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To the Editor
Newspaper holidays
Sir, Newspapers in our country regularly close their offices during all public holi-i days and we go without newspapers for days at limes, specially during the Eld1 celebrations. Though we take it for
I granted and never ^ay a word, we never like it. Is It true thal
I no news is ever made during I the holidays or do we lose ap-j petite for news on these days?
Ixt us imagine what would j happen if the hospitals were I closed down during holidays! If ■ the fire service, the WASA, the I DESA, the Titas Gas, Radio and
TV — all went to sleep on holidays! It must be remembered that newspapers arc doing an essential service. Absence of newspapers is disturbing and should be regarded as such. Short of a catastrophe nothing should slop the newspapers from seeing the light of the day. I know many excuses will be pul forward life, the newspaper staff members also need hblidays. So is the case with the staff of hospitals, fire service and ail others mentioned
abovy. How do they keep their services going during holidays?
It needs a little more attention to the reasons for which the newspapers exist and a little more respect for the public whom they serve. With some organisational and administrative adjustments here and there, most newspapers, if noi all. should be able to maintain an unbroken schedule. Let us hope they do It.
Shali/ahan I la fix
DOI IS. Mohakhalt. Dhaka
An appeal for peace
Sir. We arc always digging our aberrations of tumultuous happenings preceding the movement which led to the very Inception of Independent and sovereign Bangladesh.
Instead of infusing new awakening and zeal to build the nascent republic into an abode of peace, we arc creating disharmony and discord to divide the nation Into fragments and factions reviving the old rivalry virtually with vigour and enthusiasm rather lo nullify the sacrifice* of
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who burled ihc discord by declaring general amnesty for all and sundry provided they declare their allegiance to Bangladesh.
We should heal the wounds not revive them.
S M Khalid Choudhury DhanmnndL Dh^ka.
Sword of authority
Sir, And now bandying words with a minister runs a great risk. If a subordinate does it, he gets fired or at least transferred elsewhere. Kamal l.ohani'9 removal from Shilpa Kaia Academy is Just a pointer lo the state of affairs on our top level. This also betrays the real altitude of the custodians of the democratic values. Don’t they realise that democracy is not merely a form of government as defined by Abraham Lincoln, but ft is also an outlook on life and a pattern of behaviour which a leader should preach and practice? A minister who claims to be a champion of democracy must have respect for the opinion of
others. Even If there is any point of difference one should have the spirit of tolerance for listening to the counterpoints. Brandishing the sword of authority on the subordinates does not brighten or heighten one's Image al all. Besides, how could a government elicit advice and function properly If its people at the helm want only 'yes man' around! •
Our ministers should learn to brook criticism. The unceremonious removal of Kamal Lohan! sets a very bad and unfortunate precedent. In future, no government officer, however exalted his position may be, would dare express his mind before his minister. As a result, our ministers will have no adviser but all sycophants by their side. Kamal Lohanl may not be Indispensable for the office he held al the Shilpa Kala Academy, but his leadership in the field of art and culture for three decades Is not a matter one can easily ignore.
N M
Rajshahi University.