Letters
Myanmar Issue
I would like to thank the author for his thought provoking contribution 'Lessons to learn in the murky water' (November 14, 2008). It is often seen that Bangladesh struggles to protect its boundaries from the aggression or illegal intrusion of its nearby neighbours. As the author indicates our defence forces lack the necessary modern equipments such as maritime patrol aircraft and submarines and skill to protect the border whether it is in the sea or in the land, I feel it is high time for the government to take pragmatic steps to secure our motherland from all kinds of external threats by providing modern equipment to our defence forces. Our ability to purchase modern warships or helicopters might be limited but we should be patriotic enough to secure our land by giving it the highest priority.
We are a peace loving nation but it should not mean that we would sit idly when another country trespasses and 'heaps up liquid gold' from our land. However, I would like to call our government to take a look at our defence forces and increase the skills of our navy by adding at least a few helicopters to back up our ships on the sea.
Amzad Hossain
Dept. Of English
University of Dhaka
On Shooting Women
Alexis Krasilovsky, the writer-filmmaker, is an example for us who wish to be filmmakers. It is fascinating to learn about an American who was inspired by Eastern culture. Satyajit Ray brings out the real concept of a woman in our society, but as a woman she makes a big difference with her own sensibility and creativity. Anyone can be a filmmaker, but it does not mean that anybody can be a good filmmaker. Her philosophy is also to bring out the true sense of filmmaking. Lack of institutional support and the cost of such an education are big barriers to becoming a filmmaker in our country.
Sharmin Mahbuba
Dept. of English
M.C. College, Sylhet
We Need Good Political Leaders
Bangladeshi people are fond of the existing big parties who are now playing a vital role in the country's mainstream politics. They all have some historical background and ideologies. But if they do have the betterment of Bangladesh at heart, they should at least choose strong, educated and honest persons to give nomination papers to.
In university, every political party should have a wing and members there must be good students, listed members among whom a real person should be elected on the basis of free and fair party election and political parties should not try to interfere here. They should help them monitor the situation there. It will help the future leaders to practice democracy.
Asifami Rahman Saikat
Dhaka, Bangladesh
DU Halls
The residential hall situation of Dhaka University is heading towards a disaster, which has put the fate of all the first year students in question. There is enormous pressure from politically affiliated groups to occupy these halls. Many of the first year students come from limited income families and can only afford to stay at the university dorms. It's extremely demoralising for students to come here and live under the shadow of these people. They can only manage to secure accommodation into the halls if they sign up affiliation with a political party. As soon as they start settling down they are pressured into actively taking part in party politics. Anyone found absent from the political meetings gets threatened by unscrupulous leaders in the presence of a large number of politics sufferers. This nuisance must be stopped as soon as possible for the sake of promoting a decent academic environment.
Md. Shahidul Islam
BBA (MS)
University of Dhaka
The Saga of a Highway
The Hatikumrul-Banpara (Sirajganj-Natore) highway, the first multisided highway in the North Bengal, has been in a dilapidated condition for months but unfortunately the predicament of the commoners has not attracted the attention of the authorities. It appears reasonable to assume that the Local Government Engineering Department is altogether oblivious of the real state of this highway in which hundreds of thousands of vehicles ply through and pay their tolls and taxes daily. It's a painful experience for the common passengers and could be life threatening for expecting mothers. The higher authorities ought to sympathise with the troubled passengers and take an immediate decision to repair and reconstruct this unattended road to relieve the passengers.
Md. Rezaul Karim
Senior Lecturer, English Department
Leading University, Sylhet
Reinstallation of Baul Sculpture
The general people of this country feel betrayed by the caretaker government as they have taken no steps against the communal and anti-liberation forces but bowed to their demand to remove five baul sculptures from the ZIA roundabout. The government has removed these sculptures without consulting the sculptor and without any valid reason. The cultural activists as well as the people from all walks of life have shown their immediate reaction about the government's decision. But I don't see any respect from the concerned authority about this.
This group is always against any kind of cultural activities. There are a number of cultural events, which no longer exist because of the opposition from the communal forces. And they are doing so against public will. As these incidents are not highlighted in the media we are not aware of them. Such actions are leading to the loss of our rich cultural heritage.
Surya Kanta
Sylhet
Good Governance and Development
In recent times governance has become a key issue in the development debate. Without good and systematic governance no country can achieve its objectives. Here 'good' refers to the way people are ruled, affairs of the state are administered or regulated as well as how a nation's system of politics functions in relation to administration and law. However, the term 'development' is a process of change towards betterment. It is a multidimensional process. It includes administrative, economic, political and social development. But, in our country these four aspects are quite vulnerable. To ensure good governance in the country these four aspects should be developed. A satisfactory change in these four phases can strengthen the scale of good governance of Bangladesh. Besides these peoples' participation, accountability, transparency and public sector management can ensure good governance.
Md. Abdul Hannan
Dept. of Public Administration
SUST
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 a sample copy beforehand. Our website is: http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine
Copyright (R) thedailystar.net 2008
