World Defense Forum

Saif · Thursday at 7:24 PM

Five killed as Indian soldiers battle rebels in J&K

Indian security forces in Kashmir yesterday killed at least five suspected gunmen in ongoing clashes, the army said, the latest outbreak of violence in the disputed Muslim-majority Himalayan region.

www.thedailystar.net

Five killed as Indian soldiers battle rebels in J&K

Indian security forces in Kashmir yesterday killed at least five suspected gunmen in ongoing clashes, the army said, the latest outbreak of violence in the disputed Muslim-majority Himalayan region.

"Five terrorists have been neutralised by the security forces in the ongoing operation", the Indian army's Chinar Corps said, adding that two soldiers had been wounded in the firefight.

Half a million Indian troops are deployed in the far northern region, battling a 35-year insurgency in which tens of thousands of civilians, soldiers and rebels have been killed, including at least 120 this year.

Bilal9 · Thursday at 6:51 PM

Mainerik said:
@Bilal9 @LegionnairE This is heavily politics related because this guy has been going to countries and countries and mocking the people. Including Japan and Thailand. South Koreans were the only one to stand up to him and it caused an uproar in the 'East Asian' - Altaic-Turkic countries and their 'calm' demeanors.

So I would say this is heavily politic/military related.

I am sorry my friend - that seems to be quite a stretch and I cannot agree.

I think this belongs in either chill thread or whatever thread.

I will leave it up to you to move your initial post please. Then I can delete the thread here.

Lulldapull · Thursday at 10:23 AM

Sharma Ji said:
Stephen Fry is an English actor, broadcaster, comedian, director, narrator and writer.

@Lulldapull

Hes right. Driving on the motorway with my brother going north of Manchester to a restaurant just last month, he told me that over the last few years the British right has had a huge swelling of their ranks and that entire towns in the UKs north are turning very right wing. Scotland being the worst ones among them.

Dogun18 · Thursday at 7:32 AM

In response to a question regarding the reported upcoming visit of the Japanese Foreign Minister to China and planned talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Chinese FM spokesperson Lin Jian stated on Monday that China values maintaining dialogue and communication with Japan at all levels and in various fields, and is willing to work together with Japan to promote China-Japan relations.

As for the visit, Lin mentioned that he currently has no information to provide.

According to Kyodo News on Saturday, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya is arranging talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on December 25, a Japanese government source close to the matter said, in what will be his first visit to the neighboring country as Japan's top diplomat.

@Jiangnan

Global Times

Vsdoc · Thursday at 6:12 AM

Lulldapull said:
It’s a jungli Ayurveda fruit:

View attachment 11822

Its actually quite tasty. Ghar pe banta hai. Not regularly though. We (kids) more mausambi types.

Bagheera0084 · Thursday at 5:49 AM

Pehle dar lagta tha ki zindagi ek hi baar milti hai
Ab khushi hoti hai

Bilal9 · Thursday at 3:58 AM

Saif said:
Stop the exploitation of tea workers in Bangladesh and fix the industry

Equal opportunities are no longer enough to bring the tea workers in Bangladesh out of their current conditions.

www.thedailystar.net

Stop the exploitation of tea workers in Bangladesh and fix the industry
Tea workers at Bawani tea garden in Habiganj

View attachment 9261
Women tea workers of Bawani tea garden in Habiganj carrying headloads of green tea leaves, on August 26, 2024. PHOTO: PHILIP GAIN

For nearly seven weeks, more than 12,000 tea workers in 12 tea gardens under the National Tea Company Limited (NTC) have been living in anxiety about the payment of their wages. After they were paid Tk 595 on August 12, which is half of the weekly payment, the payment was halted till September 25, the day they were paid another instalment of the same amount. This is pretty bad for these workers as the Durga Puja festivities are set to begin on October 9. Thankfully, they have not stopped work and production.

