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     Volume 7 Issue 18 | May 3, 2008 |


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Letters

The Changing Face of Health Care
It was really nice to know how the people at the helm of private hospitals justify the exorbitant cost they charge in exchange of their purportedly high-quality service through SWM's cover story 'The Changing Face of Health Care' (April 25, 2008).
In their attempt to justify high service cost, the authorities of the private hospitals compared the expense to other corporate hospitals or ordinary clinics in Bangladesh or cost of medical care abroad, that too including airplane fare and living expenses!
Due to investors' unacceptable and unethical degree of appetite for financial gain, private hospitals treat patients as mere customers disregarding their financial capability. On the other hand the state-owned hospitals treat us as citizens of the country but not important enough for special care. So where should we go?
The government should contemplate enactment of a Consumer Protection Law and improvement of health care service with a view to lessening dependence on private hospitals which only the affluent section of society can afford for and ensuring a satisfactory level of standard in all government hospitals, the ultimate refuge for treatment for most citizens of the country.
Ahmad Ferdous Bin Alam
Department of CSE, DU

Our Disappointing Cricket Team
It was a very predictable 5-0 whitewash for us against Pakistan. We also lost the only 20-20 match we played. It was a great shame for the nation because we are not a new cricket-playing nation anymore. But we seem to be doing worse every day. In every match Bangladesh batting seemed to turn from bad to worse with their top order batsman perishing one after another. BCB is continuing to give good facilities for the players all throughout. They are even getting the services of world-class coaches like Gordon Greenidge, Dav Whatmore and now Jamie Siddons. One of the big problems with our cricket team is that if they win a single match it goes to their head and they think they have won the world. This mentality will be the downfall of the team. It's about time we changed that. We request our dear BCB to take proper steps for proper development of our cricket.
Milon Das
BBS(Hon's)
Govt. city college, Chittagong

Women's Equal Rights
It is only through the hard work of both men and women that one can expect a healthy growth of the economy. The proposed Women's Policy is a landmark in our history, which most people endorse unequivocally. There is nothing injurious in the Women's Policy that conflicts with our religion. There is no doubt about the fact that our country fails to develop in a proper way due to gender discrepancy. Bangladesh has long been trying to keep pace with the developed countries of the world to establish rights and recognition for women. Our country has signed many international proposals, policies and agreements in which equality for women is ensured. The idea of equality for women in politics, economy, working place, family and all other spheres of our society is should be constitutionally recognised without any delay. Recognition of women's equal rights makes the gateway of human justice easy. This type of women's policy has already been actualised in most countries. Opposing this policy will be tantamount to opposing development of the country.
Md. Rezaul Karim
Senior Lecturer, English Department
Leading University, Sylhet

*******

A good number of so-called feminists are quick to blame Islam for entitling women 'unequal' rights to property. Along with them, more bigots are vehement to prove woman's inferiority to man. Both need to compromise on their views.
In principle, both man and woman are equally entitled to inherit the property of the deceased relations but the portions they get may vary. This is no sign of giving preference or supremacy to man over woman. The reason is that Islam has entitled man to a lot more financial responsibilities than woman. This is justified as Islam has entitled women to more responsibilities than men in other areas of life.
The rights and responsibilities of a woman are equal to those of a man but they are not necessarily identical. Equality and sameness are two quite different things. This difference is understandable because men and women are not identical but they are created equals. Equality is desirable, just, fair; but sameness is not. People are not created identical but they are created equals. With this distinction in mind, there is no room to imagine that woman is inferior to man. There is no ground to assume that she is less important than he just because her rights are not identically the same as his.
Jannatul Mawa
North South University

Padma -- Its Past and Present
The Padma River was once full of water to its brim but now is just like a barren desert. The abundant water was a habitat for different fishes. Particularly the Hilsas found Padma as their ideal breeding ground. But with the passing of time the rage of the Padma is fading into oblivion.
The change of climate has great influence on the present Padma. Although it is unbelievable, the Padma will eventually be destroyed.
Padma has now turned into arable land and with the amount of water decreasing tremendously day by day chars have grown up and farmers are using this land as a blessing. They have begun cultivation rice, pulses and other food to meet the growing demand of the increasing population in Bangladesh. They are even using pumps to water the plants in these fertile sediment accumulated chars. Those who live beside the river wash themselves up, clean clothes, plates and other things. They put the waste products into the clean river water thus making it even worse. "The Farraka Barrage" is another facet in this case. Our neighboring country India has built this barrage, which has done big damage to this river.
The advancement of technology has gifted us comfort and enjoyment but it has not yet been able to do anything to save the rivers on the verge of destruction. The Padma has given us her cool water and picturesque beauty to enjoy and instead of being satisfied with the gifts, we have been charmed by greed and used the Padma for our incessant wants. To solve this huge problem the practice of dredging has to be done much more and something must be done to resist the disastrous effects of the Farakka Barrage. Pollution has to be controlled and for that widespread campaigns must be started as soon as possible to raise consciousness within the common people. Last but not the least, educating the masses to know about the river system may protect the Padma to some extent.
Shatabdi Biswas
Officers Quarter
Regional Public Administration Training Centre
Rajshahi-6000


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