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Sunday
Dhaka: October 24, 2021; kartik 8, 1428 BS; Rabi-ul-awal 16,1443 hijri
www.thebangladeshtoday.com; www.bangladeshtoday.net
Regd.No.Da~2065, Vol.19; N o. 175; 12 Pages~Tk.8.00
international
'Widespread' racial
harassment found at
Utah school district
>Page 7
Govt plans to raise
number of classes
in schools, colleges:
Dipu Moni
CHANDPUR : Education Minister Dipu
Moni on Saturday said the government
is planning to increase the number of
classes in schools and colleges from
January next, reports UNB.
The minister said this while talking to
local journalists after inaugurating a
new complex of Palli Bidyut Samiti-2 at
Raldia village in Chandpur.
She said it is not possible to take any
immediate decision on increasing classes
as some countries are seeing the third
wave of Covid-19 infections.
"Classes have to be taken following
health guidelines and maintaining social
distance for now," said Dipu Moni.
"We don't even have enough space in
classrooms to properly maintain the
health guidelines. So, we'll think about
increasing the number of classes from
January if the Covid-19 situation
remains under control," she added.
School and college students in
Bangladesh returned to their classrooms
on September 11 after a prolonged closure
due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The government had shut the educational
institutions on March 17, 2020,
after the country reported its first Covid-
19 cases on March 8 and later the closure
was extended several times.
The pandemic-related school closures
in the country affected about 38 million
students though the government introduced
TV-based learning programmes
for them.
Two nabbed for
Rangpur arson
attacks 'admit guilt'
DHAKA : The Rapid Action Battalion
(RAB) has detained two persons, including
the prime suspect, allegedly responsible
for burning down the homes and
shops of the Hindus in Rangpur.
Saikat Mandal, 24, son of Rashedul
Haque and his accomplice Rabiul Islam,
36, son of Moslem Uddin of Pirganj
upazila, have been nabbed by RAB-13
personnel from Gazipur district's Tongi
area, following a raid based on a tip-off,
sources told UNB on Saturday.
During preliminary interrogation, the
two admitted their guilt, Director (Legal
and Media Wing) at the Rab headquarters
Commander Khandaker Al Moin
told reporters.
The detainees told interrogators
that they had used loudspeakers to
instigate people to carry out the arson
attacks in a bid to create anarchy and
disrupt communal harmony in the
country, after posting misleading
comments on social media, the RAB
Commander said.
"Saikat provoked people by uploading
false information on Facebook. He led a
number of arson attacks directly. Rabiul
used loudspeakers to instigate people,
on Saikat's instructions," said Moin.
After the attacks, Saikat, a student of a
Rangpur college, went into hiding.
"Efforts are on to take legal steps against
the detainees," said RAB officers.
Zohr
04:46 AM
11:50 PM
03:50 PM
05:30 PM
06:50 PM
5:59 5:26
Cumilla desecration
SPortS
Ronaldo's duel with Salah
takes centre stage as
Man Utd face Liverpool
>Page 9
PM calls for united efforts
for building inclusive UN
based on cooperation
DHAKA : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
has called for uniting the efforts of all to
build a more robust and inclusive United
Nations (UN) based on mutual respect,
partnership, cooperation, and solidarity.
"On this auspicious occasion, let us unite
our efforts to build a more robust and
inclusive United Nations (UN) based on
mutual respect, partnership, cooperation,
and solidarity. Let the United Nations be
our beacon of hope.
On this historic year when the country is
celebrating the golden jubilee of its
Independence and the Birth Centenary of
the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh
commits to doing its part in shaping
together the future of our peoples and creating
a blueprint for a better future," she
said.
The premier said this in a separate message
issued on Saturday on the occasion of
the UN's 76th founding anniversary.
She added that on the auspicious occasion
of the 76the anniversary of the United
Nations, Bangladesh joins the international
community in reiterating its unwavering
commitment to the purposes and
Principles of the United Nations Charter.
Over the last 76 years, the United
Nations has championed human progress
on many fronts, including peace and security,
human rights, decolonization, women
empowerment, sustainable development
and so on, she said.
"However, in many parts of the world,
we see people are struggling to establish
their fundamental rights. The rightful
strife of the Palestinian people and
decades' long persecution of Rohingyas in
Myanmar are few examples," she added.
Moreover, when there are so many
unresolved issues and challenges such
as climate change, disarmament, terrorism,
ethnic and religious intolerance,
the world has encountered an
invisible, deadly pandemic ravaging
the lives and livelihoods with millions
of deaths for the last two years, she
said, adding that in this context, the
timeless values of the UN Charter to
"unite our strength" for serving "we the
peoples" have become more relevant
than ever before.
Iqbal, 3 others remanded
in 7-day police custody
CUMILLA : A local court on Saturday
remanded prime suspect Iqbal Hossain
and three others in seven-day police custody
in connection with a case filed over
the alleged desecration of the holy Quran
in Cumilla, reports UNB.
Senior Judicial Magistrate Mithila
Zahan Nipa sent the four accused to
seven-day police custody, rejecting investigating
officer Mafizul Islam's prayer for a
10-day remand for custodial interrogation
and further investigation in the case.
The three other accused in the case have
been identified as Faisal and Hafez
Humayun, the two khadims of Darogabari
shrine, and Ekram.
Police arrested Iqbal, who allegedly kept
the holy Quran at a Durga Puja venue in
Cumilla, from Cox's Bazar district on
Thursday night after identifying him by
scanning the footage of closed-circuit television
(CCTV) cameras.
The three others were arrested from different
parts of the country.
Iqbal's alleged act drew accusations of
desecrating the holy book hurled at the
Hindu community and triggered communal
tension and violence across the country.
Iqbal is believed to have placed the
holy Quran inside Nanuar Dighi Par puja
mandap in Cumilla city in the early hours
of October 13, which led to attacks on
Durga Puja venues across the country
recently.
Cops filed a case in this connection at the
Kotwali police station the following day.
Violence against houses and businesses
of the Hindu community followed in several
districts, including Chandpur,
Noakhali, Chattogram and Rangpur, leaving
at least seven people dead and many
injured. Of the dead, five were Muslim
rioters who died in police firing.
Iqbal was most likely instructed to keep
the Quran at the mandap by others to
stoke communal tensions, according to
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan.
"Everything was done in a planned way.
The man, who had kept the Quran at the
temple, might have done it as per others'
instruction... there might be provocation
behind it. We'll be able to know the motive
after his arrest," the home minister had said.
He had said after examining the CCTV
footage of the surrounding areas, it was
ascertained that the man who kept the
holy Quran at the Cumilla temple took it
from a mosque. "The man had been to
Mazar mosque thrice that night. It was
clear from the CCTV footage that the man
took the Quran from the mosque to keep it
at the temple."
Hindu Buddhist
Christian Unity
Council held a
mass hunger
strike at
Shahbagh of the
capital city on
Saturday
demanding
judicial
investigation
of the attacks
on Hindu
communities
in different
parts of the
country
including
Cumilla.
Photo : TBT
art & culture
I Will Do Experimental
Work with Myself: Riba
>Page 10
The floodwaters have receded. People on the banks of the Teesta have started returning
home. Crops and roads have been damaged as well as houses have been damaged due to the
flow of water.
Photo : Star Mail
Communal violence
Protesters
stage demo at
Shahbagh
DHAKA : Several hundred people from
different organisations of the Hindu
community on Saturday observed a sitin
and mass hunger strike at the capital's
Shahbagh intersection protesting the
recent attacks on temples and vandalism
of idols, reports UNB.
The protesters started the demonstration
at Shahbagh intersection at 6:00 am
Saturday. The demonstration is part of
countrywide processions, rallies and
demonstrations staged by the Bangladesh
Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council
(BHBUC). Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal
(Jasad) president Hasanul Huq Inu
demanded security of the minority community
people across the country and justice
for the communal attacks carried out
at different places.
"The attacks were carried out on the
minority community people because
of the negligence of the administration,"
Inu said adding, "A non-communal
political party and administration
is a must to form non-communal
Bangladesh."
Charu Chanda Das, general secretary
of Iskcon Bangladesh, said that attacks
on Hindu establishments are not new in
Bangladesh. The recent attacks could
have been prevented had the perpetrators
of the previous attacks been brought
to book, he added.
Sammilito Sangskritik Jote president
Golam Kuddus said, "Bangladesh
achieved independence with the contributions
of both Muslims and Hindus so
that we could peacefully live together.
But some perpetrators are trying to disrupt
the harmony through communal
violence.
JPC to help build multicultural
society, hopes Hasan Mahmud
DHAKA : The Jatiya Press Club (JPC) will
keep up its role in building a diversified
multicultural society with the spirit of
patriotism, democracy and human values
in the days to come, said Information and
Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan
Mahmud, reports UNB.
The minister expressed the hope while
speaking at a programme, marking the
67th anniversary of the Jatiya Press Club
in the city on Friday night.
The minister also greeted the Press
Club members on the occasion and
wished them a greater success in their
profession.
JPC president Farida Yasmin, general
secretary Ilias Khan, vice-presidents
Hasan Hafiz and Rezwanul Haque Raza;
joint general secretaries Mainul Alam and
Md Ashraf Ali; treasurer Shahed
Chowdhury and members of the management
committee and sub-committees
were present.
JPC president Farida Yasmin said the
process to build the 31-storey 'Jatiya Press
Nakibul Ahsan Nishad
Although the initiative to build a new campus
for Jagannath University was taken
five years ago, so far the land acquisition
has not completed yet. The master plan for
the construction of the new campus was
not materialized due to major irregularities.
There have also been allegations of
corruption and irregularities in land acquisition.
In the meantime, about one and a
half thousand crore taka has been spent on
these works.
However, there is a big discrepancy
between the university authorities and the
Ministry of Education regarding this
amount of money. The Ministry of
Education has rejected the proposal of former
Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor
Mijanur Rahman to appoint a consulting
firm without paying attention to the rules
and regulations. Under the direction of the
new VC, Professor Imdadul Haque, the
university authorities have canceled the
recruitment process of hiring the consulting
firm and re-floated the tender.
Concerned people said that in August
2016, the students of Jagannath University
started a movement demanding the construction
of a university hall on the land of
the former central penitentiary in Old
Dhaka.
In the wake of the student movement,
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced
Club Bangabandhu Media Complex' is
well underway with the cooperation of the
ministries concerned.
General secretary Ilias Khan said Jatiya
Press Club is always a place for free thinking
and interactions of journalists and it
will remain so in the future, too.
JPC, the 'Second Home' of journalists,
stepped into its 68 years on Wednesday
with a glorious history. However, the cultural
function and annual dinner were
held on Friday as the 67th founding
anniversary day of the club coincided with
the holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi.
After a hiatus of one year caused by the
Covid-19 pandemic, JPC celebrated the
big moment with various programmes
since October 6, maintaining health safety
protocols.
The Jatiya Press Club started its journey
in Dhaka on October 20, 1954. Besides
being a meeting place for journalists, it
provides a forum for political, social and
cultural groups and individuals for holding
press briefings and seminars.
How far is JnU NEW campus
from materializing ?
the construction of a full-fledged campus
in Keraniganj to permanently solve the
problems of the students of Jagannath
University. The ECNEC meeting in
October 2016 passed a project titled
'Establishment of New Campus of
Jagannath University: Land Acquisition
and Development'. It would cost BDT 1920
crore 94 lakh. The project was approved
for implementation between October 1,
2016 and June 30, 2020.
The project aimed at land acquisition
and development, construction of planning
and engineering buildings, boundary
wall, internal roads, lake and pond excavation,
connecting bridges, internal surface
drain and master plan work.
Five years later, the university administration
has managed to acquire only 188
acres of land. This work has not been completed
yet, 200 acres of land will have to be
acquired. Major irregularities in the way
files are handled in the ministry, the work
of the master plan for setting up new campuses
is given to certain companies and
work has come to a standstill during the
Covid-19 crisis. In this situation, the duration
of the project has been extended to
June 2023.
It is learned that 188 acres of land was
acquired in 2019 at a cost of Tk 899.80
crore. According to the Ministry of
Education, Tk 1,441 crore has been spent
for the new campus till June 2020.
Govt to form cell to promote
agriculture entrepreneurs
DHAKA : Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdur
Razzaque on Saturday said a separate cell
will be formed at his ministry to encourage
agriculture entrepreneurs and create new
entrepreneurs.
"It is now very essential to create
agriculture entrepreneurs and promote
them. The cell will extend cooperation and
keep communication with entrepreneurs,"
he said.
Razzaque was addressing as the chief guest
the inaugural ceremony of Agriculture
Entrepreneur Conference at Bangladesh
Agricultural Research Council (BARC) at
Farmgate here.
The minister said directives have been
given to field level officers to keep watch on
agricultural loan disbursement for more
than Taka 28,000 across the country.
About the communal violence centering
the Durga Puja, Razzaque said the incidents
of communal attacks on Hindu community
are very shameful for the nation.
"It stigmatizes the nation. Such incidents
cannot be accepted by any means. Those
who carried out arson attacks and vandalized
houses of Hindu community in Rangpur in
the name of religion, they are barbaric and
inhuman. These religious dogmatized
barbaric elements should be eliminated from
society," he said.
Razzaque, also Awami League Presidium
Member, said: "We believe in humanity. We
are a single nation combining Muslims,
Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Garo,
Chakma and Hajong and all other people
belonging to any caste and creed. This
country is for all human beings and all have
equal rights."
Former Agriculture Secretary and the
conference coordinator Anwar Faruque
chaired the function while UCBL
Managing Director Md Shawkat Jamil,
Bangladesh Agricultural Credit
Department General Manager Md Abdul
Hakim and voluntary organization BSEF
general secretary Rezaul Karim Siddique
addressed it, among others.
Civil society orgs' active participation essential
to ensure sustainable development: Speakers
DHAKA : The active participation of civil
society organizations in development
initiatives is essential to making Bangladesh's
development more effective and sustainable,
said speakers, reports UNB.
They came up with the view at the
Bangladesh NGO-CSO Coordination Process
(BDCSO Process) annual meeting on
Saturday.
The three-day annual meeting of the
network of around 600 local and national
NGOs, CSOs began Saturday.
Participants in the session titled 'Local civil
society: why and how building a third sector'
also demanded legal acknowledgement of
NGOs and CSOs' contributions to
development across the country.
The session was chaired by prominent
economist and chairman of PKSF Kazi
Khaliquzzaman Ahmad. Director General of
NGO Affairs Bureau KM Tariqul Islam was
the chief guest at the session.
Deputy Secretary of the Development
Effectiveness Wing of the Ministry of Finance
Ak Azad, Sudipta Mukherjee of UNDP and
Michelle Mousulman of Christian Aid spoke
as special guests.
Kazi Khaliquzzaman Ahmed said local
administration needs to involve local
government as well as local civil society to
make development sustainable.
"Local NGOs and CSOs are working with
Naval chief off
to India on
official visit
DHAKA : Chief of Naval
Staff Admiral M Shaheen
Iqbal left yesterday for India
on a seven-day official visit.
The Navy Chief went to
India on an invitation of
Admiral Karambir Singh,
the Chief of Naval Staff of
Indian Navy, said an ISPR
press release.
During his visit, the Navy
Chief will pay a courtesy call
on Rajnath Singh, Defence
Minister of India, General
Bipin Rawat, Chief of
Defence Staff (CDS) of India
and the Chief of Naval Staff
of Indian Navy Admiral
Karambir Sing.
transparency and accountability, but we have
a lot more to do. We need to ensure the
dignified participation of all, not just the
development of our own organization," he
said.
NGOs, according to NGO Affairs Bureau
DG KM Tariqul Islam, play a critical role in the
development of marginalized people,
particularly at the grassroots level, despite
their many limitations.
In addition to the government, NGOs and
CSOs play an important role in development,
he said.
On the one hand, civil society will
communicate the government's messages to
citizens, and on the other side, civil society will
communicate the citizens' words to the
government, he added.
Michael Mosulman said that local civil
society works with local people, and local
organizations are accountable to local people.
Therefore, local organizations can play an
important role in conveying the views of local
people and thus ensuring the accountability of
the government, he said.
Azad said, "We have entered an era of
development effectiveness from the aid
effectiveness. The Government of Bangladesh
is leading the world in making development
effective, and the government is committed to
creating opportunities for civil society to
participate in development activities."
Helen LaFave, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the United States of America to
Bangladesh along with the delegates from US Embassy visited the Beximco Industrial Park
on Saturday, October 23, 2021. The Deputy Ambassador was very impressed to see
Beximco's fully vertical state of the art Textiles Manufacturing, and World Largest
Sustainable Modern Washing Plant. They were also overwhelmed by visiting Beximco's vertical
Ceramics Plant (Shinepukur Ceramics Ltd.) where they are producing premium quality
Bone-Chinaand Porcelain tableware products.
Photo : Courtesy
SUnDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
2
Chairman of Hamzard Laboratories (Waqf) Bangladesh Kazi Golam Rahman and Managing Director
and Chief Motawalli of the organization Dr Hakim Mohammad Yusuf Harun Bhuiyan welcomed the
member of Hamdard Board of Trustees, former Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Medical University
and eminent physician Prof. Dr. Pran Gopal Datta who has been recently elected unopposed as
Member of Parliament. The greetings were conveyed at Hamdard's own office at Banglamotor in the
capital.
Photo : Courtesy
Attempts to hinder
development to be
resisted: Mannan
BHOLA : Alleging that
conspiracies are being
hatched to create instability
in the country and deter the
ongoing development
efforts, Planning Minister
MA Mannan today said that
all such ill attempts would
surely be resisted.
"No one who is against
Bangladesh will be tolerated
on this soil," he said.
The planning minister
was addressing a civic
gathering at Charfashion
Upazila Parishad here in the
district. The minister
addressed the function after
visiting the proposed
project site for saving
Charfashion and Monpura
from river erosion.
Mentioning that there are
some people who often say
that they would not go for
election, Mannan said that
everyone has the right for
not participating in an
election.
"But, we won't accept if
anyone says that they would
not let election to take place.
This is our country and
there is no other way here to
become Prime Minister,
without taking part in an
election," he added.
Man held with 8 gold
bars in Hili
DINAJPUR : Police on Friday detained a smuggler with eight gold
bars from Birampur at Hili border of Dinajpur, reports UNB.
The detainee was identified as Golzar Hossain, 50, son of Abdur
Rahman of Basupara area of the upazila.
