an ordinary citizen

The political parties didn’t respond to the address of the Chief Adviser(CA) of the caretaker Government(CTG) Dr. Fakhruddin Ali A as was expected by the people and the intelligentsia. It is become difficult for the ordinary citizen to understand the inner thinking of the political leaders by his limited information and knowledge. (more…)

Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Caretaker Government Dr. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmedin a televised address[Summary][Full text] last night has given his given his long waited speech where it was supposed that he would touch political dialogue, national election by December, withdrawal of the emergency rule,necessary reform in the political parties, continuation of the constitutional reforms etc. In his address he touched most of the points except the release or participation of Hasina and Khaleda Zia in the dialogue. (more…)

He came to the focus of attention of people when 3 chiefs of army before 1/11 met with the President Iajuddin and urged him to dissolved the past care taker government and made the background for Dr. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed to take oath as the Chief Adviser of the new caretaker government and end one of the chaotic stage of our history.

It was understood that the new caretaker government is blessed with the support of the powerful Army of Bangladesh.

Later he became vocal in expressing his thoughts and ideas in different meeting with the army or in public gatherings. Some of his ideas which created much discussions are his thoughts on Bangabandhu Sk. Mujibur Rahman and ex-Presdient Ziaur Rahman and to put them in true perspective of the history. The moves in this respect was appreciated by all.

The other issues which also stirred the nation was his comment on the trail of the war criminals where he says that they should be tried. Though similar ideas was expressed by the Chief Adviser, but the present government so far couldn’t materialize the idea due to legal and political complexities.

He was always vocal against corruptions and said many a times that this government will make the country and politics corruption free.
But his comments on the bankers where he said that the bankers are creating panic among the business communities caused resentment.

During the devastating floods of mid 2007, he visited the flood hit areas, personally distributed the relief and lamented the political parties for their reluctance in participation in the relief work. He spared time to collect donations from different individuals and organizations for the flood victims.

Regarding the relation between the Army and present caretaker government, he emphasized that the army is not running the country. It is a civil government as permitted by the constitution and the Army is doing what it is asked to do by the government.

When Barrister Moinul Hussain, ex Law Adviser of the present CTG once said that this government is army backed civil government, he instantly opposes the idea. Though in the public perception there is always an integration of Army in the present caretaker government.

The best acceptable philosophy on the composition of the present care taker government was expressed by Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed in his address in the UN Assembly where he said that the present government is an example of civil-military cooperation which may be followed by other developing countries. General Moeen didn’t contradict his version.

Few weeks later General Moeen himself went on a visit to USA and in addition to his official attendance he met Bangladeshi communities and the press where he answered frequent questions on Bangladesh. He denied any aspiration of him of becoming the Chief of the state. In reply to a question of Sajib Wajed, he said that he will be glad more than anyone   if Hasina come out of the trial innocent.

A controversy regarding his loan from a bank was at the same time a prime issue among the bloggers, the allegation which he denied. The ordinary citizen could not make the end of it.

In Sidr, General Moeen and Chief Adviser FAA made several visits to the affected area and General Moeen urged the political parties to participate with all out efforts in support of the affected people.

He recently reiterated that Army will play important roles in conducting fair election as designed by the caretaker government.

He again said that he has no intention to become the President of the country

But people is not at ease even after his repeated assurance of not coming to power.

In the launching ceremony of his book ‘Selected Collections by Moeen U Ahemd’ he said that Bangladesh needs its own brand of democracy as it could not follow the Westminster type of democracy correctly and in full. But he didn’t go into details of his ideas of the new brand of democracy for Bangladesh. He is also hopeful of unity in national crisis as the nation already showed unity in crisis like sidr.

He is in favour of National Security Council. When asked earlier, he said that when time comes, he will comment on the issue.

Does the time come?

But I shall never forget a comment by bjoernlasse in one of my blog post long before where he/she said ‘its a play with the fire - and this situation is not unique to Bangladesh. There were many countries with a similar situation ending in somewhat of a fascist dictatorship. Lets hope that the military really is this open minded and self sacrificing regime : for the people. It would really be great if your connotation is true.’

