Daily Star Editorial(01 Oct - 15 Oct)

7/26/2019 Daily Star Editorial(01 Oct - 15 Oct)

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Daily Star-Editorial

01 Oct 2015

1. condemn( , , ) censure, decry, denounce, execrate, reprehend,

reprobate

2.Condolence( ): Sympathy, Solace

3.Bereaved ( )

4.Alleged( , ) : Suspect, Suspicious, Questionable

5.Credibility( ): integrity, validity

6.Veracity ( ): candor, integrity

7.Echo( , ) : repetition, reply

8. Constrained( , ): Forced

9. Putatively( , ) : commonly believed, assumed, supposed, seeming

10. Tenuous( , ) : Little substance or significance, flimsy excuse, slight evidence

11.Prompted( ) : At once or without delay, to move or induced to action

12. Collaboration( , ) : Alliance, partnerships

13.Counterparts( ) : Duplicate, Equivalent, one which resemble to other

14. Countermeasures( )

15.Militancy ( )

16.Allayed( ):Abate, repress, soothe, calm, subdue

17.Haven( ) : A place of safety, Asylum

:

((Murder of Italian national IS 'link' remains unproven))

We condemn the killing of Italian citizen Cesare Tavella and express our deepest condolences to the

bereaved family. That the killing was pre-planned and carried out by professionals is obvious. It is the

alleged IS link that has lent credibility to the claim by some quarters that Bangladesh is linked to

international terrorist operations. We seriously question the veracity of this claim and echo the doubts

expressed by our Prime Minister. This view of the global media, we are constrained to suggest, is mostly

based on a single source, which is a website called Site Intelligence, specializing, putatively, in

monitoring Jihadi activities, and not verified through any other sources. Therefore the claim of an IS link

remains very tenuous. We, therefore, urge the global media to re-examine and re-verify the veracity of

the source. The killing has occurred at a time when the Australian cricket board, Cricket Australia, has

delayed the Australian tour of Bangladesh on grounds of security. We are not sure what has prompted

the US, Canada and some European countries to issue travel alerts to their citizens regarding

Bangladesh. The government should seek specific information from these countries regarding the

'threat' in Bangladesh, if not done already. And our agencies should seek active collaboration of their

counterparts in these countries to get the facts in order that appropriate countermeasures can be

initiated and fears allayed immediately. It is absolutely imperative that we put to rest any concernsabout Bangladesh becoming a haven for global militancy.

02 Oct 2015

1.Endorse( , ) : Advocate, Patronize

2.Reinforce( ) : Backup, boost, Energize

2. Confront( ) : Come out against, face with


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3.Extremism( )

4. Tolerant: ( ) : Indulgent

5.Propelled( ) : To drive or cause move forward

6.Straddle( , ): to favor or appear to favor both side of an

issue, maintaining an equivocal position.

7.Convoluted: ( ,):

complicated, twisted, perplexing, tangled

8.Overwhelming ( ) : amazing, exiting

9. Combat ( ) : battle

10. Defuse( , ) : lessen, alleviate, moderate

11. looming ( ) : emerging, appearing

12.Multifaceted ( ) : versatile, having many aspect

13.Induce ( )

14.Complacent ( )

15.palpable ( , ) :Resource( , ) : means of any kind16.Ideologies ( ): Vision, speculation17.Cashing in ( )18.Vulnerability ( ) Sensibility, susceptibility19.Exploit( , ): abuse, misuse, take advantage20. Intervention( ) : come between, mediate21. Erroneous ( ) : derived from error,Eradicate( ): uproot, Completely destroy

((Fighting terrorism

Global unity is key))

We endorse the Prime Minister's call for global unity against terrorism during her speech at the 70th

session of the United Nations General Assembly, and through this column, reinforce the urgent

necessity for countries around the world to come together to confront extremism of all forms for a

peaceful and tolerant world.

Terrorism, particularly that propelled by religious extremism, straddles national boundaries; its

convoluted sense of purpose has created the current state of unrest around the globe, causing untold

pain and suffering to people, an overwhelming majority of whom are innocent civilians. As the PM

highlights, terrorism cannot be combated by countries individually. We need collective global efforts not

only to identify and defuse looming terrorist threats, but also to address the multifaceted root causes of

terrorism that induce people to engage in such destructive acts against humanity.

Although Bangladesh, with the government's zero tolerance policy on extremism, has thus far played an

outstanding role in combating terrorism and extremism, we must not become too complacent, as there

is a palpable presence of extremists in the country with transfrontial links. We must draft counter-

extremist policies and strategies in line with countries that have dealt with similar problems in aneffective manner, and develop internal resources to investigate terror attacks and stop them before

they occur.

