The New Nation - Internet Edition

FBCCI election Belayet vying for Director post

Staff Reporter

Alhajj Mohammad Belayet Hossen is vying for the post of director in the FBCCI election to be held on March 17. He is representing Bangladesh Chemical and Perfumery Merchants Association.

Belayet, a candidate from Annisul Huq panel, believes that the apex business body FBCCI can play a vital role in the economic development of the country.

Talking to newsmen Belayet said, if elected, his panel will take appropriate measures through discussing with the people concerned so that price of essentials come to the tolerable level of the common people.

Requesting to vote him on Monday's election he said, once elected, he will try to save his sector from the harassment of revenue officials and law enforcing agencies.

MTB's scholarship for DU meritorious students

DU Correspondent

Mutual Trust Bank (MTB) will offer a total of 50 scholarships to the meritorious students of nine Institutions of Dhaka University and the members of cultural teams.

In this connection, an agreement has been signed between MTB and Dhaka University Alumni Association (DUAA) at the Nawab Nabab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building yesterday.

Managing Director of MTB Kazi Shafiqur Rahman and Raquibuddin Ahmed, General Secretary of DUAA signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.

Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof SMA Faiz was present in the signing programme as chief gust while MTB and Square Group Chairman Samson H Chowdhury was special guest.

Syed Manzur Elahi, Administrator of FBCCI and Former Adviser to the Caretaker Government, presided over the programme where Former VC of the university Prof Moniruzzaman Mia, LK Siddiqui, senior teachers and Alumni members, among others, were present.

It may be mentioned that Eastern Bank Ltd decided to give 224 scholarships to the four students of every department of the university.

LDP demands poll schedule by October

Staff Reporter

Liberal Democratic party (LDP) president Col (Retd) Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram yesterday urged the Government to announce specific poll date within October 2008 and hold the national and local government elections on the same date.

"No more time killing, hold elections within October and declare specific poll date," said Col Oli, "We did not formulate the caretaker government system to hold local government elections but for the parliament elections. If it is necessary then both the elections could be held on the same date."

He was speaking at a discussion meeting of the Ganotantrik Mahila Dal, women's wing of the party at its head office at Maghbazar in the city. The meeting was presided over by Secretary General of the Party Prof Jahanara Begum.

He said the government should relax the provisions of the state of emergency relating to politics and make political parties and people election oriented.

The LDP president urged the government to let the elected government to guide the country into the right path and control price hike and solve other problems.

Col Oli said, "Restricted democracy would take the country to a catastrophic situation."

He also urged the political parties not to avoid elections for the sake of one or two persons. "The whole country should not suffer for one or two persons. There is no alternative to elections at this moment," he said.

The LDP chief urged the government to continue and strengthen their anti corruption drive and said, "We were vocal against corruption right from the start but now some newly formed parties are claiming the credit."

He said his party would not form alliance with the parties rejected by the people. He voted against any law, which contradicted the Holy Quran.

Prof Jahanara Begum, presidium member Abdul Karim Abbasi, vice president Dr Nazimuddin Ahmed and joint secretary general Shahadat Hossain Selim, among others, spoke on the occasion.

10 DU students hurt as rival groups clash

UNB, Dhaka

At least 10 students of Sir AF Rahman Hall of Dhaka University were injured in an attack by activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) Friday night. Witnesses said the JCD activists, led by its hall unit organising secretary Himel, attacked the room No 201 as its residents tried to resist a group of JCD men for their attempt to push some of their fellowmen into the room.

According to the victims, the JCD men ransacked the room and looted some of their valuables.

Five of the injured, including Raju, Abid and Zahir, were admitted to the university medical centre.

BRAC official among 3 killed in road accidents

UNB, Dhaka

Three people, including a BRAC official, were killed in road and boat accidents in Habiganj and Barguna districts on Thursday.

