People’s Liberation Army and PLA Day- memory and hope of a Bangladeshi

August the first is one of the governmental holidays in China to celebrate her People’s Liberation Army Day, in short PLA or Army Day. The day is set aside to commemorate the contribution that the PLA has made to China both in the past and in the present days. Chinese leaders and public figures go to veterans’ homes to show their great concern for them, and get-togethers are held for the soldiers on this day. In some places, soldiers and their dependents are rewarded with the opportunity to visit tourist attractions for free while some are also presented with beneficial books to mark the occasion.

According to Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia, “China has a long military tradition, dating back to the earliest days of recorded history. The martial exploits of kings and emperors, loyal generals and peasant rebels, and strategists and theorists are well known in Chinese high culture and folk tradition. Throughout the centuries, two tendencies have influenced the role of the military in national life, one in peacetime and the other in times of upheaval. In times of peace and stability, military forces were firmly subordinated to civilian control. The military was strong enough to overcome domestic rebellions and foreign invasion, yet it did not threaten civilian control of the political system. In the past 150 years, a third factor entered the Chinese military tradition—the introduction of modern military technology and organization to strengthen military capabilities against domestic and foreign enemies. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, all three tendencies have been discernible in the role of the military in national life. These factors have been particularly apparent in the role of the People’s Liberation Army in the rise to power of the Chinese Communist Party, in the military’s role in the politics of the People’s Republic of China, and in the efforts of Chinese leaders to modernize the armed forces”.

The PLA, initially established on 1st August 1927 through Nanchang Uprising of the communists against the Nationalists, is now the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People’s Republic of China. It is one of the largest military forces in the world. Again PLA, initially called the Red Army, grew under Mao Zedong and Zhu De from 5,000 troops in 1929 to 200,000 in 1933. Only a fraction of this force survived the Long March in retreat from the Nationalists. After rebuilding its strength, a large portion of it, the Eighth Route Army, fought with the Nationalists against the Japanese in northern China. After World War II, the communist forces, that is the renamed People’s Liberation Army, defeated the Nationalists and formed The People’s Republic of China in 1949 which has already emerged as today’s mighty economic super power in the world within so short time.

PLA is a people’s army created and led by the Communist Party of China (CPC), and the principal body of China’s armed forces. The PLA is made up of both active and reserve components. Its total force is maintained below the 2,500,000. The active components of the PLA are the country’s standing army, consisting of the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Second Artillery Force, whose main task is to conduct operations of defense, and, if necessary, help to maintain social order in accordance with the law. Through the General Staff Headquarters, the General Political Department, the General Logistics Department and the General Armaments Department, the CMC exercises operational command over the whole PLA and leadership for the development of the PLA.

The Navy of the PLA was established on April 23, 1949. Its primary missions are, independently or jointly with the Army and Air Force, to guard against enemy invasion from the sea, defend the state’s sovereignty over its territorial waters, and safeguard the state’s maritime rights and interests. The Air Force of the PLA was established on November 11, 1949. Its primary missions are organizing homeland air defense to protect the territorial air, and providing air security for key facilities; organizing relatively independent air offensive operations; independently or jointly with the Army, the Navy or the Second Artillery Force, engaging in joint operations against enemy invasion from the air, or in conducting air strikes against the enemy. Adopting a system of combining aviation with ground-to-air defense forces, the Air Force consists of the aviation, surface-to-air missile, anti-aircraft artillery and airborne units, as well as communications, radar, ECM, chemical defense, technical reconnaissance and other specialized units. The Air Force has an air command in each of the seven military areas of Shenyang, Beijing, Lanzhou, Jinan, Nanjing, Guangzhou and Chengdu.

The Second Artillery Force of the PLA was established on July 1, 1966. It is composed of the ground-to-ground strategic nuclear missile force, the conventional operational-tactical missile force, and the support units. The strategic nuclear missile force, under the direct command of the CMC, constitutes the main part of China’s limited nuclear counterattack capability. It is equipped with land-based strategic nuclear missile systems. Its primary missions are to deter the enemy from using nuclear weapons against China, and, in the case of a nuclear attack by the enemy, to launch an effective counterattack in self-defense independently or jointly with the strategic nuclear forces of other services, at the order of the supreme command. The conventional operational-tactical missile force is equipped with conventional operational and tactical missile systems. Its task is to carry out fire assaults with conventional missiles.

The PLA’s reserve force, established in 1983, is a force with its own preset organizational structure, with reserve personnel as the base and active personnel as the backbone. The reserve force operates a unified organizational system. The divisions, brigades and regiments of the reserve force are conferred designations and military banners. The reserve force implements orders and regulations of the PLA, and is incorporated into the PLA’s order of battle. In peacetime, it is led by the provincial military districts or garrison commands, and in wartime, after mobilization, it is commanded by the designated active unit or carries out combat missions independently. It receives military training in peacetime in accordance with the relevant regulations, and, if necessary, helps to maintain social order in accordance with the law. In wartime, it may be called into active service in pursuance of a state mobilization order. ¡The PLA forces stationed in Hong Kong and Macao are under the direct leadership of the CMC. The PLA Hong Kong Garrison is mainly composed of ground, naval and air units. The PLA Macao Garrison is mainly composed of a ground force, with some naval and air force personnel on its staff.

Photo: Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie (4th L) and other generals attend a reception hosted by the Ministry of National Defence of the People’s Republic of China, to mark the 84th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army, in Beijing, capital of China, July 31, 2011. (Xinhua/Wang Jianmin).

To commemorate this year’s PLA day, that is to mark the 84th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army, Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie delivered a speech on July 31, 2011, at a reception hosted by the Ministry of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China, in Beijing, the capital of China. Guests from home and abroad attend a reception hosted by the Ministry of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China. In his speech he expressed that China will steadily reform national defense and the army and constantly modernize the military forces, quoted by Xinhua news agency. He also said “In the world today, peace, development and cooperation remains the trend of the times. However, world peace and development faces multiple challenges. China is going through unprecedented and extensive social changes,” Mr. Liang also said the army faces more arduous and heavier tasks and should stay alert to challenges. He called for enhancing the capability to accomplish diversified military tasks, with the capability to win local wars under the changing conditions. “We will expand and deepen preparedness for military struggle, vigorously carry out military training, promote independent innovation in defense science and equipment development,” said Liang. He also called for accelerating the building of modern logistics, intensifying the training of high-caliber and new-type military personnel, actively and steadily carrying out defense and military reforms and constantly modernizing the PLA. Mr. Liang, also a member of China’ Central Military Commission and a state councilor, said the army will continue to oppose and deter the secessionist activities for “Taiwan independence” to make due contributions to the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and China’s complete reunification. He also pledged working for long-lasting peace and common prosperity of the world. “(We will) continue to follow the independent foreign policy of peace, deepen friendly exchanges and cooperation with the armed forces of other countries and contribute to building a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity.” Over the past 84 years, the PLA has made outstanding contributions to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity as well as advancing China’s economic and social development, said Liang.

In the recent past, Chinese President Hu Jintao also expressed at a meeting of PLA deputies to the National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature, that the armed forces to provide solid security guarantee for building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the armed police should constantly improve their capabilities of comprehensively performing their missions in new century and new stage, The armed forces should speed up their efforts in pushing forward the modernization of national defense and the army, so as to resolutely safeguard state sovereignty, security and development interests, said Mr. Hu. The armed forces should unswervingly obey the Party’s command, said Hu, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission. Mr. Hu also urged the armed forces to actively participate in economic, social and ecological construction, support the transformation of economic development pattern, and shoulder emergency response tasks such as disaster relief.

