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Zimbabwe scene
*** Zimbabwe means 'House of the chief. Robert Mugabe has been ruling this country since 1980 when it gained independence from British colonial rule. Mr. Mugabe is known as the 'Iron man of Zimbabwe'. He had played a vital role in gaining independence from British rule. The British regime had deprived the native rural people of their right to own land. Mr. Mugabe amended this law and ensured the right of rural people to own land. As a result, he became a foe of the urban people and ex British PM Tony Blair. He is very popular among the rural people for his land reform policy.
But he is facing various challenges. There is poverty and unemployment. So, Mugabe will have to ensure economic development of his country alongside the reforms.
Shaheen Alam
Dhaka University ***
Election under emergency
There is no doubt that the present CTG is one hundred per cent sincere about holding a free, fair and credible election. It is committed not only to the people, it is also committed to the international community on this particular issue.
The Army Chief, who is now v backing and sincerely helping this government in even’ way to hold the election as prescribed in the roadmap, has also confirmed that the election will be held on time.
But our politicians, especially the disgraced ones, are talking about the* withdrawal of emergency. They have already started to convince their lower level workers that the corruption cases brought against their leaders are false and politically motivated and the government’s aim is to undermine the positions of their leaders.
They also cite the “minus two theory" as the present government's ploy to stay in power etc. They are asking their workers to get ready for a movement to have their leaders released from jails at any cost. So, it is very clear to the people that they do not want a free, fair and credible election in the country.
If the emergency rules are totally withdrawn, these leaders, instead of helping to hold the long awaited credible election, would try to take us to the pre-one-eleven situation and the nation will again fall into the black hole created by them. What people want from this government is a credible election and they are anxiously waiting for that, in spite of the high prices of essentials in the market.
I hope after coming this far the government will not let us down and will not hand us over to those politicians once again.
Shafiqul Islam, On e-mail
Dissimilarity!
The DU campus is blessed with spontaneous supply of three most important elements of daily lifewater, gas and electricity. Students of DU halls are proud to have 24 hour electricity supply except oneAmor Ekushey Hall. Not only this, you will find here lots of dissimilarities with other halls and residential areas of the same institution. Seeing the premises of the hall the visitors might think whether it's a student dormitory or a housing complex. Even most of the rickshaw-pullers around the campus can't always recognise the hall!
The most disgusting isthehide-and-seek of electricity at least 8 to 10 times every day as the line comes from the Ananda Bazar slum. The mysterious silence of the students doesn't go with the aware-of-rights DU students at all. You'll be surprised to know that the DU authorities promised to provide the electricity connection
from the main university line approximately 3 years ago! Final exams arc knocking at the door. Will the university authorities do something about it?
Md. Nasir Uddin I askar Amor Ekushey Hall, DU
Football
We know that cricket is the most popular game nowadays, which has diminished the popularity of football. At the time of World Cup the popularity of football could be easily felt. But its popularity has decreased somewhat. One of the main reasons is its poor infrastructure and lack of facilities.
Moreover, the performance of our national team is also not good enough to boost its popularity. Montasir Mamun
Department of Civil Engineering BUET
Rickshaws
First, hats off to The Daily Star for publishing my letter which promoted "Elimination of Rickshaws from Dhaka Metropolitan Area in quick phases"--a sensitive proposal in the context of Bangladesh
Now coming to Mr. Farzand Ahmed's (Bangkok, Thailand) write up dated April 2, 2008 in response to my letter, glad to see public opinion stirring up as a result of my letter.
Perhaps not exactly similar, but I cannot help to compare our rickshaw problem to a cancer on human body that is spreading without measure and with no control or cure in sight. I am happy to sec that Mr. Farzand accepts that it is a problem. Surely, there are many reasons for rickshaws becoming a nuisance in our city streets and perhaps the whole system of our country is responsible for it. But, I strongly feel that it has come to a point where we cannot simply ignore the magnitude of the problem because of lack of opportunity for the rickshaw pullers. In a capitalistic economy solution will come up with creation of work for this vast population of rickshaw pullers as they 'gradually' become available. I am sure we all
can see that it is absolutely 'inhuman' to have another human being pull us this way with such difficulty and pain. Of course, I feel for them and that is also a reason for my position against rickshaws. At the moment, I am requesting all citizens of our country to think of this epidemic that is giving us signals and warning signs every day of growth beyond our imagination.
When a doctor finds cancer in our body, in most cases he will proceed to remove/ eliminate it before it spreads and becomes uncontrollable. I request all to put more detailed thought to this major problem in our city life. If we truly care for rickshaw pullers, then we should think of a better way for them to earn a living which is more humane and more dignified.
I am thankful for Mr. Farzand's suggestion of limiting the manufacture of rickshaws and implementing sound economic policies': both of which are commendable ideas. But I feel unfortunate as steps had not been taken earlier when the 'cancer' was within control and could have been treated by powerful drugs. The fact is: the number of rickshaws (May God help us know the exact number) in our city has grown beyond sustainability and we must take steps now and do it quickly as in Bangladesh we have a tendency to not look into distant future when we tackle problems and find short term solutions which become wrong steps in the long run. I am seeing the whole picture and what I see is that a huge segment of our city brothers being humiliated in front of own eyes and we seem to care for them but not 'exactly' doing much for them in real sense. Besides, we must be realistic and measure whether our city streets can handle such pressure from rickshaws and see that they are taking away valuable hours from our lives by limiting our 'free' movement of engine run vehicles that take us to and from faster in an ever competitive life.
Therefore, the point remains unchanged: we cannot let this grow further out of our control. We have to take immediate steps to 'elimi-
nate' rickshaws in 'quick phases' from Dhaka metropolitan area.
Oh yes, Mr. Farzand, just out of curiosity, do you live away from Dhaka city area on a permanent basis as your address in the letter mentioned Bangkok, Thailand ? If so, I am glad that you are not faced with the misery of tackling rickshaws each day, every day back here in my beloved home city, Dhaka!
Mohammed Rabat
DITRoad, Malibag, Dhaka
A mother speaks
I am among the six unfortunate mothers whose sons have been arrested by Rab for drug abuse. However, it's also a mystery to know that hundreds of other drug
taking youths are left untouched!
My son, before being arrested, gradually left drugs and had started staying home. He had also realised the truth and was preparing to start norma) life. I arn not being biased but the truth Is that my son had gone through some bitter and torrid times in his personal life and as a result was involved with bad company. Whatever be the case, I am nowhere near supporting him or others involved in drug abuse or addiction. Drug is not the answer.
It has been over four months since my son and the other five youths have been rotting in jail. Myself and my husband have been trying our best to explain to the authorities that enough is enough, the kids are paying for the offence
committed We therefore beg the authorities to release our son and if necessary, we the parents would sign a bond. We also support Rab's nabbing the youths taking drugs Four months in jail has not only kept them away from the bite of taking drugs but they are also paying for being involved in drug abuse.
I was shocked and surprised the other day to find two men push-ing/injecting drugs, right in front of some law enforcers.
The drug pushers were poor. What does this prove? Is law applicable only for kids from rich families? Why not the others? What is really going on?
A suffering mother
Gulshan
Dhaka