More In-Depth Research Required
In reference to the cover story "In Search of Honey" published in SWM, I would like to point out some grave mistakes that I find are very uncharacteristic of your publication. Firstly, the writer, Mustafa Zaman, wrote about honey gathering without actually visiting the area. Firstly, because the information about it is mostly wrong or filled with propaganda, writing an article without doing proper research is not the best idea. Secondly, the main person in the article - Tanjilur Rahman - who is portrayed as an 'expert in honey hunting' is someone who I know personally. Because this is the first time he has gone honey hunting I wonder how he can be an expert. I feel that the lines, "Tanjil has developed an understanding of the working of the eco-system of this forest" (pg 9, line3), are especially misleading considering that people who have lived in the Sundarbans and work regularly with honey hunters do not even make this claim. I feel that there were more experienced experts on honey hunting that the writer could have consulted instead of just using one source -- especially one who does not even provide proper scientific and relevant information. Foreign organisations adopt development measures based on press articles such as these. As an esteemed paper, SWM should take more responsibility in cross-checking facts and should consult real experts when writing a story.
Nur-e-Alam Chishti
Khulna

Bangali Culture?
I agree with Shamim Ahsan when he said in his article ‘To Bring Children Back to Books’ that our country's culture was at sake. It is not because our culture is not up to par with other internationally recognised cultures. Our habit of adapting foreign cultures at the expense of our own volues have brought us to this situation. It is not enough just to suddenly adapt our Bangali culture for one day, as so many people do for Pahela Baishakh. This is a matter of shame for us. Wherever we go we are surrounded by the influence of Hindi and English culture.
Naome Syed
Mohammadpur

Disrespecting Sanctity
As a student I have to go to Central Library regularly. After reading for a few hours I usually come out and enjoy the scenery of our campus. Whenever I go to the graveyard situated by the side of the mosque I feel disappointed. Here lies our national poet, Kazi Nazrul Islam, as well as many other renowned intellectuals, and yet, this graveyard is becoming filthier every day. This is a place where addicts and couples chose to frequent. They come and enjoy their lives in an unseemly manner. Whenever my relatives come to visit, they are horrified by what goes on in the graveyard. I request the authorities to take drastic measures to keep the purity of the graveyard.
Mahbub Alam
Dhaka University

So-Called Secularism?
I feel compelled to write a few words on Secularism after reading about the so-called efforts to secularise France. A recent law imposes a ban on any religious symbol, which provokes religious agitation within different social areas such as schools, colleges, offices etc. According to the definition of secularism in the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, any secularist should support this decision because it upholds the true nature of the word. My point, however, is that an ideology cannot deny the humane right to follow the fundamental principal of any religion. A state cannot be known as idea if a person is attacked for following their beliefs. It should rather be called a jungle. The French Government should teach its people the true ideal behind of religious freedom, in order to ensure religious tolerance and a life without any harassment. France should consider withdrawing its ban on the symbol.
Md Arif Sadeq
University of Dhaka

English Section in SWM
A few weeks ago, I found that that one of the readers of SWM is interested for a English comprehension section. I concede with his opinion about our present efficiency of English language as well as the undeniable need of English in every sector of our lives. It will be a great help for the readers who really want to enhance their English language efficiency. Please consider using one page of the magazine to familiarise your avid English learners with both intermediate and upper level vocabulary and structure.
F. Islam
On e-mail

A Highly Profitable and Advantageous Endeavour
Firstly, thank you SWM for publishing article on Mrs. Aziza Khatun, who introduced such an indigenous way of entrepreneurial creativity which contributes to our society by creating thousands of job opportunities. Her success acts as a milestone to other entrepreneurs. Because the market demand is always changing, it is important as well as prudent to start a business such as this without innovative ideas. It is also important for us to look into our other natural resources to create an opportunity that earns valuable foreign exchange for the country. It is the time to regain the use of our natural resources, which also includes reviving the jute market again. To withstand the challenge of an open market economy, we should emphasise on natural available resources that reduce production costs.
Morshed Kamal
Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, Dhaka

Born From the Heart
I was literally mesmerised while reading the piece by Sangita Ahmed titled Born From the Heart in SWM's April 16th issue. When I started reading the article, I thought that Sangita was talking about her own child. It was startling to find out a little later on in the article that she was writing about the new-born girl Azmona, whom she and her husband had adopted, after already having two sons of their own. I can particularly relate to her feelings of joy and happiness as my sister Naila and her husband Iqbal adopted a boy two years ago, and have planned to adopt another child. Their son has brought so much joy to his parents, myself, as well as the rest of the family. He has become part of our lives in a way that it is very difficult even to think he was not born to my sister. I thank Sangita for writing such a lovely piece. I hope that many more couples with or without children will be inspired to do the same. By doing so, they can bring rays of hope to a group of children who are denied a home and a family, and enrich their own lives in the process.
Sania Ahmed
Mohammadpur