3rd Bangla blog day

Blogging has revolutionized the life and politics of Bengalis around the globe in general and in Bangladesh in particular. During the last BNP-Jamaat regime when media licenses were handed out to the business elites in power and when militancy started rearing its ugly head, and after 1/11 when the magic phantom of minus 2 formula was being raised on online media, blogging became the only medium of communication amongst global Bangladeshis. When Shaikh Hasina was stopped from coming back to Bangladesh by the military supported 1/11 government, blogs were the ones to revolt against the undemocratic decision.

Since then bloggers have been actively combating information terrorism. This A-team of first-generation blog freedom fighters rejuvenated the spirit of 1971 and demanded war criminals’ trials. Although, the Awami League-led grand alliance is at present trying them but it is the bloggers who are minutely monitoring the proceedings to ensure closure.

Corporate online media are also inspiring young bloggers to develop netizen journalism, because bloggers now have the power to break news. Mainstream TV channels don’t have the kind of outreach which the blog network has. Daily Prothom Alo, bdnews24.com, the editor.net andbanglnews24.com are all flying the kites of citizen journalism with moderated blogs.

Muktomona gave the first invitation to freedom and liberal thoughts in the Bengali blogosphere. Somewhereinblog.net came next, with a bigger platform. Subsequently, the A-team, after facing virtual abuse, created platforms like Sachalayatan, amarblog, nagorikblog and unmochonblog that emerged with the spirit of secular and free thoughts. This very A-team is now fighting a second liberation war against groups of fanatic bloggers who are trying to make our history controversial with their distortion of facts in places like somewherein. The same fanatics have now created sonablog where they continue their support of war criminals and infuse religious intolerance amongst the youth. That’s why muktomona is highly criticized by such Muslim and Hindi bigots whose sole aim is to maintain social & political divisions in order to further their religion trade.

Bangla bloggers also enjoy freedom through venues like facebook: a kind of timeout cigar balcony. By signing Rousseau’s social contract individuals entered the spider net of institutions, giving ivory society the contract to write the history of our world. But blogs and social networking sites are attempts at breaking away from the spider nets; a counter hegemony of Tim Berners-Lee who is the inventor of the World Wide Web. Now, freedom is just clicks away, an emancipated world away from the subjugation of institution. In due time, blogs will become un-moderated. Unless bloggers achieve self censorship and a sense of proportion, corporate and/or voluntary blogs will not allow for un-moderated freedom. The process has, however, started taking baby steps. Gradually, bloggers are reflecting maturity and authenticity in their reports, analysis and socio-cultural discourse. The day when blog journalists will break news and produce exclusive multi-media electronic blogs, we may even not need television anymore.

In Bangladesh everyone wants to flaunt some authority, so has happened in the blogosphere. Somewherein unilaterally decided to hold Bangla Blog Day in the month of December. But as February marks the month of language martyrs with 21st February having earned the glory of being the International Mother Language Day and the prestigious Dhaka Ekushe Book Fair also takes place in this same month, voluntary bloggers have quite logically chosen the 1st of February as their Bangla Blog Day. Amarblog has taken the lead to rejoin the Bangla speaking netizens around the world by offering un-moderated freedom. Luckily enough, amarblog has succeeded in maintaining a secular, artistic and tolerant atmosphere where any Bengali can speak out and speak up. So, join amarblog: let’s write and let’s fly an un-moderated kite.

We came to know from a report of bdnews24.com that the government has published a special supplement on Bangladesh in the British daily The Times.

It is a very good initiative though it costs a sum of $150,000 or Tk 12.5 million.

Foreign ministry external publicity wing director general Shameem Ahsan emphasizes:

This is part of an ongoing effort for image-building of the nation abroad. The private sector has been highlighted in the supplement. There is an article on the NGO BRAC.

The publication contains interviews of the finance, foreign, industries and tourism ministers and that of the central bank governor.

Here is the soft copy of the Supplement.

76111726-Bangladesh-Accomplishment-Beyond-Expectation-–-The-Times-Supplementary-Online

Senior Jamaat leaders were also involved in the 21st August grenade attack on Awami League rally, and their role as mentors of militancy in Bangladesh is an open secret. Top Jamaat leader Nijami even supported militancy on camera when he denied the existence of Bangla Bhai and accused the media of creating the boogey of this executed militant. It is also a matter of record that most of high-level militants arrested during operations confessed to their Jamaat links; their confessions offer substantial evidence that almost all banned militant outfits, like Harkatul Jihad BD, Jamayetul Mujahedeen BD and Hizbut Tehrir, were produced from the radical factory of Jamaat-Shibir.

Jamaat-e-Islami is operating on the open agenda that it wants to destroy the secular fabrics of democracy and replace it with Shariah through a militant uprise. The BNP-Jamaat coalition government (2001-06) offered militancy a safe haven in Bangladesh. It even tried to create links between Islamic radicals and separatist groups of North-East India. Some coalition leaders were also allegedly involved in offering a weapons transit to ULFA.

BNP continues its strong support to Jamaat by calling for an unruly strike on Sept 22 against the Awami League which came into power one of the promises of war criminals’ trials. The radical duo also appears quite infuriated at the recent peaceful advances between Dhaka and New Delhi: Harkatul Jihad bombed Delhi High Court when the Indian Prime Minister was visiting Dhaka earlier this month, while ULFA continues to get support from this very outfit in its fight against the Indian government. The doctrine that ‘my enemy’s enemy is my friend’ is apparently the connection between all terror groups of India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

It is about time that Jamaat be banned as a political party in Bangladesh. Its attempt to hold the capital hostage on Sept 19 should not go unpunished. BNP strikes should also be tackled firmly so that the country does not sink into chaos. Bangladeshis have long been victims of political violence and hartals. The BNP-Jamaat anarchism to obtain power should no longer be allowed to continue. BNP should especially understand that it has lost public faith for its conspiratory marriage with Jamaat and for giving BNP leader Tareq Rahman a free hand to mentor militants in the name of jihad. Also, the party’s stand against war criminal trials rightly raises the question: is BNP against providing justice and closure to the 30 lakh Bengalis killed and 4 lakh women tortured in ’71?