Bangladesh and China established diplomatic relations on October 4, 1975 and since then Bangladesh Army also started cooperation with PLA. Many Bangladeshi defense personnel were trained in PLA. Besides, most of the equipments of Bangladesh Armed Forces are also from PLA or China.  The Bangladeshi military began its development with weapons surrendered by Pakistani forces and the arms supplied by India to the Freedom Fighter (Mukti Bahini). However, by the early 1980s, China had become Bangladesh’s primary supplier of military equipment.

It was 15th September 1988 when I first landed in Beijing being one of the foreign students to learn Chinese language and have had studied Chinese language for two years staying in China. That was my closest opportunity to know China and its people when I was very young. Since then I had been visiting China regularly and have seen the changes in last 23 years. I have seen the China from Herbin in the north to Hainandao in the south and also in between many cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzen, etc, and almost whole China accept three provinces. I wish I would soon complete seeing those places too.

During my every visit to China I was always very surprised seeing her continuous developments and progresses. Every time I took a long breath and answered to myself, “it is China and they are Chinese and so it is possible!”. The achievements of China during last few decades are known to all indeed. During my every visit to China I also had the opportunities to be in close touches with many Chinese leaders as well as very common people in the official as well as business and private capacities from which I have learned something for myself. Of course, there are many related factors associated to the success of present China, however, I would like to express my personal opinion as to what all major factors had possibly been contributing to these continuous successes. In my opinion, major factors were the political stability of the nation, the discipline, motivation and willingness of people to develop the country, and of course the special Chinese leadership to take the country ahead. The pride of the Chinese people that, “we are Chinese and it is China and of course one China” was the main motivation behind all success in my understanding. Well, PLA provided the basic security and strength to the nation for achieving the present glory.

During past 23 years I had the opportunities to listen many top ranking leaders of China and Bangladesh regarding the Sino- Bangladesh friendly cooperation in general and the relationship between PLA and Bangladesh Armed Forces in particular. Today I may recall the speech delivered in 1993 by General Zhang Wan Nian, the then Chief of General Staff (CGS) of PLA during his visit to Bangladesh where he strongly expressed that relationship between PLA and Bangladesh Armed Forces in particular and Sino-Bangladesh relationship in general is long time tested and would remain trusted forever. I have also heard many peace loving common people of both the countries.  I have learned and now believe from all those talking that China Bangladesh relationship is the relationship of long history, not only this formal 36 years, however, now it has taken the shape of the relationship of connectivity, relationship of trust and confidence, relationship of inter dependability, and the relationship of future hope and continuous cooperation for mutual win-win benefits.

Considering the space limitation of this writing, I would like to express only one desire on behalf of common peace loving people of both countries so that the authorities at both ends may consider facilitating easy access to each other’s country and their people for the continuous promotion of culture, sports, tourism, trade and other sectors in general and the understanding as well as bondage between PLA and Bangladesh in particular. I hope the concern authorities would soon do something more positive in this regard. Long live the relationship between PLA vis-a-vis Bangladesh Armed Forces and long live Sino Bangladesh relations.

Tags: China-Bangladesh Relationship, NEWS

Source: e-bangladesh.org

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Economist owe an apology to both Bangladesh and India

The honesty and integrity of the British media has come under serious scrutiny in the recent past. Australian Media Tycoon Rupert Murdoch has been compelled to close down his “News of the World” when charged for its unholy methods of tarnishing the image of leading personalities and smear nations. Rupert Murdoch had to appear before a parliamentary probe committee and regret for the scam. Almost at the same time Another British media “The Economist” has published has carried a highly controversial report questioning India- Bangladesh relation, the emergence of Bangladesh, the genocide by Pakistan occupation army in 1971and the trial process of the identified War Criminals of 1971.

The report without any credible evidence has brought out an allegation that Indian Government sponsored the Awami League with money and advice to win the 2008 elections. Congress is in Indian state power, and there is a historic link between the Congrees and Awami League based on good wish or even blessings as both champion democracy. But how can a leading international media mention that Indian Government provided monetary support to Awami League? Do they have any credible evidence? Neutral observers and world media unanimously acclaimed the free, fair and transparent election of 2008 . Even no major objection was raised by any of the opponents. But how after two and half years later “The Ecomonist” could bring up such a serious allegation? This report has definitely undermined and in fact embarrassed both India and Bangladesh. The countries have every right to question validity and authenticity of the report. This is more pertinent at this moment since two friendly SAARC neighbors after years of mistrust and disbelief have started positive actions to resolved several outstanding issues – water sharing , enclave exchange, joint actions against terrorists, boundary disputes resolution, regional connectivity , trade rationalization . Some issues were fundamentally agreed during Bangladesh PMs Visit to India and most of the others are at advanced stage for meeting of minds of the highest level at the upcoming summit of two PMs in Dhaka in September 2011.

In Bangladesh there is a group of people who in everything smells some Indian fish .This group though do not hesitate to use Indian Garments, go for shopping to India or get medical treatment to India when required. They do not object to use dirty polluting Indian coal but they raise hue and cry when Government takes imitative to explore own sweet coal or explore for petroleum in the offshore. This group sure will be encouraged by such yellow journalism of “The Economist.
Economist report questioned visit of Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi’s visit to Dhaka in a satirical manner. Sonia was in Dhaka on invitation of PM Hasina to attend an international seminar on Autistics Children and to receive the highest civilian award [Posthumous] on behalf of Late Indira Gandhi for her motherly contribution during the liberation war. There cannot be any question if the chief of the two ruling political parties share ideas and opinions on the regional politics and government affairs anytime anywhere.

The report also questioned the crackdown of militant groups and terrorists by Bangladesh Government. The section of the report may be quoted here:

Ever since 2008, when the Awami League, helped by bags of Indian cash and advice, triumphed in general elections in Bangladesh, relations with India have blossomed. To Indian delight, Bangladesh has cracked down on extremists with ties to Pakistan or India’s home-grown terrorist group, the Indian Mujahideen, as well as on vociferous Islamist (and anti-Indian) politicians in the country. India feels that bit safer.

We will be extremely pleased if Economist can provide the credible evidence of the bag of cash that it is alleging to have been provided by Indian Government . If not Economist owe an apology to both India and Bangladesh.

From 2002 – 2006 Bangladesh became safe haven of terrorists. Finance Minister SAMS Kibria, popular MP Ahsanullah Master was killed by grenade attacks. Attacks were carried out against British High Commissioner in Bangladesh, Mayor of Sylhet, and MP Suranjit Sen Gupta. Finally terrorist under state sponsorship killed several Awami Leaguers including wife of Bangladesh President in a carnage and mayhem in front of Awami League Central office at the heart of the capital city. The terrorists became so organized that they could carry out simultaneous grenade explosion in 64 places of the country at the same time. People were killed at court buildings, cinema hall. It was alleged that some country’s intelligence agency unfriendly to both Bangladeshi progressive force and India setting up safe training shelter within Bangladesh trained terrorists and provided deadly weapons to carry out subversive activities within Bangladesh and India. A huge arm haul was confiscated at CUFL Jetty of Chittagong which was allegedly transited through Bangladesh for a separatist group of India. Present government very courageously took appropriate actions against the group. Government has also initiated actions to authentically probe all acts of terrorism of the past. Instead of admiring governments efforts Economist report has unfortunately criticized the admirable Bangladesh action.

