QUOTE....UNQUOTE "A three-year old baby does not need warm clothes; mother's warmth is enough" --Abdul Bari Khan District Commissioner of Nilphamari, Bangladesh while distributing warm clothes among the poor. "And the mother does not need warm clothes either because her baby will keep her warm." --Zahir's comment I wish the three-year old be Mr. Abdul Bari Khan's child. Source: Ri...

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"My Life" by Bill Clinton A brief synopsis of the 957 pages book in Powerpoint form...

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BE WITH FAMILY Recently my father had a cataract operation. I was tremendously busy with my work facing few deadlines, but managed a leave and stayed with him in the hospital. He was not expecting me and I could have appointed another kin to be beside him, but I felt like staying with him and I managed. I believe in cohesiveness of family members and will be with my parents as long as I can. I do not wish that one day Bangladeshis should behave with the parents as the western world does, where sending a card on a few occasions are the only signs...

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BANGLADESHI IT STUDENTS IN DESPAIR More & more news like this will continue to emerge as there is little development happening in the IT industry of Bangladesh. The fact is that IT students of Bangladesh have already shown great skills abroad are failing to get a decent job in the industry as no single significant software industry has been established here. The generally available job for the IT graduates are lecturing mediocre curriculums, database keeping or petty operator like jobs. Another trend which is taking away their jobs is that...

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Falu's background Did you ever wonder what Mr. M Mosaddeq Ali Falu's background is? He is now campaigning heavily as the four-party coalition candidate for the Dhaka-10 by-election scheduled day after tomorrow. Each day you can watch him campaigning in NTV (he owns its majority share) whereas there is little or no mention of his rival candidates. But you hardly know him. Even The Daily Star tried in vain to gather the information about his background. Mr. Falu first came into the political limelight in 1991, when he was appointed personal secretary...

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POETRY TIME If we fly So we are right On target? Pinpoint and surface assurance fling mortar at night visions. Laser and satellite satisfy our curious justifications. So we are right Handed; sorry softy lefties. We pound their positions and pound our chests with nuclear fission. curious our fire-for-fire penetration that excuses excess and negates meditation. Is instinct our only recourse? Are dog collars and leashes the releases we approve to vent our boiling rage? Looking at our indignation we must not spoil our grief upon naked piles...

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QUOTES OF THE DAY "It is pretty obvious that the debasement of the human mind caused by a constant flow of fraudulent advertising is no trivial thing. There is more than one way to conquer a country." - Raymond Chandler 1888-1959, American Author "Advertising may be described as the science of arresting the human intelligence long enough to get money from it." - Stephen B. Leacock 1869-1944, Canadian Humorist, Economist...

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Influence of satellite TV Channels Bangladesh's air is free to all the satellite broadcasters. There are a few Bangladeshi Private TV channels, which usually broadcasts good programs in Bangla. Viewers prefer these channels to the state owned BTV(accused of being a mouthpiece of government) because of variety in programs and authenticity of news programs they provide. We can also watch other Asian channels which are generally broadcasted in this region. Due to the language similarities and attractive programs Indian channels (Hindi, Bengali &...

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Stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh There are about 238,000 Pakistanis, who opted for going back to Pakistan after Bangladesh became independent in 1971, are now being sheltered in 66 camps in 13 districts across Bangladesh. Many of them are supported by local NGOs and the Bangladesh Government. As far I know that almost all of them are working in the society as they are free to move and do not need an work permit as such. Many of the top-class Barbers in Dhaka are biharis-people from these camps (including my barber). Yet they want to go back to...

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The post MFA challenge of Bangladesh RMG Sector If you are wondering, what RMG (ready made garments) industry means for Bangladesh then you should know: 1. It accounts for more than 70% of the countries export earnings 2. Bangladesh is among the Top 5 largest garment exporter to the European Union & the US. 3. More than 10000 apparel manufacturers in the country which employ more than 3 million workers of which almost 80% are women. Bangladesh garment industry was developed primarily because of the MFA (Multi-fiber Agreement) and other trade...

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QUOTES OF THE DAY "We cannot discuss the state of our minorities until we first have some sense of what we are, who we are, what our goals are, and what we take life to be. The question is not what we can do now for the hypothetical Mexican, the hypothetical Negro. The question is what we really want out of life, for ourselves, what we think is real." - James Baldwin 1924-1987, American Author "Shall we judge a country by the majority, or by the minority? By the minority, surely." - Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803-1882, American Poet, Essayist...