At the same time, we must confront extremist ideologies that are cashing in on poverty and

vulnerabilities of the people, and exploiting their religious sentiments. Intervention is needed at the

grassroots level to counter erroneous interpretations of religion and to eradicate the threat of religious

extremism.


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03 Oct 2015

1.Significant ( ) :Important, noteworthy2.participate ( ): Take part3.Statesman ( ) : A person who exhibits great wisdom and ability in dealing the affair of agovernment or dealing with important public issue

4.Plethora ( ) : plenty, profusion, glut, surplus, excess, deluge5.Sustainable ( , ) : Capable of being supported or upheld.able to be supported as with the basic necessity or sufficient fund.

6.Eloquence ( ) : articulation, fluency, gift of gab.7.On several count ( )8.make ones present felt( ) : To have a strong effect on otherpeople or a situation.

9.Leaving aside ( ) : Exclusive of, Debarring, Excluding, Omitting10. Recognition( )Identification, acknowledgement11. Accolade ( ) : Strong praise, kudos12. Continue To stress ( )13. Stature ( / ) : Ability, Capacity, caliber, importance, capacity14. Addressing( , )15.Measure ( , )16. Hesitation ( ) : Doubt, Oscillation, vacillation, Wavering17. Prospect ( ) : Anticipation, Out look for future, Hope,

( ))(( Prime Minister at the UN From a leader to a statesman))

We say with pride that among all the heads of states and governments who participated in the 70th

anniversary of the United Nations (UN), Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's role was significant on several

counts. From a plethora of important issues such as sustainable development goals to the UN peace

keeping mission to global terrorism, she spoke with eloquence and made her presence felt. Leaving

aside the two awards she got, her participation is a recognition of her long, constructive and active role

in addressing global issues like child rights, development of LDCs, etc. She has made a place for herself

and earned Bangladesh the status of a country whose achievements are internationally recognized.

After Bangabandhu, she is by far the most internationally recognized political leader from Bangladesh.

We congratulate the prime minister for receiving the ICT Sustainable Development Award and the

highest environmental accolade of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), the Champions

of the Earth. While we will continue to stress the need for more democratic space, good governance,

stronger anti-corruption measures and genuine press freedom, we have no hesitation in saying that this

trip raises Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from the stature of a leader of a developing country to a

statesman in the world stage. This is of particular import considering the fact that a few decades ago the

country was seen more as a problem than as a place with bright prospects. We congratulate her on her

achievements, which are not hers alone but also of Bangladesh's.


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04 Oct 2015

1.Promptly( ) : Quick to act, hastily, instantly, on the double, on time2.Decisive( ) :Conclusively3.Aghast ( ) : Struck with surprise, horror or terror, appalled, astonished, dismayed, startled4.Reportedly ( ) : According to report.5.Condone( , ) : Disregard,To forgive,ignore, let it go6.Dastardly(/ ) : a brutal cowardly7. Cultivated ( , ) : refined, polished, cultured8.Fruitful ( )9.cast( , ) : Shed10. Reasonable ( ) : cognitive, consistent, credible, justifiable, logical11.Convey( )12.Panic ( )13. On ground Of ( / )14.Gruesome ( ) : Ghastly, horrendous,15.Ramifications ( )16.perpetrators( , )17. Unearthed ( / ) : Disclosed, bring to light a secret.18.Ally( )19. Apprehension ( ) : Fear for future

((Yet another foreign national murdered

Law enforcers must act promptly and decisively))

We are aghast at the killing of yet another foreign development worker on Bangladeshi soil, only five

days into the murder of an Italian citizen in Dhaka. The Japanese national, Kunio Hoshi, was shot dead in

Mahiganj area of Kawnia Upazila, reportedly in the same manner as Cesare Tavella.

We have no words to condone this dastardly act. Japan has been one of our closest developmentpartners, and one with whom we have cultivated a long and fruitful relationship. This murder casts a

dark shadow upon us all.

Although we do not have all the facts at hand, it is reasonable to conclude that this act of violence was

carried out to hurt the image of the country. One could draw a link between the murders of Tavella and

Hoshi, which is to create panic and convey a negative picture of the law and order in the country to a

global audience.

At a time when the US, Canada and some European countries have already issued travel alerts to their

citizens regarding Bangladesh, and the Australian cricket team has delayed its tour on grounds of

security, the gruesome murders of two foreign nationals in such a short period of time will no doubt

have very serious ramifications for Bangladesh.

