Thursday April 16, 2015

SECOND EDITION

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

|

Baishakh 3, 1422, Jamadius Sani 26, 1436

KHALEDA CALLS FOR BALLOT REVOLUTION

|

Regd No DA 6238, Vol 3, No 5

|

MUJAHEED, SQ CHY CASES ON APRIL 28 PAGE 5

PAGE 3

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

PAY GRADES TO STAY AT 20 PAGE 32

11 killed after house collapses Four of a family among the deceased, fear of death toll climbing Jamil Khan n Mohammad and Kamrul Hasan At least eleven people including four of a family died yesterday when a two-storey house made of corrugated iron sheets collapsed into a water body in the capital’s Rampura.

Locals said the number of fatalities might climb as they feared that several residents might still be trapped underwater inside the collapsed structure.

Nearly 100 low-income people used to live in the poorly-built house that was erected using only bamboo poles over the muddy bed of the water-hyacinth-filled jheel or water body at Hajipara.

The casualties were higher in number as the incident took place around 2:45pm yesterday, a time when many of the residents were inside having their lunch, the locals claimed.

The deceased were Mizan, 35, and Nizam Khan, 45, Jakir, 40, Runa, 13, Josna, 45, and her daughter Farzana, 12, Mizan, 35, his wife Roksana, 22, and daughter Kalpana, 15.

Among them, Mizan and Nizam Khan died after being taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Abdul Malek, who survived the incident by breaking the roof to climb out of the collapsed house, said he and his wife Rina Begum were planning to take an afternoon nap when suddenly the entire house began to move  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

Locals try to rescue the victims from a two-storey house that collapsed yesterday killing 11 people in Rampura in the capital

MEHEDI HASAN

Hunt on for Pohela Boishakh Interpol issues Red Notice sexual offenders against Tarique n Arif Ahmed and Mohammad Jamil Khan When thousands of people were celebrating the Pohela Boishakh on Tuesday, gangs of unruly youths swooped on around five to seven women and sexually harassed them at Suhrawardy Udyan and some parts of Dhaka University campus.

The incidents took place between 5pm and 7:30pm in presence of law enforcers and many ordinary people who thronged Shahbagh and DU area to take part in the annual festivity, witnesses say.

PAGE 2 BNP: Interpol red alert a government drama

The DU authorities and student groups have blamed the on-duty law enforcers for failing to stop the attackers and bringing them to book immediately.

Condemnation on social networking platforms like Facebook and blogs flooded since the news over the assaults spread quickly on Tuesday demanding exemplary punishment of the culprits. Human rights group Ain o Salish Kendra also deplored the attacks.

Leaders of leftist students groups at DU yesterday gave the authorities seven days  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

PAGE 3 HC gives split verdict on Abbas’ bail

Jamil Khan and n Mohammad Sheikh Shahariar Zaman International criminal police organisation Interpol has issued a Red Notice for BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman on charge of murder and explosion of grenades in an Awami League rally in 2004.

Accompanied by a picture of Tarique, the Interpol notice mentions that he is wanted by Bangladesh’s judicial authorities for prosecution or to serve a sentence.

Following the development, the govern-

PAGE 4 Chittagong hills to be evacuated to avoid landslide casualties

ment is reportedly planning to request the British government to apprehend Tarique.

Mahbubur Rahman, chief of Interpol’s Bangladesh office National Central Bureau, yesterday told the Dhaka Tribune that they had received a request from the Criminal Investigation Department regarding measures for Tarique’s arrest in the grenade attack case.

“We informed Interpol of the charges against Tarique Rahman and the Red Notice has been issued,” said Mahbub, who is also the assistant inspector general of police headquarters.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

PAGE 10 Iran: Nuclear deal depends on lifting of sanctions

DT

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

BNP: Interpol red alert a government drama n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla The BNP has alleged that the Interpol red alert against its Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman is a drama and misleading propaganda.

“Interpol does not issue any red alert, rather it only publishes the information given to it

by the member countries. Interpol only published whatever information Bangladesh has provided,” said Asaduzzaman Ripon, international affairs secretary of the party.

At a press briefing at the Nayapaltan office yesterday, the acting BNP spokesperson said: “Some ministers have said before that

Tarique Rahman will be brought back to the country through Interpol ... The red alert is a projection of that. This is another drama by the government. It will not be possible to keep BNP under pressure by doing so.”

Ripon claimed that Tarique is not a fugitive; he is in London for treatment.

Tarique has been living in London with his family since September 11, 2008 after securing parole in various cases. He faces 14 charges, of which four, including the August 21 grenade attack case, are on trial and the rest are stayed. He is also facing a number of arrest warrants in defamations cases. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Interpol Mahbub said the information had been sent to Interpol some three or four months ago.

An Interpol Red Notice seeks “the location and arrest of wanted persons with a view to extradition or similar lawful action,” according to the Interpol website.

The Dhaka Tribune contacted the Interpol press office through email, asking when Bangladesh authorities contacted them and when they issued the notice and if they would help arrest Tarique.

Interpol, however, refused to disclose any details, saying the information shared by any of its 190 member states in relation to investigation and fugitives remains under the ownership of that country.

“Interpol does not therefore comment on specific cases or individuals except in special circumstances and with approval of the member country concerned,” reads the email reply from Interpol.

Interpol also said its General Secretariat does not send officers to arrest individuals who are the subject of a Red Notice.

“Many of Interpol’s member countries, however, consider a Red Notice a valid request for provisional arrest, especially if they are linked to the requesting country via a bilateral extradition treaty. In cases where arrests are made based on a Red Notice, these are made by national police officials in INTERPOL member countries.

“Interpol cannot compel any member country to arrest the subject of a Red Notice,” reads the Interpol email.

There is no extradition treaty between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom.

AIG Mahbubur Rahman said if Tarique was arrested in the UK, it would depend on the diplomatic-level activities of the two countries.

“Interpol has nothing to do about it,” he added.

If Bangladesh wishes, it can send the UK a request letter through the Bangladesh High Commission there regarding Tarique’s arrest or bringing him back.

The Home Ministry, meanwhile, is now working on requesting its British counterpart to apprehend Tarique and send him back to Bangladesh, said State Minister for Home Affairs Assaduzaman Kamal. “I took the initiative to issue the Red Notice in February and it has materialised,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.

A senior government official said the British government is likely to act on the request.

“The Interpol Red Notice does not compel any country to arrest any person but in this case, a bilateral request may bear fruit,” he said.

Tarique has been in London since September 11, 2008 on medical grounds after securing parole in various cases.

He faces 14 charges, of which four, including the grenade attack case, are under trial and the rest have been stayed by the court. He also faces arrest warrants in several defamations cases.

The August 21 grenade attack left 24 dead and scores others injured in 2004.l

11 killed after house collapses and started going down. Rina was still trapped inside the collapsed structure, Malek claimed.

A teenager named Imran, who was flying his kite nearby when the building started to go down, told the Dhaka Tribune that he initially heard a sound coming from the house, while some moments later he saw the structure getting sucked in by the mud underneath.

Maj AKM Shakil Newaz, acting director general of Fire Service and Civil Defence, told reporters six fire service units had joined the rescue efforts. “We have failed to move the building as it was built using steel and tin [corrugated iron sheets]; for this, we are doing our work by cutting [the structure] down slowly.”

Saying it was not possible to estimate when the rescue operations would end, the fire ser-

vice chief admitted that if anyone was still trapped on the ground floor of the collapsed structure, they were unlikely to be alive.

Around 9:30pm, rescuers started using heavy equipment to move the wreckage.

Anwar Hossain, acting deputy police commissioner of Motijheel division, said the owner of the house, Moniruzzaman, had gone into hiding soon after the incident.

Asked whether the building had been constructed legally, he said city corporation officials would have to look into this issue. However, the police would take necessary actions after the rescue efforts end, Anwar added.

The Dhaka Tribune has learnt that the land where the house stood belonged to Bangladesh Railway, while Moniruzzaman – a Jubo

League leader – had used his muscle power to build the house illegally over the water body.

Contacted, Rajuk Chairman GM Jainal Abedin Bhuiya said such buildings are often built illegally to house low-income people. Despite being aware of the existence of such structures, Rajuk was unable to take action as there was no resettlement system for the floating people.

Following yesterday’s incident, the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) has formed a three-member probe committee.

Meanwhile, Dhaka’s deputy commissioner’s office has declared Tk20,000 as compensation for each family of the deceased and Tk5,000 for those injured. A magistrate was also assigned at the site to collect information on the victims. l

Hunt on for Pohela Boishakh sexual offenders to arrest the attackers, many of who are believed to be first-year students of the university.

The assaults took place within less than two months after three-four women were sexually harassed in public near the entrance of Suhrawardy Udyan at TSC intersection during the Amar Ekushey Book Fair.

The Dhaka Tribune published two photos of the youths harassing a girl on February 21 but they could not be identified and brought to the book until now.

After series of protests and outrage in social media since Tuesday, police now say following CCTV footages, they have noticed one incident near the TSC roundabout.

“Four to five youths were trying to take off clothes of a woman while one or two came forward to save her,” a high official of police Ramna division told the Dhaka Tribune seeking anonymity.

SM Jahangir Alam Sarker, deputy commissioner of police (media), said it was an unexpected bad experience committed by some miscreants. “We have got some clues from the CCTV footages. We are now analysing these to identify the criminals and arrest them.”

He said no victim filed any complaint with the police over Tuesday’s incidents.

Even though the police acknowledged one incident, witnesses and student leaders alleged that at least seven women came under attacks near TSC and Matsya Bhaban areas on Tuesday afternoon.

The attackers were honking vuvuzelas during the assaults to suppress the victims’ screams, witnesses said adding that they also filmed the incidents with inhuman enthusiasm.

Bangladesh Students’ Union DU unit President Liton Nandi received severe injuries while trying to rescue a woman near the TSC. Witnesses said a group of at least 30 youths swooped on a number of women and assaulted them when a string of festivities was under way in and around the area since dawn to embrace the first day of the Bengali new year.

“I saw some miscreants assaulting a girl.

She fell down on the ground but the youths were trying to take off her clothes in public.

“They started beating me as I tried to rescue her leaving my right arm broken.

“Later, I covered the girl with my panjabi,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.

Liton blamed the police for being reluctant during the incident. “The on-duty police members visited the spot after almost one and a half hours. By that time, the attackers left the place smoothly.”

While contacted, DU acting proctor Prof Amzad Ali also blamed police for the shameful attacks on women.

Chief of Shahbagh police Sirajul Islam termed it a stray incident.

“The on-duty police members charged batons on the attackers but they failed to stop them from harassing the women sexually,” the OC said.

Nuzaira Tarannum, a student of DU mass communication and journalism department, said: “It is very embarrassing for the women to face such inhumane activity on a university campus.”

She said if the police and the university authorities cannot ensure security of the women, they should not organise such massive programmes on the campus.

Several other students allege that incidents of sexual harassment take place on the campus very often by gangs of influential youths but those go unheeded by the authorities and the police since many victims do not file complaints.

The university’s committee to prevent sexual harassment of students, formed last year in line with a High Court directive, has also been inactive.

Expressing concern over the rising incidents of sexual assaults, women and gender studies department Chairman Prof Tania Haque said: “Women are tortured not only at home or workplace, they are now being harassed frequently in public places.”

She blamed the mindset of the male-dominated society for such acts.

“Had the sexual harassment prevention committee worked properly, the number of such incidents would have dropped significantly,” she added.

Students’ Union, Progressive Students’ alliance and other leftist student organisations brought out procession on the campus yesterday demanding arrest of the culprits and a thorough investigation.

From a press conference at Madhur Canteen, the student leaders also announced several protest programmes including an ultimatum to arrest the culprits within seven days.

Assault on JnU bus

Meanwhile, general students of Jagannath University beat up a Bangladesh Chhatra League activist of the university unit for harassing a girl on its bus on Tuesday.

The accused was identified as Nazmul Islam, a student of political science department.

Eyewitness said Nazmul along with his associates were harassing the girl on the university bus “Uttaran” which was going towards New Market after attending a day-long new year celebration programme. Noticing the incident, some ordinary students protested the harassment and threw him out after beating him up.

The university correspondent of Bangla Tribune, Rohan, who was on the next bus at that time, took snaps when Nazmul had been driven out.

But some Chhatra League activists caught Rohan, beat him up and took away his camera.

When contacted, acting proctor Nur Mohammad said action would be taken against those responsible for the incident once they get a written complaint in this regard.

Nazmul was later expelled from the party for violating discipline, Chhatra League central committee said in a statement. l

DT

NEWS 3

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

Khaleda calls for silent ballot revolution n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has called for a silent revolution against what she termed the “repressive government” by casting votes for the candidates backed by her party in the upcoming Dhaka and Chittagong city corporation polls.

Attending a Bangla New Year programme in front of the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters in the capital on Tuesday afternoon, Khaleda sought votes for Tabith M Awal and Mirza Abbas for the mayoral posts in the polls scheduled for April 28.

Showing voters campaign leaflets of the two candidates, she urged Dhaka residents to cast votes for Abbas in the mug symbol and Tabith in the bus.

Terming the incumbent government illegal, Khaleda said: “This is not an elected government and it is doing everything in violation of laws. They are obstructing us at every step.

So, a silent revolution should take place.”

The BNP chief also said: “The illegal government thought that the BNP would not participate in the city elections, but our movement is for the national election.”

In Barisal, Gazipur and Comilla city corporation elections, people have already expressed their intention that they want a

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

At a cultural function in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan headquarters on Tuesday, BNP chief Khaleda Zia endorses her party-backed candidates for the Dhaka city polls DHAKA TRIBUNE change, she said.

“People do not want to see the repressive government anymore. They will also bring in a change in the Dhaka and Chittagong city corporation polls.”

Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha

(Jasas), a pro-BNP organisation, organised the programme to observe the first day of Bangla New Year 1422.

It was Khaleda’s first visit to the Nayapaltan office in two years. She last visited her party’s Nayapaltan headquarters in 2013. l

HC gives split verdict on Abbas’ bail n Ashif Islam Shaon

Pro-BNP platform unveils election manifesto

ordered Abbas not to campaign or speak to the media before the bail verdict. The authorities were also told to keep hands off Abbas before the verdict.

According to his election affidavit, Abbas, a former mayor of Dhaka and a member of the BNP Standing Committee, is facing at least 37 cases and has secured bail in none of them.

There is a warrant for his arrest in a graft case filed by the ACC, which the HC bench refused to deal with.

Yesterday, the counsels of Abbas said they had lodged a petition with the Chief Justice to assign a bench to hear the case.

Dhaka police has issued stern warning against “fugitives” participating in the city polls of bifurcated Dhaka city corporation without securing bail in the cases they are accused of. l

An electoral platform backed by pro-BNP professionals yesterday came up with a common manifesto for its two mayoral aspirants in the Dhaka city elections, promising a liveable, safe and clean city for all.

Leaders of the platform, Adarsha Dhaka Andolon (ideal Dhaka movement), said the 17-point manifesto was announced for Mirza Abbas and Tabith M Awal who are contesting the April 28 elections for the mayor positions of Dhaka south and north city corporations.

Several other mayoral aspirants have already announced their manifestos.

Shawkat Mahmud, member secretary of the platform and an adviser to the BNP chief, read out the manifesto at a press conference at the National Press Club when other senior leaders were present.

“It is the manifesto of the Adarsha Dhaka Andolon. The candidates will unveil their manifestos in due time,” he said.

Tabith is set to formally declare his election pledges today.

The platform says if elected, their candidates would focus on city governance, city plan, city rods and transport management, education and health services, environment protection, accommodation, law and order, human rights, social safety, women’s rights and information technology to make the liveable, safe and clean.

Convener of the platform Prof Emajuddin Ahamed said the Election Commission’s activities were not satisfactory with regard to holding a free and fair election.

The former Dhaka University vice-chancellor said they had urged the EC to take steps so that all the candidates could reach their voters during the campaigns. “But, they did not take any satisfactory step to this end.”

Asked whether the 20-party alliance’s transport blockade enforced since January 6 was still in force, Prof Emajuddin said he was not sure whether the programme had been withdrawn. “But there is no effect of the blockade in Dhaka and Chittagong due to the elections,” he added. l

The High Court yesterday passed a split order on the bail petitions filed by Dhaka South City Corporation mayoral candidate Mirza Abbas in two cases.

Justice Quamrul Islam granted the BNP leader a three-week anticipatory bail while his colleague in the bench Justice Gobinda Chandra rejected both of Abbas’ pleas and ordered him to surrender to the trial court.

In the order, Justice Quamrul said the bail was granted under extraordinary circumstances and if he was not given bail it would prevent him from conducting election campaign.

Justice Gobinda observed that Abbas should be considered a fugitive since he had been on the run for the past four months to avoid arrest.

The petitions and the two orders would now be sent to Chief Justice SK Sinha so that he forms a single bench to hear the pleas.

Abbas’ counsels claimed that police could not arrest him as the bail was not disposed of while the state counsels said there was no bar to his arrest as “his status is now fugitive.”

Meanwhile, Mirza Abbas told reporters in the room of Supreme Court Bar Association President Khandoker Mahbub Hossain that he would go home and launch his election campaign.

When asked, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said police could arrest Mirza Abbas in the corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission as he is yet to obtain bail in the case.

“After the order I do not think he can participate in the election and the campaign,” he said.

On April 13, the same High Court bench had

Aspirants grab the chance of Baishakhi celebration

More candidates announce manifestoes

Election campaign took a different look on Tuesday with most of the candidates, especially mayoral aspirants, joining the Pohela Baishakh celebration to woo voters.

