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Thursday, October 30, 2008

[mukto-mona] A Hindu Minoritygirl was forcefully converted to Islam at village Nagshosha of Bilmaria Union within Lalpur Police station of Natore district .

Dear Sir ,

I would like to request to look at this primary findings about the fact.. Please extend your hand to resist minority repression Bangladesh .

With Thanks

William Gomes
Mobile:01912342809
www.persecutionbd.org



I, Adv. Rabindra Ghosh along with Advocate Ms.Jhuma Halder of GHRD Dhaka rushed to the spot on 25th of October,2008 at village Nagshosha of Bilmaria Union within Lalpur Police station of Natore district as soon as we came to know that a Hindu college girl
Ms. Sunita  Rani Mondal  aged about 19 was  abducted on 22nd Aug,2008  and forcefully converted to Islam by Notary Public on 26th Aug,2008 and she was detained and raped consecutively  since 22nd Aug to 4th October,2008. 
 
Fact of the case is that after the occurrence the destitute legal guardian Shymol Kumar Mondal (52) lodged FIR at Lalpur police station being Lalpur PS case No.26 dated 24th Aug,2008 against three perpetrators belonging to Muslim fundamentalists namely : 1) Abdul Mannan Malitha (35) Ms. Popi Khatun (19) and 3) Ms. Maleka Begum (38). Primarily Lalpur police did not record the case of Shymol Kumar Mondal, later on although it was registered on protest. But it is surprising to note that the Police administration without any enquiry and investigation most illegally submitted final report in favor of those perpetrators as not true and let them exonerated from appearing before the trial court.
 
In the meantime the victim girl appeared personally at the court on 5th October 2008 and expressed that she was kidnapped and forcefully converted to Islam, raped and physically and mentally tortured by those perpetrators. Then the Judicial Magistrate-Natore heard the victim, took statements under section 22 of Nari-O-Shishu Nijatan Ain, 2003 and freed the victim girl to her father -Shymol Kumar Mondal on  5th October,2008.
 
 
 Local of witnesses in favor of the destitute Hindu family, all of them deposed that the victim girl was tactfully abducted by some powerful Muslim perpetrators on 22nd Aug, 2008 from the house of Ms.Sunita Rani Mondal and kept her in different places for prostitution and put pressure on her for conversion and as a result she was ordered to put signature on non-judicial stamp for marriage and conversion. The legal guardian and other inmates of the house burst into tears while we were taking statements of the victim's father and mother.  The legal guardian of the victim told  that the victim was put in a safer place far away from Natore district because the perpetrators have become more powerful to kidnap the victim again due to indirect instigation from the local police department. The legal guardian of the victim also informed us that the Superintendent of Police-Natore threatened the informant to arrest the legal guardian for alleged false case.
The members of Hindu community are in panic by this incident . They need immediate protection and safety. They also expressed that continuous threat upon them was going on. Police was not helping for their protection; rather it was continuous process repression upon the minority community.
 
 



The case in a short view  :
 Identity of the victim:
Name: Sunita Rani Mondal
Age at time of event:
Under 18:
2. Date and place of event:
Date: Abduction on 22th Aug 2008, forcefully converted to Islam by Notary Public on 26th Aug, detained and raped between 22nd Aug to 4th October.

Location: Nagshosha of Bilmaria Union within Lalpur Police station of Natore district

3. Legal action taken:

1) FIR (First Information Report) : Legal guardian Shymol Kumar Mondal (52) lodged FIR at Lalpur police station being Lalpur PS case No.26 dated 24th Aug,2008 against three perpetrators.
4. Alleged perpetrator(s):
(1) Abdul Mannan Malitha (35)
(2)  Ms. Popi Khatun (19
( 3) Ms. Maleka Begum (38).

 The contact numbers:
** Sp Natore :01713373851
1. Addl.sp Natore : 01713373852
2. oc lalpur :01713373861
3.Court Inspector Natore :01713373864




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[mukto-mona] GUWAHATI SERIAL BOMB BLASTS CONDEMNED ....

