The New Nation - Internet Edition

Tale of a city: Nazib’s solo show at Asiatic Society

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

"Nazib Mohammad is an ardent and lonesome painter as well as a serious teacher loves to play with nostalgic memories of the past relating to the city of old Dhaka and its people with distinct form and bright colour in particular in different compositions. He always bears in his mind the memorable days at the bank of River Buriganga, Sadarghat and Kamrangirchar on the other side at that time of his early days auspiciously. This phenomenon helps to form his canvasses with bold and wide strokes of brush with colour differently. Nazib has an enviable strong power of making drawings," poet and architect Rabiul Husain said this about the artist Nazib Mohammad at his 7th solo painting exhibition.

The exhibition titled 'Tales of a City' is currently going on at the gallery of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh at Nimtoli in the city. The exhibition was inaugurated on November 24.

Eminent sculptor and Director of the Gallery of Fine Art of Asiatic Society of Bangladesh Hamiduzzaman Khan inaugurated the exhibition. More than 30 artworks of Nazib Mohammad are on display at the show.

While speaking about his works Nazib Mohammad recalled the memories of the story of Dhaka on its 400th anniversary.

Nazib in his seventh exhibition of his credit began to travel from the early days of 1979 to the present day where Dhaka city's busy streets, old buildings, mosques, rickshaws and others as well as its people come forward. Basically he is very fond of music especially the folk musicians with 'sarinda' or 'dotara' in hands. All these are found in his works at the show.

He said, "I never forget the rural and folk lives of the people even amidst the urban set-up of present time. As a result, these are reflected in my works."

He in his works described the everyday hard lives of the common people. He loves colour with composition in straight type of forms of varied geometric compositions. His human figures are of semi-realistic in nature where colours play the vital role rather than drawings. A sort of mosaic technique pasting with the different forms help to bring the desired and coherent unity among the diversities of interesting lines, forms, colours and textures made his creation unique and attractive in itself. All these depicted the subject of the painter's own world of feelings and thoughts in the canvasses.

At present Nazib Mohammad is working as Associate Professor in the Department of Crafts of the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University. He studied in printmaking in Japan. He has completed a post-graduation research in printmaking from Tama Art University, Tokyo in Japan. He took part in many art festivals in Japan including contemporary art festival. His artworks were exhibited at various art museums like Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.

The exhibition remains open from 12:00 noon to 8:00pm everyday till December 2.

VP Singh dies

VP Singh

PTI, New Delhi

Former Prime Minister V P Singh, who died here yesterday, would be cremated today's afternoon in Allahabad.

A close associate of Singh, Wasim Ahmad told PTI that "the cremation would take place today's ( Friday) afternoon in Allahabad and the body will be flown there early morning".

Singh, who formed the first non-Congress coalition government at the Centre dethroning Rajiv Gandhi-led Congress in the 1989 elections, died here following prolonged illness.

Battling blood cancer since 1991 and suffering from renal failure, 77-year-old Singh, also known as 'Raja of Manda', breathed his last at the Apollo Hospital. PTI.

Police deployed at PSTU amid tension: Deans, teachers gheraoed

Patuakhali Science and Technology University
students held the Vice Chancellor, Registrar, Deans an
Proctor hostage yesterday to meet their 10-point demand.
Banglar Chokh

Our Correspondents, Barisal and Patuakhali

Police have been deployed on the Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) yesterday campus noon in the face of mounting students and employees unrest.

Situation on the campus took a turn for the worse when the agitating PSTU employees and other staff members appointed on a a temporary basis and also the students of the Business Administration Management Faculty (BAMF) confined the teachers and deans of different faculties to the administrative block of the university yesterday for the realisation of their demands. They also barred the entry of the acting vice-chancellor into the campus.

The temporary employees of the university, who have been agitating since November 17 for making their jobs permanent and fulfilment of other demands, held sit-in strike and cordoned off the administrative block of the university from 8 am to 2 pm yesterday. They also disconnected the power and water supply lines and disrupted movement of transports within the campus.

