The Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity has accused the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association of violating its earlier pledge to prevent overcharging on bus fares during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha travel period. In a statement released to the media on Monday, the group’s secretary general, Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, said the breach of promise has led to widespread fare irregularities and a surge in road fatalities. The organization demanded immediate government action to stop the fare chaos and ensure safe travel for low-income and working-class passengers.

The statement cited recent fatal incidents, including a truck overturning near the eastern end of the Jamuna Bridge that killed 17 and injured 10, and a lightning strike on a train roof in Narsingdi that killed two. It said many poor and informal-sector workers are forced to travel on unsafe vehicles or roofs due to unaffordable fares. The group criticized repeated state failures to guarantee safe Eid journeys.

The Samity urged authorities to enforce strict fare regulations and called on passengers to avoid unsafe travel modes during the holiday season.

On the third day of Eid travel, five trains, including the Nilsagar and Rangpur Express, experienced schedule disruptions at Dhaka’s Kamalapur Railway Station. The platforms were overcrowded from Monday morning as thousands of homebound passengers faced severe delays and inconvenience due to the disrupted schedules.

Railway authorities described the situation as an “operational delay,” attributing the slowdown to locals drying straw on the railway tracks, which reduced train speed. Despite this explanation, passengers expressed frustration after waiting for hours on the platforms amid the heavy rush.

According to station sources, around 15 trains departed for various destinations since morning. Most left on time, but two trains departed late, and two others had not left the station even after their scheduled departure time.

A young farmer named Alamin from Monohardi in Narsingdi repaid his unpaid train fares after ten years by purchasing 127 tickets worth Tk 10,160 from the Narsingdi railway station on May 24, 2026. He had frequently traveled between Narsingdi and Dhaka without tickets over the past decade while attending political events. The payment was made to station master Abdul Mannan in the presence of railway officials and Alamin’s associates.

Alamin, the youngest of five siblings from Charmandalya village, said financial hardship and fear of police had often prevented him from buying tickets during his student years. A devoted supporter of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), he regularly joined party programs in Dhaka. Recently, remorse over his past actions led him to repay the government by buying the equivalent number of tickets. He even took a bank loan to make the payment.

Station master Abdul Mannan praised Alamin’s honesty, calling his action a rare example of integrity and civic responsibility.

Traffic on the Dhaka-Tangail highway in Gazipur’s Chandra intersection area moved slowly on Sunday afternoon, though no major congestion was reported. The slowdown was attributed to increased vehicle pressure as transport from 26 northern districts passed through the area. Despite the rising number of long-distance buses, cattle trucks, covered vans, and private cars, law enforcement efforts kept traffic under control.

Passengers and transport workers said that although vehicle movement was slow, the situation was better than in previous years. They noted that the number of homebound passengers for Eid had not yet peaked. The highway police confirmed that several teams were deployed to monitor the route and ensure smooth traffic flow.

Officials said that traffic pressure is expected to rise further as Eid approaches, but regular monitoring continues to prevent severe congestion.

Bangladesh’s Minister for Road, Rail and Water Transport Sheikh Robiul Alam said there is no risk of major schedule disruption in train services during the Eid-ul-Azha travel rush. Speaking to reporters at Kamalapur Railway Station in Dhaka on Sunday, he stated that the railway is operating with old lines and locomotives under maximum caution. Despite a few morning delays, he expected the situation to normalize by the end of the day.

The minister noted that while daily intercity trains usually carry about 32,000 passengers, an additional 25 percent of tickets have been released to accommodate around 40,000 travelers. However, demand during Eid exceeds 100,000 passengers. He said 51 new coaches have been added and 82 to 83 meter-gauge locomotives are currently operational, with plans to increase that number to 85 or 86. Special safety measures have been taken at risk-prone areas to prevent derailments or accidents.

According to the minister, overall rail service quality has improved compared to previous years, and online ticketing has helped curb black-market sales.

Dhaka University’s Professor Dr. Abdullah Al Mamun from the Department of Japanese Studies has been appointed as a full-time member of the Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC). The Ministry of Education’s Secondary and Higher Education Division issued the notification on Saturday, stating that his four-year appointment takes effect from the date he joins. Dr. Mamun has already submitted his joining letter to the UGC chairman.

