Letters
The fairness factor
The cover story on 12th May (Brown and beautiful) revealed some bitter truths. It is a matter of great sorrow that a girl is first judged by her skin colour. I was shocked to read an interview of Shampa Reza, the famous Bangladeshi actress where she grieved that girls these days do not like to study late at night because they might get dark circles around their eyes, which would make them look ugly.
One of my friends was very anxious about her skin colour. She is a very intelligent student studying at Dhaka Medical College. I asked her why she was so anxious about her future despite being such a brilliant student. She said that only a person who was not beautiful would be able to understand her problem.
We have to change our vision. We must try to erase this age-old attitude. Thanks to SWM for this different representation.
Shirin Sharmin Bubly
Dept. of Civil Engineering BUET
Adieu Richa Jha
It is really heart wrenching that the prolific writer of the "Slice of Life" column, Richa Jha is leaving us. Her last column in the SWM was indeed a sad read where she revealed that she would be leaving from the readers across the country.
Some people remain in our hearts forever - Richa is one of them. She provided enormous joy to her readers through her slicing of life in her trademark tongue-in-cheek writing. Now we have to bid farewell to her. This is the cruel reality of life. Her readers will miss her badly. As for myself, I'll be missing her at every turn of the page. Adieu Richa, my warmest wishes to you.
Rafiqul Islam Rime
Agrabad, Chittagong
A good platform for the talented
Kachher Manush is one of the most popular drama serials of our country. It is based on a novel bearing the same title written by West Bengal writer Suchitra Bhattacharya. Afsana Mimi, Subarna Mustafa, Alamgir, Humayun Faridi and all the other artists are doing a great job in making the series so popular among viewers of all ages.
One great thing about the show is that a lot of young people have got the chance to show their talent through it. Tahsan and Prity are doing an outstanding job as newcomers. There are a lot of young people in the theatre who just need a platform to show their talent. I think this drama is a great opportunity to reveal the potential they have.
Atiqur Rahman
DC
Unfortunate incident at SUST
The recent incident that took place in Shahajalal University, Sylhet was very tragic and intolerable. The students protested to rescue their friends, but cops shot at them indiscriminately. The university authorities did not take any steps on behalf of the students. The Vice Chancellor eventually had to resign. I think all the university authorities should learn a lesson from this incident.
M.H. Raju
Rajshahi University
Helping the children
'Helping the children' by Dr. Leedy Hoque was an incredible article. It's amazing to know how this brave mother constantly battles to understand her son's world and give him a better future. Parents who have autistic children simply give up on their kids. But I must say that she is a very courageous mother determined to help her son at any cost. Aadil might not be an ordinary child but he inspired his mother to be brave and confident enough to help him out. Hats off to Dr. Leedy Hoque.
Tina Emalia
Congratulations, James
James, one of the most popular singers of our country recently sang a song in the Hindi film, 'Gangster'. The song has become a super hit as we can see it is still at number 1 in the chart.
It is a matter of pride for us and it's great to hear such news amidst so much frustrating news in the country. I want to congratulate James and thank him as he has said that Bangla songs would always be his first preference. I hope that SWM will do a feature on him informing us about his future plans.
Shaikh Imran Aziz
Garment and textile industries in massive distress
Our garment and textile industries are inseparably related with our national development. Recently these two industries are facing a massive power shortage. As a result of which production has decreased and the production cost has gone up. Due to power shortage they are forced to work less than before and the cost has gone up as a result of using generators.
If these industries demand compensation from the government will they get any successful response from them? The power crisis is not a new thing for us, but every year the problem seems to be getting bigger yet none of the governments seem to take this issue very seriously. Why can't our leaders understand that we need adequate power supply to keep up with the rapid industrialisation process and human growth?
In the five-year tenure of the present government only one power station of less than 100MW has been set up. Is that enough for a developing country? How can we expect any profit from these industries in these circumstances? And how can we expect any foreign and national investment in these sectors?
Hassan
Dhaka Cantonment
Clarification
This is in response to a letter by Ibne Azad on April 28 regarding my article 'The State we are in' (on the April 14 issue).
Mr Azad has obviously not read the article carefully and has been unable to grasp the primary thrust of my argument. Firstly, I am fully aware that Bengal as a whole constitutes both East and West Bengal. I am equally aware that there is some homogeneity between the cultures of the two, and that there is an overriding Bengali ethnic identity that binds us. However, my article dealt with the issue of nationhood not cultural space, the essential difference between the two being that one is a conscious political identity while the other is a cumulative historical process. Whether or not Bengal could have or in fact should have remained together is a separate point altogether, the reality is that it didn't, and the fact that we are Muslims has almost everything to do with it.
I did not assume that East Bengal was exclusively Muslim and West Bengal exclusively Hindu but I will insist that many families who came from the other side of the river felt a sense of relief in being able to live in what was supposed to be a country that would protect their interests - socially, economically and religiously. And while the Muslims were not in favour of dividing Bengal, preferring instead to bring the whole of Bengal into East Pakistan, the Hindus most certainly were, as the1946 referendum will prove. And yes there was a Muslim Bengali mind directing the politics of Bengal in 1947, their names were, Hussain Suhurwardy, Abdul Hamid Bhashani and A.K. Fazlul Haq, among others.
Azad will find that I concur with him on the points of universal humanism, and that my article is centred on that same point. I argued that Bengali morality, which I called 'Banglar dhormo' is a result of various religious orders, and espouses values that are essentially identical to the universal and the truest Islamic values. And if he read my article at all, he will find that I agree whole heartedly with his statements that 'Bangladesh will do very good if its leaders succeed in establishing good governance, inequality reduction, corruption and accountability to people. Only in such a situation is the moral state achievable.'
Zeeshan Khan
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
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