Essay from Emran Emon

Emran Emon named among South Asia’s influential columnistsFeature Desk: Prominent journalist, columnist and global affairs analyst Emran Emon has been listed among South Asia’s most influential columnists—alongside some of the subcontinent’s most celebrated intellectuals and literary figures.The prestigious lineup includes India’s Shashi Tharoor, Arundhati Roy, P. Sainath, Barkha Dutt, Ravish Kumar and Ramachandra Guha; Pakistan’s I.A. Rehman, Kamila Shamsie, Huma Yusuf and Mohsin Hamid; Sri Lanka’s Rohini Mohan and Dayan Jayatilleka, and Nepal’s Kanak Mani Dixit. Other Bangladeshis on this list include Syed Badrul Ahsan, Mahfuz Anam and Afsan Chowdhury. Recently, a Google statistical report published these findings.What makes this achievement remarkable is that Emran Emon is the youngest columnist on the list, representing Bangladesh with intellectual distinction and moral clarity at a time when the region’s journalistic integrity and freedom of expression face renewed tests.Reflecting on this milestone, Emran Emon said with characteristic humility: “To see my name—especially as the youngest—stand beside these globally acclaimed intellectuals, representing Bangladesh, is nothing short of a lifetime honor. I do not take pride in my name alone; my pride lies in the word ‘Bangladesh‘ that stands beside it.”Over the past few years, Emran Emon has emerged as one of South Asia’s most incisive and fearless voices. Earlier, Emran Emon was listed in the Hindustan Times’ HT Syndication list of South Asia’s best writers. Foreign Policy magazine quotes Emran Emon as “Influential Regional Voice.” His columns—often marked by analytical depth, historical grounding, and literary resonance—have examined critical global and regional questions: from the shifting balance of power in Asia and the digital sovereignty debate, to climate justice, press repression, and the moral crises of modern governance.Scholars and fellow writers have described him as a “writer of conscience and conviction,” whose work bridges the worlds of politics, literature, and ethics. His pieces, published in both English and Bengali, have gained widespread readership across South Asia and the global diaspora.An editor of an influential English daily noted: “Emran Emon’s inclusion is more than personal success—it’s a national moment as well as a matter of pride for Bangladesh itself. He represents a generation of Bangladeshis who think globally but remain deeply rooted in the moral soil of 1971. His pen carries both intellect and integrity. Emran Emon has always been a nationalist writer who writes against the current. The bold and fearless pieces he has written—born of a deep sense of Bangladeshi nationalism—stand as a priceless asset to the nation.”

Poetry from Luz Myriam Moreno Puerta

REJECTION

Older middle aged Latina woman with  garland of fall leaves and a yellow top, standing in front of brown and red and green artwork.

The lament groans in the blue

for the yellow that perishes.

From the depths of the soul springs

the protest that wounds.

The cry is a strong echo,

that soars to infinity.

And so,

between patience and pain

the promise is a sunflower.

Luz Myriam Moreno Puerta, Colombian Poet

She was born in the municipality of Frontino, Antioquia Department. She is a psychologist, visual artist, poet, and short story writer. Solo painting exhibitions: 20 Group exhibitions: 35 Recitals: 15 Several of her poems have been published in various anthologies, illustrated with her paintings. She is a member of several collectives, including: Atenea, Escuela Aluna, and Poetas Frontineños.

Poetry from Maftuna Rustamova

Blue, white, and green striped flag of Uzbekistan, with a moon and stars in the upper left corner.

Flag

The flag carried by champions,

It always sways high.

The flag in the hands of the winners

Praises from far and near

In the hands of generations

Following the path of the ancestors

In the web of my heart

You are sacred, my dear flag.

The flag is my pride and joy.

Heads towards the goal,

My strong helper

My priceless flag!

Maftuna Rustamova 

Buxoro viloyati 

Jondor tumani 

30-umumta’lim maktabi 

9-sinf oʻquvchisi. 

