Apologies Amid Troubling News
This morning, we should be sending our weekly list of new impact crowdfunding offerings. Our listing will be late this week. I apologize.
The reason for the delay is troubling. Most of you are likely unaware of the crisis unfolding in Bangladesh, where my long-time colleague and friend Chandan Saha lives. Over 130 mostly student protestors have been killed by police in the country this week.
The government has imposed a highly effective communications blackout. No internet. No texting. No messaging apps. Chandan and I have not communicated in days. I suspect things are much worse than we’re reading in the Western Press because there is no way for news to get out.
A curfew has been imposed nearly 24 hours a day. Streets are largely empty. Police have been authorized to shoot violators on sight.
Chandan produces our Monday list of impact offerings using a personal, proprietary process. While he uses tools like KingsCrowd, he’s able to identify offerings as having social impact, LGBTQ founders, women founders and minority founders before anyone else. He’s an invaluable member of the Superpowers for Good team. If I were to attempt to create the weekly post without him, it would not be up the standard he has set.
Despite the mayhem, there is a glimmer of hope. The student protests were inspired by discriminatory government hiring quotas that favored ruling party members. The country’s top court struck down the quotas Sunday morning. I hope the students and other protestors will declare victory and go home.
Furthermore, almost all trade with Bangladesh has been suspended. While goods can move on trucks, much of the “paperwork” at the borders is now digital, which is shut down. Certainly, the government recognizes this isn’t sustainable even for a few more days.
Therefore, I am hoping that communications will soon be restored. Once we establish that Chandan and his wife and son are safe, fed and connected, he’ll be back at work. We’ll get the weekly list out then.
In the meantime, please join me in praying for peace and for Chandan’s safety.
Thank you for the thoughtful update and for keeping everyone informed. The situation here has been incredibly challenging with the communications blackout and curfews, but knowing that there’s support and understanding from the team is deeply reassuring.
My family and I are doing our best to stay safe and manage through the current restrictions. The internet and international phone connections have been restored here in Bangladesh.
Your support, thoughts, and prayers mean a great deal to us during this time.
The e360tv Team is praying for your colleague.