BANGLADESH TODAY

BANGLADESH TODAY

Court ticks off Bangladesh Central Bank for being blatantly pro-rich


Bangladeshi farmers are facing a massive problem with their rice harvest facing low demand and a steep fall in prices. The distressing situation has led some farmers to burn their crops in anger. People are aghast that the... More

Aspects of one party dominated multiparty system in Bangladesh


Bangladesh is a multi-party political system, but the ruling Awami League’s presence in parliament is so overwhelming that it is functioning without any real opposition. In the election of 2018, AL’swin was More

In Bangladesh, the State has prevailed over Islamist extremism


The Islamist or Jihadist is either romanticized or demonized. Typically, the assessment is based on ideological predilections rather than hard analysis. In many countries, extremism, whether violent and non-violent, is beginning to gain ground or won’t leave the... More

Politics and old media looks lost in Bangladesh


The 2018 elections saw the Awami League (AL) emerge as an overwhelmingly dominant party. Its so overwhelming that public interest in politics, particularly party politics, already on the wane for over a decade, went on an overdrive.... More

Indian business lobby mounts anti BRI initiative as election nears


Pro-India business lobby’s efforts to counter China’s OBOR/BRI push continues to mount as Indian election nears. The electoral rhetoric of Indian Hindutva politicians like Amit Shah has not made life easier. He has promised to throw out... More

Daily Prothom Alo downsizing: Transition pains?


Prothom Alo is the uncontested leader in Bangladesh’s media market both in credibility and circulation. Its reporting team is often the most in-depth in town and the opinion writers the most listened to. It is also critical... More

How unwell is politics in South Asia?


Bangladesh is experiencing a lack of political activities. For a country that was once considered obsessively political, the scenario is a big change. Electoral democracy has weakened most and voters barely go to the polls. The Chief... More

The South Asia Triangle: Life after SAARC’s end


Bangladesh PM Sk. Hasina is expected to visit China in April. China is interested in welcoming Bangladesh as it has shown increasing interest in BRI. India isn’t fond of this suggestion though. However, the rise of China... More

Is Bangladesh an online state?


Bangladesh is an online state with an incredibly high number of virtual citizens. Few can match them in enthusiasm, participation and enjoyment of what the online world offers, good or bad. Much great stuff happens on the... More

Can Sk. Hasina retire?


Giving an interview after her electoral win, Bangladesh’s PM Sk.Hasina said that this is going to be her last term in office – her fourth- and she would like to retire and go back to her village... More

Bangladesh’s Hercules syndrome and rule of vigilante law


A rapist was killed and his body was left with a note that said the death meted out to him was punishment for his crime. It was signed Hercules. A couple of other reports have appeared with... More

Rohingyas trapped in regional power transition


These are good days as far as neglecting the Rohingya issue is concerned, no matter if superstar Angelina Jolly is on a camp visit. Trickling in for years, accelerating in the last three decades, it finally became... More

Hasina bats for BRI, Indian anxiety goes up


“India is such a big country and economy, it should not worry about OBOR. Rather, it can also join so that all the countries can benefit economically," Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently said in an interview... More

Bangladesh’s position on global terrorism index has improved: Australian agency CPES


An Australian outfit, Centre for Peace and Economic Studies (CPES), has stated that Bangladesh has gone up four positions in the global terrorism index, according to it’s ranking. Several other countries in South Asia have gone down... More

Bangladesh elections: A transitional moment in politics?


Bangladesh’s general election was a complex affair but with a simple premise. The Awami League won the election for the third term in a row with an overwhelming majority. With the Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC) declaring that... More

Bangladesh’s most intriguing elections ever?


The 2018 general elections weren’t even supposed to be held. Many believed that given the political situation and hostility, violence would spill over onto the streets and the elections would be postponed. This was particularly so when... More

December 30 and the cycle of violence  


Election related violence is already at its peak and more is expected. This was not quite unexpected. Arrests, court cases and attacks on motorcades and public rallies continue unabated. With just three weeks to go for elections... More

In Bangladesh, a poor politician is of no use to anyone


In Dhaka’s swirling political speculations and gossip, the latest is about who among the electoral candidates is wealthy and who is not. On paper, many have declared their wealth and almost none have been found credibility among... More

Bangladesh elections: A problem of plenty?


The electoral environment in Bangladesh is becoming exciting and slightly less predictable by the day. There is intense activity, at least among the supporters of a large number of party candidates, if not the public. After years... More

Bangladesh politics beyond 2018


Suddenly no one is completely sure about the outcome of the 2018 Bangladesh general elections. It was a certainty once when only political parties were involved but with voters in, it’s a bit ‘interesting”. Speculation is now... More

Is conflict driving Bangladesh’s politics and society?


Hate, insults, endless allegations and occasional physical confrontations have become the staple of Bangladesh’s political culture. No one is spared, and no one wants to be excluded. Instead of debate there is abuse. And then comes the... More

COLUMN

On India’s refusal to dialogue with Pakistan

Despite Pakistan’s repeated invitations to start a meaningful dialogue, covering a broad-range of issues, including terrorism, affecting the two countries, India continues to shy away from bi-lateral engagement. It has instead locked itself in its narrowly defined foreign policy approach vis-à-vis Pakistan, an important anchor of which is the... More

Mamata determined to rid West Bengal of the toxin of Hindutva

Anti-saffron intellectuals are planning to launch a citizens’ movement to curb the “poison of divisive religious politics” in West Bengal in the backdrop of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s description of “Hindutva” as being “alien to Bengali culture.” Analysts say that the BJP's threat to wrest Bengal in the forthcoming State Assembly... More

Tied to US apron strings, India is losing out in Iran

While China continues to buy Iranian oil, defying U.S. sanctions and challenging U.S. unilateralism, India has capitulated to the US and is losing out on opportunities in Iran, a “hard rock friend” till recently. The change in India’s attitude to Iran was seen clearly when Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohmmad Javad... More

Shame and defame: Using hybrid warfare against Chairman NAB

The major reason for the dismal economic situation of the country is corruption and the feudal-type nepotism that sustained it over decades has infested the state and its institutions. Making money from kickbacks by bureaucrats and politicians who are in a position of power, selling jobs and stealing public... More

Yangon’s smart metres: A step towards creating a smart city

Yangon city is introducing state of the art smart metres to control the electricity supply, monitor its usage and bill costumers in parts of the city – in one automated system. “It’s a step towards making Yangon a smart city and improving and extending e-government throughout Myanmar,” Myo Aung... More

VIDEO-INTERVIEW

video

Exclusive Interview with Bhutan’s Prime Minister


“I will request PM Sheikh Hasina to support us with some (medical) specialists that will be an immediate help for Bhutan” Dr.Lotay Tshering Prime Minister of Bhutan Bhutan’s Prime Minister, Dr. Lotay Tshering, is set to visit Bangladesh on 12th... More

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