Letters

The Bleak Future of Old town

The capital Dhaka city is a 400-year-old city and it is only appreciated when one visits the Old Town of the city. Although the city heart is this part but now it's in a deplorable condition. The slums are increasing and footpaths are occupied by the poor who cannot be blamed for migrating to the city in the hope of a better future. This part is well enriched with old masterpiece architecture work like Lalbagh Fort and Ahsan Manzil, etc. Still the road conditions are devastating with many open manholes and huge dustbins by the roadside. The City of mosques has now changed into the city of rickshaws and the tangled condition of wires form a dense spider net. The roads are so narrow that even a single car cannot move. Many house are occupying the roads area. The roads contain so many holes that no vehicle can move smoothly even at the slowest speed. More importantly, the Old Town has been denuded of trees and people show very little interest in roof top plants. The roads are patched up and buildings stick to each other and therefore the scorching heat increases and suffocation results. Owing to the fact most parts are related with business. Poor communication, terrible drainage and water-logging continues to plague us. We the citizen of the country must save our cities by refraining from illegal acts such as encroaching water bodies.
Mahbubur Rahman
Old Dhaka

Day Light Saving Time
The clocks have been moved up by an hour. The target is to save electricity. But is the scheme working? We still see plenty of load shedding. In my opinion we should take a few timely steps in order to reap the benefits. First, we should begin DST from the beginning of summer or during spring in Bangladesh. Second, we should better adjust the times. The office time and school time and market time should be different as traffic jam is a big issue. Third, making a law is not enough, applying and monitoring should get utmost importance. Fourth, let us make sure electric bulbs are turned off during working hours. Otherwise DST will be in vain.
Asif Rahman Saikat
Ex-Student CUET

Just Beat It!

We know that the heartbeat of Michel Jackson has stopped but the beat he left in everybody's heart through out the world will never stop. Born Michael Joseph Jackson, (August 29, 1958 June 25, 2009) he was the greatest entertainer of our time. The seventh child of the Jackson family, he made his debut as an entertainer in 1968 as a member of The Jackson 5. He then began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group. His glittering career led to him being dubbed the King of Pop in subsequent years. Jackson's 1982 album Thriller remains the world's best-selling album of all time, and four of his other solo studio albums are among the world's best-selling records.
The popularity of his music videos such as “Beat It”, “Billie Jean” and “Thriller” are widely credited with transforming the music video from a promotional tool into an art form. He had a wide following in Asia. Michael Jackson will live on in the hearts of his fans.
Tanvir Hasan
Theater & Music
University of Dhaka

Common Courtesy
We are changing day by day by using latest technology and because of globalisation. But it is very important that we cling to our social cultures of mutual respect. Respect for our elders and love for the younger ones is an important element of our society. Unfortunately, I see this wonderful social structure slipping away. Teenagers are talking to their parents in a disrespectful way. We are frequently rude to strangers on the street. When ladies stand in a bus we don't get up to offer our seat. Where are we heading?
Subrata Roy
Department of Business Administration.
Shahjalal University Of Science & Technology, Sylhet.

Cigarettes and Poverty
Bangladesh is known as one of the poorest countries in the world, which I don't agree at all. Because the other day while I was traveling by a rickshaw and got stuck in jam the rickshaw puller started smoking, as I was feeling uncomfortable, I asked him to throw away the cigarette. I was actually shocked as cigarettes are quite expensive. Not only rickshaw pullers a lot of beggars, mobile hawkers, bus driers etc whose daily income is is much less than the average living cost and who often cry for money, purchase cigarettes at least three to five times a day. Such a waste of money plus it causes many diseases. The government and society must try to create awareness so that these people stop this bad habit and save the money for better purposes. This will benefit both society and the environment.
Rahim Abu Ali Sajwani
North South University
Dhaka

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