The performance of BNP-Jamaat government during its 2001-06 tenure offers no excuse or reason for the duo to ask Awami League to step down for its failure in running public office. Democracy requires that the mandate of the people of Bangladesh be respected and disagreements be channeled through parliament, media and social platforms. Voters have chosen BNP as the opposition party to keep an eye on government performance and voice concerns in parliamentary sessions. This wild wild east terrorism in the name of politics carries no mass appeal what so ever. Following the letter of law, strikes should be banned to safeguard public security and economy. BNP should wait for next elections.

Hasina-Manmahon summit in Bangladesh promised so much but delivered too little. Impregnated hopes turned of reaching some milestone agreement into dry despair. Several months of sincere efforts of so many persons of two countries were blown with the winds. Teesta River sharing high drama culminated into tragedy.

Consequently transit agreement was not signed, power import deal or Joint Venture Coal fired power plant development initiative could not be inked, and even critical border issues remained unresolved. Hectic parleys at the last stage and efforts of many over 20 months to make the event a mega success hit quick sand primarily due to unexplainable stubborn attitude of Chief Minister Mamota Banerjee of West Bengal. For her last minute turn around very crucial Teesta Water sharing agreement signing was put on hold. Bangladesh was at least bold enough in not agreeing to sign Transit deal. Other issues like Power import deal and imported coal based power plant under NTPC-PDB joint are still in the womb of uncertainties. Some protocols, some MOUs and one framework agreement covering many aspects of co-operation were signed. All these however failed to perhaps please both India and Bangladesh government. There will be serious soul searching in both sides to find out what went wrong? Who stabbed the noble initiatives on the back? Indian Prime Minister has sounded frustrated for not being able to bring his Chief Minister of West Bengal on the discussion table for signing what could be a historic Water sharing agreement. If we analyze neutrally development of events harmed Indian image more than Bangladesh. World Communities through active media knows it was Indians failure which led to finally sign agreed water sharing treaty for their internal reasons. Indians perhaps lost a golden opportunity to earn trust and respect of Bangladeshi nation. The mistrust and disbelief among two SAARC neighbors continued. Many now will seriously doubt about sincerity of Indian Government for agreeing to ensure the legitimate right of Bangladesh as lower riparian country over the water of common international Rivers. Bangladeshis will not easily believe on Indian Prime Ministers repeated assurances that nothing that harms Bangladesh will be done at Tipaimukh and other places to divert river water on the upstream. Here are some details of the Agreements and MOUs.

Protocol to the 1974 Boundary Agreement

Foreign ministers of India and Bangladesh signed on the protocol to address the outstanding land boundaries issues and provide final settlement to land boundary issues which will come under the agreed protocol are;

a)      Undemarcated land boundary at Daikhata -56 [West Bengal]. Muhuri River-Belonia [Tripura] and Dumabri[Assam].

b)      Enclaves.

c)      Adverse possessions.

The undemarcated boundary has already been demarcated. The status of 111 Indian Enclaves [Population of 37,334] and 51 Bangladeshi Enclaves [population of 14,215] have been addressed. The issues of adversely possessed land along Indo-Bangla border in West Bengal, Tripura, Meghalaya and Assam has also been mutually finalized. This protocol if ultimately respected to the letters by both parties will bring significant change in the peaceful neighborly relation.

Framework Agreement on Cooperation for Development:

In this modern age it is almost impossible for individual countries to address all issues of its citizens on its own .Countries in different regions are addressing many issues of economic development, resources exploitation, poverty alleviation efforts through bilateral and multilateral collaboration . Such a framework agreement was conceptualized during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India in 2010. It was agreed at that time that a comprehensive framework of cooperation for would be put in place covering mutually shared visions. The signed Framework agreement provides the Template for the future cooperation.

Addendum to the MOU between India and Bangladesh to facilitate Overland Transit Traffic between Bangladesh and Nepal:

The MOU would facilitate rail transit to/from Bangladesh and Nepal using the Rohanpoor-Singhabad route .It would also facilitate Rail Transit between Bangladesh and Nepal using Indian Territory through Radhikapoor-Birol line after Bangladesh Coverts its railway line in the section to Broad-gauge.

MOU on Conservation of Sundarban:

An initial 5 year duration MOU was signed for Sundarban for cooperation in areas of conserving biodiversity, joint management of resources, and livelihood generation for poverty alleviation, cataloguing of local flora and fauna and studying the impacts of climate change. A working group to be set up would be responsible for implementation of objectives envisioned in the MOU.

MOU for Conservation of Royal Bengal Tigers of Sundarban:

MOU for Conservation of the Royal Bengal Tigers of Sundarban would provide bilateral cooperation in undertaking scientific research, knowledge sharing and patrolling of Sundarban Waterways on their respective sides to prevent poaching or smuggling of derivatives from wildlife and bilateral initiatives to ensure the survival and conservation of the royal Bengal Tigers in the unique ecosystem of the Sundarbans.

MOU on the Cooperation in the field of Renewable Energy:

• The MOU aims to establish the basis for a Cooperative institutional relationship to encourage and promote technical, bilateral cooperation in the areas of Solar, wind and Bio Energy on the basis of mutual benefit, equality and reciprocity. In addition to above the following MOUs were also signed.
• MOU has cooperation in the field of fisheries.
• MOU, on Educational cooperation between Jawaharlal Nehru University and the Dhaka University.
• MOU on Cooperation between Doordarshan [DD] and Bangladesh Television [BTV].
• MOU between the National Institute of Fashion Technology [NIFT] New Delhi and BGMEA Institute Of Fashion Technology[ BIFT] .

