The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sadakalo presents 'Fashion for Bangladesh'

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

Country's trendy, inventive and unique fashion house Sadakalo organised an enormous fashion show titled 'Fashion for Bangladesh' at the Ballroom of the Pan Pacific Sonargaon on April 5. This was the first ever in the country to present an annual fashion show to show the latest trends in the Bangladeshi fashion market as well as provide an important platform for upcoming new designers where they can learn more about style at the top level and ideas for success.

Warid Telecom sponsored the fashion show and renowned beautician Farzana Shakil assisted the show.

The venue of the show was abuzz with much vim and vigour as the who's who in the media world arrived in style. Familiar faces from the television, music and fashion industry attended the event. The event showcased the collections of the country's prominent designers Bibi Russell, Shahrukh Amin, Emdad Haque, Roxana Mariam Salam and Kuhu. All of them presented interesting innovations to the classic combination of black and white.

Sadakalo took the initiative to hold the show so that the fashion enthusiasts can keep up with the current trends.

The fashion show started with a presentation that went over the creation and journey of Sadakalo. The programme was dedicated to those who fought for the language movement, including Abdul Matin, Roushan Ara, Gaziul Hoq and Halima Khatun. Sadakalo paid tribute not only to Amar Ekushey but also to other national occasions like Independence Day, Victory Day and Pahela Boishakh.

The fashion house Sadakalo started its journey in October 2002 with the opening of its first branch at Rifles Square in Dhanmondi. The outlet has been working with themed concepts for at least four years now, involving magician Jewel Aich, actresses Shampa Reza and Tomalika, singer Jewel and celebrity couple Aly Zaker and Sara Zaker. The innovative designs in black and white soon became popular. Sadakalo went on to open three more outlets at Banani, Bailey Road and Gulshan Avenue in Dhaka.

A display of Bibi Russell's collections kicked off the show. Pertinently named 'Ma,' the collection was a tribute to her mother who passed away recently.

The models walked the ramp to the songs of artistes Iffat Ara Dewan, Abbasuddin and Nilufar Yasmin.

The designs were unusual combos and mixing western skirts and tops with Jodhpur's and adding a black silk tie to the collection of a sari-clad model. When the seasoned designer was called on stage she said, "I'm privileged to be a part of this arrangement. I want to thank Tahsina Shahin and Syed Md Azharul Haque Azad of Sadakalo for supporting designer like us and our works."

The exotic 'Swetoshyam' - designed by Sharukh Amin, followed designer Bibi Russell's collection. It was a mix of outfits, which were traditionally Mughal with others were clearly influenced by 1940' European style.

The audience greeted the models with a round of applause as they presented the beautiful creations by the designer like 'Eso Shyamolo Sundoro,' 'Ek Paye Nupur Tomar' and 'Purano Sei Diner Kotha' played in the background.

Designer and Director of Banglar Mela Emdad Haque stunned all by his collection 'Sondhya.' It was clearly traditional using handloom fabrics like Jamdani. The models displayed his creations by Swajeeb and Sumi.

Roxana Mariam Salam was next in queue presented a unique collection 'Boishakher Chhowa' where the models walked the ramp, dressed in attires that varied from 'Kameez' with pants to skirts and jackets. She described as one of the most qualified designers in the industry and presented a line of Islamic garb with the theme 'Boishakher Chhowa,' which appeared to merely add 'Hijaab,' a simple headscarf, to clean-lined outfits that veer between Asian and western, with straight pants and 'Kurtas.'

It is mentioned that these designs appeared the most practical for everyday use as well as comfortable for everyone, quite different from the Islamic garb normally seen.

Artist and designer Kuhu ended the evening with hand-painted silks and careful use of flowing fabrics. Her 'wearable art' line titled 'Rowdra Chhaya.' The concept of the collection was the relationship between light and shade, glimmer and gloom. Those had black and white with an eye-catching touch of red. Models of Kuhu wore red shoes, red lipstick and red tips.

With this show, Sadakalo hopes that it would make a bridge between Bangladeshi fashion and professionals from other sectors.

US mission will remain closed today

BSS, Dhaka

The American embassy including the consular section and the public affairs section with Archer K. Blood American Center Library and the student advising section will remain closed today (Monday) on the occasion of Bengali new year-1415.

The Archer K. Blood American Center Library and the student advising section of the American Center of U.S. mission in Bangladesh will remain also closed on April 15, a US press release said here yesterday.

Both sections will re-open on April 16, the release added.

