly explained the overriding principle: That a state is held to higher standards than a nonstate actor -- which the Mukti Bahini was, being a rebel army. An army accountable to a state cannot retaliate the way it wants against a guerrilla force. I mentioned the obligations international humanitarian law, through Geneva Conventions, places on armies.

Read the book, I told the skeptics. “If you don’t believe me, and if you don’t want to buy it, borrow it from a library, but read it first,” I said.

Is it possible to move on? Can there be closure? Taimur asked me. And I recounted what the Bangladeshi researcher and academic Meghna Guhathakurta had told me, and that story became part of my book. Her father, Professor Jyotirmoy Guhathakurta, was one of the first intellectuals killed by the Pakistani army on March 25, 1971. She said it is easy to ask the victim if she is willing to forgive and move on. But before she can forgive, there has to be someone expressing remorse. And where is the remorse? And what would remorse look like? If Berlin can have a Holocaust Museum, can Islamabad have one?

At this, there was applause, louder than I have heard anytime when I’ve spoken. It was long and thunderous; it still reverberates in my ears. It was a powerful sentiment, and it possibly made many people uncomfortable, but it needed to be said. And I was merely the messenger; the voice came from the survivors of 1971.

Later that afternoon, many Pakistanis came to me and asked me how I could stay so calm when challenged. I said I believed in the power of the stories I had heard, which I believed, and which I had told in the book. And I wasn’t taking it personally, just as I was not accusing anyone personally in the audience.

If what you are saying is the truth, then you are never alone, as Mohandas Gandhi had taught us in India, I said.

Many bought my book and got me to sign their copies. Several came and took photographs with me. Some exchanged

email addresses, a few have written and I’ve written back. Most of them were young.

They had grown up on histories written by the Establishment. They were discovering parts of the past kept hidden from them.

They found those stories understandably uncomfortable.

Mofidul Hoque of Dhaka’s Liberation War Museum once told me the story of a young Pakistani woman who visited the museum and made a video, addressed to her parents’ generation, where she says: Tumne chhupa ke rakha/ Meri kaum ne chhupa ke rakha/ Hamne chhupa ke rakha (You kept it hidden/ My community kept it hidden/ I kept it hidden).

In Kamila Shamsie’s 2002 novel, Kartography, Maheen tells Raheen: “The truths we conceal don’t disappear, Raheen, they appear in different forms.”

Pakistan needs such conversations.

February 21 is now recognised as the International Mother Language Day. The day after in Lahore, I read in local newspapers that young students in Sahiwal, a town 170km from Lahore, had danced and performed folk songs, celebrating the International Mother Language Day. At the Lahore Literary Festival itself, there were conversations not only in English and Urdu, but also in Seraiki and Punjabi.

Somewhere beyond that auditorium, in spite of that heckler, and in spite of understandable skepticism among some in that audience, a simple message was getting across -- that people have the right to speak and express themselves in the language of their choice, and which comes naturally to them. And, as Romila Thapar had reminded us while opening the festival, history is a dialogue between the present and an assumed past, and therefore we should all question our histories. l Salil Tripathi is a London-based Indian journalist and writer, currently serving as contributing editor for The Caravan and Mint. His latest book is The Colonel Who Would Not Repent: The Bangladesh War and Its Unequal Legacy (2014).

16

Iran sees oil prices below $60 until 2016

17

For the ‘unbanked’, mobile money still has some way to go

19

Stocks keep plummeting as political unrest continues

20

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Business

15

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

Is it the beautiful game or just the money?

Planning Ministry wants Tk4,000cr more than proposed RADP n Asif Showkat Kallol Ministry of Planning wants Tk4,000 crore more than the Finance Division’s proposal of revised annual development programme for the current fiscal year.

Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal made the demand at a meeting with Finance Division last week.

The ADP has been proposed to revise down to Tk72,000 crore from Tk80,315 crore now.

The Division has taken the step of slashing the ADP outlay as the prolonged political unrest hit the revenue collection, officials concerned said.

They said it might not be possible to provide more than the proposed RADP as the political crisis continued.

If the amount is raised, extra borrowing from banks would be required, the officials added, which would eventually led to more payments as interest.

Then the interest payment would increase to to Tk35,000 crore from the existing Tk31,043 crore, they claimed.

“More than half of the ADP amount will be used to pay interest,” an official said.

Planning minister will place a proposal regarding the RADP at a meeting of the National Economic Council on Tuesday.

Mustafa Kamal recently claimed different ministries and government agencies implemented 32% of the ADP in the first seven months of the current fiscal year even in the political unrest though it was 33% last fiscal.

The ADP implementation progress was calculated including the expenditure made by the corporations and autonomous bodies under self-financed projects.

A Planning Commission member also thinks the transport blockade and hartals have cast no negative impact on the ADP works.

He denounced the finance division’s claim of fund shortage for the ADP due to the unrest.

“There has been no negative impact of the political unrest on the ADP works. There could also be no fund shortage,” Shamsul Alam, a Commission member, told Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

He said their RADP proposal was prepared as per the demand of the ministries and divisions.

Earlier, the government allocated a total of Tk80,315 crore, which is considered as actual ADP size, to the 55 ministries and divisions to implement 1,287 development projects under the ADP. l

Speakers at a discussion on the present situation of social safety net programmes in the country, held in the capital yesterday

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Most social safety schemes overlap n Abu Bakar Siddique

Highlights

The governments’ social safety net programmes often fail to support the beneficiaries effectively due to lack of coordination among the serving agencies and misuse of the benefits.

Currently there are 99 ongoing programmes in the country carried out by 19 ministries. But most of the schemes overlap in selecting the beneficiaries, speakers said at a discussion on the current status of the social safety net programmes held yesterday in the city’s Karwan Bazar.

For 2014-15 fiscal year, the government has allocated Tk25,371.35 crore for its safety net programmes – around 11.5% of the total budget. The schemes include food for work, vulnerable group feeding, vulnerable group development, test relief and open market sale aiming at improving the poor people’s living status.

Around 15.7m out of some 38.5m poor people in Bangladesh are extreme poor, which is 10.64% of the total population, according to

Real beneficiaries often miss the benefits Beneficiaries do not receive the allocated amount Political influence plays role in picking beneficiaries Lack of monitoring Lack of coordination among the providers the General Economic Division of the Planning Ministry.

The discussion was jointly disorganised by the Wave Foundation and the Governance Coalition at the Daily Star auditorium.

The speakers suggested that the government form a separate ministry or platform to coordinate all the programmes to avoid overlapping so that more people can be brought under the safety net umbrella.

“It will help the government to avoid overlapping and make the programmes fruitful, Mohsin Ali, convenor of the Governance Coalition, said.

The professionals also suggested that the government to establish a database of the

Floods eat up $5.4bn of GDP n UNB Bangladesh’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at US$5.4bn is exposed on average each year due to river flooding and it will be on the rise in coming years, according to a new analysis of the USbased World Resources Institute (WRI).

It ranked 164 countries by the number of people affected by river flood-

ing and found that the top 15 countries account for nearly 80% of the total population affected every year.

Bangladesh is a distant second losing 4.75% of the country’s total GDP. Climate change expert Dr Atiq Rahman said the intensity of flooding will increase in Bangladesh in the coming years due to climate change and flood will hit more people hard here. l

beneficiaries to find out the actual number of poor people.

Many beneficiaries allege that the government agencies prioritise the names put forward by ruling party men while selecting the beneficiaries. Mohsin said the database would help selecting the people who really need supports. “It will also cut misuse,” he added.

Kaniz Fatema, coordinator of the Campaign for Food for All, said distribution of food items including rice and wheat needed to be replaced by cash through bank accounts since the beneficiaries in most cases allege that they are not given the exact amount of food items fixed by the government.

The discussants also urged the government to form a comprehensive policy for the social safety net programmes to make the initiatives effective. They also spoke for the need of formulating Food Rights Act. PKSF Chairman Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad and Planning Commission Member Shamsul Alam also spoke at the programme among others. l

DT

16 BUSINESS

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

At long last, Dow gets a taste for Apple n Reuters, New York

A man inserts a fuel smart card to start a pump at a petrol station in northwestern Tehran

Iran sees oil prices below $60 until 2016 n Reuters, Ankara Iran said oil prices would not rise above $60 a barrel until 2016, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported on Friday. It added that Iran would increase crude exports if Western sanctions over its nuclear program were lifted, “We’re not expecting oil prices to go over $60 until 2016. What will happen after that is not clear,” Mehr quoted National Iranian Oil Co’s head of international affairs, Mohsen Ghamsari, as saying.

“When sanctions are lifted, it is our natural and legal right to increase our oil sales in an

effort to raise market share.”

U.S. and EU sanctions that came into force in 2012 prohibit the import, purchase and transport of Iranian petroleum products.

World powers are in talks with Iran to try to persuade Tehran to curb its nuclear program in exchange for relief from the sanctions that have crippled the major oil exporter’s economy.

“Sanctions have not been imposed on Iran’s oil sales but rather on purchases of Iran’s oil, and we have been selling oil to a limited number of countries,” Ghamsari said.

Five countries - China, India, Japan, South Korea and Turkey - still buy Iranian oil. But

REUTERS

they are taking just 1-1.2 million barrels a day, about half what Iran shifted before the introduction of sanctions, when more than a dozen countries were buyers.

“By selling more crude we are aiming to secure Iran’s position in the oil market and to increase our share in the market,” he said.

Brent crude oil rose to around $61 a barrel on Friday as fighting in Libya and Iraq stoked output worries, while traders kept a close eye on Iran nuclear talks that could eventually bring more supply to world markets.

Brent was up 60 cents a barrel at $61.08. US light crude was up 30 cents at $51.06 a barrel. l

Apple Inc, the largest US company by market value, will join the storied Dow Jones industrial average, replacing AT&T Inc, in a change that reflects the dominant position of the iPhone maker in the US economy and society.

The decision to nudge aside AT&T, which has been part of the Dow for the better part of a century, is a recognition of the way in which communications and technology have evolved over the last several decades.

“This is a sign of the times, and it might get everyone to look at the Dow more than they have been,” said Richard Sichel, who oversees $2bn as chief investment officer at Philadelphia Trust Co. “It would be difficult to pick any 30 companies that would cover the entire economy, especially compared with the S&P 500, but it does give the Dow more credibility.”

The action, by S&P Dow Jones Indices, had been widely expected since Apple split its shares seven-for-one in June 2014.

After the split, many investors felt it was only a matter of time before the iPad maker would be added to the 30-stock average, since its high stock price had previously made it unsuitable for the price-weighted index.

The Dow industrials is the oldest US stock average, first been published in 1896. Its compact size - just 30 names - and its mission to reflect the US economy mean it has a familiarity for retail investors that other indexes that cover a greater portion of the market’s value do not.

Even though professional managers generally benchmark against the S&P 500, additions and removals from the Dow are still seen as a big event. It was last altered in September 2013 when Goldman Sachs Group Inc, Visa Inc and Nike Inc were added.

