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To the Editor

Letters will only be considered If they carry the writer s full name, address and telephone number (If any). The Identity of the writers will be protected. Letters must be limited to 300 words. Ail letters will be subject to editing.
Liberation war history
I would like to know if any census was done on the number of people killed during our liberation war of nine months. If no census was done before, it is better to do this immediately. It is necessary for any nation to know the actual history and the number of martyrs. It can be done by collecting information from each family residing in a ward (which has to be divided into several units to collect correct information) and side by side a history also can be prepared as to how and where these people were killed (this can be collected from (heir family/friends/local government records).
From this project we will be able to get the correct number of martyrs. war history of their lives, history' of war criminals will also come out from the grassroots level, which is very important at this hour to be discussed and published for the understanding of our new generation.
Mohammad Nazakat Ali Pallabi
Mirpur, Dhaka
Paintings: food for thought
Note the paintings behind the cycle rickshaws, and look at a Zen painting. Too many additions in one painting, and minimum use of ink/paint, strokes, and time. What is the difference between additive art and subtractive art? Look at the
For better English... Indians are good in English. That's why India is now an emerging tiger in the world. We can't ignore this reality. Therefore we hope that our coming government will come up with a definite policy on English education.! would like to make some suggestions regarding methods to develop communication ability in educational institutions.
To begin with, we need to reduce the number of chapters in current textbooks at primary school level. By doing so, students and teachers can be relieved from the burden of learning and teaching English. Students can have more time to practise easy expressions, naturally developing their communication 'ability. Teachers will also find enough time to plan how to improve speaking ability in the class. For they have to try to lead the class in an interesting and cheerful way.
Secondly, we must focus on one target. Students can speak simple English well in India, Sri Lanka and Singapore. But why can't Bangladeshi students speak English well? The answer is that we have been running after two rabbits at the same time in the past four decades. Thirdly, make it mandatory for students to appear in TOEFL or IELTS. Subsidies from the government can be offered for every university student for attend ing exams like TOEFL or IELTS, a department can be opened in every university for this purpose. If possible the education ministry can sponsor some workshops for English teachers from different educational institutes.
We need to give the teachers incentives like the opportunity to attend overseas language work
other The latter looks simple, natural and attractive. Why? One reason is the interactive reaction between the artist and the viewer -tlie latter completes the picture in his own way. and is happy. Zen art is sort of timeless. A consumer product independent of cultural differences of the users would sell more (subject to budgetary limitations).
Other examples are some modern consumer products such as mobile telephones and watches. Make it (look) simple and clean; not crowded and distractive (hide the technology inside). Note the variations in the use of cosmetics and the techniques used by the various beauty parlours A village lass is beautiful, without artificial adornments. In this modern and fastmoving world it is difficult to be simple and natural. To resist temptation is half the battle won (in art and culture). Apply it in political culture-you would be shocked of reality!
Another example is the TV stage design, as wc see on the TV screen daily of various satellite TV channels in different countries. The background and the stage environment should allow the viewers to concentrate on the presentation by the artistes, and their performance. Additive an has limitations.
In life, acquisition of knowledge is first additive; then later in life, collective wisdom prevails, and you start discarding the non-essentials. First acquire, then discard. Deal with the cream, throw away the milk (do not take this too literally).
shops.
Finally, local governments need to build a cooperative relationship with primary and secondary schools to help students use English out of school.
Lutfor Rahman
Seoul National University Korea
A party leader's prerogatives?
I'm talking about a prominent politician. The intransigence of this person and her party led to the pre-1/11 turmoil and still they are trying to create so many impediments in the way to the next general election in December. Most surprisingly, she is now dictating terms to the government for her release. Her secretary general Issued a 72-hour ultimatum to release her (already expired !). She refused to be a voter if not released unconditionally and wants her sons to be sent abroad for "treatment"; she even wants the govt, to recast the EC according to her wish.
Nobody understands why the government thinks the way it does. What is important is the holding of an acceptable free and fair election. If some party deliberately stays away from contesting election with an ulterior motive, it is their independent choice and that does not affect the credibility of the election at all. It is open to each and every citizen of the country to participate in the election, subject to fulfilment of certain obligations. We have seen in the recent municipal and city corporation elections that the “leaders" of the two major political parties called their party men to boycott the election;
The beautiful butterfly is perhaps not aware of its beauty, as scon by the humans; because it is the camouflage effect, for survival, Nature is economical in its designs - aiming at operational efficiency. The sports and racing cars arc streamlined, like the aeroplanes, for mobility, using minimum energy.
