01 July, 2016

SECOND EDITION

FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016 | Ashar 17, 1423, Ramadan 25, 1437 | Regd No DA 6238, Vol 4, No 69 | www.dhakatribune.com | 32 pages plus 24-page Weekend supplement | Price: Tk10

‘Law enforcers kill 79 in 6 months’ n Tribune Report At least 79 people were killed extrajudicially in so-called gunfights with the law enforcers or died in custody during the first six months of the current year. Of them, 20 people including several suspected militants were killed in June alone.

Rights group Ain o Salish Kendra in its report published yesterday said that 30 of the 79 victims were killed in “gunfights” with the police, 24 with Rapid Action Bat-

talion (RAB) and seven others with the Detective Branch (DB) of police members.

The number of people killed by the law enforcers in gunfights and due to torture was 192 last year.

ASK said one person was killed in a gunfight while another shot dead by a joint team of police and Border Guard Bangladesh members in the first six months.

Five persons died due to torture in police custody and another in DB custody before and after arrest.

3 girls raped each day n Kamrul Hasan While the incidents of gangrape decreased in the first six months of this year, on an average at least three women and girls were raped every day during the same time.

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad in its report published yesterday said at least 2,537 women and girls were subjected to torture while a total of 499 women and girls raped between January and June.

Among them, 64 victims were gang-raped.

The women rights group reported 450 incidents of rape and 99 gang-rape during the first six months last year.

Apart from the rape victims, Mahila Parishad says some 125 women and girls were stalked during the same period while four of them were forced to commit suicide, according to reports collected from 14 national dailies.

Moreover, 205 women and girls died mysteriously and 95 were kidnapped. At least 23 housemaids died during PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

Agrani Bank boss arrested on first day of job Sakhawat, Arifur n Adil Rahman Rabbi and Jebunnesa Alo The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) arrested Agrani Bank Ltd's acting managing director Mizanur Rahman Khan yesterday afternoon, only hours after he officially took up his new position, on charges of embezzling nearly Tk100 crore.

ACC Deputy Director Benazir Ahmed led the team that arrested Mizanur, along with the bank's Deputy General Manager Akhtarul Alam and Assitant General Mnager Shafiullah.

“The new MD [acting] was arrested on allegations of embezzling money in the name of giving loan for the construction of Sun Moon Star Plaza in PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

PAGE 32

Afghan fury as Iran, Turkey claim Sufi poet Rumi

SEHRI & IFTAR

Ramadan 25 26 27

July 01 02 03

Sehri – 3:43 3:43

Iftar 6:53 6:54 6:54

Source: Islamic Foundation

Who can lay claim to Rumi, the Sufi mystic who is one of the world’s most beloved poets? A bid by Iran and Turkey to do so has exasperated Afghanistan, country of his birth eight centuries ago.

DEATHS IN GUNFIGHTS AND OTHER CRIMES Gunfights In custody Mob beating BSF shooting Election violence Political violence

79 7 31 12 142 12

Five other persons were shot dead by the police.

Four accused died in police custody while undergoing treatment while another died mysteriously, ASK said based on reports published in eight major national dailies.

Although the law enforcers in plainclothes picked up 55 people last year, the number stood at 50 in the first six months this year. Of them, six were found dead, four shown arrested and two others were released later.

At least 42 inmates died in jail from January to June. During this time, mob beating killed 31 people at different areas of the country.

ASK said at least 12 Bangladeshi nationals were shot dead by the members of Indian Border Security Force. Moreover, 18 were abducted by the BSF members and 17 others sustained injured in torture.

At least 74 journalists were subjected to torture during the first six months.

PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Ministry of Finance Internal Resources Division National Board of Revenue Rajashwa Bhaban, Segunbagicha, Dhaka.

Revenue for the People’s Welfare

Important Notification for the Foreign Nationals to show/submit Income tax clearance /exemption certificate in income Tax Counter of International Airports/Land port at the time of departure from Bangladesh : The National Board of Revenue has been making persistent efforts towards establishing an environment which is conducive to business, industry and investment in order to help implement Vision 2021 and Vision 2041 of the Honourable Prime Minister. With the help of all concerned, the National Board of Revenue is making all-out efforts to mobilize necessary resources to build a selfreliant and digital Bangladesh. Considering this, like other developed countries to ensure collection of taxes from Foreign nationals working in Bangladesh at companies, industries, businesses, NGO’s, Hotels, Restaurants etc. an inter ministerial steering committee meeting was held on 9th June 2016 .

In that meeting a decision was taken to establish an Income Tax counter for checking Tax Clearance/ Exemption certificate at all International Airports of Bangladesh (Hazrat Shahjalal (R:) International Airport Dhaka, Hazrat Shah Amanat (R:) International Airport Chittagong & Osmani International Airport Sylhet) and Benapole Land Port, Jessore on the eve of departure of the concerned foreign nationals.

Pursuant to the above decision an Income Tax Counter has been setup at the above places in order to assist all Foreign Nationals working in Bangladesh to comply with the provision of Section 107 of Income Tax Ordinance 1984 and to show/ present/ submit the Tax Clearance/Exemption certificate at the time of their departure through above mentioned International Airports and Land port of Bangladesh.

Salaries and allowances, received by foreign nationals, employed in any profession (except for persons entitled to special exemptions for their employment in different embassies, UN and international organizations) in Bangladesh, are considered to have taxable income where such income exceeds the taxable limit and in the case of a ‘foreign non-resident’, salaries and allowances are to be taxed according to the existing income tax law. Such foreign nationals are required to submit income tax return as well as pay taxes while their employers are required to deduct taxes at source (TDS) on their income.

For the above mentioned decision all concerned Foreign Nationals are humbly requested to show/ submit the Tax Clearance/ Exemption certificate at the time of departure as per section 107 of the Income Tax Ordinance 1984. We deeply appreciate everyone’s understanding and support.

National Board of Revenue

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FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

Myanmar wants matured Bangladeshis’ deposits with Swiss ties with Bangladesh banks rise by 9%

n Tribune Report Myanmar wants to have a matured relationship with Bangladesh so that external disruption does not affect the engagements, Aung Sun Suu Kyi has said.

Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s state counsellor and foreign minister, said this while meeting Bangladesh Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque at her office in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.

“Daw Suu Kyi expressed willingness to move bilateral relations forward through frequent engagements without being distracted by issues and incidents,” read a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry.

Shahidul went to Myanmar on Wednesday as a special envoy of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The foreign secretary conveyed a message of honest and sincere engagement from Hasina to the Myanmar leadership.

He handed over a letter from the prime minister to Suu Kyi containing appreciation for the National League of Democracy leader and the new government for the determined effort in consolidating democracy and building an inclusive society in Myanmar.

5 Rohingyas held over Cox’s Bazar Ansar camp attack n UNB Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested five Rohingyas from a hill in Ukhiya upazila early yesterday for their alleged involvement in the killing of an Ansar member inside a Rohingya refugee camp in Teknaf upazila.

The arrestees are Rafique alias Mamun Miah, 30, Abdur Razzak, 28, his brother Abdus Salam, 30, Joynal alias Jane Alam, 50, and Harun, 30.

All five are from Nayapara Rohingya Shibir in Teknaf and are members of Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO).

RAB Commanding Officer Lt Col Miftah Uddin Ahmed at a press conference at RAB 7 headquarters said following a tip-off, a RAB 7 team launched a drive at Kutupalang Rohingya Shibir in Ukhiya around 2:30am and arrested the Rohingyas.

The arrestees confessed to their involvement in the attack, he said.

On May 13, Ansar member Ali Hossain, 55, was shot dead and 11 firearms were stolen during the attack inside a Rohingya refugee camp in Teknaf. l

n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque meets Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung Sun Suu Kyi at her office in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday COURTESY Shahidul conveyed Bangladesh’s sincere desire to forge friendship, good neighbourliness and close cooperation with Myanmar in all areas of mutual interests.

He conveyed Bangladesh’s readiness to engage with Myanmar on all outstanding issues with sincerity, candidness and determination.

In reply, Suu Kyi stated that the two countries should face all challenges jointly.

About ethnic conflict, Suu Kyi highlighted Myanmar government’s firm resolve to find solutions to the challenges in the Rakhine State and elaborated various initiatives un-

dertaken by the new government.

The state counsellor also affirmed that the new administration would remain focused to seek reconciliation among communities.

Foreign Secretary Shahidul conveyed an invitation of the Bangladesh prime minister to the state counsellor to visit Bangladesh, which she agreed to undertake at a convenient time.

Shahidul also called on the Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and met U Aung Lynn, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. l

Bangladeshi citizens’ deposits with various Swiss banks rose by nearly 9% in 2015 compared to the deposit of 2014, according to the Swiss central bank data.

In 2014, Bangladeshi nationals deposited 506,047 million Swiss franc, which was 8.85% higher in 2015 at 550,850 million franc, shows the latest data from Swiss National Bank (SNB).

“The government should investigate who are depositing the money. Are they from Bangladesh or from those who are staying abroad,” Mustafizur Rahman, executive director of Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) told the Dhaka Tribune.

Bangladesh Bank can seek names of the depositors but it did not do so in the last few years, Mustafizur said, adding that moving money to Swiss banks from Bangladesh would come down if the government finds out the names of the depositors.

The trend of depositing money

BANGLADESHIS’ DEPOSITS IN SWISS BANKS Year

Deposit in million franc

2011

152,311

2012

228,876

2013

371,880

2014

506,047

2015

550,850

in Swiss banks is rising in Bangladesh at a time when neighbouring India experienced a decline last year.

Money held by Indians in Swiss banks fell by nearly one-third to a record low of 1.2 billion Swiss franc. This is the lowest amount of funds held by Indians in the Swiss banks since the Alpine nation began making the data public in 1997.

In comparison, money kept by Pakistani nationals in Swiss banks rose by over 16% to 1.5 billion francs.

Commenting on India’s fall in money flight, Mustafizur said the decline was possible because of steps by the Indian government. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

3 girls raped each day the period; among them, 10 were killed and 13 committed suicide.

Of those kidnapped, 28 were trafficked to different places and seven to brothels.

The group says that a total of 406 women and girls were killed for different reasons.

Moreover, at least 225 women and girls were subjected to physical torture while 170 were forced to commit suicide and 17 others attempted suicide due to torture.

Seven other women were tortured by the members of the police force.

From January to June, at least 107 girls became victims of child marriage. On the other hand, 169 women were tortured for dowry, of who 80 were killed by their in-laws.

At least nine women were burned to death while 34 others sustained burn injuries. Nineteen other women faced acid violence.

The group also recorded at least five incidents of fatwa.

Meanwhile, rights group Ain o Salish Kendra figures say at least 591 children were tortured in the first half of the year. Of them, 235 were killed and 15 committed suicide. Most of the victims are aged between 13 to 18. But cases were filed only in one third of the incidents.

ASK says 209 women were victims of domestic violence, of who 140 were killed and 27 committed suicide. Forty-two others were tortured physically.

The group recorded 17 incidents of acid violence and says one of the victims succumbed to her injuries, says a statement issued yesterday. l

Law enforcers kill 79 The rights body reported 693 incidents of violence during the union parishad elections held in six phases since March, in which 142 were killed and 9,085 injured.

Apart from this, 118 incidents of political violence took place during the time. A total of 12 persons were killed and 1,205 sustained injuries in the incidents.

During the same time, five Hindus were killed and 24 injured at different parts of the country. International terrorist organisation Islamic State claimed responsibility for the murders.

Moreover, ASK reported 66 arson attacks on Hindu houses; vandalism of 49 temples and idols; and four incidents of land and house grabbing from January to June. l

Agrani Bank boss arrested Kallyanpur, Dhaka,” the ACC deputy director told the Dhaka Tribune.

Mizanur, who was deputy managing director in the bank, was additionally appointed to take up the post of acting MD by the Ministry of Finance, soon after after Bangladesh Bank fired MD Syed Abdul Hamid on the allegation of loan irregularities on Wednesday and sent an official letter in this regard yesterday morning.

When contacted, Motijheel police station OC Omar Faruque said a case of misappropriation of money has been filed with the police station accusing several Agrani Bank senior officials, including the arrested three and the recently sacked MD. He said the police station has also provided the ACC with police members when it asked in order to make the arrest.

However, Sub-Inspector Nishat Jahan, duty officer at the police station, said Benazir Ahmed filed the case under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act around 3:05pm yesterday against seven Agrani Bank officials and one businessman.

The other suspects are: former deputy MD Mofazzal Hossain, retired deputy general manager Amirul Islam, former principal

officer at Agrani Bank head office Rafiqul Islam, and Mijanur Rahman, proprietor of the Moon Bangladesh Ltd, the constructor of Sun Moon Star Plaza.

Seeking anonymity, an ACC official told the Dhaka Tribune that Mizanur was arrested in Motijheel.

However, according to his colleagues, he was arrested in his new office.

Agrani Bank Chairman Zayed Bakth told to Dhaka Tribune: “Mizanur came in to the office today, joining as the acting MD, and a few hours later he was arrested by the ACC. But we were not officially informed about that.”

The ACC launched the enquiry against the suspected embezzlers in the bank in September last year.

According to the case filed with Motijheel police station, the suspects illegally approved a loan of Tk108 crore to Moon Bangladesh Ltd for the building, even though there was no evidence of legal ownership of the plot it was supposed to be built in, and the building did not have a Rajuk-approved design.

The case states that the suspects sanctioned the loan to Moon Bangladesh Ltd and then embezzled around Tk94.8 crore from the loan. l

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FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

It is not uncommon for cars carrying high-profile government officials to get away with flouting traffic rules but traffic policemen have recently begun filing cases and imposing penalties for such offences. The photos taken from Dhaka’s Sonargaon intersection yesterday show police fining two government cars SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Tk340,605cr budget passed with 7.2% growth target n

Asif Showkat Kallol

After almost 58 hours of discussion, the parliament has passed a Tk340,605cr budget for the next fiscal year with the aim of achieving a growth rate of 7.2%.

The budget – which focuses on making Bangladesh a middle-income country by 2041 – will be effective from today, the first day of the 2016-17 fiscal year.

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury adjourned the parliament session until July 5 after the Tk340,605cr budget was passed through voice vote.

This was Finance Minister AMA Muhith's eight straight budget.

At the beginning of the session, the speaker opened the floor for discussion on 55 grant proposals that the opposition and the independent lawmakers spoke on.

In cut motions, Jatiya Party and

independent lawmakers strongly criticised Finance Minister Muhith regarding the looting of public funds from state banks and Bangladesh Bank.

Parliament also passed by voice vote the Appropriations Bill of Tk464,553cr for the next fiscal year They said the police have already stopped muggers on the streets, but the finance minister could not stop mugging in state banks and Bangladesh Bank.

In reply, Muhith said the Anti-Corruption Commission has filed several cases against loan defaulters and regarding misappropriation

of bank funds. In future, these kind of incidents will be reduced because of stern actions by the government.

On June 2, the finance minister presented budget proposals for FY2016-17, which was cleared yesterday in presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition Raushan Ershad.

The budget fixed a revenue target of Tk203,152cr with a Tk97,853cr deficit. The government borrowing from banking system is Tk38,938cr. It also targeted Tk5,516cr in foreign grant.

The major share of the deficit will be covered by income tax, customs duties and VAT. The National Board of Revenue will collect Tk203,152cr, while the non-NBR tax is estimated at Tk7,250cr. A total of Tk32,350cr will be collected from other sources.

Appropriations Bill passed

Parliament also passed by voice vote the Appropriations Bill of Tk464,553cr for the next fiscal year with various government liabilities except the budget expenditure.

The amount approved by the lawmakers stood at Tk311,410cr while the liabilities was Tk153,143cr.

Meanwhile, as many as 420 motions for cutting allocations were proposed by the opposition and independent lawmakers, while there were 55 demands for grants to different ministries and departments.

The cut motions were against the grant demands for Bank and Financial Institutions Division, Ministries of Planning, Education, Health, Religious Affairs, and Relief and Disaster Management.

After discussion, all the proposals were rejected by voice vote. l

NOCs made compulsory for transferring doctors n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla Upazila level physicians must now receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from lawmakers in order to transfer to a different area.

Yesterday, Health Minister Mohammad participated in the budget discussion in parliament.

“I have decided that, to ensure the presence of doctors at the upazila level, it will be compulsory for doctors to receive a No Objection Certificate from the MPs of that constituency to transfer,” he said.

However, Jatiya Party MP Fakhrul Imam was in favor of the cut motion, as he mocked doctors from hospitals in rural areas by comparing them to a declaration of love. “‘I love you’ consists of three words that take three seconds to say, three minutes to think, three months to clarify, and an entire lifetime to prove,” he said. Imam’s statement earned a wave of laughter from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the rest of the House. l

Two Habiganj war criminals appeal against tribunal verdict n Ashif Islam Shaon

Two convicted war criminals from Habiganj have filed an appeal with the Supreme Court yesterday challenging the sentences awarded to them by the war crimes tribunal.

Of the two convicts, Mohibur Rahman alias Boro Mia, 65, was sentenced to death and his cousin Abdur Razzak, 63, to life imprisonment by the International Crimes Tribunal on June 1.

The tribunal had also sentenced

Mohibur's brother Mujibur Rahman alias Angur Mian, 60, to life term in jail but he is yet to file an appeal.

Their lawyer M Masud Rana said that the appeal has 28-pages and contained 10 grounds seeking acquittal from the charges.

According to the law, a person convicted by the tribunal gets 30day time to file an appeal against his conviction. The Appellate Division of Supreme Court will now fix a date for hearing the plea.

All the four charges framed against them for their involvement in different incidents of murder, rape, looting and arson committed during the Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971 at different places of Baniachang upazila in Habiganj were proved beyond doubt at the tribunal.

The tribunal awarded death for Mohibur who had shot freedom fighter Rajab Ali with a rifle and imprisonment until death to Mujibur and Razzak for aiding the leader.

The sentence was same for killing freedom fighter Akal Ali after abduction and hiding his body.

All of them were sentenced to ten years' jail on the charge of attacking, torching and looting the Khagaura house of Gen MA Rob, an organiser of the Liberation War. For helping the Pakistani soldiers rape the wife of Manjab Ali and the younger sister of Allat Mia on the same day at Khagaura – who later committed suicide – the trio were sentenced to prison for 20 years.

