August 2, 2016

SECOND EDITION

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2016

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Shraban 178 1423, Shawwal 27, 1437

Students unite across Bangladesh against terrorism Ahmed and n Arif Shadma Malik Educational institutions across Bangladesh have held rallies and events voicing their rejection of terrorism, expressing sympathy for the victims and taking a stance for love and compassion.

Students, teachers and employees from universities, schools and colleges around the nation took to the streets yesterday with banners and festoons, formed human chains and rallies under the banner “Bangladesh against terrorism” yesterday.

All we need to do is to be aware about the militants and stand against violence These protests come one month after the Gulshan terrorist attack that claimed 24 lives, where the attackers were later revealed to be school and university students.

“No terrorism, we want peace!” read a poster held up by students of Siddheswari College, who lined up on one side of Bailey Road in front of their campus, holding hands.

“Our power against terrorism is our youth,” read a banner held by students in front of Rokeya Hall in Dhaka University.

At the Central Shaheed Minar, Education Minister Nurul

Islam Nahid said cultural practices should be increased at all education institutions of our country in a bid to eradicate the ideology of militancy.

The minister also urged the educational institutions to emphasise more on Bangladesh’s culture, heritage and history.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique said the DU would play a pivotal role in countering terrorism and militant activities in Bangladesh.

Sheikh Kabir Hossain, chairman of Fareast International University and president of the Private University Association of Bangladesh (PUAB), said all private universities will take necessary steps to prevent terrorism.

“Students, teachers and parents will be brought together to fight against militancy in the country,” he added.

East West University trustee board Chairman Dr Mohammed Farashuddin said a handful of young persons had become misguided, but in Bangladesh there was no trend of militancy.

He said East West University was committed to crack down on anyone misguiding its students.

On Dhaka’s Satmasjid Road, students of private universities showed their unity by forming a long human chain and rally and holding placards and banners with anti-militant and patriotic slogans.

“The presence of all university students is to show support for the families of the victims and it is a message that education institutions  PAGE 2 COLUMN 5

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Family: Ozaki uncomfortable about his conversion to Islam Jamil Khan, back n Mohammad from Brahmanbaria Mohammad Saifullah Ozaki, a Bangladesh-born Japanese ex-teacher who is believed to have ties to the so-called Islamic State, was always uncomfortable in expressing that he had converted to Islam, his family has said.

The Dhaka Tribune recently went to his ancestral home in Brahmanbar-

ia and spoke to his parents, who said their son – whose previous name was Sajit Debnath – never told them directly about his conversion from Hinduism to Islam.

Whenever he visited his family in Koroibarai village of Nabinagar upazila, Ozaki also tried to hide the beard he was growing, according to those close to him.

Ozaki used to teach at Ritsumeikan

University in Kyoto Prefecture, but has been missing since he left Japan for Bulgaria with his family last year, The Japan Times reported last month.

The last time the family had any contact with Ozaki was on January 5 this year, a day after the police came to their house to ask about their son, said Ozaki’s father Janardhan Debnath.

“I was surprised when I found that  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

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HSC, equivalent STAND AGAINST TERRORISM exam results August 18 n Tribune Desk The results for this year’s Higher Secondary Certificate and its equivalent examinations will be published on August 18, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid said on Monday.

“The copy of the results will be handed over to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban at 10am and the results will be formally announced at a press conference later around noon,” the minister said.

Over 1.2 million students under eight general education boards, Madrasa Education Board and Bangladesh Technical Education Board sat for the examinations that began on April 3. l

Nahid: Get more involved with Bangla culture

With an aim to unite the country against terrorism, students and teachers of different educational institutions form human chains in different parts of Dhaka city. (Top) Students of ULAB form a human chain in front of their campus in Dhanmondi’s Satmasjid Road in Dhaka. (Bottom Left) Students of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College form a human chain in Dhaka’s Bailey Road. (Bottom Right) Students of Dhaka University’s different departments demonstrate in front TSC roundabout on campus RAJIB DHAR/MEHEDI HASAN/DHAKA TRIBUNE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Family: Ozaki uncomfortable about n Tribune Desk Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid yesterday has addressed educational institutions and called for an increase in the reading of Bangla literature and participating more in our own cultural activities.

Nahid made the speech at a human chain held at the Central Shaheed Minar, Dhaka at 10am.

The human chain was held to create awareness of anti-terrorism in educational institutions exactly a month after the Gulshan attack.

It was a joint effort of the Education Ministry and University Grants Commission (UGC) to spread awareness of increasing militancy in Bangladesh.

As part of this same programme, universities and colleges throughout the country formed human chains from 10am to 11am.

Dhaka University Vice Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique addressed the human chain and said: “We have to come together and be aware to fight against militancy.”

UGC Chairman Abdul Mannan and National University Vice Chancellor Dr Harun-ur-Rashid also gave speeches amongst others. l

the police were inquiring about Sajit, so I called him immediately on his cell phone asking the reason,” During a one and a half minute-long conversation, Ozaki tried to explain to his father how one of his friends was trying to frame him for funding a charitable organisation.

But Janardhan said Sajit – as he was still known to his family and neighbours – disconnected the line when he was asked the reason behind funding an organisation that was bad in the eyes of the law.

Since that call, he never contacted his family again, the father added.

‘Trying to hide his beard’

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune on Sunday, Janardhan said he visited his son in Japan during a 22-day trip in 2006. During that visit, Ozaki introduced him to a neighbour girl named Rina who called Janardhan “Otōsan” - or father in Japanese language.

“In 2007, Sajit called us and said she had married the girl I met,” the father said.

In 2008, Sajit came to Bangladesh to attend the wedding of his sister. It was the first time the family saw that he had grown a beard.

Mysteriously, he kept a surgical mask on his face at all time to hide his beard.

When Anima Rani Debi, Ozaki’s mother, asked about the beard, her son replied that it should not be a problem as Rabindranath and Baba Loknath both also had beards.

Anima said she travelled to Japan in 2009 to meet her daughterin-law and three grandsons – whose names Ozaki never mentioned.

Since the 2008 visit, whenever Ozaki visited Bangladesh, instead of staying with his own family, he made the unusual choice of staying at the home of local union chairman Abdur Rauf, who had a good relationship with Ozaki.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, Rauf said it was probably because Ozaki wanted to hide his own Islamic rituals from his family.

Rauf, whose one son also went to Japan with Ozaki’s help, said he last spoke to Sajit when the police came in January to ask about him.

But at the time, Sajit did not mention anything about having militant links, but said he was trying to go to a country in Europe.

“Sajit last visited Bangladesh in May last year and stayed for over a month in Dhaka,” Rauf added.

‘Whereabouts unknown’ Asked to describe how her son was before he went to Japan for studies, Anima said: “My son always used to read books and prayed at Hindu temple.”

Whenever Ozaki visited Bangladesh, he also used to give money, food and support to the orphans and the poor people of the area, the mother said.

She said the family would have had no issue if they knew about Sajit’s conversion to Islam. But his alleged links to terrorism were completely unacceptable, Anima said.

Ozaki is suspected to be a top financier and mastermind behind militant activities in Bangladesh.

Regarding Ozaki, Monirul Islam, chief of DMP’s Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit, told the Dhaka Tribune that Ozaki was a Japanese citizen and they were searching for his whereabouts.

However, Times of India recently reported that Ozaki was among five militants believed to be currently hiding in India.

Monirul also said the police were not yet sure about Ozaki’s involvement in militant activities in Bangladesh but were trying to learn about possible links.

But according to The New York Times, three people, including Ozaki, “acted as contact points between militants inside Bangladesh and organisers outside the country.”

Meanwhile, The Japan Times also reported that it was recently found that Ozaki had helped two extremists travel to Turkey via Japan last year.

Ozaki is suspected of supporting the entry into Japan of the two Bangladeshis by passing them off as students. After staying in Japan for a short time, they departed for Turkey, and then apparently travelled overland to Syria, local police suspected.

Japanese police had previously questioned Ozaki on a voluntary basis when he was in Japan, but they found no connection between him and any extremist group, Japan Times quoted sources as saying. l

Students unite are against terrorism,” said a student of University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB).

Students of other private universities demonstrated in their respective campuses carrying banners with anti-terrorism and patriotic slogans to show unity in the fight against militancy.

Students said they were concerned that the nation was facing problems in the recent times with extremist violence, often linked to students of private universities.

The students called for peace, tolerance and diversity in the country.

“All we need to do is to be aware about the militants and stand against violence,” said one demonstrator at Brac University. l

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KALLYANPUR MILITANT DEN

Five out of nine were suicide squad members n Mohammad Jamil Khan Five out of the nine militants killed in Operation Storm 26 at Kallyanpur den were members of the suicide squad of the banned militant outfit Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).

After they had received training from Gaibandha the militants reportedly gathered in the den to carry out some suicidal attacks, a high official of the agency investigating militancy told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

The official requesting anonymity said the militants were brainwashed by Abdullah alias Motaleb.

Even top JMB leader Tamim Ahmed Chowdhury also visited the den to inspire the militants through myriads of speech and financial support, according to the case statement of the Kallyanpur raid.

The investigation source said the five suicide squad members were identified as Taz-ul-Haq Rashik, Akifuzzaman, Sazad Rauf Arko, Matiar Rahman and Jobayer Hossain.

Monirul Islam, chief of the Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit, also said: “Analyzing the evidence and information gleaned from injured militant Rakibul Hasan Rigan we are suspecting at least five of the nine were members of a suicide squad.”

Even the ninth person who is yet to be identified might have been involved in the that suicide squad, he said.

About the rest three militants Monirul said Raihan Kabir Tareq

was the arms and bomb trainer of the new JMB. Raihan is linked to another trainer who is still absconding.

On top of this there was Abdullah who is the indoctrinator of the outfit and dead Hakim Nayem was a mid-level leader, said Monirul.

Another source in the investigation team said after the Gulshan and Sholakia massacres the Islamist militants tried to continue their attacks by splitting into small groups.

The investigators found the same kind of loose dresses mainly used by suicide squads of the international militant outfit IS from Mirpur and Kallyanpur dens.

Monirul said the new JMB outfit follows the strategies of the IS and the police had already arrested 200 members of the outfit.

Arrested JMB member Hasan said their prime target was to carry out an attack on the Shia mosques in Mohammadpur and Mirpur of Dhaka.

The militants later cancelled their plan as the two mosques were under high security vigilance.

After that they took shelter in Kallyanpur and planned to carry out attacks on some foreign offices and important establishments.

Meanwhile, investigators collected DNA samples of dead militant Arko’s father Towhid Rauf at the DNA lab of Criminal Investigation Department in Malibagh yesterday.

Earlier, investigators also collected DNA samples of Abdullah’s brother and Motiar’s father. l

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina along with Awami League leaders stand up to pay their respects to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the martyrs of August 15 during the inauguration of a blood donation programme yesterday organised

by Bangladesh Krishak League at Dhanmondi Road 32 in Dhaka DHAKA TRIBUNE

Brief internet blackout drill held n Ishtiaq Husain The telecom regulator briefly cut off internet connections in certain parts of Dhaka as part of a security drill.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) decided to exercise the blackout operation to tackle emergency situations like the Holey Artisan Bakery attack, where terrorists used internet connection to communicate and upload pictures of the victims.

BTRC and Internet Service Providers held a meeting on Monday where they agreed to shut down internet operation to handle attacks like July 1.

“The blackout will last 10-15 minutes,” BTRC Chairman Shahjahan Mahmood told the Dhaka Tribune. “It will not affect subscribers as the operation will start from Monday midnight.”

Asked if it could lead to harassment for subscribers, the BTRC chief explained: “Whenever fire drills are held at factories, their operations are put on hold. The same thing will happen during our internet drill.”

A BTRC official said the drill could be carried out in Uttara, Motijheel, Ramna and Lalmatia area.

Requesting anonymity, a senior official from a popular ISP told the Dhaka Tribune that the regulator has requested them to prepare for any kind of internet shut down.

Mobile internet will also be shut down but voice call services will not be interrupted.

During the Holey Artisan Bakery attack, the regulator shut down mobile internet connections in that area for 16 hours but they used the broadband connection to communicate with the outside, sending out gruesome photos of murder. l

Cabinet approves CHT land commission amendment act n Shohel Mamun The Cabinet yesterday approved the draft of “The Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Dispute Resolution Commission (Amendment) Act, 2016” aiming to quickly resolve the land disputes in the hills.

The approval was made during the regular cabinet meeting held at Bangladesh secretariat chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

After the meeting cabinet secretary Shafiul Alam told reporters that the new draft will allow the chairman of the commission to make decisions based on the majority votes cast by members in a meeting.

“It means, the new draft modified the existing provisions of quorum of the meeting of the commission,” said cabinet secretary. l

Police on the hunt for a missing militant couple n Tribune Desk Investigators are on the hunt for a mysterious couple who lived in an apartment in Bashundhara which was frequented by the Gulshan attackers.

Investigator are suspecting that the couple are members of Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh.

Sources from the investigation said a person named Karim had rented an apartment in Bashundhara residential area where he supposedly resided with his wife and two children.

But within two days of the Gulshan attack, the couple fled the apartment.

Investigators say that they have information that the couple rented multiple apartments in the city.

However, investigators admitted they do not know the couple’s whereabouts.

Another source said police had raided three apartments known to be rented by Karim.

They were all unoccupied. The landlords said the family left without any prior notice.

The police raid revealed that the apartments where sparsely furnished with mattresses on the floor and just a few pots and pans to cook with.

No documents related to the Gulshan attack or future attacks

were found, the source said.

The Gulshan attack case is at present being investigated by DMP’s Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit.

Other law enforcement agencies including RAB and DB are assisting with the investigation.

CTTC chief Additional Commissioner Monirul Islam said they were also suspecting a Bangladesh-born Canadian citizen Tamim Ahmed Chowdhury to be deeply involved in the planning of the Gulshan attack.

Tamim is known to be one of the top leaders of a new faction of JMB, the CTTC chief said. Tamim returned to Dhaka in 2013.

The militants who were involved in the Gulshan and Sholakia attacks were taken to Jhenaidah and Gaibandha for combat training.

They were then divided into two groups that carried out the Gulshan and Sholakia attacks respectively.

Inspector General Of Police AKM Shahidul Haque had earlier said that they had received information about some of the criminals behind the attack and were looking for them.

However, investigators have only arrested four people in connection including two landlords who failed to file information about their tenants.

Their tenants later turned out to

be militants.

One of the landlords arrested was the acting Pro VC of North South University.

It has been a month since the two militant attacks in the country and Investigation sources said they have information about some nine new people including the planner of the Gulshan attack but no arrests have been made in connection.

During the Kallyanpur raid on July 26 where police killed nine militants, investigators said they found evidence that the Kallyanpur militants were linked with the Gulshan attackers and that they were planning an even bigger attack. l

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Govt receives EOIs for MPSC upgrade in energy sector n Aminur Rahman Rasel The government has received Expression of Interest (EOI) letters from 16 international consultancy firms regarding the upgrade of model production sharing contract (MPSC) for oil and gas exploration in Bangladesh.

The firms responded to the international invite floated by the Power Cell – of the Ministry of Energy, Power and Mineral Resources – on June 14, said sources in the power sector.

The Power Cell will appoint the firm most suited for the job, who will provide with the appropriate technical and financial advice to update the existing MPSC for both onshore and offshore blocks, with a special focus on deepwater oil and gas exploration.

“We have already received 16 EOIs from foreign consultancy firms in this regard,” said a Power Cell director. “Now we will send them requests for proposals to the firms. The selection will be done based on the proposal.”

After a firm is selected, Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla) will take over the project from the Power Cell.

“Petrobangla intends to work with an internationally reputed firm in accomplishing this task, under the rural electrification and renewable energy development project of the Power Cell and to be funded by World Bank,” Petrobangla Chairman Istiaque Ahmad told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

Since Petrobangla has no prior

experience in deep offshore oil and gas exploration, it is essential to procure consultancy services from a reputed firm abroad to update the terms and condition of the existing MPSC to make it competitive and of international standard, he said.

The Petrobangla chairman said natural gas is the primary source of commercial energy in national economic development activities.

“To meet the increasing demand of gas, it has become extremely important to explore new gas fields. To accelerate the exploration activities, the government has been systematically inviting international oil companies to invest in the country’s oil and gas sector,” he said.

“So far, these activities have been limited to onshore and mostly shallow offshore areas. After demarcation of the maritime boundaries with the neighbouring countries, the government has opened the deep offshore areas to the international companies for investment.

“In this context, it has become necessary to update the existing MPSC, taking into consideration the complexity of the deep offshore oil and gas exploration, its technical and financial challenges as well as risks.”

A Petrobangla official said: “Another issue in this sector is the price of gas. Most of the previous bidding rounds failed to attract much investment due to unattractive gas price. Therefore, it has become crucial to adopt a new, competitive gas pricing formula.” l

Hajj aspirants reach the Ashkona Hajj Camp near Dhaka’s airport yesterday for the first Hajj flight scheduled for August 4 DHAKA TRIBUNE

International conferences cancelled and postponed, BPO Summit still held n Tribune Report The future of high-profile international conferences scheduled to be held in Bangladesh is uncertain due to security concerns.

The Asia Pacific Network Information Centre Summit (APNIC 42), co-organized by Bangladesh Nework Operators Group (BdNOG) and Internet Service Providers’ Assocation of Bangladesh (ISPAB), scheduled for September has been cancelled, where around 300 IT experts were supposed to participate.

The Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) scheduled for the last week of July has been shifted to New York, where 400 foreign and local representatives were expected to attend.

The fate of the 62nd Common-

wealth Parliamentary conference remains undecided as final decisions of whether the conference should be held are still being made.

600 lawmakers across the Commonwealth countries, including Bangladesh are expected to engage.

The cancellation, shifting of venue and statement of indecision came shortly after the terrorist attack in Gulshan on July 1 with scheduled guests expressing reservations regarding safety.

On the flip side, however, the 2nd Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Summit, where more than 21000 young people submitted their resumes for jobs, has recently ended in Dhaka with significant participation from foreign guests as well.

The two-day BPO summit began Thursday at Pan Pacific Sonargaon

hotel in Dhaka.

