18 March, 2016

SECOND EDITION

FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016 | Chaitra 4, 1422, Jamadius Sani 8, 1437 | Regd No DA 6238, Vol 3, No 332 | www.dhakatribune.com | 32 pages plus 24-page Weekend supplement | Price: Tk10

IT expert Zoha goes missing n Arifur Rahman Rabbi Tanvir Hassan Zoha, an IT specialist reportedly involved in the investigation into the Bangladesh Bank digital heist, has been missing since yesterday, his family says.

His wife Kamrun Nahar Chowdhury claimed that Zoha was abducted from Kachukhet area around 1am yesterday.

But Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said Zoha might

have been arrested in connection with the probe into the BB heist.

“Law enforcers might have arrested Zoha for the sake of investigation. But I am not sure about it,” he told journalists after attending a programme at the capital’s Krishibid Institute yesterday.

The minister added that he had no idea about allegations from Zoha’s family that the police were refusing to record a general diary in this connection.

According to Zoha’s wife, the IT specialist last spoke with her on the phone around 11:30pm Wednesday; his mobile phone was found switched off since 12:15am yesterday.

Zoha’s uncle Mahbubul Alam claimed that Zoha had gone to the office of an intelligence agency on Wednesday night from where he phoned his friend Yamir Ahmed to accompany him on the way to his residence.

Quoting Yamir, Mahbubul said: “Zoha and Yamir took a CNG-run autorickshaw but it broke down after two minutes. Then two microbuses blocked their way and picked up both of them. Then Yamir was dropped on Manik Mia Avenue.”

Later, Yamir informed Zoha’s family that the IT expert has been abducted.

Mahbubul said the family immediately went to Kalabagan  PAGE 2 COLUMN 5

New governor: Damage repairing the 1st mission n Jebun Nesa Alo Fazle Kabir, newly appointed governor of Bangladesh Bank, yesterday said his first mission would be to repair damage that central bank faced over the forex reserve heist of $101 million.

He expressed his plan to the journalists at the Dhaka airport after arriving from New York at 6:30am yesterday.

“We will first look into whether there is any need of repairing damage after the cyber disaster,” he said.

We will take measure so that such incident never repeats, he said.

Kabir came home a day before he was scheduled to return.

He vowed that he would put his full effort to do his job responsibly given by the government.

In response to a question that whether he will continue the initiative of inclusive banking that immediate past governor Atiur Rahman took he replied that at this moment he can't say it.

Fazle Kabir's name was announced as new governor by the finance minister on Tuesday hours after Atiur Rahman stepped down on allegation of keeping the largest theft hidden.

Later the government issued a circular in this regard on Wednesday saying the former finance  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

Newly-appointed Governor of Bangladesh Bank Fazle Kabir lands at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after reaching Dhaka from the US on a flight of Qatar Airways RAJIB DHAR

Customisation made SWIFT system weak

Osmeña: Very low chance of recovery of $81m n Kamrul Hasan Until October last year, all the inn Inquirer.net ternational transactions of BangThere is a “very low” chance that the government will be able to retrieve the $81 million stolen from the Bangladesh central bank because the money is now likely outside the country, said Filipino Senator Sergio Osmena III yesterday.

Still, Osmeña said, tracking the money from Bangladesh Bank would depend on the cooperation of casinos at the resumption today

INSIDE

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President, PM in Tungipara The president and the premier paid rich tributes to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his 97th birthday.  PAGE 3

ladesh Bank were maintained by SWIFT security system. But it was customised in October last year to introduce Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system with a view to bringing all the local banks and their branches under one umbrella.

Investigators dealing with the recent $101 million digital heist suspect that the SWIFFT system was weakened due to the customisation and linking it to the

Edwards-inspired England women overcome Bangladesh England beat Bangladesh by 36 runs in T20 World Cup yesterday.  PAGE 25

RTGS system without installing a strong firewall. For this, it became easier for the criminals to hack the system.

The RTGS, a part of Bangladesh Bank’s automation system, is an advanced technology that facilitates interbank fund transfers on real time basis, for both local and foreign currency transactions. The central bank is able to monitor online all transactions of the local banks through the RTGS. On the other hand, the SWIFT system has only two ends where a bank has to contact with another using their

own unique codes.

In early February, $101m of the Bangladesh Bank funds kept with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York was withdrawn illegally allegedly by hackers who had broken into the SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) system of the central bank.

The laundered money was moved via transfer requests, with about $81m ending up in some bank accounts in the Philippines. The other $20m went to an account in Sri Lanka. Another $850 million was supposed to be transferred to a personal

bank account in the Philippines, but was blocked by the authorities.

Bangladesh Bank filed a case on Tuesday with Motijheel police and it was handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department immediately. The CID has formed a 20-strong committee led by Deputy Inspector General Saiful Alam to investigate the case.

The team started their work on Wednesday and visited the Bangladesh Bank headquarters. They spoke to senior officials of some departments and also seized some  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

Biman to hire permanent cargo staff Biman Bangladesh Airlines will recruit permanent employees by March 31 to improve the service of the cargo at Dhaka airport.  PAGE 32

2nd Round

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Five criminals held in city n UNB Detectives arrested five alleged criminals and recovered 1,400 bottles of contraband phensidyl and a pistol from Darus Salam in Dhaka on Wednesday night.

The arrestees are Mamun, Liton, Arif Hossain, Sumon and Kashem.

Tipped off, a special team of DB started searching vehicles from evening at Darus Salam.

The found 200 bottles of Phensidyl in a private car and arrested Mamun, Liton and Arif. A pistol was found on Mamun.

Based on their statement, DB team seized 1,200 bottles of phensidyl from a truck and arrested Sumon and Kashem.

A case was filed with Darus Salam police in this connection. l

Fakhrul likely to become BNP secretary general n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia last night held the final meeting of the current Standing Committee to finalise the party’s secretary general post and the job responsibility of her son, Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman.

The meeting was also set to finalise a set of proposals for the party’s charter amendment and various organisational decisions.

The high-profile meeting began at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office at 9:15pm with Khaleda Zia in the chair. The meeting was under way while filing of the report at 12:30am.

“It is the last meeting of the current Standing Committee,” said acting secretary general Mirza

Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Meeting sources said that Fakhrul was likely to be made the secretary general of the party.

Replying to a query, Fakhrul earlier said: “The Standing Committee meeting will approve various proposals for the party’s charter amendment and work out different decisions and guidelines for making the council a success.”

The proposals include creating a post of party additional secretary general abolishing the post of senior joint secretary general, increasing the number of Standing Committee members from 19 to 21 while the number of vice-chairpersons’ posts from 16 to 20, the number of joint secretaries from seven to nine and the number of organising secretaries from seven to 11 and creat-

ing 11 more new posts for assistant organising secretaries.

Further proposals include creating a 15-member party advisory council, ensuring “one leader one post,” forming Jubo Mahila Dal as a party associate body, recognising Trinomool Dal and Muktijoddha Projonmo Dal as party associate bodies, specifying the responsibility of party senior vice-chairman and party’s stance against militancy and violence against minority communities.

A senior leader, seeking anonymity, told the Dhaka Tribune that Mirza Fakhrul would be the secretary general. “The decision will be finalised today [last night] as the decision should have to be approved on the council day.”

The party is scheduled to hold its

national council tomorrow at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in Dhaka. Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman have already been elected uncontested as chairperson and senior vice-chairman respectively.

Another Standing Committee member, wishing not to be named, said there would be some changes in the party’s organisational structures.

He said posts could be increased in organising secretaries, joint secretary generals and some secretaries.

The BNP leader also said advisory council of the party might be reshuffled.

Syrul Kabir Khan, an official of BNP chairperson’s media wing, said that some important and crucial decisions would be made in the Standing Committee meeting. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ACC to sue 2 pvt Osmeña: Very low chance of recovery of $81m IT expert Zoha firm officials Asked whether there were laws “We will try to get more inforof the Senate inquiry into the mongoes missing that the casinos could invoke to mation from the casinos. We have ey-laundering scheme. n UNB allow them not to talk, Osmeña not questioned the president of The stolen money found its way The Anti-Corruption Commission is set to file a case against two top officials of a private firm for allegedly embezzling Tk10 lakh.

The commission at a recent meeting decided to file a case against them, according to an official notification posted on the ACC website on Wednesday.

ACC Deputy Director and Inquiry Officer Manzur Morshed will file the case soon against president of Rapid Finance and Commerce MCS Limited, Zainul Abedin Majumder, and its General Secretary Nazmul Haque Khan.

According to ACC probe initiated in 2015, the accused in collusion with each other swindled investor’s money from the private firm. l

BD missions abroad celebrate Bangabandhu’s birthday n UNB Bangladesh missions abroad yesterday celebrated the 97th birthday of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children’s Day with elaborate programmes and due respect.

Heads of Bangladesh missions abroad paid rich tributes to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at Bangabandhu’s portrait.

The day was also celebrated through discussions, doa mahfil, cake cutting and an art competition for children.

Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury attended the celebration arranged by the Bangladesh High Commission in London. l

into casinos after being withdrawn from a branch of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) in Makati City.

Senetor Teofisto Guingona III, chair of the Senate blue ribbon committee, said it would be very difficult to retrieve the money “given that it has entered the blackhole.”

At the resumption of its hearing today, the Senate blue ribbon committee is expected to focus on casinos in finding out what happened to the stolen money.

Osmeña told reporters in his office in Makati City that the chance of retrieving the money was very low.

Solaire because he was out of the country and the corporate counsel he sent does not know the details of the transactions,” he said.

The senator said he wanted to find out from the casinos “where the money went” and for them to show their records that they “received the amounts and to whom these amounts were credited.”

The Senate committee is looking for the “electronic trail” of the money from the casinos, according to Osmeña.

“I hope (the casinos can provide the electronic trail). We don’t know how they will defend themselves but the law is full of holes. They can get away with it,” he said.

said the country’s laws “protect more the criminals than the government,” citing as example the bank secrecy law that was invoked repeatedly by RCBC officials at the hearing on Tuesday. l

New governor

secretary Fazle Kabir had been appointed as the Bangladesh Bank governor for four years.

He was supposed to join the office Sunday next week.

At present Kabir is the chairman of Sonali Bank’s board of directors.

He retired from public service as a senior secretary of the Finance Ministry. l

Customisation made SWIFT system weak computers, printers and server for the sake of investigation.

According to the investigators, SWIFT is a strong security system that cannot be breached easily.

When the central bank introduced the RTGS system last October, the security system needed to be customised too. The customisation of SWIFT was conducted without ensuring any strong security measure.

Although the bank claims that they made the changes as per directives of the SWIFT authorities, the investigators are yet to verify the information. The CID is now looking for the IT firm that customised the system and assessing involvement of its members in the heist.

DIG Saiful, who is coordinating the investigation, visited the central bank office with his team yesterday. After around a two-hourlong stay, he told reporters that they were assessing the existing security arrangements at the bank.

Asked about seeking foreign assistance for investigation, he said that they were in touch with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) members at the US Embassy in Dhaka and already sent a formal e-mail to Interpol.

He said that the CID team would sit with the FBI officials today at the former’s office.

In response to another query, he said that former governor Atiur Rahman would be questioned, if the investigation demanded.

About IT expert Tanvir Hasan Zoha who reportedly went missing on Wednesday night, Saiful said: “It is the police’s duty to find him.

But if the family file a complaint to them after completing the legal procedure at the police station, we will see the matter.”

Additional Deputy Inspector General Md Shah Alam, also commandant of CID’s Forensic Training Institute (FTI), told the Dhaka Trib-

une that the account was definitely hacked.

He said introducing the RTGS system was not the problem. “The fault was not to install any strict security measures such as a strong firewall during the customisation.

Only three of the 55 banks of the country use RTGS system.”

Shah Alam also said they would investigate the role of the company that had provided IT support last year and whether the customisation had been done in line with the directives of the SWIFT authorities.

“We are also investigating why the Federal Reserve Bank of New York released the five messages despite raising questions. If they could hold the 30 other messages, why did they not stop the five messages for three to five days more?”

He said they were collecting all necessary information on the matter and hoped to get a clear picture of the scam very soon. l

police station to file a report, but they were referred to the Kafrul station as the incident reportedly took place under Kafrul’s jurisdiction.

But then Kafrul police sent them to the Cantonment station, who also forwarded them to Bhasantek police station; law enforcers at all the stations claimed that the incident had not taken place under their jurisdiction.

After none of the police stations agreed to record a general diary (GD), the family had no choice but to return home.

Zoha had been sharing his expert opinion on different media outlets ever since news broke that hackers had stolen over $101 million from Bangladesh Bank’s account with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and wired it to a number of bank accounts in the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

Zoha has reportedly been under pressure recently for his criticisms and analysis of the whole financial fiasco.

Media outlets identified Zoha as the ICT Division’s cyber security specialist or cyber security wing director (operations).

But the ICT Division recently denied having any link with Zoha. In a statement, the ICT Division further said it had not formed any committee to probe the central bank’s digital heist.

Zoha, who also works with the Police Bureau of Investigation, recently told the Dhaka Tribune: “Analysing primary database, we got evidence that the [BB] hacking took place from inside the country. Now we are checking how it happened from the local server.” l

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President, prime minister pay homage to Bangabandhu at Tungipara n BSS President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Tungipara on the occasion of the 97th birthday of the great leader.

The president and the premier paid the homage by placing wreaths at the mazar of Bangabandhu yesterday morning.

President Abdul Hamid first laid a wreath at the mazar of Bangabandhu followed by the prime minister.

After placing the wreaths, they stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the Father of the Nation as the bugle played the last post.

A smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force gave an honour guard on the occasion.

Abdul Hamid and Sheikh Hasina offered Fateha and joined a munajat seeking eternal peace of the departed soul of Bangabandhu as well as other martyrs of the August 15 carnage.

Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister To-

fail Ahmed, Awami League Presidium Member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury, LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, Land Minister Shamsur Rahman Sharif Dilu, AL Presidium Member Kazi Zafarullah, Deputy Speaker Fazley Rabbi Mia, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki, Chief Whip ASM Feroz and AL Organising Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim were present on the occasion.

Besides, Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam, Chief of Army Staff General Abu Belal Mohammad Shafiul Haque, Chief of Naval Staff Vice-Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Abu Esrar, President’s Press Secretary Joynul Abedin, PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim and senior AL leaders and high civil and military officials were present.

Later, the president signed the visitor’s book kept on the mazar premises.

Earlier on his arrival on the mazar premises, President Abdul Hamid was received by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and AL Presidium Member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim.

Flanked by senior leaders of

the party, Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League president, placed another wreath at the mazar of Bangabandhu on behalf of AL. The prime minister flew to Tungipara after placing wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of

Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No 32 in the capital.

The birthday of Bangabandhu is being observed across the country Thursday as the National Children’s Day. l

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina lay wreaths at the grave of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Gopalganj’s Tungipara yesterday to mark his 96th birth anniversary BSS

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Clash at Geneva Camp in capital n Tribune Report

A clash erupted between two rival groups at Geneva Camp in the capital’s Mohammadpur yesterday.

The clash broke out in the afternoon but the reason behind it could not be known, said Assistant Commissioner (Mohammadpur zone) of police Hafiz Al Faruk.

Police arrived on the scene after they were informed and brought the situation under control.

Hafiz said the warring groups hurled bricks at police.

Meanwhile, Additional Deputy Commissioner of the zone Waheduzzaman said the clash erupted over money.

Police seized several knives from the spot but none was arrested in this connection, he said.

Additional police were deployed in the area to avert further unrest.

Waheduzzaman said police would file a case in this connection. l

Additional police were deployed at Geneva camp in the capital’s Mohammadpur after a clash between two groups of drugs traders yesterday

Joy: All war criminals must face trial n BSS Prime Minister’s ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy has said whatever conspiracy is hatched, all war criminals who committed crimes against humanity in 1971 must face trial.

“War criminals in no way can evade trial despite spending crores of dollars in lobbying to save them,” he told at a reception in Hanover, Germany, on Wednesday night, according to a press release issued yesterday.

Leaders and workers of the Ger-

man unit of the Awami League and Bangladesh expatriates accorded the reception to Joy as he went to Hanover to join the Centre for Office Automation, Information Technology and Telecommunication (CeBIT). They congratulated the ICT adviser for joining the CeBIT as an IT expert.

Joy said: “Expatriates come forward to play their due role when the country goes through any crises. They (expatriates) also stood by the people of the country during the country’s War of Liberation.”

After the assassination of Father

of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, expatriates living around the world had stood beside his family and given them shelter, he added.

After “One-Eleven,” Bangladeshi expatriates had waged movement for restoring democracy, Joy said.

Calling on the Bangladeshi expatriates to remain beside the Awami League, Joy said Bangladesh cannot be a militant and failed state as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is in power.

Bangladesh is one of the three fast-growing countries, the ICT ad-

viser said, adding that Bangladesh has achieved remarkable progress in ICT in the past seven years.

Due to revolutionary advancement in the ICT sector, rural people are now getting its benefit, Joy said.

“We are doing politics to serve the people of the country, not for power. Our aim is to complete the unfinished works of Bangabandhu to build a ‘Shonar Bangla’,” he added.

State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak and Imran Ahmed, MP, addressed the function as well. l

Meeting by March to solve BBIN stalemate n Shohel Mamun

Government officials of four nations will hold a meeting in Dhaka by the end of this month to solve the stalemate of the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement.

Road Transport and Highways Division (RHTD) Joint Secretary Chandan Kumar Dey told reporters yesterday that the meeting with representatives of each country had been called at the end of this month to resolve the problems.

The deal, signed on June 15 last year among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) to facilitate the movement of cargo and passenger vehicles, was scheduled to come into effect from January 2016.

However, transborder motor

vehicle movement has not started and it is facing a potential delay of several months as Bhutan’s Parliament is yet to ratify the agreement.

cargo vehicles has missed several deadlines.

The RTHD contracted the local logistics firm Nazrul Transport

The deal, signed on June 15 last year among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) to facilitate the movement of cargo and passenger vehicles, was scheduled to come into effect from January 2016 Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader had said earlier that the BBIN countries had finalised routes and that the deadline would not be missed.

Trial run for passenger vehicle movement among Bangladesh, India and Bhutan was held in November last year. But the drills for

Agency (NTA) to arrange the trial cargo runs.

“We have taken several initiatives to arrange the drills for cargo vehicles countries as per the government’s direction but finally government has missed,” said Nazrul Ahmed, the MD of NTA. “It’s true that trans-border mo-

tor vehicle movement has been pushed back by several months but we are working on it and it is an ongoing process,” said Chandan Kumar Dey. “Now we are facing a new crisis.

Bidhansava elections are coming up in West Bengal. We can only run the trials if their Election Commission allows them,” Dey said.

He said the parties would discuss all of these issues and try to resolve them at the upcoming meeting.

Bangladesh and India have completed the formalities but Nepal took three extra months to complete theirs.

Under the MVA, BBIN countries have planned six routes for goods and passenger-carrying and personal vehicles to travel across each other’s borders. l

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Indian gasoil is a ‘goodwill gesture’ n Tribune Report India is sending a train carrying gasoil to Bangladesh – a move the Indian High Commission in Dhaka says is a “goodwill gesture”.

In a media statement, the high commission said Dharmendra Pradhan, India’s minister (independent charge) for petroleum and natural gas flagged off the train carrying 2,200MT gasoil yesterday from West Bengal’s Siliguri.