On the fourth charge of abducting and torturing Ansar Ali – who was permanently maimed – they were sentenced to seven years' imprisonment.

Two other brothers of Mohibur and Mujibur – Kamaldhar and Mostafa – were killed by the freedom fighters at the end of the war. Mostafa was the commander of the razakar camp set up at Khagaura Bazar while Kamaldhar led the Khagaurha Union unit Peace Committee. l

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FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

WB supports urban poor in BD n Tribune Desk Bangladesh has signed two financing deals of $200m in total with the World Bank to improve health systems, delivery of health services and living condition of urban poor in selected municipality areas.

Additional Secretary of Economic Relations Division Kazi Shofiqul Azam and Acting World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh Zahid Hussain signed the deals on behalf of their respective sides in Dhaka yesterday.

A World Bank statement says the $150m additional financing to the Health Sector Development Programme will continue to support the government to mitigate health sector challenges.

The challenges include sustaining and improving immunisation coverage, further improving deliveries for

pregnant women at public health facilities, tackling multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, and strengthening health systems.

“These two financing programmes will help Bangladesh improve the lives and living standards of its population,” said Zahid Hussain.

“The additional financing for the Health Sector Development Programme will contribute to building a healthy nation, in particular, enabling the poor access better health services,” he said.

Zahid said with about half a million new people arriving in the cities every year, the urban infrastructure, particularly housing is under immense pressure.

He said the Low Income Community Housing Support project will take an innovative approach to address housing issues among the urban poor.

In Bangladesh, around 62% of the urban population lives in slums, which is among the highest percentages in Asia.

The $50m Low Income Community Housing Support Project will pilot a community driven approach to improve the living conditions of the urban poor in selected municipalities.

Around 40,000 low-income urban residents will have access to housing loans, while another 120,000 people will benefit from the improved roads and drainage.

“Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in reducing poverty and accelerating economic growth in the last decade,” said Shofiqul Azam.

He said to achieve its vision of reaching middle-income status by 2021, the country is focusing on key priority areas including improving health care and health systems as well as the living conditions of the urban poor. l

Youth tortured for ‘stealing’ phone n Nadim Hossain, Savar A youth was beaten by miscreants for allegedly stealing a mobile phone at Dhamrai in Savar yesterday.

The victim was Anis, 26, son of Mithu Mian in Naogaonhati village.

According to locals, seven persons including Rafique, son of Sagar Ali, Kayum, son of Rizik Ali, Habibur Rahman and Rezaul Karim, an army man in Ghatail Cantonment picked up the boy from his house around 10am on suspi-

cion of stealing mobile phone of Rezaul.

Later, they took him to Naogaonhati Nabinshangha Club and tortured brutally till evening after tied up with a tree in front of the club.

The video of the brutal torture was leaked in the social media and public became outraged at the incident.

On information police went to the spot and rescued the youth.

Rezaul Haque, officer-in-charge of Dhamrai police station, said: “We came to know that a youth was beaten

by locals for allegedly stealing a mobile phone.”

“We rescued him and admitted to the upazila health complex in critical condition,” he said Dilruba Khanam, mother of victim and his sister Mili burst into tears after seeing the video.

They raised the question if the poor people like them did not get justice.

A case was filed with the police station. The police arrested Rezaul Karim for interrogation, the OC said. l

100,000 low-income families to get solar energy n Aminur Rahman Rasel Infrastructure Development Company Ltd yesterday signed a financing agreement for a project of Power Division called development of sustainable renewable energy power generation aimed at low-income households.

Mahmood Malik, CEO of IDCOL and Md Anwarul Islam Sikder Chairman of SREDA executed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.

The objective of this project is to ensure access to electricity for low income households by supplying plug and play solar systems for those who do not have the capacity to buy solar home system.

Under the contract the SREPGen project will provide

$2 million as grant to IDCOL. The project is implemented and supported by United Nations Development Program, Bangladesh.

The buy down grant will help low-income households afford the system at an economical price. The project targets installing around 100,000 Plug and Play systems.

The program will follow the same modality of the existing solar home program of IDCOL under which 4 million solar home systems have been installed in areas of Bangladesh that are off the grid.

The program claims to be the world’s largest off the grid solar home system program.

Around 12% of the total population of Bangladesh is getting clean energy from this initiative. l

Orphans from Baitul Falah Jame Masjid and Madrasa sitting with their iftar and Eid clothes distributed by NSUSSC at Mohammadpur

NSU Social Services Club distributes clothing among orphans n Tribune Desk North South University Social Services Club yesterday organised its annual Eid Clothing and Iftaar Distribution even with contributions from Acme Bangladesh, Knorr and Indigo Collection at Manik Mia Avenue.

The event distributed 1000 pieces of clothes and iftar amongst the poor and orphaned children of Baitul Falah Jame Masjid and Madrasa at Mohammadpur.

Vice President of NSUSSC, Kazi Muntashir Muzib said: “Like every year, we managed to successfully organize the event. Through this we wanted to share the experience of

the street children who struggle on a daily basis for their basic necessities and give them a bit of joy by spending time with them and providing them with a hearty meal for iftar and new clothes for Eid.” Maisha Maliha Khan, Secretary of NSUSSC said:” A small contribution from our end could mean a world of joy for the impoverished children of Dhaka city. The immense pleasure with which the children received us was unparalleled.

Thus ‘Eid Clothing and Iftar Distribution’ is not just another event for us but rather a small attempt from North South University Social Services Club to spread the joys of Eid among everyone in the society.” l

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FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

Marvelous muslin must be recovered n Shadma Malik Muslin, a fine fabric that adorned preeminent figures through history and became the pride and joy of pre-colonial Bengal as it rose to prominence as a trading capital.

Hand-woven to be light, soft and strong, the quality cloth is still in high demand. Unfortunately, Bangladesh muslin manufacturers currently face challenges in meeting that demand as there is a lack in manpower to manufacture, spin and weave the fine material.

Muslin production predomi-

here in Bangladesh. While India harnesses muslin to produce punjabo dhuti, shirts, pants, kurtis, dresses, upholstery, bags and even jewelry, the market for the material is dying out in Bangladesh.

Dr Farid Uddin added that it is of utmost importance to revive the Dhaka muslin as it has important cultural history and can result in economic benefits.

Experts say that identification, preservation and collection of muslin germplasms from home and abroad is imperative to reviving the muslin industry in Bangladesh.

nantly occurs in hill districts like Bandarban. There, a species of cotton named Gossypium Arboreum is cultivated and woven into cloth. According to Dr Md Farid Uddin, executive director Cotton Development Board (CDB), muslin production is slow due to the long process preceding the creation of the product. Thus, the supply of muslin is not enough to meet the market demand.

Recently, local boutiques have been importing muslin from neighboring countries; ironically, high quality muslin can be found right

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News Furthermore, research organisations are encouraged to find which types of land are most suitable to grow Gossypium Arboreum can help augment muslin production.

Muslin originated from Mosul, an old trade center in Iraq and is the product of exceptional weaving and Mughal patronage. Once woven exclusively for Mughal Kings muslin was known as ‘mulmul khas.’ The fabric was created en masse and was prepared from a type of cotton called Phuti Karpas which was grown on the banks of the Meghna, Shitalakkhaya and Brahmaputra rivers. l

Govt countering drug smugglers through technology

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

Modern technologies are being employed by the government to curb drug smuggling in Bangladesh.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, in response to a query, told the parliament on Thursday that drug peddlers, including Yaba traders, have been changing their strategies regularly to avoid arrest.

“Whenever they (drug traders) are in danger of being caught by law enforcement agencies, their strategies shift,” he said. l

Hearing on gas price hike proposals begins late July n Aminur Rahman Rasel

Even though people are expected to collect new notes from banks, a section of traders sell such notes as many fail to get these at banks because of a sudden rise in demand ahead of festivals like Eid. The photo was taken in Dhaka’s Gulistan DHAKA TRIBUNE

HC: Why no security for witnesses n Ashif Islam Shaon

The High Court has issued a ruling on Wednesday asking why the government will not be directed to ensure security to witnesses of criminal cases.

The law secretary, home secretary, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police and officer-incharge of Chittagong's Kotwali Police Station have been asked to respond to the ruling within four weeks.

The court also asked the IGP to explain why inaction in providing security for Komol Kumar Nath, a prosecution witness for a drug case, who moved a writ petition

TEMPERATURE FORECAST FOR TODAY

THUNDERSHOWER WITH RAIN THURSDAY, JUNE 30

Kotwali Police Station last October.

In February this year, Komol submitted an application to the IGP for security but did not get any response. Later, he filed the writ in June.

After hearing the petition, High Court in the ruling asked to know why the IGP's inaction in entertaining the application for security will not be declared illegal.

The court also ordered police to provide security to the petitioner and his family members until disposal of the rule.

The HC bench of Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore and Justice Bhismadev Chakrabarti came up with the ruling and order yesterday. l

over his and his family members' insecurity on June 27, will not be declared illegal.

In his petition, Komol Kumar Nath said that Kotwali Police recovered 1175 yaba tablets from alleged drug dealer Ashok Biswas and filed a case against Ashok on March 24, 2011.

Komol was made a prosecution witness in the case and consequently, Ashok and his men started threatening Komol.

Komol deposed before the court in 2015 and the accused later got bail. As Ashok continued giving threats, Komol lodged a petition with the court to scrap Ashok's bail and also filed a general diary with Dhaka

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DHAKA TODAY SUN SETS 6:50PM

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Rangpur

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Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) will begin a four-day public hearing in late July on gas price hike proposals submitted by six state-owned gas distribution companies.

It will also hold a hearing on gas transmission tariff.

The hearings will be held at the TCB Bhaban in Dhaka's Karwan Bazar.

“The hearings will begin at the end of July,” a BERC official told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

He said the proposals sent to the BERC by the six gas companies to increase gas and transmission tariffs were found to be incomplete.

After receiving the proposals, the BERC asked the companies to resend complete proposals by May 8. The companies have already sent the requested documents.

However, Consumer Association of Bangladesh said the revenue generated by the companies is still way higher than their expenses.

The six firms earlier submitted their proposals after the govern-

Khulna

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Barisal

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

TOMORROW SUN RISES 5:15AM

36.7ºC Jessore

25.5ºC Rangamati

Source: Accuweather/UNB

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PRAYER TIMES

ment decided to increase gas prices.

According to their proposals, domestic users will have to pay Tk1,200 every month instead of Tk650 for double burners, which is an 85% hike.

On the other hand, Tk1,100 has been proposed for single burners, up from the current Tk600.

Consumers using meter-based burners will have to pay Tk16.80 instead of Tk7 for per cubic metre of gas, an increase of 140%.

The proposals also asked for increases in prices of gas used for commercial purposes, in power plants and tea gardens. Fertiliser companies and industrial users will also face a price hike under the proposals.

Gas Transmission Company Limited has proposed that the BERC raise gas transmission tariff from Tk0.1565 to Tk0.4213 per cubic metre.

In February last year, the BERC organised a series of public hearings after state-owned gas distribution companies pressed to have gas tariffs increased.

After the hearings, the government increased gas prices from September 1 last year. l

Sylhet

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Cox’s Bazar

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Fajr: 3:53am | Jumma: 1:15pm Asr: 5:15pm | Magrib: 7:03pm Esha: 8:45pm Source: Islamic Foundation

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FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

Sand lifting poses threat to Asrayan Prakalpa n Aminul Islam Rana, Sirajganj A section of local ruling party men in Sirajganj is lifting sand from Asrayan Prakalpa (project for shelter to homeless people) illegally under the nose of the administration causing threat to the project.

According to local sources, the government established the project on Khasland at Chhatiantly village near the Jamuna River in Sadar upazila for the homeless people few years ago.

Locals alleged that Majnu Sheikh, Moniruzzaman, Selim

Sheikh, Ismail, Jalal, Anis Member, Rashid and Abu Samah were lifting sand with Bangla dredger managing the general secretary and president of the project.

The homeless people living in the project said as the shelter was situated near the river, always it was on the risk of erosion.

If the sand lifting is going on, the project will be eroded soon, they added.

Meanwhile, more than one hundred homesteads including mosque and madrasas had been on the verge of extinction as the in-

fluential people dug a pond in the middle of the shelter in the name of fish cultivation.

A road in the east and homesteads in the west already started to damage as the sand is lifted from 50 feet deep.

The sand lifters sold the sand to the hand-loom traders near the project worth about Tk5 lakh.

Locals said they had informed the incident to the upazila nirbahi officer but he did not take any steps.

The influential men said they had sold the sand after taking permission from the

UNO, fisheries and land offices.

Majnu Sheikh, Moniruzzaman, Selim Sheikh, Ismail, Jalal, Anis Member told the Dhaka Tribune that they had permission from the government as they did the government party.

They claimed that project is not hampered due to sand lifting.

Ainal Haque, a member of the project, said every year the sand lifters gave them some money for repair the damaged road.

“We repair the road with the sand by taking money. The ruling party men told us they have permis-

sion from the government,” he said.

When contacted, Shamimur Rahman, assistant commissioner (land), Alok Kumar Saha, fisheries officer in the upazila said they did not know about the sand lifting and the pond.

UNO Brenjohn Chambugong said he had gone to the spot after getting allegation from locals but he did not find any incident of sand lifting.

“I will go further to the spot for investigation. If anyone is found involved with the incident, measures will be taken against him,” he said. l

14 held with firearms, mobile phone sets n Our Correspondent, Barisal

Bitter gourds have grown up in northern region this year abundantly. Picture taken from Naohata market in Paba upazila of Rajshahi yesterday shows traders were waiting for vehicles to send the vegetable to Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh AZAHAR UDDIN

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested 14 people during its drives in Hamirdi area on the Barisal-Dhaka Highway, Faridpur and Pirojpur early yesterday.

A team of RAB 8 conducted a drive in Hamirdi area and detained three people while they were allegedly taking preparation for committing a robbery, said Major Adnan Kabir, deputy commander and spokesman of RAB 8, at the RAB’s headquarter in Rupatali area of Barisal city yesterday afternoon.

According to their statement, eight other associates of the miscreants were arrested from different areas of Vanga upazila in Faridpur.

The detainees are Imam Hossain Palash, Krishna Kanta Majumdar, Sumon Hossain, Israfil Matubbar, Asadur Rahman, Robi Chandra Das, Sohel Talukdar, Nur Hossain, Jewel Matubbar, Sohel Matubbar and Radhey Shayam Mandal.

Among them Sumon is a resident of Jatrabari area in Dhaka city and other 10 are from different areas of Vanga upazila.

The RAB recovered a pistol, a shooter gun, five rounds of bullets, three sharp weapons, 23 mobile phone sets with 60 SIM cards, three bottles of Phensidyl, 360 pieces of Yaba tablets, three saws and one laptop from their possessions.

Meanwhile, another team of RAB-8 arrested three other men with fake notes worth Tk35,000 from Charkhali Bazaar area of Vandaria upazila in Pirojpur.

The detainees are Mohsin Farazi, Rubel Haoladar and Alamin Haoladar of Majher Pul of Mithakhali under Mathbaria upazila of Pirojpur.

After interrogations all of them would be handed over to the police stations concerned, Major Adnan said. l

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10 robbers to die for Rangpur double murder n Liakat Ali Badal, Rangpur

People of Bashkhali, Lohagora and Shatkania of Chittagong travel on the rooftop of buses and human hauliers, risking their lives due to a transport crisis ahead of Eid. The photo was taken from Shah Amanat Bridge yesterday RABIN CHOWDHURY

Traffic congestion intensifies in Chittagong city ahead of Eid n Tribune Desk Traffic congestion in most of areas of the port city has intensified from the third week of Ramadan, causing intolerable sufferings to commuters as well as city dwellers.

Traffic Department of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) cannot control the gridlocks even after taking special measures, deploying additional traffic police and giving additional duties to its officials at significant points.

CMP sources said they had made

rickshaw plying limited on streets as it is the main cause behind the gridlocks in the metropolitan city.

The commuters, iftar shoppers as well as pedestrians were compelled to remain stranded on the city streets for hours yesterday.

The most congested areas included Baharddarhat, Muradpur, GEC Circle, Agrabad Badamtoli, CEPZ, New Market, Sholoshahor, Number 2 Gate, Anderkilla and Chawkbazar.

At Agrabad, GEC, Sholoshahor, Number 2 Gate, Agrabad and Muradpur points, many commuters

were seen taking iftar in buses as they could not reach their destinations before the iftar.

Usually, the rush on the roads starts increasing from 2pm and it turns into a jam-packed state by 5pm. Sometimes, city people have to suffer till the midnight.

Traffic police sources said rampant occupying of footpaths on different important roads by the hawkers and street vendors, makeshift outlets of different hotels and restaurants on the footpaths and streets are the major reasons be-

hind the traffic congestion during the month of Ramadan.

The on-duty traffic personnel have virtually nothing to do for easing the traffic rather just witnessing the congestion. Shakila Farzana, additional deputy commissioner of Chittagong Traffic police, said they continued efforts to ease sufferings of the commuters and city dwellers.

“Traffic department has taken additional measures giving additional duties to its officials to reduce the suffering of city dwellers after 12th Ramadan, she added. l

A Rangpur court yesterday sentenced 10 robbers to death for killing a truck driver and a van puller while committing robbery in Rangpur 10 years back.

Additional District and Session’s Judge Abu Zafar Mohammad Kamruzzaman handed down the verdict on Abul Bashar, Chandu Mridha, Sobhan Sikder, Manik Miah, Ohidul Islam, Nazrul Islam, Abul Hossain, Shahin Miah, Jasim Uddin and Shahidul Islam.

According to the prosecution, the convicts hijacked a rice-laden truck on its way to Badarganj upazila of Rangpur from Thakurgaon after it reached Taraganj upazila of Rangpur on March 28, 2006.

The bandits pushed off driver Paresh Chandra and his helper Santosh from the truck. A van puller died on the spot when the truck ran over him while the robbers were fleeing the scene. Later, truck driver Paresh Chandra died after he was taken to hospital. l

5 held over Ansar camp attack n Abdul Aziz, Cox’s Bazar The Rapid Action Battalion arrested five people over the attack on a refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar.

