Vol. 5 Num 982 Mon. March 05, 2007       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Metropolitan National International Culture Views Point-counterpoint Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page CA asks officials to restore admin's non-partisan image Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday asked the government officials to discharge their duties neutrally to restore the non-partisan image of the administration.   Graft cry gets stronger Fresh questions are being raised about the controversial Gulistan-Jatrabari flyover as allegations are levelled that the cost of the project was inflated by Tk 200 crore through document manipulation.   Judge Faizee skips office Controversial High Court (HC) Judge Faisal Mahmud Faizee did not attend his court yesterday, a day after the Chittagong University (CU) syndicate cancelled his LLB certificate.   Voguish cars turn thorny Luxurious cars were a symbol of high status for many former ministers and lawmakers of BNP even a few months ago.   Road to election to be lit in 2-3 weeks The Election Commission (EC) has plans to introduce voter identification cards for the next parliamentary election while the chief election commissioner (CEC) yesterday said the commission's roadmap for   VoIP licence for all operators A high-powered government committee on legalising voice over internet protocol (VoIP) yesterday recommended allowing VoIP licence to all operators, including the providers of mobile, land phone and internet   Ex-AL lawmaker held in Magura Joint forces yesterday arrested a former Awami League lawmaker in Magura, recovered over 200 pieces of corrugated iron (CI) sheets for state relief from different parts of the country and 1,700 litres   Gas pipe blast snaps supply at Posta The supply of gas and electricity was suspended for eight hours at Posta in Lalbagh and its surrounding areas in the capital yesterday following an explosion at a cracked gas pipe that spread panic among   3 ex-MPs, Babar's APS asked to report wealth Three former lawmakers and an assistant personal secretary (APS) and two close relatives of former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar yesterday received notices from the Anti-corruption Commission   Six Indian militants held Police confirmed the identities of the six Indian citizens, arrested at Nalitabari border in Sherpur on Thursday, as members of Indian militant organisation National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB)   ACC to start filing cases in a day or two The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is preparing to file cases in a day or two against the corrupt Suspects who were earlier asked to submit their wealth statements.   Ctg port discards stevedoring system To accelerate the container handling at Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT), the port authorities have brought the loading and unloading activities of cargo from ships under an integrated operation, dissolving   Probe focused on 3 criminal groups Law enforcers yesterday claimed significant progress in tracking down the killers of two Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) personnel in Aminbazar but declined to disclose any detail for the sake of investigation.   Probe fails to find cause of BSEC fire The industries ministry probe into the BSEC Bhaban blaze has failed to find out the cause of the devastating fire that left four people dead and at least 36 others injured at the city's Karwan Bazar on   Hasina renews early polls call Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina again urged the caretaker government to initiate electoral process without further delay after updating the voter list as per the High Court directives.   Hasina retreats from June poll demand on leaders' heat Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina last night retreated from her earlier demand for the next parliamentary election by June, in the face of strong opposition from party leaders.   Anti-mosquito campaign   Cases being filed against held politicians Detained former communications minister Barrister Nazmul Huda was shown arrested yesterday in the criminal case filed for using a fake registration number for his sport utility vehicle (SUV).   Bibiyana goes into trial run today The US oil company Chevron starts trial gas production at the much talked about Bibiyana Gas Field of block 12 in the country today. The formal inauguration of the gas filed is scheduled for March8.   3 cops held for taking bribe, pocketing money Police yesterday arrested a sub-inspector (SI) of Uttara Police Station in connection with demanding bribe from a woman, and a probationary sub-inspector (PSI) and an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) ofPaltan   Govt to start regular test of formalin in fish The government will start regularly testing fishes at markets, even in rural markets, to see if they have formalin in them.   