From 'digital' to dissection

    Key finctionaries of the Awami League-led government are doing and saying things that seem to be baring open their deep-seated fear anf their despair.
   They are putting forth one reason after another in defence of the repeal of the provision for election-time caretaker administration.
   Of late , the government has approved a proposal that the Dhaka City Corporation should be divided into two for better service delivery. Eminent citizens, experts and people in general seem to believe such a plan would not work and , in fact , lead to more complications.
    The mayoral election has been kept in abeyance for years now. Maybe , the government has realised that the election cannot remain postponed indefinitely. Mey be , it believes the incumbent mayor could get re-elected. Maybe , the proposal for division of the city corporation is to ensure that, even if  S

Pakistan and India should join hands for Afghan peace

      DR Rashid Ahmad Khan, professor of international relations at Sargodha University in Pakistan, i n an op-ed titled 'Conflict on the west, peace in the east'. wrote in Lahore's Daily Times: 'In This row with the US pushing Pakistan towards reconciliation with India? Is it just a coincidence or a calculated move on the part of Pakistan to drop certain preconditions for forward movement in some of the thorniest differences with India, like bilateral trade? Whatever the reality , the fast, however, remains that escalating tensions on Pakistan's western border due to deteriorating relations in recent months. The most recent , and undoubtedly the most significant, was Pakistan's commerce minister Amin Fahim's journey to New Delhi and his successful talks with Indian counterpart Anand Sharma, resulting in the decision by the two countries to expand bilateral trade and allowing India to use the Wagah land trade route.'
   He also pointed out:'Realising that it cannot afford hostility simultaneously on its western and eastern borders,Pakistan's move for an improved relationship with India is understandable.But in Pakistan, there is an influential lobby, including religious political parties like Jammat-i-Ialami(JI) and Jamiat -ul-Ulema Islam Fazl (JUI-F) , that holds that instead of accepting US hegemony to counter the security threat from India, it is better to improve relations with the latter to avoid being a surrogate to the former .In India, as well , there are certain circles that are of the opinion that if Pakistan and India join hands, they can keep the region free of the influence of extra-regional powers. A widening row between Pakistan and the US, therefore, may come as a blessing in disguise for peace and reconciliation between the two archrivals , Pakistan and India.'

Cricket Repoting

          A news item front - paged on October 12 in a leading Dhaka based English language, about Bangladesh's exciting win in the Twenty 20 cricket match against the visiting West Indies on October 11, had a 'no -ball' from the reporter, which should have been hit for a six in cricketing parlance.
          The sentence, call it a bowling over, had a poor grammatical error. It is quoted as follow: 'a memorable chapter"was" in Bangladesh cricket history was written on the lush green carpet of the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Tuesday right.'
         The 'no -ball' was the 'was' before in Bangladesh'. This should have been hit for a six by the editorial staff doing the proofreading . Unfortunately', he or she missed the 'no-ball' altogether.

Sexual assault on female students

          Sexual harassment , exploitation and assault have increased alarmingly in our society in recent in recent times. But what is most tragic and shocking is that female students in different educational institutions have become more vulnerable to sexual assaults by some of their teachers even. Every now and then the print and electronic media are covering horrifying news of sexual harassment of female students at different schools, colleges and even madrassahs by some teachers.
          According to a study report published in a vernacular daily in July this year, the number of incidents of sexual assault on girl students by teachers in different schools across the country in the first six months of the current year stood at 294 . But this is definitely a partial view of the whole scenario.
          Do these culprit teachers deserve to belong to the noble profession of teaching? They should have played the role of guardians of the female students like their fathers.On the country, they have engaged themselves in the heinous act of destroying the lives of their daughter-like students. No words are enough to express indignation at such criminal acts by a handful of teachers.By doing what they did, they undoubtedly cast a slur on the teachers community. The shameless, impudent teachers who have committed such brutal and inhuman crimes must be brought to book and exemplary punishment meted out to them.
      

