& çâÌæÚUæð´ ·¤è ¥ôÚU Îð¹Ùæ ÁæÚUè ÚU¹ð´ ¥ÍæüÌ ¥ÂÙð ÜÿØ ÂÚU ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´Ð ãæÚU Ù ×æÙð´, €UØô´ç·¤ ·¤æ× ·¤ÚUÙð âð ¥æÂ·¤ô ©gðàØ ·¤è Âýæç# ãôÌè ãñ ¥õÚU ÁèßÙ ·¤æ ¹æÜèÂÙ ÎêÚU ãôÌæ ãñÐ ÖÜð ãè ÁèßÙ ×ð´ ç·¤ÌÙè Öè ·¤çÆÙæ§ü €UØô´ Ù ¥æ°, çÁ™ææâæ ¥õÚU ©ˆâæã ÕÙæ° ÚU¹ð´Ð ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´, ÜÿØ ã×ðàææ ¥æÂ·Ô¤ Âæâ ãôÌð ãñ´ çÁ‹ãð´ ÂæÙð ·Ô¤ çÜ° ÂýØæâ ¥æÂ ·¤Öè Öè àæéM¤ ·¤ÚU â·¤Ìð ãñ´Ð

To the Editor
Wretched mothers
A DS report entitled 'Love lost, yet it goes on' was published on 15th February, 2009 which reflected , the agony of a wretched mother who is confined to bed and kept under treatment. Her progenies don't inquire about her and left her in a miserable state. I would like to (hank DS for publishing such news and making us aware of those hapless persons who are neglected by their sons or daughters in the final stages of their lives. It is a common feature in Bangladesh that parents don't have any individual dream and all the expectations centre on the welfare of their progenies. But in many cases, people are reluctant to provide mental support to their parents and also to pay attention to their medical needs in their old age. It corroborates that nothing can be more demonic than man and nothing can be nobler than man.
Though the government has promised us the Health for all’ programme but we are still far from its accomplishment. It is difficult for the government to feel the agony
<»i ihotb.uuls uf mothers neglected by their children. Still we are far from having a sense of solidarity with these hapless people.
Subir Das
Dept of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering BUET
Myanmar nationals The recent incidents of drifting to the deep sea by the Thai law enforcements agencies of the Rohingya boat peat approaching the Thai shore and their subsequent rescue by Indian and Indonesian navies have created a hue and cry all overtheworld.
Those people, a persecuted Muslim ethnic group from Myanmar, reportedly reached the Thai shore riding small country boats arranged by smuggling syndicates, risking their lives. They were promised to be taken to Malaysia or Indonesia by those smugglers taking a handsome amount of money. Those syndicates reportedly have bases across the region- in Myanmar, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and China and have linked to a section of law enforcers.
On the developments, response to their nightmare following the drifting, the Rohingya issue has come to the limelight calling for regional arid international actions to seek a solution which is due for a long time.
This is the time for Bangladesh, which has been hosting thousands of Rohingyas and other Myanmar nationals seeking refuge here, to negotiate with international communities and the UN and ask for a permanent solution.
And any solution to the Rohingya problem in Bangladesh should start with their return to their country of origin. Myanmar. Alternatively. Rohingyas staying in Bangladesh should be resettled in third countries as Bangladesh is already packed with its over population stricken with poverty. The developed countries need to show their courage and commitment in this matter.
The issue of burdensharing also needs to be considered by the developed countries. Merely, a token donation and resettlement of a small number of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh do
not make a point.
On the other hand, the international community should come forward for restoration of democracy in Myanmar and solution of the citizenship problem of the Rohingyas.
The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, has a role to play. It is time to see how this organization deals with the Thai or Indonesian authorities com pared to their 'pressure' on Bangladesh.
Having the cloud on the scene, Bangladesh should make it clear that the Rohingyas are not Bangladeshi nationals, rather they are tire Muslim ethnic group from the western part of Myanmar, known as Arakan (now Rakhine State) and bordering Bangladesh. Since, 1992 thousands of them have fled to Bangladesh owing to persecution by the Myanmar military rulers.
Bangladesh should also make it clear that if any of its nationals is found stranded in the territory of oilier states it will take back those, subject to confirmation of the identity.
I have been advocating for a long time for a national strategy for Bangladesh to deal with the Rohingya issue. There is a dire need for a national legal framework to deal with the refugee issue, including the Rohingyas.
The people in the ministries concerned should understand that adopting a law does not mean 'inviting refugees.' Rather, it would be an instrument to deal with the problem effectively and justifiably.
