Vol. 5 Num 1097 Mon. July 02, 2007       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Metropolitan National International Culture General 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 Parties unwilling to sit with EC with ban on politics The Election Commission's (EC) initiative to hold dialogue with the political parties on proposed electoral reforms has apparently failed due to the parties' unwillingness to sit in such dialogue amid   Reformists dare Khaleda to council meet Accepting what many consider a veiled challenge from BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, the pro-reform leaders yesterday said they too want the reform proposals to be passed at the party council.   B Chy-led LDP jumps on reform bandwagon Following the examples of BNP, Awami League and Jatiya Party, Prof AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury led Liberal Democratic Party (LDP--Badruddoza) also announced a draft proposal yesterday for reforming the party,   Safeguard tax on imports taken off The government has withdrawn the provision for imposing safeguard tax on import of products, which was proposed in the current budget to protect local industries in line with the World Trade Organisation   Charges pressed against Harris Chy for keeping foreign currencies illegally Gulshan police yesterday pressed charges against Harris Chowdhury, political secretary to former prime minister Khaleda Zia, in connection with a case filed for possessing huge local and foreign currencies   Taskforce probe into Rajuk uncovers hive of corruption The taskforce, which is investigating corruption and irregularities in Rajdhani Unnayan Katripakkha (Rajuk), have primarily found that among all the housing companies that are currently engaged in business   Britain on 'critical' terror alert level Three terrorist suspects were in police custody yesterday and a fourth man was under guard in a hospital after a flaming jeep crashed into a Scottish airport and two car bomb plots were foiled in central   University for armed forces on cards A university is going to be set up at the Dhaka Cantonment to properly run the educational institutes of the Army, Navy and Air Force and facilitate professional degrees to the armed forces personnel.   86th founding anniversary...   DCC's FY08 budget announced with no new taxes The Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) yesterday announced a Tk 1401.88 crore budget for the 2007-08 fiscal year without imposing any new tax on the city dwellers. The DCC set a Tk 478.   Govt may allow indoor politics on limited scale Law and Information Adviser Mainul Hosein yesterday said the government is contemplating allowing indoor politics on a limited scale.   ACC team quizzes Tarique's wife, mother-in-law A four-member team of the anti-graft national taskforce yesterday questioned Tarique Rahman's wife and mother-in-law about his wealth statement to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).   SQ Chy in CCU Detained BNP leader and former lawmaker, Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, was moved to the coronary care unit (CCU) of Ibrahim Memorial Cardiac Hospital from a deluxe cabin there yesterday after he had suffered   A nuisance matter...   Kuwait may regularise Bangladeshi illegal workers Kuwait is likely to regularise the irregular Bangladeshi workers following persuasion by the Bangladesh government and various industries in Kuwait, especially the construction sector.   Yunus among 30 greatest entrepreneurs Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus has been named as one of the 30 greatest business entrepreneurs of all time by the BusinessWeek magazine of the US, for his contribution to economy and market.   Shops might be allowed to remain open till 8pm Shop owners may be allowed to keep their stores open until 8:00pm instead of the present 7:00pm cut-off time fixed earlier by the government as a power-saving measure.   ACC's chief prosecutor Mahbub quits Chief Prosecutor to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Advocate Mahbubur Rahman yesterday resigned from his post following media reports that portrayed him as a 'corrupt person'.   8 held with 5kg heroin Narcotics department officials arrested eight drug traders including four females and seized 5 kg heroin worth Tk 5 crore from a residence at Wari in the capital on Saturday night.   Danish detective in Bandarban A detective official from Denmark arrived in Bandarban yesterday to investigate the abduction of Hossain Shahid Sumon, project officer of Danida (Danish International Development Agency).   Unscrupulous people...   Binat Bibir Masjid...   