Vol. 5 Num 321 Fri. April 22, 2005       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Point-counterpoint Metropolitan Culture General Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Urban World Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives Today's Index Front Page Chargesheet contents curiously identical Nearly identical contents in the chargesheets in the two Habiganj carnage cases and the report of a high-powered government investigation team have put into question the integrity of the investigators   Tata eyes to wrap up negotiations by Aug India's industrial giant Tata Group is eyeing to wrap up negotiations on its investment plans with Bangladesh government by August 31 and go for groundbreaking of the projects in November this year.   Workers return without pay Hundreds of jobless employees and relatives of the victims who died in the collapse of Spectrum Sweaters Industries Ltd in Savar thronged the factory premises yesterday, hoping to draw desperately needed   Radicals-run bodies fetch Tk 12 billion a year Organisations in the country run by Muslim fundamentalists make a yearly net profit of around Tk 12 billion, said a leading economist yesterday based on a heuristic study.   3 hurt in BSF shooting At least three persons were injured as Border Security Force (BSF) opened indiscriminate fire on the border last night.   24 killed as trains collide in India A crowded passenger train departing from a pilgrimage site in western India slammed into a parked cargo train yesterday, throwing cars off the tracks and killing at least 24 people, officials said.   Bigots claim Ahmadiyyas attacked themselves International Khatme Nabuwat Movement, Bangladesh (IKNMB) yesterday denied its involvement in Sunday's attacks on Ahmadiyyas in Satkhira that wounded 50, and blamed the Ahmadiyyas for the incidents.   6 harbours on major river routes sought Lack of harbour facilities on major river routes makes several hundred passenger launches plying every day between Dhaka and southern districts vulnerable to disasters in monsoon storms and tornadoes,   Tight security for CCC polls A high-level meeting at the Election Commission (EC) yesterday chalked out stringent security measures to make the May 9 Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) polls free from any kinds of intimidation and   Port worker killed in police firing One labourer was shot to death and at least 25 others including three cops were injured in a clash between police and labourers in Chittagong yesterday.   2 'extortionists' burnt to death A mob yesterday burnt two alleged extortionists to death after pouring petrol on them in Matuail in Demra.   Talks with Nepal end with target to boost trade The two-day commerce secretary-level trade talks between Bangladesh and Nepal yesterday ended in the capital with both sides agreeing to take measures to boost bilateral trade.   327 promoted as dy secys The government yesterday promoted 314 senior assistant secretaries from different cadres of the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) and 13 circle officers from non-BCS cadres to the post of deputy secretary.   Govt gives go-ahead to tri-nation gas pipeline The government has given the go-ahead to the proposed tri-nation gas pipeline from Myanmar to India through Bangladesh, competent sources said.   Families stand to get far less in damages Families of the workers killed in the garment factory collapse at Palashbari in Savar may get less than they deserve in damages because the case has been filed under the Workmen Compensation Act 1923.   2 women with 120 dead chickens held Two women with 120 dead chickens were arrested here yesterday. The arrestees are Halima, 30, and Kamala, 20.   Miladunnabi today Eid-e-Miladunnabi, the birth and death anniversaries of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SM), will be observed across the country as elsewhere in the Muslim world today.   Rejoinder In a rejoinder, Social Marketing Company (SMC) opposed the news item published in The Daily Star on April 10 under the headline, "558 acres of forest land illegally occupied," in which SMC was cited as   Hundreds gather for trial of Kibria killers Hundreds of people yesterday stood in a line between city's Gulshan-1 Crossing and Mohakhali to demand trial of the killers of former finance minister and Awami League leader Shah AMS Kibria.   Fishermen may be sent to Fiji The government mulls over allowing Bangladesh nationals to go to the pacific island state of Fiji for fishing-related work.   