West Bengal
No use at all levels, genuine hurdle of Bangla as language
For the past few years, it has been stated in the written articles and audiovisual media of Bangladesh that the Bangla language has become as polluted as the rivers of the country. This pollution is reportedly mainly happening in three areas: 1. Standard Bangla pronunciation in English or dialectal style, 2. Using English-Hindi-dialectal words instead of Bangla words while speaking, and 3. Spelling distortion. The finger of blame has been pointed at various private media outlets including FM radio. The reality is that even though standard Bangla is spoken in the media with so-called pure pronunciation, speaking the Bangla language in an English accent or mixing English words in Bangla will not stop. People do not learn the language by listening to FM radio, FM radio wants to attract the attention of its customers and listeners by broadcasting programmes in the language they speak, in the interest of profit.
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.
Let communal harmony be the final word
There is no doubt that there is an ongoing conspiracy to disrupt Bangladesh's communal harmony, particularly targeting the majority Muslim community; however, identifying who is behind this conspiracy is not easy. Naturally, one side blames the other for the conspiracy, but if we look at the events, it becomes somewhat clearer. After the political change in the country, people have taken to the streets with various demands in different sectors. Some groups are protesting for wage payments, others for the demand to upgrade colleges to universities, and some communities are fighting for the right to operate three-wheeled rickshaws on major roads. Additionally, various sections of society are seeking benefits or freedom from deprivation and fighting for their rights. Since August 5, this situation has been challenging for the government to handle, and in some cases, it has created embarrassment.
Smuggling along Indo-Bangladesh border sees sharp drop
Tension and incidents along the India-Bangladesh border always existed. Recently Bangladesh witnessed a massive political turmoil and violent protest led by student organisations in August this year. Ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had to step down on August 5 and fled to India following the collapse of the Awami League-administration. An interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took over.
ISPR requests not to get misled by rumours over security of St. Martin’s
Inter Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR) has urged all not to be misguided by rumours spreading through social media over the security of St. Martin’s island centering Myanmar's ongoing internal conflict near the island.
Dismembered parts of MP Anar's body recovered
The dismembered parts of the body of Anwarul Azim Anar, the Member of Parliament for Jhenaidah-4 constituency, have been recovered from a septic tank. On Tuesday, May 28, parts of MP Anar's body were found in the septic tank of Sanjiva Gardens in West Bengal, India.
Cyclone Remal claims six lives in West Bengal
Six people were killed due to Cyclone Remal's impact, which brought heavy rain and high winds to India's West Bengal and several northeastern states. The cyclone, which made landfall between Sagar Island in Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh Sunday night, left a trail of destruction, including damaged homes, uprooted trees, and disrupted power lines.
3-day ban on Bangladeshis traveling to India
Bangladeshis have been banned from traveling to India on tourist visas for three days. The ban has been issued due to Lok Sabha elections in India's West Bengal. The ban came into effect on Friday (May 17) from 6:00pm onwards.
Ownership of Tangail saree will be Bangladesh’s: Industries minister
Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun has expressed hope that Bangladesh will get the ownership of Tangail Saree after the legal battle.
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