In Barguna, a BRAC official was killed when a bus rammed into an auto-rickshaw at Amtali in Sadar upazila Thursday afternoon. Police said the Barguna-bound bus dashed the relief goods-laden auto-rickshaw near the spot killing the three-wheeler's passenger Rafiqul Islam, 27, junior health official of BRAC, on the spot. Rafiqul hailed from the district's Amtali upazila. In another incident in the upazila a boatman of a trawler was killed when another trawler at Kalirtabak canal hit him Thursday early morning. The deceased was identified as Manik Majhi, 35, of Sonatala village.

In Habiganj, a bicyclist was crushed under the wheels of a truck in Mirpur area of Bahubal upazila on Dhaka-Sylhet highway Thursday afternoon.

Police quoting witnesses said the Sylheti-bound speeding truck dashed the bicycle of Ustar Mia, 25, of Himargaon village in the upazila, at the point at about 12:30pm killing him on the spot. Local people after a hot chase caught the truck driver and handed over him to police.

China keen to invest in Bangladesh

UNB, Dhaka

China is keen to invest in fabric manufacturing industry in country's EPZs and establish Textile and Apparel Trade Centre with a view to contributing to balancing bilateral trade tilted heavily towards china.

A 17-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles (CCCT) showed the interest during a meeting with senior officials of Export Promotion Bureau here recently. CCCT Vice chairman Cao Xinyu and EPB Vice chairman Shahab Ullah co-chaired the meeting held on Wednesday, said a press release Cao Xinyu mentioned the purposes of the CCCT delegation's visit to Bangladesh. These are : promoting communication and cooperation between Chinese and Bangladesh textile, apparel and ancillary industries, exploring the possibility of investing in the fabric manufacturing and study the market for Chinese fabrics and establishing Textile and Apparel Trade Centre in Bangladesh. Shahab Ullah urged the delegation to come forward to invest in Bangladesh particularly in the textile and apparel sector with a view to easing chronic trade imbalance with China referring to FY 2006-07' s total export of US$ 92.99 million and import of US$ 2537.16 million to and from China.

He briefly outlined the role of EPB in promoting export trade of the country apart from highlighting the salient features of the current Export Policy 2006-09, investment incentives and facilities available in the country, duty-free, quota-free market access provided to Bangladesh by the developed country.

He also communicated to the delegation about major export items from Bangladesh to China like raw jute and leather, woven garments, frozen fish, shrimps and jute goods, and major import items from China like animal products, vegetable products, animal/vegetable fats and oils, prepared food stuffs, manufactured tobacco and, mineral and chemical products.

Former JCD leaders demand release of Khaleda, Hasina: They also demand resignation of incumbent CEC

UNB, Dhaka

The JCD leaders of the 80s Saturday demanded release of all political prisoners, including two ex-Prime Ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina.

Presenting a 5-point demand at a press conference at the National Press Club, they also demanded resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, withdrawal of the state of emergency, stopping the use of a certain quarter to split political parties and establishing an independent judicial system by removing government pressure from higher courts.

Former JCD leader and currently BNP central committee member Khandaker Babul Chowdhury raised the demands. Nearly 100 former JCD leaders, including ex-senior vice-president Ferdous Ahmed Khokon, former acting president SM Kamal Uddin Chowdhury, former joint secretary Saberul Huq Sabu and former office secretary Sarwar Azam Khan and Swapan Chowdhury, were present.

In a written statement, Babul Chowdhury said the country is being pushed towards darkness through domestic and international conspiracies. He alleged the caretaker government and a special quarter are busy breaking BNP.

He, however, said as conspiracy against BNP was not successful in the past, it will not be successful in the future too.

Chowdhury said Begum Khaleda Zia is the life force of BNP and millions of BNP workers have complete trust and confidence in her. He alleged the present Election Commission is trying to hold an election of blueprint by keeping BNP aloof from the election process. He said people would not accept any stage-managed election under the incumbent commission as they did not accept any election of blueprint in the past.

