The nation has welcomed the year 2023 with a new pledge to advance the country on a higher growth track after some notable economic and political developments in the previous year.
In the year that has just gone, the country experienced remarkable happenings like Padma Bridge inauguration, Metro Rail service opening, and some other important issues, with a marked lack of unity between the government and the opposition.
On June 25 last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the 6.3 km Padma Bridge that connected 21 southern districts of the country to the capital. On December 28, the premier also inaugurated the first part of the metro rail stretching from Uttara to Agargaon.
However, the war in Ukraine since February made fuel oils, fertiliser and food costly on the global market, resulting in a dollar crisis for import-dependent Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, the price of gold reached an all-time high in Bangladesh as the Bangladesh Jewellers' Association (BAJUS) on December 29 increased the price of gold by Tk 1,166 to Tk 88, 413 per bhori (11.664 grams) due to a hike in its price on the international market.
The year is also notable for some political events. Meanwhile, the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) held 10 divisional rallies putting forward ten demands to the ruling Awami League government. The party also demanded the release of its leaders and activists, and the withdrawal of “false cases” filed against them.
A day before the December 10 Dhaka rally, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas were arrested in a case filed over the clash between police and the party activists in the capital’s Nayapaltan on December 7.
The year 2022 was a great loss for the country’s cultural arena. The country lost some prominent figures, including musician Alam Khan, film director Gazi Mazharul Anwar, actors Masum Aziz, Sharmili Ahmed, lyricist KG Mostafa, film director Azizur Rahman, singer Akbar, lyricist Omar Faruk Bishal, and fashion designer Emdad Hoque.
Despite the political conflicts, the whole nation is expecting peace, progress and stability in the country in 2023 to harness the prospects for a better future of the people.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on December 12 announced that her government will transform the country from Digital Bangladesh into 'Smart Bangladesh' by 2041.
On the eve of the New Year, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted the people of the country through separate messages.
BDST: 1414 HRS, JAN 01, 2023
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