Sheikh Hasina has asked people to vote 'boat', the polls logo of Awami League, and give the party an opportunity to build a modern Bangladesh. She made the call from a public meeting in her electoral area of Kotalipara in Gopalganj on Wednesday. Hasina left Dhaka Tuesday for hustings in the southwest. On Thursday she is scheduled to go to Bagerhat and Khulna on a public relations campaign. Hasina is accompanied by her sister, Sheikh Rehana and niece Azmina Siddique Rupanti. "We want to build a modern Bangladesh by 2021 and if we go to power then we will create a scientific and digital Bangladesh," she added. "Our Bangladesh will be free of illiteracy, it will be self reliant and enjoy food autarky." The 'boat' brought Bangladesh independence and it will also give the nation economic emancipation, asserted the AL chief. Hasina also promised that every Upazila Parishad would have a women's college. "We will ensure that fertiliser is sold in the open market and farmers get seeds without any difficulty." She pledged that her party would not allow a few people to have the monopoly on business. "During the Awami League rule between 1996 and 2001, the price of essentials was within the grasp of the people but a conspiracy prevented us from going back to power in 2001." At the rally, Sheikh Fazlul Karim, AL presidium member, Sheikh Abdullah, religious secretary, Kazi Akramuddin Ahmed, member of the advisory council, among others, spoke. After the rally, Hasina came back to Tungipara and it has been learnt that she will participate in video conferencing with leaders of several districts at night. Before the rally at Kotalipara, Hasina exchanged views with local leaders in Tungipara. She promised establishment of women's college, doubling of old age and widows benefits, and free medical treatment. Hasina called for a concerted approach to the upcoming election by the 'grand alliance'. Like previous occasions, Hasina is running from Gopalganj-3 and two other seats in Rangpur and Bagerhat. Hasina drove to the southwest region for campaigning just a day after the visit of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia. HM Ershad, an ally of the grand alliance, is also carrying out electioneering in the region.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Higher Studies in UK
According to many people, the best place in UK to study economics or one of the disciplines of business is the London School of Economics or LSE in short. For engineering and medicine, many would agree on Imperial College and of course King's College. For Oriental and African studies, it would be the School of Oriental and African Studies, or SOAS in short!
So you have decided to pursue your higher education (Undergrad / Postgrad) from UK, a
Click on the image for larger view
country home to two of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world, namely Oxford and Cambridge, often jointly referred to as Oxbridge. A country rich with culture and heritage and from where many of the world's most influential people hail from. But chances are high that you might feel baffled and lost by all the lucrative advertisements on newspapers, television and radio everyday! Certain groups of people will claim that their college/ university is the best and so you should go there and perhaps pay them money for doing so! But at the end of the day, your degree remains yours and so it is advisable to choose the institution that best suits you in terms of your subject area, cost, affordability and in many cases, the location! Many people tend to believe that an institution in London guarantees quality. NO, that is entirely untrue and you can take my word for it! Although it is true that London, the capital city of UK and the hub of higher education in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, is home to some of the most prestigious names including Imperial College, King's College, SOAS, University College London, Queen Mary (University of London), it is also equally true that it is also home to the largest number of the so called visa colleges! For those of you who haven't heard of this term before, a visa college is one whose primary function is to send you an offer letter so that you can apply for a British student visa. Once you get to UK (assuming that you do get a visa with an offer letter from such an unheard of college, which is highly unlikely in the first place), the visa college's only work is to continue renewing your 'studentship' after every semester, and nothing else. Imparting education is one of their least priorities! So for people who are keen to get a good higher degree in UK, visa colleges are a complete no-no.
