By Pankaj Mishra To an Indian who grew up in the 1970s and ‘80s, the sights of Dhaka, Bangladesh, seem to belong to a past that Indian metropolises have mostly outgrown: exuberantly battered buses, unpainted buildings, pavement book vendors with…
Month: December 2013
Enclave children’s education, nobody’s concern!
“Enslaved kids at enclaves” a report published in a vernacular daily has drawn my attention. When free and compulsory primary education has been introduced for a long time, thousands of kids remaining deprived of primary education in the 33 enclaves…
The bald and the beautiful
Dr Sudhirendar Sharma
FBCCI for participatory polls
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) on Sunday called on the chiefs of the two major political parties to make sure that the upcoming national election is participated by all the parties and accepted by all…
Businesses seek security; urge violence stoppage
Top business leaders on Sunday sent out a strong message for two top leaders — Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia — and urged them to stop violence immediately giving space for smooth functioning of the country’s…
‘HIV treatment facilities poor’
People living with HIV are not happy with the government when it comes to treatment and detection of new cases. A representative of their network, Habiba Akhter, said five out of eight blood samples testing machines for HIV lay idle…
Fakhrul sued in case on Malibagh bus attack
Police have filed a case against senior BNP leaders including Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir over Saturday’s bus attack in the capital’s Malibagh which left one dead.
CPB, SPB against 2-party polarisation
Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and Socialist Party of Bangladesh (SPB) on Sunday called for people’s unity to get rid of political polarisation centering the two major parties and the alliances they are leading.
USAID for greater role in sustainable energy project
US Agency for International Development (USAID) in collaboration with the World Bank is likely to come up with a major role to provide cooperation in the country’s energy sector aimed at improving efficiency.
President urged to take initiative by JSD (Rob)
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Rob) on Sunday urged President Abdul Hamid to take an initiative to hold a national dialogue involving all political parties, professional bodies and civil society members to resolve the current political crisis.
Hi-powered committee formed to probe Standard Group attack
The government on Sunday formed a high-powered committee to investigate the recent arson attack at Standard Group, a leading apparel factory, in Gazipur.
BNP calls non-stop hartal in Comilla-9 seat from Monday
Local BNP on Sunday called a non-stop hartal in Comilla-9 constituency (Laksam and Monaharganj upazilas) from Monday demanding the tracing of two party leaders, allegedly picked up by law enforcers.
4 get death for IT engineer murder
Four people have been sentenced to death for killing a computer engineer in capital Dhaka’s Mohammadpur neighbourhood in 2011.
Avert disaster, UN’s HR chief asks both sides
Dhaka – Voicing deep concern over the rising scale of political violence in Bangladesh, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Sunday urged political leaders on both sides to stop their ‘destructive brinkmanship’.
2 TV journos on remand for ‘provoking bomb blast’
Dhaka – A Dhaka court on Sunday placed two journalists of a private television channel on a four-day remand in a case filed with Kamrangirchar Police Station for inciting blockaders to explode crude bombs.
BNP-backed lawyers ask Hasina: Take all except premiership
Dhaka – Lawyers loyal to BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami on Sunday said all the current political problems will be over if Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hands over the premiership to a BNP man or one chosen by its chairperson Khaleda Zia.
SQ Chodhury’s clounsel Fakhrul refused bail
A Dhaka court on Sunday refused bail to Barrister AKM Fakhrul Islam, a lawyer of convicted war criminal Salauddin Quader Chowdhury MP in a case filed for leaking out the draft verdict of International Crimes Tribunal-1in the case against the…
Magura election office attacked
The election office in Magura was attacked on Sunday, leaving at least five people, including four policemen, injured.
Khaleda has started ‘genocide’: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has accused Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia of starting a ‘genocide’, equating the recent deaths in Opposition-enforced strikes and blockades to mass murder.
Normal life in disarray as 2nd-day blockade passes off
Dhaka – The second day of the 72-hour rail-road-waterway blockade programme, sponsored by the BNP-led 18-party alliance, passed off on Sunday amid violence, disrupting the normal life and wreaking havoc on the economy and education across the country.
EU polls observers depends on political situation: Hanna
Dhaka – The European Union is yet to decide whether it will send polls observers to Bangladesh ahead of the 10th parliamentary elections slated for January 5 next.
Take steps for inclusive election: BNP
Issuing a warning that people will not accept one-sided polls, opposition BNP on Sunday called upon the Election Commission to take steps for holding a credible election with the participation of all parties.
Election schedule will not be changed: CEC
The schedule for the election will not be changed, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) has categorically stated amid the Opposition’s demand to suspend the roadmap.
Professors challenge previous notions of Renaissance
A team of researchers are leading a ground-breaking study, which challenges the notion of the Renaissance as an era dominated by secular thinking.
Swiss banks warned to cooperate with regulatory body
The head of Switzerland’s banking regulatory body has issued a last-minute plea for Swiss banks to participate in a United States programme to reveal undeclared assets from American clients. But a prominent lawyer says many may not sign up.
What’s the sound of a hundred thousand soccer fans?
Mention vuvuzela to soccer fans, and they may cringe.
US airlines to comply with China Defense Zone
The United States has advised American commercial airlines to notify Beijing of flight plans over China’s newly-declared air defense identification zone, although U.S. officials say the compliance does not indicate U.S. government acceptance of China’s requirements.
Ukraine protesters storm Kiev city council
Protesters in Ukraine have stormed the Kiev city council building, venting their anger over a government decision not to sign a deal on closer EU ties.
Thailand police fend off mass protests in Bangkok
Police in Thailand have fended off protesters who descended on key sites in Bangkok trying to unseat the government of Yingluck Shinawatra.
Elvis Presley record player to be auctioned in Cornwall
A record player that Elvis Presley gave to a German woman as a wedding present is expected to fetch up to £2,000 when it is auctioned.