22-10-2021

friday

DhaKa: October 22, 2021; Kartik 6, 1428 BS; Rabi-ul-awal 14,1443 hijri

www.thebangladeshtoday.com; www.bangladeshtoday.net

Regd.No.Da~2065, Vol.19; N o. 173; 12 Pages~Tk.8.00

international

NZ governor-general

favors outreach

to marginalized

>Page 7

SPortS

Rashid Khan eyes

World Cup glory not

wedding bells

>Page 9

art & culture

Safa in new web

series 'Kuhelika'

>Page 10

PM for formation of

two new divisions

as Padma, Meghna

DHAKA : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

on Thursday said she wants to upgrade

Faridpur and Cumilla as two new divisions

after the names of two major rivers

- Padma and Meghna, reports UNB.

"I've decided to form two new divisions

after two rivers- one would be

named after Padma and another after

Meghna," she said.

The Prime Minister revealed it while

opening the newly-constructed office

Bhaban for Awami League's Cumilla

City unit virtually from her official residence

Ganobhaban.

She said if the division is formed after

the name of Cumilla other districts

might not be interested to join it.

The PM said she will form Faridpur

Division after the name of Padma,

another famous river of the country.

LGRD Minister Tazul Islam, AL

organising secretary Abu Sayeed Al

Mahmood Swapon and local Awami

League MP AKM Bahauddin and other

local AL leaders joined the virtual the

function from the new office building.

Prioritize senior people

in vaccination, not

children: Experts

DHAKA : As the government is set to

start vaccinating schoolchildren at the

end of this month, experts have found it

unrealistic since many elderly people

still remain out of the Covid vaccination

coverage.

Since the country does not have adequate

vaccines in stock, they said, the

government should first take an effective

strategy to vaccinate most of the senior

citizens as a top priority because this

group is the most vulnerable to the virus

infection and death due to their comorbidities

and weakened immune systems.

The analysts said the government can

launch a special vaccination drive targeting

people aged over 60 and above

before giving jabs to school students.

They also said schoolchildren, aged

12-17 years, should be given the jabs

when there will be adequate vaccine

stock in the country since maintaining

health safety rules is now enough to keep

them safe due to their strong immune

protection.

The government has a plan to start

inoculating the schoolchildren in Dhaka

city from October 30.

According to official data, there are

more than one crore schoolchildren,

aged 12-17 years, including around 6.15

lakh in the capital.

After vaccinating the schoolchildren in

the capital, the government will continue

the same campaign in other cities and

districts gradually.

According to an official at the

Directorate General of Health Services

(DGHS), the government has a total of

30 lakh Pfizer jabs now in hand to vaccinate

the children.

On October 14, 111schoolchildren were

given Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine in

Manikganj as part of a trial run.

Talking to UNB, DGHS spokesman Dr

Robed Amin said it is necessary to vaccinate

children as their schools have been

reopened.

Zumma

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Bangladeshi players celebrate fall of a wicket of papua new guinea in a must-win t20 World Cup

match on thursday.

photo: Courtesy

Tigers rout PNG to seal

spot in Super 12s

sports desk

Bangladesh couldn't have asked for a bigger

margin of victory on a day when net

run rate equation was the main focus.

They beat Papua New Guinea by 84 runs,

which gave them a 1.733 NRR, making the

Oman-Scotland contest that follows a

knockout battle, reports Cricinfo.

PNG slipped to 29 for 7, briefly threatening

Netherlands' 39 all out as the lowest

total in T20 World Cup history.

Kiplin Doriga enforced their recovery

with his unbeaten 46, as PNG were

bowled out for 97 in the final over.

Earlier in the must-win T20 World

Cup match against Papua New Guinea,

Bangladesh posted 181 on Thursday riding

on the batting of Mahmudullah

Riyad and Shakib Al Hasan.

Bangladesh's 181 for 7 is now the highest

total in this World Cup so far. The

Tigers have surpassed Sri Lanka's 171

against Ireland in Abu Dhabi.

Shakib, who was the player of the match

in the previous match against Oman,

posted 46 off 37 balls while Mahmudullah

posted 50 off 28 balls. They smashed six

sixes and three fours together.

Bangladesh failed to have a good start

once again as Mohammad Naim fell for

a duck in the first ball of the match.

However, on the second wicket, Shakib

and Liton Das added 50 runs.

Liton was doing well but fell for 29 off

23 balls with one four and one six.

Mushfiqur Rahim failed to impress with

the bat as he was dismissed while playing

a sweep when he was batting at 5.

On the fifth wicket stand,

Mahmudullah and Afif Hossain added

43 off 23 balls. Afif ended up at 21 off 14

balls with three fours.

Bangladesh surpassed the 180-run

mark with some wonderful batting display

by Mohammad Saifuddin. In the

last three balls, he scored 17 runs with a

no-ball-six. Saifuddin remained unbeaten

scoring 19 off six balls with two sixes

and one four.

Mosque and Temple at same yard

An epitome of religious harmony

in Lalmonirhat

LALMONIRHAT : In this unique place

fragrance of attar mingles with joss

stick's aroma. It comes alive every day

with chanting of dhikr (ritual prayer or

litany practiced by Muslims) and ululation

(a ritual for Hindus).

The unique co-existence of Puran

Bazar Jame Mosque and Kalibari

Central Temple in Kalibari area of the

Lalmonirhat city presents a picture of

religious harmony amid the growing

religious insensitivity and intolerance

across the globe.

This two institutions central to religious

practice of Islam and Hinduism

have completed yet another year of their

iconic existence as the Hindu worshippers

in the area just celebrated their

biggest Durga puja festival in an environment

of peace and harmony.

According to locals, in 1836 the

Temple of Hindu goddess Kali was

established in the area. In the meantime

some traders travelling from different

parts of the country built a makeshift

house to perform their daily prayers at

the Puran Bazar area, adjacent to the

temple. With the passage of time, the

house took the name as Puran Bazar

Jame Mosque.

Since then the two religious institutions

have been the tradition of a euphony

which is quite rare in this part of the

globe. Every year before Durga puja,

mosque and temple executive committees

hold a meeting to schedule their

daily programmes.

Both communities take pride in the

fact that no religious strife has occurred

in this area.

When the Azan for Fazr prayers ends,

the Hindu devotees gather at the temple

to hold their rituals. In this way the two

communities show respect to each

other's religious practices in an environment

of tolerance.

People from far and away come every

day to visit this temple-mosque harmony

of Lalmonirhat. Even many foreign

envoys also paid visit to witness this rare

co-existence of the mosque and the temple

and their activities.

Some local visitors told the UNB

reporter, "This is really something we

take pride in- an excellent example of

religious harmony of Lalmonirhat that

has sustained for decades."

Imam of Puran Bazar Jame Mosque

Mohammad Alauddin said, the temple

was built way before the mosque and

now "our address is in the same yard."

People from any religion and classes

are welcome to visit both the temple and

the mosque here. Anyone can witness

the unbroken decades-long religious coexistence

and learn from us", he said."

Ex-CJ corruption case

Spl court defers

judgment to

Nov 9

DHAKA : A special court in Dhaka on

Thursday deferred to November 9 the

pronouncement of its judgment in the

graft case against former chief justice

Surendra Kumar Sinha and 10 others,

reports UNB.

Dhaka Special Judge (Court-4) Sheikh

Nazmul Alam Khan set the new date.

On October 5, the court fixed October

21 for delivering the judgment in the

graft case filed against the former chief

justice and 10 others for laundering Tk 4

crore. On August 29, seven of the 11

accused in the case pleaded "not guilty"

in the case.

They are Mahbubul Haque Chisty, former

audit committee chairman of

Farmers Bank, former managing director

of the bank AKM Shamim, vice presidents

Swapan Kumar Rat and Md

Lutful Haque, and former SEVPs Gazi

Salahudiin, Md Shahjahan and Niranjan

Chandra Saha.

On August 24, the defence lawyers

grilled the investigating officer in the case,

Benazir Ahmed, the director of the Anti-

Corruption Commission (ACC). Some 21

witnesses had testified in the case.

On July 10, 2019, the ACC filed the

case accusing former chief justice Sinha

and 10 others of accumulating illegal

wealth and laundering Tk 4 crore.

On September 25, 2019, the anti-graft

body summoned five officials of

Farmers Bank for interrogation over the

deposit of Tk 4 crore in Sinha's account

with the Supreme Court branch of

Sonali Bank.

On December 10, 2019, the investigation

officer in the case filed a

chargesheet against the 11 accused. On

August 13, 2020, a court framed charges

against the 11, including Sinha.

WTO rules to help

Bangladesh more after

graduation:Hasina

30 Kurigram riverine

villages inundated

Badshah saykot, kurigram Correspondent

Due to deteriorating flood situation in different

states of India, all the gates of the

Teesta river barrage in Dalia point have

been opened and the water level of Teesta

river in Kurigram has increased rapidly.

Erosion have occurred at various points

with the rising water. Bidyananda and

Gharialdanga unions of Rajarhat upazila

of the district and 30 villages of Bajra

union including Thetrai, Daldalia,

Gunaigachha of Ulipur upazila have been

flooded. At least 35,000 people in these

villages have been inducted. Many families

in these areas have been starving since

morning as their stoves have been submerged

in water. Children and the elderly

are moving in the water at risk.

Hundreds of hectares of paddy fields

and newly planted potato fields have been

Low-lying areas of kurigram have been flooded due

to onrush of hill water and heavy rains, causing

immense sufferings to local people. photo: tBt

DHAKA : Allaying the apprehension

that Bangladesh will finally be a 'loser' as

a developing country, Prime Minister

Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said the

country would be able to avail of much

more alternative facilities under WTO

rules.

"Many people, perhaps, have a doubt

that we'll be deprived of many facilities

as a developing country. But we'll be able

to avail of much more facilities than

what we would be deprived of. It would

be a big deal (scope) for us," she said.

The Prime Minister made the remarks

while inaugurating the newly-constructed

Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China

Friendship Exhibition Centre at

Purbachal. She opened the eye-catching

exhibition centre virtually from her official

residence Ganobhaban here.

The centre equipped with modern

facilities is a permanent venue for different

product-based fairs round the year.

It was built by the Export Promotion

Bureau (EPB) under a project jointly

financed by Bangladesh and China.

Hasina said Bangladesh is now a

developing country. "We'll be able to

avail of the alternative facilities which

are available for a developing country

under the rules and guidelines of the

WTO. So, I think there would be no big

problem here."

"We'll get much more scope to expand

our exports and investment in the country,"

she said.

The Prime Minister urged the business

community to produce quality

products, diversify goods, expand the

export basket and explore new export

markets in order to sustain in the competition

of the fast-changing global market.

"We've to enhance our own capacity

for competition to retain our export

market. So, I would like to tell our business

community to produce quality

products considering the changing

demand and the specific (export) markets,"

she said, asking not to compromise

with the quality of goods.

"It's possible to diversify the country's

export products," the Prime Minister

said, adding that Bangladesh has a great

scope to boost export earnings by developing

different industries, including digital

devices, jute and jute-processed

goods and light engineering.

"Now we're producing ICT or digital

devices. This sector now can attract

investment. I think we've a big scope to

make the digital devices as the major

export product in the future," she said.

About environment-friendly jute and

jute goods, she stressed the need for the

development of new export products from

jutes through researches as people are now

much conscious about the environment.

Hasina also asked the manufacturers

and exporters of readymade garments,

knitwear and textiles, leather, ceramic

products, frozen goods, raw and

processed fish, light engineering, vegetables,

fruits, pharmaceuticals goods, and

the products of small cottage industries

to explore new markets and assess the

demand of products.

She said her government will create

scopes for Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to

invest in foreign countries as well so that

they can produce goods and create a

market for their items there.

inundated by the flood waters.

Shahidul Islam, a resident of Char

Goraipiya area of Thetrai Union, said the

water level in the Hu Hu Teesta had been

rising since Wednesday morning. By

noon, the water level had risen further,

flooding the lower reaches of the river

basin, and at night, water had entered at

least 600 houses in the Char Goraipiya

area, including my house. I woke up at

night with my wife and children at the

check post in panic because there was

water in the house. I ate dried biscuits at

night. I have been starving with my family

since morning as I could not cook as the

stove was submerged in water.

Ulipur Upazila Vice Chairman Abu

Saeed said at least a few thousand families

in several villages of Bajra Union including

Thetrai, Daldalia and Gunaigachha in

Ulipur Upazila have been inundated due

to rising water level of Teesta river. Dry

food is being provided to these waterlogged

families.

Rajarhat Upazila Project Implementation

Officer Sajibul Karim said at least 7,000

people in Vidyananda and Gharialdanga

Unions of the upazila were inundated due to

rising water levels in the Teesta River. 10 kg

of rice and dry food have been distributed

among these waterlogged people.

Abdullah Al Mamun, executive engineer

of the Kurigram Water Development

Board, said the flood situation has been

caused due to heavy rainfall and rising

slopes from the upper reaches of the river,

causing the Teesta River to overflow and

flow over 20 centimeters of danger at

Kaunia Point.

However, the flood situation is improving

as the water started receding on

Thursday. He also said that sandbags were

being dumped in the areas on an emergency

basis to prevent river erosion.

MoU signed between Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology and Neural Semiconductor

Ltd yesterday.

Photo : Courtesy

AUST signs MoU

with Neural

Semiconductor Ltd.

Prof. Dr. Mustafizur

Rahman, Treasurer of

Ahsanullah University of

Science and Technology

(AUST) and Md Shakhawat

Hossain, CEO, Neural

Semiconductor Ltd. (NSL)

signed a Memorandum of

Understanding (MoU) on

behalf of their respective

organizations at AUST

Campus on Thursday.Prof.

Dr. Muhammad Fazli Ilahi,

Vice-Chancellor of AUST

was present during the

signing ceremony.

Head of the department of

EEE, Prof. Dr. A.K.M Baki,

former head of EEE Dept.

Dengue: 151 more

hospitalized in

24 hours

DHAKA : Another 151

patients were hospitalized

with dengue fever across the

country in 24 hours till

Tuesday morning, reports

UNB.

With no deaths reported

during the period, the

number of fatalities from the

mosquito-borne disease this

year remained unchanged at

83, according to the

Directorate General of

Health Services (DGHS).

Bangladesh, Canada plan to launch

JWG to boost trade, investment

DHAKA : Canadian High

Commissioner to

Bangladesh Benoit

Prefontaine has expressed

his country's interest to

launch a joint working group

by November to increase

trade and investment

between Bangladesh and

Canada, reports UNB.

The two countries agreed

to form a joint working

group in 2017 and a term of

reference has also been

intended for this purpose but

it has not yet materialized.

High Commissioner

Prefontaine met Federation

of Bangladesh Chambers of

Commerce and Industry

(FBCCI) President Md.

Jashim Uddin on Thursday

and discussed the issue.

He said Canada has

already nominated four

representatives from the

private sector.

Welcoming the initiative of

the Canadian High

Commissioner, FBCCI

President Jashim said he

himself co-chairs the group.

The FBCCI will hold talks

with Bangladeshi

businessmen in preparation

for the formation of the joint

working group this month.

He said many countries

have invested in the 100

specialized economic zones

in Bangladesh which can also

appear to be attractive for

Canadians' entrepreneurs.

The FBCCI Chief called for

investment in primary

textile, leather products,

energy and power, ceramics,

furniture industry,

infrastructure and blue

economy sectors.

Praising Bangladesh's

progress, the Canadian High

Commissioner said that

despite being one of the most

promising economies in the

region in terms of socioeconomic

indicators,

economic growth and the

huge domestic markets,

Bangladesh is still unfamiliar

to Canadian investors.

Therefore,

the

entrepreneurs of the country

are not considering

Bangladesh in terms of new

investments.

However, the Canadian

embassy has already

appointed a senior trade

commissioner to improve

trade relations with

Bangladesh.

During the meeting,

FBCCI Vice-President MA

Momen said global investors

are looking for alternative

investment destinations of

China for various reasons.

Canadian companies may

consider Bangladesh in this

regard, he said, and called for

simplification of Canadian

visa process for Bangladeshi

businessmen.

Senior Vice President of

FBCCI Mostafa Azad

Chowdhury Babu; Vice-

Presidents Md. Amin Helaly

and Md. Habib Ullah Dawn;

and Chief Executive Officer

Mohammad Mahfuzul

Hoque were present.

NRBC Bank's 19

sub-branches

start operation

DHAKA : NRBC Bank Limited

launched its microfinance-based

partnership banking services with

the SKS Foundation to provide

banking services to the

marginalized people of 19

locations in different districts of

the country, reports UNB.

SM Parvez Tamal, chairman of

the bank, inaugurated 19 subbranches.

The partnership-based

19 sub-branches are Faridpur,

Dokkhin Boailmari, Sanalpara,

Chak Ramanandapur and

Atgharia in Pabna, Rajarampu in

Chapainawabganj,

reekhola,Talgachi, Parkola,

Shernagar, Brahmangram,

Chandaikona, Nimgachi, Hat

Pangashi in Sirajganj, Godarpara,

Ghoradhap, Sonatola of Bagura,

Rajabirat in Gaibandha and

Hapania in Naogaon.

Mou inked to provide free treatment

to Freedom Fighters

DHAKA : A memorandum of

understanding(Mou) has been

renewed between the Ministry

of Liberation War Affairs and

the city's BIRDEM General

Hospital to provide medical

services to the heroic freedom

fighters (FFs), reports BSS.

It was held at the conference

room of the Ministry of

Liberation War Affairs.

The Ministry of Liberation

War Affairs' Additional

Secretary Ranjit Kumar Das

and Director General of

BIRDEM Hospital Professor

Kaiyum Chowdhury signed the

MoU from their respective

sides.Liberation War Affairs

Minister AKM Mozammel

Haque and senior officials of

the Ministry of Liberation War

and BIRDEM Hospital were

present at the MoU signing

ceremony.

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UK lorry driver shortage not

improving: industry

LONDON : Britain's chronic lorry driver

shortage, sparked by Brexit and coronavirus

fallout, shows no sign of improvement

despite government efforts, industry bosses

said Tuesday, reports BSS.

Leaders from food, haulage and

recruitment sectors appeared before a

parliamentary committee, amid increasing

anxiety over Britain's supply chain crunch

that has emptied some supermarket shelves.

"Things are very challenged at the

moment," said Duncan Buchanan, policy

director at the Road Haulage Association

(RHA) industry body.

"There are widespread shortages of lorry

drivers, which are leading delays and

frustrated trips," he told the Business,

Energy and Industrial Strategy committee.

"Among our members we are still getting

reports that this hasn't eased at all."The

RHA has repeatedly warned that Britain

faces a shortage of 100,000 lorry drivers,

contributing to the nation's snarled up

containers ports.

"Things are not visibly getting better at

this stage, and I know there are a number

of measures that have been put in placestepping

up training, stepping up tests-but

on the ground that is not having much of an

effect," noted Buchanan.

