A joint protest by scholars, journalists and businessmen was held against load shedding in Muzaffarabad , Pakistan-occupied Kashmir ( PoK ). A complete shutter-down strike was also observed and the locals called on the government to act quickly to stop load shedding. The load-shedding, according to demonstrators, is now intolerable and they are forced to take to the streets. A protester said, "I would like to thank everyone for closing their shops. The administration forced you to close your shops. No shopkeeper closes his shop; he sits in his shop in the morning and takes something for his family and kids. For the last five days, tailors in this area are suffering a lot. Have a fear of God. When God's stick is used, everyone is crushed in it. I request the administration and the new DC to take notice of it." The residents of the occupied region are accusing the Pakistani government of unfair treatment. The locals say that the government keeps sending them high electricity bills despite the fact that electricity is always cut off and load shedding is common in the area. In September, civil society activists were seen throwing thousands of electricity bills into a river in Muzaffarabad. Highly inflated bills have put undue financial strain on the people who live in the region, which produces large amounts of electricity. Another protester said, "This terrible injustice has been going on for the last five days. These madrassa students, tailors and residents have been worried for the last five days. You all are forcing us to intensify this protest in other areas." The residents are not able to perform prayers in mosques due to the lack of electricity. The situation is even worse in the rural and remote areas of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. "Electricity has been turned off in Jama Masjid. People are offering namaz (prayer) in Jama Masjid by using candles and lamps. I condemn this. This is the condition of our cities. You can understand what kind of situation there must be in villages," said a protester. Since the unlawful occupation of PoK by Islamabad, the locals in the region have faced all kinds of challenges. The successive governments in Islamabad have treated them unjustly and they have never been given the rights they deserve. In recent years, the people in the area have started to voice their grievances against the government of Islamabad.  Source: ANI

Bangladesh Jewellers’ Association (BAJUS) said that, all jewellery shops of Dhaka metropolis will be closed after 5pm on today, July 17. BAJUS said that in a press release on July 16. The statement said that, all jewellery shops of Dhaka Metropolis will be closed as 58th anniversary of bajus will be celebrated. On this day, in 1966, largest and traditional trade organization of the country, Bajus was formed. 

