MAILBOX
Myanmar must take back its citizens
It is not a matter of consideration, nor an act of kindness or sympathy by Myanmar. Rather it is a right of the Rohingya Muslims who have been driven away from Rakhine state inhumanely, breaking all records of atrocities and barbarism the world has ever seen. The Myanmar army not only drove away lakhs of people from their ancestral lands creating indescribable panic but also burnt their houses and fields, demolishing their savings and possessions. Thousands of youth were killed, girls and women indiscriminately raped and then killed mercilessly.
Media coverage has drawn the attention of the world. Right organisations and governments have severely criticised the role of the Myanmar army. The message is clear to all. The people of Myanmar are not citizens of Bangladesh. They have been forcefully sent to our country violating their citizenship and basic rights and we have given them temporary shelter on humanitarian grounds, despite facing serious threats to our local economy, environment and ecology for this huge number of floating people. Now it is high time Myanmar realises the fact, changes its evil design of the ethnic cleansing of its own people and take back the Rohingya from Bangladesh in the shortest possible time. For the sake of humanity and for the stability of this region, act wisely and take necessary steps to resolve the crisis. Otherwise, history will not pardon Myanmar.
Abul Kalam Azad
Ibrahimpur, Dhaka
Clean energy for me, for you
Energy is the ability to do work. Without energy, how would we go on with our lives? These days we don't run electricity, electricity runs us. In fact, we are so dependent on it that when the power runs out our work practically stops. But the energy sources we are using to create electricity are not always clean, producing greenhouse gases which contribute to global warming.
Yes, a lot of the responsibility resides in our hands. Just a little more pollution doesn't hurt, or does it? We humans have trashed our planet and it is our job now to clean up the mess. There are a few simple ways to save energy: turn off all the electrical appliances when not in use, plant more greenery in your neighborhood, purchase energy efficient devices (light bulbs, fans, faucets etc.), make your friends and family aware, and contact the city corporation to install a rooftop solar home system.
This is also to bring this issue to the government's attention—we want our country to be greener like it once was. To take precautionary steps to reduce pollution and of course, install more solar power plants, rooftop solar systems for industries to run their machines and increase usage of renewable and sustainable energy sources such as biogas. Organisations like the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) is already funding various renewable energy projects such as solar home systems, biogas, solar irrigation and improved cooking stoves. Hopefully, they will be able to meet their goals and continue their projects in the endless determination to do something good for our country.
Mir Reenaz Nawar
Grade 5, Aga Khan School
Dhaka
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