United News of Bangladesh

As I leave Bangladesh moving on to my next assignment as the Ambassador of India to Belgium and European Union, there are so many thoughts that come to my mind. We stayed in Dhaka for nearly four years — longer than the usual three-year tenure. We saw multiple transitions during this time. Each very different from the other. Each with a new set of interlocutors. Each with its own prism for looking at relations with India. It could be challenging at times. But when I look back, it was an enriching and rewarding experience. My wife Manu and I will carry many indelible memories from here. Many people touched our lives in remarkable ways, building bonds of friendship that will far outlast our diplomatic association with this country. Working in Bangladesh, I have realized how truly special and unique our relations are. At one level, we are connected by shared geography, history, language and traditions. We have a cultural affinity and empathy that is difficult to find between any other two societies. At a deeper level, we are emotionally connected by our shared sacrifices of 1971 during the Liberation War of Bangladesh. Ours is also a relationship of significant interdependencies and interlinkages. A prosperous Bangladesh is in India’s interest, as much as a prosperous India is in the interest of Bangladesh.I am convinced that it is this reality of our societal, cultural and emotional connections, and it is this logic of interdependence and mutual benefit that will continue guiding and taking forward our relations. Both India and Bangladesh have come a long way in the 55 years since Bangladesh was born. We both are more capable, more confident, more connected and more aspirational societies than we ever were. We both are important stakeholders in the peace, stability and development of our shared region. Cooperation between our two countries is critical to address shared challenges like climate change and environmental sustainability. As the two largest economies of the region, we both have to be the anchors for closer regional integration. Because we are so different today from our past, I also believe that we need a new, future-oriented agenda for our engagement. An agenda that is aligned with our new capabilities, new aspirations and new national development priorities. An agenda that is driven by our strong cultural and economic linkages. And an agenda that is based on mutual interest, mutual benefit and mutual respect. As two rapidly growing countries, our geographical proximity is an asset for both of us, not a liability. And we must constantly endeavour to transform this proximity into new opportunities for both of us. I am hopeful that all well-wishers of India-Bangladesh relations will come together to build upon this shared vision and its realization. I leave Bangladesh, feeling ever more optimistic about the future of our relationship. Four years is a long time, but not long enough with the fondness and emotional attachment that we have developed for this country and its people. Despite its share of ups and downs, our time in Bangladesh will remain etched in our memory as the most cherished posting for both me and my wife, simply for the incredible friendships we struck here and the warmth and affection we received from its people all across the country. We look forward to remaining in touch with many kind-hearted, gracious friends from literally all walks of life in Bangladesh who touched our hearts so deeply. We hope our paths will cross again — sometime, somewhere! Until then, all I want to say is — Aabaar Dekha Hobe!   Pranay Verma is the outgoing High Commissioner of India

Since the outbreak of the war between Iran and the United States, Italy has acted together with its European partners, the G7 and multilateral organisations to promote a cessation of hostilities, ensure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and restore stability in the Middle East. Within this framework, our country has expressed its willingness to take part, once the conflict has ended, in an international defensive coalition aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait. As I recalled in recent hours in my address to a parliamentary committee in Italy, for our Government the blockade of Hormuz is not a mere regional crisis, but a global shock destined to affect energy security, industrial competitiveness and international economic balances. This is a particularly significant risk for all countries in the region, but also for an exporting country such as Italy, whose exports account for around 40% of GDP. The Strait of Hormuz, as we know, is a strategic hub of global trade: around 20% of global oil, a quarter of liquefied natural gas exports and a significant share of raw materials essential to international supply chains pass through it. The insecurity of trade routes and rising energy prices have already begun to affect European households and businesses. Despite the slowdown in global trade and the impact of tariffs, in 2025 Italian exports still grew by 3.3%, confirming how essential the stability of maritime routes is to the national economy. What concerns us, however, is not only the impact on domestic industry. Alarm is also growing over the consequences for the most fragile countries in Africa and the wider Mediterranean region. Around 30% of global fertiliser exports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, and these are essential for the food security of many vulnerable economies. The case of Sudan, where one of the world’s most serious humanitarian crises continues to unfold, is emblematic. Rising energy and fertiliser prices risk reducing agricultural production, fuelling inflation and worsening instability, famine and migratory flows towards Europe. For this reason, at the beginning of May we convened a meeting together with my Croatian counterpart — the current President of the MED9 — inviting thirty countries from the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Balkans, as well as the