SECOND EDITION

DHA K A SAT URDAY OCTOBER 5, 2024

Regd. No. DA 781 Vol. XXXIV No. 253 Ashwin 20, 1431 BS Rabius Sani 1, 1446 Hijri 16 Pages: Tk 15.00

SS POWER REJOINDER A MUST READ

The Daily Star COLLECTYOURFREECOPYFROM
THE HAWKER TODAY!
retracts story THE GREAT WAVE
THE REJOINDER The 160-page special magazine
The report titled “S Alam nexus offers in-depth analysis of the
laundered $815m through two
LCs” published in the front page
July Uprising — its premises and
of The Daily Star on 26.09.2024 promises, motifs and memes, and
caught our attention with contradictions and complexities.
disbelief. We reject it with
disdain as the contains of the
report are unfounded. Your
deliberate eye-catching headline
is inaccurate and designed to 2 MONTHS OF JULY UPRISING
mislead individuals at the absolute
detriment of SS Power I Limited.
The actual fact is stated below:
a) SS Power I Limited, (SSPIL) a
China-Bangladesh joint venture,
Many injured
staring at bleak
commenced its full commercial
operations on October 26, 2023
under the Implementation
Agreement (IA) and Power
Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed
respectively with the Ministry
of Power, Energy and Mineral
Resources (MPEMR), the Power
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus exchanges greetings with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at
InterContinental Dhaka yesterday. The two leaders held bilateral talks at the hotel. PHOTO: PID
future
Grid Company of Bangladesh MD ABBAS and
(PGCB), and the Bangladesh Power SHAHEEN MOLLAH
Development Board (BPDB). It
is the largest foreign investment
in Bangladesh’s private sector,
it contributes net 1224 MW of
Malaysia may consider People are filled with hope
for a better tomorrow with
incoming reforms, but that
is not the case for those

entry of 18,000 workers

electricity to the national grid.
b) The project was executed who sacrificed their future
under a Turnkey Contract basis for the fall of the Awami
with foreign contractors appointed League regime. Mozammel Sujon
on an EPC basis. They managed Many have lost their
the engineering, procurement, Yunus, Anwar Ibrahim hold bilateral talks, discuss possibility ability to work after being
severely injured during the July-August uprising.
and construction, ensuring the
successful commissioning of the
of increasing the number of KL-bound workers It has put unbearable pressure on their families already struggling
power plants. Upon completion, STAFF CORRESPONDENT Dhaka yesterday. youth development. to cope with financial hardship amid economic headwinds left by the
the fully operational facilities Prof Yunus requested him to Addressing the joint press ousted Sheikh Hasina government.
were handed over to SSPIL, with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar pursue the Rohingya repatriation briefing at a city hotel, Prof Yunus They have pleaded for help from the interim government led by
approval from all regulatory Ibrahim has promised to consider issue at the Association of Southeast said he and Ibrahim discussed how Nobel Peace Prize winner Professor Muhammad Yunus.
authorities, including BIDA and the entry of 18,000 Bangladeshi Asian Nations (Asean), of which Malaysia can take more workers Some have suggested they will have to beg without the support they
Bangladesh Bank. workers who failed to enter the Myanmar is a member. and professionals from Bangladesh need.
c) The total project cost was Southeast Asian country in May. They discussed the possibility through multiple entry visas. The Daily Star found more than 200 such patients undergoing
$2.506 billion, of which $1.782 Malaysia needs workers, Ibrahim of signing new agreements on Ibrahim, who led a 58-member treatment in some of the major government hospitals in Dhaka two
SEE PAGE 2 COL 1
told a press briefing after meeting agriculture, energy, education, the delegation, arrived in Dhaka around months after the regime’s fall.
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad semiconductor industry, the blue 2:00pm. He met Prof Yunus at the
Yunus during his short visit to economy, innovation, defence, and SEE PAGE 2 COL 1 SEE PAGE 5 COL 1

Smoke rises from the debris of a destroyed building in the aftermath of an Israeli strike on the neighbourhood of
Mreijeh in Beirut’s southern suburbs yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Iran’s allies will keep

fighting Israel
Says Khamenei as Israeli offensive in Lebanon continues;
air raid on West Bank refugee camp kills 18
AGENCIES attacks by Hezbollah to return home. has “only kept itself standing by the
The Israeli military launched injection of American support”.
Iran’s supreme leader yesterday a wave of strikes on Hezbollah It “will not last long”, he said.
vowed in a rare address that his strongholds around Lebanon, The address came as Israel weighs
allies around the region would keep killing more than 1,000 people since retaliation for Hezbollah backer
fighting Israel, as he defended his September 23, according Iran’s missile attack
country’s missile strike on its arch- to the Lebanese health which Tehran said was
foe. ministry, and forcing revenge for the killing of
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s address hundreds of thousands Nasrallah and other top
in Tehran follows Iran’s second- to flee their homes in a figures.
ever direct attack on Israel and was country already mired in Iran’s top diplomat,
also the first since exchanges of fire economic crisis. Abbas Araghchi,
between Tehran-backed Hezbollah The attacks have visited Beirut and said
fighters and Israeli troops escalated killed an Iranian general, that his government
into full-blown war in Lebanon. a host of Hezbollah backs “the efforts for a
Beyond Tehran, crowds of commanders and, in the ceasefire” that would be
protesters gathered in Jordan and biggest blow to the group in decades, acceptable to Hezbollah and come
Bahrain, which both have ties with assassinated its leader, Hassan “simultaneously with a ceasefire in
Israel, after Friday prayers in a show Nasrallah. Gaza”.
of support for Iran-backed Hamas Speaking to a crowd of thousands The escalation has left people in
and Hezbollah. in Farsi-speaking Iran, Khamenei Lebanon fearful that there will be no
Nearly a year into the Gaza said in Arabic: “The resistance in the swift end to the violence engulfing
war, Israel has shifted its focus to region will not back down with these their country.
securing its border with Lebanon, martyrdoms, and will win.” In Beirut, 35-year-old displaced
to allow tens of thousands of Israelis The Iranian leader charged that nurse Fatima Salah said people were
displaced by cross-border rocket Israel was a “malicious regime” which SEE PAGE 2 COL 5
 NEWS
DHAKA SATURDAY OCTOBER 5, 2024

2 ASHWIN 20, 1431 BS City

Iran’s allies will

keep fighting
Israel
FROM PAGE 1 of heavy aerial bombardment.
“scared for our children, and this war Hezbollah said it shelled Israeli
is going to be long”. troops in a border area of south
Israel and its ally the United States Lebanon yesterday, in the latest such
have vowed response to the Iranian clash on the frontier.
missile attack, which was largely Lebanon’s health ministry said
intercepted but sparked fear in that 37 people were killed by Israeli
Israel. strikes over the previous 24 hours.
Iran said it would step up its The Israeli military said nine of its
response if Israel counterattacked. soldiers have been killed in combat
In Lebanon, Israeli bombardment in Lebanon.
has put three hospitals out of service, In the West Bank, which is
and yesterday a first delivery of separated from Gaza by Israeli
medical aid organised by the United territory but has endured intense
Nations reached Beirut airport. military raids throughout the war,
Lebanon said an Israeli strike on the Palestinian health ministry said
Friday cut off the main international an air strike killed 18 people in the
road to Syria, with Israel saying that Tulkarem refugee camp.
Hezbollah was transporting weapons A Palestinian security source told
Vehicles leaving Dhaka for the northern districts are stuck in a 25km gridlock from the eastern end of Bangabandhu Bridge to the bypass road in Tangail through the country’s principal land AFP it was the deadliest air raid in
town. Highway police said the jam was created due to heavy flow of traffic, incessant rains, and reckless driving. The photo was taken at Rasulpur in border crossing. the occupied territory since 2000.
Tangail Sadar upazila around 4:00pm yesterday. PHOTO: STAR The strike comes after 310,000 The Israeli military said the strike
people, mostly Syrians, have in targeted a local Hamas leader.
recent days fled the war pitting Israel Calls for restraint have multiplied

Malaysia may consider entry of 18,000 workers against Hezbollah in Lebanon for
relative safety in neighbouring Syria.
The Israeli military said its fighter
but months of similar calls to halt
fighting in Gaza failed to bring a
FROM PAGE 1 whatever is decided must be followed in January 2025. “We discussed the “In some areas Malaysia excels, in ceasefire.
airport and attended bilateral talks through. We need workers. But they issue of Bangladesh’s inclusion as a some areas Bangladesh excels. Both jets struck Hezbollah targets near the Since October 7 last year, Israel’s
with the chief adviser at the hotel. cannot be treated as modern slaves, sectoral dialogue partner of Asean. countries should work together for border crossing overnight including offensive in Gaza has killed at least
He left in the evening after meeting no matter if they are from Bangladesh We look forward to Malaysia’s active overall development.” a tunnel that “enables the transfer 41,788 people, the majority of them
President Mohammed Shahabuddin or India or Indonesia or other role for Bangladesh’s inclusion in the Ibrahim’s trip to Dhaka is the and storage of large quantities of
at the Bangabhaban. civilians.
countries. I have said this publicly in regional body,” he said. first visit by a prime minister of any weapons”.
Ibrahim said that he would the past,” he added. Ibrahim said foreign ministry country to Bangladesh since the The war has left the besieged
consider the entry of 18,000 On the Israel-Lebanon border, the territory’s 2.4 million facing a dire
The so-called recruitment agencies officials of Malaysia would soon start interim government took charge.
Bangladeshis to his country as soon must strictly adhere to policies, he connecting with their counterparts Prof Yunus said, “We renewed Israeli military said its forces had humanitarian crisis, and in August,
as possible, if all conditions are met. said. in Bangladesh regarding the latter’s our commitment to take bilateral killed 250 Hezbollah fighters this the first polio case in 25 years was
These Bangladeshi migrant Prof Yunus said the Rohingya proposal for inclusion as a sectoral relations to a new height.” week. confirmed.
workers could not reach Malaysia by crisis was a cause for concern for the dialogue partner of Asean. Possible future areas of And in Hezbollah’s main bastion
the May 31 deadline mainly because The World Health Organization
whole world, terming it a “ticking Ibrahim expressed his full support collaborations could be mobility, in Beirut’s southern suburbs, US and said it hopes to give hundreds of
of shortage of flights. time bomb”. to the Yunus-led interim government, sovereign funds, pension funds, Israeli media reports said intense thousands of children in Gaza a
Asked about a cartel dominating “We will keep raising the issue. saying, “Never mind the exaggeration private equity funds, health,
overseas recruitment, Ibrahim said bombardment overnight targeted second dose of polio vaccine from
Malaysia will be supporting us in of some parts of the international education, data science, and AI, he
the matter had been discussed. The the militant group’s potential October 14, after a first round last
raising that. We can’t wait indefinitely. media and mudslinging. I personally said.
Malaysian government is reviewing This is something we have to resolve know you and your passion about The two leaders discussed successor, Hashem Safieddine, just a month.
the recruitment process to ensure as soon as possible.” human rights and human dignity. collaborations in deep-sea fishing, week after Nasrallah’s killing.
transparency and accountability. He urged the international “I fully support your position, your sea bed exploration, marine science, The Israeli military has not
He appreciated the enormous
contribution made by the
community to work together to
resolve the crisis.
effort to ensure this new Bangladesh
with a vibrant democracy and respect
and strategic connectivity between
Chattogram Port and Port Kelang.
commented on that strike, which Correction
destroyed at least five buildings and
Bangladeshi expatriates in Malaysia To boost bilateral trade, it is for the rights of every single citizen.” They also talked about the We regret to inform our readers that
left a huge crater in the road, an AFP an error occurred in our special
and underscored the importance of imperative to resume the works of the Malaysia would give attention and unprecedented mass uprising photographer said.
ensuring decent work conditions and trade negotiation committee to have preference to Bangladeshi companies that toppled the Awami League publication, “The Great Wave.” On
Israel announced this week that page 1 and 3, the term “foreword” was
other benefits. a free trade agreement between the in Malaysia, and Bangladesh should government in early August. People,
“Any differences between two countries, Prof Yunus said. make sure that any problems facing particularly the youth, made its troops had started ground raids inadvertently written as “forward.”
contending companies is not my He congratulated Malaysia on its Malaysian companies in Dhaka get remarkable sacrifices in their quest into parts of southern Lebanon, a We sincerely apologise for the
concern. Our concern is to make sure upcoming chairmanship of Asean prompt attention, he said. for freedom. stronghold of Hezbollah, after days mistake.

The Daily Star retracts story

FROM PAGE 1 were made directly from foreign Customs House. SSPIL violated the conditions of the journalism poses a significant threat the project’s national interest and
billion was financed by six Chinese lenders from foreign lender to EPC k) The report alleged that payments Import Permit, a claim that has no to diplomatic relations with China. the serious implications of such
banks, including $30 million from contractors’ banks. were made under fake Invoices/ basis. In fact, whatever payments were r) Further, the allegations you misinformation.
Rupali Bank PLC. Additionally, $230 g) The report further erroneously Bill of Entries and from unrelated made from Bangladesh Bank against raised against SSPIL in the news OUR RESPONSE
million was invested in equity by states that that the First LC No. companies without providing any Advance Payment Guarantee (APG) in report are baseless and unfounded. Following our story, we received
two Chinese government-owned 0000026319150005, dated justification. In reality, there is no favour of the Chinese Company/EPC There are no details, no evidence, no two rejoinders -- one from SS Power
subsidiary companies. Notably, no 29.01.2019, valued at $121.96 scope to make payments against the contractors were made in pursuance inquiries to support these claims. Limited and one from Rupali Bank.
payments were made by or to SS Power million, and Second LC No. Bill of Entries/ Invoices which are of proper Bill of Entries/ Invoices However, you gave a false statement Over the last few days, we reviewed
I Limited (SSPIL) from any loan from 0000026321150038, dated unfounded. The whatever payments which were duly authenticated by the to misguide and smear our image the official data that we used in our
Bangladesh to the EPC contractors. 30.05.2021, valued at $792.40 million, were made from Bangladesh Bank in technical advisors, Black & Veatch in public intentionally without report and found that some of those
Instead, the Lenders, through were taken out of the country. In so favour of the Chinese Company/EPC and Mott MacDonald as per the Loan exercising proper due diligence. This official data from Bangladesh Bank,
the Facility Agent, Bank of China reporting, the reporter demonstrated contractor were made in pursuance Agreement dated 28.12.2018 and EPC constitutes a valid case for seeking NBR and Rupali Bank needed further
(Singapore Branch), directly paid the a significant lack of knowledge of of proper Bill of Entries/ Invoices Contract. damages, and we reserve the right
verification.
EPC contractors based on invoices international project financing under which were duly authenticated by the o) In reporting the news, the to take appropriate legal action if
On October 3, 2024, we sat with
raised under the EPC contracts. These the EPC contract. In fact, SSPIL technical advisors, Black & Veatch reporter displayed a serious lack of necessary.
officials of Rupali Bank, which
payments were made under the strict imported plants, equipment, and and Mott MacDonald as per the loan understanding of the true scope of Therefore, we do not wish to
originally uploaded the LC-related
monitoring, control, and supervision machinery through Import Permit agreement dated 28.12.2018 and EPC the Import Permit, the reporting provide any further clarification on
data used in our story on Bangladesh
of the Facility Agent, owners’ under EPC Contract. Subsequently, Contract. system, and the syndicated loan the details of the matter as they were
Bank server. The basis of our story
international engineer and lenders’ SSPIL submitted all relevant Bill of 1) In regard to an Invoice/Bill of structure in the international joint wrongfully presented in the news
came from that data, as well as other
technical advisor with periodic Entries/Invoices and documents to Entry bearing the future date of venture agreement under the EPC report. Instead, we request that you
official data. In its official response to
reports submitted to Bangladesh Rupali Bank for onward reporting to November 29, 2025, the reporter, Contract. The report itself constitutes publish a correction across all your
our queries at the October 3, 2024,
Bank, ensuring full compliance and Bangladesh Bank. In its reporting to despite having access to the original a deliberate misstatement and a digital platforms in the interest of
meeting, Rupali Bank confirmed in
transparency, and preventing any Bangladesh Bank, Rupali Bank utilized
writing that its officials “inadvertently
possibility of defalcation. these LC numbers as reference for
uploaded 41 wrong invoice dates and
d) The project is fully compliant reporting purpose only as prescribed
5 wrong invoice numbers” related
with all regulatory requirements by Bangladesh Bank.
to these LCs in their reporting to
and ensures timely reporting to all h) The report inaccurately alleges
Bangladesh Bank. Such a large scale
relevant authorities. For the avoidance that one hundred eighty-four
of incorrect data misled us to our
of doubt, all plants, equipment, and fraudulent invoices- 59 related to the
conclusion about the claim of money
machinery designated for import were first LC and 125 related to the second
laundering by SS Power. We now
initially approved by the Bangladesh LC- were uploaded to the Bangladesh
know we made a mistake.
Power Development Board (BPDB). Bank server to facilitate the laundering
We sincerely regret this
Additionally, BPDB was issued a of $815.78 million, without providing
professional error, which occasionally
Tax Waiver Certificate for each any clarification as to how these invoices
occurs when official data turn out to
consignment under the relevant are deemed fraudulent. In reality, SSPIL
be wrong. Thus, even with the best
Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) submitted all Bills of Entry/invoice
of intentions, and with no malice
from the National Board of Revenue after completing customs clearance
towards the subject of our reports, we
(NBR) to facilitate duty and tax waivers to Rupali Bank for onward reporting
sometimes end up making mistakes
as per the signed Implementation to Bangladesh Bank. Furthermore, the
even when we follow the highest
Agreement (IA) and Power Purchase Bill of Entries/Invoices submitted by
standard of ethical journalism.
Agreement (PPA). These items were the EPC contractors were approved
Nevertheless, we take responsibility
imported under Import Permits issued only after thorough verification by
for our mistake, stand corrected, and
by the Chief Controller of Imports and the technical advisors, Black & Veatch
extend our sincere apology to SS
Exports (CCI&E) on a case-by-case and Mott MacDonald, ensuring
Power Limited and our readers.
basis, following recommendations their certifications for direct onward
Within half an hour of the
from BPDB. All customs clearance payment by the lenders, eliminating any
confirmation of wrong data entry
was completed in compliance with the possibility of error or the submission of
by Rupali Bank around 8:00pm on
respective Customs House, based on fraudulent Bill Entries or Invoices.
October 3, 2024, we removed the
the duty-free certificates from BPDB i) The report further callously
report from all our electronic platforms
and the Import Permits from CCI&E. alleged that “there is no import data
and published a notice on our website
Furthermore, Rupali Bank PLC, acting on our server against these two
notifying the readers about the
as the Onshore Security Agent for the LCs,” referring to a Commissioner
removal. We are now retracting the
syndicated foreign lenders, utilizes of Chattogram Customs House. Invoice/Bill of Entry dated November smear campaign against the SSPIL. your esteemed readers, ensuring
story from our print version.
its systems to ensure accurate and In reality, SSPIL imported plants, 29, 2020, highlighted a typographical p) Importantly, the CFO of SSPIL equal coverage to undo the ill effect
We want to point out that the
timely reporting, thereby maintaining equipment, and machinery under error made by Rupali Bank PLC, was contacted by the reporter for of the original article. We expect
article was published in good faith,
compliance with regulatory an Import Permit as part of the EPC which incorrectly typed November comments. The CFO provided a responsible and unbiased reporting,
without any intention to harm or
requirements. contract. Since these items were 29, 2025. This misrepresentation was detailed explanation and refuted the not sensationalism. Please do not
knowledge that such imputation will
e) To date, the company has imported using Import Permits, the presented in a misleading manner, allegations made in the draft reports, allow yourself to be influenced by any
harm the subjects – we were never
contributed 16,053 million BDT to issue of LCs does not arise. However, potentially deceiving the esteemed also submitting a written response. vested interests and quarters.
guided by such intention in our 33
the National Exchequer in the form of Rupali Bank used these LC numbers readers of the newspaper. However, the reporter deliberately In light of the situation, we
years of journalism. The data we
Tax, VAT, Customs Duties, and other solely as a reference for reporting m) The report further imprecisely misquoted the CFO’s written reply, formally request that you publish a
used were not our own data, they
government fees and charges. purposes to Bangladesh Bank. alleged that at least 30 are related to causing significant detriment to the corrigendum within seven days of
were official data still available on
f) The reporter falsely alleged j) The report further falsely stated EXPORTS- not import-by different company. receiving this rejoinder. Otherwise,
the servers of Bangladesh Bank, NBR
that “S Alam Group laundered that while the Bangladesh Bank server companies that have no links with q) Given the critical nature of the we shall be constrained to pursue
and Rupali Bank. In this case, we fell
$815.78m” under the project. We has entries for those 184 Invoices/ the SSPIL. In fact, all documents matter involving national interest legal recourse for dissemination of
victim to such wrongly presented
categorically deny this accusation Bills of Entries, they are missing submitted by the Company to and the bilateral relationship with false and frivolous information about
information.
of money laundering against SSPIL from the NBR server. This claim is Rupali Bank for onward reporting a major development partner state, our company in your publication. We
We would like to reassure our
in the strongest terms. In reality, no misconceived and absolutely false. to Bangladesh Bank are accurate, the reporter utterly failed to exercise sincerely hope you will rectify the
readers that we will do everything
unauthorized payments were possible All the Bills of Entries/ Invoices are genuine and specifically related to due diligence before publishing matter by issuing a corrigendum that
we can to prevent recurrence of such
to make from Bangladesh, because indeed available on the NBR server, as imports under the import permit. such a scandalous report. This includes an apology for the erroneous
mistakes.
payments to EPC contractor, SEPCOIII well as accessible at the Chattogram n) The report also alleged that blatant disregard for responsible reporting, especially considering
DHAKA 3
DHAKA SATURDAY OCTOBER 5, 2024
ASHWIN 20, 1431 BS