Udatta Bikash
Legal researcher and practitioner Dhaka
Law and order
I am so much concerned about the law and order situation that has deteriorated after the political government's coming to power. I am n allv frustrated to see the rvturuul thing-' that we almost forgot during the caretaker government's regime. Almost every day we get news of murder, hijack, roadblock, brawls etc. I don't know) what is going on all over the country. I don't know why the administration became slack after the formation of a political government. I think the government should take immediate steps to find out the reasons behind this laxity. If the previous caretaker government could make it happen, what's the problem of a political government?
I hope the government will send a strong message to the law enforcers to bring the situation under control. A stable law and order situation is one of the criteria of a welfare state. So, the government should consider the situation in practical terms, rather than being complacent.
Anis
Westjharnapara, Pahartali Chittagong
What is going on?
When I went to live in Road 33, Gulshan 2, in 2007,1 was very impressed by the development of the lakeside pathway which extended right up to the
bridge at Kamal Attaturk Avenue. It was an enchanting walk. All human life was there a real glimpse of what I believe is the real Bangladesh - rich and poor, young and old, enjoying the beauty of the scenery. I took lots of photos.
Mind you, one naughty builder had put all his building materials at tire back of his house, over the footpath, so the paving had not been able to be laid there and one had to scramble over the stuff but I just shrugged and muttered about those determined to spoil honourable attempts to beautify Dhaka.
The building of ihe new bridge began and the path was blocked off at that point but it still made a nice late, afternoon walk up to the point where one could peer over the barrier to see the progress being made. I rejoiced that the caretaker government seemed to be having a real impact and dared to have great hopes for the future.
Last July, I moved house (or, as one says in these parts, 'shifted') but revisited my previous flat recently to collect some mail - and was absolutely horrified to see the access to the lake-side path blocked by a wire fence and someone had built a house over the footpath on the other side of it!
What is going on? Has all this been done with permission? Ifso, whose?
Angela Robinson Gulshan 1, Dhaka
Underground railway for Dhaka TYaffic congestion in Dhaka has assumed such a menacing form that it has become a nightmare. Every day things are going from bad to worse. Successive govts, have been paying only lip service and no sincere & serious attempts have been made so far to address the problem. Economic cost of man-hour lust everyday is simply intal culable.
It is high time that the govt, should be serious about it and find out ways & means to solve the problem or at least reduce it to a tolerable level. The govt, is committed to constructing the Padma Bridge at a cost of overTk ten thousand cores & planning & designing of the project has already started. But traffic congestion in Dhaka is a much more serious problem which deserves urgent attention of the govt Some people come out with the argument that soil texture of Dhaka is not fit for construction of underground railway. This seems to be a hollow argument. If underground railway system can be built in Kolkata soil texture of which is not vastly different from that of Dhaka, I don't see any reason why it can't be done in Dhaka. TYaffic congestion in Kolkata has been greatly eased after the construction of undergfound railway.
What seems to be lacking in our case is political will.
The project will no doubt require huge funds. If the govt, fails to manage resources the
project can be implemented either through B.O.O (Build, Own & Operate) or B.O.T (Build, Own & transfer) basis. The elected govt, has no right to sit over the problem even for a single day.
Saleh Ahmed Chowdhury DOHSMohakhali
Dhaka
Politically motivated cases!
The reports carried by the dailies of 18 Feb. 09 said that the present government was going to drop cases lodged against some leaders, activists and supporters of their rival parties by the last alliance government which were reportedly framed purely on political motivation. The government has already moved ahead on the issue and constituted committees to examine merits of those cases. Most of the people will support and welcome the move because people believe that none should suffer for not doing any wrong and only wrong doers should face trial and get punishments.
But one thing the present government should bear in mind is that the government does not mean "only a few ministers" who have formed it. During the BNP rule there were BNP ministers, during the CTG regime some advisers were part of the government. The government means all functionaries. After the formation of the AL-led government, only the ministers have been changed but all other components, who are the real wheels, are there. They are permanent and remain in place whoever forms the government. The new government can only change places of postings of these functionaries and has to remain dependent on them. And this can create many problems. The last alliance government set free more than 72,000 cadres and criminals who were charged and arrested by the AL government, calling all the cases "politically motivated". They did not take the time to release them through the judicial process.
These freed cadres created havoc in the law and order situation.
They made the BNP's own existence insecure.
I believe, the AL government will carefully examine the merits of each and every case individually.
Shafiqul Islam, NY
We need a change There was a massive traintruck collision on 17 February 2009 that left 13 people dead and many more injured. The reason being a truck got stuck-up while trying to cross the unprotected level crossing. The High Court has given an ad interim order to the authorities concerned to submit the list of the unprotected level crossings across the country. There are numer-ous unprotected and unmanned crossings, especially in the rural areas.
