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SECOND EDITION
11 | STAYING COMPETITIVE
A case was filed against publisher, editor, chief news editor and a reporter under the ICT Act 2006 with Wari police
In a press release, Khaleda demanded the release of all detained journalists including those from the daily Inqilab. She also demanded that all the closed media outlets be reopened. She said: Peoples rights are being snatched during the ruling governments regime in a fascist way. Detectives on Thursday arrested Ahmmed Atiq, chief reporter of Inqilab, Rabiulla Ulla Robi, a news editor and Rafiq Mohammad, its deputy chief reporter. A case was filed against publisher, editor, chief news editor and a reporter under the Information and Communication Technology Act 2006 with Wari police. Reporter Atiq was arrested for the making of the news that claims the presence of Indian army personnel in Bangladesh territory while Robi and Rafiq for helping in the making, said police. The government previously shut down Bangla newspaper the daily
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INSIDE
News
3 In the wake of widespread violence across the country, authorities have decided to take sturdy security measures for the upcoming Biswa Ijtema. Activists of different rights bodies demonstrate in front of the National Press Club under the banner of Bangladesh National Hindu Alliance yesterday, protesting recent violence against Hindus across the country MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU
News
5 The government is yet to recover the ancestral residence of legendary actor Suchitra Sen from the occupation of Jamaat men despite long-standing demands.
Destiny laundered over Tk100 crore Ganajagaran motorcade to five countries attacked in phases
n Syed Samiul Basher Anik
Multi-level marketing firm Destiny Group and its several sister concerns have siphoned off over Tk100crore to the USA, France, Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore between June 2010 and 2012, reveals a probe by the Anti-Corruption Commission. According to the probe reports, the group has siphoned off the money in the name of import of agro products and ground service equipment and lease of aircraft, salary and allowance of its foreign crews, honorarium and security deposit for taking general sales agent-ship of Yemen Airways. The Destiny officials sent the money without informing Bangladesh Bank. The ACC on Thursday approved filing of charges against 51 top executives of Destiny Group and its associates including its President and former army chief M Harun-ur-Rashid and Managing Director Mohammad Rafiqul Amin for embezzling and laundering of Tk4,119 crore from the clients deposits. Among them, 46 people have been charged for the irregularities in Destiny Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited (DMCSL) while 19 for the Destiny Tree Plantation Limited (DTPL). The probe has found that most of the money was laundered by Rafiqul in association with several others of the group and was mostly sent to Noel G Carey, a Hong Kong resident who has business ties with the Destiny Group MD. According to the report, Tk56.19 crore was sent to Carey, owner at Softalk Online (HK) Limited based in Hong Kong, in the name of import of MLM products and honorarium of Carey under the tree plantation project. From the cooperatives business, the group has laundered a total of Tk43.87 crore to the USA, France, Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore. According to the report, main accused Rafiqul while serving as the chairman/managing director of Best Aviation Limited siphoned off Tk41.19 crore to the five countries. Of the amount, Tk31.62 crore was laundered by Best Aviation Limited in the name of aircraft lease and import of ground service equipment, though the ACC probe did not find any such lease or import of such products. The money was sent to Atlas Aviation, LLC, USA, which is a global provider of comprehensive aircraft sales, leasing and financial services.
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Sport
13 After a run feast of a first round, the franchise-based Bangladesh Cricket League will resume its second round today, with table toppers Walton Central Zone facing Prime Bank South Zone.
Dhaka Tribune that some unidentified miscreants hurled three crude bombs at a bus of the motorcade at around 8:30pm.
Road march is on its way towards Thakurgaon to protest the recent atrocities against members of the local Hindu community
Later, police shot five rounds of rubber bullets in the area. Ganajagaran Mancha activist Baki Billah, who was there with the motorcade, said at least six to seven people had been injured in the attacks. Maksudul Islam, a war-wounded freedom fighter, received injuries as
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DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
Police snatch valuables from Australian citizen n Our correspondent, Coxs Bazar n JU Correspondent
A sub-inspector of Coxs Bazar police was withdrawn yesterday for his alleged involvement in looting an Australian citizen. Confirming the incident, Coxs Bazar Police Assistant Superintendent Chatradhar Tripura said the police official, Sunil Chandra Sutradhar, had been attached with the Police Lines. According to the allegation, SI Sunil detained Australian citizen Sabbir Mohammad from Mishuk Residential Hotel on January 11 and released him after snatching valuables and cash from his possession, worth around Tk9 lakh. Sabbir alleged that the local police station refused to include SI Sunils name when his wife went to file a case immediately after the incident. Later, Sabbir informed the Australian High Commission in Bangladesh over the matter. l
NASHIRUL ISLAM
students were feeling unsecured. The identified killers are still roaming on the campus. Some of them are frequently rounding the dormitories while the authorities are mum in this regard, said Junanjina Trina, a friend of Zubair. However, Proctor Prof Muzibur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune: The accused got stay orders from the High Court and thus were able to attend the examinations. A case regarding Zubairs killing is underway and we hope that all culprits will be punished very soon. All the 13 accused are of 37th batch. Zubair was also a Chhatra League activist loyal to the other faction of Chhatra League. But he quit the party an year before the killing, said his friends. A probe committee formed by the university authorities held the 13 responsible for the killing. The authorities expelled seven of them for life and six others for two years. l
Ganajagaran
Moon Moon and grand-daughters Riya and Raima Sen who are also actresses. The reclusive Suchitra refused the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2005 as it meant travelling to New Delhi to accept the award. In 2012, Suchitra received the Banga Bibhushan award from the government of West Bengal. l
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attempt on part of the government to divert the attention of upazila level leaders of the party from the ongoing movement. But they think that it is a wonderful chance for the BNP to revitalise the grassroots because a major success in these elections will mean that the party has managed to drum up the public support that is essential for pressing home its demands. Insiders said the plan now was to unofficially nominate competent candidates in each of the 487 upazilas and ensure their victories. BNP leader and Sylhet City Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury said the BNP was a pro-election political party and wanted to compete in all elections. If the EC can ensure a free and fair poll the BNP will obviously think about it positively. Dewan Mohammad Sahidullah, a BNP leader who contested the previous upazila poll and an aspirants for the post of Hijal Parishad chairman this year,
said he would stand in the election. We should not leave it unchallenged. We should contest the elections to show off our strength, he said. Party Chairperson Khaleda Zias tours of the districts and the senior leaders visit to the grassroots in the coming days will ensure victory in the elections and eventually put the much needed pressure on the government, he added. Ataur Rahman Ata, secretary general of the Upazila Parishad Foundation of Bangladesh, said if the party gave green signal then the leaders would contest the election. And if not they would resist the elections. However, on condition of not being named, another upazila chairman said if the party directly get involved in the local election the ongoing movement might suffer. The party must come up with a careful strategy. Neither should the party high command extend support to any local leader directly nor prevent anyone from competing the poll, he said. l
who develops personal relationships with male psychiatric patients, was hailed by both audience and critics alike. Suchitra Sen became the first Indian actress to win an international award when she was handed the Silver Prize for Best Actress at the Moscow Film
Festival in 1963 for her work in Saat Pake Badha (1963). The veteran actor ended her film career with Pronoy Pasha in 1978, retiring also from public life to lead a hermit-like existence. Suchitra, who had not been seen in public since 1989, only allowed a handful of people at her home apart from daughter
Meanwhile, the Destiny high-ups also laundered Tk9.57 crore to the same company in the name of import of cargo aircraft parts, and salary and allowance, and training cost for the foreign crews.
The report says Rafiqul in his confessional statement said he had 50% partnership in Softalk Online (HK) Limited, with Carey
From the Destiny Agro Industries Limited, Rafiqul and other high-ups have laundered Tk1.46 crore to Carey in the name of importing agro products for the company, the report said. While serving as the MD of Destiny Air Systems Limited, accused Rafiqul
and others have sent Tk1.21 crore to Yemen in the name of security deposit for taking general sales agent-ship and Cargo general sales agent-ship of Yemen Airways. The probe report was prepared based on confessional statements of the accused, analysing their bank accounts, reports from Financial Intelligence Unit of the central bank and other documents collected by the ACC probe team. The report says Rafiqul in his confessional statement made before a magistrate said he had 50% partnership in Softalk Online (HK) Limited, with Carey. The Destiny MD also confessed that he had a company in Singapore named Destiny Singapore. The accused also
confessed that he had accounts and balance at several banks in the USA, Singapore, Malaysia and Canada. The key accused also admitted that in the name of training of the cabin crews of Best Aviation, he had sent 84,300 to ETOPS Aviation and Services Limited through non-banking channels (hundi), without permission from central bank. On July 31, 2012, the ACC filed two cases against 22 high officials of Destiny 2000 Limited accusing them of embezzling around Tk3,285 crore under the Money Laundering Prevention Act 2004 and 2012. Destiny President Harun is currently on bail, while its Managing Director Rafiqul is in jail in connection with the cases. l
the broken shards of window glasses were embedded in his body after bricks were thrown at the moving bus. In another bus, several others including Chatra Moitree leader Tanvir Rusmat were injured, Baki Billah claimed. Earlier yesterday afternoon, three crude bombs were also hurled at a rally of Ganajagaran Mancha in Sathmatha area of Bogra. Ganajagaran Manchas road march is on its way towards Thakurgaon to protest the recent atrocities against members of the local Hindu community, centering their participation on the 10th parliamentary elections. l
Govt starts
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Amar Desh and detained its acting editor Mahmudur Rahman. It also closed private television channels Diganta Television, Islamic TV and Channel 1. According to the government, Mahmudur was arrested on the specific allegations of lying, hacking and instigating religious fanaticism while Diganta Television and Islamic TV were shut down for broadcasting misleading information and news. l
was over regarding the investigation. We have finished the investigation. Now the Ashulia OC will arrest the accused and the court inspector will send the copies of the charge sheet to Kishoreganj police, if necessary. I will appear before the court when it will ask me to give deposition as the IO during the case procedure, he said. When contacted, Court Inspector Asaduzzaman said he had already sent a copy of the warrants to Ashulia and Kishoreganj police stations. They would know how to arrest the accused.