Police said a team, being informed of gold smuggling in India
through the Katla border, conducted a drive in the area around
7pm. Police detained Golzar when he tried to escape after placing
gold bars under a wooden log placed next to Katla Bazar.
Later, eight gold bars were seized from under the wooden logs.
During the interrogation, Golzar admitted that he possessed the
gold bars.
Sumon Kumar Mahanta, Officer-in-Charge of Birampur Police
Station, said legal processes are underway in this regard. Golzar
will be produced before court on Saturday.
Taxpayers can fill up returns
staying at home thru digiTax
DHAKA : DigiTax, an online
tax return preparation
platform for taxpayers, was
formally launched today
through which the taxpayers
can now fill up income tax
returns as well as assess their
assets online through
automated method, reports
BSS.
Through using this, the
taxpayers can submit their
returns and thus pay taxes
while staying at home
alongside taking income tax
related various services.
Desh Universal came up
with this new web application
called digiTax to simplify
further the submission of
income tax returns.
National Board of Revenue
(NBR) Member (tax policy)
Md Alamgir Hossain
inaugurated this online tax
application digiTax today at a
program held at the
Economic Reporters' Forum
(ERF) auditorium in the
capital's Paltan area.
The Institute of Chartered
Accountants of Bangladesh
(ICAB) President Mahmudul
Hasan Khusru, Dhaka Taxes
Bar Association President
AKM Azizur Rahman,
Bangladesh Cricket Board
(BCB) Director Khaled
Mahmud Sujon, digiTax
director Golam Shahriar
Ronju and ERF general
secretary SM Rashidul Islam
were present, among others,
on the occasion.
After inaugurating this
software, NBR Member Md
Alamgir Hossain said that a
huge interest has now been
developed among the
taxpayers to pay income tax
while the number of
taxpayers is now increasing
day by day.
"It's not possible to give
services to such huge number
of taxpayers under the
existing system. There is no
alternative for making online
all tax-related services as well
as making automated the
return submission system.
The NBR has taken this
initiative long ago and also
had introduced filling up,
return submission and
payment system through
online," he added.
Alamgir also noted that the
march forward of digiTax
from the private sector would
simplify further the stride
towards digitizing tax related
services.
He informed that apart
from allowing submission of
returns through online, the
NBR would observe Income
Tax Month from November 1
for which 'environment of fair'
is being created at the tax
zones so that the taxpayers
can submit their returns with
ease and comfort.
Highlighting the main
features of digiTax, its team
member Syeda Nusrat
Haider said that there many
taxpayers of different levels in
the country who do not know
on how to calculate income
tax properly. "As a result, they
often can't file returns
properly. In order to resolve
this, we've come up with a
new system through which
the users can submit their
returns with ease and comfort
through giving inputs as per
their requirements,"
She mentioned that their
system includes an
automated calculating system
as per the law through which
they would be able to prepare
their income tax returns.
Besides, the users will be able
to use this software also in
Bangla.
Through using digiTax, the
taxpayers can fill up their
returns through automated
method and thus submit
those before the concerned
income tax offices.
Protest against
communal violence
in Kushtia
KUSHTIA : Kushtia Awami
League demonstrated
against communal violence
in the town yesterday.
Sadar Upazila AL and city
AL organized a procession
that paraded different
streets in the town this
afternoon. A rally was also
held at Bijoy Ullash Chattar
in Kushtia.
General Secretary of
Kushtia city unit AL Ataur
Rahman Ata, President
Taijal Ali Khan, Sadar
Upazila AL President
Akhteruzzaman Masum and
General Secretary Rezaul
Haque spoke at the rally.
Muslim, Hindu, Buddho
and Christian people took
part the rally for communal
harmony in the country.
Training of polytechnic
institutes, technical
schools, colleges begins
DHAKA : The inaugural
function of two-month long
basic training for 30 officers
of polytechnic institutes,
engineering colleges and
technical schools and
colleges was held at the
BIAM Foundation Regional
Center in Cox's Bazar
yesterday, reports BSS.
Directorate of Technical
Education under the
Technical and Madrasa
Education Division
organized it.
Secretary of Technical and
Madrasa Education Division
Md Aminul Islam Khan
attended it as the chief guest,
a press release said.
Director General of
Directorate of Technical
Education Dr Md Helal
Uddin also spoke it, among
others.
2733 21/10/2021
21.10.2021
GD-1554/21 (5x3)
Bogura District Awami League president Mojibar
Rahman Mojnu expressed solidarity with the mass
hunger strike organized by the Bogura District
Committee of Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian
Oikyo Parishod at Satmatha in Bogura demanding
punishment against communal violence and identifying
the culprits on Saturday. Photo : Azahar Ali
GD-1553/21 (5x4)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
3
Gha Unit admission test of the University of Dhaka was held peacefully on Saturday.
Press conference held to
reclaim land in Khalishakhali
TBT REPORT
Landowners want to reclaim the land in
Khalishakhali area of Debhata upazila in
Satkhira district. They made the demand at a
press conference on Friday at the Shyamli
border in the capital.
The speakers at the occasion said that
some administrative officials and some
opportunistic landlords have taken over the
lands of 180 ordinary poor people. They said
that the land owned by people in Parulia
Mazar in Khalishakhali in the upazila have
become landless and armed miscreants
occupied 1300 bighas of land, looting fish
and vandalizing houses. Despite all the
documentary evidence, they are not getting
their land back
Alhaj Ansar Ali Dashar, who was present
at the press conference, appealed to the
Prime Minister to reclaim the land he owed
on record."We, the victims, are the common
people of the region," he said. We are living
in a very frightening situation and our lives
are in danger.
He said that on October 3, 2021, when
police officers including two ASIs of
Asashuni police station tried to arrest some
drug dealers the influential people of the area
tortured them. The forcible occupiers of the
land in the area have committed all kinds of
misdeeds including drug trafficking,
kidnapping, murder, trafficking of women
and children.
It was informed at the press conference
that the Satkhira DC was aware of the matter
and was monitoring the land documents.
However, no visible action has been taken so
far. Apart from this, the police
administration has not taken proper
initiative in this matter.
Landowners in Khalishakhali area of Debhata upazila in Satkhira district organized a press
conference on Friday at the Shyamli border in the capital.
Photo : Courtesy
Remembering
poet Shamsur
Rahman
DHAKA : Saturday marks
the 93rd birthday
anniversary of poet, writer
and journalist Shamsur
Rahman, widely regarded as
a pivotal figure in Bengali
literature from the latter
part of the twentieth
century, reports UNB
The Ekushey Padak
winning litterateur was born
on October 23, 1929, in old
Dhaka in then British Bengal
to Mukhlesur Rahman
Chowdhury and Amena
Khatun.
The legendary poet's birth
anniversary is being
observed through numerous
events by cultural
organisations.
Marking the occasion,
Bangla Academy will hold a
solo lecture session on
Sunday at the Academy's
Poet Shamsur Rahman
Seminar Room.
Prominent researcher and
poet Prof Khaled Hossain
will present the keynote
lecture at the event.
Secretary of Bangla
Academy AHM Lokman will
deliver the welcome address,
and poet Muhammad Nurul
Huda, the director general of
Bangla Academy, will
preside over the function.
Poet Shamsur's ancestral
home is in Paratali village of
Narsingdi district.
Govt working for
development of rural
people: Tajul Islam
PANCHAGARH : Local
Government, Rural
Department (LGRD) and
Cooperatives Minister Tajul
Islam yesterday said the
government under the
dynamic leadership of Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina has
been working relentlessly for
socio-economic
development of the rural
people.
"The country has been
witnessing development in
every sphere of national life,
including food production,
communication and
education," he told a
meeting at Boda pouroshova
here as the chief guest.
Railways Minister Md
Nurul Islam Sujon spoke it
as special guest.
Speaking on the occasion,
Sujon said, "Personally we
may belong to the
communities of Muslim or
Hindu, but we are all
Bangalees. We will work
together for the country's
interest."
Municipality Mayor
Advocate Ohahiduzzaman
Suja gave the welcome
speech.
With
Deputy
Commissioner Johurul
Islam in the chair, Senior
LGED Secretary Helal
Uddin Ahmed, LGED Chief
Executive Engineer Abdur
Rashid Khan and Police
Super Yousuf Ali spoke on
the occasion.
Photo : Courtesy
Govt working to
ensure digital
security: Jabbar
DHAKA : Posts and
Telecommunications
Minister Mustafa Jabbar has
said the government is
committed to ensuring digital
security and expanding
digitization.
"The government is
committed to ensuring digital
security alongside expanding
digitization. Social media
platform is now a big
challenge to create sociopolitical
instability, including
communal riots. The present
government is working to
overcome that crisis," he said.
The minister was speaking
as the chief guest at an on-line
programme titled 'Digital
Security Conference'
organized by an expatriate
Bangladeshi digital
technology entrepreneur in
the United States last evening,
said an official release.
Highlighting the various
programmes taken by the
government including
acquiring technical
capabilities to ensure digital
security and enacting digital
security laws, the minister
said the government is not
lagging behind in tackling the
challenge of digital security.
Bangladesh has become a
global leader in the
development of digital
technology, he said, adding
that this achievement is the
result of the successful
implementation of Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina's
Digital Bangladesh
programme.
With an expatriate
entrepreneur from America
named Mostafizur Rahman in
the chair, the programme was
addressed, among others, by
Chairman of Bangladesh
Communication Satellite.
Company Limited (BCSCL)
Dr Shahjahan Mahmood and
Bangladesh
Telecommunication
Regulatory Commission
(BTRC) Director General
(DG)Brig Gen Md Nasim
Parvez as special guests.
Shirin inaugurates renovated
Parliament Medical Center
DHAKA : Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin
Chaudhury yesterday said the renovation of medical center
at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban will help to facilitate and
enhance modern treatment facilities.
Physicians also can collect COVID-19 sample and will
administer Corona vaccination freely at the medical center,
she told the inaugural function of renovated parliament
medical center and LD hall at the Jatiya Sangsad here.
Earlier, the Speaker visited the renovated medical center
and LD hall.
Chief whip Noor-E Alam Chowdhury, MP, Whip Iqbalur
Rahim, MP, Whip Abu Sayeed Al Mahmud Shawpan, MP,
Whip Mahabub Ara Begum Gini, MP, and Parliament
Members' Club General Secretary AB Tajul Islam, MP,
among others, attended the function.
Special screening show of an animation film titled 'Mujib
Amar Pita', written by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was
held at LD hall on the occasion.
Chaired by Secretary of the parliament secretariat KM
Abdus Salam, the function also was attended, among others,
by lawmakers, Housing and Public Works Secretary M
Shahid Ullah Khandoker, senior secretary of the Health
Service division Lokman Hossain Mia, physicians of Sangad
Medical Center and parliament high officials.
State Minister for Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmad Palak moderated the
function.
DU holds 'D'
unit admission
test
DHAKA : Dhaka University
(DU) on Saturday held the
admission test of the 'D' unit
under the social science
faculty for the 2020-21
academic session, reports
UNB.
The test was held in eight
divisional cities across the
country. The test began at
11am for a duration of 30
minutes.
DU Vice Chancellor Prof
Akhtaruzzaman, pro-VC
(administration) Prof Dr
Samad, and pro-VC
(administration) Prof Dr
ASM Maksud Kamal visited
a number of exam centers.
This year, 74 students are
fighting for a single seat.
From October 1, DU
started conducting its
admission tests through a
unit of the Science Group.
This year, a total off 1 lakh
15 thousand 881 students
applied for the DU unit
admission tests. Some 1,570
seats are up for grabs.
The exam centres outside
Dhaka are: Chittagong
University, Rajshahi
University, Khulna
University, Bangladesh
Agricultural University in
Mymensingh, Shahjalal
University of Science and
Technology in Sylhet,
Barishal University, and
Begum Rokeya University in
Rangpur.
Govt to implement the Teesta mega
project soon: State Minister
KURIGRAM : The government is trying to
implement mega projects in the Teesta to
permanently prevent the erosion of the
Teesta River and prevent floods, said State
Minister for Disaster Management and
Relief Enamur Rahman.
The minister also said the design and
project profile has been completed.
The state minister made the remarks while
inspecting the flood-affected areas of Teesta
river at Gatiyasham area of Rajarhat in
Kurigram on Friday morning.
The state minister said, "It is uncertain
when it will be completed. However, if the
project is completed, the people of Teesta
will not have any more misery."
He added that heavy rains and onrushing
waters have caused flash floods in four
districts including Kurigram. The
government is working to alleviate the plight
of those affected by the floods and erosion.
Each of the four districts has been allotted
50 MT of rice, Tk 5 lakh, 4,000 packets of dry
food, Tk 2 lakh more for cattle food and 100
bundles of corrugated iron sheets.
Arrangements will be made for the
rehabilitation of each family affected by
floods and river erosion, he said.
At least 1017 families in three unions of
Rajarhat were affected by Teesta erosion.
Later, relief materials including 10 kg of
rice, 1 kg of chira and half a kg of pulses and
oil were distributed among the affected
families at Sarishabari Government Primary
School ground.
Kurigram-2 MP Panir Uddin Ahmed,
Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster
Management and Relief Md Mohsin, Deputy
Commissioner Mohammad Rezaul Karim,
Superintendent of Police Syeda Jannat Ara
and District Council Chairman Zafar Ali
were present at the event among others.
Dengue claims 2 more
lives in Bangladesh, 189
new patients hospitalized
DHAKA : Dengue claimed two more lives in
Bangladesh while 189 new patients were
hospitalized with it in 24 hours till Saturday
morning.
With the fresh deaths, the number of
fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease this
year rose to 86, according to the Directorate
General of Health Services (DGHS).
Of the deceased, 79 people died in Dhaka
division alone, two each in Chattogram and
Khulna divisions and one each in Rajshahi,
Barishal and Mymensingh division.
Among the new patients, 155 were
undergoing treatment in Dhaka hospitals while
the remaining 34 cases were reported from
outside the division. Some 838 patients
diagnosed with dengue are receiving treatment
in the country as of Saturday.
Of them, 669 patients are receiving
treatment at different hospitals in the capital
while the remaining 169 were listed outside
Dhaka. Since January, some 22,319 patients
have been admitted to different hospitals with
dengue in the country.
So far, 21,395 dengue patients have left
hospitals after recovery, said DGHS.
In September, the country recorded the
highest number of 7,841 dengue cases of the
current year with 22 deaths.
Rowshan Ara Begum, Member of the Board of Trustees of Daffodil International University inaugurating
RowshanAra Scholar Garden- a female hall on Saturday at Daffodil International University
campus in Daffodil Smart City, Ashulia, Dhaka. Shahana Khan, Member, Board of Trustees,
Professor Dr. Farhana Helal Mehtab, Associate Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Science of
Daffodil International University and hall officials, staffs and students were present during inauguration.
Photo : Courtesy
Journalist AUM Fakhruddin's 1st death anniversary today
DHAKA :The first death anniversary of
eminent journalist AUM Fakhruddin will
be observed today
Starting his news media journey as a
convener of "Kochi Kanchar Asor" in 1958,
Fakhruddin wrote numerous articles for
the now defunct dailies-The Pakistan
Observer, The Morning News and the
Bangladesh Times.
He held important posts at various
national dailies. Besides, he was a
correspondent of The Daily Mirror
(London) from 1969 to 1975.
Fakhruddin's Bengali translation of
Shakespeare's "Sonnet" was published
before his graduation.
Noted British journalist and author John
Pilger had devoted about three pages of his
famous book, "Heroes", to Fakhruddin
with a photograph of him. The book
contained first-hand account of
contemporary world events. It was first
published by Jonathon Cape, London, in
1986, and by Pan Books Limited, London
in 1989. A song of patriotic inspiration "O
Amar Bangla Ma Tor Akool Kora Rooper
Shova", written by him was recorded in
1972. It gained immense popularity at
home and aboard.
Later, he worked as an Associate Editor
of the Weekly Holiday until his death.
On the occasion, Quran khwani and Doa
Mahfil will be held at his residence at
Dhanmondi. Relatives and well-wishers
have been requested to pray for the
departed soul.
Rotary Governor (elect) Engineer MA Wahab distributed the Rotary Vocational Excellence Award 2021-22 at a Program held
Dhaka on last Thursday. Organized by Rotary Club of Dhaka Royal, Former Governor of Rotary Dr. Mir Anisuzzaman, M.
Khairul Alam, Charter President of the Club Shereen Anis Bon, Salma Hossain, Naween Ahmed, Bertha Giti Baroi, Director,
CORR the Jute Works (Caritas) and other leaders spoke on the occasion. Azima Khatun, Pushpa Das and Smriti Manda of
Caritas received the Rotary Vocational Excellence Award at the program. At the event, Rotary Governor (elect) Engineer MA
Wahab called to Rotarians to come forward in the service of distressed People.
Photo : Courtesy
SUNDAy, ocToBER 24, 2021
4
Why India, Taiwan should strengthen ties
Acting Editor & Publisher : Jobaer Alam
e-mail: editor@thebangladeshtoday.com
Sunday, October 24, 2021
Value-adding
agro-industries
One thing which continues to favour
Bangladesh in its export trade is its
comparative advantage in the production
of certain products for exporting them to the
world's markets. Value-addition to agricultural
produces for export happen to be one such
hugely prospective area.
But it does not seem that even a small part of
the potentials of this very promising area has
been exploited so far though the few
entrepreneurs in this field cannot be blamed for
the most part for failing to launch this sector
vigorously. For example, a media report --
sometime ago-- focused on the plight of three
producers of potato flakes and potato starch who
were having great difficulties to go into
production for the last four years though they
invested a great deal of money in their projects.
Potato based food and allied products such as
flakes, starch, chips and other products have
only a limited market in Bangladesh. But the
same have a huge international market which
can be tapped by Bangladeshi producers. The
aspect of comparative advantage also should give
an edge to entrepreneurs in this field because
potato growing is almost an effortless and
inexpensive exercise in this country due to the
fertility of its soil and other favourable physical
conditions. The potatoes are also of good quality
and suitable in terms of nutrition value for
overseas markets.
A record quantity of potatoes have been
produced in recent years far in excess of the total
local demand . If the excess amounts could be
added value by turning them into various potato
based food products and exported, then the same
could open up a rich new vein of export earnings
for the country. But as the report highlighted,
three pioneering entrepreneurs in this field were
struggling for the take-off of their projects
The main hurdle seemed to be the law suit that
a bank which financed one of these projects was
about to start and for similar pressure from the
other banks for meticulous servicing of their
loans. But given some cooperation by these
banks through rescheduling of the loans and
easing somewhat the terms and conditions of
their payment in the face of valid requests from
the borrowers, the three industries could be
mightily helped to go into production and start
exporting their products.
