Spotlight

Raj Anikat/ Driknews

A brand New Year
A brand-new start

Tawsif Saleheen

Personally I have always struggled with New Year's resolutions. I have never had troubles coming up with resolutions in the first place, mind you; it's keeping them that always proved to be difficult. Every year I come up with a set of awfully creative resolutions. I decide that enough is enough. Starting from next year I would stop procrastinating. I would seize every opportunity by its throat, and strangle on until the job is done. I would wake up early in the morning, exercise on time, eat more vegetables and get better grades (according to researchers, the aforementioned variables are all connected). I promise myself that from the very next year I would be more extrovert and be the heart and soul of every party. To put a cherry on top, I even promise to stop being a couch potato. Before I know, the year is over and I am once again stuck in a couch somewhere in the living room flipping from one boring channel to another, while I have hundreds of fruitful things to do. Some things never change.

The year 2008 has passed by in a jiffy. It had been a year of ambiguity. We have witnessed events that had shocked us out of our senses and the effects of which are still haunting everyone. The experts are still contemplating on the aftermaths of the global recession, whereas the shock waves from the terrorist attack in Mumbai still make many of us shudder. Despite such tragedies, the last few months of the year 2008 had been rather promising. History has been rewritten in the US Elections 2008.

The American citizens are all set to celebrate a colorful New Year after having elected the first African American President in the history of the country. The election in our country has also been conducted smoothly. And, someone has even thrown shoes at Mr. George W Bush. Things could not be any better. (Although, I personally believe that the journalist, whose name I have shamelessly forgotten, should have a New Year's resolution not to throw his shoes in the gutter anymore.)

Khandakar Anisur Rahman/ Driknews

Coming back to Bangladesh, the successful election on the brink of the New Year has filled many of us with a rekindled sense of hope. Only time would tell what the new Government has in store for us. Yet, it's hard not to cherish on the fact that an impartial and peaceful election has been conducted after two years of hard work. It's equally hard not to cheer for all the first time voters who have soared in this year's election. Not only that; the youth of Bangladesh have stepped up into their roles as the nation builders, prompting awareness campaigns to refrain from voting for the war criminals and also urging to cast 'No vote' if none of the nominees are preferred by the voter. All in all, on the threshold of a brand New Year, our country seems to be all set to make a brand new start.

At this point, I cannot help but wonder what it would be like if Bangladesh as a nation made its New Year's resolution. Every year we make resolutions to let go of our flaws, to make the right changes in our lives, to start fresh in a fresh new year. With all the positive momentum going in its way Bangladesh might as well be making a fresh start in the year 2009. Yet, our country has its share of flaws that needs to be uprooted, and many prospects that need to be pursued. All it lacks now perhaps is a strong resolution. Thus, at the brink of a brand New year, lets actually try and imagine what the New Year's resolution for Bangladesh should be.

Prito Reza/ Driknews

I will not let political instability ruin the economy of the country
Over the years we have seen how political instability in Bangladesh has crippled many prosperous business sectors. As the new Government is about to assume its control, deep inside many of us are scared that hartals and its harmful brethrens would rise again. Instabilities like this not only ruin the local business sectors, but also scare away the foreign investors. All in all, the people in the country suffer.

Thus stepping into a new year, the very first resolution of our country should be to create a stable political environment that nurtures the business sector, as opposed to thwarting its growth. This includes a corruption free support from the Government, and a promise from the opposition not to go for unnecessary strikes. This also includes improving the law and order in the country. I admit, quite frankly, that it's pretty hard (read: impossible) to imagine the government and the opposition in Bangladesh working hand in hand. However, no one is expecting the new Government and the opposition to become best friends all of a sudden. A little more co-operation amidst themselves than what was witnessed in the past may just make all the difference.

I will create more employment opportunities
With the ongoing global recession and with a declining job market in Bangladesh, prospective graduates are scared about what to expect once they enter the job market. Although the recession has affected the entire world, the effect on Bangladesh might be less in comparison to the neighbouring countries. If Bangladesh is resolute, certain sectors can still be garnished to create employment. We have seen that despite bad economy many financial institutions have gone for expansion in the past two years, recruiting more employees and some even opting for a complete brand re-engineering. Call Centers are also coming up in Bangladesh. If pressed well these opportunities may actually provide a way out.

Moreover, Bangladesh as a nation should have a resolution to promote entrepreneurship. This requires co-operation from the Government and a change in mind set from the rest of us. As a nation, we do not promote entrepreneurship. Starting your own business is usually deemed inferior in comparison to working in a reputed organization. However, given the state of our country, developing a positive attitude towards entrepreneurship is vital. The young generation needs to believe that they do not have to look for jobs as soon as they graduate. They can open businesses of their own and not only be self-employed, but also employ many others eventually.

The Government and other concerned bodies need to assist the small and medium scale entrepreneurs with adequate training and necessary funding.

I will foster the prosperous business sectors
In the past we have seen many prosperous sectors of our country being ruined by bad governance and utter carelessness. The jute sector of our country is a burning example of that. Despite the drawbacks of the international market, certain sectors are booming in Bangladesh. These business sectors can be the solution to many of our problems. As a nation, perhaps the most important resolution of Bangladesh should be to identify these sectors, and assist them to grow.

At a time when employment seems hard to come by, the Call Center Industry in Bangladesh is generating a lot of hope. The global outsourcing industry holds within itself a lot of prospects for Bangladesh. India is currently experiencing an overspill in the call center market. Being close to India, Bangladesh has all the opportunities of becoming the next emerging destination for offshore call centers.

ICT is another booming sector in Bangladesh. The importance of the Internet in establishing an efficient medium for communication is undeniable. Since import duties and VAT have been removed from all computer hardware and software, the price of computers has gone significantly down. As a result personal computers are gradually becoming a common element in every urban household. Moreover, telecom industry in Bangladesh has also grown over the past few years thereby strengthening the ICT sector. After the installment of Submarine Cable connection to Global Information Superhighway, the ICT sector of Bangladesh is looking even more prosperous. Currently 5000 ICT graduates are entering the job market every year. These graduates can be trained to work for foreign organizations. ICT can also be used to improve the e-Commerce of our country.

And finally, the RMG sector of Bangladesh requires a massive re-branding.

At the moment experts are contemplating on the effect of global recession on the RMG sector of Bangladesh.One school of thought believes that since Bangladesh makes only low-end RMG products, the recession would not affect the sector. Yet, other experts argue that in case of recessions the low-end manufacturers suffer the most. However, it is generally believed that it is quintessential to re-brand the RMG sector of our country to reap greater value for our products.

I will establish proper law and order in the country
The New Year's resolutions stated above would never come true unless proper law and order is established in Bangladesh. This does not necessarily mean involving a new law enforcing department; strengthening the old ones would work jut fine. More importantly, the responsibility is not just of the Government. Individually, if we witness illicit activities we should report it to the necessary bodies.

I admit that all these resolutions sound a little too dreamy. As a nation we probably have a lot less expectations from the year 2009. But that is the beauty of a New Year's resolution it is about taking those difficult little steps that we would not have taken any other time of the year. We may falter with our individual resolutions; I do all the times. But collectively as a nation let’s be resolute and play our parts in developing a more progressive Bangladesh in the years to come.

As for me, I have 2009 sorted out. My New Year's resolution is '1024 by 768'. With a 17-inch LCD monitor it would cost me around ten grands.

Have a happy New Year!

Firoz Gazi/ Driknews