Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Print Edition: February 09, 2014
Print Edition: February 09, 2014
www.dhakatribune.com
SECOND EDITION
A slum dweller looks on as others scavenge the remains after a devastating fire broke out at Jheelpar Slum of the capitals Modhubagh area yesterday morning
INSIDE
Business
B1 Bangladeshs RMG sector has stepped into making factories eco-friendly
Rebels, Jamaat leaders major hurdles BCB supports as BIG 3s ICC revamp gets approval for BNP in upazila polls
n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla
BNPs plans for making a strong comeback to the political scenario may suffer a huge blow if it fails to make sure that its rebel grassroots leaders and those backed by its ally Jamaat do not run against each other in the upcoming upazila parishad polls. The party is already finding it difficult to convince the Jamaat-e-Islami and the rebel BNP leaders to not run against the candidates that it has backed for the local body polls, due in about 10 days time. In a number of upazilas around the country, the build-up to the upazila polls have been marred by skirmishes among the supporters of the BNPbacked candidates, the rebel leaders and the Jamaat leaders. A number of central BNP leaders, seeking anonymity, have expressed anxiety over the rift that has recently developed between BNP and its key ally Jamaat-e-Islami surrounding upazila polls. In more than a dozen upazilas, the BNP-backed candidates are being challenged by both local Jamaat and rebel BNP leaders, in defiance of the alliance decision to ensure single runner for every upazila. In nearly half of the 98 upazilas, where the first phase elections will take place on February 19, rebel BNP candidates are challenging the party-backed aspirants. BNPs rebel candidates in many upazilas are already a problem for the party. In addition, the Jamaat aspirants in some places are really making things tough for us, a standing committee member of BNP told the Dhaka Tribune. However, BNP chairpersons adviser Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said these were only stray incidents and no big deals. Local leaders, along with the alliance leaders, are trying to sort out the problems and finalise single candidates, Khosru told the Dhaka Tribune. BNPs Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi echoed Khosru adding that a monitoring cell had already been formed to keep things under control.
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Op-Ed
11 We mix up wrongdoings with righteous causes. This practice continues with no end in sight. Our student politics is an issue in which we have invested a lot of effort, only without getting any proper solution. One short-cut solution has been floated time and again.
News
4 The prosecution in the August 21, 2004 grenade attack cases hoped to complete the trial soon as it got pace with the delivery of verdict in 10-truck arms haul cases in Chittagong. 5 Uzzal Sikder, a psychology student of Jagannath University, recently received an email saying that he won a huge sum of money from Western Union Money Transfer Lottery.
The ICC (International Cricket Council) approved extensive changes to its structure yesterday proposed by the Big Three BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), CA (Cricket Australia) and ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board). Eight of the 10 test nations, including Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) voted for proposals which have now put India, England and Australia in control of the global game and most of revenue. It was reported that only PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) and SLC (Sri Lanka) had partially countered the proposal by refraining to vote in the ICC board meeting held in Singapore. Bangladesh and South Africa had initially indicated to oppose the con-
troversial modifications but ultimately voted in favour. This allowed the big three obtain the eight votes which is extra ordinary majority that they needed to pass the special amendments. The approved revamp has cleared path for high-performing associate nations to gain Test status. The winner of the next ICC Intercontinental Cup will be entitled to take part in a play-off against the bottom-ranked full member and, if successful, obtain Test status. Thus, Bangladesh, the lowest Test ranked nation, may face the champions from the Intercontinental Cup if doesnt improve in future. But as the relegation is no more in place, the Tigers are safe even if they come across defeats in the play-offs.
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PDB set to build a 400MW plant at Bibiyana South with own fund
n Aminur Rahman Rasel
The Power Development Board has decided to construct the Bibiyana South, a 400MW gas-based combined cycle power plant project, in Habiganj with its own fund as a private company apparently failed to build a power plant there due to fund crunch. PDB Chairman Md Abduhu Ruhulla said: The land for construction of the power plant was acquired earlier and the private enterprise, Summit Group, failed to work on the project. So, we are thinking of constructing another plant on the land instead. Alongside the Bibiyana south, another plant named Bibiyana 3 with 399MW gas-based power plant will be built under the PDB. The PDBs Energy Development and Maintenance funds worth Tk1,800crore will be used for the Bibiyana South power plant. A power plant of this capacity requires at least Tk2500-Tk3000crore while every year nearly Tk700crore are deposited to the fund. The gas-based power plant project was planned considering the availability of gas. The PDB has already invited international tender for the new power plant project. The last date for tender submission is April 1. This time, the tenders will only be considered from internationally reputed firms or consortium. The eligible firms must have minimum Engineering, Procurement and Construction experiences of at least two combined cycle power plants, each having minimum 300MW capacity regarding engineering, supply, erection, installation, testing and commissioning on turnkey basis over the last 15 years. Those power plants should be in continuous commercial operation for minimum two years. The eligible company has to provide $3m in the form of an irrevocable and unconditional bank guarantee issued by any scheduled bank of Bangladesh or by a foreign bank duly endorsed by a scheduled bank in Bangladesh payable in favor of the secretary as tender security of PDB. The government had signed agreements with the Summit Power under the Independent Power Producer guideline in May 2011 to install three power plants - the gas-fired Bibiyana 1 and the 341MW Bibiyana 2 in Habiganj,
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DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
'A lot of money is required to contest an election. So, felicitate me with cash. It will be very useful for me. What is the use of this [crest]?'
I know people who are giving me crests and taking pictures will use those to take advantage in their areas. That is why I asked for money from them. The chief whip also blamed two newspapers for spreading propaganda and that they ran reports intentionally. Sources said after publishing report on the issue, Ferozs men had publicly threatened a reporter of harassing him physically and filing cases against him. But Feroz claimed that there was no question of harassing any journalist. But the journalists are frequently harassing me through their reports, he said. l
Thousands of visitors gather at the Dhaka International Trade Fair at the capitals Sher-e-Bangla Nagar yesterday as the one-month long fair ends tomorrow DHAKA TRIBUNE
1.29 lakh more students to sit for SSC this year; results on May 20
n Mushque Wadud
More than one lakh students will be taking the Secondary School Certificate examinations this year, compared to last year. The exams start today. A total of 1,29,554 more students will sit for the exams this year, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid said at a press briefing yesterday. Last year the total number of students were 13,03,203, and this year, a total of 14, 32,727 students are taking the examinations. Nahid said the number of centres were also increased. There were 2,758 examination centres last year while it would be 2,942 this year. The minister said all preparations had been made for holding the examinations successfully. Mentioning that last year examinees of all public examinations had faced problems due to violent political programmes, Nahid urged the political parties not to announce such programmes. About the question paper leakage in recent public examinations, he said strict measures had been taken and the law enforcement officials asked to take action if any such things happened. Except for Bangla second paper, English first and second paper and mathematics, all examinations will be held on creative question system. Students with disability will get 20 minutes more to finish their examinations. Nahid said results would be published by May 20. l
'Terrorism has no place in Islam' BCB supports as BIG 3s ICC revamp gets approval
n Tribune Report
Islam teaches people about peace and it does not support terrorism. Religion is a personal choice but state belongs to all. Speakers at the second day of the 90th Islamic discussion meeting of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Bangladesh said this. Prominent people of the country and representatives from abroad were present at the meeting. Standing committee member of BNP and former minister Dr Abdul Main said; Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat passed around 100 years in Bangladesh. Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat has been working to establish peace in the society, he said. Kajol Debnath, presidium member of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and vice-president of Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad said people of different religions should live in the country peacefully. Human rights activist Kazi Rahman Sobhan and professor of history department of Dhaka University Mesbah Kamal also spoke at the meeting. l
PAGE 1 COLUMN 6
The anti-communallong marchorganised by the Chittagong city north and south units AL, reached Satkhira yesterday. ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, president of the city unit of AL, led the longmarch. He said; We do not want brutal attacks and we want to develop our country beyond religion and ideology. I am urging the Jamaat-Shibir men to walk on the way to peace, said the AL leader, also a former mayor of Chittagong City Corporation. l
The ICC also announced the introduction of a Test Cricket Fund in order to ensure all the Test playing teams will be able to sustain a home programme of Test cricket through to 2023.The fund will be available to all Test nations except the Big Three The ICC called the end of the FTP in its current form, with future schedules being dependent on contractually binding negotiations between the boards. There was also confirmation that all full members will enter into a series of contractually binding bilateral agree-
ments to a comprehensive FTP that is extended to 2023. Other key elements of the resolution are the founding of an Executive Committee (ExCo) and Financial and Commercial Affairs Committee (F&CA) to provide leadership at an operational level, with five members, including BCCI, CA and ECB representatives. As per the motion passed, current BCCI president N Srinivasan will head the ICC Board from mid-2014. The initial chair of the ExCo will be Wally Edwards from Cricket Australia to lead the ExCo and F&CA will be lead by Giles Clarke of ECB. These roles will be for
an initial two year transitional period to 2016 only. At the end of the transitional period, the Chair of the ICC Board will be elected from within the ICC Board with all full member directors entitled to stand for election. BCCI, CA and ECB - will be represented on both sub-committees, along with two representatives of the other full members (who will be elected by the Board). Meanwhile the revamp scrapped the World Test Championship and replaced with the Champions Trophy in 2017 and 2021 to strengthen ICCs commercial property. l
The BNP is a huge political party and there is a competition of leadership. So, some [untoward] incidents surrounding an election are not entirely abnormal. Our leaders are working on it and everything will be settled before the [upazila] polls, he told the Dhaka Tribune. When asked about the Jamaat contenders, Rizvi said: The local leaders are also talking to them and hopefully everything will be fine soon. In the first phase, 12 upazilas in Sylhet division will see voting. In Jaintapur upazila under Sylhet district, Jamaat leader Jainal Abedin has got the support of the BNP-led 19-party alliance. In Biswanath upazila of Sylhet, Jamaat chose one its leader Nizam Uddin Chowdhury as the candidate, while BNP had been mulling over picking one from its local leaders, thus leading to a chaos within the local alliance ranks. In Jokiganj upazila, BNPs central
command selected former municipality mayor Iqbal Ahmed; but the partys local chapter opposed the decision and had been electioneering in favour of rebel Saifuddin Ahmed. The same thing has been happening in the Companyganj upazila of the district. Abdul Gaffar, general secretary of Sylhet district unit BNP, said they would hold a meeting and finalise the candidate by Sunday. Without mentioning any name, he explained: Because of some BNP leaders, there have been some problems in selecting lone candidates to be backed by the BNP-led 19-party combine in Sylhet. This has also given rise to a misunderstanding with Jamaat. Fakhrul Islam, acting secretary general of Sylhet city unit Jamaat, said the 19-party alliance had been finding it difficult to finalise the candidates because of a lack of unity among the BNP leaders. The BNP has not yet managed to
bring the rebel candidates under control in some upazilas. That has given rise to a chaotic situation, Fakhrul told the Dhaka Tribune. At least ten activists and leaders of BNP sustained injuries in a clash between two factions of the party which erupted surrounding the nomination issue in Isshorganj of Mymensingh yesterday. A local BNP office was also torched in the clash. At Nikli upazila in Kishergonj on Friday, local administration imposed section 144 in the Dampara area after two factions of local BNP convened separate programmes at the same venue and time. On Thursday, a faction of Nikli upazila unit BNP declared Fazlur Rahman, president of Kishoreganj district unit BNP, unwanted in their area. They burnt his effigy accusing him of bypassing local leaders opinions and nominating incompetent people for the upazila chairmans post. l
the blaze originated from a burner, while many others believe it came out from a nearby rickshaw garage. The fire originated from Mahiuddin Babuls kitchen. The fire caught the gas and electricity lines and spread fast, said Sabiha Islam, the next-door neighbor of Mahiuddin. Within 15 minutes, four adjacent houses made with bamboo and tin, collapsed, she added. However, Babul claimed that the fire originated from a nearby rickshaw garage. On information, four units of firefighters first rushed to the spot, but as the fire spread around violently within a short time, 10 more units joined the efforts and brought the fire under control, said Abdus Salam, director for
administration at Fire Service and Civil Defense, told the Dhaka Tribune. He also said although the cause of the fire is yet to be confirmed, the fire is believed to have originated from a cooking burner. He said firefighters also recovered the body of the three-year-old child. We also rescued two children from the first-floor of a shanty. They were also asleep and their parents went out for work, he said. Like Madina and Hasmat, who lost their three year-old child, rickshaw puller Atiyar Rahman and garments worker Momena Begum of Lalmonirhat district, had also left their shanty for their workplaces. After being informed over the phone, they rushed to the spot and found everything they had was already in ashes.