 



        Prashant                 . A  Centre  for  Human  Rights, Justice  and  Peace

                                                                   Post   Box   No.   4050,    Navrangpura,   Ahmedabad  380 009,    Gujarat,    India

                                                                  Tel. :    +91 (079)  66522333,   2745 5913         .         Fax :   +91 (079)  2748 9018

                                                                  Mobile :   9824034536 .  e-mail : sjprashant@gmail.com   .  www.humanrightsindia.in

 

 

 

           

 

 

GUWAHATI   SERIAL   BOMB   BLASTS   CONDEMNED

 

 

 

 

We,   strongly   condemn   the   ghastly   serial   bomb   blasts  that   took  place   in   Guwahati  on Thursday,  30th October  2008.

 

 

We sympathize with all the victims of these blasts – very specially, with the many  who have lost their loved  one / s.

 

 

We ask those responsible for these dastardly acts, to eschew violence immediately and to stop further destruction to the fabric of our society.

 

 

Terrorism is the weapon of cowards......Any act of violence  has no place in the efforts to build a more humane, just and peaceful society.  The escalating violence in various parts of the country (Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, Orissa, Karnataka, Maharashtra) is a cause of great concern.  Some State Governments, some political parties and their terrorist outfits even encourage violence against minorities and other vulnerable sections.  This is extremely dangerous for the future of our country.  

 

 

We urge both, the Central and the State  Governments, to ensure that those responsible for the terror activities in Guwahati and other parts of India are brought to book immediately.  The Government must enable thorough investigations into the Malegaon, Modasa terrorist activities and the use of military space for the activities of terror groups. 

 

 

Further those in authority must also  address in a conscientious manner, the demands of the victims, the exploited and the marginalized, in order to establish a society which is more just, equitable and humane.

 

 

 

 

Fr. Cedric Prakash sj                                       

Director

 

 

 

31st October 2008


 
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Re: [mukto-mona] To M. Harun uz Zaman

WRT: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mukto-mona/message/50445

Dr. Roy
I appreciate your letter to Harun. Any person who believes both in religion
and science lives mentally in pre-Copernican age, obviously due to lack of
comprehension and reading. I am amused to find out that Mr. Zaman did not
even read Hitchens properly. His writings are available free on the net.


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[mukto-mona] Re: Hello MM, I know you did not like it, but let people know

WRT: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mukto-mona/message/50448

On October 30, 2008 in CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360" program the host
(Anderson) asked a respected analyst, David Gergen who was an adviser
to Ronald Reagan during 1980-1988, the question was - what are the
chances of Obama winning the election on November 4? Mr. Gergen
replied more than 90%.

I consider myself a lifelong student of American politics. I have
watched very closely the presidential election since 1972. In 2004,
majority of the polls have said the election will be very close and
it turned that way. The same goes for the presidential election of
2000. Al Gore was 5-6% behind in Mid October but the race tightened
as per the polls. In fact, Al Gore won the popular vote but the
Supreme Court's decision over the vote recount in Florida in essence
put GWB in the White House.

Now come to November 4, 2008 election and what do we see? The poll
has been consistent - Obama is leading anywhere between 5 to 7% and
this is a huge lead by this decade's standard.

Senator Barack Obama's message had been consistent since the Denver
Convention. Juxtapose this with that of McCain's. Most political
pundits including those who are aligned to Republican Party would say
that McCain's message is not consistent. It seems like the main theme
of McCain-Palin's stump speeches was Obama's character assasination.
Like McCain himself the campaign was erratic. The Republican
insiders know that McCain is not going to be the winner. Therefore,
the finger pointing has already started. If our erudite political
analyst from NYC fails to see it, then I can't help him.

I normally do not like to make a prediction but all indications are
for a Democratic victory not only in the race for the White House but
also in the race for House of Representatives and Senate seats.

