The dream of becoming a government primary school teacher has become a nightmare for many honest candidates. The recent uncovering of a question paper leak scandal exposes a deep rot in the system, shattering the trust of aspiring educators and jeopardizing the integrity of the entire recruitment process. A syndicate, allegedly led by Asim Gain, preyed on the desperation of candidates nearing the age limit for government jobs. They offered leaked papers and solutions for a hefty sum, ranging from...
Editorial
Prof. Rayhan Ahmed Tapader : Evaluating the economic effects of climate change is a pivotal step for planning adaptation in developing countries. For Bangladesh, global warming has put it among...
Media reports, quoting Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), say the production of rice in the country will exceed four crore tonnes this year, which is at least forty lakh tonnes more than the country’s demand. So, there’s no need for rice imports. However, this additional production is not necessarily reassuring. It would not be able to reassure the consumers about the price of rice and that is the question. Along with the increase in the production of rice, its demand...
Sir Frank Peters : Why is fire so distant from the minds of most Bengalis until it’s too late to prevent? I am appalled, dismayed, flabbergasted, outraged and disappointed, at...
Abdur Rahman : In geopolitics, the oil- rich Middle East has been a bubbling hotbed of conflagration for decades due to the spate of rows over oil, religious and ethnic...
As we commemorate the tragic anniversary of the Rana Plaza building collapse, claiming over 1,100 lives and injuring thousands, it’s crucial to assess the advancements and obstacles in safeguarding the rights of garment workers in Bangladesh. While the rise in trade unions post-catastrophe offers hope, the current reality falls short. In response to global pressure following the Rana Plaza disaster, Bangladesh relaxed regulations on trade union registration, leading to a significant surge in their numbers within the garment sector. However,...
The specter of syndication looms large over consumers in Bangladesh, manifesting in the relentless surge of prices for essential commodities. Last December’s abrupt spike in onion prices stands out as a stark reminder, fueled by traders exploiting the vacuum left by India’s export ban. Despite fleeting governmental interventions aimed at price stabilization, concerns persist about collusive practices dictating costs across staples like potatoes, chicken, and edible oil. Analysts trace these erratic price fluctuations to the oligopolistic stronghold within the import...
Bangladesh’s sugar industry has undergone a significant evolution over the past two decades, transitioning from state-controlled operations to a landscape dominated by private enterprises such as Meghna Group of Industries (MGI) and City Group. While this shift has led to increased refining capacities and market stability, it has also raised concerns about market dynamics, consumer welfare, and import dependence. In 2023, MGI and City Group alone accounted for 70 percent of Bangladesh’s raw sugar imports, consolidating the market into an...
As the scorching heat wave tightens its grip across Bangladesh, life has been thrown into disarray. With temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels, authorities have taken drastic measures to ensure citizens’ safety. The closure of all schools and colleges until April 27 underscores the severity of the situation, with meteorologists offering little hope of relief soon. According to the Met office, this blistering heat wave is expected to persist throughout April, with temperatures likely to climb higher. The situation has rapidly...
The arid landscapes of Rajshahi and its environs are witnessing a crisis of unprecedented proportions: the looming threat of water scarcity. Once thriving rivers now languish, reduced to mere trickles. Groundwater levels have plummeted, rendering vital tubewells defunct and leaving communities on the brink. As temperatures soar and drought tightens its grip, life in this region teeters on the edge of collapse. Yet, this crisis transcends local boundaries, sounding a clarion call for immediate action on multiple fronts. Its repercussions...
In the relentless grip of Bangladesh’s unforgiving heatwave, the plight of little Madeya Momtaz, courageously battling pneumonia in the crowded confines of a hospital ward, serves as a stark reminder of the perilous toll this weather exacts on our most vulnerable. Her harrowing ordeal, coupled with the distressing surge in pneumonia and diarrhoea cases at Dhaka Shishu Hospital, compels us to confront an urgent crisis. The scorching heat does more than test our resilience; it poses grave risks to the...
Load shedding is accelerating in proportion to scorching heat. Especially, people in rural areas are suffering unspeakably due to power outages for hours. The meteorological department has said that the mercury level won’t decline soon. So it is only normal that the weather will be hot in the coming months in the country. If the rate of load shedding also increases, people’s sufferings become endless. According to media reports, at the beginning of April, there’s even seven to eight hours...
To tackle the risk of earthquakes, Bangladesh now needs to deal with the ‘explosion problem.’ Several incidents of explosions in the past have raised our awareness. In a developing country, factories play a major role in development. And for operating these factories, our use of gas cylinders, combustion power, various gases, and chemicals is crucial. To prevent explosions, the use of these things cannot be completely eliminated. So, we must use these things consciously, ensuring that no one is harmed...
Yesterday’s horrific accident in Faridpur, claiming 14 lives, is a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of prioritizing convenience over safety. The bus involved, the Uttara Unique Paribahan, was well past its prime, manufactured in 2002. It would have been off the roads if the government hadn’t bowed to pressure from transport associations and extended the operational life of buses. This decision, fueled by concerns of a vehicle shortage, ignores a critical aspect: road safety. Statistics speak for themselves. With...
As Bangladesh finds itself at a critical economic juncture, recent data paints a worrisome picture. With inflation nearing double digits and GDP growth witnessing a significant slowdown, the strain on consumers is palpable. As experts warn of darker clouds looming ahead, the government must adopt strategic measures to navigate these challenges and safeguard the nation’s economic stability. The latest figures from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics reveal a stark reality: GDP growth in the second quarter of fiscal 2023-24 has...
