The New Nation - Internet Edition

$1.5 b Padma Bridge to be completed by 2014

Staff Reporter

The government had planned to construct a $1.5 billion bridge over the river Padma to connect the southwest of the country with the capital Dhaka, Syed Abul Hossain Communications Minister yesterday said.

"We hope the construction work will start in 2011, and this government is determined to finish the same in the next three years," said the minister.

Attending a meeting with bridge authority officials, the newly appointed minister sounded confident that the Awami League government would start and finish the construction.

"The prime minister has instructed me to complete appointment of a design consultant by this month," Hossain told reporters at Setu Bhaban.

Hossain said his ministry would float a tender for the construction work after the consultant had completed designs of the 5.58 km long bridge which would connect the southwest region with Dhaka.

"The gross domestic product of the southwest will increase by 2 percent if the bridge is constructed," he said.

The bridge over the Padma River, which will connect Mawa in Munshiganj with Jazira in the southwestern district of Madaripur, is also likely to contribute hugely to the functioning of Mongla port in Bagerhat district.

The country's second seaport in the southwest district fails to attract cargo ships owing to poor communications.

The bridge will also have a rail line that will ultimately be part of a proposed trans-Asian rail link, said the minister.

"We will engage consultants by this month and then will go ahead for tender process to select builders," Communication Minister told reporters after meeting ministry officials.

The decision to build the Padma Bridge follows the construction of a 5 km long bridge over the Jamuna River at Tangail in 1998. That bridge, 100 km north of Dhaka, connects the western region of the country with the capital.

International financial institutions including the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank will fund the construction. Bangladesh will provide some $200 million for the Padma Bridge, which will carry railway and gas transmission lines, officials said.

EC happy over holding polls in Noakhali-1 seat

Staff Reporter

The Election Commission yesterday expressed satisfaction over the holding of the deferred polls in Noakhali-1 parliamentary constituency in a free and fair manner, thereby completing the general election for the 300-seat parliament.

"There's been no vote rigging found till now in the Noakhali-1 election, which was held in a free and fair manner," Election Commissioner M Sohul Hussain told reporters in his office yesterday afternoon.

Voting for the seat was postponed following death of Ganotantri Party candidate Nurul Islam, who was trying to get backing of the 14-party alliance, but died in a mysterious home fire.

Awami League earlier nominated Golum Kuddus, general secretary of the Sommilito Sangskritik Jote to run for the constituency.

Golum Kuddus stepped back from the race after Nurul Islam's death and AL in the changed scenario nominated HM Ibrahim who suffered defeat amidst the broad image of his party after the landslide victory on December 29.

However, the business of the Election Commission will not ease very soon as it will have to organise a series of elections with few months ahead.

Commissioner Sohul Hussain yesterday said that by-elections to the vacated parliamentary seats would be gradually held after the commencement of the parliament session.

He said, a total of 45 members of parliament reserved for women would be elected in proportion to the political parties' parliamentary seats won in the general election. "This process will have to be completed within 90 days of publishing the gazettes," he added.

He said the parliament would be formed with 345 members of parliament but "there' no mandatory rule that the session would have to be held with the total members".

Sohul said, the Commission has already prepared draft guidelines in which process the election commissioners, including the chief election commissioner, would be appointed. "The draft book will be submitted to the new government for approval in this regard."

Sohul said the EC would think of holding election to Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) and the municipalities across the country after completing the upazila polls slated for January 22. "The Commission is yet to think of union parishad election."

He said, updating of the voter list will begin in March instead of February as the commission will have to remain busy over holding the polls.

Sohul said the voter list would be updated in March, April and May when the citizens of 18 years of age and the left-out adults would be included in the new voter list.

Runa, Sabina launch Jhilik’s debut album

Renowned artistes Runa Laila and Sabina Yasmin
jointly unveiled the cover of the solo album of Channel i
Sherakantha-'08 Jhilik (centre) yesterday. NN photo

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

Jhilik is the winner of the 1st Channel i Serakantha Award 2008. This was the first event in the country where artistes, musicians, music directors and lyricists attended and involved any part of the contest. The contest began with the slogan 'Gane… awaz tolo prane.' For the first time Runa Laila and Sabina Yasmin jointly attended the contest as two judges.

The debut solo album of Jhilik titled 'Amar Ki Dosh' has been released under the banner of Soundtek. The album launching ceremony was held at the Studio No 4 of Channel i Office at Tejgaon in the city yesterday.

Country's two music icon Runa Laila and Sabina Yasmin were present as main guests at the function. Sultan Mahmud Babul, Chairman of Soundtek, among others, were also present on the occasion.

