Bangladeshi descent becomes Michigan Congressman

For the first time in the history of the United States of America, a Bangladeshi descent, democratic member of the Michigan Senate Hansen Hashem Clarke won a congressional seat to the United States House of Representatives.

After winning the congressional seat, held by Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick for more than 20 years, Clarke said he will try to fulfill the dreams of people of United States, different sources said.

Clarke was born in Detroit, Michigan to a Bangladeshi American father, Mozaffar Ali Hashem, hailed from Sylhet and an African American mother, Thelma Clarke. Clarke visited his village home few years ago.

His father died when he was a child. Clarke attended Cass Technical High School, and then was admitted to a prestigious east-coast prep school to complete his high school.

Clarke studied at Cornell University, graduating with a degree in fine arts. While at the university, he became interested in politics.

He was elected to the student seat on the Cornell University Board of Trustees and was a member of the Quill and Dagger society. He then earned a law degree from Georgetown Law School in 1987.

Clarke worked as chief of staff to US Representative John Conyers, as well as in Wayne County during the administration of Edward H McNamara.

Kiwis white washed by Tigers

Rubel Hossain's searing yorker uprooted New Zealand's long-standing bastion over the Tigers and, like his raised fist, took his team into new heights in world cricket. The incredibly tight three-run win on 17 October completed the much-coveted 4-0 whitewash of a major Test-playing nation, an exceptional highlight for Bangladesh.

The series win, especially the result, took Bangladesh on a par with West Indies in the International Cricket Council ODI rankings with 67 points, putting the Tigers within the top-eight for the first time in their 24-year international history.

The Tigers earlier beat the Kiwis by 9 runs in the first one-dayer, won the third by seven wickets and the fourth again by 9 runs. The second match was washed out.

The Kiwis, for their part, made a complete mess of chasing a moderate 175 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, faltering with their score on 171 runs in 49.3 overs.

With eight runs from six balls needed to win, tail-ender Kyle Mills guided Rubel's misguided full-toss to the boundary. A ball later though, the paceman returned the faith of captain Shakib Al Hasan by knocking back his leg-stump and picking up his fourth wicket, sending the Tigers and the 25,000-strong holiday crowd into wild celebrations.

Rubel, the boy from Bagerhat, had a say from the beginning of the New Zealand innings, sending back openers Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder cheaply and forcing Kane Williamson, the previous match's centurion, to guide one to the hands of second slip. After Bradley Watling's run-out, a lot depended on Ross Taylor but he too failed, missing a straight one from Abdur Razzak as the Kiwis collapsed to 20 for five.

It could easily have been 41 for six in the 13th over but Junaed Siddiqui dropped a simple catch at slip offered by Daniel Vettori's late cut off Mahmudullah Riyad. The New Zealand skipper latched on to that life as he added 86 runs for the sixth wicket with Grant Elliott.

The partnership threatened to take the game out of the Tigers' reach but again, one player's determination turned the tide.

In the 31st over, Vettori, on 43, chipped the ball between long-on and deep mid-wicket, only for Shafiul Islam to run 15 yards and dive full-length to his right to pull off a phenomenal catch. It instantly brought back memories of the same player's blinder during a Twenty20 final last season.

Soon though, Nathan McCullum took advantage of Junaed's slippery fingers as the Rajshahi lad misjudged one inside the circle at square-leg. But the older McCullum failed to make Bangladesh pay, failing to connect a charge towards Shakib Al Hasan a few balls later.

Elliott, witnessing the mayhem from the other end, reached his fifty through another dropped catch (by Mahmudullah) but he too, gave it up soon after getting a life. The right-handed batsman known for getting the Kiwis out of trouble, holed out at mid-on for 59 off 105 balls.

It was then left to the last pair of Mills and Hamish Bennett as they crawled towards what looked like an unlikely victory for the Kiwis. They added 26 with Bennett going unbeaten on nought from 24 balls.

Apart from Rubel's four, Razzak and Shakib got two each while Sohrawardi Shuvo picked up one wicket.

But there weren't as many twists and turns earlier in the day as the Tigers flattered to deceive with the bat, being bowled out for just 174 runs in 44.2 overs.

Imrul Kayes, who made 34, held fort after southpaws Junaed and Shahriar Nafees departed early. Shakib again made an effort to get the Tigers moving with his enterprising 36 but once his fifth-wicket partnership with Mushfiqur Rahim ended in the 29th over, things unravelled fast.

The Kiwis were better in the field and showed an aggressive intent that was missing in the three previous outings but with the bat in hand, they fell flat as the Tigers put the foot down and in the words of coach Jamie Siddons, "The whitewash became possible".

Pabna “reign of terror”

Ishrat Farzana, a district administration official cries while describing the incident

Professionals and politicians irrespective of political affiliation yesterday rallied behind the Pabna district administration demanding exemplary punishment of those who assaulted government officials last Friday.

