FRUSTRATING political climate has dumbfounded the conscientious citizens, particularly those who have changed their nationality three times in more than last five decades (i.e. British Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi). Many of my generation coming out of the greatest seats of learning at home and abroad and rendering their services to the development of humanity in both national and international arena cannot compromise with the behaviour of our politicians. I should better say politicists. Instead of the welfare of the masses, the politics has become one of the most lucrative professions to make quick money. A very common person with no known profession could become crorepathi in couple of years in the country either as politician or goon of political godfathers. No where on earth exists a country like ours where a group of neorich have emerged so fast through corruption, intimidation, terrorism, nepotism, unabated plundering of national wealth and transferring them to so-called safe havens.

Every time one watches television or reads the newspapers finds statements of our political leaders in the name of people. Do they ever think who have given them the authority to speak on behalf of the masses? Do they

ever bother about the country or the masses after winning elections? They do not.

It is established fact that the number of poor people are increasing. Our international recognition as most corrupt country and one of the poorest nations does not bring fame or solace rather than shame to the informed and enlightened citizens at home and abroad. The corruption and intimidation has crept from the city to the village level. The people are not fools but they are afraid to speak out. They could remain naïve for some time but not all the time as our politicians think. Country could not achieve an average growth of Asia and the Pacific in 2005 (The DS March 31, 2006, page 8). Then why is there so much fanfare of remarkable achievements? It is the conscious group of the civil society which has to take some initiative to save the country from further decadence. Otherwise we will be accountable to our future generations. The initiative of CPD, The DS and Protom Alo, in association with some of the most enlightened and famous sons of the soil, is praiseworthy and timely before the election of 2007. It is the moral responsibility of the non-political group of our intelligentsia to come out of their isolation and speak out.

The Civil Society dialogue on March 20, 2006 floated a

Citizens Group consisting of 24 members drawn from all sections of the society. The convener of the Group is Professor Rehman Sobhan and secretary Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya. All the members are the most respected persons of the Civil Society. The people could expect a productive contribution from the Group to take initiative in steering the politics of the country in right direction. To check further mess in the country in future, it is going to prepare a mid-term development vision and launch a campaign for electing honest competent candidates in the next elections. Professor Yunus, an outstanding personality in the country, has proposed a 12-point formula that includes nominating symbolic candidates in the constituencies by the Group in the election 2007. Following the Dialogue reports and editorials appeared in DS and Protom Alo mostly welcoming such initiative. Although one may not agree to all of the points of Prof. Yunus which is quite natural, they are constructive and thought-provoking. In one article direct participation of Prof. Yunus and Mr. Abed was suggested (Zafar Sobhan, The DS, March 24,2006). Many may not like the idea of their becoming a party to the politics, but a representative of the civil society where they will participate in a more significant way. Mr. Mondol in his article “Cam-

paigning for clean candidates” (The DS, March 31, 2006) analysed the 12 point formula of Prof. Yunus and gave some suggestions. They deserve serious consideration. I am sure The DS call ( May 31: Announcement) for further contribution will be responded by the Civil Society.

The Group is going to produce a vision paper. The conscious citizens of the country both at home and abroad will definitely be interested to read it and send their comments. Through internet the paper could be circulated. Those who are interested could be given a time limit to s u b m i t t h e i r c o m-ments/suggestion/recommendat ions. In fact in a website all the activities of the Group could be made available for the information of the people. The wider circulation will not only encourage wider participation of the citizens but also will achieve the objectives of the Citizens' Group in pressurizing the political parties to nominate clean candidates for a fair and credible election in 2007. A large portion of our professionals are silent. Let the Citizens Group invoke them and ensure their participation in the dialogue for a better Bangladesh in future, rather remaining spectators on sidelines.

Dr M Ahmed is a former UN official