Poetry from Moustapha Misau

I’LL  WRITE YOU A LETTER 

I’ll write you a letter

Not to remind you of your 5-daily prayers

Or your morning and evening Azkar

But to gist you about the heavy thought that occupied the bulk of my time.

I’ll write you a letter

Not to tell you how long I became an ardent worshipper of Love

But to finally tell you the words I whisper million times to the air

Hoping that one day, just one day

Those cool words would caress your ear like the evening breeze sweeping through a grass field.

I’ll write you a letter

Not just with an ink on paper

But with a mixture of blood and tears

Hoping that they’ll send my hearty request to you;

That I seek to make You and I – US!

And that one day, we could play and dance the “Nā cika buri na” song in our home.

I’ll write you a letter

Not to showcase my feeble knowledge of love and romance

But to connect with your soul so that when you excitedly read this letter

You’d hear my voice solidly pleading my case,

For somewhere in me, I feel the need to kiss your soul.

I’ll write you a letter

Not because I can write one

But because I wanna remind you of how You and I fit like a pair of gloves

And together we’d play a tune that’ll never register a discordant note.

I’ll write you a letter

Not to display the obvious elation that cover my face as I write this

But to tell you how your name is scribbled all around my diary.

And when far from the world I am,

I open each page and whisper your name to God, praying that He makes you mine.

And when I’m done, I place the diary on my chest, imagining it was your hand.

I’ll write you a letter

Not minding others calling me an old-fashioned lover

But to just send you these three words “I LOVE YOU”

After much struggling, I’ve cancelled many words

Just to show how lost I am in your world.

I hope these three words could do the magic!

I’ll write you a letter

Not because people didn’t call me Majnun already.

But for you to come to my rescue before life finishes rendering me useless.

However, if after you came, you found me on my grave;

Just know that, I’ll still be waiting for your reply.

WHEN I’M GONE

When I’m no longer here,

When far from this world I go

Just let me go

Don’t weep thinking of me

Because I’ve the Beloved to meet and the eternal garden to explore.

When I’m no longer here

Be grateful for the beautiful years we spent

During which I gave you my whole

Now is the time for me to travel alone

To leave for a joyfully distant race of no return.

When I’m no longer here

Trust me, we’ll only be separated for a while

So, smile knowing precious memories remain behind;

Lingering love that’s hard to find.

When I’m no longer here

Don’t go to my grave crying

I ain’t there, I am with the Beloved.

He’ll make me the star that shines at night

And the awakening of the birds in the calm morning.

Mohammad Babangida Ibrahim is the guy behind the pseudonym Moustapha Misau. He is a Nigerian poet that grew up traversing the globe through the pages of books. When he is not sorrounded by books, you find him at the gym working out to have a better physique. He has his poems published at williwans.express and an anthology by Young Creative Writers. He can be contacted via +2348060807042 or Moustapha Misau on socials.

Essay from Shokhida Nazirova

The Importance of Natural Feeding in a Child’s Development

Today, beauty standards and elegance remain pressing topics among women. At the same time, many young mothers are unjustifiably giving up natural breastfeeding. Concerns such as body shape, the risk of infection in breast milk, or the belief that formula contains more vitamins are often cited as reasons — but let’s take a closer look: are artificial formulas truly beneficial?

Yes, formula milk does provide energy for infants. Its iron and B-group vitamins support muscle and brain development.

However, despite these benefits, there are also significant downsides. A common issue among infants—bloating—is actually an allergic reaction to artificial feeding. Moreover, since the baby’s digestive system is not yet fully developed, constipation often occurs.

An excess of gluten in formulas can also lead to iron deficiency, resulting in anemia.

Although some young mothers choose this method for the sake of convenience or body image, scientific research has proven that artificial feeding can negatively affect not only the child’s physical health but also their emotional and intellectual development.

