Opinion - The Daily Ittefaq

Remember or Repeat

Editorial — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 09:40:46 +0600

Memory is one of the Creator's most remarkable gifts to humanity. It is memory that connects people with their experiences. By weaving together joy and sorrow, triumph and defeat, mistakes and wisdom, it gives meaning to life. As people grow older, they do not merely age; if their memory remains intact, they also become wiser through the light of experience. This is why, in the later stages of... Details

Red Cards to Violence

Editorial — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 09:40:32 +0600

The FIFA World Cup is, above all, a grand gathering of humanity. Every four years, this global event seems to bind the entire world together with a single thread. Millions of people set aside differences of language, religion, race, geography, and politics to share the same emotions and excitement. In Bangladesh, however, the colors of this celebration appear even more vibrant than in many... Details

Bangladesh Risks Losing RMG Crown

Editorial — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 11:33:38 +0600

Recent reports published in several national newspapers have painted a deeply concerning picture of Bangladesh's readymade garment (RMG) industry, the country's main driver of economic growth. According to data from the World Trade Organization (WTO), Bangladesh has long held the position of the world's second-largest garment exporter. However, that hard-earned status is now under serious... Details

Unlock the Playgrounds

Editorial — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 10:26:43 +0600

One of the most alarming issues in today's concrete urban landscape is the gradual disappearance of children's natural childhood. According to a front-page report published in yesterday's The Daily Ittefaq, more than 15,000 primary and secondary schools across Bangladesh, including those in the capital city of Dhaka, do not have playgrounds. More than half of the private universities in Dhaka... Details

The Silent Shutdown

Editorial — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 09:39:32 +0600

There are ample logical reasons why Bangladesh is called the "Golden Bengal." From ancient times, Bengal was a prosperous region. It was renowned for its trade, commerce, and handicrafts. As early as the fifth century, the largest port city of Bengal maintained commercial relations with South India, Sri Lanka, Burma, Malaya, the Persian Gulf, and the Far East. During that period, the... Details

What Makes Us Human?

Editorial — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 09:37:33 +0600

Human beings are often described as the noblest of all creation because of their intellect, conscience, and humanity. But when the cries of a fellow human in distress fail to touch the hearts of their own kind, when instead of rescuing an accident victim we become busy stealing their belongings, or when we do not hesitate to loot everything from people devastated by disasters, it naturally... Details

The Cost of Silence

Editorial — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:59:55 +0600

Poet Sufia Kamal, at the very beginning of her poem “Taharei Pore Mone” (“I Remember Only Him”), wrote: “O poet, why are you silent when spring has arrived on earth?Will you not welcome it with your songs of praise?” In this timeless poem, the question is used to express the poet’s sorrow, melancholy, and the profound grief of losing a loved one.... Details

Might Over Right

Editorial — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:29:01 +0600

At present, we are inhabitants of a strange and deeply troubling world. Although humanity claims to have achieved extraordinary heights in science, technology, and material progress, where is the reflection of that advancement in human psychology and behavior today? Will morality, civility, decency, generosity, and mutual courtesy disappear forever from this modern world? Thoughtful people are... Details

When Compromise Wins

Editorial — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 07:41:49 +0600

The world is currently passing through a turbulent period. War, political polarization, economic uncertainty, climate crises, and social divisions have significantly increased anxiety and unrest among people across nations. As a result, from individuals to states, there is a noticeable decline in patience and a growing crisis of tolerance. In many cases, even minor disagreements are escalating... Details

When Measles Strikes Back

Editorial — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 14:03:02 +0600

In Bangladesh, measles is no longer merely the name of an infectious disease; it has now become a symbol of our public health crisis. Government figures indicate that between March 15 and June 18, a total of 100,677 people were admitted to hospitals with measles or measles-like symptoms, and 666 people died. Most of them were children. Since Bangladesh’s independence, such a severe... Details

Waiting for the Next Tragedy

Editorial — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:50:47 +0600

The fear of landslides that emerges in the Chittagong Hill Tracts whenever the monsoon arrives is deeply concerning. The memory of the devastating landslide that occurred in Rangamati on June 13, 2017, still sends shivers down our spines. In that tragedy, about 113 innocent people, including five members of the armed forces, lost their lives in a single night. Regrettably, even after nearly... Details

The Price of Leadership

Editorial — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 09:42:05 +0600

An analysis of the history of world civilization shows that while wars may be fought at the borders, their impact ultimately reaches the kitchens of ordinary people. Everywhere, there seems to be a collective sigh of distress—there is no relief in the marketplace, no certainty in employment, no security or order in society, and no confidence in the future. The war-ravaged world appears... Details

