United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s export sector is navigating a difficult transition as weak global demand coincides with domestic political and economic pressures, though a sharp rebound in recent months is raising hopes of stabilisation. Export earnings in the first seven months of the current fiscal year (FY2025–26) fell 1.93% year-on-year to $28.41 billion, according to data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), down from $28.96 billion in the same period a year earlier. The decline reflects sluggish demand in major Western markets and disruptions linked to political change at home. Yet December and January figures point to a potential turning point. Exports in January 2026 reached $4.41 billion, only 0.5% lower than a year earlier, but up 11.22% from December’s $3.96 billion, signalling renewed momentum. “Exports in the last two months show a shining future as global trade conditions are gradually improving,” said Dr Zahid Hussain, former lead economist at the World Bank’s Dhaka office. He noted that exporters continue to face domestic challenges, including uninterrupted energy supply and labour unrest, which remain critical constraints for the manufacturing sector. At the same time, global trade remains unsettled by geopolitical tensions and trade policy uncertainty, including the impact of US President Donald Trump’s trade war. Major global suppliers have adopted a wait-and-see approach as consumers in the United States and the European Union struggle with high living costs and job losses. January export earnings dip slightly amid mixed global trends The ready-made garments (RMG) sector has once again emerged as the backbone of Bangladesh’s export performance. RMG earnings rose 11.77% year-on-year to $22.98 billion during July–January, accounting for about 81% of total exports. Sustained global demand and improved factory efficiency helped the sector offset weakness elsewhere. Other export segments showed mixed results. Leather and leather goods, jute and home textiles recorded improvements in January, while agro-processed products and frozen fish lagged behind, failing to match the apparel sector’s growth. The United States remained Bangladesh’s largest export destination, with earnings of $5.21 billion in the July–January period, up 1.64%. Germany ranked second with $2.85 billion, followed by the United Kingdom at $2.77 billion. Economists attribute the overall export dip to several factors. Slowing consumption and high inflation in Europe during the latter half of 2025 dampened demand for non-essential goods. Domestically, a massive student-led movement and a subsequent change in government in mid-2024 disrupted supply chains through factory closures, transport strikes and port congestion, with spillover effects into the current fiscal year. Energy shortages also weighed heavily on production. Persistent gas and electricity constraints in late 2025 raised costs and hurt competitiveness, particularly for small and medium-sized exporters. In addition, a strong post-pandemic rebound in FY2024–25 created a high comparison base, making current performance appear weaker. $3.17 billion received in remittances in January, up 45.1 percent y-on-y Analysts say the recent month-on-month rebound could mark a turning point. With the exchange rate stabilised at around Tk 122 per dollar and continued momentum in RMG and leather, export performance for the full fiscal year could end stronger than early data suggested. Still, longer-term risks remain. “Depending on a single product, it is very difficult to increase exports,” said Dr M Masrur Reaz, chairman and founder of Policy Exchange Bangladesh. He warned that Bangladesh must accelerate product diversification, particularly as apparel exports face tariff challenges in the US market. Rising living costs in Western economies are reshaping consumer behaviour and limiting purchasing power, he added, reinforcing the need for innovation and a broader export base to ensure sustainable growth.

Once considered the backbone of Bangladesh’s railway maintenance network, the Saidpur Railway Workshop in Nilphamari is struggling to keep operations running amid a prolonged manpower shortage, leaving modern machinery worth approximately Tk153 crore unused and slowly falling into disrepair. Despite being the country’s largest railway workshop, the facility is currently operating with barely a quarter of its sanctioned workforce. Officials and workers cite a severe shortage of skilled personnel, coupled with inadequate budget allocations and delays in raw material supply, as key factors hampering production and maintenance activities. Established in 1870 during the Assam–Bengal Railway era, the Saidpur Railway Workshop spans over 110.29 acres and houses 27 sub-units. The facility is responsible for repairing broad-gauge and meter-gauge passenger coaches and freight wagons, maintaining steam relief cranes, and handling carriages and wagons damaged in accidents. Around 1,200 types of spare parts for coaches, wagons, and locomotives are also manufactured onsite. In 2017, the workshop underwent a Tk153 crore modernisation to enhance capacity and quality. The project upgraded 17 workshops for coach and wagon repairs, installing 43 mechanical and 13 electrical machines, along with deep tube-wells and an overhead water tank. Illegal electric fishing raises fresh fears for Tanguar Haor However, the benefits of this modernisation have largely gone unrealised due to a shortage of trained manpower. Many of the costly machines now sit idle, gradually becoming unusable. Currently, the workshop has 2,859 sanctioned positions for officers and workers, but only 716 posts are filled, leaving 2,143 vacancies. The manpower deficit has made it impossible to meet daily carriage repair targets; while the goal is three coaches per day, the workshop manages only two. Besides, no skilled workers are available in its 27 shops to operate 740 machines.

