Bangladesh 2.0 – the Youth Voice, 04/01/2025

RTL Today - The Lisa Burke Show

From the youth uprising of Bangladesh in summer of 2024 which overthrew the Awami-led government, a new nation is beginning to sprout. Watch and listen to the interview on RTL Today.
Bangladesh doesn't hit international headlines so often unless it's for cyclone reasons. It's been quiet and slightly hidden from global news discussion. Why was that?
Well last summer, the youth of Bangladesh ensured their desires for their country was heard.
During July and August 2024, the youth of Bangladesh rose up against the Awami League-led government of Bangladesh, with nearly a thousand young people killed.
Sheikh Hasina was the longest serving Prime minister, and is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first president of Bangladesh. Her regime was known to be authoritarian and she’s now in self-imposed exile since the uprising.
In October 2024, a team of ten students and three teachers from various Luxembourg high schools, who had been corresponding with Friendship secondary schools in Bangladesh for over a year, went to meet the young people and learn about some of the challenges of Bangladesh.
On my show this week, Aysha Siddiqua Tithi and Mir Mahbubur Rahman (Snigdho) talk about their experience, losses and the future they hope for.
Mir Snigdho, 25, is the twin brother of Mir Mugdho, who was shot dea by police whilst trying to supply water to demonstrators. His twin brother Snigdho now heads up the July Shaheed Smrity Foundation, to help the victims of the violence of July-August 2024.
Mir Mahbubur Rahman (Snigdho), has a background in law and a passion for social impact and the “transformative power of collective action”.
Aysha Siddiqua Tithi, 22, is a 3rd year university student who was at the forefront of the July protests and accompanied Professor Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate (2006) and current Chief Advisor of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, to the United Nations General Assembly last September. Tithi is Project Director at WOOW (Work for Orientation and Organizing the World), and currently a third-year Computer Science student at BRAC University.
Snigdho encompasses the passion these young people have in turning the weight of history into something positive for Bangladesh:
“The Quota Movement of 2024 was a moment of sacrifice and resilience. The Movement is deeply personal to me because I lost my own (identical twin) brother during this struggle. His sacrifice has been a profound source of inspiration, driving me to work tirelessly toward building a better future for those who have faced similar losses. This tragedy has given me a strong sense of purpose, motivating me to ensure that every sacrifice is honoured and that no one is left behind in our collective fight for justice and equality.
“Witnessing the struggles of my family and of those who fought for equality and justice has inspired me to dedicate myself to ensuring their voices are not forgotten. Through the foundation, I work to provide financial assistance, healthcare, and emotional support to the martyrs and injured, keeping alive the spirit of hope and solidarity that emerged from the movement. This experiences has profoundly shaped my vision for a stronger Bangladesh. I won't let my brother's death be in vain.
“I see Bangladesh 2.0 as a land of opportunity, innovation, and inclusion—a nation where the dreams of all citizens are supported and valued. With the right blend of education, leadership, and global collaboration, I believe we can overcome systemic challenges and create a brighter future. My goal is to be part of this transformation, using the skills and knowledge I acquire to contribute meaningfully to the country's development”