Charges framed against Jubo Dal leader Kajal, 8 others A Dhaka court yesterday framed charges against Jubo Dal leader Rafiqul Islam Kajal and eight others in the sensational triple murder case of an Old Dhaka businessman, his son and their chauffeur in March   'Criminal' killed in 'crossfire' A criminal was killed in a police 'crossfire' at Tejgaon and five men were bullet-hit in three separate incidents in the capital yesterday.   Case against Mirza Abbas, 16 BNP men withdrawn The government yesterday withdrew a criminal case against Housing and Public Works Minister Mirza Abbas and 16 others for ransacking buses, throwing brickbats on policemen and creating obstruction totheir Business Trade deficit widens further Bangladesh's trade deficit widened further in the first seven months of the current fiscal year due to heavy import burden, putting pressure on current account balance.   ICC-B sees economic slowdown in 2005 International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)- Bangladesh has said the prevailing situation is indicative of an economic slowdown in the country during 2005.   Duty cut on handsets seen key to cellphone industry growth Slashing import duty on mobile phone sets is more important than reducing call charges for rapid growth of Bangladesh's cellphone industry, Erik Aas, managing director of GrameenPhone, said yesterday.   Regional integration push to ease Asian poverty The Asian Development Bank said Wednesday promoting regional economic integration, its new priority, will reduce the gap in economic development and incomes in Asia fits with its mandate for reducingpoverty.   Chinese textile exports to EU soar 50pc in first quarter Chinese textile exports to the European Union rose "only" 50 percent in the first three months of the year, Premier Wen Jiabao said Thursday as the EU mulls whether to put the brakes on imports.   Bangladesh envoy to US calls on WB vice president Bangladesh Ambassador to United States Shamsher M Chowdhury made a courtesy call on World Bank Vice President for South Asian Region Praful C Patel at the latter's office here on Wednesday.   Agrani Bank to get $50m working capital from Dutch firm FMO, a Dutch development finance institution, will extend US$ 50 million working capital facility to Agrani Bank.   Indian cabinet approves $500m foreign investment India's cabinet Wednesday approved a proposal by Dubai-based firm M.R. Properties to invest 500 million dollars to set up a modern township in a joint venture, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said.   BRAC, Novartis sign MoU to provide free healthcare service BRAC will extend healthcare facilities to the ultra-poor of the country for the second consecutive year with the medicines and other supports provided by Novartis (Bangladesh) Ltd, a global pharmaceutical   Japan's exports pick up Japan's March trade figures Thursday showed a marked pick-up in exports after recent slow growth, suggesting that the economy does indeed look set to do better later in the year.   Asia's forex reserves growth slows Growth in Asia's foreign reserves slowed in March as talk of faster US interest rate rises lured speculators back to US assets, reducing pressure on Asian central banks to buy dollars to hold down their   Bush signs bankruptcy law US President George W. Bush on Wednesday signed into law a measure that makes it tougher for Americans to get out of debt by filing for personal bankruptcy. Sports Cricket: Rahim from nowhere Mushfiqur Rahim was an inclusion out of the blue in the England bound Bangladesh squad which was announced here on Thursday.   Football: Mohammedan, Abahani begin unimpressively Mohammedan and Abahani got off to winning starts on the opening day of the Tibet 20th Federation Cup final round yesterday.   Cricket: Even going on Day 1 Half-centuries by Monirul Islam and Sakibul Hassan helped hosts Khulna recover from an early collapse against first-class champions Dhaka on the opening day of the tenth and final round match of the Ispahani   Cricket: Ponting's bat causes all the concern The MCC want to ban Australian captain Ricky Ponting's revolutionary cricket bat ahead of this year's Ashes series in England, reports said here Thursday.   Football: Inter do Milan a favour Juventus' Serie A title hopes suffered a setback on Wednesday after they lost 1-0 at home to third-placed Inter Milan and championship rivals AC Milan won by the same score against relegation-threatened   Football: Bayern stay in double hunt Bayern Munich remain on course for a league and cup double after booking their place in the German Cup final with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Arminia Bielefeld on Wednesday.   Football: Chelsea can afford it Chelsea inched closer to the Premiership trophy with a goalless draw against second-placed Arsenal here at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.   