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TO THE EDITOR
Safe nuclear power plants
Engr. Ahmed s comments on the matter published in your letters column on 2 December are justified; particularly for conventional nuclear power plants, using U-236 as the reactor fuel! The critical issue for these power plants, using Uranium-236 as the nuclear reactor fuel is the reactor operating temperature; control of which is critical for such reactors! U-236 is a dangerous radioactive material and any abnormality, on reactor cooling, could lead to runaway nuclear chajn reaction catastrophe, whighihappweddq the conventional U-236 fuelled nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, USSR. Additionally, there is also the constant danger of containing the radioactive contamination within acceptable levels!
However, most lay persons, and possibly even our "experts” in the Atomic Energy Commission are unaware of the safe nuclear fuel U-238; which has no radio-active radiation or contamination. Also the handling of the U-238 reactor fuel is absolutely safe, unlike U-236; handling of which is also risky, because of radiation hazards! Nuclear reactors using U-238 as the reactor fuel are quite safe.
Some small power plants (about 5MW) based on U238 nuclear reactors are running in a numberofUS universities, for practical training of their students, who study nuclear engineering there!
These U-238 nuclear reactors popularly known as "Pebble Bed Reactors" are safe, and it is practically impossible to have runaway chain reaction in it They are as safe as conventional steam power
station; so possibly many people are not aware of it; even if it is located nearby, in urban areas!
For Bangladesh, this is the safe and sure route for accident-free nuclear power generation! This type of nuclear power plant, is absolutely safe for Bangladesh; unfortunately however, not many people know about it! China is installing its first 400MW Pebble Bed Reactor power plant; which should be on stream soon! The technology was developed in Germany, and a number of such power plants are also running in South Africa!
Engr.SA.Mansoor ' Dhaka
Take corrective steps
Eid is a festival of joy. Throughout a year, a person waits for this day. As soon as he gets the holiday, he wants to go home. The same thing happens every year. Naturally, a safe mode of communication is essential.
The recent mishap that took place in Bhola is really pathetic. We have lots to learn from this incident.
Why don't the authorities check the launch before it begins its journey? Why do they carry a huge number of people? Now there will be investigation. But this investigation would not bring back the lives that we lost.
We the people of this country are prone to this kind of losses. It is the high time to think regarding this matter. Why don't we carry water-tyres when we have to cross long distance through water?
PradipDas
Dhaka
Television programmes
A two-day film fair, 'Mini INPUT Dhaka 2009', has showcased a number of the finest of public television programmes all over the world in Dhaka, screened documentaries as well as dramas at the Goethe-Institute from Dec 2-3, 2009 INPUT. It stands for “International Public Television." It is the leading public television organisation in the world.
It has organised international television’s most significant and powerful annual screening conferences for more than two decades held in a different country every year inspiring the progress of public service television by showing, promoting conversation and argumentum regarding the television dexterity. In fact, it was a meeting point for the television personnel, given that exclusive chance for producers, directors, writers plus all those together with self-governing producers and programme makers who add value to public television. It strengthened TV's prospect to promote superior understanding among the world's diverse cultures. Furthermore, it is a stage where contemporaries could network, swap thoughts and talk about strategies to guard the job of public TV. ShohagMostafij
MBA (Strategic & International Management)
University of Dhaka
Performance of ministers
I would like to congratulate the Education Minister, Mr. Nurul Islam Nahid, for successfully introducing and completing the Primary Level
Exams. This was no small feat that was completed in record time. This is proof that the government ministries can perform, can complete tasks If the Minister In Charge takes a proactive Interest and acts as a catalyst for change by provid -i n g Transformational Leadership. Through his leadership the Minister convinced all the stakeholders such as the parents, the teachers and the students on the necessity of an exam al the primary level. He created interest among all and the opposition propaganda against the exam was just washed away. Therefore other ministers should not give lame excuses that things are not possible because of the incompetent bureaucracy. Yes, the bureaucracy is incompetent, but it's the only one we have. We cannot import the bureaucracy from Japan or Singapore. The success of the minister lies in doing the job with whatever he has. If tilings are not moving in other ministries, it's because the concerned Minister is content to command from staying inside his AC room enjoying all the perks and privileges. The government has only four years left of its tenure. So far none of the projects such as elevated expressway, underground subway/monorail/power sector/improvement in traffic-situation etc. promised have even been inaugurated. There is hardly any time to implement its election pledges to the people. The BNP is waiting anxiously for the government to fail!
