BD Topic - News and Exclusive from Bangladesh

Unmad 252

2010-09-27T12:03:00.000-07:00

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http://www.ziddu.com/download/10316556/Unmad252.pdf.html

Taroka Kagoz (16 June 2010)

2010-09-27T12:02:00.000-07:00

Download:

http://www.ziddu.com/download/10426248/TarokaKagoj16June2010.pdf.html

http://hotfile.com/dl/50349118/6869668/Taroka_Kagoj_16_June_2010.pdf.html

Amar Desh closed, Editor arrested

2010-06-04T21:58:00.000-07:00

Police early on Wednesday morning stormed the Amar Desh newspaper office and arrested acting editor Mahmudur Rahman on fraud charges, hours after the government closed the BNP-leaning daily.

The newspaper's deputy editor Syed Abdal Ahmed told bdnews24.com that Mahmudur was taken away minutes before 4am after police had talked with his lawyer at his Karwan Bazaar office.

The arrest capped a 17-hour drama played out after the paper's publisher Hashmat Ali Hashu, who himself was briefly 'detained', sued Mahmudur on Tuesday night.

Police had been trying to arrest the acting editor, a BNP stalwart, but were held out by staff since shortly before midnight. The staff barricaded the main entrance to the office for several hours and shut the lift for the 10th floor office.

They staged protests and vowed that their chief would have to be arrested 'over their dead bodies' as police reinforcements were brought in. Police then sought their cooperation but were refused before forcing their into the office at 3:30am to end the standoff.

Ahmed, also the chief correspondent, had earlier told bdnews24.com that police shut down the paper's press at Love Road in Tejgaon at 11:30pm.

Leaders of opposition BNP and its associate organisations gathered at the scene after bdnews24.com broke the news. BNP vice chairman Abdullah Al Noman, standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, BNP chairperson's press secretary Maruf Kamal Khan, Shimul Biswas, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal president Sultan Salahuddin Tuku were also there.

The events unfolding since morning--when Hashmat's family said he had been whisked away by intelligence men to an undisclosed place--took a new twist when the Dhaka's deputy commissioner Muhibul Haque cancelled the paper's declaration.

The commissioner signed an order to this effect at 10pm, an official of his office said, preferring anonymity.

But Mahmudur had told reporters at his office that police shut the press without showing the papers of the order cancelling the declaration.

It was not clear on what grounds the broadsheet, which hit the stands during BNP-led government's term in Sept, 2004, was closed.

The government last month knocked private TV station Channel 1 off the air citing irregularities.

Journalist Abdal told bdnews24.com around 11:35pm, " The press started printing Wednesday's paper an hour before but police did not allow distribution to news agent's.

"They said printing will stop."

Tejgaon Industrial Area police chief Omar Faruk earlier told bdnews24.com that a complaint had been lodged against Mahmudur, who earlier in the day alleged that the government was planning to shut down the newspaper.

Faruk said the case alleged financial losses.

The former energy adviser to ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia rushed a news conference at the pro-BNP daily's office and said he had talked with Hashmat after he had returned from his detention at National Security Intelligence office, who had told him that he was 'frightened'.

Mahmudur said the NSI men took Hasmat and forced him to sign two papers. "He was made to sit at their office until 2pm while the investigators pressed him to sign two papers."

"One of the papers was addressed to Dhaka's deputy commissioner and the other to Tejgaon police chief. The papers state that Hashmat Ali is not the publisher of Amar Desh. Legal steps can be taken as his name is being printed as the publisher."

"He was forced to sit until he signed the papers. Later Hashmat Ali signed the papers and was released after a five-hour detention," said Mahmudur.

A former executive chairman of the Board of Investment, Mahmudur said the press meet was organised to protest the current government's 'fascist' behaviour and conspiracy against the news media.

Hashmat's family had earlier told bdnews24.com that he had been detained for six hours after some intelligence officials whisked him away around 9am.

He returned to his Shahjahanpur residence around 3pm but went out, they said.

Mahmudur had claimed around 1pm that National Security Intelligence took Hashmat and were forcibly trying to file a case against him.

NSI director Shafiqullah told bdnews24.com earlier that they had not detained anybody by that name. "He is probably sitting at home."

"This is reminiscent of June 16, 1975 when all but four newspapers were banned," Mahmudur said of Ali's detention. "Coincidentally, this is June again."

"I have heard that he is being coerced into bringing charges against me," he told bdnews24.com. "Is this what they have learnt from the Moeen Uddins, the perpetrators of 1/11?"

"I guess they will try to file a case against me," he said.

Mahmudur took over the management of the newspaper in 2008. Later he sent a letter to the deputy commissioner for serving as editor of the newspaper. Since then he has been the acting editor of the newspaper.

Mahmudur, also the chairman of Amar Desh Publications Limited, said "This daily speaks for a free and sovereign state. As a result, many of its news are not going in favour of the government and are displeasing them. So they are trying to shut it down."

-bdnews

Death toll in Nimtali fire rises to 113; Govt announces national mourning day .

2010-06-04T21:49:00.001-07:00

Death toll in the Nimtali fire incident rose to 113 till this (Friday) noon with deaths of four more people at hospital. Four more burn-wounded people died at hospital this morning. The rescue operation was suspended at 5am. Meanwhile, the Government announced National Mourning Day tomorrow (Saturday) for the victims of Nimtali as well as Begunbari.

Official sources said 45 charred bodies were kept at Mitford Hospital morgue and 27 at Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue. Besides, 14 bodies were handed over to their relatives from the spot while 23 bodies from DMCH, burnt unit.

Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka district Mohibul Haque told the newsmen at DMCH that bodies of the victims which were identified were handed over to their family members without postmortem.

He said 10 bodies at DMCH and eight at Mitford Hospital could not be identified as those were burnt badly.

Over 42 people were admitted to BMCH, burn unit, with burn injuries. Of them, condition of 10 was stated to be critical.

Duty doctor of Burn unit, DMCH, said none of the injured is out of risk.

Meanwhile, a three-member enquiry committee, headed by additional secretary of Home Ministry Iqbal Khan Chowdhury, was formed early Friday to investigate the incident. The committee was asked to submit its report within seven days.

The fire broke out in a chemical factory at 42 Nabab Katra, Nimtali, in the old Dhaka city following explosion of two electric transformers at about 9:20 pm on Thursday. The fire soon spread to four or five houses in the congested residential area.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited the burn injured people at Dhaka Medical College Hospital in the morning and cancelled all her today’s scheduled programmes.

She announced that the government will bear all treatment costs of the burn injured people and the victims will be rehabilitated.

Special prayers will be offered at mosques, temples and churches today seeking blessings for the departed souls.

Dhaka, June 4 (UNB) - Death toll in the Nimtali fire incident rose to 113 till this (Friday) noon with deaths of four more people at hospital.

Four more burn-wounded people died at hospital this morning. The rescue operation was suspended at 5am.

Meanwhile, the Government announced National Mourning Day tomorrow (Saturday) for the victims of Nimtali as well as Begunbari.

Official sources said 45 charred bodies were kept at Mitford Hospital morgue and 27 at Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue.

Besides, 14 bodies were handed over to their relatives from the spot while 23 bodies from DMCH, burnt unit.

Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka district Mohibul Haque told the newsmen at DMCH that bodies of the victims which were identified were handed over to their family members without postmortem.

He said 10 bodies at DMCH and eight at Mitford Hospital could not be identified as those were burnt badly.

Over 42 people were admitted to BMCH, burn unit, with burn injuries. Of them, condition of 10 was stated to be critical.

Duty doctor of Burn unit, DMCH, said none of the injured is out of risk.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited the burn injured people at Dhaka Medical College Hospital in the morning and cancelled all her today’s scheduled programmes.

She announced that the government will bear all treatment costs of the burn injured people and the victims will be rehabilitated.

Special prayers will be offered at mosques, temples and churches today seeking blessings for the departed souls.

-UNB

Facebook is closed.....

2010-06-04T21:46:00.000-07:00

Recently facebook is closed in Bangladesh. The main reason was a boy name Rodin published some bad cartoons about the Pri-minister and the opposite leader. This thing I personally do not like. But shouldn't be there another way to deal with this matter? Facebook has so many young generation user in Bangladesh that nobody can't ignore. But they are just doing it.

So this is a political issue - that people are suffering from. Let hope for the best. And hope very soon the will open the ISP blockage of Facebook in BD.

অভ্র এবং আমি, আরো কিছু কথা।

2010-04-30T12:03:00.001-07:00

অভ্রর কথা আমি জেনেছি খুব বেশিদিন হয়নি। । এর আগে আমি কোথাও বাংলা লিখতে গেলে খুব কষ্ট হতো। এমনকি মাঝে মাঝে তা সম্ভব ও হতো না। আমি আসলে ওয়েবের কথা বোঝাচ্ছি। ইউনিকোড ভিত্তিক এই সফটওয়্যারটি আসার পর পর অনলাইনে বাংলার পদক্ষেপ আরো দৃঢ় হয়েছে। শুধুমাত্র এই কারনেই নয় - অভ্র আসার পর যারা কম্পিউটারে বাংলা লিখতে পারত না কিংবা বিজয়ের কিবোর্ড যাদের কাছে খুব জটিল মনে হত, তারাও এখন স্বাচ্ছন্দে বাংলা লিখতে পারছেন। এর থেকে বড় পাওয়া বাঙালী হিসেবে আর কি হতে পারে?

একজন ওয়েব ডিজাইনার হিসেবে আমি এখন খুবই স্বাচ্ছন্দ অনুভব করি। কারন ওয়েব সাইটে বাংলা সংযোজন করটা এখন আগের থেকে অনেক সহজ হয়ে গেছে। ওমিক্রন ল্যাব এবং এর সাথে সংশ্লিষ্ট সকলকে এজন্য ধন্যবাদ।

যদিও আজকে এই লেখাটা অভ্র কি তা জানাবার জন্য লিখিনি। লিখেছি অভ্রর প্রতি আমার সমর্থন জানাবার জন্য। আপনি অনলাইনে একটা জরিপ চালান, অথবা বাংলা ফোরাম গুলোতে যান, সবখানে একই ব্যাপারই দেখবেন। আমরা যারা একটু বুঝি, বাংলাটাকে ভালোবাসি তারা সবাই জানি অভ্র কোন বানিজ্যিক উদ্দেশ্যে বানানো হয়নি। বরং মায়ের ভাষাটাকে আরো সহজ করার জন্য বানানো হয়েছে।

তাই সাম্প্রতিক সময়ে যখন কেউ ব্যবসায়িক উদ্দেশ্য ক্ষতিগ্রস্ত হবার কারনে - অভ্রকে পাইরেটেড সফটওয়্যার বলেন - তখন বড় কষ্ট পাই। ভাই, অভ্রকে পাইরেটেড বললে তিন বছর আগেই বলতেন। এখন কেন? আপনি যদি একজন বিবেক সম্পন্ন মানুষ হয়ে থাকেন আর আপনার মাথায় যদি চিন্তা করার মত একটু পর্দাথও থেকে থাকে, তাহলে কখনও এই ধরনের কথা বলে এত মানুষের মনে কষ্ট দিতে পারতেন না।

আরো অনেক কিছু বলার ছিল, সময় পেলে আরেকদিন বলব।

অভ্র আমরা তোমার সাথে আছি।

liveatdhaka.com l The Dhaka Forum

BSF killed mentally imbalanced Bangladesh national

2010-03-28T05:22:00.003-07:00

Indian border security force (BSF) have brutally killed a mentally imbalanced man who crossed over the border last week.

Tozammel Haq, a poor mentally retarded man aged about 42 of Ekabbarpur village in Shibganj upazila had crossed to India through the porous border of Kiranganj. BSF held him and meted out inhuman physical torture leading to his death.

When BDR protested the inhuman action BSF explained that Tozammel committed suicide by hanging.

BDR local commander Lt Col Zayed Hossain said the surathaal report of the Indian police sent with the body of Tozammel on March 24 amply proved that he died of inhuman physical torture.

- UNB

বঙ্গবন্ধু স্বাধীনতার ঘোষণা দেননি -

2010-03-28T05:12:00.001-07:00

একাত্তরের ২৫ মার্চ রাতে গ্রেফতারের আগ মুহূর্ত পর্যন্ত স্বাধীনতার কোনো ঘোষণা বঙ্গবন্ধু শেখ মুজিবুর রহমান দেননি। তাজউদ্দীন আহমদ ওই রাতেই স্বাধীনতার ঘোষণার ছোট্ট একটি খসড়া তৈরি করে টেপরেকর্ডারে ধারণ করার জন্য বঙ্গবন্ধুকে পড়তে দেন। বঙ্গবন্ধু খসড়াটি পড়ে নিরুত্তর থাকেন এবং এড়িয়ে যান। তাজউদ্দীন আহমদ ঘোষণাটি দিতে অনুরোধ জানালে বঙ্গবন্ধু উত্তর দেন, ‘এটা আমার বিরুদ্ধে একটি দলিল হয়ে থাকবে। এর জন্য পাকিস্তানিরা আমাকে দেশদ্রোহের জন্য বিচার করতে পারবে।’ ইপিআর সিগন্যালসের মাধ্যমে শেখ সাহেব স্বাধীনতার ঘোষণা পাঠিয়েছিলেন সেটাও বোধহয় অবাস্তব কথা। চট্টগ্রামের জহুর আহমদ চৌধুরীর কাছে বঙ্গবন্ধু স্বাধীনতার ঘোষণা পাঠিয়েছিলেন বলে যে কথা বলা হয়, তাও সঠিক নয়। ভারত সরকার বাংলাদেশকে স্বীকৃতি দেয়ার সময় প্রবাসী বাংলাদেশ সরকারের মন্ত্রিপরিষদের সদস্য ও অন্য প্রধান নেতাদের জিজ্ঞাসা করেছে যে, স্বাধীনতার ঘোষণার ব্যাপারে শেখ মুজিবুর রহমান কাউকে কিছু বলে গেছেন কিনা। এর মধ্যে জহুর আহমদ চৌধুরীও ছিলেন। ভারত সরকারকে প্রত্যেকেই বলেছেন, কাউকেই বঙ্গবন্ধু স্বাধীনতার ঘোষণার কথা বলে যাননি। জহুর আহমদ চৌধুরী নিজে তাজউদ্দীনকে বলেছেন, স্বাধীনতার ঘোষণার ব্যাপারে তাকে কিছুই বলা হয়নি।
মুক্তিযুদ্ধে সক্রিয় অংশগ্রহণকারী তিন বীর মুক্তিযোদ্ধা এ কে খন্দকার, মঈদুল হাসান ও এস আর মীর্জার কথোপকথন নিয়ে প্রথমা প্রকাশনী থেকে প্রকাশিত ‘মুক্তিযুদ্ধের পূর্বাপর কথোপকথন’ শীর্ষক বইয়ে স্বাধীনতার ঘোষণা নিয়ে এই ঐতিহাসিক তথ্য স্থান পেয়েছে। একাত্তরে মুক্তিযুদ্ধ চলাকালে এ কে খন্দকার ছিলেন মুক্তিবাহিনীর উপপ্রধান সেনাপতি, বর্তমানে তিনি সরকারের পরিকল্পনামন্ত্রী এবং সেক্টর কমান্ডার্স ফোরামের সভাপতি। মঈদুল হাসান ছিলেন প্রবাসী বাংলাদেশ সরকারের প্রধানমন্ত্রীর বিশেষ সহকারী ও মূলধারা ’৭১ গ্রন্থের লেখক এবং এস আর মীর্জা ছিলেন মুক্তিযোদ্ধাদের জন্য গঠিত যুবশিবিরের মহাপরিচালক।
তিন বীর মুক্তিযোদ্ধার কথোপকথনে জিয়াউর রহমানের স্বাধীনতার ঘোষণার বিষয়টিও বিস্তারিতভাবে স্থান পেয়েছে। এ কে খোন্দকার বলেন, রেডিও কর্মীদের প্রচেষ্টায় ২৬ মার্চ দুপুর ২টার সময় কালুরঘাট বেতার কেন্দ্র থেকে চট্টগ্রাম আওয়ামী লীগের সাধারণ সম্পাদক এম এ হান্নান বঙ্গবন্ধুর নামে স্বাধীনতার ঘোষণা পাঠ করেন। ২৭ মার্চ সন্ধ্যার কিছু আগে মেজর জিয়াউর রহমান স্বাধীনতার ঘোষণা দেন। অবশ্য মেজর জিয়া কালুরঘাট বেতার কেন্দ্রে এসে প্রথমেই যে ঘোষণাটি দেন, সেটি ভুলভাবে দেন। সেই ঘোষণায় তিনি নিজেকে বাংলাদেশের রাষ্ট্রপতি ঘোষণা করেছিলেন। ২৬ মার্চ দুপুরে স্বাধীনতার ঘোষণা এম এ হান্নান সাহেব যেটা পড়েছিলেন এবং ২৭ মার্চ সন্ধ্যার দিকে মেজর জিয়া যেটা পড়েন, তার মধ্যে কিন্তু একটা পার্থক্য ছিল। ২৬ মার্চেরটা অনেকে শুনতে পাননি। অন্যদিকে যুদ্ধের সময় সামরিক বাহিনীর একজন বাঙালি মেজরের কথা শোনা সম্পূর্ণ অন্য ব্যাপার। আমি নিজে জানি, যুদ্ধের সময় জানি, যুদ্ধের পরবর্তী সময়ও জানি যে, মেজর জিয়ার এ ঘোষণাটি পড়ার ফলে সারাদেশের ভেতরে এবং সীমান্তে যত মুক্তিযোদ্ধা ছিলেন, তাদের মধ্যে এবং সাধারণ মানুষের মনে সাংঘাতিক একটা ইতিবাচক প্রভাব পড়ে। মানুষ বিশ্বাস করতে শুরু করল যে, হ্যাঁ, এবার বাংলাদেশ একটা যুদ্ধে নামলো। জিয়ার ২৭ মার্চ ঘোষণা শোনার সঙ্গে সঙ্গে সারাদেশে এবং বাংলাদেশের বাইরে যারা ছিল, তাদের মধ্যে যে একটা প্রচণ্ড উদ্দীপনার সৃষ্টি হয়, সে সম্পর্কে কারও সন্দেহ থাকার কথা নয়।
মঈদুল হাসান বলেন, অন্যের কথা কী বলব, মেজর জিয়ার বেতার ঘোষণা শুনে আমি নিজে মনে করেছিলাম যে, না, সত্যি তাহলে সামরিক বাহিনীর বিপুল সংখ্যক লোক বিদ্রোহ ঘোষণা করেছে। এটা আমার মনে বিরাট প্রতিক্রিয়া সৃষ্টি করে এবং আমি উত্সাহিত বোধ করি। আমি আশপাশে যাদের চিনতাম, তারাও এই ঘোষণায় উত্সাহিত হন। সুতরাং জিয়ার সেই সময়টুকুর সেই অবদান খাটো করার কোনো প্রশ্নই ওঠে না।
এস আর মীর্জা বলেন, ২৫ মার্চের পর আমি সবসময় রেডিও সঙ্গে রেখেছিলাম। এম এ হান্নান সাহেবের ঘোষণাটি আমি শুনিনি। ২৭ মার্চ বিকালে পরিষ্কার শুনলাম, বঙ্গবন্ধুর পক্ষ থেকে মেজর জিয়া স্বাধীনতার ঘোষণা দিলেন। এই ঘোষণা শুনে আমি স্বস্তির নিঃশ্বাস ফেললাম এই ভেবে যে, হ্যাঁ, এখন মানুষ স্বাধীনতাযুদ্ধে ঝাঁপিয়ে পড়বে। কারণ, তাদের সঙ্গে বাঙালি সেনারাও অস্ত্রশস্ত্র নিয়ে প্রস্তুত রয়েছে। শেখ মুজিব যতদিন বেঁচে ছিলেন, ততদিন এ নিয়ে কোনো কথা কেউ উত্থাপন করেননি বা বিতর্ক হয়নি। এমনকি জিয়াউর রহমানের শাসনকালেও এ ব্যাপারে কথা ওঠেনি। এটা শুরু হলো সম্ভবত ১৯৮১ সালে জিয়াউর রহমানের মৃত্যুর কয়েক বছর পর। ১৯৯১ সালে বিএনপি নতুন করে ক্ষমতায় আসার পর আওয়ামী লীগ জিয়াকে খাটো করার চেষ্টা করে। এরপর থেকেই বিবাদটা প্রকট আকার ধারণ করে।

[Collected from Priyo.com]

ইডেন কলেজের ছাত্রীদের দেহ ব্যবসার সাথে জড়িত

2010-03-15T12:35:00.000-07:00

আওয়ামী লীগর জন্য সব বানিজ্য জায়েজ ( collected from priyo.com)

"অনৈতিক কাজে ছাত্রীদের বাধ্য করার অভিযোগ : ইডেনের ঘটনায় মানুষ বিস্মিত স্তম্ভিত
তাদের জন্য সব বানিজ্য জায়েজ কারণ তাদের কাছে হায়া লজ্জা শরম বলতে কিছু নাই।এখানে লক্ষ্যনিয় বিষয় হলো পত্রিকার রিপোর্ট অনুযায়ী তাদের ছাত্র সংগটনের নেতা নেত্রীরা দেহ ব্যাবসায় জড়িত। এই সব নেত্রীরা পরবর্তীতে যখন দেশের প্রধান মত্রী,স্বরাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রী, পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রী কৃ্ষি মন্ত্রী হবেন তখন আমদের দেশের কি হবে?