FAO, to launch the “Rome Coalition for Food Security and Access to Fertilisers”, a permanent forum to identify immediate and concrete solutions. Our assessment is that the Hormuz crisis reflects a broader conflict rooted in decades of tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran. In this context, we continue to maintain that diplomacy remains the only viable path, and we reiterate that Tehran must not acquire nuclear weapons or missile systems capable of further destabilising the region. We cannot forget the repression of youth protests in Iran, brutally suppressed by the regime. This repression continues today through arrests and capital executions against opponents. In recent weeks, Tehran has indiscriminately struck residential areas, hotels, hospitals and energy infrastructure in several Gulf countries. These ongoing attacks have been firmly condemned by us, and we have expressed solidarity with the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia. On the diplomatic front, I have maintained constant contact with my friend the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whom I met in Rome in recent days. We agreed on the need to preserve the transatlantic bond and to work jointly for international peace and stability. I also confirmed support for ongoing negotiations in Pakistan, which we consider essential to keeping a diplomatic perspective open. I have continued dialogue with the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, stressing the need for Tehran to negotiate in “good faith” and resume cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, while at the same time rebuilding positive relations with Gulf countries. In recent weeks I also travelled to China, where I met Foreign Minister Wang Yi, whom I urged to play a more active role for Beijing in mediating with Tehran. At the same time, Rome maintains a direct channel with Gulf regional partners, considered indispensable interlocutors for any lasting diplomatic solution and for the future restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait. On the operational level, Italy stands ready to make available the experience gained in European naval missions in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean. In particular, we consider it necessary to strengthen the European mission ASPIDES, which currently sees only Italy and Greece engaged in patrols in the Red Sea to ensure maritime transport security. In the multinational mission that will be launched in the Strait of Hormuz, Italy could contribute to mine-clearing operations and to the safety of commercial navigation. We nevertheless believe that lasting peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without stability in Lebanon. The Italian Government supports the dialogue between Israel and Beirut mediated by the United States and has offered its willingness to host direct talks between the parties. During my mission to Lebanon last April, I reiterated to President Joseph Aoun Italy’s support for a process that turns the current ceasefire into a genuine peace process. Washington and Brussels increasingly look to Rome as a key actor in strengthening the statehood of Beirut, an issue I also addressed during my recent meeting at the Farnesina with the Lebanese Foreign Minister. We also remain fully attentive to the security of our military personnel engaged in the UNIFIL mission, the bilateral MIBIL mission and the Italian-led Military Technical Committee for Lebanon. At the same time, we will continue to call for the protection of Christian communities in the country, following violence by extremist Israeli settlers against villages in southern Lebanon, including those with Christian majorities. The issue of violence by extremist Israeli settlers was also addressed in Brussels, where European ministers have just approved new, significant sanctions against them. In the same session, further sanctions were approved against Hamas terrorists, whose disarmament remains an absolute priority. Italy continues to closely monitor the situation in Gaza and the Palestinian Territories, maintaining an active role in humanitarian assistance and in future reconstruction efforts, with the aim of achieving two states able to live side by side in peace and security. In this context also falls the arrival in Italy, in recent days, of 72 Palestinian students awarded scholarships at Italian universities: an investment we consider part of the training of the future Palestinian ruling class.   Antonio Tajani is the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy

Recently, I accompanied a high-level Bangladeshi delegation on a visit to Beijing’s E-Town area, which is now home to more than 300 robotics companies and a complete industrial chain. In just half an hour, several members of the delegation — including advisers to Bangladesh’s new government and members of parliament — were immersed in what felt like a real-life “world of the future.” They shook hands with robots, watched them dance and make coffee, and even held a conversation with a humanoid robot named “Einstein.”  A young student leader, Md Amanullah Aman, filmed almost every moment of the visit to the robotics exhibition center. He told me he planned to take the video back to Bangladesh to show his friends and classmates. “If one day more young people in Bangladesh can also master robotics technology, it will not only create more employment opportunities for local youth, but also bring the country closer to its dream of prosperity and strength,” he said. What I sensed from the delegation was more than curiosity about new technology; it also reflected the new Bangladeshi government’s interest in deepening ties with China, especially in areas related to innovation, advanced manufacturing, and digital transformation, as well as the strong aspiration of Bangladeshi politicians and the public to accelerate the country’s transition toward high-tech development. Bangladesh’s ambition in technology is not new. Since the launch of the “Digital