The New Nation - Internet Edition

City Bank celebrates 25th anniversary: Launches new logo

City Bank CEO Mahmud Sattar, Finance Adviser Dr AB
Mirza Azizul Islam and City Bank Chairman Aziz AL Kaiser
seen while inaugurating new logo of City Bank at a city
hotel yesterday. NN photo

Staff Reporter

City Bank, one of the leading commercial banks of the country yesterday celebrated its silver jubilee through the launching of its new logo at a colourful function at Hotel Radisson in the city.

Finance and Planning Adviser Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam launched the new logo of the City Bank Limited styled 'City Bank: Make Sense of Money’ as the chief guest.

Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Faruq Ahmed Siddiqi was present as special guest.

City Bank Chairman Aziz Al Kaiser, Director Deen Mohammad, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Mahmud Sattar, industrialists, bankers, representatives of different chambers and associations, patrons and customers were present at the function.

Addressing the silver jubilee celebration, Finance Adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the City Bank has been playing a vital role in the country’s banking sector by introducing the knowledge-based technology.

“I appreciate the services of City Bank because it has been providing banking services to customers with dedication and transparent manner,” he said.

The Finance Adviser also called upon the City Bank to maintain utmost transparency for sustaining in the competitive market.

Speaking at the function, SEC Chairman Faruq Ahmed Siddiqi said that the City Bank has been providing services to customers with sincerity and dedication.

“It (City Bank) was enlisted with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 1986 with a capital base of Tk 7.5 billion. Now, it is one of the largest private banks in the country,” he added.

City Bank Chairman Aziz Al Kaiser said that they started their journey in March 1983.

“The objective of the City Bank is to support the development and building activities of the country through excellent services,” he said, adding that the bank has been providing retail, individual, SME and corporate services to customers from all its branches across the country.

The City Bank has also launched automation-banking system to support the customers, the Chairman said.

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of City Bank Mahmud Sattar said that they have been providing services to customers timely and efficiently.

“We have been following the Bangladesh Bank rules and regulations strictly through providing better services to our customers with a view to taking the bank to the international level,” he said.

“The main mission and vision of the bank are to make it one of the top class banks in the world,” he added.

Jubo Dal to form human chain tomorrow to realize 7-point demand

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, youth wing of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will form a human chain in front of the Special Tribunal Court at Sangshad Bhaban tomorrow to press home its seven-point demand.

Leaders of Jubo Dal announced the programme at a press conference at NAM flat in the city's Manik Mia Avenue yesterday.

Its demands include unconditional release of BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and chief of Jamaat-e Islami Moulana Matiur Rahman Nizami and withdrawal of political and motivated cases, sending Khaleda's two sons Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko abroad for better medical treatment, release of Jubo Dal general secretary Adv Syed Moyazzam Hossain Alal, its former president Mirza Abbas and Chhatra Dal president Azizul Bari Helal, government's fair deals to all political parties and holding of fair and free general election within October 30 after lifting the state of emergency and opening of the BNP central office and bringing down prices of all essentials including fuel within the purchasing capacity of common people.

It will also form human chain in the other five cities on July 10.

Acting president Jubo Dal Mia Mohammad Selim read out the written statement. Acting general secretary Adv Abdus Salam Azad and organising secretary Khairul Kabir Khokan, among others leaders, were present on the occasion.

Spitzer call girl drops 'Girls Gone Wild’ lawsuit

AP, New York

The call girl involved in a scandal that brought down New York's former governor has dropped a lawsuit claiming "Girls Gone Wild" founder Joe Francis exploited her image and name on the Internet.

Ashley Dupre voluntarily dismissed the $10 million federal lawsuit, according to court documents filed Thursday. She said she was only 17 when she signed a binding contract giving permission to appear in the "Girls Gone Wild" video.

Telephone calls and e-mails to Dupre's lawyer and publicist were not immediately returned Friday.

Francis said in a statement issued late Friday night that "the truth invariably comes out, as I knew it would in this case. I am happy to, once again, be completely vindicated."

