Diplomacy
Special Content
Editorial Views
A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is coming to Dhaka on Saturday (April 5) to ensure that Bangladesh will receive the remaining $2.39 billion of its loan.
On the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, Bangladesh Bank has suspended the exchange of fresh notes. The reason behind this is that they no longer want to issue notes bearing the portrait of Bangabandhu. While this decision aligns with the spirit of the mass uprising, it has left people without fresh notes this Eid, which contradicts the new spirit of the movement. Relatives and friends are constantly requesting fresh notes, assuming that, as a former employee of Bangladesh Bank, I might be able to procure some despite the restrictions. Even ardent supporters of the uprising desire fresh notes and have no objections to those bearing Bangabandhu’s portrait. The people of Chattogram, in particular, have a high demand for fresh notes; to them, fresh notes are as essential as their traditional Mezban feast. The tradition of giving and receiving Eidi during Eid feels incomplete without fresh notes, as old and worn-out notes are considered unsuitable and unacceptable for this practice. Children, too, may miss out on Eidi this year due to the unavailability of fresh notes. Consequently, Bangladesh Bank’s decision has disrupted the long-standing tradition of fresh note exchanges during the Eid festival.
To qualify for graduation to the final list of developing countries, a nation must meet three essential criteria. Bangladesh has successfully met all of these conditions. After being under observation for several years, Bangladesh is set to officially graduate to the developing country category in 2026. This will be the most significant economic achievement for the country since its independence. No nation wants to remain a least developed country (LDC) indefinitely. Every country aspires to graduate to the developing nation category as quickly as possible. While LDCs receive certain benefits from developed nations, these privileges are often granted out of a sense of charity rather than respect. Thus, achieving developing country status is a matter of national pride.
The realm of politics involves intricate calculations. This complex calculation of politics turned convoluted when the maharaja of the state of 'Sukhinagar' announced to appoint of his minister for dejection. In his declaration, the King expressed his desire to appoint such a person as the dejection minister who in a real sense has the experience of enduring pain and can contain it at the bottom of his heart. Following the announcement, several individuals claimed to be in a somber mood and made a long queue outside the palace with the desire to assume this new ministerial post. However, during the interviews, the maharaja observed that none of the candidates neither went through intense pain nor possessed any significant experience of somberness. Consequently, the appointment of a minister for the ministry of dejection became Maharaja's new-found preoccupation.
As soon as the contentious meeting ended, White House staff bluntly told President Zelensky, "Mr. President, you should leave now." There was no dinner! Without any formalities, Zelensky quickly left the White House and headed for Europe. Upon arrival, he immediately met with the British Prime Minister, and Britain extended him an overwhelmingly warm welcome. King Charles III received him at the Sandringham House salon in Norfolk and held discussions with him for nearly an hour. Through this warmth, Britain effectively sent a message to the United States that not only the British government but also the King himself fully supports Zelenskyy and Ukraine.
The realm of politics involves intricate calculations. This complex calculation of politics turned convoluted when the maharaja of the state of 'Sukhinagar' announced to appoint of his minister for dejection. In his declaration, the King expressed his desire to appoint such a person as the dejection minister who in a real sense has the experience of enduring pain and can contain it at the bottom of his heart. Following the announcement, several individuals claimed to be in a somber mood and made a long queue outside the palace with the desire to assume this new ministerial post. However, during the interviews, the maharaja observed that none of the candidates neither went through intense pain nor possessed any significant experience of somberness. Consequently, the appointment of a minister for the ministry of dejection became Maharaja's new-found preoccupation.
As soon as the contentious meeting ended, White House staff bluntly told President Zelensky, "Mr. President, you should leave now." There was no dinner! Without any formalities, Zelensky quickly left the White House and headed for Europe. Upon arrival, he immediately met with the British Prime Minister, and Britain extended him an overwhelmingly warm welcome. King Charles III received him at the Sandringham House salon in Norfolk and held discussions with him for nearly an hour. Through this warmth, Britain effectively sent a message to the United States that not only the British government but also the King himself fully supports Zelenskyy and Ukraine.
On the night of March 25, 1971, a Pakistani army major transmitted a message via wireless from House No. 32 in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, to his superiors: "Big bird in cage, small birds have flown." The meaning was clear—the big bird (Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman) had been captured, while the small birds (other leaders and Awami League activists) had escaped. The Pakistani authorities believed that arresting Bangabandhu would put an end to Bangladesh's independence movement. However, history has proven that merely imprisoning a leader does not stop a movement. The Liberation War of 1971 and other historical struggles worldwide demonstrate that, in the absence of leadership, people's struggles often intensify.
If engineering students from BUET had taken on diplomatic roles, perhaps it would have benefited the nation. However, even without that, Dr. Yunus, as the chief advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government, is demonstrating his diplomatic skills on the world stage today. His role is being discussed and analyzed globally. This makes me wonder: is academic knowledge alone enough to accomplish everything correctly? Certainly not. Because without application and practice, knowledge loses its value. In this context, let’s revisit the life of a war courier during the Liberation War.