Global bottlenecks caused by reopenings

from Covid lockdowns and foreign workers

leaving Britain after Brexit have caused an

acute shortage of lorry drivers, creating

nationwide supply chain issues across the

country.

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fRIDAY, OCTOBeR 22, 2021

3

On Thursday, S Mizanul Islam, a journalist from Banaripara, receiving the "Mahatma Gandhi Memorial

Medal-2021".

Photo : TBT

Bangladesh stall

inaugurated at

Frankfurt Book Fair

DHAKA : Bangladesh

stall was inaugurated at

the 73rd 'Frankfurt Book

Fair', the world largest

book fair, in Germany.

State Minister for

Cultural Affairs KM

Khalid inaugurated the

stall on Wednesday to

brighten the image of

Bangladesh across the

world, said a press

release.

In his speech, KM

Khalid said it is a matter

of great pride that

Bangladesh

is

participating in the

Frankfurt International

Book Fair on the occasion

of the birth centenary of

Father of the Nation

Bangabandhu Sheikh

Mujibur Rahman and on

the golden jubilee of

independence.

He hoped that this

participation would play

a significant role in

brightening the image of

Bangladesh abroad.

Director of the

Bangladesh Agricultural

Institute Dr Sohela

Akhter, Ekushey Medal

winning German

expatriate poet Nazmun

Nesa Piari, Additional

Secretary of the Ministry

of Culture Affairs Asim

Kumar Dey, Director of

National Library Minar

Mansur and Commercial

Counsellor of the

Bangladesh Embassy in

Berlin Md Saiful Islam,

among others, were

present on the occasion.

Dengue: One

more die, 170

hospitalised

DHAKA : One more died

and 170 patients were

hospitalized with dengue

fever across the country in

24 hours till Thursday

morning, reports UNB

The number of fatalities

from the mosquito-borne

disease this year stood at 84

with the latest death,

according to the Directorate

General of Health Services

(DGHS).

Among the new patients,

139 were undergoing

treatment in Dhaka

hospitals while the

remaining 31 cases were

reported from outside the

division.

Of the deceased, 78 people

died in Dhaka division

alone, two each in

Chattogram and Khulna

divisions and one each in

Rajshahi and Mymensingh

division.

Some 792 patients

diagnosed with dengue are

receiving treatment in the

country as of Thursday

morning.

Of them, 624 patients

are receiving treatment at

different hospitals in the

capital while the

remaining 168 were listed

outside Dhaka.

RU in-person classes resume

RAJSHAHI : Academic activities,

including classes in-person, in Rajshahi

University (RU) began on Thursday after

around 19 months of unexpected closure due

to Covid-19 pandemic situation.

Earlier, the varsity authority opened the

students' dormitories on Sunday last for the

convenience of the students, reports BSS.

With this breakthrough, students have

started entering into their respective

dormitories since the reopening day, getting

back to the normal situation in the campus.

The hall authorities set up hand

sanitization basins at the entrance point for

the students.

Vice-chancellor Prof Golam Sabbir Sattar

accompanied by Pro-vice-chancellors Prof

Chowdhury Jakaria and Prof Sultan-Ul-

Islam went round different classrooms

exchanging pleasantries with the students.

He said they have taken the decision of

cancelling the scheduled summer and winter

vacations of the current year to recoup the

academic losses.

Meanwhile, the public varsity has

launched an inoculation campaign on the

same day aimed at bringing its students

under the first dose and second dose Covid-

19 vaccination amid resuming dormitories

and academic activities.

It has also opened a 24-bed Covid-19

isolation room at the medical centre to deal

with any emergency situation.

Apart from this, the RU authority has

issued ten-point directives after its decision

of resuming academic activities, including

classes.

The directives must be followed by the

students while attending classes and staying

in dormitories.

Taking at least one dose of Covid-19

vaccine for all students has been made

mandatory. Otherwise, none will be allowed

to enter dormitory and classroom, it added.

On Thursday, the new initiative of Dhaka Ahsania Mission Health Sector,

'Mayer Hashi' Healthcare Center was inaugurated at Kamrangirchar in the

capital.

Photo : Courtesy

Macron writes to Hasina over

French photographer

Riboud's exhibition in Dhaka

DHAKA : French President Emmanuel

Macron has expressed his happiness over

the exhibition of photographs taken in

December 1971 by French photographer

Marc Riboud that is taking place at the

Liberation War Museum in Dhaka, reports

UNB.

In a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh

Hasina, the French President said the

photos soberly illustrate, with great

humanity, the events that led to the

independence of Bangladesh.

Marc Riboud had then spent a month with

the "Mukhti Bahini", the freedom fighters,

and was one of the very first to enter Dhaka,

freed on December 16th 1971, Macron

mentioned.

"These unique pictures show the

admirable courage of Bengali people

defending their freedom, their language,

their culture, responding to the call of the

Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh

Mujibur Rhaman," the letter reads.

They also witness the interest of France

and French people for a determined nation

and a country full of promises, as Andre

Malraux expressed right after the

declaration of independence, according to

the letter.

"I am pleased in that regard that this

exhibition also contributes to commemorate

the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment

of diplomatic relations between our two

countries that followed very closely the end

of the war, as well as a never disproven

relationship of trust and friendship,"

President Macron mentioned in his letter

addressed to Prime Minister Hasina.

The solo photography exhibition titled

"Bangladesh 1971: Mourning and Morning"

by Marc Riboud began on October 16.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen

and Ambassador of France to Bangladesh

Jean-Marin Schuh joined the inaugural

session of the exhibition.

It is a unique exhibition of never-beforeseen

photographs taken during the

Bangladesh Liberation War.

Fifty photographs are put on display for

the exhibition. This exhibition is being held

on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of

Bangladesh's independence.

Marc Riboud passed away in Paris in 2016

at the age of 93. The majority of his archives

were given to the National Museum of Asian

Arts - Guimet in Paris.

The ongoing exhibition will remain open

to all till November 16. Visiting hours are

Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 5

pm (closed on Sunday).

Badal made MD

of Journalist

Welfare Trust

DHAKA : The government

has appointed Subhash

Chandra Badal as the

managing director (MD) of

Bangladesh Journalist

Welfare Trust (BJWT) on a

two-year contract.

The Public Administration

Ministry on Thursday issued

a gazette notification saying

that Badal would serve in that

position on a two-year

contract.

According to the

notification, he has been

appointed on condition that

he will relinquish his

relationship with other

organisations.

This appointment will be

effective for a period of two

years from the date of joining.

Badal was a special

correspondent and board

member of Bangladesh

Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). He

was attached to the Press

Wing of the Prime Minister's

Office (PMO) from 2008 to

2011 as a correspondent of

BSS. Subhash Chandra Badal

also served BSS as its

correspond in New Delhi

from 2011 to 2016.

Fire at Mugda

General Hospital

under control

DHAKA : Seven people were

injured in a fire on the fifth

floor of Mugda Medical

College Hospital in the city

yesterday.

The fire that broke out at

the hospital was brought

under control around 2.10

pm.

Duty Officer of Fire Service

and Civil Defense

headquarters Lima Khanom

told BSS that on information

around 12:30pm, seven units

of the Fire Service and Civil

Defense rushed to the spot

and started working to douse

the fire.

"The fire came under full

control around 2.10 pm," she

said, adding that the cause of

the fire and extent of the

damage could not be known

immediately. The injured

people were sent to Dhaka

Medical College Hospital for

treatment.

Student stabbed

dead on college

campus in Sylhet

SYLHET : An 18-year-old

college student was hacked to

death allegedly by another

student at South Surma

College in South Surma

upazila in Sylhet on Thursday

noon. The deceased was

identified as Md Ariful islam

Rahat, son of Surman Ali of

Old Tetli area of South Surma

upazila. He was a class XII

student of the college, reports

UNB.

Witnesses said Rahat went

to his college to meet his

friends.

When he was getting out of

the college gate around 12:30

pm Sadi, another student of

the college, appeared there

riding a motorbike and

stabbed him indiscriminately

from behind , leaving him

injured, said victim's cousin

Rafi.

Later, Rahat was rushed to

a nearby hospital where

doctors declared him dead.

Kamrul Hasan Talkudar,

Officer-in-Charge of South

Surma Police Station, said

police are investigating the

incident. No one has been

arrested yet, the OC added.

Covid: 10 more die,

243 test positive

DHAKA : Covid-19 in

Bangladesh claimed ten more

lives and infected another 243

people in 24 hours till Thursday

morning, reports UNB.

The daily-case positivity rate

decreased further to 1.51 per

cent from Wednesday's 1.81 per

cent.

With the fresh numbers, the

Covid fatalities reached 27,801

while the caseload climbed to

1,566,907 in Bangladesh,

according to the Directorate

General of the Health services

(DGHS).

'Week of the Italian Language'

celebrated at DU

'The Week of the Italian

Language' has been

celebrated today October

21, 2021 at the Institute of

Modern Languages (IML)

of Dhaka University (DU)

marking the 700th death

anniversary of Italian

famous poet, writer and

philosopher Dante

Alighieri. The Embassy of

Italy in collaboration with

the IML of DU has

organized a virtual

exhibition and a workshop

on 'Dante 700' to celebrate

the week. Dhaka University

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr.

Md. Akhtaruzzaman

inaugurated the program

as chief guest, a press

release said.

Ambassador of Italy in

Bangladesh Mr. Enrico

Nunziata, Political Attaché

of the Embassy of

Switzerland in Dhaka Mr.

Thomas Baumgartner,

Deputy Head of the

Mission of the Embassy of

Italy in Dhaka Dr. Mattia

Ventura and Prof. of Italian

Language Course of IML

Dr. Stefania Chiapello

addressed the program.

Director of DU Institute of

Modern Languages Prof.

Dr. A. B. M. Razaul Karim

Faquire conducted the

program.

Dhaka University Vice-

Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md.

Akhtaruzzaman urged the

students to learn Italian

Language

for

strengthening academic

and economic relationship

between Bangladesh and

Italy. Terming Dante

Alighieri as the great poet

the VC said, he had

inspired people to make an

inclusive society across the

world. He stressed the

need for enrollment of

more students in Italian

Language course at IML of

DU to gather knowledge

about ancient Italian

civilization.

Italian Ambassador

Enrico Nunziata thanked

the Dhaka University

authorities to extend

support and cooperation

for holding this colorful

program. The relationship

among the people of the

two countries will be

further strengthened

through this program, he

hoped.

'The Week of the Italian Language' has been celebrated on Thursday at the

Institute of Modern Languages of Dhaka University marking the 700th

death anniversary of Italian poet Dante Alighieri. Dhaka University Vice-

Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman inaugurated the program as

chief guest.

Photo : Courtesy

SC dismisses convict's review

plea in Arafat killing case

DHAKA : The Appellate Division of the

Supreme Court (SC) yesterday dismissed a

petition filed by the sole convict, pleading to

review its judgement in a case lodged over

the murder of Noakhali madrasa student

Arafat Hossain, reports BSS.

The Appellate Division bench headed by

Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed

the order, after holding hearing on a plea

seeking review of the Appellate Division

judgement that upheld the death sentence of

convicted killer Md Zahangir.

Advocates Jainul Abedin and ABM Bayejid

argued for the plea, while Deputy Attorney

General Biswajit Debnath stood for the state.

The apex court on July 8, 2021, upheld the

High Court judgement that maintained the

initial judgement of the lower court,

convicting and sentencing Zahangir to death.

According to the case documents,

Zahangir took Arafat Hossain, 9, a student of

Maijdi Nurani Hafijia Madrasa and son of

Babul Khan of village Gopinathpur under

Sudharam Police Station of Noakhali, to a

nearby graveyard and brutally hacked the

child to death.

Arafat's father filed the case and the police

arrested him soon. Zahangir later gave

confessional statement under section 164,

saying he killed Arafat as he had a long

standing dispute with Arafat's father.

Noakhali District and Sessions Judge

Court on July 28, 2008, convicted and

sentenced Zahangir to death. After holding

hearing on his death reference and jail

appeal, the High Court on November 18,

2013, scraped his plea and upheld Zahangir's

death sentence.

The Khulna branch of Jahan International School has been inaugurated.

Sheikh Belal, nephew of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, inaugurated

the new branch at Gaganbabu Road in Khulna recently. Photo : Courtesy

frIDaY, OcTOber 22, 2021

4

Aligning Saudi education with modern needs

Acting Editor & Publisher : Jobaer Alam

e-mail: editor@thebangladeshtoday.com

Friday, October 22, 2021

Right to privacy

The jurisprudence of data protection stems from the right to

privacy. Data protection and privacy are recognised as

fundamental rights. An individual's "private life" includes the

protection of his or her personal data. Personal data, in principle, is

information that identifies an individual, or is related to the

individual.

Data, in the age of the fourth industrial revolution, is considered

as the new currency. The amount of data created and stored every

day continues to grow at an unprecedented rate, and data-driven

disruptive technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Internet of

Things and Big Data are continuously challenging the legal

framework in every jurisdiction.

Data protection laws by and large govern processing and handling

of personal information and aim to protect individuals to safeguard

their privacy and protect their personal information from being

misused by others. According to Privacy International, 126

countries now have data protection laws. Article 43(B) of the

Constitution of Bangladesh safeguards citizens' privacy of

correspondence and communication, but such protection would

not usually extend to the breach of privacy caused by a private entity

or caused through peer-to-peer data-sharing.

The basic distinction between "data" and "information" is that

data is unprocessed, i.e. raw facts, texts, figures, symbols or

characters. Data, once refined or processed, transforms into

information, and becomes useful to users. The ICT Act, 2006 of

Bangladesh was intended to provide the legal framework and

recognition to digital signature, electronic records and controller of

certifying authorities. It was not intended to deal with data privacy

or data protection, nor does it intend to do so now.

However, the government of Bangladesh has enacted the Digital

Security Act, 2018, and the same was published through a gazette

notification on October 8, 2018. Digital Security Act, 2018, which is

commonly known as the Cyber Security Act in other jurisdictions,

aims to promote confidentiality, integrity, and availability of public

and private information systems and networks with the goal to

protect individuals' rights and privacy, economic interests and

security in the cyberspace. Therefore, the inherent purposes of the

ICT Act, 2006 and the Digital Security Act, 2018 are therefore

distinct.

With the enactment of the Digital Security Act, 2018, Bangladesh

has stepped into the data or information protection regime. Section

26 of the Digital Security Act, 2018 defines personal data as

"identity information". Section 26 requires that an individual's

explicit consent or authorisation be obtained for collecting, selling,

storing/preserving, supplying or using his or her identity

information.

Section 26 defines any external, biological or physical information

or any other information which identifies a person or system singly

or jointly as "identity information". This includes name, picture,

address, date of birth, mother's name, father's name, signature,

national identity card, birth and death registration number,

fingerprint, passport number, bank account number, driving

licence, e-TIN number, electronic or digital signature, username,

credit or debit card number, voice print, retina image, iris image,

DNA profile, security question, etc. Collecting, selling, preserving,

supplying, or using such "identity information" without the

individual's explicit consent or authorisation is a crime, which is

punishable for a maximum term of five years' imprisonment, or for

a penalty of Tk 5 lakh maximum, or both.

Consent/authorisation unequivocally is the decisive factor, as far

as Section 26 is concerned, and unless consent/authorisation is

expressly given by the information/data subject, processing identity

information is prohibited. Section 26 appears to interpret consent

"strictly", which means without consent, or once the consent is

withdrawn, information cannot be used or processed. However,

Digital Security Act, 2018 does not appear to contain further

provisions to administer regulation of consent or processing

identity information by an individual. Digital Security Act, 2018 in

its preamble defines an "individual" as an organisation or public or

private entity or a body created by law.

The doctrine of consent followed in various data protection

regimes, including UK, EU, Canada and Australia, makes it very

clear that "consent" must be voluntarily given, it must be specific,

informed and unambiguous, and is subject to withdrawal by the

same individual that gave the consent. Consent could therefore be

conditional. Section 26 of the Digital Security Act, 2018 is therefore

"the provision" that specifically governs protection of personal

information or data in Bangladesh. It is the lone, yet a very powerful

and persuasive, piece of law in Bangladesh, as far as protection of

information/data is concerned. It therefore would not be

appropriate to be under the impression that "Bangladesh does not

currently have a specific law to govern protection of personal

information or data."

Section 26 can have an immense impact in Bangladesh's digital

economy, especially the telecommunication, e-commerce, banking

and fintech industries. Companies in these industries handle a huge

amount of customer data in electronic or digital form every day.

Besides, there are entities that collect customer information/data.

This information/data is mostly customer names, their cell phone

numbers and email addresses that are regularly shared with various

entities for sending bulk SMSs, phone calls and emails for

marketing purposes. Post-enactment of the Digital Security Act,

2018, telecommunication, e-commerce, and fintech companies,

banks, third parties and other entities now must obtain

authorisation or consent, from the individuals (principal) whose

identity information/data they are handling, or are required to

revalidate their respective privacy terms and conditions in order to

comply with Section 26. Breach or non-compliance of Section 26

could trigger potential criminal liabilities against such entities.

Breach could result from absence of consent or for breach of any

conditions of such consent too. Any pre-executed privacy policies or

privacy terms and conditions must now be construed in accordance

to Section 26(1), to ensure that an individual's identity information

is used lawfully, and for the purpose it was collected for.

It is also important to note that mere existence of any privacy

policy or terms and conditions executed in the form of a contract

prior to or post-enactment of the Digital Security Act, 2018, cannot

oust the jurisdiction of a criminal court in cases where Section 26(1)

is breached.

Nonetheless, the government, as a matter of fact, is going to frame

rules (supplementary regulations) pursuant to Section 60(1) and (2)

of the Digital Security Act, 2018, which is expected to address the

breadth of issues related to information/data regulation, including

categorisation of personal information/data, defining sensitive

personal information/data, manners for processing

information/data and exemptions thereof, duties of the

information/data fiduciary, procedure for preserving

information/data, rights of the information/data principal,

procedure and conditions for obtaining and revoking consent,

procedure for executing the right to seek remedy in case of breach,

etc. The need for framing rules or supplementary regulations is

significant, considering the fact that we generate a huge amount of

information/data in Bangladesh every day, and such

information/data can be used for data analytics which could help us

in many facets including designing new products or services, solving

various problems that we experience in our daily social lives,

improving healthcare services and traffic systems, combating

crimes, managing supply chain efficiently, handling manufacturing

process more robustly, transforming the agriculture eco-system,

maximising earning foreign currency by exporting

information/data andso on.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince

Mohammed bin Salman recently

launched a program to develop the

nation's human capabilities.

The national strategy aims to enhance

the competitiveness of citizen's

capabilities locally and globally. It is an

ambitious program that aims to enhance

values, develop the fundamental skills of

today and meet the future needs of the

Kingdom's labor market in sync with the

rest of the world.

Early education is at the center of the

program, which includes 89 initiatives to

achieve 16 strategic objectives of Vision

2030. The pillars of the program are

developing a resilient and strong

educational base, preparing for the future

labor market locally and globally, and

providing lifelong learning opportunities.