In that case, everybody could expect a good
return : the entrepreneurs would very likely start
production and servicing their loans, the banks
would not have to bear the burden of nonperforming
loans, considerable employment
from the growers' level to the workers in the
producing plants could be created and, more
significantly, a breakthrough could have been
made in this sector which would attract the
notice of other potential entrepreneurs into this
field and encourage them as well.
Not only potatoes, there are other agricultural
products such as tomatoes, gherkin,
strawberries, baby corn, mushroom, various
types of vegetables and fruits etc., which can be
commercially grown, processed and exported
successfully from Bangladesh. The doing of the
same can also add much to employment
generation because of value-addition and chain
activities at different stages from the farms to the
factories. But a supportive policy environment
would be required for the private sector to be
more and more interested to try their hands in
this field. Banks can treat enterprises in this
sector with care and flexibility to help it to gain a
momentum.
Once the enterprises in this area start cropping
up, the same can be a source of good and reliable
customers of the banks like the garments
industries. Therefore, the banks should see the
merit of supporting this sector leniently even if
that requires a somewhat easing of the rules for
them now. Government can lease out lands to
entrepreneurs in this sector for growing the basic
produces such as potato. Government's fiscal and
other policies should also aim to help in the
stimulation of this prospective sector.
As the world gets back on its feet
from the Covid-19 pandemic while
reeling under a global chip
shortage, Taiwan has become an
important geopolitical focal point.
Taiwan's stranglehold over the
semiconductor industry and its overall
technology expertise have demonstrated
its strategic importance in the global
world order.
Taipei's New Southbound Policy was
envisaged by President Tsai Ing-wen to
enhance cooperation between Taiwan
and other major states in Southeast and
South Asia. India, on the other hand,
formulated the Act East Policy as a major
diplomatic initiative to promote
economic strategic relations with other
states in the Indo-Pacific region.
With both India and Taiwan looking to
deepen diplomatic ties in their respective
regions, now would be the opportune
time for the two states to forge an
alliance built on common interests.
It was reported this month that Indian
and Taiwanese officials met to discuss a
possible collaboration on building a
semiconductor manufacturing facility in
India. An investment of US$7.5 billion
was reportedly offered by Taiwan in
exchange for liberal trade tariffs on
semiconductor manufacturing materials
to build a state-of-the-art fabrication
facility in India.
With the Quadrilateral Security
Dialogue focusing on securing the
semiconductor supply chain, Taiwan's
expertise in that domain could serve as a
base for developing a robust
technological partnership with India.
The Asian Silicon Valley Development
Plan was created by the Taiwanese
government in 2016 with two primary
objectives: first, promoting research and
development for Internet of Things (IoT)
devices, and second, improving Taiwan's
entrepreneurship ecosystem.
With states looking to create
technological partnerships to counter
China's rise, India can look toward
Taiwan's plan to grow both its technical
expertise and ensure its presence in
cutting-edge technology research.
Taiwan's exports have been dominated
by electronic hardware components,
which have driven its overall trade and
created a huge surplus. India's evergrowing
demand for high-technology
products, especially in the coming
decades, could help bring it and Taiwan
to the table to negotiate a deal that would
economically benefit both states.
As technologically developed states,
India and Taiwan should look at the
strategic implications of emerging
technologies as potential areas of
collaboration in the future.
Despite being two of the fastestgrowing
economies in the world, the
economic partnership between India and
Taiwan is still in its infancy. Taiwanese
investments in the subcontinent are yet
to approach the level of mainland
China's.
The minimal economic opportunities,
coupled with some inherent fallacies of
the Indian economic system, have
discouraged Taiwanese investors from
pursuing big-budget projects in the
country. Complicated tax regulations,
corruption, language barriers, and
insufficient understanding of each
other's business environments have
prevented potential economic
partnerships between them.
Eliminating these barriers would help
bolster growth and increase
ARjUN GARGEyAS
opportunities for investment. Moving
beyond government-to-government
relations is the need of the hour. The
private sectors in both India and Taiwan
have the ability to collaborate in multiple
areas. As well, there is an opportunity for
the education sectors in both states to
foster people-to-people relationships
and help the next generation get better
opportunities.
Universities must look to set up
additional campuses and research
NANjAlA NyABolA
facilities in order for young researchers
to work together on emerging and
critical technologies. While Taiwan has
already established around 11 Chineselanguage
learning centers in India,
exchange programs and better
scholarship opportunities could help
improve the student fraternity in both
states.
While Indian students have the
opportunity to learn the local language of
Taiwan, language is one of the main
barriers for Taiwanese students in a
multilingual society like India.
Arrangements must be made to attract
young people from Taiwan to pursue
higher education in India. Improving
educational ties could eventually lead to
better diplomatic relations.
Innovation in Taiwan has reached
exemplary levels along with
corresponding patent activity. With
intellectual capital, there is a need for
human resources to translate this into
tangible goods and services.
India, with its abundant human capital
and the government looking to improve
the manufacturing sector, could serve as
a perfect destination for Taiwanese
companies looking to set up
manufacturing plants. This could also
help resolve trade barriers.
With agriculture dominating the
workforce in India, modernization in the
field of agriculture by Taiwan could help
Indian farmers get access to improved
machinery and other equipment at
affordable prices if these companies
manufacture their products in India.
Despite being a powerhouse in the
pharmaceutical industry, India can still
look to become a global leader in
manufacturing drugs for states like
Taiwan that have the intellectual capital
and rights to do the same. And there are
other industrial supply chains for which
India could act as a manufacturing hub
for Taiwanese companies.
India-Taiwan relations have improved
significantly since the 1990s despite the
lack of official diplomatic ties. The trade
volume between the two has shown
considerable growth, with a steady
annual increase.
There have also been talks of
technology transfers in critical industries
between Indian and Taiwanese
companies that could act as a
counterbalancing mechanism to China's
rapid technological rise.
Relations between India and China are
at an all-time low after the border
skirmishes last year in eastern Ladakh.
Recent aggression by China against
Taiwan has also resulted in Western
allies such as the United States sending
warships into the Taiwan Strait.
India and Taiwan, which share
democratic values and common
economic interests, have an opportunity
to deepen their ties both militarily and
economically. This is a must for a free
and open Indo-Pacific region.
Source: Asia times
We may not want the future Facebook is building
Facebook and its sister services
suffered an outage on October 4,
2021 [File: Reuters/Dado Ruvic]
It has been a difficult week for
Facebook. On Monday, its family of
companies - including Facebook,
WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger and
Oculus - suffered their largest service
interruption to date. For six hours all of
the platforms were offline because a
routine maintenance process went
awry. Billions of users were unable to
access their services while company
staffers were virtually and physically
locked out of the systems they needed to
fix the issue.
Then on Tuesday, former Facebook
employee and whistle-blower Frances
Haugen testified before the United
States Congress that the company
deliberately puts profit over protecting
people by allowing harm to children
particularly, and democracy more
broadly. Despite efforts from Facebook
to counter Haugen's testimony on
various outlets, her account was
devastating for the company and came
as Congress is deliberating the chance
of some kind of legal or political action
against the company.
If these two things seem
disconnected, it is because you have not
been paying attention to Facebook's
growing market dominance as a social
networking platform and as a
communications provider. Today, an
estimated two billion people in more
than 180 countries use the WhatsApp
messaging platform while there are at
least 3.5 billion people who use
Facebook. Instagram, while not as
popular as these two sites, is
increasingly important for small
businesses in several countries, that use
it to build and manage their client bases
in lieu of building their own websites.
These platforms are unambiguously
important to the global digital society
because of their sheer size, and that
means that small internal decisions to
look the other way when people misuse
them are significantly intensified, as
well as easily transmitted across
international borders. Positive nudges
on Facebook drive people to the polls,
but misinformation on the same
platform drives people to drink horse
medicine.
Devastating revelations about how
the company thinks about its
responsibility towards users coming on
the heels of a service failure of this scale
raise a simple yet fundamental
question: Is Facebook ready for the
future it is building and are we prepared
to live in it?
From the way Facebook has handled
Haugen's testimony, as well as the
The Asian Silicon Valley Development Plan was created
by the Taiwanese government in 2016 with two primary
objectives: first, promoting research and development
for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and second,
improving Taiwan's entrepreneurship ecosystem.
service interruption, it is evident that it
does not fully understand the behemoth
that it has constructed. A simple layman
account of the service interruption is
that because of a software update
Facebook essentially locked itself out of
the backend of the system that not only
governs how each of the various
platforms function, but also the systems
that run the company itself.
If between Facebook and WhatsApp
alone there are about at least five billion
individual accounts, you have to
wonder why anyone thought it was a
good idea to centralise all of the
information in such an elementary
way? It is the kind of overcentralisation
that gives competition
lawyers heartburn and that compels
governments to intervene and stop
companies from getting too big.
If Facebook was merely a large
company that people depended on to
communicate that would have been bad
enough. But it is a large company that
people depend on to communicate that
also collects, monetises and transforms
the personal data that people provide to
it for this communication, and then
holds it in opaque systems that are
always two steps behind critical
political developments. This perhaps
explains the simple question that
Congress asked Haugen: Is it time to
break up Facebook?
The pure economic argument is that
as long as the company is growing, it
should be allowed to keep growing;
after all, it is creating jobs and growing
economies. But jobs and economies do
not exist outside social and political
contexts and will mean nothing if
societies collapse. The justification for
allowing indefinite growth is feeble,
particularly when the evidence that
Haugen provided suggests that the
company is not willing to change course
on proof that it harms societies.
The company's policies on dealing
with the sociology and moral economy
created by the unprecedented
concentration of data in its hands are
wanting. It is seemingly unable or
unwilling to understand that making
communication easier means that
people of bad intent will also find it
easier to communicate.
There are fundamental questions of
society that strike at the heart of
Facebook's business model that need
more rigorous analysis than a couple of
one-off company statements. Should a
company be able to monetise
information that people provide for free
in order to maintain their social
networks? Should political information
be treated differently than commercial
information and how? Is advertising the
only model for funding social networks?
What obligations do these companies
have to societies or markets where they
are not registered and yet still want to
profit from? These are philosophical
questions about the nature of society
after the digital era that cannot be
papered over by empty rhetoric about
economic growth.
Indeed, history is replete with
examples of corporations that grow too
large and have too much influence and
the knock-on effect that this has on
societies, particularly when they
collapse. But Facebook's own history is
Indeed, history is replete with examples of corporations that grow
too large and have too much influence and the knock-on effect that
this has on societies, particularly when they collapse. But Facebook's
own history is full of warning signs that the company's financial
growth has outpaced its comprehension of its social responsibilities.
full of warning signs that the company's
financial growth has outpaced its
comprehension of its social
responsibilities.
Early in 2021, there was a widespread
backlash when the company made it
easier for information to be shared
between WhatsApp and Facebook.
Users resisted the change by migrating
from the platform to competitors like
Signal and Telegram, forcing the
company to backtrack on the threat that
anyone who rejected the new terms of
service would lose functionality on the
application.
Consider that many of Facebook's
users are in the West, but WhatsApp is
only now growing in popularity there;
conversely, millions of users in the
developing world use WhatsApp, but do
not have Facebook accounts. This
suggests that a large number of the
people who are using WhatsApp
primarily as a messaging platform are
not interested in having it integrated
into their Facebook profiles, if they have
any.
It was an ill-advised data grab that
underscored that the tech giant's
growth strategy was out of step with
what people wanted it for.
Haugen said that she did not believe
that the company needed to be broken
up, but European regulators disagree.
In 2020, the European Commission
proposed a set of content policies
designed to make Big Tech companies
more accountable for the harms that
were incubated on their platforms,
promising fines of six percent of global
revenues and expanding anti-trust fines
of up to 10 percent of future revenues,
as well as forcing the platforms to sell
parts of their business if they continue
to violate the rules.
The companies - including Amazon,
Twitter, Google and Facebook - resisted
the policy proposals although they did
offer to work with regulators to find
alternatives. The alternatives have been
slow to come.
If asked, most people probably would
not want all their information
centralised, monetised and
transformed the way Facebook and
other social networking sites are doing
now. They offer the information up to
connect with family and friends, not for
it to be bundled and converted into
advertising or information products
that are sold to the highest bidder
regardless of their intent.
But the platforms' algorithms and
backend architecture are deliberately
shrouded in so much secrecy that
evidently sometimes even their own
staffers do not fully know how to fix
them. And this is where Haugen's
testimonies on how Instagram harms
minors and how Facebook harms
democracy come together: the company
knows that it is happening but does not
seem to fully understand why and is
unwilling to take the measures that are
needed to stop it from happening if this
would hurt profitability.
One of Haugen's most powerful
observations during the hearing was
that "until incentives change at
Facebook, we should not expect
Facebook to change". The incentives
that drive the company - like any other
- are based on the perverse logic of
neoliberal economics: that companies
must grow indefinitely and that all
growth at any cost is good.
But the service outage and the
revelations are an invitation to
reconsider this economic model, to
remind ourselves that there is such a
thing as too much concentration of
power, and to sincerely engage with the
question of what role social networking
sites should play in the future we want
to live in. And taking up this invitation
is a matter of urgency.
Source: Al Jazeera
SuNdAy, oCToBEr 24, 2021
5
Biobanking to unfold
universal health benefits
SANJEET BAgCChI
Increasing the availability of
high-quality biological samples
through biobanks has the
potential to advance global
health research and speed up
progress towards Sustainable
Development Goals such as
achieving universal health
coverage, a UN science summit
has heard.
Biobanking is the process by
which samples of bodily fluid or
tissue are collected, annotated,
stored and redistributed for
research to improve
understanding of health and
diseases. The COVID-19
pandemic underlined the value
of this gathering and processing
of samples and related data, as
scientists scrambled to develop
effective vaccines and
treatments.
"Biobanking is central in
supporting SDG3 - good health
and well-being - by supporting
the discovery of new
treatments for the great
healthcare challenges," said
virologist Zisis Kozlakidis, one
of the speakers at the online
Science Summit, held during
the United Nations General
Assembly in New York.
Developed in 2015 by the UN
member states, the SDGs are "a
shared blueprint" to attain, by
2030, a better and sustainable
future for all. The 17 goals
include ending poverty and
hunger, achieving food
security, improving nutrition
and promoting sustainable
agriculture, and ensuring
healthy lives worldwide.
Kozlakidis, who is head of the
laboratory services and
biobank group at the
International Agency for
Research on Cancer (IARC), in
Lyon, France, explained that
research in medicine is based
on the analysis of samples and -
because associations in many
diseases are often weak - these
samples are needed in large
quantities. "The implication is
clear: if more, wellcharacterised,
high-quality
samples are available through
biobanks, the faster research
will advance and impact upon
the faster delivery of precision
healthcare today as part of
SDG3," Kozlakidis added.
At the summit meeting on 22
September, Kozlakidis spoke
about how data collected as
part of routine clinical
healthcare can be re-used for
research, to improve health
services in an increasingly
digital age. "We have seen that
A biospecimen at a biobank. A uN science summit heard that biobanks
could speed up research on health and diseases. Photo: Collected
the application of artificial
intelligence has brought a new
era of possibilities and promise,
but it requires operating within
large-scale, high-quality data
[as found in some biobanks]."
He added that the model of
digital health implemented in
high-income countries would
need to be adjusted for
resource-restricted settings.
Kurt Zatloukal, a professor of
pathology at the Medical
University of Graz, Austria, told
the meeting: "Biobanks host
human samples like tumors
that are removed by surgery,
[and] blood that is taken during
diagnostics, and these
biological materials contain
very detailed information on
human diseases. This insight
into human diseases lays the
foundation for the
development of new
diagnostics and new drugs."
The data generated through
biosamples is a key resource for
the digital transformation of
health systems, he suggested.
World revenue for biobanking
will surpass $53 billion in 2027,
according to Zatloukal, who
underlined one of the key
challenges facing biobanking:
the drug industry is required to
provide funding, yet patients
remain reluctant to make their
samples available to drug
companies.
"[To] tackle this problem, a
model [has been] developed
called Expert Centers,"
Zatloukal told the summit. In
this concept, he said, sending or
selling bio-samples to industry
directly by biobanks is avoided
as it involves joint funding and
contributions from public and
private companies, with the
data and knowledge shared
between both.
"This model of transforming
biological raw material into
knowledge and data [can] also
be used to enable international
collaboration," he said.
Fredrick Chite Asirwa,
executive director and chief
executive of the International
Cancer Institute in Kenya, said
more also needed to be done to
tackle the challenges facing
biobanking in Africa, including
increasing awareness among
healthcare professionals,
policymakers and patients, and
promoting the necessary
infrastructure and networks
needed to support biobanks.
ESThEr AkuTEkhA
Dandruff can strike anyone
year-round, but drops in
temperature and humidity
can make a flare-up more
likely in the fall and winter.
While dandruff isn't
contagious or dangerous,
those flakes can still be
annoyingly embarrassing. So
as you're updating your skin
care routine to be more cold
weather-friendly, it's
important to make changes
to your scalp care routine as
well.
"Cold weather is a
breeding ground for a lot of
skin disorders that are
worsened by dryness," said
board-certified
dermatologist Anna Chacon,
who specializes in hair loss
and scalp conditions such as
psoriasis and dandruff (also
known as seborrheic
dermatitis). "If you're
stressed out by seasonal
changes or you're just
uncomfortable because it's
cold, that is an extra trigger
to make your psoriasis or
dermatitis worse."
Luckily, your flake-free
scalp regimen doesn't have
to be pricey or timeconsuming,
but according to
experts, it will require some
preparation and a little
knowledge about do-ityourself
scalp care.
Erum N. Ilyas, a boardcertified
dermatologist based
outside of Philadelphia, said
she tells her patients that the
most important step in
fighting seasonal dandruff is
to anticipate it.
"We know that dandruff
will generally flare in fall and
spring. Knowing this, plan to
start preventative
approaches four weeks in
advance," she told HuffPost,
adding, "Dandruff shampoos
cannot always actively treat
dandruff once it flares, but
are actually very good at
preventing it."
Ilyas suggested looking for
shampoos containing zinc
pyrithione, which contains
antimicrobial qualities.
