Falgun 10, 1420 Rabius Saani 21, 1435 Regd. No.

DA 6238 Vol 1 No 330

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

www.dhakatribune.com

SECOND EDITION

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6 | RAISED TO SUCCEED

7 | COFFEE AND CHOCS CURE DISEASES

9 | INDIA CONSULTS ITALY OVER BULLET

13 | JURGENSEN LOOKING AHEAD

Parties forced to rethink their strategies

AL fears further setbacks, BNP loses to Jamaats popularity
n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla
Results of the first phase of the upazila polls are likely to have an impact on the next phases, as the Awami League will face challenges to perform better while the BNP could face the need to rein in the influence of Jamaat-e-Islami to ensure future victories. Awami League leaders predict that they could face further setbacks if the trends of the first phase are repeated in the next phases, which would also give archrival the BNP a chance to strengthen support for future movements. posed during the poll, allowing them to rethink their strategies for the future rounds of voting. Around one and half months after the January 5 national polls, the disappointing performance of the ruling Awami League could be morally damaging for grassroots supporters, leaders said. We could not do well in the first phase of elections and the impact of this result could be visible in the upcoming phases, said Advocate Sajedur Rahman Khan, general secretary of Natore district Awami League. Nuh-ul-Alam Lenin, a presidium member of the Awami League, told the Dhaka Tribune: We were behind in the results as we did not ensure a single candidate in every upazila. If our leaders realise this and can take the initiative, the result might be different. It is also tough to draw any conclusions after seeing the result of just one phase. The first phase of the polls also exposed strained relations between the BNP and Jamaat in many areas, as Jamaat was disinclined to extend support to the BNP-backed candidates. In Sylhet, the BNP Jamaat relation worsened when Jamaat wanted two upazilas for themselves for the next phase, while the BNP wanted to give them only one out of six upazilas. BNP Vice-Chairman Shomser Mobin Chowdhury held an emergency meeting with the alliance leaders yesterday evening to finalise alliance candidates in six upazilas. Abdul Gaffar, district BNP general secretary, said: Nothing was finalised
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FIRST PHASE UPAZILA POLLS RESULTS

COLOURS OF DOOM

Use of Bangla in every sphere demanded as Amar Ekushey observed n Rabiul Islam
People from all walks of life, both at home and abroad, yesterday observed Amar Ekushey, the International Mother Language Day, paying homage to the martyrs of the 1952 Language movement. Since dawn, thousands of people, including children and foreigners, began gathering at the capitals Central Shaheed Minar to show their deepest respect for those who sacrificed their lives for the recognition of Bangla as the state language of what was then East Pakistan. On February 21, 1952, Salam, Rafique, Shafique, Jabbar and Barkat embraced martyrdom when police opened fire on a protest rally in front of the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital
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Shakib suspended for rude gesture n Minhaz Uddin Khan

The Bangladesh Cricket Board yesterday suspended Shakib al Hasan for three ODIs and fined him Tk3 lakh for making an indecent gesture on live television. This means the left-handed all-rounder will miss the third ODI against Sri Lanka today as well as the first two games of the Asia Cup, which begins on February 25. Earlier on Thursday, Shakib gestured towards his groin after drawing the attention of TV cameras during the second ODI against Sri Lanka at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Following the incident, the BCB yesterday held a meeting with the BCB cricket operations committee, five BCB directors and the organisations acting CEO. It was decided that the cricket operations committee would hold a hearing with Shakib and Shafiul Islam, who was sitting next to Shakib in the viewing area of the dressing room during the incident. Following the hearing of the BCB
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BNP leaders concerned that Jamaat might be aggressive in seat sharing

On the other hand, despite their recent successes, the BNP is finding it difficult to compete with the popularity of Jamaat, after leaders of the Islamist party bagged 12 chairman posts by defeating BNP-backed contenders in various areas. Several BNP leaders expressed concerns that Jamaat might be aggressive in seat sharing with the BNP, putting the party in trouble in many areas and creating the potential for poor performance in the upcoming phases. In the first phase of the polls, BNPbacked candidates won 43 upazila chair posts, Jamaat bagged 12, and the Awami League secured 34 seats out of 96. The strengths and weaknesses of both the major parties, especially regarding rebel candidates, were ex-

Two people wash empty polythene bags of industrials dyes in the Turag River. With authorities turning a blind eye, regular dumping of industrial chemicals has done much damage to the aquatic and ecosystem of the water body SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

INSIDE
News
4 Experts raise concerns over usage of substandard materials in the beautification works by the DCC.

Op-Ed

11 As international trade grows, Bangladesh will face increasing pressure to tighten up intellectual property laws.

n Julkar Ali Manik

Islamist militants in the country took inspiration from the ideals of al-Qaeda, the Afghan Taliban and other similar outfits of Pakistan to preach radicalism, train their activists and carry out organised terrorist attacks across the country in the past three decades. When this correspondent interviewed militant leaders Abdur Rahman and Siddiqul Islam the latter became widely known as Bangla Bhai in May 2004, they said how they had been inspired by Taliban. Abdur Rahman had said: Our model includes many leaders and schol-

ars of Islam. But we will take as much [ideological elements] from the Taliban as we need. At that time Rahman and Bangla Bhai were carrying out terror activities in northern Rajshahi region with the blessings of the then BNP Jamaat administration under the banner of Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB) hiding their outfits original name Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB). Both the outfits were banned and Rahman and Bangla Bhai along with four other militant leaders were executed in 2007 for their terrorist acts. Rahman, Bangla Bhai and other top
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A large number of necessary medical equipment have remained out-of-order for a long time at different medical facilities across the country, including many important machines at the citys Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital, commonly known as Mitford Hospital. Since February last year, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machine, which has already needed Tk84 lakh worth of repairs on four occasions since it was bought in October 2006, has been out-of-order at the Mitford Hospital. It would need a further Tk66 lakh to be fixed and made operational. The Dhaka Tribune has learnt that the list of out-of-order machines at the Mitford Hospital also includes machines for X-ray, ultra-sonogram,

X-Ray, ultrasonogram, anaesthesia, paediatric laparoscopy, UTI machine, ETT, haemodialysis, colour doppler echocardiography

MACHINES IN NEED OF REPAIR

Local militants inspired Hospital equipment resting in pieces n by al-Qaeda, Taliban

Moniruzzaman Uzzal

Mitford Hospital

Brahmanbaria Sadar Hospital

Autoclave, incubator, OT ceiling lights

Narayanganj General Hospital

Ultrasound, ECG, bipolar diathermy, autoclave, OT table, anaesthesia

Jessore General Hospital

ECG, ETT, holter monitor, cardiac monitor, defibrillator cardiac monitor, incubator, ultrasonogram, X-Ray

Anaesthesia, OT lighting system, autoclave, diathermy, ECG, ultrasonogram, X-Ray

Sherpur Sadar Hospital

Tangail General Hospital

OT table, OT light, oxygen meter, steriliser, laparoscopy, nebuliser, defibrillator, incubator

A H MAMUN/DT INFOGRAPHIC

anesthesia, pediatric laparoscopy, diathermy, dental unit model, dental unit, biochemistry analyser, biochemistry

machine, urinary tract infection machine, Exercise Tolerance Test (ETT),

PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Saturday, February 22, 2014

From left: Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, and Opposition Leader Rawshan Ershad of Jatiya Party place wreathes at the Central Shaheed Minar to pay tributes to the language martyrs yesterday

RAJIB DHAR AND SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Jamaat-Shibir secretly observe mother language day

n Tribune Report
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir yesterday claimed that both the organisations had observed various programmes to mark International Mother Language Day. The party, in a statement, said it held colourful processions, prayer programmes for the departed souls of language martyrs, discussion programmes, and free blood donations across the country, including in Dhaka, Chittagong and other city corporation areas, as part of its pre-announced schedule. Commenting on the programme, the partys central leaders said it was rare to find a country that had sacrificed lives for their mother language and that Bangladesh was the only one to do so. Earlier, on Tuesday, the party announced its schedule for its programmes but it did not disclose the times and locations. Jamaat Central Working Committee Member Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said they did not announce the locations in order to avoid police harassment. l

BNP Jamaat leaders in Pekua 11 abducted Bangladeshis rescued in Malaysia presiding officers list n
Tribune Report

n Tribune Report
Several persons directly involved with the BNP and its ally Jamaat-e-Islami are likely to be appointed as presiding and assistant presiding officers for the upcoming elections to Pekua upazila parishad in Coxs Bazar. These individuals have already received the necessary training required for conducting the polls. A vice-chairman candidate, Mohammad Nuruzzaman, is also in the list of presiding officers to be appointed for the upazila. Jamaats Pekua upazila unit Secretary Imtiaz Uddin has confirmed that Nuruzzaman, a lecturer at Besaratul Ulum Fazil Madrasa, is the president of the partys Pekua sadar union unit. Despite repeated attempts, Nuruzzaman was not available for comments. Analysing the list of probable presiding officers, it was found that Fakruddin Farayezi, the co-convener of Chakaria municipal unit of the BNP, was appointed as a presiding officer. BNPs Tetong union President

Joynal Abedin, Secretary Mohammad Yusuf, Shilkhali union Jubo Dal President Monirul Kabir, Rajakhali Unions former secretary Mohammad Romiz, and Jamaats Pekua upazila Secretary Imtiaz Uddin, have been appointed as assistant presiding officers for the upcoming upazila poll. Most of these BNP Jamaat leaders are teachers in different schools, colleges or madrasas in Coxs Bazar. Wahidur Rahman Warachi, a chairman candidate backed by the Awami League, has alleged that the upazila nirbahi officer joined hands with BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed to appoint local BNP Jamaat leaders as election officers. Pekua upazila Jamaat Secretary Imtiaz Uddin, who is also a school teacher, said he was appointed as the assistant presiding officer. When I will start working as an election official, I will keep aside my political identity. I will work neutrally, he said. When contacted by the Dhaka Tribune, UNO Mir Shawkat Hossain, who

is also the assistant returning officer for the upazila, claimed that the election officials would be appointed on February 24. Asked how leaders of political parties were included in the list of presiding and assistant presiding officers, he said: When the Election Commission sought a list of probable election officials, we asked heads of education institutions to send names of teachers who may discharge elections responsibilities. We have sent the list to the commission. He admitted that many school teachers were directly or indirectly involved in party politics. We will finalise the appointment of presiding and polling officers on February 24, three days ahead of the polling, he said. When asked how a vice-chairman candidate had been included in the list of the election officials, the UNO said: There is no question of appointing a candidate as the presiding officer. He was not a candidate when the list was prepared. l

Malaysian police rescued 11 Bangladeshi and four Myanmar nationals, who were captive by a human trafficking syndicate in George Town, Penang. In George Town, police stormed into two adjacent 15th floor flat units on Macallum Street Ghaut to rescue the 11 Bangladeshis, the Malaysian English daily the Star reported on Thursday.

The victims were being held captive with the intention of getting ransom
They were suspected to have been held for weeks by a local illegal immigrant trafficking syndicate. The syndicate was demanding ransom of up to RM10,000 each from the families of the victims. The Bangladeshis looked weak and despondent when police rescued them at about 2pm on Wednesday after monitoring the place for several days, following a tip-off.

Four people, aged between 20 and 50, were arrested in the raid. One of them was a woman. They were watching over the victims. Penang Deputy CID chief Asst Comm Nasir Salleh said police would hold a press conference over the matter soon. When the four Myanmar men were rescued, they were weak, hungry and stripped of all dignity as human traffickers had chained them together like slaves. Investigations showed that the rescued foreigners were victims of a human trafficking syndicate whose members comprise Malaysians and Myanmarese. The victims were being held captive with the intention of getting ransom from their families. One of the victims told the police that he had entered the country nine days ago. He claimed that his family had to pay RM2,000 to the syndicate before he could be taken to work at a construction site. Police are now on the hunt for the mastermind. l

Parties forced to rethink

PAGE 1 COLUMN 2

Local militants inspired by al-Qaeda, Taliban

PAGE 1 COLUMN 3

regarding candidate selection but there is a problem going on with Jamaat regarding seat sharing. We hope we will reach a consensus soon. Jainal Abedin Chan, general secretary of Bogra BNP, said the party would not team up with Jamaat for the campaigning in the rest of the upazilas, as the Islamist party did not keep its word in the first phase of elections.

In the second phase, elections will be held in four upazilas where both BNP and Jamaat have contenders. Bogra district Jamaat Nayeb-eAmeer Alamgir Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune: There is hardly any possibility to forge an understanding with the BNP under the prevailing situation. We will set our candidates. It will not create trouble in the internal understanding of the [19-party] alliance, he claimed. l

Hospital equipment resting in pieces

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hemodialysis, echocardiography with colour doppler. The list was prepared following a recent health ministry directive that asked hospitals the details of their broken-down machines, how the machines became unusable and how much money would be required for repairs. Seeking anonymity, several senior officials of the health ministry and the health directorate told the Dhaka Tribune that in its list, the Mitford Hospital had informed that around Tk12 crore was needed to fix the broken down machines. They added that many more outof-service medical equipments worth hundreds of crores of taka have been left unused across the country. When asked, Health Secretary MM Niazuddin told the Dhaka Tribune that data was being collected from all public hospitals and a senior-level committee has been formed to find out the root cause of the improper use of machines. Authorities needed to ensure proper utilisation of the limited resources and machineries, as health costs were increasing each day, he added. A meeting is scheduled on February 23, where the health minister is likely to sit with all divisional directors and civil surgeons to discuss about the issue. Dr Rashid-E Mahbub, president of Health Rights Movement Bangladesh and ex-president of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA), said the proper use of machines require an pre-purchase assessment of the equipments need, necessary infrastructure to set up the machine, and trained manpower to operate the machine. Influential doctor, leaders, and contractors force departmental heads to comply with their needs, while anyone who protests is transferred, he said. Asked about the initiative for repairing the machines, Mahbub said it was nothing but a waste of money, as an unscrupulous group was always seeking ways to pocket funds in the name of

repairing machines. A list of out-of-order machines at public hospitals, acquired by the Dhaka Tribune, shows that an X-ray machine has been left unused since March 2003 at the National Mental Health Institute and Hospital, allegedly because the supplier authority failed to set it up. Another X-ray machine has also been left unused at the hospital since November 2007, while an ECG machine that was delivered in December 2003, has gone out of order and required Tk6.5lakh to be repaired. The list also showed that a broken down X-ray machine at Khagrachhari Adhunik District Sadar Hospital needed Tk2.5 lakh to be fixed; while autoclave machine, incubator machine and operation theatre ceiling lights of the Brahmanbaria District Sadar Hospital needed more than Tk1.55 lakh to be repaired. Several machines including ultrasound, ECG, bipolar diathermy, autoclave, OT table, anesthesia, air-conditioner and pulse oximeter have been declared defective at Narayanganj General Hospital, according to the list. The 250-bed general hospital in Jessore declared many of its machines inoperative, including ECG machine, ETT, holter monitor with computer, cardiac monitor, defibrillator cardiac monitor, nebulizer, pulse oximeter, diathermy, incubator, phototherapy, air cooler, refrigerator, ultra sonogram, X-ray, automatic X-ray film processor. At least Tk7.56 lakh was needed to fix several inoperative machines of Sherpur Sadar Hospital that include anesthesia, OT ceiling light, emergency standby light for OT, autoclave, diathermy, ECG, ultra sonogram, X-ray machine. The 250-bed general hospital of Tangail needed Tk3.5 lakh to fix broken down machines that included OT table, OT light, air cooler, oxygen meter, steriliser, head light set, refrigerator, drill, laparoscopy, nebulizer, defibrillator, oxygen cylinder and incubator etc. l

leaders of the JMB used to motivate and train up new recruits using the literature and video of al-Qaeda and Taliban activities. The recruits were given video discs of speeches of al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden and footage on warfare training in militant camps in Afghanistan. The JMJB opened many camps in Rajshahi region to train up their followers. Other militant outfits, such as the banned Harkat-ul-Jihad-al Islami, their founders and leaders also had direct link with Taliban and al-Qaeda, and the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba all with the same goal of spearheading a movement based on jihad. In July 2004, law enforcers arrested 32 Islamist militants, raiding a mosque in southern district of Barguna. The militants were conducting a training at the mosque and the law enforcers recovered books on jihad, other printed materials including a booklet on how to operate AK-47 rifles. Some of the printed materials contained pictures of Osama and his messages on jihad. There were plenty of reports in the past decade on such recovery. Jamaat-e-Islamis founder Pakistani Abul Ala Maududis book was also found from many militants. Very recently investigators discovered a new militant group named Ansarullah Bangla Team who are inspired by Anwar al-Awlaki-led al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Another banned Islamist outfit Hizb-ut Tahrir also inspired by their international network. Apart from these, inspiration and

support also came from militant or armed insurgent outfits based in Pakistan, Myanmar and India. A JMB leader named Boma Mizan told law enforcers after his arrest that he had been trained in bomb-making by radical Islamist Rohingya outfits. According to investigation findings, Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taibas (LeT) Arges grenades were used by Bangladesh militants to kill former finance minister SAMS Kibria in January 2005. Similar LeT grenades were used with an aim to kill Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina in 2004. After the 10-truckloads arms haul in 2004 it became also clear that some influential leaders of the BNP, Jamaat and a few military officials who served in the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and the National Security Intelligence (NSI) had links with Indian insurgent group United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa) for whom they had smuggled the huge consignment of modern arms and ammunition. Investigation into the haul found Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had a role in the smuggling. The ISI, which is widely known for patronising militancy in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, also has close links with Bangladeshi militants, observes a researcher. Although the BNP Jamaat-led government had denied and brushed aside a report of Time magazine published in 2002 that again came to light after the recent release of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiris audio tape with a call for Bangladeshi Muslims to wage jihad.

Time magazine journalist Alex Perry wrote in 2002: According to a source inside a Bangladeshi Islamic group with close ties to al-Qaeda, al-Zawahiri arrived in Dhaka in early March and stayed briefly in the compound of a local fundamentalist leader. Its unclear how al-Zawahiri came to be in Bangladesh, or whether hes still there. However, a source in the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), a Bangladeshi military intelligence agency, told TIME that al-Zawahiri is believed to have left Bangladesh this summer, crossing over the eastern border into Burma with Rohingya rebels. U.S. intelligence, however, has no evidence this report is true. Interestingly, in 2006 the then government of Khaleda Zia invited Perry to Bangladesh and arranged a trip with Khaleda by a helicopter across the country to make a positive report on her government, especially to give an impression that her government was combating militants. Security analyst Maj Gen (retd) Abdur Rashid told the Dhaka Tribune: It is true militants of many foreign militant and terrorist groups travelled to Bangladesh in the past because the then government did not have a zero-tolerance policy on the militants and terrorists and so different government agencies even helped them travel to the country. Asked if militants could still enter the country, Gen Rashid said: No, now the state has a zero-tolerance stance against militants and terrorists, and so it is not possible for them to travel to Bangladesh. l

Shakib suspended for rude gesture

PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

cricket operations committee later in the evening, the BCB found Shakib guilty of making the inappropriate gesture. BCB acting chief executive officer Nizam Uddin Chowdhury said: Shakib was repentant for the incident and readily accepted that the behaviour was unbecoming of a player of his experience and stature. We also reminded him that his action was unacceptable. The board decided to impose penalties on the cricketer as per the provisions of the BCBs code of conduct, in a move that is one of the boldest in recent times against a cricketer. Earlier in the day, Nizamuddin said: the Bangladesh Cricket Board has zero tolerance for such offences in the national dressing room. His [Shakibs] gesture has hampered the image of Bangladeshi cricket. This is not the first time that Shakib has misbehaved in public. His rude hand gesture to a section of the crowd during the 2011 World Cup led to criticism, but went unpunished. Meanwhile, the gesture from Shakib created much debate on social media, with many lambasting the star cricketer and welcoming with the decision reached by the BCB. l