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BUSINESS I will be extremely busy this week. So blogging will be light....

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Illegal migration from Bangladesh to India Indian government is claiming the fact whereas Bangladesh government is denying. There are also claims of insurgents in the northeastern territory of Bangladesh to carry on their operations in India from the soil of Bangladesh. The foreign minister of Bangladesh accpeted the fact recently that there are reports of some camps existing. Razib at Gene Expression has a deeper insight into this illegal migration crisis. He thinks that "The flight of the Hindus has resulted in more poverty for the people...

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LINKS OF THE DAY * If you care for some Novelty Toilet Papers. * If you think that your singing ability (tested only in bathrooms) is not up to the mark then try to listen these; you might change your mind (Warning: Some material on this link has been known to disturb household pets and some reptiles). * I was browsing this site while taking a quick lunch. It made me throw up. * If you are contemplating about death then check these out and be sure not to end up like them. * When doodling is an art it produces these. * Which office moron are...

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DEFEAT OF BANGLADESH IN THE BID FOR OIC TOP POST The move for Bangladesh's candidature for the post of Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) was a brave one. But the government did the initial mistake by nominating an alleged Mafia don, murderer and war criminal probably on the merit that he is the political adviser of the prime minister. Bangladesh lobbied well but had difficulties in obtaining support from Malaysia & Turkey. The choice of secretary general was never decided through an election, but rather through...

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INCREASE IN PER CAPITA INCOME Bnagldesh's per capita income is now Taka 25,944 ($440) achieving 20% growth in two years. However, this does not reflect the huge disparity between the rich and poor even if we are on the right track. And I hope the political parties will not create a situation which will hinder this progress, which is a bit slow, but steady. We need more efforts like this and have to stop this. Sanity, where do you li...

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QUOTE OF THE DAY "When one door of happiness closes, another one opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us." - Hellen Keller...

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Debating the Ahmadiyya book ban Let the debate go on. Because I think people need to understand the fallacy the right-wing fundamentalist parties are imposing on ignorant people. Let people come to their sens...

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THE SIDE-EFFECTS OF ASSISTING IN THE WAR AGAINST TERROR Jivha has an interesting analogy dissecting the news that an Indian intelligence officer allegedly sold Indian national secrets to US intelligence agencies in the hood of assisting in the war against terror. Jivha concludes: All credit to Bush & Co. for this brilliantly crafted fake war though. In one stroke they have managed to: * Secure oil sources for themselves * Install a puppet government bang in the middle of the middle east * Abandon all rules, laws and guidelines and round...

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EURO 2004: England 1: France 2 The England-France football match had all the ingredients to be a exciting one. I was pretty pumped up to be able to watch this meet of all the big stars, many of them are famous for their world cup performance. The game started here at 00:45 AM and I thought I would go to sleep as soon as I find it boring. But I could not go to sleep even if I was pretty bored with the start of second half. The first half the battle was elegantly poised and the england goal was worth watching. It was initiated by a brilliant freekick...

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QUOTES OF THE DAY * The ultimate tendency of civilization is towards barbarism. - David Hare 1947-, British Playwright, Director * A civilized man is one who will give a serious answer to a serious question. Civilization itself is a certain sane balance of values. - Ezra Pound 1885-1972, American Poet, Critic * The civilized savage is the worst of all savages. - C. J. Weber * Never criticize a man until you've walked a mile in his moccasins. - American Indian Proverb Sayings of American Indian Orig...

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Why the journalists have to be assaulted by Police? It seems that the sense of discipline is all time low in the police force and among the political leaders. Instead of directives by the Prime Minister, the police department fails to ensure security of public lives. They could not apprehend the notorious extremist communal leader Bangla Bhai (named during his training in Afghanistan) thanks to influence of certain quarters, to whom Prime ministers order is negligible. The police have made the image of the ruling party worse by beating journalists...