How to stop seasonal
dandruff before it starts
Want to beat dandruff this season? Start treating it before it even
starts.
Photo: Teeramet Thanomkiat
While the type of cleanser
might be crucial to your
regimen, the frequency
doesn't matter as much,
according to Chacon. There's
a misconception that
dandruff happens when your
hair and scalp are too dry,
and this myth sometimes
influences people to
unnecessarily skip
shampoos.
"Don't necessarily think
washing it too much is bad,"
Chacon said. "Every day or
two is fine. I would not go
more than a week without
washing the hair, even if you
have the driest hair
possible."
She does, however,
recommend keeping the
scalp moisturized and
avoiding scratching, which
might make the condition
worse.
And if you think you're
immune to dandruff because
you have an oily scalp, you're
wrong. You may, however,
may need a different
treatment than someone
with a dry scalp.
Loretta Ciraldo, a boardcertified
dermatologist who
treats many patients with
scalp conditions such as
dandruff and psoriasis, told
HuffPost that if you have an
oily scalp, "you can usually
get away with almost
anything" in terms of using
potent treatments. She
recommended that patients
try coal tar, a thick, dark
liquid that helps relieve the
itching, and salicylic acid,
which helps remove dead
skin cells from the surface.
These ingredients can work
great on oily or normal
scalps, although Ciraldo
warned that "if your scalp is
sensitive, don't use it."
When looking for the best
solution, Ilyas suggested
topical treatments
containing ingredients that
address the two major
symptoms of dandruff ?
itching and flaking. Consider
common ingredients such as
apple cider vinegar, which
has anti-yeast properties and
"can often be added to scalp
exfoliators to help address
the underlying yeast that
triggers inflammation
resulting in scaling," coconut
oil, which "can be beneficial
for dry, flaky scalps to help
hydrate and improve scaling
or flaking to the scalp," and
tea tree oil, which also pairs
nicely with scalp exfoliators
and will likely address some
of the underlying triggers for
scalp inflammation that
result in scaling and itching,
Ilyas said.
Plenty of over-the-counter
options are available to
choose from. "No matter
what you're using, you have
to make sure you rub it into
the scalp," Ciraldo said.
Massage the product into the
scalp, leave it on for a few
minutes to work its magic,
then rinse and follow up with
a regular shampoo, if
desired.
If the problem persists,
experts recommend visiting
a
board-certified
dermatologist. But first, try
these at-home shampoos
and treatments to get rid of
pesky flakes.
kylI rodrIguEz-CAyro
Alex H., a 31-year-old certified public
accountant from Colorado, became
sick with COVID-19 in March 2020.
Like nearly half of people infected by
the coronavirus, she has experienced
lingering "long COVID" symptoms
that affect not only her physical
health but also her anxiety about
getting sick from the virus again.
"While last year we could mostly
stay home to avoid personal
exposures, now society has 'opened'
back up - and with it, the social
expectation that our presence is
required," Alex, who asked to
withhold her last name to freely talk
about her health history, told
HuffPost. "I am anxious for my
friends and family and the risks of
them getting COVID … I am afraid of
catching COVID again myself."
Much like Alex, some people are
experiencing anxiety as social
distancing and safety precautions
have become more relaxed in certain
areas - despite the rise of COVID
variants. Fortunately, experts say
there are ways to manage anxiety if
you find yourself in a cycle of
constantly calculating coronavirus
risk.
First and foremost, it's important to
understand your COVID-19 risk
tolerance in order to tackle your riskrelated
stress.
"COVID-19 risk tolerance refers to
the risk that individuals are willing to
take to potentially expose themselves
to COVID-19," said Phillip Kadaj, a
physician and medical expert on
JustAnswer, a digital platform that
connects people to experts. "Think of
it as a bell curve. On one extreme you
have people that are very risk-averse.
On the other extreme, you have
people that are very risk-tolerant."
Michele Kambolis, a Vancouver,
Canada-based therapist and author
of "When Women Rise," explained
that risk tolerance and anxiety can be
"impacted by a variety of factors,
including pre-existing mental health
conditions, level of social support, the
degree to which a person's life has
been impacted [by the pandemic],
and whether they have experienced
direct trauma due to COVID, such as
illness or the loss of a loved one."
Being more risk-averse isn't
necessarily a bad thing; by definition,
those who are risk-averse take more
safety precautions to limit COVID-19
exposure. However, when being
mindful about health morphs into
How to manage anxiety while
calculating COVID risk
Journaling or talking to friends and family about what social interactions you can and cannot tolerate can help you manage your risk tolerance anxiety.
Photo: Weekend Images
intrusive, anxiety-provoking
thoughts about contracting the virus,
this can be alarming.
When anxiety over your risk begins
to feel overwhelming, that's your cue
to hit pause and address what you can
at the moment. "Don't take on all the
decisions you need to make at once,"
said Therese Rosenblatt, a therapist
in New York and author of "How Are
You? Connection in a Virtual Age."
"If figuring out your work situation
is causing the most pressure, figure
that out first … If socializing with
friends and family is at the top of your
list, make a plan for [coping with]
that first."
What does making a plan look like,
exactly? Rosenblatt explained that
this may mean choosing to step back
again from anxiety-provoking social
events. You could also offer
alternatives, like meeting outside or
breaking off into smaller groups.
It's important to pay attention to
how your thoughts progress on this.
You don't want to slip into avoidance,
which could mean not seeing anyone
at all or avoiding things you once
loved because it now causes extreme
distress. Journaling about your
anxiety to identify the specific
stressors behind these COVID riskrelated
thought spirals can be
effective. If you find yourself avoiding
all interactions, it might be time to
talk to a therapist. (More on that in a
moment.)
Ruminating about COVID risk can
keep you from living in the moment.
"Anxiety is bred in future-focused,
fear-based thinking," Kambolis said.
"It's only by rooting in the present
that we can reassure ourselves and be
available to life as it is."
A grounding exercise that focuses
on the five senses or meditation may
shift your thinking away from worry,
Kambolis explained. It's important to
note that meditation can worsen
feelings of anxiety in a small
percentage of people, according to
recent research. In this case,
Kambolis recommended trying a
walking meditation outdoors, which
can feel less "intense" than traditional
mindfulness practices.
Similarly, Rosenblatt suggested
practicing basic self-care and exercise
to gently redirect your focus to
connecting with your body, rather
than hyper-focusing on your fears.
"This soothing focus pushes thoughts
and symptoms of stress out of the
way," she said.
Though doomscrolling is an
unhealthy habit, Melissa V., 28, who
is disabled and
immunocompromised, explained
that keeping thoughtfully current
with the latest health guidelines and
news - as well as talking with her
doctors - mitigates her risk tolerance
anxiety. Melissa, who also asked to
remain anonymous to discuss her
personal health, told HuffPost that
this practice has allowed her to make
informed choices that are best for her
physical and mental health.
Experts agree Melissa's approach
can be helpful. "Assess the level of
risk you are comfortable with and
adapt your actions one step at a
time," Rosenblatt said.
Coping with COVID risk anxiety is
tricky enough, but living with
someone who is not practicing the
same health precautions as you may
exacerbate your existing fears and
uncertainties. Conversely, leaning on
your support system and healthy
connections has been proven to
alleviate symptoms of anxiety and
benefit your overall health.
Having honest discussions
centered around "empathy and
setting healthy boundaries" is
essential to feeling comfortable and
supported, said Cortland Dahl, the
chief contemplative officer at Healthy
Minds Innovations and a research
scientist for the Center for Healthy
Minds.
What's more, Cheyenne Bryant, a
psychology expert and author, said
that "you can specifically address risk
tolerance anxiety if someone else in
your household is more comfortable
doing certain activities than you by
creating a plan together that includes
activities that you both enjoy."
Dahl said that seeking out therapy
for risk-related anxiety may be
necessary if "the usual experiences of
anxiety become excessive, to the
point that they disrupt our
relationships, work, and other areas
of life."
Each therapist may take their own
approach, but Bryant noted that the
general goal of therapy should be to
provide people with tools and
resources to manage COVID risk
anxiety - before a thought spiral
begins.
Experiencing risk tolerance anxiety
to some degree is absolutely normal.
In fact, it's safe to say many people
probably experience a healthy dose of
worry surrounding COVID risk.
Practicing self-compassion when this
worry rises to the level of anxiety can
make you more aware of risk-related
stress and more open to receiving
support.
According to Rosenblatt,
embracing uncertainty is really the
key to managing risk tolerance
anxiety. "The people who will cope
the best are those who find ways to
adapt to uncertainty as much as they
can, and take one day at a time," she
said. "Give yourself permission to
find your new way of working and
living, and readjust as necessary."
SuNDAY, OCtOBeR 24, 2021 6
Coast Guard members detained a man along with 32,000 yaba pills from an area adjacent to Dakshin
Paraghat in St. Martin on Friday midnight.
Photo: Courtesy
BCG detains drug peddler aling with
32,000 yaba pills in St. Martin
On the basis of secret information
members of Bangladesh Coast Guard
learnt that yaba will be smuggled from St.
Martin to Teknaf by sea on Saturday in
the area adjacent to Dakshinpara Ghat of
St. Martin under Teknaf, a press release
said.
Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan and Faridul Haque Khan Dulal MP, State Minister for
Religious Affairs recently inaugurated the Melandaha Railway Station, elevated the platform to
increase passenger facilities at the railway station.
Photo: Md Ruhul Amin Raju
RMCH records three
more fatalities in
Covid-19 unit
RAjSHAHI: Rajshahi
Medical College Hospital
(RMCH) recorded three more
fatalities in its Covid-19 unit in
the last 24 hours till 6am
yesterday, taking the death
toll to 83, so far, this month,
reports BSS.
However, the previous day's
fatality figure was four, while
on October 3, the death toll
was just one, the lowest-ever
in the hospital since the
second wave of the pandemic
hit the country around six
months back.
Earlier, the number of
casualties was 167 in
September, 340 in August,
566 in july and 405 in june,
health officials said.
RMCH Director Brigadier
General Shamim Yazdany
told journalists that the
deceased were one each from
Rajshahi, Natore and
Chuadanga districts.
Among the new fatalities, all
of them were suffering from
symptoms of Covid-19. Of the
three new deaths, two were
female and one was male.
Ten more patients were
admitted to the designated
Covid-19 wards of the hospital
in the last 24 hours, taking the
total number of admitted
patients to 61, including 10
test positive.
Eleven other patients
returned home from the
RMCH Covid-19 unit after
being cured during the time.
Meanwhile, two more
persons were diagnosed with
Covid-19 after testing 221
samples in Rajshahi's two
laboratories on Friday,
showing a 0.9 percent
positivity rate against 5.07
percent on Thursday.
Based on the information received, a
special operation was conducted in the
area under the leadership of Station
Commander Lt. M. Tareq Ahmed.
During the raid, at approximately 1:00
am, Coast Guard members detained a
man with a bag when his movements
became suspicious in the area adjacent to
Dakshin Paraghat in St. Martin.
The bag was later searched and 32,000
Yaba tablets were seized. The seized yaba
and the arrested drug dealer have been
handed over to Teknaf Model Police
Station for further legal action.
People of Melandaha excited
about Railway Minister and State
Minister for Religious Affairs
MD. RUHUL AMIN RAjU, MELANDAHA CORRESPONDENT
The arrival of two ministers at the
inauguration of various works to improve the
Melandaha Bazar railway station in jamalpur
district has created excitement among all
sections of the people in the area.
On 21 October, Faridul Haque Khan Dulal
MP, State Minister for Religious Affairs,
jamalpur District, Mohinurul Islam Sujan
MP, Minister of Bangladesh Ministry of
Railways inaugurated the Melandah Railway
Station, elevated the platform to increase
passenger facilities at the railway station.
Secretary at the Ministry of Railways Selim
Reza and Director General of Railways DN
Majumder were also present on the occasion.
Among others, Melandaha Upazila Parishad
Chairman Engineer Kamruzzaman,
Melandaha Upazila Nirbahi Officer
Mohammad Safiqul Islam, Melandaha Thana
Officer-in-Charge M, Moinul Islam, Upazila
Awami League President Mohammad Ali
jinnah, General Secretary Mohammad
jinnah, Upazila Awami League Organizing
Secretary BR UP Chairman Shahabuddin
were also present at the occasion.
One die of Covid-19, fatalities
reach 1,240 in Rangpur
RANGPUR: One more Covid-19 patient of
Nilphamari district died during the last 24
hours ending at 8 am yesterday raising the
number of coronavirus fatalities to 1,240 in
Rangpur division, reports BSS.
"The new Covid-19 casualty was reported
after 10 consecutive days since October 12
last in the division," Divisional Deputy
Director (Health) Dr Abu Md Zakirul Islam
told BSS yesterday.
The district-wise breakup of the 1,240
fatalities currently stands at 293 in Rangpur,
80 in Panchagarh, 89 in Nilphamari, 68 in
Lalmonirhat, 69 in Kurigram, 252 in
Thakurgaon, 326 in Dinajpur and 63 in
Gaibandha districts of the division.
The average casualty rate currently stands
at 2.24 percent in the division.
Meanwhile, the number of Covid-19 cases
reached 55,259 as 18 new patients were
diagnosed after testing 173 samples at the
positivity rate of 10.40 percent on Friday in
the division.
The daily positivity rate, however,
remained below the five percent mark
almost during the last one month in the
division.
Earlier, the daily Covid-19 positivity rates
were 0.38 percent on Thursday, 1.97 percent
on Wednesday, 2.56 percent on Tuesday,
2.72 percent on Monday, 2.42 percent on
Sunday and 3.29 percent on Saturday last in
the division.
"The district-wise break up of total
55,259 patients include 12,457 of Rangpur,
3,800 Panchagarh, 4,438 of Nilphamari,
2,738 of Lalmonirhat, 4,636 of Kurigram,
7,604 of Thakurgaon, 14,728 of Dinajpur
and 4,858 of Gaibandha in the division,"
he added.
Over 5,000
C'nawabganj
char families to
get electricity
CHAPAINAWABGANj:
Over 5,000 households in
remote char areas of the
river Padma in the district
are going to get electricity
from the national grid
through submarine cables
by December next, reports
BSS.
Rural Electrification
Board (REB) is
implementing an 'Off-grid
Project' in three unions,
Narayanpur under Sadar
upazila and Panka and
Durlavpur unions under
Shibganj upazila, REB
sources said.
Senior general manager of
REB, Chapainawabganj,
Engineer Md Rafiqul Islam
said this project is being
implemented at a cost of
Taka 150 crore as Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina has
pledged to bring 100 percent
people under electricity
coverage.
He informed that
installation of 90 kilometers
line has already been
completed. It would be
connected with the Haripur
grid line in
Chapainawabganj town and
electricity would be supplied
to the off-grid area from
Chataidubi substation.
Abdur Razib Razu,
chairman of Durlavpur
union said, "We are
extremely happy and our
people are excited that they
would get electricity like the
urban people. We are also
grateful to our Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina for
her contribution to the
underprivileged people."
DB arrests one
along with 6 kg
of cannabis in
Banaripara
S MIZANUL ISLAM, BANARI-
PARA CORRESPONDENT
Barishal DB police arrested
Raju (35) with 6 kg of
cannabis in a raid at Kachua
village of Baishari union in
Banaripara upazila. On
Thursday afternoon,
October 21, Barishal DB
conducted a police
operation. At that time, they
seized 6 kg of cannabis from
Raju's house. After his
arrest, he was handed over
to Banaripara police station.
DB SI Belayet Hossain filed
a case against Raju under
the Narcotics Control Act.
Officer in charge (OC)
Helal Uddin said, Raju had
been involved in drug
dealing before and had been
jailed after being arrested by
law enforcement. He got out
of there and surrendered to
Banaripara police a few
years ago. According to
locals, Raju never left the
drug business.
One more test
positive for
Covid-19 in
C'nawabganj
CHAPAINAWABGANj:
One more person tested
positive for Covid-19
during the last 24 hours till
last morning, raising the
total number of infection to
5,910 in the district,
reports BSS.
During the time, nine
samples were tested as one
person was detected virus
positive, showing the
infection rate 11.11 percent,
civil surgeon office sources
confirmed.
The newly detected
patient is from sadar
upazila.
A total of 23 patients are
undergoing treatment in
the district. Of them, 18
patients are at dedicated
Covid hospital and others
at home.
Kerosene has been distributed to protect farmers from elephant attack in the elephant-infested
hilly areas of Sreebordi recently.
Photo: Ramesh Sarker
Kerosene distributed in
elephant-affected hilly
areas of Sreebordi
RAMESH SARKER, SREEBORDI CORRESPONDENCE
Kerosene has been distributed to protect
farmers from elephant attack in the
elephant-infested hilly areas of Sreebordi in
Sherpur. Kerosene was distributed among
the people of Haluhati, Malakocha and
Balijuri villages in the hilly areas of
Ranishimul Union on Friday night with a
special allocation from Upazila Nirbahi
Officer Nilufa Akter.
Ranishimul UP Chairman Masud Rana,
General Secretary, Ward 6, Awami League
distributed 2 barrels of kerosene at the house
of Zakir Hossain Ziko. During the time,
Saiful Islam, President of Ranishimul Union
juba League, Nur Hossain, General
Secretary, Golam Mostafa, President of
Ward 7 juba League, George Mia, President
of Sramik League, Altaf Hossain and other
leaders of various organizations were
present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, Chairman Masood Rana said,
"Necessary steps will be taken to protect your
aman paddy from the clutches of elephants."
Besides, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer will
provide a generator for your convenience by
tomorrow.
Barishal DB police in a drive arrested a drug peddler along with 6 kg of
cannabis from Kachua village of Baishari union in Banaripara upazila
recently.
Photo: S Mizanul Islam
Baliadanga UP Chairman Aslam
Ali stands beside needy people
amid covid pandemic
BALIADANGA CORRESPONDENT
Baliadanga Upazila
Chairman Md. Aslam Ali
jewel is a very elegant and
transparent political figure,
has extended a helping hand
to the helpless, extremely
poor people at the risk of
their lives during the Corona
period. Baliadanga upazila
is one of the upazilas
affected by Corona on a large
scale. The chairman of this
upazila is Mohammad
Aslam Ali jewel, a young
emerging social worker and
politician. Aslam Ali jewel is
the son of a political family.
His uncle Dabirul Islam is a
veteran parliamentarian.
