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On democratic autocracy
The concepts of democracy and autocracy are apparently contradictory. Democracy is a system of government where people elect their representatives to govern the country in away that reflects people’s views, hopes and aspirations. On the other hand, autocracy refers to
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“Ami Banglar Gaan Gai”; the Indomitable Mahmuduzzaman Babu
During a program in Canberra attended by Soumitra Chatterjee, the legendary actor from Kolkata, I overheard a fellow Canberra-living Bangali, obviously from Kolkata, saying to Soumitra “Dada shunechhen, Pratul Babur Gantikey to Bangladeshira ekebarey Oder Jatiyo shongeet baniye phelechhey”. He
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A book in English – Dilruba Shahana
While in Bangladesh book lovers used to buy books in Bangla to bring with them abroad, it is a very common scenario among keen readers. Books are really heavy goods to carry by air as unaccompanied luggage. Still to some
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Indian Classic dancer contests against BJP leader L.K. Advani
The 15th Lok Sabha election in India commences from 16th April and completes on 13th May. The month-long general elections will be held in five phases on April 16, April 22, April 23, April 30, May 7 and May 13,
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Indian Premier League 2009 on CH 10
The “Cricket Madness” is back again!. The second version of Indian Premier League (IPL), Professional Twenty20 Cricket tournament will start from Saturday (April 19). This year the 45-day tournament will be held in South Africa due to the general election
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The 100- days of the AL-led Government
The 100 days benchmark seems to have been established to evaluate the performance of democratically elected governments across the world. The Awami League-led government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will reach its100-day milestone on 19th April. Is the public pleased
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প্যারিসর চিঠি: ফতে দো লা মিউজিক ফ্যাস্টিভাল : ওয়াসমি খান পলাশ প্যারিস থেকে
১৯৮১ সালরে একটি ঘটনা। সে সময়রে কালচারাল মিনিস্টার Jack Lang এবং জাতীয় মিউজিক এবং নৃত্যতত্ব বিভাগের ডিরেক্টর Maurice Fleuret কনে এক অনুষ্ঠানে আমন্ত্রতি হন। অনুষ্ঠানে সজৈন্য সাক্ষাতকালে Maurice Fleuret কালচারাল মিনিস্টার Jack Lang কে র্সবপ্রথম ফতে দে লা মিউজিকের একটি
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G-20 Economic Summit in London Bangladesh
The G-20 leaders met in London on April 2nd to discuss plans to tackle the current global economic crisis. The G-20 is a group of the world’s most powerful countries that together represent 85% of the world’s economy. The G-20
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The Foreign Secretary's comments are ‘undiplomatic’
Newspaper reports suggest that at the present time there are no heads of foreign missions of Bangladesh in 12 countries, including Malaysia, Belgium and Switzerland (The Daily Star 29 March). In addition, the government has called back three ambassadors and
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BDR Massacre and International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973
There is an enlightened debate on whether the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act (Act no XIX of 1973) applies or not to the suspected murderers at the BDR premises. There are two views in the matter. One view suggests that it
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War Criminals: Trial
On 29th January 2009, Bangladesh Parliament adopted a resolution to try war criminals. On 25th March, the government decided to try war criminals under the 1973 International Crimes (Tribunals) Act and the investigation as claimed by the Law Minister had
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Terrorism, a manifestation of disenfranchisement?
The recent arms haul in Bhola in southern Bangladesh (news.bbc.co.uk) has revealed a disturbing link to a charity based in the United Kingdom . It turns out that the charity in question whose website shows pictures of medical help being
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People’s Power in Pakistan
Ordinarily one connects Pakistan’s politics with military coups. However, this time what occurred in Pakistan on 16th March was for the first time a successful manifestation of people’s power to restore democracy and rule of law. This is a great
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আমি আলাদা নই – হতে চাই না – আমি জানি না!