Runa Laila and Sabina Yasmin congratulated Jhilik and prayed for her success in the long in the music industry.

Runa in her speech said, "During my early life there was very little scope to expose a singer in the media. But now situation has been changed. I hope Jhilik will continue her performance and will become an established artiste."

Sabina said "Jhilik is a talented artiste. After becoming best singer her first album has been released within very short time. It will encourage her to win the hearts of the music lovers."

The programme was aired on live on Channel i yesterday. During the album launching ceremony Jhilik rendered some tracks of her album.

Kabir Bakul, Marjuk Russell, Ahmed Rizvi, Prodip Saha, Shafiq Tuhin, Chanoikya Baroi, Shabnam and Mohammad Hossain Jemmy have written lyrics of the songs of the album. Subir Nandi, Emon Saha, SI Tutul, Shafique Tuhin, Monwar Hossain Tutul and Rajesh have composed music of the tracks.

There are 11 songs in the album. The title tracks are - 'Amar ki dosh,' 'Bhalobasar moto,' 'Ek chilte bhalobasa,' 'Kobitai,' 'Ekaki udashi prane,' 'Akasher pane,' 'Bondhi kore,' 'Tumi ki bojhona, 'Tumi ele,' 'Jhornar pani' and 'Amake Tumi.'

Now Jhilik has been studying in Class X at the Mohammadpur Preparatory High School in Dhaka. About 100,000 contestants from across the country participated in the contest 'Serakantha,' which had begun on March 8, 2008. As the winner of the 'Serakantha' Jhilik got Tk 10 lakh. She clinched the title by winning the hearts of thousands of fans who voted her to be the crown winner.

Hillary promises 'Smart Power’

AFP, Washington

Hillary Clinton will Tuesday put diplomacy at the forefront of US foreign policy and stress "smart power" in her bid for confirmation as president-elect Barack Obama's secretary of state, aides said.

When she goes before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, an aide said, the New York senator will also promise a renewal of American leadership-perceived to have declined with US troops bogged down in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"She will reiterate that she and the president-elect believe that America must be smarter to be stronger," an official on the Obama transition team said on the condition of anonymity.

"Senator Clinton believes in "smart power"-using all the tools of foreign policy that are at our disposal.

"She also believes, as does the president-elect, that diplomacy must be at the forefront of US foreign policy, and that it must be balanced with military power in ways that work for the 21st century."

The official did not elaborate. Clinton will also make a forceful case for increasing State Department resources to help US diplomats pursue Obama's pledge for aggressive diplomacy, an official said.

Clinton will likely face questions about the Obama administration stance on the Israeli war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and the promised closure of the Guantanamo Bay "war on terror" camp in Cuba.

She will also come ready to answer queries on Obama's vow to pull US troops out of Iraq, the Iranian nuclear showdown and future US relations with Russia.

Transition officials refused to comment on reports Monday that Obama would issue an executive order in the first week of his presidency, which begins on January 20, clearing the way for the closure of Guantanamo Bay.

Clinton may face some embarrassing questions about Bill Clinton, her husband and former president.

The Clinton Foundation-which fights disease, poverty and climate change-received between 75 million and 165 million dollars from foreign governments and organizations financed by Middle East and other governments.

Some lawmakers may consider these donations as a potential conflict of interest for her duties as chief US diplomat.

The former US first lady also could be questioned about her relationship with Obama, her former fierce rival for the Democratic presidential nomination,

During the primaries, Clinton, 61, accused Obama 47, of being too inexperienced to become president, saying he would not be ready to handle a telephone call about some foreign crisis at three in the morning.

However, Carol Lancester, a former Clinton advisor now at Georgetown University, said Clinton has long tried to "mitigate" personal questions by meeting separately with all the commitee members in the last few weeks.

"She is an extremely disciplined person. I am sure she has prepared carefully," Lancaster said.

On Tuesday she will likely appear in perfect harmony with her former adversary, especially on topics that divided them in the past, such as relations with Iran.

Dalit wants to improvement of their lot

Staff reporter

Speakers at a press conference urged the government to take initiative giving most priority to Dalits as they are most oppressed in the society.

Dalits, the excluded community, demanded their share of the national economy of the country to change their fate.

Bangladesh Dalit and Excluded Rights Movement (BDERM) organised the conference at DRU in the capital. It organised the conference to highlight the 1st National Conference of Human Right, which is going to be held on January 16 on January 17 in Dhaka.

