Staff Correspondent Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted Northeast India`s newfound benefits from improved India-Bangladesh relations at a recent event in New Delhi. While discussing Northeast India`s integration with Southeast Asia and Japan, he emphasized the region`s historical obstacles post-partition and praised recent strides, particularly the implementation of the land boundary agreement in 2015, for fostering cooperation and development opportunities. His comments have generated new enthusiasm about what is happening in India`s northeast with the collaboration of Bangladesh and Japan. Japan is spearheading the construction of the Matarbari deep-sea port in Bangladesh, aiming to connect India`s northeast with Bangladesh and foster regional economic growth. This initiative aligns with Japan`s Indo-Pacific strategy and India`s Act East policy, with significant potential for trade and investment. "Overall, the trilateral cooperation aims to strengthen economic partnerships, enhance maritime security, develop industrial value chains, and improve connectivity in the region," Dr Abdullah-al-Mamun, associate professor of the Department of Japanese Studies at Dhaka University, told Dhaka Tribune. International relations expert Prof. Shahab Enam Khan said that together Bangladesh and Japan aim to raise the economic profile of India’s Northeast, reducing regional disparities and insurgency. This collaboration prioritizes collective security and multilateralism, focusing on peace in the Indo-Pacific region, Prof. Khan, at the international relations department at Jahangirnagar University, told DhakaTribune. "This is necessary because instability has a spillover effect on Bangladesh,” he said. Japan has long been involved in building the Matarbari deep-sea port in Bangladesh. However, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s policy speech last year in May in New Delhi was an eye-opener for many. "Viewing Bangladesh and other areas to the south as a single economic zone, we will promote the Bay of Bengal-Northeast India industrial value chain concept in cooperation with India and Bangladesh to foster the growth of the entire region," Prime Minister Kishida had said. Matarbari deep-sea port 2 Shawon Photo shows the Matarbari deep-sea port, the construction of which is being spearheaded by Japan. Photo: Ali Asif Shawon/Dhaka Tribune Referring to the comment, Prof Mamun said both Japan and India have “significant, serious, and senior-level commitment. That means this region has high economic potential.” “It`s a top-level priority particularly for Japan and India. India has adopted an Act East policy, financial dependence of which is on Japan,” he said, adding that the Matarbari deep-sea port will be a trade gateway for the landlocked Northeast India. “India is establishing an Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Sabroom to make it a hub to connect Matarbari through the Sabroom-Ramgarh road connectivity,” he said. “The Northeast has significant potential in terms of becoming a value chain with its agriculture, horticulture, processed food, handmade fibre, handicraft, automobile, pharmaceuticals, and rubber products. “Japan also takes interest because it is relocating its production hub from China and ASEAN countries. Cheap labour in Bangladesh and India`s Northeast is an attraction for Japan,” he said. Bangladesh will also gain from the maritime security point of view, he said, explaining that Japan and India are Quad members along with Australia and the US. And Japan has recently brought Bangladesh under its Official Security Assistance (OSA) for the benefit of armed forces and other related organizations by providing materials and equipment as well as assistance for infrastructure development based on the security needs of the country. Prof Shahab Enam Khan said Bangladesh-Japan bilateral cooperation has become a “regional role model” based on age-old genuine commitments and the spirit of common development. “Both countries see that economic and security stability in Bangladesh’s neighborhood is required for sustainable regional growth,” he said. “For example, Japan’s Big-B initiative will significantly impact Bangladesh’s socio-economic growth, and scaling up such an initiative has the potential to stabilize Rakhine in Myanmar, too. “A Bangladesh-Japan joint partnership can help uplift the insurgency-prone Indian Northeast’s economy and livelihoods, where multidimensional poverty and growth retardation are widely prevalent. “I think this bilateral cooperation has the potential to help minimize Indian regional disparity between and within them,” Prof Khan said. In terms of economies of scale, he said: “it is more pragmatic to see trilateral cooperation as an effort to minimize economic root causes behind instability in the Indian Northeast rather than significant trade gains for Bangladesh.” “After all, instability has a spillover effect on Bangladesh,” he said. “Bangladesh and Japan believe in multilateralism and collective security, which are required to preserve and promote peace in the Indo-Pacific region. Hence, bilateral security cooperation regarding peacetime deployment, Bangladesh’s strategic autonomy over its maritime territory, and the transfer of advanced maritime technologies will help keep the Bay of Bengal free and open for global trade,” he said. “Hence, the bilateral security cooperation, prioritized under Japan’s OSA, reflects Bangladesh’s national interest based on a commitment to stability in the region where