[🇧🇩] Bangladesh Named The Country of The Year

[Saif]

Date of Event: Dec 21, 2024 Source : https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/the-economist-bangladesh-named-the-country-the-year-3780846

The economist: Bangladesh named the ‘Country of the Year’

Bangladesh has been named as The Economist's "Country of the Year" for "toppling a despot and taking strides towards a more liberal government".

Each December, The Economist picks a country for this title.

The accolade is not about being the richest, happiest, or most virtuous country, but about making significant strides in the last 12 months, according to a report published on Thursday by the globally acclaimed UK-based magazine.

This year's runner-up is Syria, where the ousting of Bashar al-Assad on December 8 ended half a century of depraved dynastic dictatorship.

The shortlist this year also included Poland, South Africa, and Argentina.

The report reads, "In August, student-led street protests forced out Sheikh Hasina, who had ruled the country of 175m for 15 years.

"A daughter of an independence hero, she once presided over swift economic growth. But she became repressive, rigging elections, jailing opponents and ordering the security forces to shoot protesters."

"Huge sums of money were stolen on her watch."

The Economist also said Bangladesh has a "history of vengeful violence" when power changes hands.

"The main opposition party, the BNP, is venal. Islamic extremism is a threat."

However, the report expressed optimism, saying that this time "the transition has so far been encouraging."

"A temporary technocratic government, led by Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel peace prize winner, is backed by students, the army, business and civil society. It has restored order and stabilised the economy."

Looking ahead, the report highlights the challenges Bangladesh faces.

"In 2025, it [Bangladesh] will need to repair ties with India and decide when to hold elections—first ensuring that the courts are neutral and the opposition has time to organise.

"None of this will be easy. But for toppling a despot and taking strides towards a more liberal government, Bangladesh is our country of the year."

Previous winners include Colombia (for ending a civil war), Ukraine (for resisting an unprovoked invasion) and Malawi (for democratising).

In 2023, the prize went to Greece for dragging itself out of a long financial crisis and re-electing a sensible centrist government.​

 

[Saif]

A journey from repression to recognition

Bangladesh named ‘Country of the Year’ for triumphing over tyranny

www.thedailystar.net

A journey from repression to recognition
Bangladesh named ‘Country of the Year’ for triumphing over tyranny

Bangladesh being named The Economist's Country of the Year in 2024 is a tremendous achievement for the country—one that all Bangladeshis can be proud of. Each December, The Economist awards this title to a country that has made significant progress over the past year. This year, Bangladesh earned the prestigious accolade for "toppling a despot and taking strides towards a more liberal government." This recognition is particularly meaningful for a nation that has recently undergone a major political transition, overthrowing an extremely corrupt and autocratic regime of 15 years through a student-led mass uprising.

The report highlights the remarkable journey of the Bangladeshi people in overcoming political repression and paving the way for a brighter, more democratic future. As the Hasina regime grew increasingly repressive—marked by election rigging, jailing of opponents, and violent crackdowns on dissent—the people united and took to the streets to assert their rights. During the July uprising that ultimately led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina, hundreds were shot dead by the regime, and around 20,000 were wounded. The heavy toll paid to oust an autocratic regime is a rare and profound example of resilience in modern history—even though Bangladeshis are no strangers to demonstrating such resilience in the face of oppression.

While the political transition has inspired optimism both nationally and globally—showcasing the resilience and determination of the Bangladeshi people—the nation now faces significant economic challenges. Rebuilding the country will require addressing the economic consequences of the previous regime. During Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule, narratives of substantial economic growth were propagated, but these claims have since been exposed as largely illusory. A government-commissioned white paper revealed that an estimated $234 billion was syphoned out of the country between 2009 and 2023. Additionally, Bangladesh has long struggled with inflation and unemployment, issues that must now be tackled urgently. However, with unity, these challenges can be overcome.

The interim government, led by Prof Muhammad Yunus, has prioritised rebuilding trust and stability. Its initiatives include economic and other reforms, restoring public order, and addressing social grievances. Despite the challenges, the progress made so far has been promising. Moving forward, Bangladesh must establish positive relations with other countries for mutual benefits, ensure judicial neutrality, and organise free and fair national elections. These steps are critical to solidifying the country's progress towards a more liberal democracy.