Prices of essentials lower at BDR markets

BSS, Dhaka

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

Flour in packet was sold between Taka 43 and 46 per kg in the ordinary markets, it said adding, the item was sold at Taka 43 in BDR-run open markets and Taka 35 in the BDR-run sale centres. The price of one-kg flour in Kolkata is equivalent to Taka 22.41.

Coarse rice was sold at Taka 33 to Taka 36 per kg in different markets in the city. The items was sold at Taka 33 in BDR-run open markets and Taka 25 in the BDR-run sale centres. In Kolkata markets, it is being sold at Taka 29.31.

Lentil (imported) was sold in different city markets at Taka 79 to Taka 85 per kg which is Taka 74 in BDR-run open markets, the item was sold at Taka 70 in BDR-run sales centres and Taka 77.58 in Kolkata markets.

Onion (imported) was sold at Taka 13 per kg in the BDR-run open markets. Price of onion was in other city markets ranged between Taka 13 and 18. The item is available in Kolkata at Taka 10.34.

The price of potato was between Taka 11 and Taka 13 per kg in the ordinary markets, while it is Taka 12 in BDR-run open markets and Taka 10 BDR run sales centres. In Kolkata, the price of the item is Taka 10.34.

Sugar is being sold at Taka 36 to 38 per kg in different markets of the city against Taka 34 in BDR-run open markets. In Kolkata, its price stands at Taka 29.31.

Salt is being sold at Taka 12 to 13 per kg in different markets of the city, while it was sold at Taka 10 per kg in the BDR-run sale centers and Taka 14 at BDR run open markets. The item is available in Kolkata at Taka 8.69, the report said.

The price of soybean oil ranges between Taka 105 and Taka 109 per liter in the ordinary markets, while it is available at Taka 103 in the BDR-run open markets and Taka 105 in BDR run sales centres. In Kolkata, price of the soybean oil is Taka 124.13 per liter.

Palm oil was sold between Taka 92 and Taka 96 per liter in the ordinary markets, compared to Taka 93 per liter in the BDR- run open markets and 94 at BDR-run sale centres. In Kolkata, price of palm oil is Taka 106.89 per liter.

Hilsa fish was sold in different markets at Taka 250 to Taka 360 per kg yesterday.

Employment in Saudi Arabia on rise

BSS, Dhaka

The employment of Bangladesh workers in Saudi Arabia is once again on the rise.

This follows a series of hectic diplomatic effort to reestablish the labour market in Saudi Arabia after a temporary lull in March, said Ministry of Foreign Affairs sources.

There are over 1.7 million Bangladeshis currently in that country. There were some reports of negative publicity against Bangladeshis, particularly through a website.

The Bangladeshi authorities took up the matter with the Saudi counterparts and the website was finally closed down on 27 March.

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury who is also incharge of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment met with the Saudi State Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Nizar Obeid Madani, and Deputy Minister Prince Turki Bin Mohammed bin Saud el Kabir during the recent OIC Summit in Senegal.

Recently a high-powered Saudi delegation headed by Deputy Minister for Labour Abdulrahman S Albwardi also met with the Foreign Adviser and others in Dhaka.

The Saudi Deputy Labour Minister assured that the issuance of visas would be resumed. He also stated that no legal Bangladeshi worker would be deported.

In April within the first ten days 1924 visas were issued .The number is increasing on a daily basis.

Iftekhar praises UNICEF's role

BSS, Dhaka

Foreign adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury today described the role of UNICEF in Bangladesh as an 'extremely positive' one.

He said this when Daniel Toole, the Regional Director of UNICEF based in Kathmandu called on him at his office here.

Dr Iftekhar said after the meeting with Toole that the UN system in general and UNICEF in particular had been 'most helpful' last year following the two floods and cyclone Sidr in 'standing by our affected children at the time of their greatest need'.

He praised UNICEF's development programmes in Bangladesh and discussed with Daniel Toole ways and means of expanding them.

Toole said," UNICEF is deeply concerned on the short and longer term impact of recurring emergencies Bangladesh had to endure in 2007 on children's health, education and protection. Children and women often bear the worst brunt of emergencies."

Draft policy on ship braking to be placed next month

BSS, Dhaka

An inter ministerial meeting today decided to place the draft policy of ship breaking and recycling within the next one month to the cabinet division for its approval.

The meeting chaired by the Secretary to the Shipping Ministry Sheikh Enayetullah discussed title, definition, consultative committee, environment protection, professional security and other issues envisaged in the draft policy.