Use of Bangla in every sphere demanded as Amar Ekushey observed

PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

area that had been demanding Bangla be the state language. The protests began after a conspiracy of the then leaders of Pakistan to declare Urdu the only state language. People of all ages were seen in an enthusiastic mood, wearing black badges and holding bouquets and banners and singing Amar bhaiyer rokte rangano Ekushey February in chorus, as they went forward to place flowers and bouquets at the altar of the Shaheed Minar, to expressed their love for mother tongue, Bangla. The premises of the Central Shaheed Minar was covered with paintings of the Bangla alphabet, and banners recognising the Language Movement, while the entire area was decorated in a very festive manner. In early hours of Friday, the paying of homage to the language martyrs began with President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina placing

wreaths at the Shaheed Minar at one minute past midnight. Later, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, and leaders of other political parties, teachers, student, diplomats and representatives of various organisations, paid homage to the martyrs at the Central Shaheed Minar. Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, many of the people visiting the Central Shaheed Minar yesterday emphasised the need to love ones language and to use Bangla in every sphere of life. Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar and Shafiur have laid down their lives because of their deep love for their mother tongue, Bangla. If we want to respect them, we have to love our mother tongue, said Tasmia Jannat Labonno, a student of class six at Dhaka Cantonment Girls School and College. Vice Chancellor of Jagannath University Mizanur Rahman said: We have to use Bangla everywhere. Chief Justice Mohammad Mozam-

mel Hossain said the use of Bangla has been introduced in some court cases, and added: If we try, it is possible to introduce Bangla in all court verdicts. It is really very impressive to see so many people paying their respects to the language martyrs, Hi Kari, a female teacher from Japan, told the Dhaka Tribune. I feel very happy to be here, she added. Talking to journalists, acting BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakrul Islam Alamgir said: The countrys democracy is now at stake. Peoples right to vote has been snatched. We have to make a new pledge to bring back the voting rights of the people, and we have to protect our sovereignty, Fakrul added. After placing wreaths, Communication Minister Obaidul Quader said: We should not see Ekushey February as a formality, rather we should take lessons from the Language Movement

and bring a positive trend to our countrys politics. Obaidul, is also a presidium member of the ruling Awami League. Just as the day is also observed across the country, Bangladeshs missions in different countries observed the day in a befitting manner, including in Indias New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, the Pakistani capital Islamabad, the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, and in New York and Washington DC in the US. Hundreds of people paid tribute to the Shaheed Minar built near the house of Rafiq, the first martyr in Language Movement, at Paril in Manikganj. In Comilla, two groups of the districts Awami League were locked in a clash after an argument began over the placing of wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu. During the clash, several shots were fired and a number of crude bombs were exploded. Five leaders and activists of the district AL were hurt in the incident. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Idcol targets 6m SHSs by 2016

n Aminur Rahman Rasel
The Infrastructure Development Company Limited (Idcol) has set a target to install six million solar home systems (SHSs) in the country by 2016, with an investment of $502 million. The state-owned non-bank financial institution also hopes that if the target of 6 million SHSs is fulfilled, it would generate an additional 150 megawatts of electricity and save around 256,000 tonnes of fossil fuel per year. In 2003, an initial target was taken to install 50,000 SHSs over a period of 5 years. Currently, more than 30,000 SHSs are being set up every month, Mahmood Malik, executive director and chief executive officer of Idcol, told the Dhaka Tribune. The SHSs provide the basic electricity demands of the rural people, who otherwise had to depend on kerosene lamps for lighting. By December 2013, Idcol had already set up 2.7 million SHSs in the country which now generates more than 110 megawatts of electricity. Earlier, Idcol adopted projects to install 1,500 solar-powered irrigation pumps and 50 mini-grid projects across the country by 2016, aiming to reduce the countrys dependency on diesel-run irrigation pumps and to provide electricity to rural areas. Through some selected non-governmental organisation and private entities, known as partner organisations, 19 solar-powered irrigation pumps have already been installed in Shapahar of Naogaon, Fatikchari of Chittagong, Bogra, Dinajpur, Jhenaidah, Kushtia, Thakurgaon, Panchagar and Dhaka. The company also initiated a project under which private investors will set up 69 solar irrigation pumps, each having around eight to ten kilowatt capacity. These solar pumps are capable of lifting 400,000-500,000 litres of water per day. Under its plans to set up 50 solar mini-grid power plants in the country, Idcol has already installed one at Sandwip of Chittagong, while three others are to be installed at Kutubdia of Coxs Bazar, Bagha of Rajshahi and Raipura of Narsingdi. l

Two women collect water and wash utensils in a stream of irrigation water flowing into a paddy field in Rajshahis Godagari upazila yesterday. The deep-tube well water levels have already started to fall in the area, making it hard for the people to gather drinking water DHAKA TRIBUNE

Gonojagoron launches its first publication

n Arif Ahmed
The Gonojagoron Moncho that came into being one year ago launched its first publication yesterday at a programme marking the International Mother Language day at Shahbagh Projonmo Chattar. Educationists, journalists and prominent personalities took part in the book unveiling programme titled Shahbag Ganajagaran O Etihasher Dai in the afternoon. Moncho Convener Imran H Sarkar edited the book which also incorporated articles and write-ups of at least 25 prominent personalities, including Dr Ajay Ray, Dr Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, Syed Shamsul Haque, Dr Kaberi Gayen and Julfikar Ali Manik. In his address, Imran said: With a view to spreading our campaign spirit among the masses and make them aware of the countrys enemy, we have published the book. Zafar Iqbal said: The youth of our country forgot the countrys history of Liberation War and Language Movement, but they raised their voice again in 2013 through forming the Gonojagoron Moncho. Prominent journalist Abed Khan said the Moncho taught how to retain the spirit of Liberation War, protect the prestige of the country and save it from evil forces. He urged Moncho activists and people to continue movement until realising their demands, including eradication of anti-liberation forces, capital punishment to all war criminals and ban on Jamaat-Shibir politics. In his address, Syed Shamsul Haque thanked and praised the youth who played their vital role in the Language Movement, 69th mass uprising, Liberation War in 1971 and Ganajagaran movement in 2013. l

Smuggling through railways rampant as officials join hands

According to DNC and law enforcement agencies, around 40% of drug shipments are carried through the railways railway police lend support to the smug- but in reality a much greater amount is not get any support from the railway staff id Action Battalion-2, said the slums surn Mohammad Jamil Khan glers in exchange for a weekly or monthly smuggled, they said. while conducting drives and that they rounding railway tracks were a haven for
In exchange for money, a syndicate of railway officials is reportedly facilitating smugglers using the railway services across the country to carry out their illegal trade. According to the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) and law enforcement agencies, around 40% of drug shipments are carried through the railways, inside and outside the country. Alongside regular employees and guards, the railway police are also involved in the act. As the railway police are appointed directly under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the railway authority cannot take any action against them, said a high official of Bangladesh Railway, seeking anonymity. It was found through an investigation that stationmasters, guards, staff, and fee and that the dealing is done with the help of a lineman. Whilst visiting different railway stations across the country, this correspondent found railway police and other officials engaged in counting tokens issued for the goods being carried on the train and collecting money for those tokens, rather than conducting the usual checking. A number of passengers also complained that the railway police are busy collecting money for the tokens rather than ensuring their security. Sources at the railway said the illegal drug shipments mainly enter the capital from Rajshahi, Chittagong, Comilla, Lalmonirhat and Sylhet railway stations. The railway police declare that a meager portion of the drugs were recovered, Seeking anonymity, a high-ranking official of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) said: We are not solely responsible for the unobstructed drug dealings as we sometimes fail to recover the drugs because of the non-cooperation of the railway police. They not only provide support to the smugglers but also get angry if we seize any shipment. Lt Col Mahmood of Comilla BGB camp told the Dhaka Tribune that smugglers prefer taking rail trucks, mail trains, and trains from Comilla and Brahmanbaria as these two districts are near the Indian border, allowing them to easily smuggle drugs. The BGB officials seize drugs and other goods almost daily from railway trucks from these two districts, he said. He claimed that the BGB officials did often had to face embarrassment as the railway staff take sides with the smugglers when BGB members try to arrest them or seize the smuggled goods. If the railway staff and police cooperated with us during raids, a huge gang of smugglers could be held and the chain could be destroyed, he said. Brahmanbaria BGB camp official Major Mohammad Shah Jahan echoed the sentiments of Lt Col Mahmood. According to RAB and DNC, most of the mail trains coming from Khulna, Rajshahi and Chittagong carry shipments of drugs. The railway police and staff not only show indifference to arresting these criminals, but also take their sides when other law enforcers try to do so. Raihanuddin Khan, senior assistant police super and operation officer of Rapdrug peddlers. The slums in capitals Karwanbazar and Tejgaon areas are swarming with drug addicts as almost all kinds of drugs and intoxicating products pour into these slums through the railways, he said. We often conduct raids in Karwanbazar slum and recover huge amounts of drugs. Dodging the law enforcers, a huge supply of drugs pour into the area as it is situated just beside the railway, he added. Denying all the allegations, Kamrul Hassan, deputy inspector general of the Government Railway Police, said the railway police have been performing their duties efficiently and that they often recover illegal shipments. Despite a shortage of manpower, we have been carrying out our duties, he said. l

35 injured in post-poll violence

n Tribune Report
At least 35 people have been injured and over forty houses were vandalised when separate incidents of post-poll violence erupted at Atghoria upazila in Pabna, Bheramara upazila of Kushtia and Munshiganj yesterday. Six activists of BNP Jamaat were arrested in connection with the violence. In Pabna, at least ten people were injured, five houses and two motorbikes were vandalized when a post-poll clash erupted between activists of the ruling Awami League and BNP Jamaat alliance at Jumaikhiri village of Atghoria upazila yesterday. Newly elected chairman Moulana Johurul Islam, who is backed by the BNP Jamaat alliance, claimed that the AL activists set fire to a house in the village and spread rumours over loudspeakers blaming BNP Jamaat for the incident. On the other hand, defeated chairman candidate Shahidul Islam Ratan, also the secretary of ALs Atghoria upazila unit, claimed the BNP Jamaat men set fire to an AL leaders house in the morning. Md Monirul Islam, officer-in-charge of Atghoria police station, said police rushed to the spot and took the situation under control and also arrested three Jamaat activists in this connection. In Kushtia, a local AL leader received bullet injuries in a series of factional clashes at Bheramara upazila yesterday. Four others were also injured in the clashes. The bullet-hit leader was identified as Akhtaruzzaman Mithu, senior vice president of ALs Bheramara upazila unit. Locals said supporters of Abu Bakr Siddique fired shots at Mithu when he went to Ramkrishnapur power plant area in the morning, leaving Mithu and another man injured. Following the attack, two groups of AL clashed in the upazila headquarters, injuring three others. In Debidar of Comilla, Sechwasebak League municipality unit Convener Saddam Hossain filed a case accusing 53 BNP Jamaat men for firing at him and his supporters. Saddam said BNP-backed candidate Ruhul Amin and his men opened fire on him and his supporters when they arrived at the Upazila parishad gate at around midnight. In Munshiganj, at least five people were injured and 40 houses were vandalised when rival groups attacked each other at Purbamakahati area of sadar upazila on Thursday night. The attackers also blasted a number of crude bombs during the mayhem. Locals and police said, the attack was a continuation of rivalry started from the last Union Parishad election. When contacted, Md Shahidul Islam, officer-in-charge of Munshiganj police station, said no one has been arrested, but a case will be filed in the connection. In Jamalpur, at least 15 people were injured when when a post-poll clash erupted between activists of the ruling Awami League and BNP at Sharishabari upazila. Later, police went to the spot and fired around 25 rounds to the situation under control. Several shops were vandalised during the clash. Police arrested three BNP activists in connection with the incidents. l

2 Brac students killed in Sirajganj accident

n Our Correspondent, Sirajganj

Two Brac University students were killed while two others were injured when two motorcycles collided with a passenger bus near Shahzadpur on the Sirajganj-Pabna Highway last night. The deceased students were identified as Akash, 22, of the capitals North Badda area, and Anik, 22, of Shahzadpur upazila. Both the victims were final year students of Brac Universitys electrical engineering department. The injured are Momin of Bera upazila and Palash of Shahjadpur. Palash has been shifted to Dhaka and Momin to Bogra Medical College Hospital in a critical condition. Quoting witnesses and locals, Md Hasan Shameem, officer-in-charge of Shahzadpur police station, said: A group of 15 friends on five motorcycles were racing against each other on their way back to Shahzadpur. Two motorcycles collided with a bus near Dilruba bus stand. Akash and Anik died on the spot, while Palash and Momin were rescued in a critical condition, he added. Ruhul Amin, a maternal uncle of Akash, said the victims had been returning from Kaklamari by motorcycles after attending a wedding ceremony at Chara Chithulia village. Transport movement on the road remained suspended for around half an hour after the accident. l

Protesters form a human chain in front of the National Parliament yesterday, demonstrating against a proposed initiative to build a barricade around the House RAJIB DHAR

Three Shaheed Minars vandalised, book fair attacked

n Tribune Report
At least three Shaheed Minars were vandalised in last two days, on the eve of Language Martyrs Day. Unidentified miscreants damaged a wooden Shaheed Minar on Holgakandi High School premises in Hossainpur upazila under Kishoreganj district during the early hours of yesterday. Hossainpur police station Officerin-Charge Mir Mosharraf Hossain confirmed the incident. He said: We are talking to the teachers and students at the school in order to get some clues. Teachers, students and locals have demanded the persons involved be brought to book. Being unable to pay homage, the students staged a demonstration on the school premises yesterday, the day of International Mother Language Day Miscreants vandalised a Shaheed Minar at Mohendrapur Secondary School in Jagannathpur union in Kumarkhali upazila under Kushtia district on Thursday. Another Shaheed Minar was damaged at the Jadubaira Secondary School premises in the same upazila during the early hours of Thursday. The incident triggered outrage among teachers, students and guardians, reports our Kushtia correspondent. Seven teachers were injured in an attack allegedly carried by Awami League activists during a Language Day programme at Maricha Secondary School in Daulatpur upazila on Friday. Witnesses said 10/12 people led by Awami League leader Sahajul came to the premises around 11am when a programme marking the Language Day was going on. The attackers hit the organiser with sticks. Later, the local people calmed the situation. Our Barguna correspondent reported that unidentified miscreants vandalised a Shaheed Minar built by students of Swanirvar Government Primary School in Burirchar Union under Sadar Upazila in the district. Like previous years, students built a makeshift Shaheed Minar to pay homage to the martyrs. But yesterday morning they found the structure vandalised, school managing committee Chairman Golam Mostafa told the Dhaka Tribune. Sub-Inspector of Barguna police Tawhidur Rahman confirmed the incident. Some ruling party men allegedly attacked the inauguration programme of an eight-day Ekushey Boi Mela in Jhenaidah yesterday, injuring at least three cultural activists. Deputy Commissioner of Jhenaidah Mohammad Safiqul islam inaugurated the fair at the old DC court premises yesterday. A gang of people belonging to the ruling Awami League, Chhatra League and Jubo League, swooped on the cultural event around 7.30pm. They damaged furniture and the dais, said witnesses. The fair will resume today. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Architects, urban planners find fault in citys facelift Multi-storey building tilts in
n Abu Hayat Mahmud
Architects and urban planners expressed concern about the beautification works done by the Dhaka City Corporation saying the materials which city authority use in the facelift of the capital are substandard. Urging the two city corporations to take measures so that the capital looks green, the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB), professional organisation for architects in the country, said the city corporation mainly use glazed tiles, bricks, and stone in beautification works. As the ICC T20 World Cup is near, the city corporation has started face lifting in some areas of the city where it is only using glazed tiles. The professional body said these tiles were not sustainable and also reflecting bad taste of the city to the outer world. The IAB demanded an immediate stoppage to the wastage of governments fund in the name of beautification. It also called upon the government to form an advisory body with representatives from professional bodies to make the city beautiful in an artistic way. On January 19, the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved Tk115 crore to make the city look better before the international cricket tournament. The Local Government Division is implementing the project with Tk92 crore from the governments funds and rest of the amount from the Dhaka North City Corporations fund. Under the project, the city corporation has started beautification on some roads of the city near Mirpur Sher-eBangla National Cricket Stadium and Bangabandhu National Stadium. Besides, the two city corporations and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police are also recovering footpaths from grabbers to ensure smooth traffic movement. Mamnoon Murshed Chowdhury, assistant general secretary of the IAB, told the Dhaka Tribune: The city corporations non- professionals made designs for the beautification ahead of the ICC World Cup. They are using tiles which are generally used in toilets and kitchens and such designs would damage the image of the country as players and guests will visit the country during the T20 World Cup, he added. Professor Nazrul Islam, chairman of Centre for Urban Studies, echoed the same words. He said the two city corporations should individually form advisory committees by architects, urban planners and art experts. Though the city corporations have architects and urban planning department, most of them are inexperienced. So, they do not make appropriate plans for the city, he said. Professor Nazrul Islam said the Dhaka North City Corporation should take sustainable plan for the ongoing beau-

As the ICC T20 World Cup is near, the city corporations have started face lifting in some Dhaka, dwellers areas of the city where they are only using glazed tiles evacuated
n Kailash Sarkar
A multi-storey building reportedly tilted aside creating panic among its inhabitants in the capitals Rupnagar in the afternoon. The panicked dwellers of the building have been evacuated immediately after the tilting state was noticed, said inspector Mahbub-e-Khoda, Officer-inCharge (OC Investigation) of Rupnagar police station. We are trying to know about whether all the requirements were followed during the building construction, he said. Police and witnesses said the locals and residents of the four-storeyed building located on road No 20 noticed that it became tilted toward its southwestern side at around 3:30pm. One of the windows in the ground floor also got twisted for that reason, said the police. Rupnagar police said all the dwellers of the building were evacuated along with all their valuables and furniture to avert any untoward incident. A Canada expatriate owns the building and his caretaker could not be found since the incident was noticed. Meanwhile, a large number of onlookers from different areas thronged the spot to witness the tilting state of the building. Additional forces have been deployed to tackle the situation and keep the building under observation. l

Labourers are engaged in beatification works on a road at Chairman Bari in Banani tification project ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup. Contacted, Brigadier General Md Abul Khair, chief engineer of the DNCC, differed to the opinion of the IAB. He said: We are the city authority and we also have consultants. We have already appointed three architects to make plans for the beautification project. We will be implementing the project following the architects design, he added. Mohammad Sirajul Islam, chief urban planner of the Dhaka South City Corporation, said: I do not accept the

NASHIRUL ISLAM

observation of the IAB. We always do beautification works according to experts design. He said the city corporation always gave priority on greenery. We have used quality tiles in every murals and walls. The IAB has given general comments, but did not give any specific example, he added. l

Housewife gang raped in Rajshahi n Our Correspondent, Rajshahi

Locals brought out procession yesterday morning in Charghat upazila of Rajshahi protesting an incident of gang rape happened on Thursday night in the area. Police arrested four suspects in this connection. Police said a housewife, dweller of Puthia upazila in Rajshahi, was returning from Ishwardi of Pabna riding a machinerun three wheeler on Thursday evening. The male passengers, in association with driver, allegedly raped the housewife on her way, about 500 meter away. Later, the housewife took shelter at the house of Altaf Hossain, resident of Ramchandrapur village under Charghat upazila of the district and described the incident to him. Altaf Hossain then called the victims brother and helped them report to Charghat police station. The brother of the victim filed a case with the station yesterday morning accusing the passengers of the vehicles. Police said they had raided some nearby villages and arrested Arif, Milon, Bulla and Mohammod Ali as suspects. Later police produced them before the court and the court sent them to jail. l

Sylhet BNP blames selection of wrong candidates for defeat

n Our Correspondent, Sylhet
BNP leaders in Sylhet are blaming the selection of candidates for the defeats in some upazila elections. They said candidates in Kompaniganj and Golapganj in Sylhet, and Chatak, Kulaura and Doara in Sunamganj were defeated for that reason. Dr Shakawat Hossain Jibon, deputy organising secretary of Sylhets divisional BNP unit, and a member of the candidate selection committee, admitted as much, saying: We were misguided. But we are happy with the results. Before the elections, a three-member committee led by Shomsher Mobin Chowdhury, vice-chairman of Sylhet BNP, was formed to select candidates. The committee members formed another nine-member sub-committee. The sub-committee primarily chose the candidates. Shomsher Mobin Chowdhury changed the names of the candidates in some upazilas, said some leaders, adding the change had brought defeat to some candidates. A reliable source in Sylhet BNP said Mohammad Shahab Uddin, Kompaniganj Upazila BNP organisational secretary, was initially selected in that upazila. Eventually, however, the upazila BNP units former president, Ali Ahmed, was chosen by central leaders to stand instead. He was expelled from the party for breaching party rules, but later the expulsion notice was cancelled. As a result, the candidate lost the election by a huge margin. Ali Ahmed got 1,332 votes, while the BNPs rival candidate, Shabuddin, got 6,962 votes. The winning candidate, Awami Leagues Abdul Basir, got 25,320 votes and another AL backed candidate got 20,077 votes. Similarly, the committee selected former union chairman Nasirul Haque in Gopalganj upazila. But the central party revised the decision and selected Dilal Ahmed. Dilal got 12,905 votes and rival candidates Nasirul Huq Shahin and Nazmul Islam Chowdhury got 14,386 votes and 23,602 votes respectively. Most of the local party leaders supported the local BNPs General Secretary Nizam Uddin in Chatak upazila under Sunamganj. But some BNP leaders supported the Jamaat-backed candidate Rezaul Karim. Rezaul Karim got 24,123 votes and Nizam Uddin got 22,227 votes. The Awami League backed candidate Aliur Rahman Chowdhury Bakul received 30,823 votes. In Doarabazar upazila, Harun-urrashid was selected as the candidate and got 13,951 votes. He was supported by the Milon group, while members of the Mizan group supported Shahjahan Master. He received 6,761 votes. Idris Ali Bir Protik of the Awami League won the election after netting 27,115 votes, and his nearest rival was the Jamaat-backed Dr Abdul Kuddus with 21,881 votes. In Kulaura upazila of Moulovibazar, the central committee selected Abdul Hannan instead of BNP candidate Shaokotul Islam Shaku. Shaku got 37220 votes while Hannan got 20,420 votes. ASM Kamrul Islam, the Awami League-backed candidate, won the election with 46,420 votes. Seeking anonymity another leader said their suggestions were ignored during the selection of candidates. Shomsher Mobin Chowdhury could not be reached for comment. l

Three accused including driver get bail

n Our Correspondent, Jessore
Three accused including the bus driver Israfil and helper Maharram, were released on bail along with Md Jahangir, for whom seven minor students were killed in an accident at Jhautala under Chaugachha upazila of Jessor on February 15. The court of Senior Judicial Magistrate Pranab Kumar granted them bails on Thursday, said court sources. Driver Israfil and helper Maharram had surrendered to the Superintendent of Police, Joydeb Kumar Bhadra at his office on February 19. After producing before a Jessore court, the two were sent to Jessore Central Jail. Farmer Jahangir was arrested by the police on the same night. Seven students of Benapole Governent Primary School were killed and 70 others were wounded in an accident when the picnic bus carrying the students and their teachers fell into a roadside ditch at Chaugachha on Chaugachha Maheshpur Road at around 8pm on February 15. l