Almost all the candidates in Dhaka and Chittagong carried out their campaigns at the celebration congregations rather than traditional door-to-door canvas.

The aspirants visited different spots where people gathered to welcome the new year.

They launched their campaigns in colourful dress soon after the day broke.

The aspirants backed by Awami League, BNP, Jatiya Party, CPB, BSD, JSD and others were seen distributing leaflets and exchanging greetings with the city dwellers in Ramana Udyan (Austachal), Suhrawardi Udyan, Chandrima Udyan, Gulshan Park, Dhaka University TSC and Shahbagh Intersection. l

More mayoral candidates in the upcoming city polls yesterday declared manifestoes to woo votes.

With the election slogan “Liveable Dhaka for every one,” Bazlur Rashid Firoz, the CPB and BSD-backed mayoral candidate for the capital’s south side announced his 14-point election manifesto.

He pledged to address and solve issues including corruption, illegal occupancy, water-logging and water shortage, traffic jam, logical house rent, rehabilitation programmes for the low- and middle-income people, a children- and women-friendly city, and safe environment.

He is running for the mayor’s office in Dhaka South City Corporation with the symbol of table.

CPB President Mujahidul Islam Selim and

n Tribune Report

n Nure Alam Durjoy

BSD General Secretary Khalequzzaman were present at the press conference at Paltan’s Mukti Bhaban, where the manifesto was announced.

Dhaka South City Corporation mayoral candidate Shahidul Islam unveiled his manifesto, with an emphasis on turning the Buriganga River into a tourist site.

Unveiled under the slogan “Green Dhaka, Clean Dhaka”, he said in the manifesto that the banks of the river would also be kept out of the clutches of grabbers.

Shahidul announced the manifesto at a press briefing at National Press Club in the morning.

Other manifesto commitments included installation of CCTV cameras to monitor the city’s waste and garbage management system, bringing workplaces under Wi-Fi services and increasing power production using waste.

The press briefing was attended by Jati-

ya Samajtantrik Dal Joint Secretary Nazmul Haque Prodhan and Standing Committee member Mir Hossain Akhtar among others.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) mayoral candidate Bahauddin Ahmed focused on a traffic congestion-free capital city.

Bahauddin, backed by Jatiya Party, placed his 18-point manifesto yesterday in the afternoon in the capital’s Imanuel Convention Center.

He pledged to provide sufficient gas and water to households. He also promised to free the capital from the menace of mosquito and flies.

The manifesto also includes massive tree plantation, solution to water logging and protection of Turag river from degradation.

Jatiya Party Secretary General Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu, presidium member MA Mannan, Sunil Shuvo Roy, MA Hannan MP attended the programme, among others.

Bahauddin will contest in the election with the symbol Charka (spinning wheel). l

DT

4 NEWS

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

Ctg hills to be evacuated to avoid landslide casualties n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong The Hill Management Committee of Chittagong Division has decided to immediately remove families living in three hilly areas to avoid casualties due to potential landslides during monsoon.

The decision came at the committee’s 14th meeting held at Chittagong divisional commissioner’s office yesterday from 2:30pm to 4:30pm.

The areas in question are Motijharna and Batali Hill and the adjoining hills, Probortok Hill and Ispahani Hill, Divisional Commissioner Mohammad Abdullah told reporters after the meeting.

The committee also decided to evacuate around 700 families that are living in 30 hills in the city and the surrounding areas on priority basis before monsoon starts.

The gas, water and electricity connections to those areas will also be cut off for the season, and community and area based volunteer teams will be formed to aid the evacuation drives.

“We will sit with the all stakeholders involved in this regard to drive home the seriousness of this issue,” Abdullah said.

The committee is working on the temporary accommodation of the families, and a medical team will be in standby if anyone is indeed affected by landslides, he added.

Around 1,000,000 people live in the vulnerable hilly slopes in the city and elsewhere around the district, according to a survey done by the committee last year.

A series of landslides in Chittagong hills in recent years took a number of lives, the worst being in 2007 which killed 126. l

Dhaka Tribune photographer wins BPJA photo contest

n Tribune Report

To celebrate the Bangla New Year 1422, Bangladesh Photojournalists’ Association organised Ruposi Bangla National Photo Contest and Exhibition 2015, inaugurated at the National Press Club in the capital last Monday.

Syed Zakir Hossain, chief photographer of the Dhaka Tribune, won the first prize in the contest participated by 70 photographers from all over the country. Kamrul Hasnat Jashim of the daily Janakantha won the second prize. The third prize was jointly won by Sourav Laskar of the New Age and Kamrul Islam Ratan of the Daily Sun. The official prize-giving ceremony will be held at the association’s auditorium at Purana Paltan on April 19. Lawmaker Morshed Alam, chairman of Bengal Group and RTV, will be attending the ceremony as chief guest. The exhibition will be open for all until April 19. l

Ex-envoy KM Shehabuddin dies n Tribune Report Former Bangladesh ambassador KM Shehabuddin passed away at United Hospital yesterday. He was 78.

Shehabuddin breathed his last at 5:50pm. He had been suffering from old-age complications. He left behind his wife, four daughters and a host of relatives and well-wishers.

Shehabuddin was the first diplomat to defect from the Pakistani Foreign Service on April 6, 1971 and join the Liberation War. At the time, he was posted in New Delhi.

He became a secretary in 1993 and retired from the public service in 2001 as ambassador to the US. Earlier, he was assigned to countries including the UK, Mexico, Columbia, France and Spain. l

DT

NEWS 5

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

MP Faruk threatens RU VC over a fine n Our Correspondent, Rajshahi

Omar Faruk Chowdhury, MP of Rajshahi 1 constituency, allegedly threatened to depose Rajshahi University VC Prof Muhammad Mizanuddin at the VC’s office yesterday over a fine of Tk25 lakh to a medical college.

Sources at the VC’s office told reporters that MP Faruk, the president of Rajshahi district unit AL, threatened the VC after being denied a meeting.

The VC was busy in a selection board meeting. At 1:15pm, after the meeting ended, MP Faruk along with his secretary entered the VC’s office and started berating Mizanuddin using abusive language.

MP Faruk asked for a clarification from the VC for fining Shah Makhdum Medical College (SMMC), which is under Rajshahi University authority.

MP Faruk is chairman of the governing body of SMMC, which was recently fined by the RU authority for alleged irregularities.

When contacted, VC Mizanuddin told the Dhaka Tribune that such behaviour is totally unexpected from a public representative. “MP Faruk also threatened to remove me from my post,” the VC added.

When contacted, the MP’s Personal Secretary Faruk Dipayan Sarkar Dip confirmed that there was an altercation with the VC over the matter of the fine. l

HC defers order on Salahuddin’s disappearance n Ashif Islam Shaon The High Court has fixed April 20 for delivering its order on a writ petition filed over the disappearance of BNP Joint Secretary General Salahuddin Ahmed.

Responding to a time petition, the High Court bench of Justice Quamrul Islam Siddiqui and Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore

WEATHER

Order on Jamaat men’s contempt next Monday

DRY WEATHER

n Ashif Islam Shaon

THURSDAY, APRIL 16 DHAKA TODAY SUN SETS 6:20PM

TOMORROW SUN RISES 5:36AM

FORECAST FOR TODAY Dhaka

35

27

Chittagong

33

26

Rajshahi

35

25

Rangpur

35

23

Khulna

32

23

Barisal

32

25

Sylhet

34

22

Cox’s Bazar

32

26

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

36.8ºC Khulna

20.6ºC Sayedpur Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajr

4:19am

Sunrise

5:37am

Zohr

11:59am

Asr

4:27pm

Magrib

6:20pm

Esha

7:39pm

yesterday deferred the date for delivering its judgement. Earlier on April 9, the same bench had fixed April 15 for the hearing.

In the time petition, Khandoker Mahbub Hossain, the counsel for Salahuddin’s wife, said: “We have some interesting information and data and we believe that those will help the court in delivering a clear judgement. But, we need some more time to place the it.” l

SourceL IslamicFinder.org

A tribunal has fixed April 20 for passing an order on whether contempt of court proceedings will be initiated against Jamaat lawyer Tajul Islam and five Shibir leaders for their statements to the media following a verdict.

Justice M Enayetur Rahim, chairman of International Crimes Tribunal 1, passed the order yesterday after hearing arguments from the prosecution and the lawyer of five accused Jamaat-Shibir leaders.

A defence counsel told the court that his clients have apologised unconditionally to the tribunal. l

Mujaheed, SQ Chy cases to start April 28

n Ashif Islam Shaon The Supreme Court has fixed April 28 for starting hearing on the appeals filed by convicted war criminals Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed and Salauddin Quader Chowdhury challenging their death sentences.

A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha fixed the date after defence counsel Khandker Mahbub Hossain moved a time petition.

Mahbub prayed to the court to start hearing on the appeals at the end of May as they will remain busy with the city corporation elections on April 28 and the Bangladesh Bar Council on May 20.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mujaheed filed the appeal on August 12, 2013 seeking acquittal from all the charges. He and Salauddin was sentenced to death by ICT on July 17 and October 1 of 2013 respectively. l

DT

6 ADVERTISEMENT

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

DT

SPOTLIGHT 7

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

Nation celebrated Pohela Boishakh on Tuesday in an elegant way with various spectacular events.

People from all walks of life throng the different popular and historic spots in the capital to hail Bangla year 1422. The most colourful celebration of the Bangla New Year began at the Ramna Batamul at dawn with elaborate programmes arranged by leading cultural troupe Chhayanaut. Both adults and children enjoyed up to their heart's content by riding the nagordola and merry-go-rounds set up on the premises of the Institute of Fine Arts and Suhrawardy Udyan. Second year in a row, the unique rally of Rangdhonu Jatra turns to be another set of attraction ensuring equal participation of the Hijras alongside people belonging to different spheres of society SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN / MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU / DHAKA TRIBUNE

DT

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

Tension at SUST over dept heads’ resignation n Our Correspondent, Sylhet

Jute mill workers form a human chain in Khulna city yesterday, demanding 20% dearness allowances and adequate allocation in jute sector DHAKA TRIBUNE

Jute workers continue protests n Our Correspondent, Khulna Workers of state-owned jute mills in Khulna and Jessore formed human chains yesterday to continue protests as part of an 11-day programme announced to highlight their fivepoint demand.

Yesterday’s protests held in front of the factories demanded a 20% dearness allowance for the workers, adequate allocation in jute sector and payment of overdue wages.

Yesterday was the sixth day of the 11-day programme announced by CBA-Non CBA Oikya Parishad, and the workers also staged demonstrations and held rallies from 10am to 11am.

The rallies were addressed by labour leaders. Workers of Crescent Jute Mill, Platinum

Jute Mill, Star Jute Mill, Alim Jute Mill and Eastern Jute Mill in Khulna, and JJI Jute Mill and Carpeting Jute Mill in Jessore joined yesterday’s protests.

The 11-day programme was announced in the wake of falling jute production and shrinking export.

The slowdown in export has been caused by global recession as unsold jute products began to heap up at the state-owned jute mills in Khulna more than two years back.

A rally will be held in Khalishpur tomorrow afternoon while there will be protest rallies on April 19. The 11-day programme, which began on April 5, will end on April 24 and the next programme will be announced at a rally on the day. l

12 killed in road accidents n Tribune Report At least 12 people were killed in road accidents in Gazipur, Sylhet, Bagerhat,Narsingdi, Gaibandha and Narayanganj districts yesterday.

Our Gazipur correspondent reports: Four people including a woman were killed and 10 others injured in a collision between a bus and a truck at Kodda in the city.

Police said a Dhaka-bound bus of Ajmeri Paribahan collided head on with a truck coming from opposition direction around 6:45am, killing four on the spot.

Sylhet correspondent said three people were killed when a bus rammed into an auto-rickshaw at Bolaura on the Sylhet-Sunamganj Road.

M Rahmatulla, deputy commissioner of Sylhet Metropolitan police, said the accident took place at noon.

Identities of the deceased could not be known immediately.

Bagerhat correspondent said a young cricketer was killed and two other were injured as a bus hit their motorcycle at Khanka Sharif on Khulna-Bagerhat Highway in Sadar upazila.

The deceased was identified as Mahrul Islam Richi, 16, son of Monir Hossain, councilor of Ward No- 7 of Bagerhat municipality.

Richi was a player of Bagerhat district under 16 cricket team and took part in the SSC examination this year.

Officer-in-Charge of Bagerhat Model police station Tozammel Haque said the accident occurred when Richi, along with his two

friends- Ziaur Rahman Prince, also a player of Bagerhat under-16 cricket team, and Shahriar Nazim was going to Bagerhat town riding a motorcycle.

A speeding bus knocked down their two-wheeler at Khanka Sharif area, leaving the trio injured on the spot.

Later, local people rescued them and whisked off to Bagerhat Sadar Hospital.

Richi succumbed to his injuries on his way to Khulna Medical College Hospital.

Narsingdi correspondent said two including a college student were killed in an accident on the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway.

The deceased were identified as Ruena Akter,18, student of Narsindi Technical and BM College and Monir Hossain,20, CNG driver.

SI Ataur Rahman of Hatkhola Highway police outpost said the accident took place when a passenger bus of Tisha Paribahan rammed into the CNG run auto-rickshaw in the area, leaving two dead on the spot.

Gaibandha correspondent said a youth was killed as passenger bus hit him on the Gaibandha-Sadullapur Road in Shimultala area.

The deceased was identified as Mominul Islam, son of Abul Kashem in the area.

Zia Latiful Islam, officer-in-charge of Sadullapur police station said the accident had taken place when a the bus hit Mominul, leaving him dead on the spot while he was crossing the road.

In Naraynganj, a motorcyclist was killed in a road accident in Jalkuri area on the Dhaka-Narayanganj link road. l

Trouble continued at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) yesterday as students of physics and geography and environment science departments observed another sit-in programme in front of Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Aminul Haque Bhuyan’s office.

Protesting the resignation of the two departments’ heads, the agitating students started their demonstration around 11am and continued until around 3:30pm, sources said.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, the university’s acting proctor Emdadul Haque said a meeting regarding this issue between the VC and the department teachers was scheduled at 1pm yesterday, but the teachers did not show up.

Around 3:30pm, Prof Aminul went to the demonstrating students and took them to

their respective departments to have the discussion, but the teachers did not respond saying some of the teachers were not present.

Later, the university’s pro-liberation teachers, coordinated by Prof Shamsul Alam of the chemistry department, had a meeting of their own around 4:30pm to discuss the issue, where they issued an ultimatum to the VC, saying he must issue an apology to the two professors, or else the teachers would take up tougher movement.

The students observed the first sit-in on Monday when Prof Dr Syed Badiuzzaman Faruque, head of physics, and Prof Dr Sharif Md Sharafuddin, head of geography and environment science, resigned following a heated discussion with Prof Aminul over a dispute on space allocation between the departments. l

DT

NEWS 9

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

Jubo League activists vandalise BNP office n Our Correspondent, Bogra Activists of Jubo League on Tuesday allegedly vandalised Sonatola municipality BNP office and ripped the party’s banners in different areas.

The untoward situation after the attack persisted in the area yesterday till the filing of this report.

According to witnesses, the activists vandalised the BNP office in madrasa intersection of the area around 12:30pm after Jahangir Alam Nannu, who has warrants against him, was seen with Selim Hossain, officer-incharge of Sonatola police station, during the Pohela Boishakh procession organised by New Renesa Club.

Witnesses said the activists were enraged as they could not understand why a fugitive in the eyes of law was with police, walking free. At one point of the attack, police came to the spot and disbursed the attackers, they added, Jahangir, who is himself a Jubo League activist, is an accused in a blast case filed by local Jubo League leader Masum. However, why the BNP office was vandalised for the stated reason was unclear. Police confirmed of the attack but also could not confirm the reason.

When asked, Jahangir said he was disliked in Awami League because of his different views and the attack on BNP office was carried out because his brothers were supporters of BNP. l

Housewife strangled to death for dowry

n Tribune Report

A housewife was strangled allegedly by her husband for dowry at Shreepur union of Boalkhali upazila in Chittagong on Tuesday night.

The victim Priyanka Dey, 24, wife of Riton Dey, 37, who is an expatiate and returned from abroad a few months back, said Officer-in-Charge of Boalkhali police station Shamsul Islam.

Police arrested Riton, his father Doyal Hari Dey and mother Jorna Rani Dey from a private hospital in Chittagong city in this connection, added the OC. Quoting Priyanka’s family members, OC Shamsul said the couple had married off four years ago. Since their marriage, in-laws of Priyanka used to torture her over dowry.

On Tuesday evening, Riton rushed the housewife to Holy Health hospital located in Panchlaish area in critical state where on duty doctors declared her dead, said the OC, adding that later Riton informed Priyanka’s family that she committed suicide by hanging herself. The OC said Priyanka’s family caught three in-laws of her observing their suspicious attitude. l

Girls of ethnic minority take part in the Sangria festival which is marked by singing and dancing to welcome new year. The photo was taken from Khagrachhari district town DHAKA TRIBUNE

Number of leprosy patients on the rise n Our Correspondent, Kurigram The number of leprosy patients in Kurigram is increasing as the leprosy identification and rehabilitation programme is being going at a snail’s pace.

The leprosy eradication programme in the district is not being successful due to lack of skilled human resources and fund crisis.

As leprosy is contagious, no one including family members wants to get close to such patients for fear of getting infected; the patients are avoided even after getting cured of the disease.