Officials of labour and employment ministry and representatives of ship breakers association took part in the inter ministerial meeting.

Seminar on action plan for power tomorrow

BSS, Dhaka

A day-long seminar will be held on April 15 at Hotel Westin to undertake an 'action planning exercise to address energy and power crisis' that the country is now facing at the beginning of the summer.

Special assistant to the chief adviser Dr M Tamim will be the chief guest on the occasion. The UNDP and the German development agency GTZ are jointly holding the event.

Energy and Power Ministry, Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Transparency International (TIB), Grameen Saksti and Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC) are lending support to the seminar.

The seminar will focus on devising the plan of action how to mitigate the adverse impact of power shortage in agriculture, industry, business and development activities in other socio- economic areas.

Experts will deliver papers and take part in discussions. Government policy-makers,

Fish Feed Fodder Ordinance-2008 approved

BSS, Dhaka

The Council of Advisers yesterday approved the Fish Feed and Fodder Ordinance-2008 aiming at increasing fish and animal productions on commercial basis in the country.

The approval was given at a meeting of the Council of Advisers held with Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed in the chair at his office.

The Ordinance will pave the way for ensuring supply of disease-free protein in the local markets, bringing dynamism to the export trade of fish and meat along with maintaining the quality of products, said Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Syed Fahim Munaim.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, he said under the Ordinance no one would be allowed to be involved in the production process of fish feed and fodder as well as their export and import and also selling and marketing without licence.

Munaim said the producers will have to mention production and expiry dates of the products along with giving a description of the ingredients on the packets containing the fish feed and fodder. "According to the Ordinance, action will be taken against those who will violate any provision of it," he added.

Apart from this, the meeting held a threadbare discussion on the latest power situation in the country. The meeting was apprised that 600 to 800 MW electricity is being supplied to the irrigation areas daily.

Sayed Fahim Munaim said the meeting was also informed that this amount of electricity would be added to the national grid when the irrigation season is over. This will help reduce daily load shedding across the country.

The meeting observed that the country is expecting bumper Boro production this year as a result of uninterrupted power supply during the irrigation period.

In a brief presentation, Munaim said, the Food Adviser informed the meeting that the repair and maintenance works of food godowns are now underway to make them ready for preserving rice ahead of the upcoming Boro harvest.

Advisers to the caretaker government and Special Assistants to the Chief Adviser attended the meeting. Cabinet Secretary, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser and Secretaries concerned were also present.

Maitree Express begins its journey today

BSS, Dhaka

The much-awaited 'Moitree Express Train' is ready to leave Dhaka Cantonment Station for Kolkata at 8.30 AM today, Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali new year with much enthusiasm.

On the same day, another Moitree train will leave Chitpur Station of Kolkata for Dhaka at 7.10 AM and it is expected to reach Dhaka at 8.30 PM.

To mark the historic cross-border train service, a function will be held at the Cantonment Station at 7.45 AM tomorrow. Communication Adviser Major General (Retd) Golam Quader, Advisers, diplomats of different countries, chiefs of various donor agencies and high officials will attend the function, said an official Handout yesterday afternoon.

The express train will run twice a week on every Saturday and Sunday with accommodation capacity of 418 passengers in seven compartments.

A total of 56 press and media men will travel on the Moitree train to cover the historic train service between two neighbouring countries Bangladesh and India.

Necessary preparations have been completed and tight security has also been ensured at the Darshana Railway Station in Chuadanga district, the exit point of Bangladesh territory.

While contacted, Darshana Station Master told the news agency that security apparatus including metal directors, luggage scanners and close circuit cameras have been arranged at the Darshana Station checkpost as part of the government's tight security measures.

Law enforcing agencies including special branch (SB) of police, Government Railway Police (GRP) and various intelligence agencies already have been deployed to ensure utmost security at immigration check point.

Travelers today thronged to Indian High Commission for collecting their visas to Kamlapur Railway Station for having tickets with huge enthusiasm to ensure their historic journey.

"I never seen such a passenger gathering those who lined up in a number of queues to collect their tickets since the early morning" said Abu Syed Ahmed, Station Manager of Bangladesh Railway while talking to BSS today.

Of the total 538-km journey, 418-km area lay in Bangladesh area and 120 km in Indian territory. The cross-border journey will need five hours more with eight hours for carrying out customs and immigration formalities at Darshana in Bangladesh and Gede in West Bengal.