Focus Bangladesh

21/07/2026

Nearly 200 Students Allegedly Defrauded of Millions in Study Abroad Scheme; Agencies Face Fraud Allegations

By: Shohel Rana
Focus Bangladesh

Nearly 200 students have allegedly lost substantial amounts of money after seeking assistance from several education and visa consultancy agencies for overseas study, admission and student visa processing.

According to allegations made by affected students, agencies including Visa Guide, Justthought, and several other organizations collected significant amounts of money from students and their families with promises of arranging admission, tuition payments and visa processing for study abroad.

However, many of the affected students claim that they did not receive the services they were promised. Some say they have been left uncertain about the status of their university admission, tuition payments and visa applications, while others are reportedly struggling to recover the money they paid.

Several students reportedly used their family savings, borrowed money or took financial assistance from relatives to pursue their dreams of studying abroad. They now claim to be facing serious financial and mental distress because of the alleged irregularities.

The affected students are calling for an impartial investigation into the financial transactions of the agencies involved, including whether the money collected from students was actually deposited with the relevant educational institutions and whether their admission and visa applications were properly processed.

They are also demanding that the authorities identify the actual number of affected students, determine the total financial losses and take appropriate legal action against anyone found responsible. The students are seeking the recovery of their money and proper accountability from the organizations involved.

The issue has also reportedly received coverage from several online news portals and television news outlets. The reports and video coverage have highlighted allegations raised by students concerning financial losses and alleged irregularities involving education and visa consultancy services.

Related TV News Reports and Video Coverage
TV News Report 1: TV News Report 1
TV News Report 2: TV News Report 2
TV News Report 3: TV News Report 3
Related News Video: Related News Video

The affected students are urging the relevant authorities to intervene immediately, conduct a fair investigation and take effective steps to help recover their money. They are also calling for stronger oversight of education and visa consultancy agencies to prevent students and their families from falling victim to similar allegations in the future.

Correspondent: Shohel Rana
Focus Bangladesh

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21/07/2026

Reeling from Flood Losses, Farmers in Netrokona Turn to Bottle Gourd Farming; Nearly Tk 30 Crore Market Potential from 297 Hectares

Shohel Rana

Repeated floods, flash floods and waterlogging have long caused severe damage to agriculture in Netrokona. This year, several rounds of flooding destroyed nearly 20,000 hectares of Boro rice fields across the district, causing an estimated financial loss of around Tk 400 crore, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension.

However, farmers are now recovering from the losses by turning to alternative and profitable crops, particularly vegetables and winter crops. Among these, bottle gourd farming has emerged as one of the most successful alternatives.

According to data from the Department of Agricultural Extension, bottle gourd has been cultivated on approximately 297 hectares of land across the district this season. Based on field-level production and current wholesale market prices, each hectare could generate bottle gourds worth around Tk 10 lakh. This puts the potential total market value of the district's bottle gourd production at approximately Tk 29.70 crore.

According to agricultural department estimates, the average production cost is around Tk 10,000 per hectare, bringing the total estimated production cost to approximately Tk 29.70 lakh. After deducting these costs, the potential net income for farmers could be around Tk 29 crore 40 lakh 30 thousand.

Agriculture Landscape Changes After Flood Damage

During the current Boro season, rice was cultivated on approximately 193,412 hectares of land in Netrokona. However, excessive rainfall and flash floods from upstream areas damaged around 20,000 hectares of rice fields.

Following the losses, many farmers turned to alternative and profitable crops. At present, bottle gourd and other vegetables are being cultivated extensively in different areas of Netrokona Sadar, Purbadhala, Kendua and Durgapur upazilas.

The villages of Dakshin Bishwambharpur, Dapunia, Bali Papiyajore, Sinchhapur, Berain, Maheshhati, Shaldigha, Mobarakpur, Sindurtia, Langaljora, Narayandahar, Siskandi and Bagber are now witnessing extensive bottle gourd cultivation, with green bottle gourds growing on trellises becoming a symbol of a new rural economy.

Several Times More Profitable Than Rice

According to local farmers and agricultural officials, each 10 decimals of land can produce an average of 800 to 850 bottle gourds. With each bottle gourd selling for Tk 50 to Tk 60 in wholesale markets, farmers can generate around Tk 40,000 to Tk 50,000 in sales from just 10 decimals of land.

In the past, farmers earned only a few thousand taka in profit by cultivating rice on the same amount of land. Now, bottle gourd farming is enabling them to earn several times more in a single season.

After meeting local demand, bottle gourds produced in Netrokona are also being transported to Dhaka and various other parts of the country.

Farmers Share Stories of Changing Lives

Farmers Shahjahan and Sanju of Kolpara village in Netrokona Sadar, Kasem and Nekbar of Maheshhati village, Khandakar Palash of Shunura village, Khokon of Baruna village and Akbar Ali of Shaldigha village said that their lives have changed significantly through bottle gourd farming.

They said that after floods, many families once struggled with hunger and had to travel to other districts in search of work. Now, bottle gourd farming has improved their livelihoods. They are able to educate their children, build homes and, in some cases, provide family members with opportunities to work abroad.