Truth at Risk

Editorial — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:00:02 +0600

In the history of human civilization, no medium as powerful as social media has emerged that simultaneously carries such immense potential for both benefit and harm. It serves as a platform for knowledge, information, awareness, and the formation of public opinion; yet it is equally a breeding ground for rumors, misinformation, fraud, and character assassination. Therefore, the question of... Details

War Without Borders

Editorial — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 13:06:40 +0600

War is often termed as the “enemy of peace” and the “killer of the environment and humanity.” Today, global civilization is experiencing the profound truth of this statement. Humanity now stands before a strange paradox. Despite remarkable advances in technology, science, knowledge, and economic development, mankind has still not been able to free itself from the curse... Details

Big Promises, Bigger Challenges

Editorial — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 09:34:34 +0600

In the proposed national budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2026–27, an unprecedented and remarkable allocation has been planned for the social security sector, which is expected to open a new horizon for improving the living standards of marginalized communities across the country. According to available information, allocations across various ministries under this sector are set to... Details

A Tree for Tomorrow

Editorial — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:52:50 +0600

Today is World Environment Day. This day is observed across the globe with the aim of maintaining ecological balance and raising environmental awareness. The theme for this year is: “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.” In reality, humanity’s unchecked greed and injustice toward nature have brought the entire world to the brink of a major environmental crisis.... Details

Remembering Manik Miah

Editorial — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:08:19 +0600

In the history of every nation, there are certain individuals whose lives largely embody the history of that nation’s conscience. Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah was one of those rare personalities. He was not merely a journalist or an editor—he was a political thinker, a visionary with the qualities of a public leader, and above all, an uncompromising champion of truth. Today, on the... Details

A Festival of Sacrifice

Editorial — Tue, 26 May 2026 14:14:44 +0600

A great festival of sacrifice, the holy Eid-ul-Adha, has arrived at the doorstep of the Muslim world. This Eid festival will be celebrated with great grandeur in Bangladesh next Thursday. Here, the word “Eid” means joy, and “Adha” means sacrifice or offering. Therefore, Eid-ul-Adha signifies the joy of sacrifice or devotion. Since one of the most important aspects of this Eid is sacrificing... Details

The Ticket Crisis

Editorial — Sun, 24 May 2026 09:46:53 +0600

For the past several years, especially before and after the Eid festival, the biggest transportation crisis for the people of northern Bangladesh has been the availability of tickets. Yesterday, a reader’s opinion on this issue was published in The Daily Ittefaq. It stated that residents of Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Rangpur, Nilphamari, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha, and Bogura... Details

When Summer Turns Deadly

Editorial — Sat, 23 May 2026 10:26:39 +0600

The scorching heat of Jyoishtho is not a new experience for the people of Bangladesh. However, the oppressive heat, abnormal humidity, and unusual temperature patterns of the current year have created such unbearable conditions that they can no longer be dismissed as merely a seasonal discomfort. On one side of the country there are heatwaves, while on the other there are storms and... Details

Flowers or Thorns?

Editorial — Tue, 19 May 2026 23:05:59 +0600

As human civilization has advanced, one truth has become increasingly clear—human beings do not survive merely through external power; the foundation of their existence is built upon moral conduct. The true character of a society is determined by how its citizens treat one another. For human beings do not live alone. They live within relationships, within interactions, and above all,... Details

Bangladesh vs. Extreme Weather

Editorial — Mon, 18 May 2026 20:20:54 +0600

Bangladesh is a land where agriculture, the economy, and daily life are deeply intertwined with nature. The people of this country predict the future of crops by observing the clouds in the sky and judge the security of their livelihoods by watching the flow of rivers. But in recent years, nature seems to have begun losing its normal rhythm. The cycle of seasons... Details

The Wrong War on Rabies

Editorial — Sun, 17 May 2026 10:05:44 +0600

Rabies is increasingly becoming a new source of fear in Bangladesh. From the capital to rural areas, people are falling victim to attacks by dogs and cats. In some places there is a shortage of vaccines, in others delays in treatment, and elsewhere sheer mismanagement. The recent deaths of five people from rabies in Gaibandha have made the severity of this crisis even more apparent. Every... Details

Living with Thirst

Editorial — Tue, 12 May 2026 11:53:34 +0600

The greatest and most pressing problem in the lives of people living in our coastal areas is the severe shortage of safe drinking water. Although rivers, canals, wetlands, and vast bodies of water surround these regions, the suffering of the people for potable and pure water is becoming increasingly intense. Due to salinity, the water is unsuitable for drinking, and as a result, most coastal... Details

Behind The Bars

Editorial — Sun, 10 May 2026 10:03:03 +0600

One of the major standards of a civilized state is how it treats the people under its custody. Those held in prisons may be convicted criminals, accused persons, or undertrial detainees; but none of them lose their citizenship. Ensuring their right to life, medical care, and human dignity is both a constitutional and moral responsibility of the state. Unfortunately, the report titled... Details

Education or Illusion?