State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid and Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla will receive the consignment at Parbatipur tomorrow.

The statement said the event was “very significant” as it highlighted cooperation between the neighbours in the energy sector as outlined in the joint declaration adopted during Narendra Modi’s 2015 Dhaka visit.

On April 20 last year, NRL and BPC signed an MoU in Dhaka for implementation of a 130km Indo-Bangla Friendship Pipeline from NRL’s Siliguri Marketing Terminal to BPC’s Parbatipur Petroleum Product Storage Depot in Dinajpur through a joint venture company having equity participation from both NRL and BPC. NRL has supplied this first 2,200MT consignment at a goodwill price as proposed by BPC, the statement added. l

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ATTACK ON KAZI FARMS IN CTG

Employees afraid of further attacks n Tribune Report

Visitors at Shadhinota Museum in the capital’s Suhrawardy Udyan yesterday take a look at a picture of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivering his March 7 address at then Racecourse Ground RAJIB DHAR

4 JL men killed in road crash

n Our Correspondent, Meherpur At least five people, including four activists of Jubo League, were killed when a picnic bus rammed into a human haulier in Mujibnagar upazila of Meherpur yesterday.

The deceased are Jubo League activists Tufan Khan, Nazrul Islam, Anis Hossain, and Md Jiron, and human haulier driver Tuku Sheikh.

Witnesses said the incident took place around 7pm yesterday as the activists of the ruling party's youth wing were returning home from the district town after attending a jubilant procession on the occasion of the 97th birthday of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Tuku died on the spot; Tufan, Nazrul and Anis succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment at Meherpur General Hospital and Jiron died on his way to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, said district Police Superintendent Hamidul Alom.

“Twelve more activists of Jubo League have also sustained injuries. Of them, Rashidul Islam, Meser Ali, Monirul Islam and Hasibul Islam have been shifted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital while the rest are now undergoing treatment at Meherpur General Hospital.” l

Malaysian recruitment conundrum still unresolved n Adil Sakhawat

The fate of the government's agreement with Malaysia on sending 1.5 million workers to that country is uncertain as Kuala Lumpur continues to issue contradictory statements.

Yesterday, just five days after Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi announced a freeze on hiring foreign workers, the Malaysian Human Resource Minister Richard Riot said the decision would not affect the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Bangladesh.

Malaysian newspaper The Star quoted the minister as saying: “The agreement will remain valid when the freeze is lifted. We have signed agreements for intake of foreign labour not only with Bangladesh but with seven countries. The freeze does not make the agreements null and void.”

Riot made a similar statement on February 19, just after Hamidi's announcement, which came a day after the signing of the MoU in Dhaka.

Harun Al Rashid, a regional coordinator for CARAM Asia, a Malaysian organisation working on migrant worker issues, told the Dhaka Trib-

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“So once the existing workers become documented, the country might resume taking new workers,” the official said.

A source at the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur also said the agreement was in a strong position and would soon be implemented.

Dr CR Abrar, executive director of Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) said if Malaysia takes new Bangladeshi workers, the government should take a strong stance against the syndication process.

“Malaysia needs foreign workers to continue their development process,” he said.

“Even if they do not take new workers, our government should take initiatives to ensure the rights of the existing Bangladeshi workers, since under the MoU Malaysia has marked us as a source country for the first time,” he added.

“Bangladesh should not act weak with the Malaysian government, since many of our workers become undocumented because of their faulty and dishonest agencies,” Abrar said. l

une that the two ministers had issued contradictory statements.

“We don't know which decision will be applicable for Bangladesh,” he said.

“Now we are waiting to see the decision of the Bangladesh government. This government should not make any statement which might harm the prospects of aspiring workers in any way,” he added.

The Malaysian government has not officially informed Bangladesh about the suspension order on recruiting foreign workers, not even the High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.

Bangladeshi authorities came to learn about the Malaysian freeze through the media.

However, a senior Expatriate Ministry official requesting anonymity said Malaysia would take Bangladeshi workers in the near future.

“The Malaysian government has taken this decision as they want employers there to register undocumented workers. This is a source of tax for them. Malaysian employers often do not want their workers to get documented.

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PRAYER TIMES

Employees of Dohazari Kazi Poultry Limited, who were attacked by a group of criminals on Wednesday, have been passing fearful times as the attackers reportedly continue to intimidate them by patrolling in the area.

Major (Retd) Sheikh Masumul Hasan, general manger of the Kazi Farms Group project, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that the group of miscreants, led by one Nasir Member, has been roaming the area and threatening the staff of carrying out another attack.

“We have informed the local police station and they assured us of looking into the matter,” said the GM, who himself was injured during Wednesday's attack.

Gazi Mohammed Shakhawat Hossain, officer-in-charge of Chandanaish police station, said they have visited the site and warned the people they found there that tough measures would be taken if there were further unrest.

At least seven people including Major (retd) Masumul were injured when several hundred people attacked employees of Dohazari Kazi Poultry Limited on Wednesday.

Masumul said the attack was instigated by Sanwara Poultry and Hatchery Limited’s Managing Director Mujibur Rahman, the son of the Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Nurul Islam.

On May 21, May 24, and May 30 last year, the same group vandalised the farm, leaving several staff members injured, police sources said.

Abdul Motaleb Khan, legal affairs executive of Kazi Farms, lodged a general diary (GD) with Chandanaish police station over the May 24 incident.

The attacks follow Dohazari Kazi Poultry's purchase of 113 acres of land from Sanwara Poultry – owned by Minister Nurul Islam – two years ago.

According to Masumul, Sanwara owns about 320 acres in the area, but a huge portion of that land is mired in complex documentation.

Kazi Poultry only bought the land that had proper documents.

“Local brokers and ruling party men instructed by Mujibur are trying to force us to buy the rest of the land which is burdened by irregularities.

To this end, they have been attacking us and trying to grab part of the land we have already bought,” he said. l Sylhet

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Fajr: 4:49am | Jumma: 12:07am Asr: 3:32pm | Magrib: 6:12pm Esha: 7:39pm Source: IslamicFinder.org

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Drugs, ammo recovered in capital, 10 arrested n Arifur Rahman Rabbi In three different drives, the Detective Branch (DB) of police has recently recovered yaba pills, Phensidyl bottles and firearms-ammunition and arrested 10 people in the capital’s Jatrabari and Darussalam areas.

Addressing a press briefing at Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Media Centre yesterday, DB Deputy Commissioner Mashrukur Rahman Khaled said the detectives seized 35,000 yaba pills, 1,400 Phensidyl bottles, three guns and 22 rounds of bullets, as well as two cars and a truck from the suspects’ possession.

The first drive took place on Tuesday night when, following a tip-off, a DB team raided a house in Jatrabari area and arrested Abul Khayer Tuhin with two pistols and 20 rounds of bullets.

Mashruk said Tuhin collected guns and ammunition from Chapainawabganj and distributed them in Dhaka and surrounding areas.

In the second drive on Wednesday in Darussalam, a DB team seized a private car with carrying 200 Phensidyl

bottles, one firearm and two rounds of bullets, also arresting a man named Mamun.

Following information given

by Mamun during interrogation, the detectives later arrested three more men named Arif, Sumon, Liton and Kashem and recovered the truck and 1,200 more Phensidyl bottles, the deputy commissioner said.

The third drive took place around 12:30am yesterday in Jatrabari, where detectives arrested four men named Harun-Or-Rashid alias Boss Harun, Shukkur Ali alias Dealer Ali, Rajaul Karim alias Yaba Karim and Harun-Or-Rashid, and seized 35,000 yaba pills and a Pajero SUV. Mashruk said they were all drug dealers and worked with a drug trader named Jubayer, who collects yaba from Teknaf, smuggled in from Myanmar, and brought to Dhaka

by Shukkur Ali, who is driver’s assistant at Shyamoli Paribahan, Mashruk said.

Cases have been filed regarding the arrests and recoveries, and police have filed remand petitions with a court to interrogate the criminals, the deputy commissioner added. l

Nasim to BCL: Don’t destroy PM’s image n UNB Health Minister Mohammad Nasim yesterday urged the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) men to refrain from doing anything which tarnishes the image of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He came up with the call while addressing a discussion marking the 97th birthday of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall of Dhaka University.

Nasim observed that all should remain alert as the BNP was still trying to hatch conspiracies against the government.

“Bangabandhu earned freedom for us,” Nasim said, adding

that his daughter Sheikh Hasina is now fighting for the nation’s emancipation and there was no alternative for Awami League to winning the next national election in 2019 and remaining in power until 2024.

For this, Chhatra League has to play a vital role and no chance should be given to BNP-Jamaat to win the election, he added.

Nasim, who is also a presidium member of Awami League, said those who are trying to disrespect Bangabandhu are rather inviting disrespect to themselves.

Provost of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall Prof Mofizur Rahman and Jahangir Kabir Nanok, MP, were present on the occasion. l

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News

FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

Districts see pre-election unrest n Tribune Report Different parts of the country saw clashes ahead of the upcoming union parishad polls, with election in one union stayed for three months.

Apart from clashes, a highway was blocked in a district while two officers-in-charge were transferred for their failure to maintain law and order.

Clashes, vandalism in Sirajganj

Ten people were injured when clashes erupted between the supporters of a chairman candidate and the incumbent chairman in Sirajganj’s Soydabad union yesterday, ahead of the second phase of the polls.

A tense situation prevailed for nearly an hour when the clashes broke out at Kadda between the supporters of Nabidul Islam, Awami League-backed chairman candidate, and incumbent Chairman Soptik Ahmed Mithu.

Police arrived on the scene, fired 10 rounds and charged batons to disperse the mob and bring the situation under control.

Earlier in the day, the High Court stayed Soydabad union parishad polls, scheduled for March 31, for three months in response to a writ petition filed by Mithu, and this led to the clashes.

Mithu said the petition was filed regarding disputes over the boundary of the union.

He alleged that Nabidul and Nabidul’s brother Momin attacked his supporters, vandalised a hospital housed at a building owned by him and blocked highway.

But Nabidul said locals were angry with Mithu as the election was stayed because of his petition, and they besieged his house.

“Clashed erupted among the locals and Mithu’s supporters. Police

Supporters of Awami League candidate of Soydabad union in Sirajganj Nabidul Islam and incumbent Chairman Soptik Ahmed clash at Kadda yesterday after the High Court stayed the union parishad polls for three months DHAKA TRIBUNE later calmed them,” he said.

Officer-in-Charge of Sirajganj Sadar police station Habibul Islam said the stay order on the polls led to the clashes.

2 hurt in Lakshmipur campaign

Two supporters of an Awami League rebel candidate in Lakshmipur were beaten up during a campaign on Wednesday night.

The two – Solaiman and Aminul – were campaigning for Mosharraf Hossain Bagha, who is running for chairman of Charphalkan union parishad in the district’s Kamalnagar.

Bagha alleged that local Awami League activists had beaten up his supporters and also vandalised loudspeakers used for the campaign.

He said he had filed a general diary with Kamalnagar police station seeking security after receiving death threats from Awami League activists.

AL candidate’s convoy attacked in Jhalakati

The convoy of Awami Leaguebacked chairman candidate Mostafa Kamal Sikder was attacked while returning after a campaign in Jhalakati on Wednesday night, leaving 15 people injured.

The attackers also vandalised five motorbikes.

The attack was made at Hailakathi village and six of the injured were sent to Rajapur Upazila Health Complex.

Kamal is a candidate in the polls of Mothbari union parishad.

He alleged that Awami League’s expelled chairman candidate Abdur Rob and his henchmen carried out the attack.

But Rob denied the accusation.

Officer-in-Charge of Rajapur police station Sheikh Munirul Gias said legal action would be taken in

Charges pressed against 11 Hamza Brigade men Mizanur Rahaman, n FM Chittagong RAB on Wednesday night submitted the charge sheet against 11 members of Chittagong-based militant outfit Shaheed Hamza Brigade in a case filed over the recovery of explosives from the district’s Halishahar area last year.

The 11 are Faizul Haque, his younger brother Azizul Haque, sister Rahima Akhter, nephew Jayedullah, Abdul Hai, Hamza Brigade’s military wing chief Moniruzzaman alias Don, Anwar Hossain, Md Shamsuddin, Rakib

Hasan, Nasir Uddin Khan and Md Parvez.

RAB 7 Assistant Superintendent of Police Md Jalal Uddin Ahmed submitted the charge sheet to the Metropolitan Magistrate Court as the investigation ended.

“All 11 except Parvez are now behind bars. Parvez is on the run,” said RAB 7 Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Mifta Uddin Ahmed.

Mifta said ten of the accused confessed in court that they accumulated the explosives to carry out subversive acts and a Dubai citizen, Allama Libdi, had funded their or-

ganisation.

“Libidi was not named in the charge sheet as his details could not be known.”

RAB busted Hamza Brigade’s warehouse at Golden Residential area in Halishahar on February 29 last year. A large amount of bomb-making materials, 76 powerful bombs and 150 kilogrammes of explosives were recovered during the raid.

RAB said Hamza Brigade was formed in November 2013 by former members of Islami Chhatra Shibir Hefazat-e-Islam and other militant groups. l

this connection.

Mulghar UP polls suspended in Bagerhat

The Election Commission yesterday suspended Mulghar union parishad polls in Bagerhat’s Fakirhat upazila.

The district election officer (acting), Dilip Kumar Howlader, said the nomination form of a chairman candidate was snatched from the returning officer and a complaint was lodged with the district election officer in this connection.

“The district election officer carried out a probe and sent a recommendation to the Election Commission seeking suspension of the polls,” he said.

Because of the suspension, elections will be held in 73 unions of nine upazilas on March 22.

Two OCs in Bagerhat transferred

The Election Commission has ordered the transfer of officersin-charge of Morelganj and Rampal police stations in Bagerhat for their failure to maintain law and order in the pre-election period.

The district election officer, Md Ruhul Amin Mallik, said the transfer order was sent in a fax message to the district election office on Wednesday night.

Before their transfer, Md Shah Alam Miah and Md Rafiqul Islam were the officers-in-charge of Morelganj police station and Rampal police station respectively.

Nizamul Haque Mollah, superintendent of police in Bagerhat, said the two police officials would be transferred according to the Election Commission’s order. l

‘Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway to be inaugurated by June’ n BSS Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said Dhaka Mymensingh four-lane road will likely be opened by June.

“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate it,” said the minister yesterday while visiting the under construction 4-lane Dhaka Mymensingh highway at Bhaluka point.

Lawmaker Dr. M Amanullah, Additional Chief Engineer Md.

Shahab Uddin, Superintending Engineer Md. Moniruzzaman and concerned officials of Army were present during the visit.

Quader visited different points of the ongoing construction works and expressed satisfaction over the quality and progress of the works.

Later, the minister attended a discussion meeting arranged at Jatiya Kabi Nazrul Islam University, Trishal, marking the 97th birthday of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. l

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FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

Bangabandhu’s 97th birthday celebrated n Tribune Report The 97th birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was celebrated across the country yesterday with due respect.

On March 17 in 1920, the architect of the nation was born in Tungipara upazila of Gopalganj district.

Through his dynamic leadership, he had organised the Bengali nation to fight against exploitation and repression by the Pakistani rulers that culminated in independent Bangladesh through nine months of war in 1971.

On August 15, 1975, the great leader of the land was assassinated along with most members of his family by a cabal of army men.

The day was celebrated as the National Children’s Day and a public holiday.

In Chittagong

District administration, different political parties, educational insti-

tutions and socio-cultural organizations celebrated the day through elaborate programmes, reports our correspondent.

The programmes included children rally, placing of wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu, cultural function, discussion, essay competition, drawing competition and poetry recitation.

Local units of AL and its front organisations also celebrated the day through a daylong programme.

The programme included hoisting of national and party flags, garlanding portraits of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and four other national leaders and holding discussions.

Chittagong city unit of Awami League organized a children and adolescent rally in front of central Shaheed Minar this morning.

A large number of children from different parts of the city wearing colourful dress gathered in front of Shaheed Minar and took part in the rally.

In Sylhet

Our correspondent said district and upazila administrations, Awami League (AL), its front organisations, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, Shilpokola Academy, SUST, Metropoliton, Leading University, educational institutions and other organisations chalked out elaborate programmes.

The programmes included placing of floral wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu, children’s gatherings and rallies, processions of unprivileged children, drawing, handwriting, essay and ready speech competitions, discussions and cultural functions.

The local news papers published special supplementary issues marking the day, special munajats was offered at the religious institutions.

In Faridpur

According to the reports of our correspondent, in the morning, district administration, political

Khulna district unit Awami League brings out a procession in the town yesterday to celebrate the 97th birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman DHAKA TRIBUNE

Suspected robber killed in gunfight in Magura Correspondent, n Our Magura A suspected robber was killed in a gunfight with police at Ramkantapur village under Shalikha upazila in Magura yesterday.

The deceased was Obaidur Rahman, 32, son of Mejbah Uddin.

Abu Jihad, officer-incharge of Shalikha police station said, on secret information, a team of police launched

a drive in the area around 2am when a gang of robbers were taking preparation to commit robbery in the area.

As the lawman reached the spot, the gang members opened fire at them, compelled the police personnel to fire back that triggered a gunfight.

Later, police recovered the body of Obaidur while his other associates managed to flee the scene.

The OC also claimed that

Sub-Inspector (SI) Nasirul Islam, four police constables identified as Holam Rasul, Abdul Aziz, Abu Sayeed and Maruf Hossain were wounded during the gunfight The injured policemen were admitted to Magura Sadar Hospital.

One foreign-made pistol, one magazine, some sharp weapons, three rounds of bullet and six rounds of bullet shell were recovered from the spot. l

parties, Awami League and its front organizations and various socio-cultural organizations placed floral wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu kept at local Ambica Maidan.

A three-day programme was taken by the local district administration through arranging mobile cinema show titled ‘Chiranjib’(Immortal) Bangabandhu at various points of the town and also in upazillas.

Recitations of poems on Bangabandhu, art and patriotic song, essay competitions were held among the children at DC office premises organized by Shishu Academy.

A milad mahfil was held at Shah Farid Dargah mosque and special prayers was offered at mosques, temples, Ramkrishna Mission and churches.

A voluntary blood donation camp has been organized at Ambica Memorial Hall.

In the evening a discussion meeting on the life and works

of Bangabandhu was held at local Kabi Jasimuddin Hall in the district.

In Khulna

Marking the day, the district administration, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, Khulna City Corporation (KCC), Khulna Zila Parishad, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), Khulna University (KU), Islamic Foundation, Khulna Press Club (KPC), Khulna Union of Journalists(KUJ), Khulna city and district unit Awami League (AL) and its front organizations, different academic institutions and sociocultural organisations chalked out elaborate programmes, said our correspondent.

The day was also celebrated in all other districts across the country including Shariatpur, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Thakurgaon, Meherpur, Chuadanga, Narsingdi, Naraynganj, Magura, Bagerhat, Munshiganj, Feni and Noakhali. l

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Writing

FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

| fiction |

Buried memories

PHOTO: BIGSTOCK

n Maisha Ali Anna wasn’t overly excited, just more relieved that she wouldn’t have to live with her strict aunt anymore. Finally, after two long weeks, she would be able to sleep in late and demand to eat ramen for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if she wanted to. At long last would she able to do whatever she wanted.

