English medium schools

The education ministry decided to set up an English medium school in each district. But I do not think it is a solution to the problem of English education because only the privileged class will be benefited from this.

The ministry could take some steps which would help to improve English education for all. For example, a teachers' training college could be set up only for English teachers, or the curriculum could be updated by taking assistance of international consultants.

Mainul Quadery

West Bakalia, Chittagong

Oli's stand

Mr. Oli has done a splendid job. He helped to let the cat out of the bag. The ruling BNP is suffering from a severe moral crisis due to its patronisation of nepotism, corruption, and the anti-people stand. Mr. Oli protested righteously against the collaborators, he defies corruption of his party members, he coura-

geously bolted against the unethical collaboration with Ershad.

He speaks well for his party, and, now, he has to pay with his membership because of the stronghold of degraded, immoral, self-obsessed party members. Oli called a spade a spade, and our political history will one day pay tribute to his courage, honesty and morality.

Rizwan-ul Huq

Farazipara Lane, Khulna

Good write-up

Khademul Islam's interaction with Granta's editor (DS: 02 Sept) presented in "Literature, whatever that is" was enjoyed by this reader. We look forward to more such travel-styled writing in this vein! Should DS ever plan to send a "photo-writing" team for the "Shanghai - Tibet" rail journey it will be a fantastic first hand travelogue to be enjoyed!

However, there was a lacuna in the otherwise flawless flow of words. The abrupt arrival of Kim from New York, without any introduction whatsoever jarred me (being literary "illiterate"); or may be this is the new vogue in journalistic literature!

S. A. Mansoor, Gulshan, Dhaka

Weather forecasting

So far my knowledge goes, the weather forecasting on radio and television started ( in all seriousness) after the devastating cyclonic storm and tidal bore on November 12, 1970. Till date our weather

forecasting system and machinery are not up to the mark to meet the challenge of accurate forecasting. After the huge loss of lives and properties in the cyclone of 29 April 1991, a high powered committee was formed by the government to update the storm warning system for inland and seaports but the report is yet to see daylight for which the poor nation is suffering a lot.

The present storm warning system was introduced in 1962, which is not adjustable with the present requirements because the no. 3 & 4 are the danger and great danger signals for inland river ports but these are only cautionary and warning signals for seaports, which is very confusing to the people.

Signal no. 2 for inland river ports means only 65 ft and below in length vessels should take shelter but the above 65 ft vessels are allowed to ply despite no. 2 warning signal, which caused many launch mishaps. For example, in 2003 & 2004 MV. Salauddin-2 MV Mitali-3, MV Diganta Express and MV Lighting Sun sank when the warning signal 2 was on. These vessels should not have been allowed to ply when the river conditions were very rough.

The Meteorological Department must perform better to make the lives of people safer.

Md. Emdadul Huq

Vill. Charkumari, Titas, Comilla

Role of World

Bank, IMF

We fail to understand the works and functions, duties and responsibilities, justification and necessity of World Bank and IMF.

Are they not interfering and dictating the finance, banking and economic developments of the poor and developing countries including Bangladesh?

IMF is again putting pressure on Bangladesh for adjustment and rise in fuel prices. IMF is also threatening to stop release of US Dollar 100 million credit if we do not accept its terms and conditions.

Are the poor and developing countries including Bangladesh duty bound or legally obliged to bow down before the terms and conditions of IMF, World Bank and donor countries to carry out, undertake and implement their respective economic and development plans and programmes? If so, why do they always advocate free market economy?

Can't we move forward without foreign aid, loan or fund without any

string attached to it?

As regards IMF pressure on our government to further increase price of fuel, is it not a fact that the international price of oil is constantly increasing for the last two decades? Why? Is it not true that following the Gulf war and US occupation of Iraq all the oilfields of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq are under the grip of the USA, world's major deposit of oil and oilfields are under the supervision and control of the USA and IMF? Washington on behalf of the US administration is tactfully extorting a colossal amount of money from the poor and developing countries, including Bangladesh through an oil price hike.

All developing countries should stand united against the US economic and oil colonialism.

O H Kabir, Dhaka-1203

A constitution amendment proposal Considering the prevailing political circumstances and the situation that may arise in the days ahead, it may happen that the election may not be

held right on time as per schedule and the president may have to convene the parliament after its dissolution at the end of its term and before holding the next general election.

May I now suggest to amend Art. 72 Clause (4) of the constitution so as to overcome the political impasse created by not holding the general election of members of the parliament within 90 days.

The Clause -- “If after a dissolution and before the holding of the next general election of members of parliament the president is satisfied that owing to the existence of a state of war in which the Republic is engaged”

Insert -- “Or any other situation caused by the act of God or any other exigency of circumstances that may cause delay in holding the general election as per Clause (4) Art. 123.”

H. Kabir Sarneabat

G e n e ra l M anager (retd.) Bangladesh Bank