LABOUR EXPORT
President
Closed since
seeks support August 5, safari
from Malaysia
BSS, Dhaka
park in shambles
President Mohammed Animals looted, properties
Shahabuddin has sought
support of the Malaysian
vandalised on Aug 5; repair
government to recruit
more manpower from
costs could reach Tk 10cr
Bangladesh. MONJURUL HAQUE
The president raised
the labour export issue as Shuttered tea-stalls, closed restaurants, vacant
Malaysian Prime Minister parking spaces, and a deserted entrance—once
Anwar Ibrahim, who was on abuzz with tourists, the Bangabandhu Sheikh
a six-hour visit to Dhaka, Mujibur Rahman Safari Park in Gazipur, the
paid a courtesy call on him second largest of its kind in the country, has seen
at Bangabhaban yesterday no crowd for around two months.
evening. Visiting the spot on Thursday, this
The president also correspondent came across just one battery-run
called upon the Malaysian three-wheeler at the park’s stoppage.
government to provide “Tourists ask us to bring them here, then
all-out cooperation in they see the park is closed and fight with us in
the “economic reform” disappointment. So, I tell them beforehand and see
programme of the current them returning disheartened,” said Zakir Miah, the
interim government. vehicle’s driver, who was sipping a cup of tea at the
President’s Press only operating tea stall in front of the park.
Secretary Md Joynal Abedin Most shops in the area have seen almost no
told BSS that during the customers since the park’s closure on August 5,
meeting they exchanged said the owner of the tea-stall, Lal Miah.
views on various issues of Qayyum Mia, an 80-year-old local hawker
bilateral interest, especially sitting in front of the ticket counter, suggested
trade, investment, this correspondent enter through the alternative
economic, technical gate no 2.
cooperation, the Rohingya
issue, and labour market. With Durga Puja approaching, saree stores across the country are bustling with customers. At this store on Bailey Road in Dhaka, customers
SEE PAGE 4 COL 8 can be seen browsing through a vibrant selection of sarees yesterday. PHOTO: PRABIR DAS

Situation may DENGUE OUTBREAK

worsen due to rain
Vaccine trial stalls
Inside, this correspondent saw vandalised
HELEMUL ALAM minibuses near the gate. The children’s park area
was seen in ruins, while display maps, the natural
The ongoing rainy weather is expected to persist museum, butterfly corner, information centre and
for the next three days, raising concerns about the

due to fund crunch

food corner were in shambles.
worsening dengue situation, which is already at a According to the park’s assistant forest
dangerous level. conservator, Rafiqul Islam, various birds and other
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological animals were looted, while several spots were
Department, light to moderate rain, along with damaged following the fall of the Awami League
gusty winds, is likely to affect most parts of Rangpur, to five years to become available regime on August 5. The park has been closed
Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions. in Bangladesh, the scientists said. since then. “Two peacocks and 10 macaws were
Many areas in Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, and The tetravalent dengue vaccine looted from the park. Besides, property worth
Chattogram divisions will also experience moderate candidate, TV005, has been found around Tk 5 crore was damaged. Repairing costs
to heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours, starting from to be effective against all four would round off to about Tk 10 crore,” he said.
Friday. This weather pattern is expected to continue dengue serotypes, including DEN- Nevertheless, there is adequate food supply for
for the following 24 hours. 2, which currently prevails. the animal currently, he said.
Experts warn that such intermittent rain, coupled Despite its success in early He said the higher authorities will soon decide
with high humidity, creates ideal conditions for Aedes trials, Bangladesh faces challenges how long it would take for renovation, he added.
aegypti mosquitoes, the primary carrier of the dengue in securing the financial backing Meanwhile, some new animals have been
virus, to breed. The rainy weather also increases necessary for further study and introduced to the park’s collection.
the mosquitoes’ biting tendencies, which will development. An elephant has been brought in from
further escalate the dengue crisis. The vaccine, developed by the Gopalganj’s Kotalipara last week, taking the park’s
The Directorate General US National Institutes of Health total count of this mammal to nine, said Mostafizur
of Health Services (NIH), has been evaluated by the Rahman, a veterinary surgeon at the park.
reported 34,438 dengue University of Vermont Vaccine Thirteen spotted deer, five male and eight
hospitalisations this year Training Centre since 2009. female, have also arrived at the park last week
until yesterday morning, Clinical trials in Bangladesh from Gazipur’s Kaliakoir.
with 177 deaths recorded are led by icddr,b in collaboration
during this period.
Entomologist
AHMED DEEPTO complications, experts warned.
with Larner College of Medicine at
the University of Vermont.
The results from Phase II trials
Ex-AL lawmaker
Professor Kabirul
Bashar
Jahangirnagar
from
Amid the ongoing surge
in dengue cases and
Meanwhile, a dengue vaccine
that has undergone Phase II
were recently published in The
Lancet Infectious Diseases. Shahidul held
University cautioned that clinical trials in Bangladesh Although discussions are UNB, Dhaka
hospitalisations across is showing favourable results. ongoing with India’s Panacea
the situation will likely
Bangladesh, scientists from However, despite the vaccine’s Biotech to fund the trials in Detectives of Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested
worsen in October if urgent
the Institute of Epidemiology, potential, the Phase III clinical Bangladesh, the response has Shahidul Islam Milon, former Awami League
measures are not taken.
Disease Control and Research trial has yet to begin due to a lack been lukewarm. lawmaker from Jashore Sadar constituency, in
A field-level survey conducted
have reported that the DEN-2 of funding, according to scientists A senior icddr,b official Dhaka’s Gulistan area on Thursday.
by Prof Bashar indicated a high density
virus remains the dominant strain from the International Centre revealed that Panacea has shown Talibur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media)
of Aedes mosquitoes in several areas of Dhaka,
this season. for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, little interest in financing the of the DMP, confirmed the matter saying that
with the Breteau Index -- a measure used to predict
While individuals previously Bangladesh (icddr,b). Phase III trials locally. a Detective Branch team arrested him from
dengue outbreaks -- showing values over 20 in most
infected with one of the four Meanwhile, this final trial phase “Without adequate funding, the Phulbaria area. Milon, a freedom fighter and also
areas, and over 70 in some, which is considered highly
dengue serotypes have some level is already underway in countries trial remains stalled,” the official president of Jashore district unit of AL, was taken
dangerous.
of immunity, a second infection such as India and Brazil. The said, requesting anonymity. to Gulshan police station after arrest, he said.
Prof Bashar also identified a high mosquito density
SEE PAGE 4 COL 7
often results in more severe vaccine is expected to take three SEE PAGE 4 COL 7 He is accused in several cases over the attacks
on the students and people during the mass
uprising, the police official said.

Form rights
commission
Withdraw military
for women rule from CHT
Demands Nari Prof Anu Muhammad tells
Sanghati
discussion
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Nari Sanghati, a women’s
welfare organisation, Withdrawal of military rule from the Chittagong
yesterday demanded the Hill Tracts is essential for the region’s democratic
formation of a women’s transformation, said economist Prof Anu Muhammad
yesterday.
rights commission to
Speaking at a roundtable titled “Establishing
ensure equality, justice,
Democratic Governance and People’s Rights, Dignity,
and security for women in
and Power in the CHT” at Jatiya Press Club, organised
all spheres of life.
by the United People’s Democratic Front, he urged the
They came up with the interim government to prioritise this issue and break
demand at a rally held from the policies of previous administrations.
in front of the National To achieve democratic transformation, the interim
Museum in Shahbagh at government must take this issue seriously and remove
4:00pm. military rule from the CHT, he said.
“The government has He said many demands proposed by the CHT Basic
already formed several Rights Conservation Committee after the 1992 Logang
commissions for various massacre remain unfulfilled and are now part of the
reforms, yet we have UPDF’s current demands.
heard no discussion about Anu Muhammad explained that the term “settler”
establishing a women’s emerged during the regime of President Ziaur Rahman
rights commission,” said as part of a government programme to relocate poor,
Nari Sanghati President landless Bangalees to the CHT.
Shyamoli Shil. This, he said, was a military project designed to reduce
The platform also the indigenous population to a minority, creating an
stressed the need for artificial conflict between indigenous people and settlers.
reforms in inheritance Criticising the government’s neglect of CHT issues,
and family laws, justice for he pointed out that many indigenous people were
victims of rape and sexual displaced by the Kaptai Dam during the Pakistan era.
violence, and an end to Despite their participation in the 1971 Liberation Three students huddle under a single umbrella as they walk home after school, smiling and laughing despite the rain. While many in Dhaka
misogynistic actions. War, their rights were not secured afterwards, he said. find rainy days a hassle, for these friends, it’s a chance to enjoy and have fun. This moment was captured in the New Eskaton area yesterday
SEE PAGE 4 COL 6 SEE PAGE 4 COL 4 afternoon. PHOTO: PRABIR DAS
 2nd Edition

NEWS
DHAKA SATURDAY OCTOBER 5, 2024

4 ASHWIN 20, 1431 BS

Withdraw military JU teacher shown MA Rashid’s

FROM PAGE 3 expenditures in the CHT. FROM PAGE 5 police for shooting at my death anniv
Prof Muhammad said He called for statement, Farid was brothers [students]. Out of STAR REPORT
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s constitutional recognition allegedly involved in inciting respect for his position as
encouragement for for indigenous people and law enforcers and Chhatra a teacher, we immediately The 36th
indigenous people to urged the Constitutional League members to attack informed the officer-in- d e a t h
identify as Bangalees led to Reform Commission to protesting students on JU charge of Kotwali Police anniversary
further problems. prioritise this issue. He also campus on July 17. Station. Subsequently, a of MA
“Military rule has resulted advocated for the formation Abu Bakar, a JnU police team took him into Rashid will
in continuous violence, of a People’s Inquiry student, said, “We custody.” be observed
including the 1992 Logang identified him [Farid Earlier on August 18,
Commission to investigate today, said a
massacre. Even after the Ahmad] on our university JU students declared Farid
recent killings in Rangamati press release.
1997 Peace Accord, critical campus on Thursday as “persona non grata” on the
and Khagrachhari, and the On the occasion, a
issues like land rights and the teacher incited the campus.
PHOTO: TITU DAS broader history of genocide milad and doa mahfil will
constitutional recognition
Relaxing on the weekend, children jump from a small boat into the cool waters of a
canal at Brahmankathi village in Banaripara upazila of Barishal yesterday.
for indigenous peoples
remain unresolved,” he said.
in the CHT.
Physician Harunur
Rashid, Barrister Jyotirmoy
Form rights be held after the Maghrib
prayers at Unity Club,
United House.
He also highlighted FROM PAGE 3 implementation of the
the lack of transparency Barua and general All of his relatives,
secretary of Biplobi While the constitution High Court’s guidelines friends, and well-wishers
in the CHT’s economic grants women equal rights and the establishment of
activities, referencing the Workers Party Saiful Haque are requested to join the
also spoke at the event. in public life, family and anti-harassment cells. programmes to offer prayer
secretive occupation of property rights remain The rally demanded that
hills by military and civilian The event was moderated for the salvation of his
by UPDF organiser Mikel governed by religious laws, one-third of the 300 seats in departed soul.
individuals, including said the speakers. the national parliament be
retired officials and political Changma, where a seven-
They also criticised reserved for women and that
figures. He urged the interim point demand, including
the current legal system, the reserved seats be filled
the immediate withdrawal
government to investigate
and publish a list of illegal of military rule and
which they described as
patriarchal, making it
through direct elections.
DU professor Moshaheda
PRAYER
land occupiers and issue
a “white paper” detailing
the establishment of a
democratic environment in
difficult for victims of rape Sultana, activist Dilshana TIMING
and sexual violence to seek Parul, anthropologist OCTOBER 5
economic projects and their the CHT, was presented. justice. and researcher Rehnuma
Fazr Zohr Asr Maghrib Esha
Speakers called for an Ahmed, along with several
end to victim-blaming in AZAN 4-45 12-45 4-15 5-53 7-30
academicians and activists,
cases of sexual violence expressed solidarity with JAMAAT 5-20 1-15 4-30 5-56 8-00
and demanded the full the rally. SOURCE: ISLAMIC FOUNDATION

Vaccine trial stalls

FROM PAGE 3 “The danger remains for
DEN-2 DOMINATES those yet to be exposed to
In recent years, the DEN- DEN-2, especially outside
2 serotype has been the capital,” he said.
predominant across Hospital Treatment and
Bangladesh. Patient Trends
From July to September The DNCC Dedicated
2024, approximately 69 Covid-19 Hospital, now
percent of dengue cases converted into a dengue
were attributed to DEN-2, treatment centre, is
according to IEDCR. currently managing a
While the dominance steady influx of patients.
of this strain reduces the As of September 28, 692
likelihood of widespread patients were admitted
reinfection among compared to 2,482 in the
previously affected same month last year.
populations, it still poses a “We’re seeing fewer
threat, particularly outside patients and fatalities
Dhaka where many have this year, but we must
yet to develop immunity. remain vigilant,” said AKM
Virologist Dr Abdullah Johirul Hossain Khan, the
Omar Nasif from IEDCR hospital’s acting director.
explained that dengue Most patients exhibit
serotypes typically dominate common dengue
for three to four years. DEN- symptoms, such as low
2, prevalent in 2023 and platelet counts, bleeding,
2024, had also been the and weakness, but those
primary strain before 2019, without complications are
when DEN-3 took over. recovering well, he said.

Concerns rise over

FROM PAGE 5 about protecting the
been felled. environment and will plant
Environmentalist Prof new trees to replace the
Tuhin Wadud of Begum felled ones,” he stated.
Rokeya University, Rangpur Molla Md Mizanur
warned that such large- Rahman, divisional forest
scale tree felling could have officer in Rangpur, refuted
disastrous effects on the allegations that 4 lakh trees
region’s environment if not had been cut.
stopped immediately. He said the official target
Atiqur Rahman, was 1.04 lakh trees, of
executive engineer of which 80 percent had been
BWDB’s Nilphamari felled. He also highlighted
division, said tree felling has that 1.5 lakh trees are being
been halted temporarily, planted within the project
and reforestation efforts are area, with 71 percent of
planned. “We are concerned them already planted.

Situation may worsen

FROM PAGE 3 the country. Four teams are
in Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, dedicated to Dhaka South
Barishal, Pirojpur, Khulna, City Corporation, while
Narshingdi, Chandpur, and three are focusing on Dhaka
Mymensingh districts. North City Corporation.
He called for increased Additional teams
research on the effects of have been deployed in
climate and weather on Narayanganj, Gazipur,
mosquito behaviour, as Chattogram, and other
well as on the evolution of major cities.
viruses in Bangladesh. Moreover, two six-
He also highlighted the member expert committees
country’s high dengue have been formed to control
death rate, urging the the outbreak, with the
government to support administrators of Dhaka’s
research to identify the two city corporations
causes behind this. appointed as convenors.
Prof Bashar AF Hasan Arif, adviser
recommended hotspot to the local government
management, where ministry, emphasised the
Aedes mosquitoes should need for both short- and
be eliminated by fogging long-term strategies to
within a 200-metre radius address the dengue crisis,
of homes with dengue stressing the importance of
patients. expert involvement.
He also stressed the
importance of breeding
source management, calling President seeks
for the disposal of containers FROM PAGE 3
that collect rainwater and The president said Malaysia
serve as mosquito breeding is the second largest
grounds. destination for Bangladesh’s
Entomologist GM Saifur manpower exports, and
Rahman echoed these Bangladesh’s manpower is
concerns, stating that the playing an important role in
current pattern of rainfall the economic development
is highly conducive to of both countries.
mosquito breeding and will He said cooperation
not wash away Aedes larvae between Bangladesh
or eggs. Without immediate and Malaysia in various
intervention, he predicted sectors, including trade,
the dengue situation may investment, agriculture,
worsen in October. human resources,
The government formed communication, culture,
10 teams on September 23 tourism, and education,
to coordinate mosquito has been increasing for the
eradication efforts across last 53 years.
 City

CITY 5
DHAKA SATURDAY OCTOBER 5, 2024
ASHWIN 20, 1431 BS

BADOKHALI BEEL IN BAGERHAT

A lifeline turns into

source of suffering
PARTHA CHAKRABORTTY, Bagerhat On the other hand, in the dry season,
an acute shortage of water in the swamp
Around 50,000 residents of 13 villages and canals cripples agricultural activities
along the vast Badokhali Beel (swamp) in in the area.
Bagerhat Sadar upazila have long been “Badokhali beel was once a lifeline
facing hardships due to waterlogging to the people of this area, but not it has
caused by broken sluice gates and illegal become the cause of our sufferings,” said
encroachment of the waterbody. Moniruzzaman Molla of Rajapur village,
The beel has an area of around who lost his crops and fish twice
7,000 acres and is surrounded by this year from his four acres of
Shat Gombuj, Karapara, and cropland and enclosure due
Jatrapur unions, with over to repeated waterlogging.
20 canals flowing into it. Rashid Sheikh, a local
Local influentials have farmer, said, “The sluice
been grabbing lands gates need to be repaired
along the beel and the urgently, and the canals
canals for fish farming. need excavation to solve
This has been this issue.”
obstructing the water’s Environmental activists
natural flow and preventing from Khulna Poribesh
the waterbody from Suroksha Mancha and
providing adequate drainage. Bagerhat Poribesh Suroksha
Meanwhile, four crucial sluice Nagarik Committee visited the
gates of Bangladesh Water Development area on September 29 for inspection, said
Board, constructed for regulating water Khudrat-E-Khuda, president of Khulna
levels in the swamp and connected canals, Poribesh Suroksha Mancha. Abu Raihan
have been non-functional for a long time. Mohammad Al Biruni, executive engineer
As such, the swamp and the canals fail of BWDB in Bagerhat, said they have
to effectively drain excess rainwater during requested funds to repair the sluice gates. Members of Bangladesh Combined Minority Alliance rallied at the Central Shaheed Minar yesterday, demanding an end to the recent communal
monsoon, leading to severe waterlogging Once funding is approved, we will repair the attacks. They also demanded that extrajudicial killing under the guise of “mob justice” be brought to an end and that those involved are
throughout the season. sluice gates on a priority basis,” he added. punished swiftly and strictly. PHOTO: RASHED SHUMON