The movement of the BAMF students since Monday to press home their 10-point demand aggravated the situation still further. They also joined the fray in cordoning off the administrative block of the university and locked the teachers and deans to their offices yesterday. The angry students gave an ultimatum to the university authorities to meet their demands within a week. Their demands include appointment of adequate teaching staff on a permanent basis, proper evaluation of course curriculum and certificate, laboratory facilities and introduction of masters of business administration course.

Only five teachers are now manning the BAMF on a temporary basis as against the requirement of at least two dozen teachers, according to some students of BAMF. When contacted, acting VC of PSTU Dr.Sultan Ahmed said they were ready to fulfil some of the demands of the students and employees which are within their jurisdiction. But only the University Grants Commission ( UGC) can deal with the demands for making the jobs of employees permanent, appointment of teachers, evaluation of certificates and curriculum and issues.

He further said that they have already informed the Education Ministry and the UGC of the present situation at PSTU, shortage of teachers and lack of other facilities.

Food security main task if voted to power: Hasina

UNB, Dhaka

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina yesterday promised to ensure food security in the country and reduce the prices of essentials if her party is voted to power in the December 29 parliamentary polls.

"If Awami League wins the elections, our main task will be to ensure adequate food for the country's poor people. Another priority task will be to bring down the prices of essentials," the former Prime Minister said while addressing a views-exchange meeting with Sammilita Sangskritik Jote in the afternoon at her Dhanmondi office.

Hasina again came down heavily on the government and the Election Commission for frequent changes of dates for filing of nominations and holding the elections. She alleged that the date for election has been deferred deliberately just to allow a particular political party to indulge in conspiracy with the general election. "Awami League has been in trouble due to the deferment of dates for filing nomination and holding elections," Hasina said.

She said the people of Bangladesh know it very well under whose rule they would live a better life. "But this is a bad luck for them that the pro-people political force is not allowed to come to power."

Hasina further vowed to build Bangladesh as a non-communal country for protecting the people from the clutches of the evil force that does business in the name of religion. She was critical of the administration as zealots broke down Baul Sculpture in front of a very well secure place like the Airport.

Sheikh Hasina assured the artists of taking various steps for flourishing the country's tradition, culture and language, if she wins the polls.

The AL chief revealed her plan to build a cultural square across Dhaka University, Shilpakala and Bangla Academy areas which will be a 'worship place' for all the open-minded and progressive people.

The former premier also expressed her dream of building a modern Liberation War Museum where all the evidences of the 1971 liberation war will be preserved.

Hasina, towards the end of her speech, said the people of Bangladesh have confidence in Awami League that this party can free them from poverty and hunger. "But at the same time the conspirators will also be there to implement their blueprint. So, I urge the brave and talented people to remain alert against all the conspiracies and protect their voting rights."

Sangskritik Jote president Nasiruddin Yusuf Bachchu, general secretary Golam Kuddus, actors Mamunur Rashid, Ramendu Majumder, Ali Zaker and Afroza Banu were, among others, present at the meeting.

DSE suffer worst ever setback

UNB, Dhaka

Shares on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) suffered worst setback in last four years as the benchmark index dipped to a 15-month low allegedly due to the World Bank's forecast of a poor economic growth waiting ahead as the fallout of global recession.

The DSE General Index (DGEN), the benchmark index, shed 100 points or about 4 percent to close at 2,459 from 2,559 points on Wednesday, with shares falling sharply across the board.

Earlier, DSE recorded the worst single day fall of 133 points on January 11, 2005 while the benchmark index at yesterday's level was recorded at 2,455 points on August 29, 2007. Of the total 238 issues traded on the day, 231 issues suffered losses while only five registered gains and two remained unchanged.

Stockbrokers, merchant bankers and investors attributed the World Bank's projection on the economic growth as adding to the existing reasons, including uncertainty over election and global recession, apparently telling upon the investors' patience.

Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam and Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed have, however, brushed aside the World Bank forecast saying that they expect a growth close to the official target of 6.5 percent despite global recession.

Talking over telephone, DSE CEO Dr Salahuddin Ahmed told UNB that he was informed that the brokers, merchant bankers and investors blamed the World Bank projection for the negative impact on the capital market.

"I don't see any justification for the GDP growth to drop to that level," he said, adding that figures from Bangladesh Bank on major indicators do not indicate anything alarming. The DSE chief executive said the remittance, exports and agriculture have been performing well despite the global financial turmoil. "By no means, I can agree with the World Bank projection."

