In Focus
Do political parties support women's political empowerment?
At first glance, one definitely has to appreciate the current key political positions held by women in Bangladesh: head of the
11 March 2016, 18:00 PM
Revisiting Dhaka’s Treasures
History is about what is written of it, often about the way the rulers wanted it to be written. In 2006, everybody was scrambling to
4 March 2016, 18:00 PM
'I am human'
Language represents locality, kinship, clan, lineage and other socio cultural aspects of all human societies around the world. And in our
26 February 2016, 18:00 PM
The Origins of the Language Movement
Principal Abul Kashem is an unforgettable entity of the history of the Language Movement. On September 1, 1947, under his leadership,
19 February 2016, 18:00 PM
Elias writer of the oppressed
Akhtaruzzaman Elias is difficult and ambiguous. His language is turgid and his narrative tortuous. His characters spout dirty,
12 February 2016, 18:00 PM
COMING BACK HOME
Diaspora helps foster ideas. An increasing number returns home with skills, contacts and an understanding of how things could be done better. Expatriate Bangladeshis want to do more. Is the country doing enough to welcome them?
29 January 2016, 18:00 PM
GANO ADALOT
It all began on December 29, 1991 when a report was published in a local newspaper that Ghulam Azam was elected the Amir of
22 January 2016, 18:00 PM
From Roma to Suchitra Sen
Suchitra Sen had dominated the silver screen, mostly in Kolkata and briefly in Mumbai, for three decades, beginning in the '50s and
15 January 2016, 18:00 PM
AGREEING TO SAVE THE PLANET
The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP 21, held in Paris from 30 November to 12 December 2015, was the biggest event of its kind.
8 January 2016, 18:00 PM
Bangla Academy's 60th Year: Preserving and Projecting Bangali Culture
Established in December 3, 1955, Bangla Academy is an iconic institution representing Bangali culture. Its primary function has been
1 January 2016, 18:00 PM
Thinkers Will Lead The Way
The role of intellectuals in Bangalee life has always been very significant, at least since the 19th century when there was a Renaissance
18 December 2015, 18:00 PM
Rokeya's unrealised Dream
Feminism is considered an ugly word by many who have a passing acquaintance with it. An open assertion of being a feminist in social
11 December 2015, 18:00 PM
In conversation with Selina Hossain
Born on June 14, 1947, Selina Hossain is one of the most prolific authors in Bangla literature. She has penned numerous short stories, novels, essays and books for children.
4 December 2015, 18:00 PM
TINY BUT DEADLY
A tiny insect with a lifespan of hardly 10 days has been threatening billions of lives all over the world. In a densely populated city like
27 November 2015, 18:00 PM
Maulana Bhashani: The Lessons of Freedom
I shall begin with a story, to which I will return again. In 2013, on the occasion of the 37th death anniversary of Maulana Bhashani, I
20 November 2015, 18:00 PM
WOMEN WAGING PEACE
When she first landed in earthquake-ridden Haiti, Rockfar Sultana Khanam, commander of the first ever all-female UN peacekeeping
13 November 2015, 18:00 PM
YES, A BETTER DHAKA IS POSSIBLE!
Had traffic been more disciplined, had housing been a serious enterprise, had civic and public spaces been nurtured, and had the landscape of water and green been sustained, Dhaka would also have been a magnificent, livable place. And that city is possible.
30 October 2015, 18:00 PM
Polluting A Possibility
Bangladesh's leather industry is one of the very few industries if not the only one for which Bangladesh does not have to import the main raw materials. Cheap labour, top quality raw materials that is hides of Bangladeshi cattle and global demand for luxury leather products has made it one of the most productive industries and foreign currency earners of Bangladesh. In 2014, Bangladesh's leather industry set a record for increasing exports up to 32.12 percent; for the first time it reached the US$1 billion mark for annual export.
23 October 2015, 18:00 PM
Ila Mitra - Revolutionary, Trailblazer
Ila Mitra was the legendary peasant leader of undivided Bengal, a veteran front runner of the communist movement in the sub-continent and a dedicated friend to the cause of our Liberation War in 1971. Nachol, a police station at that time of greater Rajshahi, became the centre of the peasant movement, known as Tebhaga Andolan in the district. Ila Mitra, an athlete of no mean calibre, became deeply involved in the movement encouraged by her husband, ultimately becoming 'Rani Ma' (queen-mother) of the peasants of the locality. But who is Ila Mitra to the present generation, particularly of Bangladesh?
16 October 2015, 18:00 PM
Abdul Karim's discoveries - Origins of modernity in Bengali literature
Abdul Karim discovered that there existed also Muslim writers of quality in Bengali literature and, what's more, their quantity also is far from negligible. In diction their works, for instance, those of the 17th century lauraetes Kazi Daulat (1600-1638) or Syed Alaol (1607-1680) are no less 'elevated and dignified,' i.e., Sanskritized in measure than Bharatchandra Ray's (1712-1760) or Madhusudan Datta's (1824-1873) of later fame.
9 October 2015, 18:00 PM