Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Pizza

BEST PIZZA HANGOUT: PIZZA HUT
We all know Pizza Hut. After a long wait, the famous international pizza chain finally reached Dhaka filling in the gap for quality pizzas. Their spacious joint, brightly decorated interior and the friendly humdrum of customers are a welcoming sight. Their menu has an array of mind boggling choices.

Pizza hut caters to all types foodies; they have a fantastic array of meat pizzas for the carnivores, and their vegetarian pizzas are a sure pleasure to the herbivores. Pizza hut's latest addition is the Seafood Symphony that makes any fish lover drool.

Their best seller is Beef Lovers - a beefy package of beef, onions, black olives and capsicum, oozing with cheese. BBQ Chicken is a delicious blend of BBQ chicken, onions and capsicum, layered with hot melting cheese. Cheese Lovers pizza is covered with mounds of golden melting cheese on a rich bed of red tomato sauce. Simply Veg is a true vegetarian classic with crispy onions and tangy tomatoes covered with cheese. Seafarer Shrimps is a rich tuna, tomato chunks and mozzarella cheese. A true seafood lover's blend of tuna and shrimps sauteed with herbs and garlic covered with tomatoes and cheese.


BEST PIZZA RESTAURANT: ITALIAN BAR AND BISTRO AT SHERATON
Italian Bar and Bistro is a quaint restaurant located inside Dhaka Sheraton Hotel by the pool side. The atmosphere is relaxing and the splashes in the pool are a refreshing sound. If you are lucky you can get a glimpse of some sports star giving laps or a hottie taking an afternoon dip.
This Bistro has the perfect pizzas in all of Dhaka. My personal favorite is the Chicken which is topped with chunks of marinated grilled chicken, green pepper, onions, mushroom and fresh herbs. The mozzarella cheese is just right not too sticky or too chewy. So is the crust, it has the right consistency of being springy and light and not doughy or hard. Other must haves on my list are the Barbeque Beef Pizza de Nicholas which is vegetarian pizza. As this place is ranked as a Five Star restaurant, the pizzas are a bit pricey.

ARABIAN FAST FOOD: BEST COMFORT FOOD
The place it self is very basic with the chairs and table all cramped together in a little room. Other than that, the pizzas are very satisfying specially while considering the price.
Arabian fast food has the ultimate comfort pizzas with melting mounds of cheese on top of various condiments. People from all around crowd the eatery while blowing some steam off with hot spicy Mexican Pizza or croon to soft notes while munching on the Hawaiian Pizza that is that is topped with Cheese, beef/ shrimp/ tuna, mushroom, capsicum and pineapple. Be a true patriot and taste the Pizza Dhaka which is made with beef salami, black olives, shrimps, mushrooms and capsicum.


BEST ITALIAN PIZZA: BELLA ITALIA
Bella Italia is a cozy pizzeria with yellow and gray chequered table cloth how very Italian! This eating place is conveniently located at a busy hub in Gulshan 1 and just beside a shoe shop. So, while you wait for the thin crusted Authentic Italian pizza you can do a bit of shoe shopping.

The best buy is the Pizza Bella Italia which is topped with spinach, mushroom, eggplants and artichoke. For those who are not so keen on vegetarian pizza, thy can add chicken sausage or minced beef for an extra pay. Pizza Bolognese, Pizza Candese and Pizza Funghi e Sausage are also the most backed pizzas in the restaurant.

BEST WEEKEND PIZZA: LITTLE ITALY
While heading for a weekend escapade to Fantasy Kingdom, Nandan park or Ashulia you can taste the best out of town pizzas in little Italy For a protein rich Pizza Capricciosa which is life blend of tomato, mozzarella cheese, artichoke, olive, boiled egg with beef or chicken sausage. Also, try out their Pizza Quatro Formaggi a pizza topped with four different cheeses. Vegetarians will not be disappointed as the Little Italy's Pizza Malanzane is just right with tomato, mozzarella and grilled eggplants.
Eat as much as you want in Little Italy cause you can always burn it off in the crazy rides of Fantasy Kingdom or while catch the waves at the Nandan Water Park. This restaurant is a must visit place while you wash away your stress.
Now that you have the lowdown an the best pizzerias in Dhaka, waste no time. Wash your hands well and tuck in your napkins and devour these delectable pizzas.
A not of warning: Let the cheese cool down before you dig your teeth or else you will be going home with a burnt mouth. Buon Appetito!!!(source: ICE Today)

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Taxicab service in city on the verge of collapse, Over 70pc cabs already out of service due to poor condition

Dhaka's taxicab service is on the verge of breakdown as more than 70 percent of the cabs have been taken out of service.

