Letters
Why Dr. Yunus?
I would like to thank Dr. Yunus for his contemplations on creating a new political culture in Bangladesh. It is my opinion that Dr. Yunus will succeed in his quest for a new political culture where only honest and patriotic politicians would participate.
Dr. Yunus has crossed the line from a social scientist to a policymaker. He is trying to design an economic system where he cares about the amount of consumer surplus and equity and the fairness of distribution of wealth. As he has achieved success in microeconomics he will also be able to contribute to a macroeconomic balance in the country.
Being an economist and a visionary I think that Dr. Yunus is the right person to take the helm of the country in these very critical days. I am sure Dr. Yunus will be able to bring some positive changes in the troubled economy and enhance the already fallen image of our beloved motherland.
Sabina Siddique
EMBA Student, ULAB
The Flawed Education System
The two recent cover stories 'Heading towards Burnout' (January 26, 2007) and 'The Blame Game' (February 9, 2007) have stirred many thoughts. Thanks to Nader Rahman for presenting this very timely issue.
I had the opportunity to study abroad. The G.C.E syllabi being the same, the system of education was quite distinctive there. For instance, most of the lessons were completed in the classroom and we did not even have to carry our books back home (except for projects or assignments). Then, we had classes for psychology, physical exercise, sex education, music and various indoor and outdoor activities and of course frequent excursions which were both enjoyable and educational. The best part was that the school-teachers never taught anyone privately and they would sternly discourage it, had anyone approached them.
I believe everyone would concur to the fact that proper schooling and abstinence from private coaching (especially by the school-teachers) could mitigate the problem. Moreover, schools may improve management and perhaps remuneration of the teachers. On the other hand, parents should not unnecessarily rush to private tutors and should also agree if the tuition fees are increased (up to a feasible level of course); they would otherwise be paying thousands anyway.
These would not only ensure the students' healthy development towards a bright career but also their success, well-being and discipline. Moreover, the goodwill of schools and honour of the respected teachers would surely improve and their stress-level would decline too. I do hope everyone would contribute in paving the way for the 'Nation Builders of Tomorrow'.
P. Bhowmik
University of Dhaka
Let us be 'Shada Moner Manush'
I want to thank NTV and Unilever Bangladesh for making such an extraordinary programme 'Shada Moner Manush'. It is a very thought-provoking programme. Although none of the subjects in the programme are politicians or well-known persons their vision is to serve the country with their work. Every mini documentary on their lives leaves us speechless. When we saw the eighty-year-old Bina Rani Sarker walking door to door to take children to school it made us think what we were doing with our lives. When we watched Mojibur Rahman, a man who sold off his land to bring up orphans our lofty ambitions make us ashamed of ourselves. Then there is Ziaul Haq Zia, a curd seller in Chapainawabganj who helps poor students with books and money, it has taught us that vast wealth is not the way to enjoy life.
We should highlight the work of these people to our future generations. NTV and Unilever has done a very good job.
Shakawat Hossain
Department of Accounting
Govt. City College, Chittagong
RAJUK drive a publicity stunt?
I have been watching the removal of illegal (and some legal) structures in Dhanmondi and Gulshan by RAJUK on TV. Although I generally support the drive, I think that they need to look through their books at what is and is not approved and where property boundaries are before going for a “Gung Ho” approach.
This "publicity stunt" by RAJUK on the major avenues has served its purpose in distracting everyone from the obvious corruption by RAJUK itself, which has allowed all these activities to flourish for years. The officials have made their money from these very people they are now destroying and since there is no honour among thieves they are now biting the hand that fed them. When will the government start arresting the culprits within RAJUK who took the bribes to allow land-grabbing and illegal structures in the first place?
The lakes are also being neglected. On the Badda side, the Gulshan lake is being encroached little by little every day and if we take a look at Google Earth we can see how much has been lost and is continuing to be lost all the time. They need to get rid of these illegal structures on these encroached lands and start restoring the lake to its former glory.
N. Hoque
Gulshan
Premier Bank Scandal
There was a case against Premier Bank involving corruption, fake bank accounts and manipulation of the IPO (Initial Public Offering). But there has been no update on who was responsible or prosecuted and yet I see the IPO going ahead in full swing on the pages of the newspapers. I know that there is more exciting news happening all the time but this kind of corruption must not be allowed to slip through the net amid all the chaos.
J.Matin
Gulshan Parking Issue
In reference to the article by Tawfique Ali on 28th Feb about parking in Gulshan, I would just like to point out that the government has made no provision for parking in the city like other countries do.
There is no “public parking” or multi-storey parking with toll payment anywhere in Gulshan. This could have easily been implemented. For example, the government land right after Gulshan Circle 2 should have been made into a government car park where they could have earned revenue and hugely relieved the congestion. Instead, there seems to be development of more commercial buildings.
In Western countries every building in the metropolitan area is not required to provide parking in the basement. In London's Oxford Street there is no parking at all; people rely on public transport (another issue in itself) and multi-storey government car parks. There needs to be infrastructure of this kind in place.
RI
Dhaka
Bad Cover
I was really shocked to see the cover of the last issue of the SWM. It had vague relationship with the cover story. It was vulgar and looked more like a fashion or showbiz magazine cover page to me. We have been keeping The Daily Star for a long time and I have never seen such a bad cover before.
Fariha Sultana
Uttara, Dhaka
BTV's Apathy
On 26th February we witnessed a nightmare taking place at the BSEC building. Almost all the TV channels of the country telecast the 45-minute-long heart stopping disaster, live. There were hundreds of people stuck on the roof waiting to be rescued. Apart from telecasting this live there were also special bulletins on the latest update.
I was dumbfounded to see that while all this was going on BTV was airing an agricultural programme! Whenever an accident or something important happens in the country they are absent from the state-run channel! I really hope that the caretaker government will change the apathetic policy of the state-run channel.
Shaikhul Akbar
CGC
CORRIGENDUM
In the cover story 'New Wave Music' published on February 16, 2007, the acronym for MAP was given Musicians Against Piracy. It should actually read Movement Against Piracy. The mistake is regretted.
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