Vol. 5 Num 1090 Mon. June 25, 2007       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Metropolitan National International Culture Views Point-counterpoint Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page Charges pressed against Babar for possessing illegal arms, ammo Police yesterday pressed charges against detained former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar in connection with possessing illegal firearms and ammunition at his Gulshan home while BNP former lawmaker   Forest offices raided, 4 top officials held The joint forces launched simultaneous raids in forest department offices in Dhaka and other city and district forest offices yesterday and arrested four high-ranking forest officials who were allegedly   Proposal ready to up fertiliser price 51pc The government is going to raise the price of per tonne urea fertiliser by 51 percent in a bid to minimise the loss of government-run fertiliser factories and to stop smuggling of fertiliser to the neighbouring   DoE, city corporation, forest office blamed Absence of specific policy guidelines on hill management, lack of initiative to check indiscriminate hill cutting and encroaching on government land are the main reasons behind the rain-induced landslides   First Test from today Survive as long as possible will be the key when Bangladesh, under new captain Mohammad Ashraful, face mighty Sri Lanka in the first Test of a three-match series at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground   EC moves to make NRBs, enclave people voters The Election Commission (EC) has initiated steps for registering non-resident Bangladeshi citizens and the citizens who live in Bangladesh enclaves surrounded by Indian territories.   Dhaka gets IAEA nod to set up N-plant Bangladesh along with seven other countries has got the much-desired approval of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to set up nuclear reactors for power generation.   Pangolin...   Dubai dreams turn into nightmare Luck failed to favour her either in Bangladesh or abroad, filling her life with tales of misery.   Dr Kamal urges people to elect qualified representatives Gano Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday urged the countrymen to elect qualified people through a fair election for establishing a truly representative democracy.   BNP reformists meet again Reformist leaders of BNP yesterday held a meeting among themselves and also met some senior leaders of the party to put the final touches on their party reform proposal which will be made public any time   ACC asks Morshed, Mayor Mohiuddin for wealth report The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday served notices upon former foreign minister M Morshed Khan and his son Faisal Morshed Khan to submit their wealth statements to the commission.   Govt not imposing reforms on parties Law Adviser Barrister Mainul Hosein yesterday said the government is not imposing reforms on the political parties; it is rather helping them in their endeavours to bring reforms.   Dhaka, New Delhi foreign secretaries talk today Dhaka and New Delhi foreign secretary-level talks start today with both sides expected to take advantage of the recent goodwill between the two neighbours.   Tarique's in-laws' house searched The joint forces yesterday raided Tarique Rahman's in-laws' house in Dhanmondi and took away documents concerning the property of his wife Zubaida Khan Rahman.   Thunderstorms in Karachi kill 228 Torrential rain and thunderstorms have killed 228 people and injured about 200 others in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, provincial health minister Syed Sardar Ahmed said yesterday.   Iraq's 'Chemical Ali' sentenced to hang An Iraqi court yesterday sentenced Saddam Hussein's cousin known as "Chemical Ali" and two other former regime officials to death by hanging for their roles in a 1980s scorched-earth campaign that led   Mohiuddin seeks SC approval to move against death sentence Condemned prisoner AKM Mohiuddin Ahmed yesterday filed an application with the Supreme Court for approval to move against his death sentence in the Bangabandhu murder case.   Lid-less manhole...   Trial of 3 JMB patrons may start today The trial of former BNP lawmakers Aminul Haq, Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu and Nadim Mostafa for aiding and abetting the militants is likely to begin today.   5 killed as bus, truck collide head-on A head-on collision between a bus and a brick-laden truck in Keraniganj yesterday left five dead, including three of a family, and 20 others injured.   Criminals kill 1, injure another at Adabor Unknown criminals strangled one and critically injured another person at Adabor in the capital yesterday. The dead is Ainal Huq Mollah, 55, caretaker of a piece of land in Adabor.   Huji man Wali remanded A Dhaka court yesterday remanded banned Harkatul Jihad (HuJi) man Waliur Rahman for eight days in the Ramna Batamul carnage case.   Nepal polls Nov 22 Nepal's eight political parties announced yesterday that November 22 will be the date for the Himalayan nation's first post-war elections originally scheduled for June.   