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Young Tigers eager to flourish in T20 World Cup
Younger members of the Bangladesh national cricket team are eager to prove their mettle in the T20 World Cup which is set to begin on October 17 in Oman.
Bangladesh has six members in the squad who are set to play their maiden World Cup in this event. Three of them have talked to UNB before their scheduled departure for Oman where Bangladesh will play their first-round matches.
In the first round of the World Cup, Bangladesh will take on Scotland, Oman, and Papua New Guinea in Group B. If the Tigers can finish as the champions of Group B, they’ll join Afghanistan, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and A 1 (Champions of Group A in the first round).
Shoriful Islam, the youngest bowling member of the Bangladesh team, said he can’t wait to hit the ground and do well in the World Cup.
“This is my first World Cup with the senior side which makes me so excited,” Shoriful told to UNB.
“I’m confident of making this World Cup a memorable event. But I need to be selected to playing XI first. If I get a chance I’ll give my hundred per cent to do well. My initial goal will be to not concede many runs, and the wickets will come along the way.”
Since his T20I debut earlier this year, Shoriful played a total of 11 matches so far and bagged 17 wickets with the best figures of taking three wickets for 33 runs.
Like the young left-handed pacer, another left-handed bowler Nasum Ahmed is also upbeat to prove his worth. He has recently performed well when Bangladesh beat Australia and New Zealand in two consecutive home series.
Read: Tigers to leave for T20 World Cup on October 3
Through tragedy and trial, how Muslima carries her family
As the day winds down in Khalishpur, Muslima is finishing her daily route, going house-to-house ferrying goods on her bicycle. The goods are contained in multiple bags and cartons somehow attaching themselves on the front and back of her humble ride.
From a distance it may look like a small bazaar on the move, and wherever she stops is where the bazaar sits, as women of all ages quickly swarm to the spot and huddle around her. They bargain, they discuss, they learn about the products. In between, Muslima even manages to sell some of her items.
Her mark up on the final price at which she sells her items is very slender. She isn't out to make an exorbitant amount in quick time. She knows she is in this for the long haul. And she will have to fight every day to survive in the battle of life.
Life wasn't bad for Obaidur Rahman, approaching middle age as a worker of Daulatpur Jute Mill in Khulna. He and his wife never regretted not having a son among their three beautiful and talented daughters. Obaidur's job at the mill was a source of security for them. As long as he held down his post, they had no reason to foresee any great strife in their lives ahead. That happiness ended in 2019, after he got diagnosed as a cardiac patient.
Read: Online Business: How to Get Started from Home?
All of a sudden the blows kept coming for Obaidur. The jute mill was closed by the government in what looked like an overnight decision. As Obaidur was the only earning member of the family, their entire world changed overnight.
All three daughters were of school-going age, and moreover going to school as well. It meant whatever savings Obaidur had got quickly depleted.
Not only did he fail to meet their educational expenses, he was now struggling to provide food on their table.
It was all taking a toll on his health as wellDoctors recommended the stenting procedure for Obaidur, to insert little rings that open up the arteries for blood circulation, but it was unaffordable for him. Gradually Obaidur became more ill and fragile, and ultimately an invalid, incapable of working.
This is when the woman of the house, Taslima Begum Muslima (41) stepped up in a crisis to relieve the load on her husband. She started by selling clothes to the ladies of Khalishpur, winning their confidence by not compromising on quality and her honesty.
Initially, she sold women's clothing including three-pieces that she carried in a bag slung from her shoulder. Later she bought a bicycle with her profit and expanded the product range into bangles, ribbons, gold plate earrings, rings, chains, combs and other necessary goods.
Read: 'Women entrepreneurs get less than 4% of MSME loans'
"I can't do any heavy work. No one wants to employ me once they hear of my health condition. Now my wife is running the family," Obaidur proudly told our correspondent.
Unfortunately, whatever Muslima earns is not enough to bear the educational expenses of their three daughters. So Obaidur would still appreciate wealthy people of the society to step forward to help his family, so that his daughters can have "the future they deserve."
Shahanara Begum, a housewife of Khalishpur Housing Bazar, said she has known Muslima for 22 years.
“She is a pure soul. We would be very happy if any rich people or the governments invest in her,” Shahanara said gratefully.
Jaseda Rani Biswas, one of her loyal customers, said that Muslima always delivers with her top notch service and quality products.
“Since her husband fell ill, she sells goods from house to house and provides for her family," she added.
