Letters
Cantonment
Should Be Relocated
Isn't it high time that the cantonment moved away from Dhaka?
It perhaps made sense 30 years ago to have cantonment in
the (then) north-end of Dhaka, but now with the northward
expansion of the city, Dhaka Cantonment resides right in
the middle of it. While I am sure it is a problem for the
Cantonment authorities, it certainly is a nuisance for the
residents of this ill-planned city as well. It is completely
surrounded by residential areas housing millions of civilians.
Just think about it -- if, god forbid, Bangladesh went to
war today, Dhaka cantonment (where the Army, Navy and Air
Force Head Quarters are located) would be the first and
primary target of the enemy. Why risk the lives of the civilians
-- isn't that the primary duty of the military forces --
to shelter and protect civilians.
Much
to the dismay of the city dwellers, the long-awaited fly-over
over the Mohakhali rail crossing has done little to ease
the traffic situation within the city. For almost two years,
while the fly-over was being constructed, we didn't even
feel the need of the fly-over only because the cantonment
area was freely accessible. Now with the fly-over installed
and the cantonment once again cordoned off, it has become
even more obvious that the problem here was not (only) the
Mohakhali rail crossing, but the cantonment as well.
All
the traffic heading towards Mirpur, Gabtoli or Savar are
now forced to go all the way past the PM's Office, taking
approximately 50 minutes time while creating a huge bottle-neck
in front of her office all the way from Jahangir Gate/Shaheen
School. Whereas, through the cantonment, it used to only
take 20 minutes. I strongly encourage that we, the civilians
and residents of this city, raise our voices and compel
the Dhaka Cantonment authorities to move to a greener, cleaner
and far-away area where they don't have to put up with dust,
smog, noise, wedding parties and residents trying to cut
through to save time and taxi fare.
A
Siddique Banani
On
Cover Story
Thanks to Star Magazine for its cover story "Life Limited,"
published on 4th March issue. I enjoyed reading the article,
but found the last paragraph to express very pessimistic
views. Women have "aspired" for freedom for a
very long time. And we have indeed come a long way from
the cruel social and religious norms of burning the widow
along with the dead husband (<>shotidaho<>),
a widow to live like an absolute vegetable, barring girls
from even achieving primary education and covering the entire
body and face. I agree that we still have a long way to
go. Consistent fighting will not only help us to "aspire"
for freedom, but also, hopefully "achieve" it
in near future. I also feel that men are not the only ones
to blame for the limited life of women. In many cases it
is women themselves who hamper the progress of their own
kind; sister- and mother- in- laws for example. Both at
home and abroad, many males are working towards women emancipation.
Also, let us not forget that there are also those heroic
male writers of Bengal, such as Tagore, who constantly portray
women as independent and educated in their writings, and
actively fought for their liberation.
Nur-Taz
Rahman Jigatola, Dhaka
Thanks
SWM
I am a regular reader of SWM and enjoy it very much. I like
every section of this magazine but I feel that Write to
Mita, Newsnotes, Sci-tech and Globetrotter top the list.
When SWM started to publish the Education section it became
one of my all-time favourite magazines. I also read the
Time Out column regularly because I find it to be very informative.
It is a very interesting column and it helps me improve
my chess playing. I like to thank SWM for publishing such
columns. I think this column will be more interesting if
this publish some of the chess rules and techniques on a
regular basis. It will help novice chess players like me.
I hope SWM will consider my request.
Jhalok
Ronjan Talukdar SUST
Love
will be the Spice of Life
I really enjoyed going through the write-up by Nadia Kabir
Barb in the 25th February issue of SWM. Being a regular
reader of SWM, I appreciate all of her writings especially
the article entitled "Is love the Spice of life".
It is amazing to hear that the generation of the 21st century
tends to fall in love on the basis of physical beauty! Most
of these relationships have started with infatuation and
within a very short span of time they end. These relationships
have no respect, no understanding and to be truthful, no
love at all.
As a
woman, I would like to make a suggestion for those who fall
in love (especially women) -- you should never sacrifice
yourself physically and mentally to anyone -- whether he
is your boy friend or husband. Try to make your own decisions
and be confident. This is the simplest way to make you a
stronger person. But, at the same time, one should respect
their life partner and keep proper understanding within
yourselves. Then you will find love to be "the spice
of life". I would like to thank Nadia Kabir again for
her wonderful writing and hope she will continue to express
herself as a "straight talker".
Fahmida
Mannan Mousumi Bangladesh University
CORRIGENDUM
In the newsnote on Abdul Latif in the March 4th issue, his
age was stated as 68. His correct age was 86. We regret
the error.
Submission
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