E paper, tuesday, october 25, 2016 0

SECOND EDITION

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

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Kartik 10, 1423, Muharram 23, 1438

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 4, No 177

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www.dhakatribune.com

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32 pages |

Price: Tk10

HASINA TO AL GRASSROOTS

Win hearts, gain voters n Tribune Desk Prime Minister and re-elected President of Awami League Sheikh Hasina has asked her party members to act as messengers of the party’s success stories so that every home in Bangladesh can learn about the achievements of the Awami League-led government.

She asked them to win hearts and gain voters.

Sheikh Hasina made the suggestions yesterday when top party leaders from different levels of the country came to her official residence Ganabhaban to greet her for being reelected as the party president, reports UNB.

During the meeting, she asked the party leaders and activists to spread the development activities taken by the Awami League government in recent years for the welfare of people.

She said: “We have to inform the common people what we have done for them; we have to tell them if you cast your votes again for Awami League, you will get even more.

“If you do not tell these, how will people know, you have to start telling these right now well before the election schedule is announced… you will have to put these information into people’s hearts.”  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

THE TRUE SPIRIT OF CRICKET England fast bowler Stuart Broad consoles Bangladesh debutant Sabbir Rahman at the end of the first Test at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Fakhrul: PM’s remark is threat to democracy n Manik Miazee BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday termed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s speech delivered at the Awami League (AL) council on Monday as a threat to democracy.

He said: “On the first day of the national council of Awami League (AL), Sheikh Hasina said that Awami League wants to establish democracy in the country, but at the concluding ceremony of the council, she clearly said that BNP won’t be allowed to come to power. In addition, she also said in the next election, AL must remain in power at any cost.

The remark clears it all what they want and what their aim is.”

The BNP secretary general came up with the allegation yesterday while addressing a programme as the chief guest at Dhaka Reporters Unity. The event was organised to commemorate the 15th death anniversary of BNP leader Akhtar Ahmed Siddique.

“Awami League-led government is ruling the country unethically and they have broken all the pillars of democracy. They have snatched away people’s freedom of expression, right to vote, right to hold rally and protest. They are such an authoritarian government who resorts to falsity and unethical strategies at every moment only to divert people’s attention from their misdeeds,” he said.

“In between 1972 to 1975, this party (AL) had destroyed the democracy of the country. Due to their tyranny, the country had to face a terrible famine. At that time they at last resorted to one-party rule as the government failed in all sectors of the state,” he said.

Referring to Sheikh Hasina’s statement asking party activists to take preparations for next election, Fakhrul said, “Why do you need to take preparation for next election?

You went to power last time using state power. There is no requirement for a vote, just announce the result and say AL will go to power.” l

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Finance Minister AMA Muhith and State Minister of Science and Technology Yeafesh Osman with ‘Joyotu Jananetri,’ Yeafesh’s book on the prime minister, in their hands at Bangladesh Secretariat yesterday BSS

Government orders transfer of 28 senior police officials n Tribune Desk The government has issued a transfer order for 28 high officials of police, most of whom are superintendents (SP), around the country.

Designations of some of the officials have also been changed, according to a circular which was published on the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday.

Farzana Jesmin, senior assistant secretary at the ministry, signed circular as per the order of the president.

According to the circular, the transfer of AKM Iqbal Hossain, to Cox’s Bazar as SP, and Shaymal Kumar Nath, to Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) as deputy commissioner, will be effective from December 15.

The other officers are:

FFs allowances raised n Shohel Mamun

Chuadanga SP Rashidul Hasan transferred to Joypurhat, Kurigram SP Mohammad Tobarak Ullah transferred to Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) as deputy commissioner, Sherpur SP Mehedul Karim transferred to Kurigram, Pabna SP Alamgir Kabir transferred to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) as deputy commissioner, DMP Deputy Commissioner Saidur Rahman Khan to Gopalganj as SP, Gopalganj SP SM Imran Hossain and Faridpur SP Jamil Hasan to DMP as deputy commissioner, Rajbari SP Jihadul Kabir to Pabna, 11-APBN Director Salma Begum to Rajbari as SP, 2-APBN Director Munibur Rahman to Magura as SP, Police Staff College SP Nazrul Hossain to 2-APBN as director, CID Special SP Abdur Rahman to Tourist Police, Joypurhat SP Mollah Nazrul Islam to CID, Jhalakathi SP Suvash Chandra

Saha to Faridpur, PHQ Assistant Inspector General Monirul Islam to Chuadanga as SP, Magura SP AKM Ehsan Ullah transferred to Dhaka Boat Police as SP, Industrial Police SP Mizanur Rahman to Rajshahi as RRF director, Rajshahi RRF Director BM Harun Or Rashid to Industrial Police as SP, SMP Deputy Commissioner Moshfequr Rahman to Highway Police as SP, Highway Police SP Shahina Amin to 11-APBN as director, Dhaka Boat police SP Jubayedur Rahman to Jhalakathi as SP, Dhaka Range DIG office SP Sayed Harun Or Rashid to Maymensingh Range DIG office, SP Asad Ullah to Special Branch of police, Pralay Kumar Joardar to DMP as deputy commissioner, Special Branch SP Sultana Nazma Hossain to Dhaka DIG Range office and PHQ AIG Rafiqul Hasan Gani to Sherpur as SP. l

The government has decided to increase the monthly allowances for all freedom fighters by 150% effective from January 2017.

The approval came from a regular cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday.

Allowances for successors of Bir Shresthas will now receive Tk30,000; Bir Uttams Tk25,000; Bir Bikrams Tk20,000; and Bir Pratiks Tk15,000 a month from January 2017.

Currently, the families of Bir Shresthas receiveTk12,000, Bir Uttams Tk10,000, Bir Bikrams Tk8,000, and Bir Pratiks Tk6,000.

Allowance to the families of martyred freedom fighters were increased from Tk15,000 to Tk30,000. Families of injured freedom fighters will receive Tk25,000 instead of Tk15,000.

Now they receive Taka 30,000, 20,000, 16,000 and 9,700 respectively. Categories of the war wounded FFs were ascertained according to the extent of their injuries. l

time. So, I request you to utilise the time properly apart from making the organisation stronger.”

Hasina also vowed afresh to free Bangladesh from poverty and urged the party leaders and activists to prepare a list of ultra-poor people who do not have homes and living in great distress. “If Awami League is voted to power again, people will have a better descent life free from poverty.”

Without taking the name of anyone, she mentioned some people

sucked the blood of the poor in the name of sending poverty to the museum.

Listing various development activities of her government in agriculture, food security, healthcare, education, digitisation and other socioeconomic sectors, the prime minister asked the party leaders and activists to spread these messages of development among people.

Talking about terrorism and militancy, she said BNP-Jamaat

nurtured these social menaces in the country. “These are the great problems not only in Bangladesh but also in the whole world… we’ll have to solve this problem in our country; we must not be dependent on others.”

She also asked the Awami League followers to remain alert in this regard and involve imams and religious leaders to convey the message that Islam is the religion of peace. “Islam is not a religion of terrorism.” l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Win hearts, gain voters Talking to the grassroots, Hasina said: “We’ve proved several times that we do what we say and we will have to do the same again.”

Stressing that the party should be stronger, the prime minister said Awami League leaders and activists have to stand beside people.

“The only aim of Awami League is to work for the welfare of people so that their fate can be changed.”

The prime minister also asked the leaders and activists to get ready for the next general elec-

tion and make the best use of the remaining Awami League government’s tenure.

On Sunday, during her acceptance speech at the council, she said the next general election must be unquestionably fair, and all her party colleagues should work towards that, starting immediately.

At yesterday’s meeting, she said: “We have two years and two months [of our tenure] in hand, the election process will start three months prior to that… we do not have plenty of

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Quader to make polls victory priority Abu Bakar n Mohammad Siddique Newly elected General Secretary of Awami League Obaidul Quader said he would give top priority to strengthening of the party to make sure a victory in the 2019 general election.

The second priority, he said, is to curb communalism and uproot militancy.

Obaidul Quader termed his elevation to the post in the party’s 20th national council a reward for his hard work and the highest achievement in his political career.

He said he would employ maximum effort and do everything possible to uphold the sanctity of the responsibility he has been entrusted with by party chief Sheikh Hasina.

Obaidul was addressing a press briefing at Priyanka Community Centre at Dhaka’s Dhanmondi yesterday afternoon. This was his first press briefing as the party general secretary.

He said the party activists had exhibited an unprecedented discipline in organising the council, which suggests that a lot of changes have already taken place in the party.

He said there was no billboard, no posters of activists seeking at-

Syed Ashraf leaving for UK on Friday n Tribune Desk Awami League presidium member and Minister of Public Administration, Syed Ashraful Islam is going to the United Kingdom on October 28.

His personal secretary AKM Sajjad Alam Shahin confirmed the trip.

Bangla Tribune reported that Syed Ashraf is leaving to visit his London-residing wife.

A confidant to the minister said that Syed Ashraf’s wife has fallen ill, hence the sudden trip.

The minister has already applied for a 15-day leave from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who told him to take some time off. l

Newly elected Awami League General Secretary Obaibul Quader greets Syed Ashraful Islam, former general secretary, before the start of cabinet meeting at the Secretariat yesterday FOCUS BANGLA

tention, nor did they chant any slogans demanding a post or position for someone in the committee.

It is a qualitative change in the Awami league leaders, he observed.

“Previously I could just listen to some of the problems from the grassroots activists as I travelled different places, but I could not solve those problems as I did not have sufficient authority to do so.

“Now I would listen to their problems and take steps to solve them instantly,” he said.

Obaidul said he was surprised when his predecessor Syed Ashraful Islam proposed his name.

He thanked Ashraf for the proposal.

Obaidul said this is the strength of the Awami League and the magic of Sheikh Hasina’s leadership.

Referring to different opinions published in the media ahead of the council, he said: “You wrote so many things before the council.

Some of those made me sad. However, we took that easily as it is always good to accept criticism.”

He said the guidance and suggestion of Syed Ashraf who had held the post for the past seven years would help him in delivering his duties.

He said he met Ashraf in the cabinet meeting, he was quite hap-

py and took everything very easily.

Obaidul said: “Our party will not take four months to announce the full committee.

“You will get the full list of the presidium in a day or two and the full committee will be made public in three or four days … maximum a week.”

Obaidul also said the committee will not be a very large one “as the party chief does not want to damage the dignity of the committee.”

He said: “We have increased the strength of the committee only by eight.”

No regionalism

Replying to a question, Obaidul said I have a constituency and a region where I am from. But there is no room for regionalism in me.

I am given the responsibility to serve the whole country – from Sunamganj to Sundarbans and from Kutubdia to Tetulia.

BNP’s greeting

Obaidul said: “I could have accepted their greetings wholeheartedly if they had attended the event.

They did not do that despite the fact that our leaders had invited them and they had promised to come to the event.” l

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

No maternal healthcare facility in 512 unions n Kamrul Hasan

The maternal mortality rate in Bangladesh is still significantly high, the latest study conducted in 2010 places the ratio at 240 per 100,000 live births adjusted, while a lifetime risk ratio stands at 170 per 100,000 live births.

The United Nations (UN) study on maternal health suggests the high mortality rates are caused by the fact that nine out of every 10 deliveries take place at home with the assistance of mostly unskilled attendants or relatives.

The study found that women’s low status in society, poor quality

of maternity care services, lack of trained providers, low uptake of services by women and infrastructure all contribute to the high rate of maternal deaths. A by strong cultural and traditional ties also deter women from delivering at health centres.

State Minister of Health and Family Planning Zahid Malaque was addressing this issue yesterday at a seminar called ‘Midwifery Service Framework’ arranged

by Directorate of Nursing council and UNFPA, saying that they will increase the number of midwifery students to 35,000 by next year.

Another contributing factor to this

is the inaccessibility of healthcare in rural Bangladesh where a recent government health assessment on Primary Health Care found that 512 unions had no healthcare facilities from Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) or Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP).

The minister hoped to extend the healthcare services to expectant mothers saying: “We are working on providing health care to women specially those who live in remote areas, hilly areas, slums and to the ultra poor.”

DGHS Director General prof Abul Kalam Azad suggested with a higher number of midwives they

would be able establish a ‘Common Service Centre’ at every union where healthcare assistants and midwives would be deployed.

Deputy Director PHC of DGHS Pabitra Kumar Sikder, said among 63% of deliveries were at home while 37% were at medical centres.

Among the 37%, 22% were conducted at private hospital, 13% at government hospital and 2% at NGOs. United Nations’ Population Fund (UNFPA) Country representative to Bangladesh, Argentina Piccin Metavel urged to establish a strong midwifery services and regular evaluation and monitoring by the concern authorities. l

Freedom fighter Monjur Khandaker dies n Tribune Desk Veteran freedom fighter AlHajj Khandaker Shahid Uddin alias Monjur Khandaker died on October 18 at Delta Oncology Medical Hospital in Dhaka at the age of 68.

He is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters and a host of friends and relatives to mourn his death.

Monjur was the first nominated chairman of Paikerchar union immediately after the independence of Bangladesh.

He retired from government service in the Food Department a few years ago. During the tenure of his job, he worked at Tejgaon CSD, Bandar CSD and Saidpur LSD in Gazaria.

His first namaz-eJanaza was held at Bandar (Narayanganj) CSD Quarter Mosque.

President of Narshingdi district Muktijodha Command Council Motalib Pathan was present at one of the namaz-e-janazas.

He was buried with a guard of honour at his family graveyard in Balapur village under Paikerchar union, Narshingdi. l

Seminar held on US elections at ULAB n Tribune Desk University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) organized a seminar called “US Elections and the Implications for Bangladesh,” yesterday.

Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs at the US Embassy in Dhaka, Andrea BrouilletteRodriguez, and Press Officer of the US Embassy in Dhaka, Nancy VanHorn were the key speakers at the event.

Juditha Ohlmacher, member of the ULAB board of trustees also addressed the students and moderated the session.

The Students at ULAB were presented with the presidential system in reference to the upcoming elections in the United States.

There were a vast number of questions asked about the election process, the candidates, and how the elections could affect the US-Bangladesh relations.

The unique candidacy of both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump was touched upon.

ULAB Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Imran Rahman was present along with ULAB Professor Emeritus Rafiqul Islam, ULAB Board of Trustees Members Dr Kazi Anis Ahmed, MP Kazi Nabil Ahmed, ULAB Provost Professor Brian Shoesmith, ULAB Treasurer Professor Milan Kumar Bhattacharjee, ULAB Registrar Professor Akhtar Ahmed, Professor Jude William Genilo, Head of Media Studies and Journalism Professor Shamsad Mortuza, Head of English and Humanities Professor Muhammad Ibrahim, among others. l

Agami Foundation holds second fundraising event n Tribune Desk

The second fundraising programme of Agami Education Foundation (AEF) was held on October 21at Dhaka Residential Model College in Dhaka.

Professor Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, vice chancellor of University of Asia Pacific, was the chief guest of the program while Bitopi Das Chowdhury, country head of corporate affairs, Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh, was the special guest, says a press release.

AEF President Dr M Mosi-

huzzaman delivered the welcome speech at the programme, briefly describing the history and the ongoing projects and programs of AEF. He also read the message from Dr Sabir Majumder, president of Agami Inc (USA) to the audiences.

Nafisa Khanam, executive director of AEF, briefly presented the activities of AEF focusing on the future goals and targets. She also requested the audiences to contribute financially and/or through volunteer work.

Terming AEF’s activities

inspiring, Bitopi Das Chowdhury, said she feels proud to be a part of the initiative.

Professor Jamilur Reza Chowdhury appreciated AEF’s contribution to the education sector of Bangladesh by saying that a lot of children are now getting the benefit of education because of the wonderful initiatives of AEF. The event ended with a cultural program directed by Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya and performed by students of Alok Shikkhaloy and Shurer Dhara, two Agami-supported schools. l

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Two to die for killing Ahsanullah University student

n Md Sanaul Islam A Dhaka court yesterday sentenced two students of Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology to death and two others to life term imprisonment for killing a fellow student.

The condemned convicts are Farhad Hossain alias Siju and Mohammad Hasan.

The both are on the run.

Dhaka District and Sessions Judge SM Kuddus Jaman handed down the verdict.

According to the prosecution, the convicts killed their fellow Subeer Chandra Das, 22, on January 21, 2013 as a sequel to previous enmity and dumped the body in the River Buriganga.

Later, the body of the victim was recovered from the bank of river at Kotalia village in Savar, on the outskirts of the capital.

On October 13, 2013, police submitted a charge sheet against the accused in the case filed by the father of the victim with Savar police station. l

A stream of red dyed water is seen falling on a canal located near Sylhet highway’s Borabo area. Chemical-mixed water from nearby factories is often dumped in this canal which is connected with the Shitalakhya River, thus damaging the river and the surrounding environment. The photo was taken yesterday MEHEDI HASAN

Community correction for child delinquents n Mohammad Jamil Khan Sub-inspector Khadija Khatun was in a quandary a few months ago.

Working at the Kotwali Police Station of Jessore, she came upon a 12-year old boy with two sticks of marijuana.

“This was so petty that it could not be placed in court. But I could not let the boy go Scot-free either.”

Khadija Khatun resorted to a provision of the Children Act of 2013 that allows law enforcers to release juvenile delinquents against an undertaking and guarantee that they would be taken care of and rehabilitated within their community.

Speaking at a meeting in Dhaka, Khadija Khatun said she then called the parents and representative of Jagrata Juba Sangha (JJS), an NGO that has taken up an initiative to turn around juvenile delinquents through a combination of measures that include obligatory community work, schooling and residence with family under Children Act 2013.

Khadija explained the matter to the boy’s parents who agreed that they would ensure their son behaves in future. The boy has been staying at home, back to regular school and has not been involved

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to build a strong coordination by holding meetings with judiciary, police and other functional bodies to ensure that diversion of a child can take place in any stage from arrest to final disposition.”

Zakir also said our main theme is a child doing a petty offense once is not a criminal. The child can be changed, everyone needs a second chance.

