The BBS, in its report, defined that if a person can write a simple letter, she/he will be considered literate. This clearly contradicts with the definition given by the UNESCO which declares that literacy incorporates three things -- reading, writing and doing simple arithmetic. This is also a globally accepted definition of literacy. Then why have these guidelines of UNESCO not been followed in preparing this report?

First of all this is a direct threat to freedom of the press and the growth of multiplicity of views. Al Jazeera has established itself as an international media outlet that provides divergent views, including the Arab perspective of global issues.

After a month of abstinence, the nation is set to celebrate the biggest festival of Muslims around the world. Ramadan is about teaching us empathy for those less fortunate and help us develop ourselves to be better human beings. As Eid approaches, let us take stock of our learning and our short comings, and with the joy of day, also engage in introspection.

We would hope that the government would not approach the issue in the usual cavalier manner and dismiss the report offhand. The matter demands to be addressed seriously.

A back page photo in this newspaper published on Thursday highlights how futile traffic laws have become. The picture shows VIP cars, including a minister's car escorted by a police contingent going on the wrong side of the road in the midst of a long tail back near Ruposhi Bangla Motor. This is a mockery to the rule of law.

A report published in this paper on Thursday revealed a damning picture of how trains are being used to transport drugs across the country with the alleged collusion of railway police and staff.

Every year before the Eid holidays hundreds of thousands of people leave the capital to celebrate Eid with their friends and families outside of Dhaka city. The rush of people leaving Dhaka right before Eid, therefore, is a common and predictable phenomenon. But because of poor preparations on part of the authorities, their journeys are never made easy and, in fact, often turn tragic.

The World Bank has found that the cost of road-building projects in Bangladesh is far higher than both India and China.

We are appalled by the reports of misappropriation of rice allocated for victims of the recent devastating landslides in the hilly districts.

Waterlogging in Dhaka has become a common problem during monsoon. Rainwater is carried through natural canals and large concrete pipes to flood plains and rivers, but as most of the canals have been grabbed by the encroachers or clogged with solid wastes, the city streets are submerged even after a little rain.

When it comes to RMG, Bangladesh unfortunately lags behind its biggest competitors since 40 percent of fabrics need to be imported due to the inability of local industry to meet needs on time. Gearing up local yarn makers to become more efficient is a long term affair.

The traffic police department fails to play an effective role in identifying overloaded and unfit vehicles, and holding drunk and reckless drivers accountable. There are also problems of faulty road construction and dangerous bends that often cause deadly accidents.

A flawed prosecution system and poor remuneration of public prosecutors have resulted in many suspected militants to come out of jail and continue with their nefarious activities.

Amid fresh reports of landslides in the hill tracts one is astounded to find that remedial measures recommended by an expert committee has gone completely unheeded so long.

The health and family welfare ministry in association with the two Dhaka city corporations organised a 'symbolic' awareness campaign on Saturday

The taxpayers have the right to know why money is being put into a bank that is progressively going downhill.

Countries around the world seek to protect heritage businesses such as that our weavers have practised for generations. They are incentivised and are branded nationally. Our handloom industry, after languishing for decades, recently saw a rise in demand through small and medium industries and fashion houses which promoted these products. Subsidising the industry would not go amiss, while instead the flat VAT decision will in all likelihood destroy it.

The tragedy of Tuesday's devastating landslides that killed at least 146 people in Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachhari, Chittagong.

One would have thought that the death of 23 people in boiler explosions over the last four years in the country would be a wakeup call for authorities, but that is not the case.

Because our rice stock is at an all-time low, the government has sanctioned import of 2.5 lakh tonnes of rice from Vietnam. Despite