Daily Star-Editorial

01 Oct 2015
1. condemn(
,
,
) censure, decry, denounce, execrate, reprehend,
reprobate
2.Condolence( ): Sympathy, Solace
3.Bereaved (
4.Alleged(
5.Credibility(

) : Suspect, Suspicious, Questionable

): 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 concerns
about 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

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 kind
16.Ideologies ( ): Vision, speculation
17.Cashing in (
)
18.Vulnerability (
) Sensibility, susceptibility
19.Exploit(
,
): abuse, misuse, take advantage
20. Intervention(
) : come between, mediate
21. 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 counterextremist policies and strategies in line with countries that have dealt with similar problems in an
effective 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.

03 Oct 2015
1.Significant (
) :Important, noteworthy
2.participate (
): Take part
3.Statesman (
) : A person who exhibits great wisdom and ability in dealing the affair of a
government or dealing with important public issue
4.Plethora (
) : plenty, profusion, glut, surplus, excess, deluge
5.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 other
people or a situation.
9.Leaving aside (
) : Exclusive of, Debarring, Excluding, Omitting
10. Recognition( ) Identification, acknowledgement
11. Accolade (
) : Strong praise, kudos
12. Continue To stress (
)
13. Stature (
/
) : Ability, Capacity, caliber, importance, capacity
14. Addressing(
,
)
15.Measure ( ,
)
16. Hesitation ( ) : Doubt, Oscillation, vacillation, Wavering
17. 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.

04 Oct 2015
1.Promptly(
) : Quick to act, hastily, instantly, on the double, on time
2.Decisive(
) :Conclusively
3.Aghast (
) : Struck with surprise, horror or terror, appalled, astonished, dismayed, startled
4.Reportedly (
) : According to report.
5.Condone(
,
) : Disregard,To forgive,ignore, let it go
6.Dastardly(/
) : a brutal cowardly
7. Cultivated (
, ) : refined, polished, cultured
8.Fruitful (
)
9.cast(
, ) : Shed
10. Reasonable (
) : cognitive, consistent, credible, justifiable, logical
11.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 development
partners, 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.

05 Oct 2015
1.Clamp Down ( ,
/
)
2. Accentuate (
) To bring out distinctly, To emphasise
3.Worsening ( ) : aggravation, annoyance, irritation
4.Neonatal( ) : relating to new born children.
5. Bewildering**(
) : Perplexing
6.Pseudo ( ) Counterfeit, Imitation, pretended, spurious.
7.Malpractice(
) : ( Abuse, misconduct)
8.Gross **( ,
,
,
) : Unrefined, Shameful, Fat, obscene
10.Ventilate(
,
)
11.Grievances**( ) : Hardship, Injury
12. Culprit**(
,
) : A person accused for crime, A criminal.
13. Accountable (
,
) : responsible
14. Negates (
/ ) : Deny, Annul, Cancel
15. Rhetoric(
) : Art for elegant and artistic Composition, the art of speaking with Elegance
16.Conduct ( , ,
) : Lead, Guide. behave
17. Hype (
,
) : promotion, buildup
18. 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 to
see 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

1.Headway(
,
) : progress
2.Crucial (
)
3.Coordinated (
) : Harmonious relation and action
4.Concern** (
,
)
5.Palpable**(
, ,
) : Obvious, Tangible
6.Premeditated (
)
7.Law enforcement** (
)
8.Militant**( ,
) :belligerent
9.Flimsy ** ( ,
): unconvincing, implausible, feeble
10.panic (
, )
11. several counts (
)
12.Retailer(
,
)
13.Paranoia ( )
14. Smear(
, ) : stain, blot
15.Probe into** (
)
16.allay ( , ) : relieve, abate
17.Expeditiously(
, ) : speedy, prompt
18.expedient (
,
, )
19.coalesce(
)
20.Entrust**(
)
21.Sought (
) : past participle of seek
22.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.