The saddest part of the report is that it questioned the Bangladeshi initiative of conducting trials of identified war criminals. There can be any or many difference of opinion about the process of conducting the trials. But it is a long term legitimate demand of the Bangladeshis to try and punish the collaborators of Pakistan Army in carrying out genocide, rape, looting and arsening in 1971. Economist has unfortunately advocated for the alleged criminals under custody. The intent and purpose of the report is well understood.

The report also questioned about various outstanding bilateral issues resolution process. It has questioned regional connectivity. We cannot deny our geographical reality. We are surrounded by India from 2.75 sides. Any regional connectivity will benefit all nations. If India can connect its major regions with neglected Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura through it how it harms Bangladesh? Why we are apprehensive that India will transport Army or Military gazettes through the corridor? This connectivity is for trade and commerce only. However, we are not fully aware about the details of the regional connectivity. It will not be wise to talk about it at this stage.

In conclusion we like to request the editor of “The Economist “ to clarify the issues raised in the report and address the Bangladesh response .If such kind of reports are regulary published who knows some day it may have to embrace the same fate as Rupert Murdoch’s “ The News of the World”.

Tags: Bangladesh-India, Economist, NEWS

Source: e-bangladesh.org

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Transit issue not a one sided love story

Transit has become an issue of hue and cry for the Bangladeshi people. Laymen and think tanks of the country are making a storm in the tea cup because of this contemporary issue. The most interesting thing, probably the important thing is all the people from different classes are calculating the balance sheet before offering India to use the soil of Bangladesh. There is a pool of people here in Bangladesh who is very much apprehensive about this transit issue. These people are claiming that the internal security will be jeopardizing if Bangladesh allow India to ply on her.  The infrastructure of the country will be hampered by overusing and paying less compensation by the neighboring country as the present government did not disclose the contract yet. These people believe that even after Bangladesh has given India multi-modal transit and other facilities, its bigger neighbor has failed to reciprocate these goodwill gestures. An anti-Indian ally sometimes says that Indians want to see Sheikh Hasina in power for the second term in a row but they want a quick realisation of the outstanding issues that are plaguing both the countries diplomatic and political relationship. They would like to deal with the unresolved issues with Indian interests in mind before the Awami League government ends its tenure.

 Now the question comes whether these propagandas make any miss-conception among the citizen of this country? Are we making our neighbor enemy or we are showing an antagonistic attitude to her? All the debates and miss-understanding could be make it very clear if our government would make it very public and our local media persons would understand and focus on this issue. But alas both of these groups could not make it happen. However, the transit is being treated more as a political issue than the economic benefits. But the thing is Bangladesh has nothing to fear from giving it transit rights to access its land-locked northeastern states. If Bangladesh gives connectivity to India through its territory, the latter stands to gain in terms of market access to the northeastern Indian states.

 The main job of our diplomats would be to reap out the best for Bangladesh. India has started bargaining for the very subject. The high officials of that country are frequently visiting Bangladesh for their sweet share. We are highly lagging here.

 India’s Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, will visit early in September to sign deals on sensitive matters like sharing rivers, sending electricity over the border, settling disputed patches of territory on the 4,095km (2,500-mile) frontier and stopping India’s trigger-happy border guards from murdering migrants and cow-smugglers. Most important, however, is a deal on setting up a handful of transit routes across Bangladesh, to reach India’s remote, isolated north-eastern states. These are the “seven sisters” wedged up against the border with China. On the face of it, the $10 billion project will develop poor areas cut off from India’s booming economy. The Asian Development Bank and others see Bangladeshi gains too, from better roads, ports, railways and much-needed trade. In Dhaka, the capital, the central-bank governor says broader integration with India could lift economic growth by a couple of percentage points, from nearly 7% already. India has handed over half of a $1 billion soft loan for the project, and the money is being spent on new river-dredgers and rolling stock. Bangladesh’s rulers are mustard-keen. The country missed out on an earlier infrastructure bonanza involving a plan to pipe gas from Myanmar to India. China got the pipeline instead.

So the whole thing is a mutual game where both of the country will be benefitted helping each other. Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka have opened their door to India. Even Pakistan has enormous transaction with India than Bangladesh in trade and cultural activities. Then why should we lag behind. People of this country should understand the basic principle of international trade that poor country gains more trading with a rich country.  It is not that we are giving everything to India and getting zero in return. To have a better Bangladesh and to use the resource of the country fully we need to open up our door and welcome our neighboring friends.

Source: e-bangladesh.org

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Un-embraceable You

  Embraceable You

The latest edition of The Economist carries a comprehensive yet questionable report on India-Bangladesh ties. There are a couple of serious allegations in the report that just cannot be allowed to go unanswered. The opening paragraph alleges that India helped Awami League with cash and advice in winning 2008 general elections. The publication has not even bothered to substantiate this open allegation with evidence. I take the “cash” part more seriously. There is no harm in taking advice from a rising democracy, especially when the whole world is set on this particular set of governance. But accepting “cash” is another story altogether: it not only undermines the credibility of a democratically elected government but also colors the objectivity of the report.

The Awami League has historically had good ties with India, and is now logically trying to cement those ties with various agreements on sensitive matters that have been a stumbling block to the peace of eastern South Asia. So by alleging that the current government took “cash” support from India to come to power, the report is in effect trying to undermine peace efforts in the region. The Economist has chosen to publish this report at a time when both countries are finalizing treaties to resolve long-standing problems and expand the horizon of co-operation. The sensitive deals concern the resolution of matters like border disputes, water-sharing, electricity procurement for Bangladesh, transit routes and proportionally balanced trade. These deals will equally benefit Bangladesh economy, and should be taken as initial steps toward a South Asian Union.

As for transit routes, the report has quoted the fears of “military types” that such facility to India might provoke reprisals from separatist outfits. First of all, what are “military types”? Are they people with military background or simply a handful of people with a military mindset? And second, allowing India transit routes to the Seven Sisters will in fact help Bangladesh outsource the tackling of its militancy problem,because separatist groups in north eastern India have deep links with underground movements in Bangladesh. Such links have repeatedly played into the hands of Islamic militants by becoming a conduit for arms and safe havens.

Coming back to The Economist, the sweeping comment regarding lack of transparency in the upcoming 1971 war-crimes trials clears the purpose of this report. It is evident that the report was prepared with the intention of highlighting this issue only. For a western magazine to side with an Islamic party, Jamaat-e-Islami, should be an eye-opener. This is the very party that has proven links with religious militants in the country, this is the very party that has hired lobbyists through third-party contacts in the west to fight its cause, and this is the very party that is supporting known war criminals. Hardly ever were questions or allegations raised about the impartiality of war-crimes tribunals in Cambodia or Rwanda. Even in the matter of the Armenian massacre, western media sided with the victims, not EU-aspiring Turkey. But in case of Bangladesh, sympathies seem to be surprisingly shifting toward the perpetrators of 1971 crimes against humanity.

