Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday highlighted the critical role of unity, reforms and elections in Bangladesh's progress, saying that neither reforms without unity nor elections without reforms can propel the country forward. “None of these three goals can be achieved alone,” he said, describing the correlation among them. In a recorded speech delivered at a national dialogue’s inaugural session in the capital, Dr Yunus thanked the Forum for Bangladesh Studies (FBS) for giving three things - unity, reform and elections’ importance in the dialogue, noting that they need consensus on reforms. The Chief Adviser thinks the minimum age for becoming eligible for a voter should be 17 years. “Young people are interested in the future of the country. To get their opinion about their own future, I think the voting age should be fixed at 17 years,” he said. Dr Yunus said different countries have different ages for a citizen to become a voter and the Electoral Reforms Commission will surely recommend such an age. CA Dr Yunus promises to control prices, fix economy “I may or may not like that age. Suppose I am in favor of making young people vote early. The younger they are, the more interested they are in change—this is my argument. Youth gives them energy. Their deep affinity with information technology gives them this energy,” said the Chief Adviser. Dr Yunus said reform and election preparations will continue simultaneously and mentioned that the work of preparing for the election is mainly the work of the Election Commission. He said the citizens of the country do not have to spend time on this process until they get the election date. But all citizens must participate in the work of reform, Dr Yunus said, adding that those who are voters will participate, along with those who will be voters in the future, should also fully engage themselves in the work of reform. National election likely between late 2025 or early 2026, says CA Dr Yunus “To make the work of reform easier for the citizens, we have formed 15 reform commissions. We will get their reports in January,” Dr Yunus said. The responsibility of each reform commission is to identify the main options and recommend one to the nation. In each case, he said, the recommendations are made by drawing on the opinions of different parties on how the future will be shaped through reforms, making it easier for citizens to decide. Dr Yunus said he does not know what the Election Reform Commission will recommend but if the majority of the people of the country like the age to be recommended by the Commission, he will accept it to reach a consensus. "All the reform commissions will place many recommendations to us. We have now reached a stage that whatever anyone’s opinion, we want to accomplish the reform works by quickly establishing a consensus,” the CA said. He said the interim government wants to make arrangements so that "we can move forward on the path of elections". It’s not true BNP prioritising election over reforms: Fakhrul Dr Yunus said it is the responsibility of all-every citizen, political party, every social, economic, business and religious community-to participate in the reform process with joy. He said the responsibility of each reform commission is to identify the main alternatives and recommend one of those to the nation. Recalling with deep respect all the warriors who took part in the long struggle against fascism, he said, "I especially salute the students who were martyred in the July mass uprising. Our debt to those who were injured, who lost their eyesight and who lost their limbs cannot be repaid. The nation will never forget their inspiration and contribution to the formation of a new Bangladesh." Dr Yunus said the sacrifices of the martyrs in the July uprising will not be meaningful without building a just society. Fascism drove Bangladesh away from all idealistic goals and put the nation into deep darkness, he said. "We are working to bring our beloved Bangladesh back to the path of equality, human dignity and justice," the chief adviser said, stressing the need for building an economy that ensures equality of wealth and opportunity for all. Dr Yunus said there will be such a political and state environment where the identity of minority and majority will be irrelevant. "We all have one identity-I am a citizen of Bangladesh and the state is obliged to ensure all my rights," he added.