Apple, which has a market capitalization of $736bn, did not respond to requests for comment.

AT&T declined to comment on its removal from the average. The company, which has a market value of $176.5bn, has spent most of the last 100 years in the Dow. Its deletion from the index leaves Verizon as the sole telecommunications company in the average.

AT&T was added in 1916, the year after the first-ever transcontinental telephone call. It was removed in 2004. After SBC Communications renamed itself AT&T following a 2005 merger, it was reinstated. l

NEWS IN BRIEF Russian inflation hits 16.7% in fastest spike in over a decade Russian inflation reached 16.7% in February as lower oil prices and Western sanctions over Ukraine caused the biggest jump in prices over one year since 2002, the state statistics service said Thursday. Prices rose a further 2.2% in February after leaping 3.9% in January - a rate unseen in 16 years - as the economy remains fragile after the ruble at the end of last year lost half its value against the dollar. The most dramatic rise was in food prices, soaring 23.3% over the past year and 3.3% in February alone. This increase resulted from Moscow’s ban on European Union and US food imports in retaliation for sanctions slapped on Russia over its backing of rebels in eastern Ukraine. Basic vegetables consumed regularly in

Russian households were among the worst-affected with onions, carrots and beetroot increasing by around 10 percent each in February. The economy ministry is expecting inflation to peak at 17% by April, while the annual rate for 2015 has been forecast at 12.2%. Russia’s inflation was estimated at 11.4% in 2014, the highest level since the financial crisis of 2008, after coming in at 6.5% in 2013.

– AFP, Moscow

Oil prices up in Asian trade Oil prices rose in Asia on Friday as dealers focused on increasing tensions in the Middle East and Ukraine, while shrugging off concerns about surging US stockpiles, analysts said. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate added 20 cents to $50.96 while Brent gained 38 cents to $60.86

in afternoon trade. “We are seeing a constructive market at the moment with traders seeing a lot of upside potential, possibly based on tensions in the Middle East and Ukraine,” Michael McCarthy, chief market strategist at CMC Markets in Sydney, told AFP. “Somehow, we are seeing investors looking away from the huge build in US inventories this week,” he added. Libya’s National Oil Co declared force majeure Wednesday at 11 oil fields after attacks by Islamists. The OPEC member has been battling the rise of militias seeking control of its cities and oil wealth since the killing of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011. – AFP, Singapore

German industrial output sees surprise uptick in January German industrial production grew more than

expected in January while the figure for December was corrected sharply upward, data showed on Friday. According to regular data compiled by the economy ministry, factory output increased 1% in December corrected for seasonal factors, far higher than the 0.1% announced initially. In January, the figure climbed 0.6% compared to the previous month, better than the 0.4% consensus forecast published by financial services firm FactSet. Analyst Carsten Brzeski at ING-Diba bank noted that it was the first time since early 2011 that manufacturing output in Europe’s top economy rose for five months in a row. But he said the German economy was “living in two worlds”, one in which “consumption is strong and the construction sector is flourishing and on the other side the traditional industrial backbone which is struggling to gain real momentum”. On Thursday, – AFP, Berlin

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BUSINESS 17

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

REUTERS POLL

Rupee to depreciate marginally, yuan to rise a little n Reuters

A customer conducts a mobile money transfer, known as M-Pesa, inside the Safaricom mobile phone care centre in the central business district of Kenya’s capital Nairobi REUTERS

For the ‘unbanked’, mobile money still has some way to go n Reuters Globally, an estimated 2.5 billion people don’t have a bank account, but many own a cellphone, fuelling a race to turn these phones into bank books for the ‘unbanked’ to store cash, manage their accounts, make purchases and send and receive money - part of socalled ‘financial inclusion’.

In a report this week, the GSMA, the association of mobile phone companies, said mobile money “has been growing at a dizzying rate.” The Boston Consulting Group said last month mobile money transfers in sub-Saharan Africa alone could generate fees of up to $1.5bn by 2019.

However, consultants and others working at banks, government agencies and even the phone companies note that, while many people have mobile money accounts – usually with the phone companies - few are actively used.

While money flows through these networks, nearly two thirds of the volume comes from users merely topping up prepaid mobile accounts in transactions averaging less than a dollar.

“If you take out air-time, you have a true view of mobile money, and it’s not a good story, more than a decade on,” says South Africa-based Johan de Lange, who works with banks and phone companies.

And, when people do make remittances, those receiving the money tend to cash it in, taking the money out of the system and limiting the potential for mobile money to become a medium of exchange – a mobile wallet for buying things or to provide banking services over mobile networks.

A GSMA spokesperson said air-time topups were decreasing as a proportion of overall

transactions, and domestic money transfers via mobile were cheaper or safer than other options, and so were “a key piece of the financial inclusion story.”

Police pay

use of mobile money, indeed, is spreading and there are success stories, but these are few relative to the number of projects, and consultants and others question just how successful they are.

In Afghanistan, for example, much has been made of a service to send police salaries direct to their cellphones via a code they present to an agent or bank for cash. This has reduced corruption, where police pay was often halved as it made its way through the bureaucratic chain.

But the service last year reached less than 1% of the police force, and cost the Law and Order Trust Fund For Afghanistan more than $10 per transaction - much of which goes to Roshan, the phone company which runs the service with Vodafone. The fund said last year it was exploring cheaper options.

The poster child for telco-driven mobile money services is M-Pesa, set up by Vodafone and run by Kenya’s Safaricom Ltd. Mobile money accounts for more than a fifth of its 145 billion shillings ($1.59bn) annual revenue.

Daniel Maison, a consultant in Kenya, uses M-Pesa to buy petrol, pay restaurant bills or shop at the supermarket. “It’s a part of our lives. We wonder what we did without it. I don’t need to physically have cash. The beauty is you can even have a savings account on your mobile phone,” he told Reuters.

But some note the M-Pesa service owed much of its take-off to the electoral violence

in 2007-08 that displaced many Kenyans and made it hard for others to travel. Sending money by phone was the next best thing.

Consultants also say the company’s figures hide the fact that mobile money transactions involve sending notifications via short service message (SMS), a cost the operator effectively subsidizes.

“If everyone had to pay for these messages, I wonder how many (telco) ‘rock stars’ there would be,” said Malcolm Vernon, a London-based mobile money consultant who works in Africa, Asia and Europe.

Taking wing

this is not to say that mobile money has no future in emerging markets.

After six years, Wing in Cambodia made a modest profit last year with fewer than 50,000 active accounts, many of them held by farmers and shopkeepers paying their suppliers remotely.

Anthony Perkins, CEO of Wing, once part of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, says the secret is to think more like a bank than a phone company, such as nurturing a network of agents who can receive and dispense cash. Some of these ‘human ATMs’ can earn eight times the average national income.

“Running an agent network is really no different than running a branch network,” Perkins said.

He and others say that while phone companies, with their reach and flexibility, are good tools for rolling out networks, they aren’t necessarily the best to move mobile money beyond simple transactions into becoming a nationwide, or international, digital money system. l

The Chinese yuan will likely rise only slightly over the coming year as broad dollar strength, the threat of deflation and weak economic growth raises the chance of further stimulus from the central bank, a Reuters poll showed.

The poll also showed the Indian rupee is expected to depreciate marginally in the next twelve months, tracking the strong dollar.

The dollar has had an almost unbroken rally since June as strong growth in the world’s top economy raised hopes the Federal Reserve will hike rates around the middle of this year - the only major central bank seen tightening its policy at a time when others have either cut interest rates or added stimulus.

The People’s Bank of China cut its lending rate last week, the second such move since November, in an acknowledgement of the risks that weak demand and a housing slump pose to the economy.

Further easing is expected in coming quarters.

Premier Li Keqiang announced a growth target of around 7 percent for this year at the country’s annual parliamentary meeting on Thursday, the weakest pace of expansion in generations and a shadow of the double-digit growth rates China is accustomed to.

The poll of 25 currency strategists this week showed the yuan will appreciate slightly to 6.24 in three months, 6.22 in six months and 6.19 in a year. On Friday it was around 6.26.

“Inflation will remain pretty low for China and probably the threat of deflation will require the PBoC to ease”, said Nizam Idris, head of FX strategy at Macquarie Group. The yuan has lost over 2% since the PBoC started cutting interest rates in November. Inflation has also steadily cooled in China to just 0.8% annual rate last month owing to a steep drop in the price of crude oil, nearly 50% since June, and commodities.

Producer prices at Chinese factories have now been falling for nearly three years.

A separate poll of currency analysts on Thursday showed short positions on the yuan hit a near five-year high in the last two weeks.

That poll also showed long positions on the Indian rupee were near a two-month high, although the latest survey found the currency is seen remaining around current levels of 62.15 for most of 2015, before weakening slightly to 63.50 a dollar in 12 months.

Rupee outlook Expectations of economic reforms that could attract investors and lower India’s current account deficit will likely aid sentiment in Asia’s third-largest economy, especially after New Delhi announced a budget last week that focused on keeping a lid on borrowings while increasing spending on infrastructure.

The Reserve Bank of India has embarked on a policy easing cycle, slashing the repo rate twice this year as inflation subsides. Consumer prices rose 5.11% in January, a steep decline from the double-digit inflation just over a year back.

“The RBI may be more tolerant of currency appreciation going forward because of some probable upside trajectory in consumer prices,” said Idris. India’s central bank and government overhauled the country’s monetary policy this week by introducing an inflation target ceiling of 6% in two years time. l

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18 BUSINESS

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

News, analysis and recent disclosures PRIMEBANK: The Board of Directors has recommended 15% cash dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

Date of AGM: 30.03.2015, Time: 11:00 AM. Venue: KIB Complex, Krishi Khamar Sarak, Farmgate, Dhaka-1215.

Record Date: 10.03.2015. The Company has also reported consolidated weighted EPS of Tk. 2.18, consolidated NAV per share of Tk. 23.88 and consolidated NOCFPS of Tk. 2.25 for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

PUBALIBANK: The Board of Directors has recommended 10% cash dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

Date of AGM: 31.03.2015, Time: 9:00 AM, Venue: PSC Convention Hall, Police Staff College, Mirpur-14, Dhaka. Record Date: 10.03.2015. The Company has also reported consolidated EPS of Tk. 3.54, consolidated NAV per share of Tk. 25.14 and consolidated NOCFPS of Tk. 3.28 for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

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

HEIDELBCEM: The Board of Directors has recommended

380% cash dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014. Date of AGM: 15.04.2015, Time: 11:00 AM, Venue: Factory Premises, Tarabow, Rupgonj, Narayangonj. Record Date: 12.03.2015. The Company has also reported net profit after tax of Tk. 1,179.56 m., EPS of Tk. 20.88, NAV per share of Tk. 115.46 and NOCFPS of Tk. 29.99 for the year ended on 31.12.2014 as against Tk. 1,474.08 m., Tk. 26.09, Tk. 132.58 and Tk. 40.16 respectively for the year ended on 31.12.2013.SINOBANGLA: The Board of Directors has recommended 10% cash dividend for the year ended on October 31, 2014. Date of AGM: 21.05.2015, Time: 11:00 AM, Venue: Factory premises, Boro Baluakandi, Gazaria, Munshiganj (subject to approval of BSEC). Record Date: 19.03.2015. The Company has also reported EPS of Tk. 1.27, NAV per share of Tk. 24.34 and NOCFPS of Tk. 6.32 for the year ended on October 31, 2014.