আওয়ামী লীগের বিগত আমলেও একইভাবে জাহাঙ্গীরনগর বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে কাজী নাসিরউদ্দিন মানিক নামে জনৈক ছাত্রলীগ নেতা ‘ধর্ষণের সেঞ্চুরি’ উত্সব পালন করেছিলেন। ওই ব্যক্তির বিরুদ্ধে তত্কালীন সরকার কোনো ব্যবস্থা তো নেয়নি, উপরন্তু জাতীয় বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে চাকরি দিয়ে পুরস্কৃত করা হয়েছে। মানিক বর্তমানে ওই বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের সহকারী কলেজ পরিদর্শক। বিশিষ্ট ব্যক্তিরা বলেন, আওয়ামী লীগের মতো একটি প্রগতিশীল দলের প্রধান সহযোগী সংগঠনের নেতানেত্রীদের এই গর্হিত অন্যায় এবং সভ্যতা-ভব্যতাতীত কর্মকাণ্ড সংঘটনের পেছনে ‘লাগাম’ টেনে না ধরাই প্রধানত দায়ী। এর দায়ভার কিছুতেই ‘ফাদার সংগঠন’ হিসেবে আওয়ামী লীগ এড়াতে পারে না। তারা বলেছেন, অভিযোগের সবচেয়ে উল্লেখযোগ্য দিক হচ্ছে, জুনিয়র নেত্রী বা সাধারণ ছাত্রীদের আওয়ামী লীগ, যুবলীগ ও ছাত্রলীগেরই সিনিয়র নেতাদের কাছে পাঠানো হচ্ছে। বিষয়টি ‘যে ভূত ছাড়াবে, তাকে ভূতে আছর করার মতো’ হয়েছে।"

Ok, people this was a comments under a poll I read in the priyo site. One of my favorite site. I was stunned. Ya I do know that there are many bad things happening in the country - but it is a shameless thing. I do know we are poor. Our girls do a lot of things but this thing is out of my imagination - that they are being made to do prostitution. Our gov. is without the backbone - and I do mean all of them. This is the proof.

What should we do??

Clash in Eden college, Dhaka

2010-03-15T12:25:00.000-07:00

অনেকদিন যাবত ব্লগে লিখি না। ওয়েবে লিখার সময়টাও নাই , তবে এই ছবি গুলো দেখে লোভ সামলাতে পারলাম না। অমাদের কত উন্নতি হচ্ছে তা আর বলার দরকার নাই।

Smoking -- Is it profitable?

2010-03-14T03:00:00.000-07:00

In Bangladesh a lots of people smokes. Actually smokers are around the world. But I am not talking about all of them. My point is to tell you that - our government get a lots of taxes and revenues from the tobacco companies. So they won't take anything in notice.

People are getting more and more attraction to cigarettes. Now I have seen with my own eyes that- Students here in Bangladesh are taking it as a passion. University students are mostly buying the products. I am not indicating that all of them are getting to adopt this bad habit. But most of them cant go without the cigarettes during there break.

Why that should be. Cigarettes are as bad as students politics in Bangladesh. So parents can you please keep an eye on the fact that your college or school going children are not taking more than cigarettes? Because this is the starting.

Please QUIT SMOKING

Moriarty eyes 20,000 Bangladeshi students going to US each year

2010-01-20T07:44:00.000-08:00

US Ambassador James F Moriarty hopes to see 20,000 students from Bangladesh in his country each year over the next decade, as the diplomat disclosed some new initiatives for bolstering cooperation.

Addressing the monthly luncheon of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, Moriarty said 2,000 students are now going to the United States from Bangladesh a year while 14,000 students are going from Nepal and 40,000 from India. AmCham president Aftab ul Islam moderated the meeting. The theme of this month’s business meet was ‘Small Entrepreneurship’.

Moriarty in his written speech said US President Barack Obama has announced to host a Summit on Entrepreneurship in the coming months. “The Summit will involve innovators from around the globe, including Bangladesh. Through this Summit, the United States seeks both to join existing efforts and inspire new efforts to promote entrepreneurship and innovation in Muslim-majority countries and Muslim communities across the world.”

-Daily Star

Biting cold paralyses normal life: 6 more die in Kushtia

2010-01-20T07:43:00.000-08:00

The country has been experiencing biting cold as cold wave is blowing accompanied with dense fogs that paralyzed normal life. Intensity of cold has been increased compared to the last few days due to disappearance of the sun in almost whole day across the country.

Prevailing mild cold wave over Ishurdi and Chuadanga may continue and further spread over Rajshahi and Khulna divisions, a weather bulletin of Met Office said on Tuesday. Moderate to thick fog may occur over the country. Night temperature may fall slightly over the country, the bulletin added. Yesterday's lowest temperature at 9.1 degree Celsius was recorded in Chudanga while the highest at 23.5 degrees in Cox's Bazar.

Intolerable cold is being experienced in the capital Dhaka due to blowing cold wave which paralyzed normal life of city dwellers. Before nightfall, people have been rushing to their homes to protect themselves from the unbearable cold. Lowest temperature at 12.9 degrees Celsius was recorded yesterday in Dhaka city while the highest recorded at 16.7 degrees.

In Kushtia, six persons died due to severe cold at different places of the district in the last 24 hours. The dead were identified as Shahabaj Hossain, 72, Golam Mortuja, 68, Amirun Nesa, 65, Bagu Malitha, 82, Based Ali, 82 and Rahima Khatun,80. In Rangpur, the sweeping cold wave again intensified yesterday as the climate behaves 'abnormally' this season affecting agriculture due to adverse impacts of the ongoing global climate changes, scientists, officials and experts said.

The severity of cold increased due to falls in the temperatures coupled with blowing stronger winds, clouds, fogs and mists causing untold suffering and miseries to the people and severely affecting normal life in the northern region. The situation forced the people staying indoors and affecting businesses, education, office and normal agriculture activities as the sun remained covered by fogs and clouds amid blowing of stronger cooler winds and falling of mists from the saturated air.

"Growth of Boro seedlings is being stranded as a result of the situation caused by the ongoing clime changes and the growing crop plants are facing hurdles in preparing their foods by photosynthesis process for lack of sunlight," he said. Though the Boro seedbeds prepared earlier are sustaining the cold injuries, the newly sowed seeds are failing to germinate and the potato plants are being affected partially as the sun frequently appears almost on the alternate days, he said.

In Rajbari, the sweeping unusual cold and cloudy weather in the district for the last couple of days has made an adverse impact to agriculture cultivation including boro paddy. Department of Agriculture Extension(DAE) sources said 25 percent planted paddy is being destroyed due to the cold. Apart from this, according to the agriculturists, the usual farming of other crops has been facing a hazardous position and if the situation persists the farming might be more affected.

-New Nation

JCD lying outright: DU VC

2010-01-20T07:39:00.001-08:00

Dhaka University vice-chancellor professor A A M S Arefin Siddique has said the reasons behind demanding his resignation by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal are false and deceptive.

The pro-BNP student wing on Monday blamed the Dhaka University administration and Bangladesh Chhatra League for the factional clashes that left at least 20 including JCD president Sultan Salauddin Tuku injured. They fought an armed battle over positions in the student organisation's newly formed committee. Proctor professor Saiful Islam Khan and Shahbagh police chief were also hurt.

Prof Siddique said Shahiduddin Chowdhury Aenee, formerly JCD president and now BNP's student affairs secretary, called the vice-chancellor on Sunday night and sought an appointment to meet him the next day. But the vice-chancellor said he did not have any schedule for that day and asked them to tackle internal feuds themselves. He asked them not to do anything that would destabilise the campus. "Aenne called again at 9:30am on Monday. I told him what I said before." Even after that, he added, both the factions clashed.

"It now seems that the clash was preplanned and made to happen to destabilise the campus," Siddique told a press conference on Tuesday. "The position of vice-chancellor is dignified. It is important not to do dirty politics with the position no matter who sits in that chair. "I did not allow the university to close even for a day in the last one year. I ask why Chhatra Dal called the strike on the campus for their internal feuds." Among others, exam controller Bahalul Haque Chowdhury and Dhaka University Teachers' Association president Bazlul Haque were present.

-bdnews

প্রোগ্রামিং সংকেত অবৈধভাবে ব্যবহারের কথা স্বীকার করেছে মাইক্রোসফট

2010-01-08T12:14:00.000-08:00

চীনভিত্তিক খুদে ব্লগ বা মাইক্রোব্লগিং পরিষেবা ‘এমএসএন জুকু’ তৈরিতে কানাডাভিত্তিক প্রযুক্তি প্রতিষ্ঠান প্লার্কের প্রোগ্রামিং সংকেত অবৈধভাবে ব্যবহারের কথা স্বীকার করে সম্প্রতি ক্ষমা চেয়েছে মাইক্রোসফট। এমএসএন জুকুর ৮০ শতাংশ সংকেতই প্লার্কের হুবহু নকল বলে প্রতিষ্ঠানটির পক্ষ থেকে অভিযোগ জানানো হয়েছে। মাইক্রোসফট সব দায়দায়িত্ব স্বীকার করে এমএসএন জুকুর কার্যক্রম আপাতত বন্ধ রেখেছে। তবে মাইক্রোসফট এটি তৈরি করিয়েছে অন্য আরেকটি প্রতিষ্ঠানকে দিয়ে এবং তারাই মূলত প্লার্কের প্রোগ্রামিং সংকেত অবৈধভাবে ব্যবহার করেছে।

গত নভেম্বরে চালু হওয়া এমএসএন জুকুর এ ঘটনাকে প্রযুক্তিসংশ্লিষ্ট বিভিন্ন মহল ‘দিনে-দুপুরে পুকুর চুরি’ হিসেবে আখ্যা দিয়েছে।
-প্রথম আলো
তারিখ: ০৭-০১-২০১০

মোবাইল ফোনসেট নিয়ে আসছে গুগল

2010-01-08T11:58:00.000-08:00

জনপ্রিয় সার্চ ইঞ্জিন গুগল এবার বাজারে নিয়ে আসছে মোবাইল ফোনসেট, যাতে যুক্ত হচ্ছে নানা ধরনের নতুন প্রোগ্রাম। ব্যবহারকারীদের নানা ধরনের চাহিদার কথা মাথায় রেখে তৈরি করা হচ্ছে এ মোবাইল ফোন। স্মার্টফোনের বাজারে এবারই প্রথম গুগলের নিজস্ব প্রকৌশলীদের তৈরি ‘নেক্সাস ওয়ান’ নামের এ মোবাইল ফোনে থাকবে নানা ধরনের নতুন বৈশিষ্ট্য—যার মধ্যে আরও দ্রুত ওয়েবসাইট দেখা এবং ইন্টারনেট ব্যবহারের দিকগুলো অন্যতম। গতকাল গুগলের প্রধান কার্যালয়ে আয়োজিত এক সংবাদ সম্মেলনে এসব বিষয়ে বিস্তারিত জানানো হয়। ২০০৭ সালে মোবাইল ফোনের জনপ্রিয় মুক্ত অপারেটিং সিস্টেম অ্যানড্রয়েড বাজারে ছাড়ে গুগল। যার কয়েক বছর পর অ্যানড্রয়েড দ্বারা নিজেরাই তৈরি করছে মোবাইল ফোন। মোবাইল ফোন ব্যবহারকারীদের বিভিন্ন বিষয় মাথায় রেখে বিশেষভাবে তৈরি অ্যানড্রয়েডে বিভিন্ন সময়ে গুগলের বাইরের প্রোগ্রামাররা যোগ করেছেন নানা প্রোগ্রাম। নতুন এ মোবাইল ফোনটি যাত্রা শুরুর প্রথম থেকেই সরাসরি ওয়েবসাইটের মাধ্যমে বিক্রি করা হবে বলে জানানো হয়েছে। গুগলের এ নতুন মোবাইল ফোন যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের ওয়্যারলেস পরিচালনাকারী এটিঅ্যান্ডটি, ভেরিজোন ওয়্যারলেস, স্প্রিন্ট নেক্সটেল করপোরেশনের সঙ্গে নতুন মাত্রা যোগ করবে বলে মনে করছেন বিশেষজ্ঞরা। তবে এর পাশাপাশি অ্যাপলের স্পর্শকাতর মোবাইল ফোন আইফোন, ব্ল্যাকব্লেরির সঙ্গে তীব্র প্রতিদ্বন্দ্বিতা হবে বলে মনে করছেন প্রযুক্তি বিশেষজ্ঞরা। এর আগে অ্যাপলের সঙ্গে দ্বন্দ্বের কারণে গুগলের প্রধান নির্বাহী অ্যারিক স্মিথ অ্যাপলের বোর্ড থেকে পদত্যাগ করেন।
প্রযুক্তিবিষয়ক গবেষক চার্লস গলভিনের মতে, অ্যানড্রয়েড দিয়ে তৈরি নেক্সাস ওয়ান গ্রাহকদের চাহিদা ও চাওয়া পূরণ করতে নানা ধরনের সুবিধা যোগ করেছে। নতুনভাবে মোবাইল ফোনের বাজারে যা আলাদাভাবে যায়গা করে নেবে। এখন শুধু অপেক্ষার পালা।
- প্রথম আলো
তারিখ: ০৬-০১-২০১০

Students warned against criminal activities

2010-01-08T11:30:00.000-08:00

The government will take stern actions against any criminal and unlawful activities in the name of student politics irrespective of political affiliations, LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam said on Friday.

"All criminal activities in the name of student politics must be stopped," Ashraf, also the Awami League general secretary, told reporters at a crowded press conference at AL President Sheikh Hasina's political office at Dhanmondi. The press conference was organised on the occasion of one-year completion of the AL government. Highlighting different achievements of his government, he admitted that it cannot be said that the government has achieved success in all sectors to the point. He also said the government is working to put an end to the extra- judicial killings because its political ideologies don’t accept such killings.

Ashraful Islam also criticised anarchy and violence in the name of religion and said his government will not tolerate such attempts. The minister also criticised the direct involvement of teachers with national politics and said the government is working on reforming the education system of the country. He said the present government doesn’t believe in politicisation rather it intends to create a positive political culture in the country.

-Daily Star

"ইতিবাচক রাজনীতি"-র নমুনা...

2010-01-08T11:26:00.000-08:00

Boundary pillars on river banks by March 15

2010-01-08T11:22:00.001-08:00

The government has decided to start construction of boundary pillars on the banks of the rivers that run around the capital within next March 15. A high-powered taskforce on river recovery in its fourth meeting held at the shipping ministry yesterday finalised the decision.

The committee asked the deputy commissioners of Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur and Munshiganj to start building pillars on riverbanks, leases of which have been either cancelled or lifted in a bid to initiate tree plantation. The meeting also decided to restore 13 canals in Dhaka and asked the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) to identify them for re-excavation. The taskforce, headed by Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan, also formed a committee to protect rivers from further pollution through raising mass awareness.

The meeting decided to strengthen the current drive to remove garbage from the bed of the Buriganga river. Among others, land minister Rezaul Karim Hira, state minister for environment and forest Hasan Mahmud, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the shipping ministry Nur-e-Alam Chowdhury, lawmakers Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin, Nasim Osman, Begum Sanjida Khanaand Sara Begum Kobori and the DCs of four districts were present in the meeting. The shipping minister later told reporters that river banks would be demarcated and pillars would be set up. "Some unauthorised structures built on and into the rivers have already been demolished following court orders. The space thus cleared will be planted with different species of trees from March," said the minister.

The plantation programme will be implemented with funding from the environment and forest ministry. He said, 13 of the 24 Dhaka canals which had been lost to freestyle encroachment by land grabbers have been earmarked by the task force for reclamation. Dhaka WASA has been asked to present the maps and designs of the canals in the next meeting of the sub-committee for taking necessary decision for recovery of the lost water bodies. On continued dumping of waste and polythene bags in the Buriganga alongside the current cleaning of the river-bed, the minister said, "We're amending the environmental law to prohibit further dumping of waste into the river. The lawbreakers will not be spared."

-The Independent

Bharti Airtel gets go ahead for Warid stake buy

2010-01-08T11:17:00.000-08:00

Bangladesh's telecoms authority has approved an initial investment of $300 million by Bharti Airtel in Bangladesh's No 4 mobile company Warid Telecom, with the leading Indian telecoms firm expected to pay more later.

"We've asked Warid to submit schedule of the Bharti's $300 million initial investment plan within 30 days," Ahsan Habib Khan, director general of Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, told Reuters on Tuesday. He said the money must be spent on network expansion. The $300 million is reportedly an initial payment and Bharti could pay more for a 70 percent stake in Warid Bangladesh.

Previous reports, citing officials at Warid, which is controlled by Abu Dhabi Group, said the final deal could be worth $900 million. Details of the total deal value were not announced, but a regulatory official said Bangladesh hoped Bharti's investment in Warid would cross $1 billion over the next few years. He did not wish to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media. A spokesman from Bharti in New Delhi did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters for comment.

UAE-based Abu Dhabi Group, a consortium of investors that includes members of the royal family of Abu Dhabi, will retain the rest of Warid. In December, an Abu Dhabi Group official had said his firm expects to close the deal in mid-January. At the end of October, Warid had 2.8 million subscribers. The largest operator is Grameenphone, majority owned by Norway's Telenor. Egyptian Orascom Telecom's Banglalink and Telekom Malaysia's Aktel also operate in the country. Warid Bangladesh began operations in 2007. Bangladesh's mobile sector has grown rapidly, with the number of users now topping 51 million, from 200,000 in 2001, helped by low penetration levels, competitive tariffs and steady economic growth. Analysts expect the subscriber base to top 70 million by 2011, nearly half the country's population of 150 million.

