Is death penalty the only answer to prevent rape?

M A Hossain

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.- Martin Luther King jr.

In the wake of country-wide protests over the alarming increase of rape incidents in the society have paved the way to amend the existing law by the government, to make death sentence the highest punishment for committing rape. On October 13, there was a"reintroduction" of death penalty for single perpetrator rape in the woman, and children repression prevention (Amendment) ordnance 2020 after the woman and children repression prevention(special provisions) act 1995 and the 2000 Act. Definitely, it's a holy commendable move by the government to show zero tolerance towards rapists. But will this reform have any paradigm shift in our society or significant impact on the judicial system for rape. Let's analyze the reality.

The death penalty was existed for rape last 25 years. But this capital punishment could not throttle such heinous crime. This because of the judicial conscience to exhibit extra caution for avoiding guilty verdict on capital punishment. Every judge always strongly demands a zero errors standard of proof to give verdict on death penalty in any case. To substantiate this statement, we find only 3 percent convention has turned up in rape case filed in Dhaka's tribunal. More so, we don,t have sentencing guidelines in rape laws. That means, a rape survivor has to avail an unattainable standard of evidence against the rapist which will ensure the gallows or else culprit will get acquitted. Also the law does not allow any other alternative punishments.

There are few major obstacles to exhibit full proof evidence against the rapist on trial. First, rapists are always pertaining to the power monger regarding political, financial, and psychological disorder. This very power imbalance makes difficult to get justice for rape survivor. Secondly, social stigma play a significant role to preclude the victim from taking legal action. A rape survivor becomes the pariah in the society. Our society puts a rape survivor in an ordeal of attire, attitude, anti-social proficiency instead of their rapist on account. Guardians make victim hush to stem further deterioration of their family honor in the society even a president of a super power country paid, 'hush money' to a woman for this. Thirdly, lack of efficiency to handle a rape case within the legal framework by our law enforcement agencies and public prosecutors make it more difficult for the victims to pursue and prove the case in court. A burning example, OC Moazzem an abettor to the much-hyped Nusrat murder case dropped from the murder charges. Fourth, section 155(4) of the Evidence Act 1872, has a provision for defense lawyer to raise questions about the character of complainants on trial proceedings. This discriminatory and humiliating provision give the rape survivor a feeling that they are being trialled not their rapist. And at the very beginning they become exhausted to proceed further legal battle. 

It will be unjust if our concerted effort to be so short- sighted in our demands for justice. We need to focus on a society of politically and economically strong. A strong political will, and it's implementation can only eliminate such heinous crime for its people irrespective of age, gender and economic status. Social values, ethos and religious teachings need to be embedded from the very beginning of our primary and secondary life and enforced from tertiary level. Archaic rape, and evidence laws need to be reformed in line with human rights standards and expertise our investigatory organization for fair and speedy trial. Last but not the least, a social awareness against sexual violence and concerted effort to raise our voices against sexual violence at any time, any place could eradicate this heinous crime. Albert Einstein said, the world will not be destroyed by those who do evil but by those who all are watching this without doing anything.

This article published at:

1. The New Nation,bangladesh:29Oct20

Asia: The game-changer for the superpower

M A Hossain

The United States has been trying relentlessly for building an international coalition against China. The US has adopted 'contain policy' and already the indicators of a gathering storm are getting alarmingly visible now. The anti-China, Indo-Pacific military alliance is known as"Quad" and the US's extraordinary momentum on Indo-Pacific Strategy(IPS) have finally revealed the maneuvering theater or launching pad for another game-changing Cold War.