As climate stress tightens its grip on Bangladesh’s farmlands and cultivable land continues to shrink, the government has rolled out a large-scale agricultural project aimed at securing food production and livelihoods in one of the country’s most important farming belts — Bogura agricultural region. With an allocation of Tk 251.97 crore, the project, titled Sustainable Agricultural Development of Bogura Agricultural Region, seeks to boost crop output, modernise farming practices and build long-term resilience in four districts of the Rajshahi division.  The project will be implemented by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) under the Ministry of Agriculture from January 2026 to December 2030, fully funded by the government. Spanning 44 upazilas in Bogura, Joypurhat, Pabna and Sirajganj, the project is among the largest region-based agricultural programmes undertaken in recent years.  Tk 1,300cr GK irrigation rehabilitation project aims to revive southwest agriculture Officials say it is designed as a response to a convergence of challenges  including falling groundwater levels, erratic rainfall, rising temperatures and increasingly unpredictable seasons — all of which have disrupted year-round crop cultivation in the region. Targets and technologies At the heart of the project is a production target: a 5 percent increase in crop output, from 41.87 lakh metric tonnes to 43.96 lakh metric tonnes.  This is to be achieved through the application of 24 modern and environment-friendly agricultural technologies, including water-saving methods, improved soil health management and better crop planning. Cropping intensity is also expected to rise by 5 percent, from 236 percent to 241 percent, reflecting more efficient land use in an area where arable land is steadily being lost to floods, river erosion and expanding infrastructure and industrial establishments. To address post-harvest losses — a persistent problem for farmers — the project includes the construction of 200 onion storage facilities, each with a capacity of 10 metric tonnes, alongside three storage centres for vegetables, fruits and other produce.  A deputy director’s office-cum-training centre will also be built in Bogura to strengthen local extension services. Mechanisation is another major pillar. Under the plan, 3,185 agricultural machines will be procured and distributed to farmers to reduce production costs, ease labour shortages and improve efficiency during peak seasons. Investing in people Beyond infrastructure and machines, the project places strong emphasis on human resource development.  According to Planning Ministry officials, 4,840 training batches will be conducted to enhance farmers’ skills in modern crop production, seed technologies and agribusiness development. The initiative aims to create at least 1,000 new agricultural entrepreneurs and develop around 35,000 trained agricultural human resources across the region.  More than 41,800 demonstration plots will showcase improved farming practices, while 700 field days, technical discussion sessions and 70 exposure visit programmes are planned to encourage technology adoption at the grassroots. A Planning Commission official described the project as a strategic investment in both productivity and people. “Expanding high-yielding and high-value crops, promoting safe fruit and vegetable cultivation and improving post-harvest management can significantly lift farm incomes if done properly,” the official said. If implemented as planned, the project is expected to contribute to soil health protection, improved nutrition, reduced rural poverty and a gradual transformation of agriculture into a more profitable and sustainable profession in the region. For thousands of farmers facing an uncertain climate future, the success of this initiative could determine whether Bogura’s fields remain productive — or increasingly precarious — in the years ahead.

