In Episode 2 of Cultural Bourgeoisie, Jyoti Rahman and Ehteshamul Haque explore how political thrillers can illuminate real historical events. From African coups and revolutionary leaders to Bangladesh's own turbulent political history, the conversation examines the intersection of fiction, memory, and scholarship—and why understanding the complexities of the past remains essential today
In one simple way, Tarique Rahman stands to be more successful than either of his parents. Neither of them could successfully, peacefully, finish their term and hand over power to the next government. Ziaur Rahman was gunned down by rogue officers. Khaleda Zia faced an implacable foe who made good on her promise of not allowing the former prime minister a moment of peace.
In this new Counterpoint Podcast, Jyoti Rahman and Ehteshamul Haque discuss and dissect popular culture from home and abroad, contemporary and from times of yore. The first episode explores the capers of the great Bengali sleuth Feluda (and his posse) in the desserts of Rajasthan in the book and movie Shonar Kella. The episode also covers broader works of Satyajit Ray.
In Episode 07 of J&J Fireside, Jyoti Rahman and Rubaiyat Sarwar discuss the tension between election promises and economic realities. The conversation explores fiscal constraints, inflationary pressures, subsidies, and the difficult policy choices governments face when balancing political commitments with economic sustainability.
In this episode of The J&J Show, Jyoti Rahman and Rubaiyat Sarwar examine why long-term challenges—particularly fiscal pressures, the fuel crisis, and global economic volatility—require immediate attention. The discussion highlights how delayed policy responses can deepen risks, making forward-looking decisions more urgent than ever.
Not only is the government expected to manage the current account deficit, but it is also expected to service the debt obligations it has inherited and pay for its electoral commitments, and yet somehow manage to bring inflation down.
55 years ago today, Pakistan as it existed then came to end as the Mujibnagar Government was formally formed. Two generations on, the peoples of the two countries share a common yearning for democracy. On both wings of the erstwhile Pakistan then, a prayer for democracy.
It is striking that nearly two years after a youth led uprising that was triggered by protests about jobs, the economy is largely absent from public discourse. This may be the ultimate July betrayal of them all.
Join Jyoti Rahman, a macroeconomist, and Md Rubaiyath Sarwar, a development economist, as they discuss their observations from their recent travels
Keeping interest rates artificially low is a recipe for disaster. We have been here before -- not even too long ago -- and we know how this story ends. It won't be pleasant for anyone, least of all the newly-elected government.
As Bangladesh enters into its first real general election since 2008, we will finally be given a snapshot of where the country stands electorally. Have the polls and the pundits called it correctly, or are we in for a February surprise? Only Election Day will tell.
Jamaat has emerged as one of the two main parties in the current dispensation. Its student wing has won student council elections in five universities. Its online activists dominate the cyberspace. It has consistently polled sufficiently well to emerge as the main opposition in the next parliament if not outright win the election.