RAB conducted drives at different places in Tennaf and arrested Md Rafiq, Abdur Razzak, Jane Alam, Md Harun, and Abdus Salam.

All of the arrestees are Rohingyas.

On May 13, an Ansar commander – Ali Hossain, son of late Sukkur Ali of Tangail – was killed as robbers attacked a refugee camp in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar and looted firearms from there.

The attackers demanded keys to the armoury from Ali Hossain, but he refused to do so. Then, some of the attackers dragged him out the camp and shot him to death. l

Srimangal Health Complex crippled by manifold problems n Saiful Islam, Moulvibazar

Shubita Kushum, 50, had been lying on a corridor of Srimangal Health Complex with a high fever for two days, but no doctor came to visit her.

Minara Begum of Janaura village went to the hospital to see a gynecologist, but she was told after waiting three hours with her one and a half month old baby that the doctor would not attend anymore patient today. She was advised by the attendant of the doctor to go to the doctor’s private chamber, said

Minara.

When asked, the attendant told our correspondent that she did not advise the patient to go to the private chamber. “I told her to come tomorrow, as the doctor is doing a caesarian delivery now,” the attendant said.

Josna Begum of Matiganj village said she came here with her son, who had been suffering from a high fever, but there was no one at the ticket counter.

Several other patients of the hospital told our correspondent that the resident medical officer

of the hospital either refers the patients to the district hospital or releases them hurriedly without considering their physical conditions. They also complained about the doctor’s bad manner.

The medical officer denied the allegations. “If a doctor has to see around 60 patients a day, he can lose temper,” he said.

After visiting the heath complex our correspondent reports that there is no arrangement of safe drinking water for the patients; ECG and ultrasonography machines are lying idle as no one is there to op-

erate them, and no surgery except caesarean can be done, as no surgeon has been appointed yet.

Srimangal Upazila Health and Family Planning Official Dr Joynal Abedin Tito said the hospital had been suffering from acute shortage of manpower. Though it was upgraded to a 50-bed hospital from a 30-bed hospital in 2012, no manpower has been appointed for the increased numbers of beds yet, he added. “A 50-bed hospital needs 29 physicians, whereas we have only 13,” he said. Similarly, there are shortages of nurses, technicians

and other staff.

Not only this, around 55 to 60 patients have to share the food provided for 31 patients, as no allocation has been made for the increased numbers of beds, said Dr Joynal.

Besides, the hospital needs more ambulance for carrying patients to better hospitals, as there is no consultant in the hospital, he added.

Despite so many problems, the hospital has provided 76 thousand patients with treatments in the last six months, Dr Joynal said. l

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SOUTH ASIA

Pakistan plans talks with Afghanistan, UNHCR Pakistan plans talks with Afghanistan and the United Nations refugee agency to move longtime Afghan refugees to camps at home, the foreign office said on Thursday, after the numbers of those returning plunged this year.

The talks would seek ways to ease early returns as well as the possibility of shifting Afghan refugees gradually from Pakistan. -REUTERS

INDIA

Clashes in Indian Kashmir after 2 militants killed Hundreds of protesters clashed with police Thursday in Indian-administered Kashmir after 2 suspected insurgents opposed to Indian rule died in a gunfight, police and the army said. Soldiers cordoned off Newa village, some 30km south of the main city of Srinagar in the morning, triggering a gun battle with the 2 militants.

-AFP

CHINA

Beijing to reject ruling on South China Sea case Beijing will reject any ruling by an international tribunal in a contentious case brought by the Philippines over the South China Sea, the foreign ministry said, as tensions mount over the disputed waters. TheUN-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration said Wednesday it will rule on July 12. Beijing has consistently rejected the tribunal’s right to hear the case.

AFP

ASIA PACIFIC

Mongolian opposition set for landslide win Mongolia’s main opposition was set for a landslide win in national elections, official preliminary results showed Thursday, as voters rejected economic policies that have left the sprawling. The contest largely came down to a choice between the ruling Democratic Party and opposition Mongolian People’s Party.

-AFP

MIDDLE EAST

UN: Violence, settlements, Gaza undermine hope for Mideast peace Violence and incitement, settlement expansion and a lack of control of Gaza by the Palestinian Authority are undermining hope for Middle East peace, a senior UN official said on Thursday, citing a report by the Middle East peace Quartet. The report contains recommendations to both sides in relation to violence, incitement to violence, Israeli settlement construction and related policies, Palestinian unity and institution building.

-REUTERS

INSIGHT

Murders, violence on rise as parched India battles for water Reuters n Thomson Foundation, Bhopal Imrat Namdev and her younger sister Pushpa Namdev were neighbours in Chhatarpur district, in the drought-hit Indian region of Bundelkhand. Both relied on the same well for water and, according to police, frequently quarrelled over how much the other was using.

In May, during one fight over water, Pushpa, 42, beat Imrat, 48, with a stick, police say. The injured sister was rushed to a hospital, but died there, and Pushpa was charged with murder.

“Our village faces a severe shortage of potable water,” Imrat’s son, Jitendra, said. “Pushpa always felt my mother drew more water from the well.”

As northern and central India continue to suffer thorough severe drought and oppressive heat, police in Bundelkhand and several other regions are reporting a rise in violent and often deadly - clashes over water.

After almost 10 years of below-average rainfall and several consecutive years of drought, the region’s rivers, lakes, reservoirs and wells are drying up.

Disputes are a common problem in many places in India that face water shortages. But Indian police report that the fighting is getting more frequent and bloody.

In many parts of the country, neighbours, friends and family are turning on each other, desperate to protect what little water they have left, police records suggest.

Last month, in the tribal-dominated Alirajpur district of Madhya Pradesh, 13-year-old Surmada, her brother and her uncle used a neighbour’s hand-pump, without permission, to get water for the family’s houseguests.

According to police, the owner of the pump and his son attacked the group with arrows. One pierced Surmada’s eye, killing her.

And in the village of Kanker, in Shivpuri district, a large-scale argument broke out after two motorcyclists got into an accident, causing one to spill the 15-litre container of water he was carrying.

“The two later called their family members and friends and attacked each other with spears, axes and sticks,” said investigating officer Jaisingh Yadav of Sathanwada police station. Fifteen people were injured, five of them women, he said.

Lal Singh Arya, Madhya Pradesh’s urban administration and develop-

Rajasthani women lugging water pot on their head from distance. Due to lack of piped water poor tribals have to fetch water from natural sources BIGSTOCK ment minister, said the government is using all its resources to try to make sure everyone has water. But he predicted tensions will remain high until monsoon rains - which began recently in some areas - take hold.

“There have been disputes over water in many parts of the state because of two consecutive droughts,” he said. “The situation will improve with the monsoon rains.”

Rajasthan

STATES HIT BY WATER SCARCITY

Only drinking water

Activists say the government’s failure to act to better manage water is partly to blame for the rise in violence.

“The present crisis is the fallout of over-consumption, wasteful use and inefficient water governance systems,” said Ajay Dubey, an activist with the environmental non-governmental organisation Prayatna, based in Madhya Pradesh.

“People are going to any lengths for the sake of water. They’ve lost hope that the situation will ever improve. Things were never so bad,” Dubey said.

According to the Madhya Pradesh water resource department, out of the state’s 139 main reservoirs, 82 are at only 10% capacity and 22 are empty. As authorities try to make the remaining water last until monsoon rains help refill the reservoirs, the measures they have implemented have only exacerbated the sense of desperation.

Across much of the region, authorities have banned the use of water for washing cars or trucks, bathing cattle or irrigating crops.

In most cities in Madhya Pradesh, the local government only sup-

Uttar Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Chhattisgarh Gujarat Maharashtra plies drinking water on one out of every two to seven days.

The district administration of Sehore in Madhya Pradesh has temporarily taken charge of all water sources, whether government or privately owned, so that it can manage use of the dwindling resource.

And in three towns in Madhya Pradesh, the use of water for anything other than drinking is banned.

Lokesh Kumar, sub-divisional magistrate of Ichhawar town, said water can’t be used for farming or industrial purposes until July 5, when the monsoon is underway and authorities hope water sources will be replenished.

For many in rural India, the struggle to survive with very little

Andhra Pradesh Tamil nadu water is proving too difficult. In areas like Bundelkhand, a growing number of people are leaving their homes and abandoning their work in hopes of finding water - even just a little more - somewhere else.

Asandi Das, who lives in a village in Chhatarpur district, plans to take his family to Agra, where the famous Taj Mahal is located, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. He said that right now his family has neither food nor water.

He knows it won’t be easy even in Agra - or anywhere else - but hopes to get enough work to make ends meet.

“We’ll not be able to survive in our village,” Das said. “There’s just no water. We’ll have to go to some other place if we want to live.” l

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FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

Ex-London mayor halts bid to be UK PM, upends race n Reuters, London Former London mayor Boris Johnson abruptly pulled out of the race to become Britain’s prime minister that he was once favoured to win, upending the contest less than a week after he led a campaign to take the country out of the EU. Johnson’s announcement, to audible gasps from a roomful of journalists and supporters on Thursday, was the biggest political surprise since Prime Minister David Cameron quit after losing last week’s referendum on British membership of the bloc.

It makes interior minister Theresa May, a party stalwart who backed remaining in the European Union, the new favourite to succeed Cameron.

May, seen as a steady hand, announced her own candidacy earlier on Thursday, promising to deliver the withdrawal from the EU voters had demanded despite having campaigned for the other side.

“Brexit means Brexit,” she told a news conference. “The campaign was fought, the vote was held, turnout was high and the public gave their verdict. There must be no attempts to remain inside the EU, no attempts to rejoin it through the back door and no second referendum.”

Western Sydney could be a major determinate of the July 2 vote and has attracted intense lobbying over the eight-week election campaign.

As many as six marginal seats at play between Turnbull’s conservative Liberal-National coalition government and the centre-left Labor Party led by Bill Shorten.

Concerned about polls showing a potentially close result, Turnbull has used “Brexit” shockwaves to urge voters to return his government.

While far right groups have returned to the fray on anti-Islam platforms, domestic economic issues such as jobs, tax and the funding of education and healthcare have dominated the campaign.

Pho soup and dumplings

Long derided as “westies” and until recently neglected in public spending plans, residents of Western Sydney experience higher crime and lower employment, health and education outcomes than their wealthier harbourside neighbours.

Having soaked up the majority of the region’s migrants, Western

USA

US, Iceland beef up defence deal on rising Russian threat Washington and Reykjavik have signed a deal authorising the occasional return of US forces to Iceland - a Nato member with no military of its own - amid rising tensions with Moscow. The US-Iceland declaration signed this week also says the two countries will explore increased cooperation, including possible joint exercises, training activities and personnel exchanges in search and rescue operations among other things.

-AFP

THE AMERICAS

From left to right: Andrea Leadsom, Stephen Crabb, Theresa May, Michael Gove and Liam Fox the front-runners of the Conservative party leader race, which will effectively determine the British premiership

‘Punchline’

Johnson, whose backing for the Leave cause was seen as essential to its victory, saw his leadership bid suddenly crumble after his Brexit campaign ally, Justice Secretary Michael Gove, withdrew support and announced a bid of his own.

Supporters, gathered for what they thought would be the first speech of his leadership campaign, were stunned. Johnson began by hailing a “moment for hope and ambition for Britain, a time not to fight against the tide of history but to take that tide at the flood and sail on to fortune”.

But by the time he spoke his bid had already been undermined

by Gove, a close friend of Cameron’s despite differences with the

prime minister over Europe, who had previously said he would back Johnson.

Johnson is the latest political casualty of a civil war in the ruling party unleashed by Cameron’s decision to hold the referendum on membership in the EU, an issue that divided the Conservatives for decades and now divides the country.

Known for a jokey public persona and mop of unkempt blonde hair, Johnson became a popular national figure during eight years as London mayor, and used his charm to aid the Leave cause after deciding only late in the day to push for Brexit.

But in the week since his side won, several leading Conservatives questioned whether Johnson

had the gravitas to run tough talks to mend the broken relationship with the EU. Britain’s new prime minister faces a huge task to unite the party and country, and persuade the EU to offer a deal balancing the desire expressed by voters to reduce immigration with London’s aim of maintaining access to EU markets.

A new British leader will also need to reassure financial markets, which have plummeted since the referendum. In addition to May and Gove, the candidates are Stephen Crabb, the cabinet minister responsible for pensions, who campaigned to stay in the EU, and two pro-Brexit figures, Liam Fox, a right-wing former defence secretary, and Andrea Leadsom, a minister in the energy department. l

Western Sydney in focus in close-run Aussie polls n Reuters, Sydney

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Sydney now boasts one of Australia’s most multicultural populations: nearly 39% of homes use a language other than English, compared with the national average of 18%.

For now, culinary delicacies like Vietnamese Pho soup or momo dumplings from Nepal are easier to come by than high-paying jobs, or the infrastructure for quick routes into central Sydney.

Turnbull plans to fix that with A$30bn in projects including the country’s largest public transport and urban road developments and the new international airport at Badgery’s Creek, to bring thousands of jobs and attract new businesses.

“We will stop this commuter exodus and support Western Sydney to become an exemplar 30-minute city,” Turnbull told reporters this month when unveiling a model of a revamped Parramatta.

Labor’s Shorten has also put a plan to create jobs in the region at the centre of his election pitch.

He’s promised federal funds to help build a rail link and expand the current overstretched main hospital serving the region and adding a new cancer centre. l

AUSTRALIA ELECTION

Malcolm Turnbull

Bill Shorten

Opposition leader Labor Party Former lawyer and union chief, served as education minister and workplace relations minister

Seized power from Tony Abbott in sudden leadership ballot for Liberal Party in Sept 2015

Assumed Labor party leadership in Oct 2013 after years of infighting that saw two Labor premiers, Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd, toppled in party coups

Criticised as out of touch with ordinary Australians, but insists he is a steady hand on the economy

UK

Jeremy Corbyn under fire over Israel comments Embattled British opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn came under fire Thursday for allegedly comparing the state of Israel to self-styled Islamic states. Britain’s chief rabbi condemned the comments, made at the launch of a report on anti-Semitism in the party, as offensive” and said they were likely to cause more concern about Labour’s stance. -AFP

Istanbul airport attackers Russian, Central Asian

Former journalist, lawyer, investment banker and entrepreneur before he entered politics

Served as environment minister under prime minister John Howard

US President Barack Obama on Wednesday urged the Venezuelan government to respect the democratic process and the rule of law, including allowing the release of political prisoners. “The democratic process should be respected,” Obama said at a North American summit as he stood alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. -REUTERS

EUROPE

Candidates for prime minister in July 2 vote

Current prime minister Liberal Party

Obama urges Venezuela to respect democratic process

Cleared by police in Aug 2014 of historical sex assault allegations Campaigns on Labor government standing up for middle- and working-class families

The 3 suicide bombers who carried out an attack on Istanbul’s main airport that killed 42 people were of Russian, Uzbek and Kyrgyz nationality, a Turkish official said on Thursday. Police detained 13 people, three of them foreigners, in raids across Istanbul in connection with Tuesday’s attack on Europe’s third-busiest Istanbul airport.

-REUTERS

AFRICA

Boko Haram suicide bomb kills 11 in Cameroon A suicide bomber belonging to Nigerian jihadist group Boko Haram killed at least 11 people when he blew himself up close to a mosque in Cameroon near the Nigerian border, military sources and local officials said on Thursday. The attack occurred late on Wednesday and followed the breaking of the fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

-REUTERS

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INSIGHT

150-year-old Ku Klux Klan rising again n Tribune International Desk Born in the ashes of the smouldering South after the Civil War, the Ku Klux Klan died and was reborn before losing the fight against civil rights in the 1960s. Membership dwindled, a unified group fractured, and one-time members went to prison for a string of murderous attacks against blacks. Many assumed the group was dead, a whiterobed ghost of hate and violence.

Yet today, the KKK is still alive and dreams of restoring itself to what it once was: an invisible white supremacist empire spreading its tentacles throughout society. As it marks 150 years of existence, the Klan is trying to reshape itself for a new era.

In a series of interviews, Klan leaders said they feel that US politics are going their way, as a nationalist, us-versus-them mentality deepens across the nation. Stopping or limiting immigration — a desire of the Klan dating back to the 1920s — is more of a cause than ever. And leaders say membership has gone up at the twilight of President Barack Obama’s second term in office, though few would provide numbers.

Joining the Klan is as easy as filling out an online form — provided you’re white and Christian. Members can visit an online store to buy one of the Klan’s trademark white cotton robes for $145, though many splurge on the $165 satin version.

While the Klan has terrorised minorities during much of the last century, its leaders now present a public front that is more virulent than violent. Leaders from several different Klan groups all said they have rules against violence aside from self-defence, and even opponents agree the KKK has toned itself down after a string of members went to prison years after the fact for deadly arson attacks, beatings, bombings and shootings.

Klan leaders said most of today’s groups remain small and operate independently, kept apart by disagreements over such issues as whether to associate with neo-Nazis, hold public rallies or wear the KKK’s trademark robes in colours other than white.

So-called “traditional” Klan groups avoid public displays and practice rituals dating back a century; others post web videos dedicated to preaching against racial diversity and warning of a coming “white genocide.” Women are voting members in some groups, but not in others. Some leaders will not speak openly with the media but others do, articulating ambitious plans that include quietly building political strength.

Some groups hold annual con-

ventions, just like civic clubs. Members gather in meeting rooms to discuss strategies that include electing Klan members to local political offices and recruiting new blood through the internet.

It’s impossible to say how many members the Klan counts today since groups don’t reveal that information, but leaders claim adherents in the thousands among scores of local groups called Klaverns.

The Anti-Defamation League, the Jewish protection group that monitors Klan activity, describes North Carolina’s Loyal White Knights as the most active Klan group today, but estimates it has no more than 200 members total. The ADL puts total Klan membership US-wide at around 3,000.

The Alabama-based SPLC says there’s no evidence the Klan is returning to the strength of its heyday. It estimates the Klan has about 190 chapters nationally with no more than 6,000 members total, which would be a mere shadow of its estimated 2m to 5m members in the 1920s.