If we study the map of Asia, we find an endeavor of checkmate in the real chessboard between two superpowers- the US and China. Japan, South Korea — North Korea, Taiwan — Hong Kong, India — Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Saudi led the US allies — Afghanistan, Iran all these countering pawns are guarding and checking each other to keep the regional situation stable. There are many entry points to mainland China but from the military point of view, the South China Sea will be the main theater is to get entrance for the USA. Russia, Central Asian states or ASEAN states will not allow the USA to get the military advantages in any hot conflict between the US and China. After the recent China India spat, that only leaves South Asia the most likely theater for the US to contain China effectively. The US quickly turns up for IPS and shows its great interest in inviting the initiatives for geospatial cooperation with South Asia. If India at extreme point gets involve in the US-led assault on China, in turn, entire South Asia(especially Nepal, Bhutan Bangladesh and Pakistan) will be into a deadly battlefield of superpower hostility. No doubt, except Bangladesh entire South Asia, is polarized into two superpowers. Bangladesh will be in immense pressure from her close ally India as well as the US. Bangladesh may be dragged with lucrative offers or threatened to confiscate of USD 38 billion reserves like Iran, Venezuela, Cuba to join the US-led allies. But China has already created a countermeasure with the Rohingya crisis, and China-built submarine network. To bar from leaning to the U.S. alliance, China has come forward with prodigious economic assistances for neutral states in this region. There is also the port facility from Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Myanmar for China.

Other Asian nations are also spiralling from one peak to another on political turmoil. Belarus people are on the street against the malpractices of the President. Hong Kong and Thailand continue spat on its internal political crises. Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen remain to engage in intra conflict. Gulf nations were polarized by Trump's inane attempt to restore peace. Lebanon has once again faced a deep political crisis after the Beirut blast. Myanmar continues persecution on Rakhine state in the name of insurgents clearing operation. ASEAN and the EU are not happy on Trump's administration, and that already has surfaced unprecedentedly during various world leaders' forum. China, Nepal, Bhutan have border demarcation problem with India. Afghanistan, Pakistan, Maldives and Malaysia are facing internal political crises. This de-escalation of peace is prevailing for showing supremacy as sabre-rattling tactics by the superpowers.

So, the US-China war will be nothing but to shrink the Chinese fastest-growing economy or contain Chinese influence or accessibility to Eurasia. Socioeconomic strength is the main indicator to lead the world from the forefront. President Trump has walked out from various world organizations to avoid donations of a huge sum as America is facing ever worst economic recession but China is filling that vacuums. And this is the norms to be the number one superpower. Now America's supremacy is at stake, so, she will leave no stone unturned to ruin China's ambition to become the number one superpower.

This article published at

1. The New Nation, Bangladesh :26oct20

2. South Asia Journal, USA:27oct20

3. Review Nepal, Nepal:27oct20

Sheikh Hasina continues the heroic offensive against unethical corruption.

M A Hossain

In the last 11 years, under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has emerged as a role model to the world. There has been an influx of groups that have been immersed in ideologies that are detached from the morality and ideology of the organization and even directly against the ideology of the Bangladesh Awami League. Every sensible media in Bangladesh and abroad are highly applauding Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her zero tolerance on the drive against unethical corruption. As the daughter of the founding father of the country, Hasina has exhibited her guts in instructing the members of the law enforcing agencies, especially Bangladesh Police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in eliminating unethical corruption with the noble goal of saving the nation from the grips of corrupt rogues. Let me answer one pertinent question here: why I have crafted corruption with ‘unethical’. When corruption is very much pernicious to life and to the whole nation then that corruption is considered as the worst of all unethical acts.

Bangladesh has already earned a bad reputation in the global context for the fake Covid-19 testing scam of some unscrupulous caregivers like JKG Pvt Hospital or Regent Hospital. Even some government-approved laboratories in the country have been conducting unscientific and unethical testing procedures which seem to be carried out under the watch of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Needless to say, the consequences of these deeds are being catastrophic by putting people’s lives in danger, as well as hurting national interests in the global arena: like fake N95 masks being provided to medical personnel, forged report of Covid-19, five lakhs Covid-19 testing kits lying in the warehouse instead of delivering to the testing centres, travel ban from Bangladesh to Italy, Japan and South Korea. No doubt, this unethical corruption not only tarnished the image of Bangladesh but also paralyzed our remittance flow from abroad. Bangladesh, particularly since the 1990s, if tallied with health ministers, most of them were indicted with a number of corruption cases. The health sector requires radical reforms following a dismantling of the present system. Resignation or removal is not the last word, those who play with people’s lives should be given exemplary punishment.

