Dhaka streets to have 3 lanes for different vehicles

As part of a campaign to introduce specific lanes for vehicular movement Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has marked roads and important intersections with cones in a bid to make drivers accustomed to the system. The fast lane will be for private cars, microbuses, jeeps and similar automobiles while the middle lane for minibuses, buses, covered vans, trucks and such vehicles, and the slow lane for CNG-run auto rickshaws, pickup vans, motorbikes and other vehicles.

On the second day of the campaign week, DMP took cable TV operators' help and are using loudspeakers across the city. They failed to distribute leaflets and posters due to the Eid vacation.

However, DMP sources said printed leaflets and posters would be ready for distribution today.

As for the initial step, DMP authorities are going to introduce the system on three major thoroughfares and in phases other roads in the capital will be marked with lanes.

The DMP sources said though the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) assured the DMP of marking the lanes during the Eid vacation the task will start from tonight.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (Traffic) Awlad Hossain said, "We will demarcate lanes on VIP road, Mirpur road (from Science Lab to Technical), and Mohakhali Diversion to Tongi Bridge. If the system brings positive results on traffic movement, the DMP will mark lanes on other important roads across the capital."

The DMP authorities asked the drivers not to overtake the vehicles taking turn on left to alter lane before reaching the intersection and not to block lanes at intersections keeping vehicles on wrong lanes.

The sources said 12 check posts will be set up at Hotel Sheraton, Hotel Sonargaon, Bijoy Sarani, Farmgate, Kakoli, Progati Sarani, Airport square, House Building, Science Lab, Russel Square, Asad Gate and Technical intersections to enforce the rule.

The DMP has swung to traffic light signals phasing out manual controlling system from November 23 to ease traffic congestion in the capital.

On December 8, the DMP will start a drive against traffic rule violation. Drivers would be penalised with Tk 1,000 each and suspension of driving licence for violating traffic rules.source: The Daily Star

The victims of Aug 15, 1975

Following is the list of those who were brutally killed on the fateful night of August 15, 1975 are:
1) Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
(2) Begum Fazilatunnesa - wife of Bangabandhu
(3) Sheikh Kamal - Bangabandhu's eldest son
(4) Sultana Kamal Khuki - wife of Sheikh Kamal
(5) Sheikh Jamal - Bangabandhu's second son
(6) Parveen Jamal Rosy - Sheikh Jamal's wife
(7) Sheikh Russel - Bangabandhu's youngest son
(8) Sheikh Abu Nasser - Bangabandhu's younger brother
Read more..

Over 50 foreign extremists active in Bangladesh

More than 50 religious extremists of Pakistan and India are active in militant activities in Bangladesh with blessing from the banned Islamist outfit Harkat-ul-Jihad-al Islami (HuJi), police intelligence sources said.
All the foreign religious extremists so far arrested are leaders or activists of the Kashmir-based militant outfits Asif Reza Commando Force (ARCF), or Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which are working together with similar organisations in Bangladesh.
'Arrested militants have confessed to us that more than 50 members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) or Asif Reza Commando Force are active in Bangladesh,' deputy commissioner of Detective Branch police, Monirul Islam told New Age.
Law enforcers arrested six Indian nationals and three Pakistanis on suspicion of religious extremism and subversive acts inside Bangladesh since May 27 this year. All the arrested are members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, which is blamed for the Mumbai attack.
DB police arrested Pakistani nationals Saiyed Abdul Kaiyum Azhari alias Sufian, 22, Mohammad Ashraf alias Zahid, 24, and Mohammad Monowar Ali alias Monowar, 30 early Friday in connection with plotting attacks on US Embassy and Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
Police arrested them getting clues from three local members of LeT Mufti Harun Izahar, Shahidul Islam Suzon and Al Amin alias Saiful who were arrested in Chittagong on November 3.
Police earlier held Indian nationals Abdul Rauf alias Daud Merchant and his accomplice Zahid Hasan in Brahmanbaria on May 27 and their associate Arif on June 6 in Mohammadpur area of Dhaka. Daud Merchant is a relative of mafia don Daud Ibrahim and a key accused in the killing of Mumbai-based music baron Gulshan Kumar.
Though law enforcers detained several LeT operatives in the past, they admitted the outfit's existence in Bangladesh only after the DB arrested Sheikh Obaidullah alias Mahbub on July 16.
Based on the confessional statements of Obaidullah, lawmen arrested Maulana Mansur Ali alias Habibullah from Dakkhin Khan Area in the capital on July 20.
Obaidullah and Mansur disclosed that their organisation had been active in Bangladesh for the last 14 years.
They also said local LeT operatives have links with the network of absconding Indian underworld don Daud Ibrahim and leaders of HuJI in Bangladesh.
They claimed that they had been teaching at local madrassahs since their illegal entrance to Bangladesh in 1995.
They confessed that their associates and four other most-wanted Indians are also hiding in Bangladesh since long.
The DB arrested Emdadullah alias Mahbub, branded as Bangladesh chapter chief of LeT and Harkatul Zihadia Islamia Azadia of Pakistan and Asif Reza Commando Force of India, on October 1.
Police intelligence hoped that they would be able to make headway towards unearthing the outfit's political patrons in Bangladesh once they capture some other LeT men in the country.
A high official of the investigation team told New Age, 'Arrested Pakistani national Sufian admitted that the outfit permanently rented a residence in Uttara, Sector-9, where he had been staying since long and which is used as hideout for all the foreign militants sent to Bangladesh on special assignments.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner AKM Shahidul Hoque earlier said, 'We have no figure of how many of them are here but we know a good number of LeT operatives are on a campaign to carry out subversive activities in Bangladesh.' source: the Daily New Age

Noor Hossain Day being observed

Different political and student organisations are observing Shaheed Noor Hossain Day on Tuesday commemorating the supreme sacrifice of an activist of pro-democracy movement.

To mark the day, Shaheed Noor Hossain Sangsad placed wreaths at Noor Hossain Square and offered fateha at his grave at Jurain graveyard in the morning.

President Zillur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia gave separate messages on the occasion.

Noor Hossain, a worker of Awami Jubo League, was killed in police firing at Zero Point in the city during a procession against the then autocratic regime of General Ershad on November 10, 1987.

The killing of Noor, whose bare body was inscribed with slogan 'Down with autocracy, let democracy be freed', fuelled the ongoing movement leading to fall of Ershad and paving the way for restoration of democracy.