Dabirul Islam has been
elected Member of
Parliament 6 times so far.
His nephew is
Mohammad Aslam Ali
jewel. He is currently the
chairman of Baliadangi
upazila and general
secretary of Upazila jubo
League. Aslam Ali can be
called an exceptional
chairman. The great
initiative he took during the
Corona period is a rare event
in today's society. He
distributed rice, wheat and
maize for his own godown
and distributed cash among
the needy.
Talking to some workers
and day laborers, they said,
"We will benefitted if Aslam,
is by our side again and
again as a people's
representative." Local
Mohammad Aslam
Ali Jewel
leaders and activists of
Awami League, jubo League
and Chhatra League Sramik
League said that Aslam Ali is
a great person. They further
said that if such political
activists are formed in any
party in Bangladesh, there
will be no resentment
between the people and the
leaders and the violence will
be lessened if a suitable
leader can be elected.
He arranges marriages for
helpless girls, does various
kinds of service work
including intellectual
disability on priority basis
on his own initiative. There
is a wealth of experience in
politics. He has crossed
every level of Chhatra
League-jubo League and
today he is the chairman of
Baliadanga Upazila by using
his qualifications of party
forum in a systematic way.
He expressed his hope .
Expressing his intention,
he said, "I will continue my
efforts to make this
neglected upazila more
modern and model by
following the path of
Bangabandhu, the father of
the nation and following the
instructions of Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina." I
will continue my sincere
efforts to complete the
unfinished works in my area
subject to consultation with
everyone including Awami
League, jubo League,
Chhatra League, Sramik
League amd Swechhasabok
League. Asked if he was
ready for the parliamentary
elections, he said, "I am
ready to fulfill the
responsibilities given to me
by my leader as long as
possible." To another
question, he said the country
is moving forward,
especially education,
communication system.
The Padma is one of the
bridges in Asia with South
Bengal and North Bengal
will act as a bridge. After 50
long years, Bangladesh is
entering the developing
world today.
This was made possible by
Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur. Many large
projects continue to be
developed, especially in
important sectors such as
roads, bridges, railways,
private public partnerships,
PPPs and wetlands, he
added.
SUNDAY, OCTOBer 24, 2021
7
Fire-scarred California braces
for more storms, flash floods
SAN FRANCISCO : Northern
California residents relieved that this
week's rain helped contain stubborn
wildfires and soaked dry gardens were
cleaning up Friday and preparing for a
massive storm this weekend that could
bring flash flooding to vast areas
scorched by fire.
The National Weather Service for
the San Francisco Bay Area issued a
high surf advisory through Friday for a
portion of the coast and a flash flood
watch Sunday for parts of the region,
especially in areas burned by last year's
wildfires. Strong winds are also
expected Sunday, with gusts of up to
60 mph (97 kph) at the windiest spots,
reports UNB.
The weather service said elevations
above 9,000 feet (2,745 meters) in the
Sierra Nevada could get 18 inches of
snow or more from Sunday until
Monday morning and warned of
possible power outages and road
closures.
Mike Pierre, owner of Mission Ace
Hardware and Lumber in Santa Rosa
NKorea slams US for
supporting Taiwan
in nod to ally China
SOUTH KOREA : North
Korea on Saturday accused the
Biden administration of
raising military tensions with
China through its "reckless"
backing of Taiwan, and said
that the growing U.S. military
presence in the region
constitutes a potential threat to
the North, reports UNB.
In comments carried by
state media, North Korea Vice
Foreign Minister Pak Myong
Ho criticized the United States
for sending warships through
the Taiwan Strait and
providing Taiwan with
upgraded weapons systems
and military training.
The United States'
"indiscreet meddling" in issues
regarding Taiwan, which the
North sees as entirely a
Chinese internal affair,
threatens to touch off a
"delicate situation on the
Korean Peninsula."
Pak's statement came a day
after President Joe Biden told
a CNN townhall event that the
United States was committed
to coming to Taiwan's defense
if it comes under attack from
China. While that seemed to
blur Washington's long-held
stance of maintaining
"strategic ambiguity" on
whether it would intervene if
China were to attack Taiwan,
White House spokeswoman
Jen Psaki said Biden had no
intent to convey a change in
policy.
China and Taiwan split amid
civil war in 1949, and although
it maintains formal diplomatic
relations only with Beijing, the
U.S. remains committed by
law to ensure Taiwan can
defend itself from outside
threats.
North Korea has
increasingly criticized the
United States' broader security
role in the Asia Pacific amid an
intensifying competition with
China, Pyongyang's major ally
and economic lifeline. Last
month, the North threatened
unspecified countermeasures
following the Biden
administration's decision to
provide nuclear-powered
submarines to Australia.
in Sonoma County, said they sold out
of tarps this week and expect to do so
again in advance of Sunday's big
storm.
But there is a feeling of relief that the
area could escape wildfire this year,
unlike last year when the Glass Fire
broke out in late September and
destroyed nearly 1,600 homes and
other buildings. Customers had been
stocking up on generators and power
cords to prepare, Pierre said.
"People were bracing for that, and it
never happened," he said, "and
hopefully, this rain will keep it from
happening."
But burn areas remain a concern, as
land devoid of vegetation can't soak up
heavy rainfall as quickly, increasing
the likelihood of mud or debris slides
and flash flooding that could trap
people.
Paul Lowenthal, an assistant fire
marshal with the Santa Rosa Fire
Department in Sonoma County, said
the city is providing free sand and bags
for residents who need to control rain
Northern California residents relieved that this week's rain helped
contain stubborn wildfires and soaked dry gardens were cleaning up
Friday and preparing for a massive storm this weekend that could
bring flash flooding to vast areas scorched by fire. Photo : AP
Aromatherapy spray linked
to US deaths faces recall
NEW YORK : U.S. health officials may
have solved the mystery of how four
people in different states came down
with a serious tropical disease even
though none had traveled
internationally: an aromatherapy spray
imported from India, reports UNB.
The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention said Friday that
investigators found the same type of
bacteria that causes the disease,
melioidosis, in a spray bottle found in
one of the patients' homes.
The four people were from Georgia,
Kansas, Minnesota and Texas. Two of
them, one a child in Georgia, died.
The agency said it was testing to
confirm the bacteria in the bottle is the
same strain as that seen in the four
patients. It previously said lab analyses
showed all four infections were closely
related.
The spray found in the Georgia
patient's home was made in India. The
genetic profile of the bacteria in the
bottle is similar to that of strains usually
runoff. They are also asking residents
to clear gutters and on-site storm
drains as the city prepares for up to 6
inches (15 centimeters) of rain.
"Given the volume of water we're
expecting, we want it to go where it
needs to go," he said.
About 375 miles (603.50 kilometers)
south of Santa Rosa, parts of western
Santa Barbara County were under an
evacuation warning Friday night in the
area that had been burned by the Alisal
Fire. The blaze charred 26.5 square
miles (68.6 square kilometers) and is
97% contained. The fire erupted in the
Santa Ynez Mountains during high
winds on Oct. 11.
Californians rejoiced when rain
started falling this week for the first
time in any measurable way since
spring. NWS Bay Area tweeted that
San Francisco International Airport
set a record rainfall for Thursday, with
0.44 inches (1.1 centimeters) of rain
tallied. The old record was 0.13 inches
(0.3 centimeter) on the same day in
1970.
Rain and snow will continue soaking
central and Northern California before
spreading into Southern California on
Monday.
The storms have helped contain
some of the nation's largest wildfires
this year, including one that
threatened the popular Lake Tahoe
resort region this summer. That
wildfire is now 100% contained after
snow blanketed the western side of the
blaze and rain dropped on the eastern
side.
But this week's storms won't end
drought that's plaguing California and
the western United States. California's
climate is hotter and drier now and
that means the rain and snow that
does fall is likely to evaporate or
absorb into the soil.
California's 2021 water year, which
ended Sept. 30, was the second driest
on record and last year's was the fifth
driest on record. Some of the state's
most important reservoirs are at
record low levels. Things are so bad in
Lake Mendocino that state officials say
it could be dry by next summer.
found in South Asia, the agency said.
The contaminated product is labeled
"Better Homes and Gardens Lavender
and Chamomile Essential Oil Infused
Aromatherapy Room Spray with
Gemstones," the CDC said. It was sold
for $4 in 55 Walmart stores and on
Walmart's website starting in February
and until Thursday.
The Consumer Product Safety
Commission and Walmart issued a
recall Friday for 3,900 bottles of the
spray in six scents. Officials are
investigating whether other scents and
brands may pose a risk.
Walmart issued a statement Friday,
saying the company took immediate
action when federal agencies told the
retailer of their findings.
Melioidosis is a rare in the United
States, with about 12 cases reported
annually. People can get it through
direct contact with contaminated soil
and water. The CDC said the infection is
treatable if caught early and treated
correctly.
U.S. health officials may have solved the mystery of how four people
in different states came down with a serious tropical disease even
though none had traveled internationally: an aromatherapy spray
imported from India.
Photo : AP
A federal civil rights investigation released Thursday found widespread racial harassment of Black
and Asian American students at a Utah school district, including hundreds of documented uses of
the N-word and other racial epithets over the last five years.
Photo : AP
Police: Burglar gets
new keys before
she's locked up
CORONADO : A woman
pretended she owned a
Southern California home so
a locksmith would make her
new keys. Then police locked
her up.
Officers arrested a 43-
year-old woman on
suspicion of burglary
Thursday night in
Coronado, a resort city
across the bay from San
Diego, reports UNB.
The brazen burglary was
foiled when the real
homeowner called
Coronado police and said
her neighbor noticed
suspicious activity at the
home. The homeowner was
out of town, yet the neighbor
saw the home's lights being
turned on and off.
Officers arrived and the
neighbor - a relative of the
homeowner's - gave them a
spare key. But it didn't fit the
front door's lock, and metal
shavings and pieces of an old
lock were on the ground
nearby.
As police walked around
the home, they saw back
doors open and a fireplace
turned on as music played
inside. After calling for a
helicopter and a K-9 unit,
officers saw someone
moving around on the
second floor in what was
supposed to be an empty
house with only one spare
key.
Police called out to the
person inside, who came out
a few minutes later and was
arrested. The woman
claimed there were two kids
in the house, but a police
search turned up empty.
The woman told police the
home was hers and said
she'd called a locksmith
earlier to change the front
door's locks.
No word if the burglar
gave anyone a spare key.
'Widespread' racial harassment
found at Utah school district
SALT LAKE CITY : A federal civil rights
investigation released Thursday found
widespread racial harassment of Black and
Asian American students at a Utah school
district, including hundreds of documented
uses of the N-word and other racial epithets
over the last five years.
The probe also found physical assaults,
derogatory racial comments and harsher
discipline for students of color at Davis
School District, the Department of Justice's
Civil Rights Division said in a statement.
The district has agreed to take several steps
as part of a settlement agreement, including
a new department to handle complaints,
more training and data collection.
Black students throughout the district told
investigators about similar experiences of
white and non-Black students calling them
the N-word, referring to them as monkeys or
apes and saying that their skin was dirty or
looked like feces, according to the
Amid the Capitol riot, Facebook
faced its own insurrection
As supporters of Donald Trump stormed
the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6th, battling police
and forcing lawmakers into hiding, an
insurrection of a different kind was taking
place inside the world's largest social
media company, reports UNB.
Thousands of miles away, in California,
Facebook engineers were racing to tweak
internal controls to slow the spread of
misinformation and inciteful content.
Emergency actions - some of which were
rolled back after the 2020 election -
included banning Trump, freezing
comments in groups with a record for hate
speech, filtering out the "Stop the Steal"
rallying cry and empowering content
moderators to act more assertively by
labeling the U.S. a "Temporary High Risk
Location" for political violence.
At the same time, frustration inside
Facebook erupted over what some saw as
the company's halting and inconsistent
response to rising extremism in the U.S.
"Haven't we had enough time to figure
Ethiopian airstrikes in Tigray
force UN flight to turn back
NAIROBI : Ethiopian
military airstrikes on Friday
forced a United Nations
humanitarian flight to
abandon its landing in the
capital of the country's
Tigray region, and a
government spokesman
said authorities were aware
of the inbound flight. It
appeared to be a sharp
escalation in intimidation
tactics authorities have used
against aid workers amid
the intensifying, year-long
Tigray war, reports UNB.
Further U.N. flights have
been suspended to Mekele,
the base of humanitarian
operations in Tigray, the
World Food Program told
The Associated Press. It said
the flight with 11 passengers
had been cleared by federal
authorities but "received
instructions to abort
landing by the Mekele
airport control tower." It
safely returned to Addis
Ababa.
U.N. humanitarian chief
Martin Griffiths said: "The
U.N. had not received any
prior warning of the attacks
on Mekelle and had
received the necessary
clearances for the flight."
He expressed "grave
concern" for civilians facing
airstrikes in Mekele and
insufficient humanitarian
assistance into Tigray, and
alarm at the worsening toll
of fighting on civilians in the
neighboring Amhara and
Afar regions.
"We've had flights turned
around because of
weather," Gemma Connell,
head of the U.N.'s regional
humanitarian office for
southern and eastern
Africa, told reporters. "But
this is the first time we've
had a flight turn around, at
least to my knowledge.
department's findings. Students also made
monkey noises at their Black peers,
repeatedly referenced slavery and lynching
and told Black students to "go pick cotton"
and "you are my slave."
The investigation found Black students
were also disciplined more harshly than their
white peers for similar behavior, and were
denied the ability to form student groups
while supporting similar requests by other
students.
District officials admitted to federal
investigators that their discipline data from
at least four years revealed that staff treated
students of color differently than white
students, but the district did nothing to
correct these disparities, according to the
department.
The district acknowledged in a statement
the investigation revealed incidents that
"were not handled appropriately" and
pledged to resolve any previous complaints.
out how to manage discourse without
enabling violence?" one employee wrote
on an internal message board at the height
of the Jan. 6 turmoil. "We've been fueling
this fire for a long time and we shouldn't be
surprised it's now out of control."
It's a question that still hangs over the
company today, as Congress and
regulators investigate Facebook's part in
the Jan. 6 riots.
New internal documents provided by
former Facebook employee-turnedwhistleblower
Frances Haugen provide a
rare glimpse into how the company
appears to have simply stumbled into the
Jan. 6 riot.
It quickly became clear that even after
years under the microscope for
insufficiently policing its platform, the
social network had missed how riot
participants spent weeks vowing - on
Facebook itself - to stop Congress from
certifying Joe Biden's election victory.
SuNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
8
On the occasion of World Polio Day on October 24, 2021, Rotary Bangladesh National PolioPlus Committee
has organized a nationwide rally and mask distribution program. Minister of Commerce, Tipu Munshi, MP
was present as the Chief Guest at the program organized in this regard at Dhaka Club. Syed Waseque Md.
Ali, Managing Director of First Security Islami Bank and Chair of the rally event, inaugurated the rally program
in 40 districts across the country and participated in the masks distribution program. In this noble
initiative, First Security Islami Bank Ltd. has provided 15,000 pieces of masks to the Rotary Bangladesh
National Polio Plus Committee for distribution to the public in response to the Corona pandemic. Ishtique
Zaman, Phd, Chairman, Rotary Bangladesh National Polio Plus Committee, Major General (Retd.) Fazal
Rahman, Chair-Press Conference were also present in the program.
Photo: Courtesy
How ISHO Has Maneuvered the Post-Pandemic
Evolution of Their Supply Chain Networks
Renault forecasts
production fall
on shortages
PARIS :Renault expects to
manufacture around 500,000
fewer vehicles than
anticipated this year due to a
global shortage in electronic
components, the French auto
group said Friday, reports
BSS. The coronavirus
pandemic has disrupted
supply chains around the
world, leading to bottlenecks
in the components, wood,
plastics and steel markets,
crippling many industries.
"The group anticipates a
loss close to 500,000 vehicles
for the year," it said in a
statement after posting third
quarter results.
Renault said it was unable
to produce 170,000 planned
vehicles in the three months
to September as many
factories around the world are
shut due to the lack of
components, particularly
semi-conductors.
But Renault nevertheless
confirmed its forecast of
reaching a full year operating
margin-an indicator of how
efficient a group is at
generating profit from salesof
2.8 percent of turnover.
Britain set for œ7bn
transport investment
LONDON : Britain's upcoming budget will
invest almost œ7.0 billion ($9.6 billion, 8.3
billion euros) on transport outside London, the
Treasury said on Saturday, as part of plans to
cut economic inequality, reports BSS.
Finance minister Rishi Sunak will unveil the
transport initiative during his autumn budget
and spending review due on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's so-called
"levelling up" programme is seen as vital to
keeping voters in former strongholds of the
main opposition Labour party who backed
him in the 2019 general election.
His Conservative party won a swathe of seats
in northern England on a promise to deliver
Britain's Brexit divorce from the European
Union, as well as boost jobs and growth.
Recipients of the transport project cash
include regions in the former Labour "red
wall" that turned Tory blue two years ago and
will be seen as payback for their support.
According to the finance ministry, the
government will invest œ5.7 billion in city
regions to boost productivity via train and
station upgrades, and tram network
expansion. It will also inject œ1.2 billion into
overhauling bus services.
The government wants to quicken journey
times, simplify fares and increase services
outside London, after repeated complaints
that regions outside the British capital were illserved
by transport links, affecting business.
"Great cities need great transport and that is
why we're investing billions to improve
connections in our city regions as we level up
opportunities across the country," said Sunak
in the statement.
"This transport revolution will help redress
that imbalance as we modernise our local
transport networks so they are fit for our great
cities and those people who live and work in
them."
Transport policy is set separately in
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland by the
nations' devolved administrations in
Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.
The government said the extra investment
for England would mean additional cash for
the three other UK nations under weighted
public expenditure adjustments.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Sunak will also
announce the latest growth forecasts for the
economy, which is battling high inflation due
largely to surging energy prices and a supply
chain crisis that was sparked by Brexit and
Covid.
The global Covid-19 pandemic has
exposed vulnerabilities and flaws in the
supply chains and production strategies
of manufacturing companies the world
over. Like the rest of the world,
manufacturers throughout Bangladesh
have also faced pressure to change how
they think about planning their supply
networks, a press release said.
