Renowned author, scholar, researcher, and journalist Monzurul Huq is a courageous remembrance of the tumultuous period preceding Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971, which he witnessed firsthand and took part in himself; and his second semi-fictional memoir, ‘A Time to Dream and a Time of Despair’—which detailed his experiences of the war—was launched on Monday at the Garden Gallery Cosmos, Baridhara, in the capital. Published by Cosmos Books from the Cosmos Foundation, featuring exclusive illustrations by artist Sourav Chowdhury, Executive Director of Gallery Cosmos, the book narrates untold stories from the viewpoint of Huq and his family during the stormy days of 1971, as their fate was intertwined with that of Bangladesh. The launching ceremony of the memoir, which is a sequel to Huq’s 2022 book ‘A Story of My Time,’ was joined on Monday by eminent personalities from all walks of life, including eminent journalist and the daily Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, as the chief guest. Noted personalities joined the book launch event, including eminent researcher-journalist Afsan Chowdhury, art maestro and Dhaka University drawing and painting department emeritus professor Rafiqun Nabi, and Liberation War Museum trustee, cultural activist, and Monzurul Huq’s elder brother Mofidul Haque as the special guest, and the event was presided over by Enayetullah Khan, publisher of the book and founder-chairman of the Cosmos Foundation. Artist Kalidas Karmakar's 79th birth anniversary observed in Faridpur Greeting the esteemed guests, including the author's wife, Yumiko Kikuchi; diplomats from different embassies; cultural connoisseurs; and dignitaries from different sectors at the Garden Gallery Cosmos, which is located inside the first-ever house built in the capital’s Baridhara, Enayetullah Khan said: “Cosmos Books is delighted to present the second volume of the memoir written by Monzurul Huq, focusing on the pre-independent days of our country. Huq has been my friend for 60 years and a frequent collaborator on our weekly magazine, the Dhaka Courier, which is celebrating its 41st anniversary of publication, and he has been collaborating with us with his view from Tokyo from the very early beginning of the publication. This is the second book of his series; the first was launched two years ago at the Liberation War Museum.” He added, “Being his contemporary, going to the same school in the 1960s, I share with him the joys and agonies of those days when the simplicity of life kept the crude reality of our time hidden behind the façade of a normal life. Despite all the uncertainties and dangerous, deadly traps, there was no shortage of urban youths willing to take such risks for our motherland—and among those brave souls of our younger days, many returned victorious after the mass surrender of enemy troops, and many were not lucky enough to see and feel the joy of enjoying the lights of freedom.” Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin’s 110th birth anniversary being observed “The author of this book belongs to the first group,” Khan mentioned, “And it is my immense pleasure to present this second volume of his memoir focusing on those days at a time when representatives of our generation have been slowly departing. This reality makes the memoir an important document of our recent past, which would also serve as a stark reminder of the importance of preserving our collective memory against all the attempts that are being made in recent times to rewrite history from a fictitious perspective,” Enayetullah Khan said while delivering the welcome speech. Prothom Alo Editor and chief guest of the launching ceremony, Matiur Rahman, said, “Enayetullah Khan did not publish this wonderful book to earn money; rather, it stands as a symbol of his friendship with Monzurul Huq, whom I have also known for more than fifty years now. The family of Huq, including his brother, sister, and their mother, and their house at Hatirpul’s College Street, are all significantly relevant to our liberation war. Huq has worked for Prothom Alo for many years, and despite his illness and deteriorating health, he is still actively working as a writer, journalist, radio broadcaster, and academician—and I am honoured to be here today for the launching of his book.” Sharing the context behind the semi-fictional memoirs, author Monzurul Huq said, “Most of our Liberation War books usually start in March 1971 and end with victory in December. However, my first book of this series (A Story of My Time) started in the sixties of the last century and ended on March 24, 1971, and I intentionally finished the book on 24th March 1971.” Bishwajit Roy's solo sculpture exhibition 'Haat Katali' opens at AFD “So after the publication of the first book, many people were surprised that I did not write about our Liberation War's most important part (from 25th March midnight to 16th December), so I tried to focus on that as many people requested me—and the result is the second volume, which I named ‘A Time to Dream and A Time of Despair.’ Time to dream because we were dreaming—and our dream was suddenly shattered. I will not say it stopped over there, so that's the despair—and eventually, we came to fulfil that dream. So what I did within those nine months is the result of this book.” “This is not a definitive history because I didn't want to write history,” Huq mentioned. “I just wanted to recreate the memories, my memoir. Many people these days are forgetting about what happened in 1971, so this collective forgetfulness pains me quite significantly, so I wanted to remind people that from the generation, from those who have gone through that dreamy and agony period.” Eminent researcher-journalist Afsan Chowdhury, art maestro Rafiqun Nabi, and Mofidul Haque also spoke at the launching ceremony, sharing their valuable insights regarding the author and the book. Monzurul Huq conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to Enayetullah Khan and Cosmos Foundation Executive Director Nahar Khan for the publication and also thanked artist Sourav Chowdhury for the layout and illustrations, ARK Reepon for its art direction, and Arif Bachchu for the design. After the book's launching, young recitation artist Shatabdi Saha recited Helal Hafiz's revolutionary poem "Nishiddho Shompadokiyo" and Shamsur Rahman's "Shwadhinota Tumi" at the event. Born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Monzurul Huq obtained an MA from Moscow State University and also completed another master's at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) of the University of London. He started his professional career at the United Nations Information Centre in Dhaka in the early 1980s and moved to London in 1990 to start working as a producer at the Bengali-language radio program of BBC World. Curtain rises on 6th National Sculpture Exhibition at BSA A member of the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan since 2001, Huq has served as an elected member of the Board of Directors of the club on several occasions and was subsequently elected president in June 2009. Currently, he is a life member of the club and performs the responsibility of an elected auditor. Huq settled in Japan in 1994, where he works as a journalist for Prothom Alo and some other media outlets, including Dhaka Courier. He is also continuing his radio broadcasting career at NHK World Japan and has recently retired from teaching after being a visiting professor for more than 25 years at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and several other Japanese universities.

Stressing that peace and harmony among littoral states are crucial to unlocking the Bay of Bengal's potential, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain emphasised on Sunday that Bangladesh must address pressing challenges and seize emerging opportunities. "By fostering strategic partnerships, embracing a unified vision and adopting innovative approaches, we can unlock the vast potential of this region, benefiting all stakeholders and creating a legacy of prosperity for future generations," Adviser Hossain said while speaking at a seminar in the capital. He laid emphasis on their collective task to align diverse interests, ensuring that the Bay of Bengal becomes a region of collaboration rather than conflict; a hub of connectivity rather than contention; and a model for sustainable and inclusive development. Supported by the Embassy of Japan, Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), in collaboration with the Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO) hosted the international seminar on "Reconnecting the Bay of Bengal Region: Exploring the Convergence of Interests" at the BIISS auditorium. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori spoke at the seminar as the special guest. The working sessions were chaired by Tarik A Karim, Chairperson of the Bay of Bengal Institute, Cosmos Foundation; and Dr Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD). Other speakers included Ambassador AFM Gousal Azam Sarker, Chairman of BIISS, and Major General Iftekhar Anis, Director General of BIISS. With its strategic location and growing industrial base, the Adviser said Bangladesh is uniquely poised to become a regional transit hub and a key player in the global value chain.  In order to unlock these possibilities, Bangladesh must address pressing challenges and seize emerging opportunities, he said. As Bangladesh approaches its graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category in 2026, Adviser Hossain said, it stands at a critical juncture, facing both significant opportunities and complex challenges. The impending loss of preferential trade benefits and concessional financing necessitates a shift towards more competitive and innovative economic strategies. "To address these challenges effectively, Bangladesh must prioritise diversifying its trade portfolio, elevating the quality and value of its exports, and investing in advanced technologies to drive productivity and economic growth," Hossain said. Partnerships with regional and extra-regional stakeholders, particularly Japan, can provide the technological and financial support needed for Bangladesh to overcome these hardships, he said. Japan’s expertise in areas such as renewable energy, digital trade, and maritime logistics can play a transformative role in this context, said the Adviser, adding that the Bay of Bengal is not only an economic resource but also an ecological treasure.

Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Distinguished Fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), on Thursday described national data as the "Fifth Pillar of the State" and called for the protection of a national eco-data system. "If we want to drive development of Bangladesh towards advancement, the existing lack of data, if this lacking cannot be mitigated, then the planning will not be right resulting in the non-up to the mark implementation,” he said. Dr Debapriya made the remarks while delivering the keynote speech at the Distinguished Lecture Series: “The State of Bangladesh Economy: What Is To Be Done?” at a city hotel. The Bay of Bengal Institute and Cosmos Foundation jointly organised the event. Read: Roundtable discusses data integrity for development Cosmos Foundation Chairman and Bay of Bengal Institute Chairman Enayetullah Khan delivered the welcome speech, while Cosmos Foundation President Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury chaired the programme. Ambassador (Retd) Tariq Ahmad Karim, Honorary Emeritus Adviser to Cosmos Foundation and President of the Bay of Bengal Institute, delivered the closing remarks. Debapriya, also the head of the white paper committee, said the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics has to be established on a modern and scientific base. “And it should be given protection, for that National Statistics should be seen as the fifth pillar of the state. And like the Election Commission and Public Service Commission it should be turned into a commission,” the eminent economist said. August floods: Curtain rises on ‘Art for Aid: Rebuilding Lives’ at Gallery Cosmos  

Gallery Cosmos, the artistic wing of Cosmos Foundation, is hosting a unique, interactive segment titled “Art Therapy through Printmaking” at “Inspire Her Wellness” by Dhaka Flow, a pioneering yoga and wellness festival. The festival — to be held on March 8-9 at the Baridhara Society Lakeside Park in Dhaka — will commemorate International Women's Day 2024, while “Art Therapy through Printmaking” will celebrate the power of creative expression in healing through art. Eminent and pioneering printmaking artist Professor Rokeya Sultana will conduct a live printmaking session and workshop at the Creative Playground for the attendees. Besides, young artist Surovi Akter will be drawing caricatures live at the event. ‘The Black Story’ exhibition by Gallery Cosmos launched virtually The workshop and printmaking session will be held on both days - Friday, March 8 at 11:30 am and Saturday, March 9 at 11:00 am. In addition, the Gallery Cosmos Pavilion will be featuring 20 promising young visual artists and printmakers, showcasing a total of 35 artworks as part of its ongoing commitment to promote the country’s emerging talent by highlighting the work of these talented female artists. With a large number of visitors expected to join and explore the art fair, Gallery Cosmos aims to provide a platform for these young Bangladeshi artists to gain recognition and appreciation on a global scale. The festival-goers can purchase their artwork from the gallery at the festival. Nasrin Jahan Onika's maiden solo exhibition ‘Home’ begins at AFD Art therapy has long been recognised for its capacity to unlock emotional expression and foster healing. It serves as a non-verbal communication channel that allows individuals to explore their deepest thoughts and feelings. Women have been pivotal in the art world, yet their representation has not always been proportional to their talent. This event is dedicated to promoting women artists who do more than just fill a gallery; they shatter glass ceilings and pave the way for the next generation of female creators. They challenge societal norms, question the status quo, and, most importantly, offer a rich narrative with diverse female perspectives. The Black Story webinar sheds spotlight on ‘Dismantling Anti-Blackness in South Asia and the Diaspora’ Women’s entrepreneurship in the art world is a burgeoning force. Female artists are not just creators but innovators and business leaders. One of these pioneering women entrepreneurs is Nahar Khan, a writer, curator, and patron of the arts who is currently serving as the Executive Director at the Gallery Cosmos and the Cosmos Foundation. In addition, Nahar Khan also currently serves as Director at United News of Bangladesh (UNB) and Vice President of the Cosmos Group. An enthusiast of Arts and Culture who is keen on working towards inclusive curatorial practices and curatorial activism to challenge assumptions, hegemony, and heterocentrism while sparking meaningful discourse around social, racial, and political issues, Nahar Khan is especially devoted to the cultural and historical exchanges between communities. ‘Amar Dekha Noya Chin’: Bangabandhu’s formative journey in a travelogue-style graphic novel Gallery Cosmos garnered widespread recognition from the international creative community for many of its artistic endeavours. Among these endeavours was the series of intellectual and artistic interventions for “The Black Story” project, an interactive virtual exhibition conceived and curated by Nahar Khan during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also works with differently-abled children in the art space and holds several art events and workshops for them, alongside the regular artistic ventures of the gallery in order to foster the country’s glorious art and culture. Kicking off this Friday at 10 am with an opening ceremony by Dhaka Flow co-founder and esteemed yogini, Shazia Omar, the “Inspire Her Wellness” festival is scheduled to host a wide range of workshops and classes, originating and concluding at Baridhara Society Lake Park on March 8-9. UNB is the media partner of the festival. Yoga a gift of India to world: Pranay Verma

Despite some difficulties, Bangladesh is the number one place to engage all three big powers – India, China and the United States - in a bridging role, says a Singapore-based foreign affairs analyst. “Anything to do with China and India has a shadow over the United States as well. And so I think Bangladesh is the number one place to engage all three in a bridging role,” said Professor Kanti Prasad Bajpai, Vice Dean, Lee Kuan Yew School, National University of Singapore. He was speaking at a discussion this week as part of Cosmos Dialogue Distinguished Speaker’s Series, entitled “China-India Relations: Implication for South Asia.” “I think its (Bangladesh’s) diplomatic links with both China and India, probably the strongest amongst all the countries of South Asia. The kind of positive equidistance that Bangladesh has between China and India probably no other country in this region can match. It also has fairly good relations with the United States,” Prof Bajpai said. Read More: China "unswervingly mediating" between Bangladesh, Myanmar to promote Rohingya repatriation: Ambassador Yao The discussion was chaired and conducted by President of Cosmos Foundation and renowned scholar-diplomat and former Advisor on Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Caretaker Government Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury.

