Article
Unknown tale of Biju
Upon consulting dictionaries of Bengali, Hindi, and English, one encounters the term Chakma. Recent assertions by historical linguists indicate that all contemporary languages, totaling around 6000, have emerged through a gradual process of fragmentation from a singular, original great language. Consequently, we have adhered to the guidelines of the 'Bengali Glossary' to ascertain the meanings of the terms Bishu, Biju, Phul, Mool, and Gajyepajye.
Pahela Baishakh: From origins to global spread of modernity
Throughout history, a nation's identity is expressed through the vibrancy of its festivals. For the Bengali people, this vibrancy is epitomized by 'Pahela Baishakh'. From its roots in an agricultural society to the complexities of contemporary global life, this festival has experienced significant transformations.
Pahela Baishakh: Dialectical formation of Bengali identity
When individuals participate in a procession, carrying clay dolls or softly singing, "Eso, he boishakh, eso eso..." (inviting the summer), a pertinent question arises: is this celebration a festival of the Bengali people, or is it an imposition of Hindu culture upon the 'Muslims'? The latter assertion is quite significant. This inquiry is fundamentally altered with the onset of Baishakh. Its core lies in the comprehension of identity, culture, religion, and history. Pahela Boishakh stands as the most prominent socio-cultural festival in Bangladesh. This festival, which is rooted in the illusion of capitalism, is now celebrated in every household of the proletariat within the freedom of society. It has been intertwined with the cultural elements generated by the social order of transformation. This amalgamation is now irreversible. Even the philosophies of Marx or Hegel would falter in this context. Nevertheless, the discourse surrounding this festival persists. The crux of the debate: it is regarded as the timeless cultural manifestation of Bengalis, while conversely, it is viewed as a contemporary political construct, with a specific religious group rejecting and opposing it as an encroachment of foreign culture. It is impossible for all members of the nation to be entirely acquainted with one another. However, despite our differences, our journey and struggles are unified. Just as we feel joy when a Bengali receives an accolade thousands of miles away, we also experience sorrow when a Bengali perishes in a conflict in the Middle East. What accounts for this phenomenon? We have cultivated certain humanly conceived entities within ourselves, which fosters our attraction to one another.
From Ghazal to Pop: Legendary versatility of Asha Bhosle
Renowned as the 'Queen of Playback Singing,' Asha Bhosle stands as one of the most versatile and celebrated voices in the history of South Asian music. Her extraordinary contributions across diverse genres—including film music, classical compositions, ghazals, pop, and modern songs—have firmly established her as a legend.
Complex equation of shortening office hours: Naive triangular thinking
Whenever news of a supposedly 'groundbreaking' decision emerges from the inner circles of the country’s policymakers, ordinary people like us spend half the day trying to figure out whether we should feel delighted or simply sit with our hands on our heads in confusion.
NASA’s Artemis II: Why humans are returning to the Moon after 53 years
After more than five decades, NASA has launched its Artemis II mission, sending humans back towards the Moon. The four‑astronaut crew lifted off aboard the Orion spacecraft, beginning a 10‑day journey that will take them around the lunar far side and back to Earth.
Pulpit Rock: Standing here feels like the end of the world
Imagine standing on a flat rock nearly 1,982 feet (604 metres) above sea level, with no railings or safety barriers around you. In front of you lie endless mountains, and beneath your feet is a blue fjord. Norway's Preikestolen, or Pulpit Rock, is precisely such a spine-chilling location, known to travellers worldwide as the 'end of the world'.
Govt adopts 7-point strategy to cope with global energy crisis
Bangladesh may be one of the countries affected by the global energy crisis, says a report in the Telegraph. The impact of this situation is already clear in Dhaka. People have to stand in lines for hours at petrol pumps, educational institutions have been advised to limit activities, and government officials have been given restrictions on electricity use during the day. Public transport in the capital has reduced, delivery workers are sitting. The report says that normal life in the capital has almost come to a standstill.
Why shortage hits country hard as petrol, octane produced locally
The demand for fuel oil in Bangladesh is constantly increasing, and behind this increase in demand is the impact of industrialization, rapid expansion of the transport sector, and urbanization. Despite the country's capacity to produce petrol and octane, most pumps are experiencing a severe crisis. Such a turbulent situation of petrol and octane is a matter of surprise to many. However, in reality, this crisis is not only the result of internal problems, but is also deeply related to global politics, especially the ongoing war between Iran and the United States and Israel.
Measles disaster in Rajshahi: Bureaucratic stagnation or structural violence
Measles — medically defined, it is a highly contagious virus that is entirely preventable. However, in the current context of Rajshahi, this term has transcended its clinical meaning — it has evolved into a testament to systematic administrative failure. Over the past month and a half, more than 53 children have succumbed to complications from the disease at Rajshahi Medical College (RMC) Hospital. Reports from the state-run news agency BSS and major media outlets indicate that 44 lives have been lost to measles within a mere two weeks. Furthermore, in the 48 hours leading up to the completion of this article, three more innocent children have tragically passed away while waiting in lengthy ICU queues.