Farhad On e-mail
Too early for Obama?
Wining a much expected victory in the presidential election Barack Obama took his oath in January and became the 44th president of the USA. After about eight months of presidency he won his “second victory" when he was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. Obama accepted the prize on December 10. The Nobel committee picked Obama, who was inaugurated less than two weeks before the February 1 nomination deadline. The committee did not select Obama observing his activities as President. They selected him considering his presidential pledge. Now we can see the differences between Obama's pledges and his activities. During his campaign for the presidency, Barack Obama advocated a phased redeployment of troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan. But recently Obama has ordered 30,000 more US troops into Afghanistan. He also says the United States will begin withdrawing its forces by 2011. But we cannot see any sign of withdrawal. Though Obama advocates for peace, but we are observing a stalemate in the Middle East peace process. Even Obama rejects UN-sponsored Goldstone report which accused both Israel and Palestinian armed groups of committing violations of international humanitarian law during the war of Gaza. These activities imply that Obama did not deserve a Nobel Peace Prize. For me, I do not believe that Obama is worth this Noble Peace Prize. It is just not a right time for him to get this important award, it is way too early.
Ali Haider Chowdhury Mirboxtula
Sylhet
A suggestion
We came across to learn from media report that prior to Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change, some of the Heads of State of the South East Asian countries are holding the Cabinet Meeting at places where the effect of the curse of greenhouse gas emission is predominantly high. This is unique both in the sense that it is creating global awareness as well as our right to protest and to protect our right to live.
To express our solidarity, we propose that our government also arrange to hold one of our Cabinet Meetings soon, preferably before the Copenhagen Summit, in and
around Si DR or AHA affected areas where people still have a subhuman living due to onslaught of the cyclones.
Would our prime minister please call such a meeting immediately?
A reader
On e-mail
America following Russia?
When 80,000 (later increased to 120,000) Soviet forces Invaded Afghanistan to stop the fanatical Mujaheedlns from toppling the pro-Moscow regime in Kabul, they took up the combat and didn't equip and train the Afghan army. The Soviet commanders were supremely confident that they could do the job themselves. The Soviet Union was a formidable superpower and the Soviet forces were backed up by fighterbombers, helicopter-gunships and tanks and spearheaded by mechanised infantry divisions in full combat gear. Rag-tag Mujahedins had little apparent chance against such a military machine.
And yet, the Red Army made a hasty retreat after ten years of occupation because heavy Russian casualties made the occupation unsustainable. But they left Afghanistan without a combat capable army to thwart the insurgents. As a result, the pro-Moscow regime fell like a house of cards. By taking up the combat, the Americans may be simply replicating the failed Soviet mission. US President Barack Obama's decision to deploy an additional 30,000 troops resembles former Soviet President Mikhael Gorbachov's decision to deploy an additional 40,000 Soviet troops in 1985. And like the Soviet Union, the United States has also not properly equipped and trained the Afghan army to face the Taliban on their own. It is a pity that after eight years of American occupation, the Afghan forces are still not prepared to defend their country.
If 120,000 Soviet troops could not defeat the insurgents, 100,000 American troops cannot do the same. Moreover, the Soviet Union enjoyed a strategic advantage that the US forces never had. The Soviet Union was a superpower with common borders with Afghanistan while America is a distant power dependent on an unreliable ally like Pakistan for transit facilities. To avert further catastrophe, the United States should make equipping the Afghan army its top priority. The US forces should provide logistical support to the Afghan forces, but the bulk of fighting should be left to them. The greatest danger is that like the Soviets, the Americans might make a hasty retreat if mounting American casualties make the mission unsustainable. Instead of raising troop levels (only to withdraw later), America should gradually reduce its military presence, letting the Afghan army to take up the combat.
American philosopher George Santayana once remarked: "Those who ignore history end up repeating it." The Americans are clearly ignoring the lessons of failed Soviet mission in Afghanistan. Unless they change their strategy, they will face the same disaster that the Russians faced.
