Flashback 2015Top stories of the year

friday, january 1, 2016 Dhaka Tribune

Photo: Allison Joyce

new year special

2 foreword

It is inevitable that, at the end of any given year, we ponder on how fast it has gone by us. Mere moments ago, we had celebrated the beginning of 2015, made new year’s resolutions that we knew we would fail to

keep, were telling our kids to avoid public buses because petrol bombs were the “in thing” for the terrorists of the time, but then we find ourselves saying goodbye to another year that we could barely register.

Memories abound of what has gone past, some etching themselves permanently into the backlogs of our minds, while others offer subtle soundtracks to an aging landscape, unclear, formless, mere ripples on an endless ocean of what-has-happened.

It may also feel like, as each year passes, that it passes faster than it ever used to, until they blend into a plethora of birthdays and anniversaries and deaths and news stories. It may be that every year blurs together to seem like we are going nowhere, that each year as similar to the last, but that would be losing the battle as we move forward.

Every year holds a uniqueness that cannot be overlooked. And 2015, as we bid it farewell, stands out as both a beacon of hope, and a warning of things to come. This year has been especially relevant to Muslims, and how our respective religions have become instrumental in national and world politics.

The year started off with our nation in turmoil, which is nothing new for most of us. Blockades and attacks on civilians filled the pages of our newspapers, as every day became a battleground for the politically affiliated to make their statement, oftentimes through violence.

Our state as a democracy also came under threat as religious extremists tried to hijack our secular values away from us. Freedom of speech came under fire, first, with the murder of Avijit Roy and then the subsequent killings of other bloggers whose opinions differed from that of the religious right. And, at the end of the year, when the government blocked Facebook, Whatsapp, and Viber, among other social media platforms, some of us truly wondered whether we were headed towards a point in our history, from which we would not be able to return.

Other minorities too were subjected to harassment and other forms of violence. A Shia procession was bombed at the Hussaini Dalan, while several Hindu temples also came under attack. Rohingyas, the world’s most oppressed minority, were left out at sea, as they sought shelter away from the oppressive Burmese regime.

Women, too, filled our pages. The incident of the sexual assault at TSC during Pohela Boishakh celebrations ashamed as, collectively, as a nation. A national dialogue erupted in the wake of several other attacks on women as we wondered whether our country was safe enough for half of our population.

We hung our heads in shame as we realised that some of our dearest mothers, sisters, and friends were under threat of the general populace itself and then realising that women aren’t just how they’re related to us, but that they too, are their own people, with feelings, dreams, emotions, and, most importantly, civil rights, which we cannot continue to ignore, which are their utmost and undeniable birthright.

And across the world, terrorist organisations like ISIS have managed to create a divide between us that hasn’t seen its likeness since the post-9/11 zeitgeist. Turning the the Middle East into a hotbed for violence and intolerance, many, especially Syrians, were forced to escape their homelands, putting their lives and that of their families at risk to seek a new home, a new place where they could seek better lives.

And the West, itself, came under scrutiny, as they remained internally conflicted. Some questioned the veracity of the Syrians’ claims to asylum and, in the light of the Paris attacks, this sentiment became further cemented. Potential leaders like Donald Trump took advantage of this dissonance to launch a bigoted campaign against minorities and people of

other faiths and races, exploiting a fear in the West that has become all too common.

But a new year is, if anything, an opportunity to start anew. Our newspaper has told countless stories of misery, but we cannot forget that this year has also given us newfound reasons for hope and jubilation.

This year has been an especially successful one for our women. In the UK, three Bengali women, Rushanara Ali, Tulip Siddiq, and Rupa Huq, were elected as Labour MPs. In the beginning of the year, three Bangladeshi women made it to the top 5 of the Asian/Arab weightlifting championship in Doha. Then, our Honourable Prime Minsiter received the prestigious Champions of the Earth award from the UN. And later, we were proud to induct Nazia and Shahrina as the first two female pilots in the army’s history. And who could forget Wasfia Nazreen and her tremendous achievement of being the only Bengali to complete the Seven Summits record?

