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Friday, March 25, 2011

[chottala.com] My feature in the 40th. Independence Supplement in the Daily Sun



Today is the 40th. Anniversary of our Independence Day. My article on this day appears in the Daily Sun Special Supplement.I have already sent some of you the main text. In case you cannot open it I am sending the link below.

Happy Independence Day Wishes.

Mannan




http://www.daily-sun.com/?view=details&type=daily_sun_news&pub_no=168&cat_id=4&menu_id=44&news_type_id=1&index=3
--
_________________________________
Abdul Mannan
Professor
School of Business
University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh
House # 56, Road # 4/A
Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka-1209
Bangladesh.
BDT=GMT +6
Working Days Sunday-Thursday
E-mail: abman1971@gmail.com
 http://www.ulab.edu.bd



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[chottala.com] My feature in the 4oth. Independence Day Supplement in the Daily Sun



http://wwtw.daily-sun.com/?view=details&type=daily_sun_news&pub_no=168&cat_id=4&menu_id=44&news_type_id=1&index=3
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Todays NewspaperEditorialSpecial SuplimentePaper
DHAKA | Saturday | 26 March 2011 | 12 Chaitra 1417 BS | 20 Rabius Saani 1432 Hijri
Home Bangladesh turns 40
Bangladesh turns 40
Forty years of Bangladesh: Hope survives→ Abdul Mannan
  Way back in 1972, about a year after Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation the prestigious magazine National Geographic ran a twenty-six page article on Bangladesh written by its senior sub-editor William S Ellis. He came to Bangladesh in February of 1972 when the air of the newly born nation was still full of stench of rotting human flesh from bodies of innocent civilians killed by retreating Pakistani soldiers and their comrade in arms, the Al-Badars and Razakars. The smoldering smoke from the burnt down villages and homesteads suffocated the living. Ellis published his story in September, 1972 with the title 'Bangladesh: Hope Nourishes a New Nation.' Inside he wrote 'slogans and petitions to deity may or may not have helped, but Bangladesh, the world's 147th independent nation, is getting to its feet. Survival seems likely and, considering what occurred here for nine months of 1971 that is indeed a miraculous accomplishment.'

Inside, it had a photographs of Nawabpur Rail Crossing (the rail crossing actually did not exist then) traffic police island, with a barefooted traffic policeman in khaki uniform desperately trying to control the countless rickshaws whose pullers were equally desperate to challenge the lone poor traffic police. The caption under the photograph read something like this 'a traffic police of independent Bangladesh.' The unkind remark by Henry Kissinger, US Secretary of State dubbing Bangladesh as a 'Bottom Less Basket Case,' though made most of us sad, it made the anti-liberation forces happy. Kissinger's statement was seen as something made out of frustration as he and his government in 1971 did their best till the last moment to block the emergence of the new nation. Kissinger later said the birth of Bangladesh was seen as his personal defeat and humiliation. Yes, in 1972 Bangladesh was desperately trying to rise from the ashes of the war and survive and meet the challenges from all fronts and prove it was capable of nation building. The photograph in the National Geographic and the statement of Henry Kissinger made me sad but I and many of my generation were sure one day we would rise to write many success stories.

A country born out of blood, sacrifice and tears cannot afford to fail. This year Bangladesh is forty years old and today no traffic police of this country discharges their duties on barefoot though I have to confess the rickshaw menace in Dhaka city has grown manifold because rickshaws have their own economy. Today Bangladesh police are smartly dressed and trained, and in regular intervals join the United Nations Peace Keeping Missions and serve in other countries. In fact the country has come a long way since 1972. Bangladesh is no more seen as a 'Bottom Less Basket Case' and from a major food deficit country in the seventies today we have proven that not only can we become self reliant in food production but can also export limited quantities of aromatic rice (8,500-10,000 MT) in good times.

In 1971 when Bangladesh became an independent nation, it had a population of 75 million and produced about 10 million metric tones of food grain (mostly rice), and on an average had to import more than one million metric tones yearly. If there was a natural calamity the import statistics went up. 80% of country's GDP relied on agriculture and an equal percentage of our workforce relied for their daily bread on farming. Manufacturing was practically non-existent and service sector was barely visible. Forty years later still agriculture is the largest producing sector of the economy but it contributes only 30% to the country's GDP and employs less than 60% of the total labour force. In the meantime, the population of the country has more than doubled; food production (rice) has increased to about 30 million metric tones and still remains the principle crop of the country. Today Bangladesh has emerged as the 4th largest rice producing country in the world, in spite of the fact that we loose annually 1% of our agricultural land to urbanization. Besides rice, Bangladesh is able to produce around 10 million metric tones of wheat annually. Bangladesh saw the last major food crisis in 1974, thanks to the dirty food politics of Henry Kissinger and his President Richard Nixon. (Making of a Nation: Bangladesh. Nurul Islam). Following the devastating flood of 1998, in which 90% of the country went under water, causing extreme loss to the crops and livestock, the international media and community projected that at least two million people will die of starvation. To their dismay that did not happen, thanks to the efficient handling of the crisis by the then government. It is an irony that Henry Kissinger had to witness Bangladesh shrug off the stigma of being a 'bottom less basket case' in his life time. However with the doubling of the population and the middle class (about 9%) since 1971 the demand for food is constantly on the rise and the projected global food shortage in the coming years expects that the government will take more proactive approach in building up a adequate food security and ensure of proper management of food storage and distribution in the country.

