The New Nation - Internet Edition

Opsora, the first frozen embryo baby of Bangladesh

Test tube baby on the lap of Doctor Rashida at a
city hospital yesterday. Sharif Khan

Staff Reporter

Opsora, a 3.2 kilogrammes frozen embryo baby was born for the first time in Bangladesh medical science history at 2:15 pm at Modern Hospital in the city's Dhanmondi area yesterday.

Salma Begum and banker Afzal Hossain have got their first baby Opsora by a surgery after Opsora being in her mothers, womb for 37 weeks.

A five-member team of Dhaka Medical College Hospital led by Assistant Professor of gynaecology and obstetrics department Dr Rashida Begum conducted the operation.

Dr Rashida Begum told the reporters at a press briefing that the couple Salma Begum (36) and Afzal Hossain, who have been married for five years decided to take the frozen embryo baby after heart and soul endeavour for getting a baby through natural means.

"They have taken decision to take a baby through test tube in 2007. But the first attempt failed," she said.

"A total of 14 embryos were born in the first frozen test-tube baby attempt last year. Three embryos were transferred to the uterus of Salma in September last year. But she failed to conceive," Dr Rashida said.

"Eleven embryos were kept frozen for four months. Four frozen embryo was placed in the uterus of Salma in January this year," Dr Rashida said.

No complexity arose during the whole process starting from implanting the embryo in Salma's uterus to the birth of the baby.

Dr Rashida said she had failed in five attempts to make a woman give birth to a baby from frozen embryo.

"In my six attempts, I have succeeded to make a women give birth to a baby," she proudly said and added, "It was a milestone in the country's medical science."

"In the medical science, we have possibility only 20 percent to 25 to make it possible through the process. We have got success in this case," the assistant professor of Dhaka Medical college pointed out.

Dr Rashida said that Opsora is doing well. During birth, Opsora's weight was 3.2 kilogrammes.

Anyone shall become parent through the process by spending Tk 2 lakh to Tk 2.5. In this case, Salma and Afzal spent Tk 2.65 lakh on the entire procedure - the test tube baby treatment cost them Tk 2 lakh and they spent Tk 65,000 on preservation of frozen embryo and its implant.

Dr Rashida said in the test-tube baby treatment the embryos in excess are kept in liquid nitrogen at minus 196 degrees Celsius temperature by a specially programmed machine in a special jar. Later, the frozen embryo is transferred to the uterus.

She said the first frozen embryo baby was born at Queen Victoria Medical Centre in Melbourne, Australia in 1984.

In Asia the first such baby was born in Singapore National University Medical Centre in 1987.

The record for a baby born from a embryo kept frozen for the longest time is 13 years.