Forest boss Gani, DCF Kabir on remand Osman Gani, the detained chief conservator of forests, was placed on a fresh remand for four days while Dhaka division conservator of forests (DCF) Ali Kabir Haider was placed on a seven-day fresh remand.   Birdem doctors' strike postponed for a month In-patient department doctors at Birdem Hospital put off the strike until July 31 yesterday following an assurance of meeting their demands by the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh.   ACC sues ex-Jamaat MP Shahjahan Chy The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday filed a case with Bandar Police Station against former Jamaat MP Shahjahan Chowdhury, a fugitive, accusing him of concealing wealth of Tk 50.   4 hurt in mortar shell blast in Sylhet Four people of a family sustained injuries as a mortar shell blasted at a bordering village in Zakiganj upazila yesterday afternoon.   Ex-AL minister Talukder Khaleque freed on bail Former state minister Talukder Abdul Khaleque and seven others were released from prison after a Khulna court yesterday granted them bail.   Redwan sued again for extortion Separate extortion cases were filed yesterday against former state minister and LDP leader Redwan Ahmed, and former BNP lawmakers Joynal Abedin Faruq of Noakhali and Dewan Mohammad Salahuddin of Savar.   Relief seized...   Iran rules out nuke freeze Iran yesterday again ruled out a freeze to its uranium enrichment programme, despite the threat of tougher UN sanctions over its defiance.   Thousands of Thais protest against coup More than 10,000 anti-coup protesters, organised by allies of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, marched through central Bangkok on Sunday to demand that the junta step down, police said.   Ulfa offers talks, but strings attached One of the main rebel groups fighting central government rule in northeastern India said Sunday it was ready for new peace talks with New Delhi but stuck by its demand for independence. Business 2 customs houses start functioning in Ctg Newly created Customs House (import) and Customs House (export), which came into being after the split of Customs House, Chittagong, started functioning yesterday to bring dynamism in customs activities.   Investments in EPZs rise 46pc in Jul-Feb Investment in eight export processing zones (EPZs) in the country rose 46 percent in the first eight months of the 2006-07 fiscal, compared to the same period of the previous fiscal.   Southeast Asia's rail link with Europe soon Within the next few years, travelers from India will have the option of going to places like Singapore, Bangkok, Yangon, Tehran and even cities in Turkey by train, giving airlines a run for their money.   Banks asked to up capacity to check financial crimes Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed yesterday called upon banks to strengthen their supervision, monitoring and investigation capacities to check financial crimes.   EU energy market opens to competition The entire EU energy market was thrown open to competition on Sunday, allowing consumers to choose their gas and electricity suppliers and spelling an end for monopolistic state-run utilities.   Kurds woo investors as Iraq knocks at the door Northern Iraq's relatively stable Kurdish region is trying to attract oil prospectors and investors instead of insurgents in an ambitious bid to rival commercial hotspots like Dubai.   35 districts now under Warid net Warid Telecom has brought seven more districts under its network coverage, making its footprints in 35 districts in just 50 days of its commercial launch, says a press release.   IFC, Brac to fight avian flu IFC Advisory Services for South Asia -- the SouthAsia Enterprise Development Facility -- and Brac have agreed to work together to address the threat of avian influenza contamination at poultry farms and   Swiss watch makers to face new tougher regulations Swiss watchmakers have agreed to new regulations making it more difficult for timepieces to receive the Swiss Made label, the official Swissinfo website reported on Friday.   Square Toiletries's sales promotion programme launched Square Toiletries Limited (STL) yesterday formally launched a new programme to directly know the needs of customers about its products.   New chairman of Central Ins Md Nurun Newaz Selim has been elected chairman of Central Insurance Company Ltd at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the company held in Dhaka recently, says a press release.   Singer signs CSR deal Singer Bangladesh Limited as part of its commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) signed an agreement with Fareea Lara Foundation yesterday, says a press release.   Chavez fires back in feud with Brazil President Hugo Chavez said Saturday he might withdraw Venezuela's application for full membership in the Mercosur trade bloc, his press office said, after a tiff with Brazilian lawmakers.   