Can Yunus offer anything new in politics?

Omar Mohamed

I have noticed a series of articles in different national dailies examining Dr. Yunus' desire to join politics. Immediately after his open letter to the people of Bangladesh, experts from different quarters jumped into analyzing the pros and cons of his political career. Some experts offered different suggestions while some others were critical of his political ambition and related issues especially linking him with the imperialist global forces. However, I have seen no such article, which examines the political vision of Dr. Yunus. What will be his agenda in national politics?
   Over the past couple of months after the announcement of Nobel Peace Prize, we are hearing many ideas from Dr. Yunus regarding the development of Bangladesh. He prescribed a series of ideas to make a revolution in the economy and politics of Bangladesh. How far are these ideas innovative to make Bangladesh a prosperous country under the hegemony of neo-liberal agenda?
   Dr. Yunus is a 'national pride' in Bangladesh; there is no doubt about it. He dedicated his life to make the livelihoods of poor people better. Although there is a variety of criticism against microcredit programme, its effects on the livelihoods of the poor people cannot be ignored. It is true that microcredit is not a panacea for poverty reduction. The success of microcredit as presented by Yunus and the sympathetic researchers and academics are not incontrovertible. Women's empowerment, social justice and equality still remain critical aspects of rural development. Micrecredit fails to address power hierarchy and extreme social inequality in rural Bangladesh. Instead of making a structural change, microcredit offers at best a surface-level solution to poverty reduction.
   In his Nobel lecture, Prof. Yunus urged all to initiate a process through which we can send poverty into museum. Yunus' dream does not fit in with the core principle of microcredit programme. Without addressing social structural issues, one cannot eliminate the odds of society. Microcredit programme targets individualised problem and seeks solution at the individual level. One can say, once the individual gets confidence in his capacity to manage his problems, the rest of the issues will be solved automatically.
   Societal phenomena are not as simple as we see in this linear way. The historical trajectories of social development are not at all linear as our development practitioners say following the advice of the global financial institutions. The odds of society e.g. poverty must be handled in a structural way, which could pave a solid ground for future generation. Therefore, from a critical perspective of social development, microcredit can never be an innovative idea. In spite of this in-built problem of microcredit programme, it has been replicated in many countries throughout the world. This is again the politics of neo-liberal project. I will delve on it in future.
   I am wondering whether any critique of Grameen programme noticed that Prof. Yunus never talks about primary education, healthcare services, good infrastructure, creation of employment opportunities, rural-urban migration, ill practices of traditional power by the local elites, and land reform and redistribution of Government khas land to the landless poor people. He never talks about how to improve primary education and how can we serve better healthcare facilities to remote rural areas? The focus on such issues can provide us better result to eliminate the odds of society. This can also reduce poor people's dependence on the so-called microcredit programme.
   
   Corruption in politics
   Let's turn to the issue of politics. A couple of days ago Dr. Yunus talked to a journalist of a French news agency about the politics of Bangladesh. He mentioned that the politicians in Bangladesh are doing politics only for money. We have seen sharp reaction from our political parties. Some intellectuals who are politically affiliated to both of our major political parties also criticized Yunus for his generalised statement. I see nothing wrong in Yunus' allegation. It is a fact that there are some dedicated politicians in different left-wing political parties. However, they are very small in number. Of course, they were disheartened by such comment. But Prof. Yunus' observation is not far from reality. We can be proud of our politics and political leaders if we go through the historical development of Bangladesh up until 1972. Since then the politics was no more a matter national pride.
   An objective analysis of politics and political leaders will not reveal that our politicians dedicate their lives for the betterment of the country and its people. Some mentioned in different articles that our politicians sacrificed a lot to restore democracy in Bangladesh after a long-time struggle during Ershad regime. This is true. But think about what they did during the period of so-called democracy in Bangladesh after 1991. Under the lebel of democracy, they were busy fulfilling their self-interest leaving behind national interest. In this backdrop, Dr. Yunus has entered into the scenario. What is the major agenda of Dr. Yunus in the politics of Bangladesh?
   