Zero Point was later renamed as Noor Hossain Square.

Serial killer Rasu attempts suicide in police custody

Detained serial killer Rasu Khan on Thursday night attempted to kill himself in police custody at Chandpur Model Police Station.

Sub-Inspector Abdul Karim of the model police station said Rasu tried to commit suicide by hanging himself with his shirt in a bathroom at about 8:00pm.

Hearing his scream from inside the bathroom, police rescued Rasu and sent to the Chandpur Sadar Hospital.

Later he was released and brought back to the model police station.

Police strengthened Rasu's security in the custody following the incident, reports our Chandpur correspondent.

Rasu Khan of Chandpur district killed at least 11 women since a girl rejected his marriage proposal 15 years ago when he used to live in Tongi. He vowed to kill 101 women when hired goons of the family members of that girl tortured him.

Rasu was first arrested on September 3 in connection with stealing 10-12 fans from a mosque in Gazipur.

He was placed on police remand on October 8, 2009 in a case filed in connection with the killing of a teen-age girl.

Consumers now victims of syndicated market system, Says Prof Muzaffer Ahmad

Consumers have become the victims of syndicated market system, as the government could not develop an alternative market, said noted economist Prof Muzaffer Ahmad at a dialogue yesterday.

“We got stuck in production for export and market-oriented economy ignoring the needs of consumers and farmers,” he added.

The citizens' dialogue on 'Genetic engineering and golden rice: Threats and prospects for Bangladesh' was organised jointly by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) and Shikkha Swastha Unnayan Karjakram (Shishuk) at the National Press Club in the city.

It was organised under the 'Save Our Rice Campaign' in collaboration with Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific and Year of Rice Action.

Stating that commercial agriculture production today controls the market and price, Prof Ahmad, who is also Bapa president, said, “As a consumer, I have no alternative to consuming the rice variety that I actually do not like.”

Big agro companies have already come to play in the wake of a situation when the country requires more production to feed its growing population, but its consequences are rarely analysed, he said.

“Production has increased, but many indigenous crop varieties have been lost. There is also no documentation of changes in the agro-ecology and there is no agriculture planning in the country,” said Prof Ahmed.

It is now important to prepare a balance sheet of what the country gained and lost in terms of agriculture, he said.

“If our gross national happiness is not satisfactory, then what is the benefit of high yielding rice,” he put a question, adding that the authorities should initiate restoration of indigenous crop varieties and ensure sovereignty of the farmers, consumers and ecology-friendly farming.

Bangladesh has both the problems of vitamin deficiency and food shortage that requires more food production, said Nijera Kori Coordinator Khushi Kabir.

But it does not mean that genetically modified food should be taken simply for granted, she added.

Khushi Kabir said there are many high yielding vegetables, but nobody knows the consequences they may cause.

“We need to understand the food technologies before we accept them,” she added.

Dr Michael K Hansen, senior staff scientist of US-based Consumers Union, in a presentation said golden rice, a genetically engineered rice of high yielding variety, has serious vitamin A deficiency which could be life-threatening.

A country may accept such crops, but it must have appropriate bio-safety law in line with Codex Alimentarius (guideline on food safety) Commission of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation.

Shishuk Executive Director Sakiul Millat Morshed said he has learned that Bangladesh is preparing a draft policy on genetically engineered food, but it has not been made public.

“Such a policy must be very comprehensive and flawless,” he added.

Govt to go after jam of Dhaka City in a big way

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday told parliament the government is working out plans for an extensive and coordinated communications network to ease traffic congestions in the capital. “We are now drawing routes for the elevated expressway in the capital. We also have plans to construct underground railway and monorail to cut tailbacks,” she said during the question-answer hour.

Sonargoan, Panam Nagar deserve special attention

Country's significant archeological sites like Sonargoan and Panam Nagar need to be protected for the benefit of posterity and to attract tourists.
"These historical sites are in danger of being lost for lack of coordinated programmes to protect those," Abdullah Al Mamun, a former student of Islamic History and Culture department of Dhaka University, told the news agency recently.

Mamun said Sonargoan as a historical place that bears many symbols of archeological development of ancient Bengal and theses should be protected by the authorities concerned for the next generation. "It's a place which can attract tourists from abroad too."
Khadiza Akhter, a tourist from Dhaka, said the government should take immediate steps to provide transport facility, especially bus services up to the spot, so that people from capital Dhaka can visit the place comfortably.read more..

Lottery for Purbachal, Uttara plots likely Sept 16

After a huge criticism at home and abroad over uncertainty in lottery arrangements for Purbachal and Uttara, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) is likely to hold it in three categories for the Purbachal New Town Project on September 16.

The lottery will be held on wage earner, freedom fighter and artist or sportsman categories around 11:00am at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city where State Minister for Housing and Public Works Abdul Mannan Khan is expected to be present as the chief guest, a Rajuk source said.

Nevertheless, uncertainty still looms over lottery on some other categories for both Purbachal and Uttara in the third phase.

Rajuk will distribute 6,383 plots under Purbachal New Town Project under different categories and 800 plots under Uttara third phase. A total of 1.67 lakh applications were dropped for the two projects.

It will also distribute 2,177 plots to people affected under Purbachal project.

Plots of government service holder and autonomous bodies category will be awarded based on their age and salary while plots of ministers, state or deputy ministers or persons at their status and justice who submitted valid application will be given directly, said an official of Rajuk.

All listed for Armed forces division will be given plots.

According to the guideline, the government job holder will get 40 percent, employees and officials of autonomous bodies 15, freedom fighters 2, journalists 1.5, art or literature or sports 1, businessmen and industrialists 10.5, private job holders 12, wage earners 10 and other category for employees and officials of Rajuk, including the ministry concerned, will get 2.5 percent, sources said.

Rajuk sought applications for its two projects, Uttara Model Town Third Phase and Purbachal New Town Project in November 2008.

The new government, just after assuming power, extended the time for submission of applications till April 30 and was supposed to announce the names of the winners by two months.

Healthcare portal for doctors, medical service providers, health articles, news in Bangladesh.

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PM for setting up separate drinking water line

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed on August 18, 2009 the Wasa authorities to set up two separate water-supply lines --one for drinking and another for general use-- for the city-dwellers to stop wastage and thereby resolve the nagging water crisis.

