The history of democracy in Bangladesh has been very tumultuous. Currently, the leaders of two dominant parties either champion democracy or bury it depending on whether they are out of power or in power. One of the reasons why democratic process hasn't properly developed there is the lack of independence of the legislative and judicial branches and the press. If democracy fails in Bangladesh, it would bolster fundamentalism, which would bring much trouble to the world.

In twenty one earlier articles, I republished the preliminary parts and 15 Africa-focused chapters of the 2010 Annual Report which was released a few days ago by the leading humanitarian NGO Amnesty International. Titles of and links to these articles are available in the latest of the series: ...

While Bangladeshi commerce minister was enthusiastic in lifting the ban on importing Indian movies, Indian government is reluctant in removing the ban on allowing Bangladeshi television channels to be shown in their country. According Indian government´s policy, only TV channels of enemy nations are barred to be shown in their country.

Now, Sheikh Hasina cannot afford to make her voters dissatisfied or broken heart. She needs to take every possible step in brightening her own image as the daughter of the Founding father of the Nation. For this reason, she needs to check the unruly activities of her party-men from massive extortion and other forms of illegal activities as well, she also needs to warn those over-enthusiastic officers of the sensitive intelligence agency to refrain from blackmailing the politicians as well as members of media.

Based in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, Bangla cinema is referred to as Dhallywood, from the words Dhaka and Hollywood. As early as 1898, films were already shown in Dhaka at the Crown Theatre by the Bradford Bioscope Company. Established in 1898 in Calcutta by Hiralal Sen, the Royal Bioscope ...

Bangla Natok, also known as Bengali Drama, has been in practice for a long time now. Even before the independence of the country in 1970, various individuals and cultural organizations have been performing on Bangla Natok. Today the natoks are however not the same as it has been only 15 – 20 years a...

I think now it is not necessary at all to comment as to whether the ´political resolution formula´ of the Prime Minister was correct or not, as the matter is now under investigation, and any comment in this direction may lead or mislead the investigators, if they at all are interested yet in pressing the investigation process to a conclusion. We did not hear about the progress in the investigation by senior official of Criminal Investigation Department [CID] Abdul Kahhar Akhand. It is also a reality that this gentleman is over-burdened with numerous investigations in other ´sensitive´ cases, and possibly he hardly finds any time in looking into the February Massacre case. No one knows when the investigation will conclude or whether it will see the light at all. Critics say the investigation into the February Massacre case has already been sent to ´cold storage´. I am sure, those having minimal knowledge about this matter will understand the reason behind such fate of the investigation.

BANGLADESH-INDIA RELATIONSHIP: WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS BADRUL ISLAM The idea of Swadeshi or "one´s own country" is one of the noblest conceptions that have stirred the heart of humanity and was the quintessential factor...

Freedom of media is essential for a stable democracy. In India, where democracy has already taken the shape of institution, media enjoys unimaginable freedom. In some cases, Indian media even enjoys better freedom than many of the Western nations. Bangladesh should surely learn this from India.

In fact, Bangladeshi law and law enforcement agencies are completely reluctant in according proper assistance to the members of religious minorities in all such cases of abduction and forceful conversion. When Awami League government came in power in January 2010, particularly the members of religious minority groups were happy as the party officially claims to be following secularist ideology and always were claiming to be champion defenders of rights of religious minorities. But, the track record of past several months are extremely worrisome and it clearly leaves alarming signal to the Bangladeshi Hindus as well as other members of the religious minorities that they are not safe in the Muslim dominated Bangladesh and they may not even expect justice incase of such abduction of any of the members of their families.

Read The Article About The Bangladesh Apparels That See Hype In The Global Apparel Market As Bangladesh Is Holding Optimistic Views Regarding Its Apparel Export Segment. As Growth Of The Apparel Export Sector Of Bangladesh Is One Of The Most Significant Social And Economic Developments.

There is also no action yet by the Bangladeshi government in banning another notorious Islamist outfit named Hizbut Towhid, which is continuing its activities in the country, as well as continuing to sell hate materials amongst Bangladeshi people and spreading hatred through its website. Hizbut Towhid terms Jews and Christians as ´enemies of Islam´ and call on its members and other fellow Muslims in waging ´jihad´ against Jews and Christians.

Masum also said the battalion personnel had videoed arranged sequences of seizure of drug substances from his room. He was also videoed along with the wife of the owner of the house, he said.

In response to Raheed Ejaz´s report, Dhaka considers one-time transit to Tripura as ´test case´, (New Age, 0ctober 17, 2009) the Editor in his editorial, (New Age, 0ctober 18, 2009) has correctly voiced his opinion under the topic, 0ne ´test case´ is bitter enough. Congratulations to the Editor fo...