There is no semblance of doubt that the Summit failed to achieve its billing. Tessta water sharing agreement, transit and power trading were three major issues. But mainly due to inexcusable, turnaround of Chief Minister of West Bengal put paid to efforts of many in reaching a historic agreement. Bangladesh had reasons in not agreeing to sign transit agreement. We can commend the courage and determination of Bangladesh in saying no to major neighbor India. We wonder how Chief Minister of a state could overturn the well conceived decision of Central Government of India. India has lost a glorious opportunity to achieve their long cherished plan of getting opportunity of using Chittagong and Mongla port. Bangladesh must now critically evaluate all its pains and gains that would arise from allowing India transit facilities. We cannot be extra gracious to a neighbor which does not hesitate to illegitimately divert the water of common rivers on the upstream to cause desertification of Bangladesh. West Bengal Chief Minister will not be Welcome in Bangladesh until she realizes what damage she has done to the bilateral friendly relation. Her action has only extended the mistrust and disbelief among people of Bangladesh and India.

Indian Prime Minister in a speech at Dhaka University also recorded his frustration for not being able to conclude water sharing treaty. He once again reiterated his firm conviction about not doing anything at Tipaimukh which may harm Bangladesh. The Power trading will have to happen sooner or later once the connectivity is made. We are least bothered about it. In future Bangladesh may achieve surplus power generation to export to India as India’s need of power is much more and the deficit is growing much faster. Bangladesh may not need setting up of power plants based on imported coal if it explores its own substantial high quality coal.

None in Bangladesh has got anything to be too frustrated. Bangladesh has lost none but Indians lost many. Chief Minister of West Bengal has dented the image of Indian Government to world community challenging the decision of Central Government which turned the table on Tessta Water Sharing treaty .Bangladesh Government deserves credit for not agreeing to sign transit treaty .Signing of some MOU and Protocols on important issues are also no mean achievement. One hopes that the process will continue for the greater benefit of the people of the region.

India is the lone emerging world power in the SAARC region. Good friendly neighborly relation based mutual trust and respect of sovereign equality is extremely essential for peaceful coexistence for all nations of South Asian countries. Bangladesh and India have some irritants, some issues which soured their relation since the 15^th August 1975 – the black day in the life of Bangladeshi nation and history. Misguided military rulers seizing power through backdoor and polluting politics with money and muscle; and thriving on cheap anti Indian sentiment back pedaled the Bangladeshi nation. Anti Liberation forces were rehabilitated, religion was used as way to exploit people and unnecessary issues were harbored causing extreme miseries for the people of Bangladesh. On the other hand imprudent Indian beauracrats and some communal Indian politicians also misguided Indian policy makers in depriving Bangladesh from some legitimate rights. Consequently several issues like water sharing, boundary disputes [Land and Maritime] and trade imbalances caused profuse bleeding of bilateral relations. It is really unfortunate that majority of Bangladeshis possess genuine apprehension about Indian attitude towards Bangladesh while Indians in 1971 made such massive contribution for the liberation of Bangladesh. We hope Indian policy makers could realize what Bangladesh wants and what is the way forward to normalize the relations.

Water Sharing: Bangladesh economy is agro based and our agriculture is largely dependent on supply of water throughout the year in major rivers and tributaries. Almost all of our rivers either originate from India or flows through India before entering Bangladesh and flows across Bangladesh before flowing into the Bay of Bengal. Due to unilateral Indian actions depriving Bangladesh of its lower riparian right many such rivers have almost died and rest are in the process of extinction. There is Joint River Commission (JRC) and the commission sits in regular meetings. But in the last 40 years since independence other than Ganges water sharing agreement signed during last term of Awami League led government sharing of other river waters could not be agreed. We hope that India and Bangladesh could realize the issues and challenges. In the recent past meetings between Bangladesh and India focused on Dam and barrages at Tipaimukh. Bangladeshi parliamentary delegation headed by veteran politician Abdur Razzak visited Tipaimukh and met responsible Indian ministers and policy makers. None other than Indian PM assured that anything- harms Bangladesh will not be done by India at Tipaimukh. Bangladeshis now want clear commitment about the assurance of Indian Prime Minister. We do not want our Surma, Kushiara; Manu Rivers die from Indian one-sided action at Tipaimukh. The equitable sharing of Teesta River water is another major irritant. We hope that a water sharing agreement of Teesta River based on equality will be settled during the ensuing visit of Indian PM. We have heard that sharing of Feni River water is also included as a part of the package. We hope Bangladesh will not be asked to sacrifice its legitimate right in any such agreement.

Boundary Disputes: Ever since the partition of India in 1947, some disputes in marking of borders between India and Pakistan in eastern region, existed. Mujib–Indira agreement vowed to resolve these after emergence of Bangladesh in 1971. Unfortunately no government of India and Bangladesh made sincere efforts to resolve these disputes. Bangladesh and India must exchange the enclaves on the basis of Mujib–Indira agreement. Both India and Bangladesh possess some lands belong to other. We hope on the basis of credible survey such lands will be exchanged. It is also expected that a meaningful agreement to this effect with specific timeline and action plan will be included in the agreement.

Bangladesh and India have entered into arbitration on maritime boundary disputes in the Bay of Bengal. India is exploring for Petroleum resources in the Bay of Bengal for several years but as soon as Bangladesh planned to explore in its own deep water Indians vehemently objected. Bangladesh had to enter into arbitration due to stubborn attitudes of India in resolving this issue through bilateral discussions while the matter may be resolved through arbitration. But it may take several years. If both party respect international norms there are still opportunity to resolve it through bilateral discussion or this will remain an apple of discord for several years. We hope summit meeting will reach some positive decisions on this matter.

