Boishakh 28, 1421 Rajab 11, 1435 Regd. No.

DA 6238 Vol 2, No 41

SUNDAY, MAY 11, 2014

www.dhakatribune.com

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9 | RALLY TO DEFEND DEMOCRACY

12 | TAHSAN, FARIA DEBUT ON SILVER SCREEN

13 | ABDULLAH, TAMANNA STEAL LIMELIGHT

RAB at the top of suspects list

Siddhirganj upazila AL relieves Nur and Yasin from all duties
Islam Shaon with our n Ashif Narayanganj correspondent
The families of the victims of the sensational seven-murder case have told a probe committee that RAB had been involved with the abduction and the killing. Yesterday, the high-powered government probe committee, formed following a High Court order to look into the sensational abduction and killing, quizzed 25 members of the families of the seven victims. The quizzing began around 10am at the deputy commissioners office of Narayanganj and continued till 6pm. The first to go in was slain city panel mayor Nazruls father-in-law Shahidul Islam alias Shahid Chairman. He later told journalists that: We [Nazruls family] have told the probe committee that RAB was involved with the incident. In reply to a question, he also said he and the other members of his family had mentioned the names of former RAB 11 commander Lt Col Tarek Sayeed Mohammad, Major Arif Hossain and Lt Commander SM Rana. These three former officers of the army and the navy were removed from the services days after the April 27 abduction of the seven from the port city. Shahidul also told reporters after the quizzing session that he had been having a sense of insecurity off late because he had been threatened. He however did not disclose anything about who were giving the threats. Soon after he finished talking to reporters, he left the place on a police car. Nazruls wife Selina Islam Beauty and his brother Abdus Salam also testified yesterday. On behalf of the family of slain Chandan Sarker, a senior lawyer from the port city, his two daughters Sejuti Sarker and Sushmita Sarker and their husbands Bijoy Kumar Paul and Ranjit Devnath spoke with the probe committee. Bijoy Kumar is the plaintiff of the case filed in connection with the lawyers murder. He told reporters that: The probe committee asked us whether we suspected anyone. We told them that we had a suspicion that members from the law enforcement agencies could have been involved, because of the way the murders were committed. After looking at the existing data and reports on news media, we thought that RAB 11 might be involved. He also mentioned the names of those three removed RAB 11 officers.
PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

2 families, united in grief, sees a bleak future

Islam Shaon and n Ashif Ahmed Zayeef
Little Zunayed was playing on his mother Honufa Begums lap. He had no idea what was going on around him and what he had already lost. His mother was crying while waiting at a meeting room of Narayanganj deputy commissioners office to give deposition before the government-formed probe committee. Zunayeds father Ibrahim was killed, along with six others, following their abduction on April 27. Ibrahim was the driver of slain lawyer Chandan Sarker. Honufa, mother of five, has been numb after her husbands death. Around two weeks after his death, she has no idea how she will raise her children. He [Ibrahim] worked with Chandan Sarker for 10-12 years. On the day of his disappearance [April 27], he left the house at 10am. At 1:30pm, he told me over phone that he was coming home to pick Mimi apa (Chandans youngest daughter) from the coaching centre. Those were the last words I heard from him, Honufa told the Dhaka Tribune. Ibrahim did not do anything wrong. Why did he face such brutality? I want punishment of his killers for the way they had murdered my husband. He was the only earning member of the family, she said. Rony, the elder son of Ibrahim, was also with his mother. He is a student of class VI at Baroddi High School. My father told me that he will allow me to study as far as I want to.
PAGE 2 COLUMN 6

Honufa Begum, wife of slain driver Md Ibrahim, breaks into tears after arriving at the Narayanganj deputy commissioners office yesterday to give her statement to a probe committee formed to investigate the seven-murder case SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Ominous inaction led to Nazruls death

n Julkar Ali Manik
For several months he tried his level best to save life with support from the authorities. Despite all his efforts, the recent sensational abduction and killing of war councillor Nazrul Islam in Narayanganj portrays a mysterious and ominous inaction of the administration and powerful men in the port city and the capital. Sensing danger at least a couple of months before his abduction on April 27, Nazrul went to police, RAB and even the junior minister of the Home Ministry that runs the forces. He also knocked the doors of all influential people around him including local Awami League lawmaker Shamim Osman, known as the most powerful person of the port city (many consider him as godfather) for help. Nazruls 42-year-old younger brother Abdus Salam talked to this correspondent several times in the last one week. He said: My brother informed the authorities and some influential people either verbally or in writing two months before his abduction about some information that a conspiracy was going on to eliminate him. He wanted help from the authorities to save his life. Nazrul gave a written letter to State Minister of Home Affairs Md Asaduzzaman Khan 15 days before his abduction seeking help.
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174 garment factories shut down in one year

FACTORIES CLOSED
SOURCE: BGMEA

n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi

Since the collapse of Rana Plaza building in April last year, a total of 174 readymade garment factories had been closed down due to lack of orders and non-compliance with the rules. Of the total, 30% factories were subcontractors, according to Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association. At least 95,000 workers, mostly women, were thrown out of work following the closure of the garment factories. Of the total, around 15% had been able to manage jobs and the rest had to go back home, BGMEA data shows. After the Rana Plaza incident, the buyers are not placing orders for any

After the Rana Plaza collapse for order shortage & compliance issues

AMONG 174 FACTORIES

30% 70%

SUBCONTRACTORS HAD OWN ORDERS

15% 85%

FOUND NEW JOB

RETURNED HOME
S LATIF / DT INFOGRAPHIC

AMONG 95,000 JOBLESS

unauthorised or shared buildings. It is very difficult for us to run our business due to lack of orders and hike of wages, said Md Iqbal Hossain, the owner of Tiboly Apparels. Sears K Mart, a buyer, fined him $10,000 for making products at an unauthorised building, he said, adding that buyers do not want to place orders for shared factory buildings situated in residential areas. I have decided to close my factory taking the workers safety into account as the building is in poor state. Also, there is a chemical warehouse on the ground floor, said another factory owner Khandaker Maqsudur Rahman Shamim. I want to downsize the business as the buyers are not putting orders for

shared buildings, he said, adding that he had planned to relocate his factory, but could not for lack of gas and electricity. He urged the government to provide gas and electricity to those owners who want to immediately relocate their factories. The banks stopped opening letter of credits (LCs) and the authority disconnected the factory for non-payment of bills. I failed to bear the expenses of production due to lack of orders from the buyers, Rajab Ali Hashmi, the managing director of Fair Knitting, told the Dhaka Tribune. Siddiqul, a worker of Topaz Garment who lost his job due to factory closure, said, It is very tough for me to manage
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UNDP asks EC to return 40,000 ballot boxes

n Mohammad Zakaria
The United Nations Development Programme is taking back the 40,000 ballot boxes it had given to the Election Commission before the 10th national election as the commission said those were not transparent. The EC received a letter from the UNDP on Wednesday in this regard. The boxes were sent to the field-level polling centres before the January 5 election. But those were not used. A committee formed by the EC reported that the imported ballot boxes were not transparent, Deputy Secretary of the EC Shahjahan Khan said. EC officials say the commission imported 2,68,000 transparent ballot boxes for the parliamentary and upazila parishad polls. It also imported another 40,000 transparent boxes from the UNDP. The field-level officials found that the UNDPs boxes were not similar to the rest. The commission formed a committee led by Deputy Secretary Matiar Rahman to investigate the matter. The boxes, distributed on October 8 last year, are now reserved at 10 regional election offices. Those will be sent back to the EC Secretariat after the order of EC. l

INSIDE
Nation
6 Arzina Begum, a housewife in Dolapara village of Khokshabari union under Sadar upazila in Nilphamari district, has achieved self reliance rearing cattle in a very limited area around her house.

Muhith: Large scale capital flight a headache

n Asif Showkat Kallol
Finance minister AMA Muhith yesterday said he had no idea why local private financiers had not been investing in the country whereas foreign investors were coming in big after the political turmoil eased. While addressing a pre-budget discussion with the newly elected members of the Economic Reporters Forum at the ministrys auditorium, the minister said the lack of interest among local investors was unusual because the market in the country had expanded from three crore consumers to five crore in recent years. Board of Investment data shows that Bangladesh has received foreign direct investment worth $1.78bn in 2013, registering 37.5% growth on 2012 figure. Muhith admitted that large sums of capital is being wired abroad because of the elongated period of political unrest; but did not elaborate. According to Bangladesh Bank, local businessmen have transferred capital to countries like Malaysia, UAE, USA and Canada. Investors have been losing confidence and private sector credit growth has dropped to a record low of 10.73% in February. The minister said: Foreign investment would come if we can ensure land for the international businessmen. For this, he said, the government selected seven areas in the country where foreign investors could set up their business. There was also a plan to allocate money for land requisition in the coming budget. He hinted the tax-free income ceiling could be raised by Tk5,000 from the existing Tk2.2 lakh and it would remain effective for at least the next five years.

Career

7 Academics nowadays increasingly focus on the idea of Designed in Bangladesh rather than Made in Bangladesh as a mechanism with which to invert the global perception

Op-Ed

11 Narendra Modis interview on Times Nows program Frankly Speaking, hosted by Arnab Goswami, one of Indias most belligerent anchors, was perhaps the most watched television event here on the evening of May 8, a week away from the end of the largest democratic exercise in history.

Muhith, who has always been in favour of allowing whitening black money, said: It is a useless provision
During another discussion two days ago, the minister said he would try to fix a ceiling for the next ten years. The target now is to double the number of 11 lakh existing taxpayers in five years, he said. Muhith, who has always been in favour of allowing the policy of whitening black money, said yesterday: It [whitening of black money] is a useless provision. The provision had been there for a number of years but the housing sector has not benefitted from it, he said.
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2
WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY 2014

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Smallest Bangladeshi delegation to attend

n Moniruzzaman Uzzal
Bangladesh, for the first time in several years, is going to participate in the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA) with the least number of delegation members. The assembly will be held from 19th to 24th May. Sources say the Bangladesh delegation this year will be comprised of fewer than 10 members as opposed to more than 34 last year, the highest till now. Health Ministry sources say since 2009, the number has never been below 20. Oddly enough, only nine people, including three officials from the Bangladeshi Embassy in Switzerland, have got the nod from the Prime Ministers office to attend the assembly recently. They are Health Minister Mohammed Nasim, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Vice-chancellor Professor Dr Pran Gopal Datta, Community Clinic Project Director Makduma Nargis, Ferdousi Kaderi of ICDDRB, Chairperson of Bangladesh Breastfeeding Foundation Dr SK Roy and Mir Mosharrof Hossain, APS to the Health Minister. Seeking anonymity, top officials of the Health Ministry told the Dhaka Tribune that none of those selected has sound technical knowledge and that a few problems would arise. They, however, appreciated the reduction in the number of delegation members. It is also said there are some people supposed to attend the assembly at their own initiative but the number could not be known. A proposal containing over 20 names, including several high officials of the Health Ministry, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), secretaries, directors, doctor leaders and journalists, was sent to the Prime Ministers office seeking her consent. Several top officials of both the Health Ministry and DGHS told the Dhaka Tribune on condition of anonymity that after taking a look at the list, the premier picked out only five names. Even Professor Dr Abul Kalam Azad, Additional Director General of Planning and Development at DGHS and also Director of Management Information System, who had active participation in the WHA in the last few years, was also dropped from the list. Sources say it came to the Prime Ministers knowledge that most of the participants in the previous years assemblies only attended the inaugural programme for the photo session and the next day they were planning to visit other countries. Some of them had even allegedly collected donations from the local Bangladeshis. Two top officials of the Health Ministry and DGHS told the Dhaka Tribune that during the previous sessions, seat of the Bangladeshi delegate was sometimes found unoccupied. Dr Abul Kalam Azad said the upcoming assembly was important for Bangladesh. He said an autism resolution was passed at the executive board meeting last year and this will be placed in this years assembly to be passed as WHO resolution. If it is passed, the recommendation would be implemented throughout the world. Prime Ministers daughter Saima Hossain Putul had been relentlessly working on autism. Apart from that, the Bangladeshi delegation will be participating in a number of events arranged on the sidelines. Of those, Bangladesh will be the principal organiser of an event on autism. In addition, Bangladeshi speakers will take part in a discussion titled Community Health Care: Bringing Health Care at Your Door. Health Minister Mohammed Nasim will also deliver a speech on the post2015 development agenda at a special event. l

Members of Kopotakkha Banchao Andolan form a human chain in front of National Press Club yesterday, demanding the government save the Kopotakkha River

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Narayanganj police arrest two aides of Nur Hossain from Noakhali

n Our Correspondent, Noakhali
A team of Narayanganj police in a special drive arrested two aides of fugitive Nur Hossain, prime suspect in seven murders following abduction, from Noakhali without corresponding anything with the district police. The arrestees are Mohiuddin Nayan, 35, and Ferdous Quraishi Samrat, 20. They were arrested from Shenbagh area of the town around 8:30pm by a team led by Narayanganj Additional Police Superintendent (crime) Subrata Kumar Halder. However, when asked about the development, Subrata told the Dhaka Tribune over phone that they had launched the drive based on information and were very much close to arrest the duo. He said the raid was underway and it would continue until this morning. Ferdous is the son of Siraj Miah, owner of Siraj Furniture Shop in Chittagong

2 families
PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

Fakhrul: Govt trying to cover Narayanganj killings

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla
The government is trying to hide the mystery behind the abductions and killings of seven persons in Narayanganj, BNP alleged yesterday. For that, it has adopted various strategies, said partys acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday. He was speaking after laying wreaths at the partys founder Ziaur Rahmans mausoleum marking the release of the president and the general secretary of its student wing Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal in Dhaka city. Now it is clear that the governments ministers and MPs are involved with the incident as one of the relatives of a minister has been sacked from his job, said Fakhrul. Urging the government to step down acknowledging the fact that its ministers and MPs were involved in the sensation incident, he said, The government has no moral rights to stay in power. He also demanded a fair and neutral investigation into the Narayanganj incident. The incidents of abductions and killings have been taking place one after another as part of the governments strategy to keep opposition activists and leaders in a panicked state, he said. To make that strategy a success, the government has created a kingdom of criminal activities, using its law enforcement agencies, Fakhrul alleged. l

'Our special raid is underway. We hope to give you some positive and good information on Sunday [today]. It may not be big news but something good'
Road area of Narayanganj. Mohiuddin is the son-in-law of Siraj. When contacted, Siraj told the Dhaka Tribune over phone that Mohiuddin used work at a truck stand operated

by Nur Hossain while Ferdous works with me at my shop. He claimed: Ferdous went to the village home on April 20 with my wife as my brother-in-law died. Asked about Mohiuddin, Siraj said: He went to my house for a visit couple of days ago. I do not know why police picked them up. When contacted, Moniruzzaman, the police super of Noakhali, told the Dhaka Tribune that they had not been aware of the arrest. The Dhaka Tribune also contacted Dr Khandakar Mohid Uddin, the police super of Narayanganj. He said: Our special raid is underway. We hope to give you some positive and good information on Sunday [today]. It may not be big news but something good. l

Ominous inaction led to Nazruls death

PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

On the opposite side of the table was a calm Shamsunnahar Akter Nupur, wife of Jahangir Alam, who was the driver of Moniruzzaman Swapan an associate of slain councillor Nazrul Islam. Both Jahangir and Swapan have been killed. Married with Jahangir last year, Nupur is eight months pregnant. Earlier my husband was a driver of Duronto Bus Service. He got appointed as Swapans driver only a month and a half ago. On the morning of the abduction, he told me that he will leave the job from next month as the salary is too low, she told the Dhaka Tribune. He left the house at 8am. In the afternoon, when my elder daughterin-law Masuda called him, he received the call and only said Hello Masu. And then he got disconnected. Nupur demanded justice for the killing of her husband. But she is worried about the future of the child who is yet to see the light of the world. l

BCL expels 4 activists at DU

n DU Correspondent
Bangladesh Chhatra League has expelled four of its activists for their involvement in abduction of a trader. The four are Srijon Kumar Ghosh, deputy sports secretary; Sheikh Abdul Al Mamun, student affairs secretary of Mohosin Hall; Anup Chandra, vice president of Jagannath Hall; and Himel, an activist. A press release issued by the organisation confirmed the expulsion yesterday, a day after five Chhatra League men were held for abducting a businessman. The press note, signed by Chhatra League Office Secretary Sheikh Rasel, said the activists were suspended because of their involvement in the abduction. Dhaka University acting proctor Amzad Ali said: Tomorrow, we will decide whether they will be expelled from the university. On Thursday, police arrested seven people, including six Dhaka University students, for abducting a businessman from the capitals Fakirapul. His family members claimed that Chhatra League members had demanded ransom from the relatives of the abductee. l

174 garment factories shut down in one year

PAGE 1 COLUMN 4

The Home Ministry forwarded the letter to the headquarters of the police and RAB. He also sent a letter to RAB 11 in Narayanganj with the same urge about 15 days before the abduction. He informed the local superintendent of police and the local administration, Salam said. Asaduzzaman yesterday admitted to the Dhaka Tribune that Nazrul had met him twice first time, much before the abduction incident to inform him about his risk of life. At that time, I asked the RAB director general to take steps. And the second time, Nazrul met him few days before the abduction to talk about the same issue. Then I asked him to file a general diary with the police station concerned and inform me so that I could take the next step. But he did not inform me. Maybe he did not get time, and in the meantime, he was abducted and killed, the junior minister added. Ruling Awami League leader Nazrul was an elected councillor and panel mayor of Narayanganj City Corporation. He was a contractor by profession. The slain ward councillor was abducted in early afternoon on April 27 along with six others while going to

Salams house at Jatrabari for lunch. They came out of the Narayanganj court in two cars after securing bail in a criminal case filed against him. Bodies of the seven abducted people were found in Shitalakkhya River on April 30. According to many locals, he was known politically as Shamim Osmans man while the main accused of his murder, another local AL leader and ward councillor Nur Hossain, is also labelled as an associate of the lawmaker. Nazruls brother Salam said he had also met Shamim first, seven days before the abduction and then, three days before seeking help. Salam said when he had gone to the MP seven days before the abduction, he told me I will look into the matter. You may go. Nazruls wife Selina Islam and Salam claimed that Nazrul had also told them that Nur Hossain was conspiring to kill him with the help of elite force RAB. Salam said a couple of months ago, he [Nazrul] told me that Nur Hossain was contacting with RABs Tarek, Arif and Rana to kill him. The three officers were RAB 11 (in Narayanganj) commanding officer Lt Col Tarek Sayeed Mohammad and Maj

Arif Hossain from the army, and Lt Commander SM Rana from the Navy. They were withdrawn from Narayanganj RAB a couple of days after the abduction incident. They were sent back to their mother organisations. Later, the Army and the Navy dismissed them by sending them to forced retirement. Tarek is the son-in-law of Disaster Management Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya. Salam said after the abduction incident, the then Narayanganj SP, who has also been withdrawn centring the incident, told him that Nazrul had earlier informed the official about the conspiracy. Nazruls wife Selina expressing frustration said: No one took any step or measure [over the request of Nazrul]; the administration did nothing. Echoing her, Salam said: No one helped Nazrul, no one helped us. The family members cannot think what more they could do to save Nazruls life. It seems that all [who were asked for help] were involved in the killing, Salam anticipated. We were speaking about the killing for two months. I think all RAB and police took money [to kill him], he alleged. l

Muhith: Large scale capital flight

PAGE 1 COLUMN 3

From now on, undisclosed money could not be legalised by investing in the housing sector. Rather the existing provision of including undisclosed money in the tax returns against a 10% penalty tax would remain in place. The minister slammed some of the businessmen for the high rate of interest in commercial banks. He said some businessman, who are also directors of commercial banks, always pushed the government for narrowing the spread; but when they sat in at bank board meetings, they never wanted to pull down the borrowing rates. In the coming budget, the government would emphasise on human resource development, transportation, railway and urbanisation issues, he said. When asked whether BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zias frozen bank accounts would be opened, he said: We will look in to the matter. Several cases are going on and only a small amount of money remain in the accounts. l

a job as the factory owners are not appointing workers rather they are sacking. He added: Either I have to leave Dhaka or find another profession. We contacted the management of three factories for jobs, but we did not get any positive response. So, we decided to leave Dhaka, Jharna, a worker of Tongi-based Roxana Knit Composite, told the Dhaka Tribune. Most of her colleagues had to face the same problems, she added. A group of factory owners closed their factories over the safety issues placed by Accord and Alliance while others had to shut due to lack of orders, BGMEA vice-president Shahidullah Azim told the Dhaka Tribune. He urged the government to provide gas and electricity to the factories whose owners want to

relocate them. The issues of fire and building safety came under the spotlight last year following the collapse of Rana Plaza building that killed over 1,135 workers. Following the factory disaster, the retailers platform made a commitment to provide financial and technical support to RMG factories to help improve the fire and building safety standards. On February 20, the Accord, a platform of 150 European retailers, launched the irst phase of inspection and inspected over 225 factories for ire safety and over 180 factories were inspected for structural safety. The Alliance for Workers Safety in Bangladesh had inspected 474 factories, of which four factories faced the music for non-compliance with the conditions set by buyers. l

RAB at the top of suspects list

PAGE 1 COLUMN 2

After giving statement before the committee, Hanufa Begum, wife of Chandans chauffer Ibrahim, told reporters that: We have heard that people from the administration were involved with the murder of my husband and the others. My husband knew nothing. He was killed because he drove Sirs [Chandans] car. I believe that if Sirs family gets justice, I will also get justice. Apart from her, Ibrahims father Abul Ohab Mia, son Rony, sister Rahima and nephew Shakil testified yesterday. The next to see the probe committee were slain Moniruzzaman Swapans father freedom fighter Haider Ali Khan, wife Morsheda Begum and younger brother Ripon. There was a conflict between Nazrul and Nur Hossain centering EPZ business. In the last few months, Nur

and his men frisked at least three trucks full of jhut [garment factory wastage]. Since then, Swapan used to say that he was in danger because Nazrul was in danger too. Something bad might happen anytime, he said. Ripon also accused Nur Hossain of hiring RAB officials for killing his brother, who was a close associate of Nazrul, and the others. On behalf of the family of Jahangir, another close associate of Nazrul, his pregnant wife Shamsunnahar Nupur, mother Meherun and brothers Shahjahan and Saju gave statements. From the family of Tajul Islam, slain friend of Nazrul, his mother Taslima, father Abul Khayer and brother Saiful Islam Raju spoke with the probe committee. Elder brother Rafiqul Islam and younger brother Saiful Islam Mintu were the ones from the family of slain Sirajul

Islam Liton, another friend of Nazrul. Following eight hours of testifying, probe committee chief Shahjahan Ali Mollah, additional secretary of the Public Administration Ministry, told reporters that: Today we talked to 25 people from the families of the seven dead victims. We do not want to disclose anything right now for the sake of investigation. However, he refrained from making any comment when asked whether it would be possible to make any meaningful progress in investigation without arresting the three removed officers of RAB 11. The seven-member probe committee was formed on May 5 following an order from the High Court. One of the main tasks of the committee is to find out whether any of the security forces was involved with the abductions and murders.

Nur and Yasin ousted

Siddhirganj upazila unit Awami League yesterday relieved Nur Hossain and Yasin Mia, the two accused in the seven murder cases, of all kinds of organisational duties. Nur was the vice-president and Yasin general secretary of the local unit of the ruling party. Mojibur Rahman, president of the local unit, said they had also requested the central command of the party to cancel the memberships of the two.

Mass Hearing

The Public Administration Ministry yesterday issued a circular announcing a mass hearing to take place at the office of the Narayanganj deputy commissioner on May 12 and 15. The circular said anyone interested could come over and testify in connection with the seven murder. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Sunday, May 11, 2014

3
Before murder, Nazrul met state minister for home
n Rabiul Islam
The lawmen are yet to trace Nur Hossain, the prime accused in the incidents of abduction and killing of seven individuals in Narayanganj. I have talked to the director generals of BGB and RAB, and they informed me that they could not trace Nur Hossain, State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan told the Dhaka Tribune at his business office near Bijoy Sharani in the capital yesterday. Nearly two weeks have passed since filing of cases against five suspects including Nur Hossain. On April 27, Narayanganj panel mayor Nazrul Islam and senior lawyer Chandan Sarker were abducted along with five others. Later, their bodies had been recovered from Shitalakshya river on April 30. After the kidnapping, Nazruls wife Selina Islam filed an abduction case against Nur Hossain, vice-president of Siddhirganj Thana Awami League, general secretary Hazi Yasin and four others. Nur Hossain has since gone into hiding. Talking to this correspondent at his office, Asaduzzaman said: I cannot remember the exact date, maybe three or four days before abduction, when Nazrul met me at my Manipuripara residence and said his life was under threat. Nur Hossain might kill me as he along with his gang is looking for me, the State Minister for Home quoted slain Nazrul Islam as saying. The junior minister said: I asked him to file a general diary with the police station and inform me so that I could take the next step. But he did not inform me. Maybe he did not get time, and in the meantime, he was abducted and killed, he added. Asaduzzaman also said: Nazrul came to me once again much earlier to convey his risk of life, and I asked the RAB director general to take steps. He, however, could not elaborate the previous incident. l

NUR HOSSAIN YET TO BE TRACED

Clockwise from top: Nupur, wife of Nazruls driver Jahangir Alam, family members of slain Tajul Islam and Nazruls wife and father-in-law were called to the office of the deputy commissioner of Narayanganj to give deposition before the probe committee formed to investigate the seven murder case SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Three more probe reports likely in a month

n Udisa Islam
The investigation agency may submit probe reports against three local-level war crimes suspects within in a month. Of those, two reports are likely to be presented to the prosecution this month. Sources say the agency has almost completed the work on possible charges to be brought against them. It is now dealing with at least eight other cases. The tribunal has already issued an arrest warrant against one of the three accused, Syed Mohammad Hachhen Ali alias Hassan Ali, a suspected war criminal from Tarail of Kishoreganj district. Though he is now absconding, the investigation agency may place a probe report on allegations against him, this month, Investigation Officer Hari Dev said. Meanwhile, the agency has almost completed a probe into the alleged crimes committed by Sheikh Sirajul Islam alias Siraj Master in Bagerhat and Lahar Ali Shah in Rajshahi. According to the investigators, Siraj had been a key associate of razakar founder AKM Yusuf during the 1971 Liberation War and involved in crimes against humanity including genocide, murder and torture in and around Ranjitpur, Bagerhat following the order of his chief. Siraj Master was the executor of every crimes planned by Yusuf, a Jamaat-e-Islami leader who died on February 9 during the trial against him at the tribunal. The investigation agency has found strong evidence of Siraj Masters involvement in atrocious crimes at the villages of Ranjitpur, Chulkathi, and Dakra, claimed Syed Sayedul Haque, prosecutor of the case. On the other hand, Hassan had been involved in the killing of at least 50 Hindus, looting houses and setting them on fire in Tarail. We have at least five witnesses against each charge against him, said IO Hari, who has been handling the case since June 6 last year. The tribunal 1 issued the arrest warrant against him on April 3 and asked the prosecution to submit a progress report of the investigation by May 15. Hassan had been a razakar commander in Tarail during the war and involved with all kinds of crimes against humanity and genocide. Mosleh Uddin, father of the suspect, was chairman of Peace Committee of Kishoreganj. Hassans brother was also a member of the razakar force. Prosecutors claimed that they had obtained evidence of Hassans direct involvement of in atrocities committed during the war. The suspect may be charged for the murders of Tofazzal Hossain Bhuiyan, Abdur Rashid and Hasan Ahmed, and the Shimulhati killings. The investigation agency recorded statements by the relatives of martyr Suresh Chandra, Jagadish C Ghosh, Krishna C Ghosh and Noni C Ghosh. On November 13 of 1971, razakars had killed many unarmed civilians at Pakuira village and looted the victims houses. As they heard the Hindus were trying to flee using boat through Markan Beel, the Pakistani occupation forces planned to capture them. On 8pm that day, the collaborators had surrounded the boat. Witnesses claimed that they had known Hassan as the commander of the camp where at least seven people had been killed by the razakars upon the order of the suspect. The investigation against another war crimes suspect Lahar Ali is near end. Investigation Officer Ataur Rahman started the work on October 1, 2012 under the supervision of prosecutor Jahid Imam. Ataur said: We are at the end of the investigation and preparing to submit the reports at the end of this month. After completing the probe, the IO will conclude the investigation against suspected war criminal Abdul Zabbar from Pirojpur. Meanwhile, the prosecution is likely to submit formal charges against former Jatiya Party lawmaker Mohammad Abdul Jabbar today, prosecutor Jahid Imam told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday. The war crimes suspect has been involved in the killing of 36 people, setting fire and looting around 560 houses and forcefully converted about 200 people in Mothbaria of Pirojpur during the war, according to the investigation agency who submitted the probe report on April 27. Jabbar has been absconding since 2009. l

