Rickshaws

First, hats off to The Daily Star for publishing my letter which promoted “Elimination of Rickshaws from Dhaka Metropolitan Area in quick phases”--a sensitive proposal in the context of Bangladesh.
Now coming to Mr. Farzand Ahmed's (Bangkok, Thailand) write up dated April 2, 2008 in response to my letter, glad to see public opinion stirring up as a result of my letter.
Perhaps not exactly similar, but I cannot help to compare our rickshaw problem to a cancer on human body that is spreading without measure and with no control or cure in sight. I am happy to see that Mr. Farzand accepts that it is a problem. Surely, there are many reasons for rickshaws becoming a nuisance in our city streets and perhaps the whole system of our country is responsible for it. But, I strongly feel that it has come to a point where we cannot simply ignore the magnitude of the problem because of lack of opportunity for the rickshaw pullers. In a capitalistic economy solution will come up with creation of work for this vast population of rickshaw pullers as they 'gradually' become available. I am sure we all can see that it is absolutely 'inhuman' to have another human being pull us this way with such difficulty and pain. Of course, I feel for them and that is also a reason for my position against rickshaws. At the moment, I am requesting all citizens of our country to think of this epidemic that is giving us signals and warning signs every day of growth beyond our imagination.
When a doctor finds cancer in our body, in most cases he will proceed to remove/ eliminate it before it spreads and becomes uncontrollable. I request all to put more detailed thought to this major problem in our city life. If we truly care for rickshaw pullers, then we should think of a better way for them to earn a living which is more humane and more dignified.
I am thankful for Mr. Farzand's suggestion of 'limiting the manufacture of rickshaws and implementing sound economic policies': both of which are commendable ideas. But I feel unfortunate as steps had not been taken earlier when the 'cancer' was within control and could have been treated by powerful drugs. The fact is: the number of rickshaws (May God help us know the exact number) in our city has grown beyond sustainability and we must take steps now and do it quickly as in Bangladesh we have a tendency to not look into distant future when we tackle problems and find short term solutions which become wrong steps in the long run. I am seeing the whole picture and what I see is that a huge segment of our city brothers being humiliated in front of own eyes and we seem to care for them but not 'exactly' doing much for them in real sense. Besides, we must be realistic and measure whether our city streets can handle such pressure from rickshaws and see that they are taking away valuable hours from our lives by limiting our 'free' movement of engine run vehicles that take us to and from faster in an ever competitive life.
Therefore, the point remains unchanged: we cannot let this grow further out of our control. We have to take immediate steps to 'eliminate' rickshaws in 'quick phases' from Dhaka metropolitan area.
Oh yes, Mr. Farzand, just out of curiosity, do you live away from Dhaka city area on a permanent basis as your address in the letter mentioned 'Bangkok, Thailand'? If so, I am glad that you are not faced with the misery of tackling rickshaws each day, every day back here in my beloved home city, Dhaka!