London
Expatriates struggling to live amid unhealthy political culture
After independence, the people of any country need to learn patriotism, civic responsibility, human duty, self-reliance and the use of conscience. But in Bangladesh we were taught politics. Where all those words are almost absent. And because they are absent, we cannot escape partisan political activities even abroad. Not only us, but our country too is being tarnished. Even while living in highly developed countries such as London and America, our overly patriotic politicians want to preserve or have preserved the unhealthy domestic political culture instead of practising advanced politics. This causes me deep pain. What more can be said about the country’s unhealthy politics. We all have some experience of this sick politics. Therefore, my advice to our over-enthusiastic and patriotic expatriate politicians would be that it is good to engage in politics, but let it be above party politics and in the interest of the country and the nation.
Chess of potential, chess of despair
Divya Deshmukh sowed the seeds of dreams for many aspiring Indian chess players at Batumi in Georgia. At the age of 19, she became the first Indian woman to win the FIDE World Cup. Born at Nagpur in Maharashtra, she also received the Grandmaster (GM) title along with the World Cup. She is the fourth woman to become a GM in India. The total number of GMs stands at 88 including both men and women.