Bangladesh at a glance

Country Name:
conventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladesh.
conventional short form: Bangladesh.

Data code: BG.
Government type: Republic.
Capital: Dhaka.

Administrative divisions: 6 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi & Sylhet.

Independence: 26 March 1971 (from Pakistan).

National holiday: Independence Day - 26 March (1971), 16 December 1971 is Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh, 21st February and more.

Constitution: 4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended following coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986, amended many times.

Legal system: based on English common law.


Executive branch:

Chief of state: President ; note - the president's duties are normally ceremonial, but with the 13th amendment to the constitution ("Caretaker Government Amendment"), the president's role becomes significant at times when Parliament is dissolved and a caretaker government is installed - at presidential direction - to supervise the elections

head of government: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (since 2009).

cabinet: Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed by the president.

elections: President elected by National Parliament for a five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats is usually appointed prime minister by the president.

Legislative branch: Unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad; 300 seats elected by popular vote from single territorial constituencies (the constitutional amendment reserving 45 seats for women over and above the 300 regular parliament seats ; members serve five-year terms.

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, the Chief Justices and other judges are appointed by the president.

Political parties: Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP; Awami League or AL; Jatiyo Party or JP; Jamaat-E-Islami or JI; Bangladesh Communist Party or BCP and many more

International organization participation: ADB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UNPREDEP, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO.

Flag description: green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of center; the red sun of freedom represents the blood shed to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush countryside, and secondarily, the traditional color of Islam.

Government Official Sites: Bangladesh

Prime Minister's Office Board of Investment Privatization Board, Bangladesh IT Task Force Ministry of Agriculture SAARC Agricultural Information Center Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI) Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Biman Bangladesh Airlines Hotels International Limited Ministry of Communication Jamuna Bridge Division Bangladesh Railway Ministry of Cultural Affairs Bangladesh National Museum Ministry of Defense Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization Survey of Bangladesh Ministry of Disaster Management & Relief Disaster Management Bureau Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Power Development Board Rural Electrification Board (REB) Ministry of Environment and Forest Bangladesh Forest Department Bangladesh Forest Research Institute Ministry of Establishment Bangladesh Civil Service Academy Bangladesh Public Administration Training Center Ministry of Finance Bangladesh Bank Finance Division National Board of Revenue (NBR) Reforms in Budgeting and Expenditure Control Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute Ministry of Food Ministry of Industries Bangladesh small and cottage industries corporation Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation Ministry of Information Press Information Department Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Local Government Engineering Department Ministry of Planning National Data Bank Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division Ministry of Post and Tele-communication Bangladesh Telephone and Telegraph Board Ministry of Religious Affairs Islamic Foundation Bangladesh Ministry of Science and Technology Bangladesh Computer Council Ministry of Water Resources Flood Forecasting and Warning Center Election Commission Secretariat Bangladesh Public Service Commission Secretariat Parliament Secretariat

Mohameddan win First Ever Super Cup

Photo: StarStar Online Report

Mohammedan Sporting Club today (Friday) won much-talked Tk 1 crore Citycell Super Cup final stunning their arch rival Abahani by 1-0 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the capital.

John Godwin of the winning side gave the opportunity for the black and white supporters to start celebrating at 23rd minute of the match when his shot found desired net from a minus of Bukola.

The opponent Abahani Limited seemed to be defensive since the match started at 5:00pm though they began to play attacking football in second session.

The absence of Blue’s midfielder Arif Khan Joy has been felt strongly in the whole match. Joy and Pranotosh Das were suspended after receiving too many cards in the previous matches of the tournament.

In second half, some constructive attacks from the losing side missed out because of goalkeeper Aminul’s superb guard under the bar.

Zahid Hossain Emily was named as the most valuable player who has received a car while the best goalkeeper Aminul Hqque of Mohammedan has received Tk 1 lakh.

