Source: Photo courtesy: asian university for women

Why Study Liberal Arts 
The Star deserves credit for this cover story that busts many myths about liberal arts education. Education, be it in science, agriculture or arts, cannot be considered complete unless the student develops knowledge about basic concepts of science, mathematics, economics,  philosophy, music, natural sciences, social science, political science, religious studies and so on. A mathematics graduate without any understanding of the society and its economy or a literature student ignorant of fundamental scientific concepts and principles cannot realise his or her true potential as a citizen. More colleges and universities should embrace the idea of liberal arts education in Bangladesh.
Mokhlesur Rahman
Shyamoli, Dhaka 
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The article 'Why Study Liberal Arts' was very informative. Education, in my opinion, should always be such that it teaches "to live, not only to earn a living.” I am glad that we can get such an education in Bangladesh. I'd like to thank the writer for presenting the issue in an interesting manner. 
Rabed Ahmad
Shaheb Bajar, Rajshahi

Where have all those good days gone?
In Chintito I have found a rare voice that tells us to be better than we are. I am seventy eight years old. I have seen things that I want to forget about. In 1971 I saw a young man lying lifeless on a street—his mother wailing and running in fear. What I see now beats what I have seen before. It seems to me that we have lost the sense of basic human decency and control.  We have become a nation where anything is possible. The very institutions that are supposed to protect us now rob us. The very people who we look up to for guidance betray and disappoint us with their greed and dishonesty. Chintito reminds us that we as a people were much more honest, compassionate, and hardworking than we are now. That gives me hope. We can be who we used to be.
Rashed Ali
Dhanmondi, Dhaka

Source: Photo: andrew Eagle

Acts of Terrorism 
Why do they kill us, we never did anything to anyone published on December 13, 2013 in the Star stands out among all the articles I have read in the past one month concerning the recent violence that has plagued our country. The writer of this article has called the perpetrators of this violent crimes what they really are---terrorists.  Setting a bus carrying women and children on fire is an act of terrorism. The government must catch these criminals and try them under laws against terrorism.  Because, “…each photo of severely burnt victims of arson highlights the government's failure to provide security to its ordinary citizens.” as written in the article Bangladesh in Crisis published in the Star on the same date. The government must do something— they have a responsibility to protect the citizens. 
Srabonti Chowdhury
Wari, Dhaka 

In the Brahmaputra's Realm
I want to congratulate the writer for capturing  the beauty of the kashphool juxtaposed against the abject poverty they are surrounded by. But his article is even more than that. I have not read anything so beautifully written in a long time. Through his writing kashphool becomes the men and women who, “from the poverty of sand, just above the Brahmaputran waterline”, rise against all odds. Andrew Eagle is the gifted writer who has crystallized into expressive and original language the eternal sentiments and yearnings of the people by the Bramaputra who are poor in money but rich in their hearts.
Sumaiya Parveen Shumi
Banani, Dhaka 

The Flag of Rescue
The writer of this feature shows with examples of how successive governments have tried to use the military for their own political interests. The tendency to use our patriotic armed forces for political gains is very unfortunate. Bangladesh military has earned the world's respect by serving in UN missions with the highest professionalism in many troubled zones around the world. Our brave men and women in uniform have gone beyond their call of duty and helped their fellow citizens in times of disasters, both natural and man-made.  Whenever something goes wrong, we look up to the army to solve the problem. There is a reason for that. They are the only institution in the country that is efficient, dynamic,  professional and impartial. We believe they will continue to maintain that image. 
Anumpam Das
Jigatola, Dhaka