WAR CRIMES TRIAL

ULAB organises seminar on Myanmars Ethnic Politics

n Tribune Report
Dr Nicholas Farrelly, a researcher of Australian National University and Myanmar expert, spoke on a seminar titled Ethnic Politics in Myanmar Today at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh yesterday. The programme was targeted to journalists and human rights workers with specific interest in Bangladeshs regional affairs, where Professor Imran Rahman, vice -hancellor of ULAB, introduced Dr Farrelly to the audience through welcoming him. Farrelly spoke on the complex ethnic interactions, cooperation and conflicts in Myanmar, saying there is optimism in the country despite vast problems, which would drive it to hold free and fair elections in 2015. He touched the unique problem of the Rohingyas, which he termed a pogrom fuelled mainly by local politics. He predicted that the situation of the Rohingyas would remain quite poor

ACC ponders to take action against gold crest scammers

n Syed Samiul Basher Anik
The Anti Corruption Commission is likely to take a move against the much talked about gold crest swindlers, which was distributed among the foreign friends recognising their enormous contributions to our glorious liberation war of 1971, as the matter involves the image of the country. Media reports in this regard have revealed that some government officials were involved in the scam. Therefore, we will look into the matter as it is a scheduled offense under the ACC jurisdiction, ACC chairman M Bodiuzzaman told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday. The chairman also said the anti graft body already reviewed the newspaper reports for consideration and would collect a copy of the probe report prepared by a committee, formed by the government to investigate into the scam. The reports said quoting the probe report that 13 high-level government officials, including liberation war affairs secretary Mizanur Rahman, former secretary KH Masud Siddique, as well as its former minister AB Tajul Islam had connection with the scam. Two gold suppliers Amicom and MS Mohsinul Hasan were also found guilty in the scam. As the inquiry report has found government high-ups involvement in the forgery, we are considering the matter seriously. We will launch an inquiry if it is needed because it is a very heinous offense, the ACC chairman continued, adding that the commission has yet to take any formal decision in this regard. During 2011 to 2013, the government has honoured 338 foreign individuals and organisations with crests for their contributions to the countrys liberation war under three categories where each crest was supposed to have one bhari of gold and 30 bhari of silver. However, a BSTI test found that there was about three anas of gold and three bhari of brass and copper in each crest. l

for at least the next one to two decades. Later, Farrelly answered in a lively Q and A session. Dr Farrelly is a Research Fellow of the School of International, Political and Strategic Studies at Australian National University. He co-founded a website called New Mandala which offers regular analysis of social and po-

litical issues in Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar, and other countries of the region. His core research is focused on political change in Myanmar and the wider Andaman Sea region. Pro Vice Chancellor Professor HM Jahirul Haque; Registrar Lt Col Md. Foyzul Islam, were also present in the programme among others. l

4
Rahaman, back from n Anayetur the north
Thousands of landless families in five districts of north Bengal have benefitted from cultivating pumpkins on the sandbank of the Teesta River, which had gone dry in many places in the dry season. Most of these families, who had lost their lands due to river erosion, have been cultivating and harvesting pumpkins and other vegetables on the riverbed as the enormous river turns to a dry sandbar following withdrawal of water by neighboring India. Some 4,812 landless farmers of Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Kurigram and Gaibandha districts had received financial and technical supports for sandbar pumpkin cultivation from a PFP-shiree project funded by UK and the Bangladesh government. Practical Action Bangladesh is providing technical support to implement the project. Over 1,100 acres of land are being used by the farmers who expect to harvest some 14,436 tonnes of pumpkin this season, said Mannan Molla, manager (operation) of sandbar-cropping programme of Practical Action. The project was undertaken in 2009 under the Economic Empowerment of the Poorest programme or Shiree. We have nothing. But, these pumpkins have kept some of our hopes alive. We can now dream of a better life, provide food to our children and send them to schools, said Mohabar Rahman, a sandbar pumpkin farmer from Daldalia union in Ulipur of Kurigram. Mohabar and 182 others at Karpura village were imparted training on sandbar cropping by the supporting organisations. During the visit, this correspondent found the farmers and their families spending a busy time in the sandbar

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Sandbar pumpkins smile on landless families

farmlands, pulling out large pumpkins and carry them to their houses. Most of the farmers interviewed expressed hopes that they would be able to grow 260 to 320 pumpkins, a yield which would weight nearly three tonnes. They also expressed plans to store a portion of their harvests of the rainy season, when the price of most vegetables jumps two to three folds. Some had also disclosed plans to use a portion of their profits earned from pumpkin sales to fund other sources of income, such as cattle raising or paddy farming. I am planning to lease a land to grow paddy with a portion of my earnings from the pumpkins sales, said a sprightly young woman, Mahmuda, while carrying pumpkins to her home. Although the project was initiated some five years back, the farmers had discarded the sandbar cropping project as an eccentric idea. Despite various odds, Nirmal Chandra Bepary, agriculturist and technical officer of the project, continued his efforts to convince the farmers and was eventually succeeded to turn the sandbar into croplands. We never gave up. We always believed something amazing could happen. It really happened. Sandbar cropping is a popular idea here now, he said. During 2009-2012, over 31,000 tonnes of pumpkins were harvested in five districts under the project, which worth around Tk21.37 crore. The harvest benefitted more than 7,500 landless people during the period. But this year alone, the number of beneficiaries had increased to around 5,000 and a total of 1,107 acres of land have been brought under the cultivation. Due to bumper harvest, the farmers expect the amount will exceed 14,000 tonnes this year, earning more than Tk10.5 crore. l

A farmer carries harvested pumpkins from the sandbar of the Teesta River at Daldalia union in Ulipur of Kurigram

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Muhith for 7 SEZs to spur private investment

n Tribune Report
Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday emphasised on establishing seven special economic zones (SEZs), instead of previously planned five, across the country to help entrepreneurs solve their problem in getting land for setting up industrial units. He said the acute shortage of land, which is hampering private sector investment, would be considered as one of the core priority in the budget for fiscal year 2014-15. Along with our two priority issues construction of Padma Multipurpose Bridge and construction of four-lane Dhaka-Chittagong Highway we will consider establishing SEZs across the country as a core issue, said Muhith. He was addressing at a live pre-budget TV show jointly organised by private television channel NTV and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) at a hotel in the capital. According to the existing plan, the government will establish five SEZs in Mirsarai and Anowara in Chittagong, one each at Sherpur in Sylhet, Sirajganj and Mongla. A SEZ is a location that is designed to export goods and provide employment. SEZs are generally exempted from restrictive laws in order to make the goods manufactured in the area at a globally competitive price. Several EPZs have been established across Bangladesh since the 1980s and the government in mid-2012 decided to establish five SEZs in next two years. The minister said the government will identify some areas across the country where the land would be used to help achieve the growth of the country. He came up with the plan in response to demands by business leaders urging him to solve the problems related to land and lack of infrastructure, which are hindering the private investment most. He said: Though there are lots of public investments, the private investment remains static. With the increase of budget amount, the government is also expanding its infrastructural supports.

Several EPZs have been established across Bangladesh since the 1980s and the government in mid-2012 decided to establish five SEZs in next two years
Addressing the programme, Commerce Minister TofaelAhmed said private entrepreneurs are not investing mainly due to the lack of land and infrastructural supports. The budget should aim for increasing investments and to make this, it must have investment-friendly contents, he said. Former finance adviser to the care-

taker government AB Mirza Azizul Islam said the government has to have indications on solving the infrastructural problems in the coming budget to bolstering private sector investment. Industrialist and former FBCCI president Salman F Rahman said that political turmoil is not hindering investments as private sector is always ready to invest. The key challenge is the scarcity of land. The government has to ensure that the special economic zones contains all necessary facilities required. As soon as the special economic zones would be established, the private sector investment will see a rise, he said. Presided over by FBCCI President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed former minister and adviser to the BNP chairperson M Osman Faruk, Executive Director of Centre for Policy Dialogue Mustafizur Rahman, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association President AtiqulIslam and the other leading business leaders also spoke at the programme. l

Food officials lose new grade within 15 days

n Mohosinul Karim
Despite having an approval from the Secretary Committee on Administration Reform, some around 1,736 Food Inspectors and Silo Supervisors of the Directorate General of Food have lost their Class II status, just within 15 days of being upgraded. Earlier on April 24, the food ministry cancelled the order for upgrading their status to Class II from Class III mentioning that a dispute had risen in the public administration ministry as the food ministry order issued earlier had not followed proper procedures and necessary documents were not submitted. However, affected officials of the directorate claimed that they were made victims as authorities were pursuing a controversial recruitment process to fill 1,552 vacant posts for officers and staff. According to recruitment rules, the DG food has no authority to recruit anyone in any Class II posts, they claimed. Saying that the Public Services Commission was the sole authority to approve recruitment in Class I and Class II posts, they further claimed that the directorate had already finalised the recruitment of 328 inspector posts and thus, annulled the upgrading order to keep the posts vacant. On April 9, some 1,667 Food Inspectors and 69 Silo Supervisors of directorate were upgraded to Class II after receiving approval from the Secretary Committee on Administration Reform, led by the cabinet secretary, and the public administration ministry and finance ministry. At the same time, the DG Food also published results of a recruitment test, held on May 25, 2013, for appointing 328 Food Inspectors and 13 Supervisors. The results of recruiting 1,552 posts in 10 categories were stalled for a long time amid allegations of irregularities in selecting candidates. The results approved recruitment of 175 Food Sub-Inspectors, 405 ASI of Food, 15 Accountants, 5 Data Entry Operators, 51 Upper Division Assistants, 503 Lower Division Assistants, 16 Auditors and 41 Assistant Operators. Bangladesh Food Inspector Associations General Secretary Imdadul Islam Sikder told the Dhaka Tribune: It is not only about the affected officials but also a matter of great concern for 6,000 officers working as Food Inspectors, Silo Supervisors, Food Sub-Inspectors and Assistant Sub-Inspectors in the directorate. We have discussed the issue with the authorities concerned and they have assured us to solve the problem within a short time. We will wait for a week for a positive result, otherwise, we will start a movement to achieve our expected status, he added. Rejecting the allegation, Food Minister Kamrul Islam yesterday told the Dhaka Tribune: The order had been cancelled for amending the circular as there was a mistake in the proposal which was issued as gazette notification. We are going to issue the order again as soon as possible. There was no ill motive or irregularities. We are working to upgrade the status of the officers as their salary structure had already been upgraded to Class-II level in 2006, he added. l

CPB and SPB hold consultation meeting on Teesta

n Manik Miazee
Politicians, academics, experts on water and environment urged all to get launch a united movement to compel the Indian government to give justified share of water of 53 common rivers including Teesta between at a consultation meeting in the capital. The successive Indian governments have been depriving Bangladesh unilaterally by controlling the flow of water of most of the common rivers and the ruling governments of Bangladesh had so far failed to negotiate the issue with their counterparts, they said. Communist Party of Bangladesh and Socialist Party of Bangladesh jointly organised the consultation meeting at the conference room of Engineers Institute Bangladesh, where the CPB president Mujahidul Islam Selim said without strong and united movements it would not be possible to resolve the issue. He called on the Awami League led government to publish a white paper on the water issue and sign the United Nations convention on rivers 1997. Water expert SI Khan proposed for the formation of a joint river commission comprising of China, India, Nepal and Bangladesh in supervision of the UN. He also called upon the political parties to wage united movements to mount pressure on the Indian government and include the water issue in their respective election manifestos. Anu Muhammad, an economist and professor of Jahangirnagar University, recommended for organising strong movements on this issue and spread it in the neighbouring countries. He also urged the left political parties to work for garnering international communitys support on the issue. Another water expert Mohammad Enamul Haque echoed the recommendations made by Professor Anu Mohammad. Firoz Ahmed, a university teacher, said the agriculture of some northern districts of the country is severely hampered due to unilateral withdrawal of Teesta river water by the Indian government. The SPB General Secretary Khalequzzaman said the CPB and SPB would take a joint initiative to publish a white paper on water issue separately with other left political parties. The program was chaired by Mujahidul Islam Selim while Columnist Abu Syeed Khan, Abdul Matin, Saiful Huq, Zonayed Saki, Mosharraf Hossain Nannu took part at the discussion among others. l

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaks to artistes participating at the National Film Award-2012 in the capital yesterday PID

BNP rally foiled in Nganj

n Our Correspondent, Narayanganj
Police yesterday foiled a BNP rally called welcoming its chairperson Khaleda Zias on May 14 visit in the district. Sources in the district said Narayanganj city unit BNP announced the programme in front of its office and local leaders and activists gathered there in the morning. However, a good number of police led by an executive magistrate did not set any loudspeaker in the party event. Being angered by the interruption, the activists hold a human chain there. ATM Kamal, secretary of Narayanganj city unit BNP, said BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia would visit the district on May 14 protesting abduction, forced disappearance and killing across the country. l

BNP to hold demonstration on May 18 19

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday rejected the proposal of party standing committee members to call hartals protesting killings and abductions across the country. The proposal was placed at the partys standing committee meeting held at the Chairpersons Gulshan office. Khaleda said if the shutdown was called it would spell disaster for the party. Instead she preferred a series of programmes including demonstration across the countrys thana, district and divisional headquarters. Party Chairperson Khaleda Zia will visit Narayanganj on May 14 to express condolence to the bereaved family members of seven people abducted and killed in the port city. A senior BNP leader said the party chairperson was likely to address a public meeting at Demra on May 17 . The place of Demra was chosen as the authorities concerned did not give permission to hold any meeting in Narayanganj, he added. The BNP leader also said the party would stage demonstration in upazilas and district headquarters across the country on May 18 and in the divisional headquarters on May 19. Meanwhile, the BNP decided to file a writ petition protesting shifting of Khaledas graft case from court building to Alia Madrasa ground. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Sunday, May 11, 2014

5
Shibir man arrested over attack on RU BCL men n RU Correspondent
Rapid Action Battalion 5 arrested a Shibir activist over attacking and cutting limbs of two activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra League Rajshahi University unit on April 29. The arrestee was identified as Ashikur Rahman Tuhin alias Moiful, a fourth year student of Islamic History and Culture department of RU. 32 Shibir men were accused in a case filed earlier in connection with the incident where Moiful and Shibir RU unit President Ashraful Alam Emon were among the accused. Lt Col Mahbub Alam, commanding officer of RAB 5 informed that a team of RAB 5 arrested Moiful from Kazla Mazar area, adjacent to the University, for his alleged involvement in the attack on two BCL leaders on the campus at a press conference held yesterday afternoon at its head quarter in Rajshahi. Moiful was taken under primary interrogation and steps would be taken against him accordingly, he added. Earlier on April 29, a group of unidentified miscreants allegedly severed a leg of one of the BCL RU unit activists Abdullah Al Masud and cut down tendons of the leg and hand of Togor Mohammad Saleh, scholarship affairs secretary of BCL RU unit in front of Ziaur Rahman Hall on the campus. RU unit BCL Vice President Atikur Rahman filed two separate cases with the Motihar police station over the incident four days after the incident. Motihar police station Officer-in-Charge Alamgir Hossain said: I have heard about the arrest but the arrestee was yet to be handed over to the station till filing of this report. l

Mysterious vandalism, fire in Dhanmondi ground

n Abu Hayat Mahmud
Unidentified miscreants vandalised the nameplate of Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Ltd on Friday night. They also defaced Sheikh Jamals mural on the club premises. The club authorities claimed that miscreants had also lit a fire and fired blank shots inside Dhanmondi playground and hung some banners representing environmental and social organisations. During a visit yesterday, this correspondent found the nameplate vandalised and a few burnt parts of wood and two to three abandoned crude bombs at the under-construction area inside the playground. It was also found that the miscreants have hung three big banners that read: We are congratulating Eng Mubasshar, Iqbal, Dana and Salma for protecting and opening Dhanmondi playground to public from the control of illegal government and Sheikh family. Courtesy: Environmentalists. Another eight small banners were also hung on the fences which read: The false case filed by the nondemocratic government against architect Mubasshar Iqbal Habib, Dana and Salma would be withdrawn. Courtesy: Environmentalists. Earlier, a few posters with negative comments against the green activists hung on the playground fences were seen when protesters returned to movement to press home the demand for freeing the public playground from the club. Iqbal Habib, joint secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa), told the Dhaka Tribune: We did not hang those banners. The occupiers who had been trying to grab the public playground are plotting to put us in trouble. We just hung few red flags around

A pedestrian walks past a banner hung by miscreants, who reportedly vandalised and set fire to establishments of Sheikh Jamal Dhanmoni Club inside the Dhanmondi playground, on Friday night
SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

the illegal structures and a cartoon poster on the fence of the ground, nothing else, he added. Without mentioning any name, Iqbal said the occupiers were using Bangabandhus family name to reap personal benefits. We are expressing deep concern and condemning such wrongdoing of the occupiers. We also want Prime Ministers intervention in the matter, he added. Anwarul Karim Helal, team manager of the club, said: The act of vandalism and occurred on Friday night but we have no idea who did this. Replying to a question on the mis-

creants identities, he said: We are not aware of their identities. However, action will be taken against those responsible, no matter if they are environmentalists or club people. We have withdrawn our securities after the ground was reopened by the city corporation authorities, he added. Helal further said club President Manjur Kader is abroad now and decision would be taken when he would return. Member of Green Voice Syed Ishtiaque Ahmed went to visit the ground yesterday morning but the club officials captured him and handed him over to Dhanmondi police. After hearing the news, other Green Voice mem-

bers went to the police station and had Ishtiaque freed. Meanwhile, different people associated with the club gave conflicting statements. Md Marafat Ali, coordinator of the security department of the club, said: A group of six to eight people came here around 11:30 on Friday night, hung the banners and lit fire. Marafat said none from the club came out after hearing gunshot. We have just informed our top officials, he said when asked why they did not inform police. The workers working in the ground said there were about 30 to 40 people of the club on that night.

Abdur Razzak, field manager of Oriented, the company appointed for the construction, said: A group of six to eight people came at night to hang the banners. We have heard gunshots around 10:30pm but stayed inside for safety. Dr Rezaul Karim Firoz, who works at the anesthesia department of Sikder Medical College who loves near the playground, said: We heard the sound of firing between 9pm to 9:30pm but could not understand the matter. Md Sultan, caretaker of the building where Firoz lives, said: I have seen some people running inside the ground but could not identify them because it was dark.l

CLNB forms human chain against ship n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong yard accidents A private clinic, Centre for Specialised Care and Research (CSCR) Private LimitBSS n ed, has been shut after a fire at Chittagong
Coalition of Local NGOs Bangladesh (CLNB) yesterday formed a human chain in front of National Press Club demanding effective measures from the government to prevent labour accidents in the ship breaking industry. Speakers at the demonstration said although ship breaking activities in the country were governed under the Ship Breaking and Ship Recycling Rules 2011, 50 people had died in ship breaking accidents before the rules were enforced. They further added that 45 more workers were killed and more than 2,000 received injuries after the law was enacted. They also claimed such accidents can be prevented by providing a three to fiveday training to ship breaking workers. CLNB presented a six-point demand, including training of workers, appointing safety officers and compensations for the affected workers. The programme was addressed by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan Joint General Secretary Mihir Biswas, Unnayanadhara Trust Member Aminur Rasul, Weekly Samikkhan Editor Shahjahan Kabir Zahir and labour leader Shahida Sarkar. l

Clinic shut after fire

citys Probortok Intersection yesterday. However, no casualties took place and patients were shifted to other clinics immediately. Firemen say the fire took place on the eighth floor of the 10-storeyed building around 8:20am and that might have started from short circuit at the conference room. On information, we rushed there with 13 firefighting vehicles and were able to douse the fire around 9:30am, Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) Md Jasim Uddin of Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters in Chittagong tells the Dhaka Tribune. The fire might have started from an electric short circuit at the conference room, he says. However, the exact cause of the fire could be known soon as we have formed a three-member committee asked it to submit its report as soon as it is possible, he adds. Firemen and hospital authorities estimated the valuables damaged by the fire at around Tk11 lakh. The Dhaka Tribune correspondent also visited the site and found all accounts and audit documents, kept at conference room, reduced to ashes. Civil Surgeon Dr Sarfaraz Khan said, The administration has halted all types of activities of the clinic and shifted the patients to other city clinics soon. The clinic will not be reopened unless water and electricity systems are restored, he adds. We have also formed a three-member probe committee and the committee has been asked to submit its report by three days, he further says. CSCR Private Ltd Director Dr Sanaullah Sheli says, No casualties could take place as we had all the fire safety measures in place. l

A patient is being taken out of Centre for Specialised Care and Research clinic after a fire broke out there in the morning yesterday
DHAKA TRIBUNE

WEATHER THUNDERSHOWER

Chhatra League blockade hampers CU academic activities

n CU Correspondent
Academics at Chittagong University were hampered as a faction of Chhatra League, the ruling partys student wing, continued their blockade programmes for the third consecutive day yesterday. Campus sources said the shuttle train and bus service between the campus and the port city also remained suspended, disrupting the commute for students. No classes were held at the university, however, examinations were held by a few departments. CU Proctor Professor Siraj Ud Dowla said the concerned authority has urged the blockaders to withdraw their blockade for the next two weeks adding that the CU authority would hold a meeting with the agitating group of Chhatra League to bring normalcy back to the campus. The appeal was made in an urgent meeting held at CU vice-chancellors office around 10:30am with CU Pro-VCProfessor Ifthekhar Uddin Chowdhury. The proctor, however, could not to tell when the train and bus services would resume their regular route. Deans Committee Convener Professor Imran, syndicate member Professor Sowren Biswash, Students Welfare Advisor Professor Khan Tawhid Osman,Superintendent of Police (North) Md Sahidullah were present at the meeting, amongst others. Station Master Md Sahbuddin of Sholahahar Railway Station said since there were no instructions from higher authority of Bangladesh Railway, the shuttle train service has remained suspended. Chhatra League CU unit Joint Secretary Sumon Mamun said they would continue the blockade as there was no visible headway in meeting their the eight-point demands. Meanwhile, another faction of Chhatra League staged demonstrations on campus against the blockade. They brought out procession demanding to keep a congenial educational atmosphere in campus. On April 5, a faction of Chhatra League activists had physically assaulted Nasir Haider Babul, assistant secretary of Awami League central sub-committee, at the campus. On May 7, another faction of BCL men enforced a blockade at CU for an indefinite period, protesting the incident and also abducted a shuttle train driver; however, they did release him after three hours. Another driver and two police men were injured during the vandalism of the shuttle train in the city, protesting the April 5 attack. l

ASSAULT ON AL LEADER

JU Chhatra Union holds annual council n JU Correspondent

Bangladesh Chhatra Union Jahangirnagar University unit yesterday organised its 25th annual council with the slogan Hok Mukto Songskritir Bikash, Rukho Shikkha Banijjo Sontrash yesterday at the campus. JU anthropology department Professor Manosh Kumar Chowdhury inaugurated the programme as special guest in front of Amor Ekushe sculpture around 11am while Hasan Tareque, central president of Bangladesh Chhatra Union was present at the council as the chief guest. Earlier, the guests hoisted the national flag and the organisations flag with JU unit Chhatra Union president Zahidul Islam Zinnah and sang the national anthem, sources said. To mark the occasion, activists of JU unit Chhatra Union brought out a colourful procession on the campus with the different banners, placards and festoons. Central President of Chhatra Union Hasan Tareque said the private educational institutions of the country were charging huge fees from the students. The middle and lower-income groups in the society were facing financial crisis during admission in educational institutions, he said. Tareque Hasan added that Bangladesh Chhatra Union would always be against these practices and systems. Former JU unit Chhatra Union leader Professor Manosh Kumar Chowdhury said: Chhatra Union is fighting against racial oppression, communal crisis, imperialist conspiracy and neo-colonial oppression from its birth. l

Private healthcare facilities fail to deliver

n UNB
People seeking healthcare services in the capitals private hospitals and diagnostic centres are largely being deceived as most of these healthcare institutions are run without adequate doctors and facilities, claimed officials at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). About 80% of some 60 private healthcare establishments in the capital were found to be flouting the rules imposed by the government in one way or other, including the overall tendency of operating without the required number of graduate doctors and health assistants, said the officials. DGHS Deputy Director Dr Swapan Kumar Tapadar, also the chief of the committee entrusted with the monitoring of private hospitals in the capital, said it was found during the inspection that most of the private healthcare institutions neither have the required number of doctors, diploma nurses nor the necessary space for a patient. He also noted that although at least one medical technologist is supposed to be on duty round the clock in pathological centres, the lab attendants were found to be carrying out the works of medical technologists in many centres. Besides, there is a lack of necessary equipment in many diagnostic centres, Swapan said. According to the DGHS, there are 3,827 government-approved private clinics and 8,111 athological ones across the country and over 1500 of these are located in Dhaka city. Sources at the DGHS said a number of clinics and diagnostic centres are also operating across the country without licenses. The monitoring committee has recently identified such unlicensed health institutions in the capital, they added. They, however, declined to disclose the names of the unlicensed health institutions. Officials of both the Health Ministry and DGHS officials said the authorities of private clinics and pathological centres, in most cases, hire doctors, nurses and other equipment while applying to the DGHS for approval. About irregularities by private health establishments, DGHS director (Education and HMPD) Prof Dr ABM Abdul Hannan said it is mandatory for private healthcare establishments to get the approval of the DGHS before starting their operation. He said though the authorities of private clinics and diagnostic centres show necessary documents while applying to DGHS for the approval, most of them later violate the conditions on which the approval is given. In order to obtain the approval, a private clinic must have an 80 squarefoot space for one patient and three graduate doctors for every 10 patients. Besides, the clinics have to have required number of diploma nurses and cleaners for obtaining the approval from the DGHS. Similarly, pathological centres must have adequate equipment in order to get the approval. A three-member DGHS team is now monitoring all the private clinics and hospitals in the city while another team outside Dhaka. Civil surgeons are also monitoring clinics at district level. l

SUNDAY, MAY 11
DHAKA TODAY TOMORROW SUN SETS 6:32PM SUN RISES 5:18AM FORECAST FOR TODAY
Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Coxs Bazar 36 29 41 39 36 34 33 30 25 25 28 24 24 26 22 26

39.8C Sayedpur

YESTERDAYS HIGH AND LOW

22.0C Sylhet

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES
Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha 3:56am 5:18am 11:55am 3:19pm 6:32pm 7:55pm
Source: IslamicFinder.org

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Example of self-reliance combating poverty

Housewife achives success rearing cattle
n Our Correspondent, Nilphamari
Arzina Begum, a housewife in Dolapara village of Khokshabari union under Sadar upazila in Nilphamari district, has achieved self reliance rearing cattle in a very limited area around her house. According to sources, a good number of women have taken short and long term training from the Department of Youth Development and Women Affairs to engage in income-generating activities. herself successfully in her job to fight against poverty. While contacted, Arzina said: As I was fighting against poverty, I have taken a help of Tk 5,000 from the Muslim Aid Bangladesh and bought a cow." "I started rearing poultry beside agriculture work and cultivation vegetable in my homestead garden," she said. " Now the farm gives me profit Tk 1200 to Tk1500 a week, " she added. "I have deposited a total amount of Tk. 3,00,000 to the local bank," Arzina said. Mahfuzar Rahman, manager of the Muslim Aid UK Bangladesh, Nilphamari branch said:" When the organization was established in the area in 2005, many helpless women were given facilities like Arzina." "The Muslim Aid Bangladesh is a UK based relief organization," he said. Department of Agriculture Office Deputy Director SM Sirajul Islam said: " Like Arzina, there are a number of helpless women in different upazilas of the district who have achieved self-reliance by dint of their diligence and keen intelligence and living a decent life." UP chairman Aminur Rahman said: " Arzina has achieved success through hard struggle." "She is an example for the women in distress," said the chairman. l