Our national cricket team, the Tigers, led by Mashrafe bin Mortaza, had its most successful campaign till date, winning series against world heavyweights such as South Africa, India, and Pakistan, with Mashrafe being the most succesful Asian captain this year.

We also found justice in the form of the hanging of war criminals, the most notorious of whom was Salauddin Quader Chowdhury and Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, men renowned for the atrocities they carried out during the war for independence. Despite pressure from the international community, we stood strong, and gave our citizens much-needed closure in an era of open endings.

Climate change has also played an instrumental role, as the future of our world hinged on COP21 in Paris. Whether or not it will lead us to a more eco-friendly and greener future, we cannot know, but we can take hope from the fact that all nations involved decided to limit world temperature rise to under 2 degrees Celsius.

As we try to confine the year into words, it becomes increasingly evident that a few hundred, or even a few thousands words aren’t enough. But what most of us can agree on is that this year has been anything if not eventful, and has given us both countless joys and sorrows.

But what use is the past if we do not learn from it? It is our duty, each one of us, to keep in mind the things that have past, so we can, as individuals and as a nation and as citizens of the world, grow and ensure that the coming year is a better one.

Of course, we should look back, we should remember all that has happened, all the lives we’ve lost, all the things we’ve achieved, but only as rearview mirrors, so that we can drive forward into a horizon that is bursting with possibilities. n

Looking backSN Rasul

We found justice in the form of the hanging of war criminals, men renowned for the atrocities they carried out during the war for independence. Despite pressure from the international community, we stood strong, and gave our citizens much-needed closure in an era of open endings.

new year special

3

January2015

January

New Year kicks off with blockadesKhaleda Zia calls for a countrywide blockade to be enforced indefinitely. Business activity -- and life -- comes to a standstill.

Record number of textbooks distributed

Over 44 million students receive more than 300 million free textbooks in schools and madrasas across the country.

Boko Haram kill 2,000Nigerian militant group Boko Haram kills more than 2,000 people across sixteen villages in Nigeria. It is the notorious Jihadist organisation’s worst act so far.

Another first for BD womenBangladeshi women reach new heights in the world of weightlifting by winning two silver medals and one bronze medal, at the Asian/Arab Weighlifting Championships.

new year special

4

2015

February

Avijit Roy murderWar on words begins Writer, Avijit Roy and his wife, Rafida Ahmed Bonya, are hacked to death on their way back from the Ekushey Boi Mela on February 25. The extremist organisation Ansarullah Bangla Team claims responsibility. This is the first of many blogger killings to come.

Mamata comes to DhakaMamata Banerjee arrives in Dhaka for a three-day visit. Hopes are high that the Teesta Water Agreement and the Land Boundary Agreement will finally be ratified.

Google Street view in BangladeshThe digital generation celebrates as Google finally launches its Street View services in Bangladesh. Street View has revolutionised the way directions are given across the world.

Bangladeshi gets Oscar recognition again

Nafees Bin Zafar, the first Bangladeshi to win an Oscar adds another feather to his cap with a second gold statuette for Technical Achievement for creating the destruction effects for the film “How to Train Your Dragon 2.”

new year special

World watches as Tigers roarThe Bangladesh Cricket Team reaches new heights by reaching the quarter finals of the World Cup by beating Afghanistan, Scotland, and England, and playing some scintillating cricket on the way.

Ancient Buddhist site unearthedArchaeologists unearth an ancient Buddhist monastery in Bikrampur. Experts say this may have been the home of legendary scholar Atish Dipankar

IS frees two BD hostages in LibyaA full 18 days after being abducted by Islamic State, two Bangladeshi migrants are finally released. Helal Uddin of Jamalpur and Mohammed Anowar Hossain of Noakhali were among nine foreign nationals kidnapped during an attack on the oil field in Sirte in March.

Militants strike againBlogger Md Oyasiqur Rahman Babu is hacked to death. Oyasiqur was an active campaigner of the ongoing war crimes trials, and a secular writer. Al-Qaeda in the Indian Sub-continent (AQIS) claims responsibility.

5

2015

March

new year special

6

2015

April

Tigers add Pakistan to tally of scalpsThe Bangladesh cricket team clinches its first ever ODI series victory over Pakistan, crushing their opponents by seven wickets in the second game of the three-match series.

