August 10, 2006
Curry King puts word of his recipes out by text
RECIPES by the Edinburgh-based chef known as the Curry King can now be ordered by text message in his native Bangladesh.
Leading city restaurateur Tommy Miah, owner of The Raj in Leith, is a celebrity chef with his own television show in Bangladesh.
Mr Miah's recipes for Bangladeshi, Thai, Indian and Chinese meals can now be requested via text message from any Banglalink mobile phone.
The 47-year-old curry tycoon, who arrived in Britain at the age of ten unable to speak a word of English, is launching his own brand of spices in Britain.
The range is set to go on sale to restaurants and caterers across the UK later this year.
Mr Miah also owns the Indian-themed Original Raj Hotel in Murrayfield and The Heritage Restaurant in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Amongst his achievements are the delivery of a curry lunch-box to 10 Downing Street for Prime Minister John Major's 50th birthday, and producing the world's largest curry - big enough to feed 10,000.
Mr Miah has written several charity cookbooks and started a worldwide curry contest - International Indian Chef of the Year.
Posted by admin at 09:29 AM | Comments (0)
Visiting UN Mission perceives Strengths, Concerns, on Elections
Dhaka:A mission from the Electoral Assistance Division of the United Nations Department of Political Affairs visited Bangladesh from 18-27 June in order to assess the pre-election environment and evaluate how the United Nations may best contribute to elections in the country.
Members of the mission met with the Bangladesh Election Commission and its Secretariat, national and local government officials, political parties, civil society groups, media representatives and others. The mission was grateful for the warm welcome it received at all its meetings.
The mission observed that Bangladesh has had a well-established practice of elections, through which the people have been able to choose and change their governments relatively freely. The election system includes unique safeguards and protections and the electoral administration has repeatedly shown the capability to organize the vote effectively. All these factors can form the foundation for a sound democratic process.
At the same time, the mission was deeply troubled by the high level of political violence in Bangladesh. Constructive dialogue among the key political parties could help lessen tensions and build public confidence in all aspects of the election.
The mission recommended that several basic elements of a democratic election process should be seriously addressed in the weeks ahead:
• Ensuring public confidence in the Bangladesh Election Commission and all other constitutional and governmental authorities responsible for the elections;
• Creating a level playing field in which all candidates and parties can carry out their activities on a fair, equal and secure basis;
• Ensuring that the voter list is accurate and inclusive, in line with the principle of universal suffrage;
• Enabling civil society organizations and media to conduct election-related activities freely, safely and without interference.
The United Nations stands ready to continue to provide targeted assistance in support of Bangladesh’s democratic tradition, and to contribute to an election process that is peaceful, credible and accepted by the people of Bangladesh.
Posted by admin at 08:58 AM | Comments (0)
August 09, 2006
Bridging the digital divide – the World Bank donates computers to non profit organizations
The World Bank Dhaka Office handed over a hundred refurbished and well-functioning personal computers and laptops to three non-profit organizations. During the ceremony, World Bank Country Director stressed the linkages between development and technology and remarked, “Technology has an important role to play in poverty reduction. Technology keeps you informed and links you to the rest of the world.”
Although this is a small step in bridging the digital divide, the World Bank hopes that the underprivileged children will get a better opportunity in enhancing their computer skills with the help of these computers.
The World Bank donated the computers to three non-profit educational organizations:
Underprivileged Children’s Education Program (UCEP): a national program working to enhance skills of underprivileged children and youth;
Ganderia Kisholoy Kochi Kachar Mela: a local chapter of Kochi Kachar Mela which promotes cultural activities along with education to underprivileged children.
Corpus Christi High School, Madhupur, Tangail: an organization which targets and provides education to children of the Garo ethnic community.
The computers will be used for enhancing IT skills among the youth in order to make them competitive in the labour market of Bangladesh. Senior officials and students from the organizations were present at the ceremony. On being asked how the computer would change their lives, Md. Belal of UCEP commented, “I feel more confident now that I will not fall behind my other colleagues when I start working for an organization.” Ms. Chiram, Head Teacher from Corpus Christi High School said that the donated computers will improve access of Garo children to modern technology and information and enhance their networking skills.
The power of the internet was seen first hand when the children opened individual e-mail accounts with assistance from World Bank staff. The children wasted no time in exchanging e-mail among themselves and World Bank staff and created a ‘network’ of their own.
The program was unique as it brought together technical computer specialists and deprived children who have had limited access to technology.
Posted by admin at 08:19 AM | Comments (0)