Letters
Negligence in Practical Science
Most parents in our country want their children to study science because they want them to become doctors, engineers, scientists and so on. And the students studying science need extra attention in order to make their subject more comprehensible. But the state of practical science in our country is very fragile mainly because of poor educational infrastructure. Theoretical science without practical application is useless. Although the standard of education is slightly better in the urban educational institutions, it is in a very bad condition at the rural level, where a large number of students study.
In most cases, these institutions are bereft of sufficient lab facilities and properly trained teachers. There are some schools and colleges, as we often read in newspapers, which do not even have instruments, let alone a laboratory. Undoubtedly, the students of our country are blessed with immense potential and creativity. But they cannot develop their talent we due to these never ending obstacles. Our neighbouring country India provides all their students including those in the rural areas with modern lab facilities to face the challenges of the 21st century. We need this background in each and every part of our country. To do so, sophisticated teaching methodology and lab amenities are a must. The Government and NGOs should pay special attention and donate more money in this field of science to help our pupils face the 21st century more efficiently.
Sarwar Hussain
Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering,
University of Chittagong
True Leaders
Some successful people go through life unnoticed simply because they excel in areas that are unable to catch our immediate attention, but in the long run tremendously affect our very lives. Two such people are Saleemul Huq and Atiq Rahman, who have become leaders in the field of climate change by dint of their extraordinary efforts in their research on the adverse effects of climate change.
It feels really good when we see people of our own country conducting leading research in a field relevant to Bangladesh. Although they are already recognised outside Bangladesh, the unfortunate fact that these two people go without due recognition in their motherland is unacceptable. They are the heroes who are relentlessly making a crucial contribution to the purpose of future survival of mankind. SWM has done its part by educating its valued readers through its cover story “Environmental Heroes” (Feb 15, 2008).
Ahmad Ferdous Bin Alam
Department of CSE, DU
Radio Collar
A disturbing report has been presented by the different dailies regarding Royal Bengal tigers, of the Sundarbans. We came to know that two tigers died right after some radio collars were put on them. It is shocking news for us as well as a shame that the man who carried out this act was not even experienced enough to handle it. He is running his experiment with the help of some inept assistants. We know that much research is necessary to study the behaviour of wildlife but it must be carried out with extreme caution and without endangering their lives. For the last couple of years the number of the Royal Bengal tigers has decreased due to deforestation and illegal hunting. Such a frightening incident should be taken under serious consideration by the authorities.
Shakawat Hossain
B.Com, Deparment of Accounting
Govt City College, Chittagong
The Significance of International Mother Language Day
The sacrifice of the martyrs in our language movement laid the foundation for a self-governing and oppression-free existence for the people of Bangladesh. The subsequent movements for political, cultural and economic freedom have been influenced by the events of February 21, where the people protested against their oppressors in order to fight for their national and cultural identity.
It is ironic that, even now, Bangladesh cannot fulfil its responsibility of making other nations aware of the significance and magnanimity of this specific day. We should bear in mind that the cultures and traditions of any nation collectively add on to world heritage as a whole, and as a result, should be commemorated thus. If we allow ourselves to forget, the world will not understand what we, as a nation, have been through, which will gradually cause our existing language as well as culture to diminish. The world will lose its most valuable evidences of the origin and evolution of cultures in present times.
Language is one of the most influential components of a culture. A person's mother tongue allows them to expand their merit, versatility and potential and also helps to foster and enhance their creative ideas and deeds.
Amit Abdullah
Department of Finance, DU
Curtail BCS Non-merit Quota
Under the quota system of the BCS exams 45 percent of the public servants are selected on merit and the rest are selected on a non-merit quota which is not only absurd but also impractical. The non-merit quota system has long been considered a bar for recruiting meritorious officers in the civil service. Unskilled and semi-skilled candidates often pass the BCS exams because of this quota system. As a result many meritorious students are being deprived of a cadre job which is also compromising the quality of the civil service.
As a developing nation which is passing through a critical situation it is high time for the authorities to rethink and revise the non-merit quota in the BCS exams. I don't think the non-merit quota should be completely abolished but it should have a reasonable limit. At least the cadre service should be kept beyond any quota system for the greater interest of the nation. In addition to that the age limit should be relaxed compared to the previous BCS examinations as it delays the publication of the circular by two and a half years.
We have already seen some praiseworthy good deeds of our present CTG and we expect that the present CTG will take necessary steps through PSC to restructure the quota system.
A. S. M. Atiqul Islam
Department of Mechanical Engineering
BUET
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