She issued the order to the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) authorities during a discussion meeting when a 19-member delegation of Bangabandhu Prakaushali Parishad and Institution of Engineers' Bangladesh (IEB) met her at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) this afternoon.

Sheikh Hasina also emphasised preserving rainwater to use for the domestic purposes.

She said these would help fulfilling the demand for pure drinking water as well as reduce waste of water and additional supply cost that goes for purifying the total Wasa water.

Regarding the growing demand for electricity, the premier said, introducing solar panels in the cities’ educational institutions could play a vital role in reducing pressure on the national grid.

Tipaimukh Dam: An alarming venture

TIPAIMUKH dam located in Monipur state of India, by all definitions falls into the category of a large high head [162m] dam. Though learnt to be a hydel power project for generation of 1500 MW electricity, it will definitely work as a flood control dam for Monipur and the neighbouring Mizoram state and irrigation may be practiced in suitable land areas along the 1 km stretch of the Barak river up to the Bangladesh border and by the periphery of the reservoir perimeter.

How to read faces

people have tried to understand aspects of a person’s character just by looking at their face. The ancient Chinese believed that your face was a reflection of your inner spirit. In Medieval Europe, beauty was considered to be synonymous with virtue, and ugliness was sometimes considered a sign of evil...

Nine out of top 10 colleges from Dhaka city

Nine colleges in the capital are among the top 10 GPA-5 achieving institutions in the country in the HSC examinations this year. Notre Dame College topped the list of GPA-5 achievers with 1,207 students securing the feat followed by Dhaka City College with 934 and Viqarunnisa Noon College with 531. read more..

Move to free Gulshan Lake of pollution

A team of experts will be formed to analyse the kind and extent of pollution in Gulshan Lake and devise means of purifying its water.

The decision came at a joint meeting of Gulshan Society (GS) and Paribesh Bachao Andolan (Poba) at the park on road No-63 in Gulshan yesterday.

They also decided that Gulshan Lake Park would come under biological management to make its water congenial to aquatic life.

In March 2008, the GS got a periodic lease for maintenance of the park and the lake from Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).

Just a week ago, a GS sub-committee on the lake management led by Rahmatullah convinced the Dhaka City Corporation to find a bypass sewer as three huge drainage outlets had long been dumping untreated liquid waste in the lake.

Rahmatullah said, “We will drain out water from the lake, dig out layers of toxic wastes from the lake bed and fill it with fresh water next winter.”

The experts involved will examine chemical and aquatic components in the water to determine the kind of treatment required for the purification. It will make the lake biologically symbiotic and productive, he said.

GS president CM Shafi Sami said they would work with Poba for the purification and biological management of the lake.

This stretch of lake is likely to have toxic contamination and metallic wastes, as untreated liquid wastes used to flow into it, said Poba chairman Abu Naser Khan.

A multi-disciplinary team of experts comprising chemists and biologists is required to bring this stagnant water body under biological management, he said, adding that the initiative may be a pioneering example for purification of water bodies.

He said vice-chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) would coordinate the experts' work.

Prof Mahmudur Rahman of Dhaka University Psychology department, botanist Md Jashim Uddin and aquatic plant expert SMA Rashid spoke, among others, at the discussion chaired by Shafi Sami.

Hundreds of unregistered motorbikes on road

Lax monitoring by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority and the traffic police helps hundreds of unregistered motorcycles ply the city roads and most of them are used in committing crimes, sources in BRTA and Dhaka Metropolitan Police said.
Law enforcers and Bangladesh Road Transport Authority could not give the number of unregistered motorbikes in the city or across the country as both the departments let most of the vehicles ply unchecked...read more..

Dhaka city elevated expressway gets govt nod

The cabinet committee on economic affairs on Wednesday gave the go-ahead for constructing the proposed Dhaka City Elevated Expressway under Private Public Partnership initiative to ease traffic congestions in the capital.
‘We have asked the communications ministry to construct the elevated expressway after studying its feasibility study and inviting tenders for the project,’ finance minister AMA Muhith, who heads the committee, told reporters after a meeting.

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FBCCI fears less private investment on high revenue target

The apex trade body has feared a less domestic private investment because of the high revenue target in the upcoming budget.

"We came to know unofficially that the government would fix an 11 per cent revenue earning growth next fiscal year. If it is correct, it would hurt private investment since people would no more feel encouraged to invest money," MA Rouf Chowdhury, a director of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), told a meeting with the National Defence College (NDC) at the Federation Bhaban in Dhaka yesterday.

A 51-member NDC delegation led by Lieutenant General Sina Ibn Jamali, commandant of NDC, attended the meeting. The delegation also included defence officers from 11 other countries of the world, including Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Indonesia, and India.

According to media reports the government has targeted Tk 61,000 crore revenue earnings for the next fiscal, a 15 per cent higher than the Tk 53,000 crore revised revenue target of the previous fiscal.

On foreign direct investment (FDI), Rouf Chowdhury, also president of Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners Association, said, "We have also heard of a possible withdrawal of tax holiday facilities from some sectors. It will also hamper FDI inflow."

The FBCCI leaders also emphasised enhancing regional trade to create a prosperous South Asia.

Though 25-26 years have passed since the inception of Saarc, the volume of regional trade among the member countries is still bellow five per cent, said Aftab-ul-Islam, another director of FBCCI.

The business leaders also urged the Saarc members to put emphasis more on multilateral trade instead of bilateral trade.

During the meeting, different issues ranging from transit, bilateral and regional trade, women empowerment and ongoing global financial crisis came up for discussion.

Jamali said the visit to FBCCI is a part of their curriculum. He also gave a briefing on NDC.

Abu Alam Chowdhury, acting president of FBCCI, also spoke.
(source: The Daily Star)

River-gobblers must be defeated

Industries Minister Dilip Barua yesterday pledged to protect the country's rivers from pollution and encroachment.

“Whatever techniques the river grabbers or polluters resort to, we shall defeat them and save the rivers,” he said, expressing solidarity with The Daily Star-Channel i initiative “To the Prime Minister: Save rivers, Save Dhaka”.

The industries minister was addressing a gathering at Shatayu Angan at Ramna Park in the capital at the concluding ceremony of a two-day exhibition organised as part of the initiative to save the rivers of the city.

Barua said, “Rivers flow like our life. Survival of rivers is related to the balance of the total environment. If rivers don't flow, man cannot survive.”