BANKASIA: The Board of Directors has recommended 5% cash dividend and 10% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

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

Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

Closing (% change)

Company Shahjibazar Power-N PragatiLife Insu. -Z Social Islami. B-A Mithun Knitting -A Progressive Life-A Sinobangla Indu.-A Zeal Bangla Sugar -Z Al-Haj Textile -A Ifad Autos -N FAR Chemical-N

20.40 15.69 12.77 9.63 9.04 8.61 8.22 8.13 6.85 6.13

CSE GAINER Closing (% change)

Company Shahjibazar Power-N Social Islami. B-A PragatiLife Insu. -Z Apex Tannery -A Mithun Knitting -A 8th ICB M F-A Sinobangla Indu.-A Samata LeatheR -Z Ifad Autos -N National Polymer -A

31.79 13.67 9.95 9.91 9.08 7.69 7.35 7.32 6.86 6.35

DSE LOSER Company UCBL - A Prime Insur -A GreenDeltaInsu -A Modern Dyeing -Z LankaBangla Fin. -A Imam Button -Z SonarBangla Insu. -A AB Bank - A Phoenix Finance-A Maksons Spinning-A

Closing (% change) -24.92 -16.93 -16.85 -16.58 -15.75 -12.80 -12.43 -10.67 -10.00 -9.32

CSE LOSER Company UCBL - A LankaBangla Fin. -A Dutch Ban. Bnk- A Northern G Insur-A Imam Button -Z Hakkani P& Paper -B GreenDeltaInsu -A Sonargaon Tex -Z Dhaka Ins. Ltd.-A Bangladesh Lamps -A

Closing (% change) -25.25 -16.54 -14.14 -11.42 -11.29 -10.94 -10.71 -9.91 -9.84 -9.67

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY

DSE key features March 01-05, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka)

DSE GAINER

Sector

13,436.42 318,577,218 410,546

Traded Issues

319

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

58

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

225

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

6

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,528.34

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

30.65

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 1932.04 638.26 122.82 1586.90 543.14 1832.26 23.71 1558.90 1465.46 33.08 613.97 76.53 106.97 969.81 288.90 80.68 241.09 741.97 123.07 451.48 5.40

% change 14.38 4.75 0.91 11.81 4.04 13.64 0.18 11.60 10.91 0.25 4.57 0.57 0.80 7.22 2.15 0.60 1.79 5.52 0.92 3.36 0.04

Million Taka 193.69 37.70 8.27 263.00 35.40 157.06 0.00 170.45 115.65 4.05 42.49 2.74 6.49 111.91 25.22 3.94 14.03 109.26 22.27 93.57 0.08

Average (% change) 22.86 15.85 12.80 9.44 6.64 8.55 (1.25) 8.61 5.17 5.76

Average (% change) 27.18 13.68 9.95 9.96 8.90 13.05 6.81 7.32 5.04 6.65

Average (% change) -24.20 -17.34 -16.94 -19.50 -16.70 -12.82 -12.99 -9.22 -7.41 -8.89

Average (% change) -24.15 -16.45 -11.24 -11.61 -10.78 -10.09 -10.89 -10.07 -8.81 -9.69

CSE

Closing average 225.20 114.37 15.95 84.59 74.65 26.41 7.90 103.08 54.13 27.72

Closing average 225.43 15.87 106.10 135.32 85.03 70.00 26.20 22.00 54.00 78.74

Closing average 23.12 15.68 59.20 80.50 33.37 10.95 15.40 27.19 23.98 10.76

Closing average

% change 13.67 2.66 0.58 18.56 2.50 11.08 0.00 12.03 8.16 0.29 3.00 0.19 0.46 7.90 1.78 0.28 0.99 7.71 1.57 6.60 0.01

23.05 33.38 85.01 22.45 11.01 22.81 62.45 10.00 22.05 108.35

Weekly closing 227.20 114.30 15.90 85.40 74.80 26.50 7.90 102.40 54.60 27.70

Weekly closing 228.00 15.80 106.10 135.30 85.30 70.00 26.30 22.00 54.50 78.70

Weekly closing

Weekly high 229.40 117.00 16.20 85.70 75.00 26.70 7.90 106.90 55.60 28.30

Weekly high

22.80 33.30 85.00 22.50 11.00 22.80 62.50 10.00 22.00 108.40

Million Taka 2125.73 675.96 131.08 1849.90 578.55 1989.33 23.71 1729.35 1581.10 37.13 656.46 79.27 113.47 1081.72 314.13 84.61 255.11 851.22 145.34 545.05 5.48

190.00 97.30 14.80 79.60 68.30 23.60 7.20 96.10 50.10 23.30

Weekly low

231.00 16.00 106.10 135.70 87.30 70.00 26.80 22.00 55.80 78.90

Weekly high

22.90 15.70 59.20 80.50 33.70 10.90 15.50 26.80 23.40 10.70

Weekly closing

Weekly low

192.20 14.40 106.10 123.50 80.00 69.10 23.80 22.00 50.20 70.50

Weekly low

31.00 19.00 65.90 88.90 40.10 12.20 19.00 29.90 25.80 11.50

Weekly high

22.70 15.60 58.40 80.00 33.00 10.70 15.00 26.70 23.20 10.60

Weekly low

31.00 40.10 100.00 23.40 12.20 24.30 64.00 11.00 22.30 116.30

Total

22.50 33.10 85.00 22.30 11.00 22.00 62.00 10.00 22.00 108.10

% change 14.31 4.55 0.88 12.45 3.89 13.39 0.16 11.64 10.64 0.25 4.42 0.53 0.76 7.28 2.11 0.57 1.72 5.73 0.98 3.67 0.04

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

687.859 10.589 497.905 199.094 0.289 34.190 0.059 138.613 264.999 86.813

Turnover in million

8.68 2.38 2.74 3.42 2.30 1.27 -46.80 0.98 1.92 2.76

Latest EPS

71.491 20.584 0.010 1.100 7.777 0.024 4.271 0.000 27.577 6.727

Turnover in million

8.68 2.74 2.38 3.38 3.42 9.10 1.27 -0.46 1.92 3.30

Latest EPS

188.300 11.389 2.449 0.112 58.267 0.662 1.993 108.791 8.400 33.721

Turnover in million

3.66 2.41 2.96 -0.50 1.84 -1.48 1.77 4.13 2.65 0.40

Latest EPS

32.530 6.565 0.281 0.026 0.476 0.082 0.100 0.138 0.165 0.211

3.66 1.84 11.03 2.77 -1.48 0.42 2.96 -0.84 2.44 1.13

Latest PE 25.9 48.1 5.8 24.7 32.5 20.8 -ve 105.2 28.2 10.0

Latest PE 26.0 5.8 44.6 40.0 24.9 7.7 20.6 -ve 28.1 23.9

Latest PE 6.3 6.5 20.0 -ve 18.1 -ve 8.7 6.6 9.0 26.9

Latest PE 6.3 18.1 7.7 8.1 -ve 54.3 21.1 -ve 9.0 95.9

CSE key features March 01-05, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

1,417.27 39,003,588 69,736

Traded Issues

268

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

52

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

208

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

8

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,403.81

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

29.14

DT

BUSINESS 19

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

Stocks keep plummeting as political unrest continues n Tribune Report

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Shahjibazar Power-N LafargeS Cement-Z Social Islami. B-A SummitAlliancePort.-A BD Submarine Cable-A Shasha Denims -N HeidelbergCement -A Grameenphone-A MJL BD Ltd.-A Brac Bank -A

Square Pharma -A ACI Limited- A Ifad Autos -N Singer BD -A IDLC Finance -A

Volume shares 3,254,344 5,202,466 31,265,188 7,247,169 2,922,072 9,176,635 653,798 1,022,393 2,412,394 7,554,129

1,055,726 629,661 4,959,125 1,164,235 3,556,608

CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company BD Submarine Cable-A GPH Ispat Ltd-A Shasha Denims -N LafargeS Cement-Z Shahjibazar Power-N Southeast Bank-A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Singer BD -A WesternMarine -N HeidelbergCement -A

UCBL - A FAR Chemical-N MJL BD Ltd.-A SummitAlliancePort.-A Ifad Autos -N

Volume shares 713,037 2,130,609 2,238,677 658,939 338,530 3,716,400 1,754,158 183,620 860,755 62,172

1,112,881 1,275,026 238,299 457,268 518,815

Value in million 687.86 589.22 497.91 463.06 402.46 358.63 347.61 339.51 298.23 277.85

275.52 268.17 265.00 257.75 251.52

Value in million 98.22 90.11 87.44 74.38 71.49 67.61 56.38 40.43 36.73 32.81

32.53 30.43 29.59 29.22 27.58

% of total turnover 5.12 4.39 3.71 3.45 3.00 2.67 2.59 2.53 2.22 2.07

2.05 2.00 1.97 1.92 1.87

% of total turnover 6.93 6.36 6.17 5.25 5.04 4.77 3.98 2.85 2.59 2.32

2.30 2.15 2.09 2.06 1.95

Weekly closing 227.20 116.30 15.90 65.00 134.30 37.10 517.20 328.10 122.50 35.30

258.20 417.90 54.60 219.00 70.20

Weekly closing 134.40 42.10 37.10 116.40 228.00 19.40 31.50 219.20 41.80 516.00

22.80 27.60 122.30 64.90 54.50

Price change 20.40 -0.09 12.77 4.84 -1.83 0.00 2.58 -2.15 -3.69 -8.55

-2.12 -4.15 6.85 -3.40 -6.40

Price change -1.75 -1.86 0.00 0.17 31.79 -2.51 -2.48 -3.44 -5.64 2.10

-25.25 6.15 -3.40 3.51 6.86

Weekly opening 188.70 116.40 14.10 62.00 136.80 0.00 504.20 335.30 127.20 38.60

263.80 436.00 51.10 226.70 75.00

Weekly opening 136.80 42.90 0.00 116.20 173.00 19.90 32.30 227.00 44.30 505.40

30.50 26.00 126.60 62.70 51.00

Weekly high 229.40 119.00 16.20 66.70 145.00 50.00 556.00 338.50 129.20 38.80

265.00 445.20 55.60 229.50 75.00

Weekly high 145.00 43.90 45.90 119.90 231.00 20.40 33.40 228.00 44.70 544.00

31.00 28.00 129.00 66.50 55.80

Weekly low 190.00 108.10 14.80 59.20 128.80 36.90 509.30 327.10 120.30 35.00

257.80 412.10 50.10 216.00 67.70

Weekly low 129.20 42.00 36.80 107.00 192.20 18.80 30.90 215.10 41.10 509.30

22.50 23.40 120.20 60.70 50.20

Weekly average 225.20 112.19 15.95 65.36 135.13 39.08 516.74 328.41 122.31 35.92

259.12 419.97 54.13 219.24 70.33

Weekly average 135.40 42.01 39.06 113.34 225.43 19.47 31.72 219.34 41.96 513.28

23.05 27.64 122.39 65.45 54.00

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

4763.21716

(-) 0.52%

1772.41773

(-) 0.31%

14552.9499

(-) 0.63%

12049.6862

(+) 0.22%

8859.0800

(-) 0.42%

▼ ▼ ▼ ▲ ▼

Stocks fell for the third straight weeks, as political strife deepened and investors remained defensive.

