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TO THE EDITOR
EC's laudable move
We must appreciate the move of the Election Commission to meet and discuss with the political parties the issue of general election, 2007. All the parties, big or small, responded to the call of the CEC, though the main opposition Awami league did not attend. The AL is confusing the nation, with their one-point demand of dethroning Khaleda Zia and her government at once.
We would like to request the main opposition AL to kindly sit together with the party in power to minimise the gap and work for a peaceful solution of the present political crisis. Otherwise, it would be very difficult for them to have public support.
Syed Rafiqul Hussain
On e-mail
"Stop studying, start solving"
Your editorial captioned "Stop studying, start solving" speaks volumes for the problems that we are facing.
The government has failed miserably to address the important issues concerning public welfare. Malik Nirdesh
Washington Dc
Encourage exporters While the country is reeling under severe dollar shortage during the last few months, we were amazed to see that, none of the cabinet members had anything to say to encourage the exporters.
If the government doesn't appreciate the exporters, at least in words, then it is really shutting out one way of relief.
CNR
Chittagong
Education system
It's regrettable that the public education system in Bangladesh is not characterised by moderate and pragmatic concerns. It's rather conventional. For instance, the tendency of giving priority only to the students who have achieved the best results in the board examinations is not entirely appreciable. It's utterly undeniable that we have to encourage and gratify the successful students, but simultaneously we have to provide
an ideal platform to those who have failed to do their best. The students who have achieved the best results in the recent SSC examinations are supposed to get admitted in the reputed colleges. On the other hand, most of the unsuccessful students are worried about their college admission. Consequently, while the winners are at once being entitled to an illuminated future, the initial losers are losing their hopes in the dark, despite the fact that many of them are not entirely devoid of the very talent and potential to do better.
It's understandable that reputable colleges have a limited capacity regarding the seats that they can offer. But at the same time it should be generally accepted and realised that, those who have fallen to the ground today can reach out for the zenith tomorrow, if provided with proper guidance.
Kh. Asef Safa Kabir Upal
Block-E, Lalmatia
Allotment of plots in Mohammadpur
It has been more than eight years and a half since we responded to a call by the Directorate of Housing and Settlement for application for plot allotment in Mohammadpur F block from middle class and lower middle class people. I personally deposited an amount of Tk 30,000/ (Tk Thirty thousand only) on 13 Jan 2005 with the hope that I might be fortunate enough in the lottery for the plot in the aforesaid area. But unfortunately the authorities concerned have nearly forgotten their commitment and obligation.
We have seen the haste and enthusiasm with which successive governments took measures to entertain the affluent people and high-ups with allotments in posh areas like Gulshan, Baridhara and Uttara. It seems nobody speaks for us, not even the newspapers. Had we kept the money we deposited for the plots in fixed deposits, it would have already been doubled by!
The Directorate of Housing must have kept the deposits by thousands of applicants in banks. The question is: where will the interests out of this
huge amount of money go? Are
we not entitled to compensation at the same rate we would have got from fixed deposits? When The Directorate of Housing & Settlement called for application with certain amount of deposits, it also at the same time indirectly or directly became legally obliged to go for the allotment procedures. The Directorate of Housing & Settlement did not even bother to come up with any explanation about its inability to honor its legal obligations. I demand that they apologise to the applicants in public and come up with a clear explanation about the intolerable delay they are making and announce a time-table for lottery, allotment, and hand-over of the plots.
M Amin
Debi Das Ghat Lane, Dhaka-1211
Crime and crossfire
Recently, the DS has been receiving letters from some of its readers who have been congratulating the government's new force-- the Rapid Action Battalion for the so-called good work 'crossfire'. Considering the extent of violent crime in our society it was not surprising to see so many of us wanting to go for curbing crime. But what troubles me is these people's understanding of basic human rights principles and the long time repercussion of the feelings that many of us hold about these killings. Such expressions as shown in those letters congratulating for killing some people without
any trial, only epitomize the level of 'extremity' that exists in our society and in our people. Far worse news is that it is on the rise. We seem to be losing all our humane values and becoming a society moving towards the extreme end. And I hold the government responsible for this as it is their failure in fighting crime that is pushing us towards such extreme.
The situation now is so critical that some of us are even inventing new theories of human rights whereby we balance the rights of those who are killed by criminals and those who are killed by Rab. And for obvious reasons we chose to put our weight behind those who are killed by criminals, because we feel that the people who are killed by Rab are criminals, hence they deserve to die.
I ask our responsible citizens and the civil society if they have lost their common sense. If they have any sense left, they would stand up and protest, rather than thinking blindly and ignorantly that this crossfire will achieve anything. And for now, let's not even go into a philosophical discussion about the rights and wrongs of extra-judicial killing, we are far from ready for it.
Chowdhoury Mohibul Hassan London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
Student politics
Among many of the problems that plague Bangladesh at this moment, one is
the effect of student politics. Under the given circumstances in
the country, do we need students politics...? I think not. We are taught in our academic institutions the old Sangskreet proverb, "Chatronong odhyonong topo". When did it change to "Chatronong Raajneetinong topo:"...? Looking at the current situation more closely, the latter seems to have been the motto of some students, and due to their disturbing presence in our academic institutions, the 'real students' cannot study.
The people of Bangladesh proudly acknowledge the tremendous contribution the student politicians made during our struggle for independence. They were in the forefronts of the movement against oppression and injustice, but Bangladeshis have achieved what they were fighting for, independence. Now, to emerge as a developed nation, we need educated people, people who have learned enough to contribute to the welfare of the country. So, the war to build a golden Bangladesh goes on but the battles have shifted their grounds. No more do we need to see students marching in the streets or to see academic institutions closed due to clashes between student parties. So, students who say that they have joined political parties to do good for the country, are only harming it. Students need to study sincerely to do some good.