Big guns warm up today Hosts West Indies, England, South Africa and Sri Lanka will fire the opening shots in their World Cup campaigns today at the start of series of warm-up matches.   CMC asked to resume operation Energy Adviser Tapan Chowdhury yesterday requested the Chinese company CMC to resume its operation at Barapukuria coal mine from next week.   Ex-BNP MP sent to jail in murder case BNP leader and former lawmaker Abdul Gafur Bhuiyan was sent to jail yesterday when he appeared before a court for seeking bail in a Shibir leader killing case.   UNO held for bribery Upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Hatibandha and his office assistant were arrested yesterday from their office on charge of bribery and irregularities.   BB asks banks not to hamper business while freezing accounts Bangladesh Bank has asked the commercial banks not to hamper normal business operations of enterprises while implementing the National Board of Revenue (NBR) directive to attach accounts of the suspected   Hawa Bhaban notice, our reply Hawa Bhaban has sent a legal notice to The Daily Star following a news item headlined ''Hawa Bhaban man Tinku arrested'' published on January 25, 2007.   HC issues suo moto rule against confinement of children to jail The High Court yesterday issued a suo moto rule upon the government to explain why action would not be taken for confining children, both convicts and under-trial ones, in jails defying its earlier orders.   Mobile court on its duty...   US troops kill 16 Afghan civilians after blast US troops killed up to 16 civilians and wounded more than 30 when they opened fire after a suicide car bomb struck a military vehicle in eastern Afghanistan yesterday, officials said. Business BB issues guideline on merger of banks, financial instts Bangladesh Bank in a bid to strengthen the banking sector issued a guideline yesterday by which merger of small and problem banks and financial institutions with strong ones are now allowed.   21 Bangladesh missions miss export targets A total of 21 out of 44 Bangladesh missions abroad failed to achieve their respective export targets for the July-December period this fiscal (2006-07).   World markets focus on imbalances Fear was back on global stock markets last week as investors worried about the financial and trade imbalances that have built up during years of strong growth for the world economy.   Bangladesh ranks 120th Bangladesh has ranked 120th on the World Economic Forum's (WEF) maiden Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2007.   China's real estate attracts more foreign investment Morgan Stanley has recently purchased a 24,000-square-meter land in Luwan District of downtown Shanghai for a high-rise office building project worth 1.3 billion yuan (166.   India ready to take more steps to curb inflation Finance minister says Finance Minister P Chidambaram expects interest rates to moderate once the current inflation level declines and made it clear Saturday that the government was ready to take further fiscal, monetary and   Thai economy slows on sagging exports Thailand's economic growth could slow to its worst rate in five years as investor confidence sags and exports are hit by a strong baht, analysts say.   Proton-VW talks hit bumpy road Talks between troubled Malaysian carmaker Proton and German giant Volkswagen AG that began last year have hit a bumpy patch, a report said Sunday.   Navana launches Toyota Avanza Navana Ltd yesterday formally launched Toyota's Avanza, a 7-seat multi purpose vehicle, in local market, says a press release.   US economy suddenly appears vulnerable The US economic expansion suddenly seems more fragile than thought just weeks earlier, after a sharp downward revision to the past quarter's growth and renewed fears about the slump in real estate.   Russia's federal budget revenue may fall in '07 Russia's federal budget incomes this year will go down by 170 billion rubles (6.5 bln US dollars) due to falling crude oil prices and a reduction in the GDP, Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin told the Cabinet.   Industry being revitalised in Iraq Industry is being revitalised in Iraq, despite the raging violence, and creating lucrative openings for entrepreneurs brave enough to do do business here, a top US official insists.   $3b US investment in Philippines planned US investors are planning to invest up to three billion dollars in the Philippines this year as the economy continues to strengthen, media reports said Sunday.   