Bangladesh is at a critical juncture in its history because of the ongoing standoff between the two major political parties and their alliances, which threatens the socio-economic fabric of the nation. Socio-economic progress of a country or a state demands sustenance of an acceptable democratic polity. Details
Published by Ambassador M.Serajul Islam on 4th May, 2014
The nation witnessed, during the official visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Dhaka in September 2011, a drama concerning the Teesta River upon which millions in Bangladesh depend for their lives and livelihoods. The Awami League-led government was assured by India that it would sign the Teesta Water Sharing Treaty during that visit. That agreement would have given Bangladesh a 50 per cent share of the Teesta flow in the dry season at Gazaldoba on the Indian side, after 20 per cent was reserved for the river’s navigation. Details
Published by Ambassador M.Serajul Islam on 3th May, 2014
With the last leg of the Indian elections going on, it is very likely that the Congress led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) is on its way out and the BJP is on way to form the next government in New Delhi. The BJP fortunes are shining bright. One credible national poll gave it 275 seats with the Congress likely to get 90 seats that would give the BJP the luxury to form a government without allies if it wanted. Narendra Modi would most likely become the 15th Prime Minister of India in a BJP/NDA government. Details
Published by Ambassador M.Serajul Islam on 3rd May, 2014
An Awami League (AL) leader’s anger on Tareque Zia is understandable but not the way he expressed it. Tareque Zia served a number of salvos from 1971 that challenged the claims of the ruling party on issues of our independence/liberation that it is not willing to share considering the high voltage political value in such claims. Nevertheless, he reacted and that too in parliament in a totally unacceptable manner. Details
Published by Ambassador M.Serajul Islam on 27th APR, 2014
A Times of India (TOI) report, a BJP leader’s statement and a particular talk show should wake up the spirits of millions who became martyrs in 1971 in disbelief about what is happening in present-day Bangladesh. The TOI report concerned an incident in Dhaka airport. Dr. Subramanian Swamy, a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claimed 1/3rd of Bangladesh for the alleged 20 million Bangladeshis who, his party claims, have illegally migrated to India. And in the talk show, participants touched both these issues as well as that of the river waters of Bangladesh that are depleting very fast and upon which depend whether Bangladesh lives or dies. Details
Published by The Financial Express on 27th APR, 2014