Justice Sheikh Hassan Arif of High Court was the chief guest at the national level experience-sharing meeting while Naseen Begum, additional secretary of legislative and parliamentary affairs division of law ministry, Dr Khandakar Mahid

Act 2013 allows police officers to release any accuse without taking to the court. The provision of the child act under 17 (iv) states, a child affairs police officer (CAPO) shall record the statement of the child in the presence of his or her the parents or, in their absence, foster carer or legal gurdian or members of his extended family, as the case may be, and the probation officer or the social worker.

The CAPO can release the child after giving a written or verbal warning in the presence of his parents or guardian. Such warning shall not be held as a record against the child. He may also avail diversionary measures in respect of the child, reads the child act provision.

The JJS is operating a project in Khulna and Jessore districts, financed by UNICEF, for the last two years that is ending this month. In the project, JJS works with Judiciary, police department, social service department, community based child protection committee (CBCPC) under local government bodies, children, parents and civil society.

While presenting a project description, JJS executive director ATM Zakir Hossain, said, “We try

in further crime. “It seems to have worked out for the better.”

Khulna-based NGO, JJS, has so far brought back 147 children from police stations and 26 children from courts in Khulna and Jessore districts in between January 2015 to September 2016, who would have ended up in correctional facilities alongside hardened criminals.

Police officers at the discussion admitted that children have little hope of being ‘corrected’ at the facilities. “In fact they are likelier to come out more inclined towards criminal tendencies.”

The national level sharing meeting on ‘Diversion under Children Act 2013: Experience of Khulna-Jessore’ organised by JJS, funded by UNICEF, was held at AS Mahmud Conference Hall of Daily Star Building at Kawran Bazar in Dhaka.

Farzana Boby, sub-inspector of Sonadanga Model police station of Khulna, working at child affairs desk, said, “In the correction center, a child has to stay with serious crime convicts. Staying a long times with those convicts, it becomes a tough task for a child to correct himself in future life.”

For the first time, the Children

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Uddin, additional DIG of police, and Jean Lieby, chief of child protection section of UNICEF Bangladesh were present as special guests. Among others, Monjurul Imam, judge of additional district and session court of Jessore and Dilruba Sultana, judge additional metropolitan session judge of Khulna also spoke at the meeting.

Justice Hassan said if the field-level officials go in right direction, only then we would get a positive outcome from the Children Act. There are some limitations and barriers, which we are trying to address. But still we need to work for the betterment of child future. l

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Fajr: 5:25am | Zohr: 1:15pm Asr: 4:15pm | Magrib: 5:41pm Esha: 7:45pm Source: Islamic Foundation

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Production at many factories comes to a halt due to gas crisis Khoda Sobuj, n Kudrote Kushtia Industrial development and economic growth in Kushtia have remained stalled due to lack of gas connection.

According to local sources, production of heavy industries including BRB Cables Industries, TPT Cables, Kiam Metal Industries, BRB polymer Ltd, M B Plywood Industries, MRS Industries, Bulbul Textiles, Northern Jute Manufacturing, Nasir Tobacco, Woodland Plywood, Taj Textile Industries and Al Madina Industries have been hampered due to lack of power.

Besides the heavy industries, there are 50,000 cottage and 500 medium industries in the district.

Production of the industries is also hampered for want of power connection.

The govt had taken a project named Gas Sector Development 2, with the help of Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 2006 to set up

gas line in five districts in Southern-Eastern area of Bangladesh.

ADB decided that 165 kilometre pipe line would be set up at Bheramara, Kushtia which would connect Khulna and Jhenaidha.

In 2009, a bill of Tk600 crore was passed in 2009 at a meeting of ECNEC to connect gas line in the area.

The timeline to connect the lines in Kushtia, Jessore, Khulna, Bagerhat and Jhenidha was January 31, 2012. But due to negligence of the authority, the work has not been done.

Meanwhile, the time has been extended to June, 2017 to build up the lines.

Sundarbans Gas Company Limited (SGCL) has taken steps under Petrobangla to set up the gas lines.

SGCL Director SM Rezaul Islam said the gas-lines would be provided only in Sadar upazila area.

The consumers would have to wait more days to get the power as

there were some irregularities, said Rezaul.

A 165 kilometre-long pipeline had been set up from Bheramara to Arongghata, Khulna.

SM Kaderi Shakil, vice-president of Kushtia Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said: “The traders were very interested to build up industries in the district due to favorable environmen, transport conditions and cheap labours. But now they have to face critical situation due to the power crisis.”

Prof Jurmat Ali of Kushtia Halsha Degree College, said: “The traders have to buy gas slender to run the industry as there is no gas line.”

Monirul Islam, director of M B Plywood Industries, said: “We have established the industry in the area for good labour, well communication and friendly environment. But, now we are worried with our business as the government has not yet established power line.” l

139,000 pre-paid meters to be installed in Chittagong n Anwar Hussain, Chittagong With a view to reducing system loss, pilferage and bill arrears, Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has undertaken an initiative to install a total of 1.39 lakh pre-paid meters in the premier port city.

The installation work of the prepaid metres is set to begin from November of this year. Residential and commercial consumers of the city’s four electricity distribution areas – Agrabad, Khulshi, Pahartali and Stadium – will be brought under the pre-paid metering system in phases.

According to the BPDB sources, the pre-paid metering project is a part of installing 2.2 million meters across the country to modernise electricity billing system.

Mentionable that the project which was approved in the Executive Committee of National Economic Council in 2009, remained stalled for a long time due to various complexities. So far, the project deadline has been extended three times.

The BPDB inked an agreement with Chinese firm ‘Hexing Electrical Company Ltd’ in March of this

year to implement the colossal project titled ‘Pre-Payment Metering Project for Distribution Southern Zone, (Chittagong Phase-1)’ will cost around Tk137 crore.

Of the total cost of the project, Tk100 crore will be spent for procuring pre-paid metres and other accessories while the remaining money will be spent for developing infrastructure.

Engineer Kamal Uddin Ahmed, director of the pre-paid metre project said about 5,200 pre-paid meters had already reached from China as first consignment.

“Rest of the pre-paid metres is expected to arrive by the end of this year. The pre-paid metering system will be introduced in the port city by December 2017,” said the project director.

Md Azharul Islam, Chief Engineer of BPDB, Chittagong said the second phase of the project was likely to begin within three to four months and 1.50 lakh conventional metres would be replaced by the pre-paid ones.

Earlier, 20,000 power subscribers in Agrabad and Khulshi areas of the port city were brought under the pre-paid billing system in 2007. l

Munshiganj Hospital yet to be functional n Tanjil Hasan, Munshiganj The opening of the newly built building of the Munshiganj General Hospital has been delayed as construction has passed the deadline for handover.

But this delay in handover is causing further disruption in healthcare of the people of Munshiganj. This is also causing a delay with recruitment of personnel.

Although the Civil Surgeon Dr Shahidul Islam said that government has sufficient consultants to be appointed after the inauguration of the new building.

Funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the new building cost Tk33 crore to build and most of it was completed almost a year ago and was scheduled to open to the public last July.

But electrical connections, air conditioning, kitchen, water pumps and the construction of power stations has not been completed yet forcing

the new handing over date to January 2017.

The civil surgeon told Dhaka Tribune: “Public Works Department (PWD) Executive Engineer told me that this building will be handed over to the hospital authority in January.

Many complications including the cancelation of tender has delayed the opening.”

Meanwhile, with nearly 1.5 million residents in the district, the 100-bed hospital has been struggling to provide sufficient healthcare.

Patients allege that not only do doctors little to zero time to properly constult with their patients but they also have to use the floor of the hospital as a bed because there is only 50 beds available at the hospital.

Public Works Department (PWD) Executive Engineer Md Abul Hossain addressed the patients concerns, saying:“The new building will be handed over to the hospital authority as soon as the finishing work is completed.” l

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

RU admission question paper cites wrong date of Bangabandhu’s death n Abdullah Al Dulal, Rajshai

The question paper for the admission test of Rajshahi University law department held yesterday contained a question that cited a wrong date for the brutal assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

One set of the question papers cited the date as August 15, 2016 instead of August 15, 1975.

Students who sat the admission test yesterday morning became agitated at the mistake and protested it.

Bangladesh Chhatra League leader Rashedul Islam Ranju of RU unit said the university authorities should be careful about such dates.

“We do not want such a mistake from the RU authorities,” he added.

Abu Naser Mohammad Wahed, chairman of the law department, said it was an unwanted mistake. He apologised for the mistake.

Vice-Chancellor Md Mizan Uddin said: “We convey our apology for the incident and we will be careful in future.” l

Admission seekers of Rajshahi University are seen coming out of a centre after appearing intake test of 2017-18 academic sessions

RU TEACHER REZAUL MURDER

Family upset by sluggish progress of case Police yet to submit charge sheet in six months Islamic outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujaministration take steps to move the n Rokshana Yesmin hideen of Bangaldesh, gave a concase forward saying: “We do not Six months have already passed since the killing of Rajshahi University teacher Prof AFM Rezaul Karim Siddique, but no charge sheet has been pressed by the police yet.

On April 23, suspected Islamic extremists hacked him to death in Shalbagan area of Rajshahi city. Rezaul Karim Siddique was a teacher of the Department of English at Rajshahi University.

Risayet Imtiaz Saurav, son of Rezaul Karim told the Dhaka Tribune that the family is frustrated over the slow progress of the case.

They wanted a submission of the charge sheet after the arrest of main accused, Shariful Islam.

He said: “We are hoping that police will conclude investigation of the case soon.”

Rezwana Hasin Sotobhi, daughter of Rezaul Karim Siddique, said they had become frustrated, as police could not a submit charge sheet over the killing. She said: “We heard that main accused of the case is now in India, he went into hiding soon after the killing.”

Md Shahidullah, a teacher of the department and President of Shikhak Samity, demanded the ad-

want to lose any teacher.”

Professor Masud Akktar, another teacher of the department, said: “Six months have passed after the killing of Rezaul Karim sir. In the six months, teachers and students of Bangladesh observed many agitation programmes, but to no avail.”

Sources at police said investigation of the case was on the right track. Police would submit charge sheet of the case at the right time.

After the murder of Rezaul Karim, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Health Minister Mohammad Nasim visited the university and assured of a speedy trial.

According to police sources, four accused of the case had been killed in crossfire in separate places across the country.

Of the accused, Nazrul Islam alias Bike Hasan was killed in Rajshahi while Tareq Hasan alias Nilu Osman, Sultan Mahmud alias Kamal in Dhaka and Ripon in Bogra.

Apart from this, police have arrested 12 people so far in connection with the killing. Of the arrestees, four people, including Maskawath Hasan Sakib, a leader of the banned

fessional statement before a court.

Another accused of the case, Hafizur Rahman, an activist of Shibir, was killed in police custody.

Rezaus Sadik, inspector of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) and also investigation officer of the case, said they had almost completed their investigation.

“We will submit a charge sheet of the case soon,” he said.

Spokesman of the RMP Iftekhayer Alam said they were trying to arrest Shariful Islam, the main accused of the case.

After the murder, investigators said Rezaul Karim Siddique was an easy target for the fresh members of New JMB militant group who wanted to show their ability to their high-commanders.

On the day of the murder, Risayet Imtiaz Saurav filed a case with Boalia police station.

Seven militants, who were told that Prof Rezaul was an atheist, took part in the killing mission.

Some of them were unaware of the fact that the music enthusiast teacher used to donate to a madrasa and a mosque at his village home in Baghmara area of the district. l

AZAHAR UDDIN

19 testify in Shyamal Kanti humiliation case n Tanveer Hossain, Naraynganj A court yesterday in Narayanganj recorded depositions of 19 witnesses into the incident of public humiliation of school teacher Shyamal Kanti Bhakta in Narayanganj.

A three-member team led by Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Hafizur Rahman from Dhaka reached Narayanganj in the morning to carry on their two-day investigation, Narayanganj Chief Judicial Magistrate Shahidul Islam was accompanying the team members, said court sources.

The court recorded depositions of 19 witnesses including Class X student Rifat Hassan of Piyar Sattar Latif High School, who complained against Shyamal to the school authorities.

On May 13, Shyamal Kanti was assaulted on the school premises by a mob claiming that he had committed blasphemy against Islam.

Later, he was also made to do squats holding his ears in presence of local Jatiya Party lawmaker AKM Salim Osman.

The teacher later told media that he had been made a victim of conspiracy by some teachers and members of the managing committee. Then, a general diary was filed with Bandar police station.

After the humiliation incident

which created massive outrage across the country, Kanti was undergoing treatment for several days at a hospital in Naraynganj and Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Seeking apology, Salim Osman also told journalists that he was compelled to make Shyamal Kanti to do squats holding his ears in order to save the teacher from a mob.

On May 17, the school’s managing committee sacked the teacher with effect from May 13 showing four reasons, including allegations of physically assaulting students and making disparaging statements against Islam.

Later, Education Ministry dismissed the school’s managing body and reinstated Shyamal Kanti based on the findings of the probe report.

On May 18, a High Court bench issued a suo-moto rule asking why legal proceedings should not be taken against those, including the MP. The court also ordered Narayanganj district administration to submit a report on what lawful measures had been taken after the incident.

Shyamal Kanti Bhakta returned to his workplace on July 11three months after he was sacked by the school’s management committee and was later reinstated by the Ministry of Education. l

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8 World

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

SOUTH ASIA

IS, Pakistani Taliban claim killing of police officer ISfighters and the Pakistani Taliban on Monday said they killed a police official in northwest Pakistan, the second attack in the south Asian nation claimed by the Middle East-based militant group in just over a month. The killings follow an announcement by the military last month that it had stemmed IS’s attempts to expand in Pakistan. REUTERS

INDIA

4 killed in India-Pakistan cross-border shelling Shelling across the border between India and Pakistan killed 2 Pakistani civilians, an Indian soldier and a boy, military officials from the two sides said on Monday, as tension between the nuclear-armed neighbours simmers.

India’s military said the firing occurred in the Pura, Pargwal and Kanachak sectors. REUTERS

CHINA

Blast kills 7, injures 100 in China A powerful blast at a prefabricated house in northwestern China on Monday killed at least seven people and injured 94. The explosion, whose cause was as yet unknown, occurred in the early afternoon in the town of Xinmin in Shaanxi province, damaging dozens of buildings including the local hospital. Four of the injured were in intensive care, it said. REUTERS

ASIA PACIFIC

Unofficial US-North Korea talks held in Malaysia A group of former US diplomats held closed door talks at the weekend with senior Pyongyang officials, even as international efforts gather pace to further isolate North Korea, diplomatically and economically. The two-day meeting in Kuala Lumpur, which was confirmed by the South Korean and US governments, was the latest in a series of unofficial talks between them. AFP

MIDDLE EAST

Russia rules out early renewal of Aleppo ceasefire

Russia, blaming failures by the USled coalition and meagre hopes for diplomacy, on Monday ruled out early moves to renew its ceasefire in Aleppo after a brief truce ended at the weekend. Heavy fighting resumed in the devasted Syrian city on Saturday after Russia, a government ally, ended its threeday cessation of hostilities. AFP

India police kill 24 Maoists in Odisha n AFP, New Delhi Indian police on Monday killed 24 insurgents in a shoot-out in eastern India, one of the heaviest casualties inflicted in recent years on the Maoists who are waging a long-running insurgency.

Police said one commando was also killed after they ambushed at least 40 Maoist insurgents gathered at a forest camp near the border of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh states, triggering the gunbattle.

“A total of 24 Maoists are dead, seven of them are women. We have identified seven bodies so far,” Mitrabhanu Mahapatra, the police chief of Malkangiri district where the clash occurred, said.

Weapons including four AK-47s and three self-loading rifles were recovered from the scene, some 640km from the state capital Bhubaneswar, said another officer, local sub-inspector C K Dharua.

India’s Maoist insurgency began in the 1960s, inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, and has since cost thousands of lives.

The rebels, described by former prime minister Manmohan Singh as India’s most serious internal security threat, say they are fighting authorities for land, jobs and other rights for poor tribal groups.

Ten paramilitary commandos were killed in July in the eastern state of Bihar after suspected Maoist rebels ambushed their convoy and set off a series of homemade bombs.

MAOIST/NAXAL AFFECTED DISTRICTS

Deadliest incident

In March suspected insurgents triggered a powerful landmine blast in the central state of Chhattisgarh, killing seven policemen.

The South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP) website, which tracks separatist violence, said the Maoist casualties were the heaviest suffered in a single incident in the last few years.

The insurgency has claimed more than 7,000 civilian lives between 2005 and 2016, according to SATP.

Maoist sympathiser and author Varavara Rao cast doubt on the police description of Monday’s clash as a shoot-out.

“Cops surrounded a Maoist meeting and shot them in cold blood and terming it as an encounter...” Rao told the Indian Express.

“The influence of Maoists has come down and they have not launched any major attacks. So what was the reason for such drastic action against them?”

The insurgents operate in at least 20 Indian states but are

most active in the forested and resource-rich areas of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh.

They draw recruits from tribal communities whose members are often desperately poor and living in underdeveloped areas neglected by successive governments.

Government critics say attempts to end the revolt through tough security offensives are doomed to fail, and the real solution is better governance and development of the region. l

EXPLAINER

Root of Indian Maoists and Naxalites n Tribune International Desk

Maoists are also known as “Naxalites” because of the violent left-wing uprising in 1967, which began in the West Bengal village of Naxalbari.

Although this was eventually quashed by police, over the years India’s Maoists have regrouped and asserted control over vast swathes of land in central and eastern India, establishing a so-called “red corridor”.

This spans the states of Jharkand, West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh and also reaches into Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka.

The Maoists and affiliated groups are active in more than a third of India’s 600-odd districts, the authorities say.

And more than 6,000 people have died in the rebels’ long fight for communist rule in these states.

Maoism Maoism originated in China as a form of Communist theory derived from the teachings of the Chinese political leader Mao Zedong. Developed during 1950s and 1960s ,It was widely applied as the political and military guiding ideology of the Communist Party of China till 197778. It emphasised the advancement of people’s social and economic life by establishing a classless society through armed revolution. It was rooted in the anti-imperialist struggle and supported armed revolution in order to achieve political transformation. Maoism sees the agrarian peasantry, rather than the working class, as the key revolutionary force which can fundamentally transform capitalist society towards socialism. Holding philosophy that “Power flow from the barrel of the gun”.

