Humans establish institutions for the necessity of larger scale activities. It is obvious that there is a limit as to what one person can do by himself or herself. When it becomes two people, more tasks can be performed. Ten people can achieve still more. In this way, intuitions are created to achieve larger scale of works to meet larger requirements. However, institutions often become obstacles to better outcomes if the people working there are not conscious about their roles and responsibilities towards the society. Rather, institutions may provide anonymity for personal interest or selfishness when people inside forget their own mandate. Some government offices, political groups, and private organisations in Bangladesh demonstrate this type of trend.

Why does it happen? Are Bangladeshi people less responsible than other nationals? Are Bangladeshis more self-oriented than others? Of course not. Many foreigners agree that people in this country, particularly in rural Bangladesh, are full of hospitality to others. They value social bonds and ties, and perform properly in their community. In village communities, everybody knows their own duties and responsibilities. Most of the time, people behave according to thw ay other people with whom they interact in the community expect them to behave.

On the other hand, when one goes to a government office in Dhaka to ask for something, you cannot expect good performance from officials and employees. You have to be patient while waiting for long time. Your request is shelved, delayed, and sometimes not handled according to the normal procedure. However, the situation becomes almost opposite if you know someone in the office. You are treated as if you are visiting your friend's place. Your request is heard and fulfilled. In this sense, Bangladesh is a big village -- when one shows a certain tie to the "community" he/she is treated with full responsibility by the members of the "community." Such peoples' behavioral pattern does not fit in the current institutional system. It seems management does not exist in the institutions in this country.

During the past twenty years, many Bangladeshis left their country in search for better and secure life, especially for their children. I believe that no one wants to abandon his/her homeland if there is a certain condition for better livelihood in the country. I have heard many people saying, "If Bangladesh were safe, clean, and disciplined like America or Japan, I could stay in my country with my children without worrying about their future." Also I have heard people saying, "If everyone thinks and behaves considering benefit for other people, Bangladesh would not have become such difficult place to live for ordinary people." It is understandable that everyone has the right to seek out a better and happier life with his/her own effort. To those people who left the country, I want to request that you do not forget your bond with this country and try contributing or returning back someday when you settle your life.

Because of the absence of institutional management, the social system in this country does not serve its real purpose. Politicians cannot lead the country and its people. Postal services still are not fully reliable. Sometimes people have to wait more than one year to get a new telephone line connection. A number of hospitals cannot provide enough medical facilities to patients. Many roads are piled with rubbish. The police service seems to have little interest in protecting the security of its nationals.

The institute system is not indigenous here. Frankly speaking, Bangladeshis seem as if they are not comfortable in working in the "system." It might be because such modern institutional system had been brought by British administrators in British times in order to rule the people, not to serve the people. However, Bangladesh fought nine months of bloody war to protect its people and provide necessary facilities for its nationals. In order to do so, modern institutions are necessary and institutional management that accelerates its function is inevitable.

Bangladesh has a rich culture and tradition. It has its own social tradition and values which originated from a mixture of Bengali tradition, Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, and other religions. All of those exogenous values are incorporated together and created the rich tradition and culture of this country. Considering such tradition and culture, institutional management that fits Bangladesh has yet to emerge. It might be neither Western management nor Japanese management style. It should be a Bangladeshi style.

Bangladesh cannot be developed or changed by outsiders. It is the people in this country who can change this moral inertia, political instability, lack of security, environment degradation, traffic indiscipline, corruption, and many other things. To tackle this task, one can go back to the village and remember the values that are shared among the people in the community for benefit for all. In creating Bangladeshi style development, such values should be incorporated institutionally.

Chieko Yasuda is a rural development specialist and ex-JICA expert for PRDP.