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To the Editor
Care of the elderly
Sir, The empowerment' of the women, their emancipation exercises, plans, and projects, and enhancing the application of women's rights in the developing countries have created new social problems (letter. DS. Sept 10), as we eagerly Imitate the western models based on capitalism and materialism.
The Singaporeans got wiser in time and reintroduced a decade ago some of the concepts of the sage Confucius, to reinforce the stability of the nuclear family, the core base of any society.
Now that the women are coming out of their homes and working outside, taking advantage of entrepreneurship opportunities, the bonds of the Joint and nuclear families are breaking up. The children returning from the school are not greeted by the mother, and there is no adult to take care of the elderly at these homes which are empty during office hours (discounting the presence of servants).
That is how the homes for the elderly grew up in the in-dustrialised countries, initially in the public sector. With greater longevity, the older gen-
eration live longer: Increasing the state budget on welfare of the elders and the disabled. Longevity has its price which the state has to bear Initially.
Now, it appears Bangladesh has to introduce some projects in this area. The foreign NGOs can set up some model schemes, in collaboration with the local NGOs, for transfer of the know-how.
What is there in the 5-year Plan? Some publicity will allay the insecurity of the needy. The foundation has to be laid now, so that the structure can come up fast. In these changing times, projects reviews deserve a higher priority.
AZabr Dhaka
Jamuna Bridge
Sir. It is now reported that some cracks have been found on Jamuna Bridge pier cap and deck surface even before running a single vehicle. Think about a situation when a broadgauge train will run over the cantilever end of the bridge where there is no support. The entire bridge will vibrate days after days. How long can the bridge last then! Take a moment and ponder. Huge invest-
ment may be sunk (Allah for-bid)!
Time is still there, if we act now. Use present space of the bridge for 4-lane highway (which is also needed to keep pace with time) and make a separate railway bridge by the upstream side of It. It will incur an additional cost of around 200 million US dollars I. e. about 15 per cent of total investment cost of Jamuna bridge plus Its railway approach.
Like railway approaches it will be possible to arrange fund for Rail Bridge also. We should get one bridge but good one, instead of two risky provisions in one bridge. Let us try to place our national interest above our prestige issue.
Dr Gholam Mustqfa Transport Economist V/10 Noor Jahan. Road Mohamamdpur, Dhaka
Tragedy or shame?
Sir, What an -abnormal sight! the lion is being afraid of a cunning fox! Such an episode has been formed in the disintegrated, degenerated Arab world. Arabs are continually being bullied, harassed, embarrassed, brutally tortured, murdered.
persecuted, their houses demolished. deported and defeated. Ai whose hands? At the hands of a cunning fox ... And whosoever opposes the fox are termed as terrorists'! One-sided western press, to qualify their blind support and evil design, depict and narrate Arab reaction as an act of 'terrorism' — children are also never spared ... What an arrogance of might!
After the World War I when Palestine came under British rule, the Jews made a deal with British government known as Balfour Declaration and a Jewish national home was promised. Arabs were encouraged to move out, as the Jews move in. .. they were given arms. So shrewdly Jewish people begun to take roots in other people s soil. Jewish Terrorism forced poor Arabs to leave their hearth and home! After World War II under the patronage of some superpowers, the Jews were allowed to form an Army of their own.
The year 1948 was an ominous year for the Arab people. An illegal state appeared in the Arab soil... vivisecting the state of Palestine. Superpowers began pouring their blessings more and more, the Jewish people became bolder and bolder... till
they swallowed the entire Palestine. And great irony in it is that victims and oppressed are made to appear as terrorist'.
And Arab reaction? Alas! it seems Arabs are afraid to raise their arms against this terrorist regime — shame... heaps of shame on Arab leaders! Another ugliest sight is coming into view; western powerful diplomacy imposing so-called peace process on the weak Arabs. Arabs are begging concession... what a sight!!! Oh dear Arafat... what a gain you've bur-galned..!!!!
Starting from the fatal illusion that Jewish Army could never be overwhelmed or defeated. Arab world's policy based on some such notion has made them mere weakling. Spirit of Perdition hangs around them.
To Benjamin Netanyahu, the great leader of this terrorist state. I've something to say and it is thia: sir. your days are numbered I accept, might is your only right. You seem invincible But simple logic says otherwise. How long you'll be able to retain and monopolise your present strength? Weak Arabs afford to have thousands of defeats. But on your part a single defeat will be your last.
Look at other nations. Sometimes they enjoy victory sometimes defeat. But you cannot afford to have a single defeat. And it is your major setback.
Syed Yusuf Bakth 118 Puspayan. Senpara Shibganj, Sylhet 3100.
Procrastination
Sir. What's preventing the government from Issuing an order that no garment factory would be situated above the second floor of any building? A time limit may be allowed (say. shift 50 per cent within six months). The time may be extended for short periods subject to rigid inspection of facilities and amenities.
The shifting has to start immediately. The policy on location of the factories has not yet been formally announced. Nepotism may be fatal. Unpleasant situations have to be faced — now The political will appears to be lukewarm while facing weaknesses in a system. The EU garment/ shrimp issue was allowed to linger and blow up to critical level "Nip it In the bud"
A Husnain
Dhaka