As the clock strikes midnight on 31 December, the urge to shed our old shell also strikes many of us—eat healthier, do pilates, or play ukulele. While these goals are significant without any debate, many of them often tend to fade away by mid-January. The key to consistency is to make resolutions interesting enough that they don’t feel like chores.
This time, my New Year’s resolution is to (drumrolls, please) read more politics books. As our country witnessed a monumental mass revolution this year, which is arguably a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle, it is at a pivotal moment in its history. The air of Bangladesh is now charged with youthful energy, mindful debates, and utopian ideologies. Now, I’m not really proud to state that my knowledge of politics can be summed up in two books: ‘Amar Fashi Chai’ and ‘Ami Major Dalim Bolchi’. Seeing Gen Z individuals putting bold ideas to the forefront to shape the country’s fate, while opposing views sparking passionate conflicts, I realised it’s high time I invested in sustainable knowledge to stand firm on the “right side” of this historical crossroads.
I am planning to start my journey in January with Noam Chomsky’s ‘Understanding Power’, followed by ‘Bangladesh Politics: Problems and Issues by Rounaq Jahan’. I also have my eyes on ‘Lal Sontrash: Siraj Sikdar and Sarbahara Rajniti’ by Mohiuddin Ahmad and on ‘The Origins of Totalitarianism’ by Hannah Arendt. Although I haven’t created any peculiar roadmap of booklists to guide me throughout my journey (eeny, meeny, miny, moe is the only way), I’m embracing the beauty of exploration. One book will likely lead to another, as each revelation fuels curiosity for more.
I have spent quite a long time in the existential domain, reading Kierkegaard, Dostoevsky (bestie), and Nietzsche. This resolution is a sharp detour from my usual literary escapades that will transport me to a new domain of political realism. Besides, picture this—a heated political debate with friends over cups of tea in TSC. Armed with newfound knowledge, I will be able to support my point of view with facts and theories. And who doesn’t love winning arguments?
So, here’s to a year of growth, knowledge, curiosity, and, perhaps, a bit of intellectual mischief.