A stock market operator, requesting anonymity, smells rat in the World Bank projection as the country's economic growth estimate was prepared by Indian national Vinaya Swaroop, who is the lead economist at the World Bank's Dhaka office.

"An Indian national will not want to see foreign investment coming to Bangladesh where the economy remained stable despite the global turmoil," he said.

An asset manager, however, said that the worst slump in the capital market was nothing but an outburst of the investors, who were gradually losing confidence on the market due to different reasons that emerged one after another.

"One of the main reasons for such fall may be attributed to excessive dependence on credit," he added.

At the close of the day's trading, the All Shares Price Index (DSI) fell 82 points or about 4 percent to 2,035 from 2,117 points on Wednesday while the DSE-20 index of selective shares dropped 73 points or over 3 percent to 2,101 from 2,174 points. The day's total turnover, however, increased to Tk 2.62 billion from Tk 1.80 billion on Wednesday while market capitalization declined to Tk 948 billion from Tk 976 billion.

Shinepukur Ceramics, Beximco Pharma, Uttara Bank, Titas Gas, Beximco, ACI Limited, Square Pharma, GRAMEENS2, Brac Bank and AB Bank were the day's turnover leaders in terms of value.

The day's volume leaders were Shinepukur Ceramics, AIMS 1st Mutual Fund, Beximco Pharma, Beximco Textiles, GRAMEENS2, Beximco, Keya Cosmetics, Golden Son, BD Com and Agni Systems Limited.

Top gainers of the day were Shinepukur Ceramics, Kohinoor, Amam Sea Food, Renwick and Northern Insurance.

Shyampur Sugar and AMCL (PRAN) were the top two losers of the day each incurring about 15 percent losses, followed by Beximco, Agni Systems Limited, Zeal Bangla, Kay & Que, Prime Finance, East Land Insurance, Golden Son and BD Com.

EU happy over election preparation, reiterates lifting of emergency

Staff Reporter

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar ahmed Chowdhury said the state of emergency will be lifted well ahead of December 29 general elections and it would be announced soon.

Talking to reporters after a meeting with the chief of EU election observation mission, Alexander Graf Lamsdroff, at the Foreign Ministry, he hoped that a good election would be held with cooperation from all sides.

The Adviser welcomed the EU election observation mission to monitor the elections, saying that Bangladesh would return to its political tradition characterized by democracy, pluralism and liberalism. Asked about the lifting of emergency rules, Iftekhar said the matter was discussed with Lamsdroff. "It will be lifted well ahead of the elections…a precise date of lifting (emergency) will be known soon."

He compared the caretaker government with a river and said that as a river ends up in ocean, the caretaker government is taking all towards the ocean of elections.

The EU Election Observers Mission expressed satisfaction over the election preparations but reiterated their call for lifting emergency ahead of the Dec 29 polls.

A six-member delegation of the EU mission led by its chief Alexander Lambsdorff also called on Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda at his office and discussed matters of the upcoming polls in Bangladesh.

Lambsdorff, after meeting with Dr Iftekhar, said, "I congratulate the caretaker government on the preparations taken so far for the polls."

He hoped that the upcoming general elections would be held in a "peaceful" manner.

On the state of emergency, he said: "Generally speaking it is desirable that the state of emergency be lifted before the elections but I will talk to everyone involved and give a final assessment tomorrow (Friday)."

Lambsdorff is scheduled to hold a press conference today on the findings so far of the EU polls observation mission in Bangladesh.

Iftekhar Chowdhury told journalists that he had been in discussions and correspondence with his EU counterpart, external affairs commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, for some months now about sending an observer mission from the EU.

"I am glad that that this has finally happened," he said.

The government and the EU were in disagreement over dispatch of the observation mission as the EU has never sent any mission to observe the polls held under emergency, and the government did not make it clear whether the year-end polls would take place under the state of emergency.

The EU urged the government to either lift or relax the emergency to ensure restoration of civil and political rights if it wanted to see a EU election observer mission here.

The government relaxed the emergency and has shown signs that it, at one stage, may be fully lifted for the election.

EC Head of the Delegation Dr Stefan Frowein was present in the meeting with Dr Iftekhar.