According to the notification, the appointment was made under the University Grants Commission Act of 1973. Dr. Mamun has an extensive academic background, including a PhD in International Economic Development from the University of Huddersfield in the UK and a Fulbright Research Professorship at Adelphi University in the United States in 2024. He has also served as a Japan Foundation Fellow at the International University of Japan in 2023.

Dr. Mamun’s research focuses on Japanese studies, development planning, international development cooperation, and political sociology. He has taught at universities in the UK, Japan, India, and Indonesia, and collaborated with various national and international organizations including ERD, UNDP, and JETRO.

Professor Dr. Md. Khairul Islam has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST). The appointment was announced on Saturday, May 23, 2026, through a notification issued by the Science and Technology University Branch of the Secondary and Higher Education Division under the Ministry of Education. The order was signed by Assistant Secretary Md. Shah Alam Siraj and approved by the President and Chancellor under Section 11(1) of the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Act, 1987.

Dr. Khairul Islam currently serves as the Head of the Department of Business Administration at SUST and is a former Dean of the School of Management and Business Administration. According to the notification, his tenure as Vice-Chancellor will last for four years from the date of joining or until his retirement, whichever comes first. He will receive the same salary and benefits as his previous position and must remain on campus full-time as the university’s chief executive officer.

Bkash, the country’s largest mobile financial service provider, has modernized the library of St. Joseph Higher Secondary School in Dhaka as part of its social responsibility initiative. The modernization was carried out in memory of late Bkash official Mahfuz Sadiq, a former student of the school. The upgraded facility now allows around fifty students to read simultaneously and borrow books using membership cards.

The renovation included structural improvements and the addition of several high-configuration desktop computers with internet access, enabling students to read e-books from home and abroad. A commemorative event was held at the school to honor Mahfuz Sadiq, attended by Bkash executives, school authorities, alumni, and his family members.

Bkash has been supporting reading programs since 2014 through partnerships with the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, distributing over 400,000 books to more than 3,000 institutions and benefiting 3.4 million readers. The company continues to modernize libraries across educational institutions nationwide.

The first day of Eid-ul-Azha train travel from Dhaka began on Saturday with relatively low passenger pressure. The Dhaka–Rajshahi-bound Dhumketu Express departed at 6 a.m., marking the start of the holiday exodus. Trains to other destinations left the capital according to schedule, though passengers reported slight delays of 15 to 30 minutes.

According to travelers, the lighter crowd on the first day made the journey smoother, with no major issues in seating or ticketing. The Director General of Bangladesh Railway, Afzal Hossain, visited several platforms at Kamalapur Station to check on passenger conditions and online ticketing performance. Passengers expressed satisfaction with the manageable crowd but called for improved onboard service quality.

Railway officials assured that service issues would be addressed gradually, and the day’s operations proceeded without major disruptions, easing concerns about schedule breakdowns during the Eid rush.

Ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, several universities across Bangladesh have arranged special bus services to help students travel home safely. However, Rajshahi University (RU) has not introduced any such initiative, leading to frustration and anger among its students. The absence of special transport arrangements has sparked widespread criticism on social media, with students calling it a sign of administrative indifference.

Students alleged that while university buses are often used for private or ceremonial purposes, the administration showed reluctance to allocate them for Eid travel. RU Central Students’ Union (RACSU) General Secretary Salauddin Ammar stated that they had contacted the transport office about launching special buses, but were told that only the vice-chancellor could authorize travel outside Rajshahi. As the vice-chancellor is currently abroad, the plan could not proceed despite RACSU’s offer to cover fuel costs.

Newly appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Abdul Alim said he was unaware of the details and that the matter would be clarified once the vice-chancellor returns. Students believe administrative indecision has worsened their travel difficulties compared to other universities.

Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, millions of people are expected to travel home, but concerns are rising over possible traffic chaos due to poor road conditions and ongoing development works across Bangladesh. A highway police report has identified 94 congestion-prone spots, with Gazipur, Abdullahpur, Baipail, and Chandra marked as the most vulnerable. The Dhaka–Tangail–Rangpur and Dhaka–Chattogram highways each have 25 high-risk points, followed by Dhaka–Sylhet with 21. Temporary cattle markets, potholes, and unfit vehicles are cited as major causes of congestion.

