Eli Lilly to invest over $1 billion in India

Eli Lilly (LLY.N), opens new tab will invest more than $1 billion in India in the coming years to boost manufacturing and supply through local drugmakers, the company said on Monday, as it seeks to tap into skilled workforce to bolster its global manufacturing expansion.

The collaborations aim to increase the availability of Lilly's key drugs, including those for obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer's, cancer and autoimmune conditions, the company said.

"We are making significant investments to increase manufacturing and medicine supply capacity around the world," Patrik Jonsson, president of Lilly International, said, adding, India is a hub for capability building within its global network.

The company, which launched its blockbuster weight-loss drug Mounjaro in India this year, currently does not operate its own manufacturing facility in the country, which hosts several firms that develop and manufacture complex drugs, vials, injectables for larger pharmaceuticals on a contract basis.

"Lilly is actively engaging with contract manufacturers in India," the company told Reuters, but did not divulge any further details.

Lilly's investment plans in India come at a time when global drugmakers are rushing to bolster U.S. manufacturing capacity after the Trump administration imposed a 100% tariff on imported branded and patented drugs from October 1.

Last month, Lilly announced a $5 billion investment in a new facility in Virginia, part of a $27 billion expansion plan to build four new U.S. plants over the next five years.

Meanwhile, the India launch of Mounjaro, alongside Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk's (NOVOb.CO), opens new tab Wegovy, has increased patient awareness of obesity treatments in a country projected to have the world's second-largest obese population by 2050.

Sales of both drugs doubled within months of their launch.

Lilly is also preparing for increased competition from India's generic drugmakers, who are racing to launch cheaper versions of Wegovy once its main chemical ingredient, semaglutide, goes off patent next year.

Separately, Lilly is setting up a manufacturing and quality facility in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad to expand its presence beyond the city's global capability center.

The new hub will oversee the firm's contract manufacturing network across India and provide technical capabilities.

Recruitment for the new site "will begin immediately", Lilly said, with plans to hire engineers, chemists, analytical scientists, quality control and assurance experts and managers.

Reporting by Rishika Sadam; Editing by Sumana Nandy

Starlink Asks Bangladesh for Permission to Export Internet Bandwidth

Starlink, the satellite-based internet service provider founded by Elon Musk, has begun its operations in Bangladesh with a trial service. Image: Mariia Shalabaieva/Unsplash

Starlink has sought approval from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to supply bandwidth from Bangladesh to neighbouring countries.In a letter sent recently, the US-based satellite internet provider requested permission for the commercial use of International Private Leased Circuit (IPLC) and unfiltered IP to provide services outside Bangladesh, according to BTRC documents seen by The Daily Star.

An IPLC is a dedicated communication line linking two countries for secure, high-capacity data transfer. Unfiltered IP refers to direct, unrestricted internet routes that bypass national filtering, monitoring, and lawful interception.

"We have received the letter from Starlink in this regard. We are assessing it," said Brig Gen Shafiul Azam Parvez, director general of engineering and operations at the BTRC."The final decision on approving Starlink to provide such a service will be taken if the government gives the green light," he added.

Starlink Services Bangladesh Ltd has already completed the installation of four local gateways across the country.

Two have been set up at the hi-tech park in Gazipur, while the others are located in Rajshahi and Jashore, according to recent BTRC inspections.Although regulators could not confirm full functionality due to the absence of Starlink representatives during site visits, local partners informed officials that commercial traffic began flowing through the Kaliakair gateways from August 9 and through the Rajshahi and Jashore gateways from August 20.

Starlink has developed 80 Gbps capacity at its Kaliakair gateways, 400 Gbps in Jashore, and another 400 Gbps in Rajshahi.

Industry insiders see Starlink's move as a bid to establish itself as a regional service provider, connecting Bangladesh with India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar.

Starlink was awarded its operating licence in Bangladesh in April this year and began operations in May. The company has also secured India's Unified Licence and space regulator clearance, with rollout imminent pending spectrum and infrastructure setup.

In Nepal, it has already submitted a proposal to operate, while Bhutan launched Starlink in February. In Myanmar, Starlink remains banned but is widely smuggled into blackout zones.

Bangladesh's current bandwidth consumption stands at 8,500 Gbps, of which about 4,000 Gbps is supplied by Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company PLC through undersea cables, while the rest comes from India via landline connections.

