D H A K A S A T U R D AY D E C E M B E R 4 , 2 0 2 1

RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE
LIKELY IN JAN SECOND EDITION
Says Ukraine as tensions soar
over alleged Russian troop
build-up near Kiev’s borders
SEE PAGE 12

REGD. NO. DA 781 VOL. XXXI NO. 313 AGRAHAYAN 19, 1428 BS RABIUS SANI 28, 1443 HIJRI 16 PAGES PRICE : TK12.00

“It is minimum demand. It is not a matter of kindness, “Things get easier when Shakib bhai plays. With him returning, “We need to welcome and integrate one another and
magnanimity or humanity as it is her civic right.” we’re thinking of employing four bowlers and seven batters.” to walk together as brothers and sisters, all of us.”
BNP LEADER MIRZA FAKHRUL ON SENDING KHALEDA ZIA BANGLADESH CAPTAIN MOMINUL HAQUE AHEAD OF POPE FRANCIS URGES EUROPEAN
ABROAD FOR TREATMENT SECOND TEST AGAINST PAKISTAN UNITY AMID MIGRANT INFLUX

PLAN TO OVERHAUL LANDSCAPE MASTER PLAN OF UNIVERSITY OF DHAKA LEGEND OFF CAMPUS
SITES
HERITAGE STRUCTURE ROAD-GREEN

Drastic changes KATABON

SHAHBAGH
RETAIN STRUCTURE
PHASING OF PROPOSED STRUCTURE
PHASE-1
LAND USE
PLAYGROUND
GREEN-1
GREEN-2
GREEN ROAD

PHASE-2

designed for DU ROAD USE

PHASE-3
PLAZA
GREEN-3
GREEN-4
GREEN-5
DHANMONDI

URBAN ROAD GREEN MALL

15-YEAR MASTER PLAN ROAD PAVE-1

HAZARIBAGH
ROAD-ROAD (FOOTPATH CROSSING) PAVE-2
97 high-rises to be constructed; 599 old
ROAD-ISLAND PAVE-3
buildings to be dismantled NILKHET RAJU MEMORIAL
SCULPTURE FOOTPATH PAVE-MALL
20-storey administrative building to be the PEDESTRIAN ROAD-GREEN ISLAND
tallest among new structures
ROAD-CYCLE TRACK WATER BODY
Modern library, medical centre, improved
drainage system, roads for cycling included
Implementation in three phases -- 28
buildings in the first HIGH COURT
NEW MARKET
DOYEL CHATTAR
ASIFUR RAHMAN and SIRAJUL ISLAM RUBEL implement the master plan.
If approved, the university would see new
Plans are afoot to change the landscape of academic buildings, dormitories, teachers’
Dhaka University. quarters, modern library and medical centre, PALASHI
Known for its aesthetic beauty with iconic among others. The plan also contained new SHAHEED MINAR
structures, plenty of trees and abundance of roads for cycling and walkway, increased
green spaces, the century-old educational greenery and waterbody.
institution will undergo a massive structural Of all the new structures, a 20-storey AZIMPUR
overhauling to facilitate the growing number administrative building will be the tallest one.
of students, teachers and staffers. While the authorities believe the structural
The DU authorities would construct development, aimed at expanding the 304-
97 high-rise buildings and dismantle 599 acre campus vertically, would not reduce the BANGABAZAR
old structures under a 15-year master plan existing green space, teachers, students and
that they submitted to the Prime Minister’s urban planners are apprehensive about the
Office recently for approval. institution losing its history and tradition
They also sought Tk 9,000 crore to SEE PAGE 2 COL 3 A photographed image of the plan that has been passed in the DU Syndicate recently and submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office for approval.

‘We need to Maldives seeks loan Bangladesh

makes fresh Brace for Omicron
be watchful’
Prof Wahiduddin warns from Bangladesh travel rules
Quarantine must for
passengers from 7
Warns WHO, says vaccination, not travel
curbs, key to battling the Covid variant
AGENCIES
about post-LCD challenges Govt actively considering the request: BB governor African countries
STAFF CORRESPONDENT The World Health Organisation (WHO) yesterday urged countries to boost
STAFF CORRESPONDENT final session of the three-day Annual BIDS
STAR REPORT healthcare capacity and vaccinate their people to fight a surge in Covid-19
Conference on Development: Celebrating
Bangladesh is now In another show of the growing strength cases driven by the Omicron variant, saying that travel curbs could buy
50 Years of Bangladesh. Incoming passengers
cited by many as a of Bangladesh’s economy, the government time but alone were not the answer.
The event organised by Bangladesh from South Africa and six
country producing might give loans to the Maldives after the Despite shutting its
Institute of Development Studies was held other countries have to
billionaires as its high Island nation sought funds. borders to travel from
at the capital’s Lakeshore Hotel. stay in 14-day mandatory
economic growth is If the government agrees to the request, it high-risk southern African
Speaking about inflation, he said, “With institutional quarantine
increasingly becoming will mark the second time that Bangladesh countries, Australia became
the recent rise in prices of commodities at their own expenses in
unequal, which has lent money to another country. the latest country to report
globally amid economic recovery and designated hotels from
undermines the vision of equitable growth Dhaka in August lent $250 million to community transmission
demand-side pressure, the country may today, said Civil Aviation
to become a rich nation in the next 20 Colombo, Sri Lanka in the form of currency of the new variant, a day
face some challenges in taming general Authority of Bangladesh.
years, Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud has told swap to help prop up the latter’s fast- after it was found in five US
inflation in the coming months. The six other countries
a development conference. states.
China, another example of high
economic growth, has seen one of the
depleting foreign reserves and ease pressure
on its exchange rate.
The Maldives’ economy is largely
“However, the bumper production of
rice in the last harvesting season and the
are: Botswana, Eswatini,
Ghana, Lesotho, Namibia,
Omicron has gained a
foothold in Asia, Africa, the
OMICRON
highest rises in income inequality. In
contrast, Japan, which had about the
dependent on tourism and its economy
government’s serious drive for boosting the
food stock from domestic and international
and Zimbabwe. The new
potentially more contagious
Americas, the Middle East
and Europe and has reached
NEW WORRY
contracted by 32 percent last year due to sources may provide a sense of relief.” Omicron variant of
same per capita income as Argentina seven of the nine provinces
the pandemic. Abdur Rouf Talukder, senior secretary coronavirus is dominant
around 1900, is now the world’s third of South Africa, where it was first identified. Many governments have
biggest economy and its growth has been The low level of usable reserves and of the Finance Division, said subsidies and in those countries, said tightened travel rules to keep the variant out.
remarkably equitable, he said. high indebtedness pose significant risks to inflation would be the major challenges in a CAAB notice issued on “Border controls can buy time but every country and every community
The noted economist was presenting macroeconomic stability of the Maldives, the current fiscal year. Thursday night. must prepare for new surges in cases,” Takeshi Kasai, the WHO’s western
a keynote paper at the concluding according to the World Bank. Subsidies in these three areas are 1 Additionally, while Pacific director, told a media briefing.
session of the BIDS Annual Conference “The Maldives requested us for a loan for percent of the GDP for this fiscal year. But travelling to Bangladesh “People should not only rely on border measures. What is most important
on Development to mark 50 years of a longer term. We are actively considering the prices of oil, gas and fertiliser have gone from anywhere in the is to prepare for these variants with potential high transmissibility. So far
Bangladesh’s independence. it,” Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir up in the international market, he said. world, passengers must the information available suggests we don’t have to change our approach.”
SEE PAGE 5 COL 2 told a roundtable yesterday during the SEE PAGE 2 COL 1 SEE PAGE 2 COL 6 SEE PAGE 2 COL 1

Schoolgirl CTG-COX’S BAZAR RAIL LINK

killed, road
safety demo Meeting target
continues
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
major challenge
Students’ protest for safer
12km out of 100.8km track
roads continues in the
wake of the recent deaths
installed; 64 percent progress
of two of their peers in in project till October
road crashes, with more
demonstrations planned
for today.
Even amid such protests,
a school student died
yesterday in Tangail when
she was run over by a
bricks-laden truck after
she fell from a battery-run
auto-rickshaw.
Thirteen-year-old Hafiza
Akhter, a seventh-grader
at Gopalidighi KP High
School, sustained fatal TUHIN SHUBHRA ADHIKARY, back from Cox’s Bazar
injuries to her head and
While the construction work of a rail line from Chattogram
died on the spot, said Azizur to Cox’s Bazar is going on at speed to bring the tourist
Rahman, officer-in-charge of town under railway network, Bangladesh Railway has also
Kalihati Police Station. started the preparatory work for operating railway services
Quoting witnesses, the on the new route.
OC said the battery-run Around 12km rail track, out of 100.8km, has already
auto-rickshaw skidded been installed and the project saw 64 percent overall
off the road while taking progress till October this year to meet the revised target of
a turn and Hafiza fell on opening the line to the public by December next year.
the road near the school Project insiders said meeting the target would be very
around 2:00pm. challenging and if not completed by December next year,
He said locals stopped they hope it would be done by June 2023.
the truck, but the driver A student chants slogans during a demonstration in the capital’s Rampura bridge area yesterday demanding the This correspondent recently saw the workers were
PHOTO:
managed to flee. government meet their 11-point demand, ensuring road safety. Students, who took to the streets a few days ago, ANISUR RAHMAN busy setting up rail track and constructing stations in
SEE PAGE 2 COL 6 said they will continue their protests until their demands are met. SEE PAGE 2 COL 3
 City
2 NEWS DHAKA SATURDAY DECEMBER 4, 2021, AGRAHAYAN 19, 1428 BS

243 15,77,070 27,989 15,41,886 5,254,691 264,848,351

New cases in 24hrs Total cases Deaths Recoveries Deaths Total cases

Malaysia to recruit Kuet closed

till Dec 13
security guards Decision ‘sparked’ by
death of teacher

from Bangladesh STAR REPORT

Khulna University of Engineering and
Technology (Kuet) has been closed till
PORIMOL PALMA PIKM President Ramli Yusuff December 13.
told Malaysian online news portal The decision was made at a university
Malaysia is going to recruit security Malaysiakini that the Malaysian home syndicate meeting around 11:00am
guards from Bangladesh, the second ministry recently said it might consider yesterday, reported our correspondent,
country after Nepal that has so far been bringing in guards from Bangladesh, quoting Kuet Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr
allowed to send people to the Southeast Quazi Sazzad Hossain as saying.
Indonesia and the Philippines.
Asian nation for the sector. After the meeting, students were asked to
From PIKM, they recommended
Bangladesh’s Sena Kalyan Sangstha and leave dormitories by 4:00pm, said the VC.
only Bangladesh because they first came
Malaysian Security Industry Association Prof Md Selim Hossain, a teacher of
to Bangladesh in 2018 and signed the
(PIKM) signed a memorandum of the university’s electrical and electronics
MoU with Sena Kalyan Sangstha, a trust engineering (EEE) department, was
understanding (MoU) in this regard at the owned and operated by Bangladesh
Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala found dead at his home on Tuesday.
Army. Selim, also provost of Lalan Shah
Lumpur on Thursday. “When we [PIKM] went there to see
“Actually, there was an MoU signed Hall, died hours after several Chhatra
their training school, we saw how they League activists confined him to his
in 2018, but security guards from were trained for three months, we felt
Bangladesh could not be recruited office and mentally tortured him, alleged
that they were the best option,” Ramili faculty members of the university.
in Malaysia as the then Mahathir said.
Mohamad-led government had The university authorities formed a
Ramli also said PIKM has urged three-member committee to probe the
imposed a ban on recruitment from the Malaysian government to expedite
Bangladesh,” a foreign ministry official Students of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) leave Rokeya Hall yesterday after the incident.
approvals as there has been a shortage of Kuet teachers and students
told The Daily Star yesterday. security guards due to departures since authorities closed the institution till December 13. Tension was growing on the campus as teachers and announced that they would boycott
The development comes when the start of the Covid-19 pandemic last students started protesting about the death of faculty member Prof Md Selim Hossain, allegedly due to mental academic activities till further notice
Bangladesh and Malaysia are discussing year. torture by Chhatra League members, on Tuesday. PHOTO: STAR demanding a fair investigation.
the signing of a new deal and starting He said while the Nepali security
recruitment, which was frozen following guards are permitted to work here for up
allegations of high recruitment cost that
led to forced labour in the past.
Malaysia, which faces shortage
to 10 years, many of them had requested
to return home and the shortage was Drastic changes designed for DU Schoolgirl
made worse with the freeze on new FROM PAGE 1
of security guards, wanted to recruit intakes for all migrant workers. FROM PAGE 1 the master plan, prepared by a private High-rise scale is appropriate for Battery-run auto-rickshaws are illegal
from Bangladesh, Indonesia and the “We used to have around 40,000 in the name of development. firm Datex (Data Expert private commercial places, he said. “If we bring under the existing rules and not
Philippines. The PIKM, an association Nepali guards but are now down to They fear that the high-rise model Limited), includes a standard library, the model to a university, the human registered with the Bangladesh Road
of the agencies that recruit security between 10,000 and 15,000. may affect the educational environment modern medical centre, gymnasium values among the students could be Transport Authority.
guards, has chosen Bangladesh because “So in order to fill up the empty if the buildings cannot offer visual and swimming pool for girls and car hampered.” The recent deaths -- of Notre Dame
they liked the training and efficiency of quota, we want the government to bring pleasure of a modern architectural parking. Adil said high-rise structures will student Nayeem Hasan and SSC
Bangladeshis, he said. in Bangladeshi guards,” he said. establishment and befitting to the It also contains new roads with increase open space for a while, but examinee Mainuddin Islam -- both
The official said Sena Kalyan Ramli, however, declined to comment country’s culture and heritage. cycling lane and walkway, development when the space will be used by more involved drivers and vehicles without
Sangstha has both a training facility and when asked for a cost comparison Another school of thought believes of playing fields, improvement of people, it will become unusable and proper documentation.
international recruiting agency licence between bringing in security guards no development works would make drainage system, increasing greenery affect the whole environment. Hafiza’s death is the third in less than
for efficiently handling the training and from Nepal and Bangladesh, stating Dhaka University, traditionally known and waterbody. AFM Yousuf Haider, a former pro-VC 10 days at a time when students have
recruitment jobs. that it was a “subjective matter” which as the “The Oxford of the East”, The plan will be implemented of DU, said, “The university area should been demonstrating for safe roads in
He said details of the recruitment is still under negotiation. sustainable if it fails to keep the number in three phases with 28 buildings, not be a concrete jungle. It will create a the capital and elsewhere in the country.
mode, benefits and exact starting time He also insisted that locals are not of students to a desired level. including a 20-storey administrative heavy burden on the environment.” Yesterday, students of different
of recruitment have yet to be finalised. keen to fill up the vacancies, much like The DU has around 40,000 students, building, the tallest of them all, to be Stressing the need for special efforts schools and colleges continued their
However, he said the recruitment will in other “dirty, dangerous and difficult” 2,000 teachers and 4,000 staffers. constructed in the first phase. to improve the standard of education, ongoing protests in Dhaka’s Rampura
start soon as there is an acute shortage sectors that are also reliant on migrant They also said the authorities should A 12-storey Central Library building he said there should be a proper plan to area.
of security guards in Malaysia. labour, Malaysiakini reports. make efforts simultaneously to improve has also been proposed, demolishing build modern research laboratories and They demonstrated near Rampura
the standard of education. the extended north-west part of the to improve research standards. Bridge and chanted slogans demanding
To ensure quality education, they existing one. Admitting that building high- the authorities meet their 11-point
Maldives seeks loan advocated dropping some unnecessary
subjects, reducing the number of
students in some specific faculties, and
According to the draft master plan,
DU campus is located on 304.21 acres
of land. The main campus spreads over
rises is the demand of the time, Syed
Manzoorul Islam said a coordinated
architectural design should be in
demand, including road safety, half
fare for students in all public transport
FROM PAGE 1 countries, Bangladesh would lose the across the country and justice for their
The government has adjusted the fuel preferential market access to many of its making the digital system available in 276.28 acres in Shahbagh, Kataban, place and the buildings should be fellows killed in road accidents.
prices. But the prices of electricity, gas export destinations, he said. all aspects of DU to reduce the huge Palashi, and Curzon Hall areas. environment-friendly structures. Khilgaon Model College student
and fertiliser have not been adjusted yet, “Conscious policy choices have to be number of staffers. It houses a total of 985 buildings, “We must protect the historical Shohagi Samia, who led the protest, said,
the senior secretary added. made in order to make our transition Professor Emeritus Serajul Islam which take up 26 percent of the total structures like Madhur Canteen and the “The protest cannot be stopped by any
“If the prices are not adjusted, the sustainable.” Choudhury said, “Of course we space. Fine Art [Faculty of Fine Art] building.” threat or fear. This protest will continue
country’s subsidies expenditure will Brac Executive Director Asif Saleh need development, but we shouldn’t If the plan is adopted, concrete WHAT AUTHORITIES SAY in realising the 11-point demand.”
just double, from 1 percent of GDP to 2 said Bangladesh has ensured basic make any radical changes. We should structures will occupy 21 percent of DU Pro-VC ASM Maksud Kamal, Shohagi said, “Many others are
percent this fiscal year.” services in health and education in the maintain our own history and tradition. the total space, according to the master convener of the technical committee of protesting for safe roads. Some gave a
Rouf Talukder said the government last 50 years. “The development plan should be plan. the master plan, said they got feedback nine-point demand while others gave a
was expecting some import-induced But the current Bangladesh aspires to devised on the theme of not creating any The authorities say the high- from all stakeholders, including six-point demand. There is no dispute
inflation and cost-push inflation. ensure affordable and quality services disturbance for the existing character,” rise concept will greatly alleviate students, teachers, urban planners, among us. We just place our demands
Syed Akhtar Mahmood, a former because people are not getting quality he told The Daily Star. accommodation and other problems of geography experts and engineers. by strengthening some points after
lead economist of the World Bank, said services despite spending money, he He said the university’s open space the increasing number of DU students, “We took the opinions of students discussing with students from some
Bangladesh has an ambition to become said. is directly related to the educational teachers and staffers. online, passed the plan in the syndicate schools and colleges.”
a higher income country within two Asif said now the question arises as environment and culture. Against the huge number of students, and finally sent it to the prime minister,” She said considering the ongoing
decades. to how the emerging Bangladesh sees “There should be a lot of trees, teachers and staffers, the university can he said. HSC exams, they have become tactical
“It is good to have an ambition. But the role of social sectors going forward. open space, and attractive structures provide accommodation for 41 percent Some necessary changes will be in the movement, but will not leave the
it should also be accompanied by a “Our social sectors played a very which could be a cultural-educational of its students, 29 percent teachers and made if the PM gives any instructions, road.
certain degree of prudence.” complementary role to the government destination for every Dhaka resident.” officers and 22 percent staffers. he said, adding that expanding the She said around 12:00 noon today,
History shows that many countries to ensure that the benefit of the growth Prof Serajul said the DU should After the implementation of the campus vertically is the “demand of the students will stand on the sidewalk of
have aspirations to graduate from goes to the last mile,” said Asif Saleh. emphasise on how to raise the quality project, student accommodation will time”. Rampura Bridge, display red cards and
lower-middle income to higher-middle Md Jashim Uddin, president of the of education within the next 10 to 20 go up to 76 percent, teacher and official Maksud, however, asserted that no organise a cartoon exhibition against
income, and from middle income to Federation of Bangladesh Chambers years. to 53 percent and staffers to 35 percent, tree will be felled for implementing the “corruption and mismanagement” in
higher income. Not all those aspirations of Commerce and Industry, said “It will not happen only by allocating according to the master plan. development project. the road transport sector.
have been met. There are examples where Bangladesh needs local and foreign a big [development] budget. For creating Faiz Ullah, president of the DU “The master plan was prepared Many drivers are operating vehicles
countries have been stuck in the middle- direct investment, capacity building, a knowledge-based environment, unit of Bangladesh Students’ Union, keeping in mind the greenery, heritage, without licences and the vehicles
income trap, said Akhtar Mahmood. need-based skills and product everybody should work together. And said, “The authorities are trying to transportation, pollution, solution to themselves are without fitness
He said lack of adequate emphasis there should be a plan,” he added. accommodate thousands of employees waterlogging, etc.,” he added. clearances due to corruption, Shohagi
development to turn the country into a
on innovation and productivity growth Eminent educationist and author in the campus at a time when they DU VC Prof Akhtaruzzaman said said, adding that these are reasons for
developed one.
is one of the main reasons for those Prof Syed Manzoorul Islam demanded should introduce a digitalised system to they prepared the master plan in accidents.
He called for offering the same policy
countries being caught in the middle- transparency in every step of the plan. facilitate the students and teachers.” consultation with engineers and urban This must be stopped, she added.
support to all exporting sectors that is
income trap, said Akhtar Mahmood. “There should be a public session He also questioned the necessity of a planners in a way so the environment, Meanwhile, while students
currently being given to the garment werechecking papers of drivers and
So, investment should be made sector. in every step to collect feedback on the 20-storey administrative building. open space, and heritage sites are
in innovation, product development, designs and all the buildings should WHAT EXPERTS SAY protected. vehicles on the road in Rampura, a
Shamsul Alam, state minister for scuffle took place between police and
and improving processes and business planning, Ahmad Kaikaus, principal have modern architectural views,” he Adil Mohammad Khan, general “Open space will increase after the
models, he observed. said. secretary of Bangladesh Institute of plan is implemented. Our first target students yesterday.
secretary to the prime minister, Mashiur Later, senior police officials came and
He said Bangladesh needs to move Rahman, economic affairs adviser to “The planning is not to be done only Planners, said the DU’s main attraction is to fulfil the academic and research
from business-friendly policy to market- by the engineers -- it should involve is its human scale model that offers demands,” he added. calmed the students. Additional police
the prime minister, Pradip Ranjan were deployed in the area to maintain
friendly policy. Chakraborty, secretary of the planning the country’s best modern architects, low-carbon mobility options and Asked about any comprehensive plan
aestheticians, urban planners and alternatives to urban sprawl. to improve the quality of education, he law and order.
Mustafizur Rahman, a distinguished division, Binayak Sen, director-general
environmentalists who understand “This is the main attraction of said planning academic development is Meanwhile, Bangladesh Gono
fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue of the BIDS, Zaidi Sattar, chairman of the
ecology and forestry,” said Manzoorul, Dhaka University and we have already an ongoing process. Adhikar Parishad -- a newly formed
(CPD), said as Bangladesh becomes a Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh,
a former professor of English at DU. started destroying it by constructing “The master plan is prepared political platform led by former Ducsu
developing country, it should move away and Nihad Kabir, president of the
THE MASTER PLAN some high-rise buildings,” he told this considering the academic needs,” the vice-president Nurul Haque Nur --
from the predominantly market access Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce expressed solidarity with the ongoing
competitiveness to the productivity and and Industry, Dhaka, also spoke. Apart from new academic buildings, newspaper. VC said.
student protest.
skills-driven competitiveness. Sultan Hafeez Rahman, director At a protest rally in front of the Jatiya
This is because upon graduation of the BIDS Graduate School of Press Club around 3:00pm, Nur warned
from the group of the least developed Economics, chaired the session.
Meeting target major challenge the government against harassing
agitating students as they had done
during the road safety movement in
Brace for Omicron 12KM TRACK INSTALLED and the proposal is now pending with
FROM PAGE 1
the Cox’s Bazar part. Under the project, an iconic station is the planning ministry. 2018.
Besides, the railways authorities have being built at Chander Para near Cox’s Project Director Mofizur said many He said the government must reduce
FROM PAGE 1 Doctors there said there had been a started preparation for creating 1,289 Bazar town. Apart from a six-storey of the electric poles have not been prices of fuel and ensure half fare for
Kasai urged countries to fully vaccinate spike in the number of children under posts for train operation on the route station, 17 other buildings would be removed from the project site by the students at public transport across the
vulnerable groups and stick to five admitted to hospital since Omicron and already prepared a project proposal constructed there on 29 acres of land authorities concerned. However, they country.
preventive measures such as mask emerged, but stressed it was too early to for procuring 54 passenger carriages spending Tk 215 crore. hoped the rest would be removed by
wearing and social distancing.
Omicron has been listed as a “variant
know if young children were particularly
susceptible, although infections have
for operating tourist trains on Dhaka-
Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar route.
“We are terming it an iconic station
because the Oyster-shaped station
this month.
Apart from this, the acquisition of
Bangladesh
of concern” by the WHO and scientists spread faster than in previous waves. “There are some challenges, but would represent the tourism aspect of FROM PAGE 1
about 2km land has not been completed
are still gathering data to establish how Nine cases have been confirmed those are not that big. We are trying hard have Covid negative test certificates
Cox’s Bazar,” said Mohammad Salim, yet, obstructing the work, he said.
severe and contagious it is just as parts in France and 10 in the United States. to meet the December 2022 target,” done using RT-PCR machines, within
the project’s deputy director. MANPOWER, CARRIAGES
of Europe have been hit by surges of One case each in Hawaii and Minnesota Project Director Mofizur Rahman told 48 hours of starting a trip. The time
winter infections by the more familiar While visiting Panirchhara area The project authorities have already
involved residents with no recent The Daily Star on Wednesday. frame was 72 hours before Omicron
Delta variant. under Ramu upazila, this correspondent proposed creating 1,289 posts for
international travel history -- showing The 18,034.47-crore project is was detected, the notice added.
“I have not seen reports of Omicron- found railway track has already been operating trains on the route, and the
that Omicron is already circulating one of the government’s eight fast- While in quarantine, a Covid test will
related deaths yet,” WHO spokesman inside the country. installed there. railways ministry held a meeting over
track projects to bring Cox’s Bazar Anwar Hossain, manager (track the issue last month. be conducted on the seventh day of the
Christian Lindmeier told a UN briefing “This is a case of community spread,” under railway network, and establish construction) of Max Infrastructure Ltd, The posts include those of loco- stay and another after 14 days. The cost
in Geneva. the Hawaii Health Department confirmed.
But vaccine makers should prepare connections with Trans-Asian Railway one of the project contractors, said rail master, their assistant, station manager of the tests will also have to be borne by
US President Joe Biden on Thursday
for the likelihood of adjusting their corridor. Asian Development Bank is track has been set up on 12km line from and other staffers. the travellers, read the notice.
unveiled his plans to battle Covid-19
products to protect against Omicron, funding the project. Eidgah to Joarianala area. “Creating new posts is a long The travellers will also have to book
during the winter, with new testing
he said. requirements for travellers and a surge In 2010, the government decided to Besides, 10km embankment is ready process. So, we have started the process hotels before boarding the flights. If the
WHO’s chief scientist Soumya in vaccination efforts. lay a 128km metre-gauge rail track to for setting up the track, he said. to complete it before the line gets ready Covid test result is positive after seven
Swaminathan yesterday urged people All incoming travellers will need to link Chattogram with Cox’s Bazar at a CHALLENGES AHEAD for operation,” said a railway ministry days, the respective passenger will be
not to panic over the emergence of the test negative within a day before their cost of Tk 1,852.35 crore. Although the current deadline of the official. sent to isolation, the notice explained.
Omicron variant and said it was too flights, and rapid tests that currently cost But a massive change was brought in project is June next year, Railways Moreover, BR has prepared a If the result comes out negative,
early to say if Covid-19 vaccines would $25 will be covered by insurance and decision in 2014 to go for a dual-gauge Minister Nurul Islam Sujan, while Preliminary Development Project the individual still will have to stay in
have to be modified to fight it. distributed free to the uninsured. track for better connectivity, raising the visiting the project site in September Proposal (PDPP) for procuring 54 quarantine for the remaining seven days
Speaking in an interview at the In Norway, officials said at least 17 cost tenfold to Tk 18,034.47 crore. this year, said the rail line would be metre-gauge passenger carriages for at the hotel, it added.
Reuters Next, Swaminathan also said it people who contracted Covid-19 after The authorities then made more opened by December next year. operating tourist train on Dhaka-Cox’s On the 14th day, a Covid-negative
was impossible to predict if Omicron an office Christmas party in the capital changes as they shelved plans of the But project documents, however, tell Bazar route. report will allow the returnee to go
would become the dominant strain. Oslo last week are suspected of having first phase to construct the track up to a different story. As per the PDPP, the project cost home.
‘COMMUNITY SPREAD’ the Omicron variant, reports AFP. Gundum, near the Myanmar border, The project authorities, citing would be $57.28 million and the Health Minister Zahid Maleque
A preliminary study by researchers in Malaysia yesterday reported its own from Ramu. different problems, wrote to the BR deadline July 2022 to June 2025. on Thursday announced the 14-day
South Africa, where the new variant was first Omicron infection in a foreign After the project’s first revision in early this year requesting an extension The proposal is now pending with quarantine protocol for passengers
first reported on November 24, suggests student arriving from South Africa on April 2016, its completion deadline was of the deadline to June 2024 without the Planning Commission, which arriving from the seven countries. He also
the strain is three times more likely to November 19. Sri Lanka also announced set in June 2022. But physical work of raising the project cost. would send it to the Economic Relations warned of stern action against the hotel
cause reinfections compared to the its first case, a citizen returning from rail track from Dohazari of Chattogram The BR then forwarded the proposal Division for searching fund, said a BR authorities concerned and incoming
Delta or Beta strains. South Africa. to Ramu started in March 2018. to the railways ministry on August 23 source. passengers for breaching the protocols.
 City
DHAKA SATURDAY DECEMBER 4, 2021, AGRAHAYAN 19, 1428 BS CITY 3