Exchanging Criminals and Combating Crimes:

For several years now criminals and terrorists of one country are finding safe haven in other country and are carrying out their crimes through their planted agents. Two countries’ must make a fresh vow of not sheltering any such criminals and let any place of their land to be used for carrying out subversive activities against others. In the recent past Bangladesh government made crack down on Indian insurgents inside Bangladesh and pushed back several such separatists. Bangladesh government is working on a trial of suspects involved in a massive arms haul through Bangladesh for Indian separatists. But India has so far failed to reciprocate the gesture. Many noted Bangladeshi terrorists including the killers of Bangabandhu, the father of nation, are reportedly hiding in India. One hopes that India will guarantee that it will make everything possible in not letting anyone do any subversive activities sheltering in India.

Border Killings:

Despite serious reservations of Bangladeshi Indian Border security force continues to kill and torture innocent Bangladeshis at the border. Senior Indian policy makers made repeated assurances. But that has not worked so far. Indian economy is in no way doing better than Bangladesh that people will move to India for job seeking. Only smugglers may try to go across. But why BSF should resort to killings? Setting up of barbed wire fencing along the border is disgrace for a might neighbor. Bangladesh can never dream of an armed confrontation with India. India started the process of mistrust and disbelief the day it started setting up barbed wire fencing. We hope India will realize these mistakes. Barbed wire fences will remain an irritant in India Bangladesh relation especially when it is seeking transit across Bangladesh to link its eastern and western region.

Transit and Regional Connectivity:

Bangladesh has genuine concern here

a)    Many Bangladeshis believe that India may try to transport military hard ware’s using this transit routes to combat insurgencies which may make Bangladesh exposed to Indian separatists groups active in Tripura, Nagaland, Mizoram.

b)    Bangladeshi roads and highways, railways and waterways, ports are far from ready to absorb massive flow of transit traffic. It will take several years and huge investment to handle transit traffic. There must be credible feasibility study with transparent benefit cost ratio before bringing in transit into play. Present Bangladesh road infrastructure is even not suitable enough for our own needs. Situation of railway is even worse. Bangladeshi rivers lack navigability in all season primarily due to Indian unilateral actions of withdrawing and diverting water on the upstream.

c)    Transit tariff has not yet been decided. Let Bangladesh create infrastructure to handle additional traffic load emanating from regional connectivity. Let all these costs get included in the feasibility study. If our earnings through job creation and tariff make the proposition profitable we believe no one will object to Bangladesh being part of regional connectivity.

d)    Bangladesh is supposed to have unhindered connectivity with Nepal and Bhutan through Indian Territory. Are we getting it? Can Nepalese and Bhutanese trucks carrying commodities enter Bangladesh without hustles through Indian Territory?

All the above issues must be positively resolved before entering into or renewing any transit treaty with India.

Trade Imbalance:

Bangladesh suffers from huge trade imbalance with India. Indian goods of any quality, good or bad- enter Bangladesh legally or illegally, almost uninterrupted. There are no questions of quality control. But Bangladeshi trade commodities have to undergo various tariff and non tariff barriers. Examples are dirty polluting Indian coal which even India does not use is pushed into Bangladesh and Bangladesh unfortunately accepts the high sulfur and high ash coal. Pro Indian Environmentalists and agitators find dirty Indian Coal more acceptable than allowing economic mining of own superior quality coal. Government of Bangladesh also remains silent. On the other hand our cement, our pharmaceuticals, Rahimafrooz batteries have to face various barriers in entering Indian market. We hope summit meeting will address all these matters.

It is very encouraging that present government of Bangladesh has taken historic initiative to resolve all outstanding issues with India. It is for the mutual interests of both the countries that all issues are resolved without further delay for peaceful coexistence. But all mistrusts and confusions must be done away with through mutual respect of sovereign equality. Bangladesh must come out of its inferiority complex and Indians must abandon its ‘take all and share nothing’ attitude. Let the visit of PM Dr. Manmohan usher a new era in Indo-Bangla relations. Let it set the trend of greater integration of SAARC region. A peaceful SAARC region is so essential for the continued economic development and poverty alleviation of billions of helpless people of the region. All professionals have meeting of minds. It only needs political will and strong fellow feeling at the summit level to make things happen. We welcome Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to Bangladesh with lots of hope and ambitions.

According to Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia, “China has a long military tradition, dating back to the earliest days of recorded history. The martial exploits of kings and emperors, loyal generals and peasant rebels, and strategists and theorists are well known in Chinese high culture and folk tradition. Throughout the centuries, two tendencies have influenced the role of the military in national life, one in peacetime and the other in times of upheaval. In times of peace and stability, military forces were firmly subordinated to civilian control. The military was strong enough to overcome domestic rebellions and foreign invasion, yet it did not threaten civilian control of the political system. In the past 150 years, a third factor entered the Chinese military tradition—the introduction of modern military technology and organization to strengthen military capabilities against domestic and foreign enemies. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, all three tendencies have been discernible in the role of the military in national life. These factors have been particularly apparent in the role of the People’s Liberation Army in the rise to power of the Chinese Communist Party, in the military’s role in the politics of the People’s Republic of China, and in the efforts of Chinese leaders to modernize the armed forces”.

