25 April, 2015

SECOND EDITION

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

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Baishakh 12, 1422, Rajab 5, 1436

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 3, No 14

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

KHALEDA BACK ON KHOKON FLOUTS POLLS UNION LEADERS DEMAND CAMPAIGN TRACK PAGE 2 CODE IN MOSQUE PLEA PAGE 3 COMPENSATION PAGE 32

A victorious Bangladesh Cricket Team poses with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as they celebrate their dominant ODI series and T20 win over Pakistan yesterday at Sher e Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital’s Mirpur MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

BNP-backed candidates allege police harassment Jamil Khan, Adil Sakhawat n Mohammad and Nure Alam Durjoy With just three days to go before the city corporation polls, many BNP-backed candidates for city council and mayor are on the run, in hiding, or behind bars.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) sources said the police are searching for at least 61 BNP-backed mayoral and councillor candidates taking part in the upcoming polls.

BNP-backed Dhaka South mayoral hopeful Mirza Abbas, who faces nearly 60 cases which he claims are politically motivated, remains in hiding. His wife Afroza Abbas has been campaigning on his behalf.

Among those publicly campaigning, even mayoral candidate Tabith M Awal says he feels insecure that he could be made to disappear at any time.

PAGE 2 BNP wants no drama with army deployment

Commissioner Asaduzzaman Miah of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police flatly denied that the police were harassing candidates.

“The police are only searching for and arresting those candidates who face criminal cases and are wanted by the police,” he said.

Since the start of the campaign period, the DMP has arrested six BNP-backed candidates, including the arrest yesterday of a BNP-backed city council contender from the capital’s Hazaribagh area.

The arrestee was the councillor candidate for Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Ward 15, Abdul Khayer Bablu, 50.

He was arrested in front of the Tali Office area of Hazaribagh around 10:30am, DMP Acting Deputy Commissioner SM Jahangir Alam Sarker told the Dhaka Tribune.

Bablu is the BNP Dhanmondi police station unit president.

PAGE 4 No breakthrough yet in Khaleda attack probe

Tigers flay Pakistan yet again n Mazhar Uddin

Acting DC Jahangir said it was the police’s duty to arrest those facing criminal cases.

He said Bablu was an accused in three cases filed with Dhanmondi police station and a warranted accused in a case filed with Hazaribagh police station.

BNP-backed councillor candidates from Mirpur, Paltan and Hazaribagh had been arrested earlier.

Ward 21 BNP-backed councillor aspirant Farid Uddin alleged that ruling party members had issued threats and obstructed his campaign from communicating with the public.

“They even barred my people from putting up posters.”

Ward 20 council contender Habib Ullah said: “They [the ruling party] fear us. They are afraid we will win the elections. That is why they are trying to bar us from making mass contact.”

Bangladesh continued to heap more misery upon Pakistan as the home side coasted to a comprehensive seven-wicket win in the lone Twenty20 international at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.

Pakistan began the series with a defeat in the practice match and their fortunes refused to improve in the following three-match ODI series with the hosts strolling to a series sweep over their hapless opponent.

Yesterday’s T20I pretty much followed the same script with the Tigers romping to yet another convincing victory with 22 balls in hand. Mashrafe bin Mortaza’s side chased down their modest target of 142 with majestic all-rounder Shakib al Hasan unbeaten on 57 off 41 balls while Sabbir Rahman was undefeated, having blasted a whirlwind 32-ball 51.

Shakib, who earlier gave away just 17 runs

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

PAGE 5 Home Ministry for creating 13,039 fresh posts

PAGE 32 Power Cell seeks approval for LNG terminal builders

DT

2 NEWS

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

Khaleda back on campaign track n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia resumed her election campaign yesterday after a one-day pause as she could not manage to do that on Thursday due to vehicle shortage.

The BNP chief’s motorcade came under attack on three consecutive days leaving more than 20 persons injured.

Khaleda’s personal vehicle and her security personnel’s vehicles were damaged in those attacks.

Khaleda started campaign yesterday along with about a hundred BNP leaders and activists.

She came out of her residence around 4:30pm and went to Natunbazar and Jamuna Future Park area.

Party leaders and activists distributed leaflets among people on behalf of Khaleda Zia. Demanding army deployment in the city polls, Khaleda said: “One voter told me if army was deployed they could cast votes without any fear. We also believe so.

“Deployment of army is the demand of the people.”

She was speaking at a wayside rally at the entrance of Bashundhara Residential Area.

Khaleda said the Election Commission was loyal to the government. “Our army has brightened the image of the country abroad but they are not used during election.”

If the army stays in the cantonment, they cannot ensure security of voters, she observed.

Referring to the BDR carnage, Khaleda

Following repeated attacks on her campaign motorcade, BNP chief Khaleda Zia was yesterday escorted by party activists, creating huge traffic congestion in Baridhara, Kalachadpur areas MEHEDI HASAN said during the BDR mutiny the government barred the army from going there, which led to the deaths of 57 officers.

Urging voters to go to polling stations to cast their votes, Khaleda said: “People of the city want a change. Do not get scared. Be united and resist criminal acts.”

The BNP chief alleged that ruling party men attacked her in a bid to kill her.

“The attempts were made to kill me. My security personnel were injured. You cannot stop my movement as people and the almighty Allah are with me.”

She urged the voters to cast votes for Tabith M Awal, Mirza Abbas and Monjurul Alam – all contesting for the mayoral posts in Dhaka North and South and Chittagong city corporations.

The city polls are scheduled for April 28. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

BNP-backed candidates allege police harassment Many BNP-backed candidates are relying on their relatives to campaign for them, since a fear of arrest has limited their public appearances.

BNP supporters and their families are being harassed by law enforcement personnel, especially while campaigning, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activists of Habibullah Bahar University College claimed.

One top leader of the college BNP wing, asking not to be named, said: “While electioneering with Afroza Abbas on behalf of Mirza Abbas, plain clothes officers surround the campaign area, speak to electioneers and note down names and political identities.”

“Three to four police vans park near our

house. Sometimes the police question the neighbours about our movements,” the JCD leader said.

He said that police visit his house late at night and question his family members.

Motijheel Jubo Dal activists of Ward 10 echoed these allegations of harassment and surveillance. They said ruling party men participate in the harassment with the support of law enforcement personnel.

A top JCD activist of the area who claimed that no case was filed against him at any police station, said ruling party men were tearing down posters put up by BNP supporters under the cover of police protection.

He asked the Dhaka Tribune to go to the TNT Colony area of Motijheel to see whether BNP-backed candidates’ posters were visible.

Indeed, most of Mirza Abbas’ posters appear to have been torn down but ruling party-backed Sayeed Khokon’s posters were prominently displayed. Mirza Abbas is in hiding.

“We have taken every possible measure to ensure successful elections without any untoward incident,” Police Commissioner Asaduzzaman said.

Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad directed the police not to harass candidates without reason, but not to spare anyone violating the law. l

Tigers flay Pakistan yet again in four overs, was the stand-out performer in a T20I yet again to lead the Tigers to their maiden T20 win over Pakistan in eight attempts and 12th overall victory in 42 matches.

Youngster Sabbir Rahman provided valuable support to Shakib and helped his side wrap up proceedings earlier than anticipated.

Bangladesh, however, were in a spot of bother in the powerplay overs after being reduced to 3/38. The fourth wicket pair of Shakib and Sabbir then put on an unbroken 105-run partnership to inflict more pain on the visitors.

Shakib struck his fifth T20 half-century while Sabbir smashed his maiden.

Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi earlier decided to take first strike and posted a modest 141/5. The Pakistan openers found run-scoring difficult in the face of some early pressure from debutant paceman Mustafizur Rahman.

The 19-year-old left-arm quickie made a terrific start to his international career and bowled a tight line and length, finishing with impressive bowling figures of 2/20 from four overs.

Pakistan debutant Mukhtar Ahmed scored the highest 37 for his side, his 30-ball knock featuring five fours and a six, before being stumped off the bowling of Arafat Sunny.

Mukhtar, however, could have departed earlier on 16 as Mushfiqur Rahim missed an easy stumping opportunity off Shakib.

Pakistan struggled past the 50-run mark in the ninth over as opener Ahmed Shehzad took 31 deliveries for his 17. Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed brought an end to Shehzad’s painstaking innings as the right-hander was caught brilliantly by Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe at the long-off region.

“Boom Boom” Afridi promoted himself

up the order at No 3 but made just 12 off nine balls before becoming Mustafizur’s maiden T20 scalp.

The Tigers continued to put pressure on the opposition batsmen with Shakib leading from the front. Even though the ace all-rounder remained wicket-less, he conceded only 17 runs from his four overs.

Haris Sohail remained undefeated on 30 off 24 balls while Mohammad Hafeez chipped in with a quick 26 off 18 balls before falling to Mustafizur.

Despite having wickets in hand, Pakistan added only 40 runs in their last five overs. l

BNP wants no drama with army deployment n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla The BNP on Friday blamed the Election Commission (EC) for serving the purpose of the government.

The way the EC wants to deploy army has frustrated the BNP, said Moudud Ahmed, standing committee member of the party.

The EC on Tuesday said the army would be deployed for four days as a striking force and act on the request of the returning officers.

A letter was sent to the Armed Forces Division the same night to this end.

But the very next day they sent a revised letter saying the army would stay in the cantonment and act on the request of the returning officers.

“We believe that the change in the decision over army deployment clearly shows that the EC is working at the will of the government,” Moudud Ahmed said.

The BNP leader came up with the allegation while he was campaigning for Mirza Abbas in Topkhana Road in the capital.

Another BNP standing committee member Mahbubur Rahman said: “We do not want to see any drama. We want to see army visible on the election day.”

Addressing a human chain at the National Press Club the former army chief said the opposition wants a strong EC. Meanwhile, at a press briefing at party’s Nayapaltan headquarters, Hannan Shah claimed that 99% polling stations are vulnerable.

The ruling party is attacking BNP men and tearing our posters, he alleged.

“Police are arresting our candidates and interfering in the electioneering,” Hannan Shah said in a tone of frustration. l

EC to take action against Khaleda n UNB The EC will take action against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia if her motorcade blocks the street during her electioneering in favour of her party-backed mayoral candidates.

The EC is sending letters to the returning officers, DMP commissioner and magistrates engaged in election duty giving directives to take action if Khaleda Zia’s motorcade obstructs the free use of roads by citizens while she is campaigning.

The letter says carrying out election campaign blockading roads is a violation of code of conduct for the city corporation election.

EC secretary Sirazul Islam told UNB that the letter has been drafted, and would be sent by last night. l

DT

NEWS 3

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

Tabith barred from entering mosque n Tribune Report BNP-backed Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) mayoral candidate Tabith Awal was allegedly barred from entering a mosque for Jumma prayer yesterday.

Police did not allow him on the excuse that the state minister for home affairs was scheduled to say his prays there.

Joyonto Kumar Kundu, election campaign coordinator for Tabith, said: “When Tabith went to offer his prayer at Rahim Metal mosque at Tejgaon, police members present there asked him to go to another mosque as the state minister would pray there.”

Then Tabith offered his Jumma prayer at a Mosque located in Nakhalpara. Tabith took an hour for lunch with his campaign fellows at 2pm.

Tabith, while campaigning in the morning, doubted if voters could safely go to polling stations.

The more the harassment and threats BNP men are facing from the ruling party voters are responding more positively, he said.

Referring to the attacks on Khaleda he said this is obviously a threat to democracy.

“There is no congenial atmosphere prevailing for a free and fair election but we are going to take part in this election to uphold

democracy and peoples’ interest.”

The government is interfering in the election affair.

If voters can not feel safe they will not go to polling centres and the election will be a farce. “Safety of the voters must be ensured.”

He left his home around 10am to begin his campaign. About 30 minutes later, he reached the Public Health Gate in Mohakhali right at 10:30am.

Wearing white with a little mixture of blue Panjabi Tabith marched along with his supporters.

As Tabith reached there his supporters began to shout slogans.

He visited Sat Tala Bosti, Dokkhon Para and Rasulbag. While campaigning, Tabith exchanged greetings and sought votes from locals.

He campaigned in Sat Tala Bosti Bazar where he talked to businessmen. He then talked to journalists at Sat Tala Bosti Math.

After visiting several streets Tabith went to Rahim Metal Jame Masjid located near Tejgaon Nabisco Building for Jumma prayer but police barred him from entering the mosque. yesterday in the afternoon, he started to campaign from Mohammadpur’s Bosila Uttar Para to Japan-Garden City via Bashbari and Mohmmadia Housing.

Then he attended a street rally near the

DNCC mayoral candidate Tabith Awal talks with reporters during his election campaign in the capital’s Mohakhali yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE Mohammadpur Town Hall.

Tabith’s father Abdul Awal Mintoo, adviser to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, filed his nomination paper for the Dhaka North mayoral race.

But his candidacy was canceled by the Election Commission on April 1, the first day

of scrutiny.

His appeal against that decision was rejected by the High Court. Later, the Supreme Court also upheld the HC decision.

The Dhaka North and South City Corporations elections are slated to be held on April 28. l

Khokon now 14-party candidate in DSCC polls n Abu Hayat Mahmud

DSCC mayoral candidate Sayeed Khokon seeks vote after Jumma prayers at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque yesterday RAJIB DHAR

Khokon flouts polls code in mosque appeal n Adil Sakhawat Having received the benediction of the ruling party, Dhaka South mayoral hopeful Sayeed Khokon sought further blessings while soliciting for votes at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque yesterday.

But the post-prayer campaigning appears to have violated the polls code.

“No candidate or supporter of a candidate can campaign in mosques, temples, churches or others religious shrines,” reads subsection 12 of section 6 of the city corporation electoral code of conduct.

On Thursday, Awami League-backed Dhaka North mayoral candidate Annisul Huq apparently committed a double infraction when he asked Imams to seek votes for him at Ashkona Haji Camp and also treated them to food and drinks. The code of

conduct prohibits candidates from offering food or drinks to voters during election campaigns.

After Jummah prayers yesterday, Khokon used the mosque’s sound system to request worshippers to cast their votes for him.

Khokon called on congregants to vote for his Hilsa symbol and elect him mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation, saying: “I will stand beside you and dedicate myself to the betterment of the city’s people. I promise to do whatever is needed for the development of this national mosque if I am elected.”

He said his family had a sentimental connection to Baitul Mukarram because his father, former mayor Mohammed Hanif, used to pray there.

The Imam of the mosque, Mizanur Rahman, offered prayers for Khokon after the Jummah prayer. l

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal mayor aspirant Md Shohidul Islam yesterday announced Awami League-backed Sayeed Khokon as the 14-party’s single mayoral candidate in Dhaka South City Corporation elections.

Shohidul, who is backed by Sammilito Nagorik Party, extended his support to Khokon after making the announcement at a press briefing at National Press Club where Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Abdur Razzak, Nazrul Islam Babu, Shirin Akhter and several others were present.

He described the 14-party as a platform in

favour of the Liberation War, and called on voters to vote for Khokon.

“I cannot support the idea that a godfather and instigator of subversion will win the polls,” said Shohidul, hinting at BNP-backed mayoral candidate Mirza Abbas.

With Khokon’s endorsement, the 14-party alliance now has single mayoral candidates for Dhaka South City Corporation and Chittagong City Corporation.

“JSD-backed mayor aspirant Nader Chowdhury will contest the polls in Dhaka North,” JSD General Secretary Sharif Nurul Ambia told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday. l

DT

4 NEWS

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

ASHULIA BANK ROBBERY

Two more arrested as another victim dies n Mohammad Jamil Khan

Two more suspected bank robbers – both with links to Islami Chhatra Shibir – have been arrested by the police in connection with Tuesday’s bank heist in Ashulia.

The news came as another victim – who was shot and stabbed by the robbers – succumbed to his injuries yesterday.

Law enforcers also managed to develop new leads by questioning the detained men, finding out how three separate groups had worked together to execute the robbery. The culprits were also carrying foreign-made grenades that were suspected to have been brought into the country by militant groups, the police also found.

The new detainees are Babul Sarder, 32, hailing from Madaripur’s Shibchar, and Mintu Pradhan, 28, from Shibaloy of Manikganj.

District police arrested the two men near Ashulia’s Kamla area early yesterday.

“Based on information, police raided their house at Aush Para of Tongi and recovered eight daggers, four machetes, gunpowder, gunpowder weighing machine, explosive-making machine, splinters, a magazine of pistol, two motorbikes and some books promoting extremism,” said Habibur Rahman, superintendent of police for Dhaka district.

He told the Dhaka Tribune that much like the previously detained suspects – Borhan Mridha and Saiful Islam – the two new detainees were madrasa-educated, supporters of Islami Chhatra Shibir, and currently active with militancy.

On Tuesday afternoon, a band of armed robbers stormed into a Kathgora Bazar branch of Bangladesh Commerce Bank in Ashulia, and killed eight people including its manager, and looted money before shooting and bombing their way out. One of the robbers were later captured by the public and beaten to death.

Another victim dies

After four day’s of fighting for his life, 70-yearold Ayub Ali, who was shot and stabbed by the robbers, died yesterday at Savar’s Enam Medical College Hospital.

Ayub, a retired BDR personnel, was not inside the bank during the robbery, but was standing outside with other locals when the culprits attacked him as they fled the scene.

Ayub, who now worked as a trader in the locality, had gunshot and stab wounds to his chest.

Well-trained robbers

SM Mahfuzul Haque Nuruzzaman, deputy inspector general of police for Dhaka Range,

said all the robbers were well-trained, adding that the six to eight people who actively took part in the heist also had more people nearby to provide support.

“Although we are yet to identify the mastermind behind the robbery, we are sure that it was an act by a militant outfit and not merely a heist. The robbery was planned to create havoc and cause instability in the country,” the DIG told a press conference at the DMP media centre.

With the exception of Borhan, the other robbers had entered the Kathgora branch of the bank prior to the robbery – disguised as vendors, drivers or garment workers to case the joint.

About the explosives that were used during the robbery, he said such grenades were used by militant groups abroad and the police had never seen such grenades in the country before.

But he did not comment on where the grenades were imported from or regarding which militant outfits the detainees belonged to.

Seeking anonymity, a senior official of district police, however, told the Dhaka Tribune that the police were suspecting that banned militant outfits Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Ansarullah Bangla Team had worked in tandem to carry out the robbery.

Robbers split in three groups

Another senior official from an intelligence agency told the Dhaka Tribune that the robbers operated in three separate groups; one group was keeping an eye on the bank since noon, another entered the bank with weapons and the other was waiting outside among the locals to create a distraction and allow the robbers escape.

The investigators are now trying to locate the robbers who are on the run by analysing the mobile phone call records of the detainees. Besides, they have also analysed the registration documents of the motorbikes that were was recovered from Borhan’s house.