The court in its order asked the investigation officer and the police station concerned to submit a report before the court whether the fugitive people were arrested or not by February 25. In this regard, the OC said he did not have any idea about it and the fugitives. The previous IO after submitting charge sheet in the case before the Dhakas Chief Judicial Magistrates Court told the Dhaka Tribune that if found guilty, the accused could face a maximum punishment of life imprisonment or minimum seven years in jail. The IO said the prosecution would produce 104 witness-
es in the case. Four other absconding accused are Factory Manager Abdur Razzak, Quality Manager Shahiduzzaman Dulal, Production Manager Mobarak Hossain Monju and engineer Mahbubul Morshed. The other seven accused are: Manager (admin) Md Dulal Uddin, store-incharge Hamidul Islam and Md Al Amin, security in-charge Md Al Amin and Anisur Rahman, security guard Md Rana, and loader Shamim Mia. Of them, only security-in-charge Anisur is now behind bars while other six are on bail. According to the charges, the accused did not allow the workers to go
out of the factory saying that the fire alarm was part of drill procedures, additional public prosecutor Anwarul Kabir Babul told the Dhaka Tribune. A home ministry probe committee formed in late 2012 said they had found unpardonable neglect on the part of the owner and that the incident might have been subversive. Later, talking to several media, Delwar ruled out his responsibility in connection with the fire and claimed himself innocent. He said the law enforcers had not arrested him as there were no specific charges against him. l
be given accordingly, the official added. Talking to this correspondent, a deputy commissioner from a northern district said he had sent a report of an estimated loss of Tk2 crore to the Prime Ministers Office. The reports contained the number of victims, damaged houses and schools and cars. Meanwhile, the home ministry on Thursday sent a compiled report of attacks on minorities in 13 districts to the foreign ministry. The districts include Kurigram, Gaibandha, Barisal, Netrakona, Rangpur, Jessore, Dinajpur, Rajshahi and Thakurgaon. According to officials, the report contained date and place of incidents, the number of killings, estimated losses and steps taken by law enforcement agencies. Officials at the foreign ministry said the reports of attacks on minority communities would be sent to different international organisations including the United Nations to inform the world about the latest situation, and the governments steps to stop the attacks. l
DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
Activists of Ganajagaran Mancha bring out a procession at the citys Shahbagh yesterday before starting a road march to combat communal violence towards Thakurgaon
MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU
The government will deal the miscreants who attacked members of minority communities with an iron hand, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said yesterday. The government has taken necessary steps against the incidents of attack and torture on the minorities in different parts of Bangladesh and deal those behind them with an iron hand, he said at a winter-cloth distribution ceremony in Munshiganj. The government and the law enforcement agencies are with the public. So theres nothing to worry about. At the ceremony, Mahbubey distributed blankets among 400 fishermen who had lost their homes in river erosion at the districts Kanakshar upazila. l
The EU parliament acknowledged that the International Crimes Tribunal had played an important role in providing redress and closure for the victims of and those affected by Bangladeshs war of independence. It, however, expressed concern at the increasing number of people on death row in Bangladesh as the tribunal had pronounced death sentences of six individuals and at the sentencing to death of 152 soldiers over the bloody mutiny in the erstwhile BDR in 2009. [It] calls on the government and the parliament to abolish the death penalty and to commute all death sentences; calls also on the authorities to urgently set up an effective mechanism to protect witnesses in cases before the [war crimes tribunal]. The EU parliament also called on the government to revise the Information and Communication Technology Act and the Anti-Terrorism Act, which
were made more stringent under the last government and can lead to the arbitrary criminalisation of citizens.
Debate in UK parliament
The British government earlier urged all Bangladeshi political parties to look actively for solutions through dialogue, not political harassment and violence. Our commitment to that intensive dialogue will continue, Lidington said during the debate participated by about 20 MPs. On reviewing aid programmes, he said Britain should not restrict aid as it would penalise the poor people in Bangladesh. We must not let our dissatisfaction with the political situation in Bangladesh lead us to decide to restrict aid in ways that penalise some of the poorest people on the planet, who are not responsible for decisions taken by Bangladeshs party political leaders, Lidington said. l
4
n Tazlina Zamila Khan
Around 500 children aged 5-17 years, are engaged in jobs in the battery recycling sector across the capital, without having provided with protective gears. Largely belonging to poor families, they are pursuing the hazardous jobs in exchange of little money to support themselves. According to the baseline survey conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, the number of children engaged in the sector is 5,513 of whom 417 are working in around 1,200 battery recharge shops inside the capital. Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Act 2013 has set the minimum age for doing such jobs as 18. The number of children working
DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
A goods-laden truck approaches a damaged bridge on Dhaka- Rajshahi Highway. Most parts of the highway are not fit for heavy vehicles. The photo was taken from Belpukur area of Rajshahi yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE
As of January 13, the status of governments food reserve was about 935.74 lakh metric tonnes while it was about 1,285.48 lakh tonnes same time last year
We could not meet the demand of customers as we are receiving only half as much rice as before from the government, Mridha said. Currently the dealers are getting 1.125 metric tonnes of coarse rice and the same amount of flour from the gov-
WEATHER
PRAYER TIMES
Fajar Sunrise Jumma Asr Magrib Esha 5:24am 6:42am 12:09am 3:59pm 5:35pm 6:54pm
Source: IslamicFinder.org
A large number of visitors throng the trade fair yesterday, the first holiday since it started on January 11
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News
The ancestral residence of Suchitra Sen at Gopalpur village in Pabna town has been occupied by Imam Gazzali Institute, a Jamaat-backed institution, over decades. The photo was taken recently DHAKA TRIBUNE
The trickle-down effect of blockade 3,000 sued for attacking n MK Alamgirs motorcade
Mushque Wadud
It has been nearly a week since the BNP-led opposition alliance has had its last blockade but it appears schoolchildren, who had to suffer periodic forced vacations because of the previous months blockade programmes, are yet to fully recover from it. The consecutive blockades of the alliance, according to some guardians, have affected the psyche of their children, especially pre-school students and created in them a feeling of disinclination for studies. They said students had grown more accustomed to the idea of going to school only on Fridays, which they had to do during the blockades enforced on working days. When I woke up my son on the first day after the blockade, he was disinclined to attend school. I managed to get him ready but he was crying the whole way to school, said Mahbubur Rahman, whose six-year-old son is a student of Government Laboratory School in Dhanmondi.
The blockades have affected the psyche of children, especially pre-school students and created in them a feeling of disinclination for studies
This was not the case before the blockades began. My son would willingly get up to attend his classes, he added. Abuld Mannan, whose five-year-old son goes to Apple Tree International
School in Mirpur, said his son had difficulty concentrating on studies. He doesnt want to go to school or study even at home. I can force him but it seems he needs a little more time to get back into the habit of school-going. In this regard, Rafikul Islam, headmaster of Champa Parul Government Primary School in Mirpur, told the Dhaka Tribune that the apparent disinterest of children in studies was due to the consecutive blockades. This kind of development can have serious impacts on their psyche. The 18-party alliance had been enforcing communication blockades for six days a week since November 25 when the schedule for the 10th parliamentary election was announced. It called off its street programme last Monday. l
Locals said some activists of Jamaat, Hefazat and BNP in the guise of devotees hurled abuses and bricks at the former home minister. They also vandalised three vehicles, including the one for the lawmaker. Mahfil Director Maulana Abdur Rahman, also education secretary of the madrasa, allegedly urged the assailants over microphone to restrain from going berserk, but they did not pay heed to it. They also tried to bring in more people on the premises in their favour, chanting Jamaat-e-Islami slogans. Police then fired 13 rounds of blank shots to take control of the situation. l
n Tribune Report
At least 10 dwelling houses and four shops were gutted in separate incidents of fire in Chandpur and Jhenidah districts early yesterday. In Chandpur, fire burned down 10 houses at Maramura village in Hajiganj upazila in the early hours. The fire originated from an electrical short circuit at a house of Kazi Bari at the village around 12:25am. In Jhenaidah, four shops were gutted by a fire at Katlagari Bazar in Shailakupa upazila early in the morning. Fire service sources said the fire erupted at a shop in the bazaar around 3:30am, also from the electrical short circuit, and it soon surrounded the adjacent shops. l
Musicians played rhythmic music and guests released sky lanterns, which enthralled the audience and gave the event a panoramic look
Commenting on the exhibition, Robin Davis said: Being a global cultural relations organisation, the British Council is proud to be a part of this art exhibition with young students participating from Bangladesh, UK and other countries. I hope that this initiative will further strengthen relationship between students across the globe. Andrew Tilke said: Rivers of the World is an important part of HSBCs commitment to the communities that we work in and the environment around us. It is a significant initiative in inspiring young people to understand and appreciate the importance of preserving our rivers and water resources
Guests are at the inaugural ceremony of Rivers of the World at Rabindra Sarobar, Dhanmondi, on Thursday
DHAKA TRIBUNE
in their natural state. Popular folk songs of Hasan Raja and Shah Abdul Karim, was performed by singers Ashik Dewan, Moyna Sarkar, Rubel Dewan and a guest singer Krishti Aung Leona. Hundreds of audience stayed till the last performance and enjoyed the presentations. The cultural programme started with Ashik Dewans Baula Ke Banailore followed by Loke Bole Bolere and Nesha Lagilore mesmerised the crowd. Krishti Aung Leona performed three popular fusion songs, Shob Loke Koy, Tomar Ghore Bash Kore Kara, and Ghate Lagaiya Dinga. The teenager performer also got a huge response with Once more from the audience. Solo singer Moyna Sarkar, took the audience another level up with her luminous performance of Shah Abdul Karims songs, Gramer Nowjowan Hindu Musolman, Gaan Gaiya Mor Monre Bujhai, Ami Kulhara Kolonkini andBonde Maya Lagaise. The Dhaka Tribune is the media partner of the exhibition which will be open till tomorrow at Rabindra Sarobar and the Dhaka Art Centre. l
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Feature
n Ishrat Jahan
ithin the crooked lanes and dirt roads of the Rayerbazar slum is a dreamer. A leader. A 15-year-old girl who can leap beyond her circumstances, thanks to a great education. Shuborno Islam Bithi, who was one of Jaagos first students, was selected to represent Bangladesh last year at a Unicef conference in Nepal. No woman in her family had ever left the country. She has also anchored several TV shows, and is auditioning for more programmes. I went to the Jaago Foundation office to meet this dynamo. Jaago, as many know, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to creating educational opportu-
nities for underprivileged children. As I entered its lively premises, painted yellow and overflowing with children and laughter, I felt enveloped by a sense of warmth that penetrated the cold of the foggy January morning. Bithi walked in, dressed in a simple kamiz and cardigan with wind tousled hair, slightly nervous and out of breath from hurrying up the stairs. But she was clearly at home here. Once a student, Bithi presently works at Jaago as an assistant teacher. She likes to spend as much time as possible with the children. Its always a pleasure to teach here, she said.
