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TO THE EDITOR
How old are we?
Genuine neutral apolitical national analysts have now started pointing out that the we do not look at Bangladesh from the date of its emergence in 1971: but that old Bengal has a rich and diversified history of thousands of years, which the politi-cal leaders are sidetracking to keep the spotlight on party glory.
That is the basic problem with new political players in the game small footprints in history. That is the reason the two major political parties are fighting tooth and nail even after three decades after liberation -- Bengalees fighting Bengalees. Live a plain life, and think big. Our local politics had never been broad-minded, for accommodation. This internal crowding effect is the bane of narrow minds. The approach to political culture has to be reviewed, first by the non-politicians, and then pressure the political leaders to throw out the myopic outlook.
This step has to come soon, or the politicians face being cornered for a while. The forces of history are stronger than contemporary rhetoric.
Politics is a tool, like religion. It is not the message, but the channel, because the majority of the citizens might not be interested in digitalization of politics. But its ultimate analogue output at the national level. Buddhism, for example, never mentions religion or god, but it works for the non-violent adherents, through the right actions indicated in the eight-fold path. Ultimately, it is the impact of an individual on the society or social environment: the cumulative effect defines the nation.
Today we are still engrossed in ad hoc and transient issues, and do not allow the dust to settle down. The political dust could be very pervasive, resulting is asthmatic politics. We are coughing, barking and profaning. pruning and propping.. Bangladesh has become a
political sanatorium of moribund ambitions. There are two handicaps: political terrorism and political hostage syndrome.
The level of political culture is not improving. There are cultures beyond mere political cultures. Politics can add to history, not subtract. or take away. No erase and rewrite-add footnotes. Who rewrite history? It is a loaded question. Toyenbee set a path: the rest is up to the players. Players cannot debar other players.
Islam travelled late into Bengal: introducing several implications, which have to be clearly proposed by the local students of cultural history. The presentations are rather opaque, and need clarifications for consistency, staring from the British period, right through the East Pakistan generation.
The question which naturally springs up in many informed minds is whether the political leadership leads or laps. It has to
lead, as it forms the ruling regimes. Lag is due to inertia effect, opposed to the five wheel effect. The seriousness of this indirect responsibility is being ignored in business of day to day mundane matters and issues.
Newly emerging nations need stronger leadership with firm anchors, to prevent drifting, and erosion of confidence in public minds. The nation is drifting for decades now, with the designated path still hazy to many. The right interventions are rather lukewarm, as the neutral camps of opinion are ignored. Therefore the media has an important role to play to indicate the sense of direction.
Old order changeth, wielding place to new. In Bangladesh, some local forms of resistance are unique. This aberration is not being stemmed. Leadership without long-term vision is fused with perils.
Since 1947 the Muslims in the
subcontinent have been trying to find their identity, and put a formal stamp on it. So far unsuccessful. The young generation is not reflective in this age of fast changes, based on materialistic instinct. The latter is deliberately being cultivated in the Western way of life, which is influencing the have-nots in the third world.
A Mahseen
Dhaka
T&T not market-oriented
It is very difficult for a government organization (in a democratic country!) to be market-oriented. One example is the BTTB, which has usurped the fixed line telephone network in the country, and is allegedly privately making money by keeping the supply lower than the astronomical demand. An autonomous BTR Commission appears to be a puppet against powerful vested groups in the regime.
Here are some practical action plans for immediate action flow by the Cabinet (repeat, Cabinet): print and issue the Telephone Directory (suspended for the last few years on the plea of digital projects). Update/reprint (or issue Supplement) at regular intervals, as was done in the earlier decades. Now maintenance of database is easy with the use of computers. The retail price should be subsidies; but one free copy may be issued with a new installation of line/number. The price of privately published Tel Directories is very high.- issue Compact Disc (CD) of this Directory for sale (subsidized) for use by those who have PC (subscribers and non-subscribers). The private sector is quite capable of handling this contract.- insert the Directory on the Internet web site for global reference; including free display on the PC screens of the subscribers within Bangladesh. The SOEs do not believe in free gifts!
I had to waste my time for these
common sense ideas (but the professionals and consultants have better ideas, for which they are paid highly). This project cost may be recovered by realizing several crore Taka outstanding bills which the honourable MPs are defaulting (press reports)! What a country -none can tame BTTB! Reprisal is so easyjust disconnect the line!
Md--Abad
Dhaka
Budget -- why street demos?
The BNP is accusing the AL of street demonstrations. But I cannot understand why street demonstrations are needed after a budget is presented in the parliament. To 'celebrate' the budget. What is the big idea in trying to mould public opinion through such amateurish propaganda? I am not aware of such practices in any other country: while, of course, protest demos are common. We cannot excel in
indoor politics, except through the backdoors!
It reveals the mindset of our politicians, coming from the same developing society. Politics here is street-cultured, from the freedom andolon days. Why we cannot change and reorient the very approach to politics? This basic change in outlook cannot come incremental from the political playing fields (addicted!) a revolution is necessary for whitewashing the gray areas of the polluted political minds.
Our problem is simple (but the solution is difficult): one-track minds cannot identify change of approach to any issue. We are victims of the weaknesses of conservatism and traditional thinking. Generation-shift is required. The old guards have to be replaced--they are standing in the way.
Alfa Ahmed
Dhaka