The doorbell rung and the person she was waiting for was finally here.

“How are you, Mom?” asked Anna. Her mother tells her to come back again in ten minutes and give her a chance to freshen up a bit; she hated the “hospital” smell all over her.

So Anna went into her room thinking about all the things she needed to tell her mother, about college; the fact that she nailed one mock exam after what seemed like ten years of failing, that one teacher who was making her life miserable for no apparent reason.

Anna quietly thought to herself “first year of college and the same high-school drama all over again.”

She wanted to tell her mom about

this one guy, but decided against it; she was probably going to have a fit anyway.

The silence was quite suddenly pierced by a shrill scream, “Water!

Anna, get me some water now!”

It was her aunt and Anna had no idea why she was screaming like that all of a sudden, especially since her mom just got home and was still recovering. With no time to think, Anna poured a glass of water as fast as she could and bolted towards her mother’s room.

Her aunt was rubbing her mom’s palms and reciting a “surah” loudly, over and over again, while her mom lay motionless on the bed. She told Anna to bring the water with so much urgency that she almost jumped on Anna to get the glass.

Anna saw her mother’s eyes roll back into its sockets, her arms and feet were cold, she was a shade of purple and blue and she was having seizures uncontrollably.

Anna tried like crazy to wake her up, to break the horrible spell; she was rubbing the soles of her mom’s feet, saying, “Ma, wake up! Look it’s me, your daughter.”

She had neither the mind nor the

time to laugh at how clichéd that sounded. After what seemed like hours, her mother’s body relaxed, or rather the tense muscles had let go. Astonishingly, she heard her father sobbing, loudly, like she had never heard him before. Anna, for the life in her, did not understand what in the world was happening.

Why was her father saying “it’s all over?” She couldn’t even understand why she was crying.

Anna woke up annoyed and confused, there was so much noise. How does a place, that has three people in it, be so loud? Anna opened her eyes, only enough to see her entire room filled with people and, by the sound of it, the entire house. Now that she thought about it, she didn’t remember anything from those three days, or maybe the month, she just didn’t know. There were hundreds of people, all crammed inside her 1300 sq. ft. apartment.

The noise was driving her crazy!

All she needed was a little quiet to get back to sleep.

Since obviously she couldn’t sleep anymore, Anna got up and half sleep-walked to her mother’s room. Immediately, everyone

were talking about some living arrangement. Anna’s father turned to her and said, “Ma, your uncle is going to stay with us from now.”

Anna was immediately overcome by an unexplainable rage. He didn’t even ask! She thought to herself. Does he even care if I want to live with him or not? There was obviously no problem if her uncle stayed over, but she was just angry that her father didn’t ask her.

“Fine,” she said, trampling into her room and slamming the door shut.

About a month had passed, and all this time her anger and confusion had been building up, building up to the point that Anna thought her insides were going to tear apart. The burden of her rage and guilt and confusion was destroying her little by little every second, it was tearing her soul apart a thread at a time. No one understood what was going on; no one understood what she was going through. She couldn’t even bring herself to say out loud what had happened, she wasn’t ready yet, perhaps she would never be. Why couldn’t her dad do something to save her? He surely could’ve done something more!

Aren’t dads supposed to be able to do anything? Some of her friends, mostly her best friend, was always over to give her company which made her feel better for a brief period of time, but then Anna was

Why was she there alone, with two people who wouldn’t understand anything she said?

was hugging her, crying, some were silent, not saying anything; these were her own people, her own family. But Anna’s dad was nowhere to be found, so she went and sat in the corner of her room. She just sat there dazed and wished all of this confusion would be over soon.

Everyone left after a while; it was just Anna, her dad and her uncle. She remembered that her friends had come over, even the ones who left school. She looked at them, overcome by an indistinct anger. Why was she there alone, with two people who wouldn’t understand anything she said? She glared in their direction while they

alone again. Her boyfriend did not understand what she was going through; he only made it worse, said the wrong things, reacted the wrong way. She was getting annoyed of his presence. The saddest thing was not her family, or her friends, or her boyfriend, it was her father and how suffocated she felt for not being able to talk to him even though they lived in the same house. They couldn’t communicate and Anna knew she had to live with this for the rest of her life, on one level or another.

She was stuck there, in a life where she would never be able to open up to another human being again.l

DT

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Feature

FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

Shikor: The musical DNA of Bangladesh

n Saqib Sarker As far as reaching an international audience is concerned, this is the story of what could potentially be the most significant thing in the history of Bangladeshi roots music. ‘Shikor’ have all the elements to achieve what Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan did for Pakistani Qawali music.

25 years ago a young Bangladeshi - British man came to Bangladesh to explore Bangladeshi roots music.

“No! No! I’m not at all important in the story,” says Kishon Khan.

But readers will have to ignore him for now.

The young man wasn’t just any young immigrant kid with a sudden surge in interest about his origin, nor was he suffering from an abrupt identity crisis.

Kishon came from a sound and educated musical background and adequately informed about Bangladeshi folk music, thanks to his mom’s record collection in London. A musical chameleon seasoned through live performances, Kishon honed in his skills in the London sessions scene that operates within what he calls a “brutal meritocracy”.

“Having a classical training helped with technique and having a jazz training helped with improvising,” Kishon said.

With those training and his ethnic music experience in the London

immigrant communities in the 70s and 80s Kishon became a musical sponge.

“Meeting Nazrul was a life changing experience,” Kishon said.

Nazrul Islam is the most sought after dhol player in Bangladesh.

But he wasn’t quite as famous when Kishon met him in the 90s, around 1996. As a piano player the rhythm of dhol fascinated Kishon.

“Because piano is actually classed as a percussion instrument, you know,” he explained.

Fast forward to the present Kishon put together ‘Shikor Bangladesh All Star’ with Nazrul at the helm. “Shikor is the sound of Bangladesh,” Kishon said. The idea was to have a group that can represent Bangladeshi roots music at the “world music” scene, a term Kishon only accepts for the purposes of practicality.

There has been a growing scene of “world music” for the past few decades. Brazilian, Cuban, other Latin American music, and different indigenous African music came into prominence as a result. “How did the Brazilians internationalized their music?

Precisely through this route (World Music). That’s how Ravi Shankar did it for Indian music,” Kishon said.

When Kishon’s own band Lokkhi Terra, a UK based fusion outfit, were getting introduced often as the ‘sound of Bangladesh’ Kishon felt how necessary it was

to have authentic Bangladeshi musicians represent the true tradition. That is how Shikor was born.

But Kishon refuses to take any credit for making Shikor happen (other than producing the upcoming Soul of Bengal debut album). “Nazrul put together the group,” he insisted.

Naturally, with Nazrul’s immense experience in playing the roots music in Bangladesh he was the most qualified person to pick out other most skillful players and musicians.

So, Nazrul gathered together some of the most astounding Bengali roots players and singers.

Shikor have Nazrul on the dhol, Baby Akhtar, Rob Fokir and Labik Kamal Gourab on vocals, Jala Ahmed on the flute, Mokaddes on the dotara, and Biju on ektara, harmonium and percussions.

Shikor already played and startled WOMAD in 2015, the biggest World Music festival in the world. London Jazz News described the performance saying Shikor had “seriously incredible rhythms, incredible vocals..”.

The performance was acclaimed universally by critics.

Nazrul, the musical mastermind behind Shikor, is much too humble talk about his own achievement.

But he timidly related the story of how Zakir Hussain praised him after a performance and gave him the flower wreath that was presented to Hussain.

Nazrul is carrying the tradition of dhol playing from his forefathers. “My uncle was an absolutely unbelievable player.

Dhols actually spoke like a living thing in his hands,” he remembers.

When asked what was done differently in the album Nazrul said that having Kishon as a

The young man wasn’t just any young immigrant kid with a sudden surge in interest about his origin, nor was he suffering from an abrupt identity crisis

producers made it different. “A lot of the times we get called to play with an artist and there isn’t much coordination. He (Kishon) pushed us to give our absolute best,” Nazrul said.

Mokaddes, the dotara player, said that he wanted to quit at one point from album recording because he thought he couldn’t do it. Kishon smiled and said that

Mokaddes is unaware of his own ability. “I was pushing him to play what I already heard him play naturally. And he did it in the end,” Kishon said, looking extremely pleased and immensely proud.

Shikor’s album has already been released internationally on itunes.

The album is likely to be released in Bangladesh in July.l

PHOTOS: DHAKA TRIBUNE

DT

Editorial 11

FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

INSIDE

Think globally, act locally This is Bangladesh. We do things differently here PAGE 12

The fight for survival We pleaded, protested, screamed, demonstrated, conducted long marches, and organised civic meetings. The UNESCO has already expressed its concerns over a range of profit-seeking projects including the Rampal project in the Sundarbans

BIGSTOCK

PAGE 13

Trade with India needs a level playing field

Why Trump is good news Trump is good news because support for him indicates that a broad dissatisfaction with Republican leaders is translating into actual protest votes. It is good for the American democracy that Republicans may be forced to reconsider their economic policies and readdress how it affects the voters PAGE 14

Be heard Write to Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/ DhakaTribune.

The views expressed in Opinion articles are those of the authors alone. They do not purport to be the official view of Dhaka Tribune or its publisher.

I

ndia’s 12% countervailing duty on imports from Bangladesh actively hinders the ability of Bangladeshi businesses to export to the Indian market.

Bangladesh is supposed to have duty-free access to India.

However, one-sided non-tariff and para-tariff barriers are still keeping mutual trade grossly uneven, contrary to the aims of all recent trade talks between the two countries.

Bangladesh’s trade deficit with India exceeds $5 billion annually despite mutually agreed policies to open up borders and markets.

The commerce minister is right to have pointed out that the countervailing duty not only harms Bangladeshi exporters but is against the interest of Indian businesses.

Speaking at the Bangladesh India Cotton Fest 2016, attended by business organisations from both countries, he noted that India is by far the largest supplier of cotton used by Bangladesh’s garment industry. Bangladesh’s imports of cotton topped 6.1 million bales, worth about $2.2bn in 2015.

Demand is growing as garment exports increase, and India has a strong geographical advantage over suppliers from other nations.

However, if RMG makers are hampered by remaining non-tariff barriers from growing exports of finished goods to India, diversification of imports may become seen as more advantageous.

It is in the interest of both Bangladesh and India’s economies to prevent the possibility of tit for tat trade disputes and to free up barriers which limit mutual trade.

As prominent members of Saarc, our two countries should be leading the way in lowering non-tariff barriers.

More effort should be put into standardising certification and duty requirements, allowing mutual recognition of testing certificates for exports, and improving connectivity.

A level playing field is imperative to allow both countries to properly benefit from free trade.

As prominent members of Saarc, our two countries should be leading the way in lowering non-tariff barriers

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Opinion

FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

Think globally, act locally People don’t demand or expect high standards enough. Or when they do, they don’t really believe they will be delivered

n Asif Baul

T

here was a great picture this week of the nation’s media sitting on a lush green lawn at the feet of the former central bank governor, as he gave a press conference about his resignation.

“Don’t blame the scapegoat, I’m a good guy,” was the message.

And it seems that everyone, including the prime minister, has been rather impressed that such a prominent Bangladeshi official actually fell on his sword for the massive cyber heist of Bangladesh’s money from the New York Federal Reserve to casinos in the Philippines.

To be fair, most accounts say he had a generally good record, until, that is, he was caught out by the hackers, and dug a bigger hole by being slow to alert the government.

Even so, the atmosphere at the press briefing was quite the contrast to scenes in the Philippines senate this week -- a public hearing full of politicians and senior civil servants earnestly responding to press investigations and promising firm action to restore their country’s reputation.

Meanwhile. This is Bangladesh.

We do things differently here.

Nobody is in the least bit surprised that investigators can easily point a lot of responsibility for negligence inside the doors of the Bangladesh Bank.

Or that our governments rarely see problems coming and can be slow to react after things go wrong.

All true enough.

But if we all have to live with Bangladesh’s international

Everybody wants the best international standards -- after all, the hackers were looking for dollars

This is Bangladesh. We do things differently here

reputation for corruption and poor standards, the least that the government can do now is ask why the Fed wasn’t more careful then.

Or doesn’t duty of care apply even more when a customer has a poor reputation?

It’s a catch-22, I know.

Admit standards are low, and then you can’t complain if

Bangladesh is put on a watch list, however offensive and unfair it is to the majority of law-abiding and hard-working people in the country.

Don’t admit it and the country may face the same consequences anyway, as we have seen in a different context, with the UK’s embargo on direct cargo flights

because of Dhaka airport’s lax security. The same picture of problems being blissfully ignored, or actively swept under the carpet can be seen in many other areas.

Take the case of the MoghbazarMouchak flyover being built for left-hand driving because until a BUET team spotted the obvious error by the US consultant who designed it, nobody else apparently noticed or complained.

I can’t help asking: If any of the construction workers involved had spotted the problem, would they have been listened to? Sometimes, also, problems are not helped by a poor choice of priorities.

Authorities in Dhaka for instance, seem inordinately proud of the constant cycle of pavements being cleared of tea stalls, as if

this will make the city cleaner, or ease the congestion caused by the dearth of good public transport.

You can say the problem is poor government or corruption.

But surely, there is a deeper and wider malaise caused by low expectations and acceptance of poor standards? People don’t demand or expect high standards enough. Or when they do, they don’t really believe they will be delivered. If part of the reason for this is poor management, a bigger cause must be the lack of aspiration and investment in training the nation’s workforce and improving public infrastructure.

Or maybe, when it comes to schools and hospitals, that the influential and wealthy are too at ease with going private or abroad?

BIGSTOCK

Of course, it would be wrong to pretend there is a simple solution.

But the answer has to include aiming for best practice and high standards, doesn’t it?

We expect, or at least want, our cricket team to compete with the best, don’t we? And for our computers and phones to deliver the world to our fingertips.

Everybody deserves and wants the best international standards.

It’s the reason why so many people are worried about the safety and environmental hazards posed by Rampal and Rooppur.

And after all, when the hackers stole the nation’s cash, they were looking for dollars. l Asif Baul is an occasional compere and stand-up comedian.

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DT

Opinion

FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

The fight for survival We can’t afford to destroy the Sundarbans in the name of development. This is the second article in a series about the Rampal power plant

Don’t let this happen again

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

n Anu Muhammad

W

henever we appeal to stop the destructive Rampal project and the ORION coalbased power plant to safeguard our great Sundarbans, whenever we ask to cancel the Fulbari open pit project which damages a vast agricultural land and a large civilisation, whenever we protest against real estate developments which are damaging our river-ways by encroachment or by building dams -- the government officials or so-called pro-company specialists claim, in unison, that for the sake of development, we will need to inflict some harm to our country.

The oil spills in the Sundarbans were only a tiny illustration of such a “small harm.” When and how will those who are determined to cause much “greater harm” for “development” ever realise?

On December 9, 2014, 350 thousand litres of oil were spilled on a shallow river of the Sundarbans when an oil tanker capsized. Oil spread around Joymoni, Nondonala, Adarmanik, and Migogami regions. The vehicle was carrying furnace oil for a fuelbased power plant.

Due to high and low tides, the oil spread to a 60km area. A rescue ship was sent on December 11, and the tanker has been pulled out of the river. But it is evident that there are no strategies, no preparedness to respond to this level of catastrophe. The authorities seemed at a loss. There had been no effort to remove the spillages causing irreparable damage.

Earlier on September 12 and 30 that year, two other vessels carrying raw materials for cement capsized, damaging the waterway. What happened to any investigation on those incidents? We haven’t seen any government reports on them.

Rather, authorities in charge

We pleaded, protested, screamed, demonstrated, conducted long marches, and organised civic meetings. Scientists have asked for ‘special sensitivity’ to maintain sustainability of an incredibly bio-diverse ecosystem. The UNESCO has already expressed its concerns over a range of profit-seeking projects including the Rampal project in the Sundarbans

were busy suppressing reports on such incidents. That is why the government has not taken steps after those incidents.

How do oil containers get permits to pass through the Sundarbans? They get them for the sake of “development.”

The original river route for goods to be shipped from the Mongla Port is through Mongla-Gashiali channel via Bolleshor river, far away from the Sundarbans. That route is now closed, due to the enthusiasm of short-sighted developers and their “development programs.”

One such program, from the Water Development Board, builds dams and polders indiscriminately.

These dams obstruct riverways and create lands by filling up rivers with a huge amount of soil. These are built in the name of “development” with foreign loans, public money, recommendations from specialist consultants, and strong support from local real estate developers.

No one considers the consequences. There is unauthorised shrimp farming that closed many canals. No attention is given to consequences, only considerations made for individual gains and income in foreign currency.

The riverway has been closed for almost 12 years. In the beginning, goods ships operated illegally through the Sundarbans.

In 2011, BIWTA issued formal

approval. While initially 20 to 25 vessels had run daily, now over 150 are operating, which means even without any accidents, these carriers are polluting the ecosystem, and injuring wildlife.

The mentioned accident has not only caused great havoc to animals and rare creatures living in the water, it has also seriously impacted the livelihood of over 100,000 people. We will hear, for years, the long term effect on the Sundarbans.

The national committee to preserve oil-gas-minerals and electricity-ports in the last few years has been informing us of the significance of the Sundarbans.

It is the largest mangrove forest in the world, a great habitat for a vastly diverse fauna and a solid shield against natural disasters.

We pleaded, protested, screamed, demonstrated, conducted long marches, and organised civic meetings.

Scientists have asked for “special sensitivity” to maintain sustainability of an incredibly biodiverse eco-system. The UNESCO has already expressed its concerns over a range of profit-seeking projects including the Rampal project in the Sundarbans.

We have asked the government to cease all harmful projects to protect the Sundarbans. Instead of taking any steps to protect the forest, the government remained insensitive to the risks and permitted big vessels to operate in

the waterways near and through the Sundarbans. The government is building a number of coal-based power plants. Under different guises, numerous business organisations are being allowed to grab lands. The World Bank and USAID are funding these “development projects,” which would legitimise the grab, and would camouflage our doomed future with artificial glitter.

The prime minister has said that the government will do everything to protect the Sundarbans in an international conference after the oil-spill accident. On the other hand, the detrimental Rampal power plant has been inaugurated. The Indian NTPC, breaking its own country’s law, is in the driver’s seat here.

Furthermore, a local company, Orion, has been permitted to build another coal-based power plant.

Various government departments are busy underwriting activities to destroy the Sundarbans. Defying all logic and requests, the government is continuing the development of the coal-based power plant.

Meanwhile, ignorant local and international consultants continue to state: “The Sundarbans won’t be harmed, we will use advanced technology. Coal-filled ships will be fully covered and the chimneys will be very tall. Natural disasters will wash away the pollution.”

The accident, however, clearly demonstrates how exposed,

endangered, and defenseless this World Heritage site is, and how hazardous and troubling it is to let oil tankers travel through an immensely vital site of Bangladesh.

An investigation committee is formed; not much is hoped. Still, we all have to demand that the government takes all necessary actions to counter this damage.

At the same time, there has to be concerted national protests and efforts to immediately stop operations of coal-based power plants, including activities of NTPC and Orion. We have to strengthen the appeal to cease the festival of land grabs in the Sundarbans under the government’s jurisdiction.

In 2013, the Dhaka-Sundarbans long march ended in Digiraj.

