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EDITORIAL
Sidr: Rapid rehabilitation needed
Those who were killed by the cruel lashes of devastating Sidr are gone forever, but it is the hapless survivors whose plight remains despicably miserable: Words are simply too inadequate to portray their agony, distress and lamentable wretchedness. Situation has been so unendurable without drinking water and eatables that they have forgotten their grief and bereavement. Over the past fortnight the country's electronic and print media have been providing spot coverage of helplessness of the surviving men, women and children. What was noticeable during the first 10 days was lack of coordination among various agencies of the Government. We wonder, what happened to the much-vaunted Upazila administration, which is said to be the good child of administrative decentralisation?
That the rescue efforts have not been up to the mark is evident from the report that fairly long after 12 days six decomposed bodies of Sidr victims were recovered from a river in Bagerhat. Villagers who lost all they had, said the air was still reeking of stench from putrid corpses afloat in rivers, canals and creeks, They could not remove the corpses as they have been struggling for food and water since water surges whipped up by the cyclone washed away their houses and the people.
A huge number of people in remote areas of the cyclone-ravaged districts are still fighting a desperate battle for survival although the public and private efforts for reaching relief supplies to the survivors have been intensified. People, who are passing days half-fed or without food in the remotest areas, are largely being ignored as most of the activists are distributing food, warm clothes and utensils among the people of their choices or at places convenient to them. Many affected people are yet to be included in the government lists for distribution of relief supplies, according to reports reaching from the districts
The government has, meanwhile, geared up relief activities in the south. Medical teams made efforts to prevent and cure waterborne diseases as water shortage became acute in the coast. Diarrhoea, dysentery and skin diseases had broken out in many places. Meanwhile, finance ministry officials said that under a special Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme, 25 lakh families across the 12 worst-hit coastal districts would be given 15 kilograms of rice against each card a month from December to March. The US Marines have begun relief operation along with Bangladesh forces from Barisal. Considerable quantity of relief materials and cash are pouring in for the last five days; and Saudi Arabia is the top scorer among donor countries contributing US $ 100 million cyclone relief in cash.
As has come to light from a preliminary assessment, some 69 lakh people of 16 lakh families have been affected and crops on about 4.62 lakh acres completely damaged in 30 districts pounded by cyclone Sidr. The assessment made by the food and disaster management ministry said the cyclone left more than 3,000 people dead and 1,180 remained missing in the 30 districts following the calamity. Besides, the cyclone caused colossal destruction of cattle. The report put the number of cattle perished at 4.68 lakh.
After the catastrophe precious little was done when decomposed and bloated bodies were found floating ashore. It is incomprehensible that the government machinery in the field with a considerable size of functionary, apparatus and trained manpower would sit like lame ducks when wails of the bereaved continued to rend the air and the near and dear ones of those missing quietly shed tears hoping for a miracle to happen.
Last but not least, much though the civil society speak aloud about the importance of local government, the gross fault in disaster mismanagement and failure to address the destructive effects and aftermath of the calamity, of necessity, falls on the local administration, Upazila system. Having these in view, will it be not be cogent to construe that a serious dearth of competent officials and an efficiency gap have resulted on account of rapid double and triple promotions of civil servants in consideration of political loyalty under successive governments? Indeed, now it is time to evaluate the ability of the politicised members of the bureaucracy.
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Corruption-free politics? Isn't it a daydream?
AMM Shahabuddin
Every coin has two sides. So has politics- a dark side and a bright side. That used to be once upon a time. With the change of time, the story had also changed. Nowadays corruption and politics go hand-in-hand like bosom friends. It is now difficult to separate their existence. They are now inter-linked in the context of socio-political life, not only in Bangladesh but around the world. Air is filled with corruption. We live on amidst corruption. We eat corruption. We breathe corruption. So politics has ceased to be a two-sided coin; one dark and a bright ... but both are now black and dark.