   Liberalism, democracy
   I have the impression from various press reports that Prof. Yunus will make a liberal democratic party. He can choose any name of the party within the domain of liberal democracy. How far can we expect from a liberal democratic party under the hegemony of global financial institutions? To make Bangladesh a developed and prosperous country using its own resources with strategic planning, we need to move beyond the domain of liberal democracy. Although it is a difficult job to form social democratic principle in global south, there are ample opportunities to move in that direction.
   We need a visionary leadership to move towards social democracy. Here I am advocating for social democracy following some of Yunus' thoughts delivered in his Nobel lecture. In his Nobel lecture, Prof. Yunus mentioned about the flawed design of globalisation where poor countries have virtually little access to gain equally from world politics and economy. Can we expect that Yunus will do politics to make better output of globalisation for Bangladesh bringing market economy under critical scrutiny? Will there be a strong role of state in public sphere? Will there be strategic planning of the state to ensure committed industrial policy, stabilisation of labour market, employment creation mechanisms, sustainable use of natural resources and egalitarian social security policy. To turn a huge population into human resources, we need to move in this direction. If we decide to make development planning according to the direction of the global financial institutions, the chance to make Bangladesh a prosperous country would be very slim. This is what our mainstream political parties did after the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
   The military regimes and the so-called democratic regimes did the same thing without caring much of national interest. Just think about trade liberalization, privatisation, management of natural resources such as gas and coal, PRSP, and other development policies dictated by global financial institutions. Is there any room in these mega development policies where we can see the politician's commitment to the nation? Since prof. Yunus wants to make a radical change in the total scenario, he has to present his agendas to the people before he delves into formal political practices.
   In spite of offering us a visionary planning to lead Bangladesh in a place from where she will move forward rapidly, Prof. Yunus is uttering the same old arguments. One of these arguments is - make Chittagong port free for all, otherwise Bangladesh will remain poor. The port will not solve the structural problems that we face in Bangladesh. So far, what we have heard from him is not innovative and farsighted. His ideas do not show much of a dedicated leadership.
   His silence during the crisis period of Bangladesh shows his reluctance to be a dedicated leader. During the Phulbari crisis, we heard no comment from him. What do all of these critical issues indicate? Is his aspiration in politics to serve the interest of profit-hungry foreign companies and global financial institutions? If so, then what is the difference between the political agenda of Dr. Yunus and those of the existing money-making political parties? I see no difference between the major two political parties in terms of their ideology, and dealing with foreign companies and global financial institutions. People's interest always remains at bay.
   To make a radical change in society, economy and politics, the conventional political and economic practices will not give us much output. We must go beyond this limited development planning practices. Is it the dream of Dr. Yunus? If so, he must clarify his economic and political agenda with clear specification of his ideas to deal with discriminatory rules, practices and advice of dominant global financial institutions. He should clarify the ways in which Bangladesh can make good use of globalisation. He has to take the challenge to correct the flawed design of globalisation in favour of the economy of Bangladesh. Are these too much to expect from him? I guess, no. We would like to see our country in a better position in the world economy. We have enormous resources. What we need is a dedicated leadership, which is totally missing in our current political culture. We are eager to see a radical change in our politics in terms of political culture and commitment to the welfare of the country.

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Toad

Rayyan Kamal

The other day at 11:30 in the morning, on the way back to my dorm, I passed Toad's Place as I do everyday. But this time, there was something odd about this music hall-cum-night club-cum den of debauchery: there were about 100 girls literally camped outside Toad's. Yes, they had come prepared, which is to say they had brought sleeping bags and food. It was only later that I found out what all the hullabaloo was about: Hanson, that titillating trio of the 90's, would be performing there that night. If a washed-up boy-band could gather such a huge following of dedicated fans, I could only imagine how big a crowd someone like Britney Spears might elicit. (Of course, many would argue that she's also practically washed up now). It's probably best not to think about it. Toad's, as wonderful as it is, is practically my neighbor. It's a one-minute walk from my dorm. At 1:00a.m. on Saturdays, drunken strangers have been known to wander into my residential college seeking food and shelter. They are usually students from other universities who have nowhere else to go now that Toad's has shut down for the night.
   The good news is that this questionable establishment will probably be relocated next year.
   I read an interview in the Yale Daily News with one of the three Hanson brothers: Zac. In reference to becoming an overnight sensation at the age of eleven with the song "Mmmbop," he said that it's difficult to come to terms with the fact that his career peaked when he wasn't yet a teen. The band's staunchest fans refuse to let them grow up. At concerts people are always craving for numbers from their first album. Now that they are no longer pre-pubescent, I doubt that Hanson could do justice to their older songs, in which the squeaky voices and eerily high notes made it obvious how young the singers were.
   There was a highly interesting anecdote from the interview that I thought I must repeat. Hanson was recently in Japan and the journalist interviewing Zac told him the following: "I interviewed you 10 years ago, and I asked you where you'd be in 10 years, and you told me you'd be making music. And you said if you're still a journalist, I hope we can do an interview again."
   On March 18th, which is during spring break, a relatively more well-known artist will grace the smut-stained floors of Toad's: the one and only Mr. Bombastic a.k.a. Shaggy.
   On a completely unrelated note, I read in the Yale Daily that, as much as Yale and Harvard love to bicker about anything and everything, it's their "younger sibling," Stanford, that raised as much funds as Yale and Harvard combined did during the last fiscal year: a whopping $911 million compared to Yale's relatively unimpressive $433 million.
   In other news, I have three midterms on consecutive days next week. As usual, the test-preparation has not been satisfactory, but I do what I can.
   Rayyan Kamal is a sophomore at Yale University.

