Dhaka Mirror

Nation pays homage to language heroes

admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:15:23 +0000

People in bare feet started streaming along the roads leading to the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka and monuments across the country a minute after midnight past Monday as the nation is paying homage to the martyrs of the language movement of 1952.
As the clock struck one minute past midnight, people in their thousands with flowers in hands and singing Amar Bhaiyer Raktey Rangano Ekushey February started filing into the Central Shaheed Minar premises after the president, prime minister, leader of the opposition, political leaders, diplomats and representatives of international organisations had placed wreaths at the monument in honour of Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar and others who had laid down their lives this day in 1952 for recognition of Bangla as a state language of the then Pakistan.
President Zillur Rahman, also a language movement activist, was the first to place a wreath at Shahid Minar on behalf of the nation at one minute past midnight followed by prime minister Sheikh Hasina as the head of the government.
Hasina also placed a wreath along with her party leaders on behalf of Awami League followed by deputy speaker M Shawkat Ali on behalf of the Jatiya Sangsad.
The leader of the opposition, Khaleda Zia, placed wreath at 12:22am. She also placed flowers on behalf of Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
After the state dignitaries and the two major parties, Dhaka University, diplomats, Sector Commanders Forum and chiefs of the three services placed wreaths before the Central Shahid Minar was opened for people from of all walks of life to pay their tributes.
Ekushey February, formally known as Shaheed Dibas or Martyrs’ Day, has come to be observed as International Mother Language Day every year since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism after a proclamation by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s general conference in November 1999.
On February 21, 1952, which fell on Phalgun 8, 1359 in the Bangla calendar, the rulers of what was then a united Pakistan ordered Section 144
banning demonstrations against the announcement that Urdu would be
the only state language even though a majority of its combined population spoke Bangla.
The Pakistani rulers ordered law enforcers to fire into the protesters, mainly Dhaka University students, who brought out a procession defying the ban seeking Bangla to be a state language.
President Zillur Rahman, prime minister Sheikh Hasina, leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia, also the BNP chairperson, and major political parties issued messages on the occasion of Ekushey February.
Paying tributes to the martyrs, the president in his message said, ‘The great language movement is a very significant day in the national history. The spirit of Bengali nationalism emanated from the bloodstained February 21 and gained tremendous momentum gradually as the long-cherished independence was eventually achieved in 1971.’
‘We feel proud that the February 21 is being observed all over the world as International Mother Language Day in a befitting manner.’
He said International Mother Language Day has made a bridge of unity and amity among the people of the world and inspired the preservation and promotion of languages and cultures of various nations.
Zillur said that February 21 is not only a symbol of dignity of the Bengali people’s own language but also an inspiration for the protection of the languages and heritage of all the ethnic groups of the world.
He hoped that the observance of International Mother Language Day would revive the world’s all near-extinct languages and advance the human civilisation as well.
Prime minister Sheikh Hsaina in her message said, ‘Amar Ekushey is the symbol of our democratic values, Bengali nationalism, spirit of the independence war and secularism.’
She said that the day had achieved a new height when UNESCO gave recognition to February 21 as International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999 at the initiative of the Awami League government with the help of some expatriate Bangladeshis in Canada.
Hasina said she had already placed the demand in the United Nations General Assembly to make Bangla, spoken by 250 million people, one of the official languages of the world body.
Khaleda Zia in her message said the spirit of Ekushey would inspire the nation to resist injustice and realise rights of the people.
She said the supreme sacrifice of the valiant sons of the soil was the first step for ‘the struggle of our national liberty which culminated in the independence war of Bangladesh.’
Mourners of all ages and from all walks of life started pouring into the Dhaka University campus well before midnight waiting in queues for placing wreaths and pay homage to the martyrs.
The altar of the Central Shaheed Minar decorated with Bengali letters and different traditional motives widely known as Alpana, went under flowers and wreaths in hours as the mourners filed past the monument.
Security was heightened at and around the Central Shaheed Minar for the Ekushey observance. About 10,000 police, Armed Police Battalion and Rapid Action Battalion personnel were deployed.
Television channels are airing the events live from the Central Shaheed Minar.
Lawmen closed all entrances to the campus before midnight past Monday with barbed-wire fences. They set up check points on the roads to restrict people’s movement.
The day is a public holiday. The national flag has been hoisted at half mast atop government, autonomous and private buildings and educational institutions. Newspapers have marked the occasion by bringing out supplements. The electronic media started airing special programmes.
Dhaka University authorities are supervising the Amar Ekushey observance as it did in the past.
Government, non-government, socio-cultural and political organisations have chalked up various programmes to mark the day.
The Awami League’s programmes for the day include placing flowers at the Central Shaheed Minar, hoisting the national and party flags at half mast at its offices and at Bangabandhu Bhaban, and hoisting black flag at 6:30am.
The party will also hold a discussion at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre on Wednesday.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which held a discussion at Kazi Bashir Auditorium in Dhaka on Monday, will place flowers at the Central Shaheed Minar at 6:00am today.
The party will also hoist the national and party flags at half mast at its offices across the country.
Jatiya Party, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal, Workers Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Bangladesh Jatiya Party and National People’s Party will place wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar in the first hours of the observance.
Dhaka University’s music department will arrange a programme featuring patriotic songs at TSC Auditorium at 6:30pm.
Sammilita Sangskritik Jote began its three-day programmes at Rabindra Sarobar at Dhanmondi on Sunday night.
Nazrul Academy will hold a discussion and cultural programme at its office at 5:00pm today. Pioneer Health Services will arrange a day-long free blood grouping at its office.