According to Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), out of the total 10,857 registered taxis in Dhaka around 7,500 cabs have been discarded due to unfit condition.

However, many cabs especially the black ones are still running on the streets in a run-down condition without valid fitness certificates, officials of the BRTA said.

According to Bangladesh Cab Owners Association, only 6 out of 50 cab companies are currently in business. Others went bankrupt for not being able to repay bank loans.

The owners blamed selection of wrong vehicles, untrained drivers, carjacking and damaged road condition as major reasons behind the dismal state of the service.

“Our drivers were not properly oriented for the duty as cab drivers,” said GM Seraj, chairman, Cab Association of Bangladesh and also owner of Cabex Ltd.

Seraj said when taxicab was introduced in the capital in 1999 there were not enough drivers to drive them. Drivers of two-stroke autorickshaws that were phased out in 2001 became jobless and later became taxicabs drivers.

“Without any motorcar driving experience, they captured most of the cabs in a very short time, especially the black ones, which was built for light travelling service,” he added.

“Carjacking is also a major reason. We were always held hostage by hijackers and received poor cooperation from the law enforcers regarding the matter,” Seraj said.

ASE Delwar, manager, Navana Taxicab, on the other hand blamed selection of wrong vehicles for such heavy duty. “It was a wrong decision to use 800cc Indian light vehicles as taxicabs. These vehicles are not at all fit for such heavy loads.”

“Besides, the streets of Dhaka are always in a damaged condition. There are too many potholes that damage these light vehicles,” he added.

About 4,407 of the total cabs are air-conditioned yellow cabs while most of the 6,450 non-AC cabs are 800cc vehicles imported from India during the BNP-led government.

Commuters and cab owners said the old and run-down cabs of the city must be replaced by new ones without delay.

SR Khan, general secretary of the cab association and owner of Anudwip Cab, mentioned that confusing policies of the ministry and BRTA regarding taxicab replacement process is hindering the recovery of the sector.

“The rules and regulations imposed for cab replacement and the amount of time it requires for processing is costing us a lot. I have applied two years ago for replacement and received permission only last month,” he said.

Khan however hoped that the situation will improve soon as the authorities have recently assured the owners of necessary assistance to boost the service.

Humayun Rashid Khalifa, director (Operations), BRTA said they have placed a set of proposals in September to the Ministry of Communications for amending the Taxicab Services Policy Guideline 1998, to improve taxicab facilities for commuters.

BRTA invited applications for replacement of the old cabs last July. This time 800cc vehicles will not be allowed to operate as cab. Vehicles meant for taxicabs have to be 1350cc or more. Rebuilding old engines will not be allowed either.

BRTA also proposed that companies should run the service. “Earlier there were owners who had only one or two cabs running on the streets. This had made it impossible to control the sector as there were too many owners,” Khalifa said.
By Shahnaz Parveen

Taxicab service in city on the verge of collapse, Over 70pc cabs already out of service due to poor condition

Dhaka's taxicab service is on the verge of breakdown as more than 70 percent of the cabs have been taken out of service.

According to Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), out of the total 10,857 registered taxis in Dhaka around 7,500 cabs have been discarded due to unfit condition.

However, many cabs especially the black ones are still running on the streets in a run-down condition without valid fitness certificates, officials of the BRTA said.

According to Bangladesh Cab Owners Association, only 6 out of 50 cab companies are currently in business. Others went bankrupt for not being able to repay bank loans.

The owners blamed selection of wrong vehicles, untrained drivers, carjacking and damaged road condition as major reasons behind the dismal state of the service.

“Our drivers were not properly oriented for the duty as cab drivers,” said GM Seraj, chairman, Cab Association of Bangladesh and also owner of Cabex Ltd.

Seraj said when taxicab was introduced in the capital in 1999 there were not enough drivers to drive them. Drivers of two-stroke autorickshaws that were phased out in 2001 became jobless and later became taxicabs drivers.

“Without any motorcar driving experience, they captured most of the cabs in a very short time, especially the black ones, which was built for light travelling service,” he added.