Despite lodging of a case more than 5 days back [Case No. 65, under section 143, 448, 323, 342, 384, 380, 427 and 506], members of law enforcing agencies in Bangladesh are showing extreme reluctance in arresting any of the attackers, mostly belonging to the ruling party, who attacked the office of Weekly Blitz on Sunday [February 22, 2009], physically assaulted the editor and other members, abused the female staffs and looted laptop and other valuables in a broad day light, in presence of One Shamim from DGFI [Directorate General of Forces Intelligence]. Members of law enforcing agencies were witnessing the incident silently as the attackers were mostly activists and members of the ruling party in Bangladesh. Others who were in the gang are identified as Shintu, Liton, Yunus, Anwar, Siraj, Lavlu, Kajol etc. According to police sources, most of them were thugs belonging to the ruling party.

Leaders of the ruling party and those ministers are very confident to believe that, they will be in power at least till 2021 as they have very successfully tamed the major opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party already. Visibly there is no political opponent of the ruling party in Bangladesh now. The parliament is also under the absolute control of the ruling party. Opposition is continuing to boycott the parliament. Alarmingly, Bangladesh is gradually heading towards ´Democratic Autocracy´ or may be even worst, which is named in many nations as ´Family Dynasty´.

However, the Articles 76 and 82 of the 1982 UNCLOS lay down the methods of delimitation of sea boundary between adjacent states [distinct from opposite states, such as Sri Lanka and India]. According to these articles, first the states shall settle the boundary through negotiations. If negotiations fail, the principle of equity will apply, implying that justice and fairness must be the hallmark of settlement. Main argument is, delimitation of sea boundary between two adjacent states, such as Bangladesh and India, is different from that of opposite states such as India and Sri Lanka or Australia and Indonesia.

Trend of forceful conversion of religious minorities to Islam is increasing in Bangladesh especially after the increase of activities of Tablighi jamaat as well as provocative sermons by Muslim clergies in the mosques. These clergies and Tablighis offer heaven for the person and his parents and fore-parents for a successful conversion of a religious minority girl or boy into Islam.

General Rahman sees ´invasion´ of Indian army inside Bangladesh in near future. It may be mentioned here that, Major General Fazlur Rahman is known to be anti-Indian element in Bangladesh with Islamist connections.

Bangladesh has also failed to raise the issue of having rights to peaceful use of nuclear energy in agriculture, health, industry and science areas. It also did not speak about other energy efficiency or solar energy goals, though it loudly talked about it in the 2021 vision. Bangladesh has missed an opportunity to alert the international community about the problems that it is facing in conflict resolutions with neighbouring countries. Though not specifically, it could have made general appeal on the issues like implementation of the law of the sea and resolving dispute over maritime boundary and trans-boundary water management.

Faculty of Engineering along with the Centre of Excellence of the World University of Bangladesh (WUB) is going to arrange an International Conference in Dhaka, Bangladesh from 19 to 20th December 2009. The theme of the conference is "Engineering Education for Sustainable Development". The main objective of this conference is to bring together educationist, researchers, engineers and entrepreneurs whose views, ideas and opinions will be forwarded to the policymakers to move to a better engineering education.

For the last few years Hizb Ut Towhid has been carrying out secret operations in the name of 'dawat' in different parts of the country, especially in the southern region. In some cases Bangladeshi law enforcing agencies also arrested some activists of different Islamic organizations during their suspicious activities.

And, now here is another disturbing news of attack on Hindu temple by some miscreants belonging to the ruling party at Bangladesh´s southern district of Kushtia. According to information, several perpetrators entered two Temples at Kushtia, damaged Hindu deities´ Sunday, September 07, 2009 at night. Such tragic incident took place in the Hindu neighborhood just few weeks before the biggest Hindu festival named Durga Puja.

There are surely honest and dedicated people in Bangladesh politics. We, as Bangladeshi, surely feel proud of those leaders, no matter whether we belong to any political party or platform or not. But, unfortunately, number of such honest leaders are very few. In each of the parties, we can hardly find 10-12 people like this, who are extremely honest and committed to the nation. But, very unfortunately, those leaders are never at the commanding position in our politics. Mostly corrupt and shameless goes into glamorous positions in Bangladeshi politics. This is truly unfortunate.

Professor Dr. kalimullah demanded immediate returning of the Jewish synagogue to country´s Jewish population as well stop all forms of repression on Jews in Bangladesh.

The greatest appropriation of Hindu property took place immediately after independence during the first Awami League government [1972-75] and during the first period of rule of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party [1976-1980]. Dr Barkat's work also showed that since 1948, 75% of the land of religious minorities in East Pakistan and subsequent Bangladesh had been confiscated through provisions of the Act.

Officials in Dhaka, however, observed despite mounting pressure from New Delhi, Bangladesh cannot afford to allow India any transit for certain factors such as lack of infrastructure and logistics, absence of in-depth assessment of possible gains from such ´economic issue´ and implication on internal security.