Taslima Begum Muslima, the hero of the story said,” First I started selling women's accessories with a bag on my shoulder, which led to severe back pain. Later I found out that the bones of my spine were permanently damaged.”
“So I had to buy a bicycle with whatever little savings I had. Every day, I sell products merely worth TK 100-200. It will be very helpful if anyone invests in me.”
Many people suffer from heart disease in Bangladesh. Most of the middle-income and lower income people among them, fail to bear the health expenses.
SM Kamrul Haque, head of the cardiology department of Khulna Sheikh Abu Nasser hospital, told UNB that there are 30 specialised beds at his medical facility dedicated to heart patients.
“Three and a half crore people of this region must depend on this facility here for cardiac treatment,” he said.
Also read: 24pc of female online entrepreneurs shut businesses in June: Study
According to Dr Haque, 'a life of excess' that shuns the concept of control over one's desires, is the surest ticket to developing heart disease. Eating too much, smoking too much, sleeping too much or conversely when it comes to exercising, which is a control function, you don't do it enough.
Erratic gas supply hits hard residents at Demra, neighbouring areas
When Taslima Keya rented a flat in Demra a few months ago she thought she struck a good deal as the house had gas connection.
It did not take long for her to realize that she made a mistake.
“True we have the gas connection, but most time of the day the line remains dry,” said Keya, a homemaker.
Also read: Some areas in Dhaka to see disruption in gas supply Saturday
At Keya’s flat the natural fuel, supplied by Titas Gas, is available only after 1:30 pm which disrupts cooking her breakfast and lunch. Also, she faces trouble in preparing the dinner as the gas pressure goes down in the evening.
“This on-again off-again supply of gas has made our living in this area difficult,” said Keya, who is thinking of moving to a new location. The erratic supply of the cooking fuel has severely affected her daily routine. “What we are doing now is cooking all day’s meals at one go when the supply is available,” she said.
Another housewife Ayesha Islam Jharna, who lives in an adjoining area of Demra, has even a grimmer story to tell.
Read HC rules on govt decision to not provide new household gas connections
Model villages with modern facilities to lead economic transformation
The country will need to accelerate structural transformation of the economy by building strong industrial and manufacturing sectors if it wishes to become a higher middle income country by 2031.
"To maintain its position among the developing countries and become a higher middle income country by 2031, we will need strong industrial and manufacturing sector, which will help maintain high economic growth. For this, we will need to accelerate the structural transformation of the economy," according to an official Financial Ministry document.
It said that the country has been gradually moving from an agro-based economy to a manufacturing-based economy as a result of the pursuit of effective government policies and action plans during the last 12 years.
Therefore, it said, the contribution of agriculture to the GDP has been gradually declining and the desired structural transformation is taking place in the economy.
Bangladesh has already qualified for graduation from the list of Least Developed Countries to a developing, or lower middle-income country.
According to the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) recommendation, Bangladesh's transition will be effective in 2026. It means until 2026, Bangladesh will be able to enjoy all the benefits applicable to LDCs.
However, under the current rules, Bangladesh will be able to enjoy duty-free and quota-free market access for another three years, i.e. until 2029, to overseas markets that offer favourable trade terms to LDCs.
Also read: Progress meeting held to eliminate homelessness in Mujib Centennial
The document said that in future the government will give priority to accelerating the structural transformation of the economy.
To this end, the government will provide necessary financial assistance for the implementation of some activities that aid this transformation.
Bangladesh: On the frontline of a planet in peril
Nowhere is the climate crisis more pressing or more potentially catastrophic than Bangladesh, for the simple fact that nowhere else do we see a greater swathe of humanity under threat from its worst effects.
According to the Environmental Justice Foundation, by 2050, with a projected 50 cm rise in sea level, Bangladesh may lose approximately 11% of its land, affecting an estimated 15 million people living in its low-lying coastal region.
It isn’t something the country brought upon itself. As a late comer to industrialisation, the country’s contribution to anthropogenic climate change, for which the Industrial Revolution that started in 19th-century Britain was a catalyst, has actually been minimal.
That is why as the current chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, a group of 48 countries that are most disproportionately affected by the consequences of global warming, it is working hard for a fair and equitable deal to be reached at the next UN-led conference on the issue (COP26), set to be held in Glasgow in December.
Experts have long bemoaned the fact that the wealthier, industrialised countries – the ones who have historically contributed the most to the depletion of the ozone layer – still put up a reluctant front when it comes to taking responsibility now for addressing the problem.