Polls momentum will foil conspiracy

Staff reporter

Former adviser to the caretaker government Prof Wahiuddin Mahmud said yesterday that creation of election momentum through the participation of all political parties will frustrate any conspiracy or blueprint both at home and abroad against the national election slated for December 29.

He,therefore, made a fervent appeal to all political parties to participate in the upcoming parliamentary polls to nip the conspiracy to foil election in the bud. Otherwise, uncertainty will befall the nation, he warned.

Wahiuddin was speaking at the concluding function of a seminar on " Global Financial Crisis and its impact on Bangladesh" at the North South University Campus.It was jointly organized by the World Bank and NSU.

He said that the national election on December 29 has created a favourable environment for the restoration of democracy in the country. Establishment of government with the vote of the people will set up a good example of replacing the army backed government without any movement, he noted.

He further said that only election will pave the way for the promotion of multi-party democracy. The situation that will be created without the election will only push the country on the edge of great crisis, he maintained.

He attributed the food and energy crisis to the weakness of the leadership.

The function was presided over by NSU Vice-Chancellor Dr Hafiz GA Siddiqui.

Senior economist of the World Bank presented the keynote paper.

Huda granted bail in extortion case

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court yesterday granted bail for two months to former communication minister Barrister Nazmul Huda, who was convicted in an extortion case, pending his appeal against the trial court conviction.

A division bench comprising Justice M Arayesuddin and Justice M Abu Tariq passed the interim order.

On August 27 last year, a special court set up at the parliament building complex that deals with high-profile corruption cases sentenced Huda to seven years rigorous imprisonment, while his wife Sigma Huda to three years simple imprisonment in a Tk 2.40 crore extortion case.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) deputy director Shafiqul Islam filed the case against the couple with Dhanmondi police station on March 21 last year for taking Tk 2.40 crore in bribe from Mir Zahir Hossain, owner of Mir Akter Hossain Ltd., a construction firm.

The Army-led joint forces arrested Huda from his Dhanmondi residence on February 4 last year on charges of corruption.

South Africa take the upper hand

Sports Reporter

South Africa took the upper hand when the Proteas piled up 357 for the loss of five wickets in the first innings against the touring Bangladesh on the second day of the second Test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion of South Africa on Thursday.

Earlier, Bangladesh scored 250 in the first innings on the first day.

A Prince remained undefeated with 115 off 160 balls. He struck 16 fours and one six.

M Boucher, the other batsman, who shone with the willow making 102 (not out) off 162 balls. He sent the ball 14 times through the ropes.

Shakib Al Hasan was the day's most successful bowler, who bagged three wickets in the space of 77 runs.

BNP silent over seat sharing with allies

Talha Bin Habib

As the date for submission of the nomination papers is going to end on Sunday, the BNP led four-party alliance is yet to settle seats sharing among allies since the formal discussion between BNP and other partners are yet to start.

Leaders of the components of the alliance said so far BNP did not take any initiative for discussion with them despite sending the lists of their intending candidates for contesting the polls.

Besides, they are still uncertain how many seats they are suppose to get from BNP for contesting the forthcoming parliamentary elections on December 29.

"We expect to sit with BNP soon for settling the seat sharing issue among ourselves," said a leader of the alliance.

He said that it would be excellent if BNP allocates at least 50 seats to Bangladesh Jamaat-e- Islami, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), Islami Oikkya Jote (IOJ) and Khelafat Majlis.

Earlier after finishing two days of nomination form distribution that ended on Tuesday, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has decided to allocate about 37 seats to the partners of the four-party alliance, sources in the party said. "BNP has decided not to sale party nomination forms for 37 seats out of 300 constituencies which are likely to be given to our component partners of the alliance," said an influential leader of the party.

He said that initially the party has decided to allocate about 37 seats to the partners of the alliance.

Earlier BNP sold 3,186 party nomination forms to the aspiring candidates of 263 constituencies.

Jamaat was given 35 seats for contesting in the last year stalled parliamentary election.

"This year our grassroots level position and public support are better than in the last year and we are going to ask BNP to allocate more seats than the previous year's number," said an influential leader of Jamaat on condition of anonymity.

