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TO THE EDITOR
Agriculturist graduates and Agrani Bank A good number of agriculturist graduates having 4 years B.Sc. (Hons) degree offered by Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, are working as officers at the Agrani Bank. The degrees have been recognised and approved as professional andnn terminal degrees equivalent to the masters degree by the government since long ago. Similarly, at present all 4 years honours degrees offered by the universities of the country are recognised as a degree equivalent to the masters degree. The PSC, the Bangladesh Bank and all other nationalised banks are following the decision of the
government precisely. But still the point is neglected at the Agrani Bank. We have noticed that in case of the promotion criteria at the bank, agriculturist graduates having 4 years honours degree and plain graduates having 2 years (pass) degree are given the same value and marks.
The authorities concerned should look into the matter, as it amounts to denial of the rights of agrculturist graduates.
Subash Chandra Das
Assistant Professor
Department of Poultry Science BAU, Mymensingh.
For a democratic order…
At the beginning of the 21st century we are embracing the omnipotent enlightenment of democratic ideas. The days of monarchical traditions are over. Like every liberal country we also claim to be one of the proud conveyers of liberalism. Nevertheless, our political parties are adhering to some utterly undemocratic practices, which is quite disturbing. For instance, we all know that family influence over political groups and administra-tive order should never be encouraged in a democratic order. Family influence and family power are elements of monarchical and totalitarian systems. History shows that in the monarchy after the death of the king his son or one of his family members occupied the throne and assumed power. The power of the royal family was absolute. This practice shouldn't exist in a democratic country of the modern era. Nevertheless, we are frustrated to see the increase of family influence in our political field.
We don't want our political parties and the country to be someone's family property. We want to see in the system the reflection of true democracy, not the emotional
scenes of Bangla cinema.
KH Asef Safa Kabir Upal
Lalmatia, Dhaka-1207
"To banish rickshaws or not.."
This is a follow-up to my earlier letter titled, "To banish rickshaws or not.." published in these columns on 17 January through which I urged the authorities concerned to give a second thought on keeping separate lanes for the rickshaws in the city's major roads, thereby allowing rickshaws to ply in the metropolis.
But very unfortunately on the Eid day the traffic authorities suddenly imposed a ban on rickshaws from Kathalbagan to Maghbazar Road, creating serious problems for the citizens.
Well, the authorities have their valid point in support of the ban, but I would still request them to give a 'third thought' on banning rickshaws plying through the main roads in separate lanes. There can be some crossings on the main streets enabling rickshaws to move from one area to another with passengers.
Once again I would like to remind the authorities that rickshaws are not only environment-friendly but they are providing jobs to hundreds of unemployed people.
Professor M Zahidul Haque Chairman
Department of Language
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University
Saarc summit
India's pulling out of Saarc summit is indeed deplorable and unwarranted as described by the Bangladesh foreign secretary. India's decision not to attend simply shows their attitude towards the forum. It is no secret that India sides with a particular political party of Bangladesh and their action simply confirms the fact that their decision was influenced by
that party.
Former US president Bill Clinton did not concede to the threat from al-Qaeda when he visited Bangladesh, but the prime minister of India decided to interfere in the internal affairs of a country by aligning with a political party.
Tariq M. Abd'allah
Oakley St. Arlington Heights, IL, US ***
There are many speculations on the last minute cancellation of India PM's tour to Bangladesh and thereby causing the postponement of the Saarc summit. From a purely business perspective, I think Indian businesses have a great deal to lose by signing SAFTA or any free trade agreement with Bangladesh. Once SAFTA is implemented, Bangladesh will be in a better position to overcome export barriers put up by Indian officials--tariff or non-tariff.
As far as trade surplus with Bangladesh is concerned, India will benefit from any delay, if possible abolition, of SAFTA or any free trade agreement in the region.
They may not mind some bumps on the bilateral relation for the sake of their business.