US, South Korea sign landmark free trade pact The United States and South Korea signed Saturday a landmark free trade agreement, the biggest such deal for Washington in nearly 15 years, but the US Congress has indicated it may not approve the pact.   Iran foreign currency assets rise 30pc Iran's foreign currency reserves held in foreign banks have risen by 30 percent to total the equivalent of 558,000 billion rials (61.   Fiat to breathe new life into China venture Italy's Fiat and China's Nanjing Auto plan to breathe new life into a troubled joint venture, Nanjing Fiat, with an extra three billion yuan (390 million dollars) investment, state media said Sunday.   Correction The para starting with export and expatriate remittance in the write-up `State of the economy and accountable development' published on this page yesterday, contains a typing error. Sports Cricket: Rahim set to play There are a few changes on the cards for Bangladesh for the second Test as they are desperately looking to make their batting stronger after a disastrous performance in the first Test which they lostby   Cricket: Colombo Corner It was expected that the series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will be disrupted by rain which is common in this season but the first Test was completed uninterrupted at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground   Football: Emeka on song Nigerian marksman Christina Emeka fired all three goals to shoot Mohammedan back to the top in the B. League with a come-from-behind 3-1 defeat of Rahmatganj yesterday.   Football: Bangladesh finish 23rd Bangladesh finished 23rd out of 40 nations in the Danone Nations Cup under-12 football tournament which concluded yesterday in Lyon, France.   Hockey: 16 report for hockey camp Sixteen national players reported to the Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) yesterday for the Asia Cup Hockey training camp.   Table Tennis: TT leagues conclude today The curtains will fall on the AB Bank Table Tennis leagues with both men's and women's titles to be decided on the final day at the Woodenfloor Gymnasium today.   Cricket: Fidel takes five Fidel Edwards took five for 45 as the West Indies bowled England out for 225 in the first innings of the first one-day international at Lord's on Sunday.   Cricket: India on top Ajit Agarkar and Sourav Ganguly captured a pair of wickets each early as South Africa slumped to 35 for four after 15 overs against India in the third and decisive one-day international of the FutureCup   Cricket: Rain ruins Scot-Pak match Scotland suffered a major disappointment for the second time in three years when their one-day international against Pakistan was washed out by rain.   Tennis: Sharapova warns Williams Maria Sharapova has warned Venus Williams that she won't be able to push her around again if they meet in the fourth round at Wimbledon.   Football: Hammers swoop for Faubert West Ham are set to sign rising French star Julien Faubert after his club Bordeaux issued him with an ultimatum, his agent said Sunday.   Tennis: Federer gets Haas bye Four-time champion Roger Federer of Switzerland was on Sunday handed a bye to the quarterfinals of Wimbledon when fourth-round opponent Tommy Haas was forced to pull out through injury.   Cricket: Global vision obscured The governance of world cricket is a mess.   Cricket: Rahul, Anil miss out Rahul Dravid with the highest batting average (57.   Cricket: Lara wants admin role Former skipper Brian Lara is interested in an administrative role to help West Indies try to recapture former glories.   Handball: Nat'l women's handball from July 19 The BASIC Bank 18th National Women's Handball Championship will begin on July 19. Top eight teams of the national meet will be entitled to participate in the ensuing Bangladesh Games.   Football: Klose hits the target Germany marksman Miroslav Klose scored on debut as new-look Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Brazilian champions Sao Paulo 2-1 in the Reunification Cup on Sunday.   Rossi roars to victory Seven-time world champion Italian Valentino Rossi, riding a Yamaha, made an incredible comeback to win the Dutch Grand Prix here on Saturday. Rossi snatched victory 1.   Tennis: Spadea does the rap Rap may be more in tune with gun-toting gangsters than the tea-sipping members of the genteel All England Club, but American player Vince Spadea is doing his best to bridge the gap at Wimbledon.   Football: Euro 2012 to fetch a billion thru' TV The rights to broadcast the Euro 2012 football championships are going to be sold for one billion euros, Adam Olkowicz, head of the Polish committee for organizing the championships, said Saturday inYalta.   