Cyrus Naji

Parvin, 27, a brickbreaker in Dhaka, lost vision in her left eye after police opened fire during her walk to work, injuring her left side.

Since taking charge at the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has faced a steep learning curve. The director has had to learn to navigate the complexities of government bureaucracy and a febrile political climate, where controversies are quick to erupt.