Posts

The Shingara as a Geopolitical Testimony

On gravity, and those who bear its weight.

From Raids to Reform: Why Bangla QR is the Real Solution to Market Opacity

The transition from cash to digital is not merely a technological shift; it is an institutional reform. It requires aligning incentives, building trust, and modernizing infrastructure. But the alternative -- continuing cycles of raids, fines, allegations of harassment, and persistent opacity -- offers little hope for sustainable market discipline.

The Syed Family of Taraf: Ushering Islamic Rule in South Sylhet

The sun of prosperity eclipsed for the Syeds in Taraf, as this land was conquered by the Kingdom of Tripura, which was at Bangladesh’s eastern border.

Can Bangladesh Resurrect Saarc?

Reviving Saarc is a Sisyphean task, but it is one Bangladesh is uniquely positioned to undertake. In a world of hardening blocs, South Asia cannot afford to be the only region without a voice.

The Iran War and Resilience of Bangladesh

Both the USA and Israel have adopted evasive strategies influenced by various factors, such as diverting attention from the Epstein scandal, preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon despite Iran repeatedly denying its intent through negotiations in Geneva, the potential failure of Trump’s MAGA project, and notably, projecting a false sense of control over Iran before Trump’s visit to China to gain bargaining leverage. The length of the conflict will depend on the conflicting attitudes of the USA and Iran’s determination to withstand the war.

What Nelson Mandela’s Truth and Reconciliation Offers Bangladesh Today

South Africa’s experience shows that legitimacy depends on perceived impartiality and transparency from day one. For a country at the crossroads, that is an invitation worth considering.

Judicial Reform Scheme -- From Plan to Practice

Comprehensive reform of the judicial system has emerged as a major national demand.

Not For One Day Only

Respecting the rights, dignity, and freedom of women, and ensuring full equality for women in health, education, employment, and opportunity must be established as the common ground on which all political actors in Bangladesh agree.

Nepal Elections Aftermath: Schadenfreude, Hopes and Apprehensions

As the new representatives go about setting up a government (which, the way the cumbersome Nepali system is structured, might be two weeks away in mid-March), it is now time for reflections, analyses and speculation.

From Collateral to Customers: Rethinking Capital Allocation in Bangladesh

The country has already demonstrated remarkable resilience and creativity in its economic journey -- from garments to remittances to microfinance. The next chapter will require an equally bold shift in how capital is allocated.

Coups, Countercoups, and the Politics of Power

Coups are not accidents. They are outcomes of institutional design shaped by fear, mistrust, and the imperative of survival. Bangladesh’s history, from 1975’s cascading coups to 2007’s indirect intervention, shows how the struggle to control the guardians of the state can redefine politics itself.

Economic Crosswinds: The Taka Faces New Global Pressures

While the duration of the conflict and the peak of oil prices remain unpredictable, there is a silver lining. Analysts note that the BDT is not as significantly overvalued today as it was in 2022. Consequently, any potential "crash" or magnitude of depreciation is expected to be much lower than the volatility witnessed two years ago.

The Looming Persian Storm: Why Bangladesh Cannot Afford to Defy Economic Gravity Again

A prolonged conflict in the Middle East would likely trigger a slump in consumer demand in Western markets, leaving the RMG sector vulnerable to the dual blow of dwindling orders and the logistical nightmare of disrupted maritime routes.

Grameen University and the Global Future of Social Business Education

While the university’s roots lie in Bangladesh, its ambitions are unmistakably global. The challenges that social businesses seek to address -- poverty, environmental sustainability, access to healthcare, and economic inclusion -- are universal.

A Poet's Burden: Rabindranath Tagore's Secret Struggle for Tripura

A Newly Discovered Letter Exposes His Private Battle With Power and Trust

Of Shahnama, Divana, Gulistan, Rubaiyat and Mathnawi

Firdaus embodies the Iranian identity, Hafiz brings ecstasy, Sadi offers wisdom, Khayyam presents doubt, and Rumi provides answers. The psychology of the Iranian people is more complex than Westerners might understand.