Rakibul Alam’s Traces of Time appears to be an impressive collection of non-fiction prose pieces that attempts at delving deep into the intricacies of life in the contemporary world. The book traverses diverse domains and disciplines in its intellectual and philosophical engagement with educational, cultural, political and existential questions. It draws analogies, contrasts, parallels from myriad sources in order to help us better comprehend the external reality as well as the turbulence in the mindscape.
For me the pieces in Traces of Time have been able to offer a fresh, meaningful perspective regarding diverse human experiences that inspire readers not to get entangled by the mundane, rather to contemplate on the higher, more significant questions that define our existence and that concern larger humanity. Some of the essays deal with issues involving students’ mental health, role of educators, and educational policies, emphasising their deep impact on individual and community. Importantly, the book underlines the significance of knowledge and learning as ‘catalyst’ for progress and change