Authorities have pledged to halt construction during the holiday and repair potholes, while deploying additional police forces and surveillance cameras. Over 220 roadside cattle markets have been marked for monitoring to prevent traffic disruption. The government will operate 69 mobile courts to curb overcharging, passenger harassment, and unfit vehicles. However, planners warn that short-term fixes will not suffice without long-term infrastructure improvements and better transport management.

Experts recommend completing repairs before the holiday, restricting roadside markets, and expanding rail and river transport to ease pressure on highways.

Bangladesh’s National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has announced a comprehensive revision of primary and secondary education curricula in line with the government’s election manifesto. The plan includes refining 601 textbooks and introducing several new subjects to make learning more engaging and relevant. NCTB Chairman Mahbubul Haque Patwary said the revision work is underway, with printing expected to begin by July so that students can receive updated books at the start of 2027. A total of 320 experts from universities and research institutes are participating in the process.

From the 2027 academic year, three new subjects—‘Sports and Culture’ for grade four, ‘Learning with Happiness’ for grade six, and ‘Life and Work-Oriented Education’ for grade seven—will be added. The ICT curriculum for grades six to nine will include artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, and modern technology topics. The revised history books will feature more balanced accounts of Bangladesh’s liberation war, political movements, and key national figures. The government aims to introduce a fully new, experience-based curriculum gradually from 2028.

Officials said the changes are designed to promote students’ mental development, reduce digital addiction, and align education with future job market demands.

Professor Dr. Mohammad Iqbal, the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), Gazipur, was honored with a floral reception on May 21, 2026. The event took place at his office, where deans, department heads, institute directors, and representatives from teachers’, officers’, and employees’ associations greeted him sequentially. During an exchange with teachers, students, and staff, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead one of the country’s premier engineering universities and pledged to advance DUET globally through education, research, innovation, and industry-academia collaboration.

According to the Education Ministry’s notification signed by the Deputy Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, Dr. Iqbal officially assumed office on May 14, 2026, with the approval of the President and Chancellor. Before joining DUET, he served as Vice-Chancellor of North East University Bangladesh, Sylhet, and held multiple administrative roles at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology and Sylhet Engineering College. He has over 34 years of professional experience, numerous international publications, and several awards recognizing his academic and research leadership.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has announced a revised metro rail schedule for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha holidays. According to a press release signed by Deputy Project Director (Public Relations) Md Ahsan Ullah Sharif on May 21, the first train from Uttara North to Motijheel will depart at 6:30 a.m., while the first train from Motijheel to Uttara North will leave at 7:15 a.m. The last trains will depart at 9:30 p.m. from Uttara North and 10:10 p.m. from Motijheel.

During the holidays, trains will operate every 12 to 20 minutes depending on passenger demand, with approximately 140 trips daily using seven train sets. Ticket counters and vending machines will remain open from 6:40 a.m. to 9:20 p.m., except on Fridays when sales start later in the afternoon. After 9:20 p.m., all ticket counters will close, though new Rapid Pass cards can still be purchased during scheduled hours.

As in previous years, metro rail services will remain completely closed on Eid day itself, DMTCL confirmed in the announcement.

The article traces the transformation of Bengal from the late seventeenth century through the rise of British colonial control. It begins with Job Charnock’s arrival in Kolkata in 1690 and the subsequent establishment of English trading settlements supported by local Hindu intermediaries. The narrative describes how the East India Company’s commercial expansion and alliances with local elites led to the erosion of Mughal authority, culminating in the battles of Plassey and Buxar and the Company’s acquisition of revenue rights in 1765.

Following the introduction of direct revenue collection, the Company dismantled the Mughal-era land system and imposed heavy cash taxes on peasants. This policy, combined with exploitative trade practices, triggered the catastrophic famine of 1769–1770, known as the Great Bengal Famine. Millions perished as food prices soared and relief was denied. British officials, including Warren Hastings, continued to increase revenue despite mass starvation. The famine marked a turning point, consolidating British colonial authority and transforming Kolkata into the administrative capital of British Bengal.

The account concludes that the famine and Company rule reshaped Bengal’s social and economic landscape, enriching colonial officials and their local collaborators while devastating rural society.