“The motorbikes were registered under the name of one Arshad, who is believed to be a member of the gang,” said DIG Nuruzzaman. He added that the detainees were also experts in making explosives.

The Dhaka Tribune has learnt that investigators were also verifying the profiles and activities of officials of the targeted bank as well as the owners of nearby houses, in an attempt to find out if any of them had been involved with the robbery.

The district police would also conduct more drives in the upcoming days based on the information provided by the arrestees, sources said. l

Investigators yet to make breakthrough in Khaleda’s motorcade attack cases n Tribune Report

Although different media houses have published reports identifying several Chhatra League leaders and activists to be involved in the attacks on Khaleda Zia’s motorcade, investigators yesterday said they were yet to identify anyone involved with the attack.

Inspector (investigation) ABM Moshiur Rahman of Tejgaon police station said police did not make any arrest or detain anyone as they were yet to find out who were involved in the attacks.

He said they were analysing the footage and photos related to the Karwan Bazar incident. The criminals would be arrested after proper investigation, he added.

When contacted, Sub-Inspector of Ramna police station Md Jewel Miah, also the investigation officer of the cases filed for the attacks on Khaleda’s motorcade at Bangla Motor, said police were investigating the matter and no arrests have been made yet.

Khaleda’s motorcade first came under attack at Karwan Bazar kitchen market area on Monday following which two more attacks were conducted till Wednesday when she was advocating for a BNP-backed mayoral candidate.

The first case over the Karwan Bazar attack was filed with Tejgaon police station by a AL leader and BNP filed a case over the attack with the police station the next morning.

The second reciprocal cases were filed with Ramna police station on Thursday morning. l

Coal-laden lighterage vessel capsizes in Bay n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong A lighterage vessel carrying 900 tonnes of coal capsized yesterday afternoon in the Bay of Bengal’s Sandwip Channel.

However, the nine crews of the vessel were rescued within couple of hours after the incident.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority’s Joint Director M Akkas Ali told the Dhaka Tribune that the Khulna-bound vessel,

MV Master Sohag, capsized near Vashanchar area of the channel around 12:30pm after colliding head-on with a buoy due rough weather.

He said the vessel started capsizing soon after the incident. Two nearby vessels later rescued the nine crews around 2pm, he added.

Bangladesh Coast Guard Zonal Commander (East) Captain Shahidur Rahaman said they had sent three rescue ships to the spot but the crews were rescued before their arrival. l

A banner at the entrance of the New Market in Dhaka shows the associations of shop owners in Dhaka and Dhaka metropolis urging political parties to practise healthy politics so that businessmen can carry out trade smoothly. The photo was taken yesterday SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

DT

NEWS 5

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

Hefazat: Don’t make sexual harassment a part of Bangali culture n Tribune Report Hefazat-e-Islam leaders in joint statement yesterday urged everyone not to make sexual harassment a part of the culture saying that Islam does not support it.

Expressing great concern over the incident of sexual harassment in Dhaka University area on Pohela Boishakh, Hefazat’s Secretary General Junaid Babunagari and Organising Secretary Azizul Haq Islamabadi said women are being subjected to such unwanted incidents not only on Pahela Boishakh but also on the occasions of Ekushey Book Fair, International Mother Language Day, Victory Day and other national celebrations.

A group of ill-minded young people are causing these mishaps regularly, said the two and demanded strict action against those who are committing such heinous sins.

The leaders claimed that the ethical and moral practice, especially Islamic thoughts are not followed properly, which is one of the reasons behind this scenario.

The joint statement, in a press release signed by Hefazat Central Publicity Secretary Abu Raihan, further said that the proper practice of Islamic thoughts and ideologies in every family and educational institutions can resolve the problem. l

WEATHER

RAIN OR THUNDERSHOWER SATURDAY, APRIL 25 DHAKA TODAY SUN SETS 6:24PM

TOMORROW SUN RISES 5:28AM

FORECAST FOR TODAY 34 29 33 32 27 30 31 30

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

25 23 23 23 17 22 22 24

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

32.8ºC Jessore

19.5ºC Rangpur Source: Accuweather/UNB

Chittagong mayoral aspirants BNP-backed Manzoor Alam and Awami League-backed AJM Nasir carry out their formal election campaigns in Chittagong’s Lalkhan Bazar and Hat Hazari areas respectively yesterday MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Intra-party clash hurts CCC campaigns Islam Shaon and Tarek Mahmud n Ashif from Chittagong The campaigns of two heavyweight mayoral hopefuls in Chittagong are reportedly getting hurt by intra-party factional conflicts, as both candidates make a final push to win the hearts of the voters.

Although the internal disputes among the leaders of both the Awami League and the BNP remain out of view of voters, party insiders said the tension might be a key factor in determining the next mayor of Chittagong.

The campaigners of Awami League-backed AJM Nasir Uddin said they were not getting any support from the followers of Chittagong city unit President ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, who had a large following in the city.

Three-times Chittagong mayor Mohiuddin dropped out of this year’s mayoral race after the ruling party extended its backing to Nasir.

“We are still not clear whether we could bag those votes [from Mohiuddin’s supporters].

Mohiuddin has taken part in the campaign and was present during the announcement of the electoral pledges. But we feel that his grassroots followers are not that active in campaigning,” said a close associate of Nasir who requested anonymity.

However, Nasir refused any such claim, saying: “I am confident to bag votes of his followers as my guardian Mohiuddin bhai is guiding us and is working for me.”

Fajr Sunrise

4:11am 5:30am

Zohr

11:57am

Asr

4:30pm

Magrib

6:24pm

Esha

7:43pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

problem, which was one of his primary pledges for the 2010 city polls.

Manjur’s latest 54-point election manifesto also put the promise of solving the water stagnation crisis on top of its list. But Nasir’s election camp is pointing out to voters that Manjur’s latest promise would be as futile as his earlier one.

In his latest election manifesto, Manjur claimed of having accomplished half of the 56 pledges he made in his 2010 manifesto. But city dwellers and BNP party insiders told the Dhaka Tribune that less than 20% of the pledges were fulfilled during Manjur’s five-year tenure.

However, Manjur said: “As development is a continuous process, I could not accomplish all the pledges. I will finish those this time using my experiences.”

Meanwhile, the campaigners for the BNPbacked candidate are reportedly trying to pull voters to their own camp by pointing out to them about Nasir’s alleged criminal records and his close association with known criminals.

According to Nasir’s affidavit to the EC, there is only a single case against him under trial.

However, a number of voters expressed their concerns to the Dhaka Tribune, saying some young men who were known criminals in the locality were seen with Nasir during his campaigning.

Nasir, however, rejected such claims, saying: “Nobody can claim that my party men are engaged in such activities... I will make the CCC criminal-free if elected.” l

Mayoral candidates pass a busy Friday campaigning n Tribune Report With just three days to go for the high-voltage elections of Dhaka and Chittagong city corporations, mayoral candidates continued their campaign with full force in the cities yesterday.

Mirza Abbas

PRAYER TIMES

While rifts appear among ruling party ranks in Chittagong, the BNP’s local unit is also not unfamiliar to dissent among activists.

BNP-backed candidate M Manjur Alam’s inactivity in party activities over the last five years has reportedly earned him the ire of many of his colleagues.

There are also reports that suggest that factional disputes exist between the followers of Manjur and BNP’s Chittagong city General Secretary Dr Shahdat Hossain, who made an unsuccessful bid to win his party’s backing to run as port city mayor.

Asked about the issue, BNP’s Chittagong city Senior Vice-President Abu Sufiyan denied any disagreement between Manjur and Shahdat, but admitted that the latter was absent from canvassing.

“Shahdat is not on the campaigning field as he is accused in many cases. But his followers are working for us. There is no conflict between Shahdat and Manjur,” said Sufiyan, who is a member of Manjur’s election campaigning team.

He added that the former Chittagong mayor had kept himself away from party activities to avoid any criticism as the city corporation is a non-partisan body.

Meanwhile, as the April 28 Chittagong City Corporation elections draw nearer, rival camps are focusing on the weaknesses of their opponents to strengthen their own claim to office.

Nasir wants to cash in on former mayor Manjur’s failure to tackle the city’s water stagnation

Afroza Abbas, who has been electioneering on behalf of BNP-blessed mayoral candidate for Dhaka South Mirza Abbas, criticised a fellow candidate’s campaigning at religious establishments.

She however did not mention the name of the candidate. Afroza Abbas said: “Baitul Mukarram is a state-run religious establishment. Campaigning at that place is a complete violation of electoral code.”

“The candidate also made the mosque a political space tarnishing the image of the holy place,” she alleged. Starting her campaign at Dhanmondi, Afroza Abbas continued to Narinda and Swamibagh areas of Dhaka south yesterday.

Sayeed Khokon

Meanwhile, Awami League-backed Sayeed Khokon yesterday campaigned at New Market area and Azimpur.

Talking to the journalists, Khokon said his source of strength was people and their trust on him. Describing himself as the son of the capital, Sayeed Khokon said: “I have more responsibilities to the inhabitants of this capital.”

Later, he offered prayer at his father Mohammad Hanif’s grave at Azimpur graveyard.

Annisul Huq

Mayoral aspirant of Dhaka North City Corporation, Annisul Huq, sought votes from the audience at a cultural programme organised at TNT field in Mohakhali area yesterday.

Folk singer and lawmaker Momtaz, also joined him in seeking votes. “To make Dhaka a green, clean and liveable city, Anisul is the best and efficient mayoral candidate,” she said.

“The problems of this city have been identified and now it is time to solve those.”

Zonayed Saki

Another candidate for Dhaka North, Zonayed Saki started his campaign yesterday by visiting the sight Rana Plaza tragedy at Savar to pay tribute to the victims.

He then visited Khilgaon, Malibagh and Taltola areas seeking votes.

While campaigning at Cantonment area, he said: “I am urging the voters to vote for my symbol ‘Telescope’ to start a new era.”

Chittagong

In the port city, the campaigning of the mayoral candidates saw a high intensity as yesterday was the last weekly holiday before the election.

The mayoral candidates of Awami Leaguebacked AJM Nasir Uddin and BNP-supported M Manjur Alam conducted their campaigns all day.

AJM Nasir reached out to the voters in the city’s EPZ, Patenga, Agrabad, WASA, Bandar and adjoining areas.

On the other hand, M Manjur Alam visited several places of the city including Kazir Dewri, Lalkhan Bazar and Dewanhat. l

DT

6 NEWS

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

Home Ministry for creating 13,039 fresh posts n Asif Showkat Kallol The Home Ministry has proposed creation of 13,039 more posts as part of the government plan to recruit 50,000 police members to improve country’s law and order, according to officials concerned.

Moreover, the Finance Ministry has sought further negotiation with the Home Ministry regarding procurement of the motor vehicles worth Tk518 crore.

The Home Ministry in a letter yesterday sought advance list from the police directorate to create 13,039 posts along with setting up fresh information centres or police stations across the country.

The letter signed by Senior Assistance Secretary Fazana Jesmin of the Home Ministry was also sent to the Prime Minister’s Office, and the public administration and the finance ministries.

A Finance Division official says the gov-

ernment is likely to allocate Tk507 crore for payment of salaries for recruiting 4,398 police personnel next fiscal year. It is expected that the government will allocate a total fund of Tk1,000 crore for setting up new police stations and procuring motor vehicles in 2015-16 fiscal year.

A total of Tk10,000 crore is needed for the appointment of 50,000 fresh police personnel in the next couple of years, the official added.

A Home Ministry official said the Public Administration Ministry was processing to create 32,563 posts and the Finance Division 4,398 posts. But the police directorate is yet to send any proposal regarding the rest of the 13,039 posts.

The first phase of the appointment will start in the beginning of the next fiscal year, the official said.

An official of the Expenditure Control Department under the Finance Division said: “We are preparing the proposal to create

4,398 posts. It may be approved next week.”

He also said it needs further discussion with the Home Ministry regarding the procurement of motor vehicles.

A semi-official letter sent by Finance Minister AMA Muhith on March 12 to the Expenditure Control Department reads: “During a meeting with State Minister of for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and the inspector general of police at my office, they discussed about creating 4,398 posts along with disbursement of Tk518 crore for procurement of motor vehicles.”

But they want to approval of number of motor vehicles for procurement and they also mentioned number of vehicles will purchase as per disbursement of the budget fund this year, letter revealed.

The minister’s letter also mentioned that he had not given his consent about the procurement of vehicles as he was yet to discuss the matter with the Expenditure Control De-

partment.

Last February, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her resolve to bring all militants and terrorists to book and announced that 50,000 people would be appointed in the police force to further improve the law and order situation in the country.

“Initially, 20,000 members will be appointed in Bangladesh Police, while recruitment of the rest will take place in phases,” she said at a programme in Sardah, Rajshahi.

Hasina said over the last five years, her government modernised the police force and created more than 31,000 new posts, including 614 cadre posts.

Two weeks ago, at the inauguration of new cyber crime unit, State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman said the government would appoint 50,000 new police personnel soon.

“We are reshuffling the police administration to modernise the force as criminals now use sophisticated technology,’’ he said. l

ASHULIA BANK ROBBERY

Workers blockade Ashulia police station n Our Correspondent, Savar Gazipur construction workers’ union members staged a protest yesterday afternoon, surrounding off the Ashulia police station, over the detention of the union’s President Saiful in connection to the Ashulia bank robbery.

Police and the protesting union members said, on information from the two arrested robbers involved in the Ashulia bank robbery police raided a house in Akaupara area in Tongi and recovered six daggers, gun powder, and bomb making equipment. Police then detained Saiful Islam, security guard of the house, for questioning.

After the news of Saiful’s detention spread, over a hundred union leaders-activists gathered in front of the Ashulia police station around 2pm and demanded release of the union president.

When police attempted to chase off the protesters, they got entangled in chases and counter-chases on the Nabinagar-Kaliyakoir highway. Later, higher officials of police came to the scene and calmed down the crowd.

Officer-in-Charge of Ashulia Police Station Mostofa Kamal confirmed the incident and said: “When assured that Saiful would be released if he’s not involved with the robbers, the protesting workers went away.” l

Different theatre groups stage street plays in TSC area yesterday protesting sexual harassment of women during Pohela Boishakh celebrations SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Meeting of Private University Public Kazan Federal University meets Relation Officers’ Association held Brac University for collaboration n Tribune Report Monthly meeting of the Private University Public Relations Officers’ Association (PUPROA) was held recently.

This meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Public Relations Director of American International University Bangladesh and the Chairman of PUPROA Md Lutfor Rahman.

General Secretary of PUPROA and Director (Public Relations) of European University of Bangladesh Monirul Islam Rintu, Hasan

Saimum Wahab of Independent University of Bangladesh, Nasima Khandakar of University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, Md Imtiaj of Eastern University, Abu Sadat of United International University, Md Yusuf Al Mamun of South-East University, Mamun-ul-Matin of Far East International University, Abdul Matin of Manarat International University, Md Anwar Habib Kazal of Daffodil International University, Sheikh Mahbub Rahman of Northern University and Nayeem Ahmed of Bangladesh Islami University, were present in the meeting. l

n Tribune Report A team from Kazan Federal University, the second oldest Russian university established in 1804 visited Brac University on April 16, 2015 to discuss future collaboration in student and faculty exchange as well as research in the field of Material Science, Biotechnology, Physics, Engineering and other fields.

Timur Madzhidov and Aydar Khusnutdinov of Kazan Federal University along with Alexander P Demin, director of Russian Cen-

tre of Science and Culture in Dhaka and first secretary of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Bangladesh attended the meeting.

From Brac University, Professor AA Ziauddin Ahmad, chairperson of the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, led the meeting while other department heads, namely, Professor Mohammad Haider Ali, Professor Md Sayeed Salam, Professor Md Khalilur Rahman, Professor Tafazzal Hussain, and Professor AKM Abdul Malek Azad attended the meeting. l

DT

8 NEWS

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

Shutki Para turns into model village Correspondent, n Our Thakurgaon Sutki Para, a village in border area under Thakurgaon district, once known for human trafficking and smuggling now turned into the example of self employment, education and development due to a pilot project, taken by Border Guard Bangladesh.

Kaosar, a youth of the village, who had to serve two years in Indian jail in 2012 for smuggling said: “It’s turned out so much better than I had hoped for.”

With teary eyes, he said that he along with his friends was involbed in smuggling as there was no alternative for them.

“Many of the villagers were killed during smuglling and trafficking,” he said. “Now we are free from such kind of curse,” he added.

Sources said BGB-30 in the district has taken a pilot project named ‘ Alokito Simanto’ to free the villagers from the curse of trafficking and smuggling which are the common scenario in the border area.

The BGB members had taken six projects for 35 families of the village where 25 of them came under it.

Children park was built and tube well set up recently in the village to make the life better.

The district commissioner also came with helping hand in this regard. Khasland was distributed among the landless people and cultivation of vegetables is going on in full swing with the help of the district administration.

Mukesh Chandra Biswas, the deputy commissioner said: “We are very hopeful about the project and we will do everything for the development of the village.”

“We want to establish a role model of modern life in the border area,” he said.

The BGB members also planted build bio-gas plant and started to cultivate mash-rum, honey, medicinal herbs and chemical-free vegetables.

Local Government Engineering Department build a brick-made road in the village.

BGB-30 commander Lieutenant Colonel Tushar Yunus said: “Many youths were killed during smuggling previously in the district but now there is not such an incident in the village.”

A dairy farm was established under the project where many youths got their job.

In an inauguration programme of the project, BGB regional commander Brigadier General Mahfuzur Rahman said recently: “We have constructed the project to integrate crop production, biogas production, and rural forest and agro-based industries with the aim of optimizing edible, sale-able and inflammable outputs to improve the quality of life.”

“We have presented the model so that other villages in border area can follow it to remove heinous crimes like trafficking, smuggling and any kind of illegal business,” he said.

He added that over 4,00000 people in 112 kilometer border area under the district could find the ray of hope in life.

For the development of the project, Rajshahi Agricultural Development Bank donated Tk3,15 lakh, USDO, a non government organization,1.5 lakh and local MP 2 lakh.

Rani Begum, a member of the project said: “The plan has created a new life for them who have raised themselves from poverty.” l

22 injured in clash in Sirajganj Correspondent, n Our Sirajganj Twenty two people were injured in a fierce clash between two groups of villagers at Tanai of Belkuchi in SIrajganj yesterday. Nine of them had sustained burn injuries in acid attacks.

Officer-in-charge of Belkuchi police station Abdul Hye said the clash ensued between the supporters of Mah-

bub Haji and Ranju Fakir of the village around 9:30 am following previous enmity over their business, reports United News of Bangladesh.