AL rejects policy summit, demands release of Hasina

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||f0||fs22 Staff Reporter||par ||par Awami League (AL) acting president Zillur Rahman yesterday termed the government's initiative of arraigning all-party policy summit as the latest conspiracy to establish BNP-Jamaat Alliance government in the power.||par He also urged the government to emphasise on arranging the national election in line with the roadmap announced by the Election Commission.||par Zilur made this comments while addressing the leaders and activists at a discussion meeting organize by the Kotalipara Samity at the auditorium of Institutions of Engineers. ||par Zillur also accused the government of working to re-establish the BNP-Jamaat force.||par "People with a lot of enthusiasm had welcomed the present caretaker government as they dreamt of a positive change. But now we're seeing the corrupts are coming out of jail and being re-established," he said.||par AL presidium member Tofail Ahmed said, "If the government thinks that it'll be successful ||par in bringing Awami League to the same discussion table with Jamaat, they are wrong."||par "We're not going to any so-called policy summit with the anti-liberation force. And the proposed summit is neither rational nor possible just before the elections," he said.||par "So, the government should not do anything more that will intensify people's doubt about the long-awaited parliamentary elections," Tofail said.||par Another presidium member Begum Matia Chowdhury said, " For a few days, the advisers have talked about dialogue between Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia. Now they've invented a new idea of holding a policy summit of all political parties. But people are not {fool." ||par "In fact, this is the government's new tactic to give the anti-liberation party a legal footing," she alleged while addressing a discussion at the city's Engineers Institution in the afternoon.||par .She categorically said only an acceptable parliamentary election in the third week of December is the way-out of the present political crisis. "Lift the state of emergency fully and release permanently our leader Sheikh Hasina as Awami League will not participate in any election without her," Matia asked the government.||par Meanwhile AL presidium member Amir Hossain Amu at a different function criticised the government for re-arresting Mirza Azam, General Secretary of Awami Jubo League, from the jail gate immediately after his release on bail on Thursday. ||par He also demanded complete lifting of emergency, unconditional release of Sheikh Hasina and announcement of schedule of the parliamentary election. ||par Amu made this remark while addressing the leaders and activists at a meeting held at the party's central office in Bangabandhu Avenue. ||par The High Court on Tuesday ordered to release Azam on bail in a case on charges of amassing wealth through illegal means. ||par Amu said, "People won't accept such injustice of the government to the political leaders. The overall law and order situation will worsen if the law enforcers abuse the law in this manner." ||par He also demanded party chief Sheikh Hasina's unconditional release and announcement of election dates. ||par "Announcing the dates of elections only will not suffice, the government has to ensure the release of Sheikh Hasina and other AL leaders to create a conducive polls environment."

||par }

Downtrend in soybean price

A kitchen market at Shantinagar. Focus
Bangla

Staff Reporter

The prices of different varieties of soybean oil have come down to some extent during the third week of Ramzan in the city markets following significant fall in their prices in the international markets.

Customers said they were happy over the downward trend of soybean oil prices.

Soybean was sold at between Tk 105 and Tk 106 per kg yesterday as against Tk 108 to Tk 110 last week. One kg of super soybean cost Tk 75, which was Tk 80 a few days ago. Palm oil was sold between Tk 70 and 72 per kg that was Tk 75 last week.

An influential trader at Moulvi Bazar said the prices of soybean would decrease further in the days ahead as its prices have plummeted in the international markets.

"The price stability in the markets is fully dependent on the smooth supply of commodities," he stressed.

But onion, ginger and some vegetables were selling at high price despite sufficient supply and availability of those items in the markets yesterday. On the other hand, the prices of rice remained static.

Customers alleged that some dishonest traders have increased the prices of beef to Tk 220 per kg as against Tk 190 to 200 fixed by the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC).

Price hike of essentials is a common feature during the month of Ramzan and on the eve of the Eid festival, they said.

They called upon the concerned authority to continue the market monitoring so that none could increase the price deliberately before the Eid.

"Joint initiatives by Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and the wholesalers and retailers could help reduce the price of commodities, " they opined.

Retailers at Karwan Bazar said the prices of vegetables will come down to a tolerable level after couple of weeks when the winter vegetables will start arriving in the markets. Coarse variety of rice was sold between Tk 32 and Tk 33, minicate was sold between Tk 39 and Tk 44 and Nazirshail was Tk 40 Tk 46 per kg.

Local variety of onion was sold between Tk 32 and Tk 34 and imported one at Tk 22 to Tk 24 per kg. Local variety of garlic was at Tk 100 and imported at Tk 35 and ginger of local quality at Tk 100 and imported ones at Tk 65 per kg. Green Chilli was sold Tk 40 and Tk 50, aubergine between Tk 35 and Tk 40 and papaya between Tk 10 and Tk 12.

Beef was sold between Tk 200 and Tk 220 which was Tk 190 , mutton Tk 250s and Tk 280 and broiler chicken Tk 110 and Tk 120 per kg. Ruhi fish was sold between Tk 160 and Tk 180 per kg and a medium size of hilsha fish was sold between Tk 280 and Tk 300 yesterday.

Holy Hamzan: Concentration of wealth not encouraged

The payment of Zakat is compulsory and it is directly linked with the poor people for their economic emancipation. It checks concentration of wealth and ensures proper distribution. It is an obligation on any wealthy person-free, adult and sane.