Mahmood Elahi Ottawa Canada
Wonder at Wonderland
It was the day after Eid, Sunday, 29 November 2009. With a few places to go to with my two children and wife in such an evening, 1 opted for the Wonderland Park in Gulshan in my neighbourhood. We found our way into the over-crowded amusement centre with a ticket of Tk 100 each which included 'Entry+AII Rides'. Thrillrider. 3D Zoo, Water coaster and Coin Games were kept out of the Eid Package. We queued for the Merry-Go-Round ride but the line was unbelievably long. Discovering that the
Bumper Car queue was much shorter, we went over and joined it. Before it was our turn, we got to know-that we would have to pay the regular price, though the ticket clearly said it was not excluded from the package. We had to miss the turn, buy the tickets and queue up again. I asked the attendant about the matter but he advised me to talk to the authorities. The joke of it was that all the popular rides were kept out of the offer and many people had to wait for two hours just for a Merry-Go-Round ride. Spending almost a couple of hours, we managed a 3D ride and a Bumper car ride, paying the regular charges for both.
I wouldn't be writing this letter if it were only my family or few others who suffered. There were literally hundreds of families who came here to have some fun. There were many who travelled from out of the city and did not care for the educated-urban-middleclass silence and voiced their anger loudly. I promised some of them I would talk to the authorities in the premises and ask about the matter. I found none that 1 could complain to. Being one living in the neighbourhood, 1 felt guilty to those simple-minded people who take any promise seriously. 1 apologize to them.
Sabuj Ahmed Banani Dhaka
Students under British Council
All English medium schools are following the rules of British Council and students are also concentrating on that. A time comes, after completing their O' level and A' level, when the students have to migrate to foreign countries for achieving higher degrees. But every student is not capable of going abroad for having higher degrees. Because they do not have enough source of money. They cannot afford these expenses. Because of this reason many brilliant students cannot obtain higher degrees.
Besides, the deposit of foreign currency in our country decreases as the amount of money gets converted to foreign currencies while taking admission in renowned universities in the developed
world.
So, the authorities should take necessary steps to evalu-• ^te the quality at.first. Then the issue of bank solvency should be taken into account. This would help create both a more competitive education environment throughout the country and a wide range of possibilities for those who want to take foreign education.
Rifat-Bin-Hossain
Mirpur-2 Dhaka
Practise benevolence
It came from newspaper reports that a celebrated Indian minister travelled in the economy class of the plane while on official visits. The present Congress chairperson also did the same thing. Then came the news of a young MP who travelled in the general class of the train. When fellow passengers discovered him beside them they became overwhelmed and commented, is not he our leader Rahul Gandhi? Yes, he did what is expected from dedicated true leaders of the people.
Let us see what gain is achieved from this deed of austerity. Persons doing this earned admiration, confidence and trust of the people. The government got money that has been saved which can be employed in other beneficial purposes. It is to be noted that they are entitled to executive class with many other facilities for comfort. By sacrificing some comfort they have shown wisdom and broadness of mind. The gap between leaders and common people has narrowed down and widened the understanding between them and thereby a bond of brotherhood developed and that elevated them to a very respectable position.
According to William Godwin: A virtuous man will teach himself to recollect the principle to universal benevolence as often as a pious man repeat prayers.
I now want to put a story of a poor garments worker who was not aware of all these events, nor did she know what austerity and benevolence mean. Rahimunnessa, a divorced poor woman, used to work
as maidservant in the house of a professor. Afterwards she worked in a factory for a long time. What she earned she kept it wifh her employer. She saved Tk 5 lakh from her earning. When asked what she would do with that money, she expressed her desire to donate it to any institution engaged in common man's service, particularly to hospital. She died in a road accident in 2006. The professor gave the money to a diabetis hospital fulfilling the desire of late Rahimunnesa. Her benevolent deed will remain as a great example to stimulate our hearts.
MA Alim Dhaka
Consumers in trouble
The writer of this letter while visiting a food shop in the Rifle Square detected some anomalies in the price of the food items compared to the previous prices.
On query, it was learned that the govt, had reduced VAT on food items from 15% to 9%. As a result, there was a deduction of VAT by 6% on food items. But the shop owners have added this 6% to the prices of food items to inflate their profits.
Will the VAT authorities and the Consumers z\ssociation of Bangladesh kindly look into this?
Kalam Dewan Dhanmondi Dhaka
English in schools
The Daily Star and the mobile phone company Aktel have taken programme entitled ' English in Schools' for popularising the English language among the students of sec-ondary schools at the district and upazila levels. I welcome this great endeavour enthusiastically.
Thus. The Daily Star and Aktel have jointly initiated the milestone from the basic levels. But the state of learning the English language in the rural areas is poorer than that of towns and cities. Hence it is expected that the programme will focus on village schools.
Ashim Kumar Paul Department of English Govt. Edward College Pabna