510 years ago, in 1516, Utopia by Thomas More was published in Europe. Written in Latin, the English meaning of the full Latin title is: ‘A truly golden little book, not less beneficial than enjoyable, about how things should be in a state and about the new island Utopia.’ In 1518, a re
For decades, those who feed our nation have stood at the wrong end of the market. Cost of inputs rise relentlessly, yet when harvest season arrives, prices collapse under the weight of middlemen and fragile market systems. The result is familiar: farmers sink into debt while consumers face volatili
After a week of illness, a rural doctor changed a 6-year-old's antibiotic for the third time. Two days later, the child lay in Dhaka Shishu Hospital with sepsis. Nearby in Gazipur, a farmer watched 3,000 broiler chickens die from a gut infection no longer controlled by the "growth promoter" mix in
Despite known and evolving challenges, Bangladesh economy has demonstrated good consolidation in 2025. Market liquidity especially foreign currency liquidity improved much with significant rise in wage earners' remittances, moderate rise in exports and foreign aid disbursement. Inflation continued
With the demise of Khaleda Zia (1945-2025), Bangladesh is not only bidding farewell to a former prime minister but also to an era. It is an era that encapsulates not only the political struggles but the moral fabric of this republic. It is an era born of resistance, an era in which its dreams of de
The world today stands at a pivotal moment in its long struggle against poverty. For decades, policymakers celebrated remarkable progress in eradicating poverty. The share of people living in extreme poverty fell from nearly 38 per cent in 1990 to below 10 per cent by the end of the 2010s. Much of
Long before the arrival of Uttam Kumar (1926-80), actor-director-screenwriter Pramathesh Barua (1903-51) was the first male heartthrob of Bangla cinema. His movie version of Devdas (1935) was most authentic. Like the Cumilla-born and raised, Victoria College-educated singer-musician Sachin Dev Burm
In the aftermath of last year’s anti-Hasina uprising in Bangladesh, several student leaders emerged from obscurity, propelled by a mix of anger and a demand for justice. Sharif Osman Hadi was one of them. I first encountered Osman Hadi in September 2024 at the TSC junction of Dhaka Universit
The curtain dropped on a different warrior four years ago. Freedom fighter, writer, and activist Begum Mushtari Shafi passed away at 84. While many knew her as ‘Shaheed Jaya’ (the wife of Shaheed), this title does not fully capture her lifelong efforts for upholding the spirit of Bangla
When we talk about healthcare and human rights, one vital aspect is often overlooked: vision. Eye care is not a niche concern-it is a fundamental component of health, productivity, and dignity. Imagine the daily challenges faced by someone who cannot see clearly: reduced productivity, limited earni
On the opening day of the 12th National SME Product Fair 2025, visitors entering booth F-006 encountered something unexpected among the displays of local innovation, handcrafted goods, and emerging technologies. The Bangladesh Ship Recycling Board (BSRB) had stepped into the seven-day fair with a c
In the era of massive technological diffusion, digital transformation, and aggressive cashless transactions, Bangladesh has been in a strong position. Online banking, digital banking and mobile banking through mobile apps are growing faster than ever before. Bangladesh is also relentless in its dig
In early 1940s, the folk song composer and singer Abbas Uddin Ahmed (1901-59) met a young man named Hemanta Mukherjee (1920-89) at a Kolkata radio station. After listening to him singing, Abbas praised Hemanta profusely. “Please bless me,” Hemanta beseeched him. Abbas’
