One of the many characteristics authoritarian rulers tend to project is that they are larger than life. So, they are in the habit of installing high-rise buildings, bridges, highways, mausoleums, grand religious edifices and so on. Of course, more than as part of doing any public good, they b
Egg, milk, chicken, beef, mutton and vegetables including potato, aubergine are most in demand especially in the holy month of Ramadan. But as is the usual practice with the traders of the essential commodities in Bangladesh, they invariably raise the prices of these commodities during this month w
As the holy month of Ramadan starts on Sunday in Bangladesh, there will be a surge in charity as part of the observance of the month by the Muslims. Besides the various forms of voluntary charities to support underprivileged people, Muslims prepare to do two obligatory charities as instructed
In an environment marked by high incidence of corruption, largely initiated and promoted by the immediate past corrupt regime, the Social Safety Net Programmes (SSNPs) introduced to the benefits of the poor could not remain immune to the all-pervading pilferage and irregularities. The high-ups in t
The country's educational institutions from primary to college level are set to go for a long vacation on the occasion of Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr, the Independence Day, summer vacation and observance of a few other religious events. All government and private primary schools had their last classes bef
In recent times some dreadful crimes such as robbery, rent-seeking, mugging, and sexual assault against women and minor girls have been reported with chilling frequency. In Mithapukur, Rangpur, a fourth-grade student was raped while collecting flowers to pay tribute at the Shaheed Minar on 21st Feb
Job skills in digital and green technologies are believed to constitute the core foundation of productivity and competitiveness in the global market. A lacking in these skills is feared to affect Bangladesh's economy considerably. Many skills are getting obsolete at a faster rate while some new ski
Highways in Bangladesh, once considered lifelines of connectivity and economic activity, are increasingly turning into zones of fear. A disturbing surge in highway robberies has gripped the nation, shaking public confidence in law enforcement. In the last couple of weeks, several sensational robber
Political instability evidently impacts business and growth. The economy that Bangladesh's interim government inherited from the past authoritarian regime was already a severely mauled and malfunctioning one. Even so, as the incumbent interim government is now in charge, it has to accept the blame,
Bangladesh's economy is likely to witness another year of low growth and high inflation, thanks to the revolutionary change in the political arena half a year ago. The student-led mass uprising, which forced the autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina to fall on August 5 last year, led to a critical tra
The revenue authorities as usual failed to reach their tax collection target in the first half of the current fiscal year. According to a report carried in the FE, tax collection during the period since July 2024 till February 16, 2025 declined 1.53 per cent despite extension of the tax return subm
That the media are no longer the primary and dominant source of news is quite understandable. A survey conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics on behalf of the Media Reform Commission to know how people gather news and the source they consider credible has only confirmed the shift in peopl
In a welfare state, the provision of a universal pension plays a key role in ensuring social security for the elderly. Developed countries generally offer pensions based on individuals' contributions to pension schemes. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), 21 countries provide
