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Cross-border power trade between Dhaka, Kathmandu unlikely to start before Nov
Despite an understanding among Bangladesh, Nepal and India, state-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) still cannot import electricity from the Himalayan nation.
On August 28 this year, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid had said that import of hydropower from Nepal was almost final.
It seems unlikely that the power trade will happen before November. That means, Bangladesh will not get the opportunity to export its surplus electricity to Nepal during peak demand season in winter in the Himalayan nation.
Electricity demand decreases during winter in Bangladesh while it increases in Nepal.
According to official sources, after a long discussion at political and bureaucratic levels among the countries, India finally agreed to allow Bangladesh to initially import 40 MW electricity from Nepal.
The import was supposed to start between August and September 2023, but negotiation on tariff remained incomplete.
Sources said the decision to start the import of 40 MW power from Nepal was finalised in a two-day meeting of the joint steering committee (JSC) and joint working committee (JWC) on Bangladesh-Nepal power and energy sector cooperation on May 14-15 this year at Patuakhali in Bangladesh.
Ahead of the meeting, Nepalese Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud visited Dhaka and held a meeting with Bangladeshi public and private sector officials where he urged them to invest in the hydropower sector in the Himalayan nation, holding about 60,000 MW of clean energy potentials.
Read: Power tariff raised again by 5 percent at retail level, effective from Wednesday
After the meeting at Nepalese Embassy in Dhaka, Saud had told UNB that he was expecting all issues to be resolved during the Nepalese prime minister’s visit to India – to facilitate Nepal’s export of electricity to Bangladesh.
In the follow-up, according to a report of the Kathmandu Post, during the Nepalese prime minister’s India visit (May 30-June 1), India agreed to facilitate Nepal to export 40 MW electricity to Bangladesh through Indian transmission infrastructure.
India also made an announcement to buy 10,000 MW electricity from Nepal over the next 10 years.
According to a recent report of The Kathmandu Post, “The Bangladeshi side has notified Nepal that they are seeking clearance from the political authorities on the agreement reached between the two sides at the bureaucratic level,” said Kul Man Ghising, managing director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). “We are awaiting a final response from the Bangladeshi side to move on to tariff negotiation,” he added.
NEA officials said that the two sides have concluded discussion on everything except tariff at the bureaucratic level.
Read: Adani Power team likely to visit Bangladesh to discuss coal price, power tariff
Power Cell Director General Mohammad Hossain said that he is not aware of the latest situation in this regard. He, however, noted that all necessary arrangements have been made for the cross-border power trade from both Bangladesh and Nepal sides.
He said that 40 MW electricity was to be imported through Baharampur-Bheramara transmission lines which have enough capacity to import electricity from Nepal through Indian territory.
Sources said under the planned arrangement, Bangladesh will import electricity from Nepal through an Indian company as a service provider which will first import electricity from Nepal through Indian transmission line and then sell it to Bangladesh.
They said Bangladesh and Nepal prefer a tripartite or regional agreement while India wants bilateral deal in this regard.
Explaining the matter, they said, if Bangladesh wants to import power from Nepal, it has to first sign a deal with India, not directly with Nepal. Then Nepal will sign a separate deal with India. Each deal will be on bilateral basis, and then a trilateral agreement among the three nations will be signed to facilitate the cross-border power trade.
Read more: Hike in retail power tariff is less than in developed countries: Info Minister
Currently, Bangladesh is importing electricity from India through a similar arrangement where the Indian company NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) is selling power to BPDB.
In case of electricity trade between Dhaka and Kathmandu, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) will have to sign agreements with both NVVN and BPDB.
Apart from the 40 MW import plan, Bangladesh wants to import 500 MW of hydroelectricity from Nepal via Indian company GMR.
Also read: Retail power tariff hiked 5% to Tk0.19 per unit for lifeline consumers, Tk0.36 on average for others
Officials said Bangladesh and Nepal are still pursuing India to sign the tripartite deal to facilitate the sub-regional power trade among the three nations.
‘There exists a profound undercurrent of suffering in our lives, that needed to be brought to the forefront’: Kanak Chanpa Chakma
Artist Kanak Chanpa Chakma has recently been honored with the prestigious Ekushey Padak for her remarkable contributions to art.
