Views / Analysis

Smuggling of ants and strange human hobbies

Smuggling of ants and strange human hobbies

A mixed feeling of disbelief and surprise has taken over readers who recently came across the news of arrest of a man for smuggling of ants at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Yes, you have read it right -- the charge against a Chinese national is the violation of international


Many Variants of Life

Many Variants of Life

There are so many different ways a life is lived. What is wrong today is right tomorrow due to changes in social practices and vice versa. Again, the practices are place-dependent. Not easy as we move from one to another. My cousin was stopped at Heathrow airport by a sniffing dog as she had 'paan'

Efficient Teaching: What, Why, and How

Efficient Teaching: What, Why, and How

Teaching is an honoured vocation, but being an expert in a subject does not automatically make someone a good teacher. Some countries, recognizing this distinction, have made teacher training mandatory for all teachers, including university teachers. For instance, Sri Lanka, Norway, Finland, and De

Insights from top firms and global comparisons

Insights from top firms and global comparisons

An article regarding the Bangladesh audit market has indicated that the top 100 audit firms conduct 87 per cent of audits, i.e., the overwhelming majority of statutory audits, with individual partners at leading firms reportedly signing off on as many as 388 audits per year. At the first glance, th

Economic challenges for the new govt

Economic challenges for the new govt

Bangladesh's economy is now very big. After 55 years, the size of the country's economy has increased a lot. Our population has also increased. In 1971, the population was only 75 million, now it stands at more than 180 million. As the economy has grown, so has corruption and various disasters. On

When brute power gets the better of modesty

When brute power gets the better of modesty

Humans are not certainly known for the strongest physical power. At the top of the raw power order among land animals, elephant has no match. Then come rhinoceroses, hippopotamus, bison, buffalo and the likes. Yet these animals are not called the king of the wild. A far smaller animal, lion holds t

The unfinished equality agenda

The unfinished equality agenda

International Women's Day, observed every year on March 8, is more than a symbolic celebration of women's achievements. It is a global moment of reflection on the progress made toward gender equality and the challenges that remain. In 2026, the observance carries special significance because the wo

Return of big bullies to leave a bad lesson for posterity

Return of big bullies to leave a bad lesson for posterity

War is in human blood. In case of contentious issues, first there is a war of words and then conflicting claims leading to physical violence. It may be inter and intra-family feuds, clannish or tribal conflicts, violence between two villages or municipality wards, onslaught by nations against each

The unweaving of Bengali braid

The unweaving of Bengali braid

As I sit in my office, the familiar hum of a university campus filtering through the door, I am struck by a quiet realization. This International Women's Day, as the world rallies behind the theme "Give to Gain," I find myself looking at my students through the dual lens of an educator and a daught

Ekushey's dignity in the age of word bombs

Ekushey's dignity in the age of word bombs

February 21 is the self-awakening day to the Bengali nation. Through the Language Movement, Bengalis realized that state identity is not built on religion. It is built by language and culture. This realization led to the rise of Bengali nationalism which later played a decisive role in the birth of

What the new govt and embassies can do

What the new govt and embassies can do

Bangladesh's economy is significantly supported by expatriates' income, or remittances. Millions of Bangladeshi workers employed across the globe enrich the country's foreign exchange reserves through their labour, skills, and sacrifice. The money they send not only supports the reserves but also p

Down the rabbit hole

Down the rabbit hole

With so much infighting around, from schoolroom killings to ethnic cleansing, the world today is a violent place to live in. More so with the rise of social media. It quickly exposes the wrongdoings that would have otherwise remained hidden under the carpet. Rich or poor, anyone can be caught unawa