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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.***
Birthday abhimaan
Sir, I don't get the humour or the legal point over AL's fuss over BNP leader Begum Khaleda Zia's observance of her birthday (the date or day does not' matter). During my lifetime, here and abroad. I have seen (and myself observed) birthday parties being held on days other than the actual day of birth, depending on the convenience of the persons involved (sickness, away on trip, waiting for someone from abroad or other cities, etc.): including three celebrations of one birth (of one person) within two weeks, involving one or different hosts. When did birthdays become public property for public criticism? Some one is trying to be original?
Is there any difference, socially. legally, politically, culturally. on the observance of one's birthday, or on the person's social, official rank/status? Even VIPs, including heads of state, have more than one birth 'day/s' for observance (state, official, private).
There is no question of changing a past event which occurred (fact), namely the actual date and time of birth, but the annual get-together may be held on any convenient day: and it may change from year to year (there Is no question of lying).
Why this court case? How about fundamental rights on this issue? Can anyone dictate to anybody the dos and don'ts about observing one's own birthday (if need not be a 'celebration). secretly, privately, or publicly? Many would await the court's verdict with academic interest. Has Awami League nothing else to do?
A Zabr Dhaka.
Sculptures at road junctions
Sir. Announcements have been made by authorities that sculptures will be installed at suitable places to beautify Dhaka city. This is an appreciable venture indeedl
The religious people have already taken notice of this and one of them has expressed his disapproval. Given the educational background, mental make-up and aesthetic sense of these people, this is not unexpected of them. They will not be able to appreciate a sculpture, a water fountain or a small garden at road Junctions. Appreciation of such things requires finer feelings of head and heart. In this connection. I remember a sign in the animal corner at a local park in the city of London. People were urged to bring there
children there, imploring that a visit to such an aesthetic spot reduces violent tendencies in children's mind.
The authorities should, however, understand that putting a sculpture by itself does not add beauty to a site. The site and surroundings should be kept neat and clean. The roadsides of our city should be kept free of the filth which is so common. Another point which should be kept in mind is the selection of the themes of these sculptures. The religious people will find an excuse to agitate if human forms are sculptured. The sculptures should be restricted to flowers, birds, fishes, animals and beautiful insects of Bangladesh.
Here I would like to mention the placement of a bomber on the crossing of Rokeya Sarani and Bijoy Sarani. A bomber is not a pleasant sight at an intersection. If this particular bomber has any historical significance. then that should be displayed with the bomber, otherwise do please replace it with an aesthetic item!
A M Choudhury Dhanmondt, Dhaka.
The origin of terrorism
Sir, Did any of us ever think who taught this world terrorism?' Now the West is shrieking. 'Arabs are terrorists. Arabs are terrorists'. They have even made hundreds of movies, showing Arabs as terrorists and defaming the word 'Jihad' as If 'Jihad' means terrorism. If only they knew the meaning of 'Jihad', they wouldn't have said so. Well then, who taught the Arabs and the rest of the world the art of terrorism — the use of strength and cunning to take away something from somebody. wrongfully and forcefully? Of course, the West did! And their hijack was not only the first in the modern world but also the biggest. They hi-Jacked a country from a whole nation, not a new one but centuries old and gave it to others who migrated into it from far-off places. The country that belonged to the Arabs from generations to generations, was taken away from them by the use of intimidation, or hijacked and given away to complete outsiders. Why don't they make Just one movie on how they hi-Jacked a whole country from its citizens, they are only busy making movies on how the Arabs hijack a plane — how trifle, compared to what they nl-Jackedl
How angry they get with the hijackers and terrorists, that they punish them as severely as
they possibly can. Whati about the anger of the people from whom they hijacked their very country, and what punishment was given to the hijackers of their beloved country. Can anyone cite an example of any nation on the Earth's face whose beloved motherland, if taken away by terrorism, will not become terrorist in turn? Can they be then blamed for that? Cem they be then normal after that? If they are normal, that will be abnormal! So the only solution is to return back, what was hijacked from them!
Dr Sabrina Dhaka Cantonment Dhaka
"Good News for
NGOs and..."
Sir, Thanks are due to Dr Elahi for his honest and true statement about the NGO activities in his article entitled "Good News for NGOs and Business People” which we read on 9th September in The Daily Star. He has pointed out exactly what is happening in Bangladesh in the name of 'Development.' 'Poverty Alleviation.' 'Empowerment,' Micro-credit,' etc. This is the time to raise the question: What we have achieved? What is happening actually?
Kazal Siddiqui Co-ordinator (PR.FR) UCEP-Bangladesh Plot 2&3, Mirpur-2 Dhaka-1216.
Women on the move
Sir, I write this letter in response to a news item published in your esteemed daily on the 30th of August, Saturday, under the title "Women’s representation in the JS should be increased .” The item was about a seminar held by a organisation called Women for Women.
In order to establish equal rights of men and women, the fight has been persistent and relentless. But gradually as better opportunities are being made available to the females it's the make society, who’s becoming the underprivileged — condescending from their so-called tyrannical domination in a supposed dictatorship.
Today we have separate pages about women (e.g. women on the move) in magazines, we have separate television programmes on women (e.g. Nari), we have NGOs. and other voluntary organisations for women and even thirty ’’exclusive” seats for the women apart from the general seats. Evidently the fair sex Is privileged from this point of view. And practically speaking, they should come more into active politics to earn their place in the JS. not rely upon to 30 exclusives where there s no contention from the males. They can come into direct competition and earn what they yearn for.
Tasneem Rathan 21 /P, Eskaton Dhaka