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TO THE EDITOR
Tipaimukh dam and other issues While welcoming the bilateral agreement between the Indian Foreign Minster and our Foreign Minister at New Delhi recently, I feel that what we got on Tipaimukh is "an assurance" and not an agreement to the effect that India would not do anything “which would adversely impact Bangladesh" as reported in -The Daily Star of 11 September 09.
It appears that India has not yet agreed to allow Bangladesh to have access into the scrutiny of facts on all aspects of Tipaimukh Dam and its effects / impacts on water availability in the two branches of river Barak i.e. Surma and Kushiara passing through Sylhet Division as well as Meghna and all other linked small rivers and canals.
I have in an article under the same title narrated in details the problems being faced by our people on the bank of Surma river in particular ever since 1947. Indian attitude to our country was hostile in those days and it
continued till 1971 and even now. India had deployed their troops on our bank of the Surma claiming that the whole river belonged to them as it was a property of the then adjacent Cachar district of Assam. However, in the Mujib-Indira Agreement of 1974 it was agreed that the midstream of Surma would be the boundary between India and Bangladesh. Unfortunately Indian border guards still traveFon boat in Surma,-drop dowry at any point of our bank and destroy vegetable plantations by our people. They do not allow our people even to collect water. Since no mention of the Surma river has been made in the briefing of press by our foreign minister, I would appeal to our government to advise our people whether India has agreed to vacate half the Surma river for us to make use of it
In case this matter has not been raised with India, I would request our government to kindly take up the matter in the next meeting with New Delhi.
Altaf Ahmed Choudhury One-mail
Diverse Bangladeshi culture
Bangladesh has a culture that encompasses elements both old and new. The Bengali language boasts a rich literary heritage, which Bangladesh shares with the Indian state of West Bengal. The earliest literary text in Bangla is the eighth century Charyapada. Bangla literature in the medieval age was often either religious (e.g. Chandidas), or adaptations from other languages (e.g. Alaol). Bangla literature matured in the nineteenth century. Its greatest icons were the poets Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam. Bangladesh also has a long tradition in folk literature, evidenced by Maimensingha Gitika, Thakurmar Jhuli or stories related to Gopal Bhar.
The musical tradition of Bangladesh is lyric-based (Baniprodhan), with minimal instrumental accompaniment. The Baul tradition is a unique heritage of Bangla folk music, and there are numer-
ous other musical traditions in Bangladesh, which vary from one region to the other.
We should realize how lucky we are to have been born In such a culturally diverse country.
Shohag Mostaflj MBA (Strategic A International Management) University of Dhaka
Jamaat leader's son Recently, Dr. Alauddin Ahmed, prime minister's advisor, Issued a statement that Brig. Azmi, son of lamaat leader Golam Azam, was sacked from the army on national security ground. This statement appears outrageous that after so many years of distinguished service and career, a person has to leave his service in this manner. Golam Azam should have faced war criminal charges long time ago. However, Golam Azam's misdeeds should not be the reason to inflict any unjust act on his son. Some people responsible for such inconsiderate and morally wrong acts should think again that they will not be in power forever. My request to these people is, please do the right thing. Do not victimise people for actions of their parents.
Iqbal Mahmood, Ph.D., P.E. Corona, California
Save small fish
Fishes which grow to size of 25cm or 9 inches in mature or adult stage In their life cycle are known as small indigenous species (SIS). About 144 small indigenous species are available in our country. But today most of the species are going to be extinct in our natural habitats. Due to indiscriminate exploits oi. of brood and baby fishes, i uuced natural habitats, presence of irrigation projects, huge amount of silting, use of pesticides and pollution from industrial wastes, the fish population is dwindling.
So, we should be conscious about SIS and take necessary steps to protect them.
Md. Al-Hela)
Faculty of Fisheries Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science & Technology University
Dinajpur
VGF card
"VGF bid at stake”, the news was published in The Daily Star on 6 September which drew my attention.
The operation of vulnerable group feeding (VGF) programme was politicised almost in every part of the country when it was started weeks ago. Local ruling party leaders took away VGF cards for distributing among their own people. So, the whole purpose of the scheme was defeated. The authorities concerned should look into the matter.
Mahmud Ali Kabir Ex-BSS correspondent Gopalganj
Digital Bangladesh The government declared that Bangladesh would become a digital country by 2021. If I clarify its meaning, It refers to the initiation of e governance, e-commerce, e-business and e-fit system around the country. The Important thing to implement "Digital Bangladesh" is the electricity. Unfortunately, electricity is not produced as per its demand. Electricity supplied from the national grid is very meagre in amount and load-shedding is a regu lur phenomenon. But our government is not showing any concern over this issue.