THE PICTURE SAYS IT ALL...   Football: BD getting 76,000 euros from FIFA Asian football infrastructure devastated by the tsunamis on December 26 last year will be improved by a 5.8-million-euro pay-out from the sport's world governing body, FIFA said in a statement on Wednesday.   Cricket: U-19 cricketers keep winning Bangladesh Under-19 cricket team continued their impressive run on the tour of Australia when they picked their sixth consecutive win yesterday defeating Queensland's QAS Regional Squad by five wickets.   Cricket: North clinch U-17 title An explosive 36 off 19 balls by last man Emon Ahmed helped North Zone lift the Under-17 title of the Standard Chartered Young Tigers School Cricket Tournament yesterday.   Athletics: Nepal sweep Pepsi beach v'ball titles True there is no sea beach in Nepal, but the men and women's teams from the Himalayan kingdom won both the titles of the Pepsi Beach Volleyball Tournament in Bangladesh's sea resort town of Cox's Bazar   Football: Football most injurious sport Football players are far likelier to suffer injuries than other athletes, according to research published on Wednesday in a British journal, Archives of Disease in Childhood.   Football: Rooney to sue Sun Wayne Rooney is to the sue The Sun, Britain's biggest-selling daily newspaper, over a story the tabloid ran claiming the Manchester United and England striker slapped his girlfriend, Coleen McLoughlin.   Badmintorn: Sunnydale h'ball Sunnydale, BAF Shaheen School, Ansar and VDP and Banani Vidyaniketan moved into the semifinals of the Sunnydale 3rd mini handball tournament winning their respective matches yesterday.   Football: Figo return possible Real Madrid's Portuguese midfielder Luis Figo could return to the national side, he announced on Wednesday.   Cricket: Ex-captains want BNS for cricket Six former national cricket captains joined the campaign to bring cricket back to the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS). Metropolitan Carry out responsibilities rising above party interest Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday called upon the employees of all sectors to carry out their responsibilities sincerely for the national interest rising above personal and party interest.   7 killed in road accidents Six women and a child were killed in separate road accidents in Savar, Dhaka and Brahmanbaria in the last two days.   Reforms CG, EC to ensure voting rights: Hasina Reiterating her demand to ensure accountability of the Caretaker Government and the Election Commission by bringing reforms, opposition leader in Parliament Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her party wants   Asma Kibria demands FBI probe again Asma Kibria, wife of slain lawmaker SAMS Kibria, demanded FBI and other international organisations' probe into Kibria killing as the chargesheet in the case filed under explosives act 'hints at al Qaeda's   'Women's participation in decision making still absent' Speakers at a meeting yesterday said despite women's empowerment in many spheres, their participation in the decision making process is still absent.   'Make learning process of children interesting' Surf Excel Protibhar Lorai, a competition for schoolchildren, was launched yesterday to help children explore their potential and encourage creative thinking and practical innovation.   Public security stays Rab's main task The outgoing director-general (DG) of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) yesterday said the force's main task remains ensuring public security, no matter what the rights activists say.   Impartial investigation demanded The Sramik Nirapatta Forum (SNF) yesterday demanded an impartial and independent investigation into the collapse of the Spectrum sweaters factory building at Savar, and stern punishment to the persons   CAG submits audit reports to president Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh Asif Ali yesterday submitted a set of audit reports to President Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban here yesterday.   Students submit memo to DU VC The students of Arabic department of Dhaka University (DU) submitted a memorandum to Vice-Chancellor Prof SMA Faiz yesterday demanding that the probe report on question paper leakage be made public.   Sarwar made envoy to Vietnam Sarwar Hossain Mollah has been appointed ambassador of Bangladesh to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, a Foreign Ministry announcement said here yesterday.   