It is possible for Obama to receive 300-360 electoral votes when 270
would be suffice. Obama already has a lock on 286 electoral votes as
per CNN's John King (date October 30, 2008). This correspondent is
not on Obama's payroll. And ideologically, he is a neutral
observer.

By the way, Obama's middle name is not "Hossain" but the correct
spelling is "Hussein." I think we are not required to write the
middle name but if one chose to do so, he or she should do it right.
Some of the arch conservative radio talk show hosts have shown their
tendncy to utter Obama's middle name for certain purpose. I think
the same goes for the deshi from NYC who loathes the Muslims. To
paint Obama as a Muslim is the game the neocons and pati Hindus had
been playing all throughout the campaign. Unlike these folks, the
majority of Americans have brushed aside this false labeling of Obama.

On November 4, the Reaganomics and the conservative ideology of
Ronald Reagan will be put to rest for once and all. This false brand
of conservative movement had a long shelf life. Americans are
tilting towards the left and this is a very healthy sign. A new era
will be dawning in the wee hours of November 5.

Many deshis fail to acknowledge that this election is a referendum
against Bush-Cheney duo. Since Senator McCain ideologically aligns
with Bush-Cheney, he will have to pay the price. Please mark my
words and trust me, I will be doing a postmortem of McCain's dismal
performance in the coming days.

PS. As David Gergen said McCain has this 10% probability of winning
the election. Therefore, we should not discount this probability and
with a stroke of a luck he may come out winner as forecasted by our
deshi American who is guided more by his ideology than the ground
reality of American politics. I learned from his post that an
election is still decided by the number of political signs one posts
in the front yard. In which world does he live?

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[mukto-mona] Please Allow these Wheels of Life to keep running !!!







     Round the Globe

HIV   /  AIDS Awareness


on Bicycle





When Muntasir Mamun and his group embarked on their AIDS advocacy campaign sometime in late June, 2008, little did they know what was awaiting them. Hours of trekking through unknown and dangerous terrains, inclement weather, harassment at the hands of unfriendly custom officials are only a few that comes to the mind. That did not however deter the three photojournalists because they were on a mission. They had taken it upon themselves to spread the awareness about AIDS through photography and exchange of ideas with people located in remote areas all over the world. Their world tour started off with Thailand and then they traveled to Brazil enroute to Mexico( pls click to see route map). In Mexico, Muntasir Mamun and his group attended the 17th International AIDS conference
and was a also part of the Mexico Youth Force.  At the conference, they presented
the photographs of various Bangladeshi AIDS patients who have been living a positive life. As part of their advocacy they passed on information about AIDS and
 HIV on Bangladeshi postcards to people in various remote areas of the world.



Muntasir Mamun at the Exhibition hall of the Global village
of XVII International AIDS conference, Mexico City


Yesterday, I had a couple of email correspondences with Muntasir Mamun and he told me that they were currently in Auckland and might have to abandon their plan to travel to Australia because of financial constraints. Will their wheels and the noble mission to keep the wheel of life running, come to an abrupt end? Isn't there anything we can do about it to allow them accomplish their mission? Please come forward to help them with whatever you can. We waste a lot of money in so many different ways . Can't we just spare $10 or even $5 for these volunteers? If you want to join hands, please use the information below. Even if  you can't afford anything, an email and a word of hope would
be comforting. I'm including Muntasir Mamun's contacts and some links below. Please let
your friends and relatives know about it. Thanks a lot for your valuable time.





Links and Info

Arrow Together We are

Arrow Muntasir Mamun's blog

Arrow Muntasir Mamun's photostream

ArrowMuntasir Mamun's Work on HIV patients in BD

ArrowMuntasir Mamun's personal site.