As I was fighting against poverty, I have taken a help of Tk 5,000 from the Muslim Aid Bangladesh and bought a cow
Many women in Sadar, Dimla, Domar, Jaldhaka, Saidpur, Kishoreganj upazilas have been able to change their fate in the past few years by rearing livestock and poultry birds. Besides, a good number of women could earn solvency by cultivating vegetable on their homestead. Of them, Arzina has established

Housewife Arzina Begum of Dolapara village of Khokshabari union under Sadar upazila in Nilphamari district is seen rearing cattle as the business has proved profitable

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Landslide kills 3 of a family n Our Correspondent, Sylhet

Three members of a family, including a child, were killed in an incident of raintriggered landslide at a tea garden in South Shahbazpur of Baralekha upazila in the district yesterday. The deceased were identified as Rajesh, 35, his wife Manju, 25, and their eight-month-old daughter Shima. The couple used to work in the tea garden. Borolekha police station Inspector (investigation) Akbar Hossain said the incident had taken place at 9am when a heavy chunk of mud from a hill beside, loosened by rain, collapsed on the house of Rajesh, leaving him, his wife and daughter dead on the spot. l

Rajshahi markets flooded with illegal foreign cigarettes

n
BSS
Local markets are now flooded with various illegal foreign cigarettes posing a serious threat to the public health. Selling and consumption of the unauthorized cigarettes have been enhanced manifold in the border belt city promptly creating a grave concern among the conscious circle relating to the massive drug addiction. The brands namely black, more, prine-prime, Esse, Esse-Lirths, Esseex, mode, Mood, Oris and Strawberry are being sold randomly in the markets. In addition frequent display of various advertisements for the illegal products in all the outlets and selling points are taking place to attract the consumers especially the young generation. The existing tobacco control law has totally banned selling, distribution and marketing of tobacco and its products to the under 18 children. But the school and college-going children are the main purchasers of the branded cigarettes. Both packets and sticks of those are attractive and lucrative in colour and flavour. These foreign products contribute a lot to creating new smokers and encouraging the women towards smoking. Cigarette consumption is widely blamed as entrance of drug addiction. Sekendar Ali, general secretary of Shaheb Bazar Traders Association, told BSS that the cigarettes are mainly coming from Korea, China and Indonesia through different illegal sea routes. Interestingly, there was no name of producing country on the packets. Some of the brands have strawberry and grape flavour, by which, the consumers are being cheated frequently. The growing age children are becoming habituated to smoking as a result of the malpractices. Many of the shop owners sell cigarettes with grocery and other essential food items simultaneously without any hesitation but the practice is detrimental to the public health, said Dr Mahbubur Rahman Khan, Associate Professor of Medicine of Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital. Abu Bakker Ali, president of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the business of illegal cigarettes is escalating gradually due to lack of law enforcement as the traders are more interested to sell the unauthorised cigarettes for more profit. He expressed grave concern over gross violation of tobacco control law in the region and urged the authorities concerned to take punitive measures to resist the violation. Bakker Ali said tobacco products advertisements through packet display at all selling points and unabated marketing of foreign branded illegal cigarettes are taking place everywhere violating the law. He also mentioned that selling of tobacco products especially cigarettes to the schoolchildren and smoking in public places and transports are taking place haphazardly. The chamber leader said the tobacco control law was enacted in May, 2013, but its enforcement hasnt become visible as yet. For this reason, violation of the law is taking place randomly. Sarder Tamiz Uddin, additional commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police, put high emphasis on more investigative media reports on hazardous impacts of smoking in public places and using tobacco products. Cigarette consumption must be restricted to a greater extent for the sake of building a drug addiction-free society, he said. l

Juicy litchi starts appearing in Rajshahi markets

n BSS
Four more days are left to appear the Bangla month of Joistha, commonly known as Modhumash(honey month), the juicy fruit litchi has started appearing in the local markets of the region including Rajshahi city in limited scale like the previous years. But due to its less quantity, the present price is beyond purchasing capacity of the commoners. Side by side with the scorching heat and sultry weather the summer season brings many juicy fruits like litchi, mango, watermelon and jackfruit naturally in the region. Many seasonal traders set up makeshift shops at different points in the city especially Shaheb Bazar, Bindurmore, Luxmipur Bazar, Sheroil Bus Terminal, Railway station and Court bazaar displaying the eye- catching fruit. In advent of the season, the every 100-litchi fruits are being sold at Taka 300 to 350 based on quality and size. But its trading isnt remained off despite of the high price as the upper class and riches are purchasing the high cost fruit whatever the price is. Looking the new fruit of the year, many people are coming to purchase it but return back failing to synchronize between their taste and capacity. Now, I have no capacity to purchase litchi in accordance to my wish in the high price. I think, I have to wait for some days until its price is reduced, said Nazmul Islam, a resident of Upashahar area, who came to Shaheb Bazar for purchasing litch, while expressing his reaction to BSS. The sellers said the price is high as the supply is scanty but commented that the price will be reduced to some extent when the supply will be enhanced within the next couple of days. While talking to BSS trader Shafiqul Islam at Shaheb Bazar said on Sunday that many of the farmers are seen harvesting unripe litchi in bid to get more money. He also said the farmers are harvesting the cash crop before full- length ripe with hope of more profit and in apprehension of natural calamity. Dr Abdul Alim, Senior Scientific Officer of Rajshahi Fruit Research Station, told BSS that litchi is grown well in Rajshahi and Dinajpur districts in the northwest region but the litchi of Ishwardi is very delicious and famous across the country. He said commercial farming of some of the fruits especially mango and litchi are gradually being enhanced in the region. l

30 bombs recovered n Our Correspondent, Jessore

Rapid Action Battalion recovered 30hand bombs from Jessore Railway Station in the town yesterday. Sources said acting on a tip-off, law enforcers recovered the bombs from an abundant bag in the area. RAB-6 Commander Major Mahfujur Rahman confirmed the incident. l

Teacher arrested over sexual harassment

n Our Correspondent, Jhenaidah
A schoolteacher was arrested on Friday on charge of sexually harassing a minor female student at Moheshpur upazila in the district. The arrested was identified as Abdul Khalid, 45, son of Suja Uddin of Baghdanga village under the upazila. He has been serving as a founder teacher of Bahgdanga Kinder Garten. Moheshpur police station Officerin-charge M Sahjahan Ali said Abdul Khalid had been operating a kindergarten school in the village. During the school hours on Tuesday, he called a class three student in his office room and tried to violate her. Hearing her screaming, teachers and students rushed there and rescued the girl while Abdul Khalid left the school immediately. The incident created huge sensation in the area. Later, a case was filed with Moheshpur police station in this connection. The police arrested Khalid from his village around 3:00 pm. l

Work on Joydevpur, Mymensingh highway to begin in March 15 n BSS, Mymensingh

Communications Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday said the construction of four-lane Joydevpur-Mymensingh highway would begin in March next year. He said this while inaugurating two bridges over the river Khiru at Bhaluka and Trishal. Prof Dr M Aman Ullah, MP, Alhaj MA Hannan, MP, Upazila Parishad Chairman Golam Mostafa, Vice-Chairmen Rafiqul Islam Pintu and Monira Sultana and senior officials concerned were present on the occasion. The minister directed the officials to expedite construction of Taka 64 crore Mawna flyover on JoydevpurMymensingh highway to complete the project by March 2015. Meanwhile, the army is working fast under package 1 and 2 of JoydevpurMymensingh highway. The communications minister said there would be no concession over the murder of seven people in Narayanganj. The culprits would be brought under justice for the highest punishment as per the directive of the Prime Minister, he added. The minister said the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) is the creation of BNP. Once the BNP used to appreciate the RAB, but now they are criticizing it, he added. He rejected the demand for disbanding RAB, saying that a force cannot be abolished only for a few bad people in it. l

Farmers, staff left unpaid as cash crunch hits Mobarakganj Sugar Mills
Barguna district unit of Jatiya Shikkhak Karmochari Front, an organisation of non-government teachers, holds a rally yesterday in front local press club demanding their jobnationalisation DHAKA TRIBUNE

n Our Correspondent, Jhenaidah

Mobarakganj Sugar Mills in Jhenaidahs Kaliganj upazila has run into a cash crisis as its 18,600 metric tonnes of sugar worth around Tk75 crore, produced in 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14 seasons, have remained unsold. The Mills so far owes its cane supplying farmers Tk20 crore this season and its employees Tk4 crore against the salaries for the last four months. Farmers who recently held a protest for not being paid against their canes supplied to the mills, say they are living in hardship due to non-payment this season. The Mills employees say they are

Farmer abducted in Chuadanga

n UNB
Showing a new twist in the ongoing abduction spree, a farmer was kidnapped by miscreants from his house at Mohammadjuma village in sadar upazila early Friday. The victim was identified as Ainal Haque, 43, son of late Azgar Ali of the village. Bazlur Rahman, brother of the victim, said a gang of miscreants, numbering 7/8, identifying themselves as members of Detective Brach (DB) of police entered their house at about 3:00 am. They asked Ainal to open the door and as he did so, they picked him up at gunpoint and left the place by a microbus with him. Later Ainals family went to the local DB office where they were told that the detective force had not conducted any operation in the area at that time. When connected, Mohammad Kamruzzaman, assistant superintendent of police, said miscreants might have picked up Ainul in the guise of DB police. l

struggling to manage the cost of running the families because of not having been paid any salary for the last four months. Its retired employees say they have not been paid their dues. Asked, Managing Director of the Mills, Delwar Hossain admitted the facts and told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday, We are trying hard to pay the bills of the farmers and unpaid salaries of the staff as soon as possible. For that, we have already held a discussion to find the ways and means of tiding over this crisis. However, I do not think we can meet the payment of the retired staff right away. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Career

Sunday, May 11, 2014

From Made in Bangladesh to Designed in Bangladesh

How a brand manager can market the dynamic face of modern Bangladesh
n Naiian Yazdani and Nakibul Hoq
The 2014 T20 World Cup might have ended over a month ago, but remnants of the festive atmosphere and the energy it had generated still pulsate throughout our subcontinental host city. The banners and neon signs welcoming the world to Dhaka have mostly been left alight, and the flash mobs are showing no signs of stopping all the way from Coxs Bazar in the south-east to Queens in New York City. While the impact can easily be seen domestically, the next step is to ensure that Bangladesh can make an impression globally. Global marketing strategies need to be part of any ambitious marketers skill set. This is not without its challenges: the basic perceptions about Bangladesh which linger internationvarious forms such as showcasing our very best talent as was the case with world cup tune Char chhokka hoi hoi. The catchy tune was seen through a positive prism and brought recognition, as shown by an article recently published by Fox Sports Australia, and poured attention on a strength uninitiated to the rest of the globe. Today, the term Beautiful Bangladesh connotes more positivity to the global audience than most of us sitting here can presume. Although the term still has a long way to go compared to Incredible India and Malaysia - Truly Asia, the nation has never had a more positive image before. Recently, a panel discussion was organised by the Future Strategy Group as part of their idea series. The theme of the series was From Made in Bangladesh to Designed in Bangladesh. The imagery is powerful, and reflective of the ambitions of this young country. No longer are Bangladeshi organisations interested in being relegated to the end of a production line; rather, they aspire to become architects of their own destiny. In the discussion Towards Innovative Bangladesh, each of the speakers asserted the fact that to establish Bangladesh as a well-established brand in the outside world, brand managers, more than ever before, have to establish world class brands through innovation of both process and promotion. Today, branding is no longer just about your product. It is also about your position in comparison with the rest of world. Not only does Bangladesh have the responsibility to produce high quality goods but also to convey the message which enshrines the positivity of everything that is happening domestically. The concept of popularising brand management in Bangladesh was highlighted by the Aromatic Halal Soaps onslaught between 1997 and 2000. This example of branding is cited by marketing professors locally and internation-

Academics nowadays increasingly focus on the idea of Designed in Bangladesh rather than Made in Bangladesh as a mechanism with which to invert the global perception
While the countrys education system has been modernised in the past few years and new pedagogical techniques are constantly being explored by instructors, it is imperative that the prospective leaders of the country are exposed to more real world problems and encouraged to solve them. The modern world is filled with information and the industry and university alliance can facilitate the sharing of knowledge between the outside world and educational institutes. The bond between the academic and corporate world can support the discovery hidden talent and to equip them with the tools required to maximise their abilities. Brand managers have the opportunity to not only shape their products but also the nations image and will take center stage. It is imperative that the country focuses on building these high quality brand managers who can promulgate the idea of a Beautiful Bangladesh and reflect our country as the progressive economy it is transforming into. l ingly focus on the idea of Designed in Bangladesh rather than Made in Bangladesh as a mechanism with which to invert the global perception. High quality brand managers are being developed through the business schools of the country and by facilitating opportunities for the Bangladeshi diaspora to attract them to Bangladesh. Nakibul Hoq is a research analyst at GradConnect, an international career information and advisory firm. You can email him at nakib@grad-connect.com and find more career information at www.gradinsights.com and www.grad-connect.com. Naiian Yazdani is the director of strategy at GradConnect. You can email him at naiian@ grad-connect.com

Brand managers have the opportunity to not only shape their products but also the nations image and will take centre stage
ally encompasses natural disasters, political upheavals and cheap labour. Recently, an American Apparel advertisement ran with a topless model, one who doesnt need to identify herself as American or Bangladeshi, with the tagline Made in the USA - Sweatshop Free. The message is clear: Bangladesh is repressive and exploitative. The antidote lies with the current generation of marketers to ensure that the modern, progressive and dynamic Bangladesh is reflected. This can take

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ally. In 1997, Aromatic ran an advertising campaign based on the tagline that their soap was 100% halal, resulting in the brand becoming the number one soap brand in the country. The example demonstrates how positioning a product can do wonders in a world ruled by consumers. Importantly, it shows that the talent lies within

Bangladesh to create game changing marketing strategies. Further, it focuses on the impact of brand managers, in which well established brands can fall behind and conversely, lesser known brands can become chart toppers in a short space of time if they skilfully push their brand upwards. The academics nowadays increas-

Seven quick and easy steps to improved employability

n Javeed Ahsan
If you do not have a job, you are probably looking for one. And if you already have a job, you are probably looking for a better one. In other words, if you are working for a living, you are always seeking to improve your career. If you are seriously in need of a job and your recent efforts have been futile, go through the following seven steps in the list below and see what you are not doing right. n Do you have the right CV? Every vacancy has a unique job description and thus requires a distinct set of skills and qualifications. But, being as lazy as a lot of us happen to be, we often have one standard CV that we use for every application. Seeking a job is just like fishing. You need to know what fish is there in the pond and what its favourite feed is, and use exactly that feed as bait. The rarer or more special the fish you want to catch, the more customised a bait you have to use. Every time you apply for a vacancy, you need to go through the job descriptions and the requirements very carefully, and revise your CV highlighting your skills, qualifications and experiences accordingly. You may be highly qualified for a job you are applying for, but unless your CV demonstrates that and the relevance of your qualifications with the job in question, your chances of getting short-listed are very dim. No idea how to make a good CV? No worries. Just Google example good marketing (or whatever the field of choice be) CV and you will get many great CV templates to follow. Try to limit your CV to a maximum of four pages. This means: do not waste your space by putting unnecessary sections like career objectives, hobbies, countries visited, etc. Keep it short, simple and to the point so that the employers can quickly make out who exactly you are and what you can do best. n Is your cover letter right? You might have heard people say that cover letters are not important. Yes, at times, they are not, especially in getting your CV in the short list. Recruiters normally go through the CVs to make a short list. However, covers letters do play an important role during the interview. The interviewers often read the cover letter to see how well you have been able to summarise your profile in a paragraph or two. Hence, as with the CV, you cannot have one cover letter that fits all situations. Writing a cover letter can be a big challenge and seem daunting, but you can follow the same Google trick to draft a good cover letter without having to spend much time. It is important that you read the vacancy announcement carefully and address all the requirements in the cover letter. For example, if you are asked to mention why you think you are a suitable candidate for the position in the cover letter, do just that instead of repeating your entire CV there. n Are you seeking jobs in the right place? Many job seekers ask others to help them find a job. Do not do just that. You are in the best position to seek your own job because you know what you want and what you can do best. You have to know which newspapers carry the kind of job circulations you are interested in and particularly on which dates. Dont miss it. Online job portals are becoming increasingly popular lately as well, which you have to check at least once a day. Social and professional networks like LinkedIn can also be important sources of vacancy information. Let us say, for example, you are interested in a development job; you can occasionally do a Google search for UN jobs Bangladesh to keep track of vacancies in international development organisations in Bangladesh. n Do you have a fully updated profile in the job portals? Sometimes you can even have the jobs find you instead, if you have built and updated your profile in the popular job portals. Having profiles at bdjobs.com, devex.com, and linkedin can be very effective. Dont forget to set job alters using specific job related keywords. n Are you ready for the interview? If you receive an interview call, congratulations! This is your opportunity to prove your worth. Have confidence in yourself and firmly believe that since you have come this far, you can beat the rest and make it through. You can actually do that, provided you have the right kind of preparation. You have to do your homework. Do extensive research about the organisation and the role you are being interviewed for. Do also find what other organisations expect from their employees in similar positions as well. At the interview, convince them that you know the organisation and role inside out. Be ready for the more common interview questions as well, like talking about yourself, your strengths and weaknesses and citing examples of your successes and failures in your existing or previous jobs, etc. If the salary is not mentioned in the job ad, try to get insider information about the salary range for the position. At the interview, if you demand less than they are prepared to offer for the position, they will think you are not worth it; or you will be getting paid less every month even if you are hired. And if you demand beyond the range, they will think you might not stay for long even if you agree to join for a lower salary after negotiation. n Who are your referees? Many a times, we use our university professors or famous people as our referees. But, in the corporate world their reference is of little value, though they may have been great mentors. Your best referees should be your current supervisor, followed by your past supervisors. You may include one industry leader or guru of the field you are in, provided you know the person well. And make sure you have their consents to be your referees. n Are you tired? I often come across job seekers who have become frustrated and tired of applying. Come on! I tell them, in a country of more than one hundred and fifty million people, how many jobs are actually there in the market compared to the number of job seekers? So, keep applying and never give up. My experience suggests, for junior professionals in Bangladesh, if you make one hundred job applications, you will receive one interview call. And if you face ten interviews, you are likely to get one job offer. But the more senior you become, the higher the chances of your applications yielding results. Thus, keep patience. l Javeed Ahsan is a communication and social awareness consultant at the Central Procurement Technical Unit of IMED at the Ministry of Planning

Right word, right time: Dont be a n00b n Career Desk

Adware A software application which displays unwanted pop-up advertisements on your computer while BIZ in use. Adware is VOCAB often installed at the same time as free software or shareware Bloatware/fatware Pre-installed software that occupies a lot of space, leaving little memory for storing personal data Bug A defect or fault in a programme that prevents it from working correctly. Bugs are caused by mistakes or errors made by those who write the programme Cache A sort of fast memory used for temporary storage of recently accessed web pages, which enables the browser to display them more quickly on the next visit Cookies Small piece of information on the times and dates you have visited web sites. A web server can temporarily store this information within your browser. The main purpose is to identify users and possibly prepare customised web pages for them Firewall Specialised hardware or software designed to prevent unauthorised access into or out of a computer or network Hit A visit to a website Netiquette Network etiquette: a set of informal rules defining proper behaviour on the intenet Trojan A computer programme that is hidden in a useful software application and actually used to gain access to your computer. It then performs malicious actions such as displaying messages or erasing files. Trojans may be found in a hacked legitimate programme or in free software Worm A self-replicating computer programme, similar to a computer virus. It infects additional computers (typically by making use of network connections), often clogging networks and information systems as it spreads Wysiwyg What you see is what you get (pronounced wizzy-wig). A WYSIWYG application enables you to see on the screen exactly what will appear when the document is printed Zip To zip a file is to compress it so that it occupies less storage space and can be transferred quickly over the internet

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Kiev to east Ukraine: Self-rule would be catastrophe

n Reuters, Mariupol/Slaviansk
Ukrainian acting President Oleksander Turchinov told eastern regions gripped by a pro-Russian uprising that they would be courting catastrophe if they voted yes in a separatist referendum on Sunday. Turchinov, who deems the vote in the Russian-speaking Donetsk and Luhansk regions illegal, urged the population to accept round table talks on greater autonomy. But, in reference to fighters who have seized police and government buildings, he said terrorists could not be included. The vote, organised on a largely ad hoc basis with no clear control of authenticity of ballot papers or voter lists, could have serious consequences for Ukraine and relations between Moscow and the West. It risks turning isolated clashes into civil war. (Secession from Ukraine)...would be a step into the abyss for these regions, Turchinov said on his website. Those who stand for self-rule do not understand that it would mean complete destruction of the economy, social programmes and life in general for the majority of the population in these regions. The atmosphere in major cities across the region was tense though there were no reports of fighting in the morning. In the port city of Mariupol, where between seven and 20 people were killed in fierce fighting on Friday, rebels blocked the streets with barricades of tyres, garbage containers and chairs. Smoke was still coming from the partially burnt-out administration building. There was no sign of Ukrainian forces. The barricades were manned by a handful of pro-Russians, some with batons or clubs, wearing motorcycle helmets. No gunmen were visible. Video on the YouTube site showed an armoured car captured by rebels set on fire and ammunition exploding. Throughout the city of Slaviansk, the most heavily defended separatist redoubt, streets were barricaded with tyres, furniture, cars and scrap iron. In the city of Donetsk, rebels released several members of the Red Cross whom they held for seven hours, one having been beaten, a Red Cross official in Kiev said. l

A woman stands on May 10, 2014 in the burned trade union building in Odessa, southern Ukraine, as people gather outside the building during an Orthodox ceremony to mourn the death of pro-Russian militants killed nine days ago. More than one week ago, a blaze at a trade union building in the southern Ukrainian port city left 42 people dead mostly proRussian militants after running battles with supporters of the new government in Kiev AFP

French sale of warships West warns Russia ahead of Ukraine referendums n to Russia still on
AFP, Mariupol

n AFP, Stralsund
French President Francois Hollande said Saturday the sale of two Mistral warships to Russia would continue for now despite the Wests worsening relations with Moscow over the Ukraine crisis. The contract was signed in 2011, it is being carried out and will be completed by next October, said Hollande during a press briefing in Germany, where he met with Chancellor Angela Merkel. Their two-day talks had focused on the situation in Ukraine and they called

on both Kiev and Moscow to ensure nothing interferes with crucial presidential elections, set for May 25. But Moscows annexation of Crimea in March and the Wests fears that other regions of east Ukraine could also join Russia has touched off the worst east-west diplomatic row since the end of the Cold War. On Thursday, the United States again voiced concern about the 1.2bn-euro ($1.65bn) sale of the French warships to Russia as Washington mulled imposing more sanctions on the regime of President Vladimir Putin. l

France and Germany Saturday threatened Russia with consequences if Moscow disrupts Ukrainian presidential elections later this month, stepping up diplomatic pressure on the eve of illegal referendums the West fears will split the country apart. In a joint statement, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel also urged Ukraines security forces to stop their offensive on rebel-held positions in the run-up to the planned May 25 presidential part. The warnings suggested the West might soon move to broaden its sanctions regime to include whole sections

of the recession-threatened Russian economy. But the call for the pro-Western government in Kiev to roll back its military action echoes a similar statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, who set that as his condition for backing the presidential election. If the internationally recognised presidential elections do not take place on May 25, this would destabilise the country further. France and Germany believe that in this case, appropriate consequences should be drawn, indicating tougher sanctions, Hollande and Merkel said. Paris and Berlin said proportionate force should be used to protect people and buildings as Kiev battles to

wrest back control of more than a dozen towns and cities in eastern Ukraine held by pro-Russian insurgents. However, they stressed that the Ukrainian security services should refrain from offensive actions before the election. The two leaders also called for a visible withdrawal of Russian troops from the Ukrainian border after Nato disputed Putins claims he had pulled back his estimated 40,000 servicemen. Ukraines interim president Oleksandr Turchynov said that Kiev was ready for negotiations with representatives from the eastern region but not terrorists whose mission is to destroy the country. He said voting for independence

would be a step into the abyss for these regions and lead to the total destruction of the economy there. But the head of the separatists in the flashpoint eastern town of Slavyansk, Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, told reporters that if the junta (the Ukrainian government) doesnt withdraw its troops, there will be no discussions. Meanwhile, preparations were in full swing for the disputed referendums in the two eastern regions of Donetsk and Lugansk, home to 7.3 million of Ukraines total population of 46 million. Merkel and Hollande dismissed the referendums as illegal, amid Western fears they will hasten the break-up of Ukraine and could lead to all-out civil war on Europes fringes. l

Late Pope Paul VI closer to sainthood n Reuters, Vatican City

The late Pope Paul VI, who led the Roman Catholic Church during one of its most turbulent modern periods and enshrined its opposition to contraception, will move a step closer to sainthood in October, the Vatican said yesterday. Pope Francis, who last month declared saints of two of his predecessors, will beatify Paul, declaring him a blessed of the Church, at a ceremony on October 19. The timing of the ceremony, which will take place at the conclusion of a Vatican synod of bishops from around the world on the theme of the family, means Francis will have either canonised or beatified three of his predecessors in the unusually short space of six months. Beatification is the last step before sainthood. The late popes move towards canonisation was made possible after the Vatican recognised what it says was a miracle attributed to Paul, who died in 1978. The purported miracle concerns a pregnant woman in California whose unborn child was discovered to be at high risk of dying in the womb or being born with severe birth defects in the 1990s. Doctors advised the woman to have an abortion but, at the advice of a nun, she prayed to the late Pope Paul. The child, now an adult, was born without problems. A Vatican medical committee ruled that the healing was medically inexplicable. l

BASHARS SYMBOLIC VICTORY

South Africa police deploys army to quell protests, 59 arrested n Reuters, Johannesburg
South Africa deployed its armed forces overnight to quell post-election unrest in a Johannesburg slum and police arrested 59 people as the ANC government clamped down on disorder following its victory at the polls. While the African National Congress remains popular with South Africas black majority 20 years after dismantling white apartheid rule, there is rising discontent among millions stuck in grinding poverty. Violent protests - often over lack of access to running water or electricity - are common in South Africas impoverished black townships, although military intervention has been rare. On Friday, police used rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse demonstrators who burned tires and barricaded roads in the Alexandra township north of Johannesburg, spokesman Brigadier Neville Malila said. But the military was deployed to back up the police when the security situation deteriorated overnight and will remain as long as required, army spokesman Brigadier General Xolani Mabanga said. Malila said Alexandra was calm this morning, and no further incidents were reported. l

Syrians walk in an alley of the Souk Maskouf in the central city of Homs yesterday, as they return to the old city a day after the last Syrian rebels left the citys neighbourhood under an evacuation deal that hands the government a symbolic victory. Rebel forces in the Old City were under government siege for nearly two years before the deal to evacuate, and regime troops shelled the area almost daily throughout AFP

Yemen Militants attack presidential palace n Reuters, Sanaa

Suspected al Qaeda-linked gunmen attacked Yemens presidential palace on Friday and tried to kill the defense minister in his car, selecting high profile targets in apparent reprisal for the armys biggest push against militants in nearly two years. Four soldiers were killed in a gun battle of up to an hour that broke out when militants attacked the main gate of the palace in the capital Sanaa, a security source said. Sanaa was in lockdown after the gunfight, with checkpoints set up at all the main entrances into the capital. l

S Sudans rebel leader agrees new ceasefire

n Reuters, Addis Ababa
South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and rebel commander Riek Machar signed a ceasefire deal on Friday after coming under growing international pressure to end ethnic fighting that has raised fears of genocide. Fridays deal was made at a meeting in Ethiopia that was the first time the two men had met face-to-face since violence erupted in December following a long power struggle. Kiir and Machar, both Christians, shook hands and prayed together. The men agreed that a transitional government offered the best chance to take the country towards elections next year, though there was no immediate decision on who would be part of an interim administration. Now that we have come to our senses ... dialogue is the only answer to whatever problem we had, Kiir said after a signing ceremony in Addis Ababas presidential palace. We will continue to move in the right direction. The truce will take effect within 24 hours and both sides agreed to disengage their forces and refrain from any provocative actions, said Seyoum Mesfin, lead mediator from the IGAD grouping. l