Fresh allegations of illegal electric fishing in countrys Tanguar Haor have renewed fears for the future of one of the country’s most ecologically significant wetlands, after fish killed overnight were seen floating on the water the following day. The cause, according to villagers and environmentalists, is the illegal use of battery-powered electric shock machines to catch fish during the night. The practice, carried out in darkness across different parts of the haor, has triggered fresh concerns about the future of one of Bangladesh’s most important freshwater ecosystems. Tanguar Haor, located in the Sunamganj district’s Madhyanagar and Tahirpur upazilas, is an internationally recognised Ramsar site and among the country’s largest wetlands. It supports rich biodiversity, sustains thousands of fishing-dependent families and attracts migratory birds, as well as domestic and foreign tourists, every year. But environmental experts warn that the indiscriminate use of electric shocks for fishing could cause long-term and possibly irreversible damage. “Electric fishing does not discriminate,” said local resident Nazier Hossain, adding,  “Large fish die, but so do fingerlings, small fish and other aquatic animals. This destroys the natural breeding cycle and severely harms the haor’s ecosystem.” Residents say organised groups operate at night, moving from one area of the wetland to another with shock machines powered by batteries. Kushiyara River’s slow bite threatens key road in Sunamganj Fish killed instantly by electric current are collected, while many others are left to float to the surface by morning. The practice has alarmed conservationists, who say it threatens not only fish stocks but the entire ecological balance of the wetland. Tanguar Haor plays a crucial role as a breeding ground for freshwater species and as a habitat for countless aquatic organisms that form the base of the food chain. If this continues, the biodiversity of the haor will face extreme danger, environmental experts warn, adding that a major fisheries crisis could emerge in the future. The issue has also raised questions about enforcement in the protected wetland area. Members of the local community have demanded stronger action, including increased night patrols, mobile courts and the seizure of illegal shock machines. Illegal topsoil extraction threatens ‘Gaillar Haor’, croplands in Sunamganj Without swift intervention, they say, the destruction could accelerate during peak fishing seasons. Madhyanagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ujjwal Roy acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations. He said the use of shock machines for fishing in Tanguar Haor is completely illegal and constitutes a punishable offence. “The administration is taking a strict stance to protect the haor’s environment and fisheries resources. If complaints are received, immediate operations will be carried out and legal action will be taken against those involved,” he said.

Bangladesh recorded a significant increase in rape and sexual violence in 2025, with girls accounting for the majority of victims, according to rights groups monitoring violence against women and children. Data from Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) shows that 786 women and girls were victims of rape and gang rape in 2025, compared with 516 in 2024, marking a 52.3% year-on-year increase. Of those victims, 543 were girls, a rise of 47.9% from the previous year. The findings, published in BMP’s 2025 annual report, point to a disturbing escalation in sexual violence, particularly against minors. The organisation defines girls as individuals aged between one and under 18 years. Widespread Violence An analysis of reports from 15 national daily newspapers, compiled by BMP’s central Legal Aid Sub-Committee, found that 2,808 women and girls experienced various forms of violence across Bangladesh last year. Among them, 1,571 were women and 1,234 were girls, highlighting what campaigners describe as a deepening crisis in public safety and protection. Sexual violence accounted for a large share of these incidents. In 2025, 179 victims were subjected to gang rape, including 104 girls and 75 women. RU teacher sued in attempted rape case A further 188 cases of attempted rape were recorded, while seven victims died by suicide following rape. Sexual harassment affected 169 individuals, including 112 girls. Beyond Sexual Violence The report also documents a rise in other forms of abuse. 739 people were killed for reasons unrelated to rape, including 632 women and 107 girls, while 230 deaths were classified as mysterious. At least 196 individuals died by suicide due to various forms of abuse. Other reported crimes included dowry-related violence (52 cases), acid attacks (nine), and burn injuries (34). Human trafficking affected 55 individuals, including 24 girls, while 19 cases of cyber violence were recorded. Comparing 2024 and 2025 In 2024, BMP documented 516 rape victims, including 367 girls. That year, 142 victims were gang-raped, 23 were murdered after rape, and six died by suicide. There were also 94 attempted rape cases. Overall, 2,525 incidents of violence against women and girls were reported in the media in 2024, with 528 deaths, including 451 women and 77 girls. Corroborating Data Separate figures from Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) broadly support BMP’s findings. ASK reported 749 rape cases nationwide in 2025, up from 635 in 2024. Of these, 569 were single-perpetrator cases and 180 were gang rapes. According to ASK, at least 36 women were murdered after rape in 2025, seven died by suicide, and six others died following attempted rape. ASK also reported that 217 women were killed by their husbands, 63 by in-laws, and 51 by other family members during the year. At least 168 women died by suicide due to domestic violence. In 2024, ASK recorded 401 women and 234 girls as victims of rape or gang rape, including 34 murders and seven suicides. There were also 109 attempted rape cases, one of which ended in murder. Rights Concerns A recent Human Rights Watch (HRW) report, citing police data, found that gender-based violence increased in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024. Fawzia Moslem, President of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, linked the rise in violence to growing pressure from conservative religious groups. She said their activities and rhetoric had increasingly targeted women’s mobility, expression and participation in public life. In May 2025, several such groups protested initiatives by the caretaker government aimed at promoting gender equality, calling for an end to what they described as “anti-Islamic” activities. Since then, Ms Moslem said, women and girls have faced rising levels of verbal, physical and digital abuse, contributing to a climate of fear and silence. Calls for Reform BMP’s report urges the government to implement reforms proposed by the National Women’s Reform Commission, including greater representation of women in Parliament and stronger support for the UN Security Council’s Women, Peace and Security agenda. Three arrested in Narsingdi over attempted rape and violation of anti-porn law It also calls on Bangladesh to fully uphold its commitments under international conventions such as CEDAW and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and protect the constitutional rights of religious and ethnic minorities. Rights groups say without structural reforms, accountability and social change, the scale of violence documented in 2025 risks becoming entrenched rather than exceptional.