PICNIC BUS ACCIDENT

WEATHER

Dry weather likely n UNB

Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country until 6pm today. Light rain or thunder shower is likely at one or two places over Rangpur division, Met Office said. Night and day temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country. The sun sets in the capital at 5:58pm today and rises at 6:27am tomorrow. Countrys highest temperature 30.2 degrees Celsius was recorded yesterday in Rangamati and Coxs Bazar and lowest 10.5 degrees in Srimangal. Highest and lowest temperature recorded in some major cities yesterday were: City Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Coxs Bazar High 27.5 28.6 27.8 26.7 29.0 28.4 29.2 30.2 Low 14.0 15.7 10.6 13.3 13.0 12.0 13.0 16.5

Although a mobile court set dredger machines on fire several times in the last two months, an influential quarter is still lifting sand from the Padma River at Nabaganga Ghat in Rajshahi, putting the district protection embankment at risk. The photo was taken on Thursday
DHAKA TRIBUNE

11 killed in road accidents

n Tribune Report
Eleven people were killed and seven were left injured in separate road accidents in Tangail, Natore, Comilla and Panchagarh yesterday. In Tangail, two were killed and another was injured after a Tarakandhi-bound bus rammed a motorcycle from behind near Shiakhol area under Bhuapur upazila in the afternoon, reports our correspondent. The dead were Maya Begum, 25, and her two-year-old son, Miraj. Jewel, mayas husband, was critically injured and was admitted to Tangail General Hospital. Officer-in-Charge Harech Miah of Bhuapur police station said Maya was dead on the spot after the bus ran over them and her son died on his way to the hospital. In Natore, four people were killed after a human haulier and a Dhaka-bound bus collided head-on at Syeed crossing in the districts sadar upazila around 6:30am, reports our correspondent. The dead were Anil Islam, 25, Jiban, 24, and Masud Rana, 30. The other dead could not be identified immediately. Officer-in-Charge Aslam Uddin of sadar police station said Anil was left spot dead and the six other injured were taken to Natore Adhunik Sadar Hospital. Three died while undergoing treatment, he added. lided around 8am on the ComillaNoakhali highway near Harishchar of the sadar upazila, reports our correspondent. Khorshed Alam, highway police in-charge, said an unidentified woman aged around 35 died on the spot and four others were injured. Of the injured, Harishchar School and College teacher Fakhrul Islam died on his way to Comilla Medical College Hospital, he added. In Panchagarh, three people were killed in the early hours after a Tetulia-bound speeding truck hit a motorcycle on the PanchagarhTetulia highway near Jagdal village of the sadar upazila, reports our correspondent. The dead were Moslem alias Sanaul, 45, Salimul, 50, and Khorshed Alam, 50. Officer-in-Charge Humayun Kabir of Panchagarh police station said the accident took place around 12:30am and left Sanaul and Salimul dead on the spot. He said Khorshed Alam died while undergoing treatment at Panchagarh Sadar Hospital. l

Ofce of the Executive Engineer

Invitation Reference No. Name of theWork

INVITATION FOR E-TENDER

T-6/421, dt 19-02-2014. 6491 Repair and maintenance of Daulatpur Regulator, Birkoya Regulator, Joker khal Regulator and Kadar Beel Drainage Outlet in Upazila-Bagmara, District-Rajshahi in c/w Chalan Beel Project Polder-D under Rajshahi O&M Division, BWDB, Rajshahi during the year 2013-14, Package No: EGP-RAJ-CBP-01.

Rajshahi O&M Division BWDB, Rajshahi

Tender ID (From e-GP portal)

Four people were killed after a human haulier and a Dhakabound bus collided head-on at Syeed crossing in Natore
The OC said two critically injured were later referred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital by duty doctors as their condition deteriorated. In Comilla, two died and three were injured after a CNG-run autorickshaw and a covered-van col-

This is an online tender where only e-tenders will be accepted in e-GP portal and no ofine and hard copy will be accepted. To submit e-tender please register on e-GP system (http://www.eprocure.bd/), For more details please contract Support Desk contract number (01762625528-31). SD/= (Md. Harun-Ar-Rashid) Executive Engineer Rajshahi O&M Division BWDB, Rajshahi.

PRAYER TIMES
Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha 5:11am 6:26am 12:12am 4:20pm 5:57pm 7:13pm

Source: IslamicFinder.org

Pani-546/13-14 DG-29/19 (5 x 3)

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Spotlight

Saturday, February 22, 2014

People from all walks of life and all ages across the country paid homage to the language martyrs yesterday, the Language Martyrs Day and the International Mother Language Day. Many big efforts were made to mark the day and even smaller ones stood out. Children made a model of the Shaheed Minar and placed them among the floral tributes at the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar. Youths in Barisal painted alpana on a road marking Amar Ekushey. Foreign diplomats also paid homage to the martyrs, placing floral wreaths in Dhaka. There were many physically challenged people and foreigners who joined others to pay respect to the martyrs. Schoolchildren in Meherpur made a model of the Shaheed Minar to show their love for Bangla
SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN RAJIB DHAR/ MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Feature

Saturday, February 22, 2013

Raised to succeed
n Mahmudul Islam
Galloping through the hurdles
How will you view a man who was diagnosed with dyslexia in his childhood yet was later hired by one of the worlds ultra-successful corporations that operates like a spy organisation, and has thereafter touched millions of lives around the world through his creations? The way he thinks and designs has resulted in immense breakthroughs. He has delivered a number of artistically designed and aesthetically radical products that not only became iconic, but also utterly transformed our digital life. Jonathan Paul Ive (Jony Ive as he is called) is his name, and he currently serves as the senior vice president of industrial design at Apple the worlds most admired company, as declared by Fortune magazine in 2013. How did a dyslexic child become one of the worlds most celebrated designers, and applied his sheer brilliance to develop products that have sent shockwaves through the industry? fessional life. His outstanding A-level results enabled him to apply at Oxford or Cambridge, but he knew where his passion and aptitude lied. Roberts Weaver Group (RWG), a leading design firm in London at the time, agreed to sponsor Jonys graduate education because of his evident talent, and he found himself at Newcastle Polytechnic (now Northumbria University), an institution which extensively focused on project-based learning. Students were taught how to sketch, draw, and manipulate materials; and how to operate drills, lathes, and computer-controlled cutting machines. Learners were also encouraged to explore and adopt emerging technologies and integrate it into their designs. The education extensively helped Jony hone his design skills.

How parents can be catalysts for the success of of their children

The call of Apple

In 1989, Jony, while on a visit to America, met Robert Brunner, a design star who set up the first internal design studio at Apple. Brunner was very impressed by a concept phone that Jony had built for his final-year project at Newcastle. He instantly understood Jonys immense potential and tried several times to get Jony at Apple, but it wasnt until the third try that succeeded. In 1992, at the age of 27, Jony became a full-time staff at the technology giant. Apple gave Jony an environment conducive to innovating new products. He was very serious about his work since his early days. One of his colleagues described him as a calm but very deep guy who had a ferocious intensity about work. Apart from generating ideas and designs, Jonys leadership ability was just emerging. He hired most of the members of the design team, and over time, they all played crucial role in developing a string of ground-breaking and culture-shaping products like the iMac, the iPod, the iPad and the iPhone. Jony has been in charge of Apples design department since 1997. USA Today described him as the companys design wizard, and when you examine Apples products, you truly see that magic. Apples products manipulate people somehow, and make them true fans and

The childhood fascination

It was in 1967 in the London borough of Chingford where Jony was born. He was the first child of Michael John Ive and Pamela Mary Ive. A silversmith and educationist, Michael was one of the key figures in establishing design technology in the core curriculum of British schools. Interestingly, Michael saw his own son developing a fascination for how objects were made at an early stage. I remember always being interested in made objects. As a kid, I remember taking apart whatever I could get my hands on, Jony said. Time passed and Jony became more intrigued by inner mechanism and functioning of a wide range of stuff. He would dismantle radios and cassette recorders to see how they were assembled. However, Michael never scolded the little boy for taking the radio apart. He rather expressed solidarity with his sons interest by constantly talking to him about design.

BIGSTOCK

The acquisition was the biggest in Googles history as of then, and the boy became filthy rich at the age of 27. As you will remember, Jony had just started at Apple at this age. This was, in fact, the second time the boy had hit the jackpot. Back in 2002, he made a few million dollars when an online money transfer firm he worked for, was acquired by eBay for $1.5bn. The amount was so large, it enabled him not to work for money for a single day again. However, as later developments showed, he didnt take the decision to sit on idle money. It was, in fact, the start for Jawed Karim. And this now 35-year-old American man of Bangladeshi-German descent has truly made his mark on the Internet by cofounding the widely-known website YouTube with Chad Hurley and Steve Chen. Today, YouTube is a wildly

chemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics at the University of Minnesota. So, to what extent did a couple having science-oriented careers influence their child? Well, Christine would take Jawed to the lab she worked at, and there were many physicists around. So, Jawed literally had a playground where he watched professional researchers busy with experiments to produce something new. There, instead of traditional toys, Jawed got objects like magnetic stirrers to play with. Soon, the environment began to dominate the 10-year-old boys life, and he gradually discovered his natural inclination towards experiments, scientific objects, and inventions. Christines colleagues said Jawed was almost like a sponge and would listen and observe anything.

In an interview with Star Tribune, Jawed said the idea of YouTube was very simple: I basically create things that I need myself. It just so happens that sometimes other people want to use that. Indeed, the simple idea had ample ingredient in it to produce something marvelous. Maybe it was an ordinary thought but as we can see now, it was a stroke of genius.

Worlds most successful immigrant

Although his brainchild earned him millions, Jawed, who loves to describe himself as a nerd, and claims he always gets excited about learning, said his goal was never to top anything. It was just to work on something interesting. The people that I admire most are probably innovators that try something really wacky that ends up working really well, he told the Star Tribune. Yes, YouTube worked really well to reach an unimaginable height. It also took Jawed to an enviable stature when Bloomberg Businessweek included him on its list of Worlds Most Successful Immigrants in 2009. The list mentions 40 names, including Sergey Brin (Google co-founder) and Andrew Grove (senior adviser to Intel), who left their home countries and achieved enviable success in their professional lives.

Let the child have confidence, instil ambition, then let the child do what he or she wants to do

The idea that took the world by storm

It frustrated Jawed when he was trying to find two videos on the Internet, but faced difficulty: one was of a 2004 Super Bowl show where Janet Jacksons breast was exposed during her performance, and the other was of the Indian Ocean tsunami that occurred the same year. Instead of living with the disappointment, Jawed proposed to Hurley and Chen that an effective video-sharing site could be built, and the idea of YouTube was born. The trio began working, built the site, and YouTube had its official launch in November 2005. From its early stage, it took off. These days, YouTube has become a one-of-a-kind place where you can find videos on almost any subject you can think of. From the 1960 presidential debate between Kennedy and Nixon to Benazir Bhuttos 2007 assassination to Barack Obamas moving speech at Nelson Mandelas memorial in 2013, its all there on YouTube. There are other video-sharing websites like Vimeo and Dailymotion, but YouTube is unanimously the most popular among all. With more than one billion unique users visiting the site each month, over 6 billion hours of video being watched each month, and 100 hours of video being uploaded every minute, YouTube has become one of the largest, if not the largest, online video treasury. And all these happened because a boy of Bangladeshi descent couldnt find the video of Janet Jacksons bare breast! Ah, Jawed proved that carnal desires can father a world-changing idea which, in turn, could pave the way for making a whopping sum, all before finishing university studies.

The Latent Truth

Any eighth or ninth grader is pretty familiar with chemical reaction and the role of catalysts. Simply put, a chemical reaction is the process of transforming one or more substances into other substance(s), and catalysts are substances that lead to an increase in the rate of that reaction. The interesting fact about catalysts is that they dont directly take part in a reaction. Rather, their only role is to have an indirect participation in the reaction in order to facilitate it by simply being present in the system. Both Jony and Jawed played their parts in having enormous impact on millions of lives around the world. However, before they impacted lives of others, they were impacted to an incredible level by what I call catalytic parents. Catalytic parents are parents who (Michael and Naimul) interact with human reactants (Jony and Jawed), discover what lies in their inner world (Jony, design; Jawed, technology), support their obsession, inject endless amounts of enthusiasm through encouragement and positive talks, and eventually help them turn themselves into remarkable products (designer Jony, tech developer/entrepreneur Jawed). From the outside, the role of catalytic parents is sometimes too hard to detect. But, if you dig deeper, it becomes so naked that you cant miss it. Jaweds parents were catalytic, for they had unwavering belief in their sons abilities. When one of Naimuls friends asked him about YouTube (it was still in its early days), he replied: Its very simple. It is going to be bought out by Google. Naimuls prediction did come true. And what about Jony? If they were walking down the street together, Michael might point out different types of street lamps in various locations and ask Jony why he thought they were different: how the light would fall and

Jony Ive working on the IMac

OBAMAPACMAN

A supportive father teaches Design 101

Imagine a man keeping his son engaged in conversations everyday that exclusively focuses on design thats what Michael did. He was Jonys source of inspiration. Michael also took Jony on tours around Londons design studios and design schools. He would always encourage Jony to draw by hand in advance what he [Jony] had planned to make. In his book Jony Ive: The genius behind Apples greatest products, Leander Kahney says, Michael was a strong advocate of teaching empirically (making and testing) and of intuitive designing (get on and make it, refine as you go). This nurturing approach and handson training helped Jony become a skilled draftsman. He was still in his teens, but his creations were way ahead of his age. Such exceptional merit didnt escape his teachers notice as one of them admitted they learned a lot from Jony just by looking at his works. At the age of 13, Jony knew all he wanted to do in life was to draw and make stuff.

loyal customers who eagerly wait for the next release.

Sir Jonathan Ive

The year 2012 brought Jony a rare honour as he was Knighted Commander of the British Empire (KBE) in the Queens new year honours list for his services to design and enterprise. The KBE entitled him to style himself Sir Jonathan Ive. All Ive ever wanted to do is design and make; its what I love doing. Its great if you can find what you love to do, he told The Telegraph. Apart from the knighthood, Jonys sense of design has brought him a $17m home on San Franciscos billionaires row, a personal fortune of $130m, and a string of fast cars. Not bad for a once dyslexic schoolboy.

popular and powerful video-sharing website. Well, almost everyone knows what YouTube is! But was Jawed destined for such success or was he nurtured for it?

When innovation centre is the playground

Jaweds father Naimul Karim moved to Germany from Bangladesh in 1975. There he met Christine, a fellow German student, fell in love with her, and tied the knot. Naimul is now a researcher at the 3M Company, an American conglomerate, and Christine is a research associate professor in the Department of Bio-

The power of unwavering belief

On December 31, 1978, a couple was enthusiastically awaiting the arrival of their first child. It was an interracial marriage; the bride and the groom were from countries standing almost 7,290km apart. The boy came on the first day of 1979. Google was born 19 years later and as things turned out, the search engine giant paid a cool $1.65bn in November 2006 to buy one of his remarkable inventions. The boy, who actually cofounded the project with two others, received worth about $64m against 137,443 shares.

A polytechnic education didnt hurt

A polytechnic graduate in Bangladesh is considered less skilled than his BSc counterparts. For Jony, however, it set him on the path of design education, which came in very handy in his pro-

Jaweds parents were catalytic, for they had unwavering belief in their sons abilities

WIKI COMMONS

what weather conditions might affect the choice of their designs. They were constantly keeping up a conversation about the built environment and what made-objects were all around them and how they could be made better, Ralph Tabberer, one of Michaels colleagues who became Britains director general of schools, said. At Christmas, Michael would give Jony a very personal present: complete access to his workshop. With no one else around, Jony could do anything he wanted with Michaels support. My father had an incredible gift in terms of how you can make something yourself. His Christmas gift to me would be one day of his time in his college workshop, during the Christmas break when no one else was there, helping me make whatever I dreamed up. How many dads in Bangladesh will do these to take a childs passion for design to the next level? Christine attributed Jaweds inquisitiveness to the senior Karims professions. To develop new things and be aware of new things, this is our life. Its not like Jawed just reads something no, hes fascinated. He thinks very, very deeply about it, and he is busy with it. He is obsessed with technology. When you are together with him, you see this as a gift, this fascination. she said. When you are fascinated by something, do your parents frown at you and say youre wasting your time? Well, Christine considered such behaviour a gift to Jawed and this led to YouTube, a gift to millions. Naimul gave a splendid definition of catalytic behaviour: Fundamentally, you cannot change a child. They come pre-packaged with certain things. The best thing parents can do, is encourage their child at a very early age. Let the child have confidence, instil ambition, then let the child do what he or she wants to do. Since my schooldays till today, Ive heard numerous stories of people who have discovered what pre-packaged things they came with, but are constantly barred from chasing that package by their parents who act like inhibitors (negative catalysts that decelerate or prevent a reaction). Sadly, this, in an ugly way, confirms that a dreamers dream to do something like Jony Ive or Jawed Karim will benevolently remain a dream. Although not all Bangladeshi parents are inhibitors, the number isnt negligible. We need more and more parents to stubbornly vote for the passion of their children. They say, this is a thing of the West. I say for us, this will be the best. We ensure that and were set to write more about our own Jony Ives and Jawed Karims. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Prescription

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Chickenpox, sting in spring

Chickenpox is most common in children, but most people will get chickenpox at some point in their lives if they have not had the chickenpox vaccine
n Prof Syed Afzalul Karim
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It can spread easily. You can get it from an infected person who sneezes, coughs, HEALTH or shares food or drink. FLASH You can also get it if you touch the fluid from a chickenpox blister. A person who has chickenpox can spread the virus even before he or she has any symptoms, up until all theblistershave crusted over. You are at risk for chickenpox if you have never had the illness and have not had the chickenpox vaccine. If someone you live with gets chickenpox, your risk is even higher because of the close contact. treatment for chickenpox. They may require immunoglobulin treatment (IG) or antiviral medicine. Your doctor can give you these soon after you are exposed to the virus to help you feel better faster.

QUICK TIPS Water in the morning

How can you prevent chickenpox?

Symptoms

A chickenpox infection usually lasts about 5-10 days. The rash is the telltale indication of chickenpox. Other signs and symptoms, which may appear one to two days before the rash, include: Fever Loss of appetite Headache Tiredness and a general feeling of being unwell (malaise) Once the chickenpox rash appears, it goes through three phases: Raised pink or red bumps (papules), which break out over several days Fluid-filled blisters (vesicles), forming from the raised bumps over about one day before breaking and leaking

Chicken pox can be prenented by vaccine. Doctors recommend two doses of this shot for healthy children 12 months of age and older who have not had chickenpox.
Crusts and scabs, which cover the

rash can spread to cover the entire body, and lesions may form in the throat, eyes and mucous membranes of the urethra, anus and vagina. New spots continue to appear for several days.

broken blisters and take several more days to heal

New bumps continue to appear for several days. As a result, you may have all three stages of the rash bumps, blisters and scabbed lesions at the

same time on the second day of the rash. Once infected, you can spread the virus for up to 48 hours before the rash appears, and you remain contagious until all spots crust over. The disease is generally mild in healthy children. In severe cases, the

How is it treated?

Most healthy children and adults need only home treatment for chickenpox. Home treatment includes resting and taking medicine to reduce fever and itching. You also can soak in oatmeal baths to help with itching. People with long-term diseases or other health problems may need more

You can prevent chickenpox by getting the chickenpox vaccine. Doctors recommend two doses of this shot for healthy children 12 months of age and older who have not had chickenpox. Older children and adults who have not had chickenpox and have not yet had the vaccine also need two doses. If you have been around a person who has the virus and you have not had chickenpox or the vaccine, you still may be able to prevent the illness. Get a shot of chickenpox antibodies or the vaccine right away. In rare cases, people who have had the vaccine still get chickenpox. And a few people who have already had chickenpox get it again. If this happens, a milder form of the illness usually occurs, with fewer blisters and symptoms. This is called a breakthrough infection. Do not expose your child to chickenpox on purpose. Some parents expose their children to chickenpox because they think it is safer for children to have the illness when they are young. But this isnt a good idea, because even young children can have serious problems from chickenpox. l The writer is a professor at the Dermatology Department of Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College.

BIGSTOCK

Start your morning with a glass of water with fresh lemon juice squeezed into it. Paradoxically, lemon juice helps to promote healthy alkalinity in your body. Almost instantly, you will feel calmer and better able to handle stress. Lemon juice also helps you to absorb minerals,so be sure to drink itwhen you take any nutritional supplements.

