Article
Let children's education not be interrupted by floods
The people of Bangladesh are no strangers to floods. Every monsoon, rivers swell, sandbars disappear beneath rising waters, roads are cut off, and thousands of families seek refuge in emergency shelters. Yet behind this familiar scene unfolds another silent crisis every year—one that receives far less attention. It is the disruption of children's education. When schools remain closed for weeks or even months, the damage extends far beyond missed lessons. It undermines an entire generation's ability to learn, erodes their confidence, and jeopardizes their future.
Sheikh Hasina's announcement to return home, death sentence, and judicial maze
A recent statement by Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Aminul Islam of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has reignited public debate over the possible return of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death. Speaking on Sunday, he said, "There is no legal barrier preventing Sheikh Hasina from returning to Bangladesh. In fact, the prosecution wants her to come back, face the court, and challenge the verdict against her through the legal process."
Bangladesh loses a protector in realm of intellectual endeavors
Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haq has passed away. Views Bangladesh has lost a revered guardian. He served as an endless source of inspiration since the inception of Views Bangladesh. He regularly contributed columns to Views Bangladesh and we also published an exclusive interview with him, in which he candidly discussed the state, society, and culture. He was the chief guest at the first anniversary celebration of Views Bangladesh. The family of Views Bangladesh is profoundly saddened by his demise.
Hundreds of small NGOs under threat due to new MRA conditions
Bangladesh's microfinance regulator, the Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA), has been accused of biased behavior. Those concerned claim that after the change of regime on August 5, 2024, the regulatory authorities made appointments to the top positions in the organization breaching the law. Moreover, the conditions those are being imposed in the new policy, will effectively shut down small NGOs and pave the way for the establishment of a monopoly by large institutions. Although, the policy later was decided to be suspended due to the efforts of various stakeholders, no notification has been issued in this regard so far.
In memoriam: Enlightened Mustafa Monwar
Mustafa Monwar's impact on modernizing and popularizing puppetry in Bangladesh is indisputable. He recognized that puppetry serves as an excellent medium for fostering children's imagination and providing moral education. The puppet shows he designed and orchestrated were not merely forms of entertainment; they were inventive lessons in human values, patriotism, aesthetics, and education. Even now, numerous individuals in Bangladesh recall his puppet characters fondly from their childhood, illustrating that an artist does not solely create art; he also cultivates a realm of human emotions.
Bangladesh in new geopolitical landscape: a new chapter of dignity, pragmatism, diplomacy
The true test of a country's foreign policy is not determined by whom it opposes, but by how effectively it advances its own national interests.
Measles outbreak: Just negligence or a wake-up call?
We thought we had beaten this enemy for good. After polio and tetanus, we had nearly said goodbye to measles too and were feeling proud about it. Nobody expected it to quietly come back and hit us this hard. Working in social development at an NGO, I follow field-level news every day sometimes it fills me with hope, sometimes with deep sadness. When I read in the newspapers that over 700 children have died from measles or measles-like illness, and nearly one lakh children are affected, my heart sinks. For those of us who work for children's health and rights, this is not just worrying it is truly frightening.
School feeding crisis: Addressing food insecurity and way out
The incident involving 18 students who fell ill after consuming food from the school feeding program at Salim Dolpara Government Primary School in Chapainawabganj Sadar Upazila has once again brought to light a troubling question: why does a program intended to provide nutritional support for children repeatedly pose health risks to them?
Nimtali tragedy: Scars may diminish, but wounds remain unhealed
June 3, 2010. The clock struck 9 pm. The alleys of old Dhaka were still bustling. And right at that time, the most tragic fire accident in the country's history occurred. In which 124 fresh lives from 72 families were lost. More than two hundred people were injured. On that terrible day, the countrymen witnessed a brutal scene. Many saw their loved ones burn before their eyes. Fathers saw their children burn to ashes before their eyes. Wives and mothers kept wishing for the death of their injured husbands and children.
Tofail Ahmed: A life dedicated to Bangladesh's independence and democracy
The history of Bangladesh's independence is not merely the story of a territory's birth; it is a glorious chapter of a long bloody struggle, immense sacrifice, indomitable courage and visionary leadership. Intertwined in every bend of this history are countless heroes, without whose sacrifice and contribution the dream of an independent Bangladesh would not have been realised. One such brilliant star, who played a pivotal role from the student-public movement to the various phases of post-independence nation-building, is Tofail Ahmed.