Woman dies from bomb splinters A woman was killed after allegedly being hit by splinters of a bomb dropped from a training aircraft of Bangladesh Air Force at Pahar Pabaijan of Muktagacha upazila of Mymensingh yesterday afternoon.   Iran warns against nuclear sanctions A senior Iranian official warned Saturday that further UN sanctions over Tehran's contentious nuclear programme could derail ongoing negotiations toward a settlement.   Rejoinder Awami League leader and former civil aviation minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain sent a rejoinder to a news item published in The Daily Star on June 18 headlined "Big shots levelled vast terrain of Ctg Business Adequate infrastructure key to luring FDI The Swiss ambassador in Dhaka has said business- and investment- friendly regulations, functioning institutions and adequate infrastructure are key to attracting more foreign direct investment (FDI) in   Zero tariff facilities for raw materials should continue Top business leaders have reiterated their demand for zero tariff facility for importing raw materials used in the local industries.   Citigroup keen to develop human resources in Bangladesh Citigroup, a world leading financial institution, wants to play a cooperative and positive role in human resource development in Bangladesh, said a senior human resource (HR) manager at Citigroup, South   Duty on machinery to discourage new investment in textile New investment in the textile sector will be discouraged if the government finally imposes duty on both textile machinery and raw materials in the next fiscal year, textile millers said yesterday.   Uncertainty over duty free RMG export to India to go soon The uncertainty over duty-free export of eight million pieces of apparel items from Bangladesh to India is likely to be resolved in a week or two, a meeting was told here Sunday.   Asia urged to take lead on global financial challenges Asia must take a lead role in tackling global issues and coping with rapid growth even as it faces a real risk of "economic chaos" from global financial imbalances, regional officials and business leaders   Two customs houses start functioning in Ctg from July 1 Newly created Customs House (import) and Customs House (export), which came into being after the split of Customs House, Chittagong, are all set to start functioning from July 1.   SE Asia urged to push Doha trade talks Southeast Asian nations should not remain silent in the face of continued difficulties over the Doha round of global trade negotiations, business and other leaders were told Sunday.   Myanmar RMG exports 'dire' because of US sanctions Myanmar's garment exports declined again last year under the weight of US sanctions, an industry group said, amid questions about whether the measures will persuade the military regime to reform.   BSCIC fair begins A five-day fair began in Dhaka yesterday to promote the products of small and cottage industries. Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) organised the fair at Motijheel.   'Thai growth to return after political strife resolved' Thailand's economy will return to the fast track once the country resolves political uncertainty from the ouster of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Finance Minister Chalongphob Sussangkarn said   LSE to buy Italian bourse The London Stock Exchange confirmed Saturday it is buying Borsa Italiana for 1.6 billion euros (2.15 billion dollars), bolstering the LSE amid takeovers of European stock markets by US rivals.   Cheap cars allow Indians to jump off motorcycles Trading a motorcycle for a car in India has long been too expensive for many, but manufacturers plan to offer models at 3,000 dollars or less to attract new buyers, analysts say.   Thailand looks to India to balance China's weight Thailand's army-installed prime minister heads to India on Monday in a bid to speed up a free trade deal, which Bangkok hopes will help counterbalance China's growing weight as a trading partner.   Currency Sports Cricket: New journey for Ashfarul In September 2001, a wiry little boy had hogged the spotlight by making a sparkling Test hundred on his debut at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground becoming in the process, the youngest batsman in   Cricket: Third seamer dilemma In a refreshing change from the prevalent severe weather conditions, it did not rain in Colombo yesterday -- a fact that pleased a score of people.   Cricket: Mahela serious Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene said that there is no room for complacency against Bangladesh despite the fact that they hold a formidable record against the visitors.   Football: B.League resumes today The 16th round of the B.League begins today with Arambagh taking on Khulna Abahani at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.   Cricket: 'India fine sans a coach' India fielding chief Robin Singh has said the team is coping just fine without a coach.   