Far too long, Saudi Arabia's educational

system has contributed to a mismatch

between what the evolving job market

required and what education system

produced. The new program aims to do

away with this discord.

It seeks to make a difference within the

Kingdom and beyond by empowering

future Saudi generations who are

knowledgeable, skillful and productive

members of society and can effectively

contribute to the national economy and

social well-being.

The strategy, if properly executed, will

lead to the emergence of a generation that

Dr. MOhaMeD raMaDY

embodies certain characteristics where

education plays a central role that leads to

a virtuous cycle of continuous lifelong

learning.

The core of the program, starting from

kindergarten, is to ignite a passion for

learning, prepare a youthful generation

for the challenges of a digital

environment, develop them as local and

global citizens, and prepare them for a

rapidly evolving work environment.

The strategy, if properly executed, will

lead to the emergence of a generation that

embodies certain characteristics where

education plays a central role that leads to

a virtuous cycle of continuous lifelong

learning.

In a globalized age, intercultural

interaction skills are just as important as

digital skills, as well as leadership skills,

entrepreneurial skills, self-reliance in

resolving problems, overcoming

challenges and having initiative. These

skills are critical for fostering an

ZahIr SheraZI

entrepreneurial passion for startups and

high-tech and innovative companies.

The program must foster a passion for

learning from an early age, as well as

instill a global outlook that is respectful to

alternative opinions. The programs

should also ensure that citizens take pride

in their Saudi heritage and values, while

being environmentally conscious in an era

focused on environmental, social and

governance approaches.

To succeed, the planned human

capability development program has to

incorporate a holistic integration of the

different elements that encapsulates

multi-stage education platforms to

accelerate human skills programs and

unlock their potential.

To ensure that academic programs are

not taught in a vacuum, student trips to

private and public organizations should

be made part of the curriculum to better

understand the complexities of

professional work environments and

create interest in different sectors.

While the primary focus has been on the

younger generation, the crown prince has

made it clear that the program has been

developed to meet the needs and

aspirations of all segments of society. The

aim is to have the older generation

retrained and supported to enable them to

fully participate in the Kingdom's

economic future and utilize their

experience instead of fading away in their

retirement.

It is heartening that some retirees from

national companies such as Saudi Aramco

have established consultancy companies

to continue offering their services and

advice in many fields. Retraining these

retirees in the digital age can only enhance

their contribution to society.

Similar to the initial launch of the

various Vision 2030 programs, the new

human capability development program

will be finely tuned and adapted with

experience and results over time, but the

goal post has been set to transform the

Saudi educational system.

In the final analysis, it is quality human

capital and its ability to use this in a

productive manner that differentiates

nations' economic growth patterns over

time, even if they lack natural resources,

as countries like Singapore, South Korea

and Japan demonstrate.

Source: arab news

Will Afghanistan's powerful neighbours engage the Taliban?

The withdrawal of US and NATO

forces from Afghanistan is

inevitably leaving a political

vacuum in South and Central Asia. The

question that many are asking is who will

step in to fill it. Afghanistan's immediate

neighbours - Pakistan, Iran and China -

all have special interests in the country

that they are likely to pursue with

renewed vigour.

None is likely to play the same

significant role the US did in shaping the

future of the country but all three want to

see a stable government in Kabul and

security established across the country in

view of their own national security

interests.

The Taliban, for its part, is looking to

establish positive relations with its

neighbours to earn international

legitimacy and attract investment for

much needed economic development. So

what does this mean for relations with

Pakistan, China and Iran?

Pakistan, which shares a 2,670km-long

(1,659-mile) border with Afghanistan,

has suffered a lot during the past four

decades of turmoil. It has had to pay a

heavy price for acting as a launching pad

for Washington's and its allies' "Afghan

jihad" on the USSR after the Soviet

invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. The 9/11

attacks and the subsequent "war on

terror" only worsened the security

situation in Pakistan.

The instability has enabled armed

groups along the Pakistan-Afghan

border to flourish. Tehreek-e-Taliban

Pakistan (Pakistan Taliban) and Baloch

insurgents have been attacking targets in

Pakistan for years, killing more than

83,000 and inflicted billions of dollars

worth of losses on the Pakistani

economy. Islamabad has often alleged

that violent attacks on Pakistan have

been planned and executed from Afghan

soil with the active support of Indian

intelligence. At the same time, Pakistani

security agencies have been accused of

backing the Afghan Taliban, especially

the Haqqani network.

In this context, the Taliban takeover of

Kabul and the withdrawal of US forces

were perceived as a positive

development by policy and military

circles in Islamabad. Their attitude has

been: "We are happy because with the

Taliban in power, our western borders

will be secured as archrival India will be

out of the game."

This optimism about a friendly

government in Kabul is also

strengthened by the fact that the Taliban

never retaliated with violence for

Pakistan providing support for the USled

military operation which dislodged

them from power in 2001 or for handing

over some of its members to western

forces. Some have even speculated about

a prominent role that Islamabad may

play in Kabul, specifically after news of a

September 4 visit to the Afghan capital

by Pakistani intelligence chief Lieutenant

General Faiz Hameed emerged.

In the international arena, Islamabad

has also been actively campaigning for

international engagement with the

Taliban. In his video messages to the UN

General Assembly aired on September

24, Prime Minister Imran Khan urged

the world community to support the

Taliban government and help the

In a globalized age, intercultural interaction skills are just as important

as digital skills, as well as leadership skills, entrepreneurial

skills, self-reliance in resolving problems, overcoming challenges and

having initiative. These skills are critical for fostering an entrepreneurial

passion for startups and high-tech and innovative companies.

country with much-needed

humanitarian aid.

However, Pakistan may not enjoy an

unrivalled authority over the Taliban, as

some have speculated. Well-placed

sources divulged to the author that

during an August 16 National Security

Council meeting in Islamabad, the

military commanders clarified to the

parliamentarians that the Taliban may

not listen to Pakistan, as it used to in the

past. That is why, Islamabad is also

cautious and not going for a solo flight to

quickly recognise the Taliban

government, as it did in the 1990s.

Although it still has not formally

recognised the government in Kabul,

Pakistan has high hopes for engagement

with it on the economic front. During

former President Ashraf Ghani's time in

office, the flow of imported goods

through Pakistani ports to landlocked

Afghanistan dropped by 80 percent, as

Kabul started favouring Iranian ports,

funded by India. Bilateral trade also

declined from $2.8bn in 2011 to $1.8bn.

Islamabad would like to see the use of

Pakistani ports for Afghan imports

restored and bilateral trade boosted.

Pakistan also hopes that increased

security under the Taliban would allow it

to intensify its trade with Central Asia,

where there is potential for significant

growth. It is eyeing the completion of the

Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-

India (TAPI) pipeline, which would

deliver natural gas from Turkmenistan

to the three South Asian nations. The

construction of the pipeline stalled in

recent years, as the Afghan government

was unable to provide security for the

project works on Afghan territory.

Moving forward, Pakistan can expect a

friendly government in Kabul only if it

develops a relationship of mutual trust

and respect with the Afghans.

The April announcement of US troops

withdrawal from Afghanistan increased

concern in China about border security

in the Wakhan Corridor, where it shares

a 92km (57 miles) border strip with

Afghanistan, but also encouraged the

Chinese government to approach the

Taliban leadership for preliminary talks.

Beijing fears a chaotic Afghanistan

may cause a spillover of violence to

Xinjiang province and hurt its strategic

regional investment in the Belt and Road

Initiative (BRI). The Taliban takeover

has opened a strategic door for China

into Afghanistan that could turn out to

be laden with risks.

On July 28, Mullah Ghani Baradar and

a nine-member Taliban delegation met

with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi

in Tianjin, which resulted in the Taliban

giving assurances that it will not allow

Afghan soil to be used for attacks against

China in exchange for Chinese economic

support and investment for the

reconstruction of the war-ravaged

country. This meeting was a turning

point for the Taliban, as Mullah Baradar

was able to earn the backing of a

superpower that could play a major role

in the reconstruction and development

of Afghanistan. In an August 16

statement on the Taliban takeover of

Kabul, Chinese foreign ministry

spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China

is "ready" to develop further relations

with Afghanistan.

And China made good on its promise.

While other powers shunned the Taliban

government announced in early

September, China responded to its calls

for humanitarian aid and pledged $31m

worth of assistance. On September 23, Yi

criticised the US for freezing Afghan

assets during a virtual conference of G20

foreign ministers. Less than a week later,

In this context, the Taliban takeover of Kabul and the withdrawal

of US forces were perceived as a positive development by policy

and military circles in Islamabad. Their attitude has been: "We

are happy because with the Taliban in power, our western borders

will be secured as archrival India will be out of the game."

the first batch of Chinese aid landed at

Kabul airport.

China is also eyeing to cash in on the

untapped mineral resources in

Afghanistan, which are estimated to have

a value of $1 to $3 trillion. Apart from

rare earth elements, the country also has

vast reserves of gold, platinum, silver,

copper, iron, chromite, lithium,

uranium, and aluminium as well as

precious stones. The Taliban appears to

be willing to give access to these

resources and use the revenue to solidify

its rule.

However, the Taliban takeover of

Afghanistan also worries China. If the

Taliban government fails to control the

East Turkestan Islamic Movement

(ETIM) or other violent groups on

Afghan territory, this could destabilise

Xinjiang province. Furthermore, an

unstable Afghanistan could harbour

other militant groups that could

undermine or sabotage China's BRI

initiatives in the region. Insecurity in the

country would also prevent any Chinese

mining or other economic projects from

kicking off.

Other regional and global players are

also eyeing Afghan resources and they

might end up using local militant groups

or warlords to secure their interests. This

could undermine Chinese economic

interests in Afghanistan and the region.

So Beijing will likely approach

relations with the Taliban government

with caution and take its time in making

investments in the country.

Iran, which shares a 921km (572-mile)

border with Afghanistan, has also

suffered from the instability ravaging its

neighbour for decades. In the 1990s,

Tehran was backing the Northern

Alliance of anti-Taliban forces and did

not recognise Taliban rule in Kabul.

Worried by the vast US military

presence in the region after 2001, Iran

established ties with the group and tried

to undermine US interests by covertly

supporting it.

Overall, the Iranians were pleased with

the US withdrawal, which Iranian

President Ebrahim Raisi termed a

military "failure" in an August 16

statement. But his government has also

been worried about security and political

developments in the country ever since.

In early September, it reacted sharply to

the Taliban offensive against the

opposition stronghold in Panjshir valley.

Tehran also criticised the Taliban for

not including minorities in the cabinet it

announced. One of its main concerns in

Afghanistan is safeguarding the Hazara

Shia community, which faced severe

persecution during the last Taliban rule.

Apart from political interests, Iran also

looks to Afghanistan for economic

opportunities. US sanctions severely

hurt Iranian global trade, but

Afghanistan under the Taliban would not

shun economic engagement with it to

please the US.

Iran will strive to maintain its access to

the Afghan market, which in recent years

has been flooded with Iranian goods. In

2018, Iran became Afghanistan's biggest

trade partner, with its exports reaching

nearly $2bn, in addition to a large

volume of Afghan imports passing

through Iranian ports.

While maintaining high trade volumes,

Iran will also seek to stem the flow of

narcotics through its porous border with

Afghanistan. Iran is a major market for

Afghan opium and an important corridor

for shipping narcotics to Europe and the

Persian Gulf. The Taliban has been

repeatedly accused of benefitting from

the drug trade and encouraging it.

Therefore, establishing effective

mechanisms with the Taliban

government to solve the narcotics

problem will be a major challenge for

Iran.

Another contentious issue between

Kabul and Tehran are militants

threatening Iranian security. Iran's

border regions of Khorasan and Sistan-

Baluchistan have seen a number of

terrorist attacks in recent years blamed

on extremist groups operating along the

Afghan-Iranian and Pakistani-Iranian

borders. The Taliban has given

assurances that it will not allow armed

groups on Afghan soil to threaten other

countries, but Iran will expect more than

just words.

The more than two million Afghan

refugees on Iranian territory also worry

Tehran. With its own economy in tatters

and socioeconomic tensions within

Iranian society rising, the Iranian

government is hardly in a position to

provide for them or welcome more

newcomers. That is why Iran wants to

see stability in Afghanistan that would

allow some of these refugees to return.

Thus, Afghanistan's neighbours -

Pakistan, China and Iran - all have a

vested interest in a stable government in

Kabul that can secure Afghan borders

and economic activities. They will likely

cooperate with each other, as well as

Russia, to see that through. In this way,

the Taliban government will be under

the influence of an emerging anti-US

axis, which will seek to eliminate US

influence in the region and determine its

new security infrastructure.

Source: Al jazeera

FriDAY, ocTobEr 22, 2021

5

A remote Afghan village offers a peek of the country's future

FrAnZ J. MArTY

In the dead of night on August 30, 2021,

the last U.S. forces stepped off the

tarmac of Kabul Airport onto a plane and

left Afghanistan. It was almost 20 years

after the first U.S. forces entered

Afghanistan in the wake of the 9/11

attacks, to go after al-Qaida and topple

the Emirate of the Taliban that sheltered

them. In a twist that would have been

unimaginable back in late 2001, by the

time the U.S. left the Taliban again held

sway in the capital Kabul and practically

in the whole of Afghanistan - a feat that

they did not even achieve at the prior

height of their power in September

2001.

What the future holds for Afghanistan

is difficult to predict and depends on

what exactly the Taliban and the

international community will do in the

next weeks and months. However, the

situation in one remote corner of

Afghanistan offers a peek into the future

of the whole country.

While the final departure of U.S. forces

literally happened overnight, and

without any fanfare or even a clear

announcement, the full U.S.

disengagement from Afghanistan was a

long goodbye. Some provinces and

outposts were already abandoned years

ago, like Combat Outpost Keating in

Kamdesh, a district in the eastern

Afghan province of Nuristan, which was

vacated by U.S. forces over a decade ago,

in 2009.

In several aspects, Kamdesh

epitomizes the whole U.S. mission in

Afghanistan. Going to Afghanistan

meant going to one of the most remote

parts of the world and going to Kamdesh

meant going to one of the most remote

spots in Afghanistan. U.S. soldiers called

Kamdesh "the dark side of the moon,"

and Keating was arguably the most

remote outpost in the whole U.S. war

effort in Afghanistan. And while the

mission in Kamdesh and the larger

Nuristan-Kunar region was initially to

hunt down al-Qaida and their allies, it

turned, over time, into something that

no one could exactly describe. Indeed, a

A Talib standing on a ridge in Kamdesh district.

U.S. military investigation into the final

days of Combat Outpost Keating

concluded that "the mission devolved

into one of base defense and by mid-

2009 there was no tactical or strategic

value to holding the ground occupied by

COP Keating." Although focusing on

other valleys in Kunar and Nuristan, this

devolving of the mission is excellently

dissected in Wesley Morgan's book "The

Hardest Place."

In any event, as the United States had

no clear objective in Kamdesh anymore,

Combat Outpost Keating had already

been earmarked to be abandoned by the

summer of 2009. However, logistical

reasons delayed giving up Keating - and

provided the Taliban with an

opportunity. On October 3, 2009, an

estimated 300 Taliban fighters launched

a full-blown attack against Keating and,

temporarily, even breached its

perimeter. U.S. soldiers manning

Keating, with heavy air support,

eventually managed to repel the Taliban.

However, with eight U.S. soldiers killed

and 22 more wounded as well as over

150 Taliban casualties, it was one of the

bloodiest U.S.-Taliban battles of the

whole U.S. war in Afghanistan and

became the subject of books (see e.g.

here and here) as well as the movie "The

Outpost."

In spite of the heavy casualties the

Taliban suffered, when U.S. forces

abandoned Keating soon after the Battle

of Kamdesh, the Taliban were again in

control of almost all of Kamdesh and felt

victorious - a feeling now echoing

through the whole of the country, and

still persistent in Kamdesh.

Although the United States deployed

troops to Kamdesh at least once more,

for a very short stint in 2012, U.S.

Photo: Franz J. Marty

involvement in the district practically

ceased to exist there more than a decade

ago, meaning that what is playing out in

the whole country now already

happened years ago in Kamdesh.

By now, barely anything of the prior

U.S. involvement remains in Kamdesh.

Indeed, when The Diplomat visited the

site of Combat Outpost Keating in early

August 2021, the few shells of Soviet

armored personnel carriers left rusting

there for over three decades were more

prominent than anything the Americans

left behind. The former Combat Outpost

Keating was practically invisible. What

the U.S. bombardment that followed the

U.S. withdrawal from Keating did not

destroy back in 2009 is now overgrown

by ferns and bushes whose leaves quietly

rustle in the wind. The small peninsula

protruding into the white water of the

Landay Sin River, where once U.S.

resupply helicopters landed, is now

covered in small trees.

And while one might assume that the

sturdy beton bridge spanning a tributary

to the Landay Sin River, connecting the

place of the former combat outpost with

the former helicopter landing zone, was

constructed by the Americans, this is not

the case. "The bridge was built during

the [first] Taliban era [before September

2001] by a non-governmental

organization," explained Mawlawi Abdul

Reza, a teacher at a madrassa, a religious

school, who hails from Ormor, the

village only a stone's throw away from

what was once Keating. Another

resident of Kamdesh confirmed this.

"The Americans built nothing here;

only their base which they later

destroyed," Reza added with scorn in his

voice.

The latter is not entirely true, as

several other solid cement bridges - one

of the most important pieces of

infrastructure in valleys cut through by

fast flowing mountain rivers - were built

in the early 2000s with U.S. aid. "Since

these bridges in the early 2000s, there

have been no development projects at all

here," Obaid Rahmon, a resident of

Kamdesh, told The Diplomat. This is not

hard to believe. Roads in the district

remain unpaved and bumpy, winding

through difficult terrain. Basic clinics are

far and few between, and the ones that

exist and are open are regularly short of

doctors and medicine.

In 2020, the then-government of

Afghanistan, which was largely funded

by the U.S., started to build several

schools in Kamdesh and Barg-e Matal,

the district located upstream from

Kamdesh, as Rahmon acknowledged.

However, the school building that The

Diplomat visited in early August 2021

remained an empty, unfinished shell

and with the current uncertainties it is

questionable when, if ever, it will be

completed.

According to residents of Kamdesh,

other promised development projects

never materialized. "The Americans said

they would construct a pipe system for

drinking water for our village, but they

never did," Abdul Jalil an old school

teacher from Ormor, told The Diplomat.

"Back when the Americans where here,

there were jobs here and a lot of money,

but no security," Jalil and other men

from Ormor said, sitting on a wooden

bench surrounded by the steep slopes

peppered with small trees from which

the Taliban used to regularly attack the

Americans in Keating.

The Diplomat has heard similar

feelings - disappointment over lack of

basic developments and complaints

about insecurity - in many other places

across Afghanistan during the past

months and years. Based on that trend,

it seems likely that little of the existing

U.S. investments in Afghanistan will be

remembered in a few years from now.