Lanka's first internet firm halts services Sri Lanka's first Internet service provider, Lanka Internet Services Ltd., has halted services leaving thousands of customers offline, a news report said Sunday.   Currency Sports Cricket: Tushar stands up National discard Tushar Imran once again reminded the selectors that he was in good touch as the Bangladesh A team skipper alone stood tall with an unbeaten hundred to lead his team into a draw in the   Cricket: A split for good In a perfect world, there would be a very different Zimbabwe team at the World Cup.   Cricket: McGrath wants new ball Australia paceman Glenn McGrath has urged captain Ricky Ponting to hand him the new ball as the retiring bowling great strives to taste World Cup glory for the last time, reports said here Sunday.   Cricket: 'Hunters, not hunted' World champions Australia say they will approach the ninth World Cup starting in the West Indies this month as the hunters rather than the prey after losing their number one ranking to South Africa.   Cricket: Chappells for fewer runs The 500-run barrier could well be broken in the forthcoming World Cup, if you listen to two of cricket's greatest thinkers of recent times.   Cricket: Form a neutral BCB: directors Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) 'directors' urged the sports adviser to the caretaker government to form an interim committee to clean up the cricket board.   Cricket: Saju brings Ctg back Khulna batsman Imrul Kayes slammed a rapid 85 but Saju Dutta had the last laugh taking four wickets in the first day of the ninth round matches of Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 8th National Cricket League at   Chess: Zia wins, Niaz loses Grand Master Ziaur Rahman won his eighth round board against local International Master Saptarshi Roy in the Kolkata Open Grand Master Chess tournament at the Gorky Sadan yesterday.   Cricket: Faisal takes six-for Faisal took six wickets while three batsmen missed sure-shot centuries in another action-packed day of the Standard Chartered National School Cricket Championship in the city yesterday.   Cricket: Howard has no doubts Tony Howard, the West Indies manager, has spoken boldly of his side's chances in the World Cup ahead of their warm-up match against Kenya on Monday.   Football: Sevilla depose Barca Ten-man Sevilla fought back from a goal down to beat Barcelona 2-1 at home and move to the top of the Primera Liga in an explosive encounter on Saturday.   Cricket: 1996: Dogged by controversy Quite easily the most controversial World Cup ever to take place, the sixth edition of the tournament was co-hosted for the first time by three countries India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the latter coming   Cricket: Bring back '96: Harper Hosts West Indies face Kenya here on Monday in a World Cup warm-up still haunted by their stunning 73-run defeat to the African minnows during the 1996 tournament.   Football: Lineker calls for Beckham Former England striker Gary Lineker has called for David Beckham to return to the international fold on a short-term basis ahead of the crunch Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel on March 24.   Football: Chelsea keep up chase Didier Drogba rifled in his 29th goal of the season to keep Chelsea's hopes of retaining the Premiership trophy alive and at least dampen Manchester United's premature title celebrations.   Football: Rooney unlikely for Lille England striker Wayne Rooney could be in doubt for Manchester United's Champions League last 16 second leg clash with Lille at Old Trafford on Wednesday after injuring his knee, United manager Sir Alex   Cricket: 'No need of stars' Pakistan shrugged off the absences of strike bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif when they arrived for the World Cup.   Football: Adriano a fitness doubt Brazilian striker Adriano is racing against the clock to be fit in time for Tuesday's crucial Champions league last 16 tie away to Valencia.   Cricket: Roy ready to test arm Andrew Symonds is set for his first net session since injuring his right biceps but Ricky Ponting said the allrounder was still three to four weeks away from being 100 per cent fit.   Football: Del Horno makes debut Spain fullback Asier del Horno made his debut in Valencia's 1-0 home win over Celta Vigo on Saturday, eight months after moving from Chelsea. He played the full 90 minutes in the Mestalla.   Cricket: Dilip under fire The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken strong exception to a remark by Dilip Vengsarkar, the chairman of selectors, regarding Virender Sehwag's inclusion in India's World Cup squad.   Cricket: 'Picking me would be stupid' Darren Gough, England's leading one-day wicket-taker, accepts his international career has probably come to an end.   