HC asks govt to ensure preservation

The High Court yesterday issued a set of directives upon the government to protect and preserve the Mahasthangarh archaeological site and its adjacent mosque and shrine in Bogra.

The court also reconstituted a committee formed earlier to recommend ways to protect the historical archaeological site and its adjacent mosque and shrine.

The HC removed the deputy commissioner of Bogra from the committee and replaced him by the head of the department of history of Government Azizul Huq College in Bogra. The move came as the court was informed that the DC was not sincere in protecting the archaeological site from grabbers.

The HC on February 2 formed the committee headed by the director general of the Department of Archaeology for necessary recommendations.

Other members of the committee were the SP of Bogra, upazila nirbahi officer of Shibganj, historian Prof Muntasir Mamun, journalist Shahriar Kabir, two representatives from Dhaka and Jahangirnagar universities, one representative from the National Museum and the curator of Mahasthangarh shrine.

The HC bench of Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik and Justice Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain asked the committee to submit a report before it within two months.

During hearing of a writ petition, the court directed the authorities concerned to stop construction of structures near the archaeological site for the next two months.

Banks under stress

The private commercial banks (PCBs) are facing tough times to mobilise deposits for maintaining their liquidity in line with the statutory requirements of the central bank, according to some close observers of the situation in the country's financial sector.

Furthermore, the banks are in difficulties in meeting their obligations for settlement of import letters of credits (LCs) and also for providing credits to their clients, in keeping with their earlier commitments, due to a heavy pressure on their currently available funds.

Some PCBs are offering deposit rate at even over 13 per cent, particularly for term deposits, though the central bank has earlier instructed them verbally not to accept any deposit above 12 per cent rate of interest.

The Bangladesh Bank (BB) can not enforce compliance by all the PCBs with its "instruction" about deposit rate, the sources said.

Govt explains diplomats, donors its action today

Finance Minister AMA Muhith will sit today with ambassadors of different countries and representatives of multilateral agencies to make clear the government's stance on Grameen Bank and its founder Prof Muhammad Yunus.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith will sit today with ambassadors of different countries and representatives of multilateral agencies to make clear the government's stance on Grameen Bank and its founder Prof Muhammad Yunus.

On behalf of the minister, Shafiqur Rahman Patwari, secretary of the banking division of the finance ministry, sent invitations to the foreign diplomats and representatives in Dhaka yesterday. The meeting will be held at the finance ministry in the secretariat in the morning.

The government move came on the day the central bank removed Prof Yunus from the post of managing director of Grameen Bank as his retirement age has already passed.

Bangladesh Bank as a banking regulator sent a letter to the ministry directing Prof Yunus to hand over his charge, said a finance ministry official.

WB approves $120m credit for private sector development

The World Bank (WB) has approved US $120 million credit to support private sector development in Bangladesh, reports BSS.
The Bank approved the concessional IDA (International Development Association) credit for the ‘Bangladesh Private Sector Development Support Project’ at a meeting yesterday at its headquarters in Washington DC, a WB press release said here today.
The project will facilitate investment in growth centers in the emerging manufacturing and services sectors of the economy with the aim of generating employment.
The project will increase the capacity of government institutions in the development of economic zones and provide financing for necessary infrastructure in economic zones starting with the Kaliakoir Hi-Tech Park and will invest in up to two more economic zones.
In addition, it will create opportunities for cooperation and knowledge sharing between enterprises within the economic zones and their suppliers by providing training and supporting linkages between firms.
The project would also benefit from approximately US$17 million of funding from the UK Department for International Development (DFID), mainly for technical assistance and capacity building for the Government of Bangladesh zone development partners.
The project will also address key constraints to growth including access to serviced land, cumbersome procedures, access to skilled labor, and access to finance.

‘BCS Digital Expo 2011’ starts from March 9

Bangladesh Computer Samity is going to organise a 4-day computer fair styled ‘BCS Digital Expo 2011’ from March 9 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Dhaka.

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the ICT Business Promotion Council of Commerce Ministry will jointly organise the 3rd episode of Digital Expo that will end on March 13, BCS leaders said at a press conference in its office yesterday.

