An Experiment on Civil-Military Fusion of Government and the exit of General Moeen U Ahmed July 5, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, GOVERNANCE, POLITICS.Tags: Caretaker Government, Dr. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, General Moeen U Ahmed
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Incidents before 1/11 in 2006 in Bangladesh created an envorement for the military to come into the political scenario of Bangladesh. On the day, as stated, 3 chiefs of Army, Navy and Airforce met with the President and persued him to dissolve the First Caretaker Government and to form a second one at the same stretch headed by Dr. Fakruddin Ali Ahmed. The second Caretaker Government stayed almost two years in power on the plea to complete a fair voter list and to organise a free and fair general election.
Focusing on the the philosophy of the new Government, Dr. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed on his visit to UN in a speech i the General Assembly on 27th September, 2007 said, ‘‘Bangladesh represents an effective model of civil-military cooperation in crisis prevention.’ He also said, ‘our experience in crisis management could be relevant for many crisis torn,nascent democracies’.
After the completion of 2 years in office and after retirement of the General Moeen U Ahmed who masterminded the coup in disguise, it is time to review the success of the declaration of that experiment.
It seems that the Caretaker Government immediately after 1/11 created optimism among the common people by nulifying the controversial election of 22nd January of 2007 and creating hopes of a corruption free Bangladesh.
But the steps they had taken thereafter against the politicians and political parties were in excess, non-pragmatic and biased. At times, it seems that the Caretaker Government had some objectives beyond thier declared ones.
They also took up more agandas than they could handle. Only in their second year after the resuffle of the cabinet that they came to the sense that their prime duty was to arrange a fair and free election.
The only recongnised work they have done is the completion of almost perfect Voter list of the country. But many will not accept the time taken for the voter list to justify their staying for long two years.
Most of the legal experts termed the overstaying of the Caretaker government as unconstitutional. The then Government also didn’t seek any verdict from the Supreme Court on the controversy.
Among other things, the Caretaker Government also tried to make the constiutional bodies independent and competent. Throughout their tenure they have made more than 100 ordinances but very few of them are retified by the present elected Government through the parliament.
Through enevitability of the elelction and formation of the parliament, it is now proved that it the elected government that is all constitutional and legal and the other form of government is only acceptable as far as it is defined in the constitution.
We, the common people, only accepting the existance of the Caretaker Government as an unavoidable necessity in the political history of Bangladesh but that dosen’t in any way justify the success of Civil-Military fusion of Government and no country in the world should take the instance as worthy to follow.
To the eye of the ordinary citizen/s, 1/11 will remain more as a failure of the politicians of Bangladesh than success of anything else.
And the transition to democracy through the election of 29/12/08 will be looked upon as a success of the power of people of Bangladesh and their urge for democracy that no other power of the country dared to deny.
General Moeen U Ahmed has been retired and to me, probably, he has attemted a job more than his calibre, only he was rescued to an honourable end to him and to the country by his good friends on the civil end of the administration.
Here, I, as an ordinary citizen, like to deeply acknowledge the contribution of Adviser of the Caretaker Government Dr. Hussian Zillur Rahman and his team who sincerely facilitated the transition of the country to democray through their sincere and relentless effort.
An ordinary citizen
Bangladesh Budget 2009-10 and Power Crisis June 26, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, Budget.Tags: Bangladesh Budget 2009-10, Elecricity, nuclear power, Power crisis
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The Budget outlined a long-term vision to solve the gas and power crisis at present and in future, and as part of it proposed an allocation of Tk 4,310 crore for the sector in the next fiscal year (FY). The allocation is 48 percent higher than that in the revised budget for the current FY.
The Budget 2009-10 states that our development efforts are severely constrained by the dismal state of the energy and power sector. We were aware that there was a huge gap between demand and supply in this sector but we did not know that the snag is not only in the supply of gas and generation of power but also in the transmission of power as well. Not only is there a huge lag in the exploration of new gas fields, there has in fact, been serious neglect in taking up new work in known gas fields in order to augment gas supply as well.
The new Government is now compelled to set up expensive dual-fuel power plants that can use diesel or furnace oil and also gas. Energy and power sector demands a comprehensive plan for ordering of power plants, increasing supply of gas and other feed stock, strengthening of power transmission and distribution
facilities, rationing of gas supply to competing demands, finalization of a coal policy and a long term sectoral master plan.
The Government acknowledged that the power deficit is the principal impediment to our overall development including industrialization. The Government is committed to get rid of this impediment. It is said that only 45 percent of our entire population has access to power. Currently our per capita power consumption is only 172 kwh, which is 325 kwh in Sri Lanka, 408
kwh in Pakistan and 665 kwh in India.
The Budget states that, at present, our average power demand is about 5,000 MW, against which as of now the existing power plants can only generate 3800 MW of electricity. The Government is determined
to take appropriate steps to increase power
generation assuming its demand to be 20,000
MW by 2021.
It ascertained that it is not possible on the part of the Government alone to finance huge investment that is dearly needed for targeted power generation. The Government has, therefore, embarked upon involving the private sector in short, medium and long term plans. We want to reach a position to fulfill the minimum electricity demand by 2011.