In the sprawling wetlands of Noluar Haor, the sound of idle excavators echoes across the fields, as machinery stands ready, dump trucks lined up, yet embankment work on several critical projects has stalled - all for want of soil. For the local Project Implementation Committees (PICs), the shortage has become a source of growing frustration. Committees overseeing projects 6, 7, 8, and 9 are among the hardest hit. Some have only recently begun construction, while others brought equipment weeks ago, hoping to start work immediately. “We cannot proceed properly because of the soil shortage,” said Rubel Mia, UP member and president of PIC 9, adding, “We are even buying soil from elsewhere just to get started.” These embankments are not merely infrastructure projects; they are lifelines for the farmers of Jagannathpur. Historically, breaches in the Shalika embankment have submerged boro paddy in the haor, destroying livelihoods. The western edge of Noluar Haor, where these projects are concentrated, was meant to see soil-cutting work completed long ago. Instead, local farmers now witness machinery waiting, suspended in time, while the clock ticks on the flood season. On a field visit on 31 January, the situation was clear: projects 4, 5, 6, and 10 were in full swing, with competitive soil-cutting underway. Projects 7 and 9 had just begun, and at project 8, machines stood idle at the embankment, poised to start work in the days ahead. Farmers expressed a mix of concern and impatience. “The loose soil was cut long ago by the PICs,” said Ataur Rahman, who tends boro crops in the haor, adding, “We cannot afford any more delays. Embankments must be finished on time.” Local campaigners are equally adamant. Mohammad Shahidul Islam Bakul, chairman of Chilaura-Holdipur Union Parishad and president of the Haor Protection Movement in Jagannathpur, said, “The government has allocated millions of taka to protect farmers’ hard-earned crops. We expect swift action. Farmers’ livelihoods cannot be gambled with.” Horse killed for damaging potato field in Sunamganj; farmer detained In Noluar Haor, the coming weeks will be crucial, locals said. They said the success of these embankments could determine whether thousands of hectares of boro paddy survive the next flood season — or sink beneath the waters once more.  