The PLA, initially established on 1^st August 1927 through Nanchang Uprising of the communists against the Nationalists, is now the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People’s Republic of China. It is one of the largest military forces in the world. Again PLA, initially called the Red Army, grew under Mao Zedong and Zhu De from 5,000 troops in 1929 to 200,000 in 1933. Only a fraction of this force survived the Long March in retreat from the Nationalists. After rebuilding its strength, a large portion of it, the Eighth Route Army, fought with the Nationalists against the Japanese in northern China. After World War II, the communist forces, that is the renamed People’s Liberation Army, defeated the Nationalists and formed The People’s Republic of China in 1949 which has already emerged as today’s mighty economic super power in the world within so short time.

PLA is a people’s army created and led by the Communist Party of China (CPC), and the principal body of China’s armed forces. The PLA is made up of both active and reserve components. Its total force is maintained below the 2,500,000. The active components of the PLA are the country’s standing army, consisting of the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Second Artillery Force, whose main task is to conduct operations of defense, and, if necessary, help to maintain social order in accordance with the law. Through the General Staff Headquarters, the General Political Department, the General Logistics Department and the General Armaments Department, the CMC exercises operational command over the whole PLA and leadership for the development of the PLA.

The Navy of the PLA was established on April 23, 1949. Its primary missions are, independently or jointly with the Army and Air Force, to guard against enemy invasion from the sea, defend the state’s sovereignty over its territorial waters, and safeguard the state’s maritime rights and interests. The Air Force of the PLA was established on November 11, 1949. Its primary missions are organizing homeland air defense to protect the territorial air, and providing air security for key facilities; organizing relatively independent air offensive operations; independently or jointly with the Army, the Navy or the Second Artillery Force, engaging in joint operations against enemy invasion from the air, or in conducting air strikes against the enemy. Adopting a system of combining aviation with ground-to-air defense forces, the Air Force consists of the aviation, surface-to-air missile, anti-aircraft artillery and airborne units, as well as communications, radar, ECM, chemical defense, technical reconnaissance and other specialized units. The Air Force has an air command in each of the seven military areas of Shenyang, Beijing, Lanzhou, Jinan, Nanjing, Guangzhou and Chengdu.

The Second Artillery Force of the PLA was established on July 1, 1966. It is composed of the ground-to-ground strategic nuclear missile force, the conventional operational-tactical missile force, and the support units. The strategic nuclear missile force, under the direct command of the CMC, constitutes the main part of China’s limited nuclear counterattack capability. It is equipped with land-based strategic nuclear missile systems. Its primary missions are to deter the enemy from using nuclear weapons against China, and, in the case of a nuclear attack by the enemy, to launch an effective counterattack in self-defense independently or jointly with the strategic nuclear forces of other services, at the order of the supreme command. The conventional operational-tactical missile force is equipped with conventional operational and tactical missile systems. Its task is to carry out fire assaults with conventional missiles.

The PLA’s reserve force, established in 1983, is a force with its own preset organizational structure, with reserve personnel as the base and active personnel as the backbone. The reserve force operates a unified organizational system. The divisions, brigades and regiments of the reserve force are conferred designations and military banners. The reserve force implements orders and regulations of the PLA, and is incorporated into the PLA’s order of battle. In peacetime, it is led by the provincial military districts or garrison commands, and in wartime, after mobilization, it is commanded by the designated active unit or carries out combat missions independently. It receives military training in peacetime in accordance with the relevant regulations, and, if necessary, helps to maintain social order in accordance with the law. In wartime, it may be called into active service in pursuance of a state mobilization order. ¡The PLA forces stationed in Hong Kong and Macao are under the direct leadership of the CMC. The PLA Hong Kong Garrison is mainly composed of ground, naval and air units. The PLA Macao Garrison is mainly composed of a ground force, with some naval and air force personnel on its staff.

Photo: Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie (4th L) and other generals attend a reception hosted by the Ministry of National Defence of the People’s Republic of China, to mark the 84th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army, in Beijing, capital of China, July 31, 2011. (Xinhua/Wang Jianmin).

To commemorate this year’s PLA day, that is to mark the 84th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army, Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie delivered a speech on July 31, 2011, at a reception hosted by the Ministry of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China, in Beijing, the capital of China. Guests from home and abroad attend a reception hosted by the Ministry of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China. In his speech he expressed that China will steadily reform national defense and the army and constantly modernize the military forces, quoted by Xinhua news agency. He also said “In the world today, peace, development and cooperation remains the trend of the times. However, world peace and development faces multiple challenges. China is going through unprecedented and extensive social changes,” Mr. Liang also said the army faces more arduous and heavier tasks and should stay alert to challenges. He called for enhancing the capability to accomplish diversified military tasks, with the capability to win local wars under the changing conditions. “We will expand and deepen preparedness for military struggle, vigorously carry out military training, promote independent innovation in defense science and equipment development,” said Liang. He also called for accelerating the building of modern logistics, intensifying the training of high-caliber and new-type military personnel, actively and steadily carrying out defense and military reforms and constantly modernizing the PLA. Mr. Liang, also a member of China’ Central Military Commission and a state councilor, said the army will continue to oppose and deter the secessionist activities for “Taiwan independence” to make due contributions to the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and China’s complete reunification. He also pledged working for long-lasting peace and common prosperity of the world. “(We will) continue to follow the independent foreign policy of peace, deepen friendly exchanges and cooperation with the armed forces of other countries and contribute to building a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity.” Over the past 84 years, the PLA has made outstanding contributions to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity as well as advancing China’s economic and social development, said Liang.

In the recent past, Chinese President Hu Jintao also expressed at a meeting of PLA deputies to the National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature, that the armed forces to provide solid security guarantee for building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the armed police should constantly improve their capabilities of comprehensively performing their missions in new century and new stage, The armed forces should speed up their efforts in pushing forward the modernization of national defense and the army, so as to resolutely safeguard state sovereignty, security and development interests, said Mr. Hu. The armed forces should unswervingly obey the Party’s command, said Hu, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission. Mr. Hu also urged the armed forces to actively participate in economic, social and ecological construction, support the transformation of economic development pattern, and shoulder emergency response tasks such as disaster relief.

