Memories of Rana Plaza
Garment industry environment undergoes radical transformation
In the past 11 years since the collapse of Rana Plaza in Savar, there has been a fundamental transformation in the garment sector workplace. Owners of these sectors, along with labor leaders and researchers, acknowledge this change. They said that following the tragedy that claimed the lives of 1,135 garment workers in Rana Plaza, factory owners, under pressure from European and North American buyers, have invested heavily to ensure safe working conditions. Western diplomats have also criticized the garment sector in Bangladesh at various times, acknowledging that it now publicly accepts its safe and compliant status.
Blood-soaked love note under rubble of Rana Plaza
"I love you. My love is only for you." These were the words written by Asha in a letter to her lover Al-Amin. Al-Amin was killed in the collapse of Rana Plaza in 2013. Though sorrowful, the truth is, this letter of love was found in Al-Amin's pocket after his body was recovered. On that tragic day, Al-Amin's veins were soaked with the essence of love. April 24 marks the 11th anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse. After all these years, Asha might settle her life, perhaps with somebody else. Everything seems somewhat normal. But the glowing writing on the crumpled paper says otherwise. Maybe Asha still thinks about Al-Amin in her own way. On April 24 every year when the anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse arrives, Asha, like others, perhaps feels her heart heavy with the pain of losing loved ones. She lets out a long sigh of grief. However, she doesn't find herself saying those cries of anguish to anyone.
Brutal testimony of deadly disaster
The year, 2013, was very turbulent in the history of Bangladesh politics. At that time, the trial of crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War was going on in the country which disturbed the members of Jamaat-e-Islami. Jamaat along with its student wing Chhatra Shibir was continuing a series of violent programmes protesting the trial. It was in the context of this trial that 'Gonojagoron Mancha' (mass-upsurge stage) emerged at the beginning of the year. Meanwhile, ahead of the national elections, the movement to restore the caretaker government was going on under the banner of the 18-party alliance led by the BNP.
Trial drags on as all accused except Sohel Rana out on bail
Even though 11 years have passed since the collapse of Rana Plaza in Savar, the trial of the murder case in this incident has not been completed till now. In addition, all the accused except building owner Sohel Rana are out of jail on bail. Moreover, the trial of the case filed under the Building Construction Rules Act for alleged defects in the construction of the building has not seen much progress.
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