It states that in the year 2008, there has been an additional power generation of 307 MW in the private
sector. In 2009, 500 MW of additional power will be generated through 4 projects a ubder public sector nas 440 MW will be added from 11 projects under the private sector. It is said that the bidding process for the construction of a 450 MW Bibiyana Power Plant is underway. It is hopes that by 2013, 2810 MW of power will be produces though 13 projects under public sector and another 1350 MW, under 3 projects of 3 power sector including Bibiyana. Besides, the Government is continuing dialogue with our neighbouring countries to import power for mitigating the power crisis on a short term basis.
Alongside increase in the production of power, efforts are under way to ensure efficiency enhabcement of management and efficient use power produced. During the last Boro season, 300 MW power could be saved through power load management. The diversion of this power towards irrigation helped the achievment of a bubper Boro production thi year. The Government also taken up a project at a cost of Tk. 105 crore to produce energy saving bulbs. Once this project is impemented there will be a saving of 350 MW of electricity.
To overcome the problems of transmission and distribution of power, the Government has taken steps to distribute the net addition of power in the next 3 years accross the country. For this an additinal 837 kilometers of power grid line, 17 sub-stations and 15000 kilometres of distributionline will be constructed.
The Govrnmnet believes that the development of rural electrification will play a vital role in our rural economy.
Finance Minister opined that It would not be advisable to avoid power generation using nuclear technology despite the element of risk of accidents involved. He declared that the Government has begun the preparatory work on this matter. However, FM cannot
make any definite statement as to when the nuclear power generation will commence. The Government is considering seting up a GOB-finqnced nuclear power project at Roopur with a capacity of 1000 MW.
Bangladesh is producing 20 MW of electricity by using renewable energy. The Government is encouraging the production of renewable energy by providing various financial incentives through through both public and private channels. Besides, the Government has taken initiative to conduct a feasibility study for setting up small hydro-electricity projects. So far , the use of solar and bio-gas as mainly been tried in rurl areas. The Government is taking initiatives to use this technology in population concentration areas in cities also.
The Government is seriously considering using coal along with gas for power generation. The Government will set-up coal -fired power plant using environment friendly technology for extraction of coal. It said that coal may be imported to run these power plants.
Budget shows hopes in power sector. Let us wait and see how the citizens get relief from their pain from power crisis.
An ordinary citizen
Bangladesh Budget 2009-10 and Digital Bangladesh June 23, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, Budget, ECONOMY.Tags: Bangladesh Budget 2009-10, Budget, Digital Bangladesh
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Vision was projected in the introduction of the Budget Speech to develop Bangladesh as Digital Bangladesh by 2021 in line with forcast of the Prime Minister’s declaration in the party manifesto.
For this, Budget attached priority for building necessary infrastructure for Digital Bangladesh. In order to realise the vision of building Digital Bagladesh , Budget asked ICT facillities to those who are living in rural areas. To this end, the Government like to ensure internet connectivity and opportunities for the best use of information and communication technology. It has a
plan to bring the least advantaged communities under the coverage of telephone and internet connectivity by extending its network and reducing the charges. The Government is on the way in bringing all Upazilas within internet coverage in the next five years.
In order to have secured connectivity with the information super highway there is an initiative to
connect Bangladesh with the Second
Submarine Cable Network. It is said that comissioning of digital exchange at Upazilla and growth centres has largely been completed. The remaining ones will be
commissioned in the next year. To facilitate internet connectivity across the country, laying of fibre
optical line will be completed in the next year. At the same time, an access network will be built covering 23
districts including 6 divisional headquarters.
FM pleased to inform that the teledensity in the
country has increased to 32 per hundred from 28 per hundred in the last year. While the internet user density has increased from 3 per hundred to 4 per hundred.
It is said that digital information echnology is widely used in the processing and compilation of budget and
accounts related data and information. It is good that Integrated Budgeting and Accounting System (iBAS) was introduced in FY 2007-08 and with this it is now ensured generation of timely and accurate reports. Currently, 58 District Accounts Offices including the Divisional Accounts Offices are connected through a Wide Area Network. Financial data and information are being sent directly to the capital from remote accounting locations through this system. It is said that in future, this information technology will be expanded further to cover all Upazilas across the country. This process will make public spending and use of resources more transparent and will ensure accountability.
The Budget acknowledged that there is a need to encourage science and technology education to keep pace with global and technological advances. In
order to build digital Bangladesh, the Government want to develop a ICT-skill work force. The Government, therefore, committed to introduce compulsory computer and technical education at secondary and primary levels by 2013 and 2021 respectively.
The concerned ministries are now working on a detailed work plan on the ICT Policy of the Government. The Government wants to transform to e-governance by 2014 and initiate e-commerce by 2012. Bangladesh Computer Association and Bangladesh Association for Software Information Services (BASIS) has been associated for preparing a specific work plan. The Government plans to introduce computerized system in every government office during its term of office and target a benchmark of 4000 computer engineers and scientists graduating each year from the last year of their tenure.
To render better and efficient services to the people
traditional file-based administrative work in the public sector needs to be transformed into e-government/digital government. The
national ICT Road Map is being worked out to achieve this goal. Top priority is given for exporting computer software and developing IT-skilled human resources in the service sector. The Government will
enhance incentives for software industries and also promote the use of indigenous software in government and non-government sectors.