The following are the categories of acquired property subject to Zakat : gold and silver. jewellery, cash, bank savings. cows, bulls, goats, buffaloes, sheep, horses, camels, buried treasures, articles of merchandise and produces of the earth.

Zakat is to be paid at the rate of 2.50 per cent on savings once in a year. Zakat is payable on our produces while it is more than 26 maunds and on our gold and silver, when it is more than 7.50 tolas and 52.50 tolas respectively and also on other assets.

Allah warns the believers : "Those who treasure up gold and silver, and do not spend them in the way of Allah, give them the tidings of painful chastisement, the day this (wealth) shall be heated in the fire of hell, and their foreheads, their sides and their backs shall be branded with it. (It will be said to them) This is what you had treasured up for yourselves, now taste of what you were treasuring." (9:34-35).

Now, the question is, who are entitled to receive Zakat ?

The Holy Quran says, Zakat is due : "Alms are of the poor (miskin) and the needy (faqir), and those employed to administer (the funds) ; for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth) : for those in bondage and in debt ; in the cause of Allah : and for the wayfarer : (Thus is it) ordained by Allah and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom." (9:60)

Allama Yusuf Ali in the 'Holy Quran : Translation and Commentary' comments after explaining the different heads : "All these have a claim to charity. They should be relieved by individual or organised effort, but in a responsible way."

-Abdul Muqit Chowdhury

US-style electoral debate urged

Pankaj Karmakar

Debate is the way of strengthening democracy and ensuring freedom of speech, said Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron, Founder Chairman of Debate Federation, Chairman of Debate for Democracy and Director of national Television School Debate Competition.

Talking to The New Nation yesterday, he termed debate a powerful tool of expression of thoughts and sharing of views.

He pointed out that though debate is becoming popular in schools, colleges and universities, this culture can't be developed to its full potential in the absence of a national debating hall.

He was firmly of the view that public debate on burning national issues are must to establish unalloyed democracy and ensure sustainable development in the country. Many critical national issues can find solution through public debate, he thought.

Asked about the necessity of promoting debate culture in the third world countries like Bangladesh, he said " you need debate for the establishment of perfect democracy, establishment of the rule of law and for grooming good parliamentarians.

Asked about the prospect of introducing electoral debate in Bangladesh in the style of the USA, he said they were ready to arrange such debate.In this connection, he pointed out that the people were appreciative of the debate arranged jointly by the BBC and Election Commission during the recent city corporation polls.

He also found tremendous potentiality within the debaters of different levels of the Bangladesh saying, " My observation are our debaters are now very talented, confident and responsible in all respects of their life."

In reply to a question, he said that he was mulling the idea of organising

electoral debate on the eve of the parliamentary election .The participants

in the election will be invited to take part on the debate. Besides, we are also working to hold a SAARC debate championship with the participation of the universities of the SAARC countries.

BB Governor, economist differ on inflation forecast

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

The central bank Governor and a top economic researcher have different views on whether inflation will come down amid the price fall on international market as July saw another jump in the official rate to nearly 11.

Inflation accelerated again to 10.82 percent in July due to what the Bangladesh Bank governor said price hike of commodities on international market.

According to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, point-to-point inflation rose 0.72 percent year-on-year in July from 10.10 percent last year.

"It's all down to the international market," governor Salehuddin Ahmed told bdnews24.com.

"The country is now going through a kind of transitional period. Demands of people have gone up. Besides, the flow of money on the markets is very high," the governor said.

Salehuddin Ahmed hoped the rate of inflation would come down soon as prices of essentials dropped on the international market.

Dr Zaid Bakht, senior research director of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, disagreed with the central bank supremo.

"Not in the next few months," Dr Bakht told bdnews24.com. "Prices of essentials dropped on international market, but it did not have any impact on the local market. "Besides, 20 percent dearness allowance for the government employees would increase flow of money," the BIDS director said.