Economy in style is important for writers. Many go for this formula: simplicity, clarity, and brevity. The beginning of a short story is different from the opening paragraphs of a novel, or essay on a topical issue. Journalists are aware how to write in popular style; as there arc many levels of readers. What is the difference between a radio drama and a TV drama? Ask the screenplay editor. If you close your eyes and can follow a TV drama; than it is a radio drama-no need of the eyes!
Andaz, On e-mail
EnoughonSAU
I think enough is enough. In the last three months, there was hardly any day when the newspapers did not write something about SAU. We have another 26 public universities, which arc running with so many problems. Please highlight other universities as well to develop their education system and research facilities.
Any way, thanks to Professor Zahid and Dr. M.S. Haq for their continuous support to SAU. HafizChandan
Wuhan University China
whereas the general people and even their party men ignored their call and overwhelmingly and spontaneously participated in the election. The same thing will happen in case of upazila and the national elections, whether any leader or her party participates or not.
By refusing to enrol herself as a voter voluntarily, the said leader of the particular party is now disqualified cither to vote or to contest in the election which is a blessing in disguise for the nation. Let us not waste our time and energy in sending that 'party leader' and her sons abroad for "treatment". Let us not return to the family dynasty established by them.
Mohammad Ataul Hoque
On e-mail
Price hike
I am living in Australia for the last couple of years. I have seen that all businessmen sell their products at a discount rate on the eve of differ-ent occasion like X-mas, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and so on. But in Bangladesh the situation is different. Businessmen wait for the occasion to earn extra money by increasing the prices of commodities. I think that they are getting ready for the upcoming Ramadan, Eid and Puja. They know that people have no alternative to buying goods from them. People of Bangladesh can sacrifice money but they cannot sacrifice their festival. Businessmen know this weakness of the people and increase the prices of commodities. As a result, people are compelled to pay the extra money which is really unfair.
Sharif
UniversityofBallrat Melbourne, Australia
Humour and satire
1 think a lot of interesting events and characters arc emerging in our political arena. These can easily be produced as live comedy serial in the media networks. 1 am sure this would be popular and commcr daily viable, and our aesthetic values would receive a new dlmen-sion. Our talented drama scriptwriters might consider this. Here arc a few Ideas:
Visit an office in Sher c-Bangla Nagar. There you will meet some sophisticated people. They seem to devote a lot of time to dress code, but arc less serious about their prime responsibility.
Do not be surprised if you find huge stacks of lists with identity information and photos in their archives which could not be put to intended use due to some unavoidable problems. The question is what can be done with such a big unused stock of lists. The critics suggest that the " Match Makers” can probably make some limited use provided they have access to this list! Any way these would be outdated and redundant after the election year is over (?)
Comedy and satire arc two powerful media for effective communication. Stress-less environment brings longevity. The intention is not to hurt or humiliate anybody or disrespect any law of the land, but to enjoy the freedom of expression and information. Those who might be the centre piece in the drama serial should have high level of tolerance and the sense of humour to live with it. Areader
On e-mail
Asilvermedal!
I am feeling very happy with the news of Bangladesh winning a silver medal in the Beijing Olympics for its national anthem.
It is an unexpected recognition and the anthem was played in the opening ceremony. Out of 205 national anthems, Bangladesh's name came second after Uruguay, and Tajikistan was placed in the third position. I think it is a great honour for our country.
Nur Jail an Chittagong
Grabbing local politics?
I would like to thank Mr. MAS. Molla for his article enitled "Political psyche against upazila polls” (Aug. 14, 2008). I completely agree with him. However, I want to add one more point. This is the politics of grabbing the local politics by some central leaders. Bypassing the local party members' choice, they want to nominate personally over-loyal local leaders for the upazila elections. We remember the very recent event of nominating the candidate for Rajshahi Mayoral election. Actually, the present central leaders are the barriers. They are not willing to practise democracy. That is why, during the last four decades, the natural progress of our democratic leadership has been in decline.
