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.

Menacing problems

Sir. The whole of North Bengal is menacingly inundated by the onrush of flood waters coming from India causing irreparable loss to human lives, property, foodstuff, livestock etc. Thus indicting heavy blows to the already shattered economy of the country and increasing sufferings of the affected people.

I admit that many might argue it to be a natural phenomenon over which we have no control except to party to the Almighty I

In the context of present viral fever again menacingly sweeping all over Bangladesh and so also the conjunctivitis, may we know what the Health Department has to say advise the suffering people at least?

Similarly, the waterlogged and drainage problem of many posh areas of Dhaka city including Santinagar, Malibagh should by now draw the 'attention' of the concerned Department. Because all these continuous departmental failures and negligence to remedy these evils will ultimately discredit the present popular government which came to power through the direct mass support.

One hates to think that government machinery will only activate or function when the Prime Minister only detecting the situation orders for a quick remedy.

I think all will agree that the concerned departments

should carefully take a timely note of the writings on the wall — before they make more mess by delaying solutions.

A U Mohsin *

Jikatola. Dhaka.

Giants won't be here !

Sir, So, the Goliaths of cricket are not coming to Bangladesh soon. Two one-day Internationals between the mightiest West Indies and the maturing Sri Lanka and one one-day match between Sri Lanka and test-aspirant Bangladesh scheduled for Dhaka this season have been "abandoned" because of the host’s Inability to prepare the ■pitch and ground" on time. How awful it is to millions of cricket maniacs on earth I

The aspired occasion would have been the best one for the local cricket lovers since the last test at the same ground over 20 years ago, mainly because the best team In the world today would have been in action against an unpredictable side that just overrode the underestimators over in cricketland.

The official showdowns between the masterful Caribbcans and the youngest test team could have essentially been a demonstration class for the natives. Such a special session would be precious for Bangladeshi cricket enthusiasts to have mastered •some caricatures from the giants in the arena and especially from the superb team

they had not seen on own soil in about three decades.

At any rate, a closc-en-counter-of-the-rare-kind between the superior West Indians and the budding Bangladeshis would definitely be a lesson of life for many domestic cricketers and be a memorable event for the home fans os well. This once-in-a-bluc-moon opportunity of such a daring game on her unique wickets with the greatest would have developed the latent test materiel in the Bangladesh cricketers.

M Rahman

ZHa School Road Mymensingh 2200

"Little Letter-writers"

Sir, The editorial captioned ’’Little letters-writers" published in four esteemed daily on Sept 16 attracted my attention for its inherent charm. Views on letter-writing, great letter writers, historical value of letters as well as our bright letter writers have been projected magnlficeptly.

Now even, in the apex of scientific and technological development, none can Ignore the Importance of letter-writing. The volume of mall circulation has not decreased in the countries like the USA, Germany, UK where computer, telephone, telex, fax dominate the day-to-day life.

The Daily Slar presents editorials on various issues everyday. But topic like "Little letters-writers" occasionally comes to help us think differently. Issues with diversity will certainly fulfil our aspirations and enrich the realm of our knowledge and pleasure.

Md. Moniruzzaman Nakhalpara, Tejgaon. Dhaka.

Postal services

Sir, In the good old days, the Postal Deptt. used to publish a small pocket guide (booklet, costing less than the then one Rupee) containing useful Information for quick reference; such as inland and foreign postage rates, etc. Such Pocket Guide (Bengali and English editions) may be issued at periodical intervals. It is a hassle to seek the»in-formation at the crowded counters, and the figures verbally quoted to not tally at all Post Offices.

On the other hand, newly designed postage stamps are issued at too frequent intervals. The printing is not cheap. Besides, the illustrations are too small; too much is included, and the impact is not dramatic. How much is earned through philately? One design was attractive, the embossed 2-taka stamp on the envelope sold by the Post Offices, showing the Shahid Mlnar. Higher art is sub-tractive: the less, the better.

Our Post Offices look like old historical government offices. These could be made to look brighter, with a dash of paint and colour, a little polish on the counters, and more cheerful faces behind the counters. They are under pressure, so are we.

A senior citizen Dhaka.