A year through readers' eyes: The 12 most-read TBS stories of 2025
These are the reports that mattered most to readers last year.
Here is a snapshot of what mattered most to readers in 2025 – The Business Standard's 12 most read stories of the year.
1. Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection: 90 officers to handle a million complaints
Bangladesh's consumer rights authority is widely trusted for resolving complaints, but with only around 90 officers handling an overwhelming number of cases nationwide, it is struggling to keep up despite its effectiveness and growing public reliance.
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2. Early cultivation, warm winter boost watermelon supply this Ramadan
An unusually warm winter this season and strategic early cultivation by farmers have brought a bumper crop of ripe watermelons to the market just in time for Ramadan, keeping supply high and prices low.
3. Unity to overcome climate adversity: The women entrepreneurs of Char Montaz
Shilpa Rani, 30, is a resident of the Char Montaz union in the coastal district of Patuakhali. She has three children, two of whom are in school. Her husband is a local fisherman who remains unemployed for almost half of the year when fishing is banned.
4. Affordable, quiet and green: Electric shuttle buses set a model for Dhaka's residential areas
An experimental electric shuttle bus service in Bashundhara Residential Area is offering a quiet, affordable, and eco-friendly alternative to rickshaws, easing congestion and high fares. With low fares starting at Tk10, positive public response, and support from transport experts, the initiative is emerging as a promising model for sustainable transport in Dhaka's residential areas.
5. bKash revenue crosses Tk5,000cr mark, posts record Tk315cr profit
The bKash Limited, the country's leading mobile financial services provider, reported record-breaking revenue in 2024, surpassing the Tk5,000 crore mark for the first time, alongside an all-time high profit of Tk315.77 crore.
6. Why Pakistan can't use its F-16 jets against India
When Pakistan said it had downed five Indian jets, the matter sparked a lot of discussion.
7. Crowdfunding, crops and community: Inside Agriventure's bold bet on farmers
Agriventure is a Bangladesh-based agri-tech startup using a hybrid model of crowdfunding, field support, training, and digital tools to empower smallholder farmers. By combining technology with on-the-ground agents, it helps farmers access financing, quality inputs, skills, and fair markets, boosting incomes while restoring confidence and dignity in farming.
8. Shakib Khan's 'SK Films' begins international release with Borbaad
Megastar Shakib Khan's production company, SK Films (Shakib Khan Films), has started distribution internationally.
9. How a park, a bookstore and the young residents of Dhaka are redefining public space
Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park in Gulshan has emerged as a model for inclusive public space in Dhaka, blending green design, cultural hubs like Bookworm bookstore, and thoughtfully curated cafés without over-commercialisation. Driven by a public–private partnership and embraced by young residents, the park has become a safe, vibrant "third space" for reading, conversation, and community, highlighting how intentional planning can redefine urban life in the city.
10. Biman flight makes first use of Terminal 3 boarding bridge at Dhaka airport
A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight became the first aircraft to utilise the passenger boarding bridge (PBB) and visual docking guidance system (VDGS) at Terminal 3 of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport today (4 August).
11. New notes featuring historic, archaeological structures of Bangladesh to be circulated from 1 June
Bangladesh Bank has undertaken the initiative to print a new series of banknotes across all denominations (Tk1,000, Tk500, Tk200, Tk100, Tk50, Tk20, Tk10, Tk5, and Tk2) under the theme "Historic and Archaeological structures of Bangladesh."
12. How women-led integrated farming strengthens coastal livelihoods
Sanjoy Shil and his wife Radhika Shil, residents of Tildanga village under Dacope upazila, have set up an integrated farm on 30 decimals of low-lying land adjacent to their home. While Sanjoy assists occasionally, it is Radhika who manages the entire farm.