AM Shahidul Islam
Doctoral Program in Social Sciences, University of Tsukuba Japan
Combating corruption Transparency international of Bangladesh says that incorporation of general people is a must to make the movement against corruption a success. It is not possible for a single institution to curb corruption, and corruption will be rooted out from society if the organisations ensure transparency and accountability. It is essential to incorporate the young generation into the movement as their ideas are important to stamp out corruption. Besides, awareness about corruption will be raised among the mass people if the anticorruption activities and programmes are put in the website. Subir Kumar Das
Economics Discipline AhasanullaHall Khulna University Khulna
Roadshow
I'm an ordinary citizen of this country. Whatever I do, directly or indirectly, I try my level best to do something better for my motherland from my humble position. In fact, many people are trying to do the same thing, mostly unrecognised.
Recently, the caretaker government took an initiative of Road Show throughout the country. It was held to promote a sense of patriotism in the nation as far as I can guess. It was observed under one slogan which is "Eso Bangaldesh Gori". This is really something great and holy, no doubt. We saw the cars and, jeeps moving from one district to another. We also saw young boys and girls waiting on the roads under the sun and in the rain to welcome those cars and jeeps. I would humbly like to ask some questions to the authorities concerned about tins.
What good did the school students obtain from that Road Show by exposing themselves to the sun and the rain?
Md. Hasan Iqbal Keranipara, Rangpur
National Mourning Day
According to a High Court (HC) order, the government has declared August 15 as the National Mourning Day. There is no need to mention why the day is significant in our life. However, this day is being observed differently by the political parties, which is indeed painful.
We have seen how the status of the day has been changed by different governments. Unlawful killing of any human being could never be justified. As a human being Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was not above mistakes. It may be true that he made some wrong decisions. It may be true that during his tenure law and order went out of control and his party men became reckless. However, killing could never be the solution.
In our history we saw peaceful events like 1/11, mass upsurge of 1990 etc taking place when the rulers became tyrannical. However, nobody could support bloodshed in the name of change.
The reason why we should mourn Aug 15 is simple -- we are humans and we are Bangladeshis.
Similarly, every political killing should be condemned. If possible May 30 should also be declared a day to mourn, as after Bangabandhu, Ziaur Rahman was the only president to have been assassinated in the country's history.
Let's forget what wrongs our national leaders had committed for the sake of our unity and for a bright future. By executing the verdict of Aug 15 killing and Jail Jailing the rule of law could be established.
MoinulAlam
Dhanmondi
Dhaka
'Terrible tailbacks, agonising waits' This is a well-written piece and quite timely. But what is not stressed is the current halfheartedness of the traffic police. Even a year back they used to act against the traffic light violators. Now mostly they remain unconcerned. Another common practice is the deliberate deviation from the colour of traffic light sense. This develops a lack of alertness in the mind of drivers. If every time I find that I can go on when the light is red (under police prompting), I fail to react when there is no police. This is human nature. Another factor is the rampant practice of using the footpath for everything else but the pedestrians. Buildings are sloping away their fronts so that pedestrians cannot walk there and cars can be parked unhindered.
Traffic in Dhaka is a hydraheaded problem. But the control should start in small instalments. Now it is a case of total helpless surrender.
MAH, Dhaka
Gas disaster!
Once we heard that Bangladesh is floating on gas. The policy makers were so confident about the storage of gas resources that they were considering exporting gas to neighbouring countries. But unfortunately in a few years we have started facing shortage of gas. Supply of gas has been prohibited to newly established industries. The government has informed us that before 2011 it's not possible to provide gas to the newly set up industries. Recentiy, we have been informed that the load shedding at Chittagong is the highest in the country. But in Sylhet we are not far
behind. The main reason behind this is the shortage of gas supply to the electricity power plants.
On the other hand, the authorities have provided licence for establishing CNG filling stations only on political consideration. Automobile owners have converted their vehicles into natural gas operated ones. Now they have to wait hour after hour for getting gas from the filling stations. They always claim that the pressure of
gas in the stations is very low. So, they don't get expected gas timely. We are worried about a new experience. That is... we are not getting gas in our homes after 10:00pm. We have to wait till around 8:00am to get the normal pressure of gas.
Please take necessary action to set things right.
Md. Abdul Hamid
Assistant professor
Dept, of Business Administration Shah Jalal University, Sylhet