These issues were raised there for immediate action. It was also demanded that a set of principles are developed, not only for protection, but also for the regeneration of the Sundarbans.

We have to fight the aggression of destroying the Sundarbans in the name of development.

Our existence will be threatened if the Sundarbans becomes extinct. To borrow a quote from the Latin American indigenous people: “As we pollute our water, air, land, and forests in quest for profits, soon we will have nothing other than the money left.

Only then, we may realise that we can’t live on money alone.”

To live, we need clean water, air, and food, and for our existence, we need forests and bio-diversity. Humankind cannot survive by launching so many lifeending development projects. l This article was translated by Irfan Chowdhury.

Anu Muhammad is Member-Secretary, National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power, and Port.

He is also a Professor of Economics at Jahangirnagar University. This article was first published on AlalODulal.org.

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Why Trump is good news Republican supporters who have come to distrust run-of-the-mill candidates have rallied behind Donald Trump

Not your average Republican candidate

n Arild Engelsen Ruud

F

or decades now, since the Reagan really, Republican presidents have been pursuing economic policies that have increased the gap between the rich and poor.

The middle classes in the US are in a squeeze, and the lower middle class, in particular, is reeling.

This is because the economic policies of the US government under Republican presidents have been reckless with the collapse of the economy under Bush Jr, with increasing unemployment, the burst of the housing bubble, and enormous bailouts to what surely must have been incompetent bank managers. And a budget deficit that necessitated government loans of a magnitude never seen before, and entailed complete dependence on Chinese goodwill.

Government spending on schools and health care, disaster prevention, etc were cut. All of this caused clear suffering for ordinary people throughout the US and, in particular, the poor.

What is really strange about all of this is that it happened with popular support. All these Republican presidents and congressmen and senators and governors were voted in with (more or less) a majority vote. So Bush Jr only scraped through, and only with the help of his brother, the governor in Florida, but he still secured close to 50% of the vote.

This is one of the great mysteries of American democracy: The popular support of policies

REUTERS

that are detrimental to the majority of the voters.

But there are answers. The republican vote throughout the US has always been about more than the economy. It has been about abortion, gun control, speed limits, immigration, and many other things. Above all, it has been about “government,” which many will utter only with contempt.

Support for the Republicans has come from people who do not like Washington. Who fear that the state will come and interfere in their lives. The ideal American to many is still the independent man who fends for himself, who relies on no one, who keeps his earnings, and creates a home and a life without anyone’s support. The man who makes his own fortune, the self-made man, who decides for himself what an ideal life is, the completely autonomous man, the maker of his own life.

In this version of a good life, the government is far away. In American mythology, self-image, and popular culture, the only legitimate state representative is the sheriff. And the sheriff is locally elected, and answers to locals. There is no other government, except corrupt politicians. When did you last see an American film that featured an honest politician?

Economic policy divides Democrats from Republicans, and so do their attitude to the government. Politicians who favour a strong state tend to belong to the Democrats.

Politicians who, with conviction,

received the short end of the stick.

These are still people who do not trust the government, who want less government and less state interference in their lives, possibly even at the cost of Obamacare. But they are people who have come to distrust the run-of-the-mill Republican presidential candidate.

The run-of-the-mill republican presidential candidates all look alike, all speak alike, and all hold the same views. They hold views that make most people in the world scared. There is no need for any general health-care they say, there is no man-made climate change they say, there is need to think twice about how to deal with ISIS -- just send the guns in, they say.

The answer to everything is force or private initiative. They all agreed in one of the early debates that climate change may

The only exception to the parade of the sleek, neoconservative presidential wannabes is Trump. The support for him amounts to a revolt within the Republican Party. He holds most of the same views, but he does not speak alike. In fact, he speaks in a way that has upset the rest of the pack as well as the Republican leadership.

And the more the leadership is upset and cringes at the thought of Trump winning the primaries, the more Trump looks good in the eyes of his supporters. They are against government, and so is Trump; they are against the Republican leadership, and so is Trump.

No other candidate, Republican or otherwise, can represent quite that set of values. Money rules in the Republican Party, more so than with the Democrats (although they

Trump is good news because support for him indicates that a broad dissatisfaction with Republican leaders is translating into actual protest votes. It is good for the American democracy that Republicans may be forced to reconsider their economic policies and readdress how it affects the voters

could say “less state” are Republicans.

Except that that is how you got cheated. The Republican leaders did not work for less state. The state remained the same, more or less, and actually increased substantially in armed forces, for instance, the state paid heftily to the military-industrial complex, as well as built up a hefty foreign debt that had to be serviced.

The only major section of society the state withdrew from was financial control, with the consequences that we have seen.

However, once the disaster had set in, the entire financial sector relied on state intervention to save their bacon. A strong state with enough money to bail out the incompetent bank managers had become necessary. The state debts increased and had to be serviced, school budgets were cut, and the bank managers and share holders got away with limited loss.

The reason why Trump is good news is that he represents the section of the Republican vote that

be happening or it may not be, but whatever the case might be, private initiative was the answer.

God help us all if any of them become president!

The Republican Party is elite controlled. The leadership is rich, very rich, and closely allied to other men of money. Their detachment and self-service is mind boggling, and their forked tongues come out in how they still advocate less government while accepting the huge bailouts after the economic crises under Bush Jr. But the forked tongue is invisible. With the help of crafty spin-doctors and communication advisers, as well as a media that plays along with the need to entertain, they manage somehow to portray themselves as ordinary, likeable blokes holding “commonsensical” views. In reality, they are a world apart from the everyday of the middle-class American, who fears loss of jobs to China or Mexico and who struggle to buy petrol and keep their kids in college.

are certainly no saints), and the rule of the rich has come to rub the ordinary Republican voter the wrong way.

So, I hope Trump wins the primaries. He is no hero, of course not, and he would be pretty bad as president. But if he wins the primaries, he will rub against the noses of the rich and their enormously unfair economic policies.

Trump is good news because support for him indicates that a broad dissatisfaction with Republican leaders is translating into actual protest votes. It is good for the American democracy that Republicans may be forced to reconsider their economic policies and readdress how it affects the voters.

And with Trump as the Republican candidate, the Democrats have an open field. l Arild Engelsen Ruud is Professor of South Asia Studies, Department of Culture Studies and Oriental languages, University of Oslo, Norway.

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INSIDE

NBR seeks BTRC help to prevent untaxed mobile handsets

The National Board of Revenue has sought help from telecommunication regulator in preventing the use of mobile phone handsets which entered the country through unauthorised channels without paying tax. PAGE 16

Yellen steers Fed with cautious hand, despite hints of inflation

Federal Reserve policymakers urging caution over interest rate hikes have gained the upper hand in the central bank’s internal debate, but the risk for the US economy is that they are wrong to downplay a recent rise in inflation. PAGE 17

World stock market rally runs out of steam A global stocks rally ran out of steam in Europe yesterday, as fading prospects of another US interest rate hike sent the euro surging, weighing on eurozone exporters. PAGE 18

GlaxoSmithKline CEO Witty to bow out in March 2017

GlaxoSmithKline said yesterday its Chief Executive Andrew Witty would retire in 12 months time, after leading the British drugmaker through a series of changes since 2008 that have failed to ignite the share price. PAGE 18

Global cotton suppliers eye Bangladesh market n Kayes Sohel

Bangladesh has become a lucrative market for global cotton suppliers as its cotton consumption continues to rise on the strong performance of apparel sector.

“It is one of the fastest growing sector. So, for us it is a very important market,” International Cotton Association (ICA) Vice-President Jurg Reinhart told the Dhaka Tribune in an interview recently.

Currently, suppliers, mostly from India, CIS and West Africa, supply cotton worth over $2 billion to local spinners annually, which accounts for 16% of the total $12 billion cotton export globally, according to the ICA. The country now consumes over four million bales of imported cotton a year with more than 15% consumption growth rate annually.

China is the biggest producer and consumer of cotton and its high local reserve leads to the reduction of cotton import, allowing for Bangladesh to become the largest importer in the world.

“Moreover, Bangladesh does not produce much domestic cotton,” said Reinhart.

Bangladesh cotton import continued to rise over the last five years. In 2015, the country imported a record over 6 million bales of cotton, up around 10% from 2014 and almost 40% from 2011, according to Bangladesh Textile Mills Association.

Since 2009, the country has been the world’s second largest exporter of clothing after China.

“Magical growth of garment industry will continue in Bangladesh,” said the ICA vice-president.

He said Bangladesh is a world leader in the export of ready made garments, and currently it projected to expand exports further by increasing production capacity and developing high-end products.

In this situation, Bangladesh needs an undisrupted and stable supply chain of cotton to keep the production with efficiency, added the ICA official.

“The ICA plays a vital role in the world’s cotton supply chain by giving protection to the producers, traders and consumers,” said Reinhart who along with his other colleagues visited Bangladesh as part of the celebration of 175 years of ICA, the Liverpool-based policymaking body for cotton trade.

International Cotton Association Vice-President Jurg Reinhart during an interview with Dhaka Tribune recently RAJIB DHAR It has a set of bylaws and rules to help regulate the sale and purchase of raw cotton.

Today 85% of the world’s cotton is traded internationally under ICA bylaws and rules. The rules have changed with time, but their aim remains the same to create a safe trading environment.

The ICA now has more than 550 members and its membership spans all corners of the globe and represents all sectors of the supply chain. It offers a range of services -- arbitration, training, trade and networking events, plus cotton testing and research.

“The rules are vital to keep the supply chain intact,” said Kai Hughes, ICA Managing Director.

Some cotton importers of Bangladesh are not fully unaware about the rules while executing cotton contracts.

“So, we are here to make them understand our rules better for better supply chain,” said Kai. On price volatility, the ICA said cotton prices have been subject to extreme volatility from 2008 with prices rising and falling by over 100% in value between 2010 and 2013.

During the period, the organisation provided protection of the buyers and sellers of cotton by developing mechanism.

David Cavalleri, a Switzerland-based cotton trader and Co-Founder and managing di-

rector of Faircot, said improving commitment to maintain the flow of better cotton throughout supply chain is needed for sustainable growth of textile industry.

Over the last few years, cotton price has declined below production cost in some growing regions, but the government should keep farmers happy to continue production, he said.

Hissam Khandker, a local cotton trader and director of Delcot Enterprises Ltd, said the ICA rules have played a part in Bangladesh’s cotton trade since independence.

It has created a safe environment for the cotton trade as it protects both buyers and sellers during price volatility and acts as an arbitrator to resolve disputes, he said.

The rules, however, need to be

better understood and spinners need to be encouraged to voice their views on how to adapt the rules to the growing needs of spinners, he added.

Over the last two years, many Bangladeshi cotton consumers have come forward to settle the disputes on cotton contract under the ICA rules, which basically help reduce defaulters, said Hissam.

“People need protection as they want to secure supply chain under the ICA rules to feed spinning mills that consume 60% raw materials from cotton.”

The ICA has selected a Bangladeshi spinner Salman Ispahani for 2017-18 as its president, emphasising the importance of cotton trade in Bangladesh, according to Hissam. l

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NBR seeks BTRC help to prevent untaxed mobile handsets n Tribune Report

The National Board of Revenue has sought help from telecommunication regulator in preventing the use of mobile phone handsets which entered the country through unauthorised channels without paying tax.

In a letter recently, the NBR customs wing made the request to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

The government is currently working on to start the registration of IMEI numbers It said the handsets which got to the market dodging tax could be identified using equipment identity registers.

According to market sources, a large number of handsets of popular brands in Bangladesh are coming to the market through different illegal channels.

They say the handsets are often brought by the “luggage party.”

The luggage party are the international travellers who use their luggage to bring handsets from abroad under the cover of other general items to dodge tax.

The brands mostly include Ap-

Handsets imported illegally do not have any warranty and are sold much cheaper than regular prices ple, Samsung, HTC and Blackberry. These handsets do not have any warranty and are sold much cheaper than regular prices, market sources say.

According to them, the most of handsets are also used, refurbished and low configured.

Bangladesh Mobile Phone Importers Association has long been urging the NBR to stop illegal im-

port of handsets as the importers using legal channels and paying tax are losing competition.

Officials say handsets can be identified using the EIR, a system that can check the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number and detect fake, clone and illegal handsets.

Every phone or mobile broadband device has a unique 15 digit

DHAKA TRIBUNE

code, which can be used to block a mobile phone from being used by another person or phone company if it has been lost or stolen.

The government is currently working on to start the registration of IMEI numbers, a unique number assigned to each mobile phone, and build a central database to catch criminals who use illegally imported phones. l

Call for steps to export Hamdard products n Tribune Business Desk A parliamentary subcommittee has asked the Hamdard Laboratories Bangladesh authorities to take initiatives for exporting its products.

It said the Hamdard products have a huge prospect of earning foreign exchange, reports UNB. Members of the subcommittee 1 of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Religious Affairs Ministry said this while visiting the Hamdard Laboratories at Meghna in Sonargaon of Narayanganj on Wednesday, said a Parliament Secretariat release yesterday.

After visiting the pharmaceutical company’s laboratories, the subcommittee members sat in a meeting at Hamdard University auditorium with its convener Syed Nazibul Bashar Maizvandary in the chair.

Hailing the activities of the company, the committee members said there is a huge prospect of earning foreign currency by exporting herbal products.

They assured the company of providing an all-out cooperation if it takes initiatives to export its products.

The subcommittee suggested the company authorities to place its detailed nformation before the parliamentary standing committee.

The information details sought include statistics related to its income and expenditures of the last fiscal and the current fiscal, and information related to its movable and immovable assets. l

Russia’s far east oil producers boost Asian sales n Reuters, Singapore The sales team at Sakhalin Energy on Russia’s far east still finds Singapore hot, but they’re flying in more often these days.

“We come out three times a year now to visit existing clients and make new connections,” said Alexander Tsarev, its general manager of crude oil marketing on a recent visit. “Personal contact is important, especially in a competitive market like this one. You have to be flexible and close to your partners.”

The oil and gas producer, based on Russia’s Sakhalin island, is one of a handful of far east Russian oil companies that are rapidly expanding their market share in Asia, the world’s fastest growing oil market.

Exploiting its proximity to northern Asia and the collapse of the rouble against the US dollar, Russia has become the fastest growing oil supplier to Asia at a time when Middle East exporters are distracted by in-

ternal strife and competition from US shale producers.

“Russian crude is really attractive to us due to its fast delivery time and also cheap prices,” said a spokeswoman from SK Innovation, which owns South Korea’s largest refiner.

China, Japan and South Korea together import more than 12 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude, twice the amount bought by the United States, the world’s top consumer.

Russia’s exports to China have more than doubled since 2013, steadily catching up with top supplier Saudi Arabia, according to data from Thomson Reuters Oil Research & Forecasts. Both countries supplied over 4 million tonnes of crude a month, or about 1 million barrels per day (bpd), by the end of last year.

‘Teapots’ rise

Russia has made the most headway in China, where the 4,900 km East-

ern Siberia–Pacific Ocean (Espo) oil pipeline, helped it beat out the Saudis to be the biggest exporter for several months last year. China also overtook Germany as Russia’s biggest oil customer.

Russian exports have been boosted by the emergence of China’s independent refiners, known as “teapots”, which have quotas to import the equivalent of about 20% of China’s crude imports, which have hit a record of 8 million bpd.

Russia’s oil has taken market share “because of the good mix of quality and price of Russian oil,” Li Xiangping, chairman of China’s largest private refiner Dongming Petrochemical Group, told Reuters on the sidelines of a recent event in Shandong.

Almost all of the teapots are gathered in the coastal Shangdong province and are connected by pipelines to mid-size terminals that cannot accept the massive supertankers used by Middle Eastern exporters.

Russia, by contrast, ships its oil in smaller vessels.

Not just china

Russia is also targeting the trading hub of Singapore and is making gains in Japan and South Korea, although its share of shipments there still lags well behind Saudi Arabia.

Between 2013 and 2015, Russia’s far eastern exports to South Korea doubled to more than 200,000 bpd, while shipments to Japan rose about 25% to 290,000 bpd, despite the country’s falling oil demand.

While the smaller ships needed to serve east-Russia’s smaller ports mean that its seaborne crude does not necessarily have a freight cost advantage over supplies from the Middle East’s cost-efficient super-tankers, the shorter distance poses a huge time advantage to refiners, buyers say.

A super-tanker at average speeds of 15 knots will take over 20 days to reach South Korea from

Saudi Arabia, while a journey from Russia’s Pacific far east takes just two or three days.

“The short distance and faster delivery of Russian crude makes it possible to refine crude early, therefore shortening the period between time of purchase and actual delivery, when refiners are exposed to variable factors,” said a trading source at a Japanese refinery.

Russia’s aggressive move into Asia has led Middle East producers like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq to re-focus their sales effort on Europe.

Russia itself is now eying the next big prize in oil markets, India, where demand has just pipped supply and growth now outpaces China.

Russian oil giant Rosneft is on a high profile visit to India this week to sign energy deals with several leading Indian refiners and firmly establish itself as a major supplier of the world’s fastest growing fuel market. l

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Emerging market currencies soar after Fed lowers rate forecast n AFP, Tokyo Emerging market currencies soared yesterday with the South Korean won rising at its sharpest rate in four years after the Federal Reserve lowered its forecasts for US interest rate hikes this year.

In a statement following the

Fed’s latest policy meeting, bank boss Janet Yellen cited concerns about the impact on the US economy of recent turmoil in global markets, weakness in China and Europe and the plunge in oil prices.

The comments came after the Fed said it saw a slower pace of rate rises than foreseen in December,

US Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen removes her glasses during a press conference following the two-day Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) policy meeting in Washington REUTERS

Yellen steers Fed with cautious hand, despite hints of inflation n Reuters, Washington Federal Reserve policymakers urging caution over interest rate hikes have gained the upper hand in the central bank’s internal debate, but the risk for the US economy is that they are wrong to downplay a recent rise in inflation.

In words that echo those of colleagues on the Fed’s dovish wing, Fed Chair Janet Yellen told a news conference yesterday that “caution is appropriate” when it comes to raising interest rates. She said she was not convinced underlying inflation had accelerated.

If Yellen is right, financial markets have ample warning for the gradual pace of rate hikes she said was likely.

But many private economists buy into the argument by an opposing faction within the Fed that U.S. inflation is indeed stirring.

They point to a range of recent data to back their view, including a reading yesterday showing underlying US inflation rose 2.3% in the 12 months through February, the biggest increase in more than three years. The Fed’s target is 2% inflation.

Faster price gains would likely trigger more aggressive rate hikes which Yellen in the past has warned could cause a recession.

“If we got to a point where the Fed had to raise (rates) quickly, it could be very destabilizing,” said Northern Trust economist Carl Tannenbaum, formerly an economist at the Chicago Fed. Yellen’s comments sounded much like those of a vocal faction of Fed policymakers, led by Governor Lael Brainard, who have argued publicly that the global economic slowdown could knock the US economy off course. Brainard just last week counseled against assuming that a tighter labor market would boost inflation.

However, the chair’s assessment that inflation may not yet have turned the corner to a more healthy trajectory runs counter to the view of Fed Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer, who warned this month that faster inflation might well be stirring.

If Fischer is right, Fed Chair Janet Yellen may have to change her tone as soon as the next policy meeting in April.