Bangladesh” initiative in 2008, the country has steadily expanded its ICT sector and built a foundation for digital development. Nationwide telecommunications coverage has improved significantly, and 4G penetration continues to rise. Infrastructure projects involving Chinese companies have also helped strengthen the communications network needed for emerging technologies such as cloud computing and big data. Another major advantage is Bangladesh’s young and dynamic population. Nearly one-third of the country’s citizens are between the ages of 15 and 34, according to the country’s English-language daily newspaper The Daily Star. Universities such as the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and the University of Dhaka offer programs in data science and AI engineering, producing a growing number of skilled graduates each year. With strong English proficiency and relatively low labor costs, Bangladesh is also becoming an increasingly attractive destination for global outsourcing in AI-related services. On the policy front, Bangladesh is moving quickly toward “deep tech.” In recent years, it has placed biotechnology, electronics, artificial intelligence, and robotics within its broader national development agenda. The government has also been working on a more comprehensive AI policy framework to guide research, application, and talent development. These efforts show that Bangladesh is no longer focused only on digital access, but is increasingly looking toward advanced technology and industrial upgrading. China-Bangladesh cooperation in high technology has already moved beyond concept and into practice. In 2024, the two countries upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. A joint statement highlighted China’s support for building a “Smart Bangladesh,” including cooperation in digital innovation laboratories, cloud computing, and digital trade platforms. For Bangladesh, partnering with China in high-tech development is a strategic choice: It can help upgrade the industrial structure and reduce dependence on low-end growth. With its geographic advantages, demographic dividend, and supportive policies — combined with China’s full industrial chain capabilities — Bangladesh has the potential to focus on sectors such as artificial intelligence, software services, electronics manufacturing, and data processing. During this visit, these were exactly the areas the Bangladeshi delegation was most eager to explore. In addition to the robotics exhibition in Beijing’s E-Town, the delegation also traveled to Hefei in Anhui Province, where they visited the production base of JAC Motors. There, they toured advanced new energy vehicle production lines and observed how workers and automated equipment operate in close coordination. They paused frequently to look closely and ask questions as they moved through the facility. The precision, efficiency, and scale of China’s manufacturing system left a strong impression on them. Md. Ismail Zabihullah, Hon'ble Adviser to the Prime Minister and Adviser to the Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, told me that he was especially surprised and impressed by the robotic surgery demonstration he saw in E-Town. He said Bangladesh’s large population is both a pressure and a resource. What the country needs, he noted, is labor-intensive industry, but it also hopes to bring advanced manufacturing and technological capabilities back home. In his view, China has both. From Beijing’s E-Town to Anhui’s new energy vehicle production base, I watched the Bangladeshi delegation observe robots and AI systems coming to life, as well as advanced manufacturing with genuine curiosity and excitement. In their expressions, I could sense a quiet but powerful sense of possibility. They were not only looking at China’s present — they seemed to be imagining Bangladesh’s future. #By Chen Qingqing The author is deputy director of the news desk with the Global Times.

It is easy to think of Sundarbans conservation as a distant effort involving park rangers and wildlife experts protecting trees and tigers. But what if the story is far more intimate? What if a single awareness program at a local school is actively shaping the safety, resilience, and daily lives of an entire coastal village? During a recent EarthScout School Campaign at Burirdabur SESDP Model Secondary School in Dacope, Khulna, WildTeam offered a deceptively simple explanation. The initiative traces a chain of impact that begins with a student in a classroom but extends deep into the mangrove forest. “By learning to respect the forest ecosystem today, you, the students, are preparing to become the true guardians of this World Heritage site tomorrow,” explained Md Obaidul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of the Loudobe Forest Camp and Chief Guest at the event. This is the architecture of community-led conservation. Why Awareness Matters In ecosystems like the Sundarbans, human activity dictates the health of the forest. Without intervention and education, destructive practices such as poison fishing and wildlife poaching can spiral unchecked, stripping the mangroves of the biodiversity that sustains the region. Supported by German Cooperation GIZ and the Bangladesh Forest Department, the EarthScout campaign aims to regulate these behaviors by engaging the next generation. At Burirdabur, this meant bringing together 320 participants—including 180 female students, 120 male students, and 20 teachers—to understand how every species is connected. The Forest-Community Connection In landscapes where communities actively protect their environment, the ecosystem behaves differently. The mangroves stand stronger, acting as a buffer against cyclones and tidal surges. “The Sundarbans acts as a natural shield for our coastal areas, but it needs our protection from destructive human activities,” Md Obaidul Islam pointed out. Instead of the forest slowly degrading, it flourishes, anchoring the soil and providing a secure barrier for the villages nestled along its edge.