1. Weakening of the Immune System

Breast milk contains immunoglobulin A (IgA), lactoferrin, lysozyme, and many vital micro and macro elements that strengthen the infant’s immunity, acting as a natural vaccine against respiratory and intestinal infections.

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), illness and mortality rates are significantly lower among breastfed infants compared to those fed artificially.

2. Risk of Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders

Artificial feeding can cause excess protein and calorie accumulation in the infant’s body. Over time, this increases the risk of obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes.

3. Psychological Developmental Changes

Breastfeeding naturally fosters a strong emotional bond between mother and child. This closeness helps the baby feel safe and secure, forming the foundation for future emotional and social development. In contrast, artificial feeding reduces this connection, often leading to sleep disturbances and frequent crying.

Moreover, breastfeeding provides not only emotional intimacy but also physiological benefits, such as the natural spacing of pregnancies through lactational amenorrhea.

Conclusion

This period is not merely about feeding a child—it is a shared emotional journey filled with love and trust. Breast milk nourishes the body, but a mother’s care nourishes the soul. Therefore, natural breastfeeding is the key to a healthy generation and joyful motherhood.

Shokhida Nazirova was born in 2004 in Andijan city. She is the founder of the “Osiyo Academy” art studio. She serves as the ambassador of several international organizations in Uzbekistan.

She is the author of more than 20 scientific articles. She is fluent in Russian, Turkish, and German.

Essay from Maftuna Hayitboyeva

THE ROLE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION

Hayitboyeva M.SH.Student in Kokand universityEmail:hayitboyevamaftuna38@gmail.com

Annotation: Grammar serves as the structural foundation of any language, providing rules and frameworks that enable effective communication. This article explores the crucial role of grammar in language learning, addressing its theoretical significance, practical applications, and pedagogical implications. By analyzing contemporary research and educational practices, this paper highlights how grammar facilitates language acquisition, comprehension, and production. Furthermore, it discusses debates around explicit versus implicit grammar instruction and how grammar integrates with other language skills. Ultimately, understanding grammar’s role enhances both teaching methodologies and learner outcomes.

Keywords: language, education, communication, multilingualism, culture, learning

Introduction Language learning is a complex cognitive process involving the acquisition of vocabulary, phonology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. Among these components, grammar—often defined as the set of rules governing the structure of sentences—plays a pivotal role.

The role of grammar in language learning has been a topic of considerable debate among linguists, educators, and psychologists. Some argue that grammar is indispensable for acquiring proficiency, while others advocate for a more communicative, usage-based approach that downplays formal grammar instruction.

This article examines the role of grammar in language learning by exploring its theoretical underpinnings, its function in language acquisition, and the practical implications for teaching and learning. It also reviews empirical studies that investigate the effects of grammar instruction and considers how grammar interacts with other linguistic skills.

Grammar encompasses morphology (the study of word formation), syntax (the arrangement of words in sentences), and, to some extent, phonology and semantics. It provides learners with the rules that dictate how words combine to form meaningful utterances. Without grammar, language would be a collection of random words lacking coherence.

Several theories shed light on the importance of grammar in language learning:

Generative Grammar Theory (Chomsky, 1957) posits that humans possess an innate Universal Grammar that guides language acquisition. According to this view, grammar is central because it reflects underlying cognitive structures. Interactionist Approaches emphasize that grammar develops through interaction and communication, suggesting a more dynamic role where exposure to grammatical input in meaningful contexts fosters learning.

Usage-Based Theories argue that grammar emerges from language use and frequency, highlighting the importance of input and pattern recognition rather than explicit rule learning.Despite differing perspectives, these theories agree that grammar plays some role in enabling learners to produce and comprehend complex sentences.Grammar helps learners decode meaning by signaling relationships between words, such as subject-verb agreement, tense, and word order. For example, understanding past tense morphology allows learners to interpret temporal context, while knowledge of sentence structure helps parse complex sentences.