Editorial — Sun, 03 May 2026 09:42:02 +0600

At present, the education system of Bangladesh has fallen into a troubling crisis. Various international organizations, especially recent reports by the World Bank, are clearly pointing out a harsh and unpleasant truth. According to them, although the rate of education in Bangladesh has increased on paper, it remains backward in terms of quality. It is deeply regrettable that the knowledge... Details

When Silence Becomes a Crime

Editorial — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 23:14:47 +0600

In human society, the question of right and wrong often seems to be determined by loud voices of protest and resistance. Those who can raise their voices the most, who can organize protest or resistance—appear to be the victors, as if they alone hold the right to everything. . On the other hand, those who cannot protest seem destined to become victims of oppression. If we look at nature,... Details

No Alternative to Patience

Editorial — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 09:51:32 +0600

The world is still unstable. Once again, global attention is on Pakistan, where a second round of peace talks has begun. What will be the outcome of these discussions between the United States and Iran? Will the deadlock be broken? Will peace return to the Middle East? Due to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, instability has emerged in global trade, and countries of the third world—including... Details

Struggling, Yet Surviving

Editorial — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 10:18:06 +0600

In the history of human civilization, there are periods of stagnation that are not easily overcome. The coronavirus pandemic of 2020–2021, followed by the Russia–Ukraine war over the past four years, and before we could even recover from that, the Iran–United States war began on February 28, 2026. So today, standing at the end of April, it may feel to us that we are in a very bad state. The... Details

Who Listens?

Editorial — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:58:43 +0600

Behind the scenes of history, ages of silence have arisen again and again. In those times, it is seen that the words meant to reach certain ears no longer reach them. As a result, a question emerges—whom can one speak to, and even if one does, who will listen? In one chapter of ancient Babylon, it appears as though knowledge itself had become its own shadow. The mutual dependence of... Details

The Mob Menace

Editorial — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:48:23 +0600

The brutal attack on Principal Nur Sakhawat Hossain Mia of Adiyabad Islamia High School and College in Raipura, Narsingdi, is a grotesque manifestation of mob culture. A principal—someone who serves as a beacon of light in society and a builder of human character—was publicly humiliated at his own workplace in broad daylight by a group of unruly outsiders. They even went so far as to drag him... Details

Vaccine Crisis Threatens Public Health

Editorial — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 09:31:27 +0600

Recently, Bangladesh’s public health sector has faced a deep crisis, which is not merely an administrative failure but rather a reckless gamble with the lives of a nation’s future generations. According to a news report published yesterday, due to the shortsighted planning of the previous interim government and bureaucratic complications, the country’s disease prevention and... Details

How Long Will Superpowers Rule the World?

Editorial — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 09:56:55 +0600

When we look at world history, a bitter truth becomes evident: behind the global order, an invisible yet firm authority has long been at work. Although this authority outwardly presents itself in the language of development, stability, or human rights, its underlying objective is often the consolidation of unilateral power and the expansion of influence. A superpower state, possessing... Details

Mercy in Decline

Editorial — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:41:54 +0600

Recently, the horrifying picture of cruelty and ruthlessness that has emerged in the social psyche of Bangladesh is not only alarming, but has also become a source of deep shame for conscientious people. The kind of brutal treatment we are witnessing toward helpless animals and birds does not reflect a civilized society. Throwing live dogs or chickens into shrine ponds to be devoured by... Details

Why Nations Fail to Rise

Editorial — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 09:29:01 +0600

The true wealth of a nation or territory lies not in its soil, rivers, or minerals—but in its people. For the soil is silent, minerals are inert; only human beings possess the ability to think, create, make mistakes, and then correct themselves to move forward on the path of progress. Therefore, the nation that can cultivate its people is the one that leaves a distinct mark on the course... Details

Power, Pride, and Fall

Editorial — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:54:19 +0600

Human civilization has, at various times in the past, arrived at moments of profound instability. Such a moment has returned once again. The declared ceasefire between the United States and Iran may, at first glance, appear to open a small door toward peace, but the instability and mistrust that lie behind that door cannot be ignored. Immediately after the announcement of the ceasefire, we... Details

When Minors Commit Major Crimes

Editorial — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 20:25:33 +0600

Recenly, various undesirable incidents contributing to the deterioration of law and order in the country are increasingly being observed, and one of the major causes is the rising tendency of adolescents toward criminal activities. This issue is no longer merely a source of family concern; rather, it has become a matter of national anxiety. A recent research report by the Law Commission... Details