High hopes on 2,600MW power deal

2010-01-08T11:15:00.000-08:00

An agreement under which India will fund two power plants in Bangladesh will be signed during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India that will help boost relations between the two countries.
India will contribute to the construction of the power plants with the capacity of 1,300 megawatts (MW) each, said Bangladesh Power Development Board Chairman A S M Alamgir Kabir at the 3rd Japan-Saarc Energy Symposium. "We have planned to set up two coal-based power plants in Bangladesh," he said. However, Kabir did not quantify the exact figure the Indian government would invest in the proposed power plants, which in total entail a cost of Rs 6,000 crore. With the use of high technology, the coal-fired power stations are expected to have near 45 percent energy efficiency, he said. The pact, Kabir said, would be mutually beneficial.

Asked whether Bangladesh wants to be a minority stakeholder in power projects in India, he said, "It would depend on the negotiations between the countries. We are eager to hold a majority stake as well". The agreement would also help start power exchange programmes in which a transmission line would be set up between the two countries which would cost around half a billion dollars, Kabir said. Referring to the terms of investment for the transmission line, he said, "Both the countries would bear the expenditure for the portion of the line falling in their territories."

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will provide the terms of import and export of electricity clearly. Exchange of electricity of over 900 million units per annum is likely depending on availability, need and price. Price and other modalities for the power exchange program would be worked out later for the MoU. An exchange of 250 MW power is expected to take place initially, which eventually reach a target of 1,000 MW. Once the transmission link becomes operational, Bangladesh would be able to draw power from Indian grids in West Bengal and Tripura, which would help the country combat electricity deficit.

-Daily Star

আয়কর নথির তথ্য কম্পিউটারে সংরক্ষণ কার্যক্রম শুরু

2010-01-06T10:20:00.000-08:00

কর অঞ্চলে সংরক্ষিত আয়কর নথির তথ্য আর শুধু কাগজ-কলমে থাকবে না। সব কর অঞ্চলের আয়কর নথির তথ্য কম্পিউটারে সংরক্ষণ করা হবে। যেকোনো সময় চাইলেই জানা যাবে কোন কর অঞ্চলে কতজন আয়করদাতা রয়েছেন বা কোন করদাতা যথাসময়ে কর দেননি।

এসব কথা জানিয়ে রাজধানীর বিজয়নগরে কর অঞ্চল-৮ কার্যালয়ে আজ বুধবার আয়কর নথির তথ্য সংরক্ষণ কার্যক্রমের উদ্বোধন করেন জাতীয় রাজস্ব বোর্ডের (এনবিআর) চেয়ারম্যান নাসির উদ্দিন আহমেদ। এনবিআর সদস্য ফরিদ উদ্দিন, বশির উল্লাহ, শম্ভুনাথ দাশ, আমিনুর রহমান, সৈয়দ আমিনুল করিম, যুগ্ম কর কমিশনার এস এম জাহাঙ্গীর আলম এ সময় উপস্থিত ছিলেন।

এনবিআরের চেয়ারম্যান নাসির উদ্দিন আহমেদ জানান, সরকারের ডিজিটাল বাংলাদেশ গড়ার অংশ হিসেবে এ কার্যক্রম শুরু করা হলো। এনবিআরের আয়কর অনুবিভাগের স্বয়ংক্রিয় কর্মসূচির আওতায় কর অঞ্চল-৮ দিয়ে যাত্রা শুরু করা হলেও পর্যায়ক্রমে সব কর অঞ্চলেই তা বাস্তবায়ন করা হবে। তবে গোটা কার্যক্রম সম্পন্ন করতে সময় লাগবে প্রায় এক বছর।
নাসির উদ্দিন আহমেদ আরও বলেন, কর অঞ্চল-৮ এনবিআরের একটি বিশেষ গুরুত্বপূর্ণ ও বড় অঞ্চল। এতে ২০ হাজারের মতো আয়করদাতার নথি রয়েছে। তাই এ অঞ্চলের মাধ্যমে এনবিআরের কর অঞ্চলগুলোকে তথ্যপ্রযুক্তি তথা ডিজিটাল বাংলাদেশের পথে এগোনোর শুভসূচনা করা হলো।

ঢাকায় আটটি, চট্টগ্রামে তিনটি, বরিশালে তিনটি, রাজশাহীতে একটি, খুলনায় একটি এবং সিলেটে একটি কর অঞ্চল রয়েছে। ঢাকার আটটি কর অঞ্চল ছাড়াও রয়েছে কেন্দ্রীয় গোয়েন্দা ইউনিট (সিআইসি) এবং বড় করদাতা ইউনিট (এলটিইউ)।

এনবিআরের চেয়ারম্যান বলেন, এর মাধ্যমে রাজস্ব আহরণ বাড়বে এবং ধীরে ধীরে ই-গভর্ন্যান্সের পথে এগিয়ে যাবে বাংলাদেশ। তিনি জানান, কার্যক্রমটি সারা দেশেই শুরু হবে। তবে আগে হচ্ছে ঢাকায়। ঢাকারগুলো শেষ করার পর হাত দেওয়া হবে অন্য বিভাগীয় শহরের কর অঞ্চলে।

- প্রথম আলো
তারিখ: ০৬-০১-২০১০

এই দেশটা কার?

2010-01-04T10:08:00.000-08:00

কারও প্রতি অশ্রদ্ধা প্রদর্শনের জন্য নয় - বরং কিছু প্রশ্নের উত্তর মেলানোর জন্য আজকে লিখছি। এই দেশটা আসলে কার? একটি দলের নাকি জনগনের? আমারতো মনে হয় সরকার পরিবর্তের সাথে সাথে দেশের মালিকানাটাও হাত বদল হয়ে যায়। তা না হলে আমরা ৫ বছর পর পর সবকিছুর নাম পরিবর্তনের জন্য এত পাগল হয়ে যাই কেন?

যে সব হাস্যকর কান্ডকারানা আমাদের দেশের রাজনৈতিক দল গুলো করতে পারে - তা বলা বাহুল্য। দেশের আর কোন কিছুর পরিবর্তন হোক আর না হোক - বাবা, মা, ভাই-বোনের নামে জনগনের সম্পত্তির নামকরন করতে আমাদের একটুও বাধে না।

আমরা যখন তখন দল বদল করি - নীতির প্রশ্নে সুর বদলাই। জিনিস পত্রের দাম বাড়ছে, সেদিকে আমাদের কোন খেয়াল নাই - শুধু দেশটাকে নিজেদের সম্পত্তি ভাবতে আমাদের লজ্জা হয় না।

আর কত? এবার একটু দেশের দিকে নজর দিন - প্রিয় রাজনীতিবিদ গন।

Bangla Help

2009-12-31T07:34:00.000-08:00

If you want to write Bangla text, please download the software from http://www.omicronlab.com - (FREE download)

If you can not see Bangla fonts in the browser, here is the solution.

Configuring Windows 2000 for Bangla:

Step by step instruction

Go to Control Panel, Regional Options
In the General tab, see the Language settings for the system
Select Indic from the list
Click Ok. All done, Yes, it is that easy!

Notes:

Keep your Windows 2000 CD near at hand. Windows may ask for it in order to copy necessary system files. You may have to restart your computer.

Configuring Windows Xp for Bangla:

Step by step instruction:

Go to Control Panel, Regional and Language Options
In the Language tab, select Install files for complex script and right-to-left languages (including Thai)
Click Ok.

Notes:
Keep your Windows Xp CD near at hand. Windows may ask for it in order to copy necessary system files. You may have to restart your computer. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you will use at least service pack 2 of Windows Xp for using Bangla.

Configuring your Browser:

Internet Explorer (IE) configuration for Bangla

From Tools menu, select Internet Options.
From Internet Options window, click on Fonts (on General Tab).
Click on the drop down list for Language Script. Select Bengali from this drop down list.
Select Siyam Rupali for Web Page Font (of course, you can choose any other Bangla font). Then click OK.

Mozilla Firefox configuration for Bangla

From Tools menu, select Options.
From this Options window, click on Contents.
Click on Advanced button in Fonts & Colors section.
Click on the drop down list for option Fonts For. Select Bengali from this list.
Complete all the option fields as in the following image (you may choose your any favourite Bangla font) and then click on OK.

Vasavi - Fashion house

2009-12-31T07:21:00.000-08:00

Dhaka, Moscow sign protocol for peaceful use of atomic energy

2009-12-31T07:10:00.000-08:00

Bangladesh and Russia have signed in Moscow a protocol on cooperation on peaceful use of atomic energy during visit of a nine-member team headed by state minister for Science and ICT Yeafes Osman.
According to a delayed message received yesterday, the protocol was inked on Wednesday providing for formation of a joint working group between the two countries. The composition of the group and its work schedule will be defined in the working process, it said. M Neazuddin Miah, additional secretary of the Science and ICT Ministry, and Mikhail N Lysenko, Director of the State Atomic Energy Corporation "Rosatom" of Russia, signed the accord on behalf of their respective governments.

The Moscow protocol was signed in the backdrop of Bangladesh planning to opt for a nuclear power plant to meet the crippling shortage of electricity in the country. Bangladesh delegation visited Russia from October 18 to 22 for spot inspection of Russia's nuclear sites preceding the deal signing. The visit also followed a series of talks between the two sides in recent months after the Awami League government came to power early this year. It was agreed in the protocol that both Dhaka and Moscow will arrange further exchange of visits, particularly at expert level.

UNB adds : During the visit, attention of Bangladesh was drawn to the possibilities in connection with the development of national program and its essential parts - legal framework in the area of peaceful usage of nuclear energy. The Bangladesh delegation sought support from Russia in establishing nuclear power plant and the Russian side assured of extending possible assistance in the regard. Following this umbrella deal, the matter of signing the framework agreement on the "Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant" was discussed. The main procedural issues on completion of negotiating the text of agreement and carrying out its technical revise in Russian, English and Bengali were finalized. "The draft Agreement is under examination and soon it would be ready for signing," the release said. It was agreed that it will be signed at a mutually convenient time.

Practical steps on the realization of the "Memorandum of Understanding" between Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and the State Corporation "Rosatom" on cooperation in the area of peaceful usage of nuclear energy, signed in May this year in Dhaka, were also discussed. During the tour, the Bangladesh delegation also visited the unit 4 of Kalininskya Nuclear Power Plant and the crisis-management center of 'Energoatom Concern'. The crisis management center is an integral part of the NPP to ensure fall safety and security of the NPP round the clock.

The Russian Crisis Center is based on a concept embracing the best experiences and ideas of the leading nuclear powers-the United States and France-and underpinned by up-to-date information technologies, computer equipment and telecommunications. A meeting was held between the visiting delegation and the senior management of "Atomstroyexport", the sole Russian Company to undertake Procurement, Construction and Project Management (EPCM) in Nuclear Power Plant abroad. It was revealed from their presentation that the third-generation NPP using the state-of-the-art technology has an estimated life of 60 years with the provision of extension by another 20 years. The delegation also made a presentation on 'Power System Planning of Bangladesh status of Nuclear Power Programme'. A meeting was held between the Bangladesh delegation and SV Kiriyenko, former Russian Prime Minister and Director General of Rosatom. The meeting discussed the basic issues of the current Russia-Bangladesh cooperation and its perspectives.
Recalling that the Russian government and people stood shoulder to shoulder in Bangladesh's liberation war, Yeafes Osman said: "Our great leader, father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was respected very much by our Russian friends and, today, his daughter Sheikh Hasina is in power." He also expressed his hope that the government and the great people of Russia would share the same warm feelings and sentiments for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the people of Bangladesh. The state minister also said the government has outlined the target of generating 20,000-MW electricity by 2021 to ensure universal electrification in Bangladesh. He stressed that, to meet that objective, nuclear energy is a major option for Bangladesh.

The former Prime Minister of Russia concurred with the current situation in Bangladesh and assured of providing all possible support to Bangladesh in this regard. The other members of the delegation were M Dabirul Islam MP and President of the Parliamentary standing Committee on the Ministry of Science and ICT, Dr SM Saiful Hoque, Bangladesh Ambassador to Russia, M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, Secretary, ERD, AKM Abdul Awal Mazumder, Secretary, Ministry of Science and ICT, M Abul Kalam Azad, Secretary, Power Division, Dr Farid Uddin Ahmed, member (physical Science), Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, and Dr Mohammad Shawkat Akber, Principle Scientific Officer and Project Director of Rooppur Nuclear Power Project.

-The Independent

Govt approves five climate change adaptation projects

2009-12-31T07:03:00.000-08:00

The government Wednesday approved five climate change adaptation projects taken under the Climate Change Trust Fund (CCTF) involving about Tk 52 crore. The projects were approved at the first meeting of the CCTF Trustee Board with State Minister for Environment and Forest Hasan Mahmud in the chair today.

In the meeting, the Ministry of Environment and Forest also decided to open a separate wing under the ministry to operate its climate change related activities. The ministry will appoint necessary manpower for the wing within one week.

The projects are Feasibility Study for Establishing a Ship-recycling Facility in Bangladesh, Strengthening Institutional Capacity of Climate Change Unit of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, a pilot project titled ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle of Waste’ to be implemented both in Dhaka and Chittagong, Sapling Plantation Project for Afforestation across the Country to Face Adverse Impact of Climate Change and Afforestation Projects in coastal areas, including dams by Water Development Boards.

Environment and Forest Department will implement the projects in the current fiscal. Finance Minister AMA Muhit, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Ministry Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury and State Minister for Water Resources Ministry Mahbubur Rahman, among others, were present at the meeting.

-The Independent

2009 was challenging period for govt, entrepreneurs

2009-12-31T07:00:00.000-08:00

The year 2009 was a challenging period for the government and the entrepreneurs to shield the country’s economy from the impact of global economic recession. During the year, the government took various steps to keep up the flow of overseas remittance. It also took steps to attract investment in the country, but such steps have not been able to create confidence among the investors.

Although there were infrastructure problems and crisis of gas and power, there came a ray of hope at the year-end as the government moved forward to attract investment in country’s energy and power sector, including the road show in London. The outgoing year also coincides with the first year in office by the newly elected Awami League-led government. Talking to UNB, renowned economist Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud said economic performance reflects the effects of policies only with a time lag, so that the positive or negative outcomes of the outgoing year cannot be directly attributed to what policies the government pursued since its coming into power.

The year’s economic performance, he said, also largely reflects the impact of the ongoing global recession, making it difficult to pass a judgment about whether certain outcomes are because of, or in spite of, certain policies. On the positive side, Prof Mahmud said Bangladesh has emerged as one of the countries least affected by the global economic downturn. “Export growth, which has been near zero on a year on year basis, may appear disappointing, but is still far superior to the large contraction of export experienced worldwide, including in most developing countries.”

He said the growth of GDP has been fairly robust at nearly 6 percent annually, made possible by strong growth performance of agriculture and other sectors-mainly construction, services and informal manufacturing-mostly catering to the domestic market. “Both disbursement and repayment of agricultural credit has increased substantially. The growth of remittances from migrant workers remains strong, in spite of falling numbers of workers going abroad.” Prof Mahmud noted that the government’s revenue earnings have increased at a modest rate, despite the stagnation, and even decline, in import trade. On the negative side, there are several risk factors confronting the economy, he said.

First, although there are signs of a global economic recovery, the country’s export trade is not still out of the woods. Globally, garment exports were affected to a lesser extent and at a later stage than the exports of, say, electronic products or automobiles. “Among the garment exporting countries, Bangladesh has been less severely affected because of its reputation as one of the lowest-cost sources of supply.” But, the process may now work in the reverse order, making Bangladesh’ s export outlook less encouraging as and when a global economic recovery begins, said the Dhaka University professor.

Moreover, the garment industry in Bangladesh is extremely diverse in terms of size of factories, management cultures, and production and marketing efficiency. Some units have closed down, while others have expanded their operation even during the recession. “There will be a need for restructuring of the sector in order to stay competitive, particularly as there will be more pressure for wage increases,” he said. The second worrying aspect is the signs of continuing lack of business confidence. The import of capital machinery and industrial raw materials have continued to fall, as much as by about 20 percent, on a year on year basis, in each of these two import categories during the first quarter of the current fiscal.

Abut the foreign reserve, Prof Mahmud said the accumulation of foreign reserves is partly due to strong growth in workers’ remittances, but is partly also a reflection of stagnation or contraction in investment and manufacturing activities. In the absence of hard evidence-based analyses, one can only guess about the factors that are inhibiting private investment: excess production capacity resulting from export shortfall, uncertainty about the policy environment, and a poor outlook for the gas and power supply. Thirdly, he said the inflation rate, after an initial cooling down, is on the rise again.

As expected, the price hikes in the markets for essentials are continuously subjected to public scrutiny; but less attention is paid to the rate of expansion of money supply - currently at about 19 percent annually - which underlies the overall inflationary tendencies. “The build up of foreign reserves is one factor that fuels domestic money supply; but a picking up of the rate of expansion of credit to the public sector is also adding to the pressure on the money supply. “How does one explain this credit expansion in the face of dwindling import demand and stagnating levels of industrial activities? It is true that agricultural credit disbursement has accelerated, but so has credit repayment.”

The eminent economist observed that industrial term loan has in fact fallen. The central bank should look at the uses of the borrowed money and should satisfy itself that the credit expansion is contributing to economic recovery. “The lack of reliable up-to-date data remains the single most important obstacle in assessing the current performance of the economy. At a time of economic volatility, economic analyses need to be based on at least quarterly, if not monthly, data.” He added: “The state of our official national statistics is such that, on a real-time basis, not merely the future, even the past is uncertain. The situation calls for remedy on an urgent basis.”

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Abdus Salam Murshedy said the apparel sector witnessed negative growth from January to May due to world economic recession even there was a minus growth during June to September. He observed that the apparel sector in the competitive countries got policy support to come out from the recession but in Bangladesh many factories had to be closed down. The BGMEA chief said that in the coming year, their aim should be to keep the market, create new market and develop human resources. But these might not be possible unless uninterrupted gas and power supply could be ensured. “The most important things are power and gas for which our costing increases. If we get policy support to improve our weak infrastructures, we would be able to achieve our target,” he added.

Forex Reserve and Remittance: In 2009, foreign exchange reserve and remittance marked an important milestone in Bangladesh economy defying the development partners’ gloomy forecasts in the face of global economic meltdown. In ten years, foreign currency reserve grew from US$1 billion to cross the US$10 billion mark this year for the first time. Foreign exchange reserve in November crossed $10 billion for the first time while on June 30 the amount was $7.47 billion. The reserve was $10.29 billion on December 22. On the same day the previous year the amount was $5.80 billion.

The main reasons behind the increase in foreign exchange reserve are a decline in import and boost in remittance. Normally, import increases every year but the trend is negative now. Also remittance was about to touch the $10 billion mark last fiscal year, and is expected to cross the milestone this year. The country received $1 billion in remittance in November, the highest ever for a single month. Stimulus packages: The government on April 19 announced a Tk 3,424 crore stimulus package to cushion the blow of global economic downturn. The fund meant to be used over the last quarter of the current fiscal year includes Tk 450 crore in cash subsidies for the export industries already hit by the recession.

Of the exports, jute and jute-made goods saw cash incentives rise to 10 percent from 7.5 percent, leather and leather products to 17.5 percent from existing 15 percent, frozen foods and fish to 12.5 percent from 10 percent. However, there was no cash incentive for the ready-made garments (RMG) and ceramics exporters. But, the government on November 25 announced a Tk 1,000 crore extra stimulus for export to offset bad impacts of global recession from the domestic economy. The 2nd stimulus package was announced on the basis of the recommendations of the subcommittee on recession, led by former Finance Minister M Syeduzzaman.