In the recent past, the casino scam also exposed how the ill-gotten money siphoned to other countries. The total money was black money. The country has lost a huge amount of revenue. Some casino patrons even became a moving bank with crores of cash in hand which total money was out of our inland economy and degraded people’s morally in the social fabric. According to the report of newspapers, we came to learn the bone-chilling information that casino patrons have more than a hundred of flats in a single city, some of them gambled Tk 40 crores in a single night. I am damn sure even Bill Gates would not be daring enough to spend such amount on gambling(!) or he has not that number of flats to live in a single city.

All members behind that corruption is very close to certain members of the ruling party in Bangladesh. But it is Sheikh Hasina who abandoned those hoodlums and brought them to justice. One thing we must admit, these unethical corruptions were busted out first by the Hasina’s government. So the government must get the garland, but the ruling party must face the gallow. How did crook like Shahed get to snatch a position in the party or how Enu-Ropon brothers of cupidity in nature lead such a party from the front line which has a prestigious history of driving roles to the birth of a country. How did such people come in contact with important leaders of the ruling party? It is not clear how he took part in the talk show on mass media as an Awami League leader. Many such opportunists have entered the party and that group is looting without any hindrance. The party has to take responsibility in the end. A few days ago, another local Awami League-backed independent, MP, was arrested in Kuwait. How did he get the support of the party? How did the MP’s wife also become a member of parliament in reserved women’s seat?

The people of the country can often know from the press briefing of the Awami League leaders what the BNP leaders have said. It’s not the responsibility of the Awami League to keep the BNP alive on the ground. In a democracy, the principles, and ideologies of each party must be presented to the people by the party, and then only one will get to rise to power. No one needs to take responsibility for anyone here.

Individual Sheikh Hasina has shown her courage to eradicate the bad elements from the party as well as to stop the unethical corruption in the country. Shahed, Enu, Samrat are all greedy for the benefits of her party, so bringing them to justice is a matter of honest courage. This is not only the job of Sheikh Hasina alone, all the responsible persons of the party should exercise their duties properly.

This article published at:
1. Weekly Blitz, Bangladesh:7 August 20
2. South Asia Journal, USA: 8 August 20

What the press section of Bangladeshi missions are doing?

M A Hossain

Bangladeshi incumbent member of parliament(MP) was talked of the country in Kuwaiti media as well as international media for his scam of criminal activities in Kuwait. Possibly it is one of the biggest scams in Kuwait where two of Kuwait's National Assembly members have lost their impunity for interrogation in connection with this scandal. Some more Kuwaiti officials were also detained for being involved in the alleged crimes of human trafficking, money laundering, bribes, and Visa trading. But our foreign ministry was totally in the dark, more so, after the Kuwaiti media ran reports of this criminal activities, Bangladeshi ambassador in a letter to the foreign ministry in Dhaka gave an inane report of this corrupted MP.

The main task of the press sections in the missions of any country is not only to establish and maintain cordial relations with the members of media of the host countries, but also to keep vigilant eyes on the contents published or aired in the print, and electronic media. If news appears in an English newspaper in Bangladesh of the US, for example, Washington will be notified within less than an hour. Even contents of the Bangla papers would be translated into English and sent to the US either through email or via diplomatic 'pouch'. In this regard, the most effective and diligent press sections are of the Chinese missions around the world.

Bangladesh spends millions of dollars per month towards the press sections worldwide. In this allocated budget, press sections get funds for socializing with the journalist communities of the host countries for building deeper relations. But for years, most of the key figures in the press sections are being politically appointed. These 'fortunate' individuals, instead of serving the interest of Bangladesh, get busy using this posting for their personal interest. Most of them, especially those sent to the US, Canada, Britain, and the European Union nations make a frantic bid in getting their children in those countries for 'ensuring better future'. In other words, they use this posting towards personal gains instead of serving the nation. Such unfortunate tendencies are prevalent even within the career diplomats from Bangladesh.

If we look into the statistics, almost 95 percent of the Bangladeshi diplomats and mission staffs leave their children in those countries for studies and return home. Meaning, they use this diplomatic job as an opportunity to ensuring foreign immigration for their children(even spouses in some cases).