Courtesy of The Daily Star

Living gets tough

admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:13:47 +0000

Inflation dwarfs wage growth
All’s not well when it comes to cost of living and wages in the country.
According to the data of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), due to high inflation the real wages of the working class people suddenly marked a sharp drop last fiscal year.
As the inflation has exceeded 10 percent this year, the common people should expect more economic misery than any other recent years.
And it is not just the working class that is being affected by the rising inflation and low wage growth. Middle and upper middle class people are also feeling the bite now.
“My salary increased by just five percent last year while my cost of living, I believe, increased by two to three folds,” said MS Rahman, an employee in a private company in the capital.
Rahman said he now works extra to cover the rising living cost.
From essential food items to transport cost, and from personal care products to house rent — prices of everything marked sharp rise in the last two years.
The wage growth rate in manufacturing and construction sector fell by 6 percentage point, and in the agriculture sector by 10 percentage point.
Around 90 percent of the total labour force is employed in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and fisheries sectors, according to BBS.
The scenario of wage growth was quite opposite between fiscal years 2008 and 2010. According to the BBS data, general wages of workers in major sectors like manufacturing and agriculture grew at an excellent rate of more than 11 percent back then.
With inflation hitting 8.8 percent, the wage growth rate dropped down to a frustrating 3.95 percent last fiscal year. A Bangladesh Bank official said if the inflation is adjusted with the wage growth rate the real income has decreased in the recent times.
The data for the current fiscal year might be available after June this year.
The recently released Bangladesh Bank annual report (2010-11) observes, “Purchasing power of the poor people has been slower due to lower wage rates against high inflation.”
This finding contradicts with the BBS chief’s recent remark that while inflation has been on the rise, people’s purchasing power has also gone up.
World Bank senior economist, Zahid Hussain, explained the decline in real wages.
“This happens when the labour supply growth exceeds labour demand growth. The labour supply has grown steadily at 3.6 percent per annum during 2006 and 2010. Domestic employment growth during the same period was 3.5 percent per annum. Nominal wages grew at double-digit rates in all sectors and far exceeded the inflation rates during fiscal years 2008 to 2010.”
He wrote in an email, “This was a period of booming manpower exports which tightened labour supply in our internal labour markets leading to increase in real wages. Manpower exports slowed considerably in FY11 relative to the annual average number exported during FY08-10. Consequently, supply side pressure in the domestic labour market increased, thus lowering real wages.”
The wage growth rate fell while general inflation grew by double digits over the last 11 months. In the last two months both food and non-food inflation were in the range of two digits.