So, it is very important to know about your institution where you will be spending valuable time, energy and your parents' hard-earned money. One good place to find the complete list of universities (and their affiliated schools and colleges) is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_universities_in_the_United_Kingdom. And yes, although rankings are not the infallible Holy Scripture, they are good places to start the selection process. Rankings again, are of two types. University ranking, which shows the overall rank of a university for a certain academic year based on goodwill, employability, student satisfaction, research endowments received and a range of other factors. The second type of course is the subject based ranking. For example, since I am interested in Electrical Engineering, I would be more interested in the Electrical Engineering subject ranking compared to how good the university is overall. Details about subject ranking will be explained later, in due course.
Listed with this article are the Top 20 Universities (Overall) ranking of British universities according to two of the most well accepted ranking systems in UK; the Times Higher Education ranking and The Guardian Rankings:
Ranking Source:Times:http://www.topuniversities.com/worlduniversityrankings/results/2007/overall_rankings/uk_ireland/Guardian:http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Education/documents/2008/05/08/rankingsrevised.xls
So you have decided to pursue your higher education (Undergrad / Postgrad) from UK, a
Click on the image for larger view
country home to two of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world, namely Oxford and Cambridge, often jointly referred to as Oxbridge. A country rich with culture and heritage and from where many of the world's most influential people hail from. But chances are high that you might feel baffled and lost by all the lucrative advertisements on newspapers, television and radio everyday! Certain groups of people will claim that their college/ university is the best and so you should go there and perhaps pay them money for doing so! But at the end of the day, your degree remains yours and so it is advisable to choose the institution that best suits you in terms of your subject area, cost, affordability and in many cases, the location! Many people tend to believe that an institution in London guarantees quality. NO, that is entirely untrue and you can take my word for it! Although it is true that London, the capital city of UK and the hub of higher education in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, is home to some of the most prestigious names including Imperial College, King's College, SOAS, University College London, Queen Mary (University of London), it is also equally true that it is also home to the largest number of the so called visa colleges! For those of you who haven't heard of this term before, a visa college is one whose primary function is to send you an offer letter so that you can apply for a British student visa. Once you get to UK (assuming that you do get a visa with an offer letter from such an unheard of college, which is highly unlikely in the first place), the visa college's only work is to continue renewing your 'studentship' after every semester, and nothing else. Imparting education is one of their least priorities! So for people who are keen to get a good higher degree in UK, visa colleges are a complete no-no.
So, it is very important to know about your institution where you will be spending valuable time, energy and your parents' hard-earned money. One good place to find the complete list of universities (and their affiliated schools and colleges) is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_universities_in_the_United_Kingdom. And yes, although rankings are not the infallible Holy Scripture, they are good places to start the selection process. Rankings again, are of two types. University ranking, which shows the overall rank of a university for a certain academic year based on goodwill, employability, student satisfaction, research endowments received and a range of other factors. The second type of course is the subject based ranking. For example, since I am interested in Electrical Engineering, I would be more interested in the Electrical Engineering subject ranking compared to how good the university is overall. Details about subject ranking will be explained later, in due course.
Listed with this article are the Top 20 Universities (Overall) ranking of British universities according to two of the most well accepted ranking systems in UK; the Times Higher Education ranking and The Guardian Rankings:
Ranking Source:Times:http://www.topuniversities.com/worlduniversityrankings/results/2007/overall_rankings/uk_ireland/Guardian:http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Education/documents/2008/05/08/rankingsrevised.xls
Rajuk goes tough on fake TIN submission
Deposit for plot to be confiscated if tax number proves false
Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) will cancel allotments of plots and confiscate deposited money of applicants for both Purbachal New Town and Uttara Residential Model Town (Third Phase) projects, if they submit fake Tax Identification Numbers (TIN).
"We will cancel plot allotments to those applicants who will get the plots using fake TINs, and a move is underway in that regard," said a Rajuk official.
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) sources said it will start an investigation to identify fake TINs for which they will verify all submitted numbers.
NBR will also check all applications, especially the TINs of those applicants who came under the tax net after the announcement of application invitations for plots in the housing development projects, the sources said.
