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To the editor
"Mir Zafar, the Uzbek and we"
This is in reference to Mr Tintin's comment on my letter.
I am in full agreement with the Transparency International report that, stands high (!) above all the other countries in the world from the viewpoint of widespread corruption. I accepted that report in shame, with my face down. But at that time I saw some Bangladeshis, who were staunch opponents of the then government, rejoiced over that report. In my view, they are the traitors.
I do not agree with the FEER report that Bangladesh is a cocoon of terror. In one place the report says, "…The overseas community, while concerned about increased violence, also seems to downplay the threat. …" In a very short stay as only for three days, the FEER reporter could unearth the cocoon of terror in Bangladesh, which, the overseas communities, who reside in this country, cannot even smell!
We must stomach healthy criticism, but not the criticism based on false assumptions. Even if the report has some basis, then we should be ashamed, horrified and on our guard, not delighted.
The extremist evangelical Christian organisations in the USA enjoy more public support in that country
than the public supports now being enjoyed by the Jamaat-e-Islami party in Bangladesh. It does not mean that the USA has turned into a cocoon of terror.
Jamat-e-Islami openly and actively opposed the independence of Bangladesh. Till now they are not repentant of their past role during the Liberation War. After 30 years of liberation, this party has been able to share power. This has happened because of the bad governance the people of this country have experienced during the rule of the political party, which claims itself as a proliberation force.
In the 5th JS election Jamaat bagged 12.13 per cent of the total votes cast, while in the 7th JS election, only 8.61 per cent. These election results show that the popular support, what so ever it may be, for the party was on the wane. It is AL and BNP, who always keep this party in the main stream of politics. If these two parties can be true to their respective principles then no extremist party, in this country, will get ground under their feet.
Faruque Hasan
Dhanmandi, Dhaka
Potka fish
Being a complete glutton I was very interested in Dr Rahaman's letter. I did not know that Potka fish are the
same species as the puffer fish.
I have always wanted to taste Fugu, as the Japanese know it, but I've never had a chance and even then I'd doubt if anyone would let me try it. Apparently when prepared by master chefs, you get a tingly feeling on your lips and tongue from the minimal toxins left in the meat.
My question to you doctor is, do we have any recipes in Bangladeshi or Indian cuisine for potka fish? Historically was potka fish considered a delicacy in this region as it has been for thousands of years in China and Japan? As you said the poorer sections of society buy this fish, I'd imagine there is a Bangladeshi folk custom of preparing this fish.
Don Quixote
Dhaka
Misleading propaganda
The Awami League is indulging in misleading propaganda on the portrait of Bangabandhu. It has not been banned by the government, but the legal obligation has been removed-- rightly
There are other national leaders who cannot be ignored, even if not palatable to AL. For example, AL is silent on the blackout of General Osmany during its regime. Millions of citizens do not like it.
Bangabandhu is above party
politics, hence AL is interfering too much on this issue (as a proprietary item). There should be an apolitical national committee on such issues. The politicians are allowed too much freedom, and it has spoiled them. We voters are too polite!
A Mawaz
Dhaka
Wastage of foreign exchange
The market is flooded with liberal imports of non-essential consumer goods from Asean, Saarc and other regions; resulting in waste of scarce foreign exchange. Many of these items are now manufactured in the country up to satisfactory standard. It is easy to meet the requirements of the newly rich, while some sources of such earnings are dubious. Imports should be middle-class oriented.
We are exporting biscuits, but the market is full of imported biscuits, which are not superior to ours. Same is the case with conserves, jams and jellies, and many fast food popular items. Fruit juices in small paper and plastic cartons are imported from thousands of miles away such as Indonesia, and sold at retail prices around taka ten to fifteen. The shipping cost of carrying 90 per cent water in the juice is almost half the retail price. Why not
import the powder and bottle the drink locally? The import levies on imported raw materials and imported finished products should have a telling and deterrent effect. I have seen several shops where only imported goods are sold.
Economists classify goods into three major categories: essential, necessary, and luxury. The import and protective levies should be proportional, regardless of WTO stipulations and free market condition wrongly imposed on the DCs and LDCs, on the basis of opening the market.
Traders prefer consumers with fat purses. What is the rate of investment return on the large number of air-conditioned shopping complexes, which have come up in Dhaka? Quite a number of analysts in the newspapers suspect money laundering service in these investments; as the purchasing power of the majority of the shoppers is quite low, in a country where almost half the population live hovering around the poverty-line.
I visited some of these fantasia shopping complexes for windowshopping. I felt lonely due to lack of buying crowd there were more salespersons than customers! How can we afford these luxury markets at $ 300 per capita income, which is supposed to be the average stan-
dard of living index, or whatever it is called?
The question arises whether Bangladeshi export goods can enter those exporting countries as easily as the imported items from these countries. There is no market review in the media. CAB is also silent on the implications. The coming budget should take care of these anomalies (especially trash imports).
AMA
Dhaka
Bangladesh does not breed terrorism
I am proud of my country. In my retired life I notice that some people make sweeping remarks about our culture and glorious past. Bangladesh is not a "nest for terror". We are a brave nation.
Unfortunately, the younger generations are not being taught at home or at educational institutions the basic concepts of virtue needed for the advancement of the society. We should work with a spirit of patriotism and upgrade the image of our country. Let it be the aim of all of us.
Abdul Ashraf Noor
Dhaka
Japanese modesty
According to the statement of the Finance Minister (April 22), the quiet
flow of Japanese aid to Bangladesh through the decades has surpassed the total aid from the West by several times.
Japanese people are modest and polite as per traditional Asian cultural norms. Japanese people visiting Bangladesh or residing here for work should be encouraged to mix more freely with the natives and take active parts in public performances and appearances, especially in the non-formal sectors. The Japanese PR can easily be enhanced, regardless of the language barrier.
The official aid is substantial, but the private investment climate has yet to match the generosity of the Japanese government. Very few factories of Japan have shifted to Bangladesh, compared to other developing countries in Asia. It is understood that Japanese mind is conservative and disciplined in approach and they decide policies on the basis of internal consensus.
Abul M Ahmad
Dhaka
Does anyone care about Palestine?
In 1948 Israel occupied a major part of Palestine to establish a Jew state with the help of the two world powers -- Britain and America. Since then a lot of tragic incidents have
taken place. The PLO chairman Yaseer Arafat sought help to other world leaders to free Palestine. But US, the supreme nuclear power, did not pay any heed to his request and what they did was nothing more than arranging some peace-talks over the years. And the other vetopowers never challenged USA. The Arab world is still silent.
President Bush seems to be more interested in conflict than establishing peace in Palestine. The human rights organisations also centres round the US allies. We really do not know what waits for Palestine. In fact, no world power is concerned or sympathetic to the Palestinian Muslims.
Md Mohse-ul-Gani
Rajshahi
Not exhibition centre
The Bangladesh-China International Convention Centre is NOT designed for exhibition and shows, which need huge open floor space for stalls and display.
The recent computer show by BCS did not have enough open space for the show. Therefore exhibitions should not be held at this magnificent conference centre.
There are proposed projects for international exhibition centres. Its construction may be expedited.
A Husnain
Dhaka