MAILBOX
The spectre of red October
I would like to thank Star Weekend for publishing a valuable article on the 1917 Revolution written by our respected scholar Serajul Islam Choudhury. That momentous revolution changed the world forever. The revolution pioneered the freedom of humanity from the clutches of feudalism and imperialism. When imperialist rulers exploited their subjects to build their own fortune, when property rights became the exclusive right of the rich, this revolution showed how wealth can be owned by a community to ensure its proper and equal distribution. Unfortunately, the revolution was short lived. Soviet leaders' increasing hunger for power, infighting among the revolutionaries and growing capitalist influences all over the world brought an end to the USSR in 1989. However, the Marxist ideology which fuelled the revolution will be relevant in the global economy for centuries to come. Because, it is Marx who for the first time showed the way to change the society by changing the nature of human's relationship with capital and property. In this world, where 99 percent of the world's resources are confined to only one percent people, there is no doubt that Marxist ideology will inspire newer and more effective solutions to humanity's eternal struggle with poverty and justice in property ownership.
Shamsad Khan
Baridhara, Dhaka
Increase retirement age of the government officials
The retirement age for Bangladesh's government officials is 59 years at present. The government earlier extended the retirement age of public servants by two years from 57 to 59 in December 19, 2011. Certainly, it was a praiseworthy decision. However, still a government employee can serve only 29 years if s/he joins the service at the age of 30 (30 is the maximum age limit to join government service whereas it was 37 years in British-Indian era).
In Bangladesh, retirement age for the teachers of the public universities is 65 years now. And, the retirement age for the honourable judges of the Supreme Court was increased to 67 years a few years ago. These two provisions prove that age is not a barrier to serve the country in any capacity. The lawyers, physicians and businessmen are performing well even after 59 in Bangladesh. The Prime minister and a few renowned ministers are also performing well though they are more than 59 years old. Then, why not the bureaucrats? If the retirement age of the civil servants is increased up to 67 years, expenditure to pay the pension and other facilities will also be reduced significantly. According to the recent census, a government employee in Bangladesh lives up to 70 years nine months on average. In that case, an employee will get pension for four years and none months if the retirement age is increased up to 67. But if an employee retires at the age of 59, government has to pay pension for 11 years and nine months. In many developed countries, government officials can serve their offices as long as they are physically fit. Singapore has recently increased the retirement age of its government officials up to 67 years recently. Considering all these points I think government should re-consider the current retirement age and increase it up to 67 years. It will benefit the officials financially and give them security in their age old which may also curb corruption.
Md Ashraf Hossain
Central Bashabo, Dhaka
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