Chasing a black cat in a dark room
THE term 'white elephant' is said to originate from Thailand where the ancient Siamese King punished problematic members of his court by presenting them with the animal, the upkeep of which would ruin the courtier. Providing our poor with only housing, as limited to a house as a place to live, is such a stiletto dressed in veil of sugar, and designed by a higher echelon.
As a student I also learnt that 'housing' is a verb: it is an activity encompassing many others, meaning its mere availability is neither possible, nor a remedy to all urban ills. In fact, some begin from there.
A seminar paper opening up a debate is a success indicator of that seminar for the sheer initiation of a healthy discussion. That has been the case with the seminar presentation, as critically analysed in Dr. Shayer Ghafur's paper that we carry today.
Our effort as a print media is to highlight the verity that the think tanks in the country, academia and deliverers of the product, are concerned about the need for housing the poor. That too is a positive signal.
Housing has always been conjoined with business interest. The present day situation in Bangladesh cannot be expected to be any different. It could be though with the proper intent in place. The tale of Mirpur housing of the late 60s is a classic example of the urban poor unable to sustain society's gratuity and the end result was that all the units ended up as bought property of a richer clientele, who found the product affordable. The poor should not get a raw deal, for they know no better, nor are they any wiser. They are not even present at the seminars discussing their fate, to a large extent at their cost; participation is yet one step further.
Oversimplification of any course of action is not likely to bring good results. The plan should be a comprehensive undertaking: land-use, fiscal, social, cultural, religious, employment, health, education, pension scheme, inheritance; housing is just a slice, however big, of the whole cake.
'Housing for all' is a myth at best. If it were possible to find an infallible solution, some of the most developed countries in the world would have a home for its every citizen. The fact is a grim tale of people sleeping in cardboard boxes on the pavements of New York, for example.
Let us remember that 'homeless' is after all an English word.