It is thus crucial that the perpetrators and the motive behind these killings be unearthed immediately to

allay any and all apprehensions both in the country and abroad about rising extremism in Bangladesh.This is the time for our intelligence and law enforcement agencies to prove their efficiency. Needless to

say, they are now under international spotlight.


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05 Oct 2015

1.Clamp Down ( , / )2. Accentuate ( ) To bring out distinctly, To emphasise3.Worsening ( ) :aggravation, annoyance, irritation4.Neonatal( ) : relating to new born children.5. Bewildering**( ) : Perplexing6.Pseudo ( ) Counterfeit, Imitation, pretended, spurious.7.Malpractice( ) : ( Abuse, misconduct)8.Gross **( , , , ) : Unrefined, Shameful, Fat, obscene10.Ventilate( , )11.Grievances**( ) :Hardship, Injury12. Culprit**( , ) : A person accused for crime, A criminal.13. Accountable ( , ) : responsible14. Negates ( / ) :Deny, Annul, Cancel15. Rhetoric( ) : Art for elegant and artistic Composition, the art of speaking with Elegance

16.Conduct ( , , ) : Lead, Guide. behave17. Hype ( , ) : promotion, buildup18. Qualitative( )19. Leap ( ) : Advance, Escalate,"**" Too many unauthorised hospitals

Take actions to clamp down on them

The 'discovery' of yet another private hospital operating without proper authorisation accentuates the

worsening conditions of the health services in the country.

The four-storey, 20-bed general hospital in question reportedly did not renew its registration after 2014.

What's more, it had no permission to run a neonatal ICU. One does not have to be a rocket scientist tosee a link between this fact and the death of three newborn babies last Friday which prompted the

authorities to shut it down and arrest two doctors and an official of this illegal facility.

According to a report last year, more than 60 percent of private clinics and diagnostic centres in the

country are operating without the approval of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS)

resulting in wrong and improper treatments while many others simply did not bother to get their

permission renewed. It is bewildering why there is no mechanism for proper monitoring of these pseudo

clinics for bringing them to book. On the other hand, is there any channel through which victims of gross

medical malpractice can ventilate their grievances and hold the culprits accountable?

We believe that the presence of these so-called clinics and hospitals running under the nose of the

authorities negates the rhetoric of the much hyped qualitative leap the country is poised to take in all

sectors including healthcare and education, the two most important vehicles of development.

We demand that the DGHS immediately conduct an all-out drive against all such private establishments

working without the proper authorisation and ensure that those involved in medical malpractice are

given the highest punishment under law.

06 Oct 2015


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1.Headway( , ) : progress2.Crucial ( )3.Coordinated ( ) : Harmonious relation and action4.Concern** ( , )5.Palpable**( , , ) : Obvious, Tangible6.Premeditated (

)7.Law enforcement** ( )8.Militant**( , ) :belligerent9.Flimsy ** ( , ): unconvincing, implausible, feeble10.panic ( , )11. several counts ( )12.Retailer( , )13.Paranoia ( )14. Smear( , ) : stain, blot15.Probe into** ( )16.allay ( , ) :relieve, abate17.Expeditiously( , ) :speedy, prompt18.expedient ( , , )19.coalesce( )20.Entrust**( )21.Sought ( ) : past participle of seek22.Unravel ( )23.Mystery ( )24.Snag( )"**" Editorial post Follow

((Still no headway in investigations

Coordinated efforts of security agencies crucial))

It is of concern that little palpable headway has been made in the investigations of the killings of Italian

aid worker Cesare Tavella and Japanese national Kunio Hoshi that took place within a span of five days.

Although it has been established that both foreign nationals were murdered in a premeditated manner,

intelligence and law enforcement agencies seem to have hit a snag in terms of finding the killers.

Meanwhile, a flimsy claim by supposed IS militants has created a sense of panic and confusion.

This is worrying for Bangladesh on several counts. Apart from security alerts from several countries to

their nationals in Bangladesh, there have been reports of international retailers postponing meetings in

Dhaka with garment makers because of security concerns after the two murders. The possible linkage to

IS militants is spreading paranoia, smearing our image internationally. Such connections should be

properly probed into with conclusive results to allay the fear of IS targeting foreigners on Bangladeshi

soil.

The killing of foreign nationals must be treated as special cases and investigated expeditiously. The

investigations are being led by the CID and DB and we understand that other agencies are working on

them too. We think it might be more expedient to coalesce all investigative resources and entrust one

single agency to lead both investigations. If need be, assistance can be sought from international

agencies. These might help the government unravel the mystery faster.


