My Publications

ROUTE 666 – where the devil logon – BEWARE of the streets where MOLOM PARTY prowl I’m sure everybody read reports about the infamous MOLOM PARTY in Dhaka. The victims are not only stripped of all valuables but left unconscious on the street to lose their eye sight and in some instances…die. Eid is around the corner and yet, the sense of security seems to be degrading day by day. Be aware if your CNG driver suddenly stops near the Film Development Corporation (FDC) gate near Karwan Bazar, Banani Road 11, in front of Dhaka Sheraton Hotel or other notorious places marked 666, after dusk complaining of a breakdown. Because in a zippy, three to four young men would close in from both sides and jump inside the vehicle. One of them would sit on your lap, if you were alone. The others would hold a gun or a knife against your head. In a muggers-friendly situation, and for example in Tejgaon - the autorickshaw would then start and proceed towards the Tongi Diversion road and on the way, your po...

The old James is back James’s upcoming album Toofan is most likely to become a twister of sound, lyrics and emotions. In an interview with New Age, he reveals the desire to work in Bangladesh more vigorously, writes Faizul Khan Tanim photo by Al-Emrun Garjon Affectionately called Guru and popularly known as the Nagar Baul – city bard, James on the interview set made it clear that he wants to work in our music industry more enthusiastically. ‘I’ve been working outside the country for quite a bit now and I feel that time has come to offer my efforts just to Bangladesh. I want to do regular gigs, be on the television with music videos and interact more with my fans here’. ‘If there is spare time after all these, then maybe I will work outside our industry’, explained the smiling Guru. Sitting on the set of a music video shoot with songs from his upcoming album for the Eid program Golden Moment to be aired on Ekushey Television (ETV), produced by Alamgir Hossain, James gave an interesting...

A tool to educate children Faizul Khan Tanim interviews Sarwar-ul-Islam, winner of this year’s M Nurul Quader Children’s Literature Award, and finds out why more novels should be written for young people The award-winning book ‘Kalopori’A child’s delicate heart and mind has its first spark of vivid imagination through bedtime stories and lullabies. Children’s novels introduce the child to people, places and ideas; as well helps build dreams and ambition from their little discoveries and adventures. Story books, most importantly, cultivate affection and create a bond between the child and writing. The words and illustrations from stories not only enhance their vocabulary and strengthen their ability to use language, but it also helps them understand the complexities of everyday life, the country’s history, popular folklores- much-needed for the proper upbringing of every child. Sarwar-ul-Islam, winner of the M Nurul Quader Children’s Literature Award 2007 for his book titled Kalo Pori ...

A real life Din Badal Faizul Khan Tanim interviews Abul Kalam Azad, chairman and managing director of Azad Products pvt ltd, and relives the actual moments of the scenes depicted in the latest Banglalink ad to hit the television Gone are the days of advertisements with product-specific features only. The viewers are now welcoming creative television commercials sporting social messages, the company’s goodwill gestures and even depicting real life stories. And this one, very imaginatively visualises a one minute forty second true story. The latest rendition of Banglalink’s Din Badaler Cheshta, produced by Banglalink and Cogito Marketing Solutions and directed by Amitabh Reza essentially narrates the story of Abul Kalam Azad, chairman and managing director of Azad Products Pvt Ltd, who dreamt his dreams, struggled hard, and achieved them. Although, like other advertisements, it aims at cashing in on melodrama, there is no denying that owing to the nature of the story and the actu...

A real life Din Badal Faizul Khan Tanim interviews Abul Kalam Azad, chairman and managing director of Azad Products pvt ltd, and relives the actual moments of the scenes depicted in the latest Banglalink ad to hit the television Gone are the days of advertisements with product-specific features only. The viewers are now welcoming creative television commercials sporting social messages, the company’s goodwill gestures and even depicting real life stories. And this one, very imaginatively visualises a one minute forty second true story. The latest rendition of Banglalink’s Din Badaler Cheshta, produced by Banglalink and Cogito Marketing Solutions and directed by Amitabh Reza essentially narrates the story of Abul Kalam Azad, chairman and managing director of Azad Products Pvt Ltd, who dreamt his dreams, struggled hard, and achieved them. Although, like other advertisements, it aims at cashing in on melodrama, there is no denying that owing to the nature of the story and the actual even...

COASTLINE CONSERVANCY - The clean picture Faizul Khan Tanim visits Cox’s Bazar seashore on account of the International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 14 and takes a look at the bigger picture of such a venture photo by David Barikdar Imagine, the world’s largest stretch of unbroken beach is littered with cigarette butts, discarded wrappers and foils, and trash. The distinct stench reaches your nostrils as you walk the beautiful coastline. Fortunately, it is no longer the case. Thanks to people practicing ‘bay area conservancy’ in Bangladesh, the Cox’s Bazar sea shore is being successfully kept clean. Inspired by a campaign in the United States, it was started by an international organisation called Ocean Conservancy in 1986. This organisation promotes and encourages healthy and diverse ocean ecosystems and opposes practices that threaten ocean and human life. According to the international media, the ‘International Coastal Cleanup Day’ is one of the largest and most successful volu...

‘We do not make profit’ In an interview with Manas Saikia, the managing director and head of SAARC countries for Cambridge University Press, Faizul Khan Tanim learns that Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) is here not only to popularise its curriculum with affordable fee structure but also fight piracy concerning English medium text books photo by Andrew Biraj That the English medium education still remains out of reach for many has come to the attention of the Cambridge University Press officials during their venture in to the country with their curriculum for mainstream English medium schools. During his recent visit, Manas Saikia also declared Cambridge’s association with the bookstore Words ’n Pages to ensure availability of text books of Cambridge’s syllabus in the country. CIE right now has 1.5 million students registered in 150 countries and almost 4.5 to 5 lakh students are enrolled from the SAARC countries. Schools like Scholastica, Oxford International and many have ...