Beyond these, enhancement of opportunities for basic
research relating to science and technology will be one of the most important activities in this area, Budget says.The Government is preparing a comprehensive programme for helping reputed researchers to undertake their research work and scholarly work in science. The Government has doubled the allocation made on research work in mathematics, life-science and physical science. It is said the allocation for this sector will increase further.
Finance Minister proposes to allocate Tk. 100 crore to meet the emergency expenditure in the ICT sector. He also proposes to enhance the amount of the existing Equity Entrepreneurship Fund relating to ICTpromotion
from Tk. 100 crore to Tk. 200 crore.
To introduce automated system of tax collection on modern technology in order to build Digital Bangladesh, it is proposed to provide facilities for 1) submitting online return for income tax 11) for easy availabilty of computers and laptops 111) development of software industry
Budget also proposes to withdraw Vat on the internet service used in educational institutions to keep the service within the reach of students and also to signify commitment towards building Digital Bangladesh.
Budget also said to create separate ICT wing in NBR along with the ICT Commissurate towards building Digital Bangladesh.
Budget hopes that this steps will turn the vision of PM for Digital Bangladesh into reality.
The ordinary citizen/s will wait to see how far the commitments expressed in the budget are materialised and see the light of the day.
An ordinary citizen
Is it the end of Regime of Iran Islamic Revolution? June 21, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, International Affairs.Tags: Ahmadinejad, Iran, Iran Guardian Council, Iran Islamic Revolution, Khameini, Mousavi, USA
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Iran turns into Regime of Islamic Revolution in 1979 ousting the then King Reza Shah Pahlavi by public upsurge led by Ayatullah Khomeini, the spiritual leader of the Islamic Revolution.
Since then Iran turns into a theocratic state, controlled by the clerics. The regime could sustained almost 30 years despite the conflict and opposition from outside and inside.
But turmoil that has erupted out of 12 June 2009 general election result where Ahmadinejad was declared winner and not accepted by Mousavi and other candidates and thier followers. The disgruntled supporters were staging relentless demostrations in the streets of Tehran and other cities in thousands denouncing the result of the election condemning it as massively rigged.
I made time to hear the sermon of Ayatullah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader and most powerful person of the statehood of Iran, presented in the last friday prayer. I was expecting that he would made a reconciliation between the potesters and declared winners. But his tone became gradually tougher after elaborating the background of the presidential candidates from Mushabi to Ahmadinijad. He tried to portray that the 4 presidential candidates are their men, they are part of Islamic revolution of Iran, at different times they serve the government and selected by the Guardian’s Counci to compete in the election.
He also appreaciated the protesters and their participation in shaping the democracy in Iran.He also argued that their protest is not against the regime.
But in conlusion, he expressed his strongest support for Ahmadinejad saying there was no rigging in the election but there may be some irregularities. He said if there is any dispute that will be solved within the set rules of the system.
He also threatened that from now on no protest will be tolerated and the protesters will have to bear the consequences.
During the sermon, Ahmedinejad and one more candidate were present. The other two were not seen
in the video-footage.
Khameini was highly critical of UK and other westrn power accusing them meddling the Iran’s internal affairs and trying to manipulate the election result in their own line of interest.
I thought that Khameini will declared a solution that will be acceptable to all parties,at least -recounting of all the votes, if fresh election is not acceptable. But he only agreed to partly count the votes- hardly 10% of the total.
It is now time to see how Mousavi and his supporters decide their own ways and react to the speech.
It is difficult to understand why the spiritual leaders like Khameini and members of the Guardian Council compromise with the minimum ethical standard where ‘all the candidates are my men’.
Is the Guardian Council at conflict with the Supreme Leader Ayatullah Khameini? If there is gross irregularities , it is certain to happen.
Is the Regime of Islamic Revolution at the end of its tenure?
The best period of Islamic statehood -the Khilafat e Rasul was also sustained for nearly 30 years only and then assination of Hazrat Ali led to the end of the period.
Will Iran embrace the same fate?
An ordinary citizen
Post link:
Reuter: Iran system seen resilient despite election rift
Making the Cyberspace Safe for Children June 16, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, Internet.Tags: China, Safe Cyberspace, Safe internet
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More and more children are using Internet for social networking, acquiring knowledge and as a means of entertainment. But Cyberspace is not absolutely safe for the children.
One think is not clear to me is that while so many invention or program have been made in relation to Internet, why making the cyberspace safe for the children didn’t get the priority. Is it due to liberal western attitude towards sex?
I am glad to notice that where West fails,the East come up with a solution. Chinese Software Company Xinhu marketed a program which will block the unwanted sites based on database of words. By this software, the family as a whole, specially children will remain safe from the erotic sites.
The parents or guardians can block the sites by writing words to be blocked by using the software in their personal computers or the computers used by the children.
At times, I was feeling frustrated as on the one hand, we are willing our children to use the Internet more but on the other hand, we keep the Internet unsafe for the children from obscene sites. I, a father of two children, felt relieved as China, a great country of Eastern Philosophy where people want their children grow with good morality and with an attitude of Conservative sexual outlook, floated the program.
