April 19, 2019
A personal tribute to Nusrat Jahan Rafi
Mf first visit to a madrasa school for female students was in July 2014. We met in a large rectangular room, with a faint damp stench,
January 19, 2019
On Power: A high unaccounted for
Last year, an English daily published a report that the police arrested at least 21,883 suspected drug-peddlers and addicts across the country between May 18 and June 21 as part of the anti-drug drives.
December 9, 2018
Shame, guilt, anger—and lives lost
The body of 15-year-old Aritry Adhikary was found hanging from the ceiling fan of her room, with the door locked from inside, at her Shantinagar home on Monday.
October 11, 2018
Make space for the art of free speech
It is no coincidence that the word “articulate” begins with the word “art”. There is an art to the formation of clear and distinct sounds in speech.
March 17, 2018
Crippling Senses
A human being has five senses. Taste, smell, touch, hearing and sight. These senses are essential for survival that is the ultimate goal
January 20, 2018
Under an open sky
Last Sunday, the front page of The Daily Star displayed an image of a classroom. In the photograph, a teacher of Chhalia Government Primary School in Sylhet was seen as imparting lessons upon her students on the school playground.
January 6, 2018
A teacher's worth
My postgraduate classroom was filled with teachers and social workers. Self-proclaimed idealists. Once, during a highly theoretical discussion, someone made a comment about how we are not all as selfless as we claim.
December 31, 2017
When saying “No” to a man is a death sentence
Stalking wasn't considered a crime until fairly recently. The High Court declared stalking of girls and women illegal, and directed the government to consider the offence as sexual harassment in 2011.
December 23, 2017
Reclaiming public spaces for women
The front page of The Daily Star published a photo that could be a poster for any women's empowerment campaign. In the picture, 15-year-old Ontora, calls passengers to board a Mirpur-bound BRTC bus, her face a perfect picture of strength and resilience.
December 15, 2017
The need to be seen
The fundamental need of a human being, I think, is to feel seen. To connect.