Sajeeb Wazed Joy, ICT affairs adviser to the prime minister, inaugurated the summit, jointly organised by the ICT Division and Bangladesh Association of Call Center and Outsourcing (BACCO).

A total of 24 foreign guests including 14 from the United States and the rest from other countries, such as China, Australia, Germany and Switzerland participated in the event.

Ahmadul Haque, President of BACCO, said, “Despite it being the month of the horrific Gulshan cafe attack, we organised the summit to send a message to the people across the world that Bangladesh is a safe place for all. We can overcome any situation, we are a positive Bangladesh.” l

Chittagong labour court gets workers’ legal aid cell n Tribune Desk

A legal aid cell has been established at Chittagong Labour Court recently by National Legal Aid Services Organisation (NLASO) of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs with the technical support from UNDP Bangladesh under its Women’s Access to Justice Project.

The cell, inaugurated on July 21,

aims to ensure free legal aid services to thousands of workers who are employed in sectors like RMG, ship breaking, steel manufacturing, packed foods etc in Chittagong, the commercial capital of Bangladesh.

Worker’s Legal Aid Cell will provide legal advice, assist to conduct mediation to settle disputes, assist to draft grievance petition, engage legal aid panel lawyers and represent cases and create awareness by

carrying out outreach activities.

The cell will also provide training programmes for trade union leaders.

At present a law officer has been engaged to provide primary services to carry out the services. The cell is now being supervised by the chairman of Labor Court alongside a special committee which will be formed soon to look after the daily activities. It will also be monitored

by NLASO. l

Maxxis CST Bangladesh has recently held a conference at the International Convention City, Basundhara in the capital. NCC Bank Limited Managing Director and CEO Golam Hafiz, Maxxis CST Brand Manager Mehjabin Badhom and Swan International Chairman Mohammad Shahabuddin, among other, spoke at the conference

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‘Jamaat working with Ansarullah’ Mizanur Rahaman, n FM Chittagong Leaders and mid-level activists of Jamaat-Shibir are patronising and working with banned militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team to carry out subversive activities in Chittagong, the port city police have said.

They made the claim after arresting five suspected Ansarullah members – one of them a Shibir leader – from Patenga’s Katgor area early yesterday; two laptops and 11 books on jihad were found in their possession.

The arrestees are Md Akkas Ali alias Jahedul Islam Nayon, 23; Md Atiqul Hasan Emon, 26; Jamshedul Alam Hridoy, 21; Md Rubel, 26; and Md Mohiuddin, 18.

According to the police, Akkas Ali, a second year student of political science at Chittagong Government College is a Shithi or a top leader of Shibir; Rubel is a fourth semester BBA student at the city’s Southern University; Atiqul is an MCom student at Chittagong Commerce College; Jamshed is a second year Bangla student at Omar Gani MES College; and Mohiuddin is a madrasa drop-out.

Detectives produce five arrested members of Ansarullah Bangla Team in front of the media yesterday at the CMP Headquarters RABIN CHOWDHURY “Jamaat-Shibir leaders have been patronising Ansarullah militants under new names and new techniques while Jamaat was trying to carry out subversive activities with the help of militant groups,” DC Maruf said.

“The [arrested] Ansarullah men have direct connections with Musayeb Ibn Omayer, the Baitulmal secretary of Ansarullah, who had been arrested along with three other Ansarullah men from Sitakunda upazila on July 11,” he added.

“Being tipped off, a team of detectives raided a rented flat of Akkas at Sher-e-Patenga building’s fourth floor around 12:45am and detained the five active [Ansarullah] operatives while they were holding a secret meeting,” Deputy Commissioner (Bandar) Maruf Hossen told a press conference.

“Shibir leader Akkas led the meeting while three to four other Ansarullah operatives managed to escape arrest during the police drive.

Rajuk’s third eviction drive in Uttara n Abu Hayat Mahmud

A mobile court yesterday of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakkha (Rajuk) has shut down Comfort Inn and Nagar Valley hotel run by a former official of Rajuk in Uttara.

A mobile court led by Rajuk’s Executive Magistrate Khandker Zakir Hossain conducted the eviction drive and closed down the hotels in sector 4 of Uttara saying they were unauthorised.

The mobile court also disconnected the power and gas supply of the hotels.

Nagar Valley’s manager asking not to be named told the Dhaka Tribune that around 25 employees will lose their jobs and the establishment will make a loss of more than Tk2 crore.

Rajuk’s former urban planner Kazi Golam Hafiz constructed Nagar Valley Hotel and Comfort Inn in a residential plot in sector 4, Uttara.

Comfort Inn’s manager asking not to be named told reporters that

THUNDERSHOWER WITH RAIN TUESDAY, AUGUST 2

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Thirteen female members of Border Guard Bangladesh have been assinged to active duty at Benapole checkpost.

The female members have been attached to Benapole Intregated Check Post (ICP) since Sunday afternoon.

In this regard, Benapole ICP camp Naik Subedar Towheed Hossain said female BGB members are very important in border areas as at times women are used to smuggle contraband items across the border and the BGB men cannot check them properly.

“Illegal items are also smuggled by women who have valid passports and though we suspect some of them, the BGB men cannot perform a through search. But now the situation will change,” Subedar Towheed said.

Now female smugglers will think twice before crossing the border with contraband items, he added. l 27

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The arrested would be produced before a court with a ten-day remand plea in a case filed with Patenga police station, DC Maruf said.

Musayeb Ibn Omayer alias Piklu Das was arrested last month for plotting to attack key instalments in the Sitakunda area.

“During initial interrogation, the five Ansarullah men confessed that Omayer alias Piklu and Jamshed earlier held several meetings with the arrested Ansarullah men to instigate them into militancy,” Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) (Port-South) Nazmul Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune.

“As a number of Key Point Instalments (KPI) are located in the Patenga area, police have been working to find out whether the Ansarullah men had any plan to carry out militant attack on KPIs.” A DB official, who is not authorised to talk to media, told the Dhaka Tribune that the names of the five latest arrestees were among 12 alleged terror plotters who Omayer named during interrogation.

ADC Nazmul said Ansarullah men were adopting a “cut-out” system to protect their identities while organising in Chittagong. l

SC upholds Dhanmondi eviction order n Ashif Islam Shaon The Supreme Court has upheld a High Court verdict that asked the government to stop all commercial operations in the Dhanmondi residential area and evict existing commercial establishments.

A four-member bench of the Appellate Division led by Justice Md Abdul Wahhab Miah passed the order after rejecting two leaveto-appeal pleas filed by Maple Leaf International School and Dhaka South City Corporation against the High Court verdict.

The High Court order was passed on June 11, 2012 in response to a writ petition filed by two residents of Dhanmondi in February 2011 who prayed for the High Court’s direction on the government to take steps to preserve components of the residential area.

The court in its order had said that to protect the status and environment of Dhanmondi the concerned government authorities and Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakkha (Rajuk) will stop unauthorised commercial operations in the Dhanmondi residential area. l

Benapole ICP gets 13 female BGB members n Md Selim Reja, Benapole

the hotel’s owner is Abul Hasnat Basu, cousin of Industry Minister Amir Hossain Amu. Magistrate Zakir Hossain accused the owner of the six storied building that houses Nagar Vally to have built the reception in the space alloted for a parking lot.

Landlord Hafiz told journalists that the hotel was built after gaining permission from Rajuk.

However, magistrate Zakir Hossen said there were no permission given to run businesses in the residential area.

Later, the Rajuk mobile court visited the eight storied Comfort Inn Hotel where the reception, restaurant and swimming pool were built in the space alloted for a parking lot.

The hotel manager asking not be named said around 30 staff members will lose their jobs if Rajuk closed down the hotel.

Rajuk has already conducted two drives in Uttara last month in a bid to evict all businesses from residential areas in the capital. l

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Two members of the first female Border Guard Bangaldesh batch are seen to stand guard at the Integrated Check Post in Benapole yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Khulna

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Barisal

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

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Fajr: 4:55am | Zohr: 1:15pm Asr: 5:15pm | Magrib: 6:55pm Esha: 8:45pm Source: Islamic Foundation

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Flood situation improves, people still suffering n Tribune Desk Flood situation has slightly improved yesterday across Bangladesh, as water levels in major rivers dropped significantly.

In Jamalpur, train communications on the Jamalpur-Dewanganj route restored Monday afternoon.

Communications on the Jamalpur-Dewanganj and Jamalpur-Sarishabari routes were suspended on Friday evening and Saturday night respectively as railway tracks in different places submerged by flood water.

According to the Water Development Board, water level in the Jamuna River has receded 22cm at Bahadurabadghat point in the afternoon.

During 10-day flood, over 674,000 people in 62 unions and seven municipality areas in seven upazilas of the district were affected.

Roads and High ways Department said an approach road of Dadvanga Bridge at Madarganj upazila was damaged by flood water, disrupting the direct communication with Madarganj upazila from Jamalpur.

Besides a portion of road at Fulbaria village in Bhatara union under Sarishabari upazila was damaged and disrupted road communication on Jamalpur-Bhatara-Sharishabari.

District Primary Education Officer Md Abdul Alim said 667 primary schools had been closed due to flood. District Education officer Md Mostafizur Rahman said 219 institutions in secondary and higher secondary levels had been also closed due to flood in the district.

He said of the institutions, 143 were high schools, 11 higher secondary schools, 5 colleges and 60 madrashas.

According to Department of Agriculture Extension, standing crops on 18,550 hectares of land went under flood water in the district.

Deputy Commissioner Md Shahabuddin Khan, however, said distribution of dried food, pure drinking water and relief materials was continuing in the flood affected areas.

In Gaibandha, overall flood situation at chars and Brahmaputra river basins except six unions of Phulchhari and Sadar upazilas im-

Some flood-affected people of Maizbari, Kazipur upzila, Sirajganj wade through water to get relief materials from local journalists, who went to the area to collect flood news, yesterday. The flood victims thought that the newsmen went there with relief DHAKA TRIBUNE proved further as the Brahmaputra marked fall.

The officials of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) sources said water level of the Brahmaputra, one of the mighty rivers of the country, decreased by 13 cm and the Ghagot by 21 cm during the period.

Though the water level of the rivers decreased, the Brahmaputra was flowing 45cm above its danger level at Phulchharighat point and the Ghagot 45cm at New Bridge Road point of the district town.

On the other hand, the flood situation at four unions-Udakhali, Urya, Kanchipara and Gozaria under Phulchhari upazila and Boali and Badiakhali unions of Sadar upazila deteriorated as the water of the Brahmaputra entered the unions through the breaches of the flood control embankments.

Due to the flood, over 300,00 people of Sundarganj, Sadar, Phulchhari, and Shaghata upazilas of the district had been marooned creating untold sufferings to the flood victims.

Meanwhile, Phulchhari upazila parishad complex went under knee deep water and the residence of the

upazila nirbahi officer went under waist deep water for entering water through the eroded portion of the embankment at Singria point, said UNO Masudur Rahman Mollah.

Classes at 232 government primary schools of the upazilas had been suspended as the flood water entered the schools and its fields, said district primary education officer AKM Amirul Islam.

Although flood situation has improved slightly, flood affected people are still suffering for lack of food, pure drinking water and sanitation facilities.

Gafur, Safiqul and Abdul Aziz, residents of Uttor Nowabos area, Panchgachhi upzila, Kurigram took shelter on flood control embankment along with their family members.

Abdul Aziz said he had to stay outside of tent because his wife, children and cattle stayed inside camp.

Haidar Ali, a resident of the same locality, said he could not sleep at night due to mosquito menace.

But the flood situation in Madaripur has deteorated further due to rise of water level in the Padma River. The river was flowing 48cm above danger level at Shibchar point. l

Maya: Government won’t tolerate any larceny of relief n Matiur Rahman, Manikganj Relief and Disaster Management Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya yesterday said the government would not tolerate any pilferage of relief materials.

The relief minister said officials should stand by with the flood victims with the view to mitigate their sufferings.

Maya said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself was monitoring the flood situation and relief distribution.

Relief Minister said this while talking to local journalists after distribution of relief materials among the flood victims at Zafarganj Bazar in Manikganj.

Relief Minister instantly allocated an additional amount of Tk20

lakh and 200 tonnes of rice for the flood victims of Manikganj.

Earlier, Tk12 lakh and 175 tonnes of rice were allocated for the flood victims of the district.

AM Naimur Rahman Durjoy MP, Md Shah Kamal, Secretary of the Ministry, Riaj Ahmed, Director General (DG) of Ministry of Food, Rashida Ferdouse, Deputy Commissioner, Manikganj, Adv. Golam Mohiuddin, Administrator of Zila Parishad, Manikganj and others accompanied the relief minister.

A total of 23,656 families of 35 unions in six upazilas of the district, so far, have been affected by flood.

A total of 199 educational institutions have been closed due to flood and 35 relief distribution centers opened for the flood victims in the district. l

3 cops testify over seven muder cases Three bodies recovered from Jamuna in Sirajganj n Tanveer Hossen, Naraynganj

A court in the district yesterday recorded the depositions of three police personnel over Nayanganj seven murder cases.

According to local sources, the court led by Judge Sayed Enaet Hossain recorded the depositions of SI Mahbub Mallik, SI Sirajul Isalm and constable Moniruzzaman in the morning in presence of 23

accused including Nur Hossain.

Public prosecutor advocate Wazed Ali said the court had fixed August 8 for next hearing.

On April 27, 2014, Narayanganj panel mayor Nazrul Islam, his three associates and driver were abducted by miscreants from Fatullah area of the district.

At the same time, senior lawyer at district Judge’s Court Chandan Kumar Sarker and his driver were also ab-

ducted on their way to capital Dhaka.

Three days after their abduction, the bodies of six people, including those of Nazrul and Chandan Kumar, were recovered from the Shitalakhya River on April 30 the same year. The following day, the body of Jahangir, car driver of Nazrul Islam, was also recovered from the river. On February 8 this year, a court framed charges against 35 people. l

n Aminul Islam Rana, Sirajganj Police recovered the bodies of three unidentified people kept in two sacks from the Jamuna River at Enayetpur, Chauhali upazila, Sirajganj yesterday.

Officer-in-Charge of Enayetpur police station Rashedul Islam said they recovered the two sacks from

the area around 11:30am. Of the deceased, one was a minor girl and two were females.

Police suspected that miscreants strangled them to death elsewhere and dumped the bodies into the river. A case was filed with Enayetpur police station. The bodies were sent to Sirajganj Sadar Hospital for post-mortem examinations. l

7

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News

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2016

Masses say no militancy, terrorism n Tribune Desk Processions, human chains at educational institutions and hospitals in the districts of Bangladesh were held yesterday protesting militancy and terrorism, report our district correspondents.

The programmes were observed as per the directives of University Grants Commission (UGC).

In Chittagong, thousands of students and teachers of different public and private universities formed human chains, brought out procesions in the district protesting the terrorism and militancy.

Students and faculty members of Chittagong University formed a human chain and brought a procession on the campus.

Later, a rally was also held where teachers and students raised their voice against the recent militant attacks.

Addressing as the chief guest at the rally, CU VC Prof Dr Iftekhar Uddin Chowdhury said they adopted a ‘zero tolerance’ stand for checking militancy and ensuring congenial academic atmosphere on the campus.

With CU registrar Prof Dr Kamrul Huda in the chair, the rally was addressed by Pro-VC Prof Dr Shirin Akhter, Prof Dr Sekandar Chowdhury, CU Teachers’ Association President Prof Dr Aurangzeb and Secretary Sukanta Bhattacharya, among others.

The students, teachers and officials of Chittagong University of Science and Technology (CUET) vowed to resist militancy after forming human chain, holding ral-

Teachers, students of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, form a human chain on the campus yesterday protesting the recent militancy and terrorism in Bangladesh. The picture was taken yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE ly and bring out procession.

CUET VC Prof Dr Rafiqul Alam led the procession.

The teachers and students of Jahangirnagar University staged demonstration on the campus protesting the recent militant and terrorist attacks across the country including Holey Artisan Bakery and Sholakia’s Eid congregation.

Thousands of teachers, students, officers and employees formed a 3 km-long human chain programme around 10am led by the university authorities following the early declaration of University Grant Commission (UGC).

Comilla University shut down following death of BCL man n Mohiuddin Molla, Comilla Authorities of Comilla University shut down the university for an indefinite period yesterday following the death of a leader of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) in a clash between two of its factions on the campus.

The male and female inmates already vacated their dormitories by 11 am and 2 pm respectively as per the instruction of the university authorities.

Khaled Saifullah was a student of Marketing Department and also organising secretary of Kabi Nazrul Hall unit of the BCL, was killed and five others injured in a factional clash on the campus in the early

hours of the day over a candle vigil marking the start of August, the month of mourning.

Campus sources said a clash ensued between the followers of university unit BCL President Alif and another BCL leader Ilias Sabuj over lighting candles in front of the portrait of Banghabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

During the clash, both groups exchanged fires that left Khaled, a member of Sabuj group, bullet-injured.

He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where on-duty doctor declared him dead.

The injured were undergoing treatment at Comilla Medical College Hospital. l

JU Vice-Chancellor Prof Farzana Islam was present at the human chain as the chief guest while different faculties and institutes along with a number of departments, JU Officers’ Union, Workers’ Association, Employee’s Union, JU Journalists’ Association, JU Press Club and other socio-cultural organizations joined the rally, source said.

At the human chain programme, JU VC Prof Farzana said: “Bangladesh has achieved its freedom after sacrificing millions of lives. No evil power can annihilate our freedom and sovereignty.”

Expressing extreme condem-

nation and protest towards the worldwide aggression in the name of religion, Prof Farzana again said: “August month, the month of mourning has begun and it is the first day. The country has experienced a devastating day in a particular day of this month. We have become suceed battling different evil-power in earlier and we will again make them defeated in future.”

In Nilphamari, Teachers and students of several schools, colleges and madrasas in six upazilas of the district organised human chain in their institutions protesting militancy and terrorism.

Principal Sarwar Manik, convenor of Teachers Association in the district , said human chain in 34 colleges, 426 secondary and higher secondary schools and 332 madrasas were held around 11am.

Staffs of Sadar hospital and upazila level hospitals also brought out procesions in the morning.

In Barguna, led by Civil Sergeon Dr Rustam Ali, staffs of several hospitals brought out procsesion in the district town.