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All of us should help our fellow beings

Ripan Kumar Biswas

Most of the Bangladeshis are disgusted at the negative news bombarding them: corrupt politicians, conspiracy against national interest, grabbing property of poor people, bombing by fundamentalists, price hike of essential commodities or the latest fire that swept a high-rise building in central Dhaka, to name just a few.
   So when a feel-good story comes along, especially about a good human being, I just want to shout to the world about it, because we need more positive news about a good human being.
   Submitted for the interest of Bangladeshis, the story of one Md. Nasir Uddin Baperi, a rescuer of Fire Service and Civil Defence of Bangladesh, has been dubbed "a saviour" during the recent fire incident in the BSEC building located at Kawran Bazar in Dhaka city.
   Although other rescuers of different organisations of Bangladesh worked hard to rescue hundreds of people feared trapped inside the 11-storey Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporations (BSEC) building on February 26, 2007, Mr. Nasir literally did something different to rescue people from fire. According to the Fire Brigade officials, it was one of a number of such worst fire incidents in the city in recent times.
   To rescue others is not simply a job for him as he is an employee of Dhaka Fire Service Department. Like others, he went there with other fellow workers to rescue people. When he reached the building, the whole building was burning. He had to save everyone from the conflagration.
   Using his common sense, he first rescued a child as the child might lose his sense quickly than others. The role of identification with the victims in rescue work is complex as everyone wants to get rid of the sufferings. But Mr. Nasir didn't lose his patience and rescued over 30-35 people within a very short time.
   I say, "You're my hero." Like the word "love," "hero" is often misused. No doubt, Mr. Nasir Uddin Baperi is a real hero.
   Amazingly, the man is as eloquent as he is brave. Nasir along with other rescuers did a great job not only it was their professional task but also their affinity towards humanity. But how do we treat them? Are they being appreciated either by government or any political party? How many people know these great souls rather than corrupted politicians or bureaucrats? Or do we discuss their selfless behavior which can inspire others to do the right things if they are ever faced with a crisis?
   Everyone was amazed to see Wesley Autrey along with other guests at the State of the Union address of the United States in Washington on January 23, 2007. Mr. Autrey, who has been recently honoured with the Bronze Medallion (New York City's highest civic award) by Mayor Bloomberg, showed laudable action which might make others change their ways.
   While waiting for the subway in the 138th Street station in Harlem, New York, Autrey (who was with his young daughters Shuqui, 6, and Syshe, 4, at the time) witnessed twenty-year-old student Cameron Hollopeter fall off the platform into the path of an oncoming train. In what New York Metropolitan Transit Authority executive director Elliot Sander hailed as "a death-defying act of bravery," Autrey leaped from the platform to the tracks, pushed Hollopeter and himself into a well, and held the young man down as the train raced into the station.
   The heroic can often generate sublime moments such as Autrey is experiencing now. He never would have imagined the ceremony at City Hall, the free Metro Card for a year (to ride the subway), a vacation to Disney World, a $10,000 check from the aforementioned Donald Trump (who happens to do lots of nice guy things that many people don't hear about), and an appearance on David Letterman's The Late Show. But how many people in Bangladesh come to know about a great soul like Welsey Autrey?
   However, the way the fire incident was tackled exposed the overall deficiency of the Fire Brigade of Bangladesh, particularly deficiency in modern fire-fighting equipment, because the ladder that was used could roughly reach the 8th floor of the BSEC building although most people were waiting on the rooftop to come down.
   But Mr. Nasir and others didn't blame and stop to think about much before jumping into action. They didn't have enough time and they ignored their own safety. It's a lesson in courage, in love of one's fellow human beings, and in shedding that selfish shell that many of us tend to ensconce ourselves in on a day to day basis.
   We don't have to be someone with great powers to achieve heroism; the heroic act comes from the regular person thrust into extraordinary circumstances. Oftentimes, as Mr. Nasir has said, it's just about doing our level best to help people, the right thing. "What I did is something that any and every citizen should do. If you see somebody in distress, do the right things. Good things happen when we do good to others.

