Letters
Good Cover
Thank you very much indeed for the June 17th issue of The Daily Star Weekend Magazine on street children. The issue's cover feature portrayed a very disturbing side of our society which you pictured very well. We hope, such coverage will help us to take notice of those who are the members of our society as well as those who can make contributions to the society if we help them a little.
Mohammad Shafiqul Islam Kuril, Dhaka
Clarification
In the previous letter I represented my notion about the Indian entertainment industry, and therefore it was expected that some people will find it ludicrous. Obscenity and indecency are both undeniably making a major impact in the current Indian population. How many features are there classed as entertainment for the entire family?
Bangladesh at least in its electronic media has not yet crossed its limit regarding vulgarity the way India has. Mr A.Roy failed to anticipate the actual meaning of my writing. I did emphasise on the success of authentic and respectable films like Lagaan and Devdas and mentioned that certain films and pop song videos should be less revealing. For Mr Roy's kind information, there has been a rally led by women in India recently, protesting against vulgarism in the film industry as well. Also, when we consider the regular soap operas which represent ideas which are highly irrational; for eg. how is it that a person gets married and re-married to the same person and also others as well? Is it not the central attraction of most of the stories?
I wrote to clarify the misinterpretation of certain people but did not mean any offence. I commented on both the bright and the dark sides of the Indian Industry. If my thoughts are supposed to be stereotyped then I wish to know the way to diversify my perceptions.
Sabiha Mowla On Email
Wrong Perception of Tigers!
I am writing in response to Mohammed's letter in last week's SWM titled "Tigers". I was aghast while reading his article. I feel that Mohammed may have deviated from the real meaning of "Tigers" which is prevailing in North America. One has to keep in mind that this is our spirit, and has inspired us a lot. Why should it be changed or how can anyone notice to change this? Our "Tigers" are devoted to gain something good for the country. On the other hand, the "Tigers" which you are referring to -- the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka -- are well known around the world for terrorism. How any intelligent people can mix up these two completely different things? For example, some children named Laden by their parents or well-wishers. According to Mohammed's line of thinking, they may be as destructive or as powerful as Bin-Laden the leader of Al-Qaeda. Is it possible? The answer is no. So, don't worry about the symbol or name, because, as the saying goes, "a tree is known by its fruit". Last week the golden boys of the Bangladesh cricket team (not the underground political party in Sri Lanka) showed their "Tiger"-like spirit and defeated Australia, which happens to be the leading cricket team in the world in front of the entire whole world. So, I think there should remain no confusion in Canada as to what the term Tigers, in this particular reference, should stand for.
Sayed, Dhanmondi, Dhaka
On "Devdas"
I was very surprised and at the same time horrified when I read the resent issue of SWM to see Arefin and Aminul Ahsan`s responses to the "Dear Devdas," written by Srabonti Narmeen Ali. Personally I feel that the author of the article has a truly erroneous conception about "Devdas" who was a real lover. Devdas very deeply loved Paro as well as his parents. However, I think that nothing can compare with the love of parents. Do you love your lover as much as your parents? NEVER! Devdas was in a dilemma because he could not convince his parents to allow him to marry Paro. At the same time, he couldn't marry or love any other girl because he loved Paro so truly madly and deeply. So Devdas is not a "coward," nor is he "spineless". Yes,Devdas could have married Paro, but don't you think that it would be an affront to his love for his parents?
Sabuj On Email
More On Devdas
Srabonti Narmeen Ali's "Dear Devdas" has really created a lasting impression on the minds of readers as it can be seen from the responses.
Yes, it's indeed a wonderful article marked with the sparks of her brilliance that blended intense emotion with reason in a bewitchingly touchy way!
In her dissection of the movie/story, she came up with the horrific truths that her dear Devdas was a spineless lover who ruined two women in the process. But the dire point that She actually brought home is the sheer chauvinism prevalent in the society that's completely dominated by males, where there is no room for any sort of acknowledgement females for their intelligence or hard work. As she mentioned: " But it's not the character. It's not the Bollywood movie and it's not even Devdas himself. It is the concept that men get away with doing so much damage and harm and women let them."
So, there lies the very message that in this chauvinistic society all that we can do to do justice to all human beings is only through changing the cruel mindset towards the female who're working hard for the betterment of the land as they did during the language movement and the freedom fighting 1971. Sadly, it is regarding the pathetic plights of the women in this society where most educated males at certain points happen to be mere conformists and apathetic.
Rafiqul Islam Rime Agrabad, Chittagong
Submission
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