___________________________________________________

Muntasir's Mamun's current locatio
n : Auckland, New Zealand

How to Send Money : Western Union

Where to Send Money : Auckland


_______________________________________
Info Required:
________________________________________


Full Name : S.M. Muntasir Mamun

PP : W 0527341

_________________________________________________

Email : muntasir@gmail.com








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Sign the Petition : Release the Arrested University Teachers Immediately : An Appeal to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh

http://www.mukto-mona.com/human_rights/university_teachers_arrest.htm

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MM site is blocked in Islamic countries such as UAE. Members of those theocratic states, kindly use any proxy (such as http://proxy.org/) to access mukto-mona.

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Mukto-Mona Celebrates Earth Day:
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Kansat Uprising : A Special Page from Mukto-Mona 
http://www.mukto-mona.com/human_rights/kansat2006/members/


*****************************************
MM Project : Grand assembly of local freedom fighters at Raumari
http://www.mukto-mona.com/project/Roumari/freedom_fighters_union300306.htm

*****************************************
German Bangla Radio Interviews Mukto-Mona Members:
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Darwin_day/german_radio/


Mukto-Mona Celebrates Darwin Day:

http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Darwin_day/index.htm

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               -Beatrice Hall [pseudonym: S.G. Tallentyre], 190




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[ALOCHONA] CEC's neutrality questioned

CEC's neutrality questioned
 
Faruque Ahmed
 
A biased, and therefore prejudicial, pronouncement came from the mouth of no other person than the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). The Election Commission (EC) is the country's constitutional body and the CEC is working to deliver a free and fair election to the nation. The CEC says he does not want to see "another election like the one held in 2001". Does the CEC sound like a political leader of a particular hue?

   The CEC Dr A T M Shamsul Huda last week expressed his desire to hold an election that can be compared only with the one held in 1970. Going further down, he warned the deputy commissioners (DCs) who will work as returning officers of their districts at a meeting that he would not like the one held in 2001. This is an impolite aspersion on another Chief Election Commissioner, in this case a former civil servant of repute M A Sayeed, who was chosen by the Awami League while in power.
   
   Misgivings
   But so far as it speaks out his mindset, his remarks may carry differential explanations and remain vulnerable to various misgivings and questions. Some critics say the 1970 election was a prelude to liberation war that brought Awami League to power.
   When Dr Huda wants its replication, people wonder whether he is speaking in favour of Awami League in the cover of a historic election to bring it back to power in the next election and had indirectly told the DCs to act accordingly.

   There is room for further doubt and apprehension when the CEC says he does not want to see the replication of the 2001 election. Critics wonder why the CEC is so critical of that election. What was wrong with it? Is it because through that election people voted the BNP and its four-party alliance to power?
   
   Meaningful signals
   People want to know as to what was the right thing with the 1996 election. Was it good only because it brought Awami League to power? Logically speaking, what result can people expect from the 2008 election under this CEC? Indeed, this is a million dollar question only time can answer.

   Why is the CEC talking like this at this point of time, just a few weeks before the election? Some people may wonder the CEC is putting sensitive, critical meaningful signals before the election -- targeting certain quarters. If one scans his recent deliberations, through his actions and utterances the CEC had made himself highly controversial person.

   Some parties had already warned the CEC in the past to assess his position and make a choice either to continue in his post or quit. Such demand may find more ground following his last week's comment.
   
   Attempt to split
   In this background people believe the CEC's attempt to split and break BNP by creating a rival faction was not an act by mistake. Perhaps he did it with the purported objective; and obviously it was done to benefit its rival Awami League and create an environment for the caretaker government to make transition easier.

   It is this CEC who tried to justify such actions quoting the 'doctrine of necessity' and later sought apology terming it an 'unfortunate' event. But it is a very significant development now that a CEC has come out openly to question the credibility of the 2001 elections results. It is perhaps for the first time an incumbent CEC condemned an earlier election held under a previous CEC although its results were acclaimed as free, fair and credible from local and international observers. Even the loser Awami League did not protest the results except complaining of a 'subtle' manipulation of the polls.
   