We had Tk3,500 in cash and other valuables at our house. But everything has been burnt to ashes, said Momena Behum. Meanwhile, the Dhaka District administration gave Tk20,000 to Hasmat and Madina as compensation for the death of their child in the fire. Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka District Shaikh Yusuf Harun said the district administration has decided to provide Tk3,000 and 20kg of rice to each of the victim families. As today is weekly holiday, the money will be handed over to the victims tomorrow (Sunday) during office hours. We are now preparing a list of the victims, added DC Harun. Besides, police and Red Crescent Society and local Awami League leaders also donated dry foods for the victims. l
and the 337MW dual-fuel Megnaghat in Narayanganj with a combined production capacity of 1019MW. Meanwhile, the Summit Group has claimed $45m in compensation from the government and asked it to return $3m the company deposited as security as PDB it letter for cancelling the agreement of 341MW Bibiyana 1 power plant. The compensation issue is to be settled by the High Court. The simple cycle of the plant was scheduled to start in August last year while the combined cycle production
next August. However, the local power company could neither collect any funds nor start the groundwork at Bibiyana 1, officials said. Meanwhile, work at Bibiyana 2 is still at primary stages and so far only earth filling on the project site has been completed. Though Meghnaghat was expected to go into production this month, almost six months behind schedule, it would burn furnace oil instead of natural gas, which would significantly increase the production cost, Summit
officials said. However, the PDB signed a deal with Marubeni Corporation of Japan last June and Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co of South Korea to build a 399MW power plant at Bibiyana 3 and its full operation would commence in September, 2015. The funds for the Bibiyana 3 power plant will come through foreign currency loan. On June 4 last year, the government approved the construction of 399MW Bibiyana 3 combined cycle power plant project. l
Sathi, 11, to take care of Sabuj. She was in a fix when the fire broke out and ran to inform her mother about the fire. Madina rushed to her shanty and saw her only son burnt to ashes along with the house. According to the locals, seven people own the whole land and the shanties. They are Babul, Aklima, Dudu Miah, Rakib, Nurul Amin, Mofiz Uddin and Dulal Sheikh. They all have utilised every inch of the land by raising the shanties, keeping no space in between. Babul claimed that he had bought a plot and built the shanties on holding number 357, 14C, some 10 years back. During that time he had 48 rooms rented to 40 families. His elder brother Mofiz and sister Aklima owned more than 80 shanties. Nurul Amin owned 88 shanties set up on several kathas of land. But he does not live in the slum. He lives in
an adjacent apartment. Asked why he had not built a building for him in the slum, he first said he did not have the required money. However, he later said he could not think of living in the slum, as he found it very unsafe. Nurul claimed that the fire had caused him a loss of Tk40 lakh. He said they could have died in the fire being stuck in any of the entrances had they been living in the slum. Locals said the gas connection was provided at the slum houses a couple of months back. Some of the dwellers, however, depended on firewood for cooking. It is suspected that the fire first originated from a burner and then spread through electricity and gas connections. Not a single family could save their household items or valuables from the blaze. Most of the men and women were not home, except for a few who were preparing to go to work. Now, thousands of dwellers are living
under the open sky. Some volunteers and fire fighters said the whole slum area was unplanned and the houses were built haphazardly. The electric wires too were here and there. I was preparing [son] Mehedi for school and my husband went outside for a bath. Suddenly, we heard people shouting fire, fire. We ran for life, said Nasima, a housemaid, whose son is an eighth grader of Ucef School there. She came out of the house only with a polythene packet having three SIM cards in it. Asked why she had picked up the SIM cards at that moment, Nasima with a blank look said she just grabbed whatever was near her. Another resident, Rahima Begum, said her television and utensils were all burnt down. We had nothing when we came to the city and now after seven years we have got nothing left again, Rahima said. l
DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
n JU Correspondent
The students of Jahangirnagar University yesterday staged demonstration protesting the attack on Botany department teachers and students at Bangabandhu Safari Park in Gazipur on Thursday. The protestors launched a silent procession at 11am from zoology department which ended in front of Amor Ekushe sculpture parading the campus. They also staged a demo to press their demands including the quick punishment of the attackers. Several hundred students of different departments and institutes expressed solidarity to the movement and asked the university authorities to take legal actions against the culprits. The agitators also demanded to cancel the current lease of the park, installing a police outpost around the park for proper security and bearing the treatment costs of the victims of the incident. They also declared their next course of actions regarding the movement while today they would form a human chain, a sit in programme in front of JU administrative office tomorrow, forming human chain at Dhaka-Aricha highway on Tuesday and symbolic hunger strike on Shaheed Minar premises on Wednesday. l
struction, according to a separate report of the BSS. Begum Zia is a queen of destruction. She knows only destruction. She can only take but cannot give anything, the premier said adding that BNPs coming to power only meant the return of terrorism and militancy in the country. She cannot give anything positive for the country except for terrorism and militancy, Hasina said. While addressing a public meeting at Charghat High School Ground this afternoon, Hasina said the BNP took a beastly revenge on the countrymen by burning the people to death for not responding to its movement. They killed 135 people, 26 bus passengers, 55 bus drivers and 18 members of the police, the BGB and the army by enforcing blockades for 34 days. The prime minister said the BNP had orchestrated a reign of terror when it was in power from 2001 to 2006. They created a dreadful Bangla Bhai along with widespread militancy in the country during their five-year misrule, Hasina said. She said the character of the BNP had always been the same since its
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina waves at supporters after arriving at a mass rally at Charghat Sharda Pilot School ground in Rajshahi yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE birth. The traditional saying black will take no other hue only goes with the character of the BNP. Hasina said Khaleda had cursed her party with a humiliating failure by enforcing a hollow movement with no response from the people. This is yet another failure in her life after dozens of the same including the first failure she experienced in her matriculation examination, the premier added. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, former food minister Abdur Razzaque, former state minister and AL Joint Secretary Jahangir Kabir Nanak, former state minister Omar Faruq Chowdhury and former Rajshahi city mayor Khairuzzaman Liton also addressed the rally. Charghat upazila AL arranged the rally with its President Anwar Hossain in the chair. l
A senior police official confronts an activist of Shadharan Chhatra Parisad, who have been demonstrating in front of the National Press Club in the capital yesterday to press home their demand to increase the maximum age ceiling for government jobs RAJIB DHAR
DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
Fire rages an RMG storehouse at Mawna intersection of Sreepur upazila in Gazipur yesterday
DHAKA TRIBUNE
WEATHER
PRAYER TIMES
Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha 5:21am 6:37am 12:12am 4:11pm 5:47pm 7:04pm Bangladeshi writer Maria Chaudhuri speaks at the launcing ceremony of her debut memoir Beloved Strangers
FILE PHOTO
Source: IslamicFinder.org
DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
Residents of Elenbari colony take part in an evacuation drill together with the members of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, at the PWD training academy yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE
Awareness poor amongst most, experts for more training exercises The drill aimed at teaching the par- methods of retrofitting, of which only International Corporation, said it was n Tazlina Zamila Khan necessary to build awareness among ticipants the techniques of handling a five are applicable for Bangladesh.
The young generation did not experience a big earthquake, and so a big earthquake would catch us unprepared
Md Sohel Rahman, executive engineer of PWD, said retrofitting would prevent the vulnerable buildings from collapsing during a catastrophic earthquake. He added: There are around 12
The five are Reinstate Cement column jacketing, Reinstate Cement Concrete share wall insertion, steel framed bracing, carbon fiber wrapping and Reinstate Cement Concrete wing wall, said the engineer. The project titled Capacity development on natural disaster resistance techniques of construction and retrofitting for public buildings started two years ago and would continue up to June 2015. Five working teams each with a leader have been working under the project. A pilot project will be conducted in June 2015 that will retrofit the vulnerable Tejgaon fire station building. The government allotted around Tk30,00000 for the pilot project. l
Shift tests for government jobs to div headquarters n Our Correspondent, Rajshahi
Students of different educational institutions in Rajshahi yesterday demanded recruitment tests of all government jobs to be held in divisional headquarters instead of the capital Dhaka. A human chain was formed in this concern by students under the banner of Consciousness Students Society in the citys Shaheeb Bazar Zero Point around noon. Speakers at the programme said since recruitment tests of important government and non-government jobs were held only in the capital, it becomes difficult for job seekers from different regions of the country to attend them. They also urged the authorities concerned to set the maximum age-limit for entrance in jobs at 35, hold recruitment tests without fees and to take other necessary steps to remove barriers in the way of getting employment. The groups convener Shamsul Arefin Don, Forhad Hossain, Atikur Rahman, Aminul Islam, Mohaiminul Islam, Dulal Uddin, Shamsul Abedin, Shamim Hossain and Sharmin Sultana also addressed the programme on behalf of the students. l
Paying no heed to traffic rules, several cars, CNG-run auto-rickshaws and motorcycles jam up at the Bijoy Sarani intersection in the capital yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Feature
Dhakas storied roads Slave bazars and unruly elephants lie behind the names of our roads and neighbourhoods
here was a time when Dhaka was called a city of Bahanno Bazar ar Teppano goli (52 markets and 53 alleys). Of course, with the passage of time the number of roads and bazars has increased exponentially, so unearthing the history of these areas was intriguing and challenging. According to the publications of his-
eral myths on the origin of its name. In the history books used in school, I was taught that in 1610, the Mughal custodian Islam Khan came to Dhaka to remove the powerful kings and zaminders of Bengal. He decided to establish the capital in Dhaka. He ordered his court drummer to beat his Dhak. The area of Dhaka was demarcated as the distance one could hear the beating of the drums. This is how Dhaka became one of the three capitals of Mughal era. Islam Khan named it Jahangirnagar, after Emperor Jahangir.
Alur Bazar
Literally, it means potato market. But contrary to what most people assume, the origin of the name has nothing to do with potatoes. During the era of Emperor Aurangzeb, Zafar Khan came to live in Dhaka. He lived in the Lalbagh fort area, and used to own the area today known as Alur Bazaar. His sons name was Allayaar Khan. It was during Allayaars time that the bazar was running in full swing. According to Mughal Emperor Azimushhan, originally the bazar was named as Allayaar Khaner Bazar which, with the passage of time, became shorter and people started calling it Alur bazaar.
BANGLADESH OLD PHOTO ARCHIVE
Chawkbazar, 1885 is known by the name nakhas. It is a square area of 200ft. During sunset the place gets crowded. In Arabic, nakhas mean slave-sellers. During the Mughal period, the area was a hub of the slave trade, as well as a place to chat and hang out. Todays gluttonous inclinations in the area can be traced back to the Mughal period. It is merely the continuation of bustling food and entertainments that were present here during their time. Reminiscing about Chawkbazar, Abu Zoha Nur Mohammad wrote during the 1930s: On the first day of Ramadan, despite having a range of items cooked at home, people used to rush towards Chawkbazar. On Ashura in Muharram, the wrestlers would perform sword fights. They used to come from villages and engage in manifold games the whole night. Where are those valorous games now? too. A huge haat used to take place here, where rice and all other kinds of grain were sold. The name Dhanmondi (literally rice bazar) originated from there.
Eskaton
Eskaton is a distorted version of the word Scotland. During the period of British East India Company, a church was established there by some Scottish preachers. It was from there that this name originated.
Punni Begum and Haji Begum in exchange for some increased allowance.
Elephant Road
Becharam Deuri
Kakrail
Kakrail, 1960s
During the last decade of the 19th century, the British commissioner for Dhaka was named Mr Cockerell. Historian Professor Muntassir Mamun surmises that, since it used to be a trend to name streets of Dhaka after diplomats, there was probably a road named after him, and later the whole area became known by that name. People eventually started to pronounce Cockrell as Kakrail.
BANGLADESH OLD PHOTO ARCHIVE
Becharams name was listed in data from 1790. However, it could not be known what he used to do. There is speculation that he may have been an influential trader or a top brass employee who used to live in the area, which was then named after him.
Begumbazar
torians, behind the names of streets and establishments are countless stories of secrets, conquests and possessions by the Mughals, French, British and Nawabs of Bengal. Dhaka, a city 400 years old, has sev-
Chawkbazar
The place where we buy scrumptious kebabs and iftar items during Ramadan used to be a place to buy and sale slaves. In 1809, Charles Dale described Chawkbazar in these words: Chawk
Dhanmondi
An Eidgah was present here during the Mughal era, as well as the Shat Gambuj Mosque, so it can be assumed that there were a few residences in this area then
The popular belief behind naming of this area is that during 1939-40, Sarfaraz Khan was the Nayeb-i-Nazim of Dhaka. His daughters name was Ladli Begum. According to many, the name Begumbazar originated from her name. She was the owner of a fish market constructed nearby the Begumbazar Mosque as well. The market was gutted in fire in 1777. The government then took over the market from Ladli Begums daughters
Once upon a time, elephants were abundant in Dhaka. There was no specific place for bathing or grazing the elephants. Azimusshan writes, in 1864, before the formation of the town-council, the Lieutenant Governor came to visit Dhaka when the elephants created serious nuisance in the city, according to a complaint made by the members of Dhaka Committee. The Ramna area was allocated for grazing the elephants. Some canals around Ramna were used for bathing the elephants. The road which was used to walk the elephants from Pilkhana to Ramna became known as Elephant Road over time. l
Those interested in learning more should consult these thoroughly researched books: Dhaka: Smriti Bismritir Nagar by Muntassir Mamun, Dhakar Rajpother Itihash by Syeda Nazmun Nahar, and a compilation Dhakar Oitijjho, Shongshkriti o Nogorbinnash.