Iodine for IQ

FOOD THERAPY

Whole vegetables are better than vegetable juice

Vegetable juice can be an easy way to increase the amount of vegetables in your diet, but you shouldnt routinely use it to replace whole vegetables. Most adults should get at least 3-4 BIGSTOCK servings of vegetables a day, depending on their age, sex and level of physical activity. It is thought that vegetable juice is the extract of the vegetable, and contains the nutrients in concentrated form. But nutritionists say that though vegetable juice has plenty of vitamins and minerals, its lower in fiber and less filling than is a serving of most whole vegetables. Enough fiber in your diet may reduce your risk of constipation, high cholesterol, high blood sugar and weight gain. l

Daily coffee and chocolate helps to cure liver diseases

n Dr Sajol Ashfaq
Coffee is a very popular, and so is chocolate. Recently a study has found that both coffee and chocolate are good for liver especially when the liver is infected by HIV (Human DID YOU Immunodeficiency Virus) and KNOW? HCV (Hepatitis C Virus). The study found that patients coinfected with HIV and HCV who reported eating chocolate daily and drinking three or more cups of coffee a day had lower levels of ALT and AST. AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase) are the two common liver enzymes that are the markers representing the inflammation in the liver and we can know their level by blood tests. People with HIV and/or hepatitis C have routinelychecked ALT and AST levels. An article published in the January 2014 issue ofJournal of Hepatologydescribes how drinking more coffee and eating more chocolate may be associated with lower levels of liver enzymes in people living with HIV and hepatitis C (HCV). The key to these observations are the presence of polyphenols, or a type of anti-oxidant that have anti-inflammatory properties. Similar polyphenols are found in both coffee and chocolate, and it appears that higher levels of these anti-oxidants are what are lowering ALT and AST levels.

According to the World Health Organization, todays leading cause of dementia and brain failure is iodine deficiency. Low iodine levels trigger fatigue, depression and brain damage. Even in the early stages iodine deficiency can lower IQ by 15 points. Due to widespread ingestion of iodine blockers such as chlorinated fluoridated drinking water and soybean products, 43% of the population is at serious risk.

Feeling tired and sluggish?

BIGSTOCK

Beets beat heart disease

Beets are highly nutritious and cardiovascular health-friendly root vegetables. Certain unique pigment antioxidants in the root as well as in its top greens have found to offer protection against coronary artery disease and stroke. Lower cholesterol levels within the body, and have anti-aging effects. Beets are a rich source of phytochemical compound, glycine betaine which has the property of lowering homocysteine levels within the blood.Homocysteine promotes platelet clot as well as atherosclerotic-plaque formation into blood vessels, resulting in the development of coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular diseases. Raw beets are an excellent source offolates, which are necessary for DNA synthesis within the cells of a fetus. Thus folates can prevent neural tube defects in the baby. l
BIGSTOCK

BIGSTOCK

The study showed that drinking three or more cups of coffee daily, and eating chocolate each day, were each associated with more normal levels of ALT. When combined, they represented a 4050% lower lever of abnormal liver enzymes. Also drinking more coffee each day was associated with more normal AST levels. But researchers said these results need to be confirmed by further experimental and observational research. l

Eating chocolate and drinking 3 or more cups of coffee everyday can lower levels of two common enzymes that are the markers of liver diseases

Your polarity may be reversed! Causes include wearing a watch on your left wrist, exposure to electro-magnetic fields such as a clock radio beside your bed or working at a computer, dehydration, and iron or potassium deficiency. How do you correct your polarity? Drink a glass of water. Fold your arms in front of your chest. Press the pulse points of your wrists together so each hand is holding onto a forearm. Hold this position for 1 5 minutes until you feel a noticeable shift in your body.(It may feel like you are shorter or heavier or more bottom-heavy). You will notice a rise in your energy level after about 10 minutes.

| Compiled by: Shirsho Saaeadat

Fruit peels can be fruitful

Never throw out the peel of oranges. When cooking rice they give a beautiful fragrance. Fruit peel is the outer skin or the covering of fruits. In citrus fruits such as in oranges, it is better termed as zest. The fruit peel is discarded in the majority of common fruits, even when it is safe for consumption. Indeed, the peel is being recognised as one of the essential components of our diet as it contains many vital nutrients and non-nutrient compounds, which play an important role in well being. The peel of some common fruits likeblueberries,grapes,guava, andkumquatcontain higher concentrations of antioxidants than in their flesh (pulp). Pigments just underneath the skin have at least 100 effects on cancer cells which look to be beneficial, like the antioxidant effect. Recent scientific trial studies suggest that certain compounds in the fruit peel have a bronchodilator effect, and can help relieve cough and bronchospasms in asthma patients. Bronchospasmis an abnormal contraction of the smooth muscle of the bronchi, resulting in an acute narrowing and obstruction of the respiratory airway. l

BIGSTOCK

| Dr Mohammad Sayem

BIGSTOCK

BIGSTOCK

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International
tion is forbidden, and the group aims to transform Nigeria into an Islamic state, even though half the more than 160 million citizens are Christians. Boko Haram killed 106 people in Ighze village on Sunday, according to official figures, making it one of their deadliest assaults so far. The military denied that Boko Haram were better armed or motivated and said it was making progress, but that no country facing terrorism had defeated it completely. President Goodluck Jonathan ordered extra troops into northeast Nigeria in May to crush Boko Haram, which opposes Western influence and wants to create a state ruled by Islamic law in the countrys largely Muslim north. However, the offensive, backed by air power, has so far failed. l

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Attack on Nigeria town leaves scores dead

n Agencies
At least 115 people have been killed in Nigerias northeast, more than 1,500 buildings razed and some 400 vehicles destroyed in the latest attack by armed groups, witnesses said. Wednesdays night attack on Bama came as a traditional ruler accused the military of being scared to confront the fighters, the Associated Press news agency reported. Sitting amid the smoking ruins of his palace, the shehu, or king, of Bama, Kyari Ibn Elkanemi, charged that the government is not serious about halting the violence. The attack on Bama, an agricultural and commercial town, came the day the leader of the Boko Haram, a group blamed for widespread violence in the northeast, warned leading Nigerian Muslim politicians and religious and traditional leaders that his fighters would target them for pursuing democracy and Western-style education. In the video message, punctuated by the crackle of automatic gunfire, Abubakar Shekau said: The reason I will kill you is that you are infidels, you follow democracy ... Whoever follows democracy is an infidel and my enemy. Shekau spoke in the local Hausa and Kanuri languages in the video, obtained by the AP on Thursday through channels that have provided previous communications. Many more Muslims than Christians have been among the thousands of people killed in the 4-year-old rebellion by his Boko Haram. The name means Western educa-

Children stand next to vehicles after an attack by Boko Haram Islamists on February 20 in the northeast Nigerian town of Bama

AFP

Libyans vote as anger mounts over insecurity n AFP, Tripoli

Libyans went to the polls Thursday to elect a panel to draft a new constitution in the latest milestone in the chaotic political transition following the overthrow of Moamer Kadhafi. There was none of the voter enthusiasm that marked Libyas first free election in July 2012 as public frustration mounts over the weak central governments failure to restore order in the wake of the Arab Spring uprising. At Fatma al-Zahra school in the capitals Hay al-Andalous, less than 100 of 2,760 registered voters had cast their ballot two hours after the opening. Its still early and its a holiday (for the vote). People are having a lie-in, said Ali Hassan, the official in charge of the polling station. Houda Bouzid, a woman in her 30s, said: Ive come to vote for a candidate to push for womens rights in the new constitution. l

Nigerias Central Bank UN chief urges rapid reinforcements head to fight suspension for Central African Republic
n Reuters, Lagos
Nigerias graft-fighting Central Bank Governor Lamido Sanusi said on Friday he would go to court to challenge his suspension by the president, saying he did not want his job back but wanted to question the legality of the move. President Goodluck Jonathan suspended Sanusi on Thursday, removing an increasingly outspoken critic of the governments record on tackling rampant corruption in Africas top oil producer. Since the suspension, presidential spokesman Reuben Abati has listed alleged procurement irregularities at the central bank during Sanusis tenure, most of them dating back to 2011. Sanusi told Reuters in a phone interview that he had already been in correspondence about queries concerning the banks budget, and that he had been through all the processes outlined by the bureau of public procurement. Im going to court to challenge the suspension, he said. Im concerned about the precedent ... Im concerned about the idea that if you want to remove someone and you want a way around the law, you just write any kind of letter with all sorts of funny allegations and suspend the person. But he added he had no intention of retaking the post. Sanusi, who was due to end his term in June, had been presenting evidence to parliament that he said showed the state oil company Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) failed to remit $20 billion that it owed to federal government coffers. NNPC has repeatedly denied Sanusis allegations. Im not going back. I have had my last day at work. Im very glad to hand this over, he said. Markets panicked over the suspension of a man whose policies are credited with stabilizing the naira and bringing inflation in Africas second biggest economy to single digits. l

n Agencies
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appealed to the international community to urgently send another 3,000 troops and police to the Central African Republic in an effort to stop violence between Christians and Muslims that threatens to spiral into genocide. Ban told the UN Security Council on Thursday that he would report shortly to the 15-member body with a recommendation for a UN peacekeeping force with a robust mandate to protect civilians and promote stability in the country, the Reuters news agency reported. But the deployment of a peacekeeping operation, if authorised, will take months. The people of the Central African Republic do not have months to wait, he said. The international community must act decisively now.

The security requirements far exceed the capabilities of the number of international troops now deployed. I call for the rapid reinforcement of the African Union and French troops now on the ground with additional deployments of at least 3,000 more troops and police. The extra troops, which Ban said needed to be deployed within weeks and be equipped with air mobility, would increase the international force to 12,000. The deployment would bridge a gap of up to six months until a UN peacekeeping force, if approved by the Security Council, could be established in the country. The European Union is already due to deploy 1,000 troops to join 6,000 AU peacekeepers and almost 2,000 French soldiers, who have been struggling to stop the fighting sparked when the mostly Muslim Seleka rebel group

seized power a year ago in the majority Christian state. I am grateful for these commitments. But more are needed, quickly, and the wider international community must share the burden, said Ban, who also proposed that the international troops all be brought under a coordinated command. He said the force should focus on containing the violence, protecting civilians, preventing further displacements, creating a secure environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and laying the groundwork for the handover to a UN peacekeeping force as soon as possible. Ban, who has said he is gravely concerned the violence could spiral into genocide, warned that a de facto partition of the country was setting in. Nearly one million people, a quarter of the population, have been displaced by the fighting. l

Ukraine leader, opposition reach deal to end crisis Italys Renzi close to n naming new cabinet
AFP, Kiev
Ukraines leader and opposition said Friday they had agreed a deal to end the splintered countrys worst crisis since independence after three days of carnage left nearly 100 protesters dead and the heart of Kiev resembling a war zone. President Viktor Yanukovychs dramatic announcement that he was ready to hold early elections and form a new unity government was brief and met with caution by the tens of thousands gathered on central Kievs main square for a protest that began exactly three months earlier. However, Ukraines nationalist opposition leader Oleh Tyahnybok said the protesters had conditionally agreed to the terms. It was decided to approve the decision to sign the agreement with the president on the condition that the (current) interior minister is not in the next government and the attorney general is replaced, he was quoted as saying by Ukraines Interfax news agency. The European Union confirmed that a temporary agreement had been reached after marathon talks with Yanukovych and opposition leaders that began on Thursday and stretched into Friday afternoon. The peace pact met the demands the opposition had laid down at the start of the protests: the balance of political power would shift back to parliament as it had been before Yanukovych assumed the presidency in 2010 and took the nation of 46 million on a course away from the West and toward Russia. It would also create an opposition cabinet with the authority to reverse Yanukovychs decision in November to

n Reuters, Rome
Italian centre-left leader Matteo Renzi is close to naming the members of his government and is expected to meet President Giorgio Napolitano on Friday to confirm his cabinet list, a source in Renzis Democratic Party (PD) said. Confirmation of the list would allow the government to be sworn in by the weekend, ahead of a confidence vote in parliament expected on Monday. Renzi, who forced out his party rival Enrico Letta last week after attacking the slow pace of economic reforms, is expected to govern with the same

cross-party alliance as his predecessor but has not yet sealed a formal coalition accord. He has sketched an ambitious agenda, promising to tackle electoral and constitutional reform, make the labour market and tax systems more efficient and overhaul the bloated public administration all within four months. However as well as having to deal with the same unwieldy coalition which hampered Letta, he will also face questions about how he gained office, which could limit his ability to push through unpopular reform measures. l

Flights cancelled for strike at Frankfurt airport

A high-ranking police officer, left, and a protester representative hold talks near the Cabinet of Ministers in the center Kiev ditch an historic deal that would have put Ukraine on the path to eventual membership of the EU, which many Ukrainians see as their protector from centuries of Russian domination. But the opposition has radicalised since police used live ammunition to mow down dozens with snipers and Kalashnikov rifles. The chant of death to the criminal a reference to two later-pardoned convictions for petty crime Yanukovych received in the Soviet era rose over Kievs iconic Independence Square overnight Thursday. I think that Yanukovych must leave now, and never come back, said a middle-aged protester named Lyudmila. We do not need any elections. He should not be allowed to run. Three EU foreign ministers and an envoy for Russian President Vladimir Putin flew in for emergency talks on Thursday amid growing anxiety about a crisis that has turned Ukraine into a prize fought for with Cold War-era gusto by Moscow and the West. The parties agreed on the initialAP

n Reuters, Frankfurt
Security workers at Frankfurt airport went on strike on Friday, prompting dozens of flight cancellations and causing delays to travellers passing through Europes third-largest hub. Union Verdi had called on security staff employed by private firms grouped under the BDSW banner to strike from 0100 GMT until 2200 GMT in a bid to achieve higher pay. That means far fewer staff at areas like security checks, leading to delays for passengers trying to board planes. Airport operator Fraport , which is drafting in extra staff to help manage

ling of an agreement to resolve the crisis, the Ukrainian presidency said in a brief statement issued after a night of negotiations. It said the deal was to be signed at 1000 GMT, but the time passed without any formal announcement. The foreign ministers of EU powers France and Germany as well as Ukraines culturally-close ally Poland then went into separate talks with Ukraines three top opposition leaders in order to convince them to back the pact. l

the queues, said around 41 flights had so far been cancelled and more could be expected. Airline Lufthansa cancelled around 35 flights, mostly to destinations within Germany that can also be reached by train. The union is calling for a hourly pay rate of 16 euros ($22.01) for security employees in the state of Hesse and said employers had offered between 10 euros and 13 euros an hour. Workers in other states get up to around 15 euros a hour, it said. The BDSW has said it cannot meet Verdis demands for immediate pay rises of up to 30% in some cases. l

Iran cleric warns against resuming US ties Dozens killed as mortars hit town in Iraq
n AFP, Tehran
A prominent hardline cleric in Iran warned on Friday against the Islamic republic resuming ties with the United States, and said any attempt to do so would prove futile. Some people have created an underground network for establishing relations with the America, Ayatollah Ahmad Janati told crowds at Friday prayers in Tehran, in comments broadcast by state media. Our people are anti-American you should be anti-American as well. Why did you go a different way from the people? Janati asked, addressing those alleged to be behind the move. As long as our people and our supreme leader do not want it, your efforts will not bear any fruit, added Janati, who heads the powerful Guardians Council electoral watchdog. His comments sparked chants of Death to the America! and Death to Israel! from the thousands of Friday worshippers. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has the final say on all Iranian state matters including foreign policy and the nuclear issue. Icy ties between Tehran and world powers have thawed since President Hassan Rouhani, a moderate, defeated a pool of conservatives in last Junes presidential election after vowing to engage constructively with the West. The most remarkable development to date was a 15-minute telephone conversation between Rouhani and his US counterpart Barack Obama in New York in September. It was the first direct contact between the leaders of the two nations since diplomatic ties were severed after the US embassy hostage crisis in Tehran from 1979-1981. l

n Agencies
A mortar attack has struck a busy area in a mainly Shia town south of Iraqs capital, killing at least 22 people and wounding more than 50, authorities said. The five mortar rounds slammed into a busy market, a residential building and a parking lot around 7pm local time as people returned home from work and shopped in the town of Mussayab, police and hospital officials said. Police said it appeared the rounds came from the nearby Sunni-dominat-

ed town of Jurf al-Sakr, though it wasnt immediately clear who fired them. The officials gave the casualty toll and details of the incident on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to release information to journalists. Mussayab, about 60km south of Baghdad, is in an area that holds a mix of Sunnis and Shias and has been a flashpoint for some of the worst sectarian violence in recent years. On Tuesday, a parked car bomb in the town killed five civilians and wounded 13, authorities said.

In 2009, a female suicide bomber targeted Shia pilgrims there, killing at least 40 people. Nobody immediately claimed responsibility for Thursdays attack, but Sunni fighters frequently target Shia areas and security forces. Violence has increased in Iraq amid Sunni anger over perceived mistreatment and random arrests by the Shialed government. Last year, Iraq saw the highest death toll - 8,868 - since the worst of the countrys sectarian bloodletting began to subside in 2007, according to United Nations figures. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International
n AFP, Islamabad
A special court in Pakistan hearing treason charges against ex-ruler Pervez Musharraf on Friday rejected his plea for trial in a military court and set a date next month to indict him. Lawyers of Musharraf had challenged the right of the civilian court in Islamabad to try the former army chief who appeared in person before judges for the first time on Tuesday. This application is dismissed, lead judge Faisal Arab said at the end of Fridays hearing. The three-judge bench ruled that he was no longer in the army and that high treason can be tried exclusively in a special court. This decision to try Musharraf in a civilian court is factually wrong. The facts have been twisted, Musharrafs lawyer Ahmad Raza Kasuri told report-

Saturday, February 22, 2014

9
Burqa-wearing gunmen attack Afghan police HQ n AFP, Kabul
Three male suicide attackers wearing burqas attacked a police headquarters close to the Afghan capital Kabul on Friday, of icials said, killing one policeman as concerns rise over security ahead of the presidential election. The militants were shot dead when they stormed the police base in Sarobi district, 50 kilometres (30 miles) east of Kabul, after another suicide attacker died when he exploded a vehicle bomb outside the entrance. Taliban insurgents claimed responsibility for the two-hour attack, which occurred in the same district where presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullahs convoy briefly came under gunfire on Wednesday. Today at about 6:20 am, a suicide bomber driving a minivan detonated himself at the entrance gate of the Sarobi police headquarters, General Mohammad Zahir, Kabul provinces police chief, told AFP. Three other terrorists clad in womens burqas entered the courtyard of the building and started firing and resisting the police and army forces. As a result of the attack, one officer was killed and three others were wounded. Male militants have previously used the all-enveloping burqa to disguise themselves and evade security checks in Afghanistan, including in a 2012 attack when four French troops were killed. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the insurgents, who were ousted from power in 2001, were behind Fridays attack. The mujahideen fighters were equipped with heavy and light weapons and suicide vests, and caused heavy casualties to the enemy, he said in an emailed statement. Sarobi, on the main road between Kabul and Jalalabad city, is a volatile district in a region seen as key to protecting the capital. l

India consults Italy over live bullet, hate mail

Court rejects Musharraf plea for military trial

ers afterwards. The 70-year-old faces treason charges, which can carry the death penalty, over his imposition of a state of emergency in 2007 while he was president. The judges set March 11 as the date to indict the former general, who was ordered to appear in person to hear the charges being read out against him. He was first ordered to appear before the tribunal on December 24, but has missed repeated hearings since then due to bomb scares and health problems that saw him complain of a heart ailment. Musharraf became the first former army chief to appear in the court on February 18 in a case seen as a test of civilian rule over the countrys powerful army. Musharraf has endured a torrid time since returning to Pakistan in March last year on an ill-fated mission to run in the general election. l

Obama to host Dalai Lama at White House

Italian Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura (R) and military attache Franco Faure leave after a court hearing at the Supreme Court in New Delhi on February 18 AFP

n AFP, Washington
US President Barack Obama will host Tibets exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the White House on Friday, a move China said would seriously impair ties as it called for the meeting to be cancelled. The meeting will take place in the Map Room on the ground floor of the presidents residence and not the Oval Office, which Obama usually uses to meet foreign leaders and visiting dignitaries. The US leader last met the Dalai Lama, a fellow Nobel Peace laureate, at the White House in 2011 in talks that triggered an angry response from Beijing, which said the encounter had harmed Sino-US relations. China, which calls the Dalai Lama a wolf in sheeps clothing and accuses

n AFP, New Delhi

Indias embassy in Rome has received hate mail and even a live bullet, an official said Friday, underlining fury in Italy over the prosecution of two Italian marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen. India has consulted Italy over security at the embassy after recently receiving the mail as well as discovering the bullet in the embassys mailbox, a foreign ministry official said in New Delhi. We are in diplomatic communication with Italy and hope that necessary safety and security is observed, foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akba-

ruddin told reporters during a weekly briefing in New Delhi. Italy recalled its ambassador to India for consultations and summoned the Indian ambassador this week to express concerns over a delay in court proceedings against the two marines in New Delhi. The moves again racheted up tensions between the two countries who were embroiled in a furious diplomatic row when the shootings took place in 2012. Akbaruddin said we have a difference of opinion over the case but discussions have been taking place to try to resolve the matter. We are communicating with them

diplomatically. We have not yet made our views known public... but we have explained our views to Italy. Italy this week described delays in prosecuting the marines as unacceptable and indicate an Indian desire to procrastinate beyond all limits. Indian legal experts have attributed the delay to uncertainty over which law to use to prosecute the men. Italian authorities have lobbied the European Union and the United Nations on the case, saying the marines should be tried in Italy because it says the incident took place in international waters. India denies this, saying it happened in Indian waters. l

him of seeking independence for Tibet, was quick to react to Thursdays announcement. China is firmly opposed to this, foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a statement on its website, just hours later. We urge the US side to treat Chinas concern in a serious way and immediately cancel the planned meeting. Elaborating at a regular briefing later, Hua called the Dalai Lama a political exile who has long been engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion. Earlier, with the Dalai Lama already in the United States on a visit, National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden announced that Obama would meet the monk in his capacity as an internationally respected religious and cultural leader. l

