Uphill or downhill? ’

Sir, Has our condition improved or deteriorated? Are we going uphill or downhill ? We have certainly improved and become richer, says my economist brother confidently. But how have we improved? Were have we become richer? Pray tell me.

For I still see half clad little children roaming, begging and trying hard to earn a penny, with hunger written stark across their innocent little faces. I still see innumerous beggers begging for their survival and women with malnourished infants in their arms begging for alms. I still see endless rows of dinghy slums. In every nook and corner of the city, side by side to the posh and sophisticated dwellings of the rich. I still see long queues of sick people from the downtrodden, coming from far-off villages to get free or cheap treatment from government hospitals. But there is hardly any medication in the hospital to Sve them free. So what use is a ee prescription if you are unable to get the required medication? I see more landless people now than ever before ( 70 per cent now from 50 per cent thirty years back). I see more Injustices done now to the poor and helpless than ever before. So, where have we improved ?

Perhaps my economist brother meant that the middle class has improved. But have they even? Thirty years back an honest government officer could maintain a car. have holidays etc., with a salary of Tk 2000. Now though his salary is five times more but can he ever dream of owning a car? He can barely make his ends meet, if the poor fellow is really honest I Only the dis-

honest ones are able to live like an officer and maintain their due standard 1 So. how can you blame them, after all they would want to look and live like an officer, if that is what they are 1

I think jjrobably my brother meant the rich cfass. That is where he sure is right, for that class certainly has improved and become fabulously rich and more powerful than ever before. No doubt about that. They have made a formidable 'mountain' of money- what with defaulted bank loans and so many other tricks which we ordinary citizens cannot even dream of. let alone commit it ! But that is the rule of all Third World countries — the rich will get richer while the poor will get poorer. So why blame the economists? We do wish our economic experts and consultants could help us get out this viscous cycle. What good are their foreign achieved doctorates and their brilliance if they cannot help their poor countrymen and do something for their country's economy. Or are they also helpless like others in the hands of this system which prevails our country. So unfortunate for us all. When will we ever get out of this system and proceed ahead?

•' Or Sabrina Quddus Rashid Dhaka Cantonment, Dhaka

Part-time democracy

Sir, Ours is perhaps part-time democracy. It is that kind of democracy where the voice of the electorate is heard only once In every five years or so, and after the people elect and send their representatives to Parliament the people are nobody. They are expected to stand

more or less quietly on the one side, either nodding their heads In irrelevant and unnecessary approval or growling in frustration. They Just look at helplessly while their representatives do all the decision-making. Still they have to bear the brunt of what those elected by them have done during their

The beginning is good: before being elected to power there are numerous commitments and promises pronounced for the welfare, but afterwards there are problems and excuses which, fulfilling those commitments.

This can be described as part-time democracy. I urge political scientists and parliamentarians for their suggestions on how we can attainfull-time democracy.

Abu Mohamed Obaydullah S-8 Park Plaza Apartment 31 Banani. Road 17, Dhaka-1213

Not US, please!

Sir, A news item titled "Involvement of US envoy by BNP "shameful ”' printed in the DS on the 27th of January got my attention. I see nothing shameful if the opposition is trying to patch things up politically using a third, neutral country as the referee. I think this is one of the only constructive acts the opposition has done in a very long time. If we can't solve our problems by ourselves, then why not let others do it? Isn’t that the reason why there is an organisation called UN which keeps a look out for prevailing peace?

Unfortunately we always look for others help when we can't control matters ourselves.

Just look back at what took place in 1971. If it wasn't for the help of the Indians we might have still be very much enslaved to the Pakistanis. It is not that Pakistan was tactically and militarily weaker than us, it is simply the geographical location acted against their favour. But my request to the opposition is. it would be better if the mediator is chosen from countries other than the US and UK. because at the moment they are playing a highly controversial game with the Islamic nations.

Masroor Ahmed Deepak Dhaka

Absent from the Mini World Cup?

Sir. The Mini world cup cricket will be held in Dhaka in next October-November. Nine Test-playing countries, will take part in this tournament. It is a matter of our joy and pride that Dhaka will be the venue and Bangladesh will be the host for such a kind of tournament.

But it is a great matter of sorrow that there is no opportunity of Bangladesh to play In this tournament. We see everywhere that the host country takes part in any game. But the mini world cup will be different. I think that the host country should be given an opportunity to participate in this kind of tournament. And if Bangladesh tries her best to get this opportunity. then the authority concerned will consider it. At last I am requesting to the BCB please try its best.

MA Rahman Deptt. ofIR University of Dhaka