Courtesy of The Daily Star

Aamra Technologies’ IPO approved

admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:10:40 +0000

The Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday approved the initial public offering prospectus of Aamra Technologies Ltd (ATL) to raise Tk 51.77 crore from the public.
The approval came at a meeting of the stockmarket regulator with SEC Chairman M Khairul Hossain in the chair. Using the fixed price method, ATL will float 2.15 crore ordinary shares of Tk 10 each at an offer price of Tk 24, including a premium of Tk 14, the SEC said in a statement.
With the proceedings from the IPO, the company will repay its bank loans and set up ATM (automated teller machine) and POS (point of sale) terminals.
The company’s earning per share is Tk 2.61, while the net asset value per share is Tk 24.81, according to its 2010 financial statements.
ATL was incorporated in Bangladesh as a private limited company in February 3, 2010. ATL was previously known as Texas Electronics Ltd and was renamed on December 31, 2007.
ATL provides IT solutions and services, including systems integration, information systems outsourcing, core banking software and switching and networking solution supply.
It will be the sixth IT company to be listed on the Bangladesh stockmarket.
At yesterday’s meeting, SEC also approved the takeover of Toyo Composite Knit Garments Ltd and Pure Cotton Knit Wears Ltd by Mithun Knitting, a listed company.
Mithun Knitting will issue 66.66 lakh shares to take over the above two companies. The newly issued shares will be locked-in for three years, which means the shares cannot be sold or transferred in that time.
The SEC also fined all directors of Mac Enterprise Tk 1 lakh each for failing to submit quarterly financial reports to the regulator.

-With The Daily Star input

Junaed breaks local duck

admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:09:13 +0000

A mightier explosion from Junaed Siddiqui eclipsed the one from Phil Mustard as Duronto Rajshahi chased down a formidable total quite comfortably to script a massive 9-wicket victory against Barisal Burners in the BPL T20 at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium yesterday.
The tournament had been crying out for an innings like Junaed’s as the foreigners have been dominating the proceedings. The Rajshahi left-hander did it in emphatic fashion during his unbeaten 89 as Rajshahi overtook Barisal’s 192 runs with 2.5 overs to spare.
After two defeats in the first two matches, Rajshahi have bounced back strongly to win five matches in a row, thus increasing their chances of playing in the semifinals with ten points from seven matches. Barisal are on six points from the same number of outings.
It was a very entertaining match for the smallish crowd in terms of power-hitting as 33 boundaries and 18 sixes were deposited, thanks to Barisal’s Ahmed Shehzad and Mustard and Rajshahi’s Junaed, Shahzaib Hasan and Marlon Samuels.
But in the end it was Junaed who became the hero of the match. Many might have dismissed Rajshahi’s chances after Barisal’s 192-3 but Junaed said that he was confident of success once he hit the first six through square-leg off Yasir Arafat in the first over.
Chasing the challenging target, Rajshahi made a perfect start as Shahzaib, who smashed six fours and two sixes in his 22-ball 46, and Junaed made use of the indisciplined bowling during their 93-run opening stand in 6.4 overs to set the tone for an easy sail.
Samuels joined the party with an unbeaten 30-ball 54, which saw four boundaries and three sixes, to finish the job in style.
“The first six gave me the confidence. It was actually my day as I could do whatever I wanted to do in the middle. I’m really happy with today’s performance because it has boosted my confidence,” said Junaed, who smote five sixes and seven boundaries during his 51-ball unbeaten knock.
Junaed got back his rhythm after a long break and his whirlwind knock also brought back memories of his 134-run knock in the Premier Division Cricket T20 tournament back in 2005-06 at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium.
“I had been going through a long bad patch, so this innings helped me get my confidence back. You know my 134 runs innings for Mohammedan against Sonargaon Cricketers made me known as a cricketer and today’s innings gave me a new lease of life to some extent. Now my job is to continue my good performance in the tournament and I’m not thinking about anything other than Duronto Rajshahi,” said an excited Junaed.
“The unity and team spirit was the main reason behind Rajshahi’s success after losing the first two matches,” said Junaed when asked how it was possible for Rajshahi to bounce back in the tournament so strongly.
Earlier, Rajshahi got off to a good start when skipper Mushfiqur Rahim took a stupendous catch to send his opposite number Brad Hodge back to the pavilion with Barisal’s score on one, but Phil Mustard joined Shehzad to seize the initiative.
The 29-year-old Englishman smote ten fours and three sixes during his unbeaten 58-ball 88 while Shehzad contributed with a 33-ball 44 with two fours and three sixes as Barisal set a daunting task for Rajshahi.
But in the end it was proved that no score is safe in T20s.
SCORES IN BRIEF
BARISAL: 192-3 in 20 overs (Shehzad 44, Mustard 88 not out, Mithun 21, Rameez 26 not out; Sami 1-33, Monir 1-19, Sabbir 1-18)
RAJSHAHI: 193-1 in 17.1 overs (Shahzaib 46, Junaed 89 not out, Samuels 54 not out; Shehzad 1-26)
Result: Duronto Rajshahi won by nine wickets.