Formed just months after the end of the Civil War by six former Confederate officers in Tennessee, the Klan originally seemed more like a college fraternity with ceremonial robes and odd titles for its officers. But soon, freed blacks were being terrorised, and the Klan was blamed. Hundreds of people were assaulted or killed within the span of a few years as whites tried to regain control of the defeated Confederacy.

US Congress effectively outlawed the Klan in 1871, leading to martial law in some places and thousands of arrests, and the group died.

The Klan seemed relegated to history until World War I, when it was resurrected. It grew as waves of immigrants arrived aboard ships from Europe and elsewhere, and grew more as the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) challenged Jim Crow laws (US state and local laws enforcing racial segregation in the Southern US. Enacted during post-Civil War period, these laws continued in force until 1965) in the South in the 1920s. Millions joined, including community leaders like bankers and lawyers.

That momentum declined, and best estimates place Klan membership at about 40,000 by the mid-’60s, the height of the civil rights movement. Klan members were convicted of using murder as a weapon against equality in states including Mississippi and Alabama, where one Klansman remains imprisoned for planting the bomb that killed four black girls in a Birmingham church in 1963.

Stopping immigration, not

THE DARK HISTORY OF KKK

Founded: 1866 Headquarters: Background:

Each different Klan group has its own headquarters.

The Klan has fragmented into more than 40 separate factions of varying sizes. There is no “one” Ku Klux Klan.

Estimated size: There are over a hundred different chapters in the various Klan organisations, with varying memberships.

Overall, there may be as many as 5,000 members and associates of the Ku Klux Klan. The Klan is strongest in the South and in the Midwest.

Criminal Activity: The Klan has a relatively high association with criminal activity, ranging from hate crimes to acts of domestic terrorism.

Media: Mass mailings, leafleting and the Internet Strategy: Public rallies and protests, “adopt a highway” programs and other attention getting stunts, Internet Ideology: White supremacist ideology not far from that of neo-Nazis, although it tends to be more Christian-oriented and to stress nativism.

Affiliations: National Socialist Movement, Aryan Nations, Christian Identity groups Financial support: Little. Most funding comes from membership dues and sales of Klan paraphernalia.

Sources: Anti-Defamation League, History, The Week,

blocking minority rights, is the Klan’s number 1 issue today, one leader said.

The current hot-button issue for Klan members — fighting immigration and closing US borders — is one of the most talked-about topics in the presidential election. Klan leaders say Donald Trump’s immigration position and his ascendancy in the GOP are signs things are going their way.

Despite trying to rebrand itself in many ways, 150 years later, the Klan has not stepped away from burning crosses, though it rarely does so in public. Instead, the “lightings,” as members call them, are held on private property away from law enforcement and demonstrators.

In April, Klan members and other white supremacists held two rallies on the same warm Saturday in Georgia. As the sun set, about 60 robed Klan members and others holding flaming torches gathered in a huge circle in a field in northwest Georgia to set a cross and Nazi swastika afire.

“White power!” they chanted in unison.

“Death to the ungodly! Death to our enemies! l

Infograph:Mohammad Razon/ Dhaka Tribune

In this April file photo, KKK loyalists hold a "White Pride" rally, in Georgia

AP

Clinton raising big dollars at tiny fundraisers n Tribune International Desk A single elevator could have accommodated the donors who recently gathered with Hillary Clinton at home of the Pritzker family in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighbourhood.

Small in number, the group was big in largesse, contributing at least $1m to help elect her and other Democrats this fall.

In her quest for the White House, Clinton is using every fundraising technique at her disposal, including intimate salon-style gatherings with elite donors. The mini-fundraisers have landed big money: At least $19.5m has flowed from 16 of them over the past two months, according to a review.

But they also may open her up to criticism. As Clinton works to win over liberals in her party after a divisive primary, the events may undercut her argument that she would be a strong proponent of campaign finance reform. Clinton says Democrats cannot unilaterally disarm in the midst of a tough presidential election, but once in the White House she’d work to reduce big money in politics — a line President Barack Obama also used.

Both Clinton and Trump can solicit checks of $350,000 or more from a single donor thanks in part to a Supreme Court ruling that lifted an overall per-person cap on political contributions. That’s roughly triple what the individual donor limit was in 2012.

The resulting money flow could help the presidential candidates build robust on-the-ground voter contact and turnout operations, as well as pay for costly advertising.

Clinton has made high-dollar fundraisers a staple of her campaign financing plan, frequently pairing a small pricey event with a far larger one that has a much lower entry fee. Donors at those events typically were asked to give at least $100,000 to the Hillary Victory Fund. The campaigns can accept only $2,700 per donor for each election, but a victory fund allows candidates to ask for more and then parcel out the money to the campaign, national political party and dozens of state parties. l

US brands AQIS as terrorist group n AFP, Washington, DC The US added al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), a regional branch of the global extremist network, to its terror blacklist on Thursday.

The State Department designated AQIS a “foreign terrorist organisation” and its leader, Indian-born Asim Umar, a “specially designated global terrorist.”

Under the new designation, if investigators tie any assets or property under US jurisdiction to the group or its leader, they will be frozen.

In addition, US citizens are forbidden from having any dealings with the group on pain of prosecution.

In a statement announcing the order, the State Department said AQIS had claimed responsibility for the September 6, 2014 attack on a Pakistani naval dockyard.

The attack left one Pakistani officer and three attackers dead, while seven sailors were wounded as the militants attempted to hijack a docked frigate.

More recently, the group claimed the killings of several Bangladeshi atheists, gay rights activists, bloggers, US citizen Avijit Roy and US embassy employee Xulhaz Mannan.

Umar, who has appeared in al-Qaeda propaganda as the AQIS leader, is a shadowy figure.

He is thought to be based in Pakistan but, according to the US Treasury sanctions list, was born between 1974 and 1976 in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh.

The Treasury designation says he has also used the name Sanaul Haq and the honorific “Maulana”. l

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FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

TOP STORIES Bangladesh down five notches in HDI Bangladesh ranks down five notches in the global human capital index, which measures countries’ ability to nurture, develop and deploy talent for economic growth.

Finland topped the list.

PAGE 13

Survey: China growth rebounds, but may not last China’s economy rebounded in the second quarter, with capital expenditures recovering from 5-year lows, a private survey showed yesterday, as higher government spending helped boost the property and construction sectors.

Banks given Tk600cr from recap fund n Asif Showkat Kallol The government has injected around Tk600 crore into five banks and one financial institution including micro-lender Grameen Bank.

Fund to Grameen Bank, which amounts to Tk1.13 crore, has been given to raise the government stake in the bank.

Officials said as the government moved to hold 25% stake of the micro-credit bank, the fund would help the government achieve its objective.

They said the injection of fund might strengthen the government’s presence in the board of directors of the Grameen Bank.

Finance Division provided the funds to four other banks and one financial institution to increase their paid up capitals, said an official.

They include Bangladesh House Building Finance Corporation (BHBFC), Sonali Bank UK, Bangladesh Krishi Bank, Rajshahi

FUNDS FOR RECAPITALISATION CHART Name of Bank /Financial Institutions

Objective of disbursement of funds

Amount of funds (in Tk crore

1

Grameen Bank

To increase government share in the paid up capital

1.13

2

Bangladesh Krishi Bank

To keep a provision of deficit to maintain classified loans

140.08

3

Sonali Bank (UK) Limited

To increase paid up capital

178.41

4

Rajshahi Krish Unnayan Bank

To meet capital shortfall

55

5

Bangladesh House Building Finance Corporation

loan

200

6

Ansar VDP Bank Limited

For recapitalisation

25

Total funds

599.62 Sources: finance division

Krishi Unnayan Bank and Ansar VDP Bank.

Of them, BHBFC received Tk200 crore as loan, while Sonali Bank UK gets Tk178.41 crore, BKB Tk140.08 crore, Rajshahi Krishi Unnanyan Bank Tk55 crore and Ansar VDP Bank Tk25 crore.

The money was allocated from the Tk600 crore recapitalisation

fund in the revised budget of fiscal year 2015-16, according to a circular issued yesterday with Finance Minister AMA Muhith’s approval.

The paid up capital of the micro-lender Grameen Bank grew from Tk59.79 crore to Tk73.4 crore in 2013, but the government had not raised its stake since then.

In a recent interview, Finance

Minister AMA Muhith told the Dhaka Tribune that he was planning to recapitalise big stateowned banks through raising funds from the country’s stock markets, “but some allocations will be in the budget for stateowned financial institutions.”

In the proposed budget for the FY2016-17, the state-owned banks have got an allocation of Tk2,000 crore for recapitalisation.

The allocation was cut to Tk1,800 crore in the revised budget this fiscal from Tk5,000 crore.

Of the eight state-owned commercial banks, six have capital shortfall of around Tk10,000 crore as of December, 2015.

The government has lowered the allocation after criticism against the use of public money to recapitalise banks.

The state banks will face difficulties to comply with the capital requirement as per Basel-II, the regulatory capital framework, said M Farid Uddin, managing director of Rupali Bank. l

PAGE 14

Banks asked to ensure ADB to help expand road network under PPP security during Eid n holidays Tribune Business Desk

No sign of Brexit hit to emerging market asset flows Early signs show that last week’s vote by Britain to leave the European Union has had no immediate impact on emerging market asset flows, the Institute of International Finance (IIF) said yesterday.

PAGE 15

Capital market snapshot: Thursday DSE Broad Index

4,507.6

0.8% ▲

Index

1,110.8

0.9% ▲

30 Index

1,770.8

1.1% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk

3,772.9 -35.6% ▼

Turnover in Mn Vol

106.8 -24.3% ▼

CSE All Share Index 13,802.6

0.8% ▲

30 Index

1.2% ▲

Selected Index

12,773.7 8,396.6

0.8% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk

413.2

71.3% ▲

Turnover in Mn Vol

13.5

20.3% ▲

n Tribune Business Desk

Bangladesh Bank has asked all the scheduled banks to take precautionary measures for ensuring security during a nine-day long holidays on the occasion of upcoming Eid ul-Fitr.

Banks have been asked to ensure overall security including cyber security at all the head offices and the branches during the Eid holidays, said a Bangladesh Bank circular issued yesterday.

According to the circular, the banks were also suggested the bank officers to monitor the banks by rotation.

Expressing its concern over the recent BB cyber heist and bank robberies, Bangladesh Bank said: “Banks should undertake more security measures for their respective business centers. Moreover, as the Eid vacation is the longest one, this year, it is also necessary to put more efforts at tightening security.”

Though the banks are closed for 9 days, they will remain open even in holidays in true sense to facilitate business transactions, said Golam Hafiz, managing director of NCC Bank.

As a result, some officers will be in office even on holidays, he said.

Moreover, banks will assign some officers to remain on duty on security ground even during the holidays, he said.

‘Though the banks are closed for 9 days, they will remain open even in holidays in true sense to facilitate business transactions’ Earlier on June 27, Bangladesh Bank had declared July 4 a holiday for all the banks but at the same time banks were also asked to keep open their branches in customs station areas to facilitate export-import activities.

Banks were also asked to keep open their branches on July 2, 3 and 4 in garment industry areas and also around the big shopping mall, so the bank activities will continue partially even during the holidays. l

Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Bangladesh Public–Private Partnership Authority yesterday signed a transaction advisory services agreement that will pave the way for a public-private partnership project (PPP) to prepare and develop a major access road to improve road connection and alleviate traffic congestion in central Dhaka.

Bangladesh PPP Authority Chief Executive Officer Syed Afsor H Uddin, and ADB Country Director for Bangladesh Kazuhiko Higuchi signed the agreement in Dhaka.

The Rampura-Amulia-Demra PPP road will provide much needed and improved linkage between the highways from Chittagong and Sylhet, and central Dhaka.

The project also complements ADB’s existing support to Bangladesh’s Roads and Highways Department for intercity road connection under the South Asia Sub-regional Economic Cooperation Project.

The PPP project will develop a four-lane 13.5km access controlled road. As part of its advisory mandate, ADB will carry out a feasibility study for the $200 million project, develop a bankable PPP structure and organise a competitive tender process to select a suitable private sector partner.

A transparent competitive tender process is expected to deliver the best value for the construction, operation and maintenance of the road and will help develop a template for PPP roads in Bangladesh. l

FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

Bangladesh down five notches in HDI n Kayes Sohel Bangladesh ranks down five notches in the global human capital index, which measures countries’ ability to nurture, develop and deploy talent for economic growth.

Finland topped the list.

Bangladesh now ranks 104th among 130 countries, according to a report released on Wednesday by the Geneva-based World Economic Forum (WEF) in Chinese city at its Annual Meeting of New Champions — also known as ‘Summer Davos’ summit.

In the last year’s report, Bangladesh stood at 99th position.

Bangladesh ranks much below China’s 71st position while Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka are also placed higher on the index.

Among South Asian countries, Bangladesh is ahead of India (105), Nepal (108) and Pakistan (118) and below from Sri Lanka (50) and Bhutan (91).

The region’s most populous countries —Bangladesh, India and Pakistan — are held back by insufficient educational enrollment rates and poor quality primary schools, said the report.

It added the youth literacy rate in the three countries stands at 83%, 89% and 75% respectively, far behind other emerging markets as well as their own lower-middle income group’s average.

“All the three countries’ educational performance is somewhat better at the tertiary level, despite rather low levels of skill diversity among their university graduates, indicat-

ing a strong specialization in a limited number of academic subjects.”

The three countries also exhibit significant employment gender gaps exacerbating the difficulty of finding skilled employees, which is ranked low in all countries except India.

It suggested that in economies such as Bangladesh efforts are needed to simultaneously improve the development as well as deployment of the nation’s human capital potential across the Learning and Employment dimensions for all age groups.

Globally also, an average of only 65% of the world’s talent is being optimised through education, skill development and deployment during people’s lifetimes, WEF said.

Finland, Norway and Switzerland hold the top three positions,

utilising around 85% of their human capital. Japan leads when it comes to 55 year-old of the age group and over.

“Today’s transition to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, combined with a crisis of governance, creates an urgent need for the world’s educators and employers to fundamentally rethink human capital through dialogue and partnerships,” said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of WEF. “The adaptation of educational institutions, labour market policy and workplaces are crucial to growth, equality and social stability.”

On the global index, Japan and Sweden have moved up to 4th and 5th places followed by New Zealand, Denmark, the Netherlands, Canada and Belgium in top ten. l

Japan to provide record Tk12,819 crore for six projects n Tribune Business Desk Japan will provide Bangladesh with a loan worth Tk12,819 crore (¥173.53bn) for six projects in power, communication and natural disaster management sectors.

The amount of loan will be the highest lent to Bangladesh by Japan since 1972.

Bangladesh Economic Relations Division Acting Secretary Kazi Shafiqul Azam and Japan International Cooperation Agency representative Mikio Hataeda signed the Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan agreement at a ceremony held at the NEC conference room in the capital yesterday.

State Minister for Finance and Planning MA Mannan and Japanese Ambassador Masato Watanabe were present during the agreement signing ceremony.

The annual interest of the loan will be 0.01%, which will have a 10year gross period and to pay back in 40 years.

State Minister for Finance and Planning said: “Japan has given ¥1,00,000 crore as loan, ¥50,000 crore as assistance and ¥6,500 crore as technical assistance since establishing bilateral relationship between the two countries in 1972.”

The six projects are Jamuna Railway Bridge Construction Project, Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project, Cross-Border Road Network Improvement Project, Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Project, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Promotion Financing Project and Disaster Risk Management Enhancement Project. l

Bangladesh government and Microsoft sign an agreement for ensuring cyber security yesterday in Dhaka as State Minister for Posts and Telecommunications Tarana Halim looks on COURTESY

Walton showcases over 100 new items on Eid-ul-Fitr n Tribune Business Desk Walton, a local manufacturer of home appliance, has exhibited over 100 items across the country through its outlets to attract consumers ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.

The display of such a large number of products is resulted in not only creating huge customers’ flow at the outlets of Walton but also registering a substantial growth in the sales of its home appliances in Ramadan, said a press release of the company yesterday.

The introduction of new models of products to the market, application of latest technologies in the production process, world-class quality, attractive designs and col-

ours, reasonable rates, easy installment facility, said Md Muktadir Billah, in-charge (sales and marketing) of small appliances of Walton Group.

ISO standard post sales service, nationwide sales and service points and producing goods conforming to local weather are resulted in gaining the customers’ faith on Walton brand products, he added.

The sales of electronics home appliances of Walton have increased by about 17% during the first six months of 2016 compared to the sales of the same period of last year.

In addition, a 20% growth has been achieved in the sales of current month against the sales of

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last month and the local brand has been able to grab a lion market share of the country’s electronics home appliances in Ramadan.

The products include a wide range of electronics home appliances-air cooler, air fryer, blender and juicer, cloth dryer, food processor, gas stove, hair dryer and straightened, induction cooker, iron, electric kettle, kitchen cookware, electric lunchbox, microwave oven, mop set, electric multi cooker, pressure cooker, rechargeable lamp and torch, rice cooker, room heater, ruti maker, sewing machine, stand mixer, toaster, cake and sandwich maker, vacuum flask, voltage stabilizer, IPS, Washing Machine, Water Purifier and Dispenser, and weight machine. l

Stocks end in green before 9-day closure n Tribune Business Desk As the stocks markets across the country were going to close for nine days from today, stocks manged to end higher yesterday.

The market began slowly and remained in a limited range throughout the session, mostly on good fundamental issues.

The benchmark index DSEX gained modestly over 37 points or 0.9% to 4,507.

The blue-chip comprising index DS30 was up around 20 points or 1% to 1,770.

The DSE Shariah Index DSES rose over 10 points to 1,110.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index CSCX closed at 8,396, rising 65 points.

The bourses will remain closed from today to July 9 on account of weekends and festival holidays to celebrate Eid ul-Fitr—the biggest religious festival for the Muslim community. The market will resume on July 10.

However, most investors preferred to stay on the sidelines before going on long vacation.

The DSE turnover stood at Tk377 crore, down more than 35% over previous session.

All the large cap sectors showed positive performances with non-banking financial institutions surging almost 2%, telecommunication 1% and banks 0.8%.

Pharmaceuticals, power, engineering and food & allied edged higher.