“People are deprived of fresh air and safe water due to pollution by tanneries and other industries,” Barua said. He warned that industries must use effluent treatment plants (ETPs) to treat industrial wastes.

Otherwise, industries will not be allowed to operate, he said.

Referring to the successful ban on use of polythene and black smoke emitting three-wheelers, the minister said, “We are sure we can save our environment, and the campaign will be a success.”

Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon's air and noise control programme committee member Secretary Sirajul Islam Mollah also expressed solidarity with the campaign.

“The campaign must continue until the objectives are met. We must be careful so that the government does not retreat from its position to reclaim all rivers,” he said.

Visitors from different walks of life who visited the exhibition at the park admired the displayed photos depicting river pollution and encroachment. They also expressed their opinions on the problem.

“I found something rare in these photos. I would not have believed that the conditions of our rivers are so bad had I not seen the photos,” a visitor wrote in the comment book.

Khokan Jasim, a freedom fighter, said the rivers should be saved in the same spirit as safeguarding the independence of the country.

“Those who pollute and grab rivers are enemies of the country, they should be dealt with an iron fist,” he said.

Shahjahan Ali Shaju, a dramatist and director, wrote in the comment book no one in the country is safe.

“We must continue the united movement to save the rivers, for our own survival,” he wrote.

Kazi Habibullah, an official of Water and Sewerage Authority (Wasa), wrote that the way Turag has been encroached, it will not be able to accommodate the rainwater from Dhaka city during the monsoons, ultimately putting the city under water.

Lutfunnahar Mili, another visitor, wrote: “Let not the slogans remain as mere slogans. We want to see the rivers flowing again.”

Industries Minister Dilip Barua visited the photos on display at the exhibition. The Daily Star Managing Editor Syed Fahim Munaim and Deputy Editor (News) Inam Ahmed accompanied him.

Baul singers also presented folk songs on rivers during the ceremony.
(source: The Daily Star

A walk to remember: Timeless Mughal magic

In 1608, Dhaka was made the capital of the vast eastern provinces of the mighty Mughal Empire, then at the zenith of its power. From then on, the term “Puran (Old) Dhaka” frequently appeared in the journals of Mughal generals. Within 100 years, it was transformed from a garrison town, into a flourishing, cosmopolitan city with a population of approximately 700,000, and an impressive 11-mile long waterfront.

Continuing its efforts to inject passion into heritage awareness, the Urban Study Group (USG), led by passionate architects Homaira Zaman and Taimur Islam, has 90 percent of Old Dhaka monuments and buildings surveyed and listed. For yet another flavour of the old town, one doesn't regret taking their Mughal Walk early on a Friday morning.

Across the long-reclaimed Dholaikhal, at the edge of Tanti Bazaar, the narrow streets lead to the Bongshal Talaab. Making an appearance in the 1908 version of the Cadastral Survey map, the roughly 100-year-old water tank is one of the few remaining in Dhaka and maintained by the community. It costs Tk 2 for an unlimited stay in the water, but a local panchayat member laments that sewage is leaking into the pond, killing the fish. The USG dreams of beautifying the area by relocating the surrounding timber merchants (kathpatti), transforming the area with a pedestrian zone and cafes.

Totally modified buildings seem to be the norm in Kasaituli (butcher's market), the next maholla (neighbourhood), but within the concrete jungle, the Kasaituli Jaam-e mosque stands out like a dull jewel. The 125-year-old edifice is known for its intricate chini tikri mosaics and boasts unique enamel work. While the façade is well preserved, some older portions were compromised when the interior was recently renovated, the main chamber too perfectly remodelled.

Homaira explained, “Tiles are now used for the mosaic, obliterating the 3D effect of the original chini tikri. The old imperfections are gone; the new surfaces appear flattened.” Although built much later, the mosque displays typical Mughal period features, including a fluted dome sitting on an octagonal drum, flanked by two smaller side domes. Characteristic cusp arches divide the inner chamber into three. Several octagonal turrets are topped off with carved finials. Residents throw buckets of water against the outer walls to remove the dust, revealing amazing floral patterns in cobalt blue, emerald green, red and gold, glinting in the sunlight.

Turn back as you walk on to Mahut-tuli to see the enormity of challenges the USG faces in the form of haphazard new construction. On the border of what used to be the elephant keepers' neighbourhood and the old Armenian quarter Armanitola, lies the Star Mosque, its large central and two lateral domes, as the name implies, covered in blue stars. Said to have been built in the early 19th century, a substantial veranda was added about 80 years ago. Pretty Japanese floral tiles, some of them identical to those seen in Tanti Bazaar houses, were added at that time. The use of architectural ceramics became popular in Dhaka in the 1870s; today the insides of thermos flasks are used to create a modern version of chini tikri. In the 1980s, two further domes, one large and one small, were built as part of a northern extension, destroying the centrality of the Mughal-style mosque. The original main dome rests on the drum of a so-called half dome, typical of a genre of Mughal mosque architecture in Bengal.

Next door is the red-bricked Armanitola Boys' School, in 1904 Raj-style architecture. It was in the late 17th century that Armenian traders arrived and settled in Dhaka, gradually getting involved in politics, urban and social development. Affluent Armenian families built their own houses on marshy, reclaimed land, the jute industry flourishing under their beneficence in the mid 1800s.

On Noor Baksh Lane, clusters of houses with common courtyards can be seen, a regular feature of Dhaka's Muslim neighbourhoods. Among these lies landowner Abul Hasnat's 120-year-old mansion, with stained glass rose windows and wooden beamed ceilings, where two branches of his descendants still reside. From the swords displayed on the walls to the ornate, carved furniture, the once-upon-a-time grace of the house can be imagined.

Of the few remaining Mughal period structures is the 250-year-old Taqui House, once belonging to Syed Taqui Mohammed of Mughal elite lineage. The multi-cusp arched building serves as Mohammadi Begum's Imambara (Shia shrine), where the local Ashura (Muharram mourning) procession begins. Unlike other parts of Old Dhaka, Taimur and Homaira don't need to persuade the owners to preserve the houses here; happily, the awareness to save some part of the past lies ingrained in these old-world families.