Market for Bangladeshi manpower is getting narrower every week, while the government is continuing to fail in taking any steps in resolving the crisis. It is anticipated that, more than 60 per cent of Bangladeshi workers abroad may return home by next year, if the present government especially the foreign ministry will continue to fail in talking to the respective countries, which had been recruiting Bangladeshi workers and find any solution to the crisis.

Since the new government in Dhaka came in power in January 2009 under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister, it was always expected by people that religious minorities will be safer during the tenure of this new government as Awami League claims to be a secular political party. But, the track record of minority repression is no better than any previous governments in the country.

The present government also continues illegal ban on the religious publications of Ahmediya religious minority group in Bangladesh. Such ban was enforced by the BNP led Islamist government few years back, when some local fanatics continued anti-Ahmediya activities and demanding declaring Ahmediyas as ´non Muslims´.

This Article Is About The Project Undertaken To Widen The JGT Reinforced Road Subgrade In Bangladesh As The Work Undertaken Is A Part Of Airport Road-Rokeya Sharoni Link Road Project, Funded By Dhaka City Corporation

Bangladesh may have remained poverty-stricken, but it is a resource-rich country. By utilizing many of its resources, including its competent and competitive labor force, the country has the potential to achieve faster economic growth than others. The country could thus be an attractive place for foreign investment, especially by the expatriates.

Tipaimukh Dam is now the hot topic in Bangladesh politics. The heat of Tipaimukh is not restricted only inside Bangladesh but also India is feeling the flame. There is strong opposition against Tipaimukh dam from Inside the India. Dr. R.K. Ranjan in his article mentioned that Tipaimukh dam is a death trap for the indigenous people.

I am genuinely, a secular person. I have been fighting for women´s rights and freedom. My fight is not against any particular religion. I always believe in secular state and secular education. Religion should be people´s personal matter. Nobody should be persecuted or oppressed for their beliefs (religious or atheism), gender, color or ethnicity. It is very painful to see that the largest democracy of the world can´t give shelter to a secular writer whose entire life is dedicated to secular humanism.

There is bad news about minority repression from various parts of Bangladesh. According to minority groups and individuals, torture of religious minorities as well as grabbing their properties by the members of ruling party are taking place on a regular basis. Even in some cases, ruling party men grabbed temples of Hindu community and started constructing commercial complexes on them.

Pakistani intelligence agency ISI [Inter Service Intelligence] continues to patronize and support anti-Indian notions by funding any group extending support for Kashmiri separatists while Iran continues massive propaganda against Israel through its own missions in a number of nations. In Bangladesh, Iranians are spending huge amount of money in promoting anti-Israel and anti-US sentiments. Most of the street demonstrations burning Israeli and American flags are secretly funded by Iran to give instigations to people in adopting anti Semitic and anti US notions.

What differences people have so far witnessed in this country? Violence in almost all the campuses by the student wing activist of the ruling party causing closure of many educational institutions? Beating of journalists by the MPs of the ruling party? Assault on the religious minorities? Worst ever law and order situation? Rise of Islamist militancy where even Al Qaeda gave threats to a number of foreign missions? Anger in the minds of business community at the huge rise in extortion? Daily murders and rapes? Grabbing of properties by the members of the ruling party? Turning national broadcast media into mere family property of Bangabandhu family? Lauding family dynasty in politics? What? And what not?

Such reluctance of the government naturally annoyed the members of Bangladesh Armed Forces. When the Prime Minister went to meet them at the Sena Kunja auditorium two days after this bloody massacre, quite naturally some of the members of the armed forces were expressing their shock and grievance to the Prime Minister.

Politics on Water: Dispute between Bangladesh and India over trans-boundary rivers.

"As anaesthesia was kicking in, and the doctor and nurses were getting ready for the c-section, I heard someone say, ´If I was her, I´d never bring this baby into the world.´ For the first time in my life I loathed myself, I felt ashamed, as if I was scum of earth," Salma (not her real name) breaks ...

In every year 7th June comes and goes away following its calendar route. Every year Bangladesh Awami League observes the day. Many of people don´t know about the specialties of the 7th June. If this day did not come in our life we might be confused whether our freedom would come or not. The 7th June of 1966 did not come all on a sudden in the life of Bengalis and the significance of the day shall in no way be diminished.