In her lawsuit, Dupre said she was on spring break in Miami Beach in 2003 when she was approached by "Girls Gone Wild" producers, given alcoholic drinks and then signed a release agreeing to appear. The series depicts women in provocative poses or topless, often in such party locations as Mardi Gras or spring break beach towns.

Francis has said Dupre was on the "Girls Gone Wild" bus for a week and made seven full-length videos.

Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, Francis released a video where Dupre appears covered by a terry cloth towel and gives her name as Amber Arpaio. An unseen questioner asks if she is 18 and if the footage can be used on "Girls Gone Wild." She says yes to both questions.

The video also displays a New Jersey driver's license with the Amber Arpaio name and a birth date that would have made her appear to be in her 20s.

Dupre rocketed to fame in March when she surfaced as a high-priced call girl in the Emperors Club VIP prostitution ring that involved then-New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who resigned soon after the scandal broke. Dupre, going by the name "Kristen," met "Client 9" - later identified as Spitzer - at least once at a swanky Washington hotel, according to court documents.

After the Spitzer scandal, Francis made a public $1 million offer for Dupre to appear in one of his videos and go on a promotional tour. But he rescinded the offer after realizing he already had footage of her.

Francis has other legal problems, including federal tax evasion charges pending in California and lawsuits by filed by women in Panama City, Fla., claiming they were victims of underage exploitation. Francis spent a year in jail and was released in March after pleading no contest to child abuse and prostitution charges for filming underage girls in that Panhandle beach town.

D-8 Summit : CA leaves for KL tomorrow

BSS, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed leaves here for Kuala Lumpur on Monday to attend the 6th D-8 Summit scheduled to take place in Malaysia on July 8.

The Bangladesh's head of the government will lead the country's delegation to the summit of the leaders of Developing- 8, popularly known as D-8, according to the official sources.

The theme of this year's summit is "Meeting Challenges Through Innovative Cooperation".

During his two-day visit to Malaysia, the Chief Adviser will hold a number of bilateral meetings with the heads of state and government of different D-8 countries including the President of Iran, Prime Ministers of Pakistan and Malaysia on the side lines of the conference.

Apart from the official programme, he will also hold a meeting with the Bangladeshi community living in Malaysia on July 7. Dr Fakkruddin will attend a luncheon to be hosted by the Prime Minister of Malaysia and hold retreat meetings with the heads of state and government attending the summit.

The Chief Adviser will present his country's statement in the Summit on July 8.

This is for the first time Malaysia is hosting the summit after setting up the grouping in 1997 with an objective to promote economic and trade cooperation among the eight largest Muslim countries-Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria and Pakistan. Indonesia hosted the last D-8 Summit in Bali on May 13, 2006. The second summit of the group was held in Bangladesh in 1999. The Summit is held every two years.

The Chief Adviser is expected to return home on July 8 evening.

The idea of cooperation among the developing Muslim countries was mooted by Dr. Neemettin Erbakan, the then Prime Minister of Turkey, during a seminar on " Cooperation in Development" held in Istanbul in October 1996. The group envisioned cooperation among countries stretching from South-East Asia to Africa.

Representatives from Bangladesh Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria and Pakistan attended the seminar.

Suspended Krishi Bank employees in hardship

Dilder Hossain Swapan Feni Correspondent

Though four and a half years have already been passed after the detection of embezzlement of depositors' money at Bangladesh Krishi Bank's GM Hat Branch under Fulgazi upazila in Feni, no step has yet been taken to resolve the matter. As a result, 21 officials and employees suspended for their alleged involvement in embezzlement of the amount of the bank have been passing their days through untold sufferings.

Depositors of the affected branch of the bank want that the real culprits must be brought to justice.

The Feni district of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has already filed a case accusing cashier Md Nurul Karim.

Bangladesh Krishi Bank and local sources said the incident was detected when no money was found in the account of a depositor after he went to the bank to draw money and deposited his cheque on January 6, 2004. When the matter came to the attention of the high officials and customers of the bank, the officials concerned carried out an inquiry and found the proof of embezzlement of some Tk 65 lakh against 133 accounts. Instantly, four managers, 10 officers and 7 employees of the bank were suspended. However, the matter has not been resolved though four and a half years have already been passed after the incident. As a result, 21 officials and employees suspended on charge of embezzlement of the amount have been passing their days through unbearable sufferings and anxiety.