"With the Americans gone, the money

stopped and nothing was left behind; but

the security problems continued," Jalil

added, which was seconded by the

others. Given that the forces of the now

toppled Afghan Republic did not vacate

Kamdesh along with U.S. forces, clashes

between the Republican forces and the

Taliban continued in Kamdesh until the

complete fall of the district in early

August 2021. However, when the men

from Ormor mentioned their concern

regarding insecurity, they were not only

referring to clashes between Republican

and Taliban forces in the past.

"In the past 11 years, a total of 40

houses were burnt down in Ormor. The

last incident only took place 15 days ago

[in late July 2021]," Jalil stated. "No one

knows who is behind these incidents and

why they burn down the houses," the

residents of Ormor claimed.

"The U.S. presence here has split the

local people," one man from Ormor said,

"and this split exists still now, long after

the U.S. left." While his comment

implied that such a split is the reason for

the numerous acts of arson in Ormor, in

a country like Afghanistan where

longstanding violent personal, clan, or

tribal enmities are frequent, there are

many alternative potential explanations.

Either way, there are no indications that

these arson attacks will stop now after

the full Taliban takeover.

How a Chinese sailboat became a

microcosm for Arctic geopolitics

TrYM EiTErJorD

On June 30, Zhai Mo, a Chinese

painter-turned-adventurer, set sail

from Shanghai on what was supposed

to be, in his own words, the first-ever

non-stop circumnavigation of the

Arctic Ocean. Zhai, whose earlier

nautical achievements include a twoyear

solo circumnavigation of the

Earth, was now embarking on a fourmonth

journey along the shores of the

world's northernmost ocean,

ostensibly to bring attention to the

effects of climate change in the

Arctic.Yet there was more to the

northbound odyssey than the

environment. "This voyage will help

implement the Belt and Road

Initiative," the China Daily declared as

the modestly named Zhai Mo 1

departed Shanghai.

As climate change thaws open

previously iced-over waterways in the

circumpolar north, Beijing has begun

using the term "Polar Silk Road" to

refer to the Arctic Ocean and the

various sea routes that crisscross it,

including the Northern Sea Route

along Russia's northern coast, the

Northwest Passage via Canada, and,

pending further sea ice decline, a

possible transpolar route cutting

across the North Pole. The Polar Silk

Road, as with the Belt and Road

Initiative more broadly, has become

shorthand for the geoeconomic goals

that Beijing endeavors to realize in the

region, with shipping forming a key

The Zhai Mo 1 departing Shanghai on June 30, 2021.

interest.

But as the Arctic sea ice continues to

diminish and its waters become more

navigable, disputes over the legal

status of various channels and straits

are re-surfacing. And Beijing, which

only a decade ago paid little attention

to maritime affairs in the Arctic, has

begun to take a more active interest in

the governance of these northern

waters with an eye toward securing

access to Arctic sea routes. These

aspirations put the country at odds

with the region's coastal states.

Whether by accident or by design,

Zhai's polar peregrinations expose

these tensions. The geopolitical

undertones of Zhai's sailing were made

more overt by the plethora of stateowned

companies and government

agencies that have lined up to sponsor

and support the voyage. Telecom

major China Mobile is using the

voyage as a branding opportunity,

having partnered with Zhai to

emblazon the state-owned company's

logo across the ship's hull and sail.

Other state-owned sponsors include

shipping giant COSCO, which started

sending commercial voyages through

the Northern Sea Route in 2013. China

Global Television Network (CGTN),

the international division of CCTV, the

country's state-controlled broadcaster,

is also heavily involved in Zhai's

voyage, hosting regular hour-long live

streams featuring the captain

discussing his day-to-day experiences

navigating the Arctic. Another

Photo: FleetMon

sponsor, China Institution of

Navigation, which recently began

working more closely with the

country's polar research community

and shipping industry in an effort to

improve China's polar seafaring

capabilities, sent high-ranking

representatives to Zhai Mo 1's launch

in Shanghai. A month after setting sail,

Zhai and his crew of two reached the

Bering Strait, the Pacific gateway to

the Arctic Ocean, to commence their

polar circumnavigation. They hung

west toward the north coast of Russia,

intending to sail via the Northeast

Passage. In early August, however, the

crew encountered problems as they

were nearing the Vil'kitskii Strait,

located at the western entrance to the

Northern Sea Route - part of the

passage that Russia claims as internal

waters. Unable to produce the

necessary paperwork to enter the

strait, which is subject to Russian laws,

the Russian Coast Guard denied the

vessel passage.

In response, Zhai tried sailing north

in an attempt to navigate around the

strait but was stopped there as well,

this time by heavy sea ice. Blocked in,

Zhai sent word to the ship's owner in

China, which, on August 9, filed an

application with the Russian

authorities. Two days later, they

granted Zhai permission to pass

through the strait and continue his

voyage westward.

Having overcome his brush with

Russian maritime law enforcement in

the Arctic, in mid-September, Zhai

prepared to enter the Northwest

Passage. Much as how Russia

exercises sovereignty over the

Northern Sea Route, Canada claims

the Northwest Passage as internal

waters and mandates that foreignflagged

ships may only enter at their

discretion. Typically, foreign vessels

have only needed to notify Canadian

authorities before entering the

Northwest Passage. Last year,

however, Ottawa issued a ban on

pleasure crafts operating in its Arctic

waters, including sailboats, to protect

vulnerable communities in the area,

which are largely Indigenous and

lacking in medical facilities, from the

spread of COVID-19. The ban remains

in effect today. While international

crafts "exercising their right of

innocent passage" can be exempted,

they are required to notify Canadian

authorities at least 60 days before

entering the country's northern

waters.

It seems, however, that Zhai did

nothing of the sort. The day before his

planned entrance to the passage, the

Chinese sailor proclaimed, "The

international community views the

passage as a sea route for international

navigation." Canada does not share

this view: On September 16, Chinese

media reported that Zhai had been

"illegally stopped," this time by the

Canadian Coast Guard, as he was

making his way from the North

Atlantic Ocean into Lancaster Sound,

the eastern opening of the Northwest

Passage.

Transport Canada, the government

agency responsible for regulating

Canadian waterways, quickly refuted

the claim that Zhai had been turned

away when trying to enter the

Northwest Passage, stating instead

that Zhai had "not entered Canada's

Arctic Waters" and that they had been

monitoring his vessel and had

informed him of the ban on pleasure

crafts.

Chinese state media judging the ban

to be illegal is significant, as it would -

assuming editorial decisions are

sanctioned by Beijing - imply

opposition to Canada's sovereignty

over the Northwest Passage. If so, this

would signal that China has grown

bolder when it comes to asserting itself

in the Arctic.

So far, Beijing has not taken a clear

official position on the legal status of

either the Northeast or the Northwest

Passage. In 2012, when the Chineseflagged

research icebreaker Xuelong

completed its first voyage through the

Northern Sea Route, state media

noted that disagreement existed over

whether certain segments of the route

constituted "waters for international

navigation." Then, when asked at a

press conference in 2016 about China's

position on the legal status of the

Northwest Passage, a foreign ministry

spokesperson gave a non-answer,

noting, "Canada considered that the

route crosses its waters, although

some countries believed it was open to

international navigation." In its first

Arctic policy, released in 2018,

Beijing tip-toed around these issues

again with a sweeping statement

that it "respect[s] the sovereignty,

sovereign rights.

People sit on the ground while waiting for hours to withdraw cash from ATMs

in Yangoon.

Photo: AP

Myanmar crisis demotivating

the investors

DoMinic oo

The precipitous collapse of

the Myanmar kyat, which

has lost more than 60

percent of its value in recent

weeks, is the latest sign of

the plight facing the

country's economy, which

has already been pushed to

the verge of total collapse.

High inflation, rising food

prices, and an acute cash

shortage have plunged the

population into economic

desperation. The Asian

Development Bank and the

World Bank estimate that

Myanmar's GDP shrank by

18 percent in the fiscal year

to September 30, the worst

in Myanmar's recent history.

Eight months after the

February coup, an

increasing number of

foreign businesses have now

jumped ship. The latest

example is the closure of the

$45 million Kempinski

Hotel in Myanmar's capital

Naypyidaw, which hosted

President Barack Obama

during his state visit in 2014.

The Geneva-headquartered

international luxury hotel

chain revealed this month

that the flagship hotel would

cease operations starting

October 13.

Also this month, British

American Tobacco

announced that it would

leave the Myanmar market

at the end of 2021, with

business sources in Yangon

attributing its departure to

commercial decisions.

Having begun operating in

the country in 2013, with a

$50 million investment,

BAT's exit from Myanmar

after less than a decade

reflects the extent to which

the business environment

has deteriorated in just a few

months.

The junta has continued

its bloody crackdown

against civilians all over the

country as the generals have

yet to consolidate their grip.

Fighting continues to surge

in the heartlands and the

border regions, including

Chin State - a hotbed of antimilitary

resistance - where

the junta has reportedly

imposed internet blackouts

across large portions of the

state.

"Many companies came

into Myanmar not for the

immediate return but for the

fact that there was a brighter

future ahead of them… but

now that's gone," said a

Japanese investor, who

came into the country in

2015, lured by the prospect

of profiting from Asia's "last

frontier market."

"Big problems keep

popping up every few

months and it's really

devastating for business. It's

very difficult to plan in such

an unstable environment,"

the investor added. "We

were quite confident in

making investments in

Myanmar in the past but

now with such uncertainty

it's bringing too high [of a]

risk to make investments."

In the economic

powerhouse Yangon, the

regime has sought to create a

façade of normality by

inviting foreign business

groups for an in-person

meeting.

On September 24, the

military-appointed Minister

of Investment Aung Naing

Oo chaired a meeting

organized by the disgraced

national business lobby, the

Union of Myanmar

Federation of Chambers of

Commerce and Industry

(UMFCCI). The Diplomat

confirmed this confidential

meeting with an internal

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 6

BCG rescues 1

more dead body

from Meghna

On October 17 an engine

driven passenger wooden

trawler and cargo sank in

Char Patila area of Bhola

district due to bad weather

and storm along with 9

passengers, a press release

said.

Lt. Khandaker Munif

Taki, media officer at the

Bangladesh Coast Guard

headquarters, confirmed the

information on Thursday

morning.

He said the Coast Guard

South Zone later rescued 6

of the 9 passengers in the

trawler alive and the dead

body of a child. The Coast

Guard recovered the body of

the last person missing in

the accident ( Mst Bilkis

Begum-50) on Wednesday.

Two held with

fermented wine,

phensedyl in

Rangpur

RANGPUR: The Detective

Branch (DB) of Rangpur

Metropolitan Police (RMP)

seized 10 litres of

fermented wine, 40 bottles

of phensedyl and arrested

two presumed drug traders

from different places here

on Wednesday night,

reports BSS.

"On a tip off, a special

team of police led by

Additional Deputy

Commissioner of Police

(DB) of RMP conducted an

anti-drug drive at Muslim

Para area and arrested a

man with 10 litres of

fermented wine," s press

release said yesterday.

The arrested person is

Md Golam Rasul, 48, son

of late Jalal Uddin of

Alamnagar Pirpur area in

ward no-27 of the

metropolis.

In another anti-drug

drive led by Police

Inspector Md Mostafizur

Rahman, the DB police

seized 40 bottles of

phensedyl and arrested a

youth from Medical Purbo

Gate area in the

metropolis.

The arrested person is

Md Arif Hossain, 24, son of

Md Amjad Hossain of

Munshipara near

Munshipara Graveyard in

Ward no-19 of the

metropolis.

The DB police filed two

separate cases under the

Narcotics Control Act-

2018 against the arrested

persons and handed them

over to Kotwali police

station of RpMP today, the

release added.

Ctg records ever

lowest 0.35pc Covid-19

positivity rates

CHATTOGRAM: Chattogram

district recorded ever lowest

Covid-19 positivity rate of

0.35 percent while only six

fresh cases were reported

after testing 1684 samples

during the last 24 hours till

Thursday morning, reports

BSS.

The Covid-19 situation is

improving consistently

during the last few months,

Civil Surgeon Dr Ilias

Chowdhury told BSS.

With the newly infected

cases, the number of

coronavirus (COVID-19)

patients stands at 102,142 in

the district.

"The number of cured

patients from the lethal virus

stood at 87,504 in the

district with the recovery of

28 more patients in last 24

hours," Dr Ilias said, adding

that the percentage of

recovery rate is 85.66.

With one new death

recorded in the last 24

hours, the death toll stood

1,317 in the district.

A total of 1,681 infected

patients are now undergoing

treatment at designated

hospitals here.

Members of Coast Guard South Zone recovered dead body of the last

person missing of Meghna trawler capsize recently. Photo: Courtesy

New building of Sreepur

Municipality inagurated

RAZIB PRODHAN, SREEPUR CORRESPONDENT

A new building of Sreepur Municipality of

Gazipur has been inaugurated. The new

building was inaugurated by Gazipur-3 MP

Iqbal Hossain Sabuj on Wednesday afternoon.

During the time, Municipal Council Mayor Md

Anisur Rahman, Panel Mayor Amjad Hossain

BA, OC Khandaker Imam Hossain, Sreepur

Model Police Station, Upazila Nirbahi Officer

Tariqul Islam and Municipal Secretary Sarkar

Dalil Uddin Ahmed were among others also

present at the occasion.

The newly constructed municipal building

has been constructed with BMDF and

municipal revenue at a cost of around Tk 6

crore, according to the municipal authorities.

Anisur Rahman, the mayor of the

municipality, said that he had been operating

in a rented house since the formation of the

municipality in 2000. He said that a lot of

money has been spent on this. As the new

building is in its own place, the cost will no

longer be the same, the Municipal Accounts

Department said. There are about 20 car

parking facilities on the ground floor of this

multi-storied building. At the main entrance of

the building there is a plaque engraved of

Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh

Mujibur Rahman.

Regarding the newly constructed

municipality, Panel Mayor Amjad Hossain BA

of Sreepur Municipality said, "Today, 20 years

after the announcement of the municipality, we

have got a new municipal building." We are all

happy that the municipal office has its own

place. The total cost of construction of this

municipal building has been estimated at Tk. 6

crore, of which Tk. 1 crore is from the municipal

revenue sector.

A new building of Sreepur Municipality of Gazipur has been inaugurated

recently.

Photo: Razib Prodhan

Rangpur records no Covid-19

death in 24 hours

RANGPUR: Rangpur division recorded

no Covid-19 related death during the last

24 hours ending at 8 am yesterday as the

pandemic situation continues improving

in the last more than two months, reports

BSS.

"Earlier, no Covid-19 fatality was

recorded on May 16 last and on

September 12, 13, 14, 20, 22, 26, 29 and

30 and October 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14,

15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 last in the division,"

Divisional Deputy Director (Health) Dr

Abu Md Zakirul Islam said yesterday.

The number of Covid-19 fatalities

remained steady at 1,239 in the division.

The district-wise break up of the 1,239

fatalities currently stands at 293 in

Rangpur, 80 in Panchagarh, 88 in

Nilphamari, 68 in Lalmonirhat, 69 in

Kurigram, 252 in Thakurgaon, 326 in

Dinajpur and 63 in Gaibandha of the

division.

The average fatality rate currently

stands at 2.24 percent in the division.

Meanwhile, the number of Covid-19

cases reached 55,240 as seven new

patients were diagnosed after testing 356

samples of Rangpur division at the daily

positivity rate of 1.97 percent on

Wednesday.

"The district-wise break up of total

55,240 patients include 12,446 of

Rangpur, 3,800 Panchagarh, 4,437 of

Nilphamari, 2,737 of Lalmonirhat, 4,636

of Kurigram, 7,604 of Thakurgaon, 14,723

of Dinajpur and 4,857 of Gaibandha in

the division," he added.

Divisional Director (Health) Dr Md

Motaharul Islam said a total of 2,90,271

collected samples were tested till

Wednesday, and of them, 55,240 were

found Covid-19 positive with an average

positivity rate of 19.03 percent in the

division.

Since the beginning of the Covid-19

pandemic, the number of healed patients

reached 52,875 with recovery of 15 more

infected patients on Wednesday in the

division where the average recovery rate

currently stands at 95.72 percent.

The 52,875 recovered patients

include 11,307 of Rangpur, 3,671

Panchagarh, 4,341 Nilphamari, 2,625

Lalmonirhat, 4,527 Kurigram, 7,268

Thakurgaon, 14,350 in Dinajpur and

4,786 Gaibandha districts in the division.

Among the 55,240 patients, 45 are

undergoing treatments at isolation units,

including four critical patients at ICU

beds and five at High Dependency Unit

beds, after recovery of 52,875 patients

and 1,239 deaths while 1,080 are

remaining in home isolation.

"Meanwhile, the number of citizens who

got the first dose of the Covid- 19 vaccine

rose to 44,50,117, and among them,

21,16,787 got the second dose of the jab

till Wednesday in the division," he added.

Chief of Divisional Coronavirus Service

and Prevention Task Force and Principal

of Rangpur Medical College Professor Dr.

AKM Nurunnobi Lyzu the overall Covid-

19 situation continues improving

satisfactorily in Rangpur division.

2 more test positive

for Covid-19 in

C'nawabganj

CHAPAINAWABGANJ: Two

more persons tested positive

for Covid-19 during the last 24

hours till last morning,

raising the total number of

infection to 5,909 in the

district, reports BSS

During the time, 57

samples were tested as two

persons were detected

positive for Covid-19,

showing the infection rate

3.50 percent, civil surgeon

office sources confirmed.

Among the newly

detected patients, one is

from sadar upazila and

another from Gomostapur

upazila.

A total of 22 patients are

undergoing treatment in the

district. Of them, 18 are

getting treatment in

dedicated Covid hospital

and others at home.

Meanwhile, 158 patients

have died of Covid-19 and

5,729 have recovered from

the disease so far here, the

sources added.

Alleged terrorist

Al-Amin vying for

AL nomination

GAZARIA CORRESPONDENT

Meghna Ghat under

Munshiganj district's

Gazaria upazila has become

a haven for various types of

criminal activities including

terrorism, extortion, illegal

installations, oil theft,

robbery and murder.

Al-Amin Pradhan, son of

late Gias Uddin Pradhan of

Tetitala village in Balua

Kandi Union, Gazaria

Upazila, is in control of all

these crime. Al-Amin

Pradhan is also Awami

League General Secretary

of Balua Kandi Union.

Other members of the

family, including Pradhan

are professional terrorists.

There are half a dozen

cases against them in

different police stations in

Munshiganj district.

Various types of cases

including murder,

snatching, kidnapping,

yaba trade, rape, robbery,

extortion weapons cases

are filed against him.

Al-Amin Pradhan was

arrested on October 17 last

year by members of the law

enforcement forces along

with foreign weapons.

Since then he has been the

general secretary of the

Awami League. He was not

expelled from the Union

Awami League even after

his arrest with arms. Each

member of the family,

despite repeated arrests by

law enforcement agencies,

including RAB-4, for arms

and extortion, managed to

get out of the loopholes by

spending large sums of

money and resuming

extortion. There have been

attacks and allegations

against members of the law

enforcement agencies.