Lanka Bangla Securities said after showing an initial upward move, stocks have seen some further upside over the course of the trading session on the last day of trading before Eid vacation. l

Othoba.com makes Eid shopping offers n Tribune Business Desk Othoba.com, an online store, has offered up to 20% cash back and discounts to its consumers against buying products on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

It has brought around 10,000 new and quality products in fashion, tech and home decoration categories, according to a press release.

As per the offers that began on the first day of Ramadan, the customers will get the cash back facility if they make payments through bKash, and 5%-65% discounts on the purchase of products.

Othoba.com said the store has a wide variety of new and quality products that include punjabi, t-shirt, polo-shirt, causal shirt, jeans.l

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Business

Survey: China growth rebounds, but may not last n Reuters

China’s economy rebounded in the second quarter, with capital expenditures recovering from 5-year lows, a private survey showed yesterday, as higher government spending helped boost the property and construction sectors.

The quarterly survey of over 3,000 firms

by China Beige Book International (CBB) also showed better hiring and a strong rebound in the services sector, which if sustainable would point to progress in Beijing’s long-stated goal of rebalancing the economy.

The “Beige Book” findings contrast to some degree with official data and some other private surveys which point to some steadying in certain parts of the economy but weakness elsewhere.

Official data had shown a pick-up in March but readings for April and May suggested that improvement may be shortlived. Private investment growth has shrunk to a record low, putting more of the burden on state-controlled firms to support economic growth.

Economists have questioned China’s official statistics for years and increasingly turn to private surveys such as the CBB and measures such as concrete, steel or electricity production to better gauge trends in the world’s second-largest economy.

CBB said China’s record credit expansion this year is filtering through to the construction sector, where 43% of residential build-

ers reported higher revenue growth in the second quarter, up from 33% for the same period last year.

CBB also believes private investment will start to recover in coming months. Its data showed 47% of private firms reported faster growth in capital expenditures in the second quarter, up from 32% in the first quarter.

Hiring accelerated from the first quarter, with 37% of firms increasing headcount, up slightly on-year, though most of the hiring was at very small firms.

Despite the improvement, CBB CEO Leland Miller is not optimistic the positive trends in the second quarter will last, and also has concerns about China’s willingness to go through a painful rebalancing process.

“If they are able to (stop relying on debt-fueled growth and stimulus), China’s economy will slow, but as it does the economy will rebalance and they will use stimulus to cushion the rebalancing,” Miller told Reuters in an interview.

“You’ll have a slower growing, healthier China emerge out of the other side.”

Policymakers should take the stronger second quarter performance as a chance to push through economic reforms, Miller said.

“The problem is until we see China willing to do the hard work on overcapacity and some of the problems in the economy, I don’t have much confidence they can maintain these trends (we saw in the second quarter).” l

CORPORATE NEWS

Dhaka Bank Limited has recently donated Tk 1.5cr to prime minister’s relief fund, said a press release.

The bank’s director, Abdul Hai Sarker and its sponsor, ATM Hayatuzzaman Khan handed over a cheque to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in this regard

Jamuna Bank Limited has recently joined forces with IT Consultants Limited (ITCL) and insurance provider MicroEnsure in order to provide a free insurance scheme named, Protection Plus to all debit cardholders of Jamuna Bank, said a press release. The bank’s managing director and CEO, Shafiqul Alam, director (business development) of ITCL, Osman Haidar and Mir Rashedul Hossain, country manager of MicroEnsure were present at the launching ceremony

NRB Commercial Bank Ltd has recently opened its 42th branch at Madhabdi in Narsingdi, said a press release. The bank’s sponsor shareholder, Dr Rafiqul Islam Khan inaugurated the branch

Md Shah Alam has recently been promoted as new deputy managing director of Premier Bank Limited, said a press release. He starts his banking career in 1984 as a probationary officer of National Bank Ltd after completion of his graduate and post graduate degrees in management form University of Dhaka

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No sign of Brexit hit to emerging market asset flows n Reuters Early signs show that last week’s vote by Britain to leave the European Union has had no immediate impact on emerging market asset flows, the Institute of International Finance (IIF) said yesterday.

The IIF said daily EM portfolio flows data suggested outflows were a fairly minor $210m on “Brexit Friday” and had seen some recovery since then.

That relatively modest selling compared with $2.7bn on August 24 in 2015 when concerns about China’s economy and a devaluation of its currency triggered global financial market jitters.

Additional data for the whole of June showed that foreign investors have pumped a net $16.7bn into emerging market assets during the

month, a big improvement on a near-zero total in May, although shy of the 2010-2014 average of $22bn.

It added the buying was concentrated largely at the start of the month before the June 23 Brexit vote and was quite evenly distributed across equities and debt, with inflows of $9.3bn and $7.4bn respectively.

There was also near-record emerging market debt issuance in June.

Regionally, EM Asia saw inflows of $13.7bn, while Africa and the Middle East had $3.6bn as South African equities saw a record amount of buying from foreign investors.

“Early indications suggest that the Brexit vote had limited immediate impact on portfolio flows to emerging markets,” the IIF said. l

An employee walks under a stock ticker showing stock options inside the Athens stock exchange building in Athens, Greece, after Britain voted to leave the European Union in the Brexit referendum REUTERS

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FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

toy review

Pictionary: The game of quick draw

A

spin-off of the famous Charades, but just in sketches, Pictionary: The Game of Quick Draw is a real treat for all families set out to spend a wonderful evening together.

The game includes a game board, a one minute timer, four

pencils, paper, a die and a card box along with instructions.

Each team of players, large or small, has to roll the six-sided challenge die and is assigned to hysterical scenarios from the card box, which the players have to sketch out on the papers, while the opponents have to guess the

answers by identifying the pictures.

With every correct guess, the teams move around the game board and the one who reaches the final zone before the rival team, wins the game.

Available at the toy stores in Gulshan and Dhanmondi, this quick draw classic is guaranteed to bring out hoards of laughter and fun, and is a definite play for all. l

photo story

b

book review

The Dragon Prince n Features Team Pop up books have been around for quite some time now, but this is the first time these books have come to Bangladesh. The Dragon Prince is a very interesting and fun read for children. The storyline is perfect to capture their attention and the language is easy enough to understand.

The drawings go with the story well and bring the whole book together.

It is written and illustrated

by Rumana Sharmin and published by “Da pop-up factory.� Rumana Sharmin is also the paper engineer for the book. The book is reasonably priced at Tk600, and you can get your hands on it from bookstores like Pathak Shamabesh and Batighor. l

The entire city has grown tired under the hot sun. A sudden visit of rain brings back the happiness that was lost.

PHOTO: MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

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FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

diy

Finger painting Some of you must like painting, but everybody loves finger painting! The messier, the stickier, the slimier, the better! With this recipe, you can make your favourite colours, right in your own kitchen. Not only is this stuff cheap, it’s washable, too!

What you need: 1/4 cup corn starch 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 tablespoon sugar 1 cup cold water Different food colouring What you do: Put the corn starch, salt, sugar, and water into a pot. Cook over low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring constantly.

You should get a grown-up to do this for you to avoid any accidents!

The mixture will start thin, but will eventually thicken.

When it does, take the pot off of the stove and let the mixture cool off.

Once it’s cool, divide it into small containers (small jars or leftover containers work well) and add a few drops of food colouring to each. Voila! It’s time to paint.l

fun science

magic for kids

Water music

Secret message What you need: A toothpick or a paintbrush Lemon juice A piece of paper A table lamp or an iron What to do: Pass someone a secret messages using lemon juice!

Put your paintbrush or toothpick into some lemon juice and write your secret message on a sheet of paper, with it.

Want to make music? Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s get going! This fun experiment will let you make your very own glass xylophone that plays sweet melodies!

What you need: 6 tall glasses Water Food colouring Metal/wooden spoon or wooden popsicle sticks Jug What you do: Line up the glasses in a row.

Tap gently on each of the glasses. What sort of sound is created? Do the glasses all make the same sound?

Put the water in the jug and mix in the food colouring.

Carefully pour the water into the glasses, making sure there is a different level of water in each glass.

Tap the glasses again. What sort of noise do they make now? Do all of the glasses make the same sound now?

Try and vary the tones by changing the amounts of water.

Adjust the musical notes that are created by adding more or less water to each glass and create a tune!

What’s going on?

When you tap the glasses, you generate sound waves that travel through the glass. When there is water in the glasses, the sound waves are altered as they need to travel through water.

The more water is present in a glass, the lower the sound note.l

When the juice dries up, it will vanish.

Now give your secret message to your friend and have them heat up the paper using a clothes iron or hold it close to a warm light bulb and watch your writing magically appear again!

Be very careful while warming the sheet of paper with your message.

Note that this trick will not work if you use LED lights.l

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FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

Ramadan Special

Ramadan: Coming out of the suburbs n Shireen Pasha Complaint is only possible While living in the suburbs Of God - The Gift, Poems by Hafiz, Translations by Daniel Ladinsky

We all have moments of being suburb dwellers. When I find myself living there instead of the cosmos with feet planted perfectly in the present moment, I bring my actions back to the molecular level and prepare food for my family, a pleasure, for when will I ever have them again in my life to share deliciousness?

The molecules of spices, vegetables, fruits and the thoughts of loved ones enjoying themselves light the sun in our bellies and the atmosphere around us - a simple way to offer a powerful social good!

The following are a couple of recipes to bring you out of the suburbs: Watermelon juice with Mint (This juice may thwart enlightenment as it is highly acidic but incredibly delicious and hydrating - as long as you have a glass or two and plenty of other alkaline vegetables, you’ll be fine. This recipe is from Emily von Euw.)

Coconut Cream Topping 2/3 cup (54 g) fresh young coconut meat 1/2 cup (118 ml) coconut water, or as needed 1/4 cup (41 g) raw cashews 2 tablespoons (40 g) preferred liquid sweetener 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice 1/2 cup (118 ml) melted coconut oilt

1 watermelon 1/4 cup mint leaves 3 ice cubes

Nut Topping 1/4 cup or 28 g chopped raw nut of your choice

Chop up the watermelon and then blend it into juice - it will liquify almost immediately.

(You may need two batches to blend.) strain your juice and then pour it over ice and mint leaves. Moja!

To make the crust: Process the oats into flour in your food processor, then add the dates and process until becomes a coarse dough, sticking together when pressed. Press into the bottom of a pie dish and store it in the fridge or the coolest part of your house.

Green Zucchini or Gourd Bharta 2 green zucchinis or 1 small Gourd Sesame paste (or tahini) Juice of lemon to taste Salt to taste Black pepper to taste Wash and peel the zucchinis (or gourd), then continue to use the peeler to make thin strips of zucchini until nothing remains. Mix the sesame paste with lemon juice, salt and black pepper to taste. Moja!

Lemon Dream Pie with Pecans & Coconut Vanilla Whipped Cream (by Emily von Euw) Crust: 1 cup (90 g) oats 1 1/2 cups (263 g) pitted dates Filling 1 1/4 cups (183 g) raw cashews Juice of 5 lemons 1 cup (175 g) pitted dates 2 tablespoons (30 ml) melted coconut

To make the filling: Blend all the ingredients until smooth.

Spread evenly into your crust.

Spread the coconut cream evenly over your pie and put it in the fridge or a cool part of your house (this may be difficult in this season!). Keep it in the fridge until texture tightens.

To make the coconut cream topping: Blend all the ingredients until smooth, thick and creamy; you may have to chill it to make it thicker.

Finally: Layer the crust, filling and topping and cool. Moja! l

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FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

| launch |

| meals |

Launch of Financial Inclusion Insights (FII) report

Side Dish International Cuisine now at Uttara

Over four in ten Bangladeshis are financially included The Financial Inclusion Insights (FII) survey, conducted

by InterMedia Survey Institute, shows a significant increase in people into formal financial banking sector than before.

More Bangladeshi adults aged 15 and above, are financially included now than in previous years. Forty-three percent now have formal financial accounts which was 37 percent in 2014.

InterMedia launched the results of the ‘Bangladesh Financial Inclusion Insights (FII) 2015’ today (Wednesday) at a half-day

seminar organised by BRAC, at the Lakeshore Hotel.

The panel discussion was moderated by Colleen Learch, Director of Research at InterMedia, where general manager of BRAC Microfinance Sahed Shams Azad, and other panelists from Grameenphone, bKash, and CGAP were present.

“This growth is primarily driven by more adults in Bangladesh having mobile money accounts now than in 2014. The more impoverished demographics, however, tend to adopt financial services at a slower rate than the population overall, and therefore require additional targeting to bring them into the financial fold,” said Learch.

The panel discussion focused

on developing long-term use cases for digital financial services, and a debut of the new www.finclusion.org website, which includes ‘Fiinder,’ the searchable database of three years of demand-side data from Africa and Asia.

In the opening comments, Tanjilut Tasnuba, team leader of BRAC Social Innovation Lab said; “BRAC started incorporating mobile financial services in its activities since 2013, and has experienced some early struggles. We are now reaching thousands of rural women with MFS through proper hand holding and by helping them to realise the benefits.

InterMedia is doing a great job in Bangladesh.”l

| offers |

Host of Eid offers at Le Méridien Dhaka

The Holy Ramadan is coming to a close and it has indeed been a busy month for Le Méridien Dhaka. However, this upper upscale hotel is in no way fatigued by all the activities of the month-long celebration.

Bolstered by the rave reviews from guests received both on social media and in person. Le Méridien Dhaka has already prepared another transforming celebration for Eid-ul-Fitr.

To begin, the hotel is inviting city guests to take advantage of the long weekends and holiday mood to enjoy quality family time in Le Méridien Dhaka, and experience the celebration by staying in its holistic comfort and making use of the uncompromising service it has to offer. A family of four (two adults and two children) may enjoy

one night accommodation any weekend between June 30-July 31, 2016; with complimentary buffet breakfast / buffet Sehri (if staying during Ramadan) at only Tk11,900 (inclusive of service charge and VAT). The package also includes welcome drinks and chocolates in the room upon arrival, use of the fitness centre and skyline infinity pool, and uninterrupted high speed internet access (1.5 mbps) throughout the hotel. To make it even better, ther will also provide complimentary 30-minutes Thai massage for two adults. Guests may also enjoy 20% discount on food and 15% discount beverage consumption during their stay.

Offer is valid for locals and expatriates with valid work permit.

After a month-long interlude

during Ramadan to revive the popular, Le Méridien BBQ hosted every Thursday and Friday, the hotel is also offering an Eid BBQ in its rooftop-terrace restaurant, Olea at Tk3,600 nett per person.

With the stunning view of the city expanse from the poolside terrace of the restaurant as well as grand Mediterranean interior of the restaurant, the atmosphere is bound to be charged with energy. An epicurean expedition of well-laid out spread of grilled gourmets complemented by soul soothing music and the most beautiful panorama of the city to ensure a truly sensorial experience. Discount offers from 15% to up to 50% is available with various bank and telecommunication partners.

With lunch being back at full steam, the hotel is also offering its impressive buffet lunch in their day dining restaurant, Latest Recipe at a specially discounted rate of Tk1,999 nett per person from Eid-ul-Fitr 2016, till July 31, 2016. With such bounty of delicious offers, this Eid holiday is bound to be exciting for the guests of Le Méridien Dhaka.

Guests may learn more about the dining offer by contacting +8801990900900 while for weekend package reservations, guests may contact +8801990909909 for details. l

DT

Biz Info

Side Dish International Cuisine is now at Uttara Sector 01. This is one of the best place for seafood lovers. Along with their amazing seafood, they also have BBQ, pizza, pasta and coffee.

For the holy month of Ramadan, they have also prepared a special iftar menu, which is delicious, tasty, and healthy.

The iftar platter consists of dates, fruit slice, vegetable spring roll, fish finger, buffalo wings, chicken lollypop, chicken chaap, luchi, shahi chop, kalizira jilapi, sharma, haleem, chicken biriyani, chana masala, cucumber slice and drinks like, fresh mango juice,

dessert: doi bora.Their price of their platter is Tk650 only, which is very much reasonable for the guests.

Moreover, three kinds of iftar box packages are also available for takeout only priced at Tk250Tk400.

Side Dish International Cuisine are also providing 20% discount for Standard Chartered Bank, and 10% discount for BRAC Bank card holder. You can also order their food from home by foodpanda and hungrynaki.com For reservation you can call at 01873618800.l

| packages |

Eid reinvigoration package at the Westin Dhaka In celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr, the Westin Dhaka brings three special room packages. The packages will let guests enjoy the 5 star hospitality and dining experience of the Westin Dhaka, at an unthinkable price during the Eid vacations.

Package 1: Rejuvenation - This one offers one deluxe room with buffet breakfast and dinner for two at Seasonal Tastes, and it is priced at Tk11,111 net.

Package 2 Pay 1 Stay 2 - This offer allows guests to pay for 1 deluxe room, for one night, and also get to stay the next night absolutely for free. Buffet breakfast for two at Seasonal Tastes, is also included

with the package priced at Tk16,666 net.

Package 3 Pay 2 Stay 3 - Guests pay for two deluxe room for a night, and get to stay the next night absolutely for free. The package includes breakfast for two at Seasonal Tastes, a free spa voucher and the package is priced at Tk22,222 net.

For all the packages, guests will get a 40% discount on buffet lunch at Seasonal Tastes, complimentary swimming pool and gym usage, and late-checkout till 6 pm.

The packages are only available for Bangladeshi citizens and expats residing in Bangladesh. The offer is not to be missed, and guests will have to make reservations early by calling +88029891988. l

DT

20 Editorial

FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

TODAY

Going down the toilet Public toilets are critical to the urban infrastructure that makes cities liveable; in fact, they are integral civic amenities PAGE 21

You give Bangkok a bad name Some assume that the whole place is a filthy, dirty, modern-day brothel of some sort, and anyone and everyone who walks on the streets can be approached

BIGSTOCK

PAGE 22

Education should have no borders

When the music stops The way international investors have lost confidence in Brazil and are exiting the country en masse should provide plenty of lessons for Bangladeshi policymakers PAGE 23

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.

A

spiring engineers in Bangladesh who have always dreamt of attending a top school like India’s IIT are now in luck.

The Indian government’s recent initiative to open up entrance examinations for the country’s prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology is welcome news for Bangladeshi students finishing the equivalent of high school, especially those who have found it difficult to secure a spot in Bangladesh’s own top-tier engineering schools due to the limited number of available spots.

