Does BNP want to go to power through coup?

In the past few days, the prime minister , Sheikh Hasina, has alleged, at different meetings, that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party is trying to go to power through coup. If what Sheikh Hasina says is truem it is really alarming. However, we want her to establish her claim with evidence.The position of the prime minister is of supreme importance in any country. So from a prime minister people want to hear responsible statements substantiated by proof . Rhetoric and provocative statements from any prime minister (incumbent or former) is unfortunate and disastrous for the nation. If the BNP plans to go to power using the army, it should bot be difficult for the government to prove. So we want to know the whole story from Sheikh Hasina .

Border brutality

     A writer from the United States, not an expatriate, expressed his views in a letter to editor published on January the atrocious behavior and brutality shown by the BSF, the acronym for which should stand for 'Brutality Sans Frontier' currency notes, and not passport or visa, seem to be the acceptable instrument of all illegal travel across the border. The ghastly event, this time recorded on camera, is done on a regular basis. Our government calls India a 'friendly country'. which is possibly the biggest joke that one can imagine . One of its    minister has officially ignored it as a regular incident . One wonders how is still in office.
                           A symbol of courage      
      Sometimes we become easily frustrated with our life seeing monotonous, tedious struggle of everyday life. We tend to lose hope and some of us try to take refuge drug , alcohol and other anti-social activities. We become too at the negative sides of our life, visualise ourselves as victims and start blaming everyone other than ourselves. When someone as brave as Hawa Akhter, Jui comes out we realise how lucky, blessed and privileged we are. I was really shocked when I read in the newspaper that her husband chopped off her study . Now I am really awed to see her courage and determination to carry on with her study. I am sure that no one can deter her from being successful. In our society we see a dearth of determination and courage that she has displayed, to continue with life after facing so much pain. I am sure Jui's fight back will encourage and help many lost souls to stand up and carry on with their life with courage and hope.

Capital market instability

   The small -time investors of the share market have been passing a crucial moment of their life for the past two years. The stock market was in turbulence throughout much of 2009, with the long bullish trewnd starting to turn grim. The bullish trend was initiated by the end of the two-year political crisis and resumption of civilian rule via the December 2008 polls. Share prices continued to fluctuate reaching the annual high in mid-2009 before plummeting by the end of 2009, with retail investors threatening a hunger strike. The marke continued to be turbulent throughout 2010, with the Dhaka Stock Exchange hitting its all-time high revenue and the largest fall in a single day since of a month. By the end of 2010, it was well known that the capotal markets of Bangladesh were overvalued and overheated.The market also continued to be turbulent throughout 2011. After the market fell further subsequently, small investors started going on hunger strikes separately.
     Anyone may have sympathy after noticing their helpless life. Losing capital more than 30 lakh investors have now anxious. Investors took to the streets with protests. Random objects like wood and papers were set on fire and it may continue. If the government's role appears confined to mere talking and the finance minister says 'I don't know how it will right,' what will the investors' situation be? How will they get relief from their burden? Should they commit suicide or should they blame irony of fate?So, immediate measures should be taken by the Securities and Exchange Commission and other relevant authorities.
    

Non-govt teachers and their pension

       Non -government teachers will be able to apply for pension online.Non-government teachers' salary is very poor and their pensions are negligible. To get pension , teachers have to pay a huge amount to come and stay in Dhaka . Now a days transportation cost is exorbitant and staying in Dhaka is costly.Teachers are also forced to bribe the staffs related to their services otherwise it is hard for them to process their files. I kow one Israt Jahan who has been working as a lecturer in a non-government college in an upazila for about 19 years an and wants  to leave the job. But right now, if she leaves the job she will not get any pension. Pension is applicable for those who will complete job at least 25 years.
     But pension facilities should be proportionate to their length of service and teachers should be able to draw the pension money from their respective districts.