Prof Kafiluddin calls on PM Professor Emeritus Dr Kafiluddin called on Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at her office here yesterday. Point-Counterpoint Celebrating the Prophet's (pbuh) birthday When the holy lunar month of Rabi-Al-Awal knocks at the door we remember of the birthday anniversary of the greatest of all men of all times, our dear holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him)for Culture Kanakchapa and her musical journey I've always been a devotee of "pure music", gleams Kanakchapa.   Chandalika The discrimination in caste, race, class and gender have often torn the fabric of society into pieces. People from the so-called lower caste or races are often marginalised.   The mirror magic Mirror-mirror on the wall Show me what you see If you really reflect it all Show every piece of me --Leslie Callejas From time immemorial, the mirror has been an indispensable   Indo Bangladesh Kala Music Awards 2005 ATN Bangla is all set to hold the Indo Bangladesh Kala Music Awards for the second time in the United States, says a press release.   Theme songs: A new trend in our TV serials Abdullah Al Mamun: As far as I can remember, I had introduced the idea of theme song in my serial Shirshobindu in the late 90s. General Water is a question of life and death for Bangladesh Water Resources Minister Major (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed on Wednesday told the United Nations that "As a lower riparian country, water is a question of life and death for Bangladesh.   Govt has made country safe haven for fundamentalists Speakers at a rally yesterday said the BNP-led alliance government has made the country a safe haven for the fundamentalists.   Political parties urged to include agenda on environment Experts yesterday called on the government to 'mainstream environment in the national budget' of 2005-2006 fiscal to create a healthy environment for children who are susceptible to environment pollution.   NBCP leader killed in West Bengal West Bengal police on Tuesday recovered the body of a top leader of outlawed New Biplobi Communist Party (NBCP).   Satkhira admn denies attack on Ahmadiyyas The district administration of Satkhira yesterday denied that there had been any incident of attack on the Ahmadiyyas at Shyamnagar as published in a section of national and other newspapers on Wednesday.   BSMMU signs MoU with Japanese varsity A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and Hamamatsu University School of Medicine (HUSM), Japan has been signed for academic exchange and co-operation.   Garments worker killed in road accident A female garments worker was killed when a speedy truck ran over her in the AK Khan Gate area under Pahartali thana here yesterday morning.   'Govt decision will defile Madrasa edn' The government decision to preserve 30 percent of the teachers' quota for women will 'defile' the attributes of Madrasa education, said the leaders of Bangladesh Jamiat-E-Talaba-E-Arabia at a convention Editorial Editorial: A great day to observe Eid-e-Miladunnabi is a day of monumental significance in the Islamic calendar, mark as it does, the birth and death anniversaries of the Prophet of Islam Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).   Editorial: Height of corruption Citizens are paying an astronomical amount of Tk 6,796 crore a year in bribes to 25 service sectors.   Getting down to fundamentals In my last column I wrote that the only political parties in Bangladesh who seem to have any kind of vision for the future are the fundamentalist ones.   Believe to fight, fight to believe Truth is stranger than fiction, but two are often mixed up in the frenzy of feisty zealots, who transcend reality by a leap of faith.   Whither solidarity? We Bangladeshi's have historically proved that at times of national crises and natural and calamities, we are able to stick together and help each other, regardless of religion, class, status or gender. Letters to Editor Distortion of Bangla Bangla band music was never given much appreciation since its emergence in the music arena of Bangladesh as some classical music artists, connoisseurs, intelligentsia termed the trend as a violent assault   WASA, keep up the good work Finally, the Water and Sewerage Authority has taken up the formidable task of renovating its age-old worn out drainage system which has hitherto been clogged with dirt and rubbish or had dried out due   Sound and sensibility In our daily life we have to spend a significant amount of time in roads. There is a great and unfortunately intangible terror on the roads. This terror is sound, noise.   Occasional patriots! The month of independence has come and gone.   Wail of a widow I read the write-up "The burden of my memories" of Asma Kibria ,the widow of former finance minister SAMS Kibria published in The Daily Star on April 10.   Minority issue Sometimes I see in the papers that minorities are suffering. They are being tortured by the members of the 'Majority' community! So it is.   