“Carjacking is also a major reason. We were always held hostage by hijackers and received poor cooperation from the law enforcers regarding the matter,” Seraj said.

ASE Delwar, manager, Navana Taxicab, on the other hand blamed selection of wrong vehicles for such heavy duty. “It was a wrong decision to use 800cc Indian light vehicles as taxicabs. These vehicles are not at all fit for such heavy loads.”

“Besides, the streets of Dhaka are always in a damaged condition. There are too many potholes that damage these light vehicles,” he added.

About 4,407 of the total cabs are air-conditioned yellow cabs while most of the 6,450 non-AC cabs are 800cc vehicles imported from India during the BNP-led government.

Commuters and cab owners said the old and run-down cabs of the city must be replaced by new ones without delay.

SR Khan, general secretary of the cab association and owner of Anudwip Cab, mentioned that confusing policies of the ministry and BRTA regarding taxicab replacement process is hindering the recovery of the sector.

“The rules and regulations imposed for cab replacement and the amount of time it requires for processing is costing us a lot. I have applied two years ago for replacement and received permission only last month,” he said.

Khan however hoped that the situation will improve soon as the authorities have recently assured the owners of necessary assistance to boost the service.

Humayun Rashid Khalifa, director (Operations), BRTA said they have placed a set of proposals in September to the Ministry of Communications for amending the Taxicab Services Policy Guideline 1998, to improve taxicab facilities for commuters.

BRTA invited applications for replacement of the old cabs last July. This time 800cc vehicles will not be allowed to operate as cab. Vehicles meant for taxicabs have to be 1350cc or more. Rebuilding old engines will not be allowed either.

BRTA also proposed that companies should run the service. “Earlier there were owners who had only one or two cabs running on the streets. This had made it impossible to control the sector as there were too many owners,” Khalifa said.
By Shahnaz Parveen

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Jamaat renames party

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami yesterday brought about a fundamental change in its constitution changing party's name, recognising war of Liberation and replacing 'Allah's Law' with social system based on Islamic justice. "Henceforth Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh will be known as Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami", Jamaat assistant secretary general, Mohammad Quamaruzzaman said after submitting application to the Election Commission (EC) for registration.
Registration with EC is mandatory for a party to contest national poll stated for December 18 next.
The change in Jamaat constitution was made to fulfil conditions laid down under amended RPO.
"We have submitted our application fulfilling all conditions set by the Election Commission under RPO-2008", Mohammad Kamaruzzaman added. He was accompanied by Barrister Abdur Razzak, law secretary of the party, Rafiqul Islam Khan, ATM Azharul Islam Khan and Jasimuddin Sarker for submission of application to EC.
He said as per RPO-2008 we have to amend some clauses of our party constitution as Jammat believes in a system and loves to practise rule of law. So the party constitution has been changed, he added.
As per changes Jammat replaced the word "to establish rule of Allah in the country" from its party constitution with "to establish a just society based on Islam", included women's wing in its central body, Majlish-e-Shura. Jammat has 25 per cent female workers in its party, but did not include them as members in the highest policy making body.
Replying to a question, Kamaruzzaman told reporters that they incorporated a word in the constitution, "non-Muslim", as per RPO. "Our constitution says all people can be member of the party if they are citizens of the country. However, to make it more flexible we replaced the word "all people" with "non-Muslim", he said. It may be mentioned that according to RPO-2008, all people irrespective of religion, caste and creed could have access to a party provided he/she is Bangladesh's citizen by birth. Regarding the liberation, Jammat leaders said since May 1979 Jammat started its activity, "we started our journey by accepting the independence of the country which was achieved through liberation war. We are conducting all of our activities that line, so there is no contradiction between Jamaat and Bangladesh's constitution."
He said it was a propaganda might be based on ignorance or confusion about our party's name, as it is a wing of an international party. But this is not based on facts we believe in the constitution of the country, we respect the law of the land and we want to establish a fully just society based on Islam.

REHAB fair begins in NY

A three-day real estate fair organised by the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) began at Hotel Hilton here on Saturday.
Consul General of Bangladesh consulate in New York M Shamsul Hoque inaugurated the fair. A total of 57 real estate and housing companies are participating in the fair.
REHAB has offered some packages to attract the expatriate Bangladeshis to buy plots or apartments from their member companies, sources said. (source:theindependent-bd.com/details.php?nid=101598)

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