Babu Lal Sarder, President of BDERM, read out the keynote paper, while Zakir Hossain, Chief Executive Director of Nagorik Udyog, Moni Rani Das and Mukul Shikder, Members of the BDERM attended the programme.

Presenting the Keynote Babu Lal said though 55 lakhs of Dalits live in the country they have no representative in politics to make policy for them.

He added their life has been covered with a blanket of hatred and discrimination. Even the policy makers of the country did not think to change their life by demolishing discriminatory thoughts and prejudice.

Babu also said they have been facing many problems to lead their life in the society as they are the victim of oppression and discrimination to get any job or treatment from the hospital.

They urged the government to make them rehabilitated in the Khash-land, as they are landless.

Our children had been facing many problems as a Dalit child, the class mates used to avoid them, in many cases teachers did not pay proper attention to them, they said.

They also expressed their desire for strengthening their cultural traditions, which are the symbols of their community.

They hoped that their conference would be effective to make their bondage strong to achieve dalits' social and political freedom and rights.

BNP MPs-elect to take oath tomorrow

Staff Reporter

MPs-elect belonging to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will take oath on January 15 instead of January 14.

Speaker Barrister Jamir Uddin Sircar took the decision as the BNP sent a letter to requesting him to take the oath of its MPs-elect on the day.

"I have received a letter from BNP saying MPs-elect of the party wish to take their oath on at 4:00pm on Thursday (tomorrow)," the Speaker told reporters.

He said the schedule of oath taking has been shifted from Wednesday to Thursday because of their request.

The outgoing Speaker said the letter, signed by BNP vice-chairman and MP-elect MK Anwar, was forwarded to Secretary to the parliament secretariat for taking necessary measures.

Parliament Secretary Ashfaque Hamid said he has got the instruction from the Speaker for administration of oath tomorrow.

The outgoing speaker said BNP's newly-elected MP from Noakhali-1 constituency Mahbub Uddin Khokan would also be sworn in along with others.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jatiya Party, a component in the four-party alliance, yesterday sent a letter asking the Parliament Secretary to administer oath to its lone MP-elect Andaliv Rahman.

The Speaker said he would also administer oath to the BJP lawmaker-elect.

He further said he would administer oath to office whoever comes on the day.

Replying to a question, he brushed aside the possibility of going beyond constitutional authorities if he had administered oath to BNP MPs-elect He said he could still administer oath as per the constitution.

BNP programmes to observe Zia's birth anniversary

Staff Reporter

BNP has chalked out an elaborate weeklong programme from January 18 to observe the 73rd anniversary of birth of its founder president Shaheed Ziaur Rahman.

Marking the day a discussion meeting will be held on January 18 at the auditorium of Engineers Institute. Milad mahfil, art competition for children, blood donation and photo exhibition are also included in the programmes.

Floral wreaths will be placed and special prayer offered at the mazar of Ziaur Rahman on January 19.

BNP secretary general Khandker Delwar Hossain announced the programme after an extended meeting of the party.

Sarwari Rahman, ASM Hannan Shah, Selima Rahman, Amanullah Aman, MA Mannan, Fazlur Rahman Patal, Moazzem Hossain Alal, Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Azizul Bari Helal and Shirin Sultana, among others, attended the meeting.

Garment sector assured of all assistance

Staff reporter

Commerce Minister Lt Col (Retd) Faruque Khan has said Bangladesh government will do all possible for the development of garment sector to strongly compete in the international market as per the recommendations of business men even make law if necessary. He urged the garment owners too to come forward to find and solve its problems.

He yesterday said this at an inauguration ceremony of 8th International Apparel Technology Show 'Garmentech' from January 13 to 16 organised by Zak Trade Fairs & Exhibitions Pvt Ltd, India and Zakaria Trade & Fair International, Dhaka at the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre in the city.

FBCCI, BGMEA, BKMEA Presidents repectively Annisul Huq, Anwar-Ul Alam Chowdhury, Md Fazlul Hoque, President of Zakaria Group Md Zakaria Bhuiyan and Nandagpoal, CEO of Zak Trade Fairs & Exhibitions Pvt Ltd, among others, attended the function.

Mentioning "The fair is helpful to fulfill the 'Vision-2021", he urged the local businessmen to use latest machineries and exchange experience with foreign businessmen for more production and more profit means development of the country.

The minister asked all owners of the sectors to save environment from different wastages produced at the sectors for saving ourselves.

Anwar-Ul Alam urged the government to immediately setup a taskforce who would identify reasons of economic crisis at its recession period and provide recommendations.