However, to keep the management under pressure, the tea workers blocked consignments of made tea out of the garden warehouses. After a negotiation with the management and relevant state agencies, they allowed the release of two consignments from Patrokhola Tea Estate in Moulvibazar's Kamalganj upazila, the largest tea garden of the NTC, and one consignment from each of the 11 other tea gardens on October 1. In exchange, they were paid a week's salary on the same day, confirmed Shipon Chakraborty, panchayat president of Patrokhola. Now the deal is, these workers will release the next consignments from the warehouses when the NTC management clears dues and bonus before Durga Puja.

What we see in the NTC gardens is bad management. NTC is a public limited company formed in 1978 under the Companies Act, 1913. The state holds 51 percent of the shares, and 49 percent are traded in Dhaka and Chattogram stock markets for the general public. Of its 12 tea gardens, seven are located in Moulvibazar, four in Habiganj, and one in Sylhet.

The NTC management, for which the government is responsible, is polluted by politics. The tea gardens, taken over by the government after independence, are located in a good topographic zone, yet they perform very poorly. According to a news report, between July and December of 2023, the company posted a net loss of Tk 26.66 crore. The company's lousy tea garden management is manifested in the look of its gardens: tea plants are sparse and without enough shade trees, among other things. The company's troubles have gotten worse since the sudden political change on August 5, following which the chairman of the company's board of directors, Sheikh Kabir Hossain, reportedly a relative of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has disappeared and the board has almost collapsed.

The tea workers and their lone union, Bangladesh Cha Sramik Union (BCSU), are trying to negotiate with the NTC management. Half-fed or with an empty stomach, these workers have been showing their patience and working regularly in the hope that the management will stay true to its words and clear the full payment of their due wages and bonus before Durga Puja, the biggest festival of Hindus in Bangladesh.

However, NTC now faces many insurmountable challenges. According to a top government official dealing with tea gardens, it has a debt of Tk 380 crore with the Bangladesh Krishi Bank. This year, the company requested for a loan of Tk 150 crore, but the bank sanctioned Tk 86 crore only, which got exhausted by July, said a government official dealing with tea gardens, on condition of anonymity. Per the arrangement of loan repayment, brokers in auction houses transfer the bank's share of sale proceeds directly to its account. The owners get their shares. But the workers are left with no other option but to block the made tea consignments.

While NTC gardens show serious anomalies—which is typical of state-run businesses—there are other private companies and proprietors in the industry that are also plagued with mismanagement and corruption that put their workers in deep crisis. The Imam and Bawani tea estates in Habiganj are a prime example here. The government official disclosed that Imam tea garden was completely shut down along with its factory in October last year after a prolonged crisis. The responsibility for the management of Bawani estate was vested on the deputy director of labour (DDL) in Sreemangal as a result. But the DDL has been having a hard time managing the estate. And the workers of these two gardens are also suffering.

The recent strike called by the Bangladesh Cha Sramik Union (BCSU) has brought the sufferings of our tea workers to the fore. They are demanding a minimum wage of Tk 300 a day to improve their day-to-day lives.

Another example of bad tea garden management is Fultala Tea Garden in Moulvibazar's Juri upazila. Around 1,600 workers in this tea garden have not gotten paid for 12 weeks, as a government official told me. The owner lives in London and has reportedly shut down the garden, though it is still in production to some extent because of the workers. With a bank loan of Tk 50 crore, the owner is in deep trouble, the government official disclosed.

The official further revealed that 79 tea gardens are in terrible shape. These gardens have not made their due contributions to the Provident Fund (PF) for months. Gas and power lines have been cut off in a number of the gardens for not paying the bills. Many of them are selling green tea leaves to other tea gardens for processing as their own factories are not running.

View attachment 9262
Tea workers busy at Bawani tea garden in Habiganj, on August 26, 2024. PHOTO: PHILIP GAIN

Many tea garden owners argue that they are in trouble because the price of tea has gone down while the production cost is rising. Indeed, the government has a policy to expand the tea-growing areas that contribute to increasing production.