Currently, the submarine cable company, through another state-run firm, Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Ltd, exports 10 Gbps of bandwidth to northeast India.

Hilsa export to India:37 firms given go-ahead

 They will send 1,200 tonnes of the fish for the upcoming Durga Puja

The commerce ministry has approved 37 companies to export 1,200 tonnes of hilsa to India for the upcoming Durga Puja.The export window will remain open from September 16 to October 5 this year, according to an order signed by SHM Magfurul Hasan Abbasi, deputy secretary of the commerce ministry.

The development follows the government's decision on September 8 to allow the export of hilsa to the neighbouring country ahead of the Hindu religious festival.

The government has set several conditions for the export, including compliance with the Export Policy 2024-27, mandatory customs inspections of consignments, and a ban on exporting more than the approved quantity. Exporters have also been asked to provide information on the actual quantity shipped against previous permissions in the case of fresh applications.

Customs authorities will verify the consignments through the ASYCUDA World System to prevent shipments beyond the approved limit.

The permission is non-transferable, meaning exporters cannot subcontract the allocation.The order also stated that the government reserves the right to cancel the permission at any time if deemed necessary.

Whose military strength is India and Pakistan?

 According to the Global Firepower Index 2025, Pakistan is ranked 12th in terms of military power, while India is ranked fourth. The Global Firepower Index claims that India is ahead in military power due to its developed and large population, strong economy, and strategic location.

Budget for war is a big issue. India's defense budget is 75 billion US dollars. Which is the fourth largest in the world. Pakistan's defense budget is only 7.64 billion US dollars, which is 38th in the global index. GDP and purchasing power also have an impact. The study has placed India much ahead of Pakistan based on 60 factors such as GDP, population, military power, and purchasing power. 

In addition, India's foreign exchange reserves are ranked fifth in the world. While Pakistan is ranked 71st. That is, Pakistan is 66 steps behind India in foreign exchange reserves. As a result, if Pakistan enriches its weapons stockpile in all foreign currencies to provide logistics if a war starts, India will be 14 steps ahead of them.

Manpower is also an important issue. Because when a war starts, it is not only the military that is at stake. Civilians play an important role. 

According to Worldometer, India is now the most populous country in the world. The country has 1.46 billion people. Of which, the total number of troops in India's defense is 51,37,550, while Pakistan's is 31,62,500. 

India's active army is 15,55,550, Pakistan's 6,54,000.

 India's reserve army is 11,55,000, Pakistan's 5,50,000. 

India's paramilitary forces are 25,27,000, Pakistan's 5,00,000. 

Pakistan also lags behind India in terms of air force strength. India's total number of military aircraft is 2,229, Pakistan's 1,399. Pakistan's 328 against India's 513 fighter jets. 

Pakistan's 90 against India's 130 attack aircraft. Pakistan's 64 against India's 270 transport aircraft. Pakistan's 373 against India's 899 helicopters (of which 80 attack helicopters are from India and 57 from Pakistan).

India also has a large arsenal of ground weapons. Pakistan has 2,627 tanks against its 4,201 tanks. Pakistan has 17,516 armored vehicles against its 1,48,594 armored vehicles. 

Pakistan has 121 warships against India's 293. India has 2 (INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant), Pakistan has 0. India has 18 submarines, Pakistan has 8. 

Destroyers: India has 13, Pakistan has 0. Frigates: India has 14, Pakistan has 9. Corvettes: India has 18, Pakistan has 9. Patrol vessels: India has 135, Pakistan has 69.

Airports and seaports: Airports: India has 311, Pakistan has 116. Merchant ships: India has 1,859, Pakistan has 60. Ports: India has 56, Pakistan has 3.

Since both countries are nuclear powers, the consequences of a full-scale war could be extremely dire.

What will happen to India-Pakistan war?

A war situation is about to develop between India and Pakistan. Tensions between the two countries are increasing due to the recent attack on tourists in Kashmir. Islamabad has alleged that India may take military action against them in the next 24-36 hours. Although New Delhi has not commented on this issue. However, the direction in which the situation is developing, the possibility of a conflict cannot be ruled out.

Although it is difficult to provide any reliable information at the moment about the exact number of troops or equipment deployed, according to various international media reports, both countries have increased their military presence on the border. Security has been strengthened in Kashmir and an alert has been issued along the Line of Control.