Teachers and students of several educational institions including Govt Women College , Teachers’ Training College, Barguna Gogon Secondary School organised human chain protesting the militancy and terrorism.

In Chapainawbganj, protesting the recent terrorism and militancy across the country AKM Manzur Reza, principal of Nawbganj Govt College, Prof Daud Hossain , Dr Mazharul Islam of EXIM Bank adressed a human chain in the morning.

In Dinajpur, teachers, students and other staffs of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University formed a human chain in the afternoon.

Vice-Chanchelor Prof Ruhul Amin, Dean of Agriculture faculty Dr Anis Khan, Proctor Dr Shafiqul Islam among others spoke the programme.

Procesions, humans were also held in many other districts including Gaibandha, Shariatpur, Madaripur, Barisal, Thakurgaon, Narayanganj, Panchagarh, Kushtia, Narail, Chuadanga, Magura, Khulna, Rajshahi, Jessore, Rangpur, Faridpur , Gopalganj and Jhenidah. l

CCC launches door-to-door garbage collection programme n Anwar Hussain, Chittagong As part of turning Chittagong into a clean, green and liveable cosmopolitan city, Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) has launched the door-to- door garbage collection and removal programme yesterday.

The CCC Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin inaugurated the programme through distributing garbage bins among two housewives at Barik Mia High School.

The inaugural ceremony was also attended by CCC secretary Abul Hossain, Chairman on waste management committee Shaibal Das, ward councilors – Nazmul Haque Duke, Hasan Murad Biplob and CCC Chief Conservancy Officer Shafiqul Mannan Siddiqui.

The mayor in his speech said the door-to-door garbage collection and removal programme was

undertaken to turn Chittagong into an environment-friendly, clean and healthy city. The mayor also sought cooperation from the city residents to implement the mammoth programme.

The CCC mayor also called upon the city residents to give up the habit of throwing garbage at drains, canals and water bodies for the sake of environment and public health.

Initially the programme has been launched in seven wards of the premier port city. The project will cover all the 41 wards in five phases by the end of this year.

At first phase, wards such as West Sholoshahar, Shulak Bahar, Bagmoniram, Enayet Bazar, North Pathantuli, Alkaran Gosaildanga have been brought under the programme of the door-to-door garbage collection and removal.

The corporation sources said

at first the garbage will be collected from each and every household through garbage van. Then, the garbage truck will dump the collected garbage at the two landfills of the city.

As per the information provided by the conservancy department of the CCC, the city which is inhabited by around six million people produces around 1,200 tonnes of garbage each day.

At present, there are a total of 1,789 permanent and casual conservancy workers who are employed by the corporation for removing garbage through 100 mini trucks and 13 container carriers from 93 containers and 1,350 dustbins set up all over the city.

The corporation is implementing the project from its own fund.

As many as one million waste bins will be distributed to households under 41 wards of the city. l

DT

8 World

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2016

SOUTH ASIA

Pakistan arrests 12 airline staff in heroin case Pakistan has arrested at least 12 staff of its national carrier following the discovery of 6kg of heroin in the toilet of an aircraft bound for Dubai on Monday. The latest instance of misbehaviour by the staff of cashstrapped Pakistan International Airlines was uncovered after the military-run Anti-Narcotics Force raided a flight from Lahore to Dubai flight on Saturday.

-REUTERS

INDIA

Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel resigns The chief minister of the western Indian state of Gujarat and a longtime confidante of Prime Minister Narendra Modi resigned on Monday, as protests by the low-caste Dalit community threatened to hurt the standing of the ruling party. Anandiben Patel, who served as the state’s first woman chief minister, posted the resignation letter on her Facebook page.

-REUTERS

CHINA

China praises Afghanistan for fight against Chinese separatist group

China’s defence minister met the head of Afghanistan’s army, thanking him for Kabul’s support in fighting what Beijing says is an extremist group that seeks to split off its western region of Xinjiang. China has long been concerned that instability in Afghanistan will spill over into violence-prone Xinjiang, home to the Muslim Uighur people. -REUTERS

ASIA PACIFIC

Thai activist’s mother charged over Facebook post The mother of a leading activist against the military junta in Thailand was charged on Monday with insulting the country’s monarchy in a one-word Facebook post.

Patnaree Chankij was brought to a military court in Bangkok after the country’s attorney general decided to press charges despite police saying earlier that they would not pursue a case against the 40-yearold woman.

-REUTERS

MIDDLE EAST

Death toll from July Baghdad blast rises to 323 One of the deadliest bombings to ever hit Iraq killed 323 people, two thirds of whom needed DNA testing to identify, the health minister said, raising an earlier toll from last month’s attack. A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-rigged minibus in a crowded shopping area in Baghdad’s Karrada district early on July 3.

-AFP

Russian helicopter shot down over Syria’s Idlib province, 5 killed n Tribune International Desk A Russian transport helicopter was shot down in opposition rebel territory in northern Syria on Monday and all five crew and officers onboard were killed, the Kremlin said, in the deadliest single incident for the Russian military since its involvement in Syria’s civil war, reports The Associated Press.

The Mi-8 helicopter was shot down in Idlib province while returning to the Russian air base on Syria’s coast after delivering humanitarian goods to the city of Aleppo, the Defence Ministry said in a statement. The helicopter had three crew members and two officers deployed with the Russian centre at the Hemeimeem air base on the Syrian coast.

“From what we know from information provided by the Defence Ministry, all those who were on the helicopter died,” Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman told journalists. The ministry statement released earlier said their fate was still unknown.

Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said the Russians “died heroically because they tried to move the aircraft away so to minimize losses on the ground.”

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Idlib province has a strong presence of fighters both for the al-Qaeda branch in Syria known as the Nusra Front and other groups fighting against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces. The Nusra Front announced last week that it was changing its name and re-

The wreckage of a Russian helicopter that had been shot down in the north of Syria’s Idlib province on August 1 linquishing ties with al-Qaeda in an attempt to undermine a potential US and Russian air campaign against its fighters.

The group is part of a coalition of insurgent groups called Jaish alFateh, or Army of Conquest, which has captured most of Idlib.

Burning wreckage

Videos uploaded online by Syrian opposition activists show the burning wreckage of a Russian helicopter in footage seemingly taken in the first few moments after the helicopter crashed.

In one video, a rocket pod can be seen next to the wreckage. People standing nearby are seen taking cellphone photos and shouting “Allahu Akbar,” or God is great in Arabic. The helicopter appears to have broken up as it crashed, its tail can be seen lying separately from the aircraft’s body in flames.

In other videos, the body of one purported Russian soldier is seen being dragged by the legs while an unidentified person stands on the body of another soldier, also purportedly Russian.

Monday’s helicopter downing was the deadliest for the Russians since Moscow began carrying out airstrikes in Syria in support of Assad’s forces last September.

In July, two Russian airmen were killed in the central Homs province when their Mi-25 helicopter was shot down by what the Defence Ministry said were fighters with Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

An Mi-28N helicopter gunship crashed near Homs in April, killing both crew members, but the Russian military said there was no evidence it came under fire.

A Russian warplane was shot down by Turkey along the Syrian

REUTERS

border in November, and one of the two pilots was shot and killed from the ground after ejecting.

Rebels launch offensive

Earlier on Monday, a Syrian military official said that government forces repelled an attack by insurgents that was an attempt to break the siege imposed on rebel-held parts of the northern city of Aleppo.

The development came a day after Syrian rebels launched the offensive to break up the government’s siege of eastern, rebel-held part of the city.

The UN estimates some 300,000 people are still trapped in the rebel section of Aleppo, with dwindling food and medical supplies. The UN’s special envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura warned on Friday that basic supplies in eastern Aleppo could run out in three weeks. l

Taliban claim Kabul bomb attack n Reuters, Kabul

A Taliban truck bomb exploded outside a protected hotel compound used by foreign service contractors in Kabul on Monday, ripping a deep crater in the ground and leaving a tangle of wreckage but causing few casualties.

The loud blast was heard around Kabul at about 1.30am and electricity was cut off in many areas, heightening uncertainty in a city on edge after a suicide attack a week earlier that killed at least 80 people.

One attacker was killed after detonating his vehicle and two were killed by police in the early hours of the morning, Kabul police chief Abdul Rahman Rahimi said.

One police officer was killed and four were wounded.

The explosion outside the Northgate Hotel, a secure residential compound for foreign military and civilian organizations, destroyed light metal structures in an empty neighbouring compound and left debris strewn about but heavy blast walls remained intact.

As day broke in the grimy industrial zone where the hotel is located, gunfire and occasional explosions rang out but the incident was soon over. No casualties were reported from within the hotel.

The attack on a hotel the Taliban said was a “place of vulgarity and profanity” was the latest in a series against foreign targets in Kabul, underlining precarious security in

Afghanistan, even in the capital.

It came around a week after the Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a demonstration by members of the mainly Shia Hazara minority, killing at least 80 people.

The Taliban, who say that foreign “invaders” must leave Afghanistan but who often say they want to avoid civilian casualties, said the compound was not near homes and ordinary people were not harmed.

Security officials originally said four attackers were at the site, a walled compound of a type used by foreign security and civilian organizations in Kabul, even though police later said three attackers

had been killed.

The Taliban said there were “dozens of dead and wounded”. The group often exaggerates the extent of attacks it launches against Afghan government and foreign security targets.

After the attack, Afghan security forces closed off streets around the site, east of Kabul’s main airport and on the way to the sprawling Bagram air base north of the capital.

The attack followed the bombing in June of a bus carrying Nepali security contractors working for the Canadian embassy, as well as other attacks on foreigners in Kabul, including a suicide attack on a camp used by foreign contractors in January. l

9

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2016

ANALYSIS

USA

US launches first anti-IS air raids in Libya’s Sirte

With Khan family, has Donald Trump finally gone too far? n Tribune International Desk

In a defensive crouch, Donald Trump complained Monday about being “viciously attacked” by the father of a decorated Muslim Army captain killed in Iraq, persisting in an emotionally charged feud that has left him increasingly isolated among fellow Republicans.

Trump broke a political and societal taboo over the weekend when he criticized Khizr and Ghazala Khan, the bereaved parents of Capt. Humayun Khan, who was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart after he was killed in Iraq in 2004. Trump stoked outrage by implying Ghazala Khan did not speak while standing alongside her husband at last week’s Democratic convention because she is a Muslim woman.

The outcry has been swift and bipartisan. On Monday, Republican Senator John McCain said in a statement that the fact Trump won his party’s nomination doesn’t give him “unfettered license to defame those who are the best among us.”

McCain added pointedly: “I’d like to say to Mr and Mrs Khan: thank you for immigrating to America. We’re a better country because of you.”

Trump tweeted Monday that “Khan, who does not know me, viciously attacked me from the stage of the DNC and is now all over TV doing the same.” He said

Donald Trump Born New York 14 June 1946 Business studies 1964-68 Graduates, joins his father’s company 1968 Takes reins of the company and becomes billionaire 1971 building towers, luxury hotels, casinos, golf courses

THE AMERICAS

First of three marriages 1977 Donald John Trump Jr. born, 1978 first of five children Democrat supporter up to 1987 Republican supporter 1987-99

Age 70

Reform Party 1999-2001 Democrat 2001-09 Presents The Apprentice, a tv reality show2004-15 Returns to the Republicans 2012 June 2015 Candidate for the US presidential Republican nomination Wins the Republican nomination May 2016 Accepts nomination 21 July 2016 the focus should be on “radical Islamic terrorism,” not the parents.

Khizr Khan told CNN on Monday that “We want to be out of this controversy. That is not our style. ... We want to maintain our dignity,” even as the couple kept up a round of TV appearances. Said his wife: “My religion or my family or my culture never stopped me from saying what I want to say. I have all the rights as a wife, as a mother, as a daughter.”

At last week’s convention, Khizr Khan criticised Trump for proposing to freeze the entry of

foreign Muslims into the U.S. and accused him of making no sacrifices for his country.

Both House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issued statements over the weekend praising the couple’s son. Though neither mentioned Trump, the congressional leaders pointedly denounced his proposed restriction on foreign Muslims, a policy he had altered in recent weeks.

The episode risked setting back whatever progress Trump made during his convention at winning

Members of India’s low-caste Dalit community in Gujarat state have pledged to boycott the dirty jobs traditionally thrust upon them in protest over their treatment by upper-caste Hindus, said activists for the marginalised group.

Thousands of Dalits rallied on Sunday in the state capital Ahmedabad, blocking roads and attacking buses, local media reported.

Unrest in the state erupted last month after four Dalit men in the city of Una were tied to a car, stripped and flogged by Hindu vigilantes, who accused them of skinning a cow, a revered animal for Hindus.

Landless Dalits are at the bottom of India’s age-old social hierarchy, making them vulnerable to discrimination and attacks by

upper-caste Hindus, including by hardline “gau rakshak” vigilantes who regard cows as sacred.

The slaughter of cows is banned in most Indian states including Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Dalits in the state have said they earn a livelihood from skinning cows and buffalos that die naturally.

The vigilantes chase trucks transporting cattle and raid slaughter houses. Several people accused of eating beef have also been attacked, including a Muslim man who was beaten to death last year by a mob in a town near New Delhi.

Opposition parties have criticised the government for its handling of the protests, and Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel on Monday said she would resign from her post.

Caste-based discrimination was banned in India in 1955, but centuries-old attitudes persist and low-caste Indians still face prejudice in every sector, particularly in rural areas.

Crimes against India’s lower-caste communities rose by almost a fifth to 47,064 in 2014 from the previous year, according to national data.

In Gujarat, crimes against lower-caste communities, including indigenous people, had a conviction rate about six times lower than the national average, according to IndiaSpend, which analysed data over a 10-year period.

India has passed several laws to end manual scavenging - a euphemism for disposing of faeces from dry toilets and open drains by hand - which has long been a task carried out mostly Dalit women. l

US warplanes Monday carried out air strikes on positions of the IS group in the Libyan city of Sirte for the first time. In Washington, the Pentagon said the raids were launched in response to a request from the unity government. The fall of Sirte, 450km east of Tripoli, would be a major blow to IS, which has also faced a series of setbacks in Syria and Iraq.

-REUTERS

Venezuela attorney general: Congress illegally formed

over the independent voters who will probably be key in the fall election.

Yet he’s repeatedly made inflammatory statements at little apparent political cost — and sometimes to his benefit — going back to the beginning of the campaign when he challenged the heroism of McCain, a prisoner of war in Vietnam, and branded Mexican immigrants rapists and criminals. Many of his supporters have been drawn to his tendency to say the politically unthinkable. The question is whether this, finally, is a step too far. l

India’s Dalits rally to demand end to unclean jobs Reuters n Thomson Foundation, Mumbai

DT

World

ABOUT | INDIAN CASTE SYSTEM Caste is the main form of identity for many Indians, defining the centuries-old, self-contained and unalterable social groups into which they were born and are usually expected to marry.

The word ‘caste’ is a Portuguese invention that conflates two Indian words - ‘varna' and ‘jati’.

The ‘varnas’ are a broad system of social ranking found in the ancient Hindu scriptures. There are four traditional varnas - from top-to-bottom, priests, warriors, traders and labourers. The Dalits (former ‘Untouchables’) form a fifth and lowest group.

‘Jatis’ are smaller, regional groups often based on a family’s occupation. There are over 3,000 in India. Within any region these can also be ranked in order of prestige, though it is possible for a jati to move up or down in society over time.

The conflict between Venezuela’s socialist government and its opposition-led Congress is growing even sharper. The country’s attorney general says the National Assembly is now illegally constituted because in recent days it swore in three members who’d been ruled out by the government-friendly Supreme Court.

-AP

UK

UK resists Chinese pressure over nuclear deal Britain said on Monday that it wanted closer ties with China but resisted pressure from Beijing to sign off on a $24bn nuclear power project that was delayed at the last minute by Prime Minister Theresa May. May’s decision to review the building of Britain’s first nuclear plant in decades has raised concerns that her government could take a sterner view of Chinese investment.

-REUTERS

EUROPE

IS calls on members to carry out jihad in Russia Islamic State called on its group members to carry out jihad in Russia in a 9-minute YouTube video on Sunday. The video with subtitles showed footage of armed men attacking armoured vehicles and tents and collecting arms in the desert.

-REUTERS

AFRICA

Report: Nigerian army killed 348 Shias Nigeria’s army killed 349 people from the minority Shia Muslim sect last December in a series of clashes for which troops involved should be prosecuted, a judicial inquiry has concluded in a report. The report published on Sunday confirms claims by human rights groups such as Amnesty International that the army killed hundreds of Shia Muslims during three days of clashes in the northern city of Zaria. The army has repeatedly denied this.

-REUTERS

DT

10

World

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2016

INSIGHT

Putin steps up drive to kill sanctions amid signs of EU disunity n Reuters, Moscow Vladimir Putin will step up Russia’s campaign to end European Union sanctions with a visit to Slovenia on Saturday, encouraged by signs his tactic of lobbying what he views as more pliant southern and eastern European states is starting to pay off.

The sanctions, imposed over the Ukraine crisis, are designed to block access to Western credit and technology for people and businesses linked to President Putin. Combined with American and Group of Seven sanctions, they have made it harder for Russia to weather an economic crisis fuelled by low oil prices.

The EU earlier this month extended economic sanctions on Russia until the start of 2017, despite misgivings from some countries such as Slovakia who are keen to debate their effectiveness.

Several Moscow-based EU diplomats say Russia’s tactic of methodically lobbying southern and eastern EU member states is starting to seriously erode the bloc’s unity on the issue, making it potentially harder to renew them next time.

“Russia is constantly trying to find a way around the sanctions, targeting countries it thinks are softer. They are trying to kill the sanctions with a softly softly approach,” one of the diplomats, from a country which favours their continuation, told Reuters.

“The result is that we are seeing more and more countries saying we should analyse the sanctions, assess what effect they are having, and review them again.”

Italy, Greece, Hungary, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia and Bulgaria were among Moscow’s prime targets, diplomats said.

Slovenia, where Putin will preside over a summit focused on trade and investment, will be the fourth of those countries he has visited since Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and a pro-Russian separatist revolt broke out in eastern Ukraine.