I also appreciate the sponsors that the Program will remain free for a year so all the personal computers remain safe for the children.
The Chinese Government also took a laudable step to distribute the software free in the Internet.
An ordinary citizen
Views on Bangladesh Budget 2009-10 June 12, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, Budget, ECONOMY.Tags: Bangladesh budget, Bangladesh Budget 2009-10
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Following are the views of different individuals and organisations on the Bangladesh Budget 2009-10:
A Cartoonist look at the whitening of black money in Prothom Alo
Mix of progress and protection: Daily Star
Social Safely Net further expanded
Mixed reactions among chambers, trade bodies-Daily Star
Noab denounces duty on the newsprint
ADP goal lofty- Mirza Azizul Hoque
Whetening of black money is a political compromise-Muhith
The first cut is the deepest -Daily Star
Success depends on efficient tax collection(bn) -Mahbub Hussain
Budget implementation -major challenge: Muhith
Money -whitening scope sparks debate
An ordinary citizen
Post Script:
Whitening of black money will weaken the tax collection system(bn)-Ahsan H Mansur
‘Kill and come back’(bn) -Anisul Hoq on whitening of black money
Import duty on newspaper-Daily Star editorial
Import duty from Newsprint should be wiped out-Prothom Alo Editorial
Budget proposal misunderstood- Muhith on whitening of black money
Budget ignores ant-poverty efforts
Whitening black money: Scope breach of UN Convention- World Bank
Professional Militarism vs Corporate Militarism June 11, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, GOVERNANCE.Tags: Corporate Militarism, Professional Militarism
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I had no idea about the terms. I first came accross the terms in a discussion program on a TV channel when a Professor of international Law of a university raised the issue in his deliberation.
By Professional militarism , he means the militay of a country who are committed to their profession- safeguarding the country, making the border-nonporous and maintaining the integrity of the country.
On the otherhand, by Corporate Militarism he means when the Army is more engaged in corporate business and enterprizes.
The prime example of Corporate Militarism is of Pakistan where the Army runs many corporate businesses and make huge profit from these enterprises and share them among the members of the Army of past and present.
When corporate attitude enters into the minds of a professional army, compromise regarding commitment to the profession, integrity of the character and devotion to the work would take place.
One of the factors for the failure of Pakistani Army to contain the Taliban might be a due to corporate compromise in the commitment of Pakistan Army.
Bangladesh Army has a good reputaion as a professional Army and have proved their worthiness in the peach keeping mission of UN in different countries.
But is Bangladesh approaching to the Corporate Militarism? The learned speaker raised the question as the Chief of Army holds the chairmanship of a corporate bank and the Army recently innugurated a five star hotel of their own in the capital.
The ordinary citizen has little knowledge to make further comment.
An ordinary citizen
Bangladesh Budget 2009-10 Proposed June 11, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, Budget, ECONOMY.Tags: Bangladesh Budget 2009-10
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Finance Minister AMA Muhith presented the National Budget for 2009-10 in the parliament , the first of the AL-led new government after the general election of 29th December, 2008.
National Budget for 2009-10:
Budget at a glance
Full Version in English
Full version in Bangla
News link:
Daily Star
Prothom Alo
bdnews24.com
An ordinary citizen
Post Script:
30 June, 2009: Budget passed in Parliament with minor adjustment
Advance Income Tax, NBR and Language of threat June 10, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, ECONOMY, Income Tax.Tags: NBR
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In the last few days we have come across a notice from the NBR in different dailies to submit 4th quarter of Advance Income Tax for the year for the financial year 2008-09.
In the notice the authority asked the taxpayers to submit the tax by 15th of June, 2009 in advance for the 4th quarter along with the payment of the earlier quarters if not paid already.
In the notice, it is threatened that if the tax is not paid in the defined time, the taxpayers will be fined the same amount of money they are to pay as taxes according to the Income Tax Ordinance of 1984, clause 125 and will have to pay interest at the rate of 10% according to the clause 73.
It is common practice that the taxpayers submit their taxes at the end of the financial year usually by the next September, sometimes the time is extended depending on the political situation and natural calamities.
Giving advance payment of taxes should be taken as a good gesture on the part of the citizens and NBR should think how to reward this good citizens.
NBR should in no way talk in the language of threat for failure of advance payment of taxes. If there is any laws and regulations for threat in the Ordinance that should be changed as the language represent the colonial mentality of the pre-liberation era that cannot differentiate between good and bad deeds of the citizens.
The ordinary citizen opines that for payment of advance taxes, not the language of threat but language of appreciation from NBR should be extended.
An ordinary citizen
Obama and The Muslim World June 9, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH.Tags: Cairo University, Obama, USA
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Obama has given a speech addressing the Muslim world on 4th June 
2009 from Cairo University. I had also the opportunity to listen to his speech.
I was impressed by the style, confidence and content of delivery of President Obama during the speech. I could understood that very few orators of the comtemporary time have the excellance of such a degree. He was confident throughout his delivery. He was not afraid of what he was talking about. He made fine balance between his attitudes towards the Muslims and the Isralis. The content was also rich in qoutes from the religious scripts.
