There was no stage, no microphone and no long political speech – just tea, singara, jhalmuri and the voices of young people.
On a mild Monday afternoon at the DOHS Playground in Banani, Zaima Rahman sat down with young voters for an informal tea chat, listening more than speaking, moving from table to table as they shared their hopes, frustrations and dreams for Bangladesh.
“I want a Bangladesh where different opinions and ideals can be expressed freely,” she said, responding to a question about her vision for the country. “This country must be for everyone. Its diversity – of ideas, culture and people – cannot be lost.”
The gathering, organised by BNP, brought together 55 young voters seated at six tables. Without a sound system or formal programme, the conversation unfolded naturally. Zaima Rahman –daughter of BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman – leaned in, listened closely and responded to questions about Dhaka, democracy and the challenges facing the younger generation.
As the discussion deepened, a recurring concern emerged – online harassment of women. Female participants spoke of frequent cyber abuse and the difficulty of getting justice.
Zaima Rahman called women’s safety the country’s “number one priority.”
“Women make up 51 per cent of our population,” she said. “We have to ensure their right to speak, their security and their inclusion.”
She said laws alone were not enough to tackle cyberbullying. Awareness must start early, from schools, and major social media platforms must be brought under Bangladesh’s jurisdiction.
“People need to know what to do when something happens. Without implementation and awareness, laws remain just words,” she added.
Talk soon turned to Dhaka itself, its traffic, pollution and shrinking green spaces. Young voters said they dreamed of a city free from gridlock and environmental decay.
Zaima Rahman spoke candidly about air pollution, recalling her own struggle with asthma while living in the capital. She pointed to the rapid loss of trees and the ongoing encroachment of canals, wetlands and rivers.
She asked the group whether young people would be willing to help restore these water bodies. The response was immediate and enthusiastic.
Road safety and traffic congestion struck a personal chord. One female student shared how it took her nearly two hours to reach the venue because of traffic.
Zaima Rahman paused, visibly surprised. The moment captured what many in the gathering felt, how everyday struggles silently steal time, energy and opportunity from young lives.
Several participants said university students were ready to volunteer to make roads safer if given the chance.
Concerns about education and employment dominated much of the conversation. Zaima Rahman suggested partnerships between government and private institutions to introduce internships and mentorships, helping students gain real-world skills before entering the workforce.
Between sips of tea and bites of fuchka, the conversation shifted again – this time to the lack of public spaces. Young voters said Dhaka offers few places to gather, relax or simply exist outside classrooms and homes.
Zaima Rahman spoke of the need for “community spaces” such as libraries and parks.
“These spaces allow people to connect with each other,” she said. “They improve safety and help us move away from being constantly trapped on our phones.”
As the afternoon drew to a close, Zaima Rahman reflected on what she had heard.
“I left Bangladesh when I was very young and returned after 17 years,” she said. “But seeing so many energetic, inspirational and brilliant young people like you gives me hope. You have ideas, energy and the desire to do something meaningful – and that is powerful.”