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07 Oct 2015

1.Pastor ( )2. Barely( ) : Only, scarcely, hardly.3. Pretending ( / ) : acting, cheating, bluffing4.Assailant( ) : assaulter, invader, trigger person

5. portray( ,6.prompt** ( , ) :Incite7.Agenda ( ) : plan, schedule8. Intensify( ) : aggravate, enhance, exacerbate.9.Den ( , )10. Destabilize (

11. Gruesome** ( , ):Appalling, Daunting, ghastly, hideous, horrendous, macabre12. Unravel ( , , ) :solve explain13. deterioration( ) : degeneration, degradation, lapse, worsening14. Emphasis ( ) : Highlights, Underlining15. perpetrators ( , ) : Culprit, criminal

16. Unease ( ) : Discomfort------------------------------------------------

((TPP signed)) Editorial

1. Signatory( )2. Preferential( )3. Treatment ( , )4. Erode ( ) : disintegrate, scour, wear down5. Ramifications( )6. Cutting edge( ) : the position of greatest importance or advancement, the leadingposition in any movement or field.

7. Diversity (

)8. Impetus ( , )----------------------------------------------------

Editorial((Pastor targeted

Arrest the assailants promptly))

An attempted murder in Pabna, within days of the killing of two foreign nationals, has added to the

ongoing sense of unease amongst us. In an incident on Monday in Pabna, a Christian pastor, Father Luke

Sarkar, barely escaped death when three young men pretending to be interested in Christianity, entered

his home and then tried to kill him with a knife. The pastor was saved when his family heard his cry for

help and rushed to the scene prompting the assailants to escape.

Though no link between the two previous incidents and this has so far been established, coming on the

heels of the killing of the two foreigners, one cannot rule out the possibility that this attack has been

carried out as part of a plan to destabilize the country and portray it as a den of extremism. On the other

hand, it might well be the work of extremist groups with a particular agenda in mind. Whatever may be

the motives and whichever group may be involved, the security agencies must intensify their

investigations of these cases and identify the assailants and those working as masterminds behind the

gruesome incidents.

The series of murders point to an obvious deterioration in law and order, something that the

government must address on a priority basis. The need to unravel the mystery behind the killing of the


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two foreigners and attack on the pastor cannot be overemphasized, given the impact they have had on

our security situation. The government must take these threats to security very seriously and arrest the

perpetrators quickly.

08 Oct 2015

1.Repulsed ( , , ) : Reject, a refusal2. Arbitration ( ) : (judgment, settlement of disputes3.Urging( ) : to push or force along4. Infuriated ( , ) : Furious, angry5. Dare ( ) : take a risk, be courageous6. dispute ( / ) : clash, to quarrel7. Consciousness ( , )8. Atrocious ( ) : beastly,horrid

9.profess( , , ) : avow, confirm, asseverate, To declare; to assert, affirm10. empowerment ( )11.prioritise ( )12. Mercilessly ( )13.Disobeyed ( )14.perturbed ( / ) : agitate, bewilder, dismay15.tolerate ( ) : Bear, endure16. Endorsed ( ) : authenticated17. perpetrators( )18. meted out ( )----------------------------------------------

Editorial

1.Spate ( ) : a large number of events than usual especially unpleasant ones happening at

about the same time2.Campaign ( )3. Outfit ( )4.Pertaining ( ) :belong5. dissemination( ) : dispersion6. Radical ( , )

October 08, 2015

((Woman subjected to public beating

Is this the law of the jungle?))

We are absolutely repulsed by the incident in Kaliakor upazila in Gazipur, where a 45-year old woman

was beaten publicly by a village elder for disobeying him. Jalal Uddin, the village elder, had sentmessage to her to attend an arbitration meeting to resolve a long standing dispute between her and her

younger brother, but she had refused to come, urging him to come to meet her instead. Infuriated that

a woman would dare refuse him, he dragged her out her of house and beat her with a stick in front of

her neighbors till she lost consciousness. She is undergoing treatment at the hospital.

It is completely unacceptable that such an atrocious instance of violence against women should take

place at a day and age when we, as a nation, profess to priorities women's equality and empowerment.

Not only did the man think it was his right to beat up a woman mercilessly simply because she


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disobeyed him, it seems as if the whole village thought so too, or at any rate, they were least perturbed

by it. They just stood by and watched; two other villagers even participated in the attack. This just goes

to show the alarming extent to which violence against women is still tolerated, even endorsed, in many

parts of the country.