To commemorate this achievement, Gallery Cosmos hosted an exhibition showcasing some of her exceptional works, offering an inspiring journey into the vibrant tapestry of her artistic world.
During this occasion, UNB had the privilege of conducting an exclusive interview with Kanak Chanpa Chakma, providing insight into her life, her passion for art, and her profound influence on indigenous cultures.
UNB: You have received numerous awards at home and abroad throughout your career. This time, it’s Ekushey Padak. How does this feel?
Kanak Chanpa Chakma: It's indeed a momentous occasion for me. The Ekushey Padak is a tremendous honor, and it comes with added responsibilities and expectations.
UNB: You were inspired by your mother's designs on clothes. Was there any particular reason for choosing painting instead of weaving? ( Her artistic roots trace back to her childhood, where her mother's vibrant designs on clothes and the art of dyeing cotton fabrics served as a wellspring of inspiration.)
Kanak Chanpa Chakma: My choice to work with painting was influenced by my early experiences of seeing my mother expertly using natural dyes sourced from turmeric, catechu, tree bark, and leaves. These were all around me. Those colors, the love, and the inspiration, maybe these early experiences played a significant role in shaping my artistic direction.
My journey into art began from drawing on the walls of my home to my homework books. As I advanced through school, my passion for art led me to realize that art was my place where dreams could be transformed into reality. Then I informed my parents that I aspired to be an artist, and there started my journey into the world of painting.
UNB: What inspired you to choose your own culture as the subject of your art?
Kanak Chanpa Chakma: Those who visit the mountains see them, the rivers, and the water in a different light. However, beneath the undeniable breathtaking beauty, there exists a profound undercurrent of suffering in our lives. I strongly believed that these concealed aspects needed to be brought to the forefront.
Simultaneously, advocating for women's rights became one of my key objectives. In many tribal communities, women bear the brunt of labor without a significant say in decision-making processes. I felt it was essential to provide them with a platform for their unspoken voices to be heard, and I chose the medium of portraiture to convey their stories. This is why women take center stage in my paintings, not merely for their beauty, but to emphasize the struggles, hardships, and the marginalized state they endure in society and the nation at large.
Govt aims to collect 11.2% of GDP in taxes by FY 2025-26
The government aims to collect total revenue amounting to 11.2 percent of GDP by the end of the 2025-26 fiscal, according to the Medium Term Macroeconomic Policy Statement (2023-24 to 2025-26) of the Finance Division under the Finance Ministry.
It said that Bangladesh has consistently maintained an expansionary fiscal stance keeping a moderate budget deficit—usually around 5 percent of GDP—to foster economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve social outcomes.
However, the tax-GDP ratio in Bangladesh is significantly lower than its peers and hence, the government has taken several initiatives to improve revenue collection.
Yet, it said, the fast pace of GDP growth has made it challenging to increase the ratio.
No tax fair, NBR will organise tax support service to smooth returns submission
The measures that have been undertaken are expected to gradually improve revenue collection by increasing both the tax volume and the number of taxpayers.
The Statement said that the foremost objectives of the public expenditure policy are to stimulate private investment through building infrastructures and improving the business climate, creating employment opportunities, supporting low-income population through social safety net programs, and reducing poverty through ensuring efficient redistribution of wealth and thus ensuring inclusive development.
With the advent of the Covid-19 outbreak, the government started to focus on saving lives while keeping the living standards from falling.
To do this, it mentioned, the Government emphasised on retaining jobs, providing income support, keeping supply chains active, reviving the rural economy, and ensuring food supply.
Public pension is considered tax-free, notification soon: Finance Ministry
For this, the government increased spending and implemented comprehensive recovery programs consisting of twenty-eight stimulus packages.
The stimulus efforts worked well and as a result the economy returned to a high growth trajectory fast while other countries continued to struggle.
However, the Russia-Ukraine war has again posed considerable risks and to mitigate the risks the Government has been pursuing a policy to rationalise public expenditure to stimulate economic growth by inducing domestic productivity growth.
While managing the economy to maximise welfare and development, the government is expected to maintain a budget deficit of around 5 percent of GDP over the medium term.