At one stage, both groups spayed acid on each other, leaving 22 people, including nine with acid, injured.

On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

The injured were rushed to Sirajganj General hospital. l

DT

NEWS 9

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

Nine killed in road accidents in 4 districts n Tribune Report At least Nine people were killed in road accidents in Bagerhat, Comilla, Barisal and Jessore districts yesterday.

Our Bagerhat correspondent reports: Five people were killed and three others injured critically as bus and a pick-up van collided head-on at Faltita on the Bagerhat-Mawa Highway in Fakirhat upazila.

The deceased were identified as Shyem Das, 32, son of Suvash Dash, Nil Komol Das, 45, Boloram Das, 32, son of Kesto Das, Panu Das Gosai, 47, son of Kartik Das, all were resident of Dohazari village of the upazila and Sheikh Ansar Ali, 45, driver of the pick-up van.

The accident took place when the Gopalganj-bound bus crashed into the Fakirhat-bound pick-up van around 2:30pm, leaving five people dead on the spot and three other injured, said Anisur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Fakirhat police station.

The injured were first taken to Fakirhat Health Complex and them shifted to Khulna Medical College Hospital as their condition deteriorated.

On information, police recovered the bodies.

Jahangir Alam, Deputy Commissioner of Bagerhat district also visited the spot.

Two people, including a child, were killed as a bus rammed into an auto-rickshaw on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway in Comilla Sadar upazila in the morning, reports Comilla correspondent.

Mainamati Highway police OC Awal Miah said, a bus rammed into a CNG-run auto-rickshaw around 11:15am, leaving two passengers of the

auto-rickshaw dead on the spot and three others injured.

The injured were admitted to local health complex.

Jessore correspondent said a motorcyclist was killed in an accident in front of Kazi Nazrul Islam College at Barinagar.

The deceased was identified as Humayun Kabir Jwel,38, son of Abdur Rashid of Charpara area.

Police said the accident took place when a passenger bus of Garai Paribahan coming from opposition direction hit Jwel on the Khulna-Kushtia Road, leaving him dead on the spot while he was crossing the road riding motorcycle.

In Barisal, a man was killed and eight others injured in an accident at Rakudia under Babuganj upazila.

The victim was identified as Mawlana Abdur Rob, Imam of Rakudia Abul Kalam Degree College Mosque.

Shahe Alam, officer-incharge of Babuganj police station quoting local witnesses said a bus of Seba Paribahon hit brick laden pump-engine driven trolley from behind near Palli Bidyut substation, leaving Rob dead on the spot, reports our Barisal correspondent.

According to the report of Munshiganj correspondent, at least 35 persons were injured in a road accident in Boroigaon area on Bejgaon-Naopara road under Srinagar upazila of the district in the afternoon.

The accident occurred when a Dhaka-bound bus of Gangchil Paribahan coming from Naopara fell into a roadside ditch as its driver lost control over the steering.

Police seized the bus but its driver manage to escape.

A case was filed in this connection. l

Two including UP member killed Correspondent, n Our Jessore Two people, including a local Union Parishad (UP) member, were killed and five others injured during a clash between two groups of villagers over cutting trees at Raghunathpur village in Benapole Port area yesterday morning.

The deceased were identified as Abdullah, 45, a member of Bahadurpur Union Parishad and Azgar, 42.

Benapole Port police station Officer-in-Charge Apurba Hasan said, the clash ensued around 9am when Abdullah obstructed Azgar when he was cutting down the trees in the area.

At one stage, both groups attacked each other with sharp weapons that left Abdullah dead on the spot and injured six others. The injured were rushed to Sharsha Upazila Health Complex.

Azgar was sent to Jessore Medical College Hospital where he died later. l

DT

10 WORLD

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

As Armenia marks 1915 killing, Berlin calls it genocide

Fourteen migrants killed in Macedonia, hit by train in gorge

n Reuters

Fourteen migrants were killed when they were struck by a train in a narrow gorge in Macedonia late on Thursday, part of a growing tide of people trying to get to western Europe via the Balkans instead of crossing the treacherous Mediterranean.

Local media said the victims were among a group of around 50 migrants following the train tracks through Macedonia to Serbia, having probably crossed through Turkey and Greece en route to Hungary and the European Union’s borderless Schengen zone.

Macedonia’s state prosecutor said that from interviewing survivors it appeared most of the group were from Somalia and Afghanistan. Walking along the railway line after dark, they were hit by a train heading for the Serbian capital, Belgrade. l

UN welcomes EU migrant plan, says test is whether lives saved

n Reuters

People attend a commemoration ceremony to mark the centenary of the mass killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex in Yerevan, Armenia yesterday REUTERS

n Reuters, Yerevan Armenia marked the centenary on Friday of a mass killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks with a simple flower-laying ceremony attended by foreign leaders as Germany became the latest country to respond to its calls for recognition that it was genocide.

Turkey denies the killing of up to 1.5 million Armenians in what is now Turkey in 1915, at the height of World War One, constitutes genocide and relations with Armenia are still blighted by the dispute.

Parliament in Germany, Turkey’s biggest trade partner in the European Union, risked a diplomatic rupture with Ankara and upsetting its own many ethnic Turkish residents by joining the many Western scholars and two dozen countries to use the word.

Its resolution, approved overwhelmingly, marks a significant change of stance in a country which has worked hard to come to terms with its responsibility for the murder of six million Jews in the Holocaust.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday he “shared the pain” of Armenians,

but as recently as Thursday he again refuted the description of the killings as genocide and has shown no sign of changing his mind.

The French and Russian presidents, Francois Hollande and Vladimir Putin, were among guests who placed a yellow carnation in a wreath of forget-me-nots at a hilltop memorial near the Armenian capital Yerevan and led calls for reconciliation.

“Recognition of the genocide is a triumph of human conscience and justice over intolerance and hatred,” Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan said in speech under grey skies. l

The United Nations on Friday welcomed the European Union’s plan to triple the size of its naval search mission in the Mediterranean, but said the key test was whether lives were saved and those fleeing war had a chance of gaining asylum.

The EU’s assurances meant the operation would have capacity, resources and scope comparable to Italy’s Mare Nostrum, which was ended six months ago, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said.

“UNHCR believes they are an important first step toward collective European action which is the only approach that can work for a problem of such a large and transnational nature,” spokesman Adrian Edwards told a news briefing.

Four days after up to 900 desperate people drowned trying to reach Europe from Libya, EU leaders agreed at an emergency summit on Thursday to restore funding for naval search missions to last year’s level. l

Italian police stage raids on group Countdown appears to start for linked to suspected Pakistan plot execution of foreigners in Indonesia n Reuters Italian police said on Friday they were staging a “vast anti-terrorism” operation against an armed organisation inspired by al Qaeda whose members were ready to carry out attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

A series of raids across the country was targeting 18 people, they said. Some had been arrested in Italy, including the group’s suspected spiritual leader, but others were believed to have left the country.

The group had “an abundant amount of weapons and numerous faithful willing to carry out acts of terrorism in Pakistan and Afghanistan before returning to Italy,” police said in one of a series of statements.

All the suspects are Pakistanis or Afghans,

anti-terrorism police official Mario Carta told Reuters, adding that the operation was still in progress.

European governments are increasingly worried about the threat of “sleeper” militants apparently living normal lives in their countries but who are then activated to stage attacks at home or abroad.

Police wiretaps had determined that two people among the 18 targeted by arrest warrants were suspected of being part of a group that had protected al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, who was killed by US special forces at his hideout in Abbottabad, Pakistan in 2011, a statement said.

The investigation, carried out by Italy’s anti-terrorism DIGOS police branch, led to the arrest of an Imam in the northern city of Bergamo. l

n Reuters, Jakarta Indonesia has asked foreign embassies to send representatives to a maximum security prison ahead of the expected execution of 10 drug convicts, although an official 72-hour notice of execution has not been given yet, diplomats said on Friday.

Among the convicted drug offenders set to face the firing squad are nationals from Australia, Brazil, France and Nigeria and the case has strained relations between the governments of those nations and Indonesia.

The Attorney General’s Office said it expected to announce the date of execution in the next few weeks. Embassy officials received text messages from the government to send representatives on Saturday to the pris-

on island of Nusakambangan, where the executions will soon take place. It was not clear why they were being summoned so early.

“The Attorney General’s Office issued a blanket statement to embassies involved to send representatives. They did not say for what purpose,” said an embassy official, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

“Our worst fear right now is that it’s in preparation for possible executions.”

Security at the prison was heightened on Friday and religious counselors, doctors and the firing squad were alerted to start final preparations. The Attorney General has been waiting for all the legal processes of the 10 death row inmates to be completed before announcing an execution date. l

DT

WORLD 11

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

UN invites Syrian parties to peace talks in Geneva in May n Reuters

United Nations Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura has invited Syria’s government and opposition groups for separate talks in Geneva next month in the latest bid to end the four-year-old civil war, a UN spokesman said on Friday.

De Mistura, who is due to brief the UN Security Council later on Friday, plans for “lowkey” talks with each of the main stakeholders over four to six weeks in the Swiss city, Ahmad Fawzi told a news briefing.

“There will be no big meeting at the end.

There will be no fanfare at the conclusion,” Fawzi said.

Major powers and regional players have been invited, but not the militant groups

Islamic State or Jabhat al-Nusra, which are classified as “terrorist organisations,” he said. Some of those present at the talks would be able to communicate with them, he added.

Fawzi said De Mistura hoped to report back to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

by June 30, the third anniversary of the Geneva Communiqué, a ministerial document setting out guidelines on Syria’s path to peace and a political transition.

Some diplomats have privately expressed scepticism about De Mistura’s chances of success.

But Russia has said it hopes the talks will lead to a united front against Islamic State an al Qaeda offshoot fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that has seized large parts of

Hubble Space Telescope celebrated 25 years on

Syria and neighboring Iraq - followed by a political transition.

Others have noted that separate talks on Iran’s nuclear program may also produce a deal at the end of June. A nuclear deal would ease tensions between Tehran and Washington, two of the leading powers for and against Assad, creating diplomatic momentum that could help talks on Syria.

Iran is among those invited to Geneva, Fawzi told Reuters.

Previous attempts to stop the war, which the United Nations says now killed 220,000 and created almost 4 million refugees, foundered when De Mistura’s predecessors tried to get the government and opposition to agree on ceasefires and to discuss postwar political transition. l

n Al Jazeera From helping to determine the age of the universe to proving the existence of black holes, the $2.5bn Hubble Space Telescope has been a hugely powerful tool of scientific discovery.

Friday marks 25 years since the telescope was first launched.

It was not the first space telescope, but when it was launched into low Earth orbit in 1990, it carried onboard an unprecedented array of instruments: a 2.4-metre mirror and four main sensors designed to capture ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared light.

Putting the telescope above the distortion of Earth’s atmosphere gave it the ability to take very high-resolution images without the interference of background light.

“I like to describe the atmosphere being something like looking through an old stained glass window,” said Dr Nancy Grace

Roman, the first chief astronomer at NASA. “The glass has defects in it and that sort of keeps you from getting a sharp picture, and the atmosphere also has defects.”

Looking back in time

During its 25 years in service, Hubble has captured some remarkable images of space, including galaxies so far away that the view we get of them comes from a period when the universe had just been created, thus allowing scientist to effectively look back in time.

“The achievements are spectacularly displayed in superb images,” says Francisco Diego, a senior research fellow at the Department of Physics and Astronomy at University College London.

“With unprecedented detail these have decorated the front pages of newspapers and magazines worldwide. But beyond images, it’s spectrometers have analysed the light of faint objects inaccessible from the ground.” l

n AFP, Islamabad

Pakistan said Friday the botched US drone attack that killed two foreign hostages showed the risks of the controversial tactic, as details came to light apparently pinpointing the fatal strike.

US President Barack Obama admitted on Thursday that one American and one Italian hostage were accidentally killed in a counter-terrorism operation in January targeting a suspected Al-Qaeda hideout.

Obama said US consultant Warren Weinstein and Italian aid worker Giovanni Lo Porto were killed along with Ahmed Faruq, an American described as a leader of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS).

Islamabad said it was shocked and saddened by the incident and offered sympathy to the families. l

Philippine military says Chinese ship took aggressive action n AP, Manila A Chinese ship acted aggressively against a Philippine military plane on patrol over waters claimed by Manila in the disputed South China Sea, a military spokesman said Friday.

The Chinese vessels flashed powerful lights and radioed the Philippine navy plane to leave the area near one of the islands in the Spratlys chain occupied by Filipinos, Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said.

He said the pilots ignored the Chinese ship’s actions on Sunday to avoid escalating the confrontation.

“This is an aggressive action on the part of the Chinese vessel,” Cabunoc said. “They said, ‘You’re entering Chinese territory, leave.’”

He said the incident happened closed to Subi Reef, which is near Pag-asa Island, also called Thitu Island, which is occupied

by Filipinos.

A stellar nursery of about 3,000 stars called Westerlund 2 located about 20,000 light-years from the planet earth in the constellation Carina is shown in this undated NASA handout taken by the Hubble Space Telescope released April 23 REUTERS

Pakistan says botched strike highlights dangers of US drone war

“We believe that that is our territory. Why should we be driven out?” he said. “We do not want to complicate the situation there in compliance with the government directives to support the peaceful resolution of our territorial disputes.”

Earlier this month, a Chinese coast guard vessel fired a water canon at Filipino fishermen and seized some of their catch near Scarborough Shoal north of the Spratlys.

The Philippines filed a case in 2013 with the international arbitration tribunal challenging China’s claims over virtually all of the South China Sea. The Philippines also has protested Chinese land reclamations in reefs in the disputed area to create new islands, which Manila believes could be used militarily.

The top Philippine fisheries official said the reclamation has caused massive coral destruction — about 311 hectares (768.6 acres) — that will take thousands of years to repair. l

Tokyo park closed after Three policemen rocketing radiation levels arrested in India over found rape, extortion of model

n AFP

n AFP

Extremely high levels of radiation have been discovered in a playground in Tokyo, officials said Friday, fanning fears for the health of children in the area.

Soil underneath a slide at the park in the northwest of the Japanese capital showed radiation readings of up to 480 microsieverts per hour, the local administrative office said.

Anyone directly exposed to this level would absorb in two hours the maximum dose of radiation Japan recommends in a year.

“Many children play in the park daily, so the ward office should explain the situation,” Kyodo News quoted a 62-year-old local woman as saying. The radiation level is over 2,000 times that at which the national government requires soil cleaning in areas around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. l

Police in Mumbai have arrested three officers who allegedly raped a model in a police station and then demanded several thousand dollars as blackmail to keep quiet, a deputy commissioner said Friday.

Three other men have also been arrested after the 29-year-old woman said the officers bundled her into a car as she was leaving an upmarket hotel in India’s financial capital on April 3.

Deputy commissioner Dhananjay Kulkarni said the woman has alleged she was then driven to a police outpost and raped by the officers before they extorted up to 500,000 rupees ($7,800) from her.

“The investigations are being done meticulously considering the involvement of police and nature of the crime,” Kulkarni told AFP. l

DT

12 EDITORIAL

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

Bicycle-makers show way ahead for exports

B

angladesh exports nearly half a million bicycles each year to Europe.

We applaud the entrepreneurs, both national and overseas-backed, who have built up this growing success story.

Key investments in high quality manufacturing equipment and spare parts have allowed domestic bicycle manufacturers to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the EU’s everything-but-arms-duty-free access scheme.

It is time to look strategically at how this growth can be speeded up further to create new jobs and sustain more higher value manufacturing exports.

Demand for bicycles is growing fast in countries all round the world, including in Bangladesh. Although bicycle manufacture is a major part of our light engineering sector, bottlenecks still prevent local suppliers building on the huge potential offered by the EU’s $7bn bicycle market.

Components and quality standards for domestically used products remain unsuitable for export-oriented bicycles, which require a far higher degree of precision engineering and quality. Even large manufacturers are only able to procure 45% of the value of components within Bangladesh for export bicycles, as opposed to over 80% for bikes produced for the domestic market.

Building linkages and encouraging more investment in domestic manufacture to allow more higher quality parts to be supplied and assembled is the step needed to allow the sector to properly take off.

The payoff in terms of building skills and adding value to exports is an important way to help diversify and grow the economy.

Be heard

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

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How to kill an idea April 5

person is willing to kill because his religious beliefs have been maligned, it has to be that the costs imposed by anti-religious expressions on this person are so high that he is willing to go to equally extreme lengths in order to restore his utility. Thus, killing is simply the radical’s way of offsetting high personal costs.

Encourage investment in quality and components to add value

Free up public spaces for recreation

W

e welcome fresh pledges by mayoral candidates to recover and revitalise parks, playgrounds, and other open spaces in Dhaka which have fallen prey to encroachment and disuse.

It is shameful that the relative lack of accessible safe spaces for sport and recreation has been made worse over the years by local authority neglect and collusion with land grabbers.

The next mayoral administration badly needs to reverse this trend and start building new facilities.

As the rapturous support given to the Bangladesh cricket team during the Tiger’s ODI victories over Pakistan this week show, there is a huge well of interest which can be tapped to further sport in our country.

It will be disastrous for the general health and well being of our population if authorities fail to do more to facilitate wider participation in physical activity.

Growing urbanisation and sedentary lifestyles pose a major threat to public health as they bring greater levels of obesity and associated illnesses Both local and national governments need to work more closely with colleges, schools and sporting associations to encourage all boys and girls take part in sport from a young age.

Only by increasing access and broadening participation in sport can we hope to improve general health and maxmise the potential of our population to provide the competitive sport stars of the future.

We hope the new mayor and city corporations being elected this month will take the lead in improving facilities to help more people stay physically active through their lives and into older age.

Candidates must live up to pledges to revitalise parks and recreation facilities

guest “Their writings seemed so dangerous, so attractive -- as if it could open Pandora’s Box. They were so scared of what the bloggers were writing about, they figured they had to get rid of the hands that wrote them. They thought that other eyes and minds must not be exposed to these dangerous ideas.”

I wonder if that’s really the case. If we go by rational choice theory (from economics), cost-benefit calculations are at the heart of people’s choices. Any cost represents a loss and the economic man/rational man will seek to offset this cost with commensurate benefit in order to remain just as well off. If a

Son Zoo Bravo! This is a fantastic op-ed!

Tonmoy Rahman The people doing this do not mind that the human mind is in danger. Religiously inspired fanaticism of whatever creed finds merit in closing minds. It fears people thinking for themselves and will approve of/ incite killings pour encourager les autres... it doesn’t care about winning hearts and minds, just sending its message. I don’t know how to end them but suspect keeping them close quickly turns into the tale of the man who crossed a stream aboard a tiger’s back.

