Letters
Lakes-on the verge of extinction
The cover story on the lakes of Dhaka City on the verge of extinction (July 28, 2006) was an informative one.
The Gulshan-Baridhara-Banani lake is one of the last remaining water bodies of the city. Water bodies are very important for the ecological balance. As the water bodies are decreasing day by day, ground water is being used for water supply. The recharge of underground water is hampered so there is a large gap in the water level and the ultimate result is land-subsidence.
Again tremendous pollution in the lake is also polluting the ground water. This will create more harmful effects if it is not stopped now.
Waterlogging will also do much more harm if the water bodies are not preserved. So, it is time to think about it. Thanks to SWM for discussing this crucial topic.
Shirin Sharmin Bubly
Dept. of Civil Engineering
BUET
Be Well-groomed
I want to compliment the SWM and the writer of the cover story titled “Male Grooming” (July 21, 2006).
I also agree with some of Shayera's opinions in her letter “the Modern Man”.
Once upon a time consciousness regarding one's beauty was considered the prerogative of women. Men never thought of it. Now times have changed. Even in job recruitment, a presentable man will certainly get priority. So everyone should be conscious about their appearance besides taking care of other factors to present himself as a complete man. Many men disregard the positive aspects of grooming, they do not realise that one does not need to be beautiful, the intention is to make one presentable. It is not only the young but even the older men who want to present themselves better and as such take advantage of visits at the parlour. We hope that in the future they will provide us these services at a much lower cost.
Moin Syed
Computer Science and Engineering Dept.
SUST
Road march
It is really a matter of wonder how the political parties are harassing us day after day and getting away with it. Their harassment weapon includes hartals, strikes, marches etc.
Recently they have used one of these weapons and called a road march. On 25th of July after a tiresome day, my friend and I were returning to our destination. But the roads were absolutely empty. We didn't even get a van to reach home and had to walk all the way from Banani to Asad Gate! We had to participate in their road march without our consent.
How can these political parties work for the betterment of our country when they are unaware of the sufferings of the common people like us?
Rasul, G.M. Rezwan
BBA, AIUB
'Paradise Now' and the reality in Palestine
I really admired Lavina Ambreen Ahmed's excellent film review titled 'Paradise Now' in the last issue of SWM (July 28, 2006).
I was fortunate enough to have watched this movie earlier at the International Film Festival held in Dhaka. I still recall each poignant shot that took away the audience to Palestine. Though it's a movie it has the feel of a documentary.
The reason behind their suicide attack is controversial since they commit it as an act of revenge. Nevertheless, everyone has unquestionable sympathy towards the people of Palestine from a humanitarian point. No dweller of the civilised world can support suicide bombing.
Alauddin Ansary
Zahurul Haque Hall, DU
Israel's Persistent killings
Israel's savagery and brutality has stunned the world. They have concocted a story about self-defence and fabricated a drama of their soldier's kidnapping to show the world that Lebanon is a threat for their existence. These reprehensible acts could lead to conflagration of epic proportions.
In fact, the Jewish-centric American administration has always helped to either illegally occupy other people's land or kill without impunity.
Now the time has come for the world to reunite and stop this Anglo-Israeli killing machine before it claims more innocent lives.
Nayeem Islam
The Spellings on the Computer
I would like to thank Shahnoor Wahid for his write-up 'Computer and Your Spelling' (28th July, 2006). Indeed the writer has correctly pointed out that the computer has become more like a crutch, than a tool.
But I am afraid that I cannot quite agree with him about the problems he has mentioned about spellings. Firstly I would say that as I was typing this letter (in MS Word) the word 'Shahnoor' appears to be incorrect. So all I have to do is right click on it and command 'Add to the Dictionary' and the computer recognises it as a new word.
And the writer has encouraged us to use a paper dictionary to check the spelling, instead of using the default computer dictionary. I cannot understand how he expects to find the spelling of 'Nasrin Karim' in the Oxford Advanced Learner's dictionary? Even if the dictionary has a name spelling many people spell the same name differently.
Most of the Bangla word processing is still done with Bijoy, and the word processor shows the entire document as wrong. But most people simply don't have a problem with this. Regarding Bengla, the writer has pointed out rightly that the computer is of no help. But, for English, the computer can assist one all the way.
Sajid Muhaimin Choudhury
EEE, BUET
Voting Rights
As a Bangladeshi, it is our democratic right to enforce our electoral ability. But there is a big question mark on the eligibility of the candidates for the upcoming national election.
The general people are cynical about choosing a candidate. They only digest what the political leaders of different parties say.
I want to refer to a news item in the newspapers that said that the next parliament will be known as a “Billionaires Club”. It will bring a new dimension in the business organisations which are the bulk of the country's future.
According to Amnesty International, more than 58% of the parliament members are related with different kinds of business. Being an MP is nothing but a title which facilitates their businesses and help them carry out illicit activities.
It is a really difficult task to find leaders like Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman and Maolana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani. There are still many leaders who are dedicated to our country's development, politics and tradition. Our responsibility is to choose the perfect and eligible figure for our parliament.
It is the solemn duty of the first-time voters to choose the deserving candidate for the next election. Every vote counts in determining the country's fate.
I am grateful to Star Weekend Magazine for doing such a vital cover story (July 14, 2006) on the first-time voters.
Ayan Gupta
Khilgaon Govt. Staff Quarter
India's Audacity
We were bewildered at the audacity shown by our neighbour in bringing a false allegation that Bangladesh has links to the accused of the recent bomb blasts in Mumbai. This is definitely an ominous sign. But distortion, or falsification not only contributes to the over all confusion in the sector of diplomacy but at the same time works as a strong deterrent against having a healthy relationship between the two countries. Our objective is to live in peace with the neighbouring countries, not to get mired in diplomatic impasse.
It's true that cross border skirmishes sometimes debilitate the situation but such blatant act of accusation aimed at a neighbour is going to plunge the two countries in deeper crisis. We strongly condemn their venture to find a connection between the series of bomb blasts and the outlawed JMB militants. This type of false accusation will only enrage our peace loving people.
Kamrul Hasan
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