According to Saad Aadnan Kabir,
Head of Supply Chain Management at
ISHO, the pressure to use
manufacturing capacity and available
capital to keep up efficient operations
has required him to make ISHO's
supply chains more resilient. Kabir says
Thatthe Company has managed to
handle this period of change through
stringent planning while keeping in
mind their prioritization of quality
materials. As a disruptive new-age
furniture brand appealing to modern
tastes, ISHO's innovative global designs
demand that Kabir stays on top of his
game, especially in order to send the
brand on its way to acquire status in
international markets.
As the country's number one e-
commerce furniture brand in sales,
ISHO was able to achieve their target
during the pandemic. However, the
pandemic can wreak havoc on even the
most prominent businesses, says
Kabir.A supply chain is only as strong as
its weakest link, and the scarcity of
materials and increased prices have
caused many connections to falter. To
make matters worse, international
logistics have been complicated by
transport container unavailability and
freight logjams.
All of this initially caused difficulties
for ISHO, a brand focused on using the
highest quality, eco-friendly
sources.Furthermore, Kabir says, the
high product variability in the retail and
e-commerce industry makes keeping
up with demand challenging. Moreover,
in the furniture supply chain, products
designs are innovated regularly to be
relevant to the competition, meaning
product life cycles are getting shorter;
competition is becoming timesensitive;
and competitive advantages
create faster time-to-market and
turnaround times. The demand can
quickly shift from the sales trend, and
consequently, one cannot always rely
on a stable supply chain. Accordingly,
demand forecasting has been
challenging during the pandemic,
especially in furniture manufacturing
companies like ISHOwhich prioritize
innovative designs and quality
products.
Education Ministry Dr. Dipu Moni MP, terming the cooking as an innovative culinary art has appreciated the
culinary artists of Bangladesh who, she said, are reaching out the traditional culinary taste of Bangladesh to
the world by constant innovation and fusion of culinary art between Bangladesh and other countries. She was
speaking as Chief Guest at the Cover Opening Ceremony of Lobby Rahman's Cooking Foundation's new recipe
book `Rashana Shoilee', presided over by Lobby Rahman, President of the foundation, held at the Raowa
Club Auditorium recently. It was a compilation of almost 150 recipe sent by innovative culinary artists from
across the country, published by `Muktodhara New York-Dhaka'. Besides Guests the function was also
attended by the culinary artists from all over Bangladesh. Md. Sahiduzzaman Khokon MP and internationally
renowned chef Tony Khan participated the function as special guests.
Photo: Courtesy
Walton starts exporting fans to Africa’s Mali
Walton High-ups at the inaugural ceremony of exporting Walton fans to Mali. Photo: Courtesy
In the latest move of its global million. An agreement was at Walton Corporate Office in
presence, Bangladeshi signed earlier this year Dhaka on Tuesday (October
Superbrand Walton has between Walton and Simpara. 19, 2021).
started exporting fans to the
West African nation Mali. As
According to it, the African
company will import various
Walton Hi-Tech Industries
Limited Deputy Managing
an authorized distributor of Walton products including Directors Nazrul Islam
Walton, Mali's Simpara refrigerator, air conditioner, Sarker, Amdadul Haque
Group, which has extensive
business networks in Mali and
home and electric appliance,
laptop, mobile phones and sell
Sarker and Eva Rezwana Nilu,
Senior Executive Director SM
Senegal, will sold out the them in their market, says a Zahid Hasan, Executive
Bangladeshi electronics press release.
Director Abdullah Al Mamun,
giant's own products. A programme titled Walton International
According to sources, Mali "Inaugural Ceremony: Business Unit's President
has the electrical appliances Exporting Walton Fans to Edward Kim, Electrical
market worth of around $30 Mali" was held in this regard Appliances' Chief Business
Officer (CBO) Sohel Rana,
Deputy CBO Rubel Ahmed
and Walton's Mali Market
Concern Shabbir Hasan
Khan, Electrical Appliance's
Brand Manager Zakibur
Rahman Shejan were present
at that time. Sohel Rana said,
Walton's products are being
exported to over 40 countries
around the world. Exporting
fans to Mali will play an
important role in expanding
businesses in other African
countries. This export process
will create a milestone in
achieving Walton's 'Vision Go
Global 2030'.
Edward Kim said, Walton is
bringing fame to Bangladesh
with the exports of its various
types of 'Made in Bangladesh'
labeled products around the
globe. At this moment, Mali is
one of the emerging economies
in Africa with potential market
for electrical appliances. We
are confident that we will gain
positive feedbacks from the
Malians as well.
Karmasangsthan Bank business review meeting-2021 of all Divisional Office Heads and Regional Managers
was held at its Head Office recently. Chairman of Karmasangsthan Bank, Kaniz Fatema NDC was present as
the Chief Guest and Managing Director Md. Abdul Mannan was present as the Special Guest. Deputy
Managing Director Sk. Md. Zaminur Rahaman was in the chair. The speakers evaluated the Banks performance
of first quarter of 2021-2022 Fiscal Year and gave necessary directives in implementing the action plan
of the Bank.
Photo: Courtesy
Fed's Powell says
'premature' to up rates
despite inflation risk
WASHINGTON: Despite a risk that high inflation
in the United States could persist, it would be
"premature" to raise borrowing rates and risk
slowing the economic recovery, Federal Reserve
Chair Jerome Powell said Friday, reports BSS.
The US central bank chief acknowledged that
supply constraints and shortages that have caused
prices to rise sharply are "likely to last longer than
previously expected, likely well into next year."
But at the Fed "we need to be patient," Powell said
during a panel discussion organized by South
Africa's central bank.
The Fed is "on track" to begin to pull back on its
massive monthly bond purchases, which would be
completed by mid-2022, he said.
But "it would be premature to actually tighten
policy by raising rates now with the effect and intent
of slowing job growth."
Policymakers are expected to announce the
slowdown of bond buying at the central bank's
policy meeting early next month, but the
benchmark lending rate is forecast to remain at
zero at least until late next year.
Inflation in the United States has been running at
more than double the Fed's two percent target, but
Powell said the supply bottlenecks are likely to
diminish, allowing inflation and wage pressures to
retreat, which he called the "most likely case."
However, officials "need to be watching very
carefully."
US seals agreement to end
European digital taxes
WASHINGTON : The United
States has resolved a key point of
trade friction with Europe after
inking a deal to end controversial
digital services taxes on American
tech giants, reports BSS.
Washington said Thursday it
will remove punitive tariffs on
products from Austria, France,
Italy, Spain and Britain as part of
the deal-a critical step in
improving frayed relations even
though the duties were never
imposed.
Under the joint agreement,
those countries will end taxes on
Big Tech companies once a global
minimum corporate tax deal takes
effect, which is expected in 2023.
Any levies paid for the DSTs in
the interim will be credited to
future tax bills, according to the
deal.
The United States argued for
immediate withdrawal of what it
said were discriminatory fees on
American tech giants like
Amazon, Apple and Google, while
the countries preferred to wait
until the new tax regime was
implemented.
"This compromise represents a
pragmatic solution," the countries
said in a joint statement
Nearly 140 countries early this
month reached a agreement on a
15 percent minimum tax under
the auspices of the Organization
for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD).
That historic move aims to put
an end to corporations sheltering
profits in low-tax haven countries,
and would address the issue the
DSTs aimed to solve.
"We reached our agreement on
DSTs in conjunction with the
historic OECD global agreement
that will help end the race to the
bottom over multinational
corporate taxation by leveling the
corporate tax playing field," US
Trade Representative Katherine
Tai said in a statement welcoming
the deal.
Washington announced 25
percent punitive duties on
products from several countries in
retaliation for the DSTs.
Managing Director & CEO of Social Islami Bank Ltd Quazi Osman Ali inaugurated 169th Branch namely
Munshirhat Branch at Chauddagram, Cumilla as chief guest recently through virtual platform. Md. Tajul
Islam, Additional Managing Director, Abu Naser Chowdhury, Md. Sirajul Hoque and Md. Shamsul Hoque,
Deputy Managing Directors, Abdul Hannan Khan, Company Secretary, Md. Moniruzzaman, Head of
Marketing & Brand Communication Division, Saif Al-Amin, Head of BC & GBD were present in the program.
Manager of Munshirhat Branch, senior officials and other local dignitaries also attended the program.
Photo: Courtesy
SUnDAY, oCtoBer 24, 2021
9
Consistency the key if Bangladesh want to
finally have a T20 World Cup to remember
SportS DeSk
Bangladesh have been trying to nail a
T20 World Cup for a long time. As far
back as 2012, they decided that playing
plenty of T20Is just before the
tournament will give them a good
chance. But like a student who tries to
cram the night before the exam, things
never really came together, reports AP
Their record in T20Is is not very
good, and it gets much worse in World
Cups. Only one of their seven wins
since 2007 has come against a
traditional big team. They lost to Hong
Kong in the 2014 edition at home, while
in 2016, they missed the mother of all
open nets against India.
This time too Bangladesh come into
the tournament with cracks, despite
recently seeing off Australia and New
Zealand at home. On tailor-made home
pitches that helped the spinners, the
visiting batters had very little clue what
was happening - but so did the home
batters, and it seems that has hurt
Bangladesh.
Their shock loss to Scotland in the
first round showed signs of their
batters' lack of confidence. The top
order was gone quickly, before
Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan
stalled for several overs, trying to
rebuild. That didn't work out and then
captain Mahmudullah, the team's best
T20 batter, couldn't time his big hits.
Their subsequent wins over Oman
and PNG ensured a spot in the Super
12s, but Bangladesh have to play a lot
better and with more consistency in
this round if they are to reach the
tournament goal they have set for
themselves: reach the semi-finals.
Bangladesh came into the
tournament with three consecutive
series wins over Zimbabwe, Australia
and New Zealand. But they lost two out
of three warm-up games earlier this
month, before crashing against
Scotland in the first round. They
recovered against Oman and PNG.
Mushfiqur, Mahmudullah and
Shakib remain in charge of
Bangladesh's batting, despite the
emergence of several talented batters in
recent years. If these three fire together,
expect a big score. If they have a
combined bad day, the whole team
seems to slow down.
Mohammad Naim, Liton Das and
Afif Hossain have shown signs of
standing on their own, but don't seem
to be quite there yet. In Liton's case, he
has been around for six years, but
consistency hasn't been his companion.
Nurul Hasan has emerged as a bighitter
down the order, as well as a
skillful wicketkeeper. Soumya Sarkar
and Shamim Hossain are the back-up
batters in the squad.
Spin usually dominates Bangladesh's
bowling plans, particularly with Shakib
as the leader of the attack. The left-arm
spinner's varied pace and flight and
subtle turn translate into the most
bankable four overs. Offspinner
Mahedi Hasan has started well in the
tournament, and they also have Nasum
Ahmed, Player-of-the-Series against
New Zealand last month, waiting in the
wings.
Mustafizur Rahman is their best fast
bowler, a proper T20 star who has
excelled at the IPL. He has been around
a long while, yet he still bamboozles the
best of batters. Taskin Ahmed and
Mohammad Saifuddin complement
him with pace and variations, while the
left-arm quick Shoriful Islam is waiting
for his first opportunity.
There are very few cricketers in the
world currently who can bring as much
to his side as Shakib Al Hasan does to
Bangladesh. He is the team's best
player for sure, but he is also pushing
for bigger honours. He had a great 2019
Word Cup - he was one of three batters
to tally over 600 runs, to go with 11
wickets - but after that, he had the low
of the ICC suspension to contend with.
Since his return, he has worked his
way back to his best, recently breaking
the record for most T20I wickets. In the
UAE, Shakib will bat at No. 3, and be
expected to bowl in different situations
with his new shorter run-up. He
bowled superbly at the IPL and has
brought his form with the ball over to
the T20 World Cup. His batting will be
all the more important to Bangladesh
in the absence of Tamim Iqbal.
they have a woeful record in this competition and a shaky batting order to contend with. But they
also have a premier match-winner in Shakib Al Hasan.
photo: BCB
Houston Astros defeat
Boston Red Sox to
reach World Series
SportS DeSk
The Houston Astros
booked their third trip to
the World Series in five
seasons on Friday,
defeating the Boston Red
Sox 5-0 to wrap up a 4-2
victory in the American
League Championship
Series, reports BSS.
The Astros, who will face
either the Atlanta Braves or
Los Angeles Dodgers in
Major League Baseball's
showpiece, edged out a
dogged Red Sox
performance at Minute
Maid Park in Houston.
Houston outfielder Kyle
Tucker put the seal on a
clinical win for the Astros,
smashing a three-run home
run in the eighth inning to
effectively put the game out
of Boston's grasp.
Earlier, Cuban slugger
Yordan Alvarez drove in the
opening run for Houston in
the bottom of the first
inning, doubling on a fly
ball to centerfield to score
shortstop Alex Bregman.
A tense pitching duel then
unfolded over the next four
innings, with Boston starter
Nathan Eovaldi digging in
to prevent the Astros
adding to their lead. Astros
rookie pitcher Luis Garcia
was superb from the
mound, giving up only one
hit across 5.2 scoreless
innings with seven
strikeouts.
Houston finally added to
their lead in the sixth inning
when Tucker grounded into
a double play at first base as
Alvarez crossed home plate.
Warner backed to fire as Windies
seek World Cup revival
SportS DeSk
Australia will look for misfiring David Warner
to rediscover his form against South Africa in
the opening second round game of the T20
World Cup on Saturday, reports BSS.
Australia and South Africa, who are both
chasing their first T20 world title, get the Super
12 stage underway at Zayed Cricket Stadium in
Abu Dhabi.
Defending champions West Indies then face
England in Dubai in a repeat of the 2016 final
in Kolkata. Warner is a proven match-winner
but has endured a miserable time in the format
recently. He was dropped by his Sunrisers
Hyderabad team at the recent IPL, also played
in the UAE.
Warner hasn't played an international T20
this year while, in 2020, he made just 186 runs.
"I'm backing Dave's ability. I'm backing his
judgement," said Australia skipper Aaron
Finch. "I think, if you look at his World Cup
history, he's just bloody good. Would he have
liked more runs? Absolutely.
Everyone would like more runs all the time.
"He's one of the greatest players that
Australia has ever produced, and I've got no
doubts that come Game 1 he'll be up and firing
and ready to go."
Warner has scored more runs in T20s
against South Africa than any other country
with 457 from 14 matches. His average is a
commendable 35.35.
South Africa are without AB de Villiers, who
confirmed his retirement from international
cricket earlier in the year, and former captain
Faf du Plessis, who was available but not
selected.
However, the team is on a streak of seven
successive T20 international wins,
encompassing series victories against West
Indies, Ireland and Sri Lanka - all achieved
away from home.
Skipper Temba Bavuma is hoping to break a
long-running history of failure at ICC events
since the country won the ICC Knock-Out
Trophy, forerunner of the Champions Trophy,
in 1998.
Australia will look for misfiring David Warner to rediscover his
form against South Africa in the opening second round game of the
t20 World Cup.
photo: Ap
Cristiano ronaldo and Mohamed Salah will go head to head for the right to be billed as the premier
League's top dog when Manchester United face arch-rivals Liverpool on Sunday. photo: Ap
China's Zhang
edges Hashimoto
for world all-around
gymnastics title
SportS DeSk
China's Zhang Boheng won
the men's all-around title at
the world gymnastics
championships on Friday,
edging out Olympic
champion Daiki Hashimoto
on his home turf in Japan,
reports BSS.
Zhang, who was
controversially omitted from
his country's team for the
Tokyo Games, came through
a tight contest in Kitakyushu
that went down to the wire.
The Chinese gymnast held
a slender lead going into the
final apparatus -- the
horizontal bar that
Hashimoto had claimed
individual Olympic gold on
just months previously.
But Zhang held his nerve to
clinch victory with a score of
87.981, ahead of Hashimoto
on 87.964.
Ukraine's Illia Kovtun
finished third with a score of
84.899.
Zhang became the first
Chinese men's all-around
world champion since Xiao
Ruoteng in 2017.
He was passed over for
China's Olympic team this
summer despite scoring
higher than rival Lin
Chaopan. Russia's Angelina
Melnikova won the women's
all-around title on Thursday.
Partey ends goal drought
as Arsenal beat Villa
SportS DeSk
Thomas Partey scored his
first goal for Arsenal as the
Gunners beat Aston Villa 3-1
to extend their unbeaten run
in the Premier League to six
matches on Friday, reports
BSS.
Partey's first half header
broke the Ghana midfielder's
goal drought in his 40th
appearance in all
competitions since his move
from Atletico Madrid 12
months ago.
Pierre-Emerick
Aubameyang bagged
Arsenal's second goal when
he converted the rebound
after his penalty was saved.
Emile Smith Rowe put the
result beyond doubt early in
the second half as Arsenal
climbed to ninth place in the
Premier League.
After losing their first three
league games, Arsenal have
gradually recovered their
equilibrium.
Successive draws against
Brighton and Crystal Palace
had brought renewed
pressure on Arsenal boss
Mikel Arteta, but this was a
tantalising glimpse of what
they could be under the
Spaniard.
"I'm proud of the team.
This is when we are good,
when we play with real desire,
real commitment and can
have clear ideas of how to
attack," Arteta said.
Ronaldo's duel with Salah
takes centre stage as Man
Utd face Liverpool
SportS DeSk
Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah will
go head to head for the right to be billed as
the Premier League's top dog when
Manchester United face arch-rivals
Liverpool on Sunday, reports BSS.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp risked irking
United striker Ronaldo ahead of the crunch
clash when he hailed Salah as the best player
in the world last weekend. The Egypt
forward has been in superb form, with his
sublime strikes against Manchester City and
Watford already goal of the season
contenders.
But Ronaldo hasn't been far behind with a
series of crucial goals underlining his
superstar status.
While Paris Saint-Germain duo Lionel
Messi and Kylian Mbappe can also stake
their claim to be the world's best, in the
Premier League there is little doubt that
Ronaldo and Salah are the main men.
So who will be this season's preeminent
force? Sunday's crucial showdown at Old
Trafford will go some way to deciding that
question.
Without a win in their last three league
games, United are four points behind
second-placed Liverpool.
United need Ronaldo to continue his
knack of rising to the big occasion, while
unbeaten Liverpool hope Salah can continue
his blistering streak.
Salah has scored 12 times in 11 games this
season, with Ronaldo netting six times in
eight matches since returning to United from
Juventus in August.
Salah became the first Liverpool player to
score in nine consecutive games after
striking twice in the Champions League win
at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Just 24 hours later, Ronaldo stole the
European spotlight with the late headed
winner that completed United's fightback
from two goals down to beat Atalanta 3-2.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
naturally leans towards his player in any
debate about the best of the best.