Bangladesh in focus
n Feature Desk
The World Photography Organisation revealed the shortlist for the 2014 Sony World Photography Awards on Tuesday, which included two Bangladeshi photographers: Suvra Kanti Das and KM Asad. Suvra Kanti Dass photograph of a puja during the Rakher Upobash in Narayangonj was one of the 8 submissions shortlisted in the Arts and Culture section. KM Asads image of Rana Plaza was one of the 10 shortlisted for the Current Events category. Photographers from 166 countries submitted nearly 140,000 images, the highest number of entries in the awards seven year history. From the submissions, the judges selected an eclectic shortlist representing the very finest in international contemporary photography from the past 12 months, the organisation said in a press release. WM Hunt, the chair of the honorary jury, said that the shortlist is a healthy and diverse representation of contemporary photography by an international range of practitioners. The judges said the submissions told many stories which contained the viewer to find something surprising within the everyday. Well-documented scenes were approached with fresh and groundbreaking photography styles, and are set to inspire other photographers around the world. He added that the judges were a soulful and hardworking group who have given both emerging and established photographers a global platform on which they could be highlighted and celebrated. Astrid Merget, the creative director of the World Photography Organisation, added: We are fortunate enough to receive thousands of entries across each category of our awards, making the process of discovery an invigorat-
Photographers from 166 countries submitted nearly 140,000 images, the highest number of entries in the awards seven year history
ing experience. This year is no exception, and the awards have once again provided us with an impressive collection of photographs, spanning dozens of genres, styles, locations and subject matters. All the shortlisted images will go on show at Somerset House in London from May 1-18, as part of the 2014 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition. l
Hindu worshippers in front of Shri Shri Lokanath Brahmachar Ashram temple during the Rakher Upobash in Narayanganj
SUVRA KANTI DAS
Rescue workers take part in the rescue of the eight-story building Rana Plaza which collapsed at Savar
KM ASAD
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Career
bound to be limited and obstacles will arise, so be prepared to think and make decisions on your feet. Although a career in this sector is challenging, once you begin working you will be humbled, and realise that what you have is sometimes more than others could have wished for. There is a bigger picture involved and when you know you have made a difference, you may just look in the mirror and give yourself a wry smile. This is why employees in the non-profit sector hardly complain; there is a satisfaction that can hardly be accounted for in monetary terms. While life is not all about making money, the reality is that you will need to support yourself and your family. The popular myth that a work in this area is solely for the rich kids is only that: a myth. You can get paid in non-profit organisations, NGOs or any other institutions that might be characterised as giving something back to the community in return. While you can volunteer your time or money in these organisations, you can also work fulltime and earn enough to make a living. In the long run, the non-profit experience may in fact help you gain a lot more than wealth. MBA schools abroad often view applicants with non-profit sector jobs in a very positive limelight.
When you know you have made a difference, you may just look in the mirror and give yourself a wry smile
Renowned business schools even award scholarships and grants based on the guarantee that the candidate will graduate to give something back with their education. Remember, non-profit organisations are still businesses and as such, they require business majors. These organisations also want effective managers to control costs, formulate and implement effective ideas, and build relationships with external parties, skills that you can take into any corporation. There is also a lot of upward mobility in this field. Think about Sir Fazle Abed and Dr Yunus. Through their non-profit activities, they have left a significant mark on the world and have been able to achieve it not only as philanthropists but also as effective professionals. They have had to engage with all the different types of people, from the poorest of the poor
(Muhammad Yunus) to the heads of states and other political leaders. How did they do it? They had the soft skills and insights that are required to be successful. They were proactive in absorbing the core issues and finding solutions, and in constantly learning, adapting, and innovating. Just as importantly they ensured their ideas were implemented. Success on a large scale in the non-profit sector is not only about having a great idea or a great invention, but also about getting them initiated. You will need the networking and presentation skills to convey your beliefs and products in order to garner support. You will also need business nous to make sure that you are organised and all is in order so that you can pounce on an opportunity when it arises. This industry provides you the opportunity to help, to learn and to make a difference to the lives of not only others but also yourself. This is what makes a career in this sector extremely rewarding. l Nakibul Hoq is a Research Analyst and Naiian Yazdani is the Director of Strategy at GradConnect, an international career information and advisory firm. You can email them at hello@grad-connect.com, and learn more about GradConnect on www.gradconnect.com
WORDS OF WISDOM
The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they cant find them, make them. George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright and cofounder of London School of Economics
Fear of public speaking is really the fear of being ridiculed, rejected and publicly humiliated
change is a great strength, but even professional speakers dont trust themselves to be brilliant without preparation. Practice your speech and carry written key points. 3. Know your audience. Are you speaking to a hall full of engineering students? Underprivileged mothers? Business investors? Tailor your speech to your audience to captivate them. Even if your speech is essentially about the same thing, when talking at different engagements, it is best to fit the speech accordingly. If you know of particular personalities likely to be present during your speech, Google them beforehand and try throwing in an anecdote or joke they can relate to. There is no shame in such measures to win an audience. 4. Lead with a bang. Whether your public speaking engagement is only for ten minutes, or an hour, open your speech with your big idea. Building up to your best point simply for effect is a bad idea you will do yourself great service by
grabbing the audience from the get go. 5. Respect your audience. You are not always going to be so lucky as to speak to people you personally like or find worthwhile to talk to. It is your job not to allow this fact to become apparent in your speech. Find at least a few things you can relate to with your audience and stick to those. Back in university, we had a live skit once about womens rights and a fervent speaker constantly referred to men in such a sardonic and confrontational tone that it resulted in a number of audience members leaving, and others becoming completely reluctant to speak during the following Q&A session.
6. Visualise your success. You have delivered the most winning speech. You are getting your first standing ovation. The audience members are throwing rose petals at your feet. Instead, if you constantly dwell on all the ways you are likely to fail your speech, you most likely will. It is important to believe you will be great, and to know that everyone present wants you to be great. The audience wants to be amazed, entertained, and come off having learned something new, they are on your side. They are rooting for you, because they do not want to be bored. 7. Do not announce failure. It is such a common trend to start a speech
If you constantly dwell on all the ways you are likely to fail your speech, you most likely will
by announcing how nervous one is. You immediately lose any weight you may have carried with the audience when you announce that you are nervous. Even if you dont feel like youre in control, let the audience believe that you are. Audiences will excuse nervous speakers if they believe that the
DHAKA TRIBUNE
International
n David Rohde, Reuters
Over the last two weeks, Obama administration officials have signalled sometimes intentionally, sometimes not - that a worst-case scenario is emerging in Syria. Peace talks are at a virtual standstill. An emboldened President Bashar al-Assad has missed two deadlines to turn over his deadliest chemical weapons. And radical extremists who have fought in Syria are carrying out attacks in Egypt and allegedly aspire to strike the United States as well. Director of National Intelligence James R Clapper told members of Congress last week that Jabhat al-Nusra, an al-Qaeda aligned group in Syria, does have aspirations for attacks on the homeland. American and Egyptian officials expressed alarm this week at signs that Egyptians who fought in Syria have returned home to mount an insurgency. Critics of Obama administration policy in Syria argue that none of this should come as a surprise. For years, they have predicted that Assad and his Iranian and Russian backers would fight tenaciously; militants would flock to Syria; and the region would be destabilised by refugee flows, rising sectarianism and radicalised fighters returning home. A lot of things that the pro-interventionist crowd had argued two years ago have come to pass, said Shadi Hamid, a Brookings Institution expert who called for military intervention in 2012. The argument was that radicalism will rise. It is impossible to know whether a Libya-like intervention would have ended the conflict in Syria or exacerbated it. But citing recent statements from administration officials, Hamid argued that the current American approach is not working. In his testimony last week, Clapper said that American intelligence agencies had picked up indications of training complexes within Syria to train people to go back to their countries and conduct terrorist acts, so this is a huge concern. The retired Air Force general estimated that more than 7,000 foreigners from 50 countries - many of them from Europe and the Mideast - are fighting in Syria. He compared rebel-controlled parts of northern Syria to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan, or FATA, where foreign and local militants have sheltered since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. Whats going on there may be in some respects a new FATA, Clapper said. And the attraction of these foreign fighters is very, very worrisome. In the past, Clapper has been accused of exaggerating terrorist threats and making misleading statements about the scope of American surveillance activities. But Clapper is not the only senior official expressing concern about the rising militant presence in Syria. At a private meeting with members of Congress at the Munich Security Conference last week, Secretary of State John Kerry said that the al-Qaeda threat is real, it is getting out of hand, Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham later told reporters. He openly talked about supporting arming the rebels. He openly talked about forming a coalition against al-Qaeda because its a direct threat. State Department officials said that Graham and other members of Congress who disclosed the private meet-
Anti-government protesters display banners and set fire to a mock cake carrying an image of Philippine President Benigno Aquino, who is celebrating his 54th birthday, during a protest near Malacanang presidential palace in Manila AFP
n AFP, Nicosia
Greek- and Turkish-Cypriot leaders are to meet on Tuesday to relaunch talks on ending the islands four-decade division after a nearly two-year break, UN mediators announced. Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu will meet in the United Nations Protected Area of Nicosia at the Good Offices Mission on Tuesday, a statement said on Saturday. The two leaders will unveil a roadmap for the renewed talks, which was finally agreed on Friday after protracted haggling over the text delayed a relaunch originally earmarked for November. The last round of talks was suspended in 2012 when Cyprus assumed the rotating presidency of the European Union. A resumption was further delayed by the eurozone debt crisis, which forced the Greek Cypriot government to secure a bailout from international creditors last March, plunging the island into deep recession. l
n AFP, Bamako
Armed men from the ethnic Peul community have massacred at least 30 Tuaregs in a revenge attack in northern Mali, officials said Friday. The attack occurred Thursday in Tamkoutat, 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of the city of Gao, according to a local elected lawmaker who said it was to retaliate against the kidnapping of one of the Peul. The Malian government denounced what it called terrorist acts. A dozen armed individuals cold-bloodedly slaughtered around 30 merchants on board two vehicles, one of which was torched and the other taken away by the bandits, the security ministry said in a statement. Security Minister Sada Samake went to Gao to investigate the killings with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice, the statement said. The UN mission to Mali, MINUSMA, issued its own statement saying it sent peacekeepers to the area. They counted 24 deaths and four people wounded, it said, adding that an unspecified number of suspects were arrested by Malian security forces. Our relatives were killed in cold blood, at least 30 people are dead, former regional lawmaker Assarid Ag Imbarcaouane said. A source in the security forces said those slain included a woman and child. The Tuaregs had been on their way back from a market in two vehicles when they were stopped and attacked by the Peul, the security source said. l
A patient being treated for multiple gunshot wounds to the face, chest and throat sits in a wheelchair in South Sudans Malakal teaching hospital on Wednesday. Recent fighting in the country has seen waves of brutal revenge attacks, as fighters and ethnic militia use the violence to loot and settle old scores, with the United Nations and rights workers reporting that horrific atrocities have been committed by both sides. Many fear the conflict has slid out of the control of political leaders, with ethnic violence and revenge attacks between the Dinka people of Kiir and the Nuer of Machar, the countrys two largest groups AFP
DHAKA TRIBUNE
International
An Afghan policeman stands guard on the roof of a shop damaged in a suicide attack in Kabul
REUTERS
n Reuters, Kabul
War took an increasing toll on Afghanistans civilians in 2013 as fighting intensified between the government and insurgents, the United Nations said in a report on Saturday, with total casualties rising 14%. The gradual withdrawal of foreign troops has left Afghan government forces more vulnerable to attack by insurgents, and the resulting battles helped account for last years rise in casualties, according to the report. The new trend in 2013 of increased civilian casualties from ground engagements, including the alarming increase in women and children casualties, reflected the changing dynamics of the conflict over the year, the United Nations said. Last year was the worst for women and children since 2009, with the number killed or injured by the conflict increasing by more than one-third from 2012. About 27% of all 2013 casualties stemmed from fighting between the government and
insurgents, and most of these could not be attributed to one side. This fog of war dynamic reflects the changed nature of the conflict in Afghanistan in 2013 which was increasingly being waged in civilian communities and populated areas, the United Nations said. The biggest single killer remained improvised explosive devices (IEDs), or bombs, detonated by insurgents in public areas such as markets, roads and government buildings. Bombs accounted for about one-third of the total civilian toll, which the United Nations put at 2,959 deaths and 5,656 injured. While both sides in the conflict were responsible for the increase in casualties last year, the United Nations attributed about three-quarters of the toll to the Taliban. Statements on protecting civilians by the Taliban leadership are not nearly enough to end the killing and injuring of innocent Afghan civilians, said UN Special Representative Jn Kubi in a statement. International forces, who have