ATTACK ON TEESTA IRRIGATION PROJECT MURDER CASES

STUDENTS
Ex-food minister,
JU teacher
shown
Concerns rise over Awami League
arrested
JU CORRESPONDENT
mass tree felling leaders remanded
COURT CORRESPONDENT

A teacher of Jahangirnagar ASADUZZAMAN TIPU, Nilphamari area during its initial phase in the A Dhaka court yesterday placed former food
University, who has been 1990s. minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on a seven-day
accused of inciting attacks Trees have allegedly been felled GM Quader, chairman of the remand in a case filed over the death of a university
on students during the indiscriminately in Nilphamari Jatiyo Party and former lawmaker student, Ramij Uddin Ahmed Roop, in Dhaka’s
mass protests on July and nearby districts as part of the of Rangpur-3, has claimed that Tejgaon area during the protests on August 4.
17, was shown arrested Bangladesh Water Development approximately 4 lakh trees Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Saifuddin
yesterday after students Board’s Teesta Irrigation Project were felled by unscrupulous Hossain passed the order.
of Jagannath University rehabilitation and expansion. The individuals associated with the A team of detectives arrested Sadhan from
detained him on JnU project, worth Tk 1,500 crore, is project. He has called for an Bashundhara Residential area on Thursday night.
campus and handed him Bangladesh’s largest irrigation investigation into the matter, On September 7, AKM Rakibul Ahmed, father
over to police the day initiative. echoing similar allegations raised of the victim, filed the murder case with Tejgaon
before. Located in Dalia, Nilphamari, by locals and environmentalists. Police Station against former prime minister
Farid Ahmad, a the Teesta Irrigation Project These concerns were addressed Sheikh Hasina and 222 others.
professor of philosophy currently supplies water to 12 at the Rangpur divisional Yesterday, magistrate Saifuddin also placed
department, was shown upazilas across Nilphamari, commissioner’s office during a Enamul Haque Abul, president of Paltan thana
arrested in a case filed by a Rangpur, and Dinajpur districts, recent coordination committee unit of Awami League, on a five-day remand in
JU student, said Abu Bakar though it only operates at partial meeting. a case filed over the killing of a Jubo Dal leader,
Siddique, officer-in-charge capacity. renovation, repair, and widening. work orders for felling specific High-ranking forest Shamim Mia, in Paltan on October 28 last year.
of Ashulia Police Station. According to BWDB officials, To accommodate this, a total of lots. department officials were Abul was also a former councillor of Dhaka
He was produced before a the project’s rehabilitation 1,04,000 trees within the project However, allegations have instructed to provide clarification South City Corporation.
court in the morning, he and expansion will enable it to area were marked for felling, said surfaced that bidders, in collusion on the matter. In addition, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate
added. operate at full capacity. Initiated Md Ahsan Habib, the project with some forest and BWDB During a recent visit to several Shahin Reza placed Krishak League central
Sajjadul Islam, a student in July 2021, the project is slated director and superintendent officials, have been felling far areas within the project site, committee president Samir Chandra on a three-
of the English department for completion by December engineer of BWDB in Rangpur. more trees than authorised. including Ramnagar, Bahalipara, day remand in a case filed with Badda Police
at JU, filed the case on 2024. The trees were grouped into lots, Sources from Rangpur forest Kakra, and Khalisha Chapani, Station over the death of one Dulal Sarder in Badda
September 29. As part of the project’s design, and tenders for their felling were department revealed that around this correspondent observed vast area on July 18. He was arrested early yesterday.
According to the case the 735-kilometre irrigation called in mid-2022. 6 lakh timber and fruit trees had barren stretches where trees had On September 29, Shoriful Islam filed the
SEE PAGE 4 COL 6 canal network is set to undergo Multiple bidders were awarded been planted in the Teesta project SEE PAGE 4 COL 7 murder case against Hasina and 44 others.

Many injured staring

at bleak future
FROM PAGE 1 so did his future,” Moriyom question – how they will He urged the government Still, he will never fully
For Mozammel Haque and said. support themselves and to rehabilitate him, provide regain the ability to work,
his family, the future looks She added that her son their families without the him with employment, and according to the doctor
bleak after the 21-year-old used to contribute to the ability to work. ensure access to medical at Sir Salimullah Medical
student lost vision in both family with a part-time Most of them have lost treatment when necessary. College Mitford Hospital.
eyes because of multiple job, but now he is in such vision in one eye, while Another 79 people His family of four is fully
shotgun pellet injuries a condition that he will not some have lost both. injured during the protests dependent on his income,
he received during the be able to do anything to Besides eye injuries, are undergoing treatment as his father is unable to
quota reform protests in support himself. Mallik Hafizur Rahman at the National Institute work after suffering two
Narsingdi town on July 18. “I still can’t believe that Litan, 40, sustained severe of Traumatology and strokes.
He was rushed to a my son is almost blind. head wounds after being Orthopaedic Rehabilitation They live with Sujon’s
local hospital and later When we see him, both beaten by Awami League (NITOR), said the hospital elder sister Sumi Akter
transferred to the National my husband and I cry out goons on August 5 in sources. and her 10-year-old child
Institute of Ophthalmology loud,” she said. Bagerhat town. He is also One of them, vehicle after her husband left her.
& Hospital (NIOH) on According to her, the undergoing treatment at mechanic Sagar Miah, 29, The boy dropped out of his
August 6, where he has hospital has been covering the hospital. was hit by pellets on his madrasa after the family
been receiving treatment the cost of his treatment face in police firing during was hit by the tragedy
ever since. since August 8, but before the movement at Notun
Tears rolled down her that, they had already spent
“Without Bazar in the Badda area of
surrounding Sujon’s
injuries.
face as the 48-year-old more than Tk 60,000, government the capital in July. Speaking to The Daily
mother, Moriyam Begum, which they had borrowed. After an operation on
described the situation. “What we want now is
help, we will his left eye on September
Star, Sujon and Sumi urged
the government to bear the
“My son is now better treatment for my have to beg,” 30, he could see slightly
cost of his treatment until
dependent on others. We son. This government came but not clearly. He also
are growing old, and I don’t to power because of the
Sagar Miah, sought the government to
his recovery, and make
know how my son will live sacrifices of many. They vehicle mechanic take responsibility for the
arrangements so that he
his life after we are gone,” who lost his vision can work and earn for the
deserve the best treatment. injured and their family
she told The Daily Star on If that treatment isn’t partially due to members. family afterwards.
October 2 at the NIOH. available here, they need to “Without government Another 34 injured,
shotgun pellet mostly with bullet wounds,
Mozammel, a final-year be sent abroad,” she added. injuries. help, we will have to beg,”
BA student of Narsingdi Speaking to the he said. are undergoing treatment
Government College, had newspaper, Mozammel Two bullets pierced at Dhaka Medical College
already filled out the form Easy bike driver Litan, Hospital while 25 others
asked the government to through the torso of
to sit for his exams. “How the breadwinner for his are being treated at the
send him abroad, as he Mohammad Sujon, 21,
can he take the exam now five-member family, Super Specialized Hospital
believed he could regain his an employee of a cable
as he has lost vision in both underwent surgery and lost BSMMU.
vision if treated outside the TV operator, in the final
vision in his left eye. A few others are
eyes?” Moriyam asked. country. moments of the uprising
“With just one eye, it receiving treatment at the
She had hoped that “I need nothing – no on August 5 in Old Dhaka’s
won’t be possible to drive National Institute of Neuro
after graduation, her son compensation, and no Naya Bazar.
the easy bike. I’ve been Sciences & Hospital.
would get married, take rehabilitation. If I can see He needed two open-
in the hospital for the They are among more
responsibility for the family again, I will find a way to heart surgeries and
past two months, and I than 19,200 people who
and relieve the burden from live my life,” he said. another on his intestine to
have already spent all my needed hospital care for
his father Nur Mohammad Like Mozammel, 34 survive. The doctor said his
savings. My family is now injuries caused by attacks
Madhu, a 55-year-old day others injured during rehabilitation would take
surviving on loans. I don’t during the protests,
labourer. the protests are receiving at least three years with
know how much longer I’ll
“But everything changed treatment at the hospital, medication and other sorts according to a government
need to stay here,” he said.
in the blink of an eye, and looking for answers to the of treatment. report.
 CITY

6 INTERNATIONAL
DHAKA SATURDAY OCTOBER 5, 2024
ASHWIN 20, 1431 BS

LEBANON INVASION HEAVY RUSSIAN STRIKES

How might Ukraine warns of
Israel strike water shortages
back against in Donetsk region
Iran? AFP, Kyiv

Ukrainian officials have warned of possible water

REUTERS, Washington supply problems in the eastern Donetsk region,
after heavy Russian aerial strikes.
Israel has sworn it will retaliate for Moscow has targeted Ukraine’s utility system
Iran’s missile barrage on Tuesday, throughout the two-and-a-half year war, with
which involved more than 180 ballistic concerns rising that the country could face its
missiles and was largely thwarted by toughest winter yet.
Israel’s air defense systems. Below Donetsk region Governor Vadym
are some ways Israel, backed by the Filashkin said Thursday that
United States, could strike back. 260,000 people could be
IRAN’S INSTALLATIONS affected by water shortages.
Some analysts believe Israel is most “The north of the Donetsk
likely to respond by targeting Iranian region will be left without
military installations, especially water supply for an indefinite
those that produce ballistic missiles period,” he said on Telegram.
like the ones used in Tuesday’s Russian strikes last month
attacks. It could also take out Iranian “critically damaged” two
air defense systems and missile- water supply facilities, leaving
launching facilities. “no possibility to restore the
Strikes against Iran’s nuclear equipment,” he said.
facilities could delay Tehran’s ability The Donetsk regional administration told AFP
to produce a nuclear weapon. Iran’s yesterday there were problems with water pressure
nuclear program is spread over many across the system.
“There is a problem with water supply to upper
Members of Israeli security forces push back Palestinian Muslim worshippers from Lions Gate, also known as Bab al-Asbat, ahead floors (of buildings)” it said, without saying how
of Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem yesterday. PHOTO: AFP many people were affected.

Lebanon conflict pushes Maldives Pakistan seals off

leader heads
capital ahead of
locations, only some of which are
Gaza truce out of focus to India to
PTI rally
built underground. REUTERS, Cairo Ali, a 45-year-old Gaza City resident who said his repair ties
However, a major attack on its
nuclear infrastructure would likely Palestinians fear the crisis in Lebanon is
family had been displaced seven times since the
offensive began, told Reuters via a chat app.
AFP, Male 30 protesters arrested
provoke serious consequences, diverting the world’s attention from Gaza, where When Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israel Maldives President REUTERS, Islamabad
potentially including a sprint by Israeli strikes killed dozens more people this late on Tuesday, provoking an Israeli promise of Mohamed Muizzu will
Iran to build a nuclear weapon. week, and diminishing already dim prospects a “painful” response, some Gazans welcomed undertake his first state Authorities in Pakistan sealed off the capital,
Washington has said it would not for a ceasefire a year into the salvo visible in the visit to India tomorrow, Islamabad, and blocked cellphone services
support such an action by Israel. an offensive that has skies overhead as a sign aiming to repair frail ties yesterday to prevent an anti-government rally by
Israel could also hit Iran’s shattered the enclave. Tehran was fighting for between the two South supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran
petroleum industry, which would An escalation in the their cause. Asian neighbours. Khan, officials said.
hurt its economy. Such an attack conflict between Israel Sami Abu Zuhri, a “President Muizzu Talking to the media at D-Chowk, Islamabad
could provoke Iran in turn to strike and Iran-backed militant senior Hamas official, said remains committed to Inspector General of Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi
oil production facilities in Saudi group Hezbollah over the prospects for a Gaza deal enhancing bilateral ties with said: “Proceedings are under way wherever there
Arabia and other Gulf Arab states. past two weeks has led to were distant before the nations that play a crucial are attempts to hurt police or damage property.
ECONOMIC, CYBER OPTIONS clashes between Israeli escalation in Lebanon. role in the development and Till now, there have been over 30 arrests.”
US President Joe Biden has said he and Hezbollah forces A regional conflagration growth of the Maldives,” his It would be the latest in a series of protest rallies
would impose more sanctions on Iran. inside Lebanon and fueled could lead to pressure on office said. since last month to press for Khan’s release and
Washington’s sanctions on Iran fears of a wider regional Israel to strike a deal in The two sides will agitate against the ruling coalition government,
already ban nearly all US trade with war. Gaza, he said. focus on “strengthening which the party calls illegitimate, saying it was
the country, block its government’s Both Israel and its Hamas foes in Gaza say But with attention swinging to Lebanon, the bilateral cooperation and formed after a fraudulent election.
assets in the US and prohibit US the Lebanon conflict could help end the Gaza offensive in Gaza risked being prolonged, said further enhancing the Shipping containers have been placed to block
foreign assistance and arms sales. conflict, but some analysts, officials from Ashraf Abouelhoul, managing editor of state- longstanding relationship Islamabad’s entry and exit points, guarded by large
Analysts said Israel could also use mediating countries, and Gazans, are sceptical. owned newspaper Al-Ahram in Egypt, which between the two nations,” numbers of police and paramilitary troops, the
its cyber warfare abilities to respond “The focus is on Lebanon, which means the has helped to mediate months of ceasefire the office said in a officials said, while police banned any gathering in
to the Iranian strikes. war in Gaza isn’t ending anytime soon,” Hussam negotiations. statement. the capital.

South Africa cruise Separate pay scale for teachers Flash floods
FROM PAGE 12
FROM PAGE 12 10, and soon Mlaba sent back Qiana FROM PAGE 12 Student Movement. But it is them at home and abroad will be officer, said around 4,300 hectares of
half-ton in 45 balls and ended her Joseph, for four. the World Teachers’ Day today. unacceptable for them to be created and stipends and training Aman fields and around 100 hectares
knock with six boundaries. Mlaba, named player of the match, For over two decades, teachers humiliated because of this,” said courses overseas will be made of vegetable fields have been damaged
Wolvaardt survived reprieves on kept the batters in a spin with her have been calling for a dedicated Serajul Islam. available to them.
significantly.
five and 33 -- on both occasions a change of pace and angle and took pay scale, believing it would draw “A teacher is an educated person “These steps can strengthen the
high-achieving students into the who deserves respect. When you strip education sector. A separate pay A fisheries official said around 50
return catch dropped by the bowler two wickets in two overs to flatten the fish farms have been flooded already.
and on the first West Indies’ Zaida West Indian batting. profession. away that respect, they may feel they are scale will be introduced for teachers
Professor Emeritus Serajul Islam no longer teachers…. These attacks are of all levels to enhance their financial Torofdar Mahmudur Rahman,
James getting cut on her jaw when Kapp returned figures of 2-14
Choudhury from Dhaka University essentially assaults on the education benefits,” the policy said. deputy commissioner of Sherpur,
the ball ricocheted off the hand. including the wicket of Deandra
expressed his disappointment that system, and a teacher’s humiliation is The UGC’s annual report in 2017 said they would start distributing
James, a left-arm spinner who Dottin, who reversed her retirement some teachers are being “disgraced” a humiliation for the entire teaching recommended that public university relief materials among the flood
shared the new ball with Chinelle decision for this edition of the in various parts of the country. community,” he added. teachers be placed under a separate
Henry, left the field with a swollen jaw tournament. victims if necessary. “We are closely
“To draw talented students into Veteran teacher leader Mazharul pay scale to help improve the quality monitoring the situation.”
after just bowling one ball of her first “It was a very disappointing game the teaching profession, we must Hannan, also the president of of higher education.
over and never returned. and not the way we wanted to start,” Meanwhile, around 30 villages have
guarantee respect for the educators. Bangladesh Principals’ Association, Professor Emeritus Manzoor
Earlier, the West Indies suffered said Matthews. “We have a game in This social respect is tied to their status said many teachers at non-MPO Ahmed of BRAC University, also the been inundated in Mymensingh’s
from regular wicket-fall and struggled two days’ time and we have to bounce and salaries. To ensure the teachers’ secondary schools and colleges founding director of the university’s Dhobaura upazila yesterday.
to put up a fighting total despite an back quickly.” dignity, a distinct pay structure for all are struggling financially due to Institute of Educational Development, The villages of four unions --
unbeaten 44 from number-three West Indies face Scotland on Sunday educational levels is essential. inadequate salaries, often resorting blamed bureaucrats and successive Dakshin Maizpara, Gamaritola,
batter Stafanie Taylor. at the same venue, called the ring of “The failure to implement a to private tutoring to make ends governments for failing to implement Ghoshgaon, and Purakandulia -- have
Marizanne Kapp, a medium-fast fire due to the floodlights all around separate pay scale for teachers stems meet. a separate pay structure for teachers. been flooded as the Netai river was
bowler, struck first with the wicket the ground. South Africa next take on from the lack of understanding by “In such circumstances, talented “This has not happened because swelling due to heavy rainfall and an
of skipper Hayley Matthews, out for England in Sharjah on Monday. successive governments regarding its students are disinclined to pursue a the bureaucrats are opposed to it. onrush of water from the hilly areas
significance. Establishing a distinct career in teaching.” Successive governments did not have across the border.
pay scale will also help foster apositive Mazharul emphasised that a political will to establish a separate
Tigers see slight rise in number relationship between teachers and
students,” he said.
implementing a separate pay
structure for teachers could help
pay scale.”
In August 2015, public university
Md Akhlak Ul Jamil, executive
engineer of WDB in Mymensingh,
FROM PAGE 12 Plan and the National Tiger Recovery According to a count by The eliminate pay and benefit disparities teachers under the banner of the said water level could rise if it rains
released on October 8. Programme, to address these Daily Star, more than 150 teachers, among them. Federation of Bangladesh University for two more days.
The survey, conducted using challenges. ranging from secondary to university Under the MPO system, teachers Teachers’ Association (FBUTA),
camera traps, involved setting up over As the country continues its levels, have been forced to resign at private schools receive a full demonstrated demanding a distinct
1,300 cameras at 665 spots across the efforts to protect the Bengal Tiger, since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s
regime on August 5. Many of them
basic salary, along with Tk 1,000 for
house rent and Tk 500 for medical
pay scale and review of then proposed
8th National Pay Scale.
Russia calls
Sundarbans. the future of this iconic species in
Out of those 665 spots, 200 were the Sundarbans looks increasingly were subjected to humiliation and
harassment by some unruly students.
expenses. Currently, teachers of
government primary schools are paid
In July this year, the FBUTA held a
month-long protest demanding the
for West to lift
in the Satkhira range, 140 in the
Khulna range, 180 in Sharankhola,
hopeful.
SURVEY HISTORY On August 25, Education Adviser under the 13th grade of the National cancellation of the “Prottoy” pension sanctions on
Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud said Pay Scale 2015. The basic salary under scheme and a separate pay structure.
and 145 in the Chandpai range of the
Sundarbans.
Previous surveys have shown that
the Bengal Tiger population in that complaints against specific this grade ranges from Tk 11,000 to FBUTA President Prof Akhtarul Afghanistan
This is the first time the census was the Bangladeshi portion of the individuals will be noted and that Tk 26,590. Islam said that during discussions
AFP, Moscow
no one should be compelled to step Mazharul noted that teachers with relevant authorities, they
conducted in all four ranges of the Sundarbans has fluctuated over time.
down. in Bangladesh earn less than insisted on a separate pay scale for
Sundarbans. In 1975, a field survey conducted by He stressed the need for their counterparts in South Asian teachers at all educational levels. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei
Contacted, Dr Abu Nasir Bubert Hendrichs found 350 Bengal maintaining healthy relationships countries like India and many other The education adviser and Sheikh Lavrov yesterday called on the West
Mohsin Hossain, divisional forest tigers. between teachers and students. Asian nations. Abdur Rashid, senior secretary of to lift sanctions on Taliban-led
officer, Sundarban West Division, In 1982, Margaret Salter carried In an order released on September The National Education Policy the Secondary and Higher Education Afghanistan and take “responsibility”
Khulna, said that one of the most out a sample and field survey and 3, the Secondary and Higher 2010 said, “If the issue of the status of Division, could not be reached over for reconstruction efforts in the
remarkable findings from the estimated that the number of tigers Education Division said that forced teachers is limited to rhetoric and the the phone for comment. country.
survey is the discovery of 18-19 tiger was 425. resignation and harassment of teachers do not enjoy a respectable A top education ministry official, Moscow is moving towards
cubs in the sanctuary covering Rex Gittins conducted a survey teachers should end immediately. social status in real terms, the quality however, said that the matter of a removing its own designation of the
53 percent of the forest area -- a in 1984 covering 110 sq km of the “It is true that some teachers were of education cannot be improved. separate pay scale for teachers is not Taliban as a “terrorist” organisation,
significant increase compared to Sundarbans South Wildlife Sanctuary against the Anti-discrimination “Opportunities of training for currently a priority for the ministry. a move that could advance
previous years. and found the tiger population to be cooperation between Moscow and
“In 2014 and 2018, the number 430 to 450. Kabul.
of cubs found was only five. So
hopefully, in the next census that
In 1992, the forest department
collected data from the people Trump ‘not fit to lead’ the US “We urge Western countries to
recognise their responsibility for
is going to happen in 2028, we will working in the Sundarbans area and FROM PAGE 12 that investigated the January 6 riot, He is petty, he is vindictive and he is cruel. the post-conflict reconstruction
see a significant rise in the tiger estimated the number to be 359. To win, Harris needs to win over earning Trump’s disdain and effectively And Donald Trump is not fit to lead this of Afghanistan, lift sanctions
population.” The following year, Dhan Bahadur Republicans and independents wary exiling her from the party. good and great nation.” restrictions and return Kabul’s
While the tiger population has Tamang conducted a census based on of him without alienating her base, “Our republic faces a threat unlike On Wednesday, a judge unsealed expropriated assets,” Lavrov said.
shown steady growth, the Sundarbans pugmark (tiger footprints) covering particularly in states like Wisconsin any we have faced before,” Cheney a 165-page court filing outlining The Taliban has been under
still faces threats such as poaching 350 sq km of the Sundarbans area that can swing toward Republican or said, pointing to Trump’s efforts to federal prosecutors’ case against Western sanctions for more than two
and habitat loss. and put the number at 362. Democrat and are likely to decide the overturn the 2020 election results. Trump for his attempt to overturn decades, measures initially imposed
The Bangladesh government has In 2004, a pugmark census election. “What January 6th shows us,” Cheney his 2020 election defeat. Trump to restrict the financing of al-Qaeda
implemented various conservation conducted said the number of tigers Cheney was the top Republican on said, “is that there is not an ounce, not an has pleaded not guilty to charges of and other organisations designated
measures, including the Tiger Action was 440. the House of Representatives committee ounce, of compassion in Donald Trump. conspiracy and obstruction. “terrorist” groups.
SHOWBIZ 7
DHAKA SATURDAY OCTOBER 5, 2024
ASHWIN 20, 1431 BS

