***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***

Whimsical activities

Sir. First. I heard the news from BBC that some gunmen foiled the convention of Bangabir Kader Siddique where from he wanted to launch his new political party Krishak Sramik Janata Dal'. The terrorists attacked three stages injuring at least fifty people. Later. I read similar news in the print media and was confirmed that the gunmen were the activists of the ruling Awami League’s students' wing. The news really shocked me.

We all know more or less about the resignation of Kader Siddique from Awami League and from the position of the MP. We know about the reelection of Siddique's constituency and the writ petition filed before the honorable High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. He was elected from his constituency in 1996 election. It would not make any difference to the government if he was further elected from that place. But the present government took all the measures to win the seat. The election dispute itself is not yet settled.

In the meantime, four opposition parties have made alliance lor ousting the government and accordingly they are continuing their movement. On the contrary, eleven parties are united against the four-party alliance, which goes In favour of the government. The government ought to take the eleven as friends. Gano Forum is one of the eleven. But while the Gano Forum President was present as the chief guest at Kader Siddique's convention, the incident took place. This Incident will of course be taken by the eleven party in consideration. which may go against the ruling party. It may be an issue against the government.

Kader Siddique did not commit any crime calling a convention on the premises of the Institute of Engineers' Bangladesh (IFB) on 24 December 1999. Our Constitution has

given him the rights to freedom of assembly, freedom of association and freedom of thought, conscience and speech.

Pankaj Kumar Kundu Staff Lawyer, BLAST

Restoring peace and tranquility

Sir, Crime is increasing in our country at an alarming rate making the citizens' lives miserable. Criminal activities such as rape, murder, mugging, abduction. toll collection and violence are rampant in every part of the country, and the situation is deteriorating day by day as the police fails to control law and order. This is the reason why most of the people, especially women feel, very insecure even when they are in their own houses. What kind of life we are living when we are scared even in our own house?

Whenever I go out, I ask to myself — will I oe able to come back home safely? Well keeping in mind all the criminal activities going on in the city. I don't know for sure. Neither do most of the citizens of this country. At this state. I believe religious beliefs can refrain people from wrongdoings and will surely reduce crime to a certain extent. Religious principals teach people to be honest, dedicated and committed to the social work. Therefore, religious education will not only make people's life easier but also help flourish our economy in the long run. Being a Muslim and while living in a Muslim country. 1 believe that if Islam Is practiced properly then peace will prevail in our country.

Islam Is the only religion, which gives full right to the women. Proper practise of Muslim religion would help to alleviate poverty through implementation of practice of equal share of assets. Therefore In the long run. it will reduce the class conflict in the society. Preaching Islam will not harm us but It will surely benefit us mentally and physically, as it will

prevent us from wrongdoings. The spiritual belief that grows within us will automatically help us to go in the right path.

Rizwan Hussain Jabbar A'Level Student. Dhaka

Good and bad

Sir, We seek deliverance from the moral disintegration of the nation. Since the self is trapped in a vicious circle, the selfless may come forward to lend society a helping hand.

Protect us from the self-seekers who do not care for the needs of others. Provide others with options so that we may live, as victims of our own failures. and not of others' fleeting success. A moment s temptation might cripple a life, adversely affecting the near and dear ones. A candle of benevolence illuminates many malevolent.

Monetary purchasing power is not a sign of success: the best bargain is to keep one's own selfishness in bond. Polluted water cleans itself as it rises up in vapour, and returns the favour by coming down again as pure rain water. Since bad can return as good, where is the loss?

The smile of fortune is not stable; hence it Is wise to be temperate. Good and ill are tests for constancy. Prosperity steals strength with sweet smiles; while ill fortune conquers the vain self; and it strikes unseen. True virtue will always act. regardless of coincidences.

Covetousness is a happy search for unhappiness. Sell not peace, as it cannot be purchased.

A Citizen Dhaka

Whither the city of Dhaka?

Sir, Once a placid and tranquil district and the city of mosques, Dhaka has now turned into a city of crisis, slums, garbage, mosquitoes, vendors, hawkers, garages for buses, auto-rickshaws and. trucks and a city of unruly political activities.

Perhaps, of all the metropolitan cities of the world the people of Dhaka are the worst sufferers in respect of water supply, electricity, sanitation system and other civic . amenities.

Is it not true that most of the time the city dwellers are living in tension and restlessness? There is no security of life and property of the people. People cannot move freely from one place to another. The parents are always worried about their school going children and wards attending colleges and universities.

We feel that the relevant authorities. all are in a mess and they do not seem to discharge their duties and responsibilities efficiently. Moreover in one form or other there is collection of so-called 'toll tax' almost everywhere.

What a ridiculous and funny situation the WASA. DESA and Titas etc maintain systems loss of crores of Takas. The DCC insists there are only 88 thousand rickshaws, in Dhaka and the DMP insists there are six lakh rickshaws in the city.

Despite government restriction all sorts of repair works, vulcanizing, welding, engine over-hauling, and painting works of the vehicles, buses and trucks are done on the public roads at the very nose of law enforcing authorities. There is indiscriminate and whimsical parking of buses, trucks and rickshaws on important and crowded public thoroughfares. Wherein parking of a bus on a road-side makes the traffic knot we find two to three buses standing shoulder to shoulder blocking and barricading the road traffic. Shop-keepers encroach upon the public roads they display and store their goods and commodities on roads and footpaths. Hundreds of hawkers and vendors also do not fail to illegally occupy public roads. There are lawness-ness, indiscipline, chaos and confusion everywhere.

Because of our bitter past and present experiences we wonder 'whither Dhaka'? Are we going to make another dead city of Mohenjodaro?

On the eve of a new millennium 2000, we must rediscover ourselves, ponder, consider and aocept our mistakes and lapses and start everything anew to save our Dhaka city In a planned and serene manner for our own survival before it Is too late.

O. H. Kabir

6. Hare Street. Wari, Dhaka-1203

Freedom fighters and "Muktir

Kat ha”

Sir, "Muktir Katha”, a documentary film made by Tareq Masud and Catherin Masud really impressed me. The film contains the words of the common people who have participated in the war of independence directly or indirectly.

Our politicians and historians always discuss the contribution of various political leaders. military personnel, intellectuals and other high-ranking professionals. But they hardly discuss the sacrifice of the common^people. There are still many who have been living miserably because of the war.

Since the independence, no government took sincere steps to improve their condition. By watching "Muktir Katha" now 1 know about these neglected freedom fighters. Lot of thanks to Tareq and Catherin Masud.

Md Ahmadul Haque (Tbpu) 510. Zia Hall. DU.

Wizard Samad

Sir, Recently, in several national dailies, including the DS a particular news about footballer Pele has been printed. It has been stated that he is the greatest footballer of this century. some have gone further describing him as the footballer of the millennium. Undoubtedly. Pele is one of the greatest footballers but how can one knowledgeable of this game forget the wizard Samad? To my knowledge. In the history of football, only Samad has been described as wizard because no other appellation could describe, his control over the ball.

I myself on many occasions witnessed his amazing capacity to dribble through five or six opponents and score or give his player a sure opportunity to score. Besides no less than three players were required to guard him. He was a legend during his lifetime. 1 hope sports critics will do some research on Jadukar Samad.

Akber Kabir Dhaka.