Naxalism Naxalism originated In India as a rebel-

lion against lack of development and poverty at the local level in the rural parts of eastern India. The term ‘Naxal’ derives its name from a village called Naxalbari in the State of West Bengal where the movement had its origin. Initially their ideology comprises of Marx and Lenin.Later on they also influenced by communist theory of Mao Zedong.

Difference between them Maoism wants to take control of government and run their own government to enforce their ideology on whole country.

During uprising of Maoism in china it became political and military guiding ideology of the Communist Party of China.

So here we can see Maoism ideology as a national ideology of Mao Zedong while during uprising of Naxalism it was a workers (rural area) revolt against their masters and landlords against marginalisation of the poor or rural areas.

Maoism aim was to fundamentally

transform country towards socialism while Naxalism which originated in India was anger of worker class people.

Now, Naxalite following Moist theory to achieve the same. Through the merger of the People’s War and the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC), Communist Party of India (Maoist) was formed in 2004 which aims to overthrow the government of India through people’s war. Now a days Naxalite work mostly under the influence of the CPI-Maoist. It is currently proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the Indian government for organizing mass killings in furtherance of their ideology.

So initially there were some difference in ideology of Naxalism And Maoism during their uprising but now Naxalites follow Maoist ideologies to achieve the same. l

Sources: TOI, HT, BBC

9

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

On Syria border, Mosul refugees trapped under IS fire n AFP, Syria They have escaped the Islamic State group stronghold of Mosul but hundreds of Iraqis seeking refuge in neighbouring war-torn Syria are now trapped on the border under jihadist fire.

As hungry and thirsty children wander in tears between makeshift tents, a motorbike suddenly roars towards the encampment in the Rajm al-Salibeh border area, just inside Syrian territory.

Syrian Kurdish fighters manning the border open fire, fearing an IS scout, or even a suicide bomb attacker.

The vehicle disappears from view but then re-emerges and is again met by fire from the Kurdish forces a second time before it retreats.

The incident heightens the tension and fear at the border, where Iraqis fleeing IS-held Mosul ahead of an army operation to recapture the city are seeking refuge in their war-torn neighbour.

Around him in the desert, hundreds of Iraqis waited in the heat.

Despite the war that is ravaging Syria and has displaced millions of its residents, the Iraqis are desperate

n Tribune International Desk Your Majesty” isn’t in the American political lexicon. But when a president sets a major policy by edict, skirting Congress, it invariably sets off a debate that traces back to the time of kings and queens - and the Founding Fathers who rejected the authority of the crown, reports The Associated Press.

Lawmakers cry foul when a president, especially of the other party, usurps their authority through executive action. Defenders say it can be the only way to get something done when those lawmakers tie everything up in knots.

President Barack Obama has used his executive authority expansively, most notably on the issue of immigration, on which he moved unilaterally to curb deportations for millions of immigrants in this country illegally.

The Supreme Court deadlocked in June over the major portion of the immigration executive actions, effectively killing the plan for the rest of Obama’s presidency. He’s tested the limits of executive authority in other areas, too, as have

USA

13 killed in California bus crash

to reach the UN-run Al-Hol refugee camp in Syria’s Hasakeh province.

The wait is long: this group has been stuck on a stretch of Syrian border for 10 days, with IS-held Iraqi territory just behind them.

A tour bus crashed into the back of a tractor-trailer on a Southern California highway before dawn on Sunday, killing 13 people and injuring 31. The bus was travelling west on Interstate 10 when the crash occurred near Palm Springs.

Because of the bus’ speed, the truck’s trailer pushed about 15 feet into the bus. REUTERS

Trapped on the frontline

THE AMERICAS

Kurdish and Arab fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces man earth berms on the border, and regularly skirmish with IS fighters coming from Iraq.

The jihadists sometimes send scouts to see where people have gathered and then launch mortar shells at fleeing civilians.

Local officials say the delays are necessary to prevent IS fighters from entering the country and the camp.

Al-Hol lies some 200km from Mosul, territory that those fleeing must navigate mostly on foot, dodging IS mines and sniper fire intended to keep civilians from escaping.

The waiting families lie on blankets under makeshift fabric tents that shade them from the blazing sun.

Men and women haul heavy bags stuffed with their remaining belongings, as barefoot and in

Venezuelan assembly declares ‘coup’ by Maduro

An Iraqi refugee women sits with her child as they wait to enter Syria in the desert area of Rajam al-Saliba on the Iraq-Syria border south of al-Hol in Syria’s Hassakeh province on October 22 AFP some cases visibly malnourished children nibble biscuits that temporarily distract them from crying.

Hungry, thirsty

“The heat and the hunger are killing us,” said Nawal, dressed in black.

“At night it is so cold we dig a hole to bury our hands in and warm them up,” she added, sitting with her three children in a group of other women.

At Al-Hol, the camp is being expanded to accommodate the

refugees already arriving and the many more who are expected to come as the operation to recapture Mosul advances.

Some 6,000 people have been at the camp for around the last two years, and it is being expanded to receive 30,000 people.

On Friday, the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR said 912 Iraqis had arrived at the camp in recent days.

But for those trapped on the border, the process is not moving fast enough. l

Executive authority: Why it matters 14 DAYS REMAIN

DT

World

THE US PRESIDENTIAL RACE

Oct 24

Collated opinion poll results in %

45%

Democrat Hillary

Clinton

40%

Republican

39.2 Election Nov 8, 2016

30

Donald

Trump

Libertarian

20

Gary

Johnson

10

6.1

Ecologist Jill

Stein

0

2.3 June

July

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

Source: RealClearPolitics

presidents before him.

Where they stand

On immigration, Democrat Hillary Clinton has pledged that as president she would work to restore the Obama programs and go further. Republican Donald Trump said he would make sure Obama’s “unconstitutional actions” never come back.

But Republicans including House Speaker Paul Ryan have been openly concerned about some of Trump’s comments that suggest he, too, might pursue an “imperial presidency.” He’s supported reinstating waterboarding and other extreme forms of torture; has indicated he would

revisit libel protections of journalists, notwithstanding the First Amendment; and has suggested the military would follow his orders even if illegal.

Why it matters

Obama claimed that congressional inaction gave him no choice but to act on his own on immigration.

Indeed, as long as the House remains in GOP hands, action on a comprehensive immigration bill is unlikely, making presidential initiative a major arena of advancement on that issue.

However, the Constitution created a system of checks and balances meant to ensure that America could not be hijacked

into becoming a monarchy like the one from which the nation had just freed itself. Republicans argue that under Obama, an undue amount of authority has accrued in the executive branch, and that to ensure the intended functioning of our democracy, that power must be checked. In this election season, a few lawmakers, including Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, have campaigned on promises to check executive power next year no matter who is in the White House.

Obama has also used his executive authority to change certain elements of his health care law, and has flexed his authority in other areas as well, like the environment. The White House even mulled closing the Guantanamo Bay prison via executive action, though the administration ultimately did not pursue that route.

In 2014 Obama famously promised to get around a balky, GOP-led Congress with the tools at his disposal, saying “I’ve got a pen, and I’ve got a phone” and pledging to use his pen to sign executive orders “that move the ball forward.” l

Find more stories on US presidential election at www.dhakatribune.com

Venezuela’s opposition-majority legislature declared Sunday that President Nicolas Maduro’s government had committed a coup d’etat by blocking a referendum on removing him from power. Furious over the electoral authorities’ decision to suspend the process of organising a recall vote, opposition lawmakers passed a resolution declaring the breakdown of constitutional order and a coup d’etat committed by the Nicolas Maduro regime. AFP

UK

Scottish leader frustrated at Brexit talks with May Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned Monday she would not watch her country driven off a hard Brexit cliff as she voiced frustration at her latest talks with British Prime Minister Theresa May. The nationalist leader has threatened a second vote on independence for Scotland if it does not have continued access to Europe’s single market after Britain leaves the European Union. AFP

EUROPE

French surveillance plane crashes in Malta A reconnaissance plane working for France’s defence ministry crashed in a ball of flames at Malta’s international airport on Monday, killing all 5 people on board. The plane plummeted into the ground nosefirst shortly after taking off for an undisclosed surveillance mission from the island, which lies just 350km north of Tripoli, the capital of conflict-torn Libya. AFP

AFRICA

UN: Clashes in Somalia displace 75,000 More than 75,000 people have fled their homes and 18 have been killed during three weeks of clashes in Somalia, the United Nations said on Monday, warning that women and children sleeping in the open will suffer as the rainy season looms.

Clashes erupted on Saturday and Monday between forces loyal to the two semi-autonomous regions of Puntland and Galmudug in the town of Galkayo, it said. REUTERS

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World

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

INSIGHT

Egyptians losing patience with Sisi n Reuters, Cairo A cartoon which appeared on social media shows a drowning Egyptian, only his hand protruding from the depths, waving for help. The next strips show President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi diving in, taking the drowning man’s watch and turning away.

The cartoon captures the mood of desperation and anger among Egyptians clobbered by tax rises, soaring food price inflation and cuts in state subsidies. Some fear a repeat of the mass street protests that drove Sisi’s two immediate predecessors from power.

Core inflation is at seven-yearhighs, near 14%, as a foreign exchange shortage and a hike in customs duties bite hard in a country that imports everything from sugar to luxury cars.

The government raised electricity prices by 25-40% in August and is phasing in a 13% value-added tax approved by parliament in the same month.

As part of reforms aimed at clinching a $12bn IMF loan needed to plug its gaping budget deficit, the government is also expected to cut petrol subsidies and devalue the Egyptian pound, prompting a further cycle of inflation in Egypt, where tens of millions rely on state-subsidized bread.

“Prices are rising daily, not monthly,” said Gamal Darwish, a civil servant, as he queued to buy subsidised sugar in Cairo.

“This situation will push people to do bad things. It could slip out of hand and the government will not be able to control it because if the poorest cannot get enough to eat they will steal. If someone has children to feed, what will he do?”

The government has tried to win public support for the austerity measures with a billboard campaign and media blitz and has also

ABDEL FATTAH AL-SISI Nov 19, 1954: Born in Cairo 1977: Graduates from Egyptian Military Academy, quickly climbing army ranks despite lack of combat experience 1992: Continues military training in Britain. Gains master’s degree at U.S. Army War College in 2006 Feb 2011: Becomes head of military intelligence following ousting of President Hosni Mubarak Aug 2012: Appointed head of armed forces and defence minister

by Egypt’s first democratically elected president, Mohamed Morsi July 2013: Leads overthrow of Morsi following nationwide protests Jan 2014: Sisi promoted to highest rank of Field Marshal Mar 26, 2014: Sisi resigns from military to stand for presidency Picture: Associated Press

© GRAPHIC NEWS

sought to expand social security schemes to shield the poorest from the effects of the rising prices.

But many Egyptians who would not qualify for such schemes complain they can no longer afford meat, while sugar shortages have driven fears of an impending food crisis.

Social justice was one of the key demands made by protesters during the 2011 revolt that ended Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year rule. In 2013 Egyptians again filled the streets to protest against Mohammed Mursi, the Muslim Brotherhood official who was democratically elected after the uprising but presided over a year of power cuts, petrol shortages and economic turmoil.

Three years after Sisi, an army general, ousted Mursi and seized power, his promise to restore stability is wearing thin.

The arrival of sugar in a government van caused a frenzy in the working class district of Sayyida Zeinab on Tuesday, as people jostled, 10-pound-notes in hand, for 2-kilo rations.

“After two revolutions, the Egyptian people are going backwards not forwards,” said Abdel Hasib Ahmed Mohamed, a middle-aged court employee watching the sugar scrum.

“We are heading for an explosion and this time it won’t be peaceful.”

No easy answers

For the government, the case for economic reforms and the need to seal a planned three-year lending program with the International Monetary Fund is clear.

Egypt’s economy is likely to grow 3.5% in the 2016/17 fiscal year, a Reuters poll showed on Thursday, missing the government’s target of about 5% and dipping below last year’s growth rate.

The budget deficit is near 10% of national output. The foreign currency shortage has made it hard for firms to import and foreign investors to repatriate profit. Some have shut shop after nearly two years of capital and import controls.

Dollar rationing at banks has

EGYPT’S ECONOMY IN NUMBERS 2015 $46.1bn

$16.4bn

$6.7bn

Net external debt

Net International Reserves (NIR)

Maximum tourism revenue expected in 2015, or at least 10% below last year’s $7.5bn, according to Minister of Tourism Hisham Zaazou speaking to Reuters in early December. The sector suffered a blow when international airlines and travel agencies suspended flights to Egypt following the crash of a Russian airliner departing fro the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh on 31 October, which killed all 224 people on board. The attack was claimed by the ISIS terrorist group.

as of end of September, or 12.6% of GDP, compared to $41.3bn at the beginning of January.

0.3% Increase in Egypt’s trade deficit of $28.6bn recorded for the first 9 months of 2015, compared to $28.5bn in the same period of 2014.

22% Year-to-date drop in the value of EGX30, Egypt’s main stock index.

Sources: Central Bank of Egypt, Egyptian Stock Exchange Suez Canal Authority, Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Planning

at the Central Bank of Egypt by the end of November, up from $15.3 at the beginning of January.

Oil-rich Gulf nations pledged $12bn in aid to Egypt at the March economic summit.

12.8% September 2015, the 5th highest rate in the world, according to Forbes on 28 December 2015. Egypt has a large informal economy.

Average GDP growth rate from January to end of

June, with following quarter’s growth rate expected at “below 5%,” according to recent statements by minister of planning. Latest IMF forecasts put 2015 growth rate at 4.2%

REUTERS

$5bn Net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country from

January to end of September, compared to $3.8bn in the first 9 months of 2014.

Decrease in the official value of the Egyptian Pound against the US dollar since January, as the Central Bank staged a series of devaluations under Governor Hisham Ramez and a revaluation under his successor Tarek Amer to reach an official rate of LE7.73 to the dollar, compared to a black market rate of around LE8.50.

3.8%

dollars when it is meant to be cutting spending.

The pound’s continued depreciation on the black market since the IMF deal was announced in August also poses a big challenge.

If the central bank makes a meagre adjustment in the exchange rate, economists say, downward pressure will continue to mount on the pound. But if it makes a £6-8 adjustment, the political and social impact could be explosive.

Although the black market rate is already priced in across much of the private sector, a steep devaluation would prove costly for the government, which imports thousands of tonnes a month of vital commodities including wheat and oil for its food subsidy program as well as gas for its power stations.

Rumours have spread that November 11 will be a day of protest over economic conditions. Police have already detained about 70 people for inciting protests, accusing many of loyalty to the Muslim Brotherhood. Under Sisi the Islamist group has been banned as a terrorist organisation - a charge it rejects.

“Food price inflation in Egypt .... fell a bit year-on-year in September, but for the poor it is still for me at a level that is politically toxic,” said Angus Blair, Chief Operating Officer at Pharos Holding, a Cairo-based investment bank. “It is a worry, especially with calls for a demo on November 11.”

No vision Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

January to end of November.

Annual revenue had reached $5.5bn in 2014

9.5%

Unemployment rate as of end of

driven businesses toward the black market where the dollar is now selling for more than £15.5 - a huge mark-up from the official rate of about 8.8.

Egypt’s IMF program has yet to win the lender’s final approval because the government must first muster $6bn in bilateral financing, giving it the cash buffer it needs to devalue and ditch its fixed exchange rate. The IMF has said it is helping Egypt to secure the necessary funds.

The government said this week it had secured 60 percent of the bilateral funds, boosting foreign reserves to $19.6bn in September.

Central Bank Governor Tarek Amer has said he would consider floating the pound once reserves hit $25bn.

But the rising prices and periodic shortages in state-subsidised food have forced the government to increase its purchases, burning rapidly through those newfound

$6.7bn Suez Canal revenue from

In his speeches, Sisi has sought to persuade Egyptians that a collec-

10.3% Average annual inflation* for first 11

months of 2015. Headline CPI inflation hit a 5-year peak of 13.1% in May due to price shocks of volatile food items.

tive sacrifice is necessary to save the country from financial ruin, even urging people to donate fakka, or spare change, in comments that drew online derision.

But Sisi, who has crushed the Brotherhood and jailed secular dissenters, has also warned that the army could be deployed within six hours in case of trouble on the streets.

There has been no sign so far of the mass protests of 2011 or 2013, though anger over an increase in social housing costs turned into a street demonstration by hundreds last week in Port Said, near the mouth of the strategic Suez Canal.

Fear for the future is not limited to poorer Egyptians, and businessmen who struggle daily with the dollar crisis are among the most concerned.

“The dollar crunch is so bad that things have been piling up at the port for a long time and you cannot get them out. Dollars are not available... and the situation is deteriorating,” said Ashraf Morcos, who runs an import-export company.

Some new policies seem at odds with the government’s reform drive. For example, the Supply Minister said this week the state would increase, not cut, subsidies on food smart cards, which give Egyptians points to claim against bread and other items.

“This government has no vision, it is not transparent about its policies,” said Morcos. “At this point, the country doesn’t need rhetoric.

People need their basic necessities, to eat and drink...” l

Tensions in Bulgaria refugee camp as migrants protest n AFP, Sofia Tensions mounted Monday inside Bulgaria's largest refugee camp as several hundred Afghan migrants launched a protest demanding they be allowed to continue their journey toward western Europe, a rights group said.

Some 300 people demonstrated at the Harmanli reception centre near the Turkish border, the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights said.

"They are protesting the fact that they're being held in Bulgaria against their will and want to continue to Serbia and from there to western Europe," spokeswoman Iliana Savova said.

The Bulgarian interior ministry confirmed there were "tensions" inside the centre, which houses 3,800 migrants. Officials added that negotiations with the striking Afghans were ongoing.

Some 13,000 illegal migrants remain stranded in-

Bulgarian riot policemen stand guard in front of the Harmanli Refugee centre during an anti-migrants protest in the town of Harmanli, near the Bulgarian border with Turkey AFP side Bulgaria, after other key transit countries along the western Bproalkan route shut their borders earlier this year.

Around 70% are Afghans and 12% Syrians, according to government data.

Bulgaria recently announced a near doubling of its capacities to house asylum-seekers, paid for with EU funds, as the bloc's poorest member state struggles

to cope with the continent's worst migrant crisis since World War II. The government said Friday it planned to open three new camps near the border with Turkey, home to around three million refugees mostly from neighbouring Syria.