An undernourished
nutrition budget
NILIMA JAHAN Rima also has no idea how she can receive the
MALNUTRITION OVERLOOKED government maternity allowance, meant for the
Twenty-five-year-old Rima Rani Paul is currently Direct interventions to improve nutritional poor and underprivileged pregnant women to
in her eight month of pregnancy. When she meet their increased nutritional demands.
visited the doctor recently, she was recommended status lacking According to public health and nutrition
a balanced diet, rich in nutrient-dense foods, as experts, despite Bangladesh’s significant
the fetus was not growing as expected.
Nutrition budget around 1pc of GDP and
improvements in various nutrition indicators
Despite this, on most days Rima’s husband 9pc of national budget in the past, the direct interventions to improve
Shipon Paul – a street vendor in Kapasia, nutritional status – such as ensuring maternal
Gazipur – cannot afford to buy her nutrient-rich Only 2pc allocated for direct interventions nutrition to reduce the low birth weight of
fruits and vegetables after providing for their babies, managing acute malnutrition, providing
eight-member family.
High suffering for pregnant women seeking
allowances to poor pregnant and nursingmothers
The situation was particularly challenging free prenatal supplements and so on – require more attention, especially
during her first trimester, which coincided with during the Covid-19 pandemic.
the Covid 19 lockdown. Shipon didn’t have a For instance, a BRAC study found that 73
regular earning and it was difficult for Rima to Last month, when I visited the local union percent of women and 67 percent of men did
put food on the table, let alone have a balanced not eat nutritious foods in the pandemic, while
PHOTO:
diet, she told this correspondent.
health and family welfare centre for prenatal
Red Munia, Dhaka, Bangladesh. the pandemic affected the dietary pattern of 28
IHTISHAM KABIR
“Last month, when I visited the local union vitamin supplements, I was only provided with percent of households.
health and family welfare centre for prenatal some iron and folic acid supplements due to However, a recent Bangladesh National

Red Munia vitamin supplements, I was only provided with

some iron and folic acid supplements due to
supply shortage,” Rima told The Daily Star.
supply shortage.

RIMA RANI PAUL

Nutrition Council (BNNC) publication showed
that although the government spent Tk 23,210
crore in nutrition relevant interventions in 2016-
“However, the centres are supposed to provide

T
he Red Munia entered my child- ones. I was able to spend some time 2017, which represented around one percent of
hood through a story about with these birds. vitamin B complexes and calcium carbonate KAPASIA, GAZIPUR
SEE PAGE 4 COL 3
the Creator painting birds after What a memorable time it was. supplements for free as well,” she said.
creating them. However, one fidgety The males were in their breeding
bird has flown off before being paint- plumage. They had a brownish head,
ed and returns just when He finishes. black tail, and dark brown wings.
There are a few drops of paint remain- But you did not really notice any of
ing with which He splatters this bird. that – all your attention went to the
And so this exquisite bird was created body covered in bright red with white
with spots of white sprinkled on red. dots. Females were grey with a red tail
When I came to birding I saw and white spots on the wings. Flocks
pictures of the Red Munia and flew in, landed on the ground, and
connected it with my childhood story. immediately set about stripping off
But, while I found and photographed seeds from grass blades using their
our other munia species, this bird strong beaks. On cold mornings
eluded me. In the fields of Purbachol they sometimes warmed themselves,
before it was developed, I observed perching on a thin reed with their
numerous munias in the tall grass, back to the sun. Couples huddled
making clumpy nests among the reeds together, often helping preen each
and busily finding seeds and eating other’s feathers.
them. Four of our five munias were An interaction among them caught
in attendance: Silverbill, Tricoloured, my eye. Three Red Munias were
Scaly-breasted and Chestnut Munias. perched on the thinnest of reeds: a
But the Red Munia never showed up. cozy couple on the right and a single
On two other occasions I saw it male on the left. The couple’s male
fleetingly. Once, in the Padma chars dozed off and the female started
of Rajshahi, it flew in and perched eyeing the single male. At one point
momentarily on an Akond branch she jumped to sit close to her single
before taking off – just enough neighbour. But it did not work – the
time for a glimpse but not for a single male shooed her off instantly,
photograph. Later, while birding in as if rebuking her for leaving her mate.
Australia’s Northern Territory, I found The couple was back together. The
it among other finches. I got a distant episode was so fast that you would
photograph, but the flock flew away as have missed it had you blinked.
I came closer for a better shot. Incidentally, the Latin Name for
Recently, however, my luck with Red Munia is Amandava amandava
Red Munias changed when friends – meaning “a bird of Ahmedabad.”
showed me a spot in Dhaka’s Aftab It is also known as Red Avadavat,
Nagar. At the far edges of this housing “Avadavat” being a colonial British
development there remains some distortion of “Ahmedabad.”
intact grassland with tall kash grass. ............................................................
When accumulated water from low-lying areas of the capital overflows, a pump of Water Development Board at Goranchatbari is turned on,
In this patch, which is next to a beel, facebook.com/ikabirphotographs or follow
draining all of it into the river. The only problem is this water comes from residential drains and factories, which means it is contaminated to a
reside many munias, including red ihtishamkabir on Instagram.
horrifying degree, and hence the foams by the shore. This photo was taken recently from Mirpur-Ashulia-Beribadh Road. PHOTO: RASHED SHUMON

Trapped in poverty The legend of Ranajit Gharai ‘Architects no longer at

BIDS study reveals gravity of Freedom fighter, ex-government official, changemaker
rural households’ woes
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
SUSHANTA GHOSH and PARTHA
CHAKRABARTHY Liberation War, said, “In
1971, I was a 21-year-old
mercy of the rich’
Forty-two percent of rural households cannot move out
“At 71, I spend my time student of PC college Rafiq Azam in conversation with The Daily Star
sitting with the village youth at Bagerhat. My closest
of poverty sustainably, while 13 percent households are friends -- Liakat Ali Khan,
and helping them solve
trapped in extreme poverty, a BIDS study has found. Abubakar, Siddiqur
their financial issues. I take
The paper was presented at the three-day annual BIDS Rahman, Mozammel -- and
a dip in the pond every day, Once architecture was the
Conference on Development-2021, which concluded I started engaging in politics
to maintain discipline in my
yesterday. and even formed our weapon of kings and regents.
life,” said Ranajit Gharai,
The study found that 87 percent of the rural households own guerilla group for the
freedom fighter turned agri- They would use architects
are trapped between extreme poor and moderately poor, Liberation War.”
entrepreneur, summing up
implying their daily income fluctuates between USD 1-2 “Our small guerilla to erect towers, build tall
his lifestyle and personality.
per day, but cannot move more than USD 2 per day. group was led by Kabir
Maria Eugenia Genoni, Mansur Ahmed, Pablo Tillan and
Ranajit set up seven structures and palaces. This
ponds across six acres Ahmed Madhu, a military
Madhur Gautam, four World Bank economists, conducted way, they could prove their
the study titled “Bangladesh Rural Income Diagnostics” by
of his parental land in
Balabhadurpur village
VICTORIOUS man who had been jailed
by the authorities for supremacy. They would
surveying 62 villages and analysing data from a range of
recent surveys and censuses conducted by the government
of Morelganj upazila in
Bagerhat district. His farm,
DECEMBER beating up members of the
Pakistani army. On March
enforce rule over others
and the UN organisations. 26, 1971, Madhu escaped through these feats. However,
which he built with the
According to the researchers, Bangladesh has some Jessore jail and returned to Bagerhat. He
remarkable achievements in reducing rural poverty,
help of 50 youth, have been a source the days have changed.
of employment for young men in his instructed us to attack the Razakars with
but these achievements have neither been uniform nor home-made bombs,” he added.
community.
sustainable. On April 1, 1971, Chitta and Balahari,
Through his efforts, Balbhadrapur has
Researchers also pointed out the over-dependency on two other members of the guerrilla, were
become a green village, where at least eight
agriculture, particularly rice cultivation, as the major reason preparing bombs to send to Khulna at MAMUNUR RASHID Old Dhaka. The dwellings there were
more modern agricultural farms and an
behind such fragile achievements in poverty reduction. Nitai Sikder’s house in Morelganj Bazar. mostly built right next to the streets.
animal hospital have been set up. “I want to tell the politicians -- bring
“Although many crops offer farmers higher returns than Suddenly they heard a bomb blast and ran Each one had a ‘roak’ [a common
While walking down memory lane, in the architects to transform cities and
SEE PAGE 4 COL 1 Ranajit, recounting his time in the SEE PAGE 4 COL 2
space or porch where people could sit
communities. Create opportunities and chat] in front of them. These were
for them to study more, so they can places of trust and getting together,
get better and more competent. It is a where people from the household and
As dawn fell over tragedy that city planners never get to the streets could hang out,” he said.
the city of Sylhet, implement their plans.” “But in new Dhaka, I noticed that
nearly 1,200 people This is what internationally each house is protected by walls.
gathered near Kean acclaimed Bangladeshi architect Rafiq Some have barbed wires, while others
Bridge on the bank of Azam had to say in a recent interview have warning signs saying ‘Beware of
with The Daily Star. Dogs’. What does this say about the
Surma, to participate He added that politicians ought relationships we have with each other
in Sylhet Half to make architects partners in the as members of this society? That we
Marathon yesterday. process of building liveable cities and are each other’s enemies? I have tried
The marathon was environments. breaking down the walls of distrust
organised by Sylhet Azam is the principal architect of through my work,” he added.
Shattoto, an architecture firm based in “Once architecture was the weapon
Runners Community, Dhaka with a focus on “architecture for of kings and regents. They would use
marking 50 years green living”. Formed in 1995, Shatotto architects to erect towers, build tall
of Bangladesh’s intends to “unearth the lost history structures and palaces. This way, they
independence, and heritage of Bengal and recreate could prove their supremacy. They
and sponsored by the missing link of its urban and rural would enforce rule over others through
culture”. these feats. However, the days have
Kushiara International The architect makes a city of bricks changed. The architects are no longer
Convention Hall. The and wood come alive, with greenery at the mercy of the rich ones,” opined
runners, divided hanging from every floor, and ponds Azam.
into two segments on the roofs. Every park becomes a He added that although he is
-- 21.1 kilometres meeting place for people from all walks thankful for the work he did for his
of life. The parks and buildings he rich clients, which helped him survive,
and 10 kilometres designs have no concrete walls. he no longer wants to do their bidding.
-- completed their run Azam explained why; they form part “I want to be at the service of
at the finish line set of his vision of a city without divisions the common people. I want to do
in Sylhet International and distrust, a city that is accessible to work that can change a child’s life
Cricket Stadium. all. or transform the lives of an entire
“I mainly got this inspiration from SEE PAGE 4 COL 5

PHOTO: SHEIKH NASIR

4 CITY DHAKA SATURDAY DECEMBER 4, 2021, AGRAHAYAN 19, 1428 BS

IMPOSING TRAVEL BAN

Authorities
ZIRABO-BISHMAIL ROAD IN SAVAR Architects no longer Rape accused
FROM PAGE 3 held in Gazipur
must take
court approval
SC observes in full
Commuters suffer for community,” said the architect.
Azam was recently featured by American news magazine
Time for his climate resilient solutions for “the historic
southern-half of Dhaka city to adapt to a warmer, wetter
future.”
OUR CORRESPONDENT,
MYMENSINGH