High Tech, Low Thought

Editorial — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 10:26:24 +0600

In the history of human civilization, there are certain moments that are not merely technological achievements, but symbols of the deepest potential of human thought.After more than five decades, humanity has once again set out toward the Moon aboard a crewed spacecraft—an event that marks such a transformative chapter. NASA’s Artemis II mission, which will carry four astronauts to... Details

When Demand Creates Crisis

Editorial — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 11:36:12 +0600

Due to the impact of ongoing conflicts, the world is now plunged into a deep energy crisis. Geopolitical instability and the ongoing war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel have severely disrupted global energy supply chains, pushing the availability of oil and gas in many countries into serious uncertainty. In particular, import-dependent energy economies like Bangladesh are already... Details

When Lies Look Real

Editorial — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 09:55:42 +0600

Deception is an ancient phenomenon in the history of human civilization. Rather, throughout the ages, deceivers have refined their tactics by leveraging the technologies of their time. Where once people were misled through forged documents, false identities, or rumors, today the same acts have gained a new dimension through modern technology—particularly social media. Facebook, which for... Details

Who Is Responsible?

Editorial — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:18:59 +0600

The bus accident that occurred on March 25 at Daulatdia ferry terminal has once again shaken our national conscience. What was supposed to be a routine and comfortable journey turned into a tragedy in an instant. During this Eid season, several other accidents have also taken place across the country, resulting in many casualties. Following the Daulatdia incident, the familiar question arises... Details

AI Is Here—Are We Ready?

Editorial — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 21:36:25 +0600

In the long history of human civilization, there have been certain inventions that completely transformed the way people live. The discovery of fire illuminated the darkness and laid the primitive foundation for cooking, protection, and technology. The invention of the wheel greatly increased the speed of human movement and trade, planting the first seeds of globalization. The Industrial... Details

Why Are Our Roads Still Unsafe?

Editorial — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 10:15:38 +0600

The flow of Eid travelers from the capital Dhaka to different parts of the country has already begun. Unfortunately, behind this joyful journey there often lies a harsh reality—road accidents. A research report published in newspapers on Saturday stated that at least 314 locations across the country are at varying levels of risk for road accidents. The Road Safety Foundation analyzed... Details

Journey to Home

Editorial — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 13:08:32 +0600

Eid al‑Fitr is a unique festival of joy, harmony, and reunion in our national life. After a long month of fasting and spiritual discipline, this celebration brings a sense of spiritual peace and a special opportunity for family bonding. However, the unfortunate reality is that every year as Eid approaches, severe suffering descends upon the country’s roads, highways, railways, and waterways.... Details

The Silent Kidney Threat

Editorial — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 22:44:02 +0600

Yesterday was World Kidney Day. To understand the importance of the kidney, we may recall a foreign story. Many thousands of years ago, a man received a miraculous gift from an angel—the gift of two immortal kidneys. The angel told him that these kidneys would never fail and would never become diseased. As long as the Earth existed, these kidneys would keep him alive. According to the... Details

Fuel Crisis Lessons

Editorial — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 15:29:04 +0600

The world is now a global village. As a result, conflicts occurring thousands of miles away on the geographic map can shake the global economy and supply systems. The situation created by the conflict between Iran and Israel in the Middle East carries a similar implication for Bangladesh. The war is not taking place on our soil; yet its impact has already begun to reach our lives. The Strait... Details

Red Tape vs Development

Editorial — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 10:24:02 +0600

In developing countries, the slow pace of work at every level of governance has almost become a kind of disease. Even though there are clear guidelines regarding what procedures should be followed in administrative work or how long a project should last, in reality these guidelines are hardly reflected in practice. Instead, what is often seen is a kind of sluggishness or stagnation in work.... Details

Superbugs and the Safety of Hospitals

Editorial — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 10:10:56 +0600

One of the great achievements of modern medical science is its ability to bring human life back from the brink of death. The Intensive Care Unit, or ICU, stands as a symbol of that achievement—a place where medical technology, professional skill, and dedicated care combine to create an intensive system for saving lives. Yet if this very refuge of life-saving care becomes a source of new... Details

The Deepening Culture of Violence

Editorial — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 10:36:28 +0600

A society never turns violent overnight—it slowly, invisibly collapses from within through moral decay. The series of brutal killings reported across different parts of the country in recent times are not merely isolated crimes; rather, they reflect a deep psychological illness within our social fabric. In the capital’s busiest areas, dismembered human limbs were recovered. In... Details

A Nation at a Crossroads

Editorial — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 11:10:21 +0600

After the mass uprising of August 5, 2024, Bangladesh naturally entered a complex and sensitive period of political transition. Across various spheres—state structure, administrative functions, economic activities, and law and order—signs of multifaceted instability became evident. In the public mind, a strange coexistence of anxiety, fear, and expectation could be observed.... Details

