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To The Editor
Leaving Bangladesh
Thanks toThe Daily Star for allowing me to have a lot of information about Bangladesh in its articles during my stay of one and half years as a foreigner.
1 have been staying here as project manager of a diesel power plant financed by a foreign company since June 2003.
On the occasion of my leaving after successful completion of my project, I would like to leave an advice to Bangladesh from the view point of a foreigner.
I have read many articles in The Daily Star on democracy, political culture, corruption, development, law and order, gangsters, etc. According to its articles, we can easily find that there are numerous factors combining together as
obstacles to the country's development. However, Bangladesh doesn't have enough well organised human resources and enough financial resources to improve or resolve all the problems within a short period. We have also noted that it is very difficult to practically improve the situation or sometimes even approach the problems, while it is very easy to talk about that. That is why most of the underdeveloped countries have failed.
It will be very difficult to create or set up any scheme for die country's development in the initial stage
without any model cases. However, fortunately, there are some countries to be benchmarked which have succeeded in their development efforts after the SecondWorldWar, i.e. South Korea, China, etc. Please make a case study and apply the same to Bangladesh with some modifications that are suitable, considering the country's prevailing state.
In case of South Korea, they have developed their country by concentrating on economic issues. They laid emphasis on a few items, not many items. Finally, they have achieved a remarkable growth in export amounting to some 20 million doUars(1961) to some 20 billion dollars(1979).
Korean people also became aware of the fact that most of problems are resolved or improved if
people are getdngricher, but there is no solution or improvement if people remain poor.
The above observations' should be helpful for the development of your country.
Hyowon.Bae
Wari Complex(6A), Wan, Dhaka
Don't reproach!
First of all I’d like to say that I'm an unbiased citizen like other Bangladeshis. Like others I'm not related to any particular political party, neither my parents are. In the upcoming election of 20061 will be
casting the first vote of my life. And like others I will vote for the party which will assure me of a peaceful life and a normal death! People want peace.
I canunderstandwhysomeofour fellow Bangladeshis and expatriates are criticising the elite force Rab, because Rab is killing terrorists in crossfire. With due respect to the critics I would like to say, please cool your brain and think for a moment. What would you have done if your sister had been ravaged or humiliated like Simi/Shima and your younger brother kidnapped and later chopped like Shihab before your eyes? Tbll me, wouldn't you have wanted to see the terrorists suffering and crying as your brother or sister had suffered before their gruesome deaths? Honestly speaking, I would have liked to see the same thing happening as Rab is doing to them now, because one who has lost his dear ones understands how it feels to lose someone close to heart. Rab is doing this duty on behalf of us. And remember that the number of Rab members is nothing compared to the large population of Bangladesh. So Rab cannot work against the wishes of the people. But people are delighted, they appreciate Rab. One of the DS readers wanted to know the difference between Rakkhi Bahini of 1972-1975 and Rab. The answer is easy and simple: "Rab doesnotkill innocent civilians."
Actually we have a problem, we start defaming someone very quickly even if the person is praiseworthy!
Cantara Wali Ruhl JU
Rab is different
In reference to the letter of Abdul Ismail from the UK (Jan 07,2005), 1 would like to say that the Rakkhi Bahini and the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) are not the same in any specification. The main job of the Rakkhi Bahini was to kill the JSD activists and they performed it very well. They killed almost 30,000 of them! On ‘the other hand, Rab Is responsible for the deaths of listed terrorists (cancer of the society) in crossfire.
I do strongly believe that everyone should abide by the law of the country but I am sorry to say I per-
sonally don't care for the human rights ofaterrorisL Let Rab wipe out terrorism from the country. Let them bring in as many terrorists as they can to justice.
MazIburKhan
Portland, Oregon, US
Murdering the unborn
Many are rightly shocked by the recent TSunami disaster in which thousands of innocent people have been killed. A movement of solidarity has developed everywhere in the world to supply relief for those hit by the horrible tragedy in India. Indo-
nesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Few, however, seem concerned that millions more - the most innocent of innocent - are being lawfully killed each day tiirough abortion in ordinary hospitals and clinics around the globe — and in the most gruesome manner.
Given such a grave situation, we neednowmorethaneverto have the courage to look the truth in the eye and to call things by their proper name, without yielding to convenient compromises or to the temptation of self-deception.
As members ofthe human family we have a duty to uphold the rights ofthe unborn who are just as deserving of care and attention as those in
Asia. May the same global outpouring of love be extended to them.