   What signals?
   He told the DCs in the meeting that during election they would be free from anybody's influence except to take advice, signals and orders from the EC. He further told them that he had information "who did what during the 2001 election and one should not do it again". Critics wonder, why he has taken a maligning campaign against 2001 election at this critical stage.

   Now if the EC takes a partial stance and put 'signals and orders' to facilitate candidates of certain party or affiliation, what will be the protection to those who will be victimized and will suffer from it.

   The EC has already given power to DCs to reject nomination to candidates who may fall in an 'exclusion list' prepared under the controversial People's Representation Ordinance (RPO) although legally they can not be barred from taking part in election. Deputy Commissioners may also disqualify candidates during election run on so-called charges of violation of electoral rules which may not prove true later on.

   Yahya's 'legal framework'
   Moreover, people wonder why the CEC is so much fond of former Pakistani President Gen. Yahya Khan's 'legal framework' for 1970 election or Gen Ershad's 'martial law framework' for 1986 election. It is not compatible with the principle of democracy and spirit of law under which the CEC has taken the oath to office.

   Critics wonder in a situation where if the CEC loses neutrality how a free and fair election can be held that can be credible at home and abroad. This Caretaker Government is in office to restore democracy under a credible election to be held under a neutral administration. But whether such situation now persists in the country is a big question now emerging from the CEC latest statement.

   Moreover, his love for Gen. Yahya's legal framework or election under Ershad's martial law is no doubt a big shame, as observers say. Gen.Ershad's presence at the center of the country's political process at a time of cleaning politics and campaign against corruption is high on the government agenda, also comes as a big surprise.

   On the economic front, reckless politics is destroying the nation's business and finance. As the election is approaching making politics increasingly uncertain, the country's stock market is becoming the immediate victim of it. There is a looming danger coming to it from what may be called the 'election tsunami' which may wash away thousands of small investors of their money they have put in the bourse.

   The country's bourse sharply fell last week and the biggest destabilizing factor remains the highly shrouded election roadmap under which the government is gambling to achieve its political goals. Here the caretaker government is working on a plan to creating a new political landscape in the country with hand picked 'kingpins' while political parties are bickering among themselves to take power through election.

   In the process, the economy has no good news and the bourse nosedives bringing panic to investors. As most share prices moved downward, last week institutional buyers intervened to arrest the fall. But their resource is not enough to sustain it over a longer period.

   Here in this background people are speaking of an approaching tsunami in the bourse. But the leaderships and policy seemed to be in no haste to take contingency measures for the dangerous developments.But it appears that they are not sensitive to a tsunami of their own creation in the domestic capital market by way of irresponsible moves in the political front piloting the country to a volatile situation and destroying every chance to economic growth. The apprehension finds further wind when the caretaker government remains highly reclusive of its final objectives; critics say pointing to widespread speculation that election may not be held in December.
   
   National government?
   Press reports said adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman in his meeting early this month with BNP Chairperson Begum Zia suggested sharing of parliament seats between major stakeholders. His formula that BNP and Awami League take 100 seats each, leaving the remaining 100 for others speak of a severe undemocratic approach towards a national government.

   If it is true, critics wonder why then the government is playing the election game with the hidden motive behind it?The government's apathy to listen to legitimate demands of parties and their concern are further creating confusion. Their demand for withdrawal of the state of emergency before election is being overlooked. The demand for delaying upazila election remains unheeded.

   Moreover, the Election Commission is behaving in a manner to give the impression that it has little respect for political parties except to use them as 'guinea pig' on the way to achieving the government's political goals. And in doing so very often it is acting in a way in direct violation of the basic constitutional rights only to serve strategic goals of the ruling elite.