Producing grammatically correct sentences enables learners to communicate ideas clearly and be understood. Mastery of syntax and morphology reduces ambiguity and improves fluency. Furthermore, grammar knowledge allows learners to manipulate language creatively, forming novel sentences beyond memorized phrases.

Explicit Grammar Learning involves direct instruction about rules, often through formal lessons and exercises. This approach supports conscious understanding and correction.

Implicit Grammar Learning occurs naturally through exposure and use without focused attention on rules. It mimics how first languages are acquired but may be slower and less precise.

Research suggests that a combination of explicit and implicit approaches is most effective, with explicit grammar instruction benefiting learners in formal educational contexts, while implicit learning supports natural language use.

Traditional language teaching emphasized grammar-translation methods, focusing heavily on grammatical rules and translation exercises.

However, modern communicative language teaching (CLT) stresses meaningful communication and tends to integrate grammar instruction contextually rather than isolating it.

Task-based language teaching incorporates grammar within meaningful tasks, helping learners notice and apply grammar in authentic situations. Content-based instruction uses subject matter content to contextualize grammar learning, promoting deeper engagement.

Digital tools and software provide interactive grammar practice and immediate feedback, enhancing learners’ engagement and offering personalized instruction.

Computer-assisted language learning (CALL) environments support both explicit grammar drills and communicative practice. Studies have shown that explicit grammar instruction can improve accuracy and understanding, especially for adult learners. However, overemphasis on drills without communicative practice may hinder fluency development. Meta-analyses reveal that integrated approaches combining form-focused instruction with communicative activities yield the best results.

Despite its importance, grammar instruction faces challenges such as learner motivation, cognitive load, and individual differences in learning styles. Future research should explore adaptive grammar teaching methods, leveraging AI and data analytics to tailor instruction. Additionally, investigating how grammar instruction supports multilingualism and heritage language learning remains critical.

Conclusion

Grammar is a foundational element in language learning, crucial for comprehension, production, and effective communication. While debates continue over the best ways to teach grammar, consensus points to a balanced approach that integrates explicit instruction with meaningful practice. Understanding the role of grammar enriches language pedagogy and ultimately supports learners in achieving linguistic competence.

References: Chomsky, N. (1957). Syntactic structures. Mouton. Ellis, R. (2006). The study of second language acquisition (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. Fotos, S., & Ellis, R. (1991). Communicating about grammar: A task-based approach. TESOL Quarterly, 25(4), 605-628. https://doi.org/10.2307/3586987Larsen-Freeman, D. (2003). Teaching language: From grammar to grammarian. Heinle & Heinle.    5.Nassaji, H., & Fotos, S. (2011). Teaching grammar in second language classrooms: Integrating form-focused instruction in communicative context. Routledge.

Essay from Zikrillo Latipov

Young Central Asian man with short dark hair, brown eyes, and a black tee shirt.

By Zikrillo Latipov

9th-grade student, Qo‘shtepa district, Fergana region

It was a summer evening in the year 2050 when I first visited the Bank of the Future.

In place of the old bank buildings now stood tall glass towers, glowing with soft light and energy.

As soon as I stepped inside, a small flying robot approached me with a cheerful tone:

— Hello! I’m your personal assistant. How can I help you today?

I was so amazed that I stood silent for a moment.

In the past, people had to wait in long queues and fill out piles of forms at the bank.

But here, all I had to do was place my finger on a scanner — and immediately, my personal cabin opened before me.

Inside, a transparent screen displayed all my accounts, savings, and even the loans I could receive in the future.

The robot spoke again:

— Your money is not only safe here; it is also being used to support clean energy projects and children’s education.

I felt as if I had stepped into a fairy-tale world. Money was no longer just numbers — it had become a force for good, a tool to make society better.

What fascinated me most was that without even leaving the bank, I could enter a virtual world to manage my finances or instantly send money to my friends in other countries.

When I left the bank and looked up at the sky, a thought crossed my mind:

> “So, the banks of the future are not just about money — they are bridges that turn human dreams into reality.”