Cricket: Lewis boost for England Pace bowler Jon Lewis was fit enough to bowl several overs on Saturday in England's first practice session in the West Indies ahead of the World Cup.   Cricket: An open tourney: Moody Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody believes the 2007 World Cup will be the most open yet. "This World Cup is really open.   Local Snippets Bengal Wares, a plastic manufacturing industry, has become sports gear sponsors of the metropolis club Sheikh Russel KC for the ongoing B League.   Football: Normalcy restored Inter Milan tightened their grip on the Serie A title after they won 2-1 at Livorno and second-placed Roma only managed a 1-1 draw at bottom club Ascoli.   Football: Wenger wants sharp Gunners Arsene Wenger has warned Arsenal they must rediscover their ruthless streak if they want to preserve their dreams of Champions League glory after a nervy 2-1 win over Reading.   Football: United face test of depth Manchester United's strength in depth is set to be tested for the first time this season in the wake of a last-gasp win over Liverpool that has significantly shortened the odds on Sir Alex Ferguson'sside   Football: Mourinho warns against slip-ups Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has warned his players they cannot afford to drop any more points if they are to stop Manchester United wrestling the Premiership title from their grasp.   Football: Title race thrown open The German title race is back on after Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich both won Saturday and Stuttgart lost, leaving just six points separating the top four clubs.   Football: Taddei fit for Roma Roma's Brazilian midfielder Rodrigo Taddei is expected to be fit for Tuesday's crucial Champions League last 16, second leg away to Lyon, despite missing the last two league games through illness andinjury.   Football: Pardew targets great escape Charlton manager Alan Pardew insisted his side's point at fellow strugglers Watford "felt like a win" even though it meant they fell further behind in the scramble for Premiership survival. Metropolitan Fair to create awareness about gender issue begins tomorrow A Gender and Development Communication Fair, first of its kind in the country, will begin in the city tomorrow.   Rajshahi sweepers lack least civic amenities The sweeper community of Rajshahi are leading a substandard and inhuman life without the least civic amenities.   Notice to evict Sgt Zahurul Haque's ancestral home Noakhali district administration has issued a notice of eviction terming the ancestral home of Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque as illegal structure.   Set up deep sea port in Ctg to boost economy Economists and civil society members at a discussion yesterday demanded that the government pay special attention for development of Chittagong, especially its port and set up a deep sea port, sayingthis   JMB militant handed 40yrs behind bars A Chittagong court yesterday sentenced a cadre of the outlawed militant group Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) to 40 years imprisonment.   Form election caretaking council to assist EC Bangladesh Manobadhikar Samannaya Parishad (BMSP) yesterday proposed to form an Election Caretaking Council (ECC) which will assist the Election Commission (EC) in carrying out its election-related activities   Mushroom growth of substandard coaching centres in Rajshahi The students of secondary and higher secondary levels are increasingly being dependent on the substandard coaching centres in the city and other parts of the district due to lack of proper classroom teaching.   Desco to supply electricity to Tongi The Dhaka Electric Supply Authority (Desa) yesterday handed over the electric supply authority of Tongi area to the Dhaka Electric Supply Company Ltd (Desco).   Janakantha editor held by mistake Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) yesterday detained mistakenly the Janakantha Editor Atiqullah Khan Masud from Bangla Motor in the capital and released him after a while.   Shameem Osman's associate dies in custody A close associate of Awami League (AL) leader Shameem Osman died in custody yesterday evening.   Six PBCP cadres arrested Police arrested six cadres of Purba Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) from Bagmara upazila early yesterday.   2-day music festival begins in city today A two-day musical festival will begin today under the auspices of Sangskritik Kendra, a centre for education, creative and performing arts, in cooperation with Unesco.   