They said if anybody gets a plot using a fake TIN then NBR will recommend to Rajuk to cancel the allotment and to also confiscate the money deposited by the applicant.
Representatives of Rajuk, NBR, different banks including the Bangladesh Bank, and of Bangladesh Road and Transport Authority will meet on December 22 to discuss the matter, and to fix a timeframe for the investigation, the sources said.
NBR and Rajuk sources also said a large number of applicants submitted fake TINs, depriving the government of a huge amount of revenue.
The NBR sources said fake TINs are not only being used in the applications for plots in Uttara and Purbachal, but also on other occasions where it is mandatory to submit the number.
As submitting TINs was made mandatory for applying for plots in Uttara and Purbachal projects, a section of unscrupulous people opened up illegitimate businesses of producing forged TIN certificates, earning a huge amount of quick illicit cash.
Chairmen of both Rajuk and NBR acknowledged that fake TINs are being used to apply for the plots.
The two government agencies already discussed the matter, the sources said.
Rajuk Chairman Md Shafiqul Islam told The Daily Star yesterday that they are aware of the use of fake TINs and they informed NBR for taking necessary steps.
NBR Chairman Abdul Mazid said they are also aware of the matter and they will recommend to Rajuk cancellation of plot allotments to applicants who will submit fake TINs.
NBR sources said they will also recommend to the Election Commission making submission of TINs mandatory for contesting in any local and national level election after the December 29 general election.
Eight hundred sixty five candidates out of 2,250 who had submitted applications for candidacy in the upcoming general election had no TIN, the sources added.
Rajuk on November 18 invited applications for over 6,000 plots in Kaliganj of Gazipur under the Purbachal project and on November 19 for around 2,000 plots under the third phase of Uttara project.
Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) will cancel allotments of plots and confiscate deposited money of applicants for both Purbachal New Town and Uttara Residential Model Town (Third Phase) projects, if they submit fake Tax Identification Numbers (TIN).
"We will cancel plot allotments to those applicants who will get the plots using fake TINs, and a move is underway in that regard," said a Rajuk official.
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) sources said it will start an investigation to identify fake TINs for which they will verify all submitted numbers.
NBR will also check all applications, especially the TINs of those applicants who came under the tax net after the announcement of application invitations for plots in the housing development projects, the sources said.
They said if anybody gets a plot using a fake TIN then NBR will recommend to Rajuk to cancel the allotment and to also confiscate the money deposited by the applicant.
Representatives of Rajuk, NBR, different banks including the Bangladesh Bank, and of Bangladesh Road and Transport Authority will meet on December 22 to discuss the matter, and to fix a timeframe for the investigation, the sources said.
NBR and Rajuk sources also said a large number of applicants submitted fake TINs, depriving the government of a huge amount of revenue.
The NBR sources said fake TINs are not only being used in the applications for plots in Uttara and Purbachal, but also on other occasions where it is mandatory to submit the number.
As submitting TINs was made mandatory for applying for plots in Uttara and Purbachal projects, a section of unscrupulous people opened up illegitimate businesses of producing forged TIN certificates, earning a huge amount of quick illicit cash.
Chairmen of both Rajuk and NBR acknowledged that fake TINs are being used to apply for the plots.
The two government agencies already discussed the matter, the sources said.
Rajuk Chairman Md Shafiqul Islam told The Daily Star yesterday that they are aware of the use of fake TINs and they informed NBR for taking necessary steps.
NBR Chairman Abdul Mazid said they are also aware of the matter and they will recommend to Rajuk cancellation of plot allotments to applicants who will submit fake TINs.
NBR sources said they will also recommend to the Election Commission making submission of TINs mandatory for contesting in any local and national level election after the December 29 general election.
Eight hundred sixty five candidates out of 2,250 who had submitted applications for candidacy in the upcoming general election had no TIN, the sources added.