What is equally shocking is the fact that despite a case filed by the victim's son and ample photographic

evidence of the beating, the police are yet to arrest the perpetrators. Exemplary punishment should bemeted out to demonstrate our zero tolerance policy towards violence against women.

09 Oct 2015

1. delinquent ( / ) : offender, one who neglect a duty2. Forge( , ) : Counterfeit, make falsely3.Inmates ( ) : A person confined to an institution such as a prison (as aconvict) or hospital (as a patient)

4.Accused ( ) : blamed, implicated5.Confession ( )6. Collusion ( ) : secret agreement7. nipped in the bud ( )8.Cross checking( )9.misdeeds ( ) :illegal action10.One-off incident ( )11.Breaches( ) : gap, break, rupture12. ascertain( )13.Widespread ( ) : broad, on a large scale.14. Come to light ( )15. Bring to book ( ) : to punish someone16. bail ( )17.scot-fee( ) : Completely free from harm, restrain, punishment-----------------------------------------------------------Editorial1. Disheartening ( )2.Traumatology ( )2. Rehabilitation ( )3. make quick bucks( )4.Lackadaisical( , , )5. manipulating( , )

ctober 09, 2015 / LAST MODIFIED: 12:00 AM, October 09, 2015

EDITORIAL

Dhaka court's delinquent staffFake bail allows criminals to go free

That a temporary staff engaged with Dhaka court has managed to forge bail documents for seventy

inmates charged with dealing in drugs, arms and ammunition over a period of five months speaks

volumes of the state of the principal jail in the country. As per his confession before a Dhaka court, the

accused confessed to his crime but we understand he acted in collusion with a certain bench assistant at

the court. We are very fortunate that this racket has come to light, thanks to an investigation by the

court. While this particular event was nipped in the bud, it merely goes to show the ease with which


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criminals may go scot-free, in the absence of seriously cross checking of court documents as they are

presented to jail authorities.

We will probably never know how many such incidents have occurred before this was detected. Going

by what has been reported in this paper, the two accused have in the past forged signatures of judges

and issued fake bail orders resulting in some 110 accused getting bail. While the misdeeds of the past

cannot be undone, we can however take measures that it does not occur in the future. Given the gravityof the situation, the matter should not be treated as a one-off incident. Such breaches of security allow

criminals to get back into circulation and resume their villainous activities. Surely, a thorough

investigation is in order to ascertain just how widespread this racket is and bring to book those involved.

10 Oct 2015

1.Inflicted( )2.apology ( ): Offering of remorse, regret3.noticeable ( ) : evident, manifest, marked4.foreknowledge( ) : anticipate, foresee,5.Collateral ( , )6.Casualties ( ) : loss of numerical strength through any cause, death, wound, sickness7.Dismissed: ( , ):discharged, removed8.of little comfort( )9.Circumstances( , ): situation, condition10.raging ( ): violent anger, infuriated, furious11.gross( ):obscene, indecent12.violation( ): Transgression13.ascertain( )make sure, make certain----------------------------------------------------

Editorial

1.Enriched ( ): Improved, enhanced

2.Conducting( , ):manner of development,guidance Skillful guidance or management3.prior to( ) : before4. phase.( , ): period of life or something, Condition5.severe( ):Harsh, Rigorous6.consistent (, ):Compatible, agreeing, Concordat7.undoubtedly( ): Certainly, without any doubt8.deduced ( , ): Figure out, deduct9.staple food ( )10. dietary ( , ): a regular allowance of food, a system or course of diet October 10, 2015

((US bombing of hospital in Kunduz

Are apologies enough?))

Nothing can explain away the bombing of the hospital being run by the Doctors Without Borders in

Kunduz on October 3. Reportedly, this is one of the most horrible and noticeable cases of civilian deaths

inflicted by US forces in the 14-year war in Afghanistan a war that was declared all but over by the US

president. The air strike killed 22 persons including ten doctors and injured more than 30 people.

It is surprising that in spite of the fact that all the parties involved in the conflict in Afghanistan had

foreknowledge about the location of the hospital it was targeted by the US air force. And so far, though


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we have had four different versions of the incident, it can be said with certainty that it was not an error

caused by the heat of the battle, and the casualties cannot be dismissed as victims of collateral damage.

President Obama's apology will be of little comfort to the families of the dead and the injured. The

current incident brings into greater relief the issue of civilian deaths in such circumstances which have

so far been passed off as collateral damage not only in Afghanistan but also in countries and regions

where conflicts are raging. In Afghanistan alone,14,000 civilians have been killed, good many of them bythe US forces.