Look around our own country and society, and you will be bewildered to find where we stand. In fact, the 'cancer' has now spread all over our body-politic. Our national leaders, big and small, seem to be swimming in the whirlpool of corruption. An honest politician has no room for himself to stand. He would be forced to quit politics and take shelter somewhere else. Nowadays only the two-faced politicians, blowing hot and cold at the same time, citing the holy scripture to serve his purpose, making hollow promises in the name of the people, and at the same time looting national wealth like hardened criminals. But everything has its limit. The change of scenario, however, temporary it might be, shows them in their true colours.
But they have no place to hide. These shameless politicians know well that empty promises sound much. However, they believe in the adage that 'promises are made only to be broken.' Hence to think of a corruption-free politics mean to live in a fools' paradise. Ultimately, corruption-free politics is more like 'a golden bowl of stone.' [Sonar pathorbati in Bangla].
However, this should be made clear that the foregoing doesn't necessarily aim at our own country alone. There are lots more, big and small, rich and poor. Let us have a look across the border, the 'world's largest democracy', having over a billion people which had seen geniuses like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru and Moulana Azad. But that does not mean that the poor Indians, who constitute majority of the people and live with rupees forty or less a day, feeding on an average four or five members of a family, had not inherited a country where only milk and honey is flowing.
But who, bothers? The periodic elections come and go in due course and leaders belonging to different parties, democratic, secular as well as communal, come to them to shed their crocodile tears. And they return carrying their much-coveted 'booty', their precious votes. Thus the story goes on and on. All that glitters is not gold.
Tahelka catches Lok Sabha MPs naked
Now, let us have a glimpse of the tip of the iceberg of the prevailing corruption in Indian politics and beyond. Although its dark side seldom comes to light, India being a vast country with 1.1 billion people buzzing around, such dark spots always remain under cover and unnoticed. However, it was for the first time that a private TV channel, Tahelka, made history by unmasking last year eleven corrupt members of the Indian Parliament, while receiving cash as bribes, to raise questions in the parliament for vested interest groups.
Following this big 'catch' by Tahelka, in another such operation, conducted by the Star News Channel, seven members of the Indian parliament were caught red-handed by hidden camera, while negotiating and receiving bribes for sanctioning some projects known as MPs' local area development (MPLAD), launched in 1993 by the then PM Narasingham Rao.
Under this new scheme, each MP was entitled to receive Rupees two crore annually to finance small development projects in their respective areas. Whatever might have been the noble object of Rao's scheme, it had ultimately opened the floodgates of bribery and corruption for the MPs.
Congress and BJP
This unexpected disclosure by the TV chennel had now shaken the present Dr. Manmohan Singh government to the bone, as most of the exposed members belonged to Congress party while others were from the opposition BJP. This reveals the dark side of Indian democracy and politics.
In yet another sensational case in 2001, 'Tehelka.Com' website reporters disguised as defence 'contractors', representing a fictitious London-based company, secretly filmed transactions and conversations after striking a fake $870,000 deal. In this 'trapped' case, mostly the defence officials were shown, but several MPs were also caught in collecting their share.
US democracy and corruption
From 'the world's largest democracy let us have a look at the 'world's oldest democracy' and the world's mightiest nation, the US how far its politicians are free from the curse of corruption.
They, of course, often rush to teach democracy free from the tinge of corruption to the poor developing nations. As Shakespeare says in his Merchant of Venice, "An evil soul producing holy witness is like a villain with a smiling face".
And to quote him again: "The devil can cite scripture for his purpose." This is not to say that the entire US leadership has become the victims of corruption. Bold voices are being raised there all the time against corruption and dishonesty. But one dead fly falling in the coffee-cup is enough to spoil the whole thing. Isn't it?
Rampant corruption
Let us quote recent New York Times which says: "Eleven current or former public officials, including two members of the state assembly (New Jersey), were charged with taking thousands of dollars in bribes, in exchange for Municipal business to undercover officers, posing as insurance brokers, is the latest federal probe into New Jersey's rampant political corruption." I think that's enough to open the 'window' focussing on the "rampant political corruption", being openly practised on a larger scale by much bigger fishes.