“Yellen will have a noticeable faction of the committee that’s anxious to tighten again,” said David Stockton, the Fed’s former research director who is now a fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. “They will need to be persuaded that the process is still in place, that this is not an indefinite pause.” l

when it announced its first hike in almost a decade.

While the decision to leave the key federal funds rate unchanged was expected, Yellen’s softer-than-expected tone surprised markets, sending the higher yielding currencies up against the dollar.

“The Federal Reserve has in-

spired Asian markets today,” Chris Weston, Melbourne-based chief market strategist at IG, wrote in a commentary.

“Clearly, when the Fed are concerned by heightened global risk and persistently low inflation expectations, the result is traders reaching for the buy button.”

Around 0400 GMT, the won led gains against the greenback, surging 1.72% - its sharpest jump since 2011.

The oil-linked Malaysian ringgit soared 1.36% as crude prices jumped, while Indonesia’s rupiah rose 1.11%.

The Thai baht and Taiwan dollar also booked healthy gains. l

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World stock market rally GlaxoSmithKline CEO Witty to bow out in runs out of steam March 2017 n AFP, London

A global stocks rally ran out of steam in Europe yesterday, as fading prospects of another US interest rate hike sent the euro surging, weighing on eurozone exporters.

The Frankfurt, London and Paris stock markets had opened brightly, following a largely upbeat session in Asia and overnight on Wall Street, but hit reverse gear as the morning progressed.

The British market also pulled lower in cautious deals before the latest monetary policy decision from the Bank of England, which is set to keep its key rate on hold at a record low 0.5%.

At about 1035 GMT, the European single currency soared to a five-week high at $1.1342, after the Fed scaled back plans to hike rates this year and left borrowing costs unchanged.

“European markets opened strongly yesterday... after the Fed kept rates on hold, but worry over strength in the euro meant gains did not last long,” said analyst Jasper Lawler at traders CMC Markets.

The stronger euro weighs on the share prices of eurozone exporters because it makes their goods more expensive for buyers using weaker currencies, which in turn dents demand.

‘Rapid’ euro appreciation

“The rapid appreciation of the euro has the potential to hurt eurozone exporters which have benefited from its weakness,” said Oanda analyst Craig Erlam.

Europe’s main stock markets also beat a retreat yesterday as investors took the opportunity to take profits following recent bumper gains.

“Profit-taking is pushing markets lower and in addition many traders are of the opinion that they

n Reuters, London

A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange shortly after the market REUTERS

The rapid appreciation of the euro has the potential to hurt eurozone exporters which have benefited from its weakness will be able to buy stocks cheaper in the not so distant future,” noted trader Markus Huber at City of London Markets.

“Many fund traders loaded up heavily on stocks in anticipation of these major central bank meetings and now have begun unloading by cashing in on some of the profits,” he told AFP. The biggest faller in Frankfurt was German airline Lufthansa, whose share price slumped more than five percent despite news of soaring 2015 profits.

Asian equities moved sharply higher yesterday as Fed chief Janet Yellen lowered expectations for US

interest rate hikes this year.

Global concerns

In a statement following the Fed’s latest policy meeting, Yellen cited concerns about the impact on the US economy of recent turmoil in global markets, weakness in China and Europe, and the plunge in crude prices.

Her comments came after the central bank cut its outlook for US growth for this year and painted a picture of the economy that was less upbeat than many had expected.

Crucially it forecast a slower pace of interest rate rises than foreseen in December, when it announced its first hike in almost a decade.

Yellen said policymakers had opted for “a slightly more accommodative path” given “soft” US business investment and weak exports in recent months.

The prospect of rates staying at ultra-low levels for some time boosted US shares, gains that extended into Asian trade.

Huber added that the Fed had “assured markets that ... rates won’t go up any time soon, which provides certainty” for investors. l

CORPORATE NEWS

Edison Group has recently contributed Tk 5lakh to Dhaka North City Corporation for setting up CCTV at Gulshan-Banani residential area in Dhaka, said a press release. The group’s chairperson, Aminur Rashid and its managing director, Jakaria Shahid handed over the cheque to Anisul Haque, mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation

GlaxoSmithKline said yesterday its Chief Executive Andrew Witty would retire in 12 months time, after leading the British drugmaker through a series of changes since 2008 that have failed to ignite the share price.

Witty, a 31-year company veteran, has been under fire from some investors in the past three years as sales and profits have flagged, while some have questioned his focus on a consumer health business that ranges from headache pills to toothpaste.

His reputation was further tarnished by a damaging bribery scandal in China that landed GSK with a record 3bn yuan ($463mn) fine in 2014.

On the plus side, Witty has managed GSK through a wave of drug patent expiries without resorting to a major acquisition and the company is now on track to return to earnings growth this year.

His decision to retire at the end of March 2017 is not a huge surprise, since Chairman Philip Hampton had already discussed the need for succession planning in meetings with some shareholders.

But the departure comes at a time of continued debate over the direction of GSK and investors may fear a period of limbo before a new CEO comes on board.

There have been calls from a minority of shareholders, including respected UK fund manager Neil Woodford, for a break-up of the group, with critics arguing its pharmaceuticals and consumer health units would do better as standalone businesses.

Witty, 51, has conceded in the past that spinning off the consumer healthcare division could be an option but he has argued this should not happen in the short term.

Deutsche Bank analyst Richard Parkes said that while a new CEO might turn to acquisitions to bolster GSK’s prescription drugs - a move that could be funded by a sale or spin out of consumer operations - an evolution of the current strategy was more likely than major change.

A $20bn asset swap with Novartis, completed a year ago, which involved the exchange of cancer drugs for the Swiss group’s consumer health products and vaccines, was a centre-piece of Witty’s time in charge.

The deal crystallized his idea of reducing exposure to premium-priced pharmaceuticals and increasing sales of over-the-counter products, as well as selling more

lower-priced medicines in emerging markets.

Stock underperformance

Not all investors have been convinced by the diversification play, however, and GSK shares have underperformed, returning an average 10% annually in the last five years against 14% on average for the European pharmaceuticals sector.

Recently, GSK stock has done better, largely on the back of its HIV drug business, which the company had considered spinning off in an initial public offering before deciding to retain it.

By doing so we will strongly position GSK to achieve the medium-term outlook set out to investors last year and deliver a return to core earnings growth in 2016 In explaining the decision to announce his retirement a year ahead of departure, Witty said it was important the board had sufficient time to conduct the search for his replacement.

“By doing so we will strongly position GSK to achieve the medium-term outlook set out to investors last year and deliver a return to core earnings growth in 2016,” Witty said.

GSK said its board would consider both internal and external candidates for the role of new CEO. Executive search firms Egon Zehnder and Korn Ferry have been engaged to help with the appointment.

Internal candidates could include GSK’s global pharmaceuticals head Abbas Hussain, leader of the consumer division Emma Walmsley and manufacturing head Roger Connor, as well as finance chief Simon Dingemans, a former Goldman Sachs banker.

Externally, GSK might try to snare a senior figure from a rival drugmaker, such as Novartis’ respected pharma head David Epstein, or else look beyond the drugs sector to an executive with broader experience in consumer products.

Chairman Hampton also announced plans for “board refreshment” at the drugmaker, with Deryck Maughan, Stephanie Burns, Daniel Podolsky and Hans Wijers not standing for re-election at the annual meeting in May. l

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Biz Info

FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

| dining |

| sport |

| launch |

Green curry

Surf all day at DU

Issey Miyake now in Dhaka

Green Curry Chicken(Kaeng Kiaw Wan Gai)is a dish of soft chicken interspersed beautifully with fresh green chilies, herbs, lemongrass, pepper, coriander, garlic and lemon leaves among other items.

Sweet basil leaves, round green eggplant and lemon leaves add to the overall lovely green hue in the final curry dish. It is often considered to be the most popular curry and reputedly the hottest,

The Bangladesh Surfing Association (BSA) has launched a day-long campaign among students to promote the experience of water sports.

Sponsored by BRAC Chicken and organized by BSA, large numbers of Dhaka University students took part in the daylong promotional campaign after registering their names and participating in a Facebook activation held Tuesday at the Dhaka University premise.

During the promotional campaign, senior surfer Saifulllah Sifat shared his thrilling experience of surfing with the participating students at Cox’s Bazar.

BSA general secretary

but you can request your desired spice level when ordering this dish at Absolute Thai. Priced at 295++ TK for lunch (served on a 1:1 basis), and 565 TK ++ for dinner (served on a 1:3 basis), the taste of Green Curry Chicken meshes well with Steamed Rice and can fit the budget for a reasonably priced meal in the cozy and thematic environment of Absolute Thai. l

Moazzam Hossain Chowdhury, BSA treasurer Aminul Islam Liton and BRAC representative Ummey Habiba, were among others, present at the occasion.

The second surfing competition will be held on April 22-24 at Cox’s Bazar.

The BSA will conduct more promotional campaigns at private universities and will provide free transportation and accommodation at Cox’s Bazar during the tournament for one or two lucky registered students through a lottery.

Sponsor BRAC will provide free food and also arrange for the lucky winners to surf with leading surfers of the country.l

| food |

| art |

Smoked Chicken Waffle at Iram’s cafe

Reincarnated blood, reincarnated glory

Iram’s cafe has just launched a new item in their menu earlier this month: Smoked Chicken Waffle.

“The most flavourful chicken that I have ever tasted in a waffle” says one of their customers. “I have tried waffles at different restaurants and cafes but the filling sandwiched between the waffles is just amazing” says another Each order comes with 2 Smoked Chicken Waffles and is served with a side of French fries.

This item can be shared or enjoyed by one.

Iram’s cafe is located at 32 Kemal Ataturk Avenue, FR Tower 1st Floor, in Banani. Mobile: 01729247267 (irams). Facebook: facebook.com/iramscafe l

In portraying the exchange of blood for freedom – one of the oldest narratives of our country’s history – artist Firoz Mahmud launched his most recent exhibition featuring, among other things, paintings made with blood of freedom fighters.

The exhibition, titled “Reincarnated Valiance of Durjoy” also featured Mahmud’s photography, video, sculpture, and installations in the theme of the freedom fighters of Bangladesh.

It is being held at the EMK

Centre, and was inaugurated by chief guest Nasrul Hamid (Bipu), and Professor Nisar Hossain and Abul Barq Alvi who attended as guest of honour.

Reincarnated Valiance of Durjoy is the culmination of a year-long research on freedom fighters of Bangladesh that Mahmud turned into different mediums of art.

One aspect highlights the freedom fighters who were wounded and lost their limbs during the liberation war of 1971.

In another series, the freedom fighters from 1971 are

set up, in 2016, with a machine gun and asked to pose – to portray how they would fight back today if they had to.

“In this series, I wanted to portray the expression of their reincarnated sense of awakening – as they had back in 1971,” Mahmud told the Dhaka Tribune.

Regarding the paintings in blood – that Mahmud painted himself, recreating historical scenes from the war, he said: “Whoever I speak to say we won our freedom in exchange for blood. In our history, the rhetoric of “in exchange of blood” has been very prominent, and so I wanted to feature that here.”

Another other series shows stories of freedom fighters inside meter boxes – photographs of them, their portraits, ID cards and more.

“Meter boxes are used to measure electricity, and this is a symbol, an expression to read our freedom fighters and their stories,” said Mahmud.

The exhibition will continue till March 31. l

The most recognisable Japanese name to fashion enthusiasts and perfume lovers alike, Issey Miyaki is known for combining tradition and cutting edge technology to provide garments that are not only undeniably chic, but also the last word in comfort and freedom.

His fragrances are just as popular. To-date, there are more than 10 fragrance lines in the Issey Miyake fragrance portfolio, each with its own distinctive design and fragrance and yet Issey Miyake’s philosophy has never deviated.

His goals are to create fragrances that convey a message, to inspire people with hope for a bright future, to present simple yet functional bottle designs that are at once accessible and universal, while never losing a sense of wonder.

Deshi fans of the brand now have cause to celebrate. On March 16, at a launching ceremony held at Four Points Sheraton, Bangla Perfumes Distributors Ltd, the leading top-brand fragrance distributor in the country introduced its newest family-member Issey Miyake now available in the domestic market.

Issey Miyake fragrances (both feminine and masculine lines) are already available from day one of March 2016 countrywide, exclusively at all retail doors of Bangla Perfumes.

It might be mentioned that for over the last 18 years Bangla Perfumes has been offering world class brand fragrances in the domestic market from their mother companies in UK, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, USA and many others. Its top rank line-up includes over 20 world class brand fragrances like Gucci, Dolce&Gabbana, Burberry, Versace, Thierry Muglar, Jimmy Choo, Cartier, Boucheron, Dsquared2, Boss Hugo Boss, Lacoste, Azzaro, Moschino, Escada, Mont Blanc, Victorinox, Swiss Army and many others. l

DT

Downtime

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FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

CROSSWORD Across 1 Deserve (4) 4 Stringed instrument (5) 8 Card game (6) 9 Honey drink (4) 11 Angry (5) 12 Copies (4) 14 Employ (3) 15 Satellite of Jupiter (6) 19 Jumpy state (6) 21 Step (3) 22 Allege as a fact (4) 24 Closes up (5) 27 Writing fluids (4) 29 Shade of meaning (6) 30 Famous (5) 31 Dutch cheese (4)

DOWN 1 Tree (3) 2 Harvester (6) 3 Bare (4) 4 Greek letter (3) 5 Mistake (5) 6 Meadow (3) 7 Musical dramas (6) 10 Comfort (4) 13 Bishop’s territory (3) 14 Complete agreement (6) 16 Country (init) (3) 17 Laid bare (6) 18 Recreational area (4) 20 Worth (5) 23 Holding device (4) 25 Insect (3) 26 Sorrowful (3) 28 Result of addition (3)

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 8 represents H so fill H every time the figure 8 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 DE FG H I J K L MN 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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World 21

FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

INSIDE

POINTS TAKEN

What a President Trump would do?

US: Dae’sh committed genocide against Christians, Shias The Dae’sh militant group has committed genocide against minority Christians and Yazidis as well as Shia Muslims, US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Thursday, a finding that is unlikely to greatly change US policy toward the group.

PAGE 22

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who scored major victories in a series of nominating contests, has been criticised by the GOP establishment and rival politicians for being vague on policy specifics and heavy on rhetoric.

Here is a closer look at what Trump has said he would do on trade, taxes, the economy, immigration, healthcare and defence should he become the nominee and win the November 8 election. The policies are drawn from a review of his website, stump speeches, debates and town halls, and televised interviews--

Trade

Obama dares GOP to let Clinton, Trump pick SCOTUS justice By nominating an uncontroversial judge, President Barack Obama gives Republicans an unwelcome election-year proposition: Approve him or risk letting Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump pick a Supreme Court justice you might like even less.

PAGE 23

Why did al-Qaeda launched an attack on Ivory Coast?

Plagued by civil wars, coups and massive foreign debt, life in the Ivory Coast has not been in easy in recent years.

PAGE 24

Trump has complained that China, Japan, Mexico, Vietnam and India are “ripping us off ” by devaluing their currencies and keeping out some US exports. He would not sign the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact and would renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) with Mexico and Canada.

He would designate China a currency manipulator and impose countervailing duties on its exports. He also wants to pursue a World Trade Organisation case on Chinese government programmes that subsidise exporters. Trump has said he would put activist investor Carl Icahn in charge of negotiating a better trade relationship with China.

Taxes

Trump has pledged to cut and simplify taxes. Individuals making less than $25,000 per year and married filers earning less than $50,000 would not pay income tax. There would be three other brackets, down from seven currently, with a top marginal income tax rate of 25%, and a top rate for long-term capital gains and dividends of 20%. Charitable giving and mortgage interest deductions would remain unchanged. Other deductions would be trimmed in the highest tax brackets. He would eliminate the alternative minimum tax, the estate tax, and the carried interest tax break that allows investment fund managers to treat income as capital gains.

The corporate tax rate would be cut to 15%, down from the current level of 35%. He would phase in a “reasonable cap” on deductions for business interest expenses and would cut other corporate loopholes. Trump would impose a one-time 10% “deemed repatri-

A supporter shows his tattoo before Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's campaign rally in Ohio ation” tax on deferred corporate overseas profits and would end deferral of income from foreign subsidiaries. The Tax Foundation, an independent policy research group, has said Trump’s plan would cost more than $10tn over the next decade.

Economy

Trump has pledged to get rid of the $19tn deficit by boosting jobs, and cutting government waste, but he has not released a formal policy paper on how he would do this. He has said he would not cut the Medicare and Medicaid health care programmes for senior citizens and low income Americans, nor Social Security retirement benefits. He would cut the Education Department and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Immigration

Trump has promised to build a high wall at the southern border to keep out illegal immigrants that he has said would cost $10bn to $12 bn. Mexico would pay for the wall or face consequences, his campaign said. Trump would “impound” remittance payments to Mexico from undocumented workers, and increase visa and border crossing fees for Mexican workers. Applying tariffs on Mexican goods and cutting foreign aid are also “options,” his campaign has said on his website. He would deport the 11m undocumented people living in America and end “birthright citizenship” for children born in the US to illegal immigrants. He has called for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the US and would not allow

refugees from Syria. Trump would triple the number of border agents and require all businesses to use the federal database to ensure employees are in the country legally. Trump’s campaign has also said he would “pause” new green cards and require employers to hire American workers first.

Health care

Trump has said he would repeal the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, and replace it with a system of health savings accounts. He would still require insurers to provide coverage to people with preexisting medical conditions, a key feature of Obamacare. He would move to allow insurance companies to sell plans across state lines to spur competition. Trump has said he could save the government $300bn by negotiating better prices with drug companies.

Dae’sh

Trump has promised to “knock out” Dae’sh quickly and said he is open to working with Russia to do so. He has said he would “bomb the oil” that helps finance the insurgent group and stop the “back channels of banking” used by the group. He has vowed to bring back the use of waterboarding, an interrogation technique that simulates drowning and has been banned as torture under US law.

He said he also supports other, unspecified techniques “a hell of a lot worse” than waterboarding.

He would “take out” the family members of Dae’sh militants and would like to shut down “areas” of the Internet to try to stop the

REUTERS

Donald Trump 69 Married 3 times, 5 children Born in Queens, New York, son of a rich property developer 1971 Takes over his father’s business, building luxury towers, casinos, hotels.

Builds his fortune into billions 2012 Having been a Democrat, and an independent, he returns to Republicans, ditching his liberal views 2015

Announces he will run for the Republican presidential nomination

group from recruiting members.

He wants to build a “safe zone” for Syrian refugees in Syria. But Gulf states would have to pay for it. He has said the US should first deal with Dae’sh before addressing President Bashar al-Assad’s future, saying “We have to do one thing at a time.”

Defence

Trump has said he would increase the size and power of the US military to make it “so strong, so powerful that nobody’s going to mess with us.” He says too much money is wasted buying equipment the military does not want. He wants Japan, Germany, South Korea and Saudi Arabia to bear more of the cost of military aid provided by the US. “We can no longer defend all of these countries,” he said, citing the deficit. l

Source: REUTERS

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US: Dae’sh committed genocide against Christians, Shias n Reuters, Washington, DC

The Dae’sh militant group has committed genocide against minority Christians and Yazidis as well as Shia Muslims, US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Thursday, a finding that is unlikely to greatly change US policy toward the group.