College Physicians, Surgeons executives Dr Md Abdul Mobin Khan, Dr Quazi Deen Mohammad and Dr MA Majid have been unanimously elected president, senior vice-president and vice-president of the executive committee of the Bangladesh College of   Mobile court fines three A mobile court yesterday fined three people Tk 1.5 lakh each for storing date-expired powered milk, marketing ghee without BSTI approval and producing fake edible oil.   Obituary Ershadur Rahman, a former zonal chairman of Lions Club 315/B and former director of Comilla Cooperatives Bank, passed away due to a massive heart attack at Comilla Medical Centre on Saturday at the age   Mir Mobarak Hossain Mir Mobarak Hossain, former official of Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board (BTTB), passed away due to kidney disease on Saturday at the age of 73, says a press release.   Govt plans 5-yr Hajj policy The government is formulating a five-year Hajj policy this time instead of yearly basis, Adviser for Religious Affairs Major General (Retd) Dr ASM Matiur Rahman said yesterday.   Valuables worth Tk 1 crore gutted Cotton, yarn and machinery worth of Tk about one crore were gutted by fire in Shohagpur Textile Mill at Lakhon Khola under Bandar upazila in the early hours of yesterday.   Supreme Court Ainjibi Samity polls Mar 28-29 Election of the Supreme Court Ainjibi Samity for the year 2007-08 will be held on March 28 and 29.   Appointment of Gen Mashhud as ACC chief hailed Bangladesh Muslim League (BML) leaders in a statement yesterday congratulated Lt. General (Retd) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury for his appointment as the chairman of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).   DU English Deptt Alumni reunion on Mar 9 The English Department Alumni Society of Dhaka University will hold its Annual Alumni Reunion on March 9 from 3:00pm to 8:00pm at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban (adjacent to Administrative National Ponds, canals in Sylhet city disappearing fast Once known for ponds and canals, Sylhet city is now virtually bereft of water bodies. Most of those have been occupied illegally or filled up.   Where teachers hire proxies to take their classes! Students' dropout rate at government and non-government primary schools in Rangpur Sadar union is now between 37 and 40 per cent.   Teachers give VC 72-hr deadline to step down Students of Maolana Bhasani University of Science and Technology (MBUST) continued agitation yesterday on the campus to press their 16-point demand including removal of Vice-chancellor Dr Mohammad Khalilur   Mouth-watering plums are money-spinners too The idea was not liked by any of his relatives and neighbours. But within two years, it opened up the door to fortune for once unemployed Abdus Salam Ranju.   No move in 37 days to restore road link Road communication between Sirajganj and Tarash upazila is disrupted for over a month half as the Deobhog bailey bridge on the lone connecting road collapsed.   Drilling of 6th gas well starts in Kailashtila Sylhet Gas Field Limited (SGFL) has started drilling of a new gas well its Kailashtila gas field in Golapganj upazila. It will take three to four months to complete the drilling, said an official.   Folklore collector Sidur dies Renowned folklore collector Mohammad Sidur died yesterday at his residence at Binnagon of Kishoreganj Sadar upazila. He was 67. He left behind his wife and three sons.   Int'l trade fair opens in Barisal today An international trade fair, organised by Barisal Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI), begins at BIWTA marine workshop ground here today. Preparation for opening of the fair is almost complete. Point-Counterpoint Never again The great Government we loved has too often been made use of for private and selfish purposes, and those who used it had forgotten the people...   But who will give the nation economic democracy? The country is on its way to a better system of political democracy, thanks to the intervention by the armed forces and determined cleaning up operations by the CTG, along with the strengthening of some Culture National Theatre Festival '07 begins Two theatre performances-- Raarang, an Aranyak Natya Dal production and Samayer Proyojone, a Theatre Art Unit production -- will be staged on the opening day of the National Theatre Festival   An evening of music by Habib Zonta Club IV organised a concert, featuring popular artiste Habib, at Bashundhara Convention Centre on March 3.   A cultural fiesta A seven-day-long drama festival, titled Natya Utsab 2007, organised by Jahangirnagar Theatre (JT), began on March 3 at the campus.   Star Cineplex's second anniversary and award giving ceremony An award giving ceremony for the best movies, directors and actors was organised by Star Cineplex (SC) at Bashudhara City, Dhaka on March 3.   