Cricket: SL targets Rhodes Sri Lanka have short-listed South African Jonty Rhodes and Australia's Greg Blewett to assist newly appointed head coach Trevor Bayliss, an official said on Sunday.   Cricket: Trescothick on comeback trail Marcus Trescothick believes he is "getting closer" to playing for England again but added he wouldn't hurry his return to the international arena until he was assured of his fitness.   Tennis: Federer looks Borg in the eye So much for resisting change at Wimbledon. They're embracing it. Women will earn the same prize money as men for the first time this year. Video screens will help players challenge calls.   Football: Anelka to step in to Henry shoes Mercurial French striker Nicolas Anelka is being lined up for a dramatic return to former club Arsenal as a replacement for compatriot Thierry Henry, according to reports Sunday.   Football: Lotina poised for Depor hotseat Spanish coach Miguel Angel Lotina, who has resigned from relegated Real Sociedad, said Saturday he was very close to a move to Primera Liga club Deportivo La Coruna.   Cricket: Gs see off Ireland Gautam Gambhir and Sourav Ganguly's unbroken stand of 162 saw India to a nine-wicket win under the Duckworth-Lewis method in the one-off one-day international against Ireland at Stormont here Saturday.   Cricket: Dav praises Pakistan Dav Whatmore Sunday praised new-look Pakistan as "positive and confident" after being interviewed for the vacancy left by the late Bob Woolmer.   Hockey: Rajshahi, Tangail make flying start Rajshahi and Tangail made flying start to the 27th National Hockey Championship crushing their rivals in the first appearances at the Moulana Bhasani National Stadium yesterday.   Cricket: Harbhajan back to Surrey Harbhajan Singh has rejoined Surrey and will link-up with the London-based club on July 2, the county announced Sunday.   Cricket: Johnston's demand Ireland captain Trent Johnston said it was vital a professional structure was put in place for the country's cricketers as their present amateur status made it "impossible" to compete against the world's   Hockey: BHF picks 21 for Asia Cup camp Bangladesh Hockey Federation yesterday picked 21 players to join the training camp for the Asia Cup beginning in the Indian city of Chennai on September 19.   Stoner reigns supreme at Donnington Casey Stoner of Australia extended his overall world championship lead after claiming his fifth victory of the season at the British MotoGP here on Sunday.   Football: The cream of the crop (II) Renowned sports journalist and broadcaster GABRIEL MARCOTTI continues his countdown to pick out the fifty best footballers on the planet.   Football: Owen intends to stay Newcastle United are increasingly confident that Michael Owen will remain at the club next season, a development that will provide early validation for the new regime at St James' Park.   Football: Thaksin's funds to be probed Thai officials will investigate the source of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's funds if he succeeds in buying Manchester City, Finance Minister Chalongphob Sussangkarn said here Sunday.   Tennis: Chakvetadze upsets Jankovic Russian third seed Anna Chakvetadze won the 130,000-euro WTA tournament here on Saturday, upsetting top seed Jelena Jankovic 7-6 (7/2), 3-6, 6-3, in the final. Metropolitan 90pc diseases in rural areas preventable Nowadays, Abdul Aziz, a retired schoolteacher, passes his time delivering massages on hygiene to his neighbouring villagers.   Next generations will takepride in it: Selina Hossain Many of the invited guests and journalists were eagerly reading a framed letter written by Shaheed Janani (mother of the martyrs) Jahanara Imam during the War of Liberation asking her son Rumi, a freedom   Concern over non-repatriation of Rohingya refugees Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury yesterday expressed concern over the non-repatriation of Rohingya refugees for the last two years.   Help rehabilitate street children Speakers at a discussion yesterday urged the affluent people in society to come forward to help rehabilitate the distressed children, especially street children.   Japan keen to establish nursing school Japan is keen to provide Bangladesh grant assistance for establishing a model nursing school and college in Bangladesh.   One gets 17 years' RI in arms case A court here yesterday sentenced a man to 17 years' rigorous imprisonment in an arms case. Second Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Shamsul Huda also fined the convict, Nesar Ahmed, Tk 5000.   Road accidents kill five At least five people were killed in separate road accidents in Manikganj, Mymensingh and Benapole yesterday.   President apprised of budget Finance Adviser Mirza Azizul Islam yesterday apprised President Iajuddin Ahmed of the budgetary measures for the fiscal 2007-08, ahead of its approval on June 28.   Incident of hill cutting unearthed A mobile court here yesterday unearthed an incident of hill cutting in city's War Cemetery area near Chittagong Medical College.   