Paul Kokoski One-mail
Rayof hope
The plight of Muslims in western world is beyond description after September 11. Muslim civil rights have severely been hampered by some steps taken by the officials. Many innocent people faced injustice due to those steps. But a little glimpse of light has been seen very recently. I was watching Fox News channel which covered the news that Portland, Oregon, authority is going to withdraw the tenpr task force due to the criticism made by the common people. This angry protest comes from the common people because of the arrest of a converted Muslim, accused of having links to Madrid bombing , who was later found tobeinnocent.
This may be a very good start to restore the civil rights of Muslims in the West. They are facing terrible discrimination in different places such asjob, court oflaw etc. Fahmida Rahman
One-mail
Good and bad schools
We know that schools are not scarce in this country but still parents need much better schools to admit their children to. I see government schools but they are not developed on that specific part in which they are called a school. I agree that they havesmallfees butstilltheyneedto develop further.
I seethe parents worrying about their children's school. While I was coming back from my O-level coaching I saw a crowd of parents in front of a school. I could see through their mind- they didn't want to put their children to unknown schools that they have not heard of.
So the schools should be aware of the guardians' altitude. They must trytoboosttheirimages.
Murtaza Bakir
Parana Pallan, Dhaka
Rab: A solution and a problem
It seems that some people are supporting what Rab is doing. After so many kidnappings, shootings, looting, raping and bomb attacks, it is understandable why people are supporting the idea of having a no-nonsense crime fighting organisation like Rab that provides (or at least appears to provide) security for our people. However, it would be very foolish if we believe that an organisation like Rab is going to provide us security. Remember Operation Clean Heart? It took new mastans and extortionists only weeks to fill the void when the old mastans were eliminated. Rab is a very, very short term solution. Tire next general election is not that far and the BNP will certainly have an
upper hand if it can convince people diat it has brought them security -even if it is a false sense of security. Why do you think Sheikh Hasina complainsaboutdteRabsomuch?
Sending out boys in shades and shooting people every now and then is not how a democratic government in a democratic country provides security for its people. We need to address the root cause. Who arms, finances and protects these criminals? We don't need rocket science or Einstein's theory. We can provide security for our people exactly die way hundreds of other countries are providing for their citizens: an independent law and a well trained, well equipped,
decently paid police force. A law that is above politics and political parties, andnotthcotherwayaround. AzadMiali
Oldham, UK
Politicised teachers
I have gone through the letter published in your daily on 5.1.2005 under the above heading by one Mr. A from DU. The view expressed there that the direct involvement of teachers in politics is not desirable seems to be a sound one as I found new students sometimes feel puzzled in such a situation. I agree with his view that no one is completely politically impartial, but the results ofthe recent election ofthe teachers of DU reflect that the majority of the teachers did not cast their votes on political considerations alone as candidates from both the panels came out successful. There is, in fact, no need for an academician to be absorbed in active politics throughout the year. In times of emergency and national crisis (as it was in 1952,1969 andl971) the students and the teachers of different universities were in the forefront and I believe they will rise to the occasion if there is any crisis again.
During 'peace time', however, is it necessary for the teachers to spend time in active politics? Is it not better to spend such time in academic discussions and seminars ?
Ayesha Sultana
Professor of Philosophy, Dhaka University
University teachers living abroad
A fewdays ago, a committee consisting of some parliament members of Bangladesh adopted a resolution on some teachers of various universities of Bangladesh. These teachers are studying abroad, and are not returning to Bangladesh. The com-mitteemaintained that these teachers took money from their respective universities and upon completing their study neither they are coming back, nor are they returning the money. So they will be prosecuted arid their photos will be published,an newspapers describing thcir/iffcnces, just like criminals. Thenews has been published in many daily newspapers
In this regard I would like to mention that 1 was supposed to be a teacher of Dhaka university. I am presently working in Canada. When I left Bangladesh I did not receive any money from the university, I came here onmy own. Secondly, the university deposited my basic salary for threeyears tomyaccount, (Rule: Study Leave). The total amount couldbe aroundTk3 lakh. 1 did not draw the money, 1 think that in the near future I shall come back to Bangladesh, resign and return the money to the university. The same is true about most of the teachers of various universities of Bangladesh who are studying or working (after
completion ofthe course) abroad.
The government has decided what to do with Uicse teachers. I think dicy should think of the whole situation- how many of the teachers are staying abroad, how much money they took from the universities etc. It is not an issue that can be resolved by adopting a general principle.