The LGRD has constructed hundreds of km of roads across the country. Have they coordinated with the railway authorities about the crossings? What about tire road accidents taking place in the highways? Is it the fault of the drivers only? What about the launches that capsize regularly in the Kirtonkhola River? Even if the railway department provides the list what will be the ultimate solution?
Is it possible for them to provide adequate traffic systems at all the crossings? Well, the railway department is also at fault by allowing the passengers to sit in the locomotive's engine. We must enforce the laws against them. Take the cases of myriad underpasses and over-passes in the capital for the pedestrians. Still they are crossing the busy roads!
That reminds me of our parliamentarians who vehemently opposed the ratification of the ordinance that the last caretaker government made, scrapping the free import of luxury cars. Parliamentarians of the eighth parliament deprived the NBR of taxes to tire tune of Tk 280 crore.
Can't we use this amount in developing the conscience of the people so that they follow the rules? It's time to change. Shahin Siddiqui Mirpur, Dhaka
Local government and MPs
A fundamental question is, why do we need members of parliament ? The answer seems quite simple. Since our population is very large and they can not represent themselves in state governance, they require to elect somebody to act as their attorneys in the 'Jatiya Sangshad'. So, the only job of an MP is to look after the interests of the populace. But the field realities are quite different from their assigned job descriptions. We find that the public representatives are more interested in cars, jeeps, land plots and other perks.
An independent local body with all the powers is a prerequisite for development of an area or 'upazila'. The MPs seem to be hell bound to sabotage peoples' interest. They are opposing local government body commission in unison as they feel threatened and they are reluctant to relinquish some power. In reality the MPs are acting against the interests of their constituents. A good thrashing by the voters is what they deserve.
The government should not yield to their pressures and do justice to the people in whose name votes are sought. Dr.SNMamoon
On e-mail
A suggestion
The number of satellite channels in Bangladesh has increased rapidly in the last few years. They are arranging different types of competitions. Recently, Channel-i arranged the grand finale of an attractive competition 'Meridian-Channel-i Khude GaanRaj*. Certainly, it was a good venture of the sponsors and channel authorities. Luckily, the nation has found some 'God gifted voices' for enrichment of our cultural field in future. Congratulations to the competitors, especially the Gaan Raj!
Such programmes in different names and approaches are being telecast regularly. The ventures will discover some quality performers and they will enrich their respective fields. In this regard, Channel-i and ntv are playing a significant role. Recently, Channel-i took the initiative of arrang-inga recitation competition.
I would like to draw their attention to another aspect. You often tell us that you are arranging these competitions from your sense of corporate social responsibility (CSR). It sounds good to us. The venture which can bring out the real talents is “Khude Biggani”.
I hope the sponsors and television channels will consider my suggestion in all seriousness.
Md. Abdul Hamid Assistant Professor Dept, of Business Administration Shahjalal University, Sylhet
Ads and ethics
The boy was too short. His friends laughed at him and he felt very unhappy. Then the mother of the boy started feeding her son a particular brand of powder milk. Miraculously, the short-statured boy became taller than his friends and the boys began to call him"bhaia".
This is the story of an advertisement (ad) aired frequently on different TV channels. Albeit the story is attractive, it is a very offensive ad considering all themes in it. For hormone and some other genetic reasons a man becomes short or tall. It is definitely wrong to mock at a short or any other physically deficient man.
In all religious perspectives, this kind of fun making is a great sin, no doubt. The innocent boys and girls are learning to get pleasure from an unethical thing.
Harun-or-Rashid Sohhanbag, Dhaka
Smelly Wasa water
I am a resident of Shantinagar/Nayapaltan locality of Dhaka city. For over a month or more, we have been experiencing the worst kind of water quality supplied by Dhaka WASA; the stench and sewer-like smell make it impossible to drink and all kinds of boiling or filtering would fail to get rid of the stench. Food prepared with the water itself becomes smelly. I am not sure of the risk of health hazard as it was not tested but if bad smell is any indication of health risk, this water would score a perfect 10 in that scale.
Now, Mr. Rashed Khan Menon is the honourable representative to parliament from our locality and 1 don't know how to reach him. I hope this letter (through you) catches his attention, even if die smell (in water) had failed to do so by now. The honourable MP is a seasoned politician and activist and I have seen him take quite a vocal stand in the current session of parliament while congratulating the speaker or the victory ofthe 14-party alliance.
We hope he would show the same tenacity and persistence in this issue of drinking water and bring us a solution.
Md.AhsanulAbid
On e-mail