For generations, the Surma and Kushiyara rivers have shaped life in Sylhet and Habiganj—nurturing fertile floodplains while also unleashing destruction with alarming regularity. Each monsoon, swollen waters spill over Surma and Kushiyara banks, washing away cropland, homes and roads, and forcing thousands into cycles of loss and recovery. In a bid to break that cycle, the government has taken up a Tk 1,273.77 crore project aimed at strengthening flood protection, stabilising riverbanks and introducing integrated water resources management in Surma–Kushiyara river basin. The project—titled Surma–Kushiyara River Basin Development and Flood and Integrated Water Resources Management Project (Phase I)—will be implemented by the Bangladesh Water Development Board under the Ministry of Water Resources between January 2026 and June 2028. Fully financed by the government, it will cover 11 upazilas of Sylhet and Habiganj districts, where agriculture remains the backbone of local livelihoods. At the heart of the initiative lies large-scale river dredging. More than 121 kilometres of river stretches will be dredged, with an estimated 120.53 million cubic metres of sediment to be removed. Besides, , riverbank protection works will be carried out along 17 kilometres of erosion-prone sections—areas that have repeatedly borne the brunt of the rivers’ shifting courses. The Surma and Kushiyara are part of the vast Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna basin, originating from the Barak River in India before entering Bangladesh. After crossing the border, the river splits into two branches, flowing through Sylhet’s hilly valleys before reuniting at Ajmiriganj in Habiganj as the Kalni River, which later merges with the Meghna near Bhairab Bazar and eventually drains into the Bay of Bengal. Their mountainous origin makes both rivers naturally fast-flowing and highly meandering. Erosion is a regular phenomenon, especially along concave bends. In recent years, however, the problem has intensified. Climate change–induced extreme rainfall, coupled with widespread destruction of upstream hill forests, has increased sediment loads entering the rivers. These sediments settle along convex bends, choking river channels and accelerating erosion along opposite banks, according to the project document obtained by UNB. During the monsoon, the volume of upstream runoff often exceeds the rivers’ carrying capacity, triggering floods that inundate vast tracts of land. Crops are destroyed, homesteads collapse into the river, and public infrastructure—from roads to schools and religious institutions—suffers repeated damage. Sylhet waterlogging mitigation project delayed again; sees 44pc cost surge The basin also includes other transboundary rivers such as the Sarigoain, Sonai and Piyain, which enter Bangladesh from India and merge with the Surma. Severe erosion along these rivers has displaced families and erased farmland, underlining the urgency of coordinated intervention. Officials say the new project is designed to address these challenges in a more integrated manner—maintaining natural river flow through dredging, reducing erosion, enhancing fisheries resources and protecting both public and private infrastructure. Special attention will be given to erosion-prone border stretches in Zakiganj upazila where riverbank protection works are expected to help safeguard Bangladesh’s territorial integrity—an often-overlooked consequence of unchecked river erosion along transboundary rivers. Once completed, the project is expected to protect crops, homes, roads, mosques, madrasas, orphanages and other key installations from both early and peak monsoon floods across the region. Beyond immediate protection, officials hope it will lay the foundation for more sustainable water resource management, agricultural stability and long-term socio-economic resilience in one of Bangladesh’s most flood-vulnerable landscapes. During the monsoon of 2022, northern and northeastern Bangladesh experienced an unprecedented flood, widely regarded as the worst to strike the region in 122 years. The disaster affected 18 districts, with Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj and Netrakona bearing the heaviest damage. The flooding claimed 12 lives and disrupted the lives of around 7.2 million people. Abdul Karim, a resident of Sylhet city said, “If this project can really control erosion and reduce flooding, it will give people like us some peace of mind. But we hope the work is done properly and finished on time.”

For more than six decades, Abdul Gafur Mallick, blind since birth, has lived a life of quiet dignity—earning his livelihood without begging despite poverty and disability. On Friday night, that hard-earned peace was shattered when miscreants attacked his home in Kholabaria village of Rajbari Sadar upazila. The attackers vandalised his house and looted cash, also targeting neighbouring homes during the incident. Abdul Gafur’s adopted son Abdul Baten Mallick later filed a complaint with Rajbari Sadar Police Station. Khondaker Ziaur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Rajbari Sadar Police Station, said police arrested Nurjahan Begum, 55, wife of late Amir Sheikh, on Saturday afternoon and sent her to court. “We are continuing efforts to arrest the other accused,” he said.

