There is again talk of the ever-increasing population that is PLAGUING our nation! It is absolutely valid, genuine and monstrous. Nowhere in the world today population increases unbridled, unplanned.

As a part of my frivolous ways of squandering the summer vacation, I managed to sneak into RU campus and finding none in the deserted area, I ran helter-skelter forlornly and eventually found myself standing before this museum surrounded by an eye-catching gigantic Shahid Minar on one side and RU central mosque on the other.

The three hill-tracts of Bangladesh namely Rangamati, Khagrachari & Bandarban are not only commendable for there natural beauty but these regions are also full of natural resources. These account for one-third forest resources of our country. Wild animals, trees, agricultural resources etc are found aplenty in these regions. Recently, a news report was published in one newspaper that a wild elephant was found dead in Bandarban. More than 12 elephants were killed by poachers in recent times.

Global climate change poses a potential danger to the development efforts, ecosystem and productive capacity of our environment. Climate change particularly the temperature rise due to greenhouse gases may cause rise of sea level. According to one study, one meter net rise of the sea level would inundate 17% of the total area of Bangladesh, particularly the low lying flood plain and coastal areas, including Sundarbans and man made coastal mangrove forests. It is a big threat to land use, its system, related sectors and overall ecology and economy.

The leaders of the BNP were spreading apprehension about the possible obstacles to holding the council on time. As usual the blame is put on the government party. However, my observation is , if they want to go ahead despite all the obstacles {?}, one possible catch is already there. This is regarding the venue of the proposed council. We heard on the media news that they would hold the council in the “Bangabandhu International Convention Centre.” The question remains when and under what name the BNP will apply for that centre. They had renamed the centre after their taking over of power in 2001. I have never heard any top BNP leader to utter the word " Bangabandhu" of " Jatir Pita". Therefore, the high command of the BNP might not agree to apply for the centre under its present name. They might use the name they changed to. This is the catch I just foresee because the BNP might look for any single opportunity to blame the government if they do not get the centre using the changed name. This is just a characterisation of our overall political culture, especially the policy of the BNP.

Much has been said about the horrendous traffic jam that has made the lives of Dhaka city residents miserable. It has become almost a daily nightmare for those who have to commute to work or come out to attend some important work that must be done. While it is true that absence of necessary additional infrastructure facilities is causing this problem, I, for one, strongly feel that it could be considerably eased by managing traffic by police in a better way.

Bangladesh is a developing country but it suffers from some evil culture and superstitions. Dowry is one of the worst evil cultures in this society. It has been creating many problems.

13th November was the birthday of Humayun Ahmed, the most popular writer of this country. He is now an icon of thousands of new writers of this country. With the passage of time, his popularity is increasing.

I am a student at The Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden. I have already passed my one-year of education successfully and now attending my final semester. I have completed my B.Sc. in engineering from BUET in Bangladesh.

The Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that her government plans to construct elevated and underground railways, flyovers, orbital waterways and circular roads around the capital to ease traffic congestion and to solve the transport problem.

We travelled to greater Faridpur district recently from Dhaka. We were stranded in Paturia ferry ghat for several hours in the morning. We did not mind as the weather was foggy and ferries could not cross the river as visibility was poor. An act of God . The Ferry anchored .We proceeded. The road to ferry was a dirt road though - not good for the tires. We crossed and returned on the same day.

Lashkar-e-Tayeba is the name of a Pakistan based militant group, second biggest international terrorist group after Al-Qaeda.