Interview
Special Content
Interview
The US administration has hiked the reciprocal tariffs on Bangladeshi products in the United States from 15 percent to 37 percent.
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 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.
The main Eid-ul-Fitr congregation was held at the National Eidgah adjacent to the High Court in the capital with appropriate religious solemnity and festive atmosphere.
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.
Fifty-five years have passed since independence. I still remember a slogan I raised in 1972, right after independence: "We will bring the taste of freedom to the barefoot slum child." Now, standing in 2025, I must admit—we failed. But we did make the country independent. How? Back then, there wasn’t a single sponge sandal factory in this country. Bengalis didn’t even know what indenting business was. Today, we manufacture everything, from shoes to construction materials. Despite having no iron ore of our own, we are now building and exporting massive ships worldwide. A boy from my village has even built and flown a helicopter! Isn’t that something to be proud of? This is how far we have come as a nation.
After the first battle of Bilonia, on June 21, 1971, the invading forces reached the Indian border of Bilonia, creating a frightening situation through heavy gunfire and incredible destruction. Before that, however, the people of the entire area, out of a natural urge to save their lives and honour, took refuge in the border areas of the Indian state of Tripura, especially in the city of Bilonia. The city of Bilonia was then flooded with freedom fighters and the common people of East Bengal. The Indian people welcomed them with a smile and sheltered them. I had already reached Bilonia to join the Palatana training camp. My friend Wali joined me on the way. In Bilonia, I met Jahangir and Ansar, students of Dhaka University.
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.
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.
Police on Tuesday arrested the owner of a godown near Deesa town in Gujarat's Banaskantha district, hours after a powerful blast and fire killed 21 persons there, officials said. Firecrackers were allegedly stored and manufactured illegally at the godown, they said.
After weeks of White House hype and public anxiety, President Donald Trump is set Wednesday to announce a barrage of self-described “reciprocal” tariffs on friend and foe alike.
Due to illness, Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari has been admitted to a hospital. On Tuesday (April 1), he was hospitalized in a private hospital in Karachi, a southern port city of Pakistan. He is currently under close medical supervision.
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.
The US administration has hiked the reciprocal tariffs on Bangladeshi products in the United States from 15 percent to 37 percent.
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.
