Author: DOM LTE Writers

Dear EditorDhaka Opinion MagazineDhaka As Bangladesh is being rapidly urbanized, the demand for construction materials continues to rise. The use of conventional bricks, which are made of clay and rely on coal, wood, and other fossil fuels, has been going on for decades, posing serious environmental threats to Bangladesh. But in response, bio-bricks, which are made by using organic and recycled materials, such as agricultural waste, sawdust, and bacteria-induced biocementation, have emerged as an innovative and eco-friendly alternative and are gaining traction in Bangladesh. Compared to conventional bricks, bio-bricks offer a sustainable way forward for the construction sector of the country. But the…

Dear EditorDhaka Opinion MagazineDhaka The tariff move of the United States against Bangladesh — one of the world’s biggest garment exporters — that came with the US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 37 percent tariff on imports from the latter on different goods including the country’s ready-made garments is shocking. However, the United States has also withdrawn the tariff temporarily for 90 days, giving Bangladesh a short but important reprieve. The tariff being suspended for the full three months is a welcome addition. Once 90 days are up, the future of the imposition of tariffs remains unclear but the key period…

Dear EditorDhaka Opinion MagazineDhaka Using news media as a tool to gain political advantage is a tactic often employed by different countries and governments including India in international politics against other countries. Indian media, which is becoming more politicized, familial and corporatized and increasingly becoming a tool for realizing certain vested interests to spread divisive propaganda, hatred, and disinformation, is carrying out propaganda against Bangladesh with the reporting that is increasingly aligned with the political ideologies, leading to concerns for the latter. The media propaganda of India probably aims at advancing the national political narrative of it against Bangladesh. Since…

Dated: 14/November/2024 Dear EditorDhaka Opinion Magazine Dhaka Novel laureate Dr. Mohammad Yunus-led Bangladesh’s newly formed interim government is coping with a complex web of political, social, and economic challenges with various steps. Among the steps, the Advisor of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change of the government of Bangladesh, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, announced a crackdown on polythene bags, which have been legally banned but continue to be used immensely in the country and causing plastic pollution. This decision is a good move from the interim government and will bring various positive outcomes including — but not limited to — decreased…

Dated: 28/ February/2024 EditorDhaka Opinion MagazineDhaka The menace of plastic pollution demands immediate action and global attention. The relentless influx of plastic waste into oceans has reached a critical juncture. Yearly, millions of tons of plastic debris find their way into the world’s oceans, persisting for centuries and wreaking havoc on marine ecosystems and wildlife. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (2021), annually, over 400 million tons of plastic are produced globally for diverse applications, with a staggering 14 million tons ending up in the ocean, constituting 80 percent of the marine debris. Plastic pollution in oceans…

Dated: 22/ February/2024 EditorDhaka Opinion MagazineDhaka I am writing to draw attention to the pervasive issue of sound pollution in major cities across the world and its concerning association with mental fatigue among urban residents. The incessant barrage of noise from various sources such as honking horns, blaring sirens, bustling traffic, and construction work poses a significant threat to the mental well-being of individuals living in urban environments. Sound pollution exists in the cities of different countries in Asia and other regions, leading to concerns. Among cities, according to the Worldwide Hearing Index Report 2017, which ties city noise to…

Dated: 16/February/2024 Dear EditorDhaka Opinion MagazineDhaka In today’s world, the ideal of universal human rights often seems to exist only on paper, while the reality is far more serious. Across the globe, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or religion, individuals continue to suffer from various forms of injustice and discrimination. From gender inequality to human trafficking, from the suppression of freedom of speech to other violations, the 21st century is witnessing a disturbing persistence of human rights abuses, though human rights conditions are improving on many grounds in different countries. What is particularly troubling is that these violations are not…

Dated: 10/February/2024 Dear EditorDhaka Opinion MagazineDhaka I write to address the persistent and challenging issue of climate change, a global concern that continues to shape the international agenda. Understanding the intricacies of the phenomenon of climate change and exploring the efforts made by the United Nations (UN) to mitigate its impacts is crucial in fostering awareness and collective action. Climate change — driven largely by human activities — manifests in various ways, including rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events. These changes pose significant threats to ecosystems, biodiversity, and human societies with rising sea levels, the…

Dear EditorDhaka Opinion MagazineDhaka The alarming rise in global inflation, primarily driven by ongoing international conflicts such as the Ukraine-Russia and Israel-Palestine conflicts, coupled with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, poses a severe threat to the economic stability of nations worldwide. The surge in prices, especially of daily necessities, has pushed the cost of living to unprecedented levels. The pandemic immensely disrupted global supply chains. Though the world has recovered from the impacts of the pandemic, intensifying conflicts have aggravated the disruptions — leading to a dramatic increase in the prices of essential goods in the world. According to Forbes,…

Dated: 27/January/2024 Dear EditorDhaka Opinion MagazineDhaka The prolonged Israel-Palestine conflict continues to exact a devastating toll, with thousands of innocent children and women falling victim to the unrelenting violence. This heartbreaking reality underscores the imperative for a collective commitment to a just resolution—especially one that upholds human dignity irrespective of religious or national background. But in the pursuit of a viable solution to the crisis, a two-state framework, which has been given emphasis many times, that respects the rights and security of both Israelis and Palestinians remains a cornerstone for lasting peace between the countries. The profound human suffering in…