::: Star Weekend Magazine :::

Star Diary

Crisis of Leadership

Afew days ago, I was having a discussion with my younger brother about our country and politics as we often do. My brother was very frustrated over the country's politics, corrupted by the supposedly educated people – Members of Parliament, Government employees and so on. He found the solution in the likes of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, which of course means revolution. He is still a teenager and perhaps not mature enough to have very concrete political views. But even then, it was frustrating for me to notice the impression our leaders are making on the future generation who are drawing inspiration from radical personalities from another part of the globe in the absence of trustworthy leadership in our country.

A couple of years ago, my aunty with her 5-year-old son came to Bangladesh from the US. As a little cousin we sometimes teased him. But amazingly if anyone joked about their President, he became very angry. We were all astonished to see this reaction at such an early age. Clearly, unlike our children, they have trust and respect towards their leadership.

When we analyse the two scenarios, we can see the difference of attitudes of the younger generation in the respective countries of Bangladesh and the US. It is easy to see that the future generation understandably is losing their respect and confidence in the leaders who run our country.

Al Fattah MD. Azim
Independent University
Dhaka

Decay of Ethics

Afew days ago I had to take my mother to the hospital. As she was quite weak she stayed inside and I went out to hire a CNG run auto rickshaw. As usual none of them was interested to go and one of them refused because he did not want to pick up my sick mother by going two blocks away from the main road, even though I mentioned that our destination was the hospital.

The incident reflects how the people of Bangladesh and more specifically Dhaka are losing their ethics and morality. The point is that people are not helping each other. These days nobody stands by each other in their hour of need. In the old days, there were many problems but even in the urban areas, there were always people nearby willing to help. Back then, I would have found people nearby who would be willing to give a ride to my sick mother to the hospital. This lack of co-operation among the general populace is leading to the breakdown of social order. When there is a breakdown of social order, the inevitable consequence is chaos.

That is why we observe so much anarchy and outrage in our country. Human beings are torching public property, killing fellow humans publicly, using students to serve their political or personal agendas, the alarming incidents of sexual harassment on the streets, children murdering their parents for trifling reasons, increase in suicides, the proliferation of narcotics, to name just a few. When somebody raises their voices in protest, they are hurt even killed. We have to get rid of this ethical decay as soon as possible- - otherwise our society shall take a dive down the abyss. The only way forward is proper education and showing sympathy to each other through kindness.

Tahmidul Islam
Dhaka

A Tiger's Response

Acouple of months ago, I went to the zoo with my children and other family members. Like many others, my attention was drawn to the world famous Royal Bengal Tigers. One of them, I found particularly grandiose in size and the aura of magnificence she radiated as she strolled casually around the cage.

Following a long wait in the queue, I was disappointed to see the mismanagement and the sad circumstances of the zoo. But my irritation vanished as my eyes were fixed on the splendor of the big cat until I felt something warm and smelly on my face. I heard hoots of laughter from others in the audience and with a shock, I realised that this animal had taken the liberty of urinating on my face as I stared open mouthed at her with awe. I felt embarrassed and almost traumatised.

It was the month of Ramadan and I quickly left the place since I was fasting and needed a break from wildlife! Later I contemplated the irony of the events and had a hearty laugh. But to be honest, back at the zoo I had felt tears coming to my eyes. Maybe the authorities should consider putting up a sign that reads- - “BEWARE of public urination (of the tigers)” so that innocent visitors do not have their day spoiled by a visit to the big cats.

Shaheen Akhter
Dhaka