'Twin towers'
In order to get that glaring view of corruption let us now look at the 'twin towers' of American politics: the Republican and the Democratic parties, who rule the roost alternatively, in the absence of a third party to compete with them. So they enjoy the monopoly in the power and 'money-market'.
To understand the real political character of the two political parties and their leadership, we will have to look into their novel ways and means of collecting huge amount of fund to spend lavishly in their presidential election campaigns. In fact, it is a well-organised political gambling that plays vital role in their election campaigns. And surprisingly, there is no legal bar or restriction for such anti-social and immoral political gambling.
Party convention: Legalised bribery?
A dare-devil democrat senator Russ Feingold had the guts and moral courage to raise his voice sometime back against fund raising campaign to raise funds for election campaigns. He observed, as reported by the media: "It is all about money, special corporate money", adding that such party conventions "are corporate trade show". Feingold, who had the ambition to reform US election campaign finance, through a legislative proposal, branded the present US democracy as "corporate democracy." Elaborating further, Feingold observed: "It is no longer a 'one person, one vote'. It is 'one vote for a million dollar,' adding, that the fund-raising system itself "is a legalised bribery and corruption. These (party) conventions serve as symbols of corruption."
Thus Feingold vividly exposed the fatal drawbacks of the US election system vitiated by rampant corruption under the coverage of democracy. As they say, "statistics are like miniskirts. They expose more than they hide." Is there still anything hidden for the American people? They say, "a word is enough for the wise." Will the Americans show their political wisdom to wake up to do away with the evil system that had so fur blurred their political rights and eating into the vitals of democracy.
LDCs and 'Guruji'
So how and where do we end up? It the developing countries, like Bangladesh, one of the poorest countries in the world, and leader of the UN-designated 45 least developed countries (LDCs), but itself up to its neck in corruption, try to follow blindly in the footsteps of the 'World Guruji', then they are doomed forever. They have no built-in economic strength to bear the burden of corruption. Hence the poor people of these countries will never be able to stand up to show their identity before the world and they would ever serve as their beast of burden.
During the last three decades since our independence from the Pakistani colonial rule, had we really planned to put the country on the right track? Frankly speaking, in the post-independence period the country had been looted and left bankrupt by successive governments whose leadership had worked more for their personal gains than national interests. Otherwise, how our 'golden fibre' jute which was exploited by the Pakistani rulers to earn billions of dollars in foreign exchange to build their new capital at Islamabad, could die before our very eyes? No, it is not yet dead.
A huge portion is being smuggled across the border to feed the jute mills in a neighbouring India where the number of jute mills is increasing while ours are being closed down. Had our leaders were imbibed with true spirit of patriotism instead of making easy money for themselves, our situation could have really far better.
Bottom line
The bottom-line is whether our people in general, would now wake up from their long slumber and make a concerted effort to put the country on the right track with honest and patriotic people in the driving seat? The forthcoming election, going to be held under the auspices of the present non-party caretaker government sometime next year, will be a test-case for our nation. Let us hope for the best. Let not the money flows from unknown sources and muscle power spoil our much expected broth!
The writer is a retired UN official.
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VIEW POINT
Trial of war criminals
A.M.K. Chowdhury
Some political parties and social as well as cultural organisations nowadays want trial of the war criminals of 1971 and ban on religion-based political parties in the country. But trial of war criminals is a settled issue. It was Bangabandhu's magnanimity that he granted general amnesty to war criminals in 1973. At that time a total of 195 war criminals returned to Pakistan without trail under Simla and Delhi agreement. Such trial will tantamount to showing disrespect to Bangabandhu as he granted general amnesty. We cannot discredit him in this way. We should not dishonour Bangabandhu demanding trial of the war criminals now.
It is a fact that some people joined the auxiliary forces of Pakistan Army and became Rajakars, Al Badrs and Al Shams to maintain livelihood, while some joined under pressure from the then government as well as influential quarters. Some of them were forced to be involved in the genocide, rape and arson by the occupation Army of Pakistan. Some of them were involved in the atrocities intentionally.