Salinity Surge Threatens Chattogram’s Water Supply

Editorial — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 23:04:40 +0600

Due to salinity, Chattogram WASA (Water Supply and Sewerage Authority) has been unable to collect sufficient water for its needs in recent years. The organization extracts water from the Halda and Karnaphuli rivers, treats it, and supplies it to the city. However, in recent years, seawater has been entering the rivers, causing the salinity levels in the WASA water to steadily increase. As a... Details

Digital Service Needs Digital Security

Editorial — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 21:12:54 +0600

Online death registration has been suspended for the past three months to avoid security risks following incidents of data breaches. As a result, service seekers are facing immense hardship. Currently, several links in the system are inaccessible, preventing users from completing registrations. Although emails have been sent to every office under the Office of the Registrar General of Birth... Details

Will Nagad Sale Help or Harm Users?

Editorial — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 20:03:04 +0600

Mobile Financial Services (MFS) today are not merely a means of financial transactions. They have become an essential part of rural economies, small entrepreneurs, and the daily lives of marginalized communities. In this context, an important question arises: if the profitable and popular MFS provider Nagad is sold, will it truly bring benefits to ordinary people? Economic principles suggest... Details

Language Is Our Identity

Editorial — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 11:32:35 +0600

A poet once posed the question: “Pause and think for a moment—why do birds sing?” A bird’s song is not merely a matter of aesthetics—it is a tool of survival. Science tells us that through their calls birds signal danger, attract mates, and arrange reproduction. Thus, song is their social contract, their bridge of communication, an essential necessity of life.... Details

Fresh Leadership, Fresh Optimism

Editorial — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:27:45 +0600

Under the leadership of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, the new government of Bangladesh has made a good beginning. Newly appointed ministers in various ministries have started attending office and are making hopeful statements to the media. To tackle the challenges facing the new administration, the Prime Minister has pledged to work even on Saturdays, the weekly holiday. At the first... Details

The Secret of Immortality

Editorial — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 11:26:52 +0600

The Almighty Creator has adorned this earth with such exquisite beauty that when one beholds it, the human heart inevitably becomes humble. The green shade of forests, the flowing melody of rivers, the chirping of birds, and the vast expanse of the blue sky—each layer seems to carry the language of profound harmony. The intricate design upon every flower naturally compels one to bow... Details

A Benchmark Election in Bangladesh

Editorial — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 10:32:40 +0600

The fundamental strength of democracy lies not merely in political competition. Rather, its true test is reflected in public participation, administrative efficiency, and the peaceful exercise of voting rights. In that sense, Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election and the parallel referendum constituted an exceptional and massive undertaking. By completing it successfully, the... Details

Festivity or Fatal Risk?

Editorial — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:26:20 +0600

The news of more than fifty people, including children, suffering burn injuries due to a gas balloon explosion brought for an election rally in the Honda Road area of Tongi, near the capital Dhaka, is extremely tragic and alarming. According to eyewitness accounts, the accident occurred just before a rally organized by a nominated candidate of a major political party. Among the injured, 12... Details

People vs Politics

Editorial — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:42:25 +0600

The most important attribute of a state is its sense of justice. Because the existence of a state is not founded merely on territory—it is founded on people’s trust, confidence, and sense of security. When even the child of a poor family living in a remote region of a country becomes a victim of injustice, that incident is not just the misfortune of one family—it signals a... Details

Power Changes, Problems Don’t

Editorial — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 10:36:08 +0600

In developing, or so-called Third World, countries, it often seems like a distant dream for national elections to be free, fair, peaceful, acceptable, and inclusive. The characteristics of these countries—most of which gained independence after the Second World War—have evolved in such a way that elections frequently turn into a farce. In particular, because it is often not... Details

Who Are We After 50 Years?

Editorial — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 12:59:53 +0600

More than five and a half decades have passed since independence. In the judgment of history, this is by no means a short period. Many nations, within this span, have consolidated their state structures, built social order and civic character, and institutionalized a sense of collective self-respect. Yet when one looks at Bangladesh, a troubling question arises: have we truly succeeded in... Details

Roads Without Rules

Editorial — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 17:04:52 +0600

About two weeks ago, a student named Sabikun Nahar Shashi was killed at a bus stand in Patuakhali. To describe her death merely as a “killing” would be an understatement; rather, her untimely death occurred because she became entangled in a reckless race between two buses. After the incident, eyewitness accounts revealed a chilling picture—it emerged that at the bus stand, a passenger bus and... Details

Drugs vs Dreams

Editorial — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 10:56:34 +0600

Drugs are a lethal addiction and a grave global problem. They pose a serious threat to public health, social security, and the economy. No country—developed, underdeveloped, or developing—is free from their harmful effects. Drugs play a disgraceful role in illegal trafficking, the rise of various crimes, and the destruction of the future of the younger generation. Yet the political... Details

