Bangladesh in world media this week

Bangladesh’s most infamous scamster PK Halder found and arrested in India in the outgoing week. The news of his arrest was covered by all major news outlets in the world, especially in neighbouring India.

Following is a pick of five stories on Bangladesh that made headlines on international media in the outgoing week (May 14 to May 20). The stories are sorted according to their merits.

Trailer of Mujib, biopic on Bangladesh founder unveiled at Cannes 2022

India and Bangladesh on Thursday jointly released the trailer of the co-production film Mujib – the Making of a Nation on the sidelines of the Cannes Film Festival in France, reported India Express on May 20.

The film, co-produced by India and Bangladesh, depicts the life of ‘Bangabandhu’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the nation of Bangladesh. The film, extensively shot in India & Bangladesh, is directed by Shyam Benegal.

The trailer, released by I&B Minister Anurag Thakur and his Bangladesh counterpart Hasan Mahmud, showcases the glimpses of Bangabandhu, who was a man of indomitable energy and a great admiral.

The actors in the lead roles Arifin Shuvoo and Nusrat Imrose Tisha, for the love of the nation essay the roles of Rahman and his spouse Sheikh Fazilatunnesa (Renu). The film showcases Fazilatunnesa’s struggles, strength & her role in Rahman’s success.

Bangladeshi, living illegally in India, arrested by ED for bank fraud in own country

Six people, including the mastermind behind a Rs 9,000 crore bank fraud in Bangladesh, have been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate under the anti-money laundering act, India Today reported on May 15.

Proshanta Kumar Halder, a Bangladeshi national who is accused of defrauding banks of his own country, is also being probed by the ED for forging his identity as an Indian citizen and then using the defrauded money to float businesses in India along with buying properties.

Before making the arrests, ED had carried out search operations at 11 premises linked to Bangladesh nationals - Proshanta Kumar Halder, Pritish Kumar Halder and their associates across the state of West Bengal.

Proshanta Kumar Halder was nabbed along with his five other associates during these searches.

“Proshanta Kumar Halder was found in the disguised identity of Indian Citizen as Shibshankar Halder. During searches it was revealed that he along with his other associates fraudulently obtained various government identities like ration card from, Indian voter ID card, PAN and Aadhar card,” said the ED.

ED has alleged that these Bangladesh nationals have also managed to float companies in India on the basis of fraudulently obtained identities and have even purchased properties in West Bengal.

Chinese companies involve in tax evasion in Bangladesh

Chinese companies, already suffering from a poor image in corporate ethics, are continually violating the laws through corruption and criminality in Bangladesh, causing loss to the national treasurer, reported India’s ANI on May 19.

Recently, in May, a case of tax evasion against Chinese company, Sino-Kemmed Trading Co. unearthed by the Bangladesh authorities.

Some media reports suggest that the port authorities/ customs were under tremendous pressure from senior levels not to disclose the name and real identities of Chinese companies.

Chinese authorities were apparently concerned over media reports highlighting the involvement of their companies involved in tax fraud in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh government cancelled Chinese funding for one of its railway projects and was reportedly looking for alternative funding options for other projects including converting the existing Akhaura-Sylhet meter gauge rail road into a dual gauge and Joydebpur-Ishwardi double gauge project.

Mushfiqur first Bangladeshi to 5,000 test runs on Day 4

Bangladesh built a first-innings lead of 68 runs then snatched two wickets before Sri Lanka could rub it out on day four of the first test on Wednesday, the Associated Press reported on May 18.

Mushfiqur Rahim became the first Bangladeshi to 5,000 test runs as he hit a patient 105, his eighth century.

Together with Tamim Iqbal, who retired hurt on 133 the day before and couldn’t add to his score on Wednesday, Mushfiqur and Liton Das’ 88 helped Bangladesh notch 465 and eclipse Sri Lanka’s 397.

Stumps were pulled on Sri Lanka’s second innings when a second wicket was lost with only 39 runs on the board at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

After the day’s play was delayed by 30 minutes because of rain, Bangladesh resumed on 318-3 and moved slowly in the morning session.

Mushfiqur was 15 runs short of the 5,000-run milestone when play resumed and he hit the mark, in his 81st test, with two runs to fine leg off pace bowler Asitha Fernando.

Vishwa Fernando’s concussion sub, Kasun Rajitha, struck twice in the first two balls of the post-lunch session. He first removed Liton, whose 88 from 189 balls included 10 boundaries.

Award-winning actress appointed as UNICEF National Ambassador in Bangladesh

Bangladeshi National Film Award winning actress Bidya Sinha Saha Mim has been appointed as the newest National Ambassador for the UN agency for children in Bangladesh.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in a programme in Dhaka Thursday made the announcement, saying Mim joins prominent personalities around the world who use their voice and prominence to advocate for the rights of children, said China’s Xinhua on May 20.

"Across our country, UNICEF is there with us to protect children and their right to education, health and a bright future. I have long admired UNICEF's work for children. It is an honour for me to be part of that cause, for every child," said Mim at the programme.

In her professional life, according to UNICEF, Mim has established herself as an inspiring advocate for women's rights and a leading voice against violence.

Before her appointment, UNICEF said Mim has already collaborated with UNICEF to raise awareness about COVID-19 prevention.

Since the start of the pandemic, she has joined the chorus of voices around the world highlighting the critical role of vaccines in saving lives, and the need for greater investment in immunisation services, it added.