This time the Al-Amin

Pradhan has taken to the

field with crores of taka to

get a boat symbol ticket for

the Union Parishad

elections

Locals said that Pradhan

is self-proclaimed Balua

Kandi general secretary of

the Awami League. Awami

League leaders and

activists claim that such

horrible terrorists and

extortionists, drug and

arms dealers have been

nominated for the boat, but

the slogan that the leaders

and workers of Balua Kandi

Union will work for any

other candidate instead of

the boat is now on the lips

of the people.

Advocacy meeting on project

startup held in Jaldhaka

HAFIZUR RAHMAN, JALDHAKA CORRESPONDENT

An advocacy meeting of Dove Self Esteem

Project (DSEP) startup has been held in

Jaldhaka Upazila of Nilphamari. The

meeting was held at the Upazila Parishad hall

on Thursday morning under the

chairmanship of Upazila Nirbahi Officer

Mahbub Hasan while Upazila Parishad

Chairman Abdul Wahed Bahadur was

present as the chief guest.

Among others, Akhtaruzzaman, Deputy

Director, Secondary and Higher Education,

Rangpur Region, District Education Officer

Shafiqul Islam, Municipal Mayor Ilias

Hossain Bablu, Vice Chairman Monowara

Begum, Upazila Secondary Education Officer

Chanchal Kumar Bhowmik and Upazila

Primary Education Officer Nur Mohammad,

Women's Affairs Officer Purabi Rani Roy

spoke on the occasion. Dr. Rishikesh Sarkar,

Rangpur Divisional Manager, Plan

International Bangladesh, APC of ESDO's

DSEP Project - ESDO and Focal Person

Tofazzal Hossain, Headmaster

Roknuzzaman Chowdhury, Sabir and

Khushi, students of Anirban Vidyatirtha High

School. Abdul Mannan, Project Manager,

ESDO informed about the project. At the

same time, he said, to help the 11-14 year olds

(6th to 9th grade) students of schools and

madrasas to reach their full potential life by

developing positive relationships and

building self-confidence. He added that

under this project, the capacity of 100

teachers, 15,000 students and 3,000 parents

of 41 secondary and 9 madrasas of the upazila

will be increased. The project is being

implemented by Eco-Social Development

Organization ESDO in collaboration with

Plan International Bangladesh with funding

from Unilever Bangladesh Limited.

An advocacy meeting of Dove Self Esteem Project (DSEP) startup has been

held in Jaldhaka Upazila on Thursday.

Photo: Hafizur Rahman

Newly elected Upazila Education

Officers Association pays homage

to Bangabandhu

MEHADI HASAN, TUNGIPARA CORRESPONDENT

Leaders of the newly elected Upazila

Education Officers' Association have paid

homage at the tomb of Father of the

Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur

Rahman at Tungipara in Gopalganj on

Thursday.

They paid their respects by laying a wreath

at the tomb of Father of the Nation

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Later, the recited Fateha and offered special

prayers for the souls of Bangabandhu and his

slain family members.

During the time, Upazila Education

Officers Association President Moinul Islam

Khan, Senior Vice-President Mohammad

Mohsin Reza, Secretary General Sharmin

Nasima Banu, Additional Secretary General

Mohammad Tajul Islam and other leaders of

the Upazila Education Officers Association

were present.

Leaders of the newly elected Upazila Education Officers' Association have paid

homage at the tomb of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur

Rahman at Tungipara in Gopalganj on Thursday. Photo: Mehadi Hasan

Talaimary crossing-Katakhali Bazar

road turns four lane in Rajshahi

RAJSHAHI: Rajshahi City Corporation

(RCC) has taken an initiative to turn the

double lane Talaimary crossing-Katakhali

Bazar road into four-lane, reports BSS.

The 4.1-kilometre road will be widened to

30-meter on an average from the existing 10

meters along with a two-meter-wide road

divider at a cost of around TK 93.49 crore.

There will be 10.5-meter-wide roads and

also three-meter-wide roads for the nonmechanized

and slow-moving vehicles on

the both sides of the divider.

A three-meter-wide footpath with drain

under it will be constructed on both sides of

the road. City Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman

Liton inaugurated the construction work

after unveiling the foundation stone on

Wednesday.

Decorative and ornamental trees and

plants will be transplanted on the divider

and on the both sides of the road for

beautification. Liton said the road will be

constructed as part of RCC's TK 2,993-crore

project titled 'Integrated Urban

Infrastructure Development in Rajshahi

City'. Under the mega project, the RCC is

going to construct five more flyovers as soon

as possible for the overall development of the

metropolis by freeing it from traffic

congestion.

Recently, the city corporation has taken a

TK 1175.52-crore project for the construction

of the flyovers and 19 infrastructures.

The flyovers will be constructed on

Haragram Natunpara Railway Crossing,

Rajshahi Court Station Railway Crossing,

Bilsimla Railway Crossing, Shaheed AHM

Kamaruzzaman Railway Crossing, Bhadra

Railway Crossing and Mohanpur Railway

Crossing. Earlier, the city corporation has

constructed a 202.5-meter flyover along with

a 120-meter ramp at Budhpara Railway

crossing with an estimated cost of TK 29.28

crore for the first time in Rajshahi city.

India Thursday scripted history by hitting the milestone of one billion

Covid-19 vaccinations in just nine months after it began its ambitious inoculation

drive.

Photo : AP

India hits 1 billion Covid

vaccination milestone

NEW DELHI : India Thursday scripted

history by hitting the milestone of one

billion Covid-19 vaccinations in just nine

months after it began its ambitious

inoculation drive, reports UNB.

India is the second country in the world to

achieve the feat in such "a short period of

time". China, however, touched the one

billion mark of Covid vaccinations in June.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the

milestone as "historic" and described it as

"the triumph of Indian science, enterprise

and collective spirit of 130 crore Indians".

"Congrats India on crossing 100 crore

New Zealand governor-general

favors outreach to marginalized

vaccinations. Gratitude to our doctors,

nurses and all those who worked to achieve

this feat," he said in the national capital.

According to the Indian Health Ministry,

around three-quarters of the country's

adults have had one dose of a Covid vaccine

while 30 percent are fully jabbed.

And the government aims to get all the

country's adults inoculated by this yearend.

India took 85 days to touch the 10-

crore vaccination mark, 45 more days to hit

the 20-crore mark and 29 more days to

reach the 30-crore mark, as per the

Ministry data.

Latvia goes back into lockdown

as Covid rate spikes

RIGA, Oct 21, 2021

(BSS/AFP) - Latvia plunged

back into lockdown on

Thursday with non-essential

shops closed and cinema,

theatres and hairdressers

shutting down for a month

in a bid to break the world's

worst Covid rate.

Latvia has seen 1,406

Covid infections per

100,000 inhabitants over

the last 14 days, the highest

per capita rate in the world

as of October 20, according

to an AFP calculation.

Its Baltic neighbours of

Lithuania and Estonia

followed close behind with

1,221 cases and 1,126 cases

respectively.

Only around half the

population in Latvia is fully

vaccinated-the fourth worst

vaccination rate in the

European Union after

Bulgaria, Romania and

Croatia.

"I apologise to those who

have already been

vaccinated, but the

restrictions will apply to

everyone," Prime Minister

Krisjanis Karins told

reporters when the

measures were approved on

Monday following a 10-hour

cabinet meeting.

"There are still too many

unvaccinated people who

get infected with Covid and

die in the hospital," he

added.

The lockdown is due to last

until November 15 and will

include a curfew between 8

pm and 5 am, as well as a

takeout-only policy for

restaurants.

Most people will be

required to work remotely.

Schools will also switch to

remote learning, though

children in kindergarten and

the first three elementary

grades will continue to

attend lessons in person.

Hospitals throughout the

country of 1.9 million people

have stopped treating people

with cancer and other

diseases, focusing only on

Covid patients requiring

intensive care.

Latvia earlier this month

declared a three-month state

of emergency to bolster

mask-wearing and

vaccinations.

A few days later, Latvian

President Egils Levits was

diagnosed with Covid-19 last

week despite being fully

vaccinated. Also this month,

a scientific advisory group

on Covid said it was no

longer going to work with

the government because its

advice during the summer

had been ignored.

"There must be demand

from the government for

academic expertise but our

current experience shows

that there is no such

demand from the cabinet

at all," the scientists said

in a statement.

frIDAY, OCTOber 22, 2021

7

S Korea prepares test of 1st

domestically made space rocket

SEOUL : South Korea was preparing to testlaunch

its first domestically produced space

rocket Thursday in what officials describe as

an important step in its pursuit of a satellite

launch program.

If weather and other conditions prevail, the

three-stage Nuri rocket was expected to be

launched at around 5 p.m. (0800 GMT) with

an aim to deliver a dummy payload - a 1.5-ton

block of stainless steel and aluminum - into

orbit 600 to 800 kilometers (372 to 497

miles) above Earth.

The launch was initially scheduled an hour

earlier but was delayed because engineers

needed more time to examine some valves

inside the rocket, South Korean Vice Science

Minister Yong Hong-taek told reporters. He

said no problems were immediately found

but the launch could still be moved depending

on wind and other conditions at the planned

time for blastoff.

Engineers had completed erecting the 47-

meter (154 foot) rocket Wednesday night on a

launch pad at the Naro Space Center, the

country's lone spaceport, on a small island off

its southern coast.

After relying on other countries to launch its

satellites since the early 1990s, South Korea is

now trying to become the 10th nation to send

a satellite into space with its own technology.

Officials say such an ability would be crucial

for the country's space ambitions, which

include plans for sending more advanced

communications satellites and acquiring its

own military intelligence satellites. The

country is also hoping to send a probe to the

moon by 2030.

Nuri is the country's first space launch

vehicle built entirely with domestic

technology. The three-stage rocket is powered

by five 75-ton class rocket engines placed in

its first and second stages.

Scientists and engineers at the Korea

Aerospace Institute plan to test Nuri further,

including conducting another launch with a

dummy device in May 2022, before trying

with a real satellite.

South Korea had previously launched a

space launch vehicle from the Naro spaceport

in 2013, which was a two-stage rocket built

mainly with Russian technology. That launch

came after years of delays and consecutive

failures - the rocket, named Naro, reached the

desired altitude during its first test in 2009

but failed to eject a satellite into orbit, and

then exploded shortly after takeoff during its

second test in 2010.

It wasn't clear how North Korea, which had

been accused of using its space launch

attempts in past years as a disguise for

developing long-range missile technology,

would react to Thursday's launch.

While pushing to expand its nuclear and

missile program, the North had shown

sensitivity about South Korea's increasing

defense spending and efforts to build more

powerful conventionally armed missiles.

In a speech to Pyongyang's rubber-stamp

parliament last month, North Korean leader

Kim Jong Un accused the U.S. and South

Korea of "destroying the stability and

balance" in the region with their allied

military activities and a U.S.-led "excessive

arms buildup" in the South.

While Nuri is powered by liquid propellants

that need to be fueled shortly before launch,

the South Koreans plan to develop a solid-fuel

space launch rocket by 2024, which possibly

could be prepared for launch more quickly

and also be more cost effective.

New Zealand's new governor-general said

Thursday she plans to reach out to people marginalized

by issues like homelessness, addiction

and discrimination.

Photo : AP

WELLINGTON : New

Zealand's new governorgeneral

said Thursday she

plans to reach out to people

marginalized by issues like

homelessness, addiction

and discrimination.

Cindy Kiro is the first

Indigenous woman

appointed to the role as the

representative of Queen

Elizabeth II in the South

Pacific nation. She took her

oath in both Maori and

English when she was

sworn in to a five-year term,

reports UNB.

She emphasized the need

to build community spirit

through outreach and said

she wants to celebrate

society's unsung heroes. "I

will connect with new

migrants and former

refugees and celebrate the

many diverse cultures and

religions gifted to our

nation by those who have

chosen to make New

Zealand their home," Kiro

said at the ceremony in

Parliament.

Kiro, 63, has had a long

career advocating for

children. She was given the

honorific Dame for her

services to the community

and says she hopes to

inspire Maori girls.

"We are living through a

period of immense

uncertainty and anxiety,"

Kiro said. "And I wish to

acknowledge those in

Auckland, and all around

the country, who continue

to face disruptions caused

by COVID-19."

Youth yearning for independence

fuel Western Sahara clashes

MAHBAS REGION : As a glowing sun sank behind the sandy

barrier that cuts across the disputed territory of Western

Sahara, Sidati Ahmed's battalion launched two missiles that

sizzled through the air and then followed with an artillery

attack, reports UNB.

Within minutes, a barrage of mortar shells flew in the

opposite direction, from Moroccan positions, landing with a

thick column of smoke in the barren desert of what is known

as Africa's last colony.

"Low-intensity hostilities," as a recent United Nations

report describes them, have raged for the past year along the

2,700-kilometer (1,700-mile) berm - a barrier second in

length only to the Great Wall of China that separates the part

of Western Sahara that Morocco rules from the sliver held by

the Polisario Front, which wants the territory to be

independent. Both sides claim the area in its entirety.

For nearly 30 years this swath of North African desert

about the size of Colorado - that sits on vast phosphate

deposits, faces rich fishing grounds and is believed to have

off-shore oil reserves - has existed in limbo, awaiting a

referendum that was supposed to let the local Sahrawi people

decide their future. Instead, as negotiations over who would

be allowed to vote dragged on, Morocco tightened its control

of the territory, which was a Spanish colony until 1975.

Last year, the Polisario Front announced that it would no

longer abide by the 1991 cease-fire that ended its 16-year

guerilla war with Morocco.

FRIDAY, OCTOBeR 22, 2021

8

LafargeHolcim launches first of its kind

'Holcim Shokti' cement in Bangladesh

LafargeHolcim Bangladesh Limited (LHBL) one of the

leading cement manufacturers of the country has launched a

new cement brand 'Holcim Shokti'; the first rapid early

strength cement in Bangladesh market. The new brand was

unveiled at Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden, a press

release said.

Boom in construction due to rising income levels and

rapid urbanization has created the demand for high

strength cement and pronounced the need for faster

construction turnaround time. Based on market research

and customer feedback LafargeHolcim Bangladesh

carried out extensive research and trials to develop

'Holcim Shokti.

'Holcim Shokti' is the first rapid early strength cement

product in Bangladesh based on the 'Rapid Set' technology

that enhances early strength, ensures faster setting times and

uses optimum amount of water to ensurebetter workability.

It is a specialized cement that ensures 50 percent extra

Rich should pay

for greater carbon

footprint: study

PARIS : As rich people

have a greater carbon

footprint than the poor

they should pay more tax

to compensate, says a

study by the World

Inequality Lab (WIL)

published ahead of the

upcoming COP26 climate

conference in Glasgow,

reports BSS.

With carbon emission

levels returning to prepandemic

levels, most

recent data shows the

richest one percent of the

globe's population emitted

110 tonnes of CO2 per

head in 2019, study head,

Paris School of Economics

professor and WIL codirector

Lucas Chancel

said Wednesday.

That made their share a

hugely disproportionate 17

percent of the global total.

Moreover, whereas the

richest ten percent were

responsible for half of all

emissions, the poorest 50

percent accounted for just

a 12 percent share-at a per

capita average of 1.6

tonnes of carbon.

"Governments need new

sources of revenue to

invest in green

infrastructures," said

Chancel.

"One way to do so is via

progressive and ecological

wealth taxes. Such tools

are likely to be more

politically sustainable than

carbon taxes on

consumption, which hit

low-income groups hard

and don't do a great job at

reducing emissions of the

very wealthy."

The study found that the

burden of climate policies

in an attempt to limit

climate change has been

"disproportionately borne

by low-income consumers

over the past decades, in

particular via carbon and

energy taxes.

"More emphasis should

be placed on policy

instruments targeting

wealthier groups, via taxes

on the ownership of

polluting assets," such as

fossil fuel investments.

strength in two days. This can be used in RCC structure,

renovation and development of both residential and

commercial projects. Due to its rapid early strength, it will

save 15-25 percent time at the de-shuttering stage leading to

lower construction cost. It will save approximate 1400 taka

per tonne cement usage. This cement is available all across

Bangladesh in environment friendly BOPP bag which is

tamper & moisture proof and can be stored for four to six

months.

The company believes 'Holcim Shokti' will be able to attract

the customers due to its uniqueness, sustainability and cost

saving features and shall bring a different dimension in the

construction industry as a whole.

Professor Dr.Raquib Ahsan, from Department of Civil

Engineering, BUET presented the key note during the launch

where top distributors and prominent Structural Engineers&

Architects of different corporate houses along with company

officials were present.

Most Asia markets up, Hong Kong

swings as Evergrande sale fails

HONG KONG : Most Asian markets rose

Thursday following another strong Wall

Street lead as positive earnings continued to

smother inflation and taper worries, while

Hong Kong fluctuated and Evergrande

tumbled with the property giant resuming

trading after saying a unit sale had fallen

through, reports BSS.

Surging global prices have sent shivers

through trading floors for much of this year

as central banks are forced to tighten their

ultra-loose, pandemic-era monetary policies,

but a string of broadly on-target or forecastbeating

corporate reports have provided a

much-needed salve.

The Dow and S&P 500 closed within

spitting distance of record highs after the

latest results, while dealers brushed off a

Federal Reserve summary of the economy

that said transport constraints and shortage

of goods had led to "significantly elevated

prices" in most areas of the United States,

slowing growth.

The advances filtered through to most of

Asia with Sydney, Singapore, Seoul, Taipei,

Manila and Jakarta extending the week's

rally, though Tokyo and Wellington dipped.

Hong Kong swung in and out of positive

territory and embattled Evergrande tanked

more than 12 percent as it resumed trading

following a 17-day suspension after saying

the planned sale of its property services arm

had collapsed.

It also warned it could not guarantee it

would meet its debt obligations, days before

a 30-day grace period on an offshore bond

ends at the weekend, raising expectations it

will default and spark a massive

restructuring.

Justin Tang, of United First Partners,

warned that "without the infusion of cash

from the sale" of assets, the firm's share price

"is going to take the elevator down".

There had been hope that the $2.58 billion

sale of a 50.1 percent stake in Evergrande

Property Services Group would provide it

with much-needed capital to service its

debts.

Shares in the services arm fell more than

four percent, while Hopson Developmentthe

firm that had been in the buy-out talksrose

more than five percent.

The news will again raise worries about the

impact on the wider economy, with the

property sector accounting for a huge chunk

of gross domestic product and several other

developers recently failing to meet debt

payment deadlines.

Data this week showed the country's

economic growth was slower than expected

in the third quarter.

Still, investors have been calmed by

comments at the weekend from top officials

at the People's Bank of China who said the

fallout from the crisis could be contained.

Equity markets in Hong Kong appeared to

take the news in their stride in early trade,

with other property firms in positive

territory. Mainland Chinese markets were

also up.

Bitcoin was sitting around $65,000,

having broken Wednesday to a new record

high of $66,976 Wednesday after a financial

instrument dedicated to the unit made a

successful debut on the New York Stock

Exchange.