7.8 magnitude earthquake hits Nepal The Gorkha earthquake hits Nepal, killing almost 9,000 people and injuring more than 23,000. It is the worst natural disaster to strike the poor country in almost a hundred years.

Happy new year?Several women, who were celebrating the Bengali New Year at the Dhaka University campus, are sexually harassed by a group of at least 30 perpetrators. The perps are yet to be brought to justice.

New mayors for the yearMayoral elections take place in three city corporations -- Dhaka North and South, and Chittagong. Annisul Huq is elected mayor in Dhaka North, Sayeed Khokon in Dhaka South, and AJM Nasir Uddin in Chittagong.

new year special

Three Bangladeshi women voted into UK parliament

Third secular blogger killed in three monthsAnother Mukto-Mona blogger, Ananta Bijoy Das, is hacked to death by masked assailants in Sylhet. Once again, AQIS claims responsibility.

124 Bangladeshis rescued from Thai jungleThai security forces rescue some 124 Bangladeshis in the Khao Kaew mountain in Thailand over two days.

Migrant boat-people in crisisNearly 600 migrants, thought to be Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshis, are rescued from stranded boats along the Indonesian coastline.

7

2015

May

Three British-Bangladeshis are elected members of parliament in the UK general elections, all on Labour party tickets. Rushanara Ali defended her seat, while Tulip Siddiq ousted the Conservatives in her constituency and Rupa Huq took the third seat.

new year special

Myanmar returns BGB man After eight days of negotiations, Myanmar Border Guard Police release Border Guard Bangladesh Naik Abdur Razzak. He was abducted by Myanmar’s BGP from the zero line on the Naf River in Cox’s Bazar.

US Supreme Court legalises gay marriageSame-sex marriages are declared legal across the United States after a historic Supreme Court ruling which clearly states that the 14 states with bans on same-sex marriage will no longer be able to enforce them.

Tigers on the warpath, crush IndiansBangladesh secure a series win in the 2nd ODI against India with a six-wicket victory, chasing down a target of 200 in an impressive 38 overs. Besides winning the series, Bangladesh also cement their place in the 2017 Champions Trophy.

8

2015

June

Modi brings his road-show to BDThe Indian prime minister arrives in Dhaka on a two-day state visit, for the first time since assuming office. During the visit, Bangladesh and India sign and renew 22 deals, including the Land Boundary Agreement.

new year special

9

Murder of boy captured on videoA gruesome video surfaces, showing the torture of Sheikh Samiul Alam Rajon, a 13-year-old boy from Sylhet The 28-minute video that was filmed and uploaded by the criminals themselves show the barbaric torture and murder of the boy, sparking furious protests across the country.

Tigers make it three in a row Bangladesh win their third in a row, this time against cricketing giants South Africa. They would go on to win a fourth series later in the year in November which, when added to their victory against Zimbabwe in 2014, made it five home series wins in a row. Felani killer acquitted again (LEAD)

Rejecting the verdict of acquittal, parents of Bangladeshi teenager Felani Khatun, who was killed by the BSF four years back, demand trial of self-confessed BSF Constable Amiya Ghosh in an international court.

Exclave residents choose to be BangladeshisIn accordance with steps agreed by India and Bangladesh during Narendra Modi’s visit in June, the Bangladeshi enclaves in India and Indian enclaves in Bangladesh are physically exchanged.

2015

July

new year special

10

Baby Suraiya beats the oddsBaby Suraiya is born at the Magura General Hospital, despite being injured in late July, when her pregnant mother was shot in the abdomen during a clash between two rival groups of ruling party supporters.

Bombing in Bangkok kills 20A blast inside the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, Thailand kills 20 people and injures 125. Surveillance footage shows a suspect leaving a backpack at the scene shortly before the explosion. No one claims responsibility.

2015

August

Residents in Dasiar Chhara exclave receive Bangladesh citizenship after 68 yearsAfter 68 years in a nationality grey zone, the country’s newest citizens light up the land in celebration. 68 candles, one for each year that the so-called chhitmahals have been in existence, are lit up at the same time across all 111 new territories that passed into Bangladeshi sovereignty.

