itel beats Samsung, turns fastest growing smartphone brand in Bangladesh
Dhaka, May 9: itel became the fastest growing smartphone brand in Bangladesh with a growth of 564 per cent year-on-year (YoY) in the first quarter of 2018, capturing 10 per cent market share.
It left behind South Korean electronics major Samsung that saw 46 per cent decline in shipments, a new report said on Wednesday.
According to market research firm Counterpoint Research, Chinese brands continued to grow in Bangladesh and now capture 38 per cent of the smartphone segment growing 25 per cent YoY while the overall market declined.
"Bangladesh's smartphone market declined 18 per cent YoY as consumers decided to postpone their device purchases in anticipation of value for money 4G smartphone offerings in the coming quarters," Tarun Pathak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, said in a statement.
"4G network rollout started during first quarter of 2018 by leading telcos such as Grameenphone, Robi Axiata and Banglalink. As network coverage expands over a period of time, the demand of 4G smartphones will pick-up in the coming quarters," he added.
According to Counterpoint's estimates, the overall smartphone market in Bangladesh would grow 16 per cent YoY in calendar year 2018.
Although Chinese brands grew in the country with affordable offering in the sub-$100 segment, Bangladeshi brand Symphony continued to lead the market with its value-for-money offerings.
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Kiren Rijiju questions Rahul Gandhi’s silence during Waqf Bill debate in Parliament
New Delhi, April 16: Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju has questioned Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for not speaking during the recent debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Rijiju also noted that senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi was absent during the voting process in Parliament.
Speaking during an interview with ANI, Rijiju expressed surprise at the Congress leadership's silence on what he termed a “landmark bill.” He said, “I was surprised. Even Priyanka Gandhi was not present during the voting, she was absent.”
He further remarked that Rahul Gandhi came to vote but did not participate in the debate or make any remarks during the parliamentary proceedings. “Rahul Gandhi also came much later to vote. He did not take part in the proceedings, also he did not speak,” Rijiju said.
Rijiju speculated on possible reasons for Gandhi’s silence. “One of the reasons could be the huge pressure from the Christian community for the Congress party and for other MPs to support the Waqf Act. Secondly, maybe he wants to play a safe game, and whatever you speak on this landmark bill will remain on record. This was an important bill on which important leaders should have spoken,” he added.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 has drawn attention and criticism from various quarters, including opposition parties and minority groups. While the ruling BJP maintains that the amendments aim to improve transparency and governance of Waqf properties, critics argue that the bill threatens the autonomy of Waqf boards and could lead to interference in Muslim religious matters.