Wild West situation A 'Wild West' situation is prevailing in the country. The city of Dhaka and the whole country has become very chaotic. Since early morning the roads are crammed with big and mega-sized vehicles.   Building collapse at Savar To me and to everyone this is really a great tragedy. It seems the government is not careful or duly concerned about these wobbly buildings.   Savar tragedy and Pahela Baishakh I am really saddened at the gusto of celebration of Pahela Baishakh in Dhaka. How can we be so insensitive? As a nation, it is time to think deeply of our priorities.   Pahela Baishakh or Pohela Boishakh? I could never figure out why we choose to use the letter "a" when we write things like "Pahela Baishakh" and "Rabindranath Tagore".   Refreshing tea Tea as a hot drink was unknown in our country until the Ispahanis promoted this natural coloured and flavored hot drink in the early twentieth century.   Be smart, by being yourself! I am not sure I understand the connection between being smart and speaking English with correct pronunciation.   Arms race in the region This is in response to Mr. O H Kabir's letter on arms race in the subcontinent. I strongly disagree with Mr. Kabir's opinion/suggestion to upgrade the Bangladesh Air force with F-16 aircraft .   Obsession with westernisation It is curious to see the feeble arguments presented by Naeem Mohaiemen, "Obsession with tradition", DS, 30 March .   "RAB or ROB" Thanks to Mr. Rahman for his opinion (DS: April 11). Urban Chittagong should act now In Part I of this two-part article on Urban Mass Transportation for Chittagong that appeared on 8 April 2005 on this page, the discussion was on the relevant zoning, land-use pattern, development ofrailway   Urban Mass Transportation for Chittagong II Present Scenario of Rail Tracks: (Map 6) Numbers prefixing a route designated in letters is not official but only for convenience of identification in the map. World South Asia: FM defends king's power-grab Nepal's foreign minister defended yesterday King Gyanendra's decision to seize power on the eve of an international summit in Jakarta where the monarch aims to drum up support for his rule.   South Asia: Kashmir passengers cross de facto border defying rebel threats Bus passengers from the Indian and Pakistani-zones of Kashmir yesterday defied Islamic militant threats and crossed the heavily-militarised ceasefire line for the second time in almost 60 years.   South Asia: Asia-African FMs endorse strategic partnership Foreign ministers from more than 80 Asian and African nations have endorsed a draft declaration aimed at reviving a partnership between the two continents that began 50 years ago.   South Asia: Two Taliban leaders surrender to govt Two senior members of Afghani-stan's former Taliban regime surrendered to the government on Thursday under an amnesty offer, a provincial governor said.   South Asia: UN's rights body calls for restoring democracy The UN's top human rights body on Wednesday called on the Nepalese government to restore multi-party democracy and to cease all arrests under the state of emergency declared by King Gyanendra.   Ecuador Congress sacks president Former President Lucio Gutierrez sought asylum in Brazil's embassy after being removed from office by Congress amid street protests calling for his ouster for abuse of power and misrule.   Nato signs military accord with Russia Nato signed a landmark military accord with Russia yesterday, highlighting progress in strengthening relations with its former Cold War foe at an unprecedented meeting held in a former Soviet republic.   9 killed as helicopter shot down in Iraq A Russian-built Bulgarian commercial helicopter was shot down north of Baghdad yesterday and all nine people aboard were killed, US military sources said.   Muslim-Americans sue govt for racial profiling Five Muslim-Americans sued the US Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday alleging racial profiling when they were detained and fingerprinted by border agents after returning from a religious conference.   Talks start as Berlusconi sweats on new govt Italy's president began a round of crisis talks between the country's leading political figures yesterday aimed at averting early elections after the resignation of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.   32 Vietnamese war veterans die in bus accident Thirty-two Vietnamese veterans of the Vietnam War died in a bus accident yesterday while on their way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the victory over US-backed South Vietnamese forces, police said.   © thedailystar.net, 2005. 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