The New Nation - Internet Edition

President at RUET convocation: Turn human resources into skilled manpower

President Prof Dr. Iajuddin Ahmed addressing the
convocation of Rajshahi Engineering and Technology
University in Rajshahi yesterday. PID photo

Rajshahi Correspondent

President and Chancellor of the universities Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed has said the engineering universities of the country have been playing a vital role in disseminating scientific and technological education in the country and there was no alternative to such education to turn the huge human resources of the country into skilled manpower.

President Iajuddin was speaking as chief guest in the 3rd Convocation Ceremony of Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) held at the university campus Tuesday noon.

He mentioned, despite having a huge manpower, the country is lagging behind because of the lack of progress in technological and engineering fields that is why we should stress on building an efficient and scientific-minded manpower.

Dr Mosharraf Hossain Khan, former Vice-chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) delivered the convocation speech and Dr AFM Anowarul Haque, Vice-Chancellor of RUET delivered welcome speech at the function.

Professor Iajuddin Ahmed lauded the role of RUET for its contribution to education and research and advised the students of the university to contribute to the nation.

Prof Dr Anowarul Haque, in his welcome speech said in OIC ranking, the RUET stood second in research and publication and third in standard of education in the country. He, requested the chancellor of the universities to enhance fund for research works. He informed that the RUET is going to open two new departments of Glass and Ceramics Engineering and Architecture soon.

President Iajuddin Ahmed later distributed gold medals to 23 meritorious students and certificates to some 1,500 students, who have received degrees in various fields from this university from 1996-'97 to 2002-2003 academic years.

700 journalists demand release of Khaleda

Staff Reporter

Some 700 journalists and columnists including both incumbent and former editors of a number of national dailies issued a joint statement yesterday demanding release of former prime minister Khaleda Zia by March 26.

They also demanded that other political prisoners be freed before Independence Day.

The signatories included Ataus Samad, advisory editor of Amar Desh, Hasanuzzaman Khan, former managing director of BSS, Shafik Rehman, editor of Jai Jai Din, Sadeque Khan, former PIB chairman, Amanullah, former managing director and chief editor of BSS, Reazuddin Ahmed, editor of News Today, Gias Kamal Chowdhury, editor of Khabar Patra, Amanullah Kabir, editor of Amar Desh, Akhtar Ul Alam, former advisory editor of the Daily Ittefaq, Alamgir Mohiuddin, editor of Naya Diganto, Abul Asad, editor of Daily Sangram, Borhan Ahmed, executive editor of Janakantha, Mofakkharul Anam, former managing director and editor-in-chief of BSS, Golam Tahabur, former AFP Dhaka Bureau chief, Mozammel Haque, BFUJ president, Ruhul Amin Gazi, secretary general of BFUJ, Shawkat Mahmud, president of National Press Club, Abdul Baten, chief editor of Dinkal, and Mostafa Kamal Majumdar, editor of The New Nation.

Demanding release of Khaleda before Independence Day, the statement said: "We are urging the caretaker government to release Khaleda Zia immediately."

Noting that there were myriad questions about the cases filed against Khaleda, the statement said: "Khaleda Zia has been granted bail by the High Court. She should be released immediately on humanitarian and rational grounds by the caretaker government to uphold political stability and justice."

The statement signatories simultaneously demanded the release of all political prisoners.

Urging the government to lift the state of emergency, they said, "We call upon the government to rescind all irrational, unnecessary and questionable laws under the emergency powers rules prior to lifting the state of emergency."

Special ACC team to probe institutional corruption

Employees of Roads and Highways Department stage a
demonstration at its Banani office in the city yesterday in
protest against bid to snatch the tender schedule by a group
of contractors. Focus Bangla

UNB, Dhaka

The Anti-Corruption Commission began probe into institutional corruption with the formation of a four-member special team to inquire into corruption in Roads and Highways department under Communications Ministry. "As per earlier decision to look into organizational corruption, the Commission has recently taken a decision to inquire into corruption in tender process, misuse of money and irregularities in Roads and Highways department under Communications Ministry," ACC director general (admin) Col Hanif Iqbal, also Commission's spokesperson, told reporters yesterday.

A four-member team headed by ACC deputy director Ashraf Ali Faruq has been formed for investigation of the alleged rot in Roads and Highways, a department notorious for rampant corruption. The other three members of the special team are assistant directors M Kamruzzaman and Aziz Bhuiyan, and field officer Saifullah M Emran.

Hanif told reporters that the Commission has sent a letter to the Communications Ministry secretary for extending all kinds of assistance to the ACC special team. The assistance includes allocation of rooms, supply of files and documents, appointment of a person for liaison and requisite logistic supports.