DT Khaleda returns to her residence after 3 months

Time for cricket to go global April 5

April 5 Saif Kama Century ta miss korlen ..

Police should stick to policing April 5 Kasim Iqbal Who would be more suitable for a Dhaka remake, Dirty Harry or Inspector Clouseau?

Robert Imam Kasim Iqbal: Maybe Training Day? Woody Kurosawa The police can’t even stop cars to help children cross the road, I doubt they’ll be any better at scripting cinema hits. Leave that to AJ.

Berkeley centre reaches the world

April 5 RashedKhalikque A commendable intitative. So much more far sighted and impactful than giving money to village madrassas like so many of our wealthy people.

Zero-Agenda Spot on. The fate of cricket is being controlled by a handful of nations, and as history has proven, that has never been a good thing (for cricket or otherwise).

Leeroy Jenkins This made a scary amount of sense.

When the sun goes down April 5 Barely Legal Alien I’ll be honest, as a man, I’m more scared of the super-mutant vampire sewergators roaming the streets at night, than of the possibility of getting raped.

The Isle of Woman We will make Bangladesh a safer place for the women.

DT

OPINION 13

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

The right kind of connectivity n Shayan S Khan

I

n this age of accelerated globalisation driven by enhanced communication, both physical and digital, the concept of connectivity doubtless has a lot going for it.

Indeed, by now, enough to stand on its own as a recognisable plank of foreign policy for some nations. This holds especially true in the case of countries that can, or historically have been, in a position to reap the economic benefits of their geography -- think Panama and its famous canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, or Singapore with its natural harbour located strategically on the Malacca Strait, that witnesses a staggering 40% of global trade every day.

Enough also to merit a debate in Dhaka, as was organised recently by the local chapter of the Washington-based National Democratic Institute which works to strengthen democratic institutions around the world, and IID, an NGO working to foster development through access to information.

The house, which assembled over what was styled a “policy breakfast” at the Radius Centre in Gulshan, considered the motion “Should regional connectivity remain the cornerstone of Bangladesh’s foreign policy?”

Moderating was the doyen of Bangladesh’s retired diplomats, ex-foreign secretary Farooq Sobhan.

Now, it is of course important to stress the great cultural and civilisational links that get forged when nations commit to connectivity.

But this shouldn’t blind us to the reality that throughout history, it is commerce that has acted as the greatest mobilising force.

The great trading routes of ancient times, predating the protocol and assorted formali-

ties of international relations in the modern era, weren’t just pathways on a map; they signified the bonds that ran through the peoples they touched.

These points were all effectively made

by Khaleda Akhter, senior research associate at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), who spoke for the motion. The argument was rightly framed within the context of the economic benefits to be accrued from signing up to the connectivity regime, as it were, and more importantly the need to pursue it on a regional basis.

As such, it recognised the crucial element that has been in danger of being overlooked in the current Bangladeshi government’s pursuit of connectivity: It needs to happen within a multilateral framework. The potential gains identified earlier are greatest when a country opens its borders to facilitate trade, and everything else that goes with it, between an entire range of nations, not just one or two.

You would think that the foundational pillar of Bangladesh’s foreign policy -- “friendship towards all, malice towards none” -- that Bangabandhu borrowed from Voltaire’s prescription for a famously neutral Switzerland, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam repeated here during his opening remarks, would be well-suited to the pursuit of connectivity.

Yet the fact remains that after almost a decade since the realisation first dawned, somewhat belatedly, that our strategic position on the Bay of Bengal offered untold opportunities as a regional hub connecting South and SouthEast Asia, and six years now of a government’s steadfast commitment to connectivity, there is still very little to show for it.

I myself spoke against the motion, and

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in making my argument, tried to delve into the reasons behind this stalling. And in my reading, although the fundamental reasoning behind the government’s decision to jump on the connectivity bandwagon was sound, it is in the way it has been pursued that the entire concept of “regional connectivity” has been undermined in the case of Bangladesh.

The principal mistake that one may point to from a foreign policy standpoint has to be abandoning the need to view the entire concept within a multilateral framework.

In retrospect, it should have worked more vigorously, with the governments of Southeast Asian countries in particular, to promote its potential as the gateway between two great oceanic regions, those of the Pacific and the Indian.

A look back over the last five years at connectivity-related projects taking place in Bangladesh reveals almost the entire catalog is monopolised by India -- mostly to facilitate trade between its disparate regions.

Although a new trade agreement on the cusp of being negotiated promises to ensure otherwise, the transit facilities availed by the Indians for commercial traffic through Bangladesh between their regions in recent years have incurred no fee.

An opinion from the floor, as the debate was then opened up, tried to underplay the importance of transit fees. Such a waiver is unheard of, and fundamentally contradicts the strongest argument in its favour: The economics of connectivity. The floor vote that was declared at the end showed 23 in favour, 13 against, and as well it might, with the framing of the question.

Connectivity will remain a key to Bangladesh’s foreign policy in the foreseeable future, and so it should. What policymakers need to sort out now though, is what kind of connectivity they want. l

contest between a Bhutto and a Zardari, just as India has witnessed duels between the Gandhis (Sonia/Rahul) and the Gandhis (Maneka/Varun).

For Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the visit this week of the Chinese president Xi Jingping could not have come at a better time. Battered by parliamentary criticism which he regards as an administrative aberration rather than a mirror of the public’s mood against Pakistan’s involvement in the Saudi-Yemen conflict, Mr Sharif needs the reassurance that such state visits provide.

President Xi Jingping’s visit is an interesting reversal of the attitude of former Chinese rulers. Dr Henry Kissinger writes in his book World Order (2014) that when in 1792, Lord Sir George Macartney was sent by King George III to open trade negotiations with the Chinese, the emperor Chi’en Lung loftily dismissed the British delegation, remarking: “As your Ambassador can see for himself, we possess all things.”

Chi’en Lung reminded his British counterpart of his “throne’s principle to ‘treat strangers from afar with indulgence,’ and to exercise a pacifying control over barbarian tribes the world over.”

Today, over 200 years later, it is precisely because the Chinese “possess all things” that they can afford to share their surplus the

world over and to treat “with indulgence” countries like Pakistan -- the friendliest of strangers, and the strangest of friends.

President Xi Jingping has brought a cornucopia overflowing with aid and loans, tied as most Chinese offerings are with the most silken of strings. The scale -- $45bn worth -- bears no relationship to Pakistan’s economy. Some cynics have suggested that it might have been more cost-effective for the Chinese to have bought Pakistan outright.

This Chinese munificence certainly outshines the gilt largesse of the $1.5bn given (albeit in cash) given by the Saudis, presumably to pay for the $1bn worth of arms the United States has suddenly offered to supply. That Pakistan should have accepted both is not surprising. Our governments accept anything at the drop of a scruple.

The PNL-N government has begun to imitate what Dr Kissinger defined as “the [Saudi] Kingdom’s strategy of principled ambiguity.”

Such ambiguity is arguable in foreign relations. It is inexplicable in domestic politics, especially when another party will have to implement a predecessor’s commitments and 180 million of us pay for them. l

FS Aijazuddin lives in Lahore and is a columnist for Dawn, Pakistan’s main English-language newspaper.

This article was first published in Dawn.

Shayan S Khan is executive editor of the Dhaka Courier, and senior editor at UNB.

Silken largesse n FS Aijazuddin

W

hichever candidate does finally emerge as the victor in the by-elections for NA 246 (Karachi), it is clear that the moral victory is already that of Imran Khan’s PTI party. Even if his candidate Imran Ismail does not secure a majority, the PTI will have succeeded not so much by the number of votes cast in its favour but by those hurled against the MQM. With a daring that matched Mr Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s challenge to the complacent politico-military elite in the 1970 elections, Imran Khan has penetrated MQM’s domain.

Six months ago, such a foray into the Land of Oz would have been dangerous, almost unthinkable.

He knew the risk he was taking. A single bullet separated a Nobel Prize winner from oblivion; a single bullet separated innocent victims like Masood Hamid from life. The threats confronting Imran Khan were real; they were multiple; their objective, singular.

It was to dam his tsunami for change.

“There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood …” Shakespeare had once written. Had he been writing today, he would have added: A flood that “cannot be stemmed by vindictive power outages.”

Earlier, Imran Khan would have shouted

his remonstrance from a container top. His newer political maturity revealed itself when he sat with an almost bemused reaction at the pettiness of his opponents.

It would be ungracious not to acknowledge that perhaps one reason for his newfound gravitas is the emergence on the platform of his new wife Raima Khan. Wellgroomed, poised, articulate, Mrs Raima Khan (unlike her predecessor) is naturally and comfortably Pakistani.

Her identity does not hang on her like some outfit designed by Rizwan Beyg. In one sense, she is close in temperament to Mrs Kulsum Nawaz, consort of the prime minister.

Mrs Nawaz, better educated than her husband, wisely never allows herself to overshadow him. She has learned to walk in his footsteps, never aspire to step into his shoes.

Mr and Mrs Khan working the crowd together in NA 246 exhibited all the adhesion of a formidable team. By contrast, the leadership of the PPP appears to be in dynastic disarray. A public reconciliation in Dubai between Asif Zardari and his co-chairperson Bilawal Bhutto filled one morning’s headlines.

It could not, however, paper over the widening schism, the deepening resentments that are developing between an experienced satiated father and his impatient hungry son.

Some of us may yet live to see an electoral

DT

14 OPINION

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

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Denial: A five-act drama for all seasons? n Esam Sohail

I

n bow to the tongue-twisting nature of certain Standard English enunciations, the urban saying here goes: “Denial is not a river in Egypt.”

But it sure is a five-act play in today’s dramatic Bangladesh.

Since the horrendous incident of the plethora of sexual assaults on Bengali New Year’s Day, I have read social media posts from an otherwise respected private television journalist that the perpetrators could only be the usual suspects in his eyes …

“Jamaat-Shibir.”

Not to be outdone, an occasional newspaper columnist living in the land Down Under is convinced that the vivid video footage from the horrible evening shows that only “non-secular” forces can be responsible.

I should be more forgiving of these representative efforts at intentional blindness considering that the first reaction from the regime’s own detective branch head was “no such incident happened.”

Just like the disappearance of Salahuddin Ahmed and Ilyas Ali didn’t happen. Or the pepper spray attack inside a former prime minister’s office compound. Or the petty acts of cutting off her utilities, water supply, and food deliveries. Or the attack on her motorcade in broad daylight this past Monday.

It is, however, more than merely static denial. It is a masterfully choreographed, well-rehearsed, and utterly predictable dance of deniability with vividly sequential acts which goes into an encore production every

time someone big or small is victimised by elements -- official or otherwise -- close to the ruling regime.

Act one involves plain denial; nope, nothing happened, all is an imagination. Act two kicks in when the absurdity of act one is too much even for sycophants to bear, and revolves around protestations of “yes it may have happened, but we have no idea who did it.”

justice done is a paid agent of some nefarious entity which itself is responsible for the original act of malfeasance in order to embarrass the ever-so-benevolent rulers.

By this time, frustration, exhaustion, and sheer brow-beating has silenced all but the most dogged of victims and their advocates; those who still didn’t get the message are dealt the coup de grace through act five: Anyone still trying to focus on such unimportant

Five-act dramas devoid of any relation to reality wear thin even for the most enthusiastic of audiences

Then evidence in the form of hushed utterances, recollections of witnesses, and audio/ video shots that slowly begin to emerge, seguing the play directors to move into act three. The third act of the play is a promise of a full investigation by the very sentinels who were supposed to be keeping a watch in the first place, while claiming that there is no need for an independent investigation, let alone a judicial one.

As the patience of the few investigative journalists wears thin with this umpteenth “investigation” and the public demands answers, begins act four: The repeated assertion that anyone still interested in seeing

things must be part of an “anti-liberation” conspiracy and trying to foil the war crimes trial. Move along now, nothing happened, we didn’t do it, and don’t care who did.

Those who are tempted to find a silver lining in the originality of this five-act play should take pause. This is a very Dholaikhal version of what governments resting on pillars other than electoral mandates have done through the ages, and continue to do so.

Admitting even the possibility of misconduct -- intentional or otherwise -- by the increasingly small group of elite from whose support legitimacy is drawn, can be highly detrimental to the perceptions of eternal durability.

The symbiotic relationship between such a regime, its official constabulary, and its unofficial street enforcers is the cornerstone of its legitimacy and, thus, is defended with often irrational zeal by the beneficiaries of that regime’s largesse in the commercial circles, media houses, professions, and elsewhere.

How many websites can they shut down through legal actions or extra-legal death threats in the middle of the night? How many editors can be locked up for asking tough questions? How many dissenters can be abducted, never to be seen again? 160 million is a huge number to mow down … even with the most sophisticated, well-oiled, and unified state executive-legislative-judicial-bureaucratic machinery augmented by car-smashing thugs above the law. Yahya Khan found that out when there were only 7 million.

Five-act dramas devoid of any relation to reality wear thin even for the most enthusiastic of audiences. The history of a defunct East Bengal, an erstwhile East Pakistan, and an independent Bangladesh proves it time and again.

Either in a few years or a couple of generations, even the most absolutist of political playwrights, like those once found in the former Soviet satellite states, go into the dustbin of history. Betting against the tide of history of our people is tempting when in power surrounded by sycophants, but hardly a wise thing to do. l Esam Sohail is a research analyst and college lecturer who writes from Kansas, USA.

DT

LONG FORM 15

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

China leads the way China’s AIIB could be source of sour grapes or valid concerns on standards for US and Japan

n Will Hickey

M

arch 31 marked the deadline for charter founders to line up for the new China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, or AIIB initiative. At the last moment, Norway, Taiwan, and others rushed to find the good graces of the Chinese opportunity. Many countries seek Asian influence, and Washington has been miffed by Chinese rejection of its traditional actors -- the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Asian Development Bank. The US and Japan, initially cool but now perhaps contemplating some eventual partnership, will remain on the sidelines.

A Chinese proverb says: “They sleep in the same bed but dream different dreams.” The AIIB founding members are a diverse group with a range of investment agendas. South Korea, marginalised in the Asian Development Bank, and despite US misgivings, expects to take a stake of upwards of 5% in the AIIB. With its heavy equipment industry, Hyundai, Doosan, and infrastructure prowess in everything from roads to ports to bridges with GS, Hanwha, and POSCO, South Korea will not play second-place against the Japanese industry.

Australia, another country the US had leaned heavily on not to join, counts China among its main export markets for coal, copper, and iron ore through its mining giants BHP, Rio Tinto, and Leighton -- creating the industrial might for major infrastructure projects. The United Kingdom, the first major EU country to clamour for AIIB membership, mystified Washington by keeping it out of the loop during secret negotiations. While the UK’s major interests in accommodating China are unclear, it undoubtedly hopes to regain Asian influence lost after the handover of Hong Kong in 1997.

Switzerland, Germany, and France no doubt seek to market their engineering and technical skills via an ABB, Thyssen, or EDF to any big-scale infrastructure projects in Asia for water, power plants, or electrification.

In short, a new development bank with China’s financial support via its $4tn in reserves is too big to pass up.

The main question regarding the new Chinese initiative is: Will it be effective or merely an iconoclast offset to established western development interests? The Chinese development model of technology transfer and infrastructure development -- including highways, ports, railways -- has brought millions out of poverty and into a middle-class existence.

Exporting this model, and not just labour-intensive manufactured products to western nations, could prove the next leg-up in China’s ascent as a credible, newly emerging superpower.

Of course, scepticism abounds. In fact, the US stated: “We are wary about a trend toward constant accommodation of China, which is not the best way to engage a rising power.” Oddly, these words are reminiscent of the heated 1944 economic maneuverings at Bretton Woods between British economist

John Maynard Keynes and US technocrat Harry Dexter White.

The British system was in decline, the rising actor of the US was challenging pound sterling supremacy that the British Empire did not want to relinquish. Yet, as the Guardian pointed out in 2014: “Strategically, the US cannot keep on shoring up an obsolete economic order in Asia.”

equitable pay, air pollution, or other industrial project environmental concerns.

Acidic smog in major Chinese cities is off the charts with health concerns taking a backseat to full-speed growth, mostly due to burning coal for steel production and electricity generation. The Three Gorges Dam was planned and mandated from Beijing without significant local input. Historical

Perhaps the best outcome to a Chinese-led AIIB is transparency and cooperation among all actors.

Yet, the venue and leadership must be seen as “all China” in substance and form

Asia is in need of approximately $800bn in infrastructure per year. However, investment today is not merely defined in financial capital, but also human capital. The IMF and the World Bank have demonstrated human capital effectiveness perhaps too well, with a deep bench of talent gathered from much of the developing world, and now in need of reform. Perhaps no other organisations have such an agglomeration of financial, economic, and legal knowledge to work with on-hand for their many projects and most are no doubt politically mandated and recently geared towards European “rich-country” challenges, including Greece and Ukraine.

The Chinese model of development has been traditionally a “one size fits all” straight-jacket due to industrial planning and state-sponsored enterprises that tend to ignore such matters as human and labour rights, and the environment. It is capital-intensive investment, with an engineering mindset intensely focused on processes and physical results.

These are not minor concerns in the formation of a new regional investment bank.

Domestically, China’s one-party state brooks no dissent regarding labour-related protests,

sites were submerged, some aquatic species, such as river dolphins destroyed, and villages relocated without debate with many not receiving promised compensation in the process. Recent chemical and refinery spills in major Chinese rivers such as the Hei and Yellow rivers have poisoned many. The overall track record is not good.

Sri Lanka, and perhaps Nicaragua, can serve as international examples. In the former, Chinese investment in a costly port and useless airport was approved under former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa for his hometown, Hambantota, a non-strategic location. Such projects were no doubt to pave inroads for a larger Chinese presence in South Asia, but proved costly for Sri Lanka.

Newly elected leader Maithripala Sirisena has sought to renegotiate or cancel them, despite Beijing’s objections. In Nicaragua, large-scale Chinese investment would no doubt be the driver of a second canal across the pan-American isthmus. If the Three Gorges dam were any benchmark, the project’s outcome could prove controversial: A technological marvel, but wracked with social and environmental concerns.

If negligent behaviours are tolerated in

new infrastructure projects in, say, dams for Cambodia or electrification in Mongolia for political reasons, the AIIB could garner negative media treatment in a socially-connected world, which would only reaffirm US critiques for western, not Asian-led, investment actors who enforce high standards. Any capital intensive infrastructure project must be handled carefully, and planners must consider that we all share an interconnected world, where problems cannot simply be swept under the carpet.