Jamaat-e-Islami is a coalition partner of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party of Khaleda Zia. So, the BNP will quite naturally never pursue these trials. That leaves only the Awami League to bring closure to the victims of those heinous crimes. Yet, The Economist had no qualms about stating without evidence that “the
(upcoming) war-crimes trials over the events of 1971 are being used less as a path to justice than to crush an opposition Islamic party, Jamaat-e-Islami”. The publication also showed lack of journalistic sensitivity by using the word “events” for the 1971 holocaust. While it’s true that trials of mass atrocities have rarely been free of political controversies, they have still produced meaningful results, both in term of providing closure to the victims and bringing the perpetrators to justice like in former Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone and Cambodia etc. Besides, I agree with international experts that “ultimately, the quality of the evidence placed before the court would determine the success or failure of the Bangladesh tribunal”. And also “based on comparative experiences, a trial that is not considered legitimate is likely to produce weak results that are susceptible to challenge further down the line.”

So, the focus has to remain on the crimes and the victims, and not on the political affiliations of the suspects. Not the trials themselves but the suggestion of The Economist that these trials are a witch-hunt in reality compromises the validity and effectiveness of the rule of law and justice. Despite the politics surrounding this issue, the fact that there is widespread desire to bring the war criminals to justice simply cannot be ignored. This was one of the major election commitments of the Awami League before the 2008 elections for which the party secured massive public votes.

But as The Economist alleged right at the beginning of its report that Awami League won the polls by questionable means, it only goes to prove what many in Bangladesh consider western conspiracy to keep the region destabilized. There can be no doubt that the trials will close a painful episode of the country’s history, and also that reversing the process would only worsen the situation.

The Economist report is nothing but a bland effort to create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty ahead of events that carry momentous value for the future of Bangladesh. In journalistic terms, the said report is mere media propaganda in an attempt to bottle-neck peace efforts in South Asia.

Source: e-bangladesh.org

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The Economist’s as usual biased coverage on Bangladesh-India comes under fire

London based weakly magazine The Economist, with a global readership continues to deliver inaccurate and unbalanced reporting on Bangladesh and India and to its time-tested relations. While some reports have exposed a pattern of bias in Economist coverage, the author repeatedly failed to address these documented concerns. Probably it may give an impression to some of us but the fact is The Economist frequently misrepresents the truth and omits relevant details. Recent reports on Bangladesh captured the animosity and carelessness with fact commonplace in the publication. We believe the reports clearly exposed its hatred and bigotry against Bangladeshi and Indian people as a whole. Without doubt, many people, especially the Bangladeshi people, feel hurt by this barefaced assault.

The Economist breaks up its print edition each week into geographical regions (The United States, the Americas, Europe, The Middle East and Africa, Asia, and Britain) that own measure its half-million weekly readers.  Economist should stick to the fabrication as its business or leave journalism to those who know and care something about the honest reporting of fact.

The readers, in fact, are realizing the charisma of the Economist’s former editor, Bill Emmott. Now new phrase would be popular like “DON’T BE TOO ECONOMIST”.

The Economist wrote : According to a survey in early September by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, the UPA would increase its seats from the 222 it won in May 2004 to 267. Meanwhile, the BJP-led coalition, the National Democratic Alliance, would win 133 seats, compared to 189 in 2004. The Left party’s number of seats in the national parliament would fall to, down from 59.

http://www.economist.com/node/9820974?story_id=9820974

Indian response: What comes across as ridiculous is the analysis on the possible outcome of the mid-term polls. Among other things, the Economist relies on questionable opinion poll data that have a notorious record for being wrong 99% of the time.

The All-China Journalists Association (ACJA) “We are truly stunned and shocked by a recent racist and hateful remark on the Chinese people by your news commentator.Journalist group urges to apologize

We can go on with more controversial news report links on Italy, Russia, and Middle East and even on religion.

A scan of months of Economist reporting discloses persisting unfairness. In particular, Economist coverage continues to characterize imprecisely Bangladesh Government’s actions.

Lets analyze its’ reports.

1) They have no representative in Bangladesh so its natural that they would be careful about contents while reporting.

2) They have representatives in India. But their reports on India were skewed and it may raise question whether they are practicing yellow journalism or not!

3) Bangladesh related reports were published without any author’s name, some in the name of A.R. and Banyan. It’s certain that they knowingly published the fabricated reports and to safeguard from any legal measures it was published in this way.

Yet they cannot deny the liabilities.

It’s a blatant lie. She always welcomed opposition parties specially BNP for discussion and to join in the parliament session.

Gains of BNP in local polls, criticism of government’s different steps uttered/articulated in print and electronic media, independent judicial system, Human Rights Commission all these clearly indicates that Awami League want to ensure democracy and democratic norms. It should be noted that AL didn’t fire a single govt. employee for political connection with opposition, the scenario was always opposite when BNP assumed power.

9th Parliamentary election of Bangladesh has been treated as free, fair and neutral election by the people of Bangladesh from all walks of life. All local and foreign Election Monitoring/Observing organizations greeted the fair election.

Best example is the Economist itself.

Though it predicted that AL won’t win but after election it wrote:

“It went better than anybody dared hoped. On December 29th Bangladesh held its first general election for seven years. It was well attended, with 70% turn-out, well organized, largely peaceful and despite some vote buying and other malpractices, far cleaner than its predecessors.”

30-December-2008, The Economist.

Our more than 3-million innocent people, minorities and freedom fighters were killed/murdered/raped in the Liberation War of Bangladesh (1971). It’s the long cherished desire of our majority people to punish those war criminals. A nation can not bear the liability of demanded justice. Punishment of the war criminal is nothing new in the world. Above all, it was mentioned in AL’s election manifesto to ensure justice for Crime against humanity. An International War Crime Tribunal has been formed. All arrested criminals in this regards are unanimously known as war criminals.

They dared to question on principles of Bangabandhu, his portrait even on Liberation war.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is not just a name. He is founder of Bangladesh. Bangabandhu means Bangladesh. He had sacrificed his whole life for our people, for our freedom. Despite the consequences that BBC termed Bangabandhu as “The greatest Bengali of the millennium” (also quoted in 30-12-08 report in Economist), the father of the nation Bangabandhu is and will be immortal in the heart of our people.

Dr. Yunus issue:

Its Sheikh Hasina who recommended first to approved govt. loan for Dr. Yunus’ Grameen Bank in 1996. Yunus initiated to do something for the poor. But in fact we came to know his promotional video on micro-credit is an well-acted drama. Poor’s are only the source of money. Their effective interest rate is about 40%. Some were cheated, he used the fund for poor in commercial sector though it was entitled to distribute for micro-credit only. A Nobel laureate is not above law. He violated our banking rules; his post was not approved by Central Bank (for 10 years).

Why The Economist published any report on journalist Tom Hennyman who unleashed a video documentary of many secrets? Why they didn’t gave him coverage when Norwegian state television questioned about Yunus’ transparency and misuse of donated fund? It’s a game with the poor. But we have no media for the poor. We can’t hear their cry.

Yunus matter could have been settled but he took it to the court. Sheikh Hasina never try to influence judicial system.

It’s very interesting that they have expressed soft corner for China in Bangladesh related reports whereas China is also misrepresented by Economist. The Economist employs a striking double standard regarding their reports. Bangladesh-India relationship is time-tested. We are grateful to them for their support in our Liberation war. But it doesn’t mean Bangladesh or India would have the benefit of anything against national interest. Chitmohol (enclave) is a unsettled issue and those inhabitants are living inhuman life. Other Govt. didn’t solve it only for political interest. Now its in a position of settlement and area of Bangladesh will be increased.