Bangladesh Krishi Bank (BKB) organized a virtual discussion meeting on

Sheikh Russel's 58th Birthday at the bank's head office recently. The Chairman

of the Board of Directors Md. Nasiruzzaman addressed the meeting as chief

guest. The Managing Director Shirin Akhter presided over the meeting while

the director of the bank Mrittyunjoy Saha noted his valuable speech on

different aspects of Sheikh Russel and his own belongings as negotiator. The

General Manager (Admin) Md. Azizul Bari, CBA President Md. Mominul

Haque and the leaders of different organizations of the bank also delivered

their speech. Among others, higher executives along with other officials were

connected virtually on the occasion.

Photo: Courtesy

First fund linked

to bitcoin futures

debuts on NYSE

NEW YORK : Bitcoin took

another step closer to

mainstream investing

Tuesday with the launch of a

new security on Wall Street

tied to futures of the crypto

currency, reports BSS.

To mark the occasion,

ProShares, leader in

exchange-traded funds, a

type of investment linked to

an index, rang the opening

bell of the New York Stock

Exchange on Tuesday.

The Bitcoin Strategy ETF,

trading under the "BITO"

ticker, rose 4.9 percent to

$41.94 in its first session, an

eagerly-anticipated event in

the world of crypto-money

that boosted bitcoin futures.

The arrival of the fund

helped propel bitcoin back

near its all-time high. Near

2030 GMT, the digital

currency stood a $64,313,

less than $600 short of its

April record.

Unlike mutual funds,

which are traded only once a

day, ETFs can be transacted

throughout the trading

session, making them more

like individual stocks and

increasingly popular with

everyday investors.

Rather than a direct

investment in the digital

currency, BITO will invest

"primarily in bitcoin

futures," ProShares said.

The Securities and

Exchange Commission has

repeatedly rejected ETFs

linked directly to bitcoin,

maintaining that they were

subject to market

manipulation. SEC Chair

Gary Gensler said futures

connected to bitcoin also

could be volatile, but noted

that the ProShares ETF is

linked to a futures contract

that has been regulated by

the Commodities Futures

Trading Commission since

2017.

"I think what you have

here is a product, it's been

overseen for four years,"

Gensler said on CNBC,

adding that the SEC has

jurisdiction over the ETF

under longstanding US law.

"So we have some ability

to bring it inside of investor

protection (but) it's still a

highly speculative asset

class," he said. "Underneath

this, it still has that same

aspect of volatility and

speculation."

Barclays bank reports profit

jump as economy recovers

LONDON:British bank Barclays on

Thursday announced a jump in profits

during the third quarter, extending its

recovery following the pandemic fallout,

reports BSS.

Barclays said net profit more than doubled

to o1.45 billion ($2.0 billion, 1.7 billion

euros) in the three months to the end of

September compared with one year earlier.

Profit after tax for the first nine months

stood at o5.25 billion, while the pre-tax level

of o6.9 billion was a record for the group.

Chief executive James Staley said the

group was "seeing evidence of a consumer

recovery and the early signs of a more

favourable rate environment".

Banks in the UK have started to raise

RFL launches awareness

campaign on water wastage

RFL Bathroom Fittings has launched a

month-long campaign to create awareness

among the common people on water

wastage. RN Paul, Managing Director of RFL

Group, inaugurated the campaign at the

head office of RFL Group at Badda recently,

a press release said.

Under the campaign, awareness message

is being spread through various medium to

make the general public aware as well as and

workshops are being organized in different

organizations. Moreover, anyone can win

attracting prize by sharing ideas on water

wastage. Details of the campaign can be

found on the RFL Bathroom Fittings

Facebook

page

(www.facebook.com/RFLBathroomFittings).

Addressing the occasion, RN Paul said,

"Most of the extracted water is wasted due to

our unconsciousness. It is possible to

prevent wastage of this precious water with a

Britain, New Zealand agree trade

deal, including haka clause

LONDON : Britain and New Zealand have

unveiled a comprehensive free trade deal,

including a commitment aimed at

preventing the revered Maori cultural

tradition of the haka, famously performed by

the All Blacks, from being misused, reports

BSS.

The in-principle deal was sealed in a video

call between British Prime Minister Boris

Johnson and his New Zealand counterpart

Jacinda Ardern, following 16 months of

talks. Johnson said it was a "big moment"

that strengthened Britain's friendship with

New Zealand and cemented London's ties in

the Indo-Pacific.

He likened negotiations for Britain's latest

post-Brexit trade deal to a rugby match.

"I'm absolutely thrilled that we seem to

have driven for the line, we've scrummed

down, we've packed tight and together we've

got the ball over the line," he said.

Ardern continued the sporting analogy,

saying Thursday that "unlike a rugby match,

I think we can literally both come off the field

feeling like winners".

London said the deal ends tariffs on British

exports such as clothing, footwear, ships and

bulldozers. It estimated that trade between

the two countries last year was worth o2.3

billion ($3.2 billion, 2.7 billion euros).

Tariffs on goods coming the other way,

such as wine, kiwifruit and meat, will also be

axed.

"It's one of our best deals ever and secured

at a crucial time in our Covid recovery,"

Ardern said. The New Zealand leader

praised provisions in the agreement aimed at

promoting Maori participation in trade and

addressing indigenous concerns.

They include a commitment by both

countries to "identify appropriate ways to

advance recognition and protection of the

haka Ka Mate".

The haka is best known as the spectacular

pre-match challenge issued by the All Blacks,

but it is also a revered cultural tradition

among New Zealand's Maori.

Indigenous communities-particularly the

Ngati Toa iwi (tribe) where Ka mate

originated-have long resented the footstomping,

eye-rolling challenge being

mocked or exploited for profit.

Over the years, haka parodies have been

used in Britain to sell everything from

menswear to alcopops-all without

permission and without a cent being paid to

the ritual's traditional owners.

The deal will encourage more cultural

sensitivity, with London agreeing to formally

recognise Ngati Toa's guardianship of the Ka

Mate haka.

IMF says chief economist

Gopinath to leave post in

January

WASHINGTON : IMF chief economist Gita

Gopinath will leave her post and return to

Harvard University's economics department

in January, the fund announced Tuesday,

reports BSS.

Harvard extended Gopinath's leave of

absence by one year, which allowed her to

serve at the IMF for three years, the

statement said.

She heads the International Monetary

Fund's research department which produces

the quarterly World Economic Outlook

report with its closely watched GDP growth

forecasts.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina

Georgieva praised Gopinath, who "made

history" as the first woman to serve in the top

economics post, for her critical analysis

during the pandemic.

"Gita's contribution to the Fund and our

membership has been truly remarkablequite

simply, her impact on the IMF's work

has been tremendous," Georgieva said in a

statement.

interest rates on their homes loans, as the

Bank of England prepares to increase its

main borrowing cost to tackle high inflation.

Barclays said that "although the

macroeconomic outlook has improved, the

level of uncertainty is relatively high".

It pointed to high unemployment, "with a

significant number of jobs at risk of

redundancy" as the UK, US and Germany

begin to withdraw financial support

measures put in place during the

coronavirus outbreak.

"To date, limited defaults have been

observed in response to the Covid-19

pandemic, but credit deterioration may

occur as support is withdrawn," Barclays

said.

little awareness. We are not just a business

organization, we are a corporate house. We

work for the country and its people. We seek

cooperation from everyone in this regard."

He also said RFL bathroom fittings uses

scientific valves and cartridges made of

100% brass, which ensures leakage-free

water. We will also start marketing sensorbased

and lever-type bathroom fittings soon,

which will play important role in preventing

water wastage."

Shariful Islam, Assistant General Manager

(Marketing) of RFL Bathroom Fittings, said,

"Pure water is declining due to daily wastage,

which is a big threat to our lives and the next

generation. We have launched campaign to

prevent water wastage by changing the

habits of all to face the threat."

Abdul Kuddus Miah, business in-charge of

RFL Bathroom Fittings, among others, was

present in the program.

EU says 'no taboos'

in budget rule review

STRASBOURG : The EU on

Tuesday launched public

consultations on reforming

its rules on debts and

deficits, with big fights

expected over how fast

countries must reduce

spending in the wake of the

pandemic, reports BSS.

The rules-calling for debt

to be capped at 60 percent of

gross domestic producthave

existed since 1992, but

are often broken. EU

member states have agreed

they need to be fixed.

At the end of last year, 14

member states had debts

over that limit, with France,

Belgium, Greece and Italy

with debt in excess of 100

percent of their GDP.

The process will involve

tough discussions among

member states with fiscal

hawks Germany and the

Netherlands reluctant to

make it easier for countries

to spend more.

France, Spain and Italy

believe that cutting spending

to pare debt can be

counterproductive as it rips

out the green shoots of

recovery before they achieve

long-term growth.

The European Commission,

the EU's executive in charge of

the debt monitoring, will

carefully sound out member

states, central banks and

others to find a consensus on

changing the rules.

"I am looking forward to

an open and frank debate in

the coming months, with

many contributions-and I

hope, no taboos," said EU

economy commissioner

Paolo Gentiloni.

friDAY, oCtoBer 22, 2021

9

the portugal international headed home a late winner after the red Devils had recovered from 2-0

down at half-time to claim three precious points.

photo: Ap

Ronaldo respond to critics with yet another

sensational comeback against Atalanta

SportS DeSk

Manchester United have been criticised

for lacking identity in their play in

recent weeks but if there is one thing

that characterises Ole Gunnar

Solskjaer's reign, it is grabbing an

unlikely victory when the odds are

stacked against them, reports AP.

When it comes to 'get out of jail free'

cards, the Norwegian must have a stack

in reserve to cash in when times are

getting tough. But, when you've got

Cristiano Ronaldo in your ranks, there

is always that possibility that defeat can

be turned into victory.

Both he and his manager had come

under intense scrutiny after last

weekend's dreadful 4-2 defeat at

Leicester but it was, of course, the

Portugal international who popped up

with a trademark header in the 81st

minute to complete the kind of

dramatic comeback that those who

have been coming to Old Trafford for

years have grown accustomed to

watching.

The 36-year-old fist-pumped the air

towards the Stretford End as he walked

off at the end of this absorbing 3-2 win

over Atalanta, cutting a far different

figure to the one that headed down the

tunnel at half-time.

The victory has given United a lifeline

in the Champions League when, for 45

minutes at least, kithey looked to be

down and out.

Indeed, they spent much of the

Pakistan can be kings

again despite India's

IPL riches, says Nazar

SportS DeSk

Former Pakistan all-rounder

Mudassar Nazar insists his

country will once again be

the kings of Asian cricket

despite India's rise as world

beaters on the back of the

riches of the IPL, reports

BSS.

Pakistan were kings of the

sub-continent from the mid-

1980s to 1990s with their

on-field brilliance under

Imran Khan, who led them

to the 1992 World Cup,

before India turned the

tables.

"I don't think Pakistan has

changed. It is India who

have changed," Nazar told

AFP ahead of the eagerlyawaited

India-Pakistan

clash at the Twenty20 World

Cup in Dubai on Sunday.

"With the advent of the

IPL they have used the

money really, really well. If

you look at the domestic

competition in India, look at

all the associations, how well

they are organising their

cricket.

He added: "Everybody has

got their own stadium, their

own academies, school

cricket, state cricket. Cricket

is thriving in India.

"But the people who have

been consistently doing well

have been England and

Australia...India is in the

forefront and among the

three best sides in the

world."

Starting in 2008, a year

after the inaugural T20

World Cup, the IPL ushered

in a new era of white-ball

cricket that witnessed the

game break new ground in

viewership and fan base.

evening rooted to the bottom of Group

F but, by the end, they were top. Still,

much like that dramatic win against

Villarreal a few weeks ago, it is a result

that papers over the cracks.

United did play better against Gian

Piero Gasperini's side and created

enough chances to win - they had 22

shots to Atalanta's 13 - but again, it was

a performance that led to further

questions of Solskjaer's team.

For starters, how can a team that has

a specialist set-piece coach consistently

concede from dead-ball situations? It's

baffling.

Having already been far too easily

opened up for Mario Pasalic's closerange

opener from a Davide

Zappacosta cut-back, Luke Shaw,

Harry Maguire and David de Gea were

all culpable as Merih Demiral headed

home a corner.

Marcus Rashford had spoken before

the game about the need to go back to

basics yet it seems they don't even

know the basics of defending setpieces.

Credit where it is due, though, United

deserved the three points which

eventually came their way.

Their heads looked to have totally

dropped as they went 2-0 down to

arguably their toughest opponents in

Group F and they were met with a

smattering of boos as they walked off

the pitch at half time.

However, whatever was said in the

dressing room worked wonders.

In many ways, Bruno Fernandes

personifies United's up-and-down

form right now. His first-half display

was poor, a shadow of what he is

capable of, but he orchestrated United's

stirring fightback, creating goals for

both Rashford and Maguire.

His second assist may have been

fortunate, with his cross somehow

finding its way to Maguire at the back

post, but his first was genius.

It set United on their way to three

unlikely points and when Solskjaer

talks about United DNA, these are

exactly the sort of performances he

means, those full of desire and

perseverance. But how often can they

keep turning things around after

making life so difficult for themselves?

Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday

will certainly be a tougher assignment

than this, given Atalanta played in a

way which accommodated United's

forward play, in that they gave their

hosts the space they wanted to create

chances. It's hard to imagine Jurgen

Klopp's side affording them so much

room and time.

As United legend Paul Scholes said

on BT Sport afterwards, "I get all the

excitement but that first half I just

didn't enjoy it and I think that first half

put me off the second.

I think if they were playing a better

team they'd be out of sight. That first

half was worrying. It looked anything

but a team, it lacked unity and that was

a worrying sign.

Chelsea suffer injury nightmare

as Lukaku and Werner forced

off in first half against Malmo

SportS DeSk

Romelu Lukaku was forced off with an ankle

injury during the first half of Chelsea's

Champions League clash with Malmo, with

strike partner Timo Werner sidelined soon

after, reports AP.

Lukaku lasted less than 20 minutes of the

encounter at Stamford Bridge before he was

withdrawn following a heavy tackle.

It could prove a blow to Chelsea, who are

looking for success in both their European

defence and in the Premier League this

season - and matters got worse when Werner

also had to go off before the break.

Chelsea were already leading 1-0 through

Andreas Christensen's ninth-minute opener

when Lukaku pushed forward looking for a

second.

The Belgium international burst into the

area after trading passes with Werner, but

found Malmo defender Lasse Nielsen in his

way.

Nielsen's tackle sent Lukaku tumbling to

the ground, winning the Blues a penalty, but

the forward did not come out of the

encounter unscathed as he went down and

required several minutes of treatment on the

pitch. Lukaku was eventually able to take to

his feet and limp off, with Kai Havertz sent

into the action as his replacement.

Back on the field, Jorginho converted the

kick to put the Blues 2-0 ahead and well on

the way to their second Champions League

victory of the season after winning the title in

2020-21.

Thomas Tuchel was given another

headache before half-time, as Werner went

off in the 42nd minute, Callum Hudson-

Odoi coming on.

two of the Blues' forward line were left needing treatment after heavy

tackles in the first half at Stamford Bridge.

photo: Ap

Australian ex-cricket

star Michael

Slater arrested

SportS DeSk

Australian cricket great

Michael Slater was arrested

in Sydney on Wednesday

over domestic violence

allegations, reports BSS.

Local media reported the

51-year-old, now a wellknown

television pundit,

was arrested in connection

with an alleged incident that

occurred last week.

New South Wales police

confirmed they had taken a

51-year-old man into

custody in Sydney's

northern beaches.

"Officers attached to the

Eastern Suburbs Police Area

Command commenced an

investigation yesterday, after

receiving reports of a

domestic violence incident

alleged to have occurred on

Tuesday 12 October 2021,"

police said in a statement.

"Following inquiries,

detectives attended a home

at Manly about 9:20am

today, and spoke with a 51-

year-old man.

"He has since been

arrested and taken to Manly

Police Station."

Slater occupied a position

at the top of the Australian

Test batting order for close

to a decade, hitting 5,312

runs before his 2004

retirement.

Rashid Khan eyes World Cup

glory not wedding bells

SportS DeSk

Rashid Khan insists his mind is occupied by

the World Cup and not wedding bells as the

leg-spin wizard looks to inspire Afghanistan

at the Twenty20 global showpiece, reports

BSS. Still only 23, Rashid is key to his

nation's hopes of a first world title and a

potential triumph which would deliver a rare

bout of good news for his home country.

However, Rashid told AFP that

speculation over his private life in the runup

to the tournament, currently underway in

Oman and the UAE, will not derail his

ambitions. He denied he ever said: "I will

marry when Afghanistan win a World Cup."

"Actually, I was so shocked when I heard

this because, to be honest, I never made a

statement that I will marry once I win the

World Cup," said Rashid, whose family lives

in Nangarhar in the eastern part of

Afghanistan. "I just said that in the next few

years I have more cricket and three World

Cups (the 2021 and 2022 Twenty20 World

Cups and the 50-over World Cup in 2023) so

my focus will be on cricket rather than on

getting married."

Rashid, who made his Afghanistan debut

when he was 17, is one of international

cricket's most in-demand players.

He has already played 51 T20 international

matches and more than 280 games in the

format for franchises around the world.

A lucrative career has seen him ply his

trade in England, Australia, Pakistan,

Bangladesh, South Africa and, of course, the

IPL in India where he

has been a regular for Sunrisers

Hyderabad since 2017. He has 95 wickets in

T20 internationals with an average of just

12.63 and in 2020 was voted the ICC's

Cricketer of the Decade in the format. On the

low, slow wickets of the Gulf, spin will be key.

"I think it will be a spinners' World Cup,"

said Rashid. "The wickets here are mostly

very good for spinners, so I think that's the

main reason most of the teams have more

spinners in their attack."

India have packed four slow bowlers in

their 15 with Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran

Ashwin, Varun Chakravarthy and Rahul

Chahar while England have Adil Rashid,

Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone.

Defending champions the West Indies

have Akeal Hosein, Hayden Walsh and

Roston Chase. Chris Gayle can also turn his

arm over. Pakistan can call on Shadab Khan,

Mohammad Nawaz and Imad Wasim as

frontline spinners.

Veterans Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib

Malik can also give the ball a tweak. New

Zealand have Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner

and Todd Astle.

Australia, yet to win a T20 World Cup, will

look to Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar.

Rashid is not Afghanistan's only front line

spinner -- there is also Mujeeb Ur Rahman

and skipper Mohammad Nabi.

"What I noticed during the Indian Premier

League (the conclusion of which was also

played in the UAE) was that wickets were

good but there was not that much spin," said

Rashid.

"But I think the more we play in this World

Cup we might see wickets which are a bit

different and the more you play on these

tracks it becomes slower and slower and they

will be handy for spinners."

rashid khan insists his mind is occupied by the World Cup and not wedding bells.

