The meeting titled 'Community-based movement: Context good governance and development' was organised by Nagorik Udyog at the Cirdap auditorium in the city.

Presiding over the meeting Prof Muzaffer Ahmad said, "This lively country is blessed with vibrant people. Through unified movements, these people will achieve good governance in the country."

He said for successful community-based movements unity, transparency, accountability and secularism are the most vital requirements.

" To attain success in movements, individuals should be honest in their talks and deeds," he added.

Stressing on transparency and accountability for good governance, Barrister Amir Ul Islam said reform at every institution is needed, but reform does not mean splitting the country.

The people hailed the interim government for its drive to curb corruption, but now people want to see the agenda-wise performance of the government, he added.

Barrister Amir said there should be ombudsman in all government institutions to ensure accountability.

In the light of the constitution, if all institutions would have worked within a legal framework, then the crisis could not occur, he observed.

Barrister Amir also stressed on ensuring people's participation in democracy.

" The feudal mindset has to be changed. We must recognise the role of people to ensure democracy," he added.

Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, secretary of Shushashoner Janney Nagorik (Shujon), Dr Mohammad Abdul Motin, Bapa general secretary, and Dr Abul Hossain, an anthropologist, also spoke on the occasion.

Earlier, Prof Muzaffer Ahmad unwrapped the cover of a book titled 'Protirodh and Unnayon' authored by Altaf Parvez.

The book documented different movements including, Kansat Andolon, Rajshahi Rokkha Songram Parishad, Garment worker's upsurge on May 22, movements to protest eviction of slum dwellers, and Save the Environment Movement.

During a presentation, the author showed how the people pioneered movements to realise their rights to live.

"Sometimes these people floated community-based movements, sometimes they took assistance from different organisations, but in most cases the people had to face strong resistance from the government," he added.

Altaf said though small and medium non-government organisations assisted people, but NGOs with reputation hardly came to help these people.