Himalayan heights
Opportunities, at the Saarc Unicef Regional Policy Dialogue on Adolescents held in Kathmandu, Nepal, September 16-19, 2013. More than 60 participants from the eight South Asian countries attended. Delegations included government representatives, academics, civil society members, as well as youths. The objective of the dialogue was to examine policies and strategies currently in place, and to develop concrete proposals that are more effective and sensitive to the needs and rights of adolescents. The conference talked about several issues regarding abuse, education, counseling and impacts of technology, she said. Each adolescent representative was expected to deliver a speech.
My topic was regarding the education system of Bangladesh, the relevancy of our educational methods, the problems of computer illiteracy and such. It was quite an experience, educational and challenging all together. Bithi, who had never been abroad, told me she was in awe at how well those from different cultures could work together. People from colliding worlds came together and mixed so wonderfully under the same roof, as if there were no barriers of language, attitudes and norms to separate one from the other. That was the most memorable aspect of the seminar, she said. I met amazing people and made great friends. Mihiko and Aksam, two of the adolescent representatives from Nepal were the ones I had the most to share with. They are such wonderful people and we made many memories of mischief and fun, Bithi says with the excitement and wonder usual to a teenager who had her first beyond the border experience. I asked about her parents reaction. They were ecstatic. No woman in our family had ever gone abroad, and they were full of pride and happiness as I prepared to leave for Nepal. My father would go to the neighbourhood tea stall and talk about my conference to his friends and passersby.
Bithi with Amy Delneuville, chief protection specialist of UNICEF Bangladesh. COURTESY She reminisces: I cried a little, I think. I had already completed class 5, but at Jaago I had to start from the beginning, and that idea scared me. But after the first day it all changed. Korvi Sir and all the other teachers
In the limelight
People from colliding worlds came together and mixed so wonderfully under the same roof, as if there were no barriers of language, attitudes and norms
made learning an exciting experience. We played to learn! A lot of other kids and I would often refuse to go back home after school; sometimes the teachers had to cajole and force us to go back home. I miss those days. Until Jaago, I had no idea how exciting school could be. She completed her SSC last year through another school, as Jaagos programme is only through class 7. Yet she credits all her success to the teachers at Jaago. Theyve been supportive and helpful throughout all these years, without fail. If I walk into the teachers lounge in the middle of the day and they are swamped with work, one of them will smile at me and help me with my math homework, despite their pressing workload.
Jaago alumnus Shuborno Islam Bithi passes on the warmth of a donated blanket to a current Jaago student
COURTESY
Bithi did not like the notion of going to Jaago when her mother first told her she had enrolled her in this small, new school. Before the school opened its doors for the children in Rayerbazar, many were skeptical about its relevance and how it could be any different from every other school scattered across Dhaka for the poor and underprivileged. Like most families around hers, Bithis family had limited means. But they were fortunate enough to be able to provide education to all their children. Bithis father worked as a driver to a private company. When asked about her first day at school, her smile loses the self conscious restraint and she lights up.
At the moment, Bithi is auditioning for programmes on BTV, and has received a lot of positive feedback. She has already played the role of host in other TV shows, such as Ready Camera Action. Bithi loves theatre. She is currently a member of the theatre group Topkhana Natto Dol. The street performances are fun: the gathering of huge crowds, acting in the middle of an urban bee hive. Its all quite exhilarating. She says her interest in the arts sparked from extracurricular classes at Jaago. I went into a lot of extracurriculars at Jaago, like singing, dancing and drama. I joined a community theatre group in 2007, the Mitali Natto Goshthi, where I was the youngest member.
Looking ahead
Bithi is currently completing her HSC from Laurel International School, and spends the rest of her time in the world of drama or with the children at Jaago. Her father is now retired, and the family is supported by her older brother who works in a factory at Gazipur, and a little contribution from Bithi. But her dreams are beyond these borders. She tells me: I want to go abroad and pursue higher education in Information Technology, but I also dont want to let go of the theatre. Well see how things work out. l
A mother, a survivor, and a fighter, Farjahan broke out of her system of domestic abuse to use her love for culture and literature in the classroom. Farjahan is also a singer, and has been passionate about music all her life. Today she is without regrets, empowered by the belief that she must continue to battle and stand proud in a constricted society. She currently works at the International School Dhaka as a Bangla teacher, and has two sons, 9 and 14 years old.
As a visually impaired woman and a bank officer at Agrani Bank, Farzana has broken stereotypes of how far a disabled woman can go. She overcame many social barriers, while fighting years of bureaucratic and legal battles, in order to reach her current position at the public institution. Farzana is not only a pioneer in her own right, but also a shining example of what is possible we if do not impose our own understanding of someone elses capacity.
In the context of the largely conservative population in Bangladesh, the Hijra community, which identifies neither as male nor female, are often excluded, stigmatised and bullied. Having fought through these hurdles, Joya has made a name for herself as an advocate for sexual minorities. She is the president of the Sex Workers Network and the founding president of an NGO called Shomporker Noya Shetu.
A survivor who turned her story into lessons for others, Nurun believes in a world where acid survivors will be treated with respect and dignity instead of sympathy. Her contribution to the lives of acid survivors recently earned her the Ananna Shirsho Dosh award. She has worked extensively with women and girls in her community to bring about positive changes in their lives. Nurun is now working with Action Aid Bangladeshs womens rights team, and hopes to someday be the convener of the Acid Survivors Network.
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Prescription
Cervical cancer is the second most deadly disease, from which the women of developing countries suffer a lot. Commonly, this cancer mostly occurs between the ages of 35 to 50 years cells at the cervix, or the Pap Smear Ren Dr Nowsheen Sharmin Purabi port is negative, but there is a suspicion
about cancer cell at the cervix.
QUICK TIPS
Frostbite
You can get the medical services at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, District and Central Hospitals, Upazilla Health Complex, various Medical College Hospitals and Cancer Institute.
Treatment
Any woman of urban or rural area can develop this cervical cancer. But the women of low socioeconomic status are at higher risk. The incidence of cervical cancer is more among the women who cannot maintain the proper hygiene of their reproductive organs, those who got married at an early age or those used to sexual intercourse from an early age, and the women with frequent child birth. The women whose husbands have more than one female partner and those women who have more than one male physical partner are also at risk of cervical cancer. Besides that, infection by Human Papilloma virus (HPV) type 16, 18, 31 and 45 and Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 are responsible for 80% cases of cervical cancer. HPV type 16 itself is responsible in 50% cases. Most of the women, in their lifetime are attacked by HPV more than once. The formation of cancer from the virus infection can take from two years to twenty years.
If the cancer is identified at early stage, and if proper treatment is done, in that case the possibility of getting cured is 90 among 100 women. The rate of success gradually decreases in the later stages. The treatment is done through surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy according to the stage of cancer.
Prevention
between periods, bleeding after sexual intercourse. After stopping menstruation at certain age, the cycle can start again. She may feel pain on her waist and on her thigh.
At primary stage, the cervical cancer may display no symptom at all. But there can be bad smelling vaginal discharge with blood. Menstruation can be irregular. There can be bleeding in
Two easy methods are used for the detection of cervical cancer at an early stage, VIA and Pap Smear. In the VIA method, with the help of bright light, the cervix is examined after applying some medicine. In case of VIA positive, the pres-
ence of cancer cells is confirmed after Colposcopy and Biopsy. And in case of VIA negative, she is then assured that she does not have cervical cancer. She is also advised to take VIA again after three years. Another method for the detection of cervical cancer at early stage is called Pap Smear. In this method, some fluid from the womb is collected, and examined if there is any cancer cell or not. If the first report is negative, that there is no cancer cell, then the patient is advised to take the second test after
one year. If that report is also negative, the patient is then advised to take a Pap Smear in between the next year to three years afterward. If the Pap Smear detects any cancer, or if there is uncertainty or doubt about the report, Colposcopy and Biopsy should be done by any skilled professional. Colposcopy is another method based on microscope by which the cells of vagina, its external part, and the cells of cervix can be examined. Colposcopy is suitable for those women, whose Pap Smear report says that there are cancer
The good news is, one of the main reasons for this cervical cancer, Human Papillomavirus Type 16 and 18, against them effective vaccine is invented. Like other countries of the world, this vaccine is also available in Bangladesh. Any female from nine years and onwards can take this vaccine. But it will be more effective if taken before marriage. Unfortunately, women of our country know very little about cervical cancer and its symptoms due to lack of consciousness. When this cancer shows the symptoms, the patient feels embarrassed and doesnt disclose it to anybody. And she goes to doctor when she cannot bear the pain any longer. But the cancer may spread widely by that time. l Dr. Nowsheen Sharmin Purabi is Gynaecologist. She can be reached at dr.purabi@yahoo.com. Website: www.drpurabi.com. Facebook URL: DrPurabisHelpDesk
When exposed to very cold temperatures, skin and underlying tissues may freeze, resulting in frostbite. Areas most likely to be affected by frostbite are your hands, feet, nose and ears. If your skin looks white or grayishyellow, is very cold and has a hard or waxy feel, you may have frostbite. Your skin may also itch, burn or feel numb. Severe or deep frostbite can cause blistering and hardening. As the area thaws, the flesh becomes red and painful. Gradually warming the affected skin is the key to treat frostbite. To do so:
HEALTH NEWS
Protect your skin from further exposure If youre outside, warm frostbitten hands by tucking them into your armpits. Protect your face, nose or ears by covering the area with dry, gloved hands. Dont rub the affected area. Get out of the cold Once youre indoors, remove wet clothes. Gradually warm frostbitten areas Put frostbitten hands or feet in warm water 104 to 107.6 F (40 to 42 C). Wrap or cover other areas in a warm blanket. Dont use direct heat, such as a stove, heat lamp, fireplace or heating pad, because these can cause burns before you feel them on your numb skin. Dont walk on frostbitten feet or toes if possible This further damages the tissue.
BIGSTOCK
Duck eggs are quite large compared to chicken eggs. The large size of the duck egg gives it a larger yoke to white ratio than a chicken egg. A 100 gm of duck egg will provide about 185 KCal of energy, compared to 149 KCal of energy provided by a chicken egg. Both types of eggs match each other in terms of carbohydrate and protein content. The mineral content of duck eggs is very similar to chicken eggs. Both contain selenium, manganese, zinc, copper, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, calcium and iron. The vitamin con-
tent too is similar, but duck eggs have a higher amount of each one of them, which includes thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin B12 and retinol. The only drawback that duck eggs have is the considerably higher cholesterol content, compared to chicken eggs. 100 gm of duck eggs will contain 884 mg of cholesterol, compared to 425 mg in chicken eggs. Thats why people with history of heart disease should stay away from consuming duck eggs or moderate their intake. l
If theres any chance the affected areas will freeze again, dont thaw them If theyre already thawed, wrap them up so that they dont become frozen again. Get emergency medical help If numbness or sustained pain remains during warming or if blisters develop, seek medical attention. l
large amounts of melamine when used to serve high-temperature foods. Anyone who has a choice might as well avoid buying tableware made with melamine, because it does interact with some acidic foods in the microwave.