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G8 Summit - the annual festivity of hypocracy I have came across an interesting article of Fraser Nelson published in "The Scotsman". He slates the ineffectiveness of the G8 summit which has become a worthless annual gathering. Fraser says: Every year, the same formula applies. World leaders are invited from what are supposed to be the world's richest countries and declare they will end world poverty or hunger. They then make pledges which almost none of themhonorr. Having dealt with hunger and disease last year, the G8 leaders now want to...

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STORIES THAT MATTERS MOST Most of us are pretty bored with the same type of news of repetitive problems around the world. These occupy most of the newsspace and leaving many other urgent news unnoticed. The public relations department of UN has published "Ten Stories the World Should Hear More About." This list includes a number of humanitarian emergencies, as well as conflict or post-conflict situations. The stories are reported as less important issues but actually these need more thorough, balanced and regular attention. It's time we draw our...

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QUOTES OF THE DAY * Sensitiveness is closely allied to egotism; and excessive sensibility is only another name for morbid self-consciousness. The cure for tender sensibilities is to make more of our objects and less of our selves. - Christian Nevell Bovee 1820-1904, American Author, Lawyer * The art of being a slave is to rule one's master. - Diogenes of Sinope c.410-320 BC, Cynic Philosopher * Enemies are so stimulating. - Katharine Hepburn 1907-, American Actress, Writer * Hatred -- The anger of the weak. - Alphonse Daudet 1840-1897,...

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GUEST BLOGGING I am guest blogging at Jivha.com. Read my recent post "INDIA BANGLADESH RELATION...

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MORE TERROR DISRUPTS CITY LIFE I woke up with much shock and dismay reading this news. Who can do this inhuman thing? The opposition party Awami League activitists are blamed for this incident initially by the police. But to me this has another signature. Is it the acts of islami activists in protest of Donald Rumsfeld's visit? Innocent lives are being subjected to more threats and terror as there are some unknown scams going on by some quarters beyond our imaginati...

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RUMSFELD IN BANGLADESH AMIDST PROTEST The US Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld is coming to Bangladesh today for a 14 hour visit presumably to discuss Bangladesh's possible interest in peacekeeping in Iraq. Yesterday, there were some protests in Dhaka city against Rumsfeld's visit by some right wing Islami parties and the leftwing communist parties. The coalition govt. (including nationalist BNP and the rightwing Jamaate Islami) and the main opposition (Awami League) have not commented anything. The opposition party has called a 24 hours hartal...

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THE LARA QUOTE CREATES CONTROVERSY After the resilient effort of Bangladesh cricket team in the first test, the West Indies was under pressure before the start of second test. Captain Brian Lara's quote "If we don't win against Bangladesh then I'll quit" has created much controversy in the WI cricket arena. I think he has said that to put pressure on his fellow teammates, whose performance was not intimidating as it should be against the test babe Bangladesh which has lost 26 times in their last 29 matches and never have own. His former coach...

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ITS RAINING After some pretty hot days, here comes the rain pouring heavily in our part of the world. The weatherman said that heavy rainfall will continue in most of Bangladesh for a couple of days. I am planning to enjoy the weekend staying home and watching the rain. It would be fun if I could be playing in the rain, maybe I will try that. There is another delight of rainfall. Specially if you are in a cottage with tin roof, the sound of raindrops falling in the corrugated sheets is really marvelous. But I won't be having the luxury of that...

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TIGERS RAISING THEIR LEVEL The latest from the West Indies v Bangladesh 1st Test, 28 May- 1 June, 2004, St Lucia is that the match is drawn. But Bangladesh's achievements from this match are: * They have scored 687 runs in both innings against the fierce (atleast on the books) bowling side of WI, their highest in 29 Test matches they have played including this. * Bangladesh team has produced three centuries: 1st innings: - Habibul Bashar 113 - Mohammad Rafique 111 (Batting at number 9) 2nd Innings: - Khaled Mashud 103* (Batting at number...

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QUOTES OF THE DAY * The right to be alone -- the most comprehensive of rights, and the right most valued by civilized man. - Louis D. Brandeis 1856-1941, American Judge * Get away from the crowd when you can. Keep yourself to yourself, if only for a few hours daily. - Arthur Brisbane American Editor, Columnist * Solitude shows us what should be; society shows us what we are. - Robert Cecil 1830-1903, British Conservative Politician, Prime Minister * The best thinking has been done in solitude - Thomas A. Edison 1847-1931, American...

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