The decision to hold entrance exams in all SAARC countries other than Pakistan will also make it easy and affordable for students to chase their dreams of going to a top institution like IIT. Even though IIT is known mostly for its engineering programs, it also offers high quality education in law, business, and the arts.

To really make this initiative a success, India needs to make sure that applying students don’t face any visa-related issues.

Thankfully, already the Indian government has said visa processing for Bangladeshis wishing to travel to India would become easier. Hopefully, this will extend to students.

The barriers to education need to be broken down.

Education should be a right for anyone who wants it, not just a luxury for only those who can afford it.

To that end, co-operation between India and Bangladesh can go a long way -- countries stand to gain from an exchange of students, resulting in a greater flow of knowledge and ideas.

IIT opening its doors to Bangladesh, then, signals the beginning of new possibilities and greater options for Bangladeshis

21

DT

Opinion

FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

Going down the toilet Public toilets aren’t luxuries, they’re necessities

n Ridwan Quaium

G

as stations (or petrol pumps) in many countries around the world don’t only provide services to fill up gas or petrol for motorised vehicles -- they also serve as rest stops for travellers as they provide toilets, a general store, and sometimes even restaurants.

The toilets, general stores, and restaurants in gas stations help travellers get refreshed and charged up during their journey.

The toilets, especially, ensure that travellers do not have to defecate in open areas, which would pollute the environment. Since, due to safety reasons, it is recommended not to be inside a vehicle while it is being filled with gas or petrol, the toilets, general stores, and restaurants provide travellers an alternative places to roam around while the vehicle is being topped up. These services not only benefit the travellers and the environment, but also the owner of the gas stations, as they get some extra revenue that way.

While commuting in Dhaka, many of us have felt the need to use a toilet. In such situations, we are sometimes able to use a toilet in nearby restaurants and shopping malls but most of the time we become helpless and have to wait it out. One thing is clear: The city severely lacks public toilets.

Public toilets are critical to the urban infrastructure that makes cities liveable; in fact, they are integral civic amenities. However, the number of public toilets catering to Dhaka’s immense population is pathetically low.

What is worse is that many of these are unclean and unhygienic, and even unusable.

The lack of public toilets is forcing city-dwellers to hold it in for long periods of time, and is also discouraging them from drinking water. Both in the short and long term, this may cause serious health problems. Sometimes, people are being forced to attend to nature’s call in open areas.

Especially, people such as autorickshaw drivers, bus drivers, helpers, and ticket collectors of other motorised transport, often have to defecate in open areas.

Thus, the lack of public toilets is polluting the environment.

The DNCC mayor Annisul Huq recently, while inaugurating two public toilets in the capital, stated that the DNCC had plans to build a total of 100 public toilets in the capital. Although this initiative by

the DNCC is admirable, for a city of so many people, this still may not be sufficient.

Due to budget and space constraints, it may also not be possible for the DNCC to build more than 100 public toilets in the near future. Similar to other countries, if petrol pumps in Dhaka provide toilets, then the problem of a lack of public toilets in the city could be solved partially, as at least auto-rickshaw drivers, bus drivers, helpers, and ticket collectors would not have to defecate in open areas.

Since public toilets are not luxuries, but rather a necessity for public health and well-being, a law should be implemented to make it mandatory for petrol pumps to provide toilets. To ensure that

Public toilets are critical to the urban infrastructure that makes cities liveable; in fact, they are integral civic amenities. However, the number of public toilets catering to Dhaka’s immense population is pathetically low

cleaning and maintaining the toilets and providing security to the toilets does not become a burden for the petrol pumps, the pump stations may be allowed to earn extra revenue by opening a general store, or even a restaurant at their premises.

Though Dhaka is densely populated and one of the most unliveable cities in the world, it is the city that offers the best employment, education, and other services in Bangladesh. This is why the reality is that, despite all the hardships of living in Dhaka, people flock here from all over the country every day. With the limited land space and other resources of the city, every stake-holder needs to come forward to improve the living conditions in Dhaka. The petrol pumps can do their part by providing clean and hygienic toilets. l Ridwan Quaium is a transport engineer

Can’t we do better?

N ANITA AMREEN

22

DT

Opinion

FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

You give Bangkok a bad name It isn’t the locals who make sexual harassment a real problem in the Thai capital

For the most part, Bangkok is a tolerant, friendly city

BIGSTOCK

Some assume that the whole place is a filthy, dirty, modern-day brothel of some sort, and anyone and everyone who walks on the streets can be approached

n RS Bianka

W

hen you hear “Bangkok,” what is the first thing that you imagine?

To me, it is be the beautiful bustling city, full of life and lovely, polite people who smile at you even though they barely know you.

To me, it is my home, where I have spent 20% of my life, and where I have somehow grown up to become an independent person.

But I am sure that is not how it is for the rest of the world. When people from other countries come here, most have a stereotypical idea centred on their biased worldviews -- that this place is actually meant for them to release their tension or, in simple words, give them hedonistic pleasure.

They will find pleasure of any sort that they look for in this bustling city.

And from that need and want, some Arab folk are no different, and they are here for the same

reasons and that too with their governments’ money.

Fun, isn’t it? Some assume that any woman, Thai or non-Thai, is sort of approachable in a certain manner to be talked into what they want for themselves. Pathetic, no?

Let me give you some small facts about this city. This country is one of the most peaceful countries; it is where people love animals, and treat them kindly.

People are very family-oriented, and most start their humble family lives very early on, and most importantly, no matter what gender or sexual orientation you belong to, people here will accept you and will give you full respect.

Bangkok also has a very high employment rate for women, and it is quite safe for us to live independently in the city.

If we are to talk about the “notorious” sex-business, that only exists in very limited parts of this huge city in places like Soi Cowboy, Nana, and some parts of Silom, and that too is legalised.

They pay the government a very

high tax, and feed their families off their income. So, the next time you try to haggle with or abuse a sex worker, think twice. Think of why she or he is in this profession in the first place.

It is common to see countless men and women from all around the globe come here for paid sex.

So, some of them assume that the whole place is a filthy, dirty, modern-day brothel of some sort, and anyone and everyone who walks on the streets can be approached for just that. And they can catcall you any time.

But let me clarify something.

I am talking about a very small portion of people in Bangkok who look at you in such disgusting ways that invisible things crawl in disgust inside you.

I have been living in Bangkok for more than five years now, and not once was I either harassed or catcalled by a local, nor have I seen locals teasing locals.

I have travelled here alone, mostly at odd hours of the day and the night, being sober and not so sober. But I was never made to feel unsafe, rather, was safely taken home by local taxi drivers.

I have been working in the same place for the last three years, and I have been made to feel uncomfortable only by particular groups of men.

Now, the question is, why am I writing this to vent about the tendency of particular groups of

men to harass women in Bangkok all of a sudden?

It’s because I was recently harassed in my workplace, and I was thoroughly disturbed by the nerves he had.

Today, while I was going to take my lunch, I saw a very pretty-eyed burqa-clad lady whom I met a few days back in the elevator, trying to calm her infant down. The infant had almost turned blue from all the crying.

She looked at me, and I remembered her as the other day she tried to talk to me in broken English asking where I come from.

This time, another child and her husband, I assumed, were sitting and busily eating food while the poor woman struggled to calm the infant down.

I said a polite hello to her and left. I was at my table eating when I noticed that the man with her was walking towards me and saying something.

I was confused as to why he was talking to me in the first place.

So, I took off my headphones, and noticing a cigarette between his lips, I assumed he was asking for a lighter.

I politely told him I didn’t have a lighter. But he still stood there with a funny look in his eyes and started to ask me weird questions about my current address, age, etc, and finally he asked: “Can I have your number?”

When I asked him why, he replied: “I want to talk to you.” I plainly said no. But he still stood there asking me why and taking out his wallet.

That was when I politely asked him to leave and showed him my badge. I told him to leave immediately, or else I would take him to the guards.

And the funny thing is, he had the guts to come and verbally harass me in front of 10 other people, with his wife (possibly) sitting right behind him with children. It was disturbing. I felt outraged and wanted to physically harm him. This is how this place is stereotyped.

Is this because certain people consider this whole city a brothel, or is it that women everywhere are approached regardless of a setting like this?

What reason is behind such behaviour and mentality?

The next time I see him in the premises, he is going to be sorry. l RS Bianka is an ABAC graduate and an international marketing co-ordinator at Phyathai Nawamin International Hospital, Thailand.

DT

23

Opinion

FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

When the music stops The crisis in Brazil holds a lesson for Bangladesh’s policy-makers

The Dilma Rousseff scandal has worsened Brazil’s economic crisis

n Nofel Wahid

T

he Brazilian economy has been in crisis for some time now. Brazil’s economic difficulties started when commodity prices for iron ore and agricultural products that Brazil exports in abundance started falling in 2011.

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Brazilian economy entered a deep recession in 2015, contracting by 3.8%. To put that into context, the Brazilian economy only contracted by 0.1% in 2009 following the global financial crisis.

Moreover, the last time Brazilians experienced such a deep recession was in 1990, when the Brazilian economy contracted by more than 4%.

The economic crisis has been made worse by a widening political crisis involving Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

President Rousseff will be impeached over links to an $8 billion corruption scandal in Brazil’s state-owned oil producer, Petrobras.

Rousseff was the chairperson of Petrobras when the corruption

allegedly took place between 2004 and 2012.

The twin economic and political crisis is taking a heavy toll on the Brazilian economy, and households more specifically.

The unemployment rate in Brazil was 9% in 2015, and is expected to climb to over 10% in 2017 and remain in double-digit territory until 2021.

According to some estimates, that means almost 9 million people will be out of work, out of a total labour force size of close to 110 million.

What happens next?

The outlook for the Brazilian economy is bleak on all accounts.

It is difficult to predict how the Brazilian economy will recover from this deep recession.

There is little doubt that the unfolding political crisis is weighing heavily on household and business confidence, reducing domestic and foreign investment and job creation.

And with the President Rousseff fighting for political survival, the government appears to lack a comprehensive plan to turn the economy around.

REUTERS

The way international investors have lost confidence in Brazil and are exiting the country en masse should provide plenty of lessons for Bangladeshi policy-makers Given the relatively weak outlook for global economic growth and international trade, it is also unlikely that Brazil will be able to export its way out of recession, even if commodity prices rebound somewhat in the second half of this year as some experts believe.

Current investor sentiment on emerging market economies is not very bullish in general, and is likely to remain subdued for some time yet. And even if sentiment improves, international investors are unlikely to rush back to Brazil in the short-term.

Not surprisingly then, the IMF forecasts Brazil’s GDP to remain in deep recession in 2016 before experiencing modest growth in 2018.

Lessons for Bangladesh

There is no obvious or direct connection between the Brazilian

crisis and Bangladesh. The two countries do not have strong trade and investment linkages, so Bangladesh’s economy will not be affected by what is happening in Brazil.

Moreover, Bangladesh is not a major commodity exporter like Brazil and it is not adversely impacted by low commodity prices. In fact, being a net importer of food and energy products, Bangladesh benefits from lowcommodity prices in international markets.

But the way international investors have lost confidence in Brazil and are exiting the country en masse should provide plenty of lessons for Bangladeshi policy-makers.

Bangladesh’s economic track record of achieving 5-6% GDP growth in last 15 years despite major political turmoil does not

mean continued growth in the future is guaranteed.

As Bangladesh’s trade and investment linkages with the global economy deepens, the economy will become more sensitive and vulnerable to negative domestic socio-political shocks.

With foreign investors increasingly relying on Bangladesh to do business, whether it be in RMG, cotton, leather, jute, or other industries, domestic political turmoil has far greater potential now to scare away foreign investors and adversely impact trade and investment than at any point in the past.

Bangladeshi policy-makers would be well-advised to take those sensitivities seriously. l Nofel Wahid is an economist. This article prevously appeared in orthonomi.com.

DT

24 Sport

FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

TOP STORIES

Southgate in line for England hot seat Former international Gareth Southgate could be in line to succeed Roy Hodgson as manager on an interim basis in the wake of England’s latest embarrassing early exit from a major tournament, this time in the 2016 Euros. PAGE 26

Batshuayi kept silent ahead of Blues move Belgium’s in-form striker Michy Batshuayi was prevented from speaking to reporters on Wednesday by his club Marseille amid speculation he is about to sign for Chelsea, the Belgian Football Association said. PAGE 27

Experienced Bangladesh campaigners Shahriar Nafees (top right), Raqibul Hasan (L) and Suhrawardi Shuvo yesterday made their way into the 30-member national preliminary squad MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Six-man panel declares first squad Raqibul, Nafees included; Shamsur, Mosharraf ignored Uddin Khan and n Minhaz Mazhar Uddin

Neymar, Costa star in Brazil lineup Strikers Neymar and Douglas Costa head a young Brazil Olympic football squad looking to bounce back from humiliation in the Copa America Centenario, stand-in coach Rogerio Micale announced Wednesday. PAGE 28

Djokovic aims to keep breaking records Serbia’s Novak Djokovic made tennis history at Wimbledon on Wednesday when he notched up the most consecutive grand slam match victories in the Open Era, and said he aimed to continue his assault on the record books in the coming days. PAGE 29

The 30-member preliminary Bangladesh squad declared by the Bangladesh Cricket Board yesterday for the October home series against England is the first national selection by the controversial six-member selection committee.

Even though the High Performance squad announced on Saturday was also from this committee, this is the main one. Experienced Bangladesh campaigners Shahriar Nafees, Raqibul Hasan and Suhrawardi Shuvo made their way into the national squad that begins training on July 20.

Top-order batsman Nafees is back in the fold after three years while Raqibul and Shuvo both are making a return in the national dressing-room since their last appearance in 2011. Raqibul though got a preliminary squad call-up in June 2013.

He is the highest scorer in this season’s Dhaka Premier League with 719 runs while Nafees was the highest scorer in the National Cricket League with 715 runs.

Shuvo didn’t feature high in the batsmen or bowler’s chart in any of the domestic competitions but

he had some match-winning performances for Victoria Sporting Club, finishing with 205 runs and 17 wickets. He is one of the eight players to have taken more than 15 wickets and also scored more than 200 runs in this year’s league.

“Nafees had scored runs in the NCL and we are thinking about him for the longer version. He has been selected on merit of his performance and will be in our observation in the coming days,” said chief selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu.

Nannu is head of the three-member selection panel that includes Habibul Bashar and Sajjad Ahmed. But these three don’t get the final say in the squad selection.

They have to go through the larger selection committee that includes national head coach Chandika Hathurusingha, team manager Khaled Mahmud and cricket operations committee chairman Akram Khan. Only after Akram approves the squad selected by these six does it reach BCB president Nazmul Hasan for final approval.

This committee was heavily criticised for being too big and being designed to compromise the selectors’ independence as a body. It resulted in the resignation of Faruk Ahmed as chief selector.

Those who missed out

Shamsur Rahman was the biggest miss in the preliminary and High Performance squads, although he had a terrific season in both firstclass and List-A format.

Shamsur was also the second highest run getter in the NCL 2015-16 season with 578 runs including three centuries and was also among the top five run getters in the Bangladesh Cricket League.

He played his last Test back in November 2014 against Zimbabwe and was later dropped from the national side.

According to the chief selector Minhajul, they had a few other options which they needed to consider ahead of Shamsur.

“Definitely Shamsur was in our mind as he scored heavily this season. But as we already have quite a few opening batsmen in the line-up we were not able to pick him in the 30-member squad.

But still we have some plans with these players and definitely they are in our mind for the future,” said Minhajul.

The new selection committee also overlooked Imtiaz Hossain, another consistent run scorer in the domestic tournaments. He was among the top 10 run-get-

ters in the DPL and also was came in third in the NCL batting chart.

Left-arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain will also feel aggrieved after taking 36 first-class wickets, 16 in the BPL at an average of 10.31 while scoring 350 runs and taking 12 wickets in the BPL. It is hard to match such allround showing in domestic cricket.

Also missing is the veteran Abdur Razzak, who hasn’t played for Bangladesh since 2014. He took 56 first-class wickets this season along with 18 wickets in the DPL. But as was the case with the Faruk-led selection panel, there hasn’t been any interest in Razzak.

Bangladesh preliminary squad: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Liton Das, Anamul Haque, Shuvagata Hom, Sabbir Rahman, Arafat Sunny, Taijul Islam, Suhrawardi Shuvo, Mosaddek Hossain, Jubair Hossain, Mohammad Mithun. Mashrafe bin Mortaza, Shahriar Nafees, Muktar Ali, Rokibul Hasan, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Mominul Hoque, Mustafizur Rahman, Shakib al Hasan, Al Amin Hossain, Mahmudullah, Shafiul Islam, Nasir Hossain, Mohammad Shahid, Mushfiqur Rahim, Taskin Ahmed, Nurul Hasan, Rubel Hossain l

25

DT

Sport

FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

Red Dragon inspires Bale n Reuters, Dinard

Eden Hazard

Gareth Bale

Rival golden generations of Wales, Belgium bid for semifinal glory QUARTERFINALS

V WALES

BELGIUM

Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille 8pm local time (1am BST) * Bangladesh standard time

HEAD-TO-HEAD WALES

26 12 4 5 3 17 16

BELGIUM Fifa ranking Matches Wins Losses Draws Goals scored Goals against

2 12 5 4 3 16 17

n Reuters, Bordeaux Wales are happy to cast themselves as underdogs in their Euro 2016 quarter-final against Belgium today but such modesty belies their proven ability to bite hard.

The Belgians, who finally came together as a team to demolish Hungary 4-0 in their last-16 match, will start as favourites.

Both sides, though, are fully aware that Wales have proved their mettle against Belgium, beating them 1-0 in Cardiff and drawing in Brussels in the tournament’s qualifying stage.

Belgium, playing before what will be virtually a home crowd in the northern French town of Lille, are under huge pressure for their much-vaunted golden generation to fulfil their promise and finally challenge for a major trophy.

Wales could also claim to have

developed a golden generation, spearheaded by Gareth Bale, even if they have fewer illustrious players than the side ranked number two in the world.

All eyes will be on the form of Bale and Eden Hazard.

Bale, the world’s most expensive player, has scored three goals and fired in the cross that led to Northern Ireland’s own goal in Wales’s 1-0 last-16 victory.

