From Disgrace to Grace
The recent announce-ment and endorsement of the resignation of two high-profile figures have rocked the political boat. A mayor and a state minister have given up their offices—or should I say,...
Prof Rafiqul Islam: A great chronicler
There was a 10mm glass wall at ULAB that separated Prof Rafiqul Islam’s office room from mine for more than three years.
Protecting our Students from the Wrath of the Titans
Every time I pass by the Banani flyover area, I look at the worms that have come out of the deep to rear their heads to announce the underpass underneath, and ask myself why the much-hyped...
The digitalisation of our birth
“Do you know that you cannot die without being born first?”
Our development and the middle-class dilemma
The planning minister recently used an onomatope—a word that imitates the things signified. He referred to the economic growth of the country with the sound image of “shonoi, shonoi,” which can be...
A lemonade for the illusion of confidence
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
The Untranslatable Porosrikatorota
Is the Bangla word “porosrikatorota” really untranslatable? Does “envy” or “jealousy” fall short of denoting the condition of feeling down after seeing the success of others?
Our Shrunken Mentality
The sudden onrush of floodwater flowing into the country through the Teesta at a measured dangerous level—soon after the equally sudden disruption of peace and vandalism of temples and altars in...
Death is inevitable, but we must not get used to it
I wrote this short poem a long time ago, inspired by a cemetery headstone. I was ruminating over the plight of a man who had transformed into a corpse, then reduced to a sign marked by dates. In...
A momentary lapse of reason
Recently, while I was driving to my office, an SUV full of security men whooshed past me on the wrong side. I slowed down and let the car come to my lane near Ganabhaban.