-With The Daily Star input

Telcos seek more time to pay licence renewal fees

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:49:00 +0000

Four mobile operators will not pay outstanding fees for their licence renewal before they receive the certified copies of the High Court’s verdict on the Grameenphone versus BTRC case.
Officials of Grameenphone, Banglalink, Robi and Citycell yesterday met Zia Ahmed, chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, and expressed their stance on payment. They are supposed to pay a combined amount of Tk 857 crore for licence renewal.
The operators are ready to pay the amount but they want to get the certified copies first in hand, Ahmed said. “But no licence will be renewed as long as there are dues,” he said.
The operators urged the regulator to write off the late fees on renewal charges that piled up since November 10 last year. But Ahmed said BTRC has no authority to waive any money.
Barrister Khandaker Reza-E-Raquib, a lawyer for BTRC, said they have submitted an application to the High Court to issue the copy of the verdict.
Mahmud Hossain, chief corporate officer of GP, said he handed a letter to the BTRC with some queries on the letter that the regulator issued on February 15, asking the operators to pay off all the dues for licence renewal.
Zakiul Islam, director legal and regulatory affairs of Banglalink, said they requested the BTRC chairman to discuss the financial issues after the judgement’s copy was issued.
Mahmudur Rahman, executive vice president of Robi, said the operator should clearly know about the court’s financial directives.
According to a verdict by the High Court on February 13, Grameenphone will have to pay fees on licence renewal to BTRC without any deduction, and deposit additional 15 percent money to the National Board of Revenue as VAT. The operator will receive a rebate on VAT.