Volatility continued throughout the past week while intense selling pressure was seen by the financial stocks.

During the week, the benchmark index DSEX went below the psychological threshold of 4,700-mark, losing 98 points or 2% to settle at 4,665.

The blue-chip index DS30 down 41 points or 2.4% to 1,731.

The shariah index DSES declined 18 points or 1.7% to 1,112.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Categories Index, CSCX, dropped 183 points or 2% to 8,671.

Jittery investors showed reluctance in taking position afresh on stocks, pushing trading activity to decline further. The week’s daily average turnover at the Dhaka Stock Exchange stood at Tk268 crore, sharply down 11% over the previous week.

The poor trading activity was dominated by three sectors—banks, power and engineering –which together made up around 40% of the week’s total turnover ahead of their corporate declarations.

In the past week, only cement sector survived marginally from the selling pressure, which saw fractional rise.

Non-banking financial institutions took the hardest hit falling 3.6%, followed by banks 2.5%, pharmaceuticals and telecommunication 2%, food and allied 1.9% and power 0.3%.

LankaBangla Securities said uncertainty in the political front took a new turn over speculation about the probable arrest of the opposition leader last week which made the investors shaky.

“Good corporate declaration from companies for the last calendar could not bring back confidence among investors in the market.” l

ANALYST

Uncertainty in the political front took a new turn over speculation about the probable arrest of the opposition leader last week which made the investors shaky

DT

20 BUSINESS

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

MEANINGFUL DIGITAL MARKETING

Lessons from Michael Leander’s Digital Marketing Masterclass n Tasnuva Amin Nova

Is it the beautiful game or just the money? n Sazzad Hossain and Ahraf Zahir The 2007 world cup was not a successful world cup by any means. The tournament dragged on for close to two months, a lot of unnecessary matches were played and in the end, Australia quite easily ran away with the trophy. However, the shock factor wasn’t the format or the lack of competition; it was India getting knocked out in the group stages thanks to an emphatic victory by Bangladesh.

India was and is the golden goose of advertisement when it comes to cricket. With more than 1 billion viewers who watch or play the game, the advertisers understand the importance of India as a source of revenue.

Hence, this World Cup format was revamped to ensure the big guns, mainly Australia, England and India get to stay for a longer period in the World Cup, at least up until the quarter finals, thus attracting higher advertising revenue. Although this raises issue of fair play towards the teams in the lower end of the spectrum, the power money and influence overwhelms the need for fair play and competitiveness.

Media and Sponsorship Rights: Play it in Millions and Billions

ESPN-STAR brought the broadcasting rights for nearly $2 billion to predominantly broadcast in the subcontinent, which comprises of majority of the cricket watching nation.

The opening match of Pool B between India and Pakistan had 1 billion people tuning into their television sets, and hence the prospect of earning is significant. ICC expects a revenue generation of close to $200 million, bulk of which will come from sponsorship and TV rights.

The earnings from sponsors are shared with member countries of ICC. The giants of the game – BCCI, CA and ECB get the lion’s share of any revenue generated by ICC from major events. The income gap has become more prominent in recent years since BCCI

contributes up to 75% of ICC’s expenses and also generates up to 60-70% revenue of ICC alone. The commercial pull that India and BCCI have also justifies the revamping of the format of the World Cup to keep the Big Three in the tournament for as long as possible.

This World Cup is co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand across 14 venues. Therefore, in order to make travelling easier, both countries have ensured a streamlined visa processing service which will ensure more tourists from different countries fetching about a profit of $200 million, according to several press reports. Interestingly, it is substantially low from the profit of $320 million earned during the 2011 edition hosted in this part of the world this area makes up almost two third of the cricket viewing population in the world.

Impact on the Trans-Tasman Economy

New Zealand expects 400,000 tickets to be sold with 30,000 visitors coming in, mostly from India and England. For a small country like New Zealand, the exposure that they will get from constant advertising will have a far reaching financial windfall. Interestingly though, New Zealand Tourism Industry Association chief executive Chris Roberts believes that it’s the Chinese new Year and not the Cricket World Cup that will bring in more travelers to New Zealand. The overall impact on the hotel business of New Zealand will be positive with close to 100% occupancy rate during the World Cup. With an average room revenue of $109, it is sure to have a positive impact on the New Zealand economy. As for Australia, conservative estimate is that close to 50,000 people will arrive for the Cricket world cup. Major Australian cities are experiencing an average of 7% growth in occupancy rates. ICC estimates ticket sales to be cross the 1 million mark, which will boost up Cricket Australia’s earning to close to 300 million AUD.

Cricket: A Form of Sports or a Lucrative Profession?

ICC has declared winning prize money of $4 million, an increase of 20% from the 2011 edition. The breakdown of prize money is given in the table below: This table shows that even if a team loses every single match in the group stages, they will still earn $35,000, meaning, even if Bangladesh fails to win a single group stage match, each of the players including the standby players will earn not less than BDT 150,000 – an amount equal to monthly salary of a mid-level multi-national corporate professional here in Bangladesh. Besides, there are other scopes of earning related to bonus, performance bonus and various other bonuses.

As for the winning team, if they go on to win every single match en route to winning the cup, will end up earning $4,020,000.

So, students can seriously consider the cricketing career as a profession as there are national and international tournaments and bi/tri-lateral series other than the world cup. And, obviously there are the T-20 tournaments like BPL, IPL and Big Bash where cricketers can earn money as much as NBA players do in the US.

World Cup: The Bangladeshi Dream

So how will the world cup affect the tigers, in terms of finance? In terms of earnings, by conservative estimate, Bangladesh has the potential to earn $125,000, if they manage to beat the associate teams and end up losing to the other 4 teams. There is cautious optimism regarding Bangladesh being able to reach the Quarters, which would need the Tigers to beat the two associate nations and one of Sri Lanka or England.

If the Tigers can go through to the Quarters and lose, they’ll end up with a pot of $435,000. And obviously, there are 160 million people here in Bangladesh praying for the tigers, what other motivation can be bigger than this?

Sazzad Hossain is Assistant Vice President and Ahraf Zahir is Junior Associate at LightCastle Partners

Marketing guru Michael Leander offered a Digital Marketing Masterclass last week, which was attended by 95 local professionals from various industries.

With 20 years of vast experience in digital marketing, Leander is a veteran of multi-channel marketing from Denmark. He has delivered talks and training on marketing in more than 40 countries.

Bangladesh Brand Forum organised the two-day certified course from February 28 to March 1 at Spectra Convention Centre in the city. The Dhaka Tribune was media partner of the event.

“Marketing is all about creating meaning,” Shariful Islam, founder of Bangladesh Brand Forum, told to the marketing professionals.

“In this digital age, story-telling is more important than ever to make marketing more meaningful.”

Echoing with Sharif’s remark on marketing, Leander also emphasised on the role of quality copy-writing in making story-telling powerful.

“No graphic can even make an impression as strong as written words,” he said.

“Educate yourself constantly to learn more about marketing,” said Leander while delivering his opening speech.

“Repetition is the mother of success.”

The first day of the training started with Leander, who warmed up his audience. Leander’s captivating presentation skills helped build an instant rapport with the local audience.

“Human emotion is same everywhere,” said Leander.

Most of his lessons stressed on the importance of connecting with the the specific targeted group on personal levels.

Sharing his experience Leander said: “Personalisation of marketing communication ensures higher return on marketing investment.’’

An interactive segment of the masterclass enabled participants to get their website reviewed by Michael Leander.

Leander has a five-minute review model to evaluate any website. He measures what most people recollect after seeing the web-page for the first eight seconds, then analyses: how noticeable the elements of conversion are, how fast the site loads and how quickly it triggers action.

As a good number of audience was keen to get their company websites reviewed, it clearly demonstrated as the most popular segment of the entire training session.

Apart from that, Leander’s lessons were focused on developing contextual content for digital marketing, search engine optimisation techniques, using Google analytics to increase website traffic and different models to engage customers to increase conversion rates.

An important part of Leander’s lecture was to put emphasis on converting site visitors into actual customers.

He discussed how to use website analytics to measure successful customer conversion rates.

In addition, he also stressed the importance of developing personalised interactions with customers to sustain the current customer base. l

DT

21

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

T-JUNCTION

We can do it!

Photo: Sabiha Akond Rupa Model: Nazia Hassan

Stylin’ Sundays Start your week off in style with T-Junction’s Stylin’ Sundays.

Catch up with the movers and shakers in the fashion industry, check out the hottest new trends, and take advantage of our fashion-forward wardrobe and styling tutorials.

Nothing to wear? No problem.

We’ll have you looking your best in no time.

INSIDE

15 questions

Strawberry Sundae

Aneela Haque dishes out on her passion projects, her inspirations, and keys to her signature fusion style.

A lot of the hottest spring looks this year are inspired by your favourite desserts. Take a page from the runway books and put together your own sweet ensemble.

22

Where Women Can Shine

24

in fashion

Here’s your list of this month’s musthaves

DT

22 T-JUNCTION

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

News

Where women can shine n

T-Junction desk

Unilever Bangladesh Limited, the personal care company, has been providing the women of Bangladesh with great products, which helps them feel good, look good and

get more out of life. From Lux to Dove, from Rexona to Vim all Unilever brands are built keeping in mind how it will make life more fulfilling for the consumers. Ever the pioneer, Unilever Bangladesh has also contributed significantly towards leadership

development in the country and more recently in championing workplace gender balance. Since 2009 Unilever Bangladesh has slowly built an organisation where women can shine.

“The business case for gender balance is compelling – Companies that retain a good ratio of men to women in their workforce are more successful than those who don’t. With 75% of our consumers being women, gender balance is even more important for Unilever,” says Mononita Syed-Haq, Human Resources Director at Unilever.

That is why in 2009 Unilever Bangladesh began the change journey, slowly fostering support,for hiring more women managers at every level of the company, from all employees. The company proactively made various changes over the past 5 years so that it can attract and retain more female talent.

“The path ahead is still challenging,” says Mononita, “but with the learnings of the past years and the unwavering determination of every function, Unilever is poised to build itself into the employer of choice for women.” Unilever is determined to not only attract the best female talent but also provide them the platform to achieve their career ambitions without the need to sacrifice their uniqueness as a woman.