handed over responsibility for security to the Afghans in preparation for their withdrawal by the end of this year, and say they participate only in joint operations, caused about 3% of casualties, according to the report. While these make up only a fraction of the total casualties, air strikes causing civilian deaths or injuries are a major source of tension between President Hamid Karzai and the United States. The UN report said that in 2013, there were 54 aerial operations that resulted in civilian casualties. While this was a 10% drop from the number of such cases in 2012, women and children accounted for nearly half of casualties. Of the 54 cases, 19 were by unmanned aerial vehicles. The number of civilian victims from these so-called drone strikes more than tripled from 2012, the United Nations said. The United Nations said there was a sharp increase in incidents perpetrated by a security force known as the Afghan Local Police (ALP), set up in 2010 to operate in remote, insecure areas. l
US: American moved from N.Korea hospital to labor camp n AFP, Washington
North Korea has moved imprisoned US citizen Kenneth Bae from hospital and back to a labour camp, a US official said Friday, which could further complicate efforts to win his release. In an interview on Friday with a pro-Pyongyang newspaper in Japan, the Chosun Sinbo, Bae confirmed he had been transferred back to the special correctional facility in Pyongyang on January 20. Bae, a tour operator described by a North Korean court as a militant Christian evangelist, was arrested in November 2012 and later sentenced to 15 years hard labour on charges of seeking to topple the government. The Department of State has learned that the DPRK (North Korea) transferred Mr. Bae from a hospital to a labour camp, a development with which we are deeply concerned, said spokeswoman Jen Psaki. l
A member of the Israeli security froces stand outside the Dome of the Rock mosque during clashes with Palestinian stone-throwers (unseen) following Friday prayers at Jerusalems al-Aqsa mosque compound AFP
Diplomats are cautiously optimistic that after Saturdays talks in Tehran the team of senior IAEA inspectors will be able to show at least some progress in gaining Irans cooperation
Irans ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Reza Najafi attends a news conference at the headquarters of the IAEA in Vienna REUTERS Diplomats are cautiously optimistic that after Saturdays talks in Tehran the team of senior IAEA inspectors will be able to show at least some progress in gaining Irans cooperation. Iran-IAEA ties have improved since last years election of a relative moderate, Hassan Rouhani, as president of Iran on a platform to ease the countrys international isolation. Under an agreement signed in November, the IAEA has already visited a heavy water production plant and a uranium mine in Iran. However, those first steps did not go to the heart of its investigation and Western diplomats will watch Saturdays meeting closely to see whether the next phase achieves that. The IAEA wants Iran to clarify its activities in a range of areas of potential application to developing bombs, including various experiments and computer calculations. The IAEAs investigation is focused on the question of whether Iran sought atomic bomb technology in the past and, if it did, to determine whether such work has since stopped. Although separate, the IAEAs inquiry is still closely aligned with the wider-ranging diplomacy between Tehran and the six powers - the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany. Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful and that it is Israels assumed atomic arsenal that threatens peace. l
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DHAKA TRIBUNE
Editorial
LETTER OF THE DAY
Letters to
the Editor
ndia is reported to be considering initiatives to spread visa on arrival and electronic travel authorisation facilities to tourists at airports from a large number of countries, including Bangladesh. While such a move would be welcome if implemented, there is unfortunately to date no clarification on the past bilateral discussions for a special travel agreement arrangement between Bangladesh and India. There is still a strong case for implementing such an agreement, as any new visa facilities in India are only likely to be initially implemented at a few airports and only apply to tourists. Given that Bangladesh shares a large land border with India, and our citizens frequently visit the country for a variety of purposes ranging from business to medical visits, mutual trade and relations would be increased further by facilitating the same ease of visa facilities for other purposes and at all crossing points. The agreement proposed in 2012 would have initially been restricted to certain categories of travelers, with Bangladesh also allowing Indian nationals to get similar visas. It would for example have greatly eased the process of obtaining an Indian visa in advance for medical patients facing time pressures. A mutually deregulated visa treaty can still serve these aims and reduce costs and time spent by border officials and travelers alike. A special travel agreement treaty between Bangladesh and India would still provide a meaningful gesture of goodwill and be beneficial to the peoples of both our two countries.
A mutually deregulated visa treaty can reduce costs and time spent by border officials and travelers alike
February 5 As there are no rules and regulations on using SIM cards, and moreover the government doesnt think to collect the data from the operators, the criminals take the chance and pave the way for themselves. If the law isnt established and the punishment isnt given, criminals must continue to commit crimes. Thats expected. And the government has to take up that responsibility. Zia Uddin
Be Heard
Write to us at: Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath Sukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Email us at: letters@dhakatribune.com Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion@dhakatribune.com Visit our website: www.dhakatribune.com Come join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune
t is shameful that survivors of the Rana Plaza tragedy are being targeted by unscrupulous individuals, under the guise of helping them to get compensation. Victims report being asked to give money along with their personal details and identity card numbers under various false pretences. These include instances where people purportedly representing labour organisations have demanded money from victims for putting their names onto lists for compensation and free medical treatment. These cases are clearly forms of extortion and fraud as monies paid are reported going directly into individuals pockets and have not been required by the official compensation procedures. In other instances, labour groups and individual organisers have been demanding one off membership fees from victims or have co-erced them into attending meetings and marches. While legitimate worker organisations are fully entitled to seek membership fees for their work, it is apparent from recent reports that desperate victims of the disaster have been fraudulently targeted for unnecessary payments. Such unconscionable actions are unfortunately widespread and must be stopped. Victims who have been cheated of money by fraudulent individuals should be helped by the police and law enforcers to recover their funds. The government and BGMEA should work with unions and stakeholders to ensure awareness of all the formal compensation procedures and programmes which are underway, so that there is less scope for victims to be exploited in this unforgiveable manner.
Stakeholders should raise awareness of formal procedures so there is less scope for fraud
PEANUTS
CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1 Suitable (6) 5 Limb (3) 7 Marry (3) 8 Sport (6) 11 School of whales (3) 12 Raised platform (5) 14 Maori charm (4) 16 Microbes (5) 18 Living (5) 20 Tidy (4) 21 Durable cloth (5) 23 Tree (3) 24 Pleasant place (6) 27 Month (3) 28 Make lace (3) 29 Pick out (6) DOWN 1 Favourite (3) 2 Possess (3) 3 Deeply thoughtful (7) 4 Prepare for publication (4) 5 Electrical unit (6) 6 Unassuming (6) 9 Wicked (4) 10 Droop (3) 13 Army rank (7) 14 Natural gift (6) 15 Fate (6) 17 Labyrinth (4) 19 Work unit (3) 22 Fighting spirit (4) 25 Stain (3) 26 Fastener (3)
SUDOKU
YESTERDAYS SOLUTIONS
Crossword
How to solve Sudoku: Fill in the blank spaces with the numbers 1 9. Every row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain all nine digits with no numberrepeating.
Sudoku
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Op-Ed
11
Many youths who were once very much a part of Ganajagaran Mancha have now turned away
Curing a headache
BIGSTOCK
BNP dissolved the upazila parishad, a system which was introduced to devolve power, largely because Ershad did it. The Awami League-led 14-party government made the Anti-Corruption Commission a toothless tiger because the government the 2007-2008 period empowered the anti-graft body. Of course, there are other objectives and justifications as well as vested interests behind the taking of extreme steps by successive governments. But, one reason behind such a tendency was the reactive negation of a perceived negation. A more powerful factor, as I understand, is our obsession with history we want to make or break something.
sentiment has shown. We have also glorified ourselves by means of protest. We are a proud nation that has fought to uphold our mother tongue in 1952. But in the process of showing hatred to the Urdu language, most of us turned away from learning foreign languages. In a letter to a newspaper editor following independence, a man from a district town had asked the government to abolish the English department at Dhaka University and other institutions. Because, he argued, Bangladesh became independent in order to establish the Bangla language everywhere. When Sirajul Islam Chowdhury,
We need elections to student unions to build future leaders. We cannot afford to shut every door of democratic politics
When there is greater likelihood of the rise of a mob to counteract the culture of impunity, it is very difficult for more civil people to not choose the path of isolation. So, the mediocre want to become number one in all institutions. This is the effect of the colonial hangover followed by the centralisation of power and authority at the head, which is the prime minister in the present setup. Every criticism, too, is targeted at the head, as our anti-incumbency professor of English, was asked for his comment, he reportedly said, The gentleman is not aware that the world is slightly bigger than his hometown. Nowadays, we feel that we need to learn a number of foreign languages for higher studies, business transactions, and searching for jobs abroad. We are driven mostly by our whims, not by convictions. The constitution is an example of our failure to pursue prudent policies. Amended 15 times, the constitution has been a major
source of crisis in politics. Our opposition parties since the 90s have felt the necessity of a polls-time interim administration, given the flaws in the electoral system. The stopgap arrangement of a caretaker government was inserted into, and then removed from, the constitution. Both steps were ad hoc. The case in point is student politics. General Ershad wanted to put an end to it, but it put an end to him, or his regime at least. A ban on student politics is being discussed even today, when there is no student politics as there used to be. When genuine and good students are not involved in politics, and when the politics is not meant for students, how can we term it student politics? There are college and university units of the AL or the BNP, and mostly the musclemen are their leaders and activists. After the 1990 students upsurge, the dissenting voice remains absent on campus. I doubt if we really mean we want to ban student politics in its actual shape. If the on-campus debates, the grooming of leadership, and raising voices on greater national issues are considered student politics, we need a resumption of those activities. We need elections to student unions to build future leaders of various sectors and professions, not a pool of unproductive people devoid of any profession. We cannot afford to shut every door of democratic politics. l Khawaza Main Uddin is a journalist.
Eventually, the agenda was primarily steered towards hatred for the Jamaat-e-Islami
But the most essential issue that the Ganajagaran Mancha missed was the raising of the question as to why Jamaat was still a political party after 42 years, and how it dug its roots so deep. When Jamaat is a legal political party, therefore inside the bounds of law, and the law can take actions against it anytime, why not question the hand
But no, the AL was spared from having to give such explanations, and was presented with an opportunity to manipulate things for its own agenda an agenda they are still putting to use today. Thus, the Mancha was allowed peaceful demonstrations with protection and perhaps with patronisation of the state. As for the BNP, Ganajagaran Mancha dealt a fatal blow to the party that was already scavenging for support, struggling to become the number one opposition. With Jamaat on a rampage, there were speculations of an election with Jamaat as the main opposition which effectively meant an absence of the BNP in the elections. They too tried to usher Ganajagaran Mancha to their side, though without much success. The final blow was served when the Mancha convinced India to give wholehearted support to the AL Delhi believed the Mancha could stir passions in favour of the AL. Given Imran H Sarkers Prajanma Blogs affiliation with the Embassy of the United States, speculations arose as to the Manchas affiliations with American interests. Even if there was such an affiliation, it did not bear fruit. The Mancha, though it claimed to be non-political at the time, seemed to silently become quite divisive dividing those for the Liberation War from those against it, and that too based on the version provided by the AL. They managed to nurture middle-income feelings to make it look like it was only possible for the AL to bring Razakars to justice. Many youths who were once very much a part of Ganajagaran Mancha have now turned away. They now feel toyed with. This was not supposed to happen. The spirit of the Liberation War was not just to free the country from Jamaat, rather it called for economic and social freedom for all which has not yet been achieved. Bangladesh still stands on the administrative and economic foundations of British and Pakistani rule. These systems have to be rebuilt with the interest of Bangladeshi people in mind. Feudalistic structures have to be broken down there is a whole lot of unfinished business. l Sujit Sarker is a Sub-Editor at the Dhaka Tribune.
Did we really believe in what we were doing 20 years ago when we bared down for fur and threw red paint on each other?
Slaves to fashion? grateful that no one is bombarding us again and again with videos and photos about the poor little caged animals shaking in their little fur boots. So we turn a blind eye because animal rights is yesterdays causedu jour. And we ask, willing to be outraged for the required amount of time, whats fashionable today? We plead, tell us what to believe in next! We will believe what you say, cuz were all slaves to fashion, anyway. l Mohammad N Miraly holds a PhD from McGill University in Religion, Ethics, and Public Policy.
AFP
Well, that was 1994. Come 2014, Naomi is front and centre applauding the appearance of a white mink coat trimmed with fox fur at Donatella Versaces Paris show.
outcome of steady, tireless work by the fur industry over the last 20 years to change popular perception.Jezebelwrote in 2012 that furs resurgence is the result of a calculated campaign
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DHAKA TRIBUNE
Entertainment
The second edition of Dhaka Art Summit is in full swing at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. With vibrant and experimental artworks in an array of genres, the Summit has become the gathering point for art lovers in the city. The event focuses on the South Asian region and highlights its happening contemporary art scene. DAS features five exhibitions curated by local and international curators, 14 solo art projects, a city-wide public art project by internationally acclaimed Raqs Media Collective, screenings of experimental films, performances, and presentations by 33 local and international galleries including over 250 artists from across the South Asian Region. Several collateral exhibitions are also taking place around the city during the summit SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN
Anikas Home
Anikas Home is a short experimental film by Bangladeshi filmmaker Saiful Wadud Helal. The eight minutes long film is narrated from
How Can I Become Bengali! is a documentary by filmmaker Ittukgulo Changma. The eleven minutes long film involves a story of ethnic tribes in Bangladesh, where people are divided into small communities and fight to retain their identity. The film criticises the 15th edition of the National Constitution, which negates the identity of many tribal groups of people in the country.
presents the story of a political leader Irom Sharmila, a woman who has been on 13-year hunger strike demanding justice for her people and to promote the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in India.