Rescued Japan divers return home n AFP, Tokyo

Four Japanese scuba divers who went missing off Bali for three days before being rescued from a rocky outcrop returned home Friday, looking exhausted from the terrifying ordeal. Crowds of journalists were waiting for them at Kansai airport in western Japan when they arrived home from Indonesia. I feel terrible to think that we could not come back together, said Emi Yamamoto, one of the four, referring to fellow diver Ritsuko Miyata whose body was discovered earlier this week. I hope we can recover soon and go back to life as it was before, said Yamamoto, whose face was badly sunburned. The four women were among seven who disappeared after setting off on a diving expedition last Friday. Five were rescued, while the body of a sixth was found floating near a beach. One woman is still missing, although the Indonesian authorities have now called off their search. The party of seven set off last week from Nusa Lembongan island just east of Bali but soon got lost. After drifting for a long time, they were slammed against rocks near the coast and were swallowed by big waves three to four times they said in Indonesia. l

Philippine armed group Unpaid Thailand farmers call off releases filmmakers airport tractor protest
n AFP
Two Filipino-Algerian documentary filmmakers, kidnapped by an armed group in the strife-torn southern Philippines, have been recovered by authorities after eight months in captivity, a military statement said. Jolo marine commander Brigadier General Jose Cenabre said late on Thursday that the kidnappers decided to free them amid heightened military activity to locate them. Despite her ordeal, Nadjoua Bansil said she and her younger sister Linda would return to making movies about marginalised communities. We will rest for a while but we will continue in our independent filmmaking, she told reporters in the southern city of Zamboanga where they were taken after their recovery in Jolo. The two women were recovered on the island of Jolo as authorities were conducting a search for them, the military said. Elder brother of the sisters, Mohammed Bansil, also thanked those who helped in securing the release of his siblings. However, both the military and brother declined to say whether a ransom had been paid for the two. Whatever you think about the ransom we cannot answer that. Suf ice to say that we safely recovered the victims, said the local military chief, Lieutenant General Rustico Guerrero. Nadjoua and her sister were seized by members of the Abu Sayyaf group on June 22 while working on a film about the impoverished residents of the heavily-forested island of Jolo. Relatives had appealed for their release saying they were daughters of a deceased sharia court judge. The Abu Sayyaf group was founded with money from Osama bin Laden in the 1990s. It has been blamed for the worst attacks in Philippine history as well as many kidnappings of foreigners and Filipinos, often demanding hefty ransoms. Other Abu Sayyaf factions are believed to be holding other hostages, including two European bird watchers. Despite the militarys efforts, the group has remained active and on Sunday, a Filipino engineer and his wife were kidnapped in Jolo by suspected Abu Sayyaf members. l

Rice farmers listen to a leaders speech on a highway where they spent the night among their tractors

REUTERS

Australia to send home body of asylum seeker

n AP

British Pink diamond thief held in Australia

n AFP, Sydney
Australian police said Friday they had arrested and X-rayed a British man over the theft of a pink diamond worth more than Aus$200,000 (US$180,000), with fears he had swallowed the rare jewel. The 29-year-old, reported by Australian media to be British tourist Matthew Osborne, was arrested as he attempted to board an international flight in Melbourne. He is expected to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court tomorrow charged with entering premises and stealing property, police said. The stolen diamond is still outstanding and investigations are continuing. The pink diamond, from Rio Tintos exclusive Argyle mine and valued at more than $200,000, was stolen Saturday from a jewellery store at Cairns, in northern Queensland. Store owner Keith Bird told police the offender plucked the diamond from his hands after asking for a closer look and fled on a mountain bike. Using his fingerprints and CCTV images, police tracked the suspect to Melbourne where he was arrested Thursday trying to board a flight for New Zealand, senior sergeant Greg Giles told reporters. The man was put through an x-ray machine to determine whether he had ingested the diamond. The x-rays are inconclusive at this time, said Giles. l

n Reuters, Bangkok
Thai farmers, angry about not being paid under a rice subsidy scheme, called off a tractor drive to Bangkoks main airport on Friday after an assurance they would get their money, a bit of welcome news for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The subsidy program was among the populist policies pioneered by Yinglucks billionaire brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, a former prime minister central to a conflict that has divided Thais for years and triggered protests, violent at times, that have paralyzed parts of the capital for weeks. The farmers had said they wanted to make a symbolic protest, with no plans to block air traffic as in 2008, when protesters forced Bangkoks two main airports to close for more than a week. Former member of parliament Chada Thaiseth, speaking for the farmers gathered in Ayutthaya province, said they had been assured of payment. The government will make payment next week. The farmers will head back now and will see whether the government will pay as promised, he told Reuters. If it isnt delivered, we will return. He said payments would be made

The body of an asylum seeker who was killed in a violent breakout from an Australian-run detention camp on Papua New Guinea will be repatriated to his family in Iran, an Australian official has said. Reza Barati, 23, sustained fatal head injuries on Monday night as hundreds of asylum seekers pushed down a perimeter fence to escape the camp on Manus Island, off the coast of Papua New Guinea. Border Protection Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday that Australia would repatriate Baratis body to Iran at his familys request, after an autopsy in Papua New Guinea. The Australian Embassy in the capital Port Moresby conveyed the sympathies of the Australian government, according to AP news agency. News Corporation newspapers in Australia reported on Friday that Barati might have been killed by guards who stomped on his head as he lay defence less on the ground. l

via the state-owned Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives from next week. The government said it would sell bonds to pay for the rice, a move likely to prompt criticism that it is acting beyond its remit. Yingluck has headed a caretaker government with limited spending powers since calling a snap election in December. Voting this month was disrupted by her opponents, and it could be months before a new government can be installed. Reuters Television estimated the number of protesting farmers at between 2,000 and 3,000 in a convoy of as many as 800 tractors, guaranteeing hours of road traffic chaos at least, if the protest had gone ahead. In further good news for Yingluck, Moodys Investors Service affirmed Thailands government bond rating at Baa1 with a stable outlook. Moodys affirmation is based on the view that Thailands credit fundamentals have withstood the political turbulence in the country since the September 2006 coup, it said, referring to Thaksins overthrow by the army. The stable rating outlook reflects

the expectation that the recent resurgence in political infighting in Bangkok will not undermine Thailands credit strengths to a material degree. And despite widespread accusations of government corruption, Moodys cited overall prudence of monetary and macroeconomic policy as well as fiscal management. The much-maligned rice program is critical to Yinglucks support base in the poorer north and northeast. Generous subsidies for farmers were a centre piece of the platform that swept her to power in 2011, but they have left Thailand with vast stockpiles of rice and a bill it is struggling to fund. Opposition leaders say the scheme is riven with graft. Losses to the taxpayer, estimated at 200 billion baht ($6 billion) a year, have fuelled urban anger with Yingluck. She and her government are being investigated by an anti-corruption panel for alleged irregularities in the subsidy scheme. The farmers anger over not being paid and the investigation into the subsidy program come as Yingluck faces a campaign of street protests to oust her that has been going on for nearly four months. l

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www.dhakatribune.com

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial
LETTER OF THE DAY

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Letters to

the Editor

Do not interfere with private schools

e support English medium schools in opposing a government move to put all such schools under a category that would allow the education ministry to fix the tuition and admission fees. This is undue state interference and a reckless move by the government. It also risks harming the quality of education in the long run. Such schools are not subsidised by the government, and imposing a fixed tuition will force them to cut down on costs. These institutions will be compelled to increase the number of students in each class to keep up with expenses. It may even push some schools to try to illegally impose fees to increase revenues. Just as in other service sectors, the government should not have restrictions on the fees charged by English medium schools. It is an unnecessary state intervention which will not serve the students educational needs. Monitoring the quality of education in these schools or annual reviews of their performance are acceptable modes of involvement. If the government wants to influence tuition fees in private schools, it should focus on a more competitive alternative which would by itself be a good regulating factor. It will not be possible for these institutions to continue to provide comprehensive educational services if they are not able to offer a decent salary to the teachers. Our primary goal should be high-quality education. Harming private schools will not help this.

Of agitators and administrators

February 15 It boils down to the fact that the peoples choice may not always fall on a leader capable of governing them. And I think the people of Bangladesh also lack the intelligence and wisdom to make the correct choice of their leaders having the competence and vision to deliver the governance desired of them, and that constitutes the prime reason of the failure of our democracy. nds

Decomposed bodies of 3 newborns recovered

February 16 What becomes of Bangladesh when babies are thrown outside with the rubbish to die?? How far we have fallen! Vikram Khan

What the people say

February 14

The good ones revolted

February 14 Survival of the fittest is a process in nature. Survival of the cleverest is the rule with humans. Where the revolution comes from is only of historical concern. Ultimately, the clever ones will run the show. The American Revolution is a great event in history, so are the Russian and Chinese revolutions. Edmund Burkes concern will never be addressed, as human nature will rule forever. Rules will be framed by the clever ones to control and manipulate the rest of us. The great Chinese Communist Party no longer looks after the interest of the ordinary and downtrodden. According to some, the party no longer qualifies to be called Communist. The Capitalist Party is perhaps a more accurate name. The Congress and Democrats may recall great moments in their history to claim E Burkian glory. But their policy determines their nature. As of late, it has become obvious they are under the control of the clever ones. The poor keep paying taxes, and the rich corporations receive subsidies and gargantuan sums from the government to bail out the consequences of their corruption. The clever ones in America will not allow Medicare for the poor. The creator has sent an umpteen number of prophets to teach rule of law. Futile was His relentless effort. His books are best-sellers, yet we live in a world of chaos and anarchy. Great philosophers have taught and written about morality but what has society learnt? Actually the society is of little consequence. It is the clever ones who rule the roost, who can change that, who can make a difference. Someone did not and one can say he is angry and will not send any more messiahs. tanka

If the government wants to influence tuition fees in private schools, it should focus on a more competitive alternative

The vast majority in the villages is busy trying to eke out a living to be too bothered with political shenanigans, and the vast majority of nonpartisan urban literate ones are critical but inactive. Result: Might is right by one party and, by the other, threats and violence. Neither has anything to do with democracy. Akhtar Shah

Picnic bus crash kills seven children in Jessore

February 16 How many children still have to die before the authorities show some courage and stop the mass killings of innocent people in the corrupt and chaotic traffic in this country!?! Vikram Khan

Kejriwal resigns
February 15 Its too bad Arvind Kejriwal resigned. He had started an honest kind of politics in India. Lets hope it gets the ball rolling. aapkejriwal

Now Bangladesh eyes national anthem record

LETTER OF THE WEEK

February 15 There should be an initiative from some quarters to put Bangladesh in the Guinness book on the issue of corruption. Banks are looted and the finance minister says: No problem; 4,000 crores is not of such consequence. Aspiring MPs make declarations on their assets and the information disappears at the initiative of the government. Has anything like this happened in any other country? To this extent? Tandua Ketra

Sagar-Runi murder: Journos call hunger strike

February 12 All murders are awful! Especially that of good and valuable public persons who are important to the country, like Sagar, Runi, SAMS Kibria, etc. And the proverbial long arm of justice cant reach the culprits for years, altogether. It speaks not only of the inefficiency of state functionaries, but smacks of a deep-rooted conspiracy as well. The government ought to attach utmost attention to resolving such murder cases with due urgency and bring the offenders to justice at the soonest, so that their claim to good governance doesnt sound hollow and become mere rhetoric! :( WaliulHaqueKhondker

Be Heard
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

Ramp up efforts to protect our migrant workers

e applaud the governments recent efforts to lower the fees migrant workers need to pay to go abroad. Expatriate workers benefit the economy hugely via remittances and deserve better assistance and protection via the countrys diplomatic services. Stress is acknowledged by the Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment minister to be a factor in the 738 unnatural deaths which occurred last year among Bangladeshs estimated 8.7 million Bangladeshi migrant workers. Anything that can help reduce stress or assist migrant workers is welcome. Most expatriate workers are unskilled labourers and typically receive very little support to help them cope with working in a foreign country. In order to equip migrant workers, more pre-departure training facilities need to be developed. At the same time, capacity should be built in our embassies and missions to help migrant workers with claims of abuse and unpaid wages. There is much to be learned from efforts made by other labour exporting countries such as India and Nepal who are doing a better job of protecting their workers abroad. Remittance is one of the largest revenue sources for Bangladesh and ignoring the welfare of our migrant workers is not only bad for our workers but also the country.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Most expatriate workers are unskilled labourers and typically receive very little support

PEANUTS

CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1 Impartial (4) 3 Academy Award (5) 8 Unmixed (4) 9 Labour (4) 11 Trims (5) 12 Certain (4) 14 Rodent (3) 15 Prepared (5) 18 Receiver of stolen goods (5) 19 Greek letter (3) 21 Exploit (4) 24 Showground attractions (5) 26 Prevalent (4) 27 Turn away (4) 28 Composition (5) 29 Agreement (4) DOWN 1 Destiny (4) 2 Part of the eye (4) 4 Mineral spring (3) 5 Hot dish (5) 6 Region (4) 7 Reposes (5) 10 Bait (4) 11 Tranquillity (5) 13 Tears (5) 16 Horned ruminant (4) 17 Liveliness (5) 18 Loses colour (5) 20 Neckwear (4) 22 Primadonna (4) 23 Dissolve (4)

SUDOKU

YESTERDAYS SOLUTIONS
Crossword

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.

Sudoku

25 Period of time (3)

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed
L

Saturday, February 22, 2014

11
O N

Is it a good idea to give away a good idea?

be restrained. Getting the balance right between benefits to society and the moral and economic arguments for rewarding inventors and artists, is inevitably the object of much philosophical and legal debate. In practice, the only workable answer is to take a pragmatic approach, as otherwise intellectual property rights would only largely benefit lawyers, as can be seen from the ever growing list of corporations seeking to trademark common words and phrases. In general, people and governments have tended to be more sympathetic to extending the rights of individual artists and their families, rather than industrial innovations. This is why, for instance, patent protection for pharmaceutical products worldwide are actually relatively short, compared to, say, rights for authors, despite continual lobbying by Big Pharma. The benefits of new and better drugs are simply far too important for human health to countenance monopoly protections which keep drugs expensive for longer periods. This is also why international agreements permit some exceptions to developing countries on drug patent laws and why South Africas efforts to import generic anti-retroviral drugs to combat AIDS have been widely applauded. Similarly, Bangladesh is well known for the success of the Essential Drug policy adopted by the government in 1982. Its benefits have included cheap prices for medicines and a self-sufficient and increasingly innovative pharmaceutical sector, which is exporting to more and more countries. Clearly then, the greater good can sometimes be served by an element of pragmatism rather than universal tough enforcement of intellectual property rights. One downside of short patent periods for drugs in Western countries, however, is that the largest pharmaceutical companies focus their R&D efforts even more on products with the most commercial potential in rich countries, rather than those that would have the widest human health benefit. The cost-benefit permutations of gains to the greater good, creativity, and the economy from stringent enforcement of intellectual property rights, are therefore always open to debate. It is interesting then to reflect on those inventors who have chosen to give away great ideas and concepts which have proved to have wide (and massive) commercial applications. Their reasons have varied. Sometimes, it was to create an industry standard

(the inventors of MIDI the Musical Instrument Digital Interface for instruments and computers), sometimes because they thought the idea would not be realised in their lifetime (concept papers for communications satellites) and sometimes they did it for political reasons (the creator of the famous chicken foot circle peace symbol). Im not going to share their names, because thanks to Wikipedia and the world wide web, which were also freely shared by their inventors, they can easily be looked up on a computer ...

Getting the balance right between benefits to society and the moral and economic arguments for rewarding inventors and artists, is inevitably the object of much debate
As the popularity of open source software and Creative Commons style licences continues to show, many inventors and innovators have a strong sense of altruism in wanting to share their insights for the common good. The world undoubtedly benefits from such people. As Newton famously popularised, civilisation, progress, and science are built by standing on the shoulders of giants. Nobody knows the names of the persons who first invented the wheel, or discovered which foods are safe to eat, but everyone owes them a thank you. But this fact in itself is not reason enough to allow lax enforcement of intellectual property rights. Bangladesh, like other countries adapting to globalisation, will have to participate in a balancing act to bring its laws and practices up to date. So long as laws to reward inventors are pragmatic, proportional, and accountable to democratic scrutiny, they will benefit both individual innovators and society at large. However much we can all applaud the generosity and humility of individuals who choose to give their ideas away, we must not forget that even the most victimless forms of piracy are a form of theft. l Niaz Alam has worked on ethical business issues since 1992 and is a former vice-chair of War on Want.

BIGSTOCK

A
A

n Niaz Alam
s the economy develops and international trade grows, Bangladesh will face increasing pressure to tighten up intellectual property laws. The centrality of information and knowledge to the global economy will drive this as the importance and value of ideas continues to rise. Even if such pressures were avoidable, the arguments for more protection of intellectual property rights are clear. Copyright and patents reward creative activity and promote economic growth.

It is also only fair to help artists and inventors to profit from their efforts. This is most readily appreciated in instances of plagiarism and unauthorised uses of copyrighted works. An interesting use of copyright law was made recently by a Canadian band, Skinny Puppy, to protest the use of their music by the US military to torture prisoners at Guantnamo Bay. After learning their work had been used without permission as a tool of mental subjugation, the band submitted a pointedly Satanic bill for $666,000 to the US defence department. While they did not do this in expectation of actually being paid, their highlighting

of the practice in this way has clearly done a public service. Yet, while many may appreciate this use of copyright law, most people are unlikely to see it as a deterrent to film and music piracy. It is much easier to have empathy for an artist whose work has been misappropriated for military and political purposes, than it is to stop watching pirated films or taking advantage of internet downloads. (And of course in Bangladesh, the latter is impossible to avoid, at least for non-domestically produced media.) When most of the value of an invention or artwork is retained or exploited by a large corporation rather

than identifiable living individuals, it becomes easier to argue for limits on intellectual property rights. Outside a small number of music industry executives, its safe to assume few people in the world care that Happy Birthday to You is protected under US law till 2030. Tell people further that the melody and lyrics were in printed circulation for at least two decades before a company copyrighted them in 1930, and that companies such as Disney have successfully lobbied to extend US copyright periods in the years since, and they are more likely to see this as a form of monopoly power that ought to

War womens blood in our veins

n Muktasree Chakma Sathi
mader dhomonite Biranganar rokto, ei rokto kono din o britha jete dibona (It is the war womens blood that runs in our veins, we shall not let it be in vain) one of the many fiery slogans that reminds nearly all of us of the suffering of women during the 1971 Liberation War. This particular slogan, however, is one of the few that actually speaks of the Birangana (war women) in an inclusive manner. From my personal observation, almost every other patriotic slogan of the Liberation War was formed from a very patriarchal approach. Yes, patriarchal. One can think me an extremist feminist, but I do believe it is high time to point out all the injustice that we have done towards the Biranganas all these years. Have we actually looked into the violence against women part of 1971s Liberation War from a gendered perspective? Or are we content with just mentioning the sufferings of the war women/female freedom fighters to gain their sympathy, but not their empathy? Have we ever tried to relate to their pain or have we been using their suffering to justify our Liberation War? Priota, a member of the organisation VDay Dhaka, shared her experience of meeting a few war women for the first time, specifically the war women in Sirajganj, who were given shelter by a local community leader. When she asked the women for permission to have a photo taken with them, one of them replied: Please dont take photos with us; we are Birangona. Everyone thinks we are the bad ones, but those who tortured us, nothing has been done about them. War women who managed to survive started living their life of shame after Bangladesh was liberated. I know a wonderful lady who was lucky enough to find a family from my locality, despite the fact that she was raped by Pakistani soldiers in Chittagong in 1971. Sheuly aunty (a pseudonym) agreed to share her experiences when I approached her, but told me: You cant mention my real name. My husband knows what happened but you need to understand the reality of our society too. Our society has yet to be liberal enough to accept me as I am. She pointed out an interested little fact, hearing me repeatedly utter the word Birangana. I dont like that term. It is too close to Barangana, Sheuly, who served as a Bengali literature teacher in Chittagong, told me. I couldnt help myself but wonder how that the term Birangana was indeed close to Barangana, a term referring to women who serve in brothels. wounded, and inspiring their fathers, brothers, husbands and loved ones. Many sang songs of patriotism, and of course, there were the thousands of women who were subjected to the heinous acts of sexual abuse, all for their countrys liberation. There is no data on how many women were raped, how many had committed suicide, how many had fled to other countries since their families never accepted them, or how many gave birth to war babies. Its plausible to say that war women never come up and share their experiences so that it could be included in such data. Why are they so reluctant? Maybe its because they knew that they would never be treated in a respectful manner. Maybe they didnt want any sympathy for their contributions, rather they want to be accepted and recognised for what they are, for how they suffered. On January 27, the High Court asked secretaries of law, finance and Liberation War affairs ministries, Parliament Secretariat, and the chairman of the Law Commission, to explain why the female victims of torture and abuse during the Liberation War of 1971 would not be recognised by the state. The court also issued two rules seeking explanation on why a gazette notification would not be published by March 26 regarding these war women and why the states failure in providing privileges to the victims for the last 42 years should not be declared illegal. After 42 years, a possibility finally arrives in a liberated country with a constitution that specifically states: Women shall have equal rights with men in all spheres of the State and of public life. I desperately hope the government wont take another 42 years to recognise these women. We owe them the recognition while they are still living. l Muktasree Chakma Sathi is a Staff Reporter for the Dhaka Tribune.