However, most analysts believe that the possibility of a full-scale war is low. Because both countries are nuclear powers and an all-out war would bring disaster to both sides. However, the possibility of a limited-scale conflict or retaliatory military action cannot be ruled out. Imtiaz Gul, executive director of the Islamabad-based Center for Research and Security Studies, believes that an all-out war is not possible. Because the nuclear weapons of both countries would act as a major deterrent. Praveen Dhonathi, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, believes that there is huge pressure on the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi government to retaliate. Therefore, there is a possibility of taking limited military action. Which could be bigger than the Balakot strike in 2019.

Analysts believe that the intervention of the international community can play an important role in reducing this tension. The United Nations has already called on both sides to show restraint.

If the analysts' predictions are not met, then if a war really happens, then both sides are likely to suffer huge losses. A large number of soldiers and civilians could be killed in direct clashes. People in the border areas could be displaced. The war would cause a major blow to the economies of both countries. Trade would be stopped, investment would decrease and inflation would increase. India's decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty will have a major impact on Pakistan's agriculture and economy. Air strikes and shelling will destroy important military and civilian infrastructure. Which will cause billions of dollars of economic loss for both countries.

Major changes will come in geopolitics. A war between India and Pakistan will not only affect these two countries. It will bring a major change in the geopolitics of the entire South Asia. Regional instability will be destroyed. This conflict will further weaken regional stability. Old petty problems of other neighboring countries will be seen being turned over to a new account. As a result, new tensions may arise between each other. As a result of the war, relations between different countries may be polarized again. Some countries have already called on both sides to exercise restraint. Regional terrorism will rise again. There is no doubt that the war situation will strengthen terrorist groups. Because the equation is simple. During the war, big terrorist organizations will flock to the countries that are convenient for them. As a result, they will ensure a kind of shelter.

Preparations by both sides:

Indian preparations: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) after the attack. The army has been given complete freedom. They can decide when, where and how to respond. In addition, India has downgraded diplomatic relations, suspended the Indus Water Treaty and cancelled visas for Pakistanis. Some restrictions have also been imposed on the airspace. There are also reports of military exercises and deployment of troops on the border.

• Pakistani preparations: Pakistan has also brought its radar system closer to the border and is conducting air defense exercises. In addition, surveillance has been increased along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB). Pakistan's Information Minister Ataullah Taraar has claimed that they have credible intelligence that India is planning a military strike. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has also spoken of the fear of war and said that they will not hesitate to use nuclear weapons if there is a direct threat to their existence.

Despite everything, it can be said that while the likelihood of an all-out war is low, the risk of a limited conflict or escalation of tensions remains. The leadership of both countries should exercise restraint. A negotiated solution to this problem is the best way forward for both countries. Otherwise, this conflict will pose a threat not only to the two countries but also to the peace and stability of the entire region. The international community should also play an important role in this regard so that the situation does not deteriorate further.

20 minutes face to face with a tiger in the Sundarbans

 

Written by: Shakib Uddin Ahmed

I joined the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), an international organization, a year ago. My workplace is in Khulna. WCS Bangladesh provides technical assistance to the field staff of the Bangladesh Forest Department so that they can properly contribute to wildlife monitoring and conservation.

I often have to go to the Sundarbans for this work. On April 11, I set off from Mongla to the Sharankhola Range. As always, I was accompanied by my boatman Alamgir Bhai.

When I set off in the morning and reached Harintana through the Shyala River, it was afternoon. The daylight had diminished in the forest. Our boat was moving along a 250-foot wide canal. At that time, I noticed an animal moving in the bushes. I looked around and saw that the animal was none other than a tiger.

By then, our boat had moved forward a little. I whispered to the boatman, ‘Brother, I saw a tiger. Take the boat back.’

Every time I go to the forest, I get on the boat and ask Alamgir Bhai, ‘Brother, this time we have to show you a tiger!’ He laughs when he hears me. He tells me stories about seeing a tiger. But we don’t see any more tigers. For some reason, he wasn’t told about it when we came from Mongla. And this time...!

As I pulled the boat back, I saw not one, but two tigers. One was sticking its head out of the bush, and the other was standing a little further away under a golpata tree. One of them was staring at me with a curious look. Perhaps he was observing our movements closely.

