Himu's Window

Urdu, the language that Bangladeshis fought as an imposition during the Pakistan era, has staged a comeback in the country's political discourse. Urdu posters and pamphlets were distributed   for the first time   since independence in 1971 by contending parties in last month's ninth   general elections   to woo the non-Bengali voters. The   Daily Star   newspaper, in a report from Nilphamari, said that candidates for the posts of chairman and vice-chairman in Saidpur upazila (sub-district) are using Urdu in their campaign. Urdu-speaking voters comprise half the voters in the upazila. "Walking along the streets of Saidpur town, one would frequently hear loudspeaker announcements in Urdu. "It is also being used for slogans in processions and in public speeches by the candidates who know well that Urdu speaking people, commonly known as Biharis, would play a decisive role in Saidpur upazila parishad election," the report said. Urdu's u

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.

Former BNP deputy minister for land Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu was released on January 2 from the prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). Dulu was freed from the prison cell at about 1:15pm , said Towhidul Islam, superintendent of Dhaka Central Jail, while talking to The Daily Star. The BNP leader, who is sentenced to 20 years' rigorous imprisonment in two cases, had surrendered to a Dhaka court on February 20, 2007 and is now facing a total of 23 cases, including six for his alleged link with militancy. Of the cases, a tribunal court in Natore awarded him 12 years' imprisonment on August 7 last year for arson attack. Another court on July 26 sentenced him to eight years' in jail for looting and arson. http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=69805

Jamaat trying to reorganise party   Blamed by its major partner BNP for the poll debacle, Jamaat-e-Islami has intensified organisational activities to protect its existence in Rajshahi region, an area that saw rise of Islamist militancy allegedly under Jamaat protection while in power. BNP sources here said they have already suggested party high-ups to 'reconsider' its alliance with Jamaat, saying its popularity dipped for siding with the fundamentalist party. "After the election, we are now busy in organisational activities", said Abul Kalam Azad, general secretary of Rajshahi city Jamaat. Replying to questions, he said, "We are not taking into account what others talk about us. If any one thinks we are no more his friend, he has his liberty. We are not concerned about it", he said. Among the four-party alliance contestants, Jamaat leaders lost in all 17 seats to grand alliance and BNP gabbed only 8 out of 72 in Rajshahi division in the