On Hteedan Road
Myanmar based filmmaker Aung Mins film On Hteedan Road is a story of a road, which existed for over 100 years in the Yangon Capital since the British colonial days. The documentary portrays the tragic existence of street-side dwellers living in a place that was taken over by dictators owned cooking oil tanks.
Gonodabi
Delete
Gonodabi, a documentary by Bangladeshi filmmaker Saiful Islam Jarnal which looks at the after effects of the war in 1971, is a strong voice in urging for the trial of the war criminals of the Liberation War. The twelve minutes long film starts with images of some Bironganas from Sirajganj, who were raped and seized by the Pakistani Army and local collaborators during the war. Next, Indian eminent musician Kabir Sumons song titled Gonodabi is a background scores with images of the Shahbag protests. The film is an initiative of the Moviana Film Society and Joloj MovieProduction.
Delete is an experimental film by the Maldives based director Shamim Nizam. The thirteen minutes long film is a series of events that haunt a young man involving scenes that could unfold in a persons mind once an idea has been planted.
There is Something in the Air is a film by Indian director Iram Gufran. The film having the length of half an hour is a series of dream narratives, and accounts of spiritual possession as experienced by women (petitioners) at the shrine of a Sufi saint in North India.
The film is directed by CAMP, a collaborative studio based in Mumbai, which shows a result of four years of dialogue, friendship and exchange between CAMP and a group of sailors from the Gulf of Kutch who cross the Arabian Sea from the Gulf of Kutch between India and Pakistan to the Persian Gulf and back. It is a long-term, large-scale project.
Siren
Siren by Bangladeshi filmmaker Molla Sagar is a documentary on the miserable condition of workers of the closed jute mills in the country. The film is about the consequences for families of the workers and raises questions about taking such the decision of closing down the
Unknown
Unknown, is a film by Pakistani filmmaker Akifa Mian. The five minutes long psychological thriller film revolves around Ayesha - a woman who lives with her mother and suffers from paranoid schizophrenia. She keeps herself locked up in her room and talks to her alter ego, Ali.
Afghan filmmaker Kaveh Ayreeks film You Do Not Belong to This Land is a story of a young Afghan refugee named Sardar in Iran, who gets fired because he does not have legal resident documentation. The film further deals with his struggles with and how he reached his fianc who is waiting for him at the border.
Afghan filmmaker Rahraw Omarzads work looks critically at the Afghan education system and its relationship with a new generation, and how it has failed to improve the power of analyzing and logic in its students.
Life
My Body My Weapon
New Delhi based independent filmmaker Kavita Joshi film My Body My Weapon is a part of a cross-media project on women, where she
Afghan filmmaker Mohammad Khadem Haidaris film Life explores how Kabul is as a place not only for war and suicide attacks, but also a beautiful and dramatic city, along with its kindness and diligent people. l
TODAY IN DHAKA
Film
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, Thor: The Dark World, Pacific Rim in 3D, The Conjuring, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Escape Plan Time: 10am 10pm Star Cineplex, Level 8 Bashundhara City, Panthapath
Exhibition
2nd Dhaka Art Summit Time: 11am 7pm Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Shegun Bagicha Ways of Seeing Time: 12pm 8pm Bengal Art Lounge 60 Gulshan Avenue,Gulshan 1
Theatre
Bhager Manush Somoy Time: 6:30pm Experimental Theatre Hall Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy
ON TV
MOVIE
7:30pm Star Movies
Ratatouille
9:30pmHBO
Jack Reacher
DRAMA
10:30pm Star World
Almost Human Noted personalities of countrys rock music arena at the launching moment of Rockstratas latest album
QUAMRUL ABEDIN
Sport
DHAKA TRIBUNE
13
0 3 5
DAYS TO GO
14 India chase
formidable target
15 Liverpool 5 1
Arsenal
SCORECARD, DAY 5
Sri Lanka 1st innings: 587 angakkara 319, Jayawardene 72, Mendis 47, Shakib 5 148 Bangladesh 1st innings: 426 Shamsur 106, Imrul 115, Shakib 50, A. Mendis 6 99 Sri Lanka 2nd innings 305 4 declared Sangakkara 105, Chandimal 100* Bangladesh 2nd innings (Overnight 12 0): Tamim Iqbal b Vithanage Shamsur Rahman b Perera Imrul Kayes lbw b Perera Mominul Haque not out Shakib al Hasan not out Extras: (b12, lb2, nb13)
31 45 25 100 43 27
Total (for three wickets, 84.4 overs) 271 Fall of wickets 1 71 (Tamim), 2 81 (Shamsur), 3 151 (Imrul) Bowling Lakmal 13 5 30 0 (nb3), Perera 28 755 2, Mendis 16 0 61 0 (nb3), Pradeep 9.4 1 33 0 (nb4), Vithanage 16 0 73 1 (nb3), Karunaratne 2 0 5 0 Match drawn Sri Lanka win series 1 0
Bangladesh batsman Mominul Haque celebrates his century against Sri Lanka in the final day of the 2nd Test at ZACS yesterday MUMIT M
Mominul survived on four when Kaushal Silva dropped him off Dilruwan Perera while he also escaped a tough chance at slips on 87. He said it was part of the game while admitting the nervousness in the 90s. Maybe I was lucky. And because I was lucky the century took place. Yes there was a bit of pressure, all big players have a hard time in their 90s and so I had pressure as well, said Mominul. Meanwhile Shamsur said it was dream come true for him as he registered his maiden ton early in his career. His 106 along with Imruls 115 set the tone of the Bangladesh first innings where the duo added 232 for the second wicket. It was dream start for my career, getting a hundred in my second Test is
something every cricketer would have wished and more importantly it helped my team to draw the match, said Shamsur who followed up with a well played 45 in the second innings. Imrul returned to the Tigers fold after a gap of over two years and more than that he returned to bat at a position, No 3, he never batted in the national team before. Imrul, who usually opens the batting, had a very good domestic season which made the selectors call him back. I worked hard after I was left out from the national team and the National Cricket League and Bangladesh Cricket League was the only platform for me to make a mark. Scoring heavily in the domestic cricket gained my confidence when I came on to the Test side after two years, said Imrul. l
Imrul Kayes (R) takes some batting tips from Sri Lankan maestro Kumar Sangakkara after the end of the second Test at ZACS yesterday MUMIT M
14
Maicon Pereira dies in car crash
Brazilian striker Maicon Pereira, currently playing on loan at Ukrainian league side Mariupol, has died in a car crash, local media reported on Saturday. The R Sport news agency reported that Maicon, who joined Ukraine champions Shakhtar Donetsk in 2012, died in an accident, which happened in Donetsk early on Saturday. Its a terrible and heavy loss for all of us. He will remain a man of blessed memory for all of us, Shakhtar said. AFP
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Sport
SCORECARD, DAY 3
New Zealand 1st innings 503
McCullum 224, Williamson 113, Anderson 77; Sharma 6 134, Khan 2 132
Fall of wickets 1 1, 2 3, 3 10, 4 51, 5 138, 6 138, 7 167, 8 188 , 9 189, 10 202 Bowling Boult 17 2 38 3, Southee 19 6 38 3, Anderson 5 0 29 0, Wagner 11 0 64 4, Sodhi 6 0 13 0, Williamson 2 0 9 0
India's Mohammed Shami celebrates dismissing New Zealand's Cory Anderson (unseen) on day three of their first Test at Eden Park in Auckland yesterday REUTERS
FIXTURES
Osasuna Valladolid Real Sociedad Sevilla Celta Vigo v v v v v Getafe Elche Levante Barcelona Athletic Bilbao
FIXTURES
Tottenham v Everton Man United v Fulham
Hes done everything he can, but its the players that have to do better and hopefully we can do that. Rooneys contract is due to expire at the end of next season, but despite recent media reports that he is in talks over a new deal, the 28-year-old was reluctant to discuss his future. Ive said all along Im focusing on the football and will try to do as well as I can for the team and help the team be successful, he said. l
but we arent taking them, Martino told a news conference on Saturday. It happened against Levante, Valencia and Real. We create six or seven chances and dont take them. I dont think it is something to talk about like that. There is too much talk about whether he is playing well or badly, he said. He should be left alone for a couple of days. He is the best player in the world
Russian Olympic pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva (L), tennis player Maria Sharapova (C) and Olympic champion wrestler Aleksandr Karelin run with the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics on Friday REUTERS
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Sport
15
Mushfiq hails team effort
Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim, who had earlier expressed frustration over the sides performance in the first Test, praised his troop for the character they displayed in the second Test that concluded in Chittagong yesterday. The way we lost our wickets in Mirpur (during first Test) is never right in a Test match. So I think we have improved and I think this was the first time I saw the batsmen play so responsibly, said Mushfiq to the media at ZACS. We lost the first game due to awful batting. We played some bad shots in this game too. But being able to overcome that pressure and draw the game really great and good sign for the team, added the wicketkeeper-batsman. He praised Mominul Haques approach and said, I had faith on him (Mominul) and knew that he will be in the middle as long as the team needs him to save the game. I didnt need to tell him what he needs to do. Mushfiq revealed that he was worried after losing the openers in the morning, but never lost hope as he knew only one partnership was enough to help save the game and "Mominul did that with Imrul and Shakib. l
QUICK BYTES
Liverpool's Martin Skrtel (C) celebrates scoring against Arsenal during their English Premier League match at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, northern England yesterday
REUTERS
tackle local rivals Cardiff City in their first match since Michael Laudrup was sacked as manager. l
RESULTS
Aston Villa Chelsea
02 30 31 51 00 22 02
Nolan 46, 48
West Ham
Crystal Palace
Thievy 46
Liverpool
Arteta 69 P
Arsenal
Norwich Southampton
Lambert 6, Davis 41
Man City
Odemwingie 38, Crouch 44 Long 16, Jelavic 62
Stoke
Sunderland
Hull
Sri Lanka players and officials pose with the trophy after winning the Test series against Bangladesh at he ZACS yesterday MUMIT M
DAYS WATCH
Sony Six 3:30AM (Monday) Indias Tour of New Zealand 1st Test, Day 5 Star Sports 4 1:00PM Sochi Winter Olympic English Premier League 7:30PM Tottenham v Everton 10:00PM Man United v Fulham Star Sports HD1 3:30PM & 8:30PM Hockey India League La Liga 12:00AM Real Sociedad v Levante 2:00AM Sevilla v Barcelona Star Sports HD2 1:45AM Serie A Inter Milan v Sassuolo Ten Cricket 6:30PM Ram Slam T20 Final: Cape Cobras v Dolphins Ten Action French Ligue 1 2013/14 7:00PM FC Nantes v Olympique Lyon 10:00PM Bordeaux v FC 56
RESULTS
VfL Wolfsburg Werder Bremen
Aycicek 89
30 15
Mainz 05
Dortmund
Nuremberg Freiburg
02 11
Bayern Munich
Dhaka division picked their second win of the season defeating Chittagong inside three days in their second round game of the 15th National Cricket League yesterday. In the other three games of the round Khulna, Dhaka Metro and defending champions Rajshahi are in strong position against their respective opponents.
in the second innings. He clinched the man of the match award for picking nine wickets in the game.
Khulna v Rangpur
Schmid 68
Hoffenheim
Modeste 85
Frankfurt
30
Braunschweig
A dominant bowling performance from Dhaka saw them defeat Chittagong by an innings and 99 runs at Rangpur Cricket Garden. Chittagong were asked to follow-on after being dismissed for 124 in the first innings. The second innings also was not any different as they were bundled out for 156 runs. Opening batsman Nafees Iqbals 42 was the highest in the innings. Earlier Dhaka posted 379 in their first innings on the back of Shuvagata Homs 108. Nazmul Apu led Dhakas charge with a five-wicket haul
Khulna leads the game with 377 runs against Rangpur after the end of third day at Bogras Shaheed Chandu Stadium. Rangpur resumed their second innings on 167 for five and eventually made 283. Saymon Ahmed made 83 while Ahamadul Kabir scored 59 for Rangpur. Ziaur Rahman and Nahidul Islam picked three wickets each for Khulna. Khulna were 252 for eight at stumps of day three. Fast bowler Dollar Mahmud scored 63 after opening batsman Soumya Sarkar made 60 and Tushar Imran scored 54. Left-arm spinner Sohrawardi Shuvo picked four wickets for Rangpur.
resumed their 1st innings on the day which ended with 284 runs before getting all out. Alok Kapalis 110 runs had set a platform for the side to lengthen the innings but the other batsmen of the side failed to capitalize. Sharif Ullah picked three wickets for Dhaka Metro. Later Metro batted 40 overs in the second innings and scored 119 runs losing two wickets. Asif Ahmed was not out along with Saikat on 31 runs. Nabil Samad and Abu Zayed picked one wicket each for Sylhet.