Bulgaria has also built a barbed wire fence that will soon cover most of its 259km border with Turkey. l

11

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

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12 Business

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

TOP STORIES

Eurozone business activity picks up Eurozone business activity picked up strongly in October to a 10-month high, recovering from a dip in September, as economic powerhouse Germany led the way, a closely watched survey showed yesterday. PAGE 13

ADB: Poor energy base, lack of export diversificaiton bar to economic growth in Bangladesh n Kayes Sohel

China tech giants bet on ‘Uber for bikes’ China’s tech industry giants are ploughing hundreds of millions of dollars into what they’re betting will be the country’s next big internet craze - ‘Uber for bikes’. PAGE 14

Most Asian markets up but early dollar rally fades Shanghai led a broad rally across Asian stock markets yesterday on hopes China will unveil fresh economy-boosting measures, while the dollar’s early strength waned through the day. PAGE 15

Capital market snapshot: Monday DSE Broad Index

4,693.7

0.0% ▲

Index

1,119.6

0.2% ▲

30 Index

1,757.5

0.2% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk

6,448.9

13.7% ▲

Turnover in Mn Vol

161.6 -16.3% ▼

CSE All Share Index 14,419.3 30 Index Selected Index Turnover in Mn Tk Turnover in Mn Vol

12,918.8

0.0% ▲ -0.1% ▼

8,770.0

0.0% ▲

369.8

-3.2% ▼

11.5 -28.4% ▼

Lack of energy infrastructure, uncertainties in property ownership and lack of export diversification are significant barriers to productive economic growth in Bangladesh, says a new ADB study.

In its study report on Bangladesh Consolidating Export-led Growth: Country Diagnostics Study released recently, ADB said Bangladesh has transformed its economy over the last two decades, graduating to middle-income status, as the average annual growth remained strong at 5%–6%.

But the country’s goal to become an upper middle-income country by 2021 will require even stronger annual growth of 7.5%–8%.

The study argues that some of the policies that allowed Bangladesh to prosper in the last few years will become less effective, and the economy will need to “switch gears” to consolidate the growth momentum over the medium term.

It finds that the most critical

constraints to growth are insufficient reliable energy supply, policies that indirectly stunt development of economic activities unrelated to ready-made garment exports, and insufficient security about property and land rights due in part to inadequate registry

Unless the current energy supply gap can be bridged, Bangladesh’s long-term economic growth rate will continue to underperform systems. If policies are designed to urgently tackle these constraints, Bangladesh will be free to harness its potential for inclusive and sustainable growth.

“The energy supply–demand gap in Bangladesh remains among the main constraints to sustained economic growth,” the study said, adding that unless the current energy supply gap can be bridged, Bangladesh’s long-term economic growth rate will continue to underperform.

Stocks end flat for 2nd day n Kayes Sohel Stocks closed marginally higher for the second straight session yesterday with higher turnover and volatility.

The benchmark index of Dhaka Stock Exchange DSEX witnessed a fractional gain of 0.7 points to settle at 4,693. In the last two sessions, it rose over 1 point.

The DS30 index, comprising blue chips, rose only 3 points to

The supply–demand gap problem has its genesis in four deficiencies – limited participation of private investors in energy projects, inefficient operation of the state-owned oil and gas production company and minimal competition in generation, limited

1,757. The DSE Shariah Index was up 2 points to 1,119.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index CSCX edged 2 points higher to 8,770.

The DSE total turnover stood at Tk645 crore, up around 14% over previous session, supported by block trade and power sector that accounted for over 6% and 18% of the total trade. This is the highest turnover since September 21 this year. l

international oil company investment in exploration and low subsidized tariff rates, ADB said.

“The success of the RMG sector has inadvertently come at the expense of poor growth and limited prospects for diversifying into other sectors. The anti-export bias faced by non-RMG sectors limits competition and product diversification.”

The study suggested that Bangladesh should retool its main economic sectors in the medium term if it wishes to increase its partici-

pation in global value chains.

Such newcomers are software and information and communication technology (ICT), pharmaceuticals, leather products and footwear, and shipbuilding.

The study said access to credit is still limited in Bangladesh.

Banks are not perceived as adequately servicing the loan needs of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs), and interested borrowers find credit requirements too cumbersome to fulfill.

“Interestingly, this seems to be a problem both for large and small firms, and also varies only slightly across sectors.”

The ADB said the poor land registry system means that some cannot prove land ownership, and this in turn makes banks more risk-averse and more likely to require more collateral from loan applicants.

“Limited access to finance curbs SME growth, and thereby, their potential for creating jobs and income.” l

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Business

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Eurozone business activity picks up n AFP, Brussels Eurozone business activity picked up strongly in October to a 10-month high, recovering from a dip in September, as economic powerhouse Germany led the way, a closely watched survey showed yesterday.

Data monitoring company IHS Markit said the October figures were encouraging, after months where the economy has bumped along the bottom and was then badly rattled by Britain’s shock vote to quit the European Union in June.

It said its preliminary October Composite Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for the 19-nation eurozone jumped to 53.7 points from 52.6 in September.

The PMI measures companies’ readiness to spend on their business and so gives a good idea of how the underlying economy is performing.

Any reading above the boombust 50 points line indicates the economy is expanding.

By sector, the PMI for services rose to 53.5 points from 52.2 in Sep-

A worker mounts a tyre at the serial production BMW i3 electric car in the BMW tember while manufacturing hit 53.3 points after 52.6.

IHS Markit said a strong performance in Germany helped offset

continued softness in France, the second largest eurozone economy.

“The eurozone economy showed renewed signs of life at the

REUTERS

start of the fourth quarter, enjoying its strongest expansion so far this year with the promise of more to come,” IHS Markit chief business

GP brings GPAY for wallet service n Ishtiaq Husain Grameenphone Ltd has relaunched its wallet service with a new brand name ‘GPAY’ – a digitised and smart way to avail GP’s existing range of payment services.

To make the lives of its customers easier, Grameenphone (GP) formally launched the service at a programme held at Westin Hotel in the capital yesterday.

Erwan Gelebart, head of mobile financial services (MFS), and Mahmud Hossain, chief corporate affairs officer, along with other senior officials of the leading cellphone operator were present at the launching ceremony.

“With the advent of GPAY, customers will not have to stand in long queues for paying their utility bills or buying train tickets. Instead, they will be able to do it 24/7 from anywhere just with a tap of their finger,” said Erwan Gelebart.

He said GPAY has the largest biller portfolio with 14 utility companies and it is quickly expanding across the country.

Bangladesh strongly needs a cashless ecosystem in the context of Digital Bangladesh vision. As a digital service provider, Grameenphone’s rebranded GPAY Wallet/ app will take Bangladesh one step forward towards digitised citi-

zen-centric services for the mass population especially of the deep rural inhabitants.

GPAY will be a more convenient, future proof and digitised solution for a range of essential services allowing users to pay different utility bills, buy train tickets and perform wallet refill from bank accounts and or MobiCash outlets.

GPAY Wallet lets customers pay their utility bills and refill their own or others GP numbers.

To avail these services customers can refill their GPAY Wallets from nearby MobiCash retail outlets or from selected GPAY partner bank accounts: DBBL Rocket Mobile Banking Account, AB Bank core banking account and Islami Bank mCash account or internet banking.

They can also refill their wallets from any Grameenphone Center.

Customers can easily open a GPAY Wallet by dialing USSD *777#, or downloading mobile application from Google Playstore, or just by typing ‘Reg’ and sending SMS to 1200 or through MobiCash outlets.

Airtime recharge is now possible for both postpaid and prepaid customers of any GP number by dialing *777# or using GPAY App. The GPAY app needs internet connection for usage and GP subscribers’ data usage for the application will be free. l

economist Chris Williamson said in a statement.

“With backlogs of work accumulating at the fastest rate for over five years, business activity growth and hiring look set to accelerate further as we head towards the end of the year,” Williamson said.

He said the figures were consistent with growth of 0.4% in the last three months of 2016, with Germany now expected to gain 0.5%.

While France will be slower at an estimated 0.2-0.3%, “there are various indicators which suggest that France will enjoy stronger growth in coming months,” he said.

In all, “policymakers will be encouraged by signs of both stronger economic growth and rising price pressures,” which could see the European Central Bank ease back on its massive economic stimulus programme.

The eurozone economy grew 0.3% in the three months to June, down sharply from 0.6% in the first quarter.

Third-quarter data is expected next week and most analysts believe it will be in line with the second quarter’s 0.3%. l

Iraq should be exempted from OPEC oil output freeze n Reuters

Abdul Matlub Ahmad, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, addresses the meeting of D-8 Chambers of Commerce and Industry at IZMIR, Turkey on October 21

Iraq should be exempt from OPEC crude output restrictions as it needs the income to fight the war on Islamic State, Oil Minister Jabar Ali al-Luaibi said.

“We are fighting a vicious war,” Luaibi said in a briefing for reporters in Baghdad, adding that Iraq, OPEC’s second-largest producer, should get the same exemption as Nigeria and Libya.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed in Algiers on Sept 28 to reduce production to a range of 32.5 million to 33 million barrels per day, its first output cut since 2008, in order to support prices.

OPEC says it pumped 33.39 million bpd in September.

Iran, Libya and Nigeria, whose output has been hit by sanctions or conflict, have asked to be exempted from the cuts.

Falah al-Amiri, head of Iraq state oil marketer SOMO, said Iraq’s market share had been compromised by the wars it has fought since the 1980s.

“We should be producing 9 million (barrels per day) if it wasn’t for the wars,” he said at the same briefing. “Some countries took our market share.” l

Business

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14

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

China tech giants bet on ‘Uber for bikes’ n Reuters China’s tech industry giants are ploughing hundreds of millions of dollars into what they’re betting will be the country’s next big internet craze - ‘Uber for bikes’.

A symbol of China’s cities long before a boom in cars, snarling traffic and smog, the humble bicycle is making a comeback. Start-ups equipped with smartphone apps, GPS and scannable codes are selling cheap bike-sharing to city-dwellers as the way to beat jams on China’s most clogged streets.

The rush to invest in car ride-hailing apps in China peaked with Didi Chuxing’s acquisition of Uber’s China arm in August, creating a $35bn giant. Now Shanghai’s MoBike and Beijing-based ofo -

A resident scans a code on a bike of MoBike in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China REUTERS both use customised Anglicised branding - have raised big money in the past month alone from bullish investors on the hunt for Chi-

Saudi minister: Oil price down cycle ‘nearing end’ n AFP, Riyadh Saudi Oil Minister Khalid al-Falih said that the current cycle of falling crude prices is close to an end as market fundamentals improve.

Oil prices are currently hovering at around $50 per barrel after hitting a 10-year low of less than $30 in January, down from a peak of more than $100 in mid-2014.

“The current down cycle is nearing an end,” Falih told a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak on Sunday after a Gulf ministerial meeting in Riyadh.

“Market fundamentals, in terms of supply and demand, have begun to improve,” Falih said, adding: “We are optimistic that oil prices will continue to improve in the future.”

Qatar’s energy minister, Mohammed al-Sada, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the OPEC oil exporting cartel, also said the “difficult phase is over”.

“Although the market is heading to being balanced, it needs our joint effort, and we all agreed that we need to take measures to bring back this balance,” he said.

Novak said he and his Gulf counterparts had discussed ways to “develop the best mechanism to solve the issue of stabilisation”.

“We have reached an unprecedented level in our relations and cooperation” with Saudi

Arabia, he told reporters, adding that he agreed with Falih “to continue to work and remain in continuous contact to achieve... concrete mechanisms”.

OPEC has invited Russia and key non-members to a meeting later this month as the cartel and Moscow seek to tighten cooperation to boost historically low crude prices.

The invitation was announced after a meeting between top OPEC energy ministers and Novak in Istanbul, aimed at advancing joint efforts to bolster oil prices whose lows have hurt the highly dependent economies of crude producers.

The cartel and Russia will meet on Monday, ahead of the OPEC technical meeting in Vienna on October 28-29, to which Russia and others have been invited.

Last month at a meeting in Algiers, the cartel agreed its first production cut in eight years, although it remains to be seen how this will be complied with and implemented.

President Nicolas Maduro of OPEC member Venezuela was in Riyadh Sunday for talks a day after calling in Iran for increased cooperation between oil-rich nations to stabilise prices.

Maduro, who is also due to visit Qatar on a Middle East tour, currently faces an economic and political crisis at home, compounded by the collapsing price of oil. l

na’s next tech ‘unicorn’.

MoBike, backed by Chinese internet giant Tencent Holdings among others, closed a $100m funding

round this month, two sources told Reuters. Ofo raised $130m this month from investors including Didi, smartphone maker Xiaomi and US hedge fund Coatue, which has backed Facebook and Google.

“We did not expect there to be so many investors and we did not expect this field to get so hot,” ofo co-founder Zhang Siding, 26, told Reuters in an interview. Zhang was one of five Beijing students who launched the firm in 2015, now charging 1 yuan ($0.15) per hour to rent.

MoBike, also founded in 2015, and ofo say several hundred thousand residents of Chinese cities use the services every day, though tech sector watchers estimate neither yet makes a profit. Neither discloses earnings details.

Each claims to be the first of its

kind in the world, raising the question for the firms and their investors of whether the model could be replicated in other countries.

Mobike: Bringing ‘sexy’ back?

Riders use smartphone apps to unlock and pay the cost of hire, and they are free to leave the bikes wherever their journey ends, a feature ofo and MoBike say is a major plus over traditional rental services, which require bikes to be returned to a parking station. MoBike’s app also allows users to see nearby vacant bikes using a GPS tracking system.

“I find it very convenient, because road traffic is so bad, especially during rush hour,” said Yu Xiaoxia, 29, a teacher in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou who pays 1 yuan per half-hour to use MoBike. l

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Business

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Most Asian markets up but early dollar rally fades n AFP, Hong Kong Shanghai led a broad rally across Asian stock markets yesterday on hopes China will unveil fresh economy-boosting measures, while the dollar’s early strength waned through the day.

Chinese growth has levelled out this year after a painful slowdown, but there are hopes officials will push on with spending measures and reforms, particularly of giant state-owned firms.

“Stabilisation in (China’s) third-quarter economic data has provided support to the broader market,” Wang Zheng, Shanghai-based chief investment officer at Jingxi Investment Management, told Bloomberg News.

“Some big state-owned enterprises are doing well as

there is speculation that the government will accelerate their consolidation to improve efficiency and boost infrastructure spending to further bolster economic growth.”

The upbeat outlook helped push Shanghai up 1.2% by the close, while Hong Kong was one percent higher.

Tokyo ended up 0.3%, Seoul gained 0.7% and Singapore was 0.7% higher in late trade. However, Sydney dipped 0.4%.

In early European trade London gained 0.4% while Frankfurt and Paris each increased 0.3%.

On currency markets the dollar retreated after a promising start that was fuelled by growing expectations of a US interest rate rise by year-end.

With the US economy showing increasing signs

of recovery, experts say a Federal Reserve increase in December is all but certain.

However, traders cashed in after the greenback’s morning gains.

US election in focus

The US unit was also down against most high-yielding and riskier currencies, having been up in the morning.

The Australian dollar, South Korean won and Malaysian ringgit all rebounded healthily. But the yuan fell to a sixyear low against the dollar.

Speeches by several Fed officials later in the week will be pored over for more clues about the bank’s plans for rates, particularly the pace of any further rises next year.

Dealers are also keeping an eye on the upcoming US presidential election. l

Standard Bank Limited has recently opened its 107th branch at Hemayetpur, Savar in Dhaka, said a press release. The bank’s chairperson, Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed inaugurated the branch as chief guest

ONE Bank Limited has recently signed an agreement with Takabazar.com, an online financial product rate aggregator platform for displaying the bank’s deposit and loan products at takabazar website, said a press release. The bank’s head of retail banking, Gazi Yar Mohammed and Dr M Anwar Hossain, CEO of Takabazar have signed the agreement

DT

16

Tech

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Sound bite

The new Sony MDR-1000X is making plenty of noise in the headphones department racks up against the leading Bose headphones.

Sony is calling the MDR-1000x the most technologically advanced headphones you can buy. Even though it’ll cost you $400 (USD), the new ear pads, embedded touch controls for volume and skipping tracks, back and forth, are more responsive than its predecessor, the MDR-1ABT.

Amazing features

n Mahmood Hossain A good, solid pair of headphones don’t come cheap. So even if it is produced by tech giants Sony, it’s more than just slapping a logo on the product to spike up the price in the market. The cost is justified by its quality and performance. The new Sony MDR-1000X is a gorgeous, premium device, with excellent sound and very comfortable for a wireless headphone. And to keep the muffling ambient noise at bay, the noise-cancelling feature

What may set this model apart from the rest is what Sony has suggested: technological advancement. Not only are there microphones outside of the ear cups to take into account ambient noise, the inside measures the shape of your head and ears, along with knowing if you wear glasses or not.

Then, there’s the trademarked Sense Engine, which allows the user to tailor its noise-cancelling features. You can alternate the settings to your liking in letting your desired amount of ambient noise to leak in. You can’t sit

there and say that this isn’t a nifty addition to proper headphones. It makes things easier like hearing announcements in airports before your departure time.

Another cool addition to this impressive gadget is the ability to muffle your music and welcome sounds from the outside by placing your hand over the right ear cup, where the touch controls are located. How cool is that? Once you’re done talking to the person next to you, you can remove your hand from the right ear cup and continue listening to your headphones.

The verdict

Its battery life is reported to boast 20 hours on wireless, but there’s always a cord included just in case you run out of battery life. Unless of course, you have a smartphone with no headphone jack. In that case, you’re obviously out of luck. But even a more obvious fact is that the headphones will sound better with the cord. The MDR-1000x was actually built to challenge and compete with the Bose QuietComfort 35. With its impressive sound quality

and better features, it has some legitimate claim in being the best at the moment. However, the Bose seems to be lighter and more comfortable wear for a longer period of time. Ultimately, it’s down to the wearer because what you like to think sounds best depends on your own ears. What might feel comfortable on one person’s head, might be the same for the other. Regardless, we can see a lot of people reach for these new Sony headphones over the Bose.l

will be no strangers to those small cartridges that you can pop into the side of the tablet.

