The Daily Star on April 8 ran a report titled “Forget polythene.” The report stated that a group of Bangladeshi researchers invented an environment-friendly alternative to polythene bag. That's certainly big news. Sonali Bag is biodegradable, yet air and water resistant. The lead scientist of the project, Dr Mubarak Ahmed Khan, deserves our kudos for having invented a much-needed solution to the polythene scourge.

Already, a number of foreign institutions have expressed their interests in that. I urge the government to continue assisting the team and provide them with necessary funds so that the product gets acceptance and necessary coverage, and people here as well as in other countries can use it.

Mehedi Hasan, By e-mail