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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. ***
Affiliating University
Sir. A news Item published tn the press recently says that government has decided to set up a National Affiliating University in the country. The proposal Is a very pragmatic one which ts welcome to one and all. It Is well known that academic atmosphere of our existing universities Is marred by session Jams, student politics. strikes and a host of other bitter problems. Moreover. She universities are so busy with their day io day problems that they can hardty pay any attention to the needs and problems of the affiliating colleger.
Once the Affiliating University starts functioning it Is reasonably expected that examinations of that University will be held on schedule because strikes and agitations In a few colleges can not Influence the decision of the Affiliating University as all the colleges of the country will be under It and most of the colleges and their students are likely to be in favour of tlnuely examinations. When students of existing teaching unlver-»i-Ues will sec that their feikow Pass, Honours and Master’s course students of the Affiliating University are pass-
ing out on lime. It is likely that they will not demand shifting of examination dates. This will allure them to study and at tend classes regularly and thus puss out of the universities on time.
As things stand now. students of affiliating colleges are paying a heavy price for the misdeeds of others at the existing universities. Hence I urge upon the government to expedite setting up of the National Affiliating University to serve a genuine national need.
Saleh Ahmed Chowdhury Dhaka Cantonment
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Sir. The solution of ethnic and religious problem of Bosnia-Herzegovina lies in recognizing the right to live independently of the three groups viz Bosnian Muslims. Serbs and Croats. Declaration of independence of Bosnia Herzegovina through voting in their parliament pointed to this basic need — 55% voted for Independence and 45% against this secession. This points to the fact that a large group does not want to be a minority In the Independent
slate of Bosnia-Herzegovina, when they were part of majority group of former Yugoslavia.
As such, It is wise to divide this slate into two on the basis of population — one for the Bosnian Muslims and Croats (if Croats agree), and the other for Serbs. Without this. 1 think it is very difficult to bring peace in that country.
Recently, former Russia realised it and after applying this solution they are now in the path of peaceful co-existence. This solution should be applied In this troubled area also or else, in the words of an eminent prime minister, Muslims will hard to be found in this country tn the next century.
Therefore. UNO should now Impose this solution on the warring factions of this country and immediately there should be an end to fighting and atrocities.
A K Azad
Uttara, Dhaka
An open challenge
Sir. After a heated debate Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia has defeated the critical 'no confidence motion’ of Awami League on law and order situation In the Jatlya Sangsad on 12-8-1992. But a few dkys later It was a bolt from the blue. Some unidentified assassins shot Rashed Khan Menon. MP. It was not only an attempt on life of Rashed Khan Menon but ft was also an ominous threat and open challenge to our hard earned democracy.
We arc all stultified. What is happening in our country year after year? Are we heading towards becoming another Lebanon, Sri Lanka. Somalia or Bosnia? Lawlessness, violence and terrorism would set our entire country on fire.
Condemning attempt on life of Menon the Awami League Chief Sheikh Hasina said "I give a challenge, the situation in the country will not have been so bad if Awami League had been In power."
We are at a loss to understand as to what to do and what not. If we accept Sheikh Hasina's assertion we wonder why Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was killed when Awami League was in power? We are also surprised why Zlaur Rahman was killed when BNP was In power?
We strongly believe that neither Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia nor the Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina nor anybody else can tackle the manifold socio-economic, administrative and political problems single handedly.
The need of the hour ts that all our public leaders, both In the treasury and In the opposition benches, may kindly form a consensus, cooperate and coordinate with each other and combat the acts of lawlessness, corruption. Irregularities, hijacking, violence and terrorism unitedly, failing which a great catastrophe may overcome us all.
OH Kabir
Dhaka 1303
Old Dhaka
Sir. A seminar titled "Old City Dhaka's Environment : Problem and Prospect" jointly, arranged by the Bangladesh Society for Conservation of Environment (BSCE) and the Students' Union of Sir Sallmullah Medical College (SSMC) held recently at the SSMC premises identified some main problems : traffic-jaxn. unhygienic dumping of various wastes, unplanned road arsd building constructions including hat-bazars, high population growth, poor law and order situation, etc. Mr Md Quamruzzaman, who presented the paper, observed that despite the limitations of resources and technology-transfer. the present and future environmental problems of the city could be solved through proper and Justified use of available resources and appropriate administrative measures.
Among others. Prof Abdu-llakh Haroon in his address stated that the old city was once treated as the most mod erri city with adequate amenities where the Important organizations like the Court, Museum, Mitford Hospital etc were built. In those days, the old city was not so densely po pulated and congested like today. It was then the major area of business activities and an abode of the aristocrats. But no-w the situation has changed, the environment of the old town Is too much polluted and ft is difficult to breath free air In this part of the metropolis He stressed on the need for
conservation of both physical and cultural environment.
Prof M A Majid in his speech emphasized on the proper issuance of fitness certificates to motor vehicles so that these may nol pollute the environment by reteasing black smoke. Prof Firoz Ahmed of BUET urged for creating water purification facilities in the old city. He said that a huge amount of wastes of the Dhaka city is thrown In the low lying areas of the Buriganga river which is causing a serious environmental degradation and which needs to be checked Immediately. He suggested reexcavation of the city canals for rapid discharge of wastes.
Dhaka City Corporation Mayor Mirza Abbas MP, who attended the seminar as the chief guest. In his address informed that fund crisis is the main development bottleneck for the city. Nevertheless he assured he would take necessary initiative to solve the problems of the old city. He requested the city dwellers to abide by the rules and regulations of the city corporation for a healthy environment.
It is sincerely expected that the city corporation tn collaboration with other concerned government departments will take pragmatic steps for the improvement of the physical environment and for the conservation of the cultural environment of the old Dhaka city.
M Zahidul Haque Aatlatant Profettor.
Dangiadesh Agricultural Institute. Dhaka