Then quickly pass through Maulvi Bazaar, built on the untraceable ruins of Mukim Katra caravanserai, constructed in the 1600s, into further caravanserai territory. Built in 1644 during the Mughal glory days, for Shah Jahan's son Shah Shuja, Subedar (Governor) of Bengal, the highlight of the trip is the Bara Katra. Ensconced in a jumble of buildings, it could easily be missed. The South Gate is quietly imposing and only two of the four turrets remain. “It's comparable to many of the structures that were built in Delhi or Agra during Shah Jahan's time,” Taimur is pleased to add. Local merchants have set up shop in the cavernous side rooms that were once used for goods storage.

Through the gatehouse, walkers are able to pass under the dome, a steep, jagged climb to the very top for a view of the Buriganga in the distance. Seeing that heritage conservation was a sensitive issue, the USG organised an art exhibition at a local school, which helped building bridges all around. Leaving via the Jail Gate, back out to colourful Chawk Bazaar, the largest fresh produce market in town, the walk is over after four hours. Endless permutations of the route are possible; email usg.dhaka@gmail.com for more information.

The writer is a freelance contributor

Picture: http://www.thedailystar.net/photo/2009/05/30/2009-05-30__a02.jpg

(source link: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=90498)

'Save Buriganga, bring land grabbers to book'

Environmentalists staged demonstrations in the city and Narayanganj yesterday protesting encroachment of the river Buriganga, says a press release.

Narayanganj Paribesh Andolon formed a human chain at Dikrir Char in the district.



The speakers at the demonstration urged the government to save the rivers and demanded the land grabbers be brought to book.

They said the encroachers and brickfield owners have grabbed almost 300-400 feet area of the river.

The banks were also about to be encroached, but the move ended amid public protests, they added.

Salam Zubaer, chief reporter of the Dainik Sangbad, BKMEA Vice President Zahidul Haq Dipu, cultural personality Rafiur Rabbi, playwright Kazi Shahidul Islam, Advocate AB Siddique, rhymester Niyamat Ullah Chunnu and Sharfuddin Sabuj spoke at the programme.

Manabadhikar Bangladesh Sangathan also formed a human in front of the National Press Club urging the authorities to take immediate steps to save the Buriganga.

OBITUARY

S.M. (Shah Mohammad) Sayem Mahmud, (‘Fiha’ to his relatives), passed away peacefully on 8 April, 2009 at 1.40 p.m (Inna Lillahe . . . . Rajeun). He was 24 and was suffering from Fibro sarcoma. Sayem fought bravely with his disease for long eleven months (May 2008-March 2009) with smiling face, never whimpered loudly all through his arduous struggle.
Sayem was a student of M.Sc class at the Psychology Department of Dhaka University. He obtained first class marks in all his examinations from class one to Honours (placed First class second). All the students of his Department got his beneficial assistance in their studies and even in family problems. He was cordial, well-bred, soft-spoken and was intelligent, witty, amusing and exceptionally friendly.
Sayem was the only child of his parents (Siddique Mahmudur Rahman and Syeda Selina Mahmud). His father Siddique Mahmudur Rahman is a scholar, editor, litterateur and translator.
May his Soul Rest in Peace.
Sayem, we will remember and cherish your gratefulness, piety, intellect and all heavenly qualities Allah have bestowed upon you.
Teachers, Class-mates, Grateful admirers, Fans, Friends, Relatives and Parents

Coffee shop of freedom for trafficking victims

Kafé Mukti, a coffee shop of freedom was opened recently for the victims of human trafficking in the country to help them become self-reliant in life by providing them with jobs.

Four cafes managed by women victims of human trafficking were launched by International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Dhaka as a pilot project.

The first one was opened in North South University in Kemal Ataturk avenue in June last year. After its huge success three more cafes were opened on January 12.

Located in department of social welfare, department of women affairs and the secretariat building, these small coffee shops are already grabbing attention.

Eight women from shelter homes of Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM), the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association (BNWLA) and Thengamara Mahila Sabuj Sangha (TMSS) were appointed at these coffee shops as managers and salesperson.

One of the managers of Kafe Mukti rescued from Jessore eight months ago said, “The biggest mistake of my life was to trust the wrong person with a bad intention. But I found hope after a long, long time. It feels as if I have been given a second chance in life”

Another lucky girl with a future plan said, “I plan to set things right now by using this opportunity. When I am ready I would like to buy some land and settled down”

Kafé Mukti is a venture of an IOM project “Prevention and Protection of Victims of Human Trafficking in Bangladesh”, which is supported by Bangladesh government, Norwegian and Danish Embassies in Dhaka. Nestle group provided with free coffee vending machines at these shops.

Zakia K Hassan, National Programme Officer of IOM said, “'As the name suggests, Kafé Mukti' is a symbol of self reliance and economic emancipation of the oppressed women. We plan to develop the café as a model for empowerment of women trafficking victims in Bangladesh”

“The society usually isolates these women. By making them self-reliant we want to give them back their dignity and lost status in the society. Creating acceptance is also a goal”, she added.

More coffee shops will be opened soon, she said. However, in the future the project aims to venture in other areas of trade and business as well to incorporate these women in to the mainstream with ease, she mentioned.

These women are also being trained in management and accountancy to run the cafes. In the future they will be introduced to many other traits including laundry, salesmanship, beauty salon service and more, she said.

Grants will also be provided to help them step forward with the newly obtained knowledge.

Portion of the profit earned from the cafes will be given to the managers. Part of it will be used to further expand the project.

The initiative would inspire others to create similar opportunities for women facing oppression in the society, Hassan hoped.
(source: The Daily Star

Govt to build 1 lakh flats, Mulls 11,000 plots in 3 housing projects

The government will construct over 1.03 lakh apartments and create over 11,000 residential plots in three government housing projects in the capital's suburbs in an effort to resolve an acute housing problem in the city.

State Minister for Housing and Public Works Abdul Mannan Khan yesterday disclosed the plan to the parliamentary standing committee on the ministry at a meeting in Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

The parliamentary watchdog committee also formed a three-member sub-committee to look into alleged encroachment on city lakes.

ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury, chairman of the committee, told reporters that the sub-committee was asked to submit its report within a month.

A different report submitted by the housing ministry to the committee, said 11,104 residential plots will be created in three residential projects -- Uttara, Purbachol, and Jhilimili.

The government will also build over 1,03,280 different types of apartments in those housing projects.