Domestically, China is now tackling problems such as smog and corruption more aggressively, but whether or not these politically-mandated initiatives influence regional thinking, with needed investment projects in less developed countries such as a Laos or Bangladesh, remains to be seen. Nonetheless, these regions could receive immense benefits learned from China’s infrastructure “Great Leap Forward.”

Perhaps the best outcome to a Chinese-led AIIB is transparency and cooperation among all actors. Yet, the venue and leadership must be seen as “all China” in substance and form.

Asia is now the “pivot,” and with so many countries signing on, population giants such as India and Indonesia should be institutionalised in their roles, perhaps with an Indian director of the AIIB based in Jakarta, the world’s second largest metro area. Such moves would seal greater cooperation with the two. China has stated that, while open to other venues, Shanghai is its preferred choice.

The key takeaway is that success of the AIIB will not be solely defined in capital largess and engineering excellence. It must incorporate and embed human-capital development and social issues in its processes and, perhaps most importantly, address environmental and natural resource concerns of our shrinking planet. Only then will the bank and all its development projects have real legitimacy and value. l Will Hickey is associate professor and capability adviser for the School of Government and Public Policy in Indonesia. This article first appeared on YaleGlobal.

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16 CLIMATE CHANGE

FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

CLIMATE CHAMPION

Sarder Shafiqul Alam n Masroora Haque Mr Sarder Shafiqul Alam is an experienced field researcher who pioneered many community-based adaptation projects in Bangladesh. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of climate change issues facing the country and adaptation activities undertaken by local communities. He is currently the Urban Programme Coordinator for the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) at the Independent University, Bangladesh. His expert point of view and lessons from the field unearths indigenous and scientific knowledge to better inform adaptation measures.

What does climate change adaptation mean to you?

What I have learned from the community is that they face climatic disasters and they have some mechanisms to cope to save their livelihood and well-being. Sometimes they fail to cope and sometimes they succeed. The adaptation strategies and actions which have been a success are replicated year after year.

So I think that adaptation is a process, it involves actions and systems which can reduce climate change related vulnerabilities of the affected communities or their ecosystems.

From a climate change point of view, there is a need for planned adaptation, because climate change is all about uncertainties in the future. Planned adaptation should be based on scientific knowledge and also use the local knowledge of the community.

How did you get started in climate change adaptation?

I’ve worked on climate change adaptation issues since 2003 when I was working for the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies

Floating bed cultivation is a source of livelihood and food for people living in flood affected areas. The technology uses bamboo, an old tube of a wheel, household garbage, and rotten aquatic vegetation or organic fertiliser to grow a number of different vegetables SARDER SHAFIQUL ALAM (BCAS). My first project was Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC), which was a Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) funded and Care coordinated project that was in the Southwest region of Bangladesh. I was the leader from the BCAS part of the bid. BCAS had been doing climate change work since the 1990s and the executive director and chairman, who are lead IPCC authors organized many events on climate change. I learned from them first and then I learnt by doing from the RVCC projects.

What are some of the adaptation strategies that has worked in Bangladesh?

From 2003, we started to learn how different communities are vulnerable to climate change; we did community vulnerability assessments first. Then we assessed their adaptation needs and identified a number of actions.

In the agricultural field, we introduced an alternate crop cultivation called floating bed cultivation. When there is a flood, people can grow something and take that as food and also earn some income from the vegetables cultivated on floating beds.

I have done research on floating bed culti-

vation at BCAS Wetland and Training Centre which I am in charge of. Floating bed cultivation needs aquatic vegetation to grow on the beds, but some flood-affected places in our country don’t have a lot of aquatic vegetation.

Due to the saline water, aquatic vegetation will further reduce in future. So I developed a technology for floating bed cultivation with less aquatic vegetation where we can use homestead garbage to make the floating bed.

We piloted that technology at the research centre and in one year we grew 30 beds. We used bamboo slits and old tubes of a wheel to make floating beds and that can stay a year without additional costs. I have grown tomatoes, cucumber, cabbage, red spinach, rice seedlings, and other vegetables on the these beds.

We have planted short duration crop varieties. Such crop varieties are not damaged from floods or can be harvested before the floods come.

Another project was raising the homestead plinth, to make homesteads flood-free, enabling livelihood activites from the home.

We don’t have sufficient information at the local level. Adaptation should be context specific, location specific, but we don’t have location specific information. We don’t have any future modelling information. For example, we don’t know how much rainfall will affect livelihood agriculture. When? Which year? Which year will there be a big flood? Nobody knows the scientific knowledge and the preparation we need based on the knowledge.

The lack of information is a big challenge.

What are some challenges with climate change adaptation?

Masroora Hauqe is the Communications Coordinator at ICCCAD.

Working with local people to adapt to climate change order to adapt successfully. Instead, CBA practipeople themselves. n Casey Williams and Patrick Kirkby theOne tioners try to work with local people to understand attempt to make adaptation more just, incluClimate change has arrived. Catastrophes in New Orleans, Satkhira, and Vanuatu provide a stark example of what it might be like to live with a climate that is increasingly extreme and unpredictable.

Without dramatic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the adverse effects of climate change will become much worse. The poorest and most marginalised -- many of whom live in developing countries -- are likely to be the hardest hit.

Slashing emissions remains a priority, but we have to also adapt to human-induced changes in the climate, which will continue to have adverse impacts. Developed countries -- responsible for a disproportionate share of greenhouse gas emissions -- have an obligation to help vulnerable people and countries in their efforts to adapt. But to be fair and effective, adaptation support cannot follow the old, top-down, prescriptive model of development. It must reflect the needs and interests of local people, privilege local values and priorities, and be led by

sive and effective has been the development of Community-Based Adaptation (CBA). CBA is an approach to adaptation research and practice in which practitioners aim to work with vulnerable people to improve their capacity to adapt to climatic variability and change. CBA emerged in 2005, and it comprises both local-level interventions and a research program organised around regular conferences (this year’s conference will be held from April 27-30 in Nairobi, Kenya).

CBA is a young discipline and encompasses a wide range of attitudes, methods, and projects. Its features remain contested, its goals disputed. The feature that unifies CBA is its attempt to preserve and, in some cases, restore power to people who are often denied the authority to decide for themselves how to adapt to changes in their environments. It is CBA’s attention to power that makes it such an important shift in the adaptation paradigm.

Those facilitating CBA do not presume to know in advance what a particular group of people needs in

what they need, what they value, and what they think should count as a successful response to climatic change. They also seek to ensure that the community leads the adaptation process, that local people are able to use their existing skills and knowledge to come up with solutions that protect their interests.

Like any adaptation model, CBA suffers from challenges and shortcomings. In some cases, it remains unclear how CBA projects differ from standard development interventions. CBA practitioners have to figure out how to design projects that strengthen the overall capacities of local people, while also ensuring that communities improve their ability to respond to climate-related stresses.

There is also disagreement about what the term community means and implies. We tend to imagine that communities are fixed and stable entities -collections of similar people living in a particular place -- and yet, if we look closely, we see that communities are extremely diverse. These people often have di-

What advice do you have for young people starting out in climate change adaptation?

My suggestion for young researchers would be to do a study on what sort of knowledge is available at the global level. Try to learn from that knowledge and share that knowledge with young people in the local communities.

They should do something with that knowledge and learn how to better adapt to climate change. The young group, they will suffer more in future from climatic disasters and they need to know how to prepare for it. l

verse and conflicting values, perspectives, concerns, priorities, and motivations. Simply working with a “community” does not mean that one is protecting the interests of the poorest and most marginalised.

Competing priorities and various other factors prevent meaningful local participation. All of this limits the effectiveness of CBA. Despite these challenges, CBA aspires to offer a more inclusive and empowering alternative to top-down models of adaptation and development.

It seeks to facilitate socially just, fair, and effective adaptation, and to protect the interests of the poor and marginalised as they wrestle with destructive and unpredictable changes in the climate. l Casey Williams is a Visiting Researcher at ICCCAD and a Hart Fellow from the Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University.

Patrick Kirkby is a PhD Candidate (Geography) at the University of Tasmania, Australia and a Visiting Researcher at ICCCAD.

DT

CLIMATE CHANGE 17

FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

Empowering coastal communities through innovative adaptation practices n Arup Das People living in the coastal areas of Bangladesh are hit especially hard by disasters such as cyclones, flash floods, erratic rainfall, and salinity intrusion. These adverse effects of climate change are making their hard and complicated lives even harder and more complicated. However, through conserving ecosystems and carrying out appropriate innovative solutions, these communities are seeing the results of their efforts and are better able to deal with and prepare for disasters.

To enhance the resilience of coastal communities and protect ecosystems in coastal Bangladesh, UNDP started a project called Community Based Adaptation to Climate Change through Coastal Afforestation (CBACC-CF) funded by the Least Developed Countries Fund through the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project operates in the most affected sites of four coastal districts -- Barguna, Bhola, Noakhali, and Chittagong. The Ministry of Environment and Forests in association with UNDP Bangladesh has been successfully implementing this project since 2009 and it will end in 2015. The project is carrying out a number of innovative approaches that have made community members more independent and empowered to tackle the harsh realities that climate change has forced them to confront.

Behind these approaches, it is worthwhile to mention the name of Dr. Paramesh Nandy, Project Manager of CBACC-Coastal Afforestation Project and former Chief Research Officer of BFRI who developed and implemented these innovative adaptation measures.

mitigation efforts by establishing 9,650 hectares of plantation that absorbs 965,000 tons of carbon annually. This project strengthens the ecosystems by ensuring the forest’s productivity and sustainable biodiversity in coastal Bangladesh.

Fresh water reservoirs

In Char Kukri Mukri, an isolated island of Bhola, this project develops an innovative strategy to turn fallow land into highly productive enterprises. This is done through constructing fresh water reservoirs near the earthen embankments involving the local community. This approach is a protective, complex, and artificial ecosystem used for maximum production with minimum use of resources. Community members are able to earn a living by selling fish, vegetables and fruits from these reservoirs. This strategy creates multiple, diverse, short, medium, and long term livelihood options and reduces migration

the first has been harvested. This ensures their availability of food year round and increases their income.

Empowering women

This project is committed to the empowerment of women. 42% of women are now playing active roles in the project’s activities and they have brought transformational changes in coastal communities.

This project has reviewed the existing National Forest Policy of 1994, National Landuse Policy of 2001, Coastal Zone Management Policy of 2005, and National Environment Policy of 1992 and analysed gaps in these policies. The future goal of the CBACC-CF project is to make recommendations on climate resilient policy with a framework for mainstreaming these policies.

As recognition, this project has received the Earth Care Award in 2012 for the innova-

tive FFF model and was runner up of People’s Choice Award in 2013 from an international contest on ‘Adapting to Climate Change’.

Integrated land use technologies and diversified livelihood practices introduced by the CBACC-CF project reduces the vulnerabilities and improves the capacity of coastal communities to better adapt to the impacts of climate change. It is observed that the communities have aspired to maintain the innovative approaches introduced these past few years. They are more capable of confronting the calamities and vagaries of nature in the vulnerable coastal areas. The true success of this project is seen in the communities’ attitude towards moving forward in an organized way, contributing to the sustainability of these innovations. They previously wished for relief to arrive, but it is observed that they are now becoming much more self-supporting, self-reliant, independent and they feel proud of being so. l Arup Das works for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bangladesh as a Community Development Assistant with the CBACC-Coastal Afforestation Project.

FFF (Forest-Fish-Fruit)

This project employs the FFF model that aims to give beneficiaries consistent sources of income year-round. The project has made productive use of barren coastal lands by turning them into an alternating ditch-and-dyke structure. In the ditches, poor households grow fish and ducks, while the dykes support production of fruit and vegetables. The ditch-dyke structure of FFF model gives landless and marginal coastal communities access to government lands usually captured by the local elites or political leaders.

In this innovative land use technology, eight ditches and nine dykes are developed per hectare and distributed to the eight families on an agreement of ten-year land ownership with renewal options. This model provides innovative and ethical solutions that reduce poverty and vulnerability leading to sustainable livelihoods and a better ability to adapt to climate change impacts.

Afforestation

The project introduces ten mangrove species within almost 150 hectares of Keora plantation to increase the density of trees per unit area. These species came recommended by the Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI). Forests act as natural barriers during storms and cyclones, protecting the homes and lands of people living near the coast. The project contributes to global adaptation and

Women are involved in managing reservoir based FFF Model: Dykes are cultivated with vegetables, fruit varieties and forest trees while ditches are used resources in the Aminpur village of Char Kukri Mukri for irrigation and preserving fresh water in Noltona village of Barguna. Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer union, Char Fesson upazila, Bhola district is seen providing technical support to farmers MITHILA MAJUMDER MITHILA MAJUMDER to cities. Beneficiaries involved in this project get multi-dimensional benefits from the reservoirs where fish, vegetables and fruit cultivation are done in an integrated way. The project also encourages the community to repair the eroded embankments for the sake of conserving their own resources.

Salt-tolerant rice varieties

Due to salinity intrusion, about 70% of the coastal lands remain periodically unproductive. Considering the situation, this project helps expand use of salt-tolerant rice varieties, with resulting sharp rises in rice production. It also assists in introducing new techniques for horticulture (crop cultivation), pisciculture (fish cultivation) and livestock rearing. This project helps farmers to accept double cropping patterns or growing two crops in the same space during a single growing season in which a second crop is planted after

Fish harvesting by the beneficiaries of water reservoirs in the Muslimpara village of Char Kukri Mukri union, Bhola. Beneficiaries are catching fishes for selling in the local market MITHILA MAJUMDER

This page has been developed in collaboration with the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) and its partners Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) and International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).

This page represents the views and experiences of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the views of Dhaka Tribune or ICCCAD or its partners.

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18 HERITAGE

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

Chittagong: Putting the cart before the horse accommodation and the services to meet all levels of requirement, should make the city a major inbound tourist destination; which, like the rest of Bangladesh, it is not!

Listing such services of which visitors might avail themselves, rather than, first, highlighting the attractions that might appeal to such visitors is a process known, in English, as, “putting the cart before the horse!”

Artefacts and tools, dating from the Neolithic and Palaeolithic periods of prehistory, suggest that the hills of Chittagong have been settled for at least 8,000 to 10,000 years.

Which, of course, makes a nonsense of much of the, little, written and online published history which seems to conflate such history with the arrival of the Muslim saints, suggested, at earliest, at the ninth century CE/ AD. There is, however, no reason to doubt that in fact, Arab traders were amongst those who traded through, and around, the Ganges Delta from at latest the middle of the last millennium BCE. Strabo, the great Greco Roman geographer, refers to the merchants who sailed to the Ganges from Egypt, in his early first century masterpiece, Geographia; and since Ptolemy, the second century CE/AD cartographer clearly marks Ramu on his famous map of the Ganges Delta, we may, reasonably,

There is Chinese documentation suggesting that the early mosque, built in Shanghai during the lifetime of the Prophet, by an uncle of his who on at least one of his journeys to China for trade, was done through Chittagong

n Tim Steel

O

nline information about this great and ancient city, the second city of Bangladesh, is replete with websites of hotels, restaurants, schools, colleges, and all that is required for business visitors and residents, but there is little about its rich historic and cultural heritage. However, since the latter are the subjects of greatest interest and attraction for the most affluent and socially and environmentally sensitive participants in what continues to be one of the world’s most valuable and continuing markets, international tourism, this seems a pity.

Add in the shopping and cuisine that are the most important support for tourism potential, and the fact that Chittagong is so well-equipped with secure, comfortable

assume that the Arab merchants who had been, certainly, amongst others, by then, trading hereabouts for over five centuries, and continued to do so for a millennium and more subsequently, would almost certainly have brought Islam to the city during the lifetime of the Prophet. There is, indeed, Chinese documentation suggesting that the early mosque, built in Shanghai during the lifetime of the Prophet, by an uncle of his who on at least one of his journeys to China for trade, was done through Chittagong.

Somewhere, in today’s thronging city on the banks of the Karnaphuli, there is evidence to be found of another part of the rich history of Bangladesh. In fact, whilst Forbes magazine, rather mysteriously, lists Bagerhat as one of the “ten lost cities” of the world, they might as well add Chittagong to the list, in addition to a number of others now emerg-

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HERITAGE 19

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

ing from the deep soils of Bangladesh at Wari Bateshwar, Kishoreganj, Mahasthangarh, Paharpur, and Bitagarh. There is no doubt at all that, beneath the much developed ground of the sprawling modern city will lie evidence of a much older one.

The Chinese have identified the Southern Silk Road, which ran, since at least the middle of the last millennium BCE, from Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, through Assam and the Brahmaputra to the delta, or through ancient Myanmar to Sylhet, Chittagong or Ramu, as alternative, probably seasonal routes. This earliest of the iconic trade routes, we may fairly safely assume, has sufficient documentary, and emerging archaeological evidence to support a belief that Chittagong was an important point of entry and exit.

Another early, documented, source of history from the seventh century, the Chinese Buddhist monk, Xuanzang, described the area as, “a sleeping beauty arising from mists and water.”

One view of the great Pala Dynasty that ruled much of northeast India from the early 8th to the 12th century CE, is that it had its origins from the area around Ramu or Chittagong; and there is considerable documentation to suggest that, throughout most of that period, at least, it was a Buddhist-dominated city. Much of that Buddhist presence remains, even today, although the great monastery said, in Tibetan chronicles, to have been built during the period, remains to be uncovered.

Al-Idrisi, the Sicilian-based Muslim writer and geographer, writing in 1154 CE, certainly mentions strong connections between the port and the Abbasid Caliphates of Baghdad.

But it was not, in fact, until 1340 that the port first came under Muslim rule, when the Sultan of Sonargoan conquered it.

It was probably the Arab merchants, administrators and soldiers who, once again, opened it to recorded international trade. We know, circumstantially, that the great Buddhist rulers around the delta were very active in international trade. However, with the end of Buddhist rule in the area, any of the records that, as a major international centre of learning and teaching that, at the period certainly it was, probably once existed, were destroyed.

What we do certainly know is that, from the arrival of what might be described as the first of the Bengali rulers, the port has been reported and recorded as very much open to international trade.

As, by then, probably the major port of

what would become Bengal, it is recorded as a centre for trade in such as muslins, silks, pearls, fragrances, spices, and ivory.

These are cargoes such as the delta had been famous for centuries, no doubt, also, with the traditional “entrepot” trade in such as precious metals and gems.

Certainly, such notable travellers as Ibn Battuta, Niccolo de Conti and Ralph Fitch were amongst the visitors recorded in ensuing centuries.

However, following the troubled times for the nascent Mughal Dynasty in the mid 16th century, the “piratical” kingdom of Arakan took the opportunity to seize the port city; they held it for just over a century, until, pursuing Shah Suja, Shaista Khan, the uncle of the sixth Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb, retook it in 1663.

