Review of ‘Needle at the Bottom of the Sea: Bengali Tales from the Land of the Eighteen Tides’ (University of California Press, 2023) translated by Tony K. Stewart

In the often-treacherous world of showbiz, there is always “something else” beyond mere skill, charisma, and looks that contributes to stardom.

Women in Translation Month is an annual celebration that toasts to women authors from around the globe who write in languages other than English

Sometime ago, a writer reached out to me with a request. His debut novel was being published later in the year and he was wondering if I would be open to reviewing it. I was aware of the book, having read it when it was still only a draft. The author was not someone I only knew, either, but a mentor who had supported my writing in many ways, even through monetary means. Refusing him, then, felt tantamount to betrayal. But I had to in the end, and though he understood, I still came out of the exchange feeling guilty of being unhelpful or, worse, ungrateful.

The poetic tradition in the East, particularly in Greater India, has long been characterised by diverse literary experimentation, significantly influenced by Sanskritic, Arabic, and Persian cosmopolitan traditions.

‘Ombudsman’ is a Swedish term meaning ‘representative of the people’. The Swedish parliamentary Ombudsman was instituted in 1809.

Bangladesh is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional mandate for responsible government. Responsible government is a conception of a system that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability.

How long can the Bangladesh Interim Government (BIG) led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, stay in office? Several political parties, including BNP, have demanded that the 13th parliamentary elections be held as soon as possible, preferably within three months. This political attitude is nothing to be surprised about.

“Mr Nurul Amin couldn’t realise what bureaucracy had dragged him down to”. Remember how you needed to absolutely memorise this line with context and underlying meaning for answering comprehension-based questions? Well, that was to earn a couple of marks in exams. Turns out, it is also a 101 guide on how to earn a nation back.

During the 53 years of Bangladesh’s existence, its people have had to endure and take down two autocratic regimes; not only did they oust an autocrat in July 2024 through a mass uprising, but 1991 also saw the downfall of the autocrat, Hussain Muhammad Ershad, through another rebellion.

The inspiration for decolonization, as a philosophical term, writes Achille Mbembe, was the ‘active will to community’ which can be translated as something like ‘to stand up on one’s own and create a heritage’. 

Amidst the turbulent circumstances arising from the recent Quota Reform Movement, a significant number of allegations were brought against the actions of the police forces. Along with the reports of deaths and injuries, overwhelming number of arrests and detentions without prior explanation, stops and searches, and custodial tortures were reported this time, while the authorities consistently branded such actions as countermeasures to internal political turmoil.

Amid the quota reform protests, A juvenile court in Dhaka rejected bail petition of a 17 year old Dhaka College student Hasnatul Islam Faiyaz. Below is a general analysis on the legality of treating children in contact and in conflict with law.

On July 19, 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued its advisory opinion in Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.

Irrespective of the ambivalence that marks Metaphysical poetry of the 17th century, Selim marvels us with his choice of words and precision of utterance.

One does not need to remember Rabindranath on the occasion of the anniversary of his death—22 Srabon or August 7 to be precise.

At present, internet is no more a luxury, rather a day-to-day necessity for our survival. Internet not only keeps us in touch with the world at large, it also works as a medium to exercise an array of civil and political rights of the citizens (ranging from freedom of speech and expression to the right to use and impart information).

Positive discrimination or affirmative action schemes are permitted under articles 28(4) and 29(3) of the Constitution of Bangladesh. The preamble to the constitution envisions an egalitarian and exploitation-free society where there is fundamental freedom and dignity.

The reason we have law enforcement agencies in modern states is to protect the rights of the citizens. However, when disproportionate force is used against the citizens by states using these agencies, the very same rights are violated. Below is an analysis keeping the quota reform movement in the background.

It's true, I feel differently about books that I previously disliked or enjoyed reading and books that I want as a physical presence in my life