Earlier the curtain of the much-awaited match between Mohameddan Sporting Club and Abahani Limited was raised up at 5:00 this afternoon.

Abahani, who won all three group matches, eliminated Brothers Union 3-2 on aggregate in the two-leg semi-finals while Mohammedan ousted their Chittagong namesake 3-2 in the penalty shootout after the semi-finals finished 1-1 on aggregate.

Today's final produced a houseful stadium after a long time and the previous matches also showed signs of the game's good old fans returning to the ground.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina watched the match and inspired the players of both the teams.

After the match, she expressed her gratitude to the audience for showing tremendous excitement to the event.

“Keep coming to the gallery like today you have come and help bring back our previous glory of the football,” the PM said.

Later, she distributed trophies to the champion and runner-up teams as chief guest.

Army Chief and Chairman of National Sports Council (NSC) General Moeen U Ahmed, State Minister for Youth and Sports Ahad Ali Sarker, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Citycell Michael Seymour and other football officials were present at the prize giving ceremony.

Bangladesh Television (BTV) telecasted the match live from the venue.

The richest prize ever in any domestic competition began on March 11.

Source : The Daily Star

Bengali online Magazines

Shaptahik2000
One of the prominent weekly magazines. Internatioinal subscription and online version available.
http://www.shaptahik2000.com

Weekly Anannya
For Mordern womans first choice weekly Magazine.
http://www.my-anannya.com

Computer Jagat
Monthly computer jagat; popular magazine published every month with latest information about IT in Bangladesh.
http://www.comjagat.com

Computer Barta
The Monthly Computer Barta, the popular ICT magazine that is working as a leading ICT media. Basically, The Monthly Computer Barta is working to create a new industry named ICT and Electronics in Bangladesh.
http://www.computerbarta.com

Colors of Bangladesh
Everything you wanted to know about Bangladesh.
http://www.colorsofbangladesh.com

Meghbarta
Meghbarta is an independent web-zine run on the basis of editorial policy agreed by a number of activists-writers-performers-journalists-photojournalist-artists. As a forum for online activism Meghbarta works to contribute to global and local struggles.
http://www.meghbarta.org

Alochona Magazine
Monthly news and opinion web-zine published by Alochona.org.
http://magazine.alochona.org

Monthly At-Tahreek
An extra-ordinary Islamic Research Journal of Bangladesh based on real Tawheed and Sahih Sunnah.aming to establishing a pure islamic society in Bangladesh.
http://www.at-tahreek.com

Ananda Alo
Online version of entertainment magazine by impress telefilms. The site is in bengali, bangla.
http://www.anandaalo.com


Weekly Evidence
The International Standard News Magazine from Bangladesh.
http://www.evidence-int.com

Tension along Myanmar border

Tension runs high along the Bangladesh-Myanmar borders as the neighbouring country started erecting barbed-wire fences unilaterally on its side of 200-kilometre land borders with Bangladesh, said defence sources.

The neighbouring nation is also mobilising its troops and naval force, sources said.

When contacted, Foreign Secretary Mohammad Towhid confirmed it saying Myanmar started mobilising its forces in the bordering areas since the November incident in the Bay of Bengal.

“The reinforcements are still there but we do not have any information about the construction of fences,” Towhid said.

Bangladesh has no problem if Myanmar erects fences on their territory, he said adding, “It will curb smuggling and illegal trespassing.”

Myanmar initiated erecting barbed-wire fences along its borders with Bangladesh since last November when its naval ships intruded into Bangladesh’s maritime boundary. But the construction of the fences became visible recently.

Sources said an airport in Myanmar’s Sitwa, close to Bangladesh border, is being revamped through construction of long runways.

Myanmar has also mobilised a number of China-made naval ships close to its maritime boundary with Bangladesh.

Defence sources said they have information that the Myanmarese military rulers were unhappy that the country in early November had to withdraw an oil and gas-drilling rig from Bangladesh’s maritime boundary which they claimed as theirs.