Many of those collaborators were killed immediately after the independence. Even some innocent persons had to die because of their dress and lifestyle as well as personal enmity. By writing this we do not say that we do not want trial of war criminals. We also want their trial. But we do not want to disregard Bangabandhu by this trial after 36 years.
The political parties who now demand trial of war criminals had been in power once. But they did not try the war criminals while in power. By raising this settled issue after 36 years they want to divert anti-corruption drive of the Government towards another direction and to foil general election. They want to create disorder in the country while preparation for general election is going on as per election roadmap.
The political parties which do not represent the Parliament and social and cultural organisations with signboard only, want ban on religion-based political parties. By 'religion'-based they want only 'Islam'-based political parties and not other religion-based parties like Hindu-Buddha-Christian Oikka Parishad. They expound secularism. They incorrectly opine that Islam is impediment to democracy as well as secularis; so Islam should be separated from politics.
But Islam is the complete code of life. Politics is for the welfare of the people and not for earning money. Religion is the part of life while politics is the part of Islam. In an Islamic state Islam cannot be separated from politics. But religion should not be traded in the name of politics. They think such ban will help enable them to go to power. They should know that political parties and social and cultural organisations with signboard only cannot demand ban on any political party. Only the common people of the country can demand which party will be banned or not.
We are suffering from problems like price hike of essentials, want of job opporunities, scarcity of drinking water, water logging, environment pollution, mosquito menace, load shedding, traffic jam, admission of students to educational institutions etc. since long. The price-spiral of essential commodities has surpassed all the previous records. Load shedding is a severe one. It continues for hours and hours together almost everyday causing untold sufferings to the people as well as a loss of productions valued crores of takas in the mills and factories. But these political leaders and social and cultural organisers do not bother about these problems, because they can lead a luxurious life. They enjoy all sorts of modern amenities. Their sons and daughters study abroad. They can visit foreign countries for treatment, recreation and shopping as and when required. They get money from external sources, it is alleged. So, they have no headache at all for these problems. Otherwise how can they raise this issue ignoring these problems?
It is said that some organisations are backed and financed by foreigners. So, they want to make Bangladesh a 'failed' and 'dysfunctional' state for the interest of the foreigners. In this way they like to disgrace our motherland.
Bangladesh is an independent and sovereign country. We have achieved independence at the cost of 3 million martyrs. The people of Bangladesh do not want to look after the interest of the foreigners. It is our suggestion that persons who want to make Bangladesh a 'failed' and 'dysfunctional' state should be tried in the interest of the country. We hope all sensible people will admit it.
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LETTERS
US supported Bangladesh genocide
Dear Editor:
In 1971, US supported Genocide in Bangladesh by Pakistan. And US is proud of the Statue of Liberty at the same time .They are now against Pakistan because of geopolitical gain or loss by loosing and bribing Musharraf 1 billion dollars yearly America's best friend UK was behind three segments of Kurdistan or 2 segments of Kashmir.
Unquestionably and definitely we support uprising against Burmese Junta. But US is doing that for encircling China, which is Washington's geopolitical plan. The US used 'democracy' for its own purpose -- in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, etc.
There is no reason why peoples of the world should praise US democracy because the successive US Governments have been engaged in State terrorism. There was a time when America earned respect for President Abraham Lincoln's famous statement regarding democracy. Time has come to speak against US style democracy.
There is no minimum standard in their democracy. O.H. Kabir wrote about US hypocrisy. Henry Kissinger got Nobel Prize for Genocide in Bangladesh and Vietnam. Bravo.
Accorrding to the same foreign policy they are abusing democracy against Iran by using UN sanction; but aiding illegal atom bomb possessor Israel. in for of illegal atom bomb holder Israel in for of illegal atom bomb holder Israel state. US abused Human Rights at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay. US lost its right to become a world leader, so they should stop advising other nations.