So far, 48 software companies have established their support for the new console. It’s very important that gaming studios are on board with such a new device. More collaborations mean more games adaptable for the new Switch. Companies like EA, Bethesda, Capcom, Activision and Ubisoft are among the developers ready to take on Switch.

From what we’ve seen, there

seems to be only six games to begin with. There’s The Legend of Zelda, Mario Kart, a new Super Mario game, Splatoon and the open-world fantasy game The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. There was also an unspecified NBA game.

Finally, we can all expect the new gaming console to be released in March of 2017.

However, we have no idea of the price or the exact date in March. October is nearly over, which means we have exactly 5 months to figure out more about the new Switch. l

Surprise by Nintendo A new console set to release next year has blown everyone away

n Mahmood Hossain Recently, Nintendo shocked the gaming world with an amazing console that you can pretty much play anywhere. The hybrid, first only known as NX, is the new Nintendo Switch. This is a modular device that can be used as a portable console or place on a dock for your living room

or bedroom gaming. The long, three-minute trailer showed us plenty of what to expect out of the new console set to release next year. If you haven’t seen it, we highly suggest you YouTube it, and don’t forget to pick your jaw up off the floor.

This is what we know so far: 1. The Switch’s controller

2.

3.

is called the JoyCon. The company describes each as a small halfcontroller with an analogue stick and four face buttons on each. They can either be separated or slotted into the side of the main Switch body.

There’s actually an optional “Pro” controller that has been seen played by e-sports fans in the trailer.

Conceptually, this optional controller is similar to that of the older Wii U Pro controller, which is basically a traditional gamepad for a not-so-traditional gaming console.

The Switch also uses DS-like GameCards. For those of you who are familiar with portable Nintendo games

4.

5.

6.

17

DT

Tech

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Shares without scares

Because generosity shouldn’t come at the cost of privacy

n Sabrina Fatma Ahmad Online services like Netflix and Amazon, ever since they became available in our region, have really

changed the way we consume entertainment content.

While the subscription costs are relatively low, it still doesn’t make sense for an entire family

to sign up for individual accounts (you can, but it’s a hassle for most people). So what usually ends up happening is that one person signs up for an account, and then a

bunch of friends and family shares it for their entertainment pleasure.

All fun and games until someone messes up a viewing queue, or racks up an astronomical bill or creates some similar gong-show.

Luckily enough, Chrome has come up with a nifty extension called AccessURL that allows you to share your account without divulging your password or user information.

Once you’ve added the extension, you can navigate to the page you want to share, click on the handy AccessURL icon, and it generates a url. You can set a time limit for this url (let’s say, the amount of time needed for little sister to binge-watch her favourite show), and then send the link to a trusted friend or family member.

They can now access your account without requiring passwords, and use it for as long as the time

allotment you’ve set.

AccessURL does not rely on or have access to usernames or passwords, relying on cookies instead. On most websites, that means if you sign out, everyone using your Access URL will get signed out too.

By design, AccessURL’s server cannot read user’s data. It doesn’t have the password (which is unique for each Access URL).

The Chrome extension encrypts the data before it reaches the server and doesn’t give the server the password. For encryption, AccessURL uses the industrystandard AES. In other words, it prioritises security above everything. Your friends are happy because they get to watch their shows or order their books, and you’re happy because your privacy is safe. How’s that for win-win? l

BDTDC: new startup to facilitate trade between Bangladesh and South Asia n Nahid Farzana A new startup from Bangladesh called the Bangladesh Trade Development Council (BDTDC) is ready to launch. The startup company is planning to get over $300 million for Bangladeshi manufacturers within a year.

BDTDC is a leading B2B media company and a primary facilitator of trade within Bangladesh and South Asia. The online marketplace company will be launched next month and the owner, Kazi Ahmed is very excited about it.

This new B2B service is expected to be similar to Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba.com.

The startup is focused on creating a swirl among manufacturers, especially to connect with the right buyers abroad. The online marketplace will have items from apparel textile, agriculture & food, leather products, footwear & accessories, furniture & decoration, health and medicine, home, lights & construction, gifts & crafts, LED & solar products, luggage, bags & cases, machinery & hardware, manpower, packaging & printing, security products, software & computer.

Bangladesh already has over 10 e-business firms, including a Bangladeshi version of alibaba. com. The competition is even

stronger since Jack Mao declared to capture the Bangladesh market.

Kazi sees ample prospect for his B2B service. He is very confident about the business and assures that it is going to open up jobs for more than 200 IT graduates in Bangladesh.

Kazi Ahmed had an amazing track of businesses in US and Canada and quite excited about his first venture in Bangladesh.

He always wanted to help Bangladesh business to grow globally. Through his BDTDC platform Buyers will be able to

connect with suppliers of their choices directly, negotiate price and then get going with the business. The startup is giving free membership for all but paid members will get priority over services. It will charge half of Alibaba’s charging which is

$1,000-$3,000 for membership for a whole year.

Kazi Ahmed is definitely an inspiration in the startup scene of Bangladesh. He worked hard to get where he is and with his passion and hard work he will definitely take BDTDC ahead.l

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Biz Info

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

| event |

Photography exhibition for the girl child

The High Commission of India, Dhaka in association with Standard Chartered Bank and Hotel Le Méridien Dhaka is organising a photography exhibition titled “My Daughter is Precious” by Kaavya Rajesh and Rajesh Ramakrishnan at the Le Méridien Hotel, Dhaka from October 21 – 29, 2016.

The exhibition, curated by Saud Al Faisal, showcases photographs taken by 15 year old Kavya Rajesh and her father Rajesh Ramakrishnan. Each photograph features a father and a daughter from various parts of India and Bangladesh. Kaavya and Rajesh are partnering with a Bangladeshbased NGO, Gana Unnayan Kendra

(GUK), to raise money for the education of the girl child through this exhibition.

The exhibition will be inaugurated by High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, Harsh V Shringla on October 21, 2016. l

| food |

Photography exhibition of 12 young and aspiring photographers starts in Dhaka The Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh is hosting a photography exhibition titled “Focus on Culture” at the Drik Gallery in Dhanmondi on October 23 – 26, 2016. Twelve enthusiastic young Bangladeshi photographers are exhibiting their inspiring photos in this exhibition., which illustrate various perspectives on the role of culture in Bangladesh.

Highlighting the country’s multicultural identities and long traced tradition of tolerance, some photographs in the exhibition present the influence of different faiths and ethnic groups on the society. Others capture new realities of the 21st century- the confluence of traditional and modern lives in Bangladeshi societies. The artists reflect on the role and influence of the country’s youth on culture and vice versa.

The exhibition is open for all and is taking place on October 23-26 from 3pm to 8pm at the Drik Gallery in Dhanmondi, Dhaka.

The 12 photographers are the winners of a photo competition launched in May, which was organised by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and had around 90 participants.

A six member jury panel comprising of international and local photographers and experts determined the winners.

The winners then attended a three-day workshop with the eminent photojournalist GMB Akash at the First Light Institute of Photography in Bangladesh before this exhibition.

More information about the exhibition is available on: www.eda.admin.ch/dhaka.l

| food |

Biriyani bliss Let’s face it. One of the highlights of attending a Bangali wedding is the food. Sometimes, if you have to figure in the traffic, the trouble of buying a gift, and the panic of finding a good table, the food might well be the only positive aspect.

What if you could cut out the drama and get straight to the food

| showcase |

and the selfies? This is where the “Biyebarir Biriyani” event comes in. On October 28,glintale and crosswalk communications is throwing a fun-filled familyfriendly event which puts the food front and centre. Along with the perfect plate of biriyani, you can enjoy the chicken roast, the aromatic jorda, the kabab and

borhani – in short, the ultimate wedding spread, without having to wait for a wedding invite. You’re welcome to dress up for it too.

For more information, visit the Facebook event at https://www. facebook.com/BiyebarirBiriyani or call 01618885454/01963511887.l

Celebrate International Pasta Day with Dhaka Regency

To celebrate International Pasta Day, guests at Dhaka Regency can taste a variety of special pasta dishes such as bolognaise, carbonara, marinara, primavera, al- arabbiata and many more.

This culinary delicacy has made its way from the sunny Mediterranean region is now available for lunch and dinner with a live pasta cooking station. Guests can enjoy their own creation of favorite pasta

combinations, where the basic ingredients are chosen by the guest and prepared on the spot by the chefs. Dhaka Regency is also introducing the ‘never ending pasta pass’, which will give guests the chance to enjoy fabulous pasta dishes round the year at Dhaka Regency’s Grandiose Restaurant. For more information and reservations, please call the restaurant at 01713332661. l

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DT

Auto Connect

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Magic of Automatic:

The Torque Converter What does an automatic transmission use instead of a clutch?

n

S

ASM Foysal

ince its invention in 1886, cars have been running only sticks for over 25 years until the invention of automatic transmission in 1921 by Alfred Horner Munro. So, automatic transmission has been around for ages, 95 years to be exact, yet have you ever pondered, what makes an automatic tick?

Why are there only 2 pedals in an auto transmission instead of the traditional 3? What does an auto use instead of a clutch?

clutch acts like a bridge between the engine and the transmission, connecting and disconnecting the drive to the wheels. There is an ideal limit for the engine to work, below which there isn’t enough air/fuel mixture to actually keep the engine turning so it starts to stall. A clutch essentially applies a stopper over the throttle allowing the car to idle without shutting down the engine. When slowing down to a stop, an engine would stall as the feedback from the transmission would take it below its workable rev limit in the absence of a clutch. There needs

It’s all witchcraft and wizardry, not the traditional sleight of hand, mumbling incantation, casting spell kind of wizardry but magic nonetheless, the magic of mechanically ingenious fluid dynamics in the form of a Torque Converter.

With thousands of intricate moving parts that needs to be synchronised, delivering power from any powertrain could a legitimately complicated process.

All the components need to be

to be a disconnection between the transmission and the engine to keep the engine running and then connect again along with some throttle to keep the vehicle up and running.

However, in an automatic transmission there is no clutch, well not a traditional one anyway. Instead what it has is a torque converter. Essentially it functions in the same way as a regular clutch, it ascertains that the engine keeps running while

meticulously engineered to allow them to smoothly keep your vehicle on the move when you just shift a gear and step on the gas. In a manual transmission, the

the transmission slows down to a stop. What it does in not as spectacular as the how; the torque converter implements the concept of fluid coupling, allowing

the rotational energy of one moving component to be transferred to another.

The torque produced in the powertrain and delivered to the transmission is subdued immensely by the torque converter, hence the engine can rotate freely even when the car creeps to a halt. There is never any disconnection however, this can be observed in an auto transmission because it will slowly inch forward from a standstill if the driver takes his foot off the brake pedal.

The torque is controlled via a pump that sends fluid around the torque converter, the force of which is determined by the revolution of the crankshaft.

Inside the converter, there is a small turbine that rotates on account of the pumped transmission fluid hence it acts as a measure for the amount of torque that makes its way to the transmission.

The Exterior of the torque converter is connected to the flywheel (used to store up rotational energy) hence it spins at the same speed as the crankshaft. Contained by the housing is the turbine, the centrifugal fluid pump and the stator which surrounds the rotator. The pump throws back the fluid into the turbine which generates torque which is transferred to the transmission.

The stator prevents the fluid from flowing back to the pump thus greatly increasingly efficiency of the whole system. When idling, the rate of fluid pumped to the turbines is quite slow hence only a meager amount of torque is being transferred to the transmission. With increased throttle, the rate of fluid dissipation increases, the crankshaft rotates faster which results in the flywheel rotating faster and propelling fluid at a

higher rate into the turbine. The turbine, in turn, spins faster which allows more torque to be transferred to the transmission.

As with all systems, there is

almost nonexistent.

However simple it appears from being behind the wheel, the engineering and ideation that went into developing an

bound to be energy loss, and the automatic transmission is no different. The loss in energy is amplified since the engine torque has to transfer through the gearbox as well. This loss might be very little but it puts a large impact on the transmission system. The inefficiency results in the turbines spinning at a lower rate than the pump, this is primarily the reason automatic transmissions have been fuel inefficient compared to their manual equivalents. Recent developments in the torque converter technology have recessed the gap a little though, now they are designed to “lock up” at certain speeds allowing the pump and the turbine to spin together and the loss of energy is minimized to the point of being

automatic transmission is quite complex. It’s a spectacular feat of technological innovation worthy of anyone’s respect.

Connecting and controlling the wheels to the driver and seamless connection between the engine and the drivetrain is incredibly effective, so much so that most people take it for granted. With so many vehicles trotting out of the production line with fully automatic gearbox, the pedal driven clutch mechanism is becoming quite redundant. That’s not to say people doesn’t enjoy it, quite the contrary, petrol-heads prefer the full control of the vehicle, shifting gears and feeling the grinding of the metal sliding into place but for the ordinary folks going from A to B, torque converts are a god send.l

DT

20 Editorial

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

TODAY

The silent change-agents in government Deep inside, many civil servants indeed have a desire to learn and do something good, even if within their limited jurisdictions PAGE 21

Is an Indo-Pak war on the cards?

It’s imperative that positive changes occur in India-Pakistan relations, or else it will fail South Asia as a region in this era of regional cooperation and integration PAGE 22

Your opinion does not matter Just because an opinion isn’t aired on a public platform, that doesn’t mean that the opinion has ceased to exist. And in this age of social media, every opinion has a platform, whether we like it or not. It’s no national daily, sure, but it’s a platform nonetheless 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.

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Tigers on the threshold

S

o close.

Bangladesh’s narrow, nerve-racking loss to the English cricket team broke the nation’s hearts.

But we should be encouraged by the quality and fighting spirit shown by our boys.

They can hold their heads up high. They did the nation proud and ran one of the cricketing world’s best Test sides as close as close could be.

There can be no doubt any more that Bangladesh belong in the company of the top cricket playing nations of the world , and that we can more than hold our own against anyone.

That much was once again proven in the Chittagong Test.

The Tigers are a team who demand to be treated with respect and no opponent can afford to take them lightly any more.

That said, the team still falls just a touch short in terms of composure and concentration, and this is the difference between the very best sides and the next tier.

It is not enough to play well for nine-tenths of a match -- a truly topclass team must maintain its consistency throughout the match, and when the chips are down, it must have the ability to dig in and grind out a result, in the face of adversity.

Not only in the Test, in the first one-day match, they had victory in their grasp, only to let it slip away.

The team needs to move to the next level and close matches out ruthlessly when victory is in their sights.

This has been the difference so far between England and Bangladesh on this tour, and we congratulate the English team on a fine win as well as the spirit in which the Test was played.

Given the fact that this was Bangladesh’s first Test match for 15 months, it was a very creditable performance, and showed that the team needs to and deserves to play more Test cricket.

We hope the cricketing world has taken note, and we trust that the Tigers will again show their mettle in the upcoming Dhaka Test.

It is not enough to play well for nine-tenths of a match -- a truly top-class team must maintain its consistency throughout

DT

21

Opinion

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

The silent change-agents in government Mid-level officials, if engaged, can be key players in reform Mahmood and n Akhtar Estem Dadul Islam

S

ometimes, the drive comes from the senior echelons of government -- a reformminded government leader, an important minister or an agency head. At times, there is pressure from donors. Often, the two combine: The initial idea comes from a donor, which a powerful person in government then takes up as an agenda.

Many reforms happen in this top-down way. But, often, there are questions about their sustainability. Commitment to reforms may not be widespread.

Once donor pressure wears off, or the bold reformer at the top moves on (or loses interest or energy), reform initiatives dissipate.

Sometimes, the reforms happen on paper, but implementation remains deficient. Top-down reform initiatives often fail to take on board the front-line officials.

Implementation thus suffers, especially when the attention of the top-down driver shifts elsewhere.

The 2015 World Development Report, “Mind, Society, and Behavior,” thus points to the need to understand the motivations and behavioural characteristics of different players, such as politicians and government bureaucrats, and how these affect their decisions and actions.

The WDR argues that such an understanding helps design policy interventions and reforms that stand a chance of success even in seemingly un-tractable situations.

This brings us to a third way of reform, less common but potentially more powerful -- one that is driven by the mid-tiers of bureaucracy. Reforms initiated in the trenches enjoy, almost by definition, the commitment of those responsible for implementation.

Reforms may also be better designed since the officials know exactly what is feasible and where there are pitfalls. A single bottom-up reform may not be very bold. But, one reform may lead to another and the cumulative impact may make a big dent.

Donor programs usually don’t regard mid-level officials as key drivers of reforms. It is often assumed that such officials will oppose reforms and they should thus be by-passed or, at best, co-opted in some fashion. Such assumptions lead to many lost opportunities.

Mid-level officials can often

be good initiators of reform if properly inspired and engaged.

The attitudes and perceptions of this important tier of the bureaucracy have an important bearing on the formulation of policies and regulations, and their implementation. These attitudes are shaped by the awareness of business related issues, or lack of it.

How Bangladeshi bureaucrats became reform champions

Recognising this, during 20062009, the IFC carried out the Private Sector Development (PSD) Core Group program, designed to build awareness in Bangladeshi government officials about business related

A snapshot of the responses

Deep inside, many civil servants indeed have a desire to learn and do something good, even if within their limited jurisdictions

issues. Over a hundred mid-level officials, from about 20 different ministries, departments, and other government agencies went through this program. They were joined by a few representatives from business associations.

Over a period of eight to 10, they attended seminars and lectures, went on field visits and did short assignments on resolving business related issues as part of a learning-by-doing exercise.

They interacted with businesses and with experts who work on business related issues. They got an opportunity to go abroad and see how business-oriented governments work.

The presence of private sector representatives within the group exposed the government officials to private sector perspectives throughout the process.

Through this program, a reform-minded community of officials started forging. This network soon produced dividends.

In one example, a top-down reform to facilitate reimbursement of duty drawback claims -- a major headache for exporters -- stalled in early 2009 after a change in government. Mid-level officials stepped in. They studied the reform, assessed what work was still needed, and persuaded colleagues in the mid-tiers of government to revive it. Then, together, they advocated to their superiors for completing the

reform.