Rapid Action Battalion

dilapidated road
(Rab-14) in Mymensingh
text verdict “Recently, Time published an issue dedicated to the arrested a rape accused
COP26. As Bangladesh is well known for its vulnerability from Gazipur yesterday.
STAFF CORRESPONDENT The arrestee was
to climate change, a lot of people have shifted their focus
Authorities concerned towards us,” Azam said. identified as Md Abu Taleb
must take approval from AKLAKUR RAHMAN AKASH, Savar “During the Time interview, I mostly presented the Old alias Pinu Mia, 35, son of
the appropriate court in Abdul Motalab of Bilkherua
Dhaka Rasulbagh park project. They got very excited,” he
three working days of The pothole ridden Zirabo- village in Ishwarganj
Bishmail road in Ashulia, Savar is said. upazila of Mymensingh.
imposing a restriction on “From their perspective, they felt that a solution exists.”
a citizen from leaving the in an extremely poor shape, causing According to Rab sources,
immense suffering to the commuters. Rafiq Azam is widely considered as one of those local the accused raped an RMG
country, the Supreme Court
observed in the full text of The road connects two major architects who have managed to combine western theories worker early November
a verdict explaining Article highways -- Dhaka-Aricha and Tongi- with local knowledge passed down through generations, 14. A case was lodged with
36 of the constitution Ashulia DEPZ. Besides, around 100 and melding one with the other. Ishwarganj Police Station
regarding citizens’ freedom RMG factories and more than 500 “I had an exhibition in New York city in 1998, when I accusing four persons in
of movement. small and big business are established realised I had only received foreign knowledge at Buet. I this regard.
“Restriction may be on both sides of the road. Thousands didn’t learn anything about our own heritage.” Abu Taleb was named
imposed on travel in order of heavy vehicles go over the road all prime accused on November
“I thought the organisers were pitying me; it was as if 21, said Abdul Kader
to prevent exit from the day and night.
Due to lack of repairs in last two they were saying ‘you are just copying us’.” Miah, officer-in-charge of
country by persons who
leave quickly to avoid due years, the road’s state has dilapidated. Since then, he started contemplating how to apply Ishwarganj Police Station.
process of law. However, This correspondent recently visited local knowledge and elements in his work. Rab said Abu Taleb
this would be subject the road and talked to pedestrians, “My drawings were in the European and/or American developed a love affair
PHOTO: STAR
to confirmation by the drivers, and businessmen who use the style,” he reminisced. over phone calls with the
appropriate court within road and they shared their sufferings. The pothole ridden Bishmail-Zirabo Road in Savar’s Ashulia is in such a “But then I adopted localised knowledge and victim and proposed to her
a period of three working Rafiqul Amin, a private car driver, poor state that suffering has become inevitable during every day commute. elements to create a certain amount of fusion, and also for marriage. He asked her
days,” the Appellate who commutes on the road regularly, devise new concepts.” to visit him at his house
Division of the SC said in said although the road is unsuitable for at Kuturia, said, “If the road isn’t for me as I live almost one kilometre in Ishwarganj. When the
repaired as soon as possible, we’ll face away from the factory.” Azam has received the highest number of international
the 18 page-verdict released private cars, owing to his employer’s victim went for the visit,
on Wednesday. major losses in our businesses as this Contacted, Saleh Hasan Pramanik, accolades among Bangladeshi architects. Abu Taleb raped her.
job at a garments factory next to the
Earlier on September 27, road, he has to use it. effects the shipment costs.” engineer of Savar’s Local Government His work has been included in many famed European During the primary
the apex court delivered a “I have to wait long hours while Arzina Akter, a garments worker in Engineering Department (LGED), and American university curriculums. investigation, Taleb
short verdict modifying, passing from Jirabo to Amtola area a nearby factory, said, “I have to go to said they’ve already selected a A book titled “Rafiq Azam: Architecture for Green confessed to committing
with some observations due to tailback created for the road’s factory on foot, as rickshaw and small construction firm via tender and the Living” was published through a joint venture between rape and was handed over
and directions, the High horrible conditions,” said Amin. vehicles don’t take this road due to its repairs for the 3,600-metre road will Italian publication Skira and Bengal Foundation. to Ishwarganj Police Station
Court ruling that said Anti- Shamsul Haque, a furniture trader bad condition. It’s extremely perilous soon start. Translated by Mohammed Ishtiaque Khan this afternoon, said the OC.
Corruption Commission
(ACC) has to take court
permission to impose
embargo on corruption
suspects or accused from
leaving the country.
The legend
FROM PAGE 3
An undernourished
FROM PAGE 3 “Most of the time, our stock finishes
Disabilities are
A four-member bench
of the Appellate Division,
headed by Chief Justice
GDP and around nine percent of the
national budget, only two percent of
the nutrition expenditure was on direct
within the first 10 days of the month, and
when they come later, they have to return
empty-handed, which discourages many
not a burden
Syed Mahmud Hossain, from coming again,” he said, on conditions
delivered the verdict on interventions.
Of the two percent, the Ministry of of anonymity. Says social welfare minister
the appeals moved by ACC According to experts, increasing the BSS, Dhaka
lawyer Khurshid Alam Health and family Welfare (MoHFW) spent
only four percent of its nutrition budget expenditure of micronutrient distribution,
Khan, challenging the HC ensuring maternal and adolescent Social Welfare Minister Nuruzzaman Ahmed yesterday said
judgements and orders on while the Ministry of Women and Children
Affairs (MoWCA) spent seven percent of its nutrition, is crucial as the prevalence of disabled persons are not burdens of the nation, as proper
this issue. under-5 stunting children is still 28 percent. care can turn them into wealth.
The apex court said, nutrition budget. These were the two major
ministries working on direct interventions The expenditure for the Karmajibi “Proper care can transform people with physical
“The fundamental right Lactating Mother Sohaita Tohbil project
through 13 operational plans. disabilities into resources of the country,” he said.
guaranteed under Article of MoWCA was also found inadequate.
Contrary to that, the vast majority of The minister made this comment virtually at a
36 of the constitution According to project director Md Jamal
of Bangladesh is non- expenditure (around 98 percent) was programme marking the 30th International Disability
in addressing wide- ranging underlying Uddin Bhuiyan, the project has been Day and 23rd National Disability Day held at National
absolute. The right to leave providing training and a monthly
one’s country has therefore PHOTO: COLLECTED causes of malnutrition, such as water Disability Foundation at city’s Mirpur.
and sanitation, the status of women, allowance of Tk 800 for three years to only “We must have to successfully implement the
never been considered an two other members of the guerilla, were preparing bombs 2,77,000 lactating mothers in every city
absolute right. The right to send to Khulna at Nitai Sikder’s house in Morelganj social protection, agriculture, education, programmes which already have been taken by Prime
environment and climate change etc. corporation, municipality and BGMEA and Minister Sheikh Hasina for promoting the quality
may be restricted in certain Bazar. Suddenly they heard a bomb blast and ran towards BKMEA factory workers.
circumstances.” the source of the sound. After arrival, they noticed the Dhaka University nutrition and food livelihood of the disabled people”, he told the function
science professor Dr Nazma Shaheen said, Urging for more allocation, the PD said, arranged by the Social Welfare Ministry. “If we provide
bomb had exploded in Chitta’s hands. As he collapsed to “We have got an allocation of Tk 276 crore
“In order to achieve our SDG and nutrition appropriate training and cooperation to then the disabled
Trapped the ground, with his only able hand, he wrote ‘Joy Bangla’
on the ground with his own blood, passing away several targets, it’s imperative we scale up the most 65 lakh, which is not sufficient because for
the past two years, we have been unable to
persons could be transformed into resources and would be
minutes later. important and effective interventions and able to contribute to the development of the country,” the
FROM PAGE 3
strengthen them by expanding coverage to increase the number of our beneficiaries, minister said.
rice, most farmers continue “Our first operation at Hawlia village in Morelganj was even though there is a huge demand amid
to attack the police station in July. Lutfar Rahman was in- include a larger number of beneficiaries.”
to grow rice due to lack of the pandemic,” he said.
a supportive agricultural charge of the police station at that time. There were 22 CURRENT INTERVENTIONS BNNC director-general Dr Md Khalilur
rifles at the police station, out of which we took six and INADEQUATE Rahman said that Covid 19 pushed back the
policy from the state,”
broke the pins of the remaining 16. Then we camped at When The Daily Star visited a number of nutrition achievement for at least three years.
commented Maria. Gulishakhali in the same upazila,” he recalled. centres of Sima’s upazila recently, it was In terms of human resource shortage,
Sixty percent rural “As we were running out of funds, Major Ziauddin, sub- seen that there is a supply shortage of the BNNC DG claimed there’s not a
women of working age sector commander of sector 9, the ninth sector, captured prenatal vitamins for pregnant mothers. single person at the district level who can
remain engaged in unpaid the Pirojpur disctrict treasury and brought the money to According to the pharmacist of Rima’s talk about nutrition to people or do the
agricultural activities. Their our camp,” he added. centre, they receive only 2,000 pieces of required advocacy.
earning potential remain “On December 4, a battle took place at Sharankhola iron and folic acid supplements, 500 pieces Dr Iqbal Kabir, chief consultant, BNNC,
largely untapped because that lasted from dusk till dawn. Seeing that our cohort of calcium carbonate and 1,000 pieces of also said that there is a need for more
of this very reason, the Alauddin could not operate the mortar, the Razakars vitamin B complexes, which are far less allocation to expand coverage of existing
study also found. opened fire and killed five of our members. As a last resort, than the actual demand of an average of interventions, while tracking where the
The researchers we informed Major Ziauddin, who came in a speed boat 250 pregnant women in each union. budget is being spent.
recommended three from the Sundarban camp area and participated in the
steps to increase income fight,’’ said Ranajit.
After the war, Ranajit joined the Bangladesh Civil
of rural households,
Service (BCS) admin cadre in 1984 as a deputy magistrate 40 held over
namely diversification
and modernisation of
at Keshabpur Upazila of Jessore district. He later retired drug peddling,
from the Ministry of Public Administration in 1994 as
agriculture by focusing deputy secretary. abuse
more on higher value- ‘’When I was working as ADC in Pirojpur, I started an BSS, DHAKA
added crops, livestock agricultural farm, ‘Basanti Matso o Krishi Khamar’ after my
and fishing products; wife’s name. Our yearly income from the farm is over 10 Detective Branch (DB) of
engagement of women to lakh taka,” he said. police arrested 40 people
skilled and paid works; Ranajit Gharai said he lived alone but happily in the on charges of selling and
and development of small village. His son Mondip Gharai currently works as a UNO consuming drugs in the
cities and towns so that in Shariatpur and his daughter is a deputy civil surgeon in city in the last 24 hours till
Jessore. 6am yesterday.
more men and women can The drives were
Subal Das, one of Gharai’s followers, said, “Dada
engage in non-agricultural simultaneously carried
showed us the path of success. In our village, there’s barely
and paid activities. anyone unemployed or struggling.” out starting at 6am on
December 2, a DMP
statement said yesterday.
In separate anti-drug
operations, police arrested
drug peddlers and abusers
and seized banned and
illegal drugs from the
capital’s different areas.
32 cases were filed in
these connections with
police stations concerned
under the Narcotics
Control Act.
ROOPPUR POWER PLANT
Construction
vehicle kills
foreign worker
OUR CORRESPONDENT, Pabna
A construction vehicle
hit Kazakhstan national
Barjahan (35) at the
Rooppur Nuclear Power
Plant construction site
yesterday morning, leaving
him dead on the spot.
Barjahan was a worker
of Nikimth, a construction
firm of the power plant.
Ishwardi Police Station
Inspector Md Hadiul Islam
said the accident took place
around 9:30am while the
victim was standing behind
the vehicle. The vehicle hit
him while it was reversing.
Police recovered the
body and sent it to Pabna
general hospital morgue for
autopsy.
DHAKA SATURDAY DECEMBER 4, 2021, AGRAHAYAN 19, 1428 BS NEWS City 5
Healthy
FROM PAGE 16
A year on, now it’s all
Citrus fruits like orange are beneficial FROM PAGE 16 There are even shopping malls in
in this season. Vitamin C improves see better days.” Bhasan Char. On the ground floor
the immune system to fight the Bhasan Char island has 120 of Island Mall, there is a super shop,
common cold. Herbs like ginger, brick-built cluster villages and 120 modern salon and laundry service.
garlic should also be included more cyclone shelters. There are flood There is a restaurant on the first floor
in the diet as they help keep the body protection embankments, facilities and rooms are being constructed on
warm and prevent inflammation. for education, farming and fishing, the second and third floors.
As winter tends to make us feel
hospitals and playgrounds. Buildings Abdul Hannan, manager of the
lazy, staying motivated and indulging
for the aid agencies were also mall, said, “Our business is getting
in physical exercise also become
constructed there. better. We started just three months
necessary.
Getting some sunlight is very A high-level team of the UNHCR ago.”
important to get the required dose visited the island on Thursday and Anowarul Kabir, deputy director
of vitamin D. That’s why yoga or spoke to the Rohingyas. However, of Bhasan Char development project,
stretching in the sunlight can be a the team declined to talk to the said the attitude and mentality of the
good activity during this season. media. Rohingyas have changed a lot in the
We often drink less water in winter Once a quiet and calm island last one year.
which can lead to dehydration. with a few shops, Bhasan Char has Initially, they engaged in criminal
Having warm drinks like herbal and seen a massive change with around activities due to resource shortages,
green tea to stay hydrated is a good hundred small shops being set up by but now they are finding proper ways
practice. the refugees. of making a living, he said.
Socialising or investing time in The refugees now earn a living The project, funded with public
doing what you like is very important by engaging in farming, fishing, money, was taken after some
to avoid the winter blues. Although shopkeeping, rickshaw pulling and 750,000 Rohingyas fled a brutal
socialising can be tricky amid the other occupations. military crackdown in Myanmar’s
Covid-19 situation, you can read a “If we find work, life will be Rakhine and took shelter in Cox’s
book or watch a movie from under more joyous and more people will Bazar in the months following
the warmth of your blanket. be interested to come to Bhasan August 2017. They joined some
Planting some winter flowers and 300,000 other Rohingyas, who had
Char because it is safe here and
vegetables will also keep your mood fled previous waves of violence in
everyone has a home. We moved
upbeat during the season. Palestinian protesters clash with Israeli troops in the village of Kfar Qaddum near the Rakhine.
Stay well this winter. PHOTO:
here in search of peace and we got
Jewish settlement of Kedumim in the occupied West Bank, during a protest against the AFP it,” said Jamila Khatun, a mother The project was approved in
November 2017.
Dinajpur girl expropriation of land by Israel yesterday. of five.
FROM PAGE 16
The father said someone tried to kill
his daughter after raping her.
Hospital sources said there was
Send Khaleda abroad for treatment My aim is to make Pakistan
evidence of rape and the girl was still FROM PAGE 16 Mujahids of Pakistan to give a crushing
FROM PAGE 16 CALL FOR UNITY GONOFORUM ‘SPLITS’
unconscious. offensive “is not to cause unnecessary reply to the enemy,” he declared.
said those words out of emotion. But The leaders and activists of In the council yesterday, Mostafa CHINA DENOUNCES INDIA
Fakhrul Islam, officer-in-charge of damage to the infrastructure of
as a prime minister of the country, she Gonoforum will work together to Mohsin Montu and advocate Subrata China’s Acting Foreign Minister Chi
Birol Police Station, said police were Bangladesh, which I think is quite
cannot be driven by emotions …. It restore democracy and the rule of law Chowdhury were picked president right,” added Aurora. Peng’fei denounced India today for
trying to arrest the suspect. was a violation of her oath.” in the country, stated party President and general secretary of Gonoforum. what he described as India’s continued
PAKISTAN HEADED FOR TOTAL
A case was being filed, he said, At the press briefing on Dr Kamal Hossain. After 29 years of its formation, the expansion of “armed aggression
DECIMATION
adding that a 25-year-old man had November 17, Hasina talked about “I’ve always stressed unity,” read a party has apparently split. By committing aggression against the against Pakistan” and implied that
been detained for interrogation. several attempts on life when she statement from Dr Kamal, one of the Contacted, Gonoforum Joint entire people of India and Bangladesh, India was acting with the support and
was in the opposition and also how founders of Gonoforum. The political General Secretary Moshtaq Ahmed said the military junta of West Pakistan encouragement of the Soviet Union.
Tigers hope Khaleda gave “promotions” to the
accused in the Bangabandhu killing
party was established in 1992.
Due to illness, Dr Kamal could not
using Gono Forum’s symbol, Montu
and Subrata formed their own party.
only paved the way for its own total
decimation as a power base, said
NIXON-KISSINGER TELEPHONE
CONVERSATION
FROM PAGE 16
case. attend the council yesterday. Moshtaq said they would hold Hossain Ali, high commissioner of In a telephonic conversation, US
wicket haul in the port city.
Nagorik Oikya Convener Urging unity among political another council soon. Bangladesh in a statement today. President Richard Nixon discussed
Along with Shakib, the return today the possible US response to
Mahmudur Rahman Manna said parties, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD Mohsin, a former general secretary Referring to the declaration of war
of Taskin Ahmed also made the Indo-Pak crisis with his Assistant
Khaleda is a three-time prime minister. President ASM Abdur Rob said it was of the party, however, claimed that the on India by Pakistan, Hossain Ali
Tigers’ bowling attack more potent. expressed the hope that this war would for National Security Affairs Henry
“She is now fighting for life. Can’t the the solution to the ongoing anarchy party has not split.
However, Taskin, who returned after be “the final war” as Pakistan President Kissinger. As to Nixon’s query about
government change the law for her?” caused by the ruling party. Replying to a question, he said,
a finger injury, will be assessed in Yahya Khan had described it. taking the issue to the Security
he asked. Dr Zafrullah said a country cannot “He [Dr Kamal Hossain] wished to
the morning today before the team “The 75 million people of Council, Kissinger commented, “At
Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder run well without democracy and rule retire from the party due to illness. He
management makes their final call Bangladesh stand today solidly by the Security Council, the Indians and
Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury suggested of law. “I believe those will return has made it clear in a letter ... He can
regarding including Taskin in the their Indian brethren in their hour Soviets are going to delay long enough
that BNP Senior Vice Chairman soon,” he said. remain as an advisor”
playing eleven. of peril,” added the Bangladesh high so a resolution cannot be passed. If it
Tarique Rahman should request “We fought for the right to vote in Asked if it was mentioned in the
However, the nature of the Mirpur commissioner. was, the Soviets would veto. UN will
civil society members and political 1971. After 50 years of independence, letter, he said he was not able to
pitch once again remained in focus YAHYA VOWS TO CRUSH FOE be impotent. So the Security Council
leaders over phone to create a we’ll have to fight for it once again,” discuss the matter right now and
yesterday during Mominul Haque’s Yahya accused India today of having is just a paper exercise -- it will get
mass movement seeking Khaleda’s said Saiful Huq, RWSB’s general he would explain it later in a press
press conference. Captain Mominul launched a full’scale war and told his the Post and Times off our backs.
treatment abroad. secretary. conference. And the Libs will be happy that we
said he was hoping for a flat track countrymen it was time “to give a
and not a usual spinning top. crushing reply to the enemy”. turned it over to the UN. The damage
Asked if his team were up for “We are fighting for our country’s won’t show up for a few years. At
improvement in the second Test and
looking to get a result, Mominul
AL again picks Ivy for N’ganj mayor integrity and honour,” he said in a
broadcast. “God is with us in our
the moment we retrench around the
world, this proves that countries can
dictated it was important to start well. FROM PAGE 16 Akabbar Hossain on November 16. under Parbatipur upazila in Dinajpur mission. get away with brutality.”
“Ofcourse [looking for a good mayor of the erstwhile Narayanganj According to the schedules, as well as the UPs in Khulna and “Our enemy has once again Kissinger rather suggested that the
result]. In Tests, the first hour is very municipality. the deadline for submission of Barishal divisions, as the local bodies challenged us -- India’s government has economic aid to India should be stopped
important. Batting is our strength The maiden election to NCC was nomination papers is December 15, will go to polls in the fifth phase on launched a full’scale war on us,” he said. as a measure to squeeze the country.
and if we can bat six sessions, we can held in a non-partisan manner in while the last date for the scrutiny of January 5. Speaking in Urdu, although he Nixon agreed to this plan and
2011. In 2016, Ivy was reelected as the nomination papers is December 20 A total of 707 unions will go to normally addresses the nation in added, “Let’s get some PR out on
comeback in the game.”
AL candidate as the mayoral election and the last date for withdrawal of polls in this phase in 47 districts. English, Yahya said India’s “hate and them -- put the blame on India. It
enmity” toward Pakistan were known will also take some blame off us.
UAE buys record was held using party symbols, unlike
the councillor elections to the city
candidature is December 27 in the
NCC and Tangail-7 by-polls.
According to the polls schedule
announced by the EC, the deadline to “the whole world”. Our story about getting off militarily
corporation. The third election to NCC will be held for the submission of nomination “India has always tried to weaken didn’t get much play. They will feel the
80 French fighter On November 30, the Election using electronic voting machines (EVMs) papers is December 7, while the and ruin Pakistan -- this is India’s biggest economic one. We have got to help
rebuild Pakistan.”
Commission announced schedules instead of traditional ballot papers. date for the scrutiny of nomination and final war against us,” he said.
jets as Macron for NCC election and Tangail-7 by- Besides, yesterday’s meeting papers is December 9 and the last He addressed his countrymen as
“120 million Mujahids”, followers of
Shamsuddoza Sajen is a journalist
and researcher. He can be contacted at
polls. The parliamentary seat fell finalised the names of AL chairman date for withdrawal of candidature is
starts Gulf tour vacant following the death of AL MP candidates for the union parishads December 15. Islam. “The time has come for the heroic [email protected]
AFP, Dubai
The United Arab Emirates signed a
record 14-billion-euro contract for 80 ‘We need to be watchful’ Depression
FROM PAGE 16
French-made Rafale warplanes and FROM PAGE 1 is also compatible with creating a
committed billions of euros in other sustained wind speed
“The economic growth studies show welfare society. But creation of an
deals as President Emmanuel Macron within 54 km of the
that episodes of rapid growth are enabling environment depends on
kicked off a Gulf tour on Friday. cyclone is about 62 kph
quite common among the developing the country-specific context.
The biggest international order ever rising to 88 kph in squalls,
countries, but the growth is rarely “An immediate concern is the
made for the Rafale jets came as Macron the bulletin added.
sustained. That is why we need to be challenges to be faced in the post-
held talks with Abu Dhabi Crown “All boats and trawlers in
watchful,” Prof Wahiduddin said at Least Developed Country (LDC) era.
Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed the North Bay and deep sea
the event organised by Bangladesh We have to start preparing ourselves
at the start of a two-day trip which will have been advised to remain
Institute of Development Studies regarding how we shall negotiate our
also take in Qatar and Saudi Arabia. close to the coast and
(BIDS) at a city hotel. way in the global economic order
The resource-rich UAE, one of the proceed with caution until
He also mentioned the challenges without the preferential treatment
French defence industry’s biggest further notice,” it added.
in the post-Least Developed Country that we have been enjoying,” he said.
customers, also inked an order for 12 (LDC) era, land scarcity, and Most of our trade competitors have
Caracal military transport helicopters
for a total bill of more than 17
challenges of governance.
He credited diversification of
already become part of one or more
regional Free Trade Arrangements
Post-conquest
FROM PAGE 16
billion euros. rural economy as a major driving (FTAs), he said, suggesting developing
“This is an outcome of the lives and of their
force for the Bangladesh economy expertise to negotiate FTAs. civilization,” the culture
strategic partnership between the two and suggested focused attention to Another issue, he said, is
countries, consolidating their capacity ministry said in a
materialise Bangladesh’s aspiration Bangladesh’s extreme land scarcity. statement.
to act together for their autonomy to become an upper-middle income This makes it extremely difficult to
and security,” the French presidency The interior patio where
nation by 2031 and a developed have urbanistion and industrialisation rituals took place is about
said in a statement. country by 2041. without impinging on agricultural
Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala sovereign four meters (13 feet) below
“The present danger is that this land or whatever environmental ground level, according to
wealth fund also pledged eight socio-cultural infrastructure of the resources like forests and water bodies
billion euros in investments in a team of archaeologists
market economy may be at the risk Bangladesh is left with. who spent three months
French businesses, while the licence of being undermined by political “If we become even a high-
of the UAE capital’s branch of the analyzing the site.
polarisation, ethnic and religious middle income country, we shall
Louvre art gallery was extended for 10 strife and replacement of trusted have to imagine an environmentally
years to 2047. village elders by politically powerful sustainable configuration of land use
The Emirates was the fifth biggest party cadres.” where we shall be producing GDP per
customer for the French defence Prof Wahiduddin said development square kilometre that will be higher
industry with 4.7 billion euros discourses have spent efforts on how than most of today’s industrialised
from 2011-2020, according to a to imitate the success stories of the so- countries.”
parliamentary report. called East Asian tigers. In contrast, the He cited findings of a study on
France has faced criticism after contemporary development literature economic cost of Dhaka’s overgrowth
some of these weapons were used in has given relatively less importance to and suggested formulating a strategy
Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition the example of Japan, which followed for dispersed urbanisation and
is fighting Iran-backed rebels in a war industrialisation.
its business model tied to workers’
that has created one of the world’s
welfare and loyalty. The economist said higher public
worst humanitarian crises.
“And it may not have occurred spending and better service delivery
The Rafale order signed on Friday,
to many as to why Japan has many will be important to retain gains in
while Macron met with Sheikh
rich people, but few billionaires,” he social indicators.
Mohammed at Dubai’s Expo site,
said, adding that Japan has only 25 He said Bangladesh needs to create
is the biggest made internationally
billionaires against America’s 675 and the needed skills and capabilities
for the aircraft since it entered into
service in 2004. India’s 153. of the increasing labour force with
French Defence Minister Florence “Notice that Bangladesh is also enough employment opportunities as
Parly called it a “historic contract” now cited as a country producing a large number of secondary school
which will contribute “directly to billionaires, which means we are graduates remains unemployed.
regional stability”. The F4 model achieving high economic growth, Wahiduddin, a former professor
Rafales, currently under development, but it also means that growth has of economics at Dhaka University,
will be delivered from 2027. become increasingly unequal,” said said demographic dividend is a factor
By snapping up the fighter craft, Wahiduddin, now chairman of fuelling the current economic growth.
built by Dassault Aviation, the UAE is Economic Research Group. This opportunity may last for
following the lead of Gulf rival Qatar, He said all success stories have some another two decades. After that the
which has bought 36 of the planes, common elements, like providing an growth of the labour force will slow
and Egypt which ordered 24 in 2015 enabling environment for fostering down due to the aging population, he
and 30 earlier this year. economic entrepreneurship that noted.
6 EDITORIAL