After getting in touch with several leprosy patients, it was found that many have become disabled and are living an inhuman life.

Momena Begum of Panchgachi union, Mohammad Ali, Sirajul from Kurigram town, all of them

said their neighbours and family members all avoid them; they have not been called to work since they got the disease.

Lal Mia and Shahidul from Bhogdanga union said although they were cured no one wanted to get close to them, or even talk to them properly.

Dr M Shahin Sajjad Hossain, Medical Officer of Tuberculosis and Leprosy project under RDRS Kurigram, said: “Because of the cold and the high number of poor people in this region, more people get infected with the disease.” He added that if patients take the multi-drug therapy (MDT) regularly at the hospital soon after leprosy symptoms are identified, they can be cured completely.

RDRS implemented the leprosy eradication programme (LEP) in Kurigram in 1982 under the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Pro-

gramme. So far 5,031 leprosy patients have been identified and treated.

Project Officer Shimon Marvi of the RDRS Community Health Programme in Kurigram said: “In the past year, 102 [leprosy] patients have been identified and given treatment under the programme [LEP]. Of them 21 have been cured. At the moment, 81 patients are being given the treatment.”

All the hospitals in the district including the Sadar hospital are giving treatment to leprosy patients. However, the field officers responsible for identifying such patients are not skilled enough.

Kurigram district Civil Surgeon Dr Joinal Abedin Zillur said: “Training for the field officers have become necessary as that would enable them to identify leprosy patients quicker. It would be good for the patients.” l

DT

10 WORLD

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

Iran: Nuclear deal depends German air controllers urge on lifting of sanctions remote control of planes n Reuters In response to the Germanwings crash last month, the German air traffic control authority has called on the aviation industry to consider technology that would allow people on the ground to take remote command of a passenger plane and safely land it.

Voice recording and flight data indicate

Germanwings pilot Andreas Lubitz locked his captain out of the cockpit and deliberately steered the Airbus A320 into a mountainside on March 24, killing all 150 passengers and crew on board.

“We have to think past today’s technology,” Klaus Dieter Scheurle, head of the Deutsche Flugsicherung air traffic control authority, said at a press conference on Wednesday. l

Libya’s Haftar ‘betting on military solution’ n Agencies

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani

n Reuters Iran said yesterday it would only accept a deal over its contested nuclear program if world powers simultaneously lifted all sanctions imposed on it.

The comments by President Hassan Rouhani came the day after US President Barack Obama was forced to give Congress a say in any future accord – including the right to veto the lifting of sanctions imposed by US lawmakers.

Bolstering the role of a highly assertive Congress injects an element of uncertainty into the crucial final stages of negotiations between major powers and Iran aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions in exchange for sanctions relief.

“If there is no end to sanctions, there will not be an agreement,” Rouhani said in a tel-

AFP

evised speech in the northern Iranian city of Rasht, echoing remarks made last week

by Iran’s most powerful authority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“The end of these negotiations and a signed deal must include a declaration of cancelling the oppressive sanctions on the great nation of Iran,” said Rouhani, who is widely viewed as a pragmatist.

A tentative deal between Iran and the six world powers was reached in Switzerland on April 2, and aimed at clearing the way for a final settlement on June 30.

Discussions will resume on April 21. However, different interpretations have emerged over what was agreed in the framework, suggesting that nailing down a final agreement will be tough, even without the added complication of Congress. l

The military chief of Libya’s UN-recognised government has expressed doubt about UNbacked talks in Morocco aimed at ending the country’s political split and said that he is “betting on a military solution” if a deal remains elusive.

General Khalifa Haftar’s comments in a TV interview on Tuesday underscored the obstacles to any agreement between rival governments in Libya.

Haftar, who commands forces loyal to the Tobruk government, separately told the Associated Press news agency that he does not

oppose negotiations outright.

He said he would abide by decisions of his government, but said it was not clear how the political rivals could reach a deal.

He would not agree to any ceasefire with armed groups, he said.

“Then the military solution is a must because it is decisive ... when we are forced to, when we see our homeland torn apart as it is happening now, between militias and terrorists, we resort to a military solution. We are betting on the military solution,” Haftar said.

Haftar said he believes his forces could win such a battle even though they currently control only a small area of Libya and no major cities. l

DT

WORLD 11

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

EU charges Google in Internet search anti-trust case The EU has filed a complaint against Google over its alleged anti-competitive behaviour

EU Commissioner Margrethe Vestager addresses a news conference at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels yesterday REUTERS

n Reuters The European Union accused Google Inc yesterday of cheating competitors by distorting Internet search results to favor its shopping service, and launched another antitrust investigation into its Android mobile operating system.

Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said the US tech giant, which dominates Internet search engines worldwide, had been sent a Statement of Objections - effectively a charge sheet - to which it can respond. She also said other probes into Google’s business practices would continue.

“I am concerned that the company has given an unfair advantage to its own comparison shopping service, in breach of EU antitrust rules,” she said. “If the investigation confirmed our concerns, Google would have to face the legal consequences and change the way it does business in Europe.”

The Commission, whose control of antitrust matters across the wealthy 28-nation bloc gives it a major say in the fate of global corporations, can fine firms up to 10 percent of their annual sales, in Google’s case up to $6.6 billion.

If it finds that companies are abusing a dominant market position, the EU regulator can also demand sweeping changes to their business practices, as it did with US software giant Microsoft in 2004 and chip-maker Intel in 2009. Its record antitrust fine was 1.09 billion euros on Intel.

Asked whether she was ready to go as far as fining Google, Vestager told a news conference: “It is very important that every road is open - first when it comes to commitments but also when it

comes to the other road, at the end of which is a fine.”

Google now had an opportunity to explain itself, she said, and the case might be settled by the company making further commitments to change its products.

Of the formal investigation into Android, used on smart phones and tablets, Vestager said: “I want to make sure the markets in this area can flourish without anticompetitive constraints imposed by any company.”

In its first reaction, the Mountain View, California-based company said in a blog post that it strongly disagreed with the EU’s statement of objections and would make the case that its products have fostered competition and benefited consumers.

“Android has been a key player in spurring this competition and choice, lowering prices and increasing choice for everyone (there are over 18,000 different devices available today),” it said of its free operating system for mobile devices.

Vestager, a Danish liberal who took over the politically charged EU competition policy dossier in November, announced the moves on the eve of a high-profile visit to the United States. Her findings following nearly five years of investigation and abortive efforts by her Spanish predecessor, Joaquin Almunia, to strike a deal with Google.

The focus on the ranking of searches for shopping sites - Google has its own service called Google Shopping - did not address all complaints lodged with the Commission by competitors,

DT

12 EDITORIAL

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

#IamDhaka

Be heard

D

haka Tribune is pleased to support the “I am Dhaka” campaign being run by Volunteer for Bangladesh and the Jaago Foundation.

We hope all mayoral and councillor candidates in the upcoming city elections will take up their invitation to view the exhibition of photographs from the campaign, which opens at the Drik Gallery in Dhanmondi this evening.

The images form part of the #IamDhaka social media campaign.

This is an exciting initiative which asks ordinary city dwellers to document daily life in the capital city.

Everyone is aware that Dhaka faces numerous social and environmental problems.

What #IamDhaka achieves is to give citizens a voice by using the power of social media to disseminate photographs that point out and suggest common sense solutions to widespread problems.

The exhibition features the work of 28 photographers drawn from the campaign’s platforms on Facebook and Twitter, to provide a broad grassroots perspective on the city’s problems and people’s hopes for the future.

From polluted and encroached rivers and waterways to endemic traffic congestion and the dysfunctional state of garbage collection and recycling services, the photos capture daily life from a wide range of viewpoints.

Positive images of cultural celebrations are also featured, helping to highlight the huge potential that exists for the city’s citizens to make life better.

We hope they will provide a platform to help candidates and voters alike exchange views and develop better policies to make Dhaka more liveable for everyone.

Images of city issues provide a platform to develop better policies

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

https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune

Oyasiqur’s murder was preventable March 31

Hasanuzzaman The government is supposed to protect freedom of expression by ensuring that bloggers, regardless of their educational background and professional exposure, can incite any religious sentiment? I find it hard to support bloggers or so-called free-thinkers whose main goal is ending up to “think in the name of freedom, and act without giving a damn.” They represent the “I” of intellectuals because of their selfish pursuit of happiness. So what is the difference between bloggers and terrorist groups? One attacks sitting at the computer (almost like a lazy but poisonous snake in the grass) and the other does it in broad daylight.

Nazmul Hasanuzzaman: Snakes use computers.

Why isn’t this front page news? I guess its the Apple connection.

Hasanuzzaman Nazmul: :)

Dhaka needs a unified transport authority

W

e welcome pledges made by several mayoral candidates to improve bus services in the capital.

It is overdue to see more attention being given to bus services.

Buses are the only means of transport available for most people and it makes sense for them to be prioritised over the small minority of car owners.

Efforts by the government and BRTC to improve buses lack co-ordination and are failing to effectively cut the congestion which costs Dhaka’s economy over $2.5bn every year.

Improving the efficiency and quality of bus services to tempt more commuters out of cars, is essential to help speed up overall journey times for everyone.

One properly functioning bus route can easily remove 30 cars off the road.

Increasing public transport use would not only speed up traffic flow, but also reduce the pollution generated by allowing private cars to dawdle in traffic jams.

With space at a premium, the best way forward is for the entire capital and Dhaka district to have a unified transport authority answerable to mayoral and local authorities, with a mandate to encourage and improve public transport.

This could set and regulate routes by both public and private operators and develop a more efficient unified ticketing system for fares. It could introduce and enforce public transport-only bus lanes on major thoroughfares.

Above all, it should take an integrated approach to improving the safety and reliability of buses to make them more comfortable and faster so that public transport becomes more attractive and improves quality of life in the city.

Take an integrated approach to making public transport more attractive

Banglabaul Hasanuzzaman: Yes, that’s called freedom.

I noted you saying bloggers attack sitting at a computer like poisonous snakes, but have no compunction doing the same yourself. If you are really asking what is the difference between bloggers and terrorists, I’ll give you a clue: The latter murder people in cold blood. If that is the company you wish to keep, best not pretend you subscribe to a superior morality when your heart is full of fear and hate, brother. I hail the transgeder person who helped catch Oyasiqur’s killers.

Kmak Banglabaul: “Yes, that’s called freedom” --

actually, it is not freedom if there’s an opportunity cost involved. Granted, that unlike terrorists bloggers don’t kill, how about we also consider the rationality of stoking religious tensions in a religious society such as ours?

If the objective is to minimise killings, then it is best served by bloggers either shutting the hell up or tempering their critiques in a dignified way so as to not inflame religious tensions. In a religious society, bloggers don’t have as much bargaining power which is why the initiative is theirs to take.

Babur Hossain Kmak: Opportunity cost is an economic term which you are using to explain why you think victims (bloggers writing something) bring murder on themselves. Don’t pretend to be rational when you are supporting nutters who kill, it’s ill-becoming and not particularly religious anyway -- doling out death penalties because you know best, is it? I would take your own advice if I was you and write when you have something new to say.

Kmak Babur Hossain: Clearly you didn’t understand a single thing I said.

Shanmin Haque Wish it had been prevented. Just two problems. AL brags about being secular while shunning nasteeks and atheists. Even if it didn’t, Islamist-inspired killers will always invent another excuse.

Rashed Shanmin Haque: At least the public were able to arrest Oyasiqur’s killers. More than the police have done in Avijit’s case.

DT BCB ends contract with Sahara April 3

Rescue our emergency services March 31 RetiredBUET A hope and a prayer is all accident victims have when they’re stuck in traffic with no guarantee a hospital will take them at the end. It’s shaming and must be fixed if we are to call ourselves civilised and developed.

Equality needs more women in politics Kaler Biborton Good decision.

March 29 Issat Mahmoud Absolutely. Without maximising the talent pool, the same few cliques of mainly men will keep power.

DT

OPINION 13

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

Radicalisation of the youth n Mamun Rashid

S

he is smart and pretty. She writes well.

She is an architect from one of Bangladesh’s most prestigious institutions. She is always clad in nicely tailored burqas. She seemed to be well aware of my bias against certain religious values and activities. She started to send me short messages on my cellphone, trying to impose her Islam on me.

She obviously did not like the US attack on Iraq or even the Bangladesh government’s attack on any “Islamist” groups. She did not like how religious groups were being treated in Bangladesh, and she was not happy about the Bangladeshi education systems, and she certainly didn’t think Pohela Boishakh should to be observed by Bangladeshis.

Unfortunately, she is not alone. I come across many young men and women studying in various prominent government educational institutions or in leading private universities harbouring the same beliefs. It is the same case with a few young men and women working in large local corporations or even global multinationals. I almost fell from my chair when my reputed US universityeducated cadet college buddy was arrested

by RAB for his alleged involvement with Hizb-ut-Tahrir.

When a public university teacher was arrested for his alleged involvement with religious extremists, I was, of course, saddened.

But these days, I come across many quiet but brilliant business graduates working for global banks, and leaving their jobs because they do not like the interest-charging banking system. They are very serious about praying five times a day and on-time. Some of them have investments in corporate advisory firms, but do not want to do any work for banks for the same reason.

For the last two or three days, I have been receiving some mail castigating the observance of Pohela Boishakh. This, apparently, is not Islam-approved or Islamic. Some of them even said that through the observance of Pohela Boishakh, the entire nation is subjugated by Hinduism. The writers also seemed to be a little shaken with the gala observance of the Bengali New Year. They didn’t like the singing in the parks, the moving around freely in public, and young girls and boys holding each other’s hands and walking.

Most of them saw these as the opposite to the preachings of Islam, and more importantly, directly conflicting with “Nobijir poth” -- the values and teachings of the prophet.

What does one do with them? They are not madrasa students being overdosed by their backdated teachers and deprived of the basic possible amenities of life. Bangladesh is seeing a rise in soft-speaking, IT aware, and articulate youths joining the bandwagon.

Madrasa students may be joining similar forces in Afghanistan or in the Middle East, but what do we do with these new emerging youths? They don’t like the way this government is working.

Many of them think the ruling government is anti-Islam and they are ready to debate on this for hours. Many of them are computer engineers or doctors coming out of prestigious public medical colleges. Surprisingly, this group contains academically brilliant sons and daughters of armed forces seniors too. They want a more “Islamic culture” to be practiced and the nation not to be driven towards the “Hindu culture.” Many of them oppose democracy.

It seems we can’t do much about this either, unless they also go overboard, thus warranting punitive measures. Most of them are docile, but very well-networked.

BIGSTOCK

They are spreading their beliefs and values faster than anyone else. Globalisation, growth of information and communication technology, limitations in monitoring capacities of different government agencies, and weak political institutions have further accentuated the situation for both -- the “too conservative” forces as well as modern educated youths. Recently we are also seeing 9/11 type self-radicalisation in the youths.

Despite government crackdowns and almost pushing them to the wall, Hizb-utTahrir continues to follow the strategy of propagating their ideologies and beliefs through the internet, social websites, blogs, CDs, fliers, and posters. There is such selfradicalisation happening among vulnerable groups and individuals too. They think the present system and political institutions

won’t do anything for them, but the rich and the powerful only. The “us and them” mentality is also working strong here.

What do we need to do in this case? I am sure Amartya Sen might have had an answer.

Income inequality, the super domination of Indian media, and to some extent Indian culture, the Western lifestyle, or the growth of the new rich class under direct patronisation of the political government have their causes rooted inside. An integrated education system, well organised cultural activities, faster poverty alleviation programs, practice of democratic values, and maybe more space for the opposite school of thought might bring us closer to an answer. l

local populace can produce hydro-electricity and ensure its proper utilisation. The electricity can be supplied to the deprived people of the CHT for domestic purposes. Alongside the establishment of small industries, irrigation and food preservation opportunities can be created. Subsequently, positive changes towards development will be seen at the domestic and commercial levels in this area.

If energy is provided to areas in the CHT, access to modern information technology-enabled facilities will be made easier to its denizens. Through this, the local farmers can be linked with service-providing organisations and can get introduced to modern agriculture technologies, receive proper training, and learn about efficient production. Micro-irrigation can also contribute into extra crop production throughout the year.

By using this energy, chilling centres, as well as cold storages, can also be set up in order to protect crops from getting destroyed.

The produced electricity can also be used in the education and health sectors, enabling local clinics to preserve various types of vaccines and medicine. The CHT has vast promise in being a part of our tourism sector, which can bring in a sizable revenue to the country but has not been made possible yet

because of its lack of sufficient energy. In this regard, energy supply is the demand of the time for further expanding CHT as a viable part of our tourism sector.

Therefore, now it is the time to produce renewable energy in the CHT and for the government and the private sector need to work together towards achieving it. Alongside a lot of research, bottomup consultation with various people, organisations, and stakeholders, comparative analysis, and demand formation by the local people are obligatory.

Though there is no negative impact of renewable energy on the environment and the ecology, risk assessment must be conducted and management capacity has to be improved before initiating any type of energy production-related activities in the CHT, in order to avoid any possible disasters and financial losses. Finally, the measurement should be undertaken conferring considerations to the local tradition, culture, heritage, and the inherited livelihoods of the diverse ethnic groups living there. l

Mamun Rashid is a business professor and financial sector entrepreneur.

Bring energy for them n Md Ashik Sarder

O

ver 1 million people live in The Chittagong Hill Tracts. Among them, many are deprived of basic rights and even the bare minimum of modern facilities.