The report added that 62,000 of those apartments will be built under Purbachol Project, 21,000 will be built under Uttara Project, and 20,280 will be built under Jhilimili Project.

The state minister said the apartments will be distributed through a 'transparent process'.

The ministry report also said an additional 3,380 apartments will be built in Mirpur and Mohakhali for government employees.

The committee asked the chairman of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) to submit a detailed report on how many and which apartment buildings were built on lands that were developed by filling up sections of lakes in the city's Gulshan, Banani and Uttara areas.

It also decided to publish a list of government residential plots which were re-allotted during the last BNP-led four-party alliance government and the successive immediate past caretaker government.

The committee asked the National Housing Authority to take steps to reclaim 130 acres of government land in Mirpur area, which were encroached upon by Sagufta Housing Company, Haveli Properties, and some other individuals.

Emerging from the meeting Mannan Khan told reporters that the government is also determined to complete the Hatirjheel Project within the deadline of June 2010 by any means.

He said steps will be taken so people who will be affected by the water body reclamation project can be compensated.

The immediate past caretaker government initiated Hatirjheel Project in 2007 to clear illegal structures in Hatirjheel and Begunbari areas which used to be major outlets for the city's wastewater.

The Awami League government is continuing the project which includes protection of water bodies, construction of roads, and beautification of the area.

Land acquisition for the project is almost complete, the state minister said.

The government already handed over around Tk 488 crore to the deputy commissioner of Dhaka to compensate the people who will lose their land due to the implementation of the Hatirjheel Project.

79,616 licensed rickshaws ply city roads

As many as 79,616 City Corporation license holding rickshaws ply on different roads of the city whereas a good number of rickshaws without authorization also run on the roads.
There is mushroom growth of rickshaw garages in the city's suburban areas where a good number of rickshaws are kept and are being illegally manufactured. Buying all types of machinery needed for making rickshaw and arranging carpenters, owners of rickshaw have been manufacturing rickshaws since long and push these on roads without authorization. Generally they purchase parts from Tejgaon and Gulistan markets where all parts for rickshaw are available. Besides, they arrange rickshaw pullers on conditions that rickshaw pullers pay Tk 80 to owners per day and some advance money is also paid to rickshaw pullers to paddle rickshaws for at least one year. However, every day a rickshaw puller earns about Tk 300-350.
Mamotaz Uddin, owner of a rickshaw garage at Khilgaon, said he has about sixty rickshaws and all the rickshaws were made in his garage. He had to spend about Tk 14,000 to 20,000 for manufacturing and registration each rickshaw. Nevertheless he never went to Dhaka City Corporation bhaban (DCC) for taking registration of rickshaws as all the registration numbers were managed by brokers in exchange for money. Expressing grave concern, he said that every year at least 2-3 rickshaws were stolen. Despite forming "rickshaw thief preventing committee", it is not being possible to prevent stealing.
"We are poor people running rickshaws on the roads to earn our livelihood. It is very painful that we have to be victim of theft and snatchers on the way. If a rickshaw is stolen once we don't have capability to manage another," said a rickshaw puller.
Talking to this correspondent, an officer of wheel tax department of DCC said that to capture illegal rickshaws, DCC has taken actions and the actions continue. Besides, DCC cancels registration of those rickshaw owners who fail to renew registration every year.

80 pc water misused in city: Experts

About 80 per cent of the water supplied in the city is being misused simply for lack of awareness of the users, experts told a discussion here yesterday.
They said the city dwellers consciously or unconsciously misuse 80 per cent of the water which is nearly pure or could be used with simple purification.
The discussion titled 'Water Problem of Dhaka city: Citizens' Views' was jointly organised by two NGOs-Actionaid and Nagorik Sanghati-at the National Press Club.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on LGRD Ministry Advocate Rahmat Ali spoke at the programme as chief guest with Nagorik Sanghati President Prof Dr ASM Atiqur Rahman in the chair.
Advocate Sanzida Khanam, MP, Shaheda Tareq, MP, former WASA Chief Engineer Qazi Muhammad Shish, Prof Shahidul Islam and water expert Prof Moniruzzaman Mia, among others, spoke at the discussion.
They said a comprehensive water management policy is needed to resolve the city's water crisis, especially drinking water, and emphasized public-private partnership and building rainwater reserve bodies.
Rahmat Ali, however, said it is unlikely that the water supply problem would be solved any time soon but the government has taken effective plans to tackle the crisis.
He said the government would solve the water problem in the city in phases by 2013 and water would be brought from the Bay, if necessary, by setting up desalinating plants.
Engineer Sardar Amin said lack of coordination among different ministries and officials concerned has made the water supply even more fragile. "The government should take an inclusive step so that industrial wastes cannot pollute the rivers nearby Dhaka city."
The government, he said, should form an inter-ministerial committee involving Water Resources, Foreign, Food, Agriculture, River and Industries and other ministries concerned and WASA, BSTI and other establishments concerned to deal with the problem.

'Rickshaw capital' sees first ever rickshaw festival

Dhaka, known as the 'rickshaw capital of the world', saw its first ever Rickshaw Festival on Saturday.

Approximately 400,000 cycle-powered rickshaws run in the capital each day. However, increasing traffic congestion and resulting collisions have led to their ban on many of Dhaka's major roads.

Some fear a total ban in the city before long, putting an end to a century-old tradition.

"The festival is meant to promote this environment-friendly vehicle, and the rickshaw-pulling community, that caters to a vast majority of people in the country," said Sara Siddiq, CEO of Bangladesh Changemakers, the festival organisers.

"It is also meant to raise the profile of Bangladeshi heritage and culture," she told bdnews24.com.

Children and adults thronged the colourful day-long event at New Colony Field in Lalmatia.

Two public universities, including Dhaka University, and 15 private universities also assisted in hosting the programme, which included rickshaw pullers presenting traditional song and dance and showcased the rickshaw painters' famously elaborate and colourful illustrations.

It also allowed festival goers to try their own hand at rickshaw art and take part in rickshaw races.

Most of them said they would be extremely sad if their favourite vehicle were banned from the streets of Dhaka.

"The rickshaw is the middle class's favourite vehicle, and pollution-free," said one rickshaw lover.

Giving no names, one young couple declared there was nothing to compare to taking a romantic rickshaw ride with a loved one!

Mushfira Mahfuza, mother of three and a half year-old Tuli, said: "We rushed to the site on hearing of the rickshaw festival."

