MAILBOX
And The City Stopped Moving
Dhaka city and traffic jams have become synonymous these days. Intense traffic has gripped the entire city. One can never say how long it will take to reach one place from another. Frequent repairing works of utility lines, construction of flyovers, constructions of the Metro-rail network and piled up construction material on the roadside are mostly responsible for this traffic jam. However, in recent weeks we have witnessed a whole new factor of gridlock that completely stopped the city. It was the anniversary celebration of the ruling party's student wing. Law enforcers blocked many important roads of the city so that these students can move freely with their processions and motorcade. It was simply hilarious. And all these unrestrained festivities went on at the cost of the sufferings of millions of Dhakaites like us. I would like to thank Elita Karim for nicely highlighting these issues in her article titled "And the City Stopped Moving" published in Star Weekend on 13th January, 2017
Zonaed Imran
Banasree, Dhaka
End Persecution of the Rohingya
At present, the Rohingya Muslims are often said to be the world's most persecuted people who have been facing the final stages of genocide. They have been made victims of gang rape, torture, eviction, arson attacks, and mass murder since Myanmar military started crackdown on the Rohingyas in October, 2016. According to International Organisation for Migration (IOM), around 21,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh in the past two months. The UN estimated that at least 30,000 Rohingyas have been displaced by the recent violence. It is completely inhumane and unacceptable. In this regard, the Myanmar government must stop the bloody crackdown on the Rohingyas and rehabilitate them on their land ensuring their security. As a neighbouring state and also as an economic and political partner, Bangladesh has a responsibility to resolve the Rohingya crisis. And so, we should start bilateral discussions with Myanmar and other neighbouring countries. Alongside, the international community should exert pressure on Myanmar to bring an end to the oppression of the Rohingyas.
Toufik Ahmed
Department of International Relations
University of Rajshahi
NCTB's Textbook Blunder
The National Curriculum and Textbook Board has been publishing textbook for primary and secondary school students since Bangladesh's liberation. Once upon a time NCTB published textbooks that were adorned with beautiful paintings of veteran artists like Hashem Khan and Murtoza Bashir. Those books, full of splendid artworks and stories, poems, articles with strong moral values used to teach students how to live in peace, harmony and with discipline. On the other hand, currently NCTB is publishing four colour textbooks printed in high quality paper but the content value of the textbooks has decreased immensely. We are appalled by the fact that our children have been learning false information through the books published by our own government. The government must take immediate steps to withdraw these textbooks full of errors and misprints.
Abraar Khan
Banani, Dhaka
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