Export situation: The economy grew nearly 6 percent in fiscal 2008-09 and is expected to expand further this year. Exports increased by nearly 12 percent to $15.56 billion in 2008-09 compared to the previous year. Export data for different sectors in the current fiscal year shows agro-processed foods, terry towels, leather bags and purses and footwear have continued to earn more this year. Also manufacturers of ceramics tableware, bicycle and even handicraft have brought in more. According to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), export earnings posted 18 percent growth in October, compared to the same month last fiscal year.
Exports fetched $1.024 billion or nearly Tk 8,000 crore in October, while earnings were $0.87 billion (Tk 6,080 crore) in the same month last year. In October last year, exports dipped 7.48 percent when the impact of global financial crisis was felt for the first time in the country’s export sector. Knitwear and woven garments that account for 75 percent of total exports were also able to maintain their growth trend in the first four months of the current fiscal year.

Growth in import also shows positive trend in the current year. Bangladesh spent a total of Tk 154,821 crore for imports in fiscal 2008-09. The average monthly spending was Tk 12,901 crore. Latest figures show import expenditure increased to Tk 12,524 crore in September this year from Tk 10,926 crore a month ago. Stock Market: The stock market witnessed some landmark achievements including the listing of leading mobile phone operator Grameenphone. From January 1 to December 27, the benchmark index of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) went up by 1,668 points, or 59 percent. Grameenphone, which alone added some 700 points in the indices, backed the jump.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith sat recently with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the market regulator, to discuss how investor confidence can be restored. In a meeting in November, the Finance Ministry decided to allow new companies to make public offerings with a minimum number of shares equivalent to 40 percent of their paid-up capital. Grameenphone (GP) began share trade on November 16 as the largest-ever issue with 135 crore shares worth Tk 10 each.

-New Nation

Death warrants against Bangabandhu killers Jan 3

2009-12-31T06:55:00.003-08:00

The District and Sessions Judge's Court, Dhaka will issue the death warrants against the five convicted killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman assassination case on January 3 next year, Law Minister Shafique Ahmed said.
He told newsmen at his secretariat office that the record and judgment of the case have already sent to the trial court.

জাতীয় সংসদ সদস্য ফজলে নূর তাপসের গাড়িতে বোমা হামলা [২১ অক্টোবর ২০০৯]

2009-12-30T20:07:00.000-08:00

ঢাকার পিলখানায় সশস্ত্র ও সহিংস বিডিআর বিদ্রোহ [২৫ ফেব্রুয়ারি ২০০৯]

2009-12-30T19:57:00.000-08:00

Clock returns to BST tonight

2009-12-30T19:53:00.000-08:00

The clock will be adjusted back by an hour tonight to its original GMT-based timing position.

At a regular cabinet meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the clock will be pushed back to 10:59pm from 11:59pm midnight to set the GMT plus 6 hours timing.

She also directed the authorities concerned to take all measurers so that people do not have to suffer due to time change, meeting sources said.

The cabinet on December 24 decided to keep the Bangladesh Standard Time until March 31 next year.

On March 31, the clock would be put forward again by an hour from 11:59pm as part of daylight saving measurers and will continue till 11:59pm of October 31.

On October 31 midnight, the clock would be pushed back to 10:59pm from 11:59pm to set the GMT plus 6 hours timing.

Earlier, the cabinet approved the decision to implement DST on June 2 and it first came into effect on June 19, when the clocks went forward one hour.

The power-saving measure was taken in the wake of nagging power crisis in the country and the government claims that 200-megawatt of electricity has been saved due to introduction of DST.

Sources said Bangladesh Biman and Bangladesh Railway have already taken necessary measurers so that people do not face any problems due to time change.

Daily Star

Some Special Picturess

2009-12-30T19:48:00.000-08:00

About Bangladesh

2009-12-30T19:38:00.000-08:00

The beautiful nation of Bangladesh is a riverine country in Southeast Asia borders at the South East part of India and partially borders with Myanmar (Burma). The country contains the confluence of Ganges, Padma, Meghna, Jamuna, and Brahmaputra rivers and their tributaries empties into the Bay of Bengal. 90% of the Bangladesh’s flat land is about 35 feet (i.e., 10 meters) above sea-level. The population is close to 140 millions. Bangladesh is considered the most densely populated agricultural country in the world. Bangladesh is approximately the size of Wisconsin, USA. Bangladesh is a democratic nation with 3 major political parties.

The economic growth in Bangladesh has been pretty steady at approximately at 4.9% annually for the last decade. Manufacturing of ready-made garments and exporting of frozen shrimp and seafood internationally being the nation’s number one and two major export and foreign revenue earning channels. Once upon a time not more than 30-40 years ago, Bangladesh was considered the most major jute (“Golden Jute” or “Sonar Aash”) exporting country in the world. Bangladesh is also agriculturally very developed nation with the production of rice and wheat for international export. The discovery of substantial reserves of natural gas in Bangladesh could significantly boost the country's economy and the people's well-being if the reserves are managed carefully.
The concept of micro-credit program internationally started in Bangladesh with the creation of Grameen Bank by Prof. Mohammad Yonus for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 along with Grameen Bank.

Some Interesting Facts* about Bangladesh:

Official Name: The People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Official Language: Bengali, English (the 2nd Language)

Capital City: Dhaka (Dacca), Bangladesh

National Independence: March 26, 1971 (from Pakistan)

Population: Approximately 140 million (at a 1.9% growth rate)

Ethnicity: 98% Bengali, 2% Non-Bengali

Religion: 88% Muslim, 10% Hindu, and 2% Buddhist, Christian, & Others

System of Government: Parliamentary Democracy

GNP/Capita: $440.00

GDP Growth Rate: 6.3% (Annually)

GDP Composition: By sector – Agriculture: 21%, Industry: 27%, Services: 52%

Adult Literacy: Overall 41% with 47% Female, 29% Male

Life Expectancy: 63.5 Years (female and male)

* Date Collected from World Bank Development Indicator Database, April 2006

31st night: 10,000 security personnel to be deployed

2009-12-30T19:29:00.000-08:00

The law enforcement agencies will deploy about 10,000 security men including 5,000 members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in the city on 31st December so that public nuisance cannot occur during the New Year's Day celebrations.

Law enforcement agencies and intelligence bodies across the country have already been put on alert to stave off any untoward incident, DG RAB, Hassan Mahmood Khandkar, told reporters yesterday. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner AKM Shahidul Haque said through a press release that policemen would be on duty as part of security measures on the day. DMP Commissioner said police would remain alert and all security measures would be in place to ensure safety and security of the city dwellers.

RAB members and intelligence agencies will also keep vigil at important city points and on the streets from this afternoon to ensure safety. The city police, meanwhile, has tightened security in and around the diplomatic enclave. A number of mobile teams of law enforcers will keep vigil at city points from today to check any unpleasant incident marking the occasion. The police said in a press release that transport movement on some city areas would be restricted at night on December 31. All the roads and crossings, except for Kakali and Phoenix Road (Gulshan Shooting Club) leading to Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara will be put under watch.

The ban on traffic will be in force on the streets around Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Nilkhet, Plassey crossing, Bakshibazar, Chankharpool, Nimtali, Government Employees' Hospital, and the Supreme Court building. No one but students of Dhaka University and the residents of the campus will be allowed to enter the area after 8:00pm today. But the residents can go outside the campus using any road. Ambulances, fire brigade and vehicles of other emergency services will be kept out of the purview of the restrictions. "We have strengthened security measures around the diplomatic zone,' said a senior official of the DMP yesterday. The official said the deployment of law enforcers has been doubled in the diplomatic zone, especially for the embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, India and the Middle-East countries.

-New Nation

ঢাকা কেন্দ্রীয় কারাগারের ১৪০ কর্মচারীকে শাস্তি

2009-12-26T01:12:00.000-08:00

বাইরে থেকে একটি টেনিস বল এসে পড়েছে ঢাকা কেন্দ্রীয় কারাগারের পূর্ব দেয়ালের ভেতরে। দায়িত্বরত কারারক্ষী ভেবেছিলেন, বাইরে স্থানীয় ছেলেরা হয়তো ক্রিকেট খেলছে এবং এটি তাদেরই বল। কিন্তু বলটি নিয়ে দেখা গেল এটি খুব শক্ত। সন্দেহ হলে ওপরের স্কচটেপ খুলে দেখা গেল ভেতরে গাঁজা ভর্তি।

ঢাকা কেন্দ্রীয় কারাগার ঘিরে আছে কঠোর নিরাপত্তা। আছে কারারক্ষী ছাড়াও বিভিন্ন গোয়েন্দা সংস্থার নজরদারি। এর মধ্যেই ২১ ডিসেম্বর ঘটেছে এই ঘটনা। ধারণা করা হচ্ছে, ভেতরের কারও সঙ্গে যোগাযোগের পরই গাঁজাভর্তি বলটি ভেতরে ছুড়ে দেওয়া হয়।

তবে ঢাকা কেন্দ্রীয় কারাগারে এটি এখন আর কোনো বিচ্ছিন্ন ঘটনা নয়। গত ১৬ ডিসেম্বর প্রধান কারারক্ষী হাবিলদার ইউনুস মিয়া বন্দীদের কাছে মাদক সরবরাহ করতে গিয়ে ধরা পড়েছেন। একই দিন অবৈধভাবে এক বন্দীর কাছে দুই হাজার টাকা পৌঁছানোর সময় কারারক্ষী হারুন অর রশিদ ধরা পড়েন। তাঁদের দুজনকে চাকরি থেকে সাময়িক বরখাস্ত করা হয়। বিভাগীয় মামলা হয়েছে তাঁদের বিরুদ্ধে। এর দুই মাস আগে কারাগারের কর্মকার সাইফুল ইসলামকে ২০টি ইয়াবা বড়িসহ গ্রেপ্তার করা হয়।

শুধু এই তিনজন নয়, গত এক বছরে বন্দীদের কাছে মাদক সরবরাহ ও তাঁদের কাছ থেকে অবৈধ সুযোগ-সুবিধা আদায়সহ বিভিন্ন অভিযোগে কেন্দ্রীয় কারাগারের ১৪০ জন কর্মচারীর বিরুদ্ধে শাস্তিমূলক ব্যবস্থা নেওয়া হয়েছে। এর মধ্যে ১১ জনকে চাকরি থেকে সাময়িক বরখাস্ত করা হয়েছে। ৬৮ জনের বিরুদ্ধে করা হয়েছে বিভাগীয় মামলা। আরও ৬১ জনের বিরুদ্ধে কারাবিধি অনুযায়ী নেওয়া হয় শাস্তিমূলক ব্যবস্থা। কেন্দ্রীয় কারাগারে মোট কর্মচারীর সংখ্যা সাড়ে সাত হাজার।

কারা অধিদপ্তরের ঢাকা বিভাগের উপমহাপরিদর্শক (ডিআইজি প্রিজন) গোলাম হায়দার জানান, অতীতের যেকোনো সময়ের চেয়ে বর্তমানে ঢাকা কেন্দ্রীয় কারাগারে কঠোর নজরদারি ও নিরাপত্তাব্যবস্থা রয়েছে। প্রশাসন কঠোর হওয়ার কারণে গত এক বছরে অভিযুক্ত অনেক কর্মচারীকে চাকরি থেকে সাময়িক বরখাস্ত করাসহ তাঁদের বিরুদ্ধে কারাবিধি অনুযায়ী শাস্তিমূলক ব্যবস্থা নেওয়া হয়েছে।

সূত্র জানায়, গতকাল শুক্রবার ঢাকা কেন্দ্রীয় কারাগারে প্রায় সাড়ে নয় হাজার বন্দী ছিল। এর মধ্যে মহিলা বন্দী সাড়ে ৯০০। সূত্রমতে, মহিলা বন্দীদের প্রায় অর্ধেক মাদক বহনকারী বা খুচরা বিক্রেতা। আছে ইয়াবাসেবী কয়েকজন তরুণীও। কারাসূত্র জানায়, বন্দীদের শতকরা ৩০ ভাগ মাদক সেবন, মাদক বহন ও মাদক ব্যবসার সঙ্গে জড়িত।

দায়িত্বরত বিভিন্ন গোয়েন্দা সংস্থার সদস্যরা জানান, কারাগারের কর্মচারীরা নানা ধরনের অপরাধে জড়িয়ে পড়েছেন। তাঁরা বন্দীদের সঙ্গে অবৈধ যোগাযোগ স্থাপন, দেখা করতে আসা স্বজনদের হয়রানি করে অর্থ আদায় করছেন।

জানা গেছে, আগে বন্দীরা আদালতে হাজিরা দিয়ে ফেরার সময় সিগারেটের প্যাকেটে গাঁজা নিয়ে ঢুকতেন। আর মাদক ব্যবসায়ীরা আত্মীয় পরিচয় দিয়ে পাউরুটি ও কাপড় কাচা সাবানের ভেতরে গাঁজা, চিঁড়ার তৈরি মোয়ার ভেতরে হেরোইন, নারকেল তেলের বোতলে ফেনসিডিল পাঠাতেন বন্দীদের জন্য। বিষয়টি কারা কর্তৃপক্ষের নজরে এলে বাইরে থেকে বন্দীদের খাবার কিংবা অন্যান্য মালামাল ঢোকা বন্ধ করে দেওয়া হয়। পরে কর্তৃপক্ষ কারাগারের ভেতরে বন্দীদের কেনাকাটার জন্য দোকান ও বেকারি চালু করে। সূত্রটি বলছে, বাইরে থেকে এই পন্থায় মাদক ঢোকা বন্ধ হয়ে যাওয়ায় কারাগারের কিছু দুর্নীতিপরায়ণ কর্মকর্তা-কর্মচারী এখন কৌশলে টুপির নিচে, মোজার ভেতরে, শার্টের কলারে গুঁজে, শরীরের গোপন স্থানে লুকিয়ে, সিগারেটের প্যাকেটে, কলার ভেতর ভরে মাদক নিয়ে বন্দীদের হাতে পৌঁছে দিচ্ছেন।

ঢাকা কেন্দ্রীয় কারাগারে মাদকসেবীদের যাঁরা চিকিত্সাসেবা দিয়ে থাকেন এমন কয়েকজন চিকিত্সক নাম প্রকাশ না করার শর্তে প্রথম আলোকে বলেন, এই কারাগারে মোট বন্দীর ৩০ শতাংশ মাদক ব্যবসায়ী, বহন ও সেবনকারী। বিভিন্ন থানা ও গোয়েন্দা পুলিশের হাতে ধরা পড়ার পর তাঁদের ঠিকানা হয় কারাগার। মাদকাসক্ত হওয়ার কারণে তাঁরা যেকোনো মূল্যে মাদক হাতে পাওয়ার চেষ্টা করেন।

সম্প্রতি ঢাকা কেন্দ্রীয় কারাগার থেকে বের হয়ে আসা গোপীবাগের রিয়াজ হোসেন জানান, কারা অভ্যন্তরে সেল ও খাতার সামনে প্রায়ই গাঁজার উত্কট গন্ধ নাকে লাগত। চিহ্নিত কিছু হাজতি ও কয়েদি সিগারেটের ভেতরে গাঁজা ভরে সেবন করেন। নানা কৌশলে বন্দীরা সহজেই হাতে পেয়ে যান ইয়াবা, হেরোইনের মতো ভয়ংকর মাদক।

জাতীয় মানসিক স্বাস্থ্য হাসপাতালের চিকিত্সক অধ্যাপক মো. ওয়াজিউল আলম চৌধুরী প্রথম আলোকে বলেন, মাদকাসক্তি এক ধরনের ছোঁয়াচে মানসিক রোগ। মাদকের সরবরাহ থাকলে সহজে এক ব্যক্তি থেকে অন্য ব্যক্তিতে তা ছড়াতে পারে। যেহেতু ঢাকা কেন্দ্রীয় কারাগারে একসঙ্গে অনেক মানুষ থাকে এবং এদের অনেকের মধ্যে হতাশাও বেশি। তাই সেখানে এই ঝুঁকিটা অনেক বেশি।

ওয়াজিউল আলম চৌধুরী বলেন, কারা চিকিত্সকদের মাদকাসক্তি ও মানসিক রোগ সম্পর্কে সাধারণ ধারণা ও প্রশিক্ষণ থাকা জরুরি। তিনি বলেন, মাদকাসক্ত শনাক্ত হলে ওই ব্যক্তিকে ঢাকা কেন্দ্রীয় কারাগারে রাখা উচিত হবে না। তাঁকে পাবনা মানসিক হাসপাতালে চিকিত্সার জন্য পাঠানো যেতে পারে। এ ছাড়া কারা কর্তৃপক্ষ জাতীয় মানসিক স্বাস্থ্য হাসপাতাল কর্তৃপক্ষেরও পরামর্শ নিতে পারে।

অপরাধের গুরুত্ব বিবেচনা করে অভিযুক্ত কর্মচারীদের সাময়িক বরখাস্ত, বিভাগীয় মামলা, শাস্তিমূলক প্যারেড, বিনা বেতনে ছুটি, বিলম্বে বেতন প্রদান, বার্ষিক বেতন বৃদ্ধি ও পদোন্নতি স্থগিত করা হয়েছে।

কারাগারের অনিয়ম-অব্যবস্থা পর্যবেক্ষণ করে তা মন্ত্রণালয়ে লিখিত আকারে জানানোর জন্য বেসরকারি কারা পরিদর্শক কমিটি থাকে। তবে বর্তমানে ঢাকা কেন্দ্রীয় কারাগারে বেসরকারি কারা পরিদর্শক কমিটি আছে কি না, তা জানতে কারা কর্তৃপক্ষ এবং জেলা প্রশাসনের সঙ্গে যোগাযোগ করা হয়। দুটি প্রতিষ্ঠানের কেউ এ ব্যাপারে নিশ্চিত করে কিছু বলতে পারেনি।

তবে মেয়াদোত্তীর্ণ কমিটির বেসরকারি কারা পরিদর্শক মানবাধিকারকর্মী এলিনা খান বলেন, এক-এগারোর পর ঢাকা কেন্দ্রীয় কারাগারে মাদক ব্যবসা বা সেবন দুটোই বন্ধ ছিল। এখন তা আগের অবস্থায় ফিরে আসছে বলে অভিযোগ পাওয়া যাচ্ছে।

-Prothom-Alo

সরকারি ক্যাডারদের পেটে কুষ্টিয়ার প্রয়াত মুক্তিযোদ্ধার জমি ও মেহগনি গাছ

2009-12-26T01:02:00.000-08:00

কুষ্টিয়ার কুমারখালীর গ্রামে প্রয়াত এক মুক্তিযোদ্ধার ছয় বিঘা জমি দখলের পর এবার তার গাছ কেটে নিয়েছে সরকারদলীয় ক্যাডাররা। বৃহস্পতিবার সকালে ৩৫ জন শ্রমিক লাগিয়ে ১২টি মেহগনি গাছ কেটে ফেলে সন্ত্রাসীরা। তবে পুলিশের বাধার মুখে শেষ পর্যন্ত গাছগুলো সরিয়ে নিতে পারেনি তারা। এ ব্যাপারে কুমারখালী থানায় একটি অভিযোগ দেয়া হয়েছে। কয়েক মাস আগে সন্ত্রাসীরা ওই মুক্তিযোদ্ধার ছয় বিঘা ফসলি জমি দখল করে নেয়।