India and Myanmar are crucial partners. “Bangladesh has always remained committed to a common development agenda conducive to its growth and prosperity instead of a hyper-security agenda. The country took initiatives such as SAARC, hosting BIMSTEC Headquarters in Dhaka as part of its commitment to pragmatic regional cooperation. “I think Japan can focus on revitalizing and strengthening these two institutions in the coming days for greater regional cooperation,” said Prof Khan. “From Bangladesh’s perspective, regional cooperation should not be confined to a sub-regional level. Bangladesh’s economy certainly needs expansion by connecting itself with Central and Southeast Asia," he said. Challenges include trade integration and addressing trade deficits, with the need for cooperation to overcome barriers and facilitate investment, said Japanese Studies teacher Dr Mamun. Civil society engagement and addressing security concerns, such as insurgencies in the northeast, are also crucial for success. “Japanese companies are eager to set up their factories inside Bangladesh along the border due to security concerns in the northeast. But India will certainly want those investments in the Northeast,” Dr Mamun said.

Staff Correspondent Rickety buses are not only dangerous for commuters but also quite damaging to the environment. They also look ugly on the city streets. Therefore, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has requested bus owners to repair and bring the buses to a better condition to operate them on Dhaka streets. The BRTA has given the bus owners a deadline of May 31 in this regard. Earlier, the authorities had said these buses will not be allowed on the streets after Eid-ul-Fitr—which was observed on April 11. Experts suggest a scientific transformation of the sector to bring about systematic changes. They say only dent-paint work won’t solve the problem. On May 2, BRTA published a circular saying these old buses are damaging the beauty of the capital. According to Section 25 of the Road Transport Act 2018, it is a punishable offense to drive unfit, dangerous, and discolored vehicles on the road. Earlier, on April 2, the authorities in a meeting with the bus owners decided that rickety buses won’t be allowed on the city streets after April 11. BRTA Chairman Noor Mohammad Majumdar presided over the meeting. However, even after Eid, these buses are seen plying the city streets. Bus owners say that painting buses is an ongoing process. For now, the buses in worse condition will be painted and repaired. The rest will also be painted in phases. At the April 2 meeting, the bus owners said that there is a need for 7,000 buses to serve the total population in the capital. But currently, there are only 4000 buses operating in the city. Md Shahjahan, managing director of Shikor Paribahan, said that if all the buses are painted at once, there will be a public transport crisis. “We have asked for two months. We are operating the buses in phases. In the first phase, we have started repairing 18 buses out of our fleet of 68 buses. Of these, 17 have been repaired already. After getting them on the road, we sent 10 more buses for repair,” he added. Meanwhile, industry insiders said that the buses are painted and repaired before the fitness test. Once they get the fitness certificate, the condition of the buses are ignored by the owners. The only consideration of the owners after getting the certificate is their revenue. An owner of Bihango Paribahan, who did not want to be named, said: "I don`t know what the company wants. But we, as common bus owners, want a system where there is no extortion on the roads and everything is maintained systematically. And the syndicate that has been created to control the prices of the parts should be dissolved.” Meanwhile, the bus drivers cannot guarantee how long the new paint job will last. When asked, they said that they drive buses in rotation. Therefore, it is difficult to hold a driver responsible for the condition of one bus. They said they compete against each other on the streets because their income depends on the number of trips. This is where the buses get damaged the most, they said. At the same time, the drivers who manage to attract more passengers will be able to pay the daily rent to the bus owners. According to them, there is no alternative to this unhealthy competition on the streets. When asked what the solution is, a bus driver named Sharif said: "There should be a system. Currently, there is no system in the transport sector. This is the case about our employment as well. There is no regulation on the roads either. What can we do if those who are responsible for amending the rules do not pay heed to the problems?” Md. Hadiuzzaman, professor at the Department of Civil Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), said: “Our road management should be scientific, it is not just a matter of a paint job. We have seen time and time again that if the buses are painted, they don`t last even for six months. This is because of the competition between the buses. As a result of this competition, buses tend to overtake one another and get damaged.” According to this expert, painting old buses is just a waste of money. He said the buses are kept in the shed for a week in the name of dent-paint or repair. This way the bus owners are also affected financially. Therefore, the BRTA and bus owners must take the initiative to bring about discipline in transport management. Only then will the paint of the buses last long.