Due to such self-centered mindset, the members of the press sections in the Bangladesh missions not only fail in making relations with the members of the media, and get positive contents published or aired in favor of Bangladesh; they also purposefully ignore adverse propaganda or unprolific contents published or aired against Bangladesh.

There are plenty of complaints against our missions abroad by the expatriates. Migrant workers do not get legal support from our embassies which they bound to provide them. Families are reporting of unnatural death of their loving deported corpse. Business communities decry for not functioning as opening new business corridors by the embassies. 

Bangladesh's government has taken necessary actions against questioned personnel of the Kuwait embassy, but this issue has tarnished the image of Bangladesh as well as the ruling party. The situation became complicated for both the countries when the press section in the Bangladeshi mission to Kuwait was reluctant to pick up the first-hand news from Kuwaiti media therefore authority was failed to perform its duties. On the other hand, some missions have contributed by their sincere reporting on 'fake Covid-19 test certificate' which paves the way for taking stern action against the perpetrators by the Bangladesh government.

So the job of the press section in the missions is very important. Their ignorance would ultimately invite catastrophic consequences for Bangladesh. Because, wherever a news content or even adverse propaganda keeps on speeding being unattended and ignored, in the course of time, it turns into reference, and even are accepted as the fact.

This article published at:

1. The New Nation, Bangladesh :19 July 20

Covid-19: The job is deepening globally!

M A Hossain


The coronavirus pandemic has made a severe worsening situation on the jobs market globally, especially in developing countries. The situation is direr than we anticipated. According to the International Labor Organization(ILO) that by the mid-year point, global working hours were down 14% compared to the last December which is equivalent to some 400 million full-time jobs. This estimation is more than double the figure forecast by the UN organization back in April. ILO's report also pointed out that 93% of the world's workers still affected by some sorts of workplace closure, and sweeping containment measures during this pandemic. As a result, almost 16 billion informal economic workers(the most valuable in the labor market), out of a worldwide total of 2 billion and a global workforce of 3.3 billion have been suffering massive damage to their capacities to earn a living. Worldwide more than 436 million enterprises face a high risk of serious disruption.


In Asia, the extent of the economic damage caused by the Covid-19 outbreak will claim millions of jobs. The World Bank forecast that South Asia might post 1.8% to 2.8% GDP growth. Research from Dhaka University of health economics has estimated 15 million people from different sectors will become unemployed. About one million Bangladeshi migrated workers are facing deportation from the Middle East who used to push Tk 35 billion in our rural economy annually. According to the Center for Monitoring the Inland Economy(CMIE), 122 million Indians lose their jobs in April, and the unemployment rate is 27.1%. Out of 65.5 million workers in Pakistan, approximately 72% are in the informal sectors which means no work no pay — thus, lockdown makes them jobless. And about 18 million people lose their jobs in Pakistan. Afghanistan is affected by the Covid-19 pandemic as well as internal conflict. That makes 6 million people lose their jobs. Japan has expanded its loan program by 279 billion for financial assistance to small and medium-sized firms. South Korea experienced an all-time high of unemployment benefit payments of 898.2 billion Won. General Statistics Office of Vietnam reports that pandemic cost nearly 5 million workers in just the first quarter of this year. China is facing the challenge to provide jobs for the college graduates this year and about 80 percent of the workplaces are small and medium-sized enterprises who all are facing tremendous disruptions. NOMURA, a Japan-based analytics group, recently opined that unemployment rates in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand will be higher than they were during the 1997-98 Asian Financial Crisis. Gulf nations have adopted austerity measures to manage the budget deficit amid a heavy fall in petroleum prices and the Covid-19 pandemic. The countries have cut salaries of the employees and reduce the official staff. They are sending back millions of migrant workers due to the bankruptcy of the companies.