He said people were now buying commodities more than they need on speculation that prices might increase further ahead of the national polls planned for this December.

Programmes under social safety net in addition to a Tk 2,000 crore employment generation scheme may push the inflation rate further up, Dr Bakht said.

The governor said the inflation showed a downtrend in April-May but started to accelerate in June.

In June, the inflation rate was 10.04 percent.

The BBS sent the details on inflation to the ministry of finance and Bangladesh Bank on Thursday.

The governor said 10.82 percent inflation was not dangerous, given the economic situation in the world.

"Inflation rates in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are higher than ours," he argued.

In April this year, the government claimed inflation was down to 7.66 percent from 7.44 percent in May.

According to the BBS, food inflation rate was 13.19 percent in July and inflation in non-food sector was 5.94 percent. In June, food inflation was 14.10 percent and non-food inflation was 3.54 percent.

150 fishermen, 40 trawlers still missing

UNB, Bagerhat

Over 150 fishermen, who along with 40 fishing trawlers went missing in the Bay since Monday night, could not be rescued in the four days till yesterday.

Abul Hossain, driver of fishing trawler 'Allar Daan', along with 23 fishermen on board, managed to steer the trawler to the local ferry ghat Friday noon.

He said, 23 fishermen of Cox's Bazar district on board his vessel were catching fishes in the Bay in Cox's Bazar on Monday night, but his vessel went out of order after it was caught in the storm. Still, he said, he managed to steer the vessel to Bagerhat.Abul Hossain informed that over 150 fishermen from different areas and some 40 trawlers still remained missing.

The fishermen went missing as they were caught in the storm while catching fishes in different areas in the Bay.

The missing fishermen hailed from Bagerhat, Barguna, Patuakhali, Cox' s Bazar and Chittagong districts.

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard members rescued a trawler along with 40 fishermen from Baleshwar area in the Sundarbans on Thursday night.

The Coast Guard is continuing its search for the missing fishermen.

Govt trying to foil upcoming poll: Ashraful

Kishorgonj Correspondent

Awami League Acting general Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday blamed the Caretaker Government for engaging in conspiracy to foil the upcoming election by December as per the roadmap.

He also informed that the party started taking preparation for participating in the national polls and warned that any other polls ahead of the national poll would resisted by all means.

"AL never intended to resume power through chaos, vandalism and indiscipline manner, rather it believe in resuming power through democratic manner," he p[ointed out.

Ashraf was addressing the leaders and activists at a meeting Kishorgonj Sadar thana Awami League at the local press club.

Ashraf also accused the government for trying to arrange a parliamentary polls according to a blue print.

He severely criticized the government for releasing the persons who was champion in corruption during the BNP-Jamaat government tenure.

Advoctae ATM Atur Rahman, President of the Kishorgonj sadar thana AL unit, presided over the meeting while a number of local AL leaders spoke.

Ershad sees nat’l govt without elections

bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad thinks the government wants to bring the two former prime ministers across the table to form a national government, forgoing general elections.

"We hear about the meeting between the two leaders. As far as our knowledge goes water and oil don't mix. So what's the meeting for?" the former president said at a rally before iftar at a community centre at Jatrabari yesterday.

The Jatrabari, Demra and Shyampur thana units of the party organised the function.

Ershad announced that he would run the next parliamentary elections from Gulshan constituency.

The former military strongman expressed doubts over the staging of general elections.

"People think the elections will not be held. There will be a national government."

Ershad, however, urged the party supporters to get ready for the elections.

"Insha Allah (God willing) I'll contest Gulshan constituency."

"I've prepared the party for elections. If the Upazila elections are held before the national elections we will participate in it.

"I congratulate the present caretaker government on its realising the importance of the Upazila as a local government institution."

He took a swipe at former caretaker government chief and president Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed.

"If Shahabuddin did not betray in 1991 the Jatiya Party would have gone on to win the elections then."

Postal services struggle against courier services

UNB, Dhaka

The government postal services are gradually losing market to the ready-to-serve private sector courier services.