Historically, the size of public expenditure has been low relative to GDP in Bangladesh because of various limitations in the process of revenue collection and budget implementation.
Land Development Tax Bill 2023 passed in JS
To improve the situation, the government has undertaken certain strategies to increase public expenditure.
The target of increasing public expenditure has been set to around 16.2 percent of GDP in FY 2025-26.
Moreover, the government is pursuing the Public Financial Management (PFM) reforms process to achieve this target.
To improve overall public service delivery, financial control of budget allocations, real-time monitoring of budget execution, and integration of recurrent and capital spending, implementation of the PFM Action Plan (2018-23) is ongoing, and revised PFM Reform Action Plan (2024-2028) has recently been formulated.
Under the PFM reforms, pension automation and E-challan automation systems have been introduced with the help of iBAS++ software.
This system continues to play a significant role in simplifying the budget management process. At the same time, all beneficiary programs are being brought under the Government to Person (G2P) payment system with the help of the iBAS++ software, which brings greater transparency in government expenditure management.
In addition, all government allocations from government institutions as well as all semi-government, autonomous, and state-owned enterprises, are being brought under the Treasury Single Account (TSA) through the iBAS++ system in the medium term.
How to Deactivate TIN in Bangladesh: A Comprehensive Guide
Bagerhat's Shikdarbari Durgotsob returns to take centre-stage in Puja celebrations
After authorities halted the festival for the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the country's renowned ‘Shikdar Bari Durgotsob’ is going to be reinstated on a large scale this year in Bagerhat.
The Shikdarbari Durgotsob, which faced a forced closure from 2020 to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is back on a grand scale. During the pandemic, Puja was organized on a small scale to uphold religious rites, but this year marks a resurgence of grandeur.
A total of 501 idols of gods and goddesses are gracing the Shikdarbari Puja Mandap, arranged with precision and artistry.
In the eleventh hour, the work of adorning and embellishing the idols in the puja mandap is in progress. Various modifications are being introduced to the idols to captivate visitors. Deities from Satya, Treta, Dwapara, and Kali Yuga are interspersed throughout the puja mandap as companions to Mahamaya Goddess Durga.
Read: With 463 mandaps, Lalmonirhat gearing up for Durga Puja celebrations
The pandal is a vibrant spectacle, with artisans putting final touches to the idols just moments before the festival kicks off. Various modifications and creative flourishes have been added to captivate the visitors, creating a captivating ambiance.
Vijay Krishna Bachar, the sculptor behind the artistry, said that a team of 15 dedicated artisans spent five months crafting the 501 idols of various gods and goddesses.
Liton Shikder, the organizer of Shikdar Bari Durga Puja, said that despite performing puja for the past three years to preserve religious rituals, the Durgo Festival couldn't be held due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Durgotsob has been organized this year as before, he said.
The organisers of the district hope to make the autumn Durgotsav a recurring spectacle in this family worship hall.
BNP looking to heat up political landscape from November in final phase of their movement
The political landscape may heat up extremely early next month as BNP and other opposition parties are set to start the final phase of the movement with harsher programmers to topple the government amid the ruling party’s warning of dire consequences.
Talking to UNB, several senior BNP leaders said their party may hold a public rally in Dhaka on October 28 from where they are likely to announce tougher programmes like marching towards important government offices or laying siege to these offices in the capital, observing sits in front of the secretariat or the Election Commission and blocking the entrances of Dhaka.
They, however, said the programmes will be finalised at the BNP standing committee’s meeting on September 23.
The BNP leader said the main goal of their programmes is to prevent the announcement of the schedule for the next election and force the government to quit handing over power to an interim neutral government.
Awami League has lost the country and also foreigners: Amir Khasru
Meanwhile, BNP will hold a public rally in the capital on Wednesday to press home their one-point demand that includes the resignation of the government and the unconditional release of Khaleda Zia for her treatment abroad.
From the rally, party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will announce to hold a grand rally in Dhaka on October 28. He is also supposed to give the government the last warning to accept their one-point movement to avoid fierce agitation.
“The Election Commission is likely to announce the election schedule in the middle of November. So, we want to start the strict programmes at least two weeks before the announcement of the schedule. We believe our movement will yield positive outcomes, creating a difficult situation for announcing the election schedule,” a BNP standing committee member told UNB, wishing anonymity.
