Letters

The new budget: Some considerations
How the proposed budget FY 2009-2010 will bring a change in the lot of the common people who have been shattered by the seemingly uncontrollable price hike remains to be seen. This depends largely on the foresight and activism of the government to avail the people of the necessary goods within their hard-earned means and generally the adoption and implementation of pragmatic and reachable goals in all types of macroeconomic development. This will move the country forward to lessen their dependence on foreign aid, thus achieving self-sufficiency.
The highly ambitious national budget with its development budget of Tk 30,500 crore and the revenue target of Tk 80,000 crore shouldn't be an eye-wash to puzzle the dreaming people wishing a distinguishable change in the semi-sluggish movement of the socio-economic variables. The perpetual necessities of nourishing the heavy industries on which the SMEs and other prospective industries thrive provoke the infrastructural development in communication, energy sector, investment facilities and banking and financial activities.
The reliability on the common people of Bangladesh for revenue enhancement has been expressed in the emphasis of VAT and restructuring of its areas reducing the dependence on import duty and this will be effective if people's money is spent on their welfare with efficiency, rigidity and sincerity rather than the avoidable expenditure in the non-development fields.
The inclusion of manpower sector under the VAT shield and undertaking of special package in the development of SMEs are welcome but at the same time the cost of medicine, accommodation and other aspects of middle class and poorer families should be kept under the control of struggling people.
Sheikh Abdullah
Department Of Finance, University Of Dhaka

Irreparable Loss

Recently I visited the "Banani senanibash graveyard". I went there to pray to Allah for my cousin Lt Col. Ershad who was killed on 25th February in Pilkhana. After seeing row upon row of graves of army officers killed in the massacre I couldn't contain my emotions. Tears automatically came to my eyes. I stayed there for half an hour. Some relatives of martyrs were also there. Son and daughters of martyrs came with their relatives to see the last address of their father.
At the time of returning I could only think about the loss of our valiant brothers. We can never fill the void.
A,T.M. Omor Faruq (Saiful)
Dept. of Marketing
University of Dhaka

India and Our Rivers
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a country in possession of ample territory and power must try to control its neighbouring small states. This notion is rightly applicable to India. If we deeply observe the role of India, we will be able to figure out such kind of doctrines. Geographically, Indian Territory is located surrounding our country. Indeed, except Bangladesh all the countries of south Asia are badly suffering from civil war, political instability and proper leadership. Yes, Bangladesh is the only single country in this region, which has a strong educated civil society.
India's actions do not fill us with confidence regarding their neighbourly conduct. Earlier, we noticed that there were many protests, long march against Farrakka, but all were in vain. Even, India is not dealt with the Ganges water treaty. Again, due to the lack of water most of the rivers turn into desert. Salty water is entering into our coastal areas and causes the degradation of agricultural production. However, now-a-days, we have seen that some mass-media is coming forward with a view to saving our rivers from pollution. However, we cannot save our rivers unless there is enough water in them. Bangladesh should take this matter up in international forums.
It is high time to do it. Save rivers, save the country.
Aiman Bin Shaofiqul Hamid
Dept. of English
International Islamic University Chittagong

A big issue that is worrying the common people as well as the intelligentsia is India's Tipaimukh dam plan. So far it is known that India is gong to erect a dam in its south-east border on the river Borak, to produce hydro electricity. The Borak which is source of water of Bangladeshi rivers Surma and Kushiara that ultimately form the Meghna.
If India succeeds in implementing these plans, then it is a looming threat for Bangladesh's ecology and environment. Experts have already predicted that it will cause desertification of our land in dry season and inundated in rainy season. In the face of this current issue , Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian High Commissioner have met recently and after the meeting the Indian High Commissioner assured that we need not be worried. The government said that an all party parliamentary committee would be formed soon in this regard and they would be sent to see the site.
However the relationship between the two countries reaches its pinnacle during AL rules and now AL is in the driving seat. We hope that the AL government takes strong diplomatic initiative to prevent India from building the Tipaimukh Dam which could become another Farakka.
Md Zonaed Emran
Dept of Political Science
University of Dhaka

Mobile Porn
It is really shocking that nowadays many people keep pornographic video in their mobile phones. The other day while I was in class, I saw one of my classmates watching such a video clip. Soon some of the other students gathered around him. The teacher saw them but she could not understand the reason. She told everyone to sit down. But they continued to pass the video through Bluetooth.
Are we totally losing our sense of morality and decency?
Md. Yousuf
Department of Pharmacy
Manarat international university

 

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