Editorial
Workers under free visas should not be subjected to uncertainty
The lives of Bangladeshi migrant workers are becoming increasingly precarious. Most of the workers are going abroad with loans, borrowing from relatives. Even before reaching their destinations, they are falling into dire situations. In many cases, they are compelled to sell off their lands and meager assets just to go abroad. However, for various reasons, they are forced to return to the country empty-handed. Such news is not pleasent for our country.
Stand by the hardworking people during intense heat
The working people of Bangladesh live an inhumane life throughout the year. They have to fight against the adversities of nature - whether it's the cold, heat, or rain. People with low incomes, especially farmers, laborers, day laborers, and rickshaw pullers, never see an end to their suffering. No matter how much adversity blocks their path, there seems to be no way out for them. Over the past three days, a severe heatwave has been sweeping across the entire country. The scorching heat is overwhelming. It is with this intense heat weighing heavily on their heads that the laborers have to work.
Let women's parental rights be ensured
In Article 28(2) of our constitution, it is stated, "Women and men shall have equal rights in all spheres of state and public life." However, the reality is that women's rights in terms of prevailing laws, institutional practices, and societal behavior have not been established in the same manner. Though there is no way to deny it, the importance of women, especially in nurturing and raising children, is limitless from childbirth to upbringing. Yet, society often prioritizes the perceived rights of men or fathers, overshadowing the significance of women or mothers.
Even if rice production increases, why wouldn't the price decrease?
Rice is the primary staple food for Bengalis. The Bengali proverb mache-bhate Bangali is still true in the Bengali context. Especially for poor people, there is no alternative to eating rice three times a day. That's why the main concern for poor people is rice. If the price of rice increases, cries of distress start echoing from all directions—what will they eat to survive? Research has shown that poor people spend 29-32 percent of their income to buy rice. This means that nearly one-third of their income goes into buying rice alone. As a result, in order to sustain themselves, they have to cut down on other expenses mercilessly.
Cutting down mountains essentially means ensuring our own destruction
Day by day, the hunger of mountain destroyers is escalating. They are targeting the numerous small and large mountains of the hilly Chattogram region. Consequently, natural biodiversity is being destroyed. From a news conference organized by the Chattogram Center for Historical and Cultural Research and the Bangladesh Environment Forum, it has been revealed that even 40 years ago, there were 200 mountains in the city of Chattogram alone, of which 60 percent have already disappeared.
Build a resilient future
In Bangladesh, people have been struggling through epochs of warfare against the wild, cyclones, and floods. Recently, a new combatant has joined this battle - heatwaves. Heatwaves are escalating not only in Bangladesh but also globally. Consequently, the increase in temperature is impacting human life, nature, and the world of flora and fauna.
Bangladesh needs to advance in the indices of freedom and prosperity
Bangladesh achieved independence through the sacrifice of the blood of 3 million martyrs. The objective of this independence was to break free from the oppression and atrocities of Pakistan. Not only the Pakistani regime, but for two years, the British rule also inflicted torture upon the people of Bengal. Even the Mughals and Pathans never recognized the rights of the people of this land. It means that for thousands of years, the people of Bengal have been subjected only to oppression. The Liberation War of 1971 was a fight against centuries of subjugation. It symbolized the aspirations of the people for eternal freedom. However, that freedom and prosperity are now being questioned.
Why is there negligence in establishing the Mujibnagar Liberation War Memorial Center
Every year on April 17, we remember the Mujibnagar Government. In 1971, during the Liberation War, the first government of Bangladesh took oath at Baidyanath Tala in Meherpur. Later, the place was named Mujibnagar in honor of the founding father of independent Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The proposal for establishing the 'Mujibnagar Liberation War Memorial Center' was put forward by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs. Although the project was proposed in 2021, no work has started on it yet. According to sources from the ministry, it has been learned that the implementation period of the proposed project, which was put forward to the Planning Commission in 2021, was set from January 1, 2021, to June 30, 2024. This means that there are only two months left until the deadline for the implementation of the project ends. In the proposed and precarious situation, the project has almost exhausted its implementation deadline.
Why is there so much negligence regarding garment workers' wages?
Tomorrow is Eid, and city dwellers are heading home in groups to celebrate the joy of Eid with their loved ones. Even advertisements reflect people's excitement. However, amidst this joy, countless garment workers are still deprived. According to a news report published yesterday (April 9), 60% of garment factory workers did not receive their wages. Industrial police stated that among the 2,534 garment and textile factories in Savar-Ashulia, Gazipur, Chittagong, Narayanganj, Mymensingh, Khulna, Comilla, and Sylhet, only 1,009 factories paid wages until yesterday. Festival bonuses were paid by 2,183 factories. Such news is deeply saddening for the country.
May the Eid celebration be joyful
From the middle of March, there were occasional showers, but intense heat has started since the first week of April. The Meteorological Department has informed that the temperature will rise further in the second week of April. With the decrease in humidity in the air, the intensity of the dry wind will increase. In the midst of this, Eid is approaching. From a week ago, many people in Dhaka have begun to return home. People are returning home from other cities as well. During this time, countless people have to spend the whole day on the road. Besides Eid shopping, there are other reasons too for leaving home. The intense heat during this time is not only causing discomfort but may also contribute to illness.
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