Neglected Potential of Tourism in Bangladesh

    In a world economy plagued by recession, in magnitudes unseen since the 1930s, it has been a pleasant surprise to witness the global tourist industry demonstrating a resilience unheard of in most other sectors. Tourist numbers throughout the world has continued to increase, while companies and even continued to increasem while companies and even countries that are associated with the sector have been cushioned from the global economic downturn, thanks to incoming revenues from tourism. With these facts in mind, one has little choice but to despair when looking at the state of tourism in our country. Our domestic tourism sector has remained in near stagnation for the 40 years of the history of Bangladesh, as subsequent government have shown repeated inaction when it comes to developing the industry. Meanwhile we have watched our neighbours race ahead of us in this regard.We like to hope that the reason for such inaction is, yet again, the same old malady of not knowing better-because such a cause definitely has a remedy. We have tried, with this supplement , to bring forth such realisations, in hopes of bringing about a much needed change. For us to be able realise our full potential as a nation in this global industry, we must first assess what it is possible to achieve. Then only can we begin to reap the benefits from it to ultimately pave a path for the overall development of Bangladesh.
     It cannot be stressed enough also that any development of the tourism sector in Bangladesh must follow a carefully designed long-term plan that ensures that the development is sustainable. The development path must make sure that the historical and natural beauties of our land, which attract tourists in the first place, are protected from the population pressures of tourism. There are proven examples of such ecological tourism development around the world . We have to remember that we have only one Sundarban, only one Cox's Bazar, only one Saint Martins and only one Mainamati. We are obligated, as a nation , to protect our natural and cultural resources as we develop the tourism sector for the future.       

Mobile scam

    It was early in the morning, I was just settling in my office desk when I received a call from a GrameenPhone number . When I received the call I heard a robotic voice informing me that he was calling from GrameenPhone customer care and glad to inform me that I had won a luxurious car worth Tk 22.5 lac. I kew it was a bogus call trying to cheat gullible people . I put the call on loudspeaker so that my colleagues could hear it. I was pretending that I was very excited to win such a big price. Later that fake person informed me that if I was to know how I can collect my prize then I have to call back to his number. My colleagues and I had a good laugh. Someone advised me to call back the con-man but I was reluctant to waste my time on the matter anymore.
     Later, it came to my mind that this type of fraudulent people traps many innocent people in the name of winning prize. As such fraudulent activities don't get publicity , these have been on a sharp rise, since the victim doesn't like to take the trouble to complain or report to law enforcers or phone service providers. The monile companies concerned should take legal step against these criminal activities so that they come to an end for good.

Israel is unlikely to respond to Iranian provocation

     I am writing with reference to Op-Ed: 'The myth of "isolated" Iran' by Pepe Escober. Iran is yet to develop any nuclear weapon, and yet its President Ahmadinejad has been threatening to wipe out Israel from the face of the earth. It should be clear from Iran's acts and rhetoric that the Shia leaders are trying to provoke Israel to attack it. The leaders want a war to bolster their foundering public support in the wake of the rigged election. A vast majority of Iranian people must be watching the popular revolt against Syrian dictator Bashar Assad, whose collapse might spill over to Iran, threatening the Iranian regime. So a war with Israel will come handy to rally public support for the regime.
     Seem in this light, an Israeli pre-emptive attack on Iran's nuclear installation will help the Iranian regime to galvanise the Iranian people. The Iranian leaders are also aware that being a faraway country, Israelcannot invade Iran, while Iran can unleash its Hezbollab surrogates sitting right across Israeli borders. An Israeli air strike on Iran will allow Iran to unleash Hezbollah and Hamas, while blaming Israel for aggression. Instead of destroying Iran's nuclear reactors Israel will find itself at war on its doorstep. To deal with a nuclear -armed Iran Israel should look at nuclear-armed Iran, Israel should look at nuclear-armed North Korea. Before Borth Korea exploded its nuclear device, it was argued that if North Korea was allowed to go nuclear it would destabilise the Asia-Pacific region. To counter North Korea's nuclear capability, Japan would go nuclear, raising China's historical fears about Japan . As a result , we might see a nuclear arms race in the region. To avert such a catastrophe, many neo-conservatives called for pre-emptive strike on North Korea's nuclear reactors.
      Well, North Korea did explode its nuclear device, but nothing happened . Instead of going nuclear, Japan has abandoned nuclear power in the aftermath of Fukushima. Today, North Korea remains a destitute nation , heavily dependent on China for its economic survival. Instead of becoming a threat, it is now a pariah nation . Iran is already isolated as it is finding it difficult to retain it market for oil. Even China and India-biggest importers of Iranian oil-are trying to find out new suppliers. Iran's main friend Venezuela is an oil exporter and cannot provide an alternate market for Iranian oil.

