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To the Editor

Letters will only be considered if they carry the writer's full name, address and telephone number (if any). The identity of the writers will be protected. Letters must be limited to 300 words. All letters will be subject to editing.
They are not angels Phrases and idioms will not help us. A foreign country will not solve our problems. Hating crime and pleading for the criminals are not the same thing . I wish some people could understand this plain truth. Our problem is we talk too much and don't work. When outlaws kill and chop innocent civilians, we read newspapers and say, "The country has gone astray, what the hell is the government doing?" And when the government deploys law enforcers to fight the terrorists, we say,"
Human rights are being violated, stop Rab, they are killing people."
We should remember that killing one terrorist is equal to saving hundreds of innocent lives. And if I talk about the corrupt Rab member who has been captured recently for taking bribe, I will say that human beings are not angels. There are temptations everywhere. You can't expect good service from anyone without any deviation. One person might be corrupt, it does not necessarily mean that each Rab member takes bribe! Rab members as well as the police force need better salary that might keep them awayfrom corruption.
CantaraWali Ruhi
Dhaka
Justice
Justice is that which preserves the interest of the mightier. So, Syria has to withdraw its troops from Lebanon. It is only a half-measure to dispatch Syrian troops into border areas and the rest will be done if it
(Syria) removes all its agents from Beirut.
But, we must not expect the same result in the case of America. As the US is the great peace and democracy keeper (!) of the world, so it can employ troops anywhere, can commit genocide, can replace an elected government etc. We must realise that the United States of America is the most power-blind, bloodthirsty nation and "Justice" is the thing which protects its interests.
Rizwan-ul Huq on-email
Foreign investment, at what cost?
March 18 evening, Bangla news on TV: State minister for energy Mr. AKM Mosharraf Hossain appeared visibly much annoyed with people who are expressing their concern over the recent Tangratilla accident, its environmental impact and fallout. This might just have been an accident, but I am sure its real cause will never be unearthed.
I observed with astonishment that the Honorable Minister very openly and unconditionally advocated the case for attracting FDI. What he really meant, as far It is very unfortunate that while in power or in opposition Awami League President Sheikh Hasina has so far failed to make any specific proposal or reform of
as I understand, is that we should not be very sensitive about the activities of the foreign companies. The point is not clear to me. Shouldn't we protect our interests?
Md Yousuf Hassan
23, Goipibagh 1st lane, Dhaka3
Zeenat Syed's letter
I have been collecting letters to the editor on English medium education/schools for quite some time and your recent letter has added to my stock. For someone
uneducated, to whom the question of English does not arise in their whole lifetime. English has given you a passport to be a global competitor; the same English has been a big barrier in the life of so many people in the country in getting just a job for living. I know a person who took the IELTS 7 or 8 times but couldn't cross the hurdle because the score was not good enough. Of course the person was from Bangla medium, like me.
But I don't understand one thing in your letter. You complained that 'youth' was 'hindered' by 'close-
interested in understanding the connection between English and globalisation, this is more than a hobby.
I would understand you were from English medium education even if you didn't mention that you were its 'product'. I am unfortunately from Bangla medium, but I don't have any grudge. I rather salute you (no irony meant) because you are one of the few Bangladeshis competing at the global level and thus upholding our national 'image'. I only wish that all people in the country could take good education like you did and then go global. It is a pity that so many people are
minded ideas' but how come you and your likes are already there in the world competition? I know of no society that ever stood in the way of the affluent. And, not surprisingly, English education goes hand in hand with affluence.
Obaid
Brisbane
Who is responsible for these deaths?
We thank you and your newspaper for publishing the news "Father, son die in freak accident" in the March 20 issue. Unfortunately, the victims are my family members. We
were shocked, devastated listening the news. Jinat Rokshana is our only younger sister. I was in Bangladesh in February and celebrated Sadman's 11th birthday together. I spoke to Kabir and Jinat just a few days ago. When I remember all these I cannot control my emotions. According to your news, it seems that a tree trunk fell on their three-wheeler. I understand that the trunk must be a big one and according to my guess for some reasons the trunk was half detached from the main body of the tree, otherwise in such a non-windy weather it could not have crashed down. Now my point is who is to blame for this tragic incident? We understand that the City Corporation is supposed to maintain those trees seasonally and I am pretty sure they have paid employees to take care of those trees all over Dhaka. How come such a big trunk (presuming it was detached) went un-noticed?