Nigerian army ignored school attack warning

n Agencies
Al Jazeera has reported that Nigerias army rejected as unfounded statements by Amnesty International that it had early warnings of a Boko Haram attack on a Chibok girls school last month, which led to the abduction of more than 200 pupils. Amnesty said on Friday it was told that security forces were given four hours notice of the April 14 attack, but failed to reinforce the town. Two politicians from Borno state, which borders Chibok, separately told Al Jazeeras Yvonne Ndege that the army had at least two hours notice. In a statement issued yesterday, the Nigerian army said: It has to be categorically stated that the claims by Amnesty International ... that security forces had advance warning ... is unfounded. The schoolgirls remain missing and the governments slow response to the abduction has led to protests around the country. Teams from the US, UK and China have arrived in Nigeria to help the search. Meanwhile, specialist teams from the US and the UK in areas that include intelligence gathering, satellite imagery and hostage negotiations began arriving in Nigeria to assist with the search. l

Nigerian army posts two divisions to hunt for missing girls

n Reuters, Abuja

Nigerias Army has posted two divisions to hunt for 200 schoolgirls abducted last month by Islamist rebels in an attack condemned globally including by US first lady Michelle Obama yesterday. The soldiers are stationed in the border region close to Chad, Cameroon and Niger to work with other security agencies, said General Chris Olukolade, spokesman for the Defence Headquarters. The government of President Goodluck Jonathan has faced criticism for its slow response since Boko Haram militants stormed a secondary school in the village of Chibok. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Sunday, May 11, 2014

9
Search for MH370 heads to site of first ping n Reuters
An Australian naval vessel carrying an underwater drone involved in the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 left port yesterday on its second mission to scan part of the Indian Ocean where the longest sonar ping was heard over a month ago. The Ocean Shield is heading to the area where a signal was first located and heard for some two hours on April 5, about 1,600 km (1,000 miles) northwest of Perth to launch the Bluefin-21 submersible. More than two dozen countries have been involved in the hunt for the Boeing 777 that disappeared from radar shortly after taking off from Kuala Lumpur for Beijing with 239 people, mostly Chinese, on board in one of the worlds greatest aviation mysteries. Weeks of daily sorties have failed to turn up any trace of the plane, even after narrowing the search to an arc in the southern Indian Ocean. Batteries on the black box voice and data recorders have gone flat. The search had been centred on a 314-square-km (121-sq-mile) area around the second ping located and monitored for about 13 minutes on April 5, and which search authorities identified as their strongest lead. With the search of that area complete, the focus is shifting to the area where the first, and longer, signal was detected the same day, US Navy Captain Mark Matthews told journalists at a naval base near Perth. What you do is you go look at your best indications and you pursue them until theyre exhausted, he said. These things dont happen fast. These searches dont happen on the hours or days cycle. These happen on the weeks and months cycle. Australia, China and Malaysia earlier this week pledged not to give up searching for the plane, even though air and surface searches for debris have been abandoned. The Ocean Shield returned to Stirling Naval Base south of Perth earlier this week after more than a month at sea to resupply, change crew and perform software modifications and maintenance on the Bluefin. The submersible has dived to a maximum depth of 5,005 metres in its daily 20-hour missions to scan the ocean floor using sonar, despite being only designed to dive to 4,500 metres, Matthews said. With just three weeks left on loan from the US Navy, the pressure is on about how to proceed and who will pay for the next phase of the search. The Ocean Shield, which will take three days to arrive at the search location, is due back in port by the end of the month. Last week, Malaysia released its most comprehensive account yet of what happened to Flight MH370, detailing the route the plane probably took as it veered off course and the confusion that followed. The officials have said the focus will be on 60,000 sq km (23,000 sq mile) of seabed in the Indian Ocean that could take a year to search. l

Thai government supporters rally to defend democracy

n Reuters, Bangkok
Supporters of Thailands beleaguered government gathered yesterday on the outskirts of Bangkok, saying they were determined to safeguard democracy as rival anti-government protesters pressed their campaign in the city. Thailands politicians have been unable to forge a compromise over a nearly decade-long split between the royalist establishment and a populist former telecommunications tycoon, whose sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, was ousted as prime minister on Wednesday. Her sacking by the Constitutional Court for nepotism followed six months of sometimes violent anti-government protests that have unnerved investors, frightened away tourists and dented growth in Southeast Asias second-biggest economy. Yinglucks supporters have derided her removal as a judicial coup. Her brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was ousted in a military coup in 2006. This is a dictatorship that masquerades as a democracy, Sombat Thammasuk, 44, a red shirt supporter of Thaksin and Yingluck, said at the rally. A government security official said about 50,000 people had joined the rally and more were expected. They gathered under a sweltering sun and many said they were prepared to stay for days to press for an election. Although it is hot out here our anger is hotter, we are boiling with anger. I am ready to give this fight everything Ive got, said Sombat A day after Yingluck was thrown out of office she was indicted by an anti-corruption agency for negligence over a rice subsidy scheme that ran up huge losses. The upper house Senate is expected to impeach her for that, which would result in a five-year ban from politics. But Yinglucks Puea Thai party still runs a caretaker government and is hoping to organise a July 20 election that it would probably win. Anti-government protesters want the government out, the election postponed and reforms to end Thaksins influence. Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, a former deputy premier in a government run by the pro-establishment Democrat Party, called his supporters out onto Bangkoks streets on Friday for what he says will be a final push to get the government out. He then wants to install a peoples council to oversee reforms aimed at excluding Thaksin from politics. The caretaker government is unlawful, which means at this stage, Thailand has no real government, Suthep told reporters at a rally. He called on the upper house Senate, the judiciary and Election Commission to appoint a neutral prime minister. Sutheps supporters held rallies and blocked some roads yesterday but there were no reports of violence. Both the pro- and anti-government camps have armed activists within their ranks and the rival protests this weekend, even though they are far apart, have raised fears of trouble. Jatuporn Prompan, leader of the red shirt supporters of Thaksin and Yingluck, told reporters at the pro-government rally Sutheps proposal was impossible. It is clear that Suthep thinks there is no government ... that he is looking to the Senate to install a neutral prime minister. This is illegal, Jatuporn said. If they install an interim prime minister we will escalate our fight for sure. We will not stand for it, he told Reuters. Thaksin lives in self-exile to avoid a jail term handed down in 2008 for corruption but has been a major influence over his sisters government. He won huge support in the north and northeast with pro-poor policies, rallied provincial power brokers to his party and was increasingly seen as a challenge to the Bangkok-based establishment. He or his loyalists have won every election since 2001. l

A Thai pro-government Red Shirts protester attends a rally in Bangkok yesterday

AFP

Mayawati rules out support to Modi govt post elections

n Agencies
Lucknow: BSP supremo Mayawati today ruled out extending any kind of support to the BJP-led NDA government in the event of the party coming to power after the Lok Sabha polls. The former UP Chief Minister also said that the BJP has realised that it might not be able to form the government and that there is no Modi wave as claimed in the media. BJP leader Narendra Modi in his recent interview had claimed that if needed he might seek support of AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa, TMCs Mamata Banerjee and BSP national president...I want to make it clear that BSP will not extend any kind of support to NDA at any cost, Mayawati told reporters. When elections started, Modi was claiming that NDA will not require support of any other party. No party talks about taking support of any other party unless it is unsure of its victory...The interview of Modi is a ploy to create confusion in the minds of minority community which are voting for us, she said. l

Rahul takes dig at Modi: Say you will respect women and stop tapping their phones in Gujarat
n Agencies
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi yesterday made a frontal attack on Narendra Modi in Varanasi, where the latter is tipped to win, by asking him to change his poster where he promises to respect women. Say that you will respect women and stop sending the police to tail women or tap their phones in Gujarat. Dont give them strength, give them a little respect, Rahul reportedly said during his road show in the constituency, where Congress Ajay Rai and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal are contesting against Modi. Rahul dig was aimed at targeting Modi for allegedly ordering illegal spying on a woman architect in Gujarat. The Congress-led UPA, after raising the controversy, called snoopgate, to a high pitch during the polls, beat a retreat by telling the Supreme Court that it had no plan to institute an inquiry into the controversy. He alleged Modi had insulted the people by saying the country has not achieved anything in the last 60 years. Modi had provided 45,000 acres of agriculture lands at the rate of Rs 1 per square metre, while he demanded thousands of rupees for the same land from the Air Force, Gandhi said while taking a dig at Modis style of securing the nation. Alleging that the Gujarat chief minister had favoured Adani Group by giving it Rs 400bn worth of land, the Congress leader said the state government had provided just Rs 80bn for education of children and health facilities. Modis Gujarat model is focused on enhancing the fortunes of one person, but we (UPA Government) are giving attention to uplift of 700 million people, who are between the Below Poverty Line and Middle Classes, he claimed. Highlighting the achievements of the Congress led UPA government, Gandhi drew the crowds attention towards, scholarships for the students and MNREGA. On the last day of campaigning for the final phase of the mammoth poll exercise, Rahul canvassed in his rivals constituency like Modi had campaigned for Rahuls challenger Smriti Irani in Amethi. Starting his journey from a Muslim dominated Gol Gadda area, the Congress vice-president, flanked by party candidate Ajay Rai, waved to the cheering crowds while standing in his vehicle as his convoy travelled a distance of 12 kilometres in four hours. Rahuls maiden show of strength in Varanasi on the last day of campaigning was held in retaliation to Modi addressing a rally in Amethi on May 5 on poll eve where BJPs Smriti Irani is taking on the Congress leader. Rahuls roadshow covered longer routes than those by Modi and AAP candidate Arvind Kejriwal, although in opposite direction. He started from National Inter College and reached Lanka Gate after passing through busy areas like Maidagin, Beniabagh and Assi. He paid floral tributes at the statue of Madan Mohan Malviya at the BHU gate as the area was swarmed by Congress supporters. He was helped by party men as he climbed a ladder to reach the pedestal. Modi and Kejriwal too had garlanded the statue during their previous road shows. We are fighting to win. We are confident of out victory, said Ghulam Nabi Azad who has been camping here. The family members of late shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan played shehnai during the roadshow. Earlier, the family had refused to become a proposer for Modi when he had filed nomination for the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat on April 24. Rahuls payback roadshow came as campaign frenzy gripped Varanasi, which will go to polls on May 12 in the last lap of the nine-phase Lok Sabha elections. l

North Korea renews threat of nuclear test

n Reuters, Seoul
North Korea, yesterday, renewed a threat to conduct a nuclear test amid heightened concern that the reclusive state with a stockpile of missiles may set off an atomic device for the fourth time on the path to building a nuclear arsenal. North Koreas official Rodong Sinmun newspaper said the country was justified in using all available means at its disposal to counter aggressive challenges by the United States and South Korea aimed at stifling its sovereignty. North Korea clarifies its resolute stand that it would take counter-measures including nuclear test to protect the sovereignty and dignity, the newspaper said in a commentary carried by the official KCNA news agency. The threat comes days after statements by South Koreas defense minister that preparations for a new test appear to be near completion although analysis by an American thinktank last week suggested a test may not be imminent. l

EL NINO IN THE PACIFIC

A man walks through rain in Hong Kong on May 10, 2014. As the UN weather agency recently warned there was a good chance of an El Nino climate phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean in 2014 bringing droughts and heavy rainfall to the rest of the world, Hong Kongs typhoon season could be delayed leading to an increase of rainfall over the territory in winter and spring
AFP

Pakistan Taliban chief makes last-ditch bid to assert authority

n Reuters, Peshawar
The head of the Pakistani Taliban is making a last-ditch bid to stamp his authority on the increasingly divided insurgency by ordering a top commander sacked, Taliban sources said Saturday. Taliban head Maulana Fazlullah moved against Khan Sajna Said on Friday after weeks of bloody infighting in the powerful Mehsud tribe that supplies the bulk of the Pakistani Taliban fighters, they said. Scores of men have been killed. The risk for Fazlullah is that Said might ignore him and battle on. Said is trying to wrest control of the Mehsud tribe - with its many weapons and lucrative smuggling routes and extortion business - from rival Shehryar Mehsud. The factional fighting has complicated attempts by the Pakistani government to end the insurgency through peace talks it proposed in February. Some commanders are in favor of talks but others vowed to continue their insurgency. Its a test case for Maulana Fazlullah and his shura, a Taliban commander said, referring to the movements leadership council. It will determine their future. If Sajna is convinced and he stops fighting, it conveys a good message to rest of the Taliban factions, he said. Otherwise it will be a setback for Fazlullah if Sajna refuses to obey his command. Fazlullah has repeatedly appealed in vain to the two Mehsud rivals to stop fighting. An earlier peace deal brokered by the powerful Haqqani network of fighters fell through, undercutting the militants ability to mount attacks against security forces. Notorious for ordering the attempted killing of schoolgirl activist Malala Yousafzai, Fazlullah is the first non-Mehsud leader of the Pakistani Taliban and has struggled to impose his authority on the powerful tribe. He faced many challengers to become chief of the Pakistani Taliban last year after the death of the previous head in a drone strike. He has been hiding in Afghanistan since then. But the time has come to exert his authority, a senior member of the Taliban said. The Taliban sources said Fazlullah turned to an influential hardline commander, Khalid Omar Khorasani, to appoint a new commander in place of Said, who wants to join the peace talks. l

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Sunday, May 11, 2014

CODE CRACKER

Extra-judicial killings require exemplary punishment

Be heard
Write to Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Sukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Email letters.dt@dhakatribune.com Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune

How to solve: Each number in our CODE CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 10 represents A so fill in A every time the figure 10 appears. You them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters go in the missing squares. Some letters of the alphabet may not be used. As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid, and the control grid. Check off the list of alphabetical letters as you identify them.

t is shameful that even though 2,200 have been victims of extrajudicial killings killed since 2004, no punitive action has yet been taken against any law enforcement personnel involved in these killings. Such killings are repeatedly glossed over, and euphemistically referred to as crossfire. It has been claimed by the RAB director that there have been no extra-judicial killings under RAB and that they and the police do always ensure punitive action is taken against any offenders. However, this sharply contrasts with claims by human rights bodies. Public records suggest that killings committed by law enforcement authorities tend to go unpunished. Hence, while investigations by law enforcers have seen various punishments given to over 17,000 police officials and 2,000 RAB officials in the last 10 years for a variety of crimes and illegal acts, these mostly amount to mere suspensions, demotions, rebukes and reprimands. As a nation, we need to do a better job of holding law enforcement personnel to account for any crimes committed in the course of enforcing the law. Nobody should be above the law, least of all those on whom the public depends to uphold rule of law. It is not good enough to give legal attention to officers alleged to be involved in crimes like robbery, extortion and harassment, if others go scot free for the most serious crimes of unlawful killing. Exemplary punishment must be administered in such cases to deter and bring to an end the scourge of extra-judicial killings.

Hasina concerned over Modis remarks

May 7 indicators, health education etc. Why would people Babu Why is Bangladesh dumping its problem on India? want to go to a less-affluent society? Yes I admit that there is a section of Hindu BangWhy dont you start a one child per family policy? ladeshis who prefer to migrate to India, but there are You are the most densely populated country in also Muslim Indians who come for business or work the world. More than 1/3 of your population is in Dhaka. living in India. You want India to bear your own Last year, India received its 5th largest remittancburden? As if India hasnt helped you enough es from Bangladesh. Maybe we should kick out all already! these illegal workers too? Why does Hasina get upset when Modi talks of Regarding the mistreatment of minorities, its deporting illegal in India? Shouldnt she be more ironic an Indian is raising concerns. Modi led the rapconcerned about the minorities who get beaten, ing and killing of thousands of Muslims in Gujarat. raped, and their possessions looted for no reason? Have you forgotten about that? Muslims are second-class citizens there, and cant even open bank Shah accounts. Babu: Can you provide any study that states for a Bangladesh owes no debt to India. It is India who fact that there are illegal immigrants from Bangcontinues to economically benefit from Bangladesh. ladesh? Bangladesh leads over India on most social

Nobody should be above the law, least of all those on whom the public depends

CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1 Unruly crowd (3) 3 Employed (4) 6 Graceful bird (4) 7 Limb (3) 9 Therefore (4) 10 Perform (3) 11 Fleet (4) 13 Over (5) 16 Very hard mineral (5) 18 Look narrowly (4) 19 Tool (3) 20 Superior English school (4) 21 Sailor (3) 23 Insect (4) 24 Bearing (4) 25 Acceptance (3) DOWN 1 Mediterranean republic (5) 2 United (3) 4 Nimble (4) 5 Pair (3) 6 Raised platform (5) 8 Garden ornament (5) 9 At all times (4) 12 Ward off (5) 14 Had being (4) 15 Dulcet (5) 17 Tales for telling (5) 18 Church leader (4) 20 Tree (3) 22 Mature (3)

Cultural minister sceptical on Indian channels

May 6 Alif Chowdhury Indian cable should be banned in BD!! KA No, especially as long as they dont offer reciprocity. Md Azharul Islam Immediately stop the broadcast of Indian channels if you can. This will increase our channels business and performance. We can only allow them to broadcast here if they allow us to broadcast in their own land. Shamiul Adnan No. There is no necessity for any Indian channel in Bangladesh. Mohammad Tanvir Khalid I started watching Indian channels in my university life. For my son, its almost from his birth and he can speak Hindi now. I see it as a successful cultural invasion, which eases so many things for India. Yet, I am not in favour of banning any channel. We have to come up with our own programs that attract our channel viewers again. To me, stopping Indian channels is a very expensive bargaining chip. ST Banning is not a solution. We should divert our audience towards our content. And we must not blindly follow the form of Indian channels. I believe our dramas and telefilms are much richer than those of their content. Once we stop copying them, our audience will reject them. Far better than banning them.

Co-ordinate action to reduce air pollution

angladesh has been ranked fourth worst out of 91 countries for air pollution by a WHO survey. Poor air quality is responsible for nearly four million deaths around the world each year and is the worlds single largest environmental health risk. All but one of the ten worst counties for air quality are in Asia, including India, Pakistan and several oil producing states. Brick kilns and transportation, especially from poorly monitored buses and trucks, have been identified by the government as the main reasons for deteriorating air quality in the country. Ongoing plans to tighten up laws for brick kilns need to be speeded up most urgently. The brick making industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in Bangladesh and as well as industrial pollutants is one of the countrys largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for 6m tonnes of CO2 annually. Despite plans to convert the countrys traditional brickfields to cleaner and more environmentally-friendly designs, according to the Department of Environment, less than a sixth of the countrys 6,357 authorized brick kilns have been updated and a majority still use illegal wood fuel or low-quality coal. Modernisation programmes must be speeded up. As a priority, the government must take urgent enforcement action against kilns which still operate in residential and ecologically sensitive areas. With current energy plans being highly dependent on increasing the amount of energy produced from coal, the government also needs to urgently prioritise tougher emissions controls for power plants.

Narayanganj killers were professionals

May 7 This image is heartbreaking. Fazlul Huq Jr

Breaking free from abductions

May 6 You can call criminal democracy an illegitimate child of the spirit of our liberation war. In this democracy, everything is possible in the name of this war. There is a subtle difference between the caretaker government and the elected political government. The former is supposed to take care of the innocent public, which they hardly fail to do, while the latter is supposed to take care of the criminals, the hooligans, swindlers, scoundrels and rascals, without whose help none can get elected in this unique democracy. So the elected government can in no way be blamed for failure to take care of their foster children. They perform their assigned responsibilities with laudable success. nds

Convert brickfields to cleaner designs and prioritise emissions controls for power plans

Shamin Osman makes an about turn

May 6 The plot is really a thick one. The ruling party is aware of all activities (illegal or otherwise), but are incapable of doing anything about it, as the local MP appears to have an iron grip. It will be the same story throughout the country. One way or another, the PMs hands are tied; every which way one looks, those with power and influence have some sort of hold over the leader. This applies to all parties. Akhtar Shah

SUDOKU
How to solve: Fill in the blank spaces with the numbers 1 9. Every row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain all nine digits with no numberrepeating.

HSC examinee abducted, rescued

May 7 Abductions are becoming a regular issue?? Shondhaya Tara

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Dhaka worried over Modi remarks

May 7 Why would Modi respect a leader who assumed power without the opposition casting one vote? Modi works hard to gain electoral popularity and is participating alongside all political parties. This is democracy and Dhaka needs to oust the PM and seek re-elections in a fair neutral environment. Wan2Vote

YESTERDAYS SOLUTIONS CODE CRACKER

DU students fearful of Shibir tag

May 6 Aksha Its inevitable when a culture exists of retaliations and doling out so-called punishment and justice by all political parties and their affiliates. They are a law unto themselves, helped along by law enforcers and other establishments that assist/condone such activities. It is really sad , but it is the reality. Shotto Shundor The BSL should be banned for their acts of terrorism.

CROSSWORD

PEANUTS

SUDOKU

Thailand names new PM

May 7 spirit of liberation Will Bangladesh be next?

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

Sunday, May 11, 2014

11

A true sacrifice
I
n Saquib Rahman
was so busy when you were young, I could never give you much time, and I feel so guilty, she was telling me one day. Being the only child, I have become even closer to my mother ever since Papas sudden demise. Since I was little, my parents had tried to provide me with the very best of education. Papas government-scaled income alone was unable to support my studies for elementary and high school education at Scholastica, that is when my mother started taking her teaching job more seriously, but there used to be a time when she catered to supply lunch at the English medium school she still works at. In addition to taking care of me, she would wake up at dawn and start preparing supplies, get ready herself, walk me to school, and take a bus ride carrying a large heavy bag that had containers of different sizes with food in them wrapped in foil paper. Having said that, she is an excellent cook. Usually, I would come home from school, have the lunch that she had already prepared for me, and maybe take a nap while Maamoni would be designing dresses at a boutique which she co-owned in order to earn some extra cash, every bit of which was useful as I eventually required coaching for my education. A little would be saved when my father was in Dhaka since he would teach me, but that would be a rare sight considering army postings are usually at the most rural regions of Bangladesh. Moving on, there were times she would come back home, all tired and drenched from the rain since she never seemed to have an explanation to why she couldnt take a rickshaw from the nearby bus stand. She had probably thought of saving the fare since she would have to get home and freshen up anyway. Then why bother spending a little for shelter from the rain? My parents got married and had me at such a young age that I could hardly enjoy government facilities from my Papas job since he was not a senior official, at least until things were gradually taking a turn during my A Levels. out with love, and their marriage was not only beautiful but their smiles were so telling that the couple would receive enormous compliments as to how good they looked together. Papa and Maamoni had literally grown up together. The Bangladesh Army even punished Papa few days after their marriage, for tying the knot 4 years prior to the armys required age of 26, and it would always be a negative point for him every time the promotion board would have sat.

Well Happy Mothers Day Maamoni, please consider this write-up as your gift

His attempt at establishing credibility falls on its face

REUTERS

Modi fiction for a Modi-fication

n Zeeshan Khan
arendra Modis interview on Times Nows program Frankly Speaking, hosted by Arnab Goswami, one of Indias most belligerent anchors, was perhaps the most watched television event here on the evening of May 8, a week away from the end of the largest democratic exercise in history. Speaking almost only in Hindi, Modi faced opening question by Goswami on the encroaching cheapening of Indian political rhetoric, which has descended to personal attacks and mudslinging. He was asked why the elections were not being fought on issues but instead on caste-ist comments and communal posturing. Mr Modi voiced his resentment at allegations by the Congress, that he has resorted to neech tactics, saying that allusions were being made about his humble origins in an obtuse manner. He went on the attack by saying Congress, with its numerous corruptions scandals, was in no moral position to comment on what is neech. He decidedly played the caste card exhaustively, and tried to elicit sympathy from both his anchor and the shows viewers. After allowing a bit of moaning, Arnab Goswami steered the conversation towards the communal undertones of Modis campaign, speaking specifically about comments made by BJP representatives. Goswami then focused on Modis own comments in West Bengal and Assam, about Bangladeshi immigrants to

which Modi attempted to say he was differentiating between victims of religious persecution and infiltrators, a word he repeatedly uttered to mean Bangladeshi immigrants, and never referred to them as anything but. He went into an emotional tangent about how the Hindu population in Bangladesh has dropped to only 7%, implying that a wide-scale pogrom of Hindus was underway. One wonders if Modi imagines Godhra-like riots everywhere in Bangladesh against Hindus.

that his use of the world Hindu is not the narrow application that has been used as synonymous to Sanatan Dharma, but the wider application as all people of Indian origins, ie its geographic rather than communal usage. However his acrobatic attempt at establishing credibility falls on its face when one remembers that he spoke of worshippers of Durga, when he spoke in West Bengal, indicating that he is talking very clearly about a specific type of Indian heritage rather than the general one.

Modi consumes the Hindu version of right-wing extremist propaganda that creates imagined realities based on misrepresented facts

It was obvious that Modi consumes the Hindu version of right-wing extremist propaganda that creates imagined realities based on misrepresented facts, the likes that Islamists use to entitle them to a persecution grievance. He attempted to suggest that Hindus persecuted anywhere in the world should be allowed to find refuge in India, to which Arnab challenged him by asking why only Hindus should be given refuge from religious persecution in a country that is decidedly secular. Under a barrage of questions by Goswami on the issue, Modi insists

Modi then mentioned countries like Fiji and places in Africa where Indians may be persecuted and said they were all welcome in an India under his watch. Arnab held him to this answer and tried to force Modi to say that he means Indians of any religion Sikh, Buddhist, Christians, or Muslims, to which Modi reluctantly replies in the affirmative but conspicuously leaves out the word Muslim, when he re-lists what he confirmed as Indians. Arnab questioned him on the inclusion of Maya Kodnani in his cabinet, a person who was later convicted

of being an active participant in the Gujarat riots, which Modi dismissed by saying that she had not yet been charge-sheeted when she was part of his state government. Modi then confidently responded to questions about whether he did his best in Gujarat after the riots, asserting that it was handled better than other communal riots in India and that the courts had found him innocent. After a series of questions about domestic issues such as centre-state relations, coalitions, nepotism, economic growth, the Snoopgate scandal and political patronage, he was asked about his Foreign policy. He said talks with Pakistan would be stalled so long as infiltrators and bombs stopped assailing India, although its unclear as to which part of India he thinks is currently under attack by Pakistan. His tone regarding Pakistan was terse and forbidding, hinting that dealings with Pakistan would be based on an imagined but non-existent asymmetry of power. When asked about whether an India led by him would have snubbed the US the way Brazil did after US spying allegations were revealed to be true, he said he would deal with cases like that as and when they arose and could not comment on it without a full review of the facts an evasive answer if there ever was one. In short, in the world according to Narendra Modi, only his own leadership can be sound and just. l Zeeshan Khan is a journalist at the Dhaka Tribune.

We seemed to have nothing else left in life the BDR Pilkhana tragedy killed Papa and 56 other valiant officers
Papa was not only posted in Dhaka but promoted to a full Colonel, a VIP and that is when we got a full-time flag stand car from the military. On the other hand, Maamoni was fortunate enough to get into a private television channel as a presenter, specifically Randhan Shilpi, and Papa went for a UN mission to Sudan while it was time for me to join a university. The middle-income, humble life never seemed to have made them unhappy. Their relationship started

When things, financially or otherwise, began to stablise a bit, that is when my mother and I experienced the worst. We seemed to have nothing else left in life the BDR Pilkhana tragedy killed Papa and 56 other valiant officers of the Bangladesh Army. Till now, the wounds remain fresh, and even after 5 years, have yet to heal. The second phase of struggle for Maamoni began, and this time she smiles no more. My mother lived apart from my father for years in Dhaka just for me. She had to struggle all her life just to give me the best she could and now she can only go down the memory lane, the beautiful days she had spent with my father since the brutality took him away from her. I just look back and blame myself, what would have happened if I just went to a country-side school? Why did she sacrifice so much for me? At least she would be able to live with the love of her life for longer. Maybe these days she is quite a known face in her field, appearing at so many television channels, including Lobbi-r Rannaghar on BTV, newspapers and magazines feature her as Lobbi Rahman the Kitchen Queen of Bangladesh, and by the grace of God, her own earnings now bring bread to our family of two, but I realise that she can never get back her days, days she could have possibly been so much happier but she had let it all go just for me. Simply thanking her would never be enough. The lady, surprisingly, does not even have any expectations from me. She only addresses her sacrifice as her duty. I would never be able to pay her back, in fact I have no idea how to. I never could say it to her, but my love and respect for her goes beyond measuring; in fact, as much as my gallant, martyred father, who had made the same sacrifice. Well Happy Mothers Day Maamoni, please consider this write-up as your gift since it perhaps conveys my feelings more than I practically tend to show or say. I love you for being the most wonderful, talented, caring, understanding, and supportive mother one can possibly be. l Saquib Rahman is the founder of Desh, Were Concerned, a registered society for rights and social awareness.

