DHAKA: In less than 48 years from now in Southern Hemisphere where we are living, the sun will set for the last time in 2015. Another year will go down into history leaving behind bittersweet memories.
There have been many significant incidents and events in national, international levels. For a developing country, still maturing year 2015 was epoch-making year of achieving milestones in different aspects of nationhood.
Bangladesh made milestone achievements in several aspects of Millennium Development Goals (MDG). It grew positively on its path of achieving medium income country status for its continued impressive economic growth.
Bangladesh also roared into prominence in the Cricket World winning all bilateral series in limited over version (ODI). It could implement the verdicts of trial of three top criminals against humanity during 1971. It could successfully launch dream Padma River Bridge project using its own resources.
Finally, Bangladesh signed a milestone agreement with a Russian company for setting up 2,400-MW nuclear power plant at Rooppur of Pabna district.
Bangladesh could contain the infectious symptom of insurgency and ill-motivated acts of terrorism. In all aspects, Bangladesh nation is advancing like roaring Royal Bengal tigers. The jumbo jet of development has reached take off stage after taxing on the runway and gathering momentum.
We are proud Bangladeshis of liberation war generation having the opportunity of witnessing and making some contributions in glorious liberation war of 1971. Deep in our heart, we have strong feelings for Bangladesh.
The country has also made giant strides towards achieving self-sufficiency over the year 2015. In all aspects of national life, all indices have started moving in the right direction.
Bangladesh has achieved milestone successes in agriculture, women empowerment, energy, education, justice against crime, infrastructure development planning, institutionalizing democracy and resolving issues with next-door neighbors in 2015.
It is extremely difficult to reflect upon successes and achievements in the limited space of one write up. Nevertheless, it is an attempt to review pains and gains of Bangladesh in 2015 as soon year 2015 will become a history.
Political Uncertainty and Stability:
The year commenced with agonizing political instability. The irresponsible section of political parties, which boycotted the national election earlier on flimsy ground, unleashed venomous activities against the government. They resorted to wide spread vandalism, arsenal and destructive activities. Many innocent people were victimized. 
Throughout the year religious fundamentalist groups killed some bloggers, few foreigners and attacked mosque, monastery. These were all done will ill motive of protecting war criminals and letting out ill-motivated wrong image of Bangladesh Government to world community.
Fortunately, government could bring situation under complete control. On December 30, Bangladesh is set for participatory local government election where people will freely exercise their adult franchise.
Tigers Made Bangladesh Proud:
Cricketers of Bangladesh are affectionately called Bengal tigers. Year 2015 is definitely going to go down in history as a year of setting enviable milestones in international cricket. Successes inspired success in the year. Bangladesh earned honor and respect as a very competitive cricket playing country of the world. Cricket became the uniting force of the nation and society divided in thoughts, ideas and opinion. 
Cricketers like Mashrafe, Shakib, Tamim, Mushfique, Mahmudullah, Rubel, Taskin, Mustafiz, Soumya, Shabbir and others became national heroes. Not only national team age group teams and even tigress squad of Salma, Sukhtara and Jahanara made nation proud in every appearance in international arena.
It started with the dream Journey in ICC World Cup 2015 co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. A highly spirited dynamic tiger squad ably marshaled by a person from other planet Mashrafe bin Mortaza roared into quarterfinal for the first time playing wonderful cricket.
Afghanistan, Scotland and finally England were knocked out in the process. Bangladesh also competed admirably against New Zealand in New Zealand.
India required blessing to ICC umpires to win against Bangladesh in the disputed quarterfinal at MCG. Bangladesh playing two games in ICONIC MCG made all of fortunate Bangladeshis watching live very nostalgic.
The success of tigers in World Cup completely changed Bangladesh. Strong Pakistan Cricket team was comprehensively blown out in T20 and ODI series. White Washing Pakistan in both format surprised many. 
Bangladesh even played extremely well in the Chittagong test creating history. It followed with a sweet revenge against mighty India losing to Bangladesh for the first time in bilateral series 2-1.
Cricket world witnessed the emergence of a freak genius Mustafizur Rahman from the remote village of Satkhira. His slow left arm cutters became mystery balls not decoded by Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni. These two series success created supreme confidence in Mashrafe squad. They went on winning ODI series against Strong South Africa 2-1.
Hashim Amla, du Plesis, JP Duminy, Qunton de Kock also failed to prevent the surging tigers. Bangladesh elevated its position to number 7 in the ICC elite group of 10 in ODI thereby qualifying for playing in ICC Champions trophy.
A worn out Australian team after Ashes reverse and depleted through injury hesitated in sending their team to Bangladesh for scheduled visit for playing two tests. They had to seek lame excuse of unfounded security threat to cancel the tour. However, Zimbabwe filled in. But Zimbabweans proved no match to tweeting tigers comprehensively white washing them.
Bangladesh won five ODI series on a trot at home – twice against Zimbabwe, once each against Pakistan, India and South Africa. Glorious 2015 came to an end with BCB successfully staging BPL3 T20 tournament featuring several impact international players.