Nepal and Bhutan and other SAARC countries are willing to establish a road-transit with Bangladesh. It will help in our economic development also. It’s not possible without Asian-Highway to connect with India and subsequently Nepal, Bhutan.

Border killing happens due to smuggling. The smugglers use the poor to carry products and the poor do it only for some money to live hand-to-mouth. Most importantly all locally elected leaders of border area are of BNP and they have a tie to the smugglers.

All these issues/matters are known to the journalists or relevant people. They don’t voice for it whether for political interest or any other influence.

We don’t believe that lies will become mottos if they are repeated a thousand times. We found characteristics of the reports as ignorance about Bangladesh, lack of awareness about facts, flawed information, blunder, incorrect, dangerously misleading and impractical. If Economists continue presumptuous contents in the magazine that flouts basic standards of accuracy, balance and fair play, for the purported news reports The Economists must be highlighted as the most biased International media.

As they failed to endorse proper information on political issues and because of the inherent liberal culture of as a reputed international media we urge The Economist authority to apologize for its reports on Bangladesh.

Source: e-bangladesh.org

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The wild wild East of BNP-Jamaat

On September 19, 2011, the radical Jamaat-Shibir appeared on the peaceful streets of Dhaka and Chittagong to terrorize public security and vandalize public property. These so-called Islamic fundamentalists burnt and ransacked property worth Tk 10 million. Their agenda: stop the War Criminals’ Trials of the top Jamaat leaders who stand accused of being collaborators or for their direct role in the killings and lootings during the 1971 war of freedom. The armed extremist followers of these accused came out on the streets and tried to show their muscle in the face of ongoing trials. There can be no doubt that Jamaat-Shibir activists are in contempt of court for challenging the writ of higher judiciary. And the judiciary would be within its rights to take suo-moto action against these neo-Nazis of Bangladesh who feel NO guilt for their leaders’ brutality in ‘71. After all, there is no statute of limitation on human conscience.

Senior Jamaat leaders were also involved in the 21st August grenade attack on Awami League rally, and their role as mentors of militancy in Bangladesh is an open secret. Top Jamaat leader Nijami even supported militancy on camera when he denied the existence of Bangla Bhai and accused the media of creating the boogey of this executed militant. It is also a matter of record that most of high-level militants arrested during operations confessed to their Jamaat links; their confessions offer substantial evidence that almost all banned militant outfits, like Harkatul Jihad BD, Jamayetul Mujahedeen BD and Hizbut Tehrir, were produced from the radical factory of Jamaat-Shibir.

Jamaat-e-Islami is operating on the open agenda that it wants to destroy the secular fabrics of democracy and replace it with Shariah through a militant uprise. The BNP-Jamaat coalition government (2001-06) offered militancy a safe haven in Bangladesh. It even tried to create links between Islamic radicals and separatist groups of North-East India. Some coalition leaders were also allegedly involved in offering a weapons transit to ULFA.

BNP continues its strong support to Jamaat by calling for an unruly strike on Sept 22 against the Awami League which came into power one of the promises of war criminals’ trials. The radical duo also appears quite infuriated at the recent peaceful advances between Dhaka and New Delhi: Harkatul Jihad bombed Delhi High Court when the Indian Prime Minister was visiting Dhaka earlier this month, while ULFA continues to get support from this very outfit in its fight against the Indian government. The doctrine that ‘my enemy’s enemy is my friend’ is apparently the connection between all terror groups of India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

It is about time that Jamaat be banned as a political party in Bangladesh. Its attempt to hold the capital hostage on Sept 19 should not go unpunished. BNP strikes should also be tackled firmly so that the country does not sink into chaos. Bangladeshis have long been victims of political violence and hartals. The BNP-Jamaat anarchism to obtain power should no longer be allowed to continue. BNP should especially understand that it has lost public faith for its conspiratory marriage with Jamaat and for giving BNP leader Tareq Rahman a free hand to mentor militants in the name of jihad. Also, the party’s stand against war criminal trials rightly raises the question: is BNP against providing justice and closure to the 30 lakh Bengalis killed and 4 lakh women tortured in ’71?

The performance of BNP-Jamaat government during its 2001-06 tenure offers no excuse or reason for the duo to ask Awami League to step down for its failure in running public office. Democracy requires that the mandate of the people of Bangladesh be respected and disagreements be channeled through parliament, media and social platforms. Voters have chosen BNP as the opposition party to keep an eye on government performance and voice concerns in parliamentary sessions. This wild wild east terrorism in the name of politics carries no mass appeal what so ever. Following the letter of law, strikes should be banned to safeguard public security and economy. BNP should wait for next elections.

Tags: BNP, Jamaat, politics

Source: e-bangladesh.org

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Occupy Wall Street

“Occupy Wall Street” has caught many off guard, not only domestically but also globally. It almost seems like some dumb kids were spending way too much time (probably around five minutes) watching global news and realized what has happened in the Middle East. Since the Arab Spring, virtually every country in that region has experienced some form of change-good or bad time will tell. Tunisia, Egypt, Libya have toppled governments, Syria is in the brink of civil war, Jordan has seen their cabinet changed faster than a Hollywood marriage. It was just bound to happen here. Social media instrumented the Arab Movements and movements in Tibet and Mongolia. Same Facebook, Twitter, YouTubes are now used in these “Occupy” movements. It started half heartedly, but is supported full heartedly by majority of the people. Many have pointed this as the “Tea Party of the Left”. But I think the issues these ‘occupiers’ are pointing out are problems of the left, right and the center. Now the question is, can they become big enough to push policy change? That’s something we’ll have to wait and see.

Fundamentally anyone would support or sympathize with them. Their anger is towards the architects of the financial meltdown of 2008-Wall Street. These average hard working middle class people were hurt when they saw their livelihoods evaporated and Wall Street bonuses and CEO retirement parachutes getting elevated to newer highs. But people understood, may be the bailouts were necessary. But this movement is purely from the frustration of what has happened since then. The out and out oppose of any tax increase on the rich from the right has angered and hurt many. Seventy five percent people including Republicans believe the rich should pay their fair shares. How you would measure the “fair share” that’s up for debate, but if one side in the discussion is not even willing to talk about it, then it’s pretty obvious to fail. The protestors almost reminded me of the London Student’s movement where students threw eggs on Prince Charles’s car. The issue is again education expense and student loans. I can tell you from personal experience; it almost seems like a curse to graduate from college with student loans. The entire generation would drown in debt before entering the labor market. The incentives of becoming innovator with 100K student loan is lot less now, then becoming a Wall Street executive. Obama hit the point with student loan reforms but that reform is still on paper. As long as there aren’t real reforms in application this sort of protests will continue for a while.

The education and poverty rate in Hispanic and Latino community is far gloomy then the overall picture. With ethnic diversified pocket population increasing day by day-poverty will force more of these children out of school and on the streets. The unemployment rate is 9.1% yet majority of the companies would tell you they can’t find enough skilled workers. The lack of skilled worker is not just because kids are all on Facebook or bored, they just can’t afford to get the help from school. Siemens is now working directly with community colleges to setup vocational programs to train up people. Yet many pundits don’t get the anger of these “average Joes” on Wall Street.

The idea that “it’s hard to live on two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in many part of the country” is also a farce. According to the US Census Bureau the average household income in United States has dropped in last ten years. The official poverty rate is 15.1% in 2010, in number 46.2 million people- largest number in the 52 years of poverty estimate calculations. In times like this whom do you think is finding it harder?

