Centralised admission test for private medical colleges in Bangladesh- a positive step October 30, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, EDUCATION, GOVERNANCE.Tags: MBBS, Medical admission, Medical education
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The Government has taken decision to organise the admission tests for MBBS in private medical colleges directly under the control of itself through Directorate of Heath Service. There are 40 private medical colleges working in Bangladesh against 17 Govt. Medical Colleges. Till last year, the admission in private medical colleges was controlled by individual colleges though the admission in govt. medical colleges were conducted through a single admission test on the same day throughout the country over the years.
There are allegations of massive irregularities and corruptions regarding the admission in private medical colleges.
Govt. also restrict the admission fees in the private medical colleges from 5 lac to 8 lac. This will also prevent the private medical college authorities to take exuberent fees and to give admission to the irregular students in exchange of excess money.
The writer rather advocates the introduction of payment of fees in installments on semester basis in private medical colleges so that more students get the opportunity for studying medicine in private medical colleges.
The system of paying on semester/term basis will also help the students to quit the study if one does not find medical studies suitable for his/her career. In the present system, there is little scope for the students to make his own choice- the financial investment on the part of the parents or guardians make it obligatory to continue the burden despite his limitations and emotiona detachment. The present system also creates an obligation on the teachers and administrtion to somehow passover their students despite their deficiency in academic attainment. In the long run, it only compromises the quality of doctors in Bangladesh.
The writer also advocates the introduction of same centralised system for admission in post graduate courses of MD and MS in different medical colleges in Bangladesh. We are observing with sorrow that over the last few years the admission in post graduate courses in Bangladesh become so much politicised that in future the life of the people and patrons alike will be in danger in the hands of these so-called medical specialists.
The writer has also reservation about the number of private medical colleges. The goverment should restrict the number of these private institutions and mantain the necessary stardard of education and service there.
By now, we appreciate the present step of the Government for centralised admission test in private medical colleges and hope that it would be a good positive step in reorganising the chaotic academic condition in the private medical colleges in Bangladesh.
An ordinary citizen
ACC is frustrated over its own state and state of judiciary in Bangladesh October 25, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, CORRUPTION, GOVERNANCE, JUDICIARY.Tags: ACC. Anti-Corruption Commission
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The Chief of Anti-Corruption Commission(ACC) recently expressed his frustration over ts own state and state of judiaciary in relation to the corruption cases in Bangladesh.
BDnews24.com reports, the chief of watchdog said. ‘ the government is clipping the wings of the Anticorruption Commission, reducing some of its powers, in phases’.
After making the Anticorruption Commission a ‘tiger without teeth’, the process is underway to cut the nails from its claws,” ACC chairman Golam Rahman told reporters.
Rahman also said it is not possible to wipe out corruption due to the existing judicial system.
“It won’t be possible to remove corruption if the judicial system is not reformed in line with the reality,” he said.
“If the judges are not tough against the corrupt people they would continue to commit more corruption under the umbrella of law”.
ACC chairman also commented that, “It is not possible to prevent high-level corruption without a strong political will.
The present government has formed a committee for recommendation on the Anti-Corruption Commission. ACC boss probably reacted to the notice served by the committee.
An ordinary citizen
Bangladesh in Human Development Report 2009 October 5, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, ECONOMY, GOVERNANCE.Tags: HUman Development Report 2009
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UNDP has just published Human Development Report 2009.
The state of Bangladesh is presented in the country factsheet
An ordinary citizen
A Daily’s crusade to save our rivers September 20, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, CORRUPTION, GOVERNANCE, POLITICS.Tags: Daily Star, Dhaka rivers
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The rivers and canals of Dhaka over the years are being grabbed by the influentials and the greedies. So far no political power took any real initiative to free the rivers and canals from the gravers. As a consequence, drainage of water of Dhaka city is grossly affected, many of the areas inundated by a small rain water, pure water become scarcy and diarrhoea spread like havoc within short time. The rivers are not only becoming thinner, the water is also polluted by the waste of the facotories and industries so much so that WASA becomes unable to supply fresh water to the inhibitants of the capital, the fishes are dying under the pollution and the water become so thick that even swimming at places is impossible and navigation through rivers become difficult.
When the political power fails, il’s a Daily in Bangladesh that virtually started a crusade against the grabbers. It has started to publish investigative reports on the state of the rivers relentlessly. It’s pictorial presentations have caught the eyes of many. Even Prime Minister Sk Hasina feels concern and orders the related authorities to take immediate measures and declares that her government will take stern actions against the wrongdoers.