I forgot to take a picture of them while watching them. Later, it occurred to me that this time the camera was not taken out of the bag. I quickly took out the camera and attached the lens, and a minute passed. Then I started taking pictures one after the other. In the meantime, their position changed. It was as if they had skillfully hidden themselves in the natural enclosure of the Golpata, Sundori, and Gewa trees. Why do they call them 'secret hunters' anymore! I could not capture them together on camera. I tried to take a picture of one, but the other one got out of sight. As the afternoon wore on, the light also decreased. I had to take pictures and videos of them in low light.

Twenty minutes passed like this. Looking at the tigers' movements, it seemed that they were waiting to cross the canal. We had come and made a mess of it. We were blocking their path by entering their lair! Alamgir started the boat as soon as he told his brother.

By then, evening had fallen. Sitting in the boat, I was trembling with excitement. Did this incredible moment really happen in my life? Thinking about it, I took my camera and looked at the pictures and videos I had taken a while ago. After seeing the pictures, it no longer seemed like an illusion.

At night, I joined the smart team at the Sharankhola range. They were also happy to see the pictures. Many have been working in the Sundarbans for more than a decade. But they have not met a tiger. Some may have seen them suddenly but did not get the chance to take pictures. That too is a source of regret. I felt lucky to hear everyone's regrets about not seeing a tiger.

কত টাকা বেতন কোচ গম্ভীরের?

গৌতম গম্ভীরকে প্রধান কোচের দায়িত্ব দেয় ভারতীয় ক্রিকেট বোর্ড (বিসিসিআই) গত বছরের ৯ জুলাই। চুক্তি ২০২৭ সালের ডিসেম্বর পর্যন্ত বোর্ডের সঙ্গে তাঁর থাকতে হবে। রোহিত–কোহলিদের কোচ হিসেবে গম্ভীরের অর্জনের খাতায় যেমন সাফল্য আছে, আছে ব্যর্থতাও।

তবে সদ্য সমাপ্ত চ্যাম্পিয়নস ট্রফিতে ভারতের শিরোপা জয় গম্ভীরের ব্যর্থতাকে প্রায় আড়াল করে দিয়েছে। দায়িত্ব নেওয়ার মাত্র আট মাসের মধ্যে দেশকে বৈশ্বিক শিরোপা এনে দেওয়া তো আর চাট্টিখানি কথা নয়!৪৩ বছর বয়সী গম্ভীর ভারতের খেলোয়াড় হিসেবে জিতেছেন ২০০৭ টি–টোয়েন্টি ও ২০১১ ওয়ানডে বিশ্বকাপ। এবার কোচ হিসেবে জিতলেন চ্যাম্পিয়নস ট্রফি। খেলোয়াড়–কোচ উভয় ভূমিকায় বৈশ্বিক ট্রফি জেতার কীর্তি খুব কম মানুষেরই আছে। ভারতকে নতুন সাফল্য এনে দেওয়ার পর ক্রিকেট মহলে আবারও আলোচনায় গৌতম গম্ভীর, বিশেষ করে তাঁর বেতন এবং বিসিসিআইয়ের পক্ষ থেকে পাওয়া অন্যান্য সুযোগ-সুবিধা সম্পর্কে জানতে ক্রিকেটপ্রেমীদের আগ্রহ তৈরি হয়েছে।

গৌতম গম্ভীর 

ক্রিকেটপ্রেমীদের আগ্রহ মেটানোর চেষ্টা করেছে ভারতের বাণিজ্যবিষয়ক ওয়েবসাইট অ্যাসেনড্যান্টস। তাদের প্রতিবেদনে বলা হয়েছে, গম্ভীরের আনুমানিক বার্ষিক বেতন ১৪ কোটি রুপির বেশি, যা তাঁকে বিশ্বের সর্বোচ্চ পারিশ্রমিক পাওয়া কোচদের একজন করে তুলেছে। গম্ভীরের আগে ভারতের প্রধান কোচ ছিলেন রাহুল দ্রাবিড়। দ্রাবিড় বছরে পেতেন ১২ কোটি রুপি।মোটা অঙ্কের বেতনের পাশাপাশি বিদেশ সফরে দৈনিক ২১ হাজার রুপি ভাতা হিসেবে পাচ্ছেন গম্ভীর। উড়োজাহাজে বিজনেস ক্লাসের টিকিট, বিলাসবহুল হোটেলে রাখার ব্যবস্থা, লন্ড্রি ব্যয়ও বহন করে বিসিসিআই। অন্যান্য লজিস্টিক সুবিধা তো আছেই।

