Himu's Window

View of a strawberry garden in Rajshahi.Photo: STAR The Quantum Foundation authorities in Rajshahi bought over 1,000 strawberry plants for Tk 20,000 a month ago. They spent a further Tk 13,000 cultivating a fallow eight decimal pieces of land in Shitlai Kazipur area. They are now waiting to cash nearly Tk 2 lakh, six times the amount they invested, by selling 250kg of the lip-smacking fruit, in just 10 days. “Strawberry cultivation is relatively new in the country, but it is not difficult. It spins money," said Muzahidul Islam Zahid, an official of the foundation. "For the first time I have cultivated the fruit." Major Hafizur Rahman Mollah, deputy inspector general of prisons for the Rajshahi division, cultivated some 2,500 strawberry plants at the Rajshahi Central Jail property, six months ago. The jail authorities have spent over Tk 50,000 on the cultivation and now sell 1,000 saplings for Tk 70,000. Also, they are set to sell around 600kg of the fruit at an expected

Minu, Kabir say dependence on Jamaat weakened BNP and caused poll debacle Five front ranking BNP leaders who lost the national election in Rajshahi and grassroots party leaders from their areas at a meeting here have called upon all party men and supporters to reject Jamaat-e-Islami candidates in the upcoming upazila election in the district. The BNP leaders also pointed out that BNP's alliance with Jamaat weakened its organisational strength which is a major cause for its debacle in the December 29 national election. People do not like Jamaat for its role against the country's independence, they said at an extended meeting of party workers held at Kharkhari High School ground on the outskirts of the city Saturday evening. Some BNP leaders' affinity to Jamaat-e Islami and corruption alongside a 'deep-rooted conspiracy by the immediate past caretaker government' are also responsible for BNP's poll debacle, they told the meeting. Darshanpara union BNP president Ab

The programme at RU was well attended by teachers, students and noted cultural personalities.Photo: STAR Anushilon Nattyadal of Rajshahi University staged "Shunagoriker Shondhaney" (in search of ideal citizens) at the Shaheed Minar Mukto-mancho on campus last Saturday. Activists of Anushilon took part in the show that was followed by a congregation of cultural activists. The show highlighted the slogan, 'Lets reach out to people, and abandon the culture of unjust take-over.' RU teacher Moloy Bhoumik, who directed the show, told the audience that the programme was their first attempt to "revive the campus from an almost dark era for cultural activists." "Cultural practices had been greatly hampered in the last few years following the rise of militancy and influence of religious fanatics on campus," said Bhoumik, as he was going over the background of staging the play. Religious extremists had unleashed terror on RU campus, threatening cultural activ

Pro-Awami League bus owners' group yesterday forcibly captured the office of district bus minibus owners' association in Natore (NBMOA), dominated by pro-BNP bus owners' group. Witnesses said some 50 people of pro-AL bus owners' group and another 100 party cadres barged into the office of the association in Kanaikhali area at about noon and asked NBMOA leaders to go out of the office. The NBMOA leaders, including convenor Zamilur Rahman Kabir, left the office immediately. Manjur Alam Hasu, former NBMOA president and a leader of pro-AL bus owners' group, told newsmen that the BNP men had captured the office illegally and they (pro-AL) want to bring order in the association through holding an election. He also informed that a negotiation is going on to form a committee comprising the representatives of both AL and BNP. NATORE SUGAR MILL There are allegations that the CBA election of Natore Sugar Mills was rigged to ensure victory of pro-AL panel.