Both unity and fragmentation among the people, large seasonal variations, and various geophysical occurrences are frequent in this area. Conducting development activities is difficult in this region because of its existing political issues, the distinguishing lifestyle of its indigenous people, and the hard-to-reach nature of the hilly area. But, a comprehensive approach is prerequisite for the hill tracts in improving the lives and livelihoods of its people and bring balance to the pace of development throughout the country.

There is some socio-economic rationale for the CHT’s lagging behind in terms of advancement compared to other areas in Bangladesh. One of these reasons is the absence of energy, particularly the deficiency of electricity in most parts of this region. But development, especially sustainable development, is not possible when you have such an enormous area deprived of energy. So, a very good understanding is indispensable, while measures need to be taken in over-

coming the energy crisis for domestic and commercial purposes to improve the people’s life and livelihoods.

As the CHT has vast natural resources, especially water resources such its rivers, canals, lakes, and small streams, they can be successfully used to generate hydro-electricity to fulfill the demand of the people. The hydro-electricity can contribute into domestic purposes, bettering livelihoods, and improving agriculture for the state of the region’s under-privileged populace. The suitable hilly water-sources can also be alternately used for the production of renewable energy, as these days the emphasis is on producing renewable energy on the part of development practitioners. The Roman, Indian, and Chinese civilisations were enriched by using extra canal water for producing energy -- the symbol of renewable energy. In today’s world, countries like Kenya, Nepal, Vietnam, Tanzania, and other developing and underdeveloped countries are the biggest beneficiaries of adopting renewable energy through the proper utilisation of water.

It will be very supportive of the government and other service-providing organisations to ensure civil facilities and jog development activities in the CHT; that is, if the

Md Ashik Sarder is a development worker and researcher currently working at NGO Forum for Public Health.

DT

14 OPINION

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Who will guard our guardians? n Raihan Hadi

T

here’s this policeman in our area who is kind of a hero to me. He’s not really a big shot kind of a guy, just the regular uncle-type, with hair and beard like the Irish (henna, of course), wellbuilt, and righteous from head to toe. Every day I see him while going to work, relentlessly pacing up and down the road, making sure the vehicles keep moving.

Sometimes, the black sheep of drivers, you know, the one who thinks his uncle made the road exclusively for him to practice his freewill upon, gets caught by this uncle cop, and the scene that follows is what I enjoy the most (I’m giggling already): It’s like watching Adam West’s Batman beating villains up with those special visual sound effects (like thud, thwack, poof and kaboom). And while uncle cop’s at it he tells the driver how he was asked to remain on track and not pick up passengers from the middle of the road.

Sometimes he also explains the situation to pedestrians so that they don’t get him wrong.

What amazes me is that these cops and traffic policemen are on duty for over 12 hours a day, and then what amazes me further is that most of them get to go back to their home in places like Rajarbagh Police Lines, where there is everything but a decent home for them to relax in after being roasted alive the whole day, with extra icing from flyover dust et al. Recently, I heard from a friend, who has a friend who lives in one of those police quarters, that their toilets are swarming with cockroaches and centipedes 24/7 and their bedrooms have rods peeking out of the

layers of brick and cement, covered with old clothes to prevent dust from entering their eyes when they are trying to get some sleep.

No wonder cops are so pissed all the time; they might seem calm, but that’s just the good training showing up. If I was forced to live in such conditions I would have been pissed too. People who are guarding the nation are getting the worst of all treatments when they deserve the best, while those whom we don’t really need every day not only get to put all of their monthly salaries into their bank accounts, but also get treated like kings, are sent to foreign lands for more training that they’ll never use and a guarantee that at the end of the day they’ll also have their own businesses!

Don’t get me wrong -- I know that there are many rotten apples in the barrel who exploit simpletons and become landlords by the time they retire, but is this the way that they really want to do all of this? Or is the situation in need of proper attention, in need of nurturing the good ones as well? I have come to know very recently about how recruitment and transfer to Dhaka works for cops, and I was devastated to learn of the situation as it is.

I mean, I have met so many good policemen in my life till now that it’s hard to believe that their situation is nowhere near that of living a clean life as a normal human being. There is the thought of starting a family, having kids, sending them to a good school, raising them well and on top of that, sacrificing their personal life to save that of others, and while doing that, if any body is subjected to live in the worst conditions

imaginable, then it is inevitable for them to lose some of their sanity.

I’ve watched a lot of movies from different countries around the world and those related to policemen, keep showing how they mostly have a proper home to live in and raise their children. But hey, that’s all in film. In real life, according to laws in many countries, the police force is allowed to do anything and everything to stop crime from entering the common man’s doorstep. And it’s not that they don’t benefit from that.

I have met many good policemen -- it’s hard to believe that their situation is nowhere near that of living a clean life as a normal human being

Not going into details, but there are some places in the world that allow cops to track criminals who have a lot of black money and stolen goods that no one is left to claim, and once they catch the bad guys the whole finding is first divided into two parts -- the smaller portion goes to the treasury of the government, and the rest is equally shared among the heroes who smoked the criminals

out of their holes. Tell me now, is that not a great idea? If we could introduce something like that in this country, I think we would become a land of saints in no time! Of course then there would be no work for the cops to do, but that’s not right is it? Maybe I’m just giving into too much fantasy, aren’t I? The police force of any country is supposed to be one of the most sacred institutions in that country, dedicated to guard and serve the nation and its people, and provide protection and justice as and when needed without one bit of hesitation.

To achieve this ideal situation, a lot of aspects have to be thought of and foolproof human resource management is needed so that policemen, after joining the force and completing their probationary period, do not have to be worried at all about their career or future or finances. Apart from the twisted way that I have mentioned above (which would still be a great practice), there are several ways in which policemen can be given a wonderful life, and at the least be provided with a good place to live so that they have a decent home to come back to after a hard day’s work.

Our neighbours have laws and systems that protect and provide the best possible lives for their guardians. But we are still unable to give them the basics. This needs to change at the earliest because if we are not going to guard the lives of our guardians, then who else will? l Raihan Hadi is Founder, Ideas for Bangladesh, and Deputy Secretary, Korea-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

16

EIA: US crude oil output to soar till 2020 despite price rout

17

IMF: Currency shifts support global economic growth

19

Stocks rally breaks three-day losses

Kamal rules out World Bank’s latest 5.6% growth forecast n Tribune Report Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has ruled out the World Bank’s latest economic growth projection for the fiscal year 2014-15.

He said analysing the available data of first nine months of the fiscal, the GDP already grew 6.5%.

On Sunday, the World Bank said the GDP growth of Bangladesh is expected to grow at 5.6% in this fiscal year, cutting from its October’s forecast of 6.2%.

At a press briefing held at the planning ministry office yesterday, the minister said the country was able to recover the economic losses faced during the political unrest, as people looked for alternative ways amidst the political turmoil.

“In the recent political turmoil, economic activities were not shut down. It might reduce

some profit margin but did not destroy the economy—this conception is not true. ” According to the World Bank’s latest development update on Bangladesh, political turbulence causing substantial financial losses in three months valued $2.2bn, which is 1% of gross domestic product, dampened the economic growth project.

“If this happens for one year, GDP growth will reduce to 2%, which is not possible,” said the minister.

He firmly stated Bangladesh would not see below 6% growth in any situation.

However, he said, what the damage done in the economy was just losses of some life and rising transport costs.

In the July-March period, industrial growth rose 9.38%, SME sector 10.66%, power 6.58%, construction 16.26%, iron and steel 14.12% and wholesale and retail sub-sector 8.54%.

About the growth forecast gap between World Bank and the government, the Bank’s lead economist Zahid Hussain earlier said: “The official growth estimate is unlikely to capture the production losses in construction, wholesale and retail trades, transport, storage and communication and, public administration, education, health, community and social services due to the political turmoil.”

He said the proxies and methods used by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics to estimate production and expenditures work well in a normal year, but fail to capture the impact of disruptions in an abnormal year.

Private consumption and private investments account for nearly 93% of GDP, but despite declining these two components, the growth was higher, the World Bank report said. l

NBR rearranges duties of 19 officials n Tribune Report

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has recently rearranged the administrative duties of its 19 officials from different wings, including five members from NBR headquarters, to bring dynamism in revenue administration for attaining the revenue target of Tk1,49,720 crore in the current fiscal year.

The NBR brought the changes through issuing separate official orders on Monday.

According to an order, Customs and VAT administration member Hussain Ahmed was assigned to oversee Customs Export, Bond and IT, Taxes Audit Intelligence and Investigation member Sultan M Iqbal was assigned as the member of Customs and VAT admin, VAT implementation and IT member Firoz Shah Alam was made member of board administration.

visit our website @

www.dhakatribune.com

President and member (technical) of Customs Excise and VAT Appellate Tribunal, Dhaka was transferred as member of VAT implementation and IT while and Customs Export, Bond and IT member Khandker Aminur Rahman was assigned as president and member (technical) of Customs Excise and VAT Appellate Tribunal, Dhaka, according to another order.

Besides, the NBR has transferred a commissioner while four additional commissioners, seven joint commissioners, and two deputy commissioners, who were promoted recently gets their postings.

NBR commissioner Md. Mahbubuzzaman, who was attached with the NBR headquarter was transferred to Custom, Excise and VAT (Appeal) commissionerate, Khulna.

Custom, Excise, and VAT comissionerate, Dhaka (East) additional commissioner

Md Shawkat Hossain was transferred to Custom, Excise, and VAT comissionerate, Dhaka (South), NBR first secretary (VAT) Mohammad Mubinul Kabir was transferred to Dhaka Custom House as additional commissioner, Chittagong Custom House additional commissioner Sheikh Abu Faisal Md Murad was transferred to Custom, Excise, and VAT comissionerate, Dhaka (West), and Custom, excise, and VAT comissionerate, Dhaka (South) additional commissioner was assigned to Custom, excise, and VAT comissionerate, Dhaka (East), according to an order signed by NBR second secretary Md Shamsuddin.

NBR first secretary Kazi Farid Uddin was posted at Customs Bond Commissionerate, Chittagong as joint commissioner while first secretary Begum Pramila Sarker was posted as joint commissioner of Custom, Excise, and VAT comissionerate, Dhaka (East), NBR first secretary Moshiur Rahman was posted as joint commissioner of Customs Bond Commissionerate, Dhaka, NBR first secretary Begum Shamima Akhter was posted as joint commissioner at Large Taxpayers Unit (VAT), Dhaka, NBR first secretary Khairul Kabir Mia was posted as joint commissioner of Custom, Excise, and VAT comissionerate, Dhaka (North), NBR first secretary (customs) Rois Uddin Khan was posted at NBR headquarters as first secretary while joint commissioner of Custom House (ICD), Kamalapur, Dhaka Mohammad Tajul Islam was posted as joint commissioner of Dhaka Custom House. l

20

DT

Business

15

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

Union Insurance fined Tk5 lakh

Ministries to discuss sector-wise budget today

n Asif Showkat Kallol Planning Ministry has favoured the sector-wise fund allocations in national budget instead of making it ministry-wise.

But the Finance Ministry said if the United Nations classification of sectors is followed, the budget funds can be allocated sector-wise, said official sources.

The issue will be discussed at a workshop on the sector-wise budget allocation today at the planning ministry’s auditorium.

Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal will preside over the workshop to be also attended by State Minister for Planning and Finance MA Mannan. The officials of two ministries will participate in the workshop.

Planning ministry thinks if sector-based allocations are made, the utilisation of resources can be accounted properly in performance evaluation. But a Finance Division official said for proper utilisation of the budget funds, the UN-classified 10 sectors need to be adopted.

The two ministries have mismatches in their own classification of sectors, causing overlapping and resultant wastes in the use of budget funds.

“It is true that there is a lack of coordination between finance and planning ministries.

Mismatch in defining sectors causes waste of funds. That’s why finance ministry prefers the UN classification,” the official said.

According to the workshop working paper, the planning ministry will highlight 10 thematic groups of sectors included in the Sixth Five-Year Plan.

The groups include raising farm productivity and agricultural growth, diversifying exports and developing a dynamic manufacturing sector, energy development plan to support higher growth and employment, transport services to reduce cost and improve welfare, managing the urban transition, boosting the knowledge economy for higher productivity, education, training, sports, culture and religion, health, population and nutrition sector development programmes, reaching out the poor and the vulnerable population and environment, climatic change and disaster risk management.

Planning Commission said the differences in sectoral divisions by two ministries also create problems in evaluation and monitoring by the Implementation and Monitoring Evaluation Department (IMED).

“The differences in sectoral divisions by the ministries make the monitoring and evaluation by the IMED complicated,” said Planning Commission member M Shamsul Alam.

“It also creates unnecessary burden for the ministries/divisions to come up with different sets of reports for ADP monitoring and evaluation and budget performance reports,” he alleged. l

DT

16 BUSINESS

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

Fitch: Oil price could recover to $70 per barrel by year end

n Reuters

A general view shows an oil refinery of Russian state-controlled oil giant Rosneft at night near the Siberian town of Strezhevoy in the Tomsk region

REUTERS

EIA: US crude oil output to soar till 2020 despite price rout n Reuters, New York The US government on Tuesday forecast domestic crude production will rise even more than expected a year ago, undeterred by the worst price rout since the financial crisis.

US crude oil production will peak at 10.6 million barrels per day in 2020, a million barrels more than the high forecast a year earlier, according to the annual energy outlook by the Energy Information Administration, the statistical arm of the US Energy Department.

Crude production will then moderate to 9.4 million bpd in 2040, 26% more than expected a year ago, the agency said.

The reference case in the report forecasts Brent prices LCOc1 of $56 a barrel in 2015, rising to about $91 a barrel in 2025, $10 a barrel less than levels expected a year ago. The report uses the 2013 value of the dollar as its measure.

Despite lower prices, higher production will result mainly from increased onshore oil output, predominantly from shale formations, the agency said.

Onshore production in lower 48 states is expected to reach 5.6 million bpd in 2020 in the reference case, 34% more than expected a year ago. The agency expects a faster oil drilling pace this year than it saw last year.

“Producers continue to locate and target

Singapore surprises by standing pat on policy, Sing dollar climbs n Reuters, Singapore Singapore’s central bank on Tuesday surprised markets by holding off from further monetary easing, saying an improving outlook for global growth would underpin the trade-reliant economy.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said the citystate’s economy was on track to meet the official forecast of 2-4% growth in 2015, and kept its projections for headline and core inflation unchanged.

“The outlook for the global economy has improved slightly, anchored by a stronger re-

covery in the G3,” the MAS said in its half-yearly policy statement.

The central bank kept the slope, width and mid-point of the Singapore dollar’s policy band unchanged and said it would maintain its policy of a “modest and gradual” appreciation of the Singapore dollar.

In January, the MAS had unexpectedly reduced the slope of its policy band for the Singapore dollar in an off-cycle move, saying the inflation outlook had “shifted significantly” following a plunge in global oil prices. l

the sweet spots of plays currently under development,” the report said.

As production continues to boom, net imports are expected to decline as a share of domestic consumption. Net imports are expected to account for 14% of domestic liquid fuels consumption in 2020, compared with 26% seen a year ago.

Still, the outright level of crude oil imports into the Gulf Coast and West Coast is expected to remain high through 2040.

In the East Coast and Midwest, imports are expected to grow from 2013 to 2040 in all of the scenarios explored in the report except for one where oil and gas resources are forecast to be especially high, the report said. l

Crude oil prices LCOc1 could rise quickly in the second half of the year and may reach $70 per barrel by the end of 2015 as US shale production tapers and seasonal variations increase demand, a top analyst at ratings agency Fitch said on Tuesday.

However, Alex Griffiths, the head of oil and gas research at Fitch, said it might take several years for oil to reach $80 - the price level where supply and demand is seen as balanced based on current production costs.

“We see US shale oil as reacting most quickly to balancing the supply with demand,” Griffiths told Reuters on the sidelines of a conference in Oslo.

“You essentially need shale to slow down, not drop, because demand for oil, like all commodities, is growing. Production got slightly ahead of where it needs to be, so it’s not a huge correction you need.”

Brent crude was trading at some $58 a barrel on Tuesday, off lows registered earlier in the year, but still down by around a half from last June, making many new oil developments unprofitable and forcing producers, particularly in the U.S. shale market, to slash capital spending.

“Whichever way the price goes, there will certainly be multiple bounces and overshoots in both directions,” Griffiths said. “We think fundamentals justify $80, because that’s the marginal cost, but markets can move away from the marginal costs for a period.

“We’re talking about relatively rapid recovery later this year as shale production flattens out. There’s also a traditional seasonal demand pick up of about 1.5 million barrels per day from Q2 to Q3,” Griffiths said.

The US Energy Information Administration said on Monday that it expected US shale production to fall by 45,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 4.98 million bpd in May - the first such monthly decline in more than four years.

Oil prices have fallen sharply as both OPEC and US production has exceeded forecasts while consumption has failed to meet projections, particularly due to slower Chinese growth. l

DT

BUSINESS 17

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

IMF: Currency shifts support global economic growth

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde delivers a speech about “Sound Monetary Policy in the New Normal” at China Development Forum, in Beijing REUTERS

n Reuters, Washington Recent shifts in exchange rates should help the global economy, boosting Japan and Europe in particular, amid increasing divergence in the growth paths of the world’s major economies, the International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday.

The Washington-based institution kept its global growth forecasts unchanged, with faster economic expansion in the euro zone and India expected to be offset by diminished prospects in other key emerging markets such as Russia and Brazil.

But it cautioned that the economic recovery remains “moderate and uneven,” beset by greater uncertainty and a host of risks, including geopolitical tensions and financial volatility.