Among the suspended staff, five officials-former managers Abul Hossain and Habib Ullah, officers Neaz Mahmud Khan, Rafiqullah and Swapan Kumar Dhar-- went on retirement from services. As the judgement in the case is yet to be given, they have not been receiving any financial benefits from the bank though they had received some benefits in the first year. As a result, they along with their families have been passing their days through untold sufferings. Many of the suspended officials and employees are now working at different branches of the bank. They are manager Fakhruddin, Kabir Ahmed (Choto Kabir), Kabir Ahmed (Boro Kabir), Habib Ullah and Abul Hossain. As they were suspended from the bank, they are not getting the full benefits including salary.

It is learnt that among the accused, AGM Firoze Bhuiyan, SPO Rafiqullah, SPO Swapan Kumar Dhar, SPO Shamsul Islam, LDC Uttam Kumar Debnath were primarily relieved of the case. LDC Ashraf Uddin's increment was stopped. The Feni district Anti-Corruption Commission has filed a case accusing cashier Md Nurul Karim.

On the other hand, the suspended officials and employees are now going through untold sufferings. Of them, five retired officials have also been deprived of their pensions as the case is now awaiting disposal. Sufferings of these officials and employees could have been resolved if the case against them was disposed of quickly.

When contacted, SMA Khaleque, Assistant General Manager of Regional Office, Feni said the case related to the embezzlement of bank's money is now pending with the higher authorities of the Bangladesh Krishi Bank.

US a melting pot of cultures: Bush

Agency, Washington

Describing America "a melting pot of cultures" from across the world, President George W Bush welcomed 72 new citizens from 30 countries, including India, on the occasion of the US Independence Day.

Among those sworn in as US citizens, six were from India, said Wayne Mogielnicki, the spokesman of Monticello in Virginia, where Bush made his final Independence Day appearance yesterday before the expiry of his tenure in January 2009.

There were originally seven persons from India on the list but one did not show up, Mogielnicki told newsmen.

"We also honour Jefferson's legacy by welcoming newcomers to our land. And that is what we're here to celebrate today," Bush said referring to former President Thomas Jefferson, the principle author of the US declaration for independence. Monticello was Jefferson's estate.

Throughout the history of the US, immigrants from around the world set sail to its shores, he said adding, "these immigrants have helped transform 13 small colonies into a great and growing nation of more than 300 people."

"They made America a melting pot of cultures from all across the world. They made diversity one of the great strengths of our democracy. And all of us here today are here to honour and pay tribute to that great notion of America."

He said those taking the oath of citizenship represent many different ethnicities and races and religions, but have "one thing in common, and that is a shared love of freedom".

"This love of liberty is what binds our nation together, and this is the love that makes us all Americans," Bush said going on to single out a man from Myanmar who joined the growing ranks of American citizens.

"One man with special appreciation for liberty is Mai Eso from Burma. As a member of the Shan ethnic group, Mai faced discrimination and oppression at the hands of Burma's military junta. When he tried to teach local villagers how to read and write the Shan language, the regime interrogated him and harassed him," the US President said.

"In 2000, he left a life of fear for a life of freedom. He now works as a painter in the Charlottesville community. Today we welcome this brave immigrant as a citizen-to-be of the United States of America," Bush said. "I'm sure there are other stories like Mai's among you,"

Bush said the desire for freedom burns inside every man and woman and child.

"More than two centuries ago, this desire of freedom had inspired the subjects of a mighty empire to declare themselves free and independent citizens of a new nation. Today, that same desire for freedom has inspired 72 immigrants from around the world to become citizens of the greatest nation on earth, the United States of America," he said.

Scientific seminar on time, space held

Staff Reporter

A scientific seminar on time and space was held at the National Press Club in Dhaka yesterday where scientist Reza Sarwar presented a 'Space point theory' hinting at a central point that automatically developed in the universe.

The outer space is limitless having no beginning and no end. But there is a point in space that was the first of all creations. The stars and planets created through a 'big bang' or 'Qun' revolve round the point, he said. Reza Sarwar said the source of all creations is shapeless. So is the spirit which escapes towards spirit after death.