In this instance, there have been gross violations of rules of war. And it is only fitting that an

international inquiry be conducted to ascertain the truth and hold to account those responsible for the

bombing and the deaths.

11 Oct 2015

1.Liability( ,) : drawback, handicap, disadvantage2.Abandon( ): desert, surrender, yield, forsake3.look down upon( ,, )4.Burden( ) : heavy load, responsibility5.Dumped ( , ) : Ditch6.dedicated ( ) : Devoted, loyal, conscientious7.inadequate ( ) : insufficient, deficient8.seek( , ) :Quest9.culture( , )10.referred( )11.psychiatric( )12.non-existent( )13.provision: ( , ) : condition14.acknowledge: ( , )15.Adequate( ) : Sufficient16.Allocation(, ): apportion, allot17.practitioner( , )________________________________

Editorial )1.High time ( )2.Adoption ( , )3.Unclaimed( , )4.orphanage( , )5.permissible ( ) :admissible, allowable6.Confer ( , ) :accord, grant, vest7.monitoring( ) : Surveillance9.stance: ( , )10.reconsider( )11.ward( , ) :shield, protection, security12.mechanism: ( , ) October 11, 2015


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((Society considers them a liability

Relatives abandoning patients at hospital))

It is one of those issues families do not like to air in public. Mentally challenged children or adults are

not talked about and are usually hidden away from sight. The mentally challenged denied proper

treatment and are looked down upon as a burden on the family. Hence, it is not surprising to find such

mentally ill patients being regularly dumped in the country's dedicated Pabna Mental Hospital. That isjust the beginning of the story. According to a report published in this paper, there have been cases

where families give false addresses so that there is no possibility for hospital authorities to return

patients to their homes once treatment is completed. This prevents the hospital from admitting new

patients in need of immediate attention.

The number of psychiatrists nationwide is pa infully inadequate compared to the number of patients.

The Pabna Mental Hospital runs with only four doctors for 500 beds and needs another 30 doctors. Add

to this a culture of general physicians not referring patients to seek psychiatric help and we have a

situation where proper treatment of mentally challenged patients is practically non-existent. A large

number of mental illnesses can be cured with proper treatment; it is unacceptable that patients

suffering from psychological disorders should be treated with such neglect. Our health policy must

acknowledge and make adequate provisions for treating mental disorders. This requires planning andfinancial allocations in the health budget for recruitment of mental health practitioners and making

provisions in medical institutions. With around a tenth of the population suffering from one form of

mental disorder or other, this issue needs to be addressed properly at policy level.

12 Oct 2015

1.workforce( )

2.fared ( ) : to experience good or bad fortune, treatment etc,3.hailed( ) : praise, to acclaim, approve enthusiastically

4.emphasise( )

5.Contribution ( )6.ingrained( , ) : immanent, inborn, inbred, innate

7.collateral( , / )8.constitute( , , )9.potential ( , ): implicit, possible

10.innovative( ) :creative, breaking new ground,

11.giant leap ( , )12. participation ( )13. Obstacle ( ) : impediments, hindrance______________________________

Editorial

1.resolve( , ) : determine,Conclude3.stalemate( , ) : Dead lock, halt, impasse4.veracity: ( ) integrity, verity

5.agitating ( , )

6.incontrovertible ( , ) : incontestable, irrefutable

7.reluctant : ( , ) : dubious, indisposed

8.outright( , )

9.arbitrary( , ) : dictatorial, peremptory


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October 12, 2015

((Rise of women in the workforce

Still a long way to go))

At 36 percent, Bangladesh has fared better than most South Asian countries in terms of women's

participation in the workforce and the World Bank has rightly hailed the country as a model toemphasise the need for investing more on women.

However, women's contribution to economic activities sans agriculture and the garment industry, still

remains far below their potential, according to the international financial institution.

Women workers face harder obstacles, from balancing work and family to accessing financing, partly

due to deeply ingrained gender bias, discriminatory laws and a lack of collateral. There is still a large

wage gap. Women constitute a large percentage of the country's poor and hungry.

Ample research shows that investing in women will bring benefits to our collective future, leading to

stronger local economies as women save more than men and a higher savings rate translates into a

higher tax base. Several studies also show that women spend more of their earnings on food,

healthcare, home improvement and schooling for children, thus bringing about wellbeing of society in

general.

Financial institutions must do a better job of banking on women's potential. More training institutions

should be established to provide them with the necessary skills to equip them with the capacity and the

confidence to see their innovative ideas through. Workplaces need to be more gender sensitive.