'Ensure equal rights of the persons with disabilities' Speakers at a daylong divisional workshop here yesterday underscored the need for concerted efforts to ensure equal rights of the persons with disabilities.   Debate contest begins in city The inter-department debate competition organised by Stamford Debate Forum has kicked-off on its Siddheswari campus in the city.   President, CA greet Croatian counterparts President Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed have greeted their Croatian counterparts Stjepan Mesic and Prime Minister Ivo Sanader respectively on the occasion of the statehood day of   Expand DOTS coverage to combat TB Directly Observed Treatment Short course (DOTS) programme must be expanded to successfully combat tuberculosis (TB) in the country as a huge number of people are vulnerable to the disease, experts ata   Govt reschedules school timings Education ministry has rescheduled the school timings of the institutions at primary and secondary level with a view to relieve the students of the suffering caused by erratic electricity supply.   NGO worker shot, robbed of Tk 20000 Some armed muggers took away Tk 20,000 from an NGO worker after shooting him at Jatrabari in the city yesterday.   'Form body to monitor, regulate cable operators' The Cable Operators' Association of Bangladesh (Coab) yesterday urged the government to form a committee to monitor and regulate the activities of cable operators in the country.   3-day folklore workshop begins tomorrow With a view to enriching the country's culture and heritage, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh is going to organise a three-day workshop on folklore beginning from tomorrow under its current 'Cultural Survey   'Recognise household arts to establish women rights' Household arts should be given national and social recognition in order to establish equal rights and status for women, said speakers at a view exchange meeting organised by Work for a Better Bangladesh   Income tax survey in all city corpns from July 5 The incoe tax survey, which is currently going on in the Dhaka City Corporation areas, will also start in other city corporations and Rangpur Pourasabha from July 5.   2 city streets renamed after FFs Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) Mayor Sadek Hossain Khoka yesterday unveiled the name plaques of 'Bir Pratik Shahid Rezaul Karim Manik Sarak' and 'Mesbah Uddin Ahmed Sabu Sarak', says a DCC press release.   UGC continues investigation in presence of pro-BNP teachers The University Grants Commission (UGC) yesterday continued its investigation into alleged irregularities and corruptions at Rajshahi University (RU) during the last five years.   Call to gear up social afforestation A fortnight-long tree fair began here yesterday with a call to gear up social afforestation movement to save Bangladesh from desertification. National Khulna jute workers boycott work protesting 'unjust' pay Production in sacking sections of four state-run jute mills in Khulna is suspended since Thursday as workers stayed away from work in protest against payment of Tk 80 instead of Tk 160 as daily wage.   Born under political clout they now suffer from bad health Sylhet Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) has served show cause notices on 34 high schools in Sylhet division because of poor results in this year's SSC examination.   Growers happy as fruits in Rangamati still pricey Pineapple and other seasonal fruits are plenty in local markets of Rangamati district but their prices are still high. Farmers are very happy with the bumper yield and 'good' prices this year.   Step to stop smuggling of hilsha from Khulna Joint forces have imposed restriction on bringing hilsha fish to wholesale markets (arats) at Rupsha in a bid to check smuggling of the fish, sources said yesterday.   Charge framed against former Baufal BNP MP The District and Sessions Judge Court here yesterday framed charge against former BNP lawmaker Shahidul Alam Talukder of Baufal in an arms case.   5 hurt in Pabna highway robbery At least five bus passengers were injured in an attack by armed robbers at Chinakhora in Shanthia upazila on Dhaka-Pabna Highway in the early hours of yesterday, witnesses said.   I am yet to understand what reform means: Ershad "I am yet to understand what (political) reform means", Jatiya Party chairman said here yesterday.   Harijan children meet Kushtia DC Leaders of Harijon Shishu Forum, a newly formed body of Harijon children, met Kushtia Deputy Commissioner (DC) Nurul Islam yesterday for equal right to education and jobs.   BSF abducts one in Chuadanga Indian Border Security Force (BSF) yesterday abducted a Bangladeshi farmer when he was working on his field near Thakurpur border in Damurhuda upazila in Chuadanga.   3 children drown in Pabna Three children drowned in ponds in two separate incidents in Shujanagar and Pabna Sadar upazilas on Saturday. Point-Counterpoint Who will mourn the silent deaths? The tragic death of over a hundred persons killed in a dramatic landslide in Chittagong two weeks ago immediately drew public attention.   