Views / Columns

Bangladesh in perspective of BRICS' expansion

Bangladesh in perspective of BRICS' expansion

It is only natural that opposing camps would lock in a heated debate over the ramification of non-induction of Bangladesh into the BRICS club. When Ethiopia and Argentina have received the green card as part of expansion of this bloc set up mainly to serve the development of member countries with p


Why pay for idle power plants?

Why pay for idle power plants?

The issue of massive capacity charges being paid yearly has become a cause for serious concern. While there are a lot of misconceptions about the practice, it is not limited to Bangladesh but has turned out to be a global practice. The problems associated with these charges reaching critical levels

The Nazi in Canada's parliament

The Nazi in Canada's parliament

Anthony Rota, the Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons, has resigned. He recently mistook an ageing Nazi for a Ukrainian freedom fighter in bygone times and a Canadian hero by virtue of his being a citizen of Canada. When the truth emerged that Yaroslav Hunka, the ninety-eight-year-old man give

Dairy industry and the untapped potential

Dairy industry and the untapped potential

Although dairy as an industry did not have any organised footing in Bangladesh until recently, its emergence and growth over the decades is by all means commendable. From a very humble beginning in an informal manner, the industry grew to a large size thanks to a number of dedicated entrepreneurs b

Fall in motor launch passengers

Fall in motor launch passengers

Passengers who had to regularly travel by large and mid-size motor launches between Dhaka's Sadarghat terminal and destinations in six districts under Barisal Division may recall with a sense of great relief the days of their immense sufferings. They had to undergo the ordeal for decades, especiall

Central bank's novel approach to resolving issues

Central bank's novel approach to resolving issues

In the face of the runaway food price inflation that reached 12-year high in August, 2023at 9.92 per cent, the fixed-income and the socially less privileged section of the population are in a tight corner. And this has been the case despite the government's target of keeping the inflation at 6.0 pe

Call for re-globalisation in uncertain times

Call for re-globalisation in uncertain times

Countries across the world now appear less interested in extending cooperation with each other. As it is also impossible to entirely delink one from another, the nations are now concentrating more on limited and selective collaboration. Most countries have lost enthusiasm for wider or further openn

After BPC, Petrobangla is in financial crisis

After BPC, Petrobangla is in financial crisis

While the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation is in serious financial trouble for a lack of access to US dollars to import necessary energy resources, the state-owned Petrobangla is facing a massive backlash in unpaid bills from other state-owned companies for power consumed. Things are definitely not

A losing battle against vector and virus

A losing battle against vector and virus

For five consecutive days more than 3,000 dengue patients got admitted to different hospitals of the country with the lowest death toll of seven recorded in 24 years by 8 a.m. on Tuesday and the highest 21 by 8 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. There has been a remarkable difference now in the patter

Showcasing Bangladesh overseas in books

Showcasing Bangladesh overseas in books

The presence of a large Bengali diaspora in such countries as the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada is cause for happiness. Bengalis who reside in these countries as also in other places have in recent times been actively involved in demonstrating their cultural heritage in their adopted

A bigger role awaiting the NGOs

A bigger role awaiting the NGOs

Controversy centring around the non-government organisations (NGOs), on their mode of operation and scores of other related matters, has for long attracted public attention. As a breeding ground of NGOs since the inception of the country, Bangladesh has over the decades witnessed monumental growth

Bicycles go through bad times

Bicycles go through bad times

Few local bicycle manufacturers could think in the recent times that the industry would fall on such a phase of adversities. Disheartening reports keep pouring in from trading circles as well. To speak in brief, both the local bicycle manufacturers and traders are going through setbacks as demand s

Microplastics a potential public health issue

Microplastics a potential public health issue

A study on the presence of microplastics in salt from 12 salt-producing sites in the Cox's Bazar and Chattogram districts came up with results that are concerning. Plastics are manmade polymeric materials of organic origin with the property that it can be moulded into different shapes. Common sense