Chowdhury said participation of the two leaders - Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina-is essential to make the future election credible. If the government wants to hold a credible election, the two leaders must be released. Otherwise, people will not accept any election without Khaleda and Hasina.

He criticised the government for keeping Khaleda Zia and her two sons behind the bars for nearly seven months. He said the government has failed to frame any charge against Begum Zia.

Chowdhury supported the anti-corruption drive but called for halting elimination of politics in the name of curbing corruption. He said although many BNP leaders were arrested on charges of corruption but former LGRD Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan whose ministry was the champion of corruption remains out of touch.

Unnamed philanthropist deposits $130 mn with IDB for Sidr victims

UNB, Dhaka

The anonymous philanthropist, who earlier promised to donate US$ 130 million to Bangladesh, has deposited the money in the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). A senior official of the Economic Relations Division told UNB that the donation would be released after a memorandum of understanding (MoU) is signed between the IDB and Bangladesh following the listing of schools in the Sidr-hit southwestern districts that need reconstruction and rebuilding.

"They need a list of schools and we're working on it," said the official, adding that the Ministry of Primary Education identified 600 schools, mainly the primary ones, in this regard. The list of schools would be finalised by the end of this month after having consultations with the Planning Commission to avoid overlapping as many other countries and organisations pledged to help rebuild the schools. The final list would be sent to the IDB to prepare the MoU.

"The project will be implemented within two years as the philanthropist wants its quick implementation," said the ERD official, adding that a quick preparation was on going beyond the conventional process of project formulation.

Of the total amount, he said, US$ 20 million would be spent on livelihood development of the Sidr-hit areas while the rest on rebuilding and reconstruction of schools and schools-cum-cyclone shelters.

Immediately after the enviable gesture of benevolence by the philanthropist, who wished to remain anonymous, a four-member IDB team, led by head of Special Assistant office of IDB Dr Mohammad Hassan Salem, apprised Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam of the donation at Planning Ministry on January 28.

Islamic Development Bank (IDB) will implement the donation programme in association with the government of Bangladesh for rebuilding the battered lives of the Sidr victims in Bangladesh's coastal areas.

Guard of garments factory shot at Pallobi

UNB, Dhaka

Security guard of a garments factory was shot and wounded by unknown assailants at Pallobi in the city early yesterday.

Abu Taher (28), the victim, was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) with two bullet wounds.

Locals said 4 or 5 gunmen forcibly tried to enter the garments factory of Epinias Group at Sector No. 7 about 5am. As Taher resisted, the goons fired at him leaving him wounded in the chest and right hand.

He was lying in a critical condition, hospital sources said.

CG urged to hold polls by Dec

Staff Reporter

Politicians, legal experts and representatives of the civil society at a roundtable in the city urged the Caretaker Government (CG) to hold national Parliament election within December and to hand over power to the elected representatives by that time.

They also urged the CG to prevent the war criminals from participating in the national election for establishment of the basic ideology of the Liberation War and 'establishment of secular democratic Bangladesh.'

The roundtable on 'For free and fair election but not to return evil political circle' organised by Citizen Rights Movement at the National Press Club.

Justice Gaura Gopal Saha, Awami League leaders Amir Hossain Amu, Abdur Razzak and Col (Retd) Faruk Khan, former secretary of BNP Chairperson Mofazzal Karim, Vice Chairman of Bangladesh Bar Council advocate Khondaker Mahbub Hossain, researcher and columnist Syed Abul Maksud, former minister Sheikh Shahidul Islam, former MP GM Kader, BGMEA President Anwarul Alam Chowdhury Parvez, among others, spoke at the roundtable.

Speakers presented 15-point recommendations to the CG for holding a free and fair election in the country.

They urged the CG to increase activities of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for curbing all kinds of corruption from the country and give exemplary punishment to those involved in corruption.

To ensure credibility of the present CG, punish all political leaders and persons involved in various types of unethical activities during its tenure and to abolish classification of the detainees in jails.

The government should play a neutral role in forming a representative democratic state and also perform its duties properly, they said.