The Bhumi Gallery and Gallery Shilpangan are set to embrace and mesmerize art enthusiasts and connoisseurs with the art exhibition titled ‘Epic Journey of a Migratory Bird’ by the contemporary artist Syed Golam Dastagir in the capital's Lalmatia, opening on December 28. The art exhibition will be inaugurated by Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed and will be presided over by the distinguished artist Hamiduzzaman Khan. The inextricable relationship between a person and nature begins at birth and marks a nomadic voyage of wandering souls into alleys that carry the history, legacy, and colors of eons and epochs. The artist documented this visual journey in his evocative work under this exhibition by using various forms of colors and canvas. He portrayed this epic journey with great eloquence that is experienced not only through sight but also conscience that defies barriers and borders and is a reminder of the interconnectedness and coexistence of life. This solo exhibition comprises the works of the artist’s over a decade-long project, started from 2010 to 2024, and depicts the journey of migratory birds through vulnerability and resilience. Around 40 curated artworks will be displayed for the visitors at the exhibition, showcasing the artist’s unwavering dedication and toil to express and manifest his inner monologues, understanding, epiphany and liberty, which ought to create an impeccable connection between the viewers and a greater perspective. Read:  Curtain rises on 6th National Sculpture Exhibition at BSA This exhibition is a floating anecdote that aims to give the audience a new context of seeing and perceiving the palpable nuances in objectivity and attitude, leading to the moment of realization through the passage of time. While this project explores the relationship between a bird’s flight and its visual perception, Dastagir examines the birds’ perpetual movement and struggle for survival and dissects the observational engagement with the existential cryptographs embedded in the typography of shades, shapes, patterns, and vivid forms. In this solo exhibition, the artist delves deeply into the wonder and magnificence of bird migration, buttressed by technological methods, including map study, satellite imagery and strong artistic manifestation, offering the viewers to ponder how our visual perception connects with the intangible narratives of understanding, transcending beyond a bird’s instinct of searching, navigating, and reinventing across distances. The solo visual exhibition will remain open for visitors til January 14, 2025.

Adviser on Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Supradip Chakma on Saturday said people of the plains and the hills have been living together in the country for generations, and will continue to do so.  “This country embodies values of equality, friendship, harmony, and camaraderie. We must nurture and adhere to these principles,” Supradip said, while visiting the puja mandap at Jagannath University, erstwhile Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University where the adviser pursued higher education.He urged all citizens to foster unity and protect rights on behalf of everyone, stating: “The hills belong to all of us. We will safeguard and nurture them while ensuring everyone’s rights are upheld.” Joint statement calls for urgent action over ‘repeated violence in CHT’ Reflecting on his time at Dhaka University, he recalled, “During my studies, I spent over five years in this Jagannath Hall. It is my cherished place. I believe my journey to this point has been possible because I had the opportunity to stay here.” Prior to visiting the Jagannath Hall, he toured the puja mandaps at Siddheswari Kali Mandir and Ramna Kali Mandir. Don’t take law into own hand: CHT Adviser Supradip

BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Monday said their party will forge a strong 'anti-government unity' to intensify the movement for the restoration of democracy in the country. "We believe we all together can bring back  democracy.  Inshallah, democracy will be restored in Bangladesh," he said. Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said those who want democracy will join the ongoing movement by BNP for establishing people's voting rights. "We'll unite with all those who aren’t  beneficiaries of the government and don't  think about personal gains and with those organisations, and parties who love Bangladesh. We'll fight with all of them together for the restoration of democracy," he said. The pro-BNP student leaders of Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU) and All- Party Students Unity (APSU) of the '90s organised the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 'Autocracy Resistance Day'. READ: Joy shares video report on ‘BNP’s money laundering’  On February 14, 1983,  at least 10 people, mostly students, were killed during an anti-autocracy protest in the capital, demanding the cancellation of Mazid Khan Education Commission report, barely a year after military dictator HM Ershad came to power. Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said their party wants a Bangladesh where  development activities will be carried out for the betterment and benefits of people, not for the benefits of some individuals and a certain quarter. "We want a Bangladesh where people have the right to speak and get justice and cast votes freely." They said people of all walks of life must carry out a strong fight like the anti-autocracy movement in the '90s to restore democracy and people's lost rights, and build Bangladesh in line with the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War. Recalling the student's role in the anti-Ershad moment, he paid homage to the memories of those who sacrificed their lives on this day in 1983. READ: 49 BNP activists land in jail for vandalising police vehicle in Tangail Nazrul said thier party chairperson Khaleda Zia, led different movements for the restoring democracy and people's rights. "But she's now confined to a jail. She's also very ill. So, it's our responsibility now to restore democracy and people's voting and other rights, and materealise the dreams of our party founder Ziaur Rahman." He also called upon the students to be more active in the ongoing movement for restoration of democracy.