The Kremlin sees Slovenia, which Putin has visited before, as an ally in its sanctions quest. Russia was a big export market for Slovenian food products before the Ukraine crisis and Slovenia remains keen to be a transit country for a potential pipeline carrying Russia gas to southern Europe.

Some EU members, such as Poland, have angered Moscow by tearing down monuments commemorating Soviet soldiers killed during World War Two. Slovenia is taking

the opposite approach and the Kremlin said Putin would attend the unveiling of a new monument to Soviet soldiers in Ljubljana.

Flagging unity

Russia says it will not discuss returning Crimea to Ukraine, meaning there is no prospect that the EU sanctions specifically linked to the annexation will be removed anytime soon.

But there is flexibility about wider EU sanctions on Russia that were imposed in response to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, where the Kremlin was accused of giving military aid to separatist rebels.

Moscow denies that.

Two EU diplomats said they thought the impact of Putin’s widening charm offensive, accompanied by offers of lucrative trade deals and polite reminders of lost export revenues, could see those watered down next year.

“It’s getting harder to hold the line,” said one, from another country which wants the sanctions maintained.

“The sanctions would probably not all be lifted at once, but there could be a decision to lift them in one sector next year.”

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said in May she expected a broader review of the bloc’s policy towards Russia later in the year.

Diplomats said there was a feeling that EU unity over the issue was starting to break down because those countries hurt most by Russia’s counter-sanctions - which banned many EU food imports were coming under increased pressure from their own farmers and companies.

Putin in June extended Russia’s counter-sanctions, which have kept products from Italian hams to French cheeses off supermarket shelves, until the end of next year.

The measures have stung Italy and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi’s decision to attend Russia’s main annual economic forum in St Petersburg in June and share a platform with Putin was seen by some as a sign Rome was wavering.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker also attended, riling some countries such as Lithuania and Latvia who fear Russian aggression and are uneasy that high-level contacts with Moscow are intensifying despite the Ukraine crisis.

But one of the diplomats said Juncker’s decision to fly to Russia was at least partly motivated by a fear that the bloc’s unity on sanctions was flagging.

EU SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA Individuals Asset freezes & visa bans imposed on 95 persons & 23 entities EU nationals & companies may no more buy or sell certain bonds & equities EIB & EBRD suspend financing of new operations in Russia Suspension of EU-Russia bilateral-regional programmes on a case by case basis

Crimea & Sevastopol

Arms & Energy Embargo on new import or export of arms to Russia Prohibition on exports of dual use goods & technology for military use No export licenses for technology for certain oil sectors in Russia

Trade restrictions Ban on new investment for transport, telecoms & energy projects Diplomatic Ban on new investment for oil, gas, minerals Cancellation of last G8 summit in Sochi Suspension of negotiations over Russia joining OECD & IEA Last EU-Russia summit cancelled, no regular Source: www.eeas.europa.eu bilateral summits “Juncker came because he was worried that member states were talking to Russia separately. He wanted to try to take back the initiative,” said the diplomat.

Ukrainian gridlock

Russia’s official line is that it will not seek to get sanctions lifted, because it did not impose them.

The EU has made lifting sanctions contingent upon Russia doing more to ensure that the Minsk peace accords, which introduced a shaky ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, are fully implemented. That requires Moscow to leverage its influence on pro-Kremlin separatists who still exchange fire - with often fatal results - on a regular basis with Ukrainian forces.

Ukraine, which accuses Moscow of continuing to stir violence, has its part to play too. But despite numerous rounds of talks, there is little progress on either side.

The violence, albeit at a much lower intensity, continues; elections haven’t been held in the breakaway eastern regions, Kiev has not granted them special status, and both sides accuse each other of using heavy weaponry meant to have been withdrawn.

The Kremlin’s tactic internation-

ally is to say Kiev is the chief cause of the impasse.

With no sign of a breakthrough, friendly EU member states might start to do the same, say some diplomats.

“One scenario is that those countries that want the sanctions lifted say Ukraine is not doing enough to fulfil the Minsk peace accords,” said one diplomat. “That would be true, but then neither is Russia. However that could be the pretext for lifting the sanctions.”

Fredrik Wesslau, director of the European Council on Foreign Relations’ Wider Europe Programme, thinks Russia is playing a calculated waiting game.

“Instead of implementing Minsk, Moscow is trying to split Europe and undermine the sanctions policy,” he wrote.

“It believes that the sanctions policy will eventually collapse. It sees European leaders sending mixed messages ... and has taken note of certain European countries’ wavering commitment to the policy.”

Countries worried by what they see as the bloc’s faltering resolve fret that Britain’s decision to leave the EU is likely to undermine sanctions further since London has been one of the most vocal champions of

keeping them in place.

One Kremlin official said Moscow would be watching with interest to see if the EU’s stance on sanctions would change now that Britain is leaving the bloc.

Supporters of continued sanctions also worry about Germany, where Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, a member of the Social Democrats, last month spoke in favour of gradually phasing out the sanctions.

That is at odds with the position of his coalition partner Chancellor Angela Merkel. But some diplomats say she faces a difficult election next year and that pressure from German business, which has been buffeted by sanctions, will only grow.

With Russia’s Finance Ministry warning that the country’s Reserve Fund - designed to cover budget shortfalls - will be depleted by the end of next year if nothing changes, Moscow needs some movement.

Chris Weafer, senior partner at economic and political consultancy Macro-Advisory Ltd, said in a note that even minor sanctions relief could help as that might start to dispel the perception that Russia was a dangerous place in which to invest or conduct business. l

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Recession ahead in Britain? n Reuters, London

British manufacturing shrank at its fastest pace in more than three years in July and business confidence tumbled following the Brexit vote, according to surveys that show an increased chance of a recession ahead.

The news will give more impetus for the Bank of England to cut interest rates this week.

Falling output and new orders pushed a closely watched index of factory purchasing managers to its lowest since February 2013, adding to signs that Britain’s decision to leave the European Union is hurting the economy.

Sterling slid to a three-week low against the euro after the manufacturing survey.

British accountants, meanwhile, said that confidence plunged just after the EU vote, while the Confederation of British Industry said on Sunday that firms expect economic growth to grind almost to a halt

over the next three months.

This all fuels the case for the BoE’s first rate cut since 2009 but also highlights the challenge it faces as sterling’s slide since the June 23 vote puts upward pressure on inflation.

“The collapse in the total orders balance ... signals that support from the weaker pound simply is not powerful enough to offset slumping domestic demand,” Samuel Tombs, chief UK economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, said.

“Meanwhile, the pick-up in the prices charged balance to its highest level in almost two years demonstrates that the (BoE) Mone-

tary Policy Committee cannot relax about the inflation outlook when considering policy easing measures this week.”

Inflation remains very low, however.

The Markit/CIPS UK manufacturing purchasing managers’ index(PMI) fell to 48.2 in July from 52.4 in June, below an initial “flash” reading reported in late July of 49.1 and its lowest since February 2013.

Measures of output and new orders also fell below the 50 mark that denotes growth for the first time since early 2013 due to weaker market conditions at home and uncertainty related to the EU referendum.

The output index fell to 47.8 in July from 53.6 in June, its lowest since October 2012, while new orders - which grew robustly in June suffered their sharpest turnaround since 1998 and fell at their fastest rate in over three years.

Barclays said the purchasing manager survey suggested Britain

would enter a recession, contracting by 0.4 percent quarter on quarter at the end of September and by 0.3 percent in the fourth quarter.

That would be followed by “a prolonged and shallow contraction”, it said.

Rate cut coming

Almost all economists polled by Reuters expect the Bank of England to cut interest rates by at least 25 basis points on Thursday, but they were split on whether the Bank would restart its bond-buying program.

Average purchase prices rose at their fastest pace in five years, with companies citing higher commodity prices and higher import prices, the latter due to the weaker currency. Output price inflation was also the highest in nearly two years.

The boost to exports from a weaker pound was less marked than previously estimated, Dobson said. Growth in new export orders slowed in July after hitting a sev-

en-month high in June.

When Britain last suffered a big fall in its currency during the 2008 financial crisis, inflation stayed above the BoE’s 2 percent target for rather longer than expected, while exports failed to gain much.

But inflation in June was far below target at just 0.5 percent, and there has been little sign in recent years that one-off price shocks get baked in to long-run inflation trends.

Since Brexit, there has been no official data shedding real light on the impact of the vote on economic output.

But there are signs consumer confidence is struggling, and Markit said its earlier one-off “flash” PMI surveys were consistent with the economy shrinking by a quarterly 0.4 percent if they persisted.

British finance minister Philip Hammond downplayed the flash PMI numbers saying they were a measure of sentiment and not of “hard activity”. l

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TOP STORIES Govt to redefine nonconcessional loan to ease risk of debt burden The government has decided to increase the grant elements of non-concessional loan to ease the risk of debt burden of Bangladesh.

PAGE 13

What experts say about economic fallout of Gulshan restaurant attack n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi Experts warn that a further attack might lead to badly hurt the Bangladesh economic prospects. They advised the government to tighten security measures along side taking necessary steps to restore the country’s image to the world.

gation, the culprits should be brought to book and measures continued for future security, Islam suggested.

He also urged the government to find out the real reason behind the slow growth of local investment and take steps including policy support to boost investment, or else, the opportunity for new employment generation would be hindered.

Factories struggle as world demand sputters British manufacturers slammed on the brakes last month after the Brexit vote and growth eased in the euro zone, surveys indicated, with factories in China, Japan and elsewhere in Asia offering only crumbs of comfort.

PAGE 14

Iran: Crude market oversupplied, balance to be restored Iran’s Oil Minister said on Monday the oil market was oversupplied but predicted balance between demand and supply will be restored, Iranian state television reported yesterday.

PAGE 15

Capital market snapshot: Monday DSE Broad Index

4,533.7

0.2% ▲

Index

1,113.3

0.4% ▲

30 Index

1,774.8

0.3% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk

3,777.3 -24.9% ▼

Turnover in Mn Vol

96.9 -25.1% ▼

CSE All Share Index 13,952.2

0.3% ▲

30 Index

0.2% ▲

Selected Index

12,855.1 8,492.0

0.2% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk

225.0

-7.6% ▼

Turnover in Mn Vol

7.4

1.5% ▲

tack, he observed.

But the situation is improving since the government has taken a lot of initiatives in combating militancy in the country.

Mansur also urged the government to continue its raid against terrorist hideouts so that there is a clear message to the world that Bangladesh is proactive in eradicating the root of militancy.

Bangladesh has postponed the closing bid for a large-scale project funded by the Japan’s official development assistance in the wake of terrorist attack.

While the tender submission process for the construction of Matarbari power plant project is closed for an indefinite period, citing security reasons.

AB Mirza Azizul Islam, former finance adviser to caretaker government

Economists are apprehensive that a further incident like Holey Artisan terrorist attack will decrease foreign investment and lead to more capital flight from Bangladesh as investors feel insecure about making investment decision over security concern.

Local investment is going through a stagnant situation which may worsen. A further terrorist attack will contribute to capital flight as investors feel insecure about making investment decision, former finance adviser to caretaker government ABM Mirza Azizul Islam told the Dhaka tribune.

Business people think that due to sluggish investment situation, it is not suitable for pouring funds in new projects, he said.

According to the Swiss central bank data, Bangladeshi citizens’ deposits with Swiss banks rose by nearly 9% to 550.85 million Swiss franc in 2015. In 2014, Bangladeshi nationals deposited over 506 million Swiss franc.

Foreign investment might witness negative trend in the month to come over security concern as investors make investment decision considering the security of money and lives, said Islam.

In 2015, Bangladesh witnessed a “historically high level” of growth in foreign direct investment, crossing the figure $2 billion mark, according to the World Investment Report.

The only way to restore investors’ confidence is not to let any such untoward incident happen.

While through proper investi-

Ahsan H Mansur, executive director, Policy Research Institute The implementation of big projects like Dhaka metro rail, Matarbari coal-based power plant would be delayed as the officials of foreign companies are unwilling to visit Bangladesh right now over security concern, economists say.

“In the wake of Gulshan restaurant attract, the implementation of big infrastructure projects like metro-rail and Matarbari power plant may be delayed as foreigners working here are reluctant to stay here over security issues,” Ahsan H Mansur, executive director of Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh, told the Dhaka Tribune in an interview over phone.

The interview aimed at understanding the impacts of recent terrorist attacks on the implementation of country’s mega projects as well as economy.

Since the incident killed foreigners including Japaneses, who worked for the metro rail project, it would delay, said Mansur.

The foreign nationals will not want to visit Bangladesh until they are assured of a full-fledged security during their stay in Bangladesh and free movement, he opined.

On the other hand, it would also cast an adverse impact on new projects as people will think about the security of their employees as well as their invested fund, he added.

There will also have an adverse impact on the country’s apparel sector, but it would be possible to overcome if there is no further at-

but the terrorist attack on the restaurant has once again posed threat to the country’s business image that was rebuilt through safety improvement and ensuring worker’s rights,” said Salam, also former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

Following the factory disaster, RMG export growth came down to a single digit. In the last fiscal year, Bangladesh posted a double-digit growth and was back to its fold, Salam said, expressing apprehension of slow growth in the months to come.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau data, Bangladesh garment industry has generated $28.09 billion from exports in the fiscal year 2015-16 with a 10.21% growth from the previous year.

“We have to compete with international competitors in exporting products.”

“Bangladeshi entrepreneurs are very strong to overcome adverse situation, which is already proven, and I hope that they would be able to turn around,” he said, urging the government to take bold and timely decision to combat terrorism.

Abdus Salam Murshedy,

President, Exporters Association of Bangladesh The country’s export-oriented sectors, especially the apparel industry, are once again having the problem of image crisis when it comes to foreigners security in Bangladesh.

Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB) president Abdus Salam Murshedy came up with the remarks while he was talking to the Dhaka Tribune on the impact of export-oriented industries after the terrorist attack on the Gulshan Holey Artisan Cafe.

“After the tragic incident of Rana Plaza, the clothing industry is struggling to turn around,

Selima Ahmad, president,

Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry Service sector including hotels, beauty parlours and restaurant business, has been affected badly as people are fearful to go to these  PAGE 13 COLUMN 1

TUESDAY, AYGUST 2, 2016

Govt to redefine non-concessional loan to ease risk of debt burden n Asif Showkat Kallol The government has decided to increase the grant elements of non-concessional loan to ease the risk of debt burden of Bangladesh.

According to the Economic Relations Division (ERD) proposal, the government is considering new non-concessional loan amount as its grant element to fix below 35%, which will be placed on the standing committee on non-concessional loan for approval. At present, the

amount of non-concessional loan as grant element was above 25%.

The grant element threshold was fixed by the International Monetary Fund’s extended credit facility (ECF) agreement, which ended last year.

The grant element is defined as the difference between its nominal value (face value) and the sum of discounted future debt-service payments (net present value) to be made by the borrower expressed as a percentage of the face value of

the loan.

Former finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam told the Dhaka Tribune that it would not bring any good if grant element is increased.

“Rather, the government should focus on interest rate and maturity period for the payment of loan in reducing risk of debt burden.”

ERD officials said the proposal of new calculation of non-concessional loan will be placed on the cabinet committee on economic affairs for approval on Wednesday.

“The debt burden of the country will increase as the hard-term or non-concessional borrowing entails higher interest and less maturity period,” said an official asking not be named. “As a result, we have proposed to increase grant element to ease the risk of debt burden.”

As of this month, the government will be able to borrow up to $5.75 billion as hard-term loans from external sources upon fulfilling various conditions of the International Monetary Fund under the ECF. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

What experts say about the economic fallout places after the recent terror attacks in the country.

“Terror attack on Holey Artisan restaurant that killed 20 people has cast adverse impact on the transaction of the service sector as people are now really scared of going to the shops or to the restaurants,” said Salima Ahmed while talking to the Dhaka Tribune recently.

The transactions as well as the turnout of consumers have declined as both the buyers and sellers are now afraid of movement over the prevailing sense of insecurity, she said.

That is why, both the government and the private sector have to develop a mechanism, which would help remove the prevailing feelings of insecurity and restore confidence among the people on their free movement without fear, said Salima who is also Managing Director of Nalita and Company Ltd. As the installation of security measures is costly, the government should provide policy support, so business people can beef up security at their business organisations, she opined.

The service business especially located in the residential area will bear the brunt of the attacks as the government has taken a decision to evict them over security ground.

She also stated that it’s a good decision for ensuring security but the government needs to give a minimum timeframe to relocate the business entities located in the residential area.

“It’s not the fault of the business people as they got the permission to do the business,” she claimed.

Sudden eviction will cast shadow on employment and consequently the government will lose taxes and revenue from the business located in the area, she reminded. l

Swisscontact recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bangladesh Bank to promote financial inclusion through agent banking in the apparel sector and improve financial literacy of workers through a jointly funded project with MetLife Foundation COURTESY

Planned gas price hike worries business, textile millers n Tribune Business Desk Business people are expected to feel further pain, with the government’s planned gas price hike.

Among the proposals, gas price for the captive power plants per cubic metre is likely to be increased by 130%, household gas by maximum 140%, CNG by 83%, commercial gas by 72% despite existing acute shortage of gas supply, according to the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) website.

Businesses believe such constant hikes only lead the commoners to be burdened with inflation as manufacturing cost will rise.

In a statement issued yesterday, Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has said different sectors, including apparel, will lose their competitive

edge if gas price is raised.

It criticised that the government proposal within the span of a year to raise gas price is contradictory to BERC rules.

“Raising gas price is not only solution to meet challenges in energy sector, the government needs to solve some problems, like illegal gas connection and meter tampering in league with officials.”

The MCCI urged the government to reconsider its proposal on gas price hike and requested that the price be increased 15% for an interim period.

According to a separate statement issued on the day, a delegation, led by the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association vice-president Fazlul Haque, met State Minister for Textiles and Jute Mirza Azam and expressed their deep concern over the government’s

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move on gas price hike.

“If the proposal is implemented, many textile mills will be forced to close down as millers cannot bear the brunt of production cost,” said the statement.

It said this will add further pain to the industry that has fallen into the risk due to the recent Gulshan and Sholakia attacks.

The BTMA apprehended that the local millers might face a big challenge in days to come because of incentive announcement by India to increase its textile export.

Considering all the challenges and difficulties faced by the textile mills, it urged the government not to increase gas price right at this moment to save the sector.