The shrine dedicated to Bayazid Bastami, built in the ninth century, and, perhaps, the East India Company headquarters, built a thousand years later, are two of the most conspicuously visible parts of the heritage

Twenty-five years later, it was the object of a concerted effort by the English, themselves, to seize it, with humiliating results for their abject failure.

Seventy years after that, however, in 1760, both city and lands south as far as the Naf river, were ceded to the East India Company by the then governor of Bengal, to act as a buffer between Bengal and a rampaging Burmese kingdom. The ceding may have worked to keep the Burmese at bay, but it gave the Company its first territorial possession. It was not, of course, long, before it had secured firm control, first of Bengal and the neighbouring Mughal territories of Orissa and Bihar, then, eventually, the rest of the Mughal empire, and much more besides.

Visibly, and tangibly, in Chittagong, today, unfortunately, since the stone age artefacts are probably in Pakistan, or possibly India, they cannot bear witness to the true age of the city, but there are traces to be found, here and there, of something of that rich history and heritage.

The shrine dedicated to Bayazid Bastami, built in the ninth century, and, perhaps, the East India Company headquarters, built a thousand years later, are two of the most conspicuously visible parts of the heritage.

Bastami, a Persian Sufi saint, may, in fact, never have visited the city, but, if not, it is clear he had many affluent adherents in what was, then, a Buddhist controlled place, to build the famous shrine, and it certainly implies the importance of Chittagong as a centre of trade and culture at that time.

The magnificence of the East India Company offices, now the High Court buildings, in fine, 19th century brick, describes, of course, both the affluence, and the influence

of the, “Noble Company;” influence that, in 1859, was inherited by the Raj. Chittagong became, undoubtedly, a vitally important port under the British rule, from its earliest period in the 18th century. Above all, the shipment of huge cargoes of saltpetre, the vital component of gunpowder, shipped as ballast in Company vessels since the early 17th century, clearly laid the foundations of, built, and maintained, the greatest empire the world has ever seen, the British empire.

Of which, throughout its life, Chittagong remained a vital installation.

A city, both noble, and vital, with its thronging population, and port activities.

And, throughout its history, important to many nations, kingdoms, and at least two empires. l Tim Steel is a communications, marketing and tourism consultant.

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20 LONG FORM

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

Eating other animals n Rainer Ebert

H

ow many Bangalis do you know who do not like shorshe ilish? Can you imagine a Bengali wedding without kacchi biryani, or beef rezala? If I had to guess, I would say that your answers are “not many,” and “hardly.” Even though my knowledge of Bengal is rather limited, I think this I know: Bangalis love meat, Muslims probably a bit more so than Hindus, and virtually every Bangali loves fish. One might think that makes lecturing about animal rights in Bangladesh a quixotic exercise. I found that the opposite is the case.

I first visited Bangladesh in 2009, and I have been coming back once or twice every year ever since. One of the many things that, in my opinion, makes Bangladesh a great country with an even greater potential is its vibrant academic and thriving student community. I have been welcomed warmly by that community, and I had the privilege to talk about my work in philosophy at a number of universities in and near Dhaka. I am very grateful for that. Initially, my focus was on issues in epistemology, human rights philosophy, and value theory.

Only recently did I start talking about what I have spent most time thinking about: Animal ethics. Maybe that is because I thought that, in a country where non-vegetarian foods are everybody’s favourites, there would be little interest in taking a critical look at the relationship between humans and other animals. If that is what I thought, I was wrong. Both students and faculty in Bangladesh are generally quite open to, and genuinely interested in, the idea that the way we currently treat non-human animals is morally problematic. I say “non-human animals” rather than “animals” to remind us of the plain, but often forgotten, fact that we are animals too. In a sense, that is where the argument starts.

The animals we eat or use otherwise are like us not only in that we too are animals, which is merely a matter of biological classification, but also in ways that are morally important. They have a unique psychological presence in the world, and they are capable of experiencing pain and pleasure. What happens to them matters to them. They have beliefs and desires, and some of them are self-aware and can use certain forms of language. Many have cognitive abilities that exceed those of human infants, and people with certain cognitive disorders.

In fact, there seems to be no intrinsic difference between all human beings and all non-human animals which could justify the superior moral status we normally ascribe -- rather conveniently -- to ourselves. If that is true, and if we owe equal respect to all human beings, then we must extend the same respect to other animals as well. I therefore believe that it is immoral to use non-human animals as a source of food or clothing, or for scientific research.

It is mainly for that reason that I stopped eating meat about eighteen years ago, and eventually became a vegan -- that is, somebody who does not consume any animal products, including meat, fish, eggs, and

BIGSTOCK

Whether or not we need to rethink our relationship with other animals is a debate worth having, and we should have it publicly rather than leave it to academics

dairy -- about nine years ago. None of us would want to live the miserable life of an animal in a factory farm, which ends in a violent death, so why without necessity impose that kind of life on others who are very much like us? There were times when people could not survive without consuming animal products, but today we can, and Bengali cuisine in particular offers a great variety of vegan options, including vegetable curries, daal, and bhortas.

That, of course, is at best a rough sketch of an argument for animal rights, and much more needs to be said. But I hope I made clear what is at stake. Whether or not we need to rethink our relationship with other animals is a debate worth having, and we should have it publicly rather than leave it to academics. The aspect of that relationship that arguably deserves most of our attention is food animal agriculture, because it involves far more animals than any of the other ways in which we use non-human animals.

According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations, humans

kill approximately 2,000 animals for food per second, not including fish and other sea animals. If animals have rights, then animal agriculture is nothing short of a moral catastrophe, and must be brought to an end.

However, there are also plenty of other reasons that might make you want to reconsider your diet. I have asked four Bangladeshis who swore off meat about their reasons for doing so, and here is what I learned: Tapash, 51, decided to become a vegan mainly because of his opposition to animal cruelty. He largely credits the documentary film Earthlings -- which I highly recommend you watch -- with opening his eyes to the scale of cruelty that is involved in the production of meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. But he told me that it is also concern for his health and the planet that makes him stay away from animal products. A well-balanced plantbased diet is in fact often said to decrease the chances of suffering from diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers. Tapash and his wife Tanusree, 42, also a vegan, attest that they are very well “physically, mentally, and spiritually.”

Miton, 45, concurs: “I am much better physically and many of my health complications have gone since I stopped eating meat.”

He was a vegetarian for six years but recently started eating fish again due to family pressure. Like many, some members of Miton’s family falsely believe that vegetarianism is an exclusively Hindu practice, whereas the Qur’an clearly too advocates kindness towards animals, as do all other major religious scriptures. Bollywood star Aamir Khan, a Muslim, recently surprised his fans with the announcement that he has become a vegan. He was inspired by his wife, a longterm vegan herself, who showed him a video about the health benefits of a plant-based diet. “The video showed me a healthier way

of life. I only miss dahi but I'm still having a good time. I can eat anything without having to watch calories.”

“The fact that I can survive without taking another mammal’s or bird’s life is mentally satisfying,” says Dipen, 55, who eats no animals except fish. But, just as Tapash, he is quick to add that there are significant environmental benefits, too. “Meat production demands growing animal food that takes up precious land.” That should be of particular concern in Bangladesh, where land is a scarce resource. The production of dairy, eggs, and meat, particularly beef, is highly inefficient in terms of land use. Soybeans, rice, corn, other legumes, and wheat yield significantly more usable protein per unit of land.

Animal agriculture is also a serious source of water pollution, and a waste of water.

For example, it takes 4,664 litres of water to produce a portion of beef, but only 371 litres to produce an entire vegan meal. Animal agriculture further generates more greenhouse gas emissions than does the use of gasoline for transport, and is a major contributor to world hunger, as only a fraction of the calories fed to farm animals are returned in the form of edible flesh, eggs, or dairy -- calories that would benefit much more people if consumed directly.

Factory farming, which is on the rise in Bangladesh due to more and more people being able to regularly afford animal products, is particularly harmful to our health, the environment, and the animals involved, and it is high time we start taking this seriously.

Food for thought, I hope – suitable for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. l Rainer Ebert is a graduate student of philosophy at Rice University, and an Associate Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics. You can follow him on Twitter at @rainer_ebert.

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21

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

T-JUNCTION INSIDE

Experimental typographic illustration by Istela Imam

22 Tell

Below the belt jab

23 Tell

Inside the mind of Istela Imam

24 Tell

On board with a new initiative

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22 T-JUNCTION

Tell

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

issues

A child’s dilemma

n Agony Aunt My father is sick. His arteries are clogged and his cholesterol levels are through the roof. We have three different surgeries lined up for him in the next couple of months, and the doctors have warned him that it will be completely pointless if he doesn’t take care of his diet. As his daughter, I have given my very best. I try to make sure he eats well, but I always find him slipping. He keeps telling me that he’s not here for long, and that he might as well eat good food in the meantime. He’s one of the most stubborn men I’ve met in my life. To make matters worse, my husband and I have to leave the country some time next month, and my father has made it very clear to us that he won’t be accompanying us. We do not have any close relatives I think we can rely on for this. Should I leave my job and take care of my father here? Or do I leave him in a nursing home, despite the fact that I’m against it?

When parents become ‘our children’, it is difficult to control them! Having said that, your father owns his own life; he is still capable of thinking straight: let him have his choice. Who says he is wrong, it is his life.

Often, children of elderly parents get exasperated by the parents’ behaviour, and cannot understand why they are so stubborn. Your father raised you, worked and was capable of running his life. You don’t want your father to die, you want him to live according to what you think is right: you may be right, but it is not the solution.

Listen to his desires, make sure you make the right arrangement for him and go with your husband. Nowadays phones, computer, Skype are so easily managed, get him to learn to use Skype and you can see him every day.

Arrange for a computer and a way to get Internet and the problem is solved. Realise, even though you love him very much, he is entitled to his wishes. l

Our Agony Aunt is a Life Coach and Relationship Coach as well as a Corporate and Organisational Consultant. AA lives and works in Bangladesh but travels extensively around the world to give seminars and to see her clients.

letter to mars

Below the belt jab n T-Junction desk I have been happily married to my wife for

five years. We married young and we have a little son who is three years old. For the last few months, I have been feeling a little suspicious regarding my wife’s whereabouts. She leaves our son with my mother and is out shopping all day. I know for a fact we don’t make enough money for her to shop that often and last week I caught her smiling fondly at a cheaplooking gold-plated ring on the counter.

Now, I know my wife. We may be poor and starving, but she isn’t the type to invest in gold-plated jewelery. I did a little more digging, and two weeks from then I found out she was having an affair. That is not even the worst part of the story; she has

been locking lips with our driver for years now. I don’t think I’m ever going to trust my wife again and a marriage doesn’t last without trust. I would rather have my son go through the pain of his parents’ divorce at a younger age than later in his life. I can’t seem to get out of this dilemma without potentially hurting the boy.

If you don’t think this marriage is going to last, then break it off. The sooner the better.

Have your driver sacked and if you’re completely sure the child is yours, file for custody. She has already cheated on you and your son once, so you can’t exactly chance it again. If, however, the boy is not yours let them be. They will find a way to be happy again. l

T-JUNCTION 23

DT

Tell

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

step into my office

Inside the mind of

Istela Imam n N Anita Amreen This week we look into the mind of the creative genius Kazi Istela Imam. A Graphic Design major from Assumption University, Istela has an extensive and broad range of designing needs. Currently in lead partnership with Katerina Don for Jot Workshop, their independent graphic design initiative has been behind Sa Meh Wa Meh’s quirky packaging, Pizza Roma’s clever digital marketing force and branding and even the series of ‘Working Class Superheroes’ that was part of the Very Graphic exhibition. A freelance designer herself, Istela has quite a few accolades to her name. Before starting her own company, she worked for a range of projects including designing campaigns for Love Wildlife to raise awareness for animal cruelty, designing Yellow’s catalogues and even designing infographics for World Bank. However, what she’s most proud of is her thesis project for college where she visualised musical compositions by Pink Floyd in the form of experimental typographic illustrations.

Which app do you spend the most time on?

Whatsapp for necessities like sending mom photographic evidence of what I had for lunch, Buzzfeed for entertainment, and lately listening to podcasts on Stitcher.

Highly recommending one called StartUp. How do you deal with deadlines?

The only way one can: by meeting them!

What do you use for inspiration?

For most of my personal work, music has always been a huge inspiration. Also, long walks and coffee breaks with my partner Katerina Don has led to the birth of some exciting ideas!

What song do you have on repeat?

At the moment it’s Shoot and Run by Josef Salvat.

(I also must sketch about whichever song is on repeat) How do you feel about Sundays?

That it should go back to being Friday!

What designing tools can you not do without?

My hands and (my head?) mostly!

Discovering the Wacom also changed the game big time - definitely cannot do without it anymore.

Pet peeves?

At times people come into our workspace, make random phone calls and speak on top of their lungs with no consideration of anyone around. Urban Dictionary calls them ‘cellfish.’

What can we always find on your desk?

Sharpies!

Describe the ultimate weekend.

One that consists of the following words: good food, music, plenty of sleep, good company and conversation. OR it can be summarised in two words: the beach! l

What’s your favourite go-to stress reliever?

Music and Youtube karaoke-ing! Also, doodling helps.

HOROSCOPE

PHOTO: COURTESY

are lucky you might even get away with murder.

your act together. Face your fears and you will get just rewards.

TAURUS (APR 20-MAY 20)

VIRGO (AUG 23-SEP 22)

You might want to go out and spend Pohela Boishakh in style today. Trust us, you will be in for a lot of fun!

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUN 20)

The philanthropist inside kicks in today in full throttle. Get someone a random gift, help the poor and spread some love!

CANCER (JUN 21-JUL 22) ARIES (MAR 21-APR 19)

Signs indicate you will be particularly persuasive and you will not be getting ‘no’ for an answer today. So if you are looking to propose or wanting to try out a new sales pitch – now is the time! If you

You might want to take this day off and hit the spa or do some yoga. Ponder and try to rediscover yourself. All will be well.

LIBRA (SEP 23-OCT 22)

Be where people want you, not where you want to be. Make things work out for yourself, they will not work out on their own.

You may be particularly concerned about world peace and politics today. Do not forgot to raise these issues at any social gathering, you might meet someone interesting.

SCORPIO (OCT 23-NOV 21)

LEO (JUL 23-AUG 22)

SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22-DEC 21)

Today is the day you take charge and get

Reconsider your friend circle. Those that gossip about your friend today will not mind gossiping about you tomorrow. You would not like that, would you?

You may not have achieved the sort of

acknowledgment you had wished for but you know you did your bit. You are happy with what you have and that’s what matters the most.

CAPRICORN (DEC 22-JAN 19)

If you have some juicy gossip you just cannot wait to share, you might want to hold your horses. The repercussions may not be good.

AQUARIUS (JAN 20-FEB 19)

If you win a lottery today – which is very likely – try not to go too overboard. Invest wisely and you are going to like the results.

PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 20)

Today is the day you hog the limelight! All your efforts have been fruitful and now its your time to shine! l

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24 T-JUNCTION

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

Written in the stars

initiator

On board with a new initiative n Saudia Afrin Team engine limited, a company formed to work for social welfare, believes that it will only be possible to bring changes in the society if the greater possibilities and potentials of our country, Bangladesh is portrayed before the citizens. Hence the team emerged with the aim to prove both nationally and globally that it is possible to achieve betterment of the society through potential use of information, communication, innovation, activism and entrepreneurship. Samira Zuberi Himika, dreamer and one of the executer of this initiative discussed about all about her team and its functions on a broader scale.

How did Team engine started?

I feel socially responsible to bridge any gaps in our society and create social responsibilities among entrepreneurs so they are encouraged to work for the development of this country. However, a question often arises in my head; is it important, will it anyhow contribute anything to the society what will be the impact? Our initial plan was to create confidence about Bangladesh and its potentialities, among indigenous people.

We have spent almost a whole year working on in-depth research and development.

In order to reach an organic solution, our mechanism involved identifying gaps and consequences of those in existing eco-system, finding out the causes, understanding future possibilities and creating developing strategies.

After doing the RND, which areas did team engine desire to work focus on?

The RND provided us with a 100 ideas that matched with our goal and capacity. In a nutshell, team engine wanted to work in three domains: health, entrepreneurship and knowledge.

Healthy living campaign, a fresh global concept, is also considered a quirky one for Bangladesh as our country works in two dimensions only; for basic and extreme health issues. However, no one works for the healthy lifestyle we should be living. Our research showed a huge loophole in health awareness among the youth and absentees in the education sector. So we came up with the idea of a health project named “Alchemy” to find out how education helps a person learn about healthy living and practise them from sunrise till bedtime.

Tell us about Team engine’s Entrepreneur domain?

While working, I have learnt that if a person wants something, all they need is inspiration, information and guidance to achieve it. Counselling young entrepreneurs about their ideas and motives is another part of our work. While designing the platform we saw lack of connection among workers; everyone was working singly. To make it even bigger and bring all the workers under

one roof, Team engine organised National Entrepreneur Summit. At the summit we had a corner named “hatbazar” in order to collect only innovative ideas to work on. We got 47 products, which has the potential to be represented globally.

To make the path a bit smoother, we are working with marketing strategies and updating the financial policies. Finance is really important. Without capital accumulation, how will our next generation develop and follow their dream? So, in order to grow, a country must have manufacturing industries, local products and services, which can go global.

How is Team engine contributing to knowledge?

Establishing the Bangla language and protecting its heritage and culture is how we contribute to knowledge. However, without the availability of proper technology, it is beyond impossible. To protect all kinds of written content in Bangla, Team engine made the Online Character Recogniser (OCR) from scratch.

What is the plan for this year?

We intend to organise the second National Entrepreneur Summit.

What’s the story behind the name?

From the very beginning, our aim was to work in different areas, which others don’t like to even try. And I always prefer to prioritise everything from the name to big events. Suddenly, the word steam engine came to my head in a discussion. I drew it on a page and cut the s and it became team. In our team everyone believes in the spirit of a team.l

Trivia •

“Team engine limited” has been operating since 2010.

•

“Team engine” is in partnership and collaboration with both national and international organisations, business entities and policymakers.

•

“Team engine” is on board to create awareness, campaigns, quality service, training, resources and tools.

