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To the Editor...
«“ will bo protected. Letters must be limited to 300 words. All letter, will be subject to editing.
Secularism
The ideology of secularism has come to the forefront again after assumption of state power by the Awami League led grand alliance as this government strongly advocates secularism which is one of the major policies of the AL But a vast majority of the Muslims think that secularism contradicts the basic faith of their religion “Islam1’. It is not very difficult to understand the reasons if anyone closely observe the definition of secularism which normally means “ An ethical system founded on the principles of natural morality and independent of revealed religions or supematuralism".
Engr.Md.Aminul Hoque Khalishpur RJA, Khulna
Attention:
Bangladesh Bank With the expansion of technology and effect of globalization the demand of external education/ distance learning is growing rapidly. Especially,
the institutions which have global reputation attract large number of students. The University of London is such an institution and most probably attracts maximum number of students from Bangladesh who intend to attend external programmes. But in sending different fees like application handling fee, registration fee, examination fee the students here face a harsh and painstaking reality. No bank is willing to process the bank draft for distance learning saying that there are restrictions regarding the matter from Bangladesh Bank They also say only two branches of Sonali Bank are empowered to handle this kind of bank draft. But going to that branches it has been learnt that only the fees of the students who are recommended by two particular institutions are processed through those branches. If their version of the statement is true we must say how bizarre the situation is that the students who directly want to be admitted to
London University cannot send their fees without taking the help of any tuition provider, even when it is not necessary for them. To make sure whether the money is going to London University, is it not enough to ensure that the bank draft is crossed in favour of London University? And even after that if it thinks that an invoice letter is necessary it may ask the local British Council or British High Commission but it can in no way compel students to be admitted to a local coaching centre.
I hope Bangladesh Bank will make the process easy. Anonymous, On e-mail
Ramadan & school holidays
For the last few years we are observing that there is heavy movement of traffic in the Dhaka city during the holy month of Ramadan causing an unbearable situation for the commuters. This can be attributed to two main reasons. 1) The shopping spree
for the ensuing Eid starts right from the beginning of the month 2) Most of the English medium schools remain open almost throughout the month. A rough estimate has it that more than 10,000 students In the English medium schools like Scholastica, Sunbeams, Sunnydale, Southbreeze , Mastermind, BIT and others move with cars to and from the school. If their movement is totally stopped during this month It will come as a big relief for other citizens. The school authorides, however, can complete their syllabus by adjusting this with summer vacation. Unless this is made mandatory by the government most of these schools will try to follow their own curriculum / academic schedule.
It has, therefore, become imperative on the part of the govt to issue notices to these schools to keep the schools closed during the month of Ramadan.
A conscious citizen On e-mail
Senator Edward Kennedy
The death of Senator Edward Kennedy has robbed Bangladesh of a great friend who came to her side in times of her need. He opposed the position of the then US President Nixon who supported the genocide launched by the Pakistani military regime. Ironically, Nixon stated in his own handwriting, “To all hands: DON'T squeeze Yahya at this time”. Thus he blessed General Yahya Khan of Pakistan to continue the killings of Bangalis and to push several millions into India as refugees.
1 took part in the liberation struggle of Bangladesh. In my capacity as the president of the Bangladesh Association of British Columbia (Canada), I wrote a letter to Senator Edward Kennedy in June 1971 regarding the US policy on military assistance to Pakistan. He wrote me back immediately and stated , “Thank you very much for your recent letter regarding arms assistance to Pakistan. I certainly share your dismay and concern over this violation of a self-imposed Administration embargo upon military aid to Pakistan. I am presently co-sponsoring a resolution together with Senator Charles Mathias which would ban arms assistance to Pakistan. Again, thank you for writing, and best wishes."
Subsequently, in August 1971 he visited the refugee camps in India and was deeply distressed to observe the sufferings of people. He exposed the brutality of the Pakistani military regime to
the world. Senator Kennedy visited Bangladesh in January 1972 soon after her liberation. He planted a tree at the famous “Bottola" of Dhaka University campus.
Senator Kennedy was a man of great vision. Just like the Bangladesh crisis in 1971, he opposed the US government's policy on Iraq In 2003. He was one of the very few US Senators who voted against the illegal Invasion of Iraq describing it as “the wrong war at the wrong time". He was correct In assessing the situations whether it was in Iraq or in Bangladesh.
His absence will be deeply felt for a long time to come. Dr.Shahjahan Kabir On e-mail
Indigenous children and youth Indigenous children and youth are particularly vulnerable to human rights violations, as they often find themselves caught between their indigenous language, customs and values and those of the wider community.
Indigenous youths are vulnerable to a range of social and economic factors that affect their human rights. Indigenous youths are often forced to leave their traditional communities and move to urban areas to pursue employment or education opportunities. In the new urban environment, they are often subjected to discrimination by the wider community and denied equal opportunities in employment and education. Throughout the world, indigenous youths are disproportionately represented in youth unemployment. They may have great difficulty when they are separated from their traditional communities and live in a social environment that does not promote their participation in economic or social life. This can have devastating effects on their sense of self-worth and cultural identity and may lead to a range of serious health and social problems, such as depression and substance abuse. In many cases, indigenous youth also lack adequate access to affordable and culturally sensitive health education and health care, increasing their risk of contracting preventable diseases.
