Freedom of speech

Are we going to lose our freedom of speech? Why journalists are being killed one by one? And where is fair judgement? Perhaps the answer of all these questions is "I DON'T KNOW".

Bangladesh is an independent country. So here all should enjoy the freedom of speech. Journalists should do so even more than others. Their duty is to show all black and dark of society through reporting. None should try to prevent them from unearthing the truth. But this has not happened. They are being obstructed. Many journalists are being tortured and many were killed.

This is a very ominous situation for the country.

Moreover, none of the killers have so far been punished. Our image in the outside world has been tarnished. The government should think in terms of remedial

measures without wasting any more time.

Sadat Shahriar

RUET, Rajshahi

Expulsion of Hazari

I read with interest your report on the Awami League expulsion of its member and an ex MP Zainal Hazari. While the action is laudable one wonders what took it so long for the AL to realise that he was harming party interest.

I find it abhorrent that a person like Hazari, who has several criminal cases against him, and who is an absconder now living a life of plentitude in the neighbouring country, should get nomination of a party like the AL and continue all these years to hold its membership. But then it is better late than never.

I suggest that all the other political parties take note of this action by the AL and also purge their parties of the criminal and lumpen elements of whom there are manyin their own parties.

We in Bangladesh deserve honest and good politicians to guide

our future and be an example, and not those that vilify the name of politics and politicians.

Ahmed N,

Dhaka

Valuable coconuts

With the growth of population, the demand is increasing day by day for green coconuts as nutritious drink, grind and flakes of dried coconuts for use in pithas, dressing cakes, as sweet snacks during 'wedding ceremonies' and coconut paste for preparing spicy sauces and for delicious prawn dishes.

We mostly consume green coconut water during the prolonged hot summer for maintaining good health by supplementing the lost minerals.

The city corporations and municipalities should employ trained coconut tree climbers and coconut vendors, who would assist the residents by climbing their trees and plucking the green and dried coconuts and sell them in the market on commission basis, and also twice a year prune the dried-up pods and branches during the Bangla months of Baishakh, Joistho, Ashwin, Karthik and thus increase production of coconuts.

Golam Ashraf

DOHS Baridhara, Dhaka 1206

Well done, BCB

Cricket fans of this country were a bit worried after reading the news about Dev Whatmore's possible chance of leaving Bangladesh cricket team.

Many newspapers reported that this highly experienced coach of Bangladesh cricket team might become Indian coach after the retirement of John Wright.

However all the speculations are now over since Dev has signed a new contract of two more years with the BCB.

It is learned from a DS report that the salary and all other facilities of Whatmore have been doubled. I think BCB has done the right thing. Because losing a highly experienced coach like Dev Whatmore only for financial reason would be a foolish idea. Dev has been a great motivator of Bangladesh cricket team for the past two years. Under the supervision of Dev, Bangladesh cricket team has already improved a lot. And the World Cup is just two years away. So to have Dev Whatmore for the 2007 World Cup is really great news for all the cricket fans of this country.

I would like to congratulate BCB for taking this bold decision for the sake of our cricket.

Nazmus Saquib

Notre Dame College, Dhaka

Religious education

I am quite a senior person and had the opportunity to see through the evolution of religious schools and liberal educational systems in this country. Over the years the religious educational institutions and degrees offered by them are receiving almost equal publicity during result publication. The religious educational institutions are now at per with liberal educational ones. It is fair to mention that I am a believer of liberal education. By the way, I have a question-- does Bangladesh have a focal point for reference purpose on matters of religious controversy?

Radicals economy-- we expect more analysis to draw a firm conclusion about its use or misuse. We hope further reports would be available including comments from so called radical entrepreneurs.

A Bangladeshi abroad

On e-mail

Bigots or terrorists?

I'm really impressed by the good quality of news you provide, but I cannot say the same about the way some of your reports are written. As a westerner, I regularly read your online news from the UK, I enjoy keeping my self-informed of the happenings in the Indian subconti- nent.

But I am unhappy with the way you report religious violence by using the word 'bigots'. Here in the west, we rather use the word terrorism to describe violence caused by people, and use the word extremists to describe those who take religious teachings to extreme to harm others.

Dr. Adam

On e-mail

Refreshing Tea!

This refers to "Refreshing Tea" by Mr. Golam Ashraf. His proposal for setting up high standard 'tea houses' (Chai Khanas) is very interesting and timely, considering the ape culture at the moment for setting up foreign style eateries.

I was wondering if Mr. Ashraf would be interested in joining with me for a business project to implement his idea in Dhaka, and maybe in London, UK.

Ahmed,

UK

Rab-- keep up the good work

This is in response to S.A. Mansoor's letter published on 22.04.05. Mr. Mansoor should visit the middle class localities of Mohammedpur, Mirpur and Kalyanpur and also Dhanmondi RA and ask the inhabitants of these areas what difference Rab has made in their lives. In these localities the mastans, terrorists, muggers, extortionists and toll collectors are on the run. It is much safer in these areas to go out after dark than it was before the arrival of Rab. By the way, Mr. Mansoor should take a survey of just the Dhaka city dwellers regarding their views on Rab . He will be surprised by the statistics.

Hats off to Rab. Keep up the good work.

Sohail

On e-mail