FOOD THERAPY
The antibiotic juice is good for people who suffer from Bronchitis or chronic asthma, influenza, sinusitis, bad microorganisms in the intestines, skin infection, dandruff on the scalp, pimple, gums infection and chronic teeth disease. This juice recipe acts as an antibiotic and strong antiseptic, and when being drank regularly could fight the infection directly. People with chronic illness must drink one glass (300-400ml) everyday.
Ingredients
BIGSTOCK
One carrot, one beet, one apple, Half cm ginger, half cm radishes, 10 cm slice of pineapple, one garlic.
Preparation
Wash all ingredients, cut into small pieces and put them inside juicer or blender, dilute it with glass of water. l
BIGSTOCK
8
n AP
The number of attacks on Palestinians by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank has increased every year for the past eight years, according to figures from the United Nations. About 2,100 attacks have been launched by Israelis since 2006 and annual totals are up from 115 that year to 399 in 2013, according to the UN, which started counting such assaults in 2006. More than 17,000 Palestinians, 342 settlers and 37 soldiers have been injured and 10 Palestinians and 29 settlers killed in attacks in the West Bank. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs relayed its report to the Associated Press news agency. Most recently, Jewish settlers have been suspected of setting fire to a mosques entrance and of writing Arabs out and Revenge for blood spilled in Qusra in Hebrew on its exterior walls. Wednesdays vandalism is thought to have been provoked by an incident last week where Palestinians beat and detained about a dozen settlers in the village of Qusra, near the northern city of Nablus. Israeli settlers have damaged hundreds of trees, killed 18 sheep and set six cars alight in dozens of attacks in Qusra in what is called the price tag campaign, according to Mayor Abdel Azim Wadi. The village has also lost half of its lands to settlements. Jewish settlements in the West
DHAKA TRIBUNE
International
In the latest attack, a mosque was set on fire and vandalised with graffiti Bank are illegal under international law and there are thought to be close to 500,000 Israeli settlers living in the occupied territories, land seized by Israel during the 1967 Six Day War. Palestinians have said price tag, a campaign started by Jewish settlers that involves committing acts of violence, is part of Israels policy of seizing control of the West Bank, adding that soldiers do very little to stop attacks. But the Israeli defence minister, Moshe Yaalon, called such acts of violence outright terrorism last week. And Israeli leaders, who are mostly pro-settlement, repeatedly denounce violence between settlers and Palestinians. Soldiers have clear orders to stop all violence between civilians in the territory, according to Colonel Eran Makov, the deputy commander of an Israeli army division in the West Bank. There is not enough pressure from the prime minister, the defense minis-
AP
ter, the interior minister to prevent this, said Gadi Zohar, a former senior Israeli army commander in the West Bank. The policy of the IDF [the Israeli army] is to interrupt and stop every incident when a person attacks another person, Makov said. Israels military correspondent Amos Harel, however, admitted in Israels Haaretz newspaper that young soldiers think their basic mission is to protect Jewish settlers. l
Italy MP blacks up White House intensifies political campaign for Iran deal for anti-migrant and aides in Congress, in line with n AFP, Washington the IAEAs wish to keep some aspects speech The White House Thursday intensified of the pact confidential, White House an effort to placate political opposition spokesman Jay Carney said. n Agencies Opponents of the interim nuclear to an interim Iran nuclear deal, as one
A right-wing Italian politician smeared his face with black greasepaint in parliament, advising Italians to become a bit darker if they wanted to take advantage of the countrys supposed hand-outs to black immigrants. Northern League MP Gianluca Buonanno protested late on Wednesday that asylum seekers and migrants were given free accommodation and other benefits when white Italians were struggling to survive. He told parliament that too much money was being given to immigrants when Italy did nothing for its own citizens. At the end of the day, maybe in this country in order to achieve anything we need to be a bit darker. I say we can all put make-up on and make ourselves a bit darker, and then we can all go around painted black and say we want the same help that non-EU citizens get. The Northern League has accused Cecile Kyenge, the countrys Congo-born minister for integration, of using her post to favour negritude. Kyenge is Italys first black politician and has experienced multiple incidents of racism, not least from the Northern League. Its leader Roberto Calderoli compared her to an orang-utan last year. He was later charged with defamation aggravated by racial discrimination. Kyenge has also had bananas thrown at her during public appearances and the political partys official newspaper has started printing her daily agenda, detailing her official appointments. In response, Nichi Vendola, the head of the left-wing SEL party, tweeted: Can someone tell the racists that were in the Third Millennium and are a civilised country, despite them. The racists think theyre in Alabama or Mississippi of a half-century ago or in South Africa during apartheid. Italy has been criticised for its poor treatment of refugees and asylum seekers by the UN, EU and human rights groups, among others. l influential Republican suggested delaying a vote on new sanctions until July. The Obama administration released an implementation agreement on the pact, which goes into force next week, to defuse claims it struck a secret back channel deal with the Islamic Republic. Top US nuclear negotiator Wendy Sherman meanwhile held a closed door briefing with skeptical senators, seeking to convince them to hold off on imposing new sanctions that the White House fears could prompt Iran to ditch diplomacy. The summary of technical understandings between Iran and world powers sets the terms of a deal reached in Geneva last year, which will be implemented by the UN watchdog the International Economic Energy Agency (IAEA) officials. It lists Iranian nuclear facilities to be inspected and a timetable for entry by IAEA officials and contains a payment schedule for nearly $7bn in blocked Iranian foreign exchange holdings which will be released under terms of the deal. The administration also made a more detailed document available to a restricted audience of lawmakers deal between the P5+1 group of powers and Iran warn that it gave up too much in return for what they see as paltry concessions from the Islamic Republic. Sherman apparently failed to convince the skeptics. Really Im more disturbed now than ever after the briefing, said Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. The endgame being contemplated is not even in the ballpark of what I would consider the endgame. Skeptics of the deal, including Israel and many US lawmakers, argue that Iran must not be allowed even a minimal capacity to enrich uranium in a final agreement. Obama, backed by many in the analytical community, however argues that such a perfect deal is beyond reach. The president is seeking an agreement that ensures Iran can be stopped short of the point where it could quickly produce a nuclear weapon. Supporters say further toughening sanctions on Tehrans petroleum industry and other sectors would increase Obamas leverage at the negotiating table, but the White House warns that sanctions could lock the United States on a slippery slope to war.
Iraq army presses Anbar assault as unrest kills six n AFP, Ramadi
A suicide bombing and shelling in Iraqs Anbar province killed six people as security forces pressed an assault yesterday aimed at ending a bloody weeks-long standoff with militants on Baghdads doorstep. The intensifying violence, which has already killed more than 600 people nationwide this month, has fuelled fears Iraq is slipping back into all-out sectarian war with little appetite for compromise among the countrys political leaders ahead of a general election scheduled for April. UN chief Ban Ki-moon and other diplomats have urged Baghdad to pursue political reconciliation. But Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has ruled out dialogue with militants and the authorities have instead trumpeted operations by the police and army. On Friday, thousands of security personnel from elite forces continued to press an assault on Albubali, a rural area where security officials say a large number of anti-government fighters are holed up. The area lies between Ramadi and Fallujah, the two cities in the western desert province of Anbar at the centre of the crisis. l
US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman The pro-sanctions camp believe it has at least 59 votes in the Senate and a healthy majority in the House of Rep-
AFP
resentatives and could be approaching the two-thirds majority needed to override the veto Obama has promised. l
Pussy Riot members to Syria offers to swap continue human rights fight prisoners with rebels
n AFP, Moscow
Syria said yesterday it was ready to swap prisoners with the rebels and would take swift steps that could lead to the first such mass exchange in nearly three years of fighting. The announcement by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem in Moscow could mark another diplomatic success for Russia after the Kremlin managed to convince its ally Damascus to renounce its chemical weapons in order to avert imminent US air strikes. It also came just as the war-torn countrys divided opposition prepared to hold decisive talks in Istanbul on whether to join a peace conference that is due to begin on Wednesday in Switzerland. Muallem failed to specify how many prisoners such a swap would involve or when it might begin. But it would represent a concession to one of the oppositions key demands before it agreed to peace talks. I informed (Russian Foreign Minister Sergei) Lavrov of our principled position in favour of an agreement to exchange those held in Syrian prisons for those taken by the other side, Muallem said following talks with his Russian counterpart in a government mansion in the heart of Moscow. We are ready to exchange lists and develop the necessary mechanism for accomplishing these goals, Muallem said in remarks translated from Arabic into Russian. Muallem also confirmed his governments plans to send a senior delegation to the Swiss lakeside city of Montreux where the long-delayed peace conference the first since June 2012 is due to begin. Syria will take part in Geneva II and make every effort to ensure this event is a success and meets the aspirations of the Syrian people and the direct orders of President Bashar al-Assad, said Muallem. He added that Assad will send his representatives to Switzerland irrespective of the situation around the participation or the non-participation of the National Coalition at this conference. US Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday also called the umbrella rebel group not to boycott the talks because they represented the best opportunity for the opposition to achieve the goals of the Syrian people and the revolution. Plans for the peace conference were first announced in May by Kerry and Lavrov in Moscow amid indications that the war that has now claimed 130,000 lives had reached a stalemate. But more recent government advances have put the rebels at a disadvantage at any negotiations. They have also been increasingly riven by rivalries between jihadists and more mainstream Islamists as well as among groups with allegiance to Saudi Arabia and those getting military and financial backing from Qatar. l
n AFP, Paris
A truck dumped a huge pile of manure outside Frances National Assembly on Thursday in a protest against the French political elite. The driver of the truck which was marked with the slogan Out with Hollande and the whole political class! was apprehended by police shortly after releasing his smelly load outside the front gates of the grand Palais Bourbon that hosts the lower house Assembly. He was taken to a nearby police station and expected to face charges. It was unclear what was behind the protest, but it comes as President Francois Hollande faces a scandal over revelations he had affair with an actress 18 years his junior. l
Members of the Russian punk rock band Pussy Riot Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova AFP
n AFP, Singapore
Two Pussy Riot members yesterday vowed no let-up in their campaign against human rights abuses inside Vladimir Putins Russia, as they made their first overseas trip since being released from jail. Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina, who were freed from prison last month, are in Singapore for an awards ceremony where they said they would keep using creative art to promote their cause. A video of the groups controversial protest stunt inside Moscows top church, the Christ the Saviour Cathe-
dral, has been shortlisted for a prize at the inaugural Prudential Eye Awards, held in the city-state. The stunt, entitled Punk Prayer and which the band described as a denunciation of political ties between Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church, led to three members being convicted on hooliganism charges. Right now we are mostly concentrated on human rights work which involves a huge amount of legal work, Tolokonnikova said through an interpreter at a media event Friday. She said they will continue to use video and other creative forms to get their message across. l
DHAKA TRIBUNE
International
n Reuters, Bangkok
An explosive device tossed at anti-government protesters wounded 36 in central Bangkok yesterday and other violence rippled through the Thai capital after several days of relative calm when the movement appeared to be running out of steam. At least one protester was seriously hurt. Police said the device was hurled at protesters marching with their leader, Suthep Thaugsuban, near Chulalongkorn University in the city centre. When the incident happened and perpetrators threw the explosive, Suthep was 30 meters away, Akanat Promphan, a spokesman for the movement, told Reuters. Suthep was unharmed. It was not immediately clear who was responsible and the nature of the device was unknown as forensic experts were prevented from entering the area. We have received 12 people who were injured in the blast. One person is seriously injured and the other 11 have sustained various types of injuries, some minor, said an official at Ramathibodi Hospital. The overall injury toll came from the Erawan Medical Centre, which monitors Bangkok hospitals. The latest unrest flared in November and escalated on Monday when the demonstrators led by Suthep, a former opposition politician, brought parts of the capital to a standstill and forced many ministries to close.