Bangladesh’s higher education scenario is set for a major transformation as the government has approved the Dhaka Central University (DCU) Ordinance, 2026, paving the path for establishing the new university through the integration of seven major govt colleges in Dhaka. The move marks the end of the colleges’ affiliation with Dhaka University (DU) and ushers in a new institutional framework aimed at addressing long-standing administrative challenges, session delays and allegations of academic discrimination that have plagued the colleges for years. Under the ordinance, the seven colleges—recently detached from DU—will now be academically affiliated with the newly established DCU while retaining their individual identities, infrastructure and administrative autonomy. Intermediate-level education in the colleges will continue under the existing system, ensuring continuity for higher secondary students. The ordinance was approved on January 22, with Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stating that the decision seeks to improve the quality of higher education and resolve complexities that arose from the colleges’ earlier affiliation with DU. Students stage sit-in demanding ‘Dhaka Central University Ordinance’ Affiliated Colleges, Independent University While the colleges will operate as affiliated institutions, DCU will also run its own independent academic programmes. The university will eventually have a permanent, self-contained campus, though temporary facilities—such as rented buildings or designated locations—will be used until construction is completed. The seven colleges are Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Women’s College, Mirpur Government Bangla College, and Government Titumir College. Together, they currently serve nearly 200,000 students. The ordinance establishes a full administrative structure for DCU, including the offices of Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Senate, Syndicate and Academic Council. The President will serve as Chancellor, while the Vice-Chancellor will be appointed from a panel nominated by the Senate. The University Grants Commission (UGC) will retain oversight authority, with powers to inspect, evaluate and issue directives relating to academic, examination, research and administrative activities. Shift from DU Dhaka University formally revoked the affiliation of the seven colleges on January 27 following prolonged protests, road blockades and clashes involving students from both sides. The unrest stemmed from claims of discrimination, delayed examinations and prolonged academic sessions after the colleges were brought under DU in February 2017, following decades under the National University. According to the new ordinance, the colleges will continue as “affiliated colleges”, with full rights over their movable and immovable assets preserved. At the same time, DCU will design curricula, conduct examinations and award degrees, diplomas and certificates. Students will be admitted either to DCU’s main campus or to its affiliated colleges based on SSC and HSC results and a centrally administered admission test. School-based Academic System One of the key features of the ordinance is the introduction of a school-based academic system, replacing the traditional faculty model. Separate schools will be formed for Arts, Science, Social Sciences, Business Studies, Law and Fine Arts, each led by a Head of School. Teaching, examinations and evaluation at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in affiliated colleges will follow a uniform academic calendar and assessment framework set by the university. The ordinance defines a “school” as an integrated academic structure comprising multiple departments or disciplines. DCU will also centrally conduct MPhil and PhD programmes and provide opportunities for faculty development and advanced training. Cabinet receives final draft of ‘Dhaka Central University’ ordinance Intermediate Education Remains Unchanged Of the seven colleges, five—Dhaka College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Women’s College, Kabi Nazrul Government College and Mirpur Government Bangla College—currently offer higher secondary education. Earlier drafts of the ordinance had raised concerns among higher secondary students about the possible erosion of the colleges’ identities. Those concerns have now been addressed, with the approved ordinance clearly stating that intermediate-level education will continue under the existing system. From Protests to Policy The journey towards establishing DCU has been shaped by years of student activism. Renewed demands for a separate university gained momentum during the 2024 student movement, with students citing persistent academic delays under DU. In response, the Ministry of Education formed a four-member expert committee under the UGC to design a structural framework. Following clashes between DU and college students on January 27, steps were taken to formally detach the colleges from DU. An interim administrative arrangement was proposed, placing a principal-level administrator under UGC supervision until a full university system could be established. The name ‘Dhaka Central University’ was finalised after consultations, and on May 18, 2025, retired Dhaka College principal Prof AKM Ilias was appointed interim administrator for two years. Delays Despite Momentum Admission notices were issued in July, and results for the first undergraduate batch were published on August 26. Around 72,000 students applied for 11,150 seats across Science, Arts and Social Sciences. A draft ordinance prepared by a committee led by Prof. Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan was released on September 24, inviting feedback from teachers, students and other stakeholders. More than 6,000 responses were submitted, triggering intense debate and divisions. On November 18, the Education Ministry announced its in-principle decision to establish DCU, promising quality education, timely examinations and improved administration. Despite completing admissions for the 2024–25 academic year and announcing that classes would begin on November 23, no classes have yet commenced. As most public universities have already been in session for months—and DU is completing admission process for the next academic year—DCU’s first batch has effectively suffered a one-year session delay without attending a single class. Meanwhile, students from the seven colleges have continued to stage road blockades demanding the final ordinance, with the most recent protest on January 15 disrupting traffic at Science Lab, Technical and Tantibazar intersections for several hours. Professor AKM Ilias, Principal of Dhaka College and administrator of seven colleges, said the launch of Dhaka Central University (DCU) will improve the academic standards of the affiliated colleges. Responding to questions about the long-standing DCU movement, which at times caused public inconvenience, he said, “Such situations arise in our country when nothing is finalised. Even if the delay is reasonable, problems occur. If the issues had been resolved earlier, these situations could have been avoided.” He added that the current BCS education cadre teachers will continue teaching at the colleges and may also join university positions either through direct recruitment exams or by transfer if they wish. 7 colleges to turn into a university with proposed name ‘Dhaka Central University’ DCU movement coordinator Zakaria Bari Sagor, a master’s student of Kabi Nazrul Government College, said, “After one and a half years of struggle with students, our long-awaited ordinance has been signed by the advisory council. The presidential notification will be issued soon. We dedicate this ordinance to four students martyred during the July uprising at Kabi Nazrul Government College.” With the ordinance now approved, stakeholders hope that Dhaka Central University will finally move from uncertainty to stability, delivering on promises of timely education, institutional autonomy and academic dignity for thousands of students in the capital.