Passengers or Prey

Editorial — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 15:53:46 +0600

There is a widely known moral maxim in Bengali that says, “In the pursuit of base instincts, humanity is destroyed.” Driven by greed, lust, deception, and fraud—such ignoble tendencies—human beings often engage in actions that are not seen in any other species. Animals kill one another merely to satisfy hunger or to ensure their own survival—this is the law of... Details

Public Money, Private Fortunes

Editorial — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 13:04:20 +0600

Those who took to the streets against exploitation, discrimination, and injustice long before the birth of Bangladesh carried in their hearts a vision of the country as a sacred pledge bound to the soul itself. With a chest full of emotion, they would sing that song by Dwijendralal Roy—“May I be born in this land, may I die in this land.” They regarded patriotism as a part of faith. To them,... Details

Privacy on Sale

Editorial — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 20:30:09 +0600

The National Identity Card (NID) server is a repository of extremely sensitive personal data of Bangladesh’s citizens. Ensuring the security of this server is one of the Election Commission’s (EC) primary responsibilities. However, some recent reports have left us stunned. Investigations by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) reveal that a thriving “marketplace”... Details

Smart Irrigation, Smarter Agriculture

Editorial — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 10:12:55 +0600

Modern Agricultural Technology and New Horizons in Farming It would not be an exaggeration to say that the technological advancements recently achieved in Bangladesh’s agricultural system have essentially ushered in the beginning of a second “Green Revolution”. Although the amount of arable land in this densely populated country is steadily decreasing, agricultural... Details

The Future Speaks English

Editorial — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 22:47:35 +0600

Today’s world has truly become a global village. Owing to remarkable advancements in communication systems and information technology, it has become easier than ever to emerge as global citizens. This has opened up vast opportunities for people to pursue more advanced and desirable lifestyles. Although language still functions as a barrier, it is possible that in the near future... Details

Know Your Limits

Editorial — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 10:38:26 +0600

We are living in an era where change is happening at a rapid pace, like a fast-moving film. In the whirlwind of modern life, mental stress has become an inseparable companion. It’s like a silent killer—eroding the body from within, overwhelming the mind, and draining the soul. Amid global conflicts, economic instability, and social decay, many feel that life itself is becoming a... Details

Long Working Hours, Short Lives

Editorial — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 18:00:20 +0600

In Bangladesh, diabetes is silently consuming the lives and livelihoods of countless people. Behind the abstract numbers in the International Diabetes Federation statistics published in Ittefaq lie thousands of untold tragedies. The most alarming figure is this: more than 13.8 million people in Bangladesh are now affected by this chronic disease. This naturally raises the question — why... Details

For a Few Dollars More ...

Editorial — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 19:54:04 +0600

When a nation passes through a critical period—when everyone is heard saying, “The situation is not good, there is no comfort anywhere, no peace”—even then, one particular group manages to remain “perfectly well”. What is the secret behind the well-being of some people even in moments of crisis? A fitting answer to this question might be: even in times of... Details

Health Hazards Rise Behind the Bars

Editorial — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 17:51:23 +0600

Prisons, jails, or correctional facilities are a kind of “separate world”—a place where even the vast sky seems out of sight. It is often said that those who have never been to prison can never truly understand what it really is. From the outside, one only sees the tall, imposing walls, but once inside, it becomes clear that within the prison lies another prison—along... Details

The Dengue Clock Is Ticking

Editorial — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 21:11:35 +0600

The dengue situation across the country has taken on a dreadful shape; yet, due to various issues—including the upcoming national elections—the matter seems to be getting swept under the rug. It is almost as if the attention of local public representatives is no longer on this issue. However, according to a report published yesterday on The Daily Ittefaq online, the number of... Details

Earth Strikes Back

Editorial — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 17:52:56 +0600

Melissa’s cries are still echoing in the skies over Jamaica. Winds raging at nearly 300 kilometers per hour, tidal surges rising four meters high, entire communities reduced to rubble—together, it all seems like a gigantic monster has unleashed its furious wrath and laid everything to waste. In the history of human civilization, this Category 5 hurricane is not merely a natural... Details

Power Lies in the People, Not the Ruler

Editorial — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 18:06:57 +0600

The question of what the stability of a state depends on has been answered by human civilization over many millennia. The answer is simple—the people. Whether a king, emperor, ruler, or a democratically elected leader—regardless of who holds power—the foundation of state power is built on the approval of the people. Therefore, the life force of the living structure called the... Details