Prof Rafiqul Islam: A great

DHAKA SATURDAY DECEMBER 4, 2021, AGRAHAYAN 19, 1428 BS
chronicler
T
HERE was I constructed from his memories. How old was I? I sat for matriculation in understanding of Bangla culture as
BLOWIN’ IN a 10mm Recent studies suggest that memory 1949; so, I was a student of Class X. I was one of the core values. But it was in his
THE WIND glass wall is not only a reflection of the past, very young then. But in 1951, I became reminiscences in different university
Why is underage at ULAB that
separated Prof
but also a pathway for the future. Our
remembered life story indicates what
a student of Dhaka University. And as a
student I became directly involved in the
programmes that he would remind us of
the different junctures of our history: the
Rafiqul Islam’s we will do tomorrow. According to the Bangla Language, Literature and Cultural 1947 Partition, the Language Movement,
driving so prevalent office room from
mine for more
surrealist Spanish-born film-maker Luis
Buñuel, “Our memory is our coherence,
Movement,” Prof Islam told our colleague
Sohana Manzoor in an interview. “You
the 1969 Mass Upsurge, the Liberation
War, and the tragedy of August 15, 1975.

on our roads? SHAMSAD MORTUZA

than three years.
He was the only
professor who had
our reason, our feeling, even our action.”
Losing your memory is equal to losing a
basic connection with who you are. This
know what happened in 1952. It’s history
now. I had a Voigtlander camera with
which I took pictures. I was a part of the
His photographic memory helped him
outline a clear, coherent picture of our
past. Because of his training in classical
It’s high time for govt to a TV in his office,
and he would
is true at both individual and national
levels. Prof Islam had the uncanny ability
procession that day, too. I was not one of
the wounded,” he added (The Daily Star,
anthropology, he could share very
personal observations in a very objective
finalise and implement Road listen to the news in loud volume, usually
once after lunch. Almost every day, I
to cast back to events from his past to
conjure the “semantic memory” of dates,
February 17, 2018).
When the All-Party Language
manner.
In our last Victory Day event, he
Transport Act, 2018 would see media men coming in with times and places, and to reconfigure the Committee was split in opinion over recollected his experience of 1971. He told
their paraphernalia to get the opinion of moment and relive it from the inside. He the violation of Section 144 clamped by us how he, along with some other Dhaka

W
HILE we are disappointed at a recent report by this public intellectual on many national was a time-traveller who could return to the then Pakistan government to diffuse University professors, were captured by
this daily, which detailed an incident of how issues. I would see him walking briskly the present to explain the demands of the student protest over the question of the Pakistan Army in August 1971. They
students protesting for road safety confronted along the faculty floor, maintaining a the present and chart the future. He was state language on February 20, 1952, a were kept in a “VIP cage” in Agargaon.
a 19-year-old illegally driving a microbus while the respectful distance. We would exchange a living legend as he witnessed different young Rafiqul Islam stood up and told Dr Nurul Islam, Prof Rehman Sobhan
vehicle’s driver slept beside him, it is, unfortunately, pleasantries, but hardly any real crosscurrents of our sociopolitical and the committee president, Abul Hashim, and Prof Ansiur Rahman approached US
too common a scene in our country. The young driver conversation. On several occasions in the cultural life that is tinged with our to leave the matter to the students. In Senator Edward Kennedy, who called the
could not produce a driving licence or any other papers last seven years of our acquaintance, we national identity. response, Hashim retorted, “I do not then Foreign Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
to the demonstrators, but claimed he had been driving like to learn politics from a boy like to precipitate their release. He told us how
the vehicle for the last four years without any issues. you” (Islam, R, Bangla Bhasha, Sahitya earlier he had lost his father in March
He may have meant this to be a reassuring statement, o Sangskritik Andolon, 2006). Yet, the 1971 when there was a firing going on
but it’s anything but that. We are left to wonder how protest happened; he joined the Language near their house at RK Mission Road. His
Movement procession with his camera. father hit his head hard while trying to get
ineffectively the current road safety laws are implemented
We are all grateful for the photographs away from the bed and succumbed to his
if a 19-year-old has been able to drive a passenger-laden
that he as a young man captured. He injuries in a state of coma. Prof Islam had
motorised vehicle since he was 15 years old. It should be to stay in his Dhaka University residence
spoke to witnesses and recorded the
noted that the student protesters suspected that the driver to attend to his father. The police officials
immediate reactions of the participants
was even younger than he claimed to be. and family members of the victims of the informed the then vice-chancellor to warn
There is little doubt that recklessness on the roads— Language Movement. He made sure that some of his colleagues who were on the
including the fact that teenagers are able to drive any ULAB curated his prized possessions; the wanted list of the Pakistanis. When Prof
motorised vehicle, from cars to buses, carrying people—is photograph collections are displayed on Islam was arrested and taken to Ramna
perpetuated by the authorities’ apparent apathy towards every Ekushey February to remind our police station, the officer-in-charge was
road safety. Otherwise, how is it that the Road Transport next generation of the proud legacy of our surprised that the message had not
Act, passed three years ago, is still in its draft form language. been communicated. The OC allowed
waiting to be vetted by the law ministry? Despite the After his retirement from Dhaka Prof Islam to call the VC, who seemed
first seven months of this year seeing a 42.25 percent University, he was approached by surprised that one of the professors
hike in road accidents and a 39.98 percent rise in the editor of Ajker Kagaj and ULAB could get away. He thus warned us of the
deaths in said accidents (compared to the same period founder Kazi Shahid Ahmed to help frequent betrayals that characterise our
in 2020), why did the government decide to delay the him consolidate his ideas of doing national life.
act’s implementation by allowing transport owners and Prof Rafiqul Islam with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her family members, and something for the country. Prof Islam Prof Islam would tell us about his
associations to negotiate some of its key sections? Who others at the inauguration of the countdown to Mujib Borsho celebration at the was instrumental behind the creation of visit to the mortuary after the August
is to say how many of those thousands of lives lost on National Parade Square in Dhaka on January 10, 2020. PHOTO: PID a university that has Bangladesh in its 15 massacre, and give gory details of
the roads were due to underage drivers being allowed name. Eventually, he became the vice- the killings. I had the good fortune of
had sat side by side in the faculty lounge He enrolled into Dhaka University chancellor of the University of Liberal working with him in the national Mujib
to ply the roads, manning all sorts of vehicles? Anyone,
during different birthday celebrations of in 1951. He completed his MA in Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) and remained so 100 subcommittee on publication and
including the traffic police, need only look at these
colleagues, shared stage during national Bangla language and literature from the till 2007. During his tenure, he initiated translation as well as on the ULAB project
drivers to know that they are clearly not old enough of a commemorative volume on the father
or cultural events. He would recount university in 1956, and joined his alma quite a few traditions at the university,
to drive. So, we wonder if bribes exchanging hands is of the nation. Prof Islam and I edited the
anecdotes or reflect on some national mater as a scholar-cum-lecturer. In 1959, including the adoption of Tagore’s “Mora
the cause of human hauliers regularly being driven by bilingual volume. I read his article and
events. We met on several occasions to he obtained a Fulbright scholarship Satyer pore mon..” as a theme song. The
adolescents on our roads. powerful lyrics is quite telling of his own was inspired by the clarity of thoughts
organise events or seek his opinions to pursue his MA in general linguistics
We believe that the focus of the law should be shifted on university-related issues. His voice and cultural anthropology. He joined life and the university, with which he was and convictions that defined him as a
from underage drivers, who likely drive vehicles for very modulation commanded the attention of the Department of Bangla of Dhaka involved till the last day of his life: writer. He was supposed to speak at the
low wages to support their livelihoods, and instead be his audience. Like others, I would listen to University as an assistant professor in “Today we shall offer our mind to the book launch on October 7. For the first
redirected towards traffic police and vehicle and transport him in awe while he would storyboard his 1961 and taught there for 40 years, cause of truth, time, he sounded frail over the telephone.
association owners who allow these adolescents to memories. before his retirement in 2000. Among his Long live truth. He said, “I am not feeling well. I would
put their own and others’ lives at deathly risk. We also From his accounts, his snippets of favourite students was Bangabandhu’s We shall follow, worship and launch a rather join online.” He was the one who
urge the government to speedily implement the Road the past, we would know who Prof daughter. When Prime Minister Sheikh treasure-hunt for truth, led the year-long Mujib 100 programmes
Transport Act, especially in the face of the recent protests Rafiqul Islam really was as a person. His Hasina held his hands to lead him to Long live truth. at ULAB. We decided to stream his
by students for safer roads and public transport. We bio-blurbs are full of credentials, such the parade ground on Bangabandhu’s Not to think of a lie despite misery, recorded speech, and probably it was his
hope that the coming years will not be reminiscent of as national professor, Bangla Academy homecoming day celebration as part of Not to serve a lie despite poverty, last recorded video. He developed a lung
2018 as this year has been, in terms of poor safety on the president, professor emeritus, Ekushey the Mujib 100 inauguration, the nation Not to tell a lie despite penalty. condition due to old age, and it started
country’s roads and the authorities’ apathy towards the award-winning Nazrul scholar, eminent saw how influential he was as a teacher. Long live truth.” deteriorating fast. On November 30, 2021,
situation. linguist, language warrior, former vice- “I used to live in the railway colony. At ULAB, Prof Islam led the Center the news came. An era ended. ULAB lost a
chancellor of ULAB, or even the favourite My father was a doctor. I had seen them for Bangla Studies and brought out guardian and the nation a chronicler.
teacher of our prime minister. Somehow, around 1948—those people, mostly invaluable research-oriented publications,
Dr Shamsad Mortuza is pro-vice-chancellor of the
they seem inadequate in defining the man students participating in the procession. designed curricula, and integrated University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB).

Overpopulation in
Dhaka getting out of How can we start the open
control
It’s causing huge economic
losses and making the city
data revolution?
H
OW well organisations and businesses can countries around the world embraced datasets on the website data.gov.uk. They
MAN AND do we make better decisions on innovation, this philosophy as a tool to ensure report that after private individuals, start-
unliveable MACHINE know investment, and expansion. Finally, transparency and efficiency, and engender ups and SMEs are the largest categories
ourselves? What academia and research organisations innovation. of requesters. Open data start-ups like

N
EARLY eight percent of the jobs in Bangladesh
is the best way to can help improve the government’s data Bangladesh approved an open data CityGrows built open data platforms that
are concentrated in Dhaka city, and 40 percent even measure the efforts by scrutinising the structures and strategy in 2016. But the strategy focused help non-technical government staff build
are concentrated in the greater Dhaka region, country’s progress? processes which can ensure better data- only on the release and publication of and customise digital services. Estonian
which includes Gazipur and Narayanganj cities. Such How can we centric governance. data at the national level. Even though ICT company Datel has been developing
extreme concentration of people and economic activities practise evidence- The second task is to ensure “usability.” the country has many key ingredients a new early warning system based on
in the capital are having negative impacts on the national based public Availability is important, but it does not in place to implement a high-impact satellite open data for large infrastructure
economy, according to a new study. The study found MOINUL ZABER policy? How can ensure the use. Data must be “reusable,” open data programme, a look at the such as railways, highways, bridges, ports,
that some 31.9 percent of Bangladesh’s urban population we engender meaning they should be in open formats open data platform tells us that the etc to make them more accessible and
live in Dhaka, whereas the country’s major cities that innovation? One secured. In South Korea, a start-up named
have over a million inhabitants contain only 3.5 percent of the scientific ways is to take a “data- Modu Parking released an application
of the urban population. In the last 10 years, Dhaka’s centric approach.” This means that the that lets parking space owners lease out
population has increased by more than 50 percent. government primarily takes the driving their spots to others. The company started
In 2017, Bangladesh’s per capita income and GDP was seat to ensure that the country’s data by aggregating data about car parks from
11 percent lower than its potential, due to the excessive assets are properly and timely curated, municipal open data portals. Around
concentration of resources and economic activities in the and are made available for the agencies the world, there are many such stories of
city. In 2019, the GDP loss as a result of that amounted and residents to consume. Unfortunately, innovation.
to USD 35 billion. At present, Bangladesh is losing 6-10 the traditional means of collecting, Unfortunately, stories like that are
percent of its GDP because Dhaka’s growth has crossed manipulating, and building indicators of rare or non-existent in Bangladesh. This
the optimum rate—and that is a huge loss. That just progress has become too slow and very points out our inertia to make evidence-
expensive at this age of computational based decisions and the lack of awareness
goes to show how long overdue it is for the government
revolution. Scientists around the world of the innovative use of data. We collect
to take measures to try and reduce the huge population
are now talking about the potentials data for the sheer fact that it must be
load that is currently on Dhaka. of Big Data and machine learning as collected, being unaware of its intrinsic
Another issue of major concern is that such complementary, and sometimes as an value. Moreover, most of the government
overpopulation is leading to urban poverty remaining alternative path to facilitate data-centric agencies and potential non-government
stagnant. For example, the study shows that from 2010 decision-making. We also want to see users are likely not aware of the 2016
to 2016, the extreme poverty rate in rural areas declined ourselves at the forefront of technology. strategy. Academia has not come forward
from 21.1 to 14.9 percent, but there was virtually no But before we jump on the Big Data with innovative research either, which
change in urban poverty rate. Additionally, the traffic bandwagon, we need to put the focus would pressurise the government to make
congestion that arises from this huge concentration of on creating value from our traditional this platform a rich source of information
people is causing losses amounting to 2.9 percent of the sources of data. However, the question is: It’s high time Bangladesh understood the true value of open data and made full use and innovation.
country’s GDP. Where do we start? of it to become truly innovative and progressive. If Bangladesh wishes to become a truly
FILE PHOTO: AFP
All things considered, it is becoming increasingly clear To be honest, there is no playbook innovative country, we need to focus on
that not only is the population burden on Dhaka leading to start the process. But every scientist that can be read by software, and users progress has been very slow. If we assume our data assets. We need to create demand
to worsening living conditions, but it is also causing and practitioner will agree on one thing: will have the legal right to “reuse” them. the number of datasets uploaded as a by raising awareness that in turn will
significant economic losses, as well as environmental we need to establish a culture of data- Why? While a large amount of data is measure of activity, Bangladesh till early ensure the supply of quality data. One
damage. Therefore, it’s high time for the government centric decision-making in all possible published on government websites, most 2021 uploaded 134 datasets, while our way to do it is by involving academia
to urgently develop other regions of the country to spheres of our societies. This is the job of them are meant to be read as stand- neighbours Nepal and India have 616 to come up with innovative projects
try and reduce some of the load from Dhaka. Some of the modern government that has alone documents and not reused for other and 10,224, respectively. In general, based on our available data resources. If
decentralisation measures and locating the government’s already chosen to walk on the path of purposes. This makes these data unusable supply increases where there is increasing the government does not show interest,
“digital transformation.” The first task by modern computational and statistical demand. It seems that there is a general private organisations and academia
own agencies—most of which are in Dhaka—outside of
of the government is to make an effort software. lack of demand for using the open data should come forward. Let the data
the capital would be great steps towards that end. City
to make any data available. Why? There Making data available and ensuring platform in Bangladesh. revolution begin by making the open data
authorities also need to be empowered so that they can are several reasons behind it. Firstly, it their reusability is the philosophy of Around the world, open data initiative a success.
pursue the necessary development goals that they have benefits the government itself by making the “open data” movement. This global platforms not only helped governments
on their own, instead of always having to rely on the inter-institutional decision-making an movement picked up steam in 2013 get organised and do away with siloed Dr Moinul Zaber is senior academic fellow at the
centre. Whatever steps the government can take, it should Operating Unit on Policy-Driven Electronic Governance
easy task. Agencies working in silos amass when G8 leaders signed an “Open Data decision-making, but also engendered (UNU-EGOV) in United Nations University (UNU),
take them now, before Dhaka’s overpopulation situation a vast amount of data that other agencies Charter.” This charter promised to make many innovative services. The UK Guimaraes, Portugal. His Twitter handle is @zabermi.
becomes worse and the city becomes completely The views expressed in this article are those of the
could benefit from but do not have the public sector data openly available, free, government records the category of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy
uninhabitable. access to. Secondly, non-governmental and in a reusable format. Over time, person and organisation requesting or views of the UNU.
DHAKA SATURDAY DECEMBER 4, 2021, AGRAHAYAN 19, 1428 BS OPINION 7

16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

To end gendered violence, we must look

beyond the binary lens
W
E find to accept and celebrate all diverse gender as the ‘hijra gender,” the flaw in this recognition framed in heteronormative terms. For example, and discrimination against gender-diverse
ourselves at identities. This starts with discarding the binary is its exclusionary approach. Founded on a lack the Penal Code, 1860, the Women and Children individuals occur, and lacking the appropriate
the outro constructions of gender and gender identity, of proper understanding of the hijra identity Repression Prevention Act, 2000, and the resources to address these concerns. Shelter
to yet another year, and looking beyond conventional definitions. and culture, it fails to appreciate the ways in Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) homes are also unable to house members of
and the world has to This starts with not relegating transgender which gender identity is nuanced and diverse. Act, 2010, all of which provide significant hijra and transgender communities facing
keep reminding itself, individuals to the sidelines while we take It does not set out what recognition actually protections for women against different forms sexual and gender-based violence—again
like a broken record, 16 days out of the year to specifically focus entails for hijra community members, and of sexual and gender-based violence, recognise because they do not conform to conventional
that all of this violence on activism against gender-based violence. it completely leaves out gender-diverse and only cisgender women—who fit into the strictly and binary expressions of gender. These
against women must This starts with fighting discrimination gender non-conforming individuals, including binary framework of gender—as victims and heteronormative and exclusionary frameworks
ABDULLAH TITIR stop. That is precisely with approaches that are intersectional and transgender men and women, who are not part survivors of violence. Since these laws are not interact to put up immense barriers in terms of
this year’s rallying acknowledge people in all their diversities. of the hijra tradition. In the absence, therefore, gender-affirming, transgender women and men access to justice for gender-diverse individuals,
cry—“End violence It is not possible to achieve gender equality if only compounded by the absence of any laws
against women now!”—that we chant, as we set out to only even the scales between men and policies expressly addressing and protecting
women’s rights activists, feminists, human and women, without also focusing attention the rights of all gender-diverse individuals,
rights defenders, civil society actors, artists, and on individuals who identify outside of this and the lack of an anti-discrimination law
individuals across the globe come together binary (and may call themselves gender non- to challenge and address discrimination on
to share and reflect, to question, to mobilise, conforming or gender-diverse), or individuals the basis of gender identity. This also creates
to strategise, and to continue to step up to whose gender identities and expressions do particular vulnerabilities for those with lower
end violence against women. Bangladesh is not conform to the sex they were assigned at socioeconomic backgrounds, and encourages
no stranger to this show of global solidarity, birth (transgender women and men) and the further marginalisation and exposure to
as people at home have taken to the streets typical gender norms and social expectations violence.
and social media alike, to participate in the that may arise out of such an assignment. In recent years, the government has taken
ongoing 16 Days of Activism against Gender- Gender-based violence in Bangladesh is deeply some progressive steps towards protection and
Based Violence campaign and speak up against rooted in gender inequality, which is created social inclusion of hijra community members,
abuse and oppression, demand accountability and perpetuated by patriarchal social norms, providing monthly allowances, scholarships,
and better protection, and advocate for gender stereotyping, and unequal distributions and skills and capacity development training.
equality and non-discrimination. of power, leading to the lack of agency and However, these steps have not been enough
However, since the understanding of independence and a persisting culture of silence or effective in reducing inequalities faced
gender in Bangladesh is still very binary, most and impunity. Within this limiting context, it by the hijras, simply because of their gender
calls for eliminating gender-based violence is extremely important to recognise and talk identity; nor have these created inclusive
continue to demand strengthened protection about the rights of transgender, hijra, and spaces for other gender-diverse individuals.
for women. Most initiatives on furthering other gender-diverse individuals, marginalised The starting point for this would be to
gender equality are centred on reducing because of their gender identity, to have A truly gender-inclusive society must recognise FILE PHOTO: enable proper legal recognition of gender
inequalities between men and women, or more freedom from and protection against violence and fairly treat all gender identities. SK ENAMUL HAQ identity and make identification processes
specifically, between the “male” and “female” and discrimination, and to have equal and inclusive for all diverse identities. The next
sexes. For most things to be considered inclusive access to basic necessities and services of conversations around gender, identity, and as well as the members of hijra community are immediate step would be the enactment and
“gender-inclusive” in Bangladesh, the first as citizens of this country. diversity, and recognition and identification completely excluded from the scope of legal implementation of an anti-discrimination
question many would ask is whether services, For people who are gender-diverse, including processes that are inclusive and implemented protection offered by these laws. The criminal law that recognises diverse gender identity as
languages, institutions and the infrastructure, transgender individuals, and members of effectively, the othering of gender-diverse justice system similarly reinforces existing a basis for discrimination, and prohibits and
transportation, administration, government the hijra community in Bangladesh (specific individuals starts within their own families, heteronormative structures, which means punishes such discrimination, which could
agencies, workplaces, places of worship, communities of transgender women and and is further perpetuated by society and the that the courts and legal processes, and other be further taken up through gender-affirming
and public amenities, among other things, gender-diverse individuals who are part of the state, and the existing structures in which these institutional frameworks, are not gender- reforms in other laws, policies, and institutional
are “women friendly.” And if they are, then long-standing hijra tradition, and have their operate. Discrimination on the basis of gender inclusive, preventing gender-diverse individuals practices that enable gender-diverse individuals
benchmarks for gender equality may have own language, profession, and customs rooted identity is pervasive, resulting in obstacles to from speaking up and reporting violence and to challenge discrimination and secure justice
well been met. Of course, we must ensure that in this tradition), the violence, discrimination, the free expression of gender and access to discrimination based on their gender identities. against violence. Any steps taken to reduce
existing legal and institutional frameworks and and stigma are multifold and underlined by basic rights and necessities, such as education, Service providers, including law enforcement violence and discrimination based on gender
processes do not discriminate against women, prejudice and misconceptions about gender, healthcare (including mental health support agencies and those providing emergency must also extend to unequivocally recognising
justice mechanisms and social protections are gender identity, sexuality, and the human body. and gender-affirming healthcare), inheritance, services (such as Victim Support Centres and and protecting the human rights of gender-
available and accessible, and women’s voices are Although the government has attempted to give housing, employment opportunities, and legal One-Stop Crisis Centres) and legal support, diverse individuals.
amplified across communities and in decision- legal recognition to diverse gender identities, support and protection against violence. are not gender-sensitive or gender-responsive,
making spaces. through a 2014 gazette by the Ministry of Social The existing laws and policies that address lacking the understanding of gender diversity Abdullah Titir is a legal researcher working on issues of
equality and non-discrimination, with a focus on hijra and
However, to be truly gender-inclusive is Welfare which recognises the hijra community gender-based violence and discrimination are and the specific ways in which violence transgender communities.