Zakaria Khondker
Indianapolis, US Police 'excesses'
I was appalled to read Sabrina's letter. Being stopped and told that two persons of the opposite gender cannot be together after 10:00pm is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard. The cops in this country have crossed all the limits of indecent behaviour. I sometimes even do not see the point of criticising them. They simply do not pay any heed. Harassing people and inventing new laws for such a small amount of money, is simply despicable.
I feel ashamed that the police force in this country is so intolerant. The government must set up a committee to look into such incidents.
Arbab Quadri
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Bangla Bhai, where are you?
Starting from the TIME magazine to the local newspapers, Bangla Bhai is a name found regularly now-a-days. Be it the media, or the home minister or the prime minister, everybody is concerned about the horrendous criminal activities committed by Bangla Bhai's group. The country is witnessing some barbarous acts done by this man, specially in the northwestern region. He has built up a strong network called the Jagrata Muslim Janata, Bangladesh (JMJB) to carry out frequent attacks on their perceived enemies.
A long time back, the media brought his evil acts before us. But the government's handling of the issue has always been dubious.
Now, is the time when we need to think about it seriously. We, the common people, cannot and will not let a small group of fanatics destroy our style of living. The people of Bagmara village are living dangerously amid constant fear. People should respond to this menace. We should not forget the fact that it is only the people who can force the government to arrest a criminal like Bangla Bhai.
The majority cannot pay the price for the wrong doings of a small group of extremists. WE WANT JUSTICE!
A citizen
Lalmatia, Dhaka
Stadiums misused
It is a common phenomenon to hold public meetings in playing grounds. Now the politicians have moved a step ahead to hold those meetings in stadiums.
This is not really acceptable, since sports and politics are very dissimilar things.
Istiaque uddin Rifat
Dept. of EEE, RUET
Tigers roared triumphantly!
Our Tigers roared triumphantly adding something new in the record book of ODI cricket!
When they registered their maiden ODI series win against Zimbabwe at the Bangabandhu Stadium on 31st January, they became only the second team in history to win after trailing 0-2! South Africa made it in 2003 against Pakistan.
It's been a great cricketing season for our Tigers, right from the beginning of the New Year 2005! They have registered their maiden Test series as well as the maiden ODI series win against a Test playing team showing a great team spirit!!
When the nation is undergoing some crucial ordeals, these historic victories by the Tigers will undoubtedly instil some faith in our own selves as to the fact that we can do something worthy!
These great moments will give us some solace when we are in the sea of troubles!
Congratulations, the roaring Tigers! You don't have to look back any more!
Rafiqul Islam Rime
Agrabad, Chittagong
An appeal to UGC
Recently, the University Grants Commission has blacklisted some private universities on account of not maintaining the rules and regulations imposed by the commission that put the future of thousands of students studying in those blacklisted universities in great uncertainty. The commission did it without considering the interests of the students. The authorities have taken no measures, so far, to keep the future of the students on right track. When the students try to transfer their credits to other private universities, to their dismay, they find that they are on the face of losing many credits that they have already completed. These sufferings are being forced upon the students by the UGC and the students are becoming scapegoats. I fervently appeal, as a victim, to the UGC and the Ministry of Education to save the future of students by a declaration that students who want to transfer their credits from those blacklisted universities to any private university would not lose any of their credits.
This would ensure continuation of studies of these wretched students suffering in terms of money and mental agony for no fault of theirs. Tanzina Zinnat Ovey
Department of English, Queens University
Postponement of Saarc summit
Dhaka city dwellers were astonished to hear the news of postponement of Saarc summit due to the unwillingness of the India prime minister to attend it. We don't know whether it is the communication gap between the two governments, or the political instability in Nepal and Bangladesh, that led to the postponement.
We cannot downplay the importance of this type of organisations for accelerating development through mutual cooperation among the countries. We have seen the outcome of ASEAN, EEC, EU etc, where the member countries were benefited a lot.