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Pakistan bomb blast derails train n AFP
A bomb blast on a passenger train has killed at least three people and wounded 20 others in central Pakistan. The attack in the central town of Rajanpur, Punjab province yesterday derailed eight wagons of the train, which was travelling from Peshawar to Karachi. Speaking to the AFP news agency, senior police official Zahid Mehmood Gondal said: At least three people were killed and 20 others wounded when a bomb exploded in one of the compartments of [the] Khushhal Khan Khattak express. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, he added. Since July 2007, Pakistan has been gripped by a local Taliban-led insurgency, concentrated largely in the northwest. The government says more than 40,000 people have been killed in violence since 2001, when Pakistan allied itself with the US-led war on terror. l
REUTERS
corruption. He has launched moves to clean up the 128-year-old Congress party, including asking for the right to name at least 100 of the party candidates to the 543-member parliament. Changes... will be substantial, Sachin Pilot, corporate affairs minister, said. Critics say Gandhi depends on his family name for power, and has barely registered his presence in parliament despite being a member for the last decade. It is only in a personality and family-dominated set-up like the Congress that he can be nominated as the unquestioned supremo, said Arun Jaitley, a senior leader of the BJP. The BJP won three of the five state assembly elections in December last year and its leader Modi remains the clear front runner thanks to pledges to revive economic growth that under Congress fell to its slowest pace in a decade. l
The overall injury toll came from the Erawan Medical Centre, which monitors Bangkok hospitals
They accuse Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her brother, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, of corruption and say they want her to step down to make way for an unelected peoples council to push through broad political reforms. She has called an election for February 2 and now heads a caretaker administration, but the protesters and opposition parties are boycotting the vote
A member of the Korea Alliance of Progressive Movements holds a placard reading Stop South Korea-US war exercise, during a rally outside a government complex in Seoul AFP Pyongyang reacted angrily to tightened UN sanctions imposed in response to its latest nuclear test. North Korea said it would retaliate against any hostile moves by striking at the United States, Japan and South Korea, triggering months of iery rhetoric. l
n AFP
Hong Kong police have shut down brothels run out of converted public toilet cubicles, arresting 86 people in raids. Prostitutes from mainland China were found operating one-woman brothels from toilet cubicles in a mostly empty shopping centre in the Yuen Long district, it was reported yesterday. In comments published in the South China Morning Post, Chief Inspector Law Kwok-hoi said: I think it is the first time police have discovered public toilets turned into brothels. An initial investigation showed up to 100 customers visited the seven brothels each day, Law said, adding that each were charged $32 for sex services. The 14sq m blocks on the second floor also served as the prostitutes working and living space. There were seven brothels, some converted from empty shops or office space, and operators dealt only with regular customers, who had to give a secret code before being allowed in, the Post reported. l
A woman and her children visit their husband and dad of Myanmar Rohingya Muslims at the courts detention house in Medan, North Sumatra AFP on Monday happened sometime after the initial clash with police. There were people killed, mostly women and children, she told AFP, but added that reports from sources in the area on the number of people killed varied widely, from around 10 to several dozen. The US embassy in Yangon said on Twitter that it was deeply concerned about the violence especially reports of excessive use of force by security officials. We urge (the) government to thoroughly investigate, bring perpetrators to justice, and ensure equal protection and security under the law in Rakhine, it added. l
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DHAKA TRIBUNE
Editorial
LETTER OF THE DAY
Letters to
the Editor
he government has made a poor decision in appointing a key accused person in the Padma bridge corruption case, Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, as a member of the Privatisation Commission. This decision sends entirely the wrong signal with regard to accountability for corruption by public officials. It is a disappointing move given that the new government has expressed a strong anti-corruption stance. Mr Bhuiyan, who was the economic relations division secretary during the Padma Bridge project, was one of seven officials accused by the ACC of involvement in an alleged conspiracy to obtain bribes from appointing Canadian firm SNC Lavalin Corp as the Padma projects consultant. Although Mr Bhuiyans arrest and suspension was eventually withdrawn last year, the Canadian court cases to which this investigation relates are still ongoing. The corruption scandal led to the withdrawal of World Bank support from the Padma Bridge project, causing serious damage to the image of Bangladesh and leaving the countrys largest infrastructure project in limbo. During her election campaign Sheikh Hasina urged people not to vote for candidates who were implicated in the Padma bridge scandal, so the appointment of Mr Bhuiyan flies in the face of the governments rhetoric. Corruption by public officials is unfortunately common in Bangladesh. The appointment of a high public official, against whom such grievous accusations exist to the Privatisation Commission, appears to perpetuate the culture of impunity. This damages the already fragile fabric of good governance and rule of law in the country and should be reconsidered.
January 9 Preying upon the vulnerable and committing opportunistic crimes of such a heinous nature must not be tolerated in any civilised society. One might argue that we have not yet been able to civilise ourselves to an acceptable standard since we are a Muslim-dominated society, and are prone to copy the behaviour of our coreligionists in the Arab countries who routinely commit unspeakable acts of barbarity in the name of religion. Lunik
The appointment of a high public official, against whom grievous accusations exist, perpetuates the culture of impunity, and should be reconsidered
Im proud of Dr Yunus
January 15 Dr Yunus gave us a respectable identity in the world. I am proud of him and am waiting to see him as the next President of Bangladesh. It is painful to see some blind AL supporters using unacceptable language when speaking of Dr Yunus. These supporters are not helping AL, rather they are destroying the golden image of Sk Mujibur Rahman. I request the government of Bangladesh to please recognise Dr Yunus the way the whole world recognises him. Dr Emarat Hossain Pannah
January 9 A worrisome sign, but hardly surprising from a government that has shown an unprecedented desire to quash every independent institution possible, whether in the public sphere or private. Arch Bishop
January 8 No more hard lines. Tough talk, strong action and a punitive line please. Lets have some peace! Aksha
ver 120,000 people living in char areas around Rangpur are benefiting from 21,000 solar power units set up with the assistance of NGOs. The Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service helped coordinate one of the main projects in the area together with other NGOs, private companies and public bodies. The mix of stakeholders helped to keep costs down and enabled the project to reach many traditionally remote communities. As planned for, the benefits have been considerable. Impact studies show that more farmers are using electricity to crush paddy at night and education and everyday life have been helped dramatically. Lessons from this type of successful public-private co-operation should be applied elsewhere. The national grid has a shortfall of around 1,000MW and load-shedding is commonplace even in urban areas. Increasing power production from renewable sources such as solar is vital both to making up the shortfall and in helping meet targets to reduce emissions. Small-scale projects like this are just as important for achieving this as larger power plants. The Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) should help spread the benefits of this type of scheme in other localities, in order to meet its target of producing 800MW of electricity from renewable sources by 2015. As the technology spreads and prices come down, there is considerable untapped scope for domestic users in urban areas to benefit from similar initiatives which can help reduce stress on the grid.
Write to us at: Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath Sukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Email us at: letters@dhakatribune.com Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion@dhakatribune.com Visit our website: www.dhakatribune.com Come join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune
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There is considerable untapped scope for domestic users in urban areas to benefit from similar initiatives which can help reduce stress on the grid
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ACROSS 1 Cicatrix (4) 4 Gem weight (5) 8 Very small (6) 9 Self-satisfied (4) 11 Drunkard (5) 12 Otherwise (4) 14 Sheltered side (3) 15 Fine at discretion (6) 19 Garb (6) 21 Consume (3) 22 Lose strength (4) 24 Fish (5) 27 Kitchen utensil (4) 29 Fit for ploughing (6) 30 Garden tools (5) 31 Catch sight of (4) DOWN 1 Distress signal (3) 2 Talisman (6) 3 Equips (4) 4 Incision (3) 5 Make up for (5) 6 Corded fabric (3) 7 Goal (6) 10 Encounter (4) 13 Corn spike (3) 14 Second of two (6) 16 Gull (3) 17 Depends on (6) 18 Domestic animals (4) 20 Accustom (5) 23 Not working (4) 25 Tree (3) 26 Apple Isle (abb) (3) 28 Dried fodder (3)
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How to solve Sudoku: 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 numberrepeating.
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DHAKA TRIBUNE
Op-Ed
11
Washingtons options?
n Tamim Choudhury
ith the US government passing a Senate resolution calling for political dialogue in Bangladesh, and its state department asking for fresh elections, what are Washingtons options in achieving its desired goals in Dhaka? Being the worlds sole superpower, the US has an arsenal of state power tools to conduct its foreign policy objectives. Simple Resolution 318 is a nonbinding position that advises the US government on its foreign policy toward Bangladesh, as in condemning the political violence and urgently asking for dialogue leading to inclusive, credible elections.Although previously reported that the resolution will be followed by a Senate hearing, upon contacting resolution sponsor Senator Richard Durbins office, his staff could not commit to whether or not a hearing will take place. The congressional staff did remark that even if a resolution has passed, a hearing can still take place if deemed necessary. It is quite extraordinary for Congress to pass a resolution calling for political reform in Bangladesh.Resolutions of this sort have been passed on Egypt and Iran, two nations regularly in the crosshairs of American foreign relations. The Egypt resolution from February 2011 called for President Hosni Mubarak to begin a peaceful transition to a democratic political system, a clear signal that Washingtons support for the dictator has come to an end, with its $1.3bn military assistance in jeopardy if Mubarak continued his rule. Even today, as Egypt has swung back to military rule, Washington retains its aid package as the EgyptIsrael peace treaty forms the bedrock of regional stability, and it is tied to counterterrorism cooperation.
