::New Year Special 2010::

A constant refrain these days from both within the country and elsewhere is that Bangladesh will not amount to much, that change for the better is not possible, and that everything is in decline. Armed with examples of present-day tribulations, there are those who cite corruption, crime and violence, price manipulation, bureaucratic mendacity, the good-for-nothing political parties, religious hydra heads, stark poverty, food adulteration, traffic jams, pollution, failing pubic services, and more.

One common trait of these people is that they are habitual complainers. They rant and rave about how this person and that failed to carry out their responsibilities, causing distress and even harm to all and sundry.

There is some truth to these ascriptions. Moreover, complaining behavior is not without merit. When directed properly with the right intention and intensity, it can have a transforming effect. But complaining that all is hopeless in Bangladesh comes across as pretty sordid; more so when the same complainers do not look at the mirror to see that their own contributions often amount to very little or nothing.

Amirul Rajiv

Let me put it this way: There are many accomplishments in Bangladesh to be proud of because of the individuals who stood behind them, provided leadership and remained true to their goals. Their accomplishments did not materialize by waving a magic wand but because they struggled relentlessly and took personal responsibility. As more of us begin to realize this simple truth, change for the better is almost inevitable.

Bengalis can, in fact, be proud of many accomplishments, the magnitude and dimensions of which fall into at least four categories: enormous, great, substantive, and considerable. For example, the enduring struggles of our leders supported by a spirited intelligentsia and a united populace, began a movement in the early fifties that gave Bengalis an enormous reward -- a nation they can call their very own. During their bitter struggles, the stalwarts paid a big price; but they also left behind things to savor and cherish -- self-identity, self-rule, and a place in the sun.

Democracy is another enormous achievement of Bengalis, the scale of which sometimes eludes us in the daily grind of life. Although not in its finest form, and even faltering on occasion, it has begun to take root. And while things can decidedly be better, it requires the sustained effort of many to build the edifice of democratic values and norms. Democracy is a constant struggle, a work-in-progress, that is expected not just of the political leadership, but of each one of us who aspires to build a strong and vibrant Bangladesh. We must step up, enjoin the struggle and take personal responsibility to help unleash the full effect of democracy.

We can also take pride in the great achievements of Grameen and BRAC among other examples. If one looks deeply, one can find in them the battle scars of struggle and the hallmarks of personal responsibility that have made the nation proud. One of these organizations has brought home the coveted Nobel Peace Prize, while the other has garnered a few feathers of its own including the Entrepreneur for the World Award and the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award. Both have been acknowledged for their accomplishments by the Ramon Magsaysay Award. Through their contributions, they have had a positive effect not only on the people of Bangladesh but on people in various parts of the world through micro-credit, rural health delivery, or the light of knowledge delivered to far flung schools that might have otherwise been ignored and left to the vagaries of uncertainty.

At the next tier, that I deem as substantial, the evolution of the private universities and hospitals that serve the people of Bangladesh, the garment industry that holds a position of centrality in the Bangladesh economy, the rise of the pharmaceutical and ship-building industries, or the work of ICDDR,B, as well as other centers of excellence reflect the personal struggles of many on whose shoulders these organizations stand today while contributing to society in many ways.

Then there are the considerable contributions of many especially the social entrepreneurs who continue to strive and struggle everyday to change something somewhere for the betterment of society. There are people working for protibondhis (the disabled), for children, for adult literacy, for clean water, for community health, for women's rights, for technical education, for legal reforms, etc. Again, at their nucleus one will inevitably find a few dedicated souls who have struggled hard and taken leadership responsibility to influence positive change.

Heart-warming stories abound of those who bring respite to others through their personal initiatives. In Macao, China, I was moved to see how they built a program to aid the elderly in their lonely and difficult days through volunteers. In exchange for loose change in their pockets, people in Macao get a sticker to put on their shirts or jackets that signify they have done a good deed. The money thus raised by school children and their parents amounts to ample funds that support various programs (food services, healthcare, personal care, etc.) for the elderly. Not only do the children begin to learn social values at an early age, the program is also able to purchase needed services that improve the quality of life of the elderly, while stoking the economy.

And who does not know about the personal struggles of world leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, Bill Gates or a host of others who have transformed the lives of others? Their attainments did not come easily, but for their willingness to struggle for a world they envisioned and for which they took center stage. Of course they also reflect other characteristics that add to their glow selflessness, dedication, integrity, networking skills, pursuit of excellence, commitment to the community, a willingness to learn continuously, and so on.

One can even try at a personal level to change things for the better. I remember once a telephone lineman came to fix the phone at my parents' place. After he was done, he demanded Tk. 5000 for changing the entire telephone line outside the house. When I learnt about the matter I asked the lineman to see me. Upon his arrival, I calmly asked him several questions: how long was the length of the line he replaced, why did he have to get it from the market when his office should have provided the materials, which store did he buy the supplies from, and the name of his supervisor?

Something strange happened thereafter. The lineman broke down, whimpered plaintively about the family he had to maintain, and expressed regrets for his conduct. He also returned the money (I have witnesses who will attest to this episode)! It was a touching moment that led me to offer him a small reward for owning up to his follies. To this day the phone line has been fine! Some say I was lucky, but I felt good about taking that step against an unpalatable practice that often goes unresisted.

The point that I would like to emphasize at this juncture of a dawning new year is a simple one: If there is something bothering you, take charge and do something about it. If there is something you would like to change for the better, get out there and act on your convictions. The bigger the change desired, the longer and harder the struggle and the greater the need to hold the reins.

When you take responsibility and exert the right effort, the desired results ought to follow. The easy path is to do nothing and ascribe failure to others. Much has been accomplished in Bangladesh and much more awaits imaginative intervention. Are you ready to step up in the New Year 2010 and beyond?

Dr. Syed Saad Andaleeb is Professor Pennsylvania State University and Editor, Journal of Bangladesh Studies.