On 12 February 2026, the country will vote in its first national parliamentary election since the July 2024 student protests, which began over government job quotas and quickly escalated into a nationwide movement demanding political change. The unrest ultimately led to the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after 15 years in power and the formation of an interim government under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. This election is being closely watched not just within Bangladesh, but across South Asia and beyond. While it will determine the country’s future governance and political direction, it is also deeply controversial. The Awami League, the former ruling party, has been barred from contesting, raising serious questions about democratic legitimacy, representation, and fairness. As voters head to the polls, they are navigating a complex mix of hope and fear—hope for meaningful political change, and fear of instability, violence, and the safety of minorities during the election process. In this interview, we speak to award-winning journalist Zia Chowdhury, a staff correspondent at The Business Standard, who has been reporting on Bangladesh’s politics, human rights, law enforcement, crime, and diplomacy for over a decade.

Governments often point to rising GDP, higher per capita income, and global rankings to claim that the economy is doing well. But do these numbers actually reflect how ordinary people live? If GDP grows by five percent, does life really improve by five percent for everyone? In this episode of We the People, we look beyond headline statistics to understand what economic “growth” truly means for people on the ground. Using simple examples—from wages and employment to gig work, nutrition, and cost of living—this video explains why commonly used economic yardsticks can be misleading. Growth can happen without fairness. Employment can rise without dignity. Incomes can increase while purchasing power falls. Drawing on ideas by economist Amartya Sen, we explore why development must be measured by people’s real freedoms, security, and ability to live with dignity. Because progress that cannot be felt, shared, or sustained is not progress at all.

When we think of development or vikas, we often picture highways, airports, metros, and tall buildings. But do these visible symbols really tell us how well a country is doing? In this explainer, Newsreel Asia looks beyond concrete and steel to ask a deeper question: does development only mean infrastructure, or does it also mean freedom, trust, and dignity? Drawing on ideas from thinkers like Amartya Sen, Robert Putnam, and Douglass North, this video explores why real progress is about expanding people’s choices and improving the quality of public life. True development is reflected in everyday behaviour — civic sense, ethical conduct, trust in institutions, and a willingness to do the right thing even when no one is watching. From how societies handle crises like COVID-19 to how citizens treat shared spaces, this episode explains why values and social norms matter as much as economic growth. So as India builds new roads and cities, the bigger question remains: are we also building a stronger collective conscience?

Political engagement is not the same as political loyalty. Yet in today’s hyper-polarised world, many of us confuse supporting democracy with supporting a political party. In this episode of Newsreel Asia’s Explainer Series, Harshita Rathore breaks down what political engagement really means—and why being politically aware does not require blind loyalty to any party or ideology. Have political disagreements cost you friendships? Do debates with family turn into heated arguments? Do politics feel exhausting, emotional, and deeply personal? This video explains: What political engagement actually means Why party loyalty weakens democracy How polarisation affects citizens and public debate The difference between being a political supporter and an active citizen How informed, critical participation strengthens democratic systems Using insights from political theory, democracy studies, and everyday examples, we explore how citizens can stay engaged without becoming partisan, and why questioning power—no matter who is in office—is essential for a healthy democracy. This explainer is for anyone trying to understand Indian politics, democracy, civic responsibility, and citizen participation beyond social media arguments and TV debates.

Corruption is often imagined as bribes, cash-filled envelopes, or stolen public funds. But today, scholars, legal experts, and real-world events are forcing us to rethink this definition. Corruption is no longer just about money — it also includes deliberate inaction, selective enforcement, and the betrayal of public duty. In this explainer, we unpack how a new idea has quietly entered the meaning of corruption and why it matters for every citizen.