“The fact is that Dae’sh kills Christians because they are Christians. Yazidis because they are Yazidis. Shias because they are Shias,” Kerry said, and accusing it of crimes against humanity and of ethnic cleansing.

US lawmakers urged Kerry last year to make a determination on whether atrocities committed by the militant group against Christians and other religious groups amounted to genocide. This week the House of Representatives passed a resolution labeling the group’s violence against religious and ethnic minorities as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

While the genocide finding may make it easier for the US to argue for greater action against the group, it does not create a legal obligation on

the US to do more.

On Wednesday, a State Department spokesman Mark Toner said: “Acknowledging that genocide or crimes against humanity have taken place in another country would not necessarily result in any particular legal obligation for the United States.”

Dae’sh group’s videos depict the violent deaths of people who stand in its way. Opponents have been beheaded, shot dead, blown up with fuses attached to their necks and drowned in cages lowered into swimming pools, with underwater

cameras capturing their agony.

US President Barack Obama has ordered air strikes against the group but has not made any large commitment of US troops on the ground.

Kerry argued that the US has done much to fight the group since the start of air strikes in 2014, but did not directly answer a question on why the Obama administration had not done more to prevent genocide.

Historians have asked the same question about Darfur and Rwanda, both places where the US also concluded that genocide had taken place.

Dae’sh militants have exploited the five-year civil war in Syria to seize areas in that country and in neighboring Iraq, though U.S. officials say their air strikes have markedly reduced the amount of territory the group controls in both.

On-again, off-again peace talks got under way this week in Geneva in an effort to end the civil war, in which at least 250,000 people have died and millions have fled their homes. A fragile “cessation of hostilities” has reduced, but not ended, the violence over the last two weeks. l

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SOUTH ASIA

FACTBOX

Legal hurdles to EU-Turkey migrant deal Leaders of the European Union and Turkey aim to finalise a broad agreement at a Brussels summit on Thursday and Friday to pave the way to an end to Europe’s migration crisis.

First, however, a number of legal obstacles must either be cleared or sidestepped.

Following are the three main issues complicating a deal by which Turkey would take back all refugees and migrants reaching Greek islands in return for cash to help Syrians in Turkey, the resettlement of some Syrians from Turkey to the EU, revived talks on Turkey joining the EU and easier EU visas for Turks--

EU visa liberalisation for Turks The EU wants to waive visa requirements for Turks only once the Ankara government fulfils 72 conditions.

A European Commission report of March 4 found 19 of those were already met and most of the others were met in part. Three notably need to be implemented: sign a pact with EU police agency Europol; adopt EU

data protection rules; and waive visa requirements for all EU citizens whatever their nationality. While nationals of nine EU member states need visas to visit Turkey, it is citizens of Cyprus whose status may be toughest for Ankara to change. At present, to enter Turkey, sponsor of the breakaway state in northern Cyprus since 1974, EU citizens from Cyprus must accept being registered as subjects of the “Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus”. Differences with Cyprus have long hampered EU-Turkish relations, although hopes have risen for a UN-brokered peace settlement to reunite the island. Any agreement on visa waivers requires endorsement by the European Parliament, where many lawmakers are uneasy about the risk of Turks abusing short-stay rules or seeming to reward Turkey while accusing its leaders of turning more authoritarian.

Turkey as a safe third country For Greek and EU authorities to deport

people arriving on Greek islands back to Turkey without processing their claims for asylum, it is necessary to consider Turkey a “safe third country” -- ie neither the country of arrival nor the migrant’s home country -- where they will be treated as refugees under the Geneva Convention. Such determinations are made not at EU but at national level and the plan is to carry out such expulsions under a bilateral “readmission” pact between Greece and Turkey. But Greek officials have said it has as yet no list of safe third countries. And lawyers note that, although Turkey treats many refugees, notably Syrians, well, it has limited itself to applying the protections of the Geneva Convention only to people fleeing from Europe, not other parts of the world.

Deportation and resettlement The UN top human rights official says the plan to send back to Turkey everyone, even Syrians, who lands without the right papers on Greek

islands, risks consisting of illegal “collective and arbitrary expulsions”.

Under EU law, all those who claim asylum have a right to have their individual case considered, and to have an ability to appeal -- a process incompatible with swift mass deportations from remote islands.

The legal underpinning of any final accord on expulsions from Greece, as well as for the return to Turkey of migrants picked up at sea by Nato warships, may well come down to an EU or Greek declaration that Turkey is a safe third country capable of handling the relevant asylum claims.

Further clarification is also needed on how, and by whom, Syrians will be selected for resettlement directly from Turkey to the EU. Europeans would take one Syrian for every one sent back from Greece to Turkey -although EU officials say those who have gone to Greece will go to the “back of the queue.” l

Source: REUTERS

ANALYSIS

By nominating an uncontroversial judge, President Barack Obama gives Republicans an unwelcome election-year proposition: Approve him or risk letting Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump pick a Supreme Court justice you might like even less.

Obama’s selection of appellate judge Merrick Garland landed with a bang the morning after primaries in Florida, Ohio and other key states made clear that Clinton and Trump will be their parties’ presidential candidates, barring extraordinary circumstances.

Republican leaders still insist that the next president should choose the replacement for the late Antonin Scalia, the influential conservative and apex court’s most provocative member. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Kentucky) called it “an issue where we can’t agree.”

But Obama’s successor could be a Democrat.

Republicans recognise that if Clinton wins the presidency, she could nominate someone far more liberal than Garland, who is regarded as a centrist. At the same time, the Republican establishment is extremely wary of the unpredictable Trump and desperate for an alternative presidential candidate.

A Democratic victory at the presidential level could be accompanied by a return of the Senate to Democratic control, further

Conflict-plagued Myanmar plans ethnic ministry Myanmar’s incoming government announced plans Thursday to create a ministry for ethnic affairs, marking the importance it places on relations with minorities in a country scarred by festering civil wars and sectarian tensions. The move was contained within a wider civil service reform plan announced in parliament that aims to streamline the unwieldy junta-era bureaucracy.

-AFP

INDIA

Muslim students attacked over beef rumours in Rajasthan Four Kashmiri Muslim students were allegedly beaten up in Rajasthan over rumours that they were cooking beef in their dormitory.

The incident took place on Monday at the Mewar University. Police arrested the students on charges of breaching the peace after rumours the men were cooking beef sparked protests, an official said Thursday.

The students were granted bail on Wednesday and have since been released.

-AFP

CHINA

Obama dares GOP to let Clinton, Trump pick justice n Tribune Desk

DT

World

US Supreme Court

Known ideological leaning of the justices Nominated Liberal leaning

by President Barack Obama

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Merrick Garland Considered a centrist who would tip the balance in favor of liberals

Currently serving

Stephen Breyer

Conservative leaning

Anthony Kennedy

Samuel Alito

Elena Kagan

Confirmation subject to a vote by the Senate

complicating Republicans’ ability to prevent Democrats from getting their way. Republicans are fighting their toughest Senate races this year in states like New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Illinois, where Democrats are hoping independent-minded voters will be turned off by the Republicans’ hardline position.

Not only do many Republicans fear a Trump nomination would hurt them, many conservatives doubt Trump is really one of them.

Trump’s suggestion Wednesday that he is mainly taking policy advice from “myself” added uncertainty about what kind of justice he would pick.

Supreme Court Top US judicial body and final arbiter on fundamental legal matters such as abortion, racism, gay marriage rights, death penalty

Cambodia’s PM denies buying up Facebook likes John Roberts Chief Justice

The justices are appointed for life

Democrats are already pressuring Republicans to change their stance on filling the Supreme Court seat. Within minutes of Garland’s nomination, Senate Minority leader Harry Reid (Nevada) accused Republicans of “blindly taking their marching orders” from Trump.

Dan Pfeiffer, Obama’s former senior adviser, said the combination of Garland’s profile and a looming Trump nomination had increased pressure on Senate Republicans.

Clinton’s string of recent primary wins added another element of intrigue to the Supreme Court fight.

If she’s elected and Democrats recapture the Senate, Republicans

China resumed ties with former Taiwan ally Gambia on Thursday, ending an unofficial diplomatic truce between China and Taiwan following January’s landslide election. The small West African state was one of a few African countries, along with Burkina Faso, Swaziland to recognise Taiwan, which China regards as a wayward province to be recovered by force if necessary.

-REUTERS

ASIA PACIFIC

Clarence Thomas

Sonia Sotomayor

With Gambia move, China ends diplomatic truce with Taiwan

might choose to confirm Garland before Clinton takes office.

“I think that’s self-evident,” said Arizona Senator Jeff Flake, one of the only Republicans agreeing to even meet with Obama’s nominee. “Between him and somebody that a President Clinton might nominate, I think the choice is clear.”

Clinton, in her response to Obama’s nomination, praised Garland as a “brilliant legal mind” and urged senators to confirm him.

No Republican has yet broken with McConnell by calling for Garland to get a vote, though Senator Susan Collins from Maine called for a hearing. l

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen denied buying fake likes for a Facebook page Thursday, as the country’s rival politicians increasingly battle for social media acclaim. 63-year-old Hun Sen has recently taken to the web with gusto, posting daily Facebook updates.

The strongman’s Facebook page, minted in September, has already garnered 3.2m likes.

-REUTERS

MIDDLE EAST

Kurds declare federal region in north Syria Syria’s Kurds on Thursday declared a federal region in areas under their control in the north of the conflict-riven country, but both the government and an opposition coalition rejected the move. The announcement is likely to anger neighbouring Turkey and has complicated peace talks in Geneva aimed at ending the five-year civil war.

-AFP

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USA

EIU: Trump victory a major global risk The prospect of Donald Trump winning the US presidency represents a global threat on a par with jihadist militancy destabilising the world economy, according to British research group the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). In the latest version of its Global Risk assessment, the EIU ranked victory for the Republican front-runner at 12 on an index where the current top threat is a Chinese economic hard landing rated 20.

-AFP

THE AMERICAS

Brazil’s Lula sworn-in amid massive protests Leftist leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was sworn in as President Dilma Rousseff ’s chief of staff on Thursday amid a deepening political crisis as protests against his appointment continued for a second day and a judge sought to block the move. Earlier, a secretly recorded phone call between Lula and Dilma Rousseff, suggests his appointment to a ministerial position on Wednesday was motivated by a desire to avoid prosecution in Brazil’s worst-ever corruption scandal.

-REUTERS

UK

Record number of children arrested for terrorism British police arrested a record number of children for terrorism offences last year and the number of women detained also soared. 16 children aged under 18 were held in 2015, up from 10 the year before and the highest number ever recorded, according to figures from the Home Office.

-AFP

EUROPE

Bulgaria, Macedonia to hold joint op to control border Balkan neighbours Bulgaria and Macedonia will hold joint air and land operations along their common border to ensure control of it amid an increased flow of migrants, the Bulgarian government press office said. Last week, Macedonia closed its border completely to illegal migrants after Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia announced tight new restrictions on migrant entry.

-REUTERS

AFRICA

Cameroon soldiers kill 20 Boko Haram fighters Cameroonian soldiers killed 20 Boko Haram fighters on Wednesday during a raid in northern Nigeria carried out by a multinational force tasked with stamping out the jihadist militants, military sources told. The fighters were killed in the Nigerian town of Djibrila, which is about 10km from the Cameroon border.

-REUTERS

ANALYSIS

Why did al-Qaeda launch an attack on Ivory Coast? n Tribune Desk

Plagued by civil wars, coups and massive foreign debt, life in the Ivory Coast has not been in easy in recent years.

It’s one saving grace, as its citizens look to nearby countries like Mali and Nigeria, is that they have spared the kind of extremist terrorism that is tearing much of the rest of west Africa apart.

Now, though, courtesy of Sunday afternoon’s bloodshed at the country’s Grand Bassam beach resort, Ivory Coast joins the growing club of nations to have experienced random mass slaughter by jihadist extremists.

The attack has been claimed by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), whose main operating bases are far away in the Sahara desert, more than 1600km north of the lush palms of Grand Bassam.

Nor does the group have any particular quarrel with the Ivory Coast, whose coup-wracked army these days is much too weak any way to play any major part in the regional counter-terror programmes.

Instead, the reason AQIM sent its gunmen to rampage there was simply to make their presence

A soldier stands over a person killed on a beach after an attack in Grand Bassam, Ivory Coast on Sunday REUTERS known - just as they did in November’s Radisson hotel attack in Mali, and January’s similar atrocity in Burkina Faso.

“They are trying achieve a kind of domino effect, starting with Mali, then Burkina, Ivory Coast, and next it will probably be Ghana or Senegal,” said Yan St Pierre, of the German Modern Security Consulting Group. “It is simply about expanding their zone of influence as much as possible.”

The reason for this, he says, is partly down to a growing rivalry

between the Mokhtar Belmokhtar, the leader of AQIM, and the growing Dae’sh presence in Libya, where the group now controls the country’s former dictator Muammaer Gaddafi’s home city of Sirte.

While the two groups share many similar aims, Dae’sh’s presence serves as a constant reminder to AQIM that unless they too produce regular terrorist spectaculars, would be-recruits may lose interest in joining them.

Nor is Ivory Coast a particularly hard target. None of west Africa’s

poverty-stricken states are blessed with particularly strong borders and elite counter terrorism forces.

A model of stability in the 30 years after independence from France in 1960, it has been marred for the last two decades by coups and post-election violence.

Laurent Gbagbo, the former president, is currently in the dock at The Hague over bloodshed that killed some 3,000 people when he refused to step down in 2010.

A 7,000-strong UN peacekeeping force - sent to Ivory Coast after a previous outbreak of violence in 2002 - does its best to maintain stability, while efforts have also been made since last year to tighten the border with Mali.

But weapons remain easy to get hold of on the Ivory Coast’s black market.

Until now, those conflicts have owed more to local grievances rather than some grand imported cause of transnational jihad. But AQIM would be only too happy to give Ivoirians another reason to squabble. l

[The full version of the article was published on The Telegraph. You can find it at http://bit.ly/1P8bDdX]

Q&A

Is the far-Right on the rise again in Germany?

Germany’s new anti-immigration party, AfD, has had a stunning rise. What does it portend for Germany?

What is Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) and where did it come from?

AfD is an anti-immigrant party that was founded in 2013. It grew out of a Eurosceptic protest Electoral Alternative 2013 which was set up to campaign against the German federal government’s handling of the eurozone currency crisis. The party held its first convention in Berlin on April 14, 2013, backed by many of the same economists who had supported Electoral Alternative 2013. Frauke Petry, a British-educated entrepreneur was among three prominent figures elected as speakers for the party. In the 2013 federal election AfD won 4.7% of the vote, narrowly missing the minimum 5% threshold needed to enter the Bundestag.

So how did they rise so fast?

By lurching hard to the Right to capitalise on rising anti-immigrant sen-

timent in Germany that followed Angela Merkel’s decision to publicly welcome migrants to Germany last summer. The party has also been effective in mobilising turnout among blue-collar voters who historically had not voted in large numbers. According to exit polls from the 2016 regional elections, some 40% of AfD voters said they had not voted in the previous election – but had been motivated this time to vote.

More about AfD’s leader Frauke Petry When AfD was in its infancy, Petry was a leading voice in the anti-immigration national conservative faction.

Her grouping seized power in a party coup in June 2015, repositioning the party dramatically further Right.

Her suggestion that German border guards should shoot illegal immigrants caused uproar: “If necessary, [they] should use firearms,” she told a local German newspaper in February, “I don’t want this, but the use of armed force is there as a last resort.”

When asked if that extended to open-

ing fire on women and children, she replied: “Yes”.

So is AfD far-Right, or just Rightwing?

Labels and generalisations are always dangerous – but like Britain’s UKIP party which has had its embarrassing episodes, the AfD’s ranks certainly contain elements that would be considered ‘far-Right’ in most of Europe.

The AfD sits in the same European Parliament grouping as the British Conservative Party, but has been accused of being the “smiling face” of the overtly far-Right Patriotic Europeans against the Islamisation of the Occident (Pegida) party which staged a number of large anti-immigrant rallies in Germany last year. The party’s critics have, however, accused it of being the political wing of Pegida, noting that many of its policies – such as “zero” immigration and advocating that all German women should have three children, have dark historical overtones. Party members have also described rival politicians as Volksverräter, or “traitors to the people”, a slur

the Nazis used against their enemies – a phrase officially disowned by the AfD leadership, but which serves as a dog-whistle for far-Right element in German politics. The party campaigned on a promise to reduce the focus on teaching the Nazi period in schools, a controversial policy in a country where guilt over the crimes of the World War II still looms large.

So how far can AfD go? Could they really be a force in German politics?

The AfD have proved with this result they are a force to be reckoned with, but they are unlikely ever to get into power. Germany’s proportional voting system means most government are coalitions, and all the other parties have vowed never to go into coalition with the AfD. What they could do is fragment the political landscape by taking votes away from the traditional parties, Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats and the rival Social Democrats and making it harder for them to form coalitions. l

Source: THE TELEGRAPH

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FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

Edwards-inspired England women overcome Bangladesh

INSIDE

Dancing Gayle like Viv Richards: WI coach

n ICC

When the WI won their sole World T20 title in 2012 they famously celebrated by performing “Gangnam Style”. If they triumph in India they’ll be dancing to a different tune. Chris Gayle performed a little jig in Mumbai after smashing a 47-ball ton. PAGE 26

India-Pakistan fans switch sides on FB Cricket fans from India and Pakistan have switched sides on social media ahead of a hotly awaited World T20 clash, in protest over tensions between the nuclear-armed countries. Fans from the cricket-mad nations have swapped support for their teams on Facebook. PAGE 27

Bangladesh women's captain Jahanara Alam (R) celebrates the wicket of England cricketer Tamsin Beaumont (L) during their ICC Women's World T20 match at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru yesterday AP

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger hailed Barcelona’s front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar as capable of turning football into art. “We have to admire art and they have two or three players that transform life into art.” PAGE 28

Djoker gains revenge, Nadal advances Novak Djokovic avenged his only loss of 2016 with a ruthless 6-3 6-3 victory over Feliciano Lopez as the Serbian top seed eased into the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open on Wednesday. He has his sights set firmly on title victory in California. PAGE 29

BRIEF SCORE England women 153/7 (Charlotte Edwards 60; Jahanara Alam 3/32) beat Bangladesh women 117/6 (Nigar Sultana 35, Salma Khatun 32) by 36 runs P-O-M: Charlotte Edwards (England) Following the end of the game, Jahanara said, “It’s a good score for us, we lost, but it’s encouraging.

We lost some wickets but Salma and Joty (Nigar) batted well, so it’s a good day for us. I have not been in good form, it’s good to get some wickets but I’m not happy, next time I’d like to concede fewer runs.” l

Soumya, Tigers still eyeing semis Uddin Khan n Minhaz from Bangalore

Barca artists are best Wenger’s ever seen

As expected, it was victory for England yesterday, but Bangladesh’s women did themselves proud as they put on a decent chase and reached their highest ever Twenty20 international total, their previous best being 115. They let England have a few too many runs, with Charlotte Edwards’ 60 the clincher for England, but the partnership between Nigar Sultana and Salma Khatun was a highlight for the minnows, a definite improvement for them. Next up for England are the hosts India, while Bangladesh will face the West Indies in Chennai this Sunday.