TRENDY STREAMS
and its perception. “I always try not to Netflix
ARTIVIST offend – I want to spur conversation, not
controversies.”
“My mentor, Ahsan Habib, editor
of Unmad, once told me, ‘A true artist
never represents reality exactly as it is.
The Platform 2

Instead, they reveal what it isn’t, opening

the door to deeper truths.’ That remains
my preferred way of expression,” Mishu
noted.
“As a cartoonist or caricaturist, there’s
no need to depict ‘odd’ or ‘demeaning’
features. Look at the cartoons from the
Anti-discrimination Movement—most
of them were not offensive. Artists have
all the creativity in the world to portray
things differently. Why rely on blatant Hulu
caricatures?” Mishu questioned.
He further clarified that, just because
Hold Your Breath
THE

he actively protested against the AL

regime, it doesn’t mean he blindly
supports the interim government. “When
I see something wrong, I raise my voice—
regardless of who is in power,” he
said.
What about the
culture of idolising or
‘sensationalising’
institutions, people,
or groups and
then cancelling
them altogether?
“Criticism is Chorki
essential for critical Forget Me Not
development, but I
personally oppose
cancel culture,”
Being a DOWEL BISWAS Mishu said
prudently.
cartoonist “I initially wanted to join the military to He made
is Morshed serve my country and the people,” he a significant
shared. “But I became a cartoonist after contribution to Chief
Mishu’s a cascade of failures pursuing that past with Adviser Muhammad
preferred public aspiration. Now, I get to do what I wanted t h e Yunus’ photo book The
all along—help my people. I joined the h e l p
identity, or as of people
Art of Triumph, which
acclaimed satire magazine Unmad as became a testament to the
he describes a contributor, and with help from my who want students, protesters, and artists
himself, an mentors, I became a cartoonist.” to get involved who worked on resistance art after the
Cartoons always intrigued Mishu for through their formation of the interim government. Sony Liv
“artivist”— their ability to convey complex messages preferred means of aiding—whether it’s As one of the creative minds behind Manvat Murders
someone who with minimal brush strokes. “You can money, supplies, or other resources,” the project, Mishu focused on key areas
said the artist, who is currently working
practices express so much through a cartoon—
on building houses, latrines, and schools
in Dhaka, choosing to prominently
things you could never convey with a feature wall art from places where
activism thousand words. That idea made me in the indigenous communities of student protests and subsequent police
through art in a passionate about this art form,” the artist Khagrachhari, affected by recent flash crackdowns occurred.
explained. floods. “We chose locations based on protest
non-traditional Although Mishu didn’t initially When asked if he noticed any cultural hotspots—places like Mirpur 10, Uttara,
manner. Mishu, consider art as a profession, it eventually shifts before and after the downfall Shahbagh, and Dhaka University. We
who rose to led him to profound self-exploration and of the former ruling party, Mishu took around 500 photos, and I initially
a sense of purpose. “Through art, I could smiled politely. “As artists, we have selected 200 for the final draft,” Mishu
prominence speak for the people, I could protest, and a responsibility to be accountable to explained.
through his I could press home the message of the the people. In that sense, ‘censorship’ However, his involvement in the
masses to the decision-makers and the never really affected me. I always tried “unthoughtful” graffiti paintings right
political people at large. That’s why I continued,” to do what I must. For example, I drew a after the fall of the previous government
cartoons and he stated. cartoon about farmlands being drowned (August 5) and the subsequent Zee5
social activism, The artist is well-known for his as a result of building the Padma Bridge, “beautification” of the walls—which had The Signature
innovative environmental initiatives, even as the ruling party was celebrating previously been adorned with organic
has journeyed such as Khale Hobe, which unexpectedly the bridge’s completion as a monumental graffiti from the student movement—
to every corner turned him into a saviour for the people achievement.” sparked controversy.
of the country of Mohammadpur. He followed that “Although that cartoon went viral Mishu admitted his mistake,
with his Felna Khelna Telna Deyal overnight, I didn’t face any challenges. acknowledging his emotional response
to aid his fellow (Wall of Used Toys) project, which spread But cartoonists and artists like Ahmed and lack of awareness at the time. “We
countrymen. throughout Dhaka. However, Mishu’s Kabir Kishore and Shahidul Alam were were so joyous after the fall of the fascist
initiatives remain relatively private, detained and punished without cause, so government that I didn’t realise the
shared only with his close circle of I can’t say what the Awami League’s issue significance of the existing graffiti. I
friends. with freedom of expression was,” Mishu painted over a few without thinking, but
“I don’t intend to form any organisation added. once I understood my error, I stopped.
but rather create a platform where people Mishu doesn’t believe in censorship. That was a mistake, and I’ve learned from
PHOTOS:
SHEIKH MEHEDI
who can’t go to the frontline can still help Instead, he relies on self-censorship and it. I’ll do my best to archive them going
MORSHED those in need. Occasionally, I crowdfund maintaining a fine balance between art forward,” he admitted.

OUT AND ABOUT IN DHAKA

WHAT’S PLAYING

BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Billie Eilish has just dropped the music video for of a Feather showcases Eilish’s signature
Birds of a Feather. Directed by Aidan Zamiri, ethereal sound, blending introspective lyrics
it adds a surreal visual element to the song, with a dreamy, minimalist production. The
with Eilish being dragged through an office song’s gentle synths and understated beats
space--a striking metaphor for the song’s create a haunting atmosphere that perfectly
exploration of being carried along by one’s complements her delicate vocals.
feelings. The track does a great job at
Dhaka Vibes Lyrically, it explores themes of balancing vulnerability with a sense of
unconditional love and acceptance. calm resignation, with an overall vibe
October 11 | 2pm With a touch of indie sensibility, Birds reminiscent of classic bedroom pop.
Hatirjheel Amphitheatre

WHAT’S ON THE GRAM

TV TALKIES
Ananya Panday
The gorgeous Ananya Pandey is reigning
over OTT with her unique choice of roles—
Everyone seems to want
Moholla’r Mor
from Kho Gaye Hum Kahan to Call
Me Bae. Now, with the AI-based thriller
CTRL, she is truly cruising through to
‘Nobody Wants This’
October 18 | 6pm-10 pm showcase her acting prowess. duo when they meet at a party.
Jatra Biroti Recently, at the prestigious Joanne is a carefree woman in her
International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) thirties co-hosting a popular podcast
Awards, Ananya lit up the night, exuding on intimacy and relationships with
celestial grace in a mesmerising apsara- her sister Morgan (Justine Lupe).
inspired golden-beige ensemble. Her outlook on religion is agnostic-
She looked nothing short of infringing upon-atheist. Brody portrays
ethereal—draped in a stunning halter- a rabbi who has just ended a long-term
neck blouse adorned with intricate relationship, surprising both families
embellishments, which boasted a Nobody Wants This, the recently who were expecting an engagement
daring upside-down cropped hem. released series on Netflix, created by announcement.
The ensemble was elevated by a Erin Foster, is raking in reactions starkly Intermingled with sweet fun and aptly
floor-length embellished cape that contrasting the title. This romantic paced comedy, the series gets brownie
flowed effortlessly, a satin skirt comedy centering on the dynamic points for making the whirlwind romance
pleated like a saree, and the dramatic between a Jewish man and a gentile believable. It does much to address
pallu draped elegantly on her arm. woman is a fresh take on modern love. realistic complications that are bound
Dhaka Art Weekend Ananya kept her accessories Featuring Kristen Bell as Joanne and to arise in scenarios encompassing
October 18-19 | 4pm-10pm minimal yet impactful— Adam Brody as Noah, the story explores interfaith marriage, no matter how
choosing statement ear cuffs, the undeniable chemistry between the progressive the individuals are.
The Attention Network delicate rings, a bracelet, and
bold block heels.
8 EDITORIAL
DHAKA SATURDAY OCTOBER 5, 2024
ASHWIN 20, 1431 BS

WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY

FOUNDER EDITOR: LATE S. M. ALI
Teachers’ empowerment can do
Durga Puja concerns
must be put to bed
wonders for our education Anu Muhammad differences in these two countries, secure their jobs. Such practices must
is former professor of economics of Jahangirnagar
Sustained, cooperative efforts vital University.
such as the socio-economic situation,
teacher-student ratio, access to free
not be allowed to continue. Currently,
teachers face attacks, both verbal
to ensure security and uniform education, availability of
required resources, etc. Teachers in
and physical, in schools, colleges,
and universities. They are subjected
As Durga Puja, the most important religious festival for Finland are highly paid and respected, to intimidation in various ways. This
Bengali-Hindus, approaches, ensuring a peaceful environment which is not the case in Bangladesh. culture must come to an end. The
for celebrations is more urgent than ever. This year’s festival The new curriculum proved to be recruitment process of teachers must
comes against a backdrop of heightened tension surrounding unsuccessful, its textbooks riddled ensure that only qualified, capable,
attacks on minorities in the wake of the ouster of Sheikh Hasina. ANU MUHAMMAD
with errors. The interim government and ethical individuals are chosen for
It is also the first to be held under the interim government and had an opportunity to fix it, but it the profession.
a reconfigured police force, making it a litmus test for how well was squandered when the committee Finally, teachers’ status must be
security can be maintained by them. That being the case, we The profession of teaching holds a disparities in the quality and standard
special importance and responsibility of education in its various streams. formed last month to revise the error- elevated in the country. In many
are worried to see some troubling signs of disturbance that—if ridden textbooks was disbanded countries, even in South Asia, teachers
allowed to recur—could dampen the celebratory mood. that no one can deny. Teachers have The major stream of education follows
a huge influence on shaping the the national curriculum, which is amid controversies based on smear are financially better off than those in
In Pabna’s Sujanagar upazila, for example, unidentified campaigns against two committee Bangladesh. If our teachers are forced
vandals destroyed nine idols in two separate attacks on direction of their students’ lives. available in both Bangla and English
And they are not just institution- versions. There are also British and members, Prof Kamrul Hasan to take second jobs because teaching
Saturday and Tuesday nights. Later, in Kishoreganj early Mamun and Dr Samina Lutfa, who doesn’t provide enough salary, and
on Thursday, seven idols were vandalised at a Puja mandap. bound. I have favourite teachers from other foreign education systems,
institutions—school, college, and delivered in schools that range are both teachers at Dhaka University work at coaching centres or provide
These attacks, happening so close to the start of Durga Puja and are committed to improving private tuition to survive, they cannot
on October 9, have left local Hindu communities with renewed university—and also those from outside from highly expensive to relatively
these institutions. When I became a affordable. Then there are cadet education. Rather than addressing perform their duties as educators
fear and anxiety. The incidents also show how fragile the
situation can be in certain parts of the country which calls teacher myself, I had an extraordinary colleges, and madrasas, the latter
for heightened vigilance from all stakeholders, including local experience. The relationship that grows also having Alia and Qawmi streams.
authorities, community leaders, and volunteers. between students and their teachers Students go to the institutions of
The measures taken by the authorities so far seem to be cannot be compared with any other. these streams depending on their
on the right track. The home ministry has issued a set of Unfortunately, not all teachers uphold guardians’ financial capabilities.
guidelines instructing law enforcement agencies to increase the spirit of this noble profession; there How can a nation stand united when
patrols and monitoring. Additionally, Puja organising are many who consider teaching like discrimination begins at such a young
committees have been asked to employ a rotating system of any other job. age, affecting children through their
volunteers to guard the mandaps, and install CCTV cameras On the other end of this spectrum, respective academic experiences?
for round-the-clock surveillance. For such security measures we sadly see teachers demonstrating It should have been a priority of
to be effective, however, there is no alternative to collaborative on the streets for days, weeks and the government to ensure that all
efforts, involving a whole-of-society approach much like what sometimes months, demanding just children in the country receive equal
we witnessed after August 5 when students and community basic rights: living wages, clearance education, free from discrimination.
members came forward to guard temples and minority of overdue payments, and proper Unfortunately, we have failed in this
establishments. This cooperative spirit must continue. recognition of their work. During regard. And teachers are forced to
Moreover, central to the success of security measures and the tenure of the past government, adjust to this discriminatory system.
collaborations is addressing the gap between official directives we even saw police being mobilised Our education allocation in the
and their implementation on the ground. While the authorities against teachers when the latter annual budget is not only low among
may outline robust security plans, lapses in execution can, and staged protests in Dhaka. It is also South Asian countries, but also on a
often did, undermine their efforts. The sincerity of officers disheartening to see many retired global scale. UNESCO recommends
in carrying out these plans is crucial. Another concern is school and college teachers at the allocating six percent of GDP for
the spread of misinformation and inflammatory content on mercy of bureaucrats for months, education, but in Bangladesh, it is less
social media which have led to communal attacks in the past. sometimes years, for the disbursement than two percent. If we want to meet It is unfortunate that, in Bangladesh, teachers have to take to the streets
It is, therefore, essential that the authorities closely monitor of their retirement funds. While in global standards, we need to at least repeatedly to demand basic rights such as living wages, clearance of overdue
these platforms and bring to justice anyone trying to inflame service, most teachers are underpaid, triple our education budget. Moreover, payments, and proper recognition of their work. FILE PHOTO: PRABIR DAS