To find out more about them, follow this link http://www.tm-engine.com/index. php PHOTOS: COURTESY

Kolkata Knight Riders offspinner Sunil Narine has been reported once again for a suspect action following the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 22 in Visakhapatnam

Sport 26

AFRIDI LAUDS TIGERS, DEBUTANT MUSTAFIZUR

26

SHAHID, LITON NEW ADDITIONS IN TEST SQUAD

28

25

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REPORTED AGAIN

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

GUARDIOLA TO RETURN TO BARCA IN SEMIS

SCORECARD PAKISTAN INNINGS Mukhtar st Mushfiq b Sunny Shehzad c Mashrafe b Taskin Afridi c Mushfiq b Mustafizur Haris not out Hafeez lbw b Mustafizur Tanvir run out (Sabbir /Mushfiq) Extras (b 2, lb 5, w 4)

R 37 17 12 30 26 8 11

B 4/6 30 5/1 31 2/0 9 0/1 24 0/1 18 4/0 8 0/0

Total (5 wickets; 20 overs)

141(7.05 RPO)

Fall of wickets 1-50 (Shehzad), 2-64 (Afridi), 3-77 (Mukhtar), 4-126 (Hafeez), 5-141 (Tanvir) Bowling Mustafizur 4-0-20-2, Shakib 4-0-17-0, Mashrafe 4-0-29-0, Sunny 2-0-23-1, Taskin 4-0-29-1, Nasir 2-0-16-0

BANGLADESH INNINGS

R

B

4/6

Tamim c Hafeez b Umar Gul Soumya run out (Saeed Ajmal) Shakib not out Mushfiqur b Wahab Riaz Sabbir not out Extras (lb 1, w 1)

14 0 57 19 51 2

10 0 41 15 32

2/1 0/0 9/0 4/0 7/1

Total (3 wickets; 16.2 overs)

143(8.75 RPO)

Fall of wickets 1-14 (Soumya), 2-17 (Tamim), 3-38 (Mushfiq) Bowling Hafeez 1-0-14-0, Tanvir 3-0-16-0, Gul 2-0-23-1, Ajmal 3.2-0-25-0, Wahab 4-0-39-1, Afridi 3-0-25-0

Toss - Pakistan, who chose to bat Series - Bangladesh won the one-off match Player of the match - Sabbir Rahman (Ban) Umpires - Anisur Rahman and Sharfuddoula TV umpire - Enamul Haque Match referee - JJ Crowe (NZ)

Bangladesh won by 7 wickets

CHEST BUMP RETURNS

Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed (L) and skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza performs a chest-bump following the dismissal of Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad in the lone T20I in Mirpur yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Humble Sabbir puts team first n Minhaz Uddin Khan Youngster Sabbir Rahman struck a whirlwind half-century yesterday to lead Bangladesh to a convincing seven-wicket win over Pakistan in the lone Twenty20 international in Mirpur but barely basked in his glory, saying the team’s achievement is important than anything else.

Sabbir smashed 51, his maiden T20 fifty, off just 31 balls as Bangladesh chased down the modest target of 142 with seven wickets and

22 balls remaining.

“The fact that the team won the game is more important to me. I have said it many times that even one run is important to me if that run helps the team win. Even a century does not count if the team lose. I always try to play for Bangladesh, for the team,” Sabbir told the media after the game.

“I always intend to give my best for whichever team I play. Overall, I am happy with my performance because the team have been able

to continue the winning streak,” he said.

Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza on the other hand credited the bowlers for restricting the opposition to 141/5.

“I have always said a win becomes easy if the bowlers do their job well, let it be T20, ODI or Test. I always believe cricket is a bowler’s game and I believe it happened today (yesterday),” said Mashrafe to the media in the postmatch press conference.

The 31-year old also praised the team for

maintaining their unbeaten record in the ongoing bilateral series.

“I cannot ask anything more from my team. We played well in all the matches and won. Yes, we do have room for improvement and there are parts that need to be looked at. There will be small glitches every now and then but we will have to try to minimise those. The more we do it, the more chances we have of winning matches,” he said. l

DT

26 Sport

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

Shahid, Liton new additions in Test squad

Dot-ball theory works out well for Tigers n Mazhar Uddin

n Minhaz Uddin Khan Bangladesh Cricket Board yesterday announced the 14-member squad for the first of two Test matches against Pakistan. Right-arm paceman Mohammad Shahid and batsmen Liton Kumar Das and Soumya Sarkar received their maiden call-ups to the Test fold.

Five changes were made to the previous Test squad against Zimbabwe. Batsmen Shamsur Rahman, Marshal Ayub and Anamul Haque were dropped along with pacemen Shafiul Islam and Al Amin Hossain.

“Shahid is a strong lad, capable of bowling long spells and he has been a consistent performer in first-class games. Liton has scored heavily in the last couple of seasons while Soumya has started strongly in ODIs. He (Soumya) may not bat in the same position if he gets picked but he can give us a lot of depth in the batting order,” explained Faruk in a BCB press release yesterday.

“We prefer to give players a reasonable run of games and Imrul Kayes keeps his place by virtue of his performance in the last Test series. Shahadat Hossain has bowled very well in the National Cricket League and he has the experience. We consider Taijul as one of the best left-arm spin options in Tests and Jubair Hossain’s leg spin is a valuable addition to our attack.”

The first Test between hosts Bangladesh and Pakistan gets underway at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna this Tuesday. l

Bangladesh squad (first Test)

Mushfiqur Rahim (C), Tamim Iqbal (VC), Imrul Kayes, Liton Kumar Das, Mominul Haque, Shakib al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Shuvagata Hom, Soumya Sarkar, Taijul Islam, Jubair Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Shahadat Hossain, Mohammad Shahid.

Shakib al Hasan (L) and Sabbir Rahman congratulate each other during their unbroken 105-run fourthwicket stand against Pakistan in the lone T20I in Mirpur yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Prior to the solitary Twenty20 international against Pakistan in Mirpur yesterday, Bangladesh experienced mixed fortunes in the shortest format of the game. The Tigers had won 11 matches and lost 29 times and were finding it a tad difficult to execute their plans in the middle.

The confidence gained from the series sweep in the three ODIs, however, seemed to have turned around the corner. The Tigers are now starting to implement their plans in the shortest format of the game and the most noticeable aspect of yesterday’s performance was the Bangladesh bowlers’ intention to bowl as many dot balls as possible.

Pakistan batted first and posted a modest 141/5 as the Bangladesh bowling line-up registered a total of 52 dot balls, or, 8.4 overs, eventually denying the opposition a chance of posting a big total.

Pakistan’s first of three sixes was delayed till the ninth over when debutant Mukhtar Ahmed clubbed Taskin Ahmed over the long-on region. That did not deter the Bangladesh bowlers as they stuck to their plan with debutant paceman Mustafizur Rahman leading the way.

Mustafizur made an impressive debut, accounting for as many as 16 dot balls to finish with commendable bowling figures of 2/20 from four overs. Shakib al Hasan was also not far behind. Despite remaining wicket-less, he gave away just 17 runs from his four overs at an economy rate of 4.25. The ever-dependable Shakib bowled 13 dot balls.

It was then upto the Bangladesh batsmen to chase down the modest target of 142 and they did just that, barely breaking sweat on their way to the destination. The Tigers lost just three wickets and strolled to victory with 22 balls remaining but it is the bowlers, really, who deserve most of the plaudits for Bangladesh’s maiden T20 win against Pakistan in eight attempts. l

Afridi lauds Tigers, debutant Mustafizur n Minhaz Uddin Khan

Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi’s assertion that their Twenty20 squad is comparatively better than their ODI unit proved to be futile as Bangladesh continued their demolition act over the opposition, this time in the lone T20 international, as the Tigers romped to a seven-wicket win in Mirpur yesterday.

Afridi’s claims were trashed by the Bangladesh cricketers as they restricted the tourists to 141/5 before cantering to their destination with seven wickets and 22 deliveries in hand.

The Bangladesh bowlers put in an impressive performance after losing the toss, most notably debutant left-arm paceman Mustafizur Rahman, and the Pakistan captain spoke

of the youngster in glowing terms.

“They bowled really well (yesterday), the left-arm pacer (Mustafizur) bowled really well.

He used the condition well and he was matured. We needed a good partnership when we went to bat first but there wasn’t any. I think we were short by 10-15 runs. However, it was a good total overall. Had our bowlers bowled in good areas, then the game could have been different,” Afridi told the media after the game.

The impressive Mustafizur registered bowling figures of 2/20 in four overs and Afridi was one of his scalps. The 35-year old was given out caught-behind and he motioned for a review straightaway without knowing that there was no Decision Review System available for the lone T20I. When asked why he ges-

tured for a review, Afridi said, “That was not out in my point of view. We are human beings and can make mistakes but the match referee was there. So, he (match referee) should have noticed what happened. There was not only one but I think three more decisions went against us. So, I hope they noticed. I didn’t attend the match-referee meeting, so, I didn’t know if there was use of DRS.” Afridi also vowed that they would work hard in order to arrest their current slide.

“We have to work hard and we should not be sad. This is part of life. We have to work on our things. We have to improve. I am very hopeful that these boys will come and show the day for Pakistan [in the future],” he added. l

DT

Sport 27

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

QUICK BYTES Bangladesh beat Iran, contest in final today The Bangladesh girls created history by moving into the final of the AFC Under-14 Girls Regional Championship 2015 beating Asian powerhouse Iran 2-0 at Dasarath Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal yesterday. It is the first instance of a Bangladeshi girls football team securing a final slot in any international tournament at any age-level. Krishna Rani put Bangladesh ahead in the 23rd minute while Marzia doubled the lead in the 63rd minute.

Bangladesh will face Nepal in the final at the same stadium today.

–Raihan Mahmood

Siddikur misses cut

Premier Bangladesh golfer Siddikur Rahman missed the cut in the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters at Royale Jakarta Golf Club yesterday following the second round. Siddikur concluded his campaign on 101st place, tied alongside Canada’s Eugene Wong. The 30-year old golfer from Madaripur carded nine-over-par 81 in the second round to take his overall score to 11-over-par 155. Siddikur hit seven bogeys and a double bogey to miss the cut in the $750,000 tournament.

–Tribune Desk

Attention! Samuels gives rival Stokes send-off salute

West Indies all-rounder Marlon Samuels conjured up a new twist to his feud with Ben Stokes when he stood to attention and gave a military-style salute to his English rival on Thursday. Samuels stood bolt upright and mockingly raised his right hand to his forehead as Stokes walked past him after being dismissed for just eight on the third day of the second Test.

–AFP

Sharapova, Kvitova dumped out in Stuttgart

Three-time defending Stuttgart champion Maria Sharapova lost her opening claycourt match of the season Thursday, going down 2-6, 7-5, 6-1 to Germany’s Angelique Kerber in the German city.

The defeat was Sharapova’s first at the venue after sweeping to the title in 2012, 2013 and 2014 on the back of 13 successive wins. It also means the French Open champion will lose her world number two ranking to Simona Halep next week.

–AFP

Nadal bemoans ‘awful’ exit Fourteen-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal described his performance as “awful” as he crashed out of the Barcelona Open 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) to Italian Fabio Fognini on Thursday. Despite losing to world number one Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters last week, Nadal came to the Catalan capital in high spirits after playing the best tennis of his season to date. However, the eight-time champion was stunned for the second consecutive year in Barcelona.

–AFP

Cricket authorities wary that Essel Group wants to take over game n Internet Money man: Billionaire media baron Subhash Chandra (above); former New Zealand cricketer Lou Vincent (above) and Chris Cairns (below).

The mysterious registration of companies in Australia and other Test countries by Indian business giant Essel Group has left cricket authorities wary about what they believe could be plans for a new rebel league or even an extraordinary takeover bid for global cricket.

The International Cricket Council and national bodies are endeavouring to uncover the motives behind Essel, the conglomerate behind the ill-fated Indian Cricket League, setting up company names across the international playing landscape amid internal concerns of a potential Kerry Packer-like tilt at the game’s controls.

In Australia Essel have registered the company Australian Cricket Control Pty Ltd with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, in New Zealand they have attempted to register the name New Zealand Cricket Limited and in other full and associate member countries they are understood to have similarly established company names.

Advertisement It is a development that has left cricket chiefs concerned about a potential move

against the establishment, and intrigued about other figures who may be behind such a plot.

“We’re certainly aware of the registration,” a Cricket Australia spokesman said on Friday.

“It is a concern but the ICC has been informed and the matter is being investigated. It’s difficult to say more until we have more information.”

Sources have told Fairfax Media that Essel, which is led by billionaire media baron Sub-

BU thrash Muktis, Sk Russel beat Sky Blues n Raihan Mahmood Haitian forward Augustine Walson set the track ablaze scoring four goals against a high-flying Muktijoddha as Brothers Union continued their fairytale run with a comprehensive 5-2 win in the Manyavar Bangladesh Premier League at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Brothers, who defeated Mohammedan 1-0 in their previous match, bamboozled their opponents with quick counter-attacks, led by Walson, who slammed the first hat-trick of the league. He now leads the goalscorers’ list with six strikes.

However, it was Muktijoddha who took the lead in the very fourth minute when Senegalese forward Camara Sarba took control of a long ball, which fell behind the defence line, and coolly placed it into the far-post netting.

Brothers equalised in the 18th minute when Muktis defender Anisul Alam Sweet fouled Brothers midfielder Shariful in the box and Walson converted the penalty.

Walson scored his second a minute before the first half whistle as he dribbled past two defenders and shot a grounder past Mukti goalkeeper Titumur.

Enamul pulled Muktis back into the game again in the 57th minute courtesy a penalty.

In the very next minute, Shariful notched the third for Brothers, carrying a long ball forward from Imtiaz Sultan Jitu.

Shariful ran through the defence and placed the ball into the far-post netting from

the right corner of the box.

Walson completed his treble in the 87th minute, off a penalty, following an Aktaruzzaman Liton foul on Brothers midfielder Shafiqul in the box.

The rout was completed in stoppage time when Kester Akon paved the way for Walson with a neat square pass.

RESULTS

5-2

Muktijoddha

Walson 18 – P, 44, 87 – P, 90+1 Shariful 58

Camara Sarba 4 Enamul Haque 57 - P

2-0

Abahani

Brothers Union

Sheikh Russel Zahid Hossain 84 Jahid Hasan Ameli 90+1

TODAY’S MATCHES Rahmatganj v Soccer Club, Feni Mohammedan v Farashganj

4:15PM 6:30PM

Fourth-placed Brothers now have 10 points from five matches while Muktis, two places ahead in second, have two more points from the same number of matches.

Meanwhile in the day’s other match, Sheikh Russel beat Abahani 2-0 at the same venue, courtesy late strikes from winger Zahid Hossain in the 84th minute and national forward Jahid Hasan Ameli in time added on.

Sheikh Russel leapfrogged Mohammedan into fifth position with nine points from four matches while the traditional Sky Blues remained at third with 10 points from five matches. l

hash Chandra, have contemplated attempting to make a re-entry to the cricket scene six years after the demise of the unofficial ICL, the rebel precursor to the Indian Premier League.

Whether that would constitute the creation of a new, ramped-up version of the ICL or a challenge to the establishment itself has been unclear, but the formation of companies has been enough to have cricket authorities on their toes. l

Anamul, Razzak star in South win n Minhaz Uddin Khan National opener Anamul Haque’s 205-run aggregate and Abdur Razzak’s 10-wicket haul propelled Prime Bank South Zone to a huge 216-run win over BCB North Zone in the Bangladesh Cricket League longer-version opener in Fatullah yesterday.

Resuming the fourth and final day’s play on 213/2, South declared their second innings on 266/3 as Anamul completed his hundred after recommencing on his overnight score of 96.

The right-hander, who scored 94 in the first innings, ended up making 111 off 165 balls.

Tushar Imran posted an unbeaten fifty while national discard Ziaur Rahman added a quickfire 12-ball 30 to set up a 383-run target for North.

Chasing 383 for victory, North were skittled out for just 167 as Razzak continued to weave his magic on the opposition batsmen.

The veteran left-armer bagged six wickets while Sohag Gazi chipped in with three wickets. Naeem Islam scored the highest 65 for the losing side in the second innings.l

BRIEF SCORE South Zone 352-all out & 266/3 dec in 56 overs (Anamul 111, Tushar 53*; Taijul 2/97)

North Zone 235-all out & 167-all out in 64.3 overs (Naeem 65; Razzak 6/69, Gazi 3/37) South Zone won by 216 runs

DT

28 Sport

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

Holders Sevilla reach semis, Italians too n Reuters, London Sevilla’s Kevin Gameiro grabbed a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Zenit St Petersburg on Thursday to send the Europa League holders into the semi-finals after woeful goalkeeping had threatened to ruin their night.

Sevilla went through 4-3 on aggregate, but only after a 1-0 lead in Russia turned into a 2-1 deficit following two terrible errors of judgment from Portuguese stopper Beto.

The re-emergence of Italy from the footballing doldrums continued as Fiorentina and Napoli reached the semi-finals of Europe’s second tier competition after Juventus made the last four of the Champions League on Wednesday. l

EUROPA DRAW Napoli (ITA) v Dnipro (UKR) Sevilla (ESP) v Fiorentina (ITA) First legs to be played on May 7, second legs on May 14

Bayern’s Guardiola to return to Barca in semis n AFP, Paris Pep Guardiola will return to face his former club Barcelona after the draw for the Champions League semi-finals on Friday paired the Catalans with Bayern Munich while holders Real Madrid were drawn against Juventus.

Barcelona, who are in the last four for the seventh time in eight seasons, will be at home to the Bundesliga side in the first leg on May 6 with the return at the Allianz Arena on May 12.

Guardiola won the European Cup as a player with Barcelona in 1992 and then won 14 trophies in four seasons as coach, including the Champions League in 2009 and 2011.

He had made way for Tito Vilanova by the time Barca were destroyed 7-0 on aggregate

by Bayern in the semi-finals in 2013, when the German giants went on to win the trophy.

“When you play in the semi-finals, you always get a big team. I have great respect for them and I am very, very happy to have had this experience in my life, but at the end of the day it’s a football match,” said Guardiola.

“Of course it is special for me and very, very emotional, whether it is one game or two. Of course, only football can write stories like this,” remarked Bayern’s sporting director Matthias Sammer.

“We know we’ll be facing a good opponent.

It’s a great situation to be in and I’m looking forward to it hugely.”

After leaving in 2012, Guardiola did not go back to the Camp Nou until he attended Bar-

celona’s victory over Manchester City in the last 16 last month.

His old side are now coached by Luis Enrique, alongside whom he played at Barcelona in the 1990s.

“It is a special game because Pep is on the other side. It will be the first time that he has faced his Barca, it will be the first time that I have faced him as a coach which will be special for me, and I am sure it will be for my players,” said Luis Enrique, who did not seem too concerned about having to play the first leg at home.

“We have played 10 games in the Champions League, and we have won nine and lost one, playing both home and away.”