07 Oct 2015
1.Pastor (
)
2. Barely(
) : Only, scarcely, hardly.
3. Pretending ( /
) : acting, cheating, bluffing
4.Assailant(
) : assaulter, invader, trigger person
5. portray(
,
6.prompt** ( , ) : Incite
7.Agenda (
) : plan, schedule
8. Intensify(
) : aggravate, enhance, exacerbate.
9.Den (
,
)
10. Destabilize (
11. Gruesome** (
, ): Appalling, Daunting, ghastly, hideous, horrendous, macabre
12. Unravel (
,
, ) : solve explain
13. deterioration(
) : degeneration, degradation, lapse, worsening
14. Emphasis (
) : Highlights, Underlining
15. perpetrators ( ,
) : Culprit, criminal
16. Unease (
) : Discomfort
-----------------------------------------------((TPP signed)) Editorial
1. Signatory(
)
2. Preferential(
)
3. Treatment ( ,
)
4. Erode (
) : disintegrate, scour, wear down
5. Ramifications(
)
6. Cutting edge(
) : the position of greatest importance or advancement, the leading
position 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

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 refusal
2. Arbitration ( ) : ( judgment, settlement of disputes
3.Urging(
) : to push or force along
4. Infuriated ( , ) : Furious, angry
5. Dare ( ) : take a risk, be courageous
6. dispute (
/ ) : clash, to quarrel
7. Consciousness (
, )
8. Atrocious (
) : beastly,
horrid
9.profess(
,
,
) : avow, confirm, asseverate, To declare; to assert, affirm
10. empowerment (
)
11.prioritise (
)
12. Mercilessly (
)
13.Disobeyed (
)
14.perturbed (
/ ) : agitate, bewilder, dismay
15.tolerate (
) : Bear, endure
16. Endorsed (
) : authenticated
17. perpetrators( )
18. meted out (
)
---------------------------------------------Editorial
1.Spate (
) : a large number of events than usual especially unpleasant ones happening at
about the same time
2.Campaign (
)
3. Outfit ( )
4.Pertaining ( ) : belong
5. dissemination(
) : dispersion
6. 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 sent
message 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

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 be
meted out to demonstrate our zero tolerance policy towards violence against women.
09 Oct 2015
1. delinquent ( /
) : offender, one who neglect a duty
2. Forge( ,
) : Counterfeit, make falsely
3.Inmates (
) : A person confined to an institution such as a prison (as a
convict) or hospital (as a patient)
4.Accused (
) : blamed, implicated
5.Confession (
)
6. Collusion (
) : secret agreement
7. nipped in the bud (
)
8.Cross checking(
)
9.misdeeds (
) :illegal action
10.One-off incident (
)
11.Breaches(
) : gap, break, rupture
12. ascertain(
)
13.Widespread (
) : broad, on a large scale.
14. Come to light (
)
15. Bring to book (
) : to punish someone
16. bail ( )
17.scot-fee(
) : Completely free from harm, restrain, punishment
---------------------------------------------------------- Editorial
1. 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 staff
Fake 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

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 gravity
of 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, regret
3.noticeable (
) : evident, manifest, marked
4.foreknowledge(
) : anticipate, foresee,
5.Collateral ( , )
6.Casualties (
) : loss of numerical strength through any cause, death, wound, sickness
7.Dismissed: (
, ): discharged, removed
8.of little comfort(
)
9.Circumstances(
,
): situation, condition
10.raging (
): violent anger, infuriated, furious
11.gross( ): obscene, indecent
12.violation( ): Transgression
13.ascertain(
) make sure, make certain
---------------------------------------------------Editorial
1.Enriched (
): Improved, enhanced
2.Conducting( , ): manner of development,guidance Skillful guidance or management
3.prior to( ) : before
4. phase.(
, ): period of life or something, Condition
5.severe(
):Harsh, Rigorous
6.consistent (,
):Compatible, agreeing, Concordat
7.undoubtedly(
): Certainly, without any doubt
8.deduced ( ,
): Figure out, deduct
9.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

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 by
the 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, disadvantage
2.Abandon(
): desert, surrender, yield, forsake
3.look down upon(
,,
)
4.Burden(
) : heavy load, responsibility
5.Dumped (
,
) : Ditch
6.dedicated (
) : Devoted, loyal, conscientious
7.inadequate (
) : insufficient, deficient
8.seek(
, ) : Quest
9.culture(
, )
10.referred(
)
11.psychiatric(
)
12.non-existent(
)
13.provision: ( , ) : condition
14.acknowledge: (
,
)
15.Adequate(
) : Sufficient
16.Allocation(,
): apportion, allot
17.practitioner( , )
________________________________
Editorial
)
1.High time (
)
2.Adoption (
,
)
3.Unclaimed( ,
)
4.orphanage( ,
)
5.permissible (
) :admissible, allowable
6.Confer (
,
) :accord, grant, vest
7.monitoring(
) : Surveillance
9.stance: ( ,
)
10.reconsider( )
11.ward(
, ) :shield, protection, security
12.mechanism: (
,
)