tensions. underappreciated, and sometimes a large portion of the meagre

Ideally, Bangladesh’s long-held tradition of communal disrespected. And after retirement, allocation is either misused or wasted.
too, their funds take too long to be Government schools, colleges and the misinformation campaign, the effectively.
harmony should not require an overwhelming security government dissolved the committee, We must prioritise education and
apparatus to uphold, but given recent experience, this has disbursed or are withheld, and they are universities are left with numerous
treated poorly. This situation does not vacancies due to budget constraints. crushing hopes for a positive change. show respect to our teachers. I urge
become paramount. That said, our ultimate goal should be
encourage capable people to pursue a Our schools lack basic infrastructure The state must take responsibility the interim government to remain
to foster an environment where the festivals of all minority
career in teaching, which in the long like laboratories and libraries. Many for education in such a way that firm and not give in to anti-education
communities can be held without fear, where diversity of
run can affect any nation’s productive primary schools that should have at facilitates knowledge transfer from forces. Our education system must be
any kind is respected and protected. We must work towards
advancement. least 8-10 teachers often have to run teachers to the students. How can reformed in a way that makes learning
building a more inclusive and tolerant society.
The education sector in general with only two to three. Teachers feel teachers do their job properly if they enjoyable for everyone, without
remains an area of concern, with helpless in the face of all such systemic are provided with textbooks riddled discrimination, and ensures that
teachers and students both facing problems. with errors and poor printing quality? teachers are treated with the respect
Ensure sufficient many challenges. Critical issues
such as budget allocation, teachers’
A recent incident comes to mind.
The previous government launched
How can they make education
interesting to students if the resources
they deserve.
Education must be made enjoyable,
needed are not provided to them? accessible, and equitable for students,
supply of fertilisers training, access to quality education,
and making education enjoyable
remain unresolved. There are
a new curriculum, claiming it was
modelled after Finland’s education
system, yet it failed to address the key
Over the years, teachers have had
to rely on political connections to
and for that teachers must have a
quality life with dignity.
Address the gas crisis, import
challenges
It is quite concerning to learn that the country may soon
face a severe fertiliser shortage unless the government takes
immediate action to address the production and import
Equip teachers to bring positive
shortfalls. According to a report by Samakal, three major
fertiliser factories have been closed for an extended period due
to the ongoing gas crisis. At the same time, the government
has been unable to meet its fertiliser import targets due to the
changes in education
dollar shortage and resultant accumulation of outstanding
bills. Complicating matters further are administrative issues
Azwa Nayeem autonomy and creativity. Standardised and practical incentives like housing
is chairperson of Alokito Hridoy class routines mandated by central
stemming from the instability following the July uprising Foundation and Alokito Teachers.
and transport allowances. In many
and regime change, which prevented timely decisions. If the authorities give teachers little flexibility lower- and middle-income countries,
government fails to address these challenges promptly, it to tailor lessons according to students’ including Bangladesh, pre-service and
could disrupt food production in the coming months. needs or explore innovative methods. in-service teacher education remain
Reportedly, due to gas supply issues, factories under the This centralised approach, particularly theoretical, weakening their impact.
Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) fell problematic in rural areas, leaves 47.3 Quality induction programmes aligned
short of the fertiliser production target for the fiscal year percent of rural teachers feeling that with teaching standards and evaluation
2023-24. While the target was set at one million tonnes, only class time is inadequate. This lack of strategies are essential for setting a
AZWA NAYEEM
646,000 tonnes were produced, leaving a deficit of more than professional discretion significantly strong foundation for new teachers.
350,000 tonnes. The current fertiliser stocks stand at just impacts teachers’ well-being. Energised Teachers also play a crucial role in
435,000 tonnes, while the demand through March next year Teachers are at the heart of educational Lack of career progression and supported teachers will likely addressing challenges like literacy,
is 1.8 million tonnes. The alarming gap between demand and reform and are pivotal in shaping exacerbates the problem. Unlike other remain committed and foster a thriving numeracy deficits, school dropouts,
supply (through domestic production and imports) highlights students’ academic success. Their professions where promotions are educational environment. Conversely, and climate action. Given Bangladesh’s
the severity of the problem, requiring swift government influence was vividly demonstrated expected, teachers often remain in compromised well-being due to rigid vulnerability to climate change,
intervention. during the student’s movement against the same role for years, with no clear management and lack of autonomy integrating climate education into the
The question is: how will the government meet this Discrimination, where their advocacy path to advancement. This stagnation undermines their effectiveness and curriculum is vital. Teachers must lead
enormous demand with only two of its fertiliser factories for students’ rights became a turning not only affects their motivation but impacts students’ long-term success. this effort by incorporating practical
operating at present and import efforts being halted? point for a just, fair, and equitable also diminishes their social standing. Schools that promote teachers’ agency, lessons on environmental stewardship,
Apparently, the BCIC’s attempts to increase fertiliser imports nation. Research consistently shows Israt Jahan, a teacher with a decade of provide strong social support, and renewable energy and sustainable
through government-to-government (G2G) agreements have how teachers with the right skills, experience, reflects on her frustration, reduce unnecessary administrative agriculture, supported by school-
been hampered by the dollar crisis. Furthermore, Bangladesh knowledge and attitude can ensure “My family often tells me that I could burdens see higher teacher satisfaction
based green projects and community
owes international suppliers $80 million in unpaid bills, engaging and meaningful learning have done so much more.” Such and retention.
partnerships. With teachers’ leadership,
leading many exporters from China, Canada, Saudi Arabia, experiences. However, Bangladesh faces sentiments lead to lower job satisfaction The need for comprehensive, ongoing
we can prepare the next generation to
and Morocco to halt shipments. a severe shortage of quality teachers, among teachers and, ultimately, poorer professional development is clear. Over
take decisive action on climate issues.
Given these circumstances, the government must take steps particularly in rural and remote areas. student outcomes. 40 percent of teachers advocate for
Additionally, retaining girls in
to resolve the crisis urgently. Immediate measures should This crisis is compounded by Erosion of respect and prestige for it as essential to their effectiveness,
according to a 2023 Education Watch education is critical for teachers to
include settling the outstanding payments to resume imports systemic corruption in teacher the teaching profession has reached
report. In contrast to countries like make an unparalleled impact. Female
and avert a supply chain collapse. Additionally, to reduce recruitment, where nepotism often alarming levels as well. While respect
Bhutan, the Philippines, and Thailand, teachers in particular serve as invaluable
reliance on foreign imports in the long term, the government overshadows merit. There is also the should be based on competence
where nearly 100 percent of primary role models. However, according to
should bolster local fertiliser production by resolving the gas problem of teacher absenteeism and and credibility rather than blind
crisis and reopening closed factories. This will ensure a more school teachers are trained, Bangladesh Bangladesh Education Statistics (2022),
high attrition rates, contributing to obedience, the reverence teachers once
stable and self-sufficient supply chain. We must understand lags behind with only 74 percent. This only 30.66 percent of secondary
a decline in educational quality. A commanded is fading. Today, teachers
that the fertiliser shortage is directly linked to our food security. comprehensive review by SM Tazuddin face diminishing support from parents gap is even more pronounced in rural school teachers are female. The gender
Ensuring a steady supply of fertiliser is vital for maintaining (2020) exposes the grim reality of and school administrations and are areas. Teachers’ training programmes imbalance is stark. Targeted training
agricultural productivity, supporting farmers, and preventing quality teacher shortage in schools and often left to manage disciplinary issues in Bangladesh often lack practical to address gender biases and societal
any food crisis. So, the authorities cannot afford to delay action colleges. Low salaries, lack of career independently. As urban teacher Farjan application, focusing heavily on expectations is essential for creating
any longer. progression, and inadequate support Umm remarks, “Sometimes, parents theory. To bridge this gap, training an inclusive learning environment
drive teachers away. Many struggle to come and tell me how I should conduct rooted in classroom observations and that meets the unique needs of female
maintain a decent standard of living, as myself in the classroom and how their establishing professional learning students.
illustrated by a private schoolteacher, children should be treated, which communities for teachers are required Recognising the importance of
THIS DAY IN HISTORY Shawgatul Islam, who says, “It gets
very challenging to maintain family,
undermines my authority and makes
me feel powerless in managing my own
to help them engage in meaningful
dialogue and collaborative problem-
teachers in shaping the future, it is
imperative that we invest in their
social status and everything else with a classroom.” solving. professional development, support
Battle of the Thames takes place teacher’s limited salary.” This economic A report by the Campaign for Addressing teacher shortages, their autonomy, and restore the respect
On this day in 1813, a British army with some 1,000 Native strain often pushes teachers towards Popular Education (CAMPE, 2023) especially in underserved areas, and prestige they once commanded.
American allies under the famed leader Tecumseh was coaching centres and tutoring services, highlights another critical issue: the requires more than training. It Without these changes, Bangladesh’s
defeated by US troops in the Battle of the Thames in what is diverting their focus from classroom rigid, top-down management structure demands merit-based recruitment, dream of a quality education system
now Ontario, Canada. teaching. in schools that stifles teachers’ regular performance evaluations, will remain a dream.

The Daily Star EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Mahfuz Anam Registered & Head Offices: The Daily Star Centre Newsroom: Fax- 58156306 Advertisement: 01711623910 Subscription: thedailystar.net
Reg. No. DA 781 Printed by him on behalf of Mediaworld Ltd at Transcraft Ltd, 229, 64-65 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, Dhaka-1215 [email protected] [email protected] 01711623906 bangla.thedailystar.net/
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OPINION 9
DHAKA SATURDAY OCTOBER 5, 2024
ASHWIN 20, 1431 BS

RAPE OF AN INDIGENOUS SCHOOLGIRL

Why did the Khagrachhari school reinstate

a known sexual predator?
NO STRINGS In the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region,
ATTACHED sexual violence against women and girls is
often weaponised to further marginalise
Indigenous communities and grab their
Aasha Mehreen Amin lands. In January 2018, during a joint raid in a
is joint editor at The Daily Star. village in Rangamati, security forces allegedly
attacked two Marma teenage sisters, raping
one of them and sexually assaulting the
other. The two sisters were admitted to the
AASHA MEHREEN AMIN
hospital and kept under strict surveillance.
On February 15, 2018, members of security
The rape of an Indigenous schoolgirl in him? What kind of influence did he have to forces took the sisters out of the hospital
Khagrachhari allegedly by a teacher, who was secure transfers and reappointments after in the name of handing them over to their
beaten to death by members of Indigenous being known for his predatory behaviour? parents. When Rani Yan Yan, adviser to the
communities, sparked another wave of The obvious conclusion one can come up Chakma Raja who had been looking after the
violence and confrontation between Paharis with is that the school authorities simply sisters along with her volunteers, tried to stop
and Bangalees. The clashes are a sequel to the did not care about the safety of its female them, she was physically attacked.
incidents that happened two weeks ago when students, many of whom are from Indigenous Thus, the fact that a teacher with a track
a Bangalee in Khagrachhari was killed by a communities. They did not care even when record of abuse enjoyed the impunity of
mob on suspicion of stealing a motorcycle. The students protested Sohail Rana’s return after returning to his profession and repeating
individuals who killed him were all Bangalees. he got out of jail. The most logical action by the same crime is part of the general
But a rumour started spreading that the any school authorities would have been an allowances accorded to criminals when the
murder was carried out by Paharis resulting outright dismissal. victims are Indigenous, and the perpetrators
in a spree of arson attacks and vandalism of There have been numerous incidents of are non-Indigenous or connected to the
Indigenous people’s homes and shops, and female students being sexually assaulted, state machinery. That the rape of a school
the killing of at least four Indigenous people harassed, and even raped by teachers all over student led to the death of the accused
in Rangamati and Khagrachhari. the country. Only in the case of some much- teacher at the hands of Indigenous people
But let us come back to the sexual assault publicised cases has justice been served. But reveals the level of hostility between the
of a female school student allegedly by a this particular incident has a racial dimension two sides. It goes without saying, however,
teacher who had a track record of abusing to it and exposes the added vulnerability of that power is tilted heavily on the non-
students. According to news reports, Abul young women and girls when they belong to Indigenous, majoritarian side.
Hasnat Muhammad Sohail Rana, the teacher, Indigenous communities. These incidents are a consequence of the
had been arrested in a case of attempted Sexual violence that includes abduction non-implementation of the CHT Accord of
rape of a 10th-grader in February 2021. and rape of Indigenous women and girls by 1997, which promised to protect and ensure
After his release, he returned to work at the non-Indigenous perpetrators is a well-known, the rights of the Indigenous people of the
same school despite protests from other under-reported “secret.” A report published region, including the right to their own land
students. Earlier in 2018, a Kushtia school’s by Kapaeeng Foundation in 2018 estimates and the right to live as equal citizens of the
investigation found that Rana had sexually 56 Indigenous women being sexually or country. Until the accord is fully adopted,
harassed several students, according to local physically assaulted in the previous year by the interim government’s task is to protect
media reports. 75 alleged perpetrators, most of them non- the Indigenous communities, especially
Why did the authorities of the Indigenous. Fear of repercussion, lack of their female members, with full cooperation
Khagrachhari school reinstate someone access to legal justice, and a discriminatory of the security forces and administration.
who not only had a sexual assault allegation attitude of the administration make sure that Those responsible for the violence and
on record in the same school, but had been the silence is not broken. As a result, most attacks on the Indigenous communities
transferred from the Kushtia school where incidents do not get reported in the media must be caught and meted out justice,
similar allegations had been raised against and very little data exists on this issue. VISUAL: TUFAN CHAKMA regardless of who they are.

EDUCATION, IDENTITY AND IDEOLOGY CROSSWORD BY THOMAS JOSEPH

Bangladesh’s struggle for unity ACROSS

1 Back biter
6 Gem unit
11 Find darling
12 Unescorted
DOWN
1 Travel aid
2 Poem of praise
3 Prevented intruders, in a
way
13 Quick kisses 4 Alan of “Argo”
a secular identity, but they were never in “ideological trap” was created in 1972 14 Summit goals 5 Breather
BLOWIN’ IN THE a secular structure. How does a poor boy that did not answer the questions of 6 Upper limit
15 Young foxes
WIND grow up in society? The state does not 1971 and oversimplified secularism to 17 Revue segment 7 Nome native
feed him; the orphanage does.” overshadow the question of the Bangalee 18 Chef’s need 8 Caused trouble
Dr Shamsad Mortuza 20 Long-snouted fish 9 Against
According to Mahfuj, the ruling class Muslim identity. This allowed many 10 Midterm, for one
is professor of English at Dhaka University. 22 Make fun of
ignored the vast majority in the villages. disenfranchised groups to politicise 16 Relaxing retreat
“There has not been any dialogue with Islam. The riots in 1950 disrupted the 23 Holiday events
18 Gumbo base
this large group.” No one ever discussed unity among the subalterns, who included 26 Stylishly quaint
19 Competed
the cherry-picking of Hason Raja or lower-caste Hindus and Muslims in 1947. 28 Prelude 21 Eye part
SHAMSAD MORTUZA 29 Sticks
Lalon without properly understanding When a nationalist notion subsumed 23 Cruise stop
31 Owns 24 Important times
how these societal figures came to such the religious category in 1971, it further 32 Puts away
Years of neglect and underinvestment in have historically used both religion and a humanitarian understanding. People troubled the coexistence of Hindus and 25 Mediocre
33 Mexican coin 27 Grounds
education have conditioned the societal Bangalee nationalism to serve various portrayed them as stately figures without Muslims. Mahfuj sees the 2024 mass 34 Bounders 30 Slalom maneuver
meltdown that we are experiencing political purposes, creating a complex understanding their societal evolution. uprising as a redress for many of these 36 Thick slice 33 Michael of Monty Python
today. Unplanned growth of alternative interplay between identity and power. “The villagers perceive Dhaka as the unresolved issues, both cultural and 38 Distant 34 Moolah
educational systems, such as madrasa, The push for a homeland for Bangalee state. They know that no one will give ideological. To ensure equity and dignity 40 African lilies 35 Choir voice
happened in an effort to fill the void Muslims during the Partition proved to them anything. They made their own for all, including the religious and ethnic 43 Cherry center 37 Past due
left by public institutions. This, among be short-lived, as it became clear that arrangements. They have created their minorities, the ongoing reformation 44 Pageant crown 39 Clinic cost
other things, contributed to societal our cultural identity was fundamentally own political culture. If someone goes must address these surface and deep 45 Neigh sayer 41 Go wrong
fragmentation even as it fostered the different from those in Pakistan. Following there wearing modern clothes, they structures. 46 Ledger item 42 Utter
promotion of divergent ideological the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, become a victim of suspicion and hatred. Mahfuj reflects on the systemic
perspectives. In a way, the three-pronged the focus shifted towards language and Because the villager’s boundaries are set, oppression or regression that has created
education—Bangla, English, and
madrasa—does our youth a disservice,
as evidenced by the social, cultural,
economic and political battles we are
seeing.
The fight against the former regime
began over a discriminatory percentage
of job allocation. Students from all three
groups came together, shouldered with
the common mass, sacrificed their lives,
and stood in solidarity seeking a systemic
reform. Now that the regime change has
happened, harsh realities are hitting the
surface. Imagine: nearly 19 lakh graduates
who completed their education in the last
three years are unable to find jobs. While
the situation exposes the gap between
our education system and industry, it
also calls for a review of the system that
failed to prepare our graduates for a
competitive job market. A recent attempt
to reform the curriculum encountered TUESDAY’S ANSWERS
difficulties when the commission
formed to oversee the changes came
under scrutiny for their ideological
beliefs. The government disbanded the
commission as some members were VISUAL: SHAIKH SULTANA JAHAN BADHON
accused of supporting secularism and
endorsing personal freedoms by some ethnicity, with secularism, nationalism, you can’t do what you want in Dhaka.” a societal rift. The superimposition of
hardline religious elements. It signals socialism and democracy becoming the Mahfuj’s reputation as “the a narrative that privileges one group’s
an emerging ideological clash, which guiding principles of the new nation. mastermind” behind the student-led ideology over the other has created deep-
may hamper the reform process. For the Yet, for many who fought in the war mass uprising that precipitated the fall seated anxiety and internal bleeding. The
incumbent government, problems run from an existential perspective, these of the previous regime signals the policy urgent need is to establish a space for
like a motorcycle in a circus iron cage. As principles left unresolved questions about direction of the interim government. The dialogue. I admire Mahfuj for focusing
members in the crowd, we see movement the role of religion for a Bangalee Muslim. masses chose Dr Muhammad Yunus to on the rights of a citizen in a democratic
and hear noises, but nothing seems to Mahfuj points out that this ideological not only pull the country out of the crisis, country rather than pursuing theocracy,
change. split allowed various groups to politicise but also repair the country’s damaged which will subsume the nation’s role
But the incident highlighted the gap religion in ways that continue to divide image before a global audience. Dr Yunus under a larger caliphate or brotherhood.
between our secular education system the nation today. The inability to engage told the Voice of America that the young The idea of plurality and inclusivity needs
and the growing influence of religious the masses in a unified educational revolutionaries had pressed the reset to be elaborated in our national curricula.
elements. Mahfuj Alam, the young special framework has fuelled resentment and button to make a fresh start. Mahfuj’s The clarity of Mahfuj’s understanding
assistant to the chief adviser, recently created fertile ground for alternative interview is therefore crucial as it helps may hit a blind wall for those who see it
spoke to Prothom Alo, where he claimed institutions to thrive. us trace the ideological contour of this in plain religious terms. We need much
that the visible Islamic resurgence in Referring to a question on the rise of government. more investment in education to ensure
Bangladesh’s culture and politics is not Islamists, Mahfuj characterised it as a Mahfuj describes the 2024 uprising that stakeholders are not necessarily
an isolated event—it is part of a deeper, return of the repressed. “Resentment can as an opportunity to return to the driven by passion but by logic and an
Write for us. Send us your opinion pieces to
unresolved ideological struggle that make people become reactionary,” he original desires of the deprived and understanding of the diverse beliefs that
[email protected]
dates back to the 1947 Partition. Leaders said. “A large part of our ruling class had persecuted masses of 1971. For him, an make up our society.
 DHAKA SATURDAY OCTOBER 5, 2024, ASHWIN 20, 1431 BS We will definitely keep in mind
the 2026 [T20] World Cup
when we begin this T20I series
[against India]. There are 4-5
players outside of the 15 selected
for this series. So, going forward,
these are the players with whom
we will try to prepare well.
Bangladesh captain
Najmul Hossain Shanto

Tigresses vow not to ‘back down’ England ‘looking

forward’ to
against England
SPORTS REPORTER
Pakistan challenge
AFP, Multan
won’t be fazed when they face the
number two ranked side in T20Is. Opener Zak Crawley said on Friday that England
Taking confidence from their win over “They are a good side, one of the best will be looking forward to the challenge in their
Scotland in the opener, Bangladesh but we will not back down,” Ritu said in a upcoming Test series in Pakistan, mentioning that
will take on England, the champions of video message after an optional training their young pace attack will face a “test of character”
the inaugural ICC Women’s T20 World session in Sharjah yesterday. “I always in a country where pitches baked by searing
Cup in 2009, in their second Group try to bowl economically regardless of temperatures and surging smog levels await.
B encounter at the Sharjah Cricket the quality of the opponent. I try to bowl The team touched down this week in the central
Stadium today. dots in training and will try the same in city of Multan, which will host the first two of a
Nigar Sultana Joty’s side started their the match.” three-match Test series starting on Monday.
campaign on a high, beating Scotland by While the bowling has largely been With training underway, temperatures are 37
16 runs on Thursday at the same ground, stable, batting has been a perennial degrees Celsius (99 degrees Fahrenheit) and air
courtesy of a well-rounded bowling concern for the Tigresses. In their first pollution is up to 27 times the level deemed safe
effort -- the main area of strength for the match, Bangladesh failed to capitalise on by the World Health Organization, according to
Tigresses. a solid top-order start as the middle-order monitoring firm IQAir.
The victory brought an end to a misfired and lost impetus to propel their “It will be challenging, but we have got all the
16-match winless streak in Women’s T20 side to a bigger total. things in place to counter that,” said Crawley,
World Cups for Bangladesh that started Top-order batter Sobhana Mostary, returning to the squad after missing a home series
in 2014. who scored a team-high 38-ball 36 against Sri Lanka with a fractured finger.
With the confidence of a win in the against Scotland, acknowledged the “We are looking forward to that challenge,” the
tournament opener, Bangladesh should untimely manner of her dismissal as it 26-year-old told reporters in Multan. “We have been
be better settled but the proposition of made it difficult for new batters to up the talking about it for the last couple of weeks.”
facing a top side such as England can be ante later in the innings. He predicted England’s quintet of pace bowlers
daunting. “I would’ve been happier if I contributed Bangladesh all-rounder Jahanara Alam, who was not picked during their win over -- on their maiden tours of Pakistan -- would
The two sides have met thrice in the more for the team. I got out at a very bad particularly face a “test of character and test of skill”.
Scotland in the previous game, was one of the six players to turn up to the optional
major event and England have stormed time and couldn’t get to my half-century. With experienced pace duo James Anderson and
past the Tigresses in all three meetings --
practice session yesterday ahead of the Tigresses’ crucial T20 World Cup game Stuart Broad now retired, the baton of pace bowling
If I was there for longer, perhaps the total
at home in 2014 before suffering defeats could’ve been 125 instead of 120 [119 for against England in Sharjah today. PHOTO: BCB
is with Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, Gus Atkinson,
in 2016 and 2018. seven],” Sobhana said yesterday. Olly Stone, and Chris Woakes.
Despite the significant mismatch, “We haven’t played much against “The wicket in Sharjah is slow but previous match due to the slowness. The “These young guys have got a lot of skill,” said
Bangladesh seamer Ritu Moni -- player England but we played very well against the ball comes onto the bat well. The dimensions on a couple of sides are as big Crawley. “Being young brings in energy and fire in
of the match against Scotland for her them in the ODI World Cup. The bowling outfield, however, is very slow. We missed as 72 metres. So, we’re adjusting to that. It the belly as well, and I am sure they will be raring to
figures of two for 15 -- said the Tigresses unit did very well then. out on five or six boundaries in the was very hot in the day game.” go and do well.”
Pakistan’s international cricket performance is
in dire straits, and the red-ball team has lost all five

New T20 approach but

matches during the tenure of skipper Shan Masood
which began last year.
Last month they suffered a humiliating first-ever
2-0 home series defeat to low-ranked Bangladesh.