Mainstreaming nature-based solutions

into development in Bangladesh
MARGARET MEAD
O
N November 13, 2021, In terms of practice, Bangladesh has long been risks in different contexts. Recently, a training manual was
the two-week 26th United implementing NbS in various ecosystems. For example, prepared on DIA, which includes NbS and thus expands (1901 - 1978)
Nations Climate Change we have been practising floating agriculture for the last the capacity development opportunity on NbS. American anthropologist
Conference, or COP26, ended in couple of hundred years, we have been creating green In recent months, to improve risk management in
Scotland with the participating belts along our coastlines since 1966, and we have development projects, the Establishment of National
nations agreeing upon the been managing our forests and wetlands with local Academy for Development Administration (2nd Revised) Never doubt that a small group
Glasgow Climate Pact. Since communities over the last couple of decades. Currently, Project has organised capacity-building events for of thoughtful, committed citizens
carbon emission reduction and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) project management leadership at government agencies
climate finance were the top COP and the Bangladesh government are designing a project ranging from local government, agriculture and EPZs
can change the world; indeed, it’s
HASEEB MD
IRFANULLAH agenda, decisions on phasing out for Tanguar Haor management. This will be a follow-up of to housing, power and education. The training includes the only thing that ever has.
inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, the government’s 12-year effort to conserve this globally a session on NbS, which links ecosystems with climate
phasing down coal power, and important wetland with local people and administration. resilience, shares basic concepts of NbS, and showcases
increasing adaptation funds by developed countries, for The envisaged scope of this project and the ongoing how Bangladesh can implement NbS in different sectors,
example, are noted as successes in this COP. conversations show that this USD 21.6 million project such as forestry, disaster risk management and urban CROSSWORD BY THOMAS JOSEPH
In recent years, nature-based solutions (NbS) gained will be taking a comprehensive approach to mainstream development, and how we can follow global standards to
significant momentum in climate conversations. It is, NbS for sustainably managing Tanguar Haor. make our NbS effective. These training sessions are crucial ACROSS 31 Perfect serve 8 Keen
therefore, no surprise that the Glasgow pact repeatedly Since September 2014, the Asian Development Bank to mainstream NbS both into policy and practice. 1 Nest insects 32 Bright beam 9 Harry Potter’s
highlights the need for protecting, conserving and (ADB) has been supporting the implementation of Finally, let’s look at our efforts to create knowledge 6 Walker’s line 33 California mount Quidditch position
restoring diverse ecosystems to fight climate change. In the Coastal Towns Environmental Infrastructure Project on NbS. In 2021, six researchers from the University of 11 Devoured 35 Home 10 Fast runners
simplest terms, NbS means working with nature to tackle (CTEIP). This USD 103.5 million project is making the Oxford, International Centre for Climate Change and 12 Bewildered 38 Rocker John 16 Medium sessions
our societal problems, such as poverty, food insecurity, infrastructure at 10 municipalities in Bagerhat, Barguna, Development (ICCCAD), and University of Liberal Arts 13 Stock unit 39 Farm towers 20 Alertness
and of course climate crisis, while ensuring both human Bhola, Patuakhali, and Pirojpur districts disaster- and Bangladesh (ULAB) analysed 56 peer-reviewed journal 21 “— been swell!”
14 Bottled buy 40 Make recompense
and biodiversity benefits. climate-resilient. This year, the ADB has started designing articles and final reports from USAID-supported the
On December 24, 2020, I wrote in this column how the second phase of this project. So far, urban NbS MACH (1998−2007) and the CREL (2013−2018) projects, 15 Aquarium fish 41 Reads over 24 Transcript no.
the CBA-ECA project of the Department of Environment 17 Luau strings 42 Was bold 25 Like our numerals
(2010−2015), and SDC-supported Tanguar Haor project 18 Hydrocarbon suffix 26 Lousiana
(2006−2016). Their research, published this November 19 Speaks from DOWN university
in the journal Frontiers in Environmental Science, shows memory 1 Squanders 27 Flock leader
a wide range of benefits we get from diverse NbS 22 Blue 2 Goddess of wisdom 28 Start of a play
interventions practised in Bangladesh, the factors that
make these NbS effective, and possible future actions. The
23 Horse restraint 3 On the sofa 29 Inclined
authors concluded that “Bangladesh has an opportunity 24 Trait carriers 4 Contented sound 30 Copper alloy
to lead the way in showing how high quality NbS can 25 Llama’s cousin 5 Lead the way 34 Utah ski resort
be deployed at landscape scale to tackle sustainable 27 Chum 6 Bar topic 36 Mafia head
development challenges in low- to middle-income 30 Not as narrow 7 LAX info 37 Twisty turn
countries, supporting a Green Economic Recovery,” since
the world is recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. WRITE FOR US. SEND US YOUR OPINION PIECES TO
This first-ever review on Bangladesh’s NbS fills in the [email protected].
knowledge gap identified during a learning hub event
organised by Bangladesh Planning Commission and
ICCCAD on March 15, 2020, just before Bangladesh went
into lockdown. The article now creates a modest basis
to further adopt NbS in our development planning and
project design and implementation.
As we move towards 2022, we can take three
immediate actions to advance NbS mainstreaming.
First, Bangladesh is currently preparing the National
Adaptation Plan (NAP) with technical support from
UNDP. This gives us an amazing opportunity to effectively
The conservation of Tanguar Haor is a prime example of the nature-based solutions (NbS) Bangladesh has been embrace NbS by making it a core element of the NAP.
implementing to build disaster and climate resilience. PHOTO: SAKIB AHMED Second, the government is now updating its Development
Project Proforma (DPP). The existing DPP clearly guides
Bangladesh explored NbS last year amid Covid-19. Now, has been practised to a limited scale in Bangladesh, new projects to consider environmental sustainability,
let’s look back at 2021, at how the country has been besides the green spaces in different towns and cities. climate change, biodiversity, and ecosystem services.
mainstreaming NbS. And let’s see what opportunities Nevertheless, restoring natural drainage systems, reviving It is high time to adopt the global NbS standards and
await us in 2022. Let’s explore these along four the lost riparian vegetations, and protecting and creating guidelines in the revised DPP, making our development
WEDNESDAY’S ANSWERS
interconnected threads: planning, practice, capacity the mangroves around the coastal towns can fill in the projects NbS-friendly. Third, we need a comprehensive
development, and knowledge. current gaps in urban NbS. The increasing interest of database to help us select suitable NbS interventions
Over the last two years, we have seen a good number ADB in NbS indicates that the second phase of the CTEIP for specific regions to address location-specific societal
of analyses on how ecosystem-based approaches—or could be a flagship project that mainstreams NbS into challenges. The existing NbS Bangladesh Network can be
NbS, for that matter—are sufficiently represented in Bangladesh’s climate-vulnerable municipalities. an important platform for creating such a repository and
Bangladesh’s short-term (e.g. 7th and 8th Five-Year Regarding capacity development on NbS, over the decision-making tool.
Plans), medium-term (e.g. Perspective Plan of Bangladesh last year or so, Bangladesh Planning Commission, in It will take a while to understand if the decisions
2021−2041; the revised Nationally Determined association with UNDP, has been providing training to made in COP26 are being carried out or not. But
Contributions, or NDC 2021, to reduce the country’s mid-level to senior government officials in a relatively Bangladesh must maintain the momentum it has created
carbon emission by 2030), and long-term plans (e.g. new concept named Disaster Impact Assessment (DIA). to mainstream NbS into its development actions. We can
Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100). Although the term NbS One of the sessions of this training discusses the role only hope the others will catch up.
has not been explicitly mentioned in these planning of NbS in building disaster resilience. This gives the
Dr Haseeb Md Irfanullah is an independent consultant working on
instruments, the action points outlined there are very participants an opportunity to learn about NbS, and how environment, climate change, and research systems. His Twitter handle
much in line with the principles and scopes of NbS. Bangladesh has been implementing it to reduce disaster is @hmirfanullah
8 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DHAKA SATURDAY DECEMBER 4, 2021, AGRAHAYAN 19, 1428 BS

A WALK Does Ayesha sacrifice

DOWN
THE her dreams in ‘Boli’?
Safa Kabir talks about transformation into challenging role
MEMORY RAKSHANDA RAHMAN MISHA

Sweet, simple and courageous Ayesha has

her character growth Ayesha in the web-
series.
“It’s a thriller web-series, which

LANE PHOTO: COLLECTED

only one thing in mind, and that is to
escape her birthplace, Chheradia Dwip.
Amidst all the tension and chaos, the
beautiful Ayesha comes as breathe of relief.
means it’s full of violence and
tension between two powerful
groups. Here Ayesha comes as
‘I have dedicated most of my life to music’ While she tries to remain calm amidst the
breathing space for audiences as
they get to fell calm watching her.
Eminent singer Ferdausi Rahman has been a household storm, circumstances transforms her into a However in the second half of the
rebellion as she embarks in an epic feud of
name for decades. She has voiced some of the greatest power verses corruption.
series, her character transforms
Bangladeshi songs. completely,” mentions Safa Kabir.
Prominent actress Safa Kabir portrays The trailer also showcases
SHAH ALAM SHAZU During her college years, the the resilient ‘Ayesha’ in Shankha that Ayesha truly wants to leave
artiste’s family shifted to Paltan. Dasgupta’s debut web-series “Boli”, Cherradia Dwip.
Her contribution to Bangladeshi “Rickshaws and horse carts were the which was released on Hoichoi yesterday.
playback singing is irrefutable. Her “Ayesha’s goal was to
main travelling means back then, The bona fide beauty has an array
first playback song was in the film buses were still not that prominent,”
leave Chheradia Dwip
of successful ventures to her credit, as she thought that she
“Aseeya”, back in the 1960s. she shares. “I used to go to college on
Being the daughter of legendary including a number of tele-fictions. had no existence here.
a rickshaw every day. I had the same
folk singer Abbasuddin Ahmed, she In a candid conversation with The She thinks she belongs
rickshaw puller drop me off and pick
is also praised as the ‘Shilpir Shilpi’ me up.” The singer was a meritorious Daily Star, the “Password” actress opens somewhere,” adds the
for her proficiency in folk music, student in college. up about her character Ayesha, chemistry actress.
Nazrul Sangeet, Rabindra Sangeet “Travelling in rickshaws is one of with Shohel Rana, among others. Safa Kabir also
and modern music, besides playback my sweetest memories. But the sound shared that she had
singing. and rhythm of a horse’s feet running
The acclaimed artiste has been
a wonderful time
always invokes a different feeling in acting with her co-
honoured with numerous accolades, me,” she adds.
including the Ekushey Padak and “Abba once said we could buy a
artiste Shohel Rana.
Independence Award, among many car, but he wanted us to experience “This is my first
others. life, observe the world and learn to work with him. I
“I have dedicated most of my life work hard,” she shares. “Abba’s words have watched his
to music,” says the renowned singer. from back then have been my life work in Taqdeer
“As far as I remember, the film where mantra.” and he acted
I did my first playback song was never ‘Oki Garial Bhai’ is among my great in that. He
released.” most favourite songs,” says the artiste. is a very serious
“I did that song at Chhotro Studio “It was Abba’s song, and I have actor and a really
Safa Kabir in ‘Boli’.
of BG Press,” says the artiste. “My been singing it for years now. I feel co-operative one.
song for ‘Aseeya’ was also done in as though I can smell the lands of “This is my first time working with
the same studio. The film was quite Bangladesh in this song.”
Audiences will
Hoichoi and Shankha Dasgupta. Shankha be able to judge
popular in Bangladesh and Pakistan Television first came to Bangladesh is a wonderful director and a fantastic
back then.” in 1964. Ferdausi Rahman was the our chemistry better
photographer. I have never shot for when they watch us
The musical icon shared some first artiste to sing on television, as it
of her moments with her father, was inaugurated. She received BDT anything for such a long period of time. together on-screen,”
Abbasuddin Ahmed, as well. 200 for her performance. I was shooting outside for about 25 days, adds the actress.
Many years back, Abbasuddin The renowned artiste has also among which 19 days were in Kuakata,” The actress is
Ahmed brought his family from made a name for herself globally. mentions the actress. currently awaiting
Kolkata to Dhaka, near Islampur. “I once travelled to China for an Safa Kabir opened up about her the release of
Their house was in the Victoria Park event with a team of 50 people,” shooting experiences in the secluded land “Kuhulika”,
area. she says. “We started with a Bangla of Kuakata.
“I just started singing on the song, and performed two Chinese
a web film
“Before shooting, we had to observe on Zee 5.
radio at that time,” shares Ferdausi songs. The crowd showered us with the location carefully, and look like its
Rahman. “I still remember I got BDT claps, even the Chinese President She is also
residents. The shooting took place at a

PHOTO: SHAHREAR KABIR HEEMEL

10 for the performance.” congratulated us at the event,” she shooting
“Abba told me to save all my added. remote area of Kuakata and there is no for
earnings from radio singing and I For Ferdausi Rahman, the mode of communication, except for Valentine’s
followed his advice,” she says. “One appreciation she receives in her own bikes. Unfortunately, bikes don’t work on Day tele-
day, he gave me BDT 10 and told country is way more valuable than mud. All of us had to walk amid muddy fictions.
me to spend it however I like. So, I any international accomplishments. areas in the jungle. I also saw a unique
took my brother and roamed around “I am infinitely grateful to the kind of fish there called ‘Mudskippers’
Islampur, but we didn’t get anything.” Almighty for all that I have achieved which can stay outside of water,” adds
“Abba was really surprised when in my life,” she concludes. Safa Kabir.
we returned empty-handed, and gave The popular actress also talked about
him back the money,” she adds. Translated by Akhlakur Rahman

Sandra Bullock wishes she

matched her kids’ skin colour
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DESK “To say that I wish our skins matched,
sometimes I do. Because then it would
Sandra Bullock opened about her be easier on how people approach us,”
experience of parenting two African- Bullock explained. She also said that
American children in an episode she has the same feelings as a
of Red Table Talk with Willow woman with brown skin being
Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith and with her brown babies or a
her mother, Adrienne Banfield- white woman being with her
Norris. The noted Hollywood white babies.
actress admitted that she Bullock - who has long
sometimes wishes she and her been open about how she
kids had the same skin colour. handles the topic of race with
Bullock announced in 2010 her children – has previously
that she adopted Louis when he been praised for her raw and
was 3½ months old and she is also honest approach, along with her
mom to daughter Laila, 8, whom she decision to educate them on the subject
welcomed via adoption in 2015. from a young age.

Priyanka Chopra and Nick

Jonas melt hearts with 3rd
anniversary celebrations

PHOTO: COURTESY

Gems of Nazrul’s ‘Chiro

Bidrohi Bir’ in the works
ASHLEY SHOPTORSHI SAMADDAR birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh musicians, dancers, and elocutionists.
Mujibur Rahman, the 50th anniversary Conceptualised and directed by eminent PHOTO: FROM PRIYANKA CHOPRA’S INSTAGRAM
Celebrating the golden jubilee of our of Bangladesh’s independence, and the Nazrul singer and the founder of Gems of ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DESK you.”
independence and a hundred years of the 100th anniversary of publication of Nazrul Nazrul Sadya Afreen Mallick, the music Priyanka, in an interview with Instyle
poem “Bidrohi”, penned by our National Islam’s iconic “Bidrohi”, the poem that lit video has been shot at the premises of Shutting down rumours of divorce that Magazine, revealed that Nick Jonas often
Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, Gems of Nazrul is the flames of Bengali renaissance. East West University. Acclaimed Manipuri were circulating on the internet, Priyanka flies down to her location just to have
set to release their 20th production, “Chiro “This year is indeed a milestone for us dancer Warda Rihab is the choreographer Chopra and Nick Jonas celebrated their dinner with her, when she is away for work.
Bidrohi Bir”, on Victory Day. as a nation,” shares Sadya Afreen Mallick. of the production that is directed by third wedding anniversary in London on “You know, you just have to prioritise each
The year 2021 and December 16th in “The celebrations would be grand and so Rommo Khan. The production will December 1. other, and then everything feels right,” she
particular will mark a historic one-of-a- will be our effort.” feature the songs “Tolomolo Tolomolo The dreamy outing was all lit up said.
kind date for Bangladesh. It will represent Fifty prominent and promising artistes Podobhorey” and “Aji Rokto Nishi Bhore”, romantic by candlelight setting. Priyanka The duo met at the grand fashion event
3 inter-connected events that shaped from Bangladesh will participate in this alongside the recitation of the iconic poem posted a photo of the dinner set-up with the Met Gala 2017, and got married in 2018 at
the identity of modern Bangladesh – the production. The performers include “Bidrohi” caption, “Found you, married you, keeping the Umaid Bhawan Palace.
 DHAKA SATURDAY DECEMBER 4, 2021, AGRAHAYAN 19, 1428 BS 9

‘Trust us, we got this, for real this time’

Govt assures citizens for third time over Covid-22
SHOAIB AHMED SAYAM Illness Minister Zalim Khaleque said, “This new body refuses too, as my mother tongue flows Chapasthan has already halted air travel to happen, we’ll just impose another lockdown.
omeprazole variant…” through my veins,” he concluded. and from South Africa, as the variant was first Everyone loves to stay home anyways, right?”
The government of Chapasthan has assured
A reporter interrupted Zalim to correct him. Meanwhile, citizens are rushing to vacation detected in the country. he explained.
its people that they will be absolutely safe When journalists informed a state
“Yeah, yeah, Omicron, whatever. Listen, destinations and all kinds of public events, as Asked about safety nets for poor people
from the Omicron variant of Covid-22, as these Greek alphabets have no power over they think these are the last few days before representative that by now, Omicron has
authorities, under the celestial guidance of during a possible lockdown, “What poor
us. That language is dead, but the people of calamity strikes. spread to other countries, she said, “Oh.”
the supreme leader, have taken the strictest people? Per capita income is $2,554,” he
Chapasthan are full of life and love for the “I don’t think I’ll get to visit Fox’s Bazar next “Guys, don’t worry at all, and definitely
measures to prevent another wave of the informed.
country,” he said. year, so this is my final trip this year, or maybe don’t wage any movements or protests, or
pandemic. In a Facebook post, Motherboard Minister this life,” said Ipshita Karim, a girl who has a else...” said Zalim. “We’ll just vaccinate every In another Facebook post, Gostokha said,
They said the exact same thing twice in the Gostokha Robbar said, “Why Greek? Are we so terminal condition of wanderlust. single person by next... week? Yeah, yup, that’s “Under the sky of Digital Chapasthan, there’s
past, right before Covid-22 wreaked havoc in ashamed of our mother tongue that we can’t When informed that authorities have said right!” an antivirus that is able to thwart all kinds of
the country. even name a virus in our own language? they are completely ready to tackle Omicron, “And if for whatever reason, things get viruses, and that is the love for the country and
Addressing citizens at a public gathering, “I refuse to recognise this new variant. My she said, “Sure.” slightly out of hand, which definitely won’t its supreme leader.”

Country to export rich people to poorer nations

MAHBUB ALAM MUNNA can bid farewell to their stupid sorrows and become
rich like us,” said an incredibly wealthy man, who
Why Chapasthan is still considered to be an
refused to reveal his name and income source.
underdeveloped country, despite being the largest
“We are dreaming of those days when people
producer of rich people, is a question that the
will stop talking about Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos or
nation’s economists are wracking their brains over
Bill Gates, and instead talk about Bangladeshi
at countless seminars, webinars, roundtables and
billionaires. All my thoughts revolve around
views-exchange meetings.
my country’s name and fame. Who else is more
With such a surplus of people having multiple patriotic than me?” said another man, who took
homes in Dhoka’s Fulshan and Bananu, and in a billion-dollar loan and fled to a middle-eastern
Canada, the country is considering exporting rich country.
people to poorer countries, because the leaders of In spite of maintaining a healthy growth of
Chapasthan have hearts bigger than all the riches of wealthy people, a massive section of people alleging
the entire world combined. to be living in poverty (we don’t know where
Every member of society will be satisfied through they came from), has cast doubt on the country’s
the initiative, a leader said, demanding anonymity. glorious achievement.
Rich people will be put to better use, and their Emaciated people wearing shabby clothes
wealth will be “exported” to countries that need the have drawn the country’s attention, as they are
extra money. This will create a stable Chapasthan, demanding their $2,554.
where the people remaining in the country will “Last month, I heard that our per capita income
not be able to compare with or be jealous of rich has increased significantly. That means I should be
people. rich too, but I didn’t even have the money to have
“Till now, you only heard of labour migration a cup of tea this morning. Export me too,” said
and how those sent abroad are tortured in host Masud Rasel, a person who was shouting near some
countries, and blah, blah, blah. Now, you’ll hear of luxury cars at Fulshan.
expatriate migration; ‘expatriates’ not in the local “Opposing every good thing has become the
sense, but how colonials perceive them to be -- rich nature of this country’s people. I still don’t believe
people,” the leader added. that these ‘wannabe’ poor people are actually
Chapasthan’s incredible transformation -- from a from Chapasthan. We shouldn’t forget that this
crop-producing country to a garment hub and slave country is of the rich, by the rich and for the rich,”
supplier, and then finally to a rich-people producing said Kabir Ahmed, president of Bangladesh Rich
centre -- has the whole world sweating. Manufacturing Authority, at a press conference.
“It’s a shame that the UN and its allies still call “So, where did these poor people come from?
us a poor country, while we are about to export Don’t be deceived by those torn clothes and pale
locally grown rich people, so that poorer nations faces,” he warned.

Email your satire pieces, cartoons, comic strips or whatever tickles your funny bone to [email protected] and you too may have something to show for wasting your time
 [email protected]

DHAKA SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2021

AGRAHAYAN 19, 1428 BS 10

POETRY
those lips of yours.

TWO POEMS PRESIDENCY COLLEGE

This portico’s a maternity ward,
Those who take their meals for
granted, you say,
have time for precious things.
BY ASAD LATIF every poster a world Those who beg have no time left
born anew. for others’ belongings.
Being’s mishaps mean little
You ignore me and to those not becoming.
the 30 years since I sat there.
You commune with the dog That is what you’ll spend
that limped out to greet us, a long life examining.
its broken fourth leg Not in this café, though,
suspended in time. where, as Bengal lies burning,
its intellectuals keep debating
We hobble after you to how many Lenins
the café can dance on the head
in College Street of a post-Structuralist pin
where everyone meets from a factory in Beijing.
punctually in the evening The well-fed deliberate
for street signs missed while served by the uniformed poor
from being to becoming. who, if they snatched but a word
from the epistemic armoury around them,
At the gate six urchins would be shown starvation’s door.
meet you in ritual dance.
“Didi, poisha,” they sing Look, a bourgeois peace I can bear,
while your smile searches for coins. violence understand,
The phone falls from your hands but not this metaphysical whining
and bounces on the street. in the midst of semi-fine dining
You pick it up to caress by these tenants of a house of glass –
while looking for more small change. the stupid, useless middle class.
I ask why no anger crosses
The dog’s still waiting
on the street.
Come, I’ll lift it off
its three remaining feet.

