This is the fifth call a man in his late 60s receive within a couple of hours. He is at his wit's end why his friends and colleagues ask him the same question. After the first two calls, he was in trepidation before receiving the third call and before receiving the fourth and fifth calls he literal
In the face of mounting challenges like population growth, climate change, and shrinking arable land, Bangladesh must urgently reform its approach to rice production. As the backbone of the country's food security, rice constitutes 97 per cent of grain production and supplies over half of the natio
Bangladesh's export-earning readymade garment sector provides employment for several million workers an overwhelming number of whom are women. But still women highly occupy the production level--the very lower rung of manpower leader of the labour -intensive industry. Though very nominal in number,
The announcement could not come at a better time for the national women's team, the reigning champions of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF), which defended last year its title it won in 2022. Both the national women's squad and women's football have been making news for all the wrong reaso
Rina, a 35-year old working mother of two children live in a densely populated community in Dhaka. She often goes for instant noodles and packaged snacks after a tiring day at work. As many Bangladeshi parents, she appreciates the aspect of convenience, although she does not question the nutritiona
Dhaka's street food has a long tradition. But it is Old Dhaka, particularly the area comprising Shankhari Baazar, Chawk Baazar, Patuatuly, Mitford etc., that has boasted an unrivalled status in catering for Dhakaites' gastronomic satisfaction. Other neighbourhoods in the city hardly ever came to li
An Idiot's Guide' is a series of books targeted at the non-idiots. The books are sometime used at universities, alongside the main texts, as a subject matter is introduced. I use these books when students struggle at the initial stage of an advanced course. These books are ladders that help one cli
There are fairs galore in this land of diverse cultures and traditions. People in this capital city may not have any idea of several of the traditional, religious, cultural and agro-centric fairs arranged all across the country. But they are also introduced today to a number of fairs apart from the
We often hear people saying that although we have a national language policy, we do not have a language teaching policy. It is perhaps useful to distinguish between a national language policy and a language teaching policy. A national language policy is determined by such factors as the language s
I needed some paper work done on my passport to release a shipment of personal items at the airport. I was a faculty member at a Middle Eastern University. Pleasantries were exchanged with the officer and he assured me it would be done the next day (buqra in Arabic). I was happy and went back to th
Poush toder daak diyechhe, aay re chole, aay aay aay/ Daala je taar bhoreche aaj paaka phosole, mori haai haai haai (Poush has called you, come, come soon/the basket of it is full of ripened crops, what bliss it is!). No one else other than the bard of seasons and Nature could glorify the first mon
As the fountainhead of Bangalee ethos, the February 21, 1952 continues to inspire the nation for scaling greater height. It grew into the unstoppable all-pervasive transcendence into the greatest achievement the Bangalees have ever made---an independent land of their own. To commemorate the sacrifi
"Ars longa vita brevis" is a saying by history's most famous physician, Hippocrates of Greece. Translated into English, it stands as "Art is long, life is short". Here is a proverb that highlights the universal truth of art's enduring nature while the existence of the artist who creates it is brief