Solo musical evening at National Museum Cultural organisation Surodhuni held a solo musical soiree featuring Monir Chowdhury at National Museum auditorium recently, says a press release. International Key powers fail to settle differences on Iran Major powers failed on Saturday to settle all their differences over a second UN sanctions resolution against Iran for its nuclear work but remain committed to passing one soon, the United States said.   Iran rejects US talks at Iraq conference Iran yesterday said it was still considering whether to take part in a conference next month on Iraq's security and had no intention of holding bilateral talks with the United States at the meeting.   Tigers accuse troops of killing 6 civilians Tamil Tiger rebels Sunday accused Sri Lankan forces of killing at least six civilians in the embattled northeast as police investigated the execution-style murders of five men near the capital.   Indian dam threatens tribes, tigers & temples For the government, the Polavaram dam in southern India will produce more power, irrigate thousands of acres of land, provide drinking water to millions of villagers and control floods.   Iraq terror group posts killing tape An al-Qaeda-affiliated group said Saturday it killed 18 kidnapped government security forces in retaliation for the alleged rape of a Sunni woman by members of the Shia-dominated police, posting an online   Kuwaiti cabinet resigns ahead of no-confidence vote The Kuwaiti cabinet, in office for barely eight months, resigned yesterday ahead of a no-confidence vote against a senior minister, the latest political crisis in the oil-rich emirate.   Maliki offers olive branch to Iraqi insurgents Shia Prime Minister Nuri al -Maliki yesterday offered an olive branch to Iraqi insurgents waging war against his government and said he would announce a long-awaited cabinet reshuffle within two weeks.   'US probe uncovers terror financing by Arab Bank' US investigators have uncovered evidence that Arab Bank, one of the largest in the Middle East, has channelled tens of millions of dollars from wealthy Saudi Arabians to Palestinian groups that finance   China to increase military spending China will boost military spending by 17.   Stargazers watch total lunar eclipse The moon darkened, reddened, and turned shades of gray and orange Saturday night during the first total lunar eclipse in nearly three years, thrilling stargazers and astronomers around the world.   Hamas picks 9 to form new Palestinian govt Hamas presented Palestinian prime minister-designate Ismail Haniya on Saturday with the names of the nine people the Islamist movement proposes as its ministers in the new national unity government being   Saudi, Iran agree to contain Shia-Sunni strife The leaders of regional heavyweights Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed at talks in Riyadh to fight growing Sunni-Shia strife, warning that it was the greatest danger facing the region.   Obama, Hillary converge at civil rights event Democratic rivals Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, along with former President Bill Clinton, take their high-voltage fight for the White House to a hallowed symbol of the US civil rights movement   Indians celebrate Holi festival Millions of Indians celebrated the Hindu festival of Holi yesterday by spraying coloured powder and water over each other amid police warnings about drunken behaviour.   Bird flu victim dies in Laos A 42-year-old Laos woman believed to have contracted the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus died in hospital in the capital Vientiane yesterday, the World Health Organisation said.   South Asia Energy Dialogue in New Delhi today South Asia Energy Dialogue, focused on development of the sector in the Saarc countries, will be held in New Delhi today to recommend measures for tapping vast energy resources in the region.   Pakistanis arrest 5 suspects as 'Taliban gloomy' Pakistani police arrested five suspected Afghan militants in a raid in the south-western city of Quetta, as a Pakistani newspaper said yesterday the Taliban had conceded the arrest last week of one of   London unit of Nagarik Shakti holds 1st meeting London unit of Nagarik Shakti (NS) organised its first meeting here on Saturday at a newspaper office. Convener of the NS unit Matiar Rahman presided over the meeting.   Abe sticks to Japan's apology Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will stick to Japan's apology over its military's use of Asian women as sex slaves for frontline troops during World War II, his aide said yesterday. Editorial Editorial: Tampered mark sheet tainted image The decision of Chitttagong University Syndicate to cancel the certificate of 2,350 graduates, of which 70 are LLB candidates including Faisal Mahmud Faizee, a judge of the high court, appointed by the   Editorial: We mourn the deaths Gruesome murder of two Rab men, Deputy Assistant Director Humayun Kabir and constable Phool Mia, both intelligence operatives in plainclothes, has shocked and exasperated us beyond measure.   