The elegance of womanhood celebrated at Westin Dhaka

50% women’s day buffet discount at Dhaka Regency March 8 marks the International Women’s Day, which celebrates the achievements of women in all spheres of life. Westin celebrates the beauty of being a woman, exclusively from 1st to 8th March.

Enjoy set menu @ Prego with chef’s special lamb, prawn and beef. To top that get a spa treatment voucher worth 1500 taka free for each set menu. Come and celebrate Womanhood at The Westin Dhaka.

For reservation please dial: 989.1988 *Terms & conditions apply

In recognition of the international Women’s Day, on March 08, Dhaka Regency invites all the ladies to take a break from busy schedules and pamper themselves and indulge in a little ‘me time’, with a 50% exclusive discount on Buffet Lunch & Dinner at Grandiose Restaurant. To avail the offer, guests are requested to bring at least one adult female member along with them and advance booking should be confirmed at 01713332661.

Lovas’ services on discount Lovas Spa and Beauty Parlor is offering a 30% to 50% discount on the occasion of International Women’s Day. Lovas is also offering a number of new hair, make-up and beauty packages to their clients. For every complete package of hair colour and cut by Lakme Professional hair dresser and experts, a complementary foot massage can be availed free of cost. A fruit facial, manicure, pedicure and threading can all be availed for just Tk1,499 and Skin Lightening Facial, Face and Neck Fair Polish can be availed for Tk1,399.

These offers will be valid for the month of February. Contact details: Block E, Road 19, House 22, Banani and 6/D DIT Road, Rampura. Hotline: 01787199871.

Gratitude to the warrior n Saudia Afrink

The ‘Annual Human Rights Champion Awards Ceremony’ was held on March 5, in Dhaka.

Prof. Dr. Mizanur Rahman, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh, attended as chief guest and presented awards to the Champions.

Champions are selected from targeted unions, upazilas of districts, Barguna, Bogra, Chittagong, Dinajpur, Jessore and Sylhet, for their work tackling issues such as violence against women, child marriage, sexual harassment, dowry and related human rights abuses. Champions are community leaders, Union Parishad chairmen and members, school teachers, government officials, local government officials, civil society leaders and domestic violence survivors. They have been chosen following a competitive selection process initially by local panels at the upazila level and finally by a national panel.

Dr. Abul Hossain, Project Director of MOWCA’s multi-sectoral project on Violence against Women and USAID’s Mission Director in Bangladesh, Janina Jaruzelski spoke at the event. Members of the National Human Rights Advocacy Forum, government officials of different ministries and agencies, leading women rights activists, civil society representatives, and academia also took part in this event.

The Human Rights Champion Awards is issued by the Protecting Human Rights (PHR) Program, supported by USAID and implemented by Plan International Bangladesh in partnership with the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association (BNWLA) and 11 local NGOs in 102 unions of 8 upazilas under 6 districts.

T-JUNCTION 23

15 questions

DT

Trending

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

with Aneela Haque n N Anita Amreen Aneela Haque is the powerhouse designer behind AnDes, a boutique that made waves and was a defining force in Bangladesh’s fashion scene during the late 90’s and well into the past decade. As one of the pioneers behind the evolution of our local fashion industry, what really set her designs apart was the sensational way in which her detail-driven designs meshed cultural motifs from around the world with rural elements. Completing a fine arts degree from Stephens College Missouri, USA, she later attended Parsons School of Design in Paris and went on to explore her passion for graphic design, fashion design as well as mixed media photography. As one of the seven founding members of Bangladesh Fashion Alliance, she also had a hand at organising the first Bangladesh Fashion Week in 2004. As a woman that wears many hats, this black belt in Karate was awarded the Highest achievement award in fashion and commercial art by Bangladesh Mohila Porishod in 2007. Today Aneela Haque stands as the ultimate embodiment of how far sheer talent and creativity can take you.

T-Junction discusses her current projects, her multifaceted journey with creative arts and her favourite fashion secrets.

1. Current projects: Mixed media Fine Arts and photography, a book in progress (no details; it’s a surprise), and continued charity work for underprivileged Bangladeshi children.

Note: Aneela has been involved in charitable work for the past twenty years.

2. Tell us about one project you were most excited about.

Our apartment is in a 100 year old ethnic Bavarian Villa with five neighbours. We did the interior renovation on our own. I did the design and my better half, Michael Schuermann, did all executions. It is a blend of East and West reflecting our various travels, having antiques, artefacts, books, paintings, musical instruments etc., very unlike typical German homes.

Michael and I were looking for opportunities to place Bangladesh in a museum around Munich. We browsed the Buchheim Museum of Bavaria, Munich. The museum director Daniel J Schreiber was fascinated with our apartment’s interiors, our private art collection and my presentation on Bangladeshi rickshaws. We presented our Dhaka rickshaw with Germany and Bangladesh flags as a loan to this esteemed museum. Our initiative was to let people learn about rickshaw art as a representative of beautiful Bangladesh.

The exhibit was well received, with the rickshaw staying an extra day to provide rides around the museum grounds. The project received a lot of positive press, including coverage including a video segment in the German 3sat Channel, featuring actress Marianne Sägebrecht rocking with our “Dhaka Rickshaw” at the Buchheim Museum.

3. If you had one superpower what would it be?

I would stop all kind of wars and killing. I’d bring peace and humanity among everyone along with perseverance and positivity.

Finally, I’d like to be able to seed real patriotism in everyone worldwide and create a better world for children.

4. Three historical figures you’d like to have coffee with?

Tea. With Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore and Vincent Van Gogh.

• My ring • My old wrist watch.

7. What’s the best fashion secret you’ve ever learnt?

Be yourself, dress to kill and don’t be overconfident – be humble. I also believe that it’s best to always ask for others’ opinions regarding your looks. Even when at a store buying clothes, ask the sales executive how it looks because clothing is a “wearable art.”

Everyone has an eye, a way in which they see things differently. Learn from anyone and everyone to get a broader perspective.

Finally, take critiques seriously but not personally.

8. If you had to wear one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?

Khaadi and cotton ethnic attire.

5. According to you what is the best way to decompress?

• Focus on breathing techniques • Drink water • Offer prayers / meditation • Listen to soothing music or even sing if possible • Exercise for better blood circulation (I do Yoga and Martial arts) • Stay away from negative people.

9. One question you’d wish people would ask you more often?

Nothing really. Yet there are a few common questions that are thrown my way when I meet people. Comments such as “Oh you have gained or lost so much weight !” or “Of you’re looking dark or fair!” People are often very judgemental without realising how it impacts others. These crude personal accusations are often a common ritual in our culture. Isn’t it time for real change? It’d be great if something positive was being asked or said instead.

6. One accessory you’ve had for ages?

• My 5 ear rings (studs) I wear everyday besides the main 2.

10. Free will or destiny- what do you believe in?

I believe in creating my luck with sheer hard work.

11. What are your favourite guilty pleasures?

Indulging in dark chocolates or Bangladeshi sweets.

12. What is your absolute biggest phobia?

Being organised or even keeping clothes colour wise.

13. One vice you wish you’d give up?

Underestimating myself. I am never happy with my creations.

14. If you could do something else with your life what would it be?

Be a better me - an upgraded version of Aneela Haque.

15. Three things you miss most about Bangladesh?

My parents, regular Bangla food such as fresh fish, rice, lentil and vegetables. And of course, the people.

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24 T-JUNCTION

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

Tailored

infashion

March madness

Here’s your list of this month’s must-haves

n Mahmood Hossain 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

A fitted hoodie for those slightly breezy nights. Almost everything fitted nowadays, regardless the price tag, makes it seems you’ve spent your entire paycheck on it.

Skip the navy on navy look. While nautical designs makes its way into your wardrobe, try contrasting with colours outside of the same family.

A blue suit, however, shall be welcomed with open arms. Suits that have texture that is. More apparent texture keeps your look livelier in the spring/summer days.

Double breasted suits. It’s all about keeping it professional and powerful.

Navy on navy might not be in, but grey on grey is a thumbs up. It might sound a bit off, having that it’s no longer winter, but playing through the different shades

of grey will always be acceptable. The level sophistication will stay intact.

6. Spring trousers. Steer slightly away from the evening events and semi-formal events, and try out different coloured trousers. Tan or khaki trousers is a good place to start.

7. The hangover style cure comes in a simple graphic t-shirt and some legitimate fitted trousers. And of course you have your trusty weekend jeans.

8. The classic office blue dress shirt under something not so vintage. We’re talking about sporting the classic blue with a grey windowpane suit.

9. Striped three-piece suit with a striped tie. Imagine yourself in that combination, it bleeds hotshot lawyer look.

10. Remember it’s still spring, keep things popping. One heck of a combo is the plaid shirt with striped tie.

stylesession n Mahmood Hossain

Q.

Now in my 20s people have started to compliment me and how handsome I look. I’ve gotten this attention a lot lately and people are urging me to model. Should I become a male model and how should I go on about becoming one? I thought you would have some insight.

A.

Well, one thing the local scene needs here are fresher faces. And dare we say, a unique look. There’s a lack of good looking male models in our country. The interesting thing is the usual faces you see from time to time have more attractive features than the “professionals”. If you happen to be one of them, put on your best clothes, groom properly, and walk into an agency. Usually, you’ll see plenty of attractive people opting out of the modeling route. And that’s perfectly fine but you don’t need to make a complete career out of it by shooting for a cover or two. With the rapid growth of social media, there’s plenty of outlets for your exposure.

Q.

Are there any colours I should avoid from confusing people into thinking I’m not a heterosexual? Any particular items I should avoid wearing?

The signals might be mixed but there’s no such thing as a gay colour, so get that idea out of your head. Society’s understanding of certain cultural norms have changed. More and more knowledge of what is “acceptable” happens to be washing through like a broken dam. The

A.

only thing that might confuse the masses is if you decided to channel Boy George. And just a fact, not all gay men are flamboyant, some are more manlier than we are. In other words, it doesn’t matter which team you swing for, you either look good or you don’t.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq became the first batsman to score 5,000 ODI runs without any individual century when he reached the landmark against South Africa in Auckland yesterday

Sport 26

PAKISTAN SHOW HOW DANGEROUS THEY CAN BE

27

IRELAND EDGE ZIMBABWE IN THRILLER

28

25

DT

NO TONS YET

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

FOOTBALL STARS AND THEIR CARS Mazhar Uddin from Adelaide

Buoyant Tigers visit McGrath Foundation

(R-L) Bangladesh fast bowling coach Heath Streak, captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza, Taskin Ahmed, Nasir Hossain and Shakib al Hasan pose for a photograph alongside kids from the Woodville Rechabite Cricket Club at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide yesterday BCB

Mushfiq key to Tigers fortunes n Reuters Mushfiqur Rahim may not be in the same league as the leading stumper-batsmen at the World Cup such as Brendon McCullum and Kumar Sangakkara but the diminutive Bangladesh gloveman has proved he is no less crucial to his team’s progress.