His ability to seize the moment, not least at free kicks, could be pivotal.

Hazard came to life against Hungary - as did the whole team after a stuttering start to the campaign.

He set up the second goal for Michy Batshuayi and scored with a dashing solo effort two minutes later to crush Hungary’s hopes in what he said was his best-ever game for his country.

The Belgium captain has missed two days of training with a thigh

injury, but should he be declared fit to play, he will be returning to the city where he made a name for himself.

Belgium, however, have greater depth. Wilmots has pointed to playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who has been a tireless and influential figure. Romelu Lukaku scored 27 goals in 52 appearances for Everton this season and always looks threatening.

“They have players on the pitch and the bench that would grace any international team,” Wales manager Chris Coleman said.

“But in the last four years we’ve had four meetings and won one and drawn two, so there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Hazard said the Belgians would need to be wary of the Welsh.

“They are a tricky side to play against. They have a very compact unit and they have a great player up front (Bale).”l

Gareth Bale, the world’s most expensive fooballer, said the Welsh Dragon on his shirt provides his prime motivation as the team prepare for what he believes is their biggest game for nearly 60 years at Euro 2016 today.

With neighbours England still conducting a post-mortem over their embarrassing exit, Bale is delighted that Wales are the last team from Britain still in the tournament, praising their togetherness before the quarter-final against Belgium.

“I’m very happy we’re the last home nation left. It’s our time to shine,” he said. “We’ve already got one over England. We’re very happy and proud to fly the flag.

“We know about the 1958 quarter-final [in the World Cup against Brazil] but since then it’s the biggest game, one we’re looking forward to and excited about.”

Asked what his motivation was, Bale, who cost Real Madrid 90 million pounds ($121.50 million) and is reported to earn around 250,000 pounds ($337,500.00) per week at Real Madrid, replied: “The Dragon on my shirt. That’s all I need.”

Bale has arguably had the biggest impact of any player in ensuring a quarter-final berth for his team.

In qualifying, he played a major part in Wales’ 11 goals, scoring seven and setting up two. He has scored three of their seven goals in France and set up the own goal against Northern Ireland in the group stage.

Yet Bale bats off suggestions that Wales are a one-man team, or even a two-man if you include their other star, Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey.

“We’ve got fantastic players all the way through,” he said. “We know we have more than two good players, we’ve a very good team and we’re not in the last eight for no reason.”

One of Bale’s goals in qualifying came in the 1-0 win over Belgium, a result he said gives his side confidence in today’s rematch.

“We’ve beaten them before and we’re happy with that. It’s my most important Welsh goal, especially at the time,” he said.

Bale said that victory had played an important part in the team’s progress to unchartered territory.

“Yes, from beating Belgium No.2 in the world at time - it gives you extra confidence and takes you to the next level,” he said.

“We’ve gone up a level and taken our game on.”

“Playing more games and gelling even more makes you better.

It was a changing moment for us as a team and we’re still riding off the confidence.”l

DT

26

Sport

FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

Weight of history has led to culture of fear for England and that must change

Steven Gerrard knows what it’s like to suffer disappointment at a major tournament

n Steven Gerrard I do not accept that the problem with English football is the players are not good enough. It is the same argument whenever we go out of a major tournament. The players are overrated, and the English Premier League is not as strong as it thinks it is.

Nonsense. You are telling me we do not have the talent to beat Iceland? That we lost because their players and their league are better than ours?

We lost to Iceland, not Spain, Germany or Italy. I do not and will not accept that there is not a good England squad out there, or that the players are products of a poor league.

We failed so badly on Monday night because of our poor decision-making, an inability to respond to events as they unfolded and because we repeated too many of the mistakes of the past.

Roy Hodgson has paid the price.

The criticism of him is intense and he lost his job, but there is no one coming home on that plane who will feel they did themselves justice.

I have been on the receiving end.

It was never to the same extent as a defeat like that against Iceland, but I know exactly how those players will be feeling after disappointing in a major tournament.

I can imagine how they were feeling as the second half continued in Nice. They knew what was in store as soon as Iceland scored

their second goal.

I hate to say it, but your mind drifts to what the coverage is going to be like back home and the level of criticism you are going to get.

You cannot stop yourself. “What if we don’t get back into this? What will it be like if we go out here?”

Panic sets in. The frustration takes over. You freeze and stop doing those things you know you should be. We are not a side or nation with a culture of winning at the European Championship and the World Cup and the psychological impact of that is there to see at the first hint of trouble.

There is no environment of calm around the national team. There never has been. It is always hysteria. There is a culture of fear within and it has not been addressed.

It has become a massive burden.

When calm heads were needed out there, everyone was looking at each other hoping someone was going to pull something out the bag for us. Very few were capable of taking on the responsibility.

It is a different level to club football, where if you lose a big game there is usually never too long to get out there and make amends.

You can refocus quickly. With England, you know your chance is gone for another two years and the criticism will be ferocious. You know the eyes of the world are on you. The pressure is another level. I saw young players who could

not cope with that. To go out in a major tournament to a favourite is hard enough to take, but Iceland? I could not believe what I was seeing at times, but I have to say the warning signs were there for me in the group games.

The team lost their shape and players were taking up the wrong positions. Strikers were spending too much time on the wings. Players who were not 100 per cent fit were selected when they should not have been and players full of confidence and form were either overlooked or barely used.

Daniel Sturridge, Wayne Rooney, Raheem Sterling, John Stones, Dele Alli. Don’t tell me these are not top players who can deliver for England in the future. Don’t tell me the players don’t care, or that they will not have been sitting in that dressing room absolutely devastated by what has happened.

Don’t tell me they will not be thinking about it for a long time and it will not take them time to recover. Don’t tell me a top-class manager cannot be appointed to get the England team beating teams of the calibre of Iceland.

Many of those players have massive ability and at their best would get into top Champions League teams. But for whatever reason, we’re not polishing our gems when they get into the England team – guiding them from being potential to finished product. So where do

we go? The Football Association has been trying to ensure former players like myself are helped on to the coaching ladder.

There is a desire for those who have been there to contribute and there is not one of us who does not want to play a part. This country is full of experienced and talented ex-players who are eager to end this cycle of disappointment. As low as we all feel now we can recover from this and we have to move away from recrimination and get on with finding solutions as soon as possible.

Over the last 12 months the England cricket and rugby teams have faced the same crisis as we do now after miserable campaigns in international tournaments. The same arguments were no doubt presented, players attacked for not being good enough and many saying it is wrong to focus on individuals when it is the whole system that is to blame.

What the likes of Trevor Bayliss and Eddie Jones have demonstrated is that if you have the right man in charge of the talent it can come together quickly. The FA has to make those decisions and I have to believe it knows the right direction to go. I know a lot of supporters will feel they have heard it all before. It is actions they will want now rather than promises. l Steven Gerrard is a former Liverpool and England footballer. He wrote this piece for The Telegraph.

Southgate in line for England hot seat n AFP, London Gareth Southgate could be in line to succeed Roy Hodgson as manager on an interim basis in the wake of England’s latest embarrassing early exit from a major tournament.

English football has embarked on another round of soul-searching after one of the most humiliating nights in the country’s history saw them go out of Euro 2016 2-1 to Iceland on Monday.

Hodgson quit on the spot and Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn hinted on Tuesday that Southgate, who has been in charge of the England Under-21 side since 2013, could step up on a temporary basis.

Southgate, 45, who had an unremarkable spell as manager of Middlesbrough but is perhaps best known for missing a spot-kick in the Euro 96 semi-final penalty shoot-out defeat against Germany, is the strong 2-1 favourite with the British bookmakers.

Glenn Hoddle, a former England manager who lost his job over comments about disabled people, and USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann are next in the running with the bookies.

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic was among the names linked with the England vacancy - often referred to as the “Impossible Job” - but Hammers co-chairman David Gold said on Wednesday that the former Croatia coach would not be “the slightest bit interested”.

“He told us at his interview for this position (last year) that his mission was to manage at the highest level in England - the Premier League - with the club he loves West Ham United,” Gold told West Ham blog site www. claretandhugh.info.

“England is simply not part of Slaven’s mission. He is a very, very loyal man. He is loyal to his backroom team and to the board.”l

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ENGVSL, 4TH ODI

QUICK BYTES

SRI LANKA K. Perera run out (Bairstow) D. Gunathilaka c Ali b Rashid K. Mendis c Plunkett b Rashid D Chandimal b Willey A Matthews not out S Prasanna b Willey D Shanaka not out Extras (2lb, 5w)

Bournemouth sign defender Ake on loan from Chelsea Left back Nathan Ake has joined Bournemouth on a season-long loan from Chelsea, the Premier League clubs have announced. Ake, 21, signed a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge last year despite making only 12 senior team appearances and spent the previous campaign on loan with Watford. The Netherlands under-21 international made 32 appearances for Watford last season.

Total (5 wkts, 42overs)

Man City sign Australia midfielder Mooy Australia midfielder Aaron Mooy has signed a three-year deal with Manchester City, joining the English Premier League side from sister club Melbourne City. Mooy is a creative attacking midfielder who enjoyed a stellar 2015-2016 season with Melbourne City, scoring 11 goals and providing an A-League record 21 assists. Melbourne City were founded as Melbourne Heart but rebranded in 2014 after their purchase by the Abu Dhabi United Group, whose City Football Group also owns and operates Mooy’s new club.

–REUTERS

Sinclair joins Watford on five-year deal Watford have signed striker Jerome Sinclair from Liverpool on a five-year contract, the Premier League clubs confirmed yesterday. The 19-yearold has made two appearances for Liverpool last season and played one game for Wigan in the Championship during his three-month loan spell during the 2014-15 campaign.

“Watford FC is pleased to confirm it has agreed terms with Liverpool over the transfer of striker Jerome Sinclair,” the club said in a statement on their website.

–REUTERS

305

Bowling Willey 8-0-58-2; Woakes 9-65-0; Plunkett 8-0-65-0; Rashid 9-0-57-2; Ali 8-0-58-0 *England revised victory target 308 (D/L)

De Rossi unlikely to face Germany in QF

–REUTERS

B 1 64 64 51 54 8 10

Fall of wickets 1-8 (Perera), 2-136 (Mendis), 3-158 (Gunathilaka), 4-245 (Chandimal), 5-259 (Prasanna),

–REUTERS

Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi looks unlikely to face Germany in tomorrow’s Euro 2016 quarter-final because of a bruised thigh. De Rossi was taken off early in the second half of Monday’s 2-0 win over Spain and team doctor Enrico Castellacci said on Wednesday that he had taken a severe knock. “He is working very hard, we are doing everything for him to recover and we can’t give a timeframe but we are aware that the problem is serious,” he said.

Midfielder Antonio Candreva’s groin strain has also not recovered enough for him to return, the team doctor said.

R 1 62 77 63 67 9 19 7

ENGLAND J. Roy b Pradeep M Ali c Chandimal b Pradeep J Root c Pradeep b Gunathilaka E Morgan c Gunathilaka b Lakmal J Bairstow not out J Buttler not out Extras (5lb, 7w)

R 162 2 65 22 29 17 12

Total: (4 wkts, 40.1 overs)

309

B 118 7 54 27 27 8

Fall of wickets 1-18 (Ali) 2-167 (Root) 3-221 (Morgan) 4-281 (Roy) Bowling Pradeep (9-0-78-2), Lakmal (7-0-48-1), Gunathilaka (5-0-30-1), Matthews (3-017-0), Maharoof (8-0-58-0), Shanaka (1-0-12-0), Prasanna (7.1-0-61-0),

England opener Jason Roy plays a shot during their fourth One Day International against Sri Lanka at The Oval cricket ground in London on Wednesday AFP

Result: England won by six wickets Series: England lead five-match series 2-0

Roy savours bitter-sweet match-winning 162 n AFP, London

Jason Roy was left with a bitter-sweet taste after his spectacular match-winning 162 clinched a one-day series win over Sri Lanka yesterday.

The Surrey star would have loved to have set a new individual highest ODI score by an England batsman on his home ground The Oval.

But he fell five agonising runs short of Robin Smith’s 23-year record 167, which he made against Australia at Edgbaston.

The 25-year-old, whose man of the match display helped England

to a six-wicket win and an unassailable 2-0 lead with just one game left in Cardiff tomorrow, was annoyed for getting out so close to the end of the game.

But he admitted he had little idea that he was close to overtaking Smith while at least still setting a new highest ODI score by an England batsman at The Oval.

“I didn’t know about the record and I am still proud of being second on the list,” he said.

“It’s a shame and a little disappointing I could not be there at the finish of the match but to play an innings like that and help the side win a series is still very special.

“It was even better to do it on my home ground and in front of a packed Oval crowd cheering me and the guys on.

“I’ve put in a lot of hard work and I’m now seeing the rewards of that hard graft. I’ve had low points this season but this is certainly a very high one.

“I expect someone will be able to beat Robin Smith’s score one day.

I am sure they will. I will certainly push for it if I get the chance.”

Roy thrilled the England fans with 13 fours and three sixes before being bowled by Nuwan Pradeep.

It was his second century in three ODIs.

Belgium’s Batshuayi kept silent ahead of Chelsea move n AFP, Le Haillan Belgium striker Michy Batshuayi was prevented from speaking to reporters on Wednesday by his club Marseille amid speculation he is about to sign for Chelsea, the Belgian Football Association said.

“At Marseille’s request, we have decided that Michy Batshuayi will not speak to the media today,” they said at Belgium’s Euro 2016 base in Bordeaux.

Batshuayi had initially been set to talk to the press ahead of Belgium’s Euro 2016 quarter-final against Wales in Lille today.

But his current club Marseille clearly decided that he should not answer any questions before the completion of a proposed 40 million-euro (£32.9m, $44.4m) switch to Premier League side Chelsea.

Batshuayi, 22, was due to undergo a medical in Bordeaux on Wednesday, in agreement with Bel-

gium coach Marc Wilmots, ahead of a transfer to London.

A 6.5 million-euro signing from Standard Liege in 2014, he scored 17 goals in Ligue 1 last season for Marseille and netted 23 times in all competitions.

Batshuayi also came off the bench to score Belgium’s second goal in their 4-0 win over Hungary in the last 16 of Euro 2016 on Sunday. He has now scored three times in six appearances for his country.l

England captain Eoin Morgan Morgan saw his side reach their revised target of 308 to beat Sri Lanka with 11 ball remaining in a rain-hit game.

Sri Lanka had amassed 305-5 off their alloted 42 overs, reduced from 50 by the persistent Oval drizzle with Kusal Mendis top scoring with 77.

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Matthews admitted: “We allowed England to get off to a flying start and couldn’t claw it back by taking wickets. We are disappointed to lose the series but we want to do our best to end on a high in Cardiff if we can.” l

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Shastri in spat with Ganguly after India coaching snub n Reuters, Mumbai Denied another stint as India’s head coach, Ravi Shastri has been embroiled in an ugly spat with former captain Sourav Ganguly, who was part of the panel which awarded the job to Anil Kumble last week.

The coach’s post was vacant since Shastri’s 18-month tenure as the team director ended with India’s semi-final exit at the World Twenty20 tournament on home soil earlier this year.

For the post, the Indian cricket board received 57 applications which were made available to an advisory panel that included ex-captains Sachin Tendulkar and Ganguly and former batsman VVS Laxman.

The panel met the final contenders, including Shastri who spoke via skype, before Kumble, a contemporary of the ex-cricketers on the panel, landed the job despite his lack of coaching experience.

Shastri told the Indian media that Ganguly’s absence during his interview was disrespectful and he advised the former captain to be present at important meetings in the future.

Ganguly, one of the most successful Indian captains, said he had taken the BCCI’s approval to attend a meeting of his state cricket association, of which he is the president.

“I just feel that the comments are very personal and if Ravi Shastri feels that I am responsible for him not being the coach of India,

Shastri told the Indian media that Ganguly’s absence during his interview was disrespectful and he advised the former captain to be present at important meetings in the future he’s living in a fool’s world,” Ganguly told television reporters in Kolkata.

“It’s a committee and there are people in the committee who are of more repute than I am and there are other people involved also who were consulted and spoken about.

So that’s disappointing.”

Ganguly said the panel had agreed his request to resume the interview after completing the association’s meeting.

“Once I came here to this meeting, I got a message from (BCCI

secretary) Mr (Ajay) Shirke that the other two members are requesting if they could continue with Ravi, which I was fine with.

“I said ‘fine, I know I have been stuck with this and you please go ahead and do it’. That happens everywhere in the world and that’s the exact story.”

Ganguly said Shastri should also have made the effort to be present in person during his interview.

“Since he’s spoken about disrespect, and honestly I say this with anger, that he gave me a suggestion

that in the future that I should be available for such meetings,” Ganguly said.

“I have an advice for him also.

When the coach of India is selected, and it’s one of the most important jobs in cricket, he should be in front of the committee giving his presentation and not sit in Bangkok on holiday and make a presentation on camera, especially when someone, who is one of the greatest cricketers of India all time (Anil Kumble), spoke for two hours nearly.” l

Neymar, Costa star in Brazil lineup n AFP, Rio de Janeiro Strikers Neymar and Douglas Costa head a young Brazil Olympic football squad looking to bounce back from humiliation in the Copa America Centenario, stand-in coach Rogerio Micale announced Wednesday.

On home soil in next month’s Games in Rio two years after their devastating 7-1 semi-final loss to Germany, Brazil are bidding to add Olympic gold to their three silver medals, two bronze and five World Cup titles.

Barcelona’s Neymar, Costa of Bayern Munich and goalkeeper Fernando Prass, 37, are the only players aged over 23 in the squad.

It is Prass’s first international call-up. Micale hailed his “leadership profile” and the “excellent season” he has had as captain of

Palmeiras.

The Spanish champions allowed Neymar, 24, to play in the Olympics but not this month’s Copa America, in which Brazil were knocked out at the group stage.

The Copa humiliation got coach Dunga fired. Corinthians boss Tite was named to replace him, but Micale will lead the team at the Olympics before Tite takes over.

Micale selected Paris Saint Ger-

main defender Marquinhos but chose to drop his PSG teammate Thiago Silva.

Brazil face South Africa, Iraq and Denmark in the group stage at the Olympics, which run from August 5 to 21.