We are not sure how far Government would succeed in fulfilling its pronouncement but we appreciate the effort made by a Daily, the Daily Star of Bangladesh to make the life of the citizens healthy and comfortable. A pioneer TV channel, Channel Eye forms a partnership with the Daily in the endevour.
An ordinary citizen
Links:
Could PSC like examination be introduced for promotion in the Bangladesh Secretariat? September 11, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, GOVERNANCE, POLITICS.Tags: PSC
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Protest and frustration gripped the Bangladesh secretariat after Government promoted some hundred officers to the higher posts.
Can’t Public Service Commission (PSC) conduct promotion exams for the secreataries? Similar exams are in practice for other caders such as for teachers in medical colleges.
Recommedation by a neutral body like PSC could help remove the frustation and deprivation because of the present trend of promotion in the admin cade on the political consideration.
An ordinary citizen
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
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
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.
Anti-Corruption Commission vs Parliamentary Committee May 4, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, GOVERNANCE, JUDICIARY.Tags: ACC, Anti-corruption commission, Parliamentary Committee
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An intriguing debate is going on in Bangladesh as Parliamentary Committee on Public Undertakings summoned past and present acting chairmen and members of the Anti-Corruption Commission(ACC) to come for hearing to the PC to clarify the deeds and accounts of ACC during the period of caretaker government.
None of the members of the ACC agreedto acccept the summon on the plea that PC has no authority on the ACC and ACC is in no way accountable to PC, it is only accountable to the President and they have submitted the Annual Report to the president already.
The chairman and members of the PC argued that Parliament is the supreme authority and everybody/ every department is accountable to the parliament. They also threated the members of ACC that not to appear before the Committee will be tentamount to the comptempt of the Parliament and which may end in jail or fine of the members.
It is not clear whether the said Parlimentary Committee has the authority over Election Commission or Supreme Court to vaify their activites and accounts as these departments are also thrive on the public money.
The experts are divided. Though the ACC is not a constitutional body by rules but it is such by spirit. In no way ACC should be accountable to a committee that is chaired by a ‘convict’. He may has own grievances to call the ACC which had drawn the proccedings for which he was found guily by the High Count and he is now under special bail and staying out of the jail. It is alleged that he may has done this out of malafide intention.
We want the ACC to be strong enough to combat the corruption in our country, to be independent to challenge and charge anybody, not to be accountable to person/s who proved guilty by the court and the members should have a dignified and honourable life.
Most of all , we want to see the ACC to be a constitutional body.
Will the controversy be referred to the Supreme Court for an ultimate decision?
An ordinry citizen
Opinion:
Under the debate of Govt vs ACC(bn)-Mijanur Rahman Khan
Parlimantary Committee Vs ACC-Citizen’s thoughts-(bn) Badiul Alam Majumdar
ACC-the main issue shouldn’t be bypassed(bn)- Maloy Bhoumik
Bangladesh announces stimulus package for economic recession April 20, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, ECONOMY, GOVERNANCE.Tags: economic recession, world economic crisis
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Finance Minister MA Muhith has declared the long awaiting stimulus package to combat economic recession in Bangladesh.
Daily Star
Prothom Alo
Finance Minster said that the package is not all. Government is also giving tax rebit and banks will give more credit support to the businesses.
The package was appraciated by the economists but to business lesders it falls short of expectations, specially the garments sector feels that it was neglected in the package.
The Daily Star in its editorial urges the goverment to reach the target sector in time. An Star Analysis says it is a wise first recession step.
Stimulus package also puzzles the leather industry.
Primary Textile Sector also urge the government to extend the incentive to the textile industries.
MA Muhith,Minister for Finance said that necessary modifications will be made to relieve the grivances and said spinners will be included in the package.
Recession is already creeped into Bangladesh and now it is time to see how effectively the package could help in combating the recession.
An ordinary citizen
Increasing bunden on AL-led government April 10, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, ECONOMY, EDUCATION, GOVERNANCE, POLITICS.Tags: AL, AL-led Government
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AL led coalition win the last parliamentary election with 3/4th majority and formed the government. People has very high hopes as they were impressed by the commitment AL has given in its manifesto with a vision for 2021 and Digital Bangladesh.
AL had formed the government mostly with new faces leaving aside the veterans like Tofael Ahmed, Suranjit Sangupta, Amir Hussain Amu and Abdur Razzak who had link with the reform process in the party during the regime of the caretaker government. The step was appreciated as bold and courageous by many they thought the new faces without record of corruption would boost the image of the government but the alieniation of the senior leaders may increase the burden on the government.