Siraj the Butcher sentenced to death The International Crimes Tribunal hands down death penalty and imprisonment until death respectively, to war criminals Sheikh Sirajul Haque alias Siraj the Butcher, and Khan Akram Hossain for genocide, murder, abduction and forceful conversion of Hindus to Islam in 1971.

new year special

11

Italian citizen killed in Dhaka Cesare Tavella, an Italian national, is shot dead in the capital’s Gulshan neighbourhood. IS claims responsibility.

PM wins Champion of Earth awardUNEP announces Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as “Champion of the Earth” in policy leadership for her leadership in addressing the impacts of climate change.

Hajj stampede deadliest in historySome 1,849 pilgrims are killed in a stampede at Meena, outside the Muslim holy city of Makkah. This was the deadliest incident in the pilgrimage’s history.

2015

September

Government removes 7.5% VAT on private universitiesIn the midst of massive protests by students, the government finally withdraws the 7.5% VAT imposed on private universities. The decision to withdraw the tax is applauded as a move in favour of education.

new year special

12

2015

October

Nazia, Shahrina become first ever female pilots in the armyCaptain Nazia Nusrat Hossain and Captain Shahrina Bintea Anwar completed their single and dual flights in the army aviation group, becoming the first female pilots in the history of the Bangladesh Army to do so.

Avijit’s publisher Dipan slainFaisal Arefin Dipan, who was publisher to slain writer-blogger Avijit Roy, is hacked to death in the capital’s Aziz Supermarket. AQIS, once again, claims responsibility.

Plane crash in Sinai kills 224A Russian airliner carrying 224 passengers crashes into Egypt’s Sinai peninsula, killing all aboard. There are speculations that this is may have been an act of retaliation against Russian aggressions.

Japanese national murdered

Kunio Hoshi is gunned down in broad daylight by unidentified assailants in Rangpur. Foreign consulates on high alert.

new year special

13

Nous sommes tous les ParisiensIn what is to be the defining act to bleed into the 2015 zeitgeist, simultaneous gunfire and suicide bombings shatter the very core of Paris. The co-ordinated attack, which targeted the Stade de France (where the French President Hollande was present), and various other cafes and restaurants and a concert hall, leaves 130 people dead. ISIS later claims responsibility.

2015

November

Dhaka Lit Fest brings BD to the worldDespite rising concerns for security over the murders of foreigners, the Dhaka Lit Fest is held. Over the course of three days, writers, poets, political analysts, and cultural activists from all over the world show up to highlight how Bangladesh could be a venue for the free exchange of ideas.

Wasfia completes Seven Summits recordIn a decisive victory for women and Bangladeshis alike, Wasfia Nazreen, a mountaineer, activist, and social worker, becomes the first Bangladeshi to complete the Seven Summits challenge, climbing the highest mountain on each of the seven continents.

Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, Mujahid hangedBlurb: In a win for justice 44 years in the making, notorious war criminals Salauddin Quader Chowdhury and Abdul Mohammad Mujahid are finally hanged.

new year special

14

COP21 held in Paris with mixed resultsWith climate change becoming increasingly a pressing issue for Bangladesh, one of the countries most susceptible to its effects, the UN Climate Change Conference, or COP21, is held in Paris. The aim is to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius, which would require zero emissions by 2030 or 2050. In the fight against climate change, some battles are won, some lost. As for the war, only time will tell.

2015

December

Facebook, Whatsapp unblocked after month-long banAfter 22 days of a social media blackout, the government lifts its ban on popular services Facebook and Whatsapp. Its earlier decision to block these Internet services, citing a need to catch perpetrators, was decried by many as an attack on free speech.

Mustafizur Rahman makes ICC ODI team of the yearMustafizur Rahman, Bangladesh’s new boy wonder, is inducted into the ICC’s ODI team of the year.