Not only Bangladesh has graduated from being extensively dependent on agriculture for its economic growth and employment, today approximately 25% of its GDP comes from the manufacturing industry. Bangladesh is the fourth largest manufacturer of ready made garments in the world and employs about 3.5 million workers, mostly women in its workforce. This sector alone contributes 75% of our foreign exchange earning from export and all this has happened in less than 30 years. The first consignment of Bangladeshi ready made garments hit the international market in 1978. Our export menu keeps on diversifying, while new markets are sought. Today porcelain wares, pharmaceutical products, leather goods, frozen food, vegetables, bicycles, terracotta tiles, bamboo, and even crocodile meat have found their place in our export list. For more than thirty years we were known as a nation of ship breakers. Today Bangladesh is witnessing a renaissance in its shipbuilding industry. Once our shipbuilders made battle ships for the emperor of Rome, today the country has re-emerged as a ship building nation, building ships for Denmark, Germany and Mozambique. Some of our consumer goods have found its place in the regional market, and Bangladesh is emerging as a new destination for IT outsourcing and Business Processing. Though recently the co-founder (along with the Government of Bangladesh) of Grameen Bank, Dr. Yunus has been pulled into some unnecessary controversy, he and the Grameen Bank have won a Nobel Peace Prize for Bangladesh. The per-capita inflation-adjusted GDP has more than doubled in the past 40 years, according to the World Bank, and poverty rate has fallen by 20% to 40% in last two decades. The growth was driven by the expansion of our manufacturing and the service sector.

Though Bangladesh still has one of the lowest teledensity in South Asia, telecoms experts predict that this will reach 80 percent of the population by 2012 provided the government is careful enough to make telecommunication friendly IT policy which the present government has promised in its election manifesto. Today about six crore subscribers have access to telephone, whereas even two decades ago one had to wait for twenty years before he could get a land line telephone connection. Along with this phenomenal growth of our telecommunication sector, the last two decades have witnessed a vibrant growth of our electronic and print media. Both media enjoy a substantial degree of freedom of expression and the gradual spread of information technology has contributed, at least marginally to women empowerment. However satisfactory women empowerment still remains a far cry and this could only be enhanced and gender equality and development at all levels ensured through more spread of qualitative information, especially amongst the rural societies of Bangladesh. In the last forty years we have also seen a major breakthrough in education. A conservative estimate puts our literacy rate at over 50%. In 1971 this was roughly 27%. Our child mortality has decreased, primary school enrollment has increased but high dropout rate is still a problem. About 50% of primary, and 80% of secondary level dropout of schools is recorded in Bangladesh. The enrollment in college and university levels have increased over the years though the quality of education at the levels still remains far from satisfactory.

Forty years of Bangladesh did not only witness the blooming of roses. There was occasional growth of cactus. Democracy went into hibernation quite frequently after the dark night of August 15, 1975. Corruption became endemic and the country is still searching for a prolong period of good governance and political stability. The population time bomb is ticking and it is estimated by 2025 country's population will reach 190 million which will go up to 231 million by 2050. The country does not have the resources to sustain this colossus growth of population. This problem must immediately be recognized by the government and proper strategic plans needs to be made for skill development of the people. As the developed nations will soon face the crunch of shrinking and ageing of population there is every possibility of utilizing our ever increasing population to fill in the vacuum created in these countries. But for this we need to prepare ourselves.

Our expatriate workers have been very generous through remitting the much needed foreign exchange for our development but we cannot depend on them perennially. The country needs to invest more on development of its infrastructure including its roads and highways, its ports and airports, its telecommunication services and waterway and its ever important power sector. This will enhance more investment at home in manufacture and service sector which in turn will generate more employment. Looking out for jobs in other countries in present form needs to be phased out gradually as this has become quite risky and sometimes hazardous. Only generation of employment at home can reverse the situation.

Bangladesh Awami League has won a landslide election victory in the last general election. It has to do its best to institutionalize relatively its democratic institutions. The year 2011 will be a year of transition for the present government. It must fulfill its election pledges if it does not want to afford the luxury of loosing the next general election. FTSE, an independent company jointly owned by the Financial Times and the London Stock Exchange considers Bangladesh a 'frontier market' under its own classification rules. Goldman Sachs, the New York based Investment Banker includes it among the 'Next Eleven' (N-11) and it judges Bangladesh to have the potential to become one of the world's largest economies in the present century, category separate from the BRICs- the fast-growing developing economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China. Whether we can live up to the expectation to a great extent depends on how visionary are our leaders and how they view the future. Hope kept us surviving for forty years. Now it is time to deliver. Happy Birth Day Bangladesh.

The author is a former Vice-chancellor, Chittagong University. Currently he teaches at ULAB, Dhaka.