The country has taken a giant leap towards becoming a middle income country and as per the World

Bank requirement, we have to attain a GDP growth of 7.5 percent. We are not going to get there unless

barriers preventing women from participating in the workforce are removed.

13 Oct 2015

1.Trials( , ): judicial examination, test2.Turning Up()3.reiterated( ) : say or do again, repeat

4.Curb( , ) : constrain, abstain, clog, restrict5.Dumbfounded( ) : astonished, dismayed, overwhelmed, surprised6.mystifying( , , ) : make obscure or secret7.plaintiffs ( , , ) : complainant, litigants, prosecutor8.Defiance ( , ) : contumacy, recalcitrance

9. appointed( ) : Designated

10.unfathomable(, , ) :boundless, illimitable11.cite ( , ) : Quote, adduce,12.deposition( , ) : sediment

13. retarding( ) : decelerate, slow14.reluctance( , ) :disinclination, hesitation, unwillingness15.baffling( ) : abstruse, confusing, enigmatic, perplexing

16.encouraging( )17.nullifies( / ) : abrogate, annul_________________________________

Editorial 1.diligence.( , ) : perseverance in carrying out action, attentiveness, assiduousness


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2.breakthrough ( )3.unsubstantiated( )

4.Gruesome( , ) : atrocious, ghastly, hideous5.Excoriate( )6.Implications( )

7.at stake ( ,

)

8.misgivings( )

9.engendered ( ) : to produce, cause or give rise to10.trivialise ( )11.grave ( , )

((Trials of militants

Why are police witnesses not turning up?))

At a time when our government has reiterated its commitment to curb militancy in the country we are

dumbfounded by a news report by a leading Bangla daily that the trial process of 156 cases involving

militants are on hold. The reason for this is even more mystifying: over 300 police personnel including

plaintiffs, investigating officers and police witnesses of the cases, have just not turned up in the courteven after arrest warrants had been issued against them.

Such defiance of the law by those who have been appointed to protect it is unfathomable. The report

cites the example of four arrested Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) members being produced in

the court 67 times but the plaintiffs, a sub inspector of the police station and an investigating officer

never came for giving their depositions in court thus retarding the trial process.

The reluctance of the home ministry to give the required approval of charge sheets of 138 militancy

cases is also baffling as this, too, has set back the trial processes.

It is encouraging that our law enforcing agencies have been able to arrest militants before they could

carry out any terror attacks. But just arresting them without a quick trial process nullifies such efforts. If

the government is as serious about combating terrorism as it says it is, it should make sure that the

home ministry approves the charge sheets of the militancy cases and that the members of the law

enforcing agencies, who are the plaintiffs and witnesses in such cases, appear in court.

14 October 2015

1.affair ( , , ) :2.accord ( , , ): Agree3.partisan ( , ) :an adherence to a party or faction4.endorsed ( / )6.downside( ) : a downward trend, a negative aspect

7.rivalry( , ) :competition, conflict8.witness( )

9.willy-nilly ( ) : In a haphazard and spontaneous manner, by compulsion : without choice10.replicated( )

11.animosity( , , ) : hostility, animus, enmity

12.facade( ): a way of behaving or appearing that gives other people a false idea of your true

feelings or situation

13. be-all and end-all( ) : prime cause, essential element


15/17

14.percolate ( , ): : to spread slowly, penetrate15.consequence( , ):16.stem a conclusion derived through logic :inference, aftermath, conclusion

17.pervading( ) :to become diffused throughout every part of

18. boils down (

): abstract, summarize, brief

19.efficacious ( , ) : effective, efficient, fruitful

20.autonomy( )

21.impaired( ) : being in a less than perfect or whole condition: as, Functionally defective

_______________________________________

Editorial 1.Belated ( , ): late, tardy, slow.2.recognise ( , ) : Identify, be familiar3.apologise: ( ) : Offering of remorse, regret, mitigation

4.Collaborators( ) : assistant, colleague, partner5.Ostracised ( ): banish, shunned7.Rehabilitation ( )

8.Seized( / ) : confiscated, captured9.oblivion(, , ): tge state of completely forgetting or unknown10.recognition ( ) : an acceptance as true or valid

11.entitled ( , , ): to name a title, to furnish with a right or claim to something12.lump sum ( , )13. reparation( , ): indemnity, indemnification

14. agony: ( , ) : misery, torment15.uphold: ( , ) : Defend, support

16.incorporate( , ) :Assimilate, co-optOctober 14, 2015

((Local body elections a party affairBut accord it more authority also))

The cabinet has approved the proposal to hold local body elections on a partisan basis. We understand

the merit of the change. But there is a plus side and a minus side to partisan polls at local level. When

we look at the positive, it recognises the reality of what has been happening on the ground. So far,

candidates endorsed by parties, if not directly nominated, have been contesting the polls. And one of

the downsides, and there are a few, will be that the political rivalry witnessed during national elections

will willy-nilly be replicated at the grassroots level, and we might see the same animosity here like that

displayed in national elections.