Tale of tenders and scrap politicians Tendering is a fascinating thing in Golden Bengal. Tenders do magic in this country. Politics here evolves around tenders. People get killed for tenders.   The 2.5% rate of growth The BJP is in serious danger of declaring victory in the quarterfinals.   State of our politics: Views of the young generation I am a 26-year-old Bangladeshi living and working in the UK. As with other members of our young generation, the current state of our politics has had a major impact on me. Letters to Editor Stop President Bush President Bush has lied to our nation, waging a catastrophic war in Iraq that has only brought tears and pain amongst those he claimed to safeguard against the tyranny and madness of (now murdered) Saddam   Ban campus politics This caretaker government has taken the initiative to reform many sectors of our country. I think they are still ignoring a sensitive area which is politics in educational institutions.   A fresh beginning Bangladesh is a country with the potential to become one of the leading economic players in the South Asian region.   An appeal to chief adviser Dr. Fakhruddin must be passing a busier time than any time throughout his dazzling professional career. Besides, he is holding the most august responsibility that someone can think of in life.   Wasa bills I, being a domestic consumer of Dhaka Wasa living in Mirpur area, would like to draw the attention of the Wasa authorities in particular and the readers in general to the following few lines.   Telecommunication Bangladeshis live abroad for their own livelihood, but at the same time they earn a huge amount of foreign currency, which ultimately contributes to our economy.   Interesting developments When the two antagonistic parties are singing the chorus together, it is meant to be the wave of a panic-stricken tremor passing through the spine to the nerve centre.   Power issue Hasnat Khan's write up on the subject (DS:28Feb) is timely. It is not only a short-term, but a permanent solution towards power curtailment.   Failed politicians Please accept that you all have failed to deliver your services to the nation and citizens.   Nation's achievement In the online edition of a Bengali daily on 22 February 2007, one writing, under the column: "Opinion", caught my attention. The name of the writer of that column was not mentioned there.   Well done, but... It is really refreshing for us, the people of Bangladesh, to see a government actively working and taking steps against corruption and dishonesty that has plagued our beloved nation for the last few decades.   The nation is with the govt You have come to rescue the nation at a critical juncture . While the rest of the developing world moved at light speed towards development, Bangladesh just crawled during the last 35 years.   Dr. Yunus I am in favor of a third force. But it is really too hard to create a third force in Bangladeshi politics.   BGMEA We are pampering BGMEA, the rich milking cow. It should improve PR & self-image.   Continue the rescue operation Considering the prevailing situation, we want to say that the country needs cooperation from all sections of society to fulfill the present government's missions.   World Cup prospects Can we do anything in the upcoming cricket World Cup? Are we really up to that level of competing against the better teams? These are the questions that we ask today because our team still needs goodand   The govt needs time I think we should not forget under what circumstances the present caretaker government has come to power. Star City City high-rises ignore emergency escapes Almost all general and high-rise buildings in the capital lack the basic inbuilt safety provisions such as fire escapes, experts said following the devastating fire incident at the BSEC building in Dhaka   Right buses on wrong routes Hundreds of buses are operating in the city violating route permits with the authorities turning a blind eye to this illegal practice.   PWD's plan for Public Park buried under files Public Works Department's (PWD) initiative to convert the western part of Dhanmondi Eidgah on Satmasjid Road into a public park remains buried under piles of files.   Inactive laws fail to save environment, say speakers Due to a lack of proper action by the government departments concerned, the environmental laws remain inactive in Bangladesh.   © thedailystar.net, 2007. All Rights Reserved.