My right to have a different opinion

n Muhammad Eusha
n my recent article for the DT, I expressed my disapprobation of a few articles proposing perspectives of analysing Islam which contradict with the most rudimentary and firmly established doctrines of Islam. Their propositions are so extraordinarily incongruous with the fundamental principles of Islam that it assumes a disposition of almost complete commonality with the secular philosophy of life nurtured in the West. In my humble effort, I demonstrated that these radical views are emerging out of mistakes inadvertent or calculated in understanding Quranic verses, ahadith and other religious texts, and at the same time, of a very exceptionable lack of knowledge. Fallacious reasoning and dearth of knowledge in these cases are results of underestimating Islam and its depth. In some cases, I was shocked to find that the proponents of these radical ideas are conspicuously unfamiliar with all relevant ahadith and Quranic verses connected to their theories and analyses. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing is a very pertinent proverb in explaining their deplorably serious mistakes. However, this might also be a case of feigning ignorance, but it is not my responsibility to judge intentions. I formally wrote to the DT and I was told that everyone has a right to express his or her opinion. I was also advised to respect differences in opinions. In fact, not only the DT, the gentlemen who commented first on my protest article donated the same advice. What seems to be entirely ignored is that when a third grader writes 2+2=3, it is not a difference in opinion, it is a mistake. When different people look at a goat and they differ in opinion about the colour of the animal, different opinions can suggest different colours,

but if someone claims it is not a goat but an airplane, then it is not tolerable. Freedom of speech is a right but like every other right it can be abused. With every right, attached is a responsibility and those who want to enjoy freedom of speech must take care that they do not say just about anything after thinking for five seconds. And as for respecting differences in opinions, the inimitable reverence the prominent Muslim scholars used to have in the golden for each other despite having so much difference is quintessential.

With all due respect to male freedom fighters was picking up a gun the only way to prove ones contribution?

The problem I have is in people trying to create a distorted and wrong image of Islam

Several feminists have told me they also prefer not to use Birangana, believing it to be defamatory. Some womens rights activists prefer Nari Muktijodhdha (female freedom fighter) while some prefer simply Muktijodhdha. Rape has always been wielded as a weapon, even in times of war, but with all due respect to male freedom fighters and the state, I ask them was picking up a gun the only way to prove ones contribution to the Liberation War? Our women indeed fought the war, from perspectives that a man couldnt embrace even if he tried. Taraman Bibi fought in the battlefield while many took up cooking duties, nursing the

For a practicing Muslim, nothing could be more distasteful than receiving advices on honour, respect, fairness, and tolerance from those who are inspired by hedonism, materialism and perversion. You may naturally ask if the mistakes I am talking about in the articles on Islam I protested against are of the same magnitude as adding two twos to get three. I already exposed (Intellectual attacks on Islam, Dhaka Tribune, February 16) a very frivolous mistake in the deduction of the writer who wrote Must Islam and feminism contradict? (February 15). He ended up confusing equal rewards with equal responsibilities in his effort to explain a Quranic verse, and the mistake is not difficult

to understand even for laymen. The whole foundation of his argument is weakened immediately. His article also showed that he is unaware of the existence of other relevant ahadith and Quranic verses which clearly contradict his thesis. He simply did not research enough on the subject and ended up disseminating half-baked ideas. Which Quranic verses and ahadith am I talking about then? I shall mention only two here and they should suffice. Notice the 33rd verse of the 33rd chapter: And abide quietly in your homes, and do not flaunt your charms as they used to flaunt them in the old days of pagan ignorance. What about this very pertinent hadith? Narrated by ibn Masud: Allahs apostle (S) said: (Unveiled) woman is a cause of corruption. Once she goes out, Satan beautifies her in the eyes of men. At her home, she is the closest to her Lord. I do not think after listing these self explanatory quotations, and it is possible to mention more, there is any need for expatiation. Islam does not ask women to be men. They have different roles, different rights, and different spheres of operation. Feminists have criticised Islam for such a philosophy but there is a certain novelty in trying to stress that Islam has nothing against feminism! The problem I thus have is in people trying to create a distorted and wrong image of Islam. The main goal of writing this article is to forbid these so-called intellectuals to indulge in expressing whimsical thoughts on Islam. Islam is deeper than quantum mechanics, and I can say that confidently having studied both. If you do not have the time to read and research before you write, just do not! Any Muslim should know that his ignorance can harm a million others and therefore he must be more careful. l Muhammad Eushais an HVAC specialist.

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Hassan Arif presents recitations this evening

n Entertainment Desk
Celebrated recitation artiste Hassan Arif will perform in a solo show this evening at the Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts in Dhanmondi. Bengal Foundation has organised the show marking the International Mother language Day. The programme features poems of famed poets Nirmalendu Goon, Sohel Anwar, Aminur Rahman, Ramchandra Paul and Shubho Dasgupta. Poems on love love for the creator, love for the country and love between male and female all these aspects will be common in the selected poems of todays event. Born and bred in a culturally-oriented family, Hassan Arifs introduction to poetry and music happened at an early age. However, Arif felt a special attraction for poetry.Since the 1980s, he has been active in the cultural scene of the country. Hasan Arif is currently serving as the general secretary of Shammilito Shangskritik Jote, the largest cultural organisation of the country. l

Live art performance Dont Ask, Dont Tell showcased at Shilpakala

Kirans Baul songs at IGCC today

n Entertainment Desk
For enthusiasts of Baul songs, Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre has arranged prominent singer Kiran Chandra Roy to perform at IGCCs Gulshan 1 premises at 6:30pm today. Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) in association with Asian Paints, IRCON and Marico Bangladesh is organising the event titledAn Evening of Folk Music. Born in 1957 at Manikgonj, Kiran Chandra Roy is a versatile folk singer who specialises in Baul songs. He has received training in music from famous singer and music composer, Khondokar Nurul Alam. A prolific singer, Kiran has recorded more than 30 solo albums. Many of these albums have set bestselling records. He is a regular performer on radio and TV and is also a playback singer. He received the national award in the best singer category for the film Dukhai in the year 1997. Kiran has performed all around the world in countries such as India, China, Japan, Singapore, Qatar, Nepal, Korea (South & North), England, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden and Canada. He has also performed in numerous charity programmes all over the world. l

n Hasan Mansoor Chatak

The German-Indian collaboration Dont Ask, Dont Tell was shown in front of local and international art enthusiasts in the Main Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on February 20. The performance was a collaboration between the two choreographers Ben J Riepe from Dsseldorf, Germany and Navtej S Johar from New Delhi, India. With an international cast of dancers, performers and musicians, both choreographers wanted to push the boundaries of live performance. Sound, image, feeling and motion are equal parts of the performance. The interactive live art performance was a stage piece with six performers, dancers, a live musician and a singer. The performance dealt with anxiety and cultural codes -- representing sexuality on the stage. The dance piece was an interwoven collage performance, integrating live art

Arifin Shuvoo and Mahia Mahi starrer Agnee is now running at the Star Cineplex. The action-packed film broke all the previous records of Dhallywood by collecting over Tk4crore in its opening week. Iftakar Chowdhury directed Agnee has been mostly shot in Thailand and presents some furious action scenes and romantic songs at numerous beautiful locations

and dance around the themes of the male body, belonging, sexual desires and the borders of expression. The choreographers, Ben J Riepe and Navtej S Johar bonded the dance forms of India and Germany together to find a very sensitive way to express feelings of loneliness, longing, desire, intimacy and vulnerability. They chose a path that represents the body while concentrating on the individuality of the performers. The work is characterised by a strong, provocative and poetic sense of drama and irony, interviewing beauty with critical statements. The Choreography became more than a beautiful arrangement of moving bodies on stage. The ensemble surrounding the Dsseldorf-based choreographer Ben J Riepe was founded in 2004. Since then, it has created various stage choreographies, performances, installations, filmand video work, which have been successfully shown internationally.

Most recently, the company toured in Poland, India, Bangladesh, the Netherlands and France and received numerous prizes. Navtej Singh Johar is one of Indias leading dancers and choreographers. Trained in Bharatanatyam at the Kalakshetra, Chennai, he also studied at the Department of Performance Studies, at New York University. His dance work traverses between the traditional and the contemporary and is closely informed by the socio-political history of Indian dance. As an urban activist, his focus is upon placing the body at the centre of urban designing. Widely travelled, he has performed, lectured and conducted workshops at prestigious venues all over the world. The show, which was limited to adults only, was a production by Ben J Riepe Kompanie, Navtej S Johar and Studio Abhyas. It was a part of the Germany and India 2011-2012: Infinite Opportunities, project. l

TODAY IN DHAKA
Film
Jibon Dhuli By Tanvir Mokammel Time: 3pm 11pm, Shawkat Osman Auditorium, Public Library 47 Ronin (3D), Aakash Koto Dure, Thor: The Dark World 3D, Saving Mr. Banks, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug in 3D, Frozen in 3D, Shunte Ki Pao, Agnee Time: 10am - 10pm Star Cineplex Level 8, Bashundhara City

Chondrabotiairs tonight
n Entertainment Desk
Drama series Chondraboti airs on Channel 9 tonight at 8:25pm. Written and directed by Anjan Aich, it will be aired every Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Popular TV actors Jayanto Chattopadhyay, Hasan Imam, Suborna Mustafa, Bonnya Mirza, Saberi Alam, Shahed Sharif Khan, Maznun Mizan and many more stars can be seen in the drama. The series is about the frauds commonly done by the pirs, influential people who are believed to have supernatural power to solve different kind of physical and psychological problems of human kind. Set on the backdrop of a village, the story of the drama series revolves around pir Fazlu who is very popular to the villagers. Moreover many people from distant places also come to him for treatments. Fazlu has two assistants, Rinku and Sushil and they work very hard to spread his popularity. Fazlu has a daughter named Chondraboti who is also very clever and smart, and the youngsters of the village

ON TV
MOVIE
7:03pmWB
Sherlock Holmes

Quamrul Abedin

MISC
9:30am AXN
Bloopers

10:25pmFox Movies Premium

Killing Them Softly

10:30pm Travel XP

Divine Destinations

Duet Art Exhibition By Hashem Khan and Mohammad Iqbal Time: 12pm 8pm, Gallery Twenty One, Taj Lily, 751 Satmasjid Road (level 11)

Exhibition

have special interest in her. One day, a girl from a different village comes to seek help from Fazlu and eventually someone rapes her. Police comes to investigate the case and Fazlu and his assistants fall in deep trouble. On the other hand, a young doctor named Kamal comes to the village and the fate of Fazlu becomes more challenged. The story moves on with different snags on the life of Fazlu and his family. l

DRAMA
8:00pm Sony
Aadalat

NEWS
2:00pm ATN News
News Now

9:30pm Star Plus

Diya Aur Bati Hum

10:00pm Maasranga Tv

Prime Time Maasranga News

5 Bollywood actresses who have always been in relationships

n Entertainment Desk
With such good looking men all around them, it is hard to not get involved for the bold beauties of Bollywood. While a few stars find their partners at the very beginning, there have been others who had to strugglequite a lot. Here is a list of five top actresses of Bollywood who have been highlighted in the media for always being in relationships.

Kareena Kapoor Khan

Kareena Kapoor has now settled with her Prince Charming Saif Ali Khan, but the actress had to kiss many frogs before she finally settled. At the beginning of her career, Kareena was linked to heartthrob Hrithik Roshan. So strong were the rumours that their alleged relationship was highlighted even when Hrithik tied the knot with girlfriend Sussanne. Soon after that Kareena got into a long relationship with actor Shahid Kapoor. Gossip mills did not stop churning out stories of an alleged romance brewing with Fardeen on the sets of Fida. The two even had a passionate lip-lock in Dev. After a highly publicised break-up with Shahid, Bebo fell in love with the Nawab of Pataudi Saif Ali Khan while shooting for Tashan. The two finally got married in 2012. l

Deepika Padukone

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Aishwarya and Salman Khan were one of the best-looking couples of Bollywood. The handsome hunk and the light eyed beauty sizzled together on the big screen in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and soon fell in love. However, the two broke-up later as Salman reportedly grew extremely possessive of Ash. Although she never admitted, Ash soon jumped into a new relationship with Vivek Oberoi but broke his heart eventually. She finally settled and tied the knot with actor Abhishek Bachchan and now has a daughter, Aaradhaya Bachchan with him.l

Lara Dutta

Bipasha Basu

Lara Dutta was in a live-in relationship with model and actor Kelly Dorjee. It was almost impossible to see the two separate but the couple parted ways after 10 years. Soon after her decade long relationship with Kelly came to an end, news of Lara being in a relationship with actor Dino Morea came to the forefront. However, it was a short relationship and the two broke-up soon after. Newly single Lara then settled for tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi. The two got married and also have a daughter, Saira. l

Bipasha, who has always been open about her relationships, has dated one of the hottest men in Bollywood. Bipashas first famous boyfriend was actor and her Raaz co-star Dino Morea. The two reportedly started dating in 1996 and broke up in 2002. Soon after that Bipasha met handsome John Abraham on the sets of Jismand love blossomed. The two were in a really long relationship before they called it quits in 2011. While John secretly got married to his investment banker girlfriend at the start of the year, Bipasha has found love again in actor Harman Baweja. l

Deepika Padukones list of affairs is a long, lengthy one as well. When she first moved to Mumbai, Deepika was said to be in a three year long relationship with model Nihar Pandya. She met Ranbir Kapoor on the sets of Bachna Ae Haseenoand love blossomed soon after. The two broke up and soon after news of Deepika getting linked to cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni emerged. While Dhoni went ahead and got married to long time friend Sakshi, and later Yuvraj fling, Deepika is believed to have dated Siddharth Mallya. The two were seen attending parties and events together. For reasons unknown, Siddharth and Deepika called it quits and she is now in a rumoured relationship with her Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leelaco-star Ranveer Singh. l

Did you know?

AB de Villiers set a new record by scoring 50+ in his last 12 Tests and reached 7000 Test runs in his 151st innings, the same as Kallis, Cook & G Chappell

Sport
their fielding and especially catching. Another concern would be the batting department as there was no big partnerships throughout the series and giving wickets at crucial times cost them badly where the best example would be the horrible batting disaster in the first ODI. Nasir Hossain and Mahmudullah had a poor series so far, with Nasir scoring thirty and Mahmudullah scoring only one run in the first two matches against Sri Lanka, leaving the home side vulnerable in the dying stages in both games. Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim scored 79 runs in the second match but did not get any support from the other, raising questions as to why a senior player like Shakib al Hasan unnecessarily tried to hit the ball out of the park after hitting two boundaries at a crucial stage, when Bangladesh needed the left hander to carry on with maturity. Sohag Gazi in the bowling department has been below average as he is only taken two wickets in the two games, while being expensive. Bangladesh have not lost an ODI home series since 2011, and their fans have been disappointed in that light especially since the Tigers performed well in the two T20 games and the first ODI. Meanwhile Tamim Iqbal who missed the first two ODI for his neck strain, is likely to play today as the left hander looked comfortable yesterday when he was knocking during the practice session but Mashrafe Mortaza is still in doubt and his fitness will be assessed before the start of the match. However it is almost sure that Mahmudullah will be replaced by Naeem Islam after his poor showing in the first two matches. l

Saturday, February 22, 2014

DHAKA TRIBUNE

13

0 2 2
DAYS TO GO

14 Hazard holds

key to Chelsea hope

15 Pietersen axed

for Englands good, says Broad

Battle for pride for Tigers

It will be a test of pride for Bangladesh after losing the first two of the three match ODI series as the home side will be looking to avoid the whitewash when they face Sri Lanka at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium today. After losing the first one day horribly by 13 runs and the second match by 61, the home side will be facing the visitors without their three experi-

PROBABLE XI
Bangladesh Shamsur Rahman, Anamul Haque (wk), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (capt), Nasir Hossain, Naeem Islam, Mahmudullah, Sohag Gazi, Arafat Sunny, Mashrafe Mortaza/ Al-Amin Hossain, Rubel Hossain Sri Lanka Kusal Perera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Ashan Priyanjan, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Angelo Mathews (capt), Thisara Perera, Angelo Perera Sachitra Senanayake, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis ence cricketers - Mahela Jayawardene already out of the ODI series while Tillakaratne Dilshan was also ruled out from the ODI series for his hand injury will be returning home and Kumar Sangakkra will be rested for todays match. Sri Lanka has not been without any of them in an ODI since Sangakkara made his debut in 2000 which gives the home side a great opportunity to go into the Asia Cup with some positives as Bangladesh badly needs a win to recover from their mental blockade. However the Tigers are yet to display proper cricket throughout the series and the main concern would be

Bangladesh cricketers Mominul Haque (L), Tamim Iqbal (C) and Naeem Islam attend a practice session prior to their third and final ODI against Sri Lanka at SBNS yesterday

Jurgensen looking ahead

Sri Lanka winning the ODI series against Bangladesh with a match to spare on Thursday was the first defeat the Tigers suffered under coach Shane Jurgensen. It was pretty tough. We are playing against a strong team like Sri Lanka. We havent played our best cricket, it is still to come. We have to make sure to be positive tomorrow (today), said Jurgensen to the media at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday. We have a lot to play for tomorrow. We need to just come and play really good cricket. I will highlight the positives. When you have a younger team and such things happen, confidence goes down quickly, he added. The positive results for Bangladesh in last 18 months had boosted the side mentally. However, the series defeat and some dressing room tensions right ahead of the two mega events Asia Cup 2014 followed by the ICC World Twenty20 2014 - is expected to affect the sides mindset. However according to Jurgensen, these will not panic his cricketers.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

I think our [Bangladeshs] one-day form has been outstanding previous to this series, Jurgensen said. Here we have lost two matches in a row. There seems to be a lot of people outside the group who are panicking but I am not panicking at all. We were in a good position in the last game, but we couldnt finish it off. It was the same in both games. If we can tidy things up a little bit, we can get the result we want. It is a good thing that there is a quick turnaround, there isnt a big break between matches. All the boys are physically good too, said the 37-year old from Queensland.

Both batting and bowling of Bangladesh has seen errors in the bilateral series against Sri Lanka but it is the poor fielding and catching that has raised concerns for many. I think sometimes in these situations, people will over-analyse things. We have been creating chances. We havent quite nailed it. The boys are copping a bit of flak at the moment. We cant take any pressure. We are a good oneday team. We know what we have to do, but we have to come out and do it. No explanations for what we are doing, we have to look forward, said Jurgensen. l

Exclusive! Sony Norde speaks

Not even half of the people compared to current number had ever watched Sony Norde to play before the Haitian internationals sensational display in the recently concluded 118th IFA Shield where he was adjudged the best player of the tournament. Scoring four goals, including two spectacular free-kicks, the Sheikh Jamal forward not only won the hearts of millions football lovers in Bangladesh but also caught the attention from other side of the Bengals from where some giant clubs have been trying to sign him for next season. In an interview with Dhaka Tribune, Sony Norde talked about his future plans, the experience he got in the fourth oldest club competition and also a message to his Bangladesh fans.
According to some Indian media who claimed that you want to play in I League next season. Is it true?
No. For now I have contract with Sheikh Jamal and when my contract ends then I will talk to my president. If he doesnt give me more money to renew the contract then I might consider moving elsewhere. If he gives me more money, Ill stay here in Bangladesh. Sheikh Jamal and every player have very good experience from such big tournament like this. It was a very good experience for me as well and I can say I play better now. in traffic and suddenly the situation got worse. There was police and one random guy carrying pistols. One mistake and then he killed me. This is the memory I will never forget.

Jamal resume BPL ties today

Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Ltd returns to the familiar pitch of Bangabandhu National Stadium after the their IFA Shield heroics with the match of Bangladesh Premier League against Team BJMC at 4:30pm today. Jamal have 13 points from five matches and are positioned fourth in the 10team table, trailing leaders Abahani by five points. Jamal, play Abahani on February 25 and Sheikh Russel KC on February 28 and Uttar Baridhara on March 10. After the completion of Jamals matches, the BPL will go for the mid transfer window. l

Pakistan arrive today

The Pakistan cricket team will be the first team to arrive in Bangladesh for the 12th Asia Cup today, while India are scheduled to reach Dhaka tomorrow for the event. team would fly to Dhaka on February 22 after practicing at Lahores Gaddafi Stadium from February 18-21. Five teams will participate in the 11 day tournament this year. The tournament will begin on February 25 and the first five games will be played at Fatullahs Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium (KSOS). The other eight games, including the final on February 8, will be held at Mirpurs Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. In tournament opener, Sri Lanka will face four times Asia Cup champions Pakistan at KSOS on February 25. Hosts Bangladesh, who were runnersup at the Asia Cup, will begin their campaign against India on February 26 at the same venue. The tournaments ticket rights holder United Commercial Bank Limited will start selling tickets today at selected branches. l

In tournament opener, Sri Lanka will face four times Asia Cup champions Pakistan at KSOS on Feb 25
The arrival of Pakistan, who are the defending champions, will put an end to speculation that they would not participate in the tournament in the aftermath of supposed anti-Pakistani in Bangladesh due to recent war crimes trials and verdicts from the Liberation War of 1971. Afterwards, the PCB confirmed that the

How many Indian clubs did contact you for next season and what did they offer you?
For now, the number is four- East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Churchil Brothers and Sporting de Goa. They called me. I told them if there is any possibility to go then Ill call you back but for now Im a Sheikh Jamal player. I think that my president is happy with me now and probably he will give me good offer so that I cant leave. I cant tell how much they (East Bengal) offered but it was too much money and the main thing is that they want to give me long contract for three or four seasons. The presidents of East Bengal Mohun Bagan directly called me.