"We have no car. Luckily, my daughter is a rickshaw worm, loves to ride on rickshaws."

"Though it must be very hard to pull a rickshaw for a living," she added.

Rickshaw puller, Saiful Islam, says: "I feel free in this profession."

Having studied only up to Class 10, he said, "I chose this profession as it gave me an income for little capital."

He said he was satisfied with his daily take of Tk 200-300.

But some rickshaw pullers said their daily income had fallen in Dhaka over past years as many streets became "VIP only".

They also feared the government might ban rickshaws totally in the capital in the near future.

Modern cycle-powered rickshaws began running in Dhaka in the 1930s, though the festival organisers say hand-pulled rickshaws first made an appearance in the 1870s.

Japanese sources often cite 1868 for the invention of the hand-drawn rickshaw, inspired by the horse carriages that had been introduced to the streets of Tokyo shortly before.

Siddiq said her organisation planned to make the Rickshaw Festival a regular event in Dhaka. It was also mulling hosting such festivals abroad, she added.

Museums in Dhaka

Bangabandhu Memorial Museum
H-10, R-32, Dhanmondi,
Dhaka
Tel: 8110046

Liberation War Museum
5, Segunbagicha
Dhaka
Tel: 9559091

National Museum
Shahbagh
Dhaka
Tel: 8619396-9

Shishu Academy Museum
Old High Court Road (Opp. Karzon Hall)
Dhaka
Tel: 9666466

Organisation

ADB - Tel: 9334017-22

American Cultural Center - Tel: 8612550, 8821406

Asian Foundation - Tel: 8826941-4

British Council - Tel: 8618905-7

CARE (Bangladesh) - Tel: 8114195-8, 8114311

CIRDAP - Tel: 9558751, 9564776

FAO - Tel: 8118015-8

German Cultural Center - Tel: 9126525-6

ILO - Tel: 8114705, 9112907

IMF - Tel: 9550275, 9550293-9

Russian Cultural Center - Tel: 9116314

UNDP - Tel: 8118600-6

UNFPA - Tel: 8110836

UNICEF - Tel: 9336710

USIS - Tel: 8813440-4

WFP - Tel: 8116344, 8619064-72

WHO - Tel: 8614653-55

Fire Service

Fire Brigade

Fire Brigade Enquiry - Tel: 199

Bandar (Narayangonj) - Tel: 9715365

Demra - Tel: 9715575

Dhaka Cantt. (Kurmitola) - Tel: 605168

Hajigonj - Tel: 9715531

Head Quarter - Tel: 9556667, 9555555, 9556666

Khilgaon - Tel: 7218329

Mirpur-10 (Circle) - Tel: 9001055

Mirpur Training Complex - Tel: 9001189, 9002269

Mohammadpur - Tel: 9112078

Narayanganj - Tel: 9715543

Polashi - Tel: 509670

Postogola - Tel: 7410771

River (Narayangonj) - Tel: 9712015

Sadarghat - Tel: 7119759

Tejgaon - Tel: 9898187

Tongi - Tel: 9801070

Dhaka hosts 'Asia's largest photography festival'

Dhaka became a city of photographs from Friday, as Chobi Mela-V kicked off, "Asia's largest photography festival", according to its organisers.

Featuring over 60 exhibitions with 1,000 works by artists from 33 countries, the festival's launch featured two outstanding intellectuals Mahasweta Devi and Noam Chomsky taking on the subject of 'Freedom', the theme of this year's Mela.

Indian social activist, Magsaysay award winner and writer Devi inaugurated the festival by cutting the ribbon for an exhibition titled 'A Long Walk to Freedom', recreating the life and history of Nobel peace laureate Nelson Mandela, at the National Museum.

She later 'met' with renowned linguist, political philosopher and author Chomsky by live video conference at the Goethe Institute to discuss the festival's theme in a lively hour-long debate that began at 8.30pm.

Shahidul Alam, director of the festival says the world mostly associates photographs from Bangladesh with poverty, floods or cyclones.

"Our aim was to move away from this tradition and show the world photographs of every type of joy and sorrow."

The Chobi Mela, first launched in 1993, will run from Jan 30 to Feb 20 this year and its aim is to attract visitors from all walks of life.

"Over sixty exhibitions, over thirty participating nations, well over a thousand images, and over fifty visiting artists from Asia alone, are impressive statistics, but the emphasis on figures is misleading," say the festivals' organisers.

"The dozen or so workshops, the weeklong sessions of presentations, debates, lectures and discussions … will perhaps be what the visitors remember the most."

The works of top class photographers from Bangladesh and around the world will be shown at 63 exhibitions in 11 venues around the capital, including prominent galleries and open spaces like Karwan Bazar.

source: bdnews24.com

'Stop publishing misleading ads by developers'

Four environmental groups have urged Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakkha (Rajuk) to take initiative to stop publishing in the dailies misleading advertisements by Real Estate Developers for selling their unauthorised plots.

The call was made in a letter to Rajuk chairman on January 26 by Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela), Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa), Centre for Urban Studies (CUS) and Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB).

The letter mentioned that The Private Housing Projects Land Development Rules 2004 has prohibited advertisement regarding selling/allotment of plot/land/building without taking prior approval of the authorities concerned.

The Real Estate Development and Management Ordinance 2008 has also made such advertisement punishable with an imprisonment of not exceeding two years or fine not exceeding Tk 10 lakh or both.

The copy of the letter has also been sent to the state minister and secretary to housing and public works ministry and PS to the prime minister.


(source : the Daily Star)

2nd Int’l Children’s Film Festival to commence with “Hands Off Mississippi”

With the slogan "Future in Frames", 2nd International Children's Film Festival '09 begins tomorrow with the screening of German filmmaker Detlev Buck's "Hands Off Mississippi". Based on an acclaimed novel, the light-footed family film sparkles with warmth and a lovingly nostalgic feeling. It bagged the German Film Prize 2007 as best children's and youth film.

The inaugural ceremony of the festival will be held at Shawkat Osman Auditorium, Central Public Library at 4 pm tomorrow. Eminent educationist Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed will inaugurate the weeklong festival, which ends on January 30.

In association with UNICEF, Children's Film Society Bangladesh is organising this year's festival. The festival will showcase a total of 156 films from 40 countries including 35 from Bangladesh.

