Poet and Daily Jugantor editor Abdul Hai Shikdar criticized Bangla Academy’s standardized Bengali spelling, calling it a mere photocopy of India’s Anandabazar Patrika. Speaking at a discussion on Syed Ali Ahsan’s contributions to Bengali culture, Shikdar emphasized Ahsan’s unique role in blending tradition with modernity and science with belief. He also called for an auditorium to be named after Ahsan at Bangla Academy and for a memorial book to honor his legacy, highlighting his critical impact on Bengali literature and culture.

Renowned West Bengal singer Pratul Mukhopadhyay, best known for the song 'Ami Banglay Gaan Gai' (I Sing in Bengali), has passed away at the age of 83. He died on Saturday morning at SSKM Hospital, where he had been admitted since early January. After losing consciousness on February 11, he was moved to the ICU but could not recover. Some of his other popular songs include 'Charlie Chaplin' and 'Dinga Bhawsao Alu Becho.' Born in Barisal, Bangladesh, in 1942, he was known among Naxalites as ‘Sejda Comrade.’ His first solo album, 'Jete Hobe,' was released in 1994.

In Jhenaidah, vast fields near the central bus terminal and behind the banana market are now dominated by tobacco cultivation. As one moves further along the road, the dried-up Nabaganga River reveals farmers attempting paddy cultivation in the riverbed. Excessive use of fertilizers has been degrading the fertility of agricultural land. Despite repeated warnings from the agricultural department, farmers are leasing out their lands to tobacco growers, lured by lucrative offers from tobacco companies. Each bigha (0.33 acres) of land fetches around BDT 40,000 in lease payments. Tobacco farming in the district has expanded from 193 hectares last year to 229 hectares this year, while paddy cultivation spans 90,194 hectares. Tobacco companies provide advance payments and fix purchase prices, ensuring profitability, making it an attractive option for farmers. Conversely, vegetable growers have faced heavy losses, further pushing cultivators toward tobacco farming. When questioned about paddy cultivation in the dried-up riverbed, the Water Development Board stated that a committee has already been formed to oversee the river's re-excavation.

The Max Fun on Bay One concert, scheduled to take place on February 13 at Patenga, Chattogram, in celebration of Pohela Falgun and Valentine’s Day, has been postponed.

Promotional campaigns announced that Habib Wahid would be performing at the event, and ticket sales had already begun. However, the organizing committee has not disclosed the reason for the sudden postponement. In a statement, they expressed regret and confirmed that the concert has been postponed and rescheduled.