Rajshahi v Barisal
Riding on Saikat Alis unbeaten 68 runs, Dhaka Metro is leading the game by 150 runs against Sylhet at BKSP. Sylhet
Barisal trailed by 321 runs against Rajshahi at stumps on day three at Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium. Rajshahi resumed their second innings yesterday with an overnight score of 21 for no loss. They went onto declare their second innings on 279 for nine. Junaed Siddique (83) and Jubayer Ahmed (58) score fifties to help them take the 369-run lead. Monir Hossain picked four wickets while Kamrul Islam Rabbi took three for Barisal. Barisal ended the day on 48 for two. l
BRIEF SCORES
Chittagong v Dhaka Division Rangpur v Khulna
Dhaka (1st innings) 379 all out in 105 overs Chittagong (1st innings) 124 all out in 37.2 overs Chittagong (2nd innings) 156 all out in 52.2 overs (Nafees 42, Nazmul Apu 5/21) Dhaka won by an Innings and 99 runs Khulna (1st innings) 408 all out in 118.3 overs Rangpur (1st innings) 283 all out in 85.3 overs Khulna (2nd innings) 252/8 in 63 overs (Dollar 63, Soumya 60, Tushar 54, Sohrawardi 4/54) Khulna lead by 377 runs
Barisal v Rajshahi
Rajshahi (1st innings) 330 all out in 97.2 overs Barisal (1st innings) 231 all out in 67 overs Rajshahi (2nd innings) 270/9 declare in 73.3 overs Barisal (2nd innings) 48/2 in 20 overs (Zakaria 14*, Taijul 1/7) Barisal trail by 321 runs
16
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Back Page
A young reader choosing a book from one of the 25 stalls containing only childrens books in this years book fair
RAJIB DHAR
Sometimes abductors take away children for trafficking or engaging them in begging. These are different issues
On the same day, Omar Ali High Schools seven grader Jahidul Islam, 13, was abducted in the same style. The abductors demanded Tk10 lakh from the victims family over phone and the next day his body was found wrapped in sack near Bhargaon Beribadh. The abductor beheaded him. The family members of the victims alleged they did not get back their children as they contacted law enforcers. The law enforcers could not do anything. It would have been better if they had given the ransom without informing police. In the last few days incidents of child abduction for ransom have increased. Sometimes, money could not save them. Police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) however said the possibilities of
142
n Ahmed Zayeef
The Amar Ekushey Book Fair hosted an elevated festive mood yesterday, as a large number of children visited the venue with their parents as part of special childrens hours. The Shishu Prohor, a special time dedicated to children by the Bangla Academy authority, was observed between 11am and 3pm at the book fair yesterday. Similar childrens hours would also be observed on February 15 and 22. For the first time, 25 stalls containing only childrens books have been distributed at the Bangla Academy premises, while a corner has also been dedicated for the children.
Dipro Saha, a student of class one, was looking through books at a stall. Dipro, who had Amar Ekushey Boi Mela painted on both his cheeks, said: I love books with picture. I watched on television that children are buying books here. I asked my father to bring me here.. Suman Saha, Dipros father, said he was happy to be at the fair with his son, after getting some time off from work on the weekend. Many of the children at the fair also fashioned face-paintings like Dipro and were seen enthusiastically roaming around and looking through childrens books. Manik Mia, a garment worker, brought his children Rafi and Tutul to the fair for buying them books. He said: I was not able to study as much as I wanted, but I want to educate them [the children]. I brought them here to grow their interest about books. I bought colourful books on liberation war for them. Shahriar Ahmed, who had brought his nephew to the book fair, however, said: I did not find a good number of quality books here. Publishers brought few attrac-
tive books, but these are not able to enrich a childs mind, Shahriar told the Dhaka Tribune. Although yesterday was a public holiday, the number of visitors was slimmer than the previous day. Many publishers of childrens books expressed discontent as sales were not as high as expected. Mostak Royhan, publisher of Adigonto publisher, said: Most of the schools are open on Saturday. That is why the presence of children was not that much. It would have been more relevant if the authority announced Friday as Shishu Prohor, he added. A total of 142 new books were published yesterday, the eighth day of the fair. The new publications included Imdadul Hoque Milons Priojon Niye Pach Uponyash and Syed Shamsul Haques Ogni Jole Kobita Komol. A discussion titled Wahidul Haque: Bangladesh e Rabindra Shongit er Prochar o Proshar was held at the central stage of the fair. Presided over by Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman, the discussion saw its keynote paper being presented by Dipa Bondopadhdhay. l
Maharashtra fails to use ATIA MOSQUE IN TANGAIL Bangladesh-refugee fund Historical site under tug-of-war
n Tribune Report
The Maharashtra government has failed to use Rs388.96 crore accumulated by collecting 15 paisa surcharge on bus fares since 1971 for the Bangladeshi refugees of Liberation War, reports PTI. On Friday, the Bombay High Court asked the Maharashtra government to explain how it would use the amount when it was levied to mop up funds to provide relief to Bangladesh refugees. A bench headed by Justice SJ Vajifdar also asked the government to declare whether it would continue the surcharge, which is being collected by state-run transport bodies for more than four decades. Hearing a public interest litigation (PIL), the judges asked the state government to file an affidavit on the aforementioned issues by February 21. The respondents to the petition include Thane Municipal Corporation, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation and other transport bodies. The Indian government reported that in 1971 around 80-90 lakh migrants had taken shelter in 829 refugee camps and that they provided necessary support including food, cloth, medicine to them. According to the PIL, filed by social worker Vikram Tawade, through a Right to Information query it was learnt that one of the reasons for increase in crime rate in Mumbai was that the refugees had been indulging in such activities. No relief was being given to the refugees. The PIL demanded that the authorities either stop collecting the surcharge or use the amount for noble causes like tackling drought, malnutrition and security of women. Neha Bhide, the state counsel, said the surcharge was being levied because the ordinance enforcing it was still in force and the amount thus collected was with the government. l The government claims 95 decimals of land surrounding a historical site as its own, but locals claim it actually belongs to the Atia Mosque at Atia village under Delduar in Tangail. Locals alleged that the land was acquired with an intention to lease it to local leaders who were politically empowered. The historical mosque that had been standing on 12 decimals of land was registered as Waqf land in the record book of Delduar Assistant Commissioners (Land) office. But the government claims that the canal in front of the mosque on around 80 decimals of land, and another 15 decimals of land including ablution space, room for Imam and the roads surrounding the mosque is actually khas or government-owned land. mosque. Maksudur Rahman Imran, secretary of Atia Mosque Committee, said that it has been only two months since he came to know that the 95 decimals of land were listed as khas land. Mir Moshrraf Hossain, chairman of the committee, said they will file a case with Delduar AC (land) office. Nasrin Alam Sathi, assistant commissioner of Delduar land office, said: Land belonging to Waqf estate cannot be enlisted as khas land. In this case, committee members have to file a case with our office. Md Mokbul Hossain, deputy Secretary of Department of Archeology, said Usually we take legal actions through Regional Officer if any Waqf land is mistakenly recorded as khas land.
Government claims area for its own; locals smell a conspiracy But he was not sure whether the Locals think there is a conspiracy n Tazlina Zamila Khan to grab the land of the 400-year old regional office had any plans to take
any legal actions, as the Regional Officer Atatur Rahman had been out of the capital for training. He added that the regional officer will take the decision after coming back to office. The renovation work of the mosque started once in 1988 but the work was undone, and since then the mosque was never renovated again. Afroza Khan Mita, Assistant Director of Epigraphy and Numismatics department, said: We have shortage of fund and manpower, and no officers were recruited in last 20 years. So, it will take time to renovate the mosque. Zamindar Syed Khan Panni, who received the then Atia Pargana as a gift from Mughal Emperor Jahangir in early 17th century had built the mosque in 1609. l
A young girl charges her mobile phone using a biogas socket that converts biogas into electricity
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed on behalf of 2A Media Limited at Dainik Shakaler Khabar Publications Limited, 153/7, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1208. Editorial, News & Commercial Office: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207. Phone: 9132093 94, Advertising: 9132155, Circulation: 9132282, Fax: News-9132192, e-mail: news@dhakatribune.com, info@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com
Business
Artists impression of Classic Fashion Concept's RMG factory to be built in Gazipur with green technology the world standards, ushering in a new era, Shahidullah Azim, managing director of Classic Fashion Concept, told the Dhaka Tribune. Classic is currently setting up a platinum green factory, creating jobs for around 4,000 workers at Ragendrapur in Gazipur. Global retailers in their advertisements now claim that their products are collected from the green factories with improved hygienic conditions, said Shahidullah Azim. Echoing with Azim, former Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury said: It has now become a necessity for us to make our factories eco-friendly as the buyers want us to pay us more only if we can meet their demand of producing the products in an environmentally sound atmosphere. To be certified as green, a factory must be purely compliant, and all the elements used in the factory have to be tested by the US-based Green Building Concept (GBC). Our factory is platinum one as it has been constructed following US GBC standards. There are three types of green factory on the basis of the standards, said Akbar of ABA group. Though setting up a green factory definitely costs more than regular one, it saves money in the long run as it help reduces the cost of utility services such as power and water, said Shahidullah Azim. It also helps a factory owner to enhanced reputation as a socially responsible businessman committed to pro-
COURTESY
tecting the environment and people as a whole, he said. If the government provides lands and utility services through economic zones, it would help increase the number of green factories across the country, said Abdus Slam Murshedy, managing director of Envoy Textile, certified as green. The Envoy Group has also started another green project for the garment sector. Shahidullah Azim: If the government allows us the duty-free import of equipments for setting up export-oriented green factories, investors would be encouraged to establish more eco-friendly factories. We are planning to set up our Bausia Industrial Park as an eco-friendly industrial zone to be built in Munshiganj, he added. l
'The success of its first venture would be a breakthrough in utilizing the unused land of both government and private owners'
Apart from it, the authorities also selected land at Anowara and Mirersarai in Chittagong and in Sirajganj and Sherpur to be developed under the public-private partnership (PPP) initiative. But it has so far failed to acquire a single part of land because of the lack of fund. In 2010, former country director of World Bank in Bangladesh, Ellen Goldstein said the global lender would help set up 15 to 20 new private economic zones in Bangladesh with a total capacity to accommodate 500 to 700 new companies or expanded units of existing ones by 2021. l
B2
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Stock
DSE GAINERS Company Al-Haj Textile -A Desh Garments -B BDCOM Online-A Linde (BD) Ltd. -A Bata Shoe Ltd. -A Renata Ltd. -A Eastern Bank - A Dhaka Bank -A BD Submarine Cable-A Padma Islami Life*-N CSE GAINERS Company Progressive Life-A Bata Shoe Ltd. -A Pioneer Insur -A Peoples Insur -A BDCOM Online-A Eastern Bank - A BATBCL -A Dhaka Bank -A AMCL (Pran) -A Padma Islami Life*-N
Closing (% change) 18.37 17.76 12.94 12.17 11.95 11.25 11.18 10.85 10.72 10.61