Bangladesh and China established diplomatic relations on October 4, 1975 and since then Bangladesh Army also started cooperation with PLA. Many Bangladeshi defense personnel were trained in PLA. Besides, most of the equipments of Bangladesh Armed Forces are also from PLA or China.  The Bangladeshi military began its development with weapons surrendered by Pakistani forces and the arms supplied by India to the Freedom Fighter (Mukti Bahini). However, by the early 1980s, China had become Bangladesh’s primary supplier of military equipment.

It was 15^th September 1988 when I first landed in Beijing being one of the foreign students to learn Chinese language and have had studied Chinese language for two years staying in China. That was my closest opportunity to know China and its people when I was very young. Since then I had been visiting China regularly and have seen the changes in last 23 years. I have seen the China from Herbin in the north to Hainandao in the south and also in between many cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzen, etc, and almost whole China accept three provinces. I wish I would soon complete seeing those places too.

During my every visit to China I was always very surprised seeing her continuous developments and progresses. Every time I took a long breath and answered to myself, “it is China and they are Chinese and so it is possible!”. The achievements of China during last few decades are known to all indeed. During my every visit to China I also had the opportunities to be in close touches with many Chinese leaders as well as very common people in the official as well as business and private capacities from which I have learned something for myself. Of course, there are many related factors associated to the success of present China, however, I would like to express my personal opinion as to what all major factors had possibly been contributing to these continuous successes. In my opinion, major factors were the political stability of the nation, the discipline, motivation and willingness of people to develop the country, and of course the special Chinese leadership to take the country ahead. The pride of the Chinese people that, “we are Chinese and it is China and of course one China” was the main motivation behind all success in my understanding. Well, PLA provided the basic security and strength to the nation for achieving the present glory.

During past 23 years I had the opportunities to listen many top ranking leaders of China and Bangladesh regarding the Sino- Bangladesh friendly cooperation in general and the relationship between PLA and Bangladesh Armed Forces in particular. Today I may recall the speech delivered in 1993 by General Zhang Wan Nian, the then Chief of General Staff (CGS) of PLA during his visit to Bangladesh where he strongly expressed that relationship between PLA and Bangladesh Armed Forces in particular and Sino-Bangladesh relationship in general is long time tested and would remain trusted forever. I have also heard many peace loving common people of both the countries.  I have learned and now believe from all those talking that China Bangladesh relationship is the relationship of long history, not only this formal 36 years, however, now it has taken the shape of the relationship of connectivity, relationship of trust and confidence, relationship of inter dependability, and the relationship of future hope and continuous cooperation for mutual win-win benefits.

Considering the space limitation of this writing, I would like to express only one desire on behalf of common peace loving people of both countries so that the authorities at both ends may consider facilitating easy access to each other’s country and their people for the continuous promotion of culture, sports, tourism, trade and other sectors in general and the understanding as well as bondage between PLA and Bangladesh in particular. I hope the concern authorities would soon do something more positive in this regard. Long live the relationship between PLA vis-a-vis Bangladesh Armed Forces and long live Sino Bangladesh relations.

The honesty and integrity of the British media has come under serious scrutiny in the recent past. Australian Media Tycoon Rupert Murdoch has been compelled to close down his “News of the World” when charged for its unholy methods of tarnishing the image of leading personalities and smear nations. Rupert Murdoch had to appear before a parliamentary probe committee and regret for the scam. Almost at the same time Another British media “The Economist” has published has carried a highly controversial report questioning India- Bangladesh relation, the emergence of Bangladesh, the genocide by Pakistan occupation army in 1971and the trial process of the identified War Criminals of 1971.

The report without any credible evidence has brought out an allegation that Indian Government sponsored the Awami League with money and advice to win the 2008 elections. Congress is in Indian state power, and there is a historic link between the Congrees and Awami League based on good wish or even blessings as both champion democracy. But how can a leading international media mention that Indian Government provided monetary support to Awami League? Do they have any credible evidence? Neutral observers and world media unanimously acclaimed the free, fair and transparent election of 2008 . Even no major objection was raised by any of the opponents. But how after two and half years later “The Ecomonist” could bring up such a serious allegation? This report has definitely undermined and in fact embarrassed both India and Bangladesh. The countries have every right to question validity and authenticity of the report. This is more pertinent at this moment since two friendly SAARC neighbors after years of mistrust and disbelief have started positive actions to resolved several outstanding issues – water sharing , enclave exchange, joint actions against terrorists, boundary disputes resolution, regional connectivity , trade rationalization . Some issues were fundamentally agreed during Bangladesh PMs Visit to India and most of the others are at advanced stage for meeting of minds of the highest level at the upcoming summit of two PMs in Dhaka in September 2011.

In Bangladesh there is a group of people who in everything smells some Indian fish .This group though do not hesitate to use Indian Garments, go for shopping to India or get medical treatment to India when required. They do not object to use dirty polluting Indian coal but they raise hue and cry when Government takes imitative to explore own sweet coal or explore for petroleum in the offshore. This group sure will be encouraged by such yellow journalism of “The Economist.
Economist report questioned visit of Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi’s visit to Dhaka in a satirical manner. Sonia was in Dhaka on invitation of PM Hasina to attend an international seminar on Autistics Children and to receive the highest civilian award [Posthumous] on behalf of Late Indira Gandhi for her motherly contribution during the liberation war. There cannot be any question if the chief of the two ruling political parties share ideas and opinions on the regional politics and government affairs anytime anywhere.

