Case distortions and social order

Syeed Ahamed

Published in the Daily Star on 4 Sep 2009.

GRADUALLY we are getting used to the initial covering up and subsequent disclosure of criminal cases. Under one government, we learn how an apparent killing or a bomb blast is either just an accident or deep-rooted political conspiracy. And then after the change of government, we learn how the criminal cases were distorted during the previous regime to cover up the truth. From “media created” Bangla bhai to the attack on Humayun Azad, or from the Ramna bombing of 2001 to 21st August 2004 grenade attacks — it’s the same story.

What they aren’t Telling us about Cyclone Aila

Fariha Sarawat

Published in the Star Weekend Magazine on 26 June 2009.

We can’t even find dry place to bury the dead, this is worse than Sidr: a resident of Nolia village remarked. Nolia village is located at the interior of the Khulna delta, in the Sutarkhali union of Dacope upazila, and is among the regions worst affected by Cyclone Aila. We have never seen so much water before, not even in ‘88, stranded residents of Nolia village informed us. Making our way into the interiors of the south-western coastal delta of Khulna, much of which now lies inundated in salt water, with plants, fish and vegetation rotting in it, we came across many small villages like Nolia. The sight of dry land and fresh water was an anomaly in our journey.

Violence is not the only way to be heard

Asif Saleh

Published in the Guardian on 13 March 2009.

After the border guards’ mutiny, Bangladeshi politicians have to ensure disgruntled sections of society feel they have a voice.

Justice with due process

Asif Saleh and Jalal Alamgir

Published in the Daily Star on 9 Mar 2009.

NEVER did we think that we would be haunted with mass graves in independent Bangladesh. Never did we think that we would have to unearth mutilated, bayonet-torn dead bodies. And yet, today, we are assaulted once again by mass graves and the cold-blooded murder of our army officers, their families, and civilians.

We mourn our loss. We offer prayers in solidarity with the families and their loved ones. And in no uncertain terms, we want the killers responsible to be brought to justice.

I want to believe

Jyoti Rahman

Published in the Daily Star on 8 Mar 2009.

On that day, no soul shall be wronged; and you shall not be rewarded aught but that which you did. (The Quran, 36: 54).

Surah Yasin is usually recited in Muslim households when someone passes away. The above-quoted ayaat from the surah has been in my mind lately. I want to believe those words, not just in the promised day of reckoning, but here and now, in this People’s Republic of ours.

Bangladesh faces security crisis

In the aftermath of mutiny, US and Britain should continue supporting democracy.

Jalal Alamgir

Published by Globalpost on 2 March 2009.

Digital Bangladesh

Rumi Ahmed

Published Daily Star February 6.2009

BANGLADESH is being promised a digital future. In fact, the tagline of the landmark election victory of Awami League was a promise of digital Bangladesh by 2021. BNP also promised to implement digital Bangladesh sooner than 2021. Our intellectuals have started advising the government about how to implement digital Bangladesh, and opposition rhetoric locked horns with the government about who can make Bangladesh digital faster. 

But way before this brouhaha by disconnected politicians Bangladesh had stepped into, and now walks boldly in, the digital age thanks to a new generation of IT savvy youth. This digitalisation took place during the fifteen years of democratic Bangladesh.

Bangladesh used to be a country where getting an analog land telephone connection was a combination of waiting, bribery, good connection with government high-ups and good fortune. Starting in the early 1990s, a digital telecommunication revolution took place. Nearly one-third of Bangladeshis are using high-tech, latest generation digital mobile technology for communication and other information related needs — no political leader had to promise this! 

Another wake-up call: Are we listening?

Mridul Chowdhury

Published in the Daily Star on 14 Dec 2008.

NURUL Islam is in the hospital fighting severe burn and Tamohar is no more” — a short email from a friend changed my day, perhaps even my life. I have watched unfortunate incidents happening in people’s lives many times on TV news and read about them on newspapers — but this was the first time it happened to someone I knew. I was dumbfounded, I was shocked, I was shaken to the core. Over the course of next few hours, frantic emails with updates and speculations of what happened started coming in, until the final news — “Nurul Islam, too, is no more.”

What’s In Store for a New Government?

Jyoti Rahman

Published in the Forum on december 2008

The IMF usually publishes forecasts for the world economy twice a year. After its April release, I discussed how the economic slowdown triggered by the global financial crisis would affect Bangladesh. What was expected to be a slowdown in April is now being feared as the worst global recession since the Great Depression. How will the recession affect Bangladesh? What policy options will the new government have?

It is difficult to answer these questions, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding the world economy. The IMF significantly revised its October forecasts downward within a month of publication, the unusual step underscoring how quickly the events have been unfolding. Similarly, over the past couple of months, almost every day has seen some key forecaster downgrading their numbers.

Balaka storks dodge a bullet

Naeem Mohaiemen

Published at the New Age on 1 Dec 2008.

UNLIKE the Baul statue circus a month ago, the group that came to smash Balaka Chattar/Biman Office statues (storks, also by Mrinal Haque) came near midnight. This time, no government officials, no advance ‘protest’ in media, no advance anything. They worked quickly, with hammers. Other reports said ‘ramda’, but I tend to think that’s fear shorthand.