New Zealand’s success depends to some extent on the kind of start McCullum provides while Sangakkara’s role for Sri Lanka is more nuanced, a combination of protector and punisher who must rescue as well as rampage according to match situations.

The 167 runs Mushfiqur scored from three innings with a 121-plus strike rate to establish himself as Bangladesh’s top scorer in the tournament suggests the 26-year-old is equally central to his team’s fortunes.

The right-handed batsman top scored for his team in their tournament opener against Afghanistan and walked away with the manof-the-match prize after the 105-run win at Canberra and played a key role in the team’s second victory in the tournament against Scotland on Thursday. Even in the defeat by Sri Lanka, a match where his glovework was sloppy, Mushfiqur contributed 36 quick runs in his team’s unsuccessful chase. Endowed with a strong work ethic, Mushfiqur has un-

dergone a major transformation with the bat, evolving from a dour lower order batsman to a smooth-scoring middle order asset.

“The last two or three years have gone well for me, but that is in the past,” the former Bangladesh captain said before the World Cup, which he saw as a gilt-edged opportunity to prove the team can perform well outside their home comforts. If we can do well, it will send a message to others that Bangladesh can play well in such conditions,” said Mushfiqur,

who forms the core of the team with opener Tamim Iqbal and all-rounder Shakib al Hasan.

Bangladesh, who shared the points with Australia after a washout in Brisbane, are fourth in Pool A, just above England, who they face in their next match on Monday.

Mashrafe Mortaza’s side will fancy their chances at the Adelaide Oval against a stuttering England before taking on tournament co-hosts New Zealand in their final pool match on Friday.l

Bangladesh cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim (C) takes a selfie alongside Imrul Kayes (L) and Soumya Sarkar in Adelaide yesterday BCB

Following a successful outing against Scotland in Nelson a few days back, a pumped up Bangladesh cricket team reached the southern city of Adelaide last Friday ahead of their make-or-break Pool A encounter against England tomorrow.

The Tigers are oozing with confidence at the moment after their highest ever run-chase in ODIs against the Scots at Saxton Oval. It was, therefore, no surprise when the spirited Bangladesh cricketers appeared in a confident mood while visiting the McGrath Foundation yesterday.

The foundation was formed by former legendary Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath in 2002 after his English-born Australian wife Jane had initially recovered from breast cancer. She, however, was unable to survive the ultimate battle against the dangerous disease, passing away on June 22, 2008 at the age of 42.

The foundation raises money to support the awareness of breast cancer, maintains an education programme on the disease and at the same time provides financial assistance to children in the sports sector.

Skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza, Shakib al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Taskin Ahmed and head coach Chandika Hathurusingha yesterday spent some joyous moments with the kids at the foundation. It was lovely to see the Bangladesh cricketers entertaining the kids and they will no doubt be refreshed for their important clash against serial under-achievers England.

Mashrafe, Shakib, Nasir and Taskin had no qualms obliging the autograph-hunters. The quartet also signed autographs on caps and bats that will later be put on auction. Money raised from the auction will be utilised for breast cancer awareness. And to show their solidarity for the McGrath Foundation, the Bangladesh cricket team will sport pink poppies when they take on England tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the cricketers underwent an optional net session yesterday. The cricketers also spent some of their time in the gymnasium and the swimming pool. They will resume practise today at 9:30am Bangladesh time.

Ahead of the England match, Bangladesh top-order batsman Imrul Kayes has joined the squad. He will replace opener Anamul Haque who dislocated his right shoulder while fielding against Scotland.

Imrul’s inclusion has boosted the Tigers’ morale. The left-hander played an instrumental role in their memorable two-wicket win over England in the 2011 ICC World Cup. The 28-year old played a vital knock of 60 in that game. l

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26 Sport

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

Pakistan show how dangerous they can be

PAK v SA PAKISTAN Sarfraz Ahmed run out Ahmed Shehzad c Steyn b Abbott Younis Khan c Rossouw b De Villiers Misbah-ul-Haq c Morkel b Steyn Sohaib Maqsood c Rossouw b Abbott Umar Akmal c de Villiers b Morkel Shahid Afridi c Duminy b Steyn Wahab Riaz lbw b Tahir Sohail Khan c Duminy b Morkel Rahat Ali c Tahir b Steyn Mohammad Irfan not out Extras: (lb7, nb1, w6)

R 49 18 37 56 8 13 22 0 3 1 1 14

Total (all out, 46.4 overs)

222

B 49 30 44 86 16 20 15 1 11 6 3

n Reuters, Auckland

Fall of wickets 1-30 (Shehzad), 2-92 (Ahmed), 3-132 (Younis), 4-156 (Maqsood), 5-175 (Akmal), 6-212 (Afridi), 7-212 (Riaz), 8-218 (Misbah), 9-221 (Ali), 10-222 (Sohail) Bowling Steyn 10-3-30-3 (1w); Abbott 9-0-45-2 (1w); Morkel 9.4-0-25-2 (1nb); Tahir 9-1-38-1; De Villiers 6-0-43-1 (1w); Duminy 3-0-34-0 (3w);

SOUTH AFRICA (Revised target 232 in 47 overs) Q. de Kock c Ahmed b Irfan Hashim Amla c Ahmed b Riaz Faf du Plessis c Ahmed b Ali R. Rossouw c Khan b Riaz AB de Villiers c Ahmed b Khan D. Miller lbw b Ali JP Duminy c Riaz b Irfan D. Steyn c Ahmed b Irfan K. Abbott c Younis b Ali M. Morkel not out Imran Tahir c Ahmed b Riaz Extras: (lb1, w7) Total: (all out, 33.3 overs)

R

B

0 38 27 6 77 0 12 16 12 6 0 8

2 27 29 9 58 13 13 17 19 8 6

202

Fall of wickets 1-0 (de Kock), 2-67 (Du Plessis), 3-67 (Amla), 4-74 (Rossouw), 5-77 (Miller), 6-102 (Duminy), 7-138 (Steyn), 8-172 (Abbott), 9-200 (De Villiers) Bowling Irfan 8-0-52-3; Khan 5-0-36-1 (4w); Ali 8-1-40-3 (1w); Afridi 5-0-28-0; Riaz 7.3-0-45-3 (2w); Pakistan won by 29 runs (D/L method)

Pakistan fast bowler Muhammad Irfan (L) celebrates after dismissing South Africa batsman Dale Steyn during their Pool B 2015 Cricket World Cup match at Eden Park yesterday AFP

TALKING POINTS Pakistan turns the event on its head

It seems that the 1992 script is being re-written for Pakistan. It lost to India and then came from behind to win the World Cup under the leadership of Imran Khan. This time, it lost the first two matches comprehensively, one of which was to India, and then somehow scraped through against Zimbabwe. Now they have got the better of South Africa in a rain-affected match that not only shocked the Proteas but also have placed themselves in a situation that can very well lead them into the semi-final stage of the tournament.

Pak management takes some brain masala

Finally, Sarfraz Ahmed is given his due recognition and is selected to play. He had plenty of energy and quality in him to justify his inclusion by stroking a crucial innings of 49 against one of the best pace attacks in the world and then picking up six victims behind the stumps. Fans are distributing sweets in the streets of Pakistan for his accomplishment and for not having to bear

the painful experience of seeing Umar Akmal drop catches behind the stumps.

AB de Villiers and the Proteas have weak links that must be strengthened

South Africa seems to be excellent when they bat first as its explosive batting line piles up runs with ease. Twice they batted first and scored more than 400 runs. The two matches they had to chase, the daunted batting unit crumbled. If South Africa has to win and progress in this tournament, batters other than Hashim Amla and De Villiers must strike, especially when the chips are down.

What is Ireland made of?

Nerves of steel strengthened with the ebullient hunger to win. Ireland is the only Associate side to beat a Test-playing nation five times in World Cup history. It does not require the leprechaun to bring the Irish luck into play as they have proved time and again their ability to take on the best.

Eoin Morgan may be having second thoughts about his decision to opt for Eng-

Yousuf Rahman (Babu), former national cricketer, vice captain and first centurion writes from New York for Bangladesh fans all across the globe. land. They play Pakistan next, a crucial game for both teams. With Pakistan suddenly finding renewed energy, particularly with the three left arm seamers producing high quality spells, Ireland will find it tough to put too many runs on the board. However, never count the Irish out.

What is a par score in this World Cup?

Experts have been saying all along that the par score is about 280. It looks like they are all being proven wrong. How many matches have seen 300+ totals being gunned down by the team batting second?

The number has been reset at 320 it seems. The West Indian attack got blown to smithereens by Ireland when their target of 305 was easily overcome, Sri Lanka blew away England, and Bangladesh had the better of Scotland. Zimbabwe almost beat Ireland’s total of 331 at Hobart only to fall short by five runs.

Time for the think tanks to reset the rules for ODI cricket and make it a decent duel between bat and ball. l

Pakistan made a winning return on Saturday to the venue where they defeated New Zealand in their 1992 cricket World Cup semi-final before going on to win the tournament for the first and only time.

After a shaky start to the Cup, including a crushing defeat by West Indies in Christchurch, Pakistan showed enough at Eden Park on Saturday in their 29-run win over pre-tournament favourites South Africa to demonstrate what dangerous opponents they can be. The match proved a triumph for Sarfraz Ahmed who came into the team in the dual role of opening batsman and wicketkeeper.

Sarfraz took three sixes of a JP Duminy over before he was run out for 49 attempting the second run which would have taken him to his half-century. He then equalled the oneday world record by holding six catches when South Africa batted.

“I am very thankful to the world and Pakistan for this opportunity. I want to thank all those who supported me, including my family. This is my World Cup debut match,” Sarfraz said after he was chosen as man-ofthe-match.

“Beating South Africa, who are playing really good cricket, after that everybody believes now, the players, the team, can take a lot of confidence from it. When runs are on the board, it is always pressure on the opposition,” added Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq. Pakistan coach Waqar Younis told a news conference he had always known how good Sarfraz was and added his team had started to play the good, aggressive cricket it had been known for in the past.

“We have started finding the right combinations, people have started believing in themselves. They have started trusting their abilities. I am very thrilled but there is a long way to go,” he said.

“They bowled with real pace and purpose,” said Waqar, a former master of the fast bowling art. “We knew we had to get them out to win this game. Teams who are playing aggressively have been more successful.”

Asked if the present side could emulate Imran Khan’s 1992 side, who had also made a bad start to the tournament, Waqar said: “Look, I hope, I hope that it turns out to be the same. But we really have to work hard. World Cup are pressure games. In 92 Pakistan lost early games, they came back very strongly.

