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Chiroranjan Sarker

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Columnist

How Durga Puja of Bengalis turned into a social festival
How Durga Puja of Bengalis turned into a social festival
State and Politics

How Durga Puja of Bengalis turned into a social festival

The biggest festival of Bengali Hindus is Durga Puja. Usually the five-day festival begins on the sixth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Ashwin, from Shashthi to Dashami. These five days are known respectively as Durga Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and Bijoya Dashami. This year Durga Puja began with Maha Shashthi on 28 September. Maha Saptami was on 29 September, Maha Ashtami on 30 September, Maha Navami on 1 October and the immersion of the idols will take place on Bijoya Dashami, 2 October, marking the end of the celebrations.

UNGA, egg throwing, and few questions from conscious citizens
egg throwing
State and Politics

UNGA, egg throwing, and few questions from conscious citizens

Every September, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meets in New York. Heads of state and government from almost every country gather there. They present their country’s position, challenges and priorities, seek international support, and take part in various meetings. For Bangladesh too, this visit has never been an exception. Since independence, almost every government has given special importance to the UNGA trip and highlighted it heavily.

‘Festival’ of votes and ‘rebirth’ of nation
Vote, ballot
Politics and Bureaucracy

‘Festival’ of votes and ‘rebirth’ of nation

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has astonished the nation in almost a poet’s tone. He has announced that elections will be held in the first half of February. But it will not be just an ordinary election, rather a festival of elections.

Why youths in Nepal suddenly erupted into bloody protest
Why youtus in Nepal
Diplomacy

Why youths in Nepal suddenly erupted into bloody protest

Although Nepal, at the foot of the Himalayas, is well known for its geographical diversity, cultural heritage and rich history, its journey as a state has been far from smooth. Since independence the country has passed through many political experiments—sometimes monarchy, sometimes democratic rule, and at times military influence. After the abolition of the monarchy in 2008 and the transition to a republic, Nepalis hoped for a new future. People expected that after years of turmoil a democratic culture would be established, corruption would decrease, development would be for all, and governance would become transparent. Sadly, those expectations remain unfulfilled.

The malpractice of secret politics
secret politics
State and Politics

The malpractice of secret politics

It seems a new stage has emerged in the politics of Bengal. Once upon a time, politics meant open struggle – who could chant slogans the loudest, who could bring the largest procession, who could stir up the crowd by crying out “Joy Bangla” or “Bangladesh Zindabad” in the highest voice. Back then politicians did not hide their identity, rather they were proud to say: “I am a worker of such-and-such party, I am a follower of such-and-such ideology.” But times have changed. Such simple declarations now appear old-fashioned. On the political stage there is now a new wave – not what is open, but what happens behind the scenes is the real thing; its name is secret politics.

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