Get ready for final agitation, no time to look back: Fakhrul
BNP leaders have already sat with the parties who have been carrying out simultaneous meetings with the party and took their opinions on the possible action programmes of their final phase of agitation.
Most parties suggested programmes like besieging the secretariat and the Election Commission (EC) or marching towards the important office.
They also recommended some other tougher programmes, including road marches towards Dhaka from districts adjacent to the capital and marches towards the EC and the Supreme Court and hartal and blockade at the last stage.
Against this backdrop, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Monday warned that BNP will face dire consequences if it takes programmes like the blockade of the capital, triggering a fear of political violence.
Movement on right track, no election without voters this time, says Fakhrul
“We are also ready. BNP will get blocked once they try to blockade (Dhaka). BNP will be besieged and will have no paths to flee. Did they (Hefajat activists) not flee Shapla Chattar in the dead of night? The BNP will have to suffer even more dire situations," Quader told a youth rally in front of Awami League’s central office.
He also alleged that BNP leaders and workers have started gathering in Dhaka from across the country like they did in December last year. “All hotel rooms have been booked; they are renting flats. They are once again dreaming of ousting the government."
However, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they will begin their final round of movement with programmes focusing on Dhaka after Durga Puja.
He said their only goal is to ensure the fall of the current regime for the sake of a credible election through an unstoppable movement.
He said the opposition leaders and activists will take part in the final movement with fresh zeal and aspirations and make it a success at any cost.
"Insha'Allah, we will be able to defeat this terrible fascist regime through our peaceful movement,” the BNP leader said.
Nothing actually happened behind the scenes: Fakhrul
He called upon the government to quit power by handing over power to a neutral government to pave the way for holding the next election in a fair and credible manner.
BNP standing committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku also said they are all set to initiate the final phase of the movement with harsher programmes after the Durga Puja.
“We’ll be there on the streets with different severe programmes to resist any move to announce a schedule for holding the next election under the current government. The election must be held under a neutral government in a fair, acceptable and inclusive manner. We’ll surely turn victorious.”
BNP joint Secretary General Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal said they have been holding meetings with the opposition parties to take all-out preparation to realise demand through a successful movement.
BNP staging token hunger strike seeking Khaleda's treatment abroad
“We’re discussing with the opposition parties and alliances how to strengthen our movement and the possible programmes. We’re confident that we’ll be able to force the government to accept our demand by intensifying our movement,” he said.
Alongside their like-minded parties, they have also been in discussion with the Islamic parties to join their movement and make it a success.
Successful malta cultivation raises hope among farmers in Thakurgaon’s Ranishankail
Farmer Amirul Islam from northern district Thakurgaon used to cultivate various crops, including paddy, on his one acre of land. However, he abruptly shifted his focus to planting trees for a Malta orchard a few years ago.
Amirul planted approximately 270 malta trees on his land in Ranisankail upazila’s Bansbari village. The yield began last year, and he earned TK 3 lakh by selling malta. This year's yield is anticipated to be around 150 maunds from which he is expected to earn Tk 3 lakh, he said.
Amirul said, “I had a difficult beginning. People used to say, the tree would not grow, and I would not get any yield or Amirul has gone mad; is it possible to grow Malta on this land? At one point, Amirul has to regret - criticism like this.”
Read: Demand for salted hilsa up in north Bangladesh
Growing backlog in payments to independent producers a bottleneck in power sector
The growing backlog in payment obligation is emerging as a major problem in Bangladesh's power sector that may impede the growth of the sector.
According to official sources, the payment mode in Bangladesh Government's power purchase agreement (PPA) with the private sector has mainly been made in foreign currency, specially, the US dollar.
As per the existing arrangement, as a single payer the state-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) pays to the private power producers in local currency against its purchase of electricity.
Under the PPA, the private power producers are allowed to convert the payments into US dollars to meet their different kinds of payment obligations like bank loan, fuel and machinery imports and also paying foreign staff salaries.
If the investors are foreign companies, they can repatriate their profits in US dollars, said the officials of the BPDB.
They also noted that the BPDB always remains in constant contact with power producers, their banks and the central bank to smooth the foreign currency repatriation.