এই সুযোগ-সুবিধাগুলো বিসিসিআইয়ের কৌশলের অংশ। এর মাধ্যমে তারা উঁচু মাপের কোচিং প্রতিভাদের আকৃষ্ট করে এবং ধরে রাখে। তা ছাড়া বোর্ড মনে করে, গম্ভীর ও তাঁর সহকারীদের এ ধরনের সুযোগ-সুবিধা দিলে তাঁরা শুধু দলের পারফরম্যান্সের ওপরই মনোনিবেশ করবেন।একাধিক সূত্র অ্যাসেনড্যান্টসকে জানিয়েছে, গৌতম গম্ভীরের সঙ্গে বিসিসিআইয়ের চুক্তিপত্রে পারফরম্যান্সভিত্তিক বোনাসের বিষয়ও উল্লেখ আছে। বোনাসগুলো ২০২৫ চ্যাম্পিয়নস ট্রফি, ২০২৬ টি–টোয়েন্টি বিশ্বকাপ এবং ২০২৭ ওয়ানডে বিশ্বকাপের মতো বড় টুর্নামেন্টে দলের সাফল্যের সঙ্গে সম্পর্কযুক্ত।

চুক্তিপত্রে লেখা আছে, গম্ভীরের অধীন ভারত যদি এই টুর্নামেন্টগুলোর মধ্যে যেকোনো একটি জিততে পারে, তাহলে বড় অঙ্কের বোনাস পাবেন। ভারত চ্যাম্পিয়নস ট্রফি জিতে যাওয়ায় বিসিসিআই শিগগিরই গম্ভীরসহ তাঁর সাপোর্ট স্টাফকে বোনাস দেওয়ার ঘোষণা দিতে পারে।

ক্রিকেট বিশ্লেষকেরা গম্ভীরের কৌশলগত দক্ষতার প্রশংসা করেছেন, বিশেষ করে তরুণ প্রতিভাদের গড়ে তোলা এবং বড় ম্যাচে খেলোয়াড়দের স্নায়ুচাপ ধরে রাখা। কৌশলগত দক্ষতার উদাহরণ হিসেবে চ্যাম্পিয়নস ট্রফির কথাই বলা যায়।

ভারত নিজেদের সব ম্যাচ খেলেছে দুবাইয়ে এবং বেশির ভাগ ম্যাচ হয়েছে ব্যবহৃত উইকেটে। চ্যাম্পিয়নস ট্রফি শুরুর কিছুদিন আগে দুবাইয়ে ইন্টারন্যাশনাল লিগ টি–টোয়েন্টিরও অনেক ম্যাচ হয়েছে।

এ কারণে গম্ভীরের মনে হয়েছিল, দিন যতই গড়াবে, সেখানকার পিচ মন্থর হবে এবং স্পিন ভালো ধরবে। তাই প্রাথমিক দল থেকে ব্যাটসম্যান যশস্বী জয়সোয়ালকে বাদ দিয়ে রহস্যময় স্পিনার বরুণ চক্রবর্তীকে চূড়ান্ত স্কোয়াডে অন্তর্ভুক্ত করেন। সেই বরুণই টুর্নামেন্টের শেষ ভাগে গম্ভীরের তুরুপের তাস হয়ে ওঠেন এবং ভারতকে শিরোপা জেতাতে বড় অবদান রাখেন।ভারতের খেলোয়াড়েরা আগামী দুই মাস আইপিএলে ডুবে থাকবেন। এরপর গম্ভীরের বড় অ্যাসাইনমেন্ট ইংল্যান্ড সফর। জুন থেকে আগস্টের মধ্যে সেখানে পাঁচটি টেস্ট খেলবে ভারত জাতীয় দল। এর আগে ‘এ’ দলও ইংল্যান্ড সফরে যাবে।টাইমস অব ইন্ডিয়ার প্রতিবেদনে বলা হয়েছে, জাতীয় দলের জন্য শক্তিশালী রিজার্ভ বেঞ্চ তৈরি করতে ‘এ’ দলের সঙ্গে ইংল্যান্ডে যাবেন গম্ভীর। অতীতে ভারতের কোনো কোচকে এ ধরনের পরিকল্পনা করতে দেখা যায়নি।