But he admitted Salah's red-hot run makes
him a fearsome proposition.
I'll always back Cristiano in any
competition. He's unique. That being said,
Salah, at the moment, he's on fire," Solskjaer
said. "We know we have to be at our best to
defend against him. We have to focus on
them for 95 minutes to keep a clean sheet.
"I'm a big fan of Liverpool's front three.
We have to enjoy the players, though not
Salah on Sunday, of course." - True greatness
- Asked to debate the virtues of the pair on
Friday, Klopp took a diplomatic approach as
he highlighted each star's quality.
"Why should we compare Cristiano
Ronaldo and Mo Salah? Obviously both are
world-class players, so that's how it is," he
said.
"Even when Ronaldo's left foot is not that
bad, I would say Mo's left foot is probably
better.
Messi in Marseille:
Classic French rivalry
has Argentine accent
SportS DeSk
The experience of a football match in
Argentina is almost unmatched for the raw
passion of the crowd, the spectacle in the
stands often more eye-catching than events
on the pitch, reports BSS.
Yet if there is one place in Europe that can
match it then it might be the Velodrome in
Marseille, where fiery Argentine coach Jorge
Sampaoli now prowls the touchline while up
to 65,000 supporters generate a spinetingling
atmosphere.
That can be the case for any game, but
when Paris Saint-Germain come to town it is
very special indeed.
They love their football in the French
Mediterranean port city, but they always
hated PSG, even before Qatar bought the
capital club in 2011.
"Le Classique" -- as it is sometimes known
-- is the biggest fixture in French football,
and on Sunday it will have a distinctly
Argentinian flavour.
This will be Sampaoli's first match against
PSG as Marseille coach. In thenaway dugout
will be his compatriot Mauricio Pochettino.
In the away team will be Lionel Messi,
getting his first taste of France's biggest
grudge match.
Messi was the hero of so many Clasicos for
Barcelona against Real Madrid and is the alltime
top scorer in the history of that fixture.
He will be conspicuous by his absence
when the Spanish giants go head to head on
Sunday afternoon.
Instead he will take to the field at the
Velodrome a few hours later, ensuring
possibly greater interest globally than ever
before in a Marseille- PSG game.
Table-toppers PSG are overwhelming
favourites. They have lost just once to OM in
10 years.
PSG now totally dominate French
football, but once Marseille were the
country's pre-eminent club, and they remain
the only French winners of the Champions
League, in 1993.
They have a proud history, and in
Sampaoli they have a man capable of giving
new hope to a city obsessed with "l'OM".
"It is the kind of club I like. Clubs like
Marseille and Galatasaray who have that
support, the clamour of the people that
means the city explodes if you win
something," he once told the magazine So
Foot.
Sampaoli, 61, was born in Casilda, an hour
outside Messi's home city of Rosario.
Like Messi, Sampaoli played in the youth
ranks at Newell's Old Boys. While Messi left
for Barcelona aged 13, Sampaoli's playing
career was halted by injury before it properly
began.
There are parallels between Sampaoli and
Marcelo Bielsa, who became a cult hero in
charge of Marseille in 2014-15 and who
managed Pochettino at Newell's, the pair
reaching the Copa Libertadores final in 1992.
Sampaoli, like Bielsa before him, can be
seen pacing nervously up and down his
technical area during games at the
Velodrome. In contrast Pochettino usually
cuts a cooler figure.
SundaY, ocToBeR 24, 2021
10
'Dhaka
Dream'
hits theatres
TBT RepoRT
Independent filmmaker Proshoon Rahman
released his third feature film 'Dhaka Dream' in
six cinema halls across the country on Friday,
paying tribute to late singer Bari Siddiqui and
award-winning late actor SM Mohsin, who were
part of the film. In Dhaka, the film can be enjoyed
at the Bashundhara City and Mirpur branches of
Star Cineplex, Blockbuster Cinemas and
Shyamoli Cinema Hall, Director Proshoon
Rahman told on Friday.
He added, "We went to a cineplex with the crew
to watch the film together with our audience. I
have been getting good responses from the
audience. Actually, the taste of our movie
audience has changed. Now they want to see
unique stories which they can relate to.
"The shooting of 'Dhaka Dream' began with the
filming of a song in the voice of Bari Siddiqui, lipsynced
by actor SM Mohsin. Unfortunately, they
are not with us anymore."
We have plans to show the film to various
universities, festivals and Bangladesh Shilpakala
Academy to reach the commoners, added the
director. Talking about the plot of 'Dhaka
Dream,' Proshoon said, "Marginalised people
come to this city with many dreams. But can the
city fulfill everyone's dream? Yet why do people
come here with a dream? The film is about the
dreams and the heartbreaks of the people who
come to Dhaka city seeking livelihood and hope
for a better life.
"Dhaka Dream is about the continuous migration
of Bangladesh's rural population to the country's
capital. It will tell the tales of such migrants - how
their aspirations and dreams broke."
According to Proshoon, the film is a multinarrative
fiction that tells the experiences of
twelve different people while weaving them
together through a single journey. It took around
four years to complete.
The film has two songs composed by noted
singer Kumar Bishwajit. Besides, he has lent
voice in the introductory music. The late singer
Bari Siddiqui gave his voice to one of the two
songs while folk sensation Momtaz sang the
other.
The film has an ensemble cast, including Fazlur
Rahman Babu, Shahadat Hossain, Monira
Mithu, Abdullah Rana, Shahriar Ferdous Shojib,
Anowar Hossain Chowdhury, Joyeeta
Mohlanbish, Purnima Brishti, Nairuz Sifat,
Saima Neera, Sayka Ahmed, Sujat Shimul, Ikbal
Hossain, Arosh Khan, Fazlul Haque, Akhtar
Hossain, Jamal Raja, RA Rahul, Faruk Ahmed,
Shariful Azam Pintu, SM Mohsin, Mahbubur
Rahman, Khorshed Alam, Trisha Ray, Emil,
Rana and Tashfee.
Written and directed by Proshoon Rahman, 'Dhaka
Dream' premiered at International Film Festival of
South Asia (IFFSA) in Toronto earlier this year.
Ariful Islam Kajol; one of the
busiest and successful
commentators
Salehuddin Sohel
The name of the busiest and
most successful commentator of
his time is Ariful Islam
Kajal.This talented man is
equally busy in election voice,
jingle, documentary, drama and
movie voice over.
Born and raised in Ambikapur
Union of Faridpur Sadar
Upazila, this popular man had a
childhood dream of becoming a
commentator like Guru
Mazharul Islam. That dream has
come true today.
Ariful Islam Kajal graduated
from Ukhia College, Cox's Bazar,
after passing from Faridpur
High School. He was born on 20
February 1975 in the village of
Mostafa Dangi near the house of
poet Jasimuddin in Faridpur.He
is the seventh of nine children of
late father Nazar Ali Biswas and
mother Mosa Nurjahan Begum.
The man, who has been fond of
entertainment since childhood,
made his debut as a voice over
artist in 2001 by giving a voice in
an advertisement.From then on
his professionalism as a
commentator began.
In addition to Electoral Voice
Over and Jingle he also works as
a presenter for various
programs. He gained
considerable popularity
overnight in the magic of the
excellent voice.
Apart from voice over, Kajal has
sung several songs, recently this
commentator has done a
wonderful song about
Bangabandhu.
When asked, Kajal said, "My
addiction and profession is to
make people happy with the
magic of voice."However, my
dream now is to make a
magazine show in the style of
Hanif Sanket, a popular
presenter in Bangladesh.If I get
a good sponsor, I will feed the
minds of the people of the
country by continuously creating
magazine programs. I seek
everyone's love and blessings.
TBT RepoRT
I Will Do
Experimental
Work with
Myself : Riba
Sabrina Zaman Riba is a wellknown
face in the fashion
industry of Bangladesh. She has
been walking on the ramp for
more than ten years. This time
the familiar face of modeling is
coming with an international
project.
In this regard, Reba said, I
have worked with a director who
has won the European Fashion
Film Award. The work is being
prepared for participation in
festivals in Europe and America.
Post-production is in progress.
Hopefully, I will be able to
present the work in front of the
audience soon.
Regarding her busy schedule,
the model said she is busy with
the international project. I have
finished the photoshoot of Puja. I
will work on bridal and winter
photoshoots upfront. This is how
time passes.
Asked about the damage to the
fashion industry in Corona, she
Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji,
who was shooting for her next
film 'Mrs Chatterjee Vs
Norway', has completed the shoot, the
makers announced on Wednesday on
Instagram. The final schedule was
filmed in India, after its first schedule
was shot in Estonia, reports
Hindustan times.
The news of the film wrap was
shared by Emmay Entertainment on
Instagram. "And, it's a wrap already!
Feels like we had just started shooting
for #MrsChatterjeeVsNorway. We
can't wait for the film to hit the
theatres now!" the post read.
Directed by Ashima Chibber, Mrs
Chatterjee Vs Norway is produced by
Monisha Advani, Madhu Bhojwani
and Nikkhil Advani's Emmay
Entertainment and Zee Studios.
The film is based on a
true incident that
rocked children
and human
rights at
an
said the situation is getting better
after the lockdown. The fashion
industry in Corona, like other
sectors, has suffered. The fashion
show is not starting yet.
Although the photoshoot work is
going on.
Although she has been
modeling for a long time, Riba is
making new plans for her career.
"I'm thinking about modeling as
well as styling and
choreography," she said. I always
like to do experimental work. I
am thinking of doing
experimental work with myself.
Then it will be easier to work
with others.
She has turned down offers to
acting since the beginning of her
career. She has said 'no' every
time. But now she is thinking of
acting.
In this context, she said, I have
been getting offers to act in the
play since 2010. I don't like the
offers I get. Moreover, I have
always wanted to set foot on this
branch through the big screen.
Rani wraps up
'Mrs Chatterjee Vs
Norway'
Speaking of which, she said,
the conversation about working
in a movie went a long way
before the Corona situation
began; but it did not happen for
Pandemic. I am emphasizing the
character of the movie. I will
work as soon as the bat and ball
match.
Most recently, she worked on a
commercial directed by Adnan
al-Rajib. Then it was not done. "I
worked on a Robi commercial
about a year ago," she said. Then
no more work was done. I don't
know why I don't fit in with the
visual industry. I am interested
in working in commercials.
international level, the makers said in
a press release.
Rani said it was a "sweet
coincidence" that she wrapped the
shoot of Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway on
October 18, the same day her first
Hindi film Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat
released in 1997. "Mrs Chatterjee Vs
Norway is an inspirational story about
a mother fighting a country for her
children and I went through a
rollercoaster of emotions shooting this
film," she said.
"I had an amazing time shooting
with my producers Monisha Advani,
Madhu Bhojwani, Nikkhil Advani, Zee
Studios and director Ashima Chibber
and I'm hoping that this film will
resonate with everyone who wants
to see an entertainer with a
brilliant concept at its fore," the
actor said in a statement.
Post-production work on the
film is underway and the
theatrical release date of Mrs
Chatterjee Vs Norway will be
announced soon, the makers
further said.
Rani's last big screen
outing was 2019's
Mardaani 2. She will also
be seen in Yash Raj Films'
Bunty aur Babli 2, slated
to be released in
theatres on
November 19.
Source: The
Indian
Express
h o R o S c o p e
aRieS
(March 21 - April 20) : Intense, vivid
dreams spark your mental processes.
You could wake up wondering why you
dreamed what you did and what it has
to do with what's going on in your life. Dream books
can be helpful. What do the symbols mean to you?
The symbols, or even the story itself, could set in
motion a mental chain of events resulting in a new
project of some kind. Make the most of it!
TauRuS
(April 21 - May 21) : There's likely to
be some tumult in your emotional
life right now, Taurus. You may feel
a pressing need to have a heart-toheart
talk with your partner. Tension may
develop if you become increasingly insistent
about your need to do so. Anger or alienation
can be avoided if you express your feelings with
clarity and compassion.
GeMini
(May 22 - June 21) : Money and
creativity are successfully joined today.
You might make money from a
completed project, or you could receive some money
to finance a project. Others might share in your efforts,
but you're the mind behind the whole thing. Your
intellectual powers are particularly strong. You're
better than usual at expressing your ideas.
.canceR
(June 22 - July 23) : Today
you're likely to be especially
sharp. Your intellectual powers
are operating at a high level. A
wealth of new ideas may come to you from
all sides, without and within. You're more
talkative than usual and want to share your
ideas with others. Optimism and
enthusiasm define you today.
leo
(July 24 - Aug. 23): You're rarely
surprised or bothered by the
occasional setback. Today, however,
you should put a firm hand on any
project you undertake. This isn't the time for a
relaxed attitude, especially where money is
concerned. If you take a systematic approach, you
will have the double benefit of conserving both
energy and assets.
ViRGo
(Aug. 24 - Sept. 23): You may want
to take a more judicious approach to
your shopping sprees. Try spending
the afternoon looking and trying on but not
buying. That way, you'll have time to reflect on
whether or not you really want and need the items.
This could help cut out a lot of impulse spending.
Your wallet will be fatter and happier.
liBRa
(Sept. 24 - Oct. 23): Today you have a
quick intellect and intensified
persuasive powers. Acute mental
powers are joined with personal
power to bring about career and financial success.
Any projects you start or complete today are
destined for success followed by public
recognition of some kind. This is a great omen for
your future.
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): You're obviously
struggling with something big, Sagittarius.
Recent comments about your irritability
are well founded. But don't worry. They'll
forgive you eventually. In the meantime,
do what you can to control your temper. It stems from
your current fears, which seem to be multiplying
exponentially. Blame the situation on the planets and
accept it as a lesson on the path to self-realization.
capRicoRn
(Dec. 22 - Jan. 20): You'll want to jump into
action today, Capricorn. Feel free to order
others around for a change and delegate.
An aggressive approach is exactly what's
called for, and you have the ability to deliver the goods.
Trying to do everything yourself may seem like a great
idea at first, but you're better off enlisting help so others
can feel involved and you can concentrate on doing a
better job on fewer tasks.
aQuaRiuS
(Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) : Today's intense
celestial energy will help you make
progress toward your goals. Your mind
will be quick and receptive and your
writing and speaking abilities especially acute. You
might feel that you could sell anything to anyone if
you wanted to. Make the most of this intellectual
power. Start new projects now. If you do, success is
more than likely.
piSceS
(Feb. 20 - Mar. 20) : Your creative
impulse should be high today. You might
decide to try some writing. You may have
a particular subject in mind to write
about. You could also take a class in a subject that
interests you, or do a little research on your own. You
might consider some long-distance travel for pleasure
as much as for learning. The sky's the limit.
SUNDAY, OCTOBeR 24, 2021
11
American Airlines
bullish on holidays
after Delta variant hit
NEW YORK : American
Airlines said Thursday that
the latest surge in Covid-19
hit profitability in the latest
quarter, but that it was
bullish on the upcoming
holiday season, reports BSS.
The big US carrier enjoyed
a profitable July before the
spread of the Delta variant
pushed the company into
the red in both August and
September, American
executives said in a letter to
employees.
The company reported
$169 million in profits in the
third quarter, but the
bottom line would have been
a loss without an infusion of
US funds authorized by
Congress for carriers to
preserve airline jobs.
Revenues were $9 billion,
more than double the year
ago-levels, but about 25
percent below those in the
equivalent period of 2019.
"The American Airlines
team continues to
demonstrate its resilience
and ability to execute,
enabling us to deliver our
best quarter since the
pandemic began as
measured by pre-tax
financial results," said Chief
Executive Doug Parker.
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 interest rates on their
homes loans, as the Bank of
England prepares to increase
its main borrowing cost to
tackle high inflation.
A discussion meeting and distribution of white cane was held on the occasion of 53rd White Cane
Safety Day 2021 at Barishal Circuit House Conference Room on Saturday. State Minister for Water
Resources Ministry Zahid Faruk MP was the chief guest on the occasion while Ayub Ali Hawlader,
President of Barishal District Branch of National Association for the Visually Impaired presided
over the function.
Photo: Zihad Rana
Covid-19 cases reach 98,840
with 8 new in Rajshahi
RAJSHAHI: Eight more people tested
positive for Covid-19 in four districts
of the division on Friday, taking the
caseload to 98,840 since the
pandemic began in March last year,
reports BSS.
However, the new positive figure
shows a significant falling trend
compared to the previous day's figure,
said Dr Habibul Ahsan Talukder,
divisional director of Health, adding
that Thursday's infection figure was
19.
Besides, Wednesday's fresh
infection figure was just four, which
was the lowest-ever in the division
since the second wave of the pandemic
hit the country.
Meanwhile, the recovery count rose
to 94,962 in the division after another
five patients were discharged from the
hospitals on the same day.
The death toll reached 1,671,
including 685 in Bogura, 318 in
Rajshahi with 193 in its city, and 173 in
Natore, Dr Talukder added. Besides,
all the positive cases of Covid-19 have,
so far, been brought under treatment
while 22,968 were kept in isolation
units of different dedicated hospitals
for institutional supervision. Of them,
19,323 have been released.
Meanwhile, four more people have
been sent to home and institutional
quarantine afresh while 19 others
were released from isolation during
the same time. Of the eight new cases,
four were detected in Bogura, followed
Evergrande pays overdue interest
on offshore bond: state media
BEIJING - China's troubled property giant
Evergrande has made a key offshore interest
payment a day ahead of a weekend deadline,
state media said Friday, averting a default
for now, reports BSS.
The crisis at one of the nation's biggest
property developers, which is drowning in
$300 billion of debt, has hammered
investor sentiment and fuelled fears of a
spillover into the wider economy.
Evergrande is reported to have missed at
least $150 million in offshore bond
payments but agreed a deal in September to
Hasen Ali, a two-time former chairman of
Naodanga Union No. 1 in Fulbari Upazila of
Kurigram and president of the union Awami
League, has been nominated again for the boat
symbol in the upcoming UP elections. Marking the
occasion, more than two hundred motorcycle
marched through various streets of Naodanga
Union in joy on Saturday.
Photo: TBT
pay interest on a domestic bond. But on
Friday, the state-backed Securities Times
said the embattled developer had wired an
$83.5 million offshore payment first due on
September 23, citing "relevant channels".
It said bondholders would receive the
payout before Saturday-the end of a 30-day
grace period. Fears that Evergrande could
collapse and send shockwaves through the
Chinese economy have rattled buyers and
markets, and shares plunged as the group
resumed trading Thursday after a two-week
halt.
