Life, Dreams and Reality -- Sohel's Blog

Bangladesh Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu termed the U.S Embassy's rightful statement regarding the beating of students in the peaceful protests as "poking its nose in Bangladesh's internal politics in an indecent way" - that does not sound coming from a minister of a democratically elected government, representing a nation which is also signatory of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  Here is what US Embassy in Dhaka had stated in its Facebook post: " Nothing can justify the brutal attacks and violence over the weekend against the thousands of young people who have been peacefully exercising their democratic rights in supporting a safer Bangladesh" US Embassy as everyone one else has the right to speak against any brutal attacks and violence on unarmed middle school, high school and university students that did happen mostly from Saturday.  There was no need of this reprehensible crackdown. Students were protesting peacefully, t

Nah! It's all rumor, lies and deception The earth is flat and the sun moves around We never gone to moon, all fabrication Only the words of throne hold the ground Didn't they tell all will be well and good? Goons will not beat the innocents with sticks And machetes but will bring delicious food Dangerous roads will be cleaned, free of freaks You have the full freedom of expression Can say anything, do peaceful protest No one will imprison you, commotion Will not be the norm, nor be the pretext To maintain the peace and tranquility Of a loving "desh", full of fragrant rose Where ministers serve with humility and kisses, so alive! Not comatose Where the people have the backbone intact Not afraid to say what has to be said And the children can learn, play, and react Running boys and giggling girls with black braid --------------------------------------------------------------- August 6, 2018 Mahbubul Karim (Sohel) This satirical poem is ded

We live in the age of internet when quick communications through social media is the norm. Some of these news sources look to be true and some of them seem to be dramatized to pursue an ulterior agenda. Seeing various news sources, including some videos and news articles regarding Bangladeshi students protest movement that started last week after at least two high school students had lost their lives when a bus hit them while they were waiting to get on the bus, I am trying to understand actually what is happening in Bangladesh, a country where I lived my nostalgic childhood, where my siblings, parents, grand parents, cousins, uncles, aunts, long gone ancestors and many of my close childhood friends were born. This particular tragic event stirred a movement among the students whose demand is to have safer roads in Bangladesh, where thousands of people die every year from road accidents and many of them are students going to school or returning home from school.  When I was growi