The Silent Grass Economy of the Chittagong Hill Tracts
Bundles of harvested broom grass dry under the winter sun in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The seasonal crop provides important cash income for Indigenous families. Photo: Eltu Chakma(Facebook) Bangladesh, Rangamati | February 22, 2026: Every winter, while national headlines focus on politics and power struggles, a quieter economy begins in the hills. Across the slopes of the […]
First Chakma-Centered Indigenous Book Fair Opens in Dighinala
Some participants at the opening ceremony of the Chakma-centered Indigenous book fair in Dighinala, Khagrachhari, February 20, 2026. Photo: Courtesy of the Noyaram Changma Sahitya Sangsad Facebook page (used with permission). Bangladesh, Khagrachhari | February 20, 2026: The first Chakma-centered Indigenous book fair opened in Dighinala on Friday and will run from February 20 to February […]
Christian Leaders Pay Tribute to Language Martyrs in Khagrachhari
Leaders of the Bangladesh Christian Association, Khagrachhari District Committee, place a floral wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar on February 21, 2026, marking International Mother Language Day. Photo: Collected | The Times of Jumland Bangladesh, Khagrachhari | February 21, 2026: Senior representatives of the Bangladesh Christian Association, Khagrachhari District Committee, paid tribute to the Language Martyrs […]
Chakma Scholar and Cultural Historian Lakshmi Bhusan Chakma Dies at 68
Dangu Lakshmi Bhusan Chakma (5 June 1957 – 2 February 2026), a respected Chakma scholar and cultural historian who dedicated his life to preserving the Chakma language, script, and culture. Design: The Times of Jumland India, Mizoram | February 2, 2026: Chakma scholar, cultural historian, author, and public servant Lakshmi Bhusan Chakma passed away on Monday […]
How People in Japan Celebrate the New Year
People pray at Sensō-ji Temple in Tokyo during the New Year, a time when Japan welcomes the year with quiet reflection, tradition, and family. Photo: The Times of Jumland In many countries, the New Year is loud. There are fireworks, parties, music, and countdowns. In Japan, the New Year feels very different. It is quiet, slow, […]
Japan’s Unusual Way of Celebrating Christmas
A Christmas tree installation lights up the plaza at Kameido Clock in Tokyo, reflecting Japan’s quiet and atmospheric approach to the season. Photo: The Times of Jumland Christmas in Japan arrives quietly, almost without announcement. December 25 is not a public holiday. Offices remain open, trains follow regular schedules, and daily life moves forward without pause. […]
Agaratara: The Original Mahayana Buddhist Tradition of the Chakma People
Symbolic illustration of Agaratara, the Chakma Mahayana Buddhist heritage. Illustration: The Times of Jumland This article is written from the perspective of the Chakma people and the Luri tradition, whose historical role in preserving Mahayana Buddhism has long been ignored, reduced, or erased. What follows is not speculation or belief, but documented history. There is no doubt […]
Mahayana Luri Pilgrimage from Tripura and the Search for Shared Buddhist Roots
Right: Śrīmat Āryānanda Luri standing in front of the Japanese World Peace Pagoda on Griddhakuta Hill in Rajgir On 4 December 2025, members of the Chakma Mahayana Luri community from India’s Tripura state undertook a Buddhist pilgrimage. Among the participants was Śrīmat Āryānanda Luri, a senior figure within the Luri tradition, along with Luri practitioners and […]
National Funeral of 4th PBSB Sangharaja Tilkananda Mahathera to Be Held in Rangamati
An editorial image of Venerable Tilkananda Mahathera, whose national funeral ceremony will be held in Rangamati from December 18 to 20, 2025. Rangamati | December 2025 —The Buddhist community of Bangladesh and followers around the world are preparing to bid a final farewell to one of the most revered spiritual leaders of the Parbatya region, […]
Ashim Chakma: A New Voice in Chakma Culture
At first glance, the name Ashim Chakma may not immediately resonate with many readers. His face is not widely known, and his journey has unfolded far from major cultural institutions. Yet for those who have heard the Chakma song “Di Chogot Hodok Sobon Mor,” the emotional impact is difficult to forget. There was something in […]