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To the Editor
***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.
World Bank: A clarification
Sir. Please permit me to comment on your article "World Bank wants Dhaka lo change Population Policy," in January 7 issue of your esteemed newspaper, and your Editorial on the same subject on January 8lh.
The article you printed is misleading. It is damaging lo Ihe good relationship which has been developed over the years between the World Bank and the Government of Bangladesh and Its policy makers. •
There is no difference of opinion between the World Bank and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as to the family planning policy being followed by the Government. A full cafeteria approach lo family planning methods Is endorsed and the last multi-donor Supervision Mission in November 1991 slated that "the Increasing acceptance of the Pill is a healthy trend."
There is some concern on both sides that the number of people (male and female) using permanent methods is declin-
Ing. and there is agreement that Improved quality of services is important.
The World Bank led Consortium of donors supporting the Government is in constant policy dialogue with the Government and is supportive of the Government's policies on family planning.
In evidence of this you should note that the Fourth Population and Health Project was designed Jointly by Government and the programme s financial supporters, in Une with the Fourth Five-Year Plan. This was done using a series of workshops bringing together all the policy makers involved in the Government and representatives of the donors.
I'hillp RS Gouvrs
Chief. Imputation and Health Unit
The World Hank. Resident Mission. liangbslesh.
EdUor's Note . the report pub Ushed In this paper on Jan 7 uxu based on brtejirips by well placed dependable sources. However, we are now pleased to know that there are no differences iff views between the World Hank and the relevant Ministry iff the Government.
— Editor
Tribute to the brave
Str, Thank you for your editorial of January 7 concerning the young lecturer from Munlrunnessa Girls' College, Mr. Qazi Nurul Islam, who braved wrath of a group of hooligans in order to prevent them from molesting a girl. Good samaritans like him who actually have the courage to protest instead.of cowering In fear are so rare these days that any news about them comes as a welcome relief. We hope Mr Qazi Nurul Islam recovers soon and carries on his good work. We are In great need of knights In shining armour like him.
The code of chivalry, it seems, is dead and forgotten these days. One hears of too many Incidents where people are attacked In broad daylight, right in front of large crowds who arc only too glad to look the other way or at best, assume the role of silent spectators. The 'goondas' take advantage of their cowardice and lethargy and carry on their antisocial activities without fear. What Is worse Is that the same-people suddenly come to life after the crime has been committed and the perpetrators have fled, and start rebuking the victim about what he/she should and should not have done.
Let us hope that the example of Mr. Qazi Nurul Islam will shame all into reacting quickly to others' cry of distress. We must remember that one who
stands by and allows a crime to be committed is a guilty as one who commits the crime. The brave feats of heroes like the young lecturer should not only be given wide coverage in the media but also be recognised by the Government with awards or prizes so that others might be inspired to emulate
Farah Imrana Hussain Dhanmondl R A., Dhaka.
House rent
Sir, This is to bring to your notice that It has become almost impossible to continue to live tn any suitable area for a Dhakalte. What I am endeavoring to tell you Is that rents are astronomically high everywhere in the city as compared to that a decade before.
I understand that there Is Inflation, and the Bangladeshi Taka Is constantly being devalued. But I also believe that the owners of the houses are sometimes selfish and overbearing.
I live in Mohammadpur with my widowed and ailing mother and my younger brothers — most of whom arc students. Our landlord has threatened to send us legal notice to vacate If we do not Increase the rent.
As a school teacher, and with a brother who Is a clerk In a bank as only earning members. I find it difficult to handle the escalating rents. 1 realise that people live on the Income of the houses they have built in places such as Wari, Dhanmondi, not to mention Gulshan, Banani, Bart-dhara. I do not refute the fact that they have a right to demand a price for the use of their carefully constructed houses.
Yet, how docs the average Individual pay the necessary rent with a hum drum Job?
G. //. Mohammed All Mohammadpur. Dhaka.
Lonely in a city
Sir, I find It extremely difficult to maintain friendship In the city of Dhaka.
1 am a working woman and have my schedules of 9 to 6 to follow,I find my friends recalling me only when they require something. But should I simply wish to be tolerated for 15 minutes , 1 find them gel distracted and disinclined to converse with me.
Having been brought up in a convent till age 21. and now residing and working 1n Dhaka, you can envisage the situation If I dire to even speak on the telephone to a male friend — let alone meet him. The hide-and- seek game by teenagers does not become me.
Human beings remain gregarious. 1 live alone with my
mother and a part-time maid. How docs one thrive on soli loquics? I low long can one endeavour to read and listen to music instead of having human friends to converse with?
I had a dog but it died, I brought anotlier one but it was unfortunately stolen. How I wish 1 had a pet canary to whistle to and teach it "Lots of chocolates for me to eafl
Anyway, when modern Dhaka is going to become really cosmopolitan? That may at least give a new lease of life to some suffering souls.
Ayesha
Dhanmundi. Dhaka
Environment and villagers
Str. It Is clear from all the environmental studies that Bangladesh will be one of the major victims of the Greenhouse Effect. There has been much campaign for the city dwellers to keep the environment from pollution. On the other side, the villagers, arc kept almost Ignorant alx>ut this Inevitable disaster. It, therefore, is an Immediate necessity lo sort out some ways to educate the people of the country-side about baneful effect of the environmental pol lutlon.
Ekramul Kabir Mlrpur. Dhaka.