Muhammad Yunus
Vote, ballot, satire: A portrait of democratic uncertainty
Electoral politics in Bangladesh has now reached such a stage where reading the news and hearing a joke feel like nearly the same experience. When will the 13th parliamentary election be held? One could say a tug of war is ongoing between political parties, especially the BNP, and the caretaker government. Some say these are political dramas. Others call it the final verse of democracy. But whatever it may be called, what echoes deeply in the mind of an ordinary citizen today is this: does anything actually change through voting?
Meeting between Professor Yunus, Tarique Rahman sends message of peace
King Charles’s Harmony Award is one of the most prestigious honours in the United Kingdom. It is awarded annually in recognition of outstanding contributions by individuals in the fields of environmental conservation, traditional craftsmanship, eco-friendly businesses, and raising awareness about nature. The philosophy behind the award is rooted in King Charles’s belief: “We should work with nature, not against it.” In other words, we must coexist with nature in harmony and protect it. The award is thus based on this vision.
Rohingya crisis: The maze of repatriation
The Rohingya crisis currently stands as the greatest threat to Bangladesh’s national security and sovereignty. Recently, it has been further complicated by debates over transit corridors and incidents of push-in operations where India has forcibly sent some registered Rohingyas into Bangladesh. In March, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Bangladesh’s interim government’s Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus visited Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar and gave hopeful messages about repatriating the Rohingyas to their homeland in Rakhine. There were reports that as many as 180,000 Rohingyas might be repatriated to Myanmar. However, those hopes quickly proved unrealistic. Moreover, since the interim government took charge nine months ago, at least 100,000 new Rohingyas have entered Bangladesh. As a result, Bangladesh's burden is increasing, and the issue of Rohingya repatriation is becoming entangled in a complex web of regional and international politics, with no immediate resolution in sight.
Improving Bangladesh’s nursing profession essential
Florence Nightingale, the pioneer of modern nursing, was born on May 12, 1820. In her honor, International Nurses Day has been observed since 1965. This year’s theme was: “Our Nurses Our Future: The Economic Power of Care.” On this occasion, various programmes were organised by public and private hospitals and nursing associations. However, it is deeply unfortunate that the day also revealed a troubling reality: 96 percent of nurses in Bangladesh are working for low wages.
If interim government doesn’t set an example in reform, it won't happen again
Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of the caretaker government, has placed excessive emphasis on reform. He clearly stated, “Not flimsy reform, not superficial reform, but fundamental reform. We will do it in such a way that no one will be able to undo it.” He also remarked, “My only concern is reform. Debate all you want about what the reforms will be, but let’s not hold an election without reform… Don't miss this opportunity.” His words are commendable; however, they are not grounded in the realities of the situation. He dreams, but in trying to realize those dreams, he faces disillusionment. His claim that he will make reform irreversible is rooted more in emotion than in practical reality.
Let the proposal for 100% free primary healthcare be implemented
Health is a fundamental human right. For building a developed and humane society, affordable and uninterrupted access to healthcare is extremely important. However, the reality is that a large portion of the population in our country—especially those living in rural areas—are still deprived of essential primary healthcare. And those who do receive it often have to bear high costs. To address this situation, making primary healthcare 100% free is now a demand of the time. The encouraging news is that the Health Sector Reform Commission has proposed the provision of 100% free primary healthcare. Additionally, they have recommended amending the Constitution to include primary healthcare as a fundamental right.
Before looking at others, let’s first look in the mirror
If it has taken 54 years for a nation to descend into decay, how can we expect it to be transformed in just one year? If the people of Bangladesh truly wish to become free from corruption, honest, educated, just, and creative, can that really happen within a single year? The truth is—one cannot extinguish the fire of 54 years of corruption in a single year and expect good outcomes.
'Inevitable reasons' for news shutdown and journalist's dismissal
Just four days before World Press Freedom Day on May 3rd, on April 29th, what happened at three television channels in Bangladesh raised serious questions not only about the statements of the interim government's Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and the former Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam but also about journalists' freedom to ask questions, their authority, and the boundaries of that freedom.
When will Bangladesh overcome the culture of denial?
On April 1, 2025, The New York Times published a report titled “Islamist Hardliners Seize Opportunity to Shape New Bangladesh.” The Press Wing of the interim government’s Chief Advisor termed the report “misleading,” claiming it highlighted selective incidents without considering the broader reality of Bangladesh’s current situation, thereby creating confusion on the global stage.
Prevent Rohingya infiltration
According to official estimates, there are currently more than 1.2 million Rohingyas in Bangladesh. An average of 30,000 Rohingya children are born every year. As a result, the number of Rohingyas is naturally increasing; additionally, new infiltrations have occurred. Due to security concerns, countless Rohingyas are entering Bangladesh from Myanmar and India every month, and the exact number remains unknown. On Sunday (March 2), news outlets reported that despite barriers, around 60,000 Rohingyas have entered the country recently, which is a matter of great concern for the nation!