It’s not like they are jealous of the rich, they all want the big mansions and madzaraddi cars. It’s not that. The nurses, firefighters, elementary school teachers, college graduates they are all frustrated because they have lost their voice in this political chaos. They know they were not bound for Beverly Hill or Manhattan lifestyle, that’s why they watch all the reality shows and celebrity gossips. They just want the security to live a life of dignity and the assurance of wellbeing of their children. The president says, “Wall Street has to pay their fair share”, but how? In 2008 people thought the answer to that “how” was by voting for Barack, now I think they are bleeding too fast and words won’t heal.

In some way, they do have resemblance with the Tea Party. Out of the political system they came in large numbers with some good points in the beginning, but lost focus very quickly by galvanizing their movement with party politics agenda. In the beginning Tea Party pointed out that Washington and Wall Street are too intermingled. And then somehow all of that channeled anger and energy went towards Washington and now towards White House.

This “Occupy Wall Street” movement has the potential to hit the right boards only if they can keep focus and rationalize their frustration. For one, it’s not a 1% versus 99% fight. Taxing the top 1% “only” or taxing them heavily is not the solution, but when Warren Buffet points out that his secretary pays more tax then him that don’t make any sense either. This is high time we look at the deficit problem seriously. Like the Tea Party is holding their extreme view of doing anything and everything to make sure of spending cuts, I think it’s time something extreme on the other spectrum will bring some balance to the issue. Again, mixing the movement with Democrat party politics might not be the answer, but at this point they are the only legitimate political voice this movement has.

Tags: Economy, politics

Source: e-bangladesh.org

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Arab brutality in the name of Islam

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Arab brutality in the name of Islam

Last Friday eight Bangladeshis were beheaded at the (In) Justice square of Riyadh for their alleged killing of an Egyptian and looting a ware house. Amnesty international claims that the Egyptian was killed during a clash between those eight Bangladeshi construction workers and another group of people, and that the clash started when the Bengali workers tried to stop the other group from robbing electrical wires from the construction site. Any of the above two versions of that fateful day could be right.

The brutal Friday beheading was carried out according to the Shariah law of Arab kingdom but the accused Bangladeshis were denied the right of their defense.

Ironically, this same Shariah law has been seen to be flexible in case of allegations against US, UK or Canadian citizens, in which case such capital offences are usually settled with blood money, connection or diplomacy. Many such reported and recorded incidents prove that the so-called Shariah law is not exercised in a neutral manner and is quite susceptible to nepotism. In the name of Islam the Saudi royal elite enjoys this kind of cannibalism even in the 21st century, while the rest of the world turns a blind eye to it. This also explains why the wave of Arab Spring has not been able to hit the (In) Justice square of Riyadh.

Such human slaughtering can be seen replicated by Islamic radicals in other countries. When the western society is shifting from capital to humane punishment, the Muslim holy land continues with its biased justice system that denies the poor their right to legal defense.

Conservative Muslim elites of Arab justify this primitive behavior as a necessary deterrence against rampant crime. But statistics in Arab countries show no decline in the rate of crimes; and all this while citizens of rich countries easily circumvent the Arab law by means of wealth and influence. Any interpretation of the Shariah law that presents itself as biased and capitalist must be challenged as a crime against humanity.

The weakness of Bangladeshi diplomats has once again been exposed for they failed to defend the case of their eight beheaded countrymen. The ambassador should be asked to clarify this failure.

Almost two million workers are earning remittance for Bangladesh with their hard work in Arab countries. Our embassy is there to look after the welfare of our workers. If they fail to perform, then why should we sign their salary cheques with the blood of eight ordinary citizens of Bangladesh?

Riyadh has appeared hostile towards Dhaka ever since the liberation war of ‘71. It only recognized Dhaka after the killing of Bangabandhu, and has been providing refuge to our war criminals till date. UAE is known to sponsor Moududi and Wahabi radicals in Bangladesh, only so that it can retain its free-port crown.

In these countries themselves, domestic violence against women is kept hidden under the garb of male chauvinistic interpretation of religion. Workers from poor countries are treated as slaves, while female migrant workers are often abused by the rich natives. The sanctity of Arab land has been repeatedly abused by its feudal rulers and their crimes against humanity have come to over-shadow the glory of Islam. They are nothing but a bunch of exploiters who run private harems, but try to teach ethics to the world by beheading the poor.

Which Islam would approve of such uncouth discrimination between a rich Canadian and eight poor Bangladeshis? Beheading poor people publicly and releasing rich people secretly, portrays double standards even in the practice of religion. That too in a country of the Holy Kaaba, where Muslims from across the world go for Hajj. This is the very state that earns millions from religious pilgrimages every year.

Tags: Human Rights, Shariah

Source: e-bangladesh.org

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Hasina-Manmahon Summit:A Post-dated Review

Hasina-Manmahon summit in Bangladesh promised so much but delivered too little. Impregnated hopes turned of reaching some milestone agreement into dry despair. Several months of sincere efforts of so many persons of two countries were blown with the winds. Teesta River sharing high drama culminated into tragedy.

Consequently transit agreement was not signed, power import deal or Joint Venture Coal fired power plant development initiative could not be inked, and even critical border issues remained unresolved. Hectic parleys at the last stage and efforts of many over 20 months to make the event a mega success hit quick sand primarily due to unexplainable stubborn attitude of Chief Minister Mamota Banerjee of West Bengal. For her last minute turn around very crucial Teesta Water sharing agreement signing was put on hold. Bangladesh was at least bold enough in not agreeing to sign Transit deal. Other issues like Power import deal and imported coal based power plant under NTPC-PDB joint are still in the womb of uncertainties. Some protocols, some MOUs and one framework agreement covering many aspects of co-operation were signed. All these however failed to perhaps please both India and Bangladesh government. There will be serious soul searching in both sides to find out what went wrong? Who stabbed the noble initiatives on the back? Indian Prime Minister has sounded frustrated for not being able to bring his Chief Minister of West Bengal on the discussion table for signing what could be a historic Water sharing agreement. If we analyze neutrally development of events harmed Indian image more than Bangladesh. World Communities through active media knows it was Indians failure which led to finally sign agreed water sharing treaty for their internal reasons. Indians perhaps lost a golden opportunity to earn trust and respect of Bangladeshi nation. The mistrust and disbelief among two SAARC neighbors continued. Many now will seriously doubt about sincerity of Indian Government for agreeing to ensure the legitimate right of Bangladesh as lower riparian country over the water of common international Rivers. Bangladeshis will not easily believe on Indian Prime Ministers repeated assurances that nothing that harms Bangladesh will be done at Tipaimukh and other places to divert river water on the upstream. Here are some details of the Agreements and MOUs.

Protocol to the 1974 Boundary Agreement

Foreign ministers of India and Bangladesh signed on the protocol to address the outstanding land boundaries issues and provide final settlement to land boundary issues which will come under the agreed protocol are;

a)      Undemarcated land boundary at Daikhata -56 [West Bengal]. Muhuri River-Belonia [Tripura] and Dumabri[Assam].

b)      Enclaves.

c)      Adverse possessions.

The undemarcated boundary has already been demarcated. The status of 111 Indian Enclaves [Population of 37,334] and 51 Bangladeshi Enclaves [population of 14,215] have been addressed. The issues of adversely possessed land along Indo-Bangla border in West Bengal, Tripura, Meghalaya and Assam has also been mutually finalized. This protocol if ultimately respected to the letters by both parties will bring significant change in the peaceful neighborly relation.

