DBL Ceramics and Maheshpur Municipality have taken the initiative to name 56 streets of Maheshpur after 56 brave freedom fighters to highlight the identity of brave freedom fighters to the new generation.

Think of a world where all the people feel safe, respected, and comfortable in being themselves and expressing all aspects of their identities. Imagine a place where each person shares a sense of belonging with other members. That would be a pleasant place to be, to live.

We treat physical ailments. Take regular care of the body to stay healthy. But mind? Many of us do not know that the mind can be sick and that the mind needs care. Many are now becoming aware of the issue of mental care in social awareness. But it is few. Apart from that, many people think that only adults need mental care. I don't even think about the care that children need.

Dr. Jordan Kassalow, Founder of VisionSpring, shared his inspiration and aspiration to ensure access to better eyesight in a conversation with The Daily Star's Sarah Bintay Shakhawat.

Despite being small in terms of geography, Bangladesh currently ranks 8th in terms of population. Additionally, it is currently experiencing a demographic dividend, with 65.6% of its population being of working age.

It’s a tale of a little boy, moulded from the raw soils of a small town in the Jhenaidah district of Bangladesh, with lofty dreams. He swam against the currents of society at a very early age, to stay afloat in his river of artistic zeal. His dreams have carried him across seas in pursuit of liberty in the United States of America. He may have cloaked himself with the spell-bounding city lights of New York, but never forgot to nurture the small-town heart within.

“Competitions organised in our school have enriched our knowledge. We learned so many new things as well through this which turn our monotonous life into an interesting one. I really hope this continues and this happy learning journey keep continue in the long run”, said Lima Akhter, a student in 7th grade from Rangpur who attended annual campaigns in her school.

A five-year project has approached 331 School Management Committees (SMC) in the northern part of Bangladesh to ensure the health and other services for the students. SMCs of Nilphamari and Rangpur in the respective areas are becoming the changemakers through their leadership and cooperation jointly with the project titled Joint Action for Nutrition Outcome (JANO).

“We never had such in-depth knowledge about menstrual health or about physical and mental changes during the menstruation period. Sanitary napkins and other hygiene materials were not even accessible to us. Menstruation often caused being absent from the classes as well.”, expressed Akhi, a high school student of Ghonirampur Boro Gola High School of Taraganj Upazila under Rangpur.

“We are working for the adolescent, we’re listening to their physical and psychological issues carefully and trying to solve their problems within our reach. We are not only solving their problems but also discussing adolescent health and nutrition, physical and psychological changes in this period of life and many other things with them”, said Anowara Begum, a Family Welfare Officer in Motukpur Union Family Welfare Center under Domar upazila of Nilphamari.

Schools play a key role in educating children about basic knowledge like health, nutrition, hygiene, etc. With the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the people of Bangladesh, especially children, got impacted not only physically and mentally but also socially, economically and culturally. Social challenges like child marriage, child labor, dropout in schools, spreading of various superstitions, etc. increased simultaneously.

Sarah Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of Practical Action, recently visited Bangladesh. During a conversation with The Daily Star’s Tanjim Ferdous, she discussed the various development initiatives that Practical Action is currently working on in Bangladesh, as well as their future plans for the country.

ActionAid, in association with The Daily Star, organised a Climate Justice Idea Competition 2022, the grand final and prize-giving ceremony of which were held on November 19, 2022, at The Daily Star Centre.

A project titled “Empowering left behind minority communities to effectively participate in the development process of Bangladesh” is being implemented by Bandhu Social Welfare Society, BLAST, Nagorik Uddyog, and WAVE Foundation with the support of Christian Aid and European Union.

In conversation with Chris Gibson, international officer and country manager for Bangladesh at the University of Manchester

Micronutrients are required for our body in minimal amounts but play a major role for human health, growth, and development. They also keep our body active and functional. All vitamins and minerals are known as micronutrients and, they are available in our food items.

“Although people with disabilities are the largest minority group in the world in terms of numbers, I didn’t even think about them before I experienced that massive accident,” said Asif Iqbal Chowdhury while sharing the story of how he founded Suborno Nagorik Foundation.

Participants in an online discussion suggested that CSR initiatives should come forward to support people with disabilities and ensure their well-being.  

Participants in an online discussion suggested that CSR initiatives should work for advancing child education in remote and hard-to-reach areas to ensure basic education for every child. 

Speakers at an online discussion suggested that CSR initiatives should contribute to the development of remote and hard-to-reach areas such as Chittagong Hill Tracts by supporting the entrepreneurs from these areas.