The rig was owned and operated by a South Korean company.

The then Bangladesh caretaker government tackled the situation requesting South Korea to call back its drilling rig. Later, Myanmar withdrew its vessels reluctantly.

Since then Myanmar has kept its soldiers on high alert alongside Bangladesh border while Bangladesh also put its troops on alert for some time.

Sources said Myanmarese soldiers recently erected barbed-wire fences at Kyin Chaung village in Northern Maungdau of Rakhine State in Myanmar’s westernmost part. Four cargo ships carrying barbed wires from Maungadau port reached Kyin Gan Bin Jetty on Monday.

They are being taken from the jetty to Nasaka Areas 1 and 2 with a plan to fence the areas from Maungdau to Paletwa, a triangle point on Bangladesh-Myanmar-India border, sources said.

“As tension mounts, smuggling in the bordering areas stopped totally,” said a source.

“A Myanmarese drilling rig was positioned close to Bangladesh maritime boundary the day before yesterday. But it did not enter our waters,” he added.

The government has already been informed about the prevailing situation but no specific instructions were given to the army, navy or air force.

Department of Archeology : Bangladesh

CONTACT INFORMATION of DEPARTMENT OF ARCHEOLOGY
Director Department of Archaeology Ministry of Cultural Affairs Peoples Republic of Bangladesh Telephone : 8126817, 8112715 Fax : 88-02-9114689 E-mail : archaeology@agnionline.com

Unofficial results of 8 UZ polls

Unofficial results of 8 UZ polls

Awami League supported candidates swept in the elections to 8 upazilas held today in one or more polling centres where January 2 voting was postponed due to troubles. Unofficial results announced(The Independent) • FULL STORY

Locals, NRBs join hands to produce power in Sylhet

So far, the Bangladeshi overseas community has investments in airlines, hotels, real estate business, amusement parks and superstores.

A private sector entrepreneur will invest over Tk 4.5 billion to produce power in Sylhet region, the company said Monday.Backed by Bangladeshi diaspora, the Sylhet-based Barkatullah Electro Dynamics Ltd (BEDL) will add 51 megawatt electricity to the national grid by May with plans to add another 50 MW by early next year, managing director Gulam Rabbani Chowdhury said.(.(The Financial Express)) • FULL STORY

Many big shots involved in BDR carnage: Minister

Many big shots involved in BDR carnage: Minister
"Two foreign intelligence agencies have helped us to probe the BDR massacre," Khan

Commerce minister Faruq Khan said many powerful persons, including militants, were involved in the 25-26 February BDR mutiny and that they are now trying to save the BDR men directly involved in the killings and looting.(The News Today) • FULL STORY

TOTAL has discovered hydrocarbon in Cox's Bazar

Total, the French oil company, has discovered hydrocarbon in Cox's Bazar and in the Bay of Bengal much to the relief of energy-starvedgreater Chittagong and the country as well, officials said Thursday.

The company told the Petrobangla Tuesday that it was able to locatethe 'presence' of hydrocarbon in block nos. 17 and 18, which alsocover part of the St Martin islands in the Bay.

"The company said it has found hydrocarbon in these structures, which means there might be oil or gas or both," a senior Petrobangla official told the FE.

The company shared its offshore gas survey results with Petrobangla Tuesday and the commercial viability of hydrocarbon of both these structures would be announced through consultation early next month, the Petrobangla official said.

"We are quite satisfied with the data we acquired through the survey," a Total official told the FE.

Terming the outcome of the survey campaign 'good' the Total official hoped to demonstrate details of the outcome soon.

Total, the world's fourth largest energy company, invested around US$ 18 million to conduct the extensive three dimensional (3D) survey in both these structures in the Bay near Myanmar border that covers 18,367 square kilometres.

If the company's discovery matches the commercial viability, it would be one of the biggest hydrocarbon findings in the country's history, a senior energy ministry official said.