Brazil squad for 2016 Olympics:

Goalkeepers: Fernando Prass (Palmeiras), Uilson (Atletico Mineiro) Defenders: Luan (Vasco), Rodrigo Caio (Sao Paulo), Marquinhos (Paris SG/ FRA), Douglas Santos (Atletico Mineiro), William (Internacional), Zeca (Santos) Midfielders: Rafinha (Barcelona/ESP), Rodrigo Dourado (Internacional), Fred (Shakhtar Donetsk/UKR), Thiago Maia (Santos), Felipe Anderson (Lazio/ITA) Strikers: Neymar (Barcelona/ESP), Douglas Costa (Bayern Munich/GER), Gabriel Barbosa (Santos), Gabriel Jesus (Palmeiras), Luan (Gremio) l

Messi’s Argentina no 1986 heroes, says Maradona n AFP, Buenos Aires Diego Maradona apparently boasted that his 1986 World Cup-winning Argentina team was better than the current squad now thrown into turmoil by Lionel Messi’s departure, in a recording published Wednesday.

Previously critical of Messi, the 55-year-old ex-national captain and 2010 World Cup coach joined calls this week for him to reverse his decision to retire from the Argentina national team after a morale crushing penalty shoot-out defeat to Chile in the Copa America Centenario final.

But in a recording published online by Argentine media, he was heard apparently belittling the side led by Messi.

“Every second that goes by makes us greater, because we went and played with balls... We didn’t go and play against Chile. We beat Germany,” Maradona told his old World Cup teammates in a recorded message to celebrate commemorating the 1986 victory.

“You know what I mean: the difference there is between one team and another.”

Argentina’s congress held a tribute to the 1986 squad on Tuesday to mark the 30th anniversary of their triumph, but Maradona did not attend. l

Giggs set to leave Man United n Reuters, London Ryan Giggs has rejected an offer to stay at Manchester United and is ready to end his association with the club after 29 years, a British newspaper reported yesterday.

Giggs, who played 963 times for United after joining the club as a 14-year-old, worked as a coach under David Moyes and Louis van Gaal.

But the Daily Mail said he has decided against taking up an offer of a reduced role from new manager Jose Mourinho.

“Giggs’ representatives are now in negotiations with United over a pay-off for the final year of his contract,” the Mail said.

It was reported that Giggs has not spoken directly to Mourinho, who starts work at United on Monday. Giggs is likely to be questioned about his future on British television yesterday when he starts work as an ITV pundit ahead of the Euro 2016 quarter-final between Poland and Portugal.

The Welshman had been tipped as a future Manchester United manager but is now expected to seek a role with another club. l

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Federer plays cameo role to end Willis fairytale n Reuters, London Few players have reduced the great Roger Federer to a role as secondary attraction on Wimbledon’s Centre Court but for one hour and 25 minutes on Wednesday he had just a walk-on part in the Marcus Willis fairytale.

The seven-times champion enjoys too much deep-rooted affection at the All England Club to be cast as a real pantomime villain, but for once the cheers were all behind the 25-year-old local hero on the other side of the net.

Federer’s 81st Wimbledon match, of course, ended in victory.

Even the most over-egged Hollywood script could not have had him losing to world number 772 Willis, whose transformation from a 30 pounds ($40.30) an hour tennis coach to Wimbledon sensation has captured the imagination of the sporting world. But the swaggering Swiss was at least made to break sweat under the closed roof before claiming a 6-0 6-3 6-4 victory.

Willis had his photo taken with Federer, 34, before the warm-up and could hardly stop grinning.

“I’ll remember most of the Centre Court matches here at Wimbledon, but this one will stand out because it’s that special and probably not going to happen again for me to play against a guy 770 in the world,” Federer told reporters.

“The support he got, the great points he played. In some ways, I enjoyed it as much as I possibly could, but I also had to put my head down and focus hard to get the lead.”l

DAY’S WATCH FOOTBALL SONY ESPN 1:00AM Euro 2016: QF 2 Wales v Belgium

TENNIS STAR SPORTS 1 6:00PM Wimbledon Championships 2016

CRICKET STAR SPORTS 2 11:30PM Natwest T20 Blast 2016 Yorkshire v Lancashire

SONY SIX 6:00AM Caribbean Premier League T20 2016 St Kitts & Nevis v Guyana

An action of the Green Delta Premier Division Hockey League match between Abahani Limited (yellow) and Dhaka Wanderers at Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium yesterday. Following their 4-2 win over Wanderers, Abahani finished third with 36 points from 16 matches. In the other game of the day at the same venue, Mohammedan Sporting Club defeated Bangladesh Sporting Club 6-5 to finish at fourth with a point less than their arch-rival MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Djokovic aims to keep breaking records n Reuters, London Novak Djokovic made tennis history at Wimbledon on Wednesday when he notched up the most consecutive grand slam match victories in the Open Era, and said he aimed to continue his assault on the record books.

The defending champion brushed past France’s Adrian Mannarino 6-4 6-3 7-6(5) to book his place in the third round. It was

his 30th consecutive grand slam match win, beating Rod Laver’s record of 29 set in 1969-70.

“I have to be very grateful to have the opportunity to make the history of the sport,” the world number one told reporters. “Knowing that I won 30 in a row, it’s very pleasing. I want to keep on going. Let’s see where it takes me.

“Every single record that I managed to achieve in the last couple

of years is important,” he added.

“Every next one that I have a possibility to achieve is more motivation.”

Djokovic last lost a slam match when he was defeated by Stan Wawrinka in the 2015 French Open final. He now holds all four major titles, and has another historic mark in his sights.

The 29-year-old Serb is aiming to become the first man since Laver in 1969 to achieve the calendar

Venus beats court controversy to make Wimbledon third round n AFP, London Venus Williams ignored her exile to Wimbledon’s unglamourous Court 18 as the five-time champion defeated Greek qualifier Maria Sakkari 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 yesterday.

Williams, seeded eighth, was a surprise choice to play on one of Wimbledon’s smaller outside courts.

For a while, it seemed she might come to curse the decision of the All England Club schedule makers.

Venus hadn’t lost to a player outside the top 100 at a Grand Slam since a 1999 defeat against Barbara Schwartz at the US Open.

But the 36-year-old, the oldest woman in this year’s main draw,

was teetering on the brink of an embarrassing second round exit when world number 115 Sakkari levelled at one-set all.

Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam winner, held her nerve to subdue Sakkari in two hours and 24 minutes and will play Russian 29th seed Darya Kasatkina or Spain’s Lara Arruabarrena for a place in the last 16.

Venus is firmly in the twilight of her career, having last won one of the four majors at Wimbledon in 2008, but she remains one of the most successful women in the tournament’s history, with eight singles final appearances.

She now has 78 Wimbledon match victories, second among ac-

tive players behind her sister Serena Williams’ tally of 80.

Meanwhile, David Ferrer became the highest-ranked casualty so far in the Wimbledon men’s singles when French serve and volleyer Nicolas Mahut overpowered him 6-1 6-4 6-3 yesterday.

The 13th-seeded Spaniard has suffered a drop in form this year, and never looked capable of turning things around against his fellow 34-year-old.

Mahut, whose career includes three grasscourt titles, had never beaten a Spaniard at a grand slam before meeting Ferrer, but quickly took charge, reeling off six straight games after Ferrer had struggled to hold his opening serve. l

Grand Slam - winning the four major titles in a single season.

Djokovic, seeking his third consecutive Wimbledon crown, played well within himself during the second-round match against Mannarino and was rarely troubled.

The Frenchman, ranked 55, put up spirited resistance in the third set to force a tiebreak but was ultimately swept off Centre Court by his opponent’s laser-guided groundstrokes. l

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Downtime

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FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Worth (5) 5 Exhibit (4) 8 In leisurely manner (mus) (6) 9 Bathroom item (5) 10 Acting part (4) 11 Frozen shower (5) 12 Tree (3) 15 Nidus (4) 18 Bake (5) 21 Fish eggs (3) 22 Implement (4) 24 Heavy stick (4) 25 Single entities (5) 28 Clergyman (6) 29 Level (4) 30 Water pitchers (5)

DOWN 1 Speak indistinctly (6) 2 Uncooked (3) 3 Ancient Roman days (4) 4 Lofty (4) 5 Sea nymph (5) 6 Factory siren (6) 7 Tiny (3) 13 Behold! (2) 14 Ripe (6) 16 As stated (2) 17 Tantalises (6) 19 Temperate (5) 20 In the direction of (2) 23 Old stringed instrument (4) 24 Incision (3) 26 Present (3) 27 Anger (3)

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 17 represents M so fill M every time the figure 17 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

Momo’s singing talents

n Showtime Desk Zakia Bari Momo is Lux-Channel i Superstar who previously won over the hearts of her fans by proving her abilities in acting and dancing. Now, her fans can see her in a different light as the modelactress recently lent her voice for a song which will be used in her upcoming TV drama.

It has been learned that the actress sung the song herself, since the storyline demanded her to do so. The TV drama titled Rupkotha

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Why Vidya agreed on the biopic n Showtime Desk

Ekhon Ar Hoi Na is a directorial venture of Shihab Shaheen, which will be aired during the Eid holidays on NTV. The song she sung is not entirely original though, but a remake of hit number “Ekbar jodi keo bhalobashto.” Written by Amzad Hossain and composed

by Alauddin Ali, the song gained huge popularity when it was sung

by Syed Abdul Hadi and Samina Chowdhury.

The new music arrangement is composed by Shaan. l

Scarlett Johansson is now the highest-grossing female film star n Showtime Desk On Wednesday, it was revealed that Scarlett is the highest-grossing actress ever. According to Box Office Mojo, the movie star has earned more money at the box office than any other fierce female in the film industry. Scarlett Johansson has featured into a list of the 10th highest-grossing movie star of all time.

The 31-year-old is the only female actor in the top 10 and the youngest, with her films making over $3.3bn in the US alone, placing her above actors like Matt Damon, Liam Neeson, and Will Smith.

Johansson’s biggest hits have been roles within the Marvel cinematic universe, but she also steered action thriller Lucy to success in 2014. This year has seen Johansson star in two box-office hits: Captain America: Civil War and The Jungle Book.

Trailing behind her on the list is Cameron Diaz at 19, followed

by Helena Bonham Carter at 26, Cate Blanchett at 29, and Julia Roberts at 30. The list is topped

by Harrison Ford, who has pushed Samuel L Jackson down to second place after the recent success of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. l

Vidya Balan, who was just confirmed to play Kamala Das in an upcoming biopic, says the Indian-English writer was a progressive and inspiring stalwart, and Balan agreed to do the film only because she wants to know her better as a person.

“Kamala was very progressive, and she was very strong. I loved the script (of the film) the minute I read it. I agreed to do this biopic because I want to know her as a person. She is a very unique person and I just want to know her better,” Balan said.

The actress, who has delivered impressive performances in films like The Dirty Picture and Kahaani, also says that she doesn’t pay heed to people’s opinion about her as it does not affect her.

“I don’t read anything about myself. I don’t base my life on that. If I have to base it on something, I would base it on positive things,” the Indian National Award-winning actress

said.

Vidya, who dabbles in multiple genres of cinema, believes people are ready for all kinds of films.

“People had said that after a

point, masala films will not work, but even today, masala films are working. There will be new kind of films coming out every day,” she added. l

Colours FM to air Shompurno Rongeen on Eid n Showtime Desk This Eid, Colours FM 101.6 will present the audience with “Shompurno Rongeen,” an special three-day show on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, highlighting exclusive interviews of celebrated media personalities.

On day one, popular director of recent time, Redoan Rony, and his Ice Cream team will be present at the station to share stories behind the making of the film. They are expected to talk about their future projects.

Seasoned stand-up comedian Naveed Mahbub and his wife, Zara Jabeen Mahbub, head of communications and service quality, BRAC Bank, are scheduled to be on-air on the second day. The show will give a glipmse over the couple’s journey so far and plans on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

On the third day, the “Asho Mama Hey” composer Pritom Hasan will rock the station with his peppy tunes.

Shompurno Rongeen will be aired from 4pm to 6pm. l

WHAT TO WATCH The Tuxedo Zee Studio 3:10pm A hapless chauffeur must take a comatose secret agent’s place using his special gadget-laden tuxedo.

Cast: Jackie Chan, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jason Isaacs, Debi Mazar, Ritchie Coster, Peter Stormare The Terminator HBO 3:25pm A human-looking indestructible cyborg is sent from 2029 to 1984 to assassinate a waitress, whose unborn son will lead humanity in a war against the machines, while a soldier from that war is sent to protect her at all costs.

Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton,

Paul Winfield, Lance Henriksen, Bess Motta Johnny English Reborn Star Movies 3:20pm Johnny English goes up against international assassins hunting down the Chinese premier.

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BAT to probe alleged child labour in tobacco farming n Reuters British American Tobacco, the world’s second biggest cigarette company, has vowed to investigate some of its supply farms in Bangladesh after a Swedish campaign group uncovered the use of child workers to grow and process tobacco.

Swedwatch, which surveyed three tobacco farming districts in Bangladesh, said it found child labour was “widespread” in farms supplying BAT and its local subsidiary British American Tobacco Bangladesh, jeopardising their health and education.

“Girls and boys of all ages are responsible for irrigating and levelling the field. Some of them carry loads as well and bring seedlings from the bed to the field,” said the study, which was conducted between July 2015 and May 2016.

“After harvesting, they break the leaves, cut the stems, and help to monitor the kiln temperature while curing.”

Swedwatch said children were not only pulled out of school to work for up to 16 hours a day during the harvest season but were also engaged in tasks that exposed them to green tobacco plants, dust from tobacco and smoke from kiln drying.

Group Head of Corporate Affairs at BAT Simon Cleverly told the Thomson Reuters Foundation yesterday that the company had investigated the report’s findings, including allegations of unfair contracts to farmers, “but found no evidence of any human rights violations.”

He said BAT’s investigations were consistent with the findings of several independent studies commissioned by BAT to look into tobacco growing and rural livelihoods that found the company has a positive socio-economic impact.

But Cleverly said BAT has asked Swedwatch for details of the farm locations where children were said to be working so the company can investigate further and act if necessary.

“We believe this report presents a misleading and inaccurate view of our tobacco leaf farming supply chain in Bangladesh, a country where we have a long-standing history of working with farmers and the government for mutual benefit,” said Cleverly.

‘I feel weak’

According to the International Labour Organisation, over five million children aged between 5 and 17 years are engaged in some kind

of employment in Bangladesh.

For although Bangladesh laws set a minimum working age of 14, poverty causes many families to send children to work.

But Unicef estimates 93% of child labourers work in the informal sector, saying this makes enforcement of labour laws virtually impossible.

Almost half of working children are believed employed in the farm sector, which is considered the most dangerous in terms of work-related fatalities and occupational diseases due to sharp tools, dangerous machinery, and use of agro-chemicals.

The Swedwatch report said children working in Bangladesh’s tobacco farms in Bandarban, Chakoria (in Chittagong) and Lalmonirhat were no exception and faced nicotine absorption through the skin as well as pesticide exposure due to no protective equipment.

“I cannot sleep or eat regularly and that leads to other health problems. I feel weak,” said one boy, 16, in the report.

“When I work in front of the kiln, my eyes burn, I feel pain in my chest and I cough a lot,” he added, describing the process of curing tobacco leaves in a kiln. l

Afghan fury as Iran, Turkey claim Sufi poet Rumi n Tribune Desk Who can lay claim to Rumi, the Sufi mystic who is one of the world’s most beloved poets? A bid by Iran and Turkey to do so has exasperated Afghanistan, country of his birth eight centuries ago.

Tehran and Ankara asked to list the work of Jalal ud-Din Muhammad Rumi as their joint heritage on the UN’s “Memory of the World” register in May. The register, falling under the UN’s cultural organisation Unesco, was formed in 1997 to protect the world’s documentary heritage especially in troubled or conflict-ridden areas.

But the Afghan government has denounced the bid, which mainly concerns the 25,600 verses of “Masnavi-i-Ma’navi”, one of the most influential works in Persian literature, reports AFP. He is one of the best-selling poets in the US, and his works have been translated into more than 23 languages.

The poet and philosopher “was born in Balkh in Afghanistan and made us proud,” the Afghan ministry of information and culture insisted.

Unesco “never asked us” about the proposal, Harron Haklimi, the ministry’s spokesman, said, acknowledging that Kabul had been beaten to the punch but hoping they can yet convince the organisation that Afghanistan has the better claim to the poet.

Son of Balkh

With an aim to ensure better security for residents, Dhaka South City Corporation and Dhaka Metropolitan Police have recently set up a panic button on the DCC market premises in Gulshan 2. Pressing this button will enable someone to directly talk to officials at Gulshan 2 police monitoring room, and police will be able to make a rapid response MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Most researchers agree Rumi was born in Balkh, Afghanistan in 1207 -though this too has been the subject of debate: a few argue he was born just across the border, in what is modern day Tajikistan, in a region also known as Balkh.

Today, the Afghan town of Balkh is

a small provincial settlement, but back then it was an ancient religious capital and centre for Buddhist and Persian literature. It was sacked by Genghis Khan and his Mongal hordes in 1221.

The young Rumi and his family fled to Turkey, where he spent most of his life -- he died in the city of Konya in 1273. It was there that his son founded the Order of the Whirling Dervishes to perpetuate his father’s teachings.

But for Afghans, he remains a child of their country and it is still possible to visit the house in which they believe he was born.

The governor of Balkh province, former warlord General Ata Mohammad Noor called on Afghanistan’s representative to the UN to protest.

“By limiting Maulana to only two countries, we do not do justice to a global personality who is truly cherished and admired across the world,” he said.

“He is considered an important part of the culture and identity of Afghanistan,” writer and poet Sadiq Usyan, professor at the Balkh university in nearby provincial capital Mazar-i-Sharif, said.

Separating the two is considered an “insult” and even a “threat” to Afghanistan, he said.

A Unesco representative in Kabul argued there had been some “confusion”.

“Any country, delegation or even individual can submit a request to be considered under this programme,” said spokesman Ricardo Grassi.

He noted the backlash, adding: “But this request has still to be considered.”

To accede to it without mentioning Afghanistan would be unacceptable, said the director of Balkh’s provincial cultural department, Salih Mohammad Khaleeq. l

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