--
_________________________________
Abdul Mannan
Professor
School of Business
University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh
House # 56, Road # 4/A
Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka-1209
Bangladesh.
BDT=GMT +6
Working Days Sunday-Thursday
E-mail: abman1971@gmail.com
 http://www.ulab.edu.bd



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[chottala.com] All about microcredit by M.M. Akash



 

 

M.M. Akash

All about microcredit

March 23, 2011
Rural villagers queue with their ledger books to repay loans to a micro-credit group in northern Lalmonirhat, Bangladesh. Photo: Reuters

Rural villagers queue with their ledger books to repay loans to a micro-credit group in northern Lalmonirhat, Bangladesh. Photo: Reuters

1. I shall begin with an old saying: "If a drop of water falls on a lake, it loses identity, if it falls on lotus it shines, if on a shell it becomes a pearl. The drop is same but company matters."

2. Microcredit is neither a panacea nor a devil; it all depends on the context! Taken simply, "Microcredit" is a very old thing — it is a micro sized credit. So it must be financing at least initially only micro activity satisfying micro needs. But human nature is such that as soon as a micro activity and/or micro need is fulfilled he/she will aspire for a larger credit and will try to fulfil richer human needs. The question of graduation from micro to macro is an inherent necessity attached to each microcredit borrower. A constant vulnerability is another essential problem of the microcredit borrower.

3. There is therefore an important failure or limitation of microcredit — it ensures only limited mobility and that mobility is generally non sustainable.

4. The supporters of microcredit claim that micro-macro graduation is possible by reinvestment of the surplus by the micro borrowers. The savings of poor borrowers and interest paid, savings accumulated, etc. actually prove that they do generate surplus.

5. And here lies the bone of contention. It is beyond doubt that the ability to move upward will depend upon how effectively the surplus is used to generate additional income and how that additional income is distributed. This obviously will depend on how the surplus is distributed as well as on the internal capacity of the micro borrower and the external constraints within which he/she has to operate.

6. One school of economists claim that MC manager/social entrepreneurs have taken away the lion's share of the surplus, enjoying high income, fame and luxury and also maintaining status quo or managing poverty to ensure political stability. At least they fail to stop the increasing relative gap between rich and poor based on unjustified distribution of surplus/income.

7. Another school claims the MC entrepreneurs have saved the poor from further deterioration, from the clutches of the so-called bloodsucker Mohajons. It not only prevented deterioration and maintained status quo, but also increased their income, smoothened their consumption, increased their social capital, human capital, physical capital, and finally made it possible for them to graduate above poverty line. This debate has to be solved on the basis of objective facts.

8. Even if somebody accepts the above positive claims, the question remains "How Much" and more importantly "How much more can be done by proper institutional changes and through proper regulation of the micro credit entrepreneurs." Then only one begins a proper search for a more effective model of microcredit!

9. Indian model of self help group is naturally the most preferred model for the poor if a minimum management capacity exists among the poor members of the group and also if external political intervention can be checked.. And that is better because by that they become the subject of their life and no more remain a target object in need of so called safety nets! It is ideally a self-owned, self-managed and self-appropriated collective model of "Micro Credit".

10. NGO models and GB model of micro-credit in our country deals with the micro man but they have generally failed to turn him/her into an independent macro/meso subject. Perhaps the degree of failure in case of GB model is lesser because at least it has legally given De jure ownership of the bank to the micro man!

—————————————-
M. M. Akash is a professor, economist, researcher.

This entry was posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:19 am and is filed under Economy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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7 Responses to " All about microcredit "

  1. Matiur Rahman on March 24, 2011 at 10:51 pm

    The same perspectives could be presented in simpler and convincing ways than in confusing ways. However, the kernel of the write-up is on right track. Over all these years, we just eulogised microcredit, based on data released by GB. These data could be manipulated. We should have had critical view of its performance and inside modes of operations in the past.

  2. Humayun Kabir on March 24, 2011 at 10:08 pm

    Prof. Akash has clearly taken the position that microcredit actually has done very little to change the overall status quo of the poor.

    Plenty of studies and evaluations done by national and international professionals have ''established'' the fact that microcredit, in the Grameen Bank model, have improved real assets, access to basic health services, education, and savings of the poor, that would not have been possible without such an intervention. Just because these poor are not still, middle income or rich does not prove that their economic status have not improved. Prof. Akash could have also subscribed to this basic fact.

  3. sajjad on March 24, 2011 at 7:49 am

    It is good to see Professor Akash spelling out his thoughts on the subject. Here are few observations:
    1. Between (6) and (7), a third perspective is missed out – accumulation of capital at the agency level, belittling the history of capital accumulation in Bangladesh and elsewhere. If this was accounted for, he could use the same argument as (5) to suggest ways to guide allocation/use of this institutional capital for promoting pro-poor activities. I am sure Professor Akash recognises the need for capital accumulation and is not suggesting that all resources be used for current consumption of the poor!

    2. His obs (9) and (10) make strong assertions without much empirical basis. Have individual MC borrowers in Bangladesh succeeded? There are ample evidence on YES and NO; as one would expect in cases of 'macro' borrowers. Have self help groups (SHG) in India emancipated the poor? I would only request the Professor to revisit the basic statistics; and the evidence on their use for promoting political patronage and buying electorates.