In its flagship World Economic Outlook, the IMF kept its forecast for global growth this year at 3.5%. For 2016, the IMF expects global gross domestic product to expand 3.8%, up from the 3.7% it forecast in January.

The headline figures mask a growing split

among major economies, in part due to the varying impacts of currency fluctuations and lower oil prices.

The sharp rise of the dollar against the euro and yen is expected to be a major theme at the meeting of the world’s top economic policymakers in Washington later this week. The currency moves have exposed some emerging economies as well.

The IMF said monetary policies are driving most of the currency movements, as the U.S. Federal Reserve prepares to raise rates while the European Central Bank and Bank of Japan maintain their monetary stimulus.

The currency effects should boost global GDP, supporting demand in the still-troubled economies of the euro zone and Japan, the IMF said, raising its forecasts for both regions.

The IMF also cut its outlook for the United States, as a 10% appreciation in the dollar over the last six months dragged down net exports.

But it said both the United States and China, whose yuan is linked to the dollar, have some policy space to offset the appreciation of their

currencies.

The IMF said China, however, could still face a greater economic slowdown as its rebalances away from investment toward consumption-led growth.

The Fund also reiterated that many of the risks it highlighted in October, including geopolitical tensions and disruptive shifts in financial markets, could still derail the sluggish recovery.

“A world in which you have large movements in exchange rates ... is a more risky world, from a financial point of view,” the IMF’s chief economist, Olivier Blanchard, told reporters.

The Fund also highlighted the potential for shocks around the first US interest rate hike in nearly nine years, which could prompt capital outflows from emerging markets.

The IMF said lower oil prices should add more than 0.5 percentage point to global economic growth by next year, but warned they could rise more quickly than expected and hurt global demand. l

Japan PM adviser Hamada says dollar at Y120 acceptable n Reuters, Tokyo The yen is fairly valued around current levels, a key economic adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Tuesday, a day after comments he made were taken to mean the yen was too weak.

Koichi Hamada, an emeritus professor of economics at Yale University, also told Reuters he was not suggesting the Bank of Japan ease policy at its next meeting this month, in contrast to the recent views of another Abe adviser.

“120 yen per dollar is acceptable,” Hamada said in an interview.

He was quoted on Monday as saying a 105 yen rate was acceptable, but sought on Tuesday to clarify that he had been referring to the purchasing power parity-implied rate, which is around 101 yen, not the spot market rate.

“If the PPP-implied rate is at 105 yen and the yen weakens to 125 yen or to 130 yen, then such a gap may invite speculators,” Hamada said.

The yen fell on the comments, giving up some of its gains on his previous remarks. The dollar rose to 120.10 yen from 119.70 yen on his comments to Reuters before slipping back below 120 yen.

On monetary policy, Hamada remained open to further easing, but did not see this as a pressing issue.

“I would not oppose further easing on April 30, because inflation won’t be generated even if the central bank eases again,” he said.

“But I would not on my own oppose the BOJ adopting monetary easing for now.”

He said there was still room for the BOJ to ease further but that this did not necessarily mean the central bank should ease anytime soon.

Kozo Yamamoto, an Abe adviser and expert on monetary policy in the premier’s party, told Reuters on April 1 that the BOJ must expand its asset purchases on April 30, given signs of slowdown in the economy and prices.

The central bank maintained its massive stimulus program last week and brushed aside speculation of near-term additional easing, even as inflation grinds to a halt far below the bank’s targeted 2%.

Hamada said “core-core” CPI, which excludes energy and food prices, of around 1% would be reasonable. The latest data showed it was 0.3% in February, after stripping out the effect of last year’s sales-tax hike. l

IMF: Emerging markets still losing steam n Reuters, Paris

Growth in emerging markets will slow for a fifth consecutive year, the IMF said Tuesday, as exchange rate swings and oil prices plunge, and China’s economic growth slows.

The International Monetary Fund said Tuesday it expected the emerging markets to post growth of 4.3% in 2015, down from 4.6% in 2014 and 5% in 2013.

“In emerging markets, negative growth surprises for the past four years have led to

diminished expectations regarding medium-term growth prospects,” the IMF said.

The slowdown, if not outright contractions, is evident in most of the major emerging markets, known as the BRICS. Only India and South Africa are expected to see growth increase this year. Brazil and Russia are to contract.

Meanwhile growth is to slow in China, which has been the driver of global growth in recent years.

The IMF expects the expansion of the Chi-

nese economy to slow from 7.4% last year to 6.8% this year and 6.3% next year.

“The gradual slowdown in China and the partly related decline in commodity prices (which also reflected a sizable supply response) weakened the growth momentum to some extent in commodity-exporting countries and others with close trade links to China,” the Fund said.

Oil, greenback big risks

Although the IMF, which is holding its

twice-annual meeting this week in Washington, expects emerging market growth to rebound to 4.7 percent next year, it remains concerned about the risks that sharp changes in currency exchange rates and oil prices could act as a drag.

While oil prices have fallen by around half since hitting a peak last June, that is not universally good news for emerging countries, particularly oil exporters facing other economic difficulties like Russia and Venezuela. l

DT

18 BUSINESS

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

News, analysis and recent disclosures AGRANINS: As per Regulation 30 of DSE Listing Regulations, the Company has informed that a meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on April 18, 2015 at 11:30 AM to consider, among others, audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

BSC: As per Regulation 30 of DSE Listing Regulations, the Company has informed that a meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on April 22, 2015 at 6:30 PM to consider, among others, audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended on June 30, 2014.

PROVATIINS: As per Regulation 30 of DSE Listing Regulations, the Company has informed that a meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on April 19, 2015 at 4:15 PM to consider, among others, audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

MHSML: The Company has informed that the Board has decided to purchase 2 Rotor Machines by investing Tk. 1.25 crore that may increase the production capacity up to 30% effective from July 2015.

DUTCHBANGL: The Company has informed that cash dividend for the year 2014 has already been credited to the respective shareholders through BEFTN in their respective bank accounts mentioned in the BO ID number. The shareholders whose accounts could not credit in their bank accounts are requested to collect their dividend warrants from the Share Department of

the Company, Head Office at Sena Kalyan Bhaban (3rd floor), 195, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000 during the Office hours within April 23, 2015.

IPO Subscription: Olympic Accessories Limited Subscription 19.04.2015 TO 23.04.2015, NRB UPTO 02.05.2015. Offer Price per share Tk. 10.00, Market Lot (Shares) 500.

Dividend/AGM ABBANK: 12.50% stock, EGM and AGM: 17.05.2015, Record date for EGM and AGM: 23.04.2015.

IFIC: 15% Stock dividend, AGM: 17.06.2015, Record Date: 20.05.2015.

MERCINS: 10% cash dividend, AGM: 09.06.2015, Record Date: 22.04.2015.

NORTHRNINS: 10% stock dividend, AGM: 13.06.2015, Record Date: 22.04.2015.

CITYGENINS: 10% stock dividend, AGM: 15.06.2015, Record Date: 22.04.2015.

SHASHADNIM: 20% cash and 15% stock dividend, AGM: 21.05.2015, Record date: 23.04.2015.

POPULARLIF: 40% Stock dividend, AGM: 11.06.2015, Record Date: 23.04.2015.

BGIC: 12% cash dividend, AGM: 11.06.2015, Record date: 23.04.2015.

DHAKABANK: 14% cash and 10% stock, AGM: 13.05.2015, Record date: 21.04.2015.

NITOLINS: 15% stock, AGM: 09.06.2015, Record Date: 26.04.2015.

SQUARETEXT: 20% cash and 10% stock, AGM: 16.06.2015, Record Date: 20.05.2015.

Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

Company WesternMarine -N Dacca Dyeing-A BSRM Steels-A Prime Finance-A BD Finance-A Jute SpinnersA People`s Leasing-A LankaBangla Fin. -A Familytex (BD) Ltd.-A Maksons Spinning-A

Closing (% Change) 9.84 9.82 9.81 9.77 9.71 9.70 9.70 9.69 9.66 9.64

CSE GAINER Company BSRM Steels-A G Next Fashions-A Eastern Housing -A WesternMarine -N B I F C -A Rupali InsurA BD Finance-A Dacca Dyeing-A People`s Leasing-A Asia Insur. Ltd.-A

Closing (% Change) 10.00 10.00 9.92 9.84 9.80 9.74 9.71 9.65 9.63 9.63

DSE LOSER Company Phoenix Finance-A Imam Button -Z Sinobangla Indu.-A MBL 1st M. F.-A Aramit -A Rupali Bank - A PragatiLife Insu. -Z BD. Autocars -Z Trust Bank 1st MF-A ICB Sonali Bank 1 MF-A

Closing (% Change) -9.55 -5.21 -2.90 -2.70 -2.59 -2.58 -2.34 -2.29 -2.27 -2.00

CSE LOSER Company Samata LeatheR -Z Imam Button -Z Phoenix Finance-A Asia Pasific Insu. -A Rahima Food -Z Peoples Insur -A Islami Ins.BD-A National Life I -A Monno Ceramic -B Popular Life Insu. -A

Closing (% Change) -10.00 -9.28 -8.64 -8.57 -6.43 -5.56 -4.61 -4.42 -4.30 -3.97

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY

DSE key features April 15, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka)

DSE GAINER

Sector

4,697.42 103,718,962 119,857

Traded Issues

308

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

248

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

52

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

3

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,493.83

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

30.23

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 188.05 145.43 22.45 787.49 159.81 1272.78 2.72 492.87 618.49 11.10 243.81 13.76 22.88 117.83 87.16 30.99 51.80 185.99 108.38 132.93 0.00

% change 4.00 3.10 0.48 16.77 3.40 27.10 0.06 10.49 13.17 0.24 5.19 0.29 0.49 2.51 1.86 0.66 1.10 3.96 2.31 2.83 0.00

Million Taka 12.16 12.51 1.62 65.10 6.89 104.19 43.83 34.52 1.47 13.13 0.88 2.83 20.52 3.92 0.42 1.09 25.35 20.96 19.30 0.02

Average (% Change) 10.09 6.23 8.58 7.87 6.03 12.50 7.08 4.97 7.46 4.74

Average (% Change) 8.91 7.97 10.13 10.19 10.02 7.03 6.76 8.75 6.75 9.03

Average (% Change) -8.10 -5.41 1.84 -0.55 -1.94 -1.43 -1.70 -2.97 -0.23 -0.20

Average (% Change) -10.00 -11.86 -7.42 -8.57 -6.82 -6.12 -4.61 -4.44 -4.30 -3.99

CSE

ClosingAvg. 47.14 11.93 69.50 14.39 11.07 45.00 14.37 27.65 15.56 8.84

ClosingAvg. 70.02 11.78 40.32 47.14 11.20 16.89 11.22 12.31 14.39 14.73

ClosingAvg. 19.96 9.09 23.77 3.64 269.02 42.07 96.15 16.98 4.34 4.94

ClosingAvg.

% change 3.11 3.20 0.41 16.66 1.76 26.67 0.00 11.22 8.84 0.38 3.36 0.22 0.72 5.25 1.00 0.11 0.28 6.49 5.37 4.94 0.01

17.10 8.84 20.08 12.80 26.09 15.33 14.50 210.00 24.50 145.00

Closing

DHIGH

48.00 12.30 70.50 14.60 11.30 44.10 14.70 28.30 15.90 9.10

Closing

48.00 12.30 70.60 14.60 11.30 44.10 14.70 28.30 15.90 9.10

DHIGH

70.40 12.10 41.00 48.00 11.20 16.90 11.30 12.50 14.80 14.80

Closing 19.90 9.10 23.40 3.60 267.00 41.50 95.80 17.10 4.30 4.90

Closing 17.10 8.80 20.10 12.80 26.20 15.30 14.50 210.00 24.50 145.00

Million Taka 200.21 157.93 24.07 852.59 166.70 1376.97 2.72 536.71 653.01 12.56 256.94 14.64 25.71 138.34 91.08 31.42 52.88 211.33 129.34 152.22 0.02

DLOW 44.00 11.00 65.00 13.30 10.20 44.00 13.30 26.10 14.50 8.40

DLOW

70.40 12.10 41.00 48.00 11.20 16.90 11.30 12.50 14.80 14.80

DHIGH

65.90 10.90 38.20 44.20 11.20 16.30 10.60 11.10 13.50 14.60

DLOW

20.30 9.50 24.80 3.80 277.90 42.00 101.00 17.50 4.50 5.30

DHIGH

19.80 9.00 23.20 3.60 266.00 41.00 92.50 17.00 4.30 4.80

DLOW

17.10 8.90 20.10 12.80 27.00 15.60 14.50 210.00 24.50 145.00

Total

17.10 8.80 19.90 12.80 26.00 15.30 14.50 210.00 24.50 145.00

% change 3.94 3.10 0.47 16.76 3.28 27.07 0.05 10.55 12.84 0.25 5.05 0.29 0.51 2.72 1.79 0.62 1.04 4.15 2.54 2.99 0.00

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

225.396 3.640 47.408 6.513 7.017 0.009 31.380 18.715 13.114 6.963

Turnover in Million

1.76 1.04 3.63 1.59 0.69 -43.64 0.97 1.84 3.25 0.40

Latest EPS

5.762 2.300 0.265 24.206 0.008 0.127 0.700 0.332 3.517 0.022

Turnover in Million

26.8 11.5 19.1 9.1 16.0 -ve 14.8 15.0 4.8 22.1

Latest PE

3.63 1.84 1.80 1.76 1.41 1.79 0.69 1.04 0.97 2.17

Latest EPS

8.249 0.120 4.902 0.376 2.670 0.013 0.362 0.045 1.024 0.173

Turnover in Million

Latest PE

19.3 6.4 22.4 26.8 7.9 9.4 16.3 11.8 14.8 6.8

Latest PE

1.64 -1.48 0.92 0.12 14.12 2.04 2.38 0.14 0.74 0.98

Latest EPS

0.009 0.020 0.174 0.013 0.061 0.003 0.001 0.048 0.004 0.010

12.2 -ve 25.8 30.3 19.1 20.6 40.4 121.3 5.9 5.0

Latest PE

-0.46 -1.48 1.64 2.32 -0.42 2.25 1.48 12.46 0.20 4.05

-ve -ve 12.2 5.5 -ve 6.8 9.8 16.9 122.5 35.8

CSE key features April 15, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

390.69 10,560,504 19,279

Traded Issues

232

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

171

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

56

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

5

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,407.01

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

29.18

DT

BUSINESS 19

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

Stocks rally breaks threeday losses n Tribune Report

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company United Power-N MJL BD Ltd.-A WesternMarine -N ACI Limited- A Ifad Autos -N Grameenphone-A SAIF Powertec-N Square Pharma -A Shasha Denims -N LafargeS Cement-Z

Khulna Power-A SummitAlliancePort.-A Unique Hotel RL - A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Mozaffar H.Spinning-A

VolumeShares 2,977,326 2,114,146 4,781,887 322,359 2,280,514 465,638 1,783,088 474,581 2,882,686 921,907

Value in Million 555.94 288.11 225.40 186.68 172.89 160.34 131.09 123.68 119.29 101.64

% of TotalTurnover 11.84 6.13 4.80 3.97 3.68 3.41 2.79 2.63 2.54 2.16

VolumeShares

Value in Million

% of TotalTurnover

1,616,438 1,818,164 1,435,170 2,251,302 1,892,807

CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company United Power-N WesternMarine -N MJL BD Ltd.-A LafargeS Cement-Z Grameenphone-A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A UNITED AIR-A Mozaffar H.Spinning-A Ifad Autos -N BD Submarine Cable-A

Square Pharma -A Unique Hotel RL - A Shasha Denims -N SAIF Powertec-N ACI Formulations-A

334,073 513,528 156,305 165,963 44,879 402,467 1,681,893 294,251 135,357 85,612

35,226 151,981 191,730 103,745 50,603

99.87 98.44 78.39 69.68 68.04

62.34 24.21 21.28 18.37 15.52 12.40 11.81 10.50 10.24 9.82

9.19 8.28 7.94 7.65 7.52

2.13 2.10 1.67 1.48 1.45

15.96 6.20 5.45 4.70 3.97 3.17 3.02 2.69 2.62 2.51

2.35 2.12 2.03 1.96 1.93

ClosingP 190.90 134.90 48.00 571.00 77.50 342.70 73.90 259.80 41.40 109.70

61.90 54.00 54.10 31.30 36.10

ClosingP

Change % 8.65 -0.22 9.84 -0.21 4.73 -1.18 3.21 -0.42 1.97 -1.97

1.31 5.26 -0.18 5.39 1.12

Change %

189.90 48.00 135.00 110.10 342.80 31.30 7.30 35.90 76.60 114.70

260.10 53.80 41.40 74.00 147.10

8.39 9.84 0.00 -1.87 -1.01 5.39 7.35 1.99 3.10 1.59

-0.61 -1.10 2.22 3.35 -0.14

ClosingY 175.70 135.20 43.70 572.20 74.00 346.80 71.60 260.90 40.60 111.90

61.10 51.30 54.20 29.70 35.70

ClosingY

175.20 43.70 135.00 112.20 346.30 29.70 6.80 35.20 74.30 112.90

261.70 54.40 40.50 71.60 147.30

DHIGH 193.20 139.00 48.00 586.00 78.90 348.50 74.90 262.30 42.30 112.80

62.80 55.90 56.00 31.60 36.30

DLOW 178.00 134.00 44.00 567.00 73.40 342.10 72.00 259.00 40.40 109.50

60.80 51.90 53.20 30.00 35.10

DHIGH

DLOW

192.70 48.00 138.30 112.40 349.00 31.40 7.40 37.00 78.80 116.40

178.10 44.20 133.80 109.90 342.50 30.00 6.70 35.00 72.10 113.30

262.20 56.00 42.10 75.50 150.90

260.00 53.30 40.20 72.00 145.60

AvgPrice 186.72 136.28 47.14 579.11 75.81 344.35 73.52 260.61 41.38 110.25

61.79 54.14 54.62 30.95 35.95

AvgPrice

186.59 47.14 136.15 110.71 345.86 30.82 7.02 35.68 75.65 114.74

260.97 54.48 41.39 73.73 148.64

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

4360.49680

(+) 1.60%

1670.70163

(+) 1.03%

13376.99310

(+) 1.05%

10991.25450

(+) 0.30%

8146.08430

(+) 1.24%

▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲

Stocks gained with increased volume of trade yesterday after remaining in red in the last three consecutive sessions, as some enthusiastic investors took position at the bottom despite no improvement in the political front.