গতকাল সকালে কুমারখালীর শিলাইদহ ইউনিয়নের কল্যাণপুর গ্রামে গিয়ে দেখা গেছে, প্রয়াত মুক্তিযোদ্ধা আবদুর রাজ্জাকের বাগানে হামলা করে ১২টি মেহগনি গাছ কেটে ফেলে সন্ত্রাসীরা। স্থানীয়রা জানান, মুক্তিযোদ্ধা আবদুর রাজ্জাক মারা যাওয়ার পর তার বাড়িতে কোনো পুরুষ লোক না থাকার সুযোগ নিয়ে একই গ্রামের সরকারদলীয় ক্যাডার আজাদুর রহমান, জেহাদ, মাজেদুর রহমান, জালাল প্রামাণিক, তমিজ প্রামাণিক, মফিজ, রেজন, আজিবর, শফিকুল ও সবুজসহ আরও কিছু লোক তার লাগানো গাছ বিক্রি করে দেয়। গতকাল শ্রমিকরা এসে গাছ কাটা শুরু করে। মুক্তিযোদ্ধা আবদুর রাজ্জাকের সহধর্মিণী গাছ কাটার প্রতিবাদ করায় সন্ত্রাসীরা তাকেও অকথ্য ভাষায় গালাগাল করে মারার হুমকি দেয়। খবর পেয়ে কুমারখালী থানার পুলিশ এলে পালিয়ে যায় সন্ত্রাসীরা। কাটা গাছগুলো স্থানীয় মেম্বারের জিম্মায় রাখা হয়েছে।

কুমারখালী থানার অফিসার ইনচার্জ (ওসি) আতিয়ার রহমান জানান, স্থানীয় একটি সন্ত্রাসী বাহিনী মুক্তিযোদ্ধা রাজ্জাকের পরিবারের নানাভাবে ক্ষতি করে আসছে। এ ব্যাপারে কয়েকবার সালিশও হয়েছে। তিনি বলেন, যারা গাছ কাটার ঘটনায় জড়িত, তাদের বিরুদ্ধে ব্যবস্থা নেয়া হবে। নাম প্রকাশে অনিচ্ছুক এলাকার জনৈক ব্যবসায়ী জানান, মুক্তিযোদ্ধা আবদুর রাজ্জাক মারা যাওয়ার পর থেকে তার অসুস্থ স্ত্রী ছাড়া বাড়িতে কেউ থাকেন না। এ সুযোগ নিয়ে আওয়ামী লীগ সমর্থিত স্থানীয় চিহিৃত কিছু সন্ত্রাসী তার জমি, বাগান দখল করার পাঁয়তারা করে আসছে। এ নিয়ে থানায় মামলাও হয়েছে। তিনি জানান, কয়েক মাস আগে সন্ত্রাসীরা মাঠের ফসলি জমি দখল করে নিয়ে তা ভোগদখল করছে। কুষ্টিয়ার সহকারী পুলিশ সুপার (সদর সার্কেল) সিএ হালিম জানান, একজন মুক্তিযোদ্ধার পরিবারের ওপর এরকম নির্যাতনে যারা জড়িত, তারা যতো প্রভাবশালী হোক না কেন ব্যবস্থা নেয়া হবে। বর্তমান সরকার ক্ষমতায় আসার পর সন্ত্রাসী গ্রুপটি মুক্তিযোদ্ধা আবদুর রাজ্জাকের বাড়িতে হামলা ও লুটপাটও চালায় কয়েক দফা। স্থানীয় আওয়ামী লীগ নেতা আবদুল মান্নানের ছত্রছায়ায় সন্ত্রাসীরা এ ধরনের ঘটনা ঘটাচ্ছে বলেও আবদুর রাজ্জাকের পরিবারের লোকজন ও এলাকাবাসী জানিয়েছে। পুলিশের ওপরও তারা প্রভাব বিস্তার করে এ পরিবারটিকে এলাকা ছাড়া করার পাঁয়তারা করছে।

এদিকে মুক্তিযোদ্ধা আবদুর রাজ্জাকের জমি দখল ও গাছ কাটার নিন্দা জানিয়েছেন মুক্তিযোদ্ধাসহ বিভিন্ন রাজনৈতিক দলের নেতারা। এ ব্যাপারে কুমারখালী থানায় অভিযোগ দিয়েছে আবদুর রাজ্জাকের পরিবারের লোকজন।

সূত্রঃ http://www.jaijaidin.com/details.php?nid=167440

PM asks armed forces to help build graft-free nation

2009-12-26T00:57:00.000-08:00

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday called upon the members of the armed forces to work together to build a nation free from corruption, poverty and hunger. She also asked them to stay always prepared for the first and foremost duty of safeguarding the independence and sovereignty of the country even at the cost of the last drop of blood.

The premier was addressing the combined president's parade of the newly commissioned officers of Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force at Bangladesh Military Academy at Bhatiary in Chittagong in the morning, reports our staff correspondent in Chittagong. Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu had realised the necessity of building a strong and ideal armed force immediately after the independence.

Accordingly, Bangladesh Military Academy was set up at Comilla Cantonment in 1974, she added. Addressing the first president's parade of the first batch cadet of BMA on January 11, 1975, Bangabandhu said, "I want to see a Sonar Bangla," the prime minister mentioned in her speech. A total of 183 cadets including 125 cadets from army, 32 midshipmen from navy and 23 flight cadets from air force were commissioned in today's ceremony.

Besides, five army cadets, and five midshipmen cadets from Palestine and one midshipmen cadet from the Maldives were commissioned through this parade. Battalion Senior Under officer Shafiur Rahman was adjudged with the best all-round cadet in the 61st BMA long course and awarded with the sword of honour. Midshipmen Md Abdullah Al Momin of Midshipmen Batch 2008A was awarded with sword of honour for his best performance among the naval cadets. Flight cadet Sergeant Md Saiful Monir was awarded with the sword of honour for his best performance among the flight cadets.

-Daily star

Bangladeshi officer to lead Ivory Coast peace mission

2009-12-26T00:52:00.000-08:00

The United Nations is going to appoint a Bangladeshi major general as the force commander of its peacekeeping mission in Ivory Coast. Chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on defence ministry M Idris Ali said this to newsmen at Zia International Airport on his arrival from an official visit to the peacekeeping missions in Ivory Coast and Congo.

He also revealed some problems the Bangladeshi peacekeepers are facing abroad, saying the committee would submit recommendations to the government in this regard, reports ATN Bangla. The recommendations would include taking initiatives to provide the Bangladeshi soldiers with cheap phone call rates for talking to the country and chartering airbus to fly them home during annual vacations.

-Daily Star

BDR set to recruit over 1,000 jawans

2009-12-26T00:49:00.001-08:00

Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) will take on 1,073 new members in January in its first recruitment since the mutiny at Pilkhana headquarters on February 25-26 this year.

BDR DG Major General Mainul Islam yesterday told The Daily Star they have taken the recruitment decision to resolve the manpower crisis that the border force faces with a huge number of its troops detained on mutiny charges. He said a circular for recruitment of 73 non-paramilitary personnel has already been published, while another one for recruitment of 1,000 troops is coming up. Of the 1,000 soldiers, 482 will be recruited in general quota and the rest 518 in quotas for Ansar and VDP, indigenous populace, government orphanages and the children of freedom fighters.

The recruitment tests will begin on January 14 and continue till January 28. They would be held at different BDR camps and metropolitan and district headquarters. BDR officials will select recruits and issue them appointment letters-- all on the examination day. Meanwhile, the BDR authorities plan to begin departmental trial of those charged with mutiny at Pilkhana headquarters before CID submits its charge sheet in the carnage case, said sources.

CID, on the other hand, would take more time to complete the mutiny probe, though the home ministry earlier said the investigation report would be submitted before the year ends, added the sources. Asked when she thinks CID would submit probe report, Home Minister Sahara Khatun yesterday told The Daily Star, "It's not possible to set a timeline if you want a thorough investigation.” She said the government wanted to complete the probe within the first year in office. But now it finds it might take a little longer, as the investigation is opening up new angles and the task is proving extensive. “The CID officials are trying their best to complete the probe as soon as possible.” The government would strive for a fair trial of the mutiny case, she added.

Speaking in return for anonymity, a top-ranking BDR official yesterday told The Daily Star, "If the departmental trial is not completed before CID turns in its charge sheet, the trials at the special courts might be delayed with the accused taking out stay on the proceedings." Major General Mainul Islam however would not comment on the matter. Sources in the BDR and home ministry said the government wants to complete the departmental proceedings first to avert potential legal complexities. In November, BDR formed six special courts headed by its director general to try around 7,000 border troops on charges of mutiny across the country. The courts have already begun trials in Rangamati, Bandarban, Satkhira and Feni. According to the rules, charges are pressed and arrest warrants issued on the opening day of the special trial, and on the second day, the accused are produced before the court.

-Daily Star

Moriarty for dialogue among political parties: TIFA to promote trade ties, he says

2009-12-26T00:44:00.001-08:00

US Ambassador James Moriarty has said Bangladesh is an impressively vibrant democracy but it has to be made stronger and the country needs to insist on dialogue among political parties. "The best legislature is a place where government policy is examined and debated," he said in an interview with Dhaka Courier published on Friday. Moriarty's remarks coincide with the opposition BNP's continued abstention from parliament making it into a one-man show.

Asked about more FDI from US companies in Bangladesh as democracy here matures, the Ambassador said businesses, both foreign and domestic, are looking for places to invest where political environment is stable and rules are applied consistently and transparently. He said the nations with governments that provide an overarching regulatory framework for business and then step aside to allow the entrepreneurs to innovate will attract the most investment.

Asked which sectors contain the greatest potential for economic cooperation between Dhaka and Washington, Moriarty said US firms can provide technical expertise and investment in a range of sectors, including power, energy and information technology. He said the US government is also helping Bangladesh develop its competitiveness in seafood, horticulture and leather sectors. The US government is also looking for ways to partner with Bangladesh to provide agricultural development and food security.

Another way to promote closer trade and investment ties would be through Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), he said, adding that TIFA is an agreement that commits both sides to meeting regularly to discuss trade and investment issues. "It (TIFA) would guarantee regular attention to Bangladesh by senior USG trade officials, and it includes a mechanism for businessmen to provide input on issues of importance to investors," Moriarty noted.

On US cooperation to Bangladesh to deal with climate change, the Ambassador said since 2007, the US government's assistance to Bangladesh has increased and is projected to double by 2010. One of the key areas of the US assistance is building Bangladesh's internal capacity to mitigate and respond to natural disasters. Moriarty said the US views Bangladesh as a leader on climate change. Just this week President Obama spoke with Prime Minister Hasina to help reach a robust agreement in Copenhagen. President Obama emphasized his desire to reach a pragmatic solution that encompasses action by all countries. Asked about President Obama's intention to continue assistance in Bangladesh's three areas --- education, healthcare and disaster management --- the Ambassador said the US government assistance in the education sector is focused on improving education opportunities for pre-primary children.

In the health sector, the US collaborates closely with Bangladesh to increase access for the poor to a broad spectrum of affordable and quality health services. In fiscal 2009, the US government provided more than $ 50 million in medical commodities, operational support, training, technical assistance to public private healthcare providers. In the filed of disaster management, he said Bangladesh most recently received $ 75 million in supplemental funds to assist the victims of Cyclone Sidr. Moriarty said US development programmes continue to focus on building economic resilience and better warning systems to save lives and help the communities at risk mitigate the devastating effect of natural disasters.

-New Nation

Power grid gets 1,360 MW by March

2009-12-26T00:38:00.001-08:00

A total of 1,360 megawatts power would be added to the national grid in next three months, said the chairman of a parliamentary standing committee on Thursday. Maj Gen (retd) Shubid Ali Bhuiyan, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on energy, oil and mineral resources ministry, said 960 MW would be added to national grid by January next and 400 MW by March.

After a meeting of the committee at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Bhuiyan told reporters that the additional power would mean to cut sufferings of the people. Bhuiyan, also a lawmaker, said this amount of the electricity would be generated on completion of renovation of several power plants including plants at Sirajganj, Bogra, Ashuganj and Fenchuganj, said. "It's going to be possible to add 1,360 megawatts power due to sincerity of the present government. The last caretaker government took up some projects that we kept up," Bhuiyan added.

He also informed that the road show in UK, New York and Singapore garnered huge response as about 56 foreigners and 22 non-resident Bangladeshi's expressed their interests to invest in energy sector. The retired army officer said, “Positive response has been received regarding investment in power sector from the road show while a government delegation attended the show.” Bhuiyan said a three-member parliamentary sub-committee was formed headed by lawmaker Fazle Noor Taposh to examine the amendments to ‘The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Act 2003’ and ‘Bangladesh Gas Law 2009’.

-Daily star

The Rotten Politics

2009-12-24T04:00:00.000-08:00

This is our country's old politics. We are not going forward so fast bcz of our government. Yes, I have the right to say that- I am a citizen of this country and I love my country. I have rights to say what is bad.

The reason I do not like politics bcz of their ignorance and consideration for the opposite parties. Recently I have heard that - In the ' List of Name Changing ' the are going to change the name of the Zea International Airport.

It's a shame for all of us. Please do not look at it in a political view. Why are not these politician shamed of themselves? The are unable deliver a full rights of the mass public. We are champion in corruption. We have poverty - we have illiteracy. And a lots of problems. Yet the ruling party is now doing some funny and childish things.

Changing the names is not development. Killing the workers of opposition is not development. What are they trying to prove. Still walking in the path of the ignorance.

2.4 billion Padma Bridge tender in Feb'10

2009-12-21T20:16:00.000-08:00

The government is going to float tender in February for constructing the Padma Bridge that will now cost US$ 2.4 billion as the estimated expenses have been overrun with the lapse of time.

According to the Finance and the Communications Ministers, the construction of the 6.15-kilometer-long bridge will be completed within the tenure of this government. After holding an inter-ministerial meeting on Padma Bridge financing and implementation Monday, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said that the previous estimate for constructing the mega-bridge was US$ 1.4 billion. “But after the completion of the engineering physical study we found that it will cost 2.4 billion,” he told reporters at his ministry.

Planning Minister AK Khandaker, Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain and Finance Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Mashiur Rahman were among others present at the meeting. Of the total amount, the World Bank would give US$ 1.2 billion, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will give US$ 550 million, Japan US$ 300 million, the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) US$ 120 million and Abu Dhabi Development Fund will give US$ 31 million. The rest of the money will be funded by the government to construct the 23.6-meter-wide bridge over the mighty river, the Padma that cuts off country’s southwest from the capital. The bridge will have 13.79 kilometres of approach roads with four-lane facility at both ends. Responding to a question, the Finance Minister said that there is no gap for financing the ‘much-talked-about’ Padma Bridge.
“Already we have the indication from World Bank, ADB, Japan government, IDB and Abu Dhabi Development Fund regarding the funding. But we have to wait till the signing of agreement,” he said.Regarding the appointment of coordinator, he said that the government would appoint a project coordinator from the funding donor agencies, and they discussed the issue. But, he said, the final announcement of the coordinator will be announced after getting the Prime Minister’s approval. Whoever the project coordinator, the organization will have to have ‘a high-power presence in the country’, said the Finance Minister. Sources in the Ministry said that the ‘high-power presence’ of the project coordinator would have to be above the station of country director. They mentioned that the project coordinator would be selected after verifying different matters related to the gigantic bridge.

Muhith said there will be a need of a good deal of expertise in the project of constructing the Padma Bridge. The first target of the government is to float the tender in February and fix the completion schedule of each step towards the construction of the bridge. The Finance Minister also hinted that the government would relax the rules for appointing experts and importing vehicles. Replying to a query, he said that the gap in the funding might be made up from the budget money or bond or public-private-partnership bond or anything like that. About the completion of the bridge, Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain said that the construction would be finished by the end of this government’s tenure.

The Finance Minister further said: “I’ve never seen the completing of all related procedures going on so fast like this project (Padma Bridge).” Finance Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Mashiur Rahman said: “You can say this project went on the backburner, but now it is taking off for flying.” The Communications Minister, replying to a question, said the bridge would contribute 1.2 percent to the country’s GDP growth. Finance Minister Muhith said that the government now started thinking about the development of the southeastern part of the country.

-The Independent

আট বছর পর লিগ চ্যাম্পিয়ন মোহামেডান

2009-12-21T20:11:00.000-08:00

‘শেষ ম্যাচ’ কথাটা দু-তিন দিন ধরেই উড়ছিল বাতাসে। শিরোপার মীমাংসা হবে শেষ ম্যাচে। কে জানত, শেষ ম্যাচে শুধু নয়, এবারের প্রিমিয়ার লিগের শিরোপা নির্ধারিত হবে শেষ বলে!
শেষ বলে ৪ রানের সে লড়াইয়ে সাদা-কালো মোহামেডান কাল শুধু আবাহনীকেই ৩ উইকেটে হারাল না, মিরপুর শেরেবাংলা স্টেডিয়ামে ঘটল আট বছরের প্রতীক্ষার সফল অবসান। আবাহনীর টানা চতুর্থবার লিগ চ্যাম্পিয়ন হওয়ার স্বপ্ন ভেঙে দিয়ে মোহামেডান ফিরিয়ে আনল ইতিহাস। শিরোপার স্বাদ তারা সর্বশেষ যেবার পেয়েছিল, সেই ২০০০-০১ মৌসুমেও মীমাংসা হয়েছিল শেষ ম্যাচে। সেবারও মোহামেডান চ্যাম্পিয়ন হয়েছিল আবাহনীকে হারিয়েই!
তবে প্রিমিয়ার লিগের নবম শিরোপা জয়ের পরও কাল একটা প্রশ্ন ঘুরে বেড়ানোর কথা মোহামেডান শিবিরে—কে জেতাল শিরোপা? আবাহনীর ৯ উইকেটে ২৭৩ রানের জবাবে মোহামেডান বিজয়ের আবেশে তো ঢুকল শেষ ১০ ওভারে! ৪০ ওভার পর্যন্তও যে ইনিংসটা চলল ঢিমেতালে, সেটাতেই জয়ের নিশান ওড়ানোয় কার অবদান সবচেয়ে বেশি? মোহাম্মদ আশরাফুল, মাহমুদউল্লাহ, ফয়সাল হোসেন, ম্যান অব দ্য ম্যাচ রানা নাভেদ-উল হাসান নাকি শেষ বলের নায়ক খালেদ মাসুদ! উত্তরটা এক কথায় হতে পারে ‘টিম স্পিরিট’।
জেতার জন্য শেষ দুই ওভারে মোহামেডানের প্রয়োজন ছিল ৩৪ রান। সাকিব আল হাসানের করা ৪৯তম ওভারেই এল ১৮! প্রথম বলে শাহজাদার সঙ্গে প্রান্ত বদলের পর রানা নাভেদ তৃতীয় ও চতুর্থ বলে মারলেন পর পর দুই ছক্কা। পরের বলে বাউন্ডারি, শেষ বলে ১ রান। শেষ ওভারে ১৬ রানের চ্যালেঞ্জে মোহামেডানের সব আশা-ভরসার কেন্দ্রবিন্দুতে চলে এলেন লিগের আগের ছয় ম্যাচেই হতাশ করা পাকিস্তানি এই অলরাউন্ডার। মোহাম্মদ রফিকের প্রথম বলে কোনো রান হলো না। পরের দুই বলে মিড উইকেট দিয়ে রানা নাভেদের ছক্কা। শেষ তিন বলে চাই ৪ রান—হঠাত্ই জয় চলে এল মোহামেডানের নাগালে। কিন্তু তখনো বাকি ছিল নাটক। পরের বলে কোনো রানই হলো না আর পঞ্চম বলে স্টাম্পড হয়ে গেলেন রানা নাভেদ!
শেষ বলে ৪ রান—চরম এক নাটকীয় মুহূর্তের অপেক্ষায় গোটা স্টেডিয়াম। অধিনায়ক মাসুদ কি পারবেন উত্তাল উল্লাস বইয়ে দিতে মোহামেডান শিবিরে? নাকি আকাশি-নীল আবাহনীর কাঁধে চড়ে মাঠ ছাড়বেন রফিক! শেষ বলটাতে মাসুদ যে রকম এলোমেলো ব্যাট চালালেন, অন্য সময় হলে হয়তো বিরক্তিতে ভ্রু কুঁচকাত সবাই। কিন্তু কাল রফিকের শেষ বলটা যখন মাসুদের ব্যাটের কানায় লেগে থার্ডম্যান দিয়ে মাঠের বাইরে চলে গেল, ক্রিকেট ব্যাকরণের পাতা ওল্টানোর সময় ছিল না কারোরই। উল্লাসে ফেটে পড়া মোহামেডান আনন্দের ঢেউ হয়ে মাঠে। সাউন্ড সিস্টেমে সুরের মূর্ছনা। অবাধ্য আবেগ নিরাপত্তার ফাঁক গলিয়ে মোহামেডান সমর্থকদের উত্সবকে কখনো-সখনো করে তুলছিল বেপরোয়া। বিষণ্ন বেদনায় স্তব্ধ আবাহনীর ড্রেসিংরুম। আকাশি-নীল রংটা যেন বড় বিবর্ণ তখন। এই হার যে শুধু শিরোপাই ছিনিয়ে নেয়নি, পয়েন্ট টেবিলে আবাহনীকে নিয়ে গেছে তৃতীয় স্থানে।
ম্যাচের শেষ দুই ওভারের বর্ণনায় মনে হতে পারে নায়ক বুঝি রানা নাভেদ আর মাসুদই। কিন্তু ম্যাচটাকে ওই অবস্থায় যাঁরা নিয়ে এলেন, সেই ফয়সাল হোসেন (৭৭) আর মাহমুদউল্লাহকে (৬৪) ভুলে যাবেন কীভাবে? ২৭তম ওভারে ১০৪ রানে চতুর্থ উইকেট পড়ার পর ৪৬তম ওভার পর্যন্ত একসঙ্গে থেকে পঞ্চম উইকেটে দুজনের ১১৫ রানের জুটি। তারও আগে ছিলেন আশরাফুল। সঙ্গী ওপেনার শামসুরকে দলের ২৭ রানে হারালেও তিনি উইকেটে ছিলেন ২৭তম ওভার পর্যন্ত। ইনিংসের ২৬.২ ওভারে দলকে ১০৪ রানে রেখে যখন রানআউট হয়ে ফিরছিলেন, আশরাফুলের (৫২) ওপর বিরক্ত হওয়ার অনেক কারণ ছিল মোহামেডান সমর্থকদের। ম্যাচ শেষে সেটা আর থাকল না। আশরাফুলের ফিফটির নতুন পরিচয় তখন মোহামেডানের জয়ের ভিত।
অথচ কাল সকালের সূর্যটা হেসেছিল আবাহনীর দিকে তাকিয়েই। টসে জিতে ব্যাটিং নিয়ে ১২০ রানে ৪ উইকেট হারানোর পর রাজ্জাকের ব্যাট ত্রাতা হয়েছে আবারও। তিন বাউন্ডারি আর ছয় ছক্কায় ৭১ বলে ৮৮ রানের ঝোড়ো ইনিংসের পথে পঞ্চম উইকেটে নাদিফ চৌধুরীর (৫৬) সঙ্গে ১০৭ রানের জুটি। এক রনি তালুকদার (৪৬) ছাড়া বাকি সবাই ব্যর্থ হলেও রাজ্জাক-নাদিফের ওই জুটিটাই চ্যালেঞ্জ ছুড়ে দিয়েছিল মোহামেডানের সামনে।
নাটকের শেষ অঙ্কের আগ পর্যন্ত যে চ্যালেঞ্জকে মোহামেডানের কাছে অনতিক্রম্য বলেই মনে হচ্ছিল।