Globally renowned researcher, archivist and curator Dr. Kenneth X. Robbins has joined the Cosmos Foundation as its newest Advisory Board member. A psychiatrist by profession, he received his B.A. from Columbia University in 1963 and M.D. from the New York University School of Medicine. Dr. Robbins started collecting Rajput, Deccani, Mughal and other South Asian artefacts from dealers and auction houses in the 1960s and has used his collections to publish fourteen books on South Asian history and culture. His special interests range from Maharajas, Nawabs, and Deccani Sultans to minority groups like Afro-South Asians. Dr. Robbins and his wife Joyce have accumulated a collection of more than 100,000 items over the period of more than five decades that covers the history of South Asia and Africans in the larger Indian Ocean world, and the Jewish diaspora in India and beyond. Welcoming Dr. Robbins on board, Chairman of Cosmos Foundation and Managing Director of the Cosmos Group, Enayetullah Khan, said, “Having Dr. Kenneth X. Robbins on our Advisory Board is an honour for us. The passion and unquenchable thirst for South Asian art, history and unexplored connection between peoples that Dr. Robbins has demonstrated through his expanded collection and published works are awe-inspiring. As a leading organisation working to familiarise the world with Bangladeshi art and culture, having Dr. Robbins on Cosmos Foundation’s Advisory Board perfectly aligns with our vision.” Nahar Khan, Executive Director of Cosmos Foundation, said, “The ways in which our cultures influenced one another historically and, in many cases, still influence one another today, provide us with invaluable insights into humankind. Dr. Robbins’ pioneering work on the movement of people across the Indian Ocean – from Africa to India, the fascinating historical exchanges in knowledge, music, arts and culture open doors for and deserves in-depth research that can shed light on some missing chapters in world history. His decades-spanning explorations will surely enrich Cosmos Foundation as it navigates the global cultural sphere.” About Cosmos Foundation Cosmos Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Cosmos Group – registered as a trust dedicated to providing strategic insights and policy solutions to help Bangladesh chart its course towards a better future. The Foundation works towards discovering, cultivating and disseminating for a global audience the art of Bangladesh. It provides direction to the Cosmos Group’s flagship curatorial space, Gallery Cosmos, and its pioneering printmaking studio, Atelier71, which work in tandem. The Foundation aims to engage both local and global audiences in artistic and intellectual interventions that aim to illuminate the past, examine the present, and imagine the future.  

