The New Nation - Internet Edition

Ekushey a visible symbol of patriotism, nat’l spirit: CA

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed giving away the
Ekushey Padak to Prof Muzaffar Ahmed at Osmani Memorial
Auditorium in the city on Wednesday. PID photo

UNB, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed Wednesday said now is the time for the people to turn around and make a fresh start on the right path to progress through taking a lesson from mistakes of the past.

"As a nation we have a tradition of struggle, indomitable will force, exemplary tolerance and intense devotion to work. Common people of the country are advancing in the struggle of life regularly facing various kinds of disasters. A nation that has earned independence through a great liberation war cannot concede defeat," he told a function of national award giving ceremony.

The head of caretaker government, which is carrying out sweeping reforms ahead of pending elections, called for intensifying the momentum of combined efforts of all and foster a steel-solid determination for country's development and progress imbued with the sprit of Amar Ekushey.

He termed the Amar Ekushey a visible symbol of "our patriotism, national spirit and united effort".

He reminded that Ekattur (71, the year of Liberation War) came treading the bloodstained path of Bahanno (52, the year of Language Movement) and the nation got the recognition of an independent national identity, but the nation's dreams and aspirations were dashed for various reasons.

The Chief Adviser of the interim government made the observations while addressing the Ekushey Padak (Award) 2008 giving ceremony organized at Osmani Memorial Auditorium by the Cultural Affairs Ministry.

Dr Fakhruddin distributed the prestigious award among the recipients and family members of those awarded posthumously. Nine persons, five of them posthumously, were adjudged for the Ekushey Padak 2008 for their extraordinary contributions in their respective fields. The awarded persons are Dr Nazma Chowdhury (Research), Khandokar Nurul Alam (Music), Wahidul Huq (Music, posthumous), Shamsundar Boishnob (Music, posthumous), Shefali Ghosh (Music, posthumous), Professor Dr Mozaffar Ahmad (Education), Khaleque Nowaz Khan (Language Veteran, posthumous), Professor Dr Zohra Begum Kazi (Social Work, posthumous) and Kabi Dilwar Khan (Literature).

The award carries a gold medal, a citation of honors and a cheque for Tk 40,000 each.

On behalf of the recipients, Professor Mozaffar Ahmad spoke at the function.

Cultural Affairs Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury chaired the function conducted by Cabinet Secretary Ali Imam Majumder. Deputy Speaker, Advisers, Special Assistants to Chief Adviser, distinguished personalities, academics, poets, writers, singers and cultural activists were among others present.

Obama bags Wisconsin, Hawaii: Pledge to end Iraq war in first year of office if elected

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton

AP, Washington

Barack Obama added Wisconsin and Hawaii to a primary season winning streak that now totals 10 and has put Hillary Rodham Clinton into a virtual must-win scenario in Democratic contests coming early next month in Texas and Ohio.

The former first lady now looks to a debate Thursday in Austin, Texas, to stall Obama's momentum and reinvigorate her campaign.

"The change we seek is still months and miles away," Obama told a boisterous crowd in Houston in a speech Tuesday night in which he also pledged to end the war in Iraq in his first year in office. "I opposed this war in 2002. I will bring this war to an end in 2009. It is time to bring our troops home," he declared. Sen. John McCain, the Republican front-runner, won a pair of primaries, in Wisconsin and Washington, to continue his march toward certain nomination.

In a race growing increasingly negative, Obama cut deeply into Clinton's political bedrock in Wisconsin, splitting the support of white women almost evenly with her. According to polling place interviews, he also ran well among working class voters in the blue collar battleground that was prelude to primaries in the larger industrial states of Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Clinton made no mention of her defeat, and showed no sign of surrender in an appearance in Youngstown, Ohio.

"Both Senator Obama and I would make history," the New York senator said. "But only one of us is ready on day one to be commander in chief, ready to manage our economy, and ready to defeat the Republicans. Only one of us has spent 35 years being a doer, a fighter and a champion for those who need a voice."