The minister assured the textile millers of taking necessary steps in this regard. l

Report: Big gap between job seekers and companies n Tribune Business Desk

The job opportunities within educational sector remains available but the job seekers prefers applying for professional offers related to IT (Information Technology), sales and marketing and engineering, says a new report.

“There is a considerable gap between what companies are offering and what job seekers are willing to work in,” said Devendra Singh, country manager of everjobs Bangladesh, which released the report.

The findings were revealed with the release of the first Career Report, an in-depth quarterly analysis of the labor market environment in the country, by the job portal everjobs Bangladesh.

The report unveils the growing potential of the educational and training sector in Bangladesh, according to a press release issued yesterday.

The company prepared the report on the basis of data on monitoring the traffic and activities of everjobs. com.bd from April to June 2016.

Most job vacancies, under different categories, were found in education/training, followed by IT/ software, medical, sales, and manufacturing, the report finds.

While it comes to locations, most vacancies are in Dhaka Division, followed by port city Chittagong, Sylhet, Jessore and Patuakhali.

When it comes to applicant’s gender, 86.31% are male applicants while 13.69% are female applicants.

People searches mostly for IT related jobs, followed by marketing and sales, finance and accountings, engineer, and garment and textiles.

“While the manufacturing industry is still leading the market, we are starting to identify other industries and job categories that are playing an important role in employment in Bangladesh,” says Devendra Singh.

Pointing on the challenges, he said: “The challenge now lies in finding a way to increase the interest of all those raising industries among the job seekers that are about to enter the professional world.”

Everjobs Asia Chief Executive Officer Gijs Verheijke said: “The goal of this career report is to share some of the interesting and useful data that is generated from our career platform with corporate recruiters. The report helps recruiters keep track of the latest developments in Bangladesh’s job market.”

The recently released report focuses on the industries and job categories of highest demand in Bangladesh, the skills most needed in the country and even the locations with the most job listings available. l

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Factories struggle as world demand sputters n Reuters, London British manufacturers slammed on the brakes last month after the Brexit vote and growth eased in the euro zone, surveys indicated, with factories in China, Japan and elsewhere in Asia offering only crumbs of comfort.

A US version due later yesterday would have to be unexpectedly robust to make up for a downbeat GDP reading released last week.

The latest UK Purchasing Managers’ Index, compiled by Markit, will give the Bank of England more impetus to cut interest rates after it surprised markets by holding fire in July but said most policymakers were leaning towards stimulus in August.

“Markit said that the deterioration was widespread across sectors and firm sizes, suggesting that Brexit uncertainty was weighing on many firms. The overall negative tone of the survey reinforces the case for a monetary loosening at Thursday’s MPC meeting,” said Scott Bowman at Capital Economics.

All but three of 49 economists in a Reuters poll last week expect the Bank to cut interest rates by at least 25 basis points on Thursday, but economists were divided on whether it would restart its

An employee works at a production line of a textile factory in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province bond-buying program.

Signs of a sharper slowdown in the euro zone, outside powerhouse Germany, may also add to calls for the European Central Bank to loosen policy again after it kept interest

rates unchanged last month.

The ECB did leave the door open to more stimulus, highlighting “great” uncertainty and abundant risks to the economic outlook. A Reuters poll found that it will soon

REUTERS

be forced to extend and expand the scope of its asset purchase program.

The fitful global performance was clearly on the mind of William Dudley, a top policy maker at

the Federal Reserve, who used a speech in Indonesia to urge caution on raising US interest rates.

Dudley, a close ally of Fed Chair Janet Yellen, warned of potential negative shocks due to the unknown fallout from Britain’s vote to leave the EU, a strong dollar, and because it was safer to delay a move with interest rates so low.

Global stocks hit their highest in almost a year on Monday as investors pared back expectations of when US interest rates would rise.

Among the slew of surveys out on Monday, the Markit/CIPS UK manufacturing PMI slumped to 48.2 in July from June’s 52.4, its lowest since February 2013 and well below the 50 mark that separates growth from contraction.

Data covering the post-Brexit period have been scarce so far but there are signs consumer confidence is struggling and a Reuters poll of economists suggested Britain will slide back into recession in the coming year.

A factory PMI for the euro zone fell to 52 in July from 52.8, just beating a flash estimate of 51.9, but compiler Markit said the modest reduction masked the fact that growth was looking increasingly lop-sided and centered in Germany. l

PMO clears Robi-Airtel Oil prices up in Asia but merger proposal n Ishtiaq Husain Prime Minister’s Office has approved the merger proposal of mobile phone operators – Robi and Airtel, paving the way for first such initiative in Bangladesh.

“The proposal (of merger) has been cleared by the PMO today (Monday),” an official at the Posts and Telecommunications Division told the Dhaka Tribune.

In the process, the government will charge Robi Tk507 crore as spectrum fee and Tk100 crore as merger fee.

As of June this year, Robi had around 27.5m subscribers and Airtel had nearly 10m subscribers, according to the BTRC, telecom regulator.

After the merger, the company will be named as Robi and will have the second largest subscriber-base in the country.

On July 24, the Posts and Telecommunications Division sent a summary proposal to Prime Minis-

ter Sheikh Hasina for her consent as she is also the minister of posts, telecommunications and IT. Apart from the merger fee, the telecom division has also fixed Tk33.8 crore per megahertz as 2G spectrum fee, the official said.

An inter-ministerial meeting chaired by Finance Minister AMA Muhith finalised the merger fee and spectrum prices on July 13.

Earlier this year, the two operators signed an agreement to merge their companies in Bangladesh.

“With the PMO’s clearance, all that is left is the court’s approval as per the Company Act. The matter is expected to be placed before court on August 4 (Thursday),” BTRC counsel Barrister Mahsib Hossain said.

Upon completion of the merger process, Robi Axiata Ltd, Robi’s parent company, will hold 68.3% controlling stake in the combined entity while Airtel’s parent company Bharti Airtel will have 25% stake. l

oversupply worries weigh n AFP, Singapore

Oil prices edged up in Asia yesterday as the dollar weakened while bargain-buyers moved in following a recent sell-off but analysts warned a global supply glut and weak demand will temper gains.

Prices hit three-month lows last week after US data showed an unexpected increase in commercial stockpiles of oil and gasoline, adding to worries about a global crude supply glut.

News that the US economy grew slower than expected in AprilJune also raised questions about demand in the world’s biggest oil consumer.

However, the weak reading narrowed the chances of a US interest rate hike this year, sending the dollar tumbling, making oil cheaper for anyone using other currencies.

At about 0630 GMT, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for October delivery, a new contract, rose 20 cents, or 0.48%, to $41.80, and Brent was up 26 cents, or 0.26%, at $43.79.

But analysts said the uptick was unlikely to be sustained. l

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2016

Crude market oversupplied, balance to be restored n Reuters, Ankara Iran’s Oil Minister said on Monday the oil market was oversupplied but predicted balance between demand and supply will be restored, Iranian state television reported yesterday.

“The oil market is oversupplied now but there are expectations that there will be balance between demand and supply in the market,” Bijan Namdar Zanganeh was quoted as saying by Iran’s state TV, without saying when that may happen.

A Reuters Survey on Friday showed the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ oil output was likely to reach its highest in recent history in July as Iraq pumps more and Nigeria manages to export additional crude despite

militant attacks. Supply from OPEC rose to 33.41 million barrels per day (bpd) in July from a revised 33.31 million bpd in June, according to the survey based on shipping data and information from industry sources.

Since a landmark nuclear deal was reached with major powers in 2015 leading to lifting of sanctions, Iran has been planning to raise its crude production to the pre-sanctions level of four million barrels per day (bpd). To regain the production level, Iran has sweetened the terms it offers on oil development contracts to draw the interest of foreign investors. Iran needs $200bn in foreign money to reach its goal.

Zanganeh said that the first of Iran’s new oil and gas investment contracts for international compa-

nies will be launched this week.

“The government will approve the new contracts on Wednesday,” Zanganeh told reporters, state TV reported. The launch of Iran’s new oil contracts, the Iran Petroleum Contract (IPC) has been postponed several times as hardline rivals of pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani resisted any deal that could end the buy-back system.

Iran’s top authority Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said last month that no new oil and gas contracts for international companies will be awarded without necessary reforms.

“Iran’s priority is developing jointly owned oil and gas fields, as well as those in which we are after improved oil recovery.” Zanganeh said. l

CORPORATE NEWS

Meghna Bank Limited has recently signed an agreement with Nokkhottrobari Resort on providing the bank’s cardholders with discounts at the resort, said a press release. The bank’s MD, Mohammed Nurul Amin and MD of Nokkhottrobari Resort and Conference Center, Tauquir Ahmed were present at the signing ceremony

Standard Bank Limited has recently started a two-week long induction course for its trainee assistant officers, said a press release. The bank’s MD and CEO, Md Nazmus Salehin inaugurated the course Md Mehmood Husain has recently joined NRB Bank Limited as its managing director and CEO, said a press release. Prior to his joining, Mehmood Husain was serving as the president and managing director of Bank Asia. Husain started his banking career in 1984 as a probationary officer at National Bank Ltd

Md Ashraful Moqbul has recently joined Sonali Bank Limited as its chairperson, said a press release.

Prior to his joining, Ashraful Moqbul was senior secretary to the government of Bangladesh. He started his career in Bangladesh Civil Service in the year 1981

An Iranian labourer works at a unit of South Pars Gas field in Asalouyeh Seaport REUTERS

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2016

Switch to C A credible argument of turning every smartphone into a USB-C device

n Mahmood Hossain Many traditionalists are nearly freaking out over the fact that smartphones in all platforms will only have one remaining port on the entire device. The USB Type-C or USB-C port is a tiny charging port at the bottom of the phone. What’s so bad about that, right? Well, it will be the only port you’ll be able to use.

Yes, eventually there will no

longer be a headphone jack. Get used to saving up for Bluetooth headphones or earphones.

Whether we like it or not, change in inevitable but here are some plus sides to this new addition.

USB 101 Let’s get a few things clear before we get into the future benefits of such a port. The letters following USB is to describe the plug’s shape.

Taking the iPhone out of the

equation, your non-Apple device currently has a USB-B, and the one your PC or laptop provides a USB-A. Apple’s Lightning Port, even though it looks similar to USB-C, is completely different and will not work with USB-C plugs. Yes, those Apple kids like to remain exclusive.

USB-C plugs are reversible, which means you can stick the plug on either end. Unlike the current Micro-USB situation, the

USB-C is really a no fuss, no hassle plug and charge kind of deal. Now in the middle of the night, when you need to charge your device, there will be no fumbling around as you try to find the correct side and port to plug in. Not only that, this change affects the entire line of new devices, having the same charging cord that you can share with others.

More advantages Now that we have the basics out of the way, there are better features to come. The USB-C port also supports USB 3.1, which is standard and super fast. Apart from fast-charging, the USB 3.1 will also transfer data and videos through the same exact cable you use to charger the device. In addition, the same cable can be used to charge other gadgets, using whatever battery you have left on your phone.

Hold on to your horses, people.

Unfortunately, USB-C charging cannot automatically support USB 3.1’s cool features.

It is only in the beginning stages of the new change. Current

flagship phones are gradually accepting and adapting to the new USB changes. But if your phone already has the USB-C connecter then you’re one step ahead. Once the more advanced characteristics are released for devices, your phone will be ready from the get-go. This also applies to the phone’s software, which means operating systems like Android 6.0 Marshmallow already supports USB-C 3.1. Again, not all devices are equipped to handle the new features.

Take a breather If you’re read this far, you already know that these new features won’t kick in soon enough. If you actually decide to switch to a USB-C device, you’ll have to save up for more cables. It sounds ridiculous, we know, but that’s how things are for the moment.

If you want your new USB-C device to work with everything else, you’ll have to stock up on extended cables that supports USB-C to USB-C, to USB-B and to USB-A. Unfortunately, all these cables are highly unlikely to come in the box with your new phone. l

The quick round-up Some major announcements have been made recently that may change the entire scene

n Mahmood Hossain Yahoo sold With the recent uproar over Yahoo’s mishandling of Tumblr, the huge telecom giants Verizon are forking over $4.83 billion to buy Yahoo’s internet business.

Verizon will have paid the rights to own Yahoo internet properties such as, Yahoo Mail, Tumblr, Flickr and Yahoo Finance. This means, for the first time ever, Yahoo will be combined with

Verizon’s acquisition of AOL. They will also be in control of Yahoo’s advertising tech, which means they will go head-to-head with digital advertising against Google and Facebook.

Much needed update There are plenty of updates most of us think we don’t need or ever wanted. A new software update for Android smartphone users will add a new feature that lets you know when you have a spam

caller on the caller ID. If someone calls from a suspicious number, your phone’s caller ID will show a warning underneath the phone number. So far, the new feature is being rolled out to Nexus and Android One devices. Stay tuned to the market to find out when your device will be receiving this nifty little addition.

Ups and downs Apple isn’t as dominate as they once were. The company’s iPhone

sales have dropped even further than last year’s disappointing numbers. Even though it beat out their estimates, it still comes out to be an unfavourable number.

Samsung, on the other hand, have had the best numbers in over two years, with the net income of $5.1 billion. Keeping it in the

numbers game, Alphabet, Google’s parent company, pulled in $21.5B in revenue. And just to sneak in a little rumour and hopefully help Apple out, the new iPhone is rumoured to be released on the week of September 12, 2016. Here’s hoping they beat the lowering numbers of the past two years.l

17

DT

Tech

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2016

Utilising digital marketing to attain audience satisfaction Digital marketing budgets are increasing steadily over the years. This is good news for those who are hoping to break into the digital marketing industry.

Whether you’re passionate about search, affiliate, social media, or another area of marketing, there are a few things you can do to prove your worthiness and increase user experience.

Setbacks

In this digital marketing era, social media marketing is immensely becoming overreliant on metrics and numbers.

Just because we can gauge more, doesn’t mean we should or that the provenance is accurate. This pushing strategy is creating repeatable, tedious, and undifferentiated brand presences which are caustic.

These marketing strategies run the risk of being purely focused on a conversion that creates poor

brand experience Finally, metrics need to be exchangeable to the welfare of social media campaigns and it does not need to push anonymous leads through a sales channel to reach a conversion and quota.

Digital marketing professionals need to look beyond adaptation and clinch the art of the field to create amazing, tremendous, and long-lasting digital experiences.

Key to solutions

User experience is driven by design. This means that it tends to live more naturally toward the product design end of the spectrum. Much of digital marketing is focused on the channels we can reach customers through print, digital, mobile. But the problem is that, customers are really just people with a need – which our product addresses.

By creating really distinguished and extensive experiences

that connect to larger ideas, a brand may create loyal, lifelong advocates before making a conversion. Only recently, have we begun to address this, with concepts such as cross-channel experiences, or even Omnichannel experiences. But these concepts are broken. They buy into the business logic and seek to explain customers in terms of the businesses own capability, rather than the customers’ own needs.

This fundamentally cripples most marketing efforts from the outset as much of the problem of conversion rates tend to live in these gaps. These gaps are where user experience design lives.

Having a user experience designer as a part of your digital marketing team will help to redress this imbalance.

Summary of the experience oriented social media marketing Though numbers are still important, they need to be

PHOTO: BIGSTOCK

allied with selling objectives and attached to triumph metrics for intangible goals.

The focal point of social media marketing campaigns should be persistent brand practices above manifold touch points and incessant viewers’ impel. These rational and steady experiences

erect the brand uniqueness through which spectators perceive, recognise, and connect with a brand.

In the end, the important lesson is: Don’t just run after statistics. Pursue brand experiences. l

Ways to engage your followers on Snapchat Be natural, and don’t overadvertise

PHOTO: BIGSTOCK

Customer engagement is an integral part of what any company does and brands allot a good amount of time and money to produce content to engage their customers. Snapchat is currently one of the hottest platforms that have over 100 million daily active users. Some people have turned into Snapchat celebrities since they followed by so many users.

Their recognition of brands and agencies get loads of attraction.

For example, Shaun McBride is such a Snapchat icon, familiarised by many brands, social media

celebrities and agencies. He has promoted brands like Disney, AT&T, Samsung, Taco Bell, Red Bull and Major League Soccer.

McBride said he can retain the attraction of his more than 500,000 followers and deliver these branded contents. Here are some suggestions from McBride about how companies can boost their brands with this Snapchat evolution.

Find your brand’s creative edge

According to McBride, Snapchat

works best for companies that have a message to share. If the company is looking for downloads or focused on moving customers to their website, Snapchat won’t definitely be their best choice. He suggested showcasing a brand in a unique manner to get the user (customer) attraction on their Snapchat story. He creates his story’s uniqueness by crazy adventure, concerts or meet-ups with popular celebrities. “Tell the story of your brand by posting content from environments that represent it,” McBride says.

Snapchat has the options that users can simply swipe down or tap through stories. For this, you need to make sure your stories and content are interesting enough to grab the attention of the users. There are many emojis, filters and you need to use them and be creative with them. So much content is posted every day and of course, quite a lot of them are unique. It’s your responsibility to engage your audience by creating interesting stories that would carry your messages.

The stories won’t help if it’s just interesting; they also need to be natural. Artificiality in your stories won’t hold your audience much longer. When asked about how McBride has been producing natural and engaging content for so long he said, “I’m using the camera in a unique way. I just have to do these creative things, and keep the content fresh so people keep enjoying it. It’s kind of a win-win.”

Find the right spokesperson to represent your brand on Snapchat

To represent your brand, you need to choose the right person who has an engaged audience and knows how to best use the app. Lots of celebrities or music

stars are using the app and have lots of followers. But they might not know how to optimise the app and use it in the best possible way. They need to show the connection with the brand and the products or your audience won’t be able to connect with it.

McBride said, “Whether it’s an agency or an individual, knowing what to post is vital. If your plan is just to post a behind-the-scene tour of your warehouse, you’ll need to rethink your strategy.”

Increase user engagement by replying to snaps

Snapchat is an amazing app to drive audience engagement whose stories and videos can be replayed for up to 24hours. Now with the introduction of story replies, marketers can now collect feedbacks from their snaps. This is a very important and helpful way to measure the success of the campaign. “I snap my fans back.