Agriculture Department's Statement

Agriculturist Mukhshedul Haque, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, said farmers affected by the floods were encouraged to cultivate vegetables and winter crops as alternative sources of income.

He said improved technology, training and close monitoring by the agricultural department had contributed to the successful bottle gourd harvest this season. The department will continue working to diversify agricultural production in the future, he added.

Experts' View

Agricultural experts say climate change is making rice-dependent farming increasingly vulnerable. Profitable vegetable cultivation can therefore help reduce risks for farmers while creating a new foundation for the rural economy.

However, experts warn that without adequate storage, cold-chain facilities, proper marketing systems and fair prices for farmers, it may be difficult to sustain this success in the long term.

Netrokona Bottle Gourd Farming at a Glance
Cultivated area: 297 hectares
Potential market value per hectare: Tk 10 lakh
Total potential market value: Tk 29.70 crore
Estimated production cost per hectare: Tk 10,000
Total estimated production cost: Tk 29.70 lakh
Potential net income for farmers: Tk 29 crore 40 lakh 30 thousand
Production per 10 decimals: 800–850 bottle gourds
Wholesale price: Tk 50–60 per bottle gourd
Boro Season Timeline
Boro cultivation: 193,412 hectares
Damage caused by floods and flash floods: Approximately 20,000 hectares
Estimated financial loss: Approximately Tk 400 crore
Alternative initiative: Expansion of winter crops and vegetable cultivation
Outcome: Potential bottle gourd market worth nearly Tk 30 crore
Analysis

Only a few months ago, many farmers in Netrokona were struggling with the devastating losses caused by floods. Today, some of those same farmers are finding new hope and earning opportunities through bottle gourd cultivation.

This is not merely a success story about one crop; it represents a broader example of how farmers in Netrokona are adapting to climate change and finding new ways to sustain their livelihoods.

With proper market management, improved storage facilities and continued government support, the bottle gourd farming model could potentially be replicated in other flood-prone districts across Bangladesh.

Reporter: Shohel Rana
Date: 13 July 2026

Editorial Note: The reported production cost of only Tk 10,000 per hectare appears unusually low for bottle gourd cultivation compared with typical agricultural expenses. Before publication in a national newspaper or major news platform, this figure should be verified again with the Department of Agricultural Extension to ensure the accuracy and credibility of the report.

21/07/2026

Dead Trees Pose Safety Risk on Dhaka–Aricha Highway in Dhamrai

Drivers and passengers are facing growing safety concerns in the Dhamrai area of the Dhaka–Aricha Highway, where several old and dead trees along the roadside pose a potential risk, particularly during storms and heavy rain. Dead branches may break off and fall onto the highway, potentially causing accidents and injuries.

After crossing the Dhamrai Dhulivita area, numerous trees can be seen on both sides of the highway. Some branches extend over the roadway, while several trees have reportedly remained dead for years.

Local residents, drivers, and passengers say the branches of these trees could fall onto the highway during strong winds or heavy rainfall, creating a serious risk for pedestrians and vehicles. They are concerned that effective measures have not yet been taken to remove the dangerous trees.

Speaking by phone, the Executive Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department responsible for the area said that the Arboriculture Department of the Roads and Highways Department is responsible for managing and removing dead or living trees along the roadside. He said trees are removed or cut down when necessary following the relevant procedures.

However, travelers say their main concern is not which department is responsible for removing the trees—they simply want to travel safely. They are calling on the authorities to take immediate action to remove the dead trees and dangerous branches before they cause a serious accident.

Correspondent: Shohel Rana
Date: 13 July 2026

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18/07/2026

correspodent Bangladesh
Storms and rains are really scary, as dead tree branches break and fall on the ground. This fear is in the Dhamra area of ​​the Dhaka-Aricha highway. Drivers and passengers are constantly moving on the highway with this fear. As the trees have been in their memory for years, it seems that the road and highway officials have no problem with these dead trees. Reporting from Dhamrai with information and video footage by Shohel Rana

Package:
As soon as you cross the Dhamrai Dhulivita on the Dhaka-Aricha highway, you will see many trees on both sides of the highway. Many of these trees cover the highway from one side to the other. Many of these trees have been dead for several years. It seems that no one cares about them. It is often heard that the branches of these dead trees have broken off and fallen on pedestrians or vehicles, causing accidents and injuries to people. Therefore, drivers and passengers have to walk in that area in fear.

Voxpop: 4 people.

When I spoke to the executive engineer of the Roads and Highways Department, who is responsible for maintaining the highway, over the phone, he said that the Arboriculture Department of the Roads and Highways Department is responsible for cutting down dead or living trees. They sell them or cut them down as needed.

Byte: Executive Engineer, Roads and Highways, Manikganj, on the phone.

Payoff:
The public does not want to see who is responsible for removing these dead trees. Passengers want to travel safely and without fear. Therefore, they demand that the dead trees be removed from the side of the highway as soon as possible.

Shohel Rana
13/07/2026.