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., -

Hartal and public property

Sir. This refers to a photograph published In several national dailies recently showing a red flag warning hoisted on a portion of Dhaka- Narayanganj rail-track at Chasara. Narayanganj which has been cut down 2-3 feet long and removed on the occasion of rail-road-waterways blockade on March 23.

We feel whoever has committed this sinister act. he or she. Is out and out an ignoramus

One may have differences with the policies of the government and he vor she may not like a particular government. But no one has the right to destroy the public property which in fact is the product of sweat and blood of the common people.

By Indulging in destructive activities, violence and terrorism one only loses people's ^upport and sympathy and invites his or her Nemesis. Remember there is no last word in politics.

OH Kabir Dhaka

Hillary’s flying mealservice

Sir. Read with amusement the US First Lady Mrs. Hillary Clinton's flying mealservice to Bangladesh.' Her favourite food and drinks were flown over by air for her three days’ visit here (Ref. The Dainik Bangla. Apr 2. 1995).

This is not quite expected for a lady of her calibre. Rather I thought she would be more

outgoing and adventurous in trying out different food.

Even if she does not feel like an intrepid traveller, the US Embassy here could have surely provided her with boiled water, the odd peanut butter sandwich and Southern fried chicken.

For a more discerning palate, restaurants at the two five star hotels in Dhaka would have happily obliged with herbed escargot, lobster, wild mushroom and imported steak.

In case the worst happened. and a bacterium sneaked through tidbits of Bengali food (eg sutli kabab and bakhar khani) or the American Food Security System into the distinguished lady’s digestive tract — the International Cholera Research Institute can come quickly to rescue.

As she is also visiting the Institute it would be for her to see as to how well this premiere research facility is operating on USA tax payers' money.

(Mrs) Lopa Hanif House 62.

Road 8A. Dhanmondi. Dhaka

NSC lottery

Sir. NSC lottery seems to have captured the hearts of the millions of this poor country. A large number of prizes of vari ous denominations are going Into the pockets of mostly poor and jobless people. Big prize winners overnight become rich, start business or some other profit and work generating projects, where

they can provide jobs or occupations of various types, to many hapless people like them.

Maybe this is why this state-backed lottery is getting more popular day by day and drawing millions, who do not mind to part with their hard earned ten taka for at least one lottery ticket and look forward to a golden day with the catchy murmuring In their mouth — Jadi Laigya Jai'

I, for myself as a matter of routine buy five such lottery tickets for each draw, not as much to win a prize (I have already spent more than three hundred taka but no prize as yeti) but to help the NSC at least in their efforts to develop our sport. By now. they must be financially much more solvent to take up ambitious projects!

Fit Lt (Retd) Mohluddtn Dhaka

Destiny off course

Sir. Over 25.000 Bangladeshis deported by Saudi Arabia recently can sound the alarm in other countries over the overstay of aliens besides other violations of the immigration laws.

Such a move to remove illegal foreigners is a state authority. not to implicate diplomatic fallout if the act Is justified as non-retaliatory, within the Jurisdiction of the sovereign land without flouting International regulations, but the thrust of this kind may only be adding salt-to Qie-wound of thia Least Developed Country which has been fighting tooth and-nail to beat the vicious circle beyond some re cent macroeconomic gains.

An action as disappointing as deportation should be corrected to save some hope for the victim's career as much as the reputation of the civilized justice.

By mistake, one or more unfortunate ones might have

been identified wrongly to share the destiny with others.

In the matter of any faulty case detected to have high merit to be treated sympathetically. appropriate legal proceeding should accommodate a plea for review of the defendant's explanation of the circumstances and evidences in defence against the charges for possible reinstation.

M Rahman

Zila School Road. Mymenstngh

Behaviour from a physician

Sir, As a physician from the US, 1. was happy to accompany my elderly mother to a certain diagnostic centre on Elephant Road in Dhaka recently. I had hoped to talk to the cardiologist performing the testjabout Dhaka Medical College, my alma mater. If indeed he had attended that august institution. 1 did not have that opportunity. however as my mother was unceremoniously asked to disrobe and put on a rather filthy examining table, not even a gown for modesty. She was then so to say. roughly examined and tested for her heart. Thrtnighout this whole procedure. I felt, the esteemed physician hardly looked at or acknowledged the patient as a person, let alone her attendant. After the pro cedure was completed he turned away abruptly, and "dismissed'' her. but before she could get off the'table, another' patient was placed on it almost causing her to lose her balance and fall

I practice medicine too. and I kno* the value of time but never In my whole life have I witnessed such unpalatable behaviour from a physician; and for this we were obliged to pay Tk 1500 The BMA should monitor and reprimand Its members

Rmatui Alam M D

DMC Class oj 1974