Just only after one and half month in the Government, PM Hasina had to face the BDR mutiny where about 70 army officers were killed in a most tragic way, though controlled by the government in the coldest possible way without further bloodshed but created a rift between the Army and the the present government.
After the new government takes over the power, its student wing started to take control of the university campuses and residential halls. They had to overcome the resistance from other parties and had to face intra party feuds which is still parsisting and throws a challenge for the new government to maintain peace and continuity of education in the academic institutions.
The Government has declared the trial of anti-liberation forces as their priority as they have declared it in their manifesto. Government is takings steps to appoint prosecutors, set the courts and select the lawyers. They have also sought the UN support though Shahriar Kabir, the Secretary of the GDNK was against the association. UN Country Coordnator Ms Reneta said that mistakes were made in many countries in trial of war criminals. Bangladesh shouldn’t make those mistakes.
Mass transfer and putting as OSD in the sectariat and in the governemnt services created a sort of panic and frustration among the emplyees.
The government has taken decision to cancel the lease of Begum Khaleda Zia’s cantonment house which provoked criticism by many and protests by the BNP leaders and activists. They have threatened to wage country-wide agitation if the decision is not reversed.
Anti-Corruption Commission refused to respond to the call of Committee on Public undertakings on the ground that it is unconstitutional and a controversy arises out of it. Lack of strong legal and constitutional ground may tarnish the image of the Government in fighting corruption which is already affected due to resignation of Lt. General(Rt) Mashhud Choudhury as the Chairman of the ACC.
Though Bangladesh could avoid the immediate the effect of the world economic recession, the world economic bodies and experts hunch that it would be affected in the this year with fall in exports and remittance and a lower GDP.
The government has dissolved Local Government Commission and passed the Law for Upazilla Parishad modified from its original spirit curtailing the power of the upazilla chairmen and subjecting them to the authority of the local MPs. This has created resentment in among the upazilla chairmen and frustration among the proponents of the strong local governments in Bangladesh. The upazilla chairmen threaten to wage movement and take legal action against the proceeding in he high court.
The Finace Minister MA Muhith acknowledged that the government would not be able to fulfill its commitment in power sector by 3 years which would be extended to 5 years.
The best achievement so far the Government could made is in lowering the price of essentials which is acclaimed by the common people.
(An observation by an ordinary citizen)
Hope for local governments fades away in Bangladesh April 8, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, GOVERNANCE, JUDICIARY, POLITICS, local government.Tags: upazilla parishad
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A strong opinion for local governments election was created during the caretaker government. Though the upazilla parishad election could not be completed during the tenure of the caretaker government, but election of 4 city corporations and 11 municipalities was held under EC during the last CTG.
Due to pressure from the political parties, EC had to set the upazilla election on 22nd January, 2009 after the parliamentary election on 29th December, 2008. Amid much speculation, AL led government held the upazilla election as scheduled.
After the election people thought that local governments will be strengthen in Bangladesh after a long time. But when the law is passed, people find the local government ordinance passed by the CTG is molded to such an extent that the power and independence of the upazilla chairman is curtailed and the advice of the MPs has been made mandatory for the upazilla parishads, even the upazilla chairman could not directly contact the government without MPs’ recommendation.
In the parliament, MPs from both the GOP and opposition unanimously supported the move. The Minister for local government himself proposed the truncated law as suggested by the parliamentary committee on the local government.
The upazilla chairmen all over the country criticized the power delegated to the MPs over them. The citizen groups raised their concern and expressed their frustration on the subjugating them to the authority of the MPs. Dr. Shahdin Malik, a Jurist said that the Upazilla law that is enacted by the present parliament is contradictory to the constitution and the amendment in the law will be challenged in the High Court. He argued that the same reason for which a upazilla chairman cannot make law, an MP also can’t hold the executive authority at the upazilla level.
Many urge the government to review the law and to set the law in the true spirit to strengthen the local government in Bangladesh.
A writer and blogger from Philippines came to visit Bangladesh few months back. He commented that there is little difference between the central governments between two countries but the they feel proud for their local governments which are much stronger in Philippines than in Bangladesh.
We also want to see our local governments stronger.
