One would expect the concept of “terrorism” to convey the same meaning for all in this country. It is not quite the case yet.

Bangladesh is one of the most disaster prone countries in the world, and has not only experienced several catastrophes in its young history, but is persistently hit by seasonal disasters.

A total of 16 amendments have been brought to our constitution over the past four decades. But it is difficult to find any amendment which was actually aimed at improving the constitution's quality, enhancing people's rights and paving the way for flourishing democracy.

On July 26, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia said 'a caretaker government is not a must for holding national election, but it has to be held under a neutral government, no matter what its name is'.

There is mounting evidence that sustainable solutions must have local support and local partners. Raising funds to import solutions from abroad addresses just one part of the challenge.

When I joined the first private bank of Bangladesh some 27 years ago, the definition of a good banker remained as before: a star performer who returns home at night walking with an unsteady gait almost like a drunkard. Unfortunately, the definition still applies.

Rajapaksa's re-entry into politics has changed the total complexion of the election. He organised large rallies and spoke as though he was the PM candidate. He is still popular and has taken the centre stage in the campaign.

Imagine there is a bridge collapse. Starting from the concerned minister's naki via the chief engineer's naki through six administrative levels and two technical levels, each crossing out because of some masterly nakis; the blame ultimately falls on an MLSS, who did not report to duty on the fateful day.

On July 30, Yakub Memon, a chartered accountant and the brother of a notorious gangster now living in self-imposed exile, was hanged for complicity in the planning and execution of serial bomb blasts that killed 257 people in Mumbai in 1993.

The Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 signed by US President Barack Obama on June 29, 2015, brings afresh the concerns and frustrations of Bangladesh.

It was none other than Professor Abdur Razzak who could read Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman correctly, and that is why he had considered him as “a symbol of Bangladesh”.

The tragic hero, Aristotle wrote, suffers a change in fortune because of a mistaken act to which is led by his “error in judgement” or his “tragic flaw”.

This year the nation will be observing the 40th death anniversary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. On this day forty years ago a group of assassins brutally murdered the Father of the Nation along with his entire family.

I am not in support of the fact that Bangladesh was left out of the GSP programme by the US. It smells of double standards.

It is very unfortunate. The world knows that conditions are getting better in Bangladesh. We are working closely with the government, the ILO, the EU and others.

Though US-Bangla interactions have evolved on a love-hate trajectory, an exception is made in relation to the GSP facility for Bangladesh. Dhaka's obsession with it has not been reciprocated by Washington.

There are nearly as many different opinions about what Bangladesh should focus on to achieve middle-income status as there are Bangladeshis.

When it comes to TV viewership, the Zee TV serials are at the center of the universe. Homework has to be finished.

The BNP's latest stance brings about a pleasant break. If the party really accepts the idea of a 'neutral' caretaker government, instead of its original demand—a non-party caretaker government—it means that the party has accepted the changed political atmosphere and has learned to concede some ground to gain more.

Vrinda Grover, human rights lawyer at the Supreme Court of India and advocate for women's rights, talks to Amitava Kar of The Daily Star about the hurdles people of this region face seeking justice and how to possibly overcome them. Vrinda Grover was one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2013.