Asma Jehangir's visit The recent visit to Dhaka of Asma Jehangir, the Pakistani international human rights activist, was like a breath of fresh air. This type of candid talk is not generally heard in the metropolis, specially amongst the top local leadership. Her interview by ETV was revealing in its firmness and straightforwardness.
Abd
Dhaka.
Crime and punishment
The article 'Crime and Punishment' by Almas Zakiuddin (February 24) has attracted my attention. She writes about an incident in which the driver of a white Toyota car was pulled out of his car and compelled to do sit-ups in full view of the standing traffic. He had to suffer this humiliation because he was honking loudly while waiting for the traffic lights to change and though several motorcyclists warned him to stop, he did not heed them. That is why he had to suffer the humiliation. Two policemen watched the scene with a smirk on their faces.
The writer is distressed by this incident and rightly so. But it seems
to be our lot. Everything has gone haywire and this has become the norm in our country.
Nowadays people are punished for simple offenses while hardened criminals roam about freely. Sense and sensibility are diminishing, people are enjoying a scene which could not be called humorous.
Nur Jahan
Chittagong
Too confident
The regime is becoming a victim of over-confidence. The latest embarrassment is the abduction of foreigners in the CHT. The peace process in that region is showing cracks and it is disappointing not to have anticipated such nefarious activities. An outward display of sensitivity to public affairs is marred by hidden agendas and ambitions, many of which may not be in the public interest. The monitoring system is poor, as the feedbacks are not being properly analysed for proper application of judgement. People cannot live on mirages in a desert of noncreativity. Make friends, not enemies.
Abd
Dhaka.
The future of computing
According to one of the vice presidents of computer mega-giant IBM, the company is banking for its future on Linux. The problem in the future will be whether the software can keep pace with the high-speed hardware technology (processors and other devices) developing by quantum leaps. The future service outlet for computers would be through the Internet, but the international standards and protocols have to addressed urgently, including the interfacing of computers and the handy mobile telephone after the WAP protocol has been refined.
For the non-technical users of the computers, there is no apprehension, as previous knowledge or training would be minimal (like operating a television set in the drawing room without knowing how it works). Automatic programme generators and voice translation devices would engage the attention of the research and development units at various levels.
The implications for Third World countries have to be monitored constantly at the top level for quick policy updates.
AMM A'abad Dhaka
Hospitals near homes We simply fail to understand how hospitals and clinics are allowed to operate in residential areas. What surprises us is that new hospitals and clinics are still being opened or existing ones are expanding, despite the government's decision not to open new hospitals or clinics in areas not designated as commercial.
The major health-related problems of having hospitals near homes are indiscriminate disposal of hospital waste and location of ex-ray units adjacent to homes. Given that there is a stream of emergency patients at all times, including nighttime, neighbours find it difficult to sleep. Other social problems are: growth of rickshaw, scooter and car stands and small shops adjacent to the hospitals or clinics, leading to assembly of various people, mastans, and traffic jams, and indiscriminate use of car radios and cassettes. In such an environment, children are unable to study.
Residents of Dhanmondi, Gulshan and Banani