Learning English

English is now the most important language in the world. All types of educational materials are expressed in detail in English. So to gather knowledge in medical science, engineering, textiles, geography and scientific inventions, it is necessary to learn English. Again 80 per cent of the world computers are programmed in English. It is true that though it is essential to have proficiency in English, the average standard of it in our country is not satisfactory at all. Some students do well in all subjects except English.

So, a large number of students fail in the examination every year. In seeking jobs, good command over English is needed. If a student possesses this, it is so positive for him to build up his career.

It is true that the process of learning English varies from man to man. For this reason, the tech-

nique of teaching English is so important.

There are standard methods of learning the language which we should follow without being scared of the alien words and terms.

Jesmin Akhter

Joypurhat

Violation of women's rights

The main working force of RMG sectors, which are playing pivotal in earning foreign currency and sustaining our flourishing economy, is woman. But I feel very dismayed when I observe their wretched condition. I pay visit to my cousin's in Dhamrai, and I see women garment workers falling victim to hassles while getting on public buses. They feel very humiliated as the helpers and bus conductors often take the opportunity to touch them

unnecessarily. But finding no alternative, they keep silent. Besides, they are not allowed to get down at their desired places.

In this age of empowerment of women, they are subjected to such kind of harassment. How long will this continue?

Abdul Karim

Jahangirnagar University

Law taking an unusual course!

The other day I was sitting in a tea stall at Alamdanga, I was observing what the police were doing. They were looking into the necessary documents of motorcyclists. Those who had documents got permission to go. Without documents there was no permission to move. I observed the police did not stop a certain motorcyclist. That motorcyclist went away without any restriction. It was

a very regrettable matter. Is it law and administration? Why did not the police stop that motorcyclist? Do you know who that motorcyclist was? Brother of an influential politician!

Anoaruzzaman

Chuadanga

Keeping up with social changes

The collapse of the 9-storey garment factory near Dhaka has triggered a post-mortem in the society amongst the professional circles. The government has been caught napping, as usual, because the ABCs of good governance are not being followed by the politicians in power.

The weaknesses of Rajuk and DCC have been revealed time and again; but huge time and energy are being conferred on political elec-

tions (viz., for the Ctg mayor). Our politics is still immature, seeking extra publicity all the time and paying attention only to big projects (for kick-backs).

None is interested in quiet, background activities. Black money has fast circulation, working in grey areas in the background, but the damages are headlined from time to time. It encourages corrupt practices, which the government cannot control through routine actions, because big, influential, high-ups are involved. This closed cycle has to be broken up, but it is not that easy without visible official commitment.

The fast rate at which the construction of high rise buildings has been allowed is neither scientific nor justified. Political nepotism is vicious, and resists eradication, as the policy makers are involved in the process and proceedings. "Political will" is weak in Dhaka, the parlia-

ment is limping, and the role of the opposition in ineffective.

Now correction has been left to Nature, and it is going to take its toll in the coming years, adding to the two categories of miseries: manmade, and natural. Tsunamis, earthquakes, and floods and not whims of Nature. There are two sides to it: one scientific, and the other mystical (the supreme Creator rules!).

Coming back to lack of parking space, the developers could not keep pace with the fast-changing mores and modes of the society. The other temptation is the high cost of the land in big cities. The solution is decentralisation and checks on urban migration. The politicians (and the bureaucrats) just cannot face the issues, for obvious reasons. What happened to political will? Answer: politics is now big business, and public interest is low down in the list (in other countries

also).

The regime has switched on a pre-election campaign, based on pre-conceived notions. The mass awareness has risen each decade, but political policies based on annihilating the opponent' areas of the society (the mores) are uncontrolled (no time to pay attention to the basics, to build up the right foundations, before pointing to the super-structures).

Urban development policies are breaking under social pressures; and the latter are changing fast. Re-active governance cannot solve problems. Foresight, judgement, and continuity have no entry points in the planning networks. We see the after -effects, and wail and holler!

It is too late for the regime to drive in corrections, as the general elections are just around the corner, and the situation tends to

encourage self-survival activities. How to reduce the 34-year gaps through truant politics? Our politics is virtually high-rise without the right foundations! Catch whom? Your guess is as good as mine!

A Abad

Dhaka

AL leadership

During the AL's five-year rule (1996-2001) many bizarre things happened. Prominent among them was the rise of godfathers like Joynal Hazari, Shamim Osman and so on.

The AL leadership did nothing to rein them in. They should have been tough on them. They have realised, rather late, that a man like Hazari is a burden to any party.

Md. Aminul Islam,

DU