What actually happened in the 82nd minute in the final when you were sent off? Was there even a contact with Luciano?
No. I think that was plan between referee and Mohammedan. They want to put me out of the game. After the game Luciano told me this was not red card. If he gave me yellow card there will be no problem but red card- never. That was a mistake.

Following your performance in IFA Shield you might notice there is a huge fan group of you grew in Bangladesh. Amidst the rumors of you

Taiburs double and Metros collapse

Rangpur v Dhaka Metro
Taibur Parvezs unbeaten double hundred helped Dhaka Division to post a huge first innings total of 662/4 against Rajshahi Division while Dhaka Metro were in all sorts of problems after being bowled out for just 48 runs in response to Rangpur Divisions first innings of 240. National discard Ziaur Rahman smashed 167 runs for Khulna to take the upper hand of the match against Sylhet and Barisals Monir Hossain claimed six wickets to get the lead against Chittagong after the second day of the 15th National Cricket League yesterday. At the ShaheedChandu Stadium in Bogra, Dhaka Metro collapsed to 48 all out with pace bowler Sajidul Islam taking five wickets and his partner Suvashish Roy adding four more after Rangpurs first innings ended at 240. Asked to follow on, Dhaka Metro finished the second day at 240/4, with Asif Ahmed who struck a double hundred in the last game unbeaten on 94. for the bowling side. Barisal in reply were cut down to 135/5, with Salman Hossain (35) and Shahin Hossain (14) at the crease. l

BRIEF SCORES

After losing to Mohammedan in the first game how did your coach tried to motivate you to come back?
No. Only the president did. President came and he gave $10,000 to the team as well as to all players. He said, I want to win next match no matter how. It was good motivation and you see how we came back winning 3 1 the next game.

leaving Bangladesh next season they are quite worried. Whats your message to them?
I thank all my fans very much. I can say if I have such opportunity or better offer in Bangladesh then I will surely stay here for 2 3 years. It will be better if they come to stadium to watch Sheikh Jamals matches in Bangladesh. Now Sheikh Jamal play in India, everybody knows football and the players. Before that everything was about cricket and cricket. I request them to come to stadium if possible. l
PHOTO: MUMIT M

Dhaka Division v Rajshahi Division Dhaka Division 662/4 Taibur Parvez 204*, Abdul Mazid 182, Rony Talukdar 103, Saqlain Sajib 147/2 Dhaka Metro v Rangpur Division Rangpur Division 240/10 Dhaka Metro 48 and 260/4 Asif Ahmed 96* Sajidul Islam 24/5, Suvashis Roy 20/4 Khulna v Sylhet Khulna 352/10 Ziaur Rahman 167 Nabil Samad 85/5, Enamul Haque jr 127/4 Sylhet 123/10 and 126/3 Alok Kapali 358 Barisal v Chittagong Chittagong 179/10 Irfan Sukkur 58 Monir Hossain 27/6 Barisal 197 and 135/5 Yasin Arafat 56/3

Sylhet v Khulna

You had a fantastic performance in India. So, how was your overall experience in IFA Shield?
It felt great to play in such big stadium in Kolkata, the playing ground is bigger and better than here. When Sheikh Jamal play in Kolkata, everybody say they play same like Barcelona. Sheikh Jamal played against some big teams. Every match was tough for us because every team play good football there. They have quality players. I think

Dhaka Division v Rajshahi Division

Any memorable incident in Dhaka you will remember the rest of your life?
Yes. It was may be three of four months ago while I was going to Bashundhara City by rickshaw. There was political unrest in the city. I was stuck

Centurion Abdul Mazid (156) resumed the second day with TaiburParvez (64) on 340/1. Mazid missed his double hundred as he was dismissed for 182, but Parvez went on to 204 not out with 20 boundaries to take Dhaka to 662/4 at the BKSP-4 ground. Left arm spinner SaqlainSajib took two wickets for Rajshahi.

Khulna were bowled out in their first innings for 352 at the Sylhet District Stadium. National discard Ziaur Rahman, who started the day on 26, went on to make 167 (nine fours, 13 sixes), while left arm spinner Nabil Samad claimed five wickets for Sylhet. Sylhetreplied with 126/3 in their second innings withAlokKapali (35) and Rajin Saleh (7) at the crease.

Chittagong v Barisal

At the M.A Aziz Stadium in Chittagong, the home side resuming their first innings on 90/3 and were dismissed for 179. Irfan Sukkur top scored with 58 whileMonir Hossain took six wickets

14
Venue decided for Copa del Rey final
The final of Spains Copa del Rey will be played at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on Wednesday, April 16, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) decided on Thursday. The RFEF posted a statement on their website confirming that the game would kick-off at 2030 GMT at the same venue where Madrid beat their bitter rivals Barca 1 0 after extra-time in the final in 2011, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the winning goal. The match was initially scheduled to be played on the weekend of April 19 and 20, but the two clubs agreed to bring it forward to the Wednesday. AFP

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Nishikori withdraws with hip injury

A hip injury forced third seed Kei Nishikori to retire from his second round match at the Delray Beach Open in Florida on Thursday. The world number 15 from Japan, coming off his win in Memphis on Sunday, his fourth ATP career title, lasted only six games against Teymuraz Gabashvili of Russia. Gabashvili was leading 4 2 when Nishikori called it a day due to a painful left hip flexor. He later withdrew from next weeks Acapulco event. I tried to play, but if youre not 100 per cent, its tough, Nishikori told reporters. Reuters

Hamiltons Mercedes quickest

Lewis Hamiltons Mercedes emerged quickest in Thursdays morning session on the third day of pre-season testing at Bahrains Sakhir circuit. The British former world champion, who sat out Wednesdays testing, topped the timesheets with a lap of 1min 34.263 on soft tyres. His fellow Briton, McLarens Jenson Button, was next best on 1:34.976 with a gap then of over two seconds back to the rest of the pack headed by the Sauber of Mexican Esteban Gutierrez. Hamiltons performance was further proof of Mercedes bright showing in testing both here and at Jerez. AFP

Ramos gets revenge on Spurs, Swansea hold Napoli

Juande Ramos earned a measure of revenge for his sacking by Tottenham Hotspur as Dnipro snatched a late 1-0 win over his former club in the Europa League last 32 first leg on Thursday. Ramos was axed by Spurs in October 2008 after just 12 months in charge at White Hart Lane, but the 59-year-old is 90 minutes away from making his old employers pay after Yevhen Konoplyankas penalty in the closing stages gave the Ukrainian club a slender advantage to defend in the second leg in north London on February 27. The game was given the green light despite reports that at least 60 have died in three days of violent political protests in Kiev. Dnipro are based 220 miles away from the Ukrainian capital, but the shocking scenes in Kiev still resonated in Dnipropetrovsk, where there was a minutes silence before kick-off and both teams wore black armbands in a show of respect for the dead. The visitors were left to rue a terrible miss by Roberto Soldado early in the second half, the Spanish striker scuffing over with the goal at his mercy four yards out. Dnipro stole the win in the 81st minute when Jan Vertonghen gave away a penalty as he fouled Matheus just inside the area and Konoplyanka, a transfer target for Liverpool, stepped up to slot in the spot-kick via a post. A Paulinho effort hit a post in the final moments, but Spurs were unable to scramble in the rebound, and manager Tim Sherwood later blamed the state of the pitch for Soldados miss. Swansea City performed well against Napoli but couldnt find a way past the Serie A giants at the Liberty Stadium. Visiting goalkeeper Rafael Cabral made a crucial save from Wilfried Bony in the first half after the striker had latched on to a superb pass by Pablo Hernandez. Rafael then came off injured at the interval, and his replacement Pepe Reina continued to thwart the Welsh club in the second half, keeping out headers from Ashley Williams and Chico Flores as well as a curling effort by Wayne Routledge. Meanwhile, Serie A leaders Juventus appear to have one foot in the last 16 after beating Trabzonspor of Turkey 2-0 in Turin. Pablo Daniel Osvaldo took advantage of a lucky ricochet to fire Juve ahead early on, but it was Paul Pogbas goal deep in injury time that allowed them to take a significant lead into the return leg next week. Juve could face compatriots Fiorentina in the next round, with La Viola winning 3-1 away to Esbjerg in Denmark. However, Lazio face an uphill struggle after losing 1-0 at home to Ludogorets of Bulgaria, and Ajax are staring at the exit door after a 3-0 home humbling against Salzburg. The 2011 winners Porto squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at home against Eintracht Frankfurt, while last seasons runners-up Benfica - potential last-16 opponents for Tottenham - beat PAOK 1-0 in Greece. l

RESULTS
Makhachkala (RUS) Juventus (ITA) Esbjerg (DEN)
Pusic 10

Osvaldo 16, Pogba 90+4

0 0 2 0 1 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 0 1 0 3

Genk (BEL) Trabzonspor (TUR) Fiorentina (ITA)

Matri 9, Ilicic 15, Aquilani 37 P Viergever 89

Liberec (CZE) Dnipro (UKR)

Alkmaar (NED)

Konoplyanka 81 P

Tottenham (ENG) Lyon (FRA) Valencia (ESP)

Odessa (UKR) Kiev (UKR) PAOK (GRE) Swansea (ENG) Porto (POR)
Quaresma 44, Varela 68

Vargas 79, Feghouli 90+1

Benfica (POR) Napoli (ITA)

Lima 59

Joselu 72, Alex Sandro 77-og Eremenko 74 P Gameiro 47, Fazio 72

Frankfurt (GER)

Betis (ESP)
Didac Vila 3

Kazan (RUS)

Maribor (SLO) Pilsen (CZE)

Tecl 62

Tavares 33, Vrsic 81

Sevilla (ESP)

Shakhtar (UKR) Ludogorets (BUL) Salzburg (AUT)

Luiz Adriano 65 Bezjak 45

Lazio (ITA) Ajax (NED) Maccabi (ISR)

Juventus' Paul Pogba (L) celebrates with his teammates Carlos Tevez and Andrea Pirlo (R) after scoring against Trabzonspor during their Europa League round of 16 first leg match at Juventus Stadium in Turin on Thursday REUTERS

Soriano 14 P, 35, Mane 21

0 0

Basel (SUI)

Hamburg boss Slomka Hazard holds key to Chelsea hope New relishing Dortmund test
Jose Mourinho will need another inspired display from in-form Eden Hazard as Chelsea try to cement their position on top of the Premier League against Everton on Saturday. Mourinhos side have reached the summit despite just 11 league goals this season from their three main strikers, Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Samuel Etoo, but fortunately for the Blues their Belgium midfielder Eden Hazard has been in sublime form. Hazard has netted 12 times in 26 league appearances, while also setting up countless chances for his teammates, and boss Mourinho recently lauded the 23-year-old as Europes most talented young player. Chelsea defender David Luiz has also been impressed by Hazards rise since moving to the Bridge from French club Lille in 2012 and the Brazilian is confident his team-mate can one day surpass Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the best in the world. The Gunners are one point behind their London rivals and will be desperate to bounce back from their midweek Champions League defeat when they host Sunderland. Arsene Wengers side were left cursing their luck after losing 2-0 against Bayern Munich in a match where Mesut Ozil had a tame early penalty saved and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was then sent off. However, there is no time for Arsenals players to feel sorry for themselves and Germany defender Per Mertesacker has warned his teammates they must switch off from the frustrating Bayern loss. Like Arsenal, third-placed Manchester City also suffered Champions League heartache in a 2-0 home defeat against Barcelona that left Manuel Pellegrinis team faced with probable elimination. City, currently three points adrift of Chelsea, must put that result behind them quickly when they host Stoke City this weekend. Fourth-placed Liverpool, just four points behind Chelsea, can maintain their surprising title challenge with a win against Swansea City at Anfield on Sunday. Reds boss Brendan Rodgers insists he would be happy with a top-four finish this season, but Liverpool are in superb form in the league and captain Steven Gerrard puts some of that down to teenage winger Raheem Sterling. The 19-year-old scored a brace in the 5-1 demolition of Arsenal earlier this month and Gerrard feels Sterling is sure to have caught the eye of England manager Roy Hodgson, who will be mulling over the options for his squad ahead of the finals in Brazil. l New Hamburg coach Mirko Slomka has said he is relishing hosting Borussia Dortmund on Saturday as he begins the task of escaping the relegation places to ensure his new clubs Bundesliga survival. Slomka penned a two-year deal as Hamburg coach on Monday, replacing ex-Netherlands boss Bert van Marwijk who was sacked last Saturday with the club second from bottom and on an eight-match losing streak. The 46-year-old Slomka has just 13 matches left to prevent former European champions Hamburg being relegated from Germanys top flight for the first time. And he has a tough opener against a resurgent Dortmund side who have won their last four matches and are eager to reclaim second spot in the league. Jurgen Klopps Dortmund will be using the match to tune up for Tuesdays Champions League last 16, first-leg trip

FIXTURES
Arsenal Cardiff Chelsea Crystal Palace Man City West Brom West Ham v v v v v v v Sunderland Hull Everton Man United Stoke Fulham Southampton

FIXTURES
Mgladbach VfB Stuttgart Nuremberg Freiburg Hamburg VfL Wolfsburg v v v v v v Hoffenheim Hertha Berlin Braunschweig Augsburg Dortmund Leverkusen

A slip-up by Chelsea against Champions League hopefuls Everton would give second-placed Arsenal the chance to reclaim top spot.

to Russia to face Zenit St Petersburg having hammered Eintracht Frankfurt 4-0 at home last Saturday. The challenge of facing Dortmund is a good measuring stick for us, said Slomka. l

Buoyant Barca travel to Sociedad

La Liga leaders Barcelona will look to round off a fine week on the field when they visit Champions League-chasing Real Sociedad on Saturday. Despite some more unsavoury headlines surrounding Barcas signing of Brazilian forward Neymar, which saw the club indicted over an alleged tax fraud on Thursday, the mood in Catalonia is positive after they overcame a huge hurdle by beating Manchester City 2-0 away in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. That match continued Gerardo Martinos mens impressive return to form in recent weeks after a shock 3-2 defeat to Valencia at the beginning of the month. However, midfielder Sergio Busquets has warned against reading too much into his sides upturn in the past few games. After the game against Valencia it seemed as if the world had ended and now, three weeks later, it seems as if everything has changed, but it is not like that. We are not now suddenly in our best form, nor were we in our worst before, he said. side cannot afford a similar result this time round. Any draw or defeat will penalise us in the league. Real Sociedad have a great team and it will be difficult for us. Left-back Jordi Alba is a doubt for Barca due to a hamstring injury, but otherwise Martino has a fully-fit squad to choose from and Neymar could be handed his first start since returning from an ankle problem. Real Madrid are the first of the title contenders in action this weekend as they host relegation-threatened Elche earlier on Saturday. Los Blancos have had a rare midweek off as they dont return to Champions League action until Wednesday when they travel to Schalke. Carlo Ancelottis side will again be without the services of the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo as he completes his three-game ban so the in-form Jese Rodriguez and Karim Benzema will continue to partner Gareth Bale in attack. l

FIXTURES
Real Madrid Celta Vigo Real Sociedad Almeria v v v v Elche Getafe Barcelona Malaga

The trip to San Sebastian will be Barcas second in 10 days after a 1-1 draw at Anoeta in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final eased them into the final 3-1 on aggregate. Yet, with Barca tied at the top of La Liga with Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid on 60 points, Busquets knows his

Fans of Egypt's Al-Ahli, known as "Ultras" (middle row), show a 3D shape of former player Mohamed Abo Trika (C) and portraits with names of supporters who were killed in Port Said, during the team's African Super Cup match against Tunisia's CS Sfaxien at Cairo Stadium on Thursday. Al-Ahli won the African Super Cup REUTERS

Barcelona innocent of tax fraud, insists club president

Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has reiterated the clubs innocence of tax fraud in the signing of Neymar and insisted the operation to bring the Brazil forward to the Catalan capital was completely legal. In the latest twist to a saga that prompted Bartomeus predecessor, Sandro Rosell, to step down last month, a Madrid court on Thursday charged the Spanish champions with defrauding the tax authority. The club was forced on the defensive after a member filed a complaint against Rosell alleging misappropriation of funds and when details of Neymars move from Santos to Barca came to light the judge overseeing the case granted the public prosecutors request to lay charges for tax fraud. We are very comfortable because the contract is completely normal, Bartomeu said in an interview with Spanish television broadcaster TVE late on Thursday. We took advice, ourselves, the player, Santos, and we did everything legally, he added. We now intend to explain the nature of the negotiation and what the contracts are and we will show that they are completely legal. Everything that was done was done correctly. We would do the same again. l

Ozil sorry about loss to Bayern

Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has apologised to the clubs supporters after squandering a penalty in Wednesdays 2-0 loss at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League. The German playmaker had an opportunity to put Arsenal ahead in the last 16 first-leg match with an early penalty, but his tame spot-kick was saved by international team-mate Manuel Neuer. After Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny had been sent off, Bayern went on to prevail through second-half goals from Toni Kroos and Thomas Mueller, leaving the reigning champions in a commanding position ahead of the second leg on March 11. The next morning doesnt feel better either, Ozil wrote on his official Facebook page. Sorry guys - it wasnt planned that way. Outnumbered it was really hard to win against this team.

'Vidic deal 90 percent done

Inter Milan are on the verge of signing Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic, with president Erick Thohir saying on Thursday that the deal was almost finalised. I cant saying anything other than the deal for Vidic is 90 percent done, Indonesian Thohir told the website FcInterNews after arriving at Milans Malpensa airport. When everything is sorted we will make an announcement. Inter have been favourites to sign Serb central defender Vidic, who is out of contract with United at the end of the season, ever since the 32-year-old announced on Feb 7 that he would be leaving England at the end of the season. l

Sorry guys - it wasnt planned that way. Outnumbered it was really hard to win against this team
Ozil, a club-record 42.5 million ($70.7 million, 51.6 million euros) signing from Real Madrid last year, was roundly criticised in the British media following a lacklustre display in the game. Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov suggested that the 25-year-olds poor

performance may have been down to fatigue. Speaking to reporters as he left the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, he said: Ozil was not (playing) at his capacity, maybe because he is tired. However, Ozils team-mate and international colleague Per Mertesacker believes that the former Werder Bremen schemer is still finding his feet in north London. We have a lot of games here in England and everyone is tired, but it is not just up to Mesut, said the centre-back. It is up to everybody to encourage and come back. During the game we all need to encourage each other. Mesut has played a lot of games and he is a massive player. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Saturday, February 22, 2014

15
Rural Sports Festival at Narail from Feb 25
Narail District Sports Association, in its bid to preserve and revive the ancestral games of the country will host the five day Rural Sports Festival at the Narail Govt. Victoria College ground from February 25. R.B. Group Ltd, the owner of Walton will sponsor the meet. Narail, the birthplace of world renowned painter S.M. Sultan and the Bir Shrestha Nur Mohammed, has traditionally contributed in sports as Bangladesh pace star Mashrafe bin Mortaza leads the current pack of sports persons hailing from the district. The Narail DSA has arranged wrestling, kabaddi, horse cart race, ox fight, volleyball, ox cart race, dariabandha, boat race and traditional stick-play in the event. Narail will be celebrating its 90th birth anniversary during the festival. At a press conference held at the conference room of the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday, Ashikur Rahman Miku, the general secretary of Narail DSA and A.F.M. Iqbal bin Anwar Dawn, the additional director of Walton, presented the facts to the press. Walton has provided a purse of Tk. 200,000 for the meet. l

QUICK BYTES

Harrington reveals skin cancer surgery

Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington on Friday revealed that he has undergone treatment for skin cancer. The 42-year-old Irishman lost his father, Patrick, to cancer and said that he wanted to raise awareness after undergoing surgery to remove sun spots. Ive had a number of skin cancers removed off my face, he told Irish radio station Today FM on Friday, in comments reported by several British media outlets. When you get a symptom, dont ignore it. Do something about it. Harrington pulled out of the 2005 Open at St Andrews after his father died from oesophageal cancer. He subsequently became patron of the Oesophageal Cancer Fund Ireland. Dealing with cancer is not what it was 10 years ago, he added. Everybody responds differently to treatment and ways of treating cancer are moving on. I see that when I travel the world. It is easier to clear these things up at the start rather than waiting until there is a problem. You can get treated and go on to live a much longer life. AFP

SCORECARD, DAY 2
South Africa first innings (214 5 overnight) AB de Villiers c & b Lyon JP Duminy lbw Lyon V Philander c & b Clarke W Parnell c Haddin b Lyon D Steyn not out M Morkel run out Extras (b-4, lb-4, w-1) Total (all out, 150.5 overs) FoW: 1 10, 2 11, 3 123, 4 181, 5 200, 6 349, 7 378, 8 413, 9 420, 10 423 Bowling Harris 27 6 63 1, Johnson 25 5 70 1, Siddle 34 9 96 0, Lyon 46 7 130 5, Warner 3 0 10 0, Smith 8 0 30 1, Clarke 7.5 2 16 1 Australia first innings C Rogers lbw Philander 5 D Warner not out 65 A Doolan c De Villiers b Parnell 8 S Marsh c De Villiers b Parnell 0 M Clarke c Elgar b Philander 19 N Lyon not out 12 Extras (lb-3) 3 Total (for four wickets, 25 overs) 112 FoW: 1 7, 2 41, 3 41, 4 81 Bowling Steyn 6 1 33 0, Philander 6 0 26 2, Morkel 7 0 31 0, Parnell 6 2 19 2 116 123 6 10 4 1 9 423