Rajuk on November 18 invited applications for over 6,000 plots in Kaliganj of Gazipur under the Purbachal project and on November 19 for around 2,000 plots under the third phase of Uttara project.
Khaleda, Hasina equally wealthy
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia owns more assets than Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina, although Khaleda's annual earning is less than her rival's, according to the wealth statements submitted by the two leaders to the Election Commission.
Khaleda's annual earning amounts to nearly Tk 25 lakh while Hasina earns Tk 30 lakh, and the BNP chief owns assets worth about Tk 3.77 crore while the AL chief owns assets worth about Tk 3.48 crore.
Hasina's annual earning of Tk 20.79 lakh comes from shares, savings and other bank deposits while Khaleda put her highest chunk of earning worth Tk 12.97 lakh in the miscellaneous section without mentioning sources.
Hasina earns Tk 4.50 lakh from agriculture and Tk 4.48 lakh from house rent while Khaleda earns Tk 5.23 lakh from house rent and Tk 7.73 lakh from shares, savings and other bank deposits.
According to their affidavits accompanying their applications for candidacy in the 9th parliamentary election, Hasina has movable property worth about Tk 3.47 crore while her immovable property amounts to Tk 1.7 lakh. The largest chunk of her assets is deposited in different banks and financial institutions, which is worth around Tk 3.18 crore.
The AL chief has gold and ornaments worth Tk 13.25 lakh, vehicles worth Tk 6 lakh and furniture worth Tk 7.40 lakh. She also has cash worth Tk 1.50 lakh.
On the other hand, the BNP chief mentioned that out of her movable property, she has Tk 36.52 lakh in cash, Tk 2.75 crore deposited in various banks and financial institutions, electronics worth Tk 4.35 lakh, and furniture worth Tk 2.60 lakh. She also has 50 tolas of gold.
In the immovable property section, Khaleda, who is contesting in the December 29 parliamentary election in Bogra-6 and 7 and in Feni-1 constituencies, disclosed that she owns land worth Tk 12,300, and that she is also the one third owner of a house.
Both of the chief politicos mentioned politics as their profession and that neither of them has any foreign currency in possession.
Hasina, who will contest in the general election for the seats of Rangpur-6, Gopalganj-3 and Bagerhat-1, has a Bachelor of Arts degree while Khaleda mentioned that she is self-educated.
The AL chief is currently facing 16 cases which were either suspended by the court or are under investigation while the four cases the BNP chief is facing were also suspended by the court.
Hasina did not fill in the section 7 of the mandatory disclosures that asks candidates to mention the promises they had made to voters during previous elections, while Khaleda said in the section that she had tried her best for the overall development of her constituency.
Khaleda's annual earning amounts to nearly Tk 25 lakh while Hasina earns Tk 30 lakh, and the BNP chief owns assets worth about Tk 3.77 crore while the AL chief owns assets worth about Tk 3.48 crore.
Hasina's annual earning of Tk 20.79 lakh comes from shares, savings and other bank deposits while Khaleda put her highest chunk of earning worth Tk 12.97 lakh in the miscellaneous section without mentioning sources.
Hasina earns Tk 4.50 lakh from agriculture and Tk 4.48 lakh from house rent while Khaleda earns Tk 5.23 lakh from house rent and Tk 7.73 lakh from shares, savings and other bank deposits.
According to their affidavits accompanying their applications for candidacy in the 9th parliamentary election, Hasina has movable property worth about Tk 3.47 crore while her immovable property amounts to Tk 1.7 lakh. The largest chunk of her assets is deposited in different banks and financial institutions, which is worth around Tk 3.18 crore.
The AL chief has gold and ornaments worth Tk 13.25 lakh, vehicles worth Tk 6 lakh and furniture worth Tk 7.40 lakh. She also has cash worth Tk 1.50 lakh.