Jinat has five brothers-all of them are well educated, I am sure when her condition will improve she will ask a lot of questions to herself and will try to find out responsible per-sons/authoritiesEforEher irreversible fate. We are also determined to help her in order to give her mental peace. We also need your help to make people aware about their responsibilities.
I am sure newspapers can play a vital role in making peo-ple/authorities aware about their responsibilities and can save lot of lives lost due to negligence of responsible persons/organisations. Dr. Mahbub Reza Toronto, Canada
An appeal to Reza Kibria
The tragic death of your father Mr. SAMS Kibria was not merely your family bereavement but a national sorrowand shame. It was shocking that a national leader like Mr. Kibria could be eliminated so easily by criminals with possible machination by some political godfathers. You have our deepest sympathy. We admire the way a crusade has been launched by your family and friends against all terrorism. You are, I am sure, aware that terrorism has many facets.
Imposing hartal through violence, setting fire to public transports, burning the bogies of a passenger train in Bhairab Station in which a guard was burnt alive were also acts of terrorism. Your crusade must spell out your condemnation of these anti-people activities.
If you had launched your crusade against terrorism a few years back then we could have gained valuable timeforcreating public awareness.
Iskander Meah
Dhanmandi, Dhaka
A rough ride
It took me a week to get my thoughts in place and write about my recent experience at the amusement park inAshulia.
Last Friday, we went to Fantasy Kingdom for a family picnic. The greenery of the Heritage Park and the fresh air was everything that we had been looking forward to for weeks. I spent the better part of the day relaxing in the nice shade and marveling the beautiful replicas of Shatgombuj Masjid, Ahsan Manzil etc.
Just as we were leaving for the day, I was coaxed into getting onboard the ride called "Spider Ride". The ride started off at an outrageous pace. The "safety" handlebars did not have a good grip, and in a couple of seconds we were being flung and banged about in all directions. Most importantly, the way the ride is structured in movement and duration is surely dangerous for anyone. In fact, I watched a middle aged man actually crawling out of the ride clutching his chest.
I had fared no better. I started to throw up and sought medical help. But, there was no first aid station or a medical personnel insight.
I want to know if such rides are certified to be safe for an amusement park (where you have children and aged people alike)? And why aren't there any first aid stations? I also feel that the warning sign board should be placed clearly, as it is done so at the amusement parks all overthe world.
I hope the readers take heed of this next time they visit the amusement parks. More importantly, I hope the park authorities take the appropriate action based on this letter rather than wait for an accident before taking notice.
Malika, Gulshan, Dhaka
Caretaker government
Law Minister Barrister Moudoud Ahmed has ruled out the possibility of any amendment to the system of caretaker government. The opposition Awami League and some other political parties have threatened to boycott the general election under the existing system of caretaker government.
"The opposition is contemplating
caretaker government.
We fought against British imperialism, Pakistani colonialism and Punjabi/non-Bengalee domination. But why are we now creating division and hatred among ourselves in the name of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Shahid Ziaur Rahman, Bengalee nationalism and Bangladeshi nationalism?
Criticism and counter criticism, attacks and counter attacks are meaningless, harmful and dangerous. These do not solve any problem rather these create more and more new problems and the situation of the country goes from bad to worse day by day.
Why don't we all in the greater interest of unity, faith and discipline of our people give recognition to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as father of the nation and also accept Bangladeshi nationalism?
Can't the Awami League and all opposition parties, without further loss of time and energy, put up a foolproof case for caretaker government with provisions of accepting the results of general election, not boycotting the Jatiya Sangsad and not going for hartal, irrespective of their positions?
Let us hold a referendum and solve the controversial issue of caretaker government.
