Hindus in Bangladesh celebrate Janmashtami

'India's Muslims, Hindus don't know about each other'

July 2nd, 2009 ASTANA - Tensions exist between India's Muslims and Hindus because the two communities do not know enough about each other, an Indian delegate at the global faith conference here contended Thursday. "Yes, tensions do exist but they exist because Muslims and Hindus don't know about each other," Zafar Yunus Sareshwala, the CEO of Mumbai Stock Exchange-listed financial services provider Parsoli Corporation, maintained during the plenary on "Solidarity specially in the period of crisis", on the concluding day of the third Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions here.

Taliban demands six million rupees as 'Jaziya' from Hindus in NWFP

June 28th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The Taliban has demanded six million rupees as 'Jaziya' from Hindus residing in the Battagram district of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP). According to sources, an unidentified Taliban insurgent called a Hindu leader of the region, Dr.

Dhaka, Yangon to share submarine cable for IT connectivity

June 21st, 2009 DHAKA - Bangladesh and Myanmar could share each other's under sea cable system, used for running the internet, whenever their own cable connectivity breaks down, according to a proposal put forward by Yangon. Bangladesh is examining the proposal received from Myanmar, New Age newspaper said Sunday quoting an official.

Dhaka, Moscow sign deal for nuclear power plants

May 14th, 2009 DHAKA - Bangladesh and Russia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to facilitate setting up nuclear power plants in Bangladesh and transfer of related technology. Similar MoUs were signed with the US and China some months ago.

Bangladesh orders probe into 2001 post-poll violence

May 6th, 2009 DHAKA - A court here Wednesday directed the Bangladesh government to constitute a commission to probe violence against religious minorities in the aftermath of general elections in 2001. Responding to a petition by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), an independent body, a high court bench asked the government to set up the commission within two months, the Star Online reported.

Terrorism still a concern in Bangladesh, says US envoy

May 3rd, 2009 DHAKA - The US government believes that Islamist militancy is still a major concern in Bangladesh, the US ambassador in Dhaka said Sunday. 'We do have disturbing indications.

Laws discriminatory to minorities to be repealed: Bangladesh

April 30th, 2009 DHAKA - Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that her government will repeal all laws and rules discriminatory to minority communities, including indigenous people. 'Our government believes in freedom of all religious faiths and equal opportunities for all,' Hasina told a visiting French military delegation Wednesday.

Hillary Clinton greets Bangladeshis on New Year

April 12th, 2009 DHAKA - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Sunday sent a New Year message to all Bangladeshis living across the world ahead of the Bengali New Year 1416 - which is celebrated Tuesday. 'I send greetings to all around the world who are observing Pahela Boishakh (the first day of Bengali calendar), the New Year festivity celebrated by those who share common Bengali culture,' Clinton said in a message released by the US embassy in Dhaka.

Bangladesh to have exclusive TV channel for children

March 14th, 2009 DHAKA - Bangladesh will launch Dugdugi TV, a channel exclusively for children, April 14 on Pahela Baishakh that marks the beginning of the Bengali year. 'Movies and special programmes for children will form the mainstay of the channel.

Hindus, Muslims celebrate Lucknow's 'Holi Baraat'

March 11th, 2009 LUCKNOW - Amid shouts of 'Holi hai', a large number of Hindus and Muslims came together here Wednesday for a 40-year-old practise of jointly celebrating the festival of colours in the old quarter. Dancing to the beat of drums, the revellers assembled around 10 a.m.

Pakistan tour of Bangladesh postponed

March 6th, 2009 DHAKA - The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Thursday announced that it has postponed Pakistan's cricket tour to the country scheduled to start later this week. 'The Bangladesh Cricket Board has postponed Pakistan's tour of Bangladesh 2009 as advised by the government authorities,' the BCB said in a brief statement.

Bangladesh Inc backs Hasina's 'charter of change'

January 1st, 2009 DHAKA - Captains of Bangladesh's trade and industry have hailed Sheikh Hasina's poll victory this week and want her to promote private sector for more jobs and higher exports. Leaders of the country's chamber bodies and trade associations Thursday said in a joint statement that they were enthused by the Charter of Change - as she had called her poll manifesto last month - and want her to keep her promise of achieving a 'digital Bangladesh'.

Bangladesh's Zia seeks vote 'to save Islam and country'

December 22nd, 2008 DHAKA - Former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia has been urging people to 'save Islam and the country' by voting for her Islamist alliance nominees in the parliamentary election due Dec 29. 'Save the country and Islam by voting for BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) and its alliance, and don't cast your vote for those who defamed the religion,' Zia said at a large rally at Sylhet in northeastern Bangladesh.