On the issue of possible seats sharing Barrister Andaliv Hossain, Chairman of BJP told the New Nation yesterday they are expecting discussion between BNP and his party today or tomorrow.

Asked whether they did get any formal invitation from BNP for discussion he said, 'not yet'.

On the seat bargaining with BNP he said, " Primarily we would bargain for at least 12 to 14" seats".

When asked if their demand for seats is not realised he said, " We are expecting to get 4 to 5 seats from BNP".

The Secretary General of IOJ Moulana Abdul Latif Nezami yesterday told the New Nation that they have handed over their list of party's intending candidates to BNP.

About the possible seat sharing of IOJ and BNP he said we desire to get at least 13 seats from BNP.

"We are going to seek 13 seats from BNP as we have all possibilities to emerge with flying colours in those constituencies in the polls," he added.

Aziz appointed cabinet secretary

Aziz

UNB, Dhaka

Agriculture secretary Abdul Aziz was Thursday appointed cabinet secretary.

He succeeded Ali Imam Mujumder, who is going on retirement from government service on November 30.

The newly appointed cabinet secretary was expected to take charge of his office at 4pm on Thursday.

'Reserve job quota for disabled women’ urged

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a discussion in the city yesterday urged the government to reserve quota and implement it in every private and public sector for the women with disabilities.

They demanded for taking initiative to ensure their easier accessibility in all public places and transports. National statistics should be maintained and a new act should be enacted for their empowerment, they added.

This consultation came out at a discussion on 'Women with Disabilities Rights Implementation' organised by Bangladesh Protibandhi Kalyan Samity (BPKS) with the assistance of European commission at the National Press Club in the city.

Speakers said, "the girl-child with disabilities is considered as a 'curse' of the families. Parents try to hide the child and do not like to send them to schools."

They also said national movement is needed to change our mind set about the disabled child and woman.

Addressing as a chief guest, AHM Rezaul Karim, Secretary of Environment and Forest ministry said, the work force of the women with disabilities should be integrated with the mainstream force by taking proper initiatives.

Ashrafunnahar Mishty, coordinator of BPKS presented the keynote paper, while Abdus sattar, Executive Director of BPKS moderated the dialogue.

Mishty in her presentation said special arrangements should be kept for the empowerment of the women with disabilities in all spheres of life. The disabled women are also deprived of sports or any kind of recreation, she added.

Separation of judiciary proves vital for its independence

Staff Reporter

Justice of Appellate Division of the Supreme Court Mohammad Joynal Abedin yesterday said implementation of the verdict in Masder Hossain case on separation of judiciary from the executive is playing a vital role for the independence of the judiciary.

The verdict is important for the independence of the judiciary though it is repeatedly mentioned in the Constitution. Justice Joynal Abedin said this while addressing a seminar on “Anniversary of Independence of Judiciary: Expectations and Achievements” at the Supreme Court Bar Association auditorium.

Justice Joynal Abedin referred to existence of the emergency rules in the country that suspended the fundamental rights of the people provided by the Constitution and said the government has promulgated different ordinances in line with the state of emergency and courts are holding trials on the basis of these rules.

He said it is difficult to evaluate achievements of the separation of judiciary in the present situation prevailing in the country.

“However, we have to work more to achieve our main objectives,” he observed.

Justice Joynal Abedin emphasised the need for establishing a separate judicial secretariat immediately to ensure dispensation of justice in courts, administrative monitoring, direction and control.

He also underlined the need for increasing salaries, remunerations and incentives of judges of the lower courts. “Otherwise, it will be difficult to attract meritorious, eligible, skilled and honest people to the judiciary,” he observed.

Presided over by Dr M Shamsul Haque, Vice Chancellor of Northern University (NU), the seminar was also addressed, among others, by Barrister Shafiq Ahmed, president of Supreme Court Bar Association and Barrister Amirul Islam, former president of SCBA. Barrister Ashrauzzaman, a teacher of Department of Law of the NU presented the keynote paper.

Barrister Shafiq Ahmed alleged though some works related to the lower courts like the promotion, transfer have been entrusted with the Supreme Court, there is still the hand of executive branch in this affair.

Barrister Amirul Islam alleged verdict in the Masder Hossain case has been distorted by the duel role of the government.