Average (% change) 18.91 17.57 13.55 11.68 10.71 9.06 10.99 10.15 7.60 8.77 Average (% change) 25.00 13.60 13.39 12.49 11.60 10.54 11.13 9.87 9.25 7.47
Closing average 85.57 84.11 34.77 785.88 832.54 897.74 34.63 23.45 181.98 91.76
Weekly closing 84.40 82.90 34.90 792.00 841.50 908.80 34.80 23.50 186.90 92.80
Weekly high 88.30 89.00 35.80 797.00 850.00 908.80 35.00 24.00 189.20 95.00
Weekly low 70.00 72.00 29.00 680.00 750.00 800.00 29.00 19.90 149.40 78.00
Turnover in million 107.521 40.427 308.535 82.273 46.025 248.424 90.133 89.265 615.729 212.307
Latest EPS 2.06 1.18 1.70 43.13 52.75 41.39 2.27 1.04 3.28 1.10
Latest PE 41.5 71.3 20.5 18.2 15.8 21.7 15.3 22.5 55.5 83.4
Closing (% change) 25.00 13.61 13.43 13.33 13.23 11.54 11.26 10.90 10.81 10.11
Closing average 150.00 808.65 75.97 38.83 34.55 34.51 2068.89 23.27 231.37 90.65
Weekly closing 150.00 808.70 76.00 39.10 35.10 34.80 2071.40 23.40 232.60 91.50
Weekly high 150.00 811.60 76.00 39.80 35.80 35.00 2071.40 24.90 236.00 95.00
Weekly low 150.00 755.00 73.70 34.00 31.00 31.70 1900.00 21.00 210.00 82.50
Turnover in million 0.075 0.399 0.151 4.167 14.958 5.625 4.753 3.184 11.358 10.107
Latest EPS 2.30 52.75 5.75 2.20 1.70 2.27 76.51 1.04 6.06 1.10
Latest PE 65.2 15.3 13.2 17.7 20.3 15.2 27.0 22.4 38.2 82.4
(+) 1.93% (+) 1.30% (+) 1.63% (+) 2.93% (+) 1.67%
Weekly high 37.00 13.20 78.50 36.00 8.60 45.50 38.20 26.20 370.00 58.70
Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis) Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.) Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)
Weekly low 28.00 11.20 65.00 32.00 7.60 40.00 32.00 21.80 353.20 50.20 Turnover in million 169.074 2.830 193.779 568.338 7.596 167.394 540.804 45.884 1.449 128.128 Latest EPS 1.34 -4.58 3.33 1.52 -1.08 1.16 2.25 0.22 7.88 2.42
Average (% change) -16.51 -9.93 -9.77 -10.73 -9.81 -10.73 -6.71 -7.28 -8.04 -6.72 Average (% change) -27.29 -15.77 -11.82 -11.12 -9.41 -9.65 -6.28 -6.77 -7.33 -7.79
Closing average 29.74 11.43 70.30 32.86 7.72 42.51 34.50 23.81 354.67 53.55
Weekly closing 29.50 11.40 69.60 32.70 7.60 42.50 34.30 23.40 354.40 53.10
Latest PE 22.2 -ve 21.1 21.6 -ve 36.6 15.3 108.2 45.0 22.1
Closing average 73.20 29.85 970.00 32.77 70.91 42.71 34.65 23.81 46.30 25.82
Weekly closing 73.20 29.50 970.00 32.60 70.10 43.00 34.40 23.50 45.90 25.90
Weekly high 73.20 36.40 1,031.50 36.70 77.00 46.00 38.10 26.30 52.00 27.00
Weekly low 73.20 29.50 970.00 32.10 69.80 41.70 34.20 23.40 42.60 25.50
Turnover in million 0.037 9.241 0.015 163.643 8.535 14.612 59.500 5.325 12.207 12.182
Latest EPS 13.84 1.34 0.00 1.52 3.33 1.16 2.25 0.22 1.74 0.76
Latest PE 5.3 22.3 21.6 21.3 36.8 15.4 108.2 26.6 34.0
SAIHAMTEX: (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 113.65 million with EPS of Tk. 1.52 as against Tk. 112.66 million and Tk. 1.50 respectively**. PRIMETEX: (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 21.43 million with EPS of Tk. 0.56 as against Tk. 19.09 million and Tk. 0.50 respectively**. MALEKSPIN: (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 213.89 million with consolidated EPS of Tk. 1.10 as against Tk. 171.88 million and Tk. 0.89 respectively**. DAFODILCOM: (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 14.89 million with EPS of Tk. 0.30 as against Tk. 26.46 million and Tk. 0.53 respectively**. CENTRALPHL: (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 61.71 million with EPS of Tk. 0.87 as against Tk. 21.90 million and Tk. 0.38 (restated) respectively**. FUWANGCER: (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 24.02 million with EPS of Tk. 0.28 as against Tk. 28.09 million and Tk. 0.33 respectively**. ZAHINTEX: (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 21.79 million with EPS of Tk. 0.38 as against Tk. 59.83 million and Tk. 1.05 respectively**. KOHINOOR: (H/Y): NPAT=Tk. 32.05 million with EPS of Tk. 3.94 as against Tk. 25.19 million and Tk. 3.10 (restated) respectively**. AGNISYSL: (H/Y): NPAT=Tk. 28.68 million with EPS of Tk. 0.55 as against Tk. 22.39 million and Tk. 0.43 respectively**. ORIONINFU: (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 17.99 million with EPS of Tk. 0.89 as against Tk. 24.03 million and Tk. 1.18 respectively**. DESCO: (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 191.94 million
with EPS of Tk. 0.56 as against Tk. 719.82 million and Tk. 2.09 respectively**. PHARMAID: (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 6.63 million with EPS of Tk. 2.13 as against Tk. 4.99 million and Tk. 1.60 respectively**. HAKKANIPUL: (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 2.66 million with EPS of Tk. 0.14 as against Tk. 4.74 million and Tk. 0.25 respectively**. IMAMBUTTON: (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. (9.96) million with EPS of Tk. (1.29) as against Tk. (12.83) million and Tk. (1.67) respectively**. RAHIMAFOOD: (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. (10.04) million with EPS of Tk. (0.50) as against Tk. 7.16 million and Tk. 0.36 respectively**. SAMATALETH: NPAT= Tk. (0.19) million with EPS of Tk. (0.02) as against Tk. (0.36) million and Tk. (0.03) respectively**. UNITEDAIR: (H/Y): NPAT=Tk. 277.59 million with EPS of Tk. 0.49 as against Tk. 700.58 million and Tk. 1.23 (restated) respectively**. FINEFOODS: (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. (6.38) million with EPS of Tk. (0.49) as against Tk. 2.71 million and Tk. 0.21 (restated) respectively**. MHSML: (H/Y): NPAT=Tk. 41.78 million with EPS of Tk. 1.08 as against Tk. 25.34 million and Tk. 0.72 respectively**. ALLTEX: (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. (26.12) million with EPS of Tk. (0.54) as against Tk. 2.99 million and Tk. 0.06 respectively**. BDAUTOCA: (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 0.06 million with EPS of Tk. 0.02 as against Tk. 0.21 million and Tk. 0.06 respectively**. OLYMPIC: (H/Y): NPAT=Tk. 405.79 million with EPS of Tk. 3.45 as against Tk. 286.15 million and Tk. 2.43 respectively**. PREMIERCEM: (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 182.38 million with consolidated EPS of Tk. 1.73 as against Tk. 190.93 million and Tk. 2.04 respectively**.
ANALYST
Investors are absorbing the selling pressure as they are accelerating their buying spree whenever they see cheaper prices
DSE Million Taka 6201.72 2586.59 869.28 2985.80 2318.88 4911.90 12.29 3675.78 3404.80 5.49 320.71 408.61 442.30 1380.57 992.32 1642.38 1683.67 1235.08 1028.59 535.04 3.74
% change 16.92 7.06 2.37 8.15 6.33 13.40 0.03 10.03 9.29 0.01 0.88 1.12 1.21 3.77 2.71 4.48 4.59 3.37 2.81 1.46 0.01
Million Taka 667.51 259.73 48.07 425.17 114.86 239.53 0.00 339.72 239.43 9.77 32.15 36.45 47.56 75.54 111.00 71.40 84.15 140.08 157.46 87.29 0.19
CSE
% change 20.94 8.15 1.51 13.34 3.60 7.52 0.00 10.66 7.51 0.31 1.01 1.14 1.49 2.37 3.48 2.24 2.64 4.40 4.94 2.74 0.01
Million Taka 6869.23 2846.32 917.35 3410.97 2433.73 5151.44 12.29 4015.50 3644.23 15.25 352.86 445.06 489.86 1456.11 1103.31 1713.78 1767.82 1375.16 1186.05 622.33 3.93
Total
% change 17.25 7.15 2.30 8.56 6.11 12.93 0.03 10.08 9.15 0.04 0.89 1.12 1.23 3.66 2.77 4.30 4.44 3.45 2.98 1.56 0.01
DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Meghna Petroleum -A Square Pharma -A BATBCL -A Jamuna Oil -A Mercantile Bank -A UNITED AIR A Olympic Ind. -A Grameenphone-A BD Submarine Cable-A LankaBangla Fin. -A CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Appollo Ispat CL -N UNITED AIR A UCBL - A aamra technologies-A BD Submarine Cable-A Mercantile Bank -A National Bank - B G Next Fashions-A Square Pharma -A LankaBangla Fin. -A
Volume shares 5,034,152 4,044,828 402,385 3,701,796 35,354,369 42,670,554 3,568,320 2,953,352 3,494,552 7,673,904
Value in million 1379.18 972.30 837.46 831.79 720.79 702.52 650.56 619.35 615.73 586.43
% of total turnover 3.76 2.65 2.29 2.27 1.97 1.92 1.78 1.69 1.68 1.60
Weekly closing 278.30 248.10 2100.80 230.80 20.70 16.30 185.60 210.00 186.90 73.20
Price change 4.62 8.63 8.91 6.46 8.38 -6.86 2.77 -1.08 10.72 -7.22
Weekly opening 266.00 228.40 1929.00 216.80 19.10 17.50 180.60 212.30 168.80 78.90
Weekly high 284.30 249.90 2164.30 235.00 22.20 19.20 198.00 214.50 189.20 79.70
Weekly low 243.00 220.00 1841.00 202.00 17.20 14.50 168.00 195.00 149.40 69.10
Weekly average 278.75 245.33 2106.88 230.57 21.09 16.16 183.99 208.68 181.98 73.89
Prepared exclusively for Dhaka Tribune by Business Information Automation Service Line (BIASL), on the basis of information collected from daily stock quotations and audited reports of the listed companies. High level of caution has been taken to collect and present the above information and data. The publisher will not take any responsibility if any body uses this information and data for his/her investment decision. For any query please email to biasl@bol-online.com or call 01552153562 or go to www.biasl.net
Volume shares 4,817,200 8,643,721 2,693,015 1,884,650 423,360 3,381,460 4,250,605 1,648,240 238,904 683,120
Value in million 163.64 142.73 82.98 79.38 74.58 69.12 61.20 59.50 57.42 52.19
% of total turnover 5.15 4.49 2.61 2.50 2.35 2.18 1.93 1.87 1.81 1.64
Weekly closing 32.60 16.30 29.70 43.00 187.00 20.60 14.40 34.40 248.40 73.70
Price change -11.41 -7.39 -4.50 4.88 10.00 7.29 1.41 -8.27 8.61 -6.59
Weekly opening 36.80 17.60 31.10 41.00 170.00 19.20 14.20 37.50 228.70 78.90
Weekly high 36.70 17.80 34.00 43.80 189.90 21.50 14.90 38.10 249.90 80.80
Weekly low 32.10 15.10 28.00 40.00 165.30 19.10 13.90 34.20 230.10 73.00
Weekly average 32.77 16.17 30.00 42.79 181.20 21.16 14.46 34.65 245.64 73.84
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Business
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communities in Rakhine state since 2012 have left scores of people dead and about 140,000 people displaced, mainly from the Rohingya minority. Another official said that the United States was raising concerns over Rakhine state but believed that Myanmar was overall changing in a positive way.
'Hopefully with this announcement, we can level the playing field and we can compete on the basis of price and quality, not terms'
The Export-Import Banks decision is very much a reflection of Burmas creditworthiness and its not connected to any particular event, she said. Foreign investors have been flocking to Myanmar, which has a large untapped consumer market, ample natural resources including gas and oil, and a strategic location bordering China and India. The Export-Import Bank is no stranger to the country. One of its first projects after its creation in 1934 was to provide $22m to build the Burma Road to supply China during its war with Japan. l
Labourers work at the construction site of a shopping complex in Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi REUTERS since Raghuram Rajan took charge in September - have also dampened chances of early economic recovery. Notwithstanding a favourable monsoon in 2013 and healthy agricultural performance, the pickup in rural demand has been uneven and weaker than expected, said Aditi Nayar, an economist at ICRA, the Indian arm of rating agency Moodys. The economy grew at more than 9% annually for three straight years during the 2005/06 to 2007/08 period, before being hit by the global financial crisis and high interest rates amid a slower global recovery. l
REUTERS
Deteriorating environment
In its new submission, the Global Intellectual Property Centre (GIPC) of the Chamber of Commerce said: We highlight India as a country with particular challenges with respect to intellectual property protections. Because India has not shown a record of engagement on these issues and the environment has deteriorated significantly since last year, we are now
Bangladesh Bank will provide Tk8.17 crore to NCC Bank for financing a Central Water Treatment Plant at Comilla EPZ. In this connection NCC Bank has signed a facility access agreement with Investment Promotion and Financing Facility (IPFF) Project Cell of Bangladesh Bank for availing IPFF fund under IDA Credit of World Bank on Thursday. Atiur Rahman, governor of the central bank attended the signing ceremony as chief guest
Bank Asia held its annual business conference for the year 2014 yesterday at a hotel in the capital. The conference was inaugurated by the banks chairperson A Rouf Chowdhury
EXIM Bank has set a new record in Asia by forming the largest human corporate logo recently at the Army Stadium in Dhaka yesterday in its annual picnic programme
Global Brand Private Limited, the authorized distributor of Lenovo in Bangladesh, has officially launched Lenovo Brand Shop on Thurday at Multiplan Center (Level-7), Elephant Road in Dhaka
City Bank on Friday launched its new online branch at Alfadanga in Faridpur. Rubel Aziz, the banks chairperson inaugurated the branch as chief guest
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DHAKA TRIBUNE
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with people in Vietnam and Myanmar, there is a lot of talk in the frontier market community about low-end factory work rotating away from China to markets with cheaper labor. Is Bangladesh seeing job growth and what are Bangladeshs competitive advantages?