But following the dollar crisis in the country, official sources said in recent months, both the BPDB and the private power producers have been experiencing severe problems in getting dollars from their banks and also from the Bangladesh Bank.
Official sources said the BPDB has been struggling to keep up with its payments owed to the private power producers for more than a year.
Officials at the Power Division and BPDB said currently the total owed to the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) is $3.5 billion (equivalent to over Tk 35,000 crore) as of September 2023.
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As per contract with the government, the IPPs are facing dual problems with their bills. First, they are not getting bills on time and secondly, they are getting partial bills, but not being able to convert the payment into foreign exchange due to the dollar crisis.
A top BPDB official admitted the problem to UNB, saying that they had reached an understanding with Bangladesh Bank under a mediation of the Finance Ministry that the central bank will provide on average $20 million every day to BPDB to cover its costs.
“But we’re not getting more than $10-15 million a day,” a top BPDB official told UNB on condition of anonymity as the issue is very sensitive and he is not allowed to speak on the issue.
He also said that if measures are not taken to contain the growing dues in the power sector it will further aggravate the problem.
Read: Japan provides $1500 million to implement Matarbari coal-fired power plant
Admitting about the payment backlog, Imran Karim, former president of Bangladesh Independent power Producers Association (BIPPA), said the government should take necessary measures to clear the dues in the power sector.
"Otherwise, it will accumulate the dues and create a major problem in the sector", he told UNB.
Energy experts said the country is heading for problems in the power sector and it would have a big impact on the overall economy pushing up inflation further.
Eminent energy expert and advisor to the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Prof M Shamsul Alam said the government has been put in such a major problem because of its wrong planning in the power sector.
He said that as a result of the wrong planning, the country is witnessing 50 percent surplus power in summer and 70 percent in winter, for which it is heading towards a disastrous situation.
“There will be a big indiscipline in the power sector as pressure for private sector’s capacity payment will continue to go up while import of primary fuel will be increasing. Finally, it will lead to energy insecurity,” he told UNB.
Read more: Cabinet purchase body approves proposals including 3 solar power plants in private sector
Demand for salted hilsa up in north Bangladesh
Hilsa, despite being the national fish of Bangladesh, is mostly out of low-income people's reach, but they can savour the delectable taste of dried, salted hilsa as it is becoming popular in northern parts of the country due to its affordable price.
Every year, the workers at Chandpur Boro Station Fisheries Ghat process the unsold hilsa fish. They are now busy cutting up the fish and putting salt in them.
Dried salted hilsa or "nona ilish" is catching on in Mymensingh, Tangail, Kurigram, Sherpur and Manikganj districts, and demand is consistently up.
22-day ban on hilsa fishing begins tomorrow
At the fisheries ghat, many hilsa remain unsold as they go soft during the season. Some traders purchase these at average price and process them with salt. The dried salted fish are sold at Tk 900-1200 per kg.
The workers also separate the eggs from the fish, and the eggs are sold at Tk 2500-2600 per kg. Last year, per kg hilsa eggs were sold at Tk 1400.
173 tonnes of Hilsa exported to India in 3 days through Benapole port
Ramjan Bepari, a trader, said that he has been running his business for the past 30 years and every year, he comes from Mymensingh during the hilsa season and lives in the area.
He bought unsold hilsa, weighing between 700 and 1000 grams, from the wholesale market at a cost of Tk 700 to 800 per kg.
This year, he set a target to process 3000-3500 maunds of hilsa. This dried salted hilsa will remain edible for the next six months, he claimed.
Like Ramjan, many traders, including Anwar Hossain, Zakir Hossain and Chari Gazi, have come to Chandpur for the same purpose.
Some 100 women and 150 men are involved in processing hilsa fish. They are happy with the daily wages they get.
Delay ban on catching hilsa by a month: Barishal fishing community
Dr Anisur Rahman, a renowned hilsa expert at the Fisheries Research Institute in Chandpur, said that hilsa can be preserved with salt for six months.
Hilsa eggs can also be preserved the same way through ensuring the right temperature in the refrigerator.
Some 25-30 lakh people are now involved in processing hilsa fish, and they are earning profits.