  4. Towfique on March 23, 2011 at 6:24 pm

    In this write-up, there's too little about microcredit, and too much to discredit microcredit.

  5. Qazi Nazrul Huque on March 23, 2011 at 6:00 pm

    At micro level, I will put more emphasis on the internal capacity of the micro borrowers as they progress toward utilising bigger loans; I don't think supply, anyway, is a big problem. The bigger the enterprise, the bigger the loan, and the bigger the magnitude of 'fall!'

    Supply of nature's resources to fulfil more and more of human needs is a big factor. But there is a limit to such supply; the inevitable result is inflation, if increase in supply of nature's resources cannot cope with the supply of credit/investment.

    An economic system based on competition can maintain a win-win situation as long as nature's supply is abundant. Only technology is not enough to ensure such a situation.

    Market economy has a natural tendency toward wastage of both natural and human resources.

    According to Parkinson's third law 'expansion means complexity and complexity decay.' Our economic, administrative and political systems have become too big, clumsy, inefficient and captive to the interests of a few. We are at the threshold of a watershed and need drastic reorganisation of our systems.

    Finally, every one on earth — not only human beings, but also members of other species – should have equal right to natural resources.

  6. Mozammel on March 23, 2011 at 1:52 pm

    I personally take the issue of microcredit with benefit for those who deserve and it is not so for those who had a tendency of making anything controversial for the sake of negative intention.

    This system saved so many poor families from doom though it was so in lieu of heavy economic stress but even then they received the support from it. Because in most of the cases, near ones could not extend any help.

    Religion says charity begins at home, but that remains a saying only due to modernisation. These days, the philosophy of religion is regarded as the practice of the illiterate.

    But is it really so?

    This issue of microcredit and its demerits are the result of this modernisation leaving aside its actual motto — charity begins at home.

  7. Babu on March 23, 2011 at 1:20 pm

    Excellent write up. Expected something more on the so-called microcredit effect on poor.

Source:
 


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[chottala.com] BD concedes Transit Corridor to India?

Thanks for info that Direct Action that had caused Calcutta Riots was ordered by Mr. Jinnah but Mr. Sohorwardy had come up with Independent Bengal idea too late though he was right.
British had never realized that they were carving out borders that would have a Pakistan with 70% of her population speaking Bengali despite inclusion of newly carved West Punjab.
They should have negotiated partition with Mr. Sohorwady because the Urdu Speaking people Mr. Jinnah was negotiating for were not going to emigrate to Pakistan.
Independent Bengal was a correct solution and proved right in 1971 but minus West Bengal. Pakistan occupied 14 States that were not given to Mr. Jinnah and this is why her population grew from 30% to 44% by 1970.
If Mr. Jinnah had not ordered Direct Action causing Riots, there was enough time and Viceroy had known that Jinnah would be dead in a couple of years, I think, he could have had Independent Bengal.
Lord Mount Baton wrote in his Autobiography that Great Britain had not wanted to divide India but he could not break Jinnah. Had he known, he had Tuberculosis at such a high level that he was going to die within a couple of years, he said, we were in no hurry and could wait.
If that would have happened, Mr. Sohorwardy could have convinced Bengali Hindus and Moslims to have an independent Bengal.