Cracks running across the walls, rainwater seeping through the roof and chunks of plaster peeling away have become part of daily life at the Sylhet Leprosy Hospital, raising growing concerns about patient safety and the quality of care. The 135-year-old hospital, one of only three specialised government leprosy facilities in Bangladesh, is now in a visibly dilapidated state. Visits to the hospital showed that toilets without doors, dirty bathrooms and broken medical equipment have left patients and staff worried that treatment inside the building has become increasingly risky. Established in 1890, the hospital sits on 4.72 acres of land and has an official capacity of 80 beds, though only 48 are currently usable. According to hospital records, 19 patients were admitted to its three wards on January 24, while an average of 15 to 20 people seek treatment daily at the outpatient department (OPD). 250-bed Khulna hospital project withdrawn from PPP list During a recent visit, all three patient toilets were found without doors, televisions in the wards were broken, and cracks were visible in several parts of the building. Staff told the UNB correspondent that the situation worsens during the rainy season. “Rainwater enters through the roof when it rains, creating panic among both patients and employees,” said Md Monirul Islam, the hospital’s statistical officer. He also pointed out a rise in the number of identified leprosy patients in the Sylhet region in recent years. “There were 20 patients in 2020, 37 in 2021, 35 in 2022, 79 in 2023, 58 in 2024 and 58 so far in 2025.” Doctors at the hospital explained that leprosy is mildly contagious and spreads through germs transmitted by sneezing and coughing. Early symptoms include light-coloured or reddish patches on the skin that do not itch, sweat or grow hair. Other warning signs include painless lumps on the face, neck, chest or back, swelling of the earlobes, and loss of sensation in the hands, feet or eyes. Sylhet Deputy Civil Surgeon Janmejoy Dutta said the higher number of detected cases does not necessarily indicate a wider spread of the disease. “Earlier, many cases were not identified. Now awareness has increased, and people are coming forward for treatment.” He said the Health Department aims to eliminate leprosy by 2030, with both government and non-government organisations working together towards that goal. Hospital officials say the building’s condition has been deteriorating for decades. “A single floor was added to the original structure in 1963, and later a three-storey building was constructed gradually. The building is very old and in extremely poor condition. We have informed the authorities several times, but no action has been taken,” Monirul Islam alleged. Staff fears are echoed by patients. “It is a very dangerous building. A major accident could happen at any time,” warned Sabbir Ahmed, a head assistant at the hospital, noting that plaster often falls from the walls during the rainy season. A 70-year-old patient, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “My hands have deteriorated. I had to do all the tests outside because there is no proper system here.” Another patient, aged 65, who has been admitted weeks back, said, “The doctor comes only once a day. Staying in the building is frightening. Something could fall at any moment.” Outpatient Akhter Hossain said patients waiting for treatment constantly fear debris falling from the ceiling. The hospital is also struggling with acute staff shortages. Only 29 staff members are currently working against an approved strength of 50. A post for making special shoes for leprosy patients has remained vacant since 2021. A cleaner said the shortage has had a visible impact. “Earlier, even six cleaners were not enough. Now only four of us are working,” he said. Another staff member said all patient testing has stopped due to a lack of manpower, while most medical equipment remains unusable. Junior Consultant Dr Nahid Rahman described the situation as deeply concerning. “Sylhet Leprosy Hospital is the largest of its kind in Bangladesh, but its condition is extremely poor. We have repeatedly informed higher authorities, but no steps have been taken,” he lamented.