Seventh Fleet, was deployed to the Bay of Bengal as a show of force to support the Pakistan military. The naval fleet withdrew as Soviet submarines arrived to counter American military maneuvering. However, Cold War strategies of a bygone era led way to growing bilateral ties with Bangladesh. Since independence, the over $6bn development assistance provided by the US has not only alleviated poverty, but also bolstered political support for it. Bilateral relations have led to an over $6bn annual trade, joint military exercises, even a presidential visit in 2000.
US has the largest voting shares to control the banks operations, how will its loans and grants affect Bangladesh?
RAJIB DHAR
Staying competitive
n Zahedul Amin
s the new government settles down after the tempestuous election and its aftermath, leaving the economy in tatters and the countrys fate riddled with grave uncertainty, questions abound as to how long the economy can withstand this grinding political impasse. Despite widespread political turmoil, exports have grown by 19% (21% growth for RMG), which has surprised almost everyone The RMG sector remains a crucial cogwheel to the Bangladeshi economic engine, constituting 82% of the countrys export and employing almost 3 million people, mostly women. Due to the lack of diversification, the success of the sector remains central to Bangladeshs dreams of achieving middle-income status. While RMG export growth has doubled over the past three years, the sector has been facing increasing pressure, both locally and internationally, leading to possible repercussions in the future. The Tazreen Fashions accident followed by the Rana Plaza tragedy has brought to fore the sectors vulnerability on compliance issues. These incidents have drawn widespread international news coverage resulting in condemnation from buyers and the international community. The EU, which constitutes of 65% of Bangladeshi exports, has warned of stripping the GSP facility, and the US has already done the same (although RMG falls outside USs GSP facility). Amid widespread pressure in the
international front, workers started agitating for wage rises which further disrupted production, leading to a significant hike in the minimum wage, to the tune of approximately 70% from January 14 onwards. Furthermore, the opposition-led violent agitations had further complicated issues, disrupting the supply chain and increasing buyer scepticism on placing orders from our RMG manufacturers.
With competitor Pakistan gaining GSP facility from 2014, the question of latching on to the benefit has never been felt more. Even with the GSP, Bangladesh may face steep competition from the likes of Pakistan as they have strong backward linkages. A cheap rupee has already made Indian RMGs cheap, and some orders previously destined for Bangladesh are steadily moving to India.
Constituting 82% of the countrys export, the success of the sector remains central to Bangladeshs dreams of achieving middle-income status
The political impasse has forced many manufacturers to air ship their produce, which significantly eroded profitability. Alongside, transportation costs have tripled due to arson attacks leading to higher costs and disruption in production. RMG owners are predicting a steep fall in exports (in value) in the first quarter of 2014, as the payment for the fourth quarter of 2013 will come in then. Questions remain on the legitimacy and acceptability of the new government to the international community, which will have significant ramifications on the economy in general and RMG sector in particular. A possible cancellation of the GSP from the EU may prove fatal for the sectors growth, and may diminish our cost competitiveness over rivals. If the political unrest sustains for a longer period, Myanmar may stand out as a cost-effective alternative, as their labour cost is much less than that of Bangladesh. Just as the Bangladesh RMG sector gained from Sri Lankas civil war in the 1980s, Myanmar may also get a lucky break in RMG at Bangladeshs expense. International buyers are getting increasingly jittery owing to their continued reliance on Bangladesh as a sourcing destination under their China plus one policy. Many are reconsidering their sourcing strategy by looking at similar alternatives including India, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Pakistan. While major orders may not shift in the short run, industry experts are predicting a flight of orders within 6 months, if the political situation does not stabilise.
The government must ensure security and peace at whatever cost, and look for ways to re-engage with the opposition to dissuade them from engaging in violent protests. The economy is unlikely to gain momentum if the RMG export growth is halted, and may result in a decline in GDP growth. Alongside, with stemming of remittance growth rate, RMG exports may prove to be more crucial for maintaining the balance of payments and foreign currency reserve. On the international front, the government must engage with the international community, especially the EU, to convince them on retaining GSP facility. At the same time, they must work with trade organisations to instill confidence among buyers and international investors. The governments efforts for holding the 11th parliamentary election should be sincere, by taking the opposition into confidence for holding a free and fair election within a year. This will significantly aid in stabilising political unrest, securing the trust of the international community, and providing breathing space for the private sector to forge ahead. The opposition must also understand that violence and vandalism hamper economic activity, and ultimately benefit no one. In this crucial juncture, all stakeholders must rally around the RMG sector, our golden goose, for securing its survival and growth. The fate of the countrys economy now rests on this sector. l Zahedul Amin is Director of Finance at LightCastle Partners.
Although Bangladesh is not vitally important to US foreign relations, the US has previously utilised multiple tools
Moreover, the Iran resolution from June 2013 called for free and fair elections as its regime blocked multiple candidates from running in the presidential election. For decades, Iran has had immense importance in US corridors of power due to its nuclear weapons capability, strategic location, and natural resources.Only recently has the US agreed for sanctions relief in return for halting its nuclear program. Although Bangladesh is not vitally important to US foreign relations, America has previously utilised multiple tools for its tactical objectives.During the height of the Liberation War, US Navy Taskforce 74, a unit of the
Currently, the US Embassy in Dhaka has three priorities: Democratisation, development, and the denial of space to terrorists. A high-level partnership dialogue started in 2012 with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. During the second dialogue held in Dhaka on May 2013, the US side announced a $2m tuberculosis management program, the transfer of a US Coast Guard ship to Bangladesh Navy, and a $1m law-enforcement capacity building program. The US Embassy runs a gamut of operations, from food security assistance, to overseas business linkups, to antiterrorism measures with the host government. It has well-established connections across a broad spectrum that ranges from government insiders, oppositions leaders, and others. These groups often brief the ambassador on their situation to present themselves in the best light. Throughout the decades, successive ambassadors have had tremendous access to the highest levels of the Bangladeshi establishment. According to its cables, US officials have even made policy recommendations to the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, without any objections from the recipient, manifesting Americas influence in the nation. Regarding the continuation of US Bangladesh relations, as Congress appropriates all funds on foreign policy initiatives, what happens to the US assistance Bangladesh receives if the ruling party refuses to budge? Moreover, since its founding, the World Banks leader has been selected by the White House. The bank has always had an American running its global operations. As the US also has the largest voting shares to effectively control the banks operations, how will its loans and grants affect Bangladesh?l Tamim Choudhury is a greater Washington, DC-based communications analyst.
Opposition parties should also think wisely. Violence is not the way to realise demands
Although the BNP-led 18-party alliance called for an end to all hartals and blockades, there is strong public perception that it is going to be a period of political uncertainty and chaos in Bangladesh. After a series of violent hartals and blockades that paralysed daily life in the country during the run-up to the election, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas first public meeting was on
January 10, the homecoming day of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. As expected, she promised stern action against violence. The violence that has devoured parts of Bangladesh over the last few months was not a spontaneous outburst by disgruntled democrats. At first, it was started by Jamaat to protest the trial of war criminals. Later, the BNP-led alliance joined the campaign to delegitimise the election, generate chaos, and invite a crackdown. The BNP also succeeded in bringing far-right Hefazat-e-Islam to the streets, aiming to topple the Hasina government. All these efforts failed to thwart the election and unseat Hasina. Now is the time for negotiation between the two major parties. Without a fruitful negotiation, no one can make sure a fresh election takes place soon. Analysts say Hasina will have to call for elections again soon, pointing to worldwide perception that the just-concluded election was not credible. But the reality is different. If BNP and Jamaat fail to generate public support, it will be very difficult for them to force the government into holding another election soon. There is no doubt that the January
5 election was a one-horse race.It was boycotted by the main opposition. The only parties of consequence in the fray were the AL and Jatiya Party. JaPas participation was also ensured through coercion. As a result of the boycott, 153 of the parliaments 300 seats were uncontested. Had voter turnouton January 5 been robust, the ALs win would have had some meaning. The AL seems comfortable since the anti-government force is not organised enough to topple it soon. Yet, it has to be agreed that this 10th parliament lacks real involvement with the people. Despite constitutional correctness, the new legislatures legitimacy is questioned at home and abroad. Bangladeshi politics, since 1991, has been a zero sum game where the AL and the BNP see any ceding of ground to the other as a total loss. The proper functioning of the parliamentary system has become a casualty in the process. The past year has seen unprecedented unrest and violence, with people resorting to street protests to oppose or support the execution of war criminals, or to demand elections under a neutral caretaker government.
While the question of the identity of the state secular or Islamist underlies several of these struggles, it is the feud of the two main parties that fuels the stubbornness. The BNP-led alliance will try for fresh movement. But during the last 10 months, it was clear that violence was the only instrument at their disposal. BNP and its allies will attempt to disrupt normal life to the point where the government will be forced to dissolve the parliament and call for fresh elections. Many secularists say another election is not the solution. They say democracy is not in peril in Bangladesh, but secularism is threatened. Foreign diplomats should understand that the chance of a far right political group to take over Bangladesh is high if the government is changed through violence. Whether we have a secular or moderate Islamic system, Bangladeshi citizens want to see a peaceful country where people can live without fear. No one wants a Pakistan-like situation where killings, riots, and bomb blasts are daily events. People also do not want to see the country in the grip of a single party. A non-participatory election should not be acceptable to any party that
believes in democracy. A meaningful mandate must be sought through fresh polls as soon as possible. Opposition parties should also think wisely. Violence is not the way to realise demands. People will never take to the streets for them if the parties continue this violence.
Now is the time for negotiation between the two major parties. Without a fruitful negotiation, no one can make sure a fresh election takes place soon
A solution can be reached only through talks. But it is feared that once again, talks will suffer because the two parties cannot reach a point on the form and content of the election-time government. However, we can hope that the offer to talk will first come from the party in power. l Syed Ishtiaque Reza is Director of News, Ekattor Television.
