Bangladesh - The Purbottar

31 Aug

Tension Along Assam-Bangladesh Border After Fisherman Fails to Return From Fishing Trip

Preeti SinghBangladesh

Tension has gripped Gobindapur along the India-Bangladesh border in Assam’s Sribhumi district following the disappearance of 35-year-old Balai Namasudra, with his family suspecting that he may have been abducted by Bangladeshi nationals while fishing near the border. According to his family, Balai left home at around 6 am to go fishing but failed to return for several hours. Worried relatives subsequently lodged a missing-person complaint at Sribhumi Sadar Police Station. Following the complaint, police and the Border Security Force (BSF) launched a search operation to trace him. The family said Gobindapur falls within Indian territory, but movement in the area…

16 Aug

Tarique Rahman’s Proposed Delhi Visit Uncertain As Dhaka Demands Extradition Of Hasina

Preeti SinghBangladesh

Bangladesh has placed two conditions before creating what it describes as a conducive environment for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s possible visit to New Delhi. Dhaka has urged India to expedite the extradition process of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and hand over to Bangladesh the alleged killers of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. Bangladesh Foreign Ministry spokesperson AKM Shahidul Karim outlined the conditions during a briefing on Sunday. In a written statement, Karim said officials from Dhaka and New Delhi had been engaged in discussions for several weeks regarding a possible visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India.…

17 Jun

Border Tensions Rise: 9 Bangladeshis Stranded 75+ Hours in No Man’s Land; Cachar Man Abducted, Returned

Preeti SinghBangladesh

Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 in their first match of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The magic of Lionel Messi’s feet was on full display in the game as he took the field for his 200th international match. Messi has now become the joint-highest goalscorer in World Cup history. Messi put on a brilliant performance against Algeria, scoring three goals. With this, Messi equalled former Germany player Miroslav Klose’s record for the most goals in the FIFA World Cup. Messi and Klose now both have 16 goals each in the tournament. Messi looked in fine form against Algeria and scored Argentina’s…

02 Jan

Minority Safety Concerns Reach Fever Pitch as Hospital Reports Grow in Dhaka

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Tensions between India and Bangladesh intensified today following reports of another targeted attack on a Hindu man in Dhaka. The victim is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital, and the incident has reignited international concerns regarding the safety of minorities under the current interim government. Indian officials have reportedly increased monitoring along the border as civil society groups in both countries call for an immediate end to the cycle of communal violence.

25 Oct

Dhaka’s Smart Metro to Revolutionize Urban Transport in South Asia

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has inaugurated its first fully digital “Smart Metro Service” in Dhaka, aimed at reducing traffic congestion and cutting air pollution in one of Asia’s busiest cities. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched the service, describing it as “a new era of clean and efficient urban transport.” The metro system features AI-driven train control, cashless ticketing, and solar-powered stations. The project, supported by Japanese and Indian funding, is expected to carry 600,000 passengers daily. Urban planners in Nepal and India have hailed the project as a model for sustainable mass transit in South Asia. Residents say the metro has already reduced…

24 Oct

Bangladesh Expands Digital Economy with New IT Export Hubs

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has announced the opening of five new IT export hubs to strengthen its position in the global technology market. The initiative, supported by the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority, aims to generate $5 billion in software and IT service exports by 2030. Officials said the hubs would create over 100,000 jobs, mainly for youth and women. Indian tech companies have shown interest in partnering with Bangladeshi startups under the South Asian Digital Partnership Forum. Experts believe the expansion of the digital economy could transform Bangladesh into a regional innovation center, similar to Bengaluru or Pune.

23 Oct

Dhaka Unveils South Asia’s First Highway with Solar Roof Panels

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has inaugurated its first solar-powered expressway connecting Dhaka to Narayanganj, marking a significant milestone in South Asia’s green infrastructure development. The 25-kilometer highway features solar panels installed along its central divider and overhead roofs, capable of generating up to 40 megawatts of electricity daily — enough to power nearby communities and reduce grid pressure. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said during the inauguration, “This project represents our vision for a cleaner, self-sufficient Bangladesh.” The initiative aligns with the government’s target to produce 10% of the nation’s energy from renewable sources by 2030. Experts praised the project as a model for…

22 Oct

Bangladesh Expands Solar Power Projects to Reduce Reliance on Imports

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has announced a nationwide expansion of solar power projects aimed at cutting energy imports and promoting renewable sources. The Power Development Board said new installations will add 2,000 megawatts to the national grid within three years. The initiative is supported by international partners, including Japan and the Asian Development Bank. Officials stated that the new projects will reduce the country’s dependency on expensive liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports. Energy experts in India have noted that similar projects across the subcontinent could foster regional power-sharing agreements. Cross-border energy exchange between India, Nepal, and Bangladesh could soon become a reality, boosting…

16 Oct

Bangladesh Likely to Delay Transit Facilities for Neighbours

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Plans to grant transit and transhipment facilities to neighbouring countries—India, Nepal, and Bhutan—appear to be delayed indefinitely, per official sources in Dhaka. An adviser in the Prime Minister’s Office noted the earlier momentum has slowed, with no significant progress in awarding such access. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has resumed oversight of the process after earlier transfers among ministries, and a technical committee meeting is expected in New Delhi in coming months. The senior commerce official said that until a transit deal with India is finalized, Bangladesh cannot unilaterally grant transshipment access to others. For Bangladeshi media, this is a…

10 Oct

Bangladesh Parties Agree to Referendum Over Reform Charter

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh’s major political parties have collectively endorsed holding a nationwide referendum on a proposed reform charter, but disagreement remains over when it should occur. The 28-page "July Charter" includes sweeping changes such as term limits for prime ministers, stronger checks and balances, and recognition of Bangladesh as multiethnic and multi-religious. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus supports rapid implementation, while some groups argue for holding the referendum only after parliamentary elections in early 2026. The charter is viewed as a response to last year’s mass protests that deposed Sheikh Hasina amid frustrations over corruption and authoritarianism. For Bangladeshi media, this is a…