MAILBOX
Lost to corruption
The article on the flash floods in the haors of Sunamganj was eye-opening as to the present circumstances of the flood-affected farmers and residents. It not only highlights the devastating consequences of natural disaster compounded by corruption affecting prevention measures such as embankments which were not built. The effects on the farmers who grow rice, the top food source in our country, with loss of their harvest and their livelihood for the year, are heartbreaking. Corrupt local government is exacerbating the plight of residents who have to line up, often fruitlessly, for subsidized rice being sold in these areas. More preventive long term measures to protect the haor people's livelihoods need to be introduced immediately in a transparent manner.
Sharmin Akter
Dampara, Chittagong
Can commuter trains be a viable alternative to road transport?
The article published last week about the viability of commuter trains in and around Dhaka city is really a timely article about the commuting problem for Dhaka city dwellers and for the people living adjacent to Dhaka city but working inside the city. Due to the shortage of sufficient buses and other vehicles, commuters of Dhaka city – especially women, children, and physically disabled people – suffer overcrowding in public transport. The most viable solution is an alternative commuting system such as train services which can solve the menace of so-called seating service buses and traffic jams. However, I want to recommend some other routes and places besides Joydebpur to Narayanganj. The government can consider establishing train routes from Paturia Ghat to Dhaka, Dohar Nawabganj to Dhaka, Munshiganj to Dhaka etc. If such places can be brought under the railway transportation system, there would be no need for flyovers or a metro rail system. This would benefit the abovementioned commuters who would save time and money.
Sayedur Rahman
Sadarghat, Dhaka
The return of the Titans
Last week, I read the article titled "The Return of the Titans" which depicted the tremendous comeback of two superstars of the sports world of this era. I usually don't watch tennis but stay updated with the game. Though this article was about sports, it linked to a question of my own. Why are we as a country falling behind? In a developing country like Bangladesh, there is a lack of opportunities to establish our future as soon as possible after completing graduation from a demanding department or a reputed university. Most of the time, I have noticed that a person after 30 years of age doesn't have enough courage to boost their career by acquiring new skills. They just try to go forward with skills they have already learned. We can't assume our age to be a hindrance. We have to think about our country, the more we surge ahead the more our country will shine.
Rakibul islam
Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET)
The opinions expressed in these letters do not necessarily represent the views of the Star Weekend.
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