They recommended the CG to increase foreign employment opportunities so that unemployment problem could be reduced.

The government should give autonomy to the Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Betar immediately so that the image of the CG would be enhanced, said speakers.

To improve the dignity of judges, the government should give punishment to those judges, including controversial justice MA Aziz, who were charged with embezzlement of funds, they recommended.

No trade yet about abducted businessman

Desk Report

South Keraniganj police allegedly did not take any effective initiatives to find out an abducted businessman despite repeated appeals of the victim's helpless wife.

Ruma Akter Tipthi, wife of the abducted trader Aminul Bashar alias Ramjan, said, her husband was kidnapped by some identified miscreants from near Babu Bazar Bridge when the couple was returning to their residence on March 7 from Dhaka city.

''One Masud and Foyez stopped our rickshaw and took my husband with them saying, they have a very important discussion. Waiting for some times, I returned to our rented house at Maddhapara of Abdullahpur and told the whole matter to our relatives and landlord Farid.

Being advised by them, Ruma went to the South Keraniganj Thana several times and requested police to find out her husband. The duty officers told her to contact with Syed Salim Sazzad, Officer in Charge of the police station. But the OC did not pay any heed to her and did not record any case or file general diary, sources said.

Sources alleged, the OC made indecent remarks when she sought his cooperation and at one stage, he forcibly expelled her from the Thana.

Relatives of the victim told the journalists, Ramzan developed disagreement with some others over cable business in the area. He filed a general diary(1529) naming Sadat, Kalam of Baghapur village and another GD(367) against Nabi Hossain of Godabagh and Momen of Rajbari village of the Upazila.

Local sources alleged, police is trying to divert the kidnapping case toward a wrong direction for mysterious reasons.

While talking to journalist, OC Syed Salim Sazzad denied the allegation of misbehaving with Ruma adding that they were investigating the matter.

However he could not answer properly why he did yet record any case or GD in this connection even after one week of the kidnapping.

Ruma sough immediate intervention of the high ups of the law enforcing agencies including Inspector General of Police and Director General of the Rapid Action Battalion to save the life of her husband.

Nazlee's exhibition on calligraphy begins

BSS, Dhaka

A fortnight long calligraphy and art works exhibition of artist Nusrat Jahan Nazlee began at Art and Soul in Gulshan in the city on Friday.

Thirty-five of her works on 'flowers and my remembrance' have been put on display. This is her third solo exhibition.

Artist Shahid Kabir inaugurated the exhibition.

Muhammad Shams-ul Haque, founder of Hi-care Society and Chairman of Hasina Shams Foundation and Shah Masud Imam, regional head, South Asia Corporate Affairs of Standard Chartered Bank, were present as the special guests.

Speaking n the occasion, Nazlee said the proceeds of the show would be donated to Hicare Society, a welfare organisation that takes care and bear the educational expenses of hearing- impaired children.

She urged the rich people of society to come forward to help the hearing-impaired children so that they can lead a good life.

The show will remain open till March 29 from 12 noon to 8 pm every day.

Checking neonatal death stressed for achieving MDG-4

BSS, Dhaka

More than half of the Under-5 children die in the neonatal period every year in Bangladesh, although the country achieved a commendable progress in reducing the child mortality during the last one decade.

Talking to BSS, health experts said the Uunder-5 child mortality in the country came down to 65 per one thousand in 2007 from 116 in 1996-97.

"This is undoubtedly an encouraging trend and priority must be given on further checking neonatal death, now more than half, to achieve the Millennium Development Goal(MDG)-4 by 2015," said Dr. Md Ziaul Matin of UNICEF's Health and Nutrition Section.

Among the eight developing countries, Bangladesh is now on the track in achieving MDG-4 and Dr. Matin said the neonatal mortally must be reduced to an appreciable level by overcoming any challenge.

MDG-4 aims at reducing the Under-5 child mortality to 50 per thousand live births by the year 2015. "It is a difficult task but we expect our target will be fulfilled much ahead of 2015," he said stressing the need for all-out efforts to achieve the goal.