--- In chottala@yahoogroups.com, abid bahar <abid.bahar@...> wrote:
>
> Sheikh Mujib in the Calcutta Riot
>
> Abid Bahar
> The West Bengali government lately eracted a statue of Mujib in the Baker
> Hostel of West Bengal to show respect to Mujib who known to the historians
> had a sea change from a being a communal-minded Hindu hater Suhrowarthy
> follower into a Hindu-and India lover Bangabandhu. But when and how did that
> happene?
>
> History
> Suhrowarthy, the mentor of Mujib was a populist leader of British
> Bengal remained controversial for his role in Bengal's communal politics.
> Unlike in Bangladesh, Suhrowarthy is generally seen in West Bengal and in
> India in general as a communal-minded Muslim League leader triggered the
> infamous Calcutta riot that caused the death of thousands and permanently
> created misunderstanding between the two Bengali souls.
>
> This trend began especially when Suhrowarthy as the Chief Minister of Bengal
> elected from the Muslim League obliged Jinnah's call for direct Action
> day,triggering the Calcutta riot. Mujib previously recruited by
> Suhrowarthy as a body guard when Mujib was still a High School student in
> the Faridpur Missionary High School.
>
> Where was Mujib at this time?
> He was in the baker hostel of Calcutta helping Suhrowarthy. For his
> controversial role in the Direct Action day Suhrowarthy was targetted couple
> of times to be assasinated by the Hindu groups. One time an assasin even
> entered inside his bedroom but found his awake then escaped. Mujib worked as
> a mussalman for the populist leader Suhrowarthy. Books written by West
> Bengali writers shows Mujib was directly involved in the Suhrowarthy led
> Calcutta riot between Muslims and the Hindus.
>
> But Mujib was going to change when Suhrowarthy launched his failed mission
> to unite Hindus and Muslims for an independent United Bengal.Suhrowarthy
> came with this plan by forming an alliance with Sharat Bose. However,the
> plan didn't suceed for Suhrowarthy's involvement in the riot and
> particularly in Nehru and Jinnah's powerful tug of war to divide Bengal but
> Suhrowarthy's initiative to unite Bengal surprisingly led to the beginning
> of a cooperation between West Bengali and East Bengali politicians;not
> surprisingly West Bengalis with a fake Indian heart. The nonintellectual
> Mujib was caught up in this meeting of the West Bengali Indian so-called
> progressive Bengali and the East Bengali India lover heart.
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, Mar 22, 2011 at 1:14 AM, Ataul Karim <ataulkarim49@...> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Dear Andrew/Turkman
> > For your information Pakistan was born on the basis of two nation theory
> > and later it has been accepted by Sheik Mujibur Rahman by his action.
> > After Mujib's return from Pakistan he brought Kazi Nazrul Islam to
> > Bangladesh not Jyoti Basu (born in Shonargaon) to Bangladesh. Our great poet
> > was not born in East Bengal but he was brought because he was a Muslim. If
> > Mujib believed in secular Bangladesh he should have invited all the
> > bengalis who migrated to India back to their country of birth or origin.
> >
> > Ataul Karim
> > (free thinker)
> >
> > ------------------------------
> > *From:* S Turkman <turkman@...>
> > *To:* Khoka Mia <akhoka786@...>
> > *Cc:* diagnose@yahoogroups.com; reform-bd@yahoogroups.com;
> > chottala@yahoogroups.com
> > *Sent:* Thu, March 17, 2011 10:19:50 AM
> > *Subject:* [chottala.com] BD concedes Transit Corridor to India?
> >
> >
> >
> > Oh please forgive me. I had no idea we are at war with Kaafir India just
> > like Pakistan has been since 1948 and had no idea that BD should not have
> > any kind of dealings with our Enemy India. How could I be so treasonous?
> > Lets talk with Pakistan and declare war at India simultaneously to conquer
> > it ...!
> >
> > ------------------------------
> > *From:* Khoka Mia <akhoka786@...>
> > **
> >
> >
> > Mr. Turkman, why it is always that you are fanatically in support
> > of India's interest? Are you an India promoter? What is your share in this
> > deal, will you tell us? If you are brave enough why don't you list all the
> > unsettled issues between Bangladesh and India; and don't forget to add on
> > the list the diversion of all surface water by India, building dams on
> > transboundary rivers.
> > All the issues brought to light by Zoglul Husain is absolutely correct.
> > These are legitimate concern and poses threat to the existence of Bangladesh
> > as an independent and sovereign nation.
> > What Bangladesh is getting except the perpetuity assurance of the present
> > government? The present government is buying perpetuity to a tutelage
> > government under India by selling the interest of Bangladesh.
> >
> > -Bangladeshi
> >
> > ----- Forwarded Message -----
> > From: "S Turkman" <turkman@...>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Look at Iran ...!
> > * She is at fault in making money through Bandar Abbas port also because it
> > is providing Transit Corridor to Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and all
> > Central Asian States 2 decades ago.
> > Iran is so stupid that 2 decades ago, she spent billions to build a Highway
> > connecting that port of Ashkhabad, Turkmenistan and also built a Railway
> > Line going through whole length of the country from that port to connect
> > with old USSR Railway System northeast of her.
> > What a stupid country ...!
> > * And then, there is a stupid country, Germany that conceded Transit to
> > Soviet Natural Gas Pipe Line in 1970's to let her Gas be sold to almost all
> > countries in Continental Europe despite US Opposition.
> > USA is a stupid country. She had also conceded transit of Natural Gas Pipe
> > line to Canada going through whole north-south length of it going to Mexico.
> >
> > * Pakistan is another example of such stupid concession. She has conceded
> > transit to Iranian Gas Pipe Line despite US Opposition, going to India and
> > our stupid Enemy, India has conceded Transit of that Pipe line to BD after
> > it reaches her.
> > What can we do?
> > This world is full of stupid countries like BD.
> > .
> > S U Turkman
> >
> > --- In reform-bd@yahoogroups.com, Zoglul Husain <zoglul@> wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > Equipment from India arrives
> > >
> > > http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=177610
> > >
> > > Comment: We are totally opposed to transit/corridor agreement with India
> > under the present circumstances. Roads constructed for these purposes will
> > almost certainly be used for India's military purposes, which may even be
> > from the very first consignment of smaller items, scheduled from 20 March.
> > (Please see: ODC shipment begins March 20
> > http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?cid=2&id=189840 ). This is not only a
> > security risk, it is occupation of our infrastructure, an attempt to
> > subjugate us, which may also drag us between warring parties.
> > >
> > > I don't know if there would be demos, barricades, etc., but the govt is
> > making a grievous betrayal of the country. They know we were denied transit
> > from/to Nepal, Bhutan, etc. They know the problems between the two countries
> > have not been resolved. The very serious problems of river water, border
> > killings, smuggling in India's favour, enclaves, trade policies, conspiracy
> > and hegemony, military and security, etc., etc. are in the way of developing
> > friendly relations between the two countries. The govt is still behaving
> > like lackeys mesmerised under the spell of a hegemonic power.
> > >
> > > It's all an utter betrayal of national interest and sovereignty. We
> > condemn the govt on Hasina's MoU's with India, in which our national
> > interests have been sold out and our sovereignty surrendered. We must unite
> > to resist these.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>