First third gender person to contest polls48-year-old Dithi, by contesting polls in Kolorao in Satkhira, becomes the first third gender (hijra) person to contest in a competitive democratic election in Bangladesh. In the same month, Babita Dardi, became the first Santal woman to contest municipal polls, putting her name forward in Rajshahi. Dithi and Babita’s involvement in politics marks the beginning of a new era in Bangladeshi politics.

new year special

afterword 15

Shuprova Tasneem

Looking forward

The beginning of a new year always brings with it a host of mixed emotions. Many of us look forward to the year to come with a sense of hope, while others with a certain apprehension.

This year, we saw multiple attacks by extremist groups on secular writers and foreign nationals. Although Bangladesh has experienced terrorist attacks before, the ones in 2015 have specifically targeted freethinkers and minority communities and have shocked the entire nation. The radicalisation experienced in the rest of the world is now a very real threat on our doorstep.

While extremists have carried out violent attacks on those who expressed views that differ from them, our basic right to freedom of speech has, much to our surprise, has been undermined by our government as well. Starting from the banning of social media to the case against journalist Probir Sikdar under the controversial Communications and Technology Act, there is now a worrying trend of repression of dissenting voices.

In the coming year, we hope we will see fewer instances of communalism and religious intolerance, and that we will strive towards a Bangladesh where everyone will be able to practice their religion and express their opinions without fear of repercussions, be it from religious extremists or wider society and government.

2015 has also brought with it a crucial turning point in the history of Bangladesh -- the trial of the war criminals of 1971. The death sentences handed down to war criminals have received its fair share of support as well as criticism, and have renewed debates on our collective memory and views on nationalism.

The war crimes trials have brought closure to a black period in our history, and it is high time our political parties desist from petty bickering and accept that to truly establish the democratic nation our freedom fighters dreamed of, they need to set aside their differences and work together.

While the claims by Pakistan of Bangladesh exaggerating the extent of the 1971 genocide have angered the nation, we must

be careful to not engage in the same nationalist rhetoric that demonises others. While we pay our respects to

the sacrifices of the war, it is time for us to also acknowledge the atrocities committed against the

Biharis and work with other organisations to strive for a better future for those still

in refugee camps.

As a nation that is still struggling to come to terms with the horrors of war, we should remember that we too were once a persecuted minority, and be able to empathise with minorities who live within our borders now. In the coming year, we hope the government will work towards full implementation of the CHT accord, and will also put greater focus on the plight of Rohingya refugees on our borders in order to come up with an international solution.

Although 2015 began with prolonged bouts of political violence, it has also been a year of achievements for us. Despite the strikes and blockades, it was a fruitful year of economic growth. With rising exports and remittances and great leaps in poverty reduction, we can definitely afford to be optimistic about our future growth targets.

On our journey to becoming a middle income nation, we need to now focus on spreading the benefits of growth to the wider population, and creating a social safety net so that fewer and fewer people are left behind. This may seem like a daunting task, but the launching of the National Social Security Strategy is a welcome step in the right direction, and we sincerely hope it will be implemented effectively in the coming year.

This has also been a good year in terms of achievements of women, who have reached leadership positions and excelled in sports. In the coming year, we hope that our women will continue to do us proud, but that we also will be able to respect their place as equal citizens of a democratic nation. This means not only providing women with physical safety (something which the 2015 Pohela Boishakh attacks prove is still a scarcity for Bangladeshi women), but ensuring their access to equal political, civil, economic and social rights.

No matter how good or bad a year we’ve had, it is only natural to dream of better days ahead. Whether it is economic and political stability or protection of minority rights, let us be optimistic about the future. But let’s also not be naïve – for these things to happen, we as citizens need to be actively involved, whether it is by practising peaceful politics or teaching the younger generations that all people deserve equal rights.

We realise that many of our dreams for the future won’t become a reality in 2016. Maybe it will take till 2026, or maybe even longer. But while we strive towards reaching our collective goals for Bangladesh, let us at least have faith in the fulfilment of one dream in the New Year -- the Bangladesh cricket team will most certainly reach new heights of glory in 2016.

Go Tigers, and Happy New Year! n

new year special

16 horoscope | the year ahead

Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19):If life has been all up and down for you in the past few years, fear not, dear Ram. This year, you’re focusing on you, your work and your money. From January to September, the stars align to bring you plenty of work and opportunities to make it rain money. Just be careful around April and May, as there may be a tendency to overspend.