At a view exchange meeting at the deputy commissioner's (DC) office, they also vowed to resist the attackers, and expressed disappointment that Awami League high-ups have failed to resolve the issue. Terming the attack disgraceful, they alleged a group of criminals created a “reign of terror” in the district and “held them hostage” for years.

The district administration held the meeting to discuss last Friday's untoward incident, and ways to restore normalcy in the town. DC AFM Monjur Kadir and other administration officials present at the meeting laid before the elite the hurdles put in their way to carry out their duties.

More than 100 Jubo League and Bangladesh Chhatra League activists attacked two examination centres during a recruitment test of class-III government employees, as the DC refused to entertain various demands of Awami League MP Golam Faruk Prince. The attackers also vandalised a number of officers' vehicles.

"I've seen many terrorist activities in Pabna, but the attack on government officials is a new experience to me," said 75-year-old Ranesh Moitra, known to be a language hero in the district. "It seems police on that day worked for the attackers, not for the government." Moitra, also a journalist, said all the good activities in the district have been diminished by the incident. Senior AL leaders should immediately act to resolve it, he added.

Talking about the view exchange meeting, Prince said he has already complained against the DC to his party high-ups. He alleged the DC invited some selected persons who would speak in his favour.

Meanwhile, police yesterday arrested Jony, also known as Dim (egg) Jony, a BCL activist, in a case filed in connection with the attack. With this, six out of 31 persons accused in the two cases have been arrested.

Freedom fighter and veteran AL supporter Baby Islam questioned police administration's ability to provide security to general public when security of government staff is “at stake”. Criticising inaction of the police during the attack, Baby said the attackers must be punished.

Mosharaf Hossain, additional superintendent of police in Pabna, said at the meeting the role of police during the incident is being investigated. He, however, could not explain the police failure to arrest the attackers immediately. "We've intensified drives by setting up check posts at different points so the attackers can't flee," Mosharaf, who is now supervising the two cases filed against the attackers, told the meeting.

Pabna chamber of commerce Vice-president Mahbub-ul Alam Mukul said he cannot accept that the people of Pabna will be held hostage by a small group of “criminals”.

Zakir Hossain, Workers Party's district secretary, hoped the criminals would get punished.

District Mohila AL Joint Secretary Shamsunnahar Rekha said the crisis will worsen further if the administration keeps dragging its feet on the incident. She termed the attack shameful, but claimed many innocent people were implicated in the cases. "We should not blame all for a few bad people," she said.

Earlier at the meeting, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) (general) Bijoy Bhushan Pal, ADC (revenue) Imam Uddin Kabir, ADC (education) Saidur Rahman and magistrate Israt Farzana, who were on duty in the two examination centres, described the attack.

DC AFM Monjur Kadir said, "I'll not bow down to any pressure. I'll not allow irregularities and corruption." He also said one of prime minister's personal secretaries called him on Wednesday night from New York to know what is happening, and he [DC] clarified his position.

Commander of Pabna district Muktijoddha Sangsad Habibur Rahman Habib, Pabna Krishak League president Shahidur Rahman, district Jubo League secretary Ragib Hasan Tipu, Sathia upazila chairman Nizamuddin, Chatmohor pourashova chairman, also a BNP leader, Prof Abdul Mannan, educationist Shibujit Nag, Principal of Pabna College Mahtab Uddin Biswas, among others, addressed the meeting.

Meanwhile, around 200 people, many of them Jubo League and Chhatra League activists, brought out a procession in the district and chanted slogans against the DC in presence of the police. They also protested the arrests of some of the accused, and demanded their immediate release.

Meanwhile, the central council of BCL last night issued a show-cause notice against its Pabna district unit president Ahmed Sharif Bablu and expelled four other leaders for their involvement in attacking government officials. The four expelled leaders are Sheikh Sabuj, Mohammad Jony (already arrested), Abdul Mannan and Sheikh Sanwar.

Everest conqueror Musa Ibrahim returns home

Musa Ibrahim, the first Bangladeshi Everest conqueror, returned home on Tuesday after his glorious expedition.


Hundreds of fans of Everest hero Musa Ibrahim thronged into the Shahjalal International Airport to welcome him on Tuesday when he returned home from Nepal after conquering the world’s highest peak Mount Everest on May 23.


Musa, the first-ever Bangladeshi to scale the summit of the Everest, was given warm reception at the airport in the afternoon as he flew in by a special aircraft from Kathmandu. As the aircraft reached the tarmac, Musa carrying his son Wasi in his arms came out and waived at the well wishers and fans waiting inside the airport lobby. He also responded to cheers by the cross section of people at the departure gate.


Musa was accompanied by his father Ansar Ali, wife Sharaban Tahura Rimi and elder sister Noor e Ayesha, who all went to Khatmandu on Monday to receive Musa, now the pride of their family.