On the other hand, the BNP chief mentioned that out of her movable property, she has Tk 36.52 lakh in cash, Tk 2.75 crore deposited in various banks and financial institutions, electronics worth Tk 4.35 lakh, and furniture worth Tk 2.60 lakh. She also has 50 tolas of gold.
In the immovable property section, Khaleda, who is contesting in the December 29 parliamentary election in Bogra-6 and 7 and in Feni-1 constituencies, disclosed that she owns land worth Tk 12,300, and that she is also the one third owner of a house.
Both of the chief politicos mentioned politics as their profession and that neither of them has any foreign currency in possession.
Hasina, who will contest in the general election for the seats of Rangpur-6, Gopalganj-3 and Bagerhat-1, has a Bachelor of Arts degree while Khaleda mentioned that she is self-educated.
The AL chief is currently facing 16 cases which were either suspended by the court or are under investigation while the four cases the BNP chief is facing were also suspended by the court.
Hasina did not fill in the section 7 of the mandatory disclosures that asks candidates to mention the promises they had made to voters during previous elections, while Khaleda said in the section that she had tried her best for the overall development of her constituency.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
বিএনপির ঐক্যে নাটকীয় মোড়
বিএনপির ঐক্যে নাটকীয় মোড়
আবারও নাটকীয় মোড় নিয়েছে বিএনপির ঐক্য প্রক্রিয়া৷ দ্বিধাবিভক্ত দলটির দুই অংশই এখন বেগম খালেদা জিয়াকে নেত্রী মেনে ঐক্যের ব্যাপারে ইতিবাচক কথাবার্তা বলছেন৷ চেয়ারপারসনপন্থী নেতা হিসাবে পরিচিত ব্রিগেডিয়ার জেনারেল (অব) আ স ম হান্নান শাহ গতকাল এক প্রেস ব্রিফিংয়ে কোন রাখঢাক না করেই জানিয়ে দিয়েছেন যে, ঐক্য প্রক্রিয়া এখন চূড়ানত্ম পর্যায়ে৷ যে কোনদিনই দুইপৰ এক হয়ে যাবে৷ অন্যদিকে সংস্কারপন্থী গ্রম্নপের অস্থায়ী মহাসচিব মেজর (অব) হাফিজউদ্দিনও গতকাল বিবিসি রেডিওর সঙ্গে আলাপে ঐক্যের ব্যাপারে ইতিবাচক মনোভাবের কথা জানিয়েছেন৷ উভয়পৰের আরও কয়েকজন নেতা ঐক্যের ব্যাপারে পরস্পরের সঙ্গে আলাপ-আলোচনা চালিয়ে যাচ্ছেন৷