I had an impresion that Obama has a good study of the scripts including of Islam. The message of Islam regarding killing innocent is is clear to him when he says, ”The Holy Koran teaches that whoever kills an innocent, it is as if he has killed all mankind; and whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind”.
Even before his speech, some quarters other than AL-Quaeda from Muslim world opposed his idea of delivering the the speech. His speech was applauded by repeated clapps from the audiace most of them likely to be Muslims from different countries.
His speech creates a new hope in the minds of the Muslim throughout the world, not necessarily that it will bring an immediate change in the ground situation but because of his angle of vision and his tone of reconciliation.
Many political opponents and the conservative Israilies may not like his idea as he equally critical of the advanced Israili settllement in the West Bank.
Is the appeal from Obama rooted is his parents faith and his exposure to three continents or from the feeling that a better understanding with the Muslim world will make America more safer? I personally belive that it is the latter but his relation with the religions may give him a clear forsight of the situation.
But his vision will be tested by the actions he would take in the Israili Palestaian conflict, his committment in withdrawing the US Army from Iraq and how he tackles the problems in Afganistan and Pakistan.
We also hope in a new begining.
An ordinary citizen
BNP should join the budget session June 6, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, ECONOMY, POLITICS.Tags: BNP, Budget session, Parliament
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The Budget session is started. On the 11th of June the Finance Minister MA Muhith will place the first budget of the new government to the nation. The FM declared that the budget will be a big one surpassing 1 lakh crore of Taka with big share for ADB, though many experts caution the government against the big budget.
The Budget session may also discuss the some national vital issues like Transit, Timaimukh,BDR Report etc.
BNP is still not in a decision to join the session on the plea that the government is not allocationg enough seats in the front row. If BNP take it too sensitively , they will miss the Budget session.
But the ordinary citizens want them to be in the Budget session. For the people it is important that the budget would be critically screened and the national issues will be discussed in detail for which the presence of opposion is manditory.
If BNP does not attend the sesion, it will be looser more than the government party and people will be deprived from a lively session.
BNP should avoid the old tactics and try to understand the changed attitudes and aspirations of people where parties will be judged on the positive contribution of the parties in strengthening the democracy and the country.
People will understand the state of the opposition but at the same time they expect the oppostion to be vibrant in the parliament.
An ordinary citizen
Pakistan: What is after Swat? June 5, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, International Affairs.Tags: militancy, Pakistan, Taliban, Talibanism, terrorism, USA
2 comments
Pakistan Army is fighting the Talibans in the Swar Valley . Earlier, to confine the Talibans and then to destroy their bases the civil population of the Swat Valley was shifted out of the area. It is estimated that about 2 million people had to displaced from Swat Valley.
After days of fighting Pakistan Army could hold some control over the valley which was earlier under the control of Talibans.
But could Pakistan Government keep its control over the valley for long? It is dificult to predict this for an ordinary citizen from distant.
At the start of the Afgan War, Talibans were confined in Afganistan. When the International Alliance led by USA swept over the country, many Talibans fled to and took shelter at Pak -Afgan Border. USA repeatedly urged Pakistan to take actions against the build up of militants at the border. Later on they even used ‘Drone’ piliot warplane to fight the talibans.
The ordinary citizen is not aware why the Talibanism is sreading into Pakistan? Is it strategic failure of USA and it’s Alliances or is it a failure of the Afgan Government to negitiate the Talibans or is it a policy failure on the part of Pakistan?
The ordinary citizen predicts that the stretagy taken by Pakistan will dessiminate the terrorist activites to other cities of Pakistan and will make the life of the citizens and the state of the governance more miserable.
Is their any other way to contain the violence? Is it possible to bring the Taliban in the political process of the countries like Afganistan and Pakistan? In the course of time common people are supposed to reject the extreme fanaticism that these forces are advocating.
I am doubtful about wiping out the Talibansm by absolute military means, we should also think some sort of political means to combat it.
The rise of militancy in Pakistan will not be a good sign for its neighbours.
An ordinary citizen
Exploring and Understanding Tipaimukh Dam May 31, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, ENVIRONMENT.Tags: Tipaimukh Dam
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Timaimukh Dam has drawn much public and media attention by this time. Protests, demonstrations and discussions are going on in Bangladesh and elsewhere.
The Bangladesh Government has decided to send a Parliamentary Committee to visit the Tipaimukh Dam to understand the impact the Dam on Bangladesh. Later the Government expressed to include the experts in the Committee or a separate Expert Committee to explore the dam.
The ordinary citizen/s has little chance to visit the dam physically, so let us explore the dam from the contents of the Internet which may give us a better view of the problem.