Tennis: Becker slams British wildcards Triple Wimbledon champion Boris Becker has hit out at the wildcard system used to give British players a chance of Grand Slam action.   Football: Gunners out of reckoning: Drogba Arsenal have no hope of challenging Manchester United and Chelsea next season for the English Premiership title after the sale of Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba said.   Football: Forlan to bolster Atletico Uruguay striker Diego Forlan is poised to sign for Atletico Madrid, his club Villarreal disclosed on Saturday. Metropolitan Lack of awareness slows down progress in birth registration The progress of birth registration is very slow in the country although birth registration certificate is very important in resisting early marriage, trafficking and child labour, said the speakers at   Automation programme yet to start functioning Much-talked-about Library Automation Programme at Dhaka University (DU) is yet to begin its operation, though the project was inaugurated more than eight years ago. The Tk 1.   Extra-judicial killings fall by 27.1pc in last 6 months The number of extra-judicial killings has fallen by 27.   Constitutional recognition of indigenous people demanded Speakers at a discussion here yesterday demanded constitutional recognition of the indigenous people and establishment of their rights to land.   Bring reforms to local govt to strengthen democracy The caretaker government can play a significant role in strengthening the local government, which would help improve the quality of democracy in the country, speakers at a view exchange meeting said yesterday.   ACC files case against ex-Jamaat MP Shahjahan Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) here yesterday filed a case against Shahjahan Chowdhury, former Jamaat-e-Islami MP from Satkania, on charge of submitting a false statement of property.   DU Day celebrated amid festivity The banners read: 'We don't want dowry'; 'We want a Bangladesh free from corruption'; 'Say no to drugs'.   Call to announce 6th Wage Board Award soon Sangbadik Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (Skop) yesterday urged the caretaker government to announce the 6th Wage Board Award without further delay.   RU pro-Jamaat teachers, staff ransack room of Islamic History deptt chairman A group of pro-Jamaat teachers and staff of Islamic History and Culture department of Rajshahi University yesterday ransacked the room of the department chairman over its possession.   5 of a family injured in armed attack Five members of a family were severely injured in an attack by an armed gang at Kashipur village in Sharsha yesterday.   'Development not possible ignoring destitute women' The destitute women of the country will become self-reliant and play a vital role in the national economy if they are provided with vocational training, speakers said at the inaugural ceremony of a sewing   Bangladeshis view US more favourably than before: Survey Bangladeshis view the United States more favourably than before, according to a recently concluded survey.   Milk, Ice-cream, Beverage Festival July 5 The first ever Milk, Ice-cream and Beverage Festival will begin in the city on July 5.   'Pay Tk 1662.50 as minimum wage to RMG workers' Karmojibi Nari (KN) yesterday demanded that the factory owners should pay the garment workers Tk 1662.50 as minimum wage, says a KN statement.   Dhaka Samity election July 27 The election of the 50-member executive body of Dhaka Mahanagari Samity (Dhaka Samity) will be held on July 27, says a press release. Submission deadline of nomination is 9:00pm, July 15. National Indiscriminate sand lifting threatens Surma dyke Indiscriminate sand lifting from riverbeds in several areas in four upazilas of Sylhet by using dredgers is threatening the Surma dyke in Golapganj and Kanaighat.   Son brands parents drug addicts to grab property! A mother yesterday narrated a sensational incident how she and her husband were allegedly kidnapped by their son and kept at two rehabilitation clinics in Dhaka branding them as drug addicts and mental   Villagers build river dam to shame authorities As repeated appeals failed to draw authorities' attention, people in their hundreds joined hands to construct a dam to protect 25 villages from flooding by Brahmaputra in Mymensingh Sadar upazila.   High price of Hilsha being investigated A high power investigation team of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock visited Barisal and Bhola to find out the cause of high price and scarcity of Hilsha fish in the ongoing season.   Barisal BNP leader Chand sent to jail A court here yesterday sent a BNP leader to jail for alleged defalcation of electricity bill and tampering of meter during his surrender to court for confirmation of ad interim bail granted by the High   Anti-corruption body formed in Satkhira A 6-member Assassuni Upazila Corruption Preventive Committee was formed at a meting held at the office of Assassuni Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rafiqul Islam yesterday.   