This is also a time for Bangladesh to correct past wrongs and begin anew—building a nation founded on equity, justice, the rule of law, and human rights. We hope the global community will continue to recognise our achievements and stand by Bangladesh as it strives to fulfil the democratic aspirations of its people.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh: Economist's 'Country of the Year'

Bangladesh, still reeling from the sanguinary last ditch efforts of the former autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina to cling to power, could not expect a better new year’s gift than the one presented by the prestigious weekly The Economist. Selecting Bangladesh as the ‘Country

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bangladesh: Economist's 'Country of the Year'
Hasnat Abdul Hye
Published :
Dec 30, 2024 21:50
Updated :
Dec 30, 2024 21:50

Bangladesh, still reeling from the sanguinary last ditch efforts of the former autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina to cling to power, could not expect a better new year’s gift than the one presented by the prestigious weekly The Economist. Selecting Bangladesh as the ‘Country of the Year’, the revered weekly has conferred a great honour to the country of 170 million, recognising the genius of the people, particularly the young generation. The citation augurs well for the country’s future as it enters the new year. Bangladesh became the cover story in weeklies like Time and Newsweek after it became independent through a war in December, 1971. But this the first time the country has been selected out of a long list and subsequently a short list of countries, all considered by the internationally acclaimed weekly of prominence for the title ‘country of the year’.

Each December the Economist selects a Country of the Year. As observed by the weekly itself, ‘the winner is not the richest, happiest or most virtuous place but one that has improved the most in the previous twelve months’. Previous winners of this accolade include Colombia (for ending a civil war), Ukraine (for resisting an unprovoked invasion) and Malawi (for democratising). The winner last year was Greece which was awarded the prize for dragging itself out of a long financial crisis and re-electing a reasonable centrist government.

Obviously, the honorific bestowed on Bangladesh this year is for the successful students-led movement in July that turned into a populist one before long. Starting with the demand for students for entry into public service on the basis of merit, the movement soon tapped into the cumulative resentment of the public in general against the autocratic and corrupt rule of the last 15 years that saw them politically disenfranchised and economically made victims of an inequitable system of development.

Some may make out a case for autocratic rule, citing examples of Singapore and South Korea. If there is equitably shared development and absence of corruption and human rights violation this view can have some traction. But this can hardly be said about 15 years’ continuous rule of Sheikh Hasina that was accompanied with grossest instances of human rights violations as evidenced by extra-judicial killings and cases of disappearances of opponents to the regime, widespread corruption, including money laundering and growing inequality between the rich and the poor. Even the much touted narrative of economic development has been exposed to be a hoax in many important respects.

The ousted regime thrived on arrogance, use of brute power to suppress dissenting views, electoral frauds and blatant lies about economic growth and eradication of poverty. It took the people to be pliant, gullible and tolerant enough to be silent on all acts of abuse of power. To some extent the regime’s assumption was right. But it forgot tolerance quotient has a threshold which, when crossed, brings forth the wrath of the people. Killing and injuring innocent student demonstrators was such a threshold.

After the revolutionary overthrow of the tyrannical and corrupt regime, Bangladesh is now poised to usher in a new era of progress in all walks of life. It will be an uphill task, not least because there is no precedent to follow in the past history of the country. It bodes well for the prospect of this momentous journey that the Interim Government has appointed several commissions of experts to make recommendations on the basis of which the journey of re-building the state of Bangladesh can begin. Eschewing the ‘ business as usual’ attitude, this methodical approach to governance gives the hope that the foundation for a participatory democracy and inclusive economic development will be laid. For this, a road map should be drawn up with a timeline of a year for implementation of the reforms. Granted, all the reforms to be proposed cannot be implemented by the present government firstly, because of the absence of a parliament and secondly, on account of the mid- to long-term nature of some of the reforms that can be anticipated even now. But the minimum period of a year after the reform proposals have been made public should be given to the government for (a) eliciting public opinion, ( b) implementation of those reforms approved by the majority of public in field-level assemblies of cross-section of society, and (c) earmarking reforms that that are beyond the jurisdiction of an unelected government. It is understandable that some political parties have become restive to have election soon because they were kept out of participation in democratic election process for long 15 years. But they should realise that if the mistakes and wilful abuses of power of the past are not to be repeated, the essential structural and functional changes in the organs of state and branches of government must be carried out by the present government or in cases of reforms of long term nature, earmarked with a plan of action for the next elected government. There will be neither wide popular nor enthusiastic international support for a hasty transfer of power to an elected party. Of course, the political parties should remain vigilant to ensure that a level playing field is being created through these reforms and these are meant to be skewed in favour of a particular political group, new or old.