A total of 2.77 lakh Under-5 children die in Bangladesh every year, According to Bangladesh Demographic And Health Survey, 2007.

Around 9.7 million Under-5 children die across the world every year while most of the children die in developing countries, a UNICEF report said.

Dr. Mohammad Tajul Islam A Bari, Public Health Specialist of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), said 25 to 30 percent deaths of the Under-5 children could be reduced through implementing the immunization programmes.

"The rest 70 to 75 percent death could be prevented through breast feeding and enforcing other programmes against fatal disease like pneumonia and diarrhea," he said.

Dr. Shumona Shafinaz, Project Officer of UNICEF,said about 50 percent children die due to various infections during the neonatal period while rest of them die of other causes like asphyxia and prematurity.

Besides, she said, almost one-fourth Under-5 children die due to Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) while rest of the children die of diarrhea, malnutrition and drowning.

According to Dr Shumona, these causes are being created due to lack of awareness at family land community levels as well as inadequate number of health providers and poverty at large.

Stressing the need for government and private partnership for resolving these problems, she said no single effort can help reduce the child mortality in Bangladesh.

Referring to malnutrition, the UNICEF health experts said this is a common phenomenon in the poor families and only joint initiatives of both government and private organizations, especially the NGOs, could contribute a lot in this regard.

Dr Mohammad Ziaul Matin said most neonatal deaths are caused in rural areas due to the handling of delivery by the unskilled and inefficient attendants.

"More than 85 percent delivery are being handled by the unskilled attendants in rural areas," he said adding that the neonatal deaths could be prevented through timely awareness and ensuring safe delivery by trained attendants.

To achieve the MDG-4 through implementing comprehensive child health intervention programmes, the government is further gearing up the EPI and National Nutrition Programme (NNP) to contain ARI and encourage breast feeding, school health services, essential new born care and micro-nutrient supplement (vitamin, Iron, iodine).

The government has also been providing training to nurses, health assistants and family welfare assistants to raise the efficiency of birth attendants in handling child delivery skillfully, Dr. Mohamamd Tajul Islam A Bari said.

'Prices of essentials lower at BDR-run sale centres'

BSS, Dhaka

Prices of essentials were lower in the BDR-run sale centres and markets than those in the city's ordinary markets on Friday, according to a BDR market report released here on Saturday.

Flour in packet was sold between Taka 42 and 46 per kg in the ordinary markets, it said adding, the item was sold at Taka 43 in BDR-run markets and Taka 35 in the BDR-run sale centres. The price of one-kg flour in Kolkata is equivalent to Taka 24.13.

Coarse rice was sold in different markets between Taka 30 and Taka 32 per kg, while in the BDR-run sale centres it was sold at Taka 25. In Kolkata markets, it sells at Taka 25.86.

The price of imported lentil (mashur) is ranging from Taka 73 to Taka 78 per kg at ordinary markets, while it is being sold for Taka 71 at BDR-run open markets and Taka 62 to Taka 70 at BDR-run sales centres. In Kolkata, the price of the lentil is Taka 77.58 per kg.

Onion (imported) was sold at Taka 14 per kg in the BDR-run open markets. Price of onion was in other city markets ranged between Taka 14 and 18. The item is available in Kolkata at Taka 10.34.

The price of potato was ranged from Taka 12 to Taka 14 per kg in the ordinary markets, while it is Taka 11 in the BDR-run open markets. In Kolkata, price of the item is Taka 8.62.

Sugar is being sold between Taka 40 and 42 per kg in different markets of the city against Taka 37 in BDR-run open markets. In Kolkata, its price stands at Taka 32.75.

Salt is being sold at Taka 10 per kg in the BDR-run sales centres. Price of salt in other city markets varies from Taka 12 to 13.The item is available in Kolkata at Taka 13.92, the report said.

