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OPINION

Anniversary Syndrome!

AZabr
Bangladesh is coming up and progressing. After wining a minor cricket tournament, now we may forward a claim to the Guinness Book of Records to accept this land of lotus eaters as the world champion In the observance of anniversaries and holidays. Ashamed? Why? It is the official policy of the state, the administration, and the political rulers of the country.
The dally newspapers are not published for how many days In a year? Can we afford to be that much indulgent? Not an essential service like electricity, water, and broadcasting? Is it not time for the newspaper barons to sit down together and plan to offer reader-friendly service. Just for a change? Except for the two Eids, the hawkers and the distribution of the papers could be managed. Have one-stop centre In several zones of the city for a limited number of papers to be collected personally by the readers (or roving rickshaw vans). The publishers could follow a roster on consensus' basis.
Let us face the unpleasant reality and real truth. Basically we are a bunch of shirkers (phaki-baaz). That applies mostly to the employees, not self-earners, the self-employed, and the owners of business establishments. Introduce extra overtime pay during holidays.
The leaders of the society, including the political leaders, have to take the initiative to start a vigorous movement to change the traditional mindset of the people who have a tendency to loaf. The general addiction to adda has to be restricted to the right time and place, if the nation Is keen to develop through hard work, and less talk.
Subjective priority is a negative attitude (the politicians may note), and this perversion should be discouraged officially. Of course there are economic reasons for the homeward rush during the longer holidays, because urban migration creates separation from the families in the lower-in-
come groups, But why grind the national activities to a complete halt?
The number of official holidays may be reviewed and cut down by at least 25 per cent; and thereafter ten per cent per year for five years. We just can't afford to waste millions of manhours of non-activity. We have a history behind us (who haven't?), but we have to focus on the history in the making, and look forward, more than look back (we could not do anything with our brilliant hindsight all these past decades for half a century). Other developed nations can have longer and bigger anniversaries. Pragmatic nations are not that sentimental. Work like a machine. then relax like a human being (not the other way round).
BTV went berserk on May Day, devoting the first 15 minutes of the National News bulletin to the mouthles and footles. All this footage could have been shifted to a separate special programme of 15 minutes after the News. We are listening to news or garbage collection?
The political leaders have a big self-training programme before them: lead by the head, not by the heart. Artificially raising the blood pressure is no good. There are a lot of empty upper chambers available all around. Fill these with the right stuff (not through street processions. hartals, and violent agitations).
By the way. it was amusing, and refreshing, to see the photograph in the papers of opposition workers wearing the mask of John Majors on the eve of the general elections in Britain last week. They have a sense of humour (major taxes during Major's time!).
Tar«t: all services should be available during the holidays. Most of the holidays are not necessary. More of these holidays should be made optional (limited to not more than three per annum per person. Extra absence; no work, no pay).