In today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world, stress has become an unavoidable part of daily life. While a certain amount of stress is natural and even helpful for growth and survival, excessive or unmanaged stress can seriously harm physical health, mental clarity, emotional balance, and overall well-being. Modern lifestyles filled with constant demands, competition, and digital distractions have turned stress into a silent epidemic affecting people of all ages. Stress can be understood as a state of inner imbalance, where the body, mind, emotions, and consciousness are not aligned with each other. For example, the body may be physically present in one place, while the mind is wandering elsewhere, emotions are unsettled, and awareness is disconnected. In such a condition, a person may feel tense, restless, confused, or physically uncomfortable. Simply put, stress arises when the intensity of a situation exceeds a person’s inner capacity to handle it. Therefore, stress management is not only about reducing external problems but also about increasing inner strength, flexibility, and awareness. Modern life presents numerous sources of stress. Financial instability is one of the most common triggers, especially worries related to income, loans, job security, and future savings. Health-related stress is another major factor, including chronic illnesses, persistent pain, or even fear of disease. Relationship conflicts, such as lack of communication, emotional neglect, divorce, or unresolved childhood trauma also contribute significantly to mental exhaustion and emotional distress. Overambition and workload imbalance have become widespread stressors, particularly among young professionals. Trying to manage multiple responsibilities, unrealistic goals, and constant deadlines often leads to burnout. Poor time-management, procrastination, and lack of planning intensify pressure, especially for students and working individuals. Excessive use of gadgets, continuous social media engagement, and digital overload disturb sleep patterns, reduce productivity, and increase anxiety. In addition, substance use, such as alcohol, tobacco, and drugs, is often mistakenly used as a coping mechanism to escape stress. However, science and experience clearly show that these substances worsen stress over time by disturbing the nervous system and emotional balance. Instead of providing relief, they create dependency and long-term health complications. Stress affects multiple layers of the human system. At the physical level, pain, illness, fatigue, or discomfort directly influence mood and behavior. Physical suffering often leads to irritability, lack of focus, and social withdrawal. At the mental level, stress arises when the mind lacks clarity, direction, or purpose, constantly shifting between past regrets and future worries. Emotional stress develops through uncontrolled emotions such as anger, jealousy, guilt, and resentment. These emotions disturb inner peace and weaken relationships. At the level of consciousness, lack of awareness and purpose creates confusion and vulnerability, making individuals more susceptible to stress and distraction. Stress can be classified in different ways. Based on its nature, stress is divided into positive stress(eustress), negative stress(distress), and neutral stress(neustress). Eustress is beneficial and motivating, helping individuals grow and perform better. Situations such as starting a new job, preparing for a presentation, participating in competitions create healthy stress that encourages development. Distress, on the other hand, occurs when demands exceed coping capacity. It is overwhelming, persistent, and harmful, leading to anxiety, burnout, reduced motivation, and health problems. Neustress is neutral stress that neither benefits nor harms significantly, such as hearing distant news or watching informational documentaries. Stress can also be categorized by duration. Acute stress is short-term and arises from immediate challenges like arguments, interviews, or exams. Episodic acute stress involves frequent episodes of acute stress, often seen in people with hectic lifestyles, constant worry, or poor self-organization. Chronic stress is long-term and deeply damaging, resulting from ongoing problems such as poverty, unhappy marriages, job dissatisfaction, or prolonged health and family issues. Negative and chronic stress gradually affects the body and mind. Research indicates that stress is an underlying cause of nearly 80% of illnesses, and 75–80% of hospital visits are linked to stress-related conditions. Physical symptoms include headaches, heart palpitations, sleep disturbances, unexplained fatigue, body pain, digestive issues, weight changes, excessive sweating, and trembling etc.. Mental and emotional symptoms include anxiety, fear, sadness, mood swings, anger, guilt, social withdrawal, poor concentration, and difficulty making decisions. Stress triggers the release of cortisol, a vital hormone that regulates energy, blood sugar, inflammation, blood pressure, and the sleep–wake cycle. While cortisol is essential, imbalances-either too high or too low can severely affect physical and mental health. Chronic stress keeps cortisol levels higher, weakening immunity and increasing disease risk and drag towards suicide. Alarming global data shows that suicide claims a life every 40 seconds, with nearly 800,000 deaths annually, particularly among young people aged 15 to 29. Fortunately, stress can be reduced naturally through simple daily habits. Spending quality time with friends and family, sharing joys and challenges and maintaining social connections provide emotional support. Proper time management, balanced schedules, and hobbies restore mental freshness. Aligning with nature by waking early, walking barefoot on natural ground, and receiving early morning sunlight improves energy and mood. A light, natural, plant-based diet, adequate hydration, regular body relaxation, and periodic fasting help detoxify the body and calm the mind. Yoga, pranayama, and meditation form a complete system for stress management. Yoga asanas improve physical health and flexibility, pranayama regulates breath and emotions, and meditation enhances focus and awareness. These practices help balance energy centers, calm the nervous system, and harmonize the body-mind connection. Regular practice leads to stable heart rate, improved oxygen utilization, balanced blood pressure, better immunity, and regulated stress hormones. These practices also boost the production of “happy hormones” such as endorphins, serotonin, melatonin, dopamine, oxytocin, and DMT, promoting joy, relaxation, deep sleep, bonding, and inner peace. Studies, including research from Harvard University, show that yoga and meditation can be as effective as medication for managing conditions like high blood pressure, chronic pain, and digestive disorders. Consistent practice has even been associated with increased life expectancy. In conclusion, stress is not just an emotional reaction but a multi-layered imbalance affecting the body, mind, emotions, and consciousness. By cultivating awareness, discipline, and healthy daily practices, stress can be transformed from a destructive force into a source of strength, clarity, and personal growth. Anima Bhandari is currently serving as a Trainer at Jeevan Vigyan Foundation and as the Branch Manager of Nabil Bank at its Kantipath Branch  