Deaths on roads and highways

      It is clear that most of the road traffic accidents take place because of bad roads, unfit vehicles and untrained drivers. The government has an important role to play to address all three. It needs to work out a long-term plan  to build a smooth and wide road nerwork. At the same time, the railways and airways need to be developed, to ease the pressure on the road network. Funding does not seem to be a problem; what is needed is visionary leadership. The government needs to decide whether to squander national wealth in unproductive and reactive pursuit or utilise it for the welfare of the people at large. Time is of essence here. People may be at the end of their tether; they may already be angry enough to break the wall of fear and stream on to the streets, to claim what they rightfully deserve.

Tele Talk should reduce call charge

    I am a subscriber of state -owned mobile operator, Tele Talk. I thought that it would be cheaper and the service would be much better than other operators, forgetting that for state-owned institutions nothing runs as it should. I bought the SIM with a high price. The call charge of TeleTalk is 1.33 per minute, which is much higher than other operators. It is very disappointing and objectionable. According to a report Published in The Daily Star, leading telecom operator GrameenPhone is still ahead with 3.61 crore users whereas Teletalk has only 11.98 lakh subscribers. Teletalk also lost 9,000 connections.
   Adopt Clean Car Standards
The timely and bold initiative taken by the US President Barack Obama to finalise Clean Car Standards, that will nearly double fuel efficiency and cut global warming emissions in half for new cars and trucks by 2025 saving consumers' billions at the gas pump, deserves appreciation and support from all the quarters. Authomakers, labour leaders, security experts, and consumer groups all support the proposed standards but it's not clear why Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) is on the attack against those working toward a clean car future?

Khaleda Zia's self -contradictory comments

     In Chittagong Polo Ground Begum Zia announced that Moinuddin-Fakhruddin caretaker government was unconstitutional. In the past she said several times that the said government was illegal and that she woukd try the advisers if she comes to power .But at the same time, she has been continuously demanding reinstatement of the caretaker government system for the upcoming national election, though she holds the view that CG was unconstitutional as well as illegal.
    "Marching towards abyss'
    Fidel Castro's well presented full page article, titled as above, published in the editorial page of a local English daily on 11 th January, is a sound scientific analysis of what is happening and the dangerous possinle aftermath of the methodology for exploration of methane from underground geological shale structures by the USA . Releasing the trapped methane gas from shale by forced hydraulic fracturing of the underground shale structure is a procedure involving various risks, as described in Castro's article. This procedure used 'benzene' and 'toluene' to be injected mixed with water for the hydraulic fracture of the shale structure and releases water contaminated with carcinogenic benzene and toluene in the water bodies.

Tamim's temper tantrums

      Quality cricket and temper tantrums do not go together. Tamim Iqbal has to discard one or the other-once for all . In the greater overall interest, and to set an example, Tamim's official cricket needs to be terminated . Such behaviour cannot be tolerated . Forget being the best batsman, his behaviour needs to have him banned from all form of cricket under the Bangladesh Cricket Board. He should leave cricket, temper and all, if he cannot mend his behaviour.
      He is a shame and a slander to the good name of cricket in Bangladesh. He should be told, in writing by the cricket board, and in no uncertain manner , that this is the final time he will get away with such a mild dose of discrpline, which I am sure he just ignores.