WHERE DOES RIYAD FIT IN IT?

ABDULLAH AL MEHDI from Gwalior If Bangladesh are looking to adopt a
SHORT CORNER
new approach in T20Is, it would be the Protests prohibited to ensure peaceful
Towhid Hridoy flicked a ball that went likes of Tanzid Tamim, Rishad Hossain Bangladesh-India T20I clash in Gwalior
the distance while batting against a net and Hridoy who can possibly set the On Friday, two days ahead of the opening fixture
bowler yesterday in Gwalior’s Shrimant tone. Mahmudullah’s legacy is not in of the three-match T20I series between India
Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium. question but there are reservations over and Bangladesh in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh,
While the youngster almost casually whether he can make an impact in a new the district magistrate of Gwalior has clamped
cleared the boundary, the veteran approach. prohibitory orders, banning protests and the
Mahmudullah Riyad had to take his time The inevitable question then followed, circulation of inflammatory material, especially
to get his bat speed going once he came whether this was Mahmudullah’s last on social media, to maintain peace and ensure
to bat in the nets. T20I series.
The first delivery went through him
an incident-free match. The Madhavrao Scindia
“We haven’t gone into any discussions Cricket Stadium in Gwalior will host the match,
in a flash. He then left a few alone from about it. Going forward, let’s see if it
Mustafizur Rahman and some of his slogs marking the return of international cricket in
[discussion] happens. I don’t want to get
did not connect at first. It was almost into this discussion before the start of a
the city after a gap of 14 years. Around 1,600
reminiscent of how he batted in the last series,” Shanto said. policemen are being deployed for security and
game of this year’s T20 World Cup against Shakib Al Hasan, who announced his traffic management.
Afghanistan, where his approach was the retirement from the format last month,
opposite of what was required. is one player that would be hard to
Before the practice session, skipper replace but Shanto said he was banking
Najmul Hossain Shanto was asked about on Mehedi Hasan Miraz to lead the way
what the approach would be of the in the format.
All-rounders of Miraz’s quality are
slightly new-look T20I side, especially in because they fall short of the current vital. Mahmudullah too has been useful
light of building the foundation for the standards of T20 batting. The wickets with the ball at times. But if batting
If Bangladesh are
2026 T20 World Cup. back home are particularly to blame approach is the question, Mahmudullah’s
looking to adopt a new “From this series, you will see our but batters’ approach has not been specialty lies in pulling off rescue acts
approach in T20Is, it players trying to play with a new exemplary either. and get the team to a respectable score. ‘King’ Rashid ties the knot
would be the likes of approach. Everyone will play to win,” Thus, the return question Shanto had But scoring big off handful of deliveries Afghanistan cricket sensation Rashid Khan
Tanzid Tamim, Rishad Shanto said at the press conference on to field was where he saw Mahmudullah lower down the order has hardly ever celebrated his wedding at a grand ceremony in
Hossain and Hridoy who Friday. in this new approach of the Tigers. been his strong suit. Kabul yesterday, with the added delight of three
can possibly set the tone. “I think the players that are here [for Shanto’s reply signaled that the A lot of runs were on offer in Gwalior of his brothers tying the knot on the same night.
Mahmudullah’s legacy the series], and four or five others, will be veteran was perhaps pondering the in a domestic T20 tournament and big The 26-year-old leg-spinner, who has long been
is not in question but the ones playing the 2026 World Cup. So, eventuality of his T20I career. scores are likely to be in the offing in the the face of Afghan cricket, was joined by several
there are reservations I think from this series, our preparations “This is a very important series for him first T20I. of his teammates, including Mohammad Nabi,
over whether he can will properly begin,” he added. [Mahmudullah] and maybe he will be in If Bangladesh’s T20I approach Azmatullah Omarzai, and Mujeeb Ur Rehman, to
make an impact in a new The Tigers have been talking about talks with the selectors, I am not too clear changes, it would be apparent from the mark the special occasion.
adopting a more aggressive approach on that. But I feel that obviously there first T20I and show the way for the future
approach. Read full stories on The Daily Star’s website.
in T20Is even before the last T20 World will be a discussion with the selectors but where is Mahmudullah’s place in it
Cup. They often struggle in the format and the board.” would continue to be a question.

‘Not worried about losing my place’

Bangladesh’s all-format pacer match right on the back of a long- instruct us on how many overs we can well, I want him to play. I actually feel
Shoriful Islam witnessed a few ups haul flight. How did you adjust to it? bowl per week. really good when I see my colleagues
and downs this year due to injuries. perform well as we all play for the
Shoriful Islam (SI): Initially, I used to DS: How difficult was it for you to not
The 23-year-old pacer hurt his finger country. I take it positively. I think
feel tired some times. But now during play any games in the T20 World Cup?
during a warm-up match before the everyone in the team feels that even
a long flight, I try to get as much SI: When that injury happened, I felt
ICC T20 World Cup. Although he if they are not playing in the match,
sleep as possible. Many people have I wouldn’t be able to play in the World
had recovered and was available for they are still part of the team. I think
the habit of sleeping during flight Cup. I suffered a cut in the middle
selection from the second match, he it’s helping the team.
and I am also trying to acquire it. Of of my bowling finger. I recovered
ended up warming the benches for quickly within seven to eight days. DS: You have worked under three
course, jet lag is an issue and it affects
the whole tournament. After average After the Sri Lanka match, I was foreign pace bowling coaches – Ottis
you for one or two days after landing.
stints in LPL and GT20 Canada available for selection. But our team Gibson, Allan Donald and Andre
But after that, everything becomes
following the World Cup, Shoriful was was doing really well and Tanzim Adams—in the Bangladesh team. Can
normal.
brilliant in the opening Test against Sakib was bowling brilliantly. I was you compare their techniques?
Pakistan but missed the second one DS: How do you see the pacers’ role in at risk of getting injured again if I SI: I think the coaching theory is the
due to a groin injury. The left-arm the upcoming India series? played in place of Sakib. Him playing same. But motivation wise, they are
pacer wasn’t picked for the India Tests SI: I think our team is equally strong more matches and doing well was different. I’m very happy to have them
to heal up completely for the three- in all departments. We are doing well also good for me as I got time to all as coaches. Hopefully their work
match T20I series against the same in pace-oriented pitches. I’m not completely recover from the injury. I is reflecting in our performances as
team. Before leaving for India with worried about the wickets. No matter am not at all disappointed about not well.
the rest of the T20 squad, Shoriful what wicket they will provide, we will playing in the World Cup. It was not
try to plan accordingly. DS: How about your childhood coach
spoke with The Daily Star’s Samsul in my fate.
Alamgir Kabir?
Arefin Khan about his topsy-turvy DS: What are your views on workload DS: How do you see the competition SI: Whether I’m bowling well or not,
year. Here are the excerpts: management for pacers? in the pace unit across all formats? I always talk to Alamgir sir. He has
The Daily Star (DS): Just this SI: We actually talk about this in SI: I think it’s a healthy competition. brought me to this position from
year, you have travelled to the USA, the online group created for the When a pacer gets injured, his back- nowhere, I am completely indebted to
Caribbean, Sri Lanka, Canada and pacer’s workload management. [BCB up also does well. It’s a good sign for him. It still feels like a dream when I
Pakistan for cricketing assignments. physiotherapist] Bayjedul [Islam] bhai Bangladesh cricket. I’m not worried think about where I started from and
In some cases, you had to play a is in that group and he and others about losing my place. Whoever does where I’m now.
 DHAKA SATURDAY OCTOBER 5, 2024, ASHWIN 20, 1431 BS
NAGORIK TV AND Live from 8:00 pm Man City vs Fulham
STAR SPORTS 1 STAR SPORTS SELECT Live from 8:00 pm
Women’s T20 HD1 STAR SPORTS SELECT
World Cup Premier League HD2
Australia vs Sri Lanka Crystal Palace vs Arsenal vs
Live from 4:00 pm Liverpool Southampton
Bangladesh vs England Live from 5:30 pm Live from 8:00 pm

Sinner not
‘comfortable’ with
doping cloud
AFP, Shanghai

World number one Jannik Sinner said Friday he

was not in a “comfortable” situation as his doping
case dragged on, but insisted he felt ready for his
first match at the Shanghai Masters.
Last week the World Anti-Doping Agency
(WADA) said it would appeal a decision by tennis
authorities to clear the Italian of wrongdoing after
he twice tested positive for a steroid in March.
The 23-year-old fought through the controversy
to reach the finals of the China Open in Beijing
on Wednesday, where he lost to arch-rival Carlos
Alcaraz.
“It’s not in a situation where I feel comfortable
in it, that’s for sure, because I thought it was
over... so it’s not easy,” said Sinner when asked at a
press conference if the pressure of the appeal was
affecting him.
In August, the International Tennis Integrity
Agency (ITIA) accepted Sinner’s explanation that
the drug entered his system unintentionally when
his physiotherapist used a spray containing it
to treat a cut, then provided massage and sports
therapy to the player.
But WADA said last Saturday it had appealed
Harry Maguire celebrates after scoring a stoppage-time equaliser as 10-man Manchester United came out with a point against FC Porto following a 3-3 draw in their Europa and was seeking a ban of up to two years.
League fixture at the Dragao stadium in Porto on Thursday. Meanwhile, Italian outfit AS Roma were stunned to a 1-0 defeat away from home by Swedish side IF Elfsborg at “I had three hearings, which went my way,
the Boras Arena. PHOTO: AFP/REUTERS which was good, but now let’s see. But I’m very
confident that it comes out very positively,” Sinner
said Friday.

Morata returns Real Madrid aiming for

He now has to turn his attention to the
Shanghai Masters, where he could end up facing
Alcaraz again.

to Spain squad “We are quite similar as human beings off the
court,” said Sinner.

AFP, Madrid

Alvaro Morata has been included in Spain’s squad for

Villarreal rebound
AFP, Madrid
“Obviously on the court we try to meet, we try
to put on a big fight... he pushes me to do better,
which is something good.”
Sinner will face Japan’s 93rd-ranked Taro
their upcoming Nations League matches, coach Luis de la Daniel in his first match of the tournament this
Fuente announced Friday. Reigning Spanish and European weekend.
The Spanish captain and AC Milan forward returns champions Real Madrid have “I had my first practice session just now, I just
to the squad after overcoming a muscular problem that started the season below their finished, so I feel good. I feel recovered,” Sinner
forced him to miss his country’s opening two encounters brilliant best and this week finally said.
in Group A4 of the Nations League -- a draw and a win. tumbled to a first defeat since
“For me he is one of the best strikers in the world. He January.
is also a great captain, he unites a lot, he is very generous,
he puts the good of the group first, he is the glue (of the
Carlo Ancelotti’s side were
beaten at Lille in the Champions
League on Wednesday and trail
Portugal, England
team),” said De la Fuente.
“All the players respect him, the whole coaching staff
loves him, he contributes a lot both on and off the field.”
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona by three
points in La Liga.
name same player
Madrid host Villarreal on
Missing from the squad is midfield lynchpin Rodri,
who will be out for the rest of the season after suffering an
anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Saturday aiming to pull level on
points with their Catalan rivals at
in squad
“Rodri is irreplaceable, the best in the world in his the top of the table for the first time REUTERS
position,” said De la Fuente. this season.
“Given the misfortune of his injury, there will be other Los Blancos began the campaign Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Mateus Mane
players who can show their full potential, so I am very with a draw at Mallorca on the first has become hot property after Portugal named
calm.” day of the season and have been the 17-year-old in their Under-18 squad on Friday,
Into his place comes Real Sociedad midfielder Martin playing catch-up since then. one day after England included him in their squad.
Zubimendi. Barca won their first seven up call,” said Ancelotti. between the sticks with Thibaut Mane was called up for a second successive
Midfielder Mikel Merino, injured shortly after joining matches in a row but finally “We did everything wrong -- with Courtois out injured. England youth camp by coach Liam Bramley
Arsenal in the summer, has also made his return and stumbled last weekend at Osasuna. the ball, transitions, the intensity, “We have to analyse and improve before the team travel to Marbella for a four-team
features in the 25. Madrid could not take full we lost the duels... we have to look in the next game because there is tournament this month.
Spain will take on Denmark in Murcia on October 12, advantage as they were held to a at things with a cool head and not no time -- there are many games Mane is eligible for both teams having played
before hosting Serbia in Cordoba three days later. 1-1 draw by neighbours Atletico throw everything away, but we have and we have to win,” said Lunin for the Portugal Under-17 side last season. As the
Squad: Madrid, but can put pressure on to improve.” after the Lille defeat. Under-18 team is a non-UEFA age group, both
Goalkeepers: Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad), David Raya Barca, who visit Alaves on Sunday, Madrid were able to bring on Villarreal may be without Perez, nations are entitled to call the player up.
(Arsenal/ENG), Robert Sanchez (Chelsea/ENG) with a victory at the Santiago Kylian Mbappe against Lille after a who missed Monday’s win over Las He made his England international debut last
Defenders: Pau Torres (Aston Villa/ENG), Aymeric Bernabeu. thigh injury and the French striker Palmas with muscular discomfort month against the Portugal Under-18 side who
Laporte (Al Nassr/KSA), Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao), To achieve that against an could start against Villarreal. and Gerard Moreno is also sidelined, have named Mane in their squad for a four-nation
Marc Cucurella (Chelsea/ENG), Alejandro Grimaldo enterprising Villarreal side just As strong as the Yellow but striker Thierno Barry is finding tournament this month.
(Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Oscar a point behind Madrid in third, Submarine have been, spearheaded form for Marcelino Garcia Toral’s With both tournaments running concurrently,
Mingueza (Celta Vigo), Pedro Porro (Tottenham/ENG), they will have to raise their game by Spain international Ayoze Perez, side. Mane can only play for one team and Wolves and
Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid) significantly. they have conceded in every match The French striker scored and England confirmed he would feature in Bramley’s
Midfielders: Aleix Garcia (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Madrid came undone in the so far this season. got an assist as Villarreal moved up side.
Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Alex Baena (Villarreal), north of France, suffering their Madrid still seem to be struggling to third with the 3-1 win. Reuters has contacted Portugal’s football
Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Mikel Merino first loss in 37 matches across all without midfield maestro Toni Girona and Atletico Madrid association for clarification.
(Arsenal/ENG), Pedri (Barcelona) competitions. Kroos, who retired after helping the also suffered Champions League While players with multiple nationalities have
Forwards: Alvaro Morata (AC Milan/ITA), Lamine Yamal “When we lost the derby (against team to a La Liga and Champions defeats on Wednesday and both are played for more than one country if they are
(Barcelona), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Nico Williams Atletico) last year it was a fantastic League double. in action on Sunday, against tricky eligible, they are not allowed to switch allegiances
(Athletic Bilbao), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Yeremi wake-up call and hopefully this Los Blancos will also line up with Basque sides Athletic Bilbao and at senior level - unless they have played only in
Pino (Villareal), Joselu (Al Gharafa/QAT) defeat can also be a fantastic wake- Ukrainian goalkeeper Andre Lunin Real Sociedad respectively. friendly matches for the first country.

Too early to be
excited, says Slot
REUTERS League here.”
Slot has had a superb start as Liverpool
League-leading Liverpool can put manager, leading his team to eight wins
pressure on the teams chasing them with in nine games across all competitions.
victory at Crystal Palace in the weekend’s No other Liverpool manager has ever
opening game on Saturday, but manager enjoyed such a successful start.
Arne Slot said he and his players are He expects Oliver Glasner’s Palace
not revelling in their position to be stiff competition, particular
this early in the season. because it has been a busy
Slot’s team have week for Liverpool who
15 points atop the beat Bologna 2-0 in the
Premier League table Champions League on
after six games, one Wednesday.
ahead of champions “It’s a difficult one
Manchester City and for us, 12:30 kickoff
Arsenal. after playing Wednesday
“We’re Liverpool,” evening in the Champions
Slot told reporters on League, facing a team
Friday. “So players here are that had the whole week to
used to be on top of the table. prepare,” Slot said.
So would be very weird if a player “But that is part of working at a top
at Liverpool is all of a sudden with his club that we face those teams and we have
head in the clouds. to be ready for those teams and that’s
“These players are experienced what we are (going to do) tomorrow.”
enough to understand the league table Slot praised both Mohamed Salah,
after six games as well, and the schedule who set up Alexis Mac Allister’s goal
we had compared to some other teams. and scored himself, and midfielder Ryan
Second of all, (many of them) won the Gravenberch for their performances
league here, they won the Champions against Bologna.
 CITY

12 DHAKA SATURDAY OCTOBER 5, 2024, ASHWIN 20, 1431 BS

South Africa
cruise past Trump ‘not fit
Windies
AFP, Dubai
to lead’ the US
Skipper Laura Wolvaardt Says Republican Liz Cheney
and Tazmin Brits fired
South Africa to a crushing
while campaigning with Harris
10-wicket win over the West
REUTERS, Wisconsin
Indies in their opening
match of the Women’s T20 Former Republican
World Cup on Friday. congresswoman Liz Cheney and
Left-arm spinner Democratic presidential candidate
Nonkululeko Mlaba set Kamala Harris said former
up the win with bowling president Donald Trump is not
figures of 4-29 to restrict fit to lead the US, urging voters
2016 champions West to put country over party as they
Indies to 118-6 in Dubai. campaigned together on Thursday.
Wolvaardt, who hit 59, Cheney and her father Dick
and Brits, who made 57, Cheney, who was vice president Liz Cheney
then took charge to steer under George W Bush and is
last year’s finalists to 119-0 still vilified by Democrats for his bullish defense of the
in 17.5 overs. Iraq War, are staunch conservatives and two of the most
Wolvaardt was tested prominent Republicans to have endorsed Harris against
early in her knock by the Trump in the November 5 election.
West Indies bowlers but Both have sharply criticised Trump, the Republican
once she found rhythm, nominee, calling his refusal to accept his 2020 election
the right-handed opener loss and his role in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US
reached her 50 in 45 balls. Capitol disqualifying.
“Not that easy,” “I was a Republican even before Donald Trump started
Wolvaardt said of her spray tanning,” Cheney joked at the event in Wisconsin,
performance in the extreme describing herself as a Ronald Reagan conservative. “I
heat of Dubai. “One of the am proudly casting my vote for Vice President Kamala
harder knocks I have had Harris,” she said, her first vote ever for a Democrat.
physically, especially after Cheney’s comments could help Harris as she tries to
fielding first.” New Zealand off-spinner Eden Carson celebrates the dismissal of India opener Smriti Mandhana – one of her two wickets – during their court Republican and centrist voters in what polls show
Brits also raised her 58-run victory in a Group A match of the Women’s T20 World Cup in Dubai yesterday. Earlier in the day, South Africa beat West Indies by 10 to be a very tight race with Trump.
SEE PAGE 6 COL 1 wickets in a Group B fixture. PHOTO: ICC SEE PAGE 6 COL 3