In Europe, the economy continues to reel from the coronavirus's impact, with the travel ban devastating the aviation and hospitality industry in particular. It's aviation giant Airbus is planning to cut around 15,000 jobs worldwide which is 11% of its total workforce. Also, airlines with weaker balance sheets could find it is difficult to survive in this pandemic. Greece has seen its economy hit hard by lockdown and travel bans that cause all about ending its lucrative tourism seasons before it begins. Germany's export-oriented growth stumbled by a new lockdown when slaughterhouses hit by an outbreak of the coronavirus. Almost 2.8 million people have lost their jobs in the UK, since, the country's lockdown began.


In America, people are experiencing the greatest restrictions for soaring transmission rate which alone accounts for a quarter of all infections and deaths globally. The US Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President James Bullard predicted lockdown to contain the virus may accelerate the unemployment rate to 30% in the second quarter with an unprecedented 50% drop in gross domestic product. 40 million people have applied for unemployment benefits. Department of Labor reports, that the national unemployment rate is 14.7% and the percentage of unemployed women is 55% in the June quarter. According to the BBC report, 2000 companies are fully shut down in the US. Canada has ever spiked the highest payment of unemployment benefits. Lat America becomes the new hot spot for coronavirus. This crisis has caused 25% of jobs to cut.


In Africa, nearly 20 million jobs are threatened by the Covid-19 crisis both in formal and informal sectors. According to the African Union, the immediate impact on informal employment will be particularly acute for youth. An estimated 9 million workers(mostly youth) in Africa are directly involved in artisans and small scale mining (ASM) and 54 million indirectly depend on ASM for their livelihoods. However, almost all ASM activities are informal and occur outside the legal framework. As a result, the lockdown and social distancing measures put ASM workers at a bleak future.


In Australia, a new study at the University of Melbourne-according to the treasury figures released on 14 April, Australia's unemployment rate is expected to increase from 5.1% to 10% in the June quarter due to the pandemic. On 20 April, the Australian hotel association announced a jobless of 200,000 due to the coronavirus and associated lockdown measures. Film and Television production in Australia announced that 20,000 jobs were lost. Australia Bureau of Statistics reports that between March and April, full-time employment decreased by 220,500 and a part-time job by 373,800. The tourism and hospitality industry also hits hard by the coronavirus.


To minimize the extent of the economic damage caused by Covid-19 outbreak, we need a true and visionary leadership who needs to act at a large scale and coordinated manner with policy coherence at national and global levels. Developing Countries need to focus on investing in people through projects to create job opportunities. Corruption and social insecurity may stagnate economic activities and create new jobs. This pandemic could be a litmus test for the global leaders as well as global organizations.

This article published at:

1. The New Nation, Bangladesh : 08 July 20

2. South Asia Journal, USA:10 July 20

3. Review Nepal, Nepal :10 July 20

4. Modern Ghana, Ghana :10 July 20

5. Weekly Blitz, Bangladesh :15 July 20

6. The Seoul Times, South Korea 

7. News Today, Bangladesh 

Has 'Big Brother' India failed to perceive the people's voice?

M A Hossain

India and China, the two nuclear-armed Asian giants were in a significant escalation of a weeks-long standoff at Galwan valley in the western Himalayas. Nepalese people are becoming furious with India as regards transgression of borders demarcation. Pakistan has intensified border skirmishes along with Jammu and Kashmir border. Bangladesh has got duty-free access to 97 per cents of its exported products. More so, China becomes the strategic development partner of Bangladesh. Sri Lanka is already in the debt trap of China and becomes the strategic partner of defense, and economy now why the South Asian theatre is in turmoil and engaged with "rivalry neighborhoods" policy.

In South Asia, India is a big and strong, powerful nation. As a mighty nation, they have huge responsibilities for the neighbours, which will pave the way for peace and balance with this region. We heard about "neighbourhoods first" policy from Mr Norendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India. But it is only a saying. India beleaguered Nepal for six days during the earth quack crisis in 2015. That blunder of India turned Nepalese people into foes from friends. All Power nations in the world are looking for opportunities to scramble for enlarging with new allies. China took the chance and bagged Nepal with its bloc. India should have been felt the pulse of the Nepalese. In my opinion, India ignored the people's voice in to Nepal and tried to tie up with political power only in the past.