Postponement of the summit is indeed a setback to regional cooperation in this part of the world.
Zahir U Hyder
Dhaka
Tale of Bangladesh
I find it amazing to see letters from people expressing concerns about how the recent events will portray Bangladesh globally. Some folks have expressed indignation over the recent article in the New York Times and are uncomfortable about the outrage following the "assassination" of Mr. Kibria. The current fixation on these events, they argue, will only add to the negative portrayal of our country and hurt possible "investments' from abroad. I am actually amazed at the position they take. The truth is that only the investors who have limited choices or those who like to roll the dice in a casino would invest in Bangladesh today. Just take a step back and consider the events just over the last year.
Just as a preface, I am not a fan of any of the two parties that have assumed power over the last decade and do not have any preference for any particular political party. I really think the country would be better off without the two that have assumed power recently, and certainly deserves better.
When Dr. Badruddoza Chowdhury, a former founder/ leader of the BNP and an ex-president of the country was attacked by goons in March 2004, not a single voice of regret was heard from anyone in the party that he had spent the last thirty years of his life building. His 'crime' was that he had attempted to start a new political party. In fact, one of the ministers had the gall to say that the event was after all playing out in the ''Muktamancha' and the goons had as much right to express their dissent as did Dr. Badruddoza. Talk about being "unclear on the concept!"
With the grenade attacks on the British High Commissioner, assassination of Ms. Ivy Rahman and recently Mr. Kibria, promises of finding out the perpetrators were made. At the same time, "conspiracy theories" have been floating to the effect that the Awami League itself has been behind these events. Mr. Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan could not have been more direct in this "allegation." Only from very fertile minds would such a theory evolve- that the Awami League is planning for a "rebirth" by eliminating the very talented and influential core of its party. The fact that a foreign diplomat was attacked and two elected parliamentarians were eliminated by assassins remain unsolved is not the big issue. One of these days, the government assures us, the criminals will be caught!
People wonder why India backed out of the Saaarc summit at the last moment. If I may ask- "If you were in an Indian diplomat's shoes- would you like to be very conspicuous in Bangladesh today?" I wouldn't.
The sad state in Bangladesh is that the leadership is bankrupt. The present government has been absolutely impotent in solving these real and attempted "murder" cases. Not withstanding the Rab, which has apparently been successful in "eliminating" miscreants in continual episodes of "crossfires", the country today is worse than "Moghher mulluk"- since the Moghs would conceivably give at least a minimal code of ethics. In Bangladesh today, dissent is not just dis-liked- but the dissenter has to be 'squashed like a bug'. The police with the backing of the party in power do not hesitate to raise batons on women-- an uncivilised practice that possibly exists only in our country. The opposition party is no better. Because it did not like the outcome of the elections, it elects to stay away from the parliament and calls "hartal" every chance it gets.
May God help the country and its people!
Wazi Chowdhury
California, US
SAMS Kibria
First, I would like to unequivocally condemn the heinous killings of SAMS Kibria and others in
Habiganj on January 27. Given the string of recent grenade attacks on opposition politicians and a similar attack directed at the British High Commissioner, the current BNP administration ought to have taken security matters much more seriously. That they did not seems to indicate a wilful negligence of the grave issue.
While the ostensible reason for Mr. Kibria's death is clear enough, the events immediately following the attack leave cause for concern. Mr. Kibria's demise was not immediate but the result of blood loss and occurred several hours after he sustained injuries; hours during which he did not receive any effective treatment. Given the circum-
stances, some questions naturally arise.
Why was Mr. Kibria not immediately taken to a nearby hospital? Why did he have to be taken to Dhaka, that too in a dysfunctional ambulance? Is there any truth in the claim made by the BNP Secretary General (DS Feb.08) that the AL did not respond to the offer of a helicopter to fly the injured to Dhaka?
I hope the investigation into the Habiganj carnage will answer these questions.
MWR Khan
Indiana University, Bloomington, US