-With The Daily Star input

InterContinental signs Ruposhi Bangla deal

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:46:42 +0000

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), a leading global hotel chain, yesterday signed an agreement to take over the operations and management of Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in Dhaka.
Under the deal, the hotel will undergo extensive renovations in the next two years. It will then be handed over to IHG for a period of 30 years.
IHG will take 2 percent of the hotel’s total revenue in the first 3 years, 2.5 percent for the 4th and 5th years and 3 percent from then on in management fee, the civil aviation ministry said in a statement.
It said the UK-based hotel group will also get up to 10 percent of the net profit as incentives, according to the statement.
Md Atharul Islam, the civil aviation and tourism secretary, Lutfur Rahman, managing director of Bangladesh Services Ltd (BSL), and Christopher James Moloney, chief operating officer (south-west Asia) of InterContinental Hotels, signed the deal.
Ruposhi Bangla posted Tk 99.25 crore in gross revenue and Tk 16 crore in net profit in 2010, according to the statement.
Moloney said InterContinental is truly an international hotel brand with 170 hotels in operation in 60 countries. He said IHG will start more hotels in South Asia as it has 48 hotels in the pipeline in the region.
The hotel will initially be operated and managed as Ruposhi Bangla Hotel prior to its re-branding. He said the hotel will be re-branded as InterContinental Dhaka in 2014 after the renovation works are completed.
At the event, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Faruk Khan said the hotel has a very unique place in the history of Bangladesh as it had a historic role in the birth of the country.
He said the government has already laid emphasis on developing the tourism sector as the country is being prioritised by tourists and investors in the sector.
“I believe this deal will enable Ruposhi Bangla to be an iconic hotel in the world,” said the minister.
Md Atharul Islam, who is also the chairman of BSL, said: “Bangladesh can be a haven for tourists if we can facilitate the vibrant private sector and build world-class infrastructure.”
He hopes it will be an iconic hotel and a profitable establishment in the country. “We are hopeful that IHG and BSL will work together and deliver wonderful service to the clients, and will also create a centre of excellence in the hospitality sector.”
The company said the hotel, which is located in a prime spot in Dhaka, will be prepared to deliver the highest quality of services to guests.
It will feature larger guest rooms in conformity with 5-star requirements, an all-day dining restaurant, two specialty restaurants, a deli bar and InterContinental Club Lounge.
It will also have a number of facilities such as a business centre, ballroom, convention centre and multiple meeting rooms.
IHG ran the state-owned hotel from 1966 to 1983. Sheraton took over its operations and management in 1983 for the next 25 years, ending its tenure in December 2008.
Sheraton, however, had to continue operations until April 30, 2011, as Bangladesh was co-hosting the World Cup Cricket matches at that time.
Starwood, the owning company of Sheraton, gave BSL a conditional extension offer to terminate all hotel employees during renovation in 2009. But the government agency did not agree with the condition, leading BSL to take over operations under the new banner of Ruposhi Bangla.
Ruposhi Bangla now employs 600 officials, of whom 400 are permanent, according to an official.
IHG is the largest hotel chain in the world measured in terms of the number of rooms at 658,000. It has 4,480 hotels in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world.
It operates seven hotel brands — InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites.

-With The Daily Star input

Stranded cats rescued

admin — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 16:16:08 +0000

Firefighters rescued two cats stuck on two high rises in the city’s New Eskaton and Mohakhali DOHS area in the last two days.
The Eskaton cat was stuck on a ledge between the 8th and 9th floors on the outer surface of the 16-storied building, Queen’s Garden Homes, informed the feline’s owner Kashfia Tabassum.
It might have slipped out through a ventilator on the 9th floor around 10:00pm on Friday, she said, adding that they called firefighters after failing in every possible way to reach it.
Two firefighters slid down ropes stuck to a ladder set horizontally on the roof between two units of the building to get to the cat, said Officer-in-Charge of Fire Service Directorate’s central control room, Kazi Nazmuzzaman.
They then threw a sack over the cat to grab hold of it and brought it down around 2:30pm yesterday, he added.
The DOHS cat, thought to be a stray, was stuck on a 4th floor sun-shade of former Navy chief (retd) Rear Admiral Abu Taher’s flat on a six-storied building since Wednesday, said adjoining flat residents.
Firefighters used a fire engine ladder to reach the cat and grabbed hold of it using heavy duty gloves on Friday morning, said Nazmuzzaman.
The cat was fed and handed over to a local man who was asked to search for its owner, he added.

