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<%-- Page Title--%> Letters <%-- End Page Title--%>

<%-- Volume Number --%> Vol 1 Num 112 <%-- End Volume Number --%>

July 4, 2003

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Instead of Dhaka Diary

Dhaka diary is a very important section of SWM. The real picture of life in Dhaka is shown in that particular section. It is funny, interesting, educational and sometimes sad and pathetic. But the writers and events are only from Dhaka. We (who live outside of Dhaka) also would like to contribute to this section but cannot. Life in Bangladesh is not limited to Dhaka. Can you please change it to Diary instead of Dhaka Diary?
Mithun Kumar Das
Chittagong University


Importance of
public reading rooms

A few days ago, I read an essay about public reading rooms (not to be confused with public libraries). Perhaps the term “public reading room” is a foreign concept in our country, but in many other countries it is familiar. Reading the essay (written by a bank officer) I came to know that there are many public reading rooms in our neighbouring country, India. Reading rooms are places where people can read and study for a long time without disturbance. It is open all day and all night. Many people (especially poor students) in our country don't have the opportunity to study in their houses. During examination time it would be very helpful to have a place to study. It may be important for all students. I hope our government considers establishing a reading room.
Hadiul Islam Bhuiyan (Anwar)
University of Chittagong


Enlightenment or Vulgarity (Part III)

It is right that people of different ages and cultures gain enlightenment from different things. Something that may enlighten one person may not necessarily do the same for someone else. Such is the case of Mr. Delwar H. Khan. SWM printed a picture of a model from the Spring Summer Collection shown in the Australian Fashion Week in its May 17th 2003 issue, which in my opinion, did not fit into our societal norms and ideals. In our culture a woman dresses modestly. In the case of the model, the dress she was wearing was too transparent to cover anything properly. It was altogether too revealing. It may enlighten certain readers of SWM but I think it might have a bad impact on our norms, ideals and culture. Khan mentioned that the overall presentation of SWM cannot and should not be questioned. Although I agree on most counts, I also feel that criticism is the only way that SWM will be a better magazine.
Md. Jassim Uddin
Moulvibazar


In Defence of the Bangali Psyche

Your cover story (June 20, 2003) heavily comes down on the Bangali mind. The charges against hapless Bangalis were: backbiting, gossiping, nosey poking, exaggerating, hyphocondria, identity confusion, infatuation, and obsession with Bollywood serials. Well my firsthand experiences tell me that these are not problems of Bangalis alone, but are more or less, problems with all South Asian people. You do not necessarily have to come in close contact with another South Asian family to realise that fact. Just watch a few episodes of popular Hindi or Urdu serials on cable television channels and the truth will dawn on you. You could have fitted into your story at least one paragraph on the brighter sides of the Bangali soul. Very few other people are so hospitable and as ready to listen as Bangalis are. Only Bangalis will welcome you as visitors without invitations. Only Bangalis will genuinely be hurt if you leave their house without eating. These are positive characteristics of Bangalis that you might have mentioned in your article.
Mohammad Khaled
Mohhamadpur


 

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