Young Tribal women in Khalwa block of Khandwa district are breaking the glass ceiling that once tied them down to farm work to earn a pittance. Mantu Kasde of Balrampur works on the shock absorber and clutch plates of motorcycles at a garage in Khalwa, after having completed a three-month course in repairing. “I shall open my own garage soon,” she beams with pride. Sativardha of Jamdhad has launched a puncture repair service, a beauty parlour and a cutlery shop just outside her home. She completed training for these jobs almost six months ago, after her higher secondary education, to make around Rs 5,000 every month. Her seven-member family used to migrate every year in search of work. Thanks to her enterprise, the family makes enough money now to give up the idea of migration altogether. “My father does not need to move out for work anymore.” Six months ago, Gayatri Kasde of Sawali Kheda was trained as a mechanic under Babubhai, a mechanic in Khalwa town. Now she works from both Babubhai’s garage and her home. Radha Yadav of Bagda repairs motorcycles, besides running a grocery shop. She has managed to save Rs 15,000 over the last six months. Her brother, who was earlier working at a factory in Khandwa, has returned home to help run her business. Sakiya Vardhaya belongs to a landless family from Jamdhad, comprising her parents, three sisters and two brothers, which migrated annually for work. She now repairs two-wheelers, assisted by her two sisters. The money she earns not only helps run the family but also takes care of her studies. Sakiya, a BA final year student, commutes daily to her college in Khandwa. Most of these young women fall in the 18-24 age group and belong to the Gond and Korku tribes, which do not practise gender discrimination. So far, 50 young women have received training under the aegis of Spandan Samajsewa Samiti, a non-governmental organisation (NGO). A unique idea Hitherto known for the migration of its residents, Khalwa is witnessing a turnaround with young women entering male-dominated vocations. Recounting how they embarked on such unique journeys, the young women told 101Reporters that they realised there was little to do in Khalwa other than sowing and harvesting crops. At the same time, the block had a whole lot of two-wheeler and mobile phone users. Whenever something needed repair, the villagers had to travel to the nearest urban centres such as Khalwa, Patajan, Roshni and Ashapur. Some of these places were located over 20 km away, and that too with negligible public transport.  In search of fruitful employment, they approached NGO Spandan, which has been actively involved in stemming migration in Khalwa for many years. Initially, the young women were sent to local mechanics to acquire basic knowledge of repairing. Then came some financial assistance to open small shops adjoining their homes. Further training happened in Khandwa, followed by a five-day workshop in the first week of August to educate them about the finer points of repair. Radha Yadav has earned a relatively handsome amount in the last few months at the garage. She also runs a departmental store at her home to supplement her income (Photo -Mohammad Asif Siddiqui) Incidentally, the families wholeheartedly supported the women right from the beginning. As Mantu points out, “When Seema didi of Spandan suggested that I take up garage work, I was enthused. I did not see anything wrong in doing the job.” Other young women chime in saying their families never stopped them. “We enjoy doing this work. It is true that many people doubt our skills, but we feel proud to earn our daily bread through hard work.” The women now read brochures and manuals that help them repair motorcycles of any brand available in the market. They are also adept at dealing with all kinds of two-wheeler punctures. As and when the demand arises, they repair mobile phones too. A few others work at beauty parlours, handling foundations and makeup. According to Seema Prakash Michael of NGO Spandan, when they were looking at ways to stem migration, some young women suggested measures to generate local employment in Khalwa. They said they felt unsafe when family members went to other cities/towns in search of work.  “After several rounds of discussions, we hit upon the idea of mobile and two-wheeler repairs. We were initially apprehensive, but the girls exhibited remarkable skills and enthusiasm. In fact, they surpassed all our expectations,” Michael says. Opening a tyre to repair a puncture seemed a daunting task to many at the outset, but everything came easy once they mastered the technique. NGO Spandan also provided them with the necessary tools to set up businesses. In the next couple of years, the organisation intends to train 1,000 young women. Setting up an all-women service centre in Khalwa is another ambitious plan of the NGO. An organisation with its roots in the Korku community has promised land to this effect. Once it is acquired, the centre will launch operations with a woman mechanic and helper. According to Michael, it will also be developed into a training centre in future. Laurels have already come their way with a bike showroom located at the block headquarters of Khalwa recently organising a special camp where the young women could display their talents. Though they subsequently received job offers from the showroom management, the young women declined them. Nevertheless, the showroom owner has decided to offer free training to hone their skills. Source: Feminism In India 

During her two-day visit to India, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock took some time off her busy work schedule to explore the streets of Old Delhi. Taking to Twitter, the German Ambassador to India and Bhutan, Philipp Ackermann shared some pictures of Baerbock which he captioned, "Packed & productive - a super exciting Day 1 of Minister @ABaerbock draws to a close. Great talks with @DrSJaishankar, an enriching visit to Sis Ganj Gurudwara followed by shopping with Shashi Bansal in Chandni Chowk and using Paytm to pay!" In the photographs shared by the German envoy, Baerbock was seen in the company of some women at the Sis Ganj Gurudwara and later checking out Indian ethnic dresses at a local shop in Chandni Chowk. To pay for her purchase, the foreign minister used the Digital payment method Paytm. Taking to Twitter, Baerbock described that for her the official visit to India felt like she was "visiting a friend". She shared a picture with Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and captioned it in German, "Not only because we have seen each other so often this year - the world situation makes our close coordination more than necessary - my first official visit to #Indien feels like visiting friends. Thank you very much, dear @DrSJaishankar." The German foreign minister arrived in Delhi on December 5 and also visited Rajghat in national capital and paid her respects to Mahatma Gandhi. She also took a ride on the Delhi Metro. On Tuesday, a German delegation led by Annalena Baerbock met Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioners Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel at Nirvachan Sadan.   Source: ANI

Bangladesh Shop Owners Association has announced to keep all the markets and shops closed across the country on 17th March on the occasion of birth centenary of father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The information came through a press release of the association on Sunday. Association president Md. Helal Uddin and secretary general Md. Zahirul Haque Bhuiyan confirmed that the decision was taken on Saturday. According to the press release, shop owners are requested to keep all types of markets and shops closed on 17th March and also to illuminate the markets. Helal Uddin said, all the markets will remain closed on 17th March on the occasion of Bangabandhu’s birth centenary. But shops of essential items, kitchen markets and medicine shops will remain open. AH  