Of course, there are examples of good companies that manage their gardens well, take good care of their workers within the existing framework, and make good profits. One such company is Ispahani Tea Limited, which has four gardens. The best among them is Zareen, located in Moulvibazar. While the average production per acre is around 1,600kg, its per acre production is 3,000kg, and the per acre production of all four gardens averages around 2,500kg, according to management. The price that the company gets is good. Almost all houses in the labour lines at Zareen Tea Estate are pucca. The condition of houses in other tea gardens of Ispahani are also much better than in other tea gardens. The workers get better deals with other fringe benefits, the Ispahani management claims.

It is in the best interest of the tea industry in Bangladesh, not to mention the workers, that changes happen for the better. The interim government, which has committed itself to reforms to end discrimination and inequality, should consider giving immediate attention to the tea industry that is in disarray as a whole. The tea garden workers, around 140,000 of them, and their community of around half a million people have been facing severe discrimination for generations, since the beginning of the industry during British colonial times.

First of all, the tea industry, specifically the tea gardens, need proper mapping. Good gardens and bad gardens need to be identified and the reasons must be explained for chalking out recommendations to bring the necessary changes so that none of the tea gardens are beyond scrutiny for mismanagement, corruption, and financial misappropriation. All parties involved with the tea industry must come under scrutiny and be made accountable.

Second, clear attempts must be made to ensure the well-being of tea garden workers, who are deprived of equal treatment and dignity as citizens of Bangladesh. To begin with, a just and respectable wage structure must be fixed for these workers. The former prime minister fixed their daily cash wage at Tk 170 in August 2022, which is certainly not fair. She was allegedly guided by the owners of tea gardens, and her move was political when the minimum wage board was made to fail. Now the time has come to overhaul the tea industry to ensure justice for the tea workers.

Another concern while dealing with their well-being is discrimination in the labour laws and regulations for them, and the owners' routine violation of several sections of the labour legislation, which cannot be justified in any way. While these anomalies have been exposed on various platforms, fresh consultations with tea workers, their trade union and others concerned, will definitely help bring out more details. It is a test for any government to make sure that the state agencies under the labour ministry who are responsible for executing the labour law and rules act honestly.

Tea garden workers, most of whom belong to minority communities, are largely invisible and voiceless. Wage deprivation and social exclusion from the British colonial times have rendered them a weak population, left behind in terms of education and economic progress. Equal opportunities are not enough for them. They deserve some preferential treatment to help them get out of their current condition. The interim government has a big responsibility here.

Philip Gain is researcher and director at the Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD).

I believe the tea garden workers are almost all of Tamil descent (some are indigenous tribal descent, called Santals). Extremely poor and subject of rampant Tea Garden abuse. the British imported these Tamil laborers from South India and they decided to become Pakistani (then Bangladeshi) citizens. The Santals came from various West Bengal communities.

Very sad. Govt. must establish laws to protect their identity and livelihood.

Bilal9 · Thursday at 3:10 AM

Saif said:
Pakistan navy got the TOT for Yuan class (Type 039B) submarine. The latest version of Yuan is Type 039D.

Bangladesh's defense budget is not much as compared to other South Asian countries. Currently it is a little over 1% of our GDP. Our economy has been doing badly because of rampant corruption and money laundering by the Hasina regime and its beneficiaries.

I think ToT purchases are for the time being - overkill for us. These cost a lot more than regular purchases.

PakistanProud · Thursday at 1:41 AM

Vsdoc said:
Reverted back now.

It was there all day today.

Good to hear. Let us know if anything else arises.