Renowned physicist Prof. Ali Asgar was the chief guest at the seminar which was presided over by Abu Mahi Musa, teacher of philosophy, Dhaka University.

Panna Chowdhury physicist who has translated the holy Quran into poetic verses, University teacher and researcher Abdar razzaq, Prof. Nurul Islam Manzur of Jahangirnagar University and Mostafa Kamal Majumder, editor, The New Nation took part in the discussion.

Prof. Ali Asgar dwelt at length on theories of time and space and said ranking scientists have more questions than they have answers. Search for the truth guides them in their researches and experiments.

Govt urged to review waste cotton export price

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Textile and Garments Waste Processors and Exporters Association (BTGWPEA) yesterday called upon the government to withdraw its decision to fix the export price of processed waste cotton.

The BTGWPEA leaders made this appeal at a press conference at the office of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in the city.

They told the press conference that as per statutory regulatory order (SRO), the export price of one kilogram of processed waste cotton comes to 1.60 US dollars which was earlier Tk 8 to 10.

" We will be compelled to shut down our waste processing units if the government did not withdraw its SRO on the export of processed waste cotton.The closure of these units will throw a large number of poor workers out of employment, said ANS Mahmood, resident of BTGWPEA.

He pointed out that over five lakh workers, most of them from monga prone areas, have been working at 500 textile and garments waste processor units. These units turn out 500 tonnes of processed waste cotton every day, he informed.

He made an fervent appeal to the government to review the SRO on the export of processed waste cotton in the interest of the country and the thousands of workers.

The BTGWPEA leaders alleged that the authority declared the SRO without holding any prior discussion with the textile and garments waste processors and exporting bodies.

They termed the newly fixed exporting price of processed waste cotton "unrealistic" adding that it was done to destroy the waste processing units.

They demanded subsidy for the waste cotton processing units for increasing employment generation. They also called for waiving income tax on the revenue of the textile and garment waste processors.

Abdul Marin, Amzad Hossain,Samar Banik, Mahbubul Alam and Delwar Hossain,among others, were present at the press conference.

Varsities must produce leaders for country’s development

DU Correspondent

Speakers at a memorial lecture in the city said the universities should be centres of innovation and produce leaders to carry out overall development of the country.

While focusing on the education scenario, they said the higher educational institutions have to deal with all aspects of society related to human life.

Dr Rashid Foundation of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) organised the lecture where University Grants Commission Chairman Nazrul Islam attended as chief guest.

Former Vice-Chancellor of BUET Nooruddin Ahmed lectured on the topic at the function with BUET VC and Chairman of Rashid Foundation AMM Safiullah in the chair. Engineer MR Rashid gave the welcome address on the occasion.

Nooruddin Ahmed presented a complete picture of all stages of education from primary to university level in his lecture. He also highlighted various problems and irregularities of the educational institutions.

Terming corruption, poor governance and lack of commitment among the country's educational institutions very painful, UGC Chairman urged the authorities concerned to come out of these difficulties by utilising their integrity, sincerity, merit and quality.

"How can a VC be corrupt and what can we expect from them? We should rather starve to death than commit corruption being the head of a university, he said regretting over recent corruption charges of several VCs.

BUET VC said the universities should concentrate on innovation and generate more prudent leaders to pave the way for the nation's development.

Huge potential for Bangladesh workers exists in Malaysia

UNB, Kuala Lumpur

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury yesterday said there is a huge potential for Bangladeshi workers' jobs in Malaysia which the government would take every step to tap.

"Malaysia is planning at least four major development projects in the future. If we can plan carefully and our workers are able to satisfy employers, there is no reason why we should not be able to send hundreds of thousands in the coming years," he told members of the Bangladesh community here.

The adviser is currently in the Malaysian capital to attend a summit meeting of the Developing-8 (D-8) countries of the Islamic world.

The ministerial component of the conference commences tomorrow (Sunday) in preparation for the July 8 summit.

Iftekhar, who is also in charge of the Ministry of Overseas Employment and Expatriate Welfare, said contrary to some earlier reports, the Bangladeshi labour market in Malaysia is continuing to expand.