Between evil and civil The recent events of Bangladesh especially since 1/11 are revealing some of the deep contradictions in Bangladesh polity. These contradictions were in the making for quite some time.   Towards healthier entertainment Censorship" has never been a popular word with the media. When it comes to films, however, certain restrictions have always been deemed necessary due to the widespread reach and strong impact of the medium. Culture Fete de la Musique '07 begins at Alliance Francaise Alliance Francaise de Dacca is celebrating the World Music Festival, which started from June 21.   "Swapnodanay" and Golam Rabbany Biplob awarded Bangladeshi film Swapnodanay has been honoured at the Shanghai International Film Festival. For the film, Golam Rabbani Biplob has won the Best Director Award in "Asian New Talent" category.   "Mangal Desh": A sci-fi take on global crises On the eighth day (June 23) of the ongoing Children's Theatre Festival at Shaokat Osman Memorial Auditorium, Central Public Library, Kishore Theatre (Dhaka) staged Mangal Desh.   "La Vie En Rose": Moving biopic of a French national icon As recent biopics like Ray and Walk The Line have attested, the path to musical stardom is usually paved with rags before riches, and so it goes that Olivier Dahan's sizeable biopic of French singer Edith International Norway meet seeks to end Lanka bloodshed Peace broker Norway is holding a crucial meeting with Sri Lanka's top aid donors this week in a bid to halt a new wave of bloodshed, but analysts Sunday said they see little prospect of a breakthrough.   Rain causes mayhem in Karnataka, Maharashtra Torrential rains lashed Karnataka and Maharashtra yesterday, throwing rail and air traffic out of gear but the situation improved in worst-hit Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, even as the death toll in these   Embattled Nato admits more civilian deaths in anti-Taliban fight The Nato-led force in Afghanistan admitted yesterday to killing more civilians, this time in Pakistan, a day after harsh criticism from President Hamid Karzai about military operations.   Pak uncertainty puts peace process on hold Political uncertainty in Pakistan sparked by mass protests against President Pervez Musharraf and threats by exiled leaders that New Delhi should not rush to sign agreements with the military-backed regime   Clashes kill 10 in Lebanon Lebanese troops clashed with suspected al-Qaeda-inspired militants in the northern port city of Tripoli early Sunday.   Israel unfreezes taxes owed to Palestinians The Israeli government said yesterday it had approved in principle the release of hundreds of millions of dollars in tax receipts owed to the Palestinians on the eve of a Middle East summit in Egypt.   Sunni blocs boycott Iraqi parliament Parliament's two Sunni Arab blocs boycotted the 275-seat house on Sunday because the Sunni speaker, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, was not reinstated as they demanded.   IAEA official heads for North Korea A senior official from the UN nuclear watchdog left for North Korea yesterday to discuss how the agency's inspectors would monitor and verify the shutdown of the Yongbyon nuclear reactor.   Thousands greet sacked Pak judge With drums, petals and decorated horses, thousands of people gave Pakistan's suspended chief justice a festive welcome Sunday on his latest tour mustering support for his reinstatement.   US House votes to deny all aid to Saudi Arabia The US House of Representatives has voted to deny all aid to Saudi Arabia, despite repeated assurances by the administration the desert kingdom was cooperating with the United States in the war on terror.   Atlantis crew reunites with families Atlantis' seven astronauts reunited with their families in Texas on Saturday, a day after the space shuttle capped a two-week mission with a perfect landing in the Mohave Desert.   Thousands clash with police in China housing dispute Thousands of protesters clashed with police in eastern China last week after security teams moved in to forcefully relocate families involved in a housing dispute, a rights group said yesterday.   Brown confirmed as leader of Britain's Labour Party Gordon Brown was confirmed yesterday as the new leader of Britain's governing Labour Party, three days before he succeeds Tony Blair as prime minister.   Kashmir militants vow to continue attacks: 3 killed Three suspected Muslim rebels were shot dead yesterday in Indian Kashmir as the region's main guerrilla group vowed to continue attacks and shun peace talks, police and reports said.   British army scraps Sikh regiment idea: report The British army considered setting up a regiment for British Sikhs but dropped the idea because it did not want to segregate them from other soldiers, the Sunday Telegraph reported.   Rice in Paris for major Darfur conference US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Paris yesterday to take part in an international conference aimed at launching a new drive to end atrocities in Sudan's Darfur region.   