Saif · Wednesday at 6:56 PM

Thailand to launch e-visa for Bangladeshis on Jan 2; here’s how to apply

Bangladeshi official passport holders will be exempt from visa requirements starting December 19

www.thedailystar.net

Thailand to launch e-visa for Bangladeshis on Jan 2; here’s how to apply

Thailand is simplifying travel for Bangladeshis with the introduction of its e-visa service, making the visa application process more convenient and efficient.

The e-visa service will be launched for Bangladeshis from January 2, The Royal Thai Embassy in Dhaka said in a statement yesterday.

Bangladeshi official passport holders will be exempt from visa requirements starting December 19, 2024, it also said.

The official passports are issued to Bangladesh government employees, government officials and individuals representing the Bangladeshi government on official business.

Applicants will be able to fill out the application form and upload required documents on the website https://www.thaievisa.go.th without the need to submit their passport.

With this new system, the applicants will receive the approved visa by e-mail which should be printed and presented to the Thai immigration at the port of entry.

Due to certain technical limitations, applicants in Bangladesh are unable to pay the visa fee directly on the e-visa website. After submitting the application, the system will generate a "Payment Info Summary" sheet, which includes the application reference number, QR code, and the visa fee amount. Applicants must transfer the payment to the Thai Embassy's bank account via thaievisa – Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC and upload the "Payment Info Summary" sheet for verification. Cash payments at the bank will not be accepted.

The e-visa will typically be processed within 10 working days. Detailed instructions on how to apply for the Thai e-Visa are available on the website.

To prepare for the new e-visa system, the Royal Thai Embassy in Dhaka will stop accepting applications through the four visa application centers from December 24, added the statement.

Saif · Wednesday at 6:54 PM

তত্ত্বাবধায়ক সরকারব্যবস্থা বিলুপ্তির বিধান বাতিল করলেন হাইকোর্ট

Saif · Wednesday at 6:40 PM

The Gen Z factor in geopolitics and the Bangladesh-US dynamics

Gen Z should keep in mind that the US cannot afford to overlook a partner like Bangladesh given the country’s pivotal position in South Asia’s economic landscape.

www.thedailystar.net

The Gen Z factor in geopolitics and the Bangladesh-US dynamics

VISUAL: SALMAN SAKIB SHAHRYAR

In his victory speech following the US presidential election last month, President-elect Donald Trump began by thanking his supporters and highlighting the unwavering support of his family, especially his youngest son, Barron Trump. Barron, who stood by his father's side during the speech, was acknowledged as a source of strength throughout the campaign, particularly his silent role in shaping the podcast strategy for the Trump campaign during the election. Barron masterminded the well-crafted campaign's digital presence, utilising podcasts as a key platform to engage with tech-savvy voters, with his calm presence offering a softening contrast to the fiery rhetoric of the election. This draws an interesting parallel to developments in Bangladesh, and both offer a glimpse into a future where youth-driven values can guide the direction of politics and trade.

The argument that those belonging to Generation Z, or Gen Z, is too immature to take on higher roles, overtaking more experienced generations, overlooks the fact that maturity and leadership are not solely defined by age or years of experience, but by fresh perspectives and the ability to address current challenges. Rather than criticising Gen Z for stepping into leading roles, it is more productive to guide them through the complexities of the future. By fostering intergenerational collaboration, older generations can equip Gen Z with the tools they need to lead effectively in an ever-evolving global landscape, navigating the nuances of decision-making, diplomacy, and long-term strategy. For instance, Gen Z in Bangladesh must grasp the complexities of global trade, including the influence of major powers like the US, China, Russia and the EU, each with its own economic priorities and strategies.

Gen Z should keep in mind that the US cannot afford to overlook a partner like Bangladesh given the country's pivotal position in South Asia's economic landscape. Bangladesh's geopolitical location along the Bay of Bengal places it at the crossroads of vital maritime routes and in close proximity to other major players, including India and China. Supporting Bangladesh's economic stability aligns with the US Indo-Pacific Strategy, offering a counterbalance to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and reducing excessive reliance on Beijing in an increasingly contested region. By understanding these complexities, Gen Z leaders can advocate for policies that not only drive growth locally, but also position Bangladesh as a bridge between aforesaid larger powers. Likewise, they must actively participate in international forums, harnessing its geopolitical influence to negotiate better trade terms, attract foreign green investments, and secure support on critical climate issues, especially given Bangladesh's vulnerability.