-With The Daily Star input

Yunus banks on youths

admin — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:55:28 +0000

Says they will change politics
Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday called for an alternative political stream in the country, saying politicians were failing to fulfil the aspirations of the people.
He said frustration over politics was deepening among the people. “People are not satisfied with the politicians. So, politics has to be pursued in new ways. Alternative political stream has to be introduced,” said the microcredit pioneer.
The Nobel laureate’s observations came at a get-together of development activists at the Gonoshasthaya Kendra in Savar.
Forty NGOs have organised the three-day event to mark 40 years of the nation’s independence and the anniversary of Gonoshasthaya Kendra (Peoples Health Centre). On the first day yesterday, they accorded a reception to 40 distinguished individuals for their contributions to the Liberation War.
Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank, also shed light on the achievements from the Liberation War and the current situation.
He said, “Before 1971, all our potentials had been trapped under a cloak. The war blew off that cloak. And it did not happen on anyone’s orders.
“After 40 years of independence, similar cloaks seem to have ensnared our potential for the coming days. The younger generation must remove the cloaks and tap the potential.”
Yunus said, “The current stream of politics will come to an end in the next 20 years. I can guarantee it. The country will change automatically if the youths stand straight with their full inner vigour. They will have to lead the new stream.”
Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, executive director of Gonoshasthaya Kendra, said, “Muhammad Yunus too has responsibilities in changing the country’s politics in future. Calling upon the younger generations is not enough; he [Yunus] has to lead. I will stand by him in his efforts toward change.”
He urged the prime minister to take steps so that the Indian Border Security Force stops border killings in the next two years. “Realise a fair share of the Teesta waters and ensure healthcare for the people. You will be able to win the Nobel prize within two years.”
Hossain Zillur Rahman, former adviser to a caretaker government, moderated the programme.
Brac chairman Fazle Hasan Abed, who was earlier scheduled to attend the open discussion on “Achievements of 40 Years of Independence, Challenges and Possibilities”, stayed away due to illness.
Taking part in the discussion, Prof Yunus said, “Although a lot has been achieved in 40 years of independence, still many things have remained unachieved. The dreams behind our joining the war of independence have largely faded away.”
Emphasising the formation of Gram Sarkar in order to take Bangladesh forward in the next 10 years, Yunus said the local government system has been turned into a farce. “Bangladesh will move ahead a long way in 10-20 years by making the local government system powerful,” he said.
Comparing the administrative structure to a car, he said the administration functions as per instructions of the politicians. “But the administration can’t perform properly as politics has come into the administration. Politics is now also among university teachers and we are being stopped and interfered with everywhere due to weak politics.”
At the beginning of the discussion, Hossain Zillur Rahman said that the largest achievement of the liberation war was the revolution of the personality.
He said there are many drivers behind the revolution of independence of Bangladesh, prominent among them are people like Muhammad Yunus, Fazle Hasan Abed and Zafrullah Chowdhury. They have contributed a lot in social and economic achievements, but not in the political arena.
Hossain Zillur said the 40 years of independence were the first round. Terming the next 10 years the second round, he said, “Many thought we would say something about it today. They have got some hints from the speech of Prof Yunus.”
Those given reception included barrister Amir-Ul Islam, Maj (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, Shahidullah Khan, Kader Siddiqui, ASM Abdur Rob, Kazi Kamruzzaman, Shefali Bhoumik, Maj Gen (retd) Amin Ahmed Chowdhury and Maj Gen (retd) Mainuddin.
Leaders of Awami League, BNP, Jatiya Party, Gono Forum, Workers Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Jote, Bikalpadhara and Communist Party of Bangladesh are scheduled to take part in an open discussion at the re-union today.
Also today, Biranganas will be accorded a reception.