Thangkhenlal Ngaihte describes the story so far from Indian perspective http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=news_section.opinions.Opinion_on_Building_of_Tipaimukh_Dam.Tipaimukh_Dam_The_story_so_far
A details of the project is described by Dr. Soibam Ibotombi, who teaches Earth Science at Manipur University http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=news_section.opinions.Opinion_on_Building_of_Tipaimukh_Dam.TIPAIMUKH_DAM_a_geotectonic_blunder_I
Along with Dr. Debabrat Roy, Dr. Soibam Ibotomi spells complicated disater for Bangladesh http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=news_section.opinions.Opinion_on_Building_of_Tipaimukh_Dam.TIPAIMUKH_DAM_a_geotectonic_blunder_II
Jalal Moin describes the parliament on Surma http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=news_section.opinions.Opinion_on_Building_of_Tipaimukh_Dam.Surma_hosts_Tipaimukh_Dam_Parliament
David Buhril asks whether the dam is for development or destruction in a series of articles http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=news_section.opinions.Opinion_on_Building_of_Tipaimukh_Dam.Tipaimukh_Dam_Development_or_Destruction_1
A Petition to cancel the Tipaimukh Dam and let barak river run free http://www.petitiononline.com/ACTIPdoa/petition.html
TD in Munipur in driving a wedge? http://www.downtoearth.org.in/cover.asp?foldername=20061015&filename=news&sec_id=9&sid=52
Govt urged to stop Tipaimukh Dam, bdnews.com http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=84838&cid=2
Global Voice online registered a post on Tipaimukh Dam http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/05/24/bangladesh-tipaimukh-dam-threatens-lives/
Global Voice added another post saying ‘No to Tipaimukh Dam’ http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/05/27/bangladesh-india-no-to-tipaimukh-dam/
An ordinary citizen
Post-script:
Nazrul -Our National Poet May 27, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, Literature.Tags: Kazi Nazrul Islam, Nazrul
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Kazi Nazrul Islam is the second to Rabindranath as poet in Bangla Literature. During Rabindranath life time and even after, there is none other than Nazrul who could challenge the dominance of Rabindranath at least in some domains of literature.
Nazrul who born in 1988, his 110th Birth Anniversary was observed on 25th of May, 2009.
Nazrulcame to the filed of literature in all of a sudden like a comet in 1920s with his poems creating a stir in the literary circle then mainly based in calcutta.
He then wrote relentlessly in different field of literature- poetry, songs,novel, short story etc. There was some reluctance to accept him as an independent genius but it is Rabindranath himself who extended his testimony to this new star of Bangali Literature.
Him poems came with a new style, more rebellious in tune for which he was named “Rebel Poet’, beautiful choice of words mingled with words from Arabic, Persian and other literature gave a new dimension to our literature
In addition to his poem, he composed thousands of songs of different nature ranging from nationalistic to spiritual creating a trend in music known as ‘Nazrul Giti’ and surpassing in number than any other composer in Bengali. It is heard to believe that he used to write ten to 12 songs a day. His total number of songs is 4000, but many of them are lost.
He was a natural writer, wherever he goes, he absorbed in his writing in the midst of a gathering, by the side of a pond or looking through a window.
He led a life with multiple experiences, starting from working in a grocery shop in his early days to joining in the British Army in the 1st World War.
He also associated with the then independent movement of the country that wanted to free the country from the British by military means. Many of his poems has sympathetic to the group. He also edited some literary magazines which had impact on the Contemporary time and thereafter.
He was put to jail for his opposition to the British occupation of India in his journal and in his works of literature.
Nazrul is a symbol of communal coexistence in his own life and literature. After his failed first marriageto a Muslim family, his lasting married life was with PromilaDevi from a Hindu Family of the then East Bengal who gave birthto his two children. He wrote religious songs on both the major religions practiced in the area and his songs on Islam still the best on the subject.
Nazrul songs and poems acted as the sustained source of inspiration for the liberation war of Bangladesh and one of his song was the war song of the liberation war.
Nazrul become speechless since 1942 that cut short his productive life and creating a vacuum in the literary field of Bengal. He was brought to Bangladesh in 1973 by Bangabandhu Sk Mujibar Rahman and honoured him as the National Poet of Bangladesh.
One thing remain always a mystery to me is how Nazrul being of a poor background and working odd jobs since his childhood attained such a mastery over literature and made a lasting impression in the field?
An ordinary citizen
SSC Result 2009 is out May 26, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, EDUCATION.3 comments
The SSC result will be out today
bdnews24.COM
Search your result at
result.educationboard.gov.bd
Congratulation on your success.
An ordinary citizen
News Link:
Pass rate falls, GPA 5 up, bdnews.com/Daily Star/Prothom Alo
Incorporating trade courses/skills in primary and secondary school level May 21, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, EDUCATION.Tags: professional skills, school curriculum, trade courses
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Recenty I have attended a trade course of 6 weeks duration in a technical institute. Though the time is short, but the exposure gave me a feeling that the training equipped me with a second profession.
I was thinking about the primary and secondary school curriculum in our country and to me the curriculum seems to be a mere theoretical one by which the students after passing out from the primary or secondary schools do not gain any practical knowledge on the basis of which he/she can persue a profession or adopt a trade.
The curriculum should be of such that the passouts from this levels should attain some sort of technical or professional knowledge so that the years that he/she passed in the school be of some help in his practical and professional life.
I think that at the primary level the boys may be given practical knowledge in agricultural work so that he can support his parents in the field. The girls may be taught hadicrafts so that with their mothers they can transform their home into a small cottage industriy.
They cildren may be taught wood work, metal work, electrical work, computer, automobile mechanics etc at their secondary level. Learning necessary skill for work in Garment, textile, lether sectors may also be introduced at secondary level.