An ordinary citizen
Linked news:
Resignation of Hasan Mashhud and an Independent Anti-Corruption Commission April 3, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, CORRUPTION, GOVERNANCE, JUDICIARY, POLITICS.Tags: ACC, Anti-corruption commission, Lt Gen (Rt) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury
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Lt General(Rt) Hasan Mashhud has resigned from the post of Chairman of Anti-Corruption Commission. He was appointed during the tenure of last Caretaker Goverment. He took up the job as a mission ‘to remove corruption from Bangladesh politics and Administration’. As a part to achieve his objectives, ACC filed charges against hundreds of politicians,some beaucrates and few businessmen. Many politicians including two Prme Ministers were arrested and put under arrest for months together but most of them came out of the jail on the verdict of the higher courts or with the change of the government.
He also tried to develop awareness against the corruption as a part of social movement for which he travelled different parts of the country and led many processions of students and of common people.
Politicians of both the major parties were critical of treatment of them by ACC during the Caretaker government.
He didn’t directly blame anybody and told in a brief press conference before his leaving the office that a new leadership is necessary for Anti-Corruption Commission in the changed environement.
The State Minister of Law Advocate Kamrul Islam has expressed satisfaction on his resignation. BNP leaders asked to inquire into the corruption of the former ACC Chairman during his tenure. Citizens’ leaders Professor Muzaffar Ahmed and Dr. Akbar Ali Khan expressed concern on his resignation.
Politicians will feel relief with the resignation of the General Mashhud. But many people will remember him as a crusader who tried to contain corruption but failed to succeed for necessary legal, political, administrative and policy support.
With the resignation of General Mashhud, the responsibility of the new goverrnment is rather increased. People want to see an independent Anti-Corruption Commissison working in Bangladesh which is equally important for this government to achieve its goal of vision 2021.
The ordinary citizens would like the government to heed the point and would take necessary steps to make the ACC independent and effective.
An ordinary citizen
Opinions:
Out with the lonely warrior- Daily Star
Who will be affected on Mushhud’s resignation? Motiur Rahman Prothom Alo
But the fighte still remains- Abdullah A dewan, Michigan University
Shadow of militancy over Bangladesh April 2, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, GOVERNANCE, POLITICS.Tags: militancy in Bangladesh, militant
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For the last few weeks news related with militancy had occupied the headlines of daily newspapers of Bangladesh. The BDR carnage of 25th February shocked and shake the nation tremendously. Inquiry committees have been formed to trace out the truth behind the carnage. Col(Rt) Faroque Khan was made coordinator of the committees. He commented that there is direct evidence of militant connection with the Pilkhana evet. It is said that many of BDR arrested were members of the militant groups. People felt awe with the disclosure and worried about the impact of militancy in future. Though later he withdrew his comment saying that it is his personal assumption but people will not be sure about the connection until the final reports come out.
Mr. Anisul Hoque, President of FBCCI said that we should be cautions to tell anything in relation to militants as it will affect our image outside, may affect our export and remittance.
In the meantime, a sizable amount of ammunition discovered from a madrasha in Bhola which is financed by an NGO based in UK. The Chief of the NGO is arrested but no case so far lodged against him. Few teachers of the madrasha are also taken into custody.
Special alerts have been taken by the law enforcing agencies. Koimi Madrashas are under watch. The English medium schools are instructed to take precautions at the entrance of the school. Out of precaution, PM cancelled her visit to the parade of police forces.
The Home Minister said that every militant will be brought out even if they remain under ground.
Some intellectuals and citizen groups are in favour of changing the present divided trends of education into one.
The law minister said in a discussion meeting that the the madrashas are the production field of militants in our country.
Many critics do not agree with the notion of the government and they think that the Govt is exaggerating the facts to create an environment to form a Regional/Bilateral Task Force to combat militancy. This group is against the regional task force as it may invite international militants to infiltrate in our country. They argue that Bangladesh is capable to control its militancy by itself and militancy is under well control now. They also alleged that some quarters are trying to potray Bangladesh as a militant state which is not true according to them.
For an ordinary citizen, there is only to wait and see the developments and pray for the best of the country and for the people.
An ordinary citizen
Courtesy for Photo: Daily Star
Rajshahi University violence: student politics should be banned/restricted March 14, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, EDUCATION, GOVERNANCE, POLITICS, University.Tags: Rajshahi University, Rajshahi University violence, student politics
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A massive clash between the students of Shibir and Bangladesh Chattra League had taken place yesterday in Rajshahi University with the death of a student leader of Shibir and injury of hundred of students on both sides.