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Learning from the East

Saad Quasem

Civilization began in what is typically known as the East. As history suggests, while conquering the East the Westerners extracted countless ideas and theories and today their power has been multiplied to the point of hegemony. The East is seen as "exotic," where one can go back in time and indulge in mysterious traditions of spices and more. Contemporarily speaking, here in America it is still a joke that a woman can become the President. On the side of the round earth, the East has elected an unusually high number of female heads of governments and states, much unlike America.
   Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has announced her willingness to join the Presidential Race for 2008. Many are here diehard supporters, many support her endeavour and many many more hate the fact that a woman could even think of sitting in the Oval Office. Although, by experience and charisma she parallels a man, sexism will play a vital role during the forthcoming Presidential race.
   On a recent trip to South Carolina, the heartland of the American South, I discovered that Hillary does not have a prayer. I encountered a baby-sitter who was at work, while I was watching television. Senator Clinton was on a Breakfast show and spoke of economic reforms to pull America out of the budget deficit. The lady seated by stated in a southern accent "what makes her think, just because she is Christian that she is not a woman and can rule every single man in America. Oh no lady, forget it!" I did not expect sky high comments from any such southerner, therefore I was not surprised. I did though receive a first hand experience of such sexism.
   These comments make me think about India a few years ago. Sonia Gandhi headed the Congress Party and was elected to lead the parliament and Cabinet, thus becoming Prime Minister. However, due to an infinite amount of reasons Mrs. Gandhi humbly declined the post of Prime Minister. Riots broke out and suicidal attempts resulted in Sonia stepping down of her position. The mass public created a lot of chaos, as they wanted the blue-blooded name "Gandhi" to hold the seat of Prime Minister. It did not matter, that Sonia was a foreigner or a woman they wanted her to be in power and were exercising democracy by rioting.
   American democracy exists in neglecting women as leaders and Indian Democracy exists in promoting the women as the head of the government. It is rather double standard that America calls for equality to all, yet there is such unequal treatment in voting. Many such instances mark America. Therefore, the West is yet to learn many lessons from the East, despite the hegemony.

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Incense may increase cancer risk

Dr. Joseph Mercola

Burning incense can expose people to cancer-causing chemicals. Incense burning also creates more local pollution than road traffic. Levels of highly carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) inside a poorly ventilated temple in Taiwan were 19 times higher inside the temple than outside, and also somewhat higher than at a nearby local intersection.
   The PAH benzopyrene, which is thought to cause lung cancer in smokers, had a concentration in the temple that was up to 45 times higher than in homes where residents smoke, and as much as 118 times higher than in areas with no indoor source of combustion. Total suspended particles (the range of particles that comprise most of the emissions from human activity) were three times higher inside the temple than at the traffic intersection, and 11 times higher than outside the temple.
   The concentrations inside the temple exceed the standard "safe" levels for air set in Taiwan according to Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 2001 Sep.
   
   Carcinogenic toxins
   Most people don't realise that burning incense can expose them to a dangerous amount of cancer-causing toxins. Although this study was conducted in a poorly ventilated temple where incense is burned regularly, you are still releasing these chemicals into your home if you burn incense there. To keep your cancer risk to a minimum, your safest bet is to not release any extra pollutants into your home, including those from incense, candles, air fresheners or other synthetic fragrances.
   This would be true for nearly all chemicals, and whole-house ventilation systems are something you might want to consider to remove the many other chemicals that tend to build up from various items in your home. Most homes are actually far more polluted than the outside air, especially in the winter.
   In general, it's best not to introduce any chemicals into your home. If you are trying to eliminate unpleasant scents, try to prevent them from occurring in the first place, or if you want a pleasant scent you could try therapeutic essential oils instead.
   Most essential oils have antibacterial qualities and have varying physical and emotional effects depending on the oil, such as stimulation, relaxation, pain relief and healing. More importantly they don't produce harmful chemicals.
   "Since most people spend about 80 to 90 per cent of their time indoors, indoor air pollution is very important to minimize. In addition to gaseous pollutants, such as formaldehyde from carpets and furniture, carbon monoxide from cooking and heating, and radon gas emanating from some soils.
   "Most homes and buildings have numerous fine particles, that can include smoke, dander, and mold spores, which can carry a variety of natural and man-made toxins as well as allergens."

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