They had they had the belief, Imran Khan had the belief and I believe and I hope that that belief is coming into our dressing room.” l

TEAMS

POOL B M W

L

NR

India

4

4

0

0

P

8 +2.246

NRR

South Africa

5

3

2

0

6 +1.462

Pakistan

5

3

2

0

6 -0.194

West Indies

5

2

3

0

4

-0.511

Ireland

3

2

1

0

4

-1.137

Zimbabwe

4

1

3

0

2 -0.723

UAE

4

0

4

0

0

-1.691

DT

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SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

IRE v ZIM IRELAND W. Porterfield c Masakadza b Williams P. Stirling c Williams b Panyangara E. Joyce c Ervine b Chatara A. Balbirnie run out (Chakabva/Taylor) K. O’Brien c Chakabva b Chatara G. Wilson c Chakabva b Williams J. Mooney b Williams N. O’Brien c Panyangara b Chatara G. Dockrell not out A. Cusack not out Extras (lb4, w8, nb3)

R 29 10 112 97 24 25 10 2 5 2 15

Total (8 wkts, 50 overs)

331

B 61 11 103 79 22 13 4 4 3 3

Fall of wickets 1-16 (Stirling), 2-79 (Porterfield), 3-217 (Joyce), 4-276 (K O’Brien), 5-308 (Wilson), 6-319 (Mooney), 7-322 (N O’Brien), 8-326 (Balbirnie) Bowling Panyangara 9-0-69-1 (1nb, 1w); Chatara 10-0-613 (1nb, 4w); Mupariwa 10-0-56-0 (1w); Raza 9-051-0; Williams 9-0-72-3 (1nb, 2w); Masakadza 3-0-18-0;

ZIMBABWE C. Chibhabha c Porterfield b Cusack Sikandar Raza c Stirling b Mooney S. Mire c Cusack b Dockrell H. Masakadza c Wilson b K O’Brien B. Taylor c K O’Brien b Cusack S. Williams c Mooney b K O’Brien C. Ervine c N O’Brien b McBrine R. Chakabva b Cusack T. Panyangara c Porterfield b Mooney T. Mupawira c Porterfield b Cusack T. Chatara not out Extras (lb8, w2, nb1)

R 18 12 11 5 121 96 11 17 5 18 1 11

Total (all out, 49.3 overs)

326

B 32 19 21 7 91 83 16 16 5 7 1

Fall of wickets 1-32 (Raza), 2-32 (Chibhabha), 3-41 (Masakadza), 4-74 (Mire), 5-223 (Taylor), 6-259 (Ervine), 7-300 (Williams), 8-305 (Panyangara), 9-325 (Chakabva), 10-326 (Mupawira) Bowling Cusack 9.3-2-32-4 (1w); Mooney 10-0-58-2 (1w); K O’Brien 10-0-90-2; Dockrell 10-0-56-1; McBrine 8-0-56-1; Stirling 2-0-26-0 (1nb); Ireland won by five runs

Zimbabwe fume over controversial catch n AFP, Hobart Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor insisted his team had been victims of a World Cup miscarriage of justice on Saturday when Ireland fielder John Mooney held a crucial catch despite indications he had touched the boundary with his foot.

With Zimbabwe needing 32 to win off 20 balls and with four wickets left, Sean Williams, on 96, launched a huge hook off Kevin O’Brien towards deep midwicket where Mooney reached high to grab the ball.

But as he claimed the catch, the big Irishman appeared to slightly touch the boundary cushion with his foot which should have resulted in a six.

As the decision was examined, Williams left the Bellerive Oval pitch and the catch stood.

“You’ve got to take his (Mooney’s) word for it. They zoomed in, and I thought it was pretty clear. But you’ve got to take the fielder’s word,” said Taylor who hit a blistering 121 with 11 fours and four sixes as his team chased what would have been a record score.

Ireland captain William Porterfield tried to downplay the controversy. l

Ireland’s Niall O’Brien (C) runs in to congratulate brother and teammate Kevin O’Brien after he took the wicket of Zimbabwe batsman Sean Williams during their 2015 Cricket World Cup Pool B at the Bellerive Oval ground in Hobart yesterday AFP

Ireland edge Zimbabwe in thriller n AFP, Hobart Ireland just did enough to see off Zimbabwe by five runs in a thrilling World Cup clash in Hobart on Saturday that kept them on course for the quarter-finals.

Zimbabwe chasing a huge 332 to win, were all but beaten at 74 for four after a top-order collapse.

But stand-in captain Brendan Taylor’s superb 121 and a fifth-wicket stand of 149 with Sean Williams (96) gave Zimbabwe hope.

However, a see-saw match turned back the non-Test nation’s way when Williams was given out caught right on the boundary by

John Mooney.

There was a suggestion that Mooney may have touched the rope in completing the catch, which would have been a six to Zimbabwe.

But while the umpires’ review was in progress, Williams -- whose runs came from 83 balls with seven fours and two sixes - walked off the field, effectively making the decision for the officials and Zimbabwe were 300 for seven.

Big-hitting from tailender Tawanda Mupawira got the target down to seven off the last six balls with two wickets standing.

However, seamer Alex Cusack had Regis Chakabva playing on with the first ball of the 50th over and, two deliveries later, Mupawira

Test nations considering more Afghanistan matches n Reuters, Napier Afghanistan cricket officials are in talks with four or five test-status nations about playing more fixtures against the country after the World Cup, coach Andy Moles said on Saturday.

Afghanistan, who only played their first officially recognised one-day fixture in 2009, and Ireland had been granted permission about a month ago by the International Cricket Council to directly approach test nations about incorporating games into the Future Tours programme, he added.

“We are currently talking to four or five countries who have shown interest but obviously talking about it and getting it done is the hard thing,” Moles said in Napier on Saturday, the day before his side’s Pool A clash with New Zealand.

“We are realistic we are not going to get standalone tours but it would be nice if we could be added onto a series and make it a tri-series where we could pick up opportunities to compete against the better sides.

“So yes, we are talking to four or five countries who have shown a desire to help us improve, so that is very encouraging.”l

holed out to Ireland captain William Porterfield in the deep as the Irish won with three balls to spare.

Cusack finished with fine figures of four for 32 in 9.3 overs as Zimbabwe, who tied a World Cup match with Ireland in 2007, saw their bid for a last eight place come to a dramatic end.

Victory left Ireland as one of three teams in Pool B on six points behind already qualified leaders India, the defending champions.

Earlier, Ireland veteran Ed Joyce’s 112 was the centrepiece of an imposing total of 331 for eight.

Joyce made Zimbabwe pay for dropping him early in his innings by going on to 112 while Andrew Balbirnie struck a quickfire 97 after Ireland lost the toss.l

KP reveals English county interest n AFP, London Exiled England batsman Kevin Pietersen on Friday revealed he has received offers from several prospective English county employers.

New England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves hinted last weekend there is still a possibility of a return to international cricket for Pietersen, who was axed from the national team last year, as long as he first commits to playing county cricket again.

Pietersen has been asked to join Leicestershire for the English domestic Twenty20 competition later this year and his advisor claims other teams have also made approaches to the South-Africa born star this week.l

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28 Sport

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

FOOTBALL STARS AND THEIR CARS CRISTIANO RONALDO

WAYNE ROONEY

Bugatti Veyron Estimated Value: €1.35 million

Bentley Continental Estimated Value: €210,000

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC Lamborghini Gallardo Estimated Value: €210,000

FRANCESCO TOTTI

Ferrari 599 GTO Estimated Value: €440,000

LIONEL MESSI

Dodge Charger SRT8 Estimated Value: €70,000

Tetchy Clarke has something to prove against Sri Lanka n Reuters, Sydney Australia captain Michael Clarke showed a tetchy side to his nature in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s crunch World Cup clash against Sri Lanka at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.

Having kept reporters waiting for an hour while he finished batting in the nets, Clarke’s first few answers indicated it might possibly be the least informative of his many appearances in front of the media.

Have you got a team? -- “I haven’t got a team”. Is it a fitness thing? -- “I’ve absolute-

ly no idea”. How is Mitch Marsh? -- “I don’t know the answer to that”. Is Shane Watson set for a recall? -- “I’m not a selector so I don’t know the answer to that.”

Clarke can be a great communicator, as he graphically illustrated with an incredibly moving tribute to Phillip Hughes in the same news conference room just four months ago.

Having forcefully made clear his lack of status in the selectorial inner sanctum, therefore, he soon tired of being the curmudgeon.

All-rounder Marsh was raring to go despite a slight foot niggle, he said, while fast bowler Pat Cummins was unavailable for a second match in a row because of his side strain.

A clue to Clarke’s mood perhaps came when he was asked how he was feeling physi-

cally, a question he has faced countless times over the last few months as he has battled with recurring hamstring problems.

With Australia’s match against Bangladesh having been washed out and the victory over Afghanistan being so comprehensive he did not need to bat, Clarke’s injury-delayed start

HEAD TO HEAD

AUSTRALIA 55

Wins

SRI LANKA 31

to the World Cup means he has faced just 18 balls at the tournament.

Being such a fierce competitor, it could be the lack of a chance to go out and do what he does best might have taken its toll on his temper.

“I feel, touch wood, that I’m fitter and healthier than I’ve been for a long time,” he said with the air of someone making a clear statement.

“I have that hunger inside me to be successful and help Australia to get as far as we possibly can in this World Cup. “I’ve copped a fair bit of criticism over the last few months so I’m excited about what lies ahead. I’m at my best, I’m ready to help this team have success.”l

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Sport 29

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

Bangladesh Police, Khulna Academy claim Throwball titles n Raihan Mahmood Bangladesh Police and Khulna Throwball Academy emerged champions in the men’s and women’s category of the Walton 1st National Throwball Championship at the kabaddi stadium yesterday.

The title of the women’s event went to Khulna Throwball Acdemy while Magura Throwball Academy finished runners-up. All the matches were played in the round-robin league basis and the top point achievers were declared champions.

Saikat Siddiki and Najma Akter of Titas Club and Khulna respectively were adjudged the best male and female players of the tournament.

Syed Shahed Reza, the secretary general of Bangladesh Olympic Association, distributed the prizes as the chief guest. FM Iqbal bin Anwar Dawn, the president of the throwball association, Shamim al Mamun, the general secretary and SM Zahid Hasan, the executive director of Walton, were also present on the occasion. l

DAY’S WATCH Star Sports 1 9:30AM ICC Cricket World Cup Australia v Sri Lanka

Star Sports 2 1:45AM Italian Serie A Napoli v Inter Milan

Star Sports 4 4:00AM ICC Cricket World Cup New Zealand v Afghanistan Spanish La Liga 5:00PM FC Barcelona v Rayo Vallecano 2:00AM Atletico Madrid v Valencia 8:00PM Italian Serie A Chievo v Roma 10:00PM FA Cup Liverpool v Blackburn Rovers

Ten Action 10:00AM A-League 2014/15 CC Mariners v Melbourne City French Ligue 1 7:00PM Saint- Etienne v 56 Lorient 10:00PM Guingamp v Lille SA 2:00AM Montpellier Herault v Olympic Lyon

Neo Prime German Bundesliga 8:30PM FC Koln v Eintracht Frankfurt 10:30PM SC Paderborn 07 v Bayer Leverkusen

Khulna Throwball Academy, champions of the Walton 1st Throwball Championship, celebrate their title win with the chief guest yesterday

COURTESY

AFC UNDER-23 QUALIFIERS

BFF names 37-man squad n Shishir Hoque Bangladesh Football Federation yesterday announced a 37-member preliminary squad for the upcoming AFC Under-23 Championship Qualifiers, scheduled to be held in Dhaka later this month.