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[chottala.com] Fw: Hearing on protecting the civil rights of Muslim Americans



Dear All:
 
Please open attachment to see a news on Hearing on protecting the civil rights of Muslim Americans on March 29, 2011 by top ranking US Senator Richard Durbin, D-ILL. Thanks,
 
Anis Ahmed,
North Potomac, Maryland




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[chottala.com] Need help for Genetic engineering dept. , CU



Dear members,
Hello and Salam!
I am happy to inform you about a very modern and enthusiatic department of University of Chittagong. That is Genetic Engineering & biotechnology. The top 20 students among 25000 candidates of admission test get chance in this dept. Our students got Champion award in Inter University Science project presentation competition. Most of our senior students recently got International scholarships from USA, UK, Canada, Japan. Genetic Engineering Dept. became champion in National Inter University Biotechnology Olympiad contest.
Presently faculty members and students are doing research work on Genetic diseases (Thalassemia, Diabetes), mutation of microorganisms, soil bacteria, Antibiotic resistance in Bangladesh and genetically modified variety of plants (Strawberry, canola, tea, rice).
The greatest area of our research work is Bioinformatics. Most of our courses are based on computer, IT  and softwares. But we cannot teach them properly due to lack of computer lab. We don't have any computer lab. And dont have enough fund for that. We would be honoured if we get any sponsorship for IT lab for our study and research work. Recently many corporate institutions are sponsoring this kind of labs as a part of their CSR (Corporate social responsibility).
Is it possible for any of you helping us regarding this lab. We need nearly 25- 30 computers. Our students are being deprived of very latest education due to lack of computers. Many of them are from poor family. So they can't manage that much of money to use internet regularly.
We need your help as a Chittagonian. Promote CU, Promote Chittagong.

Thanks,
Adnan Mannan
Lecturer
Dept. of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology
University of Chittagong 