Batting first, captain Edwards top-scored with 60 from 51 balls and some late hitting by Natalie Sciver, Danielle Wyatt and Katherine Brunt guided England to 153/7. Bangladesh skipper Jahanara Alam picked up three wickets while former captain Salma, Fahima Khatun, Khadija-tul Kubra

and Rumana Ahmed all bagged a scalp apiece.

In reply, Bangladesh kept losing wickets in clusters and only a fine 64-run partnership for the fifth wicket between stumper-batter Nigar and Salma enabled their side past the 100-run mark. Bangladesh eventually managed 117/6.

A journalist covering an international series or a multi-nation cricket tournament will often find himself sharing inter-city flights with the participating teams.

Yesterday, the Bangladesh cricketers flew to Bangalore from Kolkata for their two upcoming Group 2 matches against Australia and hosts India, both scheduled to be held at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

During the two-hour, forty-minute flight, the Tigers were joined by a few Bangladesh journalists covering the 2016 World Twenty20.

Bangladesh had lost their first game in the Super 10 phase against Pakistan last Wednesday. They fell to a comprehensive 55-run defeat at Eden Gardens in Kolkata so the cricketers seemed a little dejected for obvious reasons.

Tigers limited-over captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza however, did not allow the grimness to prevail for long. Considered the biggest motivator of the side, Mashrafe found a way to keep his charges engaged in joyful conver-

sations, let it be a senior or the junior-most member. At times, head coach Chandika Hathurusingha and Akram Khan, chairman of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s cricket operations committee, joined the cricketers in light conversations. And more often than not, the conversations ended in loud laughters.

Like Mashrafe, Hathurusingha and Akram, opening batsman Soumya Sarkar too believes a single defeat should not be a cause for concern. The left-hander, who has been struggling to score runs recently, said team morale is intact and that the Tigers are still aiming to qualify for the semi-finals.

“I do not think this [loss] should matter much. It was their (Pakistan) first game while for us, it was the fourth. We won two of the three matches in the qualifiers so losing a game here should not worry us. There can be bad days on the field. We are looking to turn the tables around in the next game. We are eyeing the semis,” Soumya told this correspondent at Bangalore Domestic Airport yesterday.

Among a few concerns, Soumya’s off-form is worrying the

Bangladesh team management the most. The southpaw made a flying start to his international career and gifted the side with some brilliant knocks. However, in recent times, he has been going through a bad patch. As a result, the Tigers were often unable to post a good start to their innings.

Soumya though informed that he is getting all the support in the world and that he is trying his best to overcome the bad days and return to his former enterprising self.

“I am trying hard to get back.

I am spending extra time in the nets, trying to find out places where I am doing wrong. It depends on individuals really. There are many who work hard on technique while there are also those who work on mentality. I am trying to understand what I should do. At the moment, I am doing both,” Soumya explained.

Amid all the lows, Soumya stood out in the game against Pakistan with a magnificent catch. The slog sweep was executed brilliantly by Pakistan batsman and former skipper Mohammad Hafeez and was heading straight towards Soumya, stationed at mid-wicket.

Soumya though did not relent one bit, darting into the frame, running to his left, extending his full height and took it with both hands. But, there’s more!

The momentum had taken him over the boundary ropes so he popped the ball up as high as he could, moved back inside the boundary line and ended up reaching his full length to reclaim the catch and dismiss Hafeez for 64.

“I am happy to have taken that catch. Someone told me that even Jonty Rhodes appreciated the effort,” said Soumya, sporting a beaming smile. l

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FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

England seek World T20 ‘must win’ against Proteas n AFP, Mumbai England need a win against South Africa today after defeat in their opening World Twenty20 match while the Proteas want to get their bid for a first international trophy off to a strong start.

Captain Eoin Morgan’s England side were blown away by a Chris Gayle century at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday night as the West Indies won by six wickets.

Morgan will be looking for more from his batsmen after they fell short of his target of 200, finishing on 182 for six, and from his bowling attack who he said performed at around 80-90 percent.

TODAY'S MATCHES 3:30PM, GROUP 2

Australia v New Zealand 8:00PM, GROUP 1

England v South Africa Maasranga TV, Gazi TV, Star Sports 1

SL v AFG AFGHANISTAN INNINGS

The English skipper rued losing the toss to West Indies captain Darren Sammy, who opted to field, and Morgan feels the game of chance will again play a big part today in Mumbai’s humid conditions.

The captain said before the tournament that he would use all 15 squad members at his disposal, and replacing David Willey with powerful fast bowler Liam Plunkett is a likely switch for today’s do-ordie contest.

Morgan said he treated every match as “a must-win game” and the next encounter is no different.

1-12 (Shahzad), 2-44 (Noor), 3-46 (Sadiq), 4-51 (Nabi), 5-112 (Shenwari), 6-132 (Shafiqullah), 7-136 (Stanikzai) Bowling Mathews 3-0-17-1, Kulasekara 4-0-43-1, Chameera 4-0-19-0, Herath 4-0-24-2, Perera 4-0-33-3, Siriwardana 1-0-16-0 R

18 17 83 56 6 13 12 8 10 9 21 10 5

B

Total (4 wickets; 18.5 overs)

155

Bowling

Sri Lankan cricketer Tillakaratne Dilshan in action during their ICC T20 World Cup match against Afghanistan at Eden Gardens in Kolkata yesterday AP

Sadiq 2-0-21-0, Hamid 3.5-0-38-0, Dawlat 3-0-31-0, Nabi 4-1-25-1, Rashid 4-0-27-1, Shenwari 2-0-9-0 SL won by six wickets M-O-M: TM Dilshan (SL)

Dancing Gayle like Viv Richards: WI coach

2

n AFP, Mumbai

86

Sixes for Gayle in T20Is, the most by any batsman in this format. During the course of this innings, he went past Brendon McCullum’s previous record of 91. In World T20s, Gayle has 60 sixes, which is almost twice as many as the next best: Yuvraj Singh has 31 sixes from 25 innings, compared to Gayle’s 60 from 23. His 11 sixes in this innings is the third best in any T20I innings, and the best in the World T20.

SRI LANKA INNINGS Chandimal c Shenwari b Nabi Dilshan not out Thirimanne b Rashid Perera run out (Shahzad) Kapugedera run out (Nabi) Mathews not out Extras (b 4, w 1)

Fow: 1-41 (Chandimal), 2-58 (Thirimanne), 3-85 (Perera), 4-113 (Kapugedera)

Centuries for Chris Gayle in World T20 games, which makes him the first batsman to score more than one hundred in this tournament. He scored the first ever World T20 hundred, in Johannesburg in 2007.

98

153

FoW:

IN NUMBERS

Runs in fours and sixes in Gayle’s unbeaten 100 - he hit 11 sixes and five fours. His remaining 14 runs came in singles.

B 12 23 47 7 4 14 7 3 3

Total (7 wickets; 20 overs)

Teams

South Africa (from): Faf du Plessis (captain), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Chris Morris, David Miller, Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn, David Wiese England (from): Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, James Vince, David Willey l

R

Shahzad c Chameera b Mathews 8 Noor b Herath 20 Stanikzai c Chandimal b Perera 62 Sadiq c Chandimal b Perera 0 Nabi lbw b Herath 3 Shenwari c Perera b Kulasekara 31 Shafiqullah c Thirimanne b Perera 5 Dawlat not out 5 Najibullah not out 12 Extras (lb 1, w 6) 7

MOST SIXES IN T20Is Player

Inns Runs

Sixes Balls/6

CH Gayle

44

1506

98

10.55

BB McCullum

70

2140

91

17.26

SR Watson

52

1366

79

11.92

DA Warner S Afridi

57 87

1595 1364

73 70

15.52 12.89

When the West Indies won their sole World Twenty20 title in 2012 they famously celebrated by performing “Gangnam Style”. If they triumph in India they’ll be dancing to a different tune.

Big-hitting batsman Chris Gayle performed a little jig at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday after smashing his way to a 47-ball century that included 11 sixes in the Windies’ win over England.

“The new jig is called ‘Champi-

on’,” West Indies coach Phil Simmons explained to reporters afterwards. “That’s the dance from Dwayne Bravo’s new single.”

Simmons said the 36-year-old was up there with West Indies batting great Viv Richards as one of the most destructive batsman in the history of cricket.

“I think the only person in my time I would put him with is Sir Vivian Richards because Viv used to go out and destroy attacks like that too,” said the happy West Indies coach. l

FASTEST CENTURY IN T20Is BALL FACED 45

PLAYER Richard Levi (SA)

OPPONENT

DATE

v NZ

19-Feb-2012

46

Faf du Plessis (SA)

v WI

11-Jan-2015

47

Chris Gayle (WI)

v Eng

16-Mar-2016

47

Aaron Finch (Aus)

v Eng

29-Aug-2013

50

Babar Hayat (HK)

v Om

19-Feb-2016

50

Brendon McCullum (NZ)

v Aus

28-Feb-2010

50

Chris Gayle (WI)

V SA

11-Sep-2007

51

Brendon McCullum (NZ)

v Ban

21-Sep-2012

52

Mohammad Shahzad (Afg)

v Zim

10-Jan-2016

55

Tillakaratne Dilshan (SL)

v Aus

6-Aug-2011

27

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FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

QUICK BYTES Siddikur joint 16th after Indian Open first round Ace Bangladesh golfer Siddikur Rahman made a solid start in the Hero Indian Open, ending the first round’s proceedings yesterday at 16th place, tied with six others. Siddikur carded threeunder-par 69 in the $1,660,000 tournament at Delhi Golf Club, four shots behind early leader Daniel Im of the US. The 31-year old Bangladesh golfer, who won the Hero Indian Open three years ago, struck four birdies against a single bogey. Daniel, in contrast, did not hit a single bogey, his seven birdies taking him a shot ahead of Thailand’s Prom Meesawat, Spain’s Jorge Campillo and Nacho Elvira, who are all jointly sharing second position in the leaderboard.

–TRIBUNE REPORT

South Africa rejects FIFA claim of World cup bribe South Africa rejects FIFA’s claim that a $10-million bribe was paid by the country to win the right to host the World Cup in 2010, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula said yesterday. “South Africa did not pay any bribe nor did it illegally obtain the right to host the World Cup,” he told a news conference in Cape Town. He said FIFA must retract its statement made on Wednesday, when it sought restitution in U.S. courts from former FIFA executive committee members it said had accepted bribes in the awarding of World Cup hosting rights. “We paid money to a legacy project in the African Diaspora in the Caribbean,” Mbalula said.

Australia opening batsman Aaron Finch bats during a practice session at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association stadium in Dharamsala yesterday

AFP

Australia begin quest for elusive T20 crown n AFP, Dharamsala

Australia begin their latest quest today to clinch the elusive crown of World Twenty20 champions against a New Zealand side who are on a high after their stunning victory over tournament hosts India.

Steve Smith’s side top the Test rankings and won their fifth 50 over World Cup last year by crushing New Zealand in the final in the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

But for all their dominance in the older formats, Australia have

struggled in 20 over cricket and have only once made the final of the World T20, back in 2010 when they lost to England.

Veteran all-rounder Shane Watson said Australia would not hold back from reminding their trans-Tasman rivals about the outcome of last year’s World Cup when they meet again in today’s match in Dharamsala.

But he acknowledged the Black Caps would be no pushovers this time and would be full of confidence after their shock 47-run victory over

red-hot favourites India on Tuesday.

“We are going to have to play very well because they are going to be very confident leading into this game,” Watson told reporters in the Himalayan hill town which is home to the Dalai Lama.

A 3-0 home defeat to India in January underlined Australia’s frailties in T20 cricket although there were encouraging signs earlier last month when they beat South Africa 2-1 away.

In Johannesburg, Glenn Maxwell spanked a career best 75 off 43

balls in a world record fourth wicket stand of 161 with David Warner, highlighting the all rounder’s growing importance to the team.

“Glenn Maxwell is a huge player in our team,” said Watson.

“The way he bats, whether the ball is turning or whether it’s not turning, his array of shots when he gets into his innings is incredible.

He hits the ball around the ground.”

Maxwell is also expected to be busy bowling his offbreaks against a side who struggled against India’s spinners. l

–REUTERS

Pakistan women’s opener discharged after bouncer incident Javeria Khan, who opens the batting for the Pakistan women’s team, has been released from hospital after being hit on the jaw by a bouncer in Wednesday’s World Twenty20 match against West Indies in Chennai. “She has been discharged with a fractured thumb but we are still waiting for the medical report,” team manager Ayesha Ashhar told Reuters yesterday. The 27-year-old Khan was struck on her thumb by a bumper from Shamilia Connell that then hit the grill of her helmet.

Khan collapsed to the ground and was stretchered off the field before being taken to hospital. She will travel to Delhi later yesterday ahead of tomorrow’s game against hosts India at the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium.

–REUTERS

India-Pakistan fans switch sides on Facebook n AFP, New Delhi Rival cricket fans from India and Pakistan have switched sides on social media ahead of a hotly awaited World Twenty20 clash, in protest over long-running tensions between the nuclear-armed countries.

Fans from the cricket-mad nations have swapped support for their teams on Facebook, with Indian and Pakistani users posting profile pictures with their rival’s colours.

The hashtag “ProfileforPeace” was trending on Facebook ahead of Saturday’s match, whose build-up has been mired in controversy over security arrangements for the Pakistani team.

Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg said he had been bowled over by

the move.

“Something pretty interesting is happening in India and Pakistan on Facebook right now,” Zuckerberg said in a post.

“Hundreds of thousands of Indian cricket fans are putting the Pakistani frame around their picture. And Pakistani fans are doing the same thing - showing support for India.”

Mumbai-based artist Ram Subramanian, who changed his colours to those of Pakistan, said he hoped the trend would make both governments realise that many Indians and Pakistanis do not hate or mistrust each other.

“India and Pakistan need to have a conversation. How long are they going to keep this (tension) going?” the 37-year said. l

India batsman Suresh Raina (R) and Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik exchange greetings during their training sessions at Eden Gardens in Kolkata yesterday AP

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FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

QUALIFIED TEAMS Barcelona (ESP) Real Madrid (ESP) Atletico Madrid (ESP) Wolfsburg (GER) Bayern Munich (GER) Manchester City (ENG) Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) Benfica (POR)

BARCA v ARSENAL Barcelona

3-1

Arsenal

Neymar 18, Elneny 51 Suarez 65, Messi 88 Barcelona won 5-1 on aggregate

62 17 8 5 4 0 7 2 1/0 8 11 746 670

Possession (%) Total Attempts On Target Off Target Blocked Against Woodwork Corners Offsides Yellow Cards Fouls Committed Fouls Suffered Passes Completed

38 19 4 8 7 1 8 1 4/0 11 8 408 342

Barca artists are best Wenger’s ever seen n AFP, Barcelona Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger hailed Barcelona’s front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar as capable of turning football into art as all three struck to eliminate his side from the Champions League.

“We have to admire art and they have two or three players that transform normal life into art,” said Wenger.

“I have to say we played against a team with the best strikers I’ve seen.

The three are exceptional and from nothing they can create a chance.”

By contrast, Arsenal’s whole squad have managed just 72 goals this season and their downfall was once again a lack of cutting edge up front. l

Barcelona forward Luis Suarez (R) strikes a spectacular voley to score against Arsenal during their Uefa Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match at the Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona, Spain on Wednesday REUTERS

Bayern’s four-goal fight-back wows Guardiola n AFP, Munich Bayern Munich’s stunning fourgoal fightback to beat Juventus had the “wow” factor for Pep Guardiola as the Bavarians reached the Champions League quarter-finals for the fifth season in a row.

Substitutes Thiago Alcantara and Kingsley Coman scored extra-time goals as Bayern roared back to beat Juve 4-2 in their last16, second-leg tie and seal a 6-4 aggregate victory.

A stunned Bayern found themselves 2-0 down after 28 minutes at the Allianz Arena as Paul Pogba and Juan Cuadrado struck for the Italians before the Bavarian side floored the Italians with four unanswered goals.

But the hosts left it late as Robert Lewandowski netted on 73 min-

01: Who scored the first T20I century for Bangladesh?

Ans: Tamim Mashrafe Taskin 02:Who won the first World T20 in 2007?

Ans: India Zimbabwe Afghanistan 03:In which year did Bangladesh host the World T20?

Ans: 2014 2004 2015

utes before Thomas Mueller’s dramatic equaliser in the 91st minute forced extra time.

Just as Juventus had fought back in Turin to draw the first leg 2-2, so Bayern came back in Munich.

Thiago put Bayern ahead for the first time on 108 minutes before fellow replacement Coman - on loan from Juventus - curled in a superb strike on 110 minutes to cap the fairytale finish.

“Four goals against an Italian team. Wow!” beamed Bayern manager Guardiola.

“I don’t know how often that has happened in history that a German team has scored four goals against an Italian side. It was a great game for the fans. We played against last season’s finalists and to come back from 2-0 down is very hard.”

The fightback keeps alive Guar-

diola’s dream of bringing the Champions League trophy to Munich at the third and final attempt before his high-profile move to Manchester City next season.

It was a heartbreaking end for last season’s finalists Juventus.

“Of course I am disappointed,” said their coach Allegri.

“But I have to pay my team a big compliment: we played one of the favourites for the title and we played better than in the first leg.

“That’s football, we made our first big mistake after 90 minutes.

“And they scored from one of their first few chances through Lewandowski. We could have reacted better, but we didn’t have the strength left to score another goal.

“We were 2-0 up and we could have been 3-0 up, but it’s not easy to get a result here. l

BAYERN v JUVE Bayern Munich 4-2

69 26 8 8 10 5 2 5/0 19 23 925 856

Possession (%) Total Attempts On Target Off Target Blocked Corners Offsides Yellow Cards Fouls Committed Fouls Suffered Passes Completed

Terms & Conditions:

Prizes: (Second Round)

v The lucky winners among all the participants who have answered

1st prize : Walton LED Television 40” 01pcs 2nd prize : Walton Refrigerator (11.5 CFT) 01pcs 3rd prize : Walton LED Television 24” 01pcs 4th prize : Walton Blender 03pcs 5th prize : Walton Rice Cooker 05pcs

correctly will be selected in an official lottery and will have their picture published in the newspaper. v Answers must be sent in only the coupon (photocopy will not be accepted). v Quiz coupon should be submitted in the Dhaka Tribune newspaper address. v No one affiliated with Dhaka Tribune and Walton will be able to participate. v Coupon submission deadline April 4, 2016. v A person can send as many coupons as he/she wants. v Walton-Dhaka Tribune T20 World Cup should be written on top of the envelope.

Name...................................................................................................

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Address...............................................................................................

Phone/Cell...........................................................Age.........................

Dhaka Tribune, F.R.Tower, 8/C, Panthapath, Sukrabad, Dhaka – 1207.

Juventus

Lewandowski 73, Pogba 5, Mueller 90+1, Cuadrado 28 Alcantara 108, Coman 110 Bayern won 6-4 on aggregate

31 16 11 3 2 2 3 7/0 26 19 265 217

29

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Sport

FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

Djokovic gains revenge, Nadal rallies to advance n Reuters Novak Djokovic avenged his only loss of 2016 with a ruthless 6-3 6-3 victory over Feliciano Lopez as the Serbian top seed eased into the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open on Wednesday.