Not only established players like Mashrafe, Tamim, Kayes, Mahmudullah, Mushfique, Shakib and Nasir talented youngsters like Mustafiz , Soumya , Shabbir made significant contributions. Finally, BPL3 witnessed rebirth of Al Amin and emergence of new talent Abu Haider Rony.
Bangladesh under 19 team won matches and series against Sri Lanka and South Africa at home and abroad proving them as a strong contenders for Under 19 world cup scheduled to be held in January–February 2016 in Bangladesh.
Even Bengal tigress did not lag behind. Salma, Jahanara, Sukhtara led Bangladesh eves team winning matches in international level. Bangladesh Women team is getting ready for T20 World Cup.
Success in cricket has created huge encouragement and enthusiasm among Bangladesh in all ranks and files. A very special Mashrafe Bin Mortaza induced “Can Do “attitude in his charge. Bangladesh in Cricket now plays with Never Say Die approach and play to win. A person with 7 major knee operations leads his charges from the front setting personal example.
War Criminals Trials and Execution:
2015 witnessed the culmination of trial and execution of verdicts against three top criminals for the crimes against humanity during our liberation war in 1971. 
The long awaited justice was finally done against Quamruzzaman, Salauddin Qauder Chowdhury and Ali Hasan Mujhahid. They were hanged till death after the trial done in a very transparent manner in ICT.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina remained very firm and did not bulge from tremendous pressure from home and abroad for not letting the execution go ahead. The crimes against those executed were well proven and established.
The justice delayed but not denied has established the rule of law and proved that crimes cannot go unpunished forever. We who witnessed liberation war had a sigh of relief.
It was sad that these criminals not only evaded justice for a long time but they grew as monsters in Bangladesh. SQ Chowdhury and Mujhaid were ministers in Bangladesh. They could time and again ridicule our liberation war. The delayed justice gave them confidence that nothing can happen to them ever.
Present Government must deserve full credit that they could carry on the trial process and execute the verdict confronting huge conspiracies for foiling the process.
War Criminals and their syndicates engaged lobbyist spending huge money to foil the process and carried out massive propaganda. Their agents in Bangladesh created panic through vandalism, anarchy and arsenals. We hope the trails of the other criminals will continue till Bangladesh is free from the curse of the War Crimes and offshoots of the war criminals are subdued forever.
Major Achievements in Energy Sector:
2015 witnessed the continued turnaround of recovering from chronic energy crisis. Power Generation capacity increased to 14,500 MW. Load shedding almost became a history. Plans for achieving energy efficiency advanced. All planned mega projects advanced. 
Bangladesh adopted right strategy for renewable energy contributing in a major way. Solar Home Heating, roof top solar plant, solar irrigation pumps started making impacts. The works for Rampal Power Plant implementations progressed, Works for several power plants at Matabari, Maheskhali and Patuakhali also advanced.
Contract for a floating LNG plant at Maheskhali is at final stage of signing. Finally, Bangladesh signed milestone Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant with Russian Government Company.
Bangladesh is importing 500 MW power from India. Another 100 MW will start flowing to Bangladesh power grid from Tripura in the next few months. Talks are also maturing for 2000-3000 MW hydro power import from neighboring countries.
Government has taken extensive plan for training and capacity development of technical and managerial personnel of energy & power sector. Donor agencies, development partners and friendly countries are providing generous support. Australian Government through DFAT has given grant to Monash University and RMIT for capacity building of Bangladeshis.
Two teams have already visited Australia for exposure to Australian best practice in coal mining , coal fired power generation , coal port operation management , gas transmission and power grid operation management, LNG processing and export terminal management, energy regulation and pricing.
Major Breakthrough in Relation with India:
2015 witnessed the exchange of border enclaves between India and Bangladesh a long outstanding dispute between two friendly neighbors. People of several enclaves got national identity after over six decades. It is a major breakthrough of relations between neighbors and a major achievement.
Bangladesh Is Implementing Mega Infrastructure Development Projects:
Government is maintaining a wonderful balance in working with different friendly countries for setting up major infrastructures. China, Japan, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea and Russia are involved in Government-to-Government partnership in different project development.
Chinese company is constructing the dream Padma Bridge project which Bangladesh Government is building using own fund; Chinese Company is also building the tunnel below Karnafully River in Chittagong. Russian Company is constructing Rooppur Power plant.
Indian Government Company NTPC is partnering Bangladesh enterprise PDB in Rampal imported coal fired power plant. Japanese organization JAICA is supporting implementation of Dhaka Metro Project and mega energy infrastructure development at Matarbari.
Apart from above Government has also initiated actions for elevated express highway in Dhaka, Bus Rapid transit in Dhaka. Government is discussing with various interested international companies for different iconic projects alongside the Padma multipurpose project. Many of these initiatives advanced in 2015.
New generation of Bangladesh have become truly motivated now to work along the spirit of liberation war. People have started resisting the anti-state elements. It is now required that Government understands the peoples strength and makes its plans and vision transparent to all.
BDST: 1005 HRS, JAN 01, 2016
RS/RR