HISTORIAN Asad Latif is an editorial writer for The Straits Times,

Singapore. He graduated with Honours in English from
Presidency College, Kolkata, and read History for his
I said wounds Master of Letters degree at Cambridge, where he was a
heal with time. Chevening Scholar. He was a Jefferson Fellow at the East-
She said time West Centre, Honolulu, and a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at
needs our wounds Harvard. Among his books is Celebrating Europe: An Asian
to heal. Journey (Singapore, 2012).

A TERRESTRIAL OMNIBUS: When the Mango Tree Blossomed

REVIEWED BY SHAHID ALAM
When the Mango Tree Blossomed: Fifty Short Stories from Bangladesh.
Edited by Niaz Zaman, Nymphea Publication, 2021
When the Mango Tree Blossomed is a voluminous secrets, gossip and reality. fate going sour on a person.
compilation of, as the book’s subtitle Niaz Zaman’s “The Monster’s Mother” is an Razia Sultana Khan’s “The Anklet” is a tale
proclaims, fifty short stories from Bangladesh, arresting study of a mother and her terrorist told through an Epilogue through to a Scene 9
edited by Niaz Zaman. Zaman, an educationist son (the monster) who, after committing and climaxing in Scene 1. This rather unusual
and former Dhaka University Professor in the militant acts and then being killed himself, still configuration tells the tale of the lascivious
Department of English, is a writer of short finds the love of his mother (the eternal caring behavior of male relatives preying on their
stories, a novelist, and a publisher of note. Her mother) even if she had only to “remember often helpless female kin. An unusual tale, true,
monumental presentation in the form of When the little boy who had been her delight.” One but not a wild one!
the Mango Tree Blossomed is, as she explains can find here echoes of the infamous Holey Syed Waliullah has written a profound
in the Introduction, a contribution to the Artisan Café attack in Bangladesh on July 1, philosophical story about a dying man in
celebration of the golden jubilee of Bangladesh 2016 that resulted in the loss of many lives. “No Enemy.” This small piece concerns itself
in 2021. Saleha Chowdhury’s “The Disappearance of with large issues that likely would set many
In consonance with the first fifty years Gopal Maker” dwells on some serious thoughts readers thinking about key aspects of life and
of Bangladesh’s existence as a sovereign on religion, much of it through the underlying living. A dying old man “who should have
independent nation-state, the book offers humour used in a simple story. Rizia Rahman’s been in bed waiting to die peacefully, with his
fifty stories crammed inside 700-plus pages, “Mother Fatema Weeps” is a well-constructed near and dear ones around him, they praying
and grouped under six themes, namely, story primarily depicting age-old prejudices and crying, and he thinking of God,” instead
Beyond the Shade of the Mango Tree, Village against women at work trying to make it by “had as his last destination the house of the
Matters, Across the Seven Seas, Metropolis herself, as well as, in the process, scapegoating man he wanted to meet most of all. This man
Moments, Vital Signs, and Other Lives, Other the NGOs in Bangladesh. “It was because of was no friend. As a matter of fact, this man
Loves. Thirty-three of the stories were written the money of the NGOs that these eternally was his enemy.” Farah Ghuznavi’s “Losing
originally in Bangla and then translated into downtrodden women had become infected Bindu” is a larger composition and is about
English, and the other seventeen were written with such audacity.” the complexities of conjugal life and the
originally in English. The editor’s hope is that, Hasan Azizul Huq’s “The Vulture” is an possible negative outcomes that could result
“Taken together…the stories will give the absorbing story revolving around the hunting because of functions and/or dysfunctions of
reader a picture of Bangladesh.” She further down of a vulture by some young village boys, the protagonists and circumstances. This story
elaborates: “Though many of the stories are but containing a twist in the tale. Syed Mujtaba should cause many readers to stop and ponder
about 1971, this is not a book only about 1971, Ali’s “Sweet and Savoury” contains bits of a while on life and some of its harsh realities.
nor are all the stories located in Bangladesh. acerbic humour that he is known for. For Mahbub Talukdar’s “A Human Being” is a
There has been a Bangladeshi diaspora and example, “My belief is that God has created the story about a human being’s self-introspection.
a few stories, by diasporic writers, reflect this. Red Sea minus the fourth basic element --- air. The opening few lines should arouse the
Most of the stories are, however, situated in If there is ever a breeze blowing on that sea, curiosity of the reader regarding the story’s
Bangladesh.” it must certainly be paranormal.” And, “The content. “I am a human being. But am I
The book leads off with an interesting French can’t differentiate between Chinese, really a human being? At this juncture of life,
story by Nazrul Islam (“21-2-2121”), who Indians and Arabs. The way we find the I ask one question again and again: If I am
interweaves the event of 21 February 1952 with Chinese, Japanese and Burmese similar.” a human being, why isn’t my life like that of
the story’s protagonist Ornob’s experience with In Alauddin Al Azad’s “The Madonna,” the other human beings? Why am I different from
time travel. The author also comes up with this author provides an answer to his own query others?... Is there anything more powerful for
trenchant observation: “Wherever any sizable of, “How did Prodosha manage to create his human beings than crying?” A Human Being
number of Bengali population lives, there is masterpiece simply with coal?” It is a riveting answers, or tries to, many issues associated with
sure to be a Shaheed Minar of some sort….” story. Makbula Manzoor’s “In the Urban the queries.
Syed Manzoorul Islam (“Seventy-One”) writes Jungle” is a timeless tale of misery and its When the Mango Tree Blossomed is a
a story based on the events of 1971, and comes myriad consequences in rural communities monumental undertaking and Niaz Zaman
up with an observation depicting the character in Bangladesh. “The Night Queen” by Jharna deserves all the plaudits for having undertaken
of the aggressors in occupied Bangladesh: “no Das Purkayastha is ostensibly about the death this venture. The symmetry is a nice touch:
matter what the tiger was, he was not as savage of two slum children from eating rotten rich fifty stories from Bangladeshi writers presented
as the Pakistanis.” food given away by some rich people living on the fiftieth anniversary of Bangladesh’s
The first section, Beyond the Shade of the and conflict. Humayun Ahmed’s “Jalil Saheb’s writing about her heroism, in order to increase outside the slum boundaries. The slum leader liberation as a sovereign independent nation-
Mango Tree, contains a series of stories related Petition” depicts outcomes necessitated by sales, the papers would fabricate a horrific story poses a timeless question that has far greater state. The book’s get-up is of a high class, even
to the armed conflict in 1971. Some of them force of circumstance, and comes up with a of half-truths about an unheard-of birangona’s ramifications than its apparent simplicity: though the presentations are distinctly uneven.
are rather ordinary, while a few others should few sterling observations on human nature, anguish at the hands of the Pakistani army. As a “Don’t they consider us human beings?” When the Mango Tree Blossomed has provided
attract reader appreciation. Anwara Syed Haq’s like, “Those who are timid will always find result, stories of bygone times would resurface Selina Hossain’s “The Conjunction of a lot of mangoes, of varied sizes and diverse
“A Story That I Heard” contains, in the context something to fear,” and “It’s always pleasant like dead fish floating in a pond.” Syed Time” begins with a conversation that has a qualities, ranging from bland to exquisite, but
of the Liberation War, this observation about to think about one’s homeland when one is Shamsul Haq’s “Another One of Our Martyrs” philosophical ring to it: eventually, in terms of weightage, bringing a
Bangladeshi villagers: “No matter how late at abroad.” is an absorbing tale of religious bigotry, tall “Ma, why don’t you reply? Tell me why you satisfied smile to the reader.
night it is, the ears of village folk stay alert; their Shaheen Akhtar’s “Amirjaan Bibi’s tales, and tragedy set around the observance loved birds more than people.”
eyes are like torches.” Rashid Haider’s “Address Reception” is a poignant tale of a female of Ekushey February. Sohana Manzoor’s With a faint smile, her mother had said, Shahid Alam is a thespian and Professor,
Uncertain” is a moving story depicting turmoil freedom fighter’s myriad plights, including this “The Hawk with Gold-Tipped Wings” is an “You’ll understand as you grow older.” Media and Communication department,
of the human soul during times of privations one in terms of the print medium: “Instead of interesting allegorical tale, dealing with family This sad tale brings out the consequence of IUB.
DHAKA SATURDAY DECEMBER 4, 2021, AGRAHAYAN 19, 1428 BS LAW&OUR RIGHTS 11
“ALL CITIZENS ARE EQUAL BEFORE LAW AND ARE ENTITLED TO EQUAL PROTECTION OF LAW”-ARTICLE 27 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH • [email protected]

LAW INTERVIEW

Singing the same tune:

Ending violence against women now
LAW DESK (LD): How do you assess trained up to apply this quasi-civil section 155(4) of the Evidence Act think the people have had a positive
the governmental initiatives against legislation. The protection officers also 1872, and to put in place a monitoring impact?
Violence against Women (VAW) in do not know how to attend different mechanism, among others. NG: I do not think there have been any The overwhelming
Bangladesh? cases under the law. The Civil Society
NINA GOSWAMI (NG): In the past Organisations (CSOs) had proposed
LD: How do you evaluate the role organised mass movements as such.
When there are incidents of rape, at
number of
played by the CSOs and their
years, the government has appeared that the government take initiatives to partnership with the government? many places people take part in protests, incidents of VAW
proactive as a response to many build mass awareness. Countries such but without any specific agenda or goal.
incidents of violence and mass as Sri Lanka, India, separately allocated
NG: The CSOs have been successful
in putting forward their concerted As we have seen, people demanded and the condition
reactions to the same. However, the
overwhelming number of incidents
budget to make people aware through
regular training. In absence of such
demands and voicing their proposals death penalty lately and the government
accepted it too. However, it was not
of women in
together. I see positive role of the
of VAW and the condition of women allocation in our country, the law is not CSOs in this regard. Their partnership supposed to be this way. Demands for general bear
in general bear testimony to the fact used enough to enable us to criticise its with government in many cases is the implementation of the existing laws
that the governmental initiatives have substantive weaknesses. positive. Nonetheless, in my opinion, and questions on the low conviction rate testimony to the
not been enough. There are some came in a very disorganised way. Had
strategic deficiencies which remain
As far as the Prevention of the Ministry of Women and Children
there been concerted efforts, the mass
fact that the
Oppression against Women and Affairs (MOWCA) should have been
largely unaddressed. For instance, Children Act is concerned, lately, the more active in building effective uproar could have been channelised in governmental
Bangladesh had put reservations on the right direction and a positive impact
Rape Law Reform coalition of different coalition with the CSOs and facilitating
two very important articles of the
CSOs, tabled ten proposals. There was their activities and initiatives. could have been made on the policy initiatives have not
Nina Goswami Convention on the Elimination of landscape in general.
is the Director- All Forms of Discrimination against
no proposal to increase the penalty. While enacting the Domestic been enough.
Increasing the penalty was something Violence (Prevention and Protection) LD: How far has our judiciary
Programme, Ain o Women (CEDAW) and for a while, the
Salish Kendra (ASK). government appeared positive about
withdrawing the reservations. However, there were many missing pieces in the
She is an Advocate of the government has recently clarified puzzle. The subordinate judiciary needs
the Supreme Court that it has no plan to withdraw the to be made more sensitised with regard
of Bangladesh and reservations. For instance, given the to the women question so that the
the external expert reservations, the government will not women get a humane response from the
address the issue of inequal property judiciary. Subordinate judiciary is the first
member of sexual tier to access justice, and thence, it really
rights of women by virtue of different
harassment prevention needs to have a humane approach to the
personal laws. Property is immensely
committee of many important and when women are victim women in general.
organisations such deemed unequal in terms of inheriting In terms of exercising the judicial
as the Department or owning property, they automatically mind, the judiciary needs to be made
of Women Affairs get relegated to a subordinate position. more aware. Adequate trainings are to
When there are reservations put on two be imparted in this regard. Further, it
under the Ministry of has to be made sure that the judiciary
Women and Children of the most significant provisions of
the CEDAW, whatever efforts are made, works independently, being free from any
Affairs, Ministry of would automatically fall short. Because external pressure.
Law, Justice and with the reservations being put, our LD: The 16 days campaign against VAW
Parliamentary Affairs, women will continue to be weak, to is going on. What are your thoughts on
Bangladesh University have an unequal status, and therefore, this year’s campaign?
of Engineering and to be prone to violence. NG: Each year we spend a lot of
Technology (BUET), LD: We have many laws in our money and celebrate it. This year we are
country. The Prevention of celebrating it again. However, even for the
etc. She has been UN, there are different voices. Different
Oppression against Women and
playing an active role Children Act 2000 has been made agencies of the UN have different
in the NGO sector as more stringent than before lately. mandates and different agenda and we
a practicing lawyer There is also law for tackling domestic do not see a concerted collaboration
for over 25 years. In violence. Please tell us about the among different UN agencies. I think
solidarity with the challenges that inhere in the laws. if different UN agencies, CSOs and
NG: There are laws; however, there government could work together, sing the
campaign “16 Days of done by the government to appease Act, a multisectoral department was set performed in this regard? same tune, and make a concerted effort,
are many challenges too that largely
Activism” to challenge go missing. For example, though the public outrage at that time. It is up under the MOWCA to involve CSOs. NG: Whenever a constitutional crisis only then we could hope for an impactful
violence against the Domestic Violence (Prevention important that the existing laws get But this is not seen at present. If there faced Bangladesh and whenever it consequence of such campaign. We
women and girls, Law and Protection) Act 2010 has been implemented. It is important that the were effective partnership between the seemed as though all doors were closed, need to underscore the things to do and
enacted, no steps have been taken by laid down penalty gets awarded. Rather MOWCA and the CSOs, things would we turned to the higher judiciary, navigate our determinations together in
Desk talks to her on have been much more constructive and
the government to make people aware than increasing the penalty, it was and the higher judiciary played a the right direction.
the following issues. sustainable.
thereof. Many women do not know necessary to change the definition of commendable role as well. However,
about it, and more sadly, the judicial rape, to enact a law for the protection LD: What is your view on the mass when it comes to the subordinate LD: Thank you for your time.
officers and lawyers have not been of victims and witnesses, to amend movement from recent times? Do you judiciary, it always seemed as though NG: You are welcome.

RIGHTS ADVOCACY
LAW LETTER

The nuances of confessional Legal recourse for a misstated prospectus

A
prospectus is a document that
gives details of a company’s
activities and aims to persuade
produced without his knowledge or that
he had reason to think the assertion was
genuine. This clause specifies four more

statement made by a child

the public to invest in their company. instances which operate as defence to the
Since the public invests in a company director. Those instances are as follows: first,
relying on prospectus’s content, it is withdrawing his/her consent to become a
the company’s obligation to ensure director before the prospectus was issued;
that it is authentic and transparent. second, becoming familiar with the idea
However, in reality, there have been of a misstatement and stepping away
RAJIB KUMAR DEB on. It also dealt with who is authorised several instances where corporations his/her assent after the prospectus was
to decide interlocutory matters like have made false statements in the issued but before the allotment; third, the

I
n a landmark judgment in Anis Miah petitions for bail or remand to police
v State, Criminal Appeal No. 6799 hope of attracting shareholders. statement was a replica of an official paper
custody, and determination of age of a Before diving into the legal recourse in made by an official person; and finally, the
of 2011, a full bench of the High child. The Court was of the opinion that
Court Division (HCD) deliberated on this regard, it is essential to understand statement was a fair presentation produced
the magistrate is empowered to do the what constitutes misstatement in a by the expert and he/she withdrew his/her
the “legal implication of confession
routine works and pass any order for the prospectus. Section 143 of the Company approval. The aggrieved party will not be
made under section 164 of the Code of
sake of investigation. It made some seven Act 1994 provides a comprehensive able to obtain damages from the directors if
Criminal Procedure [CrPC] by a child
in conflict with law”.  observations-cum-directives. In one of the vision in this respect. By interpreting this the directors are successful in proving these
The judgment was published at a time directives, it said that the magistrate may section, three notions can be discovered circumstances.
when the Children Act 2013 was in force record the confessional statement of a which come within the scope of
child who comes in conflict with law. misrepresentation. Those notions are false
repealing the Children Act 1974. The
This direction is relevant to the present statements, statements that provide the
case was about the offence of murder that a child is not supposed to make a issue as it involves the question of binding incorrect impression, and concealment of
and kidnapping in which the appellant confession in the first place. Eventually, status of the HCD’s observation that a essential information.
(Anis Miah), a child under 16 at that the HCD rejected the contention that the Let us now revert to the basic concern
time (according to the 1974 Act), made child’s confessional statement must not be
evidentiary value of confession made by recorded. of whether the aggrieved party has
a confessional statement under section a child has already been approved by the recourse to the law if they are deceived
164 of the CrPC. Accordingly, the Police One argument is that a magistrate may
Appellate Division in Md Shukur Ali v State by a misrepresented prospectus or not.
submitted a charge sheet against nine deny recording a confessional statement
(Jail Petition No. 8 of 2004) inasmuch as The answer is yes, for aggrieved subscriber
persons including the appellant. The only upon two grounds: if the statement
the question of recording confession of or defrauded shareholder, legal redress
Speedy Trial Tribunal as the Juvenile appears not to be “true and voluntary”,
a child or its evidentiary value was not at is possible. Basically, two remedies are
Court found him guilty and awarded and when the child refuses to make it.
issue in the said decision. available for aggrieved shareholder. The Apart from that, making misstated
him with punishment of detention and The magistrate’s such denial takes support
The Court eventually held that rescinding of the contract is the first statements are punishable under sections
imprisonment of 10 (ten) years. from sections 24-28 of the Evidence Act
confession of a child under section 164 remedy accessible to the aggrieved party. 146 and 147 of the Act. According to
On appeal, the HCD stated that the 1872 concerning relevance of confessional
of CrPC has no evidentiary value, and If he discovers any untrue statements section 146, anybody who is authorised
recording of confessional statement statement, the procedure in section 164 regarding material facts in the prospectus,
therefore, such confession cannot form to produce a prospectus faces a two-year
under section 164 of the CrPC is part of and the manner provided in section 364 he has the right to cancel the transaction.
the basis of finding a child guilty in any jail sentence or 5,000 taka fine or both,
of the CrPC about recording confessional To rescind the contract, nevertheless,
adversarial processes. The application of criminal case. Consequently, the Court if they make any type of misstatement in
statement, and the guidelines detailed the aggrieved party needs to prove that
confessional statement by a child against allowed the appeal and set aside the the prospectus. Fraudulently encouraging
in Rules 78 and 79 of Criminal Rules the company provided a fraudulent
a juvenile offender, however, runs counter judgment and order of the trial court. individuals to invest money is punishable
and Orders 2009 (Vol. 1) with regard prospectus. The second remedy that is
to the fundamental tenets of the juvenile Here, a crucial question arises as to under section 147. For this, the penalty
to the compliance about due care and available to the aggrieved party is claiming
justice system as it intersects with human whether the arguments, observations, is either 5 years in prison or a fine of 15
deliberation. the damages. Section 145 of the Company
rights principles. The HCD observed and opinions made by the HCD form a thousand taka or both.
To conclude, both the judgments of the Act clarifies this by saying that if the
that because neither the 2013’s Act nor binding law prohibiting the magistrate In view of the foregoing, it emerges that
HCD dealt with some legal points that are misstatement is discovered, the aggrieved
the 1974’s Act makes any provision for from recording any confessional aggrieved investors will get legal recourse
not covered in the 2013 Act including the party may seek compensation or damages
recording confession of a child and statement by a child as defined in the if they are defrauded by a deceptive
issue of legality of confessional statement from the directors, promoters, or any other
using the same against him/her, it is in 2013 Act or not. prospectus. Despite the fact that legal
made by a child. While in Anis Mea case person who has permitted their name to
fact legally impossible to do so. Hence, Significantly, the judgment in Ridoy v redress is accessible, investors will need
the Court observed that a confessional be mentioned during the prospectus’s to exercise greater caution. They must
the HCD rejected the contention of the State (Criminal Appeal No. 7533 of 2019), statement by a child must not be recorded, issuance. examine the prospectus diligently before
Prosecution that by virtue of section 18 of made by another bench of the HCD, the Court in Ridoy case held that a However, some defences have been
the 1974 Act or section 42 of the 2013 Act, becomes relevant in this regard. investing in the company since they
magistrate could do so in the interim granted to the directors under this usually act believing in the substance of
the confession of a child can be recorded The HCD in Ridoy case, raised period. Now, it is logical to conclude that provision, which safeguards them from
under section 164 of the CrPC and used questions of law as regards who will the prospectus to invest money.
a magistrate may record confessional burden of paying compensation. Section
against him.  take cognizance of an offence when the statement made by a child who is in 145 in clause 2 stipulates that a director is Noor Afrose
The Court noted that the legislature accused person is a child under any special conflict with law under the 2013 Act.   not obligated to pay compensation if he Student of Law, Bangladesh University of
purposefully did not reenact the law like the Prevention of Oppression can demonstrate that the prospectus was Professionals (BUP)
provisions of the 1974 Act into the against Women and Children Act 2000 The Writer Is Senior Judicial Magistrate,
2013 Act, and this omission implies or the Special Powers Act 1974 and so Bangladesh Judicial Service.
12 INTERNATIONAL DHAKA SATURDAY DECEMBER 4, 2021, AGRAHAYAN 19, 1428 BS

STUDY ON SEVEN COVID VACCINES OMICRON VARIANT

WHO has no
Third dose can reports yet of
boost immunity
AFP, Paris
deaths
AFP, Geneva
Seven jabs used as boosters against Covid-19 mostly The World Health
produced a strong immune response, though results varied Organization said yesterday
depending on the vaccine combination, a study said it had not seen any reports
yesterday. of deaths relating to the
Last June researchers in the UK looked at about 3,000 new Omicron variant of
people to compare various combinations of jabs and their Covid-19.
effects after a third dose. The WHO said it was
Patients in the study, published in leading medical collecting evidence about
journal The Lancet, had been fully vaccinated either with the variant of concern
AstraZeneca or Pfizer/BioNTech. (VOC), as countries around
At least two months after the second dose of Pfizer and the world scramble to stop
three months for AstraZeneca, they received a third jab it from spreading.
either of those two shots or CureVac, Moderna, Novavax, But despite a growing
Valneva or Janssen. number of countries
Other participants received a placebo. registering infections with
In nearly all patients except for those who received a the new variant, no deaths
placebo, participants produced an increased antibody have yet been reported to
the UN health agency. “I
response -- with the exception of initial vaccination by
have not seen reports of
Pfizer followed by a Valneva booster, which showed no
Omicron-related deaths
noticeable difference.
yet,” WHO spokesman
“All of the vaccines that boosted immunity did so in Christian Lindmeier told
older and younger people; however, there were marked reporters in Geneva.
differences in response between specific booster vaccines, “We’re collecting all the
consistent with other data from non-randomised studies,” evidence and we will find
the study said. much more evidence as we
There were several limits to the study. go along.”
Municipality marshals fine passengers upon failing to comply with the Covid-19 coronavirus safety protocols at a railway station during
The third doses were administered soon after the second While Omicron has rattled
dose -- sometimes less time elapsed between the second an enforcement drive in Bangalore, India yesterday. India expects the Omicron variant of coronavirus to cause less severe disease, the
the world, Lindmeier also
and third doses than between the first and second ones, health ministry said yesterday, thanks to vaccinations and high prior exposure to the Delta variant that infected nearly 70 percent of the urged people to be mindful
which could have reduced immunity. population by July. PHOTO: AFP of the Delta variant.

