Reform of political parties is of urgent need
Just as the fundamental reforms are necessary for the country, so is an elected government.
Right now, there are two major issues: progress of reforms, and the prospect of election
Bangladesh needs a new political party with youthful energy, spirited patriotism, and genuine love for the poor and downtrodden.
Welcome to the latest issue of Your Property Guru, brought to you by The Daily Star. In this quarterly edition, we are excited to explore the emerging trends shaping Bangladesh’s real estate sector, equipping you with valuable insights to navigate this dynamic and ever-evolving market.
We must renew our pledge to journalistic ethos and commitment to democracy, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and public service.
Sadly, some very disturbing signs can still be seen that are posing a new set of threats against free press.
On the occasion of its 34th Anniversary, The Daily Star is proud to present a special 200-page supplement, divided into five segments.
I remember the first time when, in utter horror, we heard the news of the assassination of Bangabandhu along with his whole family, save the two daughters.
As we approach yet another Pahela Baishakh celebration, the world around us is still reeling from the effects of a pandemic — a struggling health sector, a weakened economy,
Here we were, sailing quite smoothly after the first wave of the pandemic and congratulating ourselves for having “handled” it well. Even the WHO paid us compliments. But suddenly, within a few weeks, we seem to have gone right back where we started.
Myanmar is our only other neighbour, with India being the overwhelming first. To the credit of our policymakers, we have tried our best to maintain good relations with Myanmar notwithstanding their treatment of Rohingyas, forcing nearly 300,000 of them upon us thirty years ago, in the early nineties.
The ostensible reason for the recent protests was Indian PM Narendra Modi’s latest visit. The real reason was to signal that Hefajat-e-Islam (HI) under its new leadership was not the same party as it was under its former chief Shah Ahmad Shafi and his immediate followers and to announce that HI was ready to emerge as a new political force under the guise of protecting the majority faith.
It was extremely bold as a vision, highly ambitious as a project, without parallel in scope, crucial in terms of fulfilling a need, exemplary in its execution and unprecedented as a private project in which people’s participation was the main driving force.
My generation and others close to it formed the bulk of the Mukti Bahini in 1971. The majority of Dhaka University students of the time were an integral part of it, as it was my distinct privilege.
At 50, it’s time we acted in a manner that reflects a confident country, not one that is nervous and insecure fearing that the slightest criticism will cause us harm.
In Bangladesh, when we think, talk and seek justice, we think of the courts. And that is how it should be. Among the courts, the higher we go -- meaning the High Court, the Appellate Division -- the more important they become as symbols of justice.
Isn’t personal freedom one of the most cherished and universally celebrated principles of our civilisation? Isn’t guaranteeing this freedom the most sacred task of a modern state?
