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TO THE EDITOR
Dhaka and rickshaws
I find interesting the healthy discussion going on in this page of DS regarding ban on rickshaws put forward by Mr. Sikander and Mohammad Rahat.
I think it's not the 'humane' factor that stirs up the conscience of car-owners towards ban on rickshaws; rather it’s the needed ease with which they along with other city dwellers wish to ply the roads of the capital. Nevertheless, the issue is crucial as well as complicated and warrants a holistic approach to be adopted.
Unlike capitals of developed countries, Dhaka has grown in a completely haphazard fashion. So it would not be politic to follow others blindly disregarding our own situation. It's a matter of neither going backwards/forward nor taking unpopular decisions. We have a legacy for which we have to painfully pay now. If we want to see rickshaws eliminated, we have to first fix the whole existing ramshackle road system of Dhaka. Until then, we can't but rely on rickshaws for short distance travel. So we better ponder over how we can make coexist motorised and non-motorized vehicles.
In his letter dated April 21, 2008, Mohammad Rahat mentioned that none of us is happy with rickshaws and these should be eliminated outright. I think it's not the rickshaws, but the policy that is being followed to permit them to ply the city roads that is making us unhappy.
I feel that eventually it's the majority of Dhaka's population, i.e.
middle and low class people, whose benefits matter most. Moreover, thinking of car-owners as being callous to the sufferings of commoners is wrong. Many car owners can realize the plight of people forced to jostle helplessly in the tiny space of inter- city buses.
Ahmad Ferdous Bin Alam Department ofCSE, DU
Bangladesh Studies
I am shocked and surprised by the decision taken by the British Council of Bangladesh and Edexcel International Examinations Body to debar Bangladeshi English Medium Students from participation and inclusion of Bangladesh Studies in GCE Ordinary Level Examinations. The only ground they try to advance is that the number of candidates is not enough. So it is not profitable for them. This debarment will deprive the English Medium Students' only way to enlighten themselves about Bangladesh--its precise history and salient geographical features.
Most English Medium Schools have never underscored the importance of this branch of learning and from now on there will be no room for reading or studying Bangladesh at secondary level in English Medium Schools.
A precise examination of the summery of the main topics, (as a course of study) reveals that Bangladesh Studies comprises two papers. Topics are divided as (1) History before the Mughals (2) Bengal in the Mughal Empire and under British rule (3) Partition to Partition (4) Undivided Pakistan
and struggle for the Independence and the Creation of Bangladesh and (5) Language Movement, economic disparity and our heritage and culture. The Second Paper contains briefly location, climate, rivers, soil, natural resources, agriculture, industries etc. Total marks for the two papers are 120 and questions are set with wide choices/options so that even average students can get through with an idea of their motherland's history and salient features of their country’s ecology.
Last but not the least-unlike Bangladesh Studies, Pakistan Studies, Indian Studies etc. go on resolutely (in spite of difficulties). Taking into account that the subject has great worth, significance, influence and magnitude, let our younger generation learn and be enlightened on their motherland. 1 fervently appeal to the British Council and Edexcel to reconsider their decision and be more farsighted.
Tajul Islam
Gulshan-1, Dhaka
Malnutrition
The majority of the population is passing through hard days. Most of them are not conscious about the importance of balanced diet for good health and longevity. Malnutrition usually stems from poverty and from ignorance of what should be the ideal diet.
The issue is grossly neglected in our context.
Abdur Razzaquc
MSS&MPH
Mohammadpur, Dhaka Women and tourism
The affirmative role of tourism in women's empowerment can only be geared up if poverty reduction and the Issue of women's dignity and role at workplace arc addressed These are among the issues in UNWTO's Action Plan to empower women through tourism, announced recently. The organistion is committed to playing an important role in economic empowerment of women in the tourism industry.
I he Action Plan has to be considered as part of UNWTO's "triple commitment" objectives, in the framework of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and in support of the UN Millennium Development Goals.
The percentage of women employed in the tourism sector is already comparatively high; the UNWTO's Action Plan will also let us improve the quality and conditions of women's employment in tourism, as well as create increased economic opportunities for selfemployed women and microentrepreneurs. Bangladesh being one of UNWTO member states could be much benefited through this programme.
MS Islam
Tourism worker, Dhaka
Taxpayers
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has recently established "one point service centre" to offer the taxpayers certain prompt services. One of the jobs of the said one point service centre is to issue T.I.N certificates within 2 working days of receiving application from the taxpayers. But it is seen that the one point service centre established at Zone-7, Dhaka office, is not providing such facilities, as prescribed in citizens' charter, also published by the NBR. The applicants have to wait for 20 to 30 days for such certificates. Moreover, hand written certificates are issued nowadays, though there are computers at every circle.
The honourable chairman of the NBR and the respective commissioners of Zone-7 are requested to look into it as an urgent matter, so that the purpose of establishing “one point service centre” could be served.
A harassed taxpayer Topkhana Road, Dhaka
Pahela Baishakh
Pahela Baishakh is the biggest traditional festival for us. Bangla New Year is an indispensable part of our own culture, heritage, lifestyle and civilisation. When Pahela Baishakh comes 1 cannot express how pleased I am! It gives us a feeling of great pleasure.
All classes of people, especially the youths, came out on the roads wearing our traditional dresses to celebrate the day. Many take "panta bhat" with fried hilsa and sing Tagore's "Esho he Baishakh esho esho" welcoming the occasion.