হাইস্কুলে যখন নবম বা দশম শ্রেনীর ছাত্র, প্রায়ই জুনিয়রদের কাছ থেকে একটা প্রশ্ন শুনতাম, ভাইয়া ‘I don’t know’ শব্দগুলোর মানে কি? অনেকটা নিষ্পাপ গলায়। মনে হবে সত্যি সত্যিই সে উত্তরটা জানে না। অর্থটা জানালে চির সুখী হয়, ভাব সাব এমনই!
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Alternative Idea to Transit facilities
India wants transit facilities through land territory of Bangladesh. The request is not new. Since 1972 India has sought for it. The successive governments of Bangladesh during the 37 years could not agree to it except granting transit through its
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Bangladesh Politics: All evil guided BDRs ! Hunt them!! Hang them!!!
There is no excuse why these evil guided BDRs. will not be hunted and given due punishment. They have not only killed extremely precious Army personnel’s but also has done short , intermediate and long term damage to the national
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Commerce Minister’s verdict before the trial
The government-sponsored inquiry committee is still investigating the ruthless killings of army officers at BDR headquarters in Dhaka. The committee headed by a retired secretary to the government is expected to finish off its inquiry soon and provide a report
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Why has it been difficult to extinguish fire at the Basundhara City Mall ?
An obvious trauma gripped the businesses and people around Basundhara City Mall after a devastating fire on the 17th floor, at 1-40 PM in the afternoon on Friday 13th March,. The blaze burnt many offices into ashes inside the country’s
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Supremacy of the democratic government and BDR bloodbath
When the mutiny by some undisciplined members of -BDR took place on 25th February, it provided a big test for a democratic government to deal with this grave crisis. The Hasina Government took power on 6th January and within a
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পচিঁশে ফেব্রুয়ারী- ঘটনা বিশ্লেষন
পচিঁশে ফেব্রুয়ারী। দেশে একটা ভয়ানক ঘটনা ঘটে গেল। কাপুরুষ ঘাতকেরা কেড়ে নিলো একঝাক সোনালী সন্তান। ছেলে হাড়া মায়ের আহাজ়ারী দেখি, স্বামী হাড়া বধুর কান্না দেখি, পিতা হাড়া শিশুর অবুঝ মুখ দেখি। শোকের ভাষা নেই, সান্তনার ভাষা নেই। কে দেবে ফিরিয়ে
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Please don’t take the government ‘hostage’
Every sensible person in the country was visibly horrified by the last week’s senseless and brutal massacre at the headquarters of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) in Dhaka. The show of high emotions, anger and resentment among sections in the community, including
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Brutal Massacre in BDR Headquarters
The whole nation is mourning and three days of mourning were declared where our national flags has been flying half-mast to show respect to the departed souls of the shaheed army officers and others who were killed brutally on 25th
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প্যারিসে মহান একুশ উপলক্ষ্যে প্রভাত ফেরী ও সাংস্কৃতিক অনুষ্ঠান – ওয়াসিম খান পলাশ
শহীদ দিবস,মহান একুশে ফেব্রুয়ারি ও আন্তর্জাতিক মাতৃভাষা দিবস উপলক্ষ্যে প্যারিসে দিনব্যাপী অনুষ্ঠানের আয়োজন করা হয়েছে। সম্মিলিত সাংস্কৃতিক শিল্পীবৃন্দ অমর একুশের উপর অনুষ্ঠান মালার আয়োজন করেছে। আয়োজনে থাকছে সকালে প্রভাত ফেরী ও বিকেলে সাংস্কৃতিক অনুষ্ঠান। উল্লেখ্য, প্রভাত ফেরীটি প্যারিসের আইফেল টাওয়ার
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21st February: A Day of Mourning, Pride Action
21st February is a day of national mourning, pride, reflection and action. It is the Language Martyr’s Day. It is fifty- seven years ago that among others, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar, Shafiur and Salam sacrificed their young precious lives for honour
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Maritime Security of Bangladesh: Is Foreign Assistance Necessary?
On 8th February, Richard Boucher, the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, prior to his departure from Dhaka wrapping up his two-day trip, reportedly has expressed his country’s willingness to assist Bangladesh in maritime patrol and
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