In summary, UN, Nobel Prize, Human Rights and actually lost credibility. Third world countries should do something for a New World Order against pretense.
Dr Azizul Karim,
Victoria, Australia
email mounaj@optusnet.com.au
Bangladesh's regional policy
Dear Editor:
The US and India are coming closer, with various models of pacts and exercises. For obvious reasons, all these are to contain mighty China's hold on South Asia. The long-term strategy of USA is to form a seamless region, similar to the former British India.
The next phase is to contain Myanmar (huge energy resources, plus to neutralise communism). For this a closer base is necessary, preferably Bangladesh! The Asian Highway and Railway are a part of the game. Armchair analysts play with the possibility [in the future] of possible Balkanisation of the vast Indian territories, with New Delhi now playing a passive role.
Another advantage to the foreigners is the fate of discontent in the SAARC member countries; suffering from the aftereffects and fallouts of partition in since 1947 [Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal]. Add the hostile and arrogant attitude of the big brother, now being oiled by Uncle Sam.
These smaller members are so busy in day-to-day cleansing of the entrenched evils in the changing society that the foreign policies do not get enough time or priority to ensure long-term strategies.
In addition, for diversion, we are lured by the international aid agencies [controlled by the Western powers] with packets of goodies for sustainable development.
Now watch the revolt against the IMF in Dhaka. When political regimes without self-control run the country, we become weaker, as the priorities shift to ad hoc gains. Thus national unity is not practised: and we cannot get out of this trap. The CG govt is an emergency relief measure-how to prepare the society to cultivate awareness of distant goals? It is not enough to shout whether we are Bangalees or Bangladeshis -the popularity of a party is not the issue.
We cannot harness one inborn quality-the gift of the gab. Non-stop debates and seminars are not taking the nation forward. Concentration of power [in Dhaka] concentrates corrupt practices: and diversification dilutes the field and spreads it. Read the White Paper on DCC Ward Commissioners-yet to be published, but hopefully under drafting!
We voters are neither here nor there-sandwiched between powerful evil syndicates and cartels. These days, in the modern flats, we cannot open the windows and watch the natural sunlight-the glasses are tinted [even in the cars]!
Alif Zabr,
Dhaka.
Let us say goodbye to IMF
Dear Editor:
Estimable good sense prevailed among our policymakers for which we said "Goodbye IMF". According to print media report 'IMF' is in serious crisis in its internal matters. Henceforth IMF has already lost its credibility and capacity to work as financial consultant (or financial physician) and also supplier of credit to all the countries of the world.
Both the World Bank and the IMF have turned into exploiters and looters in broad daylight from the economies of Third World countries. Both these international Kabuliwalas are practically the tools and the collaborators in the hands of world economic imperialists. Interest or usury based world economy is the product of Shylocks of famous Merchant of Venice.
Is there any person in the world who can prove that the economic prescriptions of the IMF or the World Bank has solved any economic ill of any country? Both these international Kabuliwalas never give any economic prescriptions to G-7 countries. The sole aim of the IMF and the World Bank is merely to act as agents of world imperialist economic powers like USA, UK, Japan, Germany, and so on so forth.
It has been proved that the IMF tried to act as a parallel government in Bangladesh. My idea is clear which is "Cut your coat according to your cloth and never according to need." As per international print media the IMF is in serious economic crisis. A serious crisis of fund has already arisen in IMF.
There is a deficit of at least 10 crore dollar in this budget. By 2010 this deficit is expected to reach at 37 crore dollars, as per print media reports the main reason behind this is less income. In 2005 the IMF earned 320 crore from/credit principal and interest but in 2006 income was reduced to 110 crore dollars and by 2009 income from this source may likely to reduced to 63.50 crore US dollars.
In the meantime Philippines, Bolivia, Uruguay and Serbia have already declared to cut the curtain of IMF. Venezuela has already threatened to stop all works of IMF in her country. In the meantime Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia, Uruguay and few other countries have already paid their all liabilities to IMF.