   There are about a dozen case in the high court at the moment including the delimitation of constituencies case now being heard by a bench, and critics say only one such case is enough to kill the entire election process, now claimed to be on the 'highway' to election.
   In this situation, despite the announcement of the election date major parties like BNP, Awami League, Jamat-e-Islami and others are not sure if election will be held in time. To make it further unsure there are many splinter groups at work to derail the election. Some of them are out to stop certain parties from taking part in the polls.

   They even favour an undemocratic government in power to avoid the chance of BNP and its allies returning to power. The CEC should however, keep above the controversy to minimize the risks to election.

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[ALOCHONA] World Bank Supports Bangladesh to Increase Reliable Energy

World Bank Supports Bangladesh to Increase Reliable Energy

Press Release No:2009/124/SAR

Contacts:

In Dhaka:  Mehrin A. Mahbub (880-2) 8159001-28  Ext. 4251

mmahbub@worldbank.org

  In Washington: Erik Nora (202) 458 4735

enora@worldbank.org

 

WASHINGTON, October 30, 2008The World Bank today approved a US$350 million IDA credit to Bangladesh, designed to increase reliable power during peak demand times in a country where poor supply is estimated to cost around 2 percent in GDP growth each year.  

 

The Siddhirganj Peaking Power Project will finance the construction of a 300 megawatt, gas turbine power plant at Siddhirganj, an existing power generation site to the southeast of Dhaka.  It will also finance a 60 km natural gas pipeline from Bakhrabad to Siddhirganj that will improve the reliability of gas supply to the Siddhirganj power plant, and an 11 km electricity transmission line so that power from the plant can be distributed to consumers.

 

While Bangladesh has posted economic growth averaging over 6 percent the past five years, inadequate infrastructure —especially unreliable power supply — remains a significant constraint on growth.  Manufacturers, surveyed in the World Bank's most recent Investment Climate Assessment, estimate that power shortages cost them around 12 percent in lost sales on an annual basis.

 

"Bangladesh is now in the midst of a serious power crisis," said Xian Zhu, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh.  "Power generation has failed to keep pace with demand, and, in the last two years, increasing shortages of natural gas, the primary fuel used in power generation, have added to the sector's woes.  This project is expected to make a major contribution to meeting peak demand for power, and bolstering the capacity and reliability of the gas and power transmission networks."

 

The project will also help strengthen the institutional capacity of three implementing agencies:  Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL), Electricity Generation Company of Bangladesh (EGCB), and Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB).

 

"This includes environmental and social impact management, and measures to bolster corporate governance, address corruption risk, and assure good procurement and financial management practices," saidAlan Townsend, Senior Energy Specialist and Task Leader for the project.

 

The Siddhirganj power plant is expected to begin operation in 2011 following the construction period.  

 

The credit from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank's concessionary arm, has 40 years to maturity with a 10-year grace period; it carries a service charge of 0.75 percent.

 

For more project information, please visit this website 

 

For more information on the World Bank in Bangladesh, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/bd


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[mukto-mona] Politics of Religious Identity and Shabana Azmi

http://www.anandabazar.com/31desh12.htm

I am feeling sad after reading the news of Shabana's statement. There is no doubt, Muslims are being targetted and equated with terrorists for a very handful of them who are being misled by politically motivated leader of Muslim community.
But I would like to raise these questions to Shabana:

[1] Did Muslim community, who claim themselves to be moderate, did enough against Muslim extremists?
A. How many rallies have been organized by the moderate Muslims against Muslim extremists?
B. How many of them, including Muslim intellectuals of India denounced "Sharia'?
B. How many of them publicly denounced "Khilafat'?

[2] A person follows a religion because he thinks, that religion is best. Sorry but there can not be any other reason since that is the essence of religious existence. Therefore,
how it is possible that a Muslim who is following Islam can denounce an extremist who is in favor of Islamic laws [sharia] and state [khilafat]? Same question can be asked to a follower of Hinduism as well-why should not they follow
Hinduist who wants to establish Ram rajya?

Are not we following double standard by admitting religion and denouncing
extremism? Isn't extremism an essential part of religion?
 