I open their Snaps, and I include them in my story. I give them free stuff when I do. I call it “Free Stuff Fridays’,” McBride says. “So my audience responds very well.”l

Both articles have been reprinted in special arrangement with SDAsia

DT

18

Biz Info

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2016

| activism |

| recognition |

UGC observes human chain programme in protest of the recent attacks

Investiture ceremony held at Milestone College

A human chain was formed at the premises of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh to protest the recent militant attacks in Gulshan and Sholakia on August 1, 2016.

Dr M Shah Nowaz Ali, UGC member professor attended the programme as the chief guest.

Md Kamal Hossain, president, UGC Officers’ Association and additional director, UGC presided over the function. All officers and employees of the commission took part in the programme.

Professor Shah Nowaz observed that Bangladesh is not a place for terrorism, extremism and militancy. Rather, it is a peaceful country of co-existence for people of all religions. “We must not allow the reputation of Bangladesh to be smeared by the activities of a few derailed youths,” he added. He urged every family to properly groom and rear their children as worthy citizens of the country.

He further said that militancy is not only a problem of public or

A prestigious investiture ceremony was held at Milestone College on July 31, 2016. Prof Md Shahidul Islam, principal, Milestone College and Lt Colonel M Kamaluddin Bhuiyan (retd), administrative principal were present as honourable guests at the ceremony.

Divisional heads, teachers and students also attended the prestigious annual event.

The honourable guests handed over the badges to the college

captain, assistant college captain, sports captain, cultural captain and sergeant.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Md Shahidul Islam and Lt Colonel M Kamaluddin Bhuiyan (retd) congratulated the newly appointed badge holders. Through their speeches, they appealed to the students to be humble, modest and focused on their aims and objectives as it would help them in their future endeavours. l

private universities but a national problem which should be tackled in unity. UGC has taken a zero tolerance policy to stamp out militancy, he added.

Other speakers at the human chain programme vehemently condemned the recent militant attacks in Gulshan and Sholakia, where a number of people including foreigners were brutally killed. They prayed for the salvation of the departed souls. l

| agreement |

| food |

The Westin Dhaka and Canadian University of Bangladesh sign MoU

Sylheti flavours in Banani

On July 30, 2016 the Westin Dhaka and Canadian University of Bangladesh (CUB) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOU) in order establish a partnership program at The Westin Dhaka for the students of CUB. The ceremony took

place at the CUB premises in Banani. Under the MOU, The Westin Dhaka will pre-screen high potential CUB graduates and offer them internship assignments or appointments to the executive training program at the 5 star Starwood property.

CUB will also offer special and group scholarships for sponsored associates of The Westin Dhaka in CUB’s regular MBA and EMBA programs.

Dilip Madhok, general manager, The Westin Dhaka and William H Derrenger, vice chancellor, Canadian University of Bangladesh signed the MOU on behalf of the two parties.

Md Al-Amin, director of sales and Nazmul Huda assistant manager, HR from The Westin Dhaka along with Rony Banik, assistant finance director, SM Arifuzzaman, head, school of business, Chowdhury Jafarullah Sharafat, vice chairman, board of trustees, Md Fayekuzzaman, treasurer, Chowdhury Nafeez Sarafat, founder and chairman, board of trustees, Chowdhury Raheeb Sharafat, member, board of trustees and Ashfaq Ahmed, registrar from the Canadian University of Bangladesh were present during the signing ceremony.l

The Dining Room brings you ‘Shatkora Mangsho’ (choice of mutton or beef), a traditional and classic Sylheti dish. Shatkora, citrus macroptera, commonly pronounced “hatkora” by locals, is a citrus unique to Sylhet and the pride and glory of Sylheti cuisine.

Carefully selected, succulent pieces of mutton/beef are delicately cooked with shatkora and a lavish amount of Sylheti love, offering a tangy, savoury dish that is guaranteed to transport you

to the northern hills of Sylhet.

Food lovers can now savor the Sylheti Shatkora Mangsho and experience an authentic Sylheti delight in the fine dining ambience of The Dining Room.

Contact for reservations at The Dining Room: Email: reservations@ thediningroombd.com Tel: +880 2 9895729 Mobile: +880 1984-332299 / +880 1984-221199. l

19

DT

Auto Connect

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2016

The inevitable revamp BMW 1-Series is no longer a hatchback, it’s a saloon now

n Tahsin Momin BMW has recently launched the new saloon version of the 1-series that previously existed as a hatchback. However you won’t be able to buy one, unless you live in China.

We’ve been anticipating a saloon version of BMW’s 1-series hatchback for a while now, and finally it’s here. Except “here” perhaps isn’t the right word because it’ll only be built exclusively for the Chinese market.

Hence, if you were hoping for a smaller version of the 3-series and live elsewhere, then you are out of luck. Instead, you’ll have to wait and make do with the anticipated

but as of yet unconfirmed 2-series Gran Coupe.

So, how much do we know about this piece of forbidden fruit? Little, very little. The press release wasn’t of much help either. However, a few sources did confirm that it’s riding on the existing 1-series hatchback’s platform, and that it’s likely to receive the range of four-cylinder and six-cylinder petrol engines already available with existing 3-series. The news keeps getting better: it’ll be rearwheel drive, contrary to previous reports that claimed that it will running on the Mini platform and therefore making it front-wheel drive inevitably.

What we know for sure is that it’s been developed by BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd, a joint venture between Chinese firm Brilliance Auto and BMW. It will be manufactured in China alongside locally built versions of

the 2-series Active Tourer, 3-series, 5-series, and X1.

There also isn’t any additional imagery on top of already missing details. In the absence of actual pictures, the only

image we found is the front three-quarter shot at the top of the article. SO, for your eyes to feast on, here is a rather dashing prolific render of a “BMW M1 Sedan” by X-Tomi Design. It might not happen, but then again there is no harm in dreaming. l

Living by the wire: The end of mechanical era

n ASM Foysal Electrical and electronics have wedged themselves deep into our lives, occupying almost every aspect of it often times in the least likely of places. The virtual reality of gaming has slowly crept its way into the real world, implementing state-of-the-art technology called “Drive by wire.” However dire the name sounds, it’s implications are even more so; all mechanical links between the driver and the wheels are severed. How then, does the driver control the vehicle? Electric sensors and motors, the likes of which we see in robots and unmanned vehicles.

Much like a racing game setup one may have at their home with steering wheel and peddles electronically controlling the car on the screen, car manufacturers are instigating the same concept with you inside the vehicle instead of the comfort of your living room.

What this does is reduce weight of the vehicle and effectively brings the entire car’s control system into a simple ECU program offering limitless possibilities of making changes by simply manipulating the coding. This may be a source of comfort for most people not having to fuss over the controls but it’s a nightmare for petrol heads. Let’s find out exactly what aspects of the car can now be controlled by the witchcraft and wizardry of electricity.

Steering A whole bunch of wire, few motors and that’s it, that’s all there is to the hardware department of the steering system. There is nothing connecting the steering wheel to the steering mechanism, no mechanical components to make the cogs turn so to speak. When the driver turns the steering wheel, an electronic sensor calculates exactly how much

rotation is taking place, then that information is sent to the ECU of the vehicle which in turn forwards the data to the electric motors of each wheel. The electric motor turns the wheel and sensors in the wheel sends a feedback to the ECU checking to see if the rotation of the wheels is in sync with the turn on the steering. All this is done in microseconds. Any discrepancies and the driver will be immediately alerted with warning lights flaring up the front panel.

Brake This is the most nerve-wracking part; no mechanical links, no master cylinder or any break lines is just unfathomable in a braking system but in this age of advanced technology, electrically manipulated braking system is no longer debatable theory. A sensor measures the angle of the brake pedal when it’s being pressed on and conveys that information to the ECU. The ECU then relays that information to the brake calipers they make the pads press down on the brake disc with the same force as that obtained from the pressure on the brake pedal. In recent times, Formula One has adopted the brake by wire technology but was flagged when a collision occurred at the Australian Grand Prix. Upon further investigation, it was observed that the electronic braking system wasn’t to be blamed.

Throttle This pretty much applies the same concept of the braking system.

There is no cable that runs down to the throttle body, sensors determine how much pressure the accelerator pedal has been pressed on and translates that

information to numbers which determines exactly how much the butterfly valve in the throttle body will open up. This allows the preferred amount of air to enter the engine for efficient combustion.

A feedback system is in play here as well; it determines if unusual amount of pressure is being applied to the throttle or if the valve open time is too long. Sensors will send that information to the ECU which will determine any problem with the amount of throttle being electronically applied.

Parting words All petrolheads must be panicking and rightly so. For some people a car isn’t just a means of transport, it all about the different senses and feelings; it’s the feel of the engine fighting back when the accelerator is pressed, it’s feeling the surface of the road when turning the wheels, the sensation of the brake pads pressing on the discs as the pedals are pressed. Stripping it of all its essentials is like taking the soul away, leaving only a shell.

Manufacturers are trying their best to stay in league with their competitors while keeping their customers happy. Moreover, many fake force feedback through the steering wheel and pedals so that the essence of driving isn’t lost on the driver. However, the needs of many outweigh the needs of the few and in this time and age, the needs of the many is comfort, ease and simplicity on the surface. With focus being shifted onto hybrids and developing its components electronically, the curtains are just about ready to roll on the mechanical aspects of cars.l

DT

20 Editorial

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2016

TODAY

One month on from July 1 What pains me most is that 20 good souls lost their lives that night, to cowards who did not last even a second against armed opposition PAGE 21

To save Bangladesh, bring back people’s politics We must bring back elections and the democratic process. We must reject any political parties that give away Bangladesh’s interests. We must reject fundamentalists and communal parties PAGE 22

RAJIB DHAR

Strength in unity

Right here, wrong now And who will fill this vacuum? Who else can we think of who fits the profile, a purposeless youth seeking purpose in an urban landscape, a landscape slowly being taken over by corrupt government and Western imperialism?

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.

T

he human chain program organised by the UGC at universities and colleges across the country yesterday was a tremendous display of solidarity in the fight against militancy.

Something like this was needed to show that people do not condone Islamist terrorism, and that violence will never be seen as an acceptable part of any religion or culture in Bangladesh.

Social mobilisation on this scale goes a long way towards sending a clear message. It was heartening to see over 100,000 linking hands holding various banners with messages like “Bangladesh stands against terrorism,” and “We want peace, no place for terrorism.”

Ever since the July 1 attack on Holey Artisan Bakery, carried out by young men, some of whom had gone to universities here, the Bangladeshi youth have been unfairly stigmatised and viewed with suspicion. Certain prestigious private institutions have also had their reputations tarnished because of gross generalisations that were made based on the backgrounds of the terrorists.

Yesterday’s display of unity shows that the youth are not to blame. The hordes of young people who came out to denounce extremism in the strongest terms make that clear.

It shows that we, as a people, when needed, will come together for the values that truly define our nation.

This is the time for the nation to come together and heal, not to point fingers -- especially not at young people who have bear the responsibility of building our future.

If we, as a nation, can leave behind petty bickering and blame games, and stay together like we did yesterday, militancy won’t stand a chance.

If we, as a nation, can leave behind petty bickering and blame games, and stay together like we did yesterday, militancy won’t stand a chance

DT

21

Opinion

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2016

One month on from July 1 At times of adversity, the strength of the community spirit in Bangladesh shines through

The attack on Holey Artisan ultimately brought people closer together

n Ali Arsalan

T

he most common question since the incident, of course, is: “How are you doing?”

Admittedly, the first few days were not great, and I was quite a nervous wreck, quite jumpy at the smallest of sounds, and not really confident to go outside in my own city (since almost every day here, someone assumes I’m a “bideshi”).

Pretty quickly however, realisation started to set in of just how miraculous it was that myself, my business partners, friends, and family were not there that night.

That Martyna Bandosz, our maitre d’, left for home just a few days before -- she would have been standing by the front door normally.

That Diego Rossini and Jaco Bio were able to escape very narrowly also, and that Gastón Palacios was on holiday back in Argentina.

We are all very lucky that we were not only spared with our lives, but spared a life without the

memories of the horrors that the hostages have.

Yes, a flourishing business was reduced to rubble overnight, but it seems very petty to complain when, as a nation, we couldn’t save our own in Faraaz, Ishrat, and Abinta, nor could we protect Tarishi, the nine Italians, or the seven Japanese.

Market forces could have been responsible for the loss of the business also -- it happens.

What pains me most is that 20 good souls lost their lives that night, to cowards who did not last even a second against armed opposition.

What matters to me most is that it never happens again, and it seems that our various police and intelligence agencies have stepped it up.

Time will tell.

It is also at times of adversity that the strength of the community spirit in Bangladesh shines through.

Although our plight is very minor compared to the families of the victims, we are grateful to every friend who came by, every

Yes, a flourishing business was reduced to rubble overnight, but it seems very petty to complain when, as a nation, we couldn’t save our own in Faraaz, Ishrat, and Abinta, nor could we protect Tarishi, the nine Italians, or the seven Japanese. Market forces could have been responsible for the loss of the business also -- it happens. What pains me most is that 20 good souls lost their lives that night, to cowards who did not last even a second against armed opposition

call from a family member abroad, and every message of support from a stranger on our Facebook pages.

Till today, no one has let us bear this burden alone.

We take great heart from the fact that the number of good people in this world far outweigh the bad.

Meanwhile, I’m extremely grateful to be alive.

We all have to go sooner or later, and I would rather continue to make the most of every

beautiful day, and every daily opportunity, than to live in fear from terrorists.

So in short: I’m doing very well, thank you! And just excited about the future again.

I would request everyone to keep in their prayers all the victims and the two police officers who gave their lives that night.

May we live our lives in a way that theirs were not lost in vain. l Ali Arsalan is one of the proprietors of O Kitchen and Holey Artisan Bakery.

22

DT

Long Form

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2016

To save Bangladesh, bring back people’s politics Don’t give in to shallow interests that hurt the nation. This is the concluding part of yesterday’s long form

We cannot afford to let our democracy fade away

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

We must bring back elections and the democratic process. We must reject any political parties that give away Bangladesh’s interests.

We must reject fundamentalists and communal parties. We must relent against the war criminals’ political power. We must resist any conspiracies that seek to destroy Bangladesh’s ecology and economy

n Firoz Ahmed

R

emembering a bit of news from three years ago -- an agreement was being signed with the US to stamp out terrorism.

According to Prothom Alo, the officials from the foreign office had confirmed that the agreement between the two countries would allow exchange of information and training to Bangladesh to improve its capacity for counter-terrorism, and selling armaments.

Sycophants would argue that, without this pact with the US, Dhaka would have been transformed into Beirut. A few, however, continue to state that people are dying and that terrorism is on the rise precisely

due to this strategy.

Still, a coincidence amazes me: Islam and terrorism were not uttered before the US economic gloom of 2000 and the global war on terror.

I recall an issue of Time magazine prior to invading Afghanistan in 2001. The headline was about who the likely perpetrators were, and where the US would strike.

The possible places for strikes were North Korea, Nigeria, Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan. The principle was set, but not the target locations.

One would be wrong to assume that Dhaka would become Beirut before long. Even if this is part of a bigger international game, Bangladesh is not the target

warzone. Rather, there are concerted efforts and hassles to get Bangladesh into players’ own tents -- IS and al-Qaeda are mere exhibitions of these shadow wars.

It is not entirely illogical to perceive that, while they are not exactly blood brothers, IS and Taliban are complementary to each other’s existence.

But it is important to note that in spite of the counterterrorism agreement with the US, the incidents keep happening.

In buying the arms, paying the training fees, and so on, Bangladesh had to help a stagnant US economy.

Bangladesh has become part of the war-dependent US foreign policy. And now we see the results.

All these issues stem from a

single source: Our politics is not in the hands of the people. We have said it many times in the past that the nation’s institutions have been destroyed, and that this situation is fertile ground for breeding conspiracies.

Those who were supposed to investigate and find out the criminals, the police and RAB, instead killed crucial informants such as Fahim in “crossfires.”

The drama involving Babul Akther, and the murder of his wife hints at deeper conspiracies within the law enforcement agencies themselves.

The police can release photos of individuals who had been picked up a long while ago, and it may be possible that the police do not even know the names of those they kill in gunfights. Some may even feel mentally vulnerable due to a sense of “national haplessness,” not being able to pull the strings of conspiracies.

I do not know whether the police can find out the ringleaders behind the attack. Despite two police fatalities, there is doubt.

The people remain suspicious that the state, law enforcement agencies, or a vested quarter’s ultimate goal is to hide the truth.

Why do we not collectively confront the ills happening in front of our eyes, forgetting our differences? Why do we not speak up against each and every communal attack? Our message of counter-politics will be strengthened if we can do these; we can overcome our subservience to the government.

The conspirators would not have been able to make our youth their prey had we been able to get above our insignificant selfinterests, a little bit above the US-India-China-Pakistan-Saudi inclining politics to look after Bangladesh’s interests.

In accomplishing our miniscule interests, we ignore massive harmful projects in the Sudarbans and in Rooppur. We did not stand with the people of Bashkali.

We do not discuss their plight.

We do not make any noise about the police harassment we would suffer if we raised these issues.

We lightly criticise money disappearing from our stateowned banks. We become the associates in corruption, and then, the energetic youth is diverted to the path of hatred and bloodshed.

The extremists have shown their power.

What can we, the citizen, do against all this?

What we can do is politics that is both national and local. We must bring back elections and the democratic process.

We must reject any political parties that give away Bangladesh’s interests. We must reject fundamentalists and communal parties. We must relent against the war criminals’ political power. We must resist any conspiracies that seek to destroy Bangladesh’s ecology and economy.

There is a start and end of this in any society. In our society, the end depends on how quickly we can create, develop, and return to people’s politics. l Firoz Ahmed is the former President of Bangladesh Chhatra Federation, one of Bangladesh’s largest leftist student unions. He is currently member of the progressive political party Ganosamhati Andolon (People’s Solidarity Movement), which contested the 2015 Dhaka mayoral election under popular young leader Zonayed Saki.

DT

23

Opinion

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2016

Right here, wrong now There is a constant influx of questions we will never have answers to

Conspiracy theories regarding Kallyanpur still circulate

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

n SN Rasul

R

ight now, the nation’s government -- and perhaps many of its citizens -- are patting themselves on the back for Operation Storm 26, which resulted in the death of nine militants and the capture of one.