‘It is not a victory of mine; rather it is a success of 160 million people of Bangladesh,’ a delighted Musa told reporters as he was coming out of the VIP lounge amid incessant flashes by photographers.


The conqueror of the Everest, Musa, was attired with a red-green T-shirt and a Bangladesh national flag on his forehead. He thanked the countrymen for their love shown to him. ‘I will try to do everything whatever [adventurous] a youth always wants to accomplish,’ Musa said of his mission and determination.


New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest on the Nepal-Tibet border in 1953.


Musa’s special aircraft, Piaggio P 180 Avanti-II, touched down Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at about 4:15pm after leaving Kathmandu for Dhaka at 2:05pm on Tuesday.


He was first given a bouquet of greetings from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Prime Minister's Special Assistant Abdus Sobhan Golap handed over the bouquet to Musa. Representatives of Jatiya Krira Parishad and Ministry for Youth and Sports and Zahid Ahsan Russel, chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Youth and Sports greeted Musa with bouquets. Foreign Secretary Mohammad Mijarul Quayes also presented Musa with a bouquet at the airport.


The Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s assistant office secretary Abdul Latif Jony and other leaders welcomed Musa on behalf of the main opposition party. Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman, noted columnist Syed Abul Maksud, deputy editor and North Alpine club president Anisul Haque and Channel-i managing director Faridur Reza Sagor also greeted Musa.


Three Sherpas — Som Bahadur, Kailash Tamang and Lakpa Nuru — who helped Musa to climb the Everest came to Bangladesh with him. Scaling the Everest on May 23, Musa descended to the base camp on May 25 and reached Kathmandu on May 27.


Musa, who earned rare honour for the country showed victory symbol to the media people and said: "I could not think about getting such a reception." Giving a brief description of his Everest expedition, he said it was a very difficult task. He said he was overwhelmed with joy when he hoisted Bangladesh's flag on arrival at the Everest peak at 5 am on May 23.


Musa's wife, Assistant Judge Umme Saraban Tahura, said she was also overwhelmed with delight on receipt of the news of her husband's success.


Musa Ibrahim attained his Bachelor of Education(B.Ed) degree on Science Education and Master of Education(M.Ed) degree on Educational Evaluation and Research from 'Institute of Education and Research (IER), University of Dhaka. He also attained a degree on Disaster Management from BRAC University.


Musa Ibrahim is the second child of his parents. His father's name is Ansar Ali and mother's name is Bilkis Begum. His elder sister is Nur Aisha, UN employee and younger brother is Shoeb Harun, studying in Sydney, Australia. He got married in January 2007 to Ummey Sharaban Tahura, Assistant Judge.

Ershad proposes provincial govt to decentralise power

Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad yesterday proposed that provincial government system be introduced dividing the country into eight provinces to reduce pressure on Dhaka, decentralisation of power and balanced development across the country.

According to his new formula, he outlined the map of the provinces, which include Northern province, Jahangirnagar province, Jalalabad province, Barendra province, Jahanabad province, Chandradwip province, Mainamati province and Chattala province.

Ershad, also a lawmaker and former president, placed his proposal at a seminar titled 'Planning of provincial government system in Bangladesh' at a city hotel. He said each province would have a council of 600 members and a separate cabinet with a chief minister at its head while the central government would be a federal one.

Amid huge support from two former advisers to the caretaker government, leaders of different small political parties, university professors, the former military ruler-turned-politician said the federal government would oversee the administration of the provinces by appointing provincial governors.

"The president would be the chief of the federal government while the prime minister would head the parliamentary government," said the chief of JP, a key component in the Awami League-led ruling grand alliance government.

He said there is no other alternative but to launch a provincial system for ensuring balanced development across the country, good governance, creating job opportunities and reducing pressure on the capital. Provincial government system will also reduce unemployment and the law and order will be improved greatly once the system is introduced, he added.

The former president said each province would have a High Court, which would function under the Supreme Court located in the federal capital Dhaka. He called on the leaders irrespective of all political parties to work together in order to implement the new system.

Ershad mentioned a number of steps introduced during his regime as part of decentralising power, including promoting mahakumas (subdivisions) to districts and thanas to upazilas.

Former advisers Dr Akbar Ali Khan and Mahbubul Alam, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President ASM Abdur Rab, Krishak Sramik Janata League President Abdul Kader Siddiqui, Kalyan Party Chairman Maj Gen (retd) Syed Muhammad Ibrahim, Secretary General of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh Maj (retd) MA Mannan, Prof Dr Selim Uddin Ahmed of Dhaka University, Prof Syed Shafiullah of Jahangirnagar University, Chief of Centre for Development Research Dr Mizanur Rahman Shelley, former chief election commissioner Justice Abdur Rouf backed Ershad in promoting his formula.

Echoing the former president, they said it is the demand of time to introduce provincial government to curb pressure on Dhaka and to build a developed country.