As part of the preparation for the Qualifiers, Bangladesh U-23 will undergo a residential training camp, which will begin this Tuesday, at BKSP in Savar.

The Dutch head coach of Bangladesh, Lodewijk de Kruif, is likely to arrive in Dhaka on March 16 to take charge of the team. Before his arrival, Saiful Bari Titu will guide the U-23 footballers. Following the residential training camp, the squad will be trimmed down to 23 members.

A total of 14 experienced campaigners have been named in the 37-man list, including five from premier league champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi club. Abahani (10) have the most representatives in the national squad while seven footballers ply their trade with Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra. Mohammedan have four representatives in the squad.

All the players have been requested to report to manager Amirul Islam Babu this Tuesday afternoon at the BFF House.

Meanwhile, hosts Bangladesh U-23 have been placed in Group E alongside Syria, Uzbekistan and India. The home side will face Syria in their opening match on March 27 at Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Bangladesh will then take on Uzbekistan and India on March 29 and 31 respectively.

Only the group champions will progress to the final round.

Bangladesh U23 squad

Rayhan Hasan, Yeasin Khan, Sohel Rana, Rubel Mia, Toklis Ahmed Tonmoy (all from Sheikh Jamal); Nahid, Atikur Rahman Fahad, Shahed, Aminur Rahman Sajib, Shakil, Badshah, Omor Faruk, Wahed Ahmed, Milon, Oman (Abahani); Russel Mahmud Liton, Topu Barman, Hemanta Vincent Biswas, Rakibul, Sohel, Yusuf Sifat, Fazley Rabbi (Sheikh Russel); Nurul Naim, Jewel Rana, Ibrahim, Sujan (Mohammedan); Javed, Anis, Shahed, Biswajit Ghosh (Muktijoddha); Mezbah, Kaiser Ali (Brothers); Naim (BJMC); Krishna Mali, Absar (Rahmatganj), Rafi (Farashganj), Masud Uddin (BKSP) l

Mixed day for Bangladesh rugby team n Raihan Mahmood Bangladesh rugby team tasted their first international victory, thumping Nepal 36-0 in the Olympic Pre-Qualifying seven-a-side Rugby in Chennai yesterday.

In the first match of the day, Bangladesh lost to hosts India A by 39-0 points. Bangladesh will meet United Arab Emirates in their last match today. l

An action of the match between BAF Shaheen School and the Aided High School at the hockey stadium yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

DT

30 DOWNTIME

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Sacrificial table (5) 5 Fasting period (4) 8 Of the eye (6) 9 Separates (5) 10 Unharmed (4) 11 Cults (5) 12 Vestment (3) 15 Transmitted (4) 18 Machines for weaving (5) 21 Fish eggs (3) 22 Fierce animal (4) 24 Outer covering (4) 25 Bird of prey (5) 28 Give to charity (6) 29 Water pitcher (4) 30 Time in grammar (5)

DOWN 1 Call for aid (6) 2 Hill (3) 3 Book of the bible (4) 4 Trick (4) 5 Endures (5) 6 Rubber (6) 7 Golf mound (3) 13 Behold (2) 14 Large brilliant meteor (6) 16 Denial (2) 17 Smooth and cylindrical (6) 19 Person under age (5) 20 Accordingly (2) 23 Tidy (4) 24 Bishop’s territory (3) 26 Consumed (3) 27 Necessary information (3)

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 21 represents V so fill V every time the figure 21 appears.

You have one letter in the control grid to start you off. Enter it 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

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

A tale as old as time

CELEBS ON SOCIAL LARRY KING @Kingsthings

n Showtime Desk

Closely monitoring news of my friend #HarrisonFord.

Wishing him and the family well.

Disney’s about to do it again. Get ready for a live action adaptation of the classic, Beauty and the Beast. This one is definitely going to be a game changer since it’s been revealed that Emma Watson will be playing the role of Belle, not to mention the fact that Bill Condon, the director, happens to be an Oscar winner for gems such as Dreamgirls. Bill is not only taking inspiration from the animated classic, but also from the Broadway version.

The cast is what’s got everyone excited.

With Emma as Belle, Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens as the beast and Luke Evans, (drool)

PARIS HILTON @ParisHilton Can’t wait to be back in Ibiza this Summer playing every week at @ amnesia_ibiza! It’s going to be…

ROBERT DOWNEY JR @RobertDowneyJr

from the Hobbit films as the scummy Gaston, we’re looking forward to stellar performances.

If movie versions of classics like Alice in Wonderland and Oz set the platform for such adaptations, we’ll be eagerly awaiting the release of this family favourite in 2016.

R.I.P.

I hope I’m not being too forward, but the subtle approach is passé.

Bleach gone bad?

WHAT TO WATCH TELEVISION

THE WOLVERINE STAR MOVIES, 3:24pm Cast: Hugh Jackman, Hiroyuki Sanada With all the focus on the X-Men favourite, Wolverine, find himself in Japan, having to fight the deadliest battle of his life.

SPRING BREAKDOWN ROMEDY NOW 11:25pm Cast: Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch Even though it’s not a new release, The SNL veterans are sure to provide you with a few chuckles.

Oscar nominee Albert Maysles, known best for directing the perplexing documentary, Gimme Shelter, passed away after a long battle with cancer at the age of 88 on March 5th. Maysles was also a cinematographer.

ESCAPE PLAN HBO 9:30pm Cast: Arnold Shwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone Watch the two action giants finally come together and try to escape from a maximum security prison.

n Showtime Desk Lynn Borden, who played Barbara Baxter in the 1960s TV comedy, Hazel and starred in several movies such as Walking Tall, as well as a stint on the Dick Van Dyke Show took her last breath on March 3rd due to an extended illness.

Move over Kim Kardashian. While the fame monger went bleach blonde and thought all eyes were on her, Jared Leto, actor, rock star and heart throb made waves in the news when he chopped off his enviable ombre locks and replaced it with platinum blonde. As if that wasn’t enough to upset his fans, he went ahead and shaved his eyebrows too.

Don’t despair just yet. The real deal is that Leto is preparing for his role

as the Joker in the upcoming movie, Suicide Squad. Rumour has it that he will soon dye his hair green to fit the part.

True fans of this man aren’t really surprised as he’s bleached his hair as well as brows for roles before. Think Fight Club.

It’s a good thing that Leto takes his roles seriously as following in the footsteps of the likes of Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger will be a hard job indeed. l

SUPERSTAR SUNDAYS Start your week in Hollywood with Superstar Sundays. From blockbuster breaking news, to celeb gossip, and critical reviews of Hollywood films, past and present, to red carpet reveals, we’ve got you covered. Kick back, relax, and enjoy the show.

DT

32 BACK PAGE

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015

PLANNING MINISTRY WANTS MORE THAN RADP PAGE 15

MUSHFIQ KEY TO TIGERS FORTUNES PAGE 25

A TALE AS OLD AS TIME PAGE 31

Speakers for scrapping draft child marriage restraint act n Adil Sakhawat Speakers at a seminar yesterday demanded to scrap the draft Child Marriage Restrain Act 2014, which proposed that the parents could marry off their daughters at the age of 16 for any logical reason or by the approval of court.

Though the previous draft of the act kept the minimum age of marriage for girls at 18, the revised draft added that any girl marrying at 16 at parent’s will or with court’s approval would not be considered minor.

At the seminar organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) at the Daily Star Centre marking the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2015, speakers criticised the move to lower the age.

Expressing his defiant stance against the proposed draft, NHRC Chairman Professor Dr.

Mizanur Rahman said the NHRC had already informed the government about the violation of child rights if the act passed.

The theme for IWD 2015 being ‘Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture It!’ speakers also urged to ensure women’s empowerment in all sectors.

Kazi Reazul Haque, full time member of NHRC, said the political parties should increase participation of women in grass-roots level.

Executive Director of Ain O Shalish Kendra (ASK) Sultana Kamal said: “Behind the development of this country, women have been playing an active role since the liberation war.”

“It is true that the government is empowering women but this has been happening partially. It should be enhanced in all sectors like men,” Sultana added. l

Tania Hoque, associate professor and chairperson of department of women and gender studies, University of Dhaka, presents the keynote paper in a seminar on ‘Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity,’ organised by National Human Rights Commission in the capital yesterday RAJIB DHAR

Smashing the boundaries n Farhana Urmee Making great strides for Bangladeshi women, the steady and solemn Salma Khatun is a national treasure.

Captain of the Bangladesh National Women’s Cricket team, she is also the top all-rounder in the ICC T20 rankings.

Hailing from a village in Khulna, the 24-year-old is a bold refutation of the stereotype people have of women from rural Bangladesh – not only because of her world-class performance on the field, but also because of her broad-minded perspective on life, leadership and gender politics.

The Dhaka Tribune sat down with Salma at the women’s league camp at Mirpur Stadium on Thursday afternoon, just after Bangladesh’s exciting win against Scotland in current ICC Cricket World Cup.

How did you end up with a career in cricket?

It started in childhood. I always loved cricket, and I never missed a chance to play cricket with my uncles, cousins and neighbours in my village.

Becoming a cricket player was not my purpose though. It was my passion to play.

I pursued my passion even after my father’s death, when my schooling was stopped. I took an entry test for a league in Khulna. Getting selected and continuing to play professionally got me the opportunity to put my name down for the national team.

Is it hard for a woman to be a player here?

It’s not about gender.

I come from a village, where there was no separate playing arrangements for women. I played with the boys, and no one viewed that negatively. When I played well, the team in my village needed me.

Sometimes a path is made difficult for women

due to society’s idea of a woman’s role. But they saw me perform and did not judge me by my gender. Nor did I face obstacles during my journey to becoming a player.

That is why I am here on the national team, and can see the world, wearing Bangladesh’s jersey.

Who is your inspiration?

My friend and my constant companion: My mother.

Even being from the village, she never held me back from going out and playing and mingling with other players – who were mostly men.

My biggest achievement is that I could make my mother proud. There is nothing I want more than to see her smile.

How do you feel about being a leader?

It is not leadership that I constantly strive for. My greatest efforts are about becoming a good

human being.

I believe love begets love. I trust my team and they trust me back. Communication is very important. I try not to hurt people – and my team members have been so loving that I could keep that promise easily.

Before being the leader of the team, I am very much a member of the team, with numerous responsibilities on her shoulders. I try not get carried away and focus on performing my task well.

What’s your advice to a woman wanting to pursue her dream career?

Whatever goal you have, focus on that, and put aside all the social drawbacks or conventions or stigma. Do not waste time thinking about society’s approval and acceptance of what you do.

Concentration and hard work, accompanied by honesty, is the mantra for success. l

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