There was a time when sailboats swayed on its crystal-clear waters, and the songs of boatmen painted a timeless picture of rural Bengal. Today, the Labandaha river of Gazipur stands among the most endangered rivers in the country — like a wounded body, barely breathing. In the iron grip of encroachment and pollution, this river is losing its glory. Only its memory remains, alongside a suffocating shell of what it once was. The death of Labandaha is not merely the story of one river; it is a long tale of neglect, greed, and indifference. Choked by plastic waste, industrial effluents, and municipal garbage, it ranks among the most polluted rivers in the country. In fact, calling it a river at this point is generous — "canal" or "drain" would be more accurate. Experts say that the burden of unplanned development across the country is falling squarely on its rivers. Tragically, waterways are now considered the ideal dumping ground for waste from virtually every sector. And since rivers are now recognised as living entities, their deaths will ultimately be measured in terms of the human lives they endanger. Climate Change and Health Impacts – An Economic Case for Investment in Bangladesh A Research WarningA recent study covering 56 major rivers found Gazipur's Labandaha among the three most polluted. Conducted by the River and Delta Research Centre (RDRC) in 2022–23, the study measured water quality across these rivers and found that plastic and industrial pollution has spread not only to urban and semi-urban rivers, but even to those in remote areas. For Labandaha, all four water quality indicators necessary to sustain aquatic life and biodiversity are now at alarming levels. Under the Environment Conservation Policy 1997, the ideal pH level of river water should fall between 6 and 9. Labandaha's pH stands at just 5. The Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) should be 200 mg per litre, but here it is recorded at 46 mg/L. Dissolved Oxygen (DO), which should range between 4.5 and 8 mg/L, has collapsed to just 0.21 mg/L. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), with a standard of 50 mg/L, registers at 34.2 mg/L. These figures tell the story of a river on the brink of total collapse. A River That Was Once a SeaLocal lore has it that Labandaha was once so vast it was called the "Lablong Sagar" the Lablong Sea. The river originates at the confluence of the Kshiru river in Bhaluka Upazila of Mymensingh district, flows through Sreepur Upazila in Gazipur, and eventually merges with the Turag river near Mirzapur. But who devoured this once-mighty river? How did it shrink into a tiny drain? Today it functions as little more than an open sewer. Research shows that while plastic pollution is a common ailment, it is primarily factory effluents and municipal waste that have finished off Labandaha. A look at the industrial concentration around the river makes the cause clear. The RDRC study identified 250 factories along its banks, every one of them discharging chemical waste directly into the river alongside all the municipal waste from Sreepur town. Pollution extends across roughly 30 kilometres through the Sreepur section alone. Around the Gazipur stretch, 39 industrial units have been established, all with waste pipelines connected directly to the river. On top of this, 15 municipal sewage lines and 11 dumping stations drain into it. According to the NGO Nodi Paribrajak (River Wanderers), when both registered and unregistered factories are counted, approximately 2,000 factories surround the Labandaha river. The result: an once-mighty river has been encroached upon and filled in until it is now little more than a canal or a drain, stripped even of the conditions necessary for fish and aquatic life to survive. The Spreading DamageThe impact of Labandaha's pollution has rippled outward into surrounding farmland and, ultimately, into the Turag river at its end. Chemical contamination from factory waste has rendered thousands of bighas of agricultural land in the surrounding area incapable of producing crops. Saif Chowdhury, President of the Nodi Paribrajak group's Sreepur chapter, explains: "Labandaha is responsible for 70 to 75 percent of the pollution in the Turag river. From Maona Uttarpara to Gargoria Masterbari alone, thousands of bighas of farmland have been abandoned. These fields have become wastelands where they receive factory waste, medical waste, municipal waste, and domestic waste alike." He further adds: "There are poultry feed factories, pharmaceutical factories, metal factories, and garment dyeing units between one and a half to two thousand factories in total. As a result, heavy metals including chromium, manganese, and lead are mixing into the water and soil here. The farmland is finished. Serious diseases are even spreading among the local population." According to the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, Sreepur Upazila alone has 438 active industrial units, with 73 of them concentrated in Maona Union. The Gazipur District Agriculture Extension Department reports that factory waste has already damaged 380 hectares of farmland across the district. The fear is real: Gazipur, once fertile, may soon be entirely stripped of its agricultural capacity. An unplanned industrial zone is killing a river; crop production faces an existential threat; and human lives hang in the balance. Environmentalists argue that proper waste management from factories and municipalities could have prevented all of this. The Law and the Way to Save LabandahaThe country's Supreme Court has declared Bangladesh's rivers to be "living entities" juristic or legal persons granting them fundamental rights similar to those of human beings. Yet neither factory owners, nor encroachers, nor even municipal authorities seem to pay any heed to this. Environmental lawyers point out that killing a river amounts to killing a living being. A river may be a living entity in the eyes of the law but it cannot walk into a courtroom to plead its own case against pollution or its own slow death. Someone must stand on the river's behalf. But that "someone" is rarely found. And in most cases, that someone likely lacks the power to stand against such influential forces. And so the river dies, its stench forcing a threat upon the lives of the people around it. The path to saving Labandaha and all other at-risk rivers follows a similar route. River experts say that the monsoon season is the greatest natural blessing for river restoration. But to make use of the monsoon, all forms of waste from factories and every other source must first be managed properly within regulations. Then, before the rains arrive, the river must be dredged. If these steps are taken, even a near-dead river can be brought back to life by the monsoon. Public awareness must also be raised alongside these efforts. Researchers say that development planning must be built on the understanding that rivers are public assets and that protecting them is essential to human survival. There is absolutely no justification for killing rivers in the name of unplanned development or job creation. Experts believe that if we do not want the list of polluted rivers to grow any longer, planned development, enforcement of the law, coordinated projects, and collective public awareness are all urgently needed. Rivers cannot be saved by budgets and projects alone; what they need is genuine liberation. And in this struggle for liberation, let a river-loving, youthful Bangladesh rise and roar. Only then will the rivers be saved and when the rivers are saved, the country will be saved. And the lives of the people will become easier.

