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*Letters for publication in these columns should be addressed to the Editor and legibly written or typed with double space. For reasons of space, short letters are preferred, and all are subject to editing and cuts. Pseudonyms are accepted. However, all communications must bear the writer's real name, signature and address.
SAARC: Male Summit
Sir, 27-point Male Declaration "reiterating that co-operation among the South Asian countries was necessary for improving the quality of life of peoples of the region" was a renewed hope for a unity in diversity of the seven SAARC countries of the Indian sub-continent. Aged only six years, SAARC's pace in organizational inertia was distinctly positive because of the good neighbourly attitude of the member states at its delayed fifth summit in Maldives.
Born again with the British colonial background. the multi-national South Asian region has yet to achieve harmony at all relations of inter- and in ter-SAARC nations toward a regional individuality of greater significance to the rest of the world. The pre requisite for such an objective underscores mutual understanding and cooperation on any issue which
gradually pave the way to prosperous life of the nations concerned.
SAAC leaders appear to have adopted such a forward-looking position with "desire to promote peace, stability, amity. and progress in the region through strict adherence to the principles of UN charter and the Non-aligned Movement particularly re\ spect for the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, national independence, non use of force, non Interference in the internal affairs of other states and peaceful settlement of disputes". As an initiator of the concept of regional harmony In South Asia. Bangladesh has been playing a definitive role in the assdeiation ever since its formation despite adversities both on her domestic and international fronts. While her disputed territories with bordering India have yet to be demarcated. some other problems like sharing Interna-
tional water remain to be taken care of. Only realistic approach lo the regional problems should harvest national progress for the India realm: and, for the desired outcome, SAARC will benefit from the instances of similar groups in the world, such as ASEAN, GCC, OAU. BENELUX, COMECON, and EEC.
M. Rahman.
Zila School Road, Mymensingh.
Child labour
Sir. There is a convention regarding child labour, which says that children below a certain age should not be forced to work.
However, it is indeed unforunate that there is no dearth of child labour in our country in violation of the convention. Children of every age, starting from 5 years to anything below 12, are seen doing all sorts of Jobs, and odd Jobs.
They are domestic aids, hawkers, hotel cleaners, on the street errand boys; practically engaged in Just anything which can be done by them, even if erratically.
Il is really a sad sight, and we should as civilized people be ashamed of our selves at this state of thirds. But it seems we
have become hard and blunt like the concrete city we live in. Nothing moves us.
We are no longer conscious humans. We do not think in ways of educating and rehabilitating these children, rather we like them to grow up uneducated, half-clad. We think not even of a way out
Don’t we feel concerned for the society we belong to ? These neglected children are part of It. Their accumulated frustration may one day shake the edifice down.
Rehana Begum.
Bangsal, Dhaka.
Loudspeakers
Sir, Those of us who stay in the old part of the city are plagued wilh a very peculiar and annoying kind of problem—the use of loudspeakers in abundance.
Every occasion is graced by the use (or overuse I) of this very popular' instrument.
The loudspeaker broadcasts popular Hindi songs, played on a rusty record player and amplified at as much as high pitch. Sometimes, there are some self acclaimed singers going on in their very own broken, out of tune voices adding unbear ability to disgust.
We appeal to the authorities to please help us from such tortures.
Il is specially disturbing when someone has an examination lo go through or if there is a patient in the house.
1 am sure there are better and quieter ways of celebrating important occasions.
Tasllm Talukdar. Islampur, Dhaka.
Rose festival
Sir, It is a heartening to note that there is going to be a 'rose festival' this month.
These occasions provide opportunities for flower lovers to enjoy the flowery freshness, fragrance and beauty of flower, in abundance at a venue. Besides, lo the residents of the city it provides a chance for a pleasant outing.
The beauty of a flower is not only pleasing to the eye. but il is a nice memory lo take back home. There should be more such flower shows.
There can be nothing as pleasing to Ihe eye and refreshing to the senses as the splendour and fragrance of a flower.
Fahim Ahmed, Jhikalola. Dhaka