-With The Daily Star input

Awards go to 10

admin — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:53:30 +0000

Bangla Academy yesterday announced its literary award for 2011 in nine fields of literature.
Dr Shamsuzzaman Khan, director general of the academy, named the 10 winners of Bangla Academy Sahitya Award 2011 at its premises.
The awardees are Ashim Shaha and Kamal Chowdhury for poetry, Anisul Hoque for literature (Katha Sahitya), Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed for essay, Prof Biswajit Ghosh for research, Prof Khaliquzzaman Ilias for translation, Belal Mohammad for literature on liberation war affairs, Dr Baren Chakrabarti for travel story, Dr Ali Ajgar for science, technology and environment and Akhter Hossain for child literature.
The academy, however, could not consider anyone in the drama category.
Each of the winners will receive a cash award of Tk 1 lakh, a certificate and a crest at a ceremony on February 24.
In his reaction on winning the award, famed novelist Anisul Hoque said, “I am happy to win the prize alongside Abdullah Abu Sayeed and my teacher Ali Ajgar. This will of course inspire me to do even better in future.”
“Achieving an award is always a great feeling. It will certainly make me more responsible to my work. I will try to preserve the dignity of this award,” awardee Biswajit Ghosh, a teacher at Department of Bengali of Dhaka University, told The Daily Star.
THE FAIR
A total of 136 new books were published yesterday as the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela witnessed a fewer visitors than Friday.
The fair remained open from 11:00am to 9:00pm. A lot of students in uniform drew the attention of the visitors.
About 200 students of Shamoly Medical Assistant Training School visited the book fair, said a student Jewel Islam Jony.
Around the same number of students came from Trauma Institute of Medical Technology and Trauma Medical Assistant Training School, he added.
Bibliophiles, however, had to suffer due to dust at the fair premises.
A discussion was held in the evening followed by a cultural function.

-With The Daily Star input

Talent Unplugged

admin — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:48:12 +0000

In conversation with Rizia Parvin
Rizia Parvin is a popular name on the music scene, busy with both playbacks and modern music. She recently talked about her life and hectic schedule.
Tell us about your latest album?
Rizia Parvin: My last album was “Abar Hobe Toh Dekha”, featuring 12 songs by Manna Dey. I admire his music very much, and the album was a tribute to the great singer.
You recently announced that you will come forth with an album of Rabindra Sangeet.
Rizia Parvin: Yes I did. Some of the songs for the album have already been recorded. You can say this album is born out of my love for the genre. Hopefully the album will come out by next year.
How did you start out in the music arena?
Rizia Parvin: I took my first music lessons from my father. He was not a professional singer, but sang out of his love for music. I was born and brought up in Rajshahi and also took my first steps in music there. During my childhood, I saw my father practicing with a harmonium and I caught up the tunes from him.
Who are your mentors in music?
Rizia Parvin: I took lessons from Syed Abdul Jabbar and Syed Rabiul Hossain. But I received the most comprehensive music lessons from Ustaad Abdul Latif Bachchu. All of them are from Rajshahi.
Tell us about the special achievements during your childhood.
Rizia Parvin: I received the national child artiste award in 1980. I won first prizes in Nazrul Sangeet, classical and local song categories. Later, I was included as a roster artiste at Rajshahi Betar without an audition.
What was your first playback experience?
Rizia Parvin: I did my first playback in the movie, “Talak”, which starred Razzak and Bobita. At that time, I came back and forth between Dhaka and Rajshahi to record a song. It went like this for a while. After passing my intermediate exams, I finally settled in Dhaka. My schedule became more packed with playback performances after that.
How many playbacks have you done so far?
Rizia Parvin: I cannot give the exact count. I have done several.
Which of your playbacks were the most popular?
Rizia Parvin: Many of the playbacks became hits, including “Tumi Shokha Amar Bondhu Lago Ami Shokhi Tomar Priya Lagi”, “Tumi Amar Chaand Ami Chaaderi Aalo”, “Shobar Jibone Prem Ashe”, “Akaashe te Lokkho Tara”, “Nai Nai Naire Shara Deshe Nai” and “’Asha Amar Bhalobasha”.
Are you busy with live performances?
Rizia Parvin: Most of the rush is in stage appearances. I am busy with both home and shows abroad. I get the most excitement from live shows.
Who are your favourite singers?
Rizia Parvin: I have worshipped the vocal skills of Lata Mungeshkar since childhood. She is my favourite singer. I also admire Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey and Asha Bhosle. In our country, Sabina Yasmin and Shahnaj Rahmatullah top the list. I perform many of Shahnaj Rahmatullah’s songs on stage.
What are your achievements as an artiste?
Rizia Parvin: Definitely the biggest achievement is the love of the audience. No other achievement can top this.
Any regrets?
Rizia Parvin: I regret at times when I think I haven’t been able to sing a song that will stay cemented in the hearts of the listeners.

Courtesy of The Daily Star