The letter states: the team has been assigned to unravel and examine corruption created by different reasons like issuance of government orders, tender floating, irregularities in tender process, any tender floating at higher rate and misuse of money.

Replying to a query, Hanif said that for the time being, corruption of Roads and Highways would be looked into. And if the Commission wants, corruption in other places would also be probed.

To another question, he said that at the moment there is no list of corrupt employees of the Roads and Highways department, but through the inquiries a list would come out.

Meanwhile, as the anti-graft drive in the interim period delved deeper, the army-led task force has posted teams in different institutions to track down corruption suspects.

India seeks transit through Ctg port

UNB, Chittagong

Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty yesterday said Bangladesh should give India transit facility for using Chittagong seaport in its own interest.

"If Bangladesh gives transit to India, it will boost Bangladesh's economy and significantly reduce foreign aid dependence," he told journalists after visiting trade fair at the polo ground in the port city.

He said India has given proposal to Bangladesh long ago to get the facility to use Chittagong port. "We are waiting for the permission of the government," he added.

Referring to India's contribution to the independence of Bangladesh, he said, "We, both the countries, should extend hands to each other to uphold the cordial relations established in 1971."

Florida ditches new primary plan

Agency, Washington

The Democratic Party in Florida has decided not to stage a re-run of the state's primary election to choose a candidate for the US presidential poll.

Florida Democrats had planned to re-run the ballot using mainly postal votes to try to resolve a row over the vote.

Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton won January's vote by a large margin and theoretically won many delegates.

It did not count as Florida Democrats had lost the right to send delegates to August's crucial nominating convention.

The Democratic National Convention (DNC) stripped Florida of its delegates because the state party held its primary early without permission. Obama voiced concerns about whether a postal ballot would be fair

With Hillary Clinton and her Democratic Party rival, Barack Obama, locked in a tight race, Florida was seen as of key importance in deciding which candidate should be the party's presidential candidate.

Supporters of Obama had opposed re-staging the primary. Obama expressed concern over whether a Florida postal vote could be held with fairness and accuracy if it was organised at such short notice. But had said his campaign would "abide by whatever the DNC decides".

Mrs Clinton had called for the primary to be run again or the January results honoured.

The DNC had said it would not support the plan unless both Obama and Mrs Clinton backed it.

The proposed new primary would have been a combination of postal and walk-in votes. At the moment the votes of the 1.75 million Democrats who took part in the first primary will not count.

DEMOCRATIC DELEGATE RACE

BARACK OBAMA: 1,617

Delegates won on 11 March: 17

Total states won: 26

HILLARY CLINTON: 1,498

Delegates won on 11 March: 11

Total states won: 16

Delegates needed to secure nomination: 2,024

Source: AP at 0800 GMT 18 March

Karen Thurman, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, had urged state leaders and the presidential candidates to come on board.

Under the plan, all of Florida's 4.1 million registered Democrats would have been sent a ballot in the post and would have the choice of posting it back or casting it in person at a polling station.

The Illinois senator currently leads the fight for delegates with 1,602 to Mrs Clinton's 1,497, according to the Associated Press.

The successful candidate needs 2,025 delegates to secure the Democratic nomination.

The Democratic Party was keen to find a resolution that avoids damaging in-fighting, with an eye to the general election contest in November against presumptive Republican nominee John McCain.

Dalai Lama to quit exile govt if violence goes out of control

Agency, Dharmasala

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has accused the Dalai Lama of masterminding the recent days of demonstrations against Chinese rule in Tibet's capital, Lhasa.

Wen said the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader's claim of "cultural genocide" was "nothing but lies".

The Dalai Lama denied he was behind the unrest and said he would resign from the government-in-exile if it worsened. China says 13 people were killed by rioters in Lhasa. Tibetan exiles say at least 80 protesters died.

The protests began on 10 March - the anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule - and gradually escalated, culminating in a day of violence late last week.

If things are getting out of control, then the option is to completely resign

Wen defended China's handling of the violence, accusing protesters of robbery, arson and violence. He said Tibetan exiles had instigated the violence. "There is ample fact and plenty of evidence proving this incident was organised, premeditated, masterminded and incited by the Dalai clique," he said.

"This has all the more revealed the consistent claims by the Dalai clique that they pursue not independence, but peaceful dialogue, are nothing but lies."

The Dalai Lama, who in 1989 was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his consistent opposition to the use of violence, has repeatedly called for dialogue with China.

Speaking from Dharamsala in northern India, he said his message to Tibetans was to refrain from violence. He said he would step down as leader of the government-in-exile if the violence in his homeland worsened.