The report also questioned the crackdown of militant groups and terrorists by Bangladesh Government. The section of the report may be quoted here:

Ever since 2008, when the Awami League, helped by bags of Indian cash and advice, triumphed in general elections in Bangladesh, relations with India have blossomed. To Indian delight, Bangladesh has cracked down on extremists with ties to Pakistan or India’s home-grown terrorist group, the Indian Mujahideen, as well as on vociferous Islamist (and anti-Indian) politicians in the country. India feels that bit safer.

We will be extremely pleased if Economist can provide the credible evidence of the bag of cash that it is alleging to have been provided by Indian Government . If not Economist owe an apology to both India and Bangladesh.

From 2002 – 2006 Bangladesh became safe haven of terrorists. Finance Minister SAMS Kibria, popular MP Ahsanullah Master was killed by grenade attacks. Attacks were carried out against British High Commissioner in Bangladesh, Mayor of Sylhet, and MP Suranjit Sen Gupta. Finally terrorist under state sponsorship killed several Awami Leaguers including wife of Bangladesh President in a carnage and mayhem in front of Awami League Central office at the heart of the capital city. The terrorists became so organized that they could carry out simultaneous grenade explosion in 64 places of the country at the same time. People were killed at court buildings, cinema hall. It was alleged that some country’s intelligence agency unfriendly to both Bangladeshi progressive force and India setting up safe training shelter within Bangladesh trained terrorists and provided deadly weapons to carry out subversive activities within Bangladesh and India. A huge arm haul was confiscated at CUFL Jetty of Chittagong which was allegedly transited through Bangladesh for a separatist group of India. Present government very courageously took appropriate actions against the group. Government has also initiated actions to authentically probe all acts of terrorism of the past. Instead of admiring governments efforts Economist report has unfortunately criticized the admirable Bangladesh action.

The saddest part of the report is that it questioned the Bangladeshi initiative of conducting trials of identified war criminals. There can be any or many difference of opinion about the process of conducting the trials. But it is a long term legitimate demand of the Bangladeshis to try and punish the collaborators of Pakistan Army in carrying out genocide, rape, looting and arsening in 1971. Economist has unfortunately advocated for the alleged criminals under custody. The intent and purpose of the report is well understood.

The report also questioned about various outstanding bilateral issues resolution process. It has questioned regional connectivity. We cannot deny our geographical reality. We are surrounded by India from 2.75 sides. Any regional connectivity will benefit all nations. If India can connect its major regions with neglected Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura through it how it harms Bangladesh? Why we are apprehensive that India will transport Army or Military gazettes through the corridor? This connectivity is for trade and commerce only. However, we are not fully aware about the details of the regional connectivity. It will not be wise to talk about it at this stage.

In conclusion we like to request the editor of “The Economist “ to clarify the issues raised in the report and address the Bangladesh response .If such kind of reports are regulary published who knows some day it may have to embrace the same fate as Rupert Murdoch’s “ The News of the World”.

New York-based Human Rights Watch said on Sunday that those against whom there is credible evidence of wrongdoing should be prosecuted as part of an effort to end longstanding impunity for abuses along the border.

In December, HRW in a report, “Trigger Happy,” documented extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention, torture, and ill-treatment by the BSF. In the past decade, the BSF is alleged to have killed hundreds of Indians and Bangladeshis.

Indian authorities in March assured Bangladesh officials that the killings would be stopped. The government announced that it would order restraint and encourage the use of rubber bullets instead of more lethal ammunition, which was recommended by HRW.

“Despite orders from New Delhi to end killings and abuse and to exercise restraint in dealing with people crossing the border, new deaths and other serious abuses are being reported,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director for Human Rights Watch.

The group stated that the government has issued some positive new directives, but it needs to prosecute those who commit abuses so soldiers will understand they can’t act with impunity.

The number of deaths reduced significantly in 2011. The Bangladeshi non-governmental organization Odhikar has documented at least 17 alleged killings of Bangladeshis by the border force and other instances of severe abuse since January.

Local rights groups in India have documented several cases of deaths as a result of severe beatings of suspects by the BSF. Indian residents in the border area, while expressing relief that the indiscriminate shootings have stopped, have complained about aggressive intimidation and beatings.

“The excessive use of force and the arbitrary beating of people along the border are unjustifiable,” Ganguly said. “These abuses call into question India’s stated commitments to the rule of law.”

People routinely move back and forth across India’s frontier with Bangladesh to visit relatives, buy supplies, and look for jobs. Others engage in petty and serious cross-border crime.

In many of the cases investigated by HRW, however, the victims were cattle rustlers, farmers, or laborers who said they were hoping to supplement their meager livelihoods by working as couriers in the lucrative but illegal cattle trade that is rampant at the border.

The Indian government needs to do more to ensure accountability for violations committed by the border force soldiers and to ensure compliance with the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, said the HRW statement.

A Muslim, she completed her asr, or late-afternoon prayer, on Sunday, June 5, and returned to the computer in her parents’ bedroom, her daughter drawing on the bed nearby. The door clicked, and in the next 10 harrowing minutes, Monzur’s husband, Syeed Hasan Sumon, brutally attacked her, she says. She had shown him photos on her Facebook page, and he flew into a rage, accusing her of an affair with an Iranian student in Canada.

Sumon, who is nearly blind from a degenerative disease, pulled his wife’s hair, throwing her to the bed and pinning her arms down with his legs, she says. Then, in an account that is bone-chilling, she says her husband pressed his fingers into her eyes, gouging them out. According to Monzur, he gnawed at her cheek, lips, and nose, biting off bits of flesh, blood spilling throughout the room as Monzur flailed. Her daughter, Anusheh, stood in a corner of the room, screaming, as two household servants struggled to open the locked door. A neighbor took her to the hospital, where her parents soon arrived. The diagnosis: blindness. “I lost my eyes,” says Monzur. “I don’t want anyone to suffer like I am suffering. It is horrible.”

