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     Volume 4 Issue 16 | October 8 , 2004 |


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Letters

Nupur's Plight
I would specially like to thank Kajalie Shehreen Islam for her article titled, "The Brutality that Never Stops", published on the September 17 issue of SWM. Her writing painted a picture of the pathetic scenario of a young girl, Nupur, who is unfortunately victimised by her status in society. Housemaids all over Bangladesh being cruelly tortured by their employers is a very common occurrence in our country. The forms of their torment are brutal and have been described at length by the article(s). Unfortunately, Nupur has been victimised more than once. Firstly, by her father who not only snatched her from her mother's protection, but also wanted to sell her off to a man for money. It is sad that a man would sentence his own flesh and blood to this form of slavery. Nupur was also victimised by her employers, who, for a minor mistake, twisted the girl's arm and brutally beat her on the head, face and legs with a rolling pin. If it was not for the boy that took the responsibility of taking her back to his home and mother to care for her, Nupur's survival would be unsure. We need more people like this boy who came forward in Nupur's time of need, and Aleya, Nupur's mother, who wanted her daughter to get an education and who struggled against extreme poverty.
Ala uddin Ansary, University of Dhaka

Sci Tech--Too Removed from us
I read with interest your Sci-Tech pages in last week's magazine. I always enjoy this section, being a fan of all things scientific and technological. But there was something, this time, that just didn't 'wash'. The burglary prevention system from Switzerland. I am lucky having never been burgled. Friends of mine are less so. However, how can we possibly ever conceive to be able to install a system of this kind? In a country where, in some areas, clean water is a luxury, it seems ludicrous to think that we will be able to turn off lights and lock doors and windows by web-cam from the comfort and safety of our cars especially in chaotic Dhaka.
A Reader, On Email

Short-sighted
It is regretful for the nation that even a month later, we cannot see an end of deadly grenade attacks on the AL rally on August 21. Moreover, the two main opposition parties are behaving as if they are competing for the master bedroom of a house, failing to realise that the surrounding of the house is burning down. In these circumstances they are continuing to accuse and point fingers at each other. Undoubtedly this attack is a great threat against our national sovereignty. Therefore, for the betterment of the country our politicians should work together to investigate the main culprits of this attack and provide exemplary punishment to those who are guilty.
Tauhid, CUET,Chittagong

A Country Terrorised By Its Own
Even though Bangladesh is a democratic country, it is ruled by terrorists and outlaws. In each neighbourhood there are "mastaans" or "mafia" who terrorise the citizens around them. Even local small shops are frequently disturbed by "chadabazes" and other miscreants. The police mostly count their monthly earnings from the bribes they receive for allowing such corrupt deeds to take place. If this is what the true face of our democratic country is, then it is a scandal for the government, the people and the hard-earned freedom of our country.
Azmi Syed, Mohammadpur

Nice Job
I just wanted to inform you that you all have done an incredible job organising this magazine. There are numerous things to learn from it. I am a new reader and the first time I saw this magazine was when I visited the Bangadeshi Embassy in Washington DC and it was on their counter. I grabbed it and start reading through. The August issue with the pictures of the floods on the cover page caught my attention. It would be great if this magazine can be delivered to US on a monthly basis. This is just a suggestion so that people outside of Bangladesh cannot only help our needy people, but also be better informed of what is going on in the country.
Farhana Haque, Bethesda, Maryland


CORRIGENDUM
In last week's (24th September) British Council page there was an editing error in the use of it's and its, which may have caused some confusion. It's (it is) a confusing area, with many native speakers and sign writers misusing the apostrophe. In order to clear this up, look at next week's British Council pages where we will be addressing this area.

Have a look at the British Council's Learn English Website (http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/grammar_home_frame.html) or visit the British Council Library in Fuller Road for related books, including the entertaining Eats Shoot and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation.


Letters to the Editor, Dhaka Diary & Write to Mita with the writer’s name and address, should be within 200 words. Articles should be within 1,200 words. Articles and photos submitted will not be returned. Plagiarised articles will not be accepted. All materials should be sent to: Star Weekend Magazine, 19, Karwan Bazar, Dhaka-1215, Fax: 8125155, or e-mailed to <dsmagazn@gononet.com> Articles may be edited for reasons of space and clarity.
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