Unlike previous several sessions, the market from the very beginning continued to move up and the momentum continued till close of the session, driven by mainly financials that suffered in the previous sessions.

The benchmark index DSEX surged almost 69 points or 1.6% to 4,360, recovering from its previous session’s 15-month low.

The Shariah Index DSES was up 11 points or 1% to 1,065. The comprising blue chips DS30 saw fractional gained 17 points or 1% to 1,670.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, settled at 8,150, rising 121 points.

Like Shahjibazar Power Company Limited, United Power Generation and Distribution Company Limited continued to show its mus-

cle from its debut, soaring 10% to Tk190.9 a share.

It also remained most traded stocks for the seventh straight session with shares worth Tk55.6 crore changing hands.

Trading at DSE remained vibrant on the day as the total turnover stood at Tk470 crore, up 14% over the previous session. Out of total 303 issues traded, prices of 251 scrips closed in positive, 37 negative and 15 remained unchanged.

IDLC Investments said although main concern of the market—political situation –saw no development, market shot up riding on bargain opportunities in many scrips.

“Investors cautiously started moving in the market from sideline lured by cheap prices, surging turnover. However, confidence remained weak and vulnerable to adverse moves.”

Among the major sectors, engineering galloped by 4.8%, followed by non-banking financial institutions 4.4%, textile 3.3%, fuel & power 2.8%, bank 1.6% and pharmaceuticals 0.3% while telecommunication, food & allied fell and cement declined. l

ANALYST

Although main concern of the market—political situation –saw no development, market shot up riding on bargain opportunities in many scrips

DT

20 BUSINESS

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

Union Insurance fined Tk5 lakh n Tribune Report The Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA) has imposed a fine of Tk5 lakh on the Union Insurance for violating the Chief Executive Officer’s appointment rules.

The decision came at a hearing IDRA held at its headquarters on April 1 with the board members of the company.

IDRA Chairman M Shefaq Ahmed presided over the hearing while Union Insurance Chairman Muzaffar Hossain Paltu was present, among others, said a press release IDRA issued yesterday.

The Union Insurance CEO post remained vacant over the last two years which is a violation of Insurance Act 2010, said the press release.

The company did not take any measure to appoint CEO despite IDRA’s instructions three times. Even the board of the insurance company did not respond to the authority’s let-

ter served.

According to the insurance companies act, the post of CEO cannot remain vacant for more than three months. However, IDRA has the authority to extend the period by three more months.

The release said the appointment of a CEO is a very vital issue for an insurance company to protect shareholders’ interest. The company, however, appeared to have shown negligence and delayed in case of appointing CEO. From this perspective, IDRA imposed fine on the company, added the press release.

The country’s insurance sector is facing an acute shortage of Chief Executive Officers as the industry seriously lacks efficient manpower for the top positions, said sources in IDRA. Currently, some 20 insurance companies are running without CEOs for the last eight months to one-year period that goes beyond the rules. l

Banks asked to clearly report LC description n Tribune Report All the authorised dealer banks have been asked to mention accurate description of the imported commodities in the LC (letter of credit) and LCA (letter of credit authorisation) form.

Banks are also advised to insert H.S. Code, classification of commodities while issuing the LCs and LCA forms as per the import policy order 2012-15, said a Bangladesh Bank circular issued yesterday.

The instruction came against

the backdrop of increasing tendency for not mentioning accurate description about the imported goods in the LC and LCA forms. As a result, different complexities arise while making shipments and maintaining customs formalities at Benapole Custom House, said the press release.

As various complexities are hindering the revenue collection, the central bank issued the instruction for following the existing import policy order properly. l

Global banking sector gets 700m new clients in 3 yrs n BSS The global banking sector saw a phenomenal rise in the number of new account holders, with 700m people opening bank accounts from 2011 to 2014, according to a findings of a new study released yesterday.

The findings came in the latest edition of the Global Findex, the world’s most comprehensive gauge of progress on financial inclusion. It said that the

number of “unbanked” individuals dropped 20% to 2bn adults.

The study cited no figure for new accounts in Bangladesh, but it said 78% of account holders here are using ATM for cash out, which was well above the regional average of 56%.

The study also showed that 31% of adult in Bangladesh hold bank accounts when in India it was 53%, Sri Lanka 83%, Nepal 34%, Bhutan 34%, Myanmar 23% and Pakistan 16%. l

DT

21

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

T-JUNCTION

Summer is coming Illustration: Syed Rashad Iman Tonmoy

INSIDE

22

23

24

Learning outside the classroom

Institutions teach creativity out of dreamers

Hot Topic

Key figures in society have learned much more away from class and textbooks. Not all of life’s teachings can be found in books, expierence comes from all over.

interview

Step out to learn more

Sean Griffin, founder of Startup Cup

24

We had a little chat and a wonderful insight of how influential one can be through entrepreneurship.

DIU celebrated Bangla New Year

DT

22 T-JUNCTION

Hot Topic

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

Stepping out to explore and excel “Thakbo nako boddho ghore dekhbo ebar jogot taake” a poem by Kazi Nazrul Islam, is a real life example that tells us how to grow and build ourselves and society. However, what is the right time to begin. There is a saying that the earlier the better. The theory suggests that to be successful you can’t be a hermit - you can’t be limited to your surrounding, you must look beyond. Lift your eyes from that textbook and take a look around; there’s magic a round you, waiting to be discovered.

n Saudia Afrin and Zubaida Rana Rahman

An expert analysis “Science states that people need self confidence to grow, and absence of self confidence in your personality does not allow you to fully meet your true potential.

That’s the reason children everywhere in the western world including many countries in our neighbourhood such as Sri Lanka and India are enacting a new system of ECAs, alongside academics.

They no longer just rely on academics - they emphasise on extra curriculum activities more than ever before. The scientific and physiological reason behind this is that children interact with their peer groups, and learn from them. For example, sports field, in particular, wholeheartedly interact with others, regardless of their age groups. Thereby, through interaction, students learn how to express themselves, they know how to behave in situations where they need to meet peer expectation, how to organise their thoughts so they are accessible to all types of people. Through this process, they find themselves in a position where they’re not only

broadening their horizons through ECAs, but also beginning to enjoy their academic side.

“I visited a number of Sri Lankan schools where at first, children are a bit different and shy, particularly those hailing from village areas since their families are under a kind of hierarchy. They do not open up to their parents, or elder relatives.

In these cases, the children’s parents, the fathers in particular, raise their kids with quite a strong hand. Moreover, when siblings have a large age difference, they usually don’t have an overall friendly interaction with their family. Students are forced to find recreation in their meagre, small books. However, when they take up extra curricular activities, they learn many things that they couldn’t have learned otherwise. A child of five years will obviously learn and pick up things faster than a 25 year-old man - this is a clinically proven fact. Children catch up and learn languages and life-cues faster than adults.

Exposure to co-curricular activities helps

cultivate a “learning” culture. It helps nurture and bring out their best talents, allowing them to efficiently conduct themselves in real life situations - be it an easy or a difficult one. Moreover, when these kids take part in cultural activities, they quickly discover their hidden talents.

Once those talents are discovered, children are more confident in themselves.

In today’s age, I would say that most successful people can attribute their success to their past experiences and interaction with others. Co-curricular activities give them the facilities to interact on different levels. It is clear that ECAs give children the access to facilities which their families usually cannot provide. I believe that a child should be allowed to explore their interests and should be given incentives to develop themselves. If they have their parents’ backing, there’s no looking back from there.

In our country, our primary education system is one that is not very conductive

to an open culture of communication.

From the way students are seated to the way they are taught - everything is done under a strict set of rules and regulations.

There’s always a limit to what these children can learn. These kids are not given the space of the facilities to really explore their interests. If a child cannot explore his/her power then how can he excel. A child’s rationale cannot be solely developed by gaining knowledge alone, they must learn to foster cultural sensitivity.

Society creates the base depending on which children can develop and grow.

Our education system straits of nation of high imagination. Co curricular activities a child doesn’t know it’s like he or sh doesn’t know how to carry his or her own body. ” Syed Manzoorul Islam, a Bangladeshi academic, writer, novelist, translator, columnist, and critic. He is also currently a Professor of English at the University of Dhaka.

T-JUNCTION 23

DT

Hot Topic

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

Learning outside the classroom n

Aniqua Nusrat Zereen

After attending CERN in Summer 2013, Aniqua went on to become a respected lecturer at BRAC University. On digging deeper into her childhood and teenage years, it was revealed that extra curricular activities such as learning Nazrul Shangit at BAFWA and learning to dance and draw at the Children’s Club, was what propelled her to become who she is now. As the daughter of an army officer, it was necessary for her to take part in these ECAs and today she can’t be ever more thankful for that. During her time in university, she gained more knowledge and experience by participating in Computer Science events such as the National Women’s Programming Contest where she lead a team of three. Not only was she a leader, she also gave tough competition to the winning team. As a teacher today, she encourages her students to pursue ECA’s like she did. When asked about her take on “learning outside the classroom,” she states: “Students should practice pursuing other interests outside their coursework. Doing so helps encourage and inspire oneself as well as allows you to get to know your strengths and abilities. I believe that the academic situation in our country should provide a sufficient environment to help a lot time to practical approaches to learning.”

Maria Noor

Better known as RJ Maria, Maria Noor was never an introvert of any sort. During her adolescence she always actively took part in several kinds of sports. She used to play the drums whenever necessary for her PE band and was also the captain of her PE group. As a student of music at Chayanot, she learned Rabindra Shangit and then went on to learning recitation from her uncle.

Her opinion is that besides school work, ECAs are very important as they help build creativity and create opportunities alongside increasing individual independence.

Riyadh Hossain Deputy Managing Director of Apponometry Ltd, Riyadh Hossain is a vibrant and successful young entrepreneur. He was not only consistent with his academic coursework but was also very active in his school cricket team. Along with that, he used to sit with his father at his office and went on to becoming part of the family business.

He thinks having practical knowledge is very important as many young entrepreneurs today have very little practical knowledge.

He said, “As soon as you get yourself involved in other things, you can develop skills to survive and gain that much needed experience that is so vital for success.”

Malala Yousafzai She is a Pakistani women’s rights activist and also the youngest person to have ever won a Nobel Prize. She won it for Peace in 2014 alongside Indian activist Kailash Satyarthi.

Malala is mainly known for her advocacy for female education in her native Pakistan. She began expressing her frustration over the restrictive practices of the Taliban through an anonymous blog at only 11 years of age, which led to an armed attack on her. Malala’s father, an educational activist himself, encouraged her to learn Pashto, English and Urdu. Coming from an educational background, it helped her grow and helped her blog gain more prominence, eventually creating an impact on the world today.

Jane Goodall She is an Animal Rights activist, ethologist and anthropologist best known for her 45-year primate study of chimpanzees in Tanzania.

Back in the day she received a toy which resembled a life-like chimpanzee, which kindled her curiosity and love for animals. She spent most of her early years wandering about nature and observing wildlife, which led her to leave school at the age of 18 to pursue her dream of watching and exploring animals in their natural habitat.

Barbara Jordan A Civil Rights activist, Barbara was also the first African-American to be elected to the Texas Senate after Reconstruction, the first southern black female to be elected to the United States House of Representatives, and the first African-American woman to deliver the keynote address at a Democratic National Convention. In her early years, she took a special interest in debate and went on to becoming a national debating champion.

She soon became interested in politics and carved a life for herself and went on to become a member of the United States House of Representatives.

Paul Robeson Alongside being a Civil Rights activist, he was a wildly celebrated singer and actor. He started his career as an athlete and then went on to performing arts, as well as playing a quintessential role in political activism. In high school, he was a sports enthusiast and excelled in various sports such as football, baseball, basketball and track. He also took part in plays like Julius Caesar and sang in the chorus. In college he excelled at extra curricular activities by taking part in the debate club, Glee club and the collegiate athletic team.

On ending his football career, he completed his law degree at New York University and made his theatrical debut with the role of Simon in Ridgely Torrence’s ‘Simon of Cyrene.’

He was a true all-rounder, one might say! l

DT

24 T-JUNCTION

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

Aptitude

DIU celebrated Sean Griffin, founder Bangla New Year Institutions teach creativity out of dreamers:

of Startup Cup n Syeda Samira Sadeque Sean Griffin, founder of Startup Cup, is a Silicon Valley born and raised serial entrepreneur. Always thinking out of the box, he dropped out of high school, and has come a long way since he started his first business at age 12.

“I have not looked back since,” he told the Dhaka Tribune in an exclusive interview, when he was in town last week as the chief guest of the first ever Bangladesh Startup Cup (BSC).

Griffin, a visual thinker, uses visual thinking tools to help process ideas, and he uses those on a large scale to facilitate groups and teams. He considers it one of his great differentiators.

“I consider myself a serial entrepreneur who has turned into a community builder,” he says.

Last week, as BSC celebrated the end of its first ever Startup competition, the Dhaka Tribune caught up with Griffin for a quick chat: Tell us a bit about yourself and your work.

Startup Cup has a collection of entrepreneurial programmes, of which our acceleration programme is being run here.

The Startup Cup programme is designed to support anyone with any idea, any background, any educational background, in order to design, test and build a business.

What’s important is that Startup Cup is a seven month process that focuses on tools and resources knowledge required to build a successful business.

Why do you believe this work is important today?

We believe entrepreneurship is a key to self-empowerment, creating one’s own career path, job creation, and solving some of the greatest problems we have today.

Entrepreneurs will be part of the journey of that process – ultimately resulting in a better quality of life and increased wealth.

As a high-school dropout who became so successful, what role would you say education pays in entrepreneurial success?

I am a strong believer that a PhD and MBA means you’re lot less likely to be a successful entrepreneur – because your creativity has been taught out of you, and you’ve been taught judgment and fear and less risk-taking.

Universities, colleges and traditional education system do not work with people who see the world differently, and I believe those are teaching creativity out of people.

Statistically, people are less creative when they come out of institutions than if they were to follow their own path.

My goal right now is to change the world through entrepreneurship, one startup at a time. In order to do that, we need to be sharing the technical know-how and knowledge with everyone. Not just a select few, but everyone.

And that’s where we put our energy in at Startup Cup – empowering anyone, from any background, any level of education.

How can BSC address needs in Bangladesh?

When you’re comfortably uncomfortable, things don’t concern you so much and you’re more willing to take risks. At the award celebration, we encouraged family members to come to this celebration so that they can see what real entrepreneurs are. So they realize it is not as risky. That way we hope to change the culture from a family perspective and a community perspective where instead of being frowned upon, the entrepreneurs realise it is a viable option for a career.

Focus on women is critical here. Our research shows women are more successful entrepreneurs because they are more collaborative and team-oriented. And Bangladesh is ahead in this now. There’s clearly willingness to honour women who are being successful in starting and building businesses.

Entrepreneurship is the path to showcase what’s possible. It’s where dreamers will achieve their dreams, and it’s where we solve some of our biggest challenges. It’s where people are powered to create their own weight.l

Moodle Training Awards at ULAB On April 15, the faculty members who completed a Moodle Training Workshop the ongoing semester, The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh awarded the faculty members who completed a Moodle Training Workshop this semester at ULAB’s main campus. April 15, 2015.

Students of Daffodil International University celebrated Pahela Boishakh with great enthusiasm and gala events titled “Boishakh Parbone” to hail the New Year 1422 with new hopes and aspirations for a better, peaceful year. Sponsored by Roxy Paint Limited, the day long events included “Auspicious white paint on the street” (Alpona Utshob’), Mongal Shavajatra, flying Moodle is an online learning system that supplements face-to-face classes.

ULAB as a pioneer in the field of extended education in Bangladesh, has adopted Moodle, an open-source learning management system throughout the university. All faculty members are being trained to use the system in order to enhance student learning. Training workshops are held every semester, conducted by Department of English

paper- balloon, eating water rice with Hilsha and traditional cultural program like Puthi path, song, dance, poetry etc.

The whole night was celebrated with traditional cultural programme like Puthi path, song, dance, poetry recitation etc.

Students of the Daffoadil International University wearing colourful masks brought out a ‘mangal shobhajatra’ (procession of good wishes) from campuses premises at 9.00am in the morning as part of the festival lead by Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. M. Lutfar Rahman, which surrounded the main streets of Dhanmondi Area.