Apart from Bangladesh and Germany, the festival will highlight films from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Chile, Cuba, Denmark, Ethiopia, Estonia, India, Iran, Japan, Nepal, Palestine and Uganda.

The festival will be held simultaneously at six venues including Central Public Library, Alliance Francaise de Dacca, British Council, Goethe-Institut, Iranian Cultural Centre and Russian Centre of Science and Culture. The Central Pubic Library premises will be used as the main venue.

The high point of the festival is a competitive segment, which will feature 15 films made by Bangladeshi children. Five will be chosen for awards by a panel of judges comprising child filmmakers.

Other attractions include a daylong workshop for children on film, a daylong seminar on children's cinema, a special session 'Learning through Cinema' and child delegates' meeting with three eminent personalities. A total of 104 child delegates from all over the country, including differently-abled and underprivileged, will attend the festival.

The seminar will be held on January 27 at the seminar hall of Central Public Library where Fuad Chowdhury, Shamsul Alam Bakul, Masihuddin Shaker and Badal Rahman will provide keynote papers on four different film related topics.

The workshop on basic ideas in cinema will include lectures by Morshedul Islam, Catherine Masud, Tareque Masud and Tanvir Mokammel.

A special screening of Palestinian documentary "Little Peace of Mine" will be held on January 29. The documentary features brutality on Palestinian children by the Israeli army.

Dhaka tipped to qualify this time

Bangladesh may qualify by this year for the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) fund if it makes a little improvement in the fields of functional democracy, governance and economic policies and cutting corruption.

"Bangladesh will achieve quick improvement in the fields of curbing corruption, good governance and democracy and we will get the [MCA] fund," Finance Minister AMA Muhith told reporters at his office after a meeting with US Ambassador to Bangladesh James F Moriarty.

In reply to a question, he said Bangladesh may qualify for the fund this year.

Talking to reporters, Moriarty also said, "The minister's hope and my hope is that Bangladesh will qualify for the fund."

Moriarty met the finance minister yesterday for the first time after the Awami League-led grand alliance formed the government. They discussed the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) at the meeting.

The administration of immediate past US president George W Bush announced the MCA in 2002 and it was inaugurated in 2005. Developing countries are selected as recipients of the fund on a set of 16 indicators, which are aimed at measuring good governance, investing in people and promoting entrepreneurship.

Bangladesh had made several attempts to get included in the MCA fund.

To qualify for receiving money from the fund, a country has to achieve at least 50 percent success in each of the criteria. "While Bangladesh has achieved 50 percent success in some vital fields, it is yet to reach the target in a few areas like governance, curbing corruption and democracy," said Muhith, adding that the country would reach the target soon.

“The amount of money to be available from the fund depends on what type of projects we present for the fund," he said.

If Dhaka makes request UN will cooperate

On secretary general's high level panel chief Francese Vendrel has said the question of trial of war criminals came up during his talks with Sheikh Hasina.
"Hasina has mentioned the issue," Vendrel said after his meeting with the Awami League chief, who has steered her party to a resounding election victory, yesterday.
He pointed out that his delegation was not entrusted with this responsibility but said UN would be prepared to extend cooperation if the new government makes a request.
It would be up to the new government to take up the matter with the UN secretary general and make clear what they want the UN to do, he said, adding "we will look into it with every care."
Vendrel said unlike in the past, minority voters could cast their votes in this election without intimidation.
He said non-party caretaker government system is unique and it could be copied by other countries.
Two other members on the high level panel were Bhojraj Pokharel, chief election commissioner of Nepal, and Ms Aracelly Santana, former deputy director of the UN electoral assistance division.
Agricultural prices, economy will be major challenges for new government: UN team
Created On: 02/01/2009 06:45 PM
Dhaka, Jan 2 (UNB) - Chief of the UN secretary general's high level panel Francesc Vendrel Friday said major challenge before the new government in Bangladesh will be the issues of agricultural prices and of economy in the wake of global economic meltdown.
"This, of course, is not totally in the hands of the Bangladesh government and it will depend on the overall economic situation. At the moment, world is facing economic downturn. It is going to be extremely difficult. But I am sure they are aware of the challenges," he told a press briefing at Sonargaon Hotel.
Vendrel, who had a long meeting earlier with Prime
Minister-in-waiting Sheikh Hasina, said they discussed various issues including how to make the next parliament effective, trial of war criminals and Bangladesh-UN cooperation through UNDP.
The UN panel chief said he found Sheikh Hasina willing to reaching out the opposition by offering the post of the Deputy Speaker and some chairmanships of the parliamentary standing committees.
"She looks forward to working with BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in the next parliament," he said, adding despite frustration and disappointment in BNP, there is ample scope for the opposition to play their constructive role in influencing the debate and making their voice heard in parliament.
Vendrel, former UN Assistant Secretary General, does not consider that a parliament with small opposition against a huge majority cannot be effective. He said the number of the opposition in present German parliament is small while in 1993 the Canadian House of Commons had only two opposition MPs.
However, he suggested cooperation between winners and losers, saying there should not be any feeling that may lead to conflicts. "We encourage Awami League to extend their hands of friendship to the opposition," Vendrel said.
Replying to a question, he said election is one way of achieving democracy. There are other things like stable law and order, independence of the judiciary, ant-corruption commission and the human rights commission, which are required to strengthen democracy.
Regarding BNP's complaints about irregularities in certain constituencies, Vendrel said he would encourage the Election Commission to pay attention to this. He, however, said even if the complaints are valid these would not impact on the overall election results.
Asked about the post-election violence, he said it is important that the law enforcers ensure peace and tranquility.
Asked if the issue of trying war criminals came up during the meeting with Hasina, Vendrel said Sheikh Hasina had mentioned the issue. It would be up to the new government to take up the matter with the UN secretary general and make clear what they want the UN to do, he said, adding "we will look into it with very care."
The 3-member UN high level panel was dispatched twice by UN secretary general Ban ki-Moon to assess the pre-election, polling day and the post-election situation. Like other international observer missions, they said the election was conducted in credible, free and fair manner and the turnout was high.
Vedrel said unlike in the past, minority voters could cast their votes in this election without intimidation.
He said non-party caretaker government system is unique and it could be copied by other countries.
Two other members on the high level panel were Bhojraj Pokharel, chief election commissioner of Nepal, and Ms Aracelly Santana, former deputy director of the UN electoral assistance division.