"If things are getting out of control, then the option is to completely resign," he said. "This movement is beyond our control."

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang has said the Dalai Lama should be put on trial for his role in the unrest.

The Dalai Lama responded by saying: "Investigate thoroughlyt if you want to start investigating from here you are most welcome. Check our various offices."

He denounced the violence and reaffirmed that he wanted autonomy for Tibet within China, but not outright independence, which he said was "out of the question".

"It is wrong. Don't commit violence, it is not good. Violence is against human nature," he said. "We should not develop anti-Chinese feelings. We must live together side by side."

The spiritual leader accused the Chinese of distorting the number of casualties but could not give his own figure.

FBCCI election Annisul panel wins by big margin

Staff Reporter

Former BGMEA president Annisul Huq led panel has defeated Rouf Chowdhury's panel with a big margin victory in the biennial election of the FBCCI governing body held Monday.

The result, announced early Tuesday, revealed that Annisul's panel clinched 19 posts out of 24 while Rouf bagged the rest.

Annisul's group own 11 posts out of 12 in the chamber group and 8 out of 12 in the association group.

On Monday vote was taken from 9:00 am to 4:30pm to elect 12 directors each from chamber and association groups. Out of 1551 voters 1441 have exercised their voting rights. 306 voters from chamber group and 1,135 voters from association group cast their votes.

Earlier, 14 directors-seven from seven chambers and another seven from seven associations-had been nominated.

All 38 directors will elect the president and the vice presidents Wednesday. Annisul Huq and Rouf Chowdhury are in the presidential race.

FBCCI administrator Syed Manzur Elahi expressed his gratitude to all for cooperating with him to held the election by the set deadline of the government. "I am glad we held the election by the deadline."

Annisul Huq told newsmen that his organisation will take necessary steps to accelerate economy of the country.

The elected directors from Chamber Group includes: Golam Dastgir Gazi, Abul Kashem Ahmed, Rajjab Sharif, Bazlur Rahman, Kohinoor Islam, Kamaluddin Ahmed, Shamsul Alam, Bijoy Kumar Kejriwal, Serajul Haque, Aminu Bari, Alhaj Shamsul Haque and Mahbub Islam Runu.

Directors elected form Association Group includes: Obaidur Rahman, Shafquat Haider, Farukul Islam Shova, Jashim Uddin, Mohammed Jalal Uddin, Anwar Hossain, M A Rouf Chowdhury, Abdul Haque, Abu Alam Chowdhury, Mir Nizam Uddin Ahmed, Alhaj Mohammad Balayet Hossain and Dilder Ahmed.

Australian education fair begins

Australian High Commissioner Douglas Foskett
inaugurating the Australian Education Exhibition-2008 at
Dhaka Sheraton Hotel in the city yesterday.

Staff Reporter

A two-day Australian Education Exhibition-2008 began at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel in the city yesterday.

Australian High Commissioner Douglas Foskett inaugurated the Australian Education Exhibition-2008 jointly being organised by the Australian Trade Commission of the Australian High Commission and IDP Education. Inaugurating the exhibition, High Commissioner Douglas Foskett said at present more than 200,000 students from over 140 countries, including Bangladesh, are studying in various education institutions in Australia. He said Australian universities and educational institutions enjoy an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research having a strong commitment to quality, equity, high academic standards and programmes of continuous improvement.

Australian education is also highly competitive when the costs of other popular student destinations are compared, Foskett said.

'More than 5,000 Bangladeshi students are currently studying in Australia and the High Commission continues to receive a strong number of student applications. Australia appreciates the fact that Bangladeshi students and their families have recognised the merit of Australian education,' the High Commissioner also said.

The exhibition remains open to all visitors from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm from March 18 to 19.

Eleven leading Australian institutions are taking part in the exhibition. Representatives of the institutions will meet with interested students and shall process admissions to qualifying students.

Minhaz Chowdhury, Country Manager, Mustafizur Rahman, Business Development Manager of Austrade, and Sharif A. Rahman, Country Director of IDP Education, were also present.

Keep prices of essentials within buying capacity: WB MD

UNB, Jamalpur

World Bank Managing Director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said prices of daily necessities, particularly baby foods, should be kept within buying capacity of the common man. "I will talk to the Bangladesh government to find out a solution to control the soaring prices of daily essentials," she said after observing the sufferings of poor people of Depupar village in Kendua union who are badly hit by the current price rises. The World Bank top official arrived here to visit National Nutrition Program Centre to observe the activities of the Bank-funded Social Investment Program Project.

