Uncensored photographs

These days I have become very reluctant to read a newspaper or watch any news on the television in the presence of my child. The reason being that the photographs of the dead bodies of the criminals or the victims simply terrorise the children as well as the adults.

A couple of months back, a Bengali daily showed photographs of the murdered father and son and the pieces of their cut limbs. It was so pathetic and terrifying that I could not sleep for days. This has been continuing and there is no end to it. When we open the television the same kind of mutilated dead bodies of the criminals or the victims are shown.

I think that the photographs should be censored from now on. They should apply rating on the news, like we have in English movies, which can be a great help

for the viewers. People abroad, who have recently become subscribers of the Bengali private channels, showed their concern regarding such display of violence and are in a dilemma now whether to continue with the channels or to quit them. I have talked to a couple of psychiatrists and they also showed their great concern about the matter. According to them, exposure to such violent scenes may leave an indelible mark on the children's minds.

I believe these TV channels and newspapers are causing great damage to our future generation. It shouldn't continue. Showing such things on the television or in the newspapers is going to stir the violent tendencies among the viewers. This is time to raise voice against it.

Badal Hasib

Midwest Missouri University Chittagong

Distribution of wealth We have stepped into the 21st century and our nation is already 33 years old! We had governments in the past and also at present pursuing ideologies like Nationalism, Socialism, Secularism, Democracy etc.

We also had long streaks of martial law. No matter whichever ideology is being pursued by the elected representative government or a martial law government, it has to be seen that neither the resident director of the World Bank (WB) nor the resident representative of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are in a position to 'guide' us to attain our cherished goals as an independent nation. Moreover, the prime ministers of Singapore or Malaysia would never come to our country and lead us for our overall development. I am sorry to say that although we have crossed 33 years of our independence, the prime duty and responsibility of ensuring 'distribu-

tion of wealth' among all the 'adult citizens' of our beloved country still remains unresolved. Unfortunately, a large segment of the population is still very poor with no or little buying capacity.

Golam Ashraf

DOHS Baridhara, Dhaka-1206

"Uncalled for"

I want to say something about the letter "Uncalled for" by MU Ahmed from Banani, Dhaka. In the letter Mr. Ahmed expressed his concern about the interference of the foreign diplomats in our national affairs. He also observed that he was sure about the neutral diplomatic approach by those ambassadors towards India and Pakistan.

I also don't support the interference of foreign countries in our internal affairs, but the present situation in Bangladesh has forced me to change my position. When the government of a country becomes so irresponsible with everything (whether it is Êforeign policy or national policy), then it is not unusual to see other countries coming forward and talking about those issues that the government has failed to handle. And we should also not forget that the European Union played an important role in the opposition to American invasion of Iraq.

I think we should accept such utterances of foreign diplomats with a positive attitude for the betterment of our country, and should notÊtakeÊthem personally. Dr. Mazeed Sumon Kalabagan, Dhaka

Women political activists

I am very disgusted by the way our country's political activists express their anger (women to be exact). It is very unpleasant to see women running in the streets with

their sari anchals behind their backs and practically falling off, fighting against the police and getting themselves publicly umiliated in front of the citizens of Dhaka, and the newspapers printing their pictures. I, for one, find it very sad and nauseating that the political parties cannot solve their problems in a rational manner.ÊI, being a citizen of Bangladesh, am patriotic and want the best for our country.

So I wish that the people who are jeopardizing the future of our country would come to their senses and understand that political disputes on such a scale are a threat not only to the citizens, but also to the economy.

My appeal to the parties is that, please create the conditions in which we all can live in peace as one united nation.

Sabeen Shamsher

On e-mail Corrupt politicians

It was a shocking piece of news when I found out that KEPZ was not getting permission because its organisers could not satisfy some influential politicians. Really, I am surprised why those politicians cannot be happy with their existing assets. The assets of our politicians cannot be seen because, it is alleged, they are saved in some other names.

The politicians have amassed great fortunes. Many of them own houses in European and American cities. But such things are of course not compatible with their known sources of income.

So how can we expect better governance? The corrupt politicians will have to retire before we can overcome the problem of being the most corrupt nation in the world!

A student

UK

Islamic militants

I fully endorse the views expressed by a citizen on the recent crackdown on the Islamic militants. It is hard to believe that the government knew nothing about their activities when bombs were exploding regularly in public meetings. The government dismissed the western concern as being a figment of the imagination. But what has happened now?

It seems our decision makers are finally convinced that militants do exist in this country. So they must go flat out to dislodge the militants, before they cause more damage to this nation.

Mansoor Raja

Dhaka