No disrespect meant
T
n Sayeeda T Ahmad
oday is Mothers Day, a day which gives special recognition to all mothers, young and old. In fact, in their difficult but rewarding job of teaching children to stand on their feet and thrive, it would be remiss to not mention that fathers too play a vital role. der, age, or position. I refer to the basic principle of valuing a person, and showing consideration for that person. Unfortunately, in our society, with regard to respect for all, especially women, we still seem to be floundering. For a long time, society has severely underrated womens intelligence and potential. Instead, there has been an entrenched disdain utmost respect for women. Nevertheless, over the years, we have seen news reports splashed across newspapers and the television screen of men who were rejected by women and then threw acid on them or attacked and/murdered them, of spouses who were assaulted and murdered by their husbands and/or inlaws demanding dowries, of schoolgirls who were harassed by young men and committed suicide, and recently of parents and/or relatives who were murdered by their daughters harassers, or the latters acquaintances, for standing up for the girls. And these are the cases that were reported. One can only begin to guess at the number of unreported cases because the victims were terrified of retaliation. At the root, it comes down to one thing. The assailants indeed, anyone who has a bigoted attitude and dismissive attitude towards women, and whose actions and words reflect as much have little to no respect for females. The former have been raised and conditioned by either one or both parents to believe that boys are superior and girls inferior. They see females as objects to possess, as sub-human, and thereby believe they have the power to do what they please with no impunity. One only has to look around for oneself, and talk to people to see the power dynamics play out between men and women, to see how easily and automatically many womens thoughts, ideas, and concerns are dismissed whether by men or women or in how women are treated when out in public. Or that when a woman protests against an assault or injury done to her, there are none to stand up with her in solidarity, only an audience watching the freak show play out, thereby giving assailants cause to taunt and harass the woman all the more. Though employment opportunities have vastly improved for women in our nation, attitudes have not. Women have yet to walk the footpaths without being ogled and stalked, or their body parts grabbed at while on a bus or anywhere else out in public. This is harassment, and women should not be made to feel victims merely for being out in public. This is not a national problem, but an international problem. In fact, we saw an extreme example of contempt on April 14, when more than 200 young Nigerian women were abducted by Boko Haram, an Islamist military organisation, who attacked the school while the girls were in the midst of a final exam. Since then, most women have been sold, and others are still being threatened to be sold. None of the girls have been found. Their only crime? Seeking to educate themselves, and that too with a Western education. define feminism to be what it should be at its most basic sense: The belief that a female is human, and as such, is granted the same rights and same respect deserving of all human beings, including the right to make her own choices. From the time girls are born, they learn and develop abilities, and their intelligence grows as they mature. However, aside from any disability, social norms and the environment in which they are raised and live in influences how poorly or well girls reach their full potential. Women in our nation have been fighting for respect and humanity, but they need more support in this fight. This is why I challenge all those who do respect women (whether men, women, hijras etc) to set an active example, to step up and demonstrate their respect and solidarity when they see any women, indeed anyone, being harassed or demeaned. I challenge them to make real positive impacts, to teach the audience assembled how people should be treated, the very same lessons on respect and humanity taught to them by their parents. Otherwise, how will society move forward? l Sayeeda T Ahmad is a Senior Staff Sub-Editor at the Dhaka Tribune.

Unfortunately, in our society, with regard to respect for all, especially women, we still seem to be floundering

Though employment opportunities have vastly improved for women in our nation, attitudes have not
You see, Boko Haram believes that womens only purpose is to stay home and serve their men, and they are using God as a justification for their heinous crimes. Lets call it what it really is, using religion as an excuse to engage in the sex slave trade. Anyone who has been abducted and/or sexually abused will know the unspeakable terror these girls are going through. One might call me a feminist, and if one believes as the men of Boko Haram do, one would think it an insult to call me this, but I wear this badge with pride, simply because I

Parenting is arguably the most important job in the world, and a crucial part of that job is to teach children that every person whether male, female, inter-sexed, Hijra etc is worthy of respect, is human, and, as a human being, has the right to make their own choices. Now, by respect, I do not mean being a sycophant or a doormat for anyone, regardless of the latters gen-

for women and womens issues, even if unthinkingly done. Of course there are exceptions, the open-minded, sensible, and civil people in our society, who treat everyone with equal civility and see women, indeed everyone, as human beings with capabilities and character. In fact, numerous young men, who encompass the above characteristics, have told me it is their mothers who taught them to have the

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment
n Entertainment Desk

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Tahsan and Faria debut on silver screen

Mothers Day special Sharmili Ahmed honoured

Seasoned actor Sharmili Ahmed is considered a representative for all mothers in the country as she has been tirelessly portraying various faces of motherhood in her roles for almost four decades in both small and big screen. Aysha Memorial Specialised Hospital recently announced its special tribute to the artiste. Today, the hospital will hold a programme marking the Mothers Day where Sharmili will be bestowed with an award which will be handed over by Prof Anisuzzaman. Additionally, the actor with her daughter Tanima Ahmed will appear in a live show titled Shokal Belar Roddur on Banglavision at 11:05am. About her appearance in the special live show Sharmili said: My daughter Tanima and I have appeared together in a number of TV programmes before, but this is our first time in a Mothers Day special. We hope the audience will enjoy it.

n Afrose Jahan Chaity

Popular small screen actor and singer Tahsan is all set for his silver screen debut with Redoan Ronys upcoming film Morichika. Tahsan has signed opposite glamorous model Nusrat Faria who is considered as a rising star in the entertainment industry. Both celebrities were approached several times earlier for film offers, but they finally chose this project for their entry into filmdom. The audience are in for a treat as the duo looks quite promising. About the film, Tahsan, one of the popular actors of the TV industry, said: I was looking

for a story which suits my personality. When Redoan Rony read out the story of Morichika, I had the feeling that this could be my stepping stone into an acting career. I really hope that the audience, especially my fans, will appreciate my work. While talking about his plan to work further in the film industry, the talented actor said: I want to see how my audiences react to my performance on big screen. Then I will decide whether I should carry on. If I am approached with such good offers, I would love to continue. However, I am selective and I also love to act in the TV plays. Nusrat Faria, who won hearts of the viewers

though anchoring several TV shows, said: I am glad that I got the opportunity to work with Tahsan. I hope I will be able to meet the expectations of the audience and will give my best effort. The director of Chorabali, Rony is going to shoot his second film in August. Rony said: The story of this film is based on a true love story. It will add some new features and expressions to the conventional way of portraying a love story. He further added: I want to depict the sorrow and happiness of a couple in a practical way. Right now I am working on the script and I have plans to release Morichika at the end of this year. l

Tareen and Diti in Mothers Day special

n Entertainment Desk
On the occasion of Mothers Day, NTV will be airing a special TV drama titled Nupur today at 9pm. Written by Najnin Hasan Chumki and directed by Chayanika Chowdhury, the cast features Tarin, Apurba, Diti, Jamal Uddin Hossain and others. The drama portrays the blessed relationship between a daughter and a mother. Nupur is the only daughter of Aminur Rashid and his wife. The father wants his daughter to be married to an established man after finishing her studies while her mother wants Nupur to establish herself as a prominent dancer. The contradiction of desires between parents becomes cause for contention. While the parents battle it out, Nupur frequently skips her dance classes to meet with boyfriend Abir. When she gets caught by her mother, her situation becomes more complicated. Nupur elopes with Abir on a whim. She quickly begins to regret her decision from the very first day of the marriage, finding herself in a situation she cannot escape. Eventually, she begins a new life as a dancer and realises that her mother knew best after all. l

TODAY IN DHAKA
Film
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (3D & 2D) I, Frankenstein Divergent Time: 10am 10pm Star Cineplex Bashundhara City

Theatre

Munir Chowdhury Theatre Fest 2014 Time: 7pm 9pm Experimental Theatre Shilpakala Academy Shegun Bagicha

Exhibition

Ujan Ganger Naiya begins

n Entertainment Desk
Ujan Ganger Naiya, a new family drama will begin airing today on BTV. Produced by BBC Media Action, the serial will be televised every Sunday at 8:30 pm with a repeat every Thursday 8:35 am. The plot centres around young sisters Jasmin and Anika, who are married to two brothers. 16-year-old Anika wants to continue her education and struggles to adapt to life as a wife and daughter-in-law. Through her story, the drama explores the challenges of early marriage and pregnancy. The 16-episode first series is directed by Gias Uddin Selim and Bashar Georgis and written by Giasuddin Selim and a team of writers. The crew and cast features star performers like Mamunur Rashid, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Wahida Mollick Jolly, Chanchal Chowdhury, Deepa Khandokar, Orchita Sporshiya, Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed, Shamol Mawla, Shahed Ali, Momena Chowdhury and many more. To mark its launch, a premier show and press meet took place yesterday at the Star Cineplex in Bashundhara City. Cast and crew of the drama, senior officials from the UKs Department for International Development, Bangladesh Government, BTV and BBC Media Action were all present. Ujan Ganger Naiya is part of the BBC Agomoni (health project brand of BBC Media Action in Bangladesh) under which, BBC Media Action is producing TV shows, radio programmes and Public Service Announcements. l

Photography Exhibition Innate Identities Time: 12pm 8pm Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Road No 16 (Old 27) Dhanmondi

The wedding ceremony of Actor Farzana Chhoby was held amidst much grandeur on May 9 at the Falcon hall in the capital. She tied the knot with Tonmoy Sarkar, associate professor of Dhaka Commerce College. Best wishes to Chhoby for her new life

Aishwarya Rais new ex-lover appears

n Entertainment Desk
A Sri Lankan man named Niroshan Devapriya has thrown a shocker by coming up with claims that he was in a relationship with the former Miss World and by reportedly filing a case against the Bollywood actress for causing him mental stress. But reports say the litigation hasnt gone down as he had planned. Apparently, Devapriya was directed by a kin to hire a lawyer for Rs. 1.7 million, however it turned out that the kin made off with the money. Now Devapriya, who is said to be based in China, has filed a case against his relative as well and the court has reportedly ordered the accused to pay back the money in instalments. Incidentally, Devapriyas allegations come seven years after Aishwarya Rais wedding to Abhishek Bachchan. Before her marriage, Aishwarya Rai dated Salman Khan and Vivek Oberoi but those relationships came to naught. Today, the 40-yearold actress is happily married and blessed with a daughter Aaradhya Bachchan who was born on November 2011. l

Cannes ready to roll out carpet on Wednesday

n Entertainment Desk
Cannes will roll out the red carpet on Wednesday for the start of the worlds biggest movie festival, with a line-up of directorial big guns poised to go head-to-head in a year of comebacks, swansongs and star debuts. Heavyweights David Cronenberg, the Dardenne brothers, Jean-Luc Godard, Mike Leigh and Ken Loach are among the film-makers who will battle it out for the top Palme dOr prize at the 67th Cannes Film Festival. Launching the 12-day movie extravaganza with a blast of controversy will be the premiere of Grace of Monaco, the keenly awaited biopic in which Nicole Kidman stars as the former Hollywood actress Grace Kelly. Already embroiled in not just one but two rows, the film has become a high stakes affair for French director Olivier Dahan who has taken on Graces princely family, the Grimaldis, and US distributor Harvey Weinstein in pursuit of his cinematic vision. Graces children, who are not expected at the premiere, have denounced the films trailer as a farce and accused Binoche, Tim Roth and Kristen Stewart among the red carpet possibles. Double Oscar winner Sophia Loren, 79, one of the last great symbols of the 1950s and 1960s, will supply some old-school glamour when she attends an out-of-competition screening of her latest film The Human Voice. All eyes will also be on debuts by Canadians Ryan Gosling and Xavier Dolan in Goslings Lost River. And wonderkid Dolan - who at 25 has already had three films screened at Cannes - will make his debut in competition with Mommy. Eighteen films will be in the running for this years Palme dOr with New Zealand director Jane Campion heading the festival jury. Famed for its winning combination of French Riviera glitz and arthouse gravitas, the festival prides itself on discovering the movie world auteurs of tomorrow such as Steven Soderbergh and Quentin Tarantino. Festival organisers select only a fraction of the 1,700 films submitted each year to compete for the top prize, with a competition slot at Cannes considered one of the greatest honours that can be bestowed on a director. l

Nicole Kidmans Grace of Monaco will premiere at the cannes after much disputes its makers of hijacking their family history for commercial purposes. There will, however, be no shortage of star-wattage with Meryl Streep, John Cusack, Robert Pattinson, Juliette

Did you know?

Andy Carroll has scored 5 Premier League goals against Manchester City than he has against any other opponent

Sport
BKSP athlete Tamanna Akter fulfilled her objective to win three gold medals including the one in the girls 100m sprint (age group 18-19). Tamanna clocked 12.94s to touch the finishing line while Bonna Khatun from Narail took 14.20s to bag the silver and Rimpa Khatun from the same district won the bronze. Tamanna had earlier won gold in the 200m sprint in the girls 18-19 agegroup on the opening day and won another gold in 400m sprint yesterday. Encouraged by her grandfather Ketab Al who was a former athlete and now a referee, and coach Shirin Sultana Kaniz, Tamanna wants to be a coach in future. My main events are 200m and 400m sprint but winning the gold in 100m sprint is very special for me. Now I want to continue my rhythm and try my best to get a chance to play in the SA Games, said Tamanna after her run yesterday. In the boys javelin throw event from18-19 age group, Al Amins throw covered a distance of 52.04 meters to earn him the gold medal while Ibrahim and Saiful Islam secured the second and third position respectively. Asma Haque of Kishorganj continued her dominance in the girls 18-19 age group long jump by winning the gold for the fourth consecutive time. Bonna Khanom and Ripa Khatun won the silver and bronze respectively. Umme Hafsa clinched the gold in girls high jump event while the second and third position went to Halima Akter and Ruma Akter respectively. Overall, BKSP emerged as the champion of this championship with 16 golds, 9 silvers and 2 bronzes. Khulna finished second with 5 golds, 6 silvers and 4 bronzes while Naryanganj finished third with 3 golds and 1 bronze. l

Sunday, May 11, 2014

DHAKA TRIBUNE

13

14 Man City eye title

glory on seasons last day

14 Liverpool

unscathed after setbacks: Rodgers

15 South Zone

ahead after second day

Abdullah, Tamanna steal the limelight

Abdullah Hasan and Tamanna Akter emerged as the fastest boy and girl respectively in the 100m sprint of 18-19 age group in the Walton 30th National Junior (Age-Group) Athletics Championship 2014 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. The surprise of the second and last day of the meet was Abdullah who defeated Uzzal Chandra Shutradhar to clinch the gold medal for the first time in his career in the most prestigious event of the meet. The boy from Natore who won silver in the previous edition, took 11.10s to complete his track while Kishorganjs Uzzal clocked 11.20s. Saiful Ismail of BKSP finished third taking only .2s more than Uzzal. In the 400m sprint, Jahangir Alam from Narayanganj emerged as first by beating BKSPs Saiful Islam and Romel.

30TH NATIONAL JUNIOR ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIP 2014

Abdullah (L) and Tamanna celebrate their fastest male and female titles of the Walton National Junior Athletics at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Abdullah, the boy who surprised everyone Dukanovic guards

The boy who was unable to meet the expenses of buying a pair of running shoes surprised all and sundry by clinching gold in the 100m sprint (18-19 age-group) in the National Junior Athletics Championship yesterday. Born in a farmers family in Gurudaspur upazila in Natore, poverty could not shatter Abdullah Hasans dream of competing in the national level and showing his true potential. Poverty was not the only obstacle Abdullah had to overcome thus far. The Natore district sports association (DSA) provided very little support and he was also neglected by BJMC while hunting for a job. Above all these hurdles, he only had five days to practise and prepare himself for the most prestigious event of the meet which pales in comparison with the BKSP athletes who had been practicing for months. In the last edition of the Junior Athletics, Abdullah claimed silver in the same event. He also bagged bronze in the 4*400m relay in the SAFF Junior Championship in India and yet received no appreciation for his efforts from his district due to which his financial condition remained the same. Abdullah made a few friends while participating last year and he borrowed running shoes from one of them (Bahar) before running the heats in the morning and then borrowed another pair from a fellow athlete (Kashem) for the finals. He took 11.10s to complete his run and in the process broke his previous personal best of 11.16s. Im really happy today (yesterday). I finished second in the same event last year so I was determined to win gold this time. It was tough for me. I didnt have enough time for practise and couldnt manage running shoes. I had to call some friends I met last year and borrowed their shoes, said an elated Abdullah. Abdullah is now studying in his first year as a HSC student. Following numerous local athletics championship successes, he caught the attention of local coach Mizanur Rahman. Mizanur, providing expenses from his own pocket, encouraged Abdullah to take part in the National Junior Athletics last year. If it was not for Mizan bhai I would not have come so far. The district sports association didnt provide me enough support and what they did was just to avoid responsibility while he (Mizanur) spent his own money to help me, he added. Abdullah went to Nagarkot in India for the SAFF Junior Championship where he was scheduled to participate in the 4*100m relay but later on ended up taking part in the 4*400m relay. Despite having no preparation for the 4*400m relay, politicking and partiality of the coaches forced him to change his event. A lack of preparation did not hinder him as he led Bangladesh to a bronze finish. I ran so fast that I didnt hear anything for the next half-an-hour after I finished my run, he said. Abdullah might not have to look back now as his creditable performance will help him to attract financial suitors. But there are many junior athletes like Abdullah who have the potential but due to a lack of patronisation and financial support, they fade away and the young lad from Natore hoped for a brighter future for the upcoming prospects. I had to overcome many obstacles in my life and I have seen the worst. Now I fear nothing, concluded Abdullah with a brave face. l Sheikh Russel coach Dragan Dukanovic warned his players not to get complacent ahead of their third and final Group A match of the AFC Presidents Cup against Ugyen Academy of Bhutan at the Shughatdasa Stadium, Colombo. The match will kickoff at 2:30pm today. Russel are sitting pretty at the summit of Group A with four points and a goal difference of five plus and just require a draw against Ugyen Academy to progress to the second round of the AFC Presidents Cup as the first ever Bangladeshi top-flight club. Dhaka Abahani earlier failed to overcome the first-round hurdle on five occasions. Ugyen Academy have lost their two group matches so far against KRL by 3-0 and Sri Lanka Air Force by 1-0. A

against complacency
win will be enough for Russel to be the group champions as they have a superior goal difference (+2) than KRL, who also have four points. However, in the event of an unlikely 5-0 defeat for Russel combined with a big win for Sri Lanka Air Force against KRL, goal difference will decide the fate of the teams. Dukanovic has urged his players to treat the final group match seriously. There is no room for complacency as we are playing against a team who have lost both of their matches and is out of the tournament. We want to be group champions and we want to keep the tempo continuing in the Bangladesh Premier League also, said the Montenegrin coach. Russel did not practice yesterday and opted for a swimming session with a view to providing some rest to the players who are all set for their third game in six days.l

Nasir to lead A side in the Caribbean

Corey to act as head coach despite resignation
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 15-member squad for the Bangladesh A teams upcoming monthlong tour of the West Indies with Nasir Hossain leading the side and the recently-resigned national fielding coach Corey Richards acting as the head coach. Corey submitted his resignation on May 6 which was accepted by the BCB and thus became the third foreign coach to resign within a few days after Shane Jurgensen and Richard McInnes. However, as the two-month notice period is yet to be over, the board has decided to appoint Corey as the head coach of the A side with Mizanur Rahman Babul as his assistant. Naeem Islam was named vice-captain of the squad which was primarily filled with current and discarded na-

BANGLADESH A TEAM
Nasir Hossain (captain), Naeem Islam (vice-captain), Imrul Kayes, Shamsur Rahman, Mominul Haque, Marshall Ayub, Abdul Majid, Mustafizur Rahman, Nurul Hasan, Sohag Gazi, Muktar Ali, Mohammad Elias, Robiul Islam, Shubhashish Roy, Taijul Islam. tional cricketers along with some young performers from the domestic circuit, most notably in-form left-arm spinner Taijul Islam. Young paceman Mustafizur Rahman was also included in the squad.

Winners of the National Pairs Bridge for the Khondkar Fazle Sobhan Trophy pose with the guests at the ERC yesterday

MUMIT M

Shuja-Zahid pair lift title

33rd Natl Bridge Cship for the Khondkar Fazle Sobhan Trophy
The pair of Syed Shujauddin Ahmed and Zahid Hossain emerged as the champions of the 33rd National Pairs Championships for the Khondkar Fazle Sobhan Trophy with 277.98 points at the Engineers Recreation Center in Dhaka yesterday. Maintaining superb form from the very beginning, Shuja and Zahid stamped their supremacy with the title. The pair of Khair and Latif finished second with 251.91 points while the pair of Shibnath and Pranab finished third with 252.25 points. Eminent economist of the country Rehman Sobhan distributed the prizes among the winners as the chief guest. The trophy commemorates the name of my father who always tried to present something to the society. Bridge has been and remain a game of intelligence and I hope Bangladesh flourish in the sport of Bridge, said Rehman. Barrister Rownak Jahan and Farook Sobhan, the president of Bangladesh Enterprise Institute were also present among others on the occasion. Overall, the meet was a successful one and the participants enjoyed the proceedings. Shibnath Dey Sarkar and Pranab Bardhan, the renowned Indian pair praised the effort. The competitive level of the tournament was high. We went through tough challenges and I am surprised to see that a good number of Bangladeshi players have good potential. They can prosper only by playing in more tournaments, said Shibnath who has played in three World Cups and finished runner-up in the European Championship in 2010. Badal Das and Partha Mukherjee, another Indian pair hoped Bridge will grow as a sport with the support of the sponsors. Bridge has an established infrastructure in India and the prize money is also satisfactory. As Bridge has the potential to mark its presence, I think the sponsors will step up, said Partha Mukherjee. A sigh of frustration was evident in the words of Rashedul Ahsan and Moshiur Rahman, one of the leading pairs of the country. Inclusion of the Indian players raised the competitive level of this edition. The local players also performed well. Bridge can bring international laurels with proper support. We play in just four to five tournaments in a year and definitely it is not sufficient. Moreover, we are amateurs and not professional players. If we get the proper support, we have every belief that we can mark our presence in the international arena, said Ahsan who is an official of Karma Sangsthan Bank while Moshiur is an employee of Exim Bank. The pair is all set to play in the 2nd Asia Cup Bridge scheduled to be held in China next June. Ahsan and Moshiur lost in the semifinal in the last edition of the World Cup qualifier held in Ahmadabad, India. l

National cricketers Mominul Haque and Sohag Gazi also earned inclusions while openers Shamsur Rahman and Imrul Kayes will be looking to justify their places in the squad and attract the selectors attention as the Bangladesh A teams tour precedes the Bangladesh cricket teams two-match Test series in the West Indies. The Bangladesh A side is scheduled to arrive in the Caribbean on May 22 for two four-day matches, three ODIs and two T20s against the West Indies High Performance Centre. The first four-dayer is scheduled for May 26 at Winward Cricket Club, Barbados. The Bangladesh A side is scheduled to return on June 16. l

Sammy quits Tests after sacking from captaincy

Darren Sammy retired from Test cricket on Friday just hours after being replaced by Denesh Ramdin as West Indies captain. Sammy, 30, had been in charge of the Test team since October 2010. The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) said that he will remain in charge of the Twenty20 international squad. Sammy played in 38 Tests, captaining in 30 of those appearances. Darren Sammy has formally notified the West Indies Cricket Board of his decision to retire from Test cricket, said a WICB statement. Sammy has also informed the Board of his decision to continue to make himself available for selection for the other formats of the game. Wicketkeeper/batsman Ramdin, 29, has played 56 Tests in addition to 109 one-day internationals and 46 Twenty20 internationals. We thank Darren for his energetic and resolute leadership over the past four years and we continue to see his role as the Twenty20 captain as a critical one, said West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Dave Cameron. Ramdin said he was honoured to be named the new Test skipper. It is an honour to be named as captain of the West Indies Test team. This is a huge opportunity and as a unit we are capable of representing the people of the West Indies, Ramdin said. Ramdins first challenge in his new role will be the West Indies versus New Zealand Test in Jamaica starting on June 8. l

Fahad one win away from title

FM Mohammad Fahad Rahman maintained his solo lead with maximum six points at the end of the sixth round in the Azimuddin Bhuiyan Trust 33rd National Sub-Junior (Under-16) Chess Championship held at the chess federation hall-room yesterday. Tanzina Akter Tani was in second position with five points. Akib Jawad, Abdullah Al Sharhan Saikot, Tahsin Mahmud, Subrata Biswas and Kanchan Gharami were jointly sharing third position with 4.5 points each. In the sixth round, Fahad beat Tahsin, Tani beat Jannatul Ferdous, Kanchan drew with Saikot, Akib beat Miraj Hossain, Rafshan drew with Rabbi Mridha, Subrata beat Jamim Al Hamid, Nova Tasha drew with Mir Ahanab Kabya. The seventh and final round will be held today. l

14
Rodgers close to new Liverpool deal
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers revealed on Friday that he is close to agreeing a new contract with the Premier League title contenders. Ive obviously been in discussions with the club and there is the framework of a deal that is in place, he told a press conference on Friday. But I have always said it will be at the end of the season. I want nothing to detract from what has been a great season for ourselves. Hopefully we will resolve it over the course of the off-season. Rodgers described British media reports linking him with Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana as purely speculation. AFP

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Hamilton on pole in Spain

A supremely-relaxed Lewis Hamilton delivered when it mattered on Saturday by producing a lap of searing speed to claim his fourth pole position of the season as Mercedes swept the front row for Sundays Spanish Grand Prix. In the final seconds of a closely-fought qualifying session, the 2008 world champion clocked a majestic fastest lap in one minute and 25.232 seconds to outpace team-mate Nico Rosberg by 0.168 seconds. Rosberg had been fastest in the mornings final free practice session and led the way through both Q1 and Q2 before Hamilton found the extra pace required. AFP

Immobile wants to join Dortmund

Italian Serie As leading scorer Ciro Immobile of Torino is interested in joining Borussia Dortmund, said club CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke on Friday but said no deal was done yet. I can only confirm that the player Immobile really wants to join us, Watzke told reporters. That is all there is to be said on this. If everything was settled then we would have announced it. Immobile, who joined Juventus in 2009 before being loaned out to several clubs, has scored 21 goals in 32 league games this season to top the scorers list. Dortmund, last seasons Champions League runners-up, have secured second place in the Bundesliga. Reuters

Man City eye title glory on seasons last day

Manchester City will hope to avoid the nerve-shredding drama of the 2011-12 seasons final day when they host West Ham United in their Premier League title decider on Sunday. Two years ago, City needed to match Manchester Uniteds result to take the title on the last day and only prevailed after Sergio Aguero scored a heart-stopping injury-time winner at home to Queens Park Rangers. This time around the scenario is more straightforward, as although City lead second-place Liverpool by only two points, their superior goal difference means that a draw against West Ham will suffice. City closed to within touching distance of a second title in three years by overwhelming Aston Villa 4-0 on Wednesday, but manager Manuel Pellegrini has warned his side that the job is not finished yet. It is important to be calm ahead of this game, said the Chilean, who has already led City to glory in the League Cup. We have experienced players and some of them played in the game when we last won the Premier League, but the situation is different, many of the team are different, and we are playing different opposition. I expect to win the match and Im not thinking about a draw or anything else. However, if Liverpool win at home to Newcastle United and West Ham pull off a shock victory at the Etihad Stadium, the Merseyside club will secure their first English top-flight title since 1990. very end. Thats something well draw strength from. While Citys rout of Villa took them to 100 league goals for the campaign, Liverpool are on 99. With the four Champions League qualifying places already secured by City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, the only other issue to be decided at the top of the table concerns the Europa League slots. Fifth-place Everton, who visit FA Cup finalists Hull City, have already secured one of the two Europa League berths and Tottenham Hotspur can pip Manchester United to the second if they avoid defeat at home to Villa. United visit Southampton, where interim manager Ryan Giggs will take charge of the defending champions for the final time. There is not really a lot of pressure on me at the moment because it is just four games and we cant really win anything, said player-coach Giggs, who has yet to announce his plans for next season. However, we can qualify for the Europa League and we will carry on trying to do that. Third-place Chelsea will be without Frank Lampard due to illness for their trip to Cardiff, meaning the talismanic midfielder, whose contract is due to expire, may have already played his last game for the club. l

FIXTURES

Cardiff City Fulham Hull City Liverpool Man City Norwich City Southampton Sunderland Tottenham West Brom

v v v v v v v v v v

Chelsea Crystal Palace Everton Newcastle West Ham Arsenal Man United Swansea City Aston Villa Stoke City

In terms of Sunday, all we can do is win our own game, and send the supporters away happy. They have been brilliant for us this year, said Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers. If we win our game and the (City) result goes against us, well end up finishing second. That shows how much weve progressed and weve actually pushed them all the way to the

Bayern Munich players celebrate with the Bundesliga trophy following their final match of the season, against VfB Stuttgart, in Munich yesterday. Bayern secured their 23rd Bundesliga title REUTERS

Liverpool unscathed after setbacks: Rodgers

Despite dispiriting recent setbacks, Liverpool will approach their final game of the Premier League season against Newcastle United on Sunday in high spirits, according to manager Brendan Rodgers. Liverpool were on course for a first league title since 1990 until a 2-0 loss at home to Chelsea two weeks ago and followed that up by throwing away a 3-0 lead in a 3-3 draw at Crystal Palace last Monday. It means that Liverpool can only claim the title if they beat Newcastle on the final day and leaders Manchester City lose at home to West Ham United. Rodgerss side looked devastated after their draw at Palace, in which they conceded three goals in the last 11 minutes, with star striker Luis Suarez sobbing on the pitch. But while their title destiny is no longer in their own hands, Rodgers says that his players have shaken the trauma of Selhurst Park out of their systems. Asked about the teams spirit in the wake of the game at Palace, Rodgers told his pre-game press conference: It has been excellent. You could see the emotion after the game and that was pretty much the same in the dressing room afterwards. But we know the areas we need to improve. We wont dwell on it. You cant think about what might or could have happened. You can only really focus on what has happened and look forward to getting better and improving. Having scored a relatively modest 71 goals last season, when they finished seventh, Liverpool have undergone an extraordinary transformation this term, amassing 99 league goals in their 37 games to date.