Since then, much has been revealed, revelations that will perhaps continue to come as this op-ed is being penned, and this newspaper goes to print. How, for example, one of the militants was a close friend of Nibras’s, how they were from affluent families, distinguished members of civil society, how one of them had a family which dealt in the arms business.

As the photographs came out, we learned (or did we conjecture?) that this was probably the place the Holey Artisan attackers took their photos, with the IS flag and the perfectly blue curtains.

So is this it, this was where it all happened? This is what the dens of monsters look like?

A neat little bow

Even as the Kallyanpur raid came under the spotlight on our TV screens, conspiracy theories started to circulate. But with good cause.

Something about the way the story unfolded seemed like it was too good to be true. The police, now claiming that the Gulshan attack mystery had been solved, wrapped up the tragedy in a nice little box and presented it to us and those watching internationally, tightened with a neat little bow.

And who will fill this vacuum? Who else can we think of who fits the profile, a purposeless youth seeking purpose in an urban landscape, a landscape slowly being taken over by corrupt government and Western imperialism? The Nibrases, Rohans, Aqifs, Meers, Abirs It’s hard not to question the facts when the facts don’t seem rooted in the most solid of grounds. Reports and rumours (whether or not you believe them) came forth, claiming that no gunshots had been heard by people in the area to begin with.

Suspicious, too, was the fact that the militants had, apparently, prayed their Fajr prayers and donned black panjabis in preparation for the coming onslaught. Something about that story, even to me, seemed oddly surreal, strangely ridiculous.

And how there were no bullet holes in the panjabis.

And that they had been shot in the back. There were claims of them throwing grenades and not shooting (which is different from what they had claimed initially; it was a full blown shootout, wasn’t it, when the reports were coming in?) but there was no evidence of explosions.

So, who do we believe? In fact, what do we believe?

Taking out the wrong trash

At the same time, the government’s decision to evict establishments -- initially with Gulshan and then it spread to Dhanmondi -- dumbfounded anyone with a

logical enough grasp on the situation, and perhaps reality itself.

Anyone with half a brain could see that this was nothing more than a distraction ploy.

Or the alternative: Is our government so out of touch, so incapable of understanding the real issue that it fails to see that this will achieve nothing? That this has no connections to the issues at hand? That, if you have no restaurants, it merely means there are fewer places to kill people in public, not fewer terrorists thinking of new places to wreak havoc?

And then, to bring action against Holey Artisan itself, where those brutalities took place, is insensitivity of the highest order.

If these eviction drives were harmless, maybe we could understand. But all this does is destroy the work of people who have invested their lives and life savings into hopeful endeavours; this kills livelihoods and, in essence, lives themselves.

What this essentially does is create a vacuum: How many people will lose their jobs, their money, their raison d’être? And what will these people do now?

Just because our esteemed Rajuk was corrupt enough to treat our

city as its personal playground, common hardworking people now lie unemployed on the streets.

And who will fill this vacuum?

Who else can we think of who fits the profile, a purposeless youth seeking purpose in an urban landscape, a landscape slowly being taken over by corrupt government and Western imperialism?

The Nibrases, Rohans, Aqifs, Meers, Abirs.

Are you forgetting something?

Sometimes, it feels like we don’t give our government enough credit. They wanted us to be distracted, to get occupied with other issues, other news, and we did. But perhaps that was inevitable. Attention spans only last so long.

And in the midst of all of this, all the businesspeople being evicted, workers losing their jobs, pointless agendas, useless information, deaths of upper middle-class 20-somethings, patting ourselves on the back, isn’t there a nagging feeling at the back of your head, like maybe that feeling you get when you leave your keys behind as you’re leaving your house? Except, the house is burning.

Are we forgetting that there are two people in police custody, against one of whom we have yet to receive any sort of information which would justify his “arrest”?

It has been exactly a month and a day since Tahmid and Hasnat were taken in and neither of their families has had a chance to speak to, let alone see them.

This is especially concerning since police have already played around with information regarding the duo, first claiming that they were in their possession, and later changing their statement to admit that they were released right after they had been interrogated with the rest of the victims.

Thankfully, since then, the police have changed their tune again to admit that they’re “still” being “interrogated.” The inverted commas are not for nought; with what I know of the government that rules my country, my faith in their words is as fickle as my faith staring down the barrel of a loaded gun in the hands of a confused Islamist.

Are they alive? Are they dead?

Why are they being held still? Are they being treated well? Can we allow Tahmid to be just another victim of being at the wrong place at the wrong time?

We don’t know, and I don’t know if we’ll ever find out. It seems that the one thing that the government has provided for its citizens without fail is a constant influx of questions we will never have the answers to. l

SN Rasul is a Sub-Editor at the Dhaka Tribune. Follow him @snrasul.

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TOP STORIES

Mehrab, from limelight to obscurity One of the most stylish batsmen Bangladesh have ever produced, Mehrab Hossain Opee started his international career with huge potential. The stylish righthander’s elegant square drive was a treat to watch. PAGE 25

Djokovic claims Toronto title Minutes after completing a 6-3, 7-5 ATP Toronto Masters final win over Japan’s Kei Nishikori on Sunday for his 66th career title, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic had already shifted his focus to the Rio Olympics. PAGE 26 Bangladesh paceman Rubel Hossain works out at the Mirpur gym yesterday

Luke jumps 25,000ft without parachute A US skydiver came back to earth in spectacular fashion Saturday night - netting a world’s first in the process. Luke Aikins plummeted from 25,000 feet above the desert landscape of California’s Simi Valley. PAGE 27

Wayne blames Roy for Euros woe Wayne Rooney has blamed England’s Euro 2016 humiliation on Roy Hodgson’s unsuccessful selection gamble. Hodgson made six changes for England’s final group match against Slovakia and the subsequent draw cost England first place in their group. PAGE 28

We need a bowling coach, says Rubel n Minhaz Uddin Khan Bangladesh pacer Rubel Hossain yesterday said a bowling coach is necessary for them in the national team. He said a coach will help the Bangladesh pacers develop.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has been in search for a bowling coach after former Zimbabwe cricketer Heath Streak left the job in May this year.

“A bowling coach is very important for us as it helps us develop. We are professional cricketers and have learnt many things working under different coaches. But despite that we have many more things to learn,” Rubel said yesterday.

Former Pakistan pacer Aaqib Javed was in discussion with the BCB for the job but the offer was turned down, citing his commitment to Pakistan Super League franchise Lahore Qalandars.

However, Javed is currently in Dhaka conducting a week-long camp with pacers in the BCB’s extended High Performance unit.

Rubel, the fastest bowler of the country, said the opportunity will be a good one

for him and fellow bowlers to work under Aaqib. “The Pakistan pacers make the difference with their swing, especially reverse swing. So there will be a lot to learn from him. I will share these thoughts with him and this can be a very good tip for me,” he said.

Rubel last played for Bangladesh in July last year in the one-day international home series against South Africa before he picked up an injury during Bangladesh A team’s tour of India.

Since then, the right-arm speedster has been working his way back to the national team.

The 26-year-old informed that he wants to make the most out of the ongoing national camp and has been working on bringing variation to his attack.

“I am trying to improve my fitness in this camp. Speed and yorker are my chief strengths and I have worked hard to improve that and regain my old pace. But to be honest I do not think my injury has hampered the pace much. I felt I bowled in my natural pace in the last Dhaka Premier League,” said Rubel. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Tigers coaching staff to arrive by Aug 8 n Mazhar Uddin

Bangladesh cricket team’s foreign coaching staff, including coach Chandika Hathurusingha, will be arriving in Dhaka by Monday, informed Bangladesh Cricket Board’s cricket operations chairman Akram Khan yesterday.

Along with Hathurusingha who is now spending his holiday in Australia, Tigers assistant coach Ruwan Kalpage is also expected to join the ongoing national camp by the first week of August.

Earlier, Bangladesh’s strength and conditioning coach Mario Villavarayan was expected to conduct the ongoing fitness camp from July 20 but was unable to join due to personal reasons. He is also expected to arrive in the next couple of days.

“The foreign coaching staff of the national team will join the camp by Monday. At the moment, the players are working on their fitness. And after the arrival of the coaches, they will start their skill training,” Akram told Dhaka Tribune.

“The foreign coaching staff was assured after learning about the security measures we have taken so far. They have no issues regarding the security and will join the camp for the England series,” he added.

The 30-member Bangladesh preliminary squad is scheduled to work on fitness for three weeks. And following the arrival of the head coach, the players will start their skill training for the upcoming home series against England. l

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Sk Jamal held, Sk Russel lose again n Tribune Report Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra continued their disappointing campaign in the Bangladesh Premier League as they succumbed to their third consecutive defeat, this time losing 2-1 against home side Chittagong Abahani at MA Aziz Stadium in the port city yesterday.

Mohammad Ibrahim gave the hosts the lead in just the third minute before Sheikh Russel equalised the margin in the 43rd minute through defensive midfielder Jamal Bhuiyan.

However, Leonel Preux scored the winner in the dying moments of the game to give Chittagong Abahani the three points.

Earlier in the day at the same venue, Rahmatganj maintained their impressive start as they held champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club to a creditable 1-1 draw. l

RESULTS Sheikh Jamal

1-1

Wedson 30

Ctg Abahani

Rahmatganj Zunapiyo 58

2-1

Ibrahim 3 Leonel 89

Sheikh Russel Jamal 43

TODAY’S MATCHES

Mohammedan v Soccer Club, 4:30pm Abahani v BJMC, 7:30pm

An action of the Bangladesh Premier League game between Rahmatganj MFS (L) and Sheikh Jamal DC in Chittagong’s MA Aziz Stadium yesterday

RABIN CHY

Mehrab, from the limelight to obscurity relatively young age of 24.

Mehrab played nine Tests and scored 241 runs at a disappointing average of 13.38 while he scored 449 runs in 18 ODIs at an average of 24.94, including two fifties. His

crowning moment came against Zimbabwe in 1999 when he struck a brilliant hundred - the country’s first limited-over ton - at Bangabandhu National Stadium.

His magnificent 101 off 116 balls,

featuring nine fours and two sixes, was a treat to the eye as Mehrab displayed an array of majestic strokes all over the ground.

The 37-year old was also part of the Tigers’ inaugural Test match

n Mazhar Uddin One of the most stylish batsmen Bangladesh have ever produced, Mehrab Hossain Opee, the Tigers’ first ODI centurion, started his international career with huge potential. The stylish right-hander’s elegant square drive was a treat to watch and his ability to manufacture strokes was one of the trademarks of his batting.

Hailing from a cricketing family which includes his uncle Azhar Hossain, Bangladesh’s maiden ODI half centurion, Mehrab, during his early days, shone and announced himself during the Nirman School Cricket for his school Wills Little Flower.

Mehrab eventually went on to play for the national team, making his debut in 1998, but this talented cricketer lost track and was unable to maintain his place in the side for a long period. Surprisingly, he played his last ODI in 2003 at the

This file photo shows former Bangladesh opening batsman Mehrab Hossain playing a shot against the West Indies during the 1999 World Cup in England

against India in 2000 but was unable to make a mark as he scored only six runs in two innings.

But despite taking his career to the next level, the former opening batsman was not able to prolong his career due to various reasons.

Many believes one of the major reasons why the elegant batsman was unable to make it big was largely owing to his lack of sincerity, along with some disciplinary issues.

His over confidence also backfired as he, more often than not, did not take the game seriously.

And after the national selectors neglected Mehrab following some below-par displays, the talented batsman never made an effort to script a comeback.

The lack of hunger in Mehrab slowly pushed him further away from the national reckoning while the new faces slowly pushed him back in the pecking order.

Had he sustained his hunger, it could well have been a different story for the old Dhaka lad.

Mehrab’s sorry tale should act as a lesson for the young Bangladesh cricketers, who should place the utmost emphasis on hard work and not rely on talent alone. After all, talent is nothing without hard work. l

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Djokovic thrashes Nishkori to claim Toronto title n AFP, Toronto

Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits a forehand against Kei Nishikori of Japan during their final match of the Rogers Cup at the Aviva Centre on in Toronto, Ontario, Canada yesterday AFP

Minutes after completing a 6-3, 7-5 ATP Toronto Masters final win over Kei Nishikori on Sunday for his 66th career title, Novak Djokovic had already shifted his focus to the Rio Olympics.

The world number one, who claimed his fourth Canadian title with a command performance over Asia’s top player lasting less than 90 minutes, will waste no time in heading south to Brazil for the weekend start of the Summer Games.

“It’s the biggest event in the history of the sport, so to be part of it is already a huge privilege and honour that I will cherish, as I did in Beijing and London Olympic Games,” said the holder of a leading 30 Masters 1000 trophies.

“I had an honour of carrying the flag for my country in London 2012, one of the most unique and unforgettable moments of my life. So I look forward to that, honestly, just being part of it.

“I’m approaching the Olympic Games as any other tournament.

I’m trying to respect the same kind of preparation and routine that I have with my team and that I have respected for so many years.

Djokovic lifted his game in Canada as the week progressed, sweeping to the title without the loss of a set and dispatching challenges from Gael Monfils in the semis fol-

lowed by Japan’s Nishikori.

Djokovic won a bronze medal in Beijing and just missed the podium in London, losing to Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro in the bronze medal match.

Sunday’s title erased memories of a third-round Wimbledon upset loss a month ago to Sam Querrey.

“Everything in life happens for a reason. The fact that I have lost in the first week of Wimbledon allowed me to have a week more of the time with my family and just the quality time off the tennis, thinking about other things, recharging my batteries, and then coming in here with plenty of motivation to do well.

“I couldn’t ask for a better start to the hard court season, and hopefully I can keep going in the right direction.”

Djokovic won his seventh trophy this season.

“It has happened many times in my career where I would start a tournament still feeling a little bit uncomfortable on the court and finding my rhythm, and then in the end of the tournament I find that proper comfort level with shots, with the way I feel, with mental attitude.

“My two best performances arrived in semi-finals and finals -- the right moment for me. That gives me a lot of confidence that I will try to carry into Rio.” l

Vettel vows Ferrari will Halep clinches Rogers Cup n return stronger Reuters

n AFP, Hockenheim Sebastian Vettel tried to reassure Ferrari’s fans and his team after another disappointing race on Sunday when he finished fifth ahead of team-mate Kimi Raikkonen in his home German Grand Prix.

The four-time world champion, who argued with Ferrari pit-wall engineers and disobeyed an instruction to pit, said he is convinced that the Italian team knows what to do to mount a recovery.

Their poor result on Sunday enabled Red Bull, for whom Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen finished second and third, to overhaul them and take second place in the constructors’ championship.

Vettel said it is “quite normal” to talk a lot during races, after he had replied telling the team: “Negative.

I will stay out.”

He said: “It was a long discussion for many, many laps. We decided to stay out and it is my fault.

“I gave away the opportunity and I need to see if I can do better.

“We are not where we want to be and clearly there are a lot of things we need to do better. I’m trying to do what I can.

“The race pace was not bad, but not good enough. We struggled a bit with the balance and I was sliding about a bit too much.”

“The last couple of races have been tough for us, but very, very useful, as we understood a lot about our car and we know what to focus on,” he added.

“It wasn’t entirely clear after the first couple of races, but it became more and more evident. Obviously, it’s a harsh way to find out, not being as competitive as we want to, but I think we know what to do. l

Fifth seed Simona Halep of Romania took advantage of an error-prone display by American Madison Keys to claim her 14th WTA title with a 7-6(2) 6-3 victory in the Rogers Cup final in Montreal on Sunday.

Halep, 24, won an erratic opening set that featured eight breaks of serve after breezing through the tiebreak, and then broke her 10th-seeded opponent again in the second game of the second to tighten her grip.

Keys was unable to break the Romanian in the concluding set and Halep served out to seal the win in one hour 16 minutes after the 21-year-old American dumped a forehand into the net.

It was an especially sweet victory for Halep, who reached last year’s Rogers Cup final in Toronto against rising Swiss talent Belinda Bencic but had to retire in the third

set due to a leg injury.

“It means a lot, it was really nice to win today,” Halep told ESPN in a

Simona Halep of Romania hoists the Rogers Cup after defeating US player Madison Keys in the final at Uniprix Stadium in Montrea AFP courtside interview. “I had, I can say, bad memories from last year that I had to finish the match and to stop it, so I am happy that I could win. I feel tired, I feel that I have no more

power but it’s a nice feeling and I gave it everything to win this title.”

Halep improved her career record against Keys to 3-1, having beaten the American over three sets in their most recent meeting at Wimbledon earlier this month, and will rise to third when the world rankings are issued on Monday.

The match was effectively decided in the first set tiebreak after both players had produced nervy, erratic tennis over the first 12 games.

The big-serving Keys made a string of unforced errors to gift Halep a 6-1 lead in the tiebreak before losing the opening set after hitting a backhand wide. Halep never looked back, winning the first six points of the second set on her way to a third WTA title this year.

“She hits very strong and it’s really tough to return her balls but I knew that I have to be strong on my legs,” counter puncher Halep said of her strategy against Keys. l

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2016

India build big lead after slow second day n Reuters

QUICK BYTES Champions PSV win Dutch Super Cup Davy Propper’s first-half strike proved decisive as champions PSV Eindhoven beat cup winners Feyenoord 1-0 in the Dutch Super Cup at the Amsterdam Arena on Sunday.

It was the 11th time that PSV had won the opening game of the Dutch season, which is named after revered Dutch footballer Johan Cruyff, who died last year. PSV captain Luuk de Jong missed a penalty before Propper scored in the 38th minute after some sloppy Feyenoord defending.

Opening batsman Lokesh Rahul scored a career-high 158 as India consolidated their dominance on day two of the second Test against West Indies in Jamaica on Sunday.

India scored slowly, adding only 232 runs off 88 overs, while losing four wickets on a day that will not go down as one of the most compelling in cricket history.