WildTeam has launched the Training Programme on Safety Measures and Awareness Building for Forest-Dependent People – 2026 in Joymoni under the Chandpai Range of Mongla and Kolbari under the Satkhira Range of the Sundarbans, reinforcing a vital message at the forest edge: protecting human life and conserving wildlife must go hand in hand. The initiative is being implemented under the five-year programme “Protecting Bengal Tiger and Biodiversity of the Sundarbans,” supported by Echotex and Echoknits, a Bangladesh–UK joint venture. Designed for people whose lives and livelihoods depend on the forest, the training equips participants with practical knowledge on forest safety, human–tiger conflict mitigation, wildlife and forest laws, compensation provisions, basic first aid, and the sustainable harvesting and processing of forest resources. Safety kit boxes have also been distributed among participants to improve emergency preparedness and reduce risk while entering or working near the forest.

Today marks the first death anniversary of A. A. M. S. Arefin Siddique, the 27th vice-chancellor of University of Dhaka, whose transformative leadership and dedication to education left an indelible mark on Bangladesh’s academic landscape. In his memory, Dr Md. Anwarul Islam, CEO of WildTeam and Former Professor of the Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka, reflects on Siddique’s visionary approach, his commitment to nurturing generations of scholars, and the enduring legacy of integrity, innovation and inspiration he instilled in the university and beyond. I was then the Director of the Biotechnology Research Centre of Dhaka University. One afternoon, a board of members’ meeting was scheduled in the vice-chancellor’s meeting room. Everyone was waiting. I went to the vice-chancellor, Professor Arefin Siddique, to ensure everyone’s presence.As soon as he got up from his chair, a young student seeking admission entered and said that he had something to say. The student said to the calm vice-chancellor: “My father is very poor and lives in a village. I want to study at Dhaka University.” Prof Siddique replied, “Yes, apply and take the admission test. If you pass, you will certainly be admitted.” When the student asked, “What if I don’t pass?” Prof Siddique replied, “Then there is nothing to be done.” The student again said, “Sir, in any case, please admit me.” Hearing this, there was no sign of annoyance in the vice-chancellor’s eyes, nor did he ignore or disdain the student. Only after explaining the matter and politely dismissing him did he come to preside over the meeting. It is worth noting that during his tenure as vice-chancellor, no one had to seek permission to enter his room. “Stay good” were the last two sentences the vice-chancellor would often say. He used to end his discussions with these words: “Stay good” (valo theko or valo thakben). This was no exception. After his death, a former student of his department said on a television channel, “Mass communication and journalism are not only taught in the classroom; even when Arefin Siddique Sir was simply standing, the language of mass communication could be learned from his physical expressions.” As his colleague, I witnessed this as well. It is often said that the people of southern Bangladesh are more hospitable. But Professor Arefin Siddique from Narsingdi proved that hospitality knows no regional boundaries. After his tenure as vice-chancellor is over, he did not lack assistants, yet whenever I visited his house, he would personally bring snacks on a tray and serve it himself. He last entertained me on 30 December 2024. My zoology teacher and former Dean, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Pro Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University, Professor Dr Md. Shahadat Ali, lost his wife on 18 December 2024. Professor Siddique, my teacher Professor Gulshan Ara Latifa and I attended the funeral on 20 December.On 29 December, Arefin Sir called and said, “Shahadat Shaheb must be very upset; let’s visit him.” The next day I went to his house in Dhanmondi for that reason. I had taken off my shoes and was sitting in the drawing room in my socks. He asked why I had taken off my shoes. He brought a pair of sandals himself and, despite my objections, insisted that I wear those. Then he brought snacks with his own hands — I had to finish it all. After the death of our respected Bhabi, Shahadat Sir was deeply broken. Towards the end of the conversation with Arefin Sir, he smiled and said, “Arefin Shaheb, today, after a long time, it feels like we are sitting at the Dhaka University Club, having tea and chatting.” On our way back to the car, we spoke a lot. He highly praised the present vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan. As far as I remember, he said: “When I was vice-chancellor, Professor Niaz was the chairman of his department. He always seemed like a positive person.” Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan also showed the highest respect for him and the university after Arefin Sir’s death. The nation witnessed the deep respect the vice-chancellor had for his colleagues. He proved that there is no shortage of values in the Dhaka University family — values that Arefin Sir expressed in almost all his speeches. There was a time when the words “Arefin Siddique and Dhaka University” became almost synonymous. I have never seen this selfless, ungreedy man upset. Once I heard that he might become the chairman of the University Grants Commission. Eventually, he was not given the position. Many years later, I asked him about it. He replied with a smile: “The head of the government has to consider many things while running the country. In that sense, the right decision was made.”  