>
> Introduction: Dr. Mohammad Yunus is again the headline news
> of the World media with great honor. He drew the global
> attention for his visionary movement of supporting the
> poorest and most fragile class of the world through
> micro-credit,  and gave millions of women all over the
> globe self respect and confidence. Again he has become the
> global news headlines of late as the Head of  government
> of his own country spearheaded a vicious campaign to
> dislodge him from the very institution that he created and
> nurtured over the past 28 years, that brought immense fame
> and glory to our motherland unlike anyone else ever did.
>
>
>
> After calling Prof. Yunus in derogatory names, and when the
> government could not pin any blame for corruption or
> mismanagement of funds on him, the Prime Minister Mrs.
> Sheikh Hasina directed the Bangladesh Bank to relieve Prof.
> Yunus of his position of Managing Director of the Grameen
> Bank on age issue,  required for mandatory retirement of
> Government officials.
>
>
>
> Gramen Bank is not government owned bank!! The board of
> directors of the Grameen Bank and Dr. Yunus have
> separately challenged the government action in
> the high court, and a judgment is expected this coming
> Sunday. It is a well known fact and we have seen this in
> the past two years how politicized the Judiciary has become,
> and there will be no surprise if the High Court verdict is
> coerced to support the the government decision.
>
>
>
> In the current situation, numerous countries
> including the US, EU, China, Islamic and other third
> world countries and various global leaders have expressed
> their dismay and deep concern for the mistreatment
> of the sole Bangladeshi noble laureate. It is interesting
> to note that we are yet to see any immediate reaction of
> the Indian Government!!
>
>
>
> US Secretary of states Hilary Clinton has invited
> Dr.Yunus to meet with her in Washington DC on 8th
> March.  There were discussions about World Bank
> and several other countries  forming a micro-credit
> Bank, and Professor Yunus' name was mentioned as
> possible Head of it's management or the Board.
>
>
>
> We have seen from the media report the reaction of the US
> ambassador Jim Moriarty after his meeting with the Finance
> Minister Mr. Muhit that the US Government is very much
> concerned with this development,  and we understand it was
> also conveyed to the government in no uncertain terms all
> the support given to the Awami League enabling them to come
> to power during the last election.  Yet our Foreign
> Minister, Ms. Dipu Moni tells the media the next day that
> she does not expect this incident to have any bearing in
> the US-Bangladesh relationship according to Daily Ittefaq.
>
>
>
>
> There were plan to have a significant partnership with
> General Electric and Grameen in the healthcare area,  and
> it was expected that Mrs. Clinton was planning to attend the
> signing event along with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Now
> with this new development, it is unlikely that Mrs. Clinton
> will travel to Dhaka, and we will not be surprised if the
> entire deal unravels. 
>
>
>
> Opinion with little analysis: Grameen Bank and Dr. Yunus is
> a regular news headline since March 2nd, 2011 in Bangladesh
> and abroad. Reports are based on the facts of the
> government's action and the legal affairs of the Grameen
> Bank. I am of the same opinion with the analysts who focus
> the entire operation of Sheikh Hasina as absolute political
> and her personal interest based on sheer bias and hatred.
> That politics has both a national and international
> overtone. Hasina loves to enjoy the unchallenged and safe
> kingdom where she will remain in permanent premiership with
> none to question her authority, and her son Sajib to follow
> her after her passing. She is the sole agent of Indian power
> in Wajed Joy Bangladesh where United States of America, EU,
> Muslim states and China-Russia will keep continue the
> relation with her through Delhi government. No one should
> desire the independent relation with Bangladesh. India needs
> Bangladesh under absolute domination as their buffer state
> and in future as it`s part in Indian map as it was before
> 1947.Hasina acts as if she prefers that Indian blueprint.
>
>
>
> Sheikh Hasina has been ignoring to implement her commitment
> with the United States and playing as a political film
> gangster with the State department of U.S. She has been
> enjoying American support but serving Indian
> government interest far more then their expectations,  as
> confirmed by the New Delhi sources.  All her fake
> faces and games have now been exposed to the US
> Administration. Her blackmailing and dirty gambling are
> also well known to China and the Muslim Countries long time
> ago.
>
>
>
> Let`s go for short points of Circumstances:
>
> (1) Dr. Yunus contributed to tie up the close relation of
> Sheikh Hasina with the US government and their main policy
> makers, and arranged the US blessings for her and played
> vital role to elect her as premier with absolute
> majority in the national election in 2008.
>
> (2) For the growing economy in Asia-Pacific region
> Bangladesh deserves strategic priority for its geo-political
> location. In that perspective United States decided to pick
> Hasina to serve their interests in Bangladesh. But she has
> been serving absolutely Indian interests, black mailing the
> US supports and confronting Bangladeshi interests of
> military security and economic interests in inside and
> abroad nakedly. That gradually has turned their relationship
> cold and growing far apart.
>
> (3) Hasina is desperate to continue her loyalty with family
> and party followers to Indians as she believes RAW has
> brought her in    power and guides her in political and
> administrative designs. RAW for the first time manipulated
> the national election process of Bangladesh successfully
> and presented her a glorious victory.
>
> (4) RAW already set up base network with payroll agents
> 260000 and 6326 are from so called educated group, out of
> total agents 64970.These operatives are active from
> capital city to Upazillas across the country.
>
> (5) United States of America might support Dr. Mohammad
> Yunus as their next choice in Bangladeshi government or set
> him up as a staring adviser to future government as Hasina
> doubt lingers. Whereas she is dreaming to see her son S W
> Joy to follow her in    premiership after her retirement
> or passage. Because of this plan, she has already ousted
> the heavyweight leaders from Awami league leadership and
> has brought RAW listed operatives in key position of the
> government, like Dipu Moni. et al.
>
> (6) Dr. Yunus might be the next alternative who proved
> himself as the model of honesty and an all rounder
> leadership and highly    respected throughout the world.
> BNP is painted as loyalist party to the Muslims and Fanatic
> Islamic group and Zia family lost    maximum of
> credibility in leadership for many reasons. The architect
> Army officers of one / eleven in Bangladesh might
> dramatically    sell their support as they did in the
> past though still their position is in the same as it was
> with India after a dramatic monetary deal    of almost
> $11 million US dollars as Delhi sourced.
>
> (7) Prime Minister and her son have been planning to grab
> Grameen Bank`s ownership where as Dr. Mohammad Yunus is
> the major obstacle for them with his managing capacity and
> global reputation.
>
> (8) Mr. Joy was found masked in Indian Airlines where he
> was disguised with the dress of Shikh before he got down
> from in Dhaka International Airport during Sheikh Hasina`s
> premiership that was witnessed by two European diplomats.
> Two faces of one VIP    passenger who appeared as mafia
> and special protocol that was provided by the Indian
> security Marshalls caused embarrassment    to the
> diplomats. However, such suspicious movement of Youngman Joy
> who has been privileged from the highest authorities of  
>  both India and Bangladesh that was enough to frustrate
> them, undoubtedly.
>
> (9) Mr. Joi also attended an IT conference in Bangalore
> last year, and made an under the table deal to enable
> Bharti Airtel to come to Bangladesh,  and currently
> acting as their local Agent and has pocketed handsome amount
> paving their way to Bangladesh. He is now involved with
> them in the second undersea fiber optic line,  and also
> making sure they do not need to participate in the
> 2G auction with Grameen Phone and other operators.
>
> (10) In the recently held Telecom conference in Barcelona,
> Mr. Joi met privately with the CEO's of several
> Bangladesh Telecom    Operators "privately" to
> negotiate the upcoming 2G auction, and how they
> might leverage his "Consulting Services."
>
> (11) Mr. Joi,  as the so-called self declared IT expert
> and IT Advisor to the Bangladesh Prime Minister is also
> very proactive to find    a partner, who can refine the
> requirement for a Satellite and develop and sell it to
> Bangladesh, by making him "Happy." He has
> a front man, named Mr. Rick Rahim from Virginia, USA,
> who acts on his behalf in all such deals!!
>
> (12) Mr. Joi also joined Mummy Prime Minister during her
> trip to China in 2010,  but was busy meeting privately with
> clients who    later submitted bids for the Padma bridge
> and other Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of
> Energy Tenders. He made sure    all Chinese clients
> understood, that they make him Happy, if they wish to win
> any tender bids in Bangladesh while AL in power.
>
> (13) Mr. Joi was also instrumental in facilitating the sale
> of military hardware to Bangladesh Defense forces from
> Ukraine and    Russia, and in return they made him a
> Happy Man for his highly successful Consulting
> Services!! 
>
>
>
> However, India, as it aims to be a growing super power and
> it is greedy to bring the weak neighbor Bangladesh under her
> dominion. They have selected the moment to conflict US
> interests in Bangladesh as US is engaged in the Middle-East
> and African turmoil. Interesting fact is that
> China-USA-Muslim world and European Union don`t accept
> Indian control over Bangladesh, and India wants an absolute
> control over Bangladesh for the need of the Deep Sea Port
> and transit through Bangladesh to its Eastern Provinces. 
> As done with the BDR shortly after her ascension to power,
> this latest episode with Dr. Yunus is part of a deliberate
> attempt on the AL Government to ensure there will be no one
> of world stature available to critique its eveil design in
> Bangladesh.  All Military officials who had questioned the
> Prime Minister after the BDR massacre, were quietly removed
> from the Services and put to Jail and they are still in
> solitary confinement. 
>
>
>
> Conclusion: Professor Mohammad Yunus was awarded the Noble
> prize for Peace as Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela and Martin
> Luther King Jr. He is not a follower to any
> political leader. Prime Minister of Bangladesh and her
> political party have been campaigning for long time against
> Prof. Yunus. Dr. Yunus was targeted by the Marxist political
> groups, then after the Muslim fundamentalists for his
> micro-credit concept to give emancipation to the women and
> to the poor.  Now finally our Sheikh Hasina is after him,
> because she felt that she should be the rightful candidate
> to win the Peace prize after her work in the Tribal area. 
> There should be a limit to political vendetta and personal
> animosity,  and this should not be hatched at the expense
> of the country. Had Dr. Yunus wanted,  he could be the
> Prime Minister of Bangladesh today,  with full local and
> international support. But he simply wanted to serve his
> country and help the poor people of the world so they could
> live a dignity and self respect.
>
>
>
> (The Writer is a free-lancer Journalist and analyst of
> global politics.
>
> E-mail: azmnyc@gmail.com;
>
> rivercrossinternational@yahoo.com),
> and
>
> Sattabadi@yahoo.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>