OH Kabir
6 Hare Street, Wari, Dhaka
Armed forces and professionalism
The armed forces of a country are raised and maintained primarily for defending it against aggression. During peacetime they are used by the government at times, if required, to help the law enforcing agencies and also to evacuate and rescue distressed people as well as
giving a formula for holding a free and credible general election under a non-party neutral caretaker government. We are in discussion to prepare our recommendations in consultation with pro-liberation and democratic forces to force the government to step down for an early election" said Awami League Presidium member Tofail Ahmed MP.
distribute relief during natural calamities like flood, cyclone, earthquake etc. To enable the armed forces to perform these responsibilities, they are to remain extremely professional, which is possible through regular exercise, training etc.
I think for the sake of efficiency of the armed forces they should not be engaged in activities (like serving other organisations on deputation) which have nothing to do with the
work for which they are recruited and trained. And lastly, why shouldn't the defence budget be transparent and placed in the Jatiya Sangsad?
Ahmed Shah
Dhamondi, Dhaka
Reform BTTB
The recent demonstration representing lakhs of mobile telephone users (a hot business) spotlights one single malaise in the regime: the monopolistic hold of the BTTB, who are cashing on a familiar situation- take advantage of a market when the demand far exceeds the supply of a commodity or service, in this case cell telephones.
No regime could control the head-in-the-sand attitude of BTTB, which always go slow in providing telephone services to this fast developing society. It is holding on to outdated fixed-line telephone system, and the service standard is lousy, to say the least. The vested groups inside are powerfully backed by hidden godfathers.
Example; the fake premature opening of the BTTB mobile telephone service; while secret negotiations are believed to be going on through back doors for 'graft-toll'.
The latest news is that an US company (in joint collaboration) has started a WLL fixed telephone service outside Dhaka. This is a new trend, which deserves close attention. WLL might be suitable for outlying rural areas. Give each farmer a telephone (use mini solar power kits for self-installation).
The high rates of the private mobile companies cannot be reduced so long as they have to
pass through the BTTB network for additional services to the other districts and internationally. The situation would ease after the opening of the submarine cable service. Ignoring this route was a colossal blunder of the earlier regimes.
Similar monopoly existed in PDB; and now the situation has slightly improved in reduction of the systems losses. The delays in approval of electric supply development projects come from the suspected unholy negotiations preceding such big projects. The government is aware of it, as the regime cancelled several projects approved by the preceding regime. Begum Khaleda Zia's government has to take some drastic actions (referring to her soothing closing speech at the JS a few days ago). She presented one side of the dirty coin.
MAbdali, Dhaka
Rab's performance
It is after a long spell, I guess after the unfortunate incident of his being seriouslywounded, that the eminent economist Abu Abdullah has written an article. The article was published in The Daily Star of the 14,h instant under the caption 'One and a half cheers to Rab'. I agree with him in giving cheers to the law-enforcing agency Rab, though our cheers may be short of full three cheers. For the first time in our country, police in the garb of Rab have been more agile and efficient than the criminals. The agency has also acted irrespective of political moorings of the criminals and in doing so it appears not have been interfered with by the government. As regards the allegations of non-transparency in the operations of Rab, the author has rightly remarked as follows: "To let known criminals roam free from a nice regard for their right to life and
liberty and the due process of law is the height of Quixote. It is one of the many examples of an uncritical application of Western ethical code to a society and economy at a very different stage of development. Hence, when crime has become so endemic that it seriously compromises this right, crime prevention takes priority and your right to open trial in a court of law loses ground to my right to security of life and livelihood. Some human rights must
be partially and temporarily suspended in the interest of the long-term sustainability of equal or more important rights. This would seem to provide an acceptable moral foundation for Rab."
The recommendations forwarded by Abu Abdullah for
improving the modus operendi of Rab should be given due consideration by the government.
SA Mahmood
Sylhet International University Bagbari, Sylhet
Water shortage in North Bengal
Shortage of water in North Bengal is becoming an insurmountable problem. The shortage of power and irrigation water will aggravate social and economic problems. The social unrest generated by the failing agriculture may produce more followers of extremist people in the region. It is necessary to take urgent steps to avert such a situation for the greater interest of the region as a whole.
With the withdrawal of water from the northern rivers and drying of under groundwater resources, the country will not be able support a large population in future.
It seems we have to go for constructing huge reservoirs for storing floodwater and rainwater at suitable places in North Bengal.
M. Flslam
Dhaka