Staff Correspondent A fire, which broke out in Sunderbans East Zone in Bagerhat on Saturday afternoon, is still uncertain how far the fire has spread, but local representatives reported that it had already spread across 2km. Md Abu Taher Mia, a member of the 8th ward in Nishanbaria union of Morelganj upazila in Bagerhat, said: “The fire occurred near the Amurbunia outpost and has spread to at least 2km. Everyone is attempting to control it, but it is challenging to contain.” Sundarbans East Divisional Forest Officer Kazi Mohammad Nurul Karim said: “Upon receiving news of the fire, forest workers, along with locals, started efforts to extinguish it. The fire service personnel have been deployed, and he is also on his way to the site.” However, this officer could not provide details on the cause of the fire or the exact area affected. Two units from the Fire Service have reached the scene to control the fire, working alongside forest department personnel and locals. Forest Officer Anisur Rahman said: “Two units from the Bagerhat Fire Service, along with forest guards from four forest department outposts, are working to control the fire. Additionally, forest officers from the East Sundarbans are present at the site overseeing the firefighting efforts.” Md Saiful Alam Chowdhury, Assistant Director of Bagerhat Fire Service and Civil Defence, reported that upon receiving news of the fire, two units from the Morelganj Fire Service have already reached the site and started controlling the fire.

Staff Correspondent Class ten student Azmaine Inquiad Inan from Residential Model School and College has watched over a thousand animation movies to date. At the onset of Covid-19, he became increasingly addicted to watching these movies due to having ample free time alongside his studies. With digital devices readily available, he indulged in his passion for animation daily, also delving into the history and production of anime films. However, he acknowledges that his fondness for animation is not a talent. Inan told Dhaka Tribune, "For the first time, I feel that my knowledge of animation movies can be put to use at this literature festival." He participated in the "Under-Anime Mind Quest" category of Group D, competing against students from various schools in Dhaka. The competition consisted of three stages, including a question aimed at identifying the anime character with the most acute sense of smell, a challenge only true anime aficionados could tackle. Inan`s preference leans towards comedic action anime films, which inspired him to cultivate a habit of writing stories in the anime genre, sharing them with his parents. Not only Inan, but nearly 600 students from grades 3 to 12, representing 30-35 schools in Dhaka, participated in the Annual Inter School Literature Festival hosted by St Joseph International School from May 2-4. The festival served as a platform for students to showcase their literary talents and creativity through a variety of engaging competitions. It celebrated literature, the arts, and the exchange of knowledge. The three-day Lit Festival commenced at St. Joseph`s International School in the capital. The first and second days featured competitions at different levels, along with various activities and workshops. Zubayer Chowdhury, a 7th grader, has a passion for movies. As there was no cable connection in his home until last year, his movie-watching opportunities were limited. Every Eid, he visits the cinema to watch his favorite movie, supplemented by a weekly movie session. Zubair remarked, "I`ve watched a single movie 300 times because it`s saved in our home player. I never tire of watching it since I love movies." The Annual Inter-school Literature Festival was a unique and thrilling event providing students with a platform to showcase their literary talents, connect with peers, and learn from industry experts. It celebrated the written and spoken word, highlighting the power of literature and the arts. Nafiza Anjum Prova, a ninth-grade student at Summerfield International School, expressed her lifelong love for art. Amidst increasing academic pressure, she found solace in modern art, which has since become an integral part of her life. Prova participated in the festival, competing in the modern art and story writing categories. 