We have a large pool of workers. 70% of the population is in the workforce. Only 11% of the workforce is currently in the industrial sector, so there are a vast number of people remaining that can be employed in the industrial sector. Of course, both low cost labor and the availability of labor are important. Compared to other countries where labor is not that expensive, but the availability of labor is in question, Bangladesh offers a better situation with a larger skilled low-cost labor pool. Another important thing is that Bangladesh is a very homogenous society. The business language here is English, so there is no language barrier. Any high school educated person from Bangladesh can communicate in English. We also have the strategic advantage of being near many of the largest countries and important commercial hubs in Asia like India, China, Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.
Bangladeshs good news Interview with Khalid Quadir of Brummer & Partners
W
n Jon Springer
ith most of the news from Bangladesh that reaches the international news cycle focusing on a host of negative issues, this interview with Mr Quadir takes a look at the underlying growth in the economy of Bangladesh and the prospects for investment there.
When news from Bangladesh reaches the international media, it usually is not good. The common terms are political unrest, factory protest, cyclones, tornadoes, floods or Islamist plus a negative adjective. Setting aside the recent elections, what are the positive things happening for the economy of Bangladeshs 160 million people that those outside the country should know about?
The interesting story which most people in the international investment community may not know, is that, over the last 20 years, Bangladeshs economy has been growing 5 to 6% per year. We never grow 20%. We never have zero growth. This is the predictable and consistent growth that all investors want. Part of the business of investing in Bangladesh is this predictable growth that the country has shown over the last 20 plus years. Where is this growth coming from? First is our export growth. There is a case for labor arbitrage. Bangladesh is a populous country where labor is less costly than elsewhere. Exports grew approximately 15% every year for the last several years. Even despite some political turmoil, exports grew around 17% in 2013. Second, as a land mass, we are a very small country, as small as Wisconsin, one of the smaller states of the US However, our land is extremely fertile with a full six seasons of crop growing, which allows us to feed our whole population of 160 million people, more than 50% of the US population. Third is our huge remittance flow from other countries. It was about $15 billion in 2013. Bangladeshis work in the Middle East, Far East, Europe, the United States. Wherever there are opportunities for labor, Bangladeshis are penetrating that market.
womens education and womens empowerment. If you look at the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, Bangladesh has actually been at the forefront; and is heading towards becoming a middle-income country within the next decade. In Bangladesh, the poor have been disproportionately elevated as compared to its growth. The Economist even noted this [as the magazine wrote in 2012 over the past 20 years, Bangladesh has made some of the biggest gains in the basic condition of peoples lives ever seen anywhere]. When we launched our fund in 2008, GDP per capita was about $650 in todays dollars. In 2013 it was $1050. Within 5 years it grew by 62%. Thats very impressive growth!
Regarding the macroeconomic economy being stable regardless of which party is in power, is this because of the Central Bank of Bangladesh or why is this so?
The Central Bank is independent of politics and has managed monetary policy well regardless of which party is in power. The real drivers of our economy are the private entrepreneurs. Today exports are around $29 billion and 80% of those exports are from the garment industry. Garment factories started by entrepreneurs dominate the whole sector. The economy is driven by the initiatives of private enterprise. Individuals drive both the export rate and the remittances from abroad. I think that the laborers who go abroad to unknown places to work do exhibit an entrepreneurial spirit. Many of the large garment manufacturers of today were started by first time entrepreneurs without much prior business experience, yet they built extremely successful ventures. While the economy is being driven by the private sector, without the governments strong complementary efforts, growth could not have occurred.
Khalid Quadir is cofounder and managing partner of Brummer & Partners Asset Management Bangladesh, which manages Frontier Fund, the first and only private equity fund operating
KEN CLAY CDC
in Bangladesh. After finishing high school in Bangladesh, Mr. Quadir, age 48, continued his studies at Middlebury College in the United States. A Fellow at Stanford Business School, Mr. Quadir worked early in his career on Wall Street in private equity for CIBC, Hambros Bank and Bank of America. Prior to managing Brummer Bangladesh, Mr. Quadir had an extensive resum of work in Bangladesh. He helped his brother Iqbal Quadir set up Grameenphone, Bangladeshs first and largest mobile phone company, which they launched in 1997 and exited their stakes from in 2004. He also founded bracNet, one of the largest Internet service providers in Bangladesh, alongside U.S investors and BRAC, the worlds largest NGO, from which the service gets its name. Mr. Quadir remains a stakeholder in bracNet alongside principal owners KDDI of Japan, BRAC and bracNets consortium of international investors he put together. Mr. Quadir and Patrik Brummer, the eponymous founding Chairman of Brummer & Partners AB, first met in 2005. When Mr. Quadir returned to live in the U.S. in 2007 after spending two years running bracNet in Bangladesh, he and Mr. Brummer discussed further the idea of launching Bangladeshs first private equity fund. Launched in 2008, they expect to launch their second Bangladesh fund this year.
I think Bangladesh has the chance to become a mini-China when it comes to manufacturing industrial, low-tech and household products, as well as garments and textiles
Regarding Bangladeshs politics, the year began a few weeks ago with the re-election of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party. She was prime minister from 1996 to 2001 and has held the post again since
There is a growing middle class, and the consumption power of the Bangladeshi people has been increasing steadily. This increases the stability of the domestic economy. If I look at our own portfolio, we have an investment in a garments company that is doing very well. We have also invested in: a supermarket chain, a home appliance distribution and manufacturing company, a generic pharmaceutical producer, a motorcycle manufacturer.
ments sector in Bangladesh, with 5 million people working in it, I think there has been a broad understanding that the situation must improve. The factory owners have realized that they have a problem. The government has realized that they have to be a bigger watchdog. The big buyers have realized, whether it is GAP, H&M or others, that they have to ensure they enforce compliance. I think all of them understand the problem and since this crisis, steps have been taken to improve the situation. The problem did not start in one night and will not go away in one night. It will take some time, but what is important is that this crisis did trigger awareness about the problem, and I think it is now being addressed.
ing of the market through 2010. Since then, the government cracked down quite hard and the regulators became more involved. More interestingly, there was a law enacted in 2013 to make the Dhaka Stock Exchange a demutualized stock exchange. The Dhaka Stock Exchange now is a company instead of a clubhouse of brokers. This demutualization was essential to have a transparent, healthy and vibrant stock market. The Dhaka Stock Exchange is now in conversations with global technology providers to install a modern trading platform. When this takes place, it could become a good year for Bangladeshs capital markets.
economy, increasing exports and the entrepreneurial and resilient spirit of the people. To start a private equity fund, you cannot just start from nowhere. It is a very relationship based business, especially in a country where there is no tradition of private equity. Private equity requires local knowledge and the perseverance to work with companies. It is not about just deploying some money. We are very involved in each of the companies. We take a minority stake, we dont run any of the companies, but we are very involved in the business. We play a role at the strategic level through active board participation.
Bangladesh is best known for exporting textiles. However there is a range of products exported from batteries to ballpoint pens. What export sectors are growing the fastest for Bangladesh?
One of the important sectors Bangladesh can grow is low-tech manufacturing. If I look at our own portfolio, we have invested in a company that manufactures refrigerators and assembles televisions. We have invested in another company that exports automotive batteries in many countries. There is a generic pharmaceutical maker in our portfolio. Bangladesh has done quite well with pharmaceutical production. We export pharmaceuticals to both very regulated markets, as well as unregulated markets, and this is a growing sector. We also have invested in a motorcycle company. If I look at our neighboring countries, the motorcycle usage is high compared to Bangladesh. So in Bangladesh, as the spending power of the middle class increases there is the opportunity that more and more people will be using motorcycles as it is a first step before buying a car. These are all industrial products though not the high tech type, like making the iPhone. I think Bangladesh has the chance to become a mini-China when it comes to manufacturing industrial, low-tech and household products, as well as garments and textiles. I see these as the current growing trends among entrepreneurs in Bangladesh.
You had about $90 million to work with in 2009. What is the status of your private equity fund?
We are very close to deploying all our money from our first fund, and we are working to launch a second fund in 2014. We have not had any exits yet. We are in the business of investing in the right people, and the right opportunities with excellent growth stories. Our portfolio companies are doing quite
Lastly, in the past you have suggested there is the opportunity for Bangladesh to grow into a mini-China if infrastructure and power supply issues can be resolved. How far along is this progress and what positive developments do you see on the horizon?
There are ongoing projects in the power sector, as well as for highways, bridges, roads, ports and railways. The
For anyone looking for stable, predictable and consistent growth, I do think, we offer a fantastic destination, despite the problems we have
The cash cow for Bangladesh is the RMG sector and every stakeholder has realised that safety and security compliance cannot be neglected anymore SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN Lastly, the management of the macro economy by the government, irrespective of political parties, has been sound. Though small, we do have a balance of payments surplus; a reasonable size of foreign exchange reserves that will cover 6 months of imports; and our local currency, the Taka, has been reasonably stable. Amidst this textbook growth, the remittances and the stable management of the economy, there is a growing middle class amongst our 160 million people that is the ultimate engine of our economy. This is the story we understand. This is why we took the preemptive approach of coming to Bangladesh and investing here. I think more will follow suit. I think international investors and the international media are beginning to understand and see Bangladesh in a different light than in the 1970s and 1980s. Bangladesh has been a model country for inclusive growth as measured by social indicators. We have done very well to reduce our mortality rate and reduce child labor while improving longevity, general access to education,
2009. There have been well-publicized issues with the opposition Bangladesh National Party, Jamaat-e-Islami, a partial boycotting of the recent election and the opposition leader Khaleda Zia herself formerly prime minister from 1991 to 1996 and 2001 to 2006 under house arrest. Investors like stability. What is the outlook for a stable environment for investors in Bangladesh?
At the end of the day, Bangladesh is a democracy. It has its ups and downs. We are going through a growing phase or process towards a more hospitable and mature system of democracy. Bangladesh is the second largest Muslim country with a vibrant democracy. Our democracy is not perfect, but nevertheless, it is a democracy. We are not ruled by some artificially implanted force, but by an electoral process. For anyone looking for stable, predictable and consistent growth, I do think, we offer a fantastic destination, despite the problems we have.
Except the one garment investment, the rest of the investments are focused on Bangladeshs domestic economy. The vibrant consumer base has its own force. We are not solely dependent on our cheap labor and exports. The growing middle class is an important part of our economy today. Thats why we see that Bangladesh has possibilities for investors with both a cheap labor base and a growing consumer base.
well. The limited partners in our current fund have shown their willingness to come back and invest in our next Bangladesh fund.
Patrik Brummer, founder of Brummer & Partners said in 2009, If you believe in labor arbitrage as a true trend, that will benefit Bangladesh. Were there other mediating circumstances in Brummer & Partners decision to open their first single country Asian fund in Bangladesh?
I was introduced to Patrik Brummer in 2005 through a mutual friend after which he became involved in a personal capacity in the bracNet venture and came to Bangladesh to see the country. Brummer & Partners likes to be the first mover. They were the first hedge fund in Sweden; now one of the top ten in Europe with $16 billion under management. Patrik Brummer is someone who has a vision and can take a bold step before others. When he came to Bangladesh in 2005, he really liked what he saw. Of course, Bangladesh is a poor country, no one can deny that. What Patrik saw are the opportunities, that almost every sector is growing, a vibrant local
The Rana Plaza factory collapse in 2013 left 1,129 dead and about 2,500 people injured. The collapse and subsequent protests made headlines. What has been the reaction by the government and heads of industry to this incident?
Work safety is an important issue. Im not saying all the factories in Bangladesh today are compliant with government and industry standards, but most are. The crisis created by this collapse was a reflection of a problem in this sector. It casts a light on the responsibility of the buyers, of the factory owners and of the regulators. Given the importance of the gar-
Since peaking in November 2010, the Dhaka Stock Exchange index is down about 50%. What have been the causes of this drop in the stock market in the underlying economy and are the capital markets on the mend?
In Bangladesh, the stock market is driven by retail investors, mom and pop type investors. We do not have large institutional investors to guide the market. The market went up and down based on the rumors of retail investors. There were some imperfections in the system and in the regulations when we had a balloon-
country needs a lot of new infrastructure and many such projects have been planned. Power has been a problem for us for many years. Over the last 5 years, our capacity has almost been doubled. It is not resolved yet, but it has become dramatically better than what we formerly had by going from 5,000 megawatts to 10,000 megawatts of supply. Bangladesh has a public relations problem. The international media tends to focus on poverty, natural calamities, the Rana Plaza accident and politics. Those definitely are facts. But, I also want to bring out the other side of the coin, the good things that have been happening in the country since its independence: especially the ongoing consistent GDP growth for the last 20 years, the export growth, the stability factors, improvement in social indicators. Underneath all of these, there are tremendous growth prospects that will take Bangladesh to middle-income country status in the coming decade. That is the story the world should also get to know. l Jon Springer writes about emerging and frontier markets in Asia. Republished under special arrangement with Forbes.