Letters
Good
Cover
I was very interested to read the cover story of SWM's November
5th issue. Although I was aware that this kind of thing
went on in Bangladesh I am appalled at what extent the food
we are eating is adulterated and impure. It is a shame that
people have to resort to tactics this low -- and that too
at the cost of other peoples' health! It is disgusting when
I consider what I have been eating and what chemicals and
other random inedible materials I have been unknowingly
putting into my system. What I find even more disturbing
is that there is nothing we can do about this because we
have already consumed a large amount of unhealthy adulterated
foods. I think SWM for their in-depth research and publication
on this particular topic as it is important for us to take
action now and know which foods to avoid. The article was
extremely well-researched and well-written and I am very
grateful to writers Aasha Mehreen Amin, Avik Sanwar Rahman,
Shamim Ahsan and Imran H. Khan for their hard work and their
dedication to let their readers know the truth.
A Reader
On Email
A
Good Cover Issue
The cover story on the October 29 issue about "Prices
Going Haywire" was an excellent endeavour to describe
the negative side of the Ramadan season. I am especially
glad that SWM also focused on kachabazar (kitchen market).
A special thank you goes to Shamim Ahsasn for his vivid
descriptions of essential commodities' higher prices. Although
the concerned ministry does not know how to keep control
of the price of essential commodities in Ramadan, the writer
has made an effort to try and find out a probable cause
and solution of the price soar. There are actually mainly
three reasons behind the price hike of essential commodities
in the market. The first problem is that the government
does not attempt to nor do they know how to keep the prices
under control. Secondly, many whole sellers and retailers
are not only unscrupulous but also greedy. They hoard consumer
goods aiming to make unfair profits. Thirdly, we (the general
people) are not well aware or conscious of the spiritual
value of Ramadan. Every year, from the very first of Ramadan
we go to the market, buy products and try to stock up for
the rest of the month. Excessive pressure goes to the consumer
market, resulting in prices continuing to soar. So, we should
all be careful and be concerned enough to keep the price
within our buying capacity. Thank you SWM for being such
a great publication and publishing such a relevant and timely
article.
Mominul Hasan Rintu
Asian University of Bangladesh
Insult
to the Nation
If someone tells you that "a girl who has been raped
is responsible to a great extent. No one can touch her without
her will," what would your reaction be? Nothing could
be more shocking and insulting for a girl. When we, the
female students of the English Department of City College
had to hear this from one of our professors, we had to remain
silent. Women of all ages and from all countries are the
most likely victims of crimes such as this. Although there
are many laws being implemented to protect and preserve
women's rights, it is indicative of the kind of society
we live in when a teacher makes such a comment. Comments
such as this gives men more reason to violate laws against
women and think that they can get away with it. So I feel
that before teaching students, teachers should be careful.
If you cannot respect others you cannot be respected.
An Insulted Student
Dhaka City College
Paralysis
of the Mind
Hana Shams Ahmed's article 'Paralysis of the Mind' on the
November 5 issue of SWM was very interesting and I fully
agree with her. Life is not a bed of roses. In order to
attain something of any value and worth, human beings must
work hard. Things that are achieved after going through
many ordeals seem to be of more worth. The writer was absolutely
correct in implying that this "paralysis of the mind"
is more undesirable than any paralysis of the body. After
all, to get the crown of success in life all a man needs
are a strong mind and sheer determination. We should keep
in mind that a hard-fought win is more enjoyable. Thanks
Ahmed for the great write-up.
Wajahat Anwar
On Email
Think
It Over!!
It is really good news that SWM is running a new section
called "On Campus". Through this we will be able
to keep track of various events, news and happenings in
university areas. But as a college-going student, I am really
frustrated because this section is only for the University
going-students. College-going students may also have stories,
events and news to share with SWM and its readers. They
should also be able to play a role in this On Campus section.
I would like to request SWM's editor to please rethink this
matter and allow college-going students to participate.
Shantanu Saha Aubrata
Mulatol Rangpur
Good
Direction
The weekend magazine has always managed to hold my interest
each Friday providing refreshing points of view and always
something new. Many times the stories are based on current
issues which makes the magazine more newsy. I think this
is a good direction for a weekend magazine. I think it is
time for the magazine to do a story on the unbearable traffic
situation in Dhaka and how it can be solved. Please do consider
this as it is getting worse every day.
Siddique
Bakshibazar
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