United Nations
Is Israel becoming like ‘South Africa’
The war is ongoing in Gaza. In the meantime, Israel seems to be moving day by day towards international isolation. This has raised the question: is Israel’s situation then becoming like that of ‘South Africa’?
United Nations : On verge of collapse or at threshold of reform?
Born out of the ruins of the Second World War in 1945, the United Nations was created with the hope of ensuring peace, justice and security for humanity. Its aim was to establish a global platform where all states would participate equally and disputes would be resolved through dialogue, not conflict. But after nearly eight decades the question arises—has the UN fulfilled its mission, or is it now standing at the edge of collapse?
Jamaat had honeymoon period with both Awami League and BNP
Writer and researcher Mohiuddin Ahmed is at the same time a historian and a valiant freedom fighter. Among those who have written, analysed and researched most on the political context of post-independence Bangladesh, he is one. He is the only political writer in Bangladesh who wrote a book on the 1973 election titled “The Election of ’73”. He has also written “Red Terror: Siraj Sikder and Proletariat Politics”, “Anti-hero Sirajul Alam Khan”, “Awami League BNP: Which Way”, “The Rise and Fall of Jasad: Politics of a Turbulent Time” and many other works. He continues to write on contemporary politics.
Ensure food security of people
Food is a basic human right. But unfortunately, today 31 per cent of the country’s people suffer from food insecurity. In addition, 48.2 per cent cannot afford healthy food. This information was revealed last Monday at a seminar organised in the capital by the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority
‘Ploy’ to realise Tk800cr puts BTRC in trouble
An Internet Service Provider (ISP) is allegedly attempting to extract Tk 8oo crore by ‘strategically’ holding on to spectrum it received for free.
Reevaluating agriculture sector and need for an agriculture commission
In recent years, the number of medium and large farmers has been declining, while the number of small farmers has been increasing. This trend has had a negative impact on overall crop production. According to the latest Agricultural Census (2018–19), the number of farms increased by 11.19 percent in 2019 compared to the 2008 census. However, land under the control of large farms decreased by 46.18 percent, while land held by medium farms declined by 36.06 percent. Conversely, small farms have taken control of 32.24 percent more land.
Save people from landmines on Bangladesh-Myanmar border
The Myanmar government and the Arakan Army have not only pushed a large number of Rohingyas into Bangladesh, but have also planted a large number of landmines along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border—suspectedly to prevent the Rohingyas from returning to Myanmar. This concern was expressed by the head of Bangladesh’s mission in Sittwe, Myanmar.
Is the cry of Gaza people reaching the ears of world leaders?
It was late night in Gaza. During the holy month of Ramadan, many people in Gaza were having their Sehri when suddenly the sound of bomber planes echoed. Explosions were heard one after another. They had to drop their food and flee. In front of their eyes, their homes were destroyed. A ceasefire was in effect. No one could have imagined such a brutal attack would come so suddenly. Many loved ones died before their eyes. Little children, having lost their parents, started running alone on the streets, crying. A little while later, the Fajr Adhan was heard. The voice of the muezzin was also filled with tears.
Foreign language use must follow national language policy
A state remains dynamic through internal and interstate conflicts and synthesis. Within a state, separate groups arise based on factors such as tribes, religious communities, regional characteristics, linguistic differences, etc. Diversity prevails in the state’s populace. By acknowledging this diversity and adhering to the principle of unity and coordination within diversity, the government must address the issues arising from this diversity in the internal demographic of the state. While advocating for pluralism in culture, if divisions are created within the nation, unity will break down, and the state will not endure. This undermines the very conditions necessary for the state's existence.
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.