They inherit the responsibility to protect and preserve their traditional lands, resources and sacred sites upon which their cultural heritage and identity is based. However, many indigenous youths today are physically and psychologically removed from their culture and traditional life. They require special assistance so that they can regain and preserve their cultural heritage and enjoy free access to their traditional
lands and sacred sites. Continuous damage to the environment threatens the survival of many indigenous people. Because their cultural Identity and heritage is inseparable from their traditional lands, the protection and conservation of the environment is a priority for indigenous youth worldwide.
We have to focus on education, health, nutrition, primary health care, basic education, safe water and sanitation, activities to protect children from exploitation, violence and abuse and rural development to improve the living condition of indigenous women as well as children. Mohammad Rajja Nepal Student Society, Dhaka
15 years old cars
It appears the government is being run by the car dealers of the country. They knew that import duty and taxes were going to rise before the budget was announced. So they imported a huge number of cars and released them before imposition of taxes. Customs officials worked day and night to clear the cars in time! But because of high price and economic downturn the car market is slow, at least not up to the satisfaction of car dealers, So, a new devices are adopted to speed up the sale of cars. They will push the 15 years old cars off the city streets. BRTA in anticipation of such design stopped giving fitness certificate to such cars. Many such car owners deposited requisite fees including income taxes as advised by the BRTA officials.
Our officials should realize that we are not living in the period of Emperor Tughlak. It is a democratic country where rules and regulations should be in the interest of public, not certain business quarters. A car should be given fitness on its maintenance, not on age only.
The minister concerned may look into the matter immediately.
A sufferer
On e-mail
Why this dress code?
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina's advice to the people, particularly government officials and executives of different offices to wear casual dresses and avoid suits from March to November to save electricity is another knee-jerk response to power management It is not easy to control people's lifestyle. Some people always need comfort to work better. There is no holding them back What we have to ensure is that the government officials enjoying AC are not busy looting people's money and energy.
Will the government stop beating about the bush?
Tinku
Lalpur, Natore
21st August attack
Mr. Fazlul Karim Selim, a presidium member and some other AL leaders have demanded Interrogation of the former Prime Minister, her son and State Minister for Home, Minister Lutfuzzaman Babar to find out if they were involved in that gruesome killings of many AI. leaders and attempted killing of Sheikh Hasina on 21st August 2004. 1 think they have some valid points for making such a demand.
Let us recollect the very day of occurrence. Many BNP leaders immediately after the Incident came up with ready statements saying, "This is the act of AL itself, they (AL) have done it just to make an issue to discredit the BNP government". During that time parliament was in session and many BNP leaders gave similar statements in parliament in presence of the former prime minister.
Then after a day or two, the prune minister herself, being confirmed out of no investigation, in clear language told the nation in parliament, “The grenade attack was in fact, planned and executed by the AL itself."
Then came the inquiries, calling of FBI but not providing assistance, destruction of evidences immediately after the incident, inaction of police who were present at the venue, Joj Mia drama, frequent transferring of IOs etc.
BNP Secretary General while commenting on the reinquiry process, repeatedly confirmed their concern by saying that "the re-inquiry is being processed just to implicate BNP leaders in the case". How does he know that the reinvestigation will find the BNP leaders and not any other persons?
Shafiqul Islam NY
BDR carnage
Hopefully, the investigation into the BDR mutiny digs deep and identifies the root causes behind the ugly incident. Otherwise, any shallow or glossing over of issues will only leave the root of discontent to germinate in future! Investigation is needed into the utter failure of various intelligence units whose incompetence is one of the major, if not the only real failure in this case.
1 hope the relevant authorities are aware of the serious issues involved.
Fair minded
Dhaka
Paradox of
Ramadan
The blessed month of Ramadan is for Muslims to renew and practise the lesson
of Siam or restraint, in eating, drinking and other worldly affairs which give pleasure. It Is a month to learn selfcontrol. I am therefore surprised that during Ramadan food prices go up which according to economic science must be because the demand for food Items go up, y and although Muslims fast assiduously 1 have not seen anyone actually lose weight in this month by this process.
Normally, eschewing eating, drinking and merrymaking during this month should make foods items cheaper, bodies lighter, and the spirit holier.
Engineer Shafi Ahmed
London, UK
Horoscope
In many newspapers & magazines nowadays, horoscope ("rashifali* in Bangla) is printed. These predictions or fortune-telling may be interesting and funny to read, but everyone knows that these are baseless. They do not have the slightest connection with truth or science. How could possibly the movement of planetary bodies and stars effect the regular events in human life? Some uneducated people or distressed persons tend to believe them, giving a chance to mislead themselves.
Why should newspapers print it? Doesn't it give a chance to the people who are practising this as an occupation to earn money through cheating?
I would request the newspapers and other media not to print or propagate horoscopes. palmistry, etc because of their baseless nature.
MD. Khan
Uttara Dhaka
Our swimmers
The South Asian(SA) Games will start from the 29th January and our swimmers have already started their preparation under the guidance of their Korean Coach Park Taegun. He is guiding our , swimmers as part of the agree- 4 ment between Korean, Olympic association(KOA) and Bangladesh Olympic Association(BOA). A few days ago. we were having a walk inside the Mirpur swimming foundation and had the chance to talk with Mr. Taegun. He appeared to be very optimistic.
We think the authorities concerned should pay heed to the plight of our neglected swimmers because we truly believe that they can bring glory for us in the upcoming SA Games, if they are provided with the best available facilities.
Sheikh Iraj
Shakawat Hossain
Mirpur, Dhaka