Framework Agreement on Cooperation for Development:

In this modern age it is almost impossible for individual countries to address all issues of its citizens on its own .Countries in different regions are addressing many issues of economic development, resources exploitation, poverty alleviation efforts through bilateral and multilateral collaboration . Such a framework agreement was conceptualized during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India in 2010. It was agreed at that time that a comprehensive framework of cooperation for would be put in place covering mutually shared visions. The signed Framework agreement provides the Template for the future cooperation.

Addendum to the MOU between India and Bangladesh to facilitate Overland Transit Traffic between Bangladesh and Nepal:

The MOU would facilitate rail transit to/from Bangladesh and Nepal using the Rohanpoor-Singhabad route .It would also facilitate Rail Transit between Bangladesh and Nepal using Indian Territory through Radhikapoor-Birol line after Bangladesh Coverts its railway line in the section to Broad-gauge.

MOU on Conservation of Sundarban:

An initial 5 year duration MOU was signed for Sundarban for cooperation in areas of conserving biodiversity, joint management of resources, and livelihood generation for poverty alleviation, cataloguing of local flora and fauna and studying the impacts of climate change. A working group to be set up would be responsible for implementation of objectives envisioned in the MOU.

MOU for Conservation of Royal Bengal Tigers of Sundarban:

MOU for Conservation of the Royal Bengal Tigers of Sundarban would provide bilateral cooperation in undertaking scientific research, knowledge sharing and patrolling of Sundarban Waterways on their respective sides to prevent poaching or smuggling of derivatives from wildlife and bilateral initiatives to ensure the survival and conservation of the royal Bengal Tigers in the unique ecosystem of the Sundarbans.

MOU on the Cooperation in the field of Renewable Energy:

The MOU aims to establish the basis for a Cooperative institutional relationship to encourage and promote technical, bilateral cooperation in the areas of Solar, wind and Bio Energy on the basis of mutual benefit, equality and reciprocity. In addition to above the following MOUs were also signed.MOU has cooperation in the field of fisheries.MOU, on Educational cooperation between Jawaharlal Nehru University and the Dhaka University.MOU on Cooperation between Doordarshan [DD] and Bangladesh Television [BTV].MOU between the National Institute of Fashion Technology [NIFT] New Delhi and BGMEA Institute Of Fashion Technology[ BIFT] .

There is no semblance of doubt that the Summit failed to achieve its billing. Tessta water sharing agreement, transit and power trading were three major issues. But mainly due to inexcusable, turnaround of Chief Minister of West Bengal put paid to efforts of many in reaching a historic agreement. Bangladesh had reasons in not agreeing to sign transit agreement. We can commend the courage and determination of Bangladesh in saying no to major neighbor India. We wonder how Chief Minister of a state could overturn the well conceived decision of Central Government of India. India has lost a glorious opportunity to achieve their long cherished plan of getting opportunity of using Chittagong and Mongla port. Bangladesh must now critically evaluate all its pains and gains that would arise from allowing India transit facilities. We cannot be extra gracious to a neighbor which does not hesitate to illegitimately divert the water of common rivers on the upstream to cause desertification of Bangladesh. West Bengal Chief Minister will not be Welcome in Bangladesh until she realizes what damage she has done to the bilateral friendly relation. Her action has only extended the mistrust and disbelief among people of Bangladesh and India.

Indian Prime Minister in a speech at Dhaka University also recorded his frustration for not being able to conclude water sharing treaty. He once again reiterated his firm conviction about not doing anything at Tipaimukh which may harm Bangladesh. The Power trading will have to happen sooner or later once the connectivity is made. We are least bothered about it. In future Bangladesh may achieve surplus power generation to export to India as India’s need of power is much more and the deficit is growing much faster. Bangladesh may not need setting up of power plants based on imported coal if it explores its own substantial high quality coal.

None in Bangladesh has got anything to be too frustrated. Bangladesh has lost none but Indians lost many. Chief Minister of West Bengal has dented the image of Indian Government to world community challenging the decision of Central Government which turned the table on Tessta Water Sharing treaty .Bangladesh Government deserves credit for not agreeing to sign transit treaty .Signing of some MOU and Protocols on important issues are also no mean achievement. One hopes that the process will continue for the greater benefit of the people of the region.

Tags: INDO-BANGLA Relationship, NEWS

Source: e-bangladesh.org

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Welcome! Indian Prime Minister

On the backdrop of global recession triggered by US Credit crisis, prolonged uncertainties in the Arab World- Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is to going to make a couple of days  state visit to Bangladesh from 6th September 2011. Indian Government has just placed a strong anti corruption bill in Indian Parliament from insistence of one Mr. Anna Hazare. Senior Bangladeshi Ruling Alliance Members of the Parliament demanded actions against failed cabinet members in better management of some pressing issues strongly related to citizens’ welfare. So the time of Indian PM’s visit to Bangladesh is extremely critical to the interests of these two countries as well as to regional peace and prosperity. Entire SAARC region and the rest of the world are looking forward to the visit and possible positive outcomes.

India is the lone emerging world power in the SAARC region. Good friendly neighborly relation based mutual trust and respect of sovereign equality is extremely essential for peaceful coexistence for all nations of South Asian countries. Bangladesh and India have some irritants, some issues which soured their relation since the 15th August 1975 – the black day in the life of Bangladeshi nation and history. Misguided military rulers seizing power through backdoor and polluting politics with money and muscle; and thriving on cheap anti Indian sentiment back pedaled the Bangladeshi nation. Anti Liberation forces were rehabilitated, religion was used as way to exploit people and unnecessary issues were harbored causing extreme miseries for the people of Bangladesh. On the other hand imprudent Indian beauracrats and some communal Indian politicians also misguided Indian policy makers in depriving Bangladesh from some legitimate rights. Consequently several issues like water sharing, boundary disputes [Land and Maritime] and trade imbalances caused profuse bleeding of bilateral relations. It is really unfortunate that majority of Bangladeshis possess genuine apprehension about Indian attitude towards Bangladesh while Indians in 1971 made such massive contribution for the liberation of Bangladesh. We hope Indian policy makers could realize what Bangladesh wants and what is the way forward to normalize the relations.

Water Sharing: Bangladesh economy is agro based and our agriculture is largely dependent on supply of water throughout the year in major rivers and tributaries. Almost all of our rivers either originate from India or flows through India before entering Bangladesh and flows across Bangladesh before flowing into the Bay of Bengal. Due to unilateral Indian actions depriving Bangladesh of its lower riparian right many such rivers have almost died and rest are in the process of extinction. There is Joint River Commission (JRC) and the commission sits in regular meetings. But in the last 40 years since independence other than Ganges water sharing agreement signed during last term of Awami League led government sharing of other river waters could not be agreed. We hope that India and Bangladesh could realize the issues and challenges. In the recent past meetings between Bangladesh and India focused on Dam and barrages at Tipaimukh. Bangladeshi parliamentary delegation headed by veteran politician Abdur Razzak visited Tipaimukh and met responsible Indian ministers and policy makers. None other than Indian PM assured that anything- harms Bangladesh will not be done by India at Tipaimukh. Bangladeshis now want clear commitment about the assurance of Indian Prime Minister. We do not want our Surma, Kushiara; Manu Rivers die from Indian one-sided action at Tipaimukh. The equitable sharing of Teesta River water is another major irritant. We hope that a water sharing agreement of Teesta River based on equality will be settled during the ensuing visit of Indian PM. We have heard that sharing of Feni River water is also included as a part of the package. We hope Bangladesh will not be asked to sacrifice its legitimate right in any such agreement.