In September 2009, the government issued an order that 70% of each claim would be met immediately after submission.

The remaining 30% would be paid after an audit. This solution forged by mid-level officials successfully balanced the twin objectives of expediting payments and minimising fraud and thus met with the approval of government decision-makers.

By helping key stake-holders in government become wellinformed about private sector issues, and better-networked as reform champions, the program created influential “nudgers” within the system who are able to convince both colleagues and superiors to deliver viable local solutions for sustaining reforms.

This community of mid-level officials has also been instrumental in creating “reform ripples.”

Thus, when the Office of the Registrar of Joint-Stock Companies became a pioneer in automating processes in the Bangladesh government, the details of that reached the National Bureau of Revenue (tax administration) through this community, which had representatives from both agencies, and triggered an interest in automation of tax-payer services.

With 20 different ministries and agencies represented, it is not surprising that quite a bit of intra-

governmental knowledge flow was catalysed.

Measuring mind-set changes

Once the program was over, an evaluation was carried out to compare the attitudes of these officials with that of their peers, who had not been exposed to this program and were presumably less aware of business issues.

Individual respondents from both groups were presented with a set of statements and asked if they agreed or disagreed with them. These statements covered four important aspects of a bureaucrat’s mind-set: Views on the importance of the private sector, perceptions about private sector behaviour, belief in the capacity of mid-level officials to pro-actively bring change, the approach to designing and implementing private sector related reforms.

Officials who attended the program agreed with all three statements more strongly than their peers, who were not exposed to the program. They are much more inclined to agree, for example, that many laws are unfriendly to private sector growth and need to be reformed.

They believe more strongly that there is indeed scope within government to pro-actively take these reform actions. They have also developed a more sophisticated understanding

of how to approach reform formulation.

As the last bar shows, they believe more strongly than their peers that reform priorities and approaches should be identified based on systematic diagnosis, not uninformed gut reactions. Greater awareness of business issues has clearly shaped their views on how to conduct public policy towards business.

The findings captured in the chart, although based on a small sample, are important. They show that, with some effort, the mindsets and attitudes of government officials can be changed, thus enhancing their sense of accountability and the formulation and implementation of businessrelated policies and regulations.

The evaluation exercise also shows that mind-set changes can be assessed and captured through well-designed methods.

To sum up, this is the main take-away. Deep inside, many civil servants indeed have a desire to learn and do something good, even if within their limited jurisdictions.

A critical mass of latent reformers often exists within the bureaucracy and have the potential to become agents of change. The trick is to trigger this latent desire in the mid-tiers of government.

We do not always need to wait for a high-level champion.

Moreover, as was the case with the group in Bangladesh, those in the mid-levels today will, one day, become top policy-makers. l Akhtar Mahmood and Estem Dadul Islam work for an international development agency. The article previously appeared on blogs. worldbank.org.

DT

22

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Long-Form

Is an Indo-Pak war on the cards?

There seems to be no clear end to the conflict. This is the concluding part of yesterday’s long-form

n Sarwar Jahan Chowdhury

D

espite the distancing of the US, China still appears to be an all-weather ally of Pakistan. The friendship is based on realism (common foe, mutual benefits, etc) rather than ideological reasons. But it holds, to a considerable extent, going by the record. Pakistan counts on it despite being a junior partner with various spontaneous loyalty tests, eg ceding Karakoram tract region of Pakistani Kashmir to China.

The Chinese entry

India and the US have gotten much closer these days with an aim to counter potential growth of Chinese influence in Asia, particularly in the Indian Ocean, which holds the crucial energy supply lines. But India doesn’t want the US to remain too dominant in the ocean either.

China, on the other hand, is trying to make direct entry to Indian Ocean through Myanmar and Pakistan as alternatives to the US-dominated narrow Malacca strait. This is an important angle of Pakistan’s importance to China.

Pakistani logic doesn’t follow much rationality and hence there is no point analysing their perception of consequence. There is no unified central power center in Pakistan. Their military wants to maintain its disproportionate size, spending, and the central position in Pakistani state.

Hence they keep tension with India alive, undertaking unilateral actions and undermining the authority of elected civilian leaders. It’s an unusual ad hoc arrangement unsuitable for any proper democracy.

Had Pakistan dismantled all the terror bases in it and de-escalated with India, greater regional connectivity and integration would have taken place. That would have allowed Kashmirs on both sides of the LoC to move much freely among themselves, see relatives and friends frequently, and see their cultural and trade ties re-established. The same would have happened to the whole of South Asia.

India, meanwhile, alongside the recently conducted limited surgical strike, is already undertaking other measures like pumping up the issues of human rights violation in Baluchistan, Pakistani Kashmir, and GilgitBaltistan to put pressure on Pakistan. Indian hardliners are advocating patronising Baluch

Kashmir is a crucial piece of the puzzle

REUTERS

It’s imperative that positive changes occur in India-Pakistan relations, or else it will fail South Asia as a region in this era of regional cooperation and integration

separatist movements. Pakistan, however, has warned India not to spread the conflict to the settled issues of 1947.

India has good ties with the current anti-Pakistan Afghan dispensation, which puzzles Pakistan. Post Uri, India is also reexamining the Indus water treaty with Pakistan, which is a lower riparian country. Modi is trying hard to balance between rightwing domestic pressure and good senses.

If more terror attacks originate from Pakistan or Pakistani Kashmir, more limited surgical strikes close to LoC but across it

by Indians may become the new normal. Indians are already citing American examples of carrying out unilateral strikes against terror targets inside Pakistan.

Also, pounding the enemy’s border post with artillery guns from within the line of control in Kashmir has been a tactic applied by armies of Pakistan and India in the past.

The crucial question in case of a Mumbai or Pathankot-like attack is: Would India go about destroying the alleged terror bases in Pakistan? If yes, how, given the fact that Pakistan usually denies

such accusations?

And even if they strike a terror target in Pakistan, how can they prevent Pakistan from direct or proxy retaliation given the fact that they are no US, at least as of yet.

So far, the implicit stand of Pakistan, especially the military establishment, has been this: Until and unless there is a solution to the Kashmir problem, they will continue with a low intensity conflict, which may even include terror.

This is how they intend to keep the Kashmir issue alive internationally. It also serves the cross purpose of providing the disproportionately over-sized and overspending of Pakistan military a raison d’etre and a central position in the Pakistani state amid a fiercely fractured political class.

Pakistan also claims to be a victim in the war against terror, as the terrorists often attack and inflict casualty to Pakistan security forces and ordinary citizenry, including minorities. This is partially true. Also true is that these Frankensteins were once created or patronised by Pakistani intelligence. Now they have come

back to haunt Pakistan as it moves against the former, under US pressure.

The creation of the radical Taliban by Pakistani intelligence to secure the so-called and mythical “strategic depth” in Afghanistan is in a complete mess as the Taliban went out of control of the Pakistanis and got involved in global terror networks which has invited the long-term Western military intervention in Afghanistan.

The bitter pill

Pakistan, for all these reasons, is now acting against Taliban and their affiliated groups by swallowing the bitter pill. A few divisions of the Pakistan Army had to be moved to the troubled areas near Afghan borders from the eastern garrisons which are close to Indian borders.

This temporary force shift from east-to-west does create vulnerability, but not really any game changing difference in the balance of military power in the Indo-Pak theatre.

Moreover, the Pakistani establishment will make full use of any probability or actual occasion of an Indian offensive to rally the

whole nation, which is otherwise fraught with divisive ethnic and sectarian characteristics (eg Sunni, Shia, Ahmadi, other religious minorities, Mohajirs, Sindhi, Baluch, Hazara, Punjabi, Pasthun Tribes etc).

These fault lines are very much at play in normal times.

India’s action or “strategic restraint,” hence, has multifarious ramifications.

Civil powers in Pakistan, with their remnant moderate senses, must unite to take charge of their state, which ideally should be the case, and work for peace and development in Pakistan and the rest of South Asia.

Middle East-looking pan Islamists of Pakistan often forget that India has the third largest Muslim population in the world, and most of the history of Muslim glory in South Asia is related to the land of India.

Perhaps no other region of the world with so much of common history and culture hold an animosity of this degree.

All the experts with constructive mindset agree that the potential for mutual benefit is immense in South Asia. It’s imperative that positive changes occur in India-Pakistan relations, or else it will fail South Asia as a region in this era of regional cooperation and integration. l

Sarwar Jahan Chowdhury is a freelance commentator on politics, international relations, and geo-strategy. He is a former military officer and currently works for BRAC Institute of Governance and Development.

DT

23

Opinion

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Your opinion does not matter Feel free to disagree, but don’t silence me THE WORLD IN PA R E N T H E S E S

n SN Rasul

T

o paraphrase the great pornographer and founder of Hustler magazine, Larry Flynt, (for I am not, for the sake of decency and censorship, allowed to quote him): “Opinions are like rectums. Everybody has one.”

Is that the beauty of life, or an ugly truth? That, I suppose, is a matter of opinion.

This piece comes as a subsequent reaction to having lived a life disagreeing with people, with and without logic, and also having worked at a newspaper for what I, in my opinion you see, deem to be a significant enough amount time.

The public’s latest vitriol was aimed at a piece that was recently published in the Dhaka Tribune on October 19, titled “The truth behind the puja pictures.”

Before having read the piece, I had no idea of these “puja pictures” which had stormed social media, each revealing some visually eloquent example of

anti-Islamic tone. Some found the logic to be unfounded. And some, and this is what I want to hone in on, blamed the Dhaka Tribune for continuing its tradition of “aiming for a sucker punch on Islam and Muslims.”

Is this what the paper was doing? Promoting anti-Islamic rhetoric?

A few weeks ago, over the course of the Eid-ul-Azha holidays, a piece was published regarding the role of women in Islam. To say it was controversial amongst Dhaka’s more liberal elite would be an understatement.

But, first, though, a little summary: The piece interpreted Islam in such a way as to assign roles for each of the genders.

Women, who were weaker and more homely (his paraphrased words, not mine), were of course more fit for household work and taking care of children.

And for men, stronger and comprising other such masculine characteristics, it would make much more sense to be the breadwinners, the not-at-home workers.

Chauvinistic of the highest order? Perhaps (or must I shout back with a “definitely” of conviction to appease the masses?). But the reaction of this particular group of people was volcanic. Erupted from the ashes of this long-forgotten piece a narrative of “how dare they!”

How dare they print a piece

Like it or not, this guy’s opinion is out there

Just because an opinion isn’t aired on a public platform, that doesn’t mean that the opinion has ceased to exist. And in this age of social media, every opinion has a platform, whether we like it or not. It’s no national daily, sure, but it’s a platform nonetheless

religious harmony. The writer’s argument that, while “Hindu brothers” welcome Muslims into their temples with open arms, mosques aren’t as welcoming of Hindus into their fold, is one that I felt was flawed, but that’s not what I’m here to talk about.

It struck quite the negative chord with the audience, however.

Comments erupted underneath the online portal’s Facbeook box, with a plethora of reasons as to why the article, to quote one such commentator, was “absolutely nonsensical.”

Some had problems with its

that pigeonholes women and men into separate roles, like society has done for ages. How dare they print an opinion piece in the goshdarn “Opinion” section.

How dare they print an opinion that does not agree with what he should be thinking, as opposed to an opinion that he has possibly accumulated over the course of a lifetime of influences, teachings, meditative thought processes, of trying, perhaps in vain, to coalesce the ideas of religious teachings and progressive thought.

This is about the time one must interject with a caveat: The

opinions expressed in this piece are purely of the author and does not reflect the views of the newspaper. If you were, in fact, wondering what expresses the opinion of the newspaper, check out the Editorial page.

Another caveat: I do not, personally, have to agree with what either of these authors wrote.

I do not, for example, believe that women were created to serve a very specific purpose, or that mosques not welcoming Hindus is a sign of double standards amongst the Bangladeshi Muslim community (I know that it doesn’t

work both ways, but that I think has more to do with the way each religion celebrates).

But opinions are opinions.

And people will have them. As a reader of a newspaper, I welcome conflicting opinions, opinions from both extremes of the spectrum.

Now, you argue, for instance: Would newspapers in the country print an opinion piece written by, say, a terrorist organisation such as AQIS, calling for the beheadings of apostates and blasphemous individuals? Where would you draw the line?

That is an interesting question for which, unfortunately, I don’t have an answer. But, just because an opinion isn’t aired on a public platform, that doesn’t mean that the opinion has ceased to exist.

And in this age of social media, every opinion has a platform, whether we like it or not. It’s no national daily, sure, but it’s a platform nonetheless.

And there is also the fear that when opinions such as these

BIGSTOCK

are spread, even if most reject its notions as being inane and logically unsound, someone out there might be influenced by it enough to form similar opinions for themselves.

But, under a free press, if we believe in free expression, that is a risk we should be willing to take.

Of course, some of these opinions come from individuals who wouldn’t be endowing us with the luxury of freedom of expression if they had anything to do with it, but are we vengeful enough to do the same to them?

Wouldn’t that make us just as bad?

If you disagree, say it, write about it, talk about it, tear the as-of-yet-untested logic of my argument to shreds. As long as you are able to, one can rest with the knowledge that a voice hasn’t been silenced.

After all, that’s an opinion. And it must be allowed to see the light of day. l SN Rasul is a Sub-Editor at the Dhaka Tribune. Follow him @snrasul.

DT

24 Sport

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

TOP STORIES

Defiant Tigers fall 22 runs short Uddin from n Mazhar Chittagong

Mushfiq dejected but proud Prior to the first Test against England, there were concerns whether Bangladesh would be able to replicate their ODI successes to the longer version, considering that they were playing a five-day game after 15 months. PAGE 25

Cook: Never thought it’ll go to fifth day The dramatic first Test match between Bangladesh and England was hanging finely in the balance before the visitors struck the final blow to clinch a 22-run win in the fifth and final day in Chittagong yesterday. PAGE 26

Bangladesh can hold their heads up high and feel proud having exhibited an exciting brand of Test cricket after a 15-month gap from the five-day game.

But ultimately, England proved to be strong enough as they pulled off an exciting 22-run win to take a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in the port city yesterday.

Both the teams probably experienced a sleepless night coming into the fifth and final day’s play with debutant Sabbir Rahman (59*) and Taijul Islam (11*) looking

to inspire their side to a historic win as 33 runs were still required.

The Tigers lost all their previous eight Tests against England and it seemed t h e h o m e s i d e might just put an end to that unwanted stat.

However, all-rounder Ben Stokes had the final say as England took the remaining two wickets conceding only 10 runs with Bangladesh ending their second innings on 263. The Durham

all-rounder dismissed overnight batsman Taijul and Shafiul Islam (nought) in the span of just three balls.

Bangladesh started off cautiously with Sabbir pushing through the cover region with great authority for two runs off Stuart Broad to begin the day. He also had the confidence to give back the strike to Taijul after his courageous fourth day survival.

And the left-hander managed a four off Stokes from a short ball over his head as the Tigers were slowly inching towards their destination.

But just when things started to swing in favour of the home side,

Stokes initiated the first breakthrough trapping Taijul in front.

He was initially given not out but England asked for the review as they topped the 80th over and Taijul duly perished for 16.

Just a ball later, England had the last laugh when another reverse swinging delivery hit Shafiul’s pad. Shafiul offered no shot and despite the ball pitching outside the line of the off-stump it was always going to hit the timber. And after one last review which was turned down, England snatched a dramatic win.

Stokes was adjudged player of the match for his all-round effort. l

Bangladesh debutant Sabbir Rahman and England all-rounder Ben Stokes hit each other’s fists in a display of sportsmanship to prove that at the end of the day, cricket is the ultimate winner. This photo was taken during the fifth and final day of the first Test between the two sides at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

SCORECARD

‘Jose accused Conte of humiliating Utd’ Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho told his Chelsea counterpart Antonio Conte that his antics in whipping up the crowd during the London club’s 4-0 victory on Sunday were “humiliating”. PAGE 27

Big guns march on in Mir Football Neo Zipper, Comfit Composite, Gemcon Group and Bando Design won their respective matches on the second day of the third Mir Corporate Football Fiesta powered

by Sailor at International Turkish Hope School yesterday. PAGE 28

England first innings 293 (M. Ali 68, J, Bairstow 52; Mehedi Hasan 6-80) Bangladesh first innings 248 (Tamim Iqbal 78; B. Stokes 4-26, Moeen Ali 3-75) England 2nd innings 240 (B. Stokes 85; Shakib Al Hasan 5-85) Bangladesh 2nd innings (253-8 overnight) BANGLADESH Tamim Iqbal c Ballance b Ali Imrul Kayes c Root b Rashid Mominul Haque lbw b Batty Mahmudullah lbw b Batty Shakib c Bairstow b Ali Mushfiqur c Ballance b Batty Sabbir Rahman not out Mehedi Hasan lbw b Broad Kamrul Islam c Ballance Broad Taijul Islam lbw b Stokes Shafiul Islam lbw b Stokes Extras (b9, lb 13 w1)

R 9 43 27 17 24 39 64 1 0 16 0 23

Total (all out, 81.3 overs)

263

B 33 61 47 36 39 124 102 9 3 33 2

Fall of wickets 1-35 (Tamim), 2-81 ( Kayes), 3-103 ( Mominul), 4-108 (Mahmudullah), 5-140 (Shakib), 6-227 ( Rahim), 7-234 (Mehedi), 8-238 ( Kamrul), 9-263 ( Taijul), 10-263 (Shafiul) To bat: Bowling Batty 17-3-65-3, Ali 14-2-60-2, Woakes 7-3-10-0, Rashid 17-2-55-1, Broad 15-4-312, Stokes 11.3-3-20-2 (w1) Toss: England Result: England won by 22 runs Man of the Match: Ben Stokes (Eng) Series result: England lead two-match series 1-0

25

DT

Sport

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Mushfiq dejected but proud n Mazhar Uddin from

IN NUMBERS

0

Chittagong

Prior to the first Test against England, there were concerns whether Bangladesh would be able to replicate their ODI successes to the longer version, considering that they were playing a five-day game after 15 months.

However, the Tigers gave a great account of themselves throughout the five days, nearly pulling off a famous win only to fall agonisingly short by 22 runs.