POINTS TABLE
P 1 Man City 37 2 Liverpool 37 3 Chelsea 37 4 Arsenal 37 5 Everton 37 6 Tottenham 37 7 Man United 37 8 Southampton 37 9 Newcastle 37 10 Stoke City 37 W 26 25 24 23 20 20 19 15 15 12 D 5 6 7 7 9 6 6 10 4 11 L 6 6 6 7 8 11 12 12 18 14 GD PTS 63 83 50 81 43 79 25 76 20 69 1 66 21 63 8 55 -15 49 -8 47

However, they have also conceded 49 goals - a worse record than both Southampton and Crystal Palace - and Rodgers says that it is in this area of the pitch that

they must make improvements. Weve played in big games this season and showed real solidity defensively, but we went away to Cardiff and yes, we scored six goals, but we conceded three; went away to Stoke, scored five and conceded three; Palace, three; Hull, three, he said. Yes, theres an element of quality from the opponent, but I look at and analyse the games intensely and a big part of it is concentration, organisation, concentrating on your job. But our work is continual. We will really focus on that part of our game over the course of pre-season. Like I said when I came in, we had to improve our goals tally, so we went from 47 scored in a season (2011-12) to now 99 and whatever it finishes at this weekend, and well do the same with the defence. l

Hamburg get relegation lifeline despite loss

Hamburg SV, the Bundesligas only ever-present club, escaped direct relegation by the skin of their teeth on Saturday after a 3-2 defeat at Mainz 05 sent them into a two-leg playoff against a team from the second division. Nuremberg and Eintracht Braunschweig, who started the day below them, were relegated after losing 4-1 at Schalke 04 and 3-1 at Hoffenheim respectively. Schalke 04s win clinched third place and a sent them straight into the Champions League group stage next season, while Bayer Leverkusen finished fourth with a 2-1 win over Werder Bremen to qualify for the playoff round.l

RESULTS
Bayern Munich
Pizarro 90+2

1 0 4 1 2 1 3 2 3 1 3 1 3 2 2 1 0 4

VfB Stuttgart Nuremberg

Drmic 90+1

Schalke 04

Matip 6, Neustadter 45, Draxler 75, Ogbuke 90+2

Leverkusen
Toprak 33, Son 53

Werder Bremen
Gebre Selassie 21

Hanover 96

Freiburg
Schmid 50, Zulechner 78

Huszti 45, Rudnevs 65, Prib 80

VfL Wolfsburg
De Bruyne 30, Perisic 68, Knoche 81

Mgladbach
Kramer 64

Hoffenheim

Braunschweig
Hochscheidt 88

Rudy 15, Firmino 64, Volland 70

Mainz 05
Soto 7, Malli 65, Okazaki 82

Hamburg
Lasogga 12, Ilicevic 84

FC Augsburg
Klavan 29, Hahn 79

Frankfurt
Joselu 15

Hertha Berlin

Dortmund

Lewandowski 41, 80, Jojic 44, Mkhitaryan 82

QPR in pole position after playoff stalemate at Wigan

Queens Park Rangers are in pole position to reach the English Championship (second tier) playoff showdown at Wembley after drawing 0-0 at Wigan Athletic in Fridays semi-final first leg. Goal chances were at a premium in an encounter between two teams that were relegated from the Premier League last season, although Wigan did win the FA Cup. Redknapps QPR will now fancy their chances of knocking out Wigan when they travel to London for the second leg at Loftus Road on Monday. l

Messi urges Barca to prevent Atletico title party

Four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi has urged his Barcelona teammates not to miss out on the second chance they have been gifted to retain their La Liga title. Barca seemed all but out of the title race after conceding a last-minute equaliser to draw 2-2 at home to relegation-threatened Getafe last weekend. However, leaders Atletico Madrid subsequently lost 2-0 away at Levante, whilst Real Madrid have drawn twice against Valencia and Valladolid in the past week to leave them in third place, four points adrift of Atletico with just two games to play. Barcelona remain three points adrift of Diego Simeones men themselves, but will win the league if they win their two remaining games away to Elche on Sunday and then when Atletico visit the Camp Nou on the final weekend of the season. We are in a better position today than we were a few weeks ago. We can see that we have an opportunity to win the league. We need to take advantage of this moment and not let it escape, said Messi However, should Barca fail to win this weekend, Atletico can mathematically seal their first title in 18 years with victory over Malaga at the Vicente Calderon. Atletico have injury worries themselves as top scorer Diego Costa looks set to miss out due to a hamstring injury, which could yet endanger his participation in the clash with Barcelona and in the Champions League final against Real Madrid on May 24. Real Madrid need to win away to Celta Vigo to maintain any hope of catching Atletico, but are likely to be without a host of first-team regulars, including Cristiano Ronaldo. The current World Player of the Year limped off with a minor muscular problem less than 10 minutes into Reals 1-1 draw with Valladolid on Wednesday and is unlikely to be risked with the Champions League final against Atletico just two weeks away. l

Chaos reigns before Juventus celebrate league win at Roma

Juventuss clash with AS Roma was set to be Sunday nights Serie A showcase but neither club knows what time the match will start as the fallout from Saturdays Italian Cup final chaos continues. Antonio Contes Juventus travel to the Italian capital flush with the success from their third straight league

Mexicos coach Miguel Herrera answers questions from journalists during a news conference in Mexico City on Friday REUTERS

SQUAD
Goalkeepers
Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca), Guillermo Ochoa (Ajaccio)

Veteran Salcido earns surprise place in Mexico squad

Defender Carlos Salcido was a surprise inclusion in Mexicos 23-man squad for next months World Cup named by coach Miguel Herrera on Friday. The group will be captained by Leon defender Rafael Marquez who is going to his fourth successive finals after first leading the side at the age of 23 in South Korea and Japan in 2002. The squad also includes European-based forwards Javier Chicharito Hernandez (Manchester United) and Giovani Dos Santos (Villarreal). Herrera, who took charge in October, has never before called up the 34-year-old Salcido and previously said it would be difficult for players outside the group to make it to the finals. Former PSV Eindhoven and Fulham defender Salcido, who now represents UANL Tigres and was an over-age player in the team that won the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics, will be going to his third consecutive World Cup. He last played for the Tri, as Mexico are known, when they lost 2-0 to the United States in a CONCACAF qualifier on Sept. 10, an away defeat that cost Olympic coach Luis Fernando Tena his job. l

FIXTURES

FIXTURES

Defenders
Andres Guardado (Bayer Leverkusen), Paul Aguilar, Francisco Rodriguez, Miguel Layun (all America), Hector Moreno (Espanyol), Rafael Marquez (Leon), Diego Reyes (Porto), Carlos Salcido (UANL Tigres)

Athletic Bilbao Granada Real Betis Espanyol Celta Vigo Atletico Madrid Elche Getafe

v v v v v v v v

Real Sociedad Almeria Valladolid Osasuna Real Madrid Malaga Barcelona Sevilla

Atalanta Bergamo Bologna Cagliari Livorno Sampdoria Sassuolo Torino AS Roma

v v v v v v v v

AC Milan Catania Chievo Verona Fiorentina Napoli Genoa Parma Juventus

POINTS TABLE
P 1 Atletico Madrid 36 2 FC Barcelona 36 3 Real Madrid 36 4 Athletic Bilbao 36 5 FC Sevilla 36 6 Real Sociedad 36 7 Villarreal 36 8 Celta Vigo 36 9 Valencia 36 10 Levante 36 W 28 27 26 20 17 16 15 13 12 11 D 4 4 6 8 9 10 8 7 10 12 L 4 5 4 8 10 10 13 16 14 13 GD +51 +67 +66 +27 +16 +8 +11 -6 -1 -9 Pts 88 85 84 68 60 58 53 46 46 45

Midfielders
Hector Herrera (Porto), Jose Juan Vazquez, Carlos Pena, Luis Montes (all Leon), Juan Carlos Medina (America), Isaac Brizuela (Toluca), Marco Fabian (Cruz Azul)

Forwards
Oribe Peralta (Santos Laguna), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Raul Jimenez (America), Giovani Dos Santos (Villarreal), Alan Pulido (UANL Tigres)

title, which was handed to them before Monday nights 1-0 win against Atalanta after Roma collapsed 4-1 at Catania on Sunday. The match was due to kick off at 1845 GMT but is now set to be moved forward following the outbreak of violence before the Italian Cup final, in which three Napoli fans were shot at following clashes in the Tor Di Quinto area of the city. Striker Mattia Destro returns for Roma after serving a threematch ban. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Sunday, May 11, 2014

15
Nishikori becomes first Japanese man in top 10
Kei Nishikori ensured he will become the first ever Japanese player to make the top 10 of the ATP rankings with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Spains Feliciano Lopez to make the Madrid Masters semi-finals on Friday. Currently ranked 12th in the world, Nishikori will move into the top 10 when the latest rankings are released on Monday thanks to 13-match winning streak. The 24-year-old reached the semi-finals of the Miami Masters in March before having to withdraw due to a groin problem and won his first ever tournament on clay on his return from injury at the Barcelona Open two weeks ago. It was a big goal for me to get to the top 10, but it is only one week for now so I have to keep playing better tennis to stay in the top 10, he said. My goal is not just to be there for one week so hopefully I can keep that ranking for a while. Nishikori was bothered by a back injury throughout the second set against Lopez. It should be ok. I dont know for sure, I only have half a day to recover so its going to be hard but hopefully I will be ok. l

QUICK BYTES

PCB defends Waqars appointment

Pakistan cricket chiefs on Friday defended their decision to appoint fast bowling legend Waqar Younis as head coach, after former interim coach Mohsin Khan lashed out at the decision. The Pakistan Cricket Board had on Tuesday handed Waqar a two-year contract for a second stint in the top job -- without interviewing the other six applicants, including Khan. Khan hit out at the PCB on Thursday, saying he was a deserving candidate, and he is now likely to challenge the appointment in court. But PCB chiefs said the board had agreed that Waqar was better suited to take the team forward. The 42-year-old played 87 Tests and 262 one-day internationals for Pakistan and held the job of national team coach from February 2010 to September 2011. Waqar has regularly been associated with Pakistan cricket and commentating on the game as well, PCB management committee member Zaheer Abbas told a press conference. AFP

Veron, Heinze set to take final bow in front of home fans

Argentina World Cup veterans Juan Sebastian Veron and Gabriel Heinze will make their last league appearances in front of home fans on Sunday (2000 GMT) before retiring. It could also be a last La Bombonera match for Boca Juniors idol Juan Roman Riquelme, who helped Argentina reach the World Cup quarter-finals in Germany in 2006, against Lanus on Sunday (2115). Verons Estudiantes are at home to title holders San Lorenzo in La Plata on the penultimate weekend of the Final championship, second of two in the season. Heinze, who like Veron counts Manchester United among the European clubs he played for, lines up for Newells Old Boys against relegated All Boys at the Marcelo Bielsa stadium in Rosario. Mine is a 20 Oscar film, I cant ask for more... after returning at 34 and becoming a champion, being part of Newells history, its the perfect ending, said the 36-year-old Heinze, who helped his club win last seasons Final and retires when this campaign ends the following weekend. Reuters

Prime Bank South Zone paceman Al Amin Hossain celebrates one of his four wickets with his teammates during the second days play of the Bangladesh Cricket League final against BCB North Zone at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday MUMIT M

South Zone ahead after second day

Prime Bank South Zone took an important lead of 31 runs as pacer Al Amin bagged four wickets for his side to restrict North Zone to 235 in their first innings in the ongoing final of the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday. Skipper Nasir Hossains 70 turned out to be the only major highlight of North Zones innings which barely produced any other major highlight worth a mention. The two overnight North Zone batsmen - Zunaid Siddique and Myshukur Rahman, resumed their innings cautiously on the second morning of the match and were looking composed before Zunaid became pacer Al Amins first victim for 25. However, his partner Myshukur was stroking the ball nicely in a partnership with Forhad Hossain, who himself was also looking in cruise control as the pair played some gorgeous shots to add 60 runs for the 2nd wicket before Forhad was caught behind after scoring 32. Forhads departure perhaps inflicted a lapse of concentration in Myshukur who soon followed Forhad in the pavilion as he became the second victim of pacer Al Amin after scoring a patient 42. It was all about North Zone skipper Nasir Hossain afterwards as he began the repair work after the loss of those two quick wickets. His innings illustrated a perfect display of caution with aggression as he built the innings through regular boundaries and a consistent rotation of strikes. He soon reached his half century but didnt get due support from the other end as North Zone kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Nasir was finally dismissed just after the second new ball was taken as national team off-spinner Sohag Gazi had him caught by Shuvagoto Hom after scoring a solid 70 which included nine boundaries and a six.

BRIEF SCORE
Prime Bank South Zone 271/10 BCB North Zone 235/10 Nasir Hossian 70, Myshukur Rahman 42 Al Amin 4/35
North Zones left arm spinner Taijul Islam who had earlier taken 8 wickets with the ball for his side, contributed with the bat as well as the left-hander remained unbeaten on 29 runs before North Zone were all out for 235. For South Zone, national team pacer Al Amin took four wickets from 17 overs

DAYS WATCH
Sony Six Indian Premier League 4:30PM Punjab v Kolkata 8:30PM Bangalore v Rajasthan NBA Play-Off 2013 14: CONF SF 6:00AM Brooklyn v Miami 8:30AM Portland v San Antonio Ten Action French Ligue 1 2013/14 8:00 PM LOSC Lille SA v Paris Saint-Germain 12:30 AM F.C. Nantes v AS Saint-Etienne Ten HD 6:00 PM ATP 1000 Madrid Masters 2014 Star Sports 1 Italian Serie A 4:30PM Atalanta v Ac Milan English Premier League 7:50 PM Manchester City v West Ham La Liga 11:00 PM Celta Vigo v Real Madrid Star Sports 2 English Premier League 7:50 PM Cardiff City v Chelsea La Liga 10:55 PM Elche v Barcelona Star Sports 3 English Premier League 7:50 PM Southampton v Manchetsr United Star Sports 4 5:00PM F1: Spanish GP Raceday English Premier League 7:50 PM Liverpool v Newcastle La Liga 10:55PM Atletico Madrid v Malaga Star Sports HD 1 English Premier League 7:50 PM Norwich City v Arsenal Star Sports HD 2 English Premier League 7:50 PM Tottenham v Aston Villa

for just 35 runs while Sohag Gazi, Abdur Razzak and Shuvagata Hom picked up a couple each. South Zone will begin their second innings today. Meanwhile, Nasir Hossain, the skipper of North Zone who top scored with 70, thought that his side was not in an ideal position after the end of second days play. I will not say we are struggling but we are slightly on the back foot at the moment. Its a five day game and there is less chance of draw in the match. So we will be looking to dismiss them as early as possible, said Nasir. The day also saw the 22 year old named the captain of the Bangladesh A team which will be touring West Indies later this month. Nasir believes that it will be a good opportunity for him to make a mark as the right hander has struggled with the bat recently for the national side. l

Gatlin ready to battle Gay after comeback

Former Olympic 100-metres champion Justin Gatlin on Saturday said he would give Tyson Gay a run for his money when the fellow US sprinter re-enters competition after a one-year doping ban. Last week Gay, the triple 2007 world champion, said he would run again this year after his suspension for testing positive for a banned anabolic steroid in two random out-of-competition tests expires on June 23. Asked what he felt about the reduced suspension, Gatlin said details of Gays case were yet to be made public. I kind of reserve my comments until everything has unfolded. But until then, Ill just try to stay focused on my race and if he comes back Id be ready to compete against him, said the American. l

Nadal, Sharapova storm into Madrid Masters final

World number one Rafael Nadal remained on course to retain his Madrid Masters title on Saturday with a 6-4, 6-3 semi-final victory over fellow Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut. The 13-time Grand Slam champion has now won 12 sets in a row in the Spanish capital as he looks for his first title of the European clay court season after suffering shock defeats in the quarter-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open in recent weeks. And Nadal could have the chance to avenge his defeat to David Ferrer in Monte Carlo should the world number five overcome Kei Nishikori in Saturdays other semi-final. After breaking the Bautista Agut serve in the opening game, Nadal was pegged back after a sloppy service game of his own to allow the world number 45 to level at 3-3. However, the three-time champion in Madrid suddenly upped his intensity to take the next seven games to close out the first set and move a double break up in the second. Bautista Agut showed some resistence to stave off two more break points to get himself on the board before breaking to close to within a game of Nadal at 4-3. Nadal, though, upped his level again to take the final two games to round off victory in an hour and 43 minutes. Meanwhile, Maria Sharapova secured her place in the final of the Madrid Open for the second consecutive year with a comfortable 6-1, 6-4 win over Polands Agnieszka Radwanska on Saturday. The four-time Grand Slam champion will face Romanian Simona Halep in Sundays final as she ground out a hard-fought 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-2 victory over fifth seed Petra Kvitova. Sharapova was dominant again at the start of the second as she raced into a 3-0 lead, but Radwanska battled back to take four straight games and lead 4-3 with a break. Unfortunately for the third seed, though, she gifted the break straight back and Sharapova also took the next two games to round off victory in little over an hour. Earlier, Halep booked her place in her first ever final of a mandatory event after outlasting Kvitova after over twoand-a-half hours on court. However, the 22-year-old is aware of the size of the task that awaits her in Sharapova having lost in their only two meetings to date. After just one break apiece it was Kvitova who edged a first set tie-break and the Czech looked on her way to her first final of the season when she led 3-1 early in the second. Halep responded by taking the next seven games to level at one set all and go an early break ahead in the decider. The fourth seed then broke the Kvitova serve once more to move ahead 5-2 and served the match out in the next game. l

Sharapova celebrates her victory over Radwanska during the singles semifinal of the Madrid Masters yesterday AFP

Fraser-Pryce wins Diamond League opener, Dibaba flops

Jamaican sprint sensation Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce kicked off the 2014 Diamond League season with a comfortable victory in the womens 100m in Doha on Friday. But there was disappointment for Ethiopian star Genzebe Dibaba who struggled home in sixth place in the 3000m, with Kenyas Hellen Obiri taking victory in a time of 8min 20.68sec, the fifth-fastest in history and a new African record. Dibaba, who broke the world indoor 1500m and 3000m records this year before taking the world indoor 3000m title in Sopot, was passed by Obiri and Mercy Cherono on the final lap and finished almost six seconds behind. I dont know what went wrong. I didnt feel good from the beginning of the race, said Dibaba. After skipping a couple of meets, including the Penn Relays, on medical advice, Fraser-Pryce bounced back to win the 200m at the Kingston Invitational last week and she showed no signs of struggling in the Qatari capital. After a great start, the Pocket Rocket, the reigning two-time Olympic sprint champion who also claimed world 100m gold in Moscow last year and world indoor 60m gold in Sopot in March, pulled immediately away from Nigerias Blessing Okagbare. The Jamaican crossed the line in 11.13 seconds, an eye fixed on the big screen as Okagbare made a late surge for the line to finish second in 11.18sec. It was a good race, the crowd definitely is a plus, very diverse, energetic and supportive, said Fraser-Pryce. l

SCORECARD
England A. Cook c MacLeod b Taylor I. Bell b Taylor E. Morgan c Cross b Wardlaw J. Buttler c Taylor b Davey R. Bopara c MacLeod b Davey J. Root c Taylor b Davey G. Ballance not out C. Jordan not out Extras (b1, w4, nb1) Total (6 wkts, 20 overs) 44 50 31 9 3 17 1 6 6 167

Scots cant rain on Cooks parade

England captain Alastair Cook saw the willingness of all concerned to persevere in less than ideal conditions end in a 39-run victory for his side against Scotland. As rain before and during the match reduced Fridays one-day international at Aberdeens Mannofield to a 20 overs per side contest, the minimum required to declare a result, it was easy to recall many an England side who would have made it clear to the officials they were in no mood to carry on. But in their first match of Peter Mooress second spell as England coach, and with the team keen to restore their reputation with the cricketing public, the visitors played on at a sodden ground in a match where the start was delayed by five-and-a-half hours. England, sent into bat by Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer, compiled 167 for six in their 20, with Ian Bell making a fluent 50 and fellow opener Cook 44. Scotland, set a Duckworth/Lewis adjusted victory target of 173, lost both their openers to James Anderson before local hero Michael Leask rocked England with 42 off just 16 balls including five sixes. But when Leask fell to off-spinner James Tredwell, who took a one-day international best four for 41, Scotlands challenge against their 2015 World Cup pool opponents petered out. Those were borderline conditions to play in, said Cook. But just in a one-off game, with not so much riding on it, I think it was the right decision. I think it would have been wrong if we hadnt -- and credit to both sides for just getting on with it. Prior to the one mid-match stoppage, Cook and Bell, who put on 83 for the first wicket, kept batting during a heavy downpour and so helping to buy enough time for the fixture to be played to a finish. Those conditions are as wet as I have ever fielded in, said Cook. It probably wasnt fit to play, if you are being totally honest. The left-hander added: We were asking How wet does it have to get? I was actually going to ask for a towel to dry my grip, because I couldnt grip my bat. When the umps came and said Look, its going to take a lot longer to mop up properly -- but do you want to just get on with it? Kyle and his team said yes. l

Bowling Wardlaw 4 0 37 1 (3w); Evans 4 0 33 0 (1w); Davey 4 0 28 3; Haq 3 0 26 0; Taylor 4 0 36 2; Machan 1 0 6 0 Scotland (target 173) M. Cross b Anderson 1 C. MacLeod b Anderson 9 M. Machan c Bell b Bopara 33 K. Coetzer b Tredwell 8 M. Leask c Anderson b Tredwell 42 P. Mommsen b Jordan 9 R. Taylor c Jordan b Tredwell 1 J. Davey c Gurney b Tredwell 0 M. Haq not out 18 I. Wardlaw c Jordan b Bopara 2 A. Evans not out 9 Extras (w1) 1 Total (9 wkts, 20 overs) 133 Bowling Anderson 4 0 22 2 (1w); Gurney 4 020 0; Jordan 4 0 24 1 Tredwell 4 0 414; Bopara 4 0 26 2 England won by 39 runs (D/L method)

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Biman to suspend loss-making routes

Hajj flights are always profitable for Biman

n Muhammad Zahidul Islam

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is going to suspend flights on some loss-making routes and concentrate on Hajj flights, which usually bring in more revenue. Sources at the national flag carrier said some important destinations, including New Delhi, Kolkata, Hong Kong and Yangon, were on the suspension list. The airlines has already stopped selling tickets and withdrawn its general sales agents from the four cities, they added. At the same time, Kathmandu, Bangkok and Rome-Frankfurt flights are also under scrutiny. At a board meeting on Friday, Biman authorities calculated that the unprofitable routes would lose a further Tk50 crore over the next two months. We expressed our concern as Hong Kong loses Tk34lakh every flight, Delhi loses Tk14 lakh, Kolkata loses Tk10 lakh and Yangon loses Tk4 lakh, a board member told the Dhaka Tribune on condition of anonymity. The board also suggested reducing weekly flights on the recently reopened Dhaka-Rome-Frankfurt route, which was incurring a huge loss of Tk2.15 crore per flight. When every other carrier is making money from these routes, we are losing money. That is why the board needs to take a tough decision, the board member said. On the other hand, Hajj flights are always profitable for Biman, which, along with Saudi Arabian Airlines, enjoys a monopoly for flying pilgrims. This year,the flag carrier needs to suspend some routes and close a couple as it plans to operate Hajj flights with its own fleet, instead of leasing aircraft like in previous years, a senior executive said. Hajj flights will start from the end of August, and before that, we need

to rearrange some of our routes that are making losses, AM Mosaddique Ahmed, acting managing director andchief executive officer of Biman, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday. As we are not leasing any aircraft for Hajj flights this year, we need to reschedule some of our other flights, he said. Biman will dedicate three brand new Boeing777 to carry more than 50,000 Hajj passengers. The flights to Jeddah will run from August 27 to November 8. Another high official said they were also planning to reduce flights from all other routes during the Hajj season. Biman plans to withdraw one of its five weekly flights to Kuala Lumpur,although the carrier had recently asked to operate seven flights, an official said. However, some senior Biman executives disagreed with the decision to suspend flights, fearing that they may not be able to resume the flights after the Hajj, and that would be damaging for the national carrier. At present, Biman operates flights to 19 international destinations. Meanwhile, Fridays board meeting also reviewed a proposal from Egypt Air regarding the reopening of the Dhaka-New York route. A delegation of Egypt Air, led its vice president (planning),presented a proposal to run Dhaka-New York flights with stopovers in Cairo. According to a board member, Egypt Air officials claimed that the proposed route would not only save six hours every trip, but operating costs would also be less than Bimans plan to fly to New York via Birmingham, England. The acting Biman chief said discussions would continue and it would take some time to finalise the much-awaited route. Bimans New York flights were grounded in 2006, but the carrier plans to resume the flights this summer. l