The price of soybean oil ranges between Taka 110 and Taka 120 per liter in the ordinary markets, while it is available at Taka 114 in the BDR-run open markets. In Kolkata, price of the soybean oil is Taka 124.13 per liter.

Palm oil was sold between Taka 96 and Taka 106 per liter in the ordinary markets, compared to Taka 96 per liter in the BDR- run open markets. In Kolkata, price of palm oil is Taka 112.06 per liter.

Hilsa fish is being sold in different markets at Taka 265 to Taka 280 per kg on Friday.

Nominations invited for Chand Sultana Literacy Prize

BSS, Dhaka

Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) has invited nominations from deserving individuals and organizations for Chand Sultana Literacy Prize-2007.

The DAM has been awarding the prize for the last 6 years in the field of literary and materials development, a press release of DAM said here on Saturday.

The prize carries Taka 30,000, a crest and a certificate.

In the meantime the prize has created considerable interest among the development workers of the country.

Like previous years, the prize will also be awarded this year to an individual or an organization for remarkable contribution in the field of development of education materials for various age groups, awareness building for prevention of cancer or HIV/AIDS, implementation of innovative projects or conducting research on non-formal education.

Particulars of persons or organizations with their contribution are to reach Director, Human Resource Division of Dhaka Ahsania Mission at House -19, Road -12, Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka-1209 on or before April 10 next.

The DAM initiated Chand Sultana Literacy Prize in 2001 in memory of Late Chand Sultana, who had been working in DAM as a senior materials developer and died on April 22, 1999 from cancer.

Chand Sultana was known as a writer for the poor and she has authored more than 50 books written mostly for the neo-literate, persons with limited literacy skills and children of different ages.

Jute delegation leaves for Vietnam today

BSS, Dhaka

A six-member jute delegation, led by chairman of Bangladesh Jute Association (BJA) Md. Rezaul Karim, will leave here today for Vietnam to attend a two-day meeting of Private Sector Consultative Board (PSCB) of International Jute Study Group (IJSG) starting on March 17.

In addition to attending the meeting, the delegation will try to explore raw jute market in Vietnam to enhance jute export there.

Other members of the delegation are SK. Farook Hossain, senior vice-chairman of BJA, Arzu Rahman Bhuiyan, Vice-Chairman, BJA, and Mahfuzul Huq and advisor of BJA.

The delegation is expected to return home on March 24.

'Create opinion against changing inheritance law'

Staff Reporter

The need for mobilising public opinion against any move to change the Islamic law of inheritance was emphasised at a round table organised in the city yesterday by the Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan under the banner 'Movement for the Protection of Islami Inheritance Law."

Speakers at the function demanded deletion of the provisions made in the Women Development Policy - 2008, of equal rights of women to property, and said that mere assurance of not changing the Islamic law was not enough.

They feared that the move had been initiated at the instigation of external elements that want to disturb social harmony and peace in Bangladesh.

Presided over by Shah Ahmad Ullah Ashraf the roundtable was addressed by Moulana Muhiuddin Khan, of monthly Madina, former minister Nazimuddin Al-Azad, Sheikh Anwarul Huq of NAP Bhashani, Atiqul Islam of Muslim League, Shafiul Alam Prodhan of Jagpa, Moulana Ruhul Amin, chairman of Quomi Madrasah Board, Qari Habibullah Belali, Moulana Habibur Rahman of Islami Oikya Andolan and Mamtajul Karim of Hathazari Madrasah among others.

Moulana Zafarullah Khan presented the keynote paper on behalf of the organisers who vowed to carry forward the movement against attempts to work against the Islamic law of inheritance.

The speakers said that while there were conspiracies to defame Islam all concerned also should give attention to spreading correct messages about the faith among the non-Muslims. There might be ignorance about the great religion among those who since their childhood have been taught to hate Islam.

The speakers demanded that the government should call the ulema and consult them on such touchy matters. Working against the tenets of Islam would amount to violation of the Constitution which proclaims Islam as the state religion they said.