The clash erupted few days back and Shibir viirtually took over the control of the residential halls ousting the BCL cadres from the university. Police raided the halls and arrested more than 50 cadres of Shibir from the hall on the thursday night.
The authority closes the university sine a die and asked the students both male and female to leave their dormatories. To avoid further clash, the Rajashahi Govt College and the Rajshahi Medical College are also closed down.
People are worried with the development of power struggle among the studdent factions. With the coming of the political government into power, the equillibrium in the universities has been disturbed. The pro-government party with the support of the law enforcing agencies, as our tradition goes, is trying to establish their supremany in the campus.
In the process, students are killed or injured, teachers are harrassed, administrators are threatened, parents feel woried, classes are closed, dormatories vacated, session become jammed, adademic exercise stopped and nation lags behind.
During last Caretaker Government, discussion was ripe
whether the student politics should be banned or not, consensus developed about not to totally ban the student politics but to modify its pattern. Election Commission was in favour of banning the student wing of the political party in the campus as a precondition of registration of the political parties. But EC had to compromise on the point on the insistance of the major political parties.
We feel that if the student politics continue in this fashion, then our academic atmosphere will be more jeopardised.
All the political parties should ponder over the matter and come to a consensus. It is sure the advantage the pro-government faction is enjoying now, will be faded with time and we in no way could come out of the vicious cycle.
To fulfull the vision 2021, we need our student politics to be moulded accordingly to fulfill the dream.
An ordinary citizen
Bashundhara City Mall Fire exposes our inadequacy in disaster management March 13, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, GOVERNANCE.Tags: Bashundhara City Mall, Bashundhara fire, disaster management
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A devastating fire is still uncontrolled more than 5 hours after it started in the top floors of the Bashhundara City Mall, one of the best shopping centres in the South East Asia.
The fire totally ruined the upper floors of the Mall, where the corporate offices were located. Army, Air Force and Navy came in support of the Fire Brigade, which could not play any effective role in absence of necessary equipments.
Mr. Faizullah, Architect of the Mall in a live interview to the Bangla Vision, a TV Channel was telling that the Mall is equipped to combat any fire, but the equipments couldn’t be utilized at the time of necessity. In reply to a question, he said that the steel structure of the Mall is heat stable and he hopes that it will not burn down like that of Twin Tower of New York in 9/11.
Prime Minister personally intervened the incident and asked all concern to take adequate steps. Home Minister Shahara Khatun, State Minister for Home and Minister for Disaster Management came to the site to give necessary direction.
State Minister for Home said that Rajuk shouldn’t give permit to build these high rise buildings as our Fire Service is not equipped with to combat the disaster at this high level. We rather like to plead that Fire Service should be developed with manpower, skill and equipments to meet the necessity of the modern times.
A Fire Service official was rightly saying that a coordination between different teams are mandatory to combat such a disaster. The building must be equipped, drill and demonstration must be done to face any emergency on monthly basis. He added that while many garments factories are now equipped to combat these emergencies to fulfill the preconditions of donors, he is not sure how far the Malls have equipped themselves on their own initiative.
Home Secretary said that an inquiry committee will also be formed to look into the incident to find out the cause and any inadequacy in the management.
An ordinary citizen
BDR ‘mutiny’- unanswered questions March 6, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, BDR mutiny, GOVERNANCE, POLITICS.Tags: Army, BDR, BDR mutiny, Inquiry committee on BDR mutiny
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The investigative/inquiry committees are working on finding the details of the BDR mutiny. CID, the government committee headed MR. Anisuzzaman and the Committee formed by the Army are working parallel. They also formed a common Task Force Informative(TFI) to ask the suspects combined.
In an article in the Daily Star ‘The Unanswered Questions’ they will have to find out:
a) Why the rebels kill all the officers if it was a dispute over pay and benefits?
b) Could military force have been used to quell the rebellion?
c) Could the deaths have been prevented?
d) How could this have been planned without anyone knowing?
e) What were the intelligence agencies doing ?
f) Who stands to gain from the horrific atrocity?
g) What was the mutineers’ exit strategy?
h) Whether the delay ultimately increased the death toll.
i) Whether the general amnesty declared early was properly timed.
j) Could a rapid strike from the army have saved lives?
Fragmented news are coming out from the committees unofficially. But we shall have to wait to have a comprehensive idea of the situation till the full reports from the committees are out.