Personally, I feel Sabana is one of the true secular personality of India. But again and again, question that bothers me, can there be a true secular society with religion?
 I think that is impossible-like the way it is impossible not to have state terrorism as long as state exists.
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RE: [ALOCHONA] Pictures of Dhaka or Dacca from 19th & early 20th Centuries

Mr. Khundkar:
 
I am especially amazed by another photo in your sent items - the photo of Bangladeshis in 1860 - making Hookas from coconut. My great-grandmother died in early 1960s at the age of 107. We have a family photo where she is sitting on a Piri like the people in the photo. We still have that piri in our family. I was told that my great-granny was given that piri by her father who was a Professor at a renounded college and she never gave that up. She was given that at a very tender age which makes the time-line about 1880s. Can u imagine what sort of feeling ran through my veins when I saw that photo and the piris the men were sitting on? It seemed I was seeing the uncles of my great-granny.
 
Mufassil Islam




From: rkhundkar@earthlink.net
Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:18:17 -0400
Subject: [ALOCHONA] Pictures of Dhaka or Dacca from 19th & early 20th Centuries


A very nice presentation/collection of pictures of what Dacca was like in the late 19th and early 20th century. See attached powerpoint
Hard to recognize the beautiful town Dacca was even in the late 1970s to the urban eyesore it has become today.
Enjoy!




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RE: [mukto-mona] Re: Prof I K Shukla is no more

WRT: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mukto-mona/message/50442

Here is an obit note from the Indian scholar, Shamsul Islam (who forgot to add Bengali in the list of languages mastered by Shuklaji):


It is unbelievable but a fact now that our beloved thinker IK Shukla Saheb
breathed his last on 17th. All his friends and admirers knew about his deteriorating health problems but his everyday internet postings showed no sign of his sickness. Last posting of his we received was on September 13 in which he protested against the spying (by the IB) of the SAHMAT activites in Delhi.
His death is irreparable loss to the cause of justice, democracy, equality. We have lost a great fighter who waged relentless struggle against the forces of fascism, intolerance and repression not only in India but worldover.
His pen was mightier then sword when it came to challenging the fascist elements. His indepth knowledge of Sanskrit and Buddhist text, his mastery over English and Hindi languages and familiarity with Urdu made him a unique thinker.
The most suitable homage to him would be to preserve his scattered writings and publish the same. Last month he sent a mauniscript to us which contained the Hindi translation of well-known Urdu poet, Habeeb Jalib's poetry against autocracy. We hope to publish the same asap as a tribute to him.
IK Shuklaji is dead but his writings will always be around us to lead us away from darkness of bigotry and intolerance!
Shamsul Islam, Neelima Sharma.


------------------------------------

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Sign the Petition : Release the Arrested University Teachers Immediately : An Appeal to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh

http://www.mukto-mona.com/human_rights/university_teachers_arrest.htm

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Daily Star publishes an interview with Mukto-Mona
http://www.mukto-mona.com/news/daily_star/daily_star_MM.pdf

*****************************************

MM site is blocked in Islamic countries such as UAE. Members of those theocratic states, kindly use any proxy (such as http://proxy.org/) to access mukto-mona.

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Mukto-Mona Celebrates 5th Anniversary
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/5_yrs_anniv/index.htm

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Mukto-Mona Celebrates Earth Day:
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Earth_day2006/index.htm

*****************************************
Kansat Uprising : A Special Page from Mukto-Mona
http://www.mukto-mona.com/human_rights/kansat2006/members/


*****************************************
MM Project : Grand assembly of local freedom fighters at Raumari
http://www.mukto-mona.com/project/Roumari/freedom_fighters_union300306.htm

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German Bangla Radio Interviews Mukto-Mona Members:
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Darwin_day/german_radio/


Mukto-Mona Celebrates Darwin Day:

http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Darwin_day/index.htm

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