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Entertainment
unfinished. Sen received a National Award for her performance in Bimal Roys 1955 Hindi classic Devdas, playing the defiant Paro to Dilip Kumars Devdas. In 1963, Sen became the first Indian actress to be honoured at an international film festival - best actress award for Saat Paake Bandha at Moscow film festival. She earned both national and international acclaim for her performances as the quintessential romantic heroine be it in the role of Vishnupriya in the fifties, Rina Brown in the sixties or Bijaya in the seventies. She formed an unbeatable romantic pair with Bengali cinema legend Uttam Kumar. The duo gave a string of memorable hits such as Harano Sur (1957), Agnipariksha (1954), Saptapadi (1961), Grihadaha (1967), Indrani (1958), Sagarika (1956), Bipasha (1962), Kamal Lata (1969), Alo Amar Alo (1972), Har Mana Har (1972) and Priyo Bandhabi (1975). She was cast opposite matinee idol Uttam Kumar in 30 films from 1953 to 1975. Sen acted in 52 Bengali and seven Hindi films. Champakali, with Bharat Bhushan, Sarhhaad and Bommbai Ka Babu with Dev Anand and Mamta were some of her other notable Hindi films. However, her most famous Hindi film after Devdas was 1974s Aandhi by Gulzar. She earned wide acclaim for her role opposite Sanjeev Kumar in the film which landed in controversy due to similarities between her character and Indira Gandhi. After her 1978 movie Pronoy Pasha with Soumitra Chatterjee flopped, Sen quietly left the limelight and even allegedly refused the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2005 preferring not to make a public appearance. As per her wishes, her family maintained secrecy even when she was hospitalized. The reason behind Sens withdrawal from public life remains a mystery. A follower of the Ramakrishna Mission order, Sen spent her retired life in meditation and prayer. In 1989, when Bharat Maharaj of the mission passed away, she was seen publicly walking all the way to the crematorium from Belur Math near Kolkata. Her daughter Moon Moon, though a well-known Bengali actress, could never overcome the large shadow that her mothers beauty and acting prowess cast. Sens grand-daughters Riya and Raima have also featured in some Bollywood and Bengali films. l
n Entertainment Desk
he death of Suchitra Sen marks the end of an era for the Bangla film industry. Dominating the silver screen with her mesmerising intense performances and delicate beauty for three decades, she was an iconic actor who marked the golden age of Bangla cinema with films like Saptapadi, Agnipariksha and Share Chuattar. One of the greatest diva of all time, Suchitra came into the film scenario with the release of her film Sat Number Kaydi with Samar Roy as the hero in 1953. In actuality, the first film she worked in, Sesh Kothay in 1952, remained
Harano Sur This is a 1957 Bengali romantic drama film by Ajoy Kar, starring Suchitra Sen and Uttam Kumar, with music by Hemanta Mukherjee, and sung by Geeta Dutt. The film is regarded as one of the finest examples of Bengali cinema of this early golden period. The film has broad similarities in plot with the 1942 Hollywood flick Random Harvest (film). Indrani Suchitra Sen and Uttam Kumar starred in the 1958 blockbuster Indrani. The superhit pair starred in more than a dozen films and were considered the first couple of the Bengali film industry. Unlike other heroines of Uttam Kumar films, Suchitra Sen demanded, and got, equal billing and screen time. Chaowa-Pawa Its a 1959s Bengali film directed by Tarun Majumdar and Sachin Mukherjee. It starred acclaimed actors Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen in leading roles also. This comedy film directed by Jatrik revolves around a young man who falls in love with a rich girl who is supposed to be delivered at her home safely. Deep Jwele Jai Directed by Asit Sen, Suchitra Sen delivers one of her best performances in the film Deep Jwele Jai as a nurse in 1959. The film was lauded for its performances and music, especially for the song Ei Raat Tomar Amar. Saptapadi Saptapadi is a 1961 Bengali romantic drama film by Ajoy Kar, starring Suchitra Sen, Uttam Kumar. Its a love story with a twist set in Bengal in pre independent India (early 1940); the time when young Indian students were competing equally with British goras in all fields whether it be education or sports. Saat Pake Bandha One of Suchitra Sens best performance in 1963 came from the film Saat Paake Badha. Directed by Ajoy Kar, the film is regarded as one of the all-time great films of Bengali cinema. This film went on to become a big milestone in Sens career as she won the prestigious Best Actress Award at the Moscow Film Festival. Uttar Falguni Suchitra Sen plays a double role in this Bengali drama film in 1963. Directed by Asit Sen, Uttar Falguni was awarded the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali. Interestingly, the film was remade in Hindi as Mamta by Asit Sen himself with Suchitra Sen in the lead again. Alo Amaar Alo In 1971, Alo Amar Alo, the Pinaki Bhushan Mukherji film underlines the love story between a social worker, who also happens to be a womanizer, and the eldest daughter of a poor man with five daughters. Devi Chaudhurani In 1974, directed by Dinen Gupta, the film is an adaptation of the Bengali novel by the same name by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. Aandhi Suchitra Sen played the lead role allegedly based on the life of Indias former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in lyricist Gulzar directed Aandhi. Sens look in the film was inspired by that of politician Tarkeshwari Sinha. The film was not allowed a full release when Indira Gandhi was in power and was even banned during 1975 emergency.
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Meanwhile Mashrafe Mortaza, who made his comeback from injury for East Zone, had a good outing in the first match where he took three wickets and more importantly, bowled fourteen overs without any problem. The veteran may also catch a Test spot if he can continue to prove his fitness in the second round. National discard Imrul Kayes, who scored a century in the first match for South Zone against the BCB North Zone, will be looking to play another big innings and return to the national side. This will be no easy task as there is another strong contender all-rounder Farhad Reza who struck 153 in the first round against North Zone. Current national cricketers were also successful in the first round, with Naeem Islam, Nasir Hossain and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim all amongst the runs, which bodes well for the upcoming Sri Lanka series. The bowlers, however, have struggled so far although paceman Robiul Islam showed good form in claiming five wickets in the first match. l
DHAKA TRIBUNE
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0 5 7
DAYS TO GO
15 Perera, Mathews
Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Clubs Wedson Anselme celebrates after scoring from the spot against Muktijoddha SKC during their Bangladesh Premier League match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday MUMIT M
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Muktijoddha
Wedson Anselme 22
0 1 Sheikh Jamal
delivers a cross from 11Linkon the left flank that finds Darling-
17 21
22 61
ton in the box, who heads the ball to Mobarak but the national winger shoots straight to the keeper. Jamal earn a penalty when goalkeeper Ziaur Rahman Zia brings down Nkwocha Kingsley at the edge at the six-yard box. Eleta Kingsley, on his second attempt, misses the penalty from the spot, hitting the woodwork after his first attempt was disallowed. GOAL! Penalty for Jamal. Wedson Anselme makes no mistake to put his side ahead from the spot after Muktis goalie Rasel Mahmud Liton fouled Darlington inside the box. Nkwocha Kingsley shows great technique to receive a long ball and dribble past the keeper but the Nigerian forward shoots just wide, despite having an open net.
SCORECARD
England A. Cook c and b Maxwell 22 I. Bell run out 68 J. Root lbw Johnson 2 G. Ballance st Haddin b Maxwell 9 E. Morgan c Clarke b Faulkner 106 R. Bopara c Bailey b Faulkner 24 J. Buttler c Clarke b Coulter-Nile 49 B. Stokes c Maxwell b Coulter-Nile 0 T. Bresnan not out 1 C. Jordan not out 2 Extras (w12 nb1 lb4) 17 Total (for 8 wickets, 50 0vers) 300 Bowling McKay 9 0 61 0 (3w), Johnson 10 059 1 (6w), Coulter-Nile 9 0 55 2 (2w), Faulkner 10 0 73 2, Maxwell 8 0 31 2, Clarke 4 0 17 0 (1nb) Australia D. Warner c and b Jordan A. Finch c Ballance b Jordan S. Marsh b Root M. Clarke c Ballance b Root G. Bailey lbw Rankin G. Maxwell c Bopara b Bresnan B. Haddin c Cook b Bresnan N. Coulter-Nile lbw Stokes J. Faulkner not out M. Johnson c Buttler b Bopara C. McKay not out Extras (w10 lb8) 18 0 55 17 24 54 26 16 69 1 2 18
Total (for 9 wickets, 49.3 overs) 301 Bowling Rankin 7 0 36 1 (2w), Jordan 9 0 532 (2w), Bresnan 9.3 0 64 2, Stokes 10 0 75 1 (3w), Root 9 0 46 2, Bopara 5 0 19 1 (3w) Result Australia win by 1 wicket. Australia lead 5 match series 2 0
National opener Tamim Iqbal at the launching ceremony of the first ever Bangladeshi High-End Bicycle Brand Veloce yesterday COURTESY
Australias James Faulkner, left, and Clint McKay celebrate after winning the second ODI against England at the Gabba cricket ground in Brisbane,yesterday AP
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Sport
RESULTS
Villarreal
Ros 32 Real Sociedad win 1 0 on aggregate Messi 43, 63 Barcelona win 6 0 on aggregate
01
Real Sociedad
Getafe
02
Barcelona
Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Getafe during their Spanish King's Cup match at Colisseum Alfonso Perez stadium in Getafe on Thursday
REUTERS
FIXTURES
Arsenal Crystal Palace Liverpool Man City Norwich City Sunderland West Ham v v v v v v v Fulham Stoke City Aston Villa Cardiff City Hull City Southampton Newcastle
In midfield we have plenty of quality players who you can rotate easily without really feeling today we are weaker, he said.
Aaron Ramsey is a strong contender for the player of the season accolades as the Wales captain has contributed 13 goals so far. Germany playmaker Mesut Ozil has been less consistent but Wenger is nonetheless impressed with his efforts so far. Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will use Saturdays clash against Cardiff to step up his return from injury as the Argentine eyes a Champions League showdown with Barcelona. Aguero scored on his return from eight matches out with a calf problem after coming off the bench in Citys 5-0 FA Cup third round replay victory against Blackburn on Wednesday. Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko helped City to seven wins and a draw
in the absence of Aguero, scoring six goals in that run of matches. But City boss Manuel Pellegrini, whose second placed side are one point behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, knows the return of Aguero is a major boost as the Eastlands outfit try to overhaul the Gunners ahead of the first leg of the Champions League last 16 tie against Spanish champions Barcelona on February 18. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes Daniel Sturridge can still take his game to another level as the title-chasing Reds face Aston Villa on Saturday. Rodgers must now decide how to reintegrate the England striker into his starting line-up against Villa at Anfield. l
FIXTURES
Real Betis Elche Granada Espanyol v v v v Real Madrid Rayo Vallecano Osasuna Celta Vigo
million, 77 million) signing Gareth Bale looking particularly off-colour. However, coach Carlo Ancelotti has hailed his sides competitive spirit to keep themselves in the title race.
