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       Volume 11 |Issue 29| July 20, 2012 |


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Letters

A Model to Emulate

The garment factories in Bangladesh have played a vital role in our economy. Though a large number of workers are ill-treated by their owners at the RMG sector, some, however, are lucky enough to be able to work in a friendly environment with modern facilities and standard procedures. These factories have set an example for others to follow and emulate.

It was good to know that the owners of certain garment factories make provisions for the comfort, security and safety of the workers' families and provide them with healthy food.

The issue of the toxic wastes from these factories dumped into the water bodies is a major concern fo all of us. Factory owners should follow the path of a sustainable development. We should be careful about our comments and opinions on the RMG issue as it is the backbone of the country's economy.

Abul Ashraf Noor
Uttara, Dhaka


Anger Management

 
 
Photo: Amirul Rajiv

Last week's Postscript on Anger Management touched upon various crucial topics that we, as human beings, have to deal with almost every other day. No matter how successful or talented a person may be, at the end of the day, if that particular person cannot control his temper, s/he is bound to create a negative impact.

There have been several cases which saw a person's entire career take a U-turn due to his or her temper. Years of hard work lead to no avail due to that 'creepy monster' sitting inside your head, making you lose your self-control. Unfortunately, we don't consider it as a serious problem. There are very few anger management courses running in the capital. While people may say that one has to deal with issues like these on a personal level, one has to understand that the temper is directly related to the environment we live in. I hope that institutes have regular courses on anger management and that the victims are encouraged to come out with their problem.

Abdul Jabar Khan,
Dhamondi, Dhaka.


Scared to Eat!

The alarming use of various poisonous chemicals in food makes us think twice before attempting to eat anything in our day to day lives. I wish I could go back to those old days when chemicals were rarely used in our food products. While not many take this matter seriously, consuming adulterated food can kill us. Fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, soft drinks – almost every thing is adulterated nowadays.

The other day I bought two bananas. There was a friend of mine standing beside me and I wanted to hand him a banana but he said, ‘Ataki morar jonno khabo naki?’ (Will I eat it to die?) He told me that all the bananas that were being sold in that shop were grown with chemicals. Since that day I have given up eating bananas.

Rasel Dio
University of Dhaka



Photo: Zahedul I Khan

The CNG Issue

Recently the CNG-run-rickshaw drivers in Dhaka called an indefinite strike to fulfill their 10 point demands. The middle class and poor people suffered a lot. They could not take patients to hospitals, could not attend social gathering with families, students could not appear in examination halls in time and so on. These vehicles seldom agree to be run according to the meter. They complain that they have to pay their owners a higher price at the end of the day. The owners, in turn, state that the fixed daily charge does not comply with their investment.

It needs Tk 6, 00,000 to buy a CNG. The excessive financial burden has been imposed by the government to discourage the import of CNG auto rickshaws. They do not realise the sufferings of the common man. The present communication minister has said that he will consider their demands.

The problem can be solved if the duty on CNG run auto rickshaw is lowered; supplementary tax and VAT are withdrawn and registration is made easy. Dhaka alone needs more than one hundred thousand CNG vehicles. In order to ease the suffering of the passengers, drivers and owners, officials concerned should remove all the financial and administrative restrictions.

Md Ashraf Hossain
Ramna, Dhaka


A New Fan Following

Renowned artist Arfin Rumey, recently came to the US to perform at the Shodor Mela. This event demonstrated the versatility of these upcoming Bangladeshi artistes. Arfin Rumey captivated the crowd as soon as he stepped inside the building. The artiste was bombarded with fans asking for autographs and photos. These fans were American-born Bengali teenagers. Their songs are heard not only in Bangladesh, but also in countries like the United States.

Irham Chowdhury
Via Email



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