Olympic flame arrives in China

ahead of 2022 Beijing Games

SportS DeSk

The Olympic flame arrived in China early

Wednesday for the Beijing 2022 Winter

Games, state media reported, following a

ceremony in Athens overshadowed by

protests over China's human rights record,

reports BSS.

Beijing -- set to become the first host of a

Summer and Winter Games -- will hold a

welcome ceremony for the flame at 10am

(0200 GMT) at the capital's Olympic Tower,

where it will go on display to the public,

before setting off on an exhibition tour.

Around 2,900 athletes, representing

approximately 85 National Olympic

Committees, will compete in the Winter

Games from February 4-20, 2022.

The flame was lit in Athens on Monday

and transferred the following day to the

organisers of the Beijing Games.

The low-key event was held in front of a

limited audience because of the coronavirus,

and in a break with tradition, there was no

torch relay on Greek soil.

But rights campaigners accuse the

International Olympic Committee of turning

a blind eye to what they say is a litany of

abuses in China, notably over Tibet, its

treatment of Muslim minorities in the region

of Xinjiang and its clampdown in Hong

Kong. Activists grabbed the spotlight at

Monday's lighting ceremony, unfurling a

Tibetan flag and a banner that read "no

genocide" before Greek police intervened.

A similar protest was held at the Acropolis

in Athens on Sunday.

When Beijing hosted the 2008 Games, the

relay was repeatedly disrupted by protesters

in Europe and North America.

There is highly unlikely to be any such

sign of dissent in tightly-controlled China,

where Beijing has repeatedly swatted aside

talk of a boycott as "politicising sport".

Beijing 2022 organisers have released few

details of what they plan, but the IOC has

said the flame will go on display to the public

at the tower, near the Bird's Nest Stadium

which hosted the opening ceremony for the

2008 Games.

"Closer to the Games, a traditional

Olympic torch relay will be held," the IOC

said this week, with the Games just over 100

days away.

Rights groups say more than one million

Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang

have been held in camps in recent years,

their rights to worship and freedoms heavily

curtailed by Chinese authorities.

Washington has described the treatment

of China's Uyghurs as "genocide".

After initially denying the existence of the

Xinjiang camps, China later defended them

as vocational training centres aimed at

reducing Islamic extremism.

IOC chairman Thomas Bach has batted off

talk of a potential boycott, claiming the

International Olympic Committee's political

neutrality and saying it was up to

governments to live up to their

responsibilities.

A victim of the 1980 Moscow Games

boycott, the former fencer has said such

moves only punish athletes, and insists the

IOC is addressing the rights issue "within our

remit".

"In these difficult times we are still living

through, the Olympic Winter Games Beijing

2022 will be an important moment to bring

the world together in a spirit of peace,

friendship and solidarity," Bach said on

Monday.

It will be the second Olympics to be held

under the shadow of the coronavirus

pandemic after the Tokyo Games earlier this

year and athletes competing in Beijing face

strict rules to contain the risk of Covid-19

cases.

photo: Ap

Murray hails 'unbelievable

battle' after

marathon victory

SportS DeSk

Andy Murray said that he had

"never played a match like it"

after the former world

number one battled past the

American Frances Tiafoe in

an epic at the European Open,

reports BSS.

The 34-year-old Scot, who

has suffered careerthreatening

hip injuries,

saved two match points to

pull off a 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (7/9),

7-6 (10/8) victory in a thrilling

first-round clash in Antwerp.

At 3hr 45min it was the

longest best-of-three match

this year, the ATP said,

eclipsing the 3hr 38min

played by Rafael Nadal and

Stefanos Tsitsipas in the

Barcelona final in April.

"I don't think I've ever

played a match like that," an

exhausted Murray said.

"I think it's the longest

three-set match I've played by

quite a distance. I'm tired

right now, obviously it was an

unbelievable battle."

Murray, who shared a

warm embrace with the 23-

year-old Tiafoe afterwards,

added: "Nowadays obviously

my body is old now. I've

played a lot of

"I don't mind playing long

matches, but that was taking

it to another level."

Murray, a three-time major

champion who had careersaving

hip resurfacing surgery

two years ago, is now in a race

to recover ahead of a tough

test on Thursday against the

Argentine second seed Diego

Schwartzman.

FRIDAY, ocToBeR 22, 2021

10

Methila's 'Rohingya' set

to release on Nov 15

TBT RepoRT

Miss Universe Bangladesh Tangia Zaman Methila's

Bollywood debut film titled 'Rohingya. The film is

all set to release on Apple TV worldwide on

November 15, directed by Haider Khan under the

banner of Thunder Dragon Production. In this

Bollywood feature film the actress will be seen in

the role of Husne Ara, a Rohingya genocide

survivor.

Methila has worked on the film in 2020 ever

since then she is waiting for the release of the film

'Rohingya: People From Nowhere'.

Alongside directing, Haider Khan has also

written the screenplay and dialogues of the

production. He has worked as an assistant director

for superhits such as 'Commando' and 'Dangal' and

also a skilled photographer.

Winner of Mr Bhutan 2017, Sangay Tsheltrim, is

starring opposite Methila in this film titled

'Rohingya'. He is the protagonist of Bhutan. The

hero has played the role of the main villain in

Salman Khan's new film 'Radhe'.

According to sources, nearly two-thirds of the

film was shot in several places in India, including

Assam, Manali and Tripura. It has been done in

Indo-Aryan (Rohingya) language and Hindi.

Haider, who met Methila for work purposes

before, had asked her to give a look test for the film.

After the cast was finalised, she visited India and

learned the language of the Rohingya people which

is Indo-Aryan language.

Safa in new web

series 'Kuhelika'

TBT RepoRT

Popular small screen actress Safa Kabir is

going to act in a new web series of crime

thriller titled 'Kuhelika', directed by Samiur

Rahman. Currently our country's stars are

concentrating on the work of OTT, like the

stars of other countries.

Some of their works have been highly

praised in both Bengal.

Meanwhile, the shooting of this web series

of crime thriller stories titled 'Kuhelika' has

started. Safa will join the team today for shooting.

The series will be shot in Dhaka, Munshiganj and

other parts of the country, said the director.

Regarding this context, Safa Kabir said, 'I am

very lucky to be working on a better story. My

web series 'Boli' was hugely acclaimed. I

want to maintain that continuity in this

series as well. Because Kuhelika's story

is very exceptional. I am working on a

great story. I believe I can give a gift

to the audience'.

She further said about the work

of OTT, 'I am regularly getting

good job offers for OTT.

Meetings are going on with a lot

of work. If everything goes well,

I will be seen working in OTT

regularly.'

Apart from Safa, Orsha, Yash

Rohan, Safayet Mansoor Rana,

Elena Shammi and others are

also starring in it. If all goes

well, 'Kuhelika' will be released

on Indian OTT platform G5

later this year.

My dream is to

become a successful

vocalist: Nazim Khan

sALeHUDDIN soHeL

My childhood dream was to be

a vocalist, the people of the

country will love me as an

artist.Besides, I find myself in

the song, so I want to be the

song until death. The words

are by emerging vocalist

Nazim Khan. The emerging

vocalist told the unspoken

words of his dream and selfinterest.

Born and raised in

Ramkantpur Paschim Para

village in Sadar upazila of

Rajbari district, the artist is

currently busy with basic songs

and stage programs.He has

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh

Khan on Thursday met his son

Aryan Khan who is lodged at

Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail in

connection with the drugs on

cruise case.

According to jail authorities,

the accused were not allowed to

Dwayne Johnson aka 'The

ROCK' treated his fans to the

first teaser of 'Black Adam', the

anti-hero film from the DC

Extended Universe directed by

Jaume Collett-Serra and cowritten

by Sohrab Noshirvani

of 'The Mauritanian' fame.

Collett-Serra directed Johnson

most recently in Disney's hit

film, 'Jungle Cruise'.

Describing the character he

had first signed up to play in

2014, Johnson tweeted on

Saturday: "He is ruthless. He

is unstoppable. He is the

reason the hierarchy of power

in the DC UNIVERSE is about

to change."

Dwayne Johnson's Seven

Bucks Productions has coproduced

the movie ('Black

Adam') with DC Films, New

Line Cinema and Flynn

already added more than

twenty original songs to his

collection. Several songs have

been praised again. In 2005,

he first came to music by

holding the hands of Ustad

Md. Sobhan master at the

Matir Para Academy.

Later, at the end of 2016, he

started his musical journey with

the solo original song 'Buker

Pinjare'. Written by PR Rana in

the tune of MushfiqurLitu, the

music was released and this is

how he will continue in

multimedia.Currently he has

unpublished songs include

about eight original songs. So far

have visitors earlier in the wake

of the Covid-19 but the

restrictions were eased starting

today. However, only two family

members of an inmate are

allowed to visit. The actor left

after spending 20 minutes-the

maximum time allowed for the

Picture Co, which has made a

number of films starring the

Nazim Khan has sung songs

written by many including

popular lyricist Shah Alam

Sarkar, Firoz Plabon, Kazi

Jamal, Ali Aftab Loni, Afzal

Sharif, PR Rana, Al Amin Khan.

visitors-with his son. In the

wake of the COVID-19, the

visitors are restricted from

having any physical contact with

the jail inmates and thus, Shah

Rukh met son Aryan through a

glass wall and talked to him

through an intercom.

A special court in Mumbai on

Wednesday refused to grant bail

to Aryan and two others in

connection with the seizure of

drugs. Following this, Aryan

Khan moved a bail application

in the Bombay High Court

against the NDPS court order on

his bail rejection.

Arbaaz Merchant's lawyer also

said that they will move to

wrestler-actor,

'Skyscraper'.

including

When asked, Nazim Khan

said, "Song is my dream and

pursuit, find myself in the

middle of the song, I will be with

the song as long as I live. I wish

everyone love and blessings."

Shah Rukh Khan

meets son Aryan Khan

in Arthur Road Jail

Bombay High Court today after

NDPS rejected their

applications. Speaking to ANI,

Ali Kasif, Merchant's lawyer

said, "We are trying to move the

bail application of Arbaaz

Merchant in Bombay High

Court today. The other two are

also likely to move bail

applications in the High Court

today." An NCB team busted an

alleged drugs party on the

Cordelia Cruise ship which was

on its way to Goa at mid-sea on

October 2. A total of 20 people,

including two Nigerian

nationals, have been arrested so

far in the case.

Source: The Indian Express

Dwayne unveils the first look

at 'Black Adam'

Along with Dwayne

Johnson's character,

according to reports, 'Black

Adam' also focuses on the

members of the Justice

Society: Aldis Hodge as

'Hawkman', who can fly

thanks to his special metal

wings; Noah Centineo as Atom

Smasher, who can control his

molecules and thereby change

his size, density and strength;

Quintessa Swindell as Cyclone,

who can control the wind; and

Pierce Brosnan as Doctor Fate,

an archaeologist who becomes

a powerful sorcerer while

wearing the Helmet of Fate.

The film is slated to be

released in the United State on

July 29, 2022.

Source: Deccan Chronicle

H o R o s c o p e

ARIes

(March 21 - April 20) : Good news about

career success may have your home in an

uproar. Visitors, particularly men and

young people, could be in and out all day,

and warm and loving calls could come periodically. You

may want to do some work on your home, perhaps

clean, decorate, or even minor repairs, but the

interruptions may get in your way. Enjoy the company.

You can always do what's necessary tomorrow!

TAURUs

(April 21 - May 21) : A friend may have

some outrageous, unworkable ideas

for making money, Taurus. No matter

what they involve, you'll probably

start by listening just to be polite and then end up

wondering if your friend is still on this planet.

This isn't a good day to get involved in anything

risky. If asked, make your excuses. "Risky" is too

mild a word for this proposal!

GeMINI

(May 22 - June 21) : You're swamped with

paperwork regarding financial affairs. Bills

need to be paid and checks deposited.

There may also be a legal paper of some kind to deal

with. Basically, everything looks great regarding money,

so this is certainly welcome. Your circle of acquaintances

may widen. Tonight you may receive an invitation to a

social event that you choose not to attend.

cANceR

(June 22 - July 23) : Have you been

thinking about working toward a career

as a writer or teacher? If so, this is the

day to start. Perhaps you need to sit

down and start writing, or you want to take some

courses to improve your skills. A number of

communications from out of state or even distant lands

could come your way from people with information

that might change your life in some way.

Leo

(July 24 - Aug. 23): Being around

others should be especially

gratifying for you today. Most

people should be friendly, and

you'll enjoy their company. The downside is

that your psychic faculties are acute, so you

might pick up some unsettling feelings from

those you talk to. You're likely to find that many

smiles hide turmoil inside.

VIRGo

(Aug. 24 - Sept. 23): A social event

could put you in touch with a magnetic

woman who has a lot of interesting stories

to tell, Virgo. She probably exaggerates, so don't take

every detail as fact, but you'll enjoy meeting her anyway.

Don't commit to any proposal that you and she work on

a project together. She can be very convincing, but you'll

need to think about it carefully before deciding.

LIBRA

(Sept. 24 - Oct. 23): The current

aspects indicate success. This might

relate to your romantic life or to a

creative project that you've been

working on for a long time. Whichever it is, it

comes at just the perfect time when your

enthusiasm and optimism are at a peak. You'll be

able to make the most of the fortunate event that

comes your way.

scoRpIo

(Oct. 24 - Nov. 22): Act without

hesitation today, Scorpio, especially if

you're following unfamiliar directions

or exploring new territory. This may

not seem like the best advice, but this is a day for

saying an unflinching yes to all manner of proposals

that come your way, even if some are unclear.

Scorpio excels at this type of test. Expect to be at the

head of the class by the end of the day!

sAGITTARIUs

(Nov. 23 - Dec. 21): A letter or phone call

concerning potential positive changes

in your financial situation could have

your mind buzzing over possibilities for

the future. You might be a bit worried about being

able to make the most of this break, but your

practicality should enable you to face it objectively

and efficiently. There's no need to worry.

cApRIcoRN

(Dec. 22 - Jan. 20) : Someone that you

don't really know well may corner

you at a social occasion and try to

talk you into something. Get all the

facts before you commit to anything. Your

persuasive powers are high. If you have a project

to pitch to someone, this is the day to do it, or at

least map out your strategy. Success is strongly

indicated for any project you start today.

AQUARIUs

(Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) : Your writing and

speaking abilities are operating at a

high level today. If you've been

thinking about pursuing either of

these avenues, starting now gives you an

advantage toward attaining success. Make a start

and get your ideas down on paper, however rough

they may be. The only downside is the stress that

might result from the sudden stimulation.

pIsces

(Feb. 20 - Mar. 20) : Success in a creative field

and possible public acknowledgment could

come your way. Close friends and romantic

partners will be very happy for you and might

even throw a little celebration of some kind. Phone calls with

congratulations may come from distant states or even

foreign countries. This could be something you've been

working toward for a long time, so relax and enjoy it.

fRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021

11

Asian markets rise

further on more earnings

joy as Fed mulls taper

HONG KONG:Asian

markets advanced further

on Wednesday, joining a

global rally fuelled by

strong earnings, while

investors were keeping tabs

on comments from the

Federal Reserve as it

prepares to bring an end to

its vast financial support

programme, reports BSS.

Signs of progress on Joe

Biden's massive spending

bill provided an extra lift to

sentiment, while bitcoin

came within touching

distance of a new record

after a new financial

instrument to invest in the

cryptocurrency started

trading in New York.

Strong profit reports

from big-name firms over

the past week have

reinforced optimism that

the corporate sector is for

now weathering a recent

slowdown in economic

growth, supply chain issues

and surging inflation,

providing a much-needed

boost to worried traders.

Johnson & Johnson,

United Airlines and Netflix

were the latest positives

from the reporting season,

adding to top Wall Street

banks including JPMorgan

Chase, Bank of America

and Morgan Stanley last

week.

Tokyo, Hong Kong,

Sydney, Singapore,

Wellington, Taipei and

Manila all rose, though

there were slight losses in

Shanghai and Seoul.

With the participation of thousands of the lovers of holy Prophet (PBUH), a massive 'Eid-e-

Miladunnabi (PBUH) Celebration Peace Rally' and 'International Peace Conference' were held in the

capital city. Anjuman-e-Rahmania Mainia Maizbhandaria organised the festive rally. Photo : Courtesy

Johnson urges green investment

in post-Brexit Britain

LONDON: Prime Minister Boris Johnson on

Tuesday urged foreign investors to buy into

post-Brexit Britain, as he seeks to power the

country's future prosperity on renewable

energy, reports BSS.

The UK leader kicked off a Global

Investment Summit in London by

announcing a £400 million ($552 million,

473 million euros) partnership with the Bill

Gates Foundation to invest in emerging

green technologies.

The tie-up, which will see both sides stump

up £200 million, follows Spanish renewable

energy giant Iberdrola announcing late

Monday plans to invest £6 billion creating

Britain's biggest offshore wind development.

Johnson, who has outlined plans for the

UK to reach net-zero carbon emissions by

2050, is hoping to burnish his green

credentials before hosting world leaders at a

critical UN climate change gathering in

Glasgow next month.

He also wants to boost investment to grow

Britain's economy as it grapples with the fallout

from the coronavirus pandemic and

Brexit, which have combined to strain the

logistics sector, labour market and other

areas.

In his sales pitch, Johnson promised

government backing for private investment

in sustainable projects, promising Britain

was now "moving in an exciting new

direction with a green, industrial revolution,

with new regulatory freedoms".

But some government plans to cut carbon

emissions have come under fire for not going

far enough.

Homeowners in England and Wales will be

offered subsidies of £5,000 from next year as

part of a £450 million scheme to help them

replace old gas boilers with low-carbon heat

pumps.

Anjumane-E-Quaderia

holds programme marking

Eid-e-Miladunnabi

Anjumane-E-Quaderia,

Bangladesh

held

programmes, marking the

holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi in the

country, a press release said.

Anjumane-E-Quaderia held

Milad Mahfil and Quran

Khawani at Dhaka and at its

25 mosques in the country.

Eid-e-Miladunnabi marking

the anniversary of birth and

demise of Prophet Hazrat

Muhammad (Peace Be upon

Him) was observed on

Wednesday with due religious

solemnity.

On this day in 570, Prophet

Muhammad (PBuH) was

born in Makkah city of Saudi

Arabia with divine blessings

and messages of peace for

mankind. He also passed

away on the same day.

After a long wait, Ctg city dwellers to

(From back page)

Although there are multiple contractors to

the project, Taiyong is assumed to be the

sole bidder in this project as they are working

on two projects earlier. But the work on

the Bhandal-Juri treatment plant project

has got stalled because of the Covid-19

pandemic. And so, the project authority is

now feeling the importance of discussing

whether the same company is capable of

working on another mega project important

for Bangladesh's infrastructure.

Sources claimed that there are doubts

about the company's ability to handle larger

projects as the quality and progress of

work on the Bhandal-Juri project is not

visible as per the expectation. The value of

these three agreements together will

exceed Tk 4,000 crore.