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[chottala.com] EKTARA Presents Cricket Mania 2011 [2 Attachments]

[Attachment(s) from EKTARA included below]

Dear Community Members in the D.C., MD and VA areas:
 
Cricket! Cricket!! Cricket!!!
 
We are just a day away from the first ever "EKTARA Cricket Cup 2011". The teams are ready to show their cricket skills on the field with 4's, 6's and wickets!
 
Please mark your calendar for the following date, time and place-
 
Date:              Saturday, 26 March 2011
Start Time:    0830 a.m.
Place:            Newington Heights Park (Field 1) 
                      8415 Heller Road, Lorton, VA 22079
Directions: From Fairfax County Parkway - Take Hooes Road south towards Lorton. Turn left onto Silverbrook Road (traffic light controls the intersection) then, take the second left onto Monacan Road. Almost immediately take another left onto Heller Road. Park by the tennis courts and walk up the road to the second field on the left (first field is a baseball diamond).
From I95 South - Take the Lorton exit (Lorton Road West). Proceed about 1/4 mile to the light at Silverbrook Road. Turn right onto Silverbrook and proceed about two miles then turn right onto Monacan Road. Follow the remainder of the directions from Fairfax County Parkway above.
 
Honorable Ambassador of Bangladesh to U.S., Mr. Akramul Qader will inaugurate the  "EKTARA Cricket Cup 2011". The tournament falls on the 40th anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh. 
 
A total of eight teams will take part in this day long tournament. All players are requested to report to the ground by 0830 a.m. to ensure a smooth and timely running of the games. Each game will be 12 a side (11 playing, 1 extra) in a 10/10 format (10 overs per side).
 
Attractive prizes await the winners, including a championship trophy, runner up prizes, best bowler and batsman awards.
 
Please make this a family event by creating a picnic atmosphere. Please bring your picnic chairs and accessories. Make it a fun filled day with family, friends and lots of food and cricket.  
The teams are busy practicing their cricket skills and are raring to go on the 26th. We are extending our invitations to all the cricket lovers to express their support for this tournament and to show our unity as a community.  
We are also inviting all members of our community to take part in this event wearing the national colors of Bangladesh (green/red) to celebrate the 40th birth anniversary of our nation and have some fun time with family and friends while watching cricket.
 
For further information, please call- 703.625.7561
 
With warmest regards,
 
EKTARA
On the web: www.ektara.info







Attachment(s) from EKTARA

2 of 2 Photo(s)


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