Iweala's visit to Jamalpur was also to show how government-sponsored community initiatives empower the rural poor, particularly those who are hardest to reach as well as most vulnerable. Later, she went to Sonakata to visit a village cooperative set up under the World Bank-financed Social Investment Program Project (SIPP).

The donor-agency MD went on a walkabout talking to villagers about their welfare. She said she was impressed at the enthusiastic approach of the rural people, specially the women, as they told her that they are now prepared with confidence to fight against poverty. Asked about the World Bank plan regarding SIPP schemes, Iweala said the Bank would continue to assist Bangladesh in eradicating poverty. Locals informed her that they are getting substantial benefits from the SIPP program and requested her to give more funds from the UN-sponsored funding agency, World Bank, so that they can improve their infrastructure in the area.

SIPP has transformed lives of nearly 2 million people living in the 1000 project villages in Jamalpur and Gaibandha by empowering the community to collectively identify, prioritize, plan, fund and implement their development needs.

Tornado lashes Narsingdi, one die

Narshingdi Correspondent

At least one died and 40 other persons were injured as a tornado hit Manohardi under Narshingdi district on Monday night causing huge damage to houses and crops.

The deceased was identified as Shahabuddin (55), a village doctor. The injured were taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Manohardi Upozila Health Complex and other private clinics.

Local soruces said at around 8:pm the storm hit Chalakachar, Barivanga , Pariupur, Tarakandi, Kaitergaon, Dumurpara and Birgaon villages under Manohardi upozila.

The storm caused damaged to the rising crops like Banana and Papaya in the region.

Dual role of Govt towards workers, owners protested

Desk Report

Terming the state of emergency as a tool for violating workers' and people's right Bangladesh Communist Party President Manjurul Ahsan Khan yesterday protested the dual role of the present Government towards the workers and owners.

Indicating to the holding of elections in organisations like FBCCI, he alleged in the name of emergency, the Government had banned all kinds of trade union activities but allowed elections in the influential owners association. The veteran communist leader was speaking at a press briefing after holding a view exchange meeting with 56 garment worker organisations at CPB central office in the city.

CPB general secretary Mujahedul Islam Salim, presidium member Shahidullah Chowdhury, Mahbub Alam, Ruhin Hossain Prince,Ahsan Kabir Lablo, Morshed Ali, Adv Ismael Hossain, Ruhul Amin, Abul Hossain, Nazma Akter and Shamim Imam, among others, took part at the view exchange meeting.

He urged the government to withdraw the restrictions on trade union immediately for the greater interest of the nation.

Terming the proposed Labour Ordinance 2008 a tool for harassing the workers, he said people would take to the streets if the black law is promulgated in the country.

Referring to the increasing price hike of all the essential commodities, CPB president demanded dearness allowance and introduction of rationing system for the poorer people.

He also demanded of the Government to withdraw false cases against the workers leaders.

Meanwhile, CPB president and general secretary in a joint statement yesterday reiterated their demand for the trial of the war criminals and criticised the Government for not allowing the Sector Commanders Forum to hold convention.

This will patronise the war criminals only, the statement said.

They urged the Government to implement the new National Women Policy, ensuring fundamental rights, lifting the state of emergency, bring the corrupts to he books with iron hands.

My Lai massacre

BBC Online

Forty years on, and "My Lai" is synonymous with "massacre". 504 people were killed by US soldiers in the My Lai massacre.

The killing of Iraqi civilians at Haditha has often been referred to as a modern-day My Lai. The name is shorthand for slaughter of the defenceless, the benchmark of American wartime atrocity.

The murders of 504 men, women, children and babies happened in a northerly province of South Vietnam on 16 March 1968.

It proved to be a turning point for public opinion about the Vietnam War.

Yet, most of what we know about the event comes from a single, widely publicised court martial in 1970-71.

A young Lieutenant - William Calley - in Charlie Company was tried and convicted of murdering 22 "oriental human beings" in My Lai on that sunny morning in 1968.

Media attention on Lt Calley's trial was extensive and the glare of publicity so bright it hid the wider, more awful truth.

Before that trial got under way, the United States army had, behind closed doors, completed an investigation of its own into the events at My Lai, and specifically into the possibility that those in authority had deliberately covered up a massacre.

In just 14 weeks, the Peers Inquiry conducted a comprehensive investigation into the events of 16 March known on My Lai massacre.

More than 400 witnesses were interviewed, and their testimony was tape-recorded. When the inquiry concluded on 15 March 1970, those recordings were boxed-up, stored and forgotten.

That day it was just a massacre. Just plain right out, wiping out people.