Despite ending up on the losing side, Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim believes there were a lot of positives for the home side in the match which they can take moving forward in the longer version, where they have not always performed to the best of their abilities.

“The biggest achievement would be to play consistently for the whole Test match. I think we have done that 90-95 per cent of the time but we could have done better in some areas. We can take a lot of positives – [Mehedi Hasan] Miraz and Shakib [al Hasan] bowled well. Tamim [Iqbal] batted well, and it wasn’t in his character to bat like he did. Sabbir [Rahman] batted well too. It was a good Test for Bangladesh,” Mushfiq told the media after the game.

“Nobody expected Bangladesh to play in this manner after 15 months so we had to prove that we could do something. We could show our character to a side like England. They have a lot of experienced players. I wouldn’t use the word frustrating but I would call it a learning experience,” he said.

The England Test turned out to be a near miss for the Tigers, who also went close against the likes of Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan in the past before coming up short in the end.

And according to Mushfiq, the just-concluded Chittagong five-dayer features at the top of his list of favourite Test matches, in spite of the loss.

“I would put it right up there, despite not winning the game. The Test against Pakistan in Khulna is my No 1, and this will be a close second,” said the wicketkeeper-batsman.

“Thirty-runs (33) and two wickets is a difficult equation. The match was tilted towards them almost 90 per cent. We don’t have any tail-ender who has a first-class hundred, and even if they did, there’s a huge difference between those scored in county cricket and in our first-class structure. If we would have won, we wouldn’t become an extraordinary Test side.

But we ended up achieving much of what we had set ourselves,” he added. l

Number of times that Bangladesh have lost by a narrower margin that their 22-run defeat in this Test. Only once before they had lost by a margin of less than 100 runs - by 77 runs against West Indies in Dhaka in 2012-13.

Smaller victory margins for England in Tests than the 22-run win in this match. Incidentally, all those victories have come against Australia. Their previous closest win against a team apart from Australia was by 23 runs against South Africa at Headingley in 1998.

Last time an England player scored 100 or more runs and took five or more wickets in a Test in Asia - Ian Botham at Wankhede in 1979-80. Ben Stokes scored 18 and 85 with the bat and took 4 for 26 and 2 for 20 with the ball. Only two other Englishmen have achieved this in Asia - Ted Dexter in Karachi in 1961-62 and Tony Greig in Lahore in 1972-73.

Man of the Match awards for Stokes in Tests. All three have come since the start of England’s 2015 season. Since then, no other England player has got more than two Man of the Match awards - two each by Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad and Joe Root.

Number of occasions of Bangladesh taking all 20 wickets in a Test against teams other than Zimbabwe and West Indies prior to this match. They did take all 20 of England’s wickets in this Test. Only once before they had taken more than 18 wickets against teams other than West Indies and Zimbabwe - 19 wickets in Multan in 2003 where they lost by one wicket. Also, this is the first Test in Bangladesh where all 40 wickets fell.

Tests that had elapsed since the last victory in Asia by an overseas team. The last win by a non-Asian team here was by New Zealand in Sharjah in November 2014. Since then, there have been 14 victories for subcontinental teams and four draws. This is only the second win by an overseas team in the subcontinent in 30 Tests since the start of 2014.

Bangladesh player to make a half-century on Test debut in the fourth innings of the match.

Sabbir Rahman became the first to do so from his country. He is one of only nine batsmen to do so for any team batting at No. 7 or lower and his innings of 64 not out is the fourth-highest among them.

Runs added by Sabbir and Mushfiqur Rahim for the sixth wicket in the fourth innings.

They came together with the score on 140 for 5 and the stand ended when 59 more runs were required.

The last four wickets could accumulate only 36 runs between them as they fell short by 22 runs.

9

1980

Bangladesh’s Taijul Islam pulls during the fifth and final day of their first Test against England at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Tigers lag far behind England in reverse swing Uddin from n Mazhar Chittagong Many would have assumed that the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium pitch in the port city will only provide support to the spinners after Bangladesh debutant Mehedi Hasan Miraz and left-arm spinners Shakib al Hasan and Taijul Islam bagged all the 10 English wickets in the first innings of the first Test.

The performance of the two Bangladesh pacemen Shafiul Islam and another debutant Kamrul Islam Rabbi was a case in point as they struggled throughout the game, picking up only one wicket, in the second innings. What’s more, the pace bowling duo only bowled 11 overs together in the second essay.

Even in England’s second innings, it was Shakib who was the Tigers’ main man as he picked up his 15th five-wicket haul in Tests to help skittle the tourists out twice in the game.

However, when the visitors bowled, it was a totally different scenario as the England fast bowlers, led by all-rounder Ben Stokes, used the art of reverse swing to devastating effect. Stokes alone bagged six wickets in the game, making life difficult for the Bangladesh batters.

Seasoned campaigner Stuart Broad also had a good game as notched two crucial wickets in the second innings and although he didn’t pick up any scalp in the first, his probing line and length trou-

bled the opposition batsmen on quite a few occasions.

Both Stokes and Broad mastered the reverse swing and the Tigers were at times helpless in the face of some brilliant bowling. England, namely batsman Joe Root, were quite eager to maintain the old ball, keeping one side shiny and the other rough. One must give credit to Root, who was busy throughout the Test match shining the ball with the sleeve of his shirt and at times, spitting on the leather, which is permitted.

The results were clearly evident as Stokes was deadly with this particular art where the ball swings in the air.

Questions are now being asked as to why the Bangladesh bowlers were unable to reverse swing the ball. According to captain Mushfiqur Rahim, the standard of their first-class cricket, where the slow bowlers rule the roost more often than not, prevents the pacemen from perfecting the art.

Mushfiq also added that there is a distinct lack of knowledge and experience when it comes to extracting help from the old ball.

“Al Amin [Hossain] and Rubel [Hossain] do not have an extraordinary Test record. Does anyone know how many first-class bowlers we have who can bowl well with the old ball? It is hard to find such a bowler. If you look at a scorecard from our first-class competitions, you will invariably see a spinner

taking a five-for and the pace bowlers taking one or two wickets. If a bowler doesn’t know how to set up a batsman, and bowl according to the field, then you can’t expect him to do it at the Test level,” said Mushfiq.

“It is easy for guys like Broad and Stokes who have been doing it for years. I don’t think Shafiul and Kamrul bowled that badly. It was a learning experience for them, and they realised that they need to know how to bowl with the old ball,” he said.

Keeping the England bowlers’ reverse swing exertions in mind, Mushfiq played commendably, scoring 48 and 39 in the first and second innings respectively. However, the wicketkeeper-batsman didn’t read too much into individual landmarks.

“We batted better in the second innings, which showed we could adapt to the conditions.

It was tough to score runs here but if I could have made a bit more, it would have helped our cause. It always feels good to play such knocks. Milestones aren’t everything,” he said.

Prior to the start of the Test match, many thought Mushfiq might have to relinquish his keeping duties but as it were, he got to keep wickets and put in a solid display. He said, “I always tell you that I give my hundred percent but this is what the team management decides so you better ask them.” l

3

0

18

1

87

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Sport

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Uncapped Mosaddek, Subashish in 2nd Test squad

Three new clubs in second-tier football n Tribune Report The Bangladesh Championship League is only four days away. The logo-unveiling ceremony and contract-signing with official sponsors of the country’s second-tier league took place at BFF House yesterday.

A total of eight clubs will take part in the league for a place in the professional football league next season. T&T Club, Bangladesh Police Football Upa-parishad, Agrani Bank Limited Sporting Club, Victoria Sporting Club, Fakirerpool Young Men’s Club were in the league before while three new clubs were added to the list - Kawran Bazar Pragati Sangha, Chittagong Mohammedan Sporting Club and Saif Sporting Club Limited.

Only Kawran Bazar among the three new clubs played in the last edition of the first division football league while Chittagong Mohammedan and Saif SC were recommended by the professional league committee for a place in second-tier football, despite not playing in the first division.

Chittagong Mohammedan have a rich tradition in the country’s football arena, having played in the professional league before but Saif SC were only formed less than three months ago.

The tournament kicks off with the match between T&T Club and Saif SC at BNS this Saturday. The majority of the matches will be played at Kamalapur Stadium. l

n Tribune Report Bangladesh Cricket Board yesterday announced the 15-member squad for the second Test against England, naming the uncapped batsman Mosaddek Hossain and paceman Subashish Roy. Right-arm paceman Shafiul Islam, who played the first Test against England, was dropped.

The second and final Test gets

The dramatic first Test match between Bangladesh and England was hanging finely in the balance before the visitors struck the final blow to clinch a 22-run win in the fifth and final day at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium yesterday.

There were many talking points in the exciting clash but England captain Alastair Cook is of the opinion that their 45-run first innings lead set the tone for them for the rest of the Test match.

“It was a brilliant Test. I certainly didn’t think after the first session that it would go to day five. It ebbed and flowed. The crucial moment was probably the beginning of day three when they were 70 or 80 behind with five wickets in hand and we managed to get a lead. That was

Squad

Mushfiqur Rahim (C & WK), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque, Shakib al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Nurul Hasan (WK), Taijul Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Shuvagat Hom, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Sabbir Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain and Subashish Roy l

DRS, focal point of first Test Uddin from n Mazhar Chittagong The Decision Review System played a major part in the first Test between Bangladesh and England with a record 26 on-field decisions reviewed by players of both the sides.

On a pitch that consistently did something in almost every single delivery, it was Sri Lankan Umpire Kumar Dharmasena who was mostly involved. To be more specific, a total of 16 decisions of him were reviewed with eight of them overturned.

In the process, Dharmasena became a part of an unwanted record, that of the most reversed decisions for an umpire in a single Test match in the history of DRS. Among those 26 reviews, probably Moeen Ali’s consecutive three decisions which were initially given out by Dharmasena before being overturned England captain Alastair Cook rejoices with team mates after winning the first Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Cook: Never thought it’ll go to fifth day Uddin from n Mazhar Chittagong

underway this Friday at Sher-eBangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

the crucial difference,” Cook told the media following the game.

The Essex lad said he thought 280-odd was always going to be a tall order for the Tigers, who returned to the longer version after 15 months. And since the home side went agonisingly close to sealing a historic win, Cook spoke in glowing terms about the opposition.

“I think at some stage we’d have loved to have the fourth spinner when it was turning but Bangladesh are used to these conditions in terms of they play spin very well and a lot of credit has to go to the way they played in that fourth innings. I did genuinely think 280 was going to be enough, I didn’t think it would get as close as that and the way they played spin in particular was very impressive,” he said.

“I was fairly confident this

morning if I’m brutally honest.

30 odd runs and two wickets.....I thought we’d create the chances, the doubt was whether we were good enough to take those chances. They might be half chances.

But I thought we’d create enough to win the game so I was fairly relaxed,” he added.

Cook concluded by heaping praise on all-rounder Ben Stokes, who had a terrific game, picking up a total of six wickets and scoring 103 runs.

“I say it every single time we speak about him, the guy is that X-factor cricketer which every side would love to have. He balances our side, he gives us options, he allows us to play the extra seamer here or an extra spinner, which ever you look at it, and the one thing he has done over the last year is improve his method against spin,” he said. l

after review, was probably the most interesting part of the Test match.

Despite the use of modern technology, there were questions regarding quite a few review decisions given by the third umpire Sundaram Ravi of India. With that said, the majority would still want the DRS technology in the upcoming days.

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim on DRS “Sometimes you have a distinct feeling after losing a game. Luck matters at times so if you consider the DRS, things could have gone either way for us. We tried what we could. It is not fair to judge DRS based on the match result. The two decisions (in the final day) could have also gone our way. Since it is out of our control, it will not go our way all the time. We had some decisions in our favour. Much of it depends on luck.”

OVER DAY 1

REVIEW BY

UMPIRE

BATSMAN

OUTCOME

11.6 23.4 26.5 28.2 28.4 47.4 83.5 DAY 2

Bangladesh (Bowling Bangladesh (Bowling) England (Batting) England (Batting) England (Batting) Bangladesh (Bowling) Bangladesh (Bowling)

Gaffaney Gaffaney Dharmasena Dharmasena Dharmasena Gaffaney Gaffaney

Ballance Moeen Moeen Moeen Moeen Moeen Rashid

Upheld Struck down Upheld Upheld Upheld Struck down Struck down

93.2 102.1 105.5 42.6 64.3 DAY 3

England (Batting) England (Batting) Bangladesh (Bowling) Bangladesh (Batting) England (Bowling)

Gaffaney Dharmasena Gaffaney Dharmasena Dharmasena

Rashid Broad Broad Tamim Mushfiq

Upheld Upheld Upheld Upheld Struck down

78.2 81.1 84.1 0.5 9.2 68.4 75.4 DAY 4

England (Bowling) Bangladesh (Batting) England (Bowling) Bangladesh (Bowling) England (Batting) Bangladesh (Bowling) Bangladesh (Bowling)

Dharmasena Gaffaney Dharmasena Dharmasena Gaffaney Dharmasena Gaffaney

Shafiul Mehedi Sabbir Duckett Root Rashid Broad

Struck down Struck down Struck down Struck down Struck down Upheld Struck down

80.2 9.4 27.5 29.6 70.5 DAY 5

England (Batting) England (Bowling) England (Bowling) Bangladesh (Batting) Bangladesh (Batting)

Dharmasena Dharmasena Dharmasena Dharmasena Gaffaney

Batty Struck down Tamim Struck down Mominul Upheld Mahmudullah Struck down Mehedi Struck down

81.1 81.3

England (Bowling) Bangladesh (Batting)

Dharmasena Dharmasena

Taijul Shafiul

Upheld Struck down

27

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

EPL POINTS TABLE Team P W D Man City 9 6 2 Arsenal 9 6 2 Liverpool 9 6 2 Chelsea 9 6 1 Tottenham 9 5 4 Everton 9 4 3 Man Utd 9 4 2 Southampton 9 3 4 Watford 9 3 3 Bournemouth 9 3 3 Crystal Palace 9 3 2 Leicester 9 3 2 West Brom 9 2 4 Burnley 9 3 1 West Ham 9 3 1 Stoke 9 2 3 Middlesbrough 9 1 4 Hull 9 2 1 Swansea 9 1 2 Sunderland 9 0 2

L GD Pts 1 11 20 1 10 20 1 9 20 2 10 19 0 9 19 2 5 15 3 1 14 2 3 13 3 0 12 3 0 12 4 0 11 4 -4 11 3 10 10 5 -5 10 5 -7 10 4 -7 9 4 -4 7 6 -14 7 6 -7 5 7 -10 2

‘Mourinho accused Conte of humiliating United’

Plea grabs hat-trick as leaders Nice win again

n Reuters

n Reuters, Paris

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho told his Chelsea counterpart Antonio Conte that his antics in whipping up the crowd during the London club’s 4-0 victory on Sunday were “humiliating”, according to Italian television.

The Portuguese went straight to Conte at the final whistle and spent several seconds talking into his ear.

Neither manager would reveal the contents of the conversation but Sky Italia said Mourinho told Conte in Italian: “You don’t celebrate like that at 4-0. You can do it at 1-0, otherwise it’s humiliating for us.”

Chelsea’s manager denied that he had been trying to humiliate

Alassane Plea scored a hat-trick as Ligue 1 leaders Nice made light of Mario Balotelli’s absence to win 4-2 at Metz on Sunday while Olympique Marseille held Paris St Germain to a goalless draw on new coach Rudi Garcia’s debut.

Metz twice came from behind to equalise before Plea, with his third goal of the game, and Wylan Cyprien struck in the last 10 minutes gave unbeaten Nice their eighth win in 10 league games.

Maverick forward Balotelli, who has enjoyed a revival since his move to the club with five goals in four league appearances, was missing with a thigh injury. l

Morata winner sends Real top, Atletico beaten n AFP, Madrid

LA LIGA 4-1

Celta Vigo

Deportivo

Hugo Mallo 32, Albentosa 37 Aspas 60-P, 83, Orellana 78

Sevilla

1-0

Atletico

4-0

Leganes

N’Zonzi 73

Malaga

Jony 40-P, Castro 42, Sandro Ramírez 57, Camacho 90+2

2-1

Villarreal

Las Palmas

Sansone 64-P, Bakambu 90+2

Boateng 31

2-1

Real Madrid

Bilbao

Benzema 7, Morata 83

Merino 27

LA LIGA Team

P W D L GD Pts

Real Madrid 9 6 3 0 15

21

Sevilla

9 6 2

1

5

20

Barcelona

9 6

2

17

19

Villarreal

9 5 4 0 16

19

Atletico

9 5 3

18

1

1

17

Real Madrid took advantage of Atletico Madrid’s first defeat of the season at Sevilla to move to the top of La Liga as Alvaro Morata struck a late winner to secure a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

Steven N’Zonzi struck Sevilla’s winner 17 minutes from time to seal a 1-0 win at a soggy Pizjuan. Real lead Sevilla by a point and Barcelona and Villarreal by two at the top of the table.

Atletico, who started the weekend top, slip to fifth, three points back on their city rivals.

Madrid couldn’t have hoped for a better start when Enric Saborit’s slip allowed Isco to tee up Karim Benzema for a simple finish after just seven minutes.

Cristiano Ronaldo suffered another off night in front of goal and was even jeered by the Bernabeu crowd. l

DAY’S WATCH FOOTBALL SONY ESPN

12:30AM Italian Serie A Genoa v AC Milan

STAR SPORTS 1 7:20PM Indian Super League Kolkata v Mumbai

TEN 1 2:00PM FFA Cup 2016: SF 2 Melbourne Victory v Melbourne City

TEN 2 10:00PM German Cup Sportfreunde v Bayer Leverkusen 12:45AM

EFL Cup 2016/17 Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur

TEN 3 12:15AM DFB Pokal (German Cup) 2016/17 Monchengladbach v Stuttgart

CRICKET TEN 3 12:00PM West Indies Tour of Pakistan 2nd Test, Day 5

HOCKEY STAR SPORTS 4 Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 4:30PM Pakistan v Japan 6:30PM India v China

United.

“There has always been respect for all, and naturally for Manchester United,” said Conte.

“The players, after a 4-0 win, deserved a great clap. It’s very normal.