নির্বাচন কমিশনের (ইসি) সঙ্গে রাজনৈতিক দলের দ্বিতীয় দফা সংলাপ শেষে আগাম নির্বাচনের আর কোন সম্ভাবনা দেখা যাচ্ছে না৷ এতদিন আগাম নির্বাচনের একটা হাওয়া বইলেও সংলাপে রোডম্যাপ অনুযায়ীই নির্বাচনের বিষয়ে রাজনৈতিক দলগুলো ইসির সঙ্গে একমত হয়েছে৷ আওয়ামী লীগসহ অন্য দলগুলোও রোডম্যাপ মেনে ডিসেম্বরের মধ্যে নির্বাচন দিলে তাদের আপত্তি থাকবে না বলে ইসিকে জানিয়েছে৷ অবশ্য রোডম্যাপ অনুযায়ী নির্বাচন অনুষ্ঠানে আওয়ামী লীগসহ কয়েকটি দল সংশয় প্রকাশ করে নির্বাচনের সম্ভাব্য তারিখ ঘোষণার জন্য কমিশনের প্রতি আহবান জানায়৷ জবাবে কমিশনও বলেছে আগামী অক্টোবর নাগাদ তারা ভোটার তালিকার কাজ সম্পন্ন করে নির্বাচনের জন্য প্রসত্মুত হতে পারবে৷.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
সাবেক দুই প্রধানমন্ত্রী শেখ হাসিনা ও বেগম খালেদা জিয়ার বিরম্নদ্ধে রাষ্ট্রের আর্থিক ৰতিসাধন ও ৰমতার অপব্যবহারের মাধ্যমে অনিয়ম এবং দুনর্ীতির অভিযোগে
সাবেক দুই প্রধানমন্ত্রী শেখ হাসিনা ও বেগম খালেদা জিয়ার বিরম্নদ্ধে রাষ্ট্রের আর্থিক ৰতিসাধন ও ৰমতার অপব্যবহারের মাধ্যমে অনিয়ম এবং দুনর্ীতির অভিযোগে আরো মামলা দায়েরের প্রসত্মুতি নিচ্ছে দুনর্ীতি দমন কমিশন (দুদক)৷ গতকাল রবিবার দুদকের অনুসন্ধান সেলের ঊধ্বর্তন এক কর্মকর্তা এ বিষয়টি নিশ্চিত করেছেন৷ সূত্র জানায়, বেগম খালেদা জিয়ার বড় ছেলে তারেক রহমানের বিরম্নদ্ধেও আরো একটি মামলা দায়েরের প্রস্তুতি নেয়া হচ্ছে৷ এই তিনজনের বিরম্নদ্ধে দুদকের অনুসন্ধানকারী কর্মকর্তারা প্রাথমিক অনুসন্ধান শুরম্ন করেছেন৷ তবে শেখ হাসিনার বিরম্নদ্ধে অভিযোগের ভিত্তিতে একটি দুনর্ীতির বিষয়ে অনুসন্ধান প্রায় শেষ পর্যায়ে৷ যে কোনদিন তার বিরম্নদ্ধে মামলা হতে পারে৷ সাবেক দুই প্রধানমন্ত্রীর আমলে সরকারি ক্রয় সংক্রানত্ম কমিটিতে অনিয়মিতভাবে সিদ্ধানত্ম গ্রহণ ও ঠিকাদার নিয়োগে দুর্নীতির অভিযোগ এনে মামলা দায়ের করা হবে৷ বিশেষ করে সাবেক দুই প্রধানমন্ত্রী তাদের আমলে দায়িত্বে থাকা বিভিন্ন মন্ত্রণালয়ের বিষয়ে বড় বড় সিদ্ধানত্মে কোন ধরনের অনিয়ম বা দুনর্ীতি আছে কিনা, দুদক তা খতিয়ে দেখছে৷ দুদক সূত্র জানায়, শেখ হাসিনার বিরম্নদ্ধে মামলার প্রসত্মুতি প্রায় চূড়ানত্ম পর্যায়ে রয়েছে৷ কমিশন থেকে অনুমোদন পাওয়ার পর যে কোনদিন মামলা দায়ের হতে পারে৷ এদিকে বেগম খালেদা জিয়ার বিরম্নদ্ধে টেলিটকের দুনর্ীতি বিষয়ে অনুসন্ধান করছে দুদক৷ তারেক রহমানের বিরম্নদ্ধে আনত্মর্জাতিক ক্রেডিট কার্ড কেলেঙ্কারি বিষয়ে মামলার প্রসত্মুতি নেয়া হয়েছে৷ এ ঘটনায় তার ঘনিষ্ঠ বন্ধু আলোচিত ব্যবসায়ী গিয়াসউদ্দিন আল মামুনও জড়িত রয়েছেন৷ তারেক রহমানের বিরম্নদ্ধে ৪ কোটি ৮১ লাখ টাকার অবৈধ সম্পদ অর্জনের অভিযোগে দুদক একটি মামলা দায়ের করেছে৷ মামলার তদনত্ম কাজ প্রায় শেষ পর্যায়ে৷ যে কোনদিন এ মামলার চার্জশিট দাখিল করতে পারে দুদক৷
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