Exploring the Afro-South Asia connection and the untold narratives of the Habshi rulers during the Sultanate period in Bengal, globally renowned researcher, archivist and curator Dr Kenneth X Robbins on Tuesday said that the historic ties between the Afro-South Asian communities need to be closely studied across the globe. “Africans were an integral part of several Indian Sultanates, and some even started their own dynasties after moving to South Asia and eventually settled down here to play an essential role in the Indian subcontinent’s history of kingdoms, conquests and wars. They made contributions to this region’s history as soldiers and mercenaries, traders and merchants, musicians, scholars, and even generals and rulers,” Dr Robbins said. They flourished as traders, artists, rulers, architects and reformers between the 14th and 17th centuries, and many Bengalis, on the other hand, also settled in Africa. These histories are lesser known, which is why it is necessary to bring global attention to the Afro-South Asian relationship and the Habshi dynasties, according to Dr Robbins who used his collections to publish fourteen books on South Asian history and culture, rooted from his special interests ranging from maharajas, nawabs, and Deccani sultans to minority groups like Afro-South Asians. Cosmos Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Cosmos Group, hosted the symposium and exhibition featuring Dr Kenneth X Robbins as part of its Distinguished Speaker Series, titled “Afro-South Asia Connectivity and the Habshi Kingdoms of Bengal and Beyond” on January 3 at the Garden Gallery, Baridhara in Dhaka. The welcome remarks were delivered by Nahar Khan, Executive Director of Cosmos Foundation, followed by the keynote speech of Dr Robbins, who is currently on a visit to Bangladesh with his wife Joyce Robbins. Read more: Cosmos Foundation showcases brilliant artworks of Alexandru Poteca and Maksuda Iqbal Nipa “Many of us have heard of Indians in Africa. However, the movement of people across the Indian Ocean from Africa to India, the fascinating historical exchanges in knowledge, music, arts and culture still remain quite unfamiliar to us. Great lessons can be drawn from the history of how our cultures were shaped by one another, and in many ways still continue to do so. Much thanks to the pioneering work of our distinguished speaker, archivist and scholar Dr Kenneth Robbins in this regard, who has curated several Indian exhibits and many scholarly conferences,” Nahar Khan said in her welcome remarks. She mentioned that in addition to publishing more than 70 articles, Dr Robbins coedited a three-volume series on Afro-South Asia in the global African diaspora. “These are the most comprehensive accounts of the experiences of the African diaspora in South Asia, which gives us an enthralling insight into the role of Africans in shaping South Asian history, and the interactions between the two communities,” she said. A voracious collector, Dr Robbins began collecting Rajput, Deccani, Mughal and other paintings from dealers and auction houses in the 1960s. Struck by the fact that only coin collectors knew that Bengal was once ruled by an East African dynasty – from 1486 to 1493, he made it his life’s mission to bring such information into general public discourse. In October, it was revealed that the Robbins family has designated the Penn Libraries – the library system of the University of Pennsylvania, an IVY League school in the US, as the recipient of their entire collection in their estate planning. “The generosity of the Robbins family means generations of scholars will find research topics here and use these materials in their teaching – which will bring such information to textbooks in schools and into the general historical discussion. That to me is the meaning and spirit of true scholarship, and I am also happy to announce that we have been working on a book and a film project on Africans in Bengal,” Nahar Khan said.

Marking the National Mourning Day 2022, Gallery Cosmos is going to organize an exclusive group art, photography and sculpture exhibition on Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman titled 'BRAVEHEART' at Cosmos Centre in the capital on Friday. Mofidul Hoque, founding trustee of the Liberation War Museum, will virtually inaugurate the exhibition as the chief guest, while eminent artists and freedom fighters Rafiqun Nabi, Biren Shome and internationally renowned artist Shahabuddin Ahmed will join the inauguration ceremony as the special guests. Supported by the Cosmos Foundation, the exhibition's inauguration ceremony will also be joined by Tehmina Enayet, Director of Gallery Cosmos and Masud Jamil Khan, Deputy Managing Director of Cosmos Group. Read: Curtain rises on Shilpo Bangla Art Exhibition UNB and Dhaka Courier will be its media and knowledge partners respectively. Prior to the inauguration of the exhibition, a vibrant team of 12 child artists and future master painters will participate in an exclusive group art camp at the exhibition venue and showcase their heartfelt tribute to the Father of the Nation. The exhibition will be showcasing artworks of several prominent artists including Shahabuddin Ahmed, Biren Shome, Alakesh Ghosh, Nasir Ali Mamun, Afrozaa Jamil Konka, Bashkor Rasha, Shahajahan Ahmed Bikash, Azmeer Hossain, Bishwajit Goswami, Abu Kalam Shamsuddin, Devdas Malakar, Dilip Karmakar, Sourav Chowdhury, Abdullah Al Bashir, Iqbal Bahar Chy, Maneek Bonik, Kamruzzoha, Azmol Hossain, Mohammed Fakhrul Islam Mazumder Shakil and Md Rafiqul Islam. Read “The Passion of Drawing-2” by Gallery Cosmos: A daylong tribute to drawing Visitors can explore the exhibition 'BRAVEHEART' at Gallery Cosmos in the Cosmos Centre, Malibagh in the capital till August 31.

