Clowns
Sans Frontiers
The members of Clowns sans Frontiers have adopted
the mission to bring of laughterto oppressed children
around the world. I learned that they rush to all
corners of the globe with their gift of laughter for
unfortunate children caught in the trap of social
stigma and reeling from the grip of war, poverty and
famine. I cannot imagine another mission more noble
than this. In this world where leaders of so-called
mighty nations snatch smiles from the innocent faces
of children with war and destruction, members of Clown
sans Frontiers have done their part in giving back
those lost smiles. How commendable in comparison to
the heinous acts being carried out by leaders all
over the world. I would like to thank SWM and Ahmede
Hussain for writing about this group in their cover
story on March 19th, 2004, titled "The Language
of Laughter." It was a pleasure to read and an
enlightening story about this extraordinary group!
Meshkat Ahmed Chowdhury
Mirpur, Dhaka
Ban
Advertisements Advocating Smoking
I am a regular reader of SWM and have noticed that
it has recently started publishing cigarette advertisements.
SWM is a renowned supplement of "The Daily Star",
which has thousands of readers. The different write-ups
of SWM are not only creative but also provide a positive
reflection on society. However, I feel that these
cigarette advertisements reflects negatively on our
society. Everybody, smoker or non-smoker, knows that
smoking is detrimental for one's health. We should
be able to expect smoking free advertisements from
SWM. I hope all the non-smoker readers will be in
agreement with me and SWM will take this matter into
consideration.
Md.Zillur Rahman
Gandaria, Dhaka
Chintito
About Chintito
After I had finished reading the column by Chintito
titled "Point and Counterpoint in Politics,"
and it made me feel dejected and disappointed. I am
a serious fan of the Chintito column because this
section shows the writer's clear thinking and logical
reasoning, as well as examines issues from various
angles. I was extremely surprised with Chintito's
selection of topics for "being worried."
The sorry telling of our political culture needs no
analysis, but Chintito's concerns on this issue made
the column dull, like most other political news issues
of Bangladesh. (Is Chintito turning into an ardent
of any party? I hope not.) I hope that in the near
future, Chintito will be able to choose topics of
better concern besides the politics of Bangladesh
to ensure the column's good name.
Shirajul Haque
on e-mail
Security
More than five months have passed since Jamal Uddin,
a businessman of Chittagong has been abducted. Our
police and intelligence branches have failed to trace
him and find any news on him. They do not even know
now, whether he is dead or alive. Recently, another
brutal incident of violence occurred against prominent
writer Humayun Azad, when unidentified terrorists
stabbed him and he is now fighting for his life. What
kind of country are we living in? Where can we turn
to for safety? And who will provide us with the civil
right of security when our government is obviously
not bothered?
Seraj Uddin Haider
Chittagong
Start
a new section
I am a new reader of SWM. I like it for its special
character. I like Chintito's column the best. I read
his articles very carefully and enjoy them very much.
It seems like Mita is my new best friend, and I also
love Dhaka Diary, Infotech as well as Aly Zaker's
articles. However, I have a small suggestion. Why
don't you think about starting a page on poetry for
amateur writers?
li Pran
Sreemangal
No
More Hartals
We all know that Bangladesh is not a plutocratic country.
In this era of globalisation, as all other countries
are moving ahead, only we are falling behind. Frankly
speaking confrontational politics is our main barrier
for development. Our leaders cannot stand each other
and the whole nation is down on their knees. They
call hartals whenever they feel like it and have taken
to using it as a political instrument. During each
hartal we fall victim to many unpleasant
incidents such as the torching of vehicles, assaulting
civilians and riots, not only damaging our economy,
but also causing unrest all throughout the country.
The government and opposition party must try to find
another alternative to hartals before our
country goes down completely.
Md. Shamim
Chittagong University
I
am loving it
On 12 March, Star Weekend Magazine published an article
titled 'I am loving it" by Richa Jha. In that
article the writer narrated the true life of a married
man. Being a woman I do agree with all her statements,
except for one. It is true that every wife wants to
hear positives things from her husband, as you have
mentioned. However it is not always necessary for
the husband to say "yes" every time. It
is possible to show a difference of opinions without
getting into an argument. I am sure there is nothing
wrong with saying no when it is required. A good understanding
between the two is enough to work things out. Remember,
all wives are not the same.
Rubaida Sharmin
Dhanmondi, Dhaka