10 most discussed articles of 2020
Before wrapping up 2020, we explored what you, our readers, were most captivated throughout the year
Although 2020 was dominated by Covid related articles, our readers flocked to articles on everything from corruption and crime, to stories on the banking sector and the industries.
Before wrapping up 2020, we explored what you, our readers, were most captivated throughout the year.
Here we present top 10 articles that were discussed most round the year...
1. Zoom meetings with zooming expenses
One would expect that online virtual meetings and workshops would cost less to run than real events with lots of expenses, but it appears that some government virtual meetings are as expensive as ever.
At a critical time when the government is struggling to handle an unprecedented pandemic with an inadequate health infrastructure and an economy badly hit by Covid-19, online workshops of the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) under the planning ministry are using all available state funds as if holding real world events.
2. How much does a Boti cost? It costs Tk10k for govt
What type of vegetable cutter, locally known as Boti, is available in a forge at Tk10,000?
The question has left Abu Yusuf, a blacksmith in the capital's Karwan Bazar, totally flabbergasted as he has never sold a Boti for more than Tk3,000 in his 40-year career.
The blacksmith said a big-sized sharp tool sells at Tk800-Tk1,000 per kg. A large Boti can weigh a maximum of 3kg, meaning that its price will not cross Tk3,000.
3. Cooking khichuri? Let's go on a foreign trip
It is not a new thing that government officials go on trips abroad to enhance their expertise required for various projects. However, doesn't it sound bizarre when they want to travel abroad to learn how to cook and serve khichuri, a popular local dish, among schoolchildren?
Yet, such a "knowledge-gathering" tour appears to be a necessity to the Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) as it seeks approval to send 1,000 government officials abroad for a "khichuri training" under the primary school feeding programme.
4. Bangladesh has only 29 ICU beds to fight coronavirus!
Is it possible for the government to fight the deadly coronavirus with only 29 intensive care beds in its arsenal? It seems quite impossible when the country has a large population.
Critical coronavirus patients require ICU support. But a mere 29 ICU beds have been prepared at Dhaka's five hospitals to combat the pandemic, according to the health directorate.
5. Red tape that takes 21 days to release relief
Iftearul Islam, secretary at Ward 29 of Dhaka North City Corporation, was standing with a pale face on the premises of the Tejgaon Central Storage Depot. He looked very tired of waiting for a long time to take delivery of food relief on April 15 in the afternoon – 21 days after the lockdown had been enforced to stem the spread of coronavirus.
Although the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief began special allocation for the coronavirus crisis on March 24, Islam got his hands on the first distribution order on April 12 after a long bureaucratic tangle.
6. No Bangladeshi hospital in World's Best Hospitals 2020 list
No Bangladeshi hospital was able to secure a place in the World's Best Hospitals 2020 global ranking by Newsweek, while neighbouring country India has one hospital placed on the top 100 list.
New Delhi based All India Institute of Medical Sciences secured its position for the first time in Newsweek magazine's annual ranking of the world's best hospitals.
7. High CEO salaries worth it for banks
When the salary of the chief executive officer (CEO) of a bank becomes a profitable investment, shareholders seem generous in paying rewards to the top executive.
Eastern Bank, a second generation bank that pays its CEO the highest salary among all banks in the country, is an example of how generous rewards to the top executive of a company gives hefty returns to its shareholders.
8. The best 5 Dhakai Kacchi in town!
If you are asked to name a few signature food items of Dhaka city, Kachchi Biryani will be at the top of the list. For us Bangladeshis, Kachchi Biryani is another name for love. We will never get tired of eating it.
The dish's origins are up for debate, but most food historians agree that the precursor to South Asian biryani first emerged in Persia, probably as an unfussed mix of rice and meat, and travelled to the subcontinent through trade, pilgrimage, and conquest.
On a late winter morning in 2001, Maruf Hossain, a higher secondary student, proposed to one of his classmates, Shaila Islam. Back then, the Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol pair were a big hit in Bollywood.
Maruf presented his beloved with three view cards picturing Shah Rukh and a nice diary, a popular token of love in those days. Two days later, Shaila gave Maruf some pin-ups of Kajol and a notebook.
9. Bangladesh's economy to overtake Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore in 2024
Bangladesh is set to become the world's 26th largest economy within the next decade, says a report published by the Centre for Economics and Business Research.
In a surprising note, the report predicts that in 2024, Bangladesh will rank as the 30th largest economy in the world, overtaking Malaysia's rank of 32nd that year. Bangladesh's economy ranked 40th largest in 2020, while Malaysia ranked 34th.
10. Once I was a king: The rise and fall of Azad Products
On a late winter morning in 2001, Maruf Hossain, a higher secondary student, proposed to one of his classmates, Shaila Islam. Back then, the Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol pair were a big hit in Bollywood.
Maruf presented his beloved with three view cards picturing Shah Rukh and a nice diary, a popular token of love in those days. Two days later, Shaila gave Maruf some pin-ups of Kajol and a notebook.
