Views Bangladesh Logo

Trending Views

Why Fatema Begum is Zia family’s trusted confidante
Why Fatema Begum is Zia family’s trusted confidante

Article

by Samiul Ibne Hossain

Why Fatema Begum is Zia family’s trusted confidante

Born into an extremely struggling rural family, Fatema Begum has emerged as a unique and behind-the-scenes witness to Bangladesh’s political history. For nearly 16 years, she served as the constant companion of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, rising beyond the identity of a domestic worker to become an inseparable figure of trust within the Zia family. From the dark confines of prison cells to long days of house arrest, lonely hospital nights and silent corridors of foreign trips, she stood quietly by the leader’s side in every moment of hardship, setting a rare example of loyalty. Even after Begum Zia’s death, that unbroken bond of trust continues, with Fatema now serving as the constant companion of her granddaughter, Zaima Rahman.

A year of revolt, redemption and history
A year of revolt, redemption and history

Article

by Mahabur Rahman Mir

A year of revolt, redemption and history

The year 2025 proved to be a landmark in the world of sports. Cricket and football delivered moments of high drama and historic significance throughout the year. Teams long starved of silverware finally celebrated championship glory, while fans were treated to outstanding individual performances alongside memorable team achievements. This Sports Year in Review revisits the defining sporting moments of 2025.

Khaleda Zia’s demise: A new political reality for BNP and Bangladesh
Khaleda Zia’s demise: A new political reality for BNP and Bangladesh

Report

by Ahmed Razu

Khaleda Zia’s demise: A new political reality for BNP and Bangladesh

The death of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia marks the end of a long, influential and contentious chapter in Bangladesh’s political history. Her demise on the morning of December 30 has created a profound void—not only within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) but across nearly five decades of the country’s political landscape.

Uncompromising leader Khaleda Zia's legacy will live on in a million hearts
Uncompromising leader Khaleda Zia's legacy will live on in a million hearts

Article

by Rased Mehedi

Uncompromising leader Khaleda Zia's legacy will live on in a million hearts

General Ershad seized power on March 24, 1982, suspending the Constitution and imposing martial law. Ever since he seized power, protests began on the streets against him. At the forefront of that movement, the two main political parties of that time, the Awami League and the BNP, along with their political alliance, were simultaneously carrying out protests. In 1986, Ershad organized a farce of national elections. The Awami League led by Sheikh Hasina fell into the trap of that farce and 28 political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, participated in the elections. But BNP boycotted the elections and remained steadfast in the street protests. “No compromise with injustice, no elections under a dictator” was the declaration made by BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Since then, she has been an ‘uncompromising national leader’ to the people of the country.

Khaleda Zia: From homemaker to country's first female prime minister
Khaleda Zia: From homemaker to country's first female prime minister

Article

by Shimul Zabaly

Khaleda Zia: From homemaker to country's first female prime minister

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is a unique and legendary name in the country’s politics. When BNP founder and then President Ziaur Rahman was brutally assassinated in May 1981, Khaleda Zia was just a homemaker. She had no public interest in politics, and was rarely seen at political events. But over time, that reclusive housewife became the country's three-time Prime Minister. She has covered this long and difficult path by facing various conspiracies and ups and downs at home and abroad. Amid the grief of losing her husband, she had to take charge of the party and face numerous obstacles. From there, her struggle on the road began. She united the entire nation by leading the anti-dictatorship movement for eight consecutive years. Due to her strong character and uncompromising attitude, she gained the reputation of an 'uncompromising leader'.

Political implications of Tarique Rahman's secondcoming
Tarique Rahman’s interview

Politics and Bureaucracy

by Amin Al Rasheed

Political implications of Tarique Rahman's secondcoming

Depicting a political leader, let alone any ordinary person, taking off his shoes and socks and walking barefoot on the ground, smelling the earth, when he returns to the beloved homeland after almost a decade and a half seems not to be unusual. In that sense, the sight of Tarique Rahman walking barefoot on the ground at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on December 25, after spending 17 years in exile in London, did not impress people. But what caught more attention was that he replaced the special chairs on the reception stage in the 300-foot highway area with ordinary chairs, made no negative comments about his political opponents, made no slanderous remarks, showed no egoism, and did not show people lofty dreams. Also, the political foresight and economy of words and phrases that Tarique Rahman displayed in his speech by saying 'I have a plan' in imitation of Martin Luther King, the famous civil rights leader, priest, and symbol of non-violent movement in the United States, may help understand the dynamics of his future politics.

Tarique Rahman’s house in Bogura undergoing renovation
Tarique Rahman’s house in Bogura undergoing renovation

Report

by Masum Hossain

Tarique Rahman’s house in Bogura undergoing renovation

Ending a long period of exile, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman is returning to the country, marking the beginning of a new chapter in national politics. He is set to contest the 13th parliamentary election from the Bogura-6 constituency, Sadar, triggering a festive mood among BNP leaders and activists in Bogura.

'When media outlets set ablaze, freedom of speech turns to ashes'
'When media outlets set ablaze, freedom of speech turns to ashes'

Report

by Hira Talukder

'When media outlets set ablaze, freedom of speech turns to ashes'

Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inqilab Manchsuccumbed to his bullet injuries around 9:45 pm on Thursday while undergoing treatment in Singapore. Within moments of hearing this news, an angry crowd gathered at Shahbagh intersection in the capital. A section of them then moved towards Karwan Bazar. Upon arrival, they first vandalized and looted the office of Daily Prothom Alo and then that of the Daily Star on Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue. Later, both outlets were set on fire. During this time, the protesters attacked New Age Editor Nurul Kabir. When the attack began, journalists and staff of Prothom Alo quickly left premise to save their lives while journalists of the Daily Star took shelter on the roof. For the first time since their establishment, the publication of Prothom Alo and the Daily Star was suspended for a day, excluding the newspaper holiday. This incident tarnished the country's image all over the world. Freedom of the media has been called into question. According to prominent figures, the incident of setting fire to the offices of the country's two leading newspapers amounts to strangling the freedom of speech of the people of the country. In fact, they say that when the media is burned, freedom of speech is reduced to ashes.

Taiwan crisis: Battle cries at heart of silicon industry
Taiwan crisis: Battle cries at heart of silicon industry

ICT

by Mahmud Hossain

Taiwan crisis: Battle cries at heart of silicon industry

It was July 2021. The world was in the throes of a severe chip crisis. At such a time, an analyst asked Mark Liu, chairman of TSMC, the center of the technology world, a strange question: "Aren't your customers worried when China threatens war with Taiwan?"

A colourless Victory Day in Bogura, memories of celebration being faded
A colourless Victory Day in Bogura, memories of celebration being faded

Report

by Masum Hossain

A colourless Victory Day in Bogura, memories of celebration being faded

For many residents of Bogura, this year’s Victory Day felt unusually muted. Abdus Salam, a local businessman, recalled the festive atmosphere of past celebrations while listening to patriotic songs on his phone. “Victory Day is no longer what it used to be,” he said. “The few arrangements we see today feel purely formal. Earlier, streets were filled with music and decorations, and the city was alive with celebration. Now everything seems dull.”

...