2ND TEST, DAY 2

REUTERS

Lehmann extends Aus contract to 2019

WEST INDIES 196 v INDIA 358/5 (Rahul 158, Pujara 46, Kohli 44) INDIA LEAD BY 162 RUNS

Darren Lehmann has extended his contact as Australia’s head coach until 2019 to cover the World Cup and the Ashes series in England that year, the country’s cricket board (CA) said yesterday. The 46-year-old former left-handed batsman took on the role on the eve of the 2013 Ashes and despite losing 3-0 in England, he went on to guide the team to series wins over South Africa, England, India, New Zealand and West Indies.

The visitors were 358 for five in their first innings by close of play at Sabina Park in Kingston, a lead of 162 runs with five wickets in hand.

The Windies attack bowled with discipline and while they did not exactly terrorise the batsmen, they at least kept them mostly in check.

Not that India were under any pressure to score quickly. With three days left, they have time on their side and seem determined to grind out a big lead. l

REUTERS

Menez to join Bordeaux France international Jeremy Menez is set to join Bordeaux from Italian giants AC Milan, pending a medcial, the Ligue 1 club announced on Sunday. Menez would be Bordeaux’s third signing ahead of the new season following the arrivals of veteran midfielder Jeremy Toulalan and Guinea striker Francois Kamano.

The 29-year-old made an instant impression with 16 league goals in 33 appearances during the 2014-15 campaign.

AFP

Zidane insists Morata is staying at Real Madrid Real Madrid have no intention of making a quick profit on striker Alvaro Morata after the Champions League winners opted to take him back to the Bernabeu from Juventus last month, the Spanish side’s manager Zinedine Zidane has said. Real sold Morata to Juventus two seasons ago but included a buy-back clause in his contract.

REUTERS

DAY’S WATCH CRICKET TEN 2 8:00PM India Tour of West Indies 2nd Test, Day 4

STAR SPORTS 1 6:30PM Royal London One Day Cup Gloucestershire v Essex

India’s Lokesh Rahul hits a six off West Indies’ Devendra Bishoo during day two of their second Test at the Sabina Park Cricket Ground in Kingston, Jamaica yesterday AP

Skydiver plummets 25,000 feet without parachute n CNN A US skydiver came back to earth in spectacular fashion Saturday night - netting a world’s first in the process.

Luke Aikins plummeted from 25,000 feet above the desert landscape of California’s Simi Valley without a parachute, landing squarely in a 100 feet x 100 feet, two-tiered net set up to catch him.

He nailed the landing at 120 mph terminal velocity.

Moments before he reached the safety net he did a last-second roll onto his back to land in the right position. Upon landing he remained motionless for a short while, before the net was lowered, and he stood up to embrace his wife.

Aikins, a self-described “member of the Red Bull Air Force, professional skydiver, BASE jumper, stuntman, pilot ... (and) aviation expert,” did the astonishing stunt, billed “Heaven Sent,” live on TV while his family and supporters watched from the landing site.

“I’m here to show you that if we approach it the right way and we test it and we prove that it’s good to go, we can do things that we don’t think are possible,” he told CNN affiliate Q13 Fox. The 42-year-old, who has a 4-year-old son, is a seasoned skydiver, with over 18,000 jumps to his name, as well as Hollywood

stunt credits - including Marvel hit “Iron Man 3.” He worked with Felix Baumgartner, the Austrian skydiver who set the record for the highest jump in 2012, falling 128,000 feet from the edge of space.

Supporters took to his social media accounts to congratulate him, with one calling the stunt the “craziest and most inspiring thing” he had ever seen.

He prepared for the stunt by doing dozens of jumps - each, naturally, wearing a parachute - aiming at a

100 square foot target, opening his chute at the last possible moment.

In his practice jumps he would pull the cord at 1,000 feet, something he had to get special dispensation for. He said in the runup to the jump that he had consistently been hitting a much smaller target, giving him greater leeway with the full-sized net.

The hardest part of the jump is staying on target, he said. “The wind changes all the time at different altitudes,” he said.

“Whenever people attempt to push the limits of what’s considered humanly possible, they’re invariably described as crazy,” said Aikins. “But to me, this jump is simply the next logical step in a lifetime of extreme challenges.”

Back on earth he was greeted with a hug from his wife. Shortly after the successful freefall he posted images on Facebook, writing: “My vision was always proper preparation and that if you train right you can make anything happen.” l

WORLD FIRST: Skydiver Luke Aikins jumps from a helicopter during his training in Simi Valley, Calif on July 25. (Inset) After his two-minute free fall, Aikins successfully lands in the 100-by-100-foot net at the Big Sky Ranch in Simi Valley on Saturday AP

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Wenger wants midfielder strong as an Ox for new campaign n Reuters Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is hoping Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain can be fully fit in time for the start of the Premier League season after the midfielder struggled with a knee injury last campaign.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, who damaged his knee in a Champions League match against Barcelona in February, scored in yesterday’s pre-season 3-1 win over Mexican club Guadalajara Chivas in California.

Arsenal begin their new season with crucial games against Liverpool at the Emirates on Aug. 14 and a trip to Premier League champions Leicester City six days later.

“It’s a very important season for him. He has been out for a long, long time. He has been injured and did not go to the European Championship. That’s why I’m cautious with him,” Wenger told the club’s website (www.arsenal.com).

“I hope I can get him through and fit for the start of the season.

(He gives us) power, penetration.

It’s difficult what he doesn’t have... that’s why I would like him to get to the level he can go to.” l

‘Mahrez distracted by transfer talk’ n Reuters Speculation about a possible transfer to Premier League rivals Arsenal has unsettled Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez, manager Claudio Ranieri has said.

“Maybe Riyad is distracted a bit by all of these rumours and speculation,” Ranieri told British media.

“But that is also an experience for my players. It is important that he understands that he should stay with us.” l

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (R) of Arsenal gets past Oswaldo Alanis of Chivas de Guadalajara and scores a goal during their friendly in Carson on Sunday

AFP

Rooney blames Hodgson for Euro woe n AFP, London Wayne Rooney has blamed England’s Euro 2016 humiliation on Roy Hodgson’s unsuccessful selection gamble.

Hodgson made six changes for England’s final group match against Slovakia and the subsequent goalless draw cost England first place in their group.

England captain Rooney was one of those rested by Hodgson and the Manchester United forward says the loss of momentum caused

by Hodgson’s decision was instrumental in the team’s stunning last 16 defeat against minnows Iceland.

“I wouldn’t have rested six players. It’s more than half the team. It was a gamble and it didn’t pay off,” Rooney told the Daily Mail yesterday.

“We had lost momentum from the Slovakia game and tournament football is about confidence. You get that from winning.

“We didn’t play great in the friendlies, but we won. So you try to build, even from before the tour-

nament, but we couldn’t get that consistency once it began.

“It was Roy’s decision to make changes against Slovakia and either way, the team he put out should have been able to win. But, right or wrong, I wanted to play and I can’t deny that.”

“When I came on against Slovakia it was difficult to change the game, impossible really. I was running around just trying to get the energy back into the team,” he said.

“Watching, I felt we lacked aggression — in the running, in the passing,

we didn’t have the tempo, so that’s what I was trying to create.”

Sam Allardyce has replaced Hodgson as England boss and he has so far refused to confirm if Rooney will remain as national team captain.

Allardyce has said he will reveal his decision when the squad meet up for their World Cup qualifier against Slovakia in September.

But Rooney is adamant he will continue playing for England for at least two more years whether he is captain or not.l

Conte unsure of Costa future in Chelsea n Reuters

Sunderland’s new manager David Moyes poses in front of Sunderland Training Ground during his press conference on Sunday REUTERS

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is uncertain about the future of Diego Costa, as Spanish media reports have linked the striker with a possible return to Atletico Madrid.

The 27-year-old, who joined the London club from Atletico in 2014, did not feature in Chelsea’s 3-2 defeat by Real Madrid in a pre-season friendly on Saturday due to a back injury.

The Spain international scored 12 times last season as the club finished 10th in the Premier League, with British media reports also

linking Everton striker Romelu Lukaku with a potential move back to Stamford Bridge.

“Today Costa is Chelsea’s player. Tomorrow if you ask me if Costa will remain with us, I don’t know,” Conte told reporters.

“I can say that today Costa is a Chelsea player. He didn’t play in these games because of injury and if he solves the injury and I see in training he’s in good shape, it can be possible to see him in the next game against AC Milan.”

Conte also added that playmaker Eden Hazard needed to work on his physical strength and fitness to

play as a forward, after the Belgian came off the bench to score twice in the friendly against Real Madrid.

“Eden Hazard played 30 minutes and he is recovering a good shape,” the Italian added.

“I like him in this position, like a forward, and he can be a good solution for us... also playing as a winger. To play as a second forward he must improve his shape but he is working and he knows his shape in the same way as the other players.”

Chelsea begin their league campaign with a London derby against West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on Aug. 15. l

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Deep sleep (4) 5 Festive jollity (5) 8 In leisurely manner (mus) (6) 9 Festive occasion (4) 10 Passing craze (3) 12 Steal livestock (6) 13 Place of learning (6) 15 Fruit (6) 18 Eraser (6) 20 Kimono sash (3) 21 Tibetan priest (4) 23 Merchant (6) 24 Comforts (5) 25 Obtains (4)

DOWN 1 Eating places (5) 2 Lyric poem (3) 3 Be equal to (5) 4 Length of life (3) 5 Of standardised units (7) 6 Fissure (4) 7 Conceal (4) 11 Singing voice (4) 12 Gnawing animals (7) 14 Cudgel (4) 16 Shelter from sun (5) 17 Approaches (5) 18 Acting part (4) 19 Prejudice (4) 21 Convict (3) 22 Encountered (3)

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Downtime

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2016

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 18 represents Q so fill Q every time the figure 18 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.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

CALVIN AND HOBBES

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

PEANUTS

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

DILBERT

SUDOKU

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Showtime

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2016

Miss Teen USA 2016: Karlie Hay

Skull Island rises with Loki’s death n Nazia Lopa Tom Hiddleston has officially signed on to play the lead in Skull Island, the new feature from Legendary Pictures that will take movie-goers back to the mythical birthplace of King Kong. The part is the biggest that Hiddleston has landed since his stint as Loki, a fan favourite in Marvel’s cinematic universe. Loki is now Bond, marking the end of Loki and start of a new way of life for Tom. As the titles suggest, Thor, The Avengers and Thor: The Dark World largely focus on the main characters and their respective stories, with Loki being deemed as a supporting character in all of his appearances so far. As charismatic and enchanting as Loki has been in the Marvel movies, Hiddleston couldn’t actually be blamed for wanting to be the legitimate lead of his own big blockbuster franchise. And that’s where the actor’s newest project comes in.

Looking back at the last eight years of Marvel Studios films,

the casting of Tom Hiddleston as Loki in Thor, and making Loki the main villain of The Avengers have led him to this new role. With an impressive mix of psychotic charisma and shocking pathos, the God of Mischief has been established as

one of the great cinematic comic book villains. However, nothing has been made official by Marvel or Tom Hiddleston but rumour mills are abuzz that Loki will die and leave the Avengers series for good. l Source: Hollywood life

JK Rowling: Harry is done now n Showtime Desk

n Showtime Desk The young Miss Texas Karlie Hay, 18, accepted the Miss Teen USA crown with tears in her eyes and a huge smile on her face on July 30. The judges definitely put her through the ringer, jokingly stalling reading her name to “make sure” to avoid another flub like Steve Harvey’s, but she looked so happy and relieved when she finally came out on top!

Karlie Hay has firsthand experienced growing up in a household with alcoholic family members, and made it her Miss Teen USA platform to raise awareness on the issue. It’s “her goal to be a national voice about the effects of alcoholism and drug abuse on family members,” according to her bio on the Miss Teen USA site.

Karlie accepted the sought-after title after a long night and a hard battle. She had to beat out 50 other contestants in three areas to take home the prize, and she did it!

That doesn’t mean she didn’t have stiff competition. All of the lovely

ladies looked amazing in their evening gowns and activewear, and the other four top girls had amazing answers to the judges’ questions in the personality section. She should be so proud of herself for winning!

The 2016 Miss Teen USA is definitely a very interesting young lady. Her bio on the Miss Teen USA website says that she has made it her goal to be a national voice for alcoholism awareness. Her own childhood experiences have engendered great empathy for children growing up in unstable environments and for the families of alcoholics. Were her fondest wish to be granted, every child would grow up in a stable and loving home.

On top of her charitable passion, Karlie is also the cheer captain, yearbook editor, photographer and honour roll student at her high school. After that, she wants to go to college to become a businesswoman.

Source: Hollywood Lifel

Hours before the long-awaited eighth book in the series was released in bookstores worldwide, JK Rowling bid farewell to Harry Potter at a London event.

The author spoke at the opening night of the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child stage play in London’s West End theatre district on Saturday, July 30, where she told fans that she’s finished with the series. “[Harry] goes on a very big journey during these two plays and then, yeah, I think we’re done,” said Rowling. “This is the next generation, you know. So, I’m thrilled to see it realised so beautifully but, no, Harry is done now,” she added.

Just moments after the two-part play premiered, the accompanying rehearsal script was released across the globe as the official eighth book in the fantasy series, nearly a decade after the seventh novel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was published.

Eager fans lined up at their local bookstores on Saturday night for the midnight release of the book, also titled Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The play is set 19 years later and follows Potter and his son Albus Severus

as he goes off to his father’s alma mater, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. “[The play] chimed perfectly with the material I had about the next generation and I could see it would work perfectly,”

the author also said. “So, I never wanted to write another novel, but this will give the fans something special.”

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was released on Potter and Rowling’s birthday, July 31.l

thought that I would be making an album. I did what I wanted to do and things started happening spontaneously. When I was a kid, I wasn’t good at school. I wasn’t really good at anything, I guess. I didn’t have any goals or ambition. I just did what I wanted to do. I’ve been lucky in the sense that I could follow my passions in whichever manner I deemed fit, having a lot of freedom that aided my dreams. I always wanted to be an independent person; I am privileged in that way. A lot of people in my society can’t do the same. Many of them don’t get proper support from their families while some are silenced for speaking their mind. Many are oppressed, especially women. I wanted to embrace my freedom through my work. This is also one reason why I titled my album Uncaged.

A tete-a-tete with Xefer Rahman n Rayan Quddus

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arge eyes, nest-like hair and an all-black getup, Xefer Rahman has trademarked her image.

One of the first Bangladeshi YouTubers, Xefer’s singing capabilities has gained her cult following. So far, she has covered artists such as Adele, Imagine Dragon, Katy Perry and Michael Jackson. These covers have a unique style, which may just be the reason behind her gaining popularity. Given her voice, her eccentric style just adds to her overall charm, setting her apart

from the rest. After gaining fame through her videos, she went on to sign a deal with Jadughor label.

Currently, she’s been working on her debut album Uncaged. Relying mostly on social media to promote her work, Xefer’s keeps her fans updated simply through Facebook statuses and photos posted on her profile. Showtime Desk was able to catch up with the celeb to find out more about her work.

What drove you towards music in such an unconventional style?

I began by singing and posting videos on YouTube. It wasn’t planned; when I started I never

Given your beginnings on social media, how much do you interact with your audience? And how much of an impact do they have on your work?

I think I wouldn’t exist without social media. Things might have been very different and I might have taken a different path altogether. I am here because of my followers. I have a pretty good relationship with my viewers, some even send me things from time to time. Some fans were inspired by my work or so they’ve told me. It really feels amazing that I can inspire people, I have no words to describe it. It’s just and an out-of-this-world feeling.

A few weeks ago I told all my followers on Facebook to send me videos of them and write “Judge” on them. I was overwhelmed by the overall reaction; I used some of those clips for my music video single of the same name in my album. It truly feels great. But to answer your question: I take a lot of feedback from people. I do what I feel like doing but I do go through some of the opinions, if

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not all. So yes, I interact with my audience pretty well.

Tell us a little about your album.

My producer is Nagib Hawk and my label is Jadughor. We have been working on the album for twp years now with plans to release it very soon. The songs are all original and filled with allegories.

That’s all I can say about the songs.

I had a lot of people helping me out with the lyrics and it’s been fun. Currently I am shooting some videos for the album. Let’s also say that there will be a small surprise on the day of the release.

Other than music, any other interests?

I want to work and help activists to let the general man be able to avail the freedom they deserve.

People are oppressed but there are certain basic freedom centric rights that everyone can get. It’s all in the soul; I want to inspire them in a way. Other than that, I have an interest in the world of fashion.

I am not sure if I can do anything about that interest right now, but I am interested. Let’s see what happens. l

I did what I wanted to do and things started happening spontaneously. When I was a kid, I wasn’t good at school. I wasn’t really good at anything, I guess

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ECONOMIC FALLOUT OF GULSHAN ATTACK PAGE 12

RUBEL: WE NEED A BOWLING COACH PAGE 24

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2016

JK ROWLING: HARRY IS DONE NOW PAGE 30

Concert for Bangladesh: 45 years on n Tribune Desk On this day in 1971, the whole world learnt the name of Bangladesh and the then yet unborn nation’s bloody fight for freedom through a pop concert organised

by George Harrison and sitar maestro Ravi Shankar at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

The war was brief but its atrocities were enormous – an estimated three million people were killed and millions were forced to seek refuge in India.

Much of the horrors went unnoticed until the “Concert for Bangladesh” – the first major charity rock concert aimed at raising money, medicine and supplies for the suffering refugees and drawing global attention to the ravaging war.

Former Beatles lead guitarist Harrison responded to his friend Ravi Shankar’s call and came out of his “semi-retirement.” He also roped in a few of his famous friends like Bob Dylan and Eric

Left, the cover of the Concert for Bangladesh DVD released in 2005; and, right, the trade ad made for the concert in 1971 WIKIMEDIA

Clapton.

Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Badfinger and Leon Russell, too, performed at the concert that set the benchmark for pop-music charity events.

“I’ve seen a lot of shows, but one that I was very impressed by was George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh at Madison Square Garden,” singer Andy Williams told The Telegraph.

The concert raised an estimated $250,000. Pandit Ravi Shankar – who had ancestral roots in Bangladesh – dubbed the concert “one of the most moving and intense musical experiences of the century.”

“In one day, the whole world knew the name of Bangladesh. It was a fantastic occasion,” he said about its overwhelming success.

Bangladesh did not forget Ravi Shaknar and George Harrison’s contribution. It has recognised their enormous efforts for the country’s liberation and honoured them. l

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