Shortcuts to Self-Destruction

Editorial — Sat, 18 Oct 2025 15:00:19 +0600

For decades, a strange belief has spread through society — that one cannot survive by being honest. People seem to think that walking the straight path means losing in the battle of life. As a result, “cunning” has now become a sort of life philosophy. The modern formula for success seems to be: take whatever you can, wherever you can. Yet this very “culture of cunning” is silently eroding our... Details

Not All Leaders Are Statesmen

Editorial — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 18:25:11 +0600

It is well known that running a state requires power, intelligence, strategy, and skill. Yet, to protect and guide a nation toward progress demands something rarer — moral strength, mental wisdom, and foresight. The future of a state depends not only on its administrative structure but, more crucially, on those who steer that structure — the political leadership. Politics is among... Details

Good Politicians, Bad Politics

Editorial — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 03:44:04 +0600

The renowned U.S. diplomat Henry Kissinger lived to be a hundred. His experience with politics, diplomacy, and political figures was, in a word, exceptional. Drawing on that experience, he once remarked that 90 percent of politicians give the remaining 10 percent a bad name. In other words, in his view, only about 10 percent of politicians are genuinely good—those who are undeserving of... Details

When Power Turns Into A Cage

Editorial — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 20:39:03 +0600

There is a well-known Bangla idiom we have been hearing since childhood — “riding on the tiger’s back.” Its literal meaning is to be in danger or to engage in an extremely risky act. It implies a situation where one risks losing power or inviting destruction. The phrase describes a condition in which someone becomes dependent on a powerful or dangerous entity (like a tiger), such that if... Details

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Remembering and Learning from History

Sharafat Hussain — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 20:32:28 +0600

September 30 is observed across Canada as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation—a day that honours the survivors of residential schools, remembers the children who never returned home, and calls on all Canadians to reflect on shared history. Remembering the Legacy For more than a century, residential schools operated across the country, removing Indigenous children from their... Details

Everything Ends

Editorial — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 22:46:42 +0600

Recently, leading international media outlets such as the BBC, CNN, ABC and Reuters published a striking and meaningful photo, video and “news” item. It was not created by them, but the image and footage carried a clear message. Russian travel blogger Vadim Makhorov, while flying a drone over Kolyuchin Island in Russia, discovered several polar bears roaming inside an abandoned... Details

Why Free Expression Protects Us All

Editorial — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 21:19:01 +0600

In the list of fundamental rights in any civilized society, freedom of expression comes first. This is a remarkable right—natural to the human mind yet equally irritating to state power. Ordinary people tend to speak the very things that sound unpleasant to rulers; and the first task of the ruler is to suppress those disturbing words. Thus, throughout history, the suppression of dissent... Details

Bangladesh’s Job Engine Losing Steam

Editorial — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 21:35:43 +0600

The main driving force of Bangladesh’s economy is the private sector. Yet after the latest political shift, a series of lawsuits, vandalism, takeovers, and labor unrest have thrown industrial entrepreneurs into a severe crisis whose effects are visible everywhere. Many businesspeople and entrepreneurs have been forced to leave the country, factories have been shut down, and those who... Details

The High Price of Change

Editorial — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 11:37:45 +0600

On this dusty earth, change and evolution are natural and inherent processes. Without change, the development and progress of humankind are impossible. The very word “change” excites people’s minds. It is also a dazzling political slogan. Around the world, many governments have come to power simply by promising “change.” Revolutions and counter-revolutions have... Details

When Youth Have Degrees but No Jobs

Editorial — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 15:22:09 +0600

Bangladesh’s current unemployment situation—particularly the employment crisis among educated youth—signals a new and alarming warning. The 2024 Labour Force Survey published by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics reveals that the number of unemployed graduates has risen to nearly 885,000. The unemployment rate among graduates now stands at 13.50 percent, an increase from the... Details

Guardians of Law Ride Rented Vehicles

Editorial — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 21:33:30 +0600

On September 1, a brutal attack on the police took place in Adabor, Dhaka. While attempting to rescue a young man held by miscreants, police members came under heavy assault. Their vehicles were vandalized, officers were beaten and injured, and one constable was killed in a stabbing attack. This was not an isolated incident—attacks on police by miscreants have been increasing at an... Details

Justice or Humiliation?