A K M Emdadul Hoque Department of English Metropolitan University, Sylhet
Road accidents
Frequent road accidents in different places of the country have become a matter of great concern for all of us. These accidents yet again prove the inefficacy of our transport system.
The decision makers should look into the matter immediately and adopt both short long term measures to reduce the number of road accidents.
As ir Faisal
One-mail
Income tax law
I agree with the letter published on 17th April, 2008 entitled, "Income tax law" written by SMS Zaman, Member(retd), Taxes Administration, National Board of Revenue, Dhaka. I am a law student of 1st year and I don't know much about income tax law’s.
Mr. Zaman's opinion is that frequent amendments to the Act are not desirable. I think the point is valid. So, I agree with him that
before enacting the income tax laws, public opinion must be sought on some specific points.
Sadia Afsana Rima University of Rajshah i
Bangabandhu
If you have gone through the dailies or watched in the TV news the chronology of what happened in March of 1971, from the first through 25th, under the title "the days of tumultuous March”, you have again come to know who was that man whom the people of the then East Bengal, later East Pakistan, made their undisputed leader, who by virtue of his people's mandate led movement after movement against the state and government of Pakistan and sat across the table with the Pakistani Military Junta and Political Coterie and led marathon parleys in order to resolve the issues of future Pakistan on the basis of his Six-point, and who stood out to be the people's sole and supreme leader to hear from and obey, indeed as a king without the crown, and who drew the attention of the world press and the world leaders who saw in him the leader to make history. He was Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
What an unfortunate nation we are! That great son of the soil, the greatest ever Bengalee, remains unsung by the State!
After the present army-backed regime took over, Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed made it clear on a few occasions that Bangabandhu would be given his due recognition of being the architect of this nation, virtually the father of the nation.
But what we watch in practice is different...
AH Dcwan
Retired Govt. Officer
South Kafrul, Dhaka Cantt, Dhaka
Trial of war criminals
Are we really going to have our stalled general election by the month of December 2008?
Our war of independence sector commanders and many VIPs are constantly demanding the trial of war criminals/collaborators under the present caretaker government of Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed.
We wonder whether the general election or the trial of war criminals/ collaborators would be held first. Is it possible to hold the general election on the one hand and trial of war criminals/ collaborators on the other?
Would it not create chaos and confusion, law and order situation in the country with regard to candidature, selection and election of people who are interested in participating in the forthcoming general election 2008?
What system and procedures, legal aspects and time it would require to identify, accuse and prove and finally punish the war criminals/ collaborators?
Of course those who are demanding the trial of war criminals/ collaborators have to protect fundamental citizenship rights of the people of Bangladesh and also to ensure that there is no violation of human rights.
We are surprised why the sector commanders and many others did not initiate and pursue the trial of war criminals/collaborators under the former caretaker government of (i) Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed (ii) Justice Habibur Rahman (iii) Justice Latifur Rahman (iv) our present President Dr lajuddin Ahmed who was the head of the caretaker government (Chief Adviser) for some time and also under the elected government of (v) former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and (vi) former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
We strongly feel that we should hold our scheduled general election in December 2008 without any complications, delay and wastage of time in the greater interest of the country.
We also feel that after the election the next government may decide and start the trial of the war criminals/collaborators.
All's well that endswell.
OH Kabir
Dhaka
E-mail service for students
E-mail is the latest invention in the communications system. It helps all classes of people. The students are much benefited by e-mail. But in Bangladesh this facility hasn't reached all the students due to shortage of computers. If the e-mail facilities can be given to all the students, they will be immensely benefited by it.
SM Najmul Haque Emon Santahar (Chabagan), Bogra
NGOs and land
In the mid-70s, the government in order to facilitate the healthy functional growth of the NGOs at national level allotted land to a number of organisations in Mirpur area of the city to build up their infrastructure facilities. The Ministry of Social Welfare incurred the cost of the land out of its revenue funds.
Some of the NGOs have successfully used the land for building up the infrastructures needed for their programme operation with grants from the government under ADP financing and have expanded their service coverage.
However, all are not equally good in their endeavours.
The matter deserves a closer look
Abu Musa Miah Lalbagh, Dhaka
Sylhet station
Sylhet railway station remains what it was. People still don't get proper service from staffs working there. Sometimes even ten days earlier passengers don't get tickets. It is a mystery that all chair tickets are sold within a few hours after the sale starts!
Sylhet-Chittagong is one of the longest routes. So, it should be comfortable but we have to face many problems on that route. The service is very bad.
The railway authorities should address the problems that the passengers are facing at Sylhet railway station
Chowdhury Ashraful Karim
On e-mail
Army’s role in politics
The only surviving military rulers in Myanmar and Pakistan are in trouble. This is an object lesson for all the countries in the region.
We are very proud of our Army. They have gained reputation for their commendable services to the UN. They fought the liberation war
and gave leadership to our valiant freedom fighters to liberate the country. They rescue people during natural calamities like floods and cyclones that frequent Bangladesh. Their latest big contribution is saving the country from the brink ofcollapse on one-eleven.
They should help the government to hold a free, fair and credible election. If the expected election is held by Dec 2008 and power is handed over to the genuinely elected representatives, it will be a big achievement.
Shafiqul Islam
On e-mail
Motorcycles on footpaths
People going out for a walk to Raman Park in the evening are often bothered by motorcycles moving along the footpaths around the place! The motorcyclists don't look repentant, they push through the evening walkers without showing the slightest regard for traffic rules!
The traffic managers should ensure that no motorised vehicle uses the footpaths meant for pedestrians. That's too simple to have been overlooked!
A sufferer, Dhaka