“Bangladesh has been hit hard with extreme weather caused by climate change for years. Climate change is a global phenomenon that needs a global solution through collective efforts,” noted climate expert Dr Ainun Nishat on the occasion of World News Day.
Dr Nishat said they have been talking about climate finance for several decades for combating climate change impacts, but sufficient funds have not been allocated globally.
“It’s necessary to sensitise global leaders regarding climate financing and keep their commitment to reducing carbon emission. The upcoming COP-26 Summit will create an opportunity to do this,” he said.
World News Day is being observed in Bangladesh as elsewhere across the world today (Tuesday), highlighting the critical importance of credible journalism in providing trustworthy information about the climate crisis.
Environment experts said about 700,000 people in Bangladesh become refugees every year due to the natural disasters which are said to be intensifying with climate change.
They point out that per capita carbon dioxide (CO2) emission in Bangladesh is 0.46 tonne per year while it is about 10 to 15 tonnes per year in the developed countries.
Alongside reducing carbon emissions, the analysts said developed nations must help Bangladesh with mitigation and adaptation efforts, necessary funds, resources and technology to prepare it for the inevitable losses of lives, livelihoods, habitable land, and the resulting human migration.
Read: Dickson lauds Bangladesh's efforts on climate front
Tourism industry cares less about health rules as business recovers from gloom
As tourism gains momentum in business after relaxation of Covid restrictions, the few health protocols still in force are being completely ignored in violation of the conditions imposed by the government.
One of those protocols for the hotel authorities at the famous tourism spots was to keep 50 per cent of the accommodation empty. But it is being highly disregarded by the management of hotels and motels.
Taufiq Rahman, Secretary General of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Bangladesh Chapter, said it's hard for hotel authorities to follow the health rules even if they wish to because of the onrush of tourists at the spots soon after the mass unlocking.
READ: ATJFB joins beach cleanup on World Tourism Day
"A strict monitoring by the local government on how many tourists can visit a spot at a time may ensure the compliance of the government's direction," suggested Taufiq.
Apparently health guidelines have already become a myth in Cox's Bazar, one of the most frequented tourism spot in the country with 500 t0 600 hotels and motels.
President of Tour Operator Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) Rafiuzzaman said crowding of in open places can't actually be controlled or monitored.
Read Bangladesh unlocks tourism
"In our meetings we are asking operators to operate tours maintaining health guidelines. But most tourists go personally and they don't actually care much about those rules," said the president of TOAB.
Regarding keeping 50 per cent accommodation vacant, Rafiuzzaman said though the five star or standard hotels are maintaining the guideline small hotels are taking full bookings.
Marjina chooses ‘Nakshi Kantha’ to stitch a better life together
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much,” said Helen Keller, an American author.
Marjina Begum, a resident of Bamoner Hat village in Ulipur upazila, has proved that stunning results can be achieved in groups and teams as Helen Keller said.
Marjina, in her early 40s, not only reshaped her own destiny but also changed the course of the lives of 360 other poor women. Her greater goal of beating poverty and living a better life saw success when he started stitching ‘Nakshi Kantha’, a traditional embroidered quilt.
Read: Boat makers in Shariatpur struggle to keep their craft alive
The journey of Marjina, a mother of two, was not that easy to become an entrepreneur. But her dedication and determination helped her reach the great goal.
She started her venture with five small sized quilts three years back, and earned some money from those that encouraged her to achieve greater feats. Marjina then engaged a few more women from her neighborhood in making ‘Nakshi Kantha’ and started selling those.
In pursuit of a common cause, Marjina shared the profit with the women she had engaged.
Titas Gas seeks foreign funding for installing 1.25 million prepaid metres in Dhaka city
The country’s largest state-run natural gas distributor Titas Gas is seeking funds from two major donor agencies to implement its plan to install 1.25 million more prepaid gas metres domestic customers in the capital city.
The financing is being sought from the Asian Development Bank and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), official sources told UNB without specifying the amount as the proposals are still at a discussion stage.
If the move succeeds, more than half the total consumers of the state-run Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company will come under the prepaid gas metre coverage, the sources said.
Read: Seven more city areas set to get prepaid gas metres
This will also increase the number of Titas Gas prepaid metre customers to about 1.710 million from the existing 460,000, said the official sources speaking on condition of anonymity.