Saleha Begum, 55, sits for a chat with orphans at Sir Salimullah Orphanage in the capital. Saleha, who has been serving as a teacher for some 27 years, also serves as a Hostel Super at the facility. Despite having her own family, she prefers to living among them and some 91 orphans claim her to be their mother. Although she has only five years till retirement, Saleha wishes to spend the rest of her life among her children MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Four Bangladeshi workers killed in Dubai

n Rabiul Islam
Four Bangladeshi workers have been killed in a bus accident in Dubai on Saturday. AKM Mizanur Rahman, first secretary in Dubai, has confirmed the deaths to the Dhaka Tribune. A total of 15 people have been killed in the accident. The deceased were are identified as Md Badrul Hasan, 35, son of Nabi Haq, of Sitakundu, Chittagong, Alamgir, 32, son of Badsha Mia of Matlab, Chandpur, Nazrul, 28, son of Kalimullah of Jaintapur, Sylhet, and Masum Ali, 24, son of Milu Dhali of Chandpur Sadar upazila. The accident occurred around 8am (local time) when they were going to the workplace from their labour camp along with other workers. Among the total 15 dead, the remaining 11 were Indian nationals. Of the total 14 injured, nine were Bangladeshis. Four of them were admitted to the hospital. Among them Ibrahim Miazee of Chandpur is at Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as he is in critical condition, the first secretary told the Dhaka Tribune. The drivers of a bus and a truck, both Pakistanis, at the center of the crash on Emirates Road in Dubai have both been detained, officials said. l

Drive against tinted glass in vehicles starts today n Mohammad Jamil Khan
Law enforcers are set to launch operation today against the vehicles whose owners were yet to change tinted glasses of their motor cars. In the wake of recent abductions, disappearances and murders, the Home Ministry issued an order on April 30 to remove such glasses from vehicles within May 10. Khan Mohammad Rezwan, deputy commissioner (Traffic) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told the Dhaka Tribune they had already asked officials concerned to take necessary actions against those vehicles still having black or tinted glasses. Earlier, we only filed cases against such vehicles and around five to six cases used to be filed every month, but from now on, we are considering serious actions, he said. Asked about case details, he said the case would be filed under section 151 of Motor Vehicles Act 1983 that could fine a vehicle owner at least Tk1,200. Apart from filing cases, the vehicles that did not conform to the rule would be seized, he added. On May 6, the Home Ministry issued another order, saying those vehicles that already had built-in windshield, both side windows and backside glasses from factory would be out of the jurisdiction of previously issued April 30 order. However, the second order issued by the Home Ministry did not give details of the type of vehicles that would remain out of the jurisdiction. The Ministry of Public Administration issued another order that asked the government vehicles department to remove black and hazy glasses from vehicles. l

Government monitoring polls situation in India

n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman
The government is closely monitoring the election situation in India apparently amid tension brewing between the two neighbouring countries, says an official concerned. Its too early to make any comment, but we are closely monitoring the polls situation in India, said a senior official of the foreign ministry. The ministry has already started calculating on different scenarios that might emerge after the election. Whoever comes to power, the government will enter into talks with them and act accordingly, he added. The tension is apparently mounting as influential cabinet members of the government and the civil society are on record saying about the things which had not been heard in the last five years. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed told at least two TV channels in India and a daily in Bangladesh that if New Delhi pursued the issue of alleged illegal immigrants, it might have impact on the bilateral relationship. Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud said the government would take the regional water issue to the international forum if it failed to get an equal share of water of the common rivers through negotiations with India. Prime Ministers Economic Adviser Mashiur Rahman said the issue of illegal immigrants would be a very risky policy for India. Another foreign ministry official said one should look at the US India relationship after May 16 as it might have impact on Dhaka-New Delhi relationship. Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid in December last year said, Washington is far away from Dhaka where New Delhi is right next to it and the US should take its position, considering the position of India. While the US is at some distances from Bangladesh, we are right next to it. So, our understanding of the region and understanding of sentiments of the people in the region should be helpful in the positions they want to take, he told an Indian newspaper. The foreign ministry official said if Narendra Modi becomes the prime minister, it might opt to have good relationship with Washington and in that case, there might be a compromise in the Indian foreign policy as far as Bangladesh is concerned. Bangladesh enjoys the support of the Congress-led government throughout its tenure and there might be a deviation if another party comes to power, he said. This is the first time after 1975 both the Awami League and the Congress are in power. Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh visited Dhaka just before the January 5 election and discussed polls issue with political leadership in Bangladesh and had a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Just before the election, Sujatha in India also discussed the issue of Bangladeshs polls with some ambassadors stationed in New Delhi. Mashiur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune that for the development of its north-eastern states, India needs help of Bangladesh. He added: The states have immense potentiality to produce hydropower, but it is very difficult for them to take the power to the mainland without Bangladeshs help. He said the states adjacent to Bangladesh might be affected if the strain between the two countries escalated. l

DMCH emergency unit closed

n Kailash Sarkar

Interns and honorary doctors staged angry demonstration and shut down the emergency unit of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital protesting an attack on some doctors by unidentified criminals on Saturday night. The doctors demanded resignation of DMCH Director Brig Gen Mostafizur Rahman for his failure to protect them. Police said five to six doctors came under attack around 9:30pm as they were returning to DMCH after dinner at a restaurant at Chankharpool. Mostafizur said he suspected involvement of Dhaka University students in the attack as a sequel to previous clash. l

Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed on behalf of 2A Media Limited at Dainik Shakaler Khabar Publications Limited, 153/7, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1208. Editorial, News & Commercial Office: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207. Phone: 9132093 94, Advertising: 9132155, Circulation: 9132282, Fax: News-9132192, e-mail: news@dhakatribune.com, info@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com

B3 Yellen: Could take 5 8

years to shrink Fed portfolio

B4 Why NBR is on the

wrong target?
SUNDAY, MAY 11, 2014 www.dhakatribune.com/business

market to diversify exports 11 items picked Research Say trade officials of foreign missions in Dhaka for expansion of export
n Tribune Report n Kayes Sohel
The government has taken a set of measures to diversify export basket with special focus on 11 manufactured products, officials said. These products are ship-building, pharmaceuticals, furniture, Poppadom (a snack item), rubber, ICT, frozen food, electric home appliance, home textile, jute and jute goods, printed and packaging material, sources in the commerce ministry said. Policy supports and cash incentives will be given to these 11 products to boost export earnings, said an official. The products that have good demand in Europe, America and other parts of the world were selected for diversifying exports after a series of meeting with the stakeholders, he said. He said steps will also be taken to help maintain quality and compliance in line with the international standard, and also increase productivity. Aiming to explore new markets, new commercial wings will soon be opened in five countries Uzbekistan, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Poland and India said another said official. Under the sixth five year plan, the government has taken initiative to explore new export markets for Bangladeshi products, Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahmed said earlier. Despite Bangladesh exports worth of $27bn being sent to over 150 nations in 2012-13, 80% of exports went to the US and Canada in North America, European Union and Japan, according to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). The country is now totally depended only on single product (RMG) that accounted for 81% of total export earnings. We do not want to be confined to limited products, said Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed earlier. After RMG, the second best is home textiles that made up 2.7%, followed by Jute and Jute goods 2.7%, frozen food 2.2%, shrimp 1.9%, jute yarn 1.8%, footwear 1.8%, leather 1.7% , engineering 1.32% and other rest, EPB latest data shows. The gap between the first 81% and second 2.7%, which is not good news for the economy, said MA Taslim, trade analyst and professor of economics at Dhaka University.
B3 COLUMN 4

Bangladesh should launch market research along with diversification of products to ensure further expansion of the exports, trade officials at foreign missions in Dhaka told a roundtable yesterday. Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) organised the meeting on Improving Exports: Importing Countrys Perspective at its auditorium in the city. High commissioners, trade officials of different embassies, commercial counsellors of different diplomatic missions in Bangladesh and DCCI directors spoke at the function. DCCI senior vice president Osama Taseer moderated the discussion. The chamber president Mohammad Shahjahan Khan urged the Bangladeshi missions abroad to increase their efforts for expansion of international market of Bangladeshi products. He said Bangladesh has now focused more on diversifying products and manufacturing non-traditional items rather than traditional items. Ambassador of Iraq in Bangladesh Shakir Qasim Mahdi said since 2009 Iraq is rebuilding its infrastructure and others necessary areas for bringing dynamism in its trade commerce. So, Bangladesh can take stock of it by exporting its goods and services, he said inviting investment in ceramic, medicine, leather and IT sectors in Iraq. Sri Lankan High Commissioner Sarath K Weragoda urged Bangladesh

Speakers at a roundtable on Improving exports: Importing countrys perspective in Dhaka yesterday. Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised the event DCCI to sign free trade agreementor preferential trade agreement to enhance bilateral trade and investment. Laying importance on shipping and airline connectivity, he said Sri Lanka is strategically connected to major shipping and air routes to the east and west. He said: Bangladesh is now using 16% of its shipment or products through Sri Lanka port which was 10% in previous years. Sri Lanka is willing to offer its concession to Bangladesh for using its existing three ports including Hambantota deep sea port. Commercial Counsellor of Turkish Embassy in Dhaka Tulay Uyanik said Bangladesh should diversify its products with ensuring quality and efficiency to increase exports. Other factors like political stability, branding image, modernised factories, upgrading banking system and improving workers safety are also the pre-requisite to enhance export, she said. Uyanik said Bangladesh products like home-textile, agro-processed foods, leather and ceramichave potentials to be of good demand on the Turkish market. She also observed Bangladesh has much potentials to develop overseas tourism throughimproving transport system and hotel accommodation. Country Manager of Australian Trade Commission Minhaz Chowdhury said Bangladesh got duty-free access to Australian market in 2004, but the country is yet to reap benefits of it. He said the bottom line for boosting exports to Australia is that Bangladesh needs to improve quality of products, maintain delivery time and ensure products diversification. As the Australian market has accepted Bangladeshi products, there is a possibility that the country can raise imports from Bangladesh in next 2-3 years. Senior manager of Kotra (Korean Trade Center) Faruque Ahmed said Bangladesh can raise export to Korea, especially the products like clothing, leather and footwear. But it is yet to make inroad in Korea despite enjoying 95% of its products duty-free access, he added. Director General (Saarc and BIMSTEC) at the foreign ministry, Abdul Motaleb Sarker admitted the importance of setting up demand-based market research in foreign missions. l

Sonali Banks 257 branches vulnerable Share trading of Pharma Aids &
n Asif Showkat Kallol
Sonali Bank inspection teams have identified 257 branches as vulnerable to looting and robberies with some of them even having no vault room doors. Of them, three chest branches Gazipur court building, Narail and Laxmipur - have serious security flaws, which the inspection officers labelled as the most vulnerable. Others include 73 non-chest branches, 15 treasury branches and 166 other branches. In a recent letter, Sonal Bank managing director Paradip Kumar Dutt informed about the inspection reports submitted by its 65 teams who visited all branches across the country. After repeated looting in the largest state-owned bank, Finance Minister AMA Muhith directed the bank management to check security arrangements of the branches. The inspection teams were formed after the directive. Two committees have also been formed by the government to examine branch security and submit report. Sonali Bank has a total of 1,204 branches in home and abroad. Pradip Kumar Dutt said they will start reconstruction works of more than 100 branches after approval of the Bangladesh Bank. CCTV cameras will also be installed and other relevant steps will be taken in the branches to ensure foolproof security after getting the government-formed committees reports. In March, Tk30 lakh was stolen from the banks Adamdighi branch in Bogra. In January, the looters took away Tk16.4 crore from the vault of Rathkhola branch in Kishoreganj. Earlier in 1994, Tk10 lakh was robbed from one of the banks Kishoreganj branches. l

Wata Chemicals resumes today

n Tribune Report
Share trading of Pharma Aids resumes today at the Dhaka Stock Exchange after remaining suspended for threemonths. The DSE had suspended on February 5 the trading of the company shares as it barred DSE team in carrying out regular inspection the companys factory. For the sake of investors greater interest, the DSE board has decided to allow stock trading of the company from today, said an official. The companys restriction to enter into the factory is a violation of listing regulation, he said, adding that a showcause notice has also been served upon the company to clarify their position in this regard. He said the next course of action will be taken against the company after consulting with the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission. Before suspension, Pharma Aids closed at Tk181. In another decision taken by the board on Thursday that Wata Chemicals would be transferred to the main board from the over the counter market (OTC), a separate trading floor for trading of junk shares, after more than four years. As the company complied with all the regulations required for beginning trade in the main board, the bourse has decided to re-enlist it, said another official. Earlier, the company appealed for re-enlistment after it became regularised in holding annual general meetings and paying dividends to its shareholders. In 2009, the Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges had delisted Wata Chemicals for non-compliance with the listing regulations, including non-issuance of dividends for shareholders of the company since 2003. The BSEC on August 9 last year, issued no objection letter to the company for re-enlistment with the stock exchanges and asked to consider Watas application as per the listing regulations. l

WB approves $60m credit to modernise VAT system n Tribune Report

The World Bank will give $60m interest-free credit to modernise Bangladeshs value added tax (VAT) administration and increase tax revenue. The bank board has approved the credit, it said in a press release yesterday. The credit from the International Development Association (IDA) an arm of the World Bank Group have 40 years maturity period with a 10year grace period, and carry a service charge of 0.75%. The VAT Improvement Program Project will introduce automation, including on-line VAT taxpayer services, and improve transparency in the VAT administration system. The project aims for the ratio of VAT to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to increase by at least one percentage point of GDP by 2019. The VAT to GDP ratio for 2012-13 is 3.7%.
B3 COLUMN 4

Muhith: Tax-free income ceiling may be Tk2.25 lakh

n Tribune Report
Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday hinted that tax-free income ceiling for individuals might be fixed at Tk2.25 lakh in coming fiscal year. Personal income tax limit can be increased by Tk5,000, he said, exchanging views with the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) on the upcoming national budget for 2014-15 likely to be placed in parliament on June 5. Presently, a personal income of up to Tk2.20 lakh is free from tax. Earlier, the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) proposed to raise the tax-free income threshold to Tk2.5 lakh for individuals in consistent with the increased living cost. On the latest situation of foreign investment in the country after January 5 general elections, he said Im very happy. Theyre (foreign investors) coming. Theyve come back in a big way in about three months. About local investment, he said the local businessmen have refrained from further investment in the country for lack of confidence. I dont know how far is it true? His comment came after the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) in its pre-budget recommendations for the next fiscal year said lack of security has shaken investor confidence. The local think tank said some recent non-economic concerns like security of assets and personal lives

3rd Digital World on June 4 7

n Muhammad Zahidul Islam
The government has decided to organise the next Digital World event under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, which is scheduled to be held on June 4-7 at Bangabandhu International Conference Center in Dhaka. This was announced at a joint press conference yesterday on the third edition of the largest ICT, software and telecom show. Information Communication Technology (ICT) Division of the governmentand Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) will jointly organize the Digital World 2014. This will be the biggest ever event of its kind in the country, said State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak. Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB), Bangladesh Computer Samity (BCS), Internet Service Providers Association Bangladesh (ISPAB) and Access to Information (A2I) Programme are among the partners. Theevent will be a show of e-services and mobile innovations, and software expo. As many as 30 seminars will be held on the sidelines where 60%speakers will be globally renowned expertsin the ICT and telecom, said Russell T Ahmed, BASIS secretary general and chief project officer of the Digital World. He said 117 software companies and 40 mobile innovation companies have alreadyregistered for participating in the event. The number is expected to further increase. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to inaugurate the event while President Md Abdul Hamid will be present as chief guest at the closing ceremony. We are trying to promote the sector and make the country as a global hub for ICT investment, Palak said. A website will be launched shortly with all the relevant information on the Digital World event. Visitors can register online for any of the particular seminar or show. Efforts are also underway to develop a mobile app to help the interested people get up-to-date information about the event. The organisers said there will be a series of events running through thefour days, which include eCommerce zone, gaming zone, business matchmaking sessions, IT/BPO forum, developers forum, outsourcing forum etc. Kamal Uddin Ahmed, additional secretary of the ICT Division, SM Asfaque Hussain, executive director of Bangladesh Computer Council and Shameem Ahsan, president of BASIS, also spoke at the presser. l

have further shaken investors confidence, which prompted investors to shelve their fresh investment and business expansion plans. Muhith further explained his view further saying: The matter lack of confidence I dont understand this because at this moment Bangladesh is a very good market. On allowing whitening untaxed money or black money in the next budget, finance minister outright rejected the proposal and said, it is useless provision. The government did not collect enough tax money in its exchequer during the last 40 years through allowing black money to whiten. On capital market, Muhith said the capital market witnessed stability. It has been governments primary goal to see investment through the capital market. Now, I believe, investment

will come in the capital market. He also expresses his determination about offloading shares of stateowned enterprises (SoEs). It has remained pending. This will be done this time. Weve started the process, he said. On demand of cutting lending rate by the business community, the Finance Minister said they do not fix the interest rate rather market determines it. Many businessmen complained about higher interest rate, but they forget it when they sit in the banks board of directors. About PPP (public-private partnership) initiative, he admitted the initiative did not see much success. Ive a plan well build a large convention center somewhere in Keraniganj and Mawa. There will be a link road from airport to Keraniganj to be built under PPP. l

B2
Quick profit taking pulls down stocks for 2nd week
n
Tribune Report
Quick profit booking by mainly cautious investors has dragged down the stock market for the second consecutive week. The benchmark index DSEX lost almost 12 points or 0.3% to close at 4,555 past week ended Thursday. Shariah Index DSES was slightly down 5 points or 0.6% to 1,013. The blue-chip comprising DS30 fell 6 points or 0.4% to 1,666. Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index, CSCX, declined over 7 points or 0.08% to close the week at 8,763.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Stock
DSE GAINERS Company

Sunday, May 11, 2014

DSE key features May 04-08, 2014

Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract Traded Issues Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis) Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis) Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis) Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.) Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)
19,133.27 413,400,883 442,299 301 189 108 4 2,336.38 28.32

Closing (% change) 20.74 18.11 14.81 14.44 14.29 13.50 13.43 13.43 13.33 13.30

A number of quarterly earnings announcements, mostly in depressed tone, affected the market sentiment in frequent intervals
Trading activities continued to decline as the weeks average daily turnover stood at Tk382 crore, registering a fall of 10% over the previous week. IDLC Investments, in its weekly market analysis, said dynamics of ups and downs neutralised the past weeks market sentiment. A number of quarterly earnings announcements, mostly in depressed tone, affected the market sentiment in frequent intervals, it said. Accordingly, a cautious stance

prevailed among the investors, keeping them in a watchful mood, it said. As panic did not neutralise fully, general investors were maintaining side-line strategies. Lanka Bangla Securities said: The market has observed selling pressure throughout the past week. It said this continuous selling is probably the result of banks reducing exposure, as they are trying to comply with the capital market exposure limit, set by Bangladesh Bank. It said generally it can be said that the first quarter earnings, posted by most of the listed companies, except banks, were not encouraging. Banking stocks showed improved performance in terms of profitability. But investors are probably thinking that this improved performance will not sustain. Gainers took a modest lead over the losers in the past the week. Out of the 301 issues traded in the week, 163 advanced, 114 declined and 24 remained unchanged. Sectoral performance was mixed in the past week. Among the major sectors, telecommunications gained the most with 1.8% rise, followed by non-banking financial institutions that edged higher. Pharmaceutical was the biggest loser, shedding almost 3%. Food and allied, banks and fuel and power also closed negative. Grameenphone dominated the weeks top turnover chart with shares worth over Tk15 crore changing hands, followed by Meghna Petroleum, Heidelberg Cement, Matin Spinning and Olympic Industries. l

Salvo Chemicals-B In Tech Online -A Anwar Galvanizing-B Northern G Insur-A Continental Insur. -A Orion Infusions -A BD. Thai Alum -B B I F C -A Midas Financing-Z Matin Spinning-N CSE GAINERS Company Salvo Chemicals-B In Tech Online -A Orion Infusions -A Padma Islami Life*-N Hakkani P& Paper -B Anwar Galvanizing-B B I F C -A Paramount Textile Ltd.-A Matin Spinning-N Janata Insur -A

Average (% change) 21.75 16.16 13.56 13.19 13.06 14.56 13.16 11.96 13.33 12.79 Average (% change) 20.50 17.67 15.64 23.17 15.25 15.86 12.57 11.89 13.32 13.55

Closing average 22.95 15.02 27.97 41.88 25.36 51.54 22.87 15.07 23.80 46.73

Weekly closing 22.70 15.00 27.90 42.00 25.60 51.30 22.80 15.20 23.80 47.70

Weekly high 24.00 15.50 28.90 45.00 26.70 54.60 24.00 16.00 24.00 48.20

Weekly low 17.00 11.00 24.30 33.10 20.00 47.00 18.60 13.00 18.00 41.80

Turnover in million 132.680 12.289 14.008 21.731 22.840 347.333 23.433 7.338 0.380 581.498

Latest EPS 1.09 1.02 0.27 1.82 3.00 4.81 -0.13 0.68 -6.91 4.55

Latest PE 21.1 14.7 103.6 23.0 8.5 10.7 -ve 22.2 -ve 10.3

Closing (% change) 20.11 19.69 15.92 15.65 15.56 14.46 13.85 13.24 13.06 12.98

Closing average 22.75 15.12 51.61 73.90 29.70 27.98 14.87 38.20 46.61 23.46

Weekly closing 22.70 15.20 51.70 73.90 29.70 27.70 14.80 38.50 47.60 23.50

Weekly high 24.20 15.50 54.50 73.90 29.70 28.70 15.80 39.70 48.00 23.90

Weekly low 17.90 13.00 47.00 68.00 27.10 25.90 13.20 34.10 41.60 21.00

Turnover in million 13.155 1.598 22.006 0.404 0.266 1.227 0.511 19.514 90.422 0.132

Latest EPS 1.09 1.02 4.81 1.10 0.28 0.27 0.68 3.13 4.55 0.59

Latest PE 20.9 14.8 10.7 67.2 106.1 103.6 21.9 12.2 10.2 39.8

CSE key features May 04-08, 2014

Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract Traded Issues Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis) Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)
1,362.51 38,294,108 59,485 250 158 83 8 2,242.48 27.18

Weekly news from trade server

GOLDENSON: 25% stock, EGM and AGM: 21.06.2014, Record Date: 15.05.2014. EPS of Tk. 3.13, NAV per share of Tk. 31.36. MERCINS: 10% cash, dividend for the Public Shareholders (B Group) only, AGM: 16.06.2014, Record Date: 15.05.2014. EPS of Tk. 1.29, NAV per share of Tk. 15.79. CMCKAMAL: 12.50% stock, AGM: 30.06.2014. Record Date: 29.05.2014. EPS of Tk. 1.30, NAV per share of Tk. 20.56. RUPALIBANK: 15% stock, AGM: 31.05.2014, Record date: 14.05.2014. EPS of Tk. 2.49, consolidated NAV per share of Tk. 65.44. LEGACYFOOT: 5% stock, AGM: 21.06.2014, Record Date: 12.05.2014. EPS of Tk. 0.65, NAV per share of Tk. 18.32. BDTHAI: 5% stock, AGM: 21.06.2014, Record Date: 25.05.2014. EPS of Tk. (0.13), NAV per share of Tk. 37.76. MEGHNACEM: 15% cash, AGM: 29.05.2014, Record Date: 14.05.2014. EPS of Tk. 5.23, NAV per share of Tk. 36.54. MONNOSTAF: 10% cash, AGM: 26.06.2014, Record Date: 19.05.2014. EPS of Tk. 4.15, NAV per share of Tk. 47.93. INTECH: 10% stock, AGM: 23.06.2014, Record Date: 15.05.2014. NAV of Tk. 213.89 million, EPS of Tk. 1.02. ISNLTD: No dividend, AGM: 17.06.2014, Record date May 20, 2014.. EPS of Tk. (1.03), NAV per share of Tk. 16.28. SALVOCHEM: 10% stock, AGM: 27.08.2014, Record date: 25.06.2014. EPS of Tk. 1.09, NAV per share of Tk. 12.05. Audited/unaudited Financial Reports: Unaudited Financials: DAFODILCOM: (Q3): NPAT= Tk. 25.28 million with EPS of Tk. 0.51 against Tk. 29.41 million and Tk. 0.59 respectively. PRIMETEX: (Q3): NPAT= Tk. 32.38 million with EPS of Tk. 0.85 against Tk. 28.17 million and Tk. 0.74 respectively. FUWANGCER: (Q3): NPAT= Tk. 30.89 million with EPS of Tk. 0.37 against Tk. 44.29 million and Tk. 0.52 respectively. TALLUSPIN: (Q3): NPAT= Tk. 158.09 million with EPS of Tk. 1.95 against Tk. 77.44 million and Tk. 0.95 respectively. BDAUTOCA: (Q3): NPAT= Tk. 0.23 million with EPS of Tk. 0.06 against Tk. (1.96) million and Tk. (0.54) respectively. SHYAMPSUG: (Q3): NPAT= Tk. (230.09) million with EPS of Tk. (46.02) against Tk. (148.74) million and Tk. (29.75) respectively. Accumulated profit/(loss) of the Company was Tk. (2,250.49) million as on 31.03.2014 resulting total shareholders' equity stands at Tk. (2,200.49) million. POWERGRID: (Q3): NPAT= Tk. 735.92 million with EPS of Tk. 1.60 against Tk. 837.68 million and Tk. 1.82 respectively. GHAIL: (Q3): NPAT= Tk. 94.95 million with consolidated EPS of Tk. 1.16 against Tk. 143.69 million and Tk. 1.75 (restated) respectively. ANWARGALV: (Q3): NPAT= Tk. 2.62 million with EPS of Tk. 0.20 against Tk. 3.22 million and Tk. 0.24 respectively. UNITEDAIR: (Q3): NPAT= Tk. 328.39 million with EPS of Tk. 0.58 against Tk. 892.31 million and Tk. 1.57 (restated) respectively. EXIM1STMF: (Q3): NPAT= Tk. 53.04 million with earnings per unit of Tk. 0.53. FBFIF: (Q3): NPAT= Tk. 232.08 million with earnings per unit of Tk. 0.42 against Tk. 305.90 million and Tk. 0.55 respectively. ABB1STMF: (Q3): NPAT= Tk. 65.94 million with earnings per unit of Tk. 0.41 against Tk. 76.32 million and Tk. 0.47 respectively. EBLNRBMF: (Q3): NPAT= Tk. 57.39 million with earnings per unit of Tk. 0.35 against Tk. 58.17 million and Tk. 0.36 respectively. PHPMF1: NPAT= Tk. 59.05 million with earnings per unit of Tk. 0.30 against Tk. 61.87 million and Tk. 0.31 respectively. POPULAR1MF: (Q3): NPAT= Tk. 90.92 million with earnings per unit of Tk. 0.44 against Tk. 81.71 million and Tk. 0.40 respectively. 1JANATAMF: (Q3): NPAT= Tk. 81.73 million with earnings per unit of Tk. 0.41 against Tk. 67.20 million and Tk. 0.34 respectively. IFIC1STMF: (Q3): NPAT= Tk. 48.81 million with earnings per unit of Tk. 0.37 against Tk. 47.75 million and Tk. 0.37 respectively. TRUSTB1MF: (Q3): NPAT= Tk. 74.42 million with earnings per unit of Tk. 0.34 against Tk. 68.65 million and Tk. 0.32 respectively. EBL1STMF: (Q3): NPAT= Tk. 36.99 million with earnings per unit of Tk. 0.34 against Tk. 42.91 million and Tk. 0.39 respectively. RAHIMAFOOD: (Q3): NPAT= Tk. (15.19) million with EPS of Tk. (0.76) against Tk. 7.80 million and Tk. 0.39 respectively.