An ordinary citizen
Courtesy: The photo is taken from the Daily Star
BDR ‘mutiny’: are the measures justified? March 2, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, BDR mutiny, GOVERNANCE, POLITICS.Tags: AL, BDR, BNP
6 comments
Mutiny is over.
Questions arise about the measures taken by the government. Resentment is also high in the Army camp. The opposition is criticizing the steps taken by the government in the parliament and in the press.
Khaleda Zia is saying Government made strategic mistake in controlling the mutiny. It should have been militarily negotiated. The timely and right government approach could have saved more lives of the officers and chastity of women.
The Prime Minister,Home Minister and others tried to defend the government steps in the parliament, in official meetings and in the media. They stressed that
political solution saved the lives of hundreds of the uniform personals, their family members and civilians.Any military steps would have plunge the country in deeper crisis. They were sincere in their effort and were ready to take any ultimate step if the political negotiation failed.
The ordinary citizens are caught in the controversies and are in confusion though they hoped for a unified stand from all parties on this national crisis. For the time being, let us have faith on the Prime Minister on whom resides the ultimate decision, has exerted her utmost prudence to come to the best conclusion on the basis of the information she had at that moment.
PM Hasina also declared that she has contacted USA for FBI, UK for scotland Yard and UN for an acceptable investigation of the incident.
The first Inquiry Committee is modified and Home Minister Shahara Khatun is replaced by Anisuzzaman, an ex Secretary.
From Army, it is also disclosed that a Departmental Investigative Committee will be formed to inquire into the incident.
Demands are also there to form a parliamentary committee.
We hope that through these committees truth regarding background and appropriateness of different steps will come out.
An ordinary citizen
BDR ‘mutiny’- searching the cause February 28, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, BDR mutiny, GOVERNANCE, POLITICS.Tags: BDR
5 comments
We have to acknowledge that the incident that shakes the nation on 25th February 2009 was neither mutiny nor revolt contrary to initial perception by many.
It is true that BDR men might have their grievances but the way the whole episode was executed it seems that it was a simple massacre.
Probably the organizers exploited the sentiments of the common BDR men of their grievances to achieve the ends.
It is confusing to believe why a small group of wrongdoers staged such a heinous act for themselves, the consequences of which they cannot avoid ? What motivated them ? Is any force of inside or outside instigate them to do so or is it an immature act of some hot headed illiterate soldiers in a sudden rush of blood?
Shahriar Kabir of Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee presented a perception paper in a meeting about the association of Jamaat-e- Islami with the incident.
From BNP, the relation of outside force is raised.
Many speculates that it’s a conspiracy by those who do not want the Army or the country to remain strong.
When asked, Home Minister Shahara Khatun told that the Government has formed a committee to inquire into the matter and submit the report within seven days. She hopes that with the submission of the report all the facts will come out and government will take the actions accordingly.
In the meantime, Prime Minister Sk Hasina clarifies the Government stand that who were directly involved with the planning and killing and other crimes will be punished and will remain beyond the purview of the general amnesty.
Let us patiently wait and see the ultimate outcome.
An ordinary citizen
BDR mutiny: this brutality has no meaning February 27, 2009
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, BDR mutiny, GOVERNANCE, POLITICS.Tags: AL, BDR, Hasina
7 comments
Mutiny is calmed down. But in the course of the event- more than 100 officers are dead or missing, a few civilians are also dead and more are wounded, family members of the officers were tortured, houses were ransacked.
Officers were brutally killed or charged bayonet, the dead were dumped into the ground or thrown into the sewerage.
The picture is horrifying and beyond description.
The political leaders have done a tremendous job. We appreciate their courage and commitment, especially of our Home Minister Shahara Khatun.
We appreciate the Prime Minister Hasina’s rational approach to the situation, her personal involvement in the negotiation and appropriate leadership in a time of great crisis of the nation.
We appreciate the prudence of the Army leadership not to side step the political leadership and not to take the actions in their own hand.
We condemn those who to meet their grievances brutally killed the innocent and worthy sons of the nation.
We mourn the death of our brave officers, many of whom had served the nation greatly in their golden career. We also mourn the death of innocent family members and ordinary citizens in the incident.
We express our heartfelt sympathy for the relatives of the dead who have lost their husbands, brothers or sisters in the massacre.
We have no language left but only silent prayer to Almighty for the children who lost their parents and who will remain in shock and pain for long.
This brutality has no meaning. It is not a way to meet one’s grievances.
The government should make a thorough inquiry of the event and punish those who were involved in plotting and executing this heinous act.
An ordinary citizen
Bangladesh