Some skills may be given priority for rural schools and some for the urban set up.
The school curriculum that is now practiced is of no practicle value except to claim oneself as literate. It may at best produce some clerks for the unban offices and enterprizes but in no way transform one into a skillful worker. The curriculum may form a base for the those who want to be white collar executive one day. For the greater mass it will be of no help.
Thousands of workers are going from Bangladesh to Middle East and other countries every year. Mos of them are unskilled workers. The Government wants more migration of skill workers to those coun tries. But over the years the scenario remain same. Then why are we not developing the skills in the workers during his primary and secondary levels?
The policy makers should think the matter seriously and incorporate the trade courses or peti-professional skills in the primary and secondary level.
Let us make our education more practical for the greater masses of people. We must bear in mind that all of the students who are enetering into the schools will not enter into the universities and will become highly skilled professionals. We have to think about the other people who cannot complete their education to the end and dropped out in the middle. The curriculum should be such that some degree of skill would be attained at any level of the education and the education of be help for any student who once enter into a school.
An ordinary citizen
BDR Massacre: Will the mystery be over? May 19, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, BDR mutiny, GOVERNANCE.Tags: BDR
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It is about three months that the BDR headquarter at Pilkhana was blood stained with the brutal killing of more than 50 army officers. Three different inquiry committees were entitled to find out the details of the event and identifying the underlying cause. The report from the committees will be submitted officially to the concerned authorities within short time.
Col(Rt) Faruk, Minister for Commerce and Co-ordinator for committees said that Government is taking steps to reorganise the BDR. In this regard, they are taking steps to change the name and the dress of BDR though many opine that these steps will rather demotivated the BDR more.
There are also criticism against the Government for extra-Judaical death of the BDR Jowans and arresting the BDR in hundreds from different camps of the country.
Already it is alleged that committees are taking too much time to submit the reports. Part of the report are also published in some newspapers. AShraful Islam, Minister for LGRD refuted the news and said that it is not right to disclose the report when it is not yet officially published.
Ashraful Islam also said that some quarter tried to divert the BDR event in a different direction. Govt is watching these people. They will remain under watch until the whole situation is cleared.
People are eagerly waiting to know the contents of the report of the committees and to be sure about the background and the patrons of the event.
But people are not sure whether the mystery of the massacre will be over.
The ordinary citizen hopes that the government will come up with definite conclusion.
An ordinary citizen
Post Script:
22/05/09
The Inquiry Committee from the Home Ministry which is headed by Mr. Anisuzzama has submitted its report to the Government. It is a 309 pages document. They termed the event as mutiny and found no link with militants, political group or outside forces. The Daily Star reports.Shahara Khatun, Home Minister said that every word of the report will be disclosed to the public.
The Committee formed from the Army and comprised of Army personnels also submit its report to the Chief of Army Moin U Ahmed. In a reply to the journalist General Moin said that the inquiry is a matter of Army and it will not be submitted to the Government and will not be disclosed to public.
29/5/09
The Summary of the report has been published. The editorial of the Daily Star commented, ‘No clear picture picture has emerged from its findings.
Guest Column: Tips for Students Headed for the USA May 16, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, EDUCATION.Tags: USA
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There’s something about heading off to foreign shores to pursue an education, especially if said education is not forthcoming in your own country. The USA is a land of opportunities that welcomes students from all over the world into its universities and colleges in order to endow them with both practical and theoretical knowledge. But there are certain rules that must be followed and certain advice that you must heed if you want your stay in the US to be successful and rewarding.
· First of all, you need to ensure that your visa and other travel documents are prepared and ready. Your application needs to be accepted by a university in order for you to apply for a visa. Your school (in the US, colleges are referred to as schools, so don’t get confused) of choice will help you with the visa application.
· You need to be able to substantiate your visa application with proof of how you’re going to sustain yourself while in the USA. If you have secured a scholarship, you’ll need to include the necessary papers.
· Learn about the place you’re going to call home for the next four (or two) years. Use the Internet to read up on the customs, people and places of interest so that you don’t feel out of sorts when you get there.
· Learn more about your chosen university, whether they offer accommodation on campus or if you’ll have to make your own arrangements, and if the administration has a special body set up to help foreign students.
· Once you get there, try and mingle with everyone rather than just seeking out your countrymen. It’s natural that you’re going to feel homesick and find comfort in the company of people who speak the same language as you do and are familiar with your customs, but if you want to fit in, you must make an effort to make friends outside of your community.
· Explore the campus and make sure you obey the rules. It’s a good idea to participate in all the orientation classes so that you know your way around the place.
· Make it a point to attend all your lectures and talk to your professors if you don’t understand something. When you do well academically, you tend to feel good about yourself.
· Call or email people at home as often as you can and encourage them to keep in touch as well so that homesickness and nostalgia don’t become too much of a problem.
· And most important of all, brush up on your English if you’re not fluent in the language. You’ll feel less of an outsider if you’re able to hold your own in conversations and discussions.
This post was contributed by Claire Webber, who writes about the best universities online. She welcomes your feedback at Claire.Webber1223 at gmail.com
Solar Energy: alternative source of energy for Bangladesh May 11, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, TECHNOLOGY.Tags: Solar energy
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Bangladesh is suffering from acute shortage of electricity -to overcome the crisis, Government is mulling developing atomic energy and also utilising other sources.