A schoolteacher's woes

      I Would advise , based on the 'letter to the editor' published on October 12 in a local English daily, the teacher, who has been subjected to totally illegal and unethical salary deduction for the whole month just for one day's absence to the nearest labour court' against the school authorities for violation of the labour law and the standing orders act of Bangladesh.
      Even domestic helps cannot be treated in such a manner. Further, he will not need any lawyer to represent himself in the labour court . He can do it himself , and he will be given a due hearing.
      All said and done, it was an inhuman and cruel act on the part of the school management; and they should be ashamed of themselves. The matter needs to be investigated but the nearest upazila nirbahi officer should be duly informed by the complainant , to get fair play and justice.
      I hope and pray that the teacher concerned qualifies in the BCS examinations and then hopefully, in good time, he will be able to drive home the ideas of justice and fair-play, to the high handed members of the school committee.
    

The Nobel Peace Prize and the message

      The Nobel committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2011 is to be divided in three equal parts between Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karman for their non - violent struggle for the safety of women and for women's rights to full participation in peace-building work. The committee has cited in delivering awards through press release that we cannot achieve democracy and lasting peace in the world unless women obtain the same opportunities as men to influnce developments at all levels of society.
     If we look at the careers of this year's winners, we find that Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa's first elected female head of state, is known as the 'Iron Lady' by her supporters.She was imprisoned in the 1980s for criticising the military regime of Samual Doe and then backed Charles Taylor's rebellion before falling out with him and being charged with treason after he become president. In 2009, Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommended that she be barred from office for 30 years for her role in backing Taylor, who is currently on trial for war crimes in The Hague. Despite the popular appeal of her opponent, analysts say she won because of background as a development economist. Sirleaf, a divorcee whose exhusband died a few years ago, is the mother of four sons and has six grandchildren. 'When the plane hasn't landed yet, don't change the pilots.' her posters say.

Our children , our asset

        A child has the right to be born safely anywhere in the world. He or she will become a human through learning many things for leading a life in the society, community , state finally, the world. According to United Nations Declaration of the Right of the Child, 'Every child, without dis any exception whatsoever, shall be entitled to these rights of the Child,'Every child, without any exception whatsoever, shall be entitled to these right, without distinction or discrimination on account of race,colour,sex,language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, whether of himself or of his family.' Every country should strictly follow this declaration as a member of the United Nations.
       A child has a right to be education, cared for and protected , no matter wherever in the world it lives, as well as the right to have fun , learn and express itself. In reality , we see children in the garment factories, workshop, construction site, hand - made cigarette factories, roadside restaurants and the agricultural sector in our country. Children work as bus or three-wheeler helpers, street vendors, brick field workers, and domestic helps. They work in hazardous conditions. In addition , they are less conscious about health and safety. Thus the children's community will become an orchard for our society.

Our children , our asset

        A CHILD has the right to be born safely anywhere in the world. He or she will become a human through learning many things for leading a life in the society, community, state finally, the world.According to United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child,'Every child, without any exception whatsoever, shall be entitled to these right, without distinction or discrimination on account of race, colour ,sex  

Transit tariff

    I am writing in response to the letter written by your reader, Urmila, on the matter of transit of India cargo through Bangladesh by road or rail , which was published on September 28 . I believe the tariff for transport should be the same as applicable for such cargo from Bangladesh. However, in addition, a charge should be levied for customs inspection and clearance, both at the point of entry and departure from Bangladesh territory.
     This could be levied on a fixed tariff basis for each and train at each of the two points when leaving and entering, or it may be determined on a tonnage basis. Additionally, an additional charge for track maintenance and upkeep may also be added for rail transport, considering the heavy use of the track for the transport of transport of heavily laden goods trains in both directions.
     All this should be sorted out properly so that we do not suffer any financial loss for this interaction, which will be an enormous economic boon for Indian traders, considering the usual overland rail or road transport tariff they now incur.

Work or stay at home ?

This refers to the function of stay-at-home moms.In this day,does it sound easier that it is? Is the family of any significance in today's world, where women often give paramount importance to their career? Why is staying at home treated as a misfortune and domesticity a punishment?
   A women's presence at home during the first few years of a child's life is ideal and desired by most of the families.But in present day  conditions , it may or may not be possible. As to what women can do after the children fly away from the nest is a question for the women to answer.Many turn to writing,social service, higher studies,etc.Children do respect and admire the mother who,after bringing them up,spends her time usefully .It is attitude and necessity that make a women career-oriented or a home maker.The satisfaction a women derives from raising her children, however, cannot be valued in terms of money.