Total would then make a work-plan for field development and submit it to Petrobangla for approval.

If all the exploration activities goes smoothly, oil or gas production from these offshore structures would be initiated within three to four years.

This would be Total's entry into oil and gas production in Bangladesh.

Total is already present in the refining and marketing sectors in Bangladesh, with activities in lubricants and liquefied petroleum gas.

Total holds a 30 per cent stake including the operatorship in these two blocks. Irish oil company Tullow has 32 per cent, followed by Thai energy giant PTTEP 30 per cent and US companies Oakland and Rexwood eight per cent stakes in these structures.

State energy corporation Petrobangla rented both the blocks to US joint venture Rexwood-Oakland during the country's first round energy bidding in January 1997, but the companies did not carry out any exploration work due to poor gas demand in the country during that time. Later Tullow bought majority shares from the US companies. In 2006 Tullow sold its 60 per cent stake to Total, which recently sold half of its stake to the PTTEP.

Blocks 17 and 18 are close to Myanmar's prospective gas blocks. Myanmar discovered around 6.0 TCF of gas reserves in the adjacent offshore gas blocks discovered recently by several international oil and gas companies (IOCs).

Petrobangla officials said the discovery of gas at the offshore fields could bring double cheers to the country, now facing soaring energy crisis amid booming industrial growth.

"If it is found that the discovery is a big one, it will bring to an end to the chronic gas crisis in the southeastern Chittagong region within a few years," said an official.

These structures could also contribute significantly to meet the mounting energy demands across the country.

Major industries, power and fertiliser plants across the country have been facing acute crisis of energy since last year as the demand exceeded supply by a great length.

Country's current gas production is now hovering around 1800 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) against the demand for over 2050 mmcfd.

Bangladesh E-News:

Online Sources of Current News on Bangladesh

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• Newspapers

  Ajker Kagoj

  Bengali language daily. Font installation required. Individual articles in PDF format. Archive goes back to January 1, 2006.

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  Bangladesh Observer

  English language daily. Contains a sampling of current day's articles from the print edition. Archive goes back to 8 September 2003.

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  BDNews24

  English-language daily. Site contains current issue only. Archive not available. Some features require site registration.

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  The Daily Star

  English language daily. Archive back to November, 2001, but many issues missing.

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  Dainik Inqilab (Daily Inqilab)

  Bengali language daily. Online issues only include November 13 through December 14, 2002, and can accessed by adding a date indication to the url, e.g. "http://www.bangladesh.net/dailyinqilab/december1/", etc.

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  Dainik Ittefaq (Daily Ittefaq)

  Bengali language daily. No font installation required. Individual articles in PDF format. Archive goes back to October 28, 2001.

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  Dainik Janakantha

  Bengali language daily. No font installation required. Individual articles in PDF format. Archive goes back to December 2003.

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  The Independent

  English language daily. Archive back to September 2004, but many issues missing. Internal search engine apparently not fnctioning.

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  Jai Jai Din

  Bengali language weekly. No font installation required. Individual articles in PDF format. Archive goes back approximately one year.

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  Jugantor

  Bengali language daily. No font installation required. Individual articles in PDF format. Archive covers preceding 7 days.

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  Manavzamin

  Bengali language daily. No font installation required. Individual articles in PDF format. Current day's issue only. No archives online.

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  The New Nation

  English language daily. No browsable archive, but simple search engine gives access to articles from earlier issues.

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  Prothom Alo

  Bengali language daily. No font installation required. Individual articles in PDF format. Archive goes back to 2004.

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  Sylhet Times

  English and Bengali language daily. Bengali font installation required for Bengali language articles. Rolling six-month archive of backfiles and with full-text search.

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  Washington Post - Bangladesh Articles

  Web compilation of current and recent Washington Post articles on Bangladesh. Archives link is for general keyword searching through entire archives, and is not limited to Bangladesh articles.