Quote
of the day
Iran nuke talks set for pause Afghan women’s rights
European diplomats express ‘disappointment and concern’ at the
latest proposals from Tehran must be ‘enforced’
AFP, Tehran And speaking on a visit to the Taliban release decree in the name of supreme leader
United Arab Emirates, just across the
Negotiations in Vienna aimed at AFP, Kabul
Gulf from Iran, the French president
reviving the Iran nuclear deal were said it “should not be excluded” that The Taliban yesterday issued a decree in the
We’re set to be suspended yesterday, Iranian
media said, as European diplomats
this round of talks “does not reopen name of their supreme leader instructing
going expressed “disappointment and
swiftly”.
On Thursday, Iran’s lead negotiator
Afghan ministries “to take serious action”
to fight this concern” at the latest proposals from Ali Bagheri said the proposals
on women’s rights, but failed to mention
Iran. girls’ access to schools.
variant with The semi-official ISNA news
concerned two main issues facing
The move comes after the Islamists seized
the 2015 accord known as the Joint
science and agency said the talks would “most Comprehensive Plan of Action, or power in mid-August and as they seek to
speed, not likely” resume on Monday but French will be held on Friday,” said Iran’s JCPOA. “The first document sums up restore Afghanistan’s access to billions of
President Emmanuel Macron warned dollars in assets and aid suspended when
chaos and there could be a longer break in
official news agency IRNA.
“This meeting was requested
the Islamic republic’s point of view
concerning the lifting of sanctions, the previous, Western-backed regime inheritance.
confusion. This the talks, which resumed only on by the European side before its while the second is about Iran’s collapsed in the final stages of a US military It instructs the Ministry of Culture and
is a moment November 29 after a five-month break. representatives return to their capitals nuclear actions,” Bagheri told state withdrawal. Information to publish material on women’s
Iran said it has submitted two draft to review the text proposed by Iran,” television. “The Islamic Emirate’s leadership directs rights “to prevent... ongoing repression”.
we can put the proposals for the nuclear agreement, the news agency added. “Now the other side must examine all relevant organisations... to take serious Respect for women’s rights has repeatedly
divisiveness which has been in tatters since the US Senior diplomats from the E3 these documents and prepare itself to action to enforce Women’s Rights,” the been cited by key global donors as a
decree states, quoting elusive supreme
behind us, I withdrew in 2018. group of Britain, France and Germany
yesterday expressed “disappointment
hold negotiations with Iran based on
these documents.” leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.
condition for restoring aid.
“After the handing over of the The decree crucially makes no mention
hope.” text of the Iranian proposal to the and concern after thoroughly and In a telephone call with EU top The decree centres on marriage and of girls’ secondary education -- which
P4+1 group (Britain, China, France carefully analysing Iranian proposed diplomat Josep Borrell, Foreign widows’ rights, stating “no one can force has been suspended for millions -- or the
US PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN and Russia plus Germany) and the changes to the text negotiated during Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian women to marry by coercion or pressure” employment of women, who have been
ON FIGHT AGAINST European Union, a meeting of the the previous six rounds”, which took said the talks were going well “but and that a widow is entitled to an barred from returning to jobs in the public
OMICRON COVID VARIANT joint committee of the nuclear deal place earlier this year. slowly on all tracks”. unspecified fixed share of her husband’s sector.

Russian offensive possible THIS DAY IN

HISTORY
in Jan: Ukraine minister
AFP, Kiev separatist-held areas in eastern Ukraine.
The United States this week said it
Ukraine warned yesterday that Russia could
launch a large-scale attack on the country in had “evidence” Russia could be planning
late January as tensions soar over an alleged an invasion, threatening Moscow with DECEMBER 4
Russian troop build-up near Kiev’s borders. economic sanctions if it attacks. Russia has
dismissed the allegations as “hysteria.” 1991 - The American
The United States and its allies have
for weeks accused Russia of planning an Reznikov said escalation was a “likely journalist Terry
invasion of Ukraine and massing troops scenario”. Anderson, the Western
along Kiev’s borders. He said Ukraine and its allies should hostage held longest
Moscow seized Crimea from Ukraine make the cost of a possible attack by Islamic militants in
in 2014 and has since backed separatists “unacceptable for the aggressor.” Lebanon, was freed
fighting Kiev in eastern Ukraine. The He reiterated that Ukraine was seeking after 2,454 days. He had
conflict has left more than 13,000 dead. a “political-diplomatic settlement” to the been seized on March
Russia denies planning an attack. tensions and that it would not carry out 16, 1985.
“The most likely time to reach readiness “military provocations.” 1997 - A historic treaty
for escalation will be the end of January,” Ukraine and its Western allies accuse to ban anti-personnel
Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Russia of sending troops and arms across landmines worldwide
Reznikov said. the border to support the separatists --
became reality when
Addressing parliament, Reznikov said claims Moscow denies.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken
121 nations signed it
Ukrainian intelligence was analysing all
warned Moscow on Thursday of the “severe in Ottawa; the US was
possible scenarios.
“The possibility of a large-scale costs” Russia would pay in case of an among the abstainers.
escalation from Russia exists,” he warned. escalation, urging his Russian counterpart 1998 - The last Khmer
The minister said a “winter training to seek a diplomatic exit from the crisis. Rouge fighters
period” had started in Russia and that Blinken said it was likely that Presidents surrendered, ending
Moscow had already launched exercises Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin would speak a 20-year war against
near Ukrainian territory. soon. Work is under way to arrange a the Cambodian
He estimated that Russia had around video call between them, the Kremlin said government.
Migrants from Central America sit on freight cars and railroads as they wait for the departure of a freight train to 100,000 troops near Ukraine’s border, yesterday, a day after their top diplomats
in Moscow-controlled Crimea and in SOURCE: REUTERS
continue their journey towards Mexico City, in Tierra Blanca, Veracruz, Mexico on Thursday. PHOTO: REUTERS met to discuss Ukraine.

US proposes ‘code of conduct’ at Philippines court to allow Nobel UN launches ‘bodyright’ symbol
UN for killer robots laureate Ressa to go to Norway against online violence
AFP, Geneva REUTERS, Manila AFP, United Nations
Rejecting calls for a binding agreement regulating or banning the use of Philippine journalist Maria Ressa The United Nations on Thursday launched a campaign against gender-based
weapons often dubbed killer robots, Washington instead proposed at the will be allowed to travel so she violence on the internet, complete with the symbol which can be added to
United Nations on Thursday a “code of conduct”. can accept her Nobel Peace Prize social media posts.
Speaking at a meeting in Geneva focused on finding common ground on in person after a court gave her The symbol seeks to highlight that corporate logos and copyrighted
the use of such so-called lethal autonomous weapons, a US official balked permission to leave the Southeast Intellectual Property often receive greater protection online than people.
at the idea of regulating their use through a “legally-binding instrument”. Asian country to visit Norway later The UN population agency UNFPA’s “bodyright” campaign said women,
The meeting saw governmental experts preparing for high-level talks at this month. young people, ethnic minorities and the LGTB community had to be
a review conference on the Convention of Certain Conventional Weapons Ressa, who is subject to travel protected against online violence.
from December 13-17. restrictions due to the legal cases “Everyone has the right to live free of fear and violence -- both online and
“In our view, the best way to make progress... would be through the she faces in the Philippines,
offline,” UFNPA executive director Natalia Kanem said.
development of a non-binding code of conduct,” US official Josh Dorosin shared the Peace Prize with Russian investigative journalist Dmitry Muratov,
told the meeting. in an endorsement of free speech under fire worldwide. “It’s time for technology companies and policymakers to take digital
The United Nations has been hosting diplomatic talks in Geneva since The prize is the first Nobel Peace Prize for journalists since the German violence seriously.”
2017 aimed at reaching an agreement on how to address the use of killer Carl von Ossietzky won it in 1935 for revealing his country’s secret post- Eighty five percent of women globally have experienced or witnessed
robots. war rearmament programme. In its ruling yesterday, the Philippine Court of digital violence against other women, according to a poll by the Economist
Activists and a number of countries have called for an all-out ban on any Appeals granted Ressa’s request to travel to receive the award on December Intelligence Unit, and 38 percent have suffered it themselves.
weapons that could use lethal force without a human overseeing the process 10, noting that “she is not a flight risk.” UNFPA said online violence included cyberstalking, hate speech, doxxing
and making the final kill order. In November 2018, UN chief Antonio The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided this year’s award ceremony -- publishing private information about an individual -- and non-consensual
Guterres joined the call for a ban, but so far countries do not even agree on will be an in-person event taking place in Oslo City Hall. Ressa’s news site, use of images and video such as deepfakes.
whether there is a need to regulate the weapons. Rappler, has had its licence suspended and she is embroiled in various legal It said the symbol was a demand that “images of our bodies are given the
During Thursday’s debate, a number of countries, including India and the cases. Supporters say she is being targeted due to her scrutiny of government same respect and protection online as copyright gives to music, film and
United States, criticised the idea of a legally-binding agreement. policies, including a war on drugs launched by President Rodrigo Duterte. even corporate logos.”
DHAKA SATURDAY DECEMBER 4, 2021, AGRAHAYAN 19, 1428 BS INTERNATIONAL 13
AFGHANISTAN HUMANITARIAN CRISIS

WB backs using $280m

in frozen aid funds
REUTERS, Washington how to get funds into Afghanistan without
The World Bank’s board has backed exposing any financial institutions involved
transferring $280 million from a to US sanctions.
frozen trust fund to two aid agencies to While the US Treasury has provided
“comfort letters” assuring banks that they
help Afghanistan cope with a brewing
can process humanitarian transactions,
humanitarian crisis after the US withdrawal,
concern about US sanctions continues
two sources familiar with the matter said
to prevent passage of even basic supplies,
on Wednesday.
including food and medicine.
The 31 donors to the World Bank-
Any decision to redirect ARTF money
administered Afghanistan Reconstruction
requires the approval of all its donors, of
Trust Fund (ARTF) must approve the
which the United States has been the largest.
transfer before the funds could flow to the
The White House and the Treasury had
World Food Programme and Unicef, the no immediate comment on the World
sources said. Bank board’s endorsement of transferring
The donors were expected to meet the funds to the World Food Programme
yesterday, the sources said. and Unicef.
The World Bank board met informally A World Bank spokesperson confirmed
on Tuesday to discuss transferring up the bank’s board had discussed the issue
to $500 million of the $1.5 billion in and that the donors were set to meet
the ARTF to humanitarian aid agencies, yesterday.
people familiar with the plan previously The board “discussed an approach to
told Reuters. transfer out funds from the ... ARTF to
Afghanistan’s 39 million people face humanitarian aid agencies with presence
a cratering economy, a winter of food and logistics on the ground to enable basic
shortages and growing poverty three months humanitarian support directly to the people
after the Taliban seized power as the last US in the country,” the spokesperson said.
troops withdrew from 20 years of war. “The ARTF Donors’ Steering Committee
Afghan experts have said the aid would is scheduled to meet on December 3 to Policemen detain a man after a group of protesters, some of them carrying flags of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), demonstrated near the
help, but big questions remain, including consider transfers out from the fund.” premises of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on Johan de Wittlaan street in The Hague, yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

‘This is a new wave’ HIGH INFLATION, DWINDLING DONOR AID

Palestinian Authority struggles
Hundreds of Cubans seek refuge in Greece, cite crumbling economy, repression as

ALJAZEERA ONLINE
reasons for leaving home country
Jazeera spoke to, took a slightly different route. He
to pay public employees
ALJAZEERA ONLINE 25 percent deduction would only be for a
flew from Moscow to Minsk, Belarus, and from
Greece has become a European port of call for few months,” a PA public employee told Al
there to Belgrade via Istanbul. After years of economic stagnation,
refugees from Africa and Asia. Jazeera on condition of anonymity.
But in recent months, authorities have been The arrivals are now in their hundreds. authorities in the occupied West Bank say
“Until now, nobody knows whether we
surprised to find large numbers of Cubans seeking Juan, a Cuban asylum seeker enlisting his they are struggling to pay salaries for public
will get paid or not, or if we’ll get our salaries
shelter far from home. compatriots on an asylum petition, has gathered employees, as soaring inflation, dwindling
in full or only 75 percent of it.”
The issue came to light on October 28 when 400 signatures. He says at least 200 more refused donor aid and Israel’s withholding of vital tax
Like economies the world over, Palestine
some 130 Cubans tried to fly from the island to sign, afraid of giving away their identities. revenues strangle the Palestinian Authority’s
is currently wrestling with soaring inflation
of Zakynthos, in the Ionian Sea, to Milan, in The list reveals that the arrivals are mostly (PA) already crippled budget.
stemming from supply chain snarls and
northern Italy. students and professionals below 50, many “The conditions we are living in are shortages of raw materials as nations cast off
“It was accidental that so many Cubans met with children. difficult, we are in financial deficit,” Prime coronavirus restrictions.
in the same place,” said Pedro, 28, who was rubber dinghies to reach the east Aegean islands, “This is a new wave. There are lawyers, doctors, Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh admitted this The PA’s fiscal revenues declined to their
among them. “Usually we try to use lots of Cubans do not appear to be shepherded by civil engineers – we’re not brigands,” said Juan. week, telling reporters the PA has not received lowest levels in 20 years shortly after the start
different airports.” smugglers. “We wanted the country that will embrace us to aid to pay salaries, estimated at a monthly of the pandemic, which only exacerbated
“When police saw one Cuban passport after Pedro and his girlfriend, Laura, flew from see that we can offer thing to society, we’re not here cost of 920 million Israeli shekels ($292m). longstanding financial challenges.
another, they put us all in a separate room.” Havana to Moscow, where travel is visa-free for to extract wealth and go home, but to be part of The financial crisis – described by While support from foreign donors has
A video clip posted by a local news outlet Cubans. From there they flew to Belgrade, also society and contribute to it.” officials and analysts as “the worst” since withered over the years, the biggest blow was
showed Cubans in an uproar when police tried visa-free, and took buses and taxis through Serbia All the Cubans Al Jazeera interviewed cited a the PA’s establishment in 1993 – has left dealt in 2017, when former United States
to bus them to the local precinct. They were and North Macedonia to the Greek border. crumbling economy and repression as reasons for workers anxious. President Donald Trump cut off nearly all
given written orders to leave Greece before “We didn’t have a plan,” said Laura, 27, who co- leaving Cuba. “Basic needs are in very low supply,” “At first, we heard that we would not get US aid to Palestinians. Though Trump’s
being released. owned a restaurant with Pedro in Havana. “We just said Pedro. “Medicine, soap, toilet paper, food – paid at all. Then we were told that we may successor, Joe Biden, has reopened some
Unlike the mostly Middle Eastern and African sold everything, bought tickets and left for Russia.” it’s all scarce, and when these things do appear, get a permanent 25 percent deduction on of the funding taps, US laws now prohibit
asylum seekers who set out from Turkish shores in Carlos, 23, another Cuban asylum seeker Al they are very expensive.” our salaries. After that, they said that the direct aid to the PA.

In this handout photograph

released yesterday by the
Spanish Military Emergency
Unit (UME), Spanish
servicemen clean the ash-
covered areas in Las Manchas,
following the eruption of the
Cumbre Vieja volcano on the
Canary island of La Palma.
It has been more than two
months since Cumbre Vieja
began erupting, forcing more
than 6,000 people out of their
homes in La Palma.

PHOTO: AFP
 e-mail: [email protected]
DHAKA SATURDAY DECEMBER 4, 2021, AGRAHAYAN 19, 1428 BS

Will Shakib’s return

make the difference?
SPORTS REPORTER yesterday.
Bangladesh will certainly require
Despite losing the first Test in Chattogram, Shakib’s experience with the bat, with the
Bangladesh have gained some confidence Tigers’ top-order being abysmal.
from the of star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan They were reduced to 49 for four in the
as they take on Babar Azam’s Pakistan side first innings of the first Test and were reeling
in the second and final Test at the Sher-e- on 25 for four in the second innings against
Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today. the quality fast-bowling attack featuring
Shakib, who has recovered from Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali. They
a hamstring injury sustained during eventually folded for just 157 in the second
Bangladesh’s Super 12 game against West innings, setting a meagre 202-run target
Indies in the T20 World Cup, missed both that saw them crash to an eight-wicket
the T20I series and the first Test against defeat. Shakib is both the leading run-
Pakistan. He was seen spending hours in scorer and wicket-taker in Tests in Mirpur
the nets and seemed determined to make an and Bangladesh will desperately require
impact against Pakistan not only through him to share responsibility in the batting
his often outstanding performances, but department alongside the experienced
also by lending his wealth of experience Mushfiqur Rahim and in-form Liton Das.
and boosting the morale of the Tigers. “When he [Shakib Al Hasan] comes,
The 34-year-old’s presence also gives the I become relaxed. Both his batting and
team management the luxury of opting bowling are important and his presence in
for an extra bowler or a batsman in their the team combination is very positive for
attempt to form a good combination for us,” Mominul added.
the crucial Mirpur Test. The star cricketer will also approach the
“It is easier when Shakib is back in the milestones of achieving a rare all-round
team. So far I have seen him doing well. double of 4000 runs and 200 wickets in
Given his return, we are thinking of having Test wicket. Shakib requires 67 runs to
four bowlers and seven batters in the join an elite list that features Garry Sobers,
playing eleven,” skipper Mominul Haque Ian Botham, Kapil Dev, Jacques Kallis and
PHOTO: FIROZ AHMED
said during a virtual pre-match press meet Daniel Vettori.

Shakib Al Hasan is the leading

run-scorer and leading wick-
The curious case of Mirpur
SPORTS REPORTER Bangladesh’s downfall as well.
et-taker in Tests in Mirpur. In 17 SUMMARY OF RESULTS AT MIRPUR
The last Test at the venue saw Bangladesh
matches, Shakib has aggregated “It is tough to predict,” Bangladesh Played Won Lost Draw Win% strangled by the spin web of West Indies’
1313 runs (average 45.28) and Test skipper Mominul Haque Bangladesh 21 6 12 3 28.57 Rahkeem Cornwall and Jomel Warrican. Even
bagged 63 wickets (average remarked when asked how the wicket Pakistan 2 2 0 0 100% after a decent start, Bangladesh found themselves
might play during their second Test **Bangladesh lost the only Test they played in Mirpur in February 17 runs short as Mehedi Hasan Miraz’s fighting
31.21) in Mirpur. against Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla this year against West Indies by 17 runs. 31 came to an end when he nicked a Warrican
National Stadium in Mirpur today. delivery and was brilliantly caught at slip by
Mirpur may also witness Shakib The conditions in Mirpur have not yet sided TOSS IMPACT IN MIRPUR
Cornwall.
accomplishing a rare all-round with Bangladesh in the Test format as the Tigers Played Won Lost Drawn Win% Spin will probably once again be the
double – of 4000 runs and 200 failed to live up the demands at a venue known Won the toss & batted first 16 9 5 2 56.25% dominant factor in the second Test as spinners
wickets. Only five players have in the country as the home of cricket. In a total Won the toss & bowled first 5 2 2 1 40.00% have scalped a total of 120 wickets as opposed to
of 21 matches at the venue, Bangladesh have Average total in last 5 Tests in Mirpur
accomplished this feat in Test won only six, while drawing three and losing the
pacers’ 43 in the last five games in Mirpur.
1st innings: 385, 2nd innings: 276 But Mominul rightly remained cautious in the
cricket before Shakib. Shakib is other 12.
only 67 runs behind from joining Mominul’s predicament at assuming the PACE VS SPIN IN LAST 5 TESTS IN MIRPUR pre-match presser on how over-dependence on
conditions the Tigers may face today was not spinners might backfire against Pakistan seeing
the august company of Garry WKTS AVG RPO SR that Bangladesh have never gotten the better of
Sobers, Ian Botham, Kapil Dev, surprising because home skippers have often
Pace 43 32.23 2.84 67.93 the sides from the subcontinent at this venue.
dealt with such dilemmas in the past. At times,
Jacques Kallis and Daniel Vettori. skippers have failed to recognise the nature of Spin 120 27.68 3.15 52.59 The conditions in Mirpur will also pose a
the pitch at the toss and ended up making the threat to the fragile top-order of Bangladesh.
Pakistan is Shakib’s most and AVERAGE RUNS SCORED & WICKETS LOST ON While Pakistan’s openers will be brimming with
wrong call. Such was the case back in 2015 when EACH DAY IN MIRPUR (IN LAST 5 TESTS)
least favourite opponent at the Mushfiqur Rahim opted to field first in Mirpur confidence following their dominant showing
same time. With the bat, Shakib only to see Pakistan post a mammoth 557 for 1st day: 258/7 3rd day: 248/10 5th day: 148/7 in the first Test, the Tigers’ top-order -- which
averages 68.66 – his best per- eight before declaring. The hosts were thumped 2nd day: 278/9 4th day: 256/11 accumulated 67 runs in two combined innings
by 328 runs in that game, in what was the last on a flat Chattogram wicket -- will be trying to
formance against any opponent. find their feet on a far more challenging surface.
Test Bangladesh played against Pakistan at home. spinners. Historic wins against England (in
With the ball, Shakib averages It goes without saying that the toss today will With Shakib Al Hasan back in the side,
63.88 – his worst performance 2016) and Australia (in 2017) and Bangladesh Bangladesh will definitely be able to field a
have a huge impact. As the trend goes, teams
against any opponent. winning the toss and opting to bat first in Mirpur registering their biggest margin win in the format much more balanced side. But how this side will
have a 56.25 win percentage. against West Indies (an innings and 184-run win overcome the unpredictability that the Mirpur
The few wins that the Tigers had in Mirpur in 2018) all came on spinning surfaces. offers is what remains to be seen in the coming
were all on tailor-made tracks that suited That spin-friendly Mirpur has been days.