At the first of 1966, 6-points demand was declared. After returning in Dhaka, Sheikh Mujib got approval for the 6-points demand from the party congress declaring it as "Amader Bachar Daabi (Demands of living)". From that day Pakistan Government started oppressing the Bengalis in the form of more exploitation, repeatedly arresting and jailing the people of East Pakistan. They pulled their steam roller of oppression and inhumanity throughout the country. Sheikh Mujib became stricter on the demands. But a fear attacked the people. Sheikh Mujib clearly portrayed the discrimination between east and west part of Pakistan through a story. This was as follows: "A father had two sons. One was fool and another was shrewd and cunning. Before he died he left a blanket, a cow and a date-palm for his two sons and wanted to have distributed them equally. After the death of their father, the shrewd and cunning brother distributed them in such a way that foolish brother in his part had the front side of the cow, forepart of the date-palm and the right to keep the blanket in day-light". As a result the foolish brother got no drop of milk, no date-juice at all and had no utility of the blanket in cool winter night. The days were passing away and the foolish brother was gradually becoming clever. He demanded his proper portion to his shrewd and cunning brother. But he failed to get any benefit. Then he started to teach his brother a good lesson. At first he tied the mouth of the cow, then he spread barbs around the forepart of the date-palm and at last he watered the blanket in day-light till evening". Saying "What didn´t happen after that" Sheikh Mujib used to tell "let us see what will happen".

So many times, I have heard that the joke of democracy in South Asia should be attributed to its poor uneducated constituency. What we see there is essentially monarchy in the name of democracy. I have listened to so many pundits uttering this assertion that I was almost beginning to accept it.

When Dhaka University teacher Anwar Hossein was arrested for an allegation of demanding restoration of the democracy he expressed his desire to talk with the media. The military backed Caretaker Government at that time rejected that proposal said "Does it ever happened that a prisoner is allowed to speak with the media?" Within a few days Professor Anwar was allowed to talk with the media. Anwar admits it was a wrong move and apologized to the nation. No one in fact believed that that was truly Prof. Anwar meant. Rather analyst described it a clear sign of torture on him and that was forced confession.

The Bangladesh Navy originally under Bangladesh Forces was created during the Bangladesh War of Independence in 1971 against Pakistan. "Safeguard the sovereignty over the internal waters & territorial sea, and sovereign rights over the Contiguous Zone, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Continental Shelf of Bangladesh while supporting riverside and maritime economic activities including free flow of riverine & sea borne trade", The mission of Bangladesh Navy. BN official creation was established in July 1971 during the historic Bangladesh Sector Commanders Conference 1971. Rear Admiral Zahir Uddin Ahmed, (ND), ndc, psc is current Chief of the Bangladesh Navy. He is preceded by Vice Admiral Sarwar Jahan Nizam ndu, psc. Admiral Zahir Uddin Ahmed passed his successful officer's livelihood during his Golden career.

"If you want to be a self reliant person, a responsible member of your family as well as of your country and the world and respected personality of your society, you have only one alternative that is you must have utilitarian education for economic emancipation." It is the massage for the students from Professor Dr. Abdul Mannan Chowdhury. Professor Dr. Abdul Mannan Chowdhury´s life at a glance: 1. Education movements, 1962; 2. Comilla University Establishment Movement, 1963; 3. Attacked by police in front of high court, 7th June 1966; 4. Six point movements, 1962; 5. Eleven point demands of the Students Action Committee, Eleven points movement, 1969; 6. Editor of "Weekly Bangladesh", 1971; 7. Trainer of liberation war, 1971; 8. To raise voice against Pakistan with 128 numbers of Dhaka University´s teacher, 1971. 9. East side Assistant Commander and Commander of Mujub Bahini, 1971; 10. Participate in re-establishment of Public Service Commission, 9th December 1971; 11. Professor, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh (37 years); 12. Academic Dean and Head of Department of Bayero University Kano, Nigeria; 13. Member of Probe Committee "Punish war criminal", 1992; 14. Vice- Chancellor, World University of Bangladesh, continuing.

Bangladesh is standing on a hot lava dome. It is growing slowly but steadily, no body knows when it will explode. This hot lava is the militants. Wide range of political backing is helping them found another safe heaven. It is not a matter that starts all of a sudden. It was all begins when militant...

In a roundtable conference held in Dhaka in last February, officials and resource personnel stressed on taking massive steps required to explore tourism potential. The keynote paper emphasized on some conceived potentials of tourism industry in Bangladesh and, as usual, pointed out some drawback too...

Famous journalist Ms. Sunita Paul has written the article titled "Faruk Khan´s wife violates law" on 13.04.2009 on where she has portrayed several issues relating to the investigation of BDR massacre and assistance for the Islamic militancy. I should not have the courage to say but I doubt whether this article was deeply reviewed by Ms. Sunita Paul herself before publishing? Because, so far as I know Ms. Sunita Paul has a very sharp intelligence and possesses a deeply foreseeing personality. From the article, only the issue of the webmaster of Faruk Khan´s blog site has described here to draw attention of the readers.

The glory, prestige and identity of the people of Bangladesh began with the essence of their language, heritage and cultural values. The Liberation War in 1971 and the utmost sacrifices of the citizens will remain as one of the famed episode in the global human history. It is the first successful in...