Shreyashi Roy sings at a cultural evening at the Alliance Francaise auditorium in the city on June 25. Panthajan organised the event left); Cultural activists take out a procession in the port city on June 26 to mark the death anniversary of Shaheed Janani Jahanara Imam.Photo: STAR

‘Form commission to bring war criminals to book’
Chief Coordinator of the Sector Commander's Forum and former army chief Lt Gen (retd) Harunur Rashid called for forming a commission like Anti-Corruption Commission to try the war criminals.
He was addressing as the chief guest at a reception ceremony for noted personalities, organised by the Aloran, a monthly publication, on the occasion of its founding anniversary at Chittagong Press Club on Friday.
Lt Gen (retd) Harunur Rashid said honest, brilliant and patriot persons have to be honoured as they work for the welfare of the country. Freedom fighters, the best sons of the country, should also be given due honour at first, he added.
He also said the war criminals and local collaborators of Pakistani army must be brought to book for the sake of the country's development.
"We are not asking to take action against any particular person. Rather, we are demanding trial of all those who were involved in the killing of three million people, violation of four lakh women and plundering of huge properties during the war," he said.
Aloron Adviser and Bagdad Group Chairman Ferdous Khan Alamgir presided over the ceremony while former city mayor Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury inaugurated the celebrations.
Prof Dr Jamal Nazrul Islam, Principal Jalal Uddin Al Qudery, freedom fighter MA Mansur, advocate Syed Md Kamal Uddin and Abdus Salam also spoke.

Portrait celebrates 18th anniversary
Portrait, a cultural organisation of the port city, celebrated its 18th anniversary with a colourful ceremony at Studio Theatre auditorium on Saturday.
Chittagong Press Club President and ATN Bangla Chittagong Divisional Chief Ali Abbas was the chief guest at the ceremony while Acting News Editor Abu Taher Mohammad of the Purbokone, Portrait Adviser Jahangir Alam and Designer Rowshan Ara Chowdhury were present as special guests.
The speakers lauded the role of Portrait in promoting the culture and heritage of Chittagong.
They also called on the organisation leaders to continue their activities in the greater interest of people of the region.
Later, a cultural programme was held. Anamika and Prothoma Das performed dance numbers while singers Alauddin Taher, Anannya, Ishita, Ahsan Habibul Alam and Shahriar Khaled enthralled the audience with their melodious numbers.
A fashion show and drama were also staged.

Call to incorporate new tech into edn system
Vice Chancellor of Chittagong University (CU) Prof Dr M Badiul Alam underscored the need to incorporate recent technological development into the education system in order to survive in the competitive world.
He also said it is possible to develop the Chittagong University by equipping it with modern amenities through concerted efforts.
The vice chancellor was addressing at the inaugural ceremony of installation of sound system in the conference room of VC office on Thursday.
He said that good working environment helps increase the efficiency of the people.
Prof of fine arts department Mizanur Rahim delivered the welcome address.
Deans of different faculties, syndicate members, hall provosts, chairmen and directors of different departments and institutes under the university were present at the ceremony.

Aramit declares 45pc dividend
Aramit Limited, the corrugated cement roofing sheets and pipes manufacturing industry, has declared 45 percent dividend for its shareholders for the year 2007.
The dividend was announced at the 37th annual general meeting (AGM) of the company held at Chittagong Club on Thursday.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company Md Ziaul Hoque Khondker presided over the meeting while Managing Director Saifuzzaman Chowdhury and Executive Director and Company Secretary Md Ibrahim Khalil spoke.
Company Directors Md Humayun Kabir, Aminul Islam, Md Abdur Rouf, Md Kazi Shahanul Hoque and a number of shareholders were present at the meeting.
The company earned net profit before income tax of Tk 77.87 million and net profit after income tax of Tk 56.41 million for the year ended on December 31 in 2007, said a press release.

Int'l Leasing opens branch
International Leasing and Financial Services Limited (ILFSL) opened a branch in the port city last week.
Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) President Saifuzzaman Chowdhury formally inaugurated the branch as the chief guest at Ayub Trade Centre at Sheikh Mujib Road.
Speaking on the occasion, Saifuzzaman highlighted the economic importance of the port city and stressed the need for its development.
"The small and medium enterprise sector is the engine of economic growth in a country and expansion of this sector would help boost the economy," he said.
The directors of the company, senior executives of different banks and financial institutions and the company clients were present at the ceremony.

Tribute paid to Jahanara Imam
Speakers at a discussion paid tribute to Shaheed Janani Jahanara Imam, recalling her significant contribution to the political movement in the country.
The nation now needs a dedicated leader like Jahanara Imam who never deviated from her goal.
Chittagong district unit of Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee organised the discussion at the concluding session of a two-day programme marking the 14th death anniversary of Jahanara Imam at Chattagram Academy auditorium on Friday.
Chittagong Committee President Prof Helal Uddin Nizami presided over the session.
The speakers said Jahanara Imam appeared in the political stage of the country as a symbol of unity when the pro-liberation forces were divided into different groups and the anti-liberation forces emerged and established themselves in politics.
Prof Dr Gazi Saleh Uddin, CPB leader Shah Alam, Awami League leader Cheman Ara Tyeb, city unit commander of Muktijoddha Sangsad Mozaffar Ahmad, liberation war researcher Dr Kajal Kanti Das, freedom fighter Jadu Gopal Baishnab and Nirmul Commitee general secretary Kamrul Hasan Badal took part in the discussion.