Agarwal leads
Mendis, Embuldeniya spin Sri
India’s fightback
REUTERS, Mumbai

Mayank Agarwal hit an unbeaten 120

Lanka to 2-0 series win
AFP, Galle claimed three wickets in an over he spins the ball really big,” said
to lead India’s fightback on the opening
in the afternoon session. outgoing Sri Lanka head coach
day of the second Test after Mumbai- Spinners Lasith
He started off by breaking the Mickey Arthur after he signed off
born New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel E m b u l d e n i ya
took all four wickets to fall. and Ramesh 27-run third wicket partnership with a win.
India reached 221 for four at stumps with Agarwal and Mendis took between Nkrumah Bonner and “We’ve just had to work on
wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha, on 25, in the all 10 wickets as Sri Lanka Shai Hope when Hope clipped him being really consistent with
middle after the hosts elected to bat first on a weather-hit demolished the West Indies to one straight to Suranga Lakmal his lines and with his lengths
day when only 70 overs were possible. win the second Test in Galle on at square leg. -- the attacking lines that he’s
Agarwal lifted India from a precarious 80-3 when Patel Friday with a session to spare. Then Roston Chase was worked on. I just think he’s
struck twice in one over with his left-arm spin to send back Chasing an improbable target superbly caught by Osada getting his just rewards now.”
of 297 to secure their maiden Fernando at short leg. Kyle Mendis finished with a
Test win on the island, the Mayers survived the hat-trick ball match bag of 11 wickets and was
visitors lost only two wickets but four balls later edged one to named Player of the Series, while
in the first session and looked Dhananjaya de Silva at first slip. Dhananjaya de Silva -- who hit
determined to save the Test
match.
It was a first 10 wicket Test for
Mendis after he claimed career-
an unbeaten 155 in Sri Lanka’s
second innings -- was declared
‘Possible for pacers to
But in a sensational collapse,
they lost eight wickets for 40
best figures of six for 70 in the
first innings. He has been the
main tormentor for West Indies
the Man of the Match.
Mendis was well supported by
left-arm orthodox spinner Lasith
be effective in Mirpur’
runs after lunch to leave them all AFP, Dhaka
out for 132 and hand the hosts a with 18 wickets in the series. Embuldeniya, who also finished
164-run victory. Playing just his fourth Test with a five-wicket haul in the Pakistan pace bowler Shaheen Afridi said on Friday he
Not a single batsman match, the 26-year-old Mendis second innings -- his fifth in Test enjoyed bowling with Hasan Ali as the latter helped him
managed a half-century in the has been a real find for Sri cricket. Sri Lanka also collected put opponents under pressure in Test matches.
second innings with Nkrumah Lanka, bowling long spells and 24 points on offer in the ICC Afridi and Hasan have emerged as Pakistan’s new pace
Bonner’s 44 being the highest. becoming his captain’s most Test Championship by winning bowling pair in 2021, taking 83 wickets in Tests between
Off-spinner Ramesh Mendis trusted bowler. both games. They had won the them. “I enjoy bowling with him. This year he has 39
triggered the collapse when he “One thing Ramesh does is first Test by 187 runs. wickets, I have 44. We bowl in partnership and plan
Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Virat Kohli for ducks.
between ourselves,” Afridi told reporters in Dhaka ahead
Patel broke a 80-run opening stand between Agarwal
of the second Test against Bangladesh, starting Saturday.
and Shubman Gill, who made 44 before being caught
If a batsman plays well, he added, the pair plan “how we
by Ross Taylor, and India rapidly lost three wickets in the
can hold or confuse him. This is why I enjoy bowling with
space of 16 deliveries. him. He is a fighter”.
Kohli lasted only four balls on his return to the team Hasan and Afridi shone in Pakistan’s eight-wicket win
after stepping down from the Twenty20 captaincy and a over Bangladesh in the opening Test in Chittagong, each
short break following the World Cup, adjudged lbw by claiming five-fors.
umpire Anil Chaudhary. Hasan finished with 5-51 in the first innings as Pakistan
Moments earlier Patel had bowled struggling Pujara, also bowled out Bangladesh for 330 runs, while Afridi’s 5-32
for nought. But Agarwal and first-match centurion Shreyas in the second innings kept the target within the visitors’
Iyer put on 80 runs between them to rebuild the innings. reach. “The wickets in Asia are more or less slow. People say
Patel struck again to get Iyer caught by wicketkeeper Tom spinners get more assistance here. But if you are physically
Blundell for 18. strong and have the strength it is possible to be effective
New batsman Saha took 17 deliveries to get off the here. You need to bowl in a partnership,” Afridi added.
mark but did so with a straight six off Patel and put on an The hosts will be desperate to make a comeback in the
unbeaten stand of 61 with Agarwal. second leg of the series, but Afridi promised them no let-
Agarwal reached his fourth Test hundred -- including up. “Momentum is good and the team combination is also
two double centuries -- with a boundary off Daryl Mitchell brilliant,” he said. “The boys are ready for the second Test.
and let out a roar amid raucous applause from the crowd. Of course, we will fight and end the series on a good note.”
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PSG wait for Messi to

find Ballon d’Or form
AFP, Paris rather flat performance as his side was
held to a 0-0 draw, and Messi has still
Paris Saint-Germain have been
scored just once in eight appearances in
milking the fact that they have
Ligue 1.
this year’s Ballon d’Or winner in
He has saved his best moments so far
their ranks, but Lionel Messi was
in a PSG shirt for the Champions League,
crowned the world’s best player with three goals in four games in Europe.
for the seventh time in his glittering career Messi, who has struggled with varying
entirely because of what he achieved fitness issues, has not yet played like a

Rangnick
elsewhere. At 34, perhaps Messi was Ballon d’Or winner for his new club --
principally rewarded for his enduring certainly George Weah’s victory in the
brilliance by jurors as he won the prize 1995 Ballon d’Or owed much more to
ahead of much-fancied rivals including what he did with PSG, even though he
Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema. had left to join AC Milan earlier that year.
However, he still scored 38 goals in his

aims to
Mauricio Pochettino’s PSG are 12
final campaign with Barcelona, was top points clear at the top of Ligue 1 before
scorer in La Liga, won the Copa del Rey Saturday’s game at Lens, where one of
and captained Argentina to victory at the the best atmospheres in French football
Copa America. will await the Parisian superstars at the
As he collected his prize in a ceremony 37,000-capacity Stade Bollaert.
in the French capital on Monday, PSG
president Nasser al-Khelaifi was there and
spoke of his “immense pride that one of
our players has won the most prestigious
and coveted award”.
If Messi should be there alongside
Kylian Mbappe, Neymar will not be, the
Brazilian beginning his latest spell on the
sidelines with an ankle injury.
Neymar, who has endured a
bring
balance
On Wednesday, as PSG played host to disappointing 2021, is not expected back
Nice, the message “Paris Golden City”, in until at least mid-January.
English, covered the main entrance to the Now, however, Pochettino needs to try
Parc des Princes. Inside Messi was paraded to get his team -- still regularly playing
before kick-off on a stage on the pitch as well below their potential -- firing on
he showed off his reward. all cylinders without the world’s most
Yet he proceeded to produce another expensive player.

“You always have to adapt to the players

you have. Seeing Ronaldo at 36 — I have ‘PHENOMENAL’
never seen anyone as fit at 36. But it’s not
just about him, it’s about developing the
squad as a whole.” RALF RANGNICK
RONALDO
AFP, Manchester Watford, Chelsea, Arsenal, and I also
CROSSES 800-
Ralf Rangnick said Friday
watched on TV the games against Liverpool
and Manchester City.”
GOAL MARK
he wanted to “balance” Rangnick added: “I am well acquainted. Cristiano Ronaldo passed the 800-goal mark for
Manchester United by It’s pretty obvious the team has an club and country, scoring twice as Manchester
strengthening the club’s abundance of young, talented players and United beat Arsenal 3-2 in an incident-packed
leaky defence. The 63-year-old German’s experienced players. The major target for
first press conference since being appointed Premier League match on Thursday. Ronaldo
me is to bring more balance into the team.
interim manager until the end of the “Even yesterday (Thursday) we conceded has scored 686 club goals for Sporting Lisbon,
season following the sacking of Ole Gunnar two and needed three to win. We concede United, Real Madrid and Juventus, and 115 goals
Solskjaer came after United’s see-saw 3-2 on average two a game and this is too much. for Portugal. He is United’s top scorer this season
win over Arsenal in the Premier League “I want to bring more balance and more with 12 goals in 16 appearances in all competi-
on Thursday overseen by caretaker boss control. Yesterday’s game, for me as the tions. There is some debate over his status as the
Michael Carrick. future coach, they are not the games you
Solskjaer was dismissed following a need. I will try and bring these outstanding,
most prolific scorer in men’s football, with Brazil’s
humiliating 4-1 loss at lowly Watford. talented players away from their own goal.” Pele and Romario both claiming over 1,000
“We are talking about six-and-a-half Rangnick’s deal is set to see him move goals, but statisticians say the Portugal forward
months, one third of the games, and we into a consultancy role at Old Trafford after tops the scoring charts in official competitions.
have agreed on a two-year advisory deal. If the end of the current campaign. The Premier League’s all-time top scorer Alan
Manchester United contacts you for such a As for the possibility he might replace Shearer was stunned by Ronaldo’s performance
role you cannot turn it down,” said Rangnick. Solskjaer on a permanent basis, Rangnick
“This is one of the biggest clubs, if not said: “If we do well and we stabilise, I might in United’s 3-2 win.“You just have to sit there and
the biggest club, in the world. I am excited even recommend that we keep working say ‘wow’ and applaud the guy,” Shearer said.“It’s
to work with the players we have here. with me. This is all hypothetical; we cannot just phenomenal what he’s done.”
“I have watched the latest games, speak about that.”

Milestone
‘Like living in a fool’s paradise’ win for
Bangladeshi shuttlers have been participating in the Yonex-Sunrise Bangladesh Swadhinata
International at home since 2012 in a quest to develop and make up for a lack of
SPORTS REPORTER
overseas tournaments, but improvement remains a distant prospect. Only Shapla
Aktar and Alina Sultana have made an impression so far -- grabbing bronze in the Newcomers Swadhinata
Krira Sangha kept their
women’s doubles in the 2018 edition -- while the rest usually faced eliminated in quarterfinal hopes alive in
the first or second round. Former summer and national champion Enamul Haque, the Riviera Independence
who once took part in the tournament regularly, spoke to The Daily Star’s Anisur Cup with a come-from-
Rahman about the players’ performances and the tournament. behind 3-2 win over
Rahmatganj in three-team
The Daily Star: What are you me how the players will deliver in Group A encounter at the
doing at present? an international tournament? Shaheed Mostafa Kamal
Enamul Haque: While I am DS: What hindrances do you see Stadium in Kamalapur
the distributor of Ashaway, a to the progress of badminton in yesterday.
badminton accessories company, I Bangladesh? Swadhinata KS, who
am still playing badminton at the EH: Do you know that five types suffered a 1-2 defeat to
national level and conducting a of poor-quality shuttles were used Abahani in their debut
badminton academy in Sylhet. in the national championship, match in top-flight
DS: Why did you establish an
academy?
which was completed in just
two days instead of five? The
Lewy, Haaland to clash as football, now have three
points alongside Abahani,
who will play against
EH: Since the sudden death of games were even till midnight.
coach Jahangir Alam and the
departure of some senior shuttlers,
a vacuum was created in coaching
Meanwhile, players had to bear
the cost of accommodation and
food while also paying high entry
Dortmund host Bayern Rahmatganj in the group-
deciding final match on
December 7.
in Sylhet, so I came forward fees to take part in the ranking AFP, Berlin Rahmatganj, featuring
as a senior player to make an tournament, but the prize money three foreign players,
academy in 2010. The academy self-satisfaction of getting an was a token amount. Then how a Bundesliga star strikers took only three minute to
has approximately 30 players opportunity to play against shuttler will compete in Dhaka? Erling Haaland and Robert
break the deadlock when
but we have to contend with a foreign players in an international Besides that, the premier league, Lewandowski go head-to-
Ghanaian forward Philip
lack of practice courts. 12 to 15 tournament. Hoping to achieve which is the lone source of head on Saturday when
Adjah Tettey availed a
players have already played for the something from this tournament income, was last held about eight Borussia Dortmund host
through-ball from Sanowar
national badminton team. is akin to living in a fool’s paradise years ago. How will we progress? Bayern Munich in the top-of-the-table
clash. Hossain and advanced
But we can’t keep talented because we don’t have any proper DS: What should the into the box before beating
shuttlers in Sylhet. They leave for preparation or sponsorship for federation do to get a return League leaders Bayern head to Signal
Iduna Park just one point ahead of goalkeeper Sarwar Jahan.
the country for a better life because players. It is like fighting on a from the international But the lead lasted only
they don’t get anything by playing battlefield with guns but no tournament? second-placed Dortmund.
Haaland, 21, who has scored 19 goals 13 minutes as Polish striker
for the national team. Talented bullets. EH: There is no Rafal Zaborowski scored
shuttlers like Milad bhai, Saim DS: Was the condition the same alternative but to for Dortmund and Norway this season,
proved a hip injury is behind him with a before Sabbir Hossain
Bhai, Tarek, Jainal, Dipon and when you represented Bangladesh conduct long-term
stunning volley in last weekend’s 3-1 win whipped in a cross for
Mangal left the country despite in the Yonex-Sunrise tournament? training and send
at Wolfsburg. Bosnian forward Nedo
showing promise in national and EH: The present condition is far players abroad to
The same can be said for Bayern’s Turkovic, who made no
junior national championships. poorer than what we were used participate in overseas
Lewandowski, who after scoring a record mistake.
DS: Local shuttlers once again to in the past. The whole world is tournaments while also
41 Bundesliga goals in 2020-21, has Rahmatganj substitute
failed to shine in the edition of going forward but we are crawling increasing the number
backed that up this season with 25 goals defender Al Amin struck
the Yonex-Sunrise badminton back. To be honest, badminton of competitions in the
for the club and five for Poland. his own net in the 72nd
tournament, an event you once has no patronisation like cricket domestic circuit. We had
Bayern have won all of their last minute to give the
played regularly. What were the or football. I have heard that long-term training ahead of
six games against Dortmund, but the Bangladesh Championship
returns for shuttlers playing in the national players practiced with the 2010 SAFF Games and
Bavarians could be missing two key League champions the joy
tournament? used shuttles in the two-week we repaid that by winning
midfielders for the game which will be of leaving the field with a
EH: Nothing other than the training camp this time. Then tell bronze medals.
played in front of a reduced crowd of maiden victory in the top-
15,000 due to increasing Covid-19 cases. flight football.
16
City

DHAKA SATURDAY DECEMBER 4, 2021, AGRAHAYAN 19, 1428 BS

LIFE IN BHASAN CHAR Tigers hope

A year on, to bounce
back
now it’s all STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Bangladesh will take on

Pakistan today in the

settled
MOHAMMAD AL-MASUM MOLLA, from Bhasan Char
second Test of the two-
match Test series, hoping to
bounce back following an
eight-wicket defeat in the
first Test in Chattogram.
For Abdul Jalil, life in Bhasan Char is way better than it was The game, set to get
in a cramped Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar. underway at the Sher-e-
After a year of being on the island in the Bay of Bengal, Bangla National Cricket
he is now able to earn a living. Stadium at 10:00am, is also
The 40-year-old grows spinach and radish in one bigha Bangladesh’s second match
of land, and sells his harvest at a kitchen market. Over the in the latest cycle of the
last one week, he earned around Tk 500 everyday. World Test Championship
“I am expecting to sell vegetables worth Tk 30,000 this (WTC).
year,” Jalil told The Daily Star yesterday. The Tigers’ bid to
He hopes that things will be even better when the United improve their Test character
Nations begins humanitarian operations in Bhasan Char. in the new journey will
On December 3 last year, Jalil arrived on the remote be buoyed by the return
island in the first batch of Rohingyas from the crowded of ace all-rounder Shakib
camps in Ukhia and Teknaf, the world’s largest refugee Al Hasan, who missed the
settlement. The government relocated them to provide T20I series and the first Test
them with a better life and livelihood. Another reason against Pakistan due to a
behind the relocation was to reduce the pressure on the hamstring injury.
Rohingya camps. Even though the Tigers
The government has so far relocated around 19,000 suffered a defeat in the
Rohingyas in multiple phases. Initially, the UN was not first Test, there were a
involved with the humanitarian support programme in few positives to take.
Bhasan Char. But the UN recently signed a MoU with the Liton Das and Mushfiqur
government to extend support. Rahim found runs with
Bangladesh Navy developed the island under a Tk the bat that instilled some
3,100-crore housing project. confidence in the dressing
Ali Akbar, another Rohingya man, said, “Everything is A group of children enjoying themselves on a large swing at a playground in Bhasan Char. There are room while Taijul Islam
PHOTO:
almost settled now. Since the UN is coming here, we will small recreational spaces for the young residents of the island, which has been the home for around MOHAMMAD AL-MASUM MOLLA made a mark with a seven-
SEE PAGE 5 COL 5 19,000 Rohingya refugees since it opened one year ago. The photo was taken on Thursday. SEE PAGE 5 COL 1

Send Khaleda ROAD TO FREEDOM Dinajpur girl AL again

THIS DAY IN BANGLADESH LIBERATION WAR HISTORY
fights for life Post-conquest Aztec picks Ivy
abroad for My aim is to make Pakistan armed
treatment after rape altar found in for N’ganj
forces surrender: Lt Gen Aurora Parents say they
Mexico City mayor
Speakers urge govt at rescued her while UNB, Dhaka
Gonoforum council DECEMBER 4, 1971 she was hanging The Awami League has
STAFF CORRESPONDENT SHAMSUDDOZA SAJEN OUR CORRESPONDENT, Dinajpur once more chosen Selina
Hayat Ivy as its mayoral
Different political parties have urged the ON THE WAR FRONT A seven-year-old girl has candidate to contest
government to send BNP Chairperson The Mitro Bahini (India- been fighting for life after the Narayanganj City
Khaleda Zia -- currently at the CCU of Bangladesh Joint Command) she got raped and hanged Corporation election slated
Evercare Hospital Dhaka in a critical state swung into action against from the ceiling of her for January 16 next year.
-- abroad for better treatment. Pakistan today. The air force of home in a village in Birol, The ruling party also
They also underscored the need for the Joint Command bombed Dinajpur, said her family picked Khan Ahmed Shuvo
forging unity to protest repression, restore Dhaka, Chittagong, Narayanganj, Chandpur, Jessore, Syedpur and members and police. as its MP candidate for
democracy and ensure rule of law in the Lalmonirhat. The Indian Air Force strafed and bombed eight West She is being treated at Tangail-7 parliamentary by-
country. Pakistani airfields including Sargoda, and two near Rawalpindi and the ICU of a hospital in the polls scheduled to be held
They were speaking at the inaugural Lahore. district. on the same date.
session of the sixth national council of The navy of Mitro Bahini pounded Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar The girl was at home CNN ONLINE The names of AL
Gonoforum yesterday. and destroyed two ships. Two ships were captured on the sea. alone on Thursday aspirants were finalised
Leaders of Gonoforum, BNP, Bikalpa An air’and’sea blockade had been set up to prevent the Pakistani afternoon. Her parents Sometime after Hernan Cortes conquered the Aztec at a meeting of the party
Dhara Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, troops in East Pakistan from being resupplied or reinforced from returned home around capital of Tenochtitlan in modern-day Mexico City parliamentary and local
Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh West Pakistan. 5:00pm, about two hours in 1521, an indigenous household that survived government nomination
(RWSB), Nagorik Oikya, Krishak The rail link at Akhaura was cut. Several towns in East Pakistan after they left, and found the bloody Spanish invasion arranged an altar boards, held yesterday
Sramik Janata League (KSJL) and Jatiya fell to Mitro Bahini’s hands. Fighting was continuing near Jessore, her hanging from the including incense and a pot with human ashes. afternoon with AL
Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) addressed Satkhira and elsewhere. In the Western sector of India, there was ceiling with a rope tied to The remains of that elaborate display have been President and Prime
the session organised at the capital’s fierce fighting in Husseinwalla. her neck, her father told unearthed by archaeologists near what is today Minister Sheikh Hasina
Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh. Earlier this morning, Lt Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora, general officer The Daily Star yesterday. Garibaldi Plaza, famed for its revelry and mariachi in the chair at the Gono
“I request my sister Sheikh Hasina to commanding in chief of the Indian and Bangladesh forces in the The family members music, Mexico’s culture ministry said on Tuesday. Bhaban.
allow Khaleda Zia to go abroad. You’ve Eastern Theatre, said at a briefing for newsmen: “My aim is to make rescued her and rushed her In the wake of the fall of Tenochtitlan, likely Since the formation
shown generosity, show it a bit more,” said the Pakistan armed forces surrender … to get Bangladesh to have to Birol Upazila Health within the years of 1521 and 1610, the offering of the NCC, incumbent
KSJL President Abdul Kader Siddique. their own type of government. Complex from where she from the family of the Mexica people was made Mayor Ivy won the first
He said he supported what Hasina “The only limitation” the government had placed on the was referred to a more “to bear witness to the ending of a cycle of their two elections in 2011 and
said at a recent press conference. “She SEE PAGE 5 COL 5 advanced hospital. SEE PAGE 5 COL 4 2016. Earlier, she was the
SEE PAGE 5 COL 2 SEE PAGE 5 COL 1 SEE PAGE 5 COL 2

Depression in
Bay turns into
cyclone ‘Jawad’
UNB, Dhaka
The deep depression
HEALTHY
over west-central Bay and
adjoining area moved PRACTICES
northwards further
intensifying into a cyclonic
during winter
storm ‘Jawad’ around noon STAR HEALTH DESK
yesterday, the Met Office
said in a weather bulletin. As the saying goes:
“It is likely to intensify prevention is
further and move in a better than cure. As
north-westerly direction,” winter approaches,
the forecast said. we can all adopt
Maritime ports in some habits and
Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, precautions to stay
Mongla, and Payra have healthy during the
been advised to hoist colder and shorter
distant warning signal no 2 days.
lowering distant cautionary Fresh winter
signal no 1, said Met office vegetables are one
bulletin. of the perks of the
Sea will remain very season. Keeping
rough near the cyclone
vegetables like
centre as maximum
lettuce, spinach,
SEE PAGE 5 COL 4 cabbage, cauliflower,
broccoli etc. in your
diet is a must for
a healthy lifestyle.
They are packed
with vitamins,
minerals and
PRAYER TIMING DECEMBER 4 antioxidants but
Fazr Zohr Asr Maghrib Esha low in calories.
5-15 12-45 3-45 5-19 7-00 Two private vehicles idling in close proximity to a speeding train at the FDC level crossing in the capital on SEE PAGE 5 COL 1
PHOTO:
5-50 1-15 4-00 5-22 7-30 Thursday. The barriers that keep vehicles at a safe distance are lowered on both sides of the tracks, but some PRABIR DAS
SOURCE: ISLAMIC FOUNDATION drivers risk their and their passengers’ lives by going beyond the barriers at the last minute.

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