The digital technology and lifestyle exposition will take place in 50,000 square feet area of BICC with 66 local and foreign companies showcasing their products in 29 pavilions and 73 stalls at the show with the theme --Digital Bangladesh for New Generation.

There will be a number of seminars and competitions on art, creating virtual projects and quiz in the fair. Besides, free internet browsing, raffle draws and a lot of entertainment will be arranged during the show.

The fair will remain open from 10am to 9pm everyday from March 10 to 13, but on the opening day the entry would be allowed after 5pm.

Skype Opens a Conference Call Service

Skype is hoping to play a more important role in business meetings. On Tuesday, Skype said that it would introduce a conference calling service that will let multiple people talk, see each other through online video and share documents.

The service, which is expected to be available near the end of the year, is part of a broader Skype strategy to create more products for corporate users that it can charge for. Skype is trying to find new ways to make money because the vast majority of its 145 million users pay nothing to make online calls.

The conference calling service is being done in partnership with Citrix, a software company that already enables online meetings with GoToMeeting. Citrix will integrate some of GoToMeeting s technology into Skype s conferencing service so that people can dial-in by phone and share documents among multiple users.

Financial terms of the partnership were undisclosed.

Skype already offers a free conference calling service that allows just two users to meet online and share what is on their computer screens. The coming paid version, which will be available through Skype s business service, Skype for Business, will allow more participants and capabilities, which is what corporate users demand.

O'Brien blazes Ireland to glory

Kevin O'Brien stunned England with the fastest hundred in World Cup history as Ireland secured their greatest victory with a monumental three-wicket triumph in Bangalore.

O'Brien clubbed a magnificent 113 off 63 deliveries as Ireland earned the highest World Cup run-chase with four balls to spare. After he'd added a match-changing 162 with Alex Cusack, John Mooney joined him to play the innings of his life and help write another famous chapter in Irish sport.

When the partnership was broken with 55 still needed Ireland could have lost their way, especially when O'Brien couldn't get the strike back. However, after struggling to get the ball away Mooney suddenly started locating the boundary, firstly off the outside edge but then with two nerveless drives through the covers, each coming after England had strung together a few dot balls to build pressure. He was the dominant partner in the seven-wicket stand.

Still, though, there was a final twist when O'Brien was run out in the penultimate over. Trent Johnston, however, drove his first ball, a full toss from Stuart Broad, for four as the equation came down to below a run-a-ball for the first time in the entire chase. The final over started with just three needed and off the second ball Mooney clipped Anderson through midwicket to set off epic celebrations that will take over any available Bangalore bar tonight.

Ajo: A café for all

Ajo. The name itself arouses images of a culture, beautiful yet on the verge of being lost. Ajo simply means 'unknown', something we can all identify with, lost in a world of confusion where everyday it becomes harder to understand who we really are. Indeed, it is quite hard to come across cafés these days which can successfully blend the global with the local, to truly become 'glocal'.

Khalid, the co-owner of the newly opened 'Ajo' pledges to thus remind us of who we really are and yet preserve the memory of who we have become.

Located at Dhanmondi, Road Number 7/A, House 60, as a part of Dhaka Arts Centre, right next to the cultural hub of the lakeside, 'Ajo' is indeed a café with a difference. Inexpensive food, a noticeable difference in the environment and a menu representing the best of all worlds,

Aarong's cricket fever

Bangladesh, a country full of passionate cricket fans is at the peak of its enthusiasm on the most coveted cricket event on the earth. Aarong, at this moment of joy and celebration, is proud to be associated with the cricket buzz and has brought some beautifully crafted mementos for the raving cricket fans.

One of those is a cricket ball shaped candle, which manifests the spirit of the game, symbolising the ray of hope and good wishes of millions of fans for our cricket team. Another product is a miniature of Bangladesh's most traditional and popular transport, 'Rickshaw'. These specially designed Rickshaws carry a few inspiring message for our National Cricket Team, echoing our love for the great game of cricket. These are limited edition World Cup Mementos, which you cannot afford to miss.