South Asia
Why do country’s politicians not wish to improve people’s cultural standards
Everyone will admit that the standard of culture is not rising; rather, it is in steady decline. It is not that culture is never spoken of, but it is not discussed with the importance it deserves. Culture is, in fact, greater and deeper than civilisation. It is greater in its breadth, for culture embraces almost everything. Economics forms its foundation, but geography, human relationships, understanding of nature, values, customs, education, food habits, art and literature—nothing is excluded. Civilisation itself is a part of culture. In short, culture is the self-identity of a people. This identity is more trustworthy than any other. Education is often called the backbone of a nation, but in truth it is not education, it is culture. Education itself is a rightful part of culture.
UNGA, egg throwing, and few questions from conscious citizens
Every September, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meets in New York. Heads of state and government from almost every country gather there. They present their country’s position, challenges and priorities, seek international support, and take part in various meetings. For Bangladesh too, this visit has never been an exception. Since independence, almost every government has given special importance to the UNGA trip and highlighted it heavily.
Why youths in Nepal suddenly erupted into bloody protest
Although Nepal, at the foot of the Himalayas, is well known for its geographical diversity, cultural heritage and rich history, its journey as a state has been far from smooth. Since independence the country has passed through many political experiments—sometimes monarchy, sometimes democratic rule, and at times military influence. After the abolition of the monarchy in 2008 and the transition to a republic, Nepalis hoped for a new future. People expected that after years of turmoil a democratic culture would be established, corruption would decrease, development would be for all, and governance would become transparent. Sadly, those expectations remain unfulfilled.
Stronger mobile networks for every citizen, every district
Connectivity: A lifeline, not luxury Bangladesh’s digital journey is not just about technology—it’s about people. It’s about ensuring that every citizen, in every corner of the country, has equal access to opportunity.
Why is BNP against PR
There is a perception among many that if elections are held under the PR system, the BNP will lose while Jamaat will come to power. Is that really the case, and is this why BNP opposes PR?
A Policy Fallacy Rooted in Over-Licensing and Weak Oversight
Bangladesh, with a GDP of around USD 460 billion in 2025, has one of the most over-licensed financial sectors in South Asia. It currently hosts 61 scheduled banks, 38 non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), over 750 licensed microfinance institutions (MFIs), alongside 13 mobile financial service (MFS) providers, 9 payment service providers (PSPs), and 12 payment system operators (PSOs). These institutions are regulated by four bodies: Bangladesh Bank (BB), the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA), the Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA), and the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC). Yet financial inclusion remains suboptimal. A substantial segment of the population, including many in urban areas, remains excluded from formal financial services.
No alternative to skilled teachers for improving primary education quality
Primary education is the foundation of education. And the state of primary education in the country can be understood from just one piece of information – half of the primary schools in the country do not have a head teacher. According to information received in the media on July 16 (Wednesday), more than 34,000 of the over 65,000 approved posts of head teachers in government primary schools are vacant. That is, almost 52 percent of schools do not have a head teacher. At the same time, about 24,500 posts of assistant teachers are also vacant.
The one-kidney village
This news is so tragic that one would be shocked just hearing about it—such horrifying things do happen in this world! And that too in Bangladesh! Wars, conflicts, and bloodshed around the world cause human suffering. People die in wars, famines, floods, droughts, and various natural calamities—these too bring tears to human eyes. But if you hear that a village has been identified as a "one-kidney village", not only will you be shocked, you will also begin to question the very state of human civilisation.
Why the neglect in enforcing labour laws despite existence?
Three driving forces underpin Bangladesh’s development and progress: high-yielding rice in agriculture, labor-intensive export-oriented garment manufacturing, and remittances from overseas employment. At the core of all three lies labor and the working population. However, in the development equation, the share of the working class remains minimal. According to international standards, the rights and dignity of workers in Bangladesh have not been established in state, social, or economic spheres. Workers and employees in the country are still deprived of living wages, the right to freely form trade unions in accordance with ILO Conventions 87 and 98, and other legitimate rights, social recognition, and protection.
China-India rapprochement, Trump’s concerns, and the geopolitical equation in South Asia
By 2025, international politics has reached a turning point where "strategic distrust" is giving rise to new forms of "temporary alliances." Despite their historical rivalry, the recent closeness between China and India, India’s role in U.S. domestic politics, and the strategic importance of Bangladesh’s location in South Asia are all contributing to increasingly complex geopolitical equations. After the bitter relations following the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes, recent developments like the BRICS summit, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meetings, and bilateral border negotiations have transformed China-India relations into a form of “calculated coexistence.”