In response to a question, Ariful Islam

said, "Who will be given the tender or not

is a top secret. There is no scope to know it

violating the official secrecy. Once the tender

is ready, it will be officially announced.

Before that it cannot be said who is getting

it."

When contacted, Engineer AKM Faizullah,

Managing Director of Chattogram

WASA, told that many local and foreign

companies have submitted tenders. Verification

and sorting are in progress in this

regard. Moreover, it may take some more

time because of the ongoing pandemic.

"We will inform you who will get the tender

when it is finalized."

Chattogram WASA board member Kazi-

Mohsin said no decision has been taken at

the WASA board meeting on who would

get the tender for the implementation of

the project. He said the tender process for

the project will be completed transparently.

There will be no irregularities and corruption,

he said.

Meanwhile, Bhandal-Juri project under

the Chattogram WASA, 60 km long gravity

pipeline, a water treatment plant, distribution

line, pump station with tanks at

Patiya, another pump station at Karnaphuli

Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) and

two water reservoirs will be constructed.

The Chattogram WASA Board has recommended

the Korean company Taiyong

takes the charge of the project as a construction

contractor.

The cost of Bhandal-Juri project has

been estimated at Tk 373.80 crore. Under

the Economic Development Cooperation

Fund, Korean Exim Bank is providing

loans for this project on easy terms. The

Bhandal-Juri project is expected to be

completed in August 2022.

On the other hand, Sheikh Russel Water

Treatment Plant (Madunaghat) is capable

of refining 90 million litres of water daily.

The Korean company Taiyong took 3

years to construct it. It has been constructed

at a cost of Tk 1,890 crore under the

Chattogram Water Supply Improvement

and Sanitation Project.

The work of this project started in 2011

as a joint venture of the Bangladesh Government,

World Bank and Chattogram

WASA. Out of the total expenditure, the

World Bank has provided Tk 1494.90

crore, Bangladesh govt provided Tk 370.37

crore and Chattogram WASA Tk 22.54

crore for this project.

The project started to run on a trial basis

in November 2018. However, it was fully

launched in January, 2021

GD-1548/21 (5x3)

Barishal Reporters Unity held a protest rally in

Barishal on Thursday in protest of communal

attacks on Hindu religious temples and houses in

different parts of the country. Photo: Zihad Rana

Barishal Reporters Unity holds rally

protesting communal attacks

Zihad Rana, Barishal Correspondent

A protest rally was held in Barishal in protest of communal

attacks on Hindu religious temples and houses in different

parts of the country. The rally was held in front of Ashwini

Kumar Hall while Barishal Reporters Unity organized the

program on Thursday.

The speakers at the occasion said that such violence in the

name of religion is against humanity. We are saddened and

concerned by the recent events in the country. The remnants

of communalism must be pulled now. Otherwise, it will be

impossible to implement the spirit of our liberation war. At

the same time, the speakers demanded speedy trial of the

incident of arson and attack on this temple and house.

Barishal Reporters Unity President Nazrul Biswas chaired

the occasion while BRU General Secretary Mithun Saha, Bir

Pratik Mohiuddin Manik, Barishal Puja Udyapan Parishad

General Secretary Manik Murkharjee, Barishal Metropolitan

Press Club President Abul Kalam Azad, BRU Former

President Sushant Ghosh, Barishal Mahila Parishad General

Secretary Puspa Chakraborty, Gournadi Senior Journalist

Zahirul Islam, Gournadi Reporters Unity President Fahim

Islam were among others present at the occasion.

Nearly 200 perish in

India, Nepal rains

eople have died in floods and landslides in India and Nepal,

officials said Thursday, with whole families buried in their homes

and two young girls swept away as forecasters warned of yet

more heavy rain.

Experts say that they were victims of the ever-more

unpredictable and extreme weather that has hit South Asia in

recent years caused by climate change and exacerbated by

deforestation, damming and excessive development.

Nepal recorded the sharpest rise in casualties, with officials

saying that 88 people have died, among them a family of six

including three children whose house was obliterated by a

sudden avalanche of soil and debris.

"All District Disaster Management Committees have been

actively working for the rescue and relief operations. Under the

committee, Nepal Police, Armed Force Police, Nepal Army and

other agencies have been mobilised," emergencies official Dijan

Bhattarai said.

In the Himalayan northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, 55

people were confirmed Thursday to have died-five of whom were

from a single family whose house was buried by a massive

landslide. Many bridges and roads have been damaged and

many towns have been cut off, and the army has been brought in

to restore contact and reach thousands of people stranded.

State Disaster Secretary S Murugeshan said that the death toll

may rise further, with a number of people still missing including

20 tourists who went trekking on a glacier.

Five people were killed in the eastern Indian state of West

Bengal, including two girls aged eight and 10 from the same

family swept away as heavy rains pounded the hills of Darjeeling

and other districts.

we`ÿ r/Rb-232(3)/21/10/21

GD-1549/21 (6x3)

Friday, Dhaka: october 22, 2021; Kartik 6, 1428 BS; rabi-ul awal 14, 1443 hijri

After a long wait, Ctg city dwellers to

get complete Sewerage system

Seven people were injured in a fire on the fifth floor of mugda medical College hospital in the city yesterday.

the fire that broke out at the hospital was brought under control around 2.10 pm.

Photo : tBt

Chattogram Bureau

Chattogram city's long wait for a proper

sewerage system and a waste treatment

plant is finally going to end. For 56 years

since its establishment Chattogram Water

Supply and Sewerage Authority (CWASA)

has gone without having any proper

sewage responsibility, its activity limited

mainly to supply of pure drinking water.

In the absence of a scientific sewerage

system in the country's second largest city,

wastes are dumped into the Karnaphuli

and Halda rivers through canals and from

there to the sea. If the new project is

implemented, the wastes will be treated at

plant before being dumped.

The project will be implemented by

dividing the entire city into six zones. In

the first phase, out of 41 wards, 2 million

urban dwellers of 11 wards will be brought

under the sewerage system.

According to sources at WASA, the

sewerage project (first phase) of

Chattogram metropolis was approved by

the Executive Committee of the National

Economic Council (Ecnec) at the end of

2018. The main objective of this project

is to build a sewerage system for

Chattogram dwellers through construction

of proper sanitation facilities.

Even though the authorities are yet to

pick up the contractor for the project

worth Tk 3,808,58,77,000 , it is certain

that the work will go to a foreign company.

Out of the total expenditure, the government

will provide Tk 3,758 crorewhile the

remaining Tk 50 crore.

Sources close to the project said South

Korean contractor Taiyong Engineering

and Construction Company Ltd is in hot

pursuit of the work.

It also has got the work order for

Bhandal-Juri Treatment Plant of

Chattogram WASA and the Sheikh Russell

Water Treatment Plant in Madunaghat.

According to sources, Chinese and

Korean companies have bought 36 tenders

for the implementation of the Chattogram

WASA Sewage Treatment Plant Project

and related activities. Of these, 33 tenders

were bought by Chinese companies and

the remaining by Korean companies.

In this regard, Project Director (PD) and

supervisor of Chattogram WASA Engineer

Ariful Islam said international tenders

were invited for 3 packages for WASA's

wastewater treatment plant project. Of

these, one company has bought 36 tenders

and another has won 33 tenders. No order

has been issued to any organization yet. It

is under process.

>(Contd. on page-11)

Attack on Hindus is attack on

altar of BD's spirit: Hasan

DHAKA : Information and

Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan

Mahmud on Thursday said any attack

on the Hindu community is an assault

to the altar of the spirit of Bangladesh

and the government as well.

"They (miscreants) wanted to blame

the government after staging those

incidents. The conspirators conducted

the attacks to destroy our relations

with the Hindu community and the

neighbouring country to kill two birds

with one stone," he told newsmen at

his Secretariat office here.

Earlier, the minister addressed the

triennial conference of Awami

League Dhamoirhat upazila unit of

Naogaon virtually.

Food Minister Sadhan Chnadra

Majumder, AL Organizing Secretary

SM Kamal Hossain, Health Affairs

Secretary Dr Rokeya Sultana and AL

Naogaon district unit President and

Freedom Fighter Md Abdul Malek,

among others, addressed the conference

with AL Dhamoirhat upazila unit

president Md Deldar Hossain in the

chair.

Hasan said BNP and Jamaat do

communal politics in Bangladesh and

they give anti-Indian slogans during

the elections. They prohibit the Hindu

voters to go to the polling centers, he

added.

He said it is proved through investigation

that a Muslim youth left the

holy Quran Sharif. "It will also be

cleared why he did this and on whose

instigation . . . everything will be clear

DHAKA : Civil society organizations

(CSOs) on Thursday called for an inclusive

process from the government to

strengthen country's interest in the

upcoming UN climate conference CoP

26, reports UNB.

In a virtual seminar on Thursday,

they also opined that, as one of the

Most Vulnerable Countries (MVC),

Bangladesh should adopt a firm stance

in support of a legally binding commitment

under the Paris Agreement in

order to secure additional funding for

improved adaptation activities and to

avoid recurrent loss and damage.

The online seminar titled "CoP-26:

Government position and CSO perspectives"

was jointly organized by COAST

foundation, An Organization for Socio-

Economic Development (AOSED),

Centre for Participatory Research and

Development (CPRD) Coastal

Development Partnership (CDP) and

Coastal Livelihood and Environmental

Action Network (CLEAN) and Equity

and Justice Working Group, Bangladesh

(EquityBD).

Coast foundation also hosted an

online session titled "CoP-26:

Government Position and CSO

Perspectives" during the seminar.

Saber Hossain Chowdhury MP and

like the daylight," said Hasan, also AL

joint general secretary.

Replying to a comment of BNP secretary

general Mirza Fakhrul Islam

Alamgir, the minister said, "We want a

strong opposition party in Bangladesh.

We believe that a strong opposition

party strengthens democracy. But it is

regrettable that BNP could not become

a strong party. Many leaders have

already fled and left the party (BNP).

Even, many leaders of BNP's central

committee left the party through declaration."

He said the incidents of Cumilla and

Pirganj are isolated incidents as people

of any community in Bangladesh are

not communal. So, the miscreants carried

out the incidents and the government

has been able to control the situation,

he added.

Hasan said, "We also stand beside

the people politically. But the plotters

will continue their conspiracies."

In the conference, the minister said

attacks were carried out centering the

Durga Puja when the country is

marching ahead and the communal

harmony is in place, to create a difficult

situation for Awami League and the

government and to destroy the good

relation with the neighbouring country.

He said Awami League and its leaders

and workers are working to protect

communal harmony and stand beside

the Hindu community. Hasan urged

the AL leaders and workers to remain

alert against the culprits.

JS body for

conducting research

on less water

required varieties

DHAKA : The parliamentary standing

committee on the agriculture

ministry yesterday recommended

for taking necessary steps to continue

research activities to develop such

varieties which require less water

and also reduce the height of maize,

reports BSS.

The recommendation was placed at

the 18th meeting of the parliamentary

committee held at the Jatiya Sangsad

Bhaban here with its chairman Matia

Chowdhury in the chair.

In order to further increase the

cultivation, the parliamentary

watchdog recommended taking adequate

measures to preserve adequate

quantity of seeds of short-variety

(short-grown varieties) of Aman

planted in the current season and to

set up an exhibition field of Aman in

each union.

Committee members Agriculture

Minister Dr M Abdur Razzaque,

Muhammad Imaj uddin Pramanik,

M Moslem Uddin, Anwarul Abedin

Khan and Hosne Ara, among others,

attended the meeting.

The meeting reviewed progress of

the implementation of the decisions

taken in its earlier meeting and the

overall issues of the Ministry of

Agriculture.

The meeting was attended by the

Secretary of the Ministry of

Agriculture, heads of various

departments and concerned officials

of the Ministry and JS

Secretariat.

CSOs demand inclusive process from govt

to Strengthen Country Interest at CoP 26

the Chair of Parliamentary Standing

Committee on Environment, Forest

and Climate Change Ministry was the

Chief Guest, while Asheq Ullah Rafiq

MP Cox's Bazar-2 was the Special

Guest in the seminar moderated by

Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of

EquityBD.

Syed Aminul Hoque from EquityBD

presented the key note paper of the

seminar. Syed Aminul Hoque said that,

the CoP 26 is crucial since it will take a

main stocktake on newly submitted

Nationally Determined Contributions

(NDCs), establish the Loss and

Damage Mechanism, and providing

$100 billion in Green Climate Fund

(GCF).

In this context, Bangladesh's government

should play a critical role in safeguarding

the country's interests, particularly

in protecting vulnerable people

and reducing the effects of regular loss

and damage caused by climate change.

He addressed a number of demands

to the government delegation, including,

Continued revision of NDCs by

developed and polluter countries based

on their fair contribution and economic

volume in order to keep global temperature

below 1.5 degrees Celsius,

Developed countries must secure additional

funding beyond the GCF to mitigate

and adapt to loss and damage.

Saber Hossain Chowdhury stated

that Bangladesh will undoubtedly play

an effective part in CoP 26 in order to

divert the negotiation flow in the country's

favour. 'Apart from that, our

prime minister will participate and

speak out openly to encourage developed

countries to adhere to realistic

GHG reduction targets and to get $100

billion in GCF funding," he added.

"We have drafted a country position for

CoP 26 and are coordinating issues

among government officials," said Mirza

Sawkat Ali, Director of Department of

Environment,

He also said, "the government's position

has primarily focused on finance

and technology, and we will endeavour

to reach a consensus to balance the

GCF fund for adaptation by 50 per

cent. CSOs should also be considered

separately."

Among others, Md. Shamsuddoha of

CPRD, Rabeya Begum, Co-Chair of

CANSA-BD, Md. Jahangir Hossen

Masum of CDP, Mohan Kumar

Mondal of LEADERS, Shamim Arefin

of AoSED-Khulna, Hasan Mehedi of

CLEAN, Kawser Rahaman of

Janakhanta spoke on the occasion.

Islamic speaker arrested for

allegedly inciting temple attack

DHAKA : An Islamic preacher from Keraniganj was arrested on Thursday for comments

that allegedly incited temple attacks over desecration of the holy Quran in Cumilla, reports

UNB. The arrestee was identified as Maulana Abdur Rahim Biplobi,39, resident of

Dholaipar in Dhaka. He was arrested at 7:20 am outside Chunkutia Purbapara Jame

mosque under South Keraniganj police station by a team of Crime Investigation

Department (cyber monitoring cell) led by inspector Mst Shajeda Lata.

On October 13, Maulana Rahim in a waj mahfil in Dhaka said if the perpetrators who

kept holy Quran with a Hindu idol don't get arrested by October 14 an unruly protest will

start from each mosque the next day after Jumma prayer. He also said, "No puja mandap

will be spared in Bangladesh." Maulana Rahim also blamed police for killings in Chandpur

during communal violence and made extremist comments about the law enforcing forces.

His comments spread on social media created extreme reactions among the netizens

and public, said CID in a press release.

Also his comments had contributed to deterioration of law and order across the country,

it said. Cyber monitoring cell of CID immediately marked Abdur Rahim after it came

into their notice. In primary interrogation Abdur Rahim confessed to making inciting

statements regarding puja mandaps in his waz, said CID.

CID filed a case at the Paltan model police station against Abdur Rahim under the

Digital Security Act.

ASK seeks implementation of HC guideline

on preventing sexual harassment

DHAKA : Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), a human rights body, on Thursday filed a writ petition

seeking implementation of a decade old order of the High Court on prevention of sexual

harassment of woman and children at workplaces and educational institutions, reports

UNB. On behalf of ASK advocate Md Shahinuzzaman and Sayeda Nasrin submitted the

writ against the Public Administration secretary and 42 others.

The bench of Justice Md Mojibur Rahman Mia and Justice Md Kamrul Hossain Molla

is likely to hear the petition next week, said court sources.

In 2009, the HC passed a guideline with direction to form a five-membe committee at

every organization for preventing sexual harassment.

The direction was not implemented and even the Supreme Court Bar Association has

no such committee to prevent sexual harassment, said ASK's lawyer Md Shahinuzzaman.

On August 7, 2008 advocate Salma Ali, director of Bangladesh National Woman

Lawyers' Association (BNWLA) filed a writ petition before the High Court in public interest

seeking directions to put a stop to sexual harassment at educational institutes and

workplace. On May 14, 2009, HC passed the order to form a 'Sexual Harassment

Prevention Committee' at all organizations including educational institutions, media

organizations, national and private institutions.

In the second such incident in about a month a ride-sharing biker

set fire to his vehicle as a traffic police 'attempted to fine him' at

Palashi intersection in Dhaka thursday afternoon. Photo : tBt

Nat’l Road Safety

Day today

DHAKA : The National Road Safety Day

will be observed in the country today,

reports BSS,

This year's theme of the day is "Gatisima

Mene Choli, Sarak Durghotona Rodh

Kori" (Let us abide by speed limit, prevent

road accident".

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime

Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday

issued separate messages on the eve of the

National Road Safety Day.

The President, in his message, said the

number of vehicles on streets is rapidly

increasing with the increase of developed

road infrastructure in Bangladesh.

Uncontrolled speed of these vehicles is

one of the major reasons of road accident,

he said adding that it is essential to abide

by speed limit to stop loss of life and property.

In this regard, he said, the theme of

this year is a perfect and time-befitting

one. Developed communication infrastructure

and sufficient transport services

are perquisites to sustainable socio-economic

development, he said.

Abdul Hamid said it is very important to

minimize transport cost and valuable time

through building an advanced communication

system in the perspectives of globalization.

The government has continued its

relentless efforts for the modernization of

transport system through using domestic

resources and foreign investments, he said.

The President said upgrading the

national highways to four-lane, construction

of expressways, mass rapid transit

and bus rapid transit are among the ongoing

important works in this sector.

He urged all concerned to work with

sincerity for making the road safety programme

as sustainable. In her message,

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said before

the independence, there was no notable

road network in the country.

She said the Greatest Bangalee of All

Time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman took different

programme and plans to build a modern

road transport system in the war-ravaged

Bangladesh. Bangabandhu's government

formed Planning Commission and adopted

the first five-year plan, she said.

Another ride-sharing

biker sets his bike

on fire to protest

"police excess"

DHAKA : In the second such incident in

about a month a ride-sharing biker set

fire to his vehicle as a traffic police 'attempted

to fine him' at Palashi intersection

in Dhaka Thursday afternoon,

reports UNB.

Confirming it, MM Morshed, officerin-charge

of Lalbagh Police Station said

that Ilias Mia (30) set his bike on fire out

of anger as a sergeant fined him for traffic

rule violation.

After being fined, he drove to Kataban

from Palashi and burned it around

2:45pm. He was fined twice earlier, the

OC added. The OC informed that after

the incident, a police team rushed to the

spot to talk with Ilias .

He said the man came to Dhaka a

month ago and took to ride-sharing job

after suffering heavy loss in business

during the Covid pandemic.

Earlier on September 27, another

biker, Shawkat Ali, set his motorcycle on

fire after a traffic sergeant "attempted to

file a case" in Dhaka's Badda area.

22-10-2021

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