Pakistan
Days at Palatana Training Camp
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.
Can Pakistan be divided by insurgence in Balochistan?
Pakistan’s security forces successfully ended a military operation against the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group that hijacked the Jaffar Express train in Balochistan, rescuing 346 passengers. The train, traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, was attacked near Sibi city, with the BLA claiming responsibility. After over a day of combat, security forces killed all 33 attackers but also reported 21 passenger deaths and four paramilitary casualties. The BLA demanded the release of Baloch political prisoners, but no official response was given. Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least developed province, has seen increased violence, with the BLA growing more substantial due to advanced weaponry and local support.
What has this country become seven months after mass uprising!
In March 2025, the country is still grappling with the abuse of women and children. The newspapers continue to print harrowing accounts of these atrocities. Ah, what has become of the country just seven months after the student-public uprising of July-August, with the dream of building a new Bangladesh? Where is the government? Where is the rule of law?
Reform commission's proposals must ensure fair election
To ensure free and fair elections, the Reform Commission has recommended reinstating the caretaker government system and the provision for a referendum. The Constitutional Reform Commission has also made similar recommendations. Recently, the possibility of the caretaker government system returning automatically has emerged following a High Court ruling. However, the system cannot be implemented until a review petition on the Appellate Division’s order that annulled the Thirteenth Amendment—through which the caretaker system was introduced—is resolved.
Why should we regret on the 72nd anniversary of the Language Movement?
As we celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the Language Movement, it is essential to express regret over the fact that the Bengali language has not received the respect it deserved as the state language of an independent country. Despite the expectation that Bengali should have attained its rightful place, it has not. The reasons for this are numerous, including the coexistence of three different education systems in the country, the lack of Bengali language use in the higher judiciary, and the absence of effective measures for the widespread use of Bengali at all levels of society. However, to find the root cause, we must look deeper.
All state affairs must be conducted in mother tongue
I think that sometimes the enemy acts as a friend while committing enmity. The attitude towards the enemy softens when the enemy refrains from committing enmity or shows some generosity. Such a position of the enemy is not only confusing, but also harmful. Only an intelligent enemy has the capacity to create such confusion in the mind.
A fruitful outcome expected in Champions Trophy
International cricket tournaments hold a distinct charm and attraction in the subcontinent. Every international cricket event turns into an unplanned festival, where millions of people immerse themselves in the celebration. This joyful festivity influences individuals, families, and society, even altering the daily rhythm of life. Cricket, often called the "king of uncertainty," captivates fans because of its deep resemblance to life itself. Just as life's unpredictability makes it beautiful, so does cricket.
Cultural heritage must reflect history
Even after the people of Bangladesh established an independent and sovereign state through a nine-month-long bloody war, they still cannot contemplate the distinct national culture of Bangladesh. Their perspective is backward-looking. A section of Bangladesh’s writers, artists, and politicians exhibit a strong aversion to the culture of India, particularly the culture of West Bengal. These individuals trace the origins of Bangladesh's culture to the medieval Middle Eastern culture, especially the history of the spread of Islam. They do not wish to look beyond the conquest of Lakhnauti and Gour by Bakhtiyar Khalji. They focus on the propagation of Islam in Arabia, the Turkey, Afghan, and Mughal periods of rule in Bengal, and follow the trend of the Wahhabi and Faraji movements, leading to the establishment of the two-nation theory and Pakistan, and then to Bangladesh’s history. They emphasize the two-nation theory. It seems as though, not long ago, in 2004, a group of intellectuals gathered in Paltan Maidan with 17 horses to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Bakhtiyar Khalji's conquest of Lakhnauti, an event that gained significant media attention. A section of Bangladesh’s writers, artists, and intellectuals are devoted to Rabindranath Tagore, while another section is devoted to Kazi Nazrul Islam.
Crisis hits women's football in Bangladesh
For any footballer, qualifying for the World Cup is a dream. The Zambian footballers had dreams too. In the 1994 World Cup qualifiers, the country was playing outstanding football. On April 27, 1993, the Zambian national football team was traveling by special flight to Senegal for an away match. A horrific accident occurred, and all passengers aboard the plane perished, causing the loss of a generation full of football talent. Zambia, which had defeated Italy by 4-0 in the 1988 Olympics, still has not tasted the World Cup experience.
State action needed to harness demographic dividend
In the 1980s, the then military dictator General HM Ershad described uncontrolled population growth as the "number one national problem." Although his statement created a stir at the time, it was a completely misleading comment. Population growth, whether planned or unplanned, can never be the number one national problem for a country. Population is an irreplaceable resource. The progress of the world cannot be imagined without it. If population is systematically trained and transformed into a skilled and productive workforce, it becomes the nation's greatest asset. However, if population growth is unmanaged, it becomes a burden for the country. The responsibility of turning the population into human capital lies solely with the state. The state cannot escape the blame for its failure to do so.
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