-Prothom Alo

Govt moves to withdraw Tarique's case

2009-12-21T20:05:00.000-08:00

The government for the first time initiates withdrawal of an extortion case against BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman on grounds that it is 'politically motivated' and meant for 'harassment'. The prosecution will submit a petition with the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court in the first week of January next year seeking its withdrawal.

The case was filed on May 4, 2007 with Gulshan Police Station accusing businessman Giasuddin Al Mamun of extorting Tk 2.20 crore from an entrepreneur. Metropolitan Public Prosecutor (MPP) Mohammad Abdullah Abu told The Daily Star on Monday that the home ministry in a letter asked him to take necessary steps for withdrawal of the case. "I shall submit a petition with the court concerned in the first week of January for its withdrawal," he said.

The government on October 13 decided to withdraw the extortion case filed against Tarique, elder son of former premier Khaleda Zia, during the tenure of the last caretaker government. The home ministry sent a letter to the Dhaka District Magistrate asking him to send it to the MPP office for taking necessary steps. On September 2, the MPP recommended withdrawing one of the 11 cases against Tarique, considering it 'politically motivated' and meant for 'harassment'. Tarique's name was not included in the first information report of the case. But he was shown arrested in the case on the basis of Mamun's confessional statement.

Twenty cases were filed against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her family members during the tenure of the last caretaker government. On April 30, they appealed to the government for withdrawing all the cases against them. Tarique faces 12 cases -- seven for extortion charges, four for corruption and one for tax evasion. Khaleda's younger son Arafat Rahman Koko has been accused in five cases -- three for corruption and one each for money laundering and extortion.

-Daily Star

Martyred Intellectuals' Day today

2009-12-14T02:05:00.000-08:00

he nation today pays tribute to the martyred intellectuals amid increasing demand for trial of war criminals who systematically killed the country's prominent intellectuals and professionals on this day at the fag end of the 1971 Liberation War.

Sensing imminent defeat, the Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators -- Razakar, Al-Badr and Al-Shams -- picked up many eminent personalities including academics, doctors, engineers, journalists and teachers from their houses in Dhaka and killed them just two days before the nation achieved its victory.

Their bodies were dumped at Rayerbazar, Mirpur and a few other places in the city.

The martyred intellectuals include Prof Muneir Chowdhury, Dr Alim Chowdhury, Prof Muniruzzaman, Dr Fazle Rabbi, Sirajuddin Hossain, Shahidullah Kaiser, Prof GC Dev, JC Guha Thakurta, Prof Santosh Bhattacharya, Mofazzal Haider Chowdhury, journalists Khandaker Abu Taleb, Nizamuddin Ahmed, SA Mannan (Ladu Bhai), ANM Golam Mustafa, Syed Nazmul Haq and Selina Parvin.

Thirty-eight years have already passed since the heinous killings but the families of the martyred intellectuals are yet to witness the trial of the perpetrators.

Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid, who was the head of Al-Badr in Dhaka then, led the killings of intellectuals just two days before the country's independence, according to accounts of both victims and collaborators, publications including newspapers and secret documents of Pakistan home department.

Documents and newspapers published during and after the Liberation War said Jamaat Ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami, the then president of Islami Chhatra Shangha, was also the commander-in-chief of Al-Badr.

Jamaat's mouthpiece Dainik Sangram on September 15, 1971 quoted him as saying: "Everyone of us should assume the role of a soldier of an Islamic country. To assist the poor and the oppressed, we must kill those who are engaged in war against Pakistan and Islam."

The national flag along with black flags will be hoisted at half-mast today. The president, the prime minister, the leader of the opposition and leaders from various political parties will place wreaths at Mirpur martyred intellectuals' graveyard in the morning.

President Zillur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia gave messages on the eve of the Martyred Intellectuals Day.

The president in a message said the martyred intellectuals had always been vocal about establishing social and political rights of people.

The occupation forces had killed the intellectuals to impoverish the newborn nation intellectually, he said.

"The independent nation is grateful to the martyred intellectuals," said the president.

In her message, Hasina said the martyred intellectuals would be remembered forever through their deeds, ideals and patriotism.

"The nation will never forget their sacrifice," she said.

The premier said, "We have to uphold the achievements of the Liberation War and its spirit though combined efforts."

She also urged people to come forward to build a non-communal "Sonar Bangla" dreamt by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

- Daily star

শহীদদের প্রতি রাষ্ট্রপতি, প্রধানমন্ত্রী ও বিরোধীদলীয় নেত্রীর শ্রদ্ধা

2009-12-14T02:03:00.001-08:00

প্রতিবছরের মতো এবারও শহীদ বুদ্ধিজীবীদের প্রতি গভীর শ্রদ্ধা নিবেদনের মাধ্যমে জাতি পালন করছে শহীদ বুদ্ধিজীবী দিবস। শহীদদের প্রতি শ্রদ্ধা জানাতে শীতের সকালে রাজধানীর মিরপুর বুদ্ধিজীবী স্মৃতিসৌধ এবং রায়েরবাজার বধ্যভূমিতে ভিড় করতে শুরু করে নানা শ্রেণী-পেশার মানুষ।
সকালে রাষ্ট্রপতি জিল্লুর রহমান, প্রধানমন্ত্রী শেখ হাসিনা ও বিরোধীদলীয় নেত্রী বেগম খালেদা জিয়া মিরপুর বুদ্ধিজীবী স্মৃতিসৌধে শহীদদের প্রতি শ্রদ্ধা জানান। এ ছাড়া মন্ত্রিপরিষদের সদস্যরা এবং সরকারের ঊর্ধ্বতন কর্মকর্তারা শ্রদ্ধা জানান। তারপর একে একে শহীদদের প্রতি শ্রদ্ধা জানাতে শুরু করে বিভিন্ন রাজনৈতিক, সামাজিক ও সাংস্কৃতিক সংগঠন। শহীদ পরিবারের সদস্যরা শ্রদ্ধা জানাচ্ছেন হারানো স্বজনদের প্রতি।
প্রধানমন্ত্রীসহ মন্ত্রিসভার অন্যান্য সদস্য পরে সকাল সাড়ে নয়টার দিকে ধানমন্ডির ৩২ নম্বরে বঙ্গবন্ধুর প্রতিকৃতিতে শ্রদ্ধা জানান।
প্রধান বিরোধী দল বিএনপির চেয়ারপারসন বেগম খালেদা জিয়ার নেতৃত্বে দলের নেতারা সকাল ১০টার দিকে মিরপুর বুদ্ধিজীবী স্মৃতিসৌধে শ্রদ্ধা জানান। এর আগে রাষ্ট্রপতি, প্রধানমন্ত্রী এবং বিরোধীদলীয় নেত্রী গতকাল রোববার আলাদা আলাদা বাণীতে শহীদ বুদ্ধিজীবীদের স্মৃতির প্রতি শ্রদ্ধা ও তাঁদের পরিবারের প্রতি সমবেদনা জানান।
আওয়ামী লীগ ও বিএনপিসহ অন্যান্য রাজনৈতিক দল এবং সামাজিক ও সাংস্কৃতিক সংগঠন বিভিন্ন কর্মসূচির মধ্য দিয়ে দিবসটি পালন করছে। আওয়ামী লীগ বঙ্গবন্ধু আন্তর্জাতিক সম্মেলন কেন্দ্রে এবং বিএনপি ইঞ্জিনিয়ার্স ইনস্টিটিউশন মিলনায়তনে বিকেলে আলোচনা সভার আয়োজন করেছে।

- Prothom Alo

BCB picks ex-rebels for tri-nation series

2009-12-14T02:00:00.000-08:00

Bangladesh Cricket Board has provisionally picked 'ex-rebels' Shahriar Nafees, Aftab Ahmed and Alok Kapali, banned last year from representing their country after joining the lucrative but unauthorised Indian Cricket League, for an upcoming tri-nation series.

It marks BCB's first selection of the top players, along with wicketkeeper Dhiman Ghosh, since the ban was lifted following their departure from the rebel ICL. "I'm very happy with the news. I will try to perform better so that I can return to the national team," Nafees told bdnews24.com. The four players are included in a provisional 26-member squad for the series beginning on January 4 in Dhaka, where Bangladesh will square off against India and Sri Lanka.

The BCB in September 2008 imposed a lifetime ban on the 'Dhaka Warrior' team players on their joining the controversial Indian league. The team, led by former Bangladesh national team captain Habibul Bashar, later cancelled the agreement with the ICL as it failed to obtain the International Cricket Council's approval. BCB lifted the ban on the rebels, but kept a six-month "cooling period" up to the end of December, after which they have no further bar to return to international cricket.

Chief selector Rafiqul Alam said: "Their cooling period will come to an end this month and there will be no ban on them from January 1." "They have been selected based on their performance in the domestic cricket league. They ranked top in scoring runs. And Dhiman Ghosh has been included as wicketkeeper as Mushfiqur Rahim has suffered a shoulder injury," he said. Alam said if their performance was satisfactory in the camp, they could be included in the national squad for the tri-nation series in January.

The provisional squad

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (Capt), Shakib Al Hasan (V. Capt), Md. Ashraful, Abdur Razzak, Shahadat Hossain, Shahriar Nafees, Aftab Ahmed, Alok Kapali, Mushfiqur Rahim, Dhiman Ghosh, Tamim Iqbal, Syed Rasel, Zunaed Siddique, Mehrab Hossain Jr., Roqibul Hassan, Mahmud Ullah Riyad, Enamul Haque Jr., Nazmul Hossain, Naeem Islam, Imrul Kayes, Mahbubul Alam Robin, Rubel Hossain, Sagir Hossain, Dolar Mahmud, Shafiul Islam and Rabiul Islam.

-bdnews

Malaysia keen to set up palm oil refinery in Bangladesh

2009-12-13T03:43:00.001-08:00

Malaysia is interested to set up palm oil-based various industries, including palm oil refinery, in Bangladesh to meet its edible oil demand. Visiting Malaysian Minister for Plantation Industries and Commodities Bernard G Dompok showed the interest during a meeting with Industries Minister Dilip Barua at his ministry Saturday.

During the meeting, they discussed Malaysian investment in Bangladesh’s industrial sectors, including direct investment, joint investment and public-private partnership by Malaysian entrepreneurs. Dompok said Malaysian investors are interested to invest in some other sectors like rubber, coco and timber. Dilip Barua urged the Malaysian minister to legalize the illegal Bangladeshis now working there and import more workers from Bangladesh.

The Malaysian Minister assured the minister that he would try to give legal status to the Bangladeshis working in plantation industries and commodity sectors and import more Bangladeshi workers for these sectors. Dilip Barua suggested that Malaysian investors could invest in coal-based fertilizer production sector in Bangladesh.

-The Independent

Gas crisis hurts knit industry

2009-12-13T03:42:00.001-08:00

BKMEA president Fazlul Haque has said gas crisis is seriously affecting production in the knitwear industry. ‘We do not get 40 per cent gas of the total demand for the industry,’ he told a press briefing on Saturday ahead of a three-day international fair titled Knit-Tex.

This is the second annual exhibition organised by Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association and event management organisation Conference and Exhibition Management Limited. ‘If the government does not come forward to solving the crisis all the initiatives including its stimulus package to weather the impact of global downturn and the fair will end in failure,’ he said.

After the press conference Haque told bdnews24.com: ‘Our knitwear factories are based at Narayanganj. If the government makes proper arrangement of gas supply to this area most of the problems will be solved.’ The demand for power is less in the winter. Gas production depends on power. ‘The gas crisis can be resolved if the government supplies gas from Siddhirganj power station to the factories of Narayanganj,’ the BKMEA president suggested. ‘All our moves will be futile if we cannot make clothes due to paucity of gas,’ he said.

Commerce minister Faruq Khan will inaugurate the fair on Dec 10 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre. Seventy five companies of 15 countries are taking part in the fair. Bangladesh exports knitwear to over 100 countries of the world. The industry earned $ 6.46 billion in fiscal 2008-09. Bangladesh ranks third among the knitwear exporters.

-New Age

Dhaka Int’l Book Fair opens

2009-12-13T03:40:00.000-08:00

The information and cultural affairs minister, Abul Kalam Azad, on Friday said the government under the leadership of prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, is working for bringing about a positive changes in all fields to accelerate development and progress. He said the government would respond positively to any initiative and proposal from experts that would effectively contribute to development of society and mankind.

The minister said this while inaugurating as chief guest Dhaka International Book Fair 2009 at Suhrawardi Udayan in the afternoon. The National Book Centre (Jatiya Grantha Kendra) organised the book fair. The state minister for cultural affairs advocate, Promod Mankin, addressed the function as special guest. National professor, eminent educationist and writer Kabir Chowdhury and managing director of University Press Limited Mohiuddin Ahmed spoke as guests of honor.

Director of National Book Centre also spoke on the occasion. Secretary of cultural affairs ministry Hedayetul Al Mamun presided over the function. The finance minister, Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, judges of the supreme court, high government officials, among others, were present. The information minister said the government would set up libraries at district, upazila, and village levels to help building the habit of reading among the people. The habit of reading has been hampered due to the satellite culture, the minister said adding: ‘Despite it, the number of books published every year has increased with a rise in the sale which indicates that people’s thrust for knowledge is growing.’

Laying importance on publishing books and holding book fairs, the minister said book fairs are considered as very important events in city lives and the Ekushey Book Fair has its enormous impact on the city and the national lives. Urging the publishers, writers for publishing more books on science and technology, information communication technology, literature and also translated ones, the minister said the government would provide assistance on a priority basis for publishing quality books. There is a scarcity of sufficient books on science, technology and ICT in Bengali, he added.

Referring to contribution of books to the promotion of social life and human resources development, the minister said the book fairs are gaining popularity day by day and a specific site for holding the International Book Fair would help organize the fair on a particular date. ‘Land could be allocated by the government for holding International Book Fair,’ he said and sought help of from the finance minister in this regard.

Starting in 1995, the fair has now turned into an international level event, he said, adding publishers from Iran, Turkey and India are participating in the fair this year. ‘Bangladeshi publishers would also be able to participate in International Book Fairs being held elsewhere in the world,’ he said. The people are showing interests in books on culture, education, science, ICT, he said adding that books also contribute a lot in developing human resources.

Professor Kabir Chowdhury said books are the most trusted friends in the world and quality and knowledgeable books provide all time company to a reader. Books are the best gifts, he said and added that gifting someone with books could be much worthy than a dress worth Tk 5,000. He said there is no reason for doubt about building a secular, democratic, progressive and knowledge based Bangladesh as the present government is moving towards the right goal with some specific objectives.

-New Age

“Third Person Singular Number”: Behind the success story

2009-12-10T21:50:00.000-08:00

"Third Person Singular Number" would have to be the most promising film of the year. Though the cinematic work has not even been released in Bangladesh, it has already been selected to participate at major international film festivals. The film had its world premiere at the 14th Pusan International Film Festival, South Korea. A major share of credit for the success of "Third Person..." has to go to filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki.

"The experience was amazing. When the film was first selected to take part in Pusan International Film Festival (considered Asia's largest film festival), I was thrilled. Sadly most people don't know about it because we are not yet au fait about the Asian film festivals. There were 7,000 foreign distributors, festival directors from Berlin, Venice and other places. There was an audience of around 200,000 from various nations, backgrounds and cultures. Through this, our film got world access, with many reporters from around the world putting this film in their columns. The 10-minute question-answer episode at the festival got extended to 45 minutes. It was overwhelming! The autographs, the applause, the appreciation -- it all actually made me nervous," Farooki said.

Is the filmmaker known for his unusual approach to storytelling gung ho about the prospects of the film? "Yes, of course! It created a major buzz. It will travel to more film festivals. It's not a very complicated film. It has a lot of heart," he added on a lighter note. "This is a film about reality. It's my first film that got real international accolades. It was also one of the 18 films vying for the top prize at the recent Middle East International Film Festival in Abu Dhabi. 'Third Person...' was the only South Asian film to participate at the festival." "We didn't win the award, but meeting the legendary Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami was bigger than any award for me. I wanted to tell him that I consider him to be my mentor but the way he was praising my film made me so nervous that I couldn't manage to say how much I admire his work!"