For the US, missing out on Bangladesh as a partner would mean yielding influence in South Asia to China and Russia, potentially limiting its own access to the rapidly growing South Asian market and diminishing regional strategic foothold. Conversely, by leveraging the Indo-Pacific Strategy and EU Global Gateway together with the potential BRICS and ASEAN alignment, Bangladesh can pursue a more autonomous development path that safeguards its economic interests and strategic flexibility. This multi-aligned approach empowers Bangladesh to tap into a variety of global resources, strengthening its economy while asserting its role as a key player in the geopolitical and economic order of Asia.

Gen Z should recognise that Bangladesh's growing maturity opens new opportunities for deeper US engagement given a renewed Trump presidency. No longer just a partner for development assistance or low-cost manufacturing, Bangladesh is increasingly a sophisticated strategic ally ready to foster a forward-looking relationship based on mutual economic growth and matured strategic alignment. Expanding trade and investment in emerging sectors, supporting the diversification of Bangladesh's economy, and increasing trade preferences could not only secure US interests in Asia, but also ensure that Bangladesh remains resilient in a region of growing strategic significance.

Bangladesh's growing role as a soft power leader within the Muslim world is a significant asset that enhances its strategic appeal to the US, especially amid shifting global alliances. As the world's third largest Muslim-majority country, Bangladesh is well-positioned to influence and engage with other Muslim-majority nations with a rich history of promoting religious tolerance and social stability. This moderate stance of the country offers a model that can resonate in regions susceptible to extremism, making it a potentially valuable partner for the US in promoting win-win stability across the Muslim world. For the US, which has often struggled to engage with Muslim-majority countries in ways that align with both security interests and values, Bangladesh's leadership in the Muslim world offers a resourceful bridge.

A second Trump administration would have an opportunity to engage with Bangladesh as it aims to establish more accountable governance free from the undue influence of neighbouring powers. Bangladesh is currently navigating complex challenges, including political reforms, economic stabilisation, and curbing external pressures. Recent steps taken by the interim government to introduce reforms in various crucial sectors signal a desire for a more transparent and autonomous leadership, making it an ideal time for the US to support Bangladesh's ambitions for a stable and sovereign future. Furthermore, by addressing the root causes of regional crises, such as border tensions, refugee pressures and political interference, Trump could advance a cooperative framework that supports Bangladesh's national sovereignty. Moreover, the Yunus effect for Bangladesh stands as a powerful equation linking the US and Bangladesh through shared values of economic development, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility.

The role of a well-informed Gen Z in shaping Bangladesh-US trade relations through a growing demand for stability, sovereignty, and sustainability will only strengthen them, positioning them as a key catalyst for transformative change in future global trade dynamics.

Dr Iftekhar Ul Karim is assistant professor at BRAC Business School, BRAC University.

Saif · Wednesday at 6:35 PM

Govt to form taskforce for semiconductor industry

A high-level taskforce will work with Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) to formulate a roadmap for the development of a semiconductor sector, focusing on testing, assembly and scaling up capabilities. .The decision was taken at a meeting titled “Semiconductors – A New Fro

www.thedailystar.net

Govt to form taskforce for semiconductor industry
Bida adds four new services to OSS portal

A high-level taskforce will work with Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) to formulate a roadmap for the development of a semiconductor sector, focusing on testing, assembly and scaling up capabilities.

The decision was taken at a meeting titled "Semiconductors – A New Frontier for the Bangladesh Economy and Employment" among stakeholders organised by Bida at its headquarters in the capital today, said a press release.