Sponsored by Roxy Paint, the whole program was initiated by Creative Park with the help of Voluntary Service Club, Daffodil Pprothom-Alo Bandhusova, Social Business Student Forum (SBSF), All Star Daffodil & coordinated by Office of the Director of Students’ Affairs. l

faculty member and Moodle expert Arifa Ghani Rahman. So far, 75% of the fulltime faculty have been trained and all incoming faculty are expected to complete the training before they begin teaching at ULAB. The 56 faculty members who completed the Moodle Training Workshop this semester were awarded certificates by the ULAB Vice Chancellor, Professor Imran Rahman.

26

BANGLADESH BRACE FOR SOCCEROOS TEST

27

MODEST SABBIR PLAYS DOWN HEROICS

29

DT

Sport

25

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

NAZMUL STARS AS JUNIOR TIGERS TAKE 3-1 LEAD

SCORECARD PAKISTANIS INNINGS Hafeez c Muktar b Shuvagata Azhar Ali c Litton Das b Muktar Haris Sohail c Mominul b Shuvagata Mohammad Rizwan b Shuvagata Hom Fawad Alam not out Sarfraz Ahmed run out (Sabbir) Saad Nasim c Jubair b Shahid Wahab Riaz c Shuvagata b Jubair Asad Shafiq b Sohag Yasir Shah lbw b Taijul Saeed Ajmal not out Extras (b 1, w 3) Total (9 wickets; 50 overs)

R 85 27 23 18 67 6 1 7 5 9 16 4

B 79 49 29 22 58 17 5 11 8 10 12

268

Fall of wickets 1-66, 2-130, 3-145, 4-158, 5-168, 6-173, 7-185, 8-203, 9-228 Bowling Al-Amin 9-1-42-0, Shahid 9-0-34-1, Muktar Ali 7-0-40-1, Jubair 8-0-56-1, Shuvagata 7-0-39-3, Taijul 7-1-40-1, Sohag 3-0-16-1

BCB XI INNINGS Tamim Iqbal lbw b Rahat Rony Talukdar c Yasir b Junaid Litton Das c Rizwan b Ajmal Sabbir Rahman c Haris b Junaid Mominul Haque lbw b Yasir Imrul Kayes b Wahab Shuvagata c & b Junaid Muktar Ali c Fawad b Rahat Sohag Gazi b Junaid Shahid not out Taijul not out Extras (w 8)

R 9 0 22 123 12 36 5 1 36 12 6 8

Total (9 wickets; 48.5 overs)

270

B 15 7 27 99 23 56 4 6 28 19 9

Fall of wickets 1-9, 2-9, 3-45, 4-81, 5-205, 6-213, 7-213, 8-228, 9-259 Bowling Junaid 9.5-2-38-4, Rahat 9-1-54 -2, Ajmal 8-0-451, Wahab 9-1-40-1, Azhar 1-0-12-0, Haris 3-0-230, Yasir 6-0-37-1, Saad 3-0-21-0

SABBIR RAHMAN 123 RUNS OFF 99 BALLS (4x7, 6x8) BCB XI batsman Sabbir Rahman celebrates his centuary against the Pakistanis during their Tour match in Fatullah yesterday

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

SABBIR WELCOMES VISITORS IN STYLE

DT

26 Sport

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

2018 WC AND 2019 ASIAN CUP QUALIFICATION DRAW

Bangladesh brace for Socceroos test n Shishir Hoque Bangladesh football is awaiting a new era after being pitted against Asian champions Australia in the second round of the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers. In a draw ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last Tuesday, Bangladesh were drawn in Group B also containing Jordan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Bangladesh will begin their qualifying campaign at Bangabandhu National Stadium against Kyrgyzstan on June 11 before taking on Tajikistan at the same venue five days later.

The men in red and green will play their first away game against Australia on September 3.

Bangladesh have never faced Australia and Jordan before. But, they have played against Kyrgyzstan twice with the last encounter taking place in 2008.

Bangladesh’s most familiar opponent in Group B are Tajikistan. Although Tajikistan have won four of their six meetings with one game ending in a draw, Bangladesh won the last encounter 2-1 five years ago.

Bangladesh (167th) are the lowest ranked nation in Group B while Australia (63rd) and Jordan (103th) will be hot favourites for the

top two positions.

The second round of qualifiers in the Asian zone features 40 teams, who have been equally divided into eight groups comprising five teams each. Only the eight group champions and four best runners-up sides will qualify for the third round of World Cup qualifiers.

The 12 teams – eight group champions and four best runners-up sides – will also qualify for the 2019 Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Bangladesh’s main intention or target, however, will be to qualify for the next round of Asian Cup qualifiers rather than the next round of World Cup qualifiers. And, Bangladesh’s chances of qualifying for the Asian Cup has already received a boost as the 16-team tournament has been expanded to 24 teams by the Asian Football Confederation.

With 12 teams from the second round of World Cup qualifiers progressing to the Asian Cup, the remaining 12 berths will be decided in the third round of Asian Cup qualifiers. The best 24 teams among the remaining 28 will be divided into six groups containing four sides each. The six group champions and runners-up sides will qualify for the Asian Cup.l

WHAT THEY SAID

BANGLADESH FIXTURES Date

Venue

Opponant

Jun 11, 2015 Jun 16, 2015 Sep 3, 2015 Sep 8, 2015 Oct 13, 2015 Nov 12, 2015 Nov 17, 2015

Home Home Away Home Away Away Home

Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Australia Jordan Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Australia

Mar 24, 2016

Away

Jordan

KNOWN OPPONENTS Team Tajikistan Kyrgyzstan

M 6 2

W 1 0

D 1 0

L 4 2

Bangladesh head coach Lodewijk de Kruif Very hard group with Australia and Jordan as top favourites!

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are a bit unknown to us, higher in Fifa ranking. We have to make a good plan.

For Bangladesh, its players and coaches, a big challenge. I will analyse them and make a plan! We cannot hide from the fact that they (Australia) are strong!

Bangladesh captain Mamunul Islam

BFF president Kazi Salahuddin

Australia and Jordan are very strong teams. Australia are the current Asian champions while Jordan performed very well in the qualifiers of the last World Cup in Brazil. I do not remember if we have ever played against Australia and Jordan before but Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are familiar opponents to us. We know their strength. Our target will be to achieve positive results against these two sides.

Our ultimate goal is to be among the top 24 teams and qualify for the next Asian Cup.

It’s a great opportunity for Bangladesh team and for the players as well. We need to utilise the opportunity.

I talked to De Kruif after the draw and told him to get back to Dhaka in a week with the goalkeeping coach (Christian Schweichler) and a new trainer. We have to prepare very well. Even though it might be expensive, still, we are trying to arrange friendlies against North Korea or Syria.

GROUP B REVIEW Asian champions Australia face some lengthy journeys across Asia and will not enjoy returning to Jordan, where they were beaten 2-1 in the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Jordan went on to lose to Uruguay in the intercontinental playoff but failed to build on that with a dire run under former England captain Ray Wilkins, who left after the group stage at the Asian Cup. They still have a core group of talented players but need to find the solid organisation and high intensity that troubled the Australians before.

Long trips to central Asia to face Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan for the first time should not pose on field problems for the Socceroos.

Jordan lost to Kyrgyzstan in the 2010 qualifiers but should have too much for them this time around. Bangladesh will be grateful for the regular matches but are likely to make little impression. l

GROUP B RANKING Country Australia Jordan Tajikistan Kyrgyzstan Bangladesh

AFC 4 12 22 26 35

Fifa 63 103 143 153 167

DT

Sport 27

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

Sabbir ton floors Pakistanis n Minhaz Uddin Khan

An airborne Mohammad Shahid celebrates hitting the winning run for BCB XI against the Pakistanis during their warm-up match in Fatullah yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Sk Jamal maintain winning streak n Shishir Hoque Sheikh Jamal DC continued their winning run in the Manyavar Bangladesh Premier League as the defending champions defeated Feni Soccer Club 2-0 at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday to pick up their third consecutive victory.

Haitian international Wedson Anselme and Nigerian striker Emeka Darlington netted one apiece while Gambian midfielder Landing Darboe assisted both the goals.

Wedson put Sheikh Jamal ahead in the 24th minute and Emeka doubled the lead just four minutes later to continue their 100% winning record in the top-flight.

Sheikh Jamal are top in the 11-team league table with nine points from three matches while Soccer Club are languishing at the bottom with zero points from the same number of matches. l

RESULT Sheikh Jamal 2-0 Wedson Anselme 24 Emeka Darlington 28

Feni Soccer Club

TODAY’S MATCHES Abahani Limited v Chittagong Abahani 4.15pm Muktijoddha SKC v Team BJMC 6.30PM

Sabbir Rahman’s sensational hundred enabled Bangladesh Cricket Board XI to a thrilling one-wicket win over the visiting Pakistanis in Fatullah yesterday. Although it was a mere practice game, the intensity was high among both the teams ahead of the first ODI in Mirpur tomorrow.

In pursuit of the visitors’ 268/9, BCB XI were in early trouble at 81/4. Sabbir, however, alongside Imrul Kayes, added 124 runs for the fifth wicket to rescue the chase. Sabbir blasted 123 off just 99 balls while Kayes chipped in with 36 from 56 deliveries. Sohag Gazi’s 28-ball 36 at the latter overs ensured BCB XI would reach their destination with one wicket and seven deliveries remaining.

While Imrul played the role of an anchor, Sabbir frustrated the opposition bowlers and showed little mercy, hammering seven fours and eight sixes.

Imrul and Sabbir’s departure though made things interesting. The home side were soon reeling at 228/8 with victory still some distance away. That’s when tailender Gazi stepped up. Gazi scored a quickfire 36 but he was dismissed with BCB XI still requiring 10 runs for victory. The two batsmen in the middle – Mohammad Shahid and Taijul Is-

Modest Sabbir plays down heroics n

Minhaz Uddin Khan

One of the new kids on the block, Sabbir Rahman, turned out to be the hero in the lone one-day practice match between Bangladesh Cricket Board XI and Pakistan in Fatullah yesterday.

The match was merely a warm-up and the result hardly mattered to the visitors but the way the home side approached their chase, led

by Sabbir, gave the whole affair a different look.

At a packed Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, BCB XI, in pursuit of a challenging 269, were in trouble losing their first four wickets for 81 runs. The failure of the top-order jeopardised the chase but Sabbir had other ideas as his cool 99-ball 123 guided the hosts to a one-wicket win with seven deliveries remaining.

Sabbir’s knock entertained the weekday Fatullah crowd a great deal as his seven boundaries and eight huge sixes took the game away from the opposition. Pakistan opener Mohammad Hafeez even went on term Sabbir’s knock as “one of the best” he has ever seen.

A modest Sabbir though barely reveled in his heroics and instead dedicated his brilliant hundred to his teammates.

“Firstly, I want to dedicate this hundred to my team. Even a single run is big for me if it helps my team. Although it is just a practice match, my hundred came against an international side. I enjoyed myself out there. I hope

I will be able do more of this in the coming days,” Sabbir told the media after the game yesterday.

The 23-year old believes the pressure will now be on Pakistan ahead of the first of three ODIs tomorrow.

“If you ask from my personal experience, I personally break down a little when we are in an away tour and we lose a practice game. I am sure they will also be concerned after the defeat. The loss should create a negative impact on the eve of the first game. We should make use of it,” Sabbir explained.

Sabbir, humble as ever, did not forget to praise the opposition bowlers.

“They are a very good bowling side. It just might have been that I batted well today (yesterday). They dropped me behind the stumps and I made sure of utilising it. But, they bowled really well,” he said. l

lam - had 3.1 overs in hand to chase down the target. The pair appeared shaky as left-arm paceman Wahab Riaz bowled a maiden in the 48th over. However, with two edges going for boundaries in the 49th and penultimate over, BCB XI reached their destination with Taijul unbeaten on six and Shahid undefeated on 12.

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal’s inclusion in the BCB XI squad in place of Nasir Hossain surprised many. It was learned that Tamim wanted to play the game in order to give himself a chance of ending his run drought on the eve of the Pakistan series.

However, the southpaw was left frustrated as made his way to the dressing room after scoring only nine runs. The uncapped Rony Talukdar also disappointed, having been dismissed for nought.

Earlier, the visitors posted 268/9 in 50 overs after batting first. Veteran Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Hafeez led the way with a fine 79-ball 85 while middle order batsman Fawad Alam provided valuable support, scoring 67 off 58 balls.

Shuvagata Hom bagged three wickets while Shahid, Gazi, Muktar Ali, Taijul and Jubair Hossain all picked up a wicket apiece.

The first of three ODIs will take place at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur tomorrow. The match will begin at 2:30pm. l

Hafeez stresses on improvement n Minhaz Uddin Khan Senior Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Hafeez informed that they need to improve drastically after suffering a one-wicket loss against BCB XI in the solitary practice match in Fatullah yesterday.

Despite the defeat, Hafeez was one of the brightest performers for the visitors as he smashed nine boundaries and four sixes in his 79-ball 85. And with the first of three ODIs taking place tomorrow, the opening batsman believes they have no time to waste.

“To be honest, both the teams played a good game. I think at the end of the day, Bangladesh A team did well. We have to fix a couple of areas, like our fielding. We have to really work hard on it. Our bowling unit has to fire. We were a little out of sorts. I think we have to plan well before the first ODI,” Hafeez told the media after the game yesterday.

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib al Hasan earlier termed Bangladesh as the favourites for the upcoming bilateral series but Hafeez informed that it is Shakib’s personal opinion and added that the newcomers in the Pakistan side are desperate to prove their worth.

Pakistan will be missing the services of two of their most experienced campaigners in Misbah-ul Haq and Shahid Afridi. Hafeez, however, batted for the youngsters saying, “You need experience in your side and it takes time to recover.

These players you mentioned served the country with great flair. It will take time but it is a good time for the newcomers to get into the side and get ready for the international arena,” he added.l

DT

28 Sport

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric shoots at goal against Atletico Madrid during their Uefa Champions League quarterfinal first leg at Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on Tuesday

REUTERS

Atletico hold dominant Real, Juve edge Monaco n Reuters, Madrid Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak produced a heroic performance to repel holders Real Madrid and help secure a 0-0 draw in their Champions League quarter-final, first leg at the Calderon on Tuesday.

Slovenian Oblak made a string of memorable saves against the team that beat Atletico in last season’s final to keep the Spanish champions’ hopes of reaching the last four alive ahead of next week’s return game at the Bernabeu.

Atletico have had the upper hand over their wealthy neighbours in six derby meetings already this term but Real dominated for long periods in Tuesday’s clash and will be furious not to have come away with at least one away goal.

Gareth Bale had probably their best chance as early as the third minute when he ran clear through the centre after a mistake from Diego Godin but Oblak raced out and blocked the Welshman’s shot.

Real forced Atletico onto the back foot from the start in the 260th meeting between the city rivals and, after twice denying Bale, Oblak pulled off further saves from Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez.

Atletico’s only real chance of the first half fell to Antoine Griezmann but the Frenchman’s weak shot was easy for Iker Casillas in the Real goal.

With their fans roaring them on, Atletico saw more of the ball in the second period but Real, chasing a record-extending 11th European crown, again had the clearer chances and the home side were forced into some desper-

ate defence.

However, they managed to mount a couple of dangerous attacks late on and Casillas had to be alert to keep out a Mario Suarez effort after a scramble in the goalmouth.

RESULTS Atletico Madrid

0-0

Real Madrid

Juventus

1-0

Monaco

Vidal 57-P

Atletico’s Croatia forward Mario Mandzukic was in the thick of the action and suffered a head wound after he was caught by a flailing Sergio Ramos arm shortly after halftime but was able to play on after treatment.

Atletico midfielder Suarez and Real defender Marcelo were both booked and will be

suspended for the return leg on April 22.

Meanwhile Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal smashed home a second-half penalty to earn a 1-0 win at home to Monaco in an absorbing Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday, leaving the tie on a knifeedge.

Vidal, who has missed two penalties this season, held his nerve and fired into the roof of the net in the 57th minute after Ricardo Carvalho bundled over Alvaro Morata, who had been sent clear by Andrea Pirlo’s lofted through ball.

There was controversy surrounding the decision as television replays suggested that the initial contact by the Portuguese defender may have been just outside the penalty box.

Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim also criticised the penalty. l

Abdul Hamid Sports Centre inaugurated n Shishir Hoque Bangladesh Sports Press Association has inaugurated a sports centre at its premises yesterday in the commemoration of the late legendary commentator, Abdul Hamid.

Gemcon Group provided the financial assistance and its vice chairman, Kazi Nabil Ahmed MP, who also happens to be the vice president of Bangladesh Football Federation, inaugurated the Abdul Hamid Sports Centre, located at the first floor of Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Chairman of Marketing and Commercial Committee of Bangladesh Cricket Board, Kazi Inam Ahmed, BSPA president Rana Hasan and general secretary Sanat Babla were also present and spoke on the occasion. l

Gemcon Group vice chairman Kazi Nabil Ahmed (5L) and BCB’s chairman of marketing and commercial committee Kazi Inam Ahmed (C) cuts a cake to inaugurate the Abdul Hamid Sports Centre yesterday COURTESY

DT

Sport 29

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

Nazmul stars as Junior Tigers take 3-1 lead n Mazhar Uddin Skipper Nazmul Hossain’s all-round heroics inspired Bangladesh Under-19 to a 26-run win over their South African counterparts in the fourth youth ODI at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox’s Bazar yesterday. The hosts lead 3-1 heading into the fifth match this Saturday in Chittagong.

Batting first, the junior Tigers posted a modest 206-all out from their 50 overs with top-order batsmen Nazmul (45), Pinak Ghosh (42) and Saif Hasan (41) leading the way.