Meanwhile, Madrid go to Italy for the first leg of their tie against Serie A leaders Juventus

MOMENTS OF THE DAY BANGLADESH V PAKISTAN, LONE T20I, MIRPUR Rahman. His pyrotechnics, however, did not last long as he was given out caught-behind by Bangladesh umpire Anisur Rahman off the same bowler.

The right-hander nicked an outgoing delivery but was anything but happy after the umpire gave the decision against him. Afridi gestured for a review but little did he know that it was not available in the solitary T20I. After knowing that it was unavailable, he shook his head, left the crease and slowly trudged back to the pavilion.

YOUNGSTER MUSTAFIZUR RAHMAN’S IMPRESSIVE DEBUT SHAHID AFRIDI GESTURES FOR A REVIEW AFTER HIS DISMISSAL The visitors were relieved following the conclusion of the three-match ODI series as veteran campaigner Afridi joined the Pakistan T20 squad. The hard-hitting batsman promoted himself to No 3 after a slow start by the openers and hit the ground running, smashing a six off youngster Mustafizur

The 19-year old Mustafizur made an impressive debut, finishing with bowling figures of 2/20 at an economy rate of five runs per over.

The lanky left-arm paceman bowled a consistent line and length and provided no room to the Pakistani batsmen. His first two overs went for just five runs as he managed to beat opener Ahmed Shehzad on a number of occasions.

His first scalp was that of Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi while experienced batsman Mohammad Hafeez was his second dismissal.

The Satkhira lad’s inclusion might have surprised a few but his ability to swing the ball will give a lot of hope to the Bangladeshi fans for the future.

–MAZHAR UDDIN

on May 5 as they look to become the first club to retain the trophy in the Champions League era. The tie is a repeat of the 1998 final, which Madrid won 1-0 in Amsterdam, and the Spanish side will be fancied to come out on top on this occasion too.

“We will face a legendary club, I think it is good news for football and the Champions League that Juventus have returned to this level and obviously it will be a very even tie,” said former Real player Emilio Butragueno, now the club’s Director of Institutional Relations.

“We faced them last year, they are a very competitive team and hopefully we can recover the injured players to be able to face this tie at our maximum level.”l

Pakistan hope Zimbabwe is first step out of wilderness n AFP Deserted grounds, deprived fans and falling standards -- Pakistan has suffered badly from six years without hosting international cricket, but Zimbabwe’s planned tour next month could restore hope.

On March 3, 2009, Pakistani cricket suffered a cruel blow when the bus carrying the Sri Lankan Test team was attacked by militants near Lahore’s Gaddafi stadium, leaving eight people dead and seven visiting players wounded.

That tragic incident, at the height of the homegrown militant Islamists’ bloody fight against the state, forced the suspension of all international cricket in Pakistan.

No team was willing to risk their safety to visit Pakistan, beginning an unwanted odyssey for the 1992 world champions, who have played most of their “home” matches since 2009 in the United Arab Emirates. l

DT

Sport 29

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

I’m best man to lead Liverpool: Rodgers n Reuters, London Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has dismissed speculation about his job by saying he is the best man to lead the club and that he expects to be in charge next season.

The Northern Irishman came out fighting on Thursday after defeat by Aston Villa in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final ensured he became the first Liverpool manager since the 1950s not to win silverware in his first three seasons in charge.

The club are currently out of the Champions League qualification places and have developed a reputation for stumbling on the big occasion.

Rodgers has also come in for criticism for last season’s recruitment policy that saw several players arrive in the wake of striker Luis Suarez’s departure to Barcelona.

He does not feel, however, that his job is under any immediate threat.

“Do I expect to be manager next season?

Very much so, yes. I don’t think there’s anyone better,” Rodgers told reporters.l

Under-prepared Pakistan pays a heavy price for lack of respect n Yousuf Rahman (Babu) “A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or accomplishments” is a straight-forward definition of the word “respect” in the English dictionary. The ongoing Pakistan cricket team’s tour of Bangladesh has been a switch on-switch off situation due to a variety of reasons and not until the early part of April was the tour agreed upon by both entities.

We have two teams with significant contrasting approaches to the series. Bangladesh just got over its euphoric performance (as far as we Bangladeshis are concerned) of the recently concluded 2015 ICC World Cup and has walked into this series self-assured and confident while Pakistan looked at the Bangladesh tour as a platform for change. According to many cricket analysts in Pakistan including some former players, Pakistan’s cricket has been mired in conspiracies over the years.

sters and along with a handful of senior members, sent a squad that was expected to roll over the Bangladeshis. Much to the surprise of many, it nominated Azhar Ali, a highly promising cricketer, to lead the ODI team.

Azhar is a talented cricketer who has won Test matches for Pakistan quite a few times but he is a novice in the art of leadership. Moreover, he was not picked for the World Cup and has not appeared for Pakistan in the ODI format for nearly two years. To give him this massive responsibility of rebuilding the Pakistan ODI team is not only ill-conceived but is the unkindest cut of all. He may have just saved his position in the side by becoming the highest run-getter in the three-match series but I am not sure if he will be retained as the skipper by the PCB for the long term.

While planning for the Bangladesh series, a decaying frame of mind with the old, colonial school of thought got the better of those that rely on common sense. This was

Back-door stabbing, cliques and groupings among players have been orchestrated by many of its senior members. Several players have retired more than once and come back into the side only because they managed to cozy up to the administration.

Over the years, Pakistan’s cricket progress has been subjected to a decaying process and the most of the short-lived administrative units never believed in the “theory of succession”. With the eventual departure of many of its senior members Pakistan cricket felt that this was the appropriate time to infuse fresh blood into the team. A well-planned succession policy being non-existent, the retirement of Misbah-ul Huq and Shahid Afridi with the absence of Younis Khan from the ODI scene has created a void of significant magnitude.

According to grapevine reports, a form of “disciplinary action” taken against Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad for their so-called arrogance kept them out of the ODI series as well.

With the thought of building a team for the future, Pakistan gathered a team of young-

a simple case of having a “no respect” clause for Bangladesh cricket as the PCB may have considered this series to be a walk-in-thepark. After all, Pakistan had not lost an ODI against Bangladesh since 1999. That loss in Bangladesh’s inaugural World Cup campaign was taken by most Pakistanis (some senior journalists of Pakistan included) as a game that was intentionally thrown to strengthen Bangladesh’s claim for full membership. In addition Bangladesh had a terrible 2014 losing to some weak oppositions.

The fact is that the Pakistanis should have done their homework with a bit more diligence. On record, Bangladesh has beaten some of the best teams in various World Cup competitions. In the recently concluded World Cup, it qualified to play for a quarter-final berth. It not only beat Scotland, Afghanistan and England in the pool matches but it nearly beat New Zealand. Also, Pakistan should have taken into account how the team played throughout the competition. Yes, it beat Afghanistan and Scotland - both Asso-

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ciate Members - but the fact is that it fought back and took control of both matches from a position of weakness. Against Afghanistan it was the crucial partnership of Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib al Hasan that took the team to safe waters while against Scotland, they chased more than 300 runs (second time ever) and won with ease. Then it beat England in two consecutive World Cup engagements with a fine exhibition of all-round cricket.

They should have also remembered that Bangladesh nearly beat a much stronger Pakistan squad in the Asia Cup final in 2012. Yes, the Pakistani think-tank has missed out a lot on analysing Bangladesh’s cricket potential.

Pakistan’s moment of truth came about in the very first ODI when the much daunted Pakistani bowling attack was torn to shreds by an ever-ebullient Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiq.

The onslaught continued with relentless brutality in all three ODIs with Soumya Sarkar capping it with a brilliant 127 in the last one.

While Bangladesh’s batting ignited the nation, let us not cast aside its bowling performance that far out-performed its opponents in all three matches.

Saeed Ajmal, the magical bowler was turned into a myth as were the likes of Junaid Khan and Rahat Ali. Mohammed Hafeez, who has won so many matches for Pakistan prior to his action being called into question, turned out to be quite ordinary. His batting too gave ample indication of disinterest and a severe lack of purpose. Questions are likely to be raised in the Pakistani camp about his lack of intent, if there was one. World cricket, including many Pakistani analysts believe that Ajmal’s days of competitive cricket are over.

Again, due to a poor succession policy Pakistan has no one to replace him. Bangladesh, on the contrary has the luxury to boast of at least four match winners, if not more, in the team. This is no longer a Shakib-dependent team. Between Tamim Iqbal at No 1 and Sabbir Rahman batting at No 6, you have at least five that can win the match single-handedly. Pakistan has none that come close to this phenomenal group of youngsters.

While the result of the first ODI was a shell-shocker for all Pakistanis, what followed in the next two obliterated them. I don’t think any team in the history of Pakistan cricket has beaten them so comprehensively in such devastating fashion in three consecutive ODIs. It will take them a long time to digest the loss.

Life is all about respect. Look around you – all of us as human beings must learn to respect the air that we breathe, the water that we quench our thirst with, the environment that we live in with its people regardless of caste, colour, creed or age, and all the beauty that life offers which includes the fantastic game of cricket that we so passionately love and pursue. Respect has a boomerang effect.

If you have it for another, it will come back to you. Bangladesh cricket is no longer a piece of article that can be cast aside and it deserves respect by all opposition. Unfortunately, Pakistan cricket failed to understand the need for this and has already paid a heavy price in the just concluded ODI series. l The writer is a former national cricketer, vice captain and first centurion writes from New York for Bangladesh fans all across the globe.

DT

30 DOWNTIME

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Make summoning sign (6) 5 Precious stone (3) 7 Oral (5) 8 Climbed (6) 10 Firmament (3) 12 Lacerated (4) 13 Newt (3) 14 Slender support (4) 16 Classify (4) 17 Top airman (3) 18 Refuse to grain (4) 20 Short sleep (3) 23 Give up (6) 24 Heathen (5) 25 Was ahead (3) 26 Attic (6)

DOWN 1 Male singer (4) 2 Mouth of a volcano (6) 3 Not concealed (5) 4 Swelling (4) 5 Fuel (3) 6 Large deer (3) 9 Upper level (4) 11 Sweet potato (3) 14 Scrutinise (4) 15 Offer (6) 16 Wrongdoing (3) 17 Sports enclosure (5) 18 Boast (4) 19 Legal document (4) 21 Monkey (3) 22 Cushion (3)

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 19 represents P so fill P every time the figure 19 appears.

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

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

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

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

CALVIN AND HOBBES

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

PEANUTS

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

DILBERT

SUDOKU

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SHOWTIME 31

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

Tagore’s modernday Kabuliwalas on display

CELEBS ON SOCIAL KANYE WEST @ kanyewest The love of music is louder than words. http://TIDAL.COM

Dwayne Johnson @ TheRock San Andreas is epic.. and yup, try and punch Mother Nature in the face and you get kicked in the...

n Showtime Desk A photography exhibition titled “From Kabul to Kolkata: of Belonging, Memories and Identity,” is on display at the Drik Gallery. Organised by Goethe-Institut Bangladesh, in partnership with the Drik Gallery, the exhibition showcases photographs of two journalist turned photographers, Moska Najib and Nazes Afroz.

Inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s short story “Kabuliwala,” the two photographers have embarked on a three-year-long project to tell the story of a century of social transformations within the men from the

QUIZ

Kabul community.

While a few decades ago, real Kabuliwalas were a common sight on the streets of Kolkata, as in most cities of north and central India, today, stereotypes and standard attributes have formed an ambiguous image of these people.

The two photographers have captured

Ellen DeGeneres @ TheEllenShow Macey Hensley is here next week to tell me about her trip to the White House. She also might be running for President

the stories of this secluded and little-known settlement in the present time through their works.

The series connects viewers to human bonding and also focuses on the issues of identity crisis and a new sense of belonging.

The exhibition is open for all and it will continue till May 6. l

Two sides of the same coin

WHAT TO WATCH TELEVISION

Sometimes there a few scenes in movies that are so awesome that no matter how long it’s been since you’ve watched it, you can always picture it in your head and it will still give you goosebumps! Below are images of a few unforgettable scenes from some of the most remarkable movies made in the ‘90s. See if you can recognise them, and email your answer to us.

Escape Plan B HBO 9:30pm When a structural-security authority finds himself set up and incarcerated in the world’s most secret and secure prison, he has to use his skills to escape with help from the inside.

Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, 50 Cent

n Showtime Desk

Answers to last week’s quiz: kristen Stewart, Neil Patrick Harris, Drew Barrymore

Who knew that the Bollywood superstar, Salman Khan, and American super model, Kim Kardashian, would have so much in common?

Both the superstars doesn’t believe in refined words. When photographers banned Salman for his security staff ’s misbehaviour at an event, he referred to the news on Twitter and wrote ‘Ha, Ha, Ha.’ Kim on the other hand shared a photo from her 1997 yearbook and posted, “People say, ‘She’s had her lips and her nose done.’ Look at this photo. Tiny nose, huge lips. My lips look bigger here than they do now.”

Salman Khan is best known for being a family-oriented person. The whole of India and the world knows how much he loves and respects his family. Salman painted Twitter glitzy when Arpita got married and made people lift Dolly Ki Doli virtually when Arbaaz Khan’s film was ready for release. Likewise, Kim recently posted her sister, Kylie Jenner’s spread on Teen’s Vogue’s cover.

Despite setting their unique personal style trends, both Kim and Salman believe in simplicity and comfort. Both the stars don’t deck up too much. If given a choice, Salman would rather throw in a pair of shorts and a comfortable T-shirt and Kim would probably snuggle in her bathrobe. l

Gadar - Ek Prem Katha Zee Cinema 9:30pm

C

Among the communal riots that erupt in the city, Tara shelters a wayward Sakina from a crazed mob and a bond that blossoms into love is created. The two eventually get married and have a son.

The happy family, now living in Amritsar, gets the shock of their lives when Sakina learns that her father, whom she previously believed died in the riots back in Amritsar, is still alive.

Cast: Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel, Amrish Puri WWE NXT Ten Sports 2:30pm

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32 BACK PAGE

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

THE RIGHT KIND OF CONNECTIVITY PAGE 13 T W O

CTG: PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE PAGE 18

Y E A R S

O F

R A N A

TAGORE’S MODERN-DAY KABULIWALAS ON DISPLAY

P L A Z A

PAGE 31

D I S A S T E R

The site where Rana Plaza, an eight-storey commercial building, collapsed in Savar on this day in 2013 killing 1,136, and injuring 2,515. Ratna and Rajib (from right), two children of Rehana, a worker who went missing in the tragic collapse, break into tears on the second anniversary of the deadliest garment factory accident as well as the deadliest structural failure in history RAJIB DHAR

Union leaders demand proper compensation n Tribune Report Several RMG trade union leaders yesterday urged the government, buyers and garment owners to ensure proper compensation to the survivors and family members of the deceased in the Rana Plaza collapse.

They also demanded forming a fund with contribution from the government, buyers and the owners to bear the educational expenses of victims’ children.

The union leaders made the call at separate rallies and human chains, formed by several Ready-Made Garments (RMG) federations to observe the second anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse yesterday in front of the National Press Club.

National Garment Workers’ Federation President Amirul Haque Amin demanded

formation of a fund to bear the educational expenses of the victims’ children as they lost their parents. He also urged the government, garment owners and buyers to take necessary measures to rehabilitate and provide treatment facilities to the survivors.

Bangladesh Textile-Garment Workers’ Federation urged the government to take effective measures to ensure compensation and demanded punishment of culprits responsible for the disaster. It also urged to set a compensation standard.

“Sohel Rana, owner of the Rana Plaza building, did not get punishment even after two years of the building collapse, rather he is staying in jail in luxury,” said Hazera Sultana, Member of Parliament, who took part in the rally.

She also blamed Bangladesh Garment

Manufacturers and Exporters Association for not implementing the compensation package.

“If the government ensured workers’ rights in the RMG sector and punished the culprits behind Tazreen Fashion Fire, the Rana Plaza incident would not have happened,” she added.

“Two years have passed since the factory disaster but a good number of workers did not yet get their proper compensation, which was pledged by several quarters,” said AKM Mustafa Kamal, coordinator of Global Union UNI Bangladesh Liaison Council. He also demanded implementation of steps to ensure worker safety and compensation.

Ramesh Chandra Roy, Secretary General of IndustriAll Bangladesh Council and member of the coordination committee, urged the global buyers to contribute to Rana Plaza Donors Trust Fund to compensate victims. The

fund so far collected $24mn and needs $6mn more to pay the full compensation.

The victims of Rana Plaza have suffered enough, so no more excuses; please pay sufficient compensation as the workers have lost the ability to work in a factory, said the trade union leaders taking part in the rallies.

Rana Plaza, an eight-storey building located in Savar that housed five RMG factories, collapsed on April 24, 2013 killing over 1,135 workers and injured over 2,500 people.

Meanwhile, the Rana Plaza Coordination Committee has so far distributed Tk76 crore among the victims, which is 70% of the estimated compensation.

Over Tk15.38 crore has been given out as compensation to 976 deceased victims’ families and Tk4.1 crore to 38 severely injured victims. l

Power Cell seeks Power Division’s approval for shortlisted LNG terminal builders

Ebola drug cures infected monkeys n BBC

n Aminur Rahman Rasel

An experimental drug has cured monkeys infected with the Ebola virus, US-based scientists have said.

The treatment, known as TKM-Ebola-Guinea, targets the Makona strain of the virus, which caused the current deadly outbreak in West Africa.

All three monkeys receiving the treatment were healthy when the trial ended after 28 days; three untreated monkeys died within nine days.

Scientists however cautioned that the drug’s efficacy has not been proven in humans. l

The Power Cell sought the Power Division’s approval to short-list three international firms for awarding contract to build the country’s first onshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal.

A letter has recently been sent to the Power Division in this regard.

“After approval, the short-listed firms will be requested to submit final proposal for building the terminal,” Power Cell Director General Mohammad Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

The planned onshore terminal will be the

country’s first LNG terminal. The selected firms are Japan’s Mitsui and Company Ltd, Royal Dutch’s Shell EP International Ltd and India’s Petronet LNG Ltd. The government is going to set up the country’s first-ever land based LNG terminal at Anwara in Chittagong or Moheskhali in Cox’s Bazar.

Earlier, the power cell sought expressions of interest (EOI) from international firms for the project.

The purpose of setting up the terminal is to import LNG, so that the country does not have to face any sudden energy crisis because of supply shortfall in the near future.

The Power Cell received a $155m credit from the International Development Agency (IDA) for financing the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Development 2 project.

Part of the credit is intended as payment for consulting services for feasibility study on LNG terminal at Anwara and Moheskhali.

The power cell was planning to set up a land-based LNG terminal to feed a proposed 2,000MW combined cycle power plant and feeding the existing power plants at Raojan and Sikalbaha by one or more high pressure gas transmission pipelines to be connected from the LNG terminal. 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