"We are forming a taskforce with representatives from industry, academia, the diaspora, and government to identify barriers and recommend actionable solutions," said M Siraz Uddin Miah, principal secretary to the chief adviser, while presiding over the meeting.

"I urge stakeholders to leverage Bida as a one-stop platform to align government policies and priorities," he said.

Mashuque Rahman, founder of Green Quest, delivered the keynote presentation, highlighting priority areas within the semiconductor value chain and recommendations for growth.

"Bangladesh currently generates approximately $6 million annually from semiconductor activities, primarily through integrated circuit design services," said Ashik Chowdhury, executive chairman of Bida and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority.

However, the downstream stages of packaging, assembly, and testing offer immediate opportunities for expansion, he said.

"Based on today's discussions, our next steps will focus on policy development, promotion, and capacity building," he added.

"Besides updating our university curricula, we have to enhance our style of teaching and make sure our students are taking the knowledge home," said Mohammed Enayetur Rahman, founder and CEO of ULKASEMI, a Silicon Valley-based semiconductor design services company.

"We are willing to engage further with university students to help them understand the job description," he said.

The speakers provided a list of recommendations, including ensuring intellectual property protections, introducing semiconductor-focused courses in select universities, introducing shared training facilities and engaging non-resident Bangladeshis for global promotion.

Shish Haider Chowdhury, secretary to the ICT division, and Maj Gen Md Nasim Parvez, commandant of the Military Institute of Science and Technology, along with representatives from PrimeSilicon Technology, Tahoe Communications, Neural Semiconductors Limited, Haison International Limited, Integrated Development Foundation, BRAC University, and Southeast University were also present.

Saif · Wednesday at 6:31 PM

13 dead, 99 rescued as Indian Navy craft hits ferry

A military helicopter flies over a ferry during a rescue operation after a passenger boat capsized off the coast of India's financial capital Mumbai, India, December 18, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Thirteen persons were killed and 99 rescued yesterday after an Indian Navy craft crashed into a ferry off the coast of Mumbai, the Navy said.

At about 4:00pm, a Navy craft undergoing engine trials lost control and collided with a passenger ferry off Karanja near Mumbai, the Navy said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

The ferry was carrying passengers from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, a popular tourist destination.

"13 fatalities have been reported so far," it said adding survivors rescued from the incident site were being shifted to nearby hospitals.

The Navy said, "Search and rescue efforts have been immediately launched wherein four naval helicopters, 11 naval crafts, one Coast Guard boat and three marine police crafts have been pressed in action for recovering the survivors."

Saif · Wednesday at 6:26 PM

Malaysia for strengthening bilateral ties with Bangladesh

Malaysia is looking forward to closer ties with Bangladesh, said Malaysian Higher Education Minister Dr Zambry Andel Kadir

www.thedailystar.net

Malaysia for strengthening bilateral ties with Bangladesh
Malaysia minister pays courtesy call on Prof Yunus in Caro, pledges support to solve Rohingya crisis

Photo: PID

Malaysia is looking forward to strengthening its ties with Bangladesh, said Malaysian Higher Education Minister Dr Zambry Andel Kadir yesterday.

According to the Chief Adviser's Press Wing, Kuala Lumpur is also willing to work with Dhaka to address the Rohingya crisis.

The Malaysian minister said these while paying a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the St Regis Hotel in Cairo, Egypt's capital.

They discussed issues of mutual interest between the two countries, including the recruitment of Bangladeshis in Malaysia and the expansion of higher education ties, the release added.

Kadri also said Kuala Lumpur would continue to support Bangladesh's inclusion as a sectoral dialogue partner of Asean.

The chief adviser said he has proposed an international conference on the Rohingya crisis and expects Malaysia to support the move.

He said over 80,000 new Rohingyas have entered Bangladesh in recent months after the latest bout of violence gripped Myanmar's Rakhine state, which has been home to the Rohingya people for centuries.