The vice-chancellor is the guardian of all teachers, students, officers and employees of Dhaka University. Professor Arefin Siddique spent many sleepless nights performing his duties.I was then the chairman of the Zoology Department when our first-year student Afia Jahan Chaity died on 18 May 2017 after being admitted to a private hospital. When I informed the vice-chancellor, he immediately said the university was ready to do everything for the student. Later, the university authorities filed a case against the doctors concerned. Once case was filed, doctors from all over Bangladesh got united and went on a movement and formed a human chain in the capital’s Shahbag. My closest relatives, who were doctors, also became strangers to me instantly. The university proctor told me to request the vice-chancellor to withdraw the case.When pressure mounted to withdraw the case, the vice-chancellor said firmly: “Give my student back and I will withdraw the case.” Eventually, after compensation was provided to the family, the case was withdrawn.Sometimes discussions arose about banning outsiders from entering the campus during holidays. One day I asked his opinion. He said, “Dhaka University is for everyone. If people cannot come here, where will they go? Children and young people will come, see the university and dream.” He often said that the feeling of adapting to us is decreasing day by day. Just as he thought about society, he also cared deeply about nature. In 2012, on behalf of WildTeam, we organised a rally from Khulna City to Khulna University to raise awareness about the tigers and the Sundarbans conservation. Professor Arefin Siddique joined us to inaugurate the programme: Sundarban Mayer Moton (Motherly Sundarbans).

Growing up in rural Bhutan, I did not learn the meaning of resilience from textbooks. I learnt it from the women in my life. I learnt it from my mother, who worked in our fields, understood the rhythms of the seasons better than any meteorologist, and still found time to manage home and ensure that her children received an education. I remember people from my village and surrounding villages visiting our home to seek counsel from her on complex issues like inheritance disputes. She did it all with quiet strength but never called it leadership. But that is exactly what it was. I learnt it from the women farmers who could read the sky and the soil. They were the first to worry when crops failed. They were the ones who rationed food so everyone could eat. They walked longer distances when water sources dried up. I learnt it from teachers who insisted that leadership was not defined by gender or a sense of entitlement but by character and service. Long before climate change became a global agenda item, the women in our region were already adapting. They were climate leaders without ever being called so. Today, the world has the language to describe what they lived through. Climate change amplifies existing inequalities. It threatens livelihoods, health, and dignity, and it does so disproportionately for women and girls. Women remain historically underrepresented in the design, implementation, and financing of climate action. Under a worst-case climate scenario, an estimated 158 million more women and girls could be pushed into poverty, which is 16 million more than the projected number of men and boys. (UN Women) At recent global climate forums, the imbalance remains visible. At COP29, only 6 out of 78 leaders referenced the impacts of climate change on women, and four of those voices were women themselves (WEDO). This is not just a representation gap. It is a leadership gap in shaping solutions. The climate finance landscape reflects a similar imbalance. Out of USD 33.1 billion per year in bilateral climate-related development assistance, only 57% integrates gender considerations, and only 2.4% has gender equality as a principal objective (OECD DAC, 2022). In mitigation finance, the figure drops to just 2% (OECD, 2022). For adaptation, it is 4% (OECD CRS, 2022). And when we look at projects that explicitly target both climate adaptation and gender equality, the number stands at a mere 0.1%. (OECD, 2022) We are integrating gender. But we are not prioritising it. This year’s International Women’s Day theme, ‘Give to Gain’, resonates deeply with me. In our culture, we often say that generosity strengthens community. When you give land to build a school, you gain an educated generation. When you give trust, you gain loyalty. When you give opportunity, you gain transformation. If we give women meaningful space in climate decision-making, we gain more inclusive and effective policies. If we give funding directly to women-led and community-based institutions, we gain stronger adaptation outcomes. If we give visibility to women’s leadership, we gain accountability in climate governance. If we give better data and evidence, we gain smarter and more equitable investments. If we give institutional commitment, not just policy language, we gain lasting change. Across the Hindu Kush Himalaya, women are already on the front lines, leading sustainable agriculture, managing water resources, responding to disasters, preserving biodiversity, and holding communities together in times of crisis. But too often, they lack access to finance, technology, and platforms to scale their contributions. At the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), as