Ambassador Farooq Sobhan, currently distinguished fellow & board member of the BangladeshEnterprise Institute (BEI) has joined the Cosmos Foundation as its Honorary Advisor Emeritus.  Ambassador Sobhan, former President and CEO of the BEI, was Executive Chairman, Board of Investment (BoI) and Special Envoy to the Prime Minister 1997-1999 and Foreign Secretary 1995-1997.  He has also served as Ambassador/High Commissioner to India, China, Malaysia and the United Nations. Referring to his joining the Cosmos Foundation Advisory Board, Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, the Foundation’s President said Farooq Sobhan does the Foundation great honour. "He is a person of prodigious experience, and I have no doubt will add enormous value to our contributions!” Ambassador Sobhan served as Chairman of the Group of 77 at the UN 1982-1983, and was Chairman, UN Commission on TNCs 1991-1992.  He is a member of the Board of Governors of the South Asia Centre for Policy Studies(SACEPS), based in New Delhi and was Co-Chairman of the Coalition for South Asian Co- operation (CASAC) from 1994-2001.  Ambassador Sobhan was a visiting professor at the Elliott School for International Affairs at George Washington University in 2003, where he taught a post graduate course on South Asia.  He is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the independent Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), established in Dhaka in September 2007.  Read: Roundtable: Bangladesh must act fast to offset fallout of Ukraine conflict Ambassador Sobhan played a pivotal role in the establishment of the SME Foundation and served on its Board during the period 2008-9.  He was also a Member of the International Advisory Committee of the Asia Society in the U.S. and the Roundtable in the U.K.  Ambassador Sobhan also served from 2008-2011 as a Member of the International Commission on Migration and Development.  He chaired the Task Force established by the Asia Foundation in 2004 on “The US Role in South Asia”.  He was invited to speak at the White House Summit meeting on CVE held in February 2015. Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Honorary Fellow of the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) at the National University of Singapore (NUS), a reputed diplomat turned scholar who had also served as Foreign Advisor in a Caretaker Government, is the President of the Cosmos Foundation. Besides, Dr Danilo Turk, former President of the Republic of Slovenia, Ambassador Krishnan Srinivasan, former Indian Foreign Secretary, Ambassador Tariq Karim, currently Director of the Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies at the IUB, Haider A. Khan, a Distinguished Professor of Economics at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, Professor George Edward Moose, a career member of the U.S. Foreign Service, where he attained the rank of Career Ambassador and has been adjunct Professor of Practice at The Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University, Ambassador Li Debiao, a Distinguished retired Chinese Diplomat and Md. Nojibur Rahman, former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh are members of the Advisory Board of the Cosmos Foundation. Cosmos Foundation is a philanthropic arm of the Cosmos Group, registered as a trust dedicated to providing strategic insights and policy solutions to help Bangladesh chart its course towards a better future, apart from discovering, cultivating and disseminating for a global audience, the art of Bangladesh.  Cosmos Foundation is organizing Bangladesh’s first-ever festival of disabled artists in collaboration with UNESCO. The Foundation provides direction to the Group’s flagship curatorial space, Gallery Cosmos, and its pioneering printmaking studio, Atelier71, which work in tandem.

Speakers at a roundtable have said Bangladesh remains in a good position with workable human resources, food production and geographical location but laid emphasis on enhancing energy exploration along with a diversified policy for conventional and renewable. But despite these advantages, the country has fallen backward in the last one and half a decade in its own energy exploration due to lack of a sustainable policy, they said. The experts raised the issues at the roundtable titled “A World in Turmoil: The Fallout from the Ukraine Conflict” jointly organized by Cosmos Foundation and Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) at a city hotel on Wednesday. Chairman of Cosmos Foundation Enayetullah Khan and President of BIPSS Major General (Retd) ANM Muniruzzaman moderated the discussion. Former foreign secretary Md Touhid Hossain, assistant professor, department of international relations, Bangladesh University of Professional (BUP) Umme Salma Tarin and assistant professor, department of economics, East West University Parvez Karim Abbasi spoke as panelists.