Time and again, the people of Bangladesh have been praised for their resilience in the face of existential crisis. They are being applauded now for their heroic victory over the dark forces of autocracy that ate into the vitals of the country’s politics and economy. Bangladesh must respect this global goodwill and redeem the pledges it made to the people when it became independent, not with rhetoric but with actions that can be seen by everyone, in the country and beyond. The time to turn over a new leaf in earnest is now. The laurel of ‘ Country of the Year’ should act as a spur.

Happy New Year, Bangladesh.​

 

[Krishna with Flute]

These western guys are really smart people. They throw some countries into chaos and make their feel that they they are doing great. They remain in that intoxication till everything is lost. BD"S economy is getting ruined. Radical elements are getting strong. Textile industry is getting ruined. BD is struggling to import food grain. It is a big big chaos and people are made to feel that their country is doing great.

 

[Bilal9]

These western guys are really smart people. They throw some countries into chaos and make their feel that they they are doing great. They remain in that intoxication till everything is lost. BD"S economy is getting ruined. Radical elements are getting strong. Textile industry is getting ruined. BD is struggling to import food grain. It is a big big chaos and people are made to feel that their country is doing great.

Is it as bad you say it is?

Exports are up again, Reserves are creeping back up to pre-pandemic levels, inflation slowly coming back down.

There is no Mulla-fication going on.

Mullahs are openly boasting about guarding Hindu Temples and adjusting their Waz Mehfil schedules around neighborhood Hindu Puja ceremonies.

Mullahs will always try to come to power or at least stay relevant in the public eye.

They lack broad-based public support however - unlike other Muslim countries. No one wants Shariah law in Bangladesh. Indian media propaganda is totally wrong about this.

IMF and World Bank are standing aside, ready to offer loans worth our monthly National budget.

What ruination are you talking about?

Do you read anything on Bangladeshi media, or are you just quoting Republic TV?

You can say politically things are still in a flux.

If you are going to comment on Bangladesh, better to stay informed by monitoring our media - it is not state controlled like Indian media is.

https://www.dhakatribune.com/

The Daily Star

Journalism Without Fear or Favour

www.thedailystar.net

bdnews24.com - Bangladesh largest news publisher by reach - 24/7, bilingual; content opened to public on 23 Oct 2006

bdnews24.com - Bangladesh largest news publisher by reach - 24/7, bilingual; content opened to public on 23 Oct 2006

bdnews24.com

Indian media is still screaming about Bangladesh paying a "heavy price" because it crossed India. This is rather immature....

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Is it as bad you say it is?

Exports are up again, Reserves are creeping back up to pre-pandemic levels, inflation slowly coming back down.

There is no Mulla-fication going on.

Mullahs are openly boasting about guarding Hindu Temples and adjusting their Waz Mehfil schedules around neighborhood Hindu Puja ceremonies.

Mullahs will always try to come to power or at least stay relevant in the public eye.

They lack broad-based public support however - unlike other Muslim countries. No one wants Shariah law in Bangladesh. Indian media propaganda is totally wrong about this.

IMF and World Bank are standing aside, ready to offer loans worth our monthly National budget.

What ruination are you talking about?

Do you read anything on Bangladeshi media, or are you just quoting Republic TV?

You can say politically things are still in a flux.