UK retail sales
extend slump
LONDON : UK retail sales volumes dropped for a fifth month in
a row during September, official data showed Friday, as the
country suffers supply constraints and high prices, reports BSS.
Sales volumes dropped 0.2 percent last month from August,
the Office for National Statistics said in a statement to register
the longest retreat on record.
"Household goods were the main driver of... (September's)
decline, with a fall of nearly 10 percent," noted Darren Morgan,
ONS director of economic statistics.
"Despite the lifting of (lockdown) restrictions, in-store retail
sales remain subdued, with many consumers still opting to shop
online," he added.
Although sales of petrol surged in late September as drivers
rushed to fill up their tanks, a UK fuel-shortage crisis likely
meant consumers visited stores only for necessities, analysts
said.
"Whether the products aren't available, the price tag is too
high, or shoppers have simply finished fettling with their home
decor, non food sales pulled down September's figures," noted
Danni Hewson, financial analyst at AJ Bell.
"Furniture stores have been warning for months that big
ticket, big size items have been caught up in the shipping crisis
and that seems to have worked its way through to consumer
sales."
by two in Pabna and one each in
"Sirajganj and Chapainawabganj
districts.
With the newly detected patients,
the district-wise break-up of the total
cases now stands at 28,068 in
Rajshahi, including 22,634 in city,
5,666 in Chapainawabganj, 6,405 in
Naogaon, 8,381 in Natore, 4,621 in
Joypurhat, 21,604 in Bogura, 11,393 in
Sirajganj and 12,704 in Pabna.
A total of 1,13,690 people have, so
far, been kept under quarantine since
March 10 last year to prevent the
community transmission of the deadly
coronavirus (COVID-19). Of them,
1,12,402 have, by now, been released as
they were given clearance certificates after
completing their 14-day quarantine.
Global oil prices
won't decline until
2023: World Bank
WASHINGTON : The
stunning recent runup in global
oil prices could threaten
economic growth, and is
unlikely to retreat until 2023,
the World Bank said Thursday,
reports BSS.
Average crude prices are
expected to end the year at $70
a barrel, 70 percent higher than
in 2020, according to the latest
Commodity Markets Outlook.
That in turn is pushing up
other energy prices like natural
gas, the report said.
"The surge in energy prices
poses significant near-term
risks to global inflation and, if
sustained, could also weigh on
growth in energy-importing
countries," said World bank
chief economist Ayhan Kose.
The increases have been
"more pronounced than
previously projected" and "may
complicate policy choices as
countries recover from last
year's global recession."
Oil prices in recent weeks
have surged above $80 a
barrel, the highest point in
years, as economies reopen
following the pandemic
shutdowns and amid shipping
bottlenecks.
The World Bank uses an
average of Brent, West Texas
Intermediate and Dubai which
it said will "remain at high
levels in 2022 but will start to
decline in the second half of the
year as supply constraints
ease."
Asian markets swing but
Evergrande payment
report provides boost
HONG KONG - Markets in Asia fluctuated Friday following a
record-breaking lead from Wall Street, while a report that
troubled developer China Evergrande had paid interest on an
overdue bond a day before the deadline eased concerns over a
default, reports BSS.
Another round of positive earnings provided a further lift to
Wall Street with the S&P 500 hitting its first all-time high
since the start of September as traders grow optimistic that
companies are weathering a range of issues including surging
inflation, supply chain snarls and slowing economic growth.
Surging prices around the world and central banks' moves
to bring an end to their financial largesse have acted as a
major drag on markets for months owing to the prospect that
the era of cheap cash is coming to an end.
"The bout of investor nervousness has proven transitory,
even as inflationary signals persist," said Geir Lode, at
investment manager Federated Hermes.
"Equity markets are back on the rise as investors shrug off
their recent concerns, with major indices near all-time highs.
Earnings season is now underway in the US and while it is
early days, the initial flurry of earnings have been well
received.
"The supply squeeze combined with increased demand is
particularly challenging, but blue-chip companies that can
prove their ability to maintain profitability in an inflationary
environment are likely to be well rewarded."
With South Korea, Singapore and New Zealand among the
countries already lifting interest rates-and the Bank of
England expected to act soon-all eyes are on the Federal
Reserve, which has indicated it will begin winding back its
bond-buying programme by the year's end.
Observers widely expect it to announce a move next month,
but the key question is when it will lift borrowing costs. Some
have estimated as soon as mid-2022.
After a blockbuster start to the week, the Asian rally has
petered out in the past two days.
Abul Hashem Mahajan
gets boat symbol
nomination again
Taiyubur Rahman, Char
Fasson Correspondent
The list of nominated
candidates of Awami League
in Char Fasson upazila of
Bhola district has been
finalized on Friday. The
Local Government
Nomination Board, headed
by Prime Minister of the
Government of the People's
Republic of Bangladesh, has
selected the nominee for the
post of chairman in the Char
Kukri-Mukri Union
Parishad election.
Incumbent chairman Abul
Hashem Mahajan has been
re-nominated as the party's
nominee for the post of
chairman. In the third phase
of UP elections which is
scheduled to be held on
November 28, polling will be
held in 8 unions of Char
Fasson including different
upazilas of the country.
Salehur Rahman Sajeeb of Joypurhat has been selected as the best Rover
Scout of Rajshahi Division. He is a first year student of Joypurhat
Siddiquia Kamil Model Madrasa. Certificates and crests were handed over
to the best Rover Scout, Innovative and Performance Award recipients at
the 45th Annual Council Meeting at Rover Scout Training Center at
Bahadurpur in Gazipur on Saturday.
Photo: TBT
Green University organized a two-day long international conference titled
'Innovation and Transformation for Development' yesterday. Photo : Courtesy
GD-1555/21 (9x3)
Sunday, Dhaka: October 24, 2021; Kartik 8, 1428 BS; Rabi-ul Awal 16, 1443 Hijri
Bangladesh to formulate integrated energy-power
sector master plan with focus on 3E+S concept
In the red of the blue sky, Kashful is stirring the air. The picture is taken from Jamuna char area
of Bogura district. Photo : Star Mail
Cumilla attack cases to be tried
in speedy trial tribunals:Anisul
DHAKA : Law, Justice and
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul
Huq yesterday said trials of the cases
filed over the recent attacks on Durga
Puja mandaps in Cumilla will be held
in speedy trial tribunals.
"There is a section in speedy trial tribunals
to accept CCTV footages as evidence.
So, there is no bar to accept the
CCTV footages captured during the
incident as the evidence," he said.
The minister said this replying to a question
from a journalist after joining a welcoming
ceremony of the newly appointed
sub-registrars and view exchange meeting
at the Bangabandhu Int’l Conference
Centre in the city. After getting the
investigation reports from the police,
Anisul said, the cases will be sent to
speedy trial tribunals.
About appointment of judges in high
court, the minister said, "Appointment
of judges in high court is a regular
process and it will continue. We are
now thinking of formulating a policy
about judge appointment".
Regarding e-registration process of
land, Anisul said, "A pilot project is
now being implemented. We will get
reports of the project on October 31
this year. Depending on the reports,
we will launch the e-registration
process across the country".
Legislative and Parliamentary
Affairs Division Secretary Md Moinul
Kabir and Law and Justice Division
Secretary Md Golam Sarwar joined
the function as special guests with
Narayanganj District Registrar Md
Ziaul Haque in the chair.
'Need some rest now,' BGB
man says in suicide note
FENI : A Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB)
member allegedly killed himself with his
own gun on Friday night apparently having
failed to endure acute poverty.
"Too tired of fighting with poverty for
the past seven years; need some rest now,"
the BGB man said in his Facebook handle
barely an hour before taking his life.
Sohrab Hossain Chowdhury,23, hailing
from Parshuram upazila in Feni district,
killed himself at 39 BGB battalion camp in
Khagdahor area in Mymensingh, said
assistant director of the battalion Yunus
Ali on Saturday. Around 8:03 pm on
Friday, he posted the suicide note on social
media about his job dissatisfaction and
urged all to forgive him. Sohrab narrated
how "shamefully" he had to borrow
money from his uncle for his mother's
DHAKA : Air pollution still remains one
of the top most challenges for
Bangladesh-its capital has been ranked
as the second-most polluted city in the
world, reports UNB.
On Saturday, Dhaka occupied the second
position in the list of world cities
with the worst air quality. Dhaka's air
quality index (AQI) was recorded at 159
around 9.15am, which is considered 'unhealthy'.
The cities of Kolkata and Mumbai in
neighbouring India occupied the first
and third spots, respectively, with an
AQI of 193 and 158.
An AQI between 100 and 200 is considered
'unhealthy for sensitive groups'.
Similarly, an AQI between 201 and 300
is said to be 'poor', while a reading of 301
to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing
serious health risks to residents.
AQI, an index for reporting daily air
quality, is used by government agencies
to inform people how clean or polluted
the air of a certain city is, and
what associated health effects might
treatment last month as he could not
afford it with his small amount of salary.
"Didn't get any chance to do anything for
my physically- challenged younger brother,"
he wrote.
"Amid the situation, people ask me why
I'm not getting married. I never thought of
getting married; only wanted to live a
decent life somehow, but that has not been
possible." "I'm too tired after fighting with
mental pressure and poverty for the last
seven years. Now I need some rest," he wrote
adding, "I seek pardon from my family, seniors,
juniors and friends for this heinous act.
But I had no other alternative."
Bangladesh reports 70% more deaths
from suicide than Covid-19, according to a
recent study by Aachol Foundation published
on March 14, this year.
Dhaka is world's secondmost
polluted city
be a concern for them.
In Bangladesh, the overall AQI is
based on five criteria pollutants -
Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5),
NO2, CO, SO2, and Ozone (O3).
Dhaka has long been grappling with air
pollution issues. Generally, Dhaka's air
starts getting fresh when monsoon rains
begin in mid-June. The air remains mostly
acceptable from June to October.
Air pollution consistently ranks
among the top risk factors for death and
disability worldwide.
Breathing polluted air has long been
recognised as increasing a person's chances
of developing heart disease, chronic respiratory
diseases, lung infections and cancer,
according to several studies.
As per the World Health
Organization (WHO), air pollution
kills an estimated seven million people
worldwide every year, largely as a
result of increased mortality from
stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, lung cancer
and acute respiratory infections.
BNP is infected
with 'suspicion'
virus : Quader
DHAKA : Awami League General
Secretary and Road Transport and
Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on
Saturday said BNP is now infected
with 'suspicion' virus as the party casts
doubt on every matter.
He said this at a regular press conference
on contemporary issues at his
official residence here.
Quader said when all expressed satisfaction
over the arrest of Iqbal
Hossain, who kept the holy Quran at a
puja mandap in Cumilla, BNP secretary
general Mirza Fakhrul Islam
Alamgir is questioning where the
arrested youth was for so many days.
Actually it is BNP's habit to make
any success or achievement (of government)
controversial as the party is
infected with rare 'suspicion' virus.
Pointing to Fakhrul, the minister
said: "You can give information where
Iqbal was in the last several days."
He said a question and suspicion
came in the minds of the people
whether BNP's excessive reaction
over the issue is the party's strategy to
hide their own wrongdoing or not.
"The people know very well about
BNP's double standard. They ask the
thief to steal and house-owner to
remain alert," he said.
Mitu murder case
Arms supplier Bhola arrested in Jeshore
DHAKA : Responding to the suggestions
of energy experts, Bangladesh is finally
moving towards formulating an integrated
energy and power sector master
plan with a focus on the "3E+S" concept,
reports UNB.
"We'll pursue the "3E+S" concept of
ensuring "Energy Security," "Economic
Efficiency," and "Environment" while
focusing on "Safety," said the Japan
International Cooperation Agency
(JICA) in an official statement, adding,
"In view of the need for a long-term lowcarbon
energy policy, we will support the
formulation of the integrated energy and
power master plan."
According to official sources, Tokyobased
consulting firm Institute of
Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ), has
started work following an agreement the
Bangladesh government signed with
JICA on March 15 this year in this
regard.
Official sources said JICA will complete
the formulation of the integrated
energy and power master plan by
December 2022 under a completion
DHAKA : Foreign Minister Dr AK
Abdul Momen on Saturday said there
is shortage of vaccines in Bangladesh,
adding that the vaccination drive in
the country will go on as planned,
reports UNB.
"There is no shortage of vaccines in
Bangladesh. We are also ready to go
into vaccine production," he said
while speaking as the chief guest at an
award ceremony at the Sylhet District
Press Club auditorium. He also said
that Bangladesh has been highly successful
in 'Vaccine Diplomacy' under
the leadership of Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina and guidance of the
Covid-19 management committee.
"Till now, we are providing free jabs
to our citizens. This is a very rare feat
compared to other parts of the globe,"
the FM added.
The FM also spoke regarding the
CHATTOGRAM : Police on Saturday
arrested Ehteshamul Haque Bhola , who
allegedly supplied arms used in the killing
of former police superintendent Babul
Akter's wife Mahmuda Khanam Mitu,
from Benapole in Jeshore district, reports
UNB.
Santosh Chakma, the investigative officer
in the case and PBI Inspector
(Chattogram Metro Zone) said," Members
of Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI)
arrested him early Saturday while he was
fleeing to India." There is substantial evidence
that Bhola provided the firearms
and ammunition for killing Mitu.
He was earlier arrested and jailed for
several days.
However, the High Court in September
granted him four weeks' bail.
He recently applied for anticipatory bail
before the High Court after a re-arrest
warrant was issued against him, but the
HC ordered Bhola to surrender to a lower
court. But Bhola tried to flee the country
without surrendering to the lower court.
Tipped off, PBI conducted a drive and
contract of a timeframe of 30 months.
JICA has been funding the entire project
through its grant under a deal with
the Ministry of Power, Energy and
Mineral Resources (MPEMR).
It had provided financial and technical
support for formulating all the previous
power system master plans (PSMPs)
until 2016.
According to official sources at the
MPEMR, for decades, Bangladesh had
prepared two separate master plans-one
for the energy sector and another for
power sector-where there had been
many missing links and lack of coordination
resulting in imbalance between
the energy and power sector's growth.
"But for the first time, we're going to
formulate an integrated master plan
putting equal emphasis on development
of both the sectors in order to support
the current robust economic growth,"
said Mohammad Hossain, Director
General of Power Cell.
In the context of imbalanced growth in
power and energy sectors in the last one
and a half decades, the country's energy
No shortage of vaccines
in Bangladesh: FM
recent incidents of communal violence
in the country in an earlier program
at the office of Electronic Media
Journalists Association (EMJA) in
Sylhet.
Mentioning that there were provocations
behind the recent communal
violence in the country, the minister
said," A specific group is trying to
destabilise the country ahead of the
national election which is two years
from now."
"Bangladesh is 'number one' in the
world in religious harmony. People of
all religions are living in peace in this
country," he added.
Mentioning that there is no beef
between Bangladesh and India over
the recent act of violence, the FM
said," India (Indian government) is
very happy with the steps taken by us
on the issue of communal attacks."
arrested Bhola from Durgapur Bazar
Road in Benapole Bazar along the border.
On June 5, 2016, unidentified assailants
gunned down Babul's wife Mitu at the port
city's GEC intersection while she was
going to drop her son for a bus of
Chittagong Cantonment Public School
and College.
Soon after the crime, a murder case was
filed at Panchlaish Police Station against
three unidentified men, following a complaint
by Babul.
On May 12 this year, PBI submitted its
Election of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ)was held in festive mood on Saturday. Photo : TBT
experts have long been urging the government
to formulate an integrated plan
to bring coordination among the two.
In the last 12-13 years, the country's
power sector witnessed a robust growth
with increased power generation from
4,500 MW to 21,000 MW while growth
in the energy sector remained non-significant
as a new discovery was not made
for gas exploration nor low cost primary
fuel was ensured.
Officials said Bangladesh has to now
import a significant amount of primary
fuel-specially, liquid petroleum, liquefied
natural gas (LNG) and coal-to meet
the demand of the power and industry
sector.
Welcoming the move for an integrated
master plan, eminent energy expert Dr.
Tamim said this initiative will definitely
bring a positive impact on ensuring low
cost primary energy for affordable
power generation.
He said many power plants have to
face uncertainty in their operation
because of lack of primary fuel supply
guarantee.
BNP is infected
with 'suspicion'
virus : Quader
DHAKA : Awami League General
Secretary and Road Transport and
Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on
Saturday said BNP is now infected with
'suspicion' virus as the party casts doubt
on every matter.
He said this at a regular press conference
on contemporary issues at his official
residence here.
Quader said when all expressed satisfaction
over the arrest of Iqbal Hossain,
who kept the holy Quran at a puja mandap
in Cumilla, BNP secretary general
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is questioning
where the arrested youth was for
so many days.
Actually it is BNP's habit to make any
success or achievement (of government)
controversial as the party is infected
with rare 'suspicion' virus.
Pointing to Fakhrul, the minister said:
"You can give information where Iqbal
was in the last several days."
He said a question and suspicion came
in the minds of the people whether
BNP's excessive reaction over the issue
is the party's strategy to hide their own
wrongdoing or not.
"The people know very well about
BNP's double standard. They ask the
thief to steal and house-owner to remain
alert," he said.
Clean energy to
be imported from
neighbouring
countries:Nasrul
DHAKA : Steps will be taken to import
clean energy from the neighbouring
nations alongside the ongoing efforts to
increase the share of renewable energy in
the energy mix, said State Minister for
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources
Nasrul Hamid, reports UNB.
He revealed the plan while addressing a
presentation session of the Power Grid
Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) on the
country's power transmission plan at a city
hotel on Saturday. Nasrul said new
sources of renewable energies are coming
up to boost the energy mix against the
backdrop of global climate change.
Held with power secretary Habibur
Rahman in the chair, the function was also
addressed by Planning Commission member
Sharifa Khan. Additional secretary of the
power division Nurul Alam conducted the
event. Director of Power Grid Company India
Limited Abhay Chowdhury made a presentation
on the topic.
Nasrul mentioned that efforts are being
made to modernize and streamline the
transmission system of the country.
"The process of modernizing the transmission
and distribution systems is
underway. Various projects have been
taken to develop the distribution system,"
he added.
Nasrul said there must be an automatic
frequency control for all kinds of electricity
like renewable energy, coal-fired power,
nuclear power, oil and gas-fired power
plants to synchronize with the transmission
system.