we move forward into our next Medium-Term Action Plan, our commitment is clear: to make strategic investments in women and systematically include them across our science, policy, and finance platforms; to strengthen tracking of gender equality and social inclusion; and to ensure that climate finance in the Hindu Kush Himalaya reaches those who are already leading change on the ground. But beyond institutional commitments, I carry something more personal. Every time I meet women farmers in the mountains of our region, I see reflections of my mother. I see the same quiet determination. The same intelligence is rooted in lived experience. The same ability to hold families and ecosystems together under stress. Living in the mountains has taught me that resilience is not abstract. It has a face. It has a voice. And very often, it is a woman’s voice. On this International Women’s Day, let us celebrate women’s contributions and invest in them. Let us not only acknowledge inequality, but also correct it. Let us not only integrate gender, but also prioritise it. Because when we truly give to women, we do not diminish ourselves. We gain stronger communities. We gain a more resilient planet. And that’s something worth fighting for. Happy International Women’s Day. Pema Gyamtsho is the current Director General at International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development

So, the ultimate noisy, brattish, flippant, hyper serious Saleem Samad is gone. To the world he was the fearless journalist and media activist but to us he was our old from Shaheen school, batch of 1969. He was the same person all his life, not serious it would seem except for matters that really mattered to him but always a friend, always acting as if life was a party of old friends where he could make the most noise. The hot Ovaltine in the CHT story School days were simpler for all of us where the world was so limited and safe but life changed after SSC exams as we all drifted to different institutions and destinations. Saleem was not the kind to climb educational ladders and he ended up as a journalist which truly suited him. If anything, it was tailor made for him and he chased stories, did interviews and wrote them in his slightly off grammar English that was soon gathering attention. He walked the ranks with various English dailies and was soon a name known to many. He made his name in the late 70s with a report on the Shanti Bahini insurrection having found contacts to take him there in the CHT hills. It came out in the Bangla version of the  Ittefaq group – Weekly Robbar- and that brought him great fame and familiarity. I would tease him about his story content where he mentioned drinking hot Ovaltine offered by the SB and all that. It was a great story and Saleem even had to undergo interrogation by the authorities for his trip and all that but he survived and went on with his work merrily. At Bangladesh Today and Dhaka Courier We met as colleagues at Bangladesh Today in the early 80s, a superbly produced and written monthly that had many old and new friends involved. It was one of the best English mags in the country and caught everyone’s immediate attention. The guy-in-charge was Syed Mahmud Ali who later joined the BBC and a host of young and mid- level journos worked and chatted there. Subrata Dhar, Nadeem Quadir, Zahed Khan, Belal Chowdhury, Kalam Mahmud,  Hasan Ferdous, Saleem and myself were some names in the crowd. Most were contributors but we all became part of a team that pushed a work of excellence.   What was most fun was of course the eternal adda we all had where Saleem would get his legs pulled really hard. It bred relationships that never died and after so many years many recalled those happy days… I left in 1984 to join Dhaka Courier and soon Saleem also became a regular contributor there. However, I lead a bit of a peripatetic life and left in 1986 to join the UN though my links with the media remained. And with Saleem too, The jailed journalist Saleem did full time jobs, part time ones too but all were within the media world. His reputation grew as did his freelancing work. In 2002, while freelancing for an international media outfit, Saleem was arrested for ‘anti-state “activities and in jail for over 2 months. He was finally released after his arrest became an international cause for media freedom everywhere. Not only did many speak up about him but he himself became an activist and remained so for the rest of his life. It was truly a game changing episode of his life. Saleem remained active in the media freedom sector and when we both met in Toronto in 2007, Saleem was running an online portal but also active as a media freedom pusher. That had become his profile and allowed Saleem to push his causes. By the time we both returned after declining to be Canadian citizens, Saleem had gained a global media activist profile. Later life His later years were full of many activisms, column writings and social activities. He was a keen Shaheen school alumni activist and made many new friends from new generations. That’s where I last met him. We talked as two ancient friends do. He had muscle and pain issues and even entered the CRP a couple of times. We last chatted on the phone a couple of months back  about his aches and pains and that was that. And then this news. I am still struggling to process it.. So how does one say goodbye to a friend of 60+ years? Briefly, I hope. So farewell old friend till we meet again in the great newsroom up there where nothing including news making  ever ends. Best wishes