"Already there are over 445,000 Bangladeshis employed here from the reports I have received. If the current trend continues, by year-end the number should exceed half a million," he said.

Later in the evening, he visited the Bangladeshi workers' shelter house 'Semenyin Hostel' at Kajang, 60 kilometers away from the city, where about 200 Bangladeshi job-seekers are currently being looked after by the High Commission, providing them food and accommodation.

"I have listened to some of the issues of the workers that require to be addressed as we intend to accord top priority to welfare. I intend to discuss some of these problems with Malaysian Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar, whom I shall be meeting day after tomorrow," Dr Iftekhar said.

BCL stage demos at DU: Release of Hasina, Roton demanded

DU Correspondent

Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), student wing of Awami League, yesterday staged demonstration on the Dhaka University campus demanding unconditional release of its party patron Sheikh Hasina and general secretary Mahfuzul Haider Chowdhury Roton.

BCL had been observing different programmes for the release of its general secretary since his arrest last year.

A large number of BCL activists participated in the programme, which started from Modhu`s canteen and paraded the campus. Later, a rally was held at the foot of the Aparajeyo Bangla.

BCL president Mahmud Hasan Ripon, acting general secretary Syed Abul Kalam Azad, DU unit president Sohel Rana Tipu, general secretary Sazzad Sakib Badsha, among others, addressed the audience.

Removal of NU VC remanded

DU Correspondent

A group of students of Kabi Nazrul Islam College yesterday formed a human chain on the college premises demanding removal of Prof Syed Rashodul Ahsan from National University's Vice Chancellor post.

The students urged the government to help keep congenial atmosphere of the university.

Hundreds of students under the banner of 'Conscious Students Society' participated in the programme.

Students claimed a vested quarter is hatching conspiracy against the National University while students are losing their valuable times due to session jam. A fair investigation is must to come out from the problem, they added.

High price of construction materials persists: House rent goes beyond common people’s reach

Syful Islam

House rent in the city has gone beyond the reach of middle and lower income group of people as in the recent days the housing sector experienced a big blow due to price hike of construction materials.

The monthly rent of an eight hundred square feet flat has been raised to more than Tk 12,000 to Tk 15,000 depending on the place and area. A man drawing a salary below Tk 25,000 to Tk 30,000 can't bear such a burden of high rent.

"We are a family of 5 members with my wife, two daughters and a son. We need a 3-bedroom flat, which now charges Tk 12,000 as rent. I cant save such a big amount from my salary. I am thinking to shift to a low rent flat but I can't find any of them," said Nazrul Islam, a banker, in city's Badda area.

"I am afraid if I can now run my family properly. Price hike of essential commodities messes our lifestyle. Increased house rent also mounts the problem," he said.

Selim Mia, an employee of a real estate company, said price of commodities, cost of living including house rent is increasing continuously. "But our income is not rising accordingly. How can we carry on?" he asks.

In Badda, Rampura, Mirpur, Jartrabari and Demra house rent of a seven hundred to eight hundred square feet flat stands between Tk 10,000 and Tk 12,000 per month. In some places of the said areas rent for such a flat has risen even to Tk 15,000 per month.

House rent in the newly constructed buildings is higher than the old ones. "The price of construction materials has doubled in the recent days. It has inflated our investment. We are paying more money as monthly interest of bank loans. So, we have no option but to charge high rent," said some of the newly built house owners in the city.

Per ton of MS rod is now selling between Tk 70,000 and Tk 74,000 depending on grades. Per bag of cement is selling between Tk 350 and Tk 370 in different places.

"I am paying double to buy materials to construct a building… even I am paying high wages to the labourers as their cost of living doubled within a year. So I am charging higher than the old buildings constructed last year or years ago," Rahimul Huq, a house owner in the city's Jatrabari area told The New Nation.

Rent of old buildings is also increasing every year by Tk 1000 to Tk 2000 depending on the area.

"Cost of living has also risen as compared with the previous year. My family depends on the money I get as house rent. So in the days of high prices I am bound to increase house rent," said Abidur Rahim, another house owner in Badda area.

US a melting pot of cultures: Bush

Scientific seminar on time, space held