Stark materialism it playing havoc with the ethical and moral boundary conditions. The preachers and the activists are traditional in approach. It is a symptom of the heart ruling a good braina typical weakness of the Bengalees, who have good brains but are not encouraged to use it for the greatest good of the greatest number. We got the gift of the gab, and are carried away with the glib tongue. We are bad listeners; and react too quickly, depending on common sense. Why do we need higher education in colleges and universities. I can anticipate the question lurking behind; why I am being cynical?

Ad hoc passions rule our politics and agitation demonstrations in almost every field. We hardly bother when we are emotional and when to be rational. We are ruled by the mood of the moment. It phlegmatic temperament, as one foreign leader pointed out more than fifty years ago, as I read in a newspaper in Dacca (now Dhaka)?

Perhaps we are self-centred, which is rightly the pastime of the poverty-stricken environment. Surplus money in the wallets loosen the moral approach to things and atmosphere, and materialism narrows the horizon.

Just before the recent Eid ul Azha, I read a headline in a local daily "goat free offer when you buy a cow" (for sacrifice). How's that? Then what about fatwa on lottery and jua (betting, trying one's some product) market offering?

There is something wanting or missing in the approach to moral issues. The system of education has to be updated, and the style of lectures have to be returned.

There are gaps in the vertical levels of our society, but few activists denounce the flashy trends.

We need more debates on the topic touched upon above.