An eye issue forced Djokovic to retire against his Spanish opponent at the Dubai Duty Free Championships last month but he had his sights set firmly on victory for their rematch in California.

The world number one needed just 66 minutes to prevail as he won 75 percent of his points on serve and broke Lopez three times.

“I have respect for his game, which definitely made me very cautious of approaching this match and made me very determined to impose my game plan from the very beginning,” Djokovic told reporters.

“I was very solid. I didn’t allow him to come to the net too many times. It was a good performance.”

Djokovic enjoyed his best per-

DAY’S WATCH CRICKET STAR SPORTS 1 ICC World T20 2016 3:30PM Australia v New Zealand 8:00PM South Africa v England

FOOTBALL TEN SPORTS 1:45AM Sky Bet Championship Middlesbrough v Hull City

TEN ACTION 2:40PM A-League 2015/16 Melbourne City v Brisbane Roar 12:50AM French Ligue 1 2015/16 Olympic Marseille v Rennes

SONY ESPN 9:00PM Liga Bbva 2015/16 Sporting Gijon v Atletico Madrid

STAR SPORTS 4 1:15AM German Bundesliga FC Schalke 04 v Monchengladbach

GOLF TEN SPORTS 4:00PM Hero Indian Open Day 2, Session 2

formance of the tournament to date and next meets Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who defeated Dominic Thiem 6-3 6-2, as the defending champion seeks an unprecedented fifth title at Indian Wells.

Earlier in the day, third seed Stan Wawrinka was sent packing in the fourth round and the Swiss was very nearly joined by Rafa Nadal, who pulled off a Houdinilike escape to reach the last eight.

Fourth seed Nadal, three times a champion at Indian Wells, rallied from 5-2 down in the final set, saving a match point on the way, before battling past 18-year-old German prospect Alexandr Zverev 6-7(8) 6-0 7-5.

The power-hitting Zverev had been bidding to become the youngest quarter-finalist at the event since 1989 and led 40-30 when serving for the match in the ninth game but his nerve deserted him at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

“This is painful right now, but it doesn’t change anything about the

process,” Zverev said.

Spanish left-hander Nadal won the last five games of the deciding set to advance and was delighted with the fightback.

“I am especially happy about the mentality on court, the fighting spirit during the whole match, believing that I can win a match during the whole time even in the tougher situations,” Nadal said.

Wawrinka was ousted by Belgian David Goffin, who sealed a 6-3 5-7 7-6(5) victory when his Swiss opponent netted a forehand in a closely contested tiebreak after a wildly fluctuating match that lasted nearly two-anda-half hours.

It was only the second time in his career that Goffin had beaten a player ranked in the top 10 and it earned him a spot in the last eight of an ATP Masters 1000 event for the second time.

Also advancing to the last eight was 12th-seeded Canadian Milos Raonic, who overpowered sixthseeded Czech Tomas Berdych 6-4 7-6(7). l

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a backhand volley during his match against Feliciano Lopez of Spain at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Wednesday AFP

Williams ousts Halep to set up Radwanska semi n Reuters A dominant Serena Williams proved far too strong for defending champion Simona Halep as the American eased into the semi-finals of the BNP Paribas Open with a 6-4 6-3 victory on Wednesday.

The world number one has yet to drop a set in four matches in California, and Williams made a tricky opponent on paper look completely over-matched in the quarter-final encounter.

The 21-time grand slam champion blasted 28 winners to Halep’s nine. She also recorded seven aces, aptly closing out the match with an unreturnable serve down the middle.

Williams also broke the Romanian’s serve four times and improved her head-to-head record to 7-1 against her fifth-seeded opponent.

A right knee injury forced Williams to withdraw from the event last year, when she ended a self-imposed 14-year absence at the tournament, giving Halep a walkover in their scheduled semi-final.

Halep ultimately defeated Jelena Jankovic to capture the crown but her defeat to Williams keeps

the American on course for a first Indian Wells triumph since 2001.

Third seed Agnieska Radwanska stands between Williams and a spot in the final, with the world number one expecting a tough challenge from the Pole.

Serena Williams of USA returns a shot to Simona Halep of Romania during the women's quarter-finals at the BNP Paribas Open on Wednesday AFP

“(Radwanska) knows how to play in big stadiums and big matches, big games,” Williams told reporters.

“Obviously she does everything so well, including running, and this is a good surface for her because it’s a slow surface. I think I expect there will be a lot of long rallies.”

Radwanska booked her semi-final berth when she fought back from 5-2 down in the second set on the way to a 6-2 7-6(3) victory over world number nine Petra Kvitova.

The 27-year-old, who was a runner-up at the event two years ago, raced into a 4-0 lead in the tiebreak before wrapping up victory after a little more than an hour-and-a-half at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

“I am just so happy to be in the semi-finals here,” Radwanska, who will rise to number two in the next world rankings following the win, said.

“I have nothing to lose, will have a good rest and be ready for the semis.”

Radwanska, who beat Jankovic in the previous round, breezed through the opening set against an error-prone Kvitova on a baking afternoon in the California desert. l

England call up Drinkwater for friendlies n Reuters, London England manager Roy Hodgson called up uncapped Leicester City midfielder Danny Drinkwater yesterday for this month’s friendlies against world champions Germany and Netherlands.

Goalkeepers

Jack Butland (Stoke City), Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Manchester City)

Defenders

Bertrand (Southampton), Cahill (Chelsea), Clyne (Liverpool), Jagielka (Everton), Rose (Tottenham), Smalling (Man United), Stones (Everton), Walker (Tottenham)

Midfielders

Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Barkley (Everton), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Danny Drinkwater (Leicester City), Henderson (Liverpool), Lallana (Liverpool), Milner (Liverpool), Sterling (Manchester City)

Forwards

Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), Walcott (Arsenal), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal) l

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A sneak peek into the life of Quantico’s Bangladeshi writer Sharbari Zohra Ahmed on Quantico, screenwriting and pet peeves

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n N Anita Amreen

harbari Zohra Ahmed made national headlines as the first BangladeshiAmerican writer for the international TV series Quantico. Starring a diverse cast including Bollywood start Priyanka Chopra, Josh Hopkins and Aunjanue Ellis, the drama follows the lives of young FBI recruits who undergo 21 weeks of training to become special agents.

Except, each of the characters has their own secret to hide.

With a literary profile that extends to screenwriting, film direction and even short-story writing, interestingly, Sharbari began her literary journey by debuting her short fiction collection, The Ocean of Mrs. Nagai: Stories back in 2013. A book that was 15 years in the making, which included two years spent at NYU graduate school where she completed a Master’s degree in creative writing.

Moving to New York and spending a lot of time working on her own novel, Sharbari truly got what can be called a “Hollywood breakthrough.” One fine day, receiving a message from her actress friend Purva Bedi regarding the opening for a South Asian American female writer to write for a new TV show featuring a Bollywood megastar, Sharbari was stoked. Later, she realised the opportunity was for a niche writer and there was definitely not, “a rat’s chance in hell” she would make it. Dismissing any thoughts of her being chosen, she resigned back to writing her novel. Before she knew it, Jake Coburn, the executive producer, introduced her to the creator and show runner Josh Safran, and the rest they say, “is history.”

With the creators of the show being very keen on the importance of having a culturally diverse writing workforce, Sharbari explains it’s because Safran, Coburn and ABC, “wanted to make sure the storylines had authentic details that would enhance the show.”

With the show premiering last September, Sharbari has already written her first solo TV credit with the episode Clear and continues to pitch and flesh out the storyline of upcoming episodes, in what she refers to as Quantico’s “writing room.”

This week, we talk to the woman making headlines to discuss what it’s really like behind the scenes of Quantico’s screenwriting, we find out who’s her favourite character from the show and finally, we talk about how a song on powernapping by Amy Winehouse would be the ideal depiction of her life.

How does it feel to have your first solo TV credit with episode 13, Clear?

It is surreal! And I am amazed and excited. I hope people enjoy it and enjoy the whole second half of the season.

What’s the most challenging part of your job?

Pitching in the room. I am not used to being in a room with nine other writers for hours at a time. Ideas and thoughts are flying. I am awed by how effortlessly my fellow writers do this, while keeping all kinds of arcs and details in mind. I am still very green in that area.

What’s a typical writing day like for you?

We get in at 9am and start the room. We start working on whatever episode is on the table, all the moments, stories and ideas. If we are ready to outline the episode for the writer who is assigned to it, we pod off and start working on individual sections.

Sometimes we are done by 6pm, sometimes much later. Some of the senior writers and producers have to work on weekends, sometimes we all do, though my producers have been very considerate to me on that score since I have to commute two hours each way. It’s an intense process.

Who is your favourite character from the show?

All the characters have something about them I like. I love seeing the Muslim twins do their bad ass thing. I think Caleb Haas is hilarious and fun, I love Simon’s earnest convictions, Miranda’s strength, Shelby’s feistiness. Ryan is dreamy…and well, I am so proud of Priyanka’s character, Alex. It’s terrific to see a major TV character who is a deshi and one who is smart, tough and sexy.

Three things people would be surprised to know about Quantico?

I cannot give you any spoilers. But maybe how hard we all work to

write these episodes, how much thought goes into every beat, every moment.

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?

Is the Pope Catholic? Yes. All the time.

Your top three favourite TV shows?

Right now, I love Downton Abbey, Shameless and The Affair.

Before that, Gilmore Girls, Roseanne.

One fictional character that you believe resembles you the most?

Scarlett O’Hara from Gone With the Wind, without the slaves, racism, and large hats.

One TV show/ TV character you wish you had written?

There are a lot of characters and shows I love. I don’t know.

What’s the last book that moved you to tears?

Love in the Time of Cholera.

One film everyone should watch?

There are too many to list, but I would say Life is Beautiful is incredible.

One song that best describes your life?

It all depends where I am in my life. Right now, anything related to a love of napping would be a good one. So if Amy Winehouse was still alive and wrote a song about power napping, that would be it.

Seriously.

If you could have dinner with any author, living or dead, who would it be?

Gabriel Garcia Marquez Any pet peeves?

A tonne. But what I can no longer abide by as I am getting older are people who lack consideration for others. I can spot those a mile away.

What’s the best way to unwind?

For the sake of propriety I shall say, a good book and of course, a nap.

What makes you happy?

My son’s happiness generally. But I am the only one responsible for my happiness. So me, I make me happy. When I remember to, that is.

Someplace I can nap (see a theme?) without interruption, that is naturally beautiful and has a body of water nearby where I can splash around

What’s your idea of the perfect getaway?

Someplace I can nap (see a theme?) without interruption, that is naturally beautiful and has a body of water nearby where I can splash around.

How often do you visit Bangladesh?

Not as often as I would like to.

The first thing you’d like to do when you return to Bangladesh?

Eat the food that is prepared in amma’s house, kiss my mom and dad. And then call my soul/mate/ sister Aasha Mehreen Amin and tell her to pay attention to me.

(She’s very busy being top brass at

the Daily Star, you know.)

The best thing about Bangladesh?

My family, my wonderful friends, the food, the fact that I can speak (rickety) Bangla to my heart’s content and everyone is speaking it around me.

Other than writing for Quantico, what other projects do you have in the pipeline?

I have to finish the edits on my novel, and I am developing a project called The Line with my writing partner Ikhtisad Ahmed that is set in both Bangladesh and New York, and a screenplay called Dervish, based on a short story I wrote that was published in Wasafiri. l

Chhoto Kaku hits cinemas today

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FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

WHAT TO WATCH

Fast and Furious 6 Movies Now 6:55pm Hobbs has Dominic and Brian reassemble their crew to take down a team of mercenaries: Dominic unexpectedly gets convoluted also facing his presumed deceased girlfriend, Letty.

Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson

n

Showtime Desk

After its success in television series and comic books, Faridur Reza Sagor’s popular teen fiction series Chhoto Kaku is all set to be released on the big screen today.

Actor-director Afzal Hossain, who donned the eponymous role, has directed the film which is based on the first story of the series Cox’s Bazar-e Kakatua.

Other major cast members includes Nazia Haque Orsha, Zahiruddin Piyar and Shams Sumon.

Marking the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children’s Day, Cox’s Bazar-e Kakatua had its worldwide premiere on Channel i yesterday. The film will have its big screen release today

simultaneously in various halls, including Jamuna Blockbuster Cinemas.

In the story of the film, Chhoto Kaku, who loves a mystery and faces several dangers, is ready for yet another adventurous thrilling journey where he will try to unravel the various mysteries, that will involve plenty of thrills and suspense. l

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Up Zee Studio 7:35pm Seventy-eight year old Carl Fredricksen travels to Paradise Falls in his home equipped with balloons, inadvertently taking a young stowaway.

Cast: Edward Asner (Carl Fredricksen), Christopher Plummer (Charles Muntz), Jordan Nagai (Russell). Bob Peterson (Dug / Alpha), Delroy Lindo (Beta), Jerome Ranft (Gamma) Terminator Salvation HBO 9:30pm In 2018, a mysterious new weapon in the war against the machines, half-human and half-machine, comes to

John Connor on the eve of a resistance attack on Skynet.

But whose side is he on, and can he be trusted?

Cast: Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin, Moon Bloodgood, Bryce Dallas Howard The Descent: Part 2 Warner Bros 11:17pm Refusing to believe her story about cave-dwelling monsters, the sole survivor of a spelunking exploration gone horribly wrong is forced to follow the authorities back into the caves where something awaits.

Cast: Shauna Macdonald, Natalie Mendoza, Douglas Hodge, Axelle Carolyn, Gavan O’Herlihy

Death Race Star Movies 5:15pm Ex-con Jensen Ames is forced by the warden of a notorious prison to compete in our post-industrial world’s most popular sport: a car race in which inmates must brutalize and kill one another on the road to victory.

Cast: Jason Statham, Joan Allen, Tyrese Gibson, Ian McShane, Natalie Martinez l

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GLOBAL COTTON SUPPLIERS EYE BANGLADESH MARKET PAGE 15

TIGERS STILL EYEING SEMIS PAGE 25

CHHOTO KAKU HITS CINEMAS TODAY PAGE 31 ‘US-made dengue vaccine 100% effective’ n Reuters, Washington, DC

Bangla Academy organises a discussion titled ‘Bangabandhur Golpo Shono’ on its premises marking the 96th birth anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman yesterday MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Biman to hire permanent cargo staff n Ishtiaq Husain National flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines is going to recruit permanent employees by March 31 to improve the service of the cargo handling department at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

M Asaduzzaman, the acting managing director and CEO of Biman, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that the airline is taking all the steps suggested by the British authorities to lift the ongoing ban on direct cargo flights from Dhaka.

The British government on March 8 put an embargo on direct cargo flights from Shahjalal Airport

raising concerns about security procedures and cargo facilities.

Biman is the lone ground handling operator at the airport.

Failure to meet the UK’s requirements on cargo facilities and airport security by March 31 may result in a ban on passenger flights to the country.

UK inspection teams visited Bangladesh twice at the end of last year and stressed on the inadequate security at Dhaka airport.

An official of Biman said the UK team had raised concerns about the temporary staff at the airport cargo who might commit crimes as they are not liable to the airlines. They observed that the entire cargo area

of the airport was run by outsiders who were not even permanent employees of the ground handler.

Moreover, outsiders, mainly employees of different clearing and forwarding agents, were another threat on the ground, they said.

After the UK ban, Biman held two board meetings to approve important decisions. The government also formed a high powered seven member committee led by the aviation minister.

Air Vice Marshal Sanaul Huq was removed from the position of chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh and Aviation Secretary Khurshed Alam Chowdhury was transferred.

The UK team also pointed out that airport security was weak due to easy access to sensitive areas like the cargo village.

The government is currently negotiating with a number of UK based security firms – Restrata, Redline and Westminster Group – to engage in assisting Bangladesh airport security agencies and train them, as a short term response to the problem.

The Aviation Security Force (Avsec), a combined force of Air Force and Ansar members, began operating at the airport from February to improve security conditions and the formation of a specialised force is underway. l

Dilshan inspires SL to six-wicket win n AFP, Kolkata

Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan by six wickets in their opening match of the World Twenty20 yesterday after Tillakaratne Dilshan hit an unbeaten 83 at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens stadium.

Dilshan, 39, smacked three sixes and eight fours in his 56-ball knock as Sri Lanka surpassed Afghanistan’s 153-7 with seven balls to spare.

Alongside Dilshan, captain An-

gelo Mathews was unbeaten on 21 off 17 balls with the help of three fours and a six.

Earlier, skipper Asghar Stanikzai struck 62 off 47 balls as Afghanistan posted a competitive 153-7.

Stanikzai, 28, hit four sixes and three fours, while Samiullah Shenwari chipped in with a handy 31 to help Afghanistan recover from a shaky 51-4.

Thisara Perera picked up 3-33 in an otherwise disappointing show by Lankan bowlers who let the Afghans off the hook after a promising start.

New Sri Lankan T20 captain Mathews gave the islanders the key breakthrough by having inform opener Mohammad Shahzad caught at mid-on for eight.

Shahzad, who came into the match with a top-score of 61 in the qualifiers, lobbed an easy catch to Dushmantha Chameera as he tried to pull to the legside.

Shahzad’s opening partner Noor Ali Zadran smacked paceman Nuwan Kulasekara for two boundaries in a row before being bowled by Rangana Herath (2-24) for a 23-ball 20.

Afghanistan suffered another blow soon after when Karim Sadiq (zero) nicked one behind off Perera, but Stanikzai steadied the innings with his quickfire knock, his best in Twenty20 internationals.

Stanikzai seemed to clear the ropes easily, twice lofting spinner Milinda Siriwardana into the stands, much to the delight of a small but noisy group of Afghan fans.

The skipper’s counter-attack came to an end when he was caught by wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal off Perera in the 19th over. l

A dengue vaccine developed by US National Institutes of Health scientists protected everyone given the shot against the virus in a promising small study published on Wednesday, with the researchers saying it could become widely available by 2018.

The scientists also expressed optimism that the approach they used for the dengue vaccine could work in creating a vaccine against the Zika virus, which is in the same viral family and spread by the same mosquito species. Zika, linked to numerous cases of the birth defect microcephaly in Brazil, is spreading rapidly in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Researchers administered the single-dose vaccine, called TV003, to a group of volunteers and six months later exposed them to dengue-2, one of the four different strains of the virus.

All 21 people given the vaccine were protected from infection. All 20 people given a placebo injection developed dengue infection after being exposed to the virus. Everyone in the placebo group had the virus in their blood, 80% developed a rash and 20% exhibited low white blood cell counts.

The results were very promising and inspired “great confidence” that the vaccine will protect people in areas where dengue is endemic, said vaccine researcher Dr Anna Durbin of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.

Dengue infects nearly 400m people in more than 120 countries annually. Most survive with few or no symptoms, but more than 2m illion people annually develop dengue hemorrhagic fever, which kills more than 25,000 people each year.

The vaccine was made from a mixture of four live, weakened viruses targeted to each of the four different strains. The volunteers were exposed to a genetically modified version of dengue-2 virus isolated in Tonga in 1974 that was known for causing only mild illness.

Based in part on this study, in February Brazil’s Butantan Institute launched a large Phase III clinical trial to confirm the effectiveness of the vaccine against naturally occurring dengue, with 17,000 people due to take part, Durbin said.

Another trial in Bangladesh is scheduled to begin in the next couple of months, Durbin added. l

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