Birth of India and Pakistan were nothing but a mockery. The only cause of the creation of the two nations was the eagerness of power of the leaders during that time. Neither Pakistan became an Islamic country with sharia law nor India became the only land for Hindus where India is a secular country. Indian politicians always undermined Pakistan Army and tried to develop a relationship of to between Pakistani politicians. But in reality, significant percent of Pakistani people are with their Army. That's why the Army has a strong influence on defense and foreign policy. Here also, India failed to listen to the people's voice. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a sudden visit to ex-PM of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif on the eve of his birthday in a bid to cool down strain relations between two rivals. But that agitated Pakistan Army and rest we all know. From history, we can see leaders of both sides tried to exploit the people with communalism for their smooth stay in power. That's why Pakistan is now a failed state, and India, we will conclude from with the end of this article.

Government to government relations between India, and Bangladesh are at ever best. But people of Bangladesh need equal water sharing, restrained attitudes from BSF, equal trade opportunity, no stark meddling in national politics. We remember and recognize the contributions of India in 1971. But the post-71 generations also observed the way India walked out from Bangladesh bloc on Rohingya crisis with Myanmar. They also tally, how many Indians were killed by the Bangladeshi border guards last decades? Why our pharmaceutical products are barred from exporting to India by its government? During the crisis period of the onion(2019), rice(2008), fertilizer (2004), India always shown their noncooperation. Bangladesh has given everything that India needs, but peoples of Bangladesh are now checking their balance. They may think otherwise, India took an advantage in 1971 and flash their double-faced attitude afterward. Only two countries were restrained themselves from voting against Myanmar on the Rohingya crisis in the United Nations resolution. 

India must not ignore the voice to the people of Bangladesh who instated Bangladesh Awami League in power. Father of the nation of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheik Mujibur Rahman belongs to this party. He declared the foreign policy" friendship to all malice to none" that we still follow. But at the same time, we must remember his ideology-" I don't want prime ministership; I want to make my people smile". His party is in power, and his daughter is the present Prime Minister of Bangladesh, who always gives priority to the people's demands like her father.

From the Mohavarat or Ramayana, we learnt the strained relations between India and Sri Lanka. Two nations differed from their religious beliefs. Indian Hindus confess Ram as Lord where Sri Lankans profess Rabon. Over time, both the countries had chequered relations of between influence, economy. India's instigation on a bloody war between Tamil and Sinhalese tribes had scathed the heart of the SriLankans. Now China took the opportunity and became a reliable strategic partner.

Coronavirus pandemic has put super power's order at stake. Now China is emerging as a superpower contrasting with the United States. So this is the high time for China to constrain the US allies. As a non-aligned nation, India has always sought to balance the influence of superpowers. Still, now Delhi has built closer political, and defence ties with Washington and the US has become one of India's top arms suppliers. India also aligned it's interesting much more strongly with Japan, Australia and ASEAN. Indian alignment with anti-China blocs has stoked the deterioration of Sino-India relations. The convergence of Indian and American geopolitical interests has compelled China to be aggressive on India. Some ruling party leaders in India have called for a boycott of Chinese goods. This tactic was successful during 1947 against British occupants. Because that movement had a mission - freedom from the British colony, but what is the purpose this time against China. Maybe confused because at first ruling party leaders should ensure the supply of cheap rated products like China then calls for a boycott, and that would be meaningful. Despite the tensions, India received 750 million dollars from the China-led Asian Infrastructure Development Bank to cope with the effects of Covid-19 on the poor and vulnerable groups. India is the dependent on China regarding power sectors, electronic households, various raw materials. So here, bigwigs of the ruling party are missing the pulse of Indian people.

The conflict between China and India will not bring any benefit to their neighbors. Instead, both countries are not capable of engaging each other. War is nothing but destroying money and lives. So if they listen to their people, definitely they will be in the right track and settle all the problems diplomatically. Both sides must keep their demagogue's mouth shut. Asian regional leaders must come to a consensus for avoiding the next "water war" shortly.

