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     Volume 5 Issue 84 | March 3, 2006 |


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Letters

What is equal right?
Nowadays in Bangladesh the so-called feminists are very active and they always shout about "equal rights for women". I'm not sure how they define "equal rights". I think the "equal rights" is a fair distribution of conveniences provided by the government among men and women. But now in the country I think its meaning is quite different. Women are granted huge supplementary advantages, whereas men are being deprived of their rights. For example, in the education sector, girls are studying free of cost and are also provided with scholarships, which is certainly a discrimination. The consequence of this discrimination is transparent to us. In the recent years girls are doing very well in public exams compared to the boys. Doesn't the country require good results from the boys as well? In public transportation seats are sometimes reserved for women. When they talk about equality why do they have extra benefits? Providing women with extra benefits will not pay well in the long run. The country will suffer as a result of this. So I urge the concerned authorities to reconsider equality.
Eishan
Chuadanga Government College

Save Dhanmondi Lake
The Dhanmondi Lake is the most attractive recreational place for Dhaka city dwellers. A lot of people go there regularly with their families and friends to get rid of the monotony of everyday life. According to the constitution, everyone has the right to go anywhere anytime and the law enforcers' duty is to ensure their security.
But after sunset the police start bothering the couples who perch themselves on the banks of the lake. Sometimes they ask for bribes from them by threatening to take them to the police station if they fail to pay. On the other hand, between nine and 10pm the lake is full of prostitutes and the police remain silent about them, as they receive their own share of toll from them. If the situation continues further the atmosphere of the lake will be destroyed.
Milton
Rayerbazar

Disgraceful Cartoons
I am writing in relation to the recent awful and horrible depiction of some repugnant cartoons published in Denmark and some other newspapers of Europe defiling the matchlessly immaculate image of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) whose name is atop the 100 compiled by H Hart, who has chosen 100 paramount personalities of the world irrespective of religion, culture and nationality beginning from the genesis of the human civilisation.
I wish to remind the readers that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) has preached Islam which is based on the Holy Quran revealed directly to him by Almighty Allah. I wish to add that the holy Quran is the only sacred scripture which is free from any sort of distortion or amendment.
In Islam we find a complete code of life, spiritual dignity and security of life irrespective of religion, nationality and culture. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) was an honest, truthful, righteous, kind-hearted and just man throughout his life. He never adopted any violent methods to convert people. People were drawn by his mild, amiable and good-natured behaviour and accepted Islam.
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) is undoubtedly the greatest man ever created by Allah. So the loathsome attempt to denigrate his image cannot be tolerated by any sensible Muslim or any person of any other religion who has feelings for humanity. We earnestly hope that the miscreant involved with this offence will be punished accordingly.
There should be a clear "code of conduct" for all journalists not to disgrace any religion of the world and there should be an act on blasphemy in order to prohibit this kind of deliberate attempt which will ensure the existing image of every religion.
Md Manirul Islam Patwary
Lecturer of English
Darul Ihsan University

Optimistic about Bangladesh
Some of my friends are now very much worried about the country's present condition and they also do not have any hope about the future of the country. That is why they want to leave. Somehow I think in a different way. I am very optimistic about our beloved country's future. What makes me confident is our young generation, though they are sometimes depicted badly by many elder people. The young people belonging to the new generation is in love with the Internet, sports, books etc and I know that most of them do not have much interest in our present political turmoil. Our young people want to be rich but they want wealth in a fair way by being competitive globally. They have a great dislike for the people who take bribes. And when people do not fear to be competitive and honest in every aspect, success can never be far away. Our young under-19 cricketers have just proved that they have the capability to be favourites by clinching the world cup title. That is how young people have begun to realise and to top it all they certainly think in a different way. Thus, I obviously see a ray a hope for the future and I differ with those friends of mine who want to flee from the country.
Sk Imran Aziz
Boro Maghbazar, Dhaka

Star's 15th anniversary
Though I might be a bit late in saying this but it was amazing to see the special 72-page issue of The Daily Star in a beautiful envelope on its 15th anniversary. I have never seen anything like this before. It made me completely speechless. The rare art and pictures of intellectuals are incomparable. Although I am an SWM reader I always try to have a glance at the newspaper whenever I can get a hold of it. You have done a really good job. Your work has inspired me to show responsibility at my work too. I want to see you continue your good work and reach the top.
Sandipan Rudra
Chittagong

How to celebrate 21 Feb
The year 1952 is very important as well as memorable for the history of Bangladesh. Every year it is observed throughout the country with a great deal of enthusiasm. This year was no exception. But when a large number of people live under the poverty line, should we spend such a big amount of money for arranging musical concerts and things like that? I am not saying that we don't need to pay homage to our honourable martyrs. I only request to change the process of celebration. Will it not be more effective to spend the money for helping the poor people to overcome their miserable condition? If we can free our country from poverty, doesn't it mean the fulfilment of the dream of our martyrs?
Mahmudul Hasan
NDC

Nilkhet Vulgarism
Nilkhet has always been a resourceful place for people who love acquiring knowledge. But this pride has been in the process of being spoiled by some unwise hawkers. These hawkers always disturb people who pass by them on their way to their destination. We, the students always become their first target. The way they display the pornographic CDs to attract prospective buyers is objectionable. Some of them also drag people towards their makeshift shops to pickle their mind. Even if you go to their shop to buy any ordinary CDs, they will offer you porn. Even if you refuse they will keep trying to convince you to buy them. These over zealous CD sellers can certainly attract students of tender age and get them habituated to seeing these vulgar CDs. The police continue to act as silent spectators. If this vulgarism continues then people like us will have to stop using the footpaths of Nilkhet. I hope the concerned authorities will take some steps to get rid of this menace.
Atiqur Rahman
DC


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