Serena and Jankovic have another spat

World number one Serena Williams comeback trail endured further feisty moments with Jelena Jankovic, the former world number one from Serbia, On Thursday before she reached the semi-finals of the Dubai Open. The two have exchanged testy words on several occasions, the last time in October when Jankovic appeared to question Serenas sportsmanship at the WTA Championships in Istanbul. Now, near the end of Serenas impressive 6 2, 6 2 win, a dispute blew up over the speed at which the rallies were conducted, an issue which has been a contention between them several times. It happened when Jankovic appeared to slow the pauses between rallies to the speed she thought Serena had been taking, prompting Serena to hold her arms out wide. This caused Jankovic to walk towards Kadir Nouni, the French umpire, complaining at length, once gesturing towards Serena as she did so. The match lasted another four points, when there was a further exchange of words between Jankovic and Serena. AFP South Africa's batsman AB de Villiers, celebrates his century on the second day of their 2nd cricket Test against Australia at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, yesterday AP

Aussies under pressure

AB de Villiers and JP Duminy hit centuries and Wayne Parnell took two wickets with his first three balls as South Africa put Australia under pressure on the second day of the second Test at St Georges Park on Friday. Australia were 112 for four in Port Elizabeth at the close in reply to South Africas first innings total of 423. De Villiers (116) and Duminy (123) posted a sixth wicket partnership of 149 as Australia conceded a total of 400 or more for the first time in 13 Test matches. De Villiers continued his prolific run-scoring form as he notched his 19th Test century, while Duminy ended a string of low scores to record his third Test hundred. It was De Villiers sixth century during a record sequence of 12 Test matches in which he has scored a half-century or better and never been dismissed for under double figures. Vernon Philander struck early in the Australian innings when he trapped Chris Rogers leg before wicket for five the third successive single figure score by the left-handed opener. Fellow opener David Warner counter-attacked but Parnell plunged Australia into trouble. Playing on his home ground in his first Test match in four years, he had Alex Doolan and Shaun Marsh caught behind with his first and third deliveries. Warner was dropped on 43 when Morne Morkel got a ball to lift sharply and Warner edged it high to De Villiers left. But South Africa struck again when Philander returned for his second spell and had Australian captain Michael Clarke caught at cover for 19. Warner finished the day with 65 not

out off 67 balls and nightwatchman Nathan Lyon was 12 not out. But South Africa failed to ask for a review when Lyon edged the ball down the legside off Dale Steyn in the penultimate over and he was dropped at gully by Duminy off Parnell in the last over of the day. De Villiers and Duminy saw off the second new ball at the start of an extended mornings play during which 109 runs were scored off 34 overs. Duminy, who had scored only 77 runs in his previous seven Test innings, was particularly impressive early on, hitting three boundaries in one over from Mitchell Johnson, whose pace was again negated by a slow pitch with even bounce. De Villiers, who resumed the day on 51 not out, played himself in cautiously on another overcast morning before starting to unleash his repertoire of strokes. l

LeBron bloodied but unbeaten as Heat rip Thunder

LeBron James scored a game-high 33 points despite having his nose bloodied and being knocked to the floor in the fourth quarter of Miamis 103-81 victory Thursday at Oklahoma City. The two-time defending champion Heat avenged a 112-95 loss to the Thunder last month in Miami, trailing only 66 seconds in the entire game but still having cause for worry when James went down. James, who made 15-of-22 shots from the floor in 33 minutes, dribbled up the middle past a defensive double team midway into the fourth quarter when he was struck by Spanish big man Serge Ibaka of the Thunder. Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player James kept going, slamming the ball into the hoop before sprawling on the floor beneath the basket. l

DAYS WATCH
Sony Six 01:29 AM Rugby Six Nation 2014 Wales v France: Round 3 NBA 2013 14 7:00AM Memphis v La Clippers 9:30AM LA Lakers v Boston Ten Cricket 02:30PM South Africa v Australia 2nd Test, Day 3 Star Sports HD2 11:15AM ICC U 19 World Cup QF: India v England 9:00PM La Liga Real Madrid v Elche Star Sports 4 3:10PM Sochi Winter Olympic Games Day 15 English Premier League 6:45PM Chelsea v Everton 9:00PM Man City v Stoke 11:30PM Crystal Palace v Man United 1:45AM Italian Serie A Bologna v Roma Star Sports 2 9:00PM English Premier League Arsenal v Sunderland Star Sports HD1 6:00PM & 8:30PM Hockey India League La Liga 11:00PM Celta Vigo v Getafe 1:00AM Real Sociedad v Barcelona 3:00AM Almeria v Malaga Ten Action French Ligue 1 2013/14 10:00PM Olympique Marseille v Lorient 1:00AM Montpellier v AC Ajaccio

Nadal rolls into Rio quarter-finals

World number one Rafael Nadal breezed into the quarter-finals of the $1.3 million ATP Rio Open on Thursday but admitted afterwards that he was still feeling the effects of a back injury. Nadal, in his first event since losing last months Australian Open final, needed only 74 minutes to rout Spanish compatriot Albert Montanes 6-1, 6-2 and book a date against Portugals 48th-ranked Joao Sousa, who eliminated 87th-rated Spaniard Albert Ramos 7-6 (8/6), 2-6, 6-3. Nadal wore elastic tape across his lower back during the match and said the injury he suffered in losing the championship match at Melbourne to Stanislas Wawrinka still nags him. When you get injured in the final of a Grand Slam and stop for 2 1/2 weeks, it is not easy to come back, Nadal said. The back is still bothering me a little bit but I am happy with my decision to be here. Nadal broke Montanes three times in each set and won the final four games of the match as he improved to 3-0 all-time against his countryman, having yet to lose more than three games in any set against him. In career matches against Spaniards, Nadal is 101-15. The sore back forced the 13-time Grand Slam champion to skip Buenos Aires last week, leaving his return for Rio, where he starts a clay-court season that he hopes will culminate in a ninth career French Open crown. Nadal, who reached a career-high 14 finals in 2013, seeks a berth in his third consecutive final, having won at Doha in the first week of the year. l

Former Brazilian tennis player Gustavo Kuerten (L), a.k.a. Guga shakes hands with Rafael Nadal of Spain after his 2014 Rio Open men's singles tennis match against Albert Montanes of Spain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Thursday AFP

KP axed for Englands good: Broad Misbah wants winning

Englands limited-overs captain Stuart Broad said on Friday that he believes Kevin Pietersen was axed from the national set-up with the teams best interests at heart. The England and Wales Cricket Broad (ECB) released Pietersen from his contract following the crushing 5-0 Ashes defeat in Australia, which also signalled the end of Andy Flowers tenure as team director. The decision to end Pietersens international career created a storm of controversy, but while Broad played down his role in the talks about the South Africa-born batsmans future, he said he supported the move. I was aware of discussions towards the end of the Australia tour, but I was not deeply involved particularly, he said. It was a decision made by guys that have the English cricket team at their heart, and they want the team to improve. The guys that made the decision are very keen for England cricket to move forward. Theres no egos involved in making decisions like this. Broad will captain England at the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh next month and he is looking forward to putting the Pietersen affair behind him. Speaking at Gatwick Airport south of London ahead of the England squads flight to the West Indies for a limitedovers series, he said: Its about improving performances on the field and atmospheres off it. All I can focus on is this trip now. Personally Ive not captained Kev a huge amount, but when I did 2012 I think was the last time he put in a couple of match-winning performances. Hes done that for many a year, but weve also won some great games without him. I have fond memories of KP from 2010 when he was the kingpin in helping us win that (Twenty20) World Cup. But its time for the guys in that changing room to realise they can be match-winners and can step up now. He added: We do have to make improvements, thats obvious. It was heartbreaking to lose 5-0 and we lost a lot of good men in doing that. Its a winter that was a disaster, but as an England side we have to look forward now. We cant dwell on it now and we must move forward. l Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq said Friday he hoped his team will carry the momentum of their recent one-day winning form into the Asia Cup starting in Bangladesh next week. Pakistan will open the defence of the title they won under Misbah in 2012 with a match against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. For me every team is favourite (to win the Asia Cup) but we definitely have the edge as we have won our last two one-day series, Misbah told reporters on the last day of a training camp. Pakistan won a three-match series in South Africa 2-1 before taking a fivematch series against Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates 3-2 in December last year. Five-time Asian champions India, hosts Bangladesh and Afghanistan are the other teams in the event which runs until March 8.

momentum in Asia Cup

Misbah believed hosts Bangladesh are also dangerous. In their home conditions Bangladesh will also be very dangerous because the way they played in the last Asia Cup, beating India and Sri Lanka, they will be equally dangerous, said Misbah. Misbah said because of the twin wins, Pakistan have an ideal combination. We have given good performances and because we won the last two series the combination is good and when you are on a winning run your confidence is high and thats the case with us, said Misbah. Misbah refused to reveal his plans when asked about when he would hang up his boots. I dont know why people are after me, said a visibly irked 39-year-old, who leads Pakistan in Tests and oneday matches. I want to play with commitment as long as I play, said Misbah, the worlds leading scorer in one-days in 2013 with 1,373. l

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Violence against indigenous women rarely get law enforcers attention

n Muktasree Chakma Sathi
Thirty-year-old Sabita Chakmas dead body was recovered from Kamalchari, Khagrachari on February 15, but police are yet to arrest anyone, fearing a rise in tension between Paharis and Bangalees. Sabita was killed whilst gathering grass for her cattle that morning. Locals found her naked body and informed the local police station. They alleged she was raped before being killed. Khagrachhari Superintendent of Police M Mizanur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune: She has been killed as the primary evidence shows. The upazila parishad election was our first priority. Arresting someone could have raised Bangalee-Pahari tensions. So, we are taking our time. On October 1, 2011, Pratima Chakma, 32, was allegedly raped and killed in the same area. Despite the filing of a case by Pratimas husband, Prity Bikash Chakma, accusing a person named M Rafiq, police are yet to arrest Rafiq. Sociologists, lawyers, and rights activists observed that this kind of negligence in cases of violence against indigenous women could not be labelled as mere negligence, but rather is a form of oppressing minorities and denying their right to justice. They also added that such violence continues since prosecution of alleged perpetrators is rare. According to home ministry statistics given to human rights organisation Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), from 2010 to 2011 not a single verdict was given punishing alleged perpetrators in the 57 cases filed by indigenous women. All of these cases were filed in Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunals of Chittagong Hill Tracts. Rights organisation Kapaeeng Foundations findings state that 160 casesincluding rape, killing after rape and sexual harassment- were filed in these tribunals from 2007 to 2012. Up until 2012, only one of these cases- the killing of Mariam Murmu- resulted in a verdict punishing the perpetrators. In September 2013 another such case saw the light of justice in a Chittagong tribunal. land- were victimised. Among those, 15 were raped, 8 girls were rescued- 5 of them from a madrasa in Dhaka after allegedly being forced to convert to Islam, 3 from Dhaka-Khulna highway after allegedly being trafficked. The research also found that 69% of these victims were minors, 89% of alleged perpetrators were Bangalee settlers and 7% were indigenous, while 4% were from security forces. Rights activists Khushi Kabir said many incidents do not even reach the courts due to a lack of proper follow-up and investigation from law enforcers, and the lack of awareness and financial capacity of victims. Pointing out Kalpana Chakmas abduction 17 years ago, Khushi said: If, even with such examples, anyone thinks such a situation is not oppressive, then they are living in a fools paradise. Hill Womens Federation activist Kalpana was abducted from her village home in New Lalyaghona, Baghaichari in Rangamati on June 12, 1996. Our experience says that until activists form strong protests condemning such violence, law enforcers never tend to work. It is frustrating when we have to police the police so they perform their roles, Khushi added. Sociologist Sadeka Halim, also an information commissioner, said such an awful state of negligence would increase the tendency of minorities being oppressed by the majority. Such crimes should not go unpunished, irrespective of ethnicity. Moreover, examples of punishment in violence against indigenous women cases are needed. Otherwise, the state is helping increase crimes and racial discrimination in society. Inspector General of Bangladesh Police Hassan Mahmood Khandker declined to comment, saying he was busy. l

Our experience says that until activists form strong protests condemning such violence, law enforcers never tend to work. It is frustrating when we have to police the police so they perform their roles
BLAST honorary director Sara Hossain opined that indigenous womens dire justice situation prevails as law enforcement agencies rarely carry out their role in a proactive, accountable, and unbiased manner. As the majority of alleged perpetrators are Bangalee, law enforcement agencies personnel- who have the responsibility to investigate and submit charge sheets- tend to work in a biased manner as they also belong to the Bangalee community. Hossain said a lack of awareness among the indigenous communities and a lack of interpreters in the court, also added to the problem. Kapaeengs recent findings state that, in 2013, 67 indigenous women and children- 53 from CHT and 14 from plain

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Visitors hit Shaheed Minar first, then book fair

new books published
Amar Ekushey book fair 2014

253

n Ahmed Zayeef
Thousands of people dressed in black and white gathered at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair yesterday on the occasion of Language Movement Day, which is also the International Mother Language Day. The gates of the fair were opened at 8am for visitors, who had arrived earlier at the Central Shaheed Minar, to pay tribute to the martyrs of Language Movement of 1952. Women, mostly dressed in sarees, and men in panjabis were everywhere. Long queues marked both the entrances of the Bangla Academy and Suhrawardy Udyan.

After paying tribute at the Shaheed Minar, the human sea headed towards the book fair with the premises highly crowded by the afternoon. First we came to the Shaheed Minar now we are here to browse some books. Though I have been on my toes since morning I do not feel tired because of the mood around, said Tamiz Uddin, a resident of the capitals Bakshi Bazar. The concept of book fair was born from paying homage to the language martyrs, so I came straight to the fair from Shaheed Minar, said Nishat Afrin, a student at Dhaka University. Though the publishers had a busy day, sales were not as high as they predicted on seeing the number of visitors. Milan Kanti Nath, publisher of Anupam Prokashani, said: Although today the number of visitors was more compared to Pahela Falgun and Valentines Day, the sales did not rise accordingly. Visitors seemed less in mood to buy books; rather

they are just enjoying the holiday. Visitors had a hard time moving through the crowd on the dusty fair premises, while law enforcers remained busy handling the crowds at the entrances. A total of 253 new books were published yesterday on the 21st day of the fair, including Masuda Vattis Manob-danober Judhdhe Bangladesh from Shuddhoshhor, Anish Das Apus After the Darkness from Anindya Prokash, Abdullah Abu Sayeeds Golpo golpo, and Serajul Islam Choudhurys Dui Bangalir Lahore Jatra from Jagriti Prokashoni. To observe the International Mother Language Day, a discussion entitled Bangali Shongskiritite Manobota was held at the central stage of the fair, where National Professor Salahuddin Ahmed presented the keynote speech. The programme was presided over by President of the Bangla Academy Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman, while the welcome speech was delivered by Shamsujjaman Khan, director general of the Bangle Academy. l

Martyr Salams grave yet to be identified n Our Correspondent, Feni

The government has not yet located the grave of language martyr Abdus Salam who laid down his life for the sake of Bangla 62 years ago. Family members of the Language Movement martyr expressed anger and frustration that no government had taken any initiative to identify Salams grave in the Azimpur Graveyard in Dhaka and preserve it. During a visit to the family at Salam Nagar of Dagonbhuiya in Feni yesterday, Salams younger brother Subedar (retd) Abdul Karim told the Dhaka Tribune: When Ekushey February comes every year people from different professions, including administrative offcials and journalists, visit us. Afterwards, things go on as usual no one cares anymore. They demanded necessary measures to this end. l

National awards introduced for health sector

n Moniruzzaman Uzzal
National awards are set to be given to health sector officials as part of an ongoing initiative of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to ensure capable leadership at public hospitals and improve the quality of the countrys healthcare service. Sources said the Health Ministers National Championship Award would recognise outstanding performance in the health sector. Seven national awards will be given in three categories: tertiary hospital (medical college and specialised hospitals and institutes), civil surgeon, and district hospital. Of the seven awards, three will be given to the best tertiary hospitals, two to the best civil surgeons and two to the best district hospitals. Forty-two more awards, which will not fall under the health ministers national championship award, will be given separately to 14 district hospitals, 14 civil surgeons and 14 upazila health complexes. Health Minister Mohammed Nasim will hand over the awards to the winners on February 23 at the Management Information System (MIS) auditorium of the DGHS. Dr Abul Kalam Azad, additional director general (planning), also director of the MIS of the DGHS, confirmed the launch of the new awards. He said several senior-level teams have already selected the seven winners after visiting 85 tertiary hospitals, civil surgeons offices and district hospitals last December to assess their performance. Under the initiative, titled Health System Strengthening through a System Approach, the health directorate has set a target of achieving eight goals to improve health services without the need for extra funding. These goals include ensuring cleanliness, improving service quality, expanding laboratory services, displaying information and guidelines for services with arrows, improving office attendance, sending health data to the DGHS regularly, and regularly holding meetings with health and gardening staff. Meanwhile, the health ministry has reportedly issued letters to all the directors of medical colleges, specialised hospitals and institutes, division directors and civil surgeons, requesting their presence at the award ceremony. On the day of the award ceremony, the health minister is scheduled to hold a meeting in which he will discuss the overall situation of the countrys health service Sources said the eight-goal approach was adopted by the DGHS six months ago following a meeting with hospital directors and civil surgeons. l

Yash Raj Films apologises for Gunday n Tribune Report

Yash Raj films, the production company behind Gunday, have apologised in a statement on its blog on Wednesday for any disrespect or hurt the film has caused Bangladeshis, reports The Wall Street Journal. The statement says: This was and is meant to be a fictional work and does not in any way project or disrespects any particular segment of society or persons or a nation. People in Bangladesh are protesting against the new Bollywood action thriller, saying the film does not address the previous eight months of war fought between the then East Pakistan and West Pakistan, in which three million Bangladeshis died. In recent days, protests have also erupted on social media, including a Facebook group, calling for a ban on the film. Asaduzzaman Noor, cultural minister of Bangladesh, was quoted by local media as saying that his ministry would send an official statement in protest to its counterpart in India. Gunday, which released in India on February 14, depicts the bloody creation of Bangladesh as a 13-day battle between India and Pakistan beginning on Dec. 3, 1971. l

Rakhine monk U Su Saeta Mahathero teaches a group of children Rakhine script in Kalapara of Patuakhali

A monk of Rakhine alphabet

n Anisur Rahman Swapan, Barisal
U Su Saeta Mahathero has been silently engaged in a war for letters for the past two decades at the Rakhine-populated Gora Amkholapara in Kalapara of coastal Patuakhali district. Clad in an orange robe, the monk is seen teaching Rakhine alphabet to children from the community every day so that they do not forget the language and the script. Some 20 years ago, U Su noticed that Rakhines spoke their language within the families, but they had no use of the language elsewhere because of the mainstream formal education at schools and other institutions in Bangla. They totally forget their own language when they grow up, says the 56-year-old monk. Most Rakhine children now cannot read or write their own language as no Rakhine institution ever developed. So, U Su established a monastery named Bijoy Rama Buddha Bihar Amkhola and started teaching Rakhine language and script to some 25 children for free in three shifts every day. He also provides the children with lunch, the cost of which ranges between Tk50 and Tk100 a day and is managed from the donations from local Buddhist devotees. U Su says the biggest problem he faces teaching these children is the lack of books in Rakhine language, which uses an alphabet slightly different from the standard Burmese script. He has collected some books published from Myanmar and photocopied those to distribute among his students. He says if such books were published in Bangladesh, it would greatly help not just the Rakhines but other indigenous groups who use the Burmese script as well. U Su established the school in his own home. He does not go out of the homestead because of religious restrictions, and so he cannot go to homes and inspire children to attend his school. He talks Rakhine mothers visiting the monastery known as Khyang into sending their children to the school. He greatly feels the absence of an assistant for the purpose. Rakhines are one of more than 45 indigenous groups in Bangladesh, struggling to preserve their script with a view to saving the language from extinction. The Rakhines came to the southern coast-

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U Su has been teaching children from the community the script for 20 years to save the language from extinction
al region of Bangladesh more than 250 years ago from the Arakan area of the then Burma following political turmoil over there. They settled in Khepupara and Kuakata areas of Kalapara upazila, and Rangabali of Galachipa upazila in Patuakhali, and Taltali of Amtali upazila in Barguna. There were 50,000 Rakhines in these areas in 1784, but the community leaders say the Rakhine population in the coastal belt came down to only 4,000 in 2004 and 2,500 more recently. The number of Rakhine habitats has declined to 33 from 144 in Patuakhali and 14 from 93 in Barguna. The dropout rate among Rakhine students is also high as they are often harassed or bullied by fellow students for their unusual way of pronunciation, colloquial language, dress, culture and economic inability, say Rakhine community leader and indigenous rights activist Myentthein Promila. Apart from Monk U Sus personal initiative, NGO Caritas is also operating four Rakhine language centres in remote areas of Patuakhali and Barguna with financial help from Secours Catholique Caritas of France. l

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