If you are going to comment on Bangladesh, better to stay informed by monitoring our media - it is not state controlled like Indian media is.

https://www.dhakatribune.com/

The Daily Star

Journalism Without Fear or Favour

www.thedailystar.net

bdnews24.com - Bangladesh largest news publisher by reach - 24/7, bilingual; content opened to public on 23 Oct 2006

bdnews24.com - Bangladesh largest news publisher by reach - 24/7, bilingual; content opened to public on 23 Oct 2006

bdnews24.com

Indian media is still screaming about Bangladesh paying a "heavy price" because it crossed India. This is rather immature....

Well, you know very well that none what you wrote is true. Temples are turned, Hindus persecuted, there is a goods crisis in BD, exports are down , textile companies are leaving, BD is unable to pay electricity charges for electricity they purchased from Adani, Inflation is high and so on.

 

[Bilal9]

Well, you know very well that non what you wrote is true. Temples are turned, Hindus persecuted, there is a good crisis in BD, exports are down , textile companies are leaving, BD is unable to pay electricity charges for electricity they purchased from Adani, Inflation is high and so on.

Well then I guess we are screwed in Bangladesh more or less.

Quote us some tidbits from Indian media on these revelations.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Well then I guess we are screwed in Bangladesh more or less.

Quote us some tidbits from Indian media on these revelations.

Not only I can quote Indian media but I can post the videos burning temples as well. You can then say It is AI generates videos.

 

[Bilal9]

Not only I can quote Indian media but I can post the videos burning temples as well. You can then say It is AI generates videos.

I am afraid a few of the house burnings in fact may be real, But the burning buildings could be either Hindu or Muslim.

And they burned Hindu houses during Hasina's time as well, this has little to do with religion and has to do mostly with political rivalries.

The ones posted in Indian media after August have mostly been fact checked and proven as fake. The narrative of Hindu Repression in Bangladesh plays well for vote politics in India for BJP. Even Bangladeshi Hindus are up in arms, saying they want no part of BJP's Hindutva politics.

It is well known that the BJP in India now (after Hasina's rule is over) politicizes Bangladesh’s minority issues rather than addressing them on genuine grounds. Such politicization forms a fictional narrative that plays well in India politically for the BJP.

in 2021, during Hasina’s rule, India remained notably quiet when communal violence erupted in Bangladesh and 117 Hindu temples were reportedly attacked across 27 districts. In contrast, in 2024, when Durga Puja celebrations proceeded safely across 31,461 pavilions in Bangladesh, India’s foreign ministry still found fault with the interim government over minor issues.

The notion that Hindus were protected during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure is a false narrative. Hasina largely courted the Hindu vote due to the AL’s proclaimed pro-secular stance and its alliance with India. Despite this strategy, the AL did not take effective action to protect Hindu and other minority communities from periodic violence and communal attacks. According to Gobinda Chandra Pramanik, secretary general of the Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mohajote, the Hindu community has been held “hostage” by the Awami League since 1955.

Under the Hasina administration, two major incidents of communal violence occurred: one targeting the Buddhist community in 2012 and another against the Hindu community in 2021. These incidents remain unresolved, with no justice for the victims. Even after more than 10 years under the Hasina administration, all the cases related to the 2012 communal attacks against Buddhists in Ramu, despite substantial evidence, are still at trial, with all of the accused out on bail.

According to Ain o Salish Kendra, a prominent Bangladeshi human rights group, 3,679 attacks on the Hindu community were reported to have taken place between January 2013 and September 2021, during the Hasina regime. Yet these attacks saw a limited administrative response; the government merely blamed opposition parties without taking substantive action.

According to local media reports, AL members were allegedly involved in some attacks on Hindu and Buddhist temples and properties, particularly in the 2016 Nasirnagar attack on Hindus. This further raises questions about the party’s commitment to minority rights.

Benazir Ahmed, a former chief of the Rapid Action Battalion and inspector general of the Bangladesh Police and a key figure in the Hasina regime, was reported to have forced Hindus to sell their land at comparatively lower prices to build a personal resort. These accusations suggest AL members also perpetrated attacks on minorities and seizures of their properties.

Elite Hindus in Bangladesh often take pro-AL and pro-India positions for socioeconomic advantage, yet most Hindus in Bangladesh are not politically involved. They, like their compatriots of all religions, are focused instead on demanding peace, safety, and dignity from the state.

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