Tisha, who played one of the central roles in "Third Person...", talked about her experiences. "I can't explain my excitement," she said enthusiastically, "as it had been screened at two major international festivals and had already been the centre of much curiosity even before it's release in Bangladesh. The expectations have become greater." "The feedback was awesome for me as it was my first feature film. Everyone's appreciation was overwhelming. This was perhaps the best experience for me because in the beginning I never even imagined that I would do a movie. My parents were also not keen on seeing me on the big screen. Thanks to Farooki and others friends whose help I enlisted, I could finally convince my parents and they gladly agreed. What came next, everyone knows. I found myself landing into one of the biggest projects of this year. When I read the script, the story was so good, I was like 'Oh my God, I don't want to lose it!’ "When I actually saw the final print, I couldn't believe it was me," she added.

What was the experience like for Topu? "It was a treat. It never felt like we were shooting a film. Farooki selects actors depending on the characters. Maybe he saw a connection between the character and me. I could do it only because he made it seem easy to me. I'm a musician, so this was totally a different experience. In acting you need to concentrate psychologically and physically, whereas in music you just let it flow," said the singer turned actor. "I couldn't attend the film festivals. The film is also going to Australia this December; hopefully I would be going to that one," Topu added. "I had missed South Korea, but of course I received updates on how things went," said actor Mosharraf Karim who played one of the lead roles. "Being a part of this film had been like a thrill-ride. The experience was unlike any other from the incipient stage when we were just working on it. "Everyone in the country is excited and waiting eagerly for its release. Wherever I go, people are asking me about it, and I find myself wondering the same as just like them I'm also anxiously waiting for it."

-Daily Star

Bangladeshi Models

2009-12-10T21:13:00.000-08:00

Most of the Bangladeshi rising models are not aware about their figure. The face look is some times good but it seems that they never look on their body. But with a charming look the need to concentrate on the body shape too.

Govt to build 176 monuments to war martyrs

2009-12-10T21:05:00.000-08:00

The government has decided to construct 176 monuments throughout the country to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War. The minister for liberation war affairs, ABM Tazul Islam, on Wednesday said the ministry had already selected sites in 64 districts to raise the monuments aiming at preserving the glorious history of the country’s independence.

The monuments will also be a source of knowledge for the new generation about the true history of the country’s independence, he told New Age. The Tk 57.95 crore project called ‘Construction of Monuments’ will be implemented by the Public Works Department. Sankar Kumar Malo, a sub-divisional engineer of PWD, said Tk 21 lakh would be spent for construction of each monument. The designs of the monuments have been finalised by the architecture department, he said. The project is expected to start in the current fiscal year and will be completed by 2013.

The government has undertaken two other projects – expansion of the Martyred Intellectuals Monument at Rayer Bazar and development of a new graveyard adjacent to the Martyred Intellectuals Monument. The project would cost Tk 397 crore on 102 acres where some 50,000 people could be buried. The expansion work of Martyred Intellectuals Monument, which includes a library, a hall room with audio-visual facilities, an art gallery, car park and boundary wall, would cost Tk 3,29,82000, a ministry official said.

-New Age

Economy grew, but didn't benefit poor

2009-12-10T21:03:00.000-08:00

Bangladesh witnessed significant economic growth in the last 15 years but the growth did not benefit the poorest people, said two UN experts studying extreme poverty.

“Even if poverty indicators point to a decline in poverty, some regions are lagging behind and segments of the population are not reaping the benefits, thus inequality is on the rise,” said Catarina de Albuquerque at a press conference at Sonargaon Hotel in the capital on Thursday. Catarina and Magdalena Sepulveda, two UN independent experts on safe drinking water and sanitation and extreme poverty respectively, made their statements at the press conference.

From December 3-10, they collected firsthand information from slums, Dalit colonies and Bihari camps in Dhaka, Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar and poor communities in Comilla and learned about social protection policies and access to water and sanitation. They also met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, high officials of various ministries, NGO officials and donor community. “We found people living in tremendously difficult conditions, which are a cause and consequence of a wide range of human rights violations suffered by many, particularly women, children, persons with disabilities, elderly, ethnic minorities, indigenous populations, migrants and refugees,” Catarina said in the joint statement.

“The state must put the extreme poor at the center of national policies and public debate,” she said, adding that around 40 percent people are poor and 20 percent extreme poor. This is the state despite significant progress of the country in poverty reduction, she noted. She urged the government to include explicit recognition of water and sanitation as human rights in the legislation, saying access to the services is linked to human development and they must be available.

-Daily Star

Sheikh Hasina chosen for Indira Gandhi Peace Prize

2009-12-10T20:59:00.000-08:00

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been selected for the prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development this year for her "outstanding contribution to the promotion of democracy and pluralism". This was decided by an international jury chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust said. The award, which carries a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh and a citation, would be presented to her at a function to be held at a later date.

Prime Minister Hasina has been chosen for her "outstanding contribution to the promotion of democracy and pluralism, her determined drive to alleviate poverty and secure social and economic justice for her people through inclusive and sustainable development and her consistent commitment to peace", it said. "After her re-election in December last year, Hasina embarked on her "Vision 2021", aimed at transforming Bangladesh into a middle-income country by 2021, by eliminating poverty and inequity, the Trust said.

As Prime Minister of Bangladesh from 1996 to 2001, she had launched a number of programmes to meet the basic needs of the poor and vulnerable sections of the population, through projects covering employment-generation, housing, health and food security, it said. Hasina "promoted peace by resolving a long standing insurgency (problem) in Bangladesh by concluding the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord.

Her global commitment to peace was manifested by her initiative that resulted in the adoption of the first-ever Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on the Culture and Peace", the Trust said. The assassination of her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other members of her family in 1975 transformed her life and, indeed, "the political landscape of Bangladesh", it said. "A number of attempts on her life and subsequent imprisonment only strengthened her resolve to restore democracy, peace and political stability in her country," it said.

-The Independent

Printing, sales of notebooks, guidebooks illegal: SC

2009-12-09T21:04:00.001-08:00

The government will launch a drive against the people involved in printing, distribution and sales of guidebooks for students up to secondary classes, the education minister, Nurul Islam Nahid, told New Age Wednesday night. Nahid said this when he was asked about the course of action of the government after the Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the High Court verdict that had declared illegal the printing, distribution and sales of guidebooks for primary and secondary students.

‘We are very much happy at the court’s verdict. The nation will benefit a lot from the order that has upheld the High Court verdict,’ he said. ‘Guidebooks hamper education and creativity of students and cause financial losses to guardians. As printers, publishers and distributors have lost the battle, there is no legal bar on taking action against them,’ he said. ‘We will launch a drive against guidebooks and notebooks.’ ‘I came to know that publishers remain busy publishing guidebooks instead of minding the job of textbooks printing and distribution. They can now be arrested and punished,’ he said.

National Curriculum and Textbook Board officials on Wednesday said they would conduct mobile courts in a day or two against the sellers and publishers of guidebooks. Several teachers on Wednesday said the students would not need guidebooks or notebooks if they could study textbooks. Guidebooks or notebooks up for sales across the country are full of mistakes and they misguide the students and often provide wrong information.

Popular writer Professor Muhammad Zafar Iqbal said, ‘Notebooks or guidebooks stop students from thinking and hold back their analytical and creative faculty.’ ‘There are some teachers involved in the production of notebooks and guidebooks and our students need to be saved from such teachers,’ he said. Former textbook board chairman Khandakar Abdul Hannan said, ‘In most cases, the content of notebooks or guidebooks, claimed to be written by “an expert headmaster” or “a group of experts,” are far from being up to the mark as they are actually written by incompetent people.’ ‘The publishing houses get the books written mostly by students, unemployed youths or other hired people,’ he said.

The Non-Government Teachers and Employees Alliance secretary general, M Jahangir Khan, said, ‘Meritorious students do not need guidebooks or notebooks. But there are a significant number of students who need guidebooks or notebooks.’ ‘I do not support any across-the-board ban on guidebooks,’ said Jahangir, who is the headmaster of a secondary school. A three-member Appellate Division bench, chaired by the chief justice, MM Ruhul Amin, on Wednesday dismissed a petition, filed by the Bangladesh Book Publishers and Sellers’ Association president, M Abu Taher, seeking permission to appeal against the High Court judgment.

The High Court in March 2008 declared legal the notification issued by the home secretary on December 10, 2007 asking deputy commissioners to take action against the printing, distribution and sales of guidebooks not approved by the National Curriculum and Textbook Board. The court gave the judgement after hearing a writ petition filed by Abu Taher in February 2008, challenging the government’s notification. The Appellate Division, however, stayed the High Court verdict and asked Taher to file a petition seeking permission to appeal against the judgment and he accordingly did so but after almost two years. When the matter came up for hearing in the Appellate Division on Wednesday, the attorney general, Mahbubey Alam, pointed out that Taher had filed the petition 613 days after the Appellate Division’s previous order, which was a violation of court rules.

Opposing the government’s plea, Taher’s counsel Khandkar Mahbubuddin Ahmad argued the appeal could not be dismissed just because of the delay in filing it. Abu Taher on Wednesday told New Age he would take further step to file another petition seeking review of the order. ‘The government will now take action against the printing, distribution and sales of guidebooks. This could not be possible as the matter was pending with highest court,’ Mahbubey Alam told reporters after Wednesday’s court order.

-New Age

Bangladesh to seek minimum 15% of climate fund

2009-12-09T20:43:00.001-08:00

The Indepedent: If sea levels rise by one meter, at least 20 million Bangladeshis, of a total population about 150 million, would be displaced. If the glaciers on the Himalayas melt due to global warming, the situation is even worse. "The population of our one coastal district is bigger than the entire population of all island countries and in that consideration at least 15 percent of any climate fund should come to us," State Minister of Environment and Forest Hasan Mahmud told a news conference, according to Reuters.

Hasan Mahmud emphasized that Bangladesh is the most vulnerable country in the world to climate change, Reuters reports. "We are not begging any mercy from anyone. Rather we want justice as the worst victim of climate change," said Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, a leading economist, who is also part of the Bangladesh climate negotiation team.

Dhaka seeks 75pc of climate funds

2009-12-09T20:42:00.000-08:00

Three-quarters of any climate adaptation fund should go to the most vulnerable countries, Dhaka's delegation to Copenhagen said on Tuesday, as a new report revealed that Bangladesh was among the countries worst affected by climate change.

Bangladesh made the plea on behalf of least developing countries and those most vulnerable to climate change, at a press conference at the Bella Conference Centre in the Danish capital. It also demanded a legally binding framework for the adaptation fund. Dr. Ainun Nishat, member of the Bangladesh delegation, said the major portion, 75 per cent, of any agreed climate fund should go to vulnerable small islands, LDCs and African countries. He stressed: "The climate fund should not be mixed up with official development assistance, which is a separate thing. This is very important.""We also want some kind of legal enforcement." "There was a commitment in 1990 that 0.7 percent of GDP of rich nations would go to overseas aid for developing countries. This has not happened." "If the adaptation fund also remains voluntary, the same inaction will be seen, what ever is finally agreed," he said. He said 1.5 per cent of GDP from developed nations was being mentioned for the adaptation fund.

Earlier in the day, a new report, unveiled on the second day of the climate talks in the Danish capital, said Bangladesh, Myanmar and Honduras were the countries most affected by climate change over the two decades from 1990. Berlin-based Germanwatch, in its 'Global Climate Risk Index 2010' report, said the top ten most affected countries were all developing nations in the low-income or lower-middle income country group. The report said 600,000 people died as a direct consequence of more than 11,000 extreme weather events around the world, with losses incurred of $1.7 trillion, over the period surveyed from 1990-2008. It said such natural disasters and their consequences could weaken the process to reach Millenium Development Goals and the most affected countries needed greater financial assistance to achieve the goals.

Bangladesh was among the countries facing "continuous" climate change impact, the report said, although more than 80per cent of deaths in the period surveyed occurred in 1991. More 140,000 people were killed in a devastating cyclone that year. The fact that no such catastrophic death toll occurred since, despite continuing extreme weather events, is partial proof that it is possible to prepare for climate risks and prevent larger-scale calamities, said the report. Bangladesh incurs annual losses of 1.81 percent of GDP due to extreme weather events, the report added. Total losses were $2.19 billion a year from 1990 to 2008, said the report.

Man-made climate change is expected to lead to further increases in precipitation extremes, both increases in heavy precipitation and increases in drought, said the report. It said the Copenhagen climate summit must result in a real difference for particularly vulnerable developing countries, through an ambitious adaptation action framework. A key role therefore needs to be played by scaled-up financial support provided by developed countries, it said.

-New Nation

'Aid Bangladesh, countries facing blow of climate change'

2009-12-09T20:40:00.001-08:00

The Daily Star: The global leaders have moral and material responsibilities to battle the dire consequences that many small islands and Bangladesh are facing, the chief of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said on Monday. People from many small islands and Bangladesh are living in a threat to submerge due to sea level rise, Chairman of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Rajendra Kumar Pachauri said while delivering his speech in the inaugural session of the United Nations Climate Change Summit. The long-awaited United Nations Climate Change Summit has started with a vow to save the world in Copenhagen, Denmark where delegations from 192 countries have gathered to save the world by making a new deal to fight against the climate change perils.

Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen delivered welcome speech in the inaugural session while Maciej Nowicki, the president of COP 14 and environment minister of Poland announced the opening of the session. "The World is rely on us. The differences can be overcome if the political willingness is present and I believe we will," he said about reaching to an effective and equitable deal. "Climate change knows no border. It does not discriminate any body and many have been already facing the dire consequences of climate change," he said in his opening remarks.

Mayor of Copenhagen Ms Ritt Bjerregard, Yvo de Boer, executive secretary of UNFCCC, and Connie Hedegaard, the president of COP 15 and Danish environment minister also spoke at the opening session. Before the inaugural speeches, a documentary film titled 'Please Help the World' was shown to reveal the impacts of climate change all over the world. More than 100 heads of states or governments -- including Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, US President Barack Obama, Premier Wen Jiabao of China, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and the heads of the European Union (EU) -- are set to attend a climax summit on December 18.

Earlier on the eve of the summit, the UN's chief climate negotiator Yvo de Boer said at a press conference that the talks were in excellent shape and many countries are now making pledges over curbing carbon emission. Further negotiations would take place in 2010 to fill in the details and -- if all goes well -- from the end of 2012, the new pact would take effect. The inaugural session of two weeks long meeting started at 10:00am (4:00pm Bangladesh time). Connie Haggard, the environment minister of Denmark and president of COP 15, chaired the session. The Copenhagen city is all set to welcome over 15 thousands participants including government delegations, independent observers and journalists attending in the COP 15. Thousand of participants across the world have already gathered in windy weather with 0 degree temperature of Copenhagen.

World urged to help Bangladesh

2009-12-09T20:35:00.000-08:00

Low-lying countries like Bangladesh and small island nations could be submerged due to the sea level rising result of global warming, IPCC chief Rajendra Pachauri told the opening session of the Copenhagen climate talks on Monday.

Speaker urged world leaders to take climate change action and support vulnerable countries at the opening ceremony at the Bella conference centre in the Danish capital. Pachauri, chairman of the Inter Governmental Panel of Climate Change, urged to all to stand beside the vulnerable country such as Bangladesh. He said G8 leaders have recognised the broad scientific view of limiting the rise in average global temperature to 2 degree Celsius.

He said the IPCC also clearly specified that global emissions must peak no later than 2015. "That is because barely six in years from now, and some may even question the goal 2 degree as a ceiling, because this would lead to sea level rise on account of thermal expansion alone of 0.4 to 1.4 metres." "This increase added to the effect of melting of snow and ice across the globe, could submerge several small island states and Bangladesh".

RENEWED HOPES FOR DEAL

The world's biggest climate conference began in Copenhagen Monday morning, with 15,000 participants attending from 192 countries and renewed hopes for a deal. The UN and host country Denmark have billed the talks as a "turning point" and "an unmissable opportunity". "The world is depositing hope with you for a short while in the history of mankind," Danish prime minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told delegates at the opening ceremony of the talks, seeking to agree the first UN climate pact in 12 years.

He said that 110 world leaders, including US President Barack Obama, were expected to attend a further summit at the end of the Dec. 7-18 meeting to agree deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions for the rich by 2020 and raise billions of dollars for the poor in aid. "We are here today, because we all are committed to take action to tackle climate change," Rasmussen said. "A deal is within our reach."

"Leaders do not come to talk, they come to act, and they come, not to agree to just anything-but to agree to an effective deal based on our fundamental principals, on our common resolve and on the political, social and economic reality in our countries throughout the world." "Global warming knows no order, it does not discriminate. If affects us all. And we here to day, because we are all committed to take action." "Climate change is higher on the agenda than ever". UN climate chief Yvo de Boer said, after two years negotiation, "the time has come to deliver". "Copenhagen will only be a success if it delivers significant and immediate action that begins the day the conference ends."

-bdnews

Saquib brought Joy of Bangladesh

2009-11-26T21:43:00.001-08:00

A gentle sober unassuming youngster of Magura Bangladesh making Bangladesh looks brighter and bigger with one after other glories. Best ODI all-rounder in ODI of ICC rating, inclusion in ICCs best test team 2009 and now to top them all best cricketer of 2009 judged by world famous widen cricket monthly. World cricket world sports arena now knows Bangladesh for Saquib and his roaring Royal Bengal Tigers.

A section of Bangladesh print and electronic media confused the awrd of Wisden Cricket Monthly with that of Wisden Cricket Almanac which every year selected 5 best of the best cricketers. But winning the best cricketer award of Wisden Cricket monthly is no less achieving.

Bangladesh for negative reasons makes the world best. Most corrupt country, country on the verge of failed country for poor governance, bitter political rivalry , organised terrorism , poor governance made our image so distorted over the years that the glorious achievements of our brilliant innovative farmers, hard working general masses almost remains unnoticed. Now with Saquib and his mates rocking cricket world a new interest seem to have rekindled among world community to re-explore Bangladesh potential in all areas. Saquib and his fellow tigers for their recent achievements deserve unqualified praise from Bangladeshis all over the world.

Our Cricketer friend Yazdani witnessed Tigers ODI series against Australia last year in Darwin. That series did not have much to talk about Bangladesh. But Nevertheless Yazdani had useful discussions with Jamie Siddons nursing Bangladesh cricket. Yazdani told me Jamie felt Bangladeshi Youngsters have raw skills. If these could be nurtured well and if the youngsters could be given to know their potential they will only move from one level to other. Unfortunately Bangladesh lost most of its first team players to ICL and subsequent BCCI- ICC mess made 14 top Bangladesh cricketers unavailable for national side.

But Bangladesh with depleted team bounced back, played admirably well against Srilanka, New Zealand, South Africa. Two players who led the way were from neighbouring places Narail and Magura. Mashrafee the “Narail Express “and Saquib “Magura Master” . Unfortunately flamboyant Mashrafee suffered too many injuries making Saquib take much more responsibility. Over the last three months or so how brilliantly he responded with bat, ball and even as leader of an underdog struggling to find their feet in world arena.

If any neutral judge makes impartial assessment Saquib was definitely the player of the year 2009. We know Michel Johnson is a high quality bowler and has potential to grow as genuine all rounder but his performance was not as steady as Saquib. Playing for Australia he had better opportunity to dominate opponents. But Squib always had to float against the tide. Australian batting gave Mitchell enough liberty to attack opponents but Saquib always had to fight with thin batting resources, struggle in team crisis. In all accounts judging Mitchell Johnson above Saquib by ICC was definitely not proper. If we are rude we may say ICC showed its racial narrowness in not naming Saquib the best Cricketer of 2009.

