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To the Editor...
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Don't read only for pleasure
At first I should admit that I was bewildered by the piece written by DU economics student Ms Durdana Ghias (Aug 11, 2004) in response to Mahfuzul Haque's letter (Aug 02, 2004)
Probably, Ms Durdana persuaded us not to impose restriction on explicit reading materials for the young generation in the name of personal choice and instincts. What she said using excerpts from her first high school texts is alright for adults. But I vehemently oppose her ultra-liberal view to open each and every reading material to non-adults according to their inexperienced 'choice' and vulnerable 'instincts'.
I do not want to describe your idea as jobbery . But you know very well that even indecent exposure of normal private life through books creates
many adults of easy virtue.
Every human being has instincts. They are more than one. But raw basic instincts are not very good for any society, let alone for our conservative one. Instincts should be polished and have to be regulated by laws, conventions, social norms and morality.
If Durdana's liberal view compels us to lift restrictions off raunchy genre for befogged non-adults the effect will be devastating. Consequently, pinup magazines (Huh! It is also a reading material!) will be a household chore. Parents and siblings might discuss among themselves in detail about the lewd extramarital affairs and perverted sexual practices.
Some adolescents might ask Durdana why she solicits only for read-as-you-like and why not for see-as-you-like which includes all branches of Art. I think you know that art is a suave form of sexual instinct
and you have seen sensual pictures, photographs, portraits, murals, sculptures, movies and other artifacts. Some of them are even world-famous. Adolescents are usually besotted to these. Do not you feel that these should not be shrouded from them? If a tender young is audacious enough to ask you to let him to read Ms Faria Alam's story of bedroom escapade with Goran Eriksson, what would you do?
I request you not to be very liberal and to give up your 'liberal reading provision for adolescents' theory. Please keep some conservative views that your mum imposed upon you in your green days for your betterment.
ShafquatWabeed
Clinical Assistant
Mental Hospital
Pabna 6600
Divide and rule policy
It looks to me, (born and brought up in
British India before partition before migrating to Dhaka), that Uncle Sam is imitating the old and tried British divide-and-rule policy in Muslim (and oil-rich) Iran, taking advantage of the Shia-Sunni internal problems in the local society (Saddam was also trying hard to deal with the same problem, with some hard options).
There is another basic reason for pulverizing Saddam's Iraq, the most powerful Islamic country militarily, with the US global policies siding with Israel, as the Jews have powerful leverage in the United States of America (even former President Bill Clinton mentions this pro-Jewish mentality in the US in his book My Life). This US open partiality is an open secret naked and unashamed. "Champion" of freedom US is losing its public image internationally. The White House has become desperate, especially on the eve of the coming Presi-
dential election, (as contesting candidate Kerry is pointing out).
The US, as expected, is bogged down in Iraq, and getting out of this vicious circle is not that easy, keeping a straight face. It is time for the dozing Islamic world to put on a united front, for regeneration of Islam (check the past historical records of the rise and fall).
Today's politics is heavily tinged with religion, and there is no point in being diplomatic about it. But Islamic unity is not possible with the monarchies standing in the way in many Muslim nations, which follow old traditional ways of governance, not in tune with the charging times and tempo of the 21st century.
This phase has to chan, regardless of controversial opinions and policies. The economic divide between the rich and under-developed Muslim countries is too wide, for communication
and joint actions to be effective, notwithstanding of the paper presence of OIC at time-wasting conferences. It is the economic, social and cultural gaps keeping the Muslims apart in times of crisis for survival against declining industrialized powers. The US, EU and Japan are facing sunset years, and rescue missions have been failing during the receding decades. The signs of desperation are being pointed out by the analysts.
Hit the iron while it is hot. It applies both ways.
AZ
Dhaka
Learning from Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton's book My Life is a best seller on the Dhaka streets. I bought Clinton for a mere one hundred Taka, and started noting quotable quotes.
Here is the first installment of musings. "We campaign in poetry, but govern in prose" (Bill Clinton). Here in Dhaka we campaign too vigorously, displaying too many muscles, teeth, fangs, and cold barrel or knife; and govern too earnestly, blocking the way for others. Can political ideas be patented? 'lies hurt, but occasional truth hurt more'. The readers can cite many examples from personal and public lives. [the opposition party] had a heart, but their head was in the wrong place'. Apply to parties in Dhaka and compare and contrast. When a politician uses the head and heart together in sync, it works privately, but not in public service. In serving people, the heart is taken out and displayed prominently, but what goes inside the head is confidential. Of the five core American beliefs, one is asking the citizens to give something back to the country. What our leaders
in Dhaka are giving back to the nation? Not yet waiting too long. The leaders have to equip the people with some tools. There are too many dangerous tools in a few hands!
Give the people more substance than style (election campaign strategy). Clinton learned a lot just listening to people. Our leaders lend their ears for a price! Clinton noted the 'greatness of Nelson Mandela', after the latter met him a couple of times. Mandela was interested in children and made it a point to greet Clinton's tiny daughter Chelsea, and even asked to talked to her on telephone. Greatness effaces the selfish ego, and takes on the innocence of a child. Bill Clinton believed in supporting the middle class, and made it a point to mention them in his election campaigns.
Alif Zabr
Dhaka