Jamboree on the Train ends in Dinajpur Jamboree on the Train 07 ended here with a call on the members of Bangladesh Scouts to play pivotal role in establishing peace and friendship in the South Asian region.   Farmers batoned as they attack dealer shops for fertiliser Five people were injured as police charged baton on farmers when they were staging demonstration for fertiliser in Hossainpur upazila yesterday morning.   Power saving drive by KCC Khulna City Corporation has taken up a plan to use energy saver lights instead of sodium lights and tube lights at 20,000 points in the city.   2 Khulna power plants to be repaired soon Repair of the 110 mw and the 60 mw power plants in Khulna will begin soon. Tenders for their repair have been invited. Point-Counterpoint Bangladesh's image: Need a (re)branding? Can we really "brand" a country, the way we brand soap (Tibet/Dove), shoes (Bata/Nike) or orange juice (Pran/Minutemaid)? Experts say we can.   Reinventing the wheel? In the name of reform, what we are seeing is a rewriting of the party constitutions and conventions.   Adieu Blair, adieu Tony Blair's success was limited to winning three general elections in a row. Culture Zooming in on people living on the fringes of society Rowshon Ara Nipa is a filmmaker working to generate awareness on the different aspects of social inequality. Her areas of interest are issues related to gender and children.   Verses by Tagore reverberated Tagore Society of Bangladesh in collaboration with cultural organisation Meghdut and British Council, Bangladesh arranged a poetry recitation programme at British Council auditorium on June 30.   Musical soiree by Srijon In continuation of their regular programme on the last Saturday of every month, cultural organisation Srijon arranged a musical soiree featuring songs of yesteryears, on June 30.   Cultural programme in Mymensingh "Sandipon", a cultural organisation has been holding programmes every month for the last four years. General Call to take initiatives to ensure safe water Just because water is free from arsenic does not mean that it is safe water. Rather, safe water should contain minerals in correct proportions that our body needs.   Road crashes kill 6 At least six people were killed and 21 others injured in separate road accidents in Dhaka, Faridpur and Sylhet yesterday.   Campaign for removal of waterlogging begins in Gazipur A campaign for removal of waterlogging at Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) began in Gazipur on Sunday, says a press release.   Leasing firm fined in Ctg A mobile court here yesterday fined a leasing firm Tk 1 lakh for keeping 28 Kathas of land of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) under its illegal occupation.   Air Commodore Bari promoted to rank of Air Vice Marshal The government has upgraded the rank of Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of Bangladesh Air Force from Air Commodore to Air Vice Marshal recently, says an ISPR release. International Lanka asks Norway to revive peace move Sri Lanka's government has asked Norway to help revive a moribund peace process amid an escalation of fighting between troops and Tamil Tiger rebels, a press report said yesterday.   Pakistan busts gang supplying suicide bombers to Taliban Pakistani intelligence have busted a gang of Islamic militants supplying suicide bombers and explosive devices to Taliban fighters in neighbouring Afghanistan, police said Sunday.   Floods, rain kill 60 in Pakistan Floods and heavy rain have killed more than 60 people and left some 200,000 homeless in the southwestern Pakistani province of Baluchistan, officials and police said yesterday.   India rebuffs US call over foreign policy India has rebuffed a US call to ditch the Non-Aligned Movement, saying it remains strongly committed to the 116-member organisation that includes some of Washington's biggest foes.   Pakistan asks India to activate body on prisoners Pakistan has accused India of delaying the exchange of prisoners by not activating the bilateral mechanism agreed upon and set up in March this year.   Maoists attack police post in Bihar: 9 killed Some 200 heavily-armed Maoists attacked two police stations in India's eastern Bihar state, killing six constables and three villagers, police said yesterday.   Hindus resume trek to melting Kashmir shrine Hindus have resumed a trek to a sacred cave shrine in Indian Kashmir housing a fast-melting, phallus-shaped ice form, a day after heavy rains halted the pilgrimage, officials said Sunday.   