Nozrul Islam

Interview with Mgr Bejoy Nicephorus D’Cruze, an Oblate of Mary Immaculate, who was appointed bishop of Bangladesh’s seventh diocese. Local Catholics number 17,000 and work in tea gardens, which cover much of the region. The diocese lacks everything: cathedral, bishop’s residence, seminar, hospitals and schools.

These are the issues on the bargaining table between the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The bilateral trade deal will also impact on Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan.

Only local products are on sale in the new venue, which should generate trade worth US$ 20 million. Designed to improve local living conditions, the move marks a rapprochement between the two countries.

Sheikh Hasina wants to keep the 2007 amendment to the original secular constitution, deemed illegal by the Supreme Court. The Islamic parties most concerned about a return to the Charter of 1972, which bans parties based on religion.

The government does not provide any type of health care and all medical treatments are at the expense of the patient. But the arrival of Western medicine has raised the costs and the vast majority of people struggle to buy even an aspirin.

A group of volunteers helps street kids six days a week, providing them with medicines and lessons in hygiene as well as helping them to be reunited with their family. It does not accept foreign donations.

An ever evolving reality that requires small initiatives and solutions, but consistent and appropriate to the needs of the community. The world of working men and women is an aspect of Bangladeshi society, the Catholic Church and PIME missionaries seek to follow and meet their specific needs.

Bengalis play victim this time as the possibly disproportionate tribal reaction may herald a return to guerrilla war. With no one trying to find the truth, the only certainty is that 50 villages were attacked and that four Bengalis died. The authorities just look on.

At least 249 women were killed in 2010. Out of anger or vengeance, husbands throw kerosene on their wives and set them on fire. The problem is widespread despite the fact that Islamic law, which is in place in Bangladesh, requires would-be husbands to pay a price for their future wives.

Crashing share values, unrest in the Arab world, the Japanese tsunami and nuclear crisis have shaken an economy with great potential but fragile bases. Despite a 6 per cent growth rate, poverty remains high, more than 40 per cent of a population of 150 million people.

The 2011 National Women Development Policy would guarantee women greater rights in matters of employment, property and inheritance. Opponents claim it violates Muslim family law.

The girl, aged 14, was raped by nine men a year ago. The police arrested a local committee to which the girl's father had turned to seek justice. The tribal ruling provided for the payment of a sum to the family. The parish priest jailed for having mediated, rapists still at large.