The use of the Digital Security Act (DSA) to target journalists in Bangladesh is deeply concerning and goes against the principles of free journalism and freedom of expression. A free and independent press is essential for any democratic society, and journalists must be allowed to report on issues of public interest without fear of retaliation... Continue Reading →
Without support from bureaucracy, EC can’t hold fair elections
The erosion of institutional integrity is a significant issue. It is leading to a loss of faith in the democratic process of the country. When we lose confidence in the integrity of institutions, we become disillusioned with the democratic process The phenomenon of high-ranking bureaucrats joining political parties after retirement is a matter of concern... Continue Reading →
Undoing the damage
Carbon mitigation is something that the world is now running after. We, humans, have caused irreversible damage to Mother Earth by emitting carbon into the air that is making the world a warmer place. Can we undo this? Human behaviour is something that takes decades or even more to change or adapt to new behaviour.... Continue Reading →
Feeling the heat
“Drink whatever you can and remain hydrated.” With these words, the US Ambassador in Dhaka greeted me at a reception in his residence. Soon after I landed in Phoenix on the first day of August, I realized how true his words were. A larger number of people were either carrying water flasks or had just... Continue Reading →
A blueprint for adapting to climate change
How the upgraded project aims for long-term solutions Climate change is an ongoing global phenomenon that has and will bring about significant changes in the ways through which environmental systems, and subsequently the ways of life for human beings, function. As time goes on, changes in various environmental variables, both on a global and local... Continue Reading →
The press must make itself relevant
Despite the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic, Bangladesh witnessed magical growth in per capita income, which rose from $2,591 in 2020-21 to $2,824 in 2021-22. She also outshined India in 2020 in terms of GDP per capita in the current $1961.6. While the country did exceptionally well in these indicators, it performed very poorly in... Continue Reading →
How is shrinking media space affecting our democracy?
There is ample evidence to suggest that instead of being a supporter of press freedom, governments in democracies have adopted direct and indirect controlling measures forcing the media to give them favourable treatment. The media is often considered to be the fourth pillar of democracy—while the other three pillars are the legislature, executive and judiciary.... Continue Reading →
The benefits of mainstreaming circular economy in school textbooks
Incorporation of the simplified concept of circular economy in school textbooks can influence our consumption behaviour and raise awareness on climate change Does our consumption behaviour have any impact on climate change? Yes, it has – it is driving climate change. Now the million-dollar question is how. When we waste food while dining at our... Continue Reading →
Saving the Chittagong Hill Tracts is a national responsibility
The government needs to recognize and scale up the Village Common Forest (VCF), a traditional practice to conserve community land for ecosystem services, and definitely stop land degradation and deforestation by 2030 in line with Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use. An ariel view of the part of CHT by Zhantu Chakma... Continue Reading →