I think the government is not taking effective steps to solve the major problem. If the problem cannot be resolved nationally, we can ask for foreign help In this regard. So, the government should think about this project, so that we can get a digital Bangladesh. Md. Jubair Uddin Department of English University of Chittagong
Quacks at work Quacks who dishonestly claim to have special knowledge and skill in medicine are found in the busy streets, railway stations and terminals, selling their medicine. They are, indeed, very popular among the illiterate people. By songs, convincing lectures or by any other tricks, they create a crowd of listeners in order to sell their so-called medicine. They say that they can cure all serious diseases which modern medical science cannot' Now they are distributing their leaflets to people, using microphones, and what not. The simple-minded people are often cheated by them. In the circumstances, the authorities concerned should take stern steps against all these quakes.
I labibur Rashid Ismail Chittagong
Asian Highway
It is good news that the government of Bangladesh has decided to join the Asian highway. But the parliamentary committee's recommendations for accepting proposed routes AHI (Benapole-Jessore-Bhanga-Dhaka-Kanchpur-Sylhet-Tamabil) or AH2 ( Banglabanda -Hatikumrul-Tangail-Dhaka-Kanchpur-Sylhet-Tamabil) do not seem to reflect due considerations being given to our national interest. Though UNESCAP proposed these two routes as international, a closer look will reveal the regional nature of both these routes. The fact that both the routes start from and end in India after passing through Bangladesh is an added disadvantage for us.
The proposed route AH 141 (Mongla-Khulna, - Jessore-Pakshi-Hatikumrul-Dhaka-Kanchpur-Comilla-Chittagong-Cox's Bazar-Teknaf-Yangoon), which is
dubbed as a regional route, merits more consideration to be treated as an international route than either Al 11 or AH2. Bangladesh should start negotiation with UNESCAP and India and Myanmar to treat AHI4)as an interna tional route with the following modifications: Benapole-Jessore-Dhaka Kanchpur-ComIlla-Chittagong-Cox's Bazar-Tcknaf-Yangoon.
In my opinion, Bangladesh should choose to join this modified international route of the Asian High way. NuruddlnAzam Australia
Unfair deals
The AL govt is striking unfair and unequal deals on petroleum and gas with foreign companies without much debate in JS regarding its pros and cons, also there is no debate in the media. If the govt is right, what are they afraid of? Why Anu Muhammad or other economists couldn't be seen In BTV and other channels with open debates before any contract with those US companies was signed ? What do they want to hide? This hiding tendency is not compatible with a democratic govt at all. As remitters we are concerned. We need to be convinced before sending further remittance to Bangladesh.
If TV channels and parliamentary committees could solve the problem, there was no need for hartal.
Dr Azizul Karim
GP. Australia
Corrupt railwaymen
Last July I went to Dinajpur for official work. On the way to Dinajpur by Ekota Inter City train what I saw was beyond expectation. When the train reached Parbotipur station, a good number of passengers got into it. Eventually, I was over there(that compartment). They did not take ticket from the counter. Some time after the train left the station, the Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) came to the compartment and collected money from the passengers who had boarded the train from Parbotipur station without ticket. I stared at his radiant face for a while. When, he understood that 1 kept my eyes on him, he left the compartment without delay. Probably this is the normal practice.
Now it is time to take action against all such unlawful activities.
Md. Shadiqur Rahman Trainer
Human Rights & Legal Services Program Brae Training & Resource Centre
Sreemongal, Moulvibazar
Hartal
It is very disappointing that people did not respond to the call of hartal by the national committee to protect gas, oil, mineral resources and power
in Dhaka city on September 14, 2009.
People should have observed it for the sake of the country, but they are busy with their petty interests, not caring about the greater interest of society. But it is a grave mistake because in the long run. if the government does not abandon its plan all of them will suffer.
1 am surprised by the Dokan Malik Samity s declarapPh . that they would keep their shops open because they would incur losses. In Ramadan no one goes shopping before ten or eleven in the morning, the hartal was scheduled to end at 12:00noon, so people who wanted to buy something would definitely go after twelve, it is clear that shop owners would not lose any customers.
All this proves that we are a selfish nation, we cannot see beyond our narrow horizon and one day we will have to pay for it dearly.
Nur Jahan Chittagong
Sufferings of students
This year, the honourable education board members decided to make some changes in our education system. As a result, now all the students of class six to nine are taking lessons in the creative system. This system is supported by most people. But this is not all. The mai.^ thing is that this system is ’ totally new to the students. Asi am ir-stadent of CfAss eight* I have seen the sufferings of students closely. Everybody thought that it would bring good to us. But the reality is that the system is not propter for us.
TanzilaTahera, One-mail
Who is a leader?
It is not the one who leads in politics, nor on the battlefield, nor in say business activities. A leader is undoubtedly the one who gives moral leadership to the nation by his/her thoughts and actions.
Who measures up to this simple standard in Bangladesh?
Engineer Shafi .Ahmed
London, UK