Even after 54 years of independence, the debate over who declared Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 remains unresolved. The inability to reach a political consensus on such a nationally significant issue raises serious questions about political failure. Avoiding this question is not an option, as it remains a matter of national importance. Therefore, revisiting the discussion on the declaration of independence and its proclaimer is necessary.
The war of independence has always been an emotional matter for me. I have been to war. I pass my days carrying the pain of war. I still remember the scene – my friend has fallen. He has been shot. He jumped up suddenly and told me – “Mama, take care of my mother. No one is left for her.” Only son of a mother died becoming mad. I have crossed the river swimming; I was shot by the Pak army. The Pak army shot and killed 15,000 people in one day in Buriganga. The Buriganga turned red. Some 10,000 people were killed in Jinjira. In one day, 25,000 people have died in Keraniganj alone. On May 2, not a single house in Jinjira and Keraniganj was spared, the Pak army burned everything. In that liberation war, I crossed a river swimming with my rifle in hand. The Pak army shot hundreds of freedom fighters. They were crawling in bunkers. Some have lost their legs. Some have lost their eyes. Some have lost various body parts. Some have been violated. Thousands of freedom fighters had been martyred - only then the Pak army fled.
The first District Commissioners (DC) conference of the interim government holds significant importance in the current administrative context. This conference will involve discussions between the DCs and various ministries, where important directions will be given. In light of the changed political scenario, special policy decisions and administrative directions are expected to emerge from this conference.
The Liberation War Memorial Mancha mural near Shishu Park on BDR Road in Lalmonirhat town has been demolished after being previously covered on multiple occasions, including on Independence Day.
Abul Hayat, a name recognized by people all across Bangladesh. He started acting from his school days and continues to act even today. He has been acting for a long 70 years. The journey of our stage plays, radio dramas, television dramas, and films began with him and his friends. He and his contemporaries laid the foundation of our acting industry. At least three generations of Bangladeshis have grown up watching their performances.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said he will meet the leaders of the BIMSTEC countries to discuss ways for strengthening collaboration, keeping the interests of people in mind.
Myanmar’s governing military has declared a unilateral, temporary ceasefire in the country’s civil war to facilitate rescue efforts after last week’s powerful earthquake, as state television reported the death toll from the disaster had surpassed 3,000.
The Israeli army killed at least 86 Palestinians in a series of airstrikes Wednesday across the Gaza Strip.
The Indian government on Wednesday presented a bill in parliament that plans sweeping changes in the management of vast tracts of land set aside solely for Muslim use, potentially stoking tensions between the government and minority Muslims.
The government and the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) are apparently in a state of muddle over the reform of the telecommunications sector. In the meantime, mobile operators are trying to ensure the future control of their business by 'seizing the opportunity'. I am using the word 'seizing the opportunity' because despite repeated attempts during the previous two political governments, mobile operators did not get the desired decision in their favor. Now they are trying to cash in on the situation if they can somehow implement their desired decision during the interim government. Such an attempt has clearly been observed since the current government took office. On the other hand, network transmission operators built with domestic investment, interconnection exchanges, international gateways, and international internet gateway operators, want to preserve the existence of their systems.
A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is coming to Dhaka on Saturday (April 5) to ensure that Bangladesh will receive the remaining $2.39 billion of its loan.
On the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, Bangladesh Bank has suspended the exchange of fresh notes. The reason behind this is that they no longer want to issue notes bearing the portrait of Bangabandhu. While this decision aligns with the spirit of the mass uprising, it has left people without fresh notes this Eid, which contradicts the new spirit of the movement. Relatives and friends are constantly requesting fresh notes, assuming that, as a former employee of Bangladesh Bank, I might be able to procure some despite the restrictions. Even ardent supporters of the uprising desire fresh notes and have no objections to those bearing Bangabandhu’s portrait. The people of Chattogram, in particular, have a high demand for fresh notes; to them, fresh notes are as essential as their traditional Mezban feast. The tradition of giving and receiving Eidi during Eid feels incomplete without fresh notes, as old and worn-out notes are considered unsuitable and unacceptable for this practice. Children, too, may miss out on Eidi this year due to the unavailability of fresh notes. Consequently, Bangladesh Bank’s decision has disrupted the long-standing tradition of fresh note exchanges during the Eid festival.
It was March 27, 1971. The curfew was relaxed for a few hours. Whenever the curfew was lifted, Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul would take his bicycle and first visit Dhaka Medical College, then Palashi Fire Service, the grounds of Dhaka University, Rokeya Hall, and around the British Council—witnessing one corpse after another. He then decided to take revenge for the horrific genocide. That afternoon, he forcefully entered a Bihari's house, took a gun, and formed a small group. He explained to the group, "We need more weapons." During this time, several Biharis' homes were looted for weapons. Using these weapons, he established the first base for the liberation war in Zinzira.
On the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, Bangladesh's popular TV channel Nexus Television has organized a 7-day colorful programme. The special programs include movies, entertainment talk shows, beauty shows and music events.