Patil to begin presidential campaign from Chennai United Progressive Alliance (UPA) candidate Pratibha Patil begins her campaign for presidential elections in Chennai on Sunday with a rally that thousands of women are expected to attend.   Pakistan releases 50 Indian fishermen Pakistan yesterday released 50 Indian fishermen who were caught poaching in its territorial waters, an official said.   Airstrike kills Islamic Jihad warlord The top commander of Islamic Jihad's armed wing for the Gaza Strip and two lieutenants were killed in an Israeli air strike at the weekend, said the faction, calling yesterday for revenge.   Palestinians start receiving funds Israel transferred more than 110 million dollars in tax duties to the Palestinian Authority on Sunday, lifting a 17-month economic boycott to bolster president Mahmud Abbas over Hamas.   Chavez holds talks with Ahmadinejad Venezuela's fiercely anti-US President Hugo Chavez held talks with his Iranian opposite number Mahmoud Ahmadinejad yesterday, on the last leg of a tour of nations at loggerheads with Washington.   Nato raids kill 62 Taliban, 45 Afghan civilians An investigation into airstrikes that slammed into Afghan homes where Taliban fighters sought shelter found that 62 insurgents and 45 civilians were killed, two Afghan officials said yesterday.   Only Iraqis can win the war: Analysts The harder President Bush has pushed to win in Iraq, the closer he has come to losing. The question no longer is whether the US military can fully stabilise Iraq. It cannot.   Israel to indict president for sex offences Prosecutors will file an unprecedented indictment for sex offences against Israeli President Moshe Katsav yesterday as part of a plea bargain saving him from rape charges that has sparked outrage.   US maintains high airport security after The United States on Sunday maintained reinforced security at US airports after two car bombs were found in London and a blazing vehicle crashed into a terminal at Glasgow's airport.   Smoking ban takes effect in England A ban on smoking in public places and workplaces came into force in England yesterday, in a move the government said would improve the health of thousands of people.   Thai PM casts doubt on polls date Thailand's army-installed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Sunday cast doubt on whether the kingdom's post-coup elections would go ahead as promised this year.   Hong Kong celebrates 10 years of Chinese rule Hong Kong on Sunday celebrated 10 years under Chinese rule with pomp and circumstance, but tens of thousands of pro-democracy campaigners also gathered to call for sweeping political reform.   Iraq PM wants provincial polls by year's end Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said yesterday he is determined to hold provincial elections by the end of this year as part of plans to delegate more power to the country's divided communities.   AU chief for new UN resolution on Darfur A new United Nations resolution is needed to ensure that Sudan accepts the deployment of a long-awaited hybrid force to Darfur, the head of the African Union commission said Sunday.   Rough ride for India's female presidential candidate A 72-year-old woman aiming to become India's first female head of state is facing a tough battle in the race for the presidency, with her family under attack over a range of criminal charges. Editorial Editorial: National budget 2007-08 takes effect The budget as proposed by finance and planning adviser Mirza Azizul Islam on June 7 received presidential assent on June 28 with minor modifications incorporated in it in what looks like partial response   Editorial: Garment workers' wages With the expiry of the deadline set by the government for implementing the tripartite agreement on the minimum monthly wage of Tk 1,662 for garment workers, it has been found by the BGMEA that 419 garment   The dilemma in combating climate change Till recently the folk who went around with placards that displayed "The end is nigh" were dismissed as people off their nuts. Their prediction of imminent doom was taken sceptically.   Impressive achievements, but some flaws India's Left Front has completed 30 years in power in West Bengal -- a monumental achievement.   Wiping out the forests The extent of corruption that had gripped the country's forest department was beyond our imagination even a month ago. Letters to Editor Dead jute industry None will hear anymore the sound of spinning machines or looms or any other mechanical sound, shouts of workers, whistle of the siren at the opening and closing hours of the jute mills.   Pollution We want to live in a world where there will be no pollution and chaos. But the fact is that there is vast difference between our dream and the real situation.   