But The Wisden Cricket Monthly did the justice. Its cricket journalists in opinion pool adjudged Saquib the best. A look at the galaxy of superstars who featured in the panel will speak on his behalf.
1. Shakib Al Hasan (BAN)
2. Gautam Gambhir (IND)
3. Graeme Smith (RSA)
4. Sachin Tendulkar (IND)
5. Jacques Kallis (RSA)
6. Ben Hilfenhaus (AUS)
7. Andrew Flintoff (ENG)
8 Dale Steyn (RSA)
9. Fidel Edwards (WIS)
10. Andrew Strauss (ENG)

In the eight Tests Shakib played in that period, he took 45 wickets at 23 with his left-arm spin, including five five-wicket hauls, and scored 498 runs at an average of 35.57.

India's Gautam Gambhir was ranked second with South African captain Graeme Smith claiming third place, just ahead of Tendulkar and Kallis, who tied for fourth place.

John Stern, editor of the magazine, added: "I'm sure this achievement will be a surprise to many followers of the game but it represents an outstanding 12 months for Shakib, especially in the context of him playing for an international side that is still finding its feet."

Shakib, 22, has been described as the best player to come out of his country since it achieved Test status in 2000.

In the past another world class performer tiny Ashraful rocked cricket world being the youngest test century scorer against wiles and guiles of Muttiah Muralidharan and willy Vaas in Srilanka.Ash played several other brilliant innings . His innings against Australia and England in successive ODI matches His batting against India and South Africa in World Cup 2007 was as good as any master blaster. But his full potential still remains unfulfilled. He could not achieve the consistency the player of his class deserves. Possibly he was given leadership of the team too early burdening him with additional responsibilities of leading an underperforming underdog. As well wisher of Saquib we hope he will not be burnt out with unnecessary responsibilities. He is very calm, cool, composed. We are sure success will not make him complacent. Maturity will make him more polished, more accomplished. We hope our media will be more responsible in dealing with cricket and will not loose some tricks in euphoria. Confusing the award of Wisden Cricket Monthly with Wisden almanac best Cricketer of the year is definitely not smart. I am sure if Saquib performs next year in England he will be in serious contention for it as Wisden authority always focuses radar on top performers of visiting team. Playing in England is always considered ultimate test of Cricketers skills and temperament. Bangladesh will also play in Lords the cricket Mecca.

Bangladesh team has just started flowering fruits. So many youngsters just blossoming from bud. ICC players are again available. Players like Shahriar Nafees, Habibul Bashar, Aftab, Alok, Nazimuddin and Dhiman Ghosh will create steep competitions for players willing to represent Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has rookies Rubel Hussein, Dollar Mahmud to share load of Mashrafee. We have very high quality spinning option. We have Nucleus of good batting talents like Tamim, Roquib, Ashrfaul, Saquib and Mushfique. Even Mahamudullah Raid and Naeem are also good all-rounder.

The next 6- 9 months will see Bangladesh play major cricket force at home and abroad. We are sure Bangladesh will grow from strength to strength.

The recognition of Saquib will act as beacon for way ahead. Congrats Saquib you have made all Bangladeshis proud. We freedom fighters fought risking our lives to see golden sons of soil like you Saquib. Our martyred co fighter’s soul will rest in peace to feel your achievement.

Saquibs achievement can be compared with that of Dr M Yunus and Dr Amtya Sen winning Nobel Prize as outstanding genius of Bengal. But one must not yet compare his achievement of Great Poet Rabindra Nath Tagore as yet or Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. But Bangabandhu definitely dreamt of Bangladeshi like Saquib when he said” I need golden men to build golden Bengal”
Saquibs achievement will definitely inspire Bangladeshis in different aspects of life at home and abroad.

Eid Mubarak

2009-11-26T21:40:00.000-08:00

Bangladesh Plans To Launch Satellite For Development Of Telecom Services | AHN

2009-11-26T21:26:00.001-08:00

Dhaka, Bangladesh (AHN) - The Bangladesh government has planed to launch its own communications satellite aiming to develop the country's telecommunications services, Post and Telecommunications Minister Raziuddin Ahmed Raju said in Dhaka on Thursday.The government has already started discussions with different countries including the United States, Japan and China in connection with the satellite.

After assessing the proposals of interested countries, the government will pick the one that is most favorable for the country, the minister added.

Experts welcomed the government's latest move saying that satellite technology would provide quality and faster telecom services to the people, and reduce the risks associated with natural calamities.

"A satellite of our own can benefit us a lot, including better weather forecasting and survey of mineral resources," Satya Prasad Majumder, a professor of electrical engineering and electronics at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) was quoted by The Daily Star, a local newspaper, as saying.

Television broadcasting and meteorological data including disaster warnings would be available easily by the satellite, according to the experts. It might also be used for mapping natural resources, and to predict weather to help farmers, they added.

Tk 200cr defamation suit against Bashundhara

2009-11-26T21:22:00.000-08:00

Prothom Alo Editor and Publisher Matiur Rahman, and Chairman and Managing Director of Mediastar Ltd and Transcom Group Latifur Rahman filed a civil defamation suit on Sunday with the 4th Joint District Judge's Court of Dhaka against Bashundhara Group, seeking Tk 200 crore in damages, according to a media release. Mediastar Ltd is the owning company of the Prothom Alo.

On behalf of Matiur Rahman and Latifur Rahman, Dr Kamal Hossain and Associates filed the defamation suit on charges of publishing highly libellous and insulting advertisements and posters, and for other malicious activities. The defendants in the case are Chairman of Bashundhara Group Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, the group's Senior Deputy Managing Director Md Belayet Hossain, its Chairman's Technical Adviser Latiful Abedin Hossain, Bashundhara Steel and Engineering Ltd Executive Director Maj (retd) Zahidur Rahman, and the group's 11 companies listed with the Joint Stock Exchange.

Bashundhara Group started publishing the libellous advertisements in a section of national dailies after the Prothom Alo had published a report titled 'State machinery desperate to save Bashundhara' on October 12, 2009; and another headlined 'Allegation of yellow journalism, the chief justice has no comment' on October 13, 2009. From the same time malicious posters with photographs of Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, and of Mediastar Ltd and Transcom Group Chairman Latifur Rahman were being seen at different areas of the country including Dhaka, Chittagong, and Gazipur. Those posters were also on local and inter-district buses. The four-colour posters printed on costly papers were also pasted in diplomatic enclaves in Gulshan and Baridhara of the capital. The plaintiffs said pasting of such malicious posters was in violation of Dhaka City Corporation Act 2009, and Metropolitan Police Ordinance 1976.

Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman sent a letter to the Dhaka metropolitan police commissioner on October 28, and to Dhaka Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka on October 29 with appeals to remove those malicious posters. Dr Kamal Hossain and Associates on October 24 on behalf of the Prothom Alo and Transcom Group issued legal notices on the three Banshundhara group officials and its Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, asking them to apologise within 48 hours, and publish advertisements in seven national dailies for five days in a row, recanting the earlier published malicious advertisements. On October 27 Barrister Fahimul Huq on behalf of the Bashundhara Group chairman gave a reply, in which surprisingly the Bashundhara Group chairman denied the responsibility of continued publication of the said advertisements. He specifically claimed that he had not the slightest involvement in the publication of those advertisements or in any other activity against the Prothom Alo and Trascom Group.

However, in the case filed by Dr Kamal Hossain and Associates on behalf of the Prothom Alo and Transcom Group, it is mentioned that all the defendants must bear the responsibilities and legal consequences personally, and Bashundhara Group also must bear the same as an institution. Dr Kamal Hossain and Associates also mentioned that Bashundhara Group did not protest or give any explanation regarding the reports published in the Prothom Alo. Rather as retaliation, they published libellous advertisements without making any mention of the Prothom Alo reports. They also pasted malicious posters anonymously. In the complaint Dr Kamal Hossain and Associates mentioned that a legal notice was issued by Barrister Mizan Saeed on behalf of Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan on November 16, 2009.

In that notice Chairman of Mediastar and Transcom Latifur Rahman, Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, cartoonist Shishir Bhattacharya, and reporter also Prothom Alo Deputy Editor Mizanur Rahman Khan were accused of libel for publishing the reports and a cartoon involving the Bashundhara Group chairman. Dr Kamal Hossain and Associates said in the complaint, "The Bashundhara Group chairman finally took off his mask. With the legal notice the Bashundhara chairman practically admitted that he had been personally aggrieved due to the publication of the reports and a cartoon on October 12 and 13, 2009 in the Prothom Alo." Md Belayet Hossain puplished libellous advertisements in different newspapers under his own name from October 14 to October 26, 2009. He is the senior deputy managing director of Bashundhara Group.

TIM Latiful Abedin Hossain filed a fabricated general diary (GD) with Tejgaon police station on October 14, 2009 against Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, Mediastar Ltd and Transcom Group Chairman Latifur Rahman, and others on charges of arson in Bashundhara City. Latiful Abedin is the technical adviser to Bashundhara Group chairman. Besides, on October 15, 2009 Maj (retd) Zahidur Rahman filed a libel suit against Matiur Rahman and Latifur Rahman with Dhaka Senior Judicial Magistrate's Court 3, with malicious intent. The judicial magistrate on the same day dismissed the case saying 'the Prothom Alo report did not contain any element libellous to Bashundhara Group'. Maj (retd) Zahidur Rahman identified himself as the executive director of Bashundhara Steel and Engineering Ltd. Although Dr Kamal Hossain and Associates issued legal notices on Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and the three others on October 24, 2009, none of them, except Mr Sobhan has so far replied.

The plaintiffs of Sunday's defamation suit also mentioned that even after issuance of the legal notices, a daily 'owned by the chairman of Bashundhara Group' has been publishing false and concocted stories about the Prothom Alo, Matiur Rahman, Trascom Group, and Latifur Rahman -- every day since October 13, 2009. In the suit complaint Dr Kamal Hossain and Associates mentioned -- the malicious activities that the defendants have been carrying out since October 13, 2009 to tarnish the plaintiffs' hard earned reputation, have been unprecedented. Therefore exemplary financial damages should be fixed against them. The complaint added that the news of fire in Bashundhara City on March 13, 2009 was publicised by the international media like CNN, ABC and BBC saying the cause of the fire could not be known immediately. The home ministry formed an inquiry committee to investigate the incident.

The number one defendant in the suit Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, who claims himself as an internationally reputed businessman, knows well that the people all over the world are eager to know the cause of the fire in the biggest shopping mall of the country. And that is why he has been making malicious attempts to besmirch the image and honour of the two plaintiffs (Matiur Rahman and Latifur Rahman) at home and abroad, by filing the GD with concocted charges of arson against them, and by publishing malicious advertisements in national dailies, the complaint said. The complaint also said Ahmed Akbar Sobhan was given the opportunity to apologise, but instead of taking the opportunity he got involved in further attempts of spreading malice.

The GD filed with the police station is still active, and the malicious advertisements printed in newspapers will remain in the country's archives as a continuous source of insult and mental anguish for the plaintiffs. If preventive steps are not taken against Bashundhara Group, their various activities to harm the plaintiffs will continue -- mentioning these reasons in the complaint the defamation suit demanded Tk 125 crore in special damages in equal amount for both Matiur Rahman and Latifur Rahman, and Tk 75 crore in aggravated damages to be realised through the court. The judge in his order on Sunday said, "A summon be issued for January 27, 2010 through the court and mail for return of the acknowledgement due (AD) regarding whether the defendant/defendants will contest, and for appearance.”

-Daily Star

An Event- Pohela Boishakh

2009-11-26T04:23:00.000-08:00

Poila Boishakh (Bengali: পহেলা বৈশাখ Pôhela Boishakh or পয়লা বৈশাখ Pôela Boishakh) is the first day of the Bangla Calendar. Poila Boishakh is celebrated in a festive manner in both Bangladesh and West Bengal, as well as by Bengali people in Tripura. Hence, Poila Boishakh connects all ethnic Bengalis irrespective of religious and regional differences. In Bangladesh, Poila Boishakh is a national holiday and in West Bengal it is a public holiday. It falls on April 14 or April 15 of the Gregorian calendar depending on the use of the new amended or the old Bangla calendar respectively. In Bangladesh, it is celebrated on April 14 according to the official amended calendar designed by the Bangla Academy.

Poila or Pohela Boishakh is also known as Noboborsho (নববর্ষ), or Bengali New Year, as it is the first day of the first month of Boishakh in the Bengali calendar. This day is a very festive time for Bengali

The beauty of Bangladesh

2009-11-26T04:19:00.000-08:00

Bangladesh is the most beautiful country of the world. At least in my eyes and I think so. I have visited many countries and never seen such a variation like Bangladesh. It's rivers, lands. peoples or climate - everything is different from time to time.

Mainly the people in here are too much of curious about outsider and unknowns. They shows great hospitality to them. Though in recent years the traditions in cities are changing rapidly. But people in the countryside are still same as they were.

This is a fabulous country to spend your holidays. You will never get bored.

Fashion and Bangladesh

2009-11-11T11:17:00.000-08:00

Bangladesh is not a too much developing country, but fashion doesn't stand still in here. People love to style and the do style a lot.

I personally like to see nicely dressed girls and boys. But offcourse not the nude ones. Some of our young people thinks that showing their body is fashion. For both boys and girls this is a stupidity. Our culture is not so. But time wiil change and so the culture of ours.

Shoilpik

2009-11-11T11:07:00.000-08:00

Model Nobel & Monalisa - Shoilpik Fashion House.

Banglar Mela

2009-11-11T11:04:00.000-08:00

From Fashion House Banglar Mela.

Fashion

2009-11-11T10:51:00.000-08:00

Ar kishu hok na hok amader desh fashion a onek agie jachche ager theke. It's a great thing for us. Bangladeshi fashion houses are doing a great job.

The Digital Bangladesh

2009-11-10T20:22:00.000-08:00

Yap at first when I heard about the commitment of digital Bangladesh - then I thought this will be the main developing feature for our country. Alas, now I realized this was another political approach to get votes. They seems no intention to make the Bangladesh digitally self sufficient. I think it is a digital dream.

Changing time and calling it digital time can't be the change actually. We have faced a lot of trouble for this time change - yet haven't seen any of the usefulness of 'One hour time change" At least people thinks that this is a total nothing.

Prices of computer related things are going up. This is going to be digital Bangladesh? Where our country tries to block the worlds largest video streaming site YouTube. What a fun. Aren't there really any person in the Gov. who could understand this was a bad thing to do?

Ok- actually I don't care about digital Bangladesh. Because Government can't never stop the developing process in this sector. Life will find it's way.

And we don't care.

Dhaka City - A city Of Myth

2009-11-10T10:01:00.000-08:00

Dhaka is older than 400 years and yet it is always new to me. The gathering, peoples, chaos, dirt all have become the part of our daily life. This city is expanding day by day and the population is also increasing. But government seems have no long term plan to develop the city.

Our government changes and the new leaders stops all the previous works -good or bad. That's irritating. We have nothing to say. Living cost is increasing day by day. ya you might think that this city is full of problems. But not so. We have our peoples who have their hopes.

About the starting

2009-09-11T00:08:00.000-07:00

This blog is going to give you something new about Bangladesh. Something we generally see in our daily life but haven't enough time to notice.

Bangladesh is a country of huge opportunity and yet many things are going here what we do not like. Ok I am going to share some of them with you.

Please pass your valuable suggestions and comments.

BD Topic - News and Exclusive from Bangladesh

Unmad 252

Taroka Kagoz (16 June 2010)

Amar Desh closed, Editor arrested

Death toll in Nimtali fire rises to 113; Govt announces national mourning day .

Facebook is closed.....

অভ্র এবং আমি, আরো কিছু কথা।

BSF killed mentally imbalanced Bangladesh national

বঙ্গবন্ধু স্বাধীনতার ঘোষণা দেননি -

ইডেন কলেজের ছাত্রীদের দেহ ব্যবসার সাথে জড়িত

আওয়ামী লীগর জন্য সব বানিজ্য জায়েজ ( collected from priyo.com)

Clash in Eden college, Dhaka

Smoking -- Is it profitable?

Moriarty eyes 20,000 Bangladeshi students going to US each year

Biting cold paralyses normal life: 6 more die in Kushtia

JCD lying outright: DU VC

﻿ প্রোগ্রামিং সংকেত অবৈধভাবে ব্যবহারের কথা স্বীকার করেছে মাইক্রোসফট

﻿ মোবাইল ফোনসেট নিয়ে আসছে গুগল

Students warned against criminal activities

"ইতিবাচক রাজনীতি"-র নমুনা...

Boundary pillars on river banks by March 15

Bharti Airtel gets go ahead for Warid stake buy

High hopes on 2,600MW power deal

আয়কর নথির তথ্য কম্পিউটারে সংরক্ষণ কার্যক্রম শুরু

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Vasavi - Fashion house

Dhaka, Moscow sign protocol for peaceful use of atomic energy

Govt approves five climate change adaptation projects

2009 was challenging period for govt, entrepreneurs

Death warrants against Bangabandhu killers Jan 3

জাতীয় সংসদ সদস্য ফজলে নূর তাপসের গাড়িতে বোমা হামলা [২১ অক্টোবর ২০০৯]

ঢাকার পিলখানায় সশস্ত্র ও সহিংস বিডিআর বিদ্রোহ [২৫ ফেব্রুয়ারি ২০০৯]

Clock returns to BST tonight

Some Special Picturess

About Bangladesh

31st night: 10,000 security personnel to be deployed

ঢাকা কেন্দ্রীয় কারাগারের ১৪০ কর্মচারীকে শাস্তি

সরকারি ক্যাডারদের পেটে কুষ্টিয়ার প্রয়াত মুক্তিযোদ্ধার জমি ও মেহগনি গাছ

PM asks armed forces to help build graft-free nation

Bangladeshi officer to lead Ivory Coast peace mission

BDR set to recruit over 1,000 jawans

Moriarty for dialogue among political parties: TIFA to promote trade ties, he says

Power grid gets 1,360 MW by March

The Rotten Politics

2.4 billion Padma Bridge tender in Feb'10

আট বছর পর লিগ চ্যাম্পিয়ন মোহামেডান

Govt moves to withdraw Tarique's case

Martyred Intellectuals' Day today

শহীদদের প্রতি রাষ্ট্রপতি, প্রধানমন্ত্রী ও বিরোধীদলীয় নেত্রীর শ্রদ্ধা

BCB picks ex-rebels for tri-nation series

The provisional squad

Malaysia keen to set up palm oil refinery in Bangladesh

Gas crisis hurts knit industry

Dhaka Int’l Book Fair opens

“Third Person Singular Number”: Behind the success story

Bangladeshi Models

Govt to build 176 monuments to war martyrs

Economy grew, but didn't benefit poor

Sheikh Hasina chosen for Indira Gandhi Peace Prize

Printing, sales of notebooks, guidebooks illegal: SC

Bangladesh to seek minimum 15% of climate fund

Dhaka seeks 75pc of climate funds

'Aid Bangladesh, countries facing blow of climate change'

World urged to help Bangladesh

RENEWED HOPES FOR DEAL

Saquib brought Joy of Bangladesh

Eid Mubarak

Bangladesh Plans To Launch Satellite For Development Of Telecom Services | AHN

Tk 200cr defamation suit against Bashundhara

An Event- Pohela Boishakh

The beauty of Bangladesh

Fashion and Bangladesh

প্রোগ্রামিং সংকেত অবৈধভাবে ব্যবহারের কথা স্বীকার করেছে মাইক্রোসফট

মোবাইল ফোনসেট নিয়ে আসছে গুগল