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Friday advised for shifting shops from kitchen markets as many as possible and installing those alongside roads maintaining a 20-foot distance from each other. It gave the advice to implement government’s instructions to maintain social distancing to prevent the coronavirus spread as city dwellers have to buy items from crowded kitchen markets for lack of adequate space inside. “This is why it’s advised that shops be shifted from kitchen markets as many as possible and be set up 20/20 feet away along roads,” said DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media) Masudur Rahman. He also sought all-out cooperation from the city dwellers and vegetable vendors in this regard. Bangladesh saw the highest deaths from coronavirus on Friday as 15 more people died from the virus infection in the last 24 hours till morning, taking the death toll in the country to 75. Besides, 266 people tested positive for coronavirus during the period, raising the number of such cases in the country to 1,838. Source: UNB AH

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Monday ordered the closure of recognized kitchen markets and super shops in the capital by 7pm starting from 6 am every day. Besides, grocery stores and small shops of different areas can remain open until 2pm from 6 am, said DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media) Masudur Rahman. The decision took effect from today (Monday), the DC said. However, all kinds of medicine shops will remain open round the clock, he said. The DMP has taken the decision as part of the government's initiative to prevent the transmission of coronavirus. Source: UNB AH  

The upazila administration has directed to keep all the shops shut except shops of medicines, groceries and raw materials to prevent coronavirus outbreak. The announcement was given through loud speakers at different bazars of the upazila referring the Dohar Upazila Nirbahi Officer on Friday afternoon. The announcement said, order has been given to shut all types of hotels, restaurants, tea shops, shoe shops, mobile phone shops and fabric items shops except the shops of medicines and essential products until further notice. To implement the direction officials of upazila administration and police administration are working. Dohar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Afroza Akter Riba confirmed the matter and said, as the upazila inhabited by a large number of expatriates so the directions have been given. Besides, direction has been given to remain at home except for necessary purpose. On the other hand, till Friday to prevent coronavirus outbreak 204 persons at Nababganj and 46 persons at Dohar are in home quarantine. AH 

National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan said, to realize Value Added Tax (VAT) the work of installing Electronic Fiscal Device (EFD) in every shop will begin from the current month. He said this at a press conference held at National Revenue Building at Segun Bagicha in the capital on Sunday on the occasion of national VAT day and VAT week. The NBR Chairman said, our EFD machines have reached at the Chattogram port. Those will be cleared from the port by today. The work of installing the machines in the shops will begin from the month of December. He said, at first 10 thousand machines will be given. These machines will be installed in 50 percent business organizations within the current fiscal year. The NBR Chairman also said, if the 10 thousand machines work properly then rest 90 thousand machines will be installed. After that further one lakh machines will be bought. In the current fiscal year a Chinese consortium was given the work order of supply, set up and operation for one lakh machines. The price of each EFD machine will be 32 thousand taka which will be given by the government to the businessmen through installments. AH

A major fire broke out at the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) kitchen market at Gulshan-1 in the capital and gutted over two hundred shops. The fire originated at around 5:45 am on Saturday. 20 units of fire service brought the fire under control after two and half hours of efforts. Army, navy and air force members also took part in the activities. Director (Operations) of Fire Service Department Major Shakil Newaz said that they were trying to douse the fire as soon as possible. After controlling the fire it was seen that most of the goods were burnt in the shops. In the kitchen market there were shops for meat and fishes as well as grocery and cosmetics shops. Besides, there were plastic toy shops. All those shops were burnt in the fire. Some shop owners said that nobody stays at the shops in the night, the guard stays outside after locking the collapsible gate in the night. One shop owner of DNCC market Mofiz said, we do business, rent shops. If City Corporation would have taken steps in advance to prevent fire then we might not turn into destitute. Another shop owner Ripon said, all were burnt, how I will run my family? Another crocaries shop owner Jahirul Islam said, earlier my 5 shops were burnt and now 7 of my shops were gutted. I have turned into penny less. Crocaries businessman Billal Hossain said that four of his shops were gutted. Earlier on January 3, 2017 in a devastating fire the DNCC market in Gulshan were burnt. At that time the whole kitchen market was burnt as well as the main market on the first floor. After renovating the market the fire again broke out there.   AH