In that part of the world, where shame so often defines the moral conscience of society and a family’s honor lies so often in the image of a woman’s chastity and fidelity, this could have been yet another tragic but untold story at the altar of sharam, or shame, as it’s said in Urdu. For seven days, the story was mostly just a family secret, reported to the police but nowhere else. As Monzur marked her 33^rd birthday blinded in the hospital, her father, Monzur Hossain, focused on her medical treatment, and her husband was free.

Courtesy of the Rumana Monzur family

The recent events at the Viqarunnisa Noon School and College (VNC), a prestigious girls educational institution in the Bangladesh capital Dhaka, has stirred much buzz in the Bangladeshi blogosphere. Porimol Joydhor, a teacher of Bangla department of the school’s Bashundhara campus, was accused of raping a female student of class ten at VNC while giving her private tuition in his premises.

According to reports Porimol recorded the incident in his mobile and threatened the victim that he would post it on internet if she divulged the matter. As the investigations began more shocking information were revealed. The incident took place in late May and the school headmaster at Basundhara branch did not take any action against the teacher after the victim reported it in a letter. Guardians alleged that because Porimol was a student leader of the ruling party the authorities ignored these allegations. When the news broke out in the media [bn] in early July the school governing body was put under a lot of pressure. Porimol was sacked and went into hiding. The committee also suspended two other teachers for their alleged misconduct with girl students.

The events and the student protests caused much uproar in the country and more drama unfolded as the students continued their protest which led to the replacement of the school principal. The mainstream media was accused of using sensationalism and politicizing the events. But some students continued to share their sides of the story via blogs and Facebook.

Bloggers like Bengal Masud posted pictures of the protests and provided regular updates. He posted [bn] on the 6th of July:

অবশেষে ব্লগ-ফেসবুক এবং রাজপথ এই ত্রিমুখী আন্দোলনে পরিমলকে গ্রেফতার করতে বাধ্য হয়েছে পুলিশ। বুধবার দুপুর ১২টার দিকে কেরাণীগঞ্জে এক আত্মীয়ের বাসা থেকে পরিমল জয়ধরকে গ্রেপ্তার করা হয়।

The students were still in doubt whether the victim would get justice and continued with their protests. Their demands included:

• All the accused should be brought to justice
• The school principal and the school management should clarify why they did not do anything against the accused
• Demanding resignation of the school principal for protecting Porimol.

Many people became furious as the school principal was accused of saying that it was mutual sex. Xabir vents his anger [bn] at Amra Bondhu Blog:

আপনার কি জানা আছে মিউচুয়াল সেক্স হওয়ার জন্যে “কনসেন্ট” নামে একটা জিনিস লাগে। কিন্তু মহামান্যা মাথামোটা অধ্যক্ষা সাহেবা, ১৮ এর নিচে (ক্ষেত্র বিশেষে ১৬) একজন নাবালিকা কখনোই সম্মতি দিতে পারে না।

Moreover, the blogger reveals that the section 5 of Sexual Offences Act (2003) says “a person commits an offense if he intentionally penetrates the vagina, anus or mouth of another person with his penis and the person is under aged.”

An anonymous ex-student of VNC recalls [bn] in her blog that her Alma mater was not like this. She posted [bn] on the 8th of July about the student protests online and offline:

আমাদেরকে স্বীকার করতেই হবে যে, যে সব ছোট বোনেরা ফেসবুক এ ইভেন্ট খুলেছে তাদের উপর যথেষ্ট চাপ থাকবে কালকে।এতক্ষনে হয়তো আমাদের গায়ে মানে না আপনি মোড়ল; হোস্নে আরা বানু তোমাদেরকে টিসির ভয় দেখিয়েছেন। পুলিশ প্রশাসনও হয়তো কালকে ভাড়াটে গুন্ডার মতই ব্যাবহার করবে। তারা হয়তো আত্মরক্ষার জন্যই চাইলেও অনেক কিছু করতে পারবেনা। আমাদের সেই সব বোনদেরকে বলছি – আপুরা তোমরা একটুও ভয় পেয় না। আপুরা আছি, আপুরা তোমাদের সবার পাশে আছি।

On the 9th of July the students of VNC along-with Parents and ex-students formed a human chain demanding resignation of the Principal. Bengal Masud posted [bn] videos and pictures of the event.

Soon the protests gathered more support from other members of the civil society. Also many teachers from VNC joined [bn] in the protests.

Blogger Alim Al Rajee is posting [bn] regular updates on this. This Facebook page is also providing updates. Some students are providing updates [bn] on how the interim principal is being accused of belonging to a political party and how the girls are being threatened by different quarters.

Shimul Kibria at Choturmatrik Blog writes [bn] about the trend of blaming the victim in a rape incident as some are blaming the student of VNC rather than Porimol:

কিছু মানুষ তাদের পারিপার্শ্বিকতার নারীদের চিনেছে নিছক একটি ভোগ্যপণ্য হিসেবে। তাদের চিন্তামতে/বিবেচনায় নারী মাত্রই ক্ষুদ্র মননের, স্বল্প ক্ষমতার একটি প্রাণী যা আসলে পুরোপুরি পুরুষের অধীন!

He continues:

প্রতিবাদ এখানেই শেষ নয়; পরিমল ও তার মদদ দাতাদের কঠোর বিচারকার্য নিশ্চিতকরণ, নারী ও শিশু নির্যাতন আইনের যথোপযুক্ত প্রয়োগ নিশ্চিতকরণের জন্যে এই মঞ্চ আরো এগিয়ে যাবে; এটা আমার মতো আরো লক্ষাধীক মানুষের প্রাণের চাওয়া।

First Published  by Rezwan@Global Voice Online.