Under the crisis, an alternative source of energy is expanding in Bangladesh specially in rural Bangladesh -the solar energy in the absence and inadequacy of continuous supply of electricity to the rural people.
Solar energy is a renewable energy without causing pollution to the environment.
In the last 4th January 2009, the Caretaker Government at its fag end, has formulated plans to spread solar facility to more villages, sub urban areas and cities.To support the spread it is suggested to lessen the tariff and taxes from the imported items.
The maximum electricity that a solar panel can produce is 130 Watt(130 wup). By this panel, 11 CFL (compact florescent lamp) of 6 watt power and a 17-20 inches back and white TV can run. Fan conducted on DC current can also be run by this solar energy. To procure a solar panel one has to pay 15% down payment, the rest is covered by installments, total costs stand at Taka 68000. Direct purchase costs 2 thousand 720 less. The maintenance cost for the panel is very low. The companies also give 20-25 years of warranty.
Grameen Sakti and few other companies are working to provide solar energy to the villages in Bangladesh. The companies are also interested to extend the service to the city dwellers.
In this sector , there is scope for both local and foreign investment. There is also scope for both private and public entrepreneurship.
It is learnt that the amount of investment in this energy sector in rural area per year is more than 2500 crore. 60% of this invested in solar panel, total of which requires to be imported from outside. 25% is invested in battery and the rest 15% in small mechanical parts. Batteries and accessories are all produced in the country. In near future, the solar panel will also be produced locally.
According to the insiders of the serving companies- about 20 thousand workers including 5 thousand engineers work in this sector. They hope that 1 lac people will work in this sector by 2015.
Now, more than 3 lac houses (.3m) of 465 upazilla of all the districts and 16 islands are getting the light of solar energy. The beneficiaries of this system is about 30 lac( 3 m). 44 megawatt electricity is produced everyday from the solar projects in Bangladesh.
We hope that the present government will explore the potential of solar energy for Bangladesh and will provide necessary support to develop this industry in the country.
(Sourtce: Prothom Alo, 9 May, 2009)
An ordinary citizen
Links:
Solar Energy Programmes in Bangladesh
25th Baishakh: Exploring the Versatility of Rabindra Genius May 8, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, Culture, Literature.Tags: 25th Baishakh, Rabindranath
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Today is 25th Baishakh. It’s the 148th birth anniversary of the greatest poet of Bengal Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941). The day is coloured with different events including musical soiree, discussion meeting, drama, art competition etc.
Different TV channels also telecasted programs of various types.
But the whole day I was thinking the versatility of Rabindra genius. I doubt one would not get a comparable genius in other literature who has traded all the departments of literature with same mastery. We have seen genius like Shakespaere, Shaw, Ebsen who shine in Drama, seen Shelly, Byron, TS Eliots or Yeats in poetry, Chekob, Tolstoy in novel but Rabindranath is the exception who wrote with equal energy and depth in poetry, songs, story, novel, and essays.
The songs he has wriitten are 2230 in number, they are also of various type ranging from romantic to spiritual, he himself gave tune to the lyrics and in giving the tune he explored the music of both the western and local songs. He had great affection for folk composer Lalon and Hasan Raja’s spiritual songs. The songs of RT are of very meningful, expressive,relevant, thoughtful and intellectual. His songs are more message-oriented and the music is set with the words so the it doesn’t suppress the meaning. The limitation of RT songs is that it is not enjoyed and understood by the general mass.The songs are mainly for the literates.
RT got the Nobel Prize in Poetry in 1913 for his work Gitanjali which he translated to English by himself. The excellence of Rabindra poetry has not yet exceeded by any poet in the language.
Regarding short story it is said that RT would live ages through the short stories he has written and the character he has potrayed in those stories.
His stories are always an important source of script for the Bangali films. He himself play roles in the film in 1930’s.
His dance drama gave a new dimention to this creative art. His songs remain always a strong supporting component to the dance practiced in this part.
His casual artwork, many of which are done on his pieces of poetry created a new line of artistry again depicts his creativity.
He has own his philishopy of life which is scattered in his differents essays and writings. In one word he may be termed as a humanist- he longs for all the good in life and on earth.
His feeling for patrotism was also of high. He rejected knigthood in protest against the killing by the British in Jalinwalabag. He had close relation with Mahatha Gandhi who also visited the BishaBarati. He was also sympathetic to the then nationalist movement.
He has his own thoughts on education out of which he developed his own centre of education of BishaBharati and Santi Niketan. He prefered more natural way of teaching and many comtemporary academics of different countries taught in his institution and the instution is continuing to remain one of the most influencial academy in the subcontinent.
I am impressed by his interest in agriculture and in his attempt to mechanise the agriculture in our country. He also introduced Agricultural Bank in the country to give financial support to the farmers.
He is the only person in the history whose songs are at the same time the national anthem of two different countries – Bangladesh and India.
Though the new generation is trying to develop thier own style of songs and music, the thoughts of RT will always influence them.
An ordinary citizen
Bangladesh
