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OPINION

A Passionate Call, but Who is Listening?

Dr M Zakir Husain
This piece is written with anguish and frustration. I endorse and indeed was deeply moved by what has been written by the editor of The Daily Star in his "Commentary" (November 6. 1997).
The need for a new political culture in Bangladesh continues to agitate many minds in the citizenry, and these comments. though not new. are extremely appropriate. Even as the cry is getUng louder and is echoed from quarters at home and abroad, the ground realities sadly become bleaker with little or no evidence of change for the better. So far, this appears to be a Try; in the wildprness falling on very deaf ears. It might indeed be yet another sordid and lamentable chapter in the political history of Bangladesh.
Questions conUnue to ring loud and clear : Are we in Bangladesh set on a course of self-destruction driven by a fatal flaw? Are we oblivious of a world around us that is literally hurtling towards the new millennium? A brave new world is dawning; has already plunged into an entirely different playing field — a field of human development that is steeped in a scientific and rational culture of work, ethics, and endeavour, of rights and obligations, of fiercely competitive enterprises that reward efficiency. It certainly is not a world that has any respect or tolerance for outdated polemics and self-serving rhetoric.
Indeed, the people of Bangladesh have already made monumental sacrifices, demonstrated exceptional valour and
St: the farmers and workers
I hard and long, and a vast majority of citizens respond admirably and rationally to fair incentives and opportunities. Surely, the people deserve much better dispensation from those who represent them in a popular democracy. People have the right to demand peace and progress and good fair governance — not as a charitable gift or as an incidental benefit but as a right.
In our own region. Vietnam which went through, manifold more sacrifices and destruction than Bangladesh did during the War of Liberation seems to have held a steady course in their political and economic development and Is making good progress. Why are we still wallowing in such chaos and confusion? Why our politics is tied more to the narrow parochial and trivial interests rather than to the priorities of the present andpossibiliUes of the future?
The world will go by with or without us — surely without us if we chose to remain preoccupied with matters no more important and binding than futile Dickering over who we are and who did what for the country In the past.
As it is we are geographically situated in a part of the world known for Its ungainly capacity to breed and nurture mutual suspicion and animosity — an unending regime of convoluted logic of correcting the past and seeking revenge for historical wrongs. Why else the SAARC of our region Is so grandiose in rhetoric and so short in prag-
matic hard headed business like deeds? Quite a contrast with the ASEAN and little wpn-der why.
The wdrld of tomorrow will reward enterprise and creativity, and resolve differences of views and beliefs In a tolerant, civil and decent society. Keeping that imperative in mind the nation should perhaps raise the stakes in politics and its conduct. The political system could create openings for professionals and practitioners on the sciences and the arts : lawyers, doctors, engi-' neers. teachers, writers, artists, farmers, traders, entrepreneurs; for titoae who are ituitlVated to do public service but do not have to make a living out of it: and for those who have a stake in their work, security, and productivity that contribute to the prosperity and progress of the nation as much of themselves.
These people are likely to have a healthy respect for information. knowledge and skills, and generally a scientific culture of logic and reason. Such a constituency and culture will surely make a sea change in the polity and political conduct. Does this look like an exciting alternative? Can this emerge within a system of representative democracy? Does it hold the key to the end of suffering of the silent majority In this land with a huge backlog of unfinished agenda of human development? The editor of The Dally Star in his commentary could not have been more passionate. forthright and convincing. Yet is anyone listening?