At present, there is a faade of non-party elections which is all too evident from some of the recently

held municipal polls where certain candidates drew upon the senior heavyweights to campaign on their

behalf. In other countries too, local elections are held on partisan basis, as in, for instance, India.However, here we should not overlook the fact that Indian elections are not as violent as we have

witnessed in our country. In Bangladesh, national elections becomes a battle of egos and winning

becomes the be-all and end-all of the contest. Such a mentality might now percolate to the grassroots

elections with bad consequences.

Be that as it may, our serious concern stems from the possibility of corruption, money and muscle-

power pervading the local ballot, which was not quite the case before. Furthermore, there will be a rat

race to get party nominations. Last but not the least, whatever may be the form of election, partisan or


16/17

non-partisan, it boils down to the need for an efficacious local government system. Unless local

government is given more authority like levying local taxes, development planning, and financial

autonomy, and made free from the influence of the local members of parliament, the development of

the country may be severely impaired.

!5 Oct 2015

1.Campaign( , )2.invigoration ( , ) Energize, stimulate, vitalize3.militant( , , ): belligerent, bellicose4.commendable( ) : Laudable, praiseworthy

5.Despite( )

6.Lethargic (, ) : Inactive, sluggish, quiescent7.Implementation ( , , ) : carry out, accomplish, execute

8.motivate ( ) :9.Ideology ( , )10.unenthusiastic: ( , ) : apathetic indifferent11.sermon. ( ) :Homily

12.on the ground( ) : among the general public13.scourge( , ) : to cause a lot of trouble or suffering, to hit with a whip aspunishment

14.combat( , ): conflict15.imbibe( , , ) :16.sentiment( , ) : Emotion, passion17.rigorous( , ) : authoritarian, harsh, stern

______________________________________Editorial

1.Scam( ) : a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation

2.flaw( ) : defect, imperfection3.probe( ) : investigation

4.numerous( )

5.Collusion: ( , ) : conspiracy6.brokers( )7.human traffickers( )8.proactive ( , , ) : Foresighted9.Apparently( , ) : evidently, putatively, seemingly

10.Racket( ): a fraudulent scheme, enterprise, or activity

11.Forged( ) Counterfeit12.cross checking( )

13. bypass( , , )14.Unfathomable ( , , )15.raising an eye brow( ): to give rise to doubt or disapproval16.illicit ( , ) : criminal, illegitimate, unlawful17.fraudsters( )


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EDITORIAL

Government's anti- militancy campaign

In need of invigoration

Despite a commendable initiative by the government to combat militancy by targeting schools,

madrasas and mosques, lethargic implementation has reduced it to a forgotten official circular. Agovernment campaign, launched under the Militancy Resistance and Prevention Committee 2009, aims

to motivate teachers and imams to educate people to resist militant ideology. From a report in this

paper we understand that the education ministry has issued several circulars asking schools to hold

assemblies regularly to brief students on militancy. The Islamic Foundation, moreover, has already

trained at least 84,000 imams, says the report, so that they give sermons on the evils of extremism.

But such efforts have done precious little as most teachers and imams are yet to follow the prescription

of the campaign. There is a huge gap between the instructions given out by the Committee and the

actual implementation on the ground. Many teachers and imams either are not aware of the existence

of the government directives or are unenthusiastic about following them. In fact, there is general

ignorance among the public regarding this well-intentioned campaign.

It goes without saying that the scourge of terrorism cannot be combated without the participation ofthe general public. And it is the schools and madrasas that militant elements often target to spread their

extremist ideologies. The campaign, therefore, must be given greater publicity through the print and

electronic media. Imams and teachers must be given clear direction so that they acknowledge the

importance of their role in imbibing anti-militancy sentiments. All this will be possible only if the

strategies of the campaign are followed through by rigorous monitoring of schools, mosques and

madrasas.

Daily Star Editorial(01 Oct - 15 Oct)

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Transcript of Daily Star Editorial(01 Oct - 15 Oct)