Now, I am not saying that students cannot protest against any injustice or oppression, but that should be carried out by a students council, a united front to speak for all the students. Still, if a student feels
obliged to join any political party, he will join the youth branch of the party such as Jubo Dal and Jubo League and do all the marching outside the campus. Let's get this straight, university is for studying, not the heaven for politics, yet sadly, it seems to have been wishfully forgotten.
People are now being vocal against hartal, something we don't need anymore, but fewer are acting to stop this greater evil, to cleanse the academic institutions of politics which does not fit in there. Why, you might ask..the answer lies in the mainstream politics of the country, which has become so corrupt that the so called Netas need gangsters to rule. The political parties do not speak against it because it is necessary for their power and influence. Only this is enough to show whether they want the good of the country or the good of their party. So, I think people, regardless of political parties, religion and profession, should become involved in routing this evil in all forms, because we all dream of a better future for our children, a safer place for them to live in.
Tanzil Shafique
Bangladesh International School, Jeddah, KSA
Jamaat politics
I do not like the Jamaat, I consider myself a patriot and I belong to the pro-liberation forces. That is why I want to see any party or alliance minus Jamaat in power after the next general election. The best hope is the Awami League since the BNP will not get rid of Jamaat.
I believe the AL has the popularity to win the next general election. However, the party itself does not believe it. Consider the latest byelection in Sunamganj. In that election, the AL did not participate but two individuals using the name of AL participated in the election and they jointly polled around 16,000 more votes than the winner Alliance candidate. The alliance candidate obtained about 20,000 less votes than what he got in the 2001 election. This suggests fall of popularity of the alliance. We observed the same kind of fall of popularity of the BNP candidate in the CCC mayoral election. In Narshingdi by-election the BNP candidate had to fight hard to overcome an independent candidate.
Many observers believe that if election were held tomorrow the alliance would lose. But it seems that AL does not think so! The AL should have faith in the people. If they think that they have a duty towards their countrymen, then they should take part in the next election and fight against the alliance. Wasim Haider
Toronto, Canada
Smokers
It's a common misconception that cigarette makes a man look smarter and bold. The days of "rong chota jeans" and "jolonto cigarette" passed a long time ago. But the truth is, smokers seem not only disgusting but they also create public annoyance. And the nikotin spoils your lungs.
So the ultimate result is, 0+0=0. People in western countries have become quiet health conscious nowadays. And we are lagging behind.
Smoking has been banned in
public places but there is no actual use of this law. It is quite noticeable here and there, people, especially the students, smoking without any hesitation. I think tea/cigarette sellers should not be allowed on the university campus. Smokers think they look smarter(?) when they smoke. These retarded people say it's a "trend"(?). This idea makes them smoke again and again. And it's a wonder, you will see many female students smoking in a especially known canteen and in some roadside cigarette shops on DU campus. Common students know these gangs as "chain smokers".
Some people are always interested in breaking the law. Law, which has no application in real life, has no value. I think strict measures should be taken to enforce it.
Cantara Wali Ruhi
Dhaka
City bus service
I believe it is time for the government to take steps to eradicate the old buses from our capital and introduce new ones. They were successful in getting rid of the two stroke baby taxis and I do believe that they will be successful in getting rid of the old buses in our city. Could you please highlight this issue in your newspaper, the reports regarding food standards in the restaurants, I believe, were effective.
Most of the buses which ply on our city are in an appalling condition, especially the ones which are over 25 years old. If the authorities are kind enough to look into Farmgate to Uttara via Mohakhali, Biswa Road i.e., Kuril to Mouchak and Motijheel, they can easily spot that these buses which ply in our city create
unnecessary traffic jams which lead to man hour loss.
The drivers are usually inexperienced and start their driving careers by becoming bus or truck drivers. It is certainly the government's responsibility to make sure that the authorities do look into the welfare of the passengers, since there isn't any system for mass transport in the city.
It should be mentioned that CNG buses are welcome to the city, they look good and are environment friendly. These buses are owned by companies who spend heavily and have to maintain these vehicles in order to get back their investment, their drivers also tend to be patient since frequent lane changing, reckless driving is not possible as the exterior panels/ bodies of these buses are expensive unlike the regular ones which are armored with angles and M/S plates used for making boats and ships, these are usually made in such a manner that the body panel sits outside the chassis which makes these buses hard to control. A few years back the government took steps against these buses but after a few weeks of hiding they were back into the streets with a fresh coat of paint.
It is time that the government welcomed private firms to invest in double-deckers or 52-seat buses which can take more passengers in one bus, rather than having a few scattered 15-20-seat buses fighting for passengers. It is about time that banks investing on cars should invest in this sector. The government should also subsidize or arrange soft term
loans for companies which wish to introduce their own fleet of buses for our city, rather than providing
loans for individuals who do not have the infrastructure, capability and know-how to manage public transport.
SRC
On e-mail
Gay marriage issue
It's a reply to Mr. Zabidur Rahman's( Toronto, Canada) letter. Thanks a lot for your kind attention.
There, I mean the then Romans1. Those lines were taken from Apostle Paul's (AD3-62) writing about the then society of Romans1 where homosexuality was rampant. He wrote, "They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are slanderers, Godhaters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless" (v. 29-31, NIV). During
Augustus (27BC-AD17, first emperor of Roman Empire); immoral sexual behavior and the pursuit of "political advancement" led members of the "upper classes" to avoid marriage, divorce more frequently, and have fewer "traditional" relationships. Augustus also made adultery a criminal offence, sending his own daughter, Julia, into exile for having "illicit" sexual affairs. Abu Raihan
CUET, Chittagong