Boundary Disputes: Ever since the partition of India in 1947, some disputes in marking of borders between India and Pakistan in eastern region, existed. Mujib–Indira agreement vowed to resolve these after emergence of Bangladesh in 1971. Unfortunately no government of India and Bangladesh made sincere efforts to resolve these disputes. Bangladesh and India must exchange the enclaves on the basis of Mujib–Indira agreement. Both India and Bangladesh possess some lands belong to other. We hope on the basis of credible survey such lands will be exchanged. It is also expected that a meaningful agreement to this effect with specific timeline and action plan will be included in the agreement.

Bangladesh and India have entered into arbitration on maritime boundary disputes in the Bay of Bengal. India is exploring for Petroleum resources in the Bay of Bengal for several years but as soon as Bangladesh planned to explore in its own deep water Indians vehemently objected. Bangladesh had to enter into arbitration due to stubborn attitudes of India in resolving this issue through bilateral discussions while the matter may be resolved through arbitration. But it may take several years. If both party respect international norms there are still opportunity to resolve it through bilateral discussion or this will remain an apple of discord for several years. We hope summit meeting will reach some positive decisions on this matter.

Exchanging Criminals and Combating Crimes:

For several years now criminals and terrorists of one country are finding safe haven in other country and are carrying out their crimes through their planted agents. Two countries’ must make a fresh vow of not sheltering any such criminals and let any place of their land to be used for carrying out subversive activities against others. In the recent past Bangladesh government made crack down on Indian insurgents inside Bangladesh and pushed back several such separatists. Bangladesh government is working on a trial of suspects involved in a massive arms haul through Bangladesh for Indian separatists. But India has so far failed to reciprocate the gesture. Many noted Bangladeshi terrorists including the killers of Bangabandhu, the father of nation, are reportedly hiding in India. One hopes that India will guarantee that it will make everything possible in not letting anyone do any subversive activities sheltering in India.

Border Killings:

Despite serious reservations of Bangladeshi Indian Border security force continues to kill and torture innocent Bangladeshis at the border. Senior Indian policy makers made repeated assurances. But that has not worked so far. Indian economy is in no way doing better than Bangladesh that people will move to India for job seeking. Only smugglers may try to go across. But why BSF should resort to killings? Setting up of barbed wire fencing along the border is disgrace for a might neighbor. Bangladesh can never dream of an armed confrontation with India. India started the process of mistrust and disbelief the day it started setting up barbed wire fencing. We hope India will realize these mistakes. Barbed wire fences will remain an irritant in India Bangladesh relation especially when it is seeking transit across Bangladesh to link its eastern and western region.

Transit and Regional Connectivity:

Bangladesh has genuine concern here

a)    Many Bangladeshis believe that India may try to transport military hard ware’s using this transit routes to combat insurgencies which may make Bangladesh exposed to Indian separatists groups active in Tripura, Nagaland, Mizoram.

b)    Bangladeshi roads and highways, railways and waterways, ports are far from ready to absorb massive flow of transit traffic. It will take several years and huge investment to handle transit traffic. There must be credible feasibility study with transparent benefit cost ratio before bringing in transit into play. Present Bangladesh road infrastructure is even not suitable enough for our own needs. Situation of railway is even worse. Bangladeshi rivers lack navigability in all season primarily due to Indian unilateral actions of withdrawing and diverting water on the upstream.

c)    Transit tariff has not yet been decided. Let Bangladesh create infrastructure to handle additional traffic load emanating from regional connectivity. Let all these costs get included in the feasibility study. If our earnings through job creation and tariff make the proposition profitable we believe no one will object to Bangladesh being part of regional connectivity.

d)    Bangladesh is supposed to have unhindered connectivity with Nepal and Bhutan through Indian Territory. Are we getting it? Can Nepalese and Bhutanese trucks carrying commodities enter Bangladesh without hustles through Indian Territory?

All the above issues must be positively resolved before entering into or renewing any transit treaty with India.

Trade Imbalance:

Bangladesh suffers from huge trade imbalance with India. Indian goods of any quality, good or bad- enter Bangladesh legally or illegally, almost uninterrupted. There are no questions of quality control. But Bangladeshi trade commodities have to undergo various tariff and non tariff barriers. Examples are dirty polluting Indian coal which even India does not use is pushed into Bangladesh and Bangladesh unfortunately accepts the high sulfur and high ash coal. Pro Indian Environmentalists and agitators find dirty Indian Coal more acceptable than allowing economic mining of own superior quality coal. Government of Bangladesh also remains silent. On the other hand our cement, our pharmaceuticals, Rahimafrooz batteries have to face various barriers in entering Indian market. We hope summit meeting will address all these matters.

It is very encouraging that present government of Bangladesh has taken historic initiative to resolve all outstanding issues with India. It is for the mutual interests of both the countries that all issues are resolved without further delay for peaceful coexistence. But all mistrusts and confusions must be done away with through mutual respect of sovereign equality. Bangladesh must come out of its inferiority complex and Indians must abandon its ‘take all and share nothing’ attitude. Let the visit of PM Dr. Manmohan usher a new era in Indo-Bangla relations. Let it set the trend of greater integration of SAARC region. A peaceful SAARC region is so essential for the continued economic development and poverty alleviation of billions of helpless people of the region. All professionals have meeting of minds. It only needs political will and strong fellow feeling at the summit level to make things happen. We welcome Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to Bangladesh with lots of hope and ambitions.

Tags: Indian Prime Minister, INDO-BANGLA Relationship, Manmohan Singh, NEWS

Source: e-bangladesh.org

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Paoli Dham Scandal | download Paoli Dham scandal

Paoli Dham is very well known for her film "Moner Manush". She got
very good response after acting in this film. Now, she gave a nude
shot in front of camera in a Sri Lankan English Film named "Mushroom".
She acted in a bed scene without having any dress. She has shown some
logics to act in this sort of scene.

This shot has made a very bad response in the Taligonj film industry.
Her male counterpart in that scene is Anubrata. Paoli is scene to have
4 minutes long sex with Anubrata. Paoli said, there is no dummy in
this scene. I really acted in this scene.

For Details: http://www.celebritynews24.com/paoli-dham-in-nude-scene.html

Download Porshi Scandal

Celebrity scandal video is being continued in a good speed. One more
scandal video has been published in different websites. A lot of
discussion has been raised, when the celebrity scandal disclosed in
the freely through online. In this tradition the first scandal involve
Bangaldeshi TV actress and interpreter Prova, Nadira Nasim Chaity and
some others.

We have found a video where a girl is seen in nude body who looks like
Bangladeshi Teen age singer Porshi. All the celebrity are adult but
now Bangladeshi media see the scandal of teenager singer Porshi. In
the previous scandal tape the video quality was rough and in some case
their face was not clearly visible but in case of Porshi this type of
problem is almost absent. In the video she is free and willingly
expose her body. Not only that she is also free with her male mate in
the video. Such type of tape really provide a bad signal in the
Bangladeshi media.
See Details in:
http://www.lifestylenews24.com/celebrity-talk/porshi-scandal-download-porshi-scandal.html