Editorial — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 22:01:05 +0600

One of the key features of democracy is the rule of law. Without it, democracy cannot function in any country. In many third-world nations, however, the rule of law is repeatedly undermined. The influential often defy the law, and verdicts are frequently subject to covert influence from the powerful—sometimes even direct interference. Courts are supposed to be the people’s last... Details

From Hope to Havoc

Editorial — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 20:38:22 +0600

History shows repeatedly that after a country experiences a “revolution” or mass uprising, there follows an outpouring of excessive emotion, public anger, and fierce hatred toward the previous ruler. Yet, in many cases, what is termed a “social revolution” turns out to be nothing more than a popular uprising to change the government. After such a change of power,... Details

When Roads Become a Goldmine

Editorial — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 23:07:25 +0600

The cost of road construction in Bangladesh is much higher compared to many other countries. To find ways to reduce this expense, the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges has decided to form a review committee. It is reported that Sheikh Moinuddin, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, will be made the head of this committee. The committee is expected to be formed within the next 15 days... Details

Law Exists, Enforcement Missing

Editorial — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 22:33:58 +0600

One of the fundamental characteristics of a democratic country is the rule of law. Without establishing the rule of law, no country can become orderly or civilized. In developing countries, there is both a lack of rule of law and a shortage of sufficient laws relating to citizens’ rights and welfare. The influence of colonial laws still persists to a large extent in these countries. Even... Details

Rule of Law or Rule by Law?

Editorial — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 19:40:44 +0600

On Friday, while federal agents were raiding the Washington, D.C. residence of former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton, FBI Director Kash Patel wrote a brief remark on the social media platform X. Without mentioning anyone’s name or giving any details, he wrote a single sentence: “No one is above the law.” A plain truth. That is how it should be. But it was clear to... Details

When Disinformation Turns into Digital Violence

Sonia Abdullah — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 21:03:12 +0600

Disinformation has become a familiar menace in Bangladesh’s digital landscape, but its gendered dimensions are often overlooked. The recent barrage of manipulated videos, fabricated reports, and AI-generated images targeting women underscores how disinformation is being weaponized to shame, silence, and stigmatize. Disinformation refers to the deliberate creation and spread of false or... Details

The Prince Has No Place in Democracy

Editorial — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 18:50:56 +0600

In the history of political thought, the name of Niccolò Machiavelli is widely discussed. In 1532, through his book The Prince, he offered principles and advice for state governance that reshaped Western political thinking. How a ruler should seize and preserve power, how to govern subjects, how to suppress enemies—on these issues Machiavelli gave so-called realistic yet morally detached... Details

No Liberty, No Democracy

Editorial — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 20:40:27 +0600

A state becomes truly independent and developed only when the rights of every citizen are protected. Unfortunately, in many developing countries we often see citizens’ fundamental rights being obstructed at every step. Yet, ordinary people’s demands are very modest. They do not usually care much about who is in power or who will come to power. Their main concerns are ensuring... Details

Livestock Aren’t Safe Anymore

Editorial — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 19:20:58 +0600

Theft has been an ancient profession in the subcontinent. Perhaps the reason lies in the abundance of “opportunities” for theft here, which, when exploited, has elevated stealing into something of an art. Francis Bacon once said, “A thief is made perfect only by a good opportunity.” In other words, once given the chance, a thief does not hesitate. Following the recent... Details

From Stress to Strength

Click Ittefaq Desk. — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 19:07:05 +0600

We are living in an era where change moves at the speed of a fast-moving film. On one side, there is technological advancement; on the other, war, unrest, and various disasters—people seem to face new trials by fire every day. In this whirlwind of modern life, mental stress has become an inseparable companion. It is like a silent killer—eroding the body from within, clouding the... Details

Justice Dies in the Crowd

Editorial — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 19:23:30 +0600

The killing of two individuals in a mob beating on suspicion of stealing a van in Taraganj, Rangpur has shocked the nation. This brutality has horrified and disturbed conscientious citizens. A video of the lynching has already spread on social media. When the so-called “best of creation” falls from grace, the depths to which they can sink is exemplified by this incident. The video... Details

Death Served Without Trial

Editorial — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 20:46:11 +0600

A tragic incident took place last Saturday night in Ghanirampur village under Kursha Union of Taraganj upazila in Rangpur. That night, Rup Lal Das and his niece’s husband, Pradip Das, were killed in a mob beating. Their families are now in mourning, asking one question—what was their fault? Rup Lal Das was a cobbler, a shoe repairman, while Pradip Das was a van puller. While... Details

Power Isn’t a Trophy — It’s a Test

Editorial — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 13:11:30 +0600

Who sits in the seat of power in a country is a political question. But what the responsibilities of a ruler are — that is essentially a question of duty. The very moment state responsibility is entrusted to someone, their one and only foremost duty becomes ensuring citizens’ basic security, order, and a conducive working environment. For the state is not private property. It does... Details

Nuts, Bolts, and a Nation at Risk

Editorial — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 21:08:43 +0600

In the dead of night, in a deserted alley of the city, a group of teenage boys roams like shadows. In their hands—wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers. One has a rope tied to his waist; another walks along, puffing on a cigarette. Suddenly, they stop—huddled near a lonely flyover pillar, they lean toward a steel girder. Click… click… One by one, they start unscrewing the nuts and bolts. No one stops... Details