Hugo Chavez, president of Venezuela, has already threatened to close down the office of IMF from his country. Hence, our govt. should also issue notice to IMF to close down its office in Bangladesh. Let us say "Goodbye IMF, go home"
Muhammad Afsar Ali Farajee,
Advocate
Kaunia, Rangpur.
BNP and EC's 'Doctrine of Necessity'
Dear Editor:
If the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) officials could visit and meet Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina in prison and discuss with them separately about GATCO case, then why could not the Election Commission (EC) officials meet in prison and discuss about the dialogue with Begum Khaleda Zia?
The Awami League President Sheikh Hasina went to prison appointing senior party leader Zillur Rahman the Acting President of AL. The Election Commission invited Zillur Rahman for a dialogue.
We do not know the reason why BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia did not appoint senior party leader Saifur Rahman Acting Chairperson when she went to prison. Begum Khaleda Zia appointed Brig (Retd) Hannan Shah as Chairperson's Adviser and Knondkar Delwar Hossain as Acting General Secretary of the BNP.
The EC did not invite Hannan Shah nor Khondkar Delwar Hossain for a dialogue. Saifur Rahman did not raise any objection when BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia appointed Hannan Shah and Khondkar Delwar Hossain.
But all on a sudden on the midnight of October 29 Saifur Rahman in a dramatic move declared himself Acting Chairperson of BNP and Major (Retd) Hafizuddin as Acting General Secretary of the party.
Under the extraordinary circumstances the EC invited Major (Retd) Hafizuddin for a dialogue. The EC chief ATM Shamsul Huda said the 'doctrine of necessity' guided him in inviting BNP reformists.
We are surprised if the ACC officials could meet BNP chief Begum Khaleda Zia and AL chief Sheikh Hasina in prison and discuss with them separately about GATCO case then why could not the EC officials failed to do so and discuss about the dialogue with Begum Khaleda Zia in the prison?
It is very interesting and significant that both 'Hannan Shah-Delwar Hossain' and 'Saifur Rahman-Hafizuddin' equally accept, respect and honour Begum Khaleda Zia as BNP Chairperson.
If the EC officials could seek advice from Begurn Khaleda Zia it might not harm The EC nor it would have been out of jurisdiction of the so-called 'Doctrine of Necessity'.
The EC is pledge bound to hold free and fair general elections in 2008. It is imperative that all concerned must maintain the image, neutrality and integrity of the Election Commission above suspicion and controversy of any sort.
O. H. Kabir,
Dhaka.
Cell phone users' etiquettes
Dear Editor:
Technological improvements have taken mobile phones far, especially in the last three years. Besides international calls, voice mails SMS, Internet and other facilities are in place. Big mobile phone companies have bolstered their networks for better coverage. In fact mobile phones have changed the way we communicate; but have we learned the etiquettes of everyday phone use; instead we have developed some new forms of bad manners and behaviours. Here are some tips on phone manners:
1. Speak at the volume you would use when talking to someone next to you (we Bengalees usually speak unnecessarily louder). If you encounter bad reception, don't raise your voice in order to be heard, simply move to another spot where the reception may be better. If it is still not okay, tell the caller to call you back or offer to return the call at a later time.
2. When the communication is cut off due to bad connection, the person who initiated the conversation should call back.
3.Sensitive and confidential subject matters should not be discussed through SMS.
4.Text messages should be kept brief and to the point- within five lines or just e-mail instead. Use of short abbreviations [Hope u r fine, etc.] should only be confined to family and friends- never in business texts.
5.When dealing with missed calls, the obligation is on the recipient to return the call, as soon as possible but not later than the following day. The call should be accompanied by an apology with reason for the delay.
6.Taking a call during meetings, on visit or while engaged in discussion with others is bad etiquette, unless you have informed the person that you are expecting an urgent call. If you get an unexpected call leave the place for the talk. You must provide a quick explanation afterwards.
Colonel (Retd.) Mirza Shafi,
H-82F, Road#5
Banani.
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