SUNDARBANS
Tigers see WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY 4 lives lost Powerful solar
as truck
slight rise hits bus flare headed
in number
Latest survey puts
Separate pay scale for OUR CORRESPONDENT,
Tangail towards Earth
teachers still not in sight
INDEPENDENT.CO.UK
the figure between At least four people were
killed and eight others
120 and 125 injured in a head-on A powerful solar flare has been hurled out of the
collision between a bus and Sun, and could cause disruption on Earth.
STAFF CORRESPONDENT The flare comes amid increasing solar activity
Academics say disparity between salaries, benefits for a truck in Tangail’s Kalihati
upazila early yesterday. that has brought a run of intense space weather in
The population of Bengal
Tigers in the Bangladesh teachers of govt and pvt educational institutions must end Two of the deceased
were identified as Mizanur
recent days and weeks.
Only a day before, the Sun
part of the Sundarbans Rahman, 33, of Ghagra had released a slightly less
mangrove forest has village of Dhanbari upazila powerful but still strong
continued to increase at a “To draw talented students into the teaching of Tangail, and Mohammad solar flare, according to
slow but consistent rate. Ziaul, 35, of Mahish Bayan the US Space Weather
The current count of profession, we must guarantee respect for village of Madarganj Prediction Centre.
adult tiger is estimated educators. This social respect is tied to their upazila of Jamalpur. The recent activity
to be between 120 and status and salaries. To ensure teachers’ The accident took had already led to
125, marking a slight rise place around 1:00am on radio blackouts and
from the previous surveys,
dignity, a distinct pay structure for all the Tangail-Mymensingh other effects.
according to a forest educational levels is essential.” highway near the As with previous
department source. Shulakura Bridge of the flares, the newly
SERAJUL ISLAM CHOUDHURY
Two previous surveys upazila. released one could
Professor emeritus of Dhaka University Quoting locals, Elenga
conducted in 2018 and cause disruptions to
2015 found the number of Highway Police in-charge communications and bring
Nannu Khan told The Daily aurorae such as the northern
tigers in Bangladesh to be
MOHIUDDIN ALAMGIR educators. scale, disparities exist between Star that the Mymensingh-
at 114 and 106, respectively. lights that might be visible at lower
The National Education Policy the salaries and benefits of bound Crown Deluxe
“The continued increase Paribahan bus collided head- latitudes.
in tiger population, albeit A separate pay scale for teachers, 2010 proposed a distinct pay scale government and non-government The Sun goes through a roughly 11-year cycle
on with a truck coming from
small, is a positive sign,” aimed at ensuring their financial for teachers at all educational teachers, as well as among those the opposite direction. during which its activity rises and falls. At the
said a top official of the security and respect, remains levels, while the University Grants under the monthly pay order The bus fell into a ditch, moment, it is approaching the high point of that
forest department who was elusive due to the indifference of Commission (UGC) recommended (MPO) scheme and those outside leaving two people dead on cycle, which is expected next year – bringing
involved in the latest survey successive governments towards one for university teachers in of it. Many teachers are struggling the spot and more than 10 increased activity and more solar flares of this kind.
conducted between 2022 this critical issue. 2017 to enhance their financial to make ends meet, according to others injured. The newly released flare is classed as X9.0. The
and 2023. Academics believe that such a standing and dignity. However, academics. Being informed, local fire X-class denotes the most intense flares, and the
The results of the survey pay structure would elevate the neither of these proposals has Amid this situation, teachers service and highway police number refers to the strength. At those numbers,
are expected to be officially teachers’ status in the society, been implemented till date. across the country are celebrating reached the spot and carried it may be the most powerful flare to have been
SEE PAGE 6 COL 1 fostering greater respect for the In the absence of a separate pay SEE PAGE 6 COL 3 out a rescue operation. released in this solar cycle.

Flash floods US, India to

cooperate
hit Sherpur on critical
minerals
Heavy rains, onrush of water from AFP, Washington

upstream to blame; around 5,000 The United States and India

families stranded in 100 villages are set to work together on
supply chains for critical
OUR CORRESPONDENT, Mymensingh minerals that are key to
clean energy technologies,
Heavy rainfall over the past two days and onrushing water the US Commerce
from the upstream flooded 100 villages in Jhenaigati Department said Thursday
and Nalitabari upazilas of Sherpur, leaving around 5,000 in a statement.
families marooned. US Commerce Secretary
Floodwater affected fish farms, Aman and vegetable Gina Raimondo and India’s
fields, and roads, said locals. Minister of Commerce
They said villages of six unions -- Sannayabhita, and Industry Piyush Goyal
Baghber, Rajnagar, Nunni, Puragoan, and Nayabeel of met in the US capital
Nalitabari upazila -- have been inundated. People of three Washington on Thursday,
wards of Nalitabari municipality are waterlogged. inking a deal to “expand
Jhenaigati upazila town and nearby areas have also and diversify” critical
been flooded, and water entered government offices, mineral supply lines.
schools, and business establishments. The aim of the
Md Nakibuzzaman Khan, executive engineer of the Memorandum of
Bangladesh Water Development Board in Sherpur, said Understanding (MoU) is to
the Bhogai and Chellakhali rivers were swelling. increase resilience in the
He said water level was also increasing in the Someswari critical minerals sector,
river due to the onrush of hilly waters. said the statement.
Around 225mm rainfall was recorded in the district in Both sides will also
24 hours as of 4:00pm yesterday, he added. identify ways to facilitate
The engineer added that the water started receding in “commercial development
some areas. of US and Indian critical
If there is no rain and the weather is favourable, the minerals exploration,
situation will be normal in two days, he said. extraction, processing and
Farmers are going to incur heavy losses. refining, recycling, and
Humayun Dildar, Jhenaigati upazila agricultural Floodwater gushes in through a breach in an embankment along the Moharashi river in Khoilkora area of Sherpur’s Jhenaigati upazila. recovery,” the statement
SEE PAGE 6 COL 6 Heavy rain and runoff from upstream inundated a vast swathe of land in the upazila yesterday. PHOTO: DEBASHIS SAHA ROY added.
 WEEKEND READ DHAKA SATURDAY OCTOBER 5, 2024

WR1 ASHWIN 22, 1431 BS

From earth
to elegance
THE ALLURE
OF ARTISANAL
TERRACOTTA
that our local pottery heritage has eco-friendly manufacturing paint and twined rope, evokes a sense Bangladesh’s workshop is in Cox’s
immense potential in its raw, rustic processes, and striving to reduce our of timeless beauty and craftsmanship. Bazar and it is evident how the sea has
appeal but it needs to be attuned to ecological footprint every step of the “The Stone Series is a celebration influenced their designs. Products like
global aesthetics, and therein comes way. From organic cotton clothing of the raw beauty of natural stones big outdoor pots are in the pipeline.
niche stores like Boho Bangladesh to biodegradable packaging, our and rocks. This collection offers a Their clientele is mostly architects,
or Paul’s by artist Suman Paul. They products are thoughtfully designed diverse range of pottery interior consultants, a good
are giving our deshi clay an upscale to minimise environmental impact that blends tradition chunk of diplomats,
portfolio. without compromising on quality or with contemporary and local consumers
style,” says Poroma Shahrin, creative design. Each piece who prefer earthy
Artisanal terracotta
director of Boho Bangladesh. in this collection aesthetics.
Boho Bangladesh makes terracotta
“Our products will not be perfect is meticulously Suman Paul’s
lifestyle potteries that connect with
for all settings, especially those who handcrafted Studio Ceramic
our intention of green living and
like polished bling or art deco inspired by the finest is a Facebook
reducing our carbon footprint. Their
looks. We are more suitable for edgy, local artisans of page for arts
products mostly have an ancient
rustic interior designs. Our products Bangladesh, who and crafts where
shape and rough texture but with a
are nature-inspired, rough, aged, have masterfully h a nd m ade
definite contemporary look regarding
and casual in design with a range captured the earthenware,
colours and patterns. Natural and stoneware, and
with an earthy look, products of Boho of variations on the style, including unique textures
glazed ceramic
products are on
sale by the graduate
from the Department of
Ceramics, Faculty of Fine Arts,
Suman Paul himself. His canvas is
mainly everyday tableware, planters,
and dolls.
His are artworks that ooze a sense
of warm finish, filling your room or
dining table with colour emphasising
the natural characteristics of his
workmanship. He has an animal series
of planters called Metamorphosis
which can be pre-ordered. His
collection “Story of Round Space”
is glazed terracotta and stoneware
dining plates with designs inspired,
maybe by a water lily, a pearl, or even
a roadside flower. These beauties
are made at a melt temperature of
1180c. His online venture is very niche
and has a dedicated clientele who
understands and appreciates art.
Opposing traditional lacklustre
earthenware
RBR Such artisanal small businesses in
Bangladesh are seeing the light of
A charcoal black druid’s bowl with day, while traditional local potter’s
a rough and aged look, caught my age-old trade suffers. Most of the
attention while surfing social media. local potters work as freelancers and
Initially, I thought it must be an make lacklustre items for the local
antique piece of medieval pottery up market. Even if rural potters make
for sale on some transcontinental arty products, marketing for them
There is a becomes a sore point. It is at this
site, but instead, I found it to be a
difference local product from the brand Boho juncture that places like Bangla Matti
between Bangladesh, promoting a sustainable come in handy.
commercial natural lifestyle; it blew my mind. “Linking the maker to market is
product and Imagine this beautiful handcrafted what Bangla Matti does in a broad
terracotta bowl, inspired by the spectrum. We have a warehouse in
art product; Rayerbazar, Mohammadpur, where
textured elegance of Trachyte rock,
while one is placed inside your spa-inspired bath. we bring in the best of Bangladesh’s
of reasonable The reddish-orange tint, and the pottery. Each district has its design
price the other glamourous black glint of burnt clay and specialty and we have access to
being done on flower pots, tableware, jewellery, such unique products from 60 potters
and decorative pieces are hard to throughout the country,” says Shishir
by an artist is Kumar Pal, owner of Bangla Matti.
resist. Be it a fancy Baishakh lunch,
naturally priced a puja feast, or even a ladies’ shutki- He adds that the general terracotta
high. Those only lunch, the table spread must market is in tatters, however, potters
who choose to flaunt terracotta crockery. trying to modernise their craft by
modernise their Presenting our age-old ochre- opting for home décor or dining
coloured terracotta products with ware are doing brisk business.
clay products “There is a difference between
have a demand an edgy, stylish look has earned its
merits with people inclined to bring commercial product and art product;
in the domestic the outdoors to the indoors. while one is of reasonable price
market. But Earthy interiors honing the other being done by an artist is
the majority flea market ideas and naturally priced high. Those who
choose to modernise their clay
of the potter bohemian looks
products have a demand in the
community is are quite the
domestic market. But the majority
still churning rage in Dhaka
of the potter community is still
homes. People
out general are sold to the
churning out general mundane
mundane wares wares that have almost zero appeal,”
idea of made- are inspired Greek, coastal, cottage, and modern and earthy tones that define the Pal explains.
that have almost by-hand, by the sea, rustic,” explains Asaduzzaman. essence of these natural elements,” “We want to explore the rustic, raw
zero appeal. very special, stones, shells, Regardless of the variation, the shares Shahrin. beauty of nature in its form to design
natural, and and other rustic style of their products highlights Boho Bangladesh celebrates a full lifestyle range of products for
recyclable such raw rugged, natural beauty. Symbiosis the beauty of imperfection found the global market. Remodelling or
artisanal elements found is a stunning decorative terracotta within nature’s weathered artistry, upscaling the local terracotta forms
products. in nature. collection inspired by the ancient appreciating the charm of careless and styles with a touch of modernity
The green and “Our story Bengal Kangra style; the classic shape beauty. They practise ethical that appeals to foreigners,” Poroma
organic impression began with a of the collection is further enhanced consumerism, and are committed Shahrin adds.
of terracotta invokes simple yet profound by handcrafted clay garlands. to living harmoniously with nature, Loving terracotta is one thing but
in people a fondness of realisation -- the choices Their Old Mocha series is crafted vouches the power couple of Boho. indulging in its kitsch glamour and
giving a chic makeover to the we make today shape the with aromatic coffee beans and These unique pottery items are making it a part of your bohemian
pastoral Bangladeshi way of living; world of tomorrow. Guided by this boasting all the rich shades of Mocha, found in the multi-brand store The lifestyle is a different ball game.
however, niche their number is. ethos, we meticulously curate every this collection is a true celebration of Muslin, under IconX Lifestyle Ltd at Whatever it may be, let the burnt-
ASM Asaduzzaman, chief executive aspect of our brand, from carefully warmth and comfort. For example, Le Meridien, Dhaka, and can also be ochre terracotta products be a part
officer of Boho Bangladesh, feels sourcing raw materials, prioritising the Twine Mocha Urn with real coffee collected from their online store. Boho of you.
WR2 LITERATURE
DHAKA SATURDAY OCTOBER 5, 2024
ASHWIN 20, 1431 BS

FICTION

The journey
Exiles and memories
KAZI MAHDI AMIN and his mother unpacked the silver-
became a blur wrapped food rations tossed their way.
Markan felt a strange thrill rush That night, Markan slept. Really
of sand, mud, through him. For an eight-year-old, slept. For the first time in days, the
and fatigue. even the idea of leaving his village was noise faded into the background, and
At some exciting. He had never left his tiny rural the ache in his legs eased. But when
point, the home, except for the rare trip to the he woke the next morning, the weight
vast crowds of market with his father, and he could of the journey lingered, like something
still recall the smell of salty, dried fish had shifted inside him.
people began that clung to the air by the beach. But Over the years, that weight never left.
to slow down. this time, it wasn’t just a trip. They were The camp grew, but the stories of the
Hundreds leaving for good, and the coast was the home they had left behind faded. The
of families only place they could go. men with ironed clothes and polished
huddled Markan didn’t understand why, but shoes came, asking if they needed
his father’s stern warnings echoed in more tokens. Sometimes they brought
together in his mind: “Don’t cross to the other side,
a narrow notebooks for the girls, asking about
or I’ll break your legs.” Normally, he school. Other times, men with strange
space, unsure might have brushed it off as an empty accents and big cameras pointed them
of where to threat, but lately, he had seen too many at Markan’s face, asking, “Where are
go. Ahead, children with broken legs—or worse,
you from? Do you want to go back from
missing limbs entirely. It wasn’t just a
Markan saw a threat. It was a promise.
exile?”
barricade. Markan didn’t have an answer.
“Get up! Right now,” his father
The word “Arakan” felt distant, like
shouted, shaking him from his
something from a dream he couldn’t
thoughts. Markan scrambled to his
feet and saw their meagre belongings quite remember. It rhymed with his
packed into two small, worn cloth name, and that was the only reason
bundles. He looked at his clothes and he remembered it. The rest of his
the beaten metal plate he always used
ILLUSTRATION: AMREETA LETHE childhood, the home he left behind, a
and wondered where they would go when the military rolled through down. Hundreds of families huddled slung casually over their shoulders. distant memory.
in the chaos of travel. But he was glad and met with the elders. Walking was together in a narrow space, unsure After what felt like hours, they were He had nowhere to go back to.
to see everything packed. It made this the only option. And they walked. of where to go. Ahead, Markan saw a allowed through. More walking. Only The makeshift hut had become his
adventure feel real. Through the village, past the fields, barricade. Armed men stood there, now the beaches were gone, replaced world. For 10 years, he had lived under
“Tell your sisters to stop crying and and down towards the coast. At first, rifles slung over their shoulders, their by swampy, muddy trails. The sheer its thin plastic roof, and the idea of
wait by the road,” his father ordered. the beaches were beautiful, the sight eyes scanning the sea of faces. Markan’s number of people trudging through the another journey—another endless walk
Markan tugged at his younger sisters’ of the ocean filling Markan with awe, stomach twisted with fear. The last same muck made it worse. Markan was through the swamp—made him sick
hands, guiding them to the dirt path but two days later, the wonder had time he’d heard gunfire was nearly a tired of it all—tired of travelling, tired of to his stomach. Yet, every so often, he
that cut through the village. They worn off. The excitement had turned year ago, and it had shaken the entire walking, tired of crying. He longed for wondered what it would feel like to
stood there in the early light, staring into exhaustion. His legs ached, and his village. He didn’t understand why they the tree back home where he used to sit, retrace his steps, to walk all the way
at the crowd gathering. It wasn’t just sisters whimpered with every step. were being stopped, why soldiers were the one spot where everything felt still back.
them. Neighbours—everyone he knew— “Why do we have to walk for so patting them down. But they were. And and calm. Now, he wasn’t sure when— But every time that thought crossed
were heading in the same direction, long?” Markan whined, clutching his as the men’s rough hands searched or if—he’d ever see it again. his mind, he looked at the endless rows
including legless-Lokman, their mother’s hand. him, his father screamed. When they finally reached their of plastic-covered huts and knew he
neighbour, strapped to a man’s back. “Listen to your father, or I’ll beat “Stop crying, or I’ll give you destination, it wasn’t what Markan would never leave. The world’s largest
Markan had heard stories about why you too,” his mother snapped, her eyes something to cry about!” Markan’s had imagined. There was no grand refugee camp was his home now. A
Lokman had lost his legs, but his father hard. She didn’t want to be here either, father slapped him across the face, welcome, no final resting place. Just a place he had never meant to reach, but
had always been too angry to explain. Markan realised. jolting him back to reality. His cheeks makeshift camp of polythene-covered one he was too tired to leave.
Markan only knew one thing for sure: The journey became a blur of sand, burned, but he bit his tongue. The huts, flapping in the wind. His father
nobody was staying behind. mud, and fatigue. At some point, the soldiers didn’t care about his tears. They didn’t yell anymore. He was too tired to Kazi Mahdi Amin keeps writing when
He had never seen a car, except vast crowds of people began to slow just moved on to the next family, rifles shout. His sisters collapsed beside him, there are other important things to do.

POETRY

The wheel
of change
KAZI NAZRUL ISLAM

Eternity collapses at the wheel of change.

Past is lost
Dark, demur
Past is lost
With gory feet—
Eternity collapses at the wheel of change.
The ancient is lost POETRY
In the wind of Chaitra.

FALL
Welcome! The strength of young,
Past is lost
Fallen is lost.
‘Welcome! Guest— WASIMA AZIZ
Come along!’
The nor’wester grumbles; August, marked with dying things. Summer’s
Eternity collapses at the wheel of change. end,
Eternity collapses at the wheel of change. My freedom spent,
There! In the horizon, Boys leaving flower petals weaved into my hair to
Distorted path, rot away.
Chariot speeds off August, if you had asked, I would have stayed.
In circle, in all quarters, August if I had asked, would you have promised
Crores and crores of suns and moons revolve me one afternoon with the sun on my face?
At the wheel of change. August, I’ve tried asking the leaves to stop
At the wheel of change. blowing away. They say that you called, and they’ll
The stars and planets lose way, they revolve be off in a few days. August, I swear, if you had
The present cradles in the past! asked, I would have been there. August I couldn’t
Who brings the morning light have been there anyway.
On the faraway hills? August, there’s no such thing as it’ll be summer
Who hoists the flag of victory? again. Only once have the sun and the ripeness
In the flower Kingshuk? of fruit left me in pieces; this moment will never
Chariot wheels revolve; happen again. August I’m racing against time to
Roads smear with blood. tell you that if you must go, please stay. For a cup
Whose victory gate is made? of tea shared at a stall, five minutes, please, tell
In the twilight of dawn? me that when you leave me with the turning of
At the wheel of change. leaves and dirt and the waning moon, it will be
okay. Pick new petals for my hair, leave them in
At the wheel of change.
that bowl over there with one last good joke to
Thunder rumbles, storm grumbles,
keep me company when you’ve gone away.
Welcome tough reality.
Welcome youth, welcome youth Wasima Aziz is an undergrad student currently
Come in this wretchedness! learning to let things be. Send words of advice
Don’t be afraid! to [email protected] or find her on
Motherland has colourful rainbows Instagram @washeem_cant_decide.
To show you!
At the wheel of change.
At the wheel of change.
Time is dancing ta thoi ta thoi
Where is the king?
Break the cycle
The love of Shiva for dead
Break the cord.
At the wheel of change.
ILLUSTRATION: AMREETA LETHE

At the wheel of change.