Despite of a lot of challenges and national & international conspiracies, the sector survived in the past and still now not stopped, said Annisul Huq, adding "Now it is needed efficient entrepreneurs and competent & sufficient workers for better and strong completion in the world market in future.

US sanctions 13 tied to Pak scientist AQ Khan

bdnews24.com/Reuters, Washington

The US State Department said on Monday it had slapped sanctions on 13 individuals and three private companies because of their involvement in the nuclear-proliferation network associated with Pakistani scientist AQ Khan.

"We believe these sanctions will help prevent future proliferation-related activities by these private entities, provide a warning to other would-be proliferators," the department said in a statement.

The sanctions, which include financial restrictions, followed a multiyear U.S. government review of information regarding the network associated with A.Q. Khan, a nuclear scientist revered at home as the father of Pakistan's atom bomb who has been under house arrest since 2004.

The sanctioned entities provided an "extensive international network" for the proliferation of nuclear equipment and know-how that offered "one-stop" shopping for countries seeking to develop nuclear weapons, the State Department said.

Bush advice for Obama: Do what you think is right

AP, Washington

Do what you think is right. Avoid self-pity. And be ready for that one moment when it really hits you: Yes, you are the president. Words of advice, from President George W. Bush to President-elect Barack Obama.

In a remarkably candid and nostalgic goodbye news conference, Bush on Monday deferred to Obama on how to confront the challenges of the presidency. But in responding to reporters' questions, Bush did sketch out some guidance for the man who will replace him as president on Jan. 20.

Most sobering, Bush said the biggest threat Obama will face is another terrorist attack on the United States. The president repeatedly offered him support.

"I wish him all the best," Bush said. "And people say, 'Oh, you just, that's just a throwaway line.' No, it's not a throwaway line. The stakes are high. There is an enemy that still is out there. You know, people can maybe try to write that off as, you know, he's trying to set something up. I'm telling you there's an enemy that would like to attack America - Americans - again. There just is. That's the reality of the world."

Another bit of advice from Bush to Obama: Don't let the "loud voices" of harsh criticism deter you from pursuing what you think is best for the country.

"He'll get in the Oval Office and there will be a lot of people that are real critical and harsh, and he'll be disappointed at times by the tone of the rhetoric," Bush said of Obama. "And he's going to have to do what he thinks is right. And if you don't, then I don't see how you can live with yourself."

Sometimes, Bush said, Obama may have to make a decision that makes him uncomfortable. The president cited his own move to spend billions of taxpayer dollars to shore up the economy in an emergency, a move he said went against his own free-market philosophy.

But as for the burdens of the presidency? Overstated, Bush said. He said the Oval Office is no place for woe-is-me thinking.

"It's pathetic, isn't it, self-pity?" Bush said. "And I don't believe that President-elect Obama will be full of self-pity."

Yes, Obama should be ready for some people to disappoint him, Bush said. Some of them will even be "so-called friends," the president warned.

In perspective, though, those setbacks will only be a minor irritant; the job is simply too exciting and too profound, Bush said.

It won't take long for the enormity of it all to become clear to Obama, Bush said.

He guessed it would be after the inauguration, when Obama walks into the Oval Office for the first time as commander in chief.

"There will be a moment," Bush said, "when the responsibilities of the president land squarely on his shoulders."

Despite the pressures, Bush said he never felt that the presidency was a lonely place. He said he didn't think Obama will, either.

Govt to support ICT initiatives

Staff Reporter

State Minister for Science and ICT Yafes Osman hoped that the Government would continue to support the ICT initiatives in the coming days.

He expressed this while visiting ICT Incubator at BSRS Bhaban, Kawran Bazar yesterday.

State Minister appreciated the role of BASIS in the development of ICT in the country.

He said, "The present government has given highest priority to ICT sector and committed to transform the country into 'Digital Bangladesh' through development of ICT sector of the country."

Among others, BASIS President Habibullah N Karim, Vice President Shameem Ahsan, Executive Director of Bangladesh Computer Council Zabed Ali Sorker, BASIS Incubator Convener M A Mubin Khan, Secretary General Nahid Ahmed were present on the occasion.

I will be made president any time: Ershad

UNB, Kurigram

Still nurturing his ambition Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad yesterday said he would become the country's president anytime.

"My brother has become a minister. I'll become the president any day as it was promised by Sheikh Hasina," Ershad told a party meeting at Post office para. He advised the party men to have patience.

"I've proved myself as the most popular leader by returning to parliament from three constituencies, bagging the maximum number of votes," said the former Army Chief who ruled the nation with iron hand for nearly nine years.