Prof Yunus said he also favoured creating an UN-supervised safe zone for the displaced people in Rakhine state in an effort to assist the violence-plagued region.

During the talks, Yunus said his government planned to hold elections by the first half of 2026.

Saif · Wednesday at 1:00 PM

Lulldapull said:
Saif bhai if the first person who uses nukes is committing suicide!

Nuclear bomb may not be used in a war but it has a strong deterrent effect.

Saif · Wednesday at 12:58 PM

LegionnairE said:
View attachment 11796

Portuguese Navy Awards Türkiye’s STM Contract to Build Multirole Logistics Support Ships - Naval News

On December 17, 2024, the Portuguese Navy and Türkiye's Defence Industry Presidency signed a contract for the construction of two replenishment vessels for the Portuguese Navy.

www.navalnews.com

We're exporting ships to a NATO/EU Navy for the first time.

Congratulations Brother. Turkey has a world-class ship building industry. As far as I know your shipyards are busy with designing a new generation submarine.

Sharma Ji · Wednesday at 7:35 AM

Chess bc

Sharma Ji · Wednesday at 4:47 AM

Ahh, just came to me.. memory bolt

Nicheren daishonen !

The 'nam yo ho renge kyo' thing

Saif · Wednesday at 1:36 AM

Krishna with Flute said:
After realizing that India has changed after Dokalm conflict, Chumar Conflict and Galwan conflicts, China seems to have decided to do truce with India. Everybody has to bow down to rising sun. India is a bright and shinning spot in world map with supply of hyper genius manpower, only country to have surplus skilled manpower, supplier of generic medicine, supplier of food grain and contributor of world order. Those who tries to either ignore India or tries to make enmity with India will pay price in terms of so many things. China took wise decision in the end. Afterall, China is a very old civilization, and they have the wisdom like Europeans and Americans.

Peace between China and India is necessary for the stability of Asia.

Lulldapull · Wednesday at 1:27 AM

Sharma Ji said:
Baaki, I'm not as confident in Iran's warfighting capabilities because they'll be up against not just the Israelis, but the US and possibly more western nations even if not all of NATO

I believe Khamenei has given strict orders to not escalate, no matter what.

If war escalates and Iran actually has to put skin in da game, then Iran loses.

Right now it’s just Irani proxies vs the US proxy israel.

Saif · Tuesday at 9:46 PM

Zainkhan said:
The day which splitted us. Perhaps it was the results of all those injustice but still Bangla partitions means a lot of pain of those who love humanity.

Thanx for the nice comment, brother.

Sharma Ji · Tuesday at 9:36 PM

Also the fact that NATO/west are far more likely to come to Israel's rescue all guns blazing than go up against Imam Putinullah. Wahan koi shaq nahi hai uski aatmi taqat ka.. US fir bhi bach sakta hai in case of nuclear boom boom, Europe will be khallas'd in a matter of minutes.

Kaha Roos, kaha Irani.. no comparison, bro.

Saif · Tuesday at 7:49 PM

Protecting marginal poultry farms

Bangladesh's poultry market which supplies the cheaper variety of proteins like eggs and chickens to the general consumers often turns volatile. As usual, the blame for any sudden price hike of poultry products goes to the syndicates, meaning, the so-called nexus of the monopolies engaged in poultr

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Protecting marginal poultry farms
Editorial
Published :
Dec 18, 2024 00:16
Updated :
Dec 18, 2024 00:16

