Dhaka is often making headlines for ranking as the most polluted city in the world in the Air Quality Index (AQI). The air quality of the city of around 20 million people remains in the "very unhealthy" and "hazardous" categories around the year, but its pollution level reached catastrophic levels
The resignation of Syed Jamil Ahmed, Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, has opened up a Pandora's box. An acclaimed theatre personality and academic, Syed Jamil was the right choice for leading the country's highest organisation nurturing its art and culture, particularly after the
A sound public procurement system that prevents corruption through enhanced transparency and accountability, if ever implemented substantively and meaningfully, can bring multifarious benefits. It can remedy the problem of corruption in the public procurement process. It can maximise value for taxp
The findings by the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Office, as revealed in its investigation report, have strongly confirmed that there was a brutal and systematic repression of protests in Bangladesh by the ousted regime of Sheikh Hasina during the July-August uprising last year. The UN body-gene
As we approach the end of a conflict that started back in 2014, it seems quite clear that the shift in geopolitical strategies lean in favor of a Russian victory. Americans, with the arrival of the newly elected president Donald Trump, have completely changed their approach when it comes to
The task force on economic strategy redesign has suggested relocating the capital from Dhaka as the city of over 20 million residents has become unliveable on all counts. The task force report has explained the reasons behind its recommendation, which include Dhaka's overcrowding, environmental haz
There is a growing sense of unease over the perceived decline in law and order situation across the nation. Near my house, the local branch of retail chain Shwapno sends its female employees home before nightfall due to safety concerns, resulting in understaffing at night. Last night a friend's dau
The Foreign Affairs Adviser recently urged the Qatar government to recruit Bangladeshi professionals like doctors, engineers, IT professionals and nurses. In connection with this, he invited representatives from that country to visit Bangladesh to meet and recruit professionals. He made the call du
The 1952's language movement was a political struggle to establish Bangla's status as a state language. In consequence, it also gave rise to the linguistic nationalism, a variety of identity politics. So, language movement was not one of preserving Bangla as an endangered language since it is spoke
This country has witnessed from time to time what in plain Bangla is called 'tel nie telesmati' (oily magic!), courtesy of importers and refiners of cooking oil such as soybean and palm oil, the two most affordable varieties. Much as the government may have tried to contain the unpredictability of
The judiciary has a crucial role to play in delivering justice, preventing the violation of human rights and holding accountable violators of the rule of law. In Bangladesh, however, dispensation of justice in a timely manner has become near to impossible because of the accumulation of about 4.51 m
The government has lately come up with a decision that the thermostat of air conditioners should not be set below 25 degree Celsius this summer. The energy adviser, de facto minister, to the interim government, recently announced that this limit is going to be officially fixed to conserve energy du
The deadline for public servants to submit their wealth statements ended last Saturday. Last October, the interim government led by Dr. Yunus ordered public servants to declare their assets, presenting the move as a means to curb corruption and promote accountability. On the surface, it appears to