In reply, the junior Proteas managed 180/9 in 50 overs with Wiaan Mulder scoring the highest 80. Mulder though eventually ran out of partners as the visitors fell 26 runs short of their target. Mohammad Saifuddin, Mosabbek Hossain and Nazmul scalped two wickets each.l

BRIEF SCORE Bangladesh U-19 vs South Africa U-19

Bangladesh U-19 206/10 in 50 overs Nazmul Hossain Shanto 45, Pinak Ghosh 42 Brandon Glover 3/47, Dean Foxcroft 2/29

South Africa U-19 180/9 in 50 overs Wiaan Mulder 80, Mohammad Saifuddin 2/7, Nazmul Hossain Shanto 2/19 Bangladesh U-19 won by 26 runs

Mamunul denies Mallorca rumour n Shishir Hoque Bangladesh football team skipper Mamunul Islam dismissed the rumours linking him with Spanish second division side Real Mallorca.

Following a report on a private television channel, rumours of the Sheikh Jamal DC midfielder joining the Spanish club went viral in the social media. Yesterday though Mamunul, who featured for Atletico de Kolkata in the Indian Super League, made it clear that Real Mallorca have not approached him.

“I do not know anything about this. And, I did not receive any offer from them,” said the talismanic midfielder yesterday. l

DAY’S WATCH Sony Six 8:30PM Indian Premier League Hyderabad v Rajasthan

Ten Cricket 8:00PM England Tour of West Indies 1st Test, Day 4

Ten Action 12:00PM UEFA Europa League QFs Leg 1: Wolfsburg v Napoli

Ten Sports 12:00PM UEFA Europa League QFs: Sevilla v Zenit

West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul plays a shot as England wicketkeeperJos Buttler looks on during day two of their first Test at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Tuesday. England were 399 all out in first innings. Ian Bell scored 143. In reply, West Indies were 155 for 4 at the close of day’s play.

Veteran Chanderpaul was unbeaten on 29 after Day 2 REUTERS

Chandika says won’t be involved in mud-slinging

Donald steps down as Proteas bowling coach n Reuters, Cape Town

n Mazhar Uddin

Allan Donald has stepped down as bowling coach of South Africa, confirming his departure on Tuesday after four years in the role.

Donald was appointed in June 2011 as part of Gary Kirsten’s management team and continued in the role under current coach Russell Domingo from August 2013.

“I have had some time to reflect after the World Cup and have come to the conclusion that the time is right to move on,” the 48-year-old said in a statement from Cricket South Africa.

“It was always a big dream of mine to work in the South African cricket environment after my playing days and I was incredibly honoured to be given the opportunity. The last four years have been the best of my life.”

The Proteas have not lined up a replacement as yet, but hope to have one in place by the time they tour Bangladesh for two tests and a series of limited overs matches in July.

Donald enjoyed a decade long test career as a feared fast bowler, collecting 330 wickets having made his debut as a 25-year-old when South Africa were readmitted to international cricket in 1992. l

Bangladesh cricket team coach Chandika Hathurusingha yesterday said he is not willing to divert the focus of the cricketers following some unfortunate off-the-field distractions in recent times. With the upcoming bilateral home series against Pakistan just a day away, Hathurusingha refused to delve into the recent controversies and instead informed that they are concentrating on the challenge of facing their subcontinent rivals.

The former Sri Lankan cricketer was alluding to some of his recent comments on team selection which irked Bangladesh Cricket Board’s cricket operations committee chairman Naimur Rahman, who criticised Hathurusingha in return.

“It is a very technical issue. I cannot talk much. It is unfortunate that the team are doing well but these issues are diverting what the team are doing. I think it is time for us to focus on the team rather than the attention and time spent on some other things,” Hathurusingha told the media at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.

“I don’t want to play whatever happens in my office in public. So, that’s not a cricketing question. We need to focus on the team doing well. By talking about these unnecessary things, I don’t think I am doing justice to the players,” he added.

The former coach of Sydney Thunder also touched on the issue of Bangladesh’s opening batting pair which has let the team down more often than not recently.

“I won’t say it is frustrating but I would like to have a settled opening pair. It is up to the players to grab the opportunities that they get. We are all looking forward to the perfect combination. Rony [Talukdar] is in the team on merit. He scored a lot of runs in both forms of the game. He deserves a place. Let’s see what we can do,” he said.

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal has not been among the runs recently but Hathurusingha defended the swashbuckling southpaw saying, “It is how you look at it. Tamim is probably as disappointed as anyone else. He would love to score more runs. In Australia, we saw it was tough for openers of any team.

He scored a match-winning innings for us not so long ago.”l

Klopp to leave Dortmund at season end n Reuters, Dortmund

Coach Juergen Klopp will leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season despite a contract running to 2018 because he does not feel he is the right man for the job any more, the coach said on Wednesday.

“I’ve always said that I would say it if I’m not the perfect coach for this club,” Klopp told reporters, sitting next to club bosses Hans-Joachim Watzke and Michael Zorc.

“Dortmund need a change.”

“I picked this time to make my announcement so as not to create any time pressure as was the case in the last few years with some

player decisions. I definitely believe this is completely the right decision.”

Dortmund have had a dismal domestic campaign which saw the club Klopp led to titles in 2011 and 2012 battle with relegation until a recent improvement. Klopp took over at Dortmund in 2008 and as well as the league titles he won the German Cup, challenged Bayern Munich for dominance in the Bundesliga and also reached the Champions League final in 2013.

Enthusiastic, spontaneous and emotional, Klopp has long been a crowd favourite at the former European champions, helping them restore their position as Bundesliga heavyweights with an exciting brand of attacking football.l

Dortmund’s coach Klopp addresses a news conference in Dortmund yesterday REUTERS

DT

30 DOWNTIME

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Mend (3) 3 S-shaped moulding (4) 6 Smart and fashionable (4) 7 Fresh (3) 9 Blue dye (4) 10 Female deer (3) 11 Parched (4) 13 Rescued (5) 16 Riverside embankment (5) 18 Innermost part (4) 19 Spirit (3) 20 Hybrid (4) 21 Convict (3) 23 Harbour town (4) 24 Pipe (4) 25 Wager (3)

DOWN 1 Money penalties (5) 2 Frozen treat (3) 4 Virtuous (4) 5 Finish (3) 6 Younger son (5) 8 Falter (5) 9 Extending far (4) 12 Riotous feast (5) 14 Drug-yeilding plant (4) 15 Let in (5) 17 Disease of rye (5) 18 Association (4) 20 Pithy saying (3) 22 Copy (3)

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

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

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

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

A B C D E FG H I JK L M N O P Q RST UVWXYZ

SUDOKU

CALVIN AND HOBBES

How to solve: Fill in the blank spaces with the numbers 1 – 9. Every row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain all nine digits with no number repeating.

PEANUTS

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

DILBERT

SUDOKU

DT

SHOWTIME 31

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

Theatre lovers retreat

CELEBS ON SOCIAL

n Tausif Sanzum The theatre forms a very important part of our art and culture, be it over air Jatras in the remotest of villages to international theater festivals at the Shilpokala Academy. To celebrate the birth month of one of the most known playwrights in the world, William Shakespeare, we round-up some of the most spectacular theatres around the world.

The Seebühne Also known as the floating stage, this opera stage floats on Lake Constance in Austria.

It is one of the venues for the Bregenzer Festspiele arts festival. The most exquisite feature of the Seebühne is that the lake is always incorporated into the set design of the operas and musicals it hosts.

Sydney Opera House By far, the most famous opera house, and has become a signature location

of Australia. Housing more than 1,500 productions, which theatre lovers and tourists from around the world flock to see, this unique structure comprises of several venues. It hosts productions from art companies around the world in addition to Australia’s famous four – Sydney Theater Company, Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet and Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Shakespeare’s Globe This was built in 1997 as a modern day reconstruction of the famous Globe theater.

This well-known theatre in London is almost identical to the original but includes modern facilities, such as concrete theater pit, roof based sprinklers etc. It also hosts up to 857 guests.

Stand-up Comedy Show

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus One of the oldest amphitheaters built in 161 AD, it was restored during the 1950s. It can host up to 5,000 guests and has been the main venue for the Athens Festival since its restoration. In addition to plays, it has also been the venue for concerts by notable musicians like Elton John.

Hugh Jackman @RealHughJackman Happy 19th Anniversary to the love of my life. @Deborra_lee #TheDebs Boman Irani @bomanirani They say, overusing the smartphone is unhealthy! True!

Every Time my wife’s credit card notification flashes!

Feels like a cardiac arrest!

Minack Theatre Located in the picturesque village of Porthcurno in England, the open-air theater is often listed among the most spectacular theatres in the world. The specialty of this theatre is the seats and the stage are carved right into the stone to make it as close to nature as possible. l

Champaknagarer Upokotha to be staged today

James Franco @JamesFrancoTV Young and Furious @MRod0702 @brucewebber

WHAT TO WATCH TELEVISION Man of steel C HBO 8:30pm Forced to confront his secret extrastellar origin, Superman learns to fight for Earth when it gets invaded by members of his own race.

Cast: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon

Performers: Naveed Mahbub, Nawaf Naser Venue: Caspian, 3rd floor, RM Centre, 101 Gulshan Avenue, Gulshan, Dhaka 1212 Date: April 16, 2015 Time: 7:30pm Info: 01755618541 Organiser: Naveed’s Comedy Club

n Showtime desk “Champaknagarer Upokotha,” a new play inspired and illustrated by Padmapuran—a medieval Bangla play, will be staged today at the Natmondol in the Dhaka University premise.

The play is set to hold its fourth staging in four consecutive days since its premiere on April 13. It is staged by sophomores from the Theatre and Performance Studies Department of Dhaka University. Kazi Tamanna Haque Sigma, a lecturer of the department, directed the play.

Although in the original version the play depicts the story of the famous mythical

folktale conflict between Chand Sadagar of Champaknagar and Manasa, the goddess of snakes, the adapted version did not make this the focal point. Rather, it traces the woes and worries of a number of minor characters like Sanoka, Chand’s wife, and Chand’s six widowed daughterin-laws, all of whom had to suffer in the midst of the conflict between Chand and Manasa.

Combining the traditional, long existing Bangla play forms including pala, panchali and jatra with the western characterisation style, the play has presented itself in a unique manner where the East meets the West. l

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift CStar Movies 7:26pm A teenager becomes a major competitor in the world of drift racing after moving in with his father in Tokyo to avoid a jail sentence in America.

Cast: Lucas Black, Zachery Ty Bryan, Shad Moss Sweet Home Alabama B Z Studio 5:45pm A young woman with a Southern background runs away from her husband in Alabama and reinvents herself as a New York socialite.

Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas, Patrick Dempsey

DT

32 BACK PAGE

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

KAMAL RULES OUT WORLD BANK’S LATEST 5.6% GROWTH FORECAST PAGE 15

SABBIR WELCOMES THEATRE LOVERS VISITORS IN STYLE PAGE 25 RETREAT PAGE 31

Pohela Boishakh celebrated around country n Tribune Report The nation celebrated Pohela Boishakh, first day of Bangla New Year 1422, on Tuesday amid much festivity and fanfare.

The day was celebrated in the capital as well as the rest of the country with traditional festivity and fervour. Fairs, colourful processions, cultural events, poetry recitation sessions, dramas and discussions took place marking the day.

Calling to prevent violent sectarianism, the faculty of fine arts in Dhaka University brought out Mongol Shobhajatra, a colourful procession for the occasion, around 9am, which was attended by not only the students and teachers of the university, but also people from all walks of life.

However, this year the procession somewhat carried a theme: there were banners that portrayed free speech being strangled, in memories of slain bloggers Abhijit Roy and Oyasiqur Rahman.

But the regular, colourful masks, festoons and decorative folk motifs were also seen in the parade.

Apart from the Shobhajatra, there were a number programmes that went on all day on the university campus.

Celebrations took place at Ramna Botomul, Rabinra Shorobor, and on other university campuses as well, and programmes were organised by different socio-cultural organisations.

Bangla New Year welcomed around the country

People welcomed Bangla New Year 1422 with much enthusiasm and ardour around the country.

In Thakurgaon, the day began with a musi-

Clad in colourful attires thousands of people take part in the traditional Mongol Shobha Jatra festooned with life-sized replicas of bird, fish, animals, and other motifs, brought out on Pohela Boishakh in the capital on Tuesday cal performance by Sangeet Niketan at dawn near the base of the banyan tree on District Judge Court premises.

Alpana Sahitya Sanskriti Sangsad inaugurated its week-long Boishakhi Mela on the Public Library premises.

In Mymensingh, Pohela Boishakh was celebrated with great enthusiasm. Different cultural groups such as Udichi Shilpi Goshthi, Rabindra Sangeet Sammilon Parishad, Mymensingh Shilpakala Academy and Sandipon Sanskritik Sangstha organised cultural shows.

A Boishakhi fair was held at Shaheeb Quarter Park area, while Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul

Islam University in Trishal brought out a colourful rally on its campus.

In Rajshahi, hundreds of men, women and children, donning traditional clothes, thronged Rajshahi College playground, Fudkipara open stage and Shishu Academy and other places, especially the bank of Padma River on the occasion.

The Rajshahi district administration arranged a colourful rally that started at Collegiate School premises and ended at the Shishu Academy open ground, where a day-long Boishakhi, Children Amusement Fair and Cultural Function took place.

Number of pay grades to stay 20 n Asif Showkat Kallol

The proposal to reduce the number of public servants’ pay grades from 20 to 16 – will not be implemented as the process of amending the service rule would be too long, a member of the government review committee has told the Dhaka Tribune.

The secretary-level committee, tasked with reviewing the National Pay and Service Commission recommendations, has also reportedly decided to disburse the recommended basic salaries and a 5% yearly increment from the first day of the 2015-16 fiscal year.

The committee member, on condition of anonymity, told the Dhaka Tribune that the decision on this regard has already been conveyed to the prime minister and the finance minister during a recent meeting.

“Reducing the number of pay grades would create discrimination within the grades as well as creating complexities of amending

service rules,” the member said.

Also according to a latest decision, the highest salary for government employees will be fixed at Tk90,000 instead of the proposed Tk100,000, while the lowest salary will be Tk8,500 instead of the proposed Tk8,200.

Sources in the secretary-level committee, meanwhile, said it was yet to be decided whether the time scale and selection grade provisions would be dropped in accordance with the recommendations; however, a decision has already been made to not increase the salaries of a fixed post.

Last week, Senior Finance Secretary Mahbub Ahmed – who is a member of the committee – told the Dhaka Tribune: “The government will definitely implement execution of national pay commission recommendations from July this year” The government has enough funds to implement the pay scale recommendations, he also claimed.

On the other hand, a Finance Division official told the Dhaka Tribune that Tk13,000 crore had been allocated for implementing the pay commission’s recommendations for the next fiscal year.

The source added that the six-member secretary-level committee, led by Cabinet Secretary Muhammad Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, would submit its review report by the end of this month.

In addition to reviewing the pay hike proposals for government employees, the committee is also looking after the recommended pay hikes for the armed forces.

Earlier, the pay commission’s Chairman Mohammad Farashuddin had claimed that financing the additional amount would not be a problem if only 1% revenue growth could be ensured.

Currently, there are over 832,000 government employees and around 500,000 pensioners in the country. l

Various educational institutions also brought out Boishakhi processions in the city streets carrying colourful festoons, placards and banners, wearing masks and singing Boishakhi songs, as well as folk songs.

In Chandpur, the district administration, municipality and several socio-cultural organisations arranged various programmes to celebrate the day.

In Sherpur, several cultural organisations arranged various programmes such as panta-ilish (fried hilsha and water-soaked rice) feasts, raffle draws, rallies and theatre to entertain people.

In Chittagong, celebrations began after sunrise at the historic DC Hill and Shristala of CRB Hill, where artistes of Sammilito Pohela Boishakh Udjapan Parishad performed the most popular Boishakhi song “Esho hey Boishakh.”

Besides, many socio-cultural and literary organisations and educational institutions had their own programmes chalked out for the occasion.

Besides the early morning musical performance, Sammilita Pohela Boishakh Udjapan Parishad’s two-day programme included a colourful procession, kabadi match, bull fight, cock fight and puppet shows.

In Bandarban, Marma people, one of the indigenous communities living in the country, celebrated the day with various programmes including Sangrai.

Young Marma men and women played water games in Old Rajamath and Reicha areas, as part of the tradition.

With the population of around 43,000, Sangrai is the main festival in the Marma community; it is celebrated by most of the other indigenous communities in Bangladesh as well, but under different names. l

Tiger bites off visitor’s hand in Gazipur park n Our Correspondent, Gazipur A tiger at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park in Sreepur bit off a hand of a young visitor yesterday noon.

Mahmudul Hasan Onkon, 26, son of Daud Hossain of Kurmitola, was rushed to a local hospital after he lost his hand.

Shihab Ibn Jaman, a doctor at the hospital, said Onkon was sent to National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation in Dhaka as his condition deteriorated.

Onkon studies at Military Institute of Science and Technology in Mirpur.

The park’s Range Officer Shibu Prashad Bhattacharya said Onkon climbed a wall in the tiger zone and waved at a tiger by inserting his hand into the net.

“Another tiger on the wall’s other side grabbed his hand. Other visitors tried to save him but the tiger bit off his hand,” he added. l

Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed on behalf of 2A Media Limited at Dainik Shakaler Khabar Publications Limited, 153/7, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1208. Editorial, News & Commercial Office: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207. Phone: 9132093-94, Advertising: 9132155, Circulation: 9132282, Fax: News-9132192, e-mail: news@dhakatribune.com, info@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com