an Interview of the Teen voice abroad

While most teenagers are caught up in social media trends and exam stress, Mahir Aiman is wielding his pen against something far more serious — corruption and civic neglect in his homeland of Bangladesh.

At just 17, Mahir lives in Kuwait and attends Gulf Indian School, but his heart beats for the streets of Dhaka. Through a series of powerful articles, he has called out the alarming sewage crisis in the capital and the deep-rooted corruption surrounding the Padma Bridge — Bangladesh’s largest infrastructure project. What’s most surprising isn’t just the boldness of his words, but the depth of thought and empathy behind them.

“I think the inspiration came from a mix of frustration and love,” Mahir explains. “I might live in Kuwait, but Bangladesh is still my identity — my roots. Watching it struggle with problems that are fixable, like sewage mismanagement or corruption, just didn’t sit right with me.”

Despite being raised abroad, Mahir maintains a strong connection to his heritage. He regularly follows Bangladeshi news, keeps in touch with relatives back home, and engages with civic discussions on social media. “It’s more than just information — it’s emotional,” he says.

A visit to Dhaka became a turning point. One memory in particular — seeing a young child playing near an open sewer — stayed with him long after he returned to Kuwait. That moment sparked the writing of one of his most striking articles, detailing how over 80% of Dhaka’s sewage is dumped untreated into rivers. “That’s not just mismanagement — it’s environmental suicide,” he says bluntly.

Mahir’s writing pulls no punches. In his piece on the Padma Bridge scandal, he dissected the corruption allegations that once plagued the massive infrastructure project, challenging those in power with fearless precision. Yet, he admits that publishing such work wasn’t without hesitation.

“There’s always a fear of being misunderstood or even targeted — especially when you're young and outspoken,” he confesses. “But I reminded myself that if youth like me don’t speak up, the system will never be challenged.”

The reaction to his writing has been mixed. While many, especially teachers and students, praised his courage and clarity, others accused him of being too harsh or even “unpatriotic.” Mahir doesn’t buy that logic.

“I believe that real patriotism means demanding better, not staying silent,” he argues. “Love doesn’t mean silence. The truth should never need a passport.”

Mahir’s clarity of thought and commitment to justice didn’t come from nowhere. He credits his Model United Nations (MUN) experience for sharpening his voice. As a seasoned delegate who has won Honorable Mentions and a Best Position Paper award, he says debating global crises helped him build the skills to speak on real ones.

“MUNs taught me how to research, how to view problems from multiple perspectives, and how to argue with diplomacy,” he says. “Writing articles felt like a natural extension of those skills.”

His international upbringing gives him a unique sense of responsibility. “I have access to platforms and perspectives many back home might not. My voice might reach further — so I want to use it meaningfully,” he says.

Mahir’s journey as a young writer is only beginning. He plans to continue covering issues like educational inequality and the treatment of migrant workers — problems he sees both in Bangladesh and in the Gulf.

When asked what change he hopes his writing can bring, his answer is simple: awareness.

“If I can get even ten people to question what they accept as ‘normal’ — corruption, pollution, or silence — that’s the beginning of change.”

His message to fellow teens? Don’t wait.

“Start small. Write a post. Share an article. Talk to your friends. The first step is just deciding you care enough to act. Don’t wait for permission. Your voice matters — use it.”

In a world where the youth are often seen as passive observers, Mahir Aiman stands out as a reminder that young people can — and should — challenge the systems they inherit.