China's west swelters under record temperatures Westernmost China's Xinjiang region was under a blistering heatwave yesterday, with the mercury hitting as high as 44.8 degrees Celsius (112.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in Turpan city, a local official said.   Attack plotted against German minister in Afghanistan German authorities learned of a plot to attack Defence Minister Franz Josef Jung when he visited Afghanistan earlier this month, the Bild am Sonntag newspaper reported. Editorial Editorial: Making EC secretariat independent We commend the decision made in principle by the council of advisers to the caretaker government to set up an independent Election Commission secretariat.   Editorial: Mushrooming clinics and labs We were taken by surprise to learn that six clinics and diagnostic centres are given licence by the authorities everyday, and that from January 1 to May 31, 2007 permission was accorded to as many as380   What ailed our politics The era of romantic democracy -- the one of egalitarianism, equality, welfare, and social justice is long over. We yearned for it for ages, without ever tasting it.   A speck of dust We no longer expect politicians to write, but we still expect them to read. There will probably come a moment when they will neither read nor write. The descent from Jawaharlal Nehru will then be complete.   Pakistan's own Hitler diaries It is impossible to be both a diarist and a statesman: each has a different focal length. Letters to Editor Iran scene I am writing with reference to letter: "Iran-USA relations," by Dr. Abdul Ruff Colachal (June 18). Dr. Colachal writes about Iran's determination to develop peaceful nuclear energy.   Caretaker government Would you please interview, study and make a report on "After the departure of caretaker government". It worries us as to what will happen after the CTG quits.   Sheikh Hasina's interview Thanks to the DS for taking an interview of Sheikh Hasina, the AL chief, and for publishing the same for our information.   Consumers' rights I noticed a DS news item on 13 June quoting Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) on the differences of prices of vegetables between growers' level and consumers' level.   Fisheries sector Our country is blessed with thousands of tanks and small ponds, hundreds of deep and wide flowing rivers meeting a concave shaped coastal area adjoining the rough Bay of Bengal.   Price hike At present all national dailies & electronic media are covering the news of price hike of all essential items and this price hike is continuing for a long time.   President of India The post of President in India is offered to one of the most loyal politicians who would submissively act as an automatic rubber-stamp of the ruling dispensation where prime minister decides every thing.   Public exams The SSC and the HSC and other equivalent exams will always start from the first working day of February and April respectively from 2010. I think this is a decision that must be appreciated.   Tarique Rahman I fully agree with Mr. Humayun Hyder of Zigatala. I also don't have any personal grudge against Tarique Rahman and I was never connected with any political party.   Good or evil? The eternal question of all time and a matter of intellectual debate; which can be interesting, intriguing and thought-provoking is that which came first in creation; good or evil? As children we used   Mismanagement in health dept. Gross mismanagement is taking place in the health department.   Extortion or donation? Upon reading the article by Dr.   What is Bangladesh? Whenever something appears strange in the flow of events in Bangladesh, I come back to you to express my opinion and feelings.   Foreign university branches I am a Bangladeshi student of American University Degree Program, MIS, in Malaysia. I am replying to the letter of Mr.   An account of life! Our birth is our opening balance. Our death is our closing balance Our prejudiced views are our liabilities. Our creative ideas/ good deeds are our assets. Heart is our current asset. Star City Rajuk starts door-to-door inspection to clean its own dirt After being in the dark for years, Rajuk has finally started door-to-door inspection of the countless number of high-rise buildings in the city to verify their legitimacy.   Family planning at Dhaka zoo Faced with a booming population, Dhaka zoo authorities have separated male and female animals as a part of their plan to introduce family planning.   Organised gangs control begging business at traffic lights Physically challenged beggars of all ages, some with injuries and horrendous skin sores continue to create nuisance at almost every traffic signal of the city begging from commuters.   Khoka's Corner   Still no sign of life Local government activities in the 90 Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) wards of the capital city still remain virtually inactive.   Shabby underpass...   "city express" The latest crop of quotes from the city's press -- words worth repeating, we feel, for their humour, insight or sheer outrageousness.   © thedailystar.net, 2007. All Rights Reserved.