Economy
The Lucky files: From college teacher to ‘overnight’ millionaire
In Narsingdi’s Raipura upazila, a veil of silence prevails, driven by fear and perhaps paranoia. No one has seen anything, heard anything, or knows anything about Laila Kanis Lucky.
Lucky, the wife of Matiur Rahman—a former National Board of Revenue official who recently gained attention when his son from his second marriage attempted to buy a goat for Tk15 lakh—has become a controversial figure. Her sudden prominence and the scrutiny of her assets followed the goat purchase incident.
Just two years ago, Laila Kanis was a retired government college teacher, unknown in Raipura’s political arena and uninvolved in any political activities. Today, she is the upazila chairman.
Locals, when they do speak about her, first mention Lucky Park—an eerie, ghost-like amusement park. A visit to Wonder Park, commonly known as Lucky Park, reveals layers of mystery. The entry fee is Tk200, with additional charges for the rides, according to the receptionist, Baten.
The park, however, is eerily deserted, with dust-covered rides and no operators in sight. Couples occasionally enter, only to find silence.
Posing as YouTubers, news reporters tried to gather information from visitors. One child recalled the park’s vibrant past, saying, “Even 3-4 years ago, we used to play here. There was a field, but now it’s gone. The park was renovated, and we lost our field. Now we come daily to hang out.”
Another visitor, Shamim, had just ordered a plate of fuchka. “This is a park for only young couples, you know what I mean,” he said with a sly smile, gesturing to the emptiness around.
Roaming the park, the story of a lake emerges, adding another layer to the enigmatic narrative surrounding Laila Kanis Lucky.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