Bagerhat artisans torn between preserving ancient craft and economic realities
In the quaint villages of Bagerhat, a centuries-old tradition of crafting clay idols is facing a crisis as artisans find themselves at a crossroads, torn between the intergenerational skill they hold dear and the economic hardships that accompany it.
The once-thriving profession, passed down through generations, now finds itself at odds with the rising costs of materials, leaving artisans to contemplate alternative paths that may be more financially rewarding to sustain their families.
Milan Pal, an artisan from the historic Kathigomti village in Bagerhat’s Sadar Upazila, expressed the sentiment shared among his fellow artisans.
Trade through Hili land port to remain suspended for 7 days for Durga Puja
“Despite a rich heritage of crafting idols that spans our familial lineages, the monetary value of our work has not kept pace with the rising cost of living,” he said.
Milan Pal is now looking to leave the occupation for good.
The financial remuneration from idol-making, once a source of pride, has dwindled, and artisans like Milan Pal find themselves grappling with the harsh reality that their craft can no longer adequately support their families.
IGP assures Hindu community of security as Durga Puja approaches; points to harmony between communities
Sudev Pal, another skilled artisan from the same village, shares a similar tale of hardship.
“Compelled by circumstances to follow in my grandfather's venerable footsteps, I entered a profession once celebrated but now undervalued in today's society,” he said.
The lack of recognition and financial security has left him disillusioned; now he is looking for an alternative livelihood that can provide stability for his family, he added.
Security concern
With preparations underway in full swing for the grand celebration of this year's Durga Puja with 652 puja mandaps spread across the 9 upazilas in the district, the district and police administrations have given assurances of stringent security measures.
Niloy Kumar Bhadra, President of Bagerhat District Puja Celebration Parishad, expressed a sense of anxiety among organizers regarding the festival's proceedings.
CCTV cameras must be installed at every Puja Mandap in Faridpur: DC
He said that comprehensive security measures have been implemented. In an effort to safeguard the celebrations and ensure security, the artisans have formed their own security forces with volunteers, and CCTV cameras will be strategically installed for each mandap.
Superintendent of Police Abul Hasnat Khan outlined a three-tier security plan, with particular attention given to 216 puja mandaps.
Meanwhile, Bagerhat District Commissioner Khalid Hossain assured that maximum security measures would be in place to guarantee a peaceful and festive Durga Puja.
“Control rooms will be operational in each upazila, and a joint effort involving law enforcement forces and Executive Magistrates will maintain vigilance,” he said.
Proud to be first-ever Bangladeshi participant at Miss International: Farzana Yasmin Ananna
For the first time in history, a Bangladeshi contestant is going to take part in the upcoming Miss International Beauty Pageant in Tokyo, Japan. The name is Farzana Yasmin Ananna - winner of the 2023 Miss International Bangladesh, and the 2021 Miss Universe Bangladesh first runner-up.
Prior to leaving her beloved motherland to create history, the Miss International Bangladesh 2023 spoke to the journalists on Monday, at the residence of the Japanese Ambassador to Dhaka, Baridhara in the capital.
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The Ambassador Iwama Kiminori and his wife Iwama Tomomi greeted Ananna at the residence. They also had conversations regarding a handful of socio-cultural aspects between the two friendly nations.
“As the first Bangladeshi to ever compete on the Miss International stage, I am about to make history. Being the first Miss International representative from my nation makes me feel really thankful, and I am committed to myself that I will uphold the glory of my country in front of the world,” Ananna said, expressing her state of mind before heading to Japan.
At only 23 years old, she accomplished a handful - became a graduate majoring in Women and Gender Studies from Dhaka University, established her name as a social worker, became a young politician and now waiting to create history.
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“However, it was not easy for me,” Ananna said. Just a couple of hours before winning the Miss International Bangladesh, she lost her mother. “She left very suddenly, without any illness - but my father stood beside me, motivated me to evolve and win,” she told UNB.
It takes more than just attractive appearances to win a beauty contest. The competition's dynamics go far beyond. By emphasizing the value of cultural and behavioural advocacy, beauty pageants endorse the idea of transcending beyond physical attractiveness.
As these competitions use the platform for welcoming significant changes in societies against stereotypes worldwide, they urge participants to highlight the most important causes to them.