Titas Gas, the oldest and largest downstream gas distribution company, has been responsible for supply of natural gas to Dhaka and its adjoining districts including Mymensingh, Netrokona, Sherpur, Jamalpur, Norsingdi, Manikganj, Munshiganj, Gazipur and Narayanganj since its founding in 1964.
“But currently the company has been focusing on just Dhaka city in installing the prepaid gas meters for household consumers where it has the largest network”, said a top official of the company. Over 70 per cent of the total 2.874 million consumers live in the city, he added.
Read Titas moves to overhaul ageing accident-prone pipelines in Dhaka city
Official sources said that the government has been trying to obtain required funding from Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).
“We’ve been discussing with the ADB for long to secure financing for a project to install 549,000 pre-paid meters while similar move is in progress with JBIC to get a support for installing 700,000 prepaid metres”, said a top official of the Titas preferring not to be quoted.
About the move, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said his ministry has forwarded its proposals on the issue to the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the finance ministry.
Read: Dhaka’s five more areas likely to get prepaid gas metres from July
“If they clear our proposals, we’ll move further to receive the financial support from ADB and JBIC to implement new project for the prepaid gas metering”, he told UNB.
Official sources noted that so far the Titas Gas installed prepaid gas metres in a number of phases.
Smuggled firearms “from India” causing concern for Bangladesh law enforcers
The increasing illegal arrival of small firearms reportedly from India to Bangladesh is causing a new headache for the country’s law enforcement agencies, thanks to a well-organised gang of smugglers.
The gunrunners have allegedly established an efficient network that spreads across the Indian states of Bihar, West Bangladesh and several Bangladesh districts, especially along the border. Police in both countries are often forced to play a hide-and-seek game with the smugglers.
Originating mainly from Bihar, the firearms, most of them 7.65MM pistols, are sold at a high price again through a network to the criminals in Bangladesh, investigators have found.
They say at least nine gunrunners of Jashore district have been involved in distributing illegal firearms in various districts, including Dhaka, Khulna and Bagerhat. The firearms are smuggled into Bangladesh mainly through Jashore frontier.
Several Indian arms smugglers’ syndicate, who are locally known as ‘Mohajon’, have been involved in this risky but lucrative clandestine business using Bangladeshi labourers as carriers. The transactions of money are done through ‘hundi ‘and mobile banking apps.
Detectives of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have got the information about the nine Jashore-based Bangladeshi gunrunners and their Indian partners while investigating a recent case of illegal arms consignment.
The detectives have found out that the firearms sneaked through Benapole border are being carried from as far as Bihar.
Based on secret information, three specialized teams of DB (Gulshan Division) arrested five Bangladeshi gunrunners from ‘Borobazar ‘ of Mirpur embankment under Darus Salam police station on September 1.
They also recovered eight foreign made pistols, eight rounds of bullet, eight blank magazines, five mobile phone sets and a private car from their possessions.
The arrested gunrunners were identified as Md Akul Hossain, 37, Md Abdul Azim, 28, Md Ilias Hossain, Md Milon Hossain, and Md Fazlur Rahman, 35. All are inhabitants of Benapole and Sharsha upazilas in Jashore district.
Durga Puja: Covid crumbles market for Kurigram artisans
Kurigram has a long tradition of celebrating the annual Hindu festival of Durga Puja, where huge crowds cutting across religious lines visit pandals just to have a glimpse of the idol of goddess Durga.
These idols are, in fact, sculpted from mud and straw by specialist artisans, before being taken to the pandals for worship for a week. And these artisans usually earn the most during the Hindu festive season. But the second wave of the pandemic has made them anxious about business again, with fears of muted celebrations looming large.
Read Durga Puja ends with immersion of goddess on Bijoya Dashami
Pal Para and Kumar Para are the two localities of potters in Kurigram town, where artisans -- in normal times -- get irritated by usual distractions in the form of onlookers. But this year too, they are a worried lot and seemingly have all the time in the world to explain their plight. The situation is the same in other potter localities of the district, including Kathalbari.
Most of the potters claim to have received orders for just eight to 10 idols this year, and that too from puja committees in the district, as against the usual 20-22 in pre-Covid years.
"In 2020, we lost all our savings. This year, we were hoping for a turnaround to tide over the losses. Though the situation is marginally better this year, not a single artisan in the area has got an order from outside the district because of the second wave of the pandemic," says Kalikanto Pal, an artisan in Kathalbari.
Also read; Durga Puja ends