This article published at:

1. The New Nation, Bangladesh :29 June 20

2. South Asia Journal, USA:30 June 20

3. Review Nepal, Nepal :30 June 20

4. The Seoul Times : South Korea :01 July 20

Traumatized next generation must now be given priority

 
M A Hossain


A prolonged lockdown due to Covid-19 has made our life confined within our rooms. Conscious people restricted their movement from outside in fear of getting infected from others. At present, Bangladesh becomes the new epicenter for spreading the deadly coronavirus in South Asia. So, people are very much worried and in anxiety about their mundane matters. But what about our innocent children. Do we really aware of providing healthy environment for children in our homes. Because, situation at present in Bangladesh no less than in comparison to Yemen, Syria — where a future generation are growing up with psychological disorders. 


All income classes are facing tremendous economic recession, monetary crisis, social insecurity, losing job, rise of daily commodity price which makes very difficult to feed family members. It causes psychological breakdown of family members and effected children with mal nutrition. That's why, attitude of our adults are becoming testy and impatient. Due to social isolation, we are losing control over our behavior day by day. As a result, we are ignoring to recognize and address our children's mental health. Many times, parents are engaged with a squabble and in that scenario our kids are feeling insecure, maybe our high-pitched altercation, make kids to hide behind the door or even under the bed which is a similar scenario in a war torn country when fighting aircraft drop bombs.


Even, if we are very much conscious about our children then how do we be taking care of them during lockdown. We don't allow them to go outside. We don't allow them to mix with others. They can't play outside which is very essential for them. We are not allowing them to go to school, and they miss their friends, teachers, playgrounds. And in confined life, when our children are feeling monotonous, we provide them tab, mobile, cartoon show, Internet to quell. We all do this in good faith but these restrictions and concessions are making them psychologically imbalance.


Our children behavioral patterns are changed. They become short tempered. They are not satisfied with anything. They shout and cry with loud voice for very tiny matter. Parents are also lost their patience by now and make the mistake by scolding or exercising corporal punishments. All the classes have lost their patience but suffer only the weaker.


There is a drastic change in our children's schedule. As the school is closed, so their social exposure is strongly hampered. Definitely they are frustrated and struggled with boredom but cannot make understand others. They are missing the story to tell their parents about school, friends, teachers. Akin guests are also not visiting our house which also creates anxiety and mental stress on them where they deprive of love and affections from others.


Now, if we talk about our adolescent children, they are prone to suffering tremendous mental stress during the pandemic. Browsing the internet is the only job which they spend most of the time during lockdown. Their physical exhaustion is heavily hampered. Their mental stress are increasing day by day because of missing -hobnobbing, sharing thoughts with friends. And in no way, face-to-face appearance can be substituted by digital communications. So social isolation and loneliness increased the risk of depression. Another thing, we have lost the tradition of joint family in Bangladesh. So in a single family, adolescent children meet their parents in dining time. Parents are also busy with chores, reading books, watching serials, news, talk shows or business matters. How much quality time do we spend with our adolescent children? The question remains!


Now some recommendations that I put for thought for the government as well as parents. First, government should take a crass program targeting our future generation. A healthy plan for school opening, means all on a sudden not to open school in a full scale. Gradually we should increase educational pressure keeping aside our tendency of covering the closure's gaps. TVC of psychological recovery should be featured in media targeting our children. A heavy and strong committee headed by the world renowned psychologist Saima Wazed Hossain (also advisor to Prime Minister) could be formed who will guide the government to discharge its duties related to our children. Secondly, parents should spend quality time with their children. Small scale of physical exercises like jogging on the rooftop, gardening could be encouraged to the family members together. Thirdly, family members are to be encouraged to perform religious rites and to learn religious knowledge. Parents should create innovative ideas and situations where minors will be engaged to keep them busy and thinking. Misinformation to the children about coronavirus must be avoided by the parents.


WHO and UNICEF should assist Bangladesh to guide and to run the nutrition program in schools. Last but not the list, our devastated economy would turn around and stand one day but our traumatized and mal nutrition prone future generation can never be competent to lead the country when their turn will come.

The article published at:
1. The New Nation, Bangladesh :23 june20