An ordinary citizen

Chief Adviseer Fakruddin Ali Ahmed acknowledged while inaugurating SOFTEXPO exhibition on 14 February 2008 that despite some successes, the adoption of ICT in all sectors have been so far poor.

He also informed that Government has identified some key reasons:

a) lack of awareness what ICT could offer

b) insufficient telecommunication infrastructure and Internet connectivity

c) Expensive Internet access

d) absence of adequate legal and regulatory framework

e) shortage of required manpower

Government has taken few steps to rectify the condition:

a) to get connected with the second submarine cable

b) framing of the national broadband policy

c) reduction of bandwidth price

d) arrangments for alternative fibre optic connection between Dhaka and Cox’s Bazaar

e) preparations are going on for issuance of licenses for call centres, IP telephone, WIMAX and 3G

He said that Government is committed to form an effective information society in the country. It is about bridging the digital divide and connecting the unconnected.

But the adoption of ICT for all sectors should be allout and rapid for Bangladesh. We are already in backfoot. We are far behind than many of our neighbours. A comprehensive strategy must be adopted to overcome this.

The government and non-government organisations all should go to the Internet. For exchange of information Internet should be the mode. Software should be encouraged to be made by the local individuals and institutions and be preferred for applicaion in the local industries. Adequate training facilities must be available at the institution and university level. Job opportunities must be created for skilled people. Linkage with the outside countries and out sourcing should be created. Government in all these arenas would provide leading role but private sectors then could supplement this.

Government could also take the support of the NRBs. In many areas public and private partnership will yeild better result.

The present caretaker government, we hope, will take necessary steps to take Bangladesh to the information super highway in all sense.

An ordinary citizen

Post script:

Danish IT expert suggests policy change to tap ICT potential [DS]

Infrastructure needed to attract global IT giants[DS]

News Link:
BDnews:CA promises dialogue with parties
BDnews:Highlights of CA’s speech
Full Text: CA’s address to the Nation.pdf

An ordinary citizen

Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed rightly said in a meeting with the donors that Bangladesh could no longer afford to count on relief and rehabilitation and wait for the next natural disaster.

Long term plan should be enough to protect all the lives of the human being, keep survive the livestock, save the crops, houses and other infrastructures.

To save the human lives effective warning system should have to be developed; cyclone shelters are adequate, strong, safe and close to the people.

To help the livestock survive the onslaught, special animal centres may be needed to be prepared for them.

The houses should have to be build strong and in special form so that they don’t affected by storm.

The save the crops there is left few ways. The embankment along the coastal belt should be high and strong enough to prevent the surge of water.

The roads and highways should be built strong to overcome the pressure of water.

The relief and donation that Bangladesh is getting from home and abroad should be enough to provide relief to the affected people and to rehabilitate them.

For the prevention of the disaster, special donation will be needed. It is praiseworthy that, different international agencies and donor agencies are coming forward to give a support to Bangladesh.

As the Chief Adviser said, we need to Pre-empt and prevent disasters, not just react to them.

An ordinary citizen.

Chief Adviser to the Caretaker Government Dr. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed has composed himself, after initial shock and engagement, to appeal in a televised speech all people, irrespective of party and opinion, to come forward in aid of the affected people and to bravely face the national catastrophe of Bangladesh. Though the businessmen and other professionals have responded rapidly, the politicians are dwindling on conditions such as withdrawal of emergency and declaration of Southern Bangladesh as disaster area.

Bangladesh also appeals to the world and international organizations for more help. Though many predicts that the Sidr will destabilize Bangladesh economy, Finance Adviser is hopeful that Bangladesh will be able to overcome the situation.

Huge health crisis is on the way with the scarcity of pure drinking water.

Small and medium enterprises are totally damaged. They need financial support.

Deadly devastation is also resounded with the tales of survival of people.

Links: Daily Star, Prothom Alo, BBC, CNN, Yahoo.

An ordianry citizen