Kundan Lal, Saigal

This is in response to the letter under the above caption by R D Qureshi which was published in these columns on 01.9.2004.

The required information is as follows:- Golap Hoye Uthuk Fute:-Lyric: Banikumar (1907-1974).

Ekhoni Uthibe Chand and Naiba Ghumale Prio: Lyric: Pronab Roy (1911-1975).

My phone number is 8124503. I would much appreciate, if in this connection, Mr. Qureshi gets in touch with me.

K G M Latiful Bari

Apartment D-3, House 65

Road 12 A (new) Dhanmondi Dhaka.

Du in doldrums

As a student of Dhaka University who has already lost a year in a session jam, thanks to our beloved 'Blue' and 'White' panel teachers and the politics of the JCD and the BCL, I am very much anxious about our future. We are studying here, hoping for a bright future. The campus has become a heaven for the hoodlums. The most worrying part is

the role of our teachers who are active in this game. While they are regular in private universities, they are rarely serious about taking classes at DU.

I think its time for the real sufferers--the general students along with likeminded teachers -- to resist the activities of the two political parties.

Du Student

iraq scene

With sinking hearts we are watching the situation in Iraq. It is so appalling that words are failing me to describe my anguish. The historic country has turned into a heap of ruins and a huge number of Iraqis are dying. They are embroiled in a civil war; it has come to this stage due to the maneuvering of the United States. It is hovering overhead like a vulture.

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan took quite a long time to declare that the invasion of Iraq was 'illegal'. It is not clear why the Security Council could not stop the war. Is it a toothless tiger? We do not understand why the Iraqis are referred to as 'terrorists'. Has the meaning of 'terrorist' changed?

They should be called freedom

fighters who are defending their country from the hands of the intruders, who had invaded it in the name of introducing democracy. We are praying to the Almighty Allah so that Iraq finds peace.

Nur Jahan

Dhaka

Country boats

It is surprising that the government is still ignoring a vast traditional industry: the design, development and manufacture of millions of country boats (add launches) used in this country for centuries. A French naval architect, who has settled in Bangladesh, has established a boat museum (recent BTV documentary, Sept 24). Similar step-motherly treatment prevails in the cycle rickshaw industry (although silk and handloom cottage industries have some official recognition).

Our transport system is heavily dependent on inland waterways in this delta region, but there is too much publicity on roads, bridges and culverts projects. Public and official awareness (from the development angle) of IWT panorama is

negligible. River and flood control are enjoying government attention, but not the crafts which ply on the waters.

Trained professionals have to pay attention to the riverine transport sector, considering the high losses of lives due to capsizes during stormy weather, year after year. That is the problem with our elected politicians: Their professional expertise are never tested as MPs or ministers. Politicking is more than thunderous public speeches, and solution about small local problems (for future votes).

The IWTA may review opening another division dealing with river transport and craft.

A Mawaz, Dhaka

Cargo space for vegetables

Finance and Planning Minister M Saifur Rahman has recently assured of adequate cargo space in aircraft for ensuring export of vegetables and allied food items. The minister also talked about chartering of special aircraft to ship the

cargo to various destinations. The minister was talking to a delegation from the Bangladesh Fruits, Vegetables and Allied Products Exporters Association (BFVAPEA) which met him on 18 September 2004. The delegation informed the minister that due to scarcity of cargo space in aircraft they cannot increase export of vegetables and other food items which now fetches Tk 500 crore a year. They brought it to the notice of the minister that there was a huge demand for Bangladeshi vegetables abroad. At present, they are exporting 4,000 tones a year, and they have the capability of exporting around 10,000 MT a year.

There is no doubt that vegetables and allied food sector is a potential sector for increasing our export earnings. We sincerely hope that the finance minister will soon translate his assurance into reality by solving all the problems including cargo space problem in the vegetable export sector.

M Zahidul Haque

Professor, Dept of Agril Extension & Information System, BAU iCC Champions

Trophy

ICC Champions Trophy has been a fabulous tournament. When we speak of Cricket's heritage and early evolution, we go back to England. It was really good to see that the ICC chose England, the authentic birthplace of the game, as the venue of this tournament. I regret Bangladesh's failure but I don't feel totally depressed about it. I believe they are still gaining experience at this level and they need some time to make themselves capable of facing other teams, which are playing international cricket for a long period of time. Previously, champion teams like Sri Lanka and New Zealand had to go through a similar type of struggle. Eventually, they proved themselves to be two of the best cricketing nations. There isn't much to be worried about. We still have time to figure out our mistakes. I believe failure can serve as the first step toward success.

Two of my favorite teams are Pakistan and England. I support them mainly because I enjoy the way they play the game. Everyone has the right to support his team. It's regrettable that some people seem to have the tendency of mixing political and religiousissues with sports.

Personally, I believe every sporting event should be free from sordid rivalries. People shouldn't see the opposition team in the context of ideological and political beliefs .

KH. Asef Safa Kabir upal Lalmatia,Dhaka-1207

An appeal

The SSC/HSC/BA/MBA programmes of the Bangladesh Open University have facilitated the education system of this country. We are proud of this and happy indeed. At present, we have two classes a month. The teachers of the colleges and universities have decided to finish the courses quickly and many students as such find if difficult to understand the contents of the books. If the university authorities assigned four classes a month, the teachers of college or university could complete the courses smoothly.

Moreover, it will be possible for all the students to prepare themselves and do well in the examinations. In these programmes there are many studious students who are in service and for want of time they cannot watch the TV programme or listen to

the radio . They cannot even have a private tutor for want of money.

Therefore what we need is a sound and clear understanding of the lessons from our respected class teachers.

For making the system more effective it is necessary to arrange two more classes a month.

We request our respected Vice Chancellor to give permission for the introduction of two more classes a month, considering the above situation.

Md. Habibur Rahman (Habib)

BA Programme, Student of BOU, Sk. Borhanuddin University College.

Good step

It is a good step that the home ministry plans to make a fresh list of smugglers.

Once the list is made it should be make public without hiding the names of the smugglers known to have political links.

Abdul Malek

Wari, Dhaka.