Now the most difficult part of the season comes because all the matches are important, he said. We dont always play fantastic football. We have a lot of games right now and to always play well isnt easy. But the team is concentrated, working very hard and is hungry to achieve things in the future. A win for Real would mean they would move joint top for the first time since mid-September and Los Blancos will be heavy favourites against a Betis side rooted to the foot of the table and without a win in the league 12 games. Barcelona are in action on Sunday as they travel to Levante where Lionel Messi is expected to start. l
David Luiz and Andre Schurrle of Chelsea watch the game between Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks as part of the 2014 Global Games on Thursday at The O2 Arena in London AFP
points from their following four games to remain in fourth, although that is in part down to the poor form of Inter. Inter have hovered among the top five since the start of the season but that early promise, boosted by a takeover from Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir, has failed to fire up Mazzarris men. A trip to 10th-placed Genoa on Sunday has come at the wrong time.
FIXTURES
Roma v Livorno Juventus v Sampdoria
Inter have taken only 14 points from their last 10 games, drawing with Atalanta, Bologna, Sampdoria, Parma and, most recently, Chievo in the process. Mazzarri, who steered Napoli to a second-place finish last season, has so far been given Thohirs backing and, amid complaints from several players over wrong refereeing decisions, and said he hopes the Nerazzurris luck will change. Its a tricky period for us but we have to keep on at it. The lads have faith, but a little bit of luck would help steer us back on to the right path, said Mazzarri. l
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Sport
15
SCORECARD
Sri Lanka 1st innings (overnight 220 5) D. Karunaratne c Younis b Rehman 34 K. Silva c Sarfraz b Talha 17 K. Sangakkara c Manzoor b Junaid 52 M. Jayawardene c Ali b Ajmal 47 D. Chandimal c Shafiq b Ajmal 11 A. Mathews c Shehzad b Junaid 91 P. Jayawardene c Junaid b Talha 35 D. Perera c Junaid b Talha 95 R. Herath lbw b Junaid 0 S. Eranga not out 25 S. Lakmal not out 3 Extras: (b5, lb11, nb2) 18 Total: (nine wkts dec; 172 overs) 428 Fall of wickets 1 31 (Silva), 2 65 (Karunaratne), 3 125 (Sangakkara), 4 159 (Jayawardene), 5 166 (Chandimal), 6 239 (Prasanna), 7 351 (Mathews), 8 351 (Herath), 9 423 (Perera). Bowling Junaid 32 5 81 3, Talha 32 3 99 3 (nb2), Ajmal 55 16 120 2, Rehman 5014 101 1, Azhar 3 0 11 0 Pakistan 1st innings Khurram Manzoor not out 14 Ahmed Shehzad not out 5 Total: (for no loss; 6 overs) 19 Bowling Herath 3 1 7 0, Lakmal 1 0 4 0, Perera 2180 Match Situation Pakistan trail by 409 runs with 10 wickets remaining in the 1st innings
QUICK BYTES
Manchester United strikers Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney will miss Sundays Premier League game at Chelsea, manager David Moyes said on Friday. Rooney, who has not played since the New Years Day defeat by Tottenham Hotspur, has returned to the club from warm weather training but will not be available to face Jose Mourinhos team. Hes training, doing some running and looking quite good. I dont want to put a date on his return just now as I dont want to say hell be fit for whatever game and then find hes not. Weve just got to take it bit by bit, Moyes told a news conference. Moyes sounded more confident about Van Persies fitness. Reuters
Stephane Peterhansels hopes of a 12th Dakar Rally title were crushed on Thursday when Mini instigated team orders to ensure a podium sweep, a decision which was blasted by organsiers as well as the champion-elect. Peterhansel, who has six motorcycle triumphs and five wins on four wheels in the race, finished the 11th stage from Antofagasta to El Salvador in Chile at an overall 605km, the longest of the event in fourth place, 14min 14sec behind stage winner Orlando Terranova. But the Frenchmans Mini teammate, and overall leader, Nani Roma was second on the day, just over three minutes ahead of Peterhansel. AFP
Sri Lankan batsman Dilruwan Perera plays a shot against Pakistan during the second day of their third and final Test at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah yesterday
Perera, Mathews miss tons Ballan banned two years, banned for life as Sri Lanka foil Pakistan doctor n
n AFP, Sharjah
Dilruwan Perera missed a century on his debut while skipper Angelo Mathews fell for 91 as Sri Lanka frustrated Pakistan in the third and final Test in Sharjah on Friday. Perera (95) and Mathews made life difficult for Pakistan through their 112run seventh wicket stand before Sri Lanka declared their first innings at 428-9, leaving Pakistan to score 19-0 in a tricky six overs before the close of the second days play. Openers Ahmed Shehzad (five) and Khurram Manzoor (14) survived an anxious time as Pakistan go in search of a big lead to square the series after losing the second Test by nine wickets in Dubai. Sri Lanka, leading the series 1-0 after the first Test ended in a draw in Abu Dhabi, are aiming to seal the series. The day once again exposed the flat Sharjah stadium pitch as Mathews put 73 for the sixth wicket with Prasanna Jayawardene (35) and then batted solidly with Perera, leaving Pakistani bowlers frustrated and failing in their search for quick wickets. The 31-year-old Perera, who made his one-day debut in 2007 but had never played a Test before, looked more solid during his 305-minute batting as he drove and pulled with perfection before hooking paceman Mohammad Talha into the hands of deep fine-leg. He hit 12 boundaries and two sixes and added an invaluable 72 for the ninth wicket with Shaminda Eranga (25 not out). Perera said: I am really happy to score 95, sad to miss the hundred but its still an achievement considering Pakistan had two of the best spinners in the world, said Perera, whose 95 is the highest overseas score by a Sri Lankan on his debut. Mathews once again anchored the Sri Lankan batting, defying Pakistans bowling for six hours before he fell to a miscued drive off paceman Junaid Khan who finished with figures of 3-81. Talha finished with 3-99 while spinner Saeed Ajmal had 2-120. Mathews, who hit 91 and a career best 157 not out in the drawn first Test in Abu Dhabi, took full advantage of the drop caught and bowled chance by Talha on Thursday when on nought, by hitting five boundaries and a six off 256-balls. Junaid said Pakistan will have to bat better. Its a tough wicket but thats part of Test cricket to make an effort to get wickets. We have to bat better than Sri Lanka to win, said Junaid. l
AFP
AFP, Rome
Italys Alessandro Ballan, the world road race champion in 2008, was handed a two-year doping ban by Italys Olympic Committee (CONI) on Friday. Ballan was punished by CONIs antidoping tribunal after it ruled he had contravened article 2.2 of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code relating to the use or attempted use of banned substances. A statement from CONI on Friday confirmed the responsibility of the athlete Alessandro Ballan in contravening article 2.2 of the World Anti-Doping Code and imposes a suspension of two years with effect from January 17, 2014 until January 16, 2016. Ballan has also been condemned to pay the costs of this proceeding, estimated at 400 euros and to pay a fine of
2,000 euros. Ballan was suspected of being embroiled in a doping affair which has also implicated two doctors, Guido Nigrelli and Fiorenzo Egeo Bonazzi both of whom were alleged to have aided his attempt to procure and use banned substances. CONI prosecutors had initially requested the ban on the basis of evidence supplied by a public prosecutor in Mantua. CONI banned Nigrelli for life and Bonazzi for four years. l
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intention of optimising every aspect of our existing operations, whilst identifying new areas of growth that capitalise on our technologies, and where appropriate further investing in them. McLaren did not comment on the future of Whitmarsh, but Dennis insisted his job was to get the team winning again. During February, I will articulate a new Group strategy and implement the organisational structure best suited to achieving it, he added. l
Serena Williams plays a shot during her women's singles match against Daniela Hantuchova on day five of the 2014 Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday AFP and-a-half hours. In the evening session, Australias Sam Stosur suffered further heartbreak at her home Grand Slam when she threw away a one-set lead against Ivanovic. Stosur, who held her nerve when a first-set tiebreak was interrupted by rain - while she was on set point - then faded as Ivanovic won 6-7 (8/10), 6-4, 6-2 to set up a meeting with Williams. In the mens draw, Spains super-fit Ferrer again proved impregnable as he ground down Frances Jeremy Chardy 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 to reach his 15th consecutive Grand Slam fourth round. Seventh seed Berdych ended the fairytale run of Damir Dzumhur, the first man from Bosnia and Herzegovina to compete at a Grand Slam whose brave performances won fans at home and abroad. Italian seed Fabio Fognini beat American Sam Querrey in straight sets to set up a last-16 clash with Djokovic. Despite day-time temperatures of 42 Celsius, organisers opted not to repeat Thursdays use of emergency rules which allow them to suspend play on outside courts and close the retractable roofs on the two main stadiums. Chinas Zheng Jie was the latest casualty when she needed medical treatment and a rub-down with ice during her loss to Australias Casey Dellacqua. l
A handout picture made available by Emirates Airlines on Thursday shows legendary football player Pele (C) with Sheikh Majid Al Mualla (L), Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Emirates Airline posing following a press conference in Dubai. Emirates airline, announced that Brazilian football legend Pele will be one of its Global Ambassadors AFP
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Indigenous women pass busy time planting Irri 28 seedlings in Barendra region of Rajshahi. The photo was taken from Barshapara yesterday
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Upazila and union level websites to come under one platform n Moniruzzaman Uzzal The chances of survival for patients Golam Mostafa, assistant system Md Nazrul Islam Khan, secretary of the with critical burn injuries are likely to n Muhammad Zahidul Islam ICT ministry, told the Dhaka Tribune annalist of the Cabinet Division, said: increase in the country, with Dhaka
Every website will consist of different information, data, pictures and messages, ensuring its individuality but it will run under a common design. The committee had already completed the training of IT officials in 10 ministries and the rest would be trained within the next couple of months, the sources said. Earlier on September, the ICT ministry established more than 24,000 websites, claiming it to be biggest web network of the world but they were unable to launch the sites formally as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina could not give a schedule for the inauguration programme. However, the government this time wants to launch the sites with the new design through a gala programme. l
Miscreants set at least seven houses belonging to Hindu families on fire at Uttar Dhemsha union of Satkania upazila in Chittagong early yesterday. No casualty or injuries were reported in the attack. Police had no clue about the identity of the criminals at the time this report was filed. Md Khaled Hossain, the officer-in-charge (OC) of Satkania police station, said police was looking into the matter. The OC said no one had lodged any
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