Tackling corruption

      Every day without fail, on opening any daily newspaper, one comes across news about corruption, in various forms and of varying amounts and types, happening all over the country. We are prone to corruption at all levels. It has become an epidemic, infecting the character of a large number of our people, in various strata of service. It is present wherever there is the potential to get any benefit or permission , which should normally be given routinely, or may need some official's permission or approval.
     Unfortunately , we seem to be trying to tackle the problem in a wrong manner, going from bottom up, rather than from top down, to be really effective . But who will bell the 'top cats'? They are the high-profile wheelers and dealers, the 'Demoncratic (not Democratic) Bangladesh Tiger', who are usually sitting in their proverbial ivory towers. They are cleverer than any four-legged variety of cats and are real cunning.
      We are feebly trying to shake this firm and well-rooted mature 'tree of corruption' at ground level. Hence only dried and dead leaves sometimes fall. The big juicy fruits are all there on top,ripening and getting tastier, piling on the goodies. Palm greasing , influence peddling or just expediting routine  matters are the delayed, wherever there is a small of potential possibility for 'goodies'. Things are then done when lubricated; otherwise, it is left to idle and gather dust in the vast labyrinth of layered bureaucracy. Here occurs many a slip between the proverbial cup and the lips. These slips are the potential sources of 'goodies' for the opportunistic 'tip takers.' Small wonder then, that there is no end to corruption since while we make much publicised hue and cry about 'small fries' getting nabbed the 'whales of tip takers' carry on ruling the waves in the large' sea of corruption' that surrounds Bangladesh.
    

Multivitamin not needed

      An important medical report form London was published on the back page of a local English-language daily on December 28. It quoted the finding of a detailed French study, spread over some years, on the benefit or otherwise of daily intake of multivitamins, practised by many in Bangladesh. The study has found that, for healthy adults, popping multivitamins daily may actually increase the risk of getting melanoma, a dangerous type of skin cancer. Can anvone then take multivitamins , once aware of the potential risk? It is in our interest that the matter is widely published in our print and audio-visual media, to create widespread awareness.
    Logically, it is, therefore, far safer to regularly eat fresh fruits and vegetables, rather than multivitamins. However, even this option too is now unsafe in Bangladesh, given the widespread practice of ripening and increasing shelf-life of raw fruits and vegetables by using dangerous drugs, during cultivation or prior to bulk sale. It is a classical case of opting for the lesser of the two evils, forced to choose between 'the devil and the deep sea.' Possibly the best option will be to plant your own fruit tree and have a place for vegetable garden, wherever it is possible. Otherwise the choice is for you to make between multivitamins or fresh fruits and vegetables.

Domestic violence and law

  In the absence of serious and sincere steps to implement the provisions effectively, the Protection of Women form Domestic Violence Act seems to be falling short of expectations. The law was introduced to protect women and children form the violence they are subjected to . But it has remained a non -starter for various reasons. It is time the government reviewed the effectiveness of the act.
   When it came into force, the act was hailed as an extraordinary piece of legislation to protect women form domestic violence. But like all other laws aimed at protecting and empowering women, it too suffers form poor implementation, reflecting the societal bias against women. Despite making fabulous achievements in every sphere of human activity, women in Bangladesh have continued to suffer violence of different hues in silence. Fear of reprisal and ostracism deters many women from filing a complaint against their husbands. Unless women free themselves from their submissive attitude, no legislation meant for their welfare will have the desired impact. Domestic violence seems to have been accepted as one of the hazards of life by Bangladeshi women in general and illiterate women in particular . I am sure hundreds pf cases go unreported as women fear being thrown out of their homes and exposed to the vagaries of life. The state should provide protection, rehabilitation and training to victims to make them self-reliant . We can follow the British or the Canadian model and train personnel for implementing the act and also have fast-track courts for speedy justice.
     Domestic violence is indeed one of the most atrocious and pervasive human right violations. It destroys the victims' sense of self -worth .But it is not enough to make laws with noble intentions. The real key to justice lies in their effective implementation . While it is important to educate women on the provisions of the law , there is an urgent need to make it gender neutral . There are instances of women misusing the law.