Amartya Sen's observation Amartya Sen has been at it again: in his book, The Argumentative Indian, Sen draws inspiration from a Satyajit Ray film to demonstrate that authoritarian rule is not rooted in Asian values.   Power crisis People will never get rid of frequent load-shedding and the sufferings it leaves for the power- starved.   Dowry and its ill effects The NGOs and some other organisations are trying to raise awareness among women and protest against dowry.   Tigers in "danger land" Like Lewis Carol's "Alice in Wonderland", our Tigers' plight can be reflected in the parody of William Blake's poem "Tiger". " Tiger, tiger covered in ashes grey, Can only but hope and pray.   MD/MS admission test The National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases published a circular in a daily on 08.03.2007 for MD/MS course part-1 (Session 2007-2008) admission test.   Corrupt leaders What appeared in your newspaper over the past few days about involvement of highest party leaders in massive corruption and graft is shocking.   Disabled children There is no government policy for education of children with disabilities. Several NGOs have been working for ensuring education of the disabled children.   Khaleda's residence It is a fact well known that the cantonment residence of Khaleda Zia was a gift to her from the then BNP government.   The budget Focusing on the budget speech thoroughly, actually I have nothing to say except that it sounded like the statement of a World Bank or Asian Development Bank chief.   Politicians and donation The article written by Mr. Anawarul Kabir is shocking. When we are demanding removal of uneducated and illiterate politicians, he is advocating for them. He talked about the vacuum of leadership.   Politics Only the people have the right to decide what they want. So, the government should refrain from doing anything that amounts to influencing the political process.   Good and evil Although by virtue of value judgments learned from religious or moral teachings and our own experience in life, we have a sense of what actions are good and what actions are bad , there is no standard   "Proposed UGC recruitment rules" This has reference to Dr. K. Maudood Elahi's letter on the above topic. I wholeheartedly support the views expressed by him. The recruitment rules should equally be applicable in case of private universities.   Good governance We have to be very careful again. Now that the "two Begums" are almost gone we hear about the emergence of a third one who was dormant for sometime. Let us be alert.   CTG's role The present CTG has taken up the gigantic task of nabbing corrupt government officials. It has already nabbed some forest department officials.   In response... I thank the man for the lines he wrote for Dave Whatmore, The Dream Merchant. >As a nation, we are the most ungrateful.   Technical education Munshiganj is a densely populated island district adjacent to capital Dhaka. Rivers like Shitalakhya, Dhaleshwari, Meghna and Padma flow through or surround it.   Comments I have enjoyed reading recent post editorial write-ups by Shahnoor. They are no nonsense and to the point comments pulling all the punches. Well done.   Political parties and reforms It is obvious that at the prodding of the caretaker government, the main political parties are drawing up proposals to amend their party constitutions with a view to doing away with the absolute powers Star City R&HD to seek financial assistance for approach road Authorities of the under construction third Buriganga bridge in Basila are planning to seek further financial assistance from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) for construction ofthe   Police arrest youngster for demanding right to play Tejgaon police yesterday arrested a young cricketer when he protested organising yet another fair on the T&T playground on Manik Mia Avenue, depriving hundreds of local children of sporting activities.   DESA tangled in short circuit over illegal connections Dhaka Electric Supply Authority (Desa) is facing problems in its ongoing drive to disconnect illegal power connections in the capital city to reduce system loss of electricity.   Rajuk, BGMEA both guilty of unauthorised construction Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) are equally responsible for the 'illegal' construction of 15-storey BGMEA building in the city's   A story of ability and determination "I don't think I am a disabled person. I think those who call me disabled are the ones with disability," said Harun-ur-Rashid.   A kitchen market...   "city express" The latest crop of quotes from the city's press -- words worth repeating, we feel, for their humour, insight or sheer outrageousness.   © thedailystar.net, 2007. All Rights Reserved.