180 students receive awards Prizes were awarded to the winners on the last day of the festival yesterday. Guests from the Russian Cultural Center graced the closing ceremony with their presence. Over 180 students were honoured with awards, having participated in 16 events spanning across four categories. First, second, and third place awards were bestowed upon three students from each category. The festival comprised four groups: Group A for grades 3 and 4, Group B for grades 5 and 6, Group C for grades 7, 8, and 9, and Group D for grades 10, 11, and 12. Each group engaged in a variety of competitions designed to showcase their literary prowess in both English and Bangla. The competitions encompassed a wide range of activities including short film production, YouTube content creation, modern art, extemporaneous speech, storytelling and writing, theatrical drama, cinematic quizzical quest, English Olympiad, masquerade, anime mind quest, spelling bee, poem recitation, poster design and presentation in English, as well as literature-based quizzes in English. Joseph The image shows a glimpse of St Joseph International School literary festival on Saturday, May 4, 2024. Photo: Ahadul Karim Khan/Dhaka Tribune Festival Director Shariful Anwar said: “Through participation in the festival, students have the opportunity to develop their communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and problem-solving techniques, all while broadening their understanding of the world.” Shegufta Islam, chief convener of the SJIS literary club, said: “This is the largest school-level literature festival in the country, where students can nurture their literary sensibilities and expand their knowledge of literature. The festival provides students with a platform to showcase their talents, interact with peers from other schools, and explore new ideas and cultures.” She added that the festival also serves as an avenue for students to express their love for reading, writing, and the spoken word, and to share their passion for literature. Principal Brother Chandan B Gomes expressed his belief that this event will play a significant role in enhancing students` skills and fostering the development of new ideas. Engaging in literary activities will complement the students` academic pursuits. On March 19, 1954, Brother Jude Costello, an American Missionary member of the Congregation of Holy Cross, operating under the Catholic Archdiocese of Dhaka, founded the school as the "St. Joseph English Medium School" on Monir Hossain Lane, Narinda, in the old part of Dhaka. In July 1965, all classes were relocated from Narinda to the Mohammadpur campus. Over the past 70 years, this educational institution has served as a launching pad for numerous academics, corporate leaders, sports personalities, politicians, scientists, engineers, architects, medical professionals, musicians, artists, debaters, quizzers, filmmakers, journalists, and policymakers of local and global renown. The institution celebrated its Golden Jubilee on campus in 2004, and on March 19, 2024, it marked its 70th anniversary. Throughout the latter part of the 21st century, St. Joseph has continued to expand its student body and faculty size, establishing several research centers and programs. Josephites, alumni of St Joseph, have spread worldwide, forming one of the most esteemed alumni bases in the country. Their sense of achievement finds its roots in the school. Josephites maintain relationships with peers from other colleges by participating in inter-college competitions and college festivals. The Extra-Curricular Credits Committee (ECC) oversees students` performance and organizes contingents for events at other colleges. Extra-curricular and co-curricular activities include the Scintilla Science Club, Josephite Debating Club, Josephite Language and Reading Club, Josephite Business Club, Josephite Chess Club, Josephite Eco Earth Club, Josephite Interact Club, Josephite Cultural Forum, Josephite Wall Magazine Club, Josephite Film & Drama Club, Josephite IT Club-JITC, Josephite International Understanding Club, and the newly formed Josephite Wellbeing Club.

International Desk Scores of Democrats in the US House on Friday urged President Joe Biden to consider halting arms sales to Israel if it does not alter the conduct of its war against Hamas. A letter signed by 86 Democratic members of Congress and delivered to the White House ratchets up pressure on Biden to take a firmer stance toward Israel, a staunch ally. The lawmakers voiced "serious concerns regarding the Israeli government`s conduct of the war in Gaza as it pertains to the deliberate withholding of humanitarian aid." Israel`s restrictions on US-backed humanitarian aid delivery in Gaza "have contributed to an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe," the letter said, citing the US Agency for International Development. The lawmakers urged Biden to make clear to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that any impediment to aid delivery to Gaza was "risking its eligibility for further offensive security assistance from the United States." The letter said any US funding halt should not include missile defense systems such as the Iron Dome. "We continue to strongly support providing such lifesaving defensive funding to Israel," the letter said. Those signing the letter included Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee. Since the start of the war in Gaza, which was triggered by the unprecedented attack by Hamas on October 7, Biden has faced criticism for his unconditional support for Israel. But pressure on him has mounted as rowdy protests by students have shaken US university campuses and garnered headlines, months before Biden seeks re-election.