From September onwards, it’s your love life that kicks off. Whether you’re single or happily settled, the year should end with fireworks if you play your cards right.

Taurus (Apr 20-May20):Shake it off and shake it up in 2016. This is the year you grab life by the horns and give it a much-needed do-over. January is ideal for finding love, and it will happen either on a romantic holiday, or a workshop; when and where you least expect it.

February is when an exciting work prospect opens up, and will see you working through March to May, but do keep an eye on your pockets, or June and September might prove to be lean. You’ve got this

Gemini (May 21-June 20):Start the year being showered with affection from your loved ones. February and March are the best time to take a break. If you’re in a relationship, it’ll bring back the zing, and if you’re not, you’ll find your fireworks. From March through September will be a little flat and uneventful and perhaps the best time to focus on sorting out the mundane details of your life.

It’s late in September that your life really turns an important corner, and this is when all the good luck happens. Play your cards right because you could be lucky both in love and money. The last four months of the year will be filled with delight.

Cancer (June 21-Jul22):You’ll find yourself very much in your element as 2016 begins. January brings good fortune, boosting your chances of love and financial gain. From March, through to September, however, there’s a chance of overspending, so watch that wallet, dear Crab. While other may be experiencing change and turmoil in matters of the heart, your love life is relatively peaceful this year, with a red-hot phase in August and September.

Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22):The year kicks off with a lucky streak, with a period from March to October when the finances need careful monitoring. Be especially wary of money

advice you may receive in this time. Things pick up towards the last four months, and you will finish the year on the same high with which you began it.

Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22):Personally, emotionally and financially, 2016 is a significant year for you. Luck, love and happiness could all be coming your way, along with significant change.

Valentine’s Day will be a good one for you this year, and you might just feel the spark at work, and the high will continue from March through May. Things come to a head in June, so think carefully before making a make-or-break decision. From

August onwards, you’ll feel a renewed confidence, ending the year lucky in money and love.

Scorpio (Oct23-Nov21):There’s no messing about this year – you hit the ground running as soon as 2016 begins and you mean business from the off. You’re masterful, driven and decisive, and this is the year you let the world know.

Loosen up and let your hair down. There are new friends, contacts and potential lovers waiting to meet you from January through to August, so concentrate on the social scene.

Pencil in February, March, April and May for romantic highlights. And by September, you want to kick back and enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Sagittarius (Nov22-Dec 21):You can’t help feeling good in January: open, generous, and fun-loving, but beware, it may lead to more spending than usual. February, April, May

and October are love hotspots. You’ll probably be putting in more hours at work. Enterprising, go-getting, energetic and driven, you’re certainly more ambitious from March to May and again from August to September. October brings more sunshine into your love life.

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan19):January to March will be packed with parties, gatherings and events. There are new things to learn, activities to sample and people to meet. Accept invitations to parties, reunions and celebrations in May – a month that’s made for fun. In September, you turn your focus on your career, boosting your

status and increasing your earning power. October and November bring out your sultry side. And it’s in these latter months of the year when you prosper financially.

Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18):While many people will find that romance is a rocky road for them, love runs smoothly for you this year. Romantically, your skies brighten from late February – just in time for your birthday. In May and June, you relax and open your heart to new experiences.

But be careful who you trust with your affairs in June and September – there are clever confidence tricksters out there even for savvy Aquarians like you.

Your social life blooms in October, and you end the year on a romantic high.

Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20):This will be a year of significant change to your romantic prospects and way of life. From January to March, you’re encouraged to stretch yourself physically,

mentally or virtually. In April, you’ll be spending money to improve

your appearance. You really get down and sociable in June, and September may bring a special announcement. The last four years are a golden financial period.

Libra (Sep 23-Oct22):The ball gets rolling from the very start of the year, enlivening your romantic affairs and also sharpening your financial ambitions. Money flows in – but also out again – from January to March.

Spring is all about romance. Flirt in February, make a move in March and reap the benefits in April. From April to September, however, tie up those purse strings. This is a time to spend, not save. Things turn around in September and the sun shines brighter from the very first day of the month. The world is your oyster for the rest of the year. n

Sabrina Fatma Ahmad