Bangladesh's poultry market which supplies the cheaper variety of proteins like eggs and chickens to the general consumers often turns volatile. As usual, the blame for any sudden price hike of poultry products goes to the syndicates, meaning, the so-called nexus of the monopolies engaged in poultry production and marketing. However, big companies in poultry business deny the allegations arguing that being a competitive market, it is not possible to distort it by any syndicate. Any attempt to that end, they contend, would end up in loss to such a syndicate. Amid such allegations and their denials, the net losers, obviously, are the general consumers, who have been paying through the nose whenever prices of eggs and chickens go up. Others at the receiving end in such eventualities are the small and marginal poultry farmers. As they have to buy poultry feeds and chicks from the large dealers of these items, any price escalation of the inputs drives up the production cost of the eggs and chickens the small farmers produce. As a result, they are often compelled to sell their products at a loss, while, benefiting from the economies of scale, large companies in the poultry sector continue to dominate the market and make huge profits, to great disadvantage of about 90 per cent of small and marginal farmers managing small poultry farms.

It is against this backdrop that a platform of the small and marginal poultry farmers and traders, the Bangladesh Poultry Association (BPA), has reportedly threatened to stop production of eggs and broiler chickens across the nation from January 1, 2025 unless their ten-point demands are met by the government. Notably, their demands include curbing the dominance of the corporate entities over the poultry sector, who, according to BPA leaders, were behind destabilisation of the chicken and egg market. At the same time, they (BPA leaders) were critical of the government for what they said its siding with the poultry corporates instead of resolving the crisis the small and marginal farmers are facing.

Understandably, it is out of desperation that the BPA has issued such an ultimatum, which no doubt demands serious attention of the government. For one cannot lose sight of the fact that livelihood of some five million people engaged in small-scale poultry farming and trading is at stake here. These small and marginal farmers have been the traditional supplier of poultry items to precede the emergence of modern poultry farming, let alone the corporate businesses in this sector. They still play a vital role in maintaining a stable supply chain in this sector, come rain or shine, and thereby contributing immensely to the nation's food security.

Therefore, the government should take steps to protect the small-scale operators in the poultry sector by enabling them to buy inputs like feeds and chicks to continue their business without depending on the large firms. Also, these cash-strapped small and marginal operators should have access to cheap, where possible, interest-free, credit so they could continue with their trade. It is highly concerning that, out of around 150,000 small and marginal poultry farmers in the past, according to some estimates, only about 60,000 are now surviving. In this regard, the BPA, for instance, has long been blaming the 'price manipulation of the feeds and chicks by poultry corporates' for disappearance of small poultry farms. That calls for strict monitoring and being merciless against any excesses committed by the corporate sector in this regard. At the same time, efforts should be there to help create an atmosphere of understanding among all parties in the greater interest of the poultry sector.

Saif · Tuesday at 7:43 PM

Saudi issues visas up to 6,000 Bangladeshi workers

Saudi Arabia has increased the number of visas it grants to Bangladeshi workers, in line with the implementation of its ambitious development plan. According to Dubai-based Gulf News, the country is currently issuing between 4,0000 to 6,000 labour visas to Bangladeshis daily, with the possibility

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Saudi issues visas up to 6,000 Bangladeshi workers
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Dec 17, 2024 23:10
Updated :
Dec 17, 2024 23:10

Saudi Arabia has increased the number of visas it grants to Bangladeshi workers, in line with the implementation of its ambitious development plan.

According to Dubai-based Gulf News, the country is currently issuing between 4,0000 to 6,000 labour visas to Bangladeshis daily, with the possibility of further increases shortly.

Last month, Saudi Arabia recruited 83,000 workers from Bangladesh, marking the highest number of recruitments from any country in a single month, reports bdnews24.com.

This recruitment drive is part of the country's focus on executing its “Vision 2030” development plan.

As part of the plan, Saudi Arabia is preparing for major events such as the 2034 FIFA World Cup and the 2030 Riyadh Expo, alongside large-scale projects such as the construction of airports, railways, and stadiums.

These initiatives have significantly increased the demand for workers.

Additionally, Gulf News reported that Saudi Arabia recently donated 372 tonnes of meat to strengthen ties with Bangladesh.

The foreign ministry said the meat will be distributed to orphanages, religious schools, and those in need across the country.