We live with emotions. If you want to cut the emotions, we can stay at home and I will change jobs.” l

LIGUE 1 Team

P W D

L GD Pts

Nice

10

8

2

0 13

26

Monaco

10

7

1

2 15

22

Paris SG

10

6

2

2 12 20

Toulouse

10

5

3

2

Guingamp

10

5

2

3

7

18 4

17

LIGUE 1 Caen

0-2

Saint-Etienne

Saivet 49, Veretout 58

Metz

2-4

Mandjeck 25, Diallo 69

PSG

Nice Plea 12, 38-P, 84, Cyprien 90+2

0-0

Marseille

DT

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Sport

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Big guns march on in Mir Corporate Football

Pakistan scent series win

n Tribune Report

Pakistan pressed West Indies hard for a series-clinching win in the second Test after setting a daunting 456-run target on the fourth day in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

By close of play Pakistan had taken four wickets at 171 leaving the West

Neo Zipper, Comfit Composite, Gemcon Group, Bando Design won their respective matches on the second day of the third Mir Corporate Football Fiesta powered by Sailor at ITHS yesterday.

Neo Zipper beat Sterling Group 1-0 before handing Aarong Dairy a 8-0 thrashing while Comfit won 4-0 against Accenture.

Defending champions Gemcon showed no mercy as they

beat Lanka Bangla Finance 7-1 while Bando too continued their march with a 6-0 win against Therap BD. Md Sabbir, Adnan (Neo Zipper), Tanin (Comfit), Proshanto (Gemcon) and Imran (Bando) were the Amaze Power man of the match winners on the second day.

Gemcon’s Proshanto netted seven goals in two matches while Adnan of Neo scored six. However, Bando’s Imran is leading the top-scorer chart with a whopping 12 goals from two outings. l

Action from the match between Sterling Group and Neo Zipper at the ITHS premises yesterday AMIR AL FAHIM

Inter suffer another defeat SERIE A

Team

P

W D L GD Pts

Juventus 9

7 0 2

9

Roma

21

9

6

1

2

12 19

AC Milan 9

6

1

2

5

19

Napoli

9

5 2 2

7

17

Torino

9

4 3 2

6

15

SERIE A 3-1

Udinese Thereau 9-P, 71, Zapata 90+3-P

Pescara Aquilani 74

2-1

Inter Milan

Masiello 10, Pinilla 88-P

Eder 50

3-5

Fiorentina

Atalanta Cagliari

Di Gennaro 2, Capuano 62, Kalinic 20, 40, 53, Borriello 77 Bernardeschi 26, 32

Crotone Rosi 89

1-2

Empoli

0-0

Torino

2-2

Falque 20, Ljajic 90+2-P

Bologna

Chievo Lazio Immobile 71, Murgia 84

1-1

Verdi 10

Roma

Napoli

Callejon 17, Maksimovic 33

Sassuolo Matri 87

4-1

Salah 31, Paredes 52, Dzeko 68, El Shaarawy 82

Palermo Quaison 80

n Reuters, Milan Mauricio Pinilla converted a late penalty to give Atalanta a 2-1 win over Inter Milan, condemn their troubled opponents to a third successive Serie A defeat and heap more pressure on coach Frank de Boer on Sunday.

Napoli, despite having forward Manolo Gabbiadini sent off after half an hour, ended a run of three successive defeats in all competitions with a 2-1 win at bottom club Crotone.

AS Roma beat Palermo 4-1 to go back into second place, Nikola Kalinic scored a hat-trick to lead Fiorentina to a 5-3 win at Cagliari and a last-minute penalty by Adem Ljajic gave Torino a 2-2 draw with Lazio.

Inter, who have 11 points from nine games, dropped to 14th in the table after their defeat as Thursday’s Europa League win over Southampton proved to offer only temporary respite.

“I don’t know if I will still be here on Wednesday, all I can do is work hard,” said De Boer, whose side host Torino in midweek. l

n AFP, Abu Dhabi

Indies to bat out the fifth and final day today or score a further 285 runs with six wickets intact for an unlikely win.

No team has ever chased down more than the 418-7 West Indies managed against Australia at Antigua 13 years ago and on a weary last day pitch they will need a huge effort to stop Pakistan from taking an unassail-

able 2-0 lead.

Pakistan won the first Test - a daynight affair played with the pink ball - by 56 runs in Dubai.

Pakistan had declared their second innings on 227-2 at lunch, with Asad Shafiq on 58 not out (his 16th Test half century) and Younis Khan 29 to give their bowlers enough time to force a win. l

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Employer (4) 5 Inadequate (5) 8 Whole (6) 9 Sly look (4) 10 Flightless bird (3) 12 Clergyman (6) 13 Peril (6) 15 Tentacle (6) 18 Deposited (6) 20 Respectful fear (3) 21 Roman garment (4) 23 Rubber (6) 24 Small anchor (5) 25 Domestic animals (4)

DOWN 1 Animal with two feet (5) 2 United (3) 3 Harsh (5) 4 Plant juice (3) 5 Directed a course (7) 6 Encourage in crime (4) 7 Pleasure trip (4) 11 Fashion (4) 12 Arbitrator (7) 14 Declare (4) 16 Unbound (5) 17 Brings up (5) 18 Gaunt (4) 19 Exploit (4) 21 Faucet (3) 22 Obtain (3)

29

DT

Downtime

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

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

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

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

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

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

SATURDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

DILBERT

SUDOKU

DT

30

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Showtime

Deepika, Ranveer and Shahid prepare for Padmavati

WHAT TO WATCH

X-Men 2 Star Movies 6:33pm The X-Men band together to find a mutant assassin who has made an attempt on the President’s life, while the Mutant Academy is attacked by military forces.

Cast: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry

n Showtime Desk When the makers of Padmavati announced the names of the final cast for the film, speculations were rife on whether Shahid Kappor and Ranveer Singh will finally be seen sharing screen time. An official statement from the makers cleared all the air as it stated that the trio have agreed to come together for the period film.

Deepika will be playing the character of the Queen of Mewar, Padmavati with Shahid playing the role of her husband, Raja Raval Ratan Singh while

Ranveer portrays the character of Alauddin Khilji, who eyes the beautiful Padmavati and plots to win her. We are yet to know exactly what Sanjay Leela Bhansali plans to portray in the film. The movie is set to go on floors in November and reports suggest that the cast will start shooting for it from next week.

Shahid was on a paternity leave till now and with Rangoon completed, the actor has no other obligations to hold him back from devoting his full attention to the movie. He has already started to work on his physique in order to

portray the role of the king.

Deepika too was missing from the scene. The last time when she was spotted, she was shooting for the premiere episode of Bigg Boss 10 with Salman Khan after which, she flew off to America. Reports suggest that the B-town hottie is back and has already started her share of the preparations.

Deepika is scheduled to start shooting before her co-stars Shahid and Ranveer, for a dance number.

Bollywood hunk Ranveer Singh is also back from Befikre’s trailer launch in Paris. He was

recently spotted at a studio in Bandra, looking all set for Padmavati. The actor who will be playing the role of a warrior is currently focussing on preparing his body and getting big for the film. Let us warn you beforehand, those biceps will surely make you drool. The actor received rave reviews on his steamy on-screen chemistry with the beautiful Vaani Kapoor in Befikre and we expect him to pick up where he left off in Padmavati. l

The Matrix HBO 11:27pm A computer hacker learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of his reality and his role in the war against its controllers.

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss The Covenant WB 9:00pm

Source: Bollywoodlife.com

Aref Syed’s Saturday and the Curse of the Kohinoor n Sajal Khan Actor and model Aref Syed made a stellar debut in Anil Bagchir Ekdin and hasn’t looked back ever since. He was also offered to take part in a HollywoodBollywood venture titled Curse of the Kohinoor.

Recently, Aref was seen shooting for a short film titled, Shonibar (Saturday) alongside former Lux Star, Prosun Azad. The short film serves as the directorial debut for Kazi Sami Hasan, who is also the man to be credited for writing the story and has Barkat Hossain Polash as the director of photography. The shooting was wrapped up yesterday in Uttara.

Director Kazi Sami Hasan said, “We will complete the post production soon and hopefully release it in November 2016.”

The film-maker aims to submit the short film to international festivals as soon as it is released, Aref plays the character Samy Rahman, a middle class husband married to his wife, Rita for seven years. Talking about his role, Aref Syed shared his

Four young men who belong to a supernatural legacy are forced to battle a fifth power long thought to have died out.

Another great force they must contend with is the jealousy and suspicion that threatens to tear them apart.

Cast: Steven Strait, Sebastian Stan, Toby Hemingway Fast Five Movies Now 9:30pm

excitement saying, “Even though the role is a small one, I did not hesitate since as an actor, it is a creative challenge to portray the a couple’s seven years of married life in only a few shots.”

“It was a wonderful experience to work with the director, Sami bhai and a pleasure to work with

Prosun Azad. Her role was a very challenging one as well and I have a lot of respect for her. We hope that our film will be well received by the audience.” he added.

Aref’s debut movie had previously earned him the prestigious Meril Prothom Alo Puroshkar 2015 for Best Actor-

Film Critics Choice in April 2016.

He is currently busy shooting for the Hollywood-Bollywood venture, directed by Raghav Murali which will be released in Summer 2017. The first teaser of the film was released yesterday which has already garnered a lot of attention on social media. l

Dominic Toretto and his crew of street racers plan a massive heist to buy their freedom while in the sights of a powerful Brazilian drug lord and a dangerous federal agent.

Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwanye Johnson l

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Showtime

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Photo: Rajib Dhar

The 2016 edition of Bengal Classical Music Festival to kick-off in late November nShowtime Desk For the fifth time in a row, the much-aniticipated event for enthusiasts of Indian classical music, the Bengal Classical Music Festival, will be kick off on November 24. The music festival has already clinched the reputation of being the largest classical music festival in South Asia as well as the world in terms of artists and audience participation.

The five day festival will be dedicated to the recently-deceased ambidextrous littérateur Syed

Shamsul Haq who has been closely associated with Bengal Foundation since it’s inception.

The Indian classical music extravaganza will take place at the Army Stadium, Dhaka from November 24 to 28 running everyday from 7:00pm to 5:00am.

Just like the previous editions, the festival will feature performances of major disciplines from Indian classical music and dance carried out by local and Indian artiste.

Luva Nahid Choudhury, director general of Bengal Foundation, revealed the details about the music festival in a press

conference held at the Westin, Dhaka yesterday, while Abul Khair, chairman of Bengal Foundation, Abdul Momen, advisor to Bengal Foundation, Anjan Chowdhury, MD and CEO of Square Toiletries Ltd and Maasranga TV, and Zara Mahbub, head of communication of BRAC Bank were present.

This year, in the wake of unsettling situations, concerns were risen regarding organising such an event on a large scale.

However, in his speech, the Bengal Foundation chairman mentioned that the government’s willingness, initiative and assurance is what gave faith to the organisers to continue organising one of the prestigious classical music festival this year as well.

Presented by Square Group, Bengal Foundation will organise the festival with support from Brac Bank Limited.

Headlining performers of 2016

Aashish Khan, a sarod artiste from India who is the grandson of Ustad Allauddin Khan (born in Shibpur, Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh), son of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, and nephew of Annapurna Devi. A Grammy nominee, Khan has performed extensively in both India and abroad alongside numerous distinguished artists which include John Barham, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and Eric Clapton.

Girija Devi is an iconic Indian classical vocalist of the Seniya and Banaras Gharana.

Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia is an internationally renowned exponent of the bansuri.

Pandit Shivkumar Sharma whose name, to many aficionados of classical music, is synonymous with the santoor. He is credited for bringing the instrument from the realm of Kashmiri folk music into that of the Indian classical platform, while facing resistance from the

Photo: Rajib Dhar most conservative quarters.

Ajoy Chakrabarty, a vocalist from India, is considered a doyen of the Patiala-Kasur style because of his extensive training who can also portray the key features of other major classical gharanas.

U Rajesh, a mandolin artist, is a Grammy nomination in 2009 with John McLaughlin for his album Floating Point.

Abhijit Banerjee, a tabla player from India, who founded Tarang and a member of the raga jazz group, Arohi Ensemble.

Jayateerth Mevundi (vocalist), Ulhas Kashalkar (vocalist), Dr L Subramaniam (violinist), Jayateerth Mevundi (classical vocalist), Madhavi Mudgal (dancer), Arushi Mudgal (dancer), Ashwini Bhide (vocalist), Arati Ankalikar (vocalist), Ajay Joglekar (harmonium artist), Anindo Chatterjee (tabla artist), Bhawani Shankar, aka Bhawani Kathak (classical percussionist), Bickram Ghosh (tabla artist), Kumar Madur (vocalist of Dharwad traditions), Kushal Das (North-Indian solo sitar and surbahar artist), Zakir Hosen (tabla player), Munmun Ahmed (dancer), Murad Ali (sarangi artist), Nilesh Ranadive (tabla artist), Dr Prabha Atre (vocalist), Pravin Godkhindi (flautist), Priyanka Gope (vocalist), Purbayan Chatterjee (Sitar maestro), Rahul Sharma (vocal and santoor), Ranjani and Gayatri Balasubramanian (vocalists and violinists), Rashid Khan (vocalist), Ratish Tagde (violinist), Ranendranath Majumdar (flautist),

Sanjeev Abhyankar (vocalist), Sanjoy Bandopadhyay (sitar artist), Satyajit Talwalkar (tabla maestro), Sharmila Banerjee (dancer and choreographer), Shashank Subramanyam (flautist), Subhankar Banerjee (tabla artist), Swarup Hossain, Tejendra Narayan Majumdar (sarod artist), Uday Bhawalkar (vocalist) and Yogesh Samsi (tabla player).

Other features of the 2016 edition

Prior to the festival, Goethe Institut Bangladesh and Bengal Foundation has jointly organised a meeting titled “Music As Intangible Heritage” on November 22 and 23 where international experts will discuss Bangladeshi music as intangible heritage.

Under the Bengal Foundation label, a total of 25 music tracks will be available this year on The Orchard, an international music distribution platform.

A collection of music appreciation lectures and demonstrations on Indian classical music and instrumental will be available in DVD targeting enthusiasts and common listeners to understand Indian classical music.

Festival registration

Interested individuals have to register to attend the festival.

Bengal Foundation informed that the online registration will be open from early November. The dates of the registration and procedure will be announced shortly.l

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

EUROZONE BUSINESS ACTIVITY PICKS UP PAGE 13

DEFIANT TIGERS FALL 22 RUNS SHORT PAGE 24

BENGAL CLASSICAL MUSIC FESTIVAL IN NOVEMBER PAGE 31

Ilish ban hits fishermen n Abu Siddique Fishermen barred from fishing Ilish during the ongoing 22day ban have not received the compensation of 20kg of rice promised by the government.

Dhaka Trbiune’s correspondents from Barisal, Bhola, Faridpur and Manikganj report that not a single fisherman has received the compensation as of yesterday, the 14th day of the moratorium to protect Ilish spawn.

The correspondents report that authorities punished a good number of fishermen with fines and even jail terms for violating the ban to conserve the national fish accounting for about 1% of the national GDP. Fisherman Shahid Majhi, from Bhola, one of the largest Ilish yielding spots in Bangladesh, told Dhaka Tribune yesterday that the district administration had promised fishermen 20kg of rice through the Union Parishad as compensation for not fishing during the ban. “But none of us have received it yet.”

Pointing out that 20kg was rather negligible as compensation, Shahid said they were still only being given assurances that the compensation would be given out soon. “I need it now when I do not have an income. I will not need it a month later when I will be able to fish again.

“On one hand, they do not let us carry on with our livelihoods and do not keep their promise; on the other, they send us to jail for carrying on with our livelihoods. This is unfair.”

Another fisherman, Kawsar Ali, also from Bhola, said the government had introduced a card for fishermen for the compensation. But many of the real fishermen did not receive those cards, he said. “The Union Parishad gave the cards to their own people.”

Khokon Chnadra Shil, a Bhola-based NGO worker, said: “It is really difficult for the poor fishermen to be out of work for even a day as they

live from hand to mouth. The compensation package is rather dismal.”

What is worse, the fishermen would not be getting the full package either because of pilferage.

“For instance,” he said, “during the previous ban, to protect the juvenile Ilish, fishermen were supposed to get 40kg of rice. But they only got something like 30kg.”

Jahid Habib, head of Ilish conservation in Bangladesh, said: “The allegation of not getting the compensation in time is true to some extent as the coastal areas are remote.

It takes a lot of time for the goods to get there.”

Regarding the volume he said the government had to act within its means.

He explained that this moratorium to protect Ilish spawn has been in place for several years. “But this is the first time that the government announced a compensation package simply because the government could not manage the resources.”

Admitting that the compensation package was rather “negligible,” he pointed out that this year the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry allocated 20kg of rice for 350,000 fishermen dependent on Ilish. According to official data, almost 500,000 fishermen are directly involved with Ilish fishing and another 2 million indirectly.

Bangladesh government introduced moratoria on Ilish fishing in early 2000s.

The current ban, the one for projecting spawn, has been in force at all Ilish roaming areas, since 2007, during October each year. Bangladesh’s yearly yield of 387,211 tonnes accounts for 65% of the global Ilish catch.

Dr Anisur Rahman, chief scientific officer of Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, said Ilish conservation will not work properly unless the compensation package is meaningful for those deprived due to the ban. “They must have an alternative to sustain themselves.” l

EFFORTS TO REVIVE ILISH POPULATION BANS

JUVENILE (JATKA) March-April and November to January (All sanctuaries)

SPAWN (MOTHER ILISH) October 12-November 02 22 days (All roaming areas)

BANS ON SANCTUARIES MARCH TO APRIL Lower Meghna (Chandpur-Laxmipur) Shahbazpur Channel (Bhola) Tentulia River (Bhola) NOVEMBER TO JANUARY Lower Meghna (Shariatpur) Andharmanik River Source: Department of Fisheries

Asmaul Hoque Mamun/DT Infographic

COMPENSATION PACKAGES JATKA 40kg rice (since 2007) SPAWN 20kg rice (for the first time)

ILISH PRODUCTION (2014-15) Total : 387,211 tonnes

Marine catch: 251,815 (65%) tonnes

Inland river catch: 135,396 (35%) tonnes

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