This poem is translated from Bangla by Jackie

Kabir

Jackie Kabir is a writer and translator from

Bangladesh. The titular story from her first
collection of stories, Silent Noise, is being taught
in BA Courses in colleges under Manonmaniam
Sundaranar University in Tamil Nadu.

ILLUSTRATION: MAISHA SYEDA

SATIREDAY
DHAKA SATURDAY OCTOBER 5, 2024
ASHWIN 20, 1431 BS
WR3
Government losing
‘Aandar’ control
trying to bring it
under control
MAHBUB ALAM MUNNA

In an unprecedented twist, the government keeps

losing Aandar control while attempting to bring
it under control. Aanda, or egg -- whatever people
choose to call it doesn’t matter anymore as they
are having breakfast without eggs.
As the prices of eggs keep skyrocketing, people
have to spend the lion’s share of their salaries to
buy the “daily essential”. People of Chapasthan
2.0 have been witnessing a series of “never-before-
seen” events, thanks to this eggflation.
Rumours have surfaced that those who once
tried heart and soul to amass cryptocurrency are
now stockpiling eggs instead. Some politicians
are allegedly hoarding eggs illegally for their next
election campaign.
Wishing anonymity, an activist of a political
party, said, “Yes, our leaders have ordered us to
collect eggs by any means necessary as we are
planning to offer people one egg for one vote in
the upcoming election.”
In an astounding turn of events, parents of
students are no longer upset about their children
obtaining eggs in exams. “We need eggs, not marks.
I am glad that my son scored 00 in mathematics
and English. At least the headache of his breakfast
for the next two days is gone now,” said a mother
proudly showing off her son’s marksheets in front
of cameras of millions of TV channels and content
creators outside Very Hard to Spell School and
College.
Several incidents of people being looted
while going home after buying eggs have
been reported in Dhoka City. Chapasthan Egg
Snatchers Community (CENC)
A man pictured with all the friends he thought the iPhone 16 would help him make. PHOTO: FREEPIK.COM
has been formed by a group
of miscreants, raining
terror on egg buyers in

iPhone 16 users claim

Mohammadpur area.
In this saga, even
chickens have come
forward to make
the situation

biggest feature is a scam more cinematic.

With the help
of AI, chickens
have been heard
demanding their
The biggest NUTBOLTU actual Hunger Games. BBA graduate turned high-end cigarette royalties as they
In Bangladesh, the craze was not much redistribution expert (salesman) complained came to know
feature, the The iPhone 16 series launched a couple of that their eggs had
different. “I bought one because my kid is how the new device is still not making him
real reason weeks ago, coinciding with a sudden rise in into this stuff. Otherwise, I wouldn’t bother,” more employable. been running riot
people buy the online ads by people selling human kidneys. said Shahin Ahmed Borlox with a sigh. While Apple has carefully rearranged among the people
device after We have a separate report investigating He explained that his daughter is a tech the lenses so that the stars align perfectly of Chapasthan 2.0.
whether these ads involve personal kidneys enthusiast, eager to be the first among her on March 26, 2025 for prosperity, Bari does “Those who once
selling their or just overly attached friends, but unlike underestimated our
friends to get her hands on Apple’s latest not feel it has helped him stand out. “When
grandparents’ kidneys, the iPhone 16 enjoys a much stronger release. we have meetings at office, we all place our
PHOTO: FREEPIK.COM
Aanda, I mean eggs,
property, demand. The phone does things your kidney When asked what she does for a living, phones face down on the desk to appear are now crying for it.
is for social cannot. It comes with new features like an Ahmed Borlox casually replied, “Oh, she’s in important. But no one can tell which phone Just because we are birds doesn’t mean we don’t
extra button that has people raving like a kindergarten.” is the newer one. So now we just buy from need money,” a chicken surrounded by high-level
acceptance. security said.
child who has discovered the 240 volt power Despite all that initial excitement, many the most expensive store in Bangladesh and
The iPhone outlet socket hidden behind the bookshelf. new iPhone 16 owners feel cheated. The display the receipt.” Despite all of these, the government seems
16 would Other innovative features also include a biggest feature, the real reason people buy The camera, boasting more megapixels indifferent to this crisis. Egg prices have always
finally make screen and email capabilities. the device after selling their grandparents’ than anyone will ever need, is supposed to been an underrated (Aanda-rated. No? okay) issue
When the iPhone 16 launched in our property, is for social acceptance. The iPhone be the holy grail for effortlessly cool photos. and this government also underestimated this.
them more Consequently, they are losing their control over
neighboring country India, the excitement 16 would finally make them more charming, However, no amount of HD can save users
charming. hit a fever pitch, with people making more desirable, more aesthetic at dinner from the realities of bad lighting, awkward egg prices, despite once confidently declaring,
“I thought headlines for waiting over 20 hours in line parties. “I thought the new AI-enhanced Siri smiles, or the existential crisis that creeps in “Aanda is under control”.
the new AI- just to snag the latest piece of tech wizardry. would help me flirt better,” one disgruntled every time they see their reflection. Instagram This Satireday correspondent attempted to
enhanced Flexay Tumar, an overly enthusiastic fan, was customer lamented, “but instead she just models everywhere are weeping -- digitally gather some comments from government officials.
no exception. “There was no way I was going reminds me about meetings I already missed. enhanced, of course. When asked, an official from the Ministry of Meat,
Siri would to be the 24th person in my community to What kind of life coach is this?” Sigma Chowdhury of the illustrious Fish and Eggs remarked, “Aanda has always been
help me flirt have the latest device,” he said with the kind “I switched from my Samsung to an iPhone Chowdhury clan declared, “I bought only four under control. It’s cheaper than even water.”
better, but of conviction usually reserved for life-altering because I knew it would make me prettier,” this year. My family has to maintain its image When further pressed about the government’s
instead she events, like circumcisions. said Lamisa Claymida, a student at Worksout in society -- though not too much, especially apparent loss of control as the prices were
Spotted squatting outside the iStore, University. “I even changed my boyfriend with all this hunt for money launderers after mounting by leaps and bounds, he said, “We are
just reminds Flexay appeared more prepared for a because he could not buy me a new iPhone. August 5.” perfectly in control. Even chickens don’t lay eggs
me about marathon than a tech launch. Armed with What’s worse, he actually likes Android. I When asked if the iPhone has truly made unless we ask them to do so.”
meetings snacks, portable chargers, and what might could not stay with someone who has a poor- him cooler, he replied, “We’re all the same,
I already have been an entire camping kit, he’d clearly person mindset.” but not really. I bought mine from a Dubai
accepted his fate. Yet, the new iPhone is not living up to the store. I wanted the latest device to elevate me
missed. What “You can’t just be 24th. That’s social promise it did not make. It is not making above the common folk. Maybe the iPhone 17 Email your satire pieces to
kind of life suicide,” he quipped, dramatically rolling people cooler, richer, more attractive by will finally keep it out of their reach -- if they [email protected]
coach is this?” his eyes as though the iPhone release was the association. Ahmed Bari, a mid-ranking just crank up the price a bit more, of course!”

Holy League unveils new leftist wing

AKU NAMATATA Zawahiri addressed the nation, once we win, I promise only men continues to be a secular country,
demanding that his party be the will be allowed to vote going you said, “Please refrain from
The central governing body of choice of the nation going forward. forward. imposing your beliefs on me. You
Bangladesh Holy League, a student “We represent the thoughts, are infringing on my freedom by
Q: If you are going to take away
body that is now vying for a place in feelings and experiences of the doing so.” Aren’t you guilty of
women’s right to vote, why
the political scene of the country, majority of Bangladesh. Our doing the same?
should they vote for you in the
has announced its latest wing policies, philosophies and ideals are A: We are BLESSED. We cannot be
next election and empower you to
which aims to cater to the left- all BLESSED. You must understand hypocritical.
be able to take their rights away?
leaning voters in the country. this,” he yelled at the crowd.
A: It is actually quite simple. We Q: A recent viral video shows
This move comes as the formerly “I know, there have been many
are the BLESSED party. What other members of your party throwing
dormant party now aims to capture questions from the general public
reason do you need to vote for us? all sorts of paraphernalia at the
as many seats in the next national about our ideals. Some have called
sky after a rainbow appeared in
election. us extreme, while others have Q: According to a poll, a majority
it. You have termed the incident
The Holy League, often referred labelled us as misogynists. Let me of voters say they are opposed to
your latest victory against the
to as BHL, was mainly inactive confirm to all of you here, while many of the actions of your party.
liberal conspiracy to, and I quote,
during the 15-year reign of the we are shocked by accusations of Specifically, the harassment of
“Turn our children gay!” Could
fascist former prime minister the former, we are definitely proud women in public spaces.
you please elaborate?
Sheikh Hasina. Following her to have earned the reputation of A: Why is it that I have to care
A: The mainstream media wants to
ouster, the party emerged from the the latter,” he shouted again, to an aspirations for the future? targeting simply holy men? Data so much about your wives and
poison the minds of our children.
shadows, in almost a Scooby Doo ovation from the crowd. shows that close to 50 percent of daughters that we toil away for
A: We want to take hold of the Holy men like us are under attack.
villain reveal fashion, to announce Following the event, Satireday the population is female, so do hours on the street getting them to
country and mould it to our vision of We are the victims of a Western
that they were all hiding within sent this correspondent for a one- you not risk losing a lot of votes live a proper life?
a perfect country for holy men only. conspiracy. We request everyone
factions of the former government. on-one question and answer session from that demographic? Q: In the past, when other else to work towards eliminating
At the launching event of the (Q&A) with BHL Chief Bayeman. Q: Do you not risk isolating a A: I don’t believe in data. These are major parties have talked about any forms of rainbows throughout
new wing, BHL Chief Baeyman Q: What are BHL’s political big segment of the voters by made up conspiracies. However, ensuring that Bangladesh the country.

DISCLAIMER
This is a satirical page and should be considered as such. Any resemblance between the published contents here and actual events or individuals, etc. is purely coincidental. The articles and
photos published on this page or the views expressed here are the author’s own and do not reflect the editorial policy or view of The Daily Star.
WR4 BUSINESS PLUS
DHAKA SATURDAY OCTOBER 5, 2024
ASHWIN 20, 1431 BS

AN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR
that quietly fuels growth
“The town has MINTU DESHWARA, SOHEL PARVEZ and in the region by offering state gas to bring workers from other places,”
JAHIDUL ISLAM connections, he said. Mridha said.
transformed
Siddiq Mia, a 55-year-old resident of “When we began the establishment,
into a bustling At the turn of the millennium, the Shahpur area of Habiganj, added there was only a solitary power plant in
industrial hub, travelling by road between Sylhet and that the land was fallow and prone the area. The change began after 2014.
with activity Dhaka felt akin to a trek across rugged to flooding. Since cultivation was Now, numerous government offices
terrain. One would have to awkwardly inconsistent, land was inexpensive, he have been established to provide
throughout the traverse bumps along narrow and
day. Thousands said. services.”
winding paths for upwards of 10 hours This medley of affordable land, He also opined that Habiganj had
of people are to make the trip either way. availability of gas, and the region’s good potential in the field of light
employed across Those days are now gone. proximity to Dhaka proved to be a engineering.
various factories, Not only has the travel time between winning combination, attracting “However, increased prices of gas
contributing to the capital and the northeast division entrepreneurs and paving the way to have reduced the attractiveness of
bordering India’s Seven Sisters come significant industrial growth. the area. The price of piped gas is now
the area’s vibrant down to just a fraction, but the The industrial boom transformed equal to that of liquified petroleum
atmosphere,” landscape, farmlands, haors and rural the local economy and has created at gas. So, entrepreneurs are not showing
said Sadekul settlements have evolved. least 200,000 jobs. interest in establishing factories there,”
Islam, a local. Factories, churning out products for “The highway has become a he added.
domestic and international markets, growth corridor,” said Eleash Mridha, However, SM Mahfuz Mannan
now line the sides of the nearly managing director of Pran Group, a Suman, chief administrative officer
200-kilometre highway, a scene many unit of Pran-RFL Group. of Saiham Knit Composite Ltd, which
could scarcely imagine in the early
nineties. competition among industrialists for of the Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon,
Furthermore, several areas of land along the route. a civic movement to protect the
the Habiganj district, including The completion of the Dhaka- country’s biodiversity, and Khowai
Shayestaganj, Chunarughat, Bahubal Sylhet four-lane project could further River Waterkeeper, said unregulated
and Nabiganj, have become hotspots position Habiganj as a major economic establishment and expansion of
for industrial units. corridor. factories in the region has created
In Madhabpur, located near In a paper, the Asian Development severe environmental concerns.
Habiganhj’s periphery, the hush of the Bank (ADB) said the Dhaka–Sylhet Approximately 300,000 people
morning quiet is now broken by the corridor is the third-most important are being directly impacted by the
busy footsteps of workers from nearby corridor in Bangladesh, providing pollution emitted from these factories.
localities. sub-regional connectivity with the It has also adversely affected natural
“The town has transformed into a northeastern states of India as well as reservoirs, mountain ridges, river
bustling industrial hub, with activity Bhutan, Myanmar, and China through canals, and wetlands, he said.
throughout the day. Thousands of the Tamabil land port in Sylhet. “Factories are expected to manage
people are employed across various The ADB said the corridor has waste at the source, but there is a
factories, contributing to the area’s already outstripped its existing two- noticeable lack of effective control
vibrant atmosphere,” said Sadekul lane capacity, causing slow and unsafe measures to prevent pollution. The
Islam, a local. movement of passenger and freight area is experiencing increasing noise,
Islam, who also works at a factory vehicles. air, water, and soil pollution.”
in the area, added that development “This as well as poor road quality The Sutang river, which crosses the
and high safety risks have hampered border, is among the most polluted
He also credited former finance has operated in the area for over two the existing Dhaka–Sylhet–Tamabil rivers in the country while other water
minister Muhith, saying that when the decades, said there was further room corridor from maximising its potential bodies are also being affected.
Awami League government stopped for development. as one of the vital sub-regional “These rivers and canals are not just
providing new gas connections “Habiganj can prosper if the road trade and economic corridors of the bodies of water, they support a diverse
through state gas companies, the between Brahmanbaria and Cumilla country,” it said. range of aquatic life, including fish that
Jalalabad Gas Transmission and is developed. At present, the condition It added that Bangladesh’s play a crucial role in the environment,”
Distribution System Ltd in Sylhet was of the road is the biggest barrier for us government decided to augment its Sohel said.
kept out of the purview of that order when it comes to quickly transporting capacity by expanding it to a four- “The pollution has led to the
thanks to the minister’s lobbying. goods to and from the Chattogram lane configuration with service roads disappearance of indigenous fish
“Gas connections were available port,” he lamented. to meet international and domestic species and aquatic animals in haor
from the state company and this “Upgrading the Dhaka-Habiganj transport demand with financial regions. Effluent dumped into these
provided the impetus for industrialists Highway into a four-lane road is also assistance from the ADB. waterways has formed a thick, tar-like
to establish factories in the region,” he urgently required.” Covering a total length of 222.6 layer on the bottom of rivers and canals,
said. In Narsingdi, the establishment of km, the project passes through darkening the water significantly.”
“Factories were first established in factories has gathered at a significant various urban, semi-urban and rural He said unregulated
the Shayestaganj area of Habiganj. pace. In 2014, the district had 645 settings under seven districts, namely industrialisation is devastating the
Over time, more popped up. Today, factories. Today, the number Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Kishoreganj, local environment, endangering
industrial units have spread all the stands at 1,765. Brahmanbaria, Moulvibazar, biodiversity, and posing health risks to
way up to Brahmanbaria. It is now A worker at a Habiganj and Sylhet. the population.
had taken place gradually over the expanding towards the Bhairab upazila nearby factory Stakeholders from “The decline in biodiversity is
past two decades, but recounted that of Kishoreganj.” in Madhabpur the Habiganj area evident, with many bird species that
it all started with the renovation of the Pran-RFL Group, one of the remarked that said Chunarughat once frequented the area now missing.
Dhaka-Sylhet Highway in 2003. country’s largest conglomerates, is a mornings are and Madhabpur The survival of millions of people who
After it was revamped, entrepreneurs pioneer of this story. It was one of the lively as people hold promise as rely on these ecosystems is at stake,
flocked to acquire land, which was first to recognise the region’s potential, arrive in economic hubs yet effective measures to combat
available for affordable prices, leading moving to set up an industrial park in groups. “We as the Balla land industrial pollution remain absent.”
to a surge in factory establishments. Shayestaganj’s Olipur area on over 300 take pride in port with India is Md Ferdous Anwar, a deputy director
Big corporations bought thousands acres of land. Production at the park knowing that being modernised of the Department of Environment,
of acres and, over the past one and a began in 2013. the products to enhance trade. said as the industry expands, pollution
half decades, light, medium, and heavy According to Pran-RFL, Tk 6,300 manufactured Abdul Qadir levels also rise.
industries have proliferated. crore has been invested so far to here are Lashkar, a former “To address this, we are
The availability of gas in Habiganj, develop the park, generating 25,000 distributed to chairman of the implementing online systems to
which produces about 60 percent of jobs, mostly for women. various locations.” Chunarughat upazila, monitor emissions effectively. Since
the country’s supply of the natural Mridha said one of the factors Mahbubur Rahman, said the modernisation continuous on-site supervision isn’t
resource, played a key role in the that contributed to the company a restaurant owner in of the Balla land port could feasible, we are piloting this initiative
region’s evolution into a commercial choosing Habiganj for the project was Madhabpur, said the establishment be a significant milestone in the in six industries across Bangladesh –
hub. the district’s proximity to northeast of industries spurred significant local development of Habiganj. He said it one in each division.
“Once a neglected area with barren India. “We export a lot and Habiganj employment as stores and eateries would also enhance the trade between “The necessary technical
land and limited agricultural potential, is close to Agartala. This gives us an sprouted to cater to the needs of India and Bangladesh. instruments for effluent treatment
it had few employment opportunities,” advantage.” workers and stakeholders. The region has tourism potential as plant (ETP) monitoring equipment
Miftaul Hossain Chawdhury, a trader After Pran-RFL, RAK Paints and “This has improved the economic well. have already been delivered.
from Madhabpur, said as testified to Star Ceramics also set up production condition of many residents,” he said. The Rema-Kalenga Reserved Forest Installation is currently underway.
the changes he had witnessed. units in the area. Square Group and Shamsul Huda, president of the and Satchari Wildlife Sanctuary Parameters will be established as we
Recognising this, Abul Maal Jamuna Group followed suit, he said. Habiganj Traders Welfare Association, in Habiganj are being developed. set up with the ETPs. Once operational,
Abdul Muhith, during his tenure “It was an under-developed area. said the renovation of the Sylhet- However, issues such as the protection these facilities will be monitored
as Bangladesh’s finance minister Agricultural activities were not Dhaka highway in 2003 led to the of the environment, water bodies and 24/7. If the pilot programme proves
from 2009 to 2019, encouraged vibrant. There was a lack of education transformation of this area into a natural habitats are being considered. successful, we plan to scale up this
entrepreneurs to set up factories and skilled workers. We initially had major thoroughfare, intensifying Tofazzal Sohel, general secretary initiative nationwide.”

PHOTO: MINTU DESHWARA