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     Volume 4 Issue 32 | February 4, 2005 |


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Letters

Praiseworthy Coverage
I would like to thank SWM for doing a cover story on human rights and peoples' representation and covering it so comprehensively. This is one area where Bangladesh is really lagging behind. The development of a socially moderate state, requires the implementation of human rights extensively. The influence of only the wealthy and powerful classes of society in decision-making, has to be reduced. All classes of people must be included in crucial activities of society more equitably than before. Women must be respected and valued, and, represented more widely at all decision-making levels. The minorities should be able to live in peace, without the fear of physical and mental torture inflicted by the majority. Children must have access to basic and fundamental rights and must not be mistreated. Transparency and accountability of the government must be increased to a great degree. Srabonti Narmeen Ali's 'The Deafening Silence' portion of the cover story, was particularly informative and well-written. It provided a stimulus for deep, mature thinking regarding the issues presented.
Arbab Quadri
Dhanmondi, Dhaka

Room for Improvement
As I was rummaging through my old files and closet I found some old issues of Star Weekend Magazine, and was quite taken aback by the quality of the printing and the graphical presentation. They were extremely poor and some of the photographs were not properly visible at all. Its is obvious that the SWM has improved greatly with time. There is no doubt that SWM is one of the well written and most informative magazines of Bangladesh and one can only see the vast stride SWM has taken to the path of never-ending improvement, if they compare earlier versions with present ones. I would not extend my letter saying how much I like reading the articles because it's very obvious. Keep up the good work!
Saifur Rahman,
Wari

On a sublime piece of the " Slice of Life!"
I was overjoyed reading the sublime piece of literature " To Act or Not to Act -- That Is The Question" by Richa Jha in the Jan.21, 2005 issue of SWM. The very title that is based on the famous and universal truth, with the clever twist of words from the famous lines of Shakespeare: " To be or not to be that's the Question" encompasses the eternal dilemma of dealing with the intricate layers of the human psyche. This frame of mind remains wonderfully alive throughout the piece! This time "The Hubby" is at the driving force and depicting the naive, fragile and funny, but amazingly gripping part of the Wifey's mindset. The whole presentation is embellished with remarkable sparks of the intellect of the writer! At this point I can't help but mention two parts of the Wifey's retorting dialogue. As the sensible Hubby desperately tries to stop her from executing the act that she's desperately embarked on to -- the point being that The Hubby's worries is that she hardly knows anything about Drama as a whole -- She retorts: " What are you saying? I've read Romeo Juliate." Another praiseworthy part reads: " I'll act only in Shakespeare and you'd better give me the part of Juliet Else the loss is yours." These two extra ordinary extracts epitomise the essence of the piece that's replete with the raw but solid conviction of a person and sheer wit and humour.
Rafiqul Islam Rime
Agrabad, Chittagong

Life behind the Ice
Bangladeshis are more numerous around the world than people are wont to believe. Westerners are under the delusion that every brown-skinned individual must be Indian and every yellow-skinned individual, Chinese but it is with pride that I say that we Bangladeshis have carved a niche for ourselves in parts of the world. And none more so than the University of Windsor situated in Canada (which I incidentally happen to be a student of). I think I am right in saying that we have the second largest international student community in the University. Now, you probably expect that my chest is swelled with pride due to this fact but actually it's as deflated as a punctured tire because of the flagrant misconduct of my countrymen. I am basically a pariah in the established Bangladesh community due to my amateurish Bangla (I was raised in a foreign country) and have made plentiful friends from various races and cultures. Another aspect of shame for me is the deceit, arrogance and hypocrisy on display by my countrymen. I myself have been subjected to fraudulent dealings by people who I thought were friends of mine. My elder 'bhai's and 'appa's preach to me to not mix with white people but they themselves can be seen to be drinking and smoking weed or pot. The arrogance that rich, spoiled Bangladeshis have on arrival and thinking that they know everything always leaves me with a crooked smile (especially when I hear their fragmented English).
However, it's not all doom and gloom. There is hope. One of my friends is the only Bangladeshi appointed as Diversity Ambassador of the University and another is responsible for heading the Tsunami Relief Response. One of my very best friends is the only Bangladeshi to be awarded as Intramural Soccer Champion. I don't think of myself as an angel or a devil. Rather, I consider myself to be a normal human being. We should all try to be normal human beings. Is there anything wrong with that?
Dark Magician
University of Windsor
Canada


Submission Guideline:
Letters to the Editor, Dhaka Diary and Write to Mita, with the writer's name and address, should be within 200 words. All articles should be within 1,200 words. A cover letter is not necessary, but every write-up should include the writer's name, phone number and email address (if any). While SWM welcomes unsolicited articles and photographs, it cannot accept the responsibility of their loss or damage. SWM does not return unsolicited articles and photos. Response time for unsolicited write-ups range from three weeks to two months. All articles submitted are subject to editing for reasons of space and clarity.
All materials should be sent to: Star Weekend Magazine, 19 Karwan Bazar, Dhaka-1215, Fax: 880-2-8125155 or emailed to: <starweekendmag@gmail.com>
It is recommended that those submitting work for the first time to the SWM take a look at the sample copy beforehand. Our website is: http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine

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