Weekly capital market highlights

DSE Broad Index : DSE - 30 Index : CSE All Share Index: CSE - 30 Index : CSE Selected Index :
DSE LOSERS Company ISN Ltd. -Z Singer BD -A N C C Bank -A Bata Shoe Ltd. -A 7th ICB M F A The Ibn SinaA Reckitt Benckiser -A Berger Paints-A Kohinoor Chem -A Renata Ltd. -A CSE LOSERS Company Kay & Que (BD) -Z ISN Ltd. -Z Aziz PipesZ Midas Financing-Z N C C Bank -A Singer BD -A Phoenix Insur -A Pioneer Insur -A Bata Shoe Ltd. -A Nitol Insurance -A Closing (% change) -29.41 -26.24 -17.16 -14.29 -11.54 -11.46 -10.00 -9.48 -9.47 -8.82 Closing (% change) -27.78 -12.02 -10.24 -9.94 -9.80 -9.44 -8.08 -7.99 -7.89 -7.75

4555.11581 1666.00852 14050.7262 11597.8600 8763.4045

(-) 0.26% (-) 0.35% (+) 0.05% (-) 0.78% (-) 0.09%

Weekly high 14.60 200.00 13.70 1140.00 90.20 109.50 1279.90 1280.00 410.00 1250.00

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis) Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.) Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)
Weekly low 9.50 169.90 10.40 1028.00 90.00 99.00 1177.10 1134.80 335.00 1100.00 Turnover in million 5.313 210.256 54.602 72.484 0.090 25.882 6.762 54.156 31.419 244.818 Latest EPS -1.03 2.96 1.42 48.12 12.01 4.07 41.12 57.68 9.37 39.57

Average (% change) -28.23 -11.52 -9.16 -9.45 -9.80 -9.94 -6.74 -6.88 -8.16 -3.51 Average (% change) -29.29 -25.35 -17.16 -14.29 -10.58 -9.66 -10.23 -9.48 -10.41 -8.82

Closing average 10.32 189.70 11.51 1035.80 90.20 107.15 1199.35 1150.50 335.00 1155.86

Weekly closing 10.40 189.60 11.40 1033.30 90.20 106.50 1200.80 1141.80 335.00 1143.90

Latest PE -ve 64.1 8.1 21.5 7.5 26.3 29.2 19.9 35.8 29.2

Closing average 12.02 10.60 16.90 21.00 11.49 189.90 39.50 52.50 1,029.00 31.00

Weekly closing 12.00 10.40 16.90 21.00 11.50 190.00 39.60 52.50 1,029.00 31.00

Weekly high 12.20 14.50 16.90 22.10 13.30 201.50 39.60 52.50 1,108.00 31.00

Weekly low 12.00 9.80 16.90 21.00 10.60 180.00 39.10 52.50 1,025.00 31.00

Turnover in million 0.132 0.746 0.002 0.054 7.632 19.980 0.063 0.053 2.848 0.047

Latest EPS -0.92 -1.03 0.68 -6.91 1.42 2.96 2.71 5.16 48.12 3.19

Latest PE -ve -ve 24.9 -ve 8.1 64.2 14.6 10.2 21.4 9.7

ANALYST

Banking stocks showed improved performance in terms of profitability. But investors are probably thinking that this improved performance will not sustain

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY

Sector Bank NBFI Investment Engineering Food & Allied Fuel & Power Jute Textile Pharma & Chemical Paper & Packaging Service Leather Ceramic Cement Information Technology General Insurance Life Insurance Telecom Travel & Leisure Miscellaneous Debenture

DSE Million Taka 2113.60 727.83 439.40 1890.08 1863.59 2034.10 5.93 1768.96 2926.70 2.32 369.91 204.43 98.26 1390.89 155.64 246.79 366.25 1907.15 174.67 444.75 2.01

% change 11.05 3.80 2.30 9.88 9.74 10.63 0.03 9.25 15.30 0.01 1.93 1.07 0.51 7.27 0.81 1.29 1.91 9.97 0.91 2.32 0.01

Million Taka 153.19 48.10 18.33 177.14 87.85 143.32 0.00 231.73 163.69 80.24 20.08 94.39 12.04 84.92 15.01 8.35 16.93 150.67 42.74 53.26 0.47

CSE

% change 9.56 3.00 1.14 11.05 5.48 8.94 0.00 14.46 10.21 5.01 1.25 5.89 0.75 5.30 0.94 0.52 1.06 9.40 2.67 3.32 0.03

Million Taka 2266.80 775.93 457.74 2067.22 1951.44 2177.41 5.93 2000.68 3090.39 82.56 389.99 298.82 110.30 1475.80 170.65 255.14 383.18 2057.82 217.41 498.01 2.48

Total

% change 10.93 3.74 2.21 9.97 9.41 10.50 0.03 9.65 14.90 0.40 1.88 1.44 0.53 7.12 0.82 1.23 1.85 9.92 1.05 2.40 0.01

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Grameenphone-A Olympic Ind. -A Meghna Petroleum -A HeidelbergCement -A Matin Spinning-N LafargeS Cement-Z Square Pharma -A Padma Oil Co. -A Golden Son -A BATBCL -A CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Matin Spinning-N BD Submarine Cable-A Grameenphone-A Appollo Ispat CL -N LafargeS Cement-Z UNITED AIR A Meghna Petroleum -A Square Pharma -A Golden Son -A UCBL - A

Volume shares 5,699,845 3,018,053 2,401,170 1,058,620 12,720,600 7,953,500 1,903,061 1,315,894 7,673,187 165,340

Value in million 1545.45 731.70 709.86 594.82 581.50 542.48 533.58 452.23 432.70 412.38

% of total turnover 8.08 3.82 3.71 3.11 3.04 2.84 2.79 2.36 2.26 2.16

Weekly closing 272.60 240.30 294.40 545.10 47.70 69.20 278.60 340.40 56.50 2395.00

Price change 1.38 0.00 -2.03 -7.63 13.30 2.22 -1.10 -1.73 9.71 -2.58

Weekly opening 268.90 240.30 300.50 590.10 42.10 67.70 281.70 346.40 51.50 2458.50

Weekly high 278.00 246.50 302.20 599.90 48.20 71.40 295.00 360.00 59.00 2505.00

Weekly low 250.00 220.00 270.00 543.20 41.80 65.80 257.50 320.00 50.00 2311.00

Weekly average 273.56 243.45 295.71 550.62 46.73 68.55 279.08 341.59 57.02 2393.44

Prepared exclusively for Dhaka Tribune by Business Information Automation Service Line (BIASL), on the basis of information collected from daily stock quotations and audited reports of the listed companies. High level of caution has been taken to collect and present the above information and data. The publisher will not take any responsibility if any body uses this information and data for his/her investment decision. For any query please email to biasl@bol-online.com or call 01552153562 or go to www.biasl.net

Volume shares 1,991,200 437,955 260,200 2,294,600 681,000 3,375,344 115,896 114,853 535,471 1,050,062

Value in million 90.42 79.99 70.68 63.18 46.39 39.97 34.23 32.21 30.26 28.47

% of total turnover 6.84 6.05 5.34 4.78 3.51 3.02 2.59 2.44 2.29 2.15

Weekly closing 47.60 191.80 272.50 28.00 69.10 12.10 294.30 278.90 56.50 26.90

Price change 13.06 6.14 1.34 11.11 2.67 0.83 -1.77 -0.89 10.78 0.00

Weekly opening 42.10 180.70 268.90 25.20 67.30 12.00 299.60 281.40 51.00 26.90

Weekly high 48.00 193.00 277.80 29.40 71.00 12.60 304.00 283.00 59.00 28.50

Weekly low 41.60 170.00 262.00 25.10 65.50 10.60 291.00 272.00 45.00 23.70

Weekly average 46.61 190.73 275.36 27.85 68.37 12.12 295.08 279.03 57.15 27.00

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

Sunday, May 11, 2014

B3

Yellen: Could take 5 8 years to shrink Fed portfolio

n Reuters, New York
The US Federal Reserve is in no rush to decide the appropriate size of its balance sheet, but if it ultimately shrinks it to a pre-crisis size, the process could take the better part of a decade, Fed Chair Janet Yellen said on Thursday. Yellen, in testimony to a Senate panel, said no decision had yet been made on the central banks portfolio of assets, which has swollen to $4.5tn from about $800bn in 2007. Three rounds of asset purchases meant to stimulate the economy in the wake of the 2007-2009 financial crisis have boosted the balance sheet to this record level. Unsatisfied with the US recovery, the Fed is still adding $45bn in bonds each month, though the purchases should end later this year. Yellen said the portfolio should start to shrink once the Fed decides to raise near-zero interest rates. Weve not decided, and well probably wait until were in the process of normalizing policy to decide, just what our long-run balance sheet will be, she told lawmakers, adding it will be substantially lower than it is now. While the central bank could sell the mortgage-based bonds it has accumulated, in the past it has telegraphed that it would more likely simply stop re-investing funds from expired assets and then, over years, let the assets run off the balance sheet naturally. If we do that and nothing more, it would probably take somewhere in the neighbourhood of five to eight years to cies, Yellen took a page from her predecessor Ben Bernanke and urged the Congress to address the nations longterm budget challenges, warning that the current course was unsustainable. We can see that going out 20, 30, 50 years without some further shifts in fiscal policy, its projected that the ratio of debt to GDP will rise to unsustainable levels, Yellen told the Senate Budget Committee. I would join my predecessor in saying that I do think its important that the Congress address that issue, she said, adding recent tightening of fiscal policy had been one of the headwinds that had undercut the Feds efforts to foster a stronger economic recovery. In another exchange, Angus King, an independent from Maine who caucuses with the Democrats, asked Yellen if she would favour the addition of a community banker to the Fed board, which currently has only four of its seven seats filled. Certainly I am in favour of that, Yellen said, noting recently retired governors Elizabeth Duke and Sarah Bloom Raskin were very familiar with small banks. The Fed governor said she had conveyed her desire for a community banker on the Fed board to the White House, which nominates central bank governors. Reuters reported last month that the White House was considering a former banking lawyer, as well as two others with direct community-banking experience, as possible nominees to the depleted Fed board. l

Easing China inflation seen opening door for more support steps
n Reuters, Beijing
Moderating consumer prices and persistent industrial deflation in China have bolstered market expectations that authorities will ease monetary policy or take other steps to arrest a loss of momentum in the second-largest economy. Chinas consumer price index (CPI) rose 1.8% in April from a year earlier, the smallest rise in 18 months, while the producer price index (PPI) dropped 2% in its 26th straight fall, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Friday. The relatively low inflation pressure will provide more room for the central bank to manoeuvre its monetary policy in the coming quarters to support the economy, said Wang Jin, an analyst at Guotai Junan Securities in Shanghai. The CPI fell 0.3% from March, a second straight monthly fall. Seasonal factors pushed prices lower, but a run of negative readings could raise broader concerns of deflation. The rise in the annual CPI and the falls in the PPI and the monthly CPI were weaker than median forecasts in a Reuters poll. As the risk of deflation rises and the real activities remain lukewarm, we believe that it is time for the PBOC to contemplate easing monetary policy soon, economists at ANZ said in a note. Yu Qiumei, a senior statistician at the National Bureau of Statistics, attributed the April CPI reading to drops in vegetable and pork prices, which fell 7.9% and 7.2% from a year ago respectively. China inflation will keep a mild upward trend in the future and the April reading might be the trough for the first six months of this year, Yu said in a statement. Chinas growth rate slowed to an 18-month low of 7.4% in the first quarter. The government has unveiled a series of small stimulus steps, but analysts are concerned they not enough to stop economic growth from sliding further. April trade data on Thursday showed some slight growth in overall

US Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen testifies about the US economy before a Senate Budget Committee hearing on Capitol Hill REUTERS get it back to pre-crisis levels, Yellen said of halting reinvestments. It was the Feds most explicit time frame yet for the delicate task of shrinking its balance sheet to a more normal level. The massive portfolio has sparked worries that, once the Fed starts to raise rates, inflation will shoot up. The Fed could also absorb losses if it decides to sell assets in the years ahead, a potential political headache for Yellen. The five-to-eight-year timeline generally aligns with estimates of both private economists and a paper published last year by top Fed economists. A paper by JPMorgan economists predicts shrinking the Feds portfolio would take seven years. Yellen, in her second day of testimony before lawmakers, again stressed that excessively low inflation drags on economic growth. But she rejected the idea, floated by some private economists, of trying to boost inflation above the Feds 2-percent target to ratchet down unemployment, saying it was critical to keep inflation expectations firmly anchored. Inflation has been running just above 1% in the worlds biggest economy while unemployment, albeit falling, is still elevated at 6.3%. Asked repeatedly about fiscal poli-

'As the risk of deflation rises and the real activities remain lukewarm, we believe that it is time for the PBOC to contemplate easing monetary policy soon'
exports as orders to the United States and European Union surged, offering some positive signals. Sources told Reuters earlier this year that the central bank could cut the amount of cash banks must keep as reserves if growth slowed towards 7%. Last month, it cut the reserve requirement ratio for rural banks, but left it unchanged for major banks. On Tuesday, the central bank said it would keep monetary policy steady with timely fine-tuning to help stabilise growth, while introducing greater yuan flexibility. l

Oil prices rise on Ukraine tensions

n AFP, Singapore
Oil prices edged higher in Asian trade Friday on escalating fears of a fullblown armed conflict in Ukraine as proMoscow rebels press on with disputed independence referendums. The US benchmark, West Texas Intermediate for June delivery, was up 11 cents to $100.37 in afternoon trade, while Brent North Sea crude for June gained one cent to $108.05 per barrel. Despite a call from Russian President Vladimir Putin to postpone the vote to ease tensions, pro-Kremlin rebels in Ukraine vowed Thursday that independence referendums would go ahead as planned on May 11. There are fears the country could erupt in fresh violence Friday when both it and Russia celebrate the Soviet victory in World War II. We expect political turmoil in Ukraine to continue in the run-up to, and probably also in the aftermath of, the presidential elections on May 25, Dutch bank ABN AMRO said in a note. Desmond Chua, market analyst at CMC Markets in Singapore, said there would be a build-up in risk premium ahead of the planned May 11 referendums in eastern Ukraine. l

Euro, dollar on soft ground over Ukraine, ECB comment

n AFP, Tokyo
The dollar was delicately balanced in Asia on Friday as investors braced for disputed local independence referendums in Ukraine that could further ramp up global tension and undermine optimism, analysts said. While traders were largely holding their breath for events on the ground, a slight rebound in Japanese shares on Friday was providing some temporary support for the greenback. The dollar was at 101.63 yen, compared with 101.66 yen in New York Thursday. The euro was $1.3835 and 140.61 yen, off from $1.3840 and 140.69 yen. Pro-Russian forces in Donetsk and Lugansk in eastern Ukraine have said they are moving ahead with independence referendums, despite a call from Russian President Vladimir Putin to postpone the vote. There are risks of violence before and after the vote, if it happens. Its difficult to take dollar-long positions before the weekend, said Yuji Saito, executive director of foreign exchange at Credit Agricole in Tokyo. But recovery of the Nikkei index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange for now was providing support for the US unit, he added. The headline index opened Friday in negative territory, but ended the morning up 0.59% at 14,247.57. Routine seasonal moves by hedge funds were also encouraging buying of US Treasuries and sales of stocks, which can put pressure on the dollar, analysts said. The euro also remained under pressure after European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi said the bank was prepared to further ease monetary conditions next month if the economy needed it. The ECBs governing council was dissatisfied with the current path of inflation and was not prepared to accept it as a fact of nature, Draghi said. As a result, the governing council is comfortable with acting next time, he said. l

Bangladesh sets strategy to diversify exports

B1 COLUMN 2

The more we can export products, the more we can keep the economy free from risk. Global marketing Guru Philip Kotler visited Bangladesh last year recommended branding Bangladesh for increasing exports in the international market. Because brand image increases acceptability of products even at a higher price. Branding Bangladesh movement shall not get tired too quickly. Chairman of Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh (PRI) Zaidi Sattar said: Around 98% of Bangladeshs ex-

ports are final consumer products with little or no intermediate goods. He said this needs to change as trade in intermediate goods is the fastest component of global trade. The spectacular success of the RMG industry has not been replicated. A major reason for this is the existence of anti-export biases in non-RMG export production. PRI operations director Khurshid Alam said establishing special economic zones will bring foreign investment that could help link Bangladesh to the global value chain and in the process,

diversify its export base. In 2008, to diversify exports, the government had taken a project styled One District, One Product but yielded hardly any result as yet. The only outcome of the project scheme was to identify two products rubber and Poppadom for export potential. EPB officials said Poppadom has a huge demand in neighboring India and Middle-eastern countries, but transportation of the product is difficult because of its fragility. Dinajpur produces quality Poppadom in a huge quantity. l

WB approves $60m credit to modernise VAT system

B1 COLUMN 6

The project will support the government to implement the new VAT law which comes into effect in 2015 and aims to provide better services and reduced administrative costs for taxpayers. The project will include a campaign to raise awareness of the need to register and file for VAT. The project will seek to increase the number of active registered taxpayers to 85,000 within the next five years compared to around 35,000 VAT payers today. Improving Bangladeshs ability to raise tax revenue is critical for faster economic growth and overcoming poverty because the country needs more resources to invest in infrastruc-

ture and human development, said Johannes Zutt, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh. Compared to other countries in South Asia, Bangladeshs tax collection remains low. This project will improve taxpayer services, encourage better compliance and increase tax revenue by automating the VAT system. The project will introduce modern business processes and Information Technology systems as well as a more transparent service-oriented tax administration. Registration, return processing, and tax payment will become possible online. This will reduce compliance costs for taxpayers. The project will also support the

VAT administration system to become fully compliant with Bangladeshs Right to Information (RTI) Act. The introduction of vigorous Management Information System will enable the administration to detect irregularities and initiate remedial measures. The project will include regular disclosure of performance information to the public so they can monitor progress with the project including the tax collection. It will also introduce a contact center for tax payers to get more information on the new VAT and how to file as well as file complaints, said Tracey Mary Lane, Team Leader, VAT Improvement Program Project, the World Bank. l

City Bank has partnered with American Express to introduce the American Express B2B Expense Management Solution, a unique end-to-end solution that will help companies in Bangladesh reduce their cost of doing business. Rahimafrooz Distribution Ltd and Reckitt Benckiser Bangladesh Ltd are the first in the market to implement this solution with their distributor network. A launching ceremony was held recently at the presence of City Banks chair, Rubel Aziz, American Expresss vice president (global merchant services & partner card services in South Asia), Pranav Barthwal, Rahimafrooz Distribution Ltds MD, Mudassir Murtaza Moin and Reckitt Benckiser Bangladesh Ltds finance director, Nayan Mukherjee

A managers conference of United Commercial Bank Limited was held yesterday at the banks auditorium. The conference was presided by its managing director Muhammed Ali

Social Islami Bank Limited recently held its 250th meeting of its boards executive committee at the corporate office of the bank. Alhaj Sk Mohammad Rabban Ali, chair of the committee presided over the meeting

Golam Hafiz Ahmed becomes NCC Banks MD n Tribune Business Desk

Golam Hafiz Ahmed has been recently appointed as the managing director and CEO of NCC Bank Limited from his prior roles of being the banks additional managing director, acting managing director and CEO. Ahmed has more than 31 years of banking experience during which he has excelled at international and branch banking along with client relationship management and business line responsibilies. l

Abul Khayer Group yesterday introduced a nutrition supplement named Profom for pregnant women and new mothers. Nowshad Karim Chowdhury, the groups brand director and nutritionist Tamanna Chowdhury were present at the press conference.

EXIM Banks managing director and CEO, Mohammed Haider Ali Miah seen addressing the executives and officers at a gathering held in Sylhet yesterday

B4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page
though will increase many-fold after a few years. Targeting the taxed: Like every other previous year, the NBR has again pledged aggressive tax drives, mainly targeting those who are already paying tax, to meet the revenue target. I will not be surprised if these aggressive drives leave many taxpayers tense, feeling harassed, or even arrested and jailed. Well, while collecting tax from taxpayers properly is fine, bringing the untaxed population under the tax net is more important. Individuals are more affected: The current tax structure is too heavy on the individual taxpayers, especially compared to the citizen facilities they enjoy. However, they hardly have a voice to raise their concerns to the authorities, and hence are the silent victims. On the other hand, businesses have many ways and avenues to lobby for various kinds of tax waiver facilities. This year alone, the NBR has received 5000 proposals for facilities from different sectors, 4050 of them are for duty cuts. The largest industry in the country is RMG, but given the long tax holiday, and many other duty waivers, how much tax is actually collected from this industry? A huge amount of IT equipment is imported at almost no tax, but you cant do anything to increase tax from RMG or IT because most of the policymakers are the owners in these industries. The NBR has to go after the poor individuals who have been nice enough to open tax

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Why NBR is on the wrong target?

n Javeed Ahsan
This year the National Board of Revenue has set a revenue target of Tk1,250bn, downsized from the original target of Tk1,361bn, a 22% increase from that of the previous year. For the next year, the target is going to be Tk1,490bn; again, about 19% higher than this years target, which the tax boss is planning to realise through aggressive tax drives. NBR sets the revenue target in a similar fashion every year, increasing by a convenient percentage over the previous years. Before you read on, can you make an educated guess about what percentage of Bangladeshis actually pay income tax? In a country of 160 million people, there are only 1.2 million taxpayers registered in the system, and the number of actual tax returns submitted will be far less, around 0.8 million, including both individual taxpayers and businesses. This means, only half a percent or so of the entire population really pay tax, which is probably the lowest taxpayer ratio in the world. This miserable tax scenario, even 42 years past independence, is largely because the revenue target that the NBR sets each year is always on the wrong footing, which does little to improve the tax situation. Let me elaborate what is wrong with the target. Short-term goals: First, the NBR should set long term goals, for at least three to five years rather than setting mere incremental targets for every year. There are many factors that affect tax payment. Some factors may have immediate effects while others have slower but more lasting impact in the long run. Short-term targets will allow the NBR to focus only on short-term actions, like the use of punitive measures for not paying tax and using other aggressive tax drives, while overlooking more important steps that need to be taken to improve the overall tax situation. Hence, important steps like taxpayer education, making companies deduct income tax at source from employees, or conducting proper research on tax and using the research findings to devise tax policies, are neglected. This is obvious as every incumbent NBR chairman tries to continue with similar percentage of increase in taxes compared to previous years and will fear being axed if revenue collection falls short in a given year due to long-term policy. Wrong target: As explained, the NBR always targets to increase revenue collection by certain percentage and pays little attention to bringing more people under the tax net. That is why the number of taxpayers has not crossed a half percent over all these years. Imagine if only 5% of the people paid tax, what would the size of the revenue be today, even if each paid one-third of what is being paid now? But targeting to increase the number of taxpayers is difficult because of the short-term target. Beside other steps, you will need to reduce tax to make more people be willing to pay tax, which might reduce revenue in the immediate period,

TAHMIDUR RAHMAN

files, for meeting the revenue targets, and they have to quietly accept whatever tax is slapped on them. A consultant, for example, has to pay a straight 25% of the fees as tax and VAT, and goes home with only 75% of the income to fight with the rising price of

commodities and cost of living. More well thought-out, rational, and long-term revenue collection goals need to be set that will bring sustainable changes to the tax scenario in the country and reduce out dependency on foreign aid. Bringing 5%

of the population under the tax net in X number of years can be a starting target. l Javeed Ahsan is a development communication professional and a columnist.

IMF strongly hopes Kiev will honour its commitments

n AFP, Rabat
International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde said Friday that she strongly hoped Ukraine would honour commitments linked to a $17bn aid package agreed last month but which could be reviewed. The IMF said in a report last week that the rescue programme would have to be re-designed if Kiev loses control of the economically important eastern region to pro-Russian separatists, who are preparing a referendum in eastern Ukraine cities on Sunday. We are following the situation very closely and we strongly hope the Ukrainian authorities will respect the commitments of the programme, Lagarde said, speaking in Morocco. She confirmed Kiev had received the first $3.2bn tranche of IMF aid, first
REUTERS

announced by the Ukraines central bank on Wednesday. What it hinges on for us is the determination of the authorities to respect their commitments and implement them, Lagarde said. As well as supporting the Ukrainian economy, the programme serves as a catalyst for supporting... other financial institutions or partners in a bilateral plan, she added. The rescue package is part of a larger $27bn deal involving loans from the World Bank and the European Union aimed at strengthening the country under its new pro-Western government. But the fund warned on May 1, shortly after the emergency loan was announced, that there were deep risks to its successful implementation, including the quickly eroding economy, corruption, and the current and future

governments ability to implement much-needed reforms. And it made clear that Kievs failure to maintain control of the pro-Moscow east would threaten the entire loan programme. Should the central government lose effective control over the east, the programme will need to be re-designed, the Washington-based institution warned. Russias annexation of Crimea in March - which is not recognised by the West or other major powers - represents a loss of around 3.7% of Ukraines GDP, and does not have a significant impact on the governments needs, the fund said. But the potential secession of the highly industrialised eastern region would have serious economic consequences. The three provinces of Donetsk, Lugansk, and Kharkiv account for about 21.5% of GDP and 30% of total

industrial production. Two days before the planned separatist vote, eastern Ukraine was rocked by more deadly violence, with some 20 rebels and a policeman killed in clashes between Ukrainian troops and proMoscow militants in the southeastern port city of Mariupol. Also on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Crimea for the first time since its annexation, drawing a sharp rebuke from authorities in Kiev. Putin has warned that if Kiev does not pay the $3.5bn bill that state-run Russian gas firm Gazprom says it owes, he could turn off the taps, which would also affect several European countries. The IMF has forecast a sharp recession in Ukraine this year - of five percent negative growth - with public debt expected to reach 56.5% of GDP, compared with 40.9% in 2013. l

China to avoid big economic stimulus

n Reuters, Beijing
China will not use any large-scale stimulus to boost its economy, Central Bank Chief Zhou Xiaochuan was reported as saying on Saturday, in response to speculation that authorities might lower reserve requirements for banks to spur growth. Zhou, who was speaking at a closeddoor session at the Tsinghua University, was also reported by Phoenix New Media Ltd as saying the central bank would only fine-tune its policy to counter economic cycles. There has been market speculation that China may reduce the amount of cash commercial banks must hold as reserves at the central bank to shore up its economic growth, which fell to an 18-month low in the first quarter. l

Banks to return $4.66bn in crisis loans to ECB next week

n Reuters, Frankfurt
Banks will return 3.365bn euros ($4.66bn) in long-term crisis loans to the European Central Bank next week, less than expected but more than this week as banks trim down their reliance on ECB funding and return to the markets. The amount banks will repay on May 14 is more than this weeks repayments of 1.75bn euros, and below the 6bn forecast in a Reuters poll. Banks are voluntarily offloading the crisis loans they took from the ECB in late 2011 and early 2012 in anticipation of Europe-wide bank stress tests, which will over the next couple of months check how the lenders hold up under certain scenarios. November. The repayments have reduced the amount of spare cash in the system to levels that have started to put upward pressure on overnight bank-to-bank lending rates. EONIA has shot above the ECBs main rate of 0.25% several times now. Excess liquidity, which is the measure of money that banks have beyond what they need for their day-to-day operations, stood at 77bn euros on Friday, having hit 180bn euros earlier in the week as banks adjust their funding. ECB President Mario Draghi pointed out on Thursday that recent volatility in short-term money market rates had not spilled over into the mediumterm and that more liquidity in the EONIA market was to some extent a positive sign as banks were going back to the market and fragmentation was receding. In other words, banks rely less on the ECB and more on each other, Draghi said in the post policy meeting news conference. On Friday, the ECB said six banks would repay 2.609bn euros from the first LTRO on May 14, and four banks would pay back 0.756bn from the second LTRO. l

'In other words, banks rely less on the ECB and more on each other'
The tests are part of a broader balance sheet review done by ECB before it takes over as bank supervisor in

Report: Apple to unveil iPhone 6 in August, earlier than expected

n Reuters, Taipei
Apple Inc will unveil the next incarnation of its popular iPhone series in August, one month earlier than industry watchers were generally expecting, Taiwanese media reported on Friday citing unidentified supply-chain sources. A 4.7-inch screen version of the iPhone 6 will reach stores in August, the Economic Daily News reported without specifying which markets would receive the phone first. A 5.5-inch or 5.6-inch model will be released in September, the newspaper said, as the iPhone 5 series was previously. People involved in the supply chain had earlier confirmed to Reuters that there will be a 4.7-inch version of the iPhone 6 and a 5.5-inch version. Together, the Economic Daily News said 80 million iPhone 6 handsets would be produced this year. Industry watchers have said increasing the iPhones screen size from 4 inches would help Apple regain market share from competitors such as Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, who they say have responded to consumer desire for more screen size. Representatives for Apple could not be reached for comment. Representatives for Taiwanese iPhone contract manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd and smartphone camera lens maker Largan Precision Co Ltd, both mentioned in the Economic Daily News report, had no comment. l

DILBERT

Beats headphones are sold along side iPods in an Apple store on Friday in New York City. Apple is rumored to be consideringing buying the headphone company for $3.2bn

AFP