Sajjad
Tbronto, Canada
"Tunnel of light”
Congratulations for taking us a step closer to the brighter path! Having all but given up on the recent gymnastics of the Bangladesh government, my dampened spirits were
truly uplifted to read that we are at last on the brink of signing up for SEA-ME-WE4! Like the Bashar-Whatmore Tigers tcarn, this news has given us reason to smile in these gloomy times. The benefits derived from the technological advantages of a faster and cheaper optical-fibre based national telecommunication backbone integrated with all the major international centres of finance, trade, business, education, science, engineering, technology and healthcare, to name but a few, are simply enormous in the context of Bangladesh's unique geographical, social and economic needs. 1 am hopeful that the powers that be will also examine the cost savings derived from hanging optical fibres from power lines for deploying inter-city networks. A better ICT infrastructure constructed around a robust state-of-the-art fibre based
telecom network has die potential to make our country a) work smarter, b) enjoy efficient - less costly government c) be guided by a well informed population, d) produce high qualityjobs andeducaled citizens to fill them, c) pave a road away from poverty and f) promote life-long learning. Needless to say, this is not a magic pill, nor an alternative to other development investments, but if applied in conjunction witii those initiatives, ICTs are a crucial enabling factor for development in Bangladesh. Moving from red-tape to results will require sweeping changes which would take time and need partnerships between local and central government, thisindusfryand other devcl-
opment agencies.
I dreamofadaywhenthegigantic but cheap labour-force in Bangladesh will be intimately connected tiirough this 'tunnel of light' to their high-salaried product designing counterparts located elsewhere; we can then play a productive and lucrative role in the ever expanding massive outsource manufacturing market emulating the success of the ASEAN nations. Today I feel that dream is a step closer - thank you and congratulations to all those who madeithappen.
ShabbirABashar StanfordUnivcrsity California, US
War on terrorism or crusade?
Instinct generally does not change altogether, though sometimes
people try to do it and that results in sheer failure. Instinct is the mirror of mind but sometimes people try to conceal it consciously for various mundane interests, and this very fact is entirely congruous with many characteristic facets of George Walker Bush. It got expressed conspicuously just after the 9/11 incident when Bush declared crusade and he changed the term later for strategic reasons to go on extirpating Muslims more efficiently and surreptitiously. It is obvious that he changed his decision later as per the advice of Iris zealot counsellors, as part of mere strategy and it needs no telling that his post 9/11 behaviour has repeatedly proved that he has just changed his oral statement, not the one cherished in mind de facto and he has virtually turned the US into the world's most fundamentalist country.
It would not bean exaggeration to say that his Christian propaganda largely contributed to his victory in November2election.
Let us suppose that Saddam Hussein was really a deadly threat to world peace and democracy as he killed many people pertaining to a different ethnic group. But how arc the activities of Israel different from that of Saddam ? Sharon is killing innocent people whose fault is to try to free their homeland, and is getting fervent US support. Most of the weapons used against the Palestinians are made in the US or manufactured in Israel with US technology or-financial help. So, are the Palestinians not human beings in the eyes of the US government? If the US really wants to establish democracy world wide, then what about their mission in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan? Though the US is also threatening North Korea, it never will come true as it is not a Muslim country and the invasion of North Korea may displease the powerful world, unlike the Muslim world.
So would it be a blunder to think that the US is fighting anew crusade, no t a war on terrorism?
Md Munibur Rahman Lecturer in English, Sristy College, Tangail
Education sector
Since the education determines how strong the backbone of a nation is, it receives the top most priority in many developing countries of the world. Bangladesh is no exception in this regard. The budget allocated for education for the year 2004-2005 shows the highest amount like the past several years. This year the amount is Tk 7,680 crore. But how far the amount of budget commpnsuratcs with the standard, quality and overall development in the education sector still evokes question. Just raising the rate of literacy does not necessarily point to the massive development in the educationsector.
The poor and the poorest don't have access to education through government intervention, to speak the truth. Unless some NGOs ushered in to extend non-formal education for the slum dwellers, they would have been away from the light of education, probably throughout their life. The highest allocation for education in the national budget could not have any impression on them.
Gettinginto.schools and colleges meant for tire rich people stands far away from the means of middle and higher middle class as it is very expensive. The tuition fee of these institutions is three or four times greater than the salary of a first class government official of our country!
Private coaching must be stopped at any cost. School and college authorities will decide whether private coaching is needed for some students who are very weak in some subjects on the basis of their internal examination results. Examining the scripts of the students must be done by the tcach-ers of other educational institutions, otherwise the real weakness of the students cannot be identified. No question paper should be prepared by the teachers of respective institutions.
We need to change things in several areas.
MasumBillali
Material Development Specialist BRAC, Mohakahali, Dhaka