As per existing laws, it is totally illegal for any authority other than the government's post offices to receive letters for delivery although there is no such restriction in respect of parcels and documents.

If any private institution receives letters for delivery, it has to pay Tk 500 in fine per letter, according to laws.

Ruhul Amin Chisty, Chairman of Continental Courier Service, said it is not legal to receive and deliver any letter under private commercial initiative.

But courier services can receive and deliver any kind of documents.

"But we have nothing to do when someone gives letter without notice as we cannot open it," Ruhul Amin said.

Bangladesh Post Office (BPO) Director General Mobasherur Rahman admitted that the government's postal services are gradually losing its charm.

Despite a huge potential, the popularity and quality of the government's postal services are struggling to stay afloat due to lack of manpower and adequate equipment, he said.

He said the government is planning to bring private courier services under legal framework and strict monitoring.

Sino-Bangla ties boosted

UNB, Dhaka

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury here on Friday said that the recent visit of Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed to China has boosted bilateral ties between the two friendly countries and raised them to new heights.

He made the comment, through a statement, upon the return of the Chief Adviser and his delegation from China early Friday. The Foreign Adviser was also a member of the delegation.

Dr Iftekhar said that the Chief Adviser held official talks with the key leadership of China, including President Hu Jintao, Vice President Xi Jinping, and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.

The discussions underscored the fact that Bangladesh-China relations were "time-tested" and "all-weather", and that they symbolised a "comprehensive partnership for cooperation", he added.

The Foreign Adviser stated that some new potential areas for cooperation and possible Chinese support also came up this time.

These included the construction of future seventh and eighth Friendship bridges planned on Meghna and Meghna-Gumti, collaboration on nuclear power technology with a view to implementing the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and on the production of hybrid seeds for expanding agricultural production.

Another important subject that was discussed was a future road link between Bangladesh and China through Myanmar, the Foreign Adviser further stated. "It was agreed that both sides will take it up with Myanmar," he said.

As for cooperation on education, the Chinese side, in response to a request from the Chief Adviser doubled the number of scholarships offered to Bangladeshi students from 50 to 100.

They assured that facilities could be made available to other students as well, Dr Iftekhar said.

He further said that the three agreements signed during the visit on Economic and Technical Cooperation, exchange of Hydrological information on Brahmaputra and Scientific Cooperation in the field of agriculture and all these would contribute to deepening our bilateral partnership.

The Foreign Adviser further stated that the Chief Adviser addressed a well-attended gathering of Chinese business houses and investors, elaborating to them the mutual advantages of broadened commerce and investments.

The Chinese investors were told a Special Economic Zone would be established for them so that Chinese technology and Bangladeshi trained manpower could collaborate to manufacture products for third markets, Dr Iftekhar observed.

"The visit most certainly strengthened the ties that bind our two Asian and developing countries. China is important for us, as Bangladesh is for China", he said.

"I have every confidence that all governments to follow will bear this in mind, and that close ties with China will be an eternal pillar of Bangladesh's foreign policy. I know the Chinese side also shares these sentiments", he said.

Barrister Rafique hopeful about Hasina-Khaleda talks

UNB, Dhaka

Senior lawyer Barrister Rafique-ul Huq yesterday expressed his hope for bringing Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia to a much-expected dialogue.

"Khaleda Zia is definitely positive about the meeting with Sheikh Hasina. And Sheikh Hasina has also told me that after returning home from the United States she will talk to the party and decide her course," said Barrister Rafique who fought for both Hasina and Khaleda in court.

He was talking to reporters on his return from a personal visit in Singapore Friday.

The senior lawyer further said both Hasina and Khaleda told him that they would not put any condition to talk to each other.

He also informed the journalists that Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman would again talk to the two key leaders soon to arrange the meeting.

"The agenda of their meeting will be finalised through consultation with them," Barrister Rafique said.

The lawyer said a meeting between Hasina and Khaleda is very much important to avoid another 1/11.

"If they fail to work together another 1/11 will come," he said.