October 11, 2015

((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 is
just 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 and
financial 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,Conclude
3.stalemate(
, ) : Dead lock, halt, impasse
4.veracity: (
) integrity, verity
5.agitating (
,
)
6.incontrovertible (
,
) : incontestable, irrefutable
7.reluctant : (
,
) : dubious, indisposed
8.outright(
, )
9.arbitrary(
,
) : dictatorial, peremptory


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 to
emphasise 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, test
2.Turning Up( )
3.reiterated(
) : say or do again, repeat
4.Curb( ,
) : constrain, abstain, clog, restrict
5.Dumbfounded( ) : astonished, dismayed, overwhelmed, surprised
6.mystifying(
,
,
) : make obscure or secret
7.plaintiffs ( ,
, ) : complainant, litigants, prosecutor
8.Defiance (
,
) : contumacy, recalcitrance
9. appointed(
) : Designated
10.unfathomable( , , ) :boundless, illimitable
11.cite ( ,
) : Quote, adduce,
12.deposition(
, ) : sediment
13. retarding(
) : decelerate, slow
14.reluctance(
,
) :disinclination, hesitation, unwillingness
15.baffling(
) : abstruse, confusing, enigmatic, perplexing
16.encouraging(
)
17.nullifies( / ) : abrogate, annul
_________________________________
Editorial
1.diligence.(
,
) : perseverance in carrying out action, attentiveness, assiduousness

2.breakthrough (
)
3.unsubstantiated(
)
4.Gruesome(
, ) : atrocious, ghastly, hideous
5.Excoriate( )
6.Implications(
)
7.at stake (
,
)
8.misgivings(
)
9.engendered ( ) : to produce, cause or give rise to
10.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 court
even 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 (
,
,
): Agree
3.partisan ( ,
) :an adherence to a party or faction
4.endorsed (
/ )
6.downside(
) : a downward trend, a negative aspect
7.rivalry( ,
) :competition, conflict
8.witness(
)
9.willy-nilly ( ) : In a haphazard and spontaneous manner, by compulsion : without choice
10.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

14.percolate (
, ): : to spread slowly, penetrate
15.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 familiar
3.apologise: (
) : Offering of remorse, regret, mitigation
4.Collaborators( ) : assistant, colleague, partner
5.Ostracised ( ): banish, shunned
7.Rehabilitation (
)
8.Seized( / ) : confiscated, captured
9.oblivion( ,
,
): tge state of completely forgetting or unknown
10.recognition (
) : an acceptance as true or valid
11.entitled (
, ,
): to name a title, to furnish with a right or claim to something
12.lump sum (

,
)
13. reparation(
,
): indemnity, indemnification
14. agony: (
,
) : misery, torment
15.uphold: (
,
) : Defend, support
16.incorporate(
,
) :Assimilate, co-opt

October 14, 2015
((Local body elections a party affair
But 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 musclepower 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

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, vitalize
3.militant(
, ,
): belligerent, bellicose
4.commendable(
) : Laudable, praiseworthy
5.Despite(
)
6.Lethargic (,
) : Inactive, sluggish, quiescent
7.Implementation (
, ,
) : carry out, accomplish, execute
8.motivate (
):
9.Ideology ( ,
)
10.unenthusiastic: (
, ) : apathetic indifferent
11.sermon. (
) :Homily
12.on the ground( ) : among the general public
13.scourge(

, ) : to cause a lot of trouble or suffering, to hit with a whip as

punishment
14.combat( , ): conflict
15.imbibe( ,
, ) :
16.sentiment( , ) : Emotion, passion
17.rigorous( , ) : authoritarian, harsh, stern
______________________________________
Editorial
1.Scam(
) : a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation
2.flaw(
) : defect, imperfection
3.probe( ) : investigation
4.numerous(
)
5.Collusion: ( ,
) : conspiracy
6.brokers( )
7.human traffickers( )
8.proactive (
,

,
) : Foresighted
9.Apparently(
,
) : evidently, putatively, seemingly
10.Racket( ): a fraudulent scheme, enterprise, or activity
11.Forged( ) Counterfeit
12.cross checking(
)
13. bypass(
,
,
)
14.Unfathomable ( ,
,
)
15.raising an eye brow(

): to give rise to doubt or disapproval

16.illicit ( ,
) : criminal, illegitimate, unlawful
17.fraudsters( )


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. A
government 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 of
the 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.