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Can change come to Bangladesh?

Ziauddin Choudhury
***Following on the heels of this historic election in the US, Bangladesh also made a bold comeback to democracy with a ringing victory for a party that also promised a change from the old system that had brought the country almost to a grinding halt. We felt that we could almost hear an echo of Obama, "Change has come to Bangladesh." But will it actually come?***
SHORTLY after his arrival in Washington DC, about two weeks prior to his inauguration, Obama visited places in the city that would be home to him and his family for the next four years. Escorted by the Mayor of Washington DC, he went to Ben's Chili Bowl, a place frequented by the locals for hot dogs, burgers, and its famous Chili.
At the end of the meal Obama gave a twenty-dollar bill to the waiter. When asked if he wanted to get change, Obama replied: 'No, we are straight." In African-American slang, it means no change is required. A delighted waiter, himself an African-American, commented later to a reporter that Obama's response showed that he is a brother." that is he was one of them.
The irony of the remark is that during
his campaign, especially in the early stages, Obama critics portrayed him as an "elitist," because of his education in a private school and Ivy League Universities. Obama would soon dispel this false notion through his ability to commiserate with a wide audience, reading their minds, articulating their hopes, sharing their dreams, and committing to work with all of them.
He addressed audiences of all colours and all shades of opinion, not all of whom agreed with him politically, or perhaps even liked the thought of his being president. But he impressed them, nonetheless, with a remarkable ability to listen, appreciate another's point of view, and seeksome common ground.
Obama's ability to seek a common ground, even with his ideological and political opponents, is yet another illustration of his approach in solving issues by
involving all who matter. Prior to his inauguration, Obama attended a private dinner at the house of George Will, an arch-conservative political columnist. There were other luminaries of the conservative platform, including the Weekly Standard's William Kristol. New York Times columnist David Brooks, and Charles Krauthammer of die Washington Post.
The event was touted in the press as "a charm offensive" by Obama. But this was in perfect Accord with his pledge to be a "uniter," and his willingness to take policy suggestions from any source, regardless of ideological affiliation, as long as they worked.
Following on the heels of this historic election in the US, Bangladesh also made a bold comeback to democracy with a ringing victory for a party that also promised a change from the old system that had brought the country almost to a grinding halt. We felt that we could almost hear an echo of Obama, "Change has come to Bangladesh.” But will it actually come?
Much hope rides on the politicalchange diat has come to Bangladesh. It may not have brought a new face, but it has brought back a leadership that hopefully has gained from the tribulations of several decades, been enriched by global experience, and humbled by personal adversity and reposition of trust by the
country.
Miracles need not happen, nor do big changes need to come overnight to meet the expectations, but they need to begin in a way that is transparent. Obama often remarked in his campaign that "change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time." For the new government in Bangladesh the time is now, and it is ticking away.
Formation of the cabinet with new faces gives us hope that the old order will gradually yield to the new. But fundamental changes need to be made in the way we work, conduct ourselves to resolve issues, and involve all who matter.
The euphoria of victory will soon wane, and the government will have to yield to the harsh realities of running the country. There will be hundreds of problems, and as many ways to address them. Some will have to be undertaken at great cost, both financial and political. But from my perspective, there are a few measures that could be undertaken at the least cost, but to everyone's satisfaction. These would be the following.
• Take advice from all, including the opposition. Have committees that draw membership from a variety of professions and political parties.
• Engage the opposition constructively by allowing them to sit in parliamentary committees; allow it to chair some.
• Maintain the independence of the AntiCorruption Commission, the Election Commission; and the Public Service Commission.
• Let all current cases of corruption be decided by the courts.
• Depoliticise the bureaucracy and the educational institutions.
Obama had said: "If the people cannot
trust their government to do the job for which it exists -- to protect them and to promote their common welfare - all else is lost.” I fervently hope that our government will do the right thing, and change will come to Bangladesh.
Ziauddin Choudhury is a freelance contributor to The Daily Star.