In a clear sign of their relative standing in the race, most cable television networks abruptly cut away from coverage of Clinton's rally when Obama began to speak in Texas.

McCain easily won the Republican primary in Wisconsin with 55 percent of the vote, dispatching former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and edging closer to the 1,191 delegates he needs to clinch the GOP nomination at the party convention in St. Paul, Minn. next summer. The Arizona senator also won the primary in Washington, where 19 delegates were at stake, with 49 percent of the vote in incomplete results. In scarcely veiled criticism of Obama, the Republican nominee-in-waiting said, "I will fight every moment of every day in this campaign to make sure that Americans are not deceived by an eloquent but empty call for change."

McCain stepped up his criticism of Obama on Wednesday, suggesting the Democrat doesn't have the experience or judgment on foreign policy and defense matters needed in a president.

"There are a lot of national security challenges and I know how to handle them. Senator Obama wants to bomb Pakistan without talking to the Pakistanis.

EC to send report to govt on outcome of dialogue: CEC

Staff Reporter

The Election Commission (EC) will send a report to the Government on the outcome of the dialogue with political parties with recommendations for increasing the seats in Parliament and debarring the war criminals from contesting polls.

Disclosing this at a press conference, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday said the Commission would also recommend for amending the Constitution to repeal its Article 70 to stop floor crossing.

Asked what is the EC's specific recommendation on Article 70, he, however said that the Commission had not yet decided. "We'll sit and give opinion on it," he added.

The CEC said, the report is being prepared on the basis of overall dialogue between the EC and political parties and it would be sent to the Chief Adviser.

He said, the Chief Adviser was waiting for the end of the dialogue. And even the next political government can work based on the report," he observed.

Asked about the dialogue with BNP which is stalled due to a writ petition filed with the High Court, he said the Commission is waiting for the court decision and hope to get it before closing the second round of dialogue with the political parties to be ended on February 28.

"The task of finalising the draft reform proposals of concerned electoral laws to be completed by March next cannot be done without holding dialogue with BNP since it is one of the biggest parties and dialogue should have to be held with them," the CEC said adding, the Commission has fallen in a crisis in this regard.

On the suggestion from different quarters for sitting with leaders of both the factions of BNP, he said that is not possible as the problem is that each political party has factions.

"Our decision is to sit with those parties, which are the mainstream and fulfill our criteria," he said.

He said, problem is also there in registering the parties, as to how the two factions could be registered.

Asked about lifting the state of emergency during the local elections, Shamsul Huda said the government should have to assist them in conducting the elections and it is up to the government how they would create the atmosphere.

He said, the Commission hopes to know what is happening regarding state of emergency before announcing the schedule of local-body elections expected to be held by the end of April.

Earlier, the CEC inaugurated the reconstructed website of the EC: www.ecs.gov.bd. Election Commissioners M Sohul Hussain and Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hussain were present on the occasion.

Six to die for murder

Staff Reporter

The Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal yesterday awarded death sentences against six men for committing murder at Rajoir in Madaripur district two years ago.

Pintu Laskar alias Liakat Ali, 30, and Saidul Islam, 32, were in the dock while four others tried in absentia are Sumon Munshi alias Sumon Newaz, Jhantu Sikder, Obaidul Sikder and Helal Akand. They were all sentenced to death by the Divisional Speedy Tribunal judge Anwar Hossain.

Two other accused Taoib Ali Sikder, 27, and Sujan Munshi, 28, were given life imprisonment. The accused were convicted for committing a murder of Shawkat Ali, 35, at Rajoir Bazar of Madaripur district on June 16, 2005, out of enmity.

The court examined 30 witnesses before pronouncing the verdict in a crowded court.

50,000 pry teachers likely to be recruited this year

BSS, Dhaka

Adviser for Finance Dr A B Mirza Azizul Islam yesterday said the government is planning to recruit 50,000 primary school teachers this year and 60 percent of them would be women.

Speaking as the chief guest at the lunching of a skill development project for women entrepreneurs titled 'Design on diversification' at a city hotel, the finance adviser said the government is relentlessly working for the emancipation of women.

He said women make up half of the country's population and the dream of a poverty free nation cannot be achieved without their socio-economic empowerment. "We have to travel a long way to achieve that goal and the women should be on board the train."

Head of the Delegation of the European Commission Ambassador Stefan Frowein, British Deputy High Commissioner Duncan Norman and Project Director Jonathan Webber also spoke on the occasion. President of the Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) Salima Ahmed presented the key-note.

The project was launched jointly by Lyon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Silk Association of Nepal and the BWCCI. The aim of the project is to promote skills of the country's women entrepreneurs in promoting design, colours and other expressions of products to upgrade their quality to make them attractive to buyers in the global market.

The project is being implemented at a cost of 450,000 euros covering activities over two years. Stefan Frowein said the European Union would continue to provide technical assistance to the country's women entrepreneurs with a view to promoting skills and their access to global market.

Role of Armed Forces to be expanded: President

BSS, Dhaka

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday described the Armed Forces as a symbol of the independence and sovereignty of the country, and expressed hope that their innovative ideas and constructive role in nation-building activities would be expanded further in the days to come.

"The nation is truly proud of them. Apart from discharging noble responsibilities for protecting our sovereignty, members of the patriotic Armed Forces are also making significant contributions by standing beside the people at the time of need," he said.

The President said this while speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Defence Service Command and Staff College (DSCSC) at its auditorium at Mirpur Cantonment in the city. Commandant of the DSCSC Major General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan also spoke on the occasion.

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Chief of the Bangladesh Army General Moeen U Ahmed, Chief of the Bangladesh Navy Vice Admiral Sarwar Jahan Nizam and Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury were present.

Military Secretary to the President Major General Mohd Aminul Karim, Secretary to the President Md Sirajul Islam, Defence Secretary Kamrul Hasan and Press Secretary to the President Abdul Awal Howlader were also present.

A total of 154 defence officers have been graduated from the college. Of them, 80 are from the Bangladesh Army, 26 from the Bangladesh Navy and 18 from the Bangladesh Air Force, and 30 from the armed forces of the 13 friendly countries, including Bahrain, China, Egypt, India, Jordan, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Turkey.

Lauding the Bangladesh Armed Forces' role in the UN peacekeeping mission, Prof Iajuddin said it is a matter of great satisfaction that they have also earned fame and acclaim in the outside world by performing their duties with dedication, sincerity, honesty and efficiency through their assignments.

He said the members of the Armed Forces are also making valuable contributions to socio-infrastructure development in some conflict-ridden countries securing peace under the auspices of the UN.

The President said, "I believe the image of Bangladesh has been brightened all over the world through the achievements earned by the members of Armed Forces."

Business leaders for separate apparel ministry

Staff Reporter

Business leaders yesterday reiterated their demand for a separate ministry for the apparel sector to help it providing instant support to keep it fit for competing in the global market.

They urged the Government to develop infrastructure in global standard and also to set up industrial parks as the major export sector is facing new challenges in the international market.

The Business leaders were speaking at a roundtable discussion on the Future of the RMG and Textile Sector: Making Bangladesh more Competitive organized by Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) in its conference room in the city.

Textile and Jute Secretary Md Abdur Rashid Sarker, who was present as special guest at the function, took note of the concerns raised by the owners and assured to take necessary steps.

BGMEA President Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury said, "Bangladesh is able to compete in the global market. "We have our price strategy; we have our quality level. Now the country will have to work with a good lead time."

BKMEA President Fazlul Hoque said, "Bangladesh knitwear has already secured its position among the top five countries in the world. Now we aim at achieving the top position and we are working to this end.

Kihak Sung, Chairman and CEO of Youngone Group, presented the keynote paper on the topic sighting at the future of the garment and textile sector in Bangladesh and the necessary steps the industry should take to face the competition from the region.

Kihak Sung in his paper depicted a bright prospect for Bangladesh apparel. Workers in Bangladesh are ingenious. They can perform better than other countries if trained properly.

Bangladeshis are also more skilled in English than Chinese. So, the country is having the advantage in trade negotiation in western countries, he observed.

BTMA President Abdul Hai Sarker and Executive Director of UCEP Brig Gen Aftab Uddin Ahmed also took part in the discussion moderated by BEI president Faruque Sobhan.

The speakers stressed skill development of the workers in the apparel sector. Managers and mid-level officials should be sensitive to the problems of workers. They need to be cautious about workers sentiments also, the garment owners said.

They admitted that some factories failed to implement the prevailing pay structure when wages and facilities for RMG workers needed to be increased keeping in view the competitiveness of the sector.

According to Government report, about half of the readymade garment factories do not implement social and workplace compliances including minimum wages for their workers.

Labour rights groups are saying that the minimum pay remained far away from a living wage for apparel workers, hard hit by soaring food prices.

Bangladesh relies on garments for more than three-quarters of its exports. About 1.8m people, most of them women, work in garment factories while as many as 15 million more in support industries depend on the trade for their survival.

Nursing students stage protest

Staff Reporter

Diploma students of Nursing Institute at Dhaka Medical Collage Hospital yesterday morning damaged furniture and glassworks of the institute and confined principal for five hours to protest cancellation of the seat allotment.

Witnesses said some diploma students picked up an altercation with BSc students at about 10:am over the seating arrangement.

'At one stage, the two groups started chasing each other.

Later, the diploma students went to Principal Tahatunnahar's office and demanded cancellation of the allotment.

The institute authorities recently allotted the fourth floor of the institution for the newly admitted BSc students and second and third floors to diploma students, which angered the diploma students.

Sugar mills incur Tk 207 cr loss this season

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Suger Mills Corporation (BSMC) is posed to incur a loss to the tune Tk 207 crore equivalent to $ 30 million in the current season due to low prices of the product, despite a higher production, offcial sources said.

The state-owned BSMC, is likely to produced 175,000 tonnes of sugar, which is 6.0 per cent higher than the previous year, in the current sugarcane crushing season that would end in April.

The corporation, which manages 14 state-owned sugar mills incurred a loss of nearly Tk 152 crore or $ 22 millions last year, according to a Reuters dispatch yesterday.

"We will face more than $30 million loss this year, if sugar prices don't rise," Kabir M. Ashraf Alam, Chairman of the state-owned Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC), told the foreign news agency.

The 14 state-owned sugar mills in Bangladesh have so far produced 110,000 tonnes of sugar this season and production will continue until the middle of April, he said.

The production of sugar would reach 175,000 tonnes this year against 165,000 tonnes last year, Ashraf Alam said.

The country produced 133,000 tonnes of sugar in 2004-05 (May-April), another official said.

Bangladesh, which largely depends on state and private sector import of sugar against annual demand of 1.2 million tonnes, levies a duty of Tk 4,000 (US $58) and Tk 5,000 ($73) on imports of raw and white sugar respectively.

But Ashraf Alam wants the authorities to increase sugar import duty to protect the state-owned sugar crushing mills, which now face a huge loss due to lower prices in retail market.

"We have requested the government to increase white sugar import duty to 10,000 taka ($145) per tonne to prevent dumping from India," Alam said.

The corporation has been forced to lower its wholesale price to Tk 25 per kg against a production cost of Tk 39 per kg. Sugar is selling in local retail market at Tk 36 per kg.

JU female student commits suicide

Roksana Akhter Soma

UNB, Savar

A female student of Jahangirnagar University (JU) allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself at Pritilata